Identification of the best-performing novel microbial strains from naturally-aged graffiti for biocleaning research

[EN] Microorganisms that can act as biocleaning agents can potentially be isolated from existing graffiti. In this study, a total of 30 different isolates of bacteria, fungi and yeasts were obtained from black, blue, red and silver graffiti coatings exposed outdoors conditions for 10 years. An additional strain was obtained from samples of black powdered graffiti exposed under laboratory conditions for 5 years. Each of the isolates from the most prolific sources (i.e. red and silver graffiti coatings and black powdered graffiti) was evaluated alone and in combination with Tween? 20, to determine their potential as biocleaning agents, in test tube assays. Two strains isolated from the red graffiti coating (identified as Candida parapsilosis) and one strain isolated from the black powered graffiti (identified as Rhodococcus erythropolis) performed best alone. The quantity of live cells throughout the trials and biofilm formation indicated that both strains were able to utilize the paint as a substrate. When the microorganisms isolated were combined with Tween? 20, the quantity of live cells increased notably throughout the incubation time, and turbidity and graffiti discoloration were observed. Infrared spectroscopic examination revealed that R. erythropolis performed the best alone, while the addition of Tween? 20 to C. parapsilosis enhanced the oxidative degradation of the graffiti.J.S. Pozo-Antonio is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) for a post-doctoral contract (Juan de la Cierva-Incorporacion, IJCI-2017-3277). P. Sanmartin is grateful for financial support from the Xunta de Galicia (grant ED431C 2018/32).Bosch-Roig, P.; Pozo-Antonio, J.; Sanmartín, P. (2021). Identification of the best-performing novel microbial strains from naturally-aged graffiti for biocleaning research. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 159:1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2021.105206S1715

Estadística espacial

En este artículo se muestra una breve introducción sobre la estadística espacial y sus aplicaciones en algunos campos como es el caso de la epidemiología y el medio ambiente.Ministerio de Educación y Cienci

Concatenación temporal de modelos espaciales y su aplicación al estudio de la meningitis en España

La cartografía de enfermedades infecciosas en periodos sucesivos plantea la necesidad de su extensión al caso dinámico. En este trabajo proponemos la concatenación temporal de modelos auto-regresivos espaciales para abordar el análisis de mortalidad por meningitis en España en el período 1950-1990 con datos agregados a nivel provincial. Para la estimación v selección del modelo usamos técnicas basadas en la función de verosimilitud

Identification of the best-performing novel microbial strains from naturally-aged graffiti for biocleaning research

Microorganisms that can act as biocleaning agents can potentially be isolated from existing graffiti. In this study, a total of 30 different isolates of bacteria, fungi and yeasts were obtained from black, blue, red and silver graffiti coatings exposed outdoors conditions for 10 years. An additional strain was obtained from samples of black powdered graffiti exposed under laboratory conditions for 5 years. Each of the isolates from the most prolific sources (i.e. red and silver graffiti coatings and black powdered graffiti) was evaluated alone and in combination with Tween® 20, to determine their potential as biocleaning agents, in test tube assays. Two strains isolated from the red graffiti coating (identified as "Candida parapsilosis") and one strain isolated from the black powered graffiti (identified as "Rhodococcus erythropolis") performed best alone. The quantity of live cells throughout the trials and biofilm formation indicated that both strains were able to utilize the paint as a substrate. When the microorganisms isolated were combined with Tween® 20, the quantity of live cells increased notably throughout the incubation time, and turbidity and graffiti discoloration were observed. Infrared spectroscopic examination revealed that "R. erythropolis" performed the best alone, while the addition of Tween® 20 to "C. parapsilosis" enhanced the oxidative degradation of the graffiti.Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISUGMinisterio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad | Ref. IJCI-2017-3277Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431C 2018/3

Biocleaning to Remove Graffiti: A Real Possibility? Advances towards a Complete Protocol of Action

[EN] The first academic studies on the use of microorganisms in cleaning procedures appeared in the late 1980s/early 1990s. In the past thirty years, most of such studies have addressed the removal of nitrate and sulphate salts and organic matter from surfaces by using non-pathogenic anaerobic microorganisms, mainly sulphate-reducing bacteria. The successful use of microbes in the removal of graffiti paint remains, however, a work in progress. Biocleaning surfaces to remove graffiti is not a simple task, because of the complex chemical composition of graffiti paints. This study looks at ways of improving the bioremoval of graffiti and presents the latest findings regarding different methodological aspects of cleaning natural and man-made stone. Granite and concrete substrates were coated with silver and black graffiti spray paints for comparison of the efficacy of the biocleaning method on these different materials. Visual and microscopic examination along with colour and infrared measurements made after application of the bacterial strains tested (previously shown to be suitable candidates for bioremoval of graffiti) revealed remarkably successful results. The findings presented thus represent progress in the development of a biocleaning protocol applicable to the in-situ removal of graffiti. Important improvements have been made regarding the time of treatment, which has been reduced by up to 20 days, and the use of a culture medium enriched with powdered graffiti, which facilitates and accelerates the adaptation of the microorganisms to the target surface.The authors are grateful to Barrie Foundation for the economic support in the purchase of some of the bacterial strains used in the study. The strains were purchased during the period of a scholarship for postgraduate studies abroad (2012 Call) granted to P. Sanmartin.Bosch-Roig, P.; Sanmartín, P. (2019). Biocleaning to Remove Graffiti: A Real Possibility? Advances towards a Complete Protocol of Action. Coatings. 9(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9020104S1049

Didáctica y divulgación de la cultura clásica: propuesta de introducción de contenidos a través de textos de Irene Vallejo

A falta de apoyo institucional en la enseñanza de latín, griego y cultura clásica en educación secundaria debido al pensamiento generalizado de que su aprendizaje es inútil. A los docentes de estas materias solo les queda una opción: demostrar que se equivocan aproximando al alumnado los conocimientos del mundo clásico a su realidad. Para ello, proponemos una secuenciación de contenidos del bloque de cultura clásica en la que añadimos a cada contenido un texto de Irene Vallejo en el que se tratan dichos contenidos unidos a temas actuales y universales. <br /

El Col.lectiu Obertament: una Experiencia de Arte, Creatividad y Terapia en Salud Mental (2000-2010)

This article describes a 10-year experience in art therapy with people suffering from severe mental disorders, which is taking place in the region of Gandia (Valencia). What began as a creative workshop and rehabilitation program for a small group of patients residents in a nursing home gave way to the founding of Col.lectiu Obertament which is one of the few Spanish associations made up entirely of people affected by a serious mental illness. Several artistic expressions have been used as a means of social action. The article reports on the ability of art as a mobilizing, integrating and nonstigmatizing element and how this experience has radiated its effects beyond the group who directly participate in it.Este artículo describe una experiencia de 10 años de arte y terapia con personas afectadas de trastorno mental severo en una comarca de Valencia (Gandía). Lo que empezó como un taller de creatividad y rehabilitación para un pequeño grupo de pacientes que vivían en una residencia dió paso, con el tiempo, a la fundación del Col.lectiu Obertament, una de las pocas asociaciones en España compuesta por personas afectadas por una enfermedad mental grave que utiliza como forma de acción social distintas expresiones artísticas. El artículo da cuenta de la capacidad del arte como elemento movilizador, integrador y desestigmatizante y del modo en que esta experiencia ha irradiado sus efectos más allá del grupo que directamente participa en ella

Perfectionist automatic thoughts and vivacity of mental image in Spanish undergraduates

El estudio de los Pensamientos Automáticos Perfeccionistas (PAP) está en auge tras observar su efecto negativo sobre la salud de las personas. De ahí la necesidad de buscar estrategias de prevención de estas rumias de perfección. El objetivo del estudio fue observar si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en las dimensiones de la vivacidad o capacidad de imagen mental (CIM) en función de las altas o bajas puntuaciones de los distintos factores de PAP, así como analizar la probabilidad de presentar PAP en función de los factores de CIM. Para ello se reclutó una muestra de 791 universitarios españoles (M = 22.5; DE = 5.21) y se utilizó la Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) y la Vividness Visual Imagery Questionnaire-Revised Version 12 (VVIQRV-12). Los resultados arrojan diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la Capacidad Creativa de Imágenes (CCI) en todos los factores, puntuando más alto en función de los bajos Esfuerzos (EP; d=.32) y Demandas Perfeccionistas (DP; d=.22); sugiriendo, además, que a medida que aumenta la CCI disminuye la probabilidad de presentar EP y DP. En conclusión, los hallazgos del estudio muestran características concretas de los PAP que benefician el diseño de estrategias de prevención sobre estas rumias poco saludables.The study of Perfectionist Automatic Thoughts (PAT) is booming after observing its negative effect on people’s health. Hence the need to seek prevention strategies for these rumors of perfection. The objective of the study was to observe whether there are statistically significant differences in the dimensions of vivacity or mental image capacity (MIC) based on the high or low scores of the different PAT factors, as well as to analyze the probability of presenting PAT based on of the MIC factors. For this, a sample of 791 Spanish university students (M = 22.5; SD = 5.21) was recruited and the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) and the Vividness Visual Imagery Questionnaire-Revised Version 12 (VVIQ-RV-12) were used. The results show statistically significant differences in the Creative Capacity of Images (CCI) in all the factors, scoring higher according to the low Strivings (PS; d= .32) and Perfectionist Demands (PD; d= .22); suggesting, in addition, that as CCI increases, the probability of presenting PS and PD decreases. In conclusion, the study findings show specific characteristics of PATs that benefit the design of prevention strategies on these unhealthy rumors

Perfectionist automatic thoughts and spontaneous use of visual images in Spanish undergraduates

Los Pensamientos Automáticos Perfeccionistas (PAP) son rumias basadas en la necesidad de ser perfecto, por lo que lleva consigo un alto nivel de angustia. Es por ello necesario diseñar estrategias de prevención y/o descenso de PAP. El presente trabajo partía de dos objetivos. El primero de ellos fue analizar si existen diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los factores del Uso Espontáneo de Imágenes Mentales (UEIP) en función de las altas o bajas puntuaciones de los distintos factores de PAP. El segundo de ellos analizar la probabilidad de presentar PAP en función de los factores del UEIP. Para ello se obtuvo una muestra de 791 participantes (M = 22.5; DE = 5.21) y se utilizaron como instrumentos de medida la Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) y la Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS). Los hallazgos arrojaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en Demandas y Esfuerzos Perfeccionistas, así como en el total de la PCI en todos los factores del UEIP, así como el total de la SUIS. Asimismo, los resultados indicaron que conforme aumenta la puntuación en las distintas dimensiones de la SUIS, aumenta la probabilidad tanto de presentar DP, como EP y PAP en general. En conclusión, el presente estudio muestra peculiaridades específicas de los PAP que permiten diseñar estrategias de prevención sobre estas rumias perfeccionistas.Perfectionist Automatic Thoughts (PAT) are rumors based on the need to be perfect, so it carries with it a high level of distress. It is therefore necessary to design strategies for the prevention and reduction of PAT. The present work was based on two objectives. The first of them was to analyze whether there are statistically significant differences in the Spontaneous Use of Mental Images (SUMI) factors based on the high or low scores of the different PAT factors. The second of them analyze the probability of presenting PAT as a function of the SUMI factors. For this, a sample of 791 participants (M = 22.5; SD = 5.21) was obtained and the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory (PCI) and the Spontaneous Use of Imagery Scale (SUIS) were used as measurement instruments. The findings yielded statistically significant differences in Perfectionist Demands and Perfectionist Strivings, as well as in the total of the PCI in all the factors of the SUMI, as well as the total of the SUIS. Likewise, the results indicated that as the score increases in the different dimensions of the SUIS, the probability of presenting PD, PS and PAT in general increases. In conclusion, this study shows specific peculiarities of PAT that allow the design of prevention strategies on these perfectionist rumors

Alcuino de York y su Vita Vedasti: un comentario histórico-cultural.

Alcuino de York, como máximo exponente del Renacimiento Carolingio, realizó una ardua tarea de reforma social y educativa. Entre sus numerosas obras, Alcuino escribió las Vitae para que sirvieran no solo de ejemplo de vida para los cristianos, sino también para corregir los errores que, hasta el momento, venían cometiendo tanto intelectuales como autores de épocas anteriores.<br /