Deontological and Consequentialist Ethics and Attitudes Towards Corruption: A Survey Data Analysis

Much of the empirical research on corruption for the past 45 years has focused on perception-based definitions and measurements. Citizens’ perceptions, their attitudes and (self)reported experiences of corruption have been widely studied through different perception-based measures obtained in surveys, interviews, and experiments applied to citizens in general, and experts, business leaders, politicians, or public officials. Notwithstanding the significant progress made to understand the complexity of citizens’ understandings, judgements and practices, we are still unable to decipher by what criteria they establish what is or is not corruption and what types of corruption are susceptible of being condemned/tolerated. This paper makes an innovative contribution to fill this gap. We propose a methodological design to identify and measure different perception-based definitions of corruption based on two contrasting normative perspectives: deontological and consequentialist ethics. We identified four groups: the Virtuous; the Intransigent; the Pragmatic; and the Hypocrite. Using survey data from a national sample of Portuguese citizens, we employ discriminant analysis and logistic regression models to differentiate individual profiles in terms of process- and outcome-based social definitions of corruption and explore the explanatory factors that account for these different conceptualisations and their different degree of tolerance towards corruption.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-target analysis of cytostatics in hospital effluents over a 9-month period

The consumption of cytostatics, pharmaceuticals prescribed in chemotherapy, is increasing every year and worldwide, along with the incidence of cancer. The presence and the temporal evolution of cytostatics in wastewaters from a Portuguese hospital center was evaluated through a 9-month sampling campaign, comprising a total of one hundred and twenty-nine samples, collected from May 2019 to February 2020. Eleven cytostatics out of thirteen pharmaceuticals were studied, including flutamide, mycophenolate mofetil and mycophenolic acid, which have never been monitored before. Target analytes were extracted and quantified by solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid-chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis; the method was fully validated. All pharmaceuticals were detected in at least one sample, bicalutamide being the one found with higher frequency (detected in all samples), followed by mycophenolic acid, which was also the compound detected at higher concentrations (up to 5340 ± 211 ng/L). Etoposide, classified as carcinogenic to humans, was detected in 60% of the samples at concentrations up to 142 ± 15 ng/L. The risk from exposure to cytostatics was estimated for aquatic organisms living in receiving bodies. Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, flutamide, megestrol and mycophenolic acid are suspected to induce risk. Long-term and synergic effects should not be neglected, even for the cytostatics for which no risk was estimated.publishe

Risk Factors and Predictive Score for Bacteremic Biliary Tract Infections Due to Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium: a Multicenter Cohort Study from the PROBAC Project

Enterococcus spp; Biliary tract infection; Bloodstream infectionEnterococcus spp; Infección del tracto biliar; infección del torrente sanguíneoEnterococcus spp; Infecció de les vies biliars; Infecció del torrent sanguiniBiliary-tract bloodstream infections (BT-BSI) caused by Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium are associated with inappropriate empirical treatment and worse outcomes compared to other etiologies. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk factors for enterococcal BT-BSI. Patients with BT-BSI from the PROBAC cohort, including consecutive patients with BSI in 26 Spanish hospitals between October 2016 and March 2017, were selected; episodes caused by E. faecalis or E. faecium and other causes were compared. Independent predictors for enterococci were identified by logistic regression, and a predictive score was developed. Eight hundred fifty episodes of BT-BSI were included; 73 (8.5%) were due to target Enterococcus spp. (48 [66%] were E. faecium and 25 [34%] E. faecalis). By multivariate analysis, the variables independently associated with Enterococcus spp. were (OR; 95% confidence interval): cholangiocarcinoma (4.48;1.32 to 15.25), hospital acquisition (3.58;2.11 to 6.07), use of carbapenems in the previous month (3.35;1.45 to 7.78), biliary prosthesis (2.19;1.24 to 3.90), and moderate or severe chronic kidney disease (1.55;1.07 to 2.26). The AUC of the model was 0.74 [95% CI0.67 to 0.80]. A score was developed, with 7, 6, 5, 4, and 2 points for these variables, respectively, with a negative predictive value of 95% for a score ≤ 6. A model, including cholangiocarcinoma, biliary prosthesis, hospital acquisition, previous carbapenems, and chronic kidney disease showed moderate prediction ability for enterococcal BT-BSI. Although the score will need to be validated, this information may be useful for deciding empirical therapy in biliary tract infections when bacteremia is suspected. IMPORTANCE Biliary tract infections are frequent, and a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Bacteremia is common in these infections, particularly in the elderly and patients with cancer. Inappropriate empirical treatment has been associated with increased risk of mortality in bacteremic cholangitis, and the probability of receiving inactive empirical treatment is higher in episodes caused by enterococci. This is because many of the antimicrobial agents recommended in guidelines for biliary tract infections lack activity against these organisms. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study analyzing the predictive factors for enterococcal BT-BSI and deriving a predictive score

Effect of body weight on fecundity and longevity of the stinkbug predator Podisus rostralis

Considerando a importância dos percevejos predadores como agentes de controle biológico e a necessidade de se otimizar sua produção massal, realizou-se o presente trabalho para avaliar a influência do peso corporal sobre a sobrevivência e a reprodução de fêmeas de Podisus rostralis (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Os tratamentos foram constituídos por fêmeas desse predador com peso médio de: 39,5 mg, 45,5 mg, 51,5 mg, 57,5 mg e 63,5 mg. O período de preoviposição foi menor nas fêmeas mais pesadas, enquanto o número de ovos e de ninfas por dia apresentou relação linear positiva com o peso das fêmeas de P. rostralis. A longevidade das fêmeas desse predador foi semelhante entre tratamentos, porém não apresentou tendência de variação em razão do seu peso corporal. Como o objetivo de uma criação massal é produzir o maior número possível de ninfas por dia, recomenda-se o uso de fêmeas de P. rostralis com peso acima de 60,0 mg.Considering the importance of predatory Pentatomidae as biological control agents it is necessary to optimize mass production facilities of these species. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of body weight on survival and reproductive parameters of females of Podisus rostralis (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Treatments were represented by females of this predator with the following mean weight: 39.5 mg, 45.5 mg, 51.5 mg, 57.5 mg and 63.5 mg. Heavier females of P. rostralis showed shorter preoviposition period while the number of eggs and of nymphs per day presented a positive linear relationship with female weight of this predator. Longevity of females of P. rostralis was similar between treatments with no tendency of variations as a function of body weight of these females. Since the objective of mass rearing facilities of predatory bugs is to produce the maximum possible number of nymphs per day it is recommended to use females of P. rostralis with weight above 60.0 mg

PROPÓSITOS E REPRESENTAÇÕES DE ESTUDANTES UNIVERSITÁRIOS SOBRE O ENSINO SUPERIOR

PURPOSES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ABOUT COLLEGE EDUCATION Abstract: College time is a slice of the scholar education that has the purpose to provide the development of human capacities and potentials in the technical, scientific and personal aspects and the development of a conscious, participative and interventional citizenship. The article, a partial result of an international cross-sectional research, qualitative and quantitative, aims to introduce representations of college students about studying in the university and its hole in life purpose. The data was obtained through a transversal research with data collection via digital in 2019 with the participation of n=1112 students and n=10 countries. There were registered a variety of representations associated to the personal development and socioeconomic insertion.   Keywords: College Students. Representativity. Psychology of College Education. Life PurposeO ensino superior é uma esfera da educação escolar que tem como propósito atuar para favorecer o desenvolvimento dos potenciais e capacidades humanas nos aspectos técnicos, científicos, pessoais e desenvolvimento da cidadania consciente, participativa e interventiva. O artigo, resultado parcial de pesquisa internacional de cunho transversal, quanti-qualitativa, tem como objetivo apresentar representações de estudantes universitários sobre estudar na universidade e sua função no propósito de vida. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de pesquisa transversal com coleta de dados via digital em 2019 contando com participação de n=1112 estudantes de n=10 países. Foram registradas diferentes representações associadas ao desenvolvimento pessoal e inserção socioeconômica.   Palavras-chave: Estudantes universitários. Representações. Psicologia do Ensino superior. Propósito de vida. &nbsp

Catheter-related bloodstream infections: predictive factors for Gram-negative bacteria aetiology and 30 day mortality in a multicentre prospective cohort

PROBAC REIPI/GEIH-SEIMC/SAEI.[Background] Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) increase morbidity and mortality, prolong hospitalization and generate considerable medical costs. Recent guidelines for CRBSI recommend empirical therapy against Gram-positive bacteria (GPB) and restrict coverage for Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) only to specific circumstances.[Objectives]To investigate predictors of GNB aetiology in CRBSI and to assess the predictors of outcome in patients with CRBSI.[Methods] Patients with CRBSI were selected from the PROBAC cohort, a prospective, observational, multicentre national cohort study including patients with bloodstream infections consecutively admitted to 26 Spanish hospitals in a 6 month period (October 2016–March 2017). Outcome variables were GNB aetiology and 30 day mortality. Adjusted analyses were performed by logistic regression.[Results] Six hundred and thirty-one episodes of CRBSI were included in the study. Risk factors independently related to GNB aetiology were central venous catheter (CVC) [OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.05–2.44), P = 0.028], sepsis/septic shock [OR: 1.76 (95% CI: 1.11–2.80), P = 0.016], antibiotic therapy in the previous 30 days [OR: 1.56 (95% CI: 1.02–2.36), P = 0.037], neutropenia <500/μL [OR: 2.01 (95% CI: 1.04–3.87), P = 0.037] and peripheral vascular disease [OR: 2.04 (95% CI: 1.13–3.68), P = 0.018]. GNB were not associated with increased mortality in adjusted analysis, while removal of catheter [OR: 0.24 (95% CI: 0.09–0.61), P = 0.002] and adequate empirical treatment [OR: 0.37 (95% CI: 0.18–0.77), P = 0.008] were strong protective factors.[Conclusions] Our study reinforces the recommendation that empirical coverage should cover GNB in patients presenting with sepsis/septic shock and in neutropenic patients. Catheter removal and adequate empirical treatment were both protective factors against mortality in patients with CRBSI.This study was funded by Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013–2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, through the following grants: Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016/0001; RD16/0016/0007; RD16/0016/0008; RD16/0016/0012), co-financed by European Development Regional Fund ‘A way to achieve Europe’, Operative Program Intelligent Growth 2014–2020, and PI16/01432. F. Caló enjoyed an ESCMID Observership grant at Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena to develop this research

Will climate change compromise the thermal comfort areas of socio-economically important bivalve species in the Rías Baixas (NW Spain)?

Ponencia presentada en: XII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Santiago de Compostela entre el 19 y el 21 de octubre de 2022.[ES]Los bivalvos infaunales Ruditapes decussatus, Ruditapes philippinarum, Venerupis corrugata y Cerastoderma edule forman parte de una de las pesquerías con mayor importancia socioeconómica en las Rías Baixas (NO de España). El calentamiento del océano podría afectar a estas pesquerías ya que el aumento de la temperatura daría lugar a un incremento del estrés al que se ven sometidas estas especies, reduciendo su productividad e incluso propiciando cambios en su distribución geográfica. En este estudio se analizó cómo el aumento de la temperatura del agua podría afectar a la distribución geográfica de las zonas de confort térmico de estos bivalvos a finales del siglo XXI. El modelo Delft3D se utilizó para simular la hidrodinámica de las Rías Baixas durante los meses de julio y agosto del periodo histórico (1990-2019) y el periodo futuro (2075-2099) bajo el escenario RCP8.5. Durante el periodo histórico, las zonas más favorables para especies intermareales como R. decussatus, R. philippinarum y C. edule se observaron principalmente en la parte interior de las rías. Para V. corrugata, las zonas con confort se sitúan en el intermareal inferior y submareal somero. Las proyecciones futuras sugieren un aumento general de la extensión de las zonas con condiciones térmicas óptimas en comparación con el periodo histórico para R. decussatus, C. edule y V. corrugata. En el caso de R. philippinarum, la extensión podría disminuir en el futuro. Por último, la productividad de estas especies podría verse reducida en las áreas de marisqueo situadas en las zonas menos profundas de los sectores interiores de las Rías Baixas debido al aumento de la temperatura del agua.[EN]The infaunal bivalves Ruditapes decussatus, Ruditapes philippinarum, Venerupis corrugata and Cerastoderma edule are part of one of the most socio-economically important shellfisheries in the Rías Baixas (NW Spain). Ocean warming may affect these fisheries as the increase in water temperature would increase the stress conditions these species are subjected to. It could reduce their productivity and even change their geographical distribution. The present study analysed how rising ocean temperatures could affect the geographical distribution of the thermal comfort areas of these bivalves at the end of the 21st century. The Delft3D model was used to simulate the hydrodynamics of the Rías Baixas during the months of July and August of the historical period (1990-2019) and the future period (2075-2099) under the RCP8.5 scenario. Historically, the most comfortable areas for intertidal species such as R. decussatus, R. philippinarum and C. edule are mainly found in the inner part of the rias. For V. corrugata, the comfort zones are located in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal. Future projections suggest a general increase in the extent of areas with optimal thermal conditions compared to the historical period for R. decussatus, C. edule and V. corrugata and a decrease for R. philippinarum. Finally, the productivity of these species could be reduced in the shellfishing areas located in the shallower areas of the inner sectors of the Rías Baixas due to the increase in water temperature

Photocatalytic ozonation of urban wastewater and surface water using immobilized TiO2 with LEDs: Micropollutants, antibiotic resistance genes and estrogenic activity

Photocatalytic ozonation was employed for the first time in continuous mode with TiO2-coated glass Raschig rings and light emitting diodes (LEDs) to treat urban wastewater as well as surface water collected from the supply area of a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP). Different levels of contamination and types of contaminants were considered in this work, including chemical priority substances (PSs) and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), as well as potential human opportunistic antibiotic resistant bacteria and their genes (ARB&ARG). Photocatalytic ozonation was more effective than single ozonation (or even than TiO2 catalytic ozonation) in the degradation of typical reaction by-products (such as oxalic acid), and more effective than photocatalysis to remove the parent micropollutants determined in urban wastewater. In fact, only fluoxetine, clarithromycin, erythromycin and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) were detected after photocatalytic ozonation, by using solid-phase extraction (SPE) pre-concentration and LC-MS/MS analysis. In surface water, this treatment allowed the removal of all determined micropollutants to levels below the limit of detection (0.01-0.20 ng L(-1)). The efficiency of this process was then assessed based on the capacity to remove different groups of cultivable microorganisms and housekeeping (16S rRNA) and antibiotic resistance or related genes (intI1, blaTEM, qnrS, sul1). Photocatalytic ozonation was observed to efficiently remove microorganisms and ARGs. Although after storage total heterotrophic and ARB (to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, meropenem), fungi, and the genes 16S rRNA and intI1, increased to values close to the pre-treatment levels, the ARGs (blaTEM, qnrS and sul1) were reduced to levels below/close to the quantification limit even after 3-days storage of treated surface water or wastewater. Yeast estrogen screen (YES), thiazolyl blue tetrazolium reduction (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were also performed before and after photocatalytic ozonation to evaluate the potential estrogenic activity, the cellular metabolic activity and the cell viability. Compounds with estrogenic effects and significant differences concerning cell viability were not observed in any case. A slight cytotoxicity was only detected for Caco-2 and hCMEC/D3 cell lines after treatment of the urban wastewater, but not for L929 fibroblasts.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Combined Impact of Sample Size and Modeling Approaches for Predicting Stem Volume in Eucalyptus spp. Forest Plantations Using Field and LiDAR Data

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) remote sensing has been established as one of the most promising tools for large-scale forest monitoring and mapping. Continuous advances in computational techniques, such as machine learning algorithms, have been increasingly improving our capability to model forest attributes accurately and at high spatial and temporal resolution. While there have been previous studies exploring the use of LiDAR and machine learning algorithms for forest inventory modeling, as yet, no studies have demonstrated the combined impact of sample size and different modeling techniques for predicting and mapping stem total volume in industrial Eucalyptus spp. tree plantations. This study aimed to compare the combined effects of parametric and nonparametric modeling methods for estimating volume in Eucalyptus spp. tree plantation using airborne LiDAR data while varying the reference data (sample size). The modeling techniques were compared in terms of root mean square error (RMSE), bias, and R2 with 500 simulations. The best performance was verified for the ordinary least-squares (OLS) method, which was able to provide comparable results to the traditional forest inventory approaches using only 40% (n = 63; ~0.04 plots/ha) of the total field plots, followed by the random forest (RF) algorithm with identical sample size values. This study provides solutions for increasing the industry efficiency in monitoring and managing forest plantation stem volume for the paper and pulp supply chain