bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bullying, vinculação e estilos educativos parentais em adolescentes do 3º ciclo do ensino básico
Authors: Simões Sónia Catarina Carvalho , Ferreira Joaquim Jorge , Braga Sandra , Vicente Henrique Testa
Published: February 2019

Objetivos: Dado que a literatura salienta o impacto da vinculação e do comportamento parental nos comportamentos de bullying, temos como objetivo estudar os comportamentos de bullying, de visibilidade crescente em adolescentes no contexto escolar, e a sua relação com a qualidade da vinculação e os estilos educativos parentais. Método: A amostra deste estudo envolveu 50 adolescentes, 26 raparigas e 24 rapazes, com idades entre os 12 e os 17 anos (M = 14,24). O protocolo foi composto por: Questionário de Exclusão Social e Violência Escolar (QEVE), Inventário de Vinculação na Adolescência (IPPA) e A Parental Rearing Style Questionnaire for use with Adolescents (EMBU-A). Resultados: Os adolescentes da nossa amostra tendem a ser mais observadores em situações de bullying, sendo os tipos de violência mais frequentes a exclusão social e a agressão verbal. As vítimas de bullying são mais frequentemente jovens de nível socioeconómico baixo e as raparigas são mais observadoras de exclusão social e agressão verbal do que os rapazes. No que respeita à vinculação, os jovens com mais comportamentos agressivos percecionam menor comunicação e confiança em relação ao pai e aos amigos e quando se sentem alienados face aos seus pares, estão mais sujeitos a serem vítimas de bullying. Por fim, relativamente aos estilos educativos parentais, os adolescentes mais agressivos tendem a ser os que sentem maior rejeição e menor suporte emocional maternos. Conclusões: Fica, então, sublinhada a importância para os comportamentos de bullying dos estilos educativos parentais e da qualidade da vinculação dos jovens com as figuras significativas. Estas conclusões remetem-nos para implicações ao nível da prevenção deste fenómeno, sendo importante não só considerar variáveis individuais, mas também como o sujeito interage em todos os seus sistemas de pertença, focando a construção de relações afetivas.
Rede social pessoal de jovens acolhidos em Lares de Infância e Juventude
Authors: Dias Sandrine , Sequeira Joana , Guadalupe Sónia
Published: February 2019

Objetivos: A rede social pessoal tem sido considerada um fator de proteção importante para lidar com a adversidade. Este estudo pretende caracterizar as redes sociais pessoais de jovens em regime de acolhimento prolongado, comparando os resultados segundo o sexo. Métodos: Participaram neste estudo 84 jovens, 49 raparigas e 35 rapazes, com idades entre os 12 e os 20 anos (M ± DP = 15,26 ± 2,17), acolhidos em 6 Lares de Infância e Juventude do distrito de Santarém (Portugal), tendo sido avaliados com o Instrumento de Análise da Rede Social Pessoal para caracterizar as dimensões estrutural, funcional e relacional-contextual das redes. Resultados: As redes dos jovens em situação de acolhimento residencial são constituídas, em média, por 12 elementos, são fragmentadas, diversificadas e predominantemente compostas por familiares. O nível de apoio social percebido é elevado, especialmente na função emocional e informativa, registando-se uma elevada satisfação com o suporte social. A frequência de contactos com os membros da rede associa-se à distância geográfica. Quanto à análise segundo o sexo, os rapazes apresentam redes ligeiramente maiores e valorizam mais as relações familiares que as raparigas (p < 0,05). As raparigas identificam mais elementos de famílias amigas (p < 0,05), tendem a identificar redes mais diversificadas e mais densas, assim como percebem as relações como sendo mais simétricas (p < 0,05). As raparigas identificam redes maioritariamente femininas e os rapazes tendencialmente masculinas (p < 0,01). Os rapazes percebem maiores níveis de apoio informativo (p = 0,031), companhia social (p = 0,040) e acesso a novos contactos (p = 0,001). Conclusões: Este estudo confirma a importância da família para os jovens em regime de acolhimento, apesar da distância, da frequência de contactos e dos motivos subjacentes ao acolhimento. Estas conclusões remetem-nos para a importância de perceber a perspetiva dos próprios jovens sobre as suas relações interpessoais, de forma a potenciar o suporte social informal e a planificar um processo de autonomização sustentado.
Qualidade subjetiva do sono, sintomas depressivos, sentimentos de solidão e institucionalização em pessoas idosas
Authors: Napoleão Mariana , Monteiro Bárbara , Espirito-Santo Helena
Published: February 2019

Objetivos: A presente investigação teve como principais objetivos descrever a qualidade subjetiva do sono e as perturbações do sono e analisar a intensidade dos sintomas depressivos e dos sentimentos de solidão em idosos institucionalizados; comparar estes dados com um grupo de idosos não institucionalizados e analisar a relação entre estas variáveis nos dois grupos.Métodos: Este estudo insere-se no Projeto Trajetórias do Envelhecimento de Idosos em Resposta Social de onde foi retirada uma amostra de cento e quarenta idosos sem défice cognitivo, com 70 institucionalizados e 70 não institucionalizados emparelhados por idade, sexo, escolaridade e estado civil. A média de idades foi de 76,58 (DP = 6,10), incluindo 104 mulheres e 36 homens. Como instrumentos foram utilizados um Questionário Sociodemográfico, o Questionário sobre o Sono na Terceira Idade, a Escala Geriátrica de depressão e a Escala de Solidão da Universidade da Califórnia, Los Angeles.Resultados: Verificou-se que os idosos institucionalizados apresentavam mais sentimentos de solidão do que os não institucionalizados. Contudo, não se verificaram diferenças entre os dois grupos em relação aos sintomas depressivos, qualidade subjetiva do sono ou perturbações do sono, com algumas exceções: os idosos residentes na comunidade mostraram ter a perceção de demorar mais tempo a adormecer, de acordar mais cedo e de ter mais pesadelos. Através de uma análise correlacional verificou-se, na amostra global, que quanto pior a qualidade subjetiva do sono mais sintomas depressivos se observavam e quanto mais sintomas depressivos, mais sentimentos de solidão, não havendo, contudo, relação entre o sono e a solidão.Conclusões: Concluímos que a situação de institucionalização se acompanha de mais sentimentos de solidão, mas não de sintomas depressivos ou de pior qualidade de sono. Por esse motivo, sugere-se que se desenvolvam programas de intervenção dirigidos à solidão em idosos institucionalizados.
Desenvolvimento do Questionário de Motivações para Revelar/Não Revelar a Parentalidade Não-Genética por Doação de Gâmetas
Authors: Marques Cristiana , Galhardo Ana , Cunha Marina , Couto Margarida
Published: February 2019

A parentalidade constitui um objetivo muito valorizado, quer para os indivíduos, quer socialmente. Para casais com infertilidade este objetivo pode implicar tratamentos de infertilidade, alguns deles com recurso a gâmetas de dador. Para estes últimos, surge uma preocupação adicional: revelar à criança a origem da sua conceção ou manter segredo. Em Portugal a investigação relativa a este tema é escassa.A presente investigação pretendeu desenvolver e estudar a validade facial do Questionário de Motivações para Revelar/Não Revelar a Parentalidade não Genética por Doação de Gâmetas (QMRDG), o qual se destina a avaliar as principais motivações que influenciam o processo de tomada de decisão dos pais que recorrem a gâmetas de dador relativamente a contar ou não contar ao/à seu/sua filho/a a origem da sua conceção.Estudo exploratório conduzido numa amostra de 21 participantes, com idades entre os 30 e os 39 anos, que realizaram tratamento de infertilidade com recurso a gâmetas de dador e se tornaram pais. Os participantes preencheram um conjunto de questionários numa plataforma online.O QMRDG revelou possuir validade facial não tendo sido apontada a existência de itens ambíguos ou de difícil compreensão. Os dados obtidos indicam que a maioria dos pais ainda não contou ao/à seu/sua filho/a sua origem genética devido ao facto de a criança ser ainda muito pequena, encontrando-se estes com intenção de revelar à criança. Dos pais que já contaram, as motivações que mais influenciaram a decisão basearam-se na falta de motivos para omitir, na importância dada à honestidade, no direito do conhecimento das origens genéticas e na transparência no seio familiar. Face às motivações para não contar, das que mais influenciaram os pais salienta-se a pouca importância dada à genética.O QMRDG parece constituir um instrumento útil na prática clínica e na investigação com pessoas que estejam a realizar tratamentos de infertilidade com recurso a gâmetas de dador. No presente estudo, a tendência indicada pelos pais foi a de contar ao/à seu/sua filho/a a origem da sua conceção.
Editorial
Authors: Guadalupe Sónia
Published: February 2019

[Este Editorial não tem resumo. Apresentam-se as 48 primeiras palavras]

O número 2 do terceiro volume da Revista Portuguesa de Investigação Comportamental e Social (RPICS) integra cinco artigos com produção científica original. Tratando-se de um número não temático, apresenta uma diversidade de estudos nas áreas das ciências sociais e do comportamento, cujas abordagens focalizam dimensões positivas e participativas.
Offline impact of transcranial focused ultrasound on cortical activation in primates
Authors: Verhagen Lennart , Gallea Cécile , Folloni Davide , Constans Charlotte , Jensen Daria EA , Ahnine Harry , Roumazeilles Léa , Santin Mathieu , Ahmed Bashir , Lehericy Stéphane , Klein-Flügge Miriam C , Krug Kristine , Mars Rogier B , Rushworth Matthew FS , Pouget Pierre , Aubry Jean-François , Sallet Jerome
Published: February 2019

To understand brain circuits it is necessary both to record and manipulate their activity. Transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) is a promising non-invasive brain stimulation technique. To date, investigations report short-lived neuromodulatory effects, but to deliver on its full potential for research and therapy, ultrasound protocols are required that induce longer-lasting ‘offline’ changes. Here, we present a TUS protocol that modulates brain activation in macaques for more than one hour after 40 s of stimulation, while circumventing auditory confounds. Normally activity in brain areas reflects activity in interconnected regions but TUS caused stimulated areas to interact more selectively with the rest of the brain. In a within-subject design, we observe regionally specific TUS effects for two medial frontal brain regions – supplementary motor area and frontal polar cortex. Independently of these site-specific effects, TUS also induced signal changes in the meningeal compartment. TUS effects were temporary and not associated with microstructural changes.
Three F-actin assembly centers regulate organelle inheritance, cell-cell communication and motility in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Tosetti Nicolò , Dos Santos Pacheco Nicolas , Soldati-Favre Dominique , Jacot Damien
Published: February 2019

Toxoplasma gondii possesses a limited set of actin-regulatory proteins and relies on only three formins (FRMs) to nucleate and polymerize actin. We combined filamentous actin (F-actin) chromobodies with gene disruption to assign specific populations of actin filaments to individual formins. FRM2 localizes to the apical juxtanuclear region and participates in apicoplast inheritance. Restricted to the residual body, FRM3 maintains the intravacuolar cell-cell communication. Conoidal FRM1 initiates a flux of F-actin crucial for motility, invasion and egress. This flux depends on myosins A and H and is controlled by phosphorylation via PKG (protein kinase G) and CDPK1 (calcium-dependent protein kinase 1) and by methylation via AKMT (apical lysine methyltransferase). This flux is independent of microneme secretion and persists in the absence of the glideosome-associated connector (GAC). This study offers a coherent model of the key players controlling actin polymerization, stressing the importance of well-timed post-translational modifications to power parasite motility.
Morphological identification and molecular confirmation of the deep-sea blue and red shrimpAristeus antennatuslarvae
Authors: Carreton Marta , Company Joan B. , Planella Laia , Heras Sandra , García-Marín José-Luis , Agulló Melania , Clavel-Henry Morane , Rotllant Guiomar , dos Santos Antonina , Roldán María Inés
Published: February 2019

The early life stages of the blue and red shrimpAristeus antennatus(Decapoda: Dendrobranchiata: Penaeoidea: Aristeidae) were described by Heldt in 1955 based on plankton samples, larval rearing and assumptions of species habitat. Even with adequate keys, identification of its first larval stages remained a difficult task due to the lack of specific morphological characters which would differentiate them from other Penaeoidea species. Larvae ofAristeus antennatuswere collected in the continental slope off the Spanish Mediterranean coast in August 2016 with a neuston net and preserved in ethanol 96%. DNA from the larvae was extracted and the molecular markers Cytochrome Oxidase I and 16S rDNA were sequenced and compared to that of adults with the objective of confirming the previous morphological description. Then, we present additional information to the morphological description ofAristeus antennatuslarval stages through scanning electron microscopy and molecular analysis. This represents the first documented occurrence ofAristeus antennatuslarvae off the Catalan coast and sets the grounds for further work on larval ecology and population connectivity of the species, which is an important contribution to a more sustainable fishery.
The association between meteorological variables and road traffic injuries: a study from Macao
Authors: Lio Chon-Fu , Cheong Hou-Hon , Un Chon-Hou , Lo Iek-Long , Tsai Shin-Yi
Published: February 2019

Objective

Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to estimate the influence of meteorological factors on road traffic injuries stratified by severity. Crash rate was defined as mean monthly road traffic accidents per 1,000 vectors.

Design

Ecological time-series study.

Setting

Macao traffic accident registry database between January 1st, 2001 and November 31st, 2016.

Participants

In total, 393,176 traffic accidents and 72,501 cases of road traffic injuries (RTIs) were enrolled; patients’ severity was divided into mild injury, required hospitalisation, and death.

Exposure

Variation of monthly meteorological factors.

Main outcome measure

Weather-condition-related road traffic accidents, injuries, and deaths.

Results

Windy weather significantly correlated with increased number of traffic accidents among all transport vectors (r = .375 to .637; p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression showed temperature (B = 0.704; p < 0.05) and humidity (B =  − 0.537; p < 0.001) were independent factors for mild injury. The role of windy weather was relatively more obvious among patients with severe injuries (B = 0.304; p < 0.001) or those who died (B = 0.015; p < 0.001). A longer duration of sunshine was also associated to RTI-related deaths (B = 0.015; p < 0.001). In total, 13.4% of RTIs were attributable to meteorological factors and may be preventable.

Conclusion

The World Health Organization stated that RTIs are a major but neglected public health challenge. This study demonstrates meteorological factors have significant effects on any degree of RTIs. The results may not be generalized to other climates or populations while the findings may have implications in both preventing injuries and to announce safety precautions regarding trauma and motor vehicle collisions to the general public by public agencies.
Postoperative Outcomes of “Optic Capture” Technique of IOL Implantation in Pediatric Cataract Surgery
Authors: Prajapati Vaishali , Shah Kalpit , Jain Kushagra
Published: February 2019

Purpose:

To evaluate the efficacy of posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (PCCC) with optic capture of the posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) without anterior vitrectomy in preventing secondary opacification of the visual axis following pediatric cataract surgery in age more than 2 years.

Methods:

In a prospective evaluation, preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and refractive error were recorded. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were observed. The surgical technique was posterior curvilinear capsulorhexis with optic capture with three piece hydrophobic IOL (MA60AC) after cataract extraction. The incidence of posterior capsular opacification and other complications of pediatric cataract surgery were studied. The follow-up period was from 6 to 36 months.

Results:

In 75 consecutive eyes of 45 children operated with age range 2 to 8 years (mean, 3.3 years), there was no significant opacification of the visual axis at a mean follow-up of 19 months after surgery (range, 6-36 months).

Conclusion:

The posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis with posterior optic capture with three-piece hydrophobic lens without anterior vitrectomy is safe and effective in the treatment of pediatric cataract in the prevention of secondary opacification of the visual axis.
The Development and Psychometric Testing of a Substance Use Wellness Tool
Authors: Chen Shu-Ping , Stuart Heather , Krupa Terry , Dobson Keith , Stewart Sherry
Published: February 2019

This paper describes the development and psychometric testing of the Substance Use Wellness Tool, created to help raise awareness about alcohol and other substance misuse among university undergraduates. The tool is a self- and peer-reflection guide that students can use to monitor and alter their patterns of substance use. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the tool was unidimensional and that all 13 assessed domains were important. Cronbach’s alpha indicated the tool was highly reliable. Construct (convergent) validity for alcohol use with the 10-item AUDIT was also good, with strong correlations overall and within subgroups defined by gender, year of study, and university site.
The hydrophobic C‐terminal sequence of transthyretin affects its catalytic kinetics towards amidated neuropeptide Y
Authors: Tangthavewattana Sukanya , Leelawatwattana Ladda , Prapunpoj Porntip
Published: February 2019

Transthyretin (TTR) is a transporter for thyroid hormone and retinol binding protein that has recently been reported to have proteolytic activity against certain substrates, including amidated neuropeptide Y (NPY). However, the proteolytic activity of TTR towards NPY is not fully understood. Here, we used fluorescence‐based assays to determine the catalytic kinetics of human TTR towards human amidated NPY. The Michaelis constant (KM) and catalytic efficiency (kcat/KM) of TTR proteolysis were 15.88 ± 0.44 μm and 687 081 ± 35 692 m−1·s−1, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated an effect of the C‐terminal sequence of TTR. When the C‐terminal sequence of TTR was made more hydrophobic, the KM and kcat/KM changed to 12.87 ± 0.22 μm and 983 755 ± 18 704 m−1·s−1, respectively. Our results may be useful for the development of TTR as a therapeutic agent with low risk of the undesirable symptoms that develop from amidated NPY, and for further improvement of the kcat/KM of TTR.
High‐Performance Transparent Electrodes for Automobile Windshield Heaters Prepared by Combining Metal Grids and Oxide/Metal/Oxide Transparent Electrodes
Authors: Cheong Woo‐Seok , Kim Young‐Hoi , Lee Joon‐Min , Hong Chan‐Hwa , Choi Ho‐Yeol , Kwak Young‐Jin , Kim Young Jun , Kim Young Shin
Published: February 2019

Transparent heaters can be fabricated with a wide variety of materials including indium‐tin oxide, carbon nano tubes, graphenes, metal nanowires, metal grids, and hybrid‐type electrodes. However these materials have been applied to small area heaters below 0.01 m2 because of the limit of electrical and optical properties. High‐performance transparent electrodes for large‐area purpose (over 1.0 m2) have never been developed with any practical applicability in spite of their utility for removing fog or iced water on automobile windshield, which can be critical for safety and convenience of the drivers. Achieving ultralow resistance with high transparence is the major technical barrier in windshield heaters due to the intrinsic long distance between electrodes and low battery voltage in automobiles. In this study, a high performance transparent electrode, super hybrid electrode (SHE) is developed, which is manufactured by combining metal grids with oxide/metal/oxide electrode based on a newly developed electroplating method, which guarantees uniform properties over large area, over 1.0 m2. Utilizing this newly devised electrode technology, an automobile windshield heater is successfully fabricated with sheet resistance of 0.1–0.3 Ω □−1 and the transmittance of over 82% in large area samples of 1.01 m2, which is good enough for automobile windshield application.
Charge Transfer and Interface Effects in Co‐Assembled Circular Donor/Acceptor Complexes for Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Koçak Olkan , Duru Izzet Paruğ , Yavuz Ilhan
Published: February 2019

An in‐depth theoretical characterization of alternative structural architectures is reported for use in organic photovoltaic devices (OPV): a host–guest structure where a circular π‐conjugated nanohoop electron donor encapsulates an electron acceptor fullerene, forming a circular donor/acceptor complex. The mesoscale morphology, pairwise charge transport at the donor or acceptor domains, and charge transfer reactions at the donor/acceptor interfaces are calculated. For a fundamental understanding, three prototype complexes are considered: C60@10‐cycloparaphenylene (C60@[10]CPP), C70@11‐cycloparaphenylene (C70@[11]CPP), C70@3‐cycloparaphenyleneacetylene (C70@[3]CPPA). It is found that solid state packing is crucial for the interface morphology, charge transport, and the electronic performance of the materials. While contorted and stiff packing result in small structural disorder, electron–phonon coupling is reduced, charge mobility and charge transfer is limited by the complex transport network. In contrast, a regular packing arrangement suggests an efficient charge transport; however, it is limited by the large amount of disorder and relatively large electron–phonon coupling. Hole and electron mobilities in the order of 10−3 to 0.1 cm2 Vs−1 and 10−5 to 10−2 cm2 Vs−1 have been extracted, respectively, and electron mobilities are found to be very susceptible to intermolecular arrangements. Power conversion efficiency of ≈10% under 1 sun illumination has been offered from time‐domain drift diffusion model.
Effects of azathioprine and its metabolites on inflammatory cytokines in human nasal polyp organ cultures
Authors: Yeo Nam‐Kyung , Park Woo Joo , Eom Daeo‐Woon , Oh Mi Young , Lee Ji Hwan
Published: February 2019

Background

Oral steroids are recommended for the treatment of nasal polyps (NPs), but prolonged use is avoided because of side effects. Topical steroids can also control NPs without significant complications; however, the response to this is partially successful, and additional therapies are needed to treat glucocorticoid‐resistant NPs. Azathioprine (AZA) and its first metabolite 6‐mercaptopurine (6‐MP) are important immunosuppressants used for the therapy of various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of AZA and 6‐MP on inflammatory cytokines in organ‐cultured NPs.

Methods

NP explants were cultured using an air‐liquid interface method. Cultures were maintained in the absence and presence of steroid, AZA, and 6‐MP for 72 hours. Elaboration of cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 into the supernatant was quantitated using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 in cultured mucosa were measured using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of cultured mucosa was performed to observe inflammatory cells. Immunohistochemistry was done to evaluate the distribution pattern of inflammatory cytokines in NP explants.

Results

On histologic examination, less inflammatory cell infiltration was found in NPs treated by steroid, AZA, and 6‐MP than in control, but there was no statistical significance (p = 0.218). On immunohistochemistry, IL‐13 showed a steady falling tendency in submucosal glands by steroid, AZA, and 6‐MP. Expression of TNF‐α, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 mRNA in the NPs treated by steroid, AZA, and 6‐MP were significantly lower than those of the control (p < 0.001 for all). By ELISA, IL‐2 and IL‐13 were significantly lower with topical steroid, AZA, and 6‐MP treatment (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Topical AZT decreases inflammatory cytokines on human NP explants and this could have future therapeutic implications for NPs.
Outcomes of sinonasal inverted papilloma resection by surgical approach: an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Peng Rui , Thamboo Andrew , Choby Garret , Ma Yifei , Zhou Bing , Hwang Peter H.
Published: February 2019

Background

Selecting the optimal surgical approach for resection of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SIP) remains a challenge, with endoscopic, external, and combined approaches being utilized. This systematic review was conducted as an update to a 2006 systematic review to determine the preferred surgical approach for tumor control.

Methods

The study protocol was developed a priori following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) process. Data were collected and outcomes were analyzed according to surgical approach and sites of tumor involvement.

Results

A total of 96 papers and 4134 SIP patients were included. The overall recurrence rate was 12.80% (322/2515) for the endoscopic approach group, 16.58% (182/1098) for the external approach group, and 12.60% (65/516) for the combined approach group. Meta‐analysis by random effects model showed that the summarized risk ratio (RR) of recurrence was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44 to 0.85,p= 0.003),I2= 37.95% for the endoscopic vs external approach; 0.98 (95% CI, 0.69 to 1.39,p= 0.901),I2= 9.06% for the endoscopic vs combined approach; 1.61 (95% CI, 1.06 to 2.43,p= 0.025),I2= 0.00% for the external vs combined approach. After adjusting for publication bias, the adjusted RRs were 0.66 (p= 0.014) for endoscopic vs external; 0.99 (p= 0.955) for endoscopic vs combined; and 1.33 (p= 0.224) for external vs combined.

Conclusion

An enlarging and maturing body of literature continues to indicate that endoscopic approaches result in significantly lower recurrence rates than open approaches for surgical resection of SIP.
Creation and validation of three‐dimensional printed models for basic nasal endoscopic training
Authors: Zhuo Chen , Lei Lyu , Yulin Zhao , Wentao Liu , Shuangxia Wu , Chao Wang , Yaqian Zhang , Shuman Huang , Dong Dong
Published: February 2019

Background

Three‐dimensional (3D) printed models have been shown to be promising in surgical training in rhinology. The objectives of this study were to develop a set of 3D‐printed models including the pediatric and adult nasal cavity, and the postsurgical paranasal sinuses, and to assess the face and content validity in endoscopic training.

Methods

The computed tomography (CT) data of a pediatric patient without nasal disorders and an adult patient with nasal septal deviation were selected to produce the models of the pediatric and adult nasal cavity, and the CT data of an adult patient who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery 4 months ago was chosen to create the paranasal sinus model. After the models were printed by our desktop‐level 3D printer, 5 rhinologists used the 5‐point Likert scales to evaluate the fidelity and utility. Additionally, a group of prespecified tasks were completed by the rhinologists and 5 residents respectively for supplementary content validation. The difference of time used in completing each task was analyzed by Mann‐Whitney U test.

Results

All the models were prototyped in 24 hours, and the total cost for each model was less than 100 CNY (15 USD). The overall scores for fidelity and usefulness in endoscopic training were above 4.0. The experts accomplished all tasks using significantly less time than the residents (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The models of nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses made by our desktop‐level 3D printer are high‐fidelity, low‐cost, and useful in training basic endoscopic skills.
Atmospheric hydrodeoxygenation of phenol as pyrolytic‐oil model compound for hydrocarbon production using Ag/TiO2 catalyst
Authors: Kay Lup Andrew Ng , Abnisa Faisal , Daud Wan Mohd Ashri Wan , Aroua Mohamed Kheireddine
Published: February 2019

Hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) kinetics of phenol over Ag/TiO2 catalyst was investigated at 415–600 K and 1 atm. The use of oxophilic TiO2 support has improved phenol conversion due to its preferential activation of CO bond. Product analysis confirmed the occurrence of direct deoxygenation (DDO) and hydrogenation–dehydration (HYD) pathways to produce benzene and cyclohexane, respectively. Both phenol hydrogenolysis and hydrogenation steps are the respective rate‐limiting steps for DDO and HYD pathways of phenol HDO over Ag/TiO2. Based on the transition state theory, negative entropy changes of activation during HDO indicated that the HDO reactants formed activated complexes that had more orderly bonding configurations prior to the hydrogenolysis, hydrogenation, and dehydration steps. Under the present conditions, the catalyst was stable after 4 hr of HDO runs and able to be regenerated via H2‐activation and calcination in air at 553 K with at least 98.9% removal efficiency to remove coke deposits and reform Ag metal species after HDO.
Effects of sulfonation on bis‐styrylbiphenyl fluorescent whitening agents for polypropylene
Authors: Fang Zhengjun , Wu Feng , Lin Liangwei , Qin Qiwen , Au Chaktong , Tao Qiang , Li Xitian , Yu Donghong , Yi Bing
Published: February 2019

Three derivatives of bis‐styrybiphenyl with different degrees of sulfonation to be used as fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) were synthesized. Studies on their spectroscopic properties were performed using a combination of computational methods. Whitening effects of FWAs and the improved thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) were investigated. The morphology of plastic samples was examined by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). In order to improve the compatibility between FWA and PP, PP grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH) was applied as compatibilizer. The optical properties were further clarified by the results of frontier molecular orbital modeling, which show that the presence of sulfonic sodium group leads to a red shift of maximum UV absorption wavelength and a low HOMO–LUMO energy band gap. It is observed that the addition of 0.010 wt % of the sulfonated FWA would result in the expected whitening effect as well as improved PP thermal stability, while at or above 0.015 wt %, such effects worsen sharply owing to phase separation. Furthermore, the use of MAH‐grafted PP as compatibilizer results in improvement of phase behavior and thermal stability. The study provides new insights into the effect of FWA structure on the properties of PP that are related to the whitening of the material. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47635.
Differential Association of Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups J and H With the Methylation Status of Articular Cartilage: Potential Role in Apoptosis and Metabolic and Developmental Processes
Authors: Cortés‐Pereira Estefanía , Fernández‐Tajes Juan , Fernández‐Moreno Mercedes , Vázquez‐Mosquera María E. , Relaño Sara , Ramos‐Louro Paula , Durán‐Sotuela Alejandro , Dalmao‐Fernández Andrea , Oreiro Natividad , Blanco Francisco J. , Rego‐Pérez Ignacio
Published: February 2019

Objective

To analyze the influence of mitochondrial genome variation on the DNA methylome of articular cartilage.

Methods

DNA methylation profiling was performed using data deposited in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus database (accession no. GSE43269). Data were obtained for 14 cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup J and 20 cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup H. Subsequent validation was performed in an independent subset of 7 subjects with haplogroup J and 9 with haplogroup H by RNA‐seq. Correlated genes were validated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction in an independent cohort of 12 subjects with haplogroup J and 12 with haplogroup H. Appropriate analyses were performed using R Bioconductor and qBasePlus software, and gene ontology analysis was conducted using DAVID version 6.8.

Results

DNA methylation profiling revealed 538 differentially methylated loci, while whole‐transcriptome profiling identified 2,384 differentially expressed genes, between cartilage samples from subjects with haplogroup H and those with haplogroup J. Seventeen genes showed an inverse correlation between methylation and expression. In terms of gene ontology, differences in correlations between methylation and expression were also detected between cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H and those with haplogroup J, highlighting a significantly enhanced apoptotic process in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H (P = 0.007 for methylation and P = 0.019 for expression) and repressed apoptotic process in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup J (P = 0.021 for methylation), as well as a significant enrichment of genes related to metabolic processes (P = 1.93 × 10−4 for methylation and P = 6.79 x 10−4 for expression) and regulation of gene expression (P = 0.012 for methylation) in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup H, and to developmental processes (P = 0.015 for methylation and P = 8.25 x 10−12 for expression) in cartilage from subjects with haplogroup J.

Conclusion

Mitochondrial DNA variation differentially associates with the methylation status of articular cartilage by acting on key mechanisms involved in osteoarthritis, such as apoptosis and metabolic and developmental processes.
Investigating Asthma, Allergic Disease, Passive Smoke Exposure, and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kronzer Vanessa L. , Crowson Cynthia S. , Sparks Jeffrey A. , Vassallo Robert , Davis John M.
Published: February 2019

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is postulated to originate at mucosal surfaces, particularly the airway mucosa. To investigate this hypothesis, we determined the association between RA and asthma, passive smoke exposure, and age at start of smoking.

Methods

For this case–control study, we identified 1,023 cases of RA (175 incident) within a single‐center biobank population, using a rules‐based algorithm that combined self‐report with 2 diagnostic codes. Exposures were self‐reported on biobank questionnaires. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the association of exposures with RA, adjusting for potential confounders. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated.

Results

After adjustment for allergies, urban environment, and passive smoke exposure, asthma was found to be associated with RA in the full cohort (OR 1.28 [95% CI 1.04–1.58; P = 0.02]) but not the incident RA cohort (OR 1.17 [95% CI 0.66–2.06; P = 0.60]). History of allergic disease was associated with RA in both the full cohort (OR 1.30 [95% CI 1.12–1.51; P < 0.001]) and the incident RA cohort (OR 1.61 [95% CI 1.11–2.33; P = 0.01]), especially food allergy, which was significantly associated with RA in the full cohort (OR 1.38 [95% CI 1.08–1.75; P = 0.01]) and showed a trend toward significance in the incident RA cohort (OR 1.83 [95% CI 0.97–3.45; P = 0.06]). Passive smoke exposure at home or work was not associated with RA. Finally, age at start of smoking was not associated with increased odds of developing RA in either the full cohort (OR 1.03 [95% CI 1.00–1.06; P = 0.03]) or the incident RA cohort (OR 1.00 [95% CI 0.92–1.08; P = 0.98]).

Conclusion

Asthma and allergies may be associated with increased risk of RA. Passive smoke exposure and early age at start of smoking do not appear to influence risk of RA.
Potential synergies of drop‐in biofuel production with further co‐processing at oil refineries
Authors: van Dyk Susan , Su Jianping , Mcmillan James D. , Saddler Jack (John)
Published: February 2019

Drop‐in biofuels have been defined as functionally equivalent to petroleum‐based transportation fuels and are fully compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure. They will be essential in sectors such as aviation if we are to achieve emission reduction and climate mitigation goals. Currently, ‘conventional’ drop‐in biofuels, which are primarily based on upgrading of lipids / oleochemicals, are the only significant source of commercial volumes of drop‐in biofuels. However, the necessary increased, future volumes will likely come from ‘advanced’ drop‐in biofuels based on biomass feedstocks such as forest and agriculture residues. Biocrudes / bio‐oils produced from lignocellulosic feedstocks using thermochemical technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, and hydrothermal liquefaction need to be further upgraded to drop‐in biofuels. However, advanced drop‐in biofuels have been slow to reach commercial maturity due to significant technical challenges, high capital costs, and the challenge of generally lower oil prices. It is likely that the co‐processing of drop‐in biofuels with conventional petroleum refining could considerably reduce capital costs. Initially, co‐processing is likely to be established through the upgrading of conventional / oleochemical feedstocks (lipids). Lipids are readily available in large volumes (global production in 2017 was ~185 million metric tonnes) and can be more easily integrated into oil‐refinery processes. In contrast, lignocellulose‐derived biocrudes / bio‐oils are not yet available in significant volumes and are more complex to co‐process in a refinery. The likely strategies for co‐processing of oleochemicals (lipids) and bio‐oil and biocrude feedstocks based on different insertion points within the refinery infrastructure are discussed. © 2019 The Authors. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The gap between medical and monetary choices under risk persists in decisions for others
Authors: Popovic Nathalie F. , Pachur Thorsten , Gaissmaier Wolfgang
Published: February 2019

Decisions under risk in the medical domain have been found to systematically diverge from decisions in the monetary domain. When making choices between monetary options, people commonly rely on a decision strategy that trades off outcomes with their probabilities; when making choices between medical options, people tend to neglect probability information. In two experimental studies, we tested to what extent differences between medical and monetary decisions also emerge when the decision outcomes affect another person. Using a risky choice paradigm for medical and monetary decisions, we compared hypothetical decisions that participants made for themselves to decisions for a socially distant other (Study 1) and to recommendations as financial advisor or doctor (Study 2). In addition, we examined people's information search in a condition in which information about payoff distributions had to be learned from experiential sampling. Formal modeling and analyses of search behavior revealed a similarly pronounced gap between medical and monetary decisions in decisions for others as in decisions for oneself. Our results suggest that when making medical decisions, people try to avoid the worst outcome while neglecting its probability—even when the outcomes affect others rather than themselves.
The decomposition of triphenylimidazole‐para‐acetate follows specific base catalysis and can be conveniently followed by fluorescence
Authors: Reis Roberta Albino , Boaro Andreia , Orfão Ronaldo Barros , Melo Diêgo Ulysses , Bartoloni Fernando Heering
Published: February 2019

The kinetics of the decomposition reaction of 4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)phenyl acetate (1) in basic alcoholic media was investigated, using a simple fluorescence (FL) spectrophotometric procedure. The process was conveniently studied using FL, since the triphenylimidazole‐derived ester 1 and its reaction products (the corresponding phenol 2 and phenolate 2−) are all highly fluorescent (ΦFL > 37%). By carefully selecting excitation and emission wavelengths, observed rate constants k1 in the order of 10−3 to 10−2 s−1 were obtained from either reactant consumption (λex = 300 nm, λem = 400 nm) or product formation (λex = 350 nm, λem = 475 nm); these were shown to be kinetically equivalent. Intensity‐decay time profiles also gave a residual FL intensity parameter, shown to be associated to the distribution of produced species 2 and 2−, according to the basicity of the medium. Studying the reaction in both methanol (MeOH) and isopropanol (iPrOH), upon addition of HO−, provided evidence that the solvent's conjugate base is the active nucleophilic species. When different bases were used (tBuO−, HO−, DBU and TEA), bimolecular rate constants kbim ranging from 4.5 to 6.5 L mol−1 s−1 were obtained, which proved to be non‐dependent on the base pKaH, suggesting specific base catalysis for the decomposition of 1 in alcoholic media.
Multicomponent quantitative analysis combined with antioxidant and alpha‐glucosidase inhibitory activities for the quality evaluation of Gastrodia elata from different regions
Authors: Gao Xiaoxiao , Miao Jing , Guo Xinhua , Song Yan , Lv Tingting , Huang Luqi , Gao Wenyuan , Li Xia
Published: February 2019

Gastrodia elata (G. elata), as a natural plant with nourishing and edible value, plays a vital role in food and pharmaceutical production. In the present study, a novel approach for the simultaneous determination of six components based on high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with photodiode array detection (PDA) was developed for the quality evaluation of G. elata from different regions. Meanwhile, antioxidant and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activities were estimated and compared. The results indicated that the total contents of the six compounds in G. elata from Guizhou and Zhejiang provinces obtained by boiling were higher than those obtained by steaming in Anhui and Yunnan provinces. In addition, samples from Guizhou, Yunnan and Shanxi provinces contained more p‐hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and always possessed higher antioxidant activity, while samples collected from Anhui province showed the highest α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity with the highest gastrodin content. The results revealed that the quality of G. elata was affected by different regions and different initial processing technologies, which provided a reference for the selection and application of G. elata.
CIT in small municipalities: Officer‐level outcomes
Authors: Strassle Carla G.
Published: February 2019

Research on the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) as a method to deal with mental illness in policing encounters has primarily focused on officers from large urban areas. The current study examined officer‐level outcomes in a non‐urban geographical setting using a pre/post‐CIT training design. The sample included 46 police officers from seven departments that would be considered rural and 13 that would be classified as suburban. Officers completed scales to gauge change in mental illness attitudes at the beginning and end of their one‐week CIT training. CIT training resulted in reductions in stigmatic attitudes with seven large effect sizes (ranging from η2 = .24 to .59) across the two measures. The findings from this research are a direct response to the call for greater diversity in the size of police settings in the CIT literature and serve to expand the empirical base for CIT in relation to officer‐level outcomes.
Short informative title: Towards a new tendency in embedded systems in mechatronics for the engineering curricula
Authors: Martínez‐Prado Miguel A. , Rodríguez‐Reséndiz Juvenal , Gómez‐Loenzo Roberto A. , Camarillo‐Gómez Karla A. , Herrera‐Ruiz Gilberto
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a robot motion controller for an undergraduate laboratory study program. It is designed to help the students learn and to assess specific learning outcomes proposed by ABET by solving a real‐life problem. The main objective of this project is to enable the engineering students to learn some core concepts about embedded systems and motion controllers for robotics by applying them in practice. Also, the proposal shows how to introduce the students to a new tendency in the embedded system market, namely, an All Programmable System on a Chip (SoC). This methodology incorporates interdisciplinary knowledge, technical and professional skills required for pursuing a successful career. In the present study, we surveyed the observations and interests of students towards the learning process, and the results indicate that the inclusion of the robot prototype has a significant impact on providing students with new learning outcomes.
Untersuchung der Phasendistribution in gepackten Kolonnen und Validierung eines Zellenmodells
Authors: van Holt Felix , Grünewald Marcus
Published: February 2019

In diesem Beitrag werden experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Bestimmung der Flüssigkeitsverteilung in gepackten Kolonnen und die Validierung des von van Holt et al. eingeführten Zellenmodells vorgestellt. Im Anschluss wird das neuartige Zellenmodell an die experimentellen Daten angepasst und in den Kolonnenabmessungen extrapoliert. Ein Vergleich zwischen Modellberechnung und Literaturdaten ermöglicht schließlich die Bewertung des Modellansatzes. In diesem Zusammenhang wird die Spurenstoffaufgabe im Wandbereich als geeignete Datengrundlage zur Modellanpassung aufgezeigt.
Wärmeinduzierte Vorbehandlung lignocellulosehaltiger Biomassen – Prozesse, Verfahren und deren Einordnung
Authors: Scherzinger Marvin , Kulbeik Tim , Grumbrecht Ronja , Christ Daniel , Kaltschmitt Martin
Published: February 2019

Im Folgenden werden verschiedene Verfahren einer wärmeinduzierten Vorbehandlung lignocellulosehaltiger Biomassen zur Erzeugung von Festbrennstoffen beschrieben. Dabei wird auch auf die in der Biomasse auf molekularer Ebene ablaufenden Veränderungen eingegangen. Die beschriebenen Verfahren (Torrefizierung, hydrothermale Carbonisierung, vapothermale Carbonisierung und Autoklavierung) laufen bis zu einem Temperaturniveau von 300 °C ab. Abschließend erfolgt eine Einordnung dieser Verfahren zur Einschätzung der spezifischen Vor‐ und Nachteile.
Comparison of Myocardial Oxygen Consumption Indices in Man
Authors: BALLER D. , SCHENK H. , STRAUER B. E. , HELLIGE G.
Published: February 2019

Hemodynamic indices of myocardial oxygen consumption (MV02) were examined in 13 patients with coronary heart disease. The specific aim of this study was to investigate whether clinical results agree with experimental findings in animals. During hemodynamic and respiratory steady‐state conditions at rest, the MV02 (7.6–14.2 ml/min/100 g) was measured directly by myocardial blood flow (argon method) and arterio‐coronary venous oxygen content difference. MV02 was compared with five indirect indices of MV02.

A complex additive parameter consisting of five components of MV02 had the highest correlation with MV02 (r = 0.97), as was also demonstrated in a recent experimental study at maximum changes in hemodynamics and MV02. More easily measurable predictors of MV02 such as tension‐time index (r = 0.923), product of mean systolic aortic pressure and square root of heart rate (r = 0.928), pressure‐rate product (r = 0.915), and triple product (r = 0.941) were less closely correlated with MV02.

The lower correlations of the readily obtainable indices of MV02 are probably related to their failure to incorporate factors such as contractility and ventricular dimensions, which are known to exert an important influence on MV02. The excellent correlation of the hemodynamic additive parametcr with MV02 supports the theoretical concept and the implications of the experimental study. The accurate prediction of MV02 is based on adequate measurement of MV02 for the velocity of tension development and maintenance of tension during systolic ejection period, both of which are integrated in the additive index.