Performance and mathematical self-concept in university students using Khan Academy.

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have fueled innovative support techniques in the educational field that enhance students' educational training processes. The goal of this study was to measure the relationships between progress in that training, mathematical self-concept, and the new students' academic performance when they were supported by an online training, through the Khan Academy platform. A sample of 906 students distributed over four cohorts was analyzed through correlational and inferential quantitative methodology. The results show that students' academic performance was directly related to their mathematical self-concept, their progress in the online training, and other socioeconomic factors, such as being in receipt of grants, their parents' educational attainment, and access to technological devices at home, highlighting a technological gap in academic performance in favor of students with access to such devices. Further research is needed about the role of teachers and the methodology that accompanies learning through this technological tool.

Distinct Hormone Signalling-Modulation Activities Characterize Two Maize Endosperm-Specific Type-A Response Regulators.

ZmTCRR1 and 2 are type-A response regulators expressed in the maize endosperm transfer cells (TC). While type-B response regulators transcriptionally control canonical type-A response regulators, as part of the cytokinin signal transduction mechanism, the ZmTCRRs are regulated by ZmMRP1, a master regulator of TC identity. In addition, the corresponding proteins are not detected in the TC, accumulating in the inner endosperm cells instead. These features suggest these molecules are not involved in classical, cell-autonomous, cytokinin signalling pathways. Using transgenic Arabidopsis plants ectopically expressing these genes, we have shown that ZmTCRR1 and 2 can modulate auxin and cytokinin signalling, respectively. In Arabidopsis, the ectopic expression of ZmTCRR2 blocked, almost completely, cytokinin perception. Given the conservation of these signalling pathways at the molecular level, our results suggest that the ZmTCRRs modulate cytokinin and auxin perception in the inner endosperm cells.

RegulonDB 11.0: Comprehensive high-throughput datasets on transcriptional regulation in Escherichia coli K-12.

Genomics has set the basis for a variety of methodologies that produce high-throughput datasets identifying the different players that define gene regulation, particularly regulation of transcription initiation and operon organization. These datasets are available in public repositories, such as the Gene Expression Omnibus, or ArrayExpress. However, accessing and navigating such a wealth of data is not straightforward. No resource currently exists that offers all available high and low-throughput data on transcriptional regulation in Escherichia coli K-12 to easily use both as whole datasets, or as individual interactions and regulatory elements. RegulonDB (https://regulondb.ccg.unam.mx) began gathering high-throughput dataset collections in 2009, starting with transcription start sites, then adding ChIP-seq and gSELEX in 2012, with up to 99 different experimental high-throughput datasets available in 2019. In this paper we present a radical upgrade to more than 2000 high-throughput datasets, processed to facilitate their comparison, introducing up-to-date collections of transcription termination sites, transcription units, as well as transcription factor binding interactions derived from ChIP-seq, ChIP-exo, gSELEX and DAP-seq experiments, besides expression profiles derived from RNA-seq experiments. For ChIP-seq experiments we offer both the data as presented by the authors, as well as data uniformly processed in-house, enhancing their comparability, as well as the traceability of the methods and reproducibility of the results. Furthermore, we have expanded the tools available for browsing and visualization across and within datasets. We include comparisons against previously existing knowledge in RegulonDB from classic experiments, a nucleotide-resolution genome viewer, and an interface that enables users to browse datasets by querying their metadata. A particular effort was made to automatically extract detailed experimental growth conditions by implementing an assisted curation strategy applying Natural language processing and machine learning. We provide summaries with the total number of interactions found in each experiment, as well as tools to identify common results among different experiments. This is a long-awaited resource to make use of such wealth of knowledge and advance our understanding of the biology of the model bacterium E. coli K-12.

Differences About Reasons and Sources of Information for Choosing Degree Courses.

BACKGROUND: Only a few months before starting university, more than 50% of Spanish high-school students do not know what course to choose. Data from the Ministry of Education show that dropout rates reach 40% in some Spanish communities. This study aims to analyse the most important reasons behind students' choices of degree course and the sources of information they use to help them choose depending on the type of the school and the field of study chosen. METHOD: A sample of 2,254 students from all over Spain completed two previously validated questionnaires. RESULTS: The results showed that in general terms, intrinsic motives were more highly valued. The sources of information that students used most and rated more highly were university websites and family advice. Students from private schools rated guidance activities organized by universities more highly than students from state schools. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis statistics showed that the intrinsic component was more highly valued by students who wanted to study degrees in the fields of Arts and Humanities or Services. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide quality information that may be used to improve the effectiveness of guidance counselling activities.

Differences About Reasons and Sources of Information for Choosing Degree Courses / Diferencias en las Motivaciones y las Fuentes Consultadas Para Elegir Estudios Universitarios

Background:Only a few months before starting university, more than50% of Spanish high-school students do not know what course to choose.Data from the Ministry of Education show that dropout rates reach 40% insome Spanish communities. This study aims to analyse the most importantreasons behind students’ choices of degree course and the sources ofinformation they use to help them choose depending on the type of theschool and the field of study chosen. Method: A sample of 2,254 studentsfrom all over Spain completed two previously validated questionnaires.Results: The results showed that in general terms, intrinsic motives weremore highly valued. The sources of information that students used mostand rated more highly were university websites and family advice. Studentsfrom private schools rated guidance activities organized by universitiesmore highly than students from state schools. Mann-Whitney U andKruskal-Wallis statistics showed that the intrinsic component was morehighly valued by students who wanted to study degrees in the fields of Artsand Humanities or Services. Conclusions: These findings provide qualityinformation that may be used to improve the effectiveness of guidancecounselling activities.

Antecedentes: a pocos meses de realizar lamatrícula, más del 50% de los estudiantes españoles de Bachillerato no sabequé carrera elegir. Los datos del Ministerio de Educación muestran que lastasas de abandono llegan al 40% en algunas comunidades españolas. Esteestudio pretende analizar los motivos y fuentes más relevantes durante laelección de carrera universitaria según la titularidad del centro educativoy el campo de estudio elegido. Método: participaron un total de 2.254estudiantes de Bachillerato a los que se le aplicaron dos cuestionariospreviamente validados. Resultados:los resultados mostraron que lasmotivaciones de tipo intrínseco son las mejor valoradas. En cuanto a lasfuentes de información, las más utilizadas y valoradas son las páginas webde las universidades y el consejo de las familias, siendo las actividades deorientación de las universidades más valoradas por los estudiantes de la redprivada y concertada que por los de la pública. Los estadísticos U de Mann-Whitney y Kruskal-Wallis revelaron que existe una mayor relevancia dela componente intrínseca en los estudiantes que desean cursar grados deArtes y Humanidades o de Servicios. Conclusiones: estos hallazgosaportan información de calidad para mejorar la eficiencia de las actividadesorientación.

Oxylipins From Different Pathways Trigger Mitochondrial Stress Signaling Through Respiratory Complex III.

Plant oxylipins are signaling molecules produced from fatty acids by oxidative pathways, mainly initiated by 9- and 13-lipoxygenases (9-LOX and 13-LOX), alpha-dioxygenases or non-enzymatic oxidation. Oxylipins from the 9-LOX pathway induce oxidative stress and control root development and plant defense. These activities have been associated with mitochondrial processes, but precise cellular targets and pathways remain unknown. In order to study oxylipin signaling, we previously generated a collection of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that were insensitive to the 9-LOX products 9(S)-hydroxy-10,12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid (9-HOT) and its ketone derivative 9-KOT (noxy mutants). Here, we describe noxy1, noxy3, noxy5, noxy23, and noxy54 mutants, all affected in nucleus-encoded mitochondrial proteins, and use them to study the role of mitochondria in oxylipin signaling. Functional and phenotypic analyses showed that noxy plants displayed mitochondrial aggregation, reduced respiration rates and resistance to the complex III inhibitor Antimycin A (AA), thus indicating a close similarity of the oxylipin signaling and mitochondrial stress. Application of 9-HOT and 9-KOT protected plants against subsequent mitochondrial stress, whereas they boosted root growth reduction when applied in combination with complex III inhibitors but did not with inhibitors of other respiratory complexes. A similar effect was caused by linear-chain oxylipins from 13-LOX or non-enzymatic pathways having α,ß-unsaturated hydroxyl or keto groups in their structure. Studies to investigate 9-HOT and 9-KOT activity indicated that they do not reduce respiration rates, but their action is primarily associated with enhanced ROS responses. This was supported by the results showing that 9-HOT or 9-KOT combined with AA amplified the expression of oxylipin- and ROS-responding genes but not of the AA marker AOX1a, thus implying the activation of a specific mitochondria retrograde signaling pathway. Our results implicate mitochondrial complex III as a hub in the signaling activity of multiple oxylipin pathways and point at downstream ROS responses as components of oxylipin function.

Protein Profiles of Lipid Droplets during the Hypersensitive Defense Response of Arabidopsis against Pseudomonas Infection.

Lipid droplets (LDs) have classically been viewed as seed storage particles, yet they are now emerging as dynamic organelles associated with developmental and stress responses. Nevertheless, their involvement in plant immunity has still been little studied. Here, we found LD accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves that induced a hypersensitive response (HR) after Pseudomonas infection. We established a protocol to reproducibly isolate LDs and to analyze their protein content. The expression of GFP fusion proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana and in transgenic Arabidopsis lines validated the LD localization of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 4 (GPAT4) and 8 (GPAT8), required for cutin biosynthesis. Similarly, we showed LD localization of α-dioxygenase1 (α-DOX1) and caleosin3 (CLO3), involved in the synthesis of fatty acid derivatives, and that of phytoalexin-deficient 3 (PAD3), which is involved in camalexin synthesis. We found evidence suggesting the existence of different populations of LDs, with varying protein contents and distributions. GPAT4 and GPAT8 were associated with LDs inside stomata and surrounding cells of untreated leaves, yet they were mainly confined to LDs in guard cells after bacterial inoculation. By contrast, α-DOX1 and PAD3 were associated with LDs in the epidermal cells of HR-responding leaves, with PAD3 mostly restricted to cells near dead tissue, while CLO3 had a more ubiquitous distribution. As such, the nature of the proteins identified, together with the phenotypic examination of selected mutants, suggests that LDs participate in lipid changes and in the production and transport of defense components affecting the interaction of plants with invading pathogens.

Lab experience with seafood control at the undergraduate level: Cephalopods as a case study.

The correct labeling of seafood is important to protect nature and the rights of consumers. Given the certainty that the resources of the sea are not inexhaustible, only strict regulations and the implementation of sustainable fishing systems and reliable and traceable marketing systems can help ensure the long-term sustainability of fishery resources. Detecting mislabeling and seafood fraud is a useful resource for improving students' motivation and developing active learning methodologies in higher education. In the present study, we have proposed to the students a lab exercise consisting of exploring 25 different commercial cephalopod products from three major European supermarkets by using DNA barcoding and analyzing the results under the framework of EU and Spanish regulations. The problem is connected with the last theme (traceability) of the Conservation Genetics and Breeding course with the aim of providing students with a practical research lab experience about a real problem before going deeper into more theoretical contents. In this way, they can use the knowledge and the skills they acquired previously to better comprehend and think critically about the problem. Findings from students' answers to a survey revealed that the use of this approach generates useful information for communities, increases curiosity and feelings of benefit, and leads to high levels of satisfaction with lab practices compared with those in other courses. In conclusion, lab exercises focused on seafood control, in addition to being viable, can be used as a tool in classes to improve students' commitment to higher education.

Dropout and transfer paths: What are the risky profiles when analyzing university persistence with machine learning techniques?

University dropout is a growing problem with considerable academic, social and economic consequences. Conclusions and limitations of previous studies highlight the difficulty of analyzing the phenomenon from a broad perspective and with bigger data sets. This paper proposes a new, machine-learning based method, able to examine the problem using a holistic approach. Advantages of this method include the lack of strong distribution hypothesis, the capacity for handling bigger data sets and the interpretability of the results. Results are consistent with previous research, showing the influence of personal and contextual variables and the importance of academic performance in the first year, but other factors are also highlighted with this model, such as the importance of dedication (part or full time), and the vulnerability of the students with respect to their age. Additionally, a comprehensive graphic output is included to make it easier to interpret the discovered rules.

Cell wall invertase activity regulates the expression of the transfer cell-specific transcription factor ZmMRP-1.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Studies in cell wall bound invertase mutants indicate that the promoter of the transfer cell-specific transcription factor, ZmMRP - 1 , is modulated by the carbohydrate balance. Transfer cells are highly specialized plant cells located at the surfaces that need to support an intensive exchange of nutrients, such as the entrance of fruits, seeds and nodules or the young branching points along the stem. ZmMRP-1 is a one-domain MYB-related transcription factor specifically expressed at the transfer cell layer of the maize endosperm. Previous studies demonstrated that this factor regulates the expression of a large number of transfer cell-specific genes, and suggested that ZmMRP-1 is a key regulator of the differentiation of this tissue. The expression of this gene is largely dominated by positional cues, but within the ZmMRP-1 expressing cells the promoter appears to be modulated by sugars. Here we have investigated in vivo this modulation. Using maize and Arabidopsis mutants for cell wall invertase genes, we found that the absence of cell wall invertase activity is a major inductive signal of the ZmMRP-1 expression.

The function of two type II metacaspases in woody tissues of Populus trees.

Metacaspases (MCs) are cysteine proteases that are implicated in programmed cell death of plants. AtMC9 (Arabidopsis thaliana Metacaspase9) is a member of the Arabidopsis MC family that controls the rapid autolysis of the xylem vessel elements, but its downstream targets in xylem remain uncharacterized. PttMC13 and PttMC14 were identified as AtMC9 homologs in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula × tremuloides). A proteomic analysis was conducted in xylem tissues of transgenic hybrid aspen trees which carried either an overexpression or an RNA interference construct for PttMC13 and PttMC14. The proteomic analysis revealed modulation of levels of both previously known targets of metacaspases, such as Tudor staphylococcal nuclease, heat shock proteins and 14-3-3 proteins, as well as novel proteins, such as homologs of the PUTATIVE ASPARTIC PROTEASE3 (PASPA3) and the cysteine protease RD21 by PttMC13 and PttMC14. We identified here the pathways and processes that are modulated by PttMC13 and PttMC14 in xylem tissues. In particular, the results indicate involvement of PttMC13 and/or PttMC14 in downstream proteolytic processes and cell death of xylem elements. This work provides a valuable reference dataset on xylem-specific metacaspase functions for future functional and biochemical analyses.

Intestinal parasitic infections in a lowincome urban community: prevalence and knowledge, attitudes and practices of inhabitants of Parque Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are present in Brazil from upper-to low-income communities, with varying infection estimates; however, they affect those living in urban and rural poverty more severely, without adequate access to consistently safe drinking water, sanitation, waste disposal, medical access and education. Estimates show the need for establishing infection prevalence and socioeconomic features, along with population knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding IPIs. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and KAP regarding IPIs of residents of an urban low-income community (Parque Oswaldo Cruz/Amorim) of the Complexo de Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Lutz sedimentation technique was used for parasite detection (n=1,121) and, to obtain data on community KAP regarding IPIs, a KAP survey, adapted from Mello et al. was applied (n=505). An overall prevalence of 20.7% was detected with protozoa composing 92.9% (n=235) of the positive samples. Questionnaires revealed generally correct knowledge but with several inconsistencies, unawareness of the association between the etiological agent and the disease, and uncertainty regarding own knowledge of the subject. The population understood the importance of prevention and was willing to utilize prevention strategies despite being unsure of how to prevent infection. Further studies are required to investigate best practices for improving health equity, community health empowerment and IPIs prevention in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

zmsbt1 and zmsbt2, two new subtilisin-like serine proteases genes expressed in early maize kernel development.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Two subtilisin-like proteases show highly specific and complementary expression patterns in developing grains. These genes label the complete surface of the filial-maternal interface, suggesting a role in filial epithelial differentiation. The cereal endosperm is the most important source of nutrition and raw materials for mankind, as well as the storage compartment enabling initial growth of the germinating plantlets. The development of the different cell types in this tissue is regulated environmentally, genetically and epigenetically, resulting in the formation of top-bottom, adaxial-abaxial and surface-central axes. However, the mechanisms governing the interactions among the different inputs are mostly unknown. We have screened a kernel cDNA library for tissue-specific transcripts as initial step to identify genes relevant in cell differentiation. We report here on the isolation of two maize subtilisin-related genes that show grain-specific, surficial expression. zmsbt1 (Zea mays Subtilisin1) is expressed at the developing aleurone in a time-regulated manner, while zmsbt2 concentrates at the pedicel in front of the endosperm basal transfer layer. We have shown that their presence, early in the maize caryopsis development, is dependent on proper initial tissue determination, and have isolated their promoters to produce transgenic reporter lines that assist in the study of their regulation.

Washback Effect of University Entrance exams in Applied Mathematics to Social Sciences.

Curricular issues of subject Applied Mathematics to Social Sciences are studied in relation to university entrance exams performed in several Spanish regions between 2009-2014. By using quantitative and qualitative analyses, it has been studied how these exams align with curriculum and how they produce a washback on curriculum and teachers' work. Additionally, one questionnaire about teachers' practices has been performed, in order to find out how the exams are influencing teaching methodology development. Main results obtained show that evaluation is producing a bias on the official curriculum, substantially simplifying the specific orientation that should guide applied mathematics. Furthermore, teachers' practices are influenced by the exams, and they usually approach their teaching methodology to the frequent types of exams. Also, slight differences among the teachers lead to distinguish two behavioral subgroups. Results can also be useful in an international context, because of the importance of standardized exit exams in OECD countries.

The transcriptional repressor ICER binds to multiple loci throughout the genome.

The events culminating in ovulation are controlled by the cyclical actions of hormones such as Follical Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). The secondary messenger, cyclic AMP (cAMP) conveys the intracellular activity of these hormones. It is well established that a family of transcription factors facilitate cAMP mediated gene expression, yet it remains unknown how these factors directly affect ovulation. One of these factors, Inducible cAMP Early Repressor (ICER) has been implicated in the transcriptional regulation of cAMP inducible genes during folliculogenesis and ovulation. In order to better determine the role of ICER in ovarian function we have identified novel targets using a genome-wide approach. Using a modification of the chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay we directly cloned and sequenced the immunoprecipitated ICER-associated DNAs from an immortalized mouse granulose cell line (GRMO2). The analysis of the immunoprecipitated DNA fragments has revealed that ICER's binding to DNA has the following distribution; 16% within the promoter region, 31% within an intron, 14% were not within a gene, 6% were within 20 kb of a promoter and 3% were within the 3' end of genes.

Dacron Graft Intussusception Technique for Treatment of Type A Aortic Dissections: Technical Notes and Preliminary Results.

INTRODUCTION: Optimal surgical management for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains unclear. The in-hospital mortality rate is still high (15%), and the intraoperative bleeding is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was describe a new method for aortic anastomosis in the repair of AAAD and report the hospital mortality and bleeding complications. METHODS: Between January 2008 and November 2014, 24 patients, 16 male, median age 62 years, underwent surgical treatment of AAAD. The surgical technique consisted of intussusception of a Dacron tube in the dissected aorta, which is anastomosed with a first line of 2-0 polyester everting mattress suture and a second line of 3-0 polypropylene running suture placed at the outermost side. Open distal anastomosis was performed with bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in 13 (54.1%) patients. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping time ranged from 75 to 135 min (mean=85 min) and 60 to 100 min (mean=67 min), respectively. The systemic circulatory arrest ranged from 29 to 60 min (mean=44.5 min). One (4.1%) patient required reoperation for bleeding, due to the use of preoperative clopidogrel. The postoperative bleeding was 382-1270 ml (mean=654 ml). We used an average of 4.2 units of red blood cells/patient. There were two (8.3%) hospital deaths, one due to intraoperative bleeding and another due to mesenteric ischemia. The average length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital was 44 hours and 6.7 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: This new method for surgical correction of AAAD was reproducible and resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Information sources used by high school students in the college degree choice / Fuentes de información que utilizan los estudiantes de Bachillerato en la elección de carrera universitaria

INTRODUCTION: Searching for information is a necessary step for young people to decide what to study and prevent school drop-out. The aim of this study is to identify the main sources of information used by students in choosing a university career and to assess the degree of usefulness of these sources.METHOD: A new measuring instrument to assess the use and usefulness of the information sources used in choosing university studies was developed. 2,005 high school students aged 17 to 24 (M = 17.56, SD = .77) participated in the study, representing 44.95 % of the total of school centers of the Principality of Asturias (Spain). RESULTS: The new instrument has adequate psychometric properties and shows that the information from parents and web pages by universities are the most used and most useful information sources for pre-university students. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining this type of information is very important, as it encourages investing in those activities or resources that are important for pre-university students

INTRODUCCIÓN: la búsqueda de información constituye una condición necesaria para que los jóvenes decidan qué carrera estudiar y prevenir la deserción educativa. El objetivo de este trabajo es identificar las principales fuentes de información utilizadas por los estudiantes en la elección de la carrera universitaria y valorar su grado de utilidad. MÉTODO: se desarrolló un nuevo instrumento de medida para evaluar el uso y la utilidad de las fuentes de información utilizadas en la elección de estudios universitarios. Participaron 2.005 estudiantes de segundo curso de bachillerato con edades comprendidas entre los 17 y los 24 años (M = 17.56; DT = .77) que suponen el 44,95% del total de los centros educativos asturianos que imparten bachillerato. RESULTADOS: el nuevo instrumento presenta unas propiedades psicométricas adecuadas y ha permitido comprobar que la información procedente de los padres y las páginas web de las universidades son las fuentes más utilizadas y valoradas por los estudiantes preuniversitarios. CONCLUSIONES: la obtención de este tipo de información es muy relevante, ya que favorece la inversión en aquellas actividades o recursos que realmente son importantes para el alumnado preuniversitario

Information sources used by high school students in the college degree choice.

INTRODUCTION: Searching for information is a necessary step for young people to decide what to study and prevent school drop-out. The aim of this study is to identify the main sources of information used by students in choosing a university career and to assess the degree of usefulness of these sources. METHOD: A new measuring instrument to assess the use and usefulness of the information sources used in choosing university studies was developed. 2,005 high school students aged 17 to 24 (M = 17.56, SD = .77) participated in the study, representing 44.95 % of the total of school centers of the Principality of Asturias (Spain). RESULTS: The new instrument has adequate psychometric properties and shows that the information from parents and web pages by universities are the most used and most useful information sources for pre-university students. CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining this type of information is very important, as it encourages investing in those activities or resources that are important for pre-university students.

Dacron graft intussusception technique for treatment of type a aortic dissections: technical notes and preliminary results

Abstract Introduction: Optimal surgical management for acute type A aortic dissection (AAAD) remains unclear. The in-hospital mortality rate is still high (15%), and the intraoperative bleeding is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality. Objective: The aim of our study was describe a new method for aortic anastomosis in the repair of AAAD and report the hospital mortality and bleeding complications. Methods: Between January 2008 and November 2014, 24 patients, 16 male, median age 62 years, underwent surgical treatment of AAAD. The surgical technique consisted of intussusception of a Dacron tube in the dissected aorta, which is anastomosed with a first line of 2-0 polyester everting mattress suture and a second line of 3-0 polypropylene running suture placed at the outermost side. Open distal anastomosis was performed with bilateral selective antegrade cerebral perfusion in 13 (54.1%) patients. Results: Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamping time ranged from 75 to 135 min (mean=85 min) and 60 to 100 min (mean=67 min), respectively. The systemic circulatory arrest ranged from 29 to 60 min (mean=44.5 min). One (4.1%) patient required reoperation for bleeding, due to the use of preoperative clopidogrel. The postoperative bleeding was 382-1270 ml (mean=654 ml). We used an average of 4.2 units of red blood cells/patient. There were two (8.3%) hospital deaths, one due to intraoperative bleeding and another due to mesenteric ischemia. The average length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital was 44 hours and 6.7 days, respectively. Conclusion: This new method for surgical correction of AAAD was reproducible and resulted in satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Fast microwave-assisted pyrolysis of microalgae using microwave absorbent and HZSM-5 catalyst.

Fast microwave-assisted pyrolysis (fMAP) in the presence of a microwave absorbent (SiC) and catalyst (HZSM-5) was tested on a Chlorella sp. strain and on a Nannochloropsis strain. The liquid products were characterized, and the effects of temperature and catalyst:biomass ratio were analyzed. For Chlorella sp., a temperature of 550 °C, with no catalyst were the optimal conditions, resulting in a maximum bio-oil yield of 57 wt.%. For Nannochloropsis, a temperature of 500 °C, with 0.5 of catalyst ratio were shown to be the optimal condition, resulting in a maximum bio-oil yield of 59 wt.%. These results show that the use of microwave absorbents in fMAP increased bio-oil yields and quality, and it is a promising technology to improve the commercial application and economic outlook of microwave pyrolysis technology. Additionally, the use of a different catalyst needs to be considered to improve the bio-oil characteristics.