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Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? What the paper adds to existing knowledge? What Are the implications for practice? Introduction Aim Method Results Discussion/Implications for Practice Mental health professionals' beliefs about transgender individuals vary, often influenced by stereotypes. There's recognition of healthcare needs, but limited knowledge impacts decision‐making. Stereotypes persist regarding why transgender individuals seek mental health care. Professionals' attitudes show both positive support and negative, discriminatory views. Lack of training and knowledge gaps hinder effective care for transgender individuals. Pathologising attitudes exist, associating gender diversity with mental health conditions. Addressing training gaps is crucial for equitable care for transgender individuals. Challenging stereotypes and beliefs is necessary to reduce stigma and improve understanding. Enhancing knowledge and evidence‐based tools will ensure safe and equal healthcare access. Transgender people face against significant barriers in accessing mental health services due to, among other reasons, discrimination and a lack of expertise among professionals.To explore the beliefs and attitudes of professionals in the mental health network of the region of Murcia towards transgender people, focusing on aspects such as knowledge, perceptions, and prejudices about gender identity.We carried out a qualitative study involving 14 participants, conducting semi‐structured interviews based on prior knowledge of the topic. We asked the professionals about their experiences and challenges in their clinical interaction with transgender users and followed an inductive‐deductive process to analyse the data.Two main themes were identified from the interviews, which were sub‐categorised into different sub‐themes: (a) beliefs about transgender people: underlying factors and origins of gender diversity, health needs, and stereotypes about the demand for health care; (b) attitudes and behaviours of professionals towards transgender people: pathologization and attitudes towards decision‐making.Our findings suggest that mental health professionals tend to oversimplify the factors underlying gender diversity and hold certain stereotypical beliefs about these users that oversimplify the complexity of their experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While emerging pollutants are being detected in water bodies globally, a significant amount of solid waste that could be used for effluent remediation is being discarded. This not only reduces the half-life of landfills but also contributes to environmental pollution. Of these, eggshells (ES) are one of the most discarded food waste items worldwide. This paper presents the development and characterization of ES-based adsorbent for the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC), an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant, from aqueous solutions. The sorption of OTC on ES and ES-derived materials has not been previously studied. The ES was modified by removing the organic layer and both materials were used to grow Fe oxides, which can impart magnetic response to allow indirect manipulation or the addition of new sorption sites. Two methodologies were employed to synthesize Fe oxides: alkaline oxidation in the presence of nitrate and impregnation–pyrolysis (IP), which have not been used previously for developing magnetic ES. The materials developed by IP exhibit the highest total specific surface area and display a magnetic response due to the presence of magnetite and maghemite. Moreover, they exhibit a negative zeta potential over a wide range of pH values. All materials were able to adsorb OTC at pH 3, 7, or 9, indicating that ES (the simplest material) and ESIP (composite with good enough magnetic response) are suitable for removing OTC from aqueous solution. ES is recommended when indirect manipulation is not necessary, whereas ESIP is recommended when it is required. In order to explore the potential for reuse of the composite-pollutant materials, their antibacterial capacity against E. coli and E. faecium was evaluated. The findings of the present work contribute to the development of a circular economy by reducing waste generation, minimizing the consumption of natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while improving environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a method for evaluating stress-optic coefficient measurements and their uncertainty on a four-point bending specimen is presented. Other previously used methods approached this issue by considering multiple data through an ordinary least squares fit; but they only take into account the repeatability contribution to uncertainty, so they are not consistent with the ISO-Guide to the expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. The method presented here uses a general least squares fit with which it is possible to consider all possible contributions to uncertainty. The application of the method is illustrated with an example, from which it can be seen that uncertainty has been underestimated in the results of the other methods used to date. In addition to the estimate of the stress-optic coefficient and its corresponding standard uncertainty, the method also provides a test to check the consistency of the data and an outlier identification tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A methodological variant is suggested to develop General Physics problem solving classes in engineering careers. Its basic idea is to favor the understanding and application of the logic of the scientific method from the perspective of the G. Pólya approach to face and solve those problems. As an illustrative example, a Mechanics problem is solved using this criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Assume that a random vector (X,Y) is observed in k populations and independent samples of that random vector are available at each population. Assume that X and Y have the same dimension. Our purpose is to test the equality of the marginal distributions of X and Y in the k populations when k is large compared to the sample sizes. With this aim, we propose and study a test statistic that compares the empirical characteristic functions of the marginal distributions. Under the null, the test statistic is asymptotically free‐distributed. An expression of the asymptotic power is also derived, which allows to study the consistency of the test. No assumption is made on the distribution of X and Y, which can be continuous, discrete or mixed; moreover, no assumption is made about moments. A simulation study investigates the finite sample performance of the new test. The proposal is applied to study air pollution levels that are directly related to environmental health, in all countries where observations are available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New remain of a SANU from the lower levels of the Lumbrera Formation is described. It consists of a left dentary fragment with a m3 preserving a partially broken trigonid and a complete talonid. Kyraodus churcalensis gen. et. sp nov. is characterised by the following combination of features: brachydont and bunodont molar; talonid larger than trigonid; distal wall of the metaconid not inflated; hypoconid subequal in height, but more voluminous than the distally placed hypoconulid; small entoconid closer to the hypoconulid; metastylid vestigial; strong cristid obliqua lingually projected and mesially ascending, closing labially the talonid basin, which is a narrow oblique valley labio-lingually opened; hypocristid present without contacting the hypoconulid; postcristid present, contacting the entoconid and closing the small valley between the later and hypoconulid; strong mesio-labial cingulid and reduced disto-labial one. The cladistic analysis performed yields 380 most parsimonious trees (177 steps each). In the strict consensus, Kyraodus is positioned in a clade with Mioclaenidae, Litopterna, Didolodontidae and Phenacodontidae, separated from Notoungulata plus Kollpaniidae. Kyraodus represents the ancient condylarth known from Northwestern Argentina and the accompanying fauna is the first confirmed early Ypresian assemblage of Argentina highlighting the importance of the region for the early radiation of native ungulates. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:55379E92-AB62-4E9A-9FC8-2F1B6A1B2B39 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Latin America, informal support from adult children to their older parents ("upward support") is crucial with an aging population and insufficient coverage of social protection systems. This article examines variables associated with upward support, distinguishing by gender of parents and their children. The research design is quantitative, correlational, and cross-sectional. It is based on primary survey data collected by the authors for the study. The authors hypothesized that upward support depends on children's opportunities to provide support and on the needs of parents. The results show that upward support depends more on children's opportunities than on parents' needs, although upward support is higher for parents with poorer health. Daughters are more supportive than sons, but sibling characteristics do not moderate associations between children's gender and receipt of support. Cohabiting with the parent, receiving support from the parent, and having a good relationship were also associated with greater upward support. Therefore, policies should consider the gender of adult children when allocating resources to older people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous renal replacement techniques (CRRT) can induce complications and monitoring is crucial to ensure patient safety. We designed a prospective multicenter observational and descriptive study using the DIALYREG registry, an online database located on a REDCap web-based platform that allows real-time data analysis. Our main objective was to identify CRRT-related complications in our intensive care units (ICUs) and implement security measures accordingly. From January 2019 to December 2020, we included 323 patients with admission diagnoses of medical illness (54%), sepsis (24%), postoperative care (20%), and trauma (2%). CRRT indications were homeostasis (42%), oliguria (26%), fluid overload (15%), and hemodynamic optimization (13%). The median initial therapy dose was 30 ml/kg/h (IQR 25–40), and dynamic adjustment was performed in 61% of the treatments. Sets were anticoagulated with heparin (40%), citrate (38%) or no anticoagulation (22%). Citrate anticoagulation had several advantages: more frequent dynamic CRRT dose adjustment (77% vs. 58% with heparin and 56% without anticoagulation, p < 0.05), longer duration of set (median of 55 h, IQR 24–72 vs. 23 h, IQR 12–48 with heparin and 12 h, IQR 12–31 without anticoagulation, p < 0.05), less clotting of the set (26% vs. 46.7% with heparin, p < 0.05), and lower incidence of hypophosphatemia (1% citrate vs. 6% with heparin and 5% without anticoagulation). It was also safe and effective in subgroup analysis of patients with liver disease or sepsis. The main global complications were hypothermia (16%), hypophosphatemia (13%) and metabolic acidosis (10%). Weaning of the therapy was achieved through early discontinuation (56%), nocturnal therapy transition (26%) and progressive SLED (18%). 52% of the patients were discharged from the hospital, while 43% died in the ICU and 5% died during hospitalization. We can conclude that the DIALYREG registry is a feasible tool for real-time control of CRRT in our ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the Sierras of Córdoba suffered the most extreme fire season in recent collective memory, causing severe ecological and socioeconomic damage. In this study, we mapped the fires of 2020 using Sentinel 2 imagery, we compared the season with historical statistics from 1987-2019 in terms of number of fires, burned area, fire size distribution and fire frequency. Additionally, we analyzed fire incidence in areas of ecological value (protected natural areas [PNA], priority areas for biodiversity conservation [CPA] and native forests protected by Federal Law [#26331/07]) and in areas of socioeconomic value (productive and residential lands, considering their tax value). In 2020, nearly 291866 ha burned in the Sierras of Córdoba --becoming the fire season with the second largest burned area in 34 years--, with a record of 5 megafires (≥10000 ha). Many burned areas had fire return intervals from 3 to 9 years on average, constituting as hotspot regions of fire in our study area. Flames affected more than 5% of PNA, 12% of CPA and 12% of forests protected by federal law. Fires affected mainly the rural areas, and to a lesser extent, urban lands with tax values of AR$8677 and 24592 million, respectively. Extreme drought and fuel availability were determinants for the occurrence of megafires, while the pandemic lockdown suggests that fires were not set by negligent urban inhabitants. The damages caused by the 2020 megafires and the possibility of similar scenarios in the future require policies towards an integral management of the fire issue in Córdoba province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prosopis species (mesquite trees) provide one of the main Non-Timber Forest Products of the Monte Desert and their pods have played an important role as a source of livelihood for the inhabitants of most arid regions of America. Our goals for this study were to analyze the morphological variability of P. flexuosa (mesquite) fruits and the chemical-nutritional properties (moisture content, ash, total protein, total lipids, total crude fiber, soluble sugars and total carbohydrates) of the endocarp-free flour in eight provenances distributed along the latitudinal gradient of the Monte desert (Pipanaco, Fiambalá, Chilecito, Telteca, Montecaseros, Las Catitas, Ñacuñán and San Rafael). The fruits were collected from locations isolated from each other by mountain ranges or by a distance of more than 100 km. A latitudinal differentiation in fruit morphology was observed between the locations. Those from the northernmost location (latitude 27° 58' - 29° 29' S) differed in their morphological characteristics in that they were longer, and therefore have more knots and seeds than the fruits of the southernmost populations (latitude 32° 22' - 35° 18' S). However, there was no observed effect of geographical location on the chemical characterization of the flour. Only the total fat content was higher in the southern population. P. flexuosa flour from Mendoza contained high levels of soluble sugars and carbohydrates in Telteca, which could be related to the water stress tolerance of mesquite trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This text addresses the artistic theme of women as the embodiment of death through the motif of the female corpse in the film The Autopsy of Jane Doe (André Øvredal, 2016). The construction of the character of the dead woman is based on the stereotype of the fatal woman, connecting with misogynistic iconographies that demonize female sexuality through the link between evil and carnality. In the iconographic analysis, cultural products are critically analyzed from a feminist approach that find their reason for being in a gendered condition of evil, becoming aware of the ideology that permeates them. Beauty is conceived as a trap or artifice, relating the female body with temptation, danger, death and corruption. Under the cover of a fantastic narrative, old moralistic clichés are updated that rest on aesthetic definitions of beauty/ugliness loaded with patriarchal implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares the most effective sequence for performing gastroscopy and colonoscopy in the same session. The study analyzed data from 2049 procedures performed between 2015 and 2019 at a hospital in Madrid, Spain. The results showed that performing gastroscopy first followed by colonoscopy reduced the total dose of medication and exploration time. There were no significant differences in the number of complications reported between the two sequences. However, it is important to note that this study had limitations, including its retrospective nature and the lack of randomization of patients to different sequences. [Extracted from the article]

In the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and preventive medicine have come to the forefront of action. In this framework, mental health has been greatly affected, health workers and the general population have suffered the consequences of isolation and misinformation, among others. From the Institute of Preventive Medicine Capitán médico Ramón y Cajal, several health promotion actions have been developed in which the psychological approach has been taken into account. During this time, the strategic lines of communication proposed by the World Health Organization have been followed. Likewise, with the aim of supporting the work of health professionals in the Armed Forces, various guides, infographics and other material have been designed and disseminated through the Institute's website. Special attention has been devoted to pandemic fatigue to reinforce prevention measures and overcome fatigue in the face of the pandemic, in order to change the decrease in risk perception. All these actions have the final objective of maintaining the psychophysical conditions of military personnel in an optimal state to carry out the entrusted missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Jubaea chilensis (Molina) Baillon, is a uniquely large palm species endemic to Chile. It is under threatened status despite its use as an ornamental species throughout the world. This research seeks to identify the phyllotaxis of the species based on an original combination of non-destructive data acquisition technologies, namely Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in saplings and young individuals and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) in standing specimens, and a novel analysis methodology. Results: Two phyllotaxis parameters, parastichy pairs and divergence angle, were determined by analyzing specimens at different developmental stages. Spiral phyllotaxis patterns of J. chilensis progressed in complexity from parastichy pairs (3,2) and (3,5) in juvenile specimens and (5,3), (8,5) and (8,13) for adult specimens. Divergence angle was invariable and averaged 136.9°, close to the golden angle. Phyllotactic pattern changes associated with establishment phase, the adult vegetative and the adult reproductive phases were observed. Both technologies, MRI and TLS proved to be adequate for the proposed analysis. Conclusions: Understanding phyllotactic transitions may assist identification of developmental stages of wild J. chilensis specimens. The proposed methodology may also be useful for the study of other palm species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Testing procedures for assessing a parametric regression model with a circular response and an R d -valued covariate are proposed and analysed in this work. The test statistics are based on a circular distance comparing a (non-smoothed or smoothed) parametric circular regression estimator and a nonparametric one. Two bootstrap procedures for calibrating the tests in practice are also presented. Finite sample performance of the tests in different scenarios is analysed by simulations and illustrated with real data examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document is a correction notice for an article titled "Efficacy and safety assessment of different dosage of benznidazol for the treatment of Chagas disease in chronic phase in adults (MULTIBENZ study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized Phase II non-inferiority clinical trial." The correction states that the trial was originally conceived as a non-inferiority trial but was changed to a superiority trial due to feasibility issues. The authors calculated a new sample size based on published data and estimated that 237 patients would be needed. The original article has been corrected and the changes are attached to the correction notice. [Extracted from the article]

Using a representative sample, we explored the relationship of organizational (ORA), non-organizational (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity (IR) with depressive and anxious symptomatology and loneliness in Chilean older people, and examined mediating mechanisms. Structural Equation Modeling showed a direct effect between ORA and reduced depressive symptomatology and between IR and anxious symptomatology; for indirect effects, the relationship between ORA and depressive and anxious symptomatology was mediated by friends' social support network, while that between IR and the three outcomes studied was mediated by the family support network and resilience. NORA was not associated with any of the outcomes or mediating variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To analyze the effect of Physical Activity (PA) on the Quality of Life (QL) of people aged 15 years and over considering sociodemographic, epidemiological, and psychosocial characteristics collected in a national survey carried out in Chile. Materials and methods. Quantitativeanalytical-transversal developed in Chile 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. Average age of 49 years, 63% female. 15% reported practicing some sport or training intensely; 75% have a good or very good QL, and 53% have a good or very good QL in health. Those who practiced an intense sport were more likely to have a good or very good QL (OR= 1.58; 95%CI= 1.28,1.96) and QL associated with health (OR= 1.67; 95%CI= 1.40,1.99) compared to those who did not do it. Conclusions. PA is an aspect that impacts people's QL, cheap, easy to establish, and positively impacts the general health of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the risk of fetal loss associated with chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in twin pregnancy, using propensity score analysis. Methods: This was a multicenter cohort study of women with twin pregnancy undergoing ultrasound examination at 11–13 weeks' gestation, performed in eight fetal medicine units in which the leadership were trained at the Harris Birthright Research Centre for Fetal Medicine in London, UK, and in which the protocols for screening, invasive testing and pregnancy management are similar. The risk of death of at least one fetus was compared between pregnancies that had and those that did not have CVS, after propensity score matching (1:1 ratio). This procedure created two comparable groups by balancing the maternal and pregnancy characteristics that lead to CVS being performed, similar to how randomization operates in a randomized clinical trial. Results: The study population of 8581 twin pregnancies included 445 that had CVS. Death of one or two fetuses at any stage during pregnancy occurred in 11.5% (51/445) of pregnancies in the CVS group and in 6.3% (515/8136) in the non‐CVS group (P < 0.001). The propensity score algorithm matched 258 cases that had CVS with 258 non‐CVS cases; there was at least one fetal loss in 29 (11.2%) cases in the CVS group and in 35 (13.6%) cases in the matched non‐CVS group (odds ratio (OR), 0.81; 95% CI, 0.48–1.35; P = 0.415). However, there was a significant interaction between the risk of fetal loss after CVS and the background risk of fetal loss; when the background risk was higher, the risk of fetal loss after CVS decreased (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.23–0.90), while, in pregnancies with a lower background risk of fetal loss, the risk of fetal loss after CVS increased (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 0.95–7.13). The effects were statistically significantly different (P‐value of the interaction = 0.005). For a pregnancy in which the background risk of fetal loss was about 6% (the same as in our non‐CVS population), there was no change in the risk of fetal loss after CVS, but, when the background risk was more than 6%, the posterior risk was paradoxically reduced, and when the background risk was less than 6%, the posterior risk increased exponentially; for example, if the background risk of fetal loss was 2.0%, the relative risk was 2.8 and the posterior risk was 5.6%. Conclusion: In twin pregnancy, after accounting for the risk factors that lead to both CVS and spontaneous fetal loss and confining the analysis to pregnancies at lower prior risk, CVS seems to increase the risk of fetal loss by about 3.5% above the patient's background risk. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Linked article: There is a comment on this article by Li and Li. Click here to view the Correspondence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing interest in university commuting that aims at identifying patterns of behavior, as well as the main barriers limiting the advances in sustainable mobility on campus. This work analyzes, on the basis of an online survey conducted at the University of Leon (ULE), the following issues: a) the behavior of ULE users in their weekly commuting; b) the environmental implications of such behavior in terms of non-renewable cumulative energy demand (NR CED), and c) the main barriers/disincentives to implementing a modal shift as declared by the respondents, according to their work status (students or workers) and gender. The data reveal differences in habits, especially in relation to the users' work status, while differences by gender are not so significant. Still, this case study shows how men students use bicycles and motorcycles slightly more often than women, while the car is the main transportation mode for women workers. Car use is in fact the main hotspot of university commuting to the ULE (approximately 95% of the NR CED). Unsafe cycle paths, thefts at university, bus fares and frequency of service were the main barriers to a greater use of bicycle and bus identified by the survey respondents, with some differences by gender and work status. Measures aimed at minimizing these barriers could achieve maximum reductions of the NR CED ranging between 18.1% and 35.0%. This article discusses measures and policies that could be implemented to improve sustainable mobility at university. • The University can strategically use energy and gender analysis to improve its mobility policies. • Modal choice is strongly linked to work status (student/staff) and to the sexual division of labor. • Car commuting is the main energy hotspot of university mobility, especially among workers. • Better and safer cycle paths are the main challenge to reducing the cumulative energy demand of university commuting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Computational tools and fragmentation rules for elucidation of MCF derivatives. • Unveiled interconversion between E - and Z - geometric isomers in unsaturated acids. • Intramolecular cyclisation phenomena and same derivatives for serine and cysteine. • Accurate mass spectral library of MCF metabolite derivatives is provided. Metabolomics has become an essential discipline in the study of microbiome, emerging gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry as the most mature, robust, and reproducible analytical technique. Silylation is the most widely used chemical derivatization strategy, although it has some limitations. In this regard, alkylation by alkyl chloroformate offers some advantages, such as a rapid reaction, milder conditions, better reproducibility, and the generation of more stable derivatives. However, commercial spectral libraries do not include many of the alkyl derivatives, mainly for polyfunctional metabolites, which can form multiple derivatives. That introduces a huge bias in untargeted metabolomics leading to common errors such as duplicates, unknowns, misidentifications, wrong assignations, and incomplete results from which non-reliable findings and conclusions will be retrieved. For this reason, the purpose of this study is to overcome these shortcomings and to expand the knowledge of metabolites in general and especially those closely related to the gut microbiota through the thorough study of the reactivity of the different functional groups in real matrix derivatized by methyl chloroformate, a common representative alkylation reagent. To this end, a systematic workflow has been developed based on exhaustive structural elucidation, along with computational simulation, and taking advantage of the high sensitivity and high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Several empirical rules have been established according to chemically different entities (free fatty acids, amino acids, polyols, sugars, amines, and polyfunctional groups, etc.) to predict the number of derivatives formed from a single metabolite, as well as their elution order and structure. In this work, some methyl chloroformate derivatives not previously reported as well as the mechanisms to explain them are given. Extremely important is the interconversion of E - and Z - geometric isomers of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (case of fumaric-maleic and case of citraconic-mesaconic acids), or the formation of cycled derivatives for amino acids, as well as common metabolites, as in the case of serine and cysteine, and many others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strontium isotopes facilitate the study of human paleogeography and have widened the scope of archaeological enquiries on mobility. We present an approach based on strontium isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) to study the mobility of hunter–gatherer societies from northwestern Patagonia (Neuquén, Argentina). The analysis is developed on the basis of a macro‐regional geological framework that guides the sampling and interpretation of results. We also present results for fauna to begin building a landscape of bioavailable strontium to be utilized in the interpretation of results from human samples. These first results conform to general expectations and show the most radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr values for the oldest geological provinces, while low values are recorded for recent substrates. Additionally, we provide results for human samples from archaeological sites spanning the last 4000 years, a period during which a number of important socio‐demographic changes occurred. The results in human samples indicate overall isotopic fidelity to the values recorded in the local geology, suggesting a relatively restricted spatial scale of mobility during the late Holocene. This discussion is situated in a biogeographic research framework assessing topographic variation and landscape seasonality, and contributes toward understanding the movements of people, flow of material objects, and circulation of information in the Patagonian Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Open loop optimal control for batch biodiesel production. • Fourier-based approach for control vector parameterization. • Minimum parameters to optimize. • Smooth optimal temperature profile. • Monte Carlo combined with genetic algorithms for parameters optimization. In this work, a novel methodology for the dynamic optimization of biodiesel batch production is developed. Two problem statements are carried out. In the first approach, only the final concentration of biodiesel is optimized. In the second, the signal energy is also considered, which is measured as the integral of the square reactor temperature over the reaction time and represents an indirect way to contemplate the energy employed. The proposed strategy to solve the optimal control problem is based on the Fourier series for the reactor temperature parameterization. The main advantage of this Fourier-based sequential approach over competing methods is that the obtained profiles are smooth and continuous, which is relevant since smoothing techniques are not required for implementation in real systems. Besides, a minimum number of parameters to optimize is required. The process is modeled and simulated in Matlab and Simulink. The results are compared with data reported in the literature. An improvement of over 5% in biodiesel production is achieved without energy contemplation. In the second case, an increase of 3% in the final biodiesel production is achieved with a 10% lower energy, in both cases employing only three parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acquisition of experimental equipment has become a problem, due to its high costs. To partially solve this problem, the scientific community has used the Arduino data acquisition board (DAB). This board has a low-cost and allows the automation of equipment in a simple and practical way. However, using only the Arduino board is no longer enough, it is now necessary to combine it with the implementation of an user-friendly interface. Through this combination, it is possible to develop sophisticated laboratory equipment. The aim of this work is to describe step by step and in a simple way the development and implementation of a low-cost experimental equipment based on Arduino for use in higher education. Also, this work tries to encourage users to develop their own laboratory equipment, and solve their equipment needs. The novelty of this work pretends to be that any user without a deep knowledge of electronics and programming can easily assemble their own lab equipment, avoiding high equipment fees. In this work, three simple examples are shown, and any teacher, researcher, or student can easily reproduce them. With the combination of three previous examples, it is possible to develop sophisticated laboratory equipment, for example a Ph Meter with temperature sensor and stirring setup. The commercial cost of this lab equipment is approximately 600 USD, but with this homemade setup, the total cost drops to 75 USD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the psychological effects that the current coronavirus pandemic (covid19) is having on healthcare professionals. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study in a sample of 1,150 healthcare professionals, randomly selected. Measurements and results were explained with the theoretical model of the Semantic Differential proposed by Osgood. Results: It has been found that, in general, healthcare professionals feel very unprotected, afraid and stressed. They were more afraid of self-contagion than of others. They perceived their work as effective, beneficial, active, useful and flexible, and at the same time, they feel kind, affective, sincere, warm and discreet. We found that nurses, and later, nurse care technicians feel more useful, brave, important, and sincere than other healthcare categories, including physicians. The emotions that the health personnel felt were strongly influenced by their political orientation. Conclusion: The study carried out on the psychological effect of the current pandemic on health professionals provides significant differences depending on the profession, the employment contract, the sex and the political orientation of the interviewees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical MANOVA tests do not pose any difficulty when the assumptions on which they are based are satisfied, while the modified Brown-Forsythe (MBF) procedure has low sensitivity to the lack of multivariate normality and homogeneity of covariance matrices. Both methods assume complete data for all subjects. In this paper, we present combination rules for the MANOVA and MBF procedures with multiply imputed datasets. These rules are illustrated by pooling the results obtained with a two-factor multivariate design after applying the two approaches to each of the imputed datasets when the covariance matrices were equal (MI-MANOVA) and when the covariance matrices were unequal (MI-MBF). A Monte-Carlo study was carried out to compare the proposed solution, in terms of type I error rates and statistical power, with the MANOVA and MBF approaches without missing data, and with listwise deletion of missing data followed by the MANOVA approach (LD-MANOVA) and listwise deletion followed by the MBF procedure (LD-MBF). Simulations showed that the type I error rates in all analyses on datasets with missing values (with or without imputation) were well controlled. We also found that the MI-MANOVA approach was substantially more powerful than LD-MANOVA. Moreover, the power of the MI-MANOVA was generally comparable to that of its complete data counterpart. Similar results were obtained for the MI-MBF procedure when covariance matrices were unequal. We conclude, based on the current evidence, that the solution presented performs well and could be of practical use. We illustrate the application of combination rules using a real dataset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We redescribe Liolaemus robertmertensi and describe a new species of Liolaemus, the second most speciose Lizard genus. These species belong to the L. robertmertensi group of the subgenus Liolaemus sensu stricto. In recent years, some newly identified populations were assigned to Liolaemus robertmertensi. We applied an integrative approach using morphological and phylogenetic evidence to determine the relationships among these populations and found one to belong to a new species described here. We performed statistical analyses to differentiate L. robertmertensi and the new species from other species of the alticolor-bibronii group. The new species shows a set of character states that allows it to be distinguished from L. robertmertensi and from all other species of Liolaemus. Despite the description of this new species, the taxonomic status of many populations still remain unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Green juice is studied for production of protein concentrates and L-lactic acid. • Residual brown juice is a good nutrient source for lactic acid fermentation. • Lactic acid productivity increased with increasing sugar concentrations. • High L-lactic acid purities were obtained. • Production of L-lactic acid is a value added for green biorefineries. The production of L-lactic acid was investigated in combination with the production of protein concentrates in the frame of a green biorefinery for efficient utilization of grasses and legume crops. Alfalfa green juice was the sole substrate utilized for initial lactic acid fermentation with Lactobacillus salivarius , Lactobacillus paracasei or Bacillus coagulans in order to drop the pH and precipitate the plant proteins present in the juice. Afterwards, proteins were separated by microfiltration with 40-42% of protein recovery into protein concentrates, suited for feeding monogastric animals. The (residual) brown juice was investigated as source of nutrients for producing L-lactic acid from glucose or xylose with B. coagulans A107 or B. coagulans A166, respectively. Fermentation of glucose (30, 60, 100 g L-1) resulted in productivities of 2.8-4.0 g L-1 h-1 and yields of 0.85-0.91 g LA per g consumed glucose. Fermentation of xylose (30, 60 g L-1) resulted productivities of 1.1-2.3 g L-1 h-1 and yields of 0.83-0.88 g LA per g consumed xylose. Comparing different brown juices, initial green juice fermentation with B. coagulans is recommended if the brown juice is to be used for producing L-lactic acid. Based on our results, it is possible to combine protein recovery with lactic acid production, and the brown juice proved to be a good nutrient source for L-lactic acid production with high optical purities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strategies for the generation of periodic discrete structures with identical two-point correlation—called 2PC-equivalent—are developed. It is shown that starting from a set of 2PC-equivalent root structures, 2PC-equivalent child structures of arbitrary resolution and number of phases (e.g. material phases) can be generated based on phase extension through trivial embeddings, kernel-based extension and phase coalescence. Proofs are provided by means of discrete Fourier transform theory. A Python 3 implementation is offered for reproduction of examples and future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is focused on the study of the quality of experience lived by tourists when visiting a cultural heritage destination by using a tourist product based on a virtual tour. The research is justified by the increased demand by tourists to have a memorable experience in a destination as well as the growing offer on virtual reality and augmented reality technologies applied to the tourism sector. The database consists of online comments extracted from those who visited two well-known tourism destinations in Spain, Seville and Barcelona, where the immersive virtual reality technology named Past View is currently used. A total of 119 online comments on the tourists' experience after the use of the Past View smart glasses and posted in the e-WOM community Trip Advisor were valid for the analysis. Using a correspondence analysis of textual data, the results shed light about how virtual reality technologies influence on tourists' quality of experience. The findings drawn from the empirical analysis provide destination marketing organizations suitable and useful information to promote the destination and therefore encouraging entrepreneurs to innovate in tourism sector to attend the desire of tourists to have a memorable tourist experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has shown that instrumental training can encourage the formation of binary associations between the representations of the elements present at the time of learning, that is, between the discriminative stimulus and the instrumental response (the S-R association), between the stimulus and outcome (the S-O association), and between the response and outcome (the R-O association). Studies with rats have used transfer procedures to explore the effects of discriminative extinction (i.e., extinction that is carried out in the presence of the discriminative stimuli) on these three binary associations. Thus, a reduction in the response rate of the extinguished response (R) can be detected in situations involving a different discriminative stimulus that was associated with the same outcome, and to unextinguished responses controlled by the discriminative stimulus (S) and associated with the outcome (O). These transfer effects suggest that R-O and S-O associations remain active after extinction in nonhuman animals. We carried out an experiment to explore these postextinction transfer effects in humans using a within-subject design. Contrary to nonhuman reports, the S--O association was affected by discriminative extinction, suggesting differences in the associative structure of instrumental conditioning in human and nonhuman animals that should be considered by those therapeutic strategies based in nonhuman animal research aimed to reduce unhealthy instrumental behaviours in human beings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) admitted to hospital commonly have comorbidities. Few studies have attempted to determine factors prognostic of mortality in hospitalized AF patients with multimorbidity. Aim To identify factors associated with mortality in hospitalized AF patients. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods Patients with multimorbidity (≥2 chronic diseases), with or without AF, discharged from Lugo hospital (Spain) between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015. Data were extracted from hospital medical records. Results Of 74 220 patients (170 978 hospitalizations), 52 939 had multimorbidity (14 181 had AF; 38 758 no AF) and were included in our study. Patients with AF were older (mean ± standard deviation 78.6 ± 10.0 vs. 71.9 ± 14.2 years) and had a higher mortality rate (27.1 vs. 20.5%) than those without AF. Gender (female), age, stroke and congestive heart failure (CHF), but not AF, were independently associated with mortality. AF significantly increased the mortality risk in women [relative risk (RR) 1.091; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.021–1.165; P  =   0.010] and in those aged >80 years (RR 1.153; 95% CI, 1.1–1.2; P  <   0.001). CHF independently increased the risk of mortality across all age groups (RR 1.496; 95% CI 1.422–1.574; P  <   0.001). Conclusions Hospitalized patients with AF have a higher mortality rate than those without AF. The prognostic significance of AF changes with age and gender while CHF is associated with the greatest risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chagas disease (CD) continues to be a neglected infectious disease with one of the largest burdens globally. Despite the modest cure rates in adult chronic patients and its safety profile, benznidazole (BNZ) is still the drug of choice. Its current recommended dose is based on nonrandomized studies, and efficacy and safety of the optimal dose of BNZ have been scarcely analyzed in clinical trials.Methods/design: MULTIBENZ is a phase II, randomized, noninferiority, double-blind, multicenter international clinical trial. A total of 240 patients with Trypanosoma CD in the chronic phase will be recruited in four different countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Spain). Patients will be randomized to receive BNZ 150 mg/day for 60 days, 400 mg/day for 15 days, or 300 mg/day for 60 days (comparator arm). The primary outcome is the efficacy of three different BNZ therapeutic schemes in terms of dose and duration. Efficacy will be assessed according to the proportion of patients with sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood measured by polymerase chain reaction. The secondary outcomes are related to pharmacokinetics and drug tolerability. The follow-up will be 12 months from randomization to end of study participation. Recruitment was started in April 2018.Conclusion: This is a clinical trial conducted for the assessment of different dose schemes of BNZ compared with the standard treatment regimen for the treatment of CD in the chronic phase. MULTIBENZ may help to clarify which is the most adequate BNZ regimen in terms of efficacy and safety, predicated on sustained parasitic load suppression in peripheral blood.Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03191162. Registered on 19 June 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone as such displays an intrinsic regenerative potential following fracture; however, this capacity is limited with large bone defects that cannot heal spontaneously. The management of critical‐sized bone defects remains a major clinical and socioeconomic need with osteoregenerative biomaterials constantly under development aiming at promoting and enhancing bone healing. X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) has become a standard and essential tool for quantifying structure–function relationships in bone and biomaterials, facilitating the development of novel bone tissue engineering strategies. This paper presents recent advancements in XCT analysis of biomaterial‐mediated bone regeneration. As a noninvasive and nondestructive technique, XCT allows for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds and biomaterial microarchitecture, bone growth into the scaffold as well as the 3D characterisation of biomaterial degradation and bone regeneration in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, in combination with in situ mechanical testing and digital volume correlation (DVC), XCT demonstrated its potential to better understand the bone–biomaterial interactions and local mechanics of bone regeneration during the healing process in relation to the regeneration achieved in vivo, which will likely provide valuable knowledge for the development and optimisation of novel osteoregenerative biomaterials. Lay Description: Bone, being a dynamically adaptable material, displays excellent regenerative properties following fracture. However, the self‐healing capacity of bone becomes more difficult with large bone defects. Those defects are common and occur in many clinical situations; hence, biomaterials are mostly used to restore both bone structure and function in the defect site. X‐ray computed tomography (XCT) is a powerful tool to evaluate bone regeneration in critical‐sized defects after the implantation of biomaterials, allowing to an improved understanding of the regeneration process following different bone tissue engineering approaches. This paper focuses on recent advancements in XCT analysis to characterise biomaterial‐mediated bone regeneration in critical‐sized defects. XCT supports three‐dimensional (3D) analysis of biomaterials, scaffolds and regenerated bone microarchitecture, as well as bone ingrowth into the scaffold. As a nondestructive technique, XCT allows for a 3D characterisation of biomaterial degradation and bone regeneration over time. In addition, XCT combined with in situ mechanical experiments and digital volume correlation (DVC) provides a 3D evaluation and quantification of bone–biomaterial interactions and deformation mechanisms during the regeneration process. This remains essential for the development and enhancement of novel biomaterials able to produce bone that is comparable with the native tissue they aim to replace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioethanol is one of the most studied alternative fuels nowadays. Due to its production process complexity and the low quality of the mathematical models that describe it, a reliable controller is needed to maximize the fuel production and minimize its environmental impact, even in the presence of uncertainty. Here, a controller for tracking optimal profiles considering model errors and external perturbations is proposed. This work is an improvement of a previously presented technique. To reduce the earlier mentioned uncertainties' effect during the fermentation, some tracking error integrators are added in the control action calculation. This simple modification ensures the tracking error convergence to zero, even in the presence of uncertainties (demonstration available). Different tests are carried out and a performance comparison with the original controller is shown to highlight improvements in the tracking error of up to 98% when integrators are incorporated. Furthermore, a classical PI controller is contrasted with the proposed techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetive: Bazedoxifene is a 3rd generation SERM with agonistic effects on the bones, uterus and breast tissue. Our goal has been to study the effects of bazedoxifene on bone quality of an experimental group of ovariectomized rats. Material and methods: 3 groups of 15 6-month-old Wistar female rats were used: a control group, a group of untreated ovariectomized rats and a group of ovariectomized rats treated with bazedoxifene (0.33 mg/kg/day). After 8 months we studied the lumbar and femur bone densitometry, the microtomographic parameters, the biochemical markers for bone remodelling and the bone biomechanical parameters. Results: The ovariectomy depleted the femur and lumbar bone density. After receiving bazedoxifene, the lumbar bone density showed partial healing. Bone remodelling increased recovering bazedoxifene formation levels. Bazedoxifene promoted the recovery of the bone volume fraction (BV/TV), the bone surface density (BS/BV), the trabecular number (Tb.N), the trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp), the trabecular pattern factor (Tb.Pf) and the structural model index (SMI). The cortical surface increased after the ovariectomy and returned to normal levels with the administration of bazedoxifene. The maximum deformation showed before the ovariectomy was also restored, partially cushioning the ovariectomized rats' weight gain. Conclusions: Our study has shown bazedoxifene positive results on bone quality. This specific drug could be particularly suitable for young postmenopausal women suffering or at risk of suffering osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivo: El bazedoxifeno es un SERM de 3ª generación con efectos agonistas sobre el hueso y sobre el útero y el tejido mamario. Nuestro objetivo ha sido estudiar los efectos del bazedoxifeno sobre la calidad ósea en un modelo experimental de ratas ovariectomizadas. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron 3 grupos de 15 ratas Wistar hembras de 6 meses de edad: uno control; otro de ratas ovariectomizadas; y un tercer grupo de ratas ovariectomizadas tratadas con bazedoxifeno (0,33 mg/kg/día). Tras 8 meses se estudiaron la densitometría ósea lumbar y femoral, los parámetros microtomográficos, los marcadores bioquímicos de remodelado y los parámetros biomecánicos del hueso. Resultados: La ovariectomía descendió la densidad ósea femoral y lumbar. La última se recuperó parcialmente con bazedoxifeno. El remodelado óseo aumentó, recuperando el bazedoxifeno los niveles de formación. El bazedoxifeno recuperó la fracción volumétrica ósea (BV/TV), la densidad de superficie ósea (BS/TV), el aumento en la separación trabecular (Tb.Sp), la disminución en el número de trabéculas (Tb.N), el aumento del factor de patrón trabecular (Tb.Pf) y el índice de modelo estructural (SMI). La superficie relativa cortical aumentó tras la ovariectomía, normalizándose con bazedoxifeno. También recuperó la deformación máxima antes de la rotura producida por la ovariectomía, y amortiguó parcialmente la ganancia de peso de las ratas ovariectomizadas. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio muestra resultados positivos del bazedoxifeno sobre la calidad ósea. Este fármaco podría estar especialmente indicado para mujeres jóvenes postmenopáusicas con osteoporosis o en riesgo de padecerla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an example of a closed subgroup H of a topological group G such that the quotient space G/H is compact, first-countable, and satisfies π w (G / H) < w (G / H) . We show that if H is a closed neutral subgroup of a topological group G such that G/H has countable character (pseudocharacter), then G/H is metrizable (submetrizable). We also prove that if G is an ω -balanced paratopological group and H is a closed neutral subgroup of G such that G/H is Hausdorff and first-countable, then G/H is submetrizable. Assuming M A + ¬ C H , we construct a topological group G with a closed subgroup H such that the quotient space G/H is compact and satisfies π χ (G / H) < χ (G / H) . We also show that if H is a closed neutral subgroup of a topological group G, then the π -character (π -weight) and the character (weight) coincide in the quotient space G/H. The same conclusion is valid if H is an arbitrary closed subgroup of a feathered (equivalently, almost metrizable) topological group G. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: The aim was to identify whether post‐stroke hyperglycaemia (PSH) influences the levels of circulating biomarkers of brain damage and repair, and to explore whether these biomarkers mediate the effect of PSH on the ischaemic stroke (IS) outcome. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the Glycaemia in Acute Stroke II study. Biomarkers of inflammation, prothrombotic activity, endothelial dysfunction, blood–brain barrier rupture, cell death and brain repair processes were analysed at 24–48 h (baseline) and 72–96 h (follow‐up) after IS. The associations of the biomarkers and stroke outcome (modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months) based on the presence of PSH were compared. Results: A total of 174 patients participated in this sub‐study. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) at admission was negatively correlated with glucose levels. PSH was associated with a trend toward higher levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) at baseline. The EPCs in the PSH group then decreased in the follow‐up samples (−8.5 ± 10.3) compared with the non‐PSH group (4.7 ± 7.33; P = 0.024). However, neither BDNF nor EPC values had correlation with the 3‐month outcome. Higher interleukin‐6 at follow‐up was associated with poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale > 2) independently of PSH. Conclusion: Post‐stroke hyperglycaemia appears to be associated with a negative regulation of BDNF and a different reaction in EPC levels. However, neither BDNF nor EPCs showed significant mediation of the PSH association with IS outcome, and only higher interleukin‐6 in the follow‐up samples (72–96 h) was related to poor outcomes, independently of PSH status. Further studies are needed to achieve definite conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composition, thermal stability and phase behavior of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) seed oil were analyzed to contribute to the exploration of their potential uses. The oil was extracted from the kernel of the tamarind seed with hexane, and its main physical, chemical and thermal properties were analyzed by infrared spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, DSC, and TGA. The results showed that the tamarind seed had a 3.76 ± 0.20% oil with a saponification index of 174.80 ± 9.87 mg KOH/g and the major fatty acids were lignoceric (20.15%), oleic (18.99%) and palmitic (11.99%). Stearic, behenic, linoleic, arachidic, and other fatty acids were also present. TGA and DSC showed that in an inert atmosphere, the triacylglycerols of tamarind seed oil (TSO) are decomposed in a single stage that starts at 224.1 °C and in an air atmosphere in three stages, initiating its decomposition at 218 °C. The TSO showed crystallization and fusion curves with a single maximum peak with Tonset and Toffset of 20.16 and -38.8 °C and -22.2 and 28.6 °C, respectively. The solid fat profile of the oil showed a semi-solid and liquid consistency in the ambient temperature range. The composition, thermal and phase behavior showed that TSO is potentially useful for alimentary, pharmacological, and cosmetological purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes to explain the perception about China and the opinion making in Western social networks. It explores the most commented news (in BuzzSumo) in 2017. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis content, shares, commented and likes are quantified; positive and negative perception indicators are measured; the most repeated words (Wordclouds.com) are selected, and the texts are analysed and interpreted. The monitoring of network users (graphs theory and Gelphi) shows the relationship among them. The triangulation of methods and sources is completed with a survey. As a result, the perception about China on the social networks varies depending on the subject and on the distance. The users show concern about the economic and military power of China, but they consider the Chinese population as peaceful, collaborative and hard-working. The social networks operate as a real social brain, in which the most active users contribute to the debate and opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. To explore the factors involved in adherence to self-care behaviors in patients with type 1 diabetes. Materials and Methods. Patients with type 1 diabetes (age range: 14-71 years) were invited to participate at seven Spanish hospitals. They completed a dossier which recorded sociodemographic and clinical variables and also measured personality variables, emotional state, beliefs, and concerns regarding the illness, by means of questionnaires. Results. A total of 428 patients with type 1 diabetes were included (58% women, age 36 (11.8) years, diabetes duration 18.3 (10.2) years, HbA1c 7.9 +/-1.3%). A total of 60.1% of patients found it difficult to follow the treatment recommendations for the care of their disease. The reasons given were mood (25.2%), lack of motivation (13.4%), work (12%), and economic difficulties (3.8%). Other personal reasons were reported by 5.7%. Motivation, training in diabetes management, importance the patient attributed to the disease, and self-efficacy were the variables that predicted adherence to self-care behaviors, together accounting for 32% of its variance. Anxiety and depression were highly prevalent in this study population (57.1% and 23.1%, respectively) and were associated with lower adherence. Conclusion. In the present study assessing patients with type 1 diabetes, motivation, training in diabetes management, beliefs regarding the disease, and self-efficacy were the main contributors to adherence to self-care behaviors. On the other hand, anxiety and depression were highly prevalent and associated with lower adherence. Thus, supplementing therapeutic education with strategies designed to raise levels of motivation, discussion of beliefs about the disease, and encouragement of self-efficacy might be a useful way to increase patient involvement in self-care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles are currently one of the most widely used metallic nanoparticles. Due to their antibacterial properties, they are applied in textiles, house-holds items, and medical devices, among many other products. Understanding the potential toxicity associated with silver nanoparticles and the differential effect that nanoparticles of different size might induce is crucial, due to the increasing human and environmental exposure to this type of nanoparticles. In this work, we explored the different biomolecular mechanisms underlying the toxicity of silver nanoparticles in a size-dependent manner. Quantitative proteomic analysis of hepatic cells exposed to 10 and 60 nm silver nanoparticles demonstrated the alteration of a different set of proteins depending on the particle size. We demonstrated that while 10 nm silver nanoparticles induce nucleolar stress and ribosome biogenesis halt, both types of nanoparticles induce DNA damage and oxidative stress but through different pathways. In addition, both types of nanoparticles also affected cell proliferation, disrupted the cell cycle and ultimately, induced apoptosis. The alteration of different cellular mechanisms in a size-dependent manner, have relevant implications not only from a toxicity point of view, but also for the potential applications of silver nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, light scattering methods have been used to study the effect of adding charged polymer chains on the structural and dynamic properties of a charged colloidal system. The experimental measurements of the static structure factor Scc(q) show that as the polymer concentration increases, the main peak moves to higher q-values, which is interpreted in terms of the electrostatically enhanced depletion attraction induced by the polymer. Moreover, we found that the shift of the peak depends on the interplay between two relevant length scales, the polymer radius of gyration, Rg, and the Debye length, κ-1. To reach these conclusions, the polymer reference interaction site model has been employed to explain the experimental results and to study how the effective depletion attraction depends on the polymer concentration, Rg and κ-1. Additionally, the measurements of the dynamic structure factor f(q, τ) indicate that the colloidal diffusion increases with the polymer concentration. Both static and dynamic analysis point out that the repulsion between colloids becomes weaker as the charged polymer is added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of intervention programs that aim to improve the emotional state of parents of children admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are scarce in Spain. The aims of this single‐arm pilot study are to get to know the emotional profile of parents of high‐risk preterm newborns, and to explore parents' patterns of emotional well‐being before and after a psychological program called the Parental Empowerment Program, to increase parental readiness levels. The sample was made up of 100 parents (50 couples) who participated in the program. Measurements were taken of post‐traumatic stress, depression, and resilience at 1 month and 12 months. Repeated measurements and dyadic data analyses were performed. One month after the birth of the baby and prior to the start of the program, mothers show more symptoms of stress and depression than fathers. After the intervention, both parents experienced improvements in their mood levels. The evidence obtained seems to show that high resilience levels and low post‐traumatic stress symptoms are associated with reduced depression levels after implementing the program. However, the heterogeneity of the responses obtained, the observed associations between stress, resilience, and maternal depression, along with the reciprocal influence between maternal and paternal depression 1 year after the intervention, highlight the need for a more in‐depth exploration of the interplay between risk and protective factors in this population. Despite the identified potential threats to validity, further work in this direction is recommended, including the implementation of clinical trials to demonstrate intervention efficacy. The adaptation of the parents' mutual emotional adjustment at each stage would allow them to participate more actively in the baby's care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]