Averaged electron collision cross sections for thermal mixtures of beta-alanine conformers in the gas phase

A theoretical study of elastic electron scattering by gas-phase amino acid molecule β-alanine (NH2–CH2–CH2–COOH) is presented. R-matrix calculations are performed for each of the ten lowest-lying, thermally-accessible conformers of β-alanine. Eigenphase sums, resonance features, differential and integral cross sections are computed for each conformer. The positions of the low-energy shape resonance associated with the unoccupied ${\pi }^{* }$ orbital of the −COOH group are found to vary from 2.5 to 3.3 eV and the resonance widths from 0.2 to 0.5 eV depending on the conformation. The temperature-dependent population ratios are derived, based on temperature-corrected Gibbs free energies. Averaged cross sections for thermal mixtures of the 10 conformers are presented. A comparison with previous results for the α-alanine isomer is also presented

Estratégias de gestão de conflitos utilizadas por enfermeiros gestores portugueses

Objectives: to analyze the perception and conflict management strategies used by nurses in the management of people in Portuguese health services. Methods: descriptive, correlational study, carried out in Portuguese health services, with an intentional non-probabilistic sample, totaling 95 nurse managers. A questionnaire and Conflict Management Scale were used, analyzing the variables of managerial activities and conflict management, with the aid of software. Results: it was identified that 60% of the managers, report having to mediate conflicts daily, and the majority report adopting dialogue in conduct. However, through the Kruskal-Wallis test, it was shown that enforcement strategies in conflict management prevail (p = 0.008), with collaborative ones being more restricted to monthly intervals (p = 0.049). Conclusions: managers perceive the importance of collaboration in the mediation of conflicts, however, in their daily lives; they tend to maintain imposing behaviors, signaling for a little transformational leadership style.Objetivos: analisar a percepção e estratégias de gerenciamento de conflitos utilizadas por enfermeiros na gestão de pessoas em serviços de saúde portugueses. Métodos: estudo descritivo, correlacional, realizado em serviços de saúde portugueses, com amostra não probabilística intencional, totalizando 95 enfermeiros gestores. Utilizou-se um questionário e Escala de Gestão de Conflitos, sendo analisadas as variáveis de atividades gerenciais e de gestão de conflitos, com auxílio de software. Resultados: identificou-se que 60% dos gestores referem ter que mediar conflitos diariamente, e a maioria relata adotar o diálogo na conduta. Entretanto, mediante teste Kruskal-Wallis, evidenciou-se que prevalecem as estratégias de imposição na gestão de conflitos (p = 0,008), sendo as colaborativas mais restritas à periodicidade mensal (p = 0,049). Conclusões: os gestores percebem a importância da colaboração na mediação dos conflitos, contudo, no cotidiano, tendem a manter as condutas impositivas, sinalizando para um estilo de liderança pouco transformacionalinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ACTION OF DWARF MUCUNA, PIGEON PEA AND STYLOSANTHES ON WEED UNDER FIELD AND LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)The quality and allelopathy properties of dwarf mucuna, dwarf pigeon pea and stylosanthes as cover crops on corn and weed species were evaluated. Seeds were sown in October 2007, with a control treatment, in 20 plots of 4x5m, with Jive replicates. Weed population was determined 30 and 60 days after sowing. At 90 days, plants were mowed and the residues left to remain on the plot. Fresh and dry mass of the cover crops were determined and the allelopathic potential of aqueous extract of their aerial part was tested. The extract was chemically characterized and applied on seeds of weeds and corn. The experimental design was completely randomized and averages compared by the Scott-Knott test at 5% significance. The cover crops showed to be effective in the control of weeds. The highest values in fresh and dry mass were obtained for dwarf pigeon pea, followed by dwarf mucuna; fresh mass increased 72 and 34%, respectively, compared to the control. The extract with dwarf mucuna affected arrowleaf sida germination. The use of green manure in the summer or between harvests ensures that crop rotation is carried out properly and warrants its benefits.3611841847UnioesteConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Cathepsin B-associated Activation of Amyloidogenic Pathway in Murine Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Brain Cortex

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I (MPS I) is caused by genetic deficiency of alpha-l-iduronidase and impairment of lysosomal catabolism of heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. In the brain, these substrates accumulate in the lysosomes of neurons and glial cells, leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Their storage also affects lysosomal homeostasis-inducing activity of several lysosomal proteases including cathepsin B (CATB). In the central nervous system, increased CATB activity has been associated with the deposition of amyloid plaques due to an alternative pro-amyloidogenic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), suggesting a potential role of this enzyme in the neuropathology of MPS I. In this study, we report elevated levels of protein expression and activity of CATB in cortex tissues of 6-month-old MPS I (Idua -/- mice. Besides, increased CATB leakage from lysosomes to the cytoplasm of Idua -/- cortical pyramidal neurons was indicative of damaged lysosomal membranes. The increased CATB activity coincided with an elevated level of the 16-kDa C-terminal APP fragment, which together with unchanged levels of beta-secretase 1 was suggestive for the role of this enzyme in the amyloidogenic APP processing. Neuronal accumulation of Thioflavin-S-positive misfolded protein aggregates and drastically increased levels of neuroinflammatory glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive astrocytes and CD11b-positive activated microglia were observed in Idua -/- cortex by confocal fluorescent microscopy. Together, our results point to the existence of a novel CATB-associated alternative amyloidogenic pathway in MPS I brain induced by lysosomal storage and potentially leading to neurodegeneration

Leishmania Parasites Drive PD-L1 Expression in Mice and Human Neutrophils With Suppressor Capacity

Neutrophils play an important role in the outcome of leishmaniasis, contributing either to exacerbating or controlling the progression of infection, a dual effect whose underlying mechanisms are not clear. We recently reported that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and dendritic cells of Leishmania amazonensis-infected mice present high expression of PD-1 and PD-L1, respectively. Given that the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction may promote cellular dysfunction, and that neutrophils could interact with T cells during infection, we investigated here the levels of PD-L1 in neutrophils exposed to Leishmania parasites. We found that both, promastigotes and amastigotes of L. amazonensis induced the expression of PD-L1 in the human and murine neutrophils that internalized these parasites in vitro. PD-L1-expressing neutrophils were also observed in the ear lesions and the draining lymph nodes of L. amazonensis-infected mice, assessed through cell cytometry and intravital microscopy. Moreover, expression of PD-L1 progressively increased in neutrophils from ear lesions as the disease evolved to the chronic phase. Co-culture of infected neutrophils with in vitro activated CD8+ T cells inhibits IFN-γ production by a mechanism dependent on PD-1 and PD-L1. Importantly, we demonstrated that in vitro infection of human neutrophils by L braziliensis induced PD-L1+ expression and also PD-L1+ neutrophils were detected in the lesions of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis. Taken together, these findings suggest that the Leishmania parasite increases the expression of PD-L1 in neutrophils with suppressor capacity, which could favor the parasite survival through impairing the immune response

Challenges faced by nurse-managers at work in brazilian and portuguese hospitals: A mixed-methods study

Objetivo: analisar os desafios presentes no trabalho de enfermeiros gestores no contexto hospitalar, no Brasil e em Portugal. Método: pesquisa de métodos mistos, abordagem explanatório sequencial, realizada com enfermeiros gestores de quatro hospitais, entre março de 2019 e março de 2020. O estudo iniciou com a etapa quantitativa, aplicando um survey a 143 participantes e dados analisados por estatística analítica e inferencial. A etapa qualitativa foi realizada com 71 destes participantes utilizando entrevistas, para compreender os desafios deste trabalho, e os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. A integração dos achados foi realizada por meio de conexão de dados. Resultados: na etapa quantitativa os resultados evidenciaram que as atividades de gestão realizadas pelos enfermeiros por cenário, incluíram planejamento, gestão de pessoas, de processos assistenciais, de materiais, da qualidade e liderança, com maiores médias para os quatro primeiros. A qualitativa permitiu aprofundar os achados anteriores, contrastando a invisibilidade do planejamento, confirmando a gestão de pessoas como o desafio comum às realidades, explicando as médias nas realidades nacional e portuguesa. A integração dos achados detalhou na gestão de pessoas e liderança a relevância dos conflitos e do déficit de profissionais. Conclusão: gerenciar pessoas, processos assistenciais e materiais se mostram desafios dos enfermeiros na gestão hospitalar nos dois países. Os enfermeiros carecem de suporte estrutural e formação continuada para melhor gestão e aprimoramento do planejamento e liderança.Objective: to analyze the challenges found in nurse-managers' work in the Brazilian and Portuguese hospital contexts. Method: a mixed-methods research study with a sequential explanatory approach, carried out between March 2019 and March 2020 with nurse-managers from four hospitals. The study was initiated with the quantitative stage, applying a survey to 143 participants and analyzing the data by means of analytical and inferential statistics. The qualitative stage was carried out with 71 of these participants using interviews, in order to understand the challenges inherent to this job, and the data were submitted to content analysis. Integration of the findings was performed through data connection. Results: in the quantitative stage, the results evidenced that the managerial activities carried out by nurses by scenario included planning, people management, management of care processes, management of materials, quality management and leadership, with higher mean values for the first four. The qualitative stage allowed deepening the previous findings, contrasting invisibility of the planning, confirming people management as the common challenge to the realities, explaining the mean values in the national and Portuguese scopes. Integration of the findings detailed the relevance of the conflicts and the deficit of professionals in people management and leadership. Conclusion: managing people, care processes and materials are challenges for nurses in hospital management in both countries. Nurses lack structural support and ongoing training for better management and improvement of planning and leadership.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An evaluation of enteral nutrition practices and nutritional provision in children during the entire length of stay in critical care

<b>Background</b> Provision of optimal nutrition in children in critical care is often challenging. This study evaluated exclusive enteral nutrition (EN) provision practices and explored predictors of energy intake and delay of EN advancement in critically ill children.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> Data on intake and EN practices were collected on a daily basis and compared against predefined targets and dietary reference values in a paediatric intensive care unit. Factors associated with intake and advancement of EN were explored.<p></p> <b>Results</b> Data were collected from 130 patients and 887 nutritional support days (NSDs). Delay to initiate EN was longer in patients from both the General Surgical and congenital heart defect (CHD) Surgical groups [Median (IQR); CHD Surgical group: 20.3 (16.4) vs General Surgical group: 11.4 (53.5) vs Medical group: 6.5 (10.9) hours; p <= 0.001]. Daily fasting time per patient was significantly longer in patients from the General Surgical and CHD Surgical groups than those from the Medical group [% of 24 h, Median (IQR); CHD Surgical group: 24.0 (29.2) vs General Surgical group: 41.7 (66.7) vs Medical group: 9.4 (21.9); p <= 0.001]. A lower proportion of fluids was delivered as EN per patient (45% vs 73%) or per NSD (56% vs 73%) in those from the CHD Surgical group compared with those with medical conditions. Protein and energy requirements were achieved in 38% and 33% of the NSDs. In a substantial proportion of NSDs, minimum micronutrient recommendations were not met particularly in those patients from the CHD Surgical group. A higher delivery of fluid requirements (p < 0.05) and a greater proportion of these delivered as EN (p < 0.001) were associated with median energy intake during stay and delay of EN advancement. Fasting (31%), fluid restriction (39%) for clinical reasons, procedures requiring feed cessation and establishing EN (22%) were the most common reasons why target energy requirements were not met.<p></p> <b>Conclusions</b> Provision of optimal EN support remains challenging and varies during hospitalisation and among patients. Delivery of EN should be prioritized over other "non-nutritional" fluids whenever this is possible.<p></p&gt

Protocol for a scoping review of skin self-care of people with spinal cord injury

In recent years, increasing methodological references have been used in scientific research; these are points of support in the search for evidence, formulation and elaboration of instruments, scales, guideline and protocols. However, significant variability currently exists in scoping review conduct and reporting, thus limiting the potential of the methodology to advance research and practice about skin self-care of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Our objective was to perform a scoping review protocol within the health rehabilitation context of people with SCI, focusing on skin self-care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio