Extracting behavioural patterns from a negotiation game

The work presented focuses not only on the behavioural patterns that influence the outcome of a negotiation, but also on the discovery of ways to predict the type of conflict used in the process and the stress levels of the actors. After setting up an experimental intelligent environment provided with sensors to capture behavioural and contextual information, a set of relevant data was collected and analysed, with the underlying objective of using the behavioural patterns (obtained by statistical/probabilistic methods) as a basis to design and present plans and suggestions to the associated participants. In sooth, these proposals may influence in a positive way the course and outcome of a negotiation task in many aspects. This work highlights the importance of knowledge in negotiation, as in other social forms of interaction, providing also some new insights for informed decision support in situations in which uncertainty and conflict may be present

Studying the effects of stress on negotiation behaviour

"Special issue : Computational approaches for conflict resolution in decision making : new advances and developments"Negotiation is a collaborative activity that requires the participation of different parties whose behaviors influence the outcome of the whole process. The work presented here focuses on the identification of such behaviors and their impact on the negotiation process. The premise for this study is that identifying and cataloging the behavior of parties during a negotiation may help to clarify the role that stress plays in the process. To do so, an experiment based on a negotiation game was implemented. During this experiment, behavioral and contextual information about participants was acquired. The data from this negotiation game were analyzed in order to identify the conflict styles used by each party and to extract behavioral patterns from the interactions, useful for the development of plans and suggestions for the associated participants. The work highlights the importance of the knowledge about social interactions as a basis for informed decision support in situations of conflict.This work is part-funded by ERDF - European Regional Development Fund through the COMPETE Programme (operational programme for competitiveness) and by National Funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028980 (PTDC/EEI-SII/1386/2012). The work of Tiago Oliveira is supported by doctoral grant by FCT (SFRH/BD/85291/2012)

Establishing the relationship between personality traits and stress in an intelligent environment

Personality traits play a key role in the shaping of emotions, moods, cognitions, and behaviours of individuals interacting in a virtual environment. The personalities one exhibits reflect one’s perception of the world and are demonstrated in the act of communication. Thus, the evaluation of a message can be changed due to stress and mood variations. Being able to identify the degree of relationship between one’s personality characteristics and one’s current stress state can thus facilitate the communication process. In particular, in this paper it is studied the correlation between some personality traits and the stress levels exhibited by users’ interactions. To do so a novel approach was followed in which an intelligent environment is used to support the stress recognition process providing important personality related information. An experiment has been designed for the purpose of addressing the estimation of relevant aspects of interactions that occur in a rich sensory environment. Outputs from the experiment, such as the relation between personality characteristics and stress, can be used to maximize the benefits of virtual environments and its applications in fields such as learning, medicine or conflict resolution.This work was developed in the context of the project CAMCoF - Context-aware Multimodal Communication Framework funded by ERDF - European Regional Development Fund through the COMPETE Programme (operational programme for competitiveness) and by National Funds through the FCT - Fundac¸ ˜ao para a Ciˆencia e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within project FCOMP-01-0124- FEDER-028980

In Vitro Synergistic Effect of Psidium guineense (Swartz) in Combination with Antimicrobial Agents against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Psidium guineense Swartz (Araçá-do-campo) and five antimicrobials (ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, and meropenem) against twelve strains of Staphylococcus aureus with a resistant phenotype previously determined by the disk diffusion method. Four S. aureus strains showed resistance to all antimicrobial agents tested and were selected for the study of the interaction between aqueous extract of P. guineense and antimicrobial agents, by the checkerboard method. The criteria used to evaluate the synergistic activity were defined by the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). All S. aureus strains were susceptible to P. guineense as determined by the microdilution method. The combination of the P. guineense extract with the antimicrobial agents resulted in an eight-fold reduction in the MIC of these agents, which showed a FICI ranging from 0.125 to 0.5, suggesting a synergistic interaction against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. The combination of the aqueous extract of P. guineense with cefoxitin showed the lowest FICI values. This study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of P. guineense combined with beta lactamics antimicrobials, fluoroquinolones, and carbapenems, acts synergistically by inhibiting MRSA strains

Potencialidades educacionais do conto “A família feliz” de Andersen: proposições para o ensino de ecossistemas

The story has a significant formative cultural value, in the sense of circulating the knowledge of a people, but also of entertaining and making language a playful device in the teaching-learning process. In this sense, this work presents the various potentialities, especially those of an educational nature, present in the short story The Happy Family, by Hans Christian Andersen, indicating its plot and characters and then their skills in teaching science, notably the themes related to ecosystems. Methodologically, a discussion of the story is carried out in light of the aspects circumscribed in the field of Natural Sciences, and also those that allow discussing the topic from an integrative perspective, which includes dialogue with other areas, including the humanities. Finally, as results of the discussion, the potential of the story is reiterated as part of pedagogical and training practices that can contribute to the elaboration of experiences and knowledge, to the enjoyment of its aesthetics and to the interaction that storytelling can promote.El cuento tiene un importante valor cultural formativo, en el sentido de hacer circular el conocimiento de un pueblo, pero también de entretener y hacer del lenguaje un dispositivo lúdico en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje. En este sentido, este trabajo presenta las diversas potencialidades, especialmente las de carácter educativo, presentes en el cuento La familia feliz, de Hans Christian Andersen, indicando su trama y personajes y luego sus habilidades en la enseñanza de las ciencias, destacando los temas relacionados con ecosistemas. Metodológicamente, se realiza una discusión del relato a la luz de los aspectos circunscritos al campo de las Ciencias Naturales, y también aquellos que permiten discutir el tema desde una perspectiva integradora, que incluye el diálogo con otras áreas, incluidas las humanidades. Finalmente, como resultados de la discusión, se reitera el potencial del cuento como parte de prácticas pedagógicas y formativas que pueden contribuir a la elaboración de experiencias y conocimientos, al disfrute de su estética y a la interacción que el storytelling puede promover.O conto tem um significativo valor cultural formativo, no sentido de fazer circular os conhecimentos de um povo, mas também de entreter e fazer da linguagem um dispositivo lúdico no processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Nesse sentido, este trabalho apresenta as diversas potencialidades, sobremaneira as de natureza educacional, presentes no conto A família feliz, de Hans Christian Andersen, indicando o seu enredo e personagens para, em seguida, as suas competências no ensino de ciências, notadamente dos temas relacionados aos ecossistemas. Metodologicamente, é realizada uma discussão do conto à luz dos aspectos circunscritos no campo das Ciências da Natureza, e também daqueles que permitem discutir o tema em perspectiva integrativa, o que inclui o diálogo com outras áreas, inclusive as humanidades. Por fim, enquanto resultados da discussão, reiteram-se as potencialidades do conto inscritas em práticas pedagógicas e formativas que podem contribuir para a elaboração de experiências e saberes, para o usufruto da sua estética e para a interação que a contação pode promover

Unveiling the local structure of 2-mercaptobenzothiazole intercalated in (Zn2Al) layered double hydroxides

The structure and composition of a zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxide (Zn2Al LDH) with the intercalated 2-mercaptobenzothiazole corrosion inhibitor (a.k.a. benzo[d]thiazole-2-thiol) are interpreted by means of atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results concerning the proportion of intercalated 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and water species in the Zn2Al LDH interlayer were correlated with experimental X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data of samples obtained at pH 8.5, 10 and 11.5. While the sample synthesized at the lowest pH is almost free of contaminants, the sample obtained at the highest pH is contaminated by a small fraction of a material with intercalated OH-. The comparison of the calculated and XRD interlayer distances suggests that the most stable structure has a ratio of ~4.5 water molecules per intercalated organic species, which is higher than the ratio of ~2 typically reported in the literature. The distribution of molecules in the LDH interlayer consists of a layer of water near the hydroxides, a second layer grown over the first layer, with the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole species adopting conformations with the sulfur of the thioamide group facing the hydroxide/water layers and the 6-member ring oriented towards the middle of the interlayer. Different structural analyses were done to explain the equilibria between the different species in the interlayer space, and their molecular interactions with the LDH metal hydroxide layers.publishe

Avaliação microbiológica dos aparelhos celulares de profissionais do Bloco Cirúrgico em um Hospital beneficente

Background and Objectives: Hospital infection has been a frequent and growing problem worldwide. To try to determine factors that might contribute to the spread of bacteria in the hospital environment is part of the control strategy of this evil. Mobile phones, which are devices present in everyday life in any environment on the planet, including health facilities, can serve as reservoirs of pathogens, and its handling might help in the spread of infection in hospitals. This concern rises when it comes appliances belonging to potentially colonized environments of employees by resistant bacteria environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of contamination of mobile phones of employees of a surgical ward of a hospital, checking for differences between the functions of these professionals, such as surgeons, anesthetists, perfusionists, nurses, and scrub nurses. Methods: We collected swabs moistened in enriching broth 50 mobile phones of employees of the surgical rooms. These swabs were hatched and sown, and his reading was held on 24 and 48 hours, with separate results according to each specialty. Results: Of 50 evaluated handsets, 88% (44) were colonized. The most common bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci, followed by Bacillus subtilis (15.9%) and Micrococcus sp (9.1%). There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of contamination among the evaluated specialties. Conclusion: As shown in the literature, cell phones are contaminated with potentially infectious bacteria, and therefore, measures to regulate their use and antisepsis should be stipulated by the institutions.Justificativa e Objetivos: A infecção hospitalar tem sido um problema frequente e crescente em todo o mundo. Tentar determinar fatores que possam contribuir com a disseminação de bactérias dentro do ambiente hospitalar faz parte da estratégia de controle deste mal. Os telefones celulares, dispositivos presentes no cotidiano de qualquer ambiente, incluindo os estabelecimentos de saúde, podem servir de reservatórios de patógenos, e, em seu manuseio, ajudar na disseminação de infecção nos hospitais. Essa preocupação se eleva ao se tratar de aparelhos pertencentes a funcionários de ambientes potencialmente colonizados por bactérias resistentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o grau de contaminação dos aparelhos celulares dos funcionários de um bloco cirúrgico de um hospital, verificando se há diferença entre as funções destes profissionais, tais como cirurgiões, anestesistas, perfusionistas, enfermeiros e instrumentadores. Métodos: Foram colhidos swabs umedecidos em caldo enriquecedor de 50 telefones celulares de funcionários do bloco cirúrgico. Esses swabs foram encubados e semeados, tendo suas leituras sido realizadas em 24 e 48h, tendo os resultados separados de acordo com cada especialidade. Resultados: Dos 50 aparelhos celulares avaliados, 88% (44) estavam colonizados. A bactéria mais comum foi o Estafilococos coagulase-negativa, seguido do Bacillus subtillis (15,9%) e Micrococcus sp. (9,1%). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa do grau de contaminação entre as especialidades avaliadas. Conclusões: Assim como mostra a literatura, os telefones celulares estão contaminados por bactérias potencialmente infectantes, e por isso, medidas para regulamentar seu uso e antissepsia devem ser estipuladas pelas instituições

Augmented β-cell function and mass in glucocorticoid-treated rodents are associated with increased islet ir-β /AKT/mTOR and decreased AMPK/ACC and AS160 signaling

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOGlucocorticoid (GC) therapies may adversely cause insulin resistance (IR) that lead to a compensatory hyperinsulinemia due to insulin hypersecretion. The increased β-cell function is associated with increased insulin signaling that has the protein kinase B (AKT) substrate with 160 kDa (AS160) as an important downstream AKT effector. In muscle, both insulin and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling phosphorylate and inactivate AS160, which favors the glucose transporter (GLUT)-4 translocation to plasma membrane. Whether AS160 phosphorylation is modulated in islets from GC-treated subjects is unknown. For this, two animal models, Swiss mice and Wistar rats, were treated with dexamethasone (DEX) (1 mg/kg body weight) for 5 consecutive days. DEX treatment induced IR, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in both species, but glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia only in rats. DEX treatment caused increased insulin secretion in response to glucose and augmented β-cell mass in both species that were associated with increased islet content and increased phosphorylation of the AS160 protein. Protein AKT phosphorylation, but not AMPK phosphorylation, was found significantly enhanced in islets from DEX-treated animals. We conclude that the augmented β-cell function developed in response to the GC-induced IR involves inhibition of the islet AS160 protein activity.Glucocorticoid (GC) therapies may adversely cause insulin resistance (IR) that lead to a compensatory hyperinsulinemia due to insulin hypersecretion. The increased β-cell function is associated with increased insulin signaling that has the protein kinase2014114FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOsem informaçãosem informaçã

Peripheral Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst : a rare case report

The Calcifying Odontogenic Cyst (COC) is a simple cyst lined by ameloblastoma-like epithelium with ghost cells. The peripheral COC is a rare lesion and few reports have been published considering its clinical and histopathological features. This article aimed to report on a case of a peripheral COC, discussing its clinical, imaginological and histopathological features. A 9-year-old male patient presented a 10x5 mm painless nodule in the palatal mucosa of the left central incisor. Panoramic, occlusal and periapical radiographs did not show alterations. A computed tomography exam showed a slight soft tissue swelling located in the palatal mucosa of the left maxillary central incisor. An excisional biopsy was performed. The histopathological analysis showed a cystic lesion adhered to an oral mucosa fragment and lined by an ameloblastoma-like epithelium with ghost cells. The diagnosis of peripheral COC was established and the patient has been disease-free for 5 years. Although rare, peripheral COC is an important lesion that should be considered as a differential diagnosis of gingival hyperplastic lesions

ANÁLISE DA VARIABILIDADE TEMPORAL DA PRECIPITAÇÃO EM RECIFE-PE

The city of Recife-PE has geographic singularities that interfere in the temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation, which is associated with topographical factors, wind displacement, vegetation, urbanization, among others. Thus, this location has a strong potential for the occurrence of extreme precipitation events, whether by flooding, flooding or landslides affecting the population's quality of life. We sought to analyze the behavior of this variable through monthly precipitation data covering the period 1961 to 2019, obtained from the Meteorological Database for Education and Research (BDMEP) of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), satellite images GOES-12, from the database of the Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies (CPTEC/INPE) and data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite. To verify the occurrence or not of trends in the time series, the Mann-Kendall (MK) test was used. This test uses the null hypothesis H0, when there is no precipitation trend, and the alternative hypothesis H1, when there is a trend in the data series, for the month of March negatively at the level of 5% (p<0.05), rejecting the null hypothesis. From the TRMM satellite images, INMET data and GOES-12 satellite images, it was evidenced that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) meteorological system, with its favorable convective activity and its climatological position further south of the Equator contributed to the accumulated precipitation observed in Recife-PE.La ciudad de Recife-PE tiene singularidades geográficas que interfieren en la distribución temporal y espacial de la precipitación, que se asocia con factores topográficos, desplazamiento del viento, vegetación, urbanización, entre otros. Por lo tanto, esta localidad tiene un fuerte potencial para la ocurrencia de eventos de precipitaciones extremas, ya sean inundaciones, inundaciones o deslizamientos de tierra que afectan la calidad de vida de la población. Se buscó analizar el comportamiento de esta variable a través de datos mensuales de precipitación que comprenden el período de 1961 a 2019, obtenidos de la Base de Datos Meteorológicos para la Enseñanza y la Investigación (BDMEP) del Instituto Nacional de Meteorología (INMET), imágenes del satélite GOES-12, la base de datos del Centro de Pronósticos Meteorológicos y Estudios Climáticos (CPTEC/INPE) y datos del satélite tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Para verificar la ocurrencia o no de tendencias en la serie temporal, se utilizó la prueba de Mann-Kendall (MK). Esta prueba utiliza la hipótesis nula H0, cuando no hay tendencia de precipitación y la hipótesis alternativa H1, cuando hay una tendencia en la serie de datos, para el mes de marzo negativamente en el nivel de 5% (p<0,05), rechazando la hipótesis nula. A partir de las imágenes satelitales del TRMM, datos del INMET e imágenes satelitales GOES-12, se evidenció que la Zona de Convergencia Intertropical del Sistema Meteorológico (CIIC), con su actividad convectiva favorable y su posición climatológica más al sur de Ecuador, contribuyó a la precipitación acumulada observada en Recife-PE.A cidade de Recife-PE possui singularidades geográficas que interferem na distribuição temporal e espacial da precipitação, que está associada com fatores topográficos, deslocamento dos ventos, vegetação, urbanização, entre outros. Dessa forma, essa localidade apresenta um forte potencial para ocorrência de eventos extremos de precipitação, seja ele por alagamentos, inundações ou deslizamentos de terra afetando a qualidade de vida da população. Buscou-se analisar o comportamento dessa variável por meio dos dados mensais de precipitação compreendendo o período de 1961 a 2019, obtidos a partir do Banco de Dados Meteorológicos para Ensino e Pesquisa (BDMEP) do Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia (INMET), imagens do satélite GOES-12, do banco de dados do Centro de Previsão de Tempo e Estudos Climáticos (CPTEC/INPE) e dados do satélite Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). Para verificar a ocorrência ou não de tendências nas séries temporais, utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Kendall (MK). Esse teste utiliza a hipótese nula H0, quando não há tendência de precipitação e a hipótese alternativa H1, quando há tendência na série de dados, para o mês de março negativamente ao nível de 5% (p<0,05), rejeitando-se a hipótese nula. A partir das imagens do satélite TRMM, dos dados do INMET e das imagens de satélite GOES-12, evidenciou-se que o sistema meteorológico Zona de Convergência Intertropical (ZCIT), com sua atividade convectiva favorável e sua posição climatológica mais ao sul do Equador contribuiu nos acumulados de precipitação observados em Recife-PE