bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Analysis on Cyanide Removal of Gold Tailings under Medium-Temperature Roasting
Authors: Long Hai , Xin Zhao , Bo Xu , Tongjun Cheng
Published: September 2022

The cyanide content of gold tailings exceeds the standard seriously due to the cyanide extraction process. In order to improve the resource utilization efficiency of gold tailings, a medium-temperature roasting experiment was carried out on the stock tailings of Paishanlou gold mine after washing and pressing filtration treatment. The thermal decomposition rule of cyanide in gold tailings was analyzed, and the effects of different roasting temperatures and roasting durations on cyanide removal efficiency were compared. The results show that when the roasting temperature reaches 150 oC, the weak cyanide compound and free cyanide in the tailings begin to decompose. When the calcination temperature reached 300 oC, the complex cyanide compound began to decompose. When the roasting temperature reaches the initial temperature of cyanide decomposition, the cyanide removal efficiency can be improved by prolonging the roasting time. After roasting at 250~300 oC for 30~40 min, the total cyanide content in the toxic leachate decreased from 3.27 mg/L to 0.01 mg/L, which met the water quality standard of Ⅲ class in China. The research results provide a low-cost and efficient way for cyanide treatment, which is of great significance for promoting the resource utilization of gold tailings and other cyanide-containing wastes.
Counselor Self-Efficacy, Mindfulness, and Self-Compassion among Counselor Trainees
Authors: McCullagh John , Unsworth Sinead
Published: September 2022

There has been emerging research and theoretical evidence supporting mindfulness as a skill for enhancing clinical skills for mental health clinicians (Christopher et al., 2011; Greason & Cashwell, 2009). However, mindfulness as it relates to key developmental aspects of clinical training has yet to be fully explored. This study examined the relationship between mindfulness and counselor self-efficacy, with self-compassion as a proposed mediator among 213 mental health providers-in-training. Regression analysis supported the hypothesis that mindfulness is a significant predictor of counselor self-efficacy. However, a mediation analysis indicated that self-compassion was not a mediator of the relationship. Results provide incentive for the implementation of mindfulness interventions in clinical training programs.
Dietary enzymatically treated yeast and coccidia challenge effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of broiler chickens
Authors: Alagbe Emmanuel Oluwabukunmi , Schulze Hagen , Adeola Olayiwola
Published: September 2022

Background: There is a growing search for natural feed additives to alleviate the deleterious effects of coccidia infection in poultry production. This study aimed to investigate the effect of enzymatically treated yeast (ETY) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal health of coccidia-challenged broiler chickens.
Methods: From d 1 to 14 post hatching, 480 broiler chickens were allocated to 3 corn-soybean meal-based experimental diets with increasing concentrations of ETY (0, 1, or 2 g/kg). The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with body weight (BW) used as a blocking factor. On d 14 post hatching, the birds were re-randomized within each of the 3 experimental diets. Each of the 3 diet groups was split into a challenge or no-challenge group. This resulted in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. The coccidia challenge was administered on d 15 by an oral gavage.
Results: Dietary ETY improved (P < 0.05) the G:F of birds on d 21 regardless of the challenge state and linearly increased (P < 0.01) the apparent ileal digestibility of dry matter (DM), nitrogen, and gross energy (GE). The coccidia challenge decreased (P < 0.01) BW gain, feed intake, and G:F of broiler chickens, and reduced (P < 0.01) the apparent total tract digestibility of DM, GE, and nitrogen. The coccidia challenge increased (P< 0.01) the mRNA gene expression of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-10, and IL-6 in the cecal mucosa. There was a tendency (P = 0.08) for ETY to linearly reduce IL-1β expression. Additionally, ETY supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the gene expression of OCLN. Serum catalase increased (P < 0.05) with dietary ETY in broiler chickens on d 21. Dietary ETY linearly increased (P < 0.05) the ileal villus height to crypt depth ratio, and ileal goblet cell density in broiler chickens. The ileal and excreta oocyst counts decreased (P < 0.01) with increasing supplementation of dietary ETY in coccidia-challenged broiler chickens on d 21.
Conclusions: Dietary ETY enhanced nutrient utilization and augmented intestinal development in broiler chickens. However, dietary ETY did not completely attenuate the adverse effects of a coccidia challenge in broiler chickens.
Three-dimensional branch segmentation and phenotype extraction of maize tassel based on deep learning
Authors: Zhang Wenqi , Wu Sheng , Wen Weiliang , Lu Xianju , Wang Chuanyu , Gou Wenbo , Li Yuankun , Guo Xinyu , Zhao Chunjiang
Published: September 2022

Background
The morphological structure phenotype of maize tassel plays an important role in plant growth, reproduction, and yield formation. Plant organ segmentation can be achieved with high-precision and automated acquisition of maize tassel phenotype indicators because of the advances in the point cloud deep learning method. However, this method requires a large number of data sets and is not robust to automatic segmentation of highly adherent organ components; thus, it should be combined with point cloud processing technology.
Results
An innovative method of incomplete annotation of point cloud data was proposed for easy development of the dataset of maize tassels,and an automatic maize tassel phenotype analysis system: MaizeTasselSeg was developed. The top point cloud of tassel branch was automatically segmented based on PointNet + + network. Complete branch segmentation was realized based on the shortest path algorithm. The Intersection over Union(IoU), precision, and recall of the segmentation results were 96.29, 96.36, and 93.01, respectively. Six phenotypic indexes related to morphological structure (branch count, branch length, branch angle, branch curvature, tassel volume, and dispersion) were automatically extracted from the segmentation point cloud. The squared correlation coefficients (R2) for branch length, branch angle, and branch count were 0.9897, 0.9317, and 0.9587, respectively. The root mean squared error (RMSE) for branch length, branch angle, and branch count were 0.529 cm, 4.516°, and 0.875, respectively.
Conclusion
The proposed method provides an efficient scheme for high-throughput organ segmentation of maize tassels and can be used for the automatic extraction of phenotypic indicators of maize tassels. In addition, the incomplete annotation approach provides a new idea for morphology-based plant segmentation.
Including loss minimisation in conservation representation: expansion of the protected area network in Colombia to maximise habitat retention
Authors: Negret Pablo , Venegas Ruben , Sonter Laura , Possingham Hugh , Maron Martine
Published: September 2022

Most protected area (PA) planning aims to improve biota representation within the PA system, but this does not necessarily achieve the best outcomes for biota retention across regions when we also consider areas outside the PA system. Here we assess the implications that different PA expansion strategies can have on the retention of species habitat across an entire region. Using retention of forest habitat for Colombia’s 550 forest-dependent bird species as our outcome variable, we found that when a minimum of 30% of each species’ habitat was included in the PA system, a pattern of PA expansion targeting areas at highest deforestation risk (risk-prevention) led to the retention, on average, of 7.2% more forest habitat per species by 2050 than did a pattern that targeted areas at lowest risk (risk-avoidance). The risk-prevention approach cost more per km² of land conserved, but it was more cost-effective in retaining habitat (50 – 69% lower cost per km2 of avoided deforestation). To have the same effectiveness preventing habitat loss in Colombia, the risk-avoidance approach required 234% more area and 306% higher cost. PA expansion should focus on the contributions of PAs to outcomes not only within PA systems themselves, but across regions and jurisdictions.
Effect of European COVID-containment policies on epidemiological monitoring indicators
Authors: Podrecca Chiara , Parimbelli Enea , Pala Daniele , Cheng Cindy , Messerschmidt Luca , Büthe Tim , Bellazzi Riccardo
Published: September 2022

Since its initial appearance on the western world in early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a catastrophic event that has seriously endangered the world’s population. While governments have tried their best to respond appropriately to the changing rhythms of the pandemic, they have largely been unprepared to deal with a calamity of such proportion. This is in no small part due to the lack of sufficient or adequately fine-grained data necessary for forecasting the pandemic’s evolution. To remedy this gap, researchers from around the world have been collecting data about different aspects of COVID-19’s evolution and government responses to them so as to provide the foundation for informative models and tools that can be used to mitigate the current pandemic and possibly prevent the spread of future ones. Indeed, a number of research initiatives were launched in the early stages of the pandemic with this goal, including the PERISCOPE (Pan-European Response to the ImpactS of COVID-19 and future Pandemics and Epidemics) Project, funded by the European Commission. PERISCOPE aims to investigate the broad socio-economic and behavioral impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the goal of making Europe more resilient and prepared for future large-scale risks. The purpose of this paper, which is part of work carried on within the PERISCOPE project, is to provide a first analysis at the European level of the effect of policy actions on the spread of the virus. To do so, the relationship between a novel index, the Policy Intensity Index, and four epidemiological variables collected by the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention will be assessed. After a first exploratory correlational and causal analysis, a comprehensive Pan-European population model is proposed: based on Multilevel Vector Autoregression, the model aims at identifying effects that are common to all European countries while treating country-specific policies as covariates explaining the different evolution of the pandemic in 9 selected countries, tracked through four epidemiological monitoring indicators.
RETRACTED: Ageing profiles in Portuguese inland regions
Authors: Moreira Maria João Guardado , Calha António , Pinheira Vítor
Published: September 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Combining UV-irradiation and alkaline deacetylation to obtain vitamin D- and chitosan-enriched fractions from shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes)
Authors: Morales Diego , Piris Adriana Jiménez , Ruiz-Rodríguez Alejandro , Soler-Rivas Cristina
Published: September 2022

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) contain compounds with hypocholesterolemic and immune-modulatory activities such as ergosterol and chitin that can be partially transformed into vitamin D and chitosan to yield extracts with enhanced bioactivities. A method was optimized to increase vitamin D2 levels by irradiating a non-soluble fraction obtained from shiitake mushrooms during 1 h with UV-light (254 nm) at 50 ºC in methanol. After 1h almost all ergosterol was transformed into vitamin D2. The conversion ratio can be simply adjusted by reducing the irradiation time. A deacetylation treatment with 50% NaOH for 24 h at 95 ºC was needed to generate chitosan and other water-soluble lower molecular weight derivatives from chitin. To obtain an extract enriched in both compounds, the defined methods can be combined but the extracts should be firstly deacetylated and later irradiated. In this order, an extract is obtained containing vitamin D2 (4.65 mg/g) and chitosan (2.83%).
Antiparasitic effect of Psidium guajava on promastigotes and axenic amastigotes of Leishmania
Authors: Rojas-Jaimes Jesús , Mesía-Guevara Marco , Rojas-Puell Maria , Castañeda-Pelaez Luis
Published: September 2022

Background: Leishmaniasis is a stigmatic and mutilating disease due to pathogenic species of the genus Leishmania which, depending on the species and the individual's immune status, may vary clinically from a cutaneous, mucosal, and visceral form, and for which there is no suitable treatment without significant side effects.
Methods: The method of [3-(3,4 -dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide] was used to study the antiparasitic effects of ethanolic (100mg/mL) and aqueous (100mg/mL) extracts of Psidium guajava on axenic amastigotes cultures (8.1 x103 parasite/mL) and promastigotes (12 x 104 parasite/mL) obtained from a patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis, and the percentage of parasite death was evaluated in comparison with Glucantime (300mg/mL) and untreated parasite cultures.
Results: Regarding parasite death in promastigotes, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts had a percentage of 22.58% and -45.16%, respectively, with no significant difference between treatments (N=3) (p= 0.058). In contrast, the ethanolic and aqueous extracts had an antiparasitic percentage of 91.67% and -70.83%, respectively, with a significant difference between treatments (N=3) (p<0.05).
Conclusions:Our study showed high and significant effectiveness in parasite death (91.67%) of Leishmania axenic amastigotes of the ethanolic extract (100mg/mL) of Psidium guajava, being this result promising and the basis for in vivo studies, using the ethanolic extraction of P. guajava.
Prevalence, forms, risk factors, and impact of violence towards healthcare workers during the Covid – 19 pandemic in Malawi
Authors: Nyangulu Wongani , Sadimba Christina , Nyirenda Joyce , Masano Angella , Chilinda Elizabeth , Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda
Published: September 2022

Background
The Covid – 19 pandemic overwhelmed health systems, especially, those with poor infrastructure and limited workforces. Healthcare workers face an increased workload, burnout, stress, and increasing incidence of violence as a direct result of the pandemic. If not effectively dealt with, violence against healthcare workers during the pandemic could derail the public health response. In this study, we estimated the prevalence of violence toward healthcare workers during the pandemic in Malawi. We also described the forms and perpetrators, evaluated the predictors, and determined the impact of violence on healthcare workers.
Methods
We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study in six health facilities across three districts in central and southern Malawi. Data collection took place from 22 February – 27 July 2022. We recruited all consenting doctors, clinical officers, nurses, ambulance drivers, health surveillance assistants, and patient attendants who were present on the day of recruitment. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on sociodemographic factors and professional characteristics of the healthcare workers. The main outcome measures were personal experiences of physical violence, verbal abuse, and bullying or mobbing during the pandemic.
Results
We recruited 200 study participants and 70.5% were female. The age range was 20 – 59 with the most common age category being the 25 – 29 age group (24.5%). The overall prevalence of violence was 93% (95% CI: 88.5 – 96.1). The prevalence of physical attacks was 5.5% (95% CI: 2.8 – 9.6%), verbal abuse was 91.5% (95% CI: 86.7 – 95.0), and bullying/mobbing was 79.2% (95% CI: 72.8 – 84.6). Being married (OR: 19, 95% CI: 1.9 – 185.3) and having 6 – 10 staff members working at the same time (OR: 13.8, 95% CI: 1.8 – 107.6) were significantly associated with a physical attack. Being married (OR: 4.7, 95% CI: 1.2 – 18.2), a regular member of staff (OR: 22.6, 95% CI: 1.4 – 410.4), and working with over 15 people at the same time (OR: 25.2, 95% CI: 5.2 – 122.7) were significantly associated with verbal abuse
Conclusions
The prevalence of violence against healthcare workers was extremely high during the Covid – 19 pandemic. The levels of violence were higher than pre-pandemic levels in the country and higher than levels in other countries during the same period. We recommend immediate actions to address this violence and inclusion of different stakeholders for a multi-sectoral appaorach.
Modelling and experimental study on dynamics of a gas-driven split nut device
Authors: Lin Juncheng , Wang Xuefeng , Zhao Zhen , Liu caishan
Published: September 2022

Separation devices are widely used in satellites and rockets, where mechanical properties of the devices have significant influences on connection and separation behaviors. Compared to a pyrotechnically actuated separation device, a gas-driven separation device employs preloads, instead of explosions, to actuate separation of the aircrafts, which has advantages of reusability and low impacts. Dynamic modeling of the gas-driven separation device can be used to optimize its separation behaviors, where flexibility is considered since preloads stored in deformations play important roles in separations. Complex interactions of interfaces occur during the separation process in a short time, which raises issues of convergence and computational time when a finite element method is in use. In this work, a simplified model of a gas-driven separation device is firstly developed, where flexibility is introduced only on the interfaces of components and their bodies are still rigid. The LZB multi-point method is applied to deal with repeated impacts of the interfaces in the separation process, and a variable-constraint technique is established to rebuild contact-point pairs when contact areas vary. Simulations of the dynamic model describe detailed interactions of the separation process. Results illustrate that the separation time decreases when the preload increases, and the decreasing rate gets lower due to reactions of split nuts. A test bench of the gas-driven separation device is developed, by which experimental results validate that the proposed dynamic model can accurately predict the separation time and speeds at different preloads.
The metabolites of light: untargeted metabolomic approaches bring new clues to understand light-driven adaptation of intertidal mudflat biofilm.
Authors: Doose Caroline , Hubas Cédric
Published: September 2022

The microphytobenthos (MPB) is a microbial community of primary producers playing a key role in coastal ecosystem functioning. The intertidal mudflats are subject to challenging variations of irradiance, forcing the micro-organisms to develop photoprotective mechanisms. Two major adaptations to light are well described in literature: the excess of light energy dissipation through non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and the vertical migration in the sediment. These mechanisms trigger a lot of scientific interest, but the biological processes and metabolic mechanisms involved in light-driven vertical migration remain largely unknown. To our knowledge, this study investigates for the first time metabolomic responses of a migrational mudflat biofilm exposed for 30 min to a light gradient of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) from 50 to 1000 µmol photons m− 2 s− 1. The untargeted metabolomic analysis allowed to identify metabolites involved in two types of responses to light exposures. On the one hand, the production of FAs from bacterial origin corresponding to good photosynthesis state of MPB under low light (LL) and medium light (ML). On the other hand, alka(e)nes and a fatty alcohol were produced under light-induced stress triggered by high light (HL). The physiological and ecological roles of these compounds are poorly described in literature. This study showed that they seem to play important unexplored roles in light-induced stress adaptation of migrational MPB biofilms. Since alka(e)nes are produced from FAs decarboxylation, these results thus emphasize for the first time the importance of FAs pathways in microphytobenthic biofilms adaptation to light.
Spatial and temporal cooccurrence among Neotropical native coccinellids and the exotic Harmonia axyridis
Authors: Rizzo María Estefanía , Salvo Adriana , Rocca Margarita , Greco Nancy
Published: September 2022

Coccinellids are important biological control agent and aphid predators in horticultural crops around the world. Neotropical Cycloneda sanguinea, Eriopis connexa and Coleomegilla quadrifasciata octodecimpustulata, and the exotic Harmonia axyridis (all Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), are predators that mainly feeds on aphids. In this work we described the abundance of these coccinellid species and their spatial and temporal cooccurrence in agroecological eggplant crop of Argentina. We also estimate the intensity and symmetry of the intraguild predation between C. quadrifasciata octodecimpustulata and the other species in laboratory experiments. Both temporal and spatial segregation was observed, and H. axyridis was the strongest intraguild predator in the interaction with C. quadrifasciata octodecimpustulata, and this latter was the strongest intraguild predator in interaction with C. sanguinea and E. connexa. In this context, native coccinellid species would be vulnerable to the exotic and invasive H. axyridis; however, the lack of cooccurrence of this species with the native ones, under conditions of low density of extra-guild prey would indicate that spatial segregation could be the mechanism by which these species coexist in the eggplant crop.
Evaluation of the Efficiency and Safety of a 27-gauge 20,000 cuts per minute Vitreous Cutter
Authors: Doi Yuta , Muraoka Yuki , Tsujikawa Akitaka
Published: September 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency and safety of a 27-gauge (G) 20,000 cuts per minute (cpm) vitreous cutter in clinical settings.
Methods
This was a retrospective and observational study of 40 eyes of 40 patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Twenty patients (20 eyes) were treated using a 27G 10,000-cpm vitreous cutter (Advanced ULTRAVIT® Probe, Alcon), whereas the remaining 20 patients (20 eyes) were treated using a 27G 20,000-cpm cutter (Hypervit® dual-blade probe, Alcon). All the surgeries were performed by the same surgeon (YM). The time from the start of vitrectomy to the start of ERM peeling was independently measured by two separate examiners using digital videos of each surgery. The average duration of vitrectomy was calculated for each patient. Additionally, the data of the patients in the two groups were extracted from their medical and surgical records and compared.
Results
The time from the initiation of vitrectomy until the start of ERM peeling was 184 ± 56.9 and 152 ± 39.5 s for the 10,000-cpm and 20,000-cpm groups, respectively. The duration of vitrectomy was significantly shorter in the 20,000-cpm group than in the 10,000-cpm group (p= 0.041). Postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was observed in one patient in the 10,000-cpm group, whereas no complications were observed in the 20,000-cpm group.
Conclusion
In a clinical setting, the 27G 20,000-cpm vitreous cutter may have a high safety profile and higher efficacy for vitreous removal than that of the 27G 10,000-cpm vitreous cutter.
The effects of left bundle branch pacing on mechanical synchrony and myocardial work in bradycardia patients
Authors: Wang PeiWei , Yang Li , Zheng ShaoXin , Mai JingTing , Wei YuLing , Liu YingMei , Deng BingQing , Lv HanLu , Chen YangXin , Qiu Qiong
Published: September 2022

Left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) has emerged as a novel physiological pacing method to produce narrower QRS duration, but whether it could restore mechanical synchronization and improve myocardial work still lacks sufficient evidence. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate mechanical synchrony and myocardial work in LBBP. We collected 32 patients with LBBP due to symptomatic bradycardia in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from December 2018 to July 2020. Another 29 matched patients with right ventricular pacing (RVP) during the same period were also included as a control group. In the LBBP group, cardiac electro-mechanical synchrony and myocardial work were measured at baseline and 7 days after implantation, and compared with the RVP group. In the LBBP group, paced QRS duration, peak strain dispersion (PSD), and inter-ventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) were not significantly different from baseline(all P>0.05), but significantly smaller than that in the RVP group (all P＜0.05). Meanwhile, GLS was greater in LBBP than in the RVP group (17.6±3.4% vs. 14.8±3.1%, P<0.05). Global myocardial work index and global constructive work were also better than that in the RVP group(all P＜0.05). Global work efficiency was 92.5±3.0%, which was greater when compared with RVP ( 88.6±4.3 %, P<0.05). LBBP provides better cardiac electro-mechanical synchrony and more effective myocardial work than that in RVP, thus improving global heart function.
Investigating the potential role of USP18 in atherosclerosis by regulating cholesterol efflux based on bioinformatics analysis
Authors: An Yang , Zhang Qiaojun , Liu Jiangjin , Zhou Hongmei , Xia Bing , Wan Chanwu , Lu Yanlin , Yu Yanni , Wang Jie , Dai Jialin
Published: September 2022

Background
Ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18), also known as UBP43, is a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family involved in suppressing viral activity and promoting tumor migration. Previous studies have shown that USP18 expression is upregulated in the patients with heart failure and USP18 is considered as a novel target for the treatment of heart failure. However, the role of USP18 in atherosclerosis remains unclear. In this study, we sought to explore the role of USP18 on ATP-binding cassette transporter protein G1 (ABCG1)-dependent cholesterol efflux.
Methods
GSE6054 dataset was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by using the "limma" package in R (version 4.1.3). H-DOCK was applied to perform protein-protein docking for predicting the interaction between USP18 and ABCG1. Immunohistochemistry(IHC), immunofluorescence(IF), and Western blot were used to assess the protein expression of USP18 and ABCG1 in human coronary arteries. Dual immunofluorescence was performed for co-localization analysis of USP18 and ABCG1
Results
Bioinformatics analysis identified 462 differentially expressed genes including 239 upregulated and 223 downregulated genes in familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) patients, of which USP18 was upregulated in monocytes. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis indicated that the biological functions of USP18 were mainly enriched in endopeptidase activity and cytokine-mediated signaling. Protein-protein docking by H-DOCK showed that USP18 and ABCG1 interacted at a free energy of -20 kcal/mol (free energy < 0 was considered meaningful). IHC, IF and Western blot analyses revealed an increased expression level of USP18 in coronary arteries from patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CHD) , but Western blot analyses revealed a decreased expression level of USP18 in coronary arteries from patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD) compared with controls. At the same time, ABCG1 expression was decreased in coronary arteries from both CHD and SCD patients with a higher significance in SCD patients. In addition, double immunofluorescence assay showed no significant co-localization of USP18 and ABCG1.
Conclusions
USP18 may contribute to the development of atherogenesis through regulating ABCG1-dependent cholesterol efflux from macrophages.
Neuroprotective Effect of Vesatolimod in an Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mice Model
Authors: Jiang Xian , Song Yifan , Fang Jie , Yang Xiaosheng , Mu Shuhua , Zhang Jian
Published: September 2022

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, demyelinating autoimmune disease accompanied by inflammation and loss of axons and neurons. Vesatolimod (VES, GS-9620) is a safe and well-tolerated agonist of toll-like receptor 7 with antiviral properties. To further develop possible therapeutic uses of VES, we assessed the effect of VES on MS using an Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model which was induced in mice by MOG35–55 injection. Mice were monitored for clinical symptoms daily, and the treatment group was given VES at the onset of illness. The therapeutic effect of VES on EAE inflammation, demyelination, macrophage and T cells infiltration, and microglia activation was evaluated. Autophagy within the spinal cords of EAE mice was also preliminarily assessed. Treatment with VES significantly alleviated clinical symptoms of EAE from day 18 post-immunization and decreased the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-12 (P40) and Eotaxin, in peripheral blood. It also inhibited demyelination in spinal cords, observed by immunofluorescent staining. Moreover, VES treatment reduced infiltration of CD3 + T cells and CD107b + macrophages, activation of microglia, as well as inhibited the expression of autophagy-related proteins (ATG5, ATG7 and ATG12) in the spinal cords of EAE mice. Our results suggest that VES exhibits protective effects on EAE mice and has the potential to be a novel drug for the treatment of MS.
Changes in photosynthetic parameters and lipid classes of N-limited freshwater microalga under cadmium exposure
Authors: Rocha Giseli Swerts , Parrish Christopher C. , Espíndola Evaldo L.G.
Published: September 2022

In the environment, algae are exposed to non-optimal conditions and adapt their physiology to cope with adverse conditions, such as limiting nutrients or excess contaminants. The present study evaluated the changes in photosynthetic parameters and lipid classes of the freshwater green microalga Ankistrodesmus densus exposed to nitrogen (N) limitation and cadmium (Cd) exposure. While N is required for the algal metabolism, Cd does not present known functions in freshwater microalgae. Our results indicate that the growth rate was more affected by metal than by the nutrient. At the same time, the quenchings, i.e., fractions of light energy driven to photochemical or non-photochemical processes of photosynthesis, were not affected under the N limitation. However, in the combination of the two stressors, the changes were more pronounced, suggesting a synergism in the growth rate, chlorophyll a production, photochemical quenching (qP), and effective quantum yield ((Y(II)). While Cd did not affect any lipid classes, the percentage of storage lipids (triacylglycerol) was increased under N limitation and in some of the combinations of N limitation and Cd. However, in the combination of the stressors, there were some non-linear changes in structural lipids (phospholipids) and a decrease in acetone mobile polar lipids. Our data indicate that the combination of the two stressors affected algal physiology with synergism in several parameters. However, the algal photoprotective mechanisms effectively avoided photodamage, as indicated by non-photochemical quenchings (qN and NPQ) and in the quantum yield related to regulated energy loss Y (NPQ) values.
Barriers to seeking professional mental health support among older adults with chronic diseases
Authors: Adams Claire , Gringart Eyal , Strobel Natalie
Published: September 2022

Objective: Help-seeking for mental health problems among older adults is often delayed. This is particularly concerning among older adults with chronic diseases, who are at risk of mental health declines. This study explored barriers to help-seeking among older adults with chronic diseases and identified factors that influence older adults’ perceptions of such barriers.
Method: This was a cross-sectional study with 107 adults ≥65 years, diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and/or type 2 diabetes. Demographic variables and barriers to help-seeking were measured using self-report questionnaires.
Results: The most common barriers to help-seeking were wondering whether the mental health problem is significant enough to warrant treatment (51.9%) and not having a regular primary health care provider to speak with (39.6%). Participants who had sought help in the past had less endorsement of these barriers than those who had never sought help.
Conclusions: Many older adults with chronic diseases have difficulties knowing when to seek help, and apprehensions about disclosing mental health concerns. Integrated intervention is needed involving the community (e.g., reduce stigma), older adults with chronic diseases (e.g., increase mental health literacy), and physicians (e.g., increase training in ageing and mental health) to alleviate common barriers to help-seeking in this population.
Maintaining social and emotional wellbeing among older adults during periods of increased social isolation: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Scarfe Brigitta , Adams Claire , Gringart Eyal , McAullay Daniel , Sim Moira , Strobel Natalie
Published: September 2022

Objective: Older adults are vulnerable to isolation and poor mental health during COVID-19, however, their access to appropriate supports is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ experiences accessing mental health and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.
Method: Ten older adults aged 68 to 78 years participated in individual semi-structured interviews between December 2020 and January 2021. Responses were investigated using thematic analysis.
Results: Three key themes emerged: adaptability and self-sufficiency; informal support-seeking; and digital and online technologies. Older adults were adaptable to COVID-19 restrictions; however, some were anxious about reconnecting with their social networks once restrictions had eased. Older adults relied on their informal support networks to maintain their social and emotional wellbeing during lockdown. Digital platforms (e.g., Zoom, social media) enabled older adults to stay connected with others, yet some older people were unable or reluctant to use technology, leaving them vulnerable to social isolation.
Conclusions: Older adults are resilient to the challenges of COVID-19. Informal supports and digital technologies are important to maintaining social and emotional wellbeing during lockdown. Local governments and community groups may benefit from increased funding to deliver services that promote social connectedness during times of crisis.
An integrated firefly algorithm for the optimization of constrained engineering design problems
Authors: Tao Ran , Zhou Huanlin , Meng Zeng , Liu Zhaotao
Published: September 2022

As a nature-inspired metaheuristic method, the firefly algorithm (FA) arises more attentions in academic and engineering fields. However, the computational efficiency and accuracy of FA still need improvement to deal with complex engineering problems. Thus, an integrated firefly algorithm (IFA) that combines two novel attractive models with a new stochastic model is proposed to improve the standard FA. Firstly, the attractive model and stochastic model of standard FA are investigated through theoretical analysis and numerical experiments. And the factors that affect the computational efficiency and accuracy of FA are revealed. Then, a fitness-based virtual attractive model and a fitness-based global best attractive model are constructed to reduce the computation complexity and enhance the exploitation ability. Moreover, an adaptive strategy is presented for the stochastic model to achieve a better balance between exploitation and exploration. Additionally, an adaptive penalty function method is developed to handle the constraints effectively. Then, the initial parameters are tested, and the best initial parameters corresponding to the optimal performance of IFA are obtained. Finally, IFA and other metaheuristic algorithms are applied to solve five engineering design optimization problems with mixed variables and multiple constraint conditions. The results indicate that IFA with adaptive penalty function needs fewer fitness evaluations and costs less computational time to obtain the optimal solutions. Furthermore, it exhibits better accuracy and robustness than other algorithms.
Métodos de Clapeyron y Cross para el análisis de vigas de inercia variable
Authors: Pons Josep Maria , Soltanalipour Milad
Published: September 2022

En el mundo académico con frecuencia se plantea el análisis global de estructuras con vigas consideradas de inercia constante I. La múltiple bibliografía docente así lo atestigua. A pesar de ello, también se presentan casos en los que esta se considera como variable I(x). Dicha casuística pudiere ser extrapolada al caso de las estructuras reales. Muchas de estas poseen las vigas con canto constante, aunque algunas, por motivos variados, lo presentan variable. Este hecho ha complicado de manera notable la formulación y resolución del problema estructural en los métodos clásicos.
Se plantea en este trabajo un abordaje histórico del mismo, presentando dos de estos métodos de resolución de estructuras hiperestáticas (el de Clapeyron conocido también como de los Tres Momentos y el de Cross), así como su formulación y resolución para el caso de vigas continuas de Inercia constante I y variable I(x).
Presentación
Authors: Torres Pardo Ingrid Durley
Published: September 2022

Con la edición No. 25, Lámpsakos migra al modelo de publicación continua, sin afectar la calidad de los artículos, ni la rigurosidad de los procesos. El modelo tiene como ventaja: la inmediatez en la publicación, por lo que se acortarán los tiempos de publicación y los autores no tendrán que esperar a que la revista complete la edición, por el contrario, una vez un artículo finalice su proceso editorial, si su dictamen es favorable, inmediatamente será publicado en el Open Journal System de la revista y difundido en diferentes medios, lo cual contribuirá a que el texto tenga más probabilidades de ser consultado por nuestros lectores y en consecuencia tendrá mayor oportunidad de ser citado.
Conciencia psico-pedagógica comunicativa en la prevención del consumo de psicotrópicos y de las violencias
Authors: Tobón Marulanda Flor Ángela , Nanclares Rúben , López Giraldo Luis Alirio
Published: September 2022

En este artículo se presentan los resultados de una investigación cualitativa hermenéutica cuyo objetivo fue explorar la relación del consumo de psicotrópicos y las variables psicosociales entre 1998-2019 en campus universitarios en una ciudad colombiana, un problema crítico exponencial global de salud pública que poco se afronta desde la prevención real de los factores de riesgo. Se encontró que prevalece el diagnóstico y no se evidencia una intervención preventiva que ayude a la evolución de las causas que inducen a la decisión de consumir o no. El análisis sugiere que: 1) persiste el desafío de ir más allá de las acciones punitivas o permisibles; 2) se requiere incrementar la intervención psicoeducativa que concientice al adicto sobre los riesgos del consumo de psicotrópicos; 3) resulta prioritario, para trascender el diagnóstico, indagar sobre las causas estructurales; y 4) las políticas públicas educativas deben fortalecerse con enfoques psicopedagógicos que estimulen el proceso complejo de la expresividad e impulsen la trazabilidad de la educación y la formación basada en la comunicación bidireccional en familia.
Síntomas psicopatológicos y emocionales asociados a malos tratos en parejas de adolescentes de Floridablanca, Colombia
Authors: Redondo Pacheco Jesús , García Lizarazo Karol Lizeth , Luzardo Briceño Marianela
Published: September 2022

Diversos estudios han demostrado que los malos tratos en el noviazgo son un problema de alta prevalencia que afecta a adolescentes de diferentes edades y diversos contextos socioculturales, comprometiendo su desarrollo integral y bienestar. El objetivo general de este estudio fue conocer los síntomas psicopatológicos y emocionales asociados a los malos tratos por parte de la pareja entre adolescentes de Floridablanca, Colombia. Los participantes fueron 261 estudiantes de dos colegios de Floridablanca con edades entre los 13 y 19 años (M = 15; DT = 1.80). Los instrumentos utilizados fueron la Conflict in Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), versión española, y la Lista de Síntomas SCL-90-R. Se encontró, teniendo en cuenta la direccionalidad en la violencia de género en el noviazgo, una prevalencia general de un 94.2 % de los participantes. En cuanto al género, el 41 % de los hombres participó en alguno de estos roles (perpetración, victimización y violencia mutua), sin encontrarse diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Además, se hallaron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre la puntuación global de victimización y violencia mutua y las escalas del SCL90-R, además de los tres indicadores que reflejan aspectos diferenciales de los síntomas. Los hallazgos se discuten en relación con los desafíos de desarrollo que enfrentan los adolescentes.
Significados y experiencias personales de perdón y reconciliación en mujeres víctimas y mujeres excombatientes de las FARC
Authors: Villa Gómez Juan David , Guzmán Claribel , Arango Jorge Mario
Published: September 2022

Este trabajo pretende comprender la experiencia subjetiva de mujeres víctimas y excombatientes de las FARC en torno al perdón y la reconciliación. Para ello, se realizó una investigación de corte cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico-hermenéutico, basada en postulados de la psicología social crítica latinoamericana. Las técnicas para recolectar información fueron la observación participante, la entrevista en profundidad y los grupos de conversación, en donde participaron 8 víctimas y 4 excombatientes. Se realizó un análisis hermenéutico de contenido, identificando concepciones que las participantes tienen sobre perdón y reconciliación, identificando experiencias vividas. Uno de los principales hallazgos es que en el proceso para perdonar y reconciliarse, las participantes transforman su subjetividad, asumiendo reivindicar sus derechos ante el Estado y redescubriendo su humanidad después de la guerra; finalmente, las excombatientes cambian las armas por palabras.
Tramas íntimas y políticas en la articulación de masculinidades alternativas
Authors: Jiménez Rodas Jorge Andrés , Morales Herrera Milton Danilo
Published: September 2022

Derivado de las reflexiones y avances teóricos del feminismo, la cuestión de las masculinidades ha adquirido gran relevancia en el campo de las ciencias sociales como objeto de indagación e intervención. Paralelo a este proceso, han ido proliferando la creación y acción de colectivos de hombres que se proponen de forma activa una deconstrucción de la masculinidad hegemónica y la erradicación de las brechas de género. El presente trabajo analiza la narrativa de hombres que participan de colectivos antipatriarcales. Los resultados dan cuenta de los elementos estructurales que componen las historias y de dos tramas que articulan las historias. Estas son la trama íntima y política. Se concluye que en el proceso de transformación de la masculinidad no solo está involucrado un proceso subjetivo de transformación, sino que una crítica a los contextos sociales y políticos se intersecta con la pregunta sobre las identidades de género.
Combining aggregate production function and technical efficiency: Indonesian case study
Authors: Riyardi Agung , Fahmy-Abdullah Mohd , Indira Hasmarini Maulidyah , Kusdiyanto
Published: September 2022

Besides frontiers and Data Enveloped Analysis approaches, a combination between the aggregate production function and technical efficiency can be performed using the Corrected Ordinary Least Square approach. Unfortunately, there are no studies in Indonesia that use this approach. This paper mainly studies how the Corrected Ordinary Least Square approach combines aggregate production function and technical efficiency. The methods are aggregate production function modeling, aggregate production function correcting, and technical efficiency measuring. The data are Gross Regional Domestic Product at a constant price, the number of workers, investment expenditure, education, and health data of Indonesian provinces from 2015 to 2020. There are three results. First, the Indonesian fixed effect panel data aggregate production function is the best model. In this model, Gross Regional Domestic Product at a constant price is influenced by the number of workers, investment expenditure, and human capital. Human capital consists of education and health level. Second, the deterministic frontier aggregate production function shifts the best-fixed effect model so that the constant becomes –15.36. Third, the Indonesian technical efficiency when no factors influence inefficiency is on average 0.9936. All the results indicate that human capital, aggregate production and technical efficiency combination, and the Corrected Ordinary Least Square approach are practical values.
Peculiaridades do alistamento eleitoral e do direito ao voto do eleitor indígena
Authors: De Souza Marcelo José , Aguilera Urquiza Antonio Hilário
Published: September 2022

O objetivo da reflexão proposta é informar e esclarecer as peculiaridades que envolvem o alistamento eleitoral do indígena para o efetivo exercício do direito ao voto. A Constituição Federal impõe a obrigatoriedade do alistamento eleitoral e do voto de forma expressa em seu texto. O voto e o alistamento, além de um dever cívico, são direitos inerentes aos cidadãos para que possam participar de forma efetiva dos rumos políticos de seu país. Os indígenas têm os mesmos direitos e deveres de qualquer outro cidadão, assim o Estado não pode criar situações ou colocar obstáculos que dificultem seu engajamento na escolha de seus representantes ou na disputa a um cargo político eletivo. Cumpridos os requisitos constitucionais e os dispostos na legislação eleitoral, é direito fundamental a sua participação na construção e no fortalecimento da jovem democracia brasileira. A busca por maior espaço no campo político, além de garantia constitucional, mostra-se uma condição necessária para que a sociedade reconheça seus direitos mínimos a uma existência digna como minoria ética. A pesquisa é bibliográfica e documental.
Em torno do sexo e do envelhecer: A perspectiva interseccional, a discriminação e os desafios que atravessam a agência da pessoa idosa LGBTI
Authors: Franco Vinícius de Moraes , Soares Vládia Maria de Moura
Published: September 2022

Este ensaio, de caráter jurídico e sociológico, propõe-se a analisar as contribuições que a perspectiva interseccional e os direitos humanos das minorias podem oferecer para a compreensão em torno dos fatores de discriminação específicos que atravessam a agência da pessoa idosa LGBTI, com ênfase nos processos de sujeição, nas construções e papéis sociais do gênero, da sexualidade e do envelhecimento e nos desafios relativos à efetiva proteção desse grupo. Utiliza-se a pesquisa qualitativa, tendo em vista que possui conteúdo descritivo e analítico, e será utilizada a análise bibliográfica. Na primeira parte investiga-se o LGBTI idoso, tomado como uma minoria vulnerável, e realiza-se uma reflexão sobre o surgimento e as contribuições do pensamento interseccional, de modo a estabelecer, ainda, possíveis pontos de contato entre a interseccionalidade e as teorias queer e decoloniais. O desenvolvimento evolui para então serem abordados as especificidades e os desafios lançados pela discriminação interseccional sofrida pela pessoa idosa LGBTI, que suscitam olhar o sujeito a partir das cosmologias que o informam. Por fim, com foco no Sistema Interamericano de Direitos Humanos, abordar-se-á a insuficiência dos instrumentos de proteção internacional como um desafio para a efetiva proteção dos direitos humanos dessa minoria específica.