Predictors of shared book reading at home with preschoolers: Are there differences between Roma and non-Roma low-income families?

Previous research highlights several benefits of shared book reading (SBR) for child development, but less studies exist about its predictors (Yarosz & Barnett, 2001). Literature on home SBR in Portugal is scarce (Araújo & Costa, 2015; Peixoto et al., 2008), and studies on its predictors in families at socioeconomic risk or Roma families in this context are, respectively, reduced (Gamelas et al., 2003) or inexistent. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of the frequency of SBR in two ethnically diverse groups of families. Specifically, we studied the associations between child and family (mother) characteristics, parental aspirations, and parental involvement in preschool events and frequency of home SBR. Two hundred and six caregivers of Portuguese Roma ( n = 101) and non-Roma ( n = 105) low-income preschoolers (109 boys; M age = 5, SD age = 0.94) living in the Metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Oporto, Portugal, completed a survey, in face-to-face meetings. A multiple regression model, using AMOS (v. 25), showed that mothers’ educational level, educational aspirations for their child, and involvement in informal (but not formal) events in preschool were positively associated with frequency of SBR. Ethnicity did not moderate these associations. The overall similar pattern results for Roma and non-Roma low income families is an important finding, suggesting that these families may experience similar challenges in engaging in SBR with their preschool children and, therefore, may benefit from interventions with similar features.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Control of quantum transverse correlations on a four-photon system

Control of spatial quantum correlations in bi-photons is one of the fundamental principles of Quantum Imaging. Up to now, experiments have been restricted to controlling the state of a single bi-photon, by using linear optical elements. In this work we demonstrate experimental control of quantum correlations in a four-photon state comprised of two pairs of photons. Our scheme is based on a high-efficiency parametric downconversion source coupled to a double slit by a variable linear optical setup, in order to obtain spatially encoded qubits. Both entangled and separable pairs have been obtained, by altering experimental parameters. We show how the correlations influence both the interference and diffraction on the double slit.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figure

Noncommutative Metafluid Dynamics

In this paper we define a noncommutative (NC) Metafluid Dynamics \cite{Marmanis}. We applied the Dirac's quantization to the Metafluid Dynamics on NC spaces. First class constraints were found which are the same obtained in \cite{BJP}. The gauge covariant quantization of the non-linear equations of fields on noncommutative spaces were studied. We have found the extended Hamiltonian which leads to equations of motion in the gauge covariant form. In addition, we show that a particular transformation \cite{Djemai} on the usual classical phase space (CPS) leads to the same results as of the $\star$-deformation with $\nu=0$. Besides, we will shown that an additional term is introduced into the dissipative force due the NC geometry. This is an interesting feature due to the NC nature induced into model.Comment: 11 page

Hamiltonian symplectic embedding of the massive noncommutative U(1) Theory

We show that the massive noncommutative U(1) theory is embedded in a gauge theory using an alternative systematic way, which is based on the symplectic framework. The embedded Hamiltonian density is obtained after a finite number of steps in the iterative symplectic process, oppositely to the result proposed using the BFFT formalism. This alternative formalism of embedding shows how to get a set of dynamically equivalent embedded Hamiltonian densities.Comment: 16 pages, no figures, revtex4, corrected version, references additione

Meretoja's Syndrome: Lattice Corneal Dystrophy, Gelsolin Type

Lattice corneal dystrophy gelsolin type was first described in 1969 by Jouko Meretoja, a Finnish ophthalmologist. It is caused by an autosomal dominant mutation in gelsolin gene resulting in unstable protein fragments and amyloid deposition in various organs. The age of onset is usually after the third decade of life and typical diagnostic triad includes progressive bilateral facial paralysis, loose skin, and lattice corneal dystrophy. We report a case of a 53-year-old female patient referred to our Department of Ophthalmology by severe dry eye and incomplete eyelid closure. She had severe bilateral facial paresis, significant orbicularis, and perioral sagging as well as hypoesthesia of extremities and was diagnosed with Meretoja's syndrome at the age of 50, confirmed by the presence of gelsolin mutation. At our observation she had bilateral diminished tear film break-up time and Schirmer test, diffuse keratitis, corneal opacification, and neovascularization in the left eye. She was treated with preservative-free lubricants and topical cyclosporine, associated with nocturnal complete occlusion of both eyes, and underwent placement of lacrimal punctal plugs. Ocular symptoms are the first to appear and our role as ophthalmologists is essential for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of ocular alterations in these patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Metastability and Nucleation for the Blume-Capel Model. Different mechanisms of transition

We study metastability and nucleation for the Blume-Capel model: a ferromagnetic nearest neighbour two-dimensional lattice system with spin variables taking values in -1,0,+1. We consider large but finite volume, small fixed magnetic field h and chemical potential "lambda" in the limit of zero temperature; we analyze the first excursion from the metastable -1 configuration to the stable +1 configuration. We compute the asymptotic behaviour of the transition time and describe the typical tube of trajectories during the transition. We show that, unexpectedly, the mechanism of transition changes abruptly when the line h=2*lambda is crossed.Comment: 96 pages, 44 tex-figures, 7 postscript figure

Gauging the SU(2) Skyrme model

In this paper the SU(2) Skyrme model will be reformulated as a gauge theory and the hidden symmetry will be investigated and explored in the energy spectrum computation. To this end we purpose a new constraint conversion scheme, based on the symplectic framework with the introduction of Wess-Zumino (WZ) terms in an unambiguous way. It is a positive feature not present on the BFFT constraint conversion. The Dirac's procedure for the first-class constraints is employed to quantize this gauge invariant nonlinear system and the energy spectrum is computed. The finding out shows the power of the symplectic gauge-invariant formalism when compared with another constraint conversion procedures present on the literature.Comment: revised version, to appear in Phys.Rev.

Estudo da mutação do recetor do fator de crescimento epidérmico, durante 5 anos, numa população de doentes com cancro do pulmão de não pequenas células

ResumoIntroduçãoEm 2006, a Unidade de Pneumologia Oncológica do Serviço de Pneumologia do Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho iniciou a sequenciação da mutação do recetor do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGFR) em doentes com CPNPC selecionados e desde 2010 realiza a sequenciação sistematicamente em todos os doentes, independentemente da histologia, hábitos tabágicos, idade ou sexo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar o grupo de doentes que efetuou a sequenciação entre 2006-2010, determinar a frequência da mutação EGFR, avaliar as sobrevidas globais e após uso de inibidores da tirosina quinase (ITK), nos doentes que efetuaram esta terapêutica em 2.a e 3.a linha com conhecimento do estado da mutação do EGFR.MétodosAnálise estatística descritiva dos doentes que efetuaram sequenciação EGFR em 2006-2010 e sobrevida mediana global nos doentes que efetuaefetuaram ITK em 2.a e 3.a linha. Registo do material disponível para análise e demora média de resultado do exame, de acordo com o material enviado.ResultadosA sequenciação foi efetuada em 374 doentes, 71,1% sexo masculino, 67,1% não/ex-fumadores, 32,9% fumadores; 57,8% adenocarcinoma e 23,5% carcinoma epidermoide (CE). A mutação foi detetada em 49 doentes (13,1%). No total dos doentes estudados, a taxa de mutação foi de 9% no sexo masculino e 23% no sexo feminino. A sobrevida mediana global após o uso de erlotinib foi de 14 meses para os doentes com mutação positiva do EGFR versus 6 meses nos doentes não mutados (p = 0,003).ConclusãoO nosso grupo teve uma taxa de mutação global de 13,1%, com predomínio no sexo feminino, não fumadores, histologia adenocarcinoma. Em doentes selecionados (2006/2009), a taxa de mutação foi de 16%; nos doentes não selecionados (2010) foi de 10,4%. Este estudo tem vindo a permitir um melhor conhecimento da taxa de mutação do EGFR na população portuguesa, bem como avaliar os resultados das sobrevidas dos doentes após uso de inibidores da tirosina quinase (ITK), efetuada em 2.a e 3.a linha com conhecimento prévio do estado da mutação do EGFR, tendo sido encontradas diferenças nas sobrevidas nos 2 grupos de doentes (mutados e não mutados) com significado estatístico.A pesquisa mutação do EGFR deve ser efetuada em todos os doentes com CPNPC, dando possibilidade a um número considerável de doentes de poder efetuar um tratamento de 1.a linha com ITK (doentes mutados), bem como de poder usufruir de outros esquemas de quimioterapia, quando progredirem.AbstractIntroductionIn 2006, the Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho Hospital Centre Pulmonary Oncology Unit started performing EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) mutation sequencing in selected patients with NSCLC and systematically in all patients since 2010, regardless of histology, smoking habits, age or sex. The aim of this study was to characterize the group of patients that carried out the sequencing between 2006-2010, to determine EGFR mutation frequency, to evaluate the overall survival and the survival after the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), in patients who performed this therapy in second and third line, knowing the EGFR mutation status.MethodsDescriptive statistical analysis of patients who did EGFR sequencing in 2006-2010 and of overall survival in patients treated with TKI as 2nd and 3rd line therapy. Record of the material available for analysis and average delay of exam results, according to the material submitted.ResultsThe sequencing was performed in 374 patients, 71,1% males, 67,1% non/ex-smokers, 32,9% smokers, 57,8% adenocarcinoma and 23,5% squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The mutation was detected in 49 patients (13,1%). In all studied patients, the mutation rate was 9% in males and 23% in females. Median overall survival after erlotinib use of was 14 months for patients with positive EGFR mutation versus 6 months in not mutated patients (p = 0.003).ConclusionOur group had an overall mutation rate of 13.1% with female, non-smokers, adenocarcinoma histology predominance. In selected patients (2006/2009), the mutation rate was 16%, in not selected patients (2010) the mutation rate was 10.4%. This study has permitted a better understanding of the EGFR mutation rate in the Portuguese population as welll as an evaluation of the patients survival after the use of of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in second and third line therapy with previous knowledge of the EGFR mutational status. Statistical significant differences in survival were found in the two patient groups (EGFR mutated and non mutated).The EGFR mutation research should be performed in all patients with NSCLC, giving the possibility to a considerable number of patients to perform a first line treatment with TKI (EGFR mutated patients) and the advantage of performing other chemotherapy schemes, when progression occurs

Does music training enhance auditory and linguistic processing? A systematic review and meta-analysis of behavioral and brain evidence

It is often claimed that music training improves auditory and linguistic skills. Results of individual studies are mixed, however, and most evidence is correlational, precluding inferences of causation. Here, we evaluated data from 62 longitudinal studies that examined whether music training programs affect behavioral and brain measures of auditory and linguistic processing (N = 3928). For the behavioral data, a multivariate meta-analysis revealed a small positive effect of music training on both auditory and linguistic measures, regardless of the type of assignment (random vs. non-random), training (instrumental vs. non-instrumental), and control group (active vs. passive). The trim-and-fill method provided suggestive evidence of publication bias, but meta-regression methods (PET-PEESE) did not. For the brain data, a narrative synthesis also documented benefits of music training, namely for measures of auditory processing and for measures of speech and prosody processing. Thus, the available literature provides evidence that music training produces small neurobehavioral enhancements in auditory and linguistic processing, although future studies are needed to confirm that such enhancements are not due to publication bias.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio