Scaling up the electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation of atrazine-polluted soils using reversal of electrode polarity: A mesocosm study.

Electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation (EKPR) has been recently proposed for the removal of pesticides from polluted soils. In this work, we report the results from an EKPR experiment that was carried out in a mesocosm mock-up of 0.386 m3 using ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and a low permeability soil spiked with atrazine. Plants were initially grown for 35 days; then, the soil was spiked with atrazine at a dose of 2 mg kg-1 soil. A DC electrical field of 0.6 V cm-1 was applied 24 h every day, switching polarity daily. Another identical mock-up with the same experimental conditions but without plants was used for comparison purposes. The duration of the EKPR test was 19 days during which some operational parameters were registered (electric current intensity, soil pH and temperature) and soil porewater samples were taken and analysed. Plant tissues and soil samples from the different sections in which the mock-ups were divided, were also collected and analysed at the end of the experiment. 3-D profiles of soil pH, water content and atrazine residues concentration in plants and soil were obtained and discussed. The results of this experiment were compared with others previously reported by us from a similar EKPR pot test. In spite of the difficulties to get an adequate geometric and operational similarity between setups of different scale, the main output parameters of the EKPR process (electric current, specific current charge, overall atrazine removal, specific atrazine removal efficiency, root biomass:soil weight ratio) were discussed. It was shown that, although the processes carried out are essentially the same in both scales, their extent may be quite different; it highlights the limitations of small-scale experiments to predict the results at field conditions.

Enhancing the removal of atrazine from soils by electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation using ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Atrazine (ATR) continues being one of the most frequently detected pesticides in natural waters and soils. In this work, an electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation pot test (EKPR) was performed for the remediation of an atrazine-spiked soil; a low electric voltage gradient (1 V cm-1) with two different electric field operation times (6 and 24 h per day) was used in combination with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). EKPR increased up to 27% and 7% the overall ATR removal from soil as compared to natural attenuation and phytoremediation treatments, respectively. ATR soil concentration vs time curves were fitted to a pseudofirst-order kinetic equation, obtaining ATR half-life values of 8.2, 7.1 and 5.4 days for the treatments corresponding, respectively, to 0, 6 and 24 h day-1 of electric current application. It clearly showed that the ATR removal from soils was enhanced by the electric field. ATR plant accumulation was significantly improved with respect to phytoremediation when the electric current was continuously applied throughout the experiment (24 h day-1); most of the ATR residues were accumulated in the shoot biomass of the ryegrass plants.

Can electrochemistry enhance the removal of organic pollutants by phytoremediation?

An electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation test using maize (Zea mays L.) was conducted in order to assess the role of the electric field on the enhancement of plant uptake and degradation of the moderate polar pesticide atrazine in spiked soils. Twelve different treatments, including two different initial atrazine soil doses (5 and 10 mg kg-1) and two different values of the electric field applied (2 and 4 V cm-1), together with the corresponding control treatments without plants and/or without electric current, were tested. The application of an electric field during a period of 4 h a day and with periodical polarity inversion (each 2 h) did not caused significant changes in soil pH; moreover, maize plants increased the buffering capacity of the soil. The application of an electric field of 2 V cm-1 led to a slight decrease on maize biomass while the accumulation of atrazine and its main metabolites in plant tissues was significantly enhanced. On the overall, the yield of atrazine removal by electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation with maize was increased up to 36.5% with respect to the phytoremediation process without electricity. On our knowledge, this work is the first one specifically focused on the removal of organic pollutants from soils by using the combination of phytoremediation and electrokinetic remediation.

Performance of waste-based amendments to reduce metal release from mine tailings: One-year leaching behaviour.

A one-year leaching experiment has been conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of several amendments on metal immobilization in mine tailings from an old Pb/Zn mining area of Central Spain (San Quintín mine). Demineralized water was used as leaching solution, selecting doses equivalent to the annual rainfall conditions of the studied area. Columns with mine tailings without any amendment and others treated with 10% of sugar foam (SF), 15% of drinking water treatment sludge (DWS), 30% of paper mill sludge (PMS) and 15% of olive mill waste (OMW) were used. SF, DWS and PMS amendments increased the pH of leachates from values of approximately 4 to around neutrality. Additionally, the release of sulfate ions from the oxidation of pyritic residues was decreased in some extent by SF and DWS amendments. Metal leaching was effectively reduced by the amendments reaching overall decreases with respect to the unamended columns of 79-96% for Pb, 36-100% for Zn, 50-99% for Cu and 44-100% for Cd. The effect of the amendments in leachate pH, sulfate concentration and metal release from mine tailings was kept throughout the whole experimental period. Our results showed that the application of different organic and inorganic amendments based on by-products and waste materials may be a feasible alternative for the restoration of soils around abandoned metal mines.

Assessing the phytoremediation potential of crop and grass plants for atrazine-spiked soils.

Pollution of soil and groundwater by atrazine has become an increasing environmental concern in the last decade. A phytoremediation test using plastic pots was conducted in order to assess the ability of several crops and grasses to remove atrazine from a soil of low permeability spiked with this herbicide. Four plant species were assessed for their ability to degrade or accumulate atrazine from soils: two grasses, i.e., ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and two crops, i.e., barley (Hordeum vulgare) and maize (Zea mays). Three different doses of atrazine were used for the contamination of the pots: 2, 5 and 10 mg kg-1. 16 days after spiking, the initial amount of atrazine was reduced by 88.6-99.6% in planted pots, while a decrease of only 63.1-78.2% was found for the unplanted pots, thus showing the contribution of plants to soil decontamination. All the plant species were capable of accumulating atrazine and its N-dealkylated metabolites, i.e., deethylatrazine and deisopropylatrazine, in their tissues. Some toxic responses, such as biomass decreases and/or chlorosis, were observed in plants to a greater or lesser extent for initial soil doses of atrazine above 2 mg kg-1. Maize was the plant species with the highest ability to accumulate atrazine derivatives, reaching up to 38.4% of the initial atrazine added to the soil. Rhizosphere degradation/mineralization by microorganisms or plant enzymes, together with degradation inside the plants, have been proposed as the mechanisms that contributed to a higher extent than plant accumulation to explain the removal of atrazine from soils.

Chemical and plant tests to assess the viability of amendments to reduce metal availability in mine soils and tailings.

The goal of this research was to assess the potential of several industrial wastes to immobilise metals in two polluted soils deriving from an old Pb/Zn mine. Two different approaches were used to assess the performance of different amendments: a chemical one, using extraction by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and a biological one, using Lupinus albus as a bio-indicator. Four amendments were used: inorganic sugar production waste (named 'sugar foam', SF), sludge from a drinking water treatment sludge (DWS), organic waste from olive mill waste (OMW) and paper mill sludge (PMS). Amendment to soil ratios ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 (w/w). All the amendments were capable of significantly decreasing (p < 0.05) EDTA-extractable Pb, Zn and Cu concentrations in the two soils used, with decreases in ranges 21-100, 25-100 and 2-100 % for Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. The amendments tested were also effective in reducing the bioavailability of Pb and Zn for L. albus, which gave rise to a decrease in shoot metal accumulation by the lupine plants compared to that found in the control soil. That decrease reached up to 5.6 and 2.8 times for Pb and Zn, respectively, being statistically significant in most cases. Moreover, application of the OMW, DWS and SF amendments led to higher average values of plant biomass (up to 71%) than those obtained in the control soil. The results obtained showed the technology put forward to be a viable means of remediating mine soils as it led to a decrease in the availability and toxicity of metals and, thus, facilitated the growth of a vegetation layer.

Postoperative Discomfort After Abdominal Surgery: An Observational Study.

PURPOSE: Patients who have surgery may experience distress in the following days. Although postoperative distress is a common experience, few studies have analyzed these patient complaints in-depth. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the potential causes of patients' discomfort after abdominal surgery. DESIGN: This was a prospective and observational study. METHODS: Patients (N = 131) were asked to rate their discomfort twice using a list of nine items in the first 6 to 8 hours after surgery and at 24 hours after its completion. Participants were asked to score intensity from 0 (absent) to 10 (unbearable). FINDINGS: The main causes of discomfort at 24 hours were pain (82%), movement restriction (79%), and dry mouth (70%). These items also had the highest scores (by gender, women scored higher than did men in insomnia, dry mouth, and abdominal distension). No significant differences were observed between patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that pain, movement restriction, and dry mouth were the most disturbing causes of discomfort. Therefore, symptoms other than pain should be considered to improve the well-being of patients after abdominal surgery.

Effectiveness of problem-solving technique in caring for family caregivers: a clinical trial study in an urban area of Catalonia (Spain).

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of the problem-solving technique in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression among primary caregivers and to describe and evaluate the process carried out by nurses to find strengths and areas of improvement. BACKGROUND: In Spain, home care for the chronically ill patients and their family caregivers should be a priority in health and social policies due to the increase in ageing population and the progressive increase in dependent individuals. One of the areas involved is home-based nursing and counselling for family caregivers. DESIGN: This is a clinical trial study (during 2007-2011) with a mixed analysis methodology. METHODS: Quantitative analysis was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the problem-solving technique in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. The clinical trial involved a control and experimental group and pre-post intervention measurements, using the Goldberg Scale. The practical application of the technique was evaluated by qualitative analysis. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression in the intervention group after application of the technique. Positive aspects and resistance factors in its implementation were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The problem-solving technique is a cost-effective intervention for reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in family caregivers of the chronically ill patients. Positive aspects of the technique were satisfaction of the caregiver and nurse, and work done together based on reflection. Resistance factors identified were difficulty in maintaining written records and subjective perception of a lack of time in everyday practice for its consistent application. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The problem-solving technique is an important tool to reduce the suffering of family caregivers of chronically ill patients and a prevention element of family claudication.

Cuidar a una cuidadora familiar en Atención Primaria a partir de la teoría de la incertidumbre / Care for a family carer in Primary Care using the uncertainty theory

El análisis del caso parte de la Teoría de la Incertidumbre frente a la enfermedad de Merle H. Mishel, que aportó la idea de que aun sin haber una solución a la incertidumbre, el individuo debería aceptarla como parte de la realidad y reinterpretarla como una oportunidad que promueve un nuevo punto de vista de la vida regido por la probabilidad. La autora nos propone conceptos teóricos que permiten abordar los fenómenos que viven las cuidadoras familiares desde las perspectivas de sus vivencias y estrés. Plantea la incertidumbre y la indeterminación como contradicciones que no deberían crear angustia permanentemente. Esta puede liberarse, poco a poco, si creamos líneas de fuga a través del cuidado. Entre estas líneas se sitúa la técnica de resolución de problemas como estrategia útil en Atención Primaria para disminuir la incertidumbre de la cuidadora. El artículo describe la evolución de Isabel una mujer de 63 años cuidadora familiar de una madre dependiente y de una hija con anorexia. La enfermera de Atención Primaria en las visitas domiciliarias identifica un problema de cansancio del rol de cuidador y el de conflicto de decisiones. Se expone la valoración realizada a partir de los conceptos principales de la teoría y se trabaja con la cuidadora desde el Método de Resolución de Problemas con el objetivo de reducir su ansiedad y ayudarla a movilizar los recursos internos y aumentar su bienestar (AU)

This article describes the outcome of Isabel, a 63- year-old female family caregiver of her dependent mother and her daughter with anorexia. The primary care nurse identifies the problem of weariness of the care-givers role and that of conflict of decisions during home visits. It describes the assessment made from the main concepts of the theory and the work with the care-givers by the problem solving method in order to reduce anxiety and help to mobilize internal resources and increase their welfare. This case discussion starts from the Uncertainty Theory of illness of Merle Mishel, who raised the idea that even without a solution to the uncertainty, a person should accept it as a part of their life and reinterpret it as an opportunity to promote a new view of life governed by probability. The author proposes theoretical concepts that allow the phenomena experienced by family caregivers to be approached from the perspective of their experiences and stress. It establishes uncertainty and indecisiveness as contradictions that should not create anxiety permanently. This can be released gradually, if we create lines of flight though the care. Among these lines are located the Problem Solving Method as a strategy useful in primary health care to reduce the uncertainty of the caregivers (AU)

[Care for a family carer in Primary Care using the uncertainty theory]. / Cuidar a una cuidadora familiar en Atención Primaria a partir de la teoría de la incertidumbre.

This case discussion starts from the Uncertainty Theory of illness of Merle Mishel, who raised the idea that even without a solution to the uncertainty, a person should accept it as a part of their life and reinterpret it as an opportunity to promote a new view of life governed by probability. The author proposes theoretical concepts that allow the phenomena experienced by family caregivers to be approached from the perspective of their experiences and stress. It establishes uncertainty and indecisiveness as contradictions that should not create anxiety permanently. This can be released gradually, if we create lines of flight though the care. Among these lines are located the Problem Solving Method as a strategy useful in primary health care to reduce the uncertainty of the caregivers. This article describes the outcome of Isabel, a 63- year-old female family caregiver of her dependent mother and her daughter with anorexia. The primary care nurse identifies the problem of weariness of the care-givers role and that of conflict of decisions during home visits. It describes the assessment made from the main concepts of the theory and the work with the care-givers by the problem solving method in order to reduce anxiety and help to mobilize internal resources and increase their welfare.

Re-Pensando las complejidades del rol profesional desde la teoría de Bourdieu / Re-thinking the complexities of the professional role from Bourdieu's theory

Este artículo tiene como objetivo realizar una apreciación crítica desde perspectivas teóricas y prácticas a cerca del rol profesional, en un esfuerzo por superar el lenguaje y la práctica dominante. Resaltamos la necesidad de trabajar más allá de las descripciones de tareas autónomas y tareas de colaboración, y mostrar formas que sitúen nuestras prácticas en una cultura de compromiso para promover la creación de contextos que tienen el potencial de ofrecer conocimiento y reconocimiento de cuidados intencionales. Realizaremos el análisis de rol profesional desde la teoría de la práctica de Bourdieu, intentando que ésta nos ayude a clarificar nuestro rol y sobre todo para replantear estructuras y modificar disposiciones, deteniéndonos especialmente en el concepto de habitus y capital simbólico (AU)

The objective of this article is to do a critical appreciation from the theoretical and practical perspectives of the professional role, in an effort to exceed the language and the dominant practice. We highlight the necessity of working beyond the descriptions of autonomous tasks and tasks of collaboration, and showing forms which situate our practices in a culture of compromise to promote the creation of contexts which have the potential to offer knowledge and recognition of intentional caring. We analyse the professional role from the theory of the Bourdieu practice, trying to clarify our role with the help of this practice and mainly to redefine structures and modify dispositions, paying special attention to the concept of habitus and symbolic capital (AU)

Sobre los saberes culturales y el fenómeno "sentirse bien-sentirse mal" / On cultural knowledge and the phenomenon

El objetivo del presente estudio es identificar los saberes culturales inmersos en el fenómeno "sentirse-bien, sentirse mal", en diferentes situaciones de cuidado. Se elaboró un estudio cualitativo con un enfoque fenomenológico interpretativo, mediante el análisis de 18 narrativas a partir de entrevistas en profundidad realizadas por alumnas del Máster en Ciencias de la Enfermería en diferentes contextos de cuidados. Las categorías identificadas fueron: (1) Cronicidad y concepto de sentirse bien-sentirse mal. En la cronicidad este concepto está íntimamente relacionado con la recuperación de las actividades de la vida diaria y es componente importante en la percepción individual del concepto "calidad de vida". (2) Momentos agudos de enfermedad y concepto de sentirse bien-sentirse mal. En el análisis de los relatos del paciente aparecieron aspectos esenciales del fenómeno "sentirse bien-sentirse mal" para aumentar la comprensión de aspectos universales de algunos de sus componentes. Destacar que el fenómeno está íntimamente relacionado con la recuperación de las actividades de la vida diaria, y es un mediador importante en la percepción individual del concepto "calidad de vida". El interés de cara al cuidado es distinguir sus componentes universales, contextualizarlos en la práctica, dentro de las singularidades que presenta cada persona, de modo que nos permita su potenciación. El resultado es un cambio en la experiencia sentida (AU)

The object of the present study is to identify cultural knowledges immersed in the feeling-well, feeling-bad phenomenon in different care settings. A qualitative study was undertaken using a phenomenological interpretation approach through a meta-analysis of 18 narratives of profound interviews undertaken by Nursing Science Master Degree Students in different care situations. The categories established were: (1) Chronicity and the concept of feeling well-feeling bad. In this category, this concept is closely related to the recovery of the daily living activities which is a very important issue in the individual's perception of the concept "quality of life". (2) Moments in acute illness and the concept of feeling well-feeling bad. Essential aspects related to the feeling well-feeling bad phenomenon came up when analysis of the patients' tales was performed, increasing the comprehension of universal aspects that can be put into context without forgetting the singularities of each person (AU)

El relato de la experiencia depresiva. Aplicando los factores cuidativos de Jean Watson / The expression of the depressive experience: the application of Jean Watson caring factors

La elevada frecuencia de personas con trastornos depresivos en todos los niveles de atención y la complejidad de los cuidados, conlleva la necesidad, para la enfermera, de desarrollar nuevas habilidades y competencias en el abordaje integral de los pacientes y su familia. Para la comprensión de una persona con depresión es útil una mirada etnográfica que nos permita conocer la expresión subjetiva de la vivencia de la enfermedad. Un marco adecuado de referencia para ayudar en el cuidado de estos procesos es la teoría de Jean Watson sobre la Filosofía y Ciencia de los Cuidados Humanos, que a través de sus diez factores cuidativos enmarca el rol de la enfermera en “cómo tener cuidado de...”. Este artículo trata de analizar, a través de los factores cuidativos de Watson, las vivencias subjetivas relacionadas con la transformación del cuerpo y la mente de las personas con depresión: el sufrimiento y el dolor, la autoimagen y el reconocimiento, la falta de energía, la pérdida de la esperanza. Se concluye que no es posible controlar el cuerpo sin controlar la mente y para ello nos puede ayudar el análisis subjetivo de la experiencia y la aplicación de los factores cuidativos

The high frequency of people with depressive disorders in Primary Health Care as well as in Hospital and the complexity of care, carry for nurses the need to develop new skills and competences to deal with complete care of patiens and families. To understand a person suffering depressive disorders may be useful an ethnographic look that let us know the subjective expression of the experience of being ill. An appropriate framework to help care is Jean Watson’s Philosophy and Science of Human Caring, trough 10 caring factors that frame the nursing role “to take care of…”. This paper tries to analyze the subjective experience related to body and mind changes: suffering and pain, self-image and acceptance, lack of energy, loss of hope… in patients with depressive disorders. It is not possible to control body and not to control mind. To analyze the subjective experience trough Watson’s 10 caring factors, can be a good help

La mirada de Watson, Parse y Benner para el análisis complejo y la buena práctica / The glance of Watson, Pair and Benner for the complex analysis and the good practice

La necesidad de encontrar el significado y orden del quehacer enfermero por encima de especialidades, culturas, tareas, funciones o competencias, hace necesario llevar a la práctica teorías y conceptos de análisis que se puedan insertar en cada situación, como fundamento que guía la buena práctica enfermera. Los modelos y filosofías enfermeras nos dan elementos de reflexión, nos siembran la duda respecto a la práctica, nos dan elementos de investigación y cuando los integramos o nos reconocemos en ellos, además de flexibilizar la interpretación y el cuidado persona-situación, colocan a la enfermería dentro de su marco más maduro consistente con el modelo de Nithingale actualizado. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo plantear lo que para nosotras son los elementos básicos de las filosofías y teorías de Watson, Parse y Benner, que nos permiten el análisis complejo de las situaciones de cuidados y la comprensión del juicio clínico, que emerge de la práctica como acontecimiento real. El paradigma de la complejidad nos lleva a prácticas responsables, a estar no en objetivos, sino en procesos, no en partes o en todos sino en individuos que son a la vez sujeto-objeto

The need to find the meaning of nursing activity independently of specialties, cultures, tasks, functions or competences, leads us to the usage of theories and concepts of analysis than can be applied in each situation, as a guide for the right nursing activity. Nursing philosophies and models provide us elements of reflection, creating doubts in relation to the practice, and once they are assumed, we recognize ourselves on them, helping us to the interpretation of the person-situation caring, carrying nursing to its matures side, validating Nigthingale's model. This work has the aim of implanting the basic elements of Watson, Parse and Benner's theories in order to analyze situations of caring and understand the clinical judgment emerging from the practice. The paradigm of complexity leads us to responsible practices, to think not in the objectives but in the process, not in parts or in wholes, but in subjects that are, at once, subject and object (AU)

Análisis de los posibles desde la teoría de Parse en una persona con Alzheimer / The analysis of the possibles through Parse's theory on a person with Alzheimer

Cuando una persona acude al sistema sanitario con un problema de salud, con mucha frecuencia se le va a pedir que introduzca cambios en sus hábitos y estilo de vida. Esta demanda se suele concretar en un pacto-compromiso que se establece persona-profesional. Hemos observado que este pacto, a pesar de que el profesional se esfuerza en enmarcarlo en objetivos realistas, con demasiada frecuencia sobreviene la frustración, sobre todo en escenarios de cronicidad. La teoría de Parse nos ofrece una manera diferente de abordar el cambio. En la teoría de Parse, El Ser Humano en Devenir, los posibles son la expresión de la fuerza, entendida como una manera única de transformación, que consiste en avanzar con las esperanzas, anhelos y los proyectos de la persona. Planteamos: en primer lugar un análisis de los elementos de lo que Parse llama su tercer principio, la co-trancendencia con los posibles; en segundo lugar el análisis de los posibles desde este marco de referencia a través de una narrativa; y por último la práctica enfermera

When a person comes to the Health Care System with a health problem will often be asked to change some of his habits and lifestyles. This demand becomes a compromise-pact between the person and the professional. We have observed that in this compromise-pact, despite the effort of the professional to hide it behind realist targets, the patient usually becomes frustrated, especially in cases of chronic illnesses. Parse's theory offers us a different way to approach the change. In Parse's theory, The Human Becoming, the possibles are the expression of power, understood as a unique way of transformation, consisting in advancing with the hopes, desires and projects of a person. We suggest, first of all, an analysis of the elements that Parse calls her third principle: co-transcendence with the possibles; secondly, the analysis of the possibles from the basis of this reference framework through a narration and, finally, the nursing practice

Análisis de una narrativa desde la teoría de Parse: "La persona en devenir" / Analysis of a narrative using Parse's theory of human becoming

En este artículo se presentan, en primer lugar, los aspectos centrales de la teoría de la evolución humana y, a continuación, una narrativa realizada como un ensayo de aprendizaje de la teoría de Parse por parte de profesionales de la práctica asistencial. En un momento posterior, se reelaboró el análisis entre las profesoras y los profesionales, con el fin de profundizar en esta teoría como metodología de cuidados. Se plantea el diálogo que establece la enfermera con la persona entrevistada y, como comentarios, las reflexiones, el análisis de las paradojas y la práctica enfermera

This article first describes the central features of human evolution theory. Secondly, Parse's theory is presented through a narrative written as an aid to learning for health professionals. We subsequently review the analysis between teachers and professionals to deepen understanding of this theory as a nursing care methodology. The dialogue between the nurse and her interviewee and the reflections, paradoxes and questions of nursing practice raised by this dialogue are discussed