Gazing left, gazing right: exploring a spatial bias in social attention

Faces oriented rightwards are sometimes perceived as more dominant than faces oriented leftwards. In this study, we explored whether faces oriented rightwards can also elicit increased attentional orienting. Participants completed a discrimination task in which they were asked to discriminate, by means of a keypress, a peripheral target. At the same time, a task-irrelevant face oriented leftwards or rightwards appeared at the centre of the screen. The results showed that, while for faces oriented rightwards targets appearing on the right were responded to faster as compared to targets appearing on the left, for faces oriented leftwards no differences emerged between left and right targets. Furthermore, we also found a negative correlation between the magnitude of the orienting response elicited by the faces oriented leftwards and the level of conservatism of the participants. Overall, these findings provide evidence for the existence of a spatial bias reflected in social orienting

Effect of insulin glargine on cardiovascular risk analysed by mean HRV

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is an insidious disease that is increasingly present in geriatric population [1]. The greatest difficulty is represented by glycaemic control in geriatric patients often not very compliant with diet therapy and drug therapy. A new insulin glargine 300 units/ml formulation seems im- prove patient compliance due to the lower volume of insulin to be injected and improved glycaemic control over 24 hours. The HRV signal, derived from digital electrocardiographic recording, is the simplest and most imme- diate analysis that consists in calculating some temporal parameters [2]. HRV is a simple statistics derived from beat-beat intervals of sinus origin expressed as units of time in milliseconds. Data in the literature indicate that a decrease in HRV, measured with time domain analysis, denotes a worse prognosis and/or an increased risk of mortality in patients with heart disease, especially in the elderly ones

Are eyes special? Gaze, but not pointing gestures, elicits a reversed congruency effect in a spatial Stroop task

Gaze stimuli can shape attention in a peculiar way as compared to non-social stimuli. For instance, in a spatial Stroop task, gaze stimuli elicit a reversed congruency effect (i.e., faster responses on incongruent than on congruent trials) as compared to arrows, for which a standard congruency effect emerges. Here, we tested whether the reversed congruency effect observed for gaze can emerge for other social signals such as pointing gestures. Participants discriminated the direction (left or right) indicated by gaze and pointing finger stimuli that appeared leftwards or rightwards with respect to a central fixation spot. Arrows were also employed as control non-social stimuli. A reversed congruency effect emerged for the gaze, whereas a standard congruency effect emerged for both the pointing finger and the arrows. This suggests that the reversed congruency effect is specific to gaze stimuli and does not embrace all social signals conveying spatial information

INFRARED IMAGING AND COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY IN BREAST CANCER: CASE STUDY

This work presents a case study of a 75-year-old woman breast withcancer. The investigation process used infrared image, mammography,computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasound guided biopsy toassess, stage and final diagnostic of the tumor. Each one of theseevaluations brings an isolated piece of information that results in thecorrect diagnostic, and treatment. As early diagnostic of breast cancergoes towards improvement in diagnostics and better therapeutics, it isreasonable to state that breast cancer diagnostics must be achieved asearly as possible. An association between infrared image abnormalitiesand computerized tomography is acknowledged and is assumed that acorrelation could exist. The technical literature demonstrated thattumor depth could be inferred from infrared images, but criticalinformation such as breast perfusion for accurate predictions are notavailable yet. Considering that a mathematical model could modelbreast perfusion, this study proposes that tumor morphology and depthin breast cancer could be adequately determined using mathematicalmodeling, infrared imaging, and computerized tomography incomplementary actions

Contribución al conocimiento ficológico y calidad de agua de la laguna La Arocena (pcia. de La Pampa, Argentina)

This work is part of an overall project that includes the study of the dynamics of algae in aquatic ecosystems in the province of La Pampa (Argentina). The aim of this contribution is to cite the species recorded for the Arocena and determine the saprobic and water quality of the lake. From October 2006 to August 2007 these were seasonal sampled in the Arocena shallow lake (Maracó Department), La Pampa. The samples were collected at six prefixed sites with phytoplankton net opening of 25 microns mesh. The physico-chemical variables (T °C, pH, conductivity, nitrites, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, among others) were obtained using portable sensors and subsequent laboratory techniques. These parameters provided an autecological characterization of the species studied and some of them extended the range of tolerance to the literature. Of all the species listed (251), 40% were Chlorophyceae, 32% Bacillariophyceae, 22% Cyanophyceae, Euglenophyceae 3.5% and 2.5% remaining Chrysophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Cryptophyceae and Dinophyceae. The determined state was β mesosaprobic and the water quality was α mesosaprobic.Instituto de Limnología "Raúl A. Ringuelet

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND FIELD DEPLOYMENT OF A TELEOPERATED SAMPLING SYSTEM

A teleoperated sampling system for the identification, collection and retrieval of samples following the detonation of an Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) or Radiological Dispersion Devise (RDD) has been developed and tested in numerous field exercises. The system has been developed as part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's (DTRA) National Technical Nuclear Forensic (NTNF) Program. The system is based on a Remotec ANDROS Mark V-A1 platform. Extensive modifications and additions have been incorporated into the platform to enable it to meet the mission requirements. The Defense Science Board Task Force on Unconventional Nuclear Warfare Defense, 2000 Summer Study Volume III report recommended the Department of Defense (DOD) improve nuclear forensics capabilities to achieve accurate and fast identification and attribution. One of the strongest elements of protection is deterrence through the threat of reprisal, but to accomplish this objective a more rapid and authoritative attribution system is needed. The NTNF program provides the capability for attribution. Early on in the NTNF program, it was recognized that there would be a desire to collect debris samples for analysis as soon as possible after a nuclear event. Based on nuclear test experience, it was recognized that mean radiation fields associated with even low yield events could be several thousand R/Hr near the detonation point for some time after the detonation. In anticipation of pressures to rapidly sample debris near the crater, considerable effort is being devoted to developing a remotely controlled vehicle that could enter the high radiation field area and collect one or more samples for subsequent analysis

Evaluation of management of patients with chronic degenerative diseases in a primary health clinic

The efficacy of health actions, related to arterial hypertension and used as a strategy to decrease morbi-mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, in accordance with the "risk approach" and carried out in a Primary Health Care Clinic is assessed. These actions are based on the detection of arterial hypertension in the adult population attended at the Clinic and on the control of blood pressure levels in hypertensive individuals in which other known risk factors continue to be controlled, as well as on further treatment of eventual complications. Data relating to the 3,793 patients who were attended at least once by doctors of the adult sector of a training health-center located in S. Paulo county (Brazil) during the period from June 1990 to May 1991, inclusive, were evaluated. This evaluation was made according to each diagnosis undertaken as well as to the concentration of each type of consultation whether occasional, or follow-up. Of these 3,793 patients analysed, 839 presented arterial hypertension and/or diabetes, and were grouped into four categories: the exclusively hypertensive, the hipertensive with other associated chronic diseases (except diabetes), the diabetic and the diabetic with arterial hypertension. The results of this study brougth the following aspects to light: 1) The low coverage of hypertensive individuals and diabetics being attended by the health service when only the population attended by the health service is taken into consideration. 2) The incidence of patients diagnosed as hypertensive in occasional consultations who did not return to the health service for medical follow-up indicates the difficulties involved in attracting such individuals permanently. This loss is due to both the non-appearance of patients at the consultations programmed for their follow-up as well the lack of the follow-up program on the part of the health service. 3) With regard to these that fulfilled the follow-up program, the concentration of medical consultations and the concentration of absences presented satisfactory proportions, compatible with the proposal of quartely medical consultations. 4) The category of exclusively hypertensive individuals presented a lower concentration of attendance at consultations and a higher proportion of absences per consultation planned than did the others categories. Finally, the limitations of the actions based on the risk approach for the control of Chronic Degenerative Diseases are discussed.Avalia-se o desempenho de ações de saúde desenvolvidas em uma unidade básica de saúde, relativas ao controle da hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS) enquanto estratégia de redução de morbi-mortalidadc por doença cardiovascular baseada no "enfoque de risco". Estas ações estruturam-se a partir da detecção da hipertensão arterial na população adulta atendida no serviço e do controle dos níveis pressóricos nos indivíduos portadores de HAS, incluindo outros fatores de risco conhecidos, bem como tratamento de eventuais complicações. Analisaram-se 3.793 usuários que compareceram pelo menos uma vez à consulta médica no serviço de Assistência ao Adulto de um Centro de Saúde-Escola, do Município de São Paulo (Brasil), no período de 1º de junho de 1990 a 31 de maio de 1991. Para cada um dos usuários foram considerados os diagnósticos realizados, bem como a concentração de cada modalidade de consulta realizada (pronto-atendimento e consulta agendada). Destes, 839 eram portadores de hipertensão arterial e/ou diabete e foram agrupados em quatro categorias: os exclusivamente hipertensos, os hipertensos com outra doença crônica associada (exceto diabete), os diabéticos e os diabéticos com hipertensão arterial. Os resultados deste estudo mostraram: 1) baixa cobertura de indivíduos hipertensos e diabéticos em atendimento no serviço, quando se considera a população atendida pelo Centro de Saúde; 2) a existência de pacientes diagnosticados como hipertensos em consultas de pronto-atendimento, que não retornaram ao Centro de Saúde para seguimento médico programático, apontando para dificuldades na captação efetiva destes indivíduos. Esta "perda" deveu-se tanto a faltas dos pacientes às consultas agendadas para seu seguimento quanto ao não agendamento de consultas de seguimento por parte do serviço; 3) para os pacientes que aderiram ao seguimento, a concentração de consultas médicas e a concentração de faltas apresentaram números compatíveis com a proposta de agendamento trimestral; 4) a categoria dos exclusivamente hipertensos apresentou, quando comparada com as demais, menor concentração de consultas e maior proporção de faltas por consulta agendada. Discutem-se os limites das ações baseadas no "enfoque de risco" para controle de doenças crónico-degenerativas em população

Effectiveness of nursing rounds in the Intensive Care Unit on workplace learning

Objectives: To evaluate the implementation of a regular Nursing Round as an educational strategy for workplace learning in an intensive care unit with a single room environment. Research design: A multiple methods design was used. Fifty-four Nursing Rounds were observed and nurses (n = 40) completed bespoke evaluative surveys. Structured observational data and open-ended survey responses were submitted to content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyse survey findings. Results: Nursing Rounds involved a diverse range of participants, most frequently nurses. The content most frequently discussed included empirical clinical issues where nurses decided on nursing care actions to address these issues. The most frequently observed outcome of Nursing Rounds was knowledge translation. Nursing Rounds were perceived to positively influence application of evidence in practise, identification of areas for practise improvement and ability to communicate clinical information. Two categories emerged from analysis of open-ended survey questions; (1) ‘Positive learning environment’, where nurses described Nursing Rounds as a social learning experience; and (2) ‘Impediments to Nursing Rounds’, including difficulty attending Nursing Rounds due to competing priorities. Conclusion: Nursing Rounds enabled evidence-based learning that enhanced inter-disciplinary collaboration. Further investigation may be required to understand how to enable nurses to attend more frequently, and generate a more holistic, evidence-based discussion