(Dis)satisfaction With Body Image, Lifestyles and Life Satisfaction in Higher Education Students / (In)satisfacción con la imagen corporal, estilos de vida y satisfacción con la vida en estudiantes de enseñanza superior

Abstract Objective: Body image is a predictor of physical, psychological, and social health. Therefore, it can be an indicator for detecting health problems, to be used in the context of higher education. The aim of this study was to assess body image satisfaction in higher education students and to determine whether body image dissatisfaction is related to lifestyle behaviours and life satisfaction. Methodology: This study included 166 Portuguese higher education students. Body image was assessed using the Figure Rating Scale. Active choices during everyday life were assessed using the Active Choice Index. The questionnaire also included questions about sleep behaviour and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Satisfaction with Life was assessed using a five-item scale previously adapted for the Portuguese population. Results: There was a predominance of boys dissatisfied with thinness (26.10%), while the majority of girls revealed that they were dissatisfied due to being overweight (55.70%). The results indicate statistically significant differences between boys and girls in terms of body image categories (p<0.001). However, when we analysed the behaviours separately according to gender, there were no differences. Active behaviours, as well as the other health behaviours analysed (hours of sleep per week and alcohol and tobacco consumption) did not differ between the different levels of body image satisfaction (p>0.05). Conclusion: Most of the students are dissatisfied with their body image, with the majority of girls showing dissatisfaction due to being overweight. Lifestyles and life satisfaction do not differ between students who are satisfied and those who are dissatisfied with their body image.

Resumen Objetivo: La imagen corporal es un factor predictivo de la salud psicológica, física y social. Por lo tanto, puede ser un indicador para detectar problemas de salud, para utilizar en el contexto de la educación superior. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción con la imagen corporal en estudiantes de enseñanza superior y determinar si la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal está relacionada con los comportamientos de estilo de vida y la satisfacción con la vida. Metodología: En este estudio participaron 166 estudiantes portugueses de enseñanza superior. La imagen corporal se evaluó mediante la escala Figure Rating Scale. Las elecciones activas durante la vida cotidiana se evaluaron mediante el Active Choice Index. El cuestionario también incluía preguntas sobre el comportamiento durante el sueño y el consumo de tabaco y alcohol. La satisfacción con la vida se evaluó mediante una escala de cinco ítems previamente adaptada a la población portuguesa. Resultados: Predominaron los chicos insatisfechos por delgadez (26.10%), mientras que la mayoría de las chicas revelaron estar insatisfechas por sobrepeso (55.70%). Los resultados indican diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre chicos y chicas en cuanto a las categorías de imagen corporal (p<0.001). Sin embargo, al analizar los comportamientos por separado en función del sexo, no se observaron diferencias. Las conductas activas, así como las demás conductas de salud analizadas (horas de sueño semanales y consumo de alcohol y tabaco) no difirieron entre los distintos niveles de satisfacción con la imagen corporal (p>0.05). Conclusiones: La mayoría de los estudiantes están insatisfechos con su imagen corporal, siendo mayoritaria la insatisfacción de las chicas por sobrepeso. Los estilos de vida y la satisfacción vital no difieren entre los alumnos satisfechos y los insatisfechos con su imagen corporal.

Comparison of Intraoperative Parameters between Two Handpieces in One-Handed Phacoemulsification with Active Fluidics.

Purpose: To compare anterior chamber stability and surgical efficiency in one-handed phacoemulsification, comparing Ozil and Active Sentry (AS) handpieces. Methods: Observational and comparative study. Selected patients were divided into two groups, AS and Ozil handpieces, and underwent one-handed phacoemulsification. Parameters like IOP per quadrant, vacuum, and aspiration flow were fixed in all surgeries. The study endpoints were intraoperative anterior chamber instability score (IACIS), cumulative dissipated energy (CDE), followability, and surgery duration. Results: Mean age was 71.42 years in the AS group vs. 73.97 in the Ozil Group. Mean Axial Length was 22.85 ± 1.21 mm with Active Sentry vs. 23.3 ± 1.29 mm with Ozil (p = 0.324). IACIS was 0.10 ± 0.30 with AS vs. 0.63 ± 0.71 with Ozil (˂0.001*). CDE was 9.95 ± 4.76 percent-seconds with AS vs. 10.89 ± 6.55 percent-seconds with Ozil (0.519). The followability score was 0.74 ± 0.855 with AS vs. 0.83 ± 0.874 with Ozil (p = 0.678). Surgery duration was 19.00 ± 5.44 min with AS vs. 24.57 ± 6.51 with Ozil (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The Active Sentry handpiece improves anterior chamber stability in one-handed phacoemulsification while maintaining surgical performance during nucleus removal without an auxiliary side-port. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating that the Active Sentry handpiece can increase anterior chamber stability not only in conventional phacoemulsification but also in one-handed phacoemulsification.

Effect of Roasting Level on the Development of Key Aroma-Active Compounds in Coffee.

Coffee roasting is considered the most critical process in the development of sensory characteristics. During this stage, a substantial number of compounds are generated. Nevertheless, only a limited number of these compounds are responsible for the aroma, referred to as key aroma-active compounds. This study aimed to assess the impact of roasting levels on the formation of these compounds. Coffee was roasted at four different levels: very light (RL85), light (RL75), medium (RL55), and extremely dark (RL25), according to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) guidelines. The extraction, olfactory evaluation, and identification of compounds were performed using solid-phase microextraction (SPME), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. A total of 74 compounds were successfully identified, of which 25 were classified as aroma-active compounds. RL75 and RL85 displayed similar aromatic profiles. RL55 was characterized by pleasant notes such as sweet, toasted hazelnut, and caramel. In contrast, RL25 was marked by undesirable odors including burnt notes, putrid, and sulfurous scents. This study is the first to identify key odorant compounds in coffee based on SCA roasting standards.

Realizing active targeting in cancer nanomedicine with ultrasmall nanoparticles.

Ultrasmall nanoparticles (usNPs) have emerged as promising theranostic tools in cancer nanomedicine. With sizes comparable to globular proteins, usNPs exhibit unique physicochemical properties and physiological behavior distinct from larger particles, including lack of protein corona formation, efficient renal clearance, and reduced recognition and sequestration by the reticuloendothelial system. In cancer treatment, usNPs demonstrate favorable tumor penetration and intratumoral diffusion. Active targeting strategies, incorporating ligands for specific tumor receptor binding, serve to further enhance usNP tumor selectivity and therapeutic performance. Numerous preclinical studies have already demonstrated the potential of actively targeted usNPs, revealing increased tumor accumulation and retention compared to non-targeted counterparts. In this review, we explore actively targeted inorganic usNPs, highlighting their biological properties and behavior, along with applications in both preclinical and clinical settings.

Effectiveness of different strategies to teach empathy among medical students: A randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effectiveness of two educational strategies for teaching empathy to medical students, focusing on their skills and on the theoretical knowledge and self-perception of empathy by patients, professors, and observers. METHODS: This is a randomized controlled study. Clerkship students were divided into two groups: an active group - Role Play and Reflection Group(RRG), and a more traditional group - Lecture Presentation Group(LPG). They were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Jefferson Empathy Scale(JSPE), ESWIM Empathy Scale, CARE, empathic skills through simulated patient encounters, and a theoretical knowledge test. RESULTS: A total of 169 students were included. The RRG had higher scores (d=0.81) and greater gains (d=0.82) in empathic skills than the LPG. However, there were no significant differences in knowledge or other scales. Upon assessing skill acquisition (Post-Pre gains), there was a significant increase in both groups for all outcomes, except for JSPE in the LPG group and ESWIM for both groups. CONCLUSION: Medical empathy can be taught, and active learning methodologies can lead to better outcomes, especially on the ability to provide empathic care. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: These findings reinforce existing literature and helps medical schools make informed decisions regarding their teaching methodologies. TRIAL REGISTRY: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-8rwx89c.

Stolen Identities, Suspended Lives. Embodied Active Imagination in Clinical Work with Victims of State Terrorism.

Each collective trauma holds its own particularities and forms of horror. When the violence is exerted by the government responsible for the care of the population it is termed state terrorism. The traumatic experience and its subsequent negation create a profound dissociation between two narratives: the explicit, which conceals the true facts, and the implicit, which remains unconscious and unbridgeable. In the gap between the two, life becomes suspended. From a Jungian perspective, this can be understood as the interruption of the process of translation and integration (terms that I will explore in some depth) from implicit sensory phenomena to an explicit representational narrative. This profoundly affects the development of the ego-self axis. In turn, it creates a special challenge for analytic technique that calls for new ways of listening to, and meeting the patient in, that non-verbal, unrepresented territory. Drawing upon clinical material, an embodied perspective of Jungian clinical work is offered to show how the inclusion of the body of patient and analyst enables access to the non-represented, though implicitly encoded, traumatic affective memories stored in the somatic unconscious.

Chaque traumatisme collectif a ses particularités et ses formes d'horreur. Lorsque la violence est exercée par le gouvernement responsable de la prise en charge de la population, on parle de terrorisme d'État. L'expérience traumatique et sa négation ultérieure créent une dissociation profonde entre deux récits : l'explicite, qui dissimule les faits réels, et l'implicite, qui reste inconscient et insurmontable. Dans l'écart entre les deux, la vie est suspendue. D'un point de vue jungien, cela peut être compris comme l'interruption du processus de «traduction et d'intégration¼ (termes que j'explorerai plus en profondeur) des phénomènes sensoriels implicites à un récit représentationnel explicite. Cela affecte profondément le développement de l'axe ego­soi. En conséquence, cela crée un défi particulier pour la technique analytique et invite à de nouvelles façons d'écouter et de rencontrer le patient dans ce territoire non verbal et non représenté. En s'appuyant sur le matériel clinique, une perspective incarnée du travail clinique jungien est proposée. Il s'agit de montrer qu'inclure les corps du patient et de l'analyste permet d'accéder à ce qui n'est pas représenté, par le biais de mémoires affectives traumatiques implicitement encodées et stockées dans l'inconscient somatique.

Cada trauma colectivo tiene sus propias particularidades y formas del horror. Cuando la violencia es ejercida por el gobierno responsable del cuidado de la población se denomina Terrorismo de Estado. La experiencia traumática y su posterior negación crean una profunda disociación entre dos narrativas: la explícita, que oculta los verdaderos hechos, y la implícita, que permanece inconsciente e inabordable. En la brecha entre ambas, la vida queda suspendida. Desde una perspectiva Junguiana, dicha suspensión puede entenderse como la interrupción en el proceso de "traslación e integración" (términos que exploraré con cierta profundidad) de los fenómenos sensoriales implícitos en una narrativa representacional explícita, afectando profundamente el desarrollo del eje ego­self. A su vez, crea un desafío especial para la técnica analítica que exige nuevas formas de escuchar y encontrarse con el paciente en ese territorio no­verbal y no­representado. A partir de material clínico, se ofrece una perspectiva somática del trabajo clínico Junguiano para mostrar cómo la inclusión del cuerpo de paciente y analista posibilita el acceso a estados no­representados, a través de memorias afectivas traumáticas codificadas implícitamente y almacenadas en el inconsciente somático.

Maintaining exercise in fitness centre settings: insights from the physical activity maintenance theory.

PURPOSE: This study examines factors that influence long-term fitness centre participation, applying the Physical Activity Maintenance Theory to assess psychological and contextual influences on exercise adherence. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 regular fitness centre attendees in Taubaté, São Paulo, Brazil. Data were analysed using Bardin's Content Analysis, exploring the participants' experiences and the factors contributing to their sustained activity. RESULTS: Autonomous motivation, such as enjoyment and satisfaction from workouts, along with self-efficacy, emerged as crucial for continued fitness centre attendance. The environment, including ambiance, social support, and facility quality, significantly impacted exercise persistence. However, challenges like time constraints, weather conditions, and personal issues occasionally hindered engagement. The study also highlights the role of personalized fitness programmes in supporting long-term adherence, suggesting that tailoring these programmes to individual goals could further enhance commitment. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the importance of fitness centres creating environments that align with individual needs and preferences. Customized programmes that cater to both personal and communal needs could bolster long-term adherence. Future research should explore the impact of personalized, community-integrated fitness approaches on sustaining active lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of accommodating individual preferences in maintaining regular exercise habits.

Novel Antarctic Endo-Polygalacturonase for Pectin Extraction and Vegetal Tissue Maceration at Mild Temperatures.

The aim of the present work was to partially purify and characterize an Antarctic polygalacturonase and to determine the enzyme's potential in pectin extraction and vegetal maceration at 20 °C. Polygalacturonase was purified by chromatography to obtain an enzymatic preparation of specific activity 30.3 U.mg-1. Optimal conditions for the polygalacturonase activity were 45 °C and pH 5.0-6.0, and the activation energy for the reaction was 41.8 kJ.mol-1. Of the enzyme activity, 100% was retained after 3 h at 40 °C. The enzyme was remarkably stable for an hour over a wide range of pH (2.0-12.0). Polygalacturonase activity was slightly reduced in the presence of Ca+2, Fe+3, K+, Mn+2, and Zn+2, whereas Hg+2 reduced the activity by 60%, suggesting a thiol-dependent catalysis. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was 33 kDa. The kinetic constants evaluated against polygalacturonic acid were 0.17 mg.ml-1 (Km), 480 s-1 (Kcat), and 7.9 µmol.mg-1.min-1 (Vmax). The enzyme was active against different pectic substrates. Thin-layer chromatography revealed an endo-mechanism of action. Polygalacturonase digested lime pomace to aid the extraction of high-methoxylated pectin at 20 °C and increased the vegetal maceration of Capsicum annuum by 24% over the control values.

Putting the puzzle together: the relationship between floral characters and pollinator morphology determines pollination mode in the fig-fig wasp mutualism.

The diversification of angiosperms has largely been attributed to adaptive radiation of their pollination and mating systems, which are relevant drivers of the macroevolution processes. The fig (Ficus, Moraceae) and fig wasp (Agaonidae, Hymenoptera) interaction is an example of obligate mutualism. Passive and active pollination modes have been associated with morphological traits in both partners. However, more information is required to assess the relationship between floral traits and pollination modes, particularly in Neotropical Ficus species. This study evaluates the morphological traits of figs and fig wasps regarding pollination modes in species belonging to Neotropical Ficus sections (three species each of Americanae and Pharmacosycea). Pollination mode was identified by floral morphology, anther/ovule ratio, and specialized structures fig wasps use for pollen transport (pollen pocket and coxal combs). Fig species in sect. Americanae are actively pollinated because pistillate flowers form a synstigma, present anther/ovule ratios <0.11, and their pollinator Pegoscapus fig wasps have pollen pockets and coxal combs. In contrast, species in sect. Pharmacosycea have free pistillate flowers, with anther/ovule ratios >0.27; they are pollinated by Tetrapus wasps, which lack specialized structures to carry pollen. Each species of Ficus was associated with a single morphospecies of fig wasp. The results support previous contributions that consider reciprocal morphological traits between fig species and their pollinating wasps as evidence of a close co-evolutionary history.

Trastuzumab deruxtecan in patients with previously treated HER2-low advanced breast cancer and active brain metastases: the DEBBRAH trial.

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is approved for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and HER2-low advanced breast cancer (ABC). T-DXd has shown encouraging intracranial activity in HER2-positive ABC patients with stable or active brain metastases (BMs); however, its efficacy in patients with HER2-low ABC with BMs is not well established yet. METHODS: DEBBRAH is a single-arm, five-cohort, phase II study evaluating T-DXd in patients with central nervous system involvement from HER2-positive and HER2-low ABC. Here, we report results from patients with heavily pretreated HER2-low ABC and active BMs, enrolled in cohorts 2 (n = 6, asymptomatic untreated BMs) and 4 (n = 6, progressing BMs after local therapy). Patients received 5.4 mg/kg T-DXd intravenously once every 21 days. The primary endpoint was intracranial objective response rate per Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Brain Metastases (RANO-BM) for both cohorts. RESULTS: Intracranial objective response rate per RANO-BM was 50.0% [3/6 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.8% to 88.2%] and 33.3% [2/6 patients; 95% CI 4.3% to 77.7%; P = 0.033 (one-sided)] in cohorts 2 and 4, respectively. All responders had partial responses. Median time to intracranial response was 2.3 months (range, 1.5-4.0 months) and median duration of intracranial response was 7.2 months (range, 2.8-16.8 months). Median progression-free survival per RECIST v.1.1. was 5.4 months (95% CI 4.1-10.0 months). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in all patients included (16.7% grade 3). Three patients (25.0%) had grade 1 interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis. CONCLUSIONS: T-DXd demonstrated promising intracranial activity in pretreated HER2-low ABC patients with active BMs. Further studies are needed to validate these results in larger cohorts. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04420598.

Impact of a simple informative leaflet on Brazilian doctors' attitudes towards active surveillance of thyroid microcarcinomas.

Introduction: Active surveillance (AS) is increasingly recognized as an appropriate strategy for selected patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMC). However, some factors, including physician-related ones, hinder its widespread adoption. Methods: To explore the prevailing barriers and the impact of information on attitudes towards AS implementation, we developed a questionnaire that was completed before and after reading a simple information leaflet by 317 doctors working in different work environments. This leaflet provides information about the overdiagnosis of PTMC, the concept of AS, results of early studies, and main advantages and disadvantages of AS. Results: We observed a greater resistance to AS among male physicians who were more likely to maintain the initial recommendation for surgery or referral to a head and neck surgeon than female physicians (77 % vs. 46 %, p = 0.01), regardless of their medical specialty. Fear of disease progression and of the patient losing follow-up were the main concerns. Reading the educational material significantly increased the number of physicians who endorsed AS as an initial approach to PTMC without risk factors from 14 % to 34 % (p < 0,001). This change in attitude was even more significant when doctors were confronted with a case of PTMC in an elderly patient. Gender, medical specialty, age range and academic environment were the factors that were determinants on the influence of the informative leaflet on the decision-making. The leaflet also increased the number of doctors who considered themselves capable of dealing with this patient profile; however, 17 % declared that the place where they worked would not be able to meet the need for periodic assessments and necessary examinations. This was particularly true for the 20 % of the professionals working in rural areas. Conclusion: A simple educational leaflet with basic information presented via social media increased the number of Brazilian physicians who endorsed AS for PTMC management and proved to be a facilitating tool for understanding and accepting it. Our results suggest that this method can be easily extended to larger population.

From Stand to Forest: Woody Plant Recruitment in an Andean Restoration Project.

The growing deforestation of tropical forests requires the implementation of restoration actions capable of assisting the recovery of biodiversity and the functioning of these ecosystems. This research aimed to identify the environmental factors that influence the abundance and diversity of woody plant recruitment in an Andean forest restoration project in Medellin (Colombia). Data from woody plant individuals taller than 80 cm were collected in 22 plots of 200·m-2. The environmental factors selected were edaphic variables, plantation structure, slope, elevation, prior land use, and landscape forest cover. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to analyze recruitment densit and Linear Mixed Models (LMM) to assess recruited species richness, diversity, and dominance. Woody plant recruitment attributes in our study area were similar to those of secondary succession in an Andean forest, but planted trees contributed little to recruitment density and diversity. While recruitment density was affected by slope, canopy closure, and landscape forest cover, recruitment diversity was influenced by physical (bulk density) and chemical (pH, aluminum, Cation Exchange Capacity) edaphic factors, planted tree diversity (species richness and composition), canopy closure, and the mortality rate of planted trees. We conclude that sites with lower mortality rates of planted trees and denser canopies enhance both recruitment density and diversity, indicating a synergy between active restoration and passive regeneration processes.

A Hybrid Framework for Maritime Surveillance: Detecting Illegal Activities through Vessel Behaviors and Expert Rules Fusion.

Maritime traffic is essential for global trade but faces significant challenges, including navigation safety, environmental protection, and the prevention of illicit activities. This work presents a framework for detecting illegal activities carried out by vessels, combining navigation behavior detection models with rules based on expert knowledge. Using synthetic and real datasets based on the Automatic Identification System (AIS), we structured our framework into five levels based on the Joint Directors of Laboratories (JDL) model, efficiently integrating data from multiple sources. Activities are classified into four categories: illegal fishing, suspicious activity, anomalous activity, and normal activity. To address the issue of a lack of labels and integrate data-driven detection with expert knowledge, we employed a stack ensemble model along with active learning. The results showed that the framework was highly effective, achieving 99% accuracy in detecting illegal fishing and 92% in detecting suspicious activities. Furthermore, it drastically reduced the need for manual checks by specialists, transforming experts' tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge through the models and allowing continuous updates of maritime domain rules. This work significantly contributes to maritime surveillance, offering a scalable and efficient solution for detecting illegal activities in the maritime domain.

Poly(vinyl chloride) Films Incorporated with Antioxidant ZnO-Flavonoid Nanoparticles: A Strategy for Food Preservation.

Antioxidant films were prepared using poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) incorporated with 0.5% or 1.0% zinc oxide (ZnO)-flavonoid (quercetin or morin) nanoparticles (NPZnO-Q% or NPZnO-M%) via the casting method. NP incorporation within the polymer matrix influenced the structural, morphological, optical, and thermal properties of the PVC-based films, as well as their antioxidant activity as assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging method. Our results indicated that increasing ZnO-flavonoid NP concentration increased films thickness, while reducing ultraviolet light (UV) transmittance but conserving transparency. The presence of NPZnO-Q% or NPZnO-M% improved the surface uniformity and thermal stability of the active films. In terms of antioxidant activity, there was an enhancement in the DPPH radical scavenging capacity (PVC/ZnO-Q1.0% > PVC/ZnO-Q0.5% > PVC/ZnO-M0.5% > PVC/ZnO-M1.0% > PVC), suggesting that the packaging can help protect food from oxidative processes. Therefore, these antioxidant films represent an innovative strategy for using as active food packaging material, especially intended for aiding in quality preservation and extending the shelf life of fatty foods.

End-of-Life Practices in an Intensive Care Unit of a Private Hospital in Mexico.

Background: Many factors, such as religion, geography, and customs, influence end-of-life practices. This variability exists even between different physicians. Objective: To observe and describe the end-of-life actions of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) and document the variables that might influence decision-making at the end of life. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study performed in the ICU patients of a private hospital from March 2017 to March 2022. We used the Philips Tasy Electronic Medical Record database of clinical records; 298 patients were included in the study during these five years (2017-2022). The data analysis was done with the statistical package SPSS version 23 for Windows. Results: A total of 297 patients were included in this study, of which more than half were men. About 60% of our sample had private health insurance, whereas the remaining paid out of pocket. Most patients had withholding treatment, followed by failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, withdrawal treatment, and brain death, and none of the patients had acceleration of the dying process. The main cause of admission to the ICU in our center was respiratory complications. Most of our samples were Catholics. Conclusions: Decision-making at the end of life is a complex process. Active participation of the patient, when possible, the patient's family, doctors, and nurses, can give different perspectives and a more compassionate and individualized approach to end-of-life care.

Effects of Dolomitic Limestone on the Properties of Magnesium Oxysulfate Cement.

This study investigated the effects of substituting magnesium oxide (MgO) with dolomitic limestone (DL) on the mechanical and physical properties of magnesium oxysulfate (MOS) cement. Additionally, the hydration formation phases and the influence of the molar ratio on the MOS cement's performance were examined. The corresponding action mechanisms were identified and explored by compressive strength tests, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), isothermal calorimetry, and a thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that replacing MgO with DL decreased the reaction speed and heat release rate generated in the hydration process of the MOS cement. This substitution also reduced the quantity of non-hydrated MgO particles and delayed the formation of Mg(OH)2. The diminished formation of Mg(OH)2 contributed to an increase in the apparent porosity of pastes containing DL, thus alleviating internal stresses induced by Mg(OH)2 formation and enhancing their mechanical strength after 28 days of curing. Conversely, the increased porosity improved the CO2 diffusion within the structure, promoting the formation of magnesium carbonates (MgCO3). Through the characterization of the cement matrix (XRD and TGA), it was possible to identify phases, such as the brucite, periclase, and 318 phases. The obtained results revealed the potential of incorporating mineral fillers like limestone as a promising approach to producing MOS cement with a reduced environmental impact and better properties at higher curing ages.

The Evolution of Active Learning in Response to the Pandemic: The Role of Technology.

Active learning has consistently played a significant role in education. Through interactive tasks, group projects, and a variety of engaging activities, students are encouraged to forge connections with the subject matter. However, the pandemic has necessitated that educators adapt and refine their active learning techniques to accommodate the online environment. This has resulted in stimulating innovations in the field, encompassing virtual simulations, online collaboration tools, and interactive multimedia. The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly transformed the landscape of teaching and learning, particularly in higher education. One of the most prominent shifts has been the widespread adoption of active learning techniques, which have increased student engagement and fostered deeper learning experiences. In this chapter, we examine the evolution of active learning during the pandemic, emphasizing its advantages and challenges. Furthermore, we delve into the role of advances in artificial intelligence and their potential to enhance the effectiveness of active learning approaches. As we once focused on leveraging the opportunities of remote teaching, we must now shift our attention to harnessing the power of AI responsibly and ethically to benefit our students. Drawing from our expertise in educational innovation, we provide insights and recommendations for educators aiming to maximize the benefits of active learning in the post-pandemic era.

A Novel Design of a Torsional Shape Memory Alloy Actuator for Active Rudder.

SMA actuators are a group of lightweight actuators that offer advantages over conventional technology and allow for simple and compact solutions to the increasing demand for electrical actuation. In particular, an increasing number of SMA torsional actuator applications have been published recently due to their ability to supply rotational motion under load, resulting in advantages such as module simplification and the reduction of overall product weight. This paper presents the conceptual design, operating principle, experimental characterization and working performance of torsional actuators applicable in active rudder in aeronautics. The proposed application comprises a pair of SMA torsion springs, which bi-directionally actuate the actuator by Joule heating and natural cooling. The experimental results confirm the functionality of the torsion springs actuated device and show the rotation angle of the developed active rudder was about 30° at a heating current of 5 A. After the design and experiment, one of their chief drawbacks is their relatively slow operating speed in rudder positioning, but this can be improved by control strategy and small modifications to the actuator mechanism described in this work.

Nanocomposite films based on chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour seeds incorporating antioxidant chitosan nanoparticles.

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) flour seeds produce films with good barrier properties against water vapor and could be used as food packaging; however, their mechanical properties are poor, which limits their application. The incorporation of nanoparticles into natural polymers is a strategy used to improve the properties of films to increase their applications. Furthermore, nanoparticles can encapsulate antioxidant agents and generate active films. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of chia flour (4%-7%), glycerol (15%-25%), and chia extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ChCNp) (0%-0.75%) on the physical, mechanical, barrier, structural and antioxidant properties of chia flour nanocomposite films. Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with antioxidant chia extract were synthesized by ionic gelation and incorporated into the films. The thickness, water vapor permeability, tensile strength, and antioxidant properties of the films were evaluated using a Box-Behnken experimental design. Structural analysis was conducted using the FTIR technique. The results of the ANOVA of the responses were adjusted to second and third order polynomial models obtaining determination coefficients of 0.96-0.99. The water vapor permeability of the films was 3.89 × 10-8-1.68 × 10-7 g mm/Pa s m2, tensile strength was 0.67-3.59 MPa and antioxidant activity was 57.12%-67.84%. The variables presented different effects on the films. Increasing the chia seed flour concentration negatively affected the water vapor permeability but improved the tensile strength and the antioxidant capacity of the films. The increase in glycerol concentration caused the films to become brittle. The nanoparticles had a significant effect on the thickness of the films and improved their mechanical and antioxidant properties. However, they did not show an effect on barrier properties. The results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain nanocomposite films with antioxidant capacity from chia seed flour and with the incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with antioxidants.

Identification, Characterization, and Antibacterial Evaluation of Five Endophytic Fungi from Psychotria poeppigiana Müll. Arg., an Amazon Plant.

Endophytic fungi, residing within plants without causing disease, are known for their ability to produce bioactive metabolites with diverse properties such as antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal activities, while also influencing plant defense mechanisms. In this study, five novel endophytic fungi species were isolated from the leaves of Psychotria poeppigiana Müll. Arg., a plant from the Rubiaceae family, collected in the tropical Amazon region of Bolivia. The endophytic fungi were identified as a Neopestalotiopsis sp., three Penicillium sp., and an Aspergillus sp. through 18S ribosomal RNA sequencing and NCBI-BLAST analysis. Chemical profiling revealed that their extracts obtained by ethyl acetate contained terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds. In a bioautography study, the terpenes showed high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli. Notably, extracts from the three Penicillium species exhibited potent antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 62.5 to 2000 µg/mL against all three pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis (both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria). These findings highlight the potential of these endophytic fungi, especially Penicillium species as valuable sources of secondary metabolites with significant antibacterial activities, suggesting promising applications in medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and environmental technologies.