Enhanced degradation of ciprofloxacin in water using ternary photocatalysts TiO2/SnO2/g-C3N4 under UV, visible, and solar light.

In this study, we report on the synthesis of ternary photocatalysts comprising TiO2/SnO2/g-C3N4 for the degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in water. SnO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel method, while g-C3N4 was obtained through melamine calcination. Commercial TiO2 and SnO2 nanopowders were also used. The heterojunctions were synthesized via the wet impregnation method. The photocatalysts were characterized via various techniques, including XRD, TEM, STEM, FTIR, N2 adsorption, UV-Vis DR, and hole tests. Photocatalytic degradation tests of CIP were carried out under UV, visible, and solar radiation. The P25/npA/g-C3N4 (90/10) material exhibited the best performance, achieving CIP degradation of over 97%. The synthesized materials demonstrated excellent initial adsorption of CIP, around 30%, which facilitated subsequent degradation. Notably, the CIP photocatalytic degradation tests performed under solar radiation showed a synergistic effect between the base materials and carbon nitride in highly energetic environments. These results highlight the effectiveness of ternary photocatalysts TiO2/SnO2/g-C3N4 for CIP degradation, particularly under solar radiation.

Reducing toxic element leaching in mine tailings with natural zeolite clinoptilolite.

The use of natural zeolite clinoptilolite to reduce the leaching rate of potentially toxic elements such as Cd, Pb, and Mn in soil from mine tailings was studied. Soil from the surroundings of the mine El Bote in Zacatecas, Mexico, was analyzed, and the zeolite was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and nitrogen physisorption. An ammonium-exchange method for the zeolite was employed. Leaching experiments using packed columns with polluted soil and zeolite mixtures were carried out and the effect of the pH of the carrier solutions was studied. Incorporation of zeolite in the soil achieved a beneficial increase in pH, from 5.03 to 6.95. The concentration of Cd and Mn was reduced when zeolite was present in the column and the ammonium-modified zeolite with ammonia also enhanced the concentration reduction of metallic species in leachates in a range of 28 to 68%. The first-order model best fits the experimental data, suggesting that the leaching rate is controlled by concentration difference between the liquid and the soil matrix. These results demonstrate the potential for using natural zeolite clinoptilolite to reduce the leaching rate of potentially toxic elements in soil from mine tailings.

Pesquisa activa a la COVID-19: conocimientos de los estudiantes de las ciencias médicas de Camagüey / Active COVID-19 screening: the knowledge of medical sciences students from Camagüey

Introducción: Una vez diagnosticado el primer caso de COVID-19 en Cuba ya existía diseñado un escenario de capacitación para los estudiantes de todas las carreras de las ciencias médicas que en su formación deben interiorizar las responsabilidades que la medicina implica, y que no solo se limita a la adquisición de conocimientos científicos y académicos. Objetivo: Determinar los conocimientos de los estudiantes de las ciencias médicas de Camagüey para realizar la pesquisa activa a la COVID-19. Métodos: Se hizo un estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal en septiembre de 2021. El universo de estudio fue de 2573 estudiantes, pertenecientes a todas las carreras de ciencias médicas, que se encontraban en el pesquisaje activo a la COVID-19 en el municipio Camagüey. Por muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia se seleccionó una muestra de 416 estudiantes en ocho áreas de salud de este municipio. Se elaboró y validó una encuesta descriptiva, cualitativa, personal, que contenía preguntas abiertas y cerradas. Resultados: La muestra estuvo representada por el sexo femenino en un 70,7 por ciento y el mayor porcentaje perteneció de la facultad de medicina con el 73 por ciento. El 55 por ciento respondió tener una buena preparación para la realización de la pesquisa activa a la COVID-19 y el 79,8 % reconoció a la televisión como la vía más significativa para la adquisición de los conocimientos. El 93,3 por ciento consideró los métodos clínico y epidemiológico como significativos para desarrollar la actividad. Conclusiones: En la presente investigación predominó el sexo femenino; asimismo, se reconoció a la televisión como la mejor vía para la adquisición de conocimientos y la mayoría de los participantes expresó el valor del método clínico epidemiológico para adquirir conocimientos. Se consideró que se debía dotar a los estudiantes de las herramientas para su autopreparación para explotar aún más el escenario virtual y las plataformas vigentes(AU)

Introduction: When the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Cuba, a training setting had already been designed for students of all the majors in the field of medical sciences who, as part of their training, should internalize the responsibilities that medicine implies, which is not only limited to the acquisition of scientific and academic knowledge. Objective: To determine the medical sciences students from Camagüey's knowledge for performing active COVID-19 screening. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in September 2021. The study universe was 2573 students, belonging to all the majors in the field of medical sciences who were involved in active COVID-19 screening within the Camagüey Municipality. A sample of 416 students was selected in eight health areas of this municipality, by using nonprobabilistic convenience sampling. A descriptive, qualitative, individual survey containing open and closed questions was elaborated and validated. Results: The sample was represented by the female sex in a 70.7 percent, while the highest percentage belonged to the medical school (73 percent). 55 percent responded that they had a good training for carrying out active COVID-19 screening and 79.8 percent recognized television as the most significant way for knowledge acquisition. 93.3 percent considered that the clinical and epidemiological methods were significant to develop the activity. Conclusions: In the present research, the female sex predominated. Likewise, television was recognized as the best way for knowledge acquisition and most of the participants expressed the value of the clinical-epidemiological method for acquiring knowledge. It was considered that students should be provided with the tools for self-training to exploit the virtual setting and the active platforms even more(AU)

Formación de valores en estudiantes de ciencias médicas mediante la pesquisa activa de la COVID-19 / Values formation in medical sciences students through the active COVID-19 screening

Introducción: Se exponen los resultados de una investigación realizada en estudiantes de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey que se encontraban realizando pesquisa activa de la COVID-19 en ocho áreas de salud del municipio Camagüey. Objetivo: Determinar la influencia de la pesquisa activa de la COVID-19 en la formación de valores en los estudiantes de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Camagüey. Métodos: Se elaboró y aplicó una encuesta a 416 estudiantes de ciencias médicas seleccionados intencionalmente. Se evaluó la experiencia obtenida en la realización de la pesquisa activa a la COVID-19 y su influencia en el desempeño como futuros profesionales de la salud, los valores humanos fortalecidos en la realización de esta y las principales tendencias que influyeron en su formación. Resultados: En la muestra estudiada tuvieron una mayor representatividad el sexo femenino y la facultad de medicina. El 82 por ciento de los encuestados reconoció la importancia de la pesquisa activa en su desempeño como futuro profesional de la salud. La responsabilidad fue el valor que más se fortaleció; mientras que la adquisición de nuevos conocimientos y habilidades constituyó la tendencia a destacar en más del 45 por ciento de los encuestados. Conclusiones: La formación de valores desde la pesquisa activa a la COVID-19 ha representado una experiencia efectiva en el desarrollo integral de los estudiantes de ciencias médicas de Camagüey, ya que ha posibilitado combatir la epidemia; además, les ha permitido desarrollar habilidades, y valores humanos y profesionales de gran importancia para su futuro(AU)

Introduction: The results are presented of a research carried out in students from the University of Medical Sciences of Camagüey who were involved in the active COVID-19 screening in eight health areas of Camagüey Municipality. Objective: To determine the influence of active COVID-19 screening on the formation of values in students from the University of Medical Sciences of Camagüey. Methods: A survey was elaborated and applied to 416 intentionally selected students of medical sciences. The experience obtained in the active COVID-19 screening was assessed, as well as its influence in the students' performance as future health professionals, the human values strengthened in the task and the main tendencies that influenced such values formation. Results: In the sample studied, the female sex and the medical school were more representative. 82 percent of the surveyed students recognized the importance of active screening for their performance as future health professionals. Responsibility was the value that was most strengthened, while the acquisition of new knowledge and skills was the tendency to stand out in more than 45 percent of the respondents. Conclusions: Values formation from active COVID-19 screening has represented an effective experience in the comprehensive development of medical sciences students in Camagüey, since it has made it possible to confront the epidemic; in addition, it has allowed them to develop skills, as well as human and professional values of great importance for their future(AU)

Anaerobic digestion of bean straw applying a fungal pre-treatment and using cow manure as co-substrate.

The significant amounts of agriculture residues such as bean straw (BS) in rural areas, advises its valorisation for energy recovery. The feasibility of using BS for biogas production through anaerobic digestion was assessed. Prior to this, a fungal pre-treatment to hydrolyse BS with Pleutorus ostreatus was studied at 30°C and 100 rpm in orbital incubators with 1, 10 and 30 mg fungus/g straw for 14, 21 and 28 days. Then, anaerobic digestion experiments were performed in batch with cow manure (CM) as co-substrate and pre-treated BS at ratios (g/g total solids) of 1/2, 1/3, 1/5 and 0/1. Maximum lignin (18%) and hemicellulose (44%) degradation occurred at 30 mg fungus/g straw and 28 days, along with the highest total methane yield (38 mL CH4/g VS loaded). The total amount of methane decreased when increasing CM in the experiments (701.4-191.5 mL CH4), suggesting inhibition owed to a component of CM. Self-sustained biogas production of BS occurred due to the presence of bacteria (i.e. Bacilli and Bacteroidia) and archea (i.e. Methanobacteria and Methanomicrobia). However, the usage of a full-active inoculum should be studied for higher biogas production rates.

Drifting away. Seawater survival and stochastic transport of the invasive Carpobrotus edulis.

Coastal areas are vulnerable and fluctuating habitats that include highly valuable spaces for habitat and species conservation and, at the same time, they are among the most invaded ecosystems worldwide. Occupying large areas within Mediterranean-climate coastlines, the "ecosystem engineer" Carpobrotus edulis appears as a menace for coastal biodiversity and ecosystem services. By combining the observation, current distribution, glasshouse experiment, and dispersion modeling, we aim to achieve a better understanding of the successful invasion process and potential dispersion patterns of C. edulis. We analyzed the response of plant propagules (seeds and plant fragments) to seawater immersion during increasing periods of time (up to 144 h). After 2 months of growth, plant fragments showed a total survival rate (100%) indicating high tolerance to salinity. During this time, fragment length was increased (up to 60%) and root length was higher than control in all cases. Also, immersed fragments consistently accumulated more biomass than control fragments. After two months of growth, photosynthetic parameters (Fv'/Fm', ΦNO, and ΦII) remained stable compared to control fragments. Physiologically, osmolyte and pigment content did not evidence significant changes regardless of immersion time. Based on the capacity of propagules to survive seawater immersion, we modeled the potential transport of C. edulis by combining an oceanic model (ROMS-AGRIF) with a particle-tracking model. Results indicated that propagules may travel variable distances maintaining physiological viability. Our model suggested that short-scale circulation would be the dominant process, however, long-scale circulation of propagules may be successfully accomplished in <6 days. Furthermore, under optimal conditions (southerly winds dominance), propagules may even travel large distances (250 km alongshore). Modeling transport processes, in combination with the dynamics of introduction and expansion, will contribute to a better understanding of the invasive mechanisms of C. edulis and, consequently, to design preventive strategies to reduce the impact of plant invasion.

Abordaje comunitario del alcoholismo / Alcoholism communitarian approach

En el presente estudio se da a conocer la morbilidad del alcoholismo en un Consultorio del Médico de la Familia, utilizando diferentes fuentes de información comunitaria y la respuesta del sujeto identificador ante la gestión diagnóstica. El estudio de la muestra permite concluir que existe similar utilidad en la información obtenida por el líder formal y el no formal. No así resulta la gestión diagnóstica hecha por el Médico de la Familia en la exploración convencional. Concluye el estudio con un 60.9 porciento de comportamiento anormal ante el alcohol y un 96.4 porciento consideró importante la gestión diagnóstica realizada