Repositorio Institucional UCSC (Univ. Católica de la Santísima Concepción)
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Use of Digital Technologies to Support Socioemotional Teacher Training: A Systematic Review
Get PDFSeveral studies in the educational field have explored the use of digital technologies and how they promote the strengthening of socioemotional competencies. However, most of these studies have focused on students, leaving their application to teachers in the background. This systematic review identifies and analyzes studies on the application of digital tools aimed at strengthening the socioemotional competencies of teachers in order to answer the following question: What digital technologies have been implemented to support the socioemotional development of teachers in educational settings and what are their results? The study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, based on the identification of research in the ERIC, EBSCO, OpenAlex, Sciencedirect, Scopus, PubMed, arXiv, and Google Scholar databases. Out of 451 research studies identified in an observation window open to any year, 57 studies were selected for analysis. The digital technologies reviewed to strengthen teachers’ socioemotional competencies were grouped into three categories: self-reflection tools (65%), such as digital diaries and blogs; intentional emotional development technologies (68%), such as virtual reality and gamification; and collaborative platforms (37%), such as social networks. Their use evidenced the development of CASEL model competencies: self-awareness and responsible decision-making (86%), self-regulation (81%), social awareness (58%) and relational skills (68%). It is recommended to integrate these technologies in an intentional and contextualized way in teacher training, in order to enhance their well-being, emotional preparation, and prosperity even in the midst of current educational challenges
Coordinated Truck Loading and Routing Problem: A Forestry Logistics Case Study
Get PDFThis study addresses a real-world logistics problem in forestry operations: the distribution of plants from cultivation centers to planting sites under strict delivery time windows and limited depot resources. We introduce the Coordinated Truck Loading and Routing Problem (CTLRP), an extension of the classical Vehicle Routing Problem with Time Windows (VRPTW) that integrates routing decisions with truck loading schedules at a single depot with constrained capacity. To solve this NP-hard problem, we develop a metaheuristic algorithm based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), enhanced with a global memory system and a novel stochastic return rule that allows trucks to return to the depot when additional deliveries are suboptimal. Parameter calibration experiments are conducted to determine optimal values for the return probability and ant population size. The algorithm is tested on a real forestry dispatch scenario over six working days. The results show that an Ant Colony System (ACS–CTLRP) algorithm reduces total distance traveled by 23%, travel time by 22%, and the number of trucks used by 13 units, while increasing fleet utilization from 54% to 83%. These findings demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms current company planning and offers a transferable framework for depot-constrained routing problems in time-sensitive distribution environments
Dumping Syndrome After Bariatric Surgery: Advanced Nutritional Perspectives and Integrated Pharmacological Management
Get PDFDumping Syndrome (DS) is a significant complication following bariatric surgery, particularly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). This condition is characterised by gastrointestinal and vasomotor symptoms resulting from altered anatomy and hormonal dysregulation, notably accelerated gastric emptying and an exaggerated release of gut peptides. Based on the timing of symptom onset after food ingestion, DS is classified as early (EDS) or late (LDS). The critical roles of peptides such as GLP-1, GIP, insulin, and YY peptide are highlighted, along with the involvement of neuroendocrine pathways in symptom manifestation. Diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical evaluation and dynamic testing, with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) often considered a key reference standard for diagnosis. Initial management involves dietary modifications, emphasising the glycaemic index of foods and meal distribution. In cases where nutritional interventions are insufficient, pharmacotherapy with agents such as acarbose, somatostatin analogues (octreotide and pasireotide), GLP-1 receptor agonists (liraglutide), calcium channel blockers (verapamil), and emerging therapies, including herbal medicine, may be considered. For refractory cases, surgical options like bypass reversal or partial pancreatectomy are reserved, although their efficacy can be variable. Despite advancements in understanding and treating DS, further large-scale, randomised controlled trials are essential to validate novel strategies and optimise long-term management. This review provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the aetiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, diagnostic approaches, and current management strategies for DS
Exploring body composition and physical condition profiles in relation to playing time in professional soccer: a principal components analysis and Gradient Boosting approach
Get PDFBackground: This study aimed to explore whether a predictive model based on body composition and physical condition could estimate seasonal playing time in professional soccer players.
Methods: 24 professional soccer players with 5–7 years of professional experience participated. Body composition and physical condition variables were assessed, and total minutes played during the season were recorded as the dependent variable. Correlations between variables were examined to reduce multicollinearity, followed by a principal component analysis (PCA) of the selected predictors. The first three components were used as inputs in a Gradient Boosting model. Model performance was evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation and leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV).
Results: High intercorrelations among independent variables (r > 0.70) justified dimensionality reduction through PCA. The first three components explained 70% of the total variance. However, no direct correlations were observed between individual variables and minutes played, and the Gradient Boosting model did not achieve positive predictive performance under cross-validation (5-fold CV: R2 = −0.04; LOOCV: R2 < 0).
Conclusion: In this small dataset, a multivariate approach combining PCA and Gradient Boosting did not yield predictive accuracy for playing time. Nonetheless, the PCA revealed meaningful structures in the players’ physical and body composition profiles, which may inform future research. Larger and more heterogeneous samples are required to determine whether component-based predictors can reliably estimate playing time in professional soccer
Safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stromal cells mitochondria transplantation as a cell-free therapy for osteoarthritis
Get PDFObjective
The inflammatory responses from synovial fibroblasts and macrophages and the mitochondrial dysfunction in chondrocytes lead to oxidative stress, disrupt extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, and accelerate the deterioration process of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, it has been proposed that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) transfer their functional mitochondria to damaged cells in response to cellular stress, becoming one of the mechanisms underpinning their therapeutic effects. Therefore, we hypothesize that a novel cell-free treatment for OA could involve direct mitochondria transplantation, restoring both cellular and mitochondrial homeostasis.
Methods
Mitochondria were isolated from Umbilical Cord (UC)-MSC (Mito-MSC) and characterized based on their morphology, phenotype, functions, and their ability to be internalized by different articular cells. Furthermore, the transcriptional changes following mitochondrial uptake by chondrocytes were evaluated using an Affymetrix analysis, Lastly, the dose dependence therapeutic efficacy, biodistribution and immunogenicity of Mito-MSC were assessed in vivo, through an intra-articular injection in male C57BL6 mice in a collagenase-induced OA (CIOA) model.
Results
Our findings demonstrate the functional integrity of Mito-MSC and their ability to be efficiently transferred into chondrocytes, synovial macrophages, and synovial fibroblasts. Moreover, the transcriptomic analysis showed the upregulation of genes involved in stress such as DNA reparative machinery and inflammatory antiviral responses. Finally, Mito-MSC transplantation yielded significant reductions in joint mineralization, a hallmark of OA progression, as well as improvements in OA-related histological signs, with the lower dose exhibiting better therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, Mito-MSC was detected within the knee joint for up to 24 h post-injection without eliciting an inflammatory response in CIOA mice.
Conclusion
Collectively, our results reveal that mitochondria derived from MSC are transferred to key articular cells and are retained in the joint without generating an inflammatory immune response mitigating articular cartilage degradation in OA, probably through a restorative effect triggered by the stress antiviral response within OA chondrocytes
Soil Pore System Functionality in a Micro‐Watershed Formed by Wet Meadows (Vegas) in the Southernmost Chilean Patagonia
No full textWetlands occupy a small percentage of the Earth's surface but provide essential ecosystem services, such as water regulation, carbon cycling and habitat support. Patagonian “Vegas” are unique wetland ecosystems characterised by their groundwater recharge and hydrological dynamics, distinct from the surrounding steppe. These ecosystems play a critical role in supporting livestock with up to six times the forage productivity of the surrounding steppe and in storing over 69 g kg−1 of organic carbon. However, the influence of soil structure parameters (e.g., pore size distribution, bulk density) and soil shrinkage behaviour on soil moisture variability and ecosystem functions in Patagonian wetlands remains poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the physical capacity and intensity parameters of soils, including shrinkage properties, within a micro-watershed in southern Patagonia. Our findings reveal significant spatial variability in soil properties, with bulk density (BD) ranging from 0.12 to 1.81 Mg m−3 across topographic positions. Mineral soils on summits and footslopes exhibited high macroporosity (up to 18.1% of total pore volume at 5 cm depth), which facilitates water movement, while organic soils in the Vega centre had a higher total porosity (up to 88.8%) that enhances water and air retention. The coefficient of linear extensibility (COLE) for organic soils reached a level of 0.078, indicating a high shrinkage capacity. This shrinkage influenced the functionality of the porous system, shifting pore roles between air conduction and water storage as larger pores contracted. These dynamics, driven by climate change and increased drying cycles, may lead to significant shifts in soil functionality and ecosystem resilience. Enhanced understanding of soil physical states and their response to environmental changes can support sustainable management strategies, benefiting local agriculture and preserving these critical ecosystems
Construction of copper-cobalt bimetallic nanoparticles in the confined space of mesoporous silica KIT-6 support for the catalytic removal of organic contaminants
No full textToxic organic pollutants are significant and critical concerns in environmental and ecological processes. Consequently, the environmental remediation of such toxic organic contaminants is a significant concern. We present the fabrication of the highly stable and efficient catalyst for the aqueous phase catalytic reduction of organic pollutants utilizing CuCo bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized amine-functionalized mesoporous KIT-6 support (CuCo@KIT-6). The formation of CuCo bimetallic NPs into the KIT-6 support was shown by HR-TEM image with the particle size of 1.60 ± 0.46 nm. CuCo@KIT-6 catalyst exhibited superior reactivity for 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction within 12 min than the monometallic counterparts. The rate constant (kapp) of CuCo@KIT-6 (0.3938 min−1) was higher than the mono-metallic catalysts (Cu@KIT-6 (0.1438 min−1) and Co@KIT-6 (0.0052 min−1)). CuCo@KIT-6 demonstrated good catalytic behaviors for the degradation of multiple pollutants including 2-nitrophenol (2-NP) (0.5395 min−1), 3-nitrophenol (3-NP) (0.8262 min−1), 2-nitroaniline (2-NA) (1.5051 min−1), 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) (0.7740 min−1), 4-(4-nitrophenyl)morpholine (4-NM) (0.6243 min−1), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) (0.3297 min−1), 4-(2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl) morpholine (4-FNM) (0.7411 min−1), rhodamine b (RhB) (1.7550 min−1), congo red (CR) (0.1900 min−1), methyl orange (MO) (1.3077 min−1), and eosin Y (EY) (0.5071 min−1). The CuCo@KIT-6 catalyst showed high efficiency for the simultaneous degradation of contaminants (4-NP + RhB + CR + MO + EY) in the complex environment. In addition, CuCo@KIT-6 catalyst demonstrated excellent stability with promising reusability. Thus, the CuCo@KIT-6 catalyst holds great promise for industrial wastewater treatment
Interdisciplinariedad en la Eficacia de la Telesalud: Desafíos, Oportunidades y Competencias Necesarias
Get PDFIntroduction: Telehealth has become a key tool to improve access to healthcare, particularly in contexts with geographical barriers. Its effective implementation relies on integrating technology with clinical knowledge, which requires specific competencies and interdisciplinary collaboration to ensure equitable care.Objective: To describe how interdisciplinarity influences the implementation and effectiveness of telehealth, identifying the challenges, opportunities, and necessary competencies from the perspective of healthcare professionals in the Biobío region, Chile.Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted through a focus group with 14 healthcare professionals from various disciplines. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and co-occurrence analysis to identify relationships among key competencies.Results: The findings indicate that interdisciplinarity optimizes telehealth by combining clinical and technological knowledge, although it faces challenges such as the need for training in communication and adaptability competencies. The importance of skilled human resources and robust digital infrastructure is also highlighted.Conclusions: Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential for the success of telehealth, enabling patient-centered care and promoting health equity. Ongoing training in specific competencies and adequate technological support are necessary to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of telehealth in the region
Salinity tolerance in resting cysts of colpodid ciliates: Comparative transcriptomics analysis and chemical analysis of cyst walls to investigate their tolerance capability
Get PDFThe formation of resting cysts is a strategy for survival in unfavorable environments by single cell organisms such as protists. Here, we show that Colpoda resting cysts have high salinity tolerance and investigate the changes in gene expression that underpin this effect. Colpoda resting cysts can tolerate saline conditions up to 3.5 % NaCl. A comparative transcriptome analysis of vegetative cells and resting cysts showed that the relative levels of expression of genes associated with membrane function increased in resting cysts. These changes in gene expression suggest that reconstruction of the plasma membrane is associated with salinity tolerance. The resting cyst forms cyst-specific cellular structure known as the cyst wall. The outer shell-like layer, called the ectocyst, while the inner multiple layers, known as the endocyst. The chemical analysis showed ectocyst contains chitin and endocyst contains several proteins. These structures can protect cells by acting as a biological armor or protective materials. The results of this study offer a possible scenario in which salinity tolerance enables the widespread dispersal of protists
Las proyecciones de la Telesalud y telemedicina en la era post covid-19. Una revisión de alcance
Get PDFIntroduction: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine and telehealth faced legal, technological, and cultural regulatory limitations. The health crisis boosted its massive adoption, enhancing its continuity over time. The objective of this review is to determine the projections of telehealth and telemedicine in the post-COVID-19 era and the factors that condition its growth.Methods: A systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The databases consulted were PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. 19 relevant studies were selected from an initial total of 96.Results: The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, maintaining its use in areas such as mental health and chronic diseases. Factors associated with the use and development of technologies, added to cultural and economic aspects, have hindered its growth.Conclusions: Telehealth and telemedicine have improved access to health, but their sustainability requires resolving technological inequalities, in addition to guaranteeing privacy and security standards