Spectroscopic Determination of Optimal Hydration Time of Zircon Surface

When a mineral surface is immersed in an aqueous solution, it develops an electric charge produced by the amphoteric dissociation of hydroxyl groups created by the hydration of the solid surface. This is one influential surface property. The complete hydration process takes a time which is specific for each mineral species. The knowledge of the aqueous solution contact time for complete surface hydration is mandatory for further surface phenomena studies. This study deals with the optimal hydration time of the raw zircon (ZrSiO4) surface comparing the classical potentiometric titrations with a fluorescence spectroscopy technique. The latter is easy and reliable as it demands only one sample batch to determine the optimal time to ensure a total hydration of the zircon surface. The analytical results of neutron activation analysis (NAA) showed the presence of trace quantities of Dy3+, Eu3+ and Er3 in the bulk of zircon. The Dy3+ is structured in the zircon crystalline lattice and undergoes the same chemical reactions as zircon. Furthermore, the Dy3+ has a good fluorescent response whose intensity is enhanced by hydration molecules. The results show that, according to the potentiometric analysis, the hydration process for each batch (at least 8 sample batches) takes around 2 h, while the spectrometric method indicates only 5 min from only one batch. Both methods showed that the zircon surface have a 16h optimal hydration time

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia en Bogotá, Boyacá, y Valledupar

La violencia en Colombia ha sido históricamente compuesta por conflictos armados, guerrillas, paramilitares, narcotráfico y violaciones a los derechos humanos. Ha dejado un alto número de víctimas, masacres y desplazamientos forzados que ha causado diferentes tipos de impacto psicosocial en las comunidades, como también han sido experiencias que reflejan un cambio positivo para todos los victimarios. Esta narrativa refleja sufrimiento, pérdida y resiliencia en las comunidades. La violencia ha dejado una marca en momentos históricos, afectando a miles de personas y dejando un profundo impacto en la memoria histórica del país, por ello en el presente trabajo se aborda tres apartados; en el primero, se analiza relatos de historias con la representación de “Amparo”, donde se expone la experiencia de exilio y violación de derechos humanos, por lo que a través de emergentes psicosociales se construyen preguntas circulares, reflexivas y estratégicas. Continuando, se presenta el análisis del caso El Salado, una masacre perpetrada por grupos paramilitares, identificando factores sociales y proponiendo estrategias de afrontamiento y bienestar social. El tercer apartado expone un informe basado en foto voz de diferentes lugares de Colombia, en el cual se identifican algunos valores simbólicos reconocidos y el impacto psicosocial en cada escenario. Las reflexiones realizadas a través de los diferentes apartados permiten un crecimiento personal y profesional al entender el impacto y las formas de afrontar la violencia en Colombia.Violence in Colombia has historically been composed of armed conflicts, guerrillas, paramilitaries, drug trafficking and human rights violations. It has left a high number of victims, massacres and forced displacements that have caused different types of psychosocial impact on communities, as well as experiences that reflect positive change for all perpetrators. This narrative reflects suffering, loss and resilience in the communities. Violence has left a mark in historical moments, affecting thousands of people and leaving a deep impact on the historical memory of the country, therefore, this paper addresses three sections; in the first, it analyzes stories with the representation of "Amparo", where the experience of exile and violation of human rights is exposed, so that through psychosocial emergent circular, reflective and strategic questions are built. Continuing, the analysis of the case of El Salado, a massacre perpetrated by paramilitary groups, is presented, identifying social factors and proposing coping strategies and social welfare. The third section presents a report based on photo-voice from different places in Colombia, identifying some recognized symbolic values and the psychosocial impact in each scenario. The reflections made through the different sections allow for personal and professional growth by understanding the impact and ways of coping with violence in Colombia

The Immune Response in Adipocytes and Their Susceptibility to Infection: A Possible Relationship with Infectobesity

The current obesity pandemic has been expanding in both developing and developed countries. This suggests that the factors contributing to this condition need to be reconsidered since some new factors are arising as etiological causes of this disease. Moreover, recent clinical and experimental findings have shown an association between the progress of obesity and some infections, and the functions of adipose tissues, which involve cell metabolism and adipokine release, among others. Furthermore, it has recently been reported that adipocytes could either be reservoirs for these pathogens or play an active role in this process. In addition, there is abundant evidence indicating that during obesity, the immune system is exacerbated, suggesting an increased susceptibility of the patient to the development of several forms of illness or death. Thus, there could be a relationship between infection as a trigger for an increase in adipose cells and the impact on the metabolism that contributes to the development of obesity. In this review, we describe the findings concerning the role of adipose tissue as a mediator in the immune response as well as the possible role of adipocytes as infection targets, with both roles constituting a possible cause of obesity

Analysis of Chemokines and Receptors Expression Profile in the Myelin Mutant Taiep Rat

Taiep rat has a failure in myelination and remyelination processes leading to a state of hypomyelination throughout its life. Chemokines, which are known to play a role in inflammation, are also involved in the remyelination process. We aimed to demonstrate that remyelination-stimulating factors are altered in the brainstem of 1- and 6-month-old taiep rats. We used a Rat RT2 Profiler PCR Array to assess mRNA expression of 84 genes coding for cytokines, chemokines, and their receptors. We also evaluated protein levels of CCL2, CCR1, CCR2, CCL5, CCR5, CCR8, CXCL1, CXCR2, CXCR4, FGF2, and VEGFA by ELISA. Sprague-Dawley rats were used as a control. PCR Array procedure showed that proinflammatory cytokines were not upregulated in the taiep rat. In contrast, some mRNA levels of beta and alpha chemokines were upregulated in 1-month-old rats, but CXCR4 was downregulated at their 6 months of age. ELISA results showed that CXCL1, CCL2, CCR2, CCR5, CCR8, and CXCR4 protein levels were decreased in brainstem at the age of 6 months. These results suggest the presence of a chronic neuroinflammation process with deficiency of remyelination-stimulating factors (CXCL1, CXCR2, and CXCR4), which might account for the demyelination in the taiep rat

Analysis of nocturnal actigraphic sleep measures in patients with COPD and their association with daytime physical activity

Background: Sleep disturbances are common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with a considerable negative impact on their quality of life. However, factors associated with measures of sleep in daily life have not been investigated before nor has the association between sleep and the ability to engage in physical activity on a day-to-day basis been studied. Aims: To provide insight into the relationship between actigraphic sleep measures and disease severity, exertional dyspnoea, gender and parts of the week; and to investigate the association between sleep measures and next day physical activity. Methods: Data were analysed from 932 patients with COPD (66% male, 66.4±8.3 years, FEV1% predicted=50.8±20.5). Participants had sleep and physical activity continuously monitored using a multisensor activity monitor for a median of 6 days. Linear mixed effects models were applied to investigate the factors associated with sleep impairment and the association between nocturnal sleep and patients' subsequent daytime physical activity. Results: Actigraphic estimates of sleep impairment were greater in patients with worse airflow limitation and worse exertional dyspnoea. Patients with better sleep measures (ie, non-fragmented sleep, sleeping bouts ≥225 min, sleep efficiency ≥91% and time spent awake after sleep onset < 57 min) spent significantly more time in light (p < 0.01) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p < 0.01). Conclusions: There is a relationship between measures of sleep in patients with COPD and the amount of activity they undertake during the waking day. Identifying groups with specific sleep characteristics may be useful information when designing physical activity-enhancing interventions

Physical activity patterns and clusters in 1001 patients with COPD

We described physical activity measures and hourly patterns in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) after stratification for generic and COPD-specific characteristics and, based on multiple physical activity measures, we identified clusters of patients. In total, 1001 patients with COPD (65% men; age, 67 years; forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV 1 ], 49% predicted) were studied cross-sectionally. Demographics, anthropometrics, lung function and clinical data were assessed. Daily physical activity measures and hourly patterns were analysed based on data from a multisensor armband. Principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis were applied to physical activity measures to identify clusters. Age, body mass index (BMI), dyspnoea grade and ADO index (including age, dyspnoea and airflow obstruction) were associated with physical activity measures and hourly patterns. Five clusters were identified based on three PCA components, which accounted for 60% of variance of the data. Importantly, couch potatoes (i.e. the most inactive cluster) were characterised by higher BMI, lower FEV 1 , worse dyspnoea and higher ADO index compared to other clusters (p &lt; 0.05 for all). Daily physical activity measures and hourly patterns are heterogeneous in COPD. Clusters of patients were identified solely based on physical activity data. These findings may be useful to develop interventions aiming to promote physical activity in COPD

Using active learning strategies during a quality improvement collaborative: exploring educational games to enhance learning among healthcare professionals

Background The Breakthrough Series model uses learning sessions (LS) to promote education, professional development and quality improvement (QI) in healthcare. Staff divergences regarding prior knowledge, previous experience, preferences and motivations make selecting which pedagogic strategies to use in LS a challenge.Aim We aimed to assess new active-learning strategies: two educational games, a card game and an escape room-type game, for training in healthcare-associated infection prevention.Methods This descriptive case study evaluated the performance of educational strategies during a Collaborative to reduce healthcare-associated infections in Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs). A post-intervention survey was voluntarily offered to all participants in LS activities.Results Seven regional 2-day LS were held between October and December 2022 (six for adult ICUs and one for paediatric/neonatal ICUs). Of 194 institutions participating in a nationwide QI initiative, 193 (99.4%) participated in these activities, totalling 850 healthcare professionals. From these, 641 participants responded to the survey (75.4%). The post-intervention survey showed that the participants responded positively to the educational activities.Conclusion The participants perceived the various pedagogical strategies positively, which shows the value of a broad and diverse educational approach, customised to local settings and including game-based activities, to enhance learning among healthcare professionals