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Simple Summary: Everolimus works against certain types of advanced neuroendocrine tumors. However, the approved dose of 10 mg orally per day can be toxic, with nearly 25% of patients experiencing serious side effects. Preliminary studies have shown that lower doses of everolimus may also be effective, and clinical trials often allow for dose reductions. However, there have not been comparisons between the effectiveness of lower and higher doses of everolimus. Our retrospective study aimed to compare how long neuroendocrine tumors were controlled with lower doses versus higher doses of everolimus. We found no significant differences in how long patients were able to stay on treatment with either dose. This result supports the conduction of a randomized clinical trial. Background: Everolimus at 10 mg daily is approved to treat patients with advanced grade 1/2 neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), although it may lead to significant toxicity. Grade 3 or higher drug-related adverse events and drug discontinuation occur in approximately one-fourth of cases. However, phase I trials have demonstrated that doses from 5 mg daily efficiently inhibit NET cell signaling. Objectives and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study compared the time to treatment failure (TTF) in patients with NETs who received a mean daily dose of 7–10 mg (higher dose [HD]) or ≤6 mg (lower dose [LD]) of everolimus. Results: Ninety-two patients were included: 74 (80%) in the HD group and 18 (20%) in the LD group. At a median follow-up of 4.2 years, the median time to treatment failure (TTF) was 9.2 months for the HD and 7.2 months for the LD groups (p = 0.85). The TTF did not significantly differ between the LD and the HD groups (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 0.68–2.25; p = 0.47), even after adjusting for age at treatment initiation, the NET grade, and the treatment line. Conclusion: Everolimus doses from 5 to 6 mg/day seem to be equally as effective as higher doses, but lower doses are potentially associated with less toxicity and lower costs. These findings support validation through a randomized clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In resource‐limited settings in Colombia, there is a lack of safe spaces for youth, with adolescent males being 10 times more susceptible to physical violence than females. Acknowledging the potential of community‐led sports‐based interventions, we examined how community fútbol (a.k.a. soccer or football) coaches in the Caribbean region of Colombia prevent youth violence exposure. By conducting in‐depth qualitative interviews with 13 community coaches, we explore how fútbol, recognised as the world's most popular sport, serves as a space and tool for violence prevention. Our mixed methods study employs qualitative interviews and social network analysis (SNA). The findings reveal that the community's vulnerability, including familial violence and drug use, has detrimental effects on children. Community coaches, positioned as trusted figures, strive to positively influence youth by instilling essential life skills. However, they face challenges such as resource scarcity, limited institutional support and financial difficulties. The coaches express the need to balance adolescents' socioemotional development and the competitive nature of tournaments (olympism). Moreover, a disconnection between community coaches and NGOs utilising Fútbol for Development stems from differing aims. We argue that collaboration between these two groups holds ample opportunities for mutual benefit and enhanced youth impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Introduction: There is uncertainty about the optimal videolaryngoscope for awake tracheal intubation in patients with anticipated difficult airway. The use of channelled and unchannelled videolaryngoscopy has been reported, but there is a lack of evidence on which is the best option. Methods: We conducted a randomised clinical trial to compare the efficacy of the C‐MAC D‐Blade® vs. Airtraq® in adult patients (aged ≥ 18 y) scheduled for elective or emergency surgery under general anaesthesia with anticipated difficult airway who required awake tracheal intubation under local anaesthesia and conscious sedation. The primary endpoint was the first‐attempt tracheal intubation success rate. Secondary outcomes included the overall success rate; number of tracheal intubation attempts; Cormack and Lehane glottic view; level of difficulty (visual analogue score); patient discomfort (visual analogue score); and incidence of complications. Results: Ninety patients (70/90 male (78%); mean (SD) age 65 (12) y) with anticipated difficult airways were randomly allocated to C‐MAC D‐Blade or Airtraq videolaryngoscopy. First‐attempt successful tracheal intubation rate was higher in patients allocated to the C‐MAC D‐Blade group compared with those allocated to the Airtraq group (38/45 (84%) vs. 28/45 (62%), respectively; p = 0.006). The proportion of patients' tracheas that were intubated at the second and third attempt was 4/45 (9%) and 3/45 (7%) in those allocated to the C‐MAC D‐Blade group compared with 14/45 (31%) and 1/45 (2%) in those allocated to the Airtraq group (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in overall tracheal intubation success rate (C‐MAC D‐Blade group 45/45 (100%) vs. Airtraq group 43/45 (96%), p = 0.494). Discussion: In patients with anticipated difficult airway, first‐attempt awake tracheal intubation success rate was higher with the C‐MAC D‐Blade compared with Airtraq laryngoscopy. No difference was found between the two videolaryngoscopes in overall tracheal intubation success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug trafficking is a crime that is constantly renewing and adapting to new technological advances. With the emergence of cryptocurrencies, many offenders have incorporated this technology in the development of their criminal activities. It is usually assumed that characteristics of this virtual currency such as its security and anonymity could favor criminality. This paper studies the acceptance of cryptocurrencies in online drug markets in Canada. The results show that most marketplaces refuse cryptocurrency as a form of payment. Furthermore, they suggest that this acceptance is based on criteria of business improvement and customer acquisition, with the market’s need to take advantage of the cryptocurrency’s features being less important. Merchants do not consider their use necessary to protect the development of their criminal activity and therefore most of them do not intend to accept them in the future. The extended TAM has shown to be valuable in elucidating conclusions regarding the acceptance of cryptocurrency in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present findings from the Our Voice in Barú project, examining adolescent engagement in citizen science to address environmental and social factors affecting well-being in a semi-rural Afro-descendant community in Latin America. The project aimed to identify barriers and enablers of well-being, informing adolescent-led actions for sustainable environmental changes relevant to adolescent health. Utilizing the Our Voice citizen science method, which involved technology-enabled walks, participatory cartography workshops and community meetings, we engaged adolescents and other community members. Complex systems framework was employed to analyze results and assess the promotion of collective action and local change. Local enablers of well-being included availability of quality sports and recreational venues as safe spaces, educational settings and cultural aspects, fostering safety, community pride, and personal growth. Conversely, barriers included environmental contamination, deteriorated sports venues and drug addiction, indicating the community's limited access to services and exposure to harmful substances. Adolescent citizen scientists, in partnership with the research team and relevant community decision-makers, successfully achieved changes aimed at identified barriers, including infrastructural enhancements like the repair of pumps to remove stagnant water, improvements in the quality and safety of recreational venues, and the implementation of community-led initiatives to address substance abuse and promote healthier behaviors. The Our Voice in Barú project empowered adolescents to advocate for change and promoted collective action to tackle barriers identified as significant to their well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: ACR/EULAR has recently developed new classification criteria for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The present study aims to analyze the impact of these new 2023 ACR/EULAR classification criteria in a cohort of pregnant women with primary APS. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of 93 consecutive pregnant women attending the Autoimmune Diseases Pregnancy Clinic, a multidisciplinary unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital, between 2005 and 2023. All of them fulfilled the Sydney classification criteria for APS. Women diagnosed with rheumatic autoimmune diseases other than APS were excluded. Results: Twenty-four out of ninety-three patients (25.8%) met the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria for APS. Patients who met the new classification criteria were very similar to those who did not, except for being younger (p < 0.001), and had a lower number of clinical pregnancies (p = 0.004). The obstetric domain was clearly underrepresented in women who fulfilled the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria (p < 0.001). Patients meeting the new classification criteria were primarily characterized by preterm births before 34 weeks due to severe placentation disorders (p = 0.004). Women with early and late fetal loss were significantly underrepresented (p < 0.0001 and 0.03, respectively). Nearly half of these patients had thrombocytopenia (p < 0.001). Serologically, these patients showed a higher frequency of persistent lupus anticoagulant (p = 0.02) and a lower frequency of IgM isotype antiphospholipid antibodies (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Almost three-quarters of the patients included in the study did not meet the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria. Most patients who could not be classified according to these new classification criteria were those with early and/or late fetal deaths, as well as patients carrying only IgM aCL/AB2GPI antibodies. The high specificity of the 2023 ACR/EULAR criteria, restricted to severe placentation disorders, may leave the majority of patients with obstetric APS out of the new classification criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines how distrust regarding the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a catalyst for the diffusion of conspiracy theories. It discusses the nature of conspiracy theories, their relationship with institutional distrust, and their representation in the social media. The methodology used is based on the analysis of hashtags from over one million tweets to determine if certain theories act as "gateways" to others. The findings suggest that logical ties exist between distinct conspiracy theories, influenced by distrust towards specific institutions and amplified by the COVID-19 crisis. It is concluded that the combination of conspiracy theories is not random, but rather, it follows an internal logic that is based on distrust, since these theories are interconnected in an internally coherent way within the context of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing restrictions on commercial toxic baits for controlling leaf‐cutting ants have started a "gold rush" for alternative compounds, with agroecological extracts emerging as a promising option. Here, we tested for the first time the repellent effects of concentrated and diluted ant extracts and cow urine solution on laboratory colonies of Acromyrmex subterraneus (Forel) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). The agroecological extracts preparation and application followed the information provided by peasants from the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra in Brazil who carry out agroecology. First, we applied the agroecological extracts in the middle segment of the upper path of a foraging trail to determine whether they act as a chemical barrier. All agroecological extracts induced the deviation of the foraging flow from the upper path to the lateral path. However, only the concentrated ant extract reduced the leaf delivery rate. Also, we applied the agroecological extracts directly on the leaf disks and conducted a paired selection test. The proportion of transported leaf disks with concentrated ant extract and cow urine solution was lower than that of control disks. We suggest that the observed repellent efficacy of the concentrated ant extract may stem from its content of chemical compounds belonging to the same chemical group as the alarm pheromones found by other Acromyrmex species. As for the cow urine solution, we attribute its repellent effect to the presence of urea. Our findings highlight a significant repellent potential of the concentrated ant extract and cow urine solution for leaf‐cutting ants, which may be applied both on foraging trails and on leaves of cultivated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RhizoBindingSites is a de novo depurified database of conserved DNA motifs potentially involved in the transcriptional regulation of the Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium, Azorhizobium, and Mesorhizobium genera covering 9 representative symbiotic species, deduced from the upstream regulatory sequences of orthologous genes (O-matrices) from the Rhizobiales taxon. The sites collected with O-matrices per gene per genome from RhizoBindingSites were used to deduce matrices using the dyad-Regulatory Sequence Analysis Tool (RSAT) method, giving rise to novel S-matrices for the construction of the RizoBindingSites v2.0 database. A comparison of the S-matrix logos showed a greater frequency and/or re-definition of specific-position nucleotides found in the O-matrices. Moreover, S-matrices were better at detecting genes in the genome, and there was a more significant number of transcription factors (TFs) in the vicinity than O-matrices, corresponding to a more significant genomic coverage for S-matrices. O-matrices of 3187 TFs and S-matrices of 2754 TFs from 9 species were deposited in RhizoBindingSites and RhizoBindingSites v2.0, respectively. The homology between the matrices of TFs from a genome showed inter-regulation between the clustered TFs. In addition, matrices of AraC, ArsR, GntR, and LysR ortholog TFs showed different motifs, suggesting distinct regulation. Benchmarking showed 72%, 68%, and 81% of common genes per regulon for O-matrices and approximately 14% less common genes with S-matrices of Rhizobium etli CFN42, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae 3841, and Sinorhizobium meliloti 1021. These data were deposited in RhizoBindingSites and the RhizoBindingSites v2.0 database (http://rhizobindingsites.ccg.unam.mx/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is commonly assumed that features of cryptocurrency such as its pseudo-anonymity and transnationality will be attractive to criminals. However, the public nature of the Blockchain questions the usefulness of this technology for crime. The aim of this research is to find out whether there are characteristics that are more attractive for the use of Bitcoin in crime. A qualitative analysis of the content of a Darknet forum was conducted. The term “Bitcoin” was used, and discussions were selected according to a previously conducted coding. Themes of interest were identified, and analysis was carried out using NVivo software. The discussions were categorized into themes: evading detection by authorities, exploiting cryptocurrencies for crime, recommendations, lessons in cybersecurity, regulation, and strategies to prevent victimization. The findings reveal that the critical factor is not the selection of a specific cryptocurrency but rather the establishment of conversion routes to circumvent traceability. Furthermore, the use of mixers, which are generally disapproved of within the community, is not recommended. Lastly, ample information is accessible for individuals to autonomously engage with this technology. In conclusion, while it is presumed to be a useful instrument for criminal activities, there are instances where alternative tools, including cash, are preferred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hybridization between the local medical systems (LMSs) and biomedicine has been the focus of different studies in ethnobiology, primarily due to the increasing access to biomedicine by indigenous peoples and local communities. Studies on hybridization allow for an understanding of the process of developing and evolving local knowledge systems. In this study, we propose a hybridization score to determine how individuals' socioeconomic characteristics and preference between LMS and biomedicine determine the complementarity of therapeutic options. Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews and applied free listing technique in a rural community in Northeast Brazil to assess the treatments the local population sought and which were preferred. Results: Our analyses showed that the level of schooling was the socioeconomic factor that negatively affected the hybridization process. Individuals with higher levels of schooling tended to prefer LMS strategies less and, consequently, showed a lower probability of hybridizing the two systems. Additionally, older people who preferred LMS strategies showed a greater tendency to adopt hybridization in human health-seeking behavior. Conclusions: Our findings provide further evidence of the complementarity between different medical systems and demonstrate that socioeconomic factors can affect local knowledge and are responsible for differences in individual propensity to hybridize distinct medical systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the in vitro tolerance to decentration of biaspheric intraocular lens (IOLs) with refractive phase-ring extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) and diffractive trifocal designs. Methods: This experimental study was carried out at the Department of Optics and Optometry and Vision Science, University of Valencia, Spain. The modulation transfer function (MTF) of the ETLIO130C EDOF and the TFLIO130C trifocal IOLs (AST Products Inc., Billerica, MA, USA) were determined at different levels of decentration for a given wavelength and pupil diameter using the PMTF optical bench (Lambda-X Ophthalmics, Nivelles, Belgium). The modulation transfer function (MTF) curves, the through-focus MTF curves, and the Strehl ratios were measured at 3-mm pupil aperture for 0.25-, 0.50- and 0.75-mm decentration. Results: The optical design of the trifocal TFLIO130C IOL is robust to small decentrations, with virtually no change in MTF response for 0.25 mm decentration. For greater decentration levels, the MTF response is slightly reduced with increasing decentration. The ETLIO130C EDOF design is robust to decentration, as the MTF response is only minimally affected when increasing the decentration up to 0.75 mm. Conclusions: MTF responses are slightly reduced with greater levels of decentration, but the range of focus provided by both trifocal and EDOF designs are preserved. The effects for average levels of decentration reported in the literature are minimum for both IOL designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buildings are complex structures composed of heterogeneous elements; these require building management systems (BMSs) to dynamically adapt them to occupants' needs and leverage building resources. The fast growth of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has transformed the BMS field into a multidisciplinary one. Consequently, this has caused several research papers on data-driven solutions to require examination and classification. This paper provides a broad overview of BMS by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) summarizing current trends in this field. Unlike similar reviews, this SLR provides a rigorous methodology to review current research from a computer science perspective. Therefore, our goal is four-fold: (i) Identify the main topics in the field of building; (ii) Identify the recent data-driven methods; (iii) Understand the BMS's underlying computing architecture (iv) Understand the features of BMS that contribute to the smartization of buildings. The result synthesizes our findings and provides research directions for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent engravings on contact lenses provide information about the manufacturing process and lens positioning when they are placed on the eye. The inspection of their morphological characteristics is important, since they can affect the user's comfort and deposit adhesion. Therefore, an inverted wavefront holoscope (a lensless microscope based on Gabor's principle of in-line digital holography) is explored for the characterization of the permanent marks of soft contact lenses. The device, based on an in-line transmission configuration, uses a partially coherent laser source to illuminate the soft contact lens placed in a cuvette filled with a saline solution for lens preservation. Holograms were recorded on a digital sensor and reconstructed by back propagation to the image plane based on the angular spectrum method. In addition, a phase-retrieval algorithm was used to enhance the quality of the recovered images. The instrument was experimentally validated through a calibration process in terms of spatial resolution and thickness estimation, showing values that perfectly agree with those that were theoretically expected. Finally, phase maps of different engravings for three commercial soft contact lenses were successfully reconstructed, validating the inverted wavefront holoscope as a potential instrument for the characterization of the permanent marks of soft contact lenses. To improve the final image quality of reconstructions, the geometry of lenses should be considered to avoid induced aberration effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi-equilibrium states that can be prepared in solids through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) techniques are out-of-equilibrium states that slowly relax towards thermodynamic equilibrium with the lattice. In this work, we use the quantum discord dynamics as a witness of the quantum correlation in this kind of state. The studied system is a set of dipole interacting spin pairs whose initial state is prepared with the NMR Jeener–Broekaert pulse sequence, starting from equilibrium at high temperature and high external magnetic field. It then evolves as an open quantum system within two consecutive dynamic scenarios: adiabatic decoherence driven by the coupling of the pairs to a common phonon field, described within a non-Markovian approach, and spin–lattice relaxation represented by the high-temperature limit of the Born–Markov master equation, and driven by thermal fluctuations. In this way, the studied model is endowed with the dynamics of a realistic solid sample. The quantum discord rapidly increases during the preparation of the initial state, escalating several orders of magnitude compared with thermal equilibrium at room temperature. During decoherence—despite the decay of coherences—the quantum discord oscillates upon this high value, holding the same value as the initial state. Finally, the quantum discord dissipates within a time scale shorter than but comparable to spin–lattice relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acacia aroma (A. aroma), or Tusca, is a South American plant frequently used in medicine. We recently reported the antiulcer effect of two Tusca leaf extracts in rats: a 5% infusion and a 10% hydroalcoholic. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro cytotoxicity and the in vivo oral subchronic toxicity of these two extracts in rats. Methods: Cytotoxicity was evaluated through cell viability assays using the 50% lethal concentration (LC50) on lung cells, which was calculated for each extract. Oral subchronic toxicity was studied in Wistar rats, and the clinical parameters were determined during a 90-day treatment period. Following the experimental period, biochemical parameters were analyzed, and histopathological analyses of the stomach, liver, and kidneys were performed. Results: The in vitro cytotoxicity was low in both extracts (LC50=966.78±48.34 µg/ml for the 5% infusion and 562.28±28.11 µg/ml for the 10% hydroalcoholic extract). The in vivo clinical, behavioral, and biochemical parameters, body weight, and food intake had no significant differences (P=0.05) compared to the control group. There were also no histopathological alterations in the analyzed organs. Conclusion: The present study contributes to expanding the knowledge on the safety of the two extracts derived from A. aroma (5% infusion and 10% hydroalcoholic). Therefore, the extracts can possibly be used in the treatment or prevention of gastric diseases in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to early life stress (ELS) and maternal consumption of a high-fat and high-sugar diet can have detrimental effects on adult emotional responses. The microbiota and gut-brain axis have been proposed as playing a mediating role in the regulation of stress and emotion. Method: Young male rats were exposed to maternal separation (MS) together with maternal and postnatal consumption of a HFS diet (45%kcal saturated fat, 17%kcal sucrose). Anxiety-like behaviour was evaluated using an elevated zero-maze, and depression-like behaviour using the forced-swim and sucrose preference tests. Microbiota composition and derived metabolites were also analysed in faecal samples using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometry. Results: Combined exposure to MS and lifelong consumption of a HFS diet partially reversed the abnormal anxiety-like and depression-like behaviours in early adulthood caused by each adverse factor alone. Diet composition had a greater negative impact than ELS exposure on the gut microbiota, and both environmental factors interacted with microbiota composition partially counteracting their negative effects. Conclusions: The effects of exposure to early life stress and a HFS diet independently are partially reversed after the combination of both factors. These results suggest that ELS and diet interact to modulate adult stress response and gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Pepper fruits contain two leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) genes which are differentially modulated during ripening and by nitric oxide. The LAP activity increases during ripening but is negatively modulated by nitration. Leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) is an essential metalloenzyme that cleaves N-terminal leucine residues from proteins but also metabolizes dipeptides and tripeptides. LAPs play a fundamental role in cell protein turnover and participate in physiological processes such as defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stresses, but little is known about their involvement in fruit physiology. This study aims to identify and characterize genes encoding LAP and evaluate their role during the ripening of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) fruits and under a nitric oxide (NO)-enriched environment. Using a data-mining approach of the pepper plant genome and fruit transcriptome (RNA-seq), two LAP genes, designated CaLAP1 and CaLAP2, were identified. The time course expression analysis of these genes during different fruit ripening stages showed that whereas CaLAP1 decreased, CaLAP2 was upregulated. However, under an exogenous NO treatment of fruits, both genes were downregulated. On the contrary, it was shown that during fruit ripening LAP activity increased by 81%. An in vitro assay of the LAP activity in the presence of different modulating compounds including peroxynitrite (ONOO−), NO donors (S-nitrosoglutathione and nitrosocyteine), reducing agents such as reduced glutathione (GSH), l-cysteine (l-Cys), and cyanide triggered a differential response. Thus, peroxynitrite and reducing compounds provoked around 50% inhibition of the LAP activity in green immature fruits, whereas cyanide upregulated it 1.5 folds. To our knowledge, this is the first characterization of LAP in pepper fruits as well as of its regulation by diverse modulating compounds. Based on the capacity of LAP to metabolize dipeptides and tripeptides, it could be hypothesized that the LAP might be involved in the GSH recycling during the ripening process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable education is key to advancing environmental awareness and global responsibility. Institutional procedures can provide pressure points and opportunities to help foster the mainstreaming of sustainable development. This study aims to analyze how higher-level educational institutions influence environmental awareness and global responsibility in engineering students by evaluating the perception and knowledge of sustainability issues in three universities with different educational systems. This study considers the results of a questionnaire from a sample of 620 industrial engineering students from a Higher Education Institution in northern Mexico. The application of the instrument was random among students from the fourth to ninth semester. The survey included items on demographic aspects, behavior, knowledge, attitudes, and how the educational institution fosters sustainable practices. Only 16% understand sustainable development in the three axes, and 50% recognize that they play an essential role in promoting a sustainable culture. The results show that students do not clearly understand the scope and environmental benefits of implementing, creatively and assertively, environmental innovation through savings and optimization in the matter, time, and natural resources. The findings offer an opportunity for educational institutions to raise awareness and incorporate new measures and strategies to implement sustainability among their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Los programas de protección social se han convertido en una herramienta indispensable y efectiva para mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población en situación de pobreza y vulnerabilidad. En este artículo se examinan los cinco principales programas de transferencias monetarias de Colombia, y se estudian su historia, su focalización, su cobertura, su operatividad y los compromisos fiscales derivados de su implementación. Asimismo, se hace una revisión de las evaluaciones de impacto de estos programas y sus resultados en múltiples indicadores sociales. Este trabajo es un primer intento de consolidación de la información existente sobre el tema en Colombia, que permite entender de manera comprehensiva el alcance y los retos de estos programas, así como identificar posibles áreas de investigación y mejora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divisive Normalization and the Wilson–Cowan equations are well-known influential models of nonlinear neural interaction (Carandini and Heeger in Nat Rev Neurosci 13(1):51, 2012; Wilson and Cowan in Kybernetik 13(2):55, 1973). However, they have been always treated as different approaches and have not been analytically related yet. In this work, we show that Divisive Normalization can be derived from the Wilson–Cowan dynamics. Specifically, assuming that Divisive Normalization is the steady state of the Wilson–Cowan differential equations, we find that the kernel that controls neural interactions in Divisive Normalization depends on the Wilson–Cowan kernel but also depends on the signal. A standard stability analysis of a Wilson–Cowan model with the parameters obtained from our relation shows that the Divisive Normalization solution is a stable node. This stability suggests the appropriateness of our steady state assumption. The proposed theory provides a mechanistic foundation for the suggestions that have been done on the need of signal-dependent Divisive Normalization in Coen-Cagli et al. (PLoS Comput Biol 8(3):e1002405, 2012). Moreover, this theory explains the modifications that had to be introduced ad hoc in Gaussian kernels of Divisive Normalization in Martinez-Garcia et al. (Front Neurosci 13:8, 2019) to reproduce contrast responses in V1 cortex. Finally, the derived relation implies that the Wilson–Cowan dynamics also reproduce visual masking and subjective image distortion, which up to now had been explained mainly via Divisive Normalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current environmental crises call for an integrated knowledge of landscapes and their ecosystems in a broader sense. This article presents a pedagogical framework for cross-disciplinary landscape research at postgraduate level. The framework is grounded in the use of geospatial epistemic discomfort as a creative force to develop and enhance inquiry skills able to cross and merge disciplinary boundaries. Developed within the Erasmus+ KA2 project “CROSSLAND”, the pedagogical framework is based on the scaffolding of epistemic discomfort through four key didactic elements: 1) cross-disciplinary group work and open-ended assignment, 2) in-field inquiry as pre-training on space-time, 3) replacement of traditional lectures by student-led seminars, 4) GIS labs centred on the exploration of cross-disciplinary portfolios of geospatial approaches and methods given as worked-out examples. Main results from the evaluation of the framework implementation in a Summer School show how learning cross-disciplinarity happened thanks to a scaffolding that allowed, first and foremost, the socialisation of different conceptualisations of space. While students felt at ease with geospatial epistemic discomfort, we can conclude that spatial cognitive processes are powerful in improving abilities beyond the spatial domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Design research has a long history of active engagement with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yet, the mainstream adoption and sometimes tokenistic cooptation of design methods, have prompted renewed concerns about a new wave of perhaps unintended neo-colonial practices. Codesign practice tends to be sensitive to these risks, however, when design is driven only by concrete deliverables it often comes at the expense of participants' distinct identities and exacerbates problematic concepts of homogenising others. Facilitating diversity in how the other is seen, depicted, and engaged remains a challenge. Fostering pluriversality—Escobar's vision of relational ontology and a world 'where many worlds fit'—is even harder: it depends on enabling participants as active, autonomous agents as individuals, groups and communities. Empowering the interactions between and across participants requires a conceptual shift in the way we design. In this paper, we present our experiences with tabletop games design workshops to show how creative worldbuilding can trigger emergence and autopoiesis between participants and foster safe spaces where pluriversality is a condition for codesign to happen, rather than a desirable consequence of it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health crisis triggered by COVID-19 has exerted a profound influence on both conventional communication methods and the manifestations of interaction within the virtual sphere. Gradually, studies on digital communication have taken on an increasingly prominent role in various social science disciplines that address determinants such as the crisis of misinformation or digital interaction in contemporary societies. This study aims to analyze the key research topics that sociology has addressed in relation to the pandemic, along with the level of innovation in the utilization of digital sources and analytical methodology. The analysis is grounded in the hypothesis that the effects of the pandemic have led the discipline of sociology to reassess and more fully integrate studies on digital communication. On this premise, a systematic review of studies sourced from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases was executed. Innovative computational methodologies were employed for the categorization of articles and the elucidation of principal research topics. Furthermore, this research scrutinized the principal digital platforms utilized in these investigations and assessed the extent of methodological innovation applied to data analysis. The outcomes unveiled a pronounced ascendancy in the prominence of communication studies during the pandemic. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that the utilization of digital data sources in research remains surprisingly limited. This observation highlights a potential avenue for further exploration within the domain of sociological research, promising a more profound and contemporaneous comprehension of social phenomena amid times of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Due to the surplus in the production of 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon in Spain, there is great interest in developing products made from this fruit that can take full advantage of production peaks. However, heat treatment can reverse the astringency, limiting the diversity of products derived from persimmon. The aim of this study was to characterise physicochemically astringent and non‐astringent persimmon cremogenates subjected to pasteurisation and elaborated with different thickeners (guar gum, sodium alginate and pectin). Several aspects were specifically analysed: the evolution during the storage of the soluble solid content, water, total phenols, antioxidant capacity, optical and mechanical properties, as well as the microbiological stability. The sensory acceptability of the selected cremogenates was also evaluated. The results showed that the final colour of the samples depended on the initial level of astringency of the raw material; the non‐astringent persimmons were much darker (L* ≈ 40–50) than astringent persimmons (L* ≈ 65–70), and the type of thickener used had no effect and led to no difference. Furthermore, the cremogenate was harder (F ≈ 20–120 N) when astringent persimmons were used. In astringent cremogenates the thickeners evaluated help in reducing the total phenol content after 3 months of storage in 40% when compared to the control. The heat treatment applied (70 °C, 30 min) did not reverse the astringency, so this type of cremogenate could be a commercial outlet for the waste or surplus of this fruit. In this regard, non‐astringent persimmons with pectin would be recommended for the preparation of cremogenates from this fruit since they were also those that the scored best in the sensory analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity and quality deterioration, driven by rapid population growth, urbanization, and intensive industrial and agricultural activities, emphasize the urgency for effective water management. This study aims to develop a model to comprehensively monitor various water quality parameters (WQP) and evaluate the feasibility of implementing this model in real-world scenarios, addressing the limitations of conventional in-situ sampling. Thus, a comprehensive model for monitoring WQP was developed using a 38-year dataset of Landsat imagery and in-situ data from the Water Information System of Europe (WISE), employing Back-Propagated Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Correlation analyses revealed strong associations between remote sensing data and various WQPs, including Total Suspended Solids (TSS), chlorophyll-a (chl-a), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Total Phosphorus (TP). Optimal band combinations for each parameter were identified, enhancing the accuracy of the WQP estimation. The ANN-based model exhibited very high accuracy, particularly for chl-a and TSS (R2 > 0.90, NRMSE < 0.79%), surpassing previous studies. The independent validation showcased accurate classification for TSS and TN, while DO estimation faced challenges during high variation periods, highlighting the complexity of DO dynamics. The usability of the developed model was successfully tested in a real-case scenario, proving to be an operational tool for water management. Future research avenues include exploring additional data sources for improved model accuracy, potentially enhancing predictions and expanding the model's utility in diverse environmental contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male of Adesmus murutinga Martins & Galileo, 2004 is described for the first time, an updated key to Colombian species of the genus is presented, and three species of longhorned beetles are reported for the first time for Colombia. The specific localities in Colombia of Miriclytus quadrifasciatus (Chevrolat, 1862) and Oedudes spectabilis (Drury, 1782) are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether sexual selection facilitates or hampers the ability to plastically respond to novel environments might depend on population structure, via its effects on sexual interactions and associated fitness payoffs. Using experimentally evolved lines of the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus , we tested whether individuals evolving under different sexual selection (monogamy vs. polygamy) and population spatial structure (metapopulation vs. undivided populations) treatments differed in their response across developmental thermal conditions (control, hot, or stressful) in a range of fitness and fitness-associated traits. We found that individuals from subdivided populations had lower lifetime reproductive success at hot temperatures, but only in lines evolving under relaxed sexual selection, revealing a complex interaction between sexual selection, population structure, and thermal environmental stress on fitness. We also found an effect of population structure on several traits, including fertility and adult emergence success, under exposure to high thermal conditions. Finally, we found a strong negative effect of hot and stressful temperatures on fitness and associated traits. Our results show that population structure can exacerbate the impact of a warming climate, potentially leading to declines in population viability, but that sexual selection can buffer the negative influence of population subdivision on adaptation to warm temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased body size is often cited as a major response to ocean warming. Available evidence, however, questions the actual emergence of shrinking trends and the prevalence of temperature‐driven changes in size over alternative drivers. In marine fish, changes in food availability or fluctuations in abundance, including those due to size‐selective fishing, provide compelling mechanisms to explain changes in body size. Here, based on three decades of scientific survey data (1990–2021), we report a decline in the average body size—length and weight—of anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus L., in the Bay of Biscay. Shrinking was evident in all age classes, from juveniles to adults. Allometric adjustment indicated slightly more pronounced declines in weight than in total length, which is consistent with a change toward a slender body shape. Trends in adult weight were nonlinear, with rates accelerating to an average decline of up to 25% decade−1 during the last two decades. We found a strong association between higher anchovy abundance and reduced juvenile size. The effect of density dependence was less clear later in life, and temperature became the best predictor of declines in adult size. Theoretical analyses based on a strategic model further suggested that observed patterns are consistent with a simultaneous, opposing effect of rising temperatures on accelerating early growth and decreasing adult size as predicted by the temperature‐size rule. Macroecological assessment of ecogeographical—Bergmann's and James'—rules in anchovy size suggested that the observed decline largely exceeds intraspecific variation and might be the result of selection. Limitations inherent in the observational nature of the study recommend caution and a continued assessment and exploration of alternative drivers. Additional evidence of a climate‐driven regime shift in the region suggests, however, that shrinking anchovy sizes may signal a long‐lasting change in the structure and functioning of the Bay of Biscay ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caloric restriction is a non‐pharmacological intervention known to ameliorate the metabolic defects associated with aging, including insulin resistance. The levels of miRNA expression may represent a predictive tool for aging‐related alterations. In order to investigate the role of miRNAs underlying insulin resistance in adipose tissue during the early stages of aging, 3‐ and 12‐month‐old male animals fed ad libitum, and 12‐month‐old male animals fed with a 20% caloric restricted diet were used. In this work we demonstrate that specific miRNAs may contribute to the impaired insulin‐stimulated glucose metabolism specifically in the subcutaneous white adipose tissue, through the regulation of target genes implicated in the insulin signaling cascade. Moreover, the expression of these miRNAs is modified by caloric restriction in middle‐aged animals, in accordance with the improvement of the metabolic state. Overall, our work demonstrates that alterations in posttranscriptional gene expression because of miRNAs dysregulation might represent an endogenous mechanism by which insulin response in the subcutaneous fat depot is already affected at middle age. Importantly, caloric restriction could prevent this modulation, demonstrating that certain miRNAs could constitute potential biomarkers of age‐related metabolic alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperspectral imaging has emerged as a valuable technique for analyzing biological tissue compositions by probing intrinsic or exogenous biomolecules. However, conventional hyperspectral imaging methods predominantly rely on fluorescent signatures, limiting their application to nonfluorescent samples. To overcome this limitation, a label-free reflection-mode hyperspectral photoacoustic microscopy (RHS-PAM) system has been developed. RHS-PAM enables the imaging of thick biological samples with a wide range of intrinsic contrasts using excitation wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to near infrared. RHS-PAM eliminates the need for tissue staining, and has achieved cellular-level spatial resolution and automatic image coregistrations at all wavelengths. Proof-of-concept applications of RHS-PAM have been demonstrated on various model organisms, including Caenorhabditis elegans, frog tadpole, zebrafish, and mouse. The technique has successfully imaged a wealth of structural and molecular features in these organisms, utilizing the optical absorption contrast of nucleic acids, proteins, hemoglobin, melanin, and lipids. The results highlight the capability of RHS-PAM to provide rich optical contrast, high spatial resolution, and an extended spectral range for label-free imaging. We believe that RHS-PAM represents a highly promising tool for single-cell biochemical mapping of diverse biological tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: folic acid plays a crucial role in the epigenetic regulation of embryofetal development and its deficiency has been shown to be related to the appearance of different congenital defects. Objectives: to determine the time trend curves of five types of non-syndromic folatesensitive birth defects and to identify risk factors associated with them. Methods: an observational, analytical, retrospective, population-based case-control study was conducted in Villa Clara Province between 2013 and 2018. Prevalence rates of congenital defects among live births, stillbirths and elective terminations of pregnancy were determined and the analysis of the polynomial trend line of prevalence rates for the different types of congenital defects was performed. Results: a decreasing or stable trend was observed for cleft lip and palate, gastroschisis and Down syndrome, while a slightly increasing trend was observed for congenital conotruncal heart defects and neural tube defects. Conclusions: the discrete upward trend identified in the prevalence rates of congenital congenital heart disease and neural tube defects has a multifactorial origin, in which genetic predisposition and different risk factors such as deficient consumption of folic acid in critical periods of embryonic development are intertwined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The architectural characteristics of a muscle determine its function. Objective: To determine the architectural adaptations of the lateral gastrocnemius (LG) and medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscles after a functional eccentric strength training protocol consisting of heel drop exercises, followed by a subsequent detraining period. Design: Pretest and posttest. Setting: Training rooms and laboratory. Participants: The participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 20). Interventions: The 13-week intervention included participants (N = 45) who were randomly divided into an EG (n = 25) and a CG (n = 20). The EG performed a week of control and training, 8 weeks of eccentric training, and 4 weeks of detraining. The CG did not perform any type of muscular training. The architectural characteristics of the LG and MG muscles were evaluated at rest in both groups using 2-D ultrasound before (pretest–week 1) and after (posttest–week 9) the training, and at the end of the detraining period (retest–week 13). Main Outcome Measures: One-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine training-induced changes in each of the variables of the muscle architecture. Results: After the training period, the members of the EG experienced a significant increase in the fascicle length of LG (t = −9.85, d = 2.78, P <.001) and MG (t = −8.98, d = 2.54, P <.001), muscle thickness (t = −6.71, d = 2.86, P <.001) and (t = −7.85, d = 2.22, P <.001), and the pennation angle (t = −10.21, d = 1.88, P <.05) and (t = −1.87, d = 0.53, P <.05), respectively. After the detraining period, fascicle length, muscle thickness, and pennation angle showed a significant decrease. In the CG, no significant changes were observed in any of the variables. Conclusions: The heel drop exercise seems to generate adaptations in the architectural conditions of LG and MG, which are also reversible after a detraining period. These results may have practical implications for injury prevention and rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of the deciduous tooth until its physiological exfoliation occurs is one of the main objectives of pediatric dentistry. Endodontic treatment in deciduous teeth resulting from carious or traumatic lesions with pulpal involvement is often necessary and we often find it difficult to perform it, due to the difficult control of the child, the internal anatomy of the root canals, and root resorptions. The non-instrumental endodontic treatment technique (NIET) associated with antimicrobial drugs has advantages such as shorter chair time and less complexity than the conventional technique in which root canal instrumentation is performed. The aim of this study is to carry out a controlled and randomized clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of (NIET) in primary teeth associated with the use of two obturator pastes. One hundred and twenty necrotic deciduous teeth of children aged between 3 and 6 years will be selected; and the teeth will be divided into two groups. In Group 1 and Group 2, root canals will not be instrumented, just irrigated and filled with the respective pastes, antibiotic (CTZ) and iodoform (Guedes-Pinto). Presence of fistula and mobility will be clinically evaluated. The evaluations will be carried out in both groups on the day of treatment and in periods of 1, 3 and 6 months after treatment. For the main outcome, the tooth will be the unit of analysis and the Kaplan-Meier test will be performed to estimate the survival rates of the included teeth. For comparison between the two groups, Student's t test or Mann-Whitney test will be performed, depending on the normality of the data. In addition, Poisson regression analyzes will be carried out, in order to allow the evaluation of the influence of some variables on the results. For all analyses, the significance value will be adjusted to 5%. Trial registration: NCT04587089 in ClinicalTrials.gov. Approval date: May 15, 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the leaching of chalcopyrite concentrates, this study evaluated a new process for extracting copper using iodized solutions and sulfuric acid diluted in seawater without pressure or high temperatures. The work involved a leaching test carried out under various conditions by varying the concentrations of chloride ions, H2SO4, and an evenly distributed oxygen supply in an aeration system. It was demonstrated that Cl− ion addition could promote the chalcopyrite-leaching process. The leaching efficiency of copper reached 70% after 96 h. However, a chloride ion dosage excess can have the opposite effect on extraction, reducing copper recovery. XRD and SEM-EDS results showed that cuprous chloride (CuCl) was formed at high dosages (>0.5 M); meanwhile, at a lower dosage, elemental sulfur (S) was formed in the presence of sulfuric acid solution and seawater medium. In contrast, in an aerated system, surface roughness markedly increased due to continuous oxidation on the surface of the ore. This change in morphology and the high value of the redox potential, given by the aerated system and the acidic environment, allowed copper recovery of up to 70% after 96 h. The results showed that an aerated system is the most effective factor in chalcopyrite concentrate leaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the practices of building, dismantling and moving (with material reutilization) of rural traditional houses in the Santiago del Estero plain. This study is carried out due to its potential for approaching problems linked to the archaeological record of local architecture and the dynamics of pre-Columbian residential space, issues without much archaeological information. The ethnographical observations were guided by questions arisen by the reading of archaeological data of mound sites inhabited in the region between ca. 1000 BP and peri-colonial moments. The analysis is focused on the possible consequences of practices similar to the present ones in the formation and interpretation (stratigraphical, chronological, spatial, functional) of the archaeological record, and on how such kind of practices in the past can be traced and detected through the archaeological data. Based on that, we propose a model of pre-Columbian house and residence management related to the environmental and social dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La reduplicación ha sido motivo de múltiples discusiones teóricas. En esta investigación se describe la reduplicación en el tepehuano del sureste, así como sus implicaciones en la teoría fonológica, particularmente en el modelo completo y modelo básico que plantean McCarthy y Prince (1995). Se muestra que en esta lengua la variedad de formas del reduplicante se debe a restricciones en la formación de la palabra reduplicada, sobre todo aquellas que regulan la elisión de vocales, la posición del acento y la prohibición de inicios y codas complejos. Además, en esta lengua no se favorece la identidad entre la base y el reduplicante, más bien el reduplicante mantiene la fidelidad con la raíz y es la base la que se disimila de ambos. Con base en estos datos se discute la pertinencia de revalorar las relaciones de correspondencia entre la entrada y el reduplicante. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnosol is a natural diterpene present in Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary) with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite its importance, the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the interactions between carnosol and human targets are still unclear. The goal was to identify plausible human target for carnosol and the network pharmacology. Rosemary was analyzed using HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS. Potential carnosol targets were identified using docking and a public database (CTD). Carnosol was screened against 708 human proteins using AutoDock Vina, and affinity values were used as prioritization criteria. The targets set was uploaded to WebGestalt to obtain Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analyses allowed the tentative annotation of nine chemicals, with carnosol being the most ionized. There were 53 plausible targets for carnosol, with 20 identified using virtual screening, including Hsp90α (−10.9 kcal/mol), AKR1C3 (−10.4 kcal/mol), and Hsp90β (−10.4 kcal/mol), and 33 identified from CTD. The potential targets for carnosol identified with PPI and molecular docking were HSP90AA1, MAPK1, MAPK3, CAT, JUN, AHR, and CASP3. GO terms and KEGG pathways analysis found that carnosol is closely related to infection (Chagas, influenza A, toxoplasmosis, and pertussis) and inflammation (IL-17 and TNF signaling pathway and Th-17 cell differentiation). These results demonstrated that carnosol may induce an immuno-inflammatory response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various micron and submicron structures were laser-induced on silicon, including LIPSS (laser-induced periodic surface structures), grooves, conical spikes and deep craters. We used a fibre-based femtosecond (fs) laser to ablate the silicon wafer in ambient air. The formed structures strongly depend on the per-pulse laser fluence and the number of delivered pulses. We characterized the obtained structures using electron scanning microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Our results revealed interesting features such as flipping structure orientation and the coexistence of two or more types of structures that exhibit a unique wetting behaviour (contact angle with water). We found that the type of surface structures significantly influences the surface wettability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the initiation and growth of a dry granular shear zone subjected to seismic shearing and flash heating from the perspective of a discrete element method. For this purpose, we created a semi-periodic numerical shear test similar to a rotary shear machine in which a 2 mm ×1.5 mm sample composed of micrometric cohesive disks is sheared in between two rigid walls. The strength of cohesive bonds is defined according to an elasto-brittle contact law calibrated to simulate peak and residual strength envelopes derived from rock mechanics tests. The sample is traversed by a pre-existing fracture and subjected to a vertical confining pressure (e.g. 112.5 MPa) and a velocity step function (e.g. 1 m s–1) applied on the top and bottom walls, respectively. Slip along the fracture induces the growth of a shear zone, which thickens by progressive abrasion of damaged material from cohesive blocks. We carried out two parametric studies to determine the rheology and physical properties of the shear zone for slip velocities and confining pressures characteristic of shallow earthquakes and several flash-heating temperatures. According to parametric studies, the mechanical behavior of the shear zone exhibits three distinct phases. The initial phase of rupture initiation is characterized by the propagation of a shear instability generated by the velocity step (phase 1). During this phase, friction and dilatancy curves are approximated by asymmetric peak functions whose amplitude and geometry are controlled primarily by confining pressure. In the intermediate phase of shear-zone growth, the sample displays an initial transient stage that asymptotically approaches steady state at submelting temperatures (phase 2). According to the inertial number, seismic shearing occurs under quasi-static conditions despite high shear rates. Thus, friction and dilatancy observed in all simulations are roughly constant regardless of slip velocity, confining pressure, and gouge zone thickness. In the final phase of shear weakening, the model evolves toward a new steady state at flash-heating temperatures (phase 3). Average friction and dilatancy are represented by sigmoidal decreasing curves that approach steady-state values lower than for phase 2. Predictably, the thermally weakened friction in steady state (μss ∼ 0.1) is close to the strength of frictionless granular samples sheared in quasi-static conditions. We calculate breakdown energies for the gouge and damage zones and the fracture energy at intermediate and high confining pressures. We show that breakdown energy fundamentally differs from fracture energy commonly used in seismology. The breakdown energy of the damage zones shows long-period damped oscillations weakly correlated with shear-stress fluctuations around average decaying values. Our results suggest that dilatancy is the primary energy sink within the damage zones at steady-state values. The breakdown energy components of the gouge zone follow a similar decaying trend as the average fracture energy but over a longer critical distance. Decohesion and dilatancy are the major energy sinks linked to gouge formation at intermediate pressures. In contrast, dilatancy and debonding frictional energies predominate at high confining pressures. Breakdown energy is equivalent to a fraction of fracture energy that nearly triples when doubling the confining pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The old question of "pre-Columbian contacts" is reconsidered on the basis of an ecumenical and not a Eurocentric perspective. The contact zones between the Old and the New World (Northern Asia, North Atlantic, South Atlantic and South Pacific) were frequented for centuries by nearby peoples. The greater interaction between literate civilizations after the Mongol invasions of the 13th century meant that their local experiences could be compared with each other by experts, who managed to achieve a better knowledge of the world's geography. The Columbian enterprise is tributary of such global processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The higher education student population has a special risk of use and abuse of psychoactive drugs. Objective: To analyze the use of psychoactive drugs in higher education students and their relationship with the sociodemographic variables and the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Methodology: An analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected through a questionnaire applied after the first semester of the 2020/2021 school year to 8875 students of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança from Portugal. A stratified sample of 825 participants for each of the five schools. Results: Alcohol and tobacco are the most used and abused substances due to the practice of binge drinking/smoking. Psychoactive and recreational drugs are less used. Use is affected by sociodemographic variables: gender, age, school, chronic diseases, and parents' education/occupation. During the pandemic COVID-19, students perceive an increase in use except for alcohol. Conclusion: The use of psychoactive drugs in higher education students is affected by sociodemographic variables and the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a case report of a 54-year-old female with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) and fragrance sensitization. CAD is a condition characterized by eczematous lesions in sun-exposed areas and a decreased minimal erythema dose. The cause of CAD is unknown, but it is believed to be an immunologically mediated response to either exogenous or endogenous skin antigens. The patient in the case study had a history of chronic hand eczema and tested positive for various allergens. Despite treatment, her condition worsened over time, leading to lichenified plaques and generalized itching. Phototherapy was ineffective, and alternative diagnoses were ruled out. The patient eventually started treatment with dupilumab, a medication that showed promising results in the treatment of CAD. After starting dupilumab, the patient experienced progressive improvement, with a decrease in lesions and pruritus. The article suggests that dupilumab may improve the Th2-mediated allergic contact dermatitis present in many CAD patients. Overall, the case study highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of CAD and proposes dupilumab as an optimal treatment option. [Extracted from the article]

One of the main problems in processing chalcopyrite ore with hydrometallurgical methods is its refractoriness, which is due to the formation of a layer that inhibits the contact of the ore with the leaching solution, thus reducing the dissolution rate. The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the leaching potential of iodide ions in copper extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate in an acidic seawater medium. Leaching tests were carried out in glass reactors stirred at 45 °C. Parameters such as iodide salt concentration and acidity were evaluated in ranges of 0–5000 ppm and 0–1.0 M, respectively. According to the results obtained, adding iodide ions to a medium acid enhances the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite. An increase in iodide ions improves the leaching kinetics in the chalcopyrite concentrate, observing that it improves copper extraction at low concentrations of 100 ppm KI compared to high concentrations of 5000 ppm KI. As a result, part of the iodide required to oxidize copper tends to sublimate or is associated with other ions producing iodinated compounds such as CuI. Copper extraction reached 45% within the first 96 h, while at 216 h, it reached an extraction of close to 70% copper. The recovery rate improves at potentials between 600 and 650 mV, while at lower potentials, the copper extraction decreases. The mineral surface was analyzed using SEM/EDS and XRD analyses for the identification of precipitates on the surface, finding porous elemental sulfur and precipitated jarosite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the relationship between Engagement and constructiveness in online news comments by analyzing the frequency and type of Engagement expressions in a corpus of English and Russian comments, following the Appraisal framework. The comments in question, 10,000 words in each language, were posted in response to opinion articles in the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail and the Russian online news channel RT. In the context of online news comments, users generally characterize constructive comments as posts that tend to create a civil dialogue through remarks that are relevant to the article and do not provoke an emotional response. Through quantitative and qualitative analyses, we conclude that the language of constructive comments is more explicitly subjective in both languages. The main difference in the use of Engagement expressions in constructive and non-constructive comments lies along the lines of certainty/uncertainty and reliability/unreliability. As for cross-linguistic differences, it seems that English constructive comments place emphasis on the reliability of a commenter's knowledge, while Russian constructive comments employ more modals of necessity, which have a prescriptive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]