A Methodology for Modeling and Optimizing Social Systems

[EN] A system methodology for modeling and optimizing social systems is presented. It allows constructing dynamical models formulated stochastically, i.e., their results are given by confidence intervals. The models provide optimal intervention ways to reach the stated objectives. Two optimization methods are used: (1) to test strategies and scenarios and (2) to optimize with a genetic algorithm. The application case presented is a small nonformal education Spanish business. First, the model is validated in the 2008-2012 period, and subsequently, the optimal way to obtain a maximum profit in the 2013-2025 period is obtained using the two methods.Caselles, A.; Soler Fernández, D.; Sanz, MT.; Micó, JC. (2020). A Methodology for Modeling and Optimizing Social Systems. Cybernetics & Systems. 51(3):265-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/01969722.2019.1684042S265314513Caselles, A. 1993. System Decomposition and Coupling. Cybernetics and Systems: An International Journal 24 (4):305–323. doi:10.1080/01969729308961712.CASELLES, A. (1994). IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SYSTEMS-BASED MODELS GENERATOR SIGEM. Cybernetics and Systems, 25(1), 81-103. doi:10.1080/01969729408902317Caselles, A., Soler, D., Sanz, M. T., & Micó, J. C. (2014). SIMULATING DEMOGRAPHY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT DYNAMICS. Cybernetics and Systems, 45(6), 465-485. doi:10.1080/01969722.2014.929347Djidjeli, K., Price, W. G., Temarel, P., & Twizell, E. H. (1998). Partially implicit schemes for the numerical solutions of some non-linear differential equations. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 96(2-3), 177-207. doi:10.1016/s0096-3003(97)10133-3Gutiérrez, M. M. and H. P. Leone. 2012. DE2M: An environment for developing distributed and executable enterprise models. Advances in Engineering Software 47:80–103. doi:10.1016/j.advengsoft.2011.12.002.SANZ, M. T., MICÓ, J. C., CASELLES, A., & SOLER, D. (2014). A Stochastic Model for Population and Well-Being Dynamics. The Journal of Mathematical Sociology, 38(2), 75-94. doi:10.1080/0022250x.2011.629064Sanz, M. T., Caselles, A., Micó, J. C., & Soler, D. (2016). Including an environmental quality index in a demographic model. International Journal of Global Warming, 9(3), 362. doi:10.1504/ijgw.2016.075448Shannon, R., & Johannes, J. D. (1976). Systems Simulation: The Art and Science. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, SMC-6(10), 723-724. doi:10.1109/tsmc.1976.430943

Dynamics of the general factor of personality: A predictor mathematical tool of alcohol misuse

[EN] There are few studies developed about the general factor of personality (GFP) dynamics. This paper uses a dynamical mathematical model, the response model, to predict the short-term effects of a dose of alcohol on GFP and reports the results of an alcohol intake experiment. The GFP dynamical mechanism of change is based on the unique trait personality theory (UTPT). This theory proposes the existence of GFP, which occupies the apex of the hierarchy of personality. An experiment with 37 volunteers was performed. All the participants completed The five-adjective scale of the general factor of personality (GFP-FAS) in trait-format (GFP-T) and state-format (GFP-S) before alcohol consumption. The participants in the experimental group (28) received 26.51 g of alcohol and a slight food, while the participants in the control group (9) just received the food. Every participant filled the GFP-S each 7 minutes. The results show that GFP is modified by a single dose of alcohol: both the high scores of GFP-T and the high scores of GFP-S explain the most part of the alcohol impact. Moreover, they prove that the response model calibration to the GFP-S scores reproduces the biphasic GFP dynamics as a consequence of an alcohol dose intake described by the literature. In fact, the results also demonstrate that the response model provides the UTPT prediction: the high scores of GFP-T predict a stronger stimulant-like effect and a stronger inhibitor effect. Thus, the response model is a useful mathematical tool to predict those individuals inclined to the alcohol misuse.Amigó, S.; Caselles, A.; Micó, JC.; Sanz, MT.; Soler Fernández, D. (2020). Dynamics of the general factor of personality: A predictor mathematical tool of alcohol misuse. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences. 43(14):8116-8135. https://doi.org/10.1002/mma.6218S811681354314Malouff, J. M., Thorsteinsson, E. B., Rooke, S. E., & Schutte, N. S. (2007). Alcohol Involvement and the Five-Factor Model of Personality: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Drug Education, 37(3), 277-294. doi:10.2190/de.37.3.dSher, K. J., & Trull, T. J. (1994). Personality and disinhibitory psychopathology: Alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 103(1), 92-102. doi:10.1037/0021-843x.103.1.92Koob, G. F., & Weiss, F. (1990). Pharmacology of drug self-administration. Alcohol, 7(3), 193-197. doi:10.1016/0741-8329(90)90004-vStewart, J., de Wit, H., & Eikelboom, R. (1984). Role of unconditioned and conditioned drug effects in the self-administration of opiates and stimulants. Psychological Review, 91(2), 251-268. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.91.2.251AmigóS.La teoría del rasgo único de personalidad. Hacia una teoría unificada del cerebro y la conducta (The unique‐trait personality theory. Towards a unified theory of brain and conduct). Ed. Universitat Politècnica de València 2005.Amigó, S., Caselles, A., & Micó, J. C. (2010). General Factor of Personality Questionnaire (GFPQ): Only one Factor to Understand Personality? The Spanish journal of psychology, 13(1), 5-17. doi:10.1017/s1138741600003644Erdle, S., Irwing, P., Rushton, J. P., & Park, J. (2010). The General Factor of Personality and its relation to Self-Esteem in 628,640 Internet respondents. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(3), 343-346. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.09.004Musek, J. (2007). A general factor of personality: Evidence for the Big One in the five-factor model. Journal of Research in Personality, 41(6), 1213-1233. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2007.02.003Rushton, J. P., Bons, T. A., & Hur, Y.-M. (2008). The genetics and evolution of the general factor of personality. Journal of Research in Personality, 42(5), 1173-1185. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2008.03.002Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2008). A General Factor of Personality (GFP) from two meta-analyses of the Big Five: and. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(7), 679-683. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.07.015Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2009). A general factor of personality in the Comrey Personality Scales, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, and the Multicultural Personality Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(4), 437-442. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.11.015Rushton, J. P., & Irwing, P. (2009). A General Factor of Personality (GFP) from the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire. Personality and Individual Differences, 47(6), 571-576. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.05.011Schermer, J. A., & Vernon, P. A. (2010). The correlation between general intelligence (g), a general factor of personality (GFP), and social desirability. Personality and Individual Differences, 48(2), 187-189. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2009.10.003Van der Linden, D., Figueredo, A. J., de Leeuw, R. N. H., Scholte, R. H. J., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2012). The General Factor of Personality (GFP) and parental support: testing a prediction from Life History Theory. Evolution and Human Behavior, 33(5), 537-546. doi:10.1016/j.evolhumbehav.2012.01.007Van der Linden, D., Tsaousis, I., & Petrides, K. V. (2012). Overlap between General Factors of Personality in the Big Five, Giant Three, and trait emotional intelligence. Personality and Individual Differences, 53(3), 175-179. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2012.03.001Veselka, L., Schermer, J. A., Petrides, K. V., Cherkas, L. F., Spector, T. D., & Vernon, P. A. (2009). A General Factor of Personality: Evidence from the HEXACO Model and a Measure of Trait Emotional Intelligence. Twin Research and Human Genetics, 12(5), 420-424. doi:10.1375/twin.12.5.420Caselles, A., Micó, J. C., & Amigó, S. (2010). Cocaine addiction and personality: A mathematical model. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 63(2), 449-480. doi:10.1348/000711009x470768AmigóS MicóJC CasellesA.Adjective scale of the unique personality trait: measure of personality as an overall and complete system. Proc. 7th Congr. Eur. Syst. Union Lisboa;2008.Amigó, S., Caselles, A., & Micó, J. C. (2013). Self-Regulation Therapy to Reproduce Drug Effects:A Suggestion Technique to Change Personality and theDRD3Gene Expression. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 61(3), 282-304. doi:10.1080/00207144.2013.784094Micó, J. C., Amigó, S., & Caselles, A. (2012). Changing the General Factor of Personality and the c-fos Gene Expression with Methylphenidate and Self-Regulation Therapy. The Spanish journal of psychology, 15(2), 850-867. doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2012.v15.n2.38896Micó, J. C., Caselles, A., Amigó, S., Cotolí, A., & Sanz, M. T. (2013). A Mathematical Approach to the Body-Mind Problem from a System Personality Theory (A Systems Approach to the Body-Mind Problem). Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 30(6), 735-749. doi:10.1002/sres.2241Caselles, A., Micó, J. C., & Amigó, S. (2011). Dynamics of the General Factor of Personality in Response to a Single Dose of Caffeine. The Spanish journal of psychology, 14(2), 675-692. doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2011.v14.n2.16Micó, J. C., Amigó, S., & Caselles, A. (2014). From the Big Five to the General Factor of Personality: a Dynamic Approach. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 17. doi:10.1017/sjp.2014.71Grossberg, S. (2000). The imbalanced brain: from normal behavior to schizophrenia. Biological Psychiatry, 48(2), 81-98. doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00903-3Newlin, D. B., & Thomson, J. B. (1990). Alcohol challenge with sons of alcoholics: A critical review and analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 108(3), 383-402. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.108.3.383Martin, C. S., Earleywine, M., Musty, R. E., Perrine, M. W., & Swift, R. M. (1993). Development and Validation of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 17(1), 140-146. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1993.tb00739.xRueger, S. Y., McNamara, P. J., & King, A. C. (2009). Expanding the Utility of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) and Initial Psychometric Support for the Brief-BAES (B-BAES). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 33(5), 916-924. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2009.00914.xRueger, S. Y., & King, A. C. (2012). Validation of the Brief Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (B-BAES). Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(3), 470-476. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2012.01941.xDavidson, D., Hutchison, K., Dagon, C., & Swift, R. (2002). Assessing the stimulant effects of alcohol in humans. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 72(1-2), 151-156. doi:10.1016/s0091-3057(01)00758-4Chutuape, M. A. D., & De Wit, H. (1994). Relationship between subjective effects and drug preferences: ethanol and diazepam. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 34(3), 243-251. doi:10.1016/0376-8716(94)90163-5Wit, H., Uhlenhuth, E. H., Pierri, J., & Johanson, C. E. (1987). Individual Differences in Behavioral and Subjective Responses to Alcohol. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 11(1), 52-59. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.1987.tb01263.xDe Wit, H., Pierri, J., & Johanson, C. E. (1989). Assessing pentobarbital preference in normal volunteers using a cumulative dosing procedure. Psychopharmacology, 99(3), 416-421. doi:10.1007/bf00445569Duka, T., Stephens, D. N., Russell, C., & Tasker, R. (1998). Discriminative stimulus properties of low doses of ethanol in humans. Psychopharmacology, 136(4), 379-389. doi:10.1007/s002130050581Wise, R. A., & Bozarth, M. A. (1987). A psychomotor stimulant theory of addiction. Psychological Review, 94(4), 469-492. doi:10.1037/0033-295x.94.4.469Holdstock, L., King, A. C., & Wit, H. (2000). Subjective and Objective Responses to Ethanol in Moderate/Heavy and Light Social Drinkers. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 24(6), 789-794. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2000.tb02057.xHittner, J. B., & Swickert, R. (2006). Sensation seeking and alcohol use: A meta-analytic review. Addictive Behaviors, 31(8), 1383-1401. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.11.004Ray, L. A., McGeary, J., Marshall, E., & Hutchison, K. E. (2006). Risk factors for alcohol misuse: Examining heart rate reactivity to alcohol, alcohol sensitivity, and personality constructs. Addictive Behaviors, 31(11), 1959-1973. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.01.010Fillmore, M. T., Ostling, E. W., Martin, C. A., & Kelly, T. H. (2009). Acute effects of alcohol on inhibitory control and information processing in high and low sensation-seekers. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 100(1-2), 91-99. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.09.007Fillmore, M. T. (2001). Cognitive preoccupation with alcohol and binge drinking in college students: Alcohol-induced priming of the motivation to drink. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 15(4), 325-332. doi:10.1037/0893-164x.15.4.325Fillmore, M. I., & Rush, C. R. (2001). Alcohol effects on inhibitory and activational response strategies in the acquisition of alcohol and other reinforcers: priming the motivation to drink. Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 62(5), 646-656. doi:10.15288/jsa.2001.62.646De Wit, H. (1996). Priming effects with drugs and other reinforcers. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 4(1), 5-10. doi:10.1037/1064-1297.4.1.5Ludwig, A. M. (1974). The First Drink. Archives of General Psychiatry, 30(4), 539. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1974.01760100093015Giacobbe, A., Mulone, G., Straughan, B., & Wang, W. (2017). Modelling drinking with information. 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Indicators of knowledge, usefulness, and use of ICT among primary schoolteachers

This paper presents a study on the perceptions of primary school teachers regarding their knowledge, usefulness, and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education. Likewise, the relationship between sex, age, working time and the educational center in which it is found with the perceptions about ICT is obtained. To answer these questions, a battery of 14 categorical closed questions is designed, divided into four blocks: socio-demographic information; knowledge of ICT; usefulness of ICT; and use of ICT. In the context of measuring the knowledge, usefulness and use of ICT in education, the novelty of this work relies on the design of an indicator for each of the ICT-related blocks following the methodology of Human Development Indicators created by the United Nations Development Program. In this research, 119 teachers from Spanish primary schools were chosen as the study sample to answer the questions’ battery. The results show a direct relationship between knowledge, usefulness, and use, although not significant. Although teachers are aware of the usefulness of ICT, and the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the use of technological tools for planning teaching in blended or distance learning lessons, this does not mean teachers have a greater knowledge of ICT. In addition, the findings indicate a greater knowledge by teachers in public schools, which contrasts with the finding that teachers in grant-assisted schools make the most use of ICT and find it the most useful. Finally, it is also suggested that the study's methodology and approach could be applied to other contexts or countries

Propuesta didáctica basada en pensamiento computacional para la mejora de la resolución de problemas en primaria

INTRODUCCIÓ. Els canvis en la nova Llei orgànica d’educació LOMLOE han donat pas a un reconeixement del pensament computacional en la legislació educativa en les ensenyances no universitàries atenent reivindicacions de la Comissió Europea que posava de manifest els seus efectes positius sobre els processos cognitius en la resolució de problemes. MÈTODE. Es presenta una proposta didàctica per a l’assignatura de matemàtiques i alumnat de tercer de primària amb l’objectiu de mostrar que el pensament computacional pot ser una eina fonamental per a la millora de la resolució de problemes aritmètics. RESULTATS. S’han dissenyat una sèrie d’activitats desvinculades d’entorns tecnològics amb les quals treballar la comprensió dels enunciats, l’organització i l’anàlisi de dades. A més, es presenta una bateria de problemes amb la qual mesurar el nivell de partida de l’alumnat i avaluar si les estratègies de pensament computacional milloren la resolució de problemes. DISCUSSIÓ. L’aplicació del pensament computacional permet treballar i millorar competències i habilitats relacionades amb la resolució de problemes que poden resultar clau en tot el currículum per estar estretament relacionat amb la comprensió de qualsevol enunciat, la indagació, la generació d’hipòtesis i l’avaluació dels resultats obtinguts.INTRODUCTION. The changes brought in by the new legislation on education in Spain have acknowledged the importance of computational thinking in non-university education. These changes are a response to the European Commission’s recognition of the positive effects of computational thinking on cognitive processes in problem-solving. METHOD. A proposal for teaching mathematics to third-year primary school pupils is presented. The objective is to show that computational thinking can be a fundamental tool for improving the resolution of arithmetic problems. RESULTS. A series of non-technological activities have been designed in order to develop the skills of understanding statements, organization, and data analysis. In addition, a battery of problems is presented to assess the initial level of students and to establish whether computational thinking strategies improve problem-solving. DISCUSSION. The application of computational thinking allows the development and improvement of problem-solving skills and abilities that will be vital throughout the curriculum. Examples are the understanding of statements, inquiry, the generation of hypotheses and the evaluation of the results obtained.INTRODUCCIÓN. Los cambios en la nueva Ley Orgánica de Educación LOMLOE han dado paso a un reconocimiento del pensamiento computacional en la legislación educativa en las enseñanzas no universitarias, atendiendo reivindicaciones de la Comisión Europea que ponía de manifiesto sus efectos positivos sobre los procesos cognitivos en la resolución de problemas. MÉTODO. Se presenta una propuesta didáctica para la asignatura de matemáticas y alumnado de tercero de primaria donde el objetivo es mostrar que el pensamiento computacional puede ser una herramienta fundamental para la mejora de la resolución de problemas aritméticos. RESULTADOS. Se ha diseñado una serie de actividades desvinculadas de entornos tecnológicos con las cuales trabajar la comprensión de los enunciados, la organización y el análisis de datos. Además, se presenta una batería de problemas con la cual mesurar el nivel de partida del alumnado y evaluar si las estrategias de pensamiento computacional mejoran la resolución de problemas. DISCUSIÓN. La aplicación del pensamiento computacional permite trabajar y mejorar competencias y habilidades relacionadas con la resolución de problemas que pueden resultar clave en todo el currículum por estar estrechamente relacionado con la comprensión de cualquier enunciado, la indagación, la generación de hipótesis y la evaluación de los resultados obtenidos

Assessment of humoral immune response to two mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) in healthcare workers fully vaccinated with and without a history of previous infection

Aims: Presence of anti-S1 region of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was analysed, at two and eight months, in 477 immunocompetent healthcare workers in Zaragoza, Spain, vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer). Methods and results: Antibody analysis was performed with Alinity i System (Abbott). At 2 months, 100% of vaccinated had anti-S1 IgG (mean = 13, 285 AU ml-1). This value was significantly higher with Moderna (18, 192 AU ml-1) than with Pfizer (10, 441 AU ml-1). The mean value of anti-S1 IgG after vaccination was significantly higher in patients with than without previous infection (18, 539 vs. 7919 AU ml-1); in both groups was significantly higher with Moderna than with Pfizer (21, 881 vs. 15, 733 AU ml-1 and 11, 949 vs. 6387 AU ml-1), respectively. At 8 months, 100% of patients were IgG positive, with higher levels with Moderna than with Pfizer. Nevertheless, in ensemble of cases, a mean decrease of antibody levels of 11, 025 AU ml-1 was observed. Conclusion: At 2 and 8 months after vaccination, IgG response persists with both vaccines but with important decrease which suggests the need for revaccination. Significance and impact of study: The study contributes to know the immune status after vaccination with two of more used anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This knowledge is important for establishing the best vaccination strategy. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Applied Microbiology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society for Applied Microbiology

Degradation of Penicillinic Antibiotics and β-Lactamase Enzymatic Catalysis in a Biomimetic Zn-Based Metal–Organic Framework

β-Lactam antibiotics are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat bacterial infections. However, their use has been somehow limited given the emergence of bacteria with resistance mechanisms, such as β-lactamases, which inactivate them by degrading their four-membered β-lactam rings. So, a total knowledge of the mechanisms governing the catalytic activity of β-lactamases is required. Here, we report a novel Zn-based metal–organic framework (MOF, 1), possessing functional channels capable to accommodate and interact with antibiotics, which catalyze the selective hydrolysis of the penicillinic antibiotics amoxicillin and ceftriaxone. In particular, MOF 1 degrades, very efficiently, the four-membered β-lactam ring of amoxicillin, acting as a β-lactamase mimic, and expands the very limited number of MOFs capable to mimic catalytic enzymatic processes. Combined single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) studies and density functional (DFT) calculations offer unique snapshots on the host-guest interactions established between amoxicillin and the functional channels of 1. This allows to propose a degradation mechanism based on the activation of a water molecule, promoted by a Zn-bridging hydroxyl group, concertedly to the nucleophilic attack to the carbonyl moiety and the cleaving of C−N bond of the lactam ring.This work was supported by the MICINN (Spain) (Projects PID2019-104778GB-I00, PID2020-115100GB-I00, and Excellence Units “Severo Ochoa” CEX2021-001230-S and “Maria de Maeztu” CEX2019-000919-M) and the Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (Italy). The work has also been funded by Generalitat Valenciana, Prometeo Grupos de Investigación de Excelencia (PROMETEU/2021/054). D.A. also acknowledges the financial support of the European Union - NextGenerationEU under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) of Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca (MUR) (Project code PE0000021, “Network 4 Energy Sustainable Transition - NEST). Thanks are also extended to the 2019 Post-doctoral Junior Leader-Retaining Fellowship, la Caixa Foundation (ID100010434 and fellowship code LCF/BQ/PR19/11700011), the “Generalitat Valenciana” (SEJI/2020/034) and the “Ramón y Cajal” program (J.F.-S.). E.P. acknowledges the financial support of the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme / ERC Grant Agreement No 814804, MOF-reactors. S.S.-N. thanks a fellowship from MINECO (project number CTQ 2017–86735-P). This study forms part of the Advanced Materials programme (MFA/2022/048) and was supported by MCIN with funding from European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1) and by Generalitat Valenciana. Financial support from Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologie Chimiche (CTC), Università della Calabria, is also gratefully acknowledged for computational investigation

Pan-European rural monitoring network shows dominance of NH3 gas and NH4NO3 aerosol in inorganic atmospheric pollution load

A comprehensive European dataset on monthly atmospheric NH3, acid gases (HNO3, SO2, HCl), and aerosols (NH4+, NO3-, SO42-, Cl−, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+) is presented and analysed. Speciated measurements were made with a low-volume denuder and filter pack method (DEnuder for Long-Term Atmospheric sampling, DELTA®) as part of the EU NitroEurope (NEU) integrated project. Altogether, there were 64 sites in 20 countries (2006–2010), coordinated between seven European laboratories. Bulk wet-deposition measurements were carried out at 16 co-located sites (2008–2010). Inter-comparisons of chemical analysis and DELTA® measurements allowed an assessment of comparability between laboratories. The form and concentrations of the different gas and aerosol components measured varied between individual sites and grouped sites according to country, European regions, and four main ecosystem types (crops, grassland, forests, and semi-natural). The smallest concentrations (with the exception of SO42- and Na+) were in northern Europe (Scandinavia), with broad elevations of all components across other regions. SO2 concentrations were highest in central and eastern Europe, with larger SO2 emissions, but particulate SO42- concentrations were more homogeneous between regions. Gas-phase NH3 was the most abundant single measured component at the majority of sites, with the largest variability in concentrations across the network. The largest concentrations of NH3, NH4+ and NO-3 were at cropland sites in intensively managed agricultural areas (e.g. Borgo Cioffi in Italy), and the smallest were at remote semi-natural and forest sites (e.g. Lompolojänkkä, Finland), highlighting the potential for NH3 to drive the formation of both NH4+ and NO3- aerosol. In the aerosol phase, NH4+ was highly correlated with both NO3- and SO42-, with a near-1:1 relationship between the equivalent concentrations of NH4+ and sum(NO3- + SO42-) of which around 60 % was as NH4NO3. Distinct seasonality was also observed in the data, influenced by changes in emissions, chemical interactions, and the influence of meteorology on partitioning between the main inorganic gases and aerosol species. Springtime maxima in NH3 were attributed to the main period of manure spreading, while the peak in summer and trough in winter were linked to the influence of temperature and rainfall on emissions, deposition, and gas–aerosol-phase equilibrium. Seasonality in SO2 was mainly driven by emissions (combustion), with concentrations peaking in winter, except in southern Europe, where the peak occurred in summer. Particulate SO42− showed large peaks in concentrations in summer in southern and eastern Europe, contrasting with much smaller peaks occurring in early spring in other regions. The peaks in particulate SO42- coincided with peaks in NH3 concentrations, attributed to the formation of the stable (NH4)2SO4. HNO3 concentrations were more complex, related to traffic and industrial emissions, photochemistry, and HNO3:NH4NO3 partitioning. While HNO3 concentrations were seen to peak in the summer in eastern and southern Europe (increased photochemistry), the absence of a spring peak in HNO3 in all regions may be explained by the depletion of HNO3 through reaction with surplus NH3 to form the semi-volatile aerosol NH4NO3. Cooler, wetter conditions in early spring favour the formation and persistence of NH4NO3 in the aerosol phase, consistent with the higher springtime concentrations of NH4+ and NO3−. The seasonal profile of NO3- was mirrored by NH4+, illustrating the influence of gas–aerosol partitioning of NH4NO3 in the seasonality of these components. Gas-phase NH3 and aerosol NH4NO3 were the dominant species in the total inorganic gas and aerosol species measured in the NEU network. With the current and projected trends in SO2, NOx , and NH3 emissions, concentrations of NH3 and NH4NO3 can be expected to continue to dominate the inorganic pollution load over the next decades, especially NH3, which is linked to substantial exceedances of ecological thresholds across Europe. The shift from (NH4)2SO4 to an atmosphere more abundant in NH4NO3 is expected to maintain a larger fraction of reactive N in the gas phase by partitioning to NH3 and HNO3 in warm weather, while NH4NO3 continues to contribute to exceedances of air quality limits for PM2.5

Vanadium-Binding Protein in Marine Plankton from Tropical South Atlantic Ocean

We investigated the role of plankton in the vanadium (V) cycle at Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, a region with high V concentration in the atmospheric particles due to marine aerosol. The concentrations of V in plankton vary from 0.08 to 20.9 µg g-1 (zooplankton), 0.1 to 28.4 µg g-1 (phytoplankton &gt; 64 µm) and < 0.0005 to 49.0 µg g-1 (small phytoplankton &gt; 20 µm). The V speciation in biomolecules was performed by the use of two strategies: (i) coupling of size exclusion chromatography (SEC) for the fractionation of species with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and (ii) with size exclusion anionic exchange chromatography with UV-Vis detector coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SEC-AE-UV-Vis-ICP-MS). The results showed a single fraction containing V associated with a biomolecule in the range of 8 to 16 kDa, with isoeletric points above 8. The preliminary analyses using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) do not permit to identify such biomolecule, considering the broader size range of the proteins obtained

Fake news, un recurso en la formación del profesorado de educación primaria

En este trabajo se presenta la fundamentación y diseño de un Proyecto de Innovación Docente que tiene por ob-jetivo desarrollar habilidades relacionadas con el pen-samiento crítico y la competencia digital en estudiantes del Grado en Maestro de Educación Primaria. Para ello se utilizan las denominadas fake news o noticias falsas como recurso con el que trabajar con las y los futuros do-centes como transmisores de conocimiento capaces de entender la información disponible. El conocimiento del alumnado recogido en una batería de preguntas prepa-rada ad-hoc, revela que, aunque el estudiantado en su mayoría sabe qué es una noticia falsa, un porcentaje muy alto se ha creído noticias falsas, ya que no utilizan ningún método para comprobar la información recibida ni dan importancia a las fuentes. Asimismo, el alumnado indica que no tiene suficiente pensamiento crítico para discernir entre noticias reales y falsas y que ha contribuido a su propagación. En base a estas conclusiones, se detalla el objetivo del proyecto, la planificación, los materiales necesarios, las actividades preparadas y la descripción para su desarrollo. Se trata de un proyecto enmarcado en el ámbito de la educación por competencias que se puede extrapolar a otros niveles educativos o países.GV/2021/110UV-SFPIE_PID-208029PLEC2021-007850This paper presents the rationale and design of a Teaching Innovation Project that aims to develop skills related to critical thinking and digital competence in students of the university degree of teachers in primary education. For this purpose, the so-called fake news is used as a resource to work with future teachers as transmitters of knowledge capable of understanding the available infor-mation. The students’ knowledge collected in a battery of questions prepared ad-hoc, reveals that, although most of them know what fake news is, a very high percenta-ge have believed fake news, since they do not use any method to check the information received nor give impor-tance to the sources. Likewise, students indicate that they do not have enough critical thinking to discern between real and fake news and that they have contributed to its propagation. Based on these conclusions, the objective of the project, the planning, the necessary materials, the ac-tivities prepared and the description for its development are detailed. It is a project framed within the scope of edu-cation by competencies that can be extrapolated to other educational levels or countries

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controled clinical trial of sublingual immunotherapy in natural rubber latex allergic patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Natural rubber latex allergy is a common and unsolved health problem. Since the avoidance of exposure is very difficult, immunotherapy is strongly recommended, but before its use in patients, it is essential to prove the efficacy and safety of extracts.</p> <p>The aim of the present randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of latex sublingual immunotherapy in adult patients undergoing permanent latex avoidance.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-eight adult latex-allergic patients (5 males and 23 females), with mean age of 39 years (range 24-57) were randomized to receive a commercial latex-sublingual immunotherapy or placebo during one year, followed by another year of open, active therapy. The following outcomes were measured at baseline and at the end of first and second year of follow-up: skin prick test, gloves-use score, conjunctival challenge test, total and specific IgE, basophil activation test, and adverse reactions monitoring.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>No significant difference in any of the efficacy <it>in vivo </it>variables was observed between active and placebo groups at the end of the placebo-controlled phase, nor when each group was compared with their baseline values at the end of the two year-study. An improvement in the average percentage of basophils activated was observed. During the induction phase, 4 reactions in the active group and 5 in the placebo group were recorded. During the maintenance phase, two patients dropped out due to pruritus and to acute dermatitis respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Further studies are needed to evaluate latex-sublingual immunotherapy, since efficacy could not be demonstrated in adult patients with avoidance of the allergen.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p><a href="http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12611000543987.aspx">ACTRN12611000543987</a></p