bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Janus-Kinase/Signal Transduction Activator of Transcription Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Vasculitis: A Possible Treatment Target in the Upcoming Future
Authors: Bursi Roberto , Cafaro Giacomo , Perricone Carlo , Riccucci Ilenia , Calvacchi Santina , Gerli Roberto , Bartoloni Elena
Published: March 2021

Janus-kinase (JAK) and signal transduction activator of transcription (STAT) signal transduction pathway is involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes, including in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. Data supporting the role of JAK/STAT in the development of vasculitis are limited and mostly focused on large vessel vasculitis and Behçet’s disease. In this review, we provide a thorough picture of currently available evidence on the topic, gathered from in vitro experiments, animal models and human real-life data, analyzing the rationale for the use of JAK inhibitors for the management of vasculitis. Overall, despite a very strong biological and pathogenic basis, data are too few to recommend this therapeutic approach, beyond very severe and refractory forms of vasculitis. However, for the same reasons, a strong scientific effort in this direction is indeed worthwhile.
Non-cross Bridge Viscoelastic Elements Contribute to Muscle Force and Work During Stretch-Shortening Cycles: Evidence From Whole Muscles and Permeabilized Fibers
Authors: Hessel Anthony L. , Monroy Jenna A. , Nishikawa Kiisa C.
Published: March 2021

The sliding filament–swinging cross bridge theory of skeletal muscle contraction provides a reasonable description of muscle properties during isometric contractions at or near maximum isometric force. However, it fails to predict muscle force during dynamic length changes, implying that the model is not complete. Mounting evidence suggests that, along with cross bridges, a Ca2+-sensitive viscoelastic element, likely the titin protein, contributes to muscle force and work. The purpose of this study was to develop a multi-level approach deploying stretch-shortening cycles (SSCs) to test the hypothesis that, along with cross bridges, Ca2+-sensitive viscoelastic elements in sarcomeres contribute to force and work. Using whole soleus muscles from wild type andmdmmice, which carry a small deletion in the N2A region of titin, we measured the activation- and phase-dependence of enhanced force and work during SSCs with and without doublet stimuli. In wild type muscles, a doublet stimulus led to an increase in peak force and work per cycle, with the largest effects occurring for stimulation during the lengthening phase of SSCs. In contrast,mdmmuscles showed neither doublet potentiation features, nor phase-dependence of activation. To further distinguish the contributions of cross bridge and non-cross bridge elements, we performed SSCs on permeabilized psoas fiber bundles activated to different levels using either [Ca2+] or [Ca2+] plus the myosin inhibitor 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM). Across activation levels ranging from 15 to 100% of maximum isometric force, peak force, and work per cycle were enhanced for fibers in [Ca2+] plus BDM compared to [Ca2+] alone at a corresponding activation level, suggesting a contribution from Ca2+-sensitive, non-cross bridge, viscoelastic elements. Taken together, our results suggest that a tunable viscoelastic element such as titin contributes to: (1) persistence of force at low [Ca2+] in doublet potentiation; (2) phase- and length-dependence of doublet potentiation observed in wild type muscles and the absence of these effects inmdmmuscles; and (3) increased peak force and work per cycle in SSCs. We conclude that non-cross bridge viscoelastic elements, likely titin, contribute substantially to muscle force and work, as well as the phase-dependence of these quantities, during dynamic length changes.
Ionomic Responses of Local Plant Species to Natural Edaphic Mineral Variations
Authors: Zhang Chengming , Hiradate Syuntaro , Kusumoto Yoshinobu , Morita Sayaka , Koyanagi Tomoyo F. , Chu Qingnan , Watanabe Toshihiro
Published: March 2021

Leaf ionome indicates plant phylogenetic evolution and responses to environmental stress, which is a critical influential factor to the structure of species populations in local edaphic sites. However, little is known about leaf ionomic responses of local plant species to natural edaphic mineral variations. In the present study, all plant species and soil samples from a total of 80 soil sites in Shiozuka Highland were collected for multi-elemental analysis. Ioniomic data of species were used for statistical analysis, representing 24 species and 10 families. Specific preferences to ionomic accumulation in plants were obviously affected by the phylogeny, whereas edaphic impacts were also strong but limited within the phylogenetic preset. Correlations among elements resulted from not only elemental synergy and competition but also the adaptive evolution to withstand environmental stresses. Furthermore, ionomic differences of plant families were mainly derived from non-essential elements. The majority of variations in leaf ionome is undoubtedly regulated by evolutionary factors, but externalities, especially environmental stresses also have an important regulating function for landscape formation, determining that the contributions of each factor to ionomic variations of plant species for adaptation to environmental stress provides a new insight for further research on ionomic responses of ecological speciation to environmental perturbations and their corresponding adaptive evolutions.
Different Pasts for Different Political Folk: Political Orientation Predicts Collective Nostalgia Content
Authors: Stefaniak Anna , Wohl Michael Jeremy Adam , Sedikides Constantine , Smeekes Anouk , Wildschut Tim
Published: March 2021

Collective nostalgia is a bittersweet emotion that reflects sentimental longing for valued aspects of the past of one’s group. Given that conservatism is typically associated with a general desire to preserve the societal status quo or return society to its traditional way of being, nostalgia has been theorized to be characteristic of those on the political right (i.e., conservatives). In the current work, we proposed and tested the hypothesis that collective nostalgia is experienced by both conservatives and liberals, but the content of their nostalgizing differs. Across three studies in three socio-political contexts—United States (Study 1, MTurk, N = 352), Canada (Study 2, student sample, N = 154), and England (Study 3, online panel, N = 2,345)—we found that both conservatives and liberals experienced collective nostalgia for a more homogenous and open society. However, conservatives experienced more homogeneity-focused collective nostalgia, whereas liberals experienced more openness-focused collective nostalgia. Replicating previous findings, homogeneity-focused nostalgia emerged as a positive, whereas openness-focused nostalgia emerged as a negative, predictor of intergroup attitudes. The results have both theoretical and practical significance for understanding political attitudes and behaviors. To the point, variance in the conservative and liberal political agendas is, in part, a function of a difference in their respective predisposition to nostalgize about and thus desire the return of a particular aspect of the in-group’s past.
Evolution of the Conceptualization of Filial Piety in the Global Context: From Skin to Skeleton
Authors: Bedford Olwen , Yeh Kuang-Hui
Published: March 2021

Social science researchers often definefilial pietyas a set of norms, values, and practices regarding how children should behave toward their parents. In this article, we trace the conceptual development of filial piety research in Chinese and other societies to highlight the assumptions underlying this traditional approach to filial piety research. We identify the limitations of these assumptions, including the problem of an evolving definition and lack of cross-cultural applicability. We then advocate an alternative framework that overcomes these limitations by focusing on the deep structure of filial piety: the dual filial piety model (DFPM). The DFPM applies the concept of contextualized personality to reconceptualize filial piety in terms of authoritarian and reciprocal psychological motivations particular to the parent-child context. Because the focus is on a universal psychological mechanism rather than cultural norms, values, and behavior, the DFPM may be applied for investigation of filial piety at individual, social, and cultural levels within and across various societies. We discuss application of the DFPM in relation to existing filial piety and intergenerational relations research from several societies and conclude with a comparison to other recent proposals for measuring Chinese filial piety.
“Finding an Emotional Face” Revisited: Differences in Own-Age Bias and the Happiness Superiority Effect in Children and Young Adults
Authors: Zsido Andras N. , Arato Nikolett , Ihasz Virag , Basler Julia , Matuz-Budai Timea , Inhof Orsolya , Schacht Annekathrin , Labadi Beatrix , Coelho Carlos M.
Published: March 2021

People seem to differ in their visual search performance involving emotionally expressive faces when these expressions are seen on faces of others close to their age (peers) compared to faces of non-peers, known as the own-age bias (OAB). This study sought to compare search advantages in angry and happy faces detected on faces of adults and children on a pool of children (N = 77, mean age = 5.57) and adults (N = 68, mean age = 21.48). The goals of this study were to (1) examine the developmental trajectory of expression recognition and (2) examine the development of an OAB. Participants were asked to find a target face displaying an emotional expression among eight neutral faces. Results showed that children and adults found happy faces significantly faster than angry and fearful faces regardless of it being present on the faces of peers or non-peers. Adults responded faster to the faces of peers regardless of the expression. Furthermore, while children detected angry faces significantly faster compared to fearful ones, we found no such difference in adults. In contrast, adults detected all expressions significantly faster when they appeared on the faces of other adults compared to the faces of children. In sum, we found evidence for development in detecting facial expressions and also an age-dependent increase in OAB. We suggest that the happy face could have an advantage in visual processing due to its importance in social situations and its overall higher frequency compared to other emotional expressions. Although we only found some evidence on the OAB, using peer or non-peer faces should be a theoretical consideration of future research because the same emotion displayed on non-peers’ compared to peers’ faces may have different implications and meanings to the perceiver.
Interactionism, Post-interactionism, and Causal Complexity: Lessons From the Philosophy of Causation
Authors: Ferreira Ruiz María , Umerez Jon
Published: March 2021

In biology and philosophy of biology, discussing the notion of interaction leads to an examination of interactionism, which is, broadly speaking, the view that rejects gene-centrism and gene determinism and instead emphasizes the fact that traits of organisms are always the result of genes and environments. It has long been asserted that the nature-nurture problem requires an interactionist solution of sorts, the so-called interactionist consensus. This consensus, however, has been deemed insufficient and challenged by several authors triggering an extension of the debate among contestants and defenders. Unfortunately, part of the problem is that the views on causation that would ground claims about interactionism are not always made explicit in this debate, which renders those views somewhat complicated to assess. Moreover, it seems to be assumed that causal complexity excludes the possibility of characterizing, distinguishing, or comparing among causal contributions. By turning to a detailed survey of the origin of the debate and to some developments in the philosophy of causation, we will contend that this view is unwarranted, and that much of the debate around interactionism is based on the drawing of this (wrong) conclusion. We also examine implications of this analysis for the project to develop a framework based on the notion of inter-identities.
The Italians in the Time of Coronavirus: Psychosocial Aspects of the Unexpected COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Favieri Francesca , Forte Giuseppe , Tambelli Renata , Casagrande Maria
Published: March 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide public health emergency that forced the Italian Government to deliberate unprecedented actions, including quarantine, with a relevant impact on the population. The present study is one of the first Italian nationwide survey within the first period of the COVID-19 outbreak aimed to understand the social and psychological impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Methods: An online survey collected information on sociodemographic data, history of direct or indirect contact with COVID-19, and other information concerning the COVID-19 emergency. The General Psychological Well-Being Index and a modified version of the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, focused on the COVID-19 experience, assessed the respondents' general psychological condition.

Results: Of 1,639 respondents equally distributed in the Italian territory, 5.1% reported PTSD symptomatology, and 48.2% evidenced lower psychological well-being linked to COVID-19 diffusion. Lower psychological well-being was significantly higher in women, younger than 50 years, and with health risk factors. Lower psychological well-being was also detected in individuals who did not know if they were infected, who have had direct exposure or were uncertain about their exposure to COVID-19, or who knew infected people. Regarding the social and behavioral consequences, respondents perceived worsening in demographic, economic, social, and relational conditions. Moreover, they reported increased film viewing, cookhouse time, social media use, and decreased physical activity.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic appears to be a risk factor for psychological diseases in the Italian population, as previously reported in the Chinese people. About half of the respondents reported a significant psychological impact. Moreover, we confirmed the role of restraining measures that led to modify lifestyles, social perception, and confidence in the institutions. These results underline the need for further studies aimed to develop psychological interventions to minimize the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Impact on Healthcare and Supportive Services for People Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) in Malaysia
Authors: Vicknasingam Balasingam , Mohd Salleh Nur Afiqah , Chooi Weng-Tink , Singh Darshan , Mohd Zaharim Norzarina , Kamarulzaman Adeeba , Chawarski Marek C.
Published: March 2021

Background: Restrictive orders and temporary programmatic or ad hoc changes within healthcare and other supportive systems that were implemented in response to the COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia may have created hindrances to accessing healthcare and/or receiving other supportive services for people who use drugs (PWUDs).

Design: A primarily qualitative study has been conducted to evaluate how service providers and recipients were adapting and coping during the initial periods of the COVID-19 response.

Settings: The study engaged several healthcare and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the peninsular states of Penang, Kelantan, Selangor, and Melaka.

Participants: Medical personnel of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) programs (n = 2) and HIV clinics (n = 3), staff of NGO services (n = 4), and MMT patients (n = 9) were interviewed using a semi-structured format.

Results: Interviewed participants reported significant organizational, programmatic, and treatment protocols related changes implemented within the healthcare and support services in addition to nationally imposed Movement Control Orders (MCOs). Changes aimed to reduce patient flow and concentration at the on-site services locations, including less frequent in-person visits, increased use of telemedicine resources, and greater reliance on telecommunication methods to maintain contacts with patients and clients; changes in medication dispensing protocols, including increased take-home doses and relaxed rules for obtaining them, or delivery of medications to patients' homes or locations near their homes were reported by the majority of study participants. No significant rates of COVID-19 infections among PWUDs, including among those with HIV have been reported at the study sites.

Conclusions: Although the reported changes presented new challenges for both services providers and recipients and resulted in some degree of initial disruption, generally, all participants reported successful implementation and high levels of compliance with the newly introduced restrictions, regulations, and protocols, resulting in relatively low rates of treatment disruption or discontinuation at the study sites.
The Association Between Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test Performance and Intelligence Quotient in Children and Adolescents With Asperger Syndrome
Authors: Peñuelas-Calvo Inmaculada , Sareen Aditya , Porras-Segovia Alejandro , Cegla-Schvatzman Fanny-Beatriz , Fernandez-Berrocal Pablo
Published: March 2021

Background: There has been an extensive debate about a potential association between intelligence and social cognition. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between social cognition as measured with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes test (RMET) and intelligence as measured with the fourth edition of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) in children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome (AS).

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 84 children diagnosed with AS aged 6–16 years (mean = 11.64; standard deviation = 2.75; 92.9% males). We analyzed the association between RMET performance and WISC-IV total score as well as the association between RMET performance and each of the four WISC-IV indexes (processing speed index, PSI; working memory index, WMI; perceptual reasoning index, PRI, and verbal comprehension index, VCI).

Results: We found a positive correlation between RMET performance and full-scale intelligence quotient (r = 0.340; p < 0.01), VCI (r = 0.310; p < 0.01), PRI (r = 0.401; p < 0.01), and WMI (r = 0.292; p < 0.01). In the linear regression model, age was a significant predictor of RMET score (β = 0.409; p < 0.001) as was PRI (β = 0.309; p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that intelligence quotient positively influences RMET performance, indicating that intelligence increases social cognition in individuals diagnosed with AS. However, weak-to-moderate size effects were found. This study contributes to understanding the mechanisms underlying the disturbance of social cognition in children and adolescents diagnosed with AS.
Toward Regional Low-Carbon Energy Transitions in England: A Relational Perspective
Authors: Crowther Ami , Petrova Saska , Evans James
Published: March 2021

Re-scaling energy systems and governance to the local level is increasingly necessary to transition to a low-carbon society. City region devolution in England enables city regions to develop their own approaches to low-carbon transitions that reflect the context in which they are situated. The approaches associated with these transitions support the localization of the energy system, the involvement of a diverse range of actors and institutions and the establishment of new supporting infrastructures. This paper considers the interactions between, and influence of, different actors, infrastructures and institutions and how these impact the nature of approaches developed by applying a relational perspective. Relational perspectives are increasingly prevalent in research on low-carbon transitions, although they have not been used to consider how different components of the transition influence the approaches developed—which is the focus of this paper. By understanding the influence of the different components, it supports the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to facilitate low-carbon transitions at the localized scale. This paper analyses the approaches to low-carbon transitions developed by three city regions with devolved powers in England. The approach developed by each of the city regions orientates around a different scale of focus—from the whole city region to strategic hubs to individualized, siloed activity. These different scales of focus reflect the influence held by the actors, institutions and infrastructures located within each city region. The context of the city region itself also influences the actors, institutions, and infrastructures present. By adopting a relational perspective, it unpacks the complex interrelations, the multiple points of interaction and influence, and the multi-scalar nature of low-carbon transitions at the city region level. Although the approaches to low-carbon transitions developed by the different city regions suggest a re-scaling of transition processes, the associated actors, infrastructures and institutions associated with these processes are not isolated from broader contexts and particularities of place. There are multi-scalar interactions and influences which impact the nature of approaches developed, demonstrating the value of relational and heterogeneous perspectives when developing localized approaches to low-carbon transitions.
Plant Microbiota Beyond Farming Practices: A Review
Authors: Delitte Mathieu , Caulier Simon , Bragard Claude , Desoignies Nicolas
Published: March 2021

Plants have always grown and evolved surrounded by numerous microorganisms that inhabit their environment, later termed microbiota. To enhance food production, humankind has relied on various farming practices such as irrigation, tilling, fertilization, and pest and disease management. Over the past few years, studies have highlighted the impacts of such practices, not only in terms of plant health or yields but also on the microbial communities associated with plants, which have been investigated through microbiome studies. Because some microorganisms exert beneficial traits that improve plant growth and health, understanding how to modulate microbial communities will help in developing smart farming and favor plant growth-promoting (PGP) microorganisms. With tremendous cost cuts in NGS technologies, metagenomic approaches are now affordable and have been widely used to investigate crop-associated microbiomes. Being able to engineer microbial communities in ways that benefit crop health and growth will help decrease the number of chemical inputs required. Against this background, this review explores the impacts of agricultural practices on soil- and plant-associated microbiomes, focusing on plant growth-promoting microorganisms from a metagenomic perspective.
Long Term Outcome After Open Abdomen Treatment: Function and Quality of Life
Authors: Theodorou Alexis , Jedig Agnes , Manekeller Steffen , Willms Arnulf , Pantelis Dimitrios , Matthaei Hanno , Schäfer Nico , Kalff Jörg C. , von Websky Martin W.
Published: March 2021

Background: Open abdomen treatment (OAT) is widely accepted to manage severe abdominal conditions such as peritonitis and abdominal compartment syndrome but can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. The main risks in OAT are (1) entero-atmospheric fistula (EAF), (2) failure of primary fascial closure, and (3) incisional hernias. In this study, we assessed the long-term functional outcome after OAT to understand which factors impacted most on quality of life (QoL)/daily living activities and the natural course after OAT.

Materials and Methods: After a retrospective analysis of 165 consecutive OAT patients over a period of 10 years (2002–2012) with over 65 clinical parameters that had been performed at our center (1), we initiated a prospective structured follow-up approach. All survivors were invited for a clinical follow-up. Forty complete datasets including clinical and social follow-up with SF-36 scores were available for full analysis.

Results: The patients were dominantly male (75%) with a median age of 52 years. Primary fascial closure (PC) was achieved in 9/40 (23%), while in 77% a planned ventral hernia (PVH) approach was followed. A total of 3/4 of the PVH patients underwent a secondary-stage abdominal wall reconstruction (SSR), but 2/3 of these reconstructed patients developed recurrent hernias. Fifty-five percent of the patients with PC developed an incisional hernia, while 20% of all patients developed significant scarring (Vancouver Scar Score >8). Scar pain was described by 15% of the patients as “moderate” [Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 4–6] and by 10% as “severe” (VAS > 7). While hernia presence, PC or PVH, and scarring showed no impact on QoL, male sex and especially EAF formation significantly reduced QoL.

Discussion: Despite many advantages, OAT was associated with relevant mortality and morbidity, especially in the early era before the implementation of a structured concept at our center. Follow-up revealed that hernia incidence after OAT and secondary reconstruction were high and that 25% of patients qualifying for a secondary reconstruction either did not want surgery or were unfit. Sex and EAF formation impacted significantly on QoL, which was lower than in the general population. With regard to hernia incidence, new strategies such as prophylactic mesh implantation upon fascial closure should be discussed analogous to other major abdominal procedures.
Risk Factors for Fasciotomy After Revascularization for Acute Lower Limb Ischaemia
Authors: Karonen Emil , Wrede Axel , Acosta Stefan
Published: March 2021

Background: Acute lower limb ischaemia (ALI) is a life and limb threatening vascular emergency. Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) may develop upon revascularization. The risk of fasciotomy was hypothesized to be decreased in women due to their lower calf muscle mass. The main aim was to evaluate risk factors for fasciotomy after revascularization for ALI.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study of patients undergoing revascularization for ALI between 2001 and 2018. Factors associated with outcome at 1 year in univariable analysis (p < 0.1) were chosen for multi-variable analysis and expressed in Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The median age for women (n = 394) was 75 years and men (n = 449) was 70 years (p < 0.001). The frequency of fasciotomy was 10.0% (84/843). The median in-hospital stay was 28 vs. 6 days for patients undergoing fasciotomy and not, respectively (p < 0.001). In adjusted analysis, renal insufficiency (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04–3.01), motor deficit (OR 4.40, 95% CI 2.45–7.92), popliteal artery aneurysm thromboembolism (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.06–4.80), and open vascular surgery (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.97–5.98) were associated with an increased risk of fasciotomy. Female patients (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28–0.84) and anemia (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.28–0.84) had a lower risk. The major amputation/mortality rate at 1-year was 27.7%; fasciotomy (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.11–3.40), anemia (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.24–2.73) and female gender (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.00–2.08) were independently associated with an increased risk.

Conclusions: Female patients had lower rates of fasciotomies, but subsequent higher risk of major amputation/mortality, which may be attributed to inferior results of revascularization. Lower muscle mass and underdiagnosis of ACS could also explain the lower frequency of fasciotomy for female patients. Further studies are needed to better understand gender differences in presentation of ALI, revascularization results and diagnosis of ACS.
Current Concepts in Fluid Therapy in Horses
Authors: Crabtree Naomi E. , Epstein Kira L.
Published: March 2021

Despite the frequent inclusion of fluid therapy in the treatment of many conditions in horses, there are limited studies available to provide evidenced-based, species-specific recommendations. Thus, equine fluid therapy is based on the application of physiology and extrapolation from evidence in other veterinary species and human medicine. The physiologic principles that underly the use of fluids in medicine are, at first glance, straightforward and simple to understand. However, in the past 20 years, multiple studies in human medicine have shown that creating recommendations based on theory in combination with experimental and/or small clinical studies does not consistently result in best practice. As a result, there are ongoing controversies in human medicine over fluid types, volumes, and routes of administration. For example, the use of 0.9% NaCl as the replacement fluid of choice is being questioned, and the theoretical benefits of colloids have not translated to clinical cases and negative effects are greater than predicted. In this review, the current body of equine research in fluid therapy will be reviewed, connections to the controversies in human medicine and other veterinary species will be explored and, where appropriate, recommendations for fluid therapy in the adult horse will be made based on the available evidence. This review is focused on the decisions surrounding developing a fluid plan involving crystalloids, synthetic colloids, and plasma.
In vitro Assessment of Antiviral Effect of Natural Compounds on Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Coronavirus
Authors: Gómez-García Manuel , Puente Héctor , Argüello Héctor , Mencía-Ares Óscar , Rubio Pedro , Carvajal Ana
Published: March 2021

Organic acid and essential oils (EOs), well-known antimicrobials, could also possess antiviral activity, a characteristic which has not been completely addressed up to now. In this study, the effect of two organic acids (formic acid and sodium salt of coconut fatty acid distillates) and two single EO compounds (thymol and cinnamaldehye) was evaluated against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). The concentration used for each compound was established by cytotoxicity assays in Vero cells. The antiviral activity was then evaluated at three multiplicities of infection (MOIs) through visual cytopathic effect (CPE) evaluation and an alamarBlue assay as well as real-time reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and viral titration of cell supernatants. Formic acid at at a dose of 1,200 ppm was the only compound which showed antiviral activity, with a weak reduction of CPE caused by PEDV. Through the alamarBlue fluorescence assay, we showed a significant anti-CPE effect of formic acid which could not be observed by using an inverted optical microscope. RT-qPCR and infectivity analysis also showed that formic acid significantly reduced viral RNA and viral titers in a PEDV MOI-dependent manner. Our results suggest that the antiviral activity of formic acid could be associated to its inhibitory effect on viral replication. Further studies are required to explore the anti-PEDV activity of formic acid under field conditions alone or together with other antiviral agents.
Obsesiones contra obsesiones: una (re)construcción del significado
Authors: Scheinberg Marcia , M.S.W  , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

En este artículo, las obsesiones y las reacciones fóbicas se examinan en relación con el mantenimiento y el desarrollo de una coalición transgeneracional, que se basa tanto en una premisa que implica la exclusividad, como en los presupuestos personales específicos que caracterizan cada caso individual (“premisa marcadas”). Se sugiere que la obsesión nace cuando una crisis de desarrollo o situacional entra en conflicto con la concepción de una relación exclusiva (la coalición). Se discuten e ilustran dos tipos de enfoque terapéutico para intervenir sobre las obsesiones: la “conversación” y la “contra-obsesión”. Ambos definen la obsesión como una oscilación entre la permanencia dentro de la coalición y la salida de ella, y se basan en el desafío a los presupuestos personales que definen la coalición.
La disfunción metacognitiva en el trastorno de personalidad borderline
Authors: Semerari Antonio , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

En los trastornos de personalidad puede verse afectada la capacidad de comprender y regular los estados mentales. Las diferentes modalidades de dicha afectación dan lugar a diversos perfiles de déficit metacognitivo. En este artículo, se discute el perfil de disfunción metacognitiva en el Trastorno de Personalidad Borderline. En base a la literatura y ejemplos clínicos, extraídos de sesiones transcritas, los autores sostienen que este perfil se caracteriza por un déficit de la capacidad de integración, un déficit en la capacidad de diferenciación entre representación y realidad y un déficit en la capacidad de dominio y regulación de los estados emocionales. Se plantean, además, las relaciones entre déficits metacognitivos y la influencia que cada uno de ellos ejerce sobre los diversos síntomas del trastorno.
La “resistencia” en la psicología de los constructos personales
Authors: Sánchez Vicente , Feixas Guillem
Published: March 2021

En la primera parte de este artículo se plantean los principios generales de la Psicología de los Constructos Personales (PCP) con respecto al funcionamiento humano en general. Se destaca la visión del ser humano como constructor de significados, que va poniendo a prueba y reconstruyendo mediante la experiencia. Este proceso de construir los acontecimientos, en el que la realidad no nos dicta su significado, se organiza de acuerdo con un sentido de identidad, que aunque puede desarrollarse en uno u otro sentido, no está fácilmente sujeto a cambio. La PCP ve la resistencia como una construcción del terapeuta cuando el cliente activa mecanismos de protección de su estructura nuclear que impiden el cambio. Se sugiere que este fenómeno permite comprender mejor el sentido de esta identidad que el sujeto esta protegiendo, y que ello puede permitir proponer otros cambios que respeten, o sean compatibles con dicha identidad.
Centralidad de la óptica evolutiva en el cognitivismo clínico post-racionalista y nuevos argumentos explicativos de la psicopatología infantil
Authors: Lambruschi Furio , Villegas Torras Laia
Published: March 2021

Inspirado en los trabajos de Vittorio Guidano y Patricia Crittenden este artículo desarrolla la teoría del apego en el ámbito de aplicación de la psicología y psicopatología infantiles.
La reconstrucción dialógica en un caso de duelo: mecanismos pragmático-retóricos en psicoterapia
Authors: Herrero Olga , Botella Lluís
Published: March 2021

En este artículo presentamos el caso de Sandra que acude a terapia veintiséis años después de que su madre se suicidara. Con la finalidad de acercarnos a cómo esta cliente elaboró el duelo hemos llevado a cabo un análisis pragmático-retórico de su proceso psicoterapéutico presentando fragmentos de las transcripciones de psicoterapia como ilustración de cada uno de los mecanismos descritos. Desde el constructivismo relacional, la terapia, ayuda a los clientes a cambiar de posición respecto de los problemas y discursos que les constriñen; en este caso, la cliente pasa de sufrir los efectos consecuentes a la muerte de su madre como algo que se manifiesta a su libre albedrío, sin su control y que le produce malestar para pasar a ocupar la posición de alguien que los controla, comprende y elabora hasta que se permite cerrar ese capítulo de su vida para iniciar uno de nuevo.
Ruptura vincular y duelo
Authors: Pérez Testor Carles , Castillo Garayoa Josep , Davins Montserrat
Published: March 2021

El divorcio o la separación de una pareja es una ruptura vincular y desde la perspectiva psicoanalítica puede considerarse como un proceso de duelo. En este artículo pretendemos explicar cómo puede organizarse un proceso de duelo normal y otro patológico en una situación de ruptura conyugal así cómo describir el impacto emocional que puede producirse en la pareja y en los hijos.
Un caso de bulimia crónica con multitratamiento
Authors: Sassaroli Sandra
Published: March 2021

Este artículo recoge el caso de una cliente bulímica que acude a una terapia cognitivo-constructivista tras más de veinte años de sufrimiento, tras una larga historia de tratamientos con escasos resultados. La terapeuta decide excluir cualquier acto interpretativo y trabajar principalmente en hacer consciente a la cliente de su enfermedad para adquirir la responsabilidad sobre ella. El objetivo de este primer paso es deprimir a la cliente a fin de iniciar un cambio psicológico, emocional y conductual. Posteriormente, la terapia empieza con una actitud más activa y motivada y se centra en la rumiación y el control.
“No es mi casa, que es la suya”. Comprensión y tratamiento de un caso de agorafobia desde una perspectiva constructivista
Authors: Azorín Eva
Published: March 2021

Este artículo está orientado a la comprensión del trastorno agorafóbico y a su tratamiento desde la perspectiva constructivista. Desde este enfoque se concibe la naturaleza del síntoma agorafóbico, como restricción de la libertad en el ámbito de las relaciones interpresonales, y su tratamiento como promoción de la autonomía psicológica y moral.
De la dinámica afectiva - cognitiva a la emergencia de significado narrativo: análisis de un proceso psicoterapéutico
Authors: Quiñones Bergeret Álvaro
Published: March 2021

El presente artículo trata de un proceso psicoterapéutico de duelo y ruptura afectiva. Se organizó el contexto de comprensión e intervención desde un modelo de orientación cognitivo postracionalista. El eje articulador del proceso psicoterapéutico fue generar un contexto interpersonal que facilitara al cliente una gradual exploración experiencial a través del método de autoobservación (análisis de secuencia de escenas) con el propósito de obtener información de su experiencia que pudiera ser codificada narrativamente en un sentido de identidad continuo y coherente en función del bienestar psicológico.
Identification of Intrinsically Disordered Protein Regions Based on Deep Neural Network-VGG16
Authors: Xu Pengchang , Zhao Jiaxiang , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2021

The accurate of i identificationntrinsically disordered proteins or protein regions is of great importance, as they are involved in critical biological process and related to various human diseases. In this paper, we develop a deep neural network that is based on the well-known VGG16. Our deep neural network is then trained through using 1450 proteins from the dataset DIS1616 and the trained neural network is tested on the remaining 166 proteins. Our trained neural network is also tested on the blind test set R80 and MXD494 to further demonstrate the performance of our model. The MCC value of our trained deep neural network is 0.5132 on the test set DIS166, 0.5270 on the blind test set R80 and 0.4577 on the blind test set MXD494. All of these MCC values of our trained deep neural network exceed the corresponding values of existing prediction methods.
Research on Optimization of Multi-Objective Regional Public Transportation Scheduling
Authors: Yang Xinfeng , Qi Yicheng
Published: March 2021

The optimization of bus scheduling is a key method to improve bus service. So, the purpose of this paper is to address the regional public transportation dispatching problem, while taking into account the association between the departure time of buses and the waiting time of passengers. A bi-objective optimization model for regional public transportation scheduling is established to minimize the total waiting cost of passengers and to maximize the comprehensive service rate of buses. Moreover, a NSGA-II algorithm with adaptive adjusted model for crossover and mutation probability is designed to obtain the Pareto solution set of this problem, and the entropy weight-TOPSIS method is utilized to make a decision. Then the algorithms are compared with examples, and the results show that the model is feasible, and the proposed algorithms are achievable in solving the regional public transportation scheduling problem.
XYZ Micropositioning System Based on Compliance Mechanisms Fabricated by Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Ferrara-Bello Andres , Vargas-Chable Pedro , Vera-Dimas Gerardo , Vargas-Bernal Rafael , Tecpoyotl-Torres Margarita
Published: March 2021

This article presents the design and implementation of a micropositioning system actuated by three piezoelectric stacks to control its displacements on XYZ axes. The use of conventional piezoelectric buzzers allows us to reduce fabrication costs. The working or mobile platform is the base for objects that will be manipulated, for example, in automated assembling. The micropositioner can be integrated into a microgripper to generate a complete manipulation system. For micropositioner fabrication, at first, Polylactic Acid (PLA) was chosen as the structural material, but after simulation and some experimental tests performed with a micropositioner made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), it showed larger displacement (approx. 20%) due to its lower stiffness. A third test was performed with a positioner made with Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG), obtaining an intermediate performance. The originality of this work resides in the geometrical arrangement based on thermoplastic polymer compliance mechanisms, as well as in the use of additive manufacturing to fabricate it. An experimental setup was developed to carry out experimental tests. ANSYS™ was used for simulation.
Bread Wheat Quality under Limiting Environmental Conditions: I-Molecular Properties of Storage Proteins and Starch Constituents in Mature Grains
Authors: Sakr Nada , Rhazi Larbi , Aussenac Thierry
Published: March 2021

To support the introduction of local soft wheat varieties, the Lebanese state has implemented, during recent years, an improvement program to select plant material with good productivity in semi-arid conditions that can lead to national production that can, at the same time, meet quality needs expressed by Lebanese processors. In the present study, the main biochemical components of grains conventionally associated with bread-making properties (storage proteins, starch polysaccharides) were physiochemically characterized for a panel of local soft wheat varieties selected. During the two consecutive years of cultivation, the post-flowering thermal constraints significantly modified the kinetics of accumulation of the major constituents by mainly limiting the grain filling time. The level of polymerization/aggregation (i.e., gliadin/glutenin ratio, unextractable polymeric protein (UPP) amount, molecular weight average of glutenins) of prolamins was very high. The reduction in the amount of starch was accompanied by a significant change in the amylopectin/amylose ratio. Finally, the genotypes studied were characterized by significantly different distributions of starch granules; the percentage of the volume occupied by A-type and B-type starch granules varied between genotypes for the two cropping years. All these observations must be considered because of their determining role in the technological aptitude of the flours generated.
Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium Application Rate on the Young Seedling Growth of Salvadora persica
Authors: Lasheen Fawzy F. , Negm Ahmed H. , Hassan Soheir E. , Azab Ehab , Gobouri Adil A. , Hewidy Mohammed
Published: March 2021

Salvadora persica is the most used medicinal shrub in the Arab world. This experiment was conducted to evaluate seedling performance at different rates of NPK. Seedlings were treated with N:P:K at 4:2:2 (N:P:K 2:2:2 g + 2 g of nitrogen supplemented as ammonium sulfate), 6:3:3 (N:P:K 3:3:3 g + 3 g of nitrogen supplemented as ammonium sulfate), 2:1:1S (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 1 g of nitrogen supplemented as ammonium sulfate), 2:1:1U (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 1 g of nitrogen supplemented as urea), 4:1:1S (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 3 g of nitrogen supplemented as ammonium sulfate), 4:1:1U (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 3 g of nitrogen supplemented as urea), 6:1:1S (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 5 g of nitrogen supplemented as ammonium sulfate), 6:1:1U (N:P:K 1:1:1 g + 5 g of nitrogen supplemented as urea) in addition to the control. The results indicated that NPK application significantly affected the vegetative and root growth parameters and the chemical contents. Among the various treatments of NPK, the application of 6:3:3 rates showed the highest values for aboveground parts, root parameters, and greenness level. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the optimum NPK levels that can enhance seedling growth throughout the nursery period.
Evaluation of the Nutrients Uptake by Tomato Plants in Different Phenological Stages Using an Electrical Conductivity Technique
Authors: Bodale Ilie , Mihalache Gabriela , Achiţei Vladut , Teliban Gabriel-Ciprian , Cazacu Ana , Stoleru Vasile
Published: March 2021

Nutrient consumption by plants depends on the growth stage and environmental conditions. In general, plants take up species of elements at different speeds. We monitored and recorded the electrical charge flow through xylem sap of tomato plants (Brillante F1) using femto/picoammeter equipment (Keysight B2981A). This technique evaluates the nutrient uptake of tomato treated with the most common macronutrients (KNO3; KH2PO4; Ca(NO3)2; KCl) by monitoring the electrical conductivity for 24 h. The electrical conductivity of each treatment correlated with the plant growth and development stages. The results showed that the tomato plants had a high consumption of nutrients in the vegetative stage, while in other stages, they had a specific consumption, like phosphorus for bulb formation, potassium for increasing the number of flowers and water for the ripening of fruits. The quantitative evaluation of the ions absorbed by the plant was based on the magnitude and shape of the electrical conductivity curves. Our technique is an efficient method to determine nutrient consumption and is useful in predicting the deficiency of a certain element in tomato plants.
European Dairy Farmers’ Perceptions and Responses towards Development Strategies in Years of Turbulent Market and Policy Changes
Authors: Kuipers Abele , Malak-Rawlikowska Agata , Stalgienė Aldona , Ule Anita , Klopčič Marija
Published: March 2021

Farmers operate in a changing market, policy and social environment so questions arise as to how they experience these changes and react in their business orientation. This topic was examined in the period 2011 to 2016 in a strongly fluctuating product market and food policy environment, e.g., abolition of milk quotas in Europe. The study was based on unique panel data for 290 dairy farms in Poland, Slovenia, Lithuania and The Netherlands, questioned up to three times in 2011, 2013 and 2016. The conceptual framework was composed of Farmer goals, Resources, Opportunities and Threats (O&T), and Future expectations (performance) as continuous variables, and countries and strategy farmer groups as categorical variables. Data were analysed applying PCA, ANOVA, cluster and regression analyses. Dairy farmers seemed not to be motivated or educated to take strategic decisions that made the best use of their resources and to take opportunities and mitigate threats to achieve their personal goals. Farmer perceptions were strongly affected by country of origin, local environment and milk price, and less by the strategy group. The market situation is one of the dominant factors affecting the mind-set of farmers in Europe. Future expectations were evaluated highest in 2013 (period with ‘high’ prices), lowest in 2016 (price crisis) and intermediate in 2011 (moderate price period). The large dependence of farmers on the price of their product could be a sensitive issue for politicians, but also food chain members and farmers’ syndicates. They may anticipate a fluctuating attitude of farmers with respect to organisational and institutional plans and implemented measures, depending on the market situation and related policy context.