Influence of environmental variables on fear of crime: Comparing self-report data with physiological measures in an experimental design

Objectives Self-reports and questionnaires have been the preferred research methods in the criminological field of Bfear of crime^ (FOC) since its rise in the 1960s. Our study had two main goals: (1) to measure the physiological indicators of fear in real time and (2) to compare these data with those obtained through self-reports, designed also to measure the emotion of fear. Methods An experimental study was conducted over the course of a week during late February 2016 in Aarhus (Denmark), in which the focus was on traditional environmental variables in the field of FOC (i.e., poor lighting conditions). Results Our results support the ideas that: (1) the absence of good luminosity in an open public space in an urban setting elicits physiological reactions of arousal that can be taken as indicators of experiences of fear and (2) heart rate appears to capture aspects of the emotion of fear that are not reflected in data obtained through self-report questionnaires Conclusions This study, introducing a pioneering approach to the study of FOC, presents great potentials in complementing traditional methods in the crime sciences. The many challenges we faced are significant and reported with the hope that subsequent literature will build upon. We propose that traditional methods and new measurements could be combined to advance research in the field by allowing researchers to more unambiguously constrain the interpretation of their data. This becomes particularly relevant in a field like FOC, which has long suffered from irreconcilable results stemming from different investigation

The Role of Echocardiography in Neonates and Pediatric Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) are expanding, and echocardiography is a tool of utmost importance to assess safety, effectiveness and readiness for circuit initiation and separation. Echocardiography is key to anticipating complications and improving outcomes. Understanding the patient's as well as the ECMO circuit's anatomy and physiology is crucial prior to any ECMO echocardiographic evaluation. It is also vital to acknowledge that the utility of echocardiography in ECMO patients is not limited to the evaluation of cardiac function, and that clinical decisions should not be made exclusively upon echocardiographic findings. Though echocardiography has specific indications and applications, it also has limitations, characterized as: prior to and during cannulation, throughout the ECMO run, upon separation and after separation from the circuit. The use of specific and consistent echocardiographic protocols for patients on ECMO is recommended

Supported Biofilms on Carbon–Oxide Composites for Nitrate Reduction in Agricultural Waste Water

Escherichia coli colonies were grown on different supports for the removal of nitrates from water. A carbon material and different commercial metal oxides, such as SiO2 , TiO2 and Al2O3 , and their corresponding carbon–metal oxide composites were studied. The physicochemical properties were analyzed by different techniques and the results were correlated with their performance in the denitrification process. Developed biofilms effectively adhere to the supports and always reach the complete reduction of nitrates to gaseous products. Nevertheless, faster processes occur when the biofilm is supported on mesoporous and non-acid materials (carbon and silica).Spanish Project ref. RTI 2018-099224-B100 funded by ERDF/Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities—State Research Agency (Spain

Regeneration of ortho-chlorophenol-exhausted activated carbons with liquid water at high pressure and temperature

[EN]A study was undertaken of the regeneration of three activated carbons exhausted with ortho-chlorophenol. The regeneration process was carried out using liquid water at 623 K and 150 atm in the absence of oxygen. The efficiency of this procedure was analyzed by determining the rate and amount of ortho-chlorophenol adsorbed in successive adsorption–regeneration cycles. The present procedure showed a much greater efficiency than that reported for chemical and/or thermal regeneration. Effects of this regeneration on the adsorption kinetics, adsorption capacity and textural characteristics of the carbon were investigated. The increase in adsorption capacity of the regenerated carbon compared with that of the original carbon seems mainly due to the opening of porosity during the regeneration treatment

Síndrome de Asma Crítica. Revisión narrativa

Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease in children. Near-fatal asthma, acute severe asthma, status asthmaticus, refractory asthma, or fragile asthma refers to suffering a life-threatening episode of severe asthmatic crisis and it occurs most frequently in patients with severe asthma but it can occur in mild or moderate asthma and in uncontrolled asthma patients. There is no standardized definition of the term. Therefore, the term Critical Asthma Syndrome (CAS) has been proposed as an umbrella term covering the terms historically used to refer to the risk of death from asthma due to sudden and severe deterioration of vital signs which could progress to respiratory failure and death.A search in the Pubmed database for the terms “status asthmaticus”, “severe asthma”, “severe asthma attack”, “life-threatening asthma”, “acute severe asthma”, “near fatal asthma”, “critical asthma”, “critical asthma syndrome” was carried out, followed by a narrative review of CAS taking into account epidemiological and pathophysiological aspects, clinical manifestations according to the phenotypes described, diagnosis, and treatment.El asma es la enfermedad pulmonar crónica más frecuente en la infancia. Asma casi fatal, asma severa aguda, estado asmático, asma refractaria o asma frágil se refiere a sufrir un episodio de crisis asmática severa con riesgo de morir y ocurre más frecuentemente en pacientes con asma grave, pero se puede presentar en asma leve o moderada y en asma no controlada. No existe una definición estandarizada del término, por lo tanto, se ha propuesto la expresión Síndrome de Asma Crítica (SAC) como término sombrilla que cubre los términos históricamente usados para aludir al riesgo de morir por asma debido al deterioro súbito y severo de los signos vitales, deterioro que podría progresar a falla respiratoria y muerte.En este marco de ideas, se realizó una búsqueda en la base de datos Pubmed de los términos “status asthmaticus”, “severe asthma”, “severe asthma attack”, “life threatening asthma”, “acute severe asthma”, “near fatal asthma”, “critical asthma”, “critical asthma syndrome” y posteriormente se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa de SAC teniendo en cuenta los aspectos epidemiológicos, fisiopatológicos, las manifestaciones clínicas según los fenotipos descritos, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento

ALTERNATIVA PARA LA PLANIFICACIÓN DEL ENTRENAMIENTO DE LOS ATLETAS DE PENTATLÓN MODERNO / ALTERNATIVE FOR TRAINING PLANNING OF MODERN PENTATHLON ATHLETES

Los actuales retos que tiene el Pentatlón Moderno a todos los niveles, demandan soluciones con enfoque sistémico a la hora de estructurar el contenido de la planificación. Dicho contenido y su selección están condicionados por el alcance del objetivo y su finalidad. No obstante, resulta complicado determinarlos sin dejar de sobrecargar el organismo del pentatleta, en especial por ser un deporte multidisciplinar. En consecuencia, con lo anterior se hace evidente en este deporte, una actualización sobre el tema del entrenamiento deportivo. Sin embargo, la bibliografía que se ha podido encontrar hasta el momento en este sentido es limitada. El resultado investigativo Alternativa metodológica para la planificación del entrenamiento de los atletas de Pentatlón Moderno es parte de los resultados finales del proyecto: Desarrollo integral del deportista villaclareño de la Facultad de Cultura Física de Villa Clara y se propuso dar respuesta a los problemas que se aprecian en la planificación del entrenamiento del Pentatlón Moderno en la categoría juvenil, por lo que se clasificó como una investigación aplicada en la cual se emplearon métodos tanto del nivel teórico como del nivel empírico. El resultado logrado satisfizo a los usuarios del deporte, por dar respuesta a una de las problemáticas que afecta los resultados deportivos a todos los niveles, de ahí su importancia y significación

The disproportionate burden of HIV and STIs among male sex workers in Mexico City and the rationale for economic incentives to reduce risks

Introduction: The objective of this article is to present the rationale and baseline results for a randomized controlled pilot trial using economic incentives to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk among male sex workers (MSWs) in Mexico City. Methods: Participants (n=267) were tested and treated for STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV) and viral hepatitis (hepatitis B and C), received HIV and STI prevention education and were randomized into four groups: (1) control, (2) medium conditional incentive ($50/six months), (3) high conditional incentive ($75/six months) and (4) unconditional incentive ($50/six months). In the conditional arms, incentives were contingent upon testing free of new curable STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) at follow-up assessments. Results: Participants’ mean age was 25 years; 8$25 with a 35% higher payment for condomless sex. Conclusions: The findings suggest that economic incentives are a relevant approach for HIV prevention among MSWs, given the market-based inducements for unprotected sex. This type of targeted intervention seems to be justified and should continue to be explored in the context of combination prevention efforts

Hypothyroidism confers tolerance to cerebral malaria

The modulation of the host’s metabolism to protect tissue from damage induces tolerance to infections increasing survival. Here, we examined the role of the thyroid hormones, key metabolic regulators, in the outcome of malaria. Hypothyroidism confers protection to experimental cerebral malaria by a disease tolerance mechanism. Hypothyroid mice display increased survival after infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA, diminishing intracranial pressure and brain damage, without altering pathogen burden, blood-brain barrier disruption, or immune cell infiltration. This protection is reversed by treatment with a Sirtuin 1 inhibitor, while treatment of euthyroid mice with a Sirtuin 1 activator induces tolerance and reduces intracranial pressure and lethality. This indicates that thyroid hormones and Sirtuin 1 are previously unknown targets for cerebral malaria treatment, a major killer of children in endemic malaria areas.This work was funded by grants SAF2017-83289-R to S.A. and A.A., SAF2017-90604REDT to A.A. supported by the The European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and BIO2016-77430-R to J.M.B. from the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad; B2017/BMD-3724 to S.A. and A.A. from the Comunidad de Madrid; and CIBERONC CB/16/00228 to A.A. from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Filipino Students’ Reading Abilities: A Note on the Challenges and Potential Areas for Improvement

The reading abilities of Filipino students have been a challenge for educators and policymakers alike. Despite government efforts to improve literacy rates in the Philippines, recent studies have shown that many students need help with reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills. This research note examines the current state of reading abilities among Filipino students and potential areas for improvement. The poor reading abilities can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of resources and socioeconomic factors. However, there are identified potential areas for improvement, such as promoting early literacy programs, investing in teacher training, and developing reading materials that are culturally relevant and engaging for Filipino students. These findings have important implications for education policies and practices in the Philippines and for educators and researchers seeking to improve reading abilities among Filipino students