Stokes vector characterization by strongly measuring weak values.

We report the implementation of a non-standard procedure to perform Stokes polarimetry, which was recently proposed by considering weak value measurements. Our procedure is not restricted to weak measurements but applies for both weak and strong couplings between the observable being measured; the polarization (spin) vector; and the measuring device, the "pointer." In optics, the polarization-pointer coupling is usually implemented with a birefringent crystal. This applies in the weak coupling regime. We overcame this limitation by using an alternative setup in which one can go from weak to strong couplings by tuning a moveable mirror. We carried out our proof-of-concept experiments with a laser beam, the image of which was recorded and processed on a charge-coupled device. Our results illustrate that some concepts, originally introduced in a quantum context, in fact refer to properties that are common to both quantum and classical phenomena.

Critical reflections on the concept and impact of "scaling up" in Global Mental Health.

The field of Global Mental Health (GMH) aims to address the global burden of mental illness by focusing on closing the "treatment gap" faced by many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). To increase access to services, GMH prioritizes "scaling up" mental health services, primarily advocating for the export of Western centred and developed biomedical and psychosocial "evidence-based" approaches to the Global South. While this emphasis on scalability has resulted in the increased availability of mental health services in some LMICs, there have been few critical discussions of this strategy. This commentary critically appraises the scalability of GMH by questioning the validity and sustainability of its approach. We argue that the current approach emphasizes the development of mental health services and interventions in "silos," focusing on the treatment of mental illnesses at the exclusion of a holistic and contextualized approach to people's needs. We also question the opportunities that the current approach to GMH offers for the growth of mental health programmes of local NGOs and investigate the potential pitfalls that scalability may have on NGOs' impact and ability to innovate. This commentary argues that any "scaling up" of mental health services must place sustainability at the core of its mission by favouring the growth and development of local solutions and wider forms of support that prioritize social inclusion and long-lasting mental health recovery.

Differential immediate early gene activity revealed by playback of male and female incomplete chick-a-dee calls.

In both humans and animals, biological differences between males and females has long been a topic of research. In songbirds, sexual dimorphisms can be seen in many species' plumage and heard in some species' songs. However, not all songbirds have such overt phenotypic sexual differences, leading to the question: are all vocalizations dimorphic? One of the most used and versatile vocalizations of the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is their namesake chick-a-dee call, that is produced by both sexes. This call is composed of four note types: A, B, C (together chick-a), and D (dee). Previous research has found that A notes contain information regarding the sex of the caller. However, chickadees do not categorize full chick-a-dee calls, or altered chick-a calls, based on the sex of the caller. Here we presented both male and female chickadees with altered chick-a calls (dee portion removed) of both sexes and measured the number of ZENK labeled cells in auditory nuclei. We found that calls produced by males and females had more ZENK labeled cells than the control condition; however, there was no significant difference in ZENK labeled cells between male and female listeners. Overall, our results suggest that black-capped chickadees do not perceive sexual differences in the production of chick-a calls.

Zika Virus Epidemic in Brazil. II. Post-Mortem Analyses of Neonates with Microcephaly, Stillbirths, and Miscarriage.

INTRODUCTION: The recent Zika virus(ZIKV) epidemic in Brazil was characterized by a range of different clinical presentations, particularly microcephaly, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and death. In this context, we determined the causal relationship between fatal microcephaly cases and ZIKV infection. METHODS: Twelve fatal cases of neonates, whose mothers were infected with ZIKV during pregnancy, were examined; cases included nine neonatal deaths due to microcephaly, one miscarriage, and two stillbirths. Tissue samples were obtained from all cases at necropsy and were submitted for virological investigation (RT-qPCR and virus isolation) and/or histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and immunohistochemical assay for the detection of ZIKV antigens. RESULTS: ZIKV antigens and/or ZIKV RNA were detected in tissue samples of all 12 cases examined. ZIKV was recovered in one case. Results of the virological and immunohistochemical analyses, as well as the anatomic abnormalities and histopathologic changes observed at necropsy on the 12 fatal cases, are presented. CONCLUSIONS: Data from these 12 cases provide strong evidence of the causal relationship between ZIKV and congenital disease in fetuses of women who were infected with the virus during pregnancy.

Prevalencia de estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primer semestre de tercero, cuarto y quinto año, y de estilos docentes de la carrera de Cinesiología, Universidad de Antofagasta Guido / Prevalence of the learning styles of students in the first semester of the third, fourth and fifth years, and of the teaching styles of the Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology, University of Antofagasta

Introducción. Este artículo caracterizó los estilos de aprendizaje y estilos docentes de estudiantes y docentes de la carrera de cinesiología, identificando los estilos de aprendizaje de 124 estudiantes y los estilos docentes de 21 docentes de dicha carrera, para proponer estrategias educativas que aporten al modelo pedagógico de la universidad y al mejoramiento del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Sujetos y métodos. Utilizando el cuestionario de estilos de aprendizaje de Honey-Alonso, y para describir los resultados, se consideró el baremo general de preferencia en estilos de aprendizaje de Alonso et al y las puntuaciones de los estudiantes según su nivel académico. Los estilos docentes fueron explorados mediante el cuestionario de estilos de enseñanza validado para Chile. Resultados. Los estilos de aprendizaje de los estudiantes son diferentes según su nivel académico, y son de predominio teórico-pragmático en tercer año, y activo-reflexivo en cuarto y quinto años. Los estilos docentes resultaron ser preferentemente formal y funcional, y favorecen los estilos de aprendizaje reflexivo y pragmático. Conclusiones. Los autores estiman que las modificaciones de los estilos de aprendizaje responden a las características del currículo y las características de los estilos docentes antes y después del tercer año, y a partir de los resultados propondrán al departamento las estrategias de enseñanza que aporten a la docencia y optimización de la calidad del proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje de los estudiantes de la carrera (AU)

Introduction. This article characterises the learning and teaching styles of the students and the teaching staff in the Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology by identifying the learning styles of 124 students and the teaching styles of 21 members of the teaching staff of this degree course, with the aim of proposing educational strategies that contribute to the pedagogical model of the university and to improve the teaching and learning process. Subjects and methods. The Honey-Alonso learning styles questionnaire was utilised, and the results were described using the general scale of preference in learning styles of Alonso et al. and students’ scores according to their academic level. The teaching styles were explored by means of the teaching styles questionnaire, validated for Chile. Results. Students’ learning styles differ according to their academic level, and are predominantly theoretical-pragmatic in the third year and active-reflective in the fourth and fifth years. The teaching styles were preferably formal and functional and favour reflective and pragmatic learning styles. Conclusions. The authors estimate that the modifications of the learning styles are due to the characteristics of the curriculum and the characteristics of the teaching styles before and after the third year. From the results, they will propose, for consideration by the department, teaching strategies that contribute to teaching and optimise the quality of the teaching and learning process of the students of this degree course (AU)

'It is not the State's fault that we have a person like this': relations, institutions and the meaning of 'rights' to carers of People with Psychosocial Disabilities in Chile.

BACKGROUND: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has been adopted by national governments to advance the interests and wellbeing of people with psychosocial disabilities (PPSD). It is often assumed that the adoption of a 'rights' framework will advance the dignity and autonomy of PPSD. However, little is known about how families and communities understand 'rights'. The present paper, based on research conducted in Santiago, Chile, takes a contextual approach to rights, asking: How do family carers of PPSD understand and use the idea of 'rights'? How does the context of caregiving shape families' understanding of rights? METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted with a total of 25 family carers (predominantly mothers) of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and other severe neuropsychiatric conditions. Thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Carers' experience of caregiving was marked by isolation, stigmatization, a lack of support and mistreatment by public services. Their family networks did not provide sustained help and support, and the public services they had used were characterized by scarce resources and inadequate support. Carers did not refer to rights of dignity or autonomy. Given an unsupportive context, and worries about who would care for their child after the carer's death, their primary interest in 'rights' was a right to guaranteed, long-term care. While carers endorsed the idea of universal, state-supported rights, appeals to compassion and the exchange of favours were spoken of as the most effective strategies for gaining a minimum level of services and support. CONCLUSIONS: Carers' understandings, framed against a background of unmet needs and shaped by a history of unsatisfactory interactions with services and institutions, do not resonate with the principles of the CRPD. We suggest an expanded, relational struggle for rights that acknowledges the role of families and the tensions surrounding the distribution of rights within the family.

Direct observation of the spatial distribution of charges on a polypropylene fiber via Electrostatic Force Microscopy.

The spatial distribution of electrical charges along the longitudinal axes of a polypropylene electret fiber was determined using Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM). EFM mapping on highly curved surfaces, such as those of polymeric fibers, is a challenging endeavour and most work reported in the scientific literature has been limited to single line-scan analysis or flat specimens. Charged polymeric fibers, electrets, are extensively used in high performance filtration applications and methods to determine the amount and magnitude of the charges on these fibers remain elusive. Electrical charge maps of individual fibers were obtained by biasing the tip to -10 V and maintaining a constant tip-sample distance of 100 nm. Spatially dependant EFM phase and magnitude gradients were determined and the developed technique may provide a unique understanding into the heterogeneous charge distribution on electrets fibers. Direct mapping of the charge distribution in electrets fibers can offer new insights in the development of antistatic additives, new means to facilitate electrostatic self-assembly of nano-moieties on the surface of fibrous materials and a quantitative metrics capable of determining discharge dynamics and predicting the shelf-life of filtration media.

Normal flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery and carotid artery intima-media thickness in subclinical hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) is a disease for which exact therapeutic approaches have not yet been established. Previous studies have suggested an association between SHT and coronary heart disease. Whether this association is related to SHT-induced changes in serum lipid levels or to endothelial dysfunction is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine endothelial function measured by the flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery and the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in a group of women with SHT compared with euthyroid subjects. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoprotein A (apo A), apo B, and lipoprotein(a) were also determined. Twenty-one patients with SHT (mean age: 42.4 ± 10.8 years and mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels: 8.2 ± 2.7 µIU/mL) and 21 euthyroid controls matched for body mass index, age and atherosclerotic risk factors (mean age: 44.2 ± 8.5 years and mean TSH levels: 1.4 ± 0.6 µIU/mL) participated in the study. Lipid parameters (except HDL-C and apo A, which were lower) and IMT values were higher in the common carotid and carotid bifurcation of SHT patients with positive serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) (0.62 ± 0.2 and 0.62 ± 0.16 mm for the common carotid and carotid bifurcation, respectively) when compared with the negative TPO-Ab group (0.55 ± 0.24 and 0.58 ± 0.13 mm, for common carotid and carotid bifurcation, respectively). The difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that minimal thyroid dysfunction had no adverse effects on endothelial function in the population studied. Further investigation is warranted to assess whether subclinical hypothyroidism, with and without TPO-Ab-positive serology, has any effect on endothelial function.

Normal flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery and carotid artery intima-media thickness in subclinical hypothyroidism.

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) is a disease for which exact therapeutic approaches have not yet been established. Previous studies have suggested an association between SHT and coronary heart disease. Whether this association is related to SHT-induced changes in serum lipid levels or to endothelial dysfunction is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine endothelial function measured by the flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery and the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in a group of women with SHT compared with euthyroid subjects. Triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, apoprotein A (apo A), apo B, and lipoprotein(a) were also determined. Twenty-one patients with SHT (mean age: 42.4 +/- 10.8 years and mean thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels: 8.2 +/- 2.7 microIU/mL) and 21 euthyroid controls matched for body mass index, age and atherosclerotic risk factors (mean age: 44.2 +/- 8.5 years and mean TSH levels: 1.4 +/- 0.6 microIU/mL) participated in the study. Lipid parameters (except HDL-C and apo A, which were lower) and IMT values were higher in the common carotid and carotid bifurcation of SHT patients with positive serum thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab) (0.62 +/- 0.2 and 0.62 +/- 0.16 mm for the common carotid and carotid bifurcation, respectively) when compared with the negative TPO-Ab group (0.55 +/- 0.24 and 0.58 +/- 0.13 mm, for common carotid and carotid bifurcation, respectively). The difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that minimal thyroid dysfunction had no adverse effects on endothelial function in the population studied. Further investigation is warranted to assess whether subclinical hypothyroidism, with and without TPO-Ab-positive serology, has any effect on endothelial function.

Temporal variation of chemical composition and relaxant action of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) on guinea-pig ileum.

The medicinal plant Ocimum gratissimum L. (Labiatae) is widely encountered in the Northeast of Brasil where it is used to treat digestive problems. Its leaves have an essential oil (EOOG) content whose chemical composition varies according to the time of plant collection. We have compared the effects of the EOOG, collected at 08:00 a.m. (EOOG8) and at 12:00 a.m. (EOOG12), on the relaxation of guinea-pig isolated ileum. Both EOOG8 and EOOG12 (30-300 microg/ml) reversibly relaxed the spontaneous tonus of the guinea-pig ileum in a concentration-dependent manner, with similar IC50 values (49.3 and 23.8 microg/ml, respectively). The magnitude of the decrease in resting tonus was similar to that of the recognised smooth muscle relaxant papaverine. EOOG8 and EOOG12 relaxed 60 mM KCl-precontracted preparations similarly (38.33 +/- 9.91 microg/ml and 35.53 +/- 6.70), whereas a significantly more potent relaxant effect of EOOG12 compared to EOOG8 was observed when tissues were contracted using 10 microM acetylcholine (IC50 values of 69.55 +/- 4.93 and 128.16 +/- 15.70 microg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05). The principal constituents of the essential oil, eugenol and cineole, also relaxed KCl-precontracted preparations, although they were less potent than EOOG, suggesting that they alone were not responsible for EOOG-induced relaxations. Our results show that the essential oil extracted from the leaves of O. gratissimum L., collected at different time periods, exerts significant relaxant effects on isolated guinea-pig ileum which may underlie the therapeutic action of the plant.

A organização da identidade do filho adotivo: o significado social e existencial da adoção

O Presente artigo focaliza o processo de organização da identidade do filho adotivo a partir das influências socioculturais na formação da identidade do indivíduo; da importância dos fatores biológicos e das experiências afetivas na família na constituição do vínculo de filiação e das peculiaridades do processo na adoção. As reflexões aqui elaboradas vêm ao encontro da idéia de que a revelação da condição adotiva ao filho é um elemento essencial na organização da sua identidade, não obstante redundar num aspecto delicada do processo e envover sentimentos complexos e de difícil tratamento entre as pessoas diretamente envolvidas (AU)

Recombinant growth hormone delivery systems based on vinylpyrrolidone-hydroxyethyl methacrylate copolymer matrices: monitoring optimization by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Experimental conditions for the fabrication of two new polymeric devices (i.e. films and slabs) useful for the controlled release of recombinant growth hormone (GH) are given. The release rate is controlled by the resorption profile of the vinylpyrrolidone-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (VP-HEMA) tested systems which is related to the copolymer composition. The suitability of capillary electrophoresis (CE) for following the complete preparation of the different VP-HEMA devices is shown. Moreover, CE allows simultaneous monitoring of the controlled release of GH and dissolved polymer during in vitro experiments. From these results, guidelines are given for the fabrication of polymeric devices containing protein as active drug as well as for the correct selection of conditions during in vitro experiments.

Asociación de absceso cerebral y cardiopatía congénita / Association of cerebral abscess and congenital cardiopathy

Analiza que el absceso cerebral constituye una entidad relevante entre las causas de mortalidad en países en desarrollo. En el Hospital de Niños Baca Ortiz, del Ecuador se estudia 30 casos de absceso cerebral encontrándose 8 pacientes portadores de cardiopatía congénita para determinar su influencia, comportamiento, factores añadidos y se demuestra la importancia del diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz de cardiopatías congénitas, así como la utilización de profilaxis.

[Our experience in endourology]. / Nuestra experiencia en endourología.

Exposition of the experience accrued over 8 years in endo-urological procedures performed to 303 patients divided in 2 groups: Lithiasic (Group I) and Non-lithiasic (Group II) patients. Ninety-two (92) percutaneous nephrostomies in 69 patients and 235 ureteroscopies in 234 patients were accomplished, removing 324 calculi and resolving other obstructive conditions. The rate of success was 85% and 98% for the percutaneous nephrostomies and ureteroscopies, respectively. Complications were reported in 7 patients after percutaneous nephrostomy and in 14 patients during ureteroscopy. Most of these complications resolved with the use of endoscopic techniques except in two patients who required open surgery. There were no deaths in the present series. The advantages of applying this technique over the conventional one are discussed.