A rock- and paleomagnetic study of a Holocene lava flow in Central Mexico

Magnetic measurements of the Tres Cruces lava flow (ca. 8500 years BP, Central Mexico) show the presence of two remanence carriers, a Ti-rich titanomagnetite with a Curie temperature between 350 and 400 °C and a Ti-poor magnetite with a Curie temperature close to 580°C. Magnetic changes after heating indicate that the titanomagnetite exsolves into magnetite w and ilmenite when the sample is heated to 580 °C. Paleointensity estimates with the Thellier and Thellier method [Thellier, E., Thellier, O., 1959. Sur l'intensité du champ magnetique terrestre dans le passe historique et geologique. Ann. Geophysique., 15, 285-376] were only successful up to temperatures of 350 to 400 °C. This temperature corresponds with the Curie temperature of the titanomagnetite, which is probably pseudo-single or multi-domain. Therefore, the paleointensities should be interpreted with caution. The magnetic composition changes after 580 °C heating may explain the large w variations in previous paleointensity determinations for the Tres Cruces rocks [Gonzalez, S., Sherwood, G., Bohnel, H., Schnepp, E., 1997. Palaeosecular variation in Central Mexico over the last 30,000 years: the record from lavas. Geophys. J. Int., 130, 201-219] using the [Shaw method Shaw, J., 1974. A new method of determining the magnitude of the palaeomagnetic field: application to five historic lavas and five archaeological samples. Geophys. J. R. Astr. Soc., 39, 133-141]

What can metazoan parasites reveal about the taxonomy of Scomber japonicus Houttuyn in the coast of South America and Madeira Islands?

The metazoan parasites of four populations of the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus were analysed from two localities in the Atlantic Ocean (Madeira Islands, Portugal, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and two localities in the Pacific Ocean (Callao, Peru, and Antofagasta, Chile), collected during 2002 and 2003. A total of 373 fish specimens were studied and 34 metazoan parasite species were obtained. Parasites identified from the populations of chub mackerel studied could be separated into three categories: parasites with a wide distribution, present in the Pacific and Atlantic, parasites proper of the Pacific Ocean and parasites proper of the Atlantic Ocean. The analyses of some highly specific parasites of the genus Scomber (i.e. monogeneans of the genus Kuhnia and didymozoid digeneans) strongly suggest the need for a revision of the taxonomic status of chub mackerels from the Atlantic and Pacific coast of America. The results demonstrated the usefulness of parasites as adequate tools to clarify the taxonomic status of their hosts.We thank R. Poulin (University of Otago, New Zealand) for reading and commenting on an early draft of the manuscript. J.L.L. was supported by a fellowship (N° 200906-2005.4) of the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientı´fico e Tecnolo´ gico (CNPq) of Brazil for postdoctoral research in the Department of Zoology at the University of Otago, New Zealand. G. Costa was supported by Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology, programme POCTI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Satisfacción y calidad de atención brindada en telemedicina durante la COVID-19 en un Hospital de Huancayo-Perú 2022

Objective. Establish the relationship between the quality of care received and patient satisfaction in the application of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic at the Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión de Huancayo in 2022. Methods. a correlational, cross-sectional and quantitative study was carried out on 346 patients over 18 years of age who were treated in 2021 by telemedicine. The variables studied are quality of care and patient satisfaction. Two Likert-type questionnaires were used, which were validated by expert judgment and internal reliability with Cronbach's alpha. For the inferential correlation analysis, normality was evaluated with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and, according to the result, the non-parametric statistical test of Spearman's Rho was used with a p value less than 0.05. Results. The results show that 98.6% of patients are highly satisfied with telemedicine and 94.2% perceive high quality of care. On the other hand, the direct and moderately significant relationship between the patient satisfaction variables and the quality of care was confirmed with the R2 determination coefficient equal to 0.372. In addition, it was validated with a Rho Spearman coefficient equal to 0.541 that there is a moderate direct correlation in the general hypothesis and for the specific hypotheses, it is direct low and direct moderate since the Rho Spearman coefficients are between 0.279 and 0.466. Conclusions. A better quality of telemedicine care determines better patient satisfaction in all its dimensions.Objetivo. Establecer la relación entre la calidad de atención recibida y la satisfacción del paciente en la aplicación de la telemedicina en pandemia COVID-19 en el Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión de Huancayo en el 2022. Métodos. se realizó el estudio correlacional, transversal y cuantitativo a 346 pacientes mayores de 18 años atendidos en el 2021 por telemedicina. Las variables que se estudiaron son calidad de atención y satisfacción del paciente. Se emplearon dos cuestionarios tipo Likert los cuales fueron validados por juicio de expertos y confiabilidad interna con alfa de Cronbach. Para el análisis inferencial de correlación se evaluó la normalidad con la Prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y según el resultado se utilizó la prueba estadística no paramétrica de Rho de Spearman con un p valor menor de 0.05. Resultados. Los resultados evidencian que el 98.6% de paciente se encuentran altamente satisfechos con el uso de la telemedicina y el 94.2% perciben que la calidad de atención es alta. Por otro lado, se confirmó la relación directa y significativa moderada entre las variables satisfacción del paciente y la calidad de atención con el coeficiente de determinación R2 fue igual a 0.372. Además, se validó con un coeficiente de Rho Spearman igual a 0.541 que existe una correlación directa moderada en la hipótesis general y para las hipótesis especificas es directa baja y directa moderada pues los coeficientes de Rho Spearman se encuentran entre 0.279 y 0.466. Conclusiones. Una mejor calidad de atención por telemedicina determina una mejor satisfacción del paciente en todas sus dimensiones

Satisfacción y calidad de atención brindada en telemedicina durante la COVID-19 en un Hospital de Huancayo-Perú 2022

Objetivo. Establecer la relación entre la calidad de atención recibida y la satisfacción del paciente en la aplicación de la telemedicina en pandemia COVID-19 en el Hospital Daniel Alcides Carrión de Huancayo en el 2022. Métodos. se realizó el estudio correlacional, transversal y cuantitativo a 346 pacientes mayores de 18 años atendidos en el 2021 por telemedicina. Las variables que se estudiaron son calidad de atención y satisfacción del paciente. Se emplearon dos cuestionarios tipo Likert los cuales fueron validados por juicio de expertos y confiabilidad interna con alfa de Cronbach. Para el análisis inferencial de correlación se evaluó la normalidad con la Prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov y según el resultado se utilizó la prueba estadística no paramétrica de Rho de Spearman con un p valor menor de 0.05. Resultados. Los resultados evidencian que el 98.6% de paciente se encuentran altamente satisfechos con el uso de la telemedicina y el 94.2% perciben que la calidad de atención es alta. Por otro lado, se confirmó la relación directa y significativa moderada entre las variables satisfacción del paciente y la calidad de atención con el coeficiente de determinación R2 fue igual a 0.372. Además, se validó con un coeficiente de Rho Spearman igual a 0.541 que existe una correlación directa moderada en la hipótesis general y para las hipótesis especificas es directa baja y directa moderada pues los coeficientes de Rho Spearman se encuentran entre 0.279 y 0.466. Conclusiones. Una mejor calidad de atención por telemedicina determina una mejor satisfacción del paciente en todas sus dimensiones

Síndrome de burnout en médicos asistentes del Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue de Lima – Perú, 2018.

Objectives: To identify the prevalence and factors associated with the Burnout Syndrome (BOS) in physicians of the Hipólito Unanue National Hospital in Lima-Peru, during 2018. Material and methods: Observational, transversal and analytical study. The initial study population was constituted by 252 doctors. A sample was selected by the stratified random sampling technique. Different socio-demographic and labor variables were recorded through an anonymous survey. For the diagnosis of BOS, the Maslach Burnout Inventory was used. The variables associated were determined by means of a logistic regression model. A value of p <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 150 doctors surveyed, 23 (15.3%) showed results compatible with BOS. Sixty-five (43.3%) of the respondents reached a high level of emotional exhaustion, 69 (46%) a high level of depersonalization, and 61 (41.7%) a low level of personal accomplishment (p <0.05). The variables associated with the BOS were male sex (OR = 6.12; 95% CI: 1.43-26.13, p = 0.01) while having an additional job (OR = 0.15; 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.49, p = 0.002), could be considered a protective factor. Conclusions: A low prevalence of BOS was found among the physicians surveyed, although a significant group of them reported high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization with low levels of personal accomplishment. Male sex was associated with BOS, while having an additional job showed a possible protective effect.Objetivos: Identificar la prevalencia y los factores asociados con el Síndrome de Burnout (SBO) en médicos asistentes del Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue de Lima-Perú, en el año 2018. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico. La población inicial estuvo constituída por 252 médicos. Se seleccionó una muestra con la técnica del muestreo aleatorio estratificado. Se registraron diferentes variables sociodemográficas y laborales por medio de una encuesta anónima. Para el diagnóstico de SBO se empleó el Maslach Burnout Inventory. Se determinaron las variables asociadas con el SBO mediante un modelo de regresión logística. Se consideró un valor de p < 0,05 como significativo. Resultados: De 150 médicos encuestados, 23 (15,3%) mostraron resultados compatibles con SBO. Sesenticinco (43,3%) de los encuestados tuvieron un nivel alto de cansancio emocional, 69 (46%) un nivel alto de despersonalización y 61 (41,7%) un nivel bajo de realización personal (p < 0,05). Las variables asociadas con el SBO fueron sexo masculino (OR = 6,12; IC95 %, 1,43 – 26,13, p = 0,01) como factor de riesgo y tener un trabajo adicional (OR = 0,15; IC95 %: 0,04 – 0,49, p = 0,002), mostró ser un posible factor de proteccción. Conclusiones: Se encontró una baja prevalencia de SBO entre médicos asistentes, aunque un subgrupo significativo mostró altos niveles de cansancio emocional y despersonalización con bajos niveles de realización personal. El sexo masculino se asoció al SBO, en tanto que tener un trabajo adicional, a un efecto protector

Social impacts and life cycle assessment: proposals for methodological development for SMEs in the European food and drink sector

Purpose: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for 99 % of companies operating in the European food and drink industry and, often, are part of highly fragmented and complex food chains. The article focuses on the development of a social impact assessment methodology for SMEs in selected food and drink products as part of the EU-FP7 SENSE research project. The proposed methodology employs a top-down and bottom-up approach and focuses on labour rights/working conditions along the product supply chain as the key social impact indicator, limiting key stakeholder classification to workers/employees and local communities impacted by the production process. Problems related to this emerging field are discussed, and questions for further research are expounded. Methods: The article reviews both academic and 'grey' literature on life cycle assessment (LCA) and its relationship to social LCA (S-LCA) and SMEs at the beginning of 2013 and includes case study evidence from the food sector. A pilot questionnaire survey sent to European food and drink sector SMEs and trade associations (as partners in the research project) about their knowledge, experience and engagement with social impacts is presented. Proposals are elaborated for a social impact assessment methodology that identifies the key data for SMEs to collect. Results and discussion: The literature reveals the complexity of the S-LCA approach as it aims to unite disparate and often conflicting interests. Findings from the pilot questionnaire are discussed. Using a top-down and bottom-up approach, the proposed methodology assesses data from SMEs along the supply chain in order to gauge social improvements in the management of labour-related issues for different product sectors. Issues relating to the 'attributional' choice of a social impact indicator and key stakeholder categories are discussed. How 'scoring' is interpreted and reported and what the intended effect of its use will be are also elaborated upon. Conclusions: Whilst recognising the difficulty of devising a robust social impact assessment for SMEs in the food and drink sector, it is argued that the proposed methodology makes a useful contribution in this fast-emerging field

NTFP harvesters as citizen scientists: Validating traditional and crowdsourced knowledge on seed production of Brazil nut trees in the Peruvian Amazon.

Understanding the factors that underlie the production of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), as well as regularly monitoring production levels, are key to allow sustainability assessments of NTFP extractive economies. Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae) seed harvesting from natural forests is one of the cornerstone NTFP economies in Amazonia. In the Peruvian Amazon it is organized in a concession system. Drawing on seed production estimates of >135,000 individual Brazil nut trees from >400 concessions and ethno-ecological interviews with >80 concession holders, here we aimed to (i) assess the accuracy of seed production estimates by Brazil nut seed harvesters, and (ii) validate their traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) about the variables that influence Brazil nut production. We compared productivity estimates with actual field measurements carried out in the study area and found a positive correlation between them. Furthermore, we compared the relationships between seed production and a number of phenotypic, phytosanitary and environmental variables described in literature with those obtained for the seed production estimates and found high consistency between them, justifying the use of the dataset for validating TEK and innovative hypothesis testing. As expected, nearly all TEK on Brazil nut productivity was corroborated by our data. This is reassuring as Brazil nut concession holders, and NTFP harvesters at large, rely on their knowledge to guide the management of the trees upon which their extractive economies are based. Our findings suggest that productivity estimates of Brazil nut trees and possibly other NTFP-producing species could replace or complement actual measurements, which are very expensive and labour intensive, at least in areas where harvesters have a tradition of collecting NTFPs from the same trees over multiple years or decades. Productivity estimates might even be sourced from harvesters through registers on an annual basis, thus allowing a more cost-efficient and robust monitoring of productivity levels

What can metazoan parasites reveal about the taxonomy of Scomber japonicus Houttuyn in the coast of South America and Madeira Islands

The metazoan parasites of four populations of the chub mackerel Scomber japonicus were analysed from two localities in the Atlantic Ocean (Madeira Islands, Portugal, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and two localities in the Pacific Ocean (Callao, Peru, and Antofagasta, Chile), collected during 2002 and 2003. A total of 373 fish specimens were studied and 34 metazoan parasite species were obtained. Parasites identified from the populations of chub mackerel studied could be separated into three categories: parasites with a wide distribution, present in the Pacific and Atlantic, parasites proper of the Pacific Ocean and parasites proper of the Atlantic Ocean. The analyses of some highly specific parasites of the genus Scomber (i.e. monogeneans of the genus Kuhnia and didymozoid digeneans) strongly suggest the need for a revision of the taxonomic status of chub mackerels from the Atlantic and Pacific coast of America. The results demonstrated the usefulness of parasites as adequate tools to clarify the taxonomic status of their hosts

Design Parameters to Control Synthetic Gene Expression in Escherichia coli

BACKGROUND:Production of proteins as therapeutic agents, research reagents and molecular tools frequently depends on expression in heterologous hosts. Synthetic genes are increasingly used for protein production because sequence information is easier to obtain than the corresponding physical DNA. Protein-coding sequences are commonly re-designed to enhance expression, but there are no experimentally supported design principles. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:To identify sequence features that affect protein expression we synthesized and expressed in E. coli two sets of 40 genes encoding two commercially valuable proteins, a DNA polymerase and a single chain antibody. Genes differing only in synonymous codon usage expressed protein at levels ranging from undetectable to 30% of cellular protein. Using partial least squares regression we tested the correlation of protein production levels with parameters that have been reported to affect expression. We found that the amount of protein produced in E. coli was strongly dependent on the codons used to encode a subset of amino acids. Favorable codons were predominantly those read by tRNAs that are most highly charged during amino acid starvation, not codons that are most abundant in highly expressed E. coli proteins. Finally we confirmed the validity of our models by designing, synthesizing and testing new genes using codon biases predicted to perform well. CONCLUSION:The systematic analysis of gene design parameters shown in this study has allowed us to identify codon usage within a gene as a critical determinant of achievable protein expression levels in E. coli. We propose a biochemical basis for this, as well as design algorithms to ensure high protein production from synthetic genes. Replication of this methodology should allow similar design algorithms to be empirically derived for any expression system

A multi-stage genome-wide association study of bladder cancer identifies multiple susceptibility loci.

We conducted a multi-stage, genome-wide association study of bladder cancer with a primary scan of 591,637 SNPs in 3,532 affected individuals (cases) and 5,120 controls of European descent from five studies followed by a replication strategy, which included 8,382 cases and 48,275 controls from 16 studies. In a combined analysis, we identified three new regions associated with bladder cancer on chromosomes 22q13.1, 19q12 and 2q37.1: rs1014971, (P = 8 × 10⁻¹²) maps to a non-genic region of chromosome 22q13.1, rs8102137 (P = 2 × 10⁻¹¹) on 19q12 maps to CCNE1 and rs11892031 (P = 1 × 10⁻⁷) maps to the UGT1A cluster on 2q37.1. We confirmed four previously identified genome-wide associations on chromosomes 3q28, 4p16.3, 8q24.21 and 8q24.3, validated previous candidate associations for the GSTM1 deletion (P = 4 × 10⁻¹¹) and a tag SNP for NAT2 acetylation status (P = 4 × 10⁻¹¹), and found interactions with smoking in both regions. Our findings on common variants associated with bladder cancer risk should provide new insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis