Pacifier overuse and conceptual relations of abstract and emotional concepts

This study explores the impact of the extensive use of an oral device since infancy (pacifier) on the acquisition of concrete, abstract, and emotional concepts. While recent evidence showed a negative relation between pacifier use and children’s emotional competence (Niedenthal et al., 2012), the possible interaction between use of pacifier and processing of emotional and abstract language has not been investigated. According to recent theories, while all concepts are grounded in sensorimotor experience, abstract concepts activate linguistic and social information more than concrete ones. Specifically, the Words As Social Tools (WAT) proposal predicts that the simulation of their meaning leads to an activation of the mouth (Borghi and Binkofski, 2014; Borghi and Zarcone, 2016). Since the pacifier affects facial mimicry forcing mouth muscles into a static position, we hypothesize its possible interference on acquisition/consolidation of abstract emotional and abstract not-emotional concepts, which aremainly conveyed during social and linguistic interactions, than of concrete concepts. Fifty-nine first grade children, with a history of different frequency of pacifier use, provided oral definitions of the meaning of abstract not-emotional, abstract emotional, and concrete words. Main effect of concept type emerged, with higher accuracy in defining concrete and abstract emotional concepts with respect to abstract not-emotional concepts, independently from pacifier use. Accuracy in definitions was not influenced by the use of pacifier, butcorrespondence and hierarchical clustering analyses suggest that the use of pacifier differently modulates the conceptual relations elicited by abstract emotional and abstract not-emotional. While the majority of the children produced a similar pattern of conceptual relations, analyses on the few (6) children who overused the pacifier (for more than 3 years) showed that they tend to distinguish less clearly between concrete and abstract emotional concepts and between concrete and abstract not-emotional concepts than children who did not use it (5) or used it for short (17). As to the conceptual relations they produced, children who overused the pacifier tended to refer less to their experience and to social and emotional situations, usemore exemplifications and functional relations, and less free associations

Distributed Cloud Gaming Pipeline

Since the rise of Cloud infrastructures and the increased accessibility to platforms capable of playing video games, Gaming as a Service (GaaS) has been growing steadily. The aim in this field is to give the players the possibility to play video games anytime anywhere on any device through a streaming service. A lot of effort is being put in the research of new methods to overcome the limits of current Game Engines, built as monolithic entities, and of the QoS of the streaming. This TFM aims to address the former problem by researching and implementing (a part of) an alternative to the monolithic architecture, focused on splitting the engine into independent services. These would then be able to be distributed along the whole cloud continuum depending on the required QoS

An insight into the degradation processes of the anti-hypertensive drug furosemide

Furosemide (FUR), an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) belonging to a group of drugs known as loop diuretics, has widespread use, but, is characterized by a strong instability to light, which causes chemical transformations that could give a yellowing phenomenon and have a significant impact from a health and marketing point of view. Many studies have tried to explain this phenomenon under different experimental conditions, but no detailed explanation of the yellowing phenomenon has been provided. This work, unlike the others, provides an overall view and explanation of the behavior of FUR in relation to the yellowing phenomenon, both in the solution and in solid state, considering several aspects, such as light exposure, presence of oxygen, and moisture effects

Tailoring the Chemical Structure of Cellulose Nanocrystals by Amine Functionalization

The surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals is presently considered a useful and straightforward tool for accessing very reliable biocompatible and biodegradable nanostructures with tailored physical and chemical properties. However, to date the fine characterization of the chemical appendages introduced onto cellulose nanocrystals remains a challenge, due to the low sensitivity displayed by the most common techniques towards surface functionalization. In this paper, we demonstrate the easy functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals with aliphatic and aromatic amines, demonstrating the tunability of their properties in dependence on the selected functionality. Then, we apply to colloidal suspensions of modified nanocrystals 1H-NMR analysis to elucidate their surface structure. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report where such investigation was performed on cellulose nanocrystals presenting both surface and reducing end modification. These results involve interesting implications for the fields of Cultural Heritage and of Materials Chemistry

Expanding the circularity of plastic and biochar materials by developing alternative low environmental footprint sensors

Flexible screen-printing technology combined with the use of a nano/material coating for improving electrode functionalities boosted the manufacturing of highly sensitive electrochemical sensors addressing the need for fast and easy-to-handle tests in different application fields. However, due to the large-scale production and disposable and single-use nature of these devices, their environmental footprint should be taken into careful consideration. Herein, the innovative reuse of post-consumer polyethene terephthalate (PET) plastics as an alternative substrate coupled with biochar as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective modifier is described as a sustainable alternative for the production of robust electrochemical sensors. The good printability of reused plastics with graphite inks despite the chemical heterogeneity, different crystallinity, and surface roughness was demonstrated using atomic force microscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Functionalization with brewers' spent grain biochar enabled the fabrication of highly performing electrochemical sensors for nitrite detection in water having a limit of detection and a limit of quantification of 3.3 nM and 10.3 nM, respectively, with a linear range spanning from 0.01 to 500 & mu;M, and good reproducibility (RSD% 8%). The innovative intervention of the biochar-multilayer system markedly enhanced the electron transfer process at the electrode interface while simultaneously serving as an absorptive material for the investigated analyte. This work lays a foundation for repurposing end-of-life plastics for the electronics industry and presents a customizable reuse strategy aimed to keep the value of plastics in the economy and reduce waste and leakage into the natural environment

Antifouling paints based on natural products

En este resumen se presenta la actividad antiincrustante de distintos compuestos obtenidos de organismos vegetales y animales que fueron incluidos en pinturas de matriz soluble. Estas pinturas fueron formuladas y elaboradas en el CIDEPINT, aplicadas sobre paneles de acrílico arenados (4x12cm) y expuestas en el puerto de Mar del Plata durante los meses de verano, período en el que ocurre la mayor fijación. En todos los casos la actividad antiincrustante y de los controles se estimó mediante porcentajes de cobertura utilizando una grilla de puntos al azar. Se aplicaron tests estadísticos.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

p17 from HIV induces brain endothelial cell angiogenesis through EGFR-1-mediated cell signalling activation

© 2018, United States & Canadian Academy of Pathology. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder in HIV patients substantially reduces their quality of life. We previously showed that the HIV matrix protein, p17 could stimulate lymph-angiogenesis in vitro potentially contributing to lymphoma tumour growth and in addition is associated with vascular activation in neuro-degenerating brain tissue; here, therefore, we have investigated the detailed molecular mechanisms of this action. We performed in vitro cell culture, angiogenesis experiments, phospho-protein microarrays and Western blotting to identify cellular signalling induced by p17 within human brain endothelial cells (HbMEC), and inhibitor studies to block p17-induced vascular growth. We also characterised the effects of hippocampal CA1 injection of p17 on epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (EGFR1) expression linked to our murine model of dementia. p17 strongly induced angiogenesis of HbMEC (migration, tube formation and spheroid growth). p17 concomitantly increased phosphorylation of EGFR1 as well as down-stream intermediates ERK1/2, FAK, PLC-γ and PKC-β whilst an inhibitor peptide of EGFR, blocked cell signalling and angiogenesis. Finally, Mice that showed reduced cognitive function and behavioural deficiencies after p17 injection, demonstrated that p17 localised in cortical microvessels and also neurones many of which stained positive for p-EGFR1 by histology/IHC. This work provides strong support that p17 may be involved in initiating and/or perpetuating vascular tissue pathophysiology associated with comorbidity in HIV patients

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Impact of pacifier use and parenting characteristics on toddlers’ vocabulary development

Previous research suggests a relationship between the age of pacifier withdrawal and linguistic processing later in life, slowing down abstract word processing in school-age children. Here, we explored whether using the pacifier during the early stages of development affects the breadth and composition of infants’ vocabulary—as measured with the MacArthur-Bates CDI inventory—hampering abstract word learning. A sample of 98 children aged 18-36 months was considered. The infants’ feeding habits (exclusive breastfeeding or otherwise), the parenting educational style, and parental satisfaction were considered potentially relevant aspects for using the pacifier. Pacifier use was related to feeding types, with greater use among children who were breastfed or had mixed feeding. Parental sense of satisfaction and efficacy was quite high, and pacifier use was strongly associated only with the paternal sense of efficacy. No evidence emerged on a detrimental effect of concurrent pacifier use on linguistic indexes of the CDI inventory or specifically on abstract words. The impact of pacifier use on the linguistic dimension and abstract concepts processing, thus, seems to be relegated to its prolonged use and the age of pacifier withdrawal, particularly critical beyond three years

Pacifier overuse interferes with children’s abstract word processing

The prolonged use of an oral device affecting facial mimicry and the position of mouth muscles (i.e. the pacifier) during the acquisition of linguistic, emotional and cognitive abilities, could have an impact on children’s conceptual representation. Here we explore if the lasting effect of pacifier overuse affects categorization. Typically developing children aged 7-8 years performed a semantic categorization task (animal vs. non-animal), where non-animal stimuli were abstract, concrete and emotional words. The speed of response of children who overused the pacifier was modulated by the type of words they had to process, with slower response time for abstract words, followed by concrete and then emotional ones. The influence of the type of word was less marked for the other groups of children, and they overall presented a similar pattern. Markedly, this is the first evidence of a long-lasting interference effect of pacifier overuse on language processing. Its influence is specific for abstract words processing, suggesting that it preventing phonoarticulatory simulations at time of language acquisition influences representation of abstract concepts. Results support the view that abstract words are grounded both in perception-action and language