Validation of the intellectual capital scale of nursing services

Objective:Nursing services are considered strategic in the functioning of health organizations, therefore the study of intellectualcapital (human capital, structural capital, relational capital of nursing services) in innovation as a contribution to decision policies,practice and research. The main focus is to promote critical thinking on the condition of nursing services in an innovativeperspective. This study aims to adapt and validate the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire of Intellectual Capital andInnovative Capacity (already used in business management, automobile) and apply it to the Nursing Services (QICICNS).Methods:A cross-sectional and quantitative study was carried out on a sample of 1,388 Portuguese nurses enrolled in the Nurses’Order. For the analysis of the psychometric properties of the instrument we used the factorial analysis of main components withvarimax rotation of the scale items and the calculation of the Cronbach Alpha coefficient.Results:The QICICNS analysis revealed good internal consistency (global scale = 0.95, constructs between 0.83 and 0.97) andgood quality of the items (KMO = 0.95), with four factors being extracted: human capital, relational capital, structural capital andinnovation.Conclusions:The positive indices of internal consistency and the sensitivity of this questionnaire show the validity of thereliable and robust data collection instrument in the studied context. Implications for nursing management: QICICNS, due to itsmultifaceted nature, can be a management tool in the decision making support by nursing managers. The characteristics of eachintellectual capital construct may influence the management of services and future investigations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of sprouting in lentil (lens culinaris) nutritional and microbiological profile

Biological and vegetarian raw food products, in particular based on legume sprouts, are an increasing food trend, due to their improved nutritional value when compared to seeds. Herein, protein and mineral profiles were studied in 12 lentil varieties, with varieties Du Puy, Kleine Schwarze, Rosana, Flora, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II demonstrating the highest protein percentages. After sprouting, protein percentages increased significantly in 10 of the 12 varieties, with the highest increases ranging between 20–23% in Dunkelgrün Marmorierte, Du Puy, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II varieties. While Fe concentration was significantly decreased in three varieties (Samos, Große Rote and Kleine Späths II), Zn and Mn were positively impacted by sprouting (p ≤ 0.05). Magnesium concentration was not affected by sprouting, while Ca and K had percentage increases between 41% and 58%, and 28% and 30%, respectively, in the best performing varieties (Kleine Schwarze, Dunkelgrün Marmorierte, Samos and Rosana). Regardless of the associated nutritional benefits, issues pertaining to sprouts microbiological safety must be ensured. The best results for the disinfection protocols were obtained when combining the seed treatment with SDS reagent followed by an Amukine application on the sprouts, which did not affect germination rates or sprout length. The increasing levels of sprout consumption throughout the world require efficient implementation of safety measures, as well as a knowledge-based selection for the nutritional quality of the seeds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Evolving SPIDe Towards the Integration of Requirements Elicitation in Interaction Design

Among the various interaction (re)design processes and approaches, SPIDe is a semio-participatory methodological process inspired by communication-centered design. However, the development of computational solutions is not limited to interaction design. Requirements elicitation is also an integral part of this process. Some SPIDe studies indicated that it is also possible to raise requirements through its application due to its participatory characteristics. This article presents an investigation on the feasibility of SPIDe when applied to requirements elic itation integrated with interaction design, presenting an exploratory case study. From the perspective of different experts, we explain the strengths and needs of SPIDe in supporting requirements elicitation integrated into inter action design. Data were collected through logbooks, semi-structured interviews, and the TAM questionnaire and then analyzed through thematic analysis. The results show that the SPIDe use for requirements elicitation integrated into the interaction design is feasible. Furthermore, they indicated that possible improvements in SPIDe could ben efit the development of the computational solutions considering a single application of SPIDe to obtain data for interaction design and requirements elicitation integrated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Compost pile and vermicomposting to treat a mixture of poultry bed and liquid residues from dairy cattle

Objetivou-se avaliar o método de compostagem em pilhas e a vermicompostagem no tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros. O estudo foi realizado com dois tratamentos, constituídos pelas biotecnologias compostagem em pilhas (T1) e vermicompostagem (T2). No processo de vermicompostagem foram utilizadas caixas de madeira nas dimensões de 0.50 mde comprimento, 0.40 mde largura e 0.30 mde altura, e minhocas da espécie Eisenia fetida. A utilização dos processos de compostagem em pilhas e vermicompostagem são tecnicamente viáveis para o tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos líquidos de bovinos leiteiros. A temperatura ambiente e do ar não influencia a temperatura da biomassa durante a compostagemem pilhas. A relação C/N do composto e do vermicomposto da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros não atendeu a recomendação da Instrução Normativa nº 25/2009 para ser considerado estabilizado ou bioestabilizado. O tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros através da compostagem e vermicompostagem deve ser realizado em um tempo superior a 45 dias para que possa ser utilizado como fertilizante orgânico. A trial was conducted to evaluate compost pile (T1) and vermicomposting (T2) for treating a mixture of poultry bed and dairy cattle residues. For T1, a pile 3 m length x 1.60 m width and 1 m height was built in a waterproofed barn with a wire mesh as side walls. Every 15 days, two revolving and addition of residues to the composting mass were carried out. Wood boxes 0.50 m length x 0.40 m width and 0.30 m height and Eisenia fetida earthworms were used for vermicomposting treatment T2. Compost piles and vermicomposting are technically viable options for processing a mixture of poultry bed and liquid residues from dairy cattle. Its alkaline pH was not harmful to Eisenia fetida earthworms, which remained in the biomass until the end of the process. Additionally, the presence of cocoons and young earthworms demonstrated the substrate acceptance by Eisenia fetida earthworms. At the end of the assay period, the C/N ratio of both the compost and the vermicompost did not fulfill the threshold value to be considered as stabilized or biostabilized according to Brazilian Normative Instruction nº 25/2009. Therefore, composting and vermicomposting of poultry bed and dairy cattle residues mixture must be carried out for a period longer than 45 days to be utilized as an organic fertilizer.Comité de Medio Ambient

Compost pile and vermicomposting to treat a mixture of poultry bed and liquid residues from dairy cattle

Objetivou-se avaliar o método de compostagem em pilhas e a vermicompostagem no tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros. O estudo foi realizado com dois tratamentos, constituídos pelas biotecnologias compostagem em pilhas (T1) e vermicompostagem (T2). No processo de vermicompostagem foram utilizadas caixas de madeira nas dimensões de 0.50 mde comprimento, 0.40 mde largura e 0.30 mde altura, e minhocas da espécie Eisenia fetida. A utilização dos processos de compostagem em pilhas e vermicompostagem são tecnicamente viáveis para o tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos líquidos de bovinos leiteiros. A temperatura ambiente e do ar não influencia a temperatura da biomassa durante a compostagemem pilhas. A relação C/N do composto e do vermicomposto da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros não atendeu a recomendação da Instrução Normativa nº 25/2009 para ser considerado estabilizado ou bioestabilizado. O tratamento da mistura de cama de aviário e dejetos de bovinos leiteiros através da compostagem e vermicompostagem deve ser realizado em um tempo superior a 45 dias para que possa ser utilizado como fertilizante orgânico. A trial was conducted to evaluate compost pile (T1) and vermicomposting (T2) for treating a mixture of poultry bed and dairy cattle residues. For T1, a pile 3 m length x 1.60 m width and 1 m height was built in a waterproofed barn with a wire mesh as side walls. Every 15 days, two revolving and addition of residues to the composting mass were carried out. Wood boxes 0.50 m length x 0.40 m width and 0.30 m height and Eisenia fetida earthworms were used for vermicomposting treatment T2. Compost piles and vermicomposting are technically viable options for processing a mixture of poultry bed and liquid residues from dairy cattle. Its alkaline pH was not harmful to Eisenia fetida earthworms, which remained in the biomass until the end of the process. Additionally, the presence of cocoons and young earthworms demonstrated the substrate acceptance by Eisenia fetida earthworms. At the end of the assay period, the C/N ratio of both the compost and the vermicompost did not fulfill the threshold value to be considered as stabilized or biostabilized according to Brazilian Normative Instruction nº 25/2009. Therefore, composting and vermicomposting of poultry bed and dairy cattle residues mixture must be carried out for a period longer than 45 days to be utilized as an organic fertilizer.Comité de Medio Ambient

Passive experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 with MOG: evidence of involvement of B cells

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most relevant animal model to study demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. EAE can be induced by active (active EAE) or passive (at-EAE) transfer of activated T cells in several species and strains of rodents. However, histological features of at-EAE model in C57BL/6 are poorly described. The aim of this study was to characterize the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses of at-EAE in C57BL/6 mice by histological techniques and compare them with that observed in the active EAE model. To develop the at-EAE, splenocytes from active EAE female mice were harvested and cultured in presence of MOG 35-55 and IL-12, and then injected intraperitoneally in recipient female C57BL6/J mice. In both models, the development of EAE was similar except for starting before the onset of symptoms and presenting a higher EAE cumulative score in the at-EAE model. Spinal cord histological examination revealed an increased glial activation as well as more extensive demyelinating areas in the at-EAE than in the active EAE model. Although inflammatory infiltrates composed by macrophages and T lymphocytes were found in the spinal cord and brain of both models, B lymphocytes were significantly increased in the at-EAE model. The co-localization of these B cells with IgG and their predominant distribution in areas of demyelination would suggest that IgG-secreting B cells are involved in the neurodegenerative processes associated with at-EAE

TOLL-LIKE RECEPTORS (TLR) 2 AND 4 EXPRESSION OF KERATINOCYTES FROM PATIENTS WITH LOCALIZED AND DISSEMINATED DERMATOPHYTOSIS

There are few studies on the role of innate immune response in dermatophytosis. An investigation was conducted to define the involvement of Toll-Like Receptors (TLRs) 2 and 4 in localized (LD) and disseminated (DD) dermatophytosis due to T. rubrum. Fifteen newly diagnosed patients, eight patients with LD and seven with DD, defined by involvement of at least three body segments were used in this study. Controls comprised twenty skin samples from healthy individuals undergoing plastic surgery. TLR2 and TLR4 were quantified in skin lesions by immunohistochemistry. A reduced expression of TLR4 in the lower and upper epidermis of both LD and DD patients was found compared to controls; TLR2 expression was preserved in the upper and lower epidermis of all three groups. As TLR4 signaling induces the production of inflammatory cytokines and neutrophils recruitment, its reduced expression likely contributed to the lack of resolution of the infection and the consequent chronic nature of the dermatophytosis. As TLR2 expression acts to limit the inflammatory process and preserves the epidermal structure, its preserved expression may also contribute to the persistent infection and limited inflammation that are characteristic of dermatophytic infections

Attending to warning signs of primary immunodeficiencies disease across the range of clinical practices

Purpose: Patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDD) may present with recurrent infections affecting different organs, organ-specific inflammation/autoimmunity, and also increased cancer risk, particularly hematopoietic malignancies. The diversity of PIDD and the wide age range over which these clinical occurrences become apparent often make the identification of patients difficult for physicians other than immunologists. The aim of this report is to develop a tool for educative programs targeted to specialists and applied by clinical immunologists. Methods: Considering the data from national surveys and clinical reports of experiences with specific PIDD patients, an evidence-based list of symptoms, signs, and corresponding laboratory tests were elaborated to help physicians other than immunologists look for PIDD. Results: Tables including main clinical manifestations, restricted immunological evaluation, and possible related diagnosis were organized for general practitioners and 5 specialties. Tables include information on specific warning signs of PIDD for pulmonologists, gastroenterologists, dermatologists, hematologists, and infectious disease specialists. Conclusions: This report provides clinical immunologists with an instrument they can use to introduce specialists in other areas of medicine to the warning signs of PIDD and increase early diagnosis. Educational programs should be developed attending the needs of each specialty.Fil: Costa Carvalho, Beatriz Tavares. Universidade Federal de São Paulo; BrasilFil: Sevciovic Grumach, Anete. Fundação ABC. Faculdade de Medicina; BrasilFil: Franco, José Luis. Universidad de Antioquia; ColombiaFil: Espinosa Rosales, Francisco Javier. Instituto Nacional de Pediatría. Unidad de Investigación en Inmunodeficiencias; MéxicoFil: Leiva, Lily E.. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: King, Alejandra. Hospital de Niños Doctor Luis Calvo Mackenna. Unidad de Inmunología; ChileFil: Porras, Oscar. Hospital Nacional de Niños “Dr. Carlos Sáenz Herrera”; Costa RicaFil: Bezrodnik, Liliana. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Niños "Ricardo Gutiérrez"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Oleastro, Mathias. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital de Pediatría "Juan P. Garrahan"; ArgentinaFil: Sorensen, Ricardo U.. State University of Louisiana; Estados Unidos. Universidad de La Frontera. Facultad de Medicina; MéxicoFil: Condino Neto, Antonio. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi

Genome-wide association study of {REM} sleep behavior disorder identifies polygenic risk and brain expression effects

AbstractRapid-eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD), enactment of dreams during REM sleep, is an early clinical symptom of alpha-synucleinopathies and defines a more severe subtype. The genetic background of RBD and its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study of RBD, identifying five RBD risk loci near SNCA, GBA, TMEM175, INPP5F, and SCARB2. Expression analyses highlight SNCA-AS1 and potentially SCARB2 differential expression in different brain regions in RBD, with SNCA-AS1 further supported by colocalization analyses. Polygenic risk score, pathway analysis, and genetic correlations provide further insights into RBD genetics, highlighting RBD as a unique alpha-synucleinopathy subpopulation that will allow future early intervention