Juan Manuel

Current Psychology , Oct 2024 Animal abuse is an instrumental form of violence used in intimate partner violence and domestic violence.

Pest and Disease Program, Colombian Oil Palm Research Center, Cenipalma, Bogotá 111121, Colombia

Canopy lianas differ considerably from trees in terms of wood anatomical structure, and they are suggested to have a demographic advantage—faster growth and higher survival—than trees. However, it remains unclear whether these anatomical and demographic differences persist at the seedling stage, when most liana species are self-standing and, consequently, might be ecologically similar to trees. We assessed how self-standing liana and tree seedlings differ in relation to wood anatomy, growth, and survival. We measured 12 wood traits and monitored seedling growth and survival over one year for 10 self-supporting liana and 10 tree seedling species from three tropical dry forests in Colombia. Liana and tree seedlings exhibited similar survival rates and wood anatomies for traits related to water storage and mechanical support. Yet, for traits associated with water transport, liana seedlings showed greater variability in vessel lumen size, while tree seedlings had higher vessel density. Also, the liana relative growth rate was significantly higher than for trees. These results indicate that, while self-supporting liana and tree seedlings are anatomically similar in terms of mechanical support and water storage—likely contributing to their similar survival rates—liana seedlings have a growth advantage, possibly due to more efficient water transport. These findings suggest that the well-documented anatomical and demographic differences between adult lianas and trees may depend on the liana's developmental stage, with more efficient water transport emerging as a key trait from early stages.

Program in Agricultural Aciences in the Tropics Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Postgraduate College, Km 3.5. Cárdenas-Huimaguillo Highway.

Background/Objectives: Palatability significantly influences food consumption, often leading to overeating and obesity by activating the brain's reward systems. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a central role in this process, modulating reward mechanisms primarily via dopamine through D2-like receptors (D2R, D3R, D4R). While the involvement of D2 receptors in feeding is well-documented, the role of D4 receptors (D4Rs) is less clear. Methods: Male Wistar rats received intra-NAc shell microinjections of the D4R agonist PD-168077 and the antagonist L-745870. This study also examined the modulation between D4R and glutamatergic transmission by administration of NMDA, NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5, AMPA, and AMPA receptor antagonist CNQX. Results: PD-168077 increased sweet solution intake by 46%, an effect that was reversed by L-745870. Pre-treatment with NMDA prevented the stimulatory effect of PD-168077, whereas the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 had no such effect. Additionally, AMPA administration reduced sweet solution intake by 63%, counteracting the effect of PD-168077, while the AMPA receptor antagonist CNQX, on its own, increased intake by 40%. Conclusions: These findings suggest that D4Rs promote hedonic feeding by modulating glutamatergic transmission in the NAc shell, highlighting the complexity of D4R involvement in food intake regulation. This study underscores the potential of targeting D4Rs for therapeutic interventions in eating disorders and obesity, though further research is essential to clarify the precise mechanisms through which D4R modulates AMPA and NMDA receptor activity in feeding behavior.

In this work, we demonstrate the use of a chromatic confocal sensor for long-distance measurements. The sensor increases the working distance of state-of-the-art confocal sensors by a factor of 10, reaching a working distance of 620 mm. The chromatic aberration exhibited by a lens was utilized to establish the working range. The chromatic dispersion of the optics led to images of the different wavelength components at different longitudinal points along the optical axis. The sensor employs a robust algorithm to measure relative displacements of the sample’s motion. The calibration process simplifies data analysis and improves the accuracy of displacement measurements in experimental setups. To facilitate the design process, a simulator was developed specifically for this purpose. The calibration data obtained in both the experimental and the simulated data show that the simulator was able to predict the sensitivity with an error of 5%. We also describe the effect on the sensitivity of oversampling the spectrum. In addition, the superiority of low-pass filtering over Gaussian fitting over the detected spectrum is shown.

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Open Access Article by Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić Scilit Preprints.org Google Scholar

Youth migration has significant consequences that lead to depopulation and less sustainability of local business, which is particularly pronounced in rural areas. All of this contributes to the potential devastation of rural communities, an impact that could be highly significant and far-reaching. Entrepreneurship and the innovation it brings with it can be important markers for effective rural development if changes are needed. Therefore, the primary objectives of our research were to determine how socio-demographic factors determine the attitudes of young rural people regarding openness to entrepreneurship, whether young rural people believe they have the ability to engage in entrepreneurship and take actionable steps, and what is the relationship between openness and entrepreneurial capacity. The research was conducted from December 2023 to May 2024 among 299 participants in rural areas of two neighboring countries, Serbia and Croatia. The results indicate various factors that influence rural youth’s openness to entrepreneurship, such as unemployment, age and country of origin. Also, the results show a positive correlation between openness to entrepreneurship and the perception of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. In addition, the study found significant differences between respondents from Serbia and Croatia in the assessment of personal capacities for entrepreneurial activities. The results of this research contribute to a deeper understanding of how young people perceive and experience life in rural areas, and highlight potential challenges related to their specific needs. This insight enables key stakeholders to design programs that support youth in starting businesses and sustaining entrepreneurial ventures. Furthermore, the study offers both a theoretical and practical basis for future research, serving as a valuable guide for the improvement of rural communities, that is, guidelines for strategies that focus on inclusive development based on the revitalization of social frameworks.

Background/Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis, vascular alterations, and a persistent inflammatory response. Despite advances in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms underlying SSc, current therapeutic options remain limited. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a polyphenol widely distributed in plants and has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. However, its therapeutic potential in SSc has not been investigated yet. Methods: A model of SSc was established by administering bleomycin (BLM) at 100 U/kg to CD1 mice via an osmotic minipump. After fourteen days of BLM administration, CGA (60 mg/kg) was intragastric administered on consecutive days until day 20. On day 21, all mice were sacrificed. The effect of CGA was histologically evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining. Results: CGA treatment significantly attenuated dermal fibrosis in the BLM-induced mice model of SSc by reducing histopathological damage, including increased dermal thickness, inflammation, collagen deposition, and SSc-associated pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusions: The evidence shows that CGA attenuates BLM-induced SSc in a mice model and strongly suggests that CGA may be a promising compound for the treatment of SSc.