Preventing intimate partner violence or dating violence (DV) among adolescents is a public health priority due to its magnitude and damaging short and long-term consequences for adolescent and adult ...health. In our study protocol, we complement prior experiences in DV prevention by promoting protective factors (or assets) against gender violence such as communication skills, empathy and problem-solving capability through "Cinema Voice", a participatory educational intervention based on adolescents' strengths to tackle DV.
A longitudinal quasi-experimental educational intervention addressed to boys and girls ages 13-17 years, enrolled in secondary education schools in Alicante (Spain), Rome (Italy), Cardiff (UK), Iasi (Romania), Poznan (Poland) and Matosinhos (Portugal). Both process and results evaluations will be carried out with 100-120 intervention and 120-150 control group students per city at three time periods: before, after and 6 months after the implementation of the following interventions: 1) Training seminar with teachers to promote knowledge and skills on the core issues of intervention; 2) Workshops with intervention groups, where participants produce their own digital content presenting their perspective on DV; and 3) Short film exhibitions with participants, their families, authorities and other stakeholders with the objective of share the results and engage the community. Outcome measures are self-perceived social support, machismo, sexism, tolerance towards gender violence, social problem-solving and assertiveness as well as involvement in bullying/cyberbullying. Other socio-demographic, attitudes and violence-related co-variables were also included.
This study may provide relevant information about the effectiveness of educational interventions that combine a positive youth development framework with educational awareness about the importance of achieving gender equality and preventing and combating gender violence. To our knowledge, this is the first study that involves six European countries in an educational intervention to promote violence protective assets among enrolled adolescents in secondary schools. This study may provide the needed tools to replicate the experience in other contexts and other countries.
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03411564 . Unique Protocol ID: 776905. Date registered: 18-01-2018.
Ball milling (BM) is a well-established technique for producing different materials in powder shape. Dynamical analysis of BM helps to optimize the process through simple but general relations (e.g., ...definition of an equivalent milling time). Concerning the field of study of magnetocaloric effect (MCE), BM is used in different ways: as a single step process (mechanical alloying), as an initial step to enhance mixing of the elements (e.g., to speed up the formation of the desired intermetallic phase) or as a final step (e.g., hydriding of La–Fe–Si). In this contribution, besides a simple description of the effects of some geometrical parameters on the power released during BM and a short review of the BM contribution to the research field of MCE, we will discuss the effect of the microstructure of the starting material and the granular shape inherent to BM on magnetic materials exhibiting MCE.
We have studied the radial structure of the stellar mass surface density (μ∗) and stellar population age as a function of the total stellar mass and morphology for a sample of 107 galaxies from the ...CALIFA survey. We applied the fossil record method based on spectral synthesis techniques to recover the star formation history (SFH), resolved in space and time, in spheroidal and disk dominated galaxies with masses from 109 to 1012 M⊙. We derived the half-mass radius, and we found that galaxies are on average 15% more compact in mass than in light. The ratio of half-mass radius to half-light radius (HLR) shows a dual dependence with galaxy stellar mass; it decreases with increasing mass for disk galaxies, but is almost constant in spheroidal galaxies. In terms of integrated versus spatially resolved properties, we find that the galaxy-averaged stellar population age, stellar extinction, and μ∗ are well represented by their values at 1 HLR. Negative radial gradients of the stellar population ages are present in most of the galaxies, supporting an inside-out formation. The larger inner (≤1 HLR) age gradients occur in the most massive (1011 M⊙) disk galaxies that have the most prominent bulges; shallower age gradients are obtained in spheroids of similar mass. Disk and spheroidal galaxies show negative μ∗ gradients that steepen with stellar mass. In spheroidal galaxies, μ∗ saturates at a critical value (~7 × 102 M⊙/pc2 at 1 HLR) that is independent of the galaxy mass. Thus, all the massive spheroidal galaxies have similar local μ∗ at the same distance (in HLR units) from the nucleus. The SFH of the regions beyond 1 HLR are well correlated with their local μ∗, and follow the same relation as the galaxy-averaged age and μ∗; this suggests that local stellar mass surface density preserves the SFH of disks. The SFH of bulges are, however, more fundamentally related to the total stellar mass, since the radial structure of the stellar age changes with galaxy mass even though all the spheroid dominated galaxies have similar radial structure in μ∗. Thus, galaxy mass is a more fundamental property in spheroidal systems, while the local stellar mass surface density is more important in disks.
ABSTRACT The "main sequence of galaxies"-defined in terms of the total star formation rate versus the total stellar mass M*-is a well-studied tight relation that has been observed at several ...wavelengths and at different redshifts. All earlier studies have derived this relation from integrated properties of galaxies. We recover the same relation from an analysis of spatially resolved properties, with integral field spectroscopic (IFS) observations of 306 galaxies from the CALIFA survey. We consider the SFR surface density in units of log(M yr−1 Kpc−2) and the stellar mass surface density in units of log(M Kpc−2) in individual spaxels that probe spatial scales of 0.5-1.5 Kpc. This local relation exhibits a high degree of correlation with small scatter ( = 0.23 dex), irrespective of the dominant ionization source of the host galaxy or its integrated stellar mass. We highlight (i) the integrated star formation main sequence formed by galaxies whose dominant ionization process is related to star formation, for which we find a slope of 0.81 0.02; (ii) for the spatially resolved relation obtained with the spaxel analysis, we find a slope of 0.72 0.04; and (iii) for the integrated main sequence, we also identified a sequence formed by galaxies that are dominated by an old stellar population, which we have called the retired galaxies sequence.
Suppression of the SOS response has been postulated as a therapeutic strategy for potentiating antimicrobial agents. We aimed to evaluate the impact of its suppression on reversing resistance using a ...model of isogenic strains of
representing multiple levels of quinolone resistance.
mutants exhibiting a spectrum of SOS activity were constructed from isogenic strains carrying quinolone resistance mechanisms with susceptible and resistant phenotypes. Changes in susceptibility were evaluated by static (MICs) and dynamic (killing curves or flow cytometry) methodologies. A peritoneal sepsis murine model was used to evaluate
impact. Suppression of the SOS response was capable of resensitizing mutant strains with genes encoding three or four different resistance mechanisms (up to 15-fold reductions in MICs). Killing curve assays showed a clear disadvantage for survival (Δlog
CFU per milliliter CFU/ml of 8 log units after 24 h), and the
efficacy of ciprofloxacin was significantly enhanced (Δlog
CFU/g of 1.76 log units) in resistant strains with a suppressed SOS response. This effect was evident even after short periods (60 min) of exposure. Suppression of the SOS response reverses antimicrobial resistance across a range of
phenotypes from reduced susceptibility to highly resistant, playing a significant role in increasing the
efficacy.
The rapid rise of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens is now considered a major global health crisis. New strategies are needed to block the development of resistance and to extend the life of antibiotics. The SOS response is a promising target for developing therapeutics to reduce the acquisition of antibiotic resistance and enhance the bactericidal activity of antimicrobial agents such as quinolones. Significant questions remain regarding its impact as a strategy for the reversion or resensitization of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To address this question, we have generated
mutants that exhibited a spectrum of SOS activity, ranging from a natural SOS response to a hypoinducible or constitutively suppressed response. We tested the effects of these mutations on quinolone resistance reversion under therapeutic concentrations in a set of isogenic strains carrying different combinations of chromosome- and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance mechanisms with susceptible, low-level quinolone resistant, resistant, and highly resistant phenotypes. Our comprehensive analysis opens up a new strategy for reversing drug resistance by targeting the SOS response.
The onset of melting of standard samples, ascribed to surface melting, is generally used for calibration of calorimeters. However, in non-isothermal conditions, nucleation-driven volume melting, ...which is thermally activated, takes place. In this work, we propose an approximation in the frame of the classical nucleation and growth transformation kinetics to extend to non-isothermal regimes the analysis of processes governed by constant nucleation and interface controlled growth. The approximation allows both to observe the temperature dependence of nucleation activation energy with the overheating and to obtain the surface energy between the liquid nucleus and the surrounding solid phase for pure indium and lead (~ 10 mJ m
−2
) and for a Fe
70
B
5
C
5
Si
3
Al
5
Ga
2
P
10
bulk metallic glass eutectic composition (~ 50 mJ m
−2
). These values are about 50% lower than the theoretical ones for homogeneous nucleation, which can be ascribed to the random heterogeneous nucleation occurring at the crystals boundaries.
The aim of this work is to present preliminary results of the statistical and dynamical simulations carried out within the framework of the Flagship Pilot Study in southeastern South America ...(FPS-SESA) endorsed by the Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiments (CORDEX) program. The FPS-SESA initiative seeks to promote inter-institutional collaboration and further networking with focus on extreme rainfall events. The main scientific aim is to study multi-scale processes and interactions most conducive to extreme precipitation events through both statistical and dynamical downscaling techniques, including convection-permitting simulations. To this end, a targeted experiment was designed considering the season October 2009 to March 2010, a period with a record number of extreme precipitation events within SESA. Also, three individual extreme events within that season were chosen as case studies for analyzing specific regional processes and sensitivity to resolutions. Four dynamical and four statistical downscaling models (RCM and ESD respectively) from different institutions contributed to the experiment. In this work, an analysis of the capability of the set of the FPS-SESA downscaling methods in simulating daily precipitation during the selected warm season is presented together with an integrated assessment of multiple sources of observations and available CORDEX Regional Climate Model simulations. Comparisons among all simulations reveal that there is no single model that performs best in all aspects evaluated. The ability in reproducing the different features of daily precipitation depends on the model. However, the evaluation of the sequence of precipitation events, their intensity and timing suggests that FPS-SESA simulations based on both RCM and ESD yield promising results. Most models capture the extreme events selected, although with a considerable spread in accumulated values and the location of heavy precipitation.
This work examines the sorption capacity of a natural biomass collected from an irrigation pond. The biomass mainly consisted of a mixture of chlorophyte algae with caducipholic plants. Biosorption ...experiments were performed in monometallic and bimetallic solutions containing different metals commonly found in industrial effluents (Cd, Cu and Pb). The biosorption process was slightly slower in the binary system comparing with monometallic system which was related to competition phenomena between metal cations in solution. The biosorbent behaviour was quantified by the sorption isotherms fitting the experimental data to mathematical models. In monometallic systems, the Langmuir model showed a better fit with the following sorption order: Cu ∼ Pb > Cd; and biomass-metal affinity order: Pb > Cd ∼ Cu. In bimetallic systems, the binary-type Langmuir model was used and the sorption order obtained was: Pb ∼ Cu > Cd. In addition, the effectiveness of the biomass was investigated in several sorption–desorption cycles using HCl and NaHCO3. The recovery of metal was higher with HCl than with NaHCO3, though the sorption uptake of the biomass was sensitively affected by the former desorption agent in subsequent sorption cycles.
► The eutrophized biomass can be used for decontaminating effluents with heavy metals. ► The sorption kinetics in monometallic systems was very fast. ► In bimetallic systems this was slower because the competence between metal cations. ► The metal recovery was possible with HCl and with NaHCO3. ► With NaHCO3, the sorption metal uptake increased for the reused biomass.
Major depression is a highly prevalent condition. Its pathogenesis is related to a wide variety of biological and psychosocial factors and among these is factors related to lifestyle. Lifestyle-based ...interventions seem to be appropriate strategies as coadjutant treatment. The objective of this study is to explore and identify expectations and experiences of both patients and healthcare professionals that can point to the main barriers and facilitators with regard to the promotion of healthy dietary and hygiene behaviours in patients suffering from major depression.
A qualitative design was used to collect information from a wide range of purposefully and theoretically guided samples of depressed patients and health professionals from Primary Care (PC). Both in-depth interviews and discussion groups were used. A standardized protocol was designed to guide the interviews and groups, including the preparation of a topic list to be addressed, with previously tested, open suggestions that could be of interest. A thematic analysis was performed from grounded theory in order to explore, develop and define until saturation the emergent categories of analysis derived from the individual interview and group data.
Both patients as well as PC professionals noted a series of central aspects with respect to the implementation of a programme for the acquisition of healthy dietary and hygiene habits for depressive patients, which may be organized around 'personal', 'programmatic', and 'transversal' aspects. As for the personal aspects, categories regarding 'patient history', and 'disposition' were found; the programmatic aspects included categories such as 'presentation and monitoring', and modification of 'cognitive' and 'behavioural' habits; whereas the transversal aspects comprised the possibilities of 'social support' and defining categories of 'objectives'.
The implementation of intervention programmes that combine dietary and hygiene-related factors in patients with depression is complex, given the nature of the disorder itself, and its symptoms such as apathy and feelings of guilt or incompetence. Key issues exist for the success of the intervention, such as the simplicity of guidelines, tailoring through motivational interviewing, prolonged and intense monitoring throughout the different stages of the disorder, and the provision of adequate feedback and social support. PC could be an appropriate level in which to implement these interventions.
•Separation of materials from Tetra Pak waste to obtain products was investigated.•Hydrochar and PE-Al composite were efficiently separated by hydrothermal treatment.•Polyethylene / aluminum ...composite were partially separated using spent olive oil.•Pyrolysis at moderate temperatures obtained an aluminum layer with acceptable purity.
The establishment of a method of separation of materials from Tetra Pak waste to obtain products for use as raw material, fuel or other purposes was investigated in this study. First, the feasibility of hydrothermal treatment for the production of a solid fuel (hydrochar) and solid fraction formed by polyethylene and aluminum, called composite was analyzed. The results indicated that hydrothermal treatment performed at 240 °C yield the formation of hydrochar with good properties for its use as fuel and a composite of polyethylene and aluminum. The best conversion and separation of the cardboard and polyethylene/aluminum were obtained using 120 min as operating time. Then, the recovery of the aluminum fraction from the composite by using spent olive oil waste was studied. A partial separation of the composite layers (polyethylene and aluminum) was accomplished with improved aluminum purity for higher operating temperatures. Finally, the operating conditions of the pyrolysis process for the production of a solid (char) and high purity composite (aluminum) were optimized. The characterization results indicated that both char and aluminum resulting from the pyrolysis of the Tetra Pak at 400 °C still have a significant amount of polyethylene while higher purity levels of aluminum can be obtained at temperatures equal of higher than 500 °C.
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