Selective Oxidation of Glycerol via Acceptorless Dehydrogenation Driven by Ir(I)-NHC Catalysts

After pandemic, healthcare workers experienced a series of emotional and psychological disturbances that could impact their mental well-being. In this study, the feasibility of morphological characteristics of photoplethysmographic (PPG) waveform to quantify stress and depression level posed by COVID-19 in first-line healthcare workers is explored. Results show that higher stress and depression level are moderately correlated with large systolic amplitude and parameters that might indicate early wave reflection. These results suggest that an arterial stiffness, quantified with PPG morphological characteristics, could provide valuable information in assessing mental healt

Maximizing multithreaded multicore architectures through thread migrations

Heterogeneity in general-purpose workloads often end up in non optimal per-thread hardware resource usage. The current trend towards multicore architectures, containing several multithreaded cores, increases the need of a complexity-effective way to expose the heterogeneity in general-purpose workloads to the underlying hardware, in order to obtain all the potential performance of these architectures. In this paper we present the Heterogeneity-Aware Dynamic Thread Migrator (hDTM), a novel complexity-effective hardware mechanism that exposes the heterogeneity in software to the hardware, also enabling the hardware to react to the dynamic behavior variations in the running applications. By means of core-to-core thread migrations, the hDTM mechanism strives to perform the desired behavior transparently to the Operating System. As an example of the general-purpose hDTM concept presented in this paper, we describe a naive hDTM implementation for a Power5-like processor and provide results on the benefits of the proposed mechanism. Our results indicate that even this simple hDTM implementation is able to get close to hDTM’s goal, not only avoiding losses due to bad thread-to-core assignments (up to a 25%) but also going beyond the best static thread-to-core assignment upper limit.Postprint (published version

Explotación de la potencia de procesamiento mediante paralelismo: un recorrido histórico hasta la GPGPU

La mejora en los sistemas de fabricación de semiconductores, con escalas de integración crecientes durante décadas, ha contribuido a incrementar de forma espectacular la potencia de los sistemas de cómputo en sus diversas formas, ordenadores personales y portátiles, móviles, tabletas, consolas, etc. Esa evolución, no obstante, también ha encontrado obstáculos por el camino que, entre otros aspectos, acabaron hace varios años con la escalada en las frecuencias de reloj. En la actualidad la potencia de un procesador ya no se mide exclusivamente en GHz, sino que también influyen factores como el número de núcleos de procesamiento y el diseño de estos. En el presente artículo se lleva a cabo un recorrido histórico de cómo el paralelismo ha ido adecuándose al hardware disponible en cada momento con el objetivo de obtener el mayor provecho del mismo.Due to the improvement of semiconductor manufacturing technologies, and higher integration scales in the last decades, the power of computing devices has experienced an impressive growth. However, some obstacles have been also found along the way. As a consequence, the battle for reaching higher clock frequencies almost ended a few years ago. Nowadays, the power of processors is not measured exclusively using GHz. Other factors, as the number of cores and their inner design, also have a large impact. This paper provides an historical review on how parallelism techniques have been adapted over time to overcome these changes aiming to better exploit the available hardware.Universidad de Granada: Departamento de Arquitectura y Tecnología de Computadores; Vicerrectorado para la Garantía de la Calidad

Niveles de pensamiento crítico en estudiantes de universidades en Barranquilla (Colombia)

The purpose of the research was to characterize the levels of critical thinking in students of VI semester of Higher Education in the Universities of the Atlantic and Coast in Barranquilla, approaching theoretical references and presenting the institutional experience with two groups of interest of the mentioned universities. The methodology used was with an emerging paradigm, descriptive - explanatory and quasi experimental, descriptive, field. Concluding that critical thinking of students presents particular characteristics of the Systematic level.La investigación tuvo como propósito, caracterizar los niveles de pensamiento crítico en estudiantes de VI semestre de Educación Superior en las Universidades del Atlántico y de la Costa, en Barranquilla, abordando referentes teóricos y presentando la experiencia institucional con dos grupos de interés de las Universidades mencionadas. La metodología utilizada fue con paradigma emergente, de tipo descriptivo – explicativo y diseño cuasi experimental, descriptivo, de campo. Concluyendo que, el pensamiento crítico de los estudiantes presenta características particulares del nivel Sistemátic

Iodine monoxide in the north subtropical free troposphere

Iodine monoxide (IO) differential slant column densities (DSCD) have been retrieved from a new multi-axis differential optical absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) instrument deployed at the Iza˜na subtropical observatory as part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC) programme.We acknowledge the support of the European Commission through the GEOmon (Global Earth Observation and Monitoring) Integrated Project under the 6th Framework Program (contract number FP6-2005-Global-4-036677) and NORS (Demonstration Network Of ground-based Remote Sensing Observations in support of the GMES Atmospheric Service) Integrated Project under the 7th Framework Program (contract number FP7-SPACE- 2011-284421)

Triphenylarsonium-functionalised gold nanoparticles: potential nanocarriers for intracellular therapeutics.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.Two new triphenylarsonium alkylthiolate precursors, a thiosulfate zwitterion and a thioacetate salt, have been structurally characterised and their cytotoxicity evaluated against PC3 cells. The arsonium compounds have been used to prepare gold nanoparticles decorated with triphenylarsonium groups.Sheffield Hallam University and Indian Institute of Science (NL)

Identification and quantification of microplastics in wastewater using focal plane array-based reflectance micro-FT-IR imaging

Microplastics (<5 mm) have been documented in environmental samples on a global scale. While these pollutants may enter aquatic environments via wastewater treatment facilities, the abundance of microplastics in these matrices has not been investigated. Although efficient methods for the analysis of microplastics in sediment samples and marine organisms have been published, no methods have been developed for detecting these pollutants within organic-rich wastewater samples. In addition, there is no standardized method for analyzing microplastics isolated from environmental samples. In many cases, part of the identification protocol relies on visual selection before analysis, which is open to bias. In order to address this, a new method for the analysis of microplastics in wastewater was developed. A pretreatment step using 30% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was employed to remove biogenic material, and focal plane array (FPA)-based reflectance micro-Fourier-transform (FT-IR) imaging was shown to successfully image and identify different microplastic types (polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon-6, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene). Microplastic-spiked wastewater samples were used to validate the methodology, resulting in a robust protocol which was nonselective and reproducible (the overall success identification rate was 98.33%). The use of FPA-based micro-FT-IR spectroscopy also provides a considerable reduction in analysis time compared with previous methods, since samples that could take several days to be mapped using a single-element detector can now be imaged in less than 9 h (circular filter with a diameter of 47 mm). This method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in wastewater is likely to provide an essential tool for further research into the pathways by which microplastics enter the environment.This work is funded by a NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) CASE studentship (NE/K007521/1) with contribution from industrial partner Fera Science Ltd., United Kingdom. The authors would like to thank Peter Vale, from Severn Trent Water Ltd, for providing access to and additionally Ashley Howkins (Brunel University London) for providing travel and assistance with the sampling of the Severn Trent wastewater treatment plant in Derbyshire, UK. We are grateful to Emma Bradley and Chris Sinclair for providing helpful suggestions for our research

Mural Endocarditis: The GAMES Registry Series and Review of the Literature

Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis—Grupo de Apoyo al Manejo de la Endocarditis infecciosa en España (GAMES).[Introduction] Mural infective endocarditis (MIE) is a rare type of endovascular infection. We present a comprehensive series of patients with mural endocarditis.[Methods] Patients with infectious endocarditis (IE) from 35 Spanish hospitals were prospectively included in the GAMES registry between 2008 and 2017. MIEs were compared to non-MIEs. We also performed a literature search for cases of MIE published between 1979 and 2019 and compared them to the GAMEs series.[Results] Twenty-seven MIEs out of 3676 IEs were included. When compared to valvular IE (VIE) or device-associated IE (DIE), patients with MIE were younger (median age 59 years, p < 0.01). Transplantation (18.5% versus 1.6% VIE and 2% DIE, p < 0.01), hemodialysis (18.5% versus 4.3% VIE and 4.4% DIE, p = 0.006), catheter source (59.3% versus 9.7% VIE and 8.8% DIE, p < 0.01) and Candida etiology (22.2% versus 2% DIE and 1.2% VIE, p < 0.01) were more common in MIE, whereas the Charlson Index was lower (4 versus 5 in non-MIE, p = 0.006). Mortality was similar. MIE from the literature shared many characteristics with MIE from GAMES, although patients were younger (45 years vs. 56 years, p < 0.001), the Charlson Index was lower (1.3 vs. 4.3, p = 0.0001), catheter source was less common (13.9% vs. 59.3%) and there were more IVDUs (25% vs. 3.7%). S. aureus was the most frequent microorganism (50%, p = 0.035). Systemic complications were more common but mortality was similar.[Conclusion] MIE is a rare entity. It is often a complication of catheter use, particularly in immunocompromised and hemodialysis patients. Fungal etiology is common. Mortality is similar to other IEs.Peer reviewe

Distribución de las remuneraciones de los docentes según los niveles remunerativos en una universidad pública

Introduction. In Peru, according to the University Law Nº 30220, the salaries of the teachers of the universities must be homologated with those of judicial magistrates; however, to date this has not yet been fulfilled. However, it is necessary to point out that after more than 20 years of complaints from university professors, in 2005 the process of homologation was initiated, which has allowed an increase in remunerations; however, there are differences between categories: "auxiliary", "associate" and "main full time", taking into account that they perform the same tasks. Objective. In this context, the objective of this research is to demonstrate the distribution of teachers' salaries according to category and dedication, as well as the presence of inequalities or salary differentiation differentiation at the Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán (UNHEVAL). Methods. The Gini coefficient and the Lorenz curve were used, for the period 2011-2020. Results. It was shown that the Gini coefficient yielded a value of 0.17 and the Lorenz curve is below and very close to the line of perfect equality. Conclusions. It is concluded that there are no significant differences in the salaries of the different categories of teachers at the Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán.Introducción. En Perú, de acuerdo a la Ley Universitaria N.º 30220, las remuneraciones de los docentes de las universidades deben ser homologadas con la de los magistrados judiciales; sin embargo, hasta la fecha esto aún no se ha cumplido. No obstante, es necesario resaltar que luego de más de 20 años de sendos reclamos de los docentes universitarios, en el año 2005 se inició el proceso de la homologación mencionada, lo que ha permitido un aumento de remuneraciones; sin embargo, se manifiestan diferencias entre categorías: “auxiliares”, “asociados” y “principales a tiempo completo”, teniendo en cuenta que realizan las mismas labores. Objetivo. En este contexto, el objetivo de la presente investigación es demostrar la distribución que existe entre las remuneraciones de los docentes según categoría y dedicación, así como la presencia de desigualdades o diferenciación salarial en la Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán (UNHEVAL). Métodos. Se ha utilizado el coeficiente de Gini y la curva de Lorenz, para el período 2011-2020. Resultados. Se evidenció que el coeficiente de Gini arrojó un valor de 0,17 y la curva de Lorenz se encuentra por debajo y muy cerca de la línea de perfecta igualdad. Conclusiones. Se concluye que no existen diferencias significativas en las remuneraciones de las diferentes categorías de docentes de la Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán

Quasiexperimental intervention study protocol to optimise the use of new antibiotics in Spain: the NEW_SAFE project

Introduction Ceftaroline, tedizolid, dalbavancin, ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam are novel antibiotics used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR). Their use should be supervised and monitored as part of an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP). Appropriate use of the new antibiotics will be improved by including consensual indications for their use in local antibiotic guidelines, together with educational interventions providing advice to prescribers to ensure that the recommendations are clearly understood. Methods and analysis This study will be implemented in two phases. First, a preliminary historical cohort (2017-2019) of patients from 13 Andalusian hospitals treated with novel antibiotics will be analysed. Second, a quasiexperimental intervention study will be developed with an interrupted time-series analysis (2020-2021). The intervention will consist of an educational interview between prescribers and ASP leaders at each hospital to reinforce the proper use of novel antibiotics. The educational intervention will be based on a consensus guideline designed and disseminated by leaders after the retrospective cohort data have been analysed. The outcomes will be acceptance of the intervention and appropriateness of prescription. Incidence of infection and colonisation with MDR organisms as well as incidence ofClostridioides difficileinfection will also be analysed. Changes in prescription quality between periods and the safety profile of the antibiotics in terms of mortality rate and readmissions will also be measured. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval will be obtained from the Andalusian Coordinating Institutional Review Board. The study is being conducted in compliance with the protocol and regulatory requirements consistent with International Council of Harmonisation E6 Good Clinical Practice and the ethical principles of the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at national and international conferences