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Biopolymers derived from biomass can provide the advantages of both biodegradability and functional qualities from a circular economy point of view, where waste is transformed into raw material. In particular, avocado seeds can be considered an interesting residue for biobased packaging applications due to their high starch content. In this work, avocado seed starch (ASS)-based films containing different glycerol concentrations were prepared by solvent casting. Films were also reinforced with starch nanocrystals (SNCs) obtained through the acid hydrolysis of ASS. The characterization of the extracted starch and starch nanocrystals by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis has been reported. Adding 1% of SNCs increased elastic modulus by 112% and decreased water vapor permeability by 30% with respect to neat matrix. Interestingly, the bioactive compounds from the avocado seed provided the films with high antioxidant capacity. Moreover, considering the long time required for traditional plastic packaging to degrade, all of the ASS-based films disintegrated within 48 h under lab-scale composting conditions. The results of this work support the valorization of food waste byproducts and the development of reinforced biodegradable materials for potential use as active food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a prototype of a portable and modular electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system for breast tumor detection. The proposed system uses MATLAB to generate three-dimensional representations of breast tissue. The modular architecture of the system allows for flexible customization and scalability. It consists of several interconnected modules. Each module can be easily replaced or upgraded, facilitating system maintenance and future enhancements. Testing of the prototype has shown promising results in preliminary screening based on experimental studies. Agar models were used for the experimental stage of this project. The 3D representations provide clinicians with valuable information for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Further research and refinement of the system is warranted to validate its performance in future clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Cirugia is the property of Sociedad de Cirujanos de Chile and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Chronic total occlusion (CTO) plaque modification (CTO‐PM) is often used for unsuccessful CTO interventions. Methods. A multicenter, prospective study included consecutive patients with failed CTO recanalization. At the end of the failed procedure, patients received either a conventional (CB) or drug‐coated balloon (DCB) for CTO‐PM at the operator's discretion and underwent a new attempt of CTO recanalization ∼3 months later. Results. A total of 55 patients were enrolled (DCB: 22; CB: 33), with a median age of 66 years. The median J‐score was 3, and CCS angina classes III–IV were present in 45% of the patients. After the first CTO‐PCI attempt, no in‐hospital cardiac deaths were registered. The overall rate of in‐hospital myocardial infarction was 3.6%, without significant differences between the DCB and CB groups (4.5% after DCB vs 3.0% after CB, p = 0.999). The success rate of the second CTO‐PCI attempt was 86.8%, with a periprocedural complication rate of 5.7% and with an overall rate of in‐hospital complications of 24.5%, without significant differences between the 2 groups (13.6% in the DCB group vs 32.2% in the CB group, p = 0.195). Compared with CB, in the DCB group, the second CTO‐PCI required a shorter median fluoroscopy time (33 vs 60 min, p < 0.001), a lower contrast volume (170 vs 321 cc, p < 0.001), and a lower radiation dose (1.7 vs 3.3 Gy, p < 0.001). At 1‐year follow‐up, outcomes were comparable between the 2 strategies, target vessel failure occurred in 5.7% and major adverse cardiovascular events in 18.2% (13.6% in the DCB group vs 21.2% in the CB group, p = 0.494). Conclusions. PM after CTO recanalization failure is safe and warrants high success rates when a second attempt is performed. A DCB strategy for CTO‐PM does not seem to ensure higher success or better clinical outcomes, but its use was associated with simpler staged procedures. This trial is registered with NCT05158686. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of recovery of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Pacific Northwest has been blamed in part on predation by pinnipeds, particularly the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). Previous work at a limited number of locations has shown that male seal diet contains more salmon than that of female seals and that sex ratios at haul‐out sites differ spatiotemporally. This intrapopulation variation in predation may result in greater effects on salmon than suggested by models assuming equal spatial distribution and diet proportion. To address the generality of these patterns, we examined the sex ratios and diet of male and female harbor seals from 13 haul‐out sites in the inland waters of Washington State and the province of British Columbia during 2012–2018. DNA metabarcoding was conducted to determine prey species proportions of individual scat samples. The sex of harbor seals was then determined from each scat matrix sample with the use of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We analyzed 2405 harbor seal scat samples using generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to examine the factors influencing harbor seal sex ratio at haul‐out sites and permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) to examine the influence of sex and haul‐out site on harbor seal diet composition. We found that the overall sex ratio was 1:1.02 (female:male) with notable spatiotemporal variation. Salmoniformes were about 2.6 times more abundant in the diet of males than in the diet of females, and Chinook salmon comprised ca. three times more of the average male harbor seal's diet than the average female's diet. Based on site‐specific sex ratios and diet data, we identified three haul‐out sites where Chinook salmon appear to be under high predation pressure by male harbor seals: Cowichan Bay, Cutts Area, and Fraser River. Our study indicates that combining sex‐specific pinniped diet data with the sex ratio of haul‐out sites can help identify priority sites of conservation concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research presents an experimental electric vehicle developed at the Tecnológico Nacional de México Celaya campus. It was decided to use a golf cart-type gasoline vehicle as a starting point. Initially, the body was removed, and the vehicle was electrified, meaning its engine was replaced with an electric one. Subsequently, sensors used to measure the vehicle states were placed, calibrated, and instrumented. Additionally, a mathematical model was developed along with a strategy for the parametric identification of this model. A communication scheme was implemented consisting of four slave devices responsible for controlling the accelerator, brake, steering wheel, and measuring the sensors related to odometry. The master device is responsible for communicating with the slaves, displaying information on a screen, creating a log, and implementing trajectory tracking techniques based on classical, geometric, and predictive control. Finally, the performance of the control algorithms implemented on the experimental prototype was compared in terms of tracking error and control input across three different types of trajectories: lane change, right-angle curve, and U-turn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I analyze Hegel's interpretation of Plato's political philosophy (specially the Republic) in certain passages of two specific works: Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts and Die Vorlesungen über Platon. I consider two axes of analysis: private property and subjective freedom. The main goal of the paper is to describe the relationship that Hegel establishes with Plato, or at least with the Republic. I show that this dialogue presents nuances with respect to the two axes mentioned and that these nuances imply differences of analysis regarding the Hegelian reading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Colombian Journal of Anesthesiology / Revista Colombiana de Anestesiología is the property of Sociedad Colombiana de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, a study by Dignath et al. (2023) reported on the intriguing finding that cognitive control is enhanced by information that primes self-referential processing. Here, we present an independently performed replication as a first step towards building a cumulative body of support for this finding. Specifically, we replicated their reduced Stroop effect for color-words that are presented together with the possessive pronoun 'my', as compared to color-words presented together with a definite or indefinite article. We did so in a Spanish cohort (generalizing from the German cohort in the original study), and while implementing several (theoretically irrelevant) changes to the design in order to showcase that this type of finding is not due to idiosyncratic features of the design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Estudios Políticos is the property of Centro de Estudios Politicos y Constitucionales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cultura Educación y Sociedad is the property of Corporacion Universidad de la Costa, CUC and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Autonomous Ground Vehicles play a vital role in various industries, necessitating efficient route planning for mission success without human intervention. This study examines two metaheuristic optimization approaches, Genetic Algorithms and Ant Colony Optimization, within the context of route planning for these robotic entities. The comprehensive methodology utilizes the designs of these metaheuristic methods, and a comparative analysis is conducted through simulated experiments in diverse environments. Thefindings unveil that Genetic Algorithms excel in simple terrains; while Ant Colony Optimization demonstrates robust exploration capabilities in complex environments with obstacles and additional constraints. This underscores the importance of selecting the appropriate metaheuristic based on specific mission requirements and environmental conditions. The research furnishes insights to designers and operators, enabling informed decisions in route planning strategy selection, thereby enhancing the efficiency and safety of autonomous robotic operations across various scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]