Social media disinformation in the pre-electoral period in Portugal

Since the North American presidential election of 2016, the role of social media on the propagation of misleading news and its instrumentalization by partisan groups has raised concerns. In this article we analyse the contents of 47 Facebook pages and 39 Facebook groups prior to the Portuguese parliamentary election of 6th of October of 2019 to track disinformation. Groups and pages to monitor were selected through a process that combined the number of fans or members, the proportion of political content, and the number of posts per week. We concluded that disinformative content was prevalent in the pages and groups monitored, that several political actors had a relevant influence on the debate and that most disinformation stemmed from the spinning of both mainstream and non-mainstream news to serve a political purpose

Contraceptive Choices Pre and Post Pregnancy in Adolescence

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of adolescent pregnancy in the future contraceptive choices. A secondary aim is to verify whether these choices differ from those made after an abortion. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING:Adolescent Unit of a tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS:212 pregnant teenagers. INTERVENTIONS: Medical records review. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Intended pregnancy rate and contraceptive methods used before and after pregnancy. For contraceptive choices after pregnancy we considered: Group 1 - teenagers who continued their pregnancy to delivery (n = 106) and Group 2 - the same number of adolescents who chose to terminate their pregnancy. RESULTS: The intended pregnancy rate was 14.2%. Prior to a pregnancy continued to delivery, the most widely used contraceptive method was the male condom (50.9%), followed by oral combined contraceptives (28.3%); 18.9% of adolescents were not using any contraceptive method. After pregnancy, contraceptive implant was chosen by 70.8% of subjects (P < .001) and the oral combined contraceptives remained the second most frequent option (17.9%, P = .058). Comparing these results with Group 2, we found that the outcome of the pregnancy was the main factor in the choices that were made. Thus, after a pregnancy continued to delivery, adolescents prefer the use of LARC [78.4% vs 40.5%, OR: 5,958 - 95% (2.914-12.181), P < .001)], especially contraceptive implants [70.8% vs 38.7%, OR: 4.371 - 95% (2.224-8.591), P < .001], to oral combined contraceptives [17.9% vs 57.5%, OR: 0.118 - 95% CI (0.054-0.258), P < .001]. CONCLUSION:Adolescent pregnancy and its outcome constitute a factor of change in future contraceptive choice

Stylish UV-C lamp for disinfecting household objects

In this study, UV-C device proved to be a valuable tool for disinfecting household items and enhancing safety for everyday healt

Lactancia materna y hospital amigo del niño: una necesidad en la provincia de Corrientes

La Lactancia Materna (LM) es la mejor forma de alimentar y criar a un niño, no obstante su práctica se ha reducido paulatinamente. La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) junto a UNICEF ha propuesto la “Iniciativa Hospital Amigo” (IHAN), con objetivos tendientes a restablecer y mejorar dicha práctica. Objetivos: Determinar las características socio-demográficas de las madres que asisten a un hospital de referencia de la Provincia de Corrientes; Identificar la influencia del nivel de instrucción materno con la posibilidad de mantener la LM exclusiva; y Evaluar la necesidad de la IHAN en nuestra Provincia. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, a través de encuestas a 146 madres de la Maternidad del Hospital “Dr. José R. Vidal” en el período de Agosto a Diciembre del 2010. Resultados: El 79,5% estaba entre los 15 y 30 años; 53,4% se encontraban separadas o en concubinato, el 52,7% tenía un nivel de instrucción moderado; 97,9% consideraba importante amamantar, el 78,1% daría pecho exclusivo; 45,2% daría LM hasta el año; el 81,5% no trabaja fuera del hogar; 40,4% recibió información del equipo de salud; el 89% asistiría a un centro de apoyo de lactancia. Discusión: El IHAN, es una necesidad en nuestra región; lo que posibilitaría que el deseo expresado por las madres de amamantar más allá de los 6 meses y de contar con apoyo asistencial, sea posible.Introduction: Breastfeeding (BF) is the best way to feed and raise a child, however the practice has declined gradually. The World Health Organization (WHO) together with UNICEF has proposed the "Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative" (BFHI), with objectives aimed at restoring and improving the practice. Objectives: To determine the sociodemographic characteristics of mothers attending a referral hospital in the province of Corrientes, Identify the influence of mother's education level with the ability to maintain exclusive BF, and Evaluate the need for the BFHI in our province. Materials and Methods: Descriptive study of cross-section through surveys of 146 mothers in the Maternity Hospital "Dr. José R. Vidal" in the period from August to December 2010. Results: 79.5% were between 15 and 30 years, 53.4% were separated or cohabiting, 52.7% had a moderate level of education, 97.9% considered it important to breastfeed, 78.1% would exclusively breastfed, 45.2% would give for a year BF, 81.5% do not work outside the home, 40.4% received information from the health team, 89% would attend a breastfeeding support center. Discussion: The BFHI is a necessity in our region, that would allow the desire of mothers to breastfeed beyond 6 months and to have care support.Fil: Niello, Esteban N.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Palma Pérez, Ricardo D.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Pasetto, Raúl I.. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Horna, Maria Eugenia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Hidalgo, Susana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; Argentin

Safer school with near-UV technology: novel applications for environmental hygiene

Systems capable of disinfecting air and surfaces could reduce the risk of infectious diseases transmission. Aim: to evalu-ate the effectiveness of near-UV LED ceiling lamps, with a wavelength of 405 nm, in improving environmental hygiene. Between November and December 2020, we conducted an experimental study having a pre-post design in a kindergarten room in Siena where 4 ceiling lamps with 405 nm LED technology were installed. Twice per day, sampling was performed before (T0) and after treatment with near-UV (T1). We used between 8 and 12 pairs of contact plates to sample at various random spots each day. Air samplings were also performed. The plates were incubated at 22 and 36 degrees C. Significance was set at 95% (p &lt; 0.05). The mean level of Colony Forming Unit (CFU) at T(0) was 249 (95% CI 193.1 - 305.0) at 36 degrees C and 535.2 (374.3 - 696.1) at 22 degrees C. The reduction was significant at T(1): by 65% at 36 degrees C and, 72% at 22 degrees C. Also, for air contamination: 95.3% (98.4 &amp; mdash;92.3). A dose threshold of about 5 J/cm2 was identified to have an 80% CFU abatement and remains nearly constant. The advantage of being able to use this technology in the presence of people is very important in the context of controlling environmental contamination. © 2023, The Author(s)

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of L-Tryptophan from Chamomile Flower: Method Development and Application for Flower Parts Characterization and Varietal Difference

Chamomile has been widely used as a functional tea due to its effects on several neurohormones, some of which are related to tryptophan. An analytical ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) technique was successfully optimized and validated to determine tryptophan levels in chamomile flowers. A Box-Behnken design, in conjunction with response surface methodology, was conducted based on 3 factors and 3 levels: Temperature (x1; 30, 50, and 70 °C), solvent composition (x2; 0, 40, and 80% methanol in water), and ultrasonic power (x3; 20, 60, and 100%). The main (x2) and quadratic effect of solvent (x2x2); quadratic of temperature (x1x1) and ultrasonic power (x3x3); also, the interaction of solvent-ultrasonic power (x2x3) and temperature-ultrasonic power (x1x3), significantly affected (p < 0.05) the level of L-tryptophan in the extracts. Optimum extraction conditions were achieved by applying a temperature of 54 °C for 15 min using 17% methanol in water and 69% ultrasonic power. A high recovery (94.26%) was achieved with 2 extraction cycles. The coefficient of variation (CV) demonstrated that the developed method had a satisfactory level of precision (CV < 5%) for repeatability and intermediate precision. To check the applicability of the method, the parts of 2 types of chamomile flowers (German and Roman) were evaluated. This method was successfully applied to characterize chamomile flowers based on L-tryptophan levels

Characterization of the cytotoxic effects of the combination of cisplatin and flavanol (-)-epicatechin on human lung cancer cell line A549. An isobolographic approach

Background: Among malignancies, lung cancer is a leading cause of death. Platinum-based therapeutic compounds used to treat lung cancer have not been able to increase the survival of patients and such compounds have a high incidence of adverse and toxic effects. It has been proposed that flavonoids such as catechins may significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer, alongside with other health benefits. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of (-)-epicatechin, the main flavanol found in cocoa, on the proliferation of the lung non-small cell adenocarcinoma cancer cell line A549, and to determine its effects when added simultaneously with cisplatin. Materials and Methods: Concentration-response curves for cisplatin and epicatechin were obtained, inhibitory concentrations calculated and an isobolographic analysis was then performed. Results: We found that epicatechin has a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on proliferation of tumor cells and the isobolographic analysis reveals that the effect of its combination with cisplatin is synergistic. It was also observed that epicatechin promotes cell death by apoptosis. Conclusions: Epicatechin might be considered for future studies to explore its possible use as coadjuvant in cisplatin-based treatments

Evaluación de criterios de calidad acústica en frecuencias bajas para pequeñas salas rectangulares

Las salas pequeñas dedicadas a la reproducción y grabación de eventos musicales adolecen la presencia de resonancias propias que afectan la calidad en la escucha a frecuencias bajas. El presente trabajo investiga la relación entre distintos parámetros para la evaluación de la respuesta en frecuencia en un conjunto de 324 salas pequeñas rectangulares, con volúmenes variando entre 30 m3 y 100 m3. Las respuestas de las mismas han sido modelizadas utilizando el método de descomposición modal. Se consideran en el estudio, una figura de mérito, obtenida a partir del desvío entre la respuesta de la sala y un polinomio de ajuste, y una serie de parámetros, novedosos en el estudio modal, basados en la entropía acústica. A su vez, se realizan comparaciones con el criterio de Bonello, a fin de establecer la relación entre las medidas aquí expuestas y un modelo ampliamente utilizado en la industria. La intercomparación realizada muestra que el criterio de Bonello puede otorgar resultados alejados de los otros parámetros investigados. La figura de mérito presenta una correlación significativa con ciertos parámetros derivados de la entropía acústica.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 3Facultad de Ingenierí

Evaluación de criterios de calidad acústica en frecuencias bajas para pequeñas salas rectangulares

Las salas pequeñas dedicadas a la reproducción y grabación de eventos musicales adolecen la presencia de resonancias propias que afectan la calidad en la escucha a frecuencias bajas. El presente trabajo investiga la relación entre distintos parámetros para la evaluación de la respuesta en frecuencia en un conjunto de 324 salas pequeñas rectangulares, con volúmenes variando entre 30 m3 y 100 m3. Las respuestas de las mismas han sido modelizadas utilizando el método de descomposición modal. Se consideran en el estudio, una figura de mérito, obtenida a partir del desvío entre la respuesta de la sala y un polinomio de ajuste, y una serie de parámetros, novedosos en el estudio modal, basados en la entropía acústica. A su vez, se realizan comparaciones con el criterio de Bonello, a fin de establecer la relación entre las medidas aquí expuestas y un modelo ampliamente utilizado en la industria. La intercomparación realizada muestra que el criterio de Bonello puede otorgar resultados alejados de los otros parámetros investigados. La figura de mérito presenta una correlación significativa con ciertos parámetros derivados de la entropía acústica.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 3Facultad de Ingenierí

Evaluación de criterios de calidad acústica en frecuencias bajas para pequeñas salas rectangulares

Las salas pequeñas dedicadas a la reproducción y grabación de eventos musicales adolecen la presencia de resonancias propias que afectan la calidad en la escucha a frecuencias bajas. El presente trabajo investiga la relación entre distintos parámetros para la evaluación de la respuesta en frecuencia en un conjunto de 324 salas pequeñas rectangulares, con volúmenes variando entre 30 m3 y 100 m3. Las respuestas de las mismas han sido modelizadas utilizando el método de descomposición modal. Se consideran en el estudio, una figura de mérito, obtenida a partir del desvío entre la respuesta de la sala y un polinomio de ajuste, y una serie de parámetros, novedosos en el estudio modal, basados en la entropía acústica. A su vez, se realizan comparaciones con el criterio de Bonello, a fin de establecer la relación entre las medidas aquí expuestas y un modelo ampliamente utilizado en la industria. La intercomparación realizada muestra que el criterio de Bonello puede otorgar resultados alejados de los otros parámetros investigados. La figura de mérito presenta una correlación significativa con ciertos parámetros derivados de la entropía acústica.Publicado en: Mecánica Computacional vol. XXXV, no. 3Facultad de Ingenierí