Longitudinal Effects of Distress and Its Management During COVID-19 Lockdown in Spain

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic that hit Spain during March 2020 forced the strict confinement of the population for 2 months. The objectives of this study were (a) to assess the magnitude and duration of the influence of confinement on people’s Distress, (b) to study the temporal sequence of stress, and (c) to show how different day-to-day activities and personal variables influence perceived Distress levels.Method: A daily registration was completed by 123 people, with ages ranging from 21 to 75 years old (X¯ = 43, SD = 10 years), of which there were 40 men (32%) and 83 females (68%). During 45 days of lockdown, from March 19th to May 3rd, participants were asked to respond to a socio-demographic survey and make daily records comprising the MASQ-D30 and some day-to-day behaviors. Pooled time series was applied to establish what effect time had on the dependent variable.Results: Distress has a 14-day autoregressive function and gender, physical activity, sexual activity, listening to music, and teleworking also influence Distress. It has been hypothesized that the intercept presents variability at level 2 (individual), but it has not been significant. Interactions between Gender—Telecommuting, and Gender—Physical Activity were observed. Approximately 66% of the variance of Distress was explained (R2 = 0.663).Discussion: At the beginning of the lockdown, the average levels of Distress were well above the levels of the end (z = 3.301). The individuals in the sample have followed a very similar process in the development of Distress. During the lockdown, the “memory” of Distress was 2 weeks. Our results indicate that levels of Distress depend on activities during lockdown. Interactions exist between gender and some behavioral variables that barely influence Distress in men but decrease Distress in women. The importance of routine maintenance and gender differences must be considered to propose future interventions during confinement.

Inertial Effect on Spontaneous Oil-Water Imbibition by Molecular Kinetic Theory

Imbibition is one of the most common physical phenomena in nature, and it plays an important role in enhanced oil recovery, hydrology, and environmental engineering. For the tight reservoirs, the imbibition method has an obvious advantage in fracturing, shut-in, and huff-puff development. Although the current imbibition studies focus on oil recovery, and the inertial effect in imbibition is neglected and its mechanism is also unclear. In this paper, the inertial effect on spontaneous oil-water imbibition at micron-scale is studied by molecular kinetic theory (MKT). The frictional coefficient in the model is a fitted parameter to match the experimental data during the total imbibition process. Then, the simulation of the initial imbibition stage is conducted and the inertial effect on imbibition is identified by the difference between the model considering the inertial effect (CI) and the model neglecting the inertial effect (NI), or by the proportion of inertial force to the total resistance. Results show that (i) with an increase in the water phase viscosity, the inertial effect time shortens, maximum imbibition height and rate decrease, and thus the inertial effect on imbibition weakens; (ii) with an increase in the oil phase viscosity, the inertial effect time changes little, the maximum imbibition height and rate decrease slightly, namely, the inertial effect depends slightly on the oil phase. (iii) with an increase in the capillary wettability (hydrophilicity), the inertial effect time shortens, the maximum imbibition rate first increases and then decreases, and the inertial effect on imbibition weakens. This work sheds light on the inertial effect on oil-water imbibition by MKT, considering the effects of dynamic contact angle, water phase viscosity, oil phase viscosity, and wettabilities, which is helpful to understand the role of inertia in the oil-water or oil-fracturing fluid imbibition process.

EP.FRI.496 Does hospital volume effect time to theatre in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy? A retrospective analysis of NELA data

Aims Delays to theatre in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy are associated with poorer outcomes. It is unclear whether hospital volume impacts arrival to theatre within a time appropriate to urgency. We aimed to determine the association between hospital laparotomy volume and time to theatre for patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. Methods The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit aggregate hospital reports from years 1 – 6 were used to extract data relevant to the study aims. Hospitals were categorised into high, medium and low volume using inter-quartile ranges, with each year counting as a single episode. Statistical analysis was used to determine if there is a difference in arrival to theatre within a time appropriate to urgency. Results A total of 751 episodes were included, representing 193 high volume, 370 medium volume and 188 low volume hospitals. The mean proportion of patients arriving to theatre within a time appropriate to urgency were 81.5%, 83.5% and 85.3% respectively. There was no statistical difference between low to medium volume hospitals however, there was when comparing medium to high volume (p = <0.05) and low to high volume (p = <0.05) hospitals. Conclusion Hospitals with low and medium emergency laparotomy volumes have fewer delays to theatre. Whilst it is likely to be multifactorial, it is important for hospitals to have efficient patient pathways in place to reduce delays.

Removal And Regeneration of As(V) In Aqueous Solutions By Adsorption On Calcined Fluorapatite: Kinetics And Thermodynamic Parameters.

In this work, Fluorapatite has been prepared and successfully applied for the removal of As (VI). The materials prepared have been characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared transform transform spectroscopy. Fourier (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and zero load point pH (pHPZC) were also considered as part of these characterizations. In this work, several parameters affecting the adsorption process were studied, such as: the mass effect, time, pH, and the initial concentration effect. The value of the regression coefficient showed that the data The experimental results corresponded best to the pseudo-second order (PSO) model, while the Langmuir adsorption isotherms best described the equilibrium adsorption data with the highest qm of 43.10 mg / g. Finally, FapC has been successfully reused for more than 5 cycles without significant loss of its sorption capacity.

A Biotreatment Effect on Dynamics of Cattle Manure Composition and Reduction of Ammonia Emissions from Agriculture

Increasing control of localized air pollution caused by ammonia is identified, including limiting the maximum emissions from agriculture. In EU countries, the agricultural sector is the source of above 94% of the total anthropogenic emissions of ammonia, of which manure removal systems account for 56%. In view of the reason for the agricultural waste management by formation and propagation of ammonia gas—the bacterial and enzymatic degradation of organic components in excrement—it is important to evaluate the effect of biotreatment of 100% natural composition (contain Azospirillum sp. (N) (number of bacterial colonies −1 × 109 cm−3), Frateuria aurentia (K) (number of bacterial colonies −1 × 109 cm−3), Bacillus megaterium (P) (bacterial colony count −1 × 109 cm−3), seaweed extract (10% by volume), phytohormones, auxins, cytokinin, gibberellins, amino acids, and vitamins) on the emission of ammonia from organic waste. Experimental research was carried out to determine significant differences of dynamics in agrochemical composition of manure, NH3 gas emissions, depending on biotreatment, manure storage duration, and ventilation intensity of the barn. Gas emission was obtained via laser gas analyzer using a spectroscopic method in a specially reconstructed wind tunnel chamber. About 32% manure biotreatment effect on reduction of ammonia emissions was established. The maximum effect of the biodegradable compound on gaseous propagation was assessed after 28–35 days of manure storage and proved all biotreatment effect time of 49–56 days. By the saving nitrogen loses priority, manure biotreatment could reduce nitrogen losses from manure and inorganic N fertilizers by approximately 5%, also could reduce approximately 5911.1 thousand tones nitrogen fertilizer in the world and reduce approximately 5.5 Eur ha−1. “The biotreatment impact assessment confirmed that proper application of biotreatment can reduce ammonia emissions from manure and environmental pollution from agriculture”.

The Effects of Resisted Post-Activation Sprint Performance Enhancement in Elite Female Sprinters

Considering the effectiveness of resisted sprint training, and the acute enhancement of sprinting performance through locomotor post-activation performance enhancement, the main objective of the research was to determine the acute effects of resisted activation with loads of 5, 10, and 15% body mass on sprint and flying start sprint performance in elite female sprinters using resisted drag technology system. Ten elite female sprinters (age: 23.2 ± 5.4 years, body mass: 54.2 ± 6.1 kg, height: 167.4 ± 7.3 cm, personal best for 100 m: 12.05 ± 0.56 s, and for 400 m: 53.17 ± 2.76 s) performed two unresisted 20-m sprints (from a crouched and flying start) before and after a single resisted sprint loaded with 5, 10, or 15% body mass to verify the effectiveness of the activation stimulus. Compared with pre-activation, Friedman tests showed that peak velocity increased by 1.6 ± 2.2% [effect size (ES) = 0.66], 2.3 ± 1.5% (ES = 1.33), and 0.2 ± 1% (ES = 0.09), as well as peak force by 2.8 ± 2.1% (ES = 0.49), 3.5 ± 2.3% (ES = 1), and 0.5 ± 2.4% (ES = 0.14), concomitant with a significant decreased in sprint time by −0.5 ± 1.2% (ES = −0.07), −2.5 ± 1.3% (ES = −0.64), and −1 ± 1.4% (ES = −0.36) for the 5, 10, and 15% body mass post-activation, respectively (p < 0.001; for all). Furthermore, the ANOVA showed that peak power increased by 2.9 ± 2.3% (ES = 0.61), 3.8 ± 2.2% (ES = 1.05), and 2 ± 7.1% (ES = 0.22) for the 5, 10, and 15% body mass resisted-conditioning activity, respectively, with no difference between the three conditions (p = 0.003 main effect time, no interaction). Moreover, compared with the 5 and 15% body mass trials [−1.5 ± 2% (ES = −0.44), −0.8 ± 0.8% (ES = −0.44), respectively], the ANOVA showed that flying start sprint time significantly decreased by −4.3 ± 1.1% (ES = −1.25) (p < 0.001, interaction effect) after a 10% body mass resisted-conditioning activity. The results of this study indicated that resisted sprints acutely enhance sprint performance; however, their effectiveness depends on the applied load. A single resisted sprint using 10% body mass is effective at inducing a potentiating effect on subsequent 20-m flying start sprint performance in elite female sprinters. Therefore, keeping in mind the optimal load, it is recommended to perform resisted sprints as a conditioning activation when seeking to acutely enhance 20-m flying start sprint performance in these athletes.

Spectrophotofluorometric Study of Amaranth with Fluorescent Carbon Dots and its Analytical Application

Hydrothermal carbonization of bottle gourd as the carbon source has been performed to synthesize fluorescent carbon dots . The carbon dots were formed in the form of yellow brown aqueous solution, soluble in water and stable towards light. Characterization of fluorescent carbon dots was done using TEM, UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectrophotofluorometric method has been followed for the study of common food colorant Amaranth present in foodstuffs using fluorescent carbon dots. Conditions optimized during analysis were reaction pH, concentration of Amaranth, concentration of C-dots, thermal effect, time period, etc. Results showed that Amaranth could result in fluorescence quenching of carbon dots due to interaction of surface –COOH, –SO3H group with Amaranth dye. The present method offers good linear range of 0.20-25.0 μM with LOD 0.019 μM and highly selective and therefore, method have been applied successfully for the detection of Amaranth in foodstuffs.

COVID-19 Effect: Time to Change the Way of Research

Abstract:: This perspective provides an insight or viewpoint about the current and future way of doing research. The opinion includes the limitations of the research in the current scenario and the possible ways to improve it.

Antidepressant-like activity of the dipeptide mimetic of brain-derived neurotrophic factor GSB-106 in Porsolt test after intraperitoneal sub-chronically and chronically treatment in mice

The present work was to study the GSB-106 effect on the immobility behavior of mice Balb/c in the Porsolt test. GSB-106 was administered sub-chronically and chronically intraperitoneal in dose 1 mg/kg. GSB-106 administration significantly decreased immobility time in mice by 1.2 times after 4 days, by 1.3 times after 14 days and 1.2 times after 21 days’ injections. Thus, the dependence of the GSB-106 effect-time administration in the Porsolt test was not established.

Pregnancy-related relapses and breastfeeding in a contemporary multiple sclerosis cohort

ObjectiveTo determine whether women with multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed according to current criteria are at an increased risk of postpartum relapses and to assess whether this risk is modified by breastfeeding or MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), we examined the electronic health records (EHRs) of 466 pregnancies among 375 women with MS and their infants.MethodsWe used prospectively collected information from the EHR at Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California between 2008 and 2016 of the mother and infant to identify treatment history, breastfeeding, and relapses. Multivariable models accounting for measures of disease severity were used.ResultsIn the postpartum year, 26.4% relapsed, 87% breastfed, 36% breastfed exclusively for at least 2 months, and 58.8% did not use DMTs. At pregnancy onset, 67.2% had suboptimally controlled disease. Annualized relapse rates (ARRs) declined from 0.37 before pregnancy to 0.14–0.07 (p < 0.0001) during pregnancy, but in the postpartum period, we did not observe any rebound disease activity. The ARR was 0.27 in the first 3 months postpartum, returning to prepregnancy rates at 4–6 months (0.37). Exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of early postpartum relapses (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.37, p = 0.009), measures of disease severity increased the risk, and resuming modestly effective DMTs had no effect (time-dependent covariate, p = 0.62).ConclusionMost women diagnosed with MS today can have children without incurring an increased risk of relapses. Women with suboptimal disease control before pregnancy may benefit from highly effective DMTs that are compatible with pregnancy and lactation. Women with MS should be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively.