Detection of antibiotics in goats' milk: Comparison of different commercial microbial inhibitor tests developed for the testing of cows' milk

[EN] Nine microbial inhibitor tests validated for cows' milk (BR-AS Special, CMT-Copan Milk Test, Delvotest SP-NT, Delvotest T, Brilliant Black Reduction Test MRL, Charm Blue Yellow II, Charm CowSide II, Eclipse 100, Eclipse 3G) were applied to milk samples from 200 different individual goats. Interpretation of the results was based on visual and instrumental reading. Samples initially testing positive were retested and also tested after a milk pre-treatment (heat treatment, fat removal or fat removal followed by heat treatment). With instrumental reading, most microbial tests commonly used for bovine milk were suitable for goats' milk (specificity 95%), except for BR-AS Special, Charm Blue Yellow II and Delvotest SP-NT. However, visual reading of the results decreased the specificity, with 95% specificity only for CMT-Copan Milk Test, Eclipse 3G and Delvotest T. Fat removal followed by heat treatment proved the most appropriate milk treatment to reduce false positive results for almost all tests.This work forms part of the grant EEBB-I-13-06255 financed by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (Madrid, Spain). The authors are grateful to Analytik in MilchProduktions-und Vertriebs-GmbH, Charm Sciences Inc., DSM Food Specialties, ZEULAB S.L. for their technological support. The authors thank MCC-Vlaanderen and Comite du Lait for the assistance with milk quality and composition analysis and appreciate the cooperation of the commercial dairy goat farms: J. VanWaes (Zaffelare, BE), 't Eikenhof (Lokeren, BE) and 't Leenhof (Zele, BE).Romero Rueda, T.; Van Weyenberg, S.; Molina Pons, MP.; Reybroeck, W. (2016). Detection of antibiotics in goats' milk: Comparison of different commercial microbial inhibitor tests developed for the testing of cows' milk. International Dairy Journal. 62:39-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idairyj.2016.07.004S39426

Theta oscillations show impaired interference detection in older adults during selective memory retrieval

Seemingly effortless tasks, such as recognizing faces and retrieving names, become harder as we age. Such difficulties may be due to the competition generated in memory by irrelevant information that comes to mind when trying to recall a specific face or name. It is unknown, however, whether agerelated struggles in retrieving these representations stem from an inability to detect competition in the first place, or from being unable to suppress competing information once interference is detected. To investigate this, we used the retrieval practice paradigm, shown to elicit memory interference, while recording electrophysiological activity in young and older adults. In two experiments, young participants showed Retrieval-Induced Forgetting (RIF), reflecting the suppression of competing information, whereas older adults did not. Neurally, mid-frontal theta power (~4–8 Hz) during the first retrieval cycle, a proxy for interference detection, increased in young compared to older adults, indicating older adults were less capable of detecting interference. Moreover, while theta power was reduced across practice cycles in younger adults, a measure of interference resolution, older adults did not show such a reduction. Thus, in contrast with younger adults, the lack of an early interference detection signal rendered older adults unable to recruit memory selection mechanisms, eliminating RIF.This research was supported by the doctoral research grants AP2009-2215 to C.S.F. and BES-2013-066842 to M.J.M.; by grants PSI2012-33625; PSI2015-65502-C2-1-P from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness, and by the Economic Council of the Andalusian Government P08-HUM-03600-Feder and P12-CTS-2369-Feder to T.B. S.H. is supported by grants from the European Research Council (grant agreement Nº647954), the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC grant agreement NºES/R010072/1), and the Wolfson Society and Royal Society

Bounds and optimisation of orbital angular momentum bandwidths within parametric down-conversion systems

The measurement of high-dimensional entangled states of orbital angular momentum prepared by spontaneous parametric down-conversion can be considered in two separate stages: a generation stage and a detection stage. Given a certain number of generated modes, the number of measured modes is determined by the measurement apparatus. We derive a simple relationship between the generation and detection parameters and the number of measured entangled modes.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Citicoline may prevent cognitive decline in patients with cerebrovascular disease

Introduction: Neuroprotective drugs such as citicoline could improve cognitive performance and quality of life. We studied the effect of citicoline treatment and its association with Vascular Risk Factors (VRF) and APOE on cognition in patients with Subjective Cognitive Complaints (SCC) and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Methods: This is an observational and prospective study with citicoline during 12 months follow-up. Eighty-one subjects who met criteria for SCC/MCI, aged 50–75 years with VRF were included and prescribed citicoline 1g/day. Subjects with previous cognitive impairment and any other central nervous system affection were excluded. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and paired samples t-test were used to analyze the change in neuropsychological performance. Results: Mean age of the sample was 68.2 (SD 6.8) years and 26 (32.09%) were females. Fifteen subjects (24.6%) were APOE-ε4 carriers, fifty-six (76.7%) had hypertension, fifty-eight (79.5%) had dyslipidemia, twenty-one (28.8%) had diabetes mellitus and twenty-six (35.6%) had cardiopathy. Thirty-two (43.8%) subjects were diagnosed as SCC and forty-one (56.16%) as MCI. During the follow-up, Tweny-six patients (81.25%) in the group of SCC remained stable, six subjects (18.8%) converted to MCI. Twelve patients (29.9%) with MCI reverted to SCC and twenty-nine patients (70.7%) remained stable. At follow-up, SCC subjects had an improvement in the global language domain (p=0.03), naming (p<0.001), attention (p=0.01) and visuospatial abilities (p<0.01). MCI group showed an improvement in the screening test (p=0.03), delayed memory (p<0.01), global cognition (p=0.04) and in cognitive flexibility (p=0.03). Presence of APOE-ε4 had no impact on the above findings. Discussion: SCC subjects showed an improvement in language and attention domains, while those with MCI performed better after 12 months in total scores of MoCA and RBANS domains, some converting back to SCC. This supports the idea that citicoline may prevent cognitive decline in patients with cognitive deficits

Development of Surface-Coated Polylactic Acid/Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PLA/PHA) Nanocomposites

This work reports on the design and development of nanocomposites based on a polymeric matrix containing biodegradable Polylactic Acid (PLA) and Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) coated with either Graphite NanoPlatelets (GNP) or silver nanoparticles (AgNP). Nanocomposites were obtained by mechanical mixing under mild conditions and low load contents (<0.10 wt %). This favours physical adhesion of the additives onto the polymer surface, while the polymeric bulk matrix remains unaffected. Nanocomposite characterisation was performed via optical and focused ion beam microscopy, proving these nanocomposites are selectively modified only on the surface, leaving bulk polymer unaffected. Processability of these materials was proven by the fabrication of samples via injection moulding and mechanical characterisation. Nanocomposites showed enhanced Young modulus and yield strength, as well as better thermal properties when compared with the unmodified polymer. In the case of AgNP coated nanocomposites, the surface was found to be optically active, as observed in the increase of the resolution of Raman spectra, acquired at least 10 times, proving these nanocomposites are promising candidates as surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates

A web application to optimization of transport in military operations

Transport is an operation necessary to carry out any logistical mission, especially in times of war, peace or natural disasters. The distribution of the necessary demanded resources is done from a military unit, to the different locations or military bases. However, operational efficiency depends on the planners. In more than 60% of trips, shipping and return isn’t efficient, even between the same units. The cause is the non-consolidation of trips and the lack of return load, coming from perimeter units. Planning is done without consolidating trips and in many cases on demand. It’s presented a web application, a parametric framework to any geographical area, given the integration with applications such as Google Maps®. Computational times are reasonable, given a to hardiness to the problem. The software architecture is scalable and extensible, complying with software quality practices present in ISO 25000

Obstáculos para la movilidad académica con el programa Erasmus+: Diferencias entre grados universitarios [Barriers to academic mobility with Erasmus+ programme: Differences between bachelor degrees]

Pese al interés creciente que presenta la movilidad académica internacional de los estudiantes universitarios europeos para su inserción profesional posterior, el porcentaje de estudiantes españoles que participan en el programa Erasmus es todavía pequeño. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar los principales obstáculos para la movilidad Erasmus percibidos por estudiantes de grado que no han participado en este programa, valorando la existencia de diferencias en función del grado (Sanitario vs. Ciencias Sociales). Se utilizó una encuesta auto-administrada elaborada para un estudio europeo previo en el que participó España. Los resultados muestran el impacto, a nivel general, de la falta de información sobre temas relevantes como: la calidad de la educación en el extranjero, o cómo van a ser evaluados, así como, las barreras económicas por becas insuficientes y retrasos en el pago de las mismas. Los obstáculos que mejor diferencian a los estudiantes de ambos grados están relacionados con la ordenación académica del grado, en concreto, bajo nivel de formación en inglés y presencia de asignaturas anuales, además de características personales del estudiante. Para incrementar la participación, se debería incidir en informar más y comunicar mejor además de incluir modificaciones en el programa académico de los grados que faciliten la movilidad internacional. [Despite the growing interest that presents academic international mobility for European University students for their later in life job prospects, the rate of Spanish students participating in the Erasmus programme is still small. The objective of this research was to determine the main barriers perceived by bachelor students who had not participated in the Erasmus programme assessing the differences between two bachelor degrees (Health vs. Social Sciences). A self-administered survey including reasons not to participate was used that had been set up for a previous European study including Spain. Results reveal the overall impact of lack of information on relevant issues such as the quality of university education system abroad and how they will be evaluated as well as financial barriers such as insufficient Erasmus grants or delays in the first grant payment. The barriers that better differentiate both bachelor degrees students are related to the bachelors’ curriculum i.e. insufficient training in English and presence of annual (vs. semester) courses as well as personal features. To increase participation, the focus should be on improving information and communication both on academic and financial issues, and changes in the bachelors’ curricula.

Efficacy and safety assessment of different dosage of benznidazol for the treatment of Chagas disease in chronic phase in adults (MULTIBENZ study): Study protocol for a multicenter randomized Phase II non-inferiority clinical trial

Background: Chagas disease (CD) continues to be a neglected infectious disease with one of the largest burdens globally. Despite the modest cure rates in adult chronic patients and its safety profile, benznidazole (BNZ) is still the drug of choice. Its current recommended dose is based on nonrandomized studies, and efficacy and safety of the optimal dose of BNZ have been scarcely analyzed in clinical trials.Methods/design: MULTIBENZ is a phase II, randomized, noninferiority, double-blind, multicenter international clinical trial. A total of 240 patients with Trypanosoma CD in the chronic phase will be recruited in four different countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Spain). Patients will be randomized to receive BNZ 150 mg/day for 60 days, 400 mg/day for 15 days, or 300 mg/day for 60 days (comparator arm). The primary outcome is the efficacy of three different BNZ therapeutic schemes in terms of dose and duration. Efficacy will be assessed according to the proportion of patients with sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood measured by polymerase chain reaction. The secondary outcomes are related to pharmacokinetics and drug tolerability. The follow-up will be 12 months from randomization to end of study participation. Recruitment was started in April 2018.Conclusion: This is a clinical trial conducted for the assessment of different dose schemes of BNZ compared with the standard treatment regimen for the treatment of CD in the chronic phase. MULTIBENZ may help to clarify which is the most adequate BNZ regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, predicated on sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood.Fil: Molina Morant, D.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Fernández, M. L.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud “Dr. C. G. Malbrán”. Instituto Nacional de Parasitología "Dr. Mario Fatala Chaben”; ArgentinaFil: Bosch Nicolau, P.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Sulleiro, E.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Bangher, M.. Instituto de Cardiologia de Corrientes Juana Francisca Cabral.; ArgentinaFil: Salvador, F.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Sanchez Montalva, A.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; EspañaFil: Ribeiro, A.L.P.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: De Paula, A.M.B.. Universidad Federal de Montes Claros; BrasilFil: Eloi, S.. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; BrasilFil: Oliveira Correa, Ronaldo. Fundación Oswaldo Cruz; BrasilFil: Villar, J. C.. Instituto de Cardiología; ColombiaFil: Sosa-Estani, Sergio Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Epidemiología y Salud Pública; ArgentinaFil: Molina, I.. Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona. Hospital Vall D' Hebron; Españ

Aligning the principles of assessment for learning to learning in physical education: a review of literature

peer-reviewedThe full text of this article will not be available in ULIR until the embargo expires on the 19/04/2022Background: A comprehensive international literature review on alternative assessment in physical education has been provided by López-Pastor et al. ([2013]. “Alternative Assessment in Physical Education: A Review of International Literature.” Sport, Education & Society 18 (1): 57–76). The authors remarked that while more authentic forms of assessment in physical education have been evidenced over the last three decades, the extent to which alternative assessment practices have become common practice in the teaching of physical education is yet to be established. Purpose: This review provides an updated perspective on the prevalence of assessment for learning (AfL) principles in physical education discourse since the 2013 publication. The intent is to inform and consider future AfL practices in school physical education and physical education teacher education (PETE) programmes. Methods: Eligibility criteria for the review required full-text articles written in English or Spanish; published (open access and/or in print) in peer-reviewed, academic and professional journals; and limited to the period 2013–2019. Inclusion criteria required articles to report assessment being used to promote learning in physical education, regardless of making reference to ‘assessment for learning’. Findings: Fifty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. A thematic analysis of these articles resulted in four themes: i) traditional positioning of assessment in physical education; ii) AfL and physical education; iii) the constraints in enacting AfL in physical education; and iv) how to most effectively embed AfL in daily physical education practices. Conclusions: The main conclusions of this review are that i) AfL is a learning-oriented assessment based on socio constructivist theories and integrated into the teaching-learning process, ii) physical education teachers continue to use assessment solely to grade students; iii) physical education teachers do not have the necessary skillset to use AfL in physical education successfully; iv) physical education teachers need to be supported to implement AfL; and v) it is necessary to consider how best PETE programmes can infuse AfL across the programme