Pilot Study Into Sustained And Selective Attention Using The BAPNE Method

The aim of this research is to show the possible stimulation of sustained and selective attention by means of a quantitative study. The study was carried out using a research protocol which was quasiexperimental and designed to include pre-test, intervention and post-test. The sample consists of an experimental group plus a control group, n=57. The study was carried out in the province of Alicante in an area which exhibits medium to low sociocultural and socioeconomic levels. The evaluation tools used are the d2 test and the Caras-R test, both published by TEA. The intervention was delivered using a protocol of activities which are explained in the publication ‘Programación didáctica’. The study was carried out with the experimental group over the course of six months, with sessions twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursday. Each session lasted 50 minutes. The results show, following the post-test on the experimental group, that there are noticeable improvements in the cognitive aspects of sustained attention, selective attention, processing speed, and concentration. The control group pursued their normal routines and did not undergo any major change to their cognitive development2018-1

Filmed clinical cases improved communication skills of student of Pharmacology in Podiatry degree

Solving clinical case by writing-report lacks of students sympathies and interest in many cases. Make a short film is a novelty that really like to the students and may improve their arguing and planning capacities and their communication skills. Aim: To evaluate the impact of presenting and resolving clinical cases through filming a short-film in the communication skills development and in the learning of medicines in Podiatry undergraduate students. Methods: A two-year study in which students were invited to voluntarily form groups (3 students maximum). Each group has to design and film a short-film (8 min maximum) showing a clinical case in which medicines’ use was needed to treat feet pathology. A camera, a mobile-phone's video editor or whatever they may use was allowed. The job of each group was supervised and helped by a teacher. The students were invited to present their work to the rest of the class. After each short-film projection the students were encouraged to ask questions if they wanted to do it. After all the projections the students voluntarily answered a satisfaction survey. Results: Students of Pharmacology of Podiatry Degree, N=101, 55.6% female, 20±1.3 years old were enrolled. 37 short-films showing a clinical case were made. The average time spent by students in making the film was 12.4±8 h. The percentage of students which were satisfied with this way of presentation of the clinical cases was 75.2%. Conclusion: Filmed clinical cases performed by student of Pharmacology of the Podiatry Degree improved their communication skills.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech. Convocatoria de Ayudas de la Universidad de Málaga a Proyectos de Innovación Educativa, convocatoria 2013-2015, PIE 13-156 en Área de Ciencias de la Salud

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic chitosan microspheres as low-density and low-biotoxicity adsorbents for lake restoration

We propose a novel magnetic adsorbent for optimal Phosphorus (P) removal from the upper sediment layers. For this aim, magnetic chitosan microparticles were prepared using a reverse-phase suspension cross-linking technique. The resulting particles and suspensions were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, magnetometry, thermogravimetric analysis, electrophoretic mobility and turbidity measurements. The hybrids are multicore particles consisting of well dispersed magnetite nanoparticles (approx. 10% w/w) homogeneously distributed within the biopolymer matrix. These microparticles can be easily separated from the water column and sediment using magnetic field gradients. Their P adsorption capacity is evaluated in batch conditions resulting in a maximum P adsorption capacity of ML ¼ 4.84 mg g 1 at pH ¼ 7. We demonstrate that these particles are excellent candidates to remove P from water column and also P mobile from the upper sediment layers due to two main reasons: they sediment slower and present lower potential toxicity (due to a their larger size) than conventional iron/iron oxide microparticles previously proposed for lake restoration.The authors would like to thank F. Galisteo-Gonz alez for providing the Bool2k software used for the generation of particlesize distributions from SEM micrographs and F. Vereda for his help in the Chemistry Laboratory. This workwas supported by Junta de Andalucía projects of excellence P10-RNM-6630 and P11-FQM- 7074 (Spain); MINECO CTM 2013-46951-R, MAT 2013-44429-R and PCIN 2015-051, MAT 2016-78778-R projects (Spain); and by the European Regional Development Fund

An enclosure experiment for testing the consequences of using magnetic microparticles on water quality and sediment phosphorus pools

By using microcosm enclosures containing brackish water (6000 µS cm-1) and natural surface sediment from an hypertrophic aquatic ecosystem, this study assessed the effects of adding iron (Fe) magnetic microparticles (MPs) on water quality, with special focus on P concentrations in water column and in the sediment. Two different treatments were considered for a constant 85:1 MPs:PMobile molar ratio: T-W, where MPs were applied above the surface layer of water, and T-S, where MPs were added directly above the sediment. Our study demonstrated the convenience of adding MPs for reducing both P concentrations in lake water and lake sediment. Both, T-W and T-S exhibited a reduction of 68 ± 6% in dissolved inorganic P concentration (DIP) on average for a 70-days oxic period and a reduction of 80 ± 8% (T-W) and 80 ± 4% (T-S) for a 5-days anoxic period. MPs also decreased reactive silicate (Si) concentration approx. by 50% on average for both periods whereas dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was only reduced by 15% after 24 h of MPs addition. Despite the drastic reduction in DIP concentration due to MPs addition, chlorophyll a (Chl a) was not reduced because total P (TP) concentration after treatments (> 200 µg L-1; before treatments: > 700 µg L-1) was still higher than that required (0.05–0.1 mg L-1) to see changes in biological community. P bound to Al oxides, clay minerals and humic substances (P→NaOH) and easily degradable organic P (Org-PLabile) showed a reduction of 15% and 12%, respectively in T-S compared to control. P bound to humic substances (P→NaOH, Humic) was reduced by 11-22% in both treatments. Finally, considering the efficiency in P and MPs removal in both treatments (T-W and T-S), we recommend T-W treatment for a future whole-lake application to ensure the effectiveness of P export (in water and sediment) and the recovery of MPs.This work was supported by Junta de Andalucía projects P10-RNM-6630 and P11-FQM-7074 (Proyectos de Excelencia, Spain), MINECO CTM 2013-46951-R, MAT 2013-44429-R and PCIN 2015-051 projects (Spain) and by the European Regional De-velopment Fund (ERDF)

Magnetic microparticles as a new tool for lake restoration: A microcosm experiment for evaluating the impact on phosphorus fluxes and sedimentary phosphorus pools

In the last decades, magnetic particles (MPs) as adsorbents have gained special attention due to their high adsorption capacity and the possibility of recovering them by applying a magnetic separation gradient. For the first time MPs have been tested as P adsorbents in a microcosm experiment in a context of lake restoration. MPs were added to sediment cores from a hypertrophic lake, at Fe:PMobile molar ratio of 285:1 and 560:1 under both, oxic and anoxic conditions. We have found that, under anoxic conditions (anoxic), MPs are able to reduce P release rate from the sediment to the overlying water and to reduce sedimentary PMobile concentration (a 22e25% reduction within 0e4 cm depth compared to controls). Under oxic conditions, the addition of MPs do not affect P fluxes across the sediment and water interface since the lake sediment is naturally rich in iron oxides. However a measured reduction in sedimentary PMobile concentration (12e16% reduction in 0e10 cm depth) contributes to a potential reduction in longterm P efflux.This work was supported by Junta de Andalucía projects P10- RNM-6630 and P11-FQM-7074 (Proyectos de Excelencia, Spain), and MINECO CTM 2013-46951-R and MAT 2013-44429-R and projects (Spain)

Determining major factors controlling phosphorus removal by promising adsorbents used for lake restoration: a linear mixed model approach

Phosphorus (P) removal from lake/drainage waters by novel adsorbents may be affected by competitive substances naturally present in the aqueous media. Up to date, the effect of interfering substances has been studied basically on simple matrices (single-factor effects) or by applying unsuitable statistical approaches when using natural lake water. In this study, we determined major factors controlling P removal efficiency in 20 aquatic ecosystems in the southeast Spain by using linear mixed models. Two non-magnetic -CFH-12® and Phoslock®- and two magnetic materials -hydrous lanthanum oxide loaded silica-coated magnetite (Fe-Si-La) and commercial zero-valent iron particles (FeHQ)- were tested to remove P at two adsorbent dosages. Results showed that the type of adsorbent, the adsorbent dosage and color of water (indicative of humic substances) are major factors controlling P removal efficiency. Differences in physico-chemical properties (i.e. surface charge or specific surface), composition and structure explain differences in maximum P adsorption capacity and performance of the adsorbents when competitive ions are present. The highest P removal efficiency, independently on whether the adsorbent dosage was low or high, were 85-100% for Phoslock and CFH-12®, 70-100% for Fe-Si-La and 0-15% for FeHQ. The low dosage of FeHQ, compared to previous studies, explained its low P removal efficiency. Although non-magnetic materials were the most efficient, magnetic adsorbents (especially Fe-Si-La) could be proposed for P removal as they can be recovered along with P and be reused, potentially making them more profitable in a long-term period.This work was supported by Junta de Andalucía project P10-RNM-6630 [Proyectos de Excelencia, Spain]; MINECO CTM 2013-46951-R project; and MAT 2016-78778-R project [Spain]. Authors would also like to thank Fernando Ortega for helping in the sampling procedure

State-of-the-art and perspectives of the catalytic and electrocatalytic reduction of aqueous nitrates

Nitrate pollution of groundwater, which is mainly caused by the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers in intensive agriculture, is a widespread problem all over the world and a potential risk for public health. Reverse osmosis, ion exchange and electrodialysis are currently used for water denitrification, yielding a highly concentrated reject water that requires economic and environmental costs for disposal. Nitrate reduction technologies that are able to convert nitrate into inert nitrogen gas have appeared that are promising, cost effective and environmentally friendly. Among these technologies, attention has been focused on i) the chemical reduction over mono- and bimetallic catalysts with hydrogen as the reducing agent and ii) electrocatalytic reduction processes over metallic anodes. Although selectivity values towards N2 of greater than 90% are achieved with both technologies, the undesired formation of ammonium as a reaction by-product is still the main drawback preventing their implementation at larger scales. For this reason, the development of new catalytic and electrodic materials as well as novel reactor configurations to avoid ammonium formation have been extensively investigated in the last few years to increase the effectiveness and competitiveness of both technologies. In this paper, an overview of the current state-of-the-art of both catalytic reduction and electroreduction of nitrates is presented, highlighting their potential and their main drawbacks along with guidelines for future research.This research work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (Projects CTQ2015-66078-R, CTM2014-57833-R

Migratory insertion reactions of nickel and palladium σ-alkyl complexes with a phosphinito-imine ligand†‡

Ligand exchange reactions have been used for the synthesis of metallacyclic complexes of Ni and Pd of the type [M[upper bond 1 start](CH2CMe2-o-C6[upper bond 1 end]H4)(P–N)], where P–N is the phosphinito-imine ligand P(iPr)2OC(Me)[double bond, length as m-dash]N(2,6-C6H3(iPr)2. The protic acid [H(OEt2)(BAr′4)] (Ar′ = 3,5-C6H3(CF3)2) selectively cleaves one of the two σ metal–carbon bonds, affording cationic monoalkyl complexes. Nickel monoalkyls stabilized with Et2O or MeCN ligands are thermally unstable and spontaneously undergo a decomposition process that ultimately leads to the breakdown of the phosphinito-imine ligand. In contrast, cationic alkylpalladium derivatives are thermally very stable, allowing the isolation of a formally unsaturated monoalkyl complex stabilized by an intramolecular π-arene interaction. Although monoalkynickel and -palladium phosphinito-imine derivatives are inactive as ethylene polymerization or copolymerization catalysts, they readily experience migratory insertion reactions. A palladium chelate arising from the successive insertion of CO and ethylene has been isolated and characterized.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología CTQ2009-11721Junta de Andalucía P09-FQM507

Long-term survival in a patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after therapy with rituximab, fludarabine and cyclophosphamide for chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A 50-year-old male with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was treated with fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab, which produced a complete remission. Eight months after the last dose of rituximab he had visual disturbance, diminished muscular strength in the right arm and vesicular-papular lesions in the left ophthalmic branch region of the V cranial nerve. These were initially interpreted as herpes virus encephalopathy (HVE), but brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed evidence of demyelination consistent with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was negative for varicella zoster virus (VZV) and John Cunningham virus (JCV) DNA. The clinical suggestion of PML prompted us to perform a brain biopsy and to start treatment with mefloquine. In the brain biopsy, histopathological features of demyelination were described and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identified JCV, confirming the diagnosis of PML. Treatment with mefloquine (250 mg/week) and dexamethasone (4 mg/day) was started and maintained for 6 months. A year later there was an almost complete resolution of the MRI lesions and the patient achieved a stable clinical state with persisting motor impairment and severe epilepsy. The patient is alive 38 months after diagnosis of PML, which is the longest known survival to date.Supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias - Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PI12/1832), Plan Nacional of I + D + I co-financed by ISCIII-Subdirección General de Evaluación and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). HG has a grant from Fundación BBVA - Fundación Carolina.S

Safety neighbourhoods for the Kronecker canonical form

Abstract We give safety neighbourhoods for the necessary conditions in the change of the Kronecker canonical form of a matrix pencil under small perturbations