Universidades y promoción de la cultura científica: propuesta de indicadores para un análisis de las actividades de divulgación desde las Unidades de Cultura Científica e Innovación

Objective. It was designed and developed an indicators system to analyze and monitor the departments responsible for the dissemination of science and technology from the Spanish universities, the so-called Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+i), in terms of public engagement activities. Design/Methodology/Approach. Since this work has been a theoretical-methodological approach, the research was documentary and descriptive. Results/Discussion. An indicators system was presented to evaluate essential characteristics of the UCC+i, their activity in terms of public engagement initiatives and the promotion of these actions from their web pages in order to achieve a comprehensive perspective. Conclusions. The systematic application of these assessment and monitoring tools to the structures will provide consistent and regular data. That will facilitate the proposal of appropriated measures to its reality. Originality/Value. These indicators have been specifically developed for the UCC+i, which does not exclude the possibility of adaptation to other systems, and its approach allows a non-limited interpretation to a quantitative study but a broader assessment

Promotion of Scientific Culture in higher education institutions: strategies and means for communicating science and technology

Programa Oficial de Doctorado en Sociedad del Conocimiento: Nuevas perspectivas en Documentación, Comunicación y Humanidades. 566V01[Resumen] En respuesta a la importancia que ha adquirido la comunicación de la ciencia en las últimas décadas, ha sido necesario que los organismos e instituciones productores de conocimiento, se adaptasen y la incorporaran como una tarea esencial. Esto ha significado el surgimiento y la consolidación de estructuras que realizaran esa divulgación de forma profesional, la denominadas Unidades de Cultura Científica y de la Innovación. Éstas constituyen uno de los elementos básicos sobre los que ha versado la institucionalización de la comunicación de la ciencia y la tecnología en el panorama nacional. Sin embargo, diez años después de su puesta en marcha, no ha habido ninguna revisión exhaustiva de este sistema que valorase si la gestión de la cultura científica que se lleva a cabo desde estas unidades continúa siendo adecuada o, si por el contrario, se necesitan implementar cambios. El presente trabajo ha tenido como meta arrojar luz sobre esta cuestión, a través de un análisis crítico que ha permitido caracterizar y evaluar el modelo de fomento de la cultura científica asumido desde las UCC+i, en lo que respecta a la divulgación general del conocimiento y en el contexto de las instituciones de educación superior. El proyecto ha constado de un estudio diseñado para abordar tres dimensiones distintas del mismo fenómeno: una valoración del funcionamiento y las estrategias de las UCC+i, su comparación con otro sistema para identificar tendencias y mejores prácticas, y el análisis de la eficacia de sus iniciativas. Los resultados obtenidos han servido para configurar una propuesta de gestión de la cultura científica en las universidades que, de ser aplicada, supondría un mejor aprovechamiento de los recursos destinados a este fin así como estar en línea con las corrientes actuales en esta materia. Palabras clave[Resumo] En resposta á importancia que adquiriu a comunicación da ciencia nas últimas décadas, foi necesario que os organismos e institucións produtores de coñecemento adaptáranse e incorporásena como unha tarefa esencial. Isto significou o xurdimento e a consolidación de estruturas que realizasen esa divulgación de forma profesional, as denominadas Unidades de Cultura Científica e da Innovación. Estas constitúen un dos elementos básicos sobre os que versou a institucionalización da comunicación da ciencia e a tecnoloxía no panorama nacional. Con todo, dez anos despois da súa posta en marcha, non houbo ningunha revisión exhaustiva deste sistema que valorase se a xestión da cultura científica que lévase a cabo desde estas unidades continúa sendo adecuada ou, se pola contra, necesítanse implementar cambios. O presente traballo tivo como meta arroxar luz sobre esta cuestión, a través dunha análise crítica que permitiu caracterizar e avaliar o modelo de fomento da cultura científica asumido desde as UCC+i, no que respecta á divulgación xeral do coñecemento e no contexto das institucións de educación superior. O proxecto constou dun estudo deseñado para abordar tres dimensións distintas do mesmo fenómeno: unha valoración do funcionamento e as estratexias das UCC+i, a súa comparación con outro sistema para identificar tendencias e mellores prácticas, e a análise da eficacia das súas iniciativas. Os resultados obtidos serviron para configurar unha proposta de xestión da cultura científica nas universidades que, de ser aplicada, supoñería un mellor aproveitamento dos recursos destinados a este fin así como estar en liña coas correntes actuais nesta materia[Abstract] In response to the importance science communication has acquired in recent decades, it has been necessary for knowledge-producing organisms and institutions to adapt and incorporate it as an essential task. This has meant the emergence and consolidation of the so-called Scientific Culture and Innovation Units, structures that carry out this dissemination in a professional way. These are one of the basic elements that has led the science communication’s institutionalization at the national level. However, ten years after its implementation, there has been no exhaustive review of this system to assess whether the management of the scientific culture by these units continues to be adequated, or any changes are needed. The aim of the present work has been to shed light on this question, through a critical analysis that has allowed the author to characterize and evaluate the promotion of scientific culture model assumed by the UCC+i, with regard to outreach and general communication of scientific knowledge and in the context of higher education institutions. The project has comprised a study designed to address three different dimensions of the same phenomenon: an assessment of the functioning and strategies of the UCC+i, its comparison with another system in order to identify trends and best practices, and the analysis of its initiatives’ effectiveness. Based on the findings, a management proposal for scientific culture in universities has been created, which —if applied— it would mean a better use of resources as well as being in line with current trends in this area

Universidades y promoción de la cultura científica: propuesta de indicadores para un análisis de las actividades de divulgación desde las Unidades de Cultura Científica e Innovación

Objective. It was designed and developed an indicators system to analyze and monitor the departments responsible for the dissemination of science and technology from the Spanish universities, the so-called Scientific Culture and Innovation Units (UCC+i), in terms of public engagement activities.Design/Methodology/Approach. Since this work has been a theoretical methodological approach, the research was documentary and descriptive.Results/Discussion. An indicators system was presented to evaluate essential characteristics of the UCC+i, their activity in terms of public engagement initiatives and the promotion of these actions from their web pages in order to achieve a comprehensive perspective.Conclusions. The systematic application of these assessment and monitoring tools to the structures will provide consistent and regular data. That will facilitate the proposal of appropriated measures to its reality.Originality/Value. These indicators have been specifically developed for the UCC+i, which does not exclude the possibility of adaptation to other systems, and its approach allows a non-limited interpretation to a quantitative study but a broader assessment.Objetivo. Se diseñó y desarrolló un sistema de indicadores para analizar y dar seguimiento a los departamentos encargados de la promoción de la cultura científica desde los centros de enseñanza universitaria del sistema español, las denominadas Unidades de Cultura Científica e Innovación (UCC+i), en materia de actividades de divulgación de la ciencia y la tecnología.Diseño/Metodología/Enfoque. Dado que el presente trabajo ha sido una propuesta teórico-metodológica, la investigación fue de tipo documental y descriptiva.Resultados/Discusión. Se presentó un sistema de indicadores para evaluar ciertas características esenciales de las UCC+i, su actividad en cuanto a iniciativas de divulgación y la difusión sobre estas acciones que se realiza desde sus páginas web en pos de conseguir una perspectiva integral. Conclusiones. La aplicación sistemática de métodos de evaluación y monitorización a estas estructuras aportará datos consistentes y regulares que posibiliten proponer medidas adecuadas a su realidad.Originalidad/Valor. Los indicadores han sido específicamente desarrollados para las UCC+i, lo que no excluye que puedan llegar a ser adaptados a otros sistemas, y su planteamiento permite que la interpretación no se limite a un estudio cuantitativo pudiéndose obtener una valoración más amplia

Synthesis of Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles, Their Conjugation with the Siderophore Feroxamine and its Evaluation for Bacteria Detection

Author accepted manuscript[Abstract] In the present work, the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles, its coating with SiO2, followed by its amine functionalization with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and its conjugation with deferoxamine, a siderophore recognized by Yersinia enterocolitica, using a succinyl moiety as a linker are described. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) of magnetite (Fe3O4) were prepared by solvothermal method and coated with SiO2 (MNP@SiO2) using the Stöber process followed by functionalization with APTES (MNP@SiO2@NH2). Then, feroxamine was conjugated with the MNP@SiO2@NH2 by carbodiimide coupling to give MNP@SiO2@NH2@Fa. The morphology and properties of the conjugate and intermediates were examined by eight different methods including powder X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray (EDX) mapping. This exhaustive characterization confirmed the formation of the conjugate. Finally, in order to evaluate the capacity and specificity of the nanoparticles, they were tested in a capture bacteria assay using Yersinia enterocolitica.The authors gratefully acknowledge Professor Klaus Hantke (University of Tübingen, Germany) for kindly supply the Yersinia enterocolitica strains used in this work. This work was supported by grants AGL2015-63740-C2-1/2-R and RTI2018-093634-B-C21/C22 (AEI/FEDER, EU) from the State Agency for Research (AEI) of Spain, co-funded by the FEDER Programme from the European Union. Work in University of Santiago de Compostela and University of A Coruña was also supported by grants GRC2018/018, GRC2018/039, and ED431E 2018/03 (CICA-INIBIC strategic group) from Xunta de Galicia. Finally, we want to thank to Nuria Calvo for her great collaboration doing the voice-off this video protocolXunta de Galicia; GRC2018/018Xunta de Galicia; GRC2018/039Xunta de Galicia; ED431E 2018/0

Organisational forms of science communication: The UK and Spanish European higher education systems as paradigms

As key elements in research and development systems, higher education institutions have been taking a leading role when it comes to communicating science and technology, but their performance has been inconsistent so far. In this critical and comparative study of the UK public engagement model and the Spanish scientific culture model, eighteen practitioners from higher education institutions across both regions were interviewed. A mixed qualitative data analysis has been performed identifying similarities and differences that unravelled the science communication management model in the two different higher education systems. This article provides evidence on how the institutionalisation of science communication is strongly influenced by key driving forces in the higher education context as well as the policies of administrations and other agents

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Que é a UCC+I? Divulgación e Cultura Científica no IIM-CSIC

Poster.-- Close Encounters IIM (3rd Kind), Vigo, 23 June 2022N

Colección Viñeta de Ciencia Marina

Encuentro anual de las Unidades de Cultura Científica y de la Innovación ComCiRed 2022, Universidad de La Laguna, 6 y 7 de octubreN

When communicating science becomes a career

Science Communication Festival, Online, 1-3 April 2021N

Rumbo a la Cultura Oceánica

Campus Gutenberg-CosmoCaixa de la comunicación y la cultura científicas, 3-5 noviembre 2020¿Cómo transmitimos el papel clave que tiene el OCÉANO de cara a construir un futuro sostenible? Uniendo la ciencia y el arte y creando recursos para diferentes tipos de públicos con un enfoque inclusivo. De esta manera buscamos fomentar la Cultura Oceánica desde el Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas (IIM-CSIC) y la Delegación del CSIC en Galicia. Proponemos una MICROCHARLA donde se presentarán experiencias innovadoras y transversales. Estas iniciativas son ejemplos de buenas prácticas para promover relaciones positivas entre el Oceáno y la Sociedad, que no solo ofrecen contenidos sobre ciencias marinas sino que implican las emociones de los participantes para impulsar cambios conductuales.Peer reviewe