Waste Management : the Disconnection between Normative and SMEs Reality

Waste generation is a critical factor in global environmental degradation, where SMEs have been historically relevant yet underestimated. This study covers the issue of the disconnection between the normative and SMEs reality. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the relationship between waste management norms and their application in Chilean SMEs. For context, Chile is the nation that generates the most amount of waste per capita in the region. Nevertheless, the country also has one of the most rigorous waste frameworks in the region, by means of the Extended Responsibility Producer (ERP) law, which has been gradually implemented since 2016. Data for the study were collected through in-depth interviews with 25 SMEs. The results show the practical limitations of SMEs in complying with the waste law, the lack of traceability in the waste management system, and the need for economic support and technical assistance to improve the use and management of sustainable raw materials. Therefore, this study contributes to the limited knowledge of how SMEs implement waste management norms and their importance in diminishing waste generation and promoting waste hierarchy

Enabling Intelligent Omni-Surfaces in the Polarization Domain: Principles, Implementation and Applications

Research in wireless communications based on reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) has surged in the communication-theoretic arena. Recently, the RIS concept has moved into the area of so-called simultaneously transmitting and reflecting intelligent omni-surfaces (STAR-IOS, or simply IOS), which extend the RIS functionality by incorporating transmission (in addition to reflection) capabilities. Development of STAR-IOS’ full and independent reconfiguration capabilities for both reflected and transmitted waves is crucial. However, such full independent reconfiguration has thus far been hampered by the intimate coupling between the transmission and reflection behavior of IOS elements. To overcome this challenge and realize the full potential of reconfigurable IOS-aided systems, in this article we advocate for the use of the polarization domain in the design and operation of STAR-IOS. Thanks to the polarization-dependent features of IOS elements, fully independent (reconfigurable) transmission and reflection modes can be delivered, thus bringing key performance improvements in, and opportunities for, new communication scenarios.This work was funded in part by Junta de Andalucía through grant EMERGIA20-00297; in part by the State Research Agency of Spain (AEI) and the European Social Fund under grant RYC2020-030536-I; in part by PID2020-112545RB-C54, PID2020-118139RB-I00, PDC2022-133900-I00, TED2021-129938B-I00, TED2021-131699B-I00 and IJC2020-043599-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Granada/CBUA

Anaerobic methane oxidation driven by microbial reduction of natural organic matter in a tropical wetland

"Wetlands constitute the main natural source of methane on Earth due to their high content of natural organic matter (NOM), but key drivers, such as electron acceptors, supporting methanotrophic activities in these habitats are poorly understood. We performed anoxic incubations using freshly collected sediment, along with water samples harvested from a tropical wetland, amended with C-13-methane (0.67 atm) to test the capacity of its microbial community to perform anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) linked to the reduction of the humic fraction of its NOM. Collected evidence demonstrates that electron-accepting functional groups (e.g., quinones) present in NOM fueled AOM by serving as a terminal electron acceptor. Indeed, while sulfate reduction was the predominant process, accounting for up to 42.5% of the AOM activities, the microbial reduction of NOM concomitantly occurred. Furthermore, enrichment of wetland sediment with external NOM provided a complementary electron-accepting capacity, of which reduction accounted for similar to 100 nmol (CH4)-C-13 oxidized center dot cm(3)center dot day(1). Spectroscopic evidence showed that quinone moieties were heterogeneously distributed in the wetland sediment, and their reduction occurred during the course of AOM. Moreover, an enrichment derived from wetland sediments performing AOM linked to NOM reduction stoichiometrically oxidized methane coupled to the reduction of the humic analogue anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate. Microbial populations potentially involved in AOM coupled to microbial reduction of NOM were dominated by divergent biota from putative AOM-associated archaea. We estimate that this microbial process potentially contributes to the suppression of up to 114 teragrams (Tg) of CH(4 center dot)year(-1) in coastal wetlands and more than 1,300 Tg center dot year(-1), considering the global wetland area.

Estrés académico en universitarios y la práctica de ejercicio físico-deportivo

The objective of this article was to analyze academic stress in university students and its relationship with the practice of physical exercise or sport. The present investigation belongs to a descriptive cross-sectional and comparative study; where 102 university students participated. The instrument used to assess the level of academic stress was the Academic Stress Inventory. The results showed that the students who do NOT perform physical exercise or sport have significantly higher reactions of worried or stressed [F (1,100) = 4.767, p <.031]; women present significantly more academic stress, specifically in disturbing situations [F (1,100) = 4.818, p <.030]; and the students of the Human Motricity career show significantly more worried or stressed reactions [F (2.99) = 6.653, p <.002], than the other participating careers. Therefore, it is concluded that academic stress exists in university students, showing itself more frequently in students who belong to the Human Motor career or the health area; especially in those students who do not engage in physical activity or sports and that stressors usually appear in disturbing situations and in the reactions of worried or stressed; in excess of tasks and jobs; Teacher evaluations such as exams, essays, practices, research papers, among others.En el presente artículo se planteó como objetivo, analizar el estrés académico en estudiantes universitarios y su relación con la práctica de ejercicio físico o deporte. La presente investigación pertenece a un estudio descriptivo transversal y comparativo; donde participaron 102 estudiantes universitarios. El instrumento que se utilizó para evaluar el nivel de estrés académico fue el Inventario de Estrés Académico. Los resultados mostraron que los estudiantes que no realizan ejercicio físico o deporte presentan significativamente mayores reacciones de preocupado o estresado [F(1,100)= 4.767, p<.031]; las mujeres presentan significativamente mayor estrés académico, específicamente en situaciones inquietantes [F(1,100)= 4.818, p<.030] y los estudiantes de la carrera de Motricidad Humana presentan significativamente mayores reacciones de preocupados o estresados [F(2,99)= 6.653, p<.002] que las demás carreras participantes. Por lo que se concluye, que el estrés académico existe en los estudiantes universitarios, mostrándose con mayor frecuencia en los estudiantes que pertenecen a la carrera de Motricidad Humana o del área de salud; sobre todo en aquellos estudiantes que no realizan actividad física o deporte y que los estresores suelen presentarse en situaciones inquietantes y en las reacciones de preocupado o estresado; en el exceso de tareas y trabajos; evaluaciones de los profesores como los exámenes, ensayos, prácticas, trabajos de investigación, entre otros.En el presente artículo se planteó como objetivo, analizar el estrés académico en estudiantes universitarios y su relación con la práctica de ejercicio físico o deporte. La presente investigación pertenece a un estudio descriptivo transversal y comparativo; donde participaron 102 estudiantes universitarios. El instrumento que se utilizó para evaluar el nivel de estrés académico fue el Inventario de Estrés Académico. Los resultados mostraron que los estudiantes que no realizan ejercicio físico o deporte presentan significativamente mayores reacciones de preocupado o estresado [F(1,100)= 4.767, p<.031]; las mujeres presentan significativamente mayor estrés académico, específicamente en situaciones inquietantes [F(1,100)= 4.818, p<.030] y los estudiantes de la carrera de Motricidad Humana presentan significativamente mayores reacciones de preocupados o estresados [F(2,99)= 6.653, p<.002] que las demás carreras participantes. Por lo que se concluye, que el estrés académico existe en los estudiantes universitarios, mostrándose con mayor frecuencia en los estudiantes que pertenecen a la carrera de Motricidad Humana o del área de salud; sobre todo en aquellos estudiantes que no realizan actividad física o deporte y que los estresores suelen presentarse en situaciones inquietantes y en las reacciones de preocupado o estresado; en el exceso de tareas y trabajos; evaluaciones de los profesores como los exámenes, ensayos, prácticas, trabajos de investigación, entre otros

Ellas por ellos

La equidad de género es un asunto que nos involucra a todas y todos, pues los efectos de las relaciones de desigualdad, que inciden en la sana evolución de las mujeres, alcanzan también a los hombres, cuya masculinidad, construida bajo los cánones de una cultura patriarcal, les ha vetado el acceso a las emociones y el goce de placeres asignados en exclusiva al mundo de lo privado, al femenino. El Consejo Nacional para Prevenir la Discriminación ha convocado a una pléyade de voces masculinas para que incursionen en el mundo femenino con este libro inspirado en la edición española Ellas. Catorce hombres dan la cara… Dieciséis hombres aceptaron el reto emocional, intelectual y profesional de aportar su visión de Ellas –nombradas así, genéricamente, sin más calificativos–, con la única premisa de escribir a partir de aquello que despierte en su imaginario masculino el simple hecho de pronunciar ese vocablo. … Ellas son aquí mujeres de carne y hueso, actrices, modelos, futbolistas, vendedoras, activistas, amantes y políticas, musas y ejemplos de vida, mundos interpretados desde lo que se sabe y lo que se intuye, acciones y pasiones estocadas indefectiblemente por la inspección masculina, la visión de género, el machismo y la misoginia, miradas injustas que revelan, también, el mundo de Ellos. … Ellas... por ellos es la oportunidad de mirar el imaginario de los Otros. Es atreverse a correr la cortina y aprender de la desnudez de las almas y conciencias masculinas. Es abrazar la frescura de un despertar de los hombres a una nueva era de comprensión y tolerancia, de respeto a lo diferente, de inclusión e integralidad. Valorar lo aquí expuesto por Ellos será para Ellas, definitivamente, un aliento para seguir construyendo una sociedad en igualdad, sin discriminación ni violencia

Early and late skin reactions to radiotherapy for breast cancer and their correlation with radiation-induced DNA damage in lymphocytes

INTRODUCTION: Radiotherapy outcomes might be further improved by a greater understanding of the individual variations in normal tissue reactions that determine tolerance. Most published studies on radiation toxicity have been performed retrospectively. Our prospective study was launched in 1996 to measure the in vitro radiosensitivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes before treatment with radical radiotherapy in patients with breast cancer, and to assess the early and the late radiation skin side effects in the same group of patients. We prospectively recruited consecutive breast cancer patients receiving radiation therapy after breast surgery. To evaluate whether early and late side effects of radiotherapy can be predicted by the assay, a study was conducted of the association between the results of in vitro radiosensitivity tests and acute and late adverse radiation effects. METHODS: Intrinsic molecular radiosensitivity was measured by using an initial radiation-induced DNA damage assay on lymphocytes obtained from breast cancer patients before radiotherapy. Acute reactions were assessed in 108 of these patients on the last treatment day. Late morbidity was assessed after 7 years of follow-up in some of these patients. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) morbidity score system was used for both assessments. RESULTS: Radiosensitivity values obtained using the in vitro test showed no relation with the acute or late adverse skin reactions observed. There was no evidence of a relation between acute and late normal tissue reactions assessed in the same patients. A positive relation was found between the treatment volume and both early and late side effects. CONCLUSION: After radiation treatment, a number of cells containing major changes can have a long survival and disappear very slowly, becoming a chronic focus of immunological system stimulation. This stimulation can produce, in a stochastic manner, late radiation-related adverse effects of varying severity. Further research is warranted to identify the major determinants of normal tissue radiation response to make it possible to individualize treatments and improve the outcome of radiotherapy in cancer patients

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease : A Multicentre Study of Geteccu

Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered "exposed". The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. Results: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97-1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03-2.27). Conclusions: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicentre Study of Geteccu

Background: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. Aims: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered “exposed”. The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. Results: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97–1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03–2.27). Conclusions: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections