A Spanish Sign Language (LSE) Adaptation of the Communicative Development Inventories

This article presents the adaptation of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory (CDI; Fenson et al., 1993, 1994) to Spanish Sign Language (LSE). Data were collected from 55 participants (32 boys and 23 girls; 17 deaf signers, 38 hearing signers) who, evaluated by their caregivers every four months, presented a total of 170 records. The parents reported the signs that the children could understand or produce between 8-36 months. Results suggested that the CDI adapted to LSE is a valid and reliable instrument. Signing children could understand more signs than they produced at this early developmental stage. There were no significant differences between boys and girls, or between deaf and hearing children. The development of LSE is similar to other sign languages, although with a lower production of signs in the early stages, perhaps due to the bilingualism of most of the children of our study.Se presenta la adaptación a la lengua de signos española (LSE) del Inventario de Desarrollo Comunicativo MacArthur (CDI; Fenson et al., 1993, 1994). Se recogieron datos de 55 participantes (32 niños y 23 niñas; 17 niños y niñas sordos signantes y 38 oyentes signantes), que, evaluados cada cuatro meses por sus cuidadores, representaron un total de 170 registros. Los padres y madres informaron de los signos que los niños podían producir o comprender entre los 8 y 36 meses. Los resultados sugieren que el CDI adaptado a la LSE es un instrumento válido y fiable. Los niños signantes podían entender más signos que producir en esta etapa del desarrollo temprano. No hubo diferencias significativas entre niños y niñas o entre niños sordos y oyentes. El desarrollo de la LSE es similar a otras lenguas de signos, aunque con una menor producción de signos en las etapas iniciales, quizás debido al bilingüismo de la mayoría de los niños del estudio.Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa, Junta de Andalucía (España), Proyectos de Excelencia (P11-SEJ-7417)

Factors affecting mass transport properties of poly(Ɛ-caprolactone) membranes for tissue engineering bioreactors

High porosity and mass transport properties of microfiltration polymeric membranes benefit nutrients supply to cells when used as scaffolds in interstitial perfusion bioreactors for tissue engineering. High nutrients transport is assumed when pore size and porosity of the membrane are in the micrometric range. The present work demonstrates that the study of membrane fouling by proteins present in the culture medium, though not done usually, should be included in the routine testing of new polymer membranes for this intended application. Two poly(ε-caprolactone) microfiltration membranes presenting similar average pore size (approximately 0.7 µm) and porosity (>80%) but different external surface porosity and pore size have been selected as case studies. The present work demonstrates that a membrane with lower surface pore abundance and smaller external pore size (approximately 0.67 µm), combined with adequate hydrodynamics and tangential flow filtration mode is usually more convenient to guarantee high flux of nutrients. On the contrary, having large external pore size (approximately 1.70 µm) and surface porosity would incur important internal protein fouling that could not be prevented with the operation mode and hydrodynamics of the perfusion system. Additionally, the use of glycerol in the drying protocols of the membranes might cause plasticization and a consequent reduction of mass transport properties due to membrane compaction by the pressure exerted to force perfusion. Therefore, preferentially, drying protocols that omit the use of plasticizing agents are recommended.This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, SPAIN-FEDER 2014–2020) through project CTM2016-75509-R

Induction of CD36 and Thrombospondin-1 in Macrophages by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 and Its Relevance in the Inflammatory Process

Inflammation is part of a complex biological response of vascular tissue to pathogens or damaged cells. First inflammatory cells attempt to remove the injurious stimuli and this is followed by a healing process mediated principally by phagocytosis of senescent cells. Hypoxia and p38-MAPK are associated with inflammation, and hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has been detected in inflamed tissues. We aimed to analyse the role of p38-MAPK and HIF-1 in the transcriptional regulation of CD36, a class B scavenger receptor, and its ligand thrombospondin (TSP-1) in macrophages and to evaluate the involvement of this pathway in phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. We have also assessed HIF-1α, p38-MAPK and CD36 immunostaining in the mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Results show that hypoxia increases neutrophil phagocytosis by macrophages and induces the expression of CD36 and TSP-1. Addition of a p38-MAPK inhibitor significantly reduced the increase in CD36 and TSP-1 expression provoked by hypoxia and decreased HIF-1α stabilization in macrophages. Transient transfection of macrophages with a miHIF-1α-targeting vector blocked the increase in mRNA expression of CD36 and TSP-1 during hypoxia and reduced phagocytosis, thus highlighting a role for the transcriptional activity of HIF-1. CD36 and TSP-1 were necessary for the phagocytosis of neutrophils induced by hypoxic macrophages, since functional blockade of these proteins undermined this process. Immunohistochemical studies revealed CD36, HIF-1α and p38-MAPK expression in the mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. A positive and significant correlation between HIF-1α and CD36 expression and CD36 and p38-MAPK expression was observed in cells of the lamina propria of the damaged mucosa. Our results demonstrate a HIF-1-dependent up-regulation of CD36 and TSP-1 that mediates the increased phagocytosis of neutrophils by macrophages during hypoxia. Moreover, they suggest that CD36 expression in the damaged mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease depends on p38-MAPK and HIF-1 activity

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Decorated with Polycationic Dendrimers for Infection Treatment

This work aims to provide an effective and novel solution for the treatment of infection by using nanovehicles loaded with antibiotics capable of penetrating the bacterial wall, thus increasing the antimicrobial effectiveness. These nanosystems, named "nanoantibiotics", are composed of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), which act as nanocarriers of an antimicrobial agent (levofloxacin, LEVO) localized inside the mesopores. To provide the nanosystem of bacterial membrane interaction capability, a polycationic dendrimer, concretely the poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer of third generation (G3), was covalently grafted to the external surface of the LEVOloaded MSNs. After physicochemical characterization of this nanoantibiotic, the release kinetics of LEVO and the antimicrobial efficacy of each released dosage were evaluated. Besides, internalization studies of the MSNs functionalized with the G3 dendrimer were carried out, showing a high penetrability throughout Gram-negative bacterial membranes. This work evidences that the synergistic combination of polycationic dendrimers as bacterial membrane permeabilization agents with LEVO-loaded MSNs triggers an efficient antimicrobial effect on Gram-negative bacterial biofilm. These positive results open up very promising expectations for their potential application in new infection therapies

TiO2-zeolite metal composites for photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water

Immobilization of photocatalysts in porous materials is an approach to significantly minimize the hazards of manipulation and recovery of nanoparticles. Inorganic materials, such as zeolites, are proposed as promising materials for photocatalyst immobilization mainly due to their photochemical stability. In this work, a green synthesis method is proposed to combine TiO2-based photocatalysts with commercial ZY zeolite. Moreover, a preliminary analysis of their performance as photocatalysts for the abatement of organic pollutants in waters was performed. Our results show that the physical mixture of TiO2 and zeolite maintains photocatalytic activity. Meanwhile, composites fabricated by doping TiO2-zeolite Y materials with silver and palladium nanoparticles do not contribute to improving the photocatalytic activity beyond that of TiO2.This work was supported by JST SICORP Grant Number JPMJSC18C5 (Japan), the grant number PCI2018-092929 funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ (Spain), and the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR, Poland) agreement number EIG CONCERT-JAPAN/1/2019

Performance of TiO2-based tubular membranes in the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds

This work presents the photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water with TiO2 and TiO2/Ag membranes prepared by immobilising photocatalysts on ceramic porous tubular supports. The permeation capacity of TiO2 and TiO2/Ag membranes was checked before the photocatalytic application, showing high water fluxes (-758 and 690 L m-2 h-1 bar-1, respectively) and <2% rejection against the model pollutants sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (DBS) and dichloroacetic acid (DCA). When the membranes were submerged in the aqueous solutions and irradiated with UV-A LEDs, the photocatalytic performance factors for the degradation of DCA were similar to those obtained with suspended TiO2 particles (1.1-fold and 1.2-fold increase, respectively). However, when the aqueous solution permeated through the pores of the photocatalytic membrane, the performance factors and kinetics were two-fold higher than for the submerged membranes, mostly due to the enhanced contact between the pollutants and the membranes photocatalytic sites where reactive species were generated. These results confirm the advantages of working in a flow-through mode with submerged photocatalytic membranes for the treatment of water polluted with persistent organic molecules, thanks to the reduction in the mass transfer limitations.This work was supported by JST SICORP Grant Number JPMJSC18C5 (Japan) and the grant number PCI2018-092929 funded by MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ (Spain) as part of the project X-MEM within the framework of the EIG CONCERT-Japan 5th Joint Call “Functional Porous Materials”

Enseñanza y aprendizaje del consumo sostenible a través de un proyecto de aprendizaje servicio en el Grado en Maestro en Educación Infantil

En este trabajo se presenta una propuesta didáctica utilizando la metodología de aprendizaje servicio con la que se pretende que las y los futuros docentes de educación infantil aprendan consumo sostenible a través del estudio del ciclo de vida de un teléfono móvil realizando, además, un servicio a las comunidades congoleñas afectadas por la extracción de coltán. También, se pretende evaluar tanto los conocimientos adquiridos por el alumnado a través de este proyecto, como los cambios de actitudes frente a la problemática social y ambiental derivada del uso de los teléfonos móviles a través de una rúbrica de evaluación y de un cuestionario. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que la propuesta didáctica consigue que se alcance un conocimiento significativo de los aspectos más importantes del ciclo de vida de un teléfono móvil además de generar un cambio en las actitudes de los futuros maestros hacia un consumo sostenible. Como servicio, el alumnado ha recogido más de 40 Kg de teléfonos móviles durante los cursos 2019-2020 y 2020-2021 que serán enviados a la ONG Alboan para ayudar a las víctimas de la guerra del coltán

Nutrient removal from agricultural run-off in demonstrative full scale tubular photobioreactors for microalgae growth

The objective of this paper is to present the design, construction and operation (during one year) of 3 full scale semi-closed, horizontal tubular photobioreactors (PBR, 11.7 m3 of volume each) used to remove nutrients of a mixture of agricultural run-off (90%) and treated domestic wastewater (10%). PBRs were located outdoor and have 2 paddlewheels (engines of 0.25 kW) to ensure the movement of the mixed liquor. The microalgal biomass produced in the PBRs was harvested in a static lamella settling tank in which a polyaluminium chloride coagulant is applied. Each PBR treated in average 2.3 m3/d, being the actual mean hydraulic retention time 5 d. PBRs were submitted to strong seasonal changes regarding solar radiation and temperature, which had a direct impact in the activity of microalgae and the efficiency of the system. Higher mixed liquor pH values were registered in summer (daily average > 10). These high values were not observed in the effluents because the system was designed to discharge the mixed liquor (effluent) only at the end of night, when pH reached the lowest daily values (around 8.5). Most of the influent and effluent nitrogen content was inorganic (average of 9.0¿mg¿N/L and 3.17 mg N/L, respectively), and in the form of nitrate (62% and 50%, respectively). Average nitrogen removal efficiency was 65%, with values of around 90% in summer, 80% in autumn, 50% in winter and 60% in spring. Most of the influent and effluent phosphorus content was in the form of orthophosphate. Influent average was 0.62 mg P/L, but with great variations and in a considerable number of samples not detected. Removal efficiency (when influent values were detected) was very high during all the study, usually greater than 95%, and there were not clear seasonal trends for efficiency as observed for TIN. Volumetric biomass production greatly changed between seasons with much lower values in winter (7 g VSS (volatile suspended solids)/m3·d) than in summer (43 g VSS/m3·d). Biomass separation efficiency of the settler was very good in either terms of turbidity and total suspended solids, being most of the time lower than 5 UNT and 25 mg/L, respectively. Overall this study demonstrated the reliable and good effectiveness of microalgae based technologies such as the PBR to remove nutrients at a full scale size.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Nutrient removal from agricultural run-off in demonstrative full scale tubular photobioreactors for microalgae growth

The objective of this paper is to present the design, construction and operation (during one year) of 3 full scale semi-closed, horizontal tubular photobioreactors (PBR, 11.7 m3 of volume each) used to remove nutrients of a mixture of agricultural run-off (90%) and treated domestic wastewater (10%). PBRs were located outdoor and have 2 paddlewheels (engines of 0.25 kW) to ensure the movement of the mixed liquor. The microalgal biomass produced in the PBRs was harvested in a static lamella settling tank in which a polyaluminium chloride coagulant is applied. Each PBR treated in average 2.3 m3/d, being the actual mean hydraulic retention time 5 d. PBRs were submitted to strong seasonal changes regarding solar radiation and temperature, which had a direct impact in the activity of microalgae and the efficiency of the system. Higher mixed liquor pH values were registered in summer (daily average > 10). These high values were not observed in the effluents because the system was designed to discharge the mixed liquor (effluent) only at the end of night, when pH reached the lowest daily values (around 8.5). Most of the influent and effluent nitrogen content was inorganic (average of 9.0¿mg¿N/L and 3.17 mg N/L, respectively), and in the form of nitrate (62% and 50%, respectively). Average nitrogen removal efficiency was 65%, with values of around 90% in summer, 80% in autumn, 50% in winter and 60% in spring. Most of the influent and effluent phosphorus content was in the form of orthophosphate. Influent average was 0.62 mg P/L, but with great variations and in a considerable number of samples not detected. Removal efficiency (when influent values were detected) was very high during all the study, usually greater than 95%, and there were not clear seasonal trends for efficiency as observed for TIN. Volumetric biomass production greatly changed between seasons with much lower values in winter (7 g VSS (volatile suspended solids)/m3·d) than in summer (43 g VSS/m3·d). Biomass separation efficiency of the settler was very good in either terms of turbidity and total suspended solids, being most of the time lower than 5 UNT and 25 mg/L, respectively. Overall this study demonstrated the reliable and good effectiveness of microalgae based technologies such as the PBR to remove nutrients at a full scale size.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Diagnóstico de la localización de los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible de Naciones Unidas en el municipio de Ampudia

Desde el 4 de mayo de 2023, Ampudia forma parte de la Red de Entidades Locales para la Agenda 2030 promovida por la Federación Española de Municipios y Provincias (FEMP), producto de su interés y compromiso con un futuro de sostenibilidad social, económica y ambiental. De esta forma, se suma al compromiso que ha venido mostrando la propia Diputación de Palencia, que se incorporó a dicha Red en 2021, siendo incluso pionera en la elaboración de presupuestos de entidades locales alineados a los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Ampudia se suma a la Agenda de Desarrollo Sostenible de Naciones Unidas aprobada en 2015 a fin de contribuir positivamente al logro de sus 17 objetivos que abordan la sostenibilidad de una forma amplia en términos económicos, sociales y medio ambientales. Este documento hace un diagnóstico de la localización de los ODS en el municipi