Sequentially aerated membrane biofilm reactors for autotrophic nitrogen removal: microbial community composition and dynamics

Membrane-aerated biofilm reactors performing autotrophic nitrogen removal can be successfully applied to treat concentrated nitrogen streams. However, their process performance is seriously hampered by the growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). In this work we document how sequential aeration can bring the rapid and long-term suppression of NOB and the onset of the activity of anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses confirmed that such shift in performance was mirrored by a change in population densities, with a very drastic reduction of the NOB Nitrospira and Nitrobacter and a 10-fold increase in AnAOB numbers. The study of biofilm sections with relevant 16S rRNA fluorescent probes revealed strongly stratified biofilm structures fostering aerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AOB) in biofilm areas close to the membrane surface (rich in oxygen) and AnAOB in regions neighbouring the liquid phase. Both communities were separated by a transition region potentially populated by denitrifying heterotrophic bacteria. AOB and AnAOB bacterial groups were more abundant and diverse than NOB, and dominated by the r-strategists Nitrosomonas europaea and Ca. Brocadia anammoxidans, respectively. Taken together, the present work presents tools to better engineer, monitor and control the microbial communities that support robust, sustainable and efficient nitrogen remova

Does higher gadolinium concentration play a role in the morphologic assessment of brain tumors? Results of a multicenter intraindividual crossover comparison of gadobutrol versus gadobenate dimeglumine (the MERIT Study).

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gadobenate dimeglumine has proved advantageous compared with other gadolinium-based contrast agents for contrast-enhanced brain MR imaging. Gadobutrol is a more highly concentrated agent (1.0 mol/L). This study intraindividually compared 0.1-mmol/kg doses of these agents for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients with suspected or known brain tumors underwent 2 identical MR imaging examinations at 1.5T, 1 with gadobenate dimeglumine and the other with gadobutrol, both at a dose of 0.1-mmol/kg body weight. The agents were injected in randomized order separated by 3–14 days. Imaging sequences and acquisition timing were identical for the 2 examinations. Three blinded readers evaluated images qualitatively for diagnostic information (lesion extent, delineation, morphology, enhancement, global preference) and quantitatively for CNR and LBR. RESULTS: One hundred fourteen of 123 enrolled patients successfully underwent both examinations. Final diagnoses were intra-axial tumors, metastases, extra-axial tumors, "other" tumors, and "nontumor" (49, 46, 8, 7, and 4 subjects, respectively). Readers 1, 2, and 3 demonstrated preference for gadobenate dimeglumine in 46 (40.7%), 54 (47.4%), and 49 (43.0%) patients, respectively, compared with 6, 7, and 7 patients for gadobutrol ( P < .0001, all readers). Highly significant ( P < .0001, all readers) preference for gadobenate dimeglumine was demonstrated for all other qualitative end points. Inter-reader agreement was good for all evaluations (κ = 0.414–0.629). Significantly superior CNR and LBR were determined for gadobenate dimeglumine ( P < .019, all readers). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly greater morphologic information and lesion enhancement are achieved on brain MR imaging with 0.1-mmol/kg gadobenate dimeglumine compared with gadobutrol at an equivalent dose. CNR : contrast-to-noise ratio GBCA : gadolinium-based contrast agent GRE : gradient-recalled echo LBR : lesion-to-background ratio NSF : nephrogenic systemic fibrosis SE : spin-echo SI : signal intensit

Guía para implementar el Universal Instructional Design-UID (diseño instruccional universal) en la Universidad.

Según datos estadísticos, (Peralta, 2007) durante las últimas 2 décadas, encontramos que en la universidad, existe un incremento de estudiantes matriculados que presentan algún tipo de discapacidad. Todo ello es el resultado de unas políticas obligatorias así como de una voluntad en el ámbito académico para garantizar la igualdad de oportunidades a todas las personas. En esta guía, elaborada por el Observatorio Universidad y Discapacidad (OUD), se establecen cuáles son las pautas para implementar o poner en práctica el Universal Instructional Design-UID (diseño instruccional universal) en la enseñanza universitaria a partir del análisis del modelo de la University of Guelph (Canadá). Los objetivos específicos que se persiguen son: a) delimitar el concepto teórico del UID, b) justificar la implementación en la Universidad del UID, c) analizar la implementación del UID en la University of Guelph y d) establecer las pautas para favorecer la implementación o puesta en práctica del UID en las universidades españolas

Restoration ecophysiology: an ecophysiological approach to improve restoration strategies and outcomes in severely disturbed landscapes

As human activities destroy and degrade the world's ecosystems at unprecedented scales, there is a growing need for evidence-based methods for ecological restoration if we are to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. Mining represents one of the most severe anthropogenic disturbances, often necessitating intensive intervention to restore the most basic attributes of native ecosystems. Despite examples of successful mine-site restoration, re-establishing native vegetation in these degraded landscapes remains a significant challenge. Plant ecophysiology-the study of the interactions between plants and the environment-can provide a useful framework for evaluating and guiding mine-site restoration. By understanding the physiological mechanisms that allow plants to establish and persist in these highly disturbed environments, practitioners may be able to improve restoration outcomes. Specifically, methods in plant ecophysiology can inform site preparation and the selection of plant material for restoration projects, aid in monitoring restoration progress by providing additional insight into plant performance, and ultimately improve our ability to predict restoration trajectories. Here, we review the challenges and benefits of integrating an ecophysiological perspective to mine-site restoration in Western Australia, a global hotspot of biodiversity and mining operations. Using case studies and examples from the region's diverse ecosystems, we illustrate how an ecophysiological approach can guide the restoration of some of the world's most severely disturbed landscapes. With careful selection of study species and traits and consideration of the specific environmental conditions and stressors within a site, the restoration ecophysiology framework outlined here has the potential to inform restoration strategies across ecosystems

La Responsabilidad Social Universitaria y Discapacidad (RSU-D)

Este trabajo se centra en establecer cuáles son las pautas para implementar la Responsabilidad Social Universitaria centrada en la igualdad de oportunidades por motivo de Discapacidad (RSU-D) a partir del análisis de la RSU de las universidades españolas. Este objetivo general se concreta de la siguiente forma: a) delimitar el concepto teórico de la RSC, la RSU y RSU-D; b) determinar qué aspectos claves definen la igualdad de oportunidades por razón de discapacidad a tener en cuenta en la RSU-D; c) analizar la implementación de la RSU-D en las universidades españolas y d) establecer la guía básica universitaria para dar respuesta al RSU respecto la igualdad de oportunidades por razón de discapacidad, ejemplarizante en términos RSU-D

Bienestar psicológico y rendimiento académico: guía para el estudiante universitario con trastorno mental

En el transcurso de las investigaciones realizadas en el OUD se detectó la falta de conocimiento existente sobre la situación de un sector específico de la discapacidad, la discapacidad mental. Debido al estigma que conlleva este tipo de discapacidad, las personas de este colectivo no se identifican como tales y por lo tanto no manifiestan los aspectos problemáticos que les afectan en cuanto a la accesibilidad de su entorno. Este trabajo se estructura en dos partes que pueden ser examinadas tanto de forma conjunta como de forma independiente. Cada parte responde a finalidades y destinatarios distintos, motivo que justifica esta disgregación. Así, la primera parte, dirigida a un público especializado, se centra en establecer la base teórica y científica que justifica el trabajo en su globalidad. La segunda parte, dirigida a los estudiantes universitarios con trastornos mentales, se centra en establecer cuáles son las pautas que pueden poner en práctica para mejorar su rendimiento académico y la adquisición de competencias. A través de este empoderamiento personal, se pretende prevenir el abandono de estudios por parte de este colectivo

Does Higher Gadolinium Concentration Play a Role in the Morphologic Assessment of Brain Tumors? Results of a Multicenter Intraindividual Crossover Comparison of Gadobutrol versus Gadobenate Dimeglumine (the MERIT Study)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:Gadobenate dimeglumine has proved advantageous compared with other gadolinium-based contrast agents for contrast-enhanced brain MR imaging. Gadobutrol is a more highly concentrated agent (1.0 mol/L). This study intraindividually compared 0.1-mmol/kg doses of these agents for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of brain tumors.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Adult patients with suspected or known brain tumors underwent 2 identical MR imaging examinations at 1.5T, 1 with gadobenate dimeglumine and the other with gadobutrol, both at a dose of 0.1-mmol/kg body weight. The agents were injected in randomized order separated by 3-14 days. Imaging sequences and acquisition timing were identical for the 2 examinations. Three blinded readers evaluated images qualitatively for diagnostic information (lesion extent, delineation, morphology, enhancement, global preference) and quantitatively for CNR and LBR.RESULTS:One hundred fourteen of 123 enrolled patients successfully underwent both examinations. Final diagnoses were intra-axial tumors, metastases, extra-axial tumors, "other" tumors, and "nontumor" (49, 46, 8, 7, and 4 subjects, respectively). Readers 1, 2, and 3 demonstrated preference for gadobenate dimeglumine in 46 (40.7\%), 54 (47.4\%), and 49 (43.0\%) patients, respectively, compared with 6, 7, and 7 patients for gadobutrol (P < .0001, all readers). Highly significant (P < .0001, all readers) preference for gadobenate dimeglumine was demonstrated for all other qualitative end points. Inter-reader agreement was good for all evaluations (κ = 0.414-0.629). Significantly superior CNR and LBR were determined for gadobenate dimeglumine (P < .019, all readers).CONCLUSIONS:Significantly greater morphologic information and lesion enhancement are achieved on brain MR imaging with 0.1-mmol/kg gadobenate dimeglumine compared with gadobutrol at an equivalent dose

Guía de actividades docentes para la formación en integración e igualdad de oportunidades por razón de discapacidad en las enseñanzas técnicas: accesibilidad universal y diseño para todos

Estudio financiado por el MEC, Programa Estudio y AnálisisPostprint (published version