The ideal magnetocaloric material would lay at the borderline of a first-order and a second-order phase transition. Hence, it is crucial to unambiguously determine the order of phase transitions for ...both applied magnetocaloric research as well as the characterization of other phase change materials. Although Ehrenfest provided a conceptually simple definition of the order of a phase transition, the known techniques for its determination based on magnetic measurements either provide erroneous results for specific cases or require extensive data analysis that depends on subjective appreciations of qualitative features of the data. Here we report a quantitative fingerprint of first-order thermomagnetic phase transitions: the exponent n from field dependence of magnetic entropy change presents a maximum of n > 2 only for first-order thermomagnetic phase transitions. This model-independent parameter allows evaluating the order of phase transition without any subjective interpretations, as we show for different types of materials and for the Bean-Rodbell model.
Objectives
Dental hygiene is the most effective method in the prevention of oral diseases. However, most patients do not use the recommended teeth brushing techniques and/or time brushing is ...insufficient. With this objective, modifications in conventional toothbrushes have been developed to deal with these findings. The aim of this study was to compare plaque removal effectiveness of a manual toothbrush with a modified head (MTMH) with a wrap‐around design versus a conventional manual toothbrush.
Methods
This pilot prospective clinical study was designed according to STROBE guidelines. The patients suspended oral hygiene habits for 24 h (baseline). Subsequently, the teeth were brushed for 60 s. Both toothbrushes followed the same study procedure, separated by 1 month. Plaque‐removing effectiveness was measured before and after tooth brushing using the modified O'Leary Plaque Index (PI).
Results
Seven patients were included in this pilot study. The mean age was 37.66 ± 10.68 years. PI mean differences between baseline and after brushing were 51.99% ± 16.43 for MTMH and 27.93 ± 6.85, for conventional toothbrush (p = 0.0013). After brushing, mean PI values were 18.36% ± 6.95%, and 37.61% ± 10.57% respectively (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Within the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the effectiveness of plaque removal by using MTMH is significantly higher than the conventional manual toothbrush.
The task of reconstructing smooth signals from streamed data in the form of signal samples arises in various applications. This work addresses such a task subject to a zero-delay response; that is, ...the smooth signal must be reconstructed sequentially as soon as a data sample is available and without having access to subsequent data. State-of-the-art approaches solve this problem by interpolating consecutive data samples using splines. Here, each interpolation step yields a piece that ensures a smooth signal reconstruction while minimizing a cost metric, typically a weighted sum between the squared residual and a derivative-based measure of smoothness. As a result, a zero-delay interpolation is achieved in exchange for an almost certainly higher cumulative cost as compared to interpolating all data samples together. This paper presents a novel approach to further reduce this cumulative cost on average. First, we formulate a zero-delay smoothing spline interpolation problem from a sequential decision-making perspective, allowing us to model the future impact of each interpolated piece on the average cumulative cost. Then, an interpolation method is proposed to exploit the temporal dependencies between the streamed data samples. Our method is assisted by a recurrent neural network and accordingly trained to reduce the accumulated cost on average over a set of example data samples collected from the same signal source generating the signal to be reconstructed. Finally, we present extensive experimental results for synthetic and real data showing how our approach outperforms the abovementioned state-of-the-art.
Alcohol binge drinking is a pattern of heavy alcohol consumption that is increasingly practiced by adolescents and young adults. Evidence indicates that alcohol binges induce peripheral inflammation ...and an exacerbated neuroimmune response that may participate in alcohol‐induced cognitive/behavioral dysfunctions. Here, we recruited 20‐year‐old male and female university students who were identified as binge drinkers for at least 2 years. Compared with controls, young alcohol binge drinkers had elevated levels of blood endotoxin and upregulated markers of the toll‐like receptor 4/NF‐κB inflammatory pathway in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, together with pro‐inflammatory cytokine/chemokine release, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. These changes positively correlate with the estimated blood alcohol levels achieved during alcohol binge intoxication and negatively correlate with the time elapsed from the last alcohol consumption. The immune/inflammatory changes were more prominent in female drinkers, who showed elevated levels of alcohol danger‐associated molecules, such as high mobility group box 1, indicating that there are sex‐related differences in the peripheral inflammatory response to alcohol. In contrast, cortisol levels were decreased in alcohol binge drinkers. Finally, higher levels of inflammatory markers, mainly monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1, as well as LPS, high mobility group box 1, toll‐like receptor 4, IL‐6 and ciclooxygenase‐2, correlated with worse scores on episodic memory and executive functioning tasks in female binge drinkers but not in male binge drinkers. These results emphasize possible risky consequences of alcohol use in binge episodes during young adulthood and call attention to sex‐related differences in the alcohol‐induced immune/inflammatory and neurocognitive responses.
Young alcohol binge drinkers have elevated plasma endotoxin levels, immune over‐activation, peripheral inflammation and decreased cortisol levels compared with controls. The TLR‐4 mediated inflammatory response appears to be higher in female drinkers, who show danger products, such as HMGB1, in blood. Additionally, higher inflammation correlates with worse episodic memory and executive functioning in female but not male drinkers. Results emphasize the risky consequences of alcohol use in binge episodes and call attention to sex‐related differences in the alcohol‐induced inflammatory response.
Adolescent Binge Drinking (BD) has become an increasing health and social concern, with detrimental consequences for brain development and functional integrity. However, research on ...neurophysiological and neuropsychological traits predisposing to BD are limited at this time. In this work, we conducted a 2‐year longitudinal magnetoencephalography (MEG) study over a cohort of initially alcohol‐naïve adolescents with the purpose of exploring anomalies in resting‐state electrophysiological networks, impulsivity, sensation‐seeking, and dysexecutive behaviour able to predict future BD patterns. In a sample of 67 alcohol‐naïve adolescents (age = 14.5 ± 0.9), we measured resting‐state activity using MEG. Additionally, we evaluated their neuropsychological traits using self‐report ecological scales (BIS‐11, SSS‐V, BDEFS, BRIEF‐SR and DEX). In a second evaluation, 2 years later, we measured participant's alcohol consumption, sub‐dividing the original sample in two groups: future binge drinkers (22 individuals, age 14.6 ± 0.8; eight females) and future light/no drinkers (17 individuals, age 14.5 ± 0.8; eight females). Then, we searched for differences predating alcohol BD intake. We found abnormalities in MEG resting state, in a form of gamma band hyperconnectivity, in those adolescents who transitioned into BD years later. Furthermore, they showed higher impulsivity, dysexecutive behaviours and sensation seeking, positively correlated with functional connectivity (FC). Sensation seeking and impulsivity mainly predicted BD severity in the future, while the relationship between dysexecutive trait and FC with future BD was mediated by sensation seeking. These findings shed light to electrophysiological and neuropsychological traits of vulnerability towards alcohol consumption. We hypothesise that these differences may rely on divergent neurobiological development of inhibitory neurotransmission pathways and executive prefrontal circuits.
Longitudinal study using MEG characterises resting‐state functional connectivity and psychological features associated with the development of binge drinking in adolescents.
is an apicomplexan parasite that infects almost all warm-blooded animals. Little is known about how the parasite virulence in mice extrapolates to other relevant hosts. In the current study,
...phenotype and
behavior in mice and sheep of a type II
isolate (TgShSp1) were compared with the reference type II
isolate (TgME49). The results of
assays and the intraperitoneal inoculation of tachyzoites in mice indicated an enhanced virulence for the laboratory isolate, TgME49, compared to the recently obtained TgShSp1 isolate. TgShSp1 proliferated at a slower rate and had delayed lysis plaque formation compared to TgME49, but it formed more cyst-like structures
. No mortality was observed in adult mice after infection with 1-10
tachyzoites intraperitoneally or with 25-2,000 oocysts orally of TgShSp1. In sheep orally challenged with oocysts, TgME49 infection resulted in sporadically higher rectal temperatures and higher parasite load in cotyledons from ewes that gave birth and brain tissues of the respective lambs, but no differences between these two isolates were found on fetal/lamb mortality or lesions and number of
-positive lambs. The congenital infection after challenge at mid-pregnancy with TgShSp1, measured as offspring mortality and vertical transmission, was different depending on the challenged host. In mice, mortality in 50% of the pups was observed when a dam was challenged with a high oocyst dose (500 TgShSp1 oocysts), whereas in sheep infected with the same dose of oocysts, mortality occurred in all fetuses. Likewise, mortality of 9 and 27% of the pups was observed in mice after infection with 100 and 25 TgShSp1 oocysts, respectively, while in sheep, infection with 50 and 10 TgShSp1 oocysts triggered mortality in 68 and 66% of the fetuses/lambs. Differences in vertical transmission in the surviving offspring were only found with the lower oocyst doses (100% after infection with 10 TgShSp1 oocysts in sheep and only 37% in mice after infection with 25 TgShSp1 oocysts). In conclusion, virulence in mice of
type II isolates may not be a good indicator to predict the outcome of infection in pregnant sheep.
Land abandonment followed by natural revegetation constitutes the main land‐use change in the Mediterranean mountains, affecting soil quality and soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks; however, there are ...few studies analysing the effects of cropland abandonment on soils in mid‐mountains. In the Leza Valley (Spain), 43.2% of the area was cultivated but abandoned during the 20th‐century. Natural revegetation gave rise to five land uses (LULCs): pastures (5 years), shrubs (Cistus laurifolius, 20–35 years), bushes (Juniperus communis, 35–50 years), young forests (Quercus pyrenaica) and old forests (>70 years). The aim of this research was to study the effects of natural revegetation of abandoned fields on physico‐chemical soil quality and SOC in various LULCs. In each of the LULCs, soil samples were collected every 10 cm, down to 40 cm depth, at three points, with a total of 60 samples being analysed (12 per LULC). In addition, plant species inventories were carried out. The results indicated (a) significant differences in physico‐chemical soil quality between the first years of abandonment and forests; (b) the SOC content increased with revegetation duration and decreased with increase in soil depth; (c) the highest SOC and TN stocks were found in the first 10 cm; (d) the results of the principal component analysis with all the data differentiate forests from shrubs and pastures. This study confirms the need to be aware of the effects of land abandonment and natural revegetation processes on the soil, in order to promote management strategies to preserve ecosystem services that agricultural marginal lands can provide.
Background During the educational stage, academic achievement depends on various social, family, and personal factors. Among the latter, executive skills in everyday life play a significant role in ...dealing with the academic demands of adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study is to ascertain the effects of executive symptomatology in everyday functioning on academic achievement in adolescents. Method The study involved 910 students aged between 13 and 15 years (M = 14.09, SD = 0.68) from both public and private schools in the Community of Madrid. The DEX, BDEFS-CA, and BRIEF-SR questionnaires were utilised to assess executive difficulties, while grades in language, mathematics, and natural sciences were used as a measure of academic achievement. Results The data revealed statistically significant differences in working memory, emotional control, materials organisation, and task completion. In relation to language and natural sciences subjects. In the case of mathematics, emotional control and task completion were significant variables. Conclusion Our results indicate that certain executive skills that are manifested in everyday life activities can contribute, albeit in a variable way, to academic achievement in the subjects studied. This aspect is relevant insofar as it allows us to develop preventive interventions based on the executive training of these everyday skills.
Introduction
Binge drinking (BD) is a common health-risk behavior among young people. Due to the incomplete maturation of the adolescent brain, BD can lead to structural and functional changes that ...impact neurocognitive processes, particularly executive functioning and verbal memory. This study aimed to investigate the influence of executive components, such as mnemonic strategies and error avoidance, on performance in a verbal memory test and the potential effects of BD on this performance.
Methods
A sample of 160 college students (51.55% female) with a mean age of 18.12 ± 0.32 years completed assessments for alcohol use disorders using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), as well as psychopathological (Symptom Checklist-90-R) and neuropsychological evaluations (Verbal Learning Test Spain-Complutense and WMS-III Logical Memory). The Intensive Drinking Evaluation Instrument (IECI) was utilized to gather detailed information about binge drinking habits, including the calculation of the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) during an episode of intake.
Results
Correlation and clustering analyses revealed a negative association between BAC values and verbal memory performance, as well as the use of memory strategies. The high BAC group (BD) exhibited negative values in verbal memory variables, higher accuracy errors, and less efficient strategy usage, while the low BAC group (No BD) demonstrated better memory test performance, fewer precision errors, and superior use of memory strategies.
Discussion
These findings support the hypothesis that, when solving tests requiring verbal memory, adolescents reporting a BD consumption pattern show fewer executive skills in their resolution and, therefore, achieved poorer performance than non-binge drinkers. Addressing excessive alcohol consumption in young individuals is crucial for safeguarding their cognitive development and overall well-being.
To assess the awareness, knowledge, use, and willingness to use and need of PrEP among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TW) who attended World Gay Pride (WGP) 2017 in Madrid.
...Online survey. Participants were recruited through gay-oriented dating apps and HIV Non-Governmental Organizations´ social media. Inclusion criteria included being MSM or TW, age 18 years old or above, and having attended WGP in Madrid. Information regarding the participant's awareness and knowledge, use or willingness to use, and need for PrEP was collected, as well as sociodemographic characteristics. Participants were considered to be in need of PrEP if they met one of the following indication criteria: having practiced unprotected anal intercourse with more than 2 partners, having practiced chemsex, or having engaged in commercial sex-all in the preceding 6 months. Descriptive and multivariable analyses with logistic regression were conducted.
472 participants met the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 38, 97.7% were MSM, 77% had a university education, and 85% were living in Spain, mostly in big cities. Overall, 64% of participants were aware of PrEP, but only 33% knew correctly what PrEP was. 67% of HIV-negative participants were willing to take PrEP, although only 5% were taking it during WGP, mostly due to lack of access. 43% of HIV-negative respondents met at least one PrEP indication criteria. For HIV-negative men living in Spain, university education and living in big cities was associated with PrEP awareness. Lower education level and meeting PrEP criteria was associated with willingness to use PrEP.
Our study shows that among MSM attending WGP 2017 in Madrid, there was limited PrEP awareness, low accuracy of PrEP knowledge, and a high need and willingness to use PrEP. Health authorities should strengthen existing preventive strategies and implement PrEP.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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