Enhancing the Production of the Phenolic Extracts of Asparagus Using an Advanced Green Process

Asparagus officinalis L. is a common vegetable widely consumed due to its high consumer acceptance. In addition to its flavor, green asparagus contains a high amount of bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects. In this sense, the growing concern of the public health system to promote a diet with a higher consumption of vegetables makes research on phytochemicals from this food of interest. In order to study the content of bioactive compounds from plant matrices, the combination of advanced extraction and analytical techniques within the context of green chemistry is an indispensable working model in today’s research. In the present experimental work, the composition of the phytochemicals of green asparagus from the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) located in Huétor Tájar, Granada (Spain), was evaluated by environmentally friendly extraction techniques. In order to carry out this work, the recovery of bioactive compounds was evaluated by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) using GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) solvents (mixtures of water and ethanol). The extraction was optimized using a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on a 24 factorial Central Composite Design (CCD). The experimental model was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI-TOF-MS) analytical methodology for a comprehensive characterization. The optimized methodology was compared with conventional solid–liquid extraction protocols using ethanol and water. The results highlighted the potential of advanced PLE techniques compared to conventional systems for the recovery of green asparagus phytochemicals. Moreover, the analytical characterization allowed the identification and quantitation of major phenolic compounds belonging to phenolic acids and flavonoids families. Therefore, an easy, fast, and novel methodology to optimize the extraction of bioactive compounds from green asparagus has been optimized, using Green and GRAS methodology, which enables a better understanding of the bioactive composition of this widely consumed food.University of Granada PPJI2017-08Spanish Government FPU20/0314

Argumentación y contraargumentación en algunos artículos científicos y cartas al editor

A qualitative documentary study is presented on the argumentation and counterargument in scientific articles and letters to the editor published in journals belonging to the medical field. The data processing was carried out using the ATLAS.ti program. The analysis of the selected manuscripts is based on pragmatic argumentation, which proposes a sequence or process of critical discussion. The counterarguments, which have been specified in the guidelines of the letters to the editor of the journals, discuss various methodological, theoretical, approaches or treatments. The authors present discrepancies regarding the methodological and thematic treatments and, in some cases, they end in certain consensuses.Se presenta un estudio documental cualitativo sobre la argumentación y contraargumentación en artículos científicos y cartas al editor publicados en revistas pertenecientes al campo médico. El procesamiento de los datos se realizó mediante el programa ATLAS.ti. El análisis de los manuscritos seleccionados se fundamenta en la argumentación pragmadialéctica, que propone una secuencia o proceso de discusión crítica. Los contraargumentos, que se han especificado en los lineamientos de las cartas al editor de las revistas, discuten diversos aspectos: metodológicos, teóricos, enfoques o tratamientos. Los autores presentan discrepancias respecto a los tratamientos metodológicos, temáticos y, en algunos casos, terminan enciertos consensos.&nbsp

Opiniões sobre os processos de autoavaliação para fins de credenciamento: Visão das Comissões de Autoavaliação da Faculdade de Ciências da Educação da Universidade Estadual a Distância, Costa Rica

The Self-Assessment Commissions (CAE) play a leading role in the development of the self-assessment processes, for accreditation purposes, carried out by the undergraduate and postgraduate careers of the School of Education Sciences (ECE), which have with the accreditation granted by the National Accreditation System for Higher Education (SINAES) of Costa Rica; Therefore, to demonstrate this role, the opinions of the people who make them up were investigated, about the work methodology, participation and communication, and the competencies and training of these commissions. The methodological option selected to describe the opinions was quantitative, for which a questionnaire was used. The results reflect a positive perception towards the raison d'être and the impact of the self-evaluation processes, in the quest to achieve accreditation. There are slight differences in opinions, concerning the methodology; Although, people consider the methods, techniques, and resources used to collect information to be reliable and valid; They also question its quantitative and limiting character for the participation of the protagonists, as in the case of teachers and students. Furthermore, they argue that the methodology is poorly adjusted to the UNED context. Regarding the participation and communication that is generated; as well as with the competencies and training of the CAE, results are shown those show aspects that also need to be addressed.Las Comisiones de Autoevaluación (CAE) tienen un papel protagónico en el desarrollo de los procesos de autoevaluación, con fines de acreditación, que llevan a cabo las carreras de grado y de posgrado de la Escuela de Ciencias de la Educación (ECE), que cuentan con la acreditación otorgada por el Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES) de Costa Rica; de modo que para evidenciar ese protagonismo se investigaron las opiniones de las personas que las conforman, en lo referente a la metodología de trabajo, la participación y la comunicación y las competencias y la capacitación de esas comisiones. La opción metodológica seleccionada para describir las opiniones fue de naturaleza cuantitativa, para ello se empleó un cuestionario. Los resultados reflejan una percepción positiva hacia la razón de ser y el impacto de los procesos de autoevaluación, en el afán de conseguir la acreditación. Se evidencian ligeras diferencias en las opiniones, en relación con la metodología; si bien, las personas consideran confiables y válidos los métodos, las técnicas y los recursos empleados en la recolección de información; también cuestionan su carácter totalmente cuantitativo y limitante con respecto a la participación de las personas protagonistas, como ocurre en el caso del profesorado y del estudiantado. Además, argumentan que la metodología se ajusta poco al contexto de UNED. En lo relacionado con la participación y comunicación que se genera; así como con las competencias y la capacitación de las CAE, se muestran resultados que evidencian aspectos que también requieren atenderse.As Comissões de Autoavaliação (CAE) desempenham um papel preponderante no desenvolvimento dos processos de autoavaliação, para efeitos de acreditação, realizados pelos cursos de graduação e pós-graduação da Escola Superior de Ciências da Educação (ECE), que têm com a acreditação concedida pelo Sistema Nacional de Acreditação do Ensino Superior (SINAES) da Costa Rica; Portanto, para evidenciar esse papel, foram investigadas as opiniões das pessoas que os compõem, em relação à metodologia de trabalho, participação e comunicação,  e as competências e formação dessas comissões. A opção metodológica selecionada para descrever as opiniões foi de natureza quantitativa, para a qual foi utilizado um questionário. Os resultados refletem uma percepção positiva quanto à razão de ser e ao impacto dos processos de autoavaliação, na busca pelo credenciamento. Existem ligeiras diferenças de opinião, em relação à metodologia; Embora, as pessoas considerem os métodos, técnicas e recursos usados para coletar informações como confiáveis e válidos; Também questionam seu caráter totalmente quantitativo e limitador no que diz respeito à participação dos protagonistas, como no caso de professores e alunos. Além disso, eles argumentam que a metodologia está mal ajustada ao contexto da UNED. Quanto à participação e comunicação gerada; assim como com as competências e treinamento do CAE, são apresentados resultados que evidenciam aspectos que também precisam ser abordados

Opiniões sobre os processos de autoavaliação para fins de credenciamento: Visão das Comissões de Autoavaliação da Faculdade de Ciências da Educação da Universidade Estadual a Distância, Costa Rica

The Self-Assessment Commissions (CAE) play a leading role in the development of the self-assessment processes, for accreditation purposes, carried out by the undergraduate and postgraduate careers of the School of Education Sciences (ECE), which have with the accreditation granted by the National Accreditation System for Higher Education (SINAES) of Costa Rica; Therefore, to demonstrate this role, the opinions of the people who make them up were investigated, about the work methodology, participation and communication, and the competencies and training of these commissions. The methodological option selected to describe the opinions was quantitative, for which a questionnaire was used. The results reflect a positive perception towards the raison d'être and the impact of the self-evaluation processes, in the quest to achieve accreditation. There are slight differences in opinions, concerning the methodology; Although, people consider the methods, techniques, and resources used to collect information to be reliable and valid; They also question its quantitative and limiting character for the participation of the protagonists, as in the case of teachers and students. Furthermore, they argue that the methodology is poorly adjusted to the UNED context. Regarding the participation and communication that is generated; as well as with the competencies and training of the CAE, results are shown those show aspects that also need to be addressed.Las Comisiones de Autoevaluación (CAE) tienen un papel protagónico en el desarrollo de los procesos de autoevaluación, con fines de acreditación, que llevan a cabo las carreras de grado y de posgrado de la Escuela de Ciencias de la Educación (ECE), que cuentan con la acreditación otorgada por el Sistema Nacional de Acreditación de la Educación Superior (SINAES) de Costa Rica; de modo que para evidenciar ese protagonismo se investigaron las opiniones de las personas que las conforman, en lo referente a la metodología de trabajo, la participación y la comunicación y las competencias y la capacitación de esas comisiones. La opción metodológica seleccionada para describir las opiniones fue de naturaleza cuantitativa, para ello se empleó un cuestionario. Los resultados reflejan una percepción positiva hacia la razón de ser y el impacto de los procesos de autoevaluación, en el afán de conseguir la acreditación. Se evidencian ligeras diferencias en las opiniones, en relación con la metodología; si bien, las personas consideran confiables y válidos los métodos, las técnicas y los recursos empleados en la recolección de información; también cuestionan su carácter totalmente cuantitativo y limitante con respecto a la participación de las personas protagonistas, como ocurre en el caso del profesorado y del estudiantado. Además, argumentan que la metodología se ajusta poco al contexto de UNED. En lo relacionado con la participación y comunicación que se genera; así como con las competencias y la capacitación de las CAE, se muestran resultados que evidencian aspectos que también requieren atenderse.As Comissões de Autoavaliação (CAE) desempenham um papel preponderante no desenvolvimento dos processos de autoavaliação, para efeitos de acreditação, realizados pelos cursos de graduação e pós-graduação da Escola Superior de Ciências da Educação (ECE), que têm com a acreditação concedida pelo Sistema Nacional de Acreditação do Ensino Superior (SINAES) da Costa Rica; Portanto, para evidenciar esse papel, foram investigadas as opiniões das pessoas que os compõem, em relação à metodologia de trabalho, participação e comunicação,  e as competências e formação dessas comissões. A opção metodológica selecionada para descrever as opiniões foi de natureza quantitativa, para a qual foi utilizado um questionário. Os resultados refletem uma percepção positiva quanto à razão de ser e ao impacto dos processos de autoavaliação, na busca pelo credenciamento. Existem ligeiras diferenças de opinião, em relação à metodologia; Embora, as pessoas considerem os métodos, técnicas e recursos usados para coletar informações como confiáveis e válidos; Também questionam seu caráter totalmente quantitativo e limitador no que diz respeito à participação dos protagonistas, como no caso de professores e alunos. Além disso, eles argumentam que a metodologia está mal ajustada ao contexto da UNED. Quanto à participação e comunicação gerada; assim como com as competências e treinamento do CAE, são apresentados resultados que evidenciam aspectos que também precisam ser abordados

Estresores laborales y satisfacción en enfermeras peruanas durante la pandemia de COVID – 19

Introduction: The context of the pandemic has generated important changes in health professionals who work in hospital settings, especially in nursing personnel who are in the first line, facing stressful situations that have a direct impact on the degree of job satisfaction. Objective: Determine the relationship between work stressors and the satisfaction of Peruvian nurses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional, correlational and analytical study carried out in 60 nurses who work in critical services of a public hospital in Chimbote (Peru). Two Likert-type scale questionnaires adapted to the Peruvian context were used. The variables were expressed in percentages, and Pearson's bivariate correlation test was used to establish an association. A significance level of p <0.05 was assumed. Results: The medium level prevailed in the environmental (63.3%), work (83.3%) and personal (51.7%) stressors of the nursing professionals. A significant association was found between job satisfaction and environmental stressors (p <0.01) and personal (p <0.05). Conclusions: The environmental and personal factor in Peruvian nurses who are working in direct patient care in the COVID-19 context is associated with job satisfaction.Introducción: El contexto de la pandemia ha generado cambios importantes en los profesionales de salud que laboran en ámbitos hospitalarios, especialmente en el personal de enfermería que se encuentra en primera línea, afrontando situaciones de estrés que repercuten directamente sobre el grado de satisfacción laboral. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre los estresores laborales y la satisfacción de enfermeras peruanas en el contexto de la pandemia COVID – 19. Métodos: Estudio transversal, correlacional y analítico realizado en 60 enfermeras que laboran en servicios críticos de un hospital público de Chimbote (Perú). Se utilizaron dos cuestionarios de escala tipo Likert adaptados al contexto peruano. Las variables se expresaron en porcentajes, y para establecer asociación se utilizó la prueba de correlación bivariada de Pearson. Se asumió un nivel de significancia p<0,05. Resultados: El nivel medio prevaleció en los estresores ambiental (63,3%), laboral (83,3%) y personal (51,7%) de los profesionales de enfermería. Se encontró asociación significativa entre la satisfacción laboral y los estresores ambiental (p<0,01) y personal (p<0,05). Conclusiones: El factor ambiental y personal en las enfermeras peruanas que se encuentran laborando en atención directa al paciente en el contexto COVID – 19 se encuentra asociado a la satisfacción laboral

Potential community-based control by use of plastic film to block aedes aegypti (L.) egg adhesion

Abstract. Monitoring and control programs for yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (L.), usually do not focus on the egg as a potential target for control. The egg is the most numerous life stage but is invisible to conventional inspection by a sticky pad that attaches it. This laboratory study evaluated the potential ovicidal effect of five commonly used plastics. Plastic liners in oviposition containers were exposed to gravid female mosquitoes in an insectary. The percentage of eggs that hatched was recorded. The plastic liners altered the places where eggs were laid, i.e., 27.0% were glued onto the plastic film, 70.0% remained floating, and 3.0% were submerged. Vinyl blocked most egg adhesion, with a mean of 7.05 ± 10.1 eggs, compared to 170.7 ± 68.6 eggs for the check. Pooled numbers of glued, floating, and submerged eggs showed fewest eggs hatched on vinyl or low-density polyethylene, resulting in the death of 94.7% of the embryos. Plastics waterproofing property might be blocking the hyaluronic acid, the component of the sticky substance of mosquito eggs. Results demonstrated the potential use of plastic strips as an ovicide. Plastics should be studied further for use in community-based programs to control dengue

Detection of West Nile virus-specific antibodies and nucleic acid in horses and mosquitoes, respectively, in Nuevo Leon State, northern Mexico, 2006–2007

Abstract. In the last 5 years, there has been only one reported human case of West Nile virus (WNV) disease in northern Mexico. To determine if the virus was still circulating in this region, equine and entomological surveillance for WNV was conducted in the state of Nuevo Leon in northern Mexico in 2006 and 2007. A total of 203 horses were serologically assayed for antibodies to WNV using an epitope-blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA). Seroprevalences for WNV in horses sampled in 2006 and 2007 were 26% and 45%, respectively. Mosquito collections in 2007 produced 7365 specimens representing 15 species. Culex mosquitoes were screened for WNV RNA and other genera (Mansonia, Anopheles, Aedes, Psorophora and Uranotaenia) were screened for flaviviruses using reversetranscription (RT)-PCR. Two pools consisting of Culex spp. mosquitoes contained WNV RNA. Molecular species identification revealed that neither pool included Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera:Culicidae) complex mosquitoes. No evidence of flaviviruses was found in the other mosquito genera examined. These data provide evidence that WNV is currently circulating in northern Mexico and that non-Cx. quinquefasciatus spp. mosquitoes may be participating in the WNV transmission cycle in this region

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes at nonresidential sites might be related to transmission of dengue virus in Monterrey, Northeastern Mexico

has been assumed to be households. In Mexico, dengue outbreaks continue year after year despite intense control efforts. Nonresidential sites (public and private spaces) infested with Aedes aegypti (L.) were evaluated. In total, 141 nonresidential sites were sampled for the presence of potential and active oviposition sites and adult mosquitoes. Eighty percent of the sites were oviposition sites; Ae. aegypti adults were recovered at 94.7% of nonresidential sites. Most female Ae. aegypti, 21.6 and 10.4, were at schools and recreational sites, respectively. Chi-squared indicated no significant differences in the dengue vector to categories of sample site

Avances en la construcción de un modelo de experimentación numérica para evaluar políticas urbano-ambientales y energéticas

Se presentan avances metodológicos en el desarrollo de un modelo de simulación de dinámicas urbanas (NUMEX) focalizado sobre las interrelaciones entre el consumo de energía, los usos del suelo, los sistemas de movilidad y sus impactos ambientales, con el propósito de ensayar políticas y estrategias alternativas de desarrollo urbano en la Micro Región del Gran La Plata (MRGLP). Se discuten algunos aspectos conceptuales, metodológicos e instrumentales ligados a la formulación y representación del modelo en un primer prototipo reducido.The paper discusses progresses towards the development of a simulation model of urban dynamics (NUMEX) centered on the interrelations among energy consumption, land use, mobility systems and their environmental impacts, in order to assess alternative urban development policies and strategies in Greater La Plata Micro-region. We discuss some conceptual, methodological and instrumental aspects related to the model’s formulation and representation in a first reduced prototype.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES

Avances en la construcción de un modelo de experimentación numérica para evaluar políticas urbano-ambientales y energéticas

Se presentan avances metodológicos en el desarrollo de un modelo de simulación de dinámicas urbanas (NUMEX) focalizado sobre las interrelaciones entre el consumo de energía, los usos del suelo, los sistemas de movilidad y sus impactos ambientales, con el propósito de ensayar políticas y estrategias alternativas de desarrollo urbano en la Micro Región del Gran La Plata (MRGLP). Se discuten algunos aspectos conceptuales, metodológicos e instrumentales ligados a la formulación y representación del modelo en un primer prototipo reducido.The paper discusses progresses towards the development of a simulation model of urban dynamics (NUMEX) centered on the interrelations among energy consumption, land use, mobility systems and their environmental impacts, in order to assess alternative urban development policies and strategies in Greater La Plata Micro-region. We discuss some conceptual, methodological and instrumental aspects related to the model’s formulation and representation in a first reduced prototype.Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Medio Ambiente (ASADES