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The description of a mealybug species found in Germany, Spinococcus kozari Schmutterer, 2002 (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha), is considered invalid because no type material or depository were specified in the original literature. Here a valid description of the same species is provided under the name Peliococcus schmuttereri Caballero and Kaydan sp. n. following the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. The species is redescribed, with a taxonomic illustration and microphotographs, an updated taxonomic key is provided, and type material and a depository are designated. With this record, the number of species of Peliococcus Borchsenius, 1948 is increased to 37 worldwide and the number of Peliococcus species present in Germany is increased to two, the second species being Peliococcus calluneti (Lindinger, 1912). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CAD-CAE software companies have introduced numerous tools aimed at facilitating topology optimization through Finite Element Simulation, thereby enhancing accessibility for designers via user-friendly interfaces. However, the imposition of intricate constraint conditions or additional restrictions during calculations may introduce instability into the resultant outcomes. In this paper, an algorithm for updating the design variables called Adaptive Variable Design is proposed to keep the final design space volume of the optimized part consistently under the target value while giving the main algorithm multiple chances to update the optimization parameters and search for a valid design. This algorithm aims to produce results that are more conducive to manufacturability and potentially more straightforward in interpretation. A comparison between several commercial software packages and the proposed algorithm, implemented in MATLAB R2023a, is carried out to prove the robustness of the latter. By simulating identical parts under similar conditions, we seek to generate comparable results and underscore the advantages stemming from the adoption and comprehension of the proposed topology optimization methodology. Our findings reveal that the integrated enhancements within MATLAB pertaining to the topology optimization process yield favourable outcomes with respect to discretization and the manufacturability of the resultant geometries. Furthermore, we assert that the methodology evaluated within MATLAB holds promise for potential integration into commercial packages, thereby enhancing the efficiency of topology optimization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topology optimization has become a popular tool for designing optimal shapes while meeting specific objectives and restrictions. However, the resulting shape from the optimization process may not be easy to manufacture using typical methods like machining and may require interpretation and validation. Additionally, the final shape depends on chosen parameters. In this study, we conduct a sensitivity analysis of the main parameters involved in 3D topology optimization—penalization and filter radius—focusing on the density-based method. We analyze the features and characteristics of the results, concluding that a machinable and low interpretable part is not an attainable result in by-default topology optimization. Therefore, we propose a new method for obtaining more manufacturable and easily interpretable parts. The main goal is to assist designers in choosing appropriate parameters and understanding what to consider when seeking optimized shapes, giving them a new plug-and-play tool for manufacturable designs. We chose the density-based topology optimization method due to its popularity in commercial packages, and the conclusions may directly influence designers' work. Finally, we verify the study results through different cases to ensure the validity of the conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A morphology-based illustrated taxonomic key is presented for the identification of the adult females of 59 scale insects that have been recorded associated with coffee roots in Colombia. Previously published doubtful records of species of Diaspididae, Pseudococcidae, and Rhizoecidae were reevaluated and a revised list of scale insects that can be found on coffee roots is presented. A discussion of the morphological variation of Dysmicoccus neobrevipes Beardsley, 1959, Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley, 1900) and Dysmicoccus joannesiae (Costa Lima, 1939) is included. The species Distichlicoccus takumasae is emended to Distichlicoccus takumasai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People with schizophrenia have deficits in social cognition, emotion and social perception, as well as attributional style. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a multicomponent social cognition training program, e-Motional Training® (ET), in people with schizophrenia and to compare its efficacy with people who did not receive it. Therefore, a single-blind RCT was conducted in participants with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Methods: A randomized, single-blind, clinical trial was conducted with 50 stable outparticipants with schizophrenia (registry number CHUC_2019_109). All participants (control and intervention) were treated with pharmacotherapy, case management and were on Individual Placement and Support methodology for competitive employment. The intervention group was treated with ET, an online program designed for social cognition rehabilitation. Pre and post assessment was performed using different battery of tests. General mixed models with subject identification and repeated measures over time were used. Results: Different pre and post measurements were performed in the two groups. No significant differences were found in sociodemographic characteristics between the control and intervention groups. Improvements were obtained in the intervention group in the Ekman test (p = 0.009), mainly enhanced by the improvement shown in three emotions: fear, sadness and disgust (p = 0.041, p = 0.021 and p = 0.038 respectively). Conclusion: ET is a promising online training tool for social cognition deficits in schizophrenia, in particular, for the improvement of emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identifying code problem for a given graph involves finding a minimum subset of vertices such that each vertex of the graph is uniquely specified by its nonempty neighborhood within the identifying code. The combinatorial optimization problem has a wide variety of applications in location and detection schemes. Finding an identifying code of minimum possible size is a difficult task. In fact, it has been proven to be computationally intractable (NP-complete). Therefore, the use of heuristics to provide good approximations in a reasonable amount of time is justified. In this work, we present a new population-based local search algorithm for finding identifying codes of minimum cost. Computational experiments show that the proposed approach was found to be more effective than other state-of-the-art algorithms at generating high-quality solutions in different types of graphs with varying numbers of vertices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the importance of persistence in early learning, we know little about how children reason about outcomes that result from their efforts. Here we examined the role of effort type (i.e., physical vs. cognitive) and intensity (i.e., high vs. low effort) in shaping children's decision making about effort‐based rewards. Five‐ to 7‐year‐olds (N = 133) were assigned to one of four conditions (High Physical Effort, Low Physical Effort, High Cognitive Effort, Low Cognitive Effort) and completed a series of tasks to construct a toy. Tasks varied in the type (physical/cognitive) and intensity (high/low) of effort required to complete them. After constructing their toy, children completed a series of tasks to probe how much they valued that toy. Across conditions, children preferred their toy and gave it a higher monetary value, relative to a stranger's. However, when choosing their toy came at a cost, children no longer preferred it. Only children who built their toy through either cognitive or low effort were willing to incur a cost for their toy. Older children, across conditions, were also more likely to incur a cost for their toy. These findings demonstrate that by age five, children are sensitive to variations in effort type and intensity, and these factors shape how they evaluate effort‐based rewards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obscure mealybug Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is recorded for the first time from Colombia based on specimens collected on Opuntia cylindrica (Lam.) DC., Mammillaria sp. (Cactaceae), Escallonia paniculata (Ruiz & Pav.), Roem. & Schult. (Escalloniaceae), Ficus carica L. (Moraceae), Coffea arabica L. (Rubiaceae), Citrus sp. (Rutaceae), Cestrum nocturnum L. and Solanum betaceum Cavanilles (Solanaceae). Multiple methods were used to identify P. viburni because it belongs to the "Pseudococcus maritimus" complex, a group composed of more than 60 species with high variation in morphological characteristics. The specimens were identified based on the morphology and morphometric analysis of third‐instar nymphs and adult females. This morphological identification was corroborated by data on geographical distribution, plant hosts and a molecular identification using two different loci, CO1 (mtDNA) and the 28S ribosomal gene (nuclear genome). An updated list of species of Pseudococcus Westwood recorded from Colombia and information on morphological variation found in the studied specimens from Brazil and Colombia are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical activity, exercise and wellness sector is rapidly growing and seems to be an exciting field for business and professional development with great potential globally. The purpose of this observational and cross-sectional study was to determine the most popular health and fitness trends in Southern Europe for the first time, including data from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus, and to investigate any potential differences in this area compared to the Pan-European and global fitness trends for 2023. A national online survey was conducted in five Southern European countries, using the methodology of similar regional and worldwide surveys conducted by the American College of Sports Medicine since 2007. In total, a web-based questionnaire was sent to 19,887 professionals who worked in the Southern European physical activity, exercise and wellness sector. A total of 2645 responses were collected from five national surveys with an overall mean response rate of 13.3%. The ten most important fitness trends in Southern Europe for 2023 were personal training, licensure for fitness professionals, exercise is medicine, employing certified fitness professionals, functional fitness training, small group training, hi gh-intensity interval training, fitness programs for older adults, post-rehabilitation classes and body weight training. The present findings are aligned with those reported for the European and worldwide fitness trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Quaestio Iuris (QI) is the property of Editora da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (EdUERJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT The authors compared the accuracy of Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Clock Drawing Test scoring method with 8 standard Clock Drawing Test scoring methods in a Spanish speaking population of low [...]

Purpose: Despite newer type 2 diabetes (T2D) medications, patients do not always achieve metabolic targets, remaining at risk for cardiorenal complications. Therapeutic decisions are generally made by the healthcare team without considering patients' preferences. We aimed to evaluate patients' T2D treatment preference in two Latin-American countries between two different oral medication profiles, one resembling dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) and another resembling sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional, multicenter study from June to September 2020, patients with T2D from Argentina and Mexico (n = 390) completed a discrete choice experiment questionnaire to identify preferences between DPP4i (medication profile A) and SGLT2i (medication profile B). The reason behind patients' choice, and the association between their baseline characteristics and their preference were evaluated using logistic regression methods. Results: Most participants (88.2%) preferred SGLT2i's profile. Participants with older age (p = 0.0346), overweight or obesity (p < 0.0001), high blood pressure (BP; p < 0.0001), high total cholesterol (p = 0.0360), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7% (p = 0.0001) were more likely to choose SGLT2i compared with DPP4i's profile. The most and least important reasons to choose either drug profile were HbA1c reduction and genital infection risk, respectively. The likelihood of selecting the SGLT2i's profile significantly increased in participants with increased body mass index (BMI; odds ratio [OR] = 8.9, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.5– 22.5, p < 0.05), high BP (OR = 4.9, 95% CI: 1.9– 12.4, p < 0.05), and lower education level (OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.0– 12.6, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Latin-American patients with T2D preferred medication with a profile resembling SGLT2i over one resembling DPP4i as a treatment option. A patient-centered approach may aid the healthcare team in decision-making for improved outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Emotion recognition of voices may play an important role in interpersonal communication and patients with schizophrenia present alterations in this regard. Several on-line rehabilitation tools have been developed for treatment in this area. Voices is an on-line prosodic recognition program consisting of identifying different emotional tones in neutral phrases, in different sessions of gradually increasing difficulty. This training tool has previously reported benefits, and a new version has been created called Voices 2. The main aim of this study is to test the capacity of the Voices 2 program to improve emotion recognition through prosody for adults with schizophrenia. Secondly, it seeks to observe durability effects 1 month after intervention. Method: A randomized, single-blind, multicenter clinical trial was conducted with 44 outpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The intervention group (also called Voices) was treated with Voices 2 , whereas the control group was treated with auditory training that was not related to emotions. Sociodemographic and clinical data, clinical state (PANSS), Intelligence Quotient and prosodic recognition (RMV-SV) were measured at baseline. After intervention, RMV-SV and PANSS were assessed. One month later, the RMV-SV measure was repeated. Results: The control group (n = 19) and the Voices group (n = 22) did not differ on χ2, t or U tests in sociodemographic, clinical and psychometric variables at baseline or post-intervention (all p -values > 0.05). In the Voices group, statistically significant differences were observed in the RMV-SV scale applied post-intervention vs. that applied pre-intervention (Z = 2.47, p = 0.013). Similar results were observed in the 1-month follow-up RMV-SV vs. the pre-intervention RMV-SV (Z = 1.97, p = 0.049). PANSS scale was also assessed with no significant differences between pre vs. post measures in both groups. Lastly, Voices 2 was rated relatively higher, based on its ease of understanding, entertainment value, usefulness and the appropriateness of use of its emotional glossary. Discussion: Improvements were observed in prosodic recognition following intervention with Voices 2 in the Voices group. Although these results are similar to other clinical trial rehabilitation programs, specific research on the matter remains scarce. Certain aspects, such as the durability of effects or adherence should be thoroughly studied and clarified. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/G95C4]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how cultural factors influence eating disorders. The authors, comparing Mexican and American eating disorder patients, found that Mexican patients scored higher on eating disorder scales than American patients and also had a greater number of preoccupations and rituals, with the rituals being more egosyntonic.

Schizophrenia is a severe and disabling psychiatric disorder with a complex and multifactorial etiology. The lack of consensus regarding the multifaceted dysfunction of this ailment has increased the need to explore new research lines. This research makes use of proteomics data to discover possible analytes associated with psychoneuroimmune signaling pathways in schizophrenia. Thus, we analyze plasma of 45 patients [10 patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) and 35 patients with chronic schizophrenia] and 43 healthy subjects by label-free liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The analysis revealed a significant reduction in the levels of glia maturation factor beta (GMF-β), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and the 115-kDa isoform of the Rab3 GTPase-activating protein catalytic subunit (RAB3GAP1) in patients with schizophrenia as compared to healthy volunteers. In conclusion, GMF-β, BDNF, and 115-kDa isoform of RAB3GAP1 showed significantly reduced levels in plasma of patients with schizophrenia, thus making them potential biomarkers in schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redistricting is the process of partitioning a set of basic units into a given number of larger groups for electoral purposes. These groups must follow federal and state requirements to enhance fairness and minimize the impact of manipulating boundaries for political gain. In redistricting tasks, one of the most important criteria is equal population. As a matter of fact, redistricting plans can be rejected when the population deviation exceeds predefined limits. In the literature, there are several methods to balance population among districts. However, further discussion is needed to assess the effectiveness of these strategies. In this paper, we considered two different strategies, mean deviation and overall range. Additionally, a compactness measure is included to design well-shaped districts. In order to provide a wide set of redistricting plans that achieve good trade-offs between mean deviation, overall range, and compactness, we propose four multiobjective metaheuristic algorithms based on NSGA-II and SPEA-II. The proposed strategies were applied in California, Texas, and New York. Numerical results show that the proposed multiobjective approach can be a very valuable tool in any real redistricting process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Emotion recognition (ER) deficits have been extensively demonstrated in schizophrenia. These deficiencies are not only restricted to facial emotion recognition but also include emotional prosody (tone of the voice) recognition deficits. They have been significantly associated with symptom severity and poor social functioning. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy, in real clinical conditions, of an online self-training prosodic game included in the Social Cognition rehabilitation program e-Motional Training. Method: A randomized, single-blind multicenter clinical trial was conducted with 50 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The control group was treated with Treatment-as-usual (TAU), based on drug therapy, case management and individual and group psychotherapy (not focused on Social Cognition). The intervention group was treated with TAU plus the employment of Voices, an online self-training program devised for prosodic rehabilitation. Statistical analysis: Linear regression was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention in emotion recognition measured with the Reading the Mind in the Voice–Spanish Version (RMV-SV). Results: There were statistically significant differences between the intervention and control group measured with RMV-SV (β = 3,6[IC 95%], p<0.001), with a response variable in RMV post R2 = 0,617. Discussion: Voices, a prosodic rehabilitation game included in e-Motional Training, seems to be a promising tool for improving emotional voice recognition deficits in schizophrenia, filling the need for such interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria is the property of Agrosavia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACTBackground:The risks of polypharmacy can be far greater than the benefits, especially in the elderly. Comorbidity makes polypharmacy very prevalent in this population; thus, increasing the occurrence of adverse effects. To solve this problem, the most common strategy is to use lists of potentially inappropriate medications. However, this strategy is time consuming.Methods: In order to minimize the expenditure of time, our group devised a pilot computer tool (Polimedication) that automatically processes lists of medication providing the corresponding Screening Tool of Older Persons' potentially inappropriate Prescriptions alerts and facilitating standardized reports. The drug lists for 115 residents in Santa Marta Nursing Home (Fundación San Rosendo, Ourense, Spain) were processed.Results: The program detected 10.04 alerts/patient, of which 74.29% were not repeated. After reviewing these alerts, 12.12% of the total (1.30 alerts/patient) were considered relevant. The largest number of alerts (41.48%) involved neuroleptic drugs. Finally, the patient's family physician or psychiatrist accepted the alert and made medication changes in 62.86% of the relevant alerts. The largest number of changes (38.64%) also involved neuroleptic drugs. The mean time spent in the generation and review of the warnings was 6.26 minute/patient. Total changes represented a saving of 32.77 € per resident/year in medication.Conclusions: The application of Polimedication tool detected a high proportion of potentially inappropriate prescriptions in institutionalized elderly patients. The use of the computerized tool achieved significant savings in pharmaceutical expenditure, as well as a reduction in the time taken for medication review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redistricting consists of partitioning a set of basic units into a given number of larger groups for electoral purposes. These groups should be designed to fulfill federal and state requirements such as contiguity, population equality and compactness to promote democratic fairness. Political districting can be modeled as a multiobjective combinatorial optimization problem where the criteria are often difficult to optimize. In fact, it has been proven to be a computationally intractable (NP-hard) problem. Due to these reasons the use of heuristics to provide good approximations in a reasonable amount of time is justified. In the literature, most approaches manage the different objectives as mono-objective through weighted aggregation functions and the use of Pareto search techniques is limited. In this work, a multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithm based on simulated annealing that uses Pareto dominance during the search process is proposed and applied to a bi-objective model to solve the problem. The current strategy applied by the Mexican national redistricting authorities is used to compare the performance of the algorithm on 12 real data sets. We conclude that the proposed algorithm can generate better quality solutions than its counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several works studied the elicitation of emotions through the exposure of individuals to relevant stimuli, using spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) when people are subject to emotional elicitation. If correlation exists between HRV and emotional responses, spectral analysis can be used to study emotion regulation under external stimuli. In this work, we studied the relationship between visual elicitation and emotion regulation, employing HRV. Images (with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral emotional content) were selected from the IAPS (International Affective Picture System) dataset. Ninety-eight participants were enrolled, and subject to view all images, displayed in random order for each participant. Heart rate was recorded during the experiment, and HRV analysis was performed. Spectral values were studied for the different images. The presentation order of images was relevant, mainly when unpleasant images were viewed in first place; this significantly affects HRV values. Spectral values were higher for men, being this difference stronger when pleasant pictures were displayed. Age and gender dependences of spectral indexes were found. The influence of visual elicitation, with different emotional contents, over HRV, was assessed. Results indicate that HRV parameters are affected when individuals are subject to external, emotional-based stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have examined the elicitation of emotions by exposing individuals to relevant stimuli, using spectral analysis of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). If a correlation exists between HRV and emotional responses, spectral analysis can be used to study emotion regulation by external stimuli. In this work, we studied the relationship between visual elicitation and emotion regulation, employing HRV. Images (with pleasant, unpleasant and neutral emotional content) were selected from the IAPS (International Affective Picture System) dataset. Ninety-eight participants were enrolled, and viewed all images, displayed in random order for each participant. Heart rate was recorded during the experiment, and HRV analysis was performed. Spectral values were studied for the response to different images. The presentation order of images was relevant, mainly when unpleasant images were viewed first; this significantly affects HRV values. Spectral values were higher for men, this increase was greater when pleasant pictures were displayed. Age and gender dependences of spectral indexes were found. The influence of visual elicitation, with different emotional content, on HRV, was assessed. Results indicate that HRV parameters are affected when individuals are subject to external, emotional-based stimuli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in eating behavior characterized eating disorders (ED). The genetic factors shared between ED diagnoses have been underexplored. The present study performed a genome-wide association study in individuals with disordered eating behaviors in the Mexican population, blood methylation quantitative trait loci (blood-meQTL), summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis, and in silico function prediction by different algorithms. The analysis included a total of 1803 individuals. We performed a genome-wide association study and blood-meQTL analysis by logistic and linear regression. In addition, we analyzed in silico functional variant prediction, phenome-wide, and multi-tissue expression quantitative trait loci. The genome-wide association study identified 44 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) associated at a nominal value and seven blood-meQTL at a genome-wide threshold. The SNPs show enrichment in genome-wide associations of the metabolic and immunologic domains. In the in silico analysis, the SNP rs10419198 (p-value = 4.85 × 10−5) located on an enhancer mark could change the expression of PRR12 in blood, adipocytes, and brain areas that regulate food intake. Additionally, we found an association of DNA methylation levels of SETBP1 (p-value = 6.76 × 10−4) and SEMG1 (p-value = 5.73 × 10−4) by SMR analysis. The present study supports the previous associations of genetic variation in the metabolic domain with ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The neurobiology of schizophrenia is multifactorial, comprising the dysregulation of several biochemical pathways and molecules. This research proposes a peripheral biomarker for schizophrenia that involves the second extracellular loop of norepinephrine transporter (NEText), the tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC), and the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in T cells. The study of NEText, NT-3, and TrkC was performed in T cells and plasma extracted from peripheral blood of 54 patients with schizophrenia and 54 healthy controls. Levels of NT-3, TrkC, and NET were significantly lower in plasma and T cells of patients compared to healthy controls. Co-immunoprecipitation (co-IPs) showed protein interactions with Co-IP NEText–NT-3 and Co-IP NEText–TrkC. Computational modelling of protein–peptide docking by CABS-dock provided a medium–high accuracy model for NT-3–NEText (4.6935 Å) and TrkC–NEText (2.1365 Å). In summary, immunocomplexes reached statistical relevance in the T cells of the control group contrary to the results obtained with schizophrenia. The reduced expression of NT-3, TrkC, and NET, and the lack of molecular complexes in T cells of patients with schizophrenia may lead to a peripheral dysregulation of intracellular signaling pathways and an abnormal reuptake of norepinephrine (NE) by NET. This peripheral molecular biomarker underlying schizophrenia reinforces the role of neurotrophins, and noradrenergic and immune systems in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cheese whey (95% composed of water) is an effluent produced in the cheese industry, of which more than 1.5 million tons are generated in Spain, constituting a serious environmental problem. The process starts with a new fermentative/enzymatic technology that totally converts whey, mainly composed by lactose, proteins, and salts, into a fermented product with higher added value. This new product is mainly composed by lactic acid bacteria biomass, ammonium lactate, and a protein hydrolysate. To separate valuable fractions, this fermented product is processed by a two-stage membrane system, which is a very innovative process in this type of fermented product. The first stage consists of ultrafiltration to separate all suspended solids. As a result of this stage, a product mainly constituted by lactic acid bacteria that have both agronomic applications, mainly as a biocontrol and biofertilizer/bio-stimulant, and applications in animal feeding as a probiotic, is obtained. The second stage consists of reverse osmosis used to concentrate the ultrafiltered permeate obtained earlier, leading to a microbiologically stable product and reducing transport costs. The concentrate is mainly composed of ammonium lactate and a protein hydrolysate, constituted by peptides and free amino acids, which has application both in agriculture as a bio-stimulant and in animal feeding, and the permeate is water, reusable in other industrial processes. This work demonstrates the technical feasibility of this valorization process to achieve the objective of "Waste 0" from a problematic by-product, while obtaining products with commercial utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To help clinicians more accurately predict outcomes of treatment for depression, variables associated with recurrence of depression in the year after treatment were examined in a group of patients who completed treatment for an index episode of depression. Methods: Forty-two depressed patients who participated in a double-blind pharmacological treatment study were followed for one year after treatment was discontinued. Length of treatment for the index episode was determined by clinicians and ranged from eight to 76 consecutive weeks. Eighteen patients who had a recurrent episode (43 percent) and 24 patients who did not (57 percent) were compared on sociodemographic and clinical variables, including scores on the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ). Results: A combination of three variables predicted recurrence of depression in 90 percent of cases. They were an elevated EPQ score on the neuroticism subscale, a short duration of treatment of the index episode, and a slow onset of response to treatment of the index episode. Conclusions: The findings suggest that personality traits, treatment duration, and variations in response to treatment might have an impact on long-term treatment outcome. Clinicians should consider these factors when making treatment decisions for depressed patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]