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- Earliest known Oldowan Artifacts at > 2.58 Ma from Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia, highlight early technological diversityPublication . Braun, David R.; Aldeias, Vera; Archer, William A.; Ramon Arrowsmith, J.; Baraki, Niguss; Campisano, Christopher J.; Deino, Alan L.; DiMaggio, Erin N.; Dupont-Nivet, Guillaume; Engda, Blade; Feary, David A.; Garello, Dominique I.; Kerfelew, Zenash; McPherron, Shannon P.; Patterson, David B.; Reeves, Jonathan S.; Thompson, Jessica C.; Reed, Kaye E.The manufacture of flaked stone artifacts represents a major milestone in the technology of the human lineage. Although the earliest production of primitive stone tools, predating the genus Homo and emphasizing percussive activities, has been reported at 3.3 million years ago (Ma) from Lomekwi, Kenya, the systematic production of sharp-edged stone tools is unknown before the 2.58–2.55 Ma Oldowan assemblages from Gona, Ethiopia. The organized production of Oldowan stone artifacts is part of a suite of characteristics that is often associated with the adaptive grade shift linked to the genus Homo. Recent discoveries from Ledi-Geraru (LG), Ethiopia, place the first occurrence of Homo ∼250 thousand years earlier than the Oldowan at Gona. Here, we describe a substantial assemblage of systematically flaked stone tools excavated in situ from a stratigraphically constrained context [Bokol Dora 1, (BD 1) hereafter] at LG bracketed between 2.61 and 2.58 Ma. Although perhaps more primitive in some respects, quantitative analysis suggests the BD 1 assemblage fits more closely with the variability previously described for the Oldowan than with the earlier Lomekwian or with stone tools produced by modern nonhuman primates. These differences suggest that hominin technology is distinctly different from generalized tool use that may be a shared feature of much of the primate lineage. The BD 1 assemblage, near the origin of our genus, provides a link between behavioral adaptations—in the form of flaked stone artifacts—and the biological evolution of our ancestors.
- Sexual quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: A multicenter, national-level studyPublication . Roseira, Joana; Magro, Fernando; Fernandes, Samuel; Simoes, Carolina; Portela, Francisco; Vieira, Ana Isabel; Patita, Marta; Leal, Carina; Lago, Paula; Caldeira, Paulo; Gago, Tania; Currais, Pedro; Dias, Claudia Camila; Santiago, Mafalda; Dias, Sandra; Sousa, Helena TavaresBackground: The impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on sexual health is a leading concern among patients. Most studies focus on sexual dysfunction rather than patient-perceived sexual quality of life (SQoL). We aimed to assess SQoL in IBD patients compared with healthy controls. Methods: This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study of IBD patients (n = 575 with Crohn's disease and n = 294 with ulcerative colitis), compared with healthy controls (n = 398), that used an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. This multimodal questionnaire included sociodemographic data and 4 validated instruments: Short IBD Questionnaire, Social Desirability Scale, Sexual QoL Questionnaire-Male/Female, Nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Results: Inflammatory bowel disease patients reported lower SQoL (men: 77.29 vs 83.83; P < 0.001; women: 70.40 vs 81.63; P < 0.001) compared with controls. Among IBD patients, SQoL was positively correlated with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and negatively correlated with depression symptoms. Perianal disease was associated with lower HRQoL and higher incidence of depression, but only impacted SQoL in men. In linear regression analysis for men, SQoL was associated with age, marital status, and depression (beta, -2.101; 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.505 to -1.696; P < 0.001). In women, SQoL was associated with depression (beta, -1.973; 95% CI, -2.313 to -1.632; P < 0.001) only. Conclusions: Patients with IBD had impaired SQoL compared with healthy controls. Age, widow status, and depression were independent predictors of SQoL in men with IBD, whereas in women depression was the only independent predictor. Emotional and self-esteem issues were the main concerns reported by IBD patients regarding sexual health.
- How much older than the oldowan? Tool use and manufacture in the last common ancestor of Pan and HomoPublication . Carvalho, Susana; Rolian, Campbell
- Could it be culture? An inter-troop comparison of baboon behaviour in Gorongosa National Park, MozambiquePublication . Muschinski, Jana; Lewis-Bevan, Lynn; Biro, Dora; Carvalho, SusanaBaboons in Gorongosa National Park have been observed to strip bark off Acacia robusta trees, chew the fibres underneath the bark, and spit out wadges. These actions leave identifiable marks on trees. Work conducted during 2018 indicates regional variation exists within the park1. Some trees exhibit stripping on the trunk, likely by elephants, in addition to (or instead of) on upper branches. We resurveyed all sites for bark stripping in 2019 and tested several ecological hypotheses following the method of exclusion2, 3.
- Cetoacidose diabética em idade pediátricaPublication . Coelho, Inês P.; Calha, ManuelaA cetoacidose diabética (CAD) ocorre quando as concentrações séricas de insulina são inadequadas devido a uma deficiência absoluta ou relativa em relação aos níveis elevados das hormonas contra reguladoras. Como consequência deste desequilíbrio surgem hiperglicemia, hiperosmolalidade, cetose e acidose.A semiologia clássica de diabetes nem sempre se encontra presente, principalmente nas crianças mais jovens, podendo a CAD manifestar-se com sinais e sintomas inespecíficos como letargia e dor abdominal.
- Dopamine beta-hydroxylase and its role in regulating the growth and larval metamorphosis in Sinonovacula constrictaPublication . Li, Zhi; Niu, Donghong; Peng, Maoxiao; Xiong, Ya; Ji, Jie; Dong, Zhiguo; Li, JialeDopamine beta-hydroxylase (D beta H) plays a key role in the synthesis of catecholamines (CAs) in the neuroendocrine regulatory network. The D beta H gene was identified from the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and referred to as ScD beta H. The ScD beta H gene is a copper type II ascorbate-dependent monooxygenase with a DOMON domain and two Cu2_monooxygen domains. ScD beta H transcript expression was abundant in liver and hemolymph. During early development, ScD beta H expression significantly increased at the umbo larval stage. Furthermore, the inhibitors and siRNA of D beta H were screened. After challenge with D beta H inhibitor, the larval metamorphosis and survival rates, and juvenile growth were obviously decreased. Under the siRNA stress, the larval metamorphosis and survival rates were also significantly decreased. Therefore, ScD beta H may play an important regulating role in larval metamorphosis and juvenile growth.
- Technological Origins: Primate Perspectives and Early Tool Use in AfricaPublication . Carvalho, Susana; Braun, David R.
- Identification of new targets of S-nitrosylation in neural stem cells by thiol redox proteomicsPublication . Santos, Ana Isabel; Lourenco, Ana S.; Simão, Sónia; Marques-da-Silva, Dorinda; Santos, Daniela F.; Carvalho, Ana Paula Onofre de; Pereira, Ana Catarina; Izquierdo-Álvarez, Alicia; Ramos, Elena; Morato, Esperanza; Marina, Anabel; Martínez-Ruiz, Antonio; Araújo, InêsNitric oxide (NO) is well established as a regulator of neurogenesis. NO increases the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSC), and is essential for hippocampal injury-induced neurogenesis following an excitotoxic lesion. One of the mechanisms underlying non-classical NO cell signaling is protein S-nitrosylation. This post-translational modification consists in the formation of a nitrosothiol group (R-SNO) in cysteine residues, which can promote formation of other oxidative modifications in those cysteine residues. S-nitrosylation can regulate many physiological processes, including neuronal plasticity and neurogenesis. In this work, we aimed to identify S-nitrosylation targets of NO that could participate in neurogenesis. In NSC, we identified a group of proteins oxidatively modified using complementary techniques of thiol redox proteomics. S-nitrosylation of some of these proteins was confirmed and validated in a seizure mouse model of hippocampal injury and in cultured hippocampal stem cells. The identified S-nitrosylated proteins are involved in the ERK/MAPK pathway and may be important targets of NO to enhance the proliferation of NSC.
- Gastronomy experiential traits and their effects on intentions for recommendation: a fuzzy set approachPublication . Correia, Antónia; Kim, Seongseop (Sam); Kozak, MetinLocal food is a motivation that drives international tourists to visit a certain destination and to enrich their experiential quality. Although considerable effort has been exerted in investigating the relationship between the importance of local food and satisfaction and future intentions, no study has explored gastronomical experience by using fuzzy set analysis. The present study aims to explore the influence of local food attributes on customer satisfaction and intentions to recommend through a fuzzy set analysis. This study uses empirical data from 1,376 international tourists visiting Hong Kong. Findings suggest that the attributes of local food and their influence on the intentions to recommend vary in accordance with the type of restaurants operating in Hong Kong. The results of this study shed practical implications, such as the development of different symbolic meanings of gastronomy and service for international diners at different restaurants.
- Evidence-based radiography: A new methodology or the systematisation of an old practice?Publication . Abrantes, António; Ribeiro, L. V. P.; da Silva, C. A.; England, A.; Azevedo, Kevin; Almeida, Rui; Reis, M. V. CanhaIntroduction: Evidence based radiography (EBR) is the logical development of evidence based practice applied to radiography. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinion of a cohort of Portuguese radiographers in Southern Portugal working in public hospitals regarding evidence based practice (EBP), namely about the levels of knowledge about EBR, how they access information and how they use it within daily practice. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was applied to a sample of 40 radiographers in the Portuguese region of Algarve. This questionnaire was validated for Portuguese speakers using the translationretranslation method. Results: The final response rate was 69% (40/58). Results suggest that most radiographers trained EBR during their undergraduate training. Although, no statistically significant correlations were found in the practice of EBR against participant gender, age, training, career level, reading papers and workplace. The most frequent reason to read papers is the "interest" to do so, and national professional journals are read more often. It was found that radiographers that read scientific papers more frequently know more about research (p = 0.005), understand the importance of research for the professional activity (p = 0.023), and know more on how to conduct research papers (p = 0.034). Conclusion: EBR within radiography is not yet well established, and radiographers' have varying viewpoints. Radiographers that read scientific papers more frequently understand better the philosophy behind this concept but it is very important to deepen the knowledge on this area. Implications for practice: When practicing radiography based on the best available scientific knowledge, professionals are ensuring the best for patients and for profession. To achieve this, and before taking any action, it is important to evaluate the current situation, and this research presents a way to do so. (c) 2019 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.