bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Miedo, ansiedad y afrontamiento. Estudiantes universitarios mexicanos
Authors: Reyes Perez Veronica , Alcazar Olan Jose Raul , Resendiz Rodriguez Areli , Flores Morales Rogelio
Published: August 2019

El objetivo de la presente investigación fue identificar si existe correlación entre las diferentes situaciones que provocan miedo y ansiedad y las estrategias de afrontamiento en el caso específico de los estudiantes universitarios mexicanos. Método: El tipo de estudio fue no experimental, de tipo transversal con múltiples variables continuas. Participaron 1,557 universitarios mexicanos (47.8% mujeres y 52.2% hombres), media de edad = 21.56 (DE = 3.23). Con la ayuda de un instrumento se midió la intensidad del miedo (α = 0.90) ante siete tipos de situaciones. En orden descendente, las situaciones en que se registró más intensidad fueron las siguientes: ser víctima de la violencia, la violencia social, experiencias de muerte o paranormales, aislamiento social, animales, experiencias escolares desagradables y experiencias de asistencia médica. Para el caso de la ansiedad se utilizó el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (2001), validado para población mexicana (α = 0.84). Por medio de preguntas abiertas se cuestionó a los participantes sobre qué harían ante cada una de esas siete situaciones que provocan miedo, con el fin de identificar los tipos de afrontamiento que utilizan. Resultados: el miedo y la ansiedad se correlacionaron de manera significativa (0.01) y positiva, tanto en la muestra total como en los grupos de hombres y mujeres separadamente. En cuanto a las estrategias de afrontamiento ante situaciones que provocan miedo, las más utilizadas fueron aquellas que abordan directamente el problema, seguidas por no hacer nada, estrategias de evitación, desahogo emocional, distracción, agresivas y búsqueda de apoyo. Las correlaciones entre las dos primeras fueron altas, significativas y negativas, tanto en la muestra general como en hombres y mujeres.
Evaluación neuropsicológica y rendimiento académico: Estudiantes de Psicología
Authors: Barreda Guzmán Amador , Granados Ramos Dora Elizabeth , Barreda Guzmán Amador
Published: August 2019

Las evaluaciones neuropsicológicas permiten caracterizar la presencia de cambios cognoscitivos y conductuales. Las dificultades en la ejecución de pruebas neuropsicológicas pueden repercutir en el rendimiento académico de estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la relación entre los resultados en una evaluación neuropsicológica y el rendimiento académico en estudiantes universitarios de la carrera de Psicología. Se aplicó la Evaluación Neuropsicológica Breve en Español (NEUROPSI) a 80 estudiantes de Psicología (50 mujeres y 30 hombres) y se compararon los resultados con el rendimiento académico en una asignatura. Se observó que 99% de los alumnos tuvieron una ejecución neuropsicológica esperada para su edad y escolaridad. Los estudiantes con rendimiento académico bueno obtuvieron mejores puntajes totales en la evaluación neuropsicológica y en el área cognoscitiva memoria-evocación. Se observaron dificultades en las áreas de ‘Lectura’ y ‘articulación’. La evaluación neuropsicológica no aportó todos los elementos necesarios para explicar el rendimiento académico, por lo que será necesario considerar variables psicosociales e implementar pruebas más detalladas.
Inteligencia emocional adolescente: Predicción a través del miedo
Authors: Pulido Acosta Federico , Herrera Clavero Francisco
Published: August 2019

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo fundamental conocer los predictores del Miedo y la Inteligencia Emocional (IE), así como la influencia entre estos, en alumnos adolescentes de la ciudad de Ceuta. Para ello se contó con la colaboración de 557 participantes de 4 institutos educativos distintos, con edades entre los 12 y 18 años, quienes reflejan las características del contexto pluricultural de la ciudad. De estos 557 estudiantes, el 54.2% eran niñas y el 45.8% varones; el 64.5% de cultura/religión musulmana y el 35.5% cristianos. Como instrumentos de evaluación se emplearon la adaptación de (Ascensio, 2012) del Inventario de Miedo para Niños (FSSC-II) y un instrumento para medir la Inteligencia Emocional como conjunto de habilidades. Los resultados reflejan niveles medio-bajos de miedo y medio-altos en IE. El predictor del Miedo es el Género, actuando la Edad y la Cultura como predictores de un único factor. Para la IE los predictores son las sociodemográficas de Edad, Cultura/ Religión y Estatus. Se halló una relación estadísticamente significativa entre Miedo y la IE.
Agresividad en el aula: Influencia de factores sociopsciológicos [medida y fiabilidad]
Authors: Vilchez Jose Luis
Published: August 2019

Antecedentes en la bibliografía relacionan la violencia vivida por los menores con su reproducción en forma de generación de agresividad. El presente estudio se centra en la violencia intrafamiliar como factor influyente en el desarrollo y cimentación de conductas agresivas en el aula en poblaciones adolescentes. Para el estudio de estas variables, han sido revalidados para la población ecuatoriana dos cuestionarios que miden estos dos constructos. Los resultados de los análisis factoriales desvelan que en Ecuador se diferencian entre distintos tipos de agresividad, una más observable y otra más autopercibida. Con respecto a la violencia, una correspondencia a los valores sociales y otra relativa más relacionada con el dinamismo interno de la familia. En cuanto a los resultados de contenido,
Ocho factores de la conducta criminal: Aplicabilidad en jóvenes mexicanos
Authors: Vega-Cauich Julio Isaac , Chale Cervantes Graciela Mayte , Euan Catzin Aaron Javier , Cauich-Sonda Cindy Carolina
Published: August 2019

Objetivo: Identificar cuáles de los ocho factores de riesgo del modelo de riesgo-necesidad-responsividad (RNR) de Andrews y Bonta (2010) son mejores predictores de la conducta delictiva en los jóvenes mexicanos. Método: Fueron seleccionadas variables de la Encuesta de Cohesión Social para la Prevención de la Violencia y la Delincuencia (ECOPRED, 2014) que presentaran relación con los ocho factores de riesgo, las cuales fueron sintetizadas mediante un análisis factorial. Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo una regresión logística binaria, la variable de respuesta fue haber tenido o no un arresto policial en lo que iba del año, lo cual permitió generar un modelo con mejor capacidad para predecir si los jóvenes presentarían arrestos. Resultados: En el modelo generador interactúan cinco de los ocho factores de riesgo: historial de conducta antisocial, asociación criminal, abuso de sustancias, pobres relaciones familiares, y problemas en el trabajo y la escuela. Discusión : Los resultados obtenidos coinciden con estudios realizados en otros países, en los que los ocho factores del modelo RNR no siempre se presentan en población juvenil, ya que existen factores (como la edad, la cultura, el sexo o la geografía) que interactúan con las variables, provocando el aumento o la disminución de su influencia en la conducta delictiva.
Proyecto Dunkelfeld en Colombia: Viabilidad teórica
Authors: Amaya Nassar Santiago , Hernández Cabiedes Santiago
Published: August 2019

El presente es un texto reflexivo en el cual se busca explorar, de manera teórica, laviabilidad de aplicar el Proyecto Dunkelfeld en Colombia. Dicho proyecto es una estrategiacreada en Alemania en la que pedófilos y agresores sexuales infantiles brindan atenciónprimaria, lo anterior con el fin de reducir el abuso sexual infantil (ASI). Primero seexpone la problemática del ASI, así como la necesidad de un programa integral quetome en consideración a los agresores. Acto seguido, se presenta el Proyecto Dunkelfeldtomando en cuenta el abordaje y los alcances obtenidos. Una vez presentado el proyecto,se consideran los abordajes clínicos, jurídicos, forenses psicológicos y psiquiátricos, aligual que la necesidad de apoyo de parte los medios de comunicación para poderdesarrollar efectivamente el programa en Colombia. Se concluye que el programapuede ser viable en el país, sin embargo, requiere de un gran apoyo interinstitucionale interprofesional. También resulta necesario aclarar a la población general que el proyectono es una apología al ASI o a la pedofilia, sino que busca reducir el abuso de niños, niñas yadolescentes.
Adaptación preliminar del cuestionario de intensidad afectiva de Randy Larsen: estudio de consistencia interna y composición factorial
Authors: Guzmán Jesua , Vázquez Moreno Almitra
Published: August 2019

Introducción: Dentro la psicología, el estudio de la emoción ha revelado una serie de dimensiones entre las que destaca la intensidad afectiva como medida de auto-reporte. No obstante, no hay a disposición instrumentos válidos y confiables que midan dicho constructo y, si bien existen métodos indirectos para medir su presencia, es imperante la necesidad de validar los instrumentos tanto por sus propiedades teóricas como su uso en población clínica; esta situación constituye una problemática. Objetivo: El presente estudio pretende revisar tanto la consistencia interna como el análisis factorial de la traducción de la escala propuesta por Larsen, para la población de la zona metropolitana de Guadalajara, Jalisco (México). Método: Participaron un total de 108 sujetos con edades entre 19 y 61 años; el 50.9% fueron mujeres y el 49.1% restante hombres. La aplicación del cuestionario fue realizada tanto de forma individual como grupal. Resultados: Se obtuvo un alfa de Cronbach de .835, un omega de McDonald de .877 y una capacidad discriminativa estadísticamente significativa por ítem, además 44.02% de la varianza pudo ser explicada con cuatro factores. Discusión: Fueron obtenidos resultados similares a los de la adaptación española del cuestionario y un resultado cercano al obtenido por los autores originales. Se considera que la semejanza encontrada en la estructura factorial de la adaptación española es debida a cuestiones culturales. Conclusión: El instrumento tiene una consistencia interna aceptable, sin embargo, es necesario calcular la validez convergente, así como fortalecer la validez del constructo, generando nuevas investigaciones.
EVAT 30, un análisis de invarianza. Validación en Chile
Authors: Didier Nicolás
Published: August 2019

Las transformaciones en la fuerza de trabajo y los procesos productivos a raíz de la globalización y desarrollo tecnológico, han generado presiones sobre las unidades de recursos humanos para atraer, retener y desarrollar el talento al interior de las organizaciones. Uno de los aportes de la psicología del trabajo ha sido proponer el ajuste entre los valores individuales y la cultura de la organización como una variable relevante en dichas tareas. Este trabajo busca evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la Encuesta de Valores Laborales (EVAT 30). Este instrumento, basado en el modelo de valores universales de Schwartz, permite evaluar y analizar los valores del trabajo de las personas. A través de un chequeo progresivo de las propiedades del instrumento, que incluyó confiabilidad, escalamiento multidimensional, análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, en una muestra de 2826 personas, se encontraron resultados favorables respecto de la utilidad y calidad del instrumento.
Resiliencia y enfermedad renal crónica: Una Revisión sistemática
Authors: Gonzalez Flores Cristina Jazmin , Ureña Rodriguez Ma. Guadalupe , Meda Lara Rosa Martha
Published: August 2019

El abordaje de factores salutogénicos en la enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), representa una opción para la comprensión y tratamiento de aspectos psicológicos en el padecimiento. La resiliencia percibida como factor que permite potenciar y afrontar situaciones adversas, ha sido planteada como un componente de interés psicológico en el ámbito de los pacientes renales, por lo que el propósito de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de los estudios científicos publicados del 2000 al 2017 sobre resiliencia en pacientes con ERC, con el fin de mostrar un panorama general de investigación publicada sobre la temática. Se utilizó metodología PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses), se realizó una búsqueda exhaustiva de estudios en cinco bases de datos científicas electrónicas, se evaluó la calidad metodológica de los estudios para llegar a la selección final de los artículos. En la búsqueda se obtuvieron 233 artículos en 4 bases de datos y 4 de manera manual teniendo en total 237 estudios, los cuales se fueron eliminando a partir de los criterios de inclusión y exclusión quedando en su totalidad 13 artículos. La inclusión de investigaciones que aborden resiliencia como termino salutogénico, resulta una alternativa en el tratamiento integral de poblaciones con presencia de patologías médicas y promueve una visión centrada en nuevas propuestas de intervenciones psicológicas.
Ciberacoso Sexual en adolescentes: creencias erróneas
Authors: Montiel Juan Irene
Published: August 2019

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido identificar las creencias erróneas sostenidas por los adolescentes sobre el fenómeno del Ciberacoso Sexual Juvenil a partir de la realización de 5 grupos de discusión con un total de 37 estudiantes valencianos de Secundaria y Bachiller entre 14 y 18 años. El análisis interpretativo de los datos revela que los estudiantes entienden el fenómeno como una dinámica interaccional con varias fases mediante las que un adulto fácilmente identificable (“mito del viejo verde”) emplea estrategias predominantemente agresivas pretende obtener beneficios de tipo sexual contactándoles a través de Internet. Los participantes reconocen que es una situación habitual pero evitable si se detectan ciertas señales de alarma (“mito de la detectabilidad” y “falacia de control”) que derivan únicamente de su sentido común (“mito de la invencibilidad”), por lo que consideran a las víctimas responsables de su situación y atribuyen su silencio al “miedo razonable”, a la reprobación social, la estigmatización y el castigo. Además, interpretan los intentos de protección de los adultos como faltas de confianza y amenazas para su libertad de acción online, rechazando por ello su supervisión y/o saltándose las normas. En conclusión, existen creencias erróneas que podrían contribuir al inicio y mantenimiento de la dinámica de victimización cuyaidentificación puede servir para diseñar programas de prevención más eficaces y estrategias de intervención más específicas
Micro-trayectorias de pensamiento científico y colaboración en estudiantes de primaria interactuando con un videojuego
Authors: Murillas Silva Carlos Guillermo , Montes González Jairo Andrés , Ochoa Angrino Solanlly , Molina Echeverry Natalia , Cardozo Banderas Paula Alejandra
Published: August 2019

Objetivo: Caracterizar las trayectorias de la colaboración entre estudiantes en segundoy tercer grado de primaria, al resolver un videojuego que demanda pensamiento científico. Método: Se realizó un estudio cuantitativo de diseño microgenético, a través de la aplicación de un videojuego de resolución de problema multivariado durante 9 sesiones a 4 diadas de niños entre 8 y 10 años de edad. Resultados: Se categorizaron las diadas de acuerdo a su colaboración, una diada mostró una tendencia a colaborar, dos diadas oscilaron en los tipos de colaboración (trabajo colaborativo, trabajo paralelo, trabajo pasivo y no trabajo) y la última diada se concentró en el trabajo pasivo. El desempeño en pensamiento científico varió dependiendo de la categoría de la colaboración, dos diadas mostraron mejora en el desempeño, mientras que en los dos restantes el desempeño osciló en niveles altos y bajos. Conclusiones: Las diadas que presentaron un tipo de interacción organizada (trabajo colaborativo y trabajo pasivo) mostraron un mejor desempeño en pensamiento científico, comparadas con las diadas que mostraron una colaboración más oscilante
Atención psicológica y Tecnologías: oportunidades y conflictos
Authors: Soto Pérez Felipe , Franco-Martín Manuel
Published: August 2019

Los desarrollos tecnológicos pueden ser un complemento a la atención tradicional, por ello primero se revisa el impacto que tiene la tecnología en la alianza de trabajo terapéutico. A continuación se señalan algunos recursos tecnológicos disponibles para la actividad psicológica, así como una clasificación de las tecnologías. Finalmente se revisan las posibles ventajas y riesgos en la aplicación de tratamiento mediados por tecnologías, así como los resultados en cuanto a efectividad.
Six theoretical-methodological approaches to analyze written texts in a year-long Blended Learning cours
Authors: Borgobello Ana , Espinosa Andrea , Sartori Mariana
Published: August 2019

Virtual environment interaction has been studied from different theoretical-methodological approaches. The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of written texts in a blended learning course, and to analyze six theoretical systems that contrast them with data. The collected data come from all the texts written in Moodle by the teacher in a year-long course. The variables were set up from six approaches (coding systems): (a)- Communities of inquiry; (b)- Teaching assistance dimensions; (c)- Macro and micro-scripting; (d)- Twelve ways of teaching; (e)- Rethinking the class; and (f)- Observation record. Reliability and multivariable analyses were carried out. Results showed different consistency of approaches. The analyzed texts revealed how interaction took place and showed pedagogical issues underlying the didactic proposals. Associations among categories produced three typical groups of texts related with the different variables from theoreticalmethodological coding systems used: Cluster 1 gathered general instructions; Cluster 2 illustrated the virtual environment usage as repository; and Cluster 3 represented tutorial interactivity. Future studies should continue to explore these approaches, contrasting them with new data -and vice versa- to get a better understanding of socio-cognitive interaction among students and teachers in blended learning.
PENGARUH PROGRAM TELEVISI DETAK KEPRI DAN OPINI PUBLIK TERHADAP SIKAP PEMILIH DI KOTA BATAM
Authors: Sirait Partahi nando
Published: August 2019

Technology in the development of the flow of production, consumption and distribution of information becomes vital. The urgency of the role of technology in information masification is also used by mass media, especially electronic mass media such as television. The development of electronic mass media to date, is also increasingly promising for all parties, not apart from the political elite who use or cooperate with the mass media crew in presenting various programs. Not only that, the news program was no less interesting to most political actors in order to generate opinions among the people themselves. As in the presidential election some time ago, the role of mass media and its news program succeeded in changing people's attitudes towards the figure of a presidential candidate. The problems and use of electronic mass media are considered to be enough to attract sympathy from the public, where in the news program on television the public can see and hear directly what is done and spoken by the political elite. And this can also give rise to responses to opinions in the community.
MAKNA “PENCEMARAN LINGKUNGAN” BAGI PARA PENAMBANG EMAS TRADISIONAL
Authors: Winoto Yunus
Published: August 2019

Illegal gold mining activities currently increasingly prevalent in some areas in Indonesia. One of them happened in the south of West Java province precisely in Tasikmalaya Regency. There are three locations that become a place of illegal gold mining in the region that is in District Cineam, District Karangjaya and District Salopa. The existence of this illegal gold mining activity has been detrimental to many parties in addition to the mining method which is done without using safety equipment, this activity has also damaged the surrounding environment and has caused pollution due to the processing using harmful materials such as mercury (Hg), cyanide and borax. Nevertheless, some traditional gold miners consider the activities they do not incur pollution. Therefore we are interested to study the meaning of "environmental pollution" for traditional gold mining. The method used in this research use qualitative approach with type of phenomenology research. Based on the results of the research, some interesting findings include traditional gold miners assuming the use of dangerous materials such as mercury, cyanide and borax does not cause any justification since no one has been sick or died because of frequent use of these hazardous materials.
Response of Microbial Activities in Soil to Various Organic and Mineral Amendments as an Indicator of Soil Quality
Authors: Elbl Jakub , Maková Jana , Javoreková Soňa , Medo Juraj , Kintl Antonín , Lošák Tomáš , Lukas Vojtěch
Published: August 2019

The presented paper deals with the analysis of potential differences between organic waste compost (CBD), vermicompost (CVER) and mineral fertilizer (MF; 27% of N) applications affecting the quality of arable soil by influencing microbial activity therein. The selected types of compost represent alternatives to conventional organic fertilizers, which are, however, not available to Czech and Slovak farmers in sufficient amounts. Their mutual comparison and the comparison with organic fertilizers aim to provide farmers further information about their influence on arable land and thus to give them the possibility of deciding on the most suitable amendments. To demonstrate the effect of these amendments, six variants were prepared: one without the addition of fertilizers; two variants with the addition of 40 Mg/ha of CVER and CBD; one variant with the addition of double dosed CVER (80 Mg/ha), and the remaining two variants were fertilized only with MF (0.22 Mg/ha) and with the combination of CVER (0.20 Mg/ha) and MF (0.11 Mg/ha). Substrate induced respiration (SIR), basal respiration (BS), microbial carbon (Cmic) and enzymatic activities (hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate—FDA, dehydrogenase activity—DHA, and phosphatase activity—PA) were used to evaluate the effect of CBD, CVER and MF application on the soil quality. Both organic and mineral amendments affected BS and SIR. The highest BS and SIR rates were found in variants with compost application (CVER and CBD). All variants treated with the mineral fertilizer showed the lowest level of enzyme activities; lower by about 30% in comparison with variants where CVER, CBD and the combination of MF and CVER were applied. We found insignificant differences between the individual types of compost. More importantly, we compared the situation at the beginning of the experiment and after its end. It was found that the application of mineral fertilizers automatically led to the deterioration of all enzymatic parameters, on average by more than 25%, as compared with the situation at the beginning of the experiment. However, when the mineral fertilizer dose was supplemented with organic amendments (CVER), this negative effect was eliminated or significantly reduced. Furthermore, both composts (CVER and CBD) positively affected plant biomass production, which reached a level of production enhanced by the MF. Results clearly showed that the application of both compost types could be used to improve soil quality in agriculture.
Participatory Plant Breeding and the Evolution of Landraces: A Case Study in the Organic Farms of the Collserola Natural Park
Authors: Casals Joan , Rull Aurora , Segarra Joel , Schober Philipp , Simó Joan
Published: August 2019

Although consumers appreciate the genetic diversity among tomato landraces, traditional varieties have been displaced from commercial agriculture. Their cultivation through organic farming in natural parks can contribute to their resurgence. With this aim, we developed a participatory plant breeding (PPB) program in Collserola Natural Park (Barcelona, Spain) to promote the conservation of the Mando landrace and to obtain new varieties adapted to local organic farms. Taking advantage of the natural genetic variation from the variety’s high cross-pollination rate, farmers developed five experimental inbreeds that were tested in a multi-locality trial in 2018. As a result of the PPB program, cultivation of the original landrace increased from 80 plants in 2011 to more than 2000 plants in 2018, which protected the variety from genetic erosion. Locality was the factor that contributed mostly to agronomic traits (e.g., yield (66% of the phenotypic variance)), while the genotype contributed more to the quality traits (except for soluble solids (37%) and dry matter (38%)). Farmer evaluations were highly correlated with the phenotypic traits recorded by researchers (Pearson coefficient ranging from 0.63–0.83), and led to the same final varietal selection. The superior inbred selected (3.9) is now being cultivated in the area of study. This paper discusses the efficiency of PPB in guiding the evolution of landraces.
Characterization of Genetic Diversity in Accessions of Prunus salicina Lindl: Keeping Fruit Flesh Color Ideotype While Adapting to Water Stressed Environments
Authors: Acuña Cintia V. , Rivas Juan G. , Brambilla Silvina M. , Cerrillo Teresa , Frusso Enrique A. , García Martín N. , Villalba Pamela V. , Aguirre Natalia C. , Sabio y García Julia V. , Martínez María C. , Hopp Esteban H. , Marcucci Poltri Susana N.
Published: August 2019

The genetic diversity of 14 Japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl) landraces adapted to an ecosystem of alternating flooding and dry conditions was characterized using neutral simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Twelve SSRs located in six chromosomes of the Prunus persica reference genome resulted to be polymorphic, thus allowing identification of all the evaluated landraces. Differentiation between individuals was moderate to high (average shared allele distance (DAS) = 0.64), whereas the genetic diversity was high (average indices polymorphism information content (PIC) = 0.62, observed heterozygosity (Ho) = 0.51, unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe) = 0.70). Clustering and genetic structure approaches grouped all individuals into two major groups that correlated with flesh color. This finding suggests that the intuitive breeding practices of growers tended to select plum trees according to specific phenotypic traits. These neutral markers were adequate for population genetic studies and cultivar identification. Furthermore, we assessed the SSR flanking genome regions (25 kb) in silico to search for candidate genes related to stress resistance or associated with other agronomic traits of interest. Interestingly, at least 26 of the 118 detected genes seem to be related to fruit quality, plant development, and stress resistance. This study suggests that the molecular characterization of specific landraces of Japanese plum that have been adapted to extreme agroecosystems is a useful approach to localize candidate genes which are potentially interesting for breeding.
Correction: Ghoreyshi, S.M.; et al. Effects of Dietary Supplementation of L-Carnitine and Excess Lysine-Methionine on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Immunity Markers of Broiler Chicken. Animals 2019, 9, 362
Authors: Ghoreyshi Seyed , Omri Besma , Chalghoumi Raja , Bouyeh Mehrdad , Seidavi Alireza , Dadashbeiki Mohammad , Lucarini Massimo , Durazzo Alessandra , van den Hoven Rene , Santini Antonello
Published: August 2019

The authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...]
Short-Term Oral UMP/UR Administration Regulates Lipid Metabolism in Early-Weaned Piglets
Authors: Zhang Yumei , Guo Songge , Xie Chunyan , Wang Ruxia , Zhang Yan , Zhou Xihong , Wu Xin
Published: August 2019

As a main ingredient of milk, the nucleotides content is about 12–58 mg/g, which plays a critical role in maintaining cellular function and lipid metabolism. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of short-term uridine monophosphate (UMP) and uridine (UR) administration on lipid metabolism in early-weaned piglets. Twenty-one weaned piglets (7 d of age; 3.32 ± 0.20 kg average body weight) were randomly assigned into three groups: The control (CON), UMP, and UR group, and oral administered UMP or UR for 10 days, respectively. The results showed that supplementation with UMP significantly increased (p < 0.05) serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) and tended to increase (p = 0.062) serum total cholesterol (TC) content of piglets when compared with the other two groups. Oral administration with UMP and UR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) the serum total bile acid (TBA) and plasma free fatty acids (FFA) of piglets, and significantly reduced the fatty acid content of C12:0 (p < 0.01) and C14:0 (p < 0.05) in liver. Experiments about key enzymes that are involved in de novo synthesis of fatty acid showed that the gene expression of liver X receptors (LXRα), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 1 (SREBP1c), fatty acid desaturase 2 (FADS2), and fatty acid elongase 5 (ELOVL5) were remarkably down-regulated (p < 0.05) with UMP and UR treatment, and key factors of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT-1α) involved in fatty acid catabolism were also decreased (p < 0.05). Additionally, the protein expression of phosphorylated-mTOR was not affected while phosphorylation of AKT was repressed (p < 0.05). In conclusion, short-term oral UMP or UR administration could regulate fatty acid composition and lipid metabolism, thus providing energy for early-weaned piglets.
Characteristics of Endurance Competitions and Risk Factors for Elimination in New Zealand during Six Seasons of Competition (2010/11–2015/16)
Authors: Legg Kylie A. , Weston Jenny. F. , Gee Erica K. , Bolwell Charlotte F. , Bridges Janis P. , Rogers Chris W.
Published: August 2019

The welfare of horses in endurance competitions has been the focus of recent media attention. Epidemiological studies have examined the sport at the international (FEI) level. However, much of the participation in the sport occurs at a national level in preparation for FEI level competition. The aims of this study were to describe participation in, and risk factors for elimination, from New Zealand endurance competitions. Data were collated from all endurance competitions (≥40 km) held in New Zealand during the 2010/11–2015/16 competition seasons. There were 6885 starts (n = 775 horses, n = 665 riders), horses had a median age of 9 years (IQR 6.2–10.0) and had a median of 3 (IQR 2–5) starts per season. Accumulated ride distance per season per horse decreased from a median of 240 km/horse (IQR 120–440) in 2010/11 to 180 km/horse (IQR 80–320) in 2015/16. Ride entries were dominated by the 40 km (n = 2834, 41%) and 80 km (n = 2517, 37%) distances. Eliminations increased with ride distance, from 7% in 40 km rides to 53% in the 160 km rides. Lameness accounted for the majority of eliminations (64%). The odds of elimination due to lameness were significantly associated with ride distance, location (North or South island) and time of year. The 11% of starters eliminated for metabolic reasons of the horse had increased odds of elimination associated with horse age, ride distance, location and time of year.
Variation in the Fatty Acid Synthase Gene (FASN) and Its Association with Milk Traits in Gannan Yaks
Authors: Shi Bingang , Jiang Yanyan , Chen Yanli , Zhao Zhidong , Zhou Huitong , Luo Yuzhu , Hu Jiang , Hickford Jon
Published: August 2019

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is an enzyme involved in the synthesis of fatty acids (FA) and plays a central role in de novo lipogenesis in mammals. This study was conducted to ascertain the relative level of expression of the FASN gene (FASN) in tissues from the yak (Bos grunniens), and to search for variation in two regions of yak FASN using polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analyses; it also ascertains whether that variation is associated with yak milk traits. The gene was found to be expressed in twelve tissues, with the highest expression detected in the mammary gland, followed by subcutaneous fat tissue. Two regions of the gene were analyzed in 290 Gannan yaks: A region spanning exon 24-intron 24 and a region spanning exon 34. These regions both produced two PCR-SSCP patterns, which, upon sequencing, represented different DNA sequences. This sequence variation resulted from the presence of three nucleotide substitutions: c.4296+38C/T (intron 24), c.5884A/G, and c.5903G/A, both located in exon 34. The exon 34 substitutions would result in the amino acid substitutions p.Thr1962Ala and p.Gly1968Glu if expressed. Four haplotypes spanning from the exon 24-intron 24 region to exon 34 were identified. Of these, two were common (A1-A2 and B1-A2), and two were rare (A1-B2 and B1-B2) in the yaks investigated. The presence of A1-A2 was associated with an increase in milk fat content (p = 0.050) and total milk solid content (p = 0.037), while diplotype A1-A2/B1-A2 had a higher milk fat content (p = 0.038) than the other diplotypes. This study suggests that further characterization of the FASN gene might provide for an improved understanding of milk traits in yaks.
A Systematic Review of Precision Livestock Farming in the Poultry Sector: Is Technology Focussed on Improving Bird Welfare?
Authors: Rowe Elizabeth , Dawkins Marian Stamp , Gebhardt-Henrich Sabine G.
Published: August 2019

Precision livestock farming (PLF) systems have the potential to improve animal welfare through providing a continuous picture of welfare states in real time and enabling fast interventions that benefit the current flock. However, it remains unclear whether the goal of PLF development has been to improve welfare or increase production efficiency. The aims of this systematic literature review are to provide an overview of the current state of PLF in poultry farming and investigate whether the focus of PLF research has been to improve bird welfare. The study characteristics extracted from 264 peer-reviewed publications and conference proceedings suggest that poultry PLF has received increasing attention on a global scale, but is yet to become a widespread commercial reality. PLF development has most commonly focussed on broiler farming, followed by laying hens, and mainly involves the use of sensors (environmental and wearable) and cameras. More publications had animal health and welfare than production as either one of or the only goal, suggesting that PLF development so far has focussed on improving animal health and welfare. Future work should prioritise improving the rate of commercialisation of PLF systems, so that their potential to improve bird welfare might be realised.
Comparative In Vitro Activities of First and Second-Generation Ceragenins Alone and in Combination with Antibiotics Against Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains
Authors: Ozbek-Celik Berna , Damar-Celik Damla , Mataraci-Kara Emel , Bozkurt-Guzel Cagla , Savage Paul B.
Published: August 2019

Objectives: The ceragenins, or CSAs, were designed to mimic the activities of antimicrobial peptides and represent a new class of antimicrobial agent. The aim of this study was to comparatively investigate the antimicrobial activities of first/second generation ceragenins and various antibiotics against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, including colistin-resistant bacteria. Also, the synergistic effects of two ceragenins with colistin or meropenem were investigated with six K. pneumoniae strains presenting different resistant patterns. Methods: Minimal inhibition concentrations (MICs) were determined by the microdilution method according to the CLSI. Antibiotic combination studies were evaluated by the time–kill curve method. Results: MIC50 and MIC90 values of tested ceragenins ranged from 8 to 32 mg/L and 16 to 128 mg/L. Overall, among the ceragenins tested, CSA-131 showed the lowest MIC50 and MIC90 values against all microorganisms. The MICs of the ceragenins were similar or better than tested antibiotics, except for colistin. Synergistic activities of CSA-131 in combination with colistin was found for strains both at 1× MIC and 4× MIC. No antagonism was observed with any combination. Conclusions: First-generation ceragenins CSA-13 and CSA-44 and second-generation ceragenins CSA-131, CSA-138 and CSA-142 have significant antimicrobial effects on MDR K. pneumoniae. Mechanisms allowing resistance to clinical comparator antibiotics like colistin did not impact the activity of ceragenins. These results suggest that ceragenins may play a role in treating infections that are resistant to known antibiotics.
Evaluation of Biochar Nitrate Extraction Methods
Authors: Walsh Jenna , Sanford Joseph , Larson Rebecca
Published: August 2019

Biochar amendment to soil is a method used to mitigate losses of nitrogen leaching through agricultural soils. Multiple methods for extraction of nitrogen have been used, and recent studies have indicated that traditional soil extraction methods underestimate biochar nitrate. This study evaluated the nitrate extraction efficiency of a KCl extraction method under different temperature (20 and 50 °C) and duration (24 and 96 h) conditions. Increasing the duration of extraction from 24 to 96 h did not have a significant impact on extraction efficiency. However, increasing temperature resulted in nitrate extraction efficiencies above 90%. Rinsing the biochar once with deionized (DI) water following filtration after extraction increased the extraction efficiency significantly, but any subsequent rinses were not significant. This study recommends extracting nitrate from biochar using 2 M KCl at 50 °C for a period of 24 h with one additional rinse to increase nitrate recovery above 90%. However, future studies should evaluate this procedure for different types of biochar produced from alternative biomasses and at varying temperatures.
Special Issue on “New Materials and Techniques for Environmental Science”
Authors: Wei Gang , Wu Aiguo
Published: August 2019

Water is the source of life and one of the most important material resources for human survival and development [...]
Natural Motion for Energy Saving in Robotic and Mechatronic Systems
Authors: Scalera Lorenzo , Palomba Ilaria , Wehrle Erich , Gasparetto Alessandro , Vidoni Renato
Published: August 2019

Energy saving in robotic and mechatronic systems is becoming an evermore important topic in both industry and academia. One strategy to reduce the energy consumption, especially for cyclic tasks, is exploiting natural motion. We define natural motion as the system response caused by the conversion of potential elastic energy into kinetic energy. This motion can be both a forced response assisted by a motor or a free response. The application of the natural motion concepts allows for energy saving in tasks characterized by repetitive or cyclic motion. This review paper proposes a classification of several approaches to natural motion, starting from the compliant elements and the actuators needed for its implementation. Then several approaches to natural motion are discussed based on the trajectory followed by the system, providing useful information to the researchers dealing with natural motion.
Water-in-Water Emulsion as a New Approach to Produce Mesalamine-Loaded Xylan-Based Microparticles
Authors: Souza Bartolomeu S. , Marcelino Henrique R. , Alexandrino Francisco , Urtiga Silvana C. C. , Silva Karen C. H. , Soares Daniel C. F. , Egito Eryvaldo S. T.
Published: August 2019

The water-in-water emulsion method has been reported as a technique able to prepare microparticles without using harmful solvents. However, there are few reports showing the encapsulation of small molecules into microparticles produced within this technique. The probable reason relays on the rapid diffusion of these molecules from the discontinuous phase to the continuous phase. In the present study, xylan microparticles containing mesalamine were produced and the doubled crosslinking approach, used to promote higher encapsulation rates, was disclosed. To achieve this goal, a 23 full factorial design was carried out. The results revealed that all formulations presented spherical-shaped microparticles. However, at specific conditions, only few formulations reached up to 50% of drug loading. In addition, the new xylan-based microparticles formulation retained almost 40% of its drug content after 12 h of a dissolution assay likely due to the degree of crosslinking. Thus, the doubled crosslinking approach used was effective on the encapsulation of mesalamine and may pave the way to successfully produce other polysaccharide-based carriers for clinical use.
Application of Internet of Things in a Kitchen Fire Prevention System
Authors: Hsu Wei-Ling , Jhuang Ji-Yun , Huang Chien-Shiun , Liang Chiu-Kuo , Shiau Yan-Chyuan
Published: August 2019

When using a gas stove to cook, the food or oil in the pot or pan may catch fire because of an excessively high temperature. In addition, people may be uncertain as to whether they have turned off the gas stove before leaving home and therefore feel compelled to return home to check. To solve these problems, this study has developed a smart kitchen fire prevention system that possesses the following devices and functions. (1) Sensors are installed above the stove top. When they detect flames, high temperature, or a gas leak, they immediately activate the gas shutoff device to turn off the gas supply. (2) The alarm produces a loud sound and flashes to warn the residents. (3) The Line reporting system sends Line messages to notify the residents and the community management center, and the main entrance door is automatically unlocked to allow relevant personnel to enter the house to deal with the accident. (4) An Internet protocol camera is installed in the kitchen to enable the residents to monitor the gas stove on their mobile phones. If they find the gas stove is still turned on, they can activate the gas shutoff device to shut off the gas supply from their phones. The system developed in this study can effectively reduce the loss that results from a kitchen fire.
A Comparison of Different District Integration for a Distributed Generation System for Heating and Cooling in an Urban Area
Authors: Casisi Melchiorre , Buoro Dario , Pinamonti Piero , Reini Mauro
Published: August 2019

The paper proposes a comparison of different district integration options for a distributed generation system for heating and cooling in an urban area. The system considered includes several production units located close to the users, a central unit and the district heating and cooling network which can connect all the users to each other and to a central unit, where a cogeneration system and a solar plant can be placed. Thus, each user can be regarded as isolated from the others, satisfying its energy needs by means of an autonomous production unit. Alternatively, it can be connected to the others through the district heating and cooling network. When a district heating and cooling network is included in the design option the synthesis-design and operation problems cannot be solved separately, because the energy to be produced by each production site is not known in advance, as the flows through the district heating and cooling network are not defined. This paper uses a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) methodology for the multi-objective optimization of the distributed generation energy system, considering the total annual cost for owning, operating and maintaining the whole system as the economic objective function, while the total annual CO2 emissions as the environmental objective function. The energy system is optimized for different district integration option, in order to understand how they affect the optimal solutions compared with both the environmental and economic objects.
An Amalgamation of Hormone Inspired Arbitration Systems for Application in Robot Swarms
Authors: Wilson James , Timmis Jon , Tyrrell Andy
Published: August 2019

Previous work has shown that virtual hormone systems can be engineered to arbitrate swarms of robots between sets of behaviours. These virtual hormones act similarly to their natural counterparts, providing a method of online, reactive adaptation. It is yet to be shown how virtual hormone systems could be used when a robotic swarm has a large variety of task types to execute. This paper details work that demonstrates the viability of a collection of virtual hormones that can be used to regulate and adapt a swarm over time, in response to different environments and tasks. Specifically, the paper examines a new method of hormone speed control for energy efficiency and combines it with two existing systems controlling environmental preference as well as a selection of behaviours that produce an effective foraging swarm. Experiments confirm the effectiveness of the combined system, showing that a swarm of robots equipped with multiple virtual hormones can forage efficiently to a specified item demand within an allotted period of time.
Spatio-Temporal Variations of Multiple Primary Air Pollutants Emissions in Beijing of China, 2006–2015
Authors: Xue Yifeng , Zhang Shihao , Zhou Zhen , Wang Kun , Liu Kaiyun , Wang Xiaoyan , Shi Aijun , Xu Kangli , Tian Hezhong
Published: August 2019

Air pollution in Beijing, China has attracted continuous worldwide public attention along with the rapid urbanization of the city. By implementing a set of air pollution mitigation measures, the air quality of Beijing has been gradually improved in recent years. In this study, the intrinsic factors leading to air quality improvement in Beijing are studied via a quantitative evaluation of the temporal and spatial changes in emissions of primary air pollutants over the past ten years. Based on detailed activity levels of each economic sector and a localized database containing source and pollutant specific emission factors, an integrated emissions inventory of primary air pollutants discharged from various sources between 2006 and 2015 is established. With the implementation of phased air pollution mitigation measures, and the Clean Air Action Plan, the original coal-dominated energy structure in Beijing has undergone tremendous changes, resulting in the substantial reduction of multiple air pollutants. The total of emissions of six major atmospheric pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOX, VOCs and NH3) in Beijing decreased by 35% in 2015 compared to 2006—this noticeable decrease was well consistent with the declining trend of ambient concentration of criterion air pollutants (SO2, PM10, PM2.5 and NO2) and air quality improvement, thus showing a good correlation between the emission of air pollutants and the outcome of air quality. SO2 emission declined the most, at about 71.7%, which was related to the vigorous promotion of combustion source control, such as the shutdown of coal-fired facilities and domestic stoves and transition to clean energy, like natural gas or electricity. Emissions of PM decreased considerably (by 48%) due to energy structure optimization, industrial structure adjustments, and end-of-pipe PM source control. In general, NOX, NH3, and VOCs decreased relatively slightly, by 25%, 14%, and 2%, respectively, and accordingly, they represented the limiting factors for improving air quality and the key points of air pollution mitigation in Beijing for the future.