A Closer Look at the Brazilian Social Fuel Seal: Uptake, Operation and Dysfunctions

"This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Biofuels on 2018, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2016.1274163"[EN] The Brazilian government created the Social Fuel Seal (SFS) within the framework of the National Program of Production and Use of Biodiesel (PNPB) launched in 2004. The SFS is a certification standard aimed at upgrading small farmers in the biodiesel value chain, and it was conceived as a response to the increasing concerns about the social aspects of biofuel production. In this article we discuss the institutional settings and explore the uptake, achievements and shortcomings of this instrument in the light of the official data and the academic literature. Specific aspects of the practical implementation of SFS are examined upon the base of interviews conducted with different stakeholders in the state of São Paulo. Dysfunctions in the overall operation of the SFS put under question the accomplishment of the social inclusion objective and awaken concerns about the sustainability of the role of family farmers in it.This work was supported by CAPES Foundation - Ministry of Education (Brazil) [grant number BEX 9604/13-8].Planchez De Carvalho-Marcossi, G.; Moreno-Pérez, OM. (2018). A Closer Look at the Brazilian Social Fuel Seal: Uptake, Operation and Dysfunctions. Biofuels. 9(4):429-439. https://doi.org/10.1080/17597269.2016.1274163S42943994Huang, J., Yang, J., Msangi, S., Rozelle, S., & Weersink, A. (2012). Biofuels and the poor: Global impact pathways of biofuels on agricultural markets. Food Policy, 37(4), 439-451. doi:10.1016/j.foodpol.2012.04.004Augusto Horta Nogueira, L., & Silva Capaz, R. (2013). Biofuels in Brazil: Evolution, achievements and perspectives on food security. Global Food Security, 2(2), 117-125. doi:10.1016/j.gfs.2013.04.001Labruto, N. (2014). 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Presentación. Agricultura familiar a debate

[ES] Sin resumenMoreno Pérez, OM.; García Álvarez-Coque, JM. (2014). Presentation. Family farming on debate. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 14(1):131-132. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/118023SWORD13113214

Mentors' self‐assessed competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice: A systematic review of quantitative studies

Aims and objectives: To examine registered nurses' self‐evaluation of their competence in mentoring nursing students in clinical practice. Background: Clinical mentors have significant roles and responsibility for nursing students' clinical learning. Moreover, the mentors' role is becoming increasingly important internationally, as the role of nurse teachers in mentoring students in clinical practice has declined. However, in most EU countries there are no specific educational requirements for clinical mentors, although they need targeted education to increase their competence in mentoring nursing students. Design: The systematic review of quantitative studies was designed according to guidelines of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and PRISMA protocol. Methods: Studies published during 2000–2019 that met inclusion criteria formulated in PiCOS format were systematically reviewed by three independent reviewers. CINAHL (Ebsco), PubMed (MEDLINE), Scopus, ERIC and Medic databases were used to retrieve the studies. Three independent reviewers conducted the systematic review process. The studies were tabulated, thematically compared and narratively reported. Results: In total, 16 peer‐reviewed studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies identified various dimensions of mentors´ competence and associated environmental factors. Generally, participating mentors rated competences related to the clinical environment, mentoring, supporting students' learning processes and relevant personal characteristics fairly high. They also rated organisational practices in their workplaces, resources in the clinical environment and their mentor–student and mentor–stakeholder pedagogical practices, as respectable or satisfactory. Conclusion: The results indicate considerable scope for improving mentors' competence, particularly through enhancing organisational mentoring practices and relevant resources in clinical environments. Relevance for clinical practice: Pedagogical practices of mentors in relations with both students and stakeholders should be enhanced to improve future nurses' learning. This systematic review addresses a gap in knowledge of mentors' self‐evaluated competence that could assist the formulation of effective educational programmes for mentors internationally and improving clinical environments.We would like to acknowledge European Commission, Erasmus+, KA2: Strategic partnership for providing funding for the project Quality mentorship for developing competent nursing students (QualMent)

Strasseriolides display in vitro and in vivo activity against trypanosomal parasites and cause morphological and size defects in Trypanosoma cruzi

Neglected diseases caused by kinetoplastid parasites are a health burden in tropical and subtropical countries. The need to create safe and effective medicines to improve treatment remains a priority. Microbial natural products are a source of chemical diversity that provides a valuable approach for identifying new drug candidates. We recently reported the discovery and bioassay-guided isolation of a novel family of macrolides with antiplasmodial activity. The novel family of four potent antimalarial macrolides, strasseriolides A-D, was isolated from cultures of Strasseria geniculata CF-247251, a fungal strain obtained from plant tissues. In the present study, we analyze these strasseriolides for activity against kinetoplastid protozoan parasites, namely, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Leishmania donovani and Trypanosoma cruzi. Compounds exhibited mostly low activities against T. b. brucei, yet notable growth inhibition and selectivity were observed for strasseriolides C and D in the clinically relevant intracellular T. cruzi and L. donovani amastigotes with EC50 values in the low micromolar range. Compound C is fast-acting and active against both intracellular and trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi. While cell cycle defects were not identified, prominent morphological changes were visualized by differential interference contrast microscopy and smaller and rounded parasites were visualized upon exposure to strasseriolide C. Moreover, compound C lowers parasitaemia in vivo in acute models of infection of Chagas disease. Hence, strasseriolide C is a novel natural product active against different forms of T. cruzi in vitro and in vivo. The study provides an avenue for blocking infection of new cells, a strategy that could additionally contribute to avoid treatment failure.This work was funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa-Red de Investigación Cooperativa en Enfermedades Tropicales (RICET) https://www.isciii.es/Paginas/Inicio.aspx - https://www.ricet.es/proyectos: RD16/0027/0014 (DGP), RD16/0027/0015 (FV), and RD12/0018/0005 (FV); by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 https://www.aei.gob.es/ayudas-concedidas/buscador-ayudas-concedidas: PID2019-109623RB-I00 (DGP); by the MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa https://www.aei.gob.es/fondos-europeos/fondos-feder: 2016-79957-R (DGP); and by the Junta de Andalucía https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/organismos/universidadinvestigacioneinnovacion/servicios/procedimientos.html: BIO-199 (LMRP). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewe

Development of an evidence-based nurse mentor’s competence model

ERASMUS+ KA2: Strategic partnership. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT: QUALITY MENTORSHIP FOR DEVELOPING COMPETENT NURSING STUDENTS. "This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

The future of small farms and small food businesses as actors in regional food security: A participatory scenario analysis from Europe and Africa

This research was supported by the `Small Farms, Small Food Businesses and Sustainable Food Security' (SALSA) project, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 677363. Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politecnica de Valencia.Ortiz Miranda, D.; Moreno-Pérez, OM.; Arnalte-Mur, L.; Cerrada-Serra, P.; Martinez Gomez, VD.; Adolph, B.; Atela, J.... (2022). The future of small farms and small food businesses as actors in regional food security: A participatory scenario analysis from Europe and Africa. Journal of Rural Studies. 95:326-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2022.09.0063263359

Directrices para el desarrollo de competencias de tutoría de enfermeras mentoras clínicas

La guía se basa en evidencia de investigación evaluada críticamente y se ha desarrollado durante los años 2018-2021 a través del proyecto Erasmus +: Mentoría de Calidad para el Desarrollo de Estudiantes de Enfermería Competentes (QualMent) bajo el liderazgo de un equipo internacional de expertos con amplios conocimientos y experiencia en tutoría.Proyecto Erasmus + Mentoría de Calidad para el Desarrollo de Estudiantes de Enfermería Competentes (QualMent) 2018-1-SI01-KA203-04708

Bioactivities and Extract Dereplication of Actinomycetales Isolated From Marine Sponges

In the beginning of the twenty-first century, humanity faces great challenges regarding diseases and health-related quality of life. A drastic rise in bacterial antibiotic resistance, in the number of cancer patients, in the obesity epidemics and in chronic diseases due to life expectation extension are some of these challenges. The discovery of novel therapeutics is fundamental and it may come from underexplored environments, like marine habitats, and microbial origin. Actinobacteria are well-known as treasure chests for the discovery of novel natural compounds. In this study, eighteen Actinomycetales isolated from marine sponges of three Erylus genera collected in Portuguese waters were tested for bioactivities with the main goal of isolating and characterizing the responsible bioactive metabolites. The screening comprehended antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-cancer and anti-obesity properties. Fermentations of the selected strains were prepared using ten different culturing media. Several bioactivities against the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and the human liver cancer cell line HepG2 were obtained in small volume cultures. Screening in higher volumes showed consistent anti-fungal activity by strain Dermacoccus sp. #91-17 and Micrococcus luteus Berg02-26. Gordonia sp. Berg02-22.2 showed anti-parasitic (Trypanosoma cruzi) and anti-cancer activity against several cell lines (melanoma A2058, liver HepG2, colon HT29, breast MCF7 and pancreatic MiaPaca). For the anti-obesity assay, Microbacterium foliorum #91-29 and #91-40 induced lipid reduction on the larvae of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Dereplication of the extracts from several bacteria showed the existence of a variety of secondary metabolites, with some undiscovered molecules. This work showed that Actinomycetales are indeed good candidates for drug discovery

Actions to strengthen the contribution of small farms and small food businesses to food security in Europe

This study stems from a participatory foresight exercise conducted in nine Mediterranean, Baltic, Nordic and Eastern European regions, aiming to strengthen the role of small farms and small food businesses in ensuring food security. A wide range of stakeholders participated by attending workshops. They represented farmers’ organisations, food businesses, consumers’ organisations, NGOs, researchers, extension services, professional groups, and administration and public bodies. The actions proposed by participants are scanned and categorised around six broad objectives, stakeholders’ priorities and their underlying beliefs and preconceptions are discussed around the current debates of the literature, and the drivers that influence the feasibility of the proposed actions are discussed. Furthermore, the alignment of stakeholders’ -driven objectives with the European Strategies on food, agriculture, and rural areas is examined, with a focus on: (i) the EU Farm to Fork Strategy, (ii) the Rural Action Plan contained in the Long-Term Vision of Rural Areas developed by the EU Commission, and (iii) the Common Agricultural Policy in force since January 2023

Mentoring of nursing students—A comparative study of Japan and five European countries

Aims: This study aimed to explore mentoring competence in nursing student mentors during clinical practice by identifying different mentor profiles and connections between different competence areas among five European countries and Japan. Methods: The study implemented a cross-sectional design in Finland, Italy, Lithuania, Slovenia, Spain, and Japan during 2016 and 2019. In total, 6208 mentors were invited, and 1862 participated from 58 healthcare organizations. The data were collected with a survey questionnaire by including background question items with the Mentor Competence Instrument. K-clustering and structural equation modeling were used for data analysis. Results: Four mentor profiles, A (43%), B (30%), C (18%), and D (9%), were identified according to the seven mentoring competence areas with high statistical significance (mean >3.50) was observed among Finnish, Lithuanian, and Slovenian mentors with university education in nursing, older ages, more work experience, and previous education in mentoring. Lower competence (mean <2.49) was observed among Japanese and Italian mentors with diplomas in nursing, younger ages, less work experience, and no previous education in mentoring. Conclusion: Mentoring requires motivated, highly competent mentors since mentoring is a critical aspect of nursing education. Mentoring roles should be given to nurses with higher education and mentoring training. Younger, less experienced nurses without formal mentoring training may need support from senior nurses when performing mentoring roles and could also facilitate a more balanced workload between patient care and mentoring for senior nurses