Electrostatic Repulsion of Positively Charged Vesicles and Negatively Charged Objects

A positively charged, mixed bilayer vesicle in the presence of negatively charged surfaces (for example, colloidal particles) can spontaneously partition into an adhesion zone of definite area, and another zone that repels additional negative objects. Although the membrane itself has nonnegative charge in the repulsive zone, negative counterions on the interior of the vesicle spontaneously aggregate there, and present a net negative charge to the exterior. Beyond the fundamental result that oppositely charged objects can repel, our mechanism helps explain recent experiments on surfactant vesicles.Comment: Latex using epsfig and afterpage; pdf available at http://www.physics.upenn.edu/~nelson/Mss/repel.pd

Primary non-adherence in Portugal: findings and implications

The final publication will be available at Springer via http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11096-015-0108-1"Background: Portugal is currently facing a serious economic and financial crisis, which is dictating some important changes in the health care sector. Some of these measures may potentially influence patients’ access to medication and consequently adherence, which will ultimately impact on health status, especially in chronic patients. Aims: This study aimed at providing a snapshot of adherence in patients with chronic conditions in Portugal between March and April 2012. Setting: Community pharmacy in Portugal Method: A cross-sectional pilot study was undertaken, where patients were recruited via community pharmacies to a questionnaire study evaluating the number of prescribed and purchased drugs and, when these figures were inconsistent, the reasons for this. Main outcome measures: Primary and secondary adherence measures. Failing to purchase prescription items was categorized as primary nonadherence. Secondary nonadherence was attributed to purchasing prescription items, but not taking medicines as prescribed. Results: Data were collected from 375 patients. Primary nonadherence was identified in 22.8% of patients. Regardless of the underlying condition, the most commonly reported reason for primary non-adherence was having spare medicines at home (“left-overs”), followed by financial problems. The latter appeared to be related to the class of medicines prescribed. Primary non-adherence was associated with low income (<475 €/month; p=0.026). Secondary non-adherence, assessed by the 7-MMAS was detected in over 50% of all patients, where unintentional nonadherence was higher than intentional nonadherence across all disease conditions. Conclusion: This study revealed that more than one fifth of chronic medication users report primary nonadherence (22.8%) and more than 50% report secondary nonadherence. Data indicates that the existence of spare medicines and financial constraints occurred were the two most frequent reasons cited for nonadherence (47,6-64,8% and 19-45.5%, depending on the major underlying condition, respectively)."All authors are part of the Portuguese Observatory of Health Systems (OPSS)

A new 'saccamminid' genus (Rhizaria: Foraminifera), from 4400 m water depth in the Nazare Canyon (NE Atlantic)

We describe Bithekammina occulta, a new monothalamous agglutinated foraminiferan ('saccamminid') collected in multicore samples at 4400 m on the terrace of the lower Nazare Canyon on the Portuguese margin. The test is spherical to oval, up to similar to 400 mu m in length, with a simple circular aperture. The wall has a very smooth surface with a distinct sheen in reflected light. It is <10 mu m thick and composed of very fine agglutinated plate-like clay particles and a thin inner organic layer. The most distinctive feature of the new species is that the test is contained within an agglutinated case ('secondary test') composed mainly of larger (10-50 mu m) quartz grains. The case is equipped with a long, narrow tube that originates near the aperture of the inner test and presumably acts as a channel through which pseudopodia are deployed. Secondary agglutinated structures have been described in a number of foraminifera, but never before in a 'saccamminid'.EC FP6 GOCE-CT-2005–511234 HERMESEC FP7 - 226354 HERMIONEFCT - PTDC/MAR/110082/2009 DeepForamsFCT - SFRH/BPD/26272/200

PERSPECTIVAS E DESAFIOS APRESENTADOS POR PROFESSORES DO ENSINO MÉDIO DE UMA ESCOLA PÚBLICA

Uma pesquisa institucional é uma ferramenta utilizada na qual visa contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade dos serviços oferecidos, sendo eles públicos ou privados, preferenciando  uma possível eficácia tanto no modelo de gestão quanto no modelo educacional da instituição. Sendo assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi realizar um diagnóstico em uma instituição de ensino e analisar problemáticas existentes que necessitam de um apoio, principalmente sob o olhar da psicologia educacional. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram da pesquisa 8 profissionais que lecionam como professores de diversas disciplinas na instituição de ensino, sendo 4 deles atuantes no período matutino e os outros 4 atuantes no período vespertino. O instrumento de coleta foi uma entrevista semiestruturada. Os resultados sinalizam para uma urgência de olhares voltados para o ensino público, precisando de recursos e meios que possam desenvolver o aluno de uma forma efetiva. É importante frisar ainda a importância de um profissional da Psicologia em qualquer instituição de ensino, pois este auxiliaria alunos e professores para um melhor rendimento do processo de ensino aprendizagem

Study of Soybean Oil Hydrolysis Catalyzed by Thermomyces lanuginosus Lipase and Its Application to Biodiesel Production via Hydroesterification

The process of biodiesel production by the hydroesterification route that is proposed here involves a first step consisting of triacylglyceride hydrolysis catalyzed by lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TL 100L) to generate free fatty acids (FFAs). This step is followed by esterification of the FFAs with alcohol, catalyzed by niobic acid in pellets or without a catalyst. The best result for the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis was obtained under reaction conditions of 50% (v/v) soybean oil and 2.3% (v/v) lipase (25 U/mL of reaction medium) in distilled water and at 60°C; an 89% conversion rate to FFAs was obtained after 48 hours of reaction. For the esterification reaction, the best result was with an FFA/methanol molar ratio of 1:3, niobic acid catalyst at a concentration of 20% (w/w FFA), and 200°C, which yielded 92% conversion of FFAs to soy methyl esters after 1 hour of reaction. This study is exceptional because both the hydrolysis and the esterification use a simple reaction medium with high substrate concentrations

Comparação da resposta da percepção subjetiva do esforço e da carga total levantada nos exercícios resistidos em plataforma estável e instável

This study aimed to compare the perceived subjective exertion (PSE) and total load lifted in resistance exercises performed on stable platforms (SP) and unstable platforms (UP). Participants were 20 men (24.6 ± 3.4 years, 179 ± 0.1 cm, 80.6 ± 9.1 kg and 11.8 ± 3.4% fat). Each subject performed a 15 maximum repetition test in half squat exercises (soil and balance discs), pronated barbell row (soil and bosu) and biceps curl (soil and balance discs) in both conditions. PSE was measured using the OMNI-RES scale and the load lifted value (kg). To verify the normality of data, the Shapiro-Wilk test was used. Possible differences related to loads and PSE on the platforms were performed by the paired t test. Significance level of p <0.05 was adopted. No significant differences between PSE values on SP and UP were respectively observed in the half squat (8.2 and 8.5 / p = 0.8), pronated barbell row (8.4 and 8.4 / p = 0.7) and biceps curl (8.6 and 8.7 / p = 1.0). Higher load values on SP and UP were respectively found in half squat (83.9kg and 70.3kg / p <0.001) and pronated barbell row exercises (53.2kg and 48.6kg / p = 0.01) on SP. However, biceps curl showed dissimilar behavior (48.2kg and 47.4kg / p = 0.5). It was concluded that UP does not promote differences in PSE responses even working with smaller load or similar load.Objetivou-se comparar a percepção subjetiva do esforço (PSE) e a carga total levantada nos exercícios resistidos em plataformas estáveis (PE) e plataformas instáveis (PI). Participaram do estudo 20 homens (24,6 ± 3,4 anos, 179 ± 0,1 cm, 80,6 ± 9,1 Kg e 11,8 ± 3,4 % de gordura). Cada voluntário realizou um teste de 15 repetições máximas nos exercícios meio agachamento (solo e discos de equilíbrio), remada curvada pronada (solo e bosu) e rosca bíceps (solo e discos de equilíbrio) em ambas as condições. Foram medidas a PSE através da escala de OMNI-RES e o valor da carga levantada (kg). Para verificar a normalidade dos dados, utilizou-se o teste Shapiro-Wilk. As possíveis diferenças relacionadas às cargas e à PSE nas plataformas foram realizadas pelo teste t pareado. Adotou-se um nível de significância de p<0,05. Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os valores da PSE em PE e PI respectivamente, no meio agachamento (8,2 e 8,5 / p=0,8), remada curvada pronada (8,4 e 8,4 / p=0,7) e rosca bíceps (8,6 e 8,7 / p=1,0). Foram encontrados maiores valores de carga em PE e PI respectivamente, nos exercícios de meio agachamento (83,9kg e 70,3kg / p<0,001) e remada curvada pronada (53,2kg e 48,6kg / p=0,01) na PE. Em contrapartida, para a rosca bíceps não ocorreu o mesmo (48,2kg e 47,4kg / p=0,5). É possível concluir que as PI não promovem diferenças nas respostas da PSE mesmo sendo trabalhadas com uma menor carga ou com uma carga semelhante

Características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por enfermedades infecciosas intestinales (diarreas), Paraguay (2015 – 2019)

Introduction: Infectious intestinal diseases (diarrhea) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In 2015, it constituted the ninth leading cause of death for all ages. Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics of mortality due to infectious intestinal diseases (diarrhea) in Paraguay from 2015 to 2019. Methods: Descriptive, ecological, cross-sectional, retrospective, and non-probabilistic sampling of consecutive cases was performed. ICD-10 deaths included cholera (A01), typhoid and paratyphoid fever (A01), shigellosis (A03), other bacterial intestinal infections (A04), other bacterial food poisoning (A05), amebiasis (A06), other intestinal diseases due to protozoa (A07), intestinal infections due to viruses (A08), and diarrhea and gastroenteritis of presumed infectious origin (A09). Open access data were obtained from the WEB page of the General Directorate of Strategic Information in Health of the MSP and BS of all the Departments of the country. Crude and adjusted rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) were calculated. Excel and EPI INFO 7.0 were used. Results: 495 deaths were registered; the highest prevalence was in 2019 (adjusted rate of 1.83) and the lowest in 2017 (1.36). The months with the highest mortality rates were January and July (9.9%). 51.72% were women (256), 30.91% were over 80 years old and 28.28% (140) were under 5 years old, average age 50.8, single 56.77% (281) and without any type of education 41.82% (207). A total of 80.61% (399) of the respondents resided in urban areas. The highest rates were registered in Boquerón (33.3) and Amambay (15.2). Diarrhea and gastroenteritis of infectious origin accounted for 95.56% of the cases (473). Discussion: There was a high percentage of mortality from infectious diarrhea. Extremes of life were the most vulnerable populations.Introducción: Las enfermedades infecciosas intestinales (diarrea) son una causa importante de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. En 2015, constituyeron la novena causa principal de muerte para todas las edades. Objetivo: describir las características epidemiológicas de la mortalidad por enfermedades infecciosas intestinales (diarreas) en Paraguay durante los años 2015 al 2019. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, ecológico, transversal, retrospectivo, muestreo no probabilístico de casos consecutivos. Se consideraron los óbitos del CIE – 10, que incluyen al cólera (A01), fiebres tifoidea y paratifoidea (A01), shigelosis (A03), otras infecciones intestinales bacterianas (A04), otras intoxicaciones alimentarias bacterianas (A05), amebiasis (A06), otras enfermedades intestinales debidas a protozoarios (A07), infecciones intestinales debidas a virus (A08) y diarrea y gastroenteritis de presunto origen infeccioso (A09). Se utilizaron datos de acceso abierto de la página WEB de la Dirección General de Información Estratégica en Salud del MSP y BS de todos los Departamentos del país. Se calcularon tasas crudas y ajustadas (por 100.000 habitantes). Se utilizaron Excel y EPI INFO 7.0. Resultados: Se registraron 495 muertes, la mayor prevalencia fue en 2019 (tasa ajustada de 1,83) y menor en 2017 (1,36). Los meses con mayor mortalidad fueron enero y julio (9,9%). El 51,72% fueron mujeres (256), 30,91% mayores de 80 años y 28,28% (140) menores de 5 años, edad promedio 50,8, solteros 56,77% (281) y sin ningún tipo de educación 41,82% (207). El 80,61% (399) residía en área urbana. Las mayores tasas se registraron en Boquerón (33,3) y Amambay (15,2). El 95,56% (473) fueron diarreas y gastroenteritis de origen infeccioso. Discusión: Se registra alto porcentaje de mortalidad de diarreas de origen infeccioso. Los extremos de la vida constituyen la población más vulnerables

Effect of social instigation and aggressive behavior on hormone levels of lactating dams and adult male Wistar rats

Among rodents, maternal aggression in the postpartum period represents a species-typical adaptation, but when aggressive behavior increases beyond this adaptive level, it can represent a model of excessive aggression. This study assessed the neuroendocrine response of lactating rats and socially instigated male rats. The aim of the present study was to assess neuroendocrine responses and the behavioral pattern of lactating rats and males that were subjected to an emotional stressor using the social instigation protocol. We measured plasma corticosterone levels as the key hormonal parameter of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and oxytocin, prolactin, and progesterone, which are released in response to several types of stressors. Our results showed that lactating rats that were subjected to only social instigation or aggressive confrontation in the presence of their pups had lower plasma corticosterone levels, and this response was similar to oxytocin, prolactin, and progesterone levels. By contrast, male rats showed increased corticosterone levels after being subjected only to social instigation. Male rats also engaged in aggressive behavior compared with the control group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that lactating rats subjected to social instigation exhibited an attenuation of the HPA axis response, which is considered to be crucial to the dam's welfare so that it can care for its offspring. Thus, we can infer that lactation is a relevant factor in neuroendocrine responses to stress because of the increased levels of corticosterone in males.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES