Cannabis Use and Emotional Intelligence in Adolescents during COVID-19 Confinement: A Social Network Analysis Approach

[EN] Confinement by COVID-19 had negative consequences on adolescent mental health, including increased cannabis use. Cannabis is related to variables that influence health and well-being. Emotional Intelligence is associated with adaptive coping styles, peer relationships, and social–emotional competencies. In adolescence, peer selection plays a unique role in the initiation of substance use. However, there are no studies during a confinement stage that analyse the relationships between networks, Emotional Intelligence, and cannabis use. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the consumption and friendship networks of an adolescent classroom and their relationship with Emotional Intelligence, cannabis use, and gender during COVID-19 confinement. Participants completed different questionnaires for Emotional Intelligence, cannabis use, and the consumption and friendship network. The sample consisted of 21 students from 10th grade, of which 47.6% were consumers. The friendship network correlates with the consumption network, and significant associations between emotional repair and being a cannabis user. The regression model points to the friendship network as a significant variable in predicting the classroom use network. This study highlights the role of the Social Network Analysis in predicting consumption networks during a COVID-19 confinement stage and serves as a tool for cannabis use prevention interventions in a specific population.S

Killing the competition: a theoretical framework for liver-stage malaria

The first stage of malaria infections takes place inside the host's hepatocytes. Remarkably, Plasmodium parasites do not infect hepatocytes immediately after reaching the liver. Instead, they migrate through several hepatocytes before infecting their definitive host cells, thus increasing their chances of immune destruction. Considering that malaria can proceed normally without cell traversal, this is indeed a puzzling behaviour. In fact, the role of hepatocyte traversal remains unknown to date, implying that the current understanding of malaria is incomplete. In this work, we hypothesize that the parasites traverse hepatocytes to actively trigger an immune response in the host. This behaviour would be part of a strategy of superinfection exclusion aimed to reduce intraspecific competition during the blood stage of the infection. Based on this hypothesis, we formulate a comprehensive theory of liver-stage malaria that integrates all the available knowledge about the infection. The interest of this new paradigm is not merely theoretical. It highlights major issues in the current empirical approach to the study of Plasmodium and suggests new strategies to fight malaria

La lógica del exceso en los restaurantes de comida rápida

La obesidad está siendo considerada como uno de los mayores problemas para la salud pública de nuestro tiempo. El modelo norteamericano de alimentación urbana, ejemplificado en las cadenas de comida rápida, se ha extendido por todo el mundo, trasladando fuera de sus fronteras la preocupación por la gordura y su consideración como una patología de graves consecuencias. Analizamos en este trabajo los valores y el simbolismo de la iconografía de McDonald's, bajo la tesis de que la lógica del exceso, la simbología encarnada a través de los espacios y la cuestión de la obesidad se vinculan formando un discurso sutil que refuerza el estigma de las personas obesas. La metáfora del exceso forma parte central de los mensajes, ambientación y diseños de la cadena, desde sus reclamos publicitarios hasta la presentación de la comida y la dinámica del comportamiento del cliente. Nuestra conclusión es que McDonald's es un fiel reflejo de las características sociales vinculadas al concepto de posmodernidad (simulacro, superficialidad, carácter efímero o líquido de los acontecimientos sociales). No nos interesa si la comida rápida contribuye al incremento de la obesidad. Hablar sobre McDonald's es asociar la obesidad con una imagen de alimentación fuertemente cuestionada, y por lo tanto, establecer el discurso sobre la corpulencia y la gordura en el terreno del estigma y el rechazo social.Obesity is considered as one of the main problems for public health. The USA urban model of feeding, illustrated through the system of fast food restaurants, is extended all over the world, translating the worry and the consideration of obesity as a pathology with severe consequences. We analyze here the values and symbolism of McDonald's. Our thesis poses that the logic of excess, the symbology tied in and through the environments, and the question of obesity are linked together, creating a subtle discourse that reinforces the obesity stigma. The metaphore of excess takes a central part in the messages, ambient and designs, from the interiors advertising to the presentation of meal and the clients programs of behaviour. We conclude that McDonald's fits well with the social characteristics associated to the concept of postmodernity (simulacra, superficiality, ephemeral or liquid social interaction). We don't think about the contribution of fast food to obesity. To talk about McDonald's is the same than to associate obesity with a very criticized image of feeding, and therefore, to establish the discourse about fatness and corpulence in the domain of social stigma and rejection

Does endovascular treatment with curative intention have benefits for treating High-grade AVM versus radiosurgery? Efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness analysis

BACKGROUND: The treatment of high-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains challenging. Microsurgery provides a rapid and complete occlusion compared to other options, but is associated with undesirable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the occlusion rates, incidence of unfavorable outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of embolization and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as a curative treatment for high-grade AVMs.METHODS: A retrospective series of 57 consecutive patients with high-grade AVM treated with embolization or SRS, with the aim of achieving complete occlusion, was analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and angio-architectonic variables were collected. Both treatments were compared for the occlusion rate and procedure-related complications. In addition, a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed.RESULTS: Thirty (52.6%) patients were men and 27 (47.4%) were women (mean age 39 years). AVMs were unruptured in 43 (75.4%) patients, and ruptured in 14 (24.6%) patients. The presence of deep venous drainage, nidus volume, perforated arterial supply, and eloquent localization were more frequent in the SRS group. Complications such as hemorrhage or worsening of previous seizures were more frequent in the embolization group. No significant differences were observed in the occlusion rates or in the time necessary to achieve occlusion between the groups. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for endovascular treatment vs. SRS was $ 53.279.CONCLUSION: Both techniques achieved similar occlusion rates, but SRS carried a lower risk of complications. Staged embolization may be associated with a greater risk of hemorrhage, while SRS was demonstrated to have a better cost-effectiveness ratio. These results support SRS as a better treatment option for high-grade AVMs

Novel Technique for Obtaining Double-Layer Tensegrity Grids

Double-layer tensegrity grids (DLTGs) may be defined as tensegrity spatial systems containing two parallel horizontal networks of members in tension forming the top and bottom layers, whose nodes are linked by vertical and/or inclined bracing members in compression and/or tension. In this paper, a new approach is described. Conventional double-layer grids (DLGs) are composed of three layers: top, bottom and bracing members. This paper shows new rules for generating original DLGs following a recent methodology for their composition, from the mosaic of the bracing members and additional laws. Finally, from them, a new technique, known as Rot- Umbela manipulation, is applied to obtain their tensegrity form, opening and endless catalogue of DLTGs

Generation and nomenclature of tessellations and double-layer grids

The aim of this work is to establish a systematic methodology for generating automatically different tessellations and double-layer grids (DLGs) following a defined and specific nomenclature proposed originally for such a task. This particular nomenclature defines the notation of mosaics and DLGs in a synthesized and unique manner, with the advantage that it shows how to generate and design them after the parameters expressed on their own names. As a result, by means of an algorithm and some computational codes, it is possible to recreate in 3D any of those grids directly from their own names. Current nomenclature for tessellations is also analyzed, finding severe disadvantages, such as the excessive length of their notations or their non-uniqueness character. A new nomenclature is proposed in order to define and generate consistently and unequivocally n-uniform mosaics in a consistent manner with the current nomenclature used for the Archimedean (regular and semiregular) tessellations

Panoramic and tomographic implant studies : role in the diagnosis of sinus disorders

Objective: To study the presence of sinus disorders and their diagnosis based on clinical and radiographic findings, correlating their presence with tomography tests and panoramic radiography. Study design: We conducted a retrospective study on 152 patients who were seeking implant treatment, thereby allowing us to evaluate 42 patients who had abnormal sinuses. The patients underwent an evaluation of their medical history as well a clinical examination, panoramic radiography and tomographic study. Results: The average age of the patient was 59.8 years old, and 54.76% of the group were males and 45.23% were females. Prior respiratory disorders were present in 52.38% of the patients, and 57.3% of the group presented dental disorders. In assessing the type of wound, we observed that 73.21% were mucosal hyperplasia and 26.78% were mucous cysts. Of the 56 sinuses affected, only 28.57% were diagnosed using panoramic radiography. Conclusions: Panoramic radiography has limitations in the diagnosis of sinus disorders; computerized tomography (CT) remains the most effective diagnostic test

Effects of the Implementation of Tutored Learning Projects and Formative and Shared Assessment Systems in Pre-Service Teacher Education

The main purpose of Formative and Shared Assessment (F&SA) is to improve student learning, to improve and redirect teaching practice and to improve the teaching-learning process. This research has two objectives: (1) to analyse the results of the applicability and difficulty of the Good Practice of Tutored Learning Projects (TLP) in a Pre-service Teacher Education (PTE) subject; and (2) to examine the advantages and disadvantages of the F&SA system used in the same subject. For this purpose, a longitudinal study of a PTE subject is carried out over three academic years. The instruments used to collect information are: a structured report on Good Practice in university teaching and an anonymous questionnaire for students to evaluate the experience of Good Practice, which has been carried out and the subject’s evaluation system. The results show the consistency of the course design over the years. Students are satisfied with the TLP experience because they consider it to be useful, effective, innovative, replicable and sustainable, as well as helping in the acquisition of competences

Reliability of the self-calculation of the primary education pupil. An experience as teacher practices during physical education specialist

En este trabajo mostramos una experiencia real del sistema de Evaluación Formativa y Compartida (EFyC) en un aula de primaria durante el periodo de prácticas. El objetivo de esta experiencia es analizar el rendimiento académico de los alumnos, así como la fiabilidad de la autocalificación del alumnado de quinto curso de primaria, comparando los resultados de las calificaciones de la maestra en prácticas con las del maestro tutor y las del propio alumnado. Para ello mostramos una breve fundamentación teórica sobre la EFyC que sirve de cimientos para nuestra experiencia, así como el diseño metodológico que hemos llevado a cabo. Los resultados de esta experiencia muestran una alta fiabilidad de este sistema de evaluación. En este sentido parece haber sido clave la participación del alumnado en su propia evaluación marcada con unos criterios establecidos y compartidos con el alumnado en todo momento.In this paper we report a real experience of a Formative and Shared Evaluation in a primary school classroom during the internship period. The objective of this experience is to analyze. We have been able to analyze the student academic performance and reliability of the self-assessment by the fifth- grade, while comparing the results of the teacher education student in practice grades with those of the tutor and those of the students them-selves. For this, after a brief theoretical foundation on the formative and shared assessment that serves as the basis for our experience, we present the methodological design used and its implementation. The results of this experience show a high reliability of this evaluation system. In this sense, the participation of the students in their own assessment, marked with clear established criteria and shared with them at all times, seems to have been key