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This research aimed to evaluate the gelation process of ferulated pectin (FP) and ferulated arabinoxylan (AXF) in a new mixed hydrogel and determine its microstructural characteristics. FP from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and arabinoxylan from maize (Zea mays) bran were gelled via oxidative coupling using laccase as a crosslinking agent. The dynamic oscillatory rheology of the mixed hydrogel revealed a maximum storage modulus of 768 Pa after 60 min. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that mixed hydrogels possess a microstructure of imperfect honeycomb. The ferulic acid content of the mixed hydrogel was 3.73 mg/g, and ferulic acid dimer 8-5′ was the most abundant. The presence of a trimer was also detected. This study reports the distribution and concentration of ferulic acid dimers, and the rheological and microstructural properties of a mixed hydrogel based on FP and AXF, which has promising features as a new covalent biopolymeric material.

Introduction: Hospital length of stay (LOS) remains a vital metric for assessing patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. Given the substantial financial impact of diagnosing and treating colorectal anomalies, coupled with an increased susceptibility to postoperative complications, it is crucial to understand the factors affecting LOS following colorectal surgery. Our primary objective was to investigate the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative risk factors that have substantial influence over LOS following a colorectal procedure. Methods: This study analyzed data from a retrospective study of adults who underwent various colorectal surgeries (colostomy, ileostomy, small bowel resection, etc.) at Cleveland Clinic Foundation (January 2005- December 2014). Predictor variables were categorized into preoperative (patient demographics, medical history, comorbidities, lifestyle factors), intraoperative, and postoperative factors. LOS was grouped into short-term (SLOS) (≤ 7 days), medium-term (MLOS) (8-30 days), and long-term (LLOS) (> 30 days) stays. Multinomial logistic regression models assessed predictor effects on LOS. Results: Among the 7874 patients, 50.7% were females, with a minimum age of 20 years. SLOS were observed in 61.1%, MLOS in 37.6%, and LLOS in 1.3% of patients. Advanced age correlated with prolonged LOS, possibly due to age-related health challenges like weak immune systems. Coagulopathy, and fluid and electrolyte disorders raised MLOS and LLOS risk, likely due to complications like significant bleeding and electrolyte imbalances. Surgery duration predicted longer LOS, elevating LLOS and MLOS by 52% and 42%. Postoperative infections were associated to extended stays, possibly due to subsequent interventions, monitoring and recovery delays. Conclusion: Our study revealed that key preoperative predictors of LOS included Age, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte disorders, severe weight loss, and drug abuse. Notably, intraoperative factors such as surgical approach (open vs laparoscopic) and surgery duration, alongside postoperative complications including superficial and serious infections, significantly influenced LOS. By incorporating these insights into the preoperative planning, clinicians could potentially develop tailored interventions to mitigate risk factors and enhance postoperative recovery, thus potentially reducing LOS and improving patient outcomes.

To develop an orthopedic scaffold that could overcome the limitations of implants used in clinics, we designed poly(ester-urethane) foams and compared their properties with those of a commercial gold standard. A degradable poly(ester-urethane) was synthetized by polyaddition between a diisocyanate poly(ε-caprolactone) prepolymer (PCL di-NCO, Mn = 2400 g·mol−1) and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) diol (PLGA, Mn = 2200 g·mol−1) acting as a chain extender. The resulting high-molecular-weight poly(ester-urethane) (PEU, Mn = 87,000 g·mol−1) was obtained and thoroughly characterized by NMR, FTIR and SEC-MALS. The porous scaffolds were then processed using the solvent casting (SC)/particle leaching (PL) method with different NaCl crystal concentrations. The morphology, pore size and porosity of the foams were evaluated using SEM, showing interconnected pores with a uniform size of around 150 µm. The mechanical properties of the scaffolds are close to those of the human meniscus (Ey = 0.5~1 MPa). Their degradation under accelerated conditions confirms that incorporating PLGA into the scaffolds greatly accelerates their degradation rate compared to the gold-standard implant. Finally, a cytotoxicity study confirmed the absence of the cytotoxicity of the PEU, with a 90% viability of the L929 cells. These results suggest that degradable porous PLGA/PCL poly(ester-urethane) has potential in the development of meniscal implants.

Abstract Background The National Health Insurance Law enacted in 1995 stipulates a list of health services to which all Israeli residents are entitled. For the past 20 years, the list has been updated annually, as a function of a predetermined budget, according to recommendations from the Public National Advisory Committee (PNAC), which evaluates and prioritizes candidate technologies. We assessed the legitimacy of this resource-allocation process as reflected in Israeli public discourse and its congruence with the accountability for reasonableness (A4R) framework. Methods A qualitative analysis of public discourse documents (articles in the print media, court rulings and parliamentary debates (N = 119) was conducted to assess the perceived legitimacy by the Israeli public of the PNAC. Further content analysis of these documents and semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (N = 70) revealed the mainstays and threats to its legitimacy. Based on these data sources, on governmental documents specifying PNAC's procedures, and on data from participant observations, we assessed its congruence with A4R’s four conditions: publicity, relevance, revision and appeals, regulation. Results The PNAC enjoys ongoing support for its legitimacy in Israeli public discourse, which stem from its perceived professional focus and transparency. These strengths are consistent with the A4R’s emphasis on the publicity and the relevance conditions. The three major threats to PNAC's legitimacy pertain to: (1) the composition of the committee; (2) its operating procedures; (3) its guiding principles. These perceived shortcomings are also consistent with incongruencies between PNAC's work model and A4R. These findings thus further support the empirical validity of the A4R. Conclusion The analysis of the fit between the PNAC and A4R points to refinements in all four conditions that could make the A4R a more precise evaluative framework. Concurrently, it highlights areas that the PNAC should improve to increase its legitimacy, such as incorporating cost-effectiveness analyses and including patient representatives in the decision-making process. Hebrew and Arabic abstracts for this article are available as an additional file.

ObjectiveIn type 1 diabetes, risk factors associated with impaired bone health contribute to increased risk of fracture. The aim of this study was to (1): compare the high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) parameters of young adults with type 1 diabetes with those of healthy controls (2), identify sex differences, and (3) evaluate the association between diabetes and bone health risk factors, with HR-pQCT.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study in young Canadian adults with childhood onset type 1 diabetes. Z-scores were generated for HR-pQCT parameters using a large healthy control database. Diet, physical activity, BMI, hemoglobin A1C (A1C) and bone health measures were evaluated, and associations were analyzed using multivariate regression analysis.ResultsEighty-eight participants (age 21 ± 2.2 years; 40 males, 48 females, diabetes duration 13.9 ± 3.4 years) with type 1 diabetes were studied. Low trabecular thickness and elevated cortical geometry parameters were found suggesting impaired bone quality. There were no sex differences. Significant associations were found: Vitamin D (25(OH)D) with trabecular parameters with possible synergy with A1C, parathyroid hormone with cortical parameters, BMI with cortical bone and failure load, and diabetes duration with trabecular area.ConclusionsOur data suggests impairment of bone health as assessed by HR-pQCT in young adults with type 1 diabetes. Modifiable risk factors were associated with trabecular and cortical parameters. These findings imply that correction of vitamin D deficiency, prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and optimization of metabolic control may reduce incident fractures.

This paper focuses on a recently conceptualized construct--sense of authentic inner-compass (AIC)--and two parenting practices promoting it: basic autonomy-support (BAS) and inherent value-demonstration (IVD). Rooted in self-determination theory, sense of AIC refers to the perception that we have self-guiding values, aspirations, and goals, which function like an 'authentic inner-compass' that informs us on "what we truly value and need." The utility of this construct for understanding morality-related phenomena also in cultures not emphasizing autonomy and authenticity, is demonstrated by a study conducted in two widely different cultures: Bedouin and Jews in Israel. As expected, across cultures, the practices of BAS and IVD were associated with sense of AIC, which then predicted adolescents' resistance to peer-pressure to engage in antisocial behaviors. Invariance analysis showed a similar pattern across cultures. Discussion focuses on implications of the AIC concept for various moral behaviors, and for value-oriented parenting and moral education.

ABSTRACT Nanomaterials observe specialized properties relative to gross materials. Due to their small size, specialized nanomaterial properties include decreased reactivity, an increased surface area to volume ratio, heightened structural properties, and in some cases, antimicrobial and antibacterial effects. Current researchers are looking to use nanoparticle/nanomaterial properties to solve prevalent dental issues that cannot be addressed with traditionally used materials. This paper will serve as an extensive review of current nanomaterial applications as they pertain to dental fillings and dental filling processes. Comparative assessments of traditional materials used in dental fillings will be made as well as comparative assessments of currently used nanomaterials in dental fillings. Material comparisons are based on criteria pertaining to biocompatibility, toxicity, reactivity, cost, and antimicrobial/antibacterial properties. When comparing the three most currently used dental filling nanomaterials – Carbon-Based Nanotubes, Silica Nanoparticles and Silver-Coated Nanoparticles – it was observed that Silica Nanoparticles demonstrated the greatest material advantage and should be recommended for continued use. Issues regarding future developmental dental filling applications of graphene nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles and gold nanoparticles will also be discussed. Keywords: Nanomaterials, antibacterial, dental fillings, silica resins, biocompatibility.

Based on past theorizing and research, we posited that there are two kinds of specific experiences that contribute to the satisfaction of the general need for autonomy in emerging adults, as reflected in volitional, self-endorsed, actions. These experiences are: (1) feeling free, and (2) having a valid authentic inner compass (AIC). In the first study testing this hypothesis, college students in Israel (n = 163, mean age = 21.33), and in China (n = 72, mean age = 23.67) completed measures assessing experiences of freedom and having a valid AIC during contacts with mothers, extent of volitional contacts with mothers, and vitality during contacts with mothers. Confirmatory factor analyses and invariance analysis supported the validity of the measures, and their equivalence across cultures. In the Israeli sample, students also completed a measure assessing the extent to which the sense of having a valid AIC during contacts with one’s mother is based on intrinsic aspirations and goals. As expected, across cultures, participants distinguished between experiences of (a) having a valid AIC, and (b) feeling free. The findings also suggest that experiences of freedom and of having a valid AIC during contacts with mothers are associated with extent of volitional contacts with mother, and subsequent vitality during these contacts. Also as expected, experiencing a valid AIC during contacts with mother was associated with volitional contacts with her and subsequent vitality - only when the AIC was based on intrinsic aspirations. The results suggest that in assessing people’s sense of AIC, it is important to consider the content of the aspirations and goals on which this sense is based. The findings are consistent with the view that feeling free, and having a valid AIC are two specific autonomy experiences which promote a more global experience of need autonomy satisfaction, as indicated by feelings of volitional and self-endorsed action.

This paper presents and examines the first school change program focusing on violence and caring based on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2012). The program aimed at promoting teachers' capacity to cope with violence and enhance caring without becoming more controlling. Comparisons of the effects of a 22-month-long program in three intervention schools and three control schools indicated that the program (a) reduced violent student behavior and controlling teacher behavior and (b) enhanced caring student behavior and active teacher response to violence. The results suggest that exposure to self-determination theory (SDT) concepts may promote a firm, yet non-controlling, teacher response to violence. More generally, the results highlight the potential for incorporating SDT ideas in violence reduction programs.

Fifteen Lowland Tapirs Tapirus terrestris were found road killed between kilometer six and 76 of the BR-163 highway, in the state of Pará, Brazil. The findings took place during two periods, May/July 2016, and June 2017. This highway is internationally known for its environmental impact and here we present additional evidence of its impact on the population of a threatened species.

Ferulated polysaccharides such as pectin and arabinoxylan form covalent gels which are attractive for drug delivery or cell immobilization. Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast known for providing humans with health benefits; however, its application is limited by viability loss under environmental stress. In this study, ferulated pectin from sugar beet solid waste (SBWP) and ferulated arabinoxylan from maize bioethanol waste (AX) were used to form a covalent mixed gel, which was in turn used to entrap S. boulardii (2.08 × 108 cells/mL) in microbeads using electrospray. SBWP presented a low degree of esterification (30%), which allowed gelation through Ca2+, making it possible to reduce microbead aggregation and coalescence by curing the particles in a 2% CaCl2 cross-linking solution. SBWP/AX and SBWP/AX+ S. boulardii microbeads presented a diameter of 214 and 344 µm, respectively, and a covalent cross-linking content (dimers di-FA and trimer tri-FA of ferulic acid) of 1.15 mg/g polysaccharide. The 8-5′, 8-O-4′and 5-5′di-FA isomers proportions were 79%, 18%, and 3%, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy images of propidium iodide-stained yeasts confirmed cell viability before and after microbeads preparation by electrospray. SBWP/AX capability to entrap S. boulardii would represent an alternative for probiotic immobilization in tailored biomaterials and an opportunity for sustainable waste upcycling to value-added products.

This research focuses on offspring's perceptions of their parents' usage of conditional regard and autonomy-supportive practices in response to the offspring's experiences of negative emotion. Participants were 174 college students (60% were females). As predicted from self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), students' perceptions of parents as hinging their regard on students' expression or suppression of negative emotions predicted a maladaptive pattern of emotion regulation and intimacy capacity. In contrast, autonomy-supportive parenting predicted more adaptive emotion regulation and intimacy patterns. Also as predicted, emotion-regulation mode mediated the relations between parental practices and intimacy capacity. The innovative aspect of the study is the finding that parents who use conditional regard to encourage children's expression (sharing) of negative emotions may actually undermine their children's socioemotional capacities. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)

We present a conceptualization and a 2 year program of autonomy-supportive I-Thou dialogue among teachers and students that is based on self-determination theory (Deci and Ryan in "Psychol Inq" 11(4):227-268, 2000) and Buber's (1960) philosophy. The program was applied in 18 seventh grade classes (420 students). Findings showed: (a) increases in positive emotions and in perceptions of teachers as conducting more dialogue on the relevance of studies to students' lives, and (b) decreases in negative emotions and in classroom violence. The findings highlight the importance of autonomy-supportive I-Thou dialogue and suggest that such dialogue might help adolescents to experience studying and school as more pleasant and secure.

We examined the idea that adolescents' perceptions of their mothers as using parental conditional positive regard (PCPR) to promote academic achievement are associated with maladaptive self feelings and coping. A study of 153 adolescents supported the hypothesis that PCPR predicts self-aggrandizement following success and self devaluation and shame following failure, which then predict compulsive over-investment. PCPR functioned as a unique predictor of maladaptive self feelings and coping also when the effects of perceived parental conditional negative regard or psychological control were controlled for. The findings suggest that the experience of one's mother as using conditional positive regard to promote achievement leads to a non-optimal self-esteem dynamics, in which people vacillate between feelings of grandiosity following success and self-derogation and shame following failure, which in turn promote a rigid and stressful mode of coping. Thus, the practice of PCPR, although seemingly benign, appears to carry significant emotional and coping costs for adolescents. (Contains 2 tables and 4 figures.)

This paper responds to Michael Hand's argument in "Against autonomy as an educational aim" ("Oxford Review of Education", 32, 535-550), refutes it and identifies two faults at its foundation. Through this criticism, the paper makes a substantiated case, both theoretical and empirical, for endorsing the value of education for autonomy as a major goal of education in Liberal Democracies today. (Contains 2 notes.)

On the basis of self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2000), the authors examined whether 2 different types of introjected motivation--an avoidant type aimed at avoiding low self-worth and an approach type aimed at attaining high self-worth--are both associated with a less positive pattern of correlates relative to identified motivation--acting because one identifies with the value of the action. Two studies focusing on the academic and sports domains (N = 1,222) showed that children and adolescents differentiated between the 2 types of introjected motivation. Although introjected avoidance motivation was associated with a more negative pattern of affective and performance correlates than was introjected approach motivation, identified motivation was associated with a much more positive pattern of correlates than both types of introjected motivation. Furthermore, being high on introjected approach motivation did not yield any benefits even when combined with high identified motivation. Results suggest that past findings portraying introjected motivation as being less desirable than identified motivation cannot be ascribed to the avoidance component of introjected motivation. Findings are consistent with the view that even an approach-oriented introjected motivation has very limited benefits when compared with identified motivation. (Contains 11 tables and 4 footnotes.)

The assumption that high level functioning is characterized by a great deal of autonomy is central to some major theories of moral development [Kohlberg (in T. Lickona (ed.) "Moral development and behavior: Theory, research and social issues," 1976); Piaget ("The moral judgment of the child", 1932)] and to the self-determination theory of motivation [Ryan and Deci ("The American Psychologist, 55", 68-78, 2000)]. Based on these theories, we hypothesized that students' perceptions of their teachers as autonomy supportive, mainly in the form of encouragement of critical thinking, and perhaps also choice, would be positively associated with students' advanced moral judgment. Data collected from 12th grade students in two regular schools and two democratic schools supported this hypothesis. Results also showed that being a student in a democratic school (as opposed to a regular one) was associated with autonomous moral judgment, and that this association was mediated by students' perceptions of teachers as encouraging criticism, but not choice. A possible implication is that programs of moral education should explicitly promote teachers' inclination to encourage critical thinking in their students.

We propose that self-determination theory's conceptualization of internalization may help school reformers overcome the recurrent problem of "the predictable failure of educational reform" (Sarason, 1993). Accordingly, we present a detailed learning and implementation structure to promote teachers' internalization and application of ideas and practices based on self-determination theory. Finally, we discuss findings from two studies that (1) demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed structure in promoting educational reform, and (2) highlight the components of this structure that teachers report to be valuable. (Contains 1 note.)

The authors conducted 2 studies of 9th-grade Israeli adolescents (169 in Study 1, 156 in Study 2) to compare the parenting practices of conditional positive regard, conditional negative regard, and autonomy support using data from multiple reporters. Two socialization domains were studied: emotion control and academics. Results were consistent with the self-determination theory model of internalization, which posits that (a) conditional negative regard predicts feelings of resentment toward parents, which then predict dysregulation of negative emotions and academic disengagement; (b) conditional positive regard predicts feelings of internal compulsion, which then predict suppressive regulation of negative emotions and grade-focused academic engagement; and (c) autonomy support predicts sense of choice, which then predicts integrated regulation of negative emotions and interest-focused academic engagement. These findings suggest that even parents' use of conditional positive regard as a socialization practice has adverse emotional and academic consequences, relative to autonomy support. (Contains 1 footnote, 12 tables, and 7 figures.)

This article focuses on the following issue: How can we build a training and support system that would enhance the motivation and capacity of teachers for high-quality implementation of information technology innovations guided by humanist ideas? That is, a system that would not only increase teachers' motivation to apply Humanist Information Technology Innovations (HITI), but would also enhance their capacity and will to apply the program in a way that is true to its spirit and does not neglect its more challenging and complex goals. First, the author presents basic obstacles that are likely to undermine the motivation of many teachers to learn and apply the HITI approach. Second, the author presents two principles of interventions addressing these obstacles. Third, the author presents the actual plan and structure of a training and support system that would enhance the motivation and capacity of teachers for high-quality implementation of the HITI. Fourth, the author presents evidence from an intervention utilizing the training and support system described above. The article ends with some thoughts on the type of relationship the author develops with teachers during his work with them. This part is mainly descriptive, but also has some normative implications.

This study examined teachers' experience of autonomous motivation for teaching and its correlates in teachers and students. It was hypothesized that teachers would perceive various motivations posited by E. L. Deci and R. M. Ryan's (2000) self-determination theory as falling along a continuum of autonomous motivation for teaching. Autonomous motivation for teaching was predicted to be associated positively with teachers' sense of personal accomplishment and negatively with emotional exhaustion. Most important, teachers' self-reported autonomous motivation for teaching was expected to promote students' self-reported autonomous motivation for learning by enhancing teachers' autonomy-supportive behavior, as indicated by students' reports. Results from a sample of 132 Israeli teachers and their 1,255 students were consistent with the hypotheses. Discussion focuses on the importance of the experience of autonomous motivation for teaching for teachers and students.

This study investigated the relations between early adolescents' academic motivational orientations and an aspect of quality of friendship: intimacy. Two-hundred and three Jewish-Israeli seventh grade students responded to surveys asking them about their academic achievement goals and about characteristics of their friendships. Variable-centered regression analyses suggested that mastery goals were positively associated with mutual sharing of difficulties, trust, and adaptive social problem-solving between friends, whereas performance-approach goals were negatively associated with intimacy friendship. Moreover, both performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals were associated with mistrust, inconsideration, and tension between friends. A person-centered analysis, employing cluster analysis, suggested that profiles with a higher level of mastery goals relative to both types of performance goals were associated with less mistrust among friends in comparison with profiles with a higher level of performance goals relative to mastery goals. The findings point to the connection between academic motivation and social relationships in school.

We focused on potential effects of directly controlling teacher behaviors (DCTB), such as giving frequent directives, interfering with children's preferred pace of learning, and not allowing critical and independent opinions. We hypothesized that children's perceptions of their teachers as directly controlling would arouse anger and anxiety in children, and these emotions would enhance a-motivation and extrinsic motivation, which, respectively, would undermine intensive academic engagement and promote restricted engagement. Three hundred and nineteen Israeli 4th-5th graders completed questionnaires assessing the variables of interest. The extent to which children showed intensive academic engagement was assessed by their primary teachers. Path analyses supported the expected relations. DCTB appear particularly harmful because they lead to a-motivation that is intertwined with anger and anxiety.

Current theory and research in the area of motivation indicate that while frequent academic failures are clearly undesirable, temporary failure in challenging academic tasks can have important psychological benefits when followed by successful coping. However, teachers' responses during our school reform programme suggest that some special education teachers may find it extremely difficult to allow their pupils to experience any kind of failure or frustration, not even temporarily. An analysis of the cognitive and emotional reasons for this phenomenon is presented, followed by a summary of the potential benefits of temporary failure. Then, drawing on Self-Determination Theory (SDT, Ryan & Deci, 2000 ), teaching practices that enable pupils to cope well with temporary failure are briefly described. The last section presents the way these SDT motivational principles have been used to promote the internalisation of a more positive attitude towards temporary failure by teachers, and to suggest various implications for the area of teacher education.

Two experiments examined the effect of age and cognitive demands on children's choice strategies. Children aged 8-9 and 12-13 years were asked to choose among either two or four products that differed in several attributes of varying importance to them. Choice tasks were designed to differentiate between the lexicographic and the equal-weighting strategies that the children used. The results showed that older children use the two strategies more appropriately than younger children do. The choice of strategies reflects the demands of the task. All children were more likely to use the strategies correctly when choosing between two alternatives and tended to rely on the relatively less cognitive-demanding lexicographic strategy to choose among four alternatives. However, they were less likely to employ the lexicographic strategy in simpler tasks and when its use was difficult to justify, indicating an adaptive use.

Addresses three issues concerning the assessment of the overrating and underrating of academic competence: (1) the impossibility of separating effects of overrating and underrating from effects of perceived and actual competence; (2) the questionable validity of Connell and Ilardi's method; and (3) the proposal of a new method and its implications for Connell and Ilardi's data. (BC)

Provides brief historical account of three stages in development of theoretical framework which has guided research on defensive effects of motives on person perception, then proposes revised interactive model as fourth stage of conceptualization. New model suggests that defensive effects of motives on person perception are most likely to occur in context of lasting and meaningful interpersonal relationships. (Author/NB)