Dimension reduction of microbiome data linked Bifidobacterium and Prevotella to allergic rhinitis.

Dimension reduction has been used to visualise the distribution of multidimensional microbiome data, but the composite variables calculated by the dimension reduction methods have not been widely used to investigate the relationship of the human gut microbiome with lifestyle and disease. In the present study, we applied several dimension reduction methods, including principal component analysis, principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and non-negative matrix factorization, to a microbiome dataset from 186 subjects with symptoms of  allergic rhinitis (AR) and 106 controls. All the dimension reduction methods supported that the distribution of microbial data points appeared to be continuous rather than discrete. Comparison of the composite variables calculated from the different dimension reduction methods showed that the characteristics of the composite variables differed depending on the distance matrices and the dimension reduction methods. The first composite variables calculated from PCoA and NMDS with the UniFrac distance were strongly associated with AR (FDR adjusted P = 2.4 × 10-4 for PCoA and P = 2.8 × 10-4 for NMDS), and also with the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Prevotella. The abundance of Bifidobacterium was also linked to intake of several nutrients, including carbohydrate, saturated fat, and alcohol via composite variables. Notably, the association between the composite variables and AR was much stronger than the association between the relative abundance of individual genera and AR. Our results highlight the usefulness of the dimension reduction methods for investigating the association of microbial composition with lifestyle and disease in clinical research.

Heterogeneity and overlap in the continuum of linguistic profile of logopenic and semantic variants of primary progressive aphasia: a Profile Analysis based on Multidimensional Scaling study.

BACKGROUND: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) diagnostic criteria underestimate the complex presentation of semantic (sv) and logopenic (lv) variants, in which symptoms partially overlap, and mixed clinical presentation (mixed-PPA) and heterogenous profile (lvPPA +) are frequent. Conceptualization of similarities and differences of these clinical conditions is still scarce. METHODS: Lexical, semantic, phonological, and working memory errors from nine language tasks of sixty-seven PPA were analyzed using Profile Analysis based on Multidimensional Scaling, which allowed us to create a distributed representation of patients' linguistic performance in a shared space. Patients had been studied with [18F] FDG-PET. Correlations were performed between metabolic and behavioral data. RESULTS: Patients' profiles were distributed across a continuum. All PPA, but two, presented a lexical retrieval impairment, in terms of reduced production of verbs and nouns. svPPA patients occupied a fairly clumped space along the continuum, showing a preponderant semantic deficit, which correlated to fusiform gyrus hypometabolism, while only few presented working memory deficits. Adjacently, lvPPA + presented a semantic impairment combined with phonological deficits, which correlated with metabolism in the anterior fusiform gyrus and posterior middle temporal gyrus. Starting from the shared phonological deficit side, a large portion of the space was occupied by all lvPPA, showing a combination of phonological, lexical, and working memory deficits, with the latter correlating with posterior temporo-parietal hypometabolism. Mixed PPA did not show unique profile, distributing across the space. DISCUSSION: Different clinical PPA entities exist but overlaps are frequent. Identifying shared and unique clinical markers is critical for research and clinical practice. Further research is needed to identify the role of genetic and pathological factors in such distribution, including also higher sample size of less represented groups.

Can we spot fake public comments generated by ChatGPT(-3.5, -4)?: Japanese stylometric analysis expose emulation created by one-shot learning.

Public comments are an important opinion for civic when the government establishes rules. However, recent AI can easily generate large quantities of disinformation, including fake public comments. We attempted to distinguish between human public comments and ChatGPT-generated public comments (including ChatGPT emulated that of humans) using Japanese stylometric analysis. Study 1 conducted multidimensional scaling (MDS) to compare 500 texts of five classes: Human public comments, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 generated public comments only by presenting the titles of human public comments (i.e., zero-shot learning, GPTzero), GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 emulated by presenting sentences of human public comments and instructing to emulate that (i.e., one-shot learning, GPTone). The MDS results showed that the Japanese stylometric features of the public comments were completely different from those of the GPTzero-generated texts. Moreover, GPTone-generated public comments were closer to those of humans than those generated by GPTzero. In Study 2, the performance levels of the random forest (RF) classifier for distinguishing three classes (human, GPTzero, and GPTone texts). RF classifiers showed the best precision for the human public comments of approximately 90%, and the best precision for the fake public comments generated by GPT (GPTzero and GPTone) was 99.5% by focusing on integrated next writing style features: phrase patterns, parts-of-speech (POS) bigram and trigram, and function words. Therefore, the current study concluded that we could discriminate between GPT-generated fake public comments and those written by humans at the present time.

Using objective measures to examine the effect of suspect-filler similarity on eyewitness identification performance.

When selecting fillers to include in a police lineup, one must consider the level of similarity between the suspect and potential fillers. In order to reduce misidentifications, an innocent suspect should not stand out. Therefore, it is important that the fillers share some degree of similarity. Importantly, increasing suspect-filler similarity too much will render the task too difficult reducing correct identifications of a guilty suspect. Determining how much similarity yields optimal identification performance is the focus of the proposed study. Extant research on lineup construction has provided somewhat mixed results. In part, this is likely due to the subjective nature of similarity, which forces researchers to define similarity in relative terms. In the current study, we manipulate suspect-filler similarity via a multidimensional scaling model constructed using objective facial measurements. In doing so, we test the "propitious heterogeneity" and the diagnostic-feature-detection hypotheses which predict an advantage of lineups with low-similarity fillers in terms of discriminability. We found that filler similarity did not affect discriminability. We discuss limitations and future directions.

Multidimensional scaling methods can reconstruct genomic DNA loops using Hi-C data properties.

This paper proposes multidimensional scaling (MDS) applied to high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data on genomic interactions to visualize DNA loops. Currently, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of gene expression are poorly understood, and where and when DNA loops are formed remains undetermined. Previous studies have focused on reproducing the entire three-dimensional structure of chromatin; however, identifying DNA loops using these data is time-consuming and difficult. MDS is an unsupervised method for reconstructing the original coordinates from a distance matrix. Here, MDS was applied to high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data on genomic interactions to visualize DNA loops. Hi-C data were converted to distances by taking the inverse to reproduce loops via MDS, and the missing values were set to zero. Using the converted data, MDS was applied to the log-transformed genomic coordinate distances and this process successfully reproduced the DNA loops in the given structure. Consequently, the reconstructed DNA loops revealed significantly more DNA-transcription factor interactions involved in DNA loop formation than those obtained from previously applied methods. Furthermore, the reconstructed DNA loops were significantly consistent with chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing (ChIP-seq) peak positions. In conclusion, the proposed method is an improvement over previous methods for identifying DNA loops.

Visualization of the relationship between electrogustometry and whole mouth test using multidimensional scaling.

Interpreting the relationship between different taste function tests of different stimuli, such as chemical and electrical stimulation, is still poorly understood. This study aims to analyze visually as well as quantitatively how to interpret the relationship of results between taste function tests using different stimuli. Patients who underwent the whole mouth test and Electrogustometry (EGM) at a tertiary medical center between August 2018 and December 2018 were reviewed retrospectively with electronic medical records. Of the 110 patients, a total of 86 adults who self-reported that their taste function was normal through a questionnaire were enrolled. EGM measured the thresholds of the chorda tympani (CT) and glossopharyngeal nerve (GL) area of the tongue. The whole mouth test measured detection and recognition thresholds for sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami taste. Statistical analyses of Pearson's, Spearman's rank and polyserial correlation and multidimensional scaling (MDS) was performed. The EGM threshold for the average value of both CT regions and the recognition threshold of the whole mouth test were significantly correlated in sweet, salty, bitter, and sour taste (r = 0.244-0.398, P < 0.05), and the detection threshold was correlated only significant in sweet (r = 0.360, P = 0.007). In the MDS analysis results, the three-dimensional (D) solution was chosen over the 2-D solution because of the lower stress. Detection-, recognition threshold of whole mouth test and EGM thresholds of CT and GL area, those were standardized by Z-score, formed well-distinguished sections in the MDS analyses. The EGM threshold of the CT area was closer to the detection and recognition thresholds than the EGM threshold of the GL area. In general, the EGM threshold was closer to the recognition threshold than the detection threshold for each taste. Overall, visualization of the relationship of whole mouth test and EGM by MDS was in good agreement with quantitative analysis. EGM and whole mouth test seem to reflect different aspects of taste. However, when interpreting the EGM results, the EGM threshold of the CT area will show more similarity to the recognition threshold than the detection threshold for the whole mouth test.

A unified approach based on multidimensional scaling for calibration estimation in survey sampling with qualitative auxiliary information.

Survey calibration is a widely used method to estimate the population mean or total score of a target variable, particularly in medical research. In this procedure, auxiliary information related to the variable of interest is used to recalibrate the estimation weights. However, when the auxiliary information includes qualitative variables, traditional calibration techniques may be not feasible or the optimisation procedure may fail. In this article, we propose the use of linear calibration in conjunction with a multidimensional scaling-based set of continuous, uncorrelated auxiliary variables along with a suitable metric in a distance-based regression framework. The calibration weights are estimated using a projection of the auxiliary information on a low-dimensional Euclidean space. The approach becomes one of the linear calibration with quantitative variables avoiding the usual computational problems in the presence of qualitative auxiliary information. The new variables preserve the underlying assumption in linear calibration of a linear relationship between the auxiliary and target variables, and therefore the optimal properties of the linear calibration method remain true. The behaviour of this approach is examined using a Monte Carlo procedure and its value is illustrated by analysing real data sets and by comparing its performance with that of traditional calibration procedures.

Nonmetric multidimensional scaling and probabilistic ecological risk assessment of trace metals in surface sediments of Daya Bay (China) using diffusive gradients in thin films.

This research is one main objective to assess combined toxicity of trace metal mixtures in aquatic biota in coastal sediments. Coastal sediments around the world are a major reservoir of trace metals from industrial wastewater discharge. Our case study site, Daya Bay in southern China, was selected because it has been under severe man-made impacts. Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique has proven to be a good method for measuring the bioavailability of trace metals. The bioavailability and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments were investigated along with their possible biological risks. The average bioavailable (DGT-labile) concentrations (µg/L) were 0.44 (V), 0.51 (Cr), 52.49 (Mn), 0.10 (Co), 1.36 (Ni), 0.74 (Cu), 14.53 (Zn), 0.97 (As), 0.14 (Se), 6.73 (Mo), 0.17 (Cd), 0.27 (Sb), 0.10 (W), and 1.32 (Pb). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMS) is a robust multivariate ordination method that makes no assumptions about the distribution of the underlying data. NMS was used to explore that DGT-labile concentrations of trace metals were influenced by sediment properties. NMS results indicated that most DGT- labile trace metals influenced by sediment properties. Risk assessment of single trace metal toxicity revealed that risk quotient (RQ) values for Mn, Cu, Zn and Pb significantly exceeded 1, demonstrating that the toxic effects of these trace metals should be not ignored. The probabilistic ecological risk assessment for integral toxicity of one mixture of 14 trace metals revealed that Daya Bay surface sediments had a low probability (9.04 %) of adverse effects on aquatic biota.

Using Support Vector Machines for Facet Partitioning in Multidimensional Scaling.

In this article we focus on interpreting multidimensional scaling (MDS) configurations using facet theory. The facet theory approach is attempting to partition a representational space, facet by facet, into regions with certain simplifying constraints on the regions' boundaries (e.g., concentric circular sub-spaces). A long-standing problem has been the lack of computational methods for optimal facet-based partitioning. We propose using support vector machines (SVM) to perform this task. SVM is highly attractive for this purpose as they allow for linear as well as nonlinear classification boundaries in any dimensionality. Using various classical examples from the facet theory literature we elaborate on the combined use of MDS and SVM for facet-based partitioning. Different types of MDS are discussed, and options for SVM kernel specification, tuning, and performance evaluation are illustrated.

Evidências de validade do teste informatizado para avaliação das funções executivas / Evidence of validity of the computerized test for evaluating executive functions / Evidencia de validez de la prueba computarizada para evaluación de funciones ejecutivas

Funções executivas (FE) referem-se ao conjunto de habilidades que, de forma integrada, coordenam o comportamento e a cognição. Assim, o comprometimento no desenvolvimento das FE está ligado a vários desfechos negativos ao longo da vida. Portanto, a avaliação dessas habilidades na infância é essencial para identificar e prevenir prejuízos na vida adulta. Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar evidências de validade do Teste Informatizado para Avaliação das Funções Executivas (Tafe) pelo critério de idade e pelo padrão de correlação entre medidas do TAFE e outras medidas de FE. Para isso, foi utilizada uma amostra de 51 crianças, entre 4 e 10 anos de idade, matriculadas em uma escola privada na cidade de Goiânia (GO), da pré-escola ao 4º ano do ensino fundamental. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados, além do Tafe, as tarefas de Bloco de Corsi, Teste de Trilhas A e B, Teste de Trilhas Pré-Escolares, Teste de Stroop Pré-Escolares e Subteste Dígitos da Escala Wechsler de Inteligência. Foram conduzidas análises estatísticas Kruskal Wallis para verificar a evidência de validade por relação com idade e análises de correlação não paramétrica de Spearman para avaliar as evidências de validade convergente. O instrumento investigado mostrou-se efetivo para discriminar entre as diferentes faixas etárias, assim, sensível ao desenvolvimento das FE. Os resultados obtidos no Tafe correlacionaram-se aos obtidos em outros testes que também avaliaram FE, mostrando claros padrões de convergência. Logo, as análises dos resultados fornecem evidências de validade ao Tafe, derivadas a partir de diferentes estratégias de investigação.(AU)

Executive functions (EF) refer to the set of skills that, in an integrated way, coordinate behavior and cognition. Thus, the commitment in developing EF is linked to several negative outcomes throughout life. Therefore, the assessment of these abilities in childhood is essential to identify and prevent possible harm in adult life. This study aimed to investigate evidences of validity of the Computerized Test for Evaluation of Executive Functions (TAFE) by the age criterion and by the pattern of correlation between TAFE measures and other EF measures. To this end, a sample of 51 children, between 4 and 10 years old, enrolled in a private school in the municipality of Goiânia (GO), from preschool to the 4th year of elementary school, was used. As instruments, in addition to TAFE, the tasks of Corsi Block, Trails Test A and B, Preschool Trails Test, Preschool Stroop Test and the Digits Subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale were used. Kruskal Wallis statistical analyzes were conducted to verify the evidence of validity by age criteria and Spearman's nonparametric correlation analysis to assess evidence of convergent validation. The instrument investigated was effective to discriminate between different age groups, thus being sensitive to the development of EF. The results obtained in TAFE were correlated with those obtained in other tests that also assess FE, showing patterns of convergence. Therefore, the analysis of the results provides validation evidence to TAFE, derived from different investigation methods.(AU)

Las funciones ejecutivas (FE) se refieren al conjunto de habilidades que coordinan la conducta y la cognición. Así, el deterioro en el desarrollo de FE está relacionado con varios resultados negativos durante la vida. Por tanto, la valoración de estas habilidades en la infancia es fundamental para identificar y prevenir posibles daños en la vida adulta. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la evidencia de validez de la Prueba Computarizada para Evaluación de Funciones Ejecutivas (Tafe) por el criterio de edad y convergencia entre las medidas Tafe y otras medidas de FE. Para ello, se utilizó una muestra de 51 niños, de entre 4 y 10 años de edad, matriculados en un colegio privado de Goiânia (Goiás, Brasil) desde la preescolar hasta 4.º de primaria. Como instrumentos, además del Tafe, se utilizaron las tareas de Bloque de Corsi, el Test de los senderos A y B, el Test de los Senderos Preescolares, el Test de Stroop Preescolar y la Subprueba de Dígitos de la Escala Wechsler de Inteligencia. Se realizaron análisis estadísticos de Kruskal Wallis para verificar la validez por criterios de edad y análisis de correlación no-paramétrica de Spearman para evaluar la evidencia de validez convergente. Tafe demostró ser efectivo para discriminar entre diferentes grupos de edad, así es sensible al desarrollo de FE. Los resultados en Tafe se correlacionaron con los obtenidos en otras pruebas de FE, lo que muestra claros patrones de convergencia. Por tanto, el análisis aporta evidencias de validez para Tafe, derivadas de diferentes estrategias de investigación.(AU)

Indicating Care Process Quality: A Multidimensional Scaling Analysis.

Background and Purpose: Resident assessments are analyzed by multidimensional scaling. Methods: We analyzed observer-based real care and support time in four facilities with 209 residents during two working days; resident, organizational data and pairs of residents were assessed by registered and assistant nurses regarding the dissimilarity of resident pairs. Registered- and assistant nurses dissimilarity assessments are compared to criteria-based nursing management assessment. Results: The fits of management criteria matrices as external restrictions are higher in registered nurses' than in assistant nurses' assessments. These differences disappear with low staffing. Conclusion: The influence of qualification levels on assessment is affected by staffing. Low complexity of Assistant Nurses assessments is connected to higher nursing care and support time in groups of demanding residents.

Multidimensional Scaling of the Mineral Nutrient Status and Health Risk Assessment of Commonly Consumed Fruity Vegetables Marketed in Kyrgyzstan.

Intensive production of fruits and vegetables causes heavy metal accumulation. Consumption of this kind of foodstuff is a growing concern of the modern world with the additional distress of the supply of enough foodstuffs. To contribute to this global purpose, this research aimed to find out the mineral nutrient and heavy metal concentrations of commonly consumed fruity vegetables in Kyrgyzstan. Totally, ten different fruity type vegetables were collected from five different large bazaars of Kyrgyzstan. From these, 20 samples, including washed/unwashed rinds of vegetables, were quantified in terms of their B, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn contents by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The concentrations of the fruity vegetables were found in the following range: B (1.392-25.816), Ca (92.814-4095.466), Cd (0.007-0.086), Cr (0.009-0.919), Cu (0.351-8.351), Fe (4.429-126.873), K (920.124-10,135.995), Mg (61.973-879.085), Mn (1.113-78.938), Na (36.132-266.475), Ni (0.039-1.215), Pb (0.081-2.906), and Zn (1.653-87.107) (mg kg-1). It was determined that red capia pepper was the vegetable having the highest daily nutritional value according to evaluation done in our study. Taking into account of the HI values, all of the vegetables analyzed were determined to be lower than the limit value of 1 that falls into acceptable limits in terms of being safe. Peppers demonstrated the highest variation in terms of the elemental content. The high Cr content rendered hot pepper risky for consumption by both genders regarding with CR, and in terms of CR, it has been observed that nickel contents being found in vegetables including tomatoes pose a moderate risk for consumption. Quite lower risk was detected in red/Brandy-wine tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumber for both genders. As most striking result in our study, the Brandy-wine type tomato was found to be healthiest (as well as safest) and nutritious vegetable looking from the viewpoint of consumption in Kyrgyzstan.

Visualization of cross-resistance between antimicrobial agents by asymmetric multidimensional scaling.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: In our previous studies, we developed a cross-resistance rate (CRR) correlation diagram (CRR diagram) that visually captures the magnitude of CRRs between antimicrobials using scatter plots. We used asymmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS) to transform cross-resistance similarities between antimicrobials into a 2-dimensional map and attempted to visually express them. We also explored the antibiograms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa before and after the transfer to newly built hospitals, and we determined by the CRR diagram that the CRRs among ß-lactam antimicrobials other than carbapenems decreased substantially with the facility transfer. The present study tests whether the analysis of CRRs by asymmetric MDS can be used as new visual information that is easy for healthcare professionals to understand. METHOD: We tested the impact of changes in the nosocomial environment due to institutional transfers on CRRs among antimicrobials in asymmetric MDS, as well as contrasted the asymmetric MDS map and CRR diagram. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the asymmetric MDS map, antimicrobial groups with the same mechanism of action were displayed close together, and antimicrobial groups with different mechanisms of action were displayed separately. The asymmetric MDS map drawn solely for antimicrobials belonging to the group with the same mechanism of action showed similarities to the CRR diagram. Also, the distance of each antimicrobial to other antimicrobials shown in the asymmetric MDS map was negatively correlated with the CRRs for them against that antimicrobial. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: The asymmetric MDS map expresses the dissimilarity as distances between agents, and there are no meanings or units on the ordinate and abscissa axes of the output map. In contrast, the CRR diagram expresses the antimicrobials' resistance status as values, such as resistance rate and CRR. By analysing the CRRs in the asymmetric MDS, it is feasible to visually recognize cross-resistance similarities between antimicrobial groups as distances. The use of the asymmetric MDS combined with the CRR diagram allows us to visually understand the resistance and cross-resistance status of each antimicrobial agent as a 2-dimensional map, as well as to understand the trends and characteristics of the data by means of quantitative values.

O compromisso social da psicologia e a possibilidade de uma profissão abrangente / The social commitment of psychology and the possibility of a comprehensive profession / El compromiso social de la psicología y la posibilidad de una profesión amplia

As origens da Psicologia brasileira se relacionam ao projeto de modernização do país, com que ela contribuiu por meio de uma concepção universal de sujeito e de processos de classificação e categorização, pouco atentos às necessidades da realidade social. No processo de redemocratização do país, condições históricas possibilitaram uma ruptura com essa perspectiva, operada pelo Projeto do Compromisso Social. Este texto apresenta uma reflexão sobre o caminho de construção dessa ruptura e de um projeto ético-político comprometido com a realidade brasileira. Analisa o percurso impulsionado na virada do século XX para o século XXI por meio da atuação de entidades da profissão, notadamente os Conselhos de Psicologia, em articulação com importantes mudanças na atuação das psicólogas. Tal percurso permitiu uma revisão crítica da Psicologia, sendo apresentado em cinco eixos: produção de sujeitos democráticos e defesa da democracia; construção de resistência à alienação e combate ao pensamento colonizado; perspectiva de serviços profissionais comprometidos com a garantia de direitos; aprimoramento da qualidade da prática profissional das psicólogas; e expansão das fronteiras da psicologia. Em cada um, são apresentadas ações, estratégias e projetos que levaram à ampliação e ao reconhecimento social da Psicologia, organizada, democrática, ousada e acessivelmente à maioria da população. Ao mesmo tempo, apresenta desafios para a continuidade desse projeto na realidade atual, apostando que, com 60 anos de regulamentação, a Psicologia é capaz de enfrentar novas questões que se colocam no país por meio da atuação das profissionais que levam adiante o projeto de compromisso social.(AU)

Psychology in Brazil is born alongside the country's modernization project, to which the science contributed by establishing a universal conceptualization of the individual and classification and categorization processes, hardly attentive to social reality. The historical conditions set forth by the country's re-democratization allowed a breaking from this perspective, operated by the Social Commitment Project. This paper reflects on the paths that led to this transformation and the ensuing ethical-political project committed to Brazil's reality. It analyzes the trajectory started in the turn of 20th to the 21st century, led by professional entities, namely the Psychology Councils, along with important changes in the psychologist's work. Such trajectory allowed for a critical review of Psychology in five axes: 1) production of democratic individuals and the defense of democracy; 2) construction of resistance against alienation and the fight against a colonized thought; 3) perspectives of professional services committed to ensuring rights; 4) enhanced quality of the psychologist's professional practice; 5) the broadening of the scope of psychology. For each axis, the text presents actions, strategies, and projects that led to the organized and democratic growth and social acknowledgment of Psychology, becoming accessible to most of the population. But it also points out the challenges for this project's current continuity, believing that with 60 years of regulation, Psychology is capable of facing new issues arising in the country by means of professionals who carry on the social commitment project.(AU)

Los orígenes de la Psicología brasileña están relacionados con el proyecto de modernización del país al que contribuyó a través de una concepción universal del sujeto y de procesos de clasificación y categorización poco atentos a las necesidades de la realidad social. En el proceso de redemocratización del país, las condiciones históricas permitieron romper con esta perspectiva, operada por el Proyecto de Compromiso Social. Este texto presenta una reflexión sobre el camino de construcción de esa ruptura y de un proyecto ético-político comprometido con la realidad brasileña. Se analiza la ruta promovida en la transición del siglo XX al siglo XXI, por medio de la acción de entidades de la profesión, en particular los Consejos de Psicología, en articulación con cambios importantes en la actuación de las psicólogas. Este camino permitió una revisión crítica de la Psicología y se presenta en cinco ejes: producción de sujetos democráticos y defensa de la democracia; construcción de resistencia a la alienación y combate al pensamiento colonizado; perspectiva de servicios profesionales comprometidos con la garantía de derechos; mejora de la calidad de la práctica profesional de las psicólogas; y ampliación de las fronteras de la psicología. El texto plantea desafíos para la continuidad de este proyecto en la realidad actual, apostando que con 60 años de regulación la Psicología esté en condiciones de hacer frente a las nuevas cuestiones que se presentan en el país gracias al trabajo de las profesionales que llevan adelante el proyecto de compromiso social.(AU)

Correlação entre suporte social percebido e conflito trabalho-família em agentes comunitários de saúde / Correlation between perceived social support and work-family conflict in community health agents / Correlación entre apoyo social percibido y conflicto trabajo-familia en ACS

Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar se existe correlação entre conflito trabalho-família e suporte social percebido em Agentes Comunitários de Saúde (ACS). Ademais, este é um estudo transversal e correlacional com delineamento quantitativo, em que foram ocupadas a Escala Multidimensional de Conflito Trabalho-Família (EMCT-F) e a Escala de Percepção de Suporte Social (2-Way SSS). Os participantes da pesquisa foram 139 ACS atuantes em quatro municípios do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a análise dos dados, foram utilizadas a Estatística Descritiva, Estatística Paramétrica e Correlação de Pearson. Os resultados entre as correlações das escalas foram estatisticamente significativos (p<0,05) nos fatores dar suporte emocional e conflito família-trabalho, e receber suporte instrumental e conflito família trabalho. Assim, o estudo permitiu compreender melhor a relação entre as variáveis destacadas, sendo que esse entendimento poderá subsidiar intervenções baseadas na Psicologia Positiva para os ACS.(AU)

This study aimed to assess whether there is a correlation between work-family conflict and perceived social support in Community Health Agents (CHA). Moreover, this is a cross-sectional and correlational study with quantitative design, in which the Multidimensional Work-Family Conflict Scale (MWFCS) and the 2-Way Social Support Scale (2-Way SSS) were used. The participants in this study were 139 CHA workers in four municipalities in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul. Descriptive Statistics, Parametric Statistics, and Pearson Correlation were used to analyze the data. The results between the correlations of the scales were statistically significant (p<0.05) in the factors give emotional support and work family conflict, and receive instrumental support and work family conflict. Therefore, the study allowed us to better understand the relationship between the variables highlighted, and this understanding may support interventions based on Positive Psychology for the CHA.(AU)

El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar si existe correlación entre conflicto trabajo-familia y apoyo social percibido en trabajadores Agentes Comunitarios de Salud. Además, este es un estudio transversal y correlacional con delineamiento cuantitativo, en que fueron empleadas la Escala Multidimensional de Conflicto Trabajo-Familia (EMCT-F) y la Escala de Percepción de Suporte Social (2-Way SSS). Los participantes de este estudio fueron 139 trabajadores que actúan como agentes comunitarios de salud (ACS) en cuatro municipios del interior de Rio Grande do Sul. Para el análisis de los datos fueron empleadas la Estadística Descriptiva, Estadística Paramétrica y Correlación de Pearson. Los resultados entre las correlaciones de las escalas fueron estadísticamente significativos (p<0,05) en los factores dar apoyo emocional y conflicto familia trabajo y recibir apoyo instrumental y conflicto familia trabajo. Por tanto, el estudio permitió comprender mejor la relación entre las variables destacadas, siendo que ese entendimiento podrá subsidiar intervenciones basadas en la Psicología Positiva para los ACS.(AU)

Performance of the allometric power model in scaling from adult to paediatric antiretroviral dose in children at a Referral Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) advocates use of weight bands in antiretroviral therapy (ART) guidelines. Allometric scaling could be a more reliable method because it uses a non-linear approach in relating dose to body weight. This study evaluates performance of the allometric ¾ power model in comparison to WHO weight band method in children receiving ART. Methods: Records of children receiving (ABC/3TC) + DTG were reviewed. Paediatric ABC/3TC dose was calculated from the adult dose using the allometric ¾ power model and compared to WHO weight band dose. Results: WHO weight band strategy grouped 50.6% of the children in the 25 kg category and therefore received the adult dose of ABC/3TC (600 mg/300 mg); only 1.1% received this dose with allometric scaling. Mean dose (3.8 tablets) for the WHO weight band dosing method was found to be significantly higher (p<0.0001) than for allometric scaling (1.5 tablets). Conclusions: WHO weight bands may result in the 25 kg weight category receiving a much higher dose leading to ADRs. Using allometric scaling, we recommend a weight band strategy that could improve paediatric ABC/3TC dosing

Coping da equipe de enfermagem no processo morte-morrer em unidade neonatal / Coping del equipo de enfermería en el proceso muerte-morir en unidad neonatal / Coping of the nursing team in the death-dying process in a neonatal unit

Resumo Objetivo Compreender o coping dos profissionais de enfermagem no processo morte- morrer em neonatologia. Método Estudo qualitativo na abordagem exploratória descritiva, participaram dez profissionais da enfermagem. Histórias rememoradas dos profissionais no cuidado do processo da morte e do morrer em neonatologia foi o meio para a coleta de dados. Organização, tratamento e análise dos dados fundamentado na análise de conteúdo de Bardin e no software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Resultados Emergiram duas categorias da interface da análise e os fundamentos da Teoria Motivacional de Coping de Skinner, Equipe de enfermagem e a teoria motivacional de coping na morte em neonatologia; Ação regulatória de ameaça e o enfrentamento da morte em neonatologia. As estratégias de coping da equipe de enfermagem estudada mostram que os padrões cognitivos e respostas comportamentais referem-se à própria maneira de lidar com o cotidiano do sofrimento vivenciado em família, onde os profissionais buscam informação para ultrapassar a ameaça, num enfrentamento de desamparo e de fuga do acolhimento. Conclusão Os processos autorreferenciais experienciados em situações estressantes por profissionais da enfermagem favorecem à empatia, o vínculo e a comunicação com a família de neonatos à morte. Os indicativos de fragilidade na formação mantêm-se predisponentes para as dificuldades no enfrentamento da morte-morrer.

Resumen Objetivo Comprender el coping de los profesionales de enfermería en el proceso muerte-morir en neonatología. Métodos Estudio cualitativo de enfoque exploratorio descriptivo, donde participaron diez profesionales de enfermería. Las historias contadas por los profesionales sobre el cuidado del proceso de muerte y del morir en neonatología fue el medio para la recopilación de datos. La organización, el tratamiento y el análisis de los datos fue fundamentado en el análisis de contenido de Bardin y en el software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Resultados Surgieron dos categorías de la interfaz de análisis y fundamentos de la teoría motivacional de coping de Skinner: Equipo de enfermería y la teoría motivacional de coping respecto a la muerte en neonatología y Acción reguladora de amenaza y el afrontamiento a la muerte en neonatología. Las estrategias de coping del equipo de enfermería estudiado muestran que los patrones cognitivos y las respuestas de comportamiento se refieren a la propria manera de lidiar con la cotidianidad del sufrimiento vivido en familia, donde los profesionales buscan información para superar la amenaza, en un enfrentamiento de desamparo y de fuga de la acogida. Conclusión Los procesos autorreferenciales vividos en situaciones estresantes por profesionales de enfermería favorecen la empatía, el vínculo y la comunicación con la familia de neonatos a fallecer. Los indicios de fragilidad en la formación se mantienen predisponentes para las dificultades de afrontar la muerte-morir.

Abstract Objective This understanding is essential to subsidize interventions of nursing professionals in order to care for families. Method A qualitative study in descriptive exploratory approach involved ten nursing professionals. Recollected stories collected from professionals in the care of the process of death and dying in neonatology was the means for data collection. Data organization, treatment and analysis was based on Bardin's content analysis and the software Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires. Results Two categories emerged from the analysis interface and the foundations of Skinner's Motivational Theory of Coping, nursing staff and Motivational Theory of Coping in death in neonatology; Threat regulatory action and coping with death in neonatology. The coping strategies of the nursing team studied show that cognitive patterns and behavioral responses refer to the very way of dealing with the daily suffering experienced in the family, where professionals seek information to overcome the threat, a coping with helplessness and escape from welcoming. Conclusion The self-referential processes experienced in stressful situations by nursing professionals favor empathy, bonding and communication with the family of infants. The indicators of frailty in training remain predisposing to difficulties in coping with death-dying.

Faces in the crowd: Twitter as alternative to protest surveys.

Who goes to protests? To answer this question, existing research has relied either on retrospective surveys of populations or in-protest surveys of participants. Both techniques are prohibitively costly and face logistical and methodological constraints. In this article, we investigate the possibility of surveying protests using Twitter. We propose two techniques for sampling protestors on the ground from digital traces and estimate the demographic and ideological composition of ten protestor crowds using multidimensional scaling and machine-learning techniques. We test the accuracy of our estimates by comparing to two in-protest surveys from the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C. Results show that our Twitter sampling techniques are superior to hashtag sampling alone. They also approximate the ideology and gender distributions derived from on-the-ground surveys, albeit with some bias, but fail to retrieve accurate age group estimates. We conclude that online samples are yet unable to provide reliable representative samples of offline protest.

The effect of soil sample size, for practical DNA extraction, on soil microbial diversity in different taxonomic ranks.

To determine the optimal soil sample size for microbial community structure analysis, DNA extraction, microbial composition analysis, and diversity assessments were performed using soil sample sizes of 0.2, 1, and 5 g. This study focused on the relationship between soil amount and DNA extraction container volume and the alteration in microbial composition at different taxonomic ranks (order, class, and phylum). Horizontal (0.2 and 1 g) and vertical (5 g) shaking were applied during DNA extraction for practical use in a small laboratory. In the case of the 5 g soil sample, DNA extraction efficiency and the value of α-diversity index fluctuated severely, possibly because of vertical shaking. Regarding the 0.2 and 1 g soil samples, the number of taxa, Shannon-Wiener index, and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity were stable and had approximately the same values at each taxonomic rank. However, non-metric multidimensional scaling showed that the microbial compositions of these two sample sizes were different. The higher relative abundance of taxa in the case of the 0.2 g soil sample might indicate that cell wall compositions differentiated the microbial community structures in these two sample sizes due to high shear stress tolerance. The soil sample size and tube volume affected the estimated microbial community structure. A soil sample size of 0.2 g would be preferable to the other sample sizes because of the possible higher shearing force for DNA extraction and lower experimental costs due to smaller amounts of consumables. When the taxonomic rank was changed from order to phylum, some minor taxa identified at the order rank were integrated into major taxa at the phylum rank. The integration affected the value of the ß-diversity index; therefore, the microbial community structure analysis, reproducibility of structures, diversity assessment, and detection of minor taxa would be influenced by the taxonomic rank applied.

Identification of Enhancers and Promoters in the Genome by Multidimensional Scaling.

The positions of enhancers and promoters on genomic DNA remain poorly understood. Chromosomes cannot be observed during the cell division cycle because the genome forms a chromatin structure and spreads within the nucleus. However, high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) measures the physical interactions of genomes. In previous studies, DNA extrusion loops were directly derived from Hi-C heat maps. Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) is used in this assessment to more precisely locate enhancers and promoters. MDS is a multivariate analysis method that reproduces the original coordinates from the distance matrix between elements. We used Hi-C data of cultured osteosarcoma cells and applied MDS as the distance matrix of the genome. In addition, we selected columns 2 and 3 of the orthogonal matrix U as the desired structure. Overall, the DNA loops from the reconstructed genome structure contained bioprocesses involved in transcription, such as the pre-transcriptional initiation complex and RNA polymerase II initiation complex, and transcription factors involved in cancer, such as Foxm1 and CREB3. Therefore, our results are consistent with the biological findings. Our method is suitable for identifying enhancers and promoters in the genome.