Monitoring and preliminary analysis of the natural responses recorded in a poorly accessible streambed spring located at a fluviokarstic gorge in Southern Spain

The analysis of natural responses (hydrodynamic, hydrothermal and hydrochemical) of karst springs is a well-established approach to provide insights into the hydrogeological functioning of the aquifers that they drain. However, a suitable monitoring program of these responses are often difficult to launch in poorly accessible streambed springs, due to the mixing between surface water and groundwater, in addition to topographic impediments. This work describes the installation procedure of the measurement equipment and the preliminary hydrogeological dataset collected at the Charco del Moro spring (Southern Spain) during one year. This outlet emerges 5 m below water surface, at the bottom of a partially flooded 20 - 200 m deep and 2 km long gorge, eroded by the Guadiaro River streamflow. It is considered the largest discharge point in the region, draining groundwater from northern nearby carbonate outcrops, although its catchment area is not established yet. Continuous (hourly) monitoring of electrical conductivity, water temperature, turbidity and water level (discharge) reflects a high degree of heterogeneity in the duality of groundwater flow and storage dynamics, which is typical of karst conduit flow systemsUniversidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Learning Outcomes in New Degrees

El objetivo de este trabajo es proponer un modelo para la definición de los resultados de aprendizaje relacionados con las competencias de los nuevos Títulos de Grado. Esta propuesta pretende facilitar la planificación y coordinación de la enseñanza y aprendizaje por competencias. La implantación de este modelo ha permitido identificar distintos elementos que intervienen en la definición de competencias y su evaluación, evidenciar los resultados de aprendizaje mediante la vinculación de los indicadores de realización con las actividades y evaluación, dotar al profesorado de un conjunto de fundamentos teóricos y herramientas que le permite la tarea de evaluar las competencias, y finalmente vertebrar este modelo sobre un equipo docente coordinado, facilitando: la selección de competencias y resultados de aprendizaje asociados; la metodologías y actividades de aprendizaje más adecuadas; los instrumentos y técnicas que permitan evaluar el grado de desarrollo de dichas competencias. Además, se pone de manifiesto la utilidad del portafolio y la matriz de valoración o rúbrica; el primero como elemento que facilita el seguimiento del proceso de aprendizaje del alumno, dada su naturaleza reflexiva e integradora, y la rúbrica por considerarla el procedimiento adecuado para reflejar los criterios de evaluación, por su capacidad de clarificar lo que se espera del trabajo del alumno y de valorar su ejecución. Finalmente, se describe la experiencia desarrollada con el modelo propuesto en el Título de Grado en Enfermería. Específicamente, se revisan dos de las competencias que están recogidas en este título, definiendo los resultados de aprendizaje asociados. La primera de las competencias es de carácter transversal para cualquiera de las titulaciones de grado de nuestra Universidad y la segunda seleccionada del perfil específico de enfermería. En los ejemplos se destaca tanto los elementos que intervienen en el modelo como su necesaria interrelación, hecho que nos ayuda a una correcta evaluación

Optoelectronic properties of Ag2S/graphene and FeS2/ graphene nanostructures and interfaces: A density functional study including dispersion forces

The optoelectronic properties of several Ag2S/graphene and FeS2/graphene nanostructures are examined through density functional theory calculations including dispersion forces. First, we analyzed the electronic structure of Ag2S and FeS2 nanocluster models, as prototypes of quantum dots, focusing on the electronic structure and absorption spectra. In the case of FeS2 nanoparticle, both ferro- and antiferromagnetic arrangements were considered. Then, Ag2S and FeS2 nanoclusters were adsorbed on top of both graphite and graphene slab models to study the stability of the systems as well as the effect of the nanocluster–surface interaction in the electronic structure, including an insight into the electron injection mechanisms in these systems. Finally, interface models, consisting of Ag2S or FeS2 thin films adsorbed on a graphene layer, were built and their optoelectronic properties examined. Overall, the results obtained in this work, support the suitability of these systems for their usage in solar cells.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and EU-FEDER PID2019-106871GB-I00Junta de Andalucía-FEDER, US-138141

Ablación de modelos experimentales para estudio del encurvamiento periférico en la topografía corneal post-LASIK para corrección de miopía

En pacientes miopes intervenidos mediante cirugía LASIK, se observa en la topografía corneal la presencia de una encurvamiento a nivel periférico, cuya causa se ha relacionado con la biomecánica corneal. En este estudio, se analizó la presencia de este encurvamiento sobre cuatro tipos de modelos corneales experimentales sin respuesta biomecánica. Se observó la presencia de un anillo de encurvamiento periférico sobre la zona de transición que estaría en desacuerdo con un origen biomecánico del mismo

Nuevos escenarios y contextos en la formación inicial docente. Fundamentos pedagógicos y espaciales para aprender a ser docentes: Aula Viva

Un grupo multidisciplinar de docentes de la Universidad de Málaga nos hemos constituido en equipo de investigación para diseñar y desarrollar un contexto universitario de formación inicial docente coherente con las necesidades y retos educativos actuales. El proyecto, perteneciente al II Plan Propio de Smart Campus y denominado “Naturalización de espacios educativos para nuevos modelos docentes innovadores” (“Naturalezas docentes”), trata de diseñar e investigar un espacio armónico, natural, vivo y complejo donde los docentes en formación se pongan en acción y relación con la enseñanza y el aprendizaje, creando propuestas reales y dialogadas que ofrecerán a niños y niñas de las escuelas cercanas. Es decir, un espacio de creación que nos permitirá investigar la propia formación docente en sí misma y orientarla hacia un proceso de investigación ligado a la práctica en ciclos de reflexión y acción crítica (Helgevold y Wilkins, 2019), donde el alumnado y también los docentes implicados en la formación, analicen las experiencias educativas que se viven y promueven entre la escuela y la universidad. Teniendo en cuenta todo lo anterior, nuestra investigación parte de un análisis contextual básico, tanto social como pedagógico y natural. Una tríada que nos ayude a situar los retos educativos actuales, así como la formación inicial del profesorado, analizando espacios escolares y universitarios contemporáneos y definiendo, por último, las cualidades y dimensiones de un espacio universitario provocador, sugerente, acogedor y, sobre todo, educativo: Aula Viva

Response‐adapted treatment with rituximab, bendamustine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone followed by rituximab maintenance in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after first‐line immunochemotherapy: Results of the RBMDGELTAMO08 phase II trial

Background: Consensus is lacking regarding the optimal salvage therapy for patients with follicular lymphoma who relapse after or are refractory to immunochemotherapy. Methods: This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of response‐adapted therapy with rituximab, bendamustine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (RBMD) in follicular lymphoma patients who relapsed after or were refractory to first‐line immunochemotherapy. Sixty patients received three treatment cycles, and depending on their response received an additional one (complete/unconfirmed complete response) or three (partial response) cycles. Patients who responded to induction received rituximab maintenance therapy for 2 years. Results: Thirty‐three (55%) and 42 (70%) patients achieved complete/unconfirmed complete response after three cycles and on completing induction therapy (4‐6 cycles), respectively (final overall response rate, 88.3%). Median progression‐free survival was 56.4 months (median follow‐up, 28.3 months; 95% CI, 15.6‐51.2). Overall survival was not reached. Progression‐free survival did not differ between patients who received four vs six cycles (P = .6665), nor between patients who did/did not receive rituximab maintenance after first‐line therapy (P = .5790). Median progression‐ free survival in the 10 refractory patients was 25.5 months (95% CI, 0.6‐N/A) and was longer in patients who had shown progression of disease after 24 months of first‐line therapy (median, 56.4 months; 95% CI, 19.8‐56.4) than in those who showed early progression (median, 42.31 months; 95% CI, 24.41–NA) (P = .4258). Thirty‐six (60%) patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia. Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia and infection were recorded during induction (4/60 [6.7%] and 5/60 [8.3%] patients, respectively) and maintenance (2/43 [4.5%] and 4/43 [9.1%] patients, respectively). Conclusions: This response‐adapted treatment with RBMD followed by rituximab maintenance is an effective and well‐tolerated salvage treatment for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma following first‐line immunochemotherapy. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01133158

Is hospital discharge administrative data an appropriate source of information for cancer registries purposes? Some insights from four Spanish registries

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of hospital discharge administrative data (HDAD) has been recommended for automating, improving, even substituting, population-based cancer registries. The frequency of false positive and false negative cases recommends local validation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The aim of this study was to detect newly diagnosed, false positive and false negative cases of cancer from hospital discharge claims, using four Spanish population-based cancer registries as the gold standard. Prostate cancer was used as a case study.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 2286 incident cases of prostate cancer registered in 2000 were used for validation. In the most sensitive algorithm (that using five diagnostic codes), estimates for Sensitivity ranged from 14.5% (CI95% 10.3-19.6) to 45.7% (CI95% 41.4-50.1). In the most predictive algorithm (that using five diagnostic and five surgical codes) Positive Predictive Value estimates ranged from 55.9% (CI95% 42.4-68.8) to 74.3% (CI95% 67.0-80.6). The most frequent reason for false positive cases was the number of prevalent cases inadequately considered as newly diagnosed cancers, ranging from 61.1% to 82.3% of false positive cases. The most frequent reason for false negative cases was related to the number of cases not attended in hospital settings. In this case, figures ranged from 34.4% to 69.7% of false negative cases, in the most predictive algorithm.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>HDAD might be a helpful tool for cancer registries to reach their goals. The findings suggest that, for automating cancer registries, algorithms combining diagnoses and procedures are the best option. However, for cancer surveillance purposes, in those cancers like prostate cancer in which care is not only hospital-based, combining inpatient and outpatient information will be required.</p

Effectiveness and Safety of the Sequential Use of a Second and Third Anti-TNF Agent in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results From the Eneida Registry

Background: The effectiveness of the switch to another anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agent is not known. The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of treatment with a second and third anti-TNF drug after intolerance to or failure of a previous anti-TNF agent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods: We included patients diagnosed with IBD from the ENEIDA registry who received another anti-TNF after intolerance to or failure of a prior anti-TNF agent. Results: A total of 1122 patients were included. In the short term, remission was achieved in 55% of the patients with the second anti-TNF. The incidence of loss of response was 19% per patient-year with the second anti-TNF. Combination therapy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.8-3; P < 0.0001) and ulcerative colitis vs Crohn's disease (HR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.1; P = 0.005) were associated with a higher probability of loss of response. Fifteen percent of the patients had adverse events, and 10% had to discontinue the second anti-TNF. Of the 71 patients who received a third anti-TNF, 55% achieved remission. The incidence of loss of response was 22% per patient-year with a third anti-TNF. Adverse events occurred in 7 patients (11%), but only 1 stopped the drug. Conclusions: Approximately half of the patients who received a second anti-TNF achieved remission; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response. Combination therapy and type of IBD were associated with loss of response. Remission was achieved in almost 50% of patients who received a third anti-TNF; nevertheless, a significant proportion of them subsequently lost response

Dendritic cell deficiencies persist seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 infection induces an exacerbated inflammation driven by innate immunity components. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in the defense against viral infections, for instance plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), have the capacity to produce vast amounts of interferon-alpha (IFN-α). In COVID-19 there is a deficit in DC numbers and IFN-α production, which has been associated with disease severity. In this work, we described that in addition to the DC deficiency, several DC activation and homing markers were altered in acute COVID-19 patients, which were associated with multiple inflammatory markers. Remarkably, previously hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients remained with decreased numbers of CD1c+ myeloid DCs and pDCs seven months after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, the expression of DC markers such as CD86 and CD4 were only restored in previously nonhospitalized patients, while no restoration of integrin β7 and indoleamine 2,3-dyoxigenase (IDO) levels were observed. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immunological sequelae of COVID-19