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Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been studied extensively for its potential to enhance human cognitive functions in healthy individuals and to treat cognitive impairment in various clinical populations. However, little is known about how tDCS modulates the neural networks supporting cognition and the complex interplay with mediating factors that may explain the frequently observed variability of stimulation effects within and between studies. Moreover, research in this field has been characterized by substantial methodological variability, frequent lack of rigorous experimental control and small sample sizes, thereby limiting the generalizability of findings and translational potential of tDCS. The present manuscript aims to delineate how these important issues can be addressed within a neuroimaging context, to reveal the neural underpinnings, predictors and mediators of tDCS-induced behavioral modulation. We will focus on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), because it allows the investigation of tDCS effects with excellent spatial precision and sufficient temporal resolution across the entire brain. Moreover, high resolution structural imaging data can be acquired for precise localization of stimulation effects, verification of electrode positions on the scalp and realistic current modeling based on individual head and brain anatomy. However, the general principles outlined in this review will also be applicable to other imaging modalities. Following an introduction to the overall state-of-the-art in this field, we will discuss in more detail the underlying causes of variability in previous tDCS studies. Moreover, we will elaborate on design considerations for tDCS-fMRI studies, optimization of tDCS and imaging protocols and how to assure high-level experimental control. Two additional sections address the pressing need for more systematic investigation of tDCS effects across the healthy human lifespan and implications for tDCS studies in age-associated disease, and potential benefits of establishing large-scale, multidisciplinary consortia for more coordinated tDCS research in the future. We hope that this review will contribute to more coordinated, methodologically sound, transparent and reproducible research in this field. Ultimately, our aim is to facilitate a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which tDCS modulates human cognitive functions and more effective and individually tailored translational and clinical applications of this technique in the future.

Background: Construction industries that focus on project-based nature, pressure, and long hours may lead to job-related stress among workers. In many emerging nations, robust economic growth plans generate occupational depression, anxiety, and stress among construction industry personnel. This study aims to determine the relationship between these items and the risk factors (demographic) among Malaysian construction professionals. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 173 Malaysian construction professionals. A DASS-21 questionnaire is used to survey eligible respondents. Results: Findings show that construction professionals have a high level of stress (54.9%), anxiety (48.5%), and depression (37%). Gender is significantly associated with stress (p = 0.000) and depression (p = 0.000). In turn, stress (p = 0.038), anxiety (p = 0.000), and depression (p = 0.001) all demonstrate a significant relationship with health status Conclusions: Health status is the risk factor most significantly associated with occupational stress. Given the findings, construction managers can help protect their employees and their mental health by promoting a healthy workplace through stress management and social activities.

BackgroundSustained environmental enrichment (EE) through a variety of leisure activities may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This cross-sectional cohort study investigated the association between long-term EE in young adulthood through middle life and microstructure of fiber tracts associated with the memory system in older adults.MethodsN = 201 cognitively unimpaired participants (≥ 60 years of age) from the DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Study (DELCODE) baseline cohort were included. Two groups of participants with higher (n = 104) or lower (n = 97) long-term EE were identified, using the self-reported frequency of diverse physical, intellectual, and social leisure activities between the ages 13 to 65. White matter (WM) microstructure was measured by fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) in the fornix, uncinate fasciculus, and parahippocampal cingulum using diffusion tensor imaging. Long-term EE groups (lower/higher) were compared with adjustment for potential confounders, such as education, crystallized intelligence, and socio-economic status.ResultsReported participation in higher long-term EE was associated with greater fornix microstructure, as indicated by higher FA (standardized β = 0.117, p = 0.033) and lower MD (β = −0.147, p = 0.015). Greater fornix microstructure was indirectly associated (FA: unstandardized B = 0.619, p = 0.038; MD: B = −0.035, p = 0.026) with better memory function through higher long-term EE. No significant effects were found for the other WM tracts.ConclusionOur findings suggest that sustained participation in a greater variety of leisure activities relates to preserved WM microstructure in the memory system in older adults. This could be facilitated by the multimodal stimulation associated with the engagement in a physically, intellectually, and socially enriched lifestyle. Longitudinal studies will be needed to support this assumption.

Background Immune responses against tumors are subject to negative feedback regulation. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) blocking Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a receptor expressed on T cells, or its ligand PD-L1 have significantly improved the treatment of cancer, in particular malignant melanoma. Nevertheless, responses and durability are variables, suggesting that additional critical negative feedback mechanisms exist and need to be targeted to improve therapeutic efficacy.Methods We used different syngeneic melanoma mouse models and performed PD-1 blockade to identify novel mechanisms of negative immune regulation. Genetic gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches as well as small molecule inhibitor applications were used for target validation in our melanoma models. We analyzed mouse melanoma tissues from treated and untreated mice by RNA-seq, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to detect changes in pathway activities and immune cell composition of the tumor microenvironment. We analyzed tissue sections of patients with melanoma by immunohistochemistry as well as publicly available single-cell RNA-seq data and correlated target expression with clinical responses to ICIs.Results Here, we identified 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (HSD11B1), an enzyme that converts inert glucocorticoids into active forms in tissues, as negative feedback mechanism in response to T cell immunotherapies. Glucocorticoids are potent suppressors of immune responses. HSD11B1 was expressed in different cellular compartments of melanomas, most notably myeloid cells but also T cells and melanoma cells. Enforced expression of HSD11B1 in mouse melanomas limited the efficacy of PD-1 blockade, whereas small molecule HSD11B1 inhibitors improved responses in a CD8+ T cell-dependent manner. Mechanistically, HSD11B1 inhibition in combination with PD-1 blockade augmented the production of interferon-γ by T cells. Interferon pathway activation correlated with sensitivity to PD-1 blockade linked to anti-proliferative effects on melanoma cells. Furthermore, high levels of HSD11B1, predominantly expressed by tumor-associated macrophages, were associated with poor responses to ICI therapy in two independent cohorts of patients with advanced melanomas analyzed by different methods (scRNA-seq, immunohistochemistry).Conclusion As HSD11B1 inhibitors are in the focus of drug development for metabolic diseases, our data suggest a drug repurposing strategy combining HSD11B1 inhibitors with ICIs to improve melanoma immunotherapy. Furthermore, our work also delineated potential caveats emphasizing the need for careful patient stratification.

La agricultura sostenible busca imitar los ecosistemas naturales y ser, a la vez, económica y socialmente viable, por lo que es necesario contar con indicadores de sostenibilidad que puedan servir como herramientas de información para conocer las consecuencias ambientales del desarrollo. En este sentido, el análisis integrado multiescala de la sociedad (MuSIASEM) es un marco analítico que permite un análisis de sostenibilidad cuantitativo, multicriterio y multiescala. Bajo este contexto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el perfil metabólico social de los productores orgánicos certificados de Agrupar-Conquito mediante este marco. Para esta finalidad, se aplicó un cuestionario estructurado aplicado a una muestra estadísticamente representativa y, como principal resultado, se obtuvo la caracterización biofísica de los productores, a partir sus medios de vida sostenibles, considerando cinco capitales, donde como actividad generadora de ingresos, el capital económico se encuentra en el sector primario; respecto al capital físico, los productores poseen una infraestructura adecuada para la producción de huertos urbanos y bioferias para la comercialización; acerca del capital natural, el 48 % de unidades de producción posee una superficie entre 200 y 500 m2 y el 88 % participa del sistema de agricultura familiar; en cuanto al capital humano, el 85 % son mujeres entre 38 y 65 años; finalmente, en el capital social, el 100 % asiste a actividades asociativas. Los indicadores calculados en los ecosistemas productivos permiten un análisis de los tomadores de decisiones respecto a la generación de políticas y esfuerzos hacia la sostenibilidad.

Objectives Designs for low-cost air monitors and associated performance data appear in many peer-reviewed articles; however, few manuscripts provide feedback from end user's experiences or comprehensive evaluation. The present study addresses the usability of the wireless outdoor individual exposure indicator system from the viewpoint of the Malaysian Traffic Police (end users). This study is one of the first to chronicle end user experiences for low-cost pollution sensing. Method The evaluation involved 12 target end users to assess the usability of a prototype for Malaysian Traffic Police to manage their exposure to outdoor air pollution. The test evaluation includes a pre-test, post-task and post-test questionnaire (Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire). The main components in this Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire are Overall satisfaction, System Usefulness, Information Quality and Interface Quality. Findings The results of the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire indicated the mean score of the Overall satisfaction item (2.33), System Usefulness (2.25), Information Quality (2.36) and Interface Quality (2.17) on a scale of 1–10. Prototype users were satisfied with the system because the score is close to 1 on the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire. Conclusions A user-friendly wireless outdoor individual exposure indicator system is now available for Malaysian Traffic Police. Users have stated that they are happy to use the system at work. However, in addition to more technological advances, practical implementation requires evidence supporting its efficacy, viability and effectiveness.

As social media becomes one principal mediator of human interaction around the globe, its features such as gamification both enable and shape user behavior (e.g. enhancing habit formation), communication and relationships. In order to contribute to the understanding of social media and the impact of its gamified features, we conducted in-depth praxeological interviews with high school pupils (aged 14–18, N = 25) which revealed youth's reliance on gamification-related metacommunication. Metacommunication - communication about communication - both illustrates the interplay between gamification and relationships and helps users manage it. More specifically, this paper examines verbal metacommunication revolving around Snapchat Streaks – a highly popular gamified feature that quantifies subsequent days of exchanging snaps (pictures or videos) on the app. Using data from the interviews, we lay out metacommunication connected to the main phases of adolescents' streak practice: initiating a streak, maintaining it and losing it. We discuss how youths metacommunicate: 1) to mitigate potential adverse effects of gamification on their relationships; 2) as a support to their gamification “gameplay”. Ultimately, we use the example of streaks-related metacommunication to discuss how the ever-growing gamification of social media affects interaction and relationships.

El Vicedecanato Administrativo es un departamento de la facultad de ciencias y tecnologías computacionales (CITEC) de la Universidad de Ciencias Informáticas (UCI), este se encarga de las tareas de administración y economía de la facultad, dicho departamento solicita a la autora del presente proyecto la elaboración de un sistema informáticoque ayude a mejorar la gestión de la información de los recursos humanos de dicha facultad. El trabajo de diploma describe el proceso de desarrollo del Sistema web para el departamento de vicedecanato administrativo; en else muestran los aciertos y problemas presentados durante el proceso de desarrollo, así como la descripción de la metodología empleada. Para el desarrollo de esta investigación se utilizaron los métodos empíricos entrevista y análisis de documentos mientras que se empleó la modelación y el analítico-sintético como métodos teóricos. La metodología de desarrollo de software AUP-UCI guió el desarrollo de la solución propuesta, utilizando como marcos de trabajo Django en su versión 1.10 y el lenguaje Python en su versión 3.5, PostgreSQL 9.1 como gestor de base datos y PyCharm Community 2018.3.2 como entorno de desarrollo. Se obtuvo como resultado un sistema con una arquitectura sólida diseñada sobre la base del patrón GRASP y validada con diferentes técnicas de pruebas de software.

En la actualidad, es necesario integrar las Tecnologías de la Información y los Sistemas Informáticos, a los departamentos donde se trabaja con recursos humanos, para gestionar de la mejor manera la información que fluye a través de sus procesos operativos; tomando en cuenta que, al no hacerlo, se ocasionará que los servicios tengan pérdidas de tiempo y de la trazabilidad de sus procesos, afectando la atención a sus usuarios. El Vicedecanato Administrativo es un departamento de la facultad De Ciencias y Tecnologías Computacionales (CITEC) de la Universidad de Ciencias Informáticas (UCI), este se encarga de las tareas de administración y economía de la facultad. La presente investigación describe el análisis de una propuesta de solución para la implementación de un sistema de información de Recursos Humanos. Se realiza un análisis de los soluciones existentes y se concluye que es necesario el desarrollo de una nueva propuesta para el negocio analizado.

Traffic police riders are exposed to prolonged static postures causing significant angular deviation of the musculoskeletal, including the lumbar angle (L1-L5). This postural alteration contributes to awkward posture, musculoskeletal disorders and spinal injury, especially in the lower back area, as it is one of the most severe modern diseases nowadays. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of lumbar support with a built-in massager system on spinal angle profiles among traffic police riders. A randomised controlled trial (pre-testpost-test control design) was used to assess spinal angle pattern while riding the high-powered motorcycle for 20 minutes. Twenty-four traffic police riders were randomly selected to participate and 12 riders were assigned to the control group and 12 riders to the experimental group. The pre-test and post-test were conducted at a one-week interval. Each participant was required to wear a TruPosture Smart Shirt (to monitor spinal posture). The TruPosture Apps recorded the spinal angle pattern. The data indicated that the police riders using motorcycle seat with lumbar support and built-in massager system showed a huge improvement in maintaining posture which only involves slight spinal angle deviation changes from the spinal reference angle throughout the 20 minutes ride. The data collected then were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-ranked test to verify a statistically significant difference between and within the control and experimental groups. There were significant differences in all sensors between the control group and experimental groups (p

Age-related deterioration in white and gray matter is linked to cognitive deficits. Reduced microstructure of the fornix, the major efferent pathway of the hippocampus, and volume of the dentate gyrus (DG), may cause age-associated memory decline. However, the linkage between these anatomical determinants and memory retrieval in healthy aging are poorly understood. In 30 older adults, we acquired diffusion tensor and T1-weighted images for individual deterministic tractography and volume estimation. A memory task, administered outside of the scanner to assess retrieval of learned associations, required discrimination of previously acquired picture-word pairs. The results showed that fornix fractional anisotropy (FA) and left DG volumes were related to successful retrieval. These brain-behavior associations were observed for correct rejections, but not hits, indicating specificity of memory network functioning for detecting false associations. Mediation analyses showed that left DG volume mediated the effect of fornix FA on memory (48%), but not vice versa. These findings suggest that reduced microstructure induces volume loss and thus negatively affects retrieval of learned associations, complementing evidence of a pivotal role of the fornix in healthy aging. Our study offers a neurobehavioral model to explain variability in memory retrieval in older adults, an important prerequisite for the development of interventions to counteract cognitive decline.

The manifestation of brain metastases in patients with advanced melanoma is a common event that limits patient's survival and quality of life. The immunosuppressive properties of the brain parenchyma are very different compared to the rest of the body, making it plausible that the current success of cancer immunotherapies is specifically limited here. In melanoma brain metastases, the reciprocal interplay between immunosuppressive mediators such as indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) or programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in the context of neoplastic transformation are far from being understood. Therefore, we analyzed the immunoreactive infiltrate (CD45, CD3, CD8, Forkhead box P3 [FoxP3], CD11c, CD23, CD123, CD68, Allograft Inflammatory factor 1[AIF-1]) and PD-L1 with respect to IDO expression and localization in melanoma brain metastases but also in matched metastases at extracranial sites to correlate intra- and interpatient data with therapy response and survival. Comparative tissue analysis identified macrophages/microglia as the major source of IDO expression in melanoma brain metastases. In contrast to the tumor infiltrating lymphocytes, melanoma cells per se exhibited low IDO expression levels paralleled by cell surface presentation of PD-L1 in intracranial metastases. Absolute numbers and pattern of IDO-expressing cells in metastases of the brain correlated with recruitment and localization of CD8+ T cells, implicating dynamic impact on the regulation of T cell function in the brain parenchyma. However, paired analysis of matched intra- and extracranial metastases identified significantly lower fractions of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in intracranial metastases while all other immune cell populations remain unchanged. In line with the already established clinical benefit for PD-L1 expression in extracranial melanoma metastases, Kaplan-Meier analyses correlated PD-L1 expression in brain metastases with favorable outcome in advanced melanoma patients undergoing immune checkpoint therapy. In summary, our data provide new insights into the landscape of immunosuppressive factors in melanoma brain metastases that may be useful in the implication of novel therapeutic strategies for patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.

La investigación fue realizada en la Empresa X, constatándose que existe una insuficiente concepción teórica del proceso organizativo empresarial basado en herramientas de la contabilidad de gestión, teniendo en cuenta que los costos de calidad constituyen la parte de los aspectos económicos de la calidad que considera los gastos incurridos en la obtención de una calidad satisfactoria. Conociendo que la administración se materializa en la toma de decisiones, y que sólo se puede decidir sobre lo que se conoce, es por lo que se necesita un sistema de costos que brinde determinada cantidad y calidad de información, que favorezca la relación entre la administración y la información contable. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar los costos de calidad aplicando métodos de la contabilidad de gestión para la mejora de la gestión ambiental en la Empresa X. Para el análisis y descripción de la investigación se tuvieron en cuenta diferentes métodos como el histórico lógico, inducción – deducción, análisis síntesis y heurístico. Por otra parte, se utilizaron métodos de nivel empírico como el análisis documental, la entrevista y la observación. En el sistema de procedimientos propuesto se determinaron los costos de calidad mediante su identificación y clasificación, cálculo y evaluación. Esto permitió el mejoramiento de la gestión de la calidad en la prestación de servicios, lo cual permite evaluar la utilidad y eficiencia del sistema de gestión de la calidad. El conocimiento de los costos que afectan la calidad posibilita reducirlos, cuantificarlos y trabajar con ellos.

Action comprehension that is related to language or gestural integration has been shown to engage the motor system in the brain, thus providing preliminary evidence for the gestural-verbal embodiment concept. Based on the involvement of the sensorimotor cortex (M1) in language processing, we aimed to further explore its role in the cognitive embodiment necessary for gestural-verbal integration. As such, we applied anodal (excitatory) and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left M1 (with reference electrode over the contralateral supraorbital region) during a gestural-verbal integration task where subjects had to make a decision about the semantic congruency of the gesture (prime) and the word (target). We used a cross-over within-subject design in young subjects. Attentional load and simple reaction time (RT) tasks served as control conditions, applied during stimulation (order of three tasks was counterbalanced). Our results showed that anodal (atDCS) compared to sham tDCS (stDCS) reduced RTs in the gestural-verbal integration task, specifically for incongruent pairs of gestures and verbal expressions, with no effect on control task performance. Our findings provide evidence for the involvement of the sensorimotor system in gestural-verbal integration performance. Further, our results suggest that functional modulation induced by sensorimotor tDCS may be specific to gestural-verbal integration. Future studies should now evaluate the modulatory effect of tDCS on semantic congruency by using tDCS over additional brain regions and include assessments of neural connectivity.

Introducción: La Psicología de la Salud con el paso del tiempo se ha tornado imprescindible en el ámbito del estudio y tratamiento de las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Objetivo: Describir las características sociodemográficas y los estados emocionales negativos de pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular que se encuentran en espera de tratamiento quirúrgico. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo con 63 pacientes que tenían indicación de cirugía cardíaca en el Instituto de Cardiología y Cirugía Cardiovascular de La Habana, Cuba, entre los meses de marzo y junio de 2015. Se analizaron las características sociodemográficas y se evaluaron los estados emocionales negativos de ansiedad y depresión. Para dicha evaluación se aplicaron el Inventario de Ansiedad Rasgo-Estado (IDARE) y el de depresión de Beck. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 59 años, con predominio del grupo de 60 y más años (49,2%). Fueron predominantes también el sexo masculino (63,5%), los casados o en unión consensual (63,5%), el nivel de escolaridad técnico medio (30,2%) y la vinculación laboral (44,4%). Gran parte de los pacientes presentaban niveles medio y alto de ansiedad como estado emocional negativo, tanto la de rasgo como la de estado; y cerca de la mitad de los pacientes (46%) presentaba diferentes estadios de depresión. Conclusiones: Los estados emocionales agudos de ansiedad y depresión están presentes en los pacientes con enfermedad cardiovascular que se encuentran en espera de tratamiento quirúrgico. Gran parte de ellos presentaba niveles medio y alto de ansiedad rasgo y ansiedad estado, y diferentes niveles de depresión.

Fundamento: Los estilos de afrontamiento a la enfermedad son variables indispensables que pueden tanto entorpecer como facilitar la adherencia a la terapéutica, el bienestar psicológico y la calidad de vida en general de los pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello.Objetivo: Determinar los estilos de afrontamiento a la enfermedad en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello.Método: Estudio descriptivo, de un total de 30 pacientes seleccionados mediante un muestreo sistemático aleatorio, los cuales fueron atendidos en el Hospital Universitario Celestino Hernández Robau, de Santa Clara, desde noviembre del 2007 hasta mayo del 2008. De ellos, 15 estaban recién diagnosticados y previos al tratamiento, y 15 en etapa de control de la enfermedad. Los pacientes fueron evaluados cualitativa y cuantitativamente, mediante la aplicación del cuestionario de estilos de afrontamiento a la enfermedad y la entrevista psicológica. Se consideraron como variables: estilos de afrontamiento, factores de riesgo, relaciones interpersonales, autovaloración, valoración de la vida, edad, sexo, nivel de escolaridad, estado civil y estado laboral. Resultados: En los pacientes del grupo en etapa diagnóstica se apreció una tendencia a expresar fundamentalmente dos estilos de afrontamiento: negación optimista y afecto distracción. Sin embargo, en el grupo en etapa de control de la enfermedad predominó el estilo de afrontamiento: información relevante. Conclusiones: El estudio permitió identificar los principales estilos de afrontamiento a la enfermedad en los pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello, con resultados distintos a los hallados por otros autores.