Decreased intersubject synchrony in dynamic valence ratings of sad movie contents in dysphoric individuals

2021

Emotional reactions to movies are typically similar between people. However, depressive symptoms decrease synchrony in brain responses. Less is known about the effect of depressive symptoms on intersubject synchrony in conscious stimulus-related processing. In this study, we presented amusing, sad and fearful movie clips to dysphoric individuals (those with elevated depressive symptoms) and control participants to dynamically rate the clips’ valences (positive vs. negative). We analysed both the valence ratings’ mean values and intersubject correlation (ISC). We used electrodermal activity (EDA) to complement the measurement in a separate session. There were no group differences in either t…

GDS score as screening tool to assess the risk of impact of chronic conditions and depression on quality of life in hospitalized elderly patients in …

2021

Aging of population is characterized by multiple chronic conditions in the same individual. Health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) reflects the multidimensional impact of chronic disease on population and it is increasingly analysed as outcomes. The aim of this study was the evaluation of the predictors of quality of life among elderly patients hospitalized in internal medicine ward, investigating the effect of comorbidities on health-related quality of life. Data collected in this cross-sectional study were analysed. Socio-demographic, clinical characteristics, disease distribution and quality of life by the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were evaluated. Of 240 inpatients, subje…

A photoswitchable helical peptide with light-controllable interface/transmembrane topology in lipidic membranes

2021

Summary The spontaneous insertion of helical transmembrane (TM) polypeptides into lipid bilayers is driven by three sequential equilibria: solution-to-membrane interface (MI) partition, unstructured-to-helical folding, and MI-to-TM helix insertion. A bottleneck for understanding these three steps is the lack of experimental approaches to perturb membrane-bound hydrophobic polypeptides out of equilibrium rapidly and reversibly. Here, we report on a 24-residues-long hydrophobic α-helical polypeptide, covalently coupled to an azobenzene photoswitch (KCALP-azo), which displays a light-controllable TM/MI equilibrium in hydrated lipid bilayers. FTIR spectroscopy reveals that trans KCALP-azo folds…

“Pédaler en toute sécurité”: The Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) in Belgium – A validation study

2021

Abstract Introduction: During the last few years, the use of behavioral questionnaires for assessing risky behaviors of road users different from motor-vehicle drivers has grown considerably in applied research for road safety. In this regard, recent tools such as the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) are gaining ground, being adapted and tested in further languages, thus getting useful to address the case of countries whose language is different to the English and Spanish. Therefore, and in order to extend the use of the CBQ, this study aimed (i) to develop the validation of the CBQ to the French and Dutch languages, in order to cover the population of Belgian cyclists and (potentially)…

Learning Design for Future Higher Education – Insights From the Time of COVID-19

2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought many challenges in higher education. All teaching and learning activities were moved online. Universities had to provide adapted solutions to facilitate learning and maintain students’ engagement. Online education implies creating new learning environments with the help of digital technologies. Beyond the process of acquisition of knowledge, teachers needed to facilitate cooperative learning, build positive relations, and reduce negative emotions. We provide some expert insights based on empirical observations on teaching and assessment practices connected with psychology models applied in education. The aim of the paper is to formulate specific learning design…

ANALYSIS OF THE SEXUAL VARIABILITY IN THE SHELL OF THE SPANISH UPPER CRETACEOUS TURTLE DORTOKA VASCONICA (PAN-PLEURODIRA, DORTOKIDAE)

2021

The present study characterizes the morphological variability related to the sexual dimorphism in the shells of the Spanish Upper Cretaceous turtle  Dortoka vasconica . This study is based on the material from its type locality: Lano, Burgos. Two morphotypes were identified there based on the posterior plastral area as well as two for the anterior plastral lobe. However, a correlation with the previously indicated morphotypes could not be established due to the disarticulation of the specimens and the limited information available on the sexual dimorphism of Pleurodira. The morphological variability previously identified for  Dortoka vasconica  is analysed here through a quantitative approa…

Association of Vital Pulp Therapy Outcomes with Tooth Type, Arch Location, Treatment Type, and Number of Surfaces Destroyed in Deciduous Teeth: A Ret…

2021

There is a paucity of information concerning vital pulp treatment outcomes in the undergraduate teaching setting. This study aimed to determine which type of deciduous molar, arch location, type of vital pulp therapy, and the number of carious surfaces involved had a better prognosis when carried out by undergraduate dental students. The method used was the review of clinical records of 590 patients with 600 deciduous molars, that visited the outpatient undergraduate dental clinics for vital pulp therapy. Statistical analysis used to determine the associations of tooth type, arch location, treatment type, and the number of carious surfaces involved in successful outcomes was logistic regres…

Autochthonous organic matter promotes DNRA and suppresses N2O production in sediments of the coastal Baltic Sea

2021

Coastal environments are nitrogen (N) removal hot spots, which regulate the amount of land-derived N reaching the open sea. However, mixing between freshwater and seawater creates gradients of inorganic N and bioavailable organic matter, which affect N cycling. In this study, we compare nitrate reduction processes between estuary and offshore archipelago environments in the coastal Baltic Sea. Denitrification rates were similar in both environments, despite lower nitrate and carbon concentrations in the offshore archipelago. However, DNRA (dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium) rates were higher at the offshore archipelago stations, with a higher proportion of autochthonous carbon. Th…

Motivating Low-Achievers—Relative Performance Feedback in Primary Schools

2021

Abstract Relative performance feedback (RPF) has often been shown to improve effort and performance in the workplace and educational settings. Yet, many studies also document substantial negative effects of RPF, in particular for low-achievers. We study a novel type of RPF designed to overcome these negative effects of RPF on low-achievers by scoring individual performance improvements. With a sample of 400 children, we conduct a class-wise randomized-controlled trial using an e-learning software in regular teaching lessons in primary schools. We demonstrate that this type of RPF significantly increases motivation, effort, and performance in math for low-achieving children, without hurting …

Stem cell-secreted factor therapy regenerates the ovarian niche and rescues follicles.

2021

Background Ovarian senescence is a normal age-associated phenomenon, but increasingly younger women are affected by diminished ovarian reserves or premature ovarian insufficiency. There is an urgent need for developing therapies to improve ovarian function in these patients. In this context, previous studies suggest that stem cell–secreted factors could have regenerative properties in the ovaries. Objective This study aimed to test the ability of various human plasma sources, enriched in stem cell–secreted factors, and the mechanisms behind their regenerative properties, to repair ovarian damage and to promote follicular development. Study Design In the first phase, the effects of human pla…

The potential role of COVID-19 hygienic measures in reducing infective complications during hospitalization

2021

Los efectos a largo plazo de las competencias emocionales y la autoestima sobre los síntomas internalizantes de los adolescentes

2021

Internalizing symptoms such as depressive mood, somatic complaints and anxiety among adolescents are a major and global concern for parents, educators and professionals. Empirical research suggests that high level of self-esteem during adolescents is associated with psychological adjustment and emotional well-being. This study examines self-esteem as a potential mediator in the interplay between emotional competencies and internalizing symptoms during adolescence. Self-report data from 855 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 13.6, SD = 1.09, 52% girls) were collected in two waves, using a longitudinal design. The mediation model was estimated using structural equation modelling (SEM). Results show …

Corporate Networks and business influence in Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

2021

Objective/Context: This paper explores the relationship between corporate networks and business influence to figure out the conditions of state capture. Methodology: We analyze corporate networks through interlocking directorates in three Central American countries - Panama, Costa Rica, and El Salvador - using network analysis, and we pinpoint the relationship between the structure of the corporate network and two corporate political actions: contributions to presidential campaigns and revolving doors. Conclusions: Results show corporate networks were fragmented in the three Central American countries, except for a well-connected business cluster in Panama. The organization of business elit…

Generalization gradients for fear and disgust in human associative learning

2021

AbstractPrevious research indicates that excessive fear is a critical feature in anxiety disorders; however, recent studies suggest that disgust may also contribute to the etiology and maintenance of some anxiety disorders. It remains unclear if differences exist between these two threat-related emotions in conditioning and generalization. Evaluating different patterns of fear and disgust learning would facilitate a deeper understanding of how anxiety disorders develop. In this study, 32 college students completed threat conditioning tasks, including conditioned stimuli paired with frightening or disgusting images. Fear and disgust were divided into two randomly ordered blocks to examine di…

Targeting Immune Modulators in Glioma While Avoiding Autoimmune Conditions

2021

Simple Summary Glioblastoma multiforme is a futile disease usually leading to the patient’s death within one year post-diagnosis; therefore, novel treatment options are desperately needed. In this regard, activation of the inert immune system has moved into focus in recent years. Malignant brain tumors, as well as autoimmune diseases, elicit aberrant immune responses. In this way, glioma escapes the host’s immune system and, thus, activation of the immune response in order to reduce tumor tolerance can serve as an alternative treatment option. Immune checkpoint modulators in combination with traditional therapies have gained attention in both glioma and autoimmune diseases. In this review, …

Tempio e sinagoga. La relazione spazio-tempo nella religione ebraica

2021

the complex definition of a sacred place starting from the biblical text and from founding texts such as the Mishnah and the Talmud; sacred time in the exegetical tradition of traditional Judaism.

Access to Healthcare for Migrant Patients in Europe: Healthcare Discrimination and Translation Services

2021

Background: Discrimination based on ethnicity and the lack of translation services in healthcare have been identified as main barriers to healthcare access. However, the actual experiences of migrant patients in Europe are rarely present in the literature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess healthcare discrimination as perceived by migrants themselves and the availability of translation services in the healthcare systems of Europe. Methods: A total of 1407 migrants in 10 European Union countries (consortium members of the Mig-HealthCare project) were surveyed concerning healthcare discrimination, access to healthcare services, and need of translation services using an interview…

Teaching and Learning Chemistry with a Motivating Tool: one CLICK!

2021

The use of electronic response systems or “clickers” is a popular way to engage students and create an active-learning environment, especially within large courses of general subjects for first-year undergraduates. The present work examines with detail the methodology, the tasks and the results obtained respect to the students’ learning, participation, and engagement in the classroom. In general, students perceived that, clickers provided a significant enhancement to their learning, and teachers obtained real-time feed-back of how the concepts are assimilated or not by the students in order to quickly introduce improvements in their teaching.

Heisenberg Exchange and Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya Interaction in Ultrathin Pt(W)/CoFeB Single and Multilayers

2021

We present results of the analysis of Brillouin light-scattering (BLS) measurements of spin waves performed on ultrathin single and multirepeat CoFeB layers with adjacent heavy metal layers. From a detailed study of the spin-wave dispersion relation, we independently extract the Heisenberg exchange interaction (also referred to as symmetric exchange interaction), the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI, also referred to as antisymmetric exchange interaction), and the anisotropy field. We find a large DMI in CoFeB thin films adjacent to a Pt layer and nearly vanishing DMI for CoFeB films adjacent to a W layer. Furthermore, the influence of the dipolar interaction on the dispersion relatio…

Role of Antioxidants in Cooled Liquid Storage of Mammal Spermatozoa

2021

Cooled preservation of semen is usually associated with artificial insemination and genetic improvement programs in livestock species. Several studies have reported an increase in reactive oxidative species and a decrease in antioxidant substances and sperm quality parameters during long-term semen storage at refrigerated temperatures. The supplementation of antioxidants in extenders before refrigeration could reduce this detrimental effect. Various antioxidants have been tested, both enzymatic, such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and non-enzymatic, such as reduced glutathione, vitamins E and C and melatonin. However, the problem of oxidative stress in semen storage has not been full…

false

2021

The increasing digitalization of economies has highlighted the importance of digital transformation and how it can help businesses stay competitive in the market. However, disruptive changes not only occur at the company level; they also have environmental, societal, and institutional implications. This is the reason why during the past two decades the research on digital transformation has received growing attention, with a wide range of topics investigated in the literature. The following aims to provide insight regarding the current state of the literature on digital transformation (DT) by conducting a systematic literature review. An analysis of co-occurrence using the software VOSviewe…

Global, regional, and national burden of mortality associated with non-optimal ambient temperatures from 2000 to 2019: a three-stage modelling study

2021

Background: Exposure to cold or hot temperatures is associated with premature deaths. We aimed to evaluate the global, regional, and national mortality burden associated with non-optimal ambient temperatures. Methods: In this modelling study, we collected time-series data on mortality and ambient temperatures from 750 locations in 43 countries and five meta-predictors at a grid size of 0·5° × 0·5° across the globe. A three-stage analysis strategy was used. First, the temperature–mortality association was fitted for each location by use of a time-series regression. Second, a multivariate meta-regression model was built between location-specific estimates and meta-predictors. Finally, the gri…

Smoking and Neuropsychiatric Disease-Associations and Underlying Mechanisms.

2021

Despite extensive efforts to combat cigarette smoking/tobacco use, it still remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, killing more than eight million people each year. While tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases related to the four main groups—cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes—its impact on neuropsychiatric risk is rather elusive. The aim of this review article is to emphasize the importance of smoking as a potential risk factor for neuropsychiatric disease and to identify central pathophysiological mechanisms that may contribute to this relationship. There is strong evidence from epidemiological and experiment…

Classification of Sequences with Deep Artificial Neural Networks: Representation and Architectural Issues

2021

DNA sequences are the basic data type that is processed to perform a generic study of biological data analysis. One key component of the biological analysis is represented by sequence classification, a methodology that is widely used to analyze sequential data of different nature. However, its application to DNA sequences requires a proper representation of such sequences, which is still an open research problem. Machine Learning (ML) methodologies have given a fundamental contribution to the solution of the problem. Among them, recently, also Deep Neural Network (DNN) models have shown strongly encouraging results. In this chapter, we deal with specific classification problems related to t…

Which method? Right of levy, the “réserve héréditaire” and protection of heirs against discrimination

2021

International audience

Over-ordering and food waste: The use of food delivery apps during a pandemic

2021

There is a paucity of research on the role of food delivery apps (FDAs) in food waste generation. This gap needs to be addressed since FDAs represent a fast-growing segment of the hospitality sector, which is already considered to be a key food waste generator globally. Even more critically, FDAs have become a prominent source of ordering food during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the growing usage of FDAs warrants an improved understanding of the complexities of consumer behavior toward them, particularly during a health crisis. The present study addresses this need by examining the antecedents of FDA users’ food ordering behavior during the pandemic that can lead to food waste. The s…

Sex differences in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome: A population-based ecological cross-sectional study in Spain

2021

Abstract Introduction and objectives Despite evidence of a reduction in the incidence and mortality of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), some studies have highlighted differences in outcomes between men and women. We aimed to explore sex differences in the management and treatment of patients with ACS in Spain. Methods This ecological cross-sectional study combined ACS data from 10 Spanish registries (54 centres). Meta-regression analysis was performed using aggregated data of baseline characteristics, interventional procedures, treatments, and events that occurred during hospitalization and one-year follow-up. Results Aggregated data from 34 605 patients (75.1% men) was included. ST-segment e…

false

2021

Abstract Background Gastric inflammation is a major risk factor for gastric cancer. Current endoscopic methods are not able to efficiently detect and characterize gastric inflammation, leading to a sub-optimal patients’ care. New non-invasive methods are needed. Reflectance mucosal light analysis is of particular interest in this context. The aim of our study was to analyze reflectance light and specific autofluorescence signals, both in humans and in a mouse model of gastritis. Methods We recruited patients undergoing gastroendoscopic procedure during which reflectance was analysed with a multispectral camera. In parallel, the gastritis mouse model of Helicobacter pylori infection was used…

Oncogenic BRAF protein as a molecular target of HDAC inhibitors in melanoma cells

2021

Inammissibile la revisione europea in malam partem: il rimedio è volto a ripristinare le previsioni convenzionali violate

2021

I. La Corte di appello di Catanzaro nega la legittimazione del procuratore generale a proporre la revisione europea e ne ribadisce la natura di rimedio straordinario vocato al favor rei.

Migrazioni forzate e diritti disattesi. Lo sguardo di genere sui bisogni di frontiera

2021

La definizione di “tratta di esseri umani”, adottata dal Protocollo delle Nazioni Unite, descrive gli elementi che identificano un fenomeno rilevato su scala mondiale che occupa i primissimi posti delle classifiche relative ai crimini internazionali per la diffusione e la numerosità di casi. Esso prevede l’induzione forzata a varie forme di sfruttamento e, fra queste, un posto di rilievo occupa quello relativo allo sfruttamento a scopo prostitutivo. Malgrado accordi europei e leggi nazionali convergano sul piano giuridico, allo stato attuale, la condizione di “vittima di tratta” fatica ad essere riconosciuta come tale da un sistema di protezione e accoglienza che in Europa evidenzia procedu…

Le fonti del diritto privato

2021

A reconstruction of the system of sources of private law through the examination of the relationships between internal sources and supranational sources

Effectiveness and safety of a new helmet CPAP configuration allowing tidal volume monitoring in patients with COVID-19.

2021

Abstract Background High generated tidal volumes (Vt) have been correlated with higher risk of self-induced lung injury and worse clinical outcome. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a new helmet continuous positive airway pressure delivered (h-CPAP) configuration allowing Vt monitoring in patients affected by COVID-19. Methods This prospective observational study was performed in the respiratory intermediate care unit of University Hospital in Turin, Italy, between March 24th, and June 15th, 2020. Included patients were treated with CPAP via a single-limb intentional leak configuration by a turbine-driven ventilator, provided with a dedicated patch. Effectiveness …

Air Quality during New Year’s Eve: A Biomonitoring Study with Moss

2021

Mosses are one of the best bioindicators in the assessment of atmospheric aerosol pollution by heavy metals. Studies using mosses allow both short- and long-term air quality monitoring. The increasing contamination of the environment (including air) is causing a search for new, cheap and effective methods of monitoring its condition. Once such method is the use of mosses in active biomonitoring. The aim of the study was to assess the atmospheric aerosol pollution with selected heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) from the smoke of fireworks used during New Year’s Eve in the years 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. In studies a biomonitoring moss-bag method with moss Pleurozium schreberi (Willd. e…

Modeling particle acceleration and non-thermal emission in supernova remnants

2021

According to the most popular model for the origin of cosmic rays (CRs), supernova remnants (SNRs) are the site where CRs are accelerated. Observations across the electromagnetic spectrum support this picture through the detection of non-thermal emission that is compatible with being synchrotron or inverse Compton radiation from high energy electrons, or pion decay due to proton-proton interactions. These observations of growing quantity and quality promise to unveil many aspects of CRs acceleration and require more and more accurate tools for their interpretation. Here, we show how multi-dimensional MHD models of SNRs, including the effects on shock dynamics due to back-reaction of acceler…

Source strength determination in iridium-192 and cobalt-60 brachytherapy : A European survey on the level of agreement between clinical measurements …

2021

Background and purpose: Brachytherapy treatment outcomes depend on the accuracy of the delivered dose distribution, which is proportional to the reference air-kerma rate (RAKR). Current societal recommendations require the medical physicist to compare the measured RAKR values to the manufacturer source calibration certificate. The purpose of this work was to report agreement observed in current clinical practice in the European Union. Materials and methods: A European survey was performed for high- and pulsed-dose-rate (HDR and PDR) highenergy sources (Ir-192 and Co-60), to quantify observed RAKR differences. Medical physicists at eighteen hospitals from eight European countries were contac…