Diseño del sistema de alcantarillado sanitario y tratamiento de aguas residuales para el recinto Cajape, ubicado en el cantón Palestina

El presente trabajo de titulación se desarrolló en el Recinto Cajape con el propósito de optimizar las condiciones de vida de los habitantes de la comunidad. El proyecto se alinea al ODS 6 de la ONU enfocado en garantizar la disponibilidad, manejo sostenible del agua y saneamiento para todas las personas. Se llevó a cabo un análisis exhaustivo en conformidad con las normativas vigentes de CPE INEN y la OPS, considerando aspectos clave como la investigación demográfica, la topografía, los caudales, y el diseño tanto del tanque Imhoff como de la red de tuberías. El diseño del tanque Imhoff se desarrolló de acuerdo con los estándares de la OPS.This thesis was developed at the Cajape Campus with the aim of optimizing the living conditions of the community's inhabitants. The project is aligned with UN SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability, sustainable management of water and sanitation for all people. A thorough analysis was carried out in accordance with current CPE INEN and PAHO regulations, considering key aspects such as demographic research, topography, flow rates, and the design of both the Imhoff tank and the pipeline network. The design of the Imhoff tank was developed in accordance with PAHO standards

‘Understanding the influence of microbial contamination on colour alteration of pigments used in wall paintings – The case of red and yellow ochres and ultramarine blue

This article reports biocolonization assays carried out on yellow and red ochres and ultramarine blue pigments. These pigments have been most commonly used in traditional limewash of heritage buildings from southern Portugal (Alentejo) and, in the case of the yellow and red ochres, also in historical decorative wall paintings since Roman times. The research aim was to assess the potential role played by microorganisms in colour alterations observed in indoor and outdoor paint layers for conservation purposes.The assays accomplished several microorganisms previously isolated from degraded wall paintings with signs of biocontamination. The results show that apart from the clear physical stress induced in paint layers by the biometabolic activity, filamentous fungi, yeast, and bacteria are capable of inducing discoloration (in particular, the fungus Aspergillus niger). Raman analysis corroborates their active role in painting discolouration. This methodology, applied to bioprocesses, can be used as noninvasive methodology to signal microbial involvement

Diseño y creación de material didáctico para la asignatura Sistemas de Gestión y Auditorías Ambientales.

La preocupación por el medio ambiente, ha originado que las universidades ofrezcan titulaciones relacionadas con este tema, como es el caso del Grado en Ciencias Ambientales. El uso de las tecnologías en la enseñanza se considera un método que refuerza la continuidad de los temas que se trabajan en el aula y que consigue que el flujo de los contenidos educativos sea más dinámico e interactivo. En este trabajo se diseña y crea material práctico de ayuda para la asignatura de Sistemas de Gestión y Auditorías Ambientales, de 3º del grado en Ciencias Ambientales. El objetivo es proporcionar de manera innovadora la información necesaria para que los alumnos sean capaces de comprender el contenido práctico de esta asignatura con mayor facilidad. En los resultados la mayoría de los alumnos coincidieron en que es un material didáctico, explicativo, aclaratorio y de gran ayuda para quienes por primera vez conocieron que es un Sistema de Gestión Ambiental. Este recurso ha proporcionado al alumnado conocimientos previos que suponen una ventaja a la hora de comprender la asignatura, en comparación con alumnos de cursos anteriores que no contaban con este materia

Chemical-physical agents and biodeteriogens in the alteration of limestones used in coastal historical fortifications

The alteration of rocks is usually due to the chemical-physical processes that are initially established on the outer surface of the stone and gradually proceed towards the inner matrix. The chemical alteration generated by the interaction with atmospheric agents (weathering) involves the transformation of the mineral phases constituting the rock that are less stable in the current climatic conditions. That often leads to the formation of new secondary phases more stable with respect to the alteration. However, among these phases are often present some very soluble and hygroscopic phases (i.e., soluble salts, clay minerals) that cause inner degradation of the rock, due to their physical-mechanical actions (inner crystallization pressure, hydration dilation). In the case of carbonate rocks (limestone, sandstone with carbonate cement, etc.), the dissolution is the more frequent process, especially when the monuments were located within the cities, due to the acid meteoric precipitations (with H2CO3, H2SO4) that lead to the sulfation of carbonate matrix with formation of gypsum, very harmful to the stone. When the rock (e.g., clay-arenaceous limestones) naturally contains hygroscopic phases inside the matrix (i.e., marine salts, phyllosilicates) and they are also porous (> 20%), the physical degradation is accelerated, with decohesion of the mineralogical matrix (between the crystalline granules) and consequent disintegration of the stone. In the rock-atmosphere interaction often occurs the presence of biodeteriogens (plants, fungi, lichens, micro- organisms, etc.), which negatively participate and in various ways in the processes of rock alteration. The research aims to define the chemical-physical alteration factors on the limestones exposed to different bioclimatic and biogeographic contexts (Mediterranean and Atlantic), taking two study-case monuments located in the Italian and in the Portuguese coasts. In the study presented in this paper the preliminary results of the case-study of Cagliari fortifications have been discussed. In the study the different vascular plants present on stone surface and crevices and their different role in the degradation of limestone rocks have been also studied

Aspectos Quimicos na investigação de alguns tipos de florescências em bens culturais

A preservação do Patrimônio Cultural é de inegável importância para a sociedade, cabendo à Ciência da Conservação se dedicar às tentativas de minimizar os inerentes processos de degradação aos quais os bens materiais são susceptíveis. Nesse contexto, a avaliação dos aspectos químicos da composição das obras e sua relação com o ambiente em que se encontram são imprescindíveis para a compreensão dos sinais de decaimento observados, dando suporte para que efetivas estratégias de preservação sejam delineadas. Essas características são aqui demonstradas pelo estudo por espectroscopia vibracional, microscopia electrônica de varredura e análise microbiológica de eflorescências observadas em dois tipos de pinturas: uma pintura a têmpera em tela (“Barco com bandeirinhas e pássaros”, Alfredo Volpi, 1955) e uma pintura mural do teto da Sala do Trono do palácio Nacional de Mafra (séc. XVIII-XIX, Mafra, Portugal). Os desafios envolvidos na tentativa de compreender os processos de decaimento são demonstrados nos dois casos, sendo sugerida a ocorrência de processos de degradação de origens distintas: na pintura a têmpera de Alfredo Volpi, a migração para a superfície da tela de substâncias da camada de preparação e colonização microbiológica; e na pintura mural a migração de sais de cálcio dos materiais constituintes do reboco e de neoformação, além de colonização microbiológica associada

Specific micronutrient concentrations are associated with inflammatory cytokines in a rural population of Mexican women with a high prevalence of obesity

It has been recognised recently that obese individuals have lower concentrations of micronutrients and this may affect the concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the association of specific micronutrients' status with chronic inflammation caused by obesity in 280 women (36·1 (sd 7·5) years) from seven rural communities in Mexico. Measurements of weight, height and waist circumference were made on all women and body composition was determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Concentrations of the cytokines IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12, lipid profile, and the micronutrients Zn and vitamins A, C and E were determined in fasting blood samples. Ordered logistic regression models were used to determine associations between categorised cytokine levels and micronutrients. It was found that 80 % of women were overweight or obese, and had significantly higher concentrations of C-reactive protein than normal-weight women (P = 0·05). The risk of higher levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 was reduced significantly among women with higher Zn concentrations (OR 0·63, 95 % CI 0·42, 0·96, P = 0·03; OR 0·57, 95 % CI 0·39, 0·86, P = 0·025; OR 0·63, 95 % CI 0·41, 0·96, P = 0·04; OR 0·62, 95 % CI 0·41, 0·95, P = 0·03, respectively). Higher concentrations of vitamin A were slightly associated with reduced risks of higher levels of IL-1 and IL-12 (OR 0·97, 95 % CI 0·95, 0·99, P = 0·03; OR 0·97, 95 % CI 0·94, 0·99, P = 0·03, respectively); when adjusting for BMI, this association was lost. No associations were found between vitamin C or vitamin E:lipids concentrations and inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, higher Zn concentrations are associated with reduced risks of higher concentration of inflammation markers in a population of women with a high prevalence of obesity

Outcomes of elective liver surgery worldwide: a global, prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study

Background: The outcomes of liver surgery worldwide remain unknown. The true population-based outcomes are likely different to those vastly reported that reflect the activity of highly specialized academic centers. The aim of this study was to measure the true worldwide practice of liver surgery and associated outcomes by recruiting from centers across the globe. The geographic distribution of liver surgery activity and complexity was also evaluated to further understand variations in outcomes. Methods: LiverGroup.org was an international, prospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study following the Global Surgery Collaborative Snapshot Research approach with a 3-month prospective, consecutive patient enrollment within January–December 2019. Each patient was followed up for 90 days postoperatively. All patients undergoing liver surgery at their respective centers were eligible for study inclusion. Basic demographics, patient and operation characteristics were collected. Morbidity was recorded according to the Clavien–Dindo Classification of Surgical Complications. Country-based and hospital-based data were collected, including the Human Development Index (HDI). (NCT03768141). Results: A total of 2159 patients were included from six continents. Surgery was performed for cancer in 1785 (83%) patients. Of all patients, 912 (42%) experienced a postoperative complication of any severity, while the major complication rate was 16% (341/2159). The overall 90-day mortality rate after liver surgery was 3.8% (82/2,159). The overall failure to rescue rate was 11% (82/ 722) ranging from 5 to 35% among the higher and lower HDI groups, respectively. Conclusions: This is the first to our knowledge global surgery study specifically designed and conducted for specialized liver surgery. The authors identified failure to rescue as a significant potentially modifiable factor for mortality after liver surgery, mostly related to lower Human Development Index countries. Members of the LiverGroup.org network could now work together to develop quality improvement collaboratives

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Zoonosis, cambio climático y sociedad

La sociedad contemporánea se enfrenta a uno de los retos más grandes de la historia humana, el calentamiento global, mismo que acarrea enormes consecuencias, tales como los disturbios climáticos, así como los patrones de las enfermedades de origen animal transmisibles al hombre. Precisamente ante este escenario las instituciones educativas de nivel superior deben dar cumplimiento a su responsabilidad y ser las generadoras de alternativas de solución mediante el trabajo especializado de investigación; y para ello, la pesquisa científica es la mejor de las alternativas a nuestro alcance para comprender y encarar estos desafíos.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México y Ediciones y Gráficos Eón, S.A. de C.V