Nanoparticulated WO3/NiWO4 Using Cellulose as a Template and Its Application as an Auxiliary Co-Catalyst to Pt for Ethanol and Glycerol Electro-Oxidation.

This work reports the use of cellulose as a template to prepare nanosized WO3 or NiWO4 and its application as a co-catalyst in the electro-oxidation of ethanol and glycerol. Microcrystalline cellulose was hydrolyzed with phosphotungstic acid (H3PW12O40) to prepare the nanocrystalline cellulose template. The latter was air-calcinated to remove the template and obtain nanometric WO3. Tungsten oxide was impregnated with Ni(NO3)2, which was subsequently air-calcinated to obtain the nanometric NiWO4. Elemental analysis confirmed the coexistence of nickel and tungsten, whereas thermal analysis evidenced a high thermal stability for these materials. The X-ray diffractograms displayed crystal facets of WO3 and, when Ni(II) was added, NiWO4. The transmission electron micrographs corroborated the formation of nanosized particles with average particle sizes in the range of 30 to 50 nm. Finally, to apply this material, Pt/WO3-C and Pt/WO3-NiWO4-C were prepared and used in ethanol and glycerol electro-oxidation in an alkaline medium, observing a promotional effect of the oxide and tungstate by reducing the onset potential and increasing the current density. These materials show great potential to produce clean electricity or green hydrogen, contributing to energetic transition.

An Alkaline-Acid Glycerol Electrochemical Reformer for Simultaneous Production of Hydrogen and Electricity.

This study shows the results, for the first time, of an glycerol alkaline-acid electrolyzer. Such a configuration allows spontaneous operation, producing energy and hydrogen simultaneously as a result of the utilization of the neutralization and fuel chemical energy. The electroreformer-built with a 20 wt% Pd/C anode and cathode, and a Na+-pretreated Nafion® 117-can simultaneously produce hydrogen and electricity in the low current density region, whereas it operates in electrolysis mode at high current densities. In the spontaneous region, the maximum power densities range from 1.23 mW cm-2 at 30 °C to 11.9 mW cm-2 at 90 °C, with a concomitant H2 flux ranging from 0.0545 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 30 °C to 0.201 STP m-3 m-2 h-1 at 90 °C, due to the beneficial effect of the temperature on the performance. Furthermore, over a chronoamperometric test, the electroreformer shows a stable performance over 12 h. As a challenge, proton crossover from the cathode to the anode through the cation exchange Nafion® partially reduces the pH gradient, responsible for the extra electromotive force, thus requiring a less permeable membrane.

Validation of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey in Spanish adolescents.

BACKGROUND: There are a large number of studies in the literature on burnout and its negative consequences for health and psychological wellbeing. Use of the burnout index in the academic context has increased to the point of identifying even the adolescent population. Nevertheless, at the present time there is no validated instrument for evaluating this syndrome in Spanish high school students. In view of this, our study attempted to evaluate the factor structure and reliability of the Spanish version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey (MBI-SS) in a sample of high school adolescents. METHOD: The sample included 1,209 students in the autonomous region of Andalusia (Spain), of whom 47.1% were boys and 52.9% girls, with a mean age of M=15.07, SD=1.174). RESULTS: The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a model with 12 items showing good fit, distributed across three factors: emotional exhaustion, cynicism and academic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the proposed instrument has an excellent factor structure and internal consistency, and is useful for evaluating academic burnout in the adolescent Spanish high school population.

Analysis of burnout predictors in nursing: risk and protective psychological factors / Análisis de los predictores del burnout en enfermería: factores psicológicos de riesgo y protección

Burnout has become a subject of interest in the field of healthcare, where nursing is one of the most vulnerable professions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship and involvement of sociodemographic and job variables, as well as the intervention of certain emotional intelligence, perceived social support, and general self-efficacy factors in the development of burnout among nursing professionals. The sample was made up of 1,307 participants with a mean age of 32.03 years (SD = 6.54). An ad hoc questionnaire, the Brief Burnout Questionnaire, the Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory for Adults, the Brief Form of the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale were used. Continuous work experience, attending to a larger number of patients, and male sex are the variables related to higher burnout scores. The logistic regression model provides data which back the involvement of certain sociodemographic (sex), work (employment situation and number of users attended to), perceived social support, and some elements of emotional intelligence (interpersonal, mood, and stress management) variables in burnout. The proposal of a model in which personal and employment variables are included is emphasized, which will have a repercussion on the improvement of a preventive intervention and, in turn, optimize the quality of healthcare services

El burnout se presenta en los últimos años como un tema de interés en el ámbito de la salud, siendo el colectivo de enfermería uno de los más vulnerables por su interacción con el paciente y la necesidad de participar en equipos coordinados. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar la relación e implicación de variables sociodemográficas y variables propias del desempeño laboral, así como la intervención de determinados factores de la inteligencia emocional, el apoyo social percibido y la autoeficacia general en el desarrollo del burnout en profesionales de enfermería. La muestra fue de 1,307 sujetos con una media de edad de 32.03 años (DT = 6.54). Para la recogida de datos sociodemográficos se elaboró un cuestionario ad hoc, se empleó el Cuestionario Breve de Burnout, el Inventario de Inteligencia Emocional Reducido para Mayores, el Cuestionario Breve de Apoyo Social Percibido y la Escala de Autoeficacia General. Una experiencia laboral continuada, con mayor número de pacientes atendidos y pertenecer al sexo masculino son variables que se relacionan con mayores puntuaciones en burnout. Hay una implicación de determinadas variables sociodemográficas (sexo), laborales (situación laboral y número de usuarios atendidos), el apoyo social percibido y algunos de los elementos de la inteligencia emocional (interpersonal, estado de ánimo y manejo del estrés) en la presencia o no de burnout. Es destacable la propuesta de un modelo en el que se incluyen variables personales y laborales, lo que repercutirá en la mejora de la intervención preventiva y optimizará la calidad en la atención de los servicios sanitarios

Influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the degradation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solutions on boron-doped diamond anodes.

This study assessed the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the degradation process of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMImCl) solution on a boron-doped diamond anode in a filter-type electrochemical reactor configuration. The results show that this parameter did not significantly affect this process when operating in the laminar regime. However, in the transition regime (Re ≥ 2000), higher flow rates resulted in a faster removal of BMImCl and total organic carbon, making the process more efficient. Following BMImCl degradation, nitrates were generated at the cathode, then reduced at the cathode to ammonium; combination with free chloride produced at the anode led to the transformation of chloride into combined chlorine forms instead of more toxic oxianions such as chlorate and perchlorate. Thus, the flow rate can be a key parameter for defining operating conditions in which the target BMImCl is more effectively degraded with reduced generation of undesirable secondary products.

Effects of Mindfulness Training on Sleep Problems in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a complex psychosomatic pain condition. In addition to generalized pain and various cognitive difficulties, new FMS diagnostic criteria acknowledge fatigue and sleep problems as core aspects of this condition. Indeed, poor sleep quality has been found to be a significant predictor of pain, fatigue, and maladaptive social functioning in this patient group. While there is promising evidence supporting the role of mindfulness as a treatment for FMS, to date, mindfulness intervention studies have principally focused on dimensions of pain as the primary outcome with sleep problems either not being assessed or included as a secondary consideration. Given the role of sleep problems in the pathogenesis of FMS, and given that mindfulness has been shown to improve sleep problems in other clinical conditions, the present study explored the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention known as Flow Meditation (Meditación-Fluir) on a range of sleep-related outcomes (subjective insomnia, sleep quality, sleepiness, and sleep impairment) in individuals with FMS. Adult women with FMS (n = 39) were randomly assigned to the 7 weeks mindfulness treatment or a waiting list control group. Results showed that compared to the control group, individuals in the mindfulness group demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures and that the intervention effects were maintained at a 3 month follow-up assessment. The Meditación-Fluir program shows promise for alleviating sleep problems relating to FMS and may thus have a role in the treatment of FMS as well as other pain disorders in which sleep impairment is a central feature of the condition.

Antisocial Behavior and Interpersonal Values in High School Students.

This article analyzes the characteristics of antisocial behavior and interpersonal values of high school students (Compulsory Secondary Education) (CSE), the profile of students with high levels of antisocial behavior with regard to interpersonal values, and possible protection from antisocial behavior that interpersonal values could provide. The Interpersonal Values Questionnaire was used to assess interpersonal values, and the Antisocial-Delinquent Behaviors Questionnaire was employed to assess antisocial behaviors. The sample was made up of 885 CSE students aged 14-17. The results revealed a greater prevalence of antisocial behaviors among males and fourth-year CSE students. Moreover, antisocial behaviors were more frequent among participants with high scores in Stimulation, Recognition, Independence, and Leadership and low scores in Conformity and Benevolence. Lastly, logistic regression analyses showed that low scores in Conformity and Benevolence and high scores in Independence predicted high scores in antisocial behavior. The possibility of identifying certain interpersonal values which could positively or negatively affect the appearance of antisocial behavior during adolescence is discussed.

Inteligencia emocional y salud en el envejecimiento: beneficios del programa PECI-PM

El entrenamiento de la inteligencia emocional en personas mayores, ha demostrado su efectividad en la mejora de la calidad de vida. El objetivo es analizar los beneficios en salud, de un programa de estimulación cognitiva e inteligencia emocional para personas mayores (PECI-PM). La muestra estuvo formada por 28 alumnos de la Universidad de Mayores de Almería, que completaron la primera fase del PECI-PM. Para la evaluación (pre-post) de la salud, se aplicó la versión española del SF-36. Los resultados mostraron puntuaciones significativamente más elevadas, tras la intervención, en las dimensiones de salud: Función Social, Dolor Corporal, Vitalidad y Función Social. La primera implementación del PECI-PM, revela efectos positivos del entrenamiento emocional sobre la percepción de la salud, en personas mayores.

Training emotional intelligence in the elderly, it has demonstrated its effectiveness in improving the quality of life. The aim is to analyze the health benefits of a program of cognitive stimulation and emotional intelligence for older people (PECI-PM). The sample consisted of 28 students of the University Senior Almeria, who completed the first phase of PECI-PM. For the (pre-post) assessment of health, the Spanish version of the SF-36 was applied. The results showed significantly higher scores after the intervention, the dimensions of health: social function, bodily pain, vitality and social function. The first implementation of the PECI-PM reveals positive effects of emotional training on perceived health in the elderly.

Influence of the current density on the electrochemical treatment of concentrated 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride solutions on diamond electrodes.

This paper focuses on the influence of the current density treatment of a concentrated 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMImCl) solution on an electrochemical reactor with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode. The decrease in the total organic carbon (TOC) and the BMImCl concentration demonstrate the capability of BDD in oxidizing ionic liquids (ILs) and further mineralizing (to CO2 and NO3 (-)) more rapidly at higher current densities in spite of the reduced current efficiency of the process. Moreover, the presence of Cl(-) led to the formation of oxychlorinated anions (mostly ClO3 (-) and ClO4 (-)) and, in combination with the ammonia generated in the cathode from the nitrate reduction, chloramines, more intensely at higher current density. Finally, the analysis of the intermediates formed revealed no apparent influence of the current density on the BMImCl degradation mechanism. The current density presents therefore a complex influence on the IL treatment process that is discussed throughout this paper.

Variables relacionadas con la conducta violenta en la escuela según los estudiantes / Variables related to violent behavior in the school according to the students

Many variables are involved in children’s aggressive and violent behavior: the family, personal aspects, school-related and social aspects, etc. The aim of this study is to determine stu- dents’ opinion about the variables related to violent behavior at school. For this purpose, we used a sample comprising a total of 1214 students, between 12 and 16 years of age, from ten schools of the province of Almería (Spain). The results show that students grant more importance to variables related to the social context in the origin of school violence; more specifically, variables considered to have the most influence were substance stance consumption as well as belonging to a conflictive peer group (AU)

Son múltiples las variables que están implicadas en la conducta agresiva y violenta del niño: la familia, los aspectos personales, escolares, sociales, etc. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la opinión del alumnado sobre variables relacionadas con la conducta violenta dentro de la escuela. Para ello, se utilizó una muestra, formada por un total de 1214 es- tudiantes, de entre 12 y 16 años, pertenecientes a diez centros de la provincia de Almería (España). Los resultados muestran, cómo el alumnado otorga una importancia mayor, en cuanto al origen de la violencia escolar, a las variables relacionadas con el contexto social; específicamente, las variables que más influyen son el consumo de sustancias, tanto por parte del propio sujeto como en su entorno social y familiar y la pertenencia a un grupo de iguales conflictivo (AU)

Study of the acclimation stage and of the effect of the biodegradability on the performance of a microbial fuel cell.

In this work, it has been studied the production of electricity and the oxidation of the pollutants contained in a synthetic wastewater fed with glucose and peptone of soybean as carbon sources, using a mediator-less microbial fuel cell (MFC). Special attention has been paid to the acclimation stage, in which it was found that with high hydraulic and solid retention times it is possible to obtain a very efficient process with a 90% COD removal and practically total conversion of COD into electricity (considering the typical stoichiometric yield of heterotrophic biomass). The influence of concentration sludge was studied working with three different amounts of suspended solids, from 120 to 14000 mg. The maximum power density increased exponentially with the concentration sludge from 2.1 mW m(-2) to 11 mW m(-2) at the highest concentration sludge. More over, the percentage of the influent COD used to produce electricity was higher than 100% when the highest sludge concentration was used. This was explained taking into account the endogenous metabolism of micro-organisms presented in the system. Moreover, wastewater with two different compositions, but with the same COD concentration, were studied. One with 50% of glucose and 50% of peptone of soybean and the other, with 80% of peptone and 20% of glucose. Spite of the wastewater with 50% of glucose is more biodegradable than the other composition used, the microbial fuel cell performance obtained was lower than with the other (2.1 mW m(-2) with respect to 6.8 mW m(-2) when 80% of peptone was used). This means that the degradation of peptone occurs through the production of intermediates that favour electricity.