Effective transport barriers in nontwist systems

In fluids and plasmas with zonal flow reversed shear, a peculiar kind of transport barrier appears in the shearless region, one that is associated with a proper route of transition to chaos. These barriers have been identified in symplectic nontwist maps that model such zonal flows. We use the so-called standard nontwist map, a paradigmatic example of nontwist systems, to analyze the parameter dependence of the transport through a broken shearless barrier. On varying a proper control parameter, we identify the onset of structures with high stickiness that give rise to an effective barrier near the broken shearless curve. Moreover, we show how these stickiness structures, and the concomitant transport reduction in the shearless region, are determined by a homoclinic tangle of the remaining dominant twin island chains. We use the finite-time rotation number, a recently proposed diagnostic, to identify transport barriers that separate different regions of stickiness. The identified barriers are comparable to those obtained by using finite-time Lyapunov exponents.FAPESPCNPqCAPESMCT/CNEN (Rede Nacional de Fusao)Fundacao AraucariaUS Department of Energy DE-FG05-80ET-53088Physic

What drives the dehumanization of consensual non-monogamous partners?

We built upon a recent study by Rodrigues et al. (2018) by investigating potential mechanisms driving the dehumanization of consensual non-monogamous (CNM) partners. Using a between-subjects experimental design, we asked 202 Portuguese individuals (158 women; Mage = 29.17, SD = 9.97) to read the description of two partners in either a monogamous, open, or polyamorous relationship, and to make a series of judgments about both partners. Results showed the expected dehumanization effect, such that both groups of CNM partners (open and polyamorous) were attributed more primary (vs. secondary) emotions, whereas the reverse was true for monogamous partners. Moreover, results showed that the dehumanization effect was driven by the perception of CNM partners as less moral and less committed to their relationship. However, these findings were observed only for individuals with unfavorable (vs. favorable) attitudes toward CNM relationship. Overall, this study replicated the original findings and extended our understanding of why people in CNM relationships are stigmatized.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cohabitation and romantic relationship quality among Portuguese lesbian, gay and heterosexual individuals

Lesbian and gay (LG) individuals are perceived as having poorer relationship functioning than heterosexual individuals, but this negative appraisal is not translated into actual relationship experiences. Indeed, relationship quality outcomes do not vary according to sexual orientation. Cohabitation status may play an important role, because it symbolizes relationship commitment and intimacy particularly for LG individuals. A cross-sectional study (N = 425, 52.9% women; Mage = 28.38, SD = 6.89) with romantically involved LG (38.4%) and heterosexual (61.6%) individuals examined how cohabitation was associated with relationship quality outcomes. To isolate the role of cohabitation, cohabiting individuals were compared according to relationship legal status. Results showed that cohabiting (vs. non-cohabiting) LG individuals were more committed, invested and satisfied, but those who legalized (vs. did not legalize) their union were only more committed. Among heterosexual individuals, no differences were observed. Furthermore, LG (vs. heterosexual) individuals were overall more committed, satisfied and invested when cohabiting with their partner (especially in legalized unions), whereas heterosexual (vs. LG) individuals were more committed in non-cohabiting relationships. No other differences were found. This suggests that cohabitation may be used by LG individuals as a strategy to strengthen relationship quality, and that legal recognition further increases relationship commitment.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Aromatase Inhibitors in Male Adolescents with Idiopathic Short Stature

Introdução: O efeito dos fármacos inibidores da aromatase (IA) na estatura de jovens do sexo masculino com baixa estatura idiopática (BEI) tem vindo a ser estudado desde que foi evidenciado o papel dos estrogénios na paragem do crescimento linear. Os ensaios clínicos aleatorizados, duplamente cegos, de caso-controlo com letrozol indicam impacto positivo na previsão de estatura final em jovens do sexo masculino com BEI, com ou sem atraso constitucional do crescimento e puberdade. Por persistirem aspetos de segurança a requerer melhor estudo, a sua utilização terapêutica continua a ser off label. Objetivos: Tendo em vista a implementação de um ensaio clínico sobre a terapêutica com IA em jovens do sexo masculino com BEI procedeu-se a uma revisão sistemática da literatura, na qual se fundamenta a proposta de protocolo apresentada. Métodos: Pesquisa na base de dados eletrónica Medline de revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos alea-torizados controlados e referências bibliográficas dos artigos seleccionados, publicados entre Janeiro de 2001 e Dezembro de 2012. Conclusões: A terapêutica com um IA de terceira geração (letrozol) poderá ser considerada em jovens do sexo masculino com BEI, altura inferior a pelo menos −2,0 SDS para a idade ou previsão de altura final pelo menos 2,0 SDS abaixo da estatura média parental, desde que já tenha sido iniciada a puberdade e a idade óssea seja inferior a 14 anos. Os principais aspectos de segurança ainda sob discussão na literatura referem-se a potenciais efeitos a nível ósseo. A utilização de medicamentos off-label deve obedecer a critérios estritos de prescrição e seguimento das crianças, de forma a minimizar os riscos e obter resultados fiáveis e comparáveis. Apresenta-se proposta de sistematização de monitorização clínica, imagiológica e laboratorial, bem como critérios de término ou suspensão da mesma

A influência do design na valorização de marcas: construção de posicionamentos de marcas com foco no público

Anualmente, empresas como a Interbrand anunciam um ranking das marcas mais valiosas. Nesta análise, a empresa leva em consideração factos como a capacidade de a marca influenciar e fidelizar o consumidor. Neste sendo percebe-se o design como um gerador de diferenciação e valor de marcas, por meio da gestão da idendade de marca com foco no consumidor. Neste contexto, notam-se mudanças no comportamento, tanto das empresas que passam a ver no design um meio de alavancar o potencial competitivo, como no consumidor que passa a interagir de modo diferente com as empresas e suas marcas, assim como na atuação do design. Assim, por meio de uma pesquisa exploratória com base em procedimentos bibliográficos, busca-se compreender como o papel do design evoluiu junto as mudanças na sociedade, a fim de proporcionar valor superior as empresas, por meio da identidade de suas marcas.ABSTRACT: Every year companies such as Interbrand announce a ranking of the most valuable brands. In this analysis the company takes into consideration facts such as the ability to influence brand loyalty and consumers. In this way it’s possible to noce design as a generator of differential on and brand value through the management of brand identity with a focus on the consumer. In this context will be noticed changes in the behavior of both companies now see the design a means to leverage the competitive potential, as the consumer starts to interact with different companies and brands so as well as the performance of the design. Thus, through an exploratory research based on published procedures, we seek to understand how the role of design has evolved with the changes in society in order to provide superior value to companies through the identity of its brands.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Judging Similarity among Strings Described By Hierarchical Trees

The paper compares the tree-theoretical model of similarity judgement (in which the similarity between two objects is a function of the distance between them in a conceptual tree) with an averaging model of similarity judgement that is drawn jointly from information integration theory and from current research indicating the prevalence of anchoring and adjustment mechanisms in judgement. Results of an experiment are presented that suggest that even when subjects organize conceptual material as a hierarchical tree, judgments of similarity among the objects are better accounted for by an averaging mechanism than by distances in the tree. These data are discussed in terms of the differences between the representation in which knowledge is encoded and the processes that operate on the represented information

Stigmatization of consensual non-monogamous partners: Perceived endorsement of conservation or openness to change values vary according to personal attitudes

Studies have shown that romantic partners in consensual non-monogamous (CNM) relationships are targets of stigmatization. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms and the conditions under which such stigmatization occurs. In two experimental studies (combined N = 772), we asked participants to read the description of two partners in a relationship (monogamous vs. open relationship vs. polyamorous) and make a series of judgments about those partners. Overall results showed that CNM (vs. monogamous) partners were perceived as less trustworthy and as having more sexual health concerns (Studies 1 and 2), and as being less committed and less sexually satisfied (Study 2). Results from a conditional mediation analysis (Study 2) further showed that participants with negative attitudes toward consensual non-monogamy perceived CNM (vs. monogamous) partners as having less conservation and more openness to change values, which was then associated with more stigmatization. In contrast, participants with positive attitudes toward consensual non-monogamy perceived CNM (vs. monogamous) partners as having more openness to change values, which was then associated with less stigmatization. Taken together, these results extended the literature focused on prejudice, discrimination, and stigmatization of minority groups and highlighted key elements that can be used to buffer stigmatization.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Regulatory focus and sexual health: Motives for security and pleasure in sexuality are associated with distinct protective behaviors

We examined if motives for security (i.e., prevention focus) or pleasure (i.e., promotion focus) were uniquely associated with intentions to get tested for STIs and behavioral control over condom use, over and above variables already identified in theoretical models. We conducted an online survey with Portuguese adults (N = 836; Mage = 22.27, SD = 5.14). Overall, 99.4% of the participants knew at least one of eight STIs, but only 25.2% got tested in the last six months. Participants more focused on prevention had condomless sex less frequently, whereas participants more focused on promotion knew more STIs and got tested for more STIs. Furthermore, participants had stronger intentions to get tested for STIs if they got tested for more STIs in the past, were more concerned about STIs, perceived greater susceptibility to STI acquisition, and were more focused on promotion (but not prevention). Participants had greater behavioral control over condom use if they had condomless sex less often and were more focused on prevention (but not promotion). These findings suggest that promotion-focused people are more likely to consider the consequences of having condomless sex. In contrast, prevention-focused people are more likely to take control of their sexual health.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Having a prevention regulatory focus longitudinally predicted distress and health‐protective behaviors during the COVID‐19 pandemic

People focused on prevention (vs. promotion) are motivated by safety and are less inclined to take risks. We tested if having a prevention (vs. promotion) focus before the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak predicted threat perceptions and health outcomes throughout the pandemic. Participants (N = 161) took part in a longitudinal study. Measures were assessed before the pandemic was declared (on November 2019, T1) and after a global pandemic was declared (on June 2020, T2). Participants who were more focused on prevention prior to the onset of the pandemic (at T1) perceived greater risk and were more worried about contracting COVID-19 and engaged in more preventive behaviors during the pandemic (at T2). They also reported less anxiety and felt healthier (at T2). Exploratory analyses revealed that enacting preventive behaviors helped people cope with pandemic-related anxiety. Being motivated by security and enacting preventive behaviors seems to have helped people reduce anxiety over risk even during the pandemic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio