Exploring the Decisions of Dominican Youth to Study abroad : A Study on the Brain Drain Phenomenon in the Dominican Republic

This study examines the factors that influence the decision of Dominican youth with private education to study and stay abroad. This research used a combination of the push-pull factor model and network-mediated migration theory. The push-pull model explains migration through negative "push" factors causing departure, and positive "pull" factors attracting to a new place. The network-mediated theory shows how social networks influence migration decisions and processes. By combining these theories, this research aimed to understand why Dominican youth decide to study and stay abroad, and whether they perceive their private education contributes to this choice. A qualitative approach is used, incorporating semi-structured interviews with high school students planning to study abroad, master's students currently studying abroad, and master's students who studied abroad and now live there. A total of 11 interviews were conducted and analysed using reflective thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the most common factors pushing Dominican youth to study abroad included lack of safety, poor quality education, societal disconnection and disappointment, and a saturated job market in their home country. On the other hand, attractive opportunities, new experiences, family ties, and superior education quality were the most common pull factors drawing them abroad. The study also identified four migrant networks that assisted the participants in the decision-making and migration process: family, friends, co-workers, and romantic partners. The family network was the most influential, providing financial aid, connections, living accommodations, and emotional support. The research found that participants did not perceive their private education as a significant influence on their decision to study abroad. However, it did function as a migrant network. The study concludes that these push and pull factors may contribute to the brain drain phenomenon in the Dominican Republic. Most participants expressed a desire to stay abroad or were doing so at the time of the interviews. While the participants did not consciously recognize their private education as a factor influencing their decision, the broadened perspectives gained from their private education may have subtly played a role in their decision to pursue further studies abroad

The Mexican Non-toxic Jatropha curcas L., Food Resource or Biofuel?

Jatropha curcas L. is a promising natural resource which has been promoted globally for biodiesel production by policy makers and researchers in tropical and subtropical countries. However, both J. curcas seeds and oil have been found to be toxic to humans and domestic animals when consumed. A non-toxic genotype of J. curcas has been reported from some rural communities in southern Mexico, and is suitable for human consumption. This non-toxic germplasm has been used in traditional Totonacan cuisine in Mexico. However, increasing demand for J. curcas to be used in biofuel production is exerting pressure on the non-toxic genotype. In this work we analyze the possible origins and dispersal of non-toxic Jatropha by the Totonaca culture; the traditional uses of J. curcas seeds as a food; its status with respect to the Mexican commercial forestry regulations; and the risks associated with the demands of biofuels on this Mexican germplasm

Adicción a las redes sociales y la inteligencia emocional en universitarios de Cajamarca, 2023

La presente investigación se propuso como objetivo general establecer la correlación entre la adicción a las redes sociales y la inteligencia emocional en universitarios de Cajamarca. La metodología aplicada tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental y correlacional. Se contó con una muestra de 115 universitarios, a quienes se les administraron los instrumentos: Cuestionario de Adicción a las Redes Sociales (ARS) y la Escala Trait Meta Mood Scale – 24 (TMMS 24). Para el procesamiento de datos, estadística e inferencias se utilizaron el MS Excel – 2019 y el SPSS – 25. Los resultados indican que existe una correlación inversa, negativa y alta (-,776**) entre la adicción a las redes sociales y la inteligencia emocional en universitarios de Cajamarca. Se concluye que el nivel predominante de ARS es el medio (39,1%) y en cuanto a la inteligencia emocional también predominó el nivel medio (36,5%). En cuanto a la correlación entre la IE y las dimensiones de la ARS, se encontraron asociaciones negativas y altas: obsesión a las redes sociales (-,755**), falta de control personal (-,723**) y uso excesivo de las redes sociales (-747**)

Interrelationship between the structural features and rehydration properties of spray dried manzano chilli sauce microcapsules

Manzano chilli sauce microcapsules (MCHS) were obtained by spray drying using Gum Arabic (GA100%), whey protein concentrate (WPC100%) and a blend of these biopolymers (GA50%-WPC50%) as wall materials in 2:1 and 4:1 wall to core material ratios (WCMR). Water vapor adsorption isotherms data of microcapsules were obtained at 35 °C and fitted to GAB's model. The monolayer water content values of the microcapsules varied from 9.97 to 14.32 kg H2O/100 kg dry solids, and were used for determining the surface fractal dimension (Ds). Ds values ranged between 2.04 to 2.30 for the 2:1 WCMR and 2.17 to 2.43 for the 4:1 WCMR, respectively. Microcapsules topology was determined by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Microcapsules with WPC100% exhibited smoother and more regular shaped topology than those with GA100% which tended to exhibit surface flaws and dents, while those made with the biopolymers blend exhibited an intermediate morphology. Rehydration times of the microcapsules were function of water activity (aw) and WCMR. The higher the WCMR, the higher the rehydration time required

Moisture sorption properties and storage stability conditions of a nutraceutical system microencapsulated by spray drying

The adsorption isotherms of a nutraceutical system microencapsulated by spray drying were determined at 20, 35 and 40 °C. Experimental data of the isotherms were fitted using the GAB and Caurie models and the integral thermodynamic functions (enthalpy and entropy) were estimated by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The Kelvin and Halsey equations were adequate for calculation of pore radius which varied from 0.67 to 8.15 nm. The point of maximum stability (minimum integral entropy) was found between 3.61 and 3.81 kg H2O/100 kg d.s. (corresponding to water activity, aW, of 0.19-0.37). Enthalpy-entropy compensation for the microcapsules showed two isokinetic temperatures. The first isokinetic temperature was observed at low moisture contents (< 3.81 kg H2O/100 kg d.s.) and was controlled by changes in the entropy of water, whereas the second isokinetic temperature was considered to be enthalpy-driven (3.81-20 kg H2O/100 kg d.s.). Keywords: sorption isotherms, pore radius, minimum integral entropy, enthalphy-entropy compensation, water activity

Shoc2/Sur8 protein regulates neurite outgrowth

This is an openaccess article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.-- et al.The Shoc2 protein has been implicated in the positive regulation of the Ras-ERK pathway by increasing the functional binding interaction between Ras and Raf, leading to increased ERK activity. Here we found that Shoc2 overexpression induced sustained ERK phosphorylation, notably in the case of EGF stimulation, and Shoc2 knockdown inhibited ERK activation. We demonstrate that ectopic overexpression of human Shoc2 in PC12 cells significantly promotes neurite extension in the presence of EGF, a stimulus that induces proliferation rather than differentiation in these cells. Finally, Shoc2 depletion reduces both NGF-induced neurite outgrowth and ERK activation in PC12 cells. Our data indicate that Shoc2 is essential to modulate the Ras-ERK signaling outcome in cell differentiation processes involved in neurite outgrowth.GL, TG and LMD were recipients of fellowships from the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC) (to GL, TG), and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS) (to LMD). LSR held a postdoctoral research contract from CIBERNED. This work was supported by FIS grant (PI10/00815) to JLO; CIBERNED to MC; SAF2008-01951, Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid (CAM) SSAL-0202-2006-01 and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED) to TI; FIS grant PI12/00775 and ISCIII-RETIC (Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cáncer) RD12/0036/0027 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III to PSG; and FIS grants (PI09/0562 and PI13/00703), ISCIIIRETIC (RD06/0020/0003 and RD12/0036/0021), and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) to JMR.Peer Reviewe

Is higher physical fitness associated with better psychological health in young pediatric cancer survivors? A cross-sectional study from the iBoneFIT project

Objective To examine the associations of self-perceived and objectively-measured physical fitness with psychological well-being and distress indicators in young pediatric cancer survivors. Materials and Methods A total of 116 participants (12.1 ± 3.3 years, 56.9% boys) from the iBoneFIT project participated in this cross-sectional study. Objectively-measured physical fitness (muscular fitness) was obtained by handgrip strength and standing long jump tests for the upper and lower body, respectively. Self-perceived physical fitness was obtained by the International Fitness Scale (IFIS). Positive and negative affect were assessed by the positive affect schedule for children (PANAS-C), happiness by Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), optimism by Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), self-esteem by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), anxiety by State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-R), and depression by Children Depression Inventory (CDI). Multiple linear regressions adjusted by key covariates were performed to analyze associations. Results No associations were found between objectively-measured muscular fitness and any of the psychological well-being and distress indicators (p > 0.05). Self-perceived overall fitness and flexibility were positively associated with positive affect (β ≥ 0.258, p < 0.05). Self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness, speed/agility, and flexibility were negatively associated with depression (β ≥ −0.222, p < 0.05). Finally, self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness was also negatively associated with anxiety and negative affect (β ≥ −0.264, p < 0.05). Conclusions Perceived physical fitness, but not objectively physical fitness, seems to be inversely related to psychological distress variables and to less extent positively related to psychological well-being. The findings from this study highlight the importance of promoting self-perceived fitness in the pediatric oncology population