Xiphias: Using a Multidimensional Approach towards Creating Meaningful Gamification-Based Badge Mechanics

This paper shows the design and initial testing of three new Xiphias Badges --Presence; Mastery; and Antifragility – based on the merging of the salient features from James Clear’s Behavior Change model (2016); Johann Hari’s Lost Connections model (2018); and Jordan Peterson’s recent interpretation of the Big Five model of Personality Traits (2007). This multidimensional approach is an attempt to cater to the multidimensionality of a user and aims to be a more universal gamification approach that taps into internal motivations. The badge mechanics were tested on 69 undergraduate students using a Low-Fidelity Gamified Tracker. The results of a survey that sought their insights on the utility of the badges showed their potential to be motivating factors in the classroom

The collection, characterisation and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of propolis extracts from Campeche, Mexico

Entre los productos que se pueden obtener de la colmena se encuentran la cera, la miel, la jalea real y el propóleo. Este último es una mezcla de composición química compleja que contiene bálsamos, aceites etéreos, polen, vitaminas, algunos minerales y proteínas, sustancias que le confieren una variedad de propiedades biológicas de gran interés para fines terapéuticos. Por esta razón en el presente estudio se obtuvieron y caracterizaron extractos etanólicos y acuosos de propóleos de diferentes localidades del estado de Campeche, México, probando posteriormente su efectividad antimicrobiana sobre las bacterias Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Streptococcus pyogenes. Los extractos presentaron colores que variaron del ámbar claro al café oscuro, encontrándose un rendimiento en sólidos solubles totales superior en los etanólicos que en los acuosos. Se identificaron como metabolitos: lactonas, saponinas, fenoles, triterpenos, taninos, alcaloides, flavonoides, sustancias aminadas y leucoantocianidinas, estas últimas sólo en los extractos acuosos. La efectividad antimicrobiana de los extractos depende del solvente empleado, la procedencia del propóleo y de la especie bacteriana evaluada, siendo los extractos etanólicos los más efectivos, en particular los obtenidos de propóleos procedentes de Hampolol. La especie bacteriana más sensible resultó ser la P. aeruginosa y la S. typhi la más resistente.Among products that may be obtained from beehives, wax, honey, royal jelly and propolis are prime examples. Propolis is a resin of complex composition that contains balsams, ethereal oils, vitamins, as well as several types of minerals and proteins. Due to the wide range of biological properties that this chemical compound possesses, it may be considered as being of great interest for therapeutic means. For this reason, in this paper, ethanol and aqueous solution extracts of propolis from representative areas of Campeche, Mexico, were characterised. The antimicrobial effectiveness of these substances was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria. The extracts presented colours that varied from clear amber to dark brown. Higher yields of total soluble solids were achieved from ethanol solutions, in comparison with the aqueous variety. The metabolites: lactones, saponins, phenols, triterpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, amines and leucoantocianidins were identified, with the last of these being present in the aqueous extracts only. The antimicrobial effectiveness of the extracts depends on; the solvent used in the extraction, the origin of the propolis, and on the species of bacteria evaluated. Ethanol extract solutions were most effective, in particular those obtained from Hampolol Propolis. P. aeruginosa was found to be the most sensitive bacteria and S. typhi the most resistant

Obtención, caracterización y evaluación de la actividad antimicrobiana de extractos de propóleos de Campeche

Entre los productos que se pueden obtener de la colmena se encuentran la cera, la miel, la jalea real y el propóleo.Este último es una mezcla de composición química compleja que contiene bálsamos, aceites etéreos, polen, vitaminas,algunos minerales y proteínas, sustancias que le confieren una variedad de propiedades biológicas de gran interéspara fines terapéuticos.Por esta razón en el presente estudio se obtuvieron y caracterizaron extractos etanólicos y acuosos de propóleos dediferentes localidades del estado de Campeche, México, probando posteriormente su efectividad antimicrobianasobre las bacterias Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Streptococcus pyogenes.Los extractos presentaron colores que variaron del ámbar claro al café oscuro, encontrándose un rendimiento ensólidos solubles totales superior en los etanólicos que en los acuosos.Se identificaron como metabolitos: lactonas, saponinas, fenoles, triterpenos, taninos, alcaloides, flavonoides, sustanciasaminadas y leucoantocianidinas, estas últimas sólo en los extractos acuosos.La efectividad antimicrobiana de los extractos depende del solvente empleado, la procedencia del propóleo y de laespecie bacteriana evaluada, siendo los extractos etanólicos los más efectivos, en particular los obtenidos de propóleosprocedentes de Hampolol. La especie bacteriana más sensible resultó ser la P. aeruginosa y la S. typhi la másresistente

Target analysis and retrospective screening of multiple mycotoxins in pet food using UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS

A comprehensive strategy combining a quantitative method for 28 mycotoxins and a post-target screening for other 245 fungal and bacterial metabolites in dry pet food samples were developed using an acetonitrile-based extraction and an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) method. The proposed method showed satisfactory validation results according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Average recoveries from 72 to 108% were obtained for all studied mycotoxins, and the intra-/inter-day precision were below 9 and 14%, respectively. Results showed mycotoxin contamination in 99% of pet food samples (n = 89) at concentrations of up to hundreds µg/kg, with emerging Fusarium mycotoxins being the most commonly detected mycotoxins. All positive samples showed co-occurrence of mycotoxins with the simultaneous presence of up to 16 analytes per sample. In the retrospective screening, up to 54 fungal metabolites were tentatively identified being cyclopiazonic acid, paspalitrem A, fusaric acid, and macrosporin, the most commonly detected analytes

Ecology and biogeochemistry of contrasting trophic environments in the South East Pacific by carbon isotope ratios on lipid biomarkers

International audienceThe distribution of lipid biomarkers and their carbon isotope composition was investigated on suspended particles from different contrasting trophic environments at six sites in the South East Pacific. High algal biomass with diatom-related lipids was characteristic in the upwelling zone, whereas haptophyte lipids were proportionally most abundant in the nutrient-poor settings of the centre of the South Pacific Gyre and on its easter edge. Dinoflagellate–sterols were minor contributors in all of the studied area and cyanobacteria-hydrocarbons were at maximum in the high nutrient low chlorophyll regime of the subequatorial waters at near the Marquesas archipelago. The taxonomic and spatial variability of the relationships between carbon photosynthetic fractionation and environmental conditions for four specific algal taxa (diatoms, haptophytes, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria) was also investigated. The carbon isotope fractionation factor (ep) of the diatom marker varied over a range of 16‰ along the different trophic systems. In contrast, ep of dinoflagellate, cyanobacteria and alkenone markers varied only by 7–10‰. The low fractionation factors and small variations between the different phytoplankton markers measured in the upwelling area likely reveals uniformly high specific growth rates within the four phytoplankton taxa, and/or that transport of inorganic carbon into phytoplankton cells may not only occur by diffusion but by other carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCM). In contrast, in the oligotrophic zone, i.e. gyre and eastgyre, relatively high ep values, especially for the diatom marker, indicate diffusive CO2 uptake by the eukaryotic phytoplankton. At these nutrient-poor sites, the lowest ep values for haptophytes, dinoflagellates and cyanobacteria infer higher growth rates compared to diatoms

Target analysis and retrospective screening of mycotoxins and pharmacologically active substances in milk using an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry approach

Milk is a nutritious food suitable for infants and adults, and it plays an important role in the human diet. However, it may also be a vehicle for food contaminants. In this report, we developed a method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap HRMS; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA) for simultaneous identification of target pharmacologically active substances and mycotoxins in milk. We also used the Q-Orbitrap operating in full scan mode to identify other possible drugs and microbial metabolites that occurred in samples. Fifty-six commercially available milk samples from the Italian market were analyzed. Investigated analytes were extracted using a QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) approach. Method detection and quantification limits and performance criteria set by European regulations were fulfilled. Pharmacologically active substances were detected in 49% of samples (range 0.007–4.53 ng/mL), including nontarget mycotoxins. Retrospective analysis allowed us to identify other antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances, as well as nonregulated fungal/bacterial metabolites at a relatively high incidence. From the obtained values, the need for continuous monitoring of contaminants in the milk production chain is clear. This is the first study to assess the presence of pharmacologically active substances, mycotoxins, and other microbial metabolites in Italian milk samples using the UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS system

Cytotoxicity comparison of Bio C Sealer against multiple root canal sealers

The aim of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of calcium silicate-based endodontic sealer, Bio-C® Sealer, with other calcium silicate-based sealers: BioRoot? RCS, one silicon-based sealer combined with calcium silicate particles: GuttaFlow® Biose

Fate of Irgarol 1051, diuron and their main metabolites in two UK marine systems after restrictions in antifouling paints

Two major antifouling biocides used worldwide, Irgarol 1051 and diuron, and their degradation products in Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, UK were studied during 2003-2004. The highest concentrations of Irgarol 1051 were 136 and 102 ng L(-1) in water and 40 and 49 ng g(-1) dry weight in sediments for Shoreham Harbour and Brighton Marina, respectively. As the degradation product of Irgarol 1051, M1 was also widespread, with the highest concentration of 59 ng L(-1) in water and 23 ng g(-1) in sediments in Shoreham Harbour, and 37 ng L(-1) in water and 5.6 ng g(-1) in sediments in Brighton Marina. The target compounds showed enhanced concentrations during the boating season (May-July), when boats were being re-painted (January-February), and where the density of pleasure crafts was high. Overall, the concentration of Irgarol 1051 decreased significantly from late 2000 to early 2004, indicating the effectiveness of controlling its concentrations in the marine environment following restricted use. Diuron was only detected in 14% of water samples, and mostly absent from sediment samples