The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico) is a Roman Catholic university with its main campus in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It provides courses leading to Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees in education, business administration, the sciences, and arts and humanities. It also has campuses in Arecibo and Mayagüez, as well as a satellite extension in Coamo. It is also home to a School of Law and a School of Architecture. The university also founded a medical school, Escuela de Medicina de Ponce, in 1977, but in 1980 became an independent entity that eventually became the Ponce Health Sciences University.The Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico was founded in 1948 as Universidad Católica de Santa Maria, but its name was changed to Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico with the graduation of its first class in 1950. On 25 January 1991, the name was changed again to its current name, after Pope John Paul II bestowed the title of pontifical on the university.
The increasing presence of pharmaceutical residues such as ibuprofen in aquatic environments represents a growing concern due to their persistence and limited biodegradability. In this study, selenium-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Se) nanoparticles covered with glycerol were synthesized via a microwave-assisted method to evaluate their photocatalytic performance in the degradation of ibuprofen under ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. Optimal synthesis parameters were determined at pH 7.5-8.0 and 130 degrees C, yielding stable, dark-brown colloidal suspensions. HRTEM analysis revealed a coexistence of one-dimensional (1D) nanowires and zero-dimensional (0D) quantum dots, confirming nanoscale morphology with crystallite sizes between 8 and 100 nm. EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Sn, O, and trace Se (0.1 wt%), indicating Se incorporation as a dopant. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed strong absorption near 324 nm and slight band-gap narrowing in the Se-doped samples, suggesting enhanced visible-light responsiveness. Photocatalytic experiments demonstrated an ibuprofen degradation efficiency of similar to 60% under visible light and 80% under UV irradiation with aeration, compared to only 5% removal using commercial SnO2. The enhanced performance was attributed to Se-induced band-gap modulation, effective charge-carrier separation, and singlet oxygen generation.
This article proposes a convergent conception of world through technique, based on the dialogue between Martin Heidegger and Gilbert Simondon. Instead of a dichotomous reading between art and technique, or nature and artificiality, we seek to understand technique as a possibility of disclosing being, articulated to the notion ofworld as image and horizon of meaning. With Heidegger, we investigate the dangers of Gestell and the transformation of the world into image; with Simondon, we contrast the idea of a mediating technique, coextensive to the associated milieu and to the processes of individuation. Finally, we propose a non-fatalist interpretation of modern technique, capable of integrating art, nature, and technique in a unified ontological movement of emergence, opening possibilities for new modes of relation and technical experience of the world.
Os cuidados paliativos elevam o cuidado a uma perspectiva humana de afeto e emoções que podem influenciar nas nossas identidades. O objetivo deste projeto foi compreender como o cuidado a pacientes em fim de vida influencia a forma como o indivíduo se vê como sujeito e profissional. O instrumento utilizado foi o Rich Picture, uma representação pictórica (desenhos) para capturar a perspectiva do indivíduo sobre uma situação. Os dez participantes da equipe multidisciplinar foram convidados a desenhar uma situação real que ocorreu durante o cuidado a um paciente. Os resultados abordam o cuidado e o incentivo à reflexão; a importância da conexão para dar sentido à profissão; os conflitos gerados pelo trabalho em equipe; o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional; e o cuidado que gera incerteza, culpa e frustração. Assim, ser um profissional engloba valores, crenças e comportamentos, que ajudam na elaboração de como dar sentido à profissão.
Palliative care elevates care to a human perspective of affection and emotions that can influence our identities. The objective of this project was to understand how caring for end-of-life patients influences how the individual sees themselves as a subject and a professional. The instrument used was the Rich Picture, a pictorial representation (drawings) to capture the individual’s perspective on a situation. The ten participants of the multidisciplinary team were invited to draw a real situation that occurred during the care of a patient. The results address care and the encouragement of reflection; the importance of connection to give meaning to the profession; the conflicts generated by teamwork; personal and professional development; and care that generates uncertainty, guilt, and frustration. Thus, being a professional encompasses values, beliefs, and behaviors that help in elaborating how to give meaning to the profession
The production of quantum dots (QDs) has increased due to their wide variety of commercial products and applications. QDs can be dangerous in the environment because their small size can encourage their incorporation into living systems. In this project, ZnS and ZnSSe were synthesized under microwave irradiation, generating a water-stable nanomaterial. The bandgap energies calculated using the UV-Vis spectra were 3.81 and 3.86 eV for ZnS and ZnSSe QDs, respectively, indicating that the selenium worked as a dopant agent. The photoluminescence analysis shows narrow emission peaks, confirming a low size distribution, and the selenium doping generated a blue shift. The crystal size of both nanomaterials was around 7 nm. The cellular toxicity of these nanomaterials was evaluated using Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) Cells (a standard mammalian cell model). The results suggest that ZnS and ZnSSe QDs slightly affect the viability of CHO Cells, but Zn2+ decreases the viability at concentrations higher than 20 mg/L. The content of zinc inside cells (by ICP-OES) suggested that QDs can enter cells more easily than Zn2+. Therefore, the decrease in cell viability caused by Zn2+ outside the cells is likely due to its effect on cell membrane integrity, suggesting that these nanomaterials are less toxic than bulk materials.
