Repositorio Institucional UCSC (Univ. Católica de la Santísima Concepción)
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Effects of Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise on Self-Reported Pain and Mechanical Hyperalgesia in Older Adults with Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Full text linkBackground and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and hip is a major cause of pain and functional impairment. This study evaluated the effects of non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) combined with conventional physical therapy (CPT) on pain intensity, mechanical hyperalgesia, and perceived recovery in older adults with OA. Materials and Methods: Sixty older adults with mild-to-moderate knee or hip OA were randomly assigned to a NIVR group (NIVR-G; n = 30) or a CPT group (CPT-G; n = 30). Both groups completed 30 sessions over 10 weeks (3 sessions/week). The NIVR-G performed 20 minutes of exergames integrated into CPT. Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and mechanical hyperalgesia was evaluated through pressure pain thresholds (PPTs). Secondary outcomes included the Global Rating of Change (GRoC) and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for the VAS. This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05839262). Results: The NIVR-G demonstrated significant reductions in pain intensity after 30 sessions (p < 0.05, d = 1.50), with greater improvements compared to the CPT-G (p < 0.05, d = 1.17). The MCID for the VAS was established at 9.2 mm, with a higher proportion of responders in the NIVR-G (p < 0.05). The NIVR-G also reported superior recovery perception on the GRoC scale (p < 0.05). No significant changes in PPTs were observed in either group. However, the improvements in the NIVR-G diminished four weeks post-intervention. Conclusions: NIVR exergames combined with CPT significantly reduced pain intensity, improved perceived recovery, and resulted in a higher proportion of responders compared to CPT alone. These findings support the use of NIVR as an effective adjunct to CPT in older adults with OA; however, further research is needed to optimize its long-term benefits
Effects of 12 Weeks of Interval Block Resistance Training Versus Circuit Resistance Training on Body Composition, Performance, and Autonomic Recovery in Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial
Full text linkObjectives: Interval block resistance training (IBRT) and circuit resistance training (CRT) are periodization models aimed at enhancing neuromuscular and metabolic adaptations. This study aims to evaluate the effects of a 12-week IBRT program compared to CRT on body composition, muscle strength, speed, functional capacity, and autonomic recovery in young Chilean adults. Methods: A randomized, parallel, double-blind study was conducted with 30 participants assigned to IBRT (n = 15) or CRT (n = 15). Assessments included body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, right-hand grip strength, the running anaerobic sprint test (RAST), the 6 min walk test (6 MWT), and heart rate variability (HRV) indices: low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF) and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD, a time-domain HRV metric reflecting parasympathetic activity). Statistical analyses included t-tests and ANCOVA. Results: Groups were similar in age (IBRT: 25.2 ± 3.19; CRT: 23.27 ± 3.69, p = 0.14) and BMI (IBRT: 21.56 ± 2.22; CRT: 22.36 ± 1.70 kg/m2, p = 0.40). Both groups improved significantly in waist circumference (IBRT: −1.85%; CRT: −2.37%), grip strength (IBRT: +5.47%; CRT: +4.02%), RAST (IBRT: −2.67%; CRT: −1.04%), 6 MWT (IBRT: +4.53%; CRT: +2.17%), LF/HF (IBRT: −11.43%; CRT: −5.11%), and RMSSD (IBRT: +5.36%; CRT: +3.81%) (all p ≤ 0.01). IBRT produced significantly greater gains in 6 MWT (B = 19.51, 95% CI: 0.79 to 38.23, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Both IBRT and CRT effectively improved body composition, muscle strength, speed, functional capacity, and autonomic recovery. However, IBRT demonstrated a superior effect on aerobic capacity
Misinformation Disguised as Humor: Deepfakes' Impact on Instagram Trust
No full textEsta investigación analiza el impacto de los deepfakes o videos falsos generados mediante inteligencia artificial en la confianza de Instagram, en Concepción, Chile. Además de analizar los deepfakes se aplicó un focus group y un cuestionario a más de 100 personas. Dentro de los resultados destaca que un 85,2 % de los participantes ha visto al menos un video de deepfakes en Instagram. Cuando lo identifican más de la mitad de ellos siente risa cuando los visualiza. Un 57,6 % admite dudar de su veracidad y un 81.4 % indicó que los deepfakes afectan su confianza en Instagram
Selective dialysis-based extraction of succinic acid using phosphonium ionic liquids: A hybrid membrane–IL approach for sustainable downstream processing
No full textThe downstream recovery of bio-based succinic acid (SA) from fermentation broths remains a critical challenge due to the presence of interfering compounds such as microorganisms, substrates, and coproducts. In this study, we developed a hybrid separation system combining selective dialysis through a cellulose acetate membrane with a hydrophobic phosphonium-based ionic liquid (P6,6,6,14[PHOS]) as the receiving phase. This approach was evaluated using a model Yarrowia lipolytica fermentation broth, and its performance was compared against an aqueous glucose phase under laminar flow conditions. Although the glucose phase exhibited a slightly higher SA flux (1.42 vs. 1.24 kg·m−2 ·h−1), the ionic liquid system demonstrated exceptional selectivity: 300 for SA/glycerol and 500 for SA/water, making it hundreds of times more selective than the glucose system. Integration of the membrane reduced ionic liquid losses, prevented contamination of the fermentation broth, and stabilized the separation interface, enabling consistent and sustainable performance. Mass transfer analysis revealed that the IL phase contributed 99% of the overall resistance, primarily due to the hydrophilic character of the membrane. These results underscore the potential of hydrophobic phosphonium ILs in membrane-based selective extraction, offering an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for bio-based succinic acid recovery
Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions on Pain Catastrophizing in People with Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Full text linkBackground: Chronic pain affects millions worldwide, influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Catastrophizing predicts chronic pain outcomes, increased pain intensity, and worsening recovery. Virtual reality (VR) interventions offer innovative pain management strategies, but their effects on catastrophizing remain unclear. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed the PRISMA guidelines. Studies involving adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain, VR-based interventions, and randomized controlled trials were included. The primary outcome was pain catastrophizing. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, WoS, and PEDro until May 2025. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB-2. Meta-analysis calculated effect sizes using mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) with fixed and randomized-effects models. Results: Of 306 records, 244 were screened, 19 underwent full-text review, and two additional studies were identified via Google Scholar. Nine studies were included, eight of which were meta-analyzed. The interventions included eight immersive and one non-immersive VR studies, lasting 3 to 12 weeks. A small but statistically significant effect was found when comparing VR-based interventions with controls (SMD = −0.26 [−0.48; −0.04]). Psycho-cognitive VR-based interventions had a significant effect (SMD = −0.32 [−0.56; −0.09]), while exercise-based VR did not (MD = −0.11 [−4.36; 4.14]). Immersive VR showed a small but significant effect when compared to non-intervention or sham controls (SMD = −0.37 [−0.75; −0.00]). However, when compared to all types of comparators, the effect was not statistically significant (SMD = −0.25 [−0.51 to −0.00]). Heterogeneity was moderate and not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: VR-based interventions, particularly immersive with psycho-cognitive approaches, show potential in reducing pain catastrophizing. Future randomized trials are needed to elucidate VR’s efficacy in managing pain catastrophizing
Analyzing Financial Behavior in Undergraduate Students in Economics, Administration and Accounting Sciences
Full text linkThis study examines the financial behavior of university students in Economics, Business Administration, and Accounting in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, using the FB–13 instrument. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses validate a three-dimensional structure: (1) financial planning and control, (2) savings and financial preparation, and (3) fulfillment of obligations, with high internal consistency (α = 0.915), supporting its psychometric robustness in Latin American academic contexts. Based on a sample of 714 students with diversity in gender, age, work experience, and parental status, the analyses confirmed that the FB–13 model best fits a three-factor structure. Significant correlations were identified between financial behavior and experiential variables such as age, work experience, and parenthood, while traditional sociodemographic attributes such as gender, residence, marital status, employment, and educational level showed limited associations. These findings suggest that personal experiences have a greater influence on the configuration of financial practices than conventional demographic categories. The study acknowledges limitations related to cross-sectional design, non-probabilistic sampling, and self-reported data, yet these do not diminish its contributions. By validating the FB–13 in Honduras, the research offers comparative evidence and promotes cultural diversity in financial behavior literature. Future research should move toward longitudinal and qualitative studies that explore the role of family dynamics, work contexts, and personal aspirations in responsible financial behaviors
Electoral Districts in Chile: Optimizing Socio-Economic Homogeneity and Demographic Balance
Full text linkThis article addresses the problem of unequal representation in Chile, where the current districting does not effectively consider its socio-economic diversity. An innovative methodology is proposed that uses the socio-economic dissimilarity distance (SED) obtained using a cluster analysis to create more homogeneous electoral districts. This SED is incorporated into a mathematical programming model for (re)districting and seat allocation, taking into account criteria such as the demographic balance, contiguity and compactness. The application of this methodology in the Santiago Metropolitan Region shows a significant improvement in both the socio-economic homogeneity and demographic balance of the districts. This research has relevant implications for electoral justice in Chile, as it proposes a way to improve the representativeness and ensure that the needs of each social group are reflected in the decision-making process
Cibernética de autorregulación, homeostasis y lógica difusa: tríada fundamental para evaluar el aprendizaje usando inteligencia artificial
No full textToday’s Education is increasingly mediated by digital technologies that imply new challenges that need to be addressed in detail to turn them into opportunities for advancement and evolution. Such is the case of the use of artificial intelligence in learning assessment processes, which is forcing us to rethink traditional methods, mechanisms, and strategies to assess student learning achievement, especially in distance and online Education. Given the complexity of the above, this analytical essay proposes a look at artificial intelligence developments that support the so-called “evaluation 4.0”, based on the application of fuzzy logic, homeostasis, and the cybernetics of self-regulation. Such an application would provide technical support and a general understanding framework for the evaluation processes for both teachers and students to promote evaluation processes more in line with the flexible and often imprecise and ambiguous nature of the learning and performance associated with the skills assessment in the framework of the fourth industrial revolution
Upwelling effects across different levels of biological organization: Integrating biochemical constituents, physiological performance and muscle transcriptomic response in the intertidal FISH Girella laevifrons (kyphosidae)
No full textThe physical-chemical variability of coastal upwelling creates a mosaic of environmental conditions that affect different levels of biological organization. Understanding the mechanisms that organisms use to cope with this variability is critical for addressing the challenges that climate change imposes on coastal ecosystems. This study integrates information on transcriptomic traits, metabolic performance, and the quantity of organic biomolecules in the intertidal fish Girella laevifrons from four locations with varying upwelling intensities. The results show that fish from locations with stronger upwelling intensity have higher levels of glucose, lipids, and proteins in their muscle tissue, in addition to better physiological performance compared to fish from sites with weaker upwelling intensity. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that genes associated with multicellular development and oxygen metabolism are more highly expressed in sites with stronger upwelling intensity, whereas genes related to protein ubiquitination are more expressed in sites with weaker upwelling intensity. In response to the mosaic of upwelling intensities (SAM-SST), and in-situ temperature, nutrients and oxygen variation observed in field, fish showed differential responses, suggesting local adaptations process that maximize ecological success in these areas with different physical-chemical conditions. Future studies should consider the integration of molecular tools to better understand the responses of organisms to environmental variability as upwelling intensities. This will help elucidate the complex interactions between environmental factors and biological responses, providing insights into how marine organisms might adapt to changing conditions. Understanding these mechanisms is essential for predicting the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems and for developing effective conservation and management strategies. The integration of transcriptomic data with metabolic and physiological performance measures offers a comprehensive approach to studying the adaptive responses of marine organisms to their dynamic environments considering the future responses in face to predict global change
Characterization of sub-fields of derivative problems in engineering textbooks
Full text linkThis paper aims to characterize the subfields of problems emerging from problem-situations of the derivative in university textbooks proposed for the training of civil and commercial engineers. Thirteen textbooks used for the teaching of the derivative in the syllabi of different Chilean universities were qualitatively analyzed. The notion of epistemic configuration of the onto-semiotic approach to mathematical knowledge and education was used for this purpose. It is observed that a complex approach to the derivative is adopted in the textbooks considered. A total of 21 subfields of problems appear, although not all the textbooks extensively use subfields of derivative problems. The findings of this research establish relevant guidelines for the design of a specific didactic proposal to learn the construction of the derivative in engineering courses