Anomalous water and ion dynamics in hydroxyapatite mesopores

International audienc

Methodologies in Identification, Analysis, and Measurement of Visual Pollution: The Case Study of Intramuros

The problem of visual pollution in the Philippines has been increasingly evident, and people are becoming aware of it. But to create effective solutions, a deep understanding of the problem should first be established. This paper was aimed to identify, analyze, and measure the visual pollution present in Intramuros, a heritage city in the Philippines that encapsulates the Philippine colonial architecture in the 1890s. The site is known for its preservation of its city image but also modern landscape changes. To achieve the goal, the application of the Indirect and Direct Method of Landscape Evaluation was executed. These methods led to two results: (1) the identification of components— which are landscape attributes and indicators, that make up a visual landscape; and (2) the understanding of how it is perceived by the observer through a survey and interviews, which are quantified by ratings. To further understand the relationship of indicators and ratings with each other, a series of correlational studies was done. This resulted to the establishment of Disturbance, Stewardship, and Image Rating as the primary descriptors of visual pollution. A weighted average formula was then established, which quantified the visual pollution of Intramuros through indicator values and response ratings. It was concluded that visual pollution in Intramuros, through research-based methodology, can be identified, analyzed, and measured. Specific viewpoints in the district were identified as unacceptably visually-polluted. Magallanes St. cor. Victoria St. in Intramuros had the highest VP Score at -4.886. Elements that contributed to visual pollution were also identified

Education and training of clinical research professionals and the evolution of the Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competency

Clinical research professionals play a critical role in the design, conduct, and oversight of clinical trials, and they must have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure that trials are conducted ethically, safely, and in accordance with regulatory requirements. As clinical research has evolved from being a necessary activity for the development and regulatory approval of new medicines to an accredited academic discipline and, more recently, to a globally recognized profession, the methods of education and training of professionals have also evolved. Initially, on-the-job informal coaching and specialized training organizations led to formalized and accredited academic degree programs and, more recently, to international competency standards and competency maintenance through continuous professional development. The Joint Task Force (JTF) for Clinical Trial Competency is a multidisciplinary, international group of experts who came together to aggregate and refine competency standards for clinical research professionals, first published in 2014. The 8 domains and 49 specific core competencies of the JTF Framework have become a globally recognized standard upon which education and training programs, role descriptions, and upward mobility criteria for professionals are now based. The JTF meets regularly and, through its workgroups, continues to evolve in response to the changing needs of the profession. The JTF is committed to continuous improvement to ensure that clinical research professionals have the competence necessary to conduct safe, ethical, and high-quality clinical research

The high hydraulic conductivity of three wooded tropical peat swamps in northeast Peru : measurements and implications for hydrological function

This research was supported by a NERC PhD studentship to the lead author, as well as by a Dudley Stamp Memorial Award from the Royal Geographical Society.The form and functioning of peatlands depend strongly on their hydrological status, but there are few data available on the hydraulic properties of tropical peatlands. In particular, the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K) has not previously been measured in neotropical peatlands. Piezometer slug tests were used to measure K at two depths (50 and 90 cm) in three contrasting forested peatlands in the Peruvian Amazon: Quistococha, San Jorge and Buena Vista. Measured K at 50 cm depth varies between 0.00032 and 0.11 cm s−1, and at 90 cm, it varies between 0.00027 and 0.057 cm s−1. Measurements of K taken from different areas of Quistococha showed that spatial heterogeneity accounts for ~20% of the within-site variance and that depth is a good predictor of K. However, K did not vary significantly with depth at Buena Vista and San Jorge. Statistical analysis showed that ~18% of the variance in the K data can be explained by between-site differences. Simulations using a simple hydrological model suggest that the relatively high K values could lead to lowering of the water table by >10 cm within ~48 m of the peatland edge for domed peatlands, if subjected to a drought lasting 30 days. However, under current climatic conditions, even with high K, peatlands would be unable to shed the large amount of water entering the system via rainfall through subsurface flow alone. We conclude that most of the water leaves these peatlands via overland flow and/or evapotranspiration.PostprintPeer reviewe

Melatonin bioengineered: A New Possible Strategy for Treatment of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is an important public health problem, with an estimated 3.2 million new cases by the year 2050. Diet plays a key role in the etiology of breast cancer and breastfeeding is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer. On the other hand, the improvement of the therapeutic properties of bioactive compounds through their incorporation into microcarriers is an important strategy in obtaining new therapies, since cyclical changes in concentration are eliminated; there is biological availability of the compound as well as the reduction in toxicity, number dose and suppression of adverse reactions. Studies using hormones such as melatonin extracted from human milk adsorbed onto polyethylene glycol (PEG) microspheres showed that the controlled release of this compound was able to reduce viability and induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cell lines. Colostrum differs from most of the secretions because it contains viable leukocytes during the first days of lactation with a quantity and activity comparable to blood leukocytes, and has several defense components such as antibodies and hormones, such as melatonin (MLT). This review details the influence of the soluble and cellular components present in human colostrum, such as the MLT hormone, as the modified release systems influence the action of MLT and the possible mechanisms involved that contribute to the hypothesis of reduction of breast cancer in women who breastfed

Coctel de bacteriófagos como sustituto de promotores de crecimiento tipo antibiótico en avicultura

Aviculture is forced to find alternatives to replace antibiotic-type growth promoters to reduce antimicrobial resistance. Among these alternatives we have bacteriophages that are the natural predators of bacteria; however, research point out to their use as therapeutics and not as growth promoters. For this reason, this review article focuses on discussing and projecting the use of lithic bacteriophage cocktails as growth promoters in commercial breeding of broilers, laying hens and quails. Evaluating its effects on production parameters, its application in drinking water and food, phage protection strategies on gastrointestinal pH changes and high pelleting temperatures, strategies against phage-resistance, its effects on the intestinal microbiota, and the use of autophages versus commercial products. It is concluded that the optimal use of bacteriophages in aviculture is through mixed cocktails of protected lithic autophages. Finally, it is recommended to compare the use of mixed lithic autophage cocktails with mixed commercial phage cocktails that exist on the market; Additionally, the combination of mixed cocktails of protected lithic autophages with other alternatives such as probiotics, prebiotics, essential oils and organic acids should be evaluated, and this combination should be compared with the use of growth-promoting antibiotics.La industria avícola se ve en la obligación de encontrar alternativas que sustituyan a los promotores de crecimiento de tipo antibiótico para reducir la resistencia antimicrobiana. Entre dichas alternativas tenemos a los bacteriófagos que son los depredadores naturales de las bacterias; sin embargo, las investigaciones realizadas apuntan a su utilización como terapéuticos y no como promotores de crecimiento. Por tal motivo, el presente artículo de revisión se enfoca en discutir y proyectar el empleo de cocteles de bacteriófagos líticos como promotores de crecimiento en crianzas comerciales de pollos de engorde, gallinas de postura y codornices. Evaluando sus efectos sobre los parámetros productivos, su aplicación en agua de bebida y alimento, las estrategias de protección de fagos sobre los cambios de pH gastrointestinal y las altas temperaturas de peletización, estrategias contra la fago-resistencia, sus efectos sobre la microbiota intestinal, y el uso de autofagos versus los productos comerciales. Se concluye que la utilización óptima de bacteriófagos en avicultura comercial es mediante cocteles mixtos de autofagos líticos protegidos. Finalmente, se recomienda comparar el uso de cocteles mixtos de autofagos líticos con cocteles mixtos de fagos comerciales que existen en el mercado; adicionalmente, se debe evaluar la combinación de cocteles mixtos de autofagos líticos protegidos con otras alternativas como probióticos, prebióticos, aceites esenciales y ácidos orgánicos y comparar dicha combinación con el uso de antibióticos promotores de crecimiento

The presence of peat and variation in tree species composition are under different hydrological controls in Amazonian wetland forests

This research was funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, through grant #5349 ‘Monitoring protected areas in Peru to increase forest resilience to climate change’, and NERC standard grant ‘Carbon Storage in Amazonian Peatlands: Distribution and Dynamics’(NE/R000751/1).The peat-forming wetland forests of Amazonia are characterised by high below-carbon stocks and supply fruit, fibres and timber to local communities. Predicting the future of these ecosystem services requires understanding how hydrological conditions are related to tree species composition and the presence, or absence, of peat. Here, we use continuous measurements of water table depth over 2.5 years and manual measurements of pore-water pH and electrical conductivity to understand the ecohydrological controls of these variables across the large peatland complex in northern Peruvian Amazonia. Measurements were taken in permanent forest plots in four palm swamps, four seasonally flooded forests and four peatland pole forests. All trees ≥10 cm diameter were also measured and identified in the plots to assess floristic composition. Peat occurs in eight of these twelve sites; three seasonally flooded forests and one palm swamp are not associated with peat. Variation in tree species composition among forest types was linked to high flood levels (maximum flooding height) and pH: seasonally flooded forests experience high flood levels (up to 3.66 m from the ground surface) and have high pH values (6?7), palm swamps have intermediate flood levels (up to 1.34 m) and peatland pole forests experience shallow flooding (up to 0.28 m) and have low pH (4). In contrast, the presence of peat was linked to variation in maximum water table depth (ie the depth to which the water table drops below the ground surface). Surface peat is found in all forest types where maximum water table depth does not fall >0.55 m below the ground surface at any time. Peat formation and variation in tree species composition therefore have different ecohydrological controls. Predicted increases in the frequency and strength of flooding events may alter patterns of tree species composition, whereas increases in drought severity and declines in minimum river levels may pose a greater risk to the belowground carbon stores of these peatland ecosystems.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

The three-peat challenge : business as usual, responsible agriculture, and conservation and restoration as management trajectories in global peatlands

FundingThis work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council [grant numbers NE/X015238/1; NE/ V006444/1; NE/V018760/1], the Royal Geographical Society (RBEA 02.21), the Royal Society (RGS\R2\202229), and Growing Health (BB/X010953/1) BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Learning Styles and Technology Implementation of Special Education Teachers in the New Normal

This research evaluates special education teachers' learning styles and technological implementation at SpEd Schools in Mandaue City, Cebu, and Kananga Leyte, both in the Philippines, during the school year 2020–2021. It aimed to determine the Special Education Teachers' learning styles as well as the status of technology implementation of new learning modes during a pandemic. Because of the new setup for the educational platform in Special Education, this research also sought to gather information on the numerous concerns and problems associated with technology deployment, as well as the essential support and assistance in addressing such challenges. This study used a mixed-methods approach. A survey design will be used in quantitative research. Qualitative research, on the other hand, will employ a pragmatic qualitative research approach. Respondents in this study included twenty (20) Special Education Teachers from Mandaue City Central SpEd School - Elementary, ten (10) Special Education Teachers from Mandaue City Central SpEd School - High School, and twenty (20) Special Education Teachers from Kananga Central School. They answered the modified survey form as well as the interview. Frequency count and percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation, Chi-square test of independence, and theme analysis are among the statistical treatments applied to the data. The majority of Special Education teachers are reasonable, proactive, spontaneous, and clear, according to the data. It establishes that computer technology is commonly used for organizational and educational purposes. In general, it shows that a teacher's profile has a significant link to their learning styles, level of technological integration, and process integration. The creation of an intervention strategy is proposed as a solution to this problem

Learning Styles and Technology Implementation of Special Education Teachers in the New Normal

This research evaluates special education teachers' learning styles and technological implementation at SpEd Schools in Mandaue City, Cebu, and Kananga Leyte, both in the Philippines, during the school year 2020–2021. It aimed to determine the Special Education Teachers' learning styles as well as the status of technology implementation of new learning modes during a pandemic. Because of the new setup for the educational platform in Special Education, this research also sought to gather information on the numerous concerns and problems associated with technology deployment, as well as the essential support and assistance in addressing such challenges. This study used a mixed-methods approach. A survey design will be used in quantitative research. Qualitative research, on the other hand, will employ a pragmatic qualitative research approach. Respondents in this study included twenty (20) Special Education Teachers from Mandaue City Central SpEd School - Elementary, ten (10) Special Education Teachers from Mandaue City Central SpEd School - High School, and twenty (20) Special Education Teachers from Kananga Central School. They answered the modified survey form as well as the interview. Frequency count and percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation, Chi-square test of independence, and theme analysis are among the statistical treatments applied to the data. The majority of Special Education teachers are reasonable, proactive, spontaneous, and clear, according to the data. It establishes that computer technology is commonly used for organizational and educational purposes. In general, it shows that a teacher's profile has a significant link to their learning styles, level of technological integration, and process integration. The creation of an intervention strategy is proposed as a solution to this problem