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The COVID-19 outbreak could be considered as an uncontrollable stressful life event. Lockdown measures have provoked a disruption of daily life with a great impact over older adults' health and well-being. Nevertheless, eudaimonic well-being plays a protective role in confronting adverse circumstances, such as the COVID-19 situation. This study aims to assess the association between age and psychological well-being (personal growth and purpose in life). Young-old (60-70 years) and old-old (71-80 years) community-dwelling Spaniards (N = 878) completed a survey and reported on their sociodemographic characteristics and their levels of health, COVID-19 stress-related, appraisal, and personal resources. Old-old did not evidence poorer psychological well-being than young-old. Age has only a negative impact on personal growth. The results also suggest that the nature of the COVID-19 impact (except for the loss of a loved one) may not be as relevant for the older adults' well-being as their appraisals and personal resources for managing COVID-related problems. In addition, these results suggest that some sociodemographic and health-related variables have an impact on older adults' well-being. Thus, perceived-health, family functioning, resilience, gratitude, and acceptance had significant associations with both personal growth and purpose in life. Efforts to address older adults' psychological well-being focusing on older adults' personal resources should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relaxation of poled guest–host polyphosphazene (PPZ) films containing the 4-[(4′-nitrophenyl)azo]phenoxy (NPAP) azo-dye chromophore (T[sub g]=144 °C) has been investigated by measuring the time decay of the nonlinear optical susceptibility tensor in the 80–120 °C temperature range. The kinetic data have been analyzed on the basis of the Legendre polynomial decomposition of the orientational distribution function. In the measuring time range, two components (fast and slow) of the decay have been found together with a constant component that disappears at temperatures close to T[sub g]. This component accounts for the nonreorientable fraction of the molecules at each temperature. The temperature dependence of the two lifetimes has been determined and fitted to an Adam–Gibbs law. At a high temperature, (120 °C) the ratio of lifetimes closely follows the predictions of the orientational diffusion equation. This allows one to determine the two nonlinear components β[sub zzz]=-88.10[sup -30] esu and β[sub zxx]=71.10[sup -30] esu of the quadratic hyperpolarizability tensor in our rodlike (C[sub ∞v] symmetry) molecules, showing the non-negligible contribution of the nondiagonal components. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the fabrication, testing, and modeling of an array of composite copper-carbon nanotubes (Cu-CNT) micropillars as a wick structure for potential application in passive phase-change cooling systems. This novel wick structure has a larger spacing at the base of the micropillars to provide a higher liquid permeability and mushroom-like structures on the top surface of the micropillars with a smaller spacing to provide a greater capillary pressure. The composite Cu-CNT micropillars were fabricated by an electrochemical deposition method on a patterned copper template. Cauliflower-like nanostructures were then grown on the top surface of the micropillars using chronoamperometry technique to improve the capillary pressure and thermal performance of the wick structure. After successful fabrication of the micropillars, a series of tests were conducted to quantify the thermal performance of the wick structures. The results demonstrate superior thermal and corrosion performances for composite Cu-CNT micropillars compared to those of copper micropillars. Additionally, a thermal resistance network analysis was conducted to model the thermal performance of the fabricated mushroom-shaped micropillar array. Model predictions were compared with the experimental results and good agreement was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent approaches in the care of older people have led to a greater emphasis on good practices to prevent elder abuse. The instruments assessing good practices are very limited, and those focused on elder abuse have rarely considered subtle forms, especially in institutional settings. The aim of this study was to develop and assess the content validity of a good practices scale for professionals working in nursing homes. An extensive literature review of the tools assessing professionals' good-bad practices towards older people was conducted. A preliminary scale based on Kayser-Jones' (1990) [Old, Alone and Neglected: Care of the Aged in Scotland and the United States. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press] types of abuse was developed, including four subscales: Personalization, Humanization, Absence of Infantilization, and Absence of Victimization. Content validity was analyzed through a panel of eight experts. Rovinelli and Hambleton's index of item-objective congruence was used to analyze the items' inclusiveness in the assigned subscale to establish their representativeness. Items' relevance and clarity were analyzed using the paired comparison method. The final version of the scale included 56 items, with appropriate levels of item objective-congruence, relevance, and clarity. This instrument will allow professionals to detect and develop awareness and intervention programs that aim to promote good practices in nursing homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details a study of the second-harmonic generation (SHG) in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) films containing two novel acceptor-substituted subphthalocyanines in addition to the trinitro-substituted compound. Discussion on the experiment; Linear absorption spectra of evaporated and spincoated films; Determination of the second-order susceptibility tensor; Microscopic analysis of the study.

Congenital complete vaginal atresia with cervical aplasia is a rare obstructive reproductive tract malformation. We present a clinical case of a 12 years old girl with a genetic KBG Syndrome, admitted in the Pediatric Unit with acute recurrent abdominal pain, vomiting and dehydratation. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient parents for publication of this case report. The local institutional review board exempted our case from the need for approval. KBG Syndrome is a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by macrodontia of the incisors, neurological delay, craniofacial anomalies, low stature, among other conditions. The physical examination showed a pubertal development Tanner 4, vulva Pubarca 4, normo-inserted urethral meatus, absent vaginal opening, negative swab test, and primary amenorrhea. An MRI was performed the result of which was: complete vaginal agenesis, septate uterus with cervical aplasia, hematómetra and hematosalpinx. An open Hysterectomy was decided in the context of acute abdominal pain and risk of endometriosis and infection. The patient evolved favorably returning home in few days. According to the bibliographic review, hysterectomy is recommended for cervical agenesis, complete cervical atresia and cervical cord because of the high risk of stenosis. The vaginoplasty is recommended to be performed in late adolescence or young adulthood when the patient is mature enough to agree to the procedure. Considering most of the included studies in this review, it is speculated that uterus preservation may be feasible for patients with cervical external obstruction. Gynecologists tried to preserve uterus and fertility for the patients with complete cervical atresia but the sample size was small. More high quality clinical controlled multicenter trials with longer follow-up are needed for further assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the diverse group of interventions developed to help dementia family caregivers cognitive-behavioural approaches show especially promising results. Objectives: This study describes a cognitive-behavioural group intervention aimed principally at the modification of dysfunctional thoughts associated with caregiving (MDTC). The efficacy of the MDTC intervention in reducing caregivers' depressive symptomatology, together with the frequency and appraisal of problem behaviours, is compared to that of a waiting-list control group (WL). Furthermore, the potential mediating role of the dysfunctional thoughts in the relationship between this intervention and caregivers' depressive symptomatology is analyzed. Of the 74 dementia caregivers who were randomized to one of two conditions (MDTC and WL), 39 completed the post-intervention assessment. Statistical analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis, using last observation carried forward. The results reveal that the MDTC intervention is successful in reducing caregivers' level of depressive symptomatology and dysfunctional thoughts about caregiving, as well as in modifying their appraisal of their relative's problem behaviours. Furthermore, a mediating role for dysfunctional thoughts was found in the relationship between the MDTC intervention and levels of depressive symptomatology. The relevance of addressing dysfunctional thoughts and cognitive distortions in group interventions with caregivers is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) have increased cardiovascular risk factors. Dietary modifications mainly polyunsatturated fatty acids intake, can improve them. The present study was performed to assess the effects of enriched milk with omega-3 and oleic fatty acids, folic acid and vitamin E, in these patients. METHODS: We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled and open clinical trial, among 72 patients with MS for 3 months. Thirty-six of them consumed 500cm(3) per day of semi-skimmed milk (control group), and the others consumed 500cm(3) per day of enriched milk (test group). Daily supplements in this group were 5.7g of oleic acid, 0.2g of omega-3 fatty acid, 150mug of folic acid and 7.5mg of vitamin E. Serum for total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerol, Apo B, glucose, insulin, hs-CRP, homocysteine and fatty acids contents in serum phospholipids, was obtained at the beginning and at the end of the study. LDL cholesterol was calculated by Friedewald formula. RESULTS: Four patients in the test group, and two in the control group dropped out. In the test group a decrease in serum total cholesterol (-6.2%, P=0.006), LDL cholesterol (-7.5%, P=0.032), triglycerol (-13.3%, P=0.016), Apo B (-5.7%, P=0.036), glucose (-5.3%, P=0.013), and homocysteine (-9.5%, P=0.00) was observed. Any of these parameters changed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with 500cm(3) of enriched milk with omega-3 fatty acid, oleic acid and folic acid, reduces serum tryglicerides, total and LDL cholesterol, Apo B, glucose and homocysteine in patients with MS. This milk is well tolerated and accepted by the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the effects of hormone therapy on cardiovascular risk factors and bone metabolism have been studied, data are lacking on the gonadotropin profile after gonadectomy in the sex reassignment process (SRP). Accordingly, whether measurement of the gonadotropin profile is useful in order to adjust the postsurgical dose of gonadal hormones is unknown. We studied the evolution of LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone, and estradiol in 50 transsexual persons, 41 male-to-female transsexuals (MtF) and 9 female-to-male transsexuals (FtM), following a protocolized regimen of hormone therapy for 12-24 months before and after genitoplasty. The increase in gonadotropins after surgery was greater in the FtM than in the MtF (66% vs. 50%), with the increase continuing more than one year after surgery. No variable was significantly associated with this different level of gonadotropins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature effects on single, homogeneous phases of proton exchanged LiNbO3 waveguides have been studied. The refractive index of a-phase guides on z-cut and x-cut congruent substrates monotonically increases with temperature, the thermo-optical coefficient being similar to that of the substrate. In ?2-phases on z-cut congruent substrates and in ß1-phases on z-cut and x-cut congruent and quasi-stoichiometric substrates, the thermo-optical coefficient is smaller than that of the substrate below ~60 °C and higher above this temperature. A rather similar effect has been observed in ß1-phases on z-cut and x-cut congruent substrates in the linear expansion coefficient. The microscopic origin of the phase transition is not known for the moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measures second-harmonic generation (SHG) from lambda=1.06 micrometer fundamental light in evaporated and spin-coated films of trinitro-substituted subphthalocyanines. Achievement of the ordering of the noncentrosymmetric molecules; Determination of the second-order susceptibilities; Display of reasonable SHG yield.

Manuel A. Rojo Guerra presenta la recensión dle trabajo "Reflejos del neolítico ibérico : La cerámica boquique : Caracteres, cronología y contexto / Alday Ruiz, A. (Ed.)