In vitro fermentation properties of pectins and enzymatic-modified pectins obtained from different renewable bioresources

The suitability of artichoke and sunflower by-products as renewable sources of pectic compounds with prebiotic potential was evaluated by studying their ability to modulate the human faecal microbiota in vitro. Bacterial populations and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were measured. Reduction of the molecular weight of artichoke pectin resulted in greater stimulation of the growth of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Bacteroides/Prevotella, whilst this effect was observed only in Bacteroides/Prevotella for sunflower samples. In contrast, the degree of methylation did not have any impact on fermentability properties or SCFA production, regardless of the origin of pectic compounds. Although further in vivo studies should be conducted, either pectin or enzymatically-modified pectin from sunflower and artichoke by-products might be considered as prebiotic candidates for human consumption showing similar ability to promote the in vitro growth of beneficial gut bacteria as compared to well-recognized prebiotics such as inulin or fructo-oligosaccharides

The structure and contents of the helping relationship as a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention: a modified e‐Delphi study

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the content validity of the helping relationship as a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention. Design and Methods: The present research work is a modified e‐Delphi study. A total of 205 experts were identified between January and May 2018, and a questionnaire was sent to all of them in different rounds. Findings: The nurse must have specific knowledge (self‐knowledge and knowledge about the person) and attitudes (empathy and respect) to be able to carry out the intervention. The helping relationship can address different nursing diagnoses, such as anxiety or depressed mood, and it can be developed in a set of sessions with specific objectives and contents. Practice Implications: The systematization of the helping relationship creates the conditions for its implementation in clinical practice enabling an evidence‐based practice that results in the improvement of care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ageing and retail display time in raw beef odour according to the degree of lipid oxidation

This study aims to assess the changes in beef aroma over time when steaks from pre-aged knuckles are stored in retail display under high oxygen conditions for 15 or 22 days in vacuum conditions. Odorous volatile compounds were analysed by solid-phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results were grouped as low, medium and high oxidative groups according to thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values after 9 days of display. The intensity of off-odours in the raw meat increased with ageing and display time and oxidative groups. Based on correlations between the variables and regressions of the compounds through display, eight compounds were proposed as odour shelf-life markers. Among them, five were most sensitive and precise in all oxidative groups: 1-hexanol in meat aged for 15 days, ethyl- octanoate and 2-pentylfuran in meat aged for 22 days, and pentanoic and hexanoic acids in the two studied ageing times

Symmetries and Asymmetries in Collective Management: Comparing Effects on Resilience and Rural Development in Galician Common Lands and the Brazilian Extractive Reserves

This study aims to comparatively analyse cases involving Galician common lands (MVMC) in Spain and the Extractive Reserves (RESEX) in Brazil, from the new perspective of community resilience in sustainable rural development. We studied the role of the state in legal transformations regarding land use and management to understand changes in access to and use of common resources, as well as to describe how relationships are established among user groups. The results are based on the analysis of 55 semi-structured interviews with people from seven communities with common lands in Spain and information gathered through Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) techniques and interviews at the Riozinho da Liberdade Extractive Reserve in Acre (Brazil). Field work for the study was done in May 2013, April to June 2014 and February 2015. The research uncovers the frailties and strengths of the main management patterns in each reality. The two cases are marked by strong state intervention to regulate conditions of use and the implementation of management models in these areas. In both, the perceived economic importance of natural resources as a source of revenue was also a common point, though tenure of these resources became effective in different ways. The importance of ensuring access to land as a way of maintaining the freedom and autonomy of the user group was also prominent in both cases and should be seen as a crucial factor for economic and social development. Finally, the normative and practical arrangements found in MVMCs and RESEX areas present a good strategy for rural development based on relationships among user groups and shared land management organization patternsThe first author acknowledges the financial support given by the CAPES (Brazil)S

A 802.11p prototype implementation

This paper presents an IEEE 802.11p full-stack prototype implementation to data exchange among vehicles and between vehicles and the roadway infrastructures. The prototype architecture is based on FPGAs for Intermediate Frequency (IF) and base band purposes, using 802.11a based transceivers for RF interfaces. Power amplifiers were also addressed, by using commercial and in-house solutions. This implementation aims to provide technical solutions for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) field, namely for tolling and traffic management related services, in order to promote safety, mobility and driving comfort through the dynamic and real-time cooperation among vehicles and/or between vehicles and infrastructures. The performance of the proposed scheme is tested under realistic urban and suburban driving conditions. Preliminary results are promising, since they comply with most of the 802.11p standard requirements

Apuntamentos de Crítica xenética sobre “Cartas de inverno”, de Agustín Fernández Paz

Despois de salientar a figura de Agustín Fernández Paz na literatura infantil e xuvenil galega, estúdanse os diferentes tipos de variantes en Cartas de inverno nas tres edicións empregadas á luz das teorías da Crítica xenética para incidir no proceso habitual de reescrita e autocorreción que realiza Fernández Paz. Conclúese destes apuntamentos que existen dous momentos neste proceso da súa escrita

Avaliação do efeito da irrigação com hipoclorito de sódio na integridade da camada híbrida em restaurações pré-endodônticas com recurso a microscopia eletrónica de varrimento (MEV) e ressonância magnética nuclear (RNRMN)

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizObjetivos: Analisar o efeito da irrigação com hipoclorito de sódio sobre a camada híbrida em restaurações pré-endodônticas através da Microscopia Eletrónica de Varrimento (MEV) e Ressonância Magnética Nuclear (RNRMN) Materiais e métodos: Selecionaram-se 5 molares hígidos, extraídos há menos de 6 meses do Banco de Dentes da Clínica Universitária Egas Moniz, que posteriormente foram secionados a nível das raízes, 2 a 3 mm abaixo da junção amelocementária e de seguida secionados a 4 mm da superfície oclusal com o intuito de expor dentina. A smear layer foi simulada pelo polimento da superfície com um disco SiC (600 grit). Sobre a dentina exposta foi executada uma restauração pré-endodôntica. Em todos os dentes foi utilizado o sistema adesivo Optibond FLTM (Kerr,USA) e a resina composta utilizada foi FiltekTM Z250 (3M ESPE). Com uma broca diamantada (ISO 524) com irrigação foi simulada uma abertura endodôntica de 3mm de largura mesio-distal e 3mm vestíbulo-lingual e profundidade de 6mm. Através de uma broca de corte, em cada um dos dentes foi cortado 1 espécimen com dimensões padronizadas para efetuar a amostra E1 ou amostra de controlo. Posteriormente a este corte, foi realizada uma restauração direta com resina FiltekTM Z250 sem sistema adesivo para substituir o espécimen removido para controlo. Para a amostra E2 e E3 as restaurações pré-endodônticas foram irrigadas com hipoclorito de sódio a 1% segundo o protocolo de irrigação da Endodontia IUEM. O espécimen E3, para além do mesmo protocolo de irrigação foi posteriormente desgastado com broca diamantada (ISO 504). Todos os espécimens foram cortados com as mesmas dimensões e analisados através de MEV. Os resultados foram sujeitos a uma análise descritiva. Resultados: Verificaram-se diferenças significativas entre o grupo controlo (E1) e o grupo dos irrigados com NaOCl (E2) devido à presença de um gap na interface da restauração. O mesmo não se verificou no grupo de irrigados com NaOCl e desgastados com broca (E3) Conclusão: O hipoclorito de sódio afeta a interface de restaurações pré-endodônticas afetando a camada híbrida superficialmente, pois após o seu desgaste com broca a presença de um gap já não se verifica.Purpose: To study the effect of sodium hypochlorite irrigation on the integrity of the hybrid layer in pre endodontic restorations using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Nuclear Magnetic Ressonance (NMR) Materials and methods: 5 human molars, caries-free, extracted less than 6 months ago, were selected from Egas Moniz Human Teeth Bank, sectioned by the roots, 2 a 3 mm below the amelocemental joint and sectioned 4mm from the occlusal surface so that dentin can be observed. Dentin was then polished with a SiC disk to simulate the smear layer. A pre endodontic restoration was produced over the disk of exposed dentin. The adhesive system used was Optibond FLTM (Kerr,USA) and the restoration was performed with FiltekTM Z250 (3MESPE) resin in 2mm increments. With a medium grain diamond drill (ISO 524) one simulated an endodontic opening with 3mm wide on the mesial-distal direction, and 3mm wide on the buccal-lingual direction, and 6mm of depth. With a cutting drill, each tooth was cut with padronized dimensions and called sample E1 or control group. After this cut, a direct restoration was performed with FiltekTM Z250 without adhesive system to replace the sample cut for control. For samples E2 and E3 the pre endodontic restorations were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite solution at 1%, following the Egas Moniz Endodontic Protocol. Sample E3, also irrigated following the same protocol, was also cut with the same dimensions and then wore out with a drill (ISO 504). All the specimens were cut and analyzed by SEM. All the results were submitted to a descriptive analysis. Results: This investigation resulted in significant differences observed by SEM images between the control group (E1) and the irrigated with NaOCl group (E2) since a gap was present between the bonding interface. In comparison with group E3 the gap was not present, but one could observe surface roughness. Conclusion: NaOCl affects the bonding interface of pre-endodontic restorations, affecting the hybrid layer superficially, as after the use of a drill the existence of a gap can no longer be seen

Development and psychometric properties of the Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale‐Nurse

Introduction: The therapeutic relationship (TR) is essential to providing psychiatric and mental health nursing care. Nevertheless, no assessment tools exclusive for assessing nursing TR were found in the literature. Aim: To describe and evaluate the psychometric properties (reliability and construct validity) of a scale that allows assessing the quality of TR established between the nurse and the patient. Method: A survey method was adopted, using a convenience sample of 356 mental health nurses. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach's alpha and Omega index. Results: A total of 221 mental health nurses participated in the study (response rate = 62.08%). The scale's final structure has 25 items. Cronbach's alpha was 0.93, ranging from 0.78 to 0.88 for each of the factors. The cumulative variance explained in a four-factor structure was 71.12%. Discussion: The Therapeutic Relationship Assessment Scale (TRAS)-Nurse presents good psychometric properties. In the light of Benner's theory, it can be an useful tool for novice nurses to better understand what aspects they should pay attention to for establishing a successful TR. Implications for Practice: Mental health nurses can use the TRAS-Nurse, thus having a scale available that allows them to self-assess the quality of TR they establish with their patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties assessment of the NOC outcome “Cognition” in a sample of Portuguese adults with mental illness

Purpose: Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties assessment of the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) outcome “Cognition” in a sample of Portuguese adults with mental illness. Methods: Methodological study. Findings: The final European Portuguese version of the NOC outcome “Cognition”, consisting of 13 items, showed good psychometric properties. An exploratory factor analysis was performed from which only one factor was established. Conclusions: The European Portuguese version of the NOC outcome “Cognition” seems to gather very satisfactory psychometric properties for assessing cognition in the Portuguese population. Implications for Nursing Practice: This study contributed to advance the nursing body of knowledge and to better assess cognition in a clinical context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ageing effect on the low-velocity impact response of 3D printed continuous fibre reinforced composites

This paper aims to analyse the low-velocity impact performance of 3D printed continuous carbon fibre reinforced composites manufactured by fused deposition modelling. Moreover, the effect of ageing on the impact properties and visual damage is studied. This evaluation is crucial for understanding the long-term behaviour and durability of these materials, enabling better design and engineering decisions in various applications where impact resistance is paramount. Low-velocity impact tests were conducted on specimens aged 1, 7, 15 and 30 days. An instrumented drop-weight testing machine was employed for the tests. The dimensions and layup sequence of the composite specimens were designed following the recommendations outlined in the ASTM D7136/D7136M standard for unidirectional composite tapes. Results showed that the initial elastic part slightly reduces with age. In addition, the severity of visual damage in the specimens clearly varied with age. The older specimens present the less visible damage but also the lower impact energy absorption. Keywords: 3D printing, Fused deposition modelling, Composites, Ageing, Low-velocity impac