Diferencias en una tarea de teoría de la mente entre mujeres con y sin conducta delictiva / Differences in a theory of mind task between women with and without criminal behavior

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer diferencias en las puntuaciones en una tarea de teoría de la mente (ToM) en mujeres con y sin antecedentes de conducta delictiva e indicar el nivel de predicción de la teoría de la mente sobre la conducta antisocial. El estudio resulta de una búsqueda sobre investigaciones en el tema que dan cuenta de la importancia de entender los factores asociados en la conducta antisocial, principalmente el de ToM. Por otro lado, no existe suficiente documentación sobre el funcionamiento de ToM, específicamente en mujeres. El estudio se realizó desde un enfoque empírico analítico, comparativo-predictivo. Muestra: participaron 68 mujeres, 34 con antecedentes penales y 34 sin antecedentes penales. Se aplicó una ficha de caracterización y el Test de las Miradas.: Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la tarea de ToM para los dos grupos (Con antecedentes X̄ = 22.97[SD= 4.75] vs. Sin antecedentes X̄ = 25.50[SD = 3.87]; U = 406,500; P = 0.03). La ToM predice la conducta delictiva (OR = 1,152; IC 95 % [1,017 a 1,306]; P = 0.02). De los hallazgos, se concluye la importancia de la teoría de la mente para la neurociencia cognitiva, dado su valor modulador y predictor de conductas de riesgo.

Abstract It is intended to establish to establish differences in scores on a theory of mind (ToM) task in women with and without a history of criminal behavior and to indicate the level of prediction of the theory of mind on antisocial behavior. The study is the result of a search on research in the field that shows the importance of understanding the factors associated with antisocial behavior, mainly the ToM. On the other hand, there is not enough documentation on the functioning of ToM, specifically in women. The study was conducted from an empirical analytical, comparative-predictive approach. Sample: 68 women participated, 34 with criminal records and 34 without. A characterization card and the Gaze Test were applied. Significant differences were found in the ToM task for the two groups (With criminal record X̄= 22.97 [SD= 4.75] vs Without criminal record X̄ = 25.50 [SD = 3.87]; U = 406,500; P = 0.03). The ToM predicts criminal behavior (OR = 1,152; 95% CI [1,017 to 1,306]; P = 0.02). From the findings, it is concluded the importance of the theory of mind for cognitive neuroscience, given its modulating and predicting value of risk behaviors.

TEM Studies on Antibacterial Mechanisms of Black Phosphorous Nanosheets.

PURPOSE: Recently, two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are gaining tremendous attention as novel antibacterial platforms to combat against continuously evolving antimicrobial resistance levels. Among the family of 2D nanomaterials, black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets have demonstrated promising potential for biomedical applications. However, there is a need to gain nanoscale insights of the antibacterial activity of BP nanosheets which lies at the center of technical challenges. METHODS: Ultra-large BP nanosheets were synthesized by liquid-exfoliation method in the eco-friendly deoxygenated water. Synthesized BP nanosheets were characterized by TEM, AFM, and Raman spectroscopy techniques and their chemical stability was evaluated by EDS and EELS elemental analysis. The antibacterial activity of BP nanosheets was evaluated at nanoscale by the ultramicrotome TEM technique. Further, HAADF-STEM image and EDS elemental line map of the damaged bacterium were utilized to analyze the presence of diagnostic ions. Supportive SEM and ATR-FTIR studies were carried out to confirm the bacterial cell wall damage. In vitro colony counting method was utilized to evaluate the antibacterial performance of ultra-large BP nanosheets. RESULTS: Elemental EELS and EDS analysis of BP nanosheets stored in deoxygenated water confirmed the absence of oxygen peak. TEM studies indicate the various events of bacterial cell damage with the lost cellular metabolism and structural integrity. Colony counting test results show that as-synthesized BP nanosheets (100 µg/mL) can kill ~95% bacteria within 12 hours. CONCLUSION: TEM studies demonstrate the various events of E. coli membrane damage and the loss of structural integrity. These events include the BP nanosheets interaction with the bacterial cell wall, cytoplasmic leakage, detachment of cytoplasm from the cell membrane, reduced density of lipid bilayer and agglomerated DNA structure. The EDS elemental line mapping of the damaged bacterium confirms the disrupted cell membrane permeability and the lost cellular metabolism. SEM micrographs and ATR-FTIR supportive results confirm the bacterial cell wall damage.