Infrahumanization in children: An evaluation of 70 terms relating to humanity / Infrahumanización en niños: evaluación de 70 términos relacionados con humanidad

BACKGROUND: Research on infrahumanization has revealed that individuals attribute more secondary emotions to the in-group than to the out-group, whose capacity to experience them is denied or restricted. When this bias has been examined in children, researchers have used the same taxonomy of affective terms as that used with adults. The aim of this research is to conduct a normative study that will equip researchers with a taxonomy of humanity attributed to emotional terms specifically for children. METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-three children aged between 11 and 12 responded to several questionnaires containing a total of 70 emotional terms, evaluated in eight dimensions associated with the perception of humanity. RESULTS: Principal component analysis shows that children categorize implicit dimensions associated with humanity differently to adults. CONCLUSIONS: This normative study enables the selection of graded emotional terms in humanity perceived by a child sample, in order to overcome current limitations in research on infrahumanization in children

ANTECEDENTES: las investigaciones sobre la infrahumanización han revelado que las personas atribuyen más sentimientos al endogrupo que al exogrupo, al que niegan o restringen la capacidad para experimentarlos. Cuando se ha investigado este sesgo en niños, los investigadores han utilizado la misma taxonomía de rasgos emocionales que con adultos. El objetivo de esta investigación es realizar un estudio normativo que permita a los investigadores tener una taxonomía de humanidad atribuida a los términos emocionales específica para niños. MÉTODO: 363 niños de entre 11 y 12 años respondieron diferentes cuestionarios relativos a un total de 70 términos emocionales, evaluados en ocho dimensiones relacionadas con la percepción de humanidad. RESULTADOS: el análisis de componentes principales muestra que los niños agrupan las dimensiones implícitas asociadas a humanidad de modo diferente a los adultos. CONCLUSIONES: este estudio normativo permite seleccionar términos emocionales graduados en humanidad percibida por una muestra infantil, con el fin de superar las limitaciones encontradas hasta el momento en la investigación sobre infrahumanización en niños

Antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacilli isolated from the skin of healthy humans

Abstract In the present work, twelve bacilli were isolated from four different regions of human skin from Bela population of Nagpur district, India. The isolated bacilli were identified by their morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics. Seven isolates were Gram negative rods, out of which five were belong to genus Pseudomonas. Three among the five Gram positive isolates were identified as Dermabactor and the remaining two Bacillus. Their antimicrobial susceptibility profile was determined by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The isolates showed resistance to several currently used broad-spectrum antibiotics. The Dermabactor genus was resistant to vancomycin, although it was earlier reported to be susceptible. Imipenem was found to be the most effective antibiotic for Pseudomonas while nalidixic acid, ampicillin and tetracycline were ineffective. Isolates of Bacillus displayed resistance to the extended spectrum antibiotics cephalosporin and ceftazidime. Imipenem, carbenicillin and ticarcillin were found to be the most effective antibiotics as all the investigated isolates were susceptible to them. Antibiotic resistance may be due to the overuse or misuse of antibiotics during the treatment, or following constant exposure to antibiotic-containing cosmetic formulations.

Transumanismo e o futuro (pós-)humano / Transhumanism and the (post)human future

O transumanismo é uma controversa perspectiva de investimento na transformação da condição humana. Visando ao melhoramento biotecnológico da natureza humana, ele protagoniza o debate acerca do futuro (pós-)humano. Na base da concepção transumanista está o investimento na biotecnociência como um modo de Iluminismo humanista de raízes biológicas. O objetivo do artigo é analisar o debate sobre o futuro da humanidade. Para tanto, apresentamos a perspectiva transumanista, ressaltando definições, características, valores e principais argumentos, analisando o conceito de natureza humana, pois ele é fundamental na polarizada discussão travada entre os transumanistas e bioconservadores. Nossas principais conclusões apontam para a impertinência dessa polarização, bem como do uso do conceito de natureza humana e pós-humano para esclarecer o tema do melhoramento humano. Assim, cumpre despolarizar o debate e apostar otimista e prudentemente no futuro biotecnológico...

Transhumanism is a controversial perspective of the investment in transformation of the human condition. Targeting at biotechnological human nature enhancement, it emerges as one of the protagonists in the debate about the (post)human future. At the base transhumanist conception is the investment on the biotechnoscience as a humanistic iluminism of biological roots. This paper aims to analyze the debate about the future of humanity. To this end, we present the transhumanist perspective, highlighting definitions, characteristics, values, and main arguments, analyzing the concept of human nature, for it is fundamental in the polarized discussion between the transhumanists and bioconservatives. Our main conclusions indicate the impertinence of the polarization, as well as the use of the concept of human nature and post-human to clarify the theme of human enhancement. Thus, we must depolarize the debate and bet optimistically and prudently in the biotechnological future...

Ocorrência de Campylobacter em carne de frango, fezes de frango e humanas e pesquisa dos genes cdt / Occurrence of Campylobacter in poultry, meat chicken and human feces, and cdt GENES research

Foram coletadas 100 amostras de conteúdo fecal de aves de corte, 100 de produtos de frango (coxa, sobrecoxa, asa, dorso, carne moída e fígado) e 100 de fezes de humanos, e analisadas para pesquisa de Campylobacter. Realizou-se a determinação da espécie e da presença dos genes cdt, responsáveis pela codificação da toxina citoletal distensiva (CDT), através da técnica da PCR. A bactéria foi isolada de 61% das amostras de fezes de frango, 20% de produtos de frango e 3% de fezes de humanos. A maioria dos isolados foi determinada como C. jejuni . Destes, 93,5% apresentaram os genes para a toxina CDT. Apesar de a ocorrência de Campylobacter em fezes de humanos ter sido baixa, a prevalência em frangos de corte e produtos de frango foi elevada, fato que, aliado à presença dos genes cdt na maioria dos isolados, representa risco potencial para os consumidores. Esses resultados são indicativos da necessidade de medidas preventivas no sistema de produção e de boas práticas de fabricação na indústria, de forma a minimizar a contaminação dos produtos e diminuir o risco para os consumidores.

A hundred chicken fecal samples, a hundred samples of retail poultry products and a hundred samples of human feces were collected and tested for the presence of Campylobacter. The species identification and the analysis for the presence of cdt genes, responsible for encoding the cytolethal distending toxin, were performed by PCR. Campylobacter was found in 61% of the chicken fecal samples, in 20% of the poultry products and in 3% of the human feces. Most isolates were identified as C. jejuni. In 93.5% of these isolates, the cdt genes have been detected. Despite the occurrence of Campylobacter in feces of humans has been low, the prevalence in broilers and poultry products was high, which, combined with the presence of cdt genes in most isolates, represents a potential risk to consumers. These results suggest there is a need for preventive measures in the production system and good manufacturing practices in the industry so as to minimize contamination of products and reduce the risk to consumers.

A reassessment of the presumed Neandertal remains from San Bernardino Cave, Italy.

In 1986-1987, three human remains were unearthed from macro-unit II of San Bernardino Cave (Berici Hills, Veneto, Italy), a deposit containing a late Mousterian lithic assemblage. The human remains (a distal phalanx, a lower right third molar and a lower right second deciduous incisor) do not show diagnostic morphological features that could be used to determine whether they were from Homo neanderthalensis or Homo sapiens. Despite being of small size, and thus more similar to recent H. sapiens, the specimens were attributed to Neandertals, primarily because they were found in Mousterian layers. We carried out a taxonomic reassessment of the lower right third molar (LRM3; San Bernardino 4) using digital morphometric analysis of the root, ancient DNA analysis, carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses, and direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dating of dentine collagen. Mitochondrial DNA analysis and root morphology show that the molar belongs to a modern human and not to a Neandertal. Carbon 14 ((14)C) dating of the molar attributes it to the end of the Middle Ages (1420-1480 cal AD, 2 sigma). Carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses suggest that the individual in question had a diet similar to that of Medieval Italians. These results show that the molar, as well as the other two human remains, belong to recent H. sapiens and were introduced in the Mousterian levels post-depositionally.

DSM-oriented scales of the child behavior checklist and youth self-report in clinically referred Spanish children

The Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) is an example of the efforts to integrate categorical and dimensional assessment methods. The latest editions of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Youth Self-Report (YSR) included the DSM-Oriented Scales, constructed in rational manner based on the items making up these inventories. Objective: To analyze the psychometric properties of the DSM-Oriented Scales of the CBCL and YSR. Method: A clinical sample of 420 children and adolescents (aged 8-17 years) was assessed with the CBCL and YSR, with a structured diagnostic interview and with measures of functional impairment to study the reliability and validity of the DSM-Oriented Scales. Results: Internal consistency ranged from moderate to good for all the scales except the DSM-Anxiety Problems Scale. Agreement between parents and children ranged between moderate and low values. Kappa coefficients showed moderate agreement in the different symptoms. The DSM-Oriented Scales presented acceptable diagnostic power for DSM-IV disorders and a significant relationship with measures of functional impairment. Conclusion: The DSM-Oriented Scales constitute a useful approach from the dimensional model to the DSM-IV disorders in Spanish clinical population (AU)

El Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA) es un ejemplo de los esfuerzos realizados para converger los métodos de evaluación categoriales y dimensionales. El Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) y el Youth Self-Report (YSR) han incluido en su última edición las Escalas DSM construidas de modo racional a partir de los ítems que forman parte de estos inventarios. Objetivo: analizar las propiedades psicométricas de las Escalas DSM de los cuestionarios CBCL y YSR. Método: se evaluó una muestra clínica de 420 niños y adolescentes (8-17 años) con los cuestionarios CBCL y YSR, con una entrevista diagnóstica estructurada y con medidas de deterioro funcional para estudiar la fiabilidad y validez de las Escalas DSM. Resultados: La consistencia interna osciló entre moderada y buena en todas las escalas, excepto en la Escala DSM-Pr. Ansiedad. El acuerdo entre padres e hijos fluctuó entre valores moderados y bajos. Los coeficientes Kappa mostraron una concordancia moderada en los diferentes síntomas. Las Escalas DSM presentaron un aceptable poder diagnóstico sobre los trastornos DSM-IV y una relación significativa con medidas de deterioro funcional. Conclusión: las Escalas DSM son una aproximación útil desde el modelo dimensional a los trastornos DSM-IV en población clínica española (AU)

Revisão das pesquisas brasileiras em avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência de condutores / A review of Brazilian research on psychological assessment of drivers' abilities and intelligence

O campo da avaliação psicológica de motoristas é caracterizado por dificuldades e limitações em sua fundamentação e exercício profissional, necessitando de estudos que sistematizem os conhecimentos produzidos e ofereçam sugestões de pesquisas futuras para o seu desenvolvimento. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar os estudos empíricos brasileiros sobre instrumentos de avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência utilizados nos processos de habilitação para conduzir veículos. Identificaram-se as publicações nestas temáticas no país, seus principais temas e métodos, bem como listaram-se os resultados obtidos. Apenas 15 publicações foram encontradas. Concluiu-se que, em cinqüenta anos, as pesquisas sobre habilidades e inteligência de motoristas trouxeram limitadas contribuições à questão da validade do processo, não sendo constatado um campo de conhecimentos sólidos em relação aos construtos e critérios da avaliação do comportamento.(AU)

The field of psychological assessment of drivers is characterized by difficulties and limitations in both its fundamentals and professional practice, calling for studies which systematize its developments. In this sense, the object of this study is to review the Brazilian empirical studies on the instruments for psychological assessment of the abilities and intelligences adopted in the evaluation processes of drivers. Publications dealing with this topic in the country, as well as their main themes and methods were identified, and the results obtained were listed. Only 15 publications were found. It is concluded that, in fifty years, the research on the abilities and intelligences of drivers have brought limited contributions to the issue of validity of the process, not having been found a solid field of knowledge in relation to the constructs and assessment criteria of their behavior.(AU)

Revisão das pesquisas brasileiras em avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência de condutores / A review of Brazilian research on psychological assessment of drivers' abilities and intelligence

O campo da avaliação psicológica de motoristas é caracterizado por dificuldades e limitações em sua fundamentação e exercício profissional, necessitando de estudos que sistematizem os conhecimentos produzidos e ofereçam sugestões de pesquisas futuras para o seu desenvolvimento. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar os estudos empíricos brasileiros sobre instrumentos de avaliação psicológica de habilidades e inteligência utilizados nos processos de habilitação para conduzir veículos. Identificaram-se as publicações nestas temáticas no país, seus principais temas e métodos, bem como listaram-se os resultados obtidos. Apenas 15 publicações foram encontradas. Concluiu-se que, em cinqüenta anos, as pesquisas sobre habilidades e inteligência de motoristas trouxeram limitadas contribuições à questão da validade do processo, não sendo constatado um campo de conhecimentos sólidos em relação aos construtos e critérios da avaliação do comportamento.

The field of psychological assessment of drivers is characterized by difficulties and limitations in both its fundamentals and professional practice, calling for studies which systematize its developments. In this sense, the object of this study is to review the Brazilian empirical studies on the instruments for psychological assessment of the abilities and intelligences adopted in the evaluation processes of drivers. Publications dealing with this topic in the country, as well as their main themes and methods were identified, and the results obtained were listed. Only 15 publications were found. It is concluded that, in fifty years, the research on the abilities and intelligences of drivers have brought limited contributions to the issue of validity of the process, not having been found a solid field of knowledge in relation to the constructs and assessment criteria of their behavior.

SUMO-specific proteases: a twist in the tail.

The small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is involved in many cellular processes and is required for normal growth and development in all eukaryotes. Whereas lower eukaryotes have a single version of SUMO, higher eukaryotes have three versions: SUMO-1, -2 and -3. Similarly to most other ubiquitin-like proteins, the primary translation products of the SUMO genes need to be proteolytically processed to expose the C-terminal glycine that will be linked to lysine side chains in substrates. Processing of SUMO precursors is mediated by SUMO-specific proteases that also remove SUMO from modified proteins and depolymerise poly-SUMO chains.

Emotions: reflections from a socioconstructionist perspective / Las Emociones: reflexiones desde una perspectiva Socioconstruccionista

Emotions have been a topic long forgotten by psychologists, something, which is especially serious given the importance they have in our lives and in the proper constitution of the human being. Nevertheless, this important mistake has been corrected during the last years. Although there is still a long way left, however, we have probably advanced in the psychological study of emotions much more during the last ten or fifteen years than during the previous decades. This advance has taken place basically through two different paths: on the one hand, through the acknowledgement of the complexity of emotions and their multiple composition, given that they have biological, psychological, social and cultural elements; on the other hand, through the growing confirmation of their social and cultural nature, up to the point that this nature is now widely accepted. This happens because emotions, as in fact the rest of psychological phenomena, are mainly social constructs. In other words, the socioconstructionist perspective is probably the most promising when it comes to accurately understand what emotions are and which is their role in our lives and even in our own constitution as human beings (AU)

Las emociones han sido un tópico demasiado olvidado por los psicólogos, lo que es especialmente grave dada la importancia que ellas tienen en nuestras vidas y en la propia constitución del ser humano. Sin embargo, a lo largo de los últimos años se está corrigiendo este grave error. Aunque aún hay mucho camino por recorrer, sin embargo, en el estudio psicológico de las emociones probablemente hayamos avanzado más en los diez o quince últimos años que en muchas décadas anteriores. Y este avance viene fundamentalmente por dos vías: por una parte, por el reconocimiento de la complejidad de las emociones así como de su multicomposición, dado que poseen elementos biológicos, psicológicos, sociales y culturales; y por otra, por la cada vez mayor constatación de su naturaleza social y cultural, hasta el punto de ser cada vez aceptada su naturaleza social y cultural. Y es que las emociones, como los demás fenómenos psicosociales, son ante todo constructos sociales. Esta, la perspectiva socioconstruccionista, probablemente sea la más prometedora de cara a entender adecuadamente qué son realmente las emociones y qué papel juegan en nuestras vidas e incluso en nuestra propia constitución como sujetos (AU)