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- Comparative materials-level evaluation of 3′- and 5′-Thiol DNA aptamer conjugation on gold nanospheres and nanoflowers: Apparent DNA loading output, morphology retention, and qualitative salt-challenge responsePublication . Sun, Jingchun; Zhang, Linbing; Gonçalves, David; Kuang, Shaoping; Yang, HongshengGold nanospheres (AuNPs) and gold nanoflowers (AuNFs) are widely used as platforms for DNA aptamer functionalization, while conjugation behavior and colloidal tolerance remain important factors affecting subsequent sensing-oriented optimization. In this study, 82-nt thiolated DNA aptamer constructs bearing either 3′-SH or 5′-SH terminal modification were immobilized onto citrate-stabilized AuNPs and AuNFs under matched stepwise salt-aging conditions. Apparent nanoparticle-associated DNA output was estimated by Qubit-based measurement of unbound ssDNA in the supernatant and expressed as mass-based loading output (ng). Under the tested stock-dispersion conditions, AuNP samples showed higher apparent conjugation output than AuNF samples. Specifically, the apparent conjugation yields for AuNPs were 80.65 ± 1.64% (3′-SH) and 84.76 ± 1.98% (5′-SH), whereas those for AuNFs were 66.64 ± 3.36% (3′-SH) and 73.65 ± 1.36% (5′-SH). The corresponding apparent DNA loading outputs were 2329.7 ± 47.4 ng and 2448.7 ± 57.1 ng for AuNPs, and 1925.1 ± 97.0 ng and 2127.4 ± 39.3 ng for AuNFs. DLS size increases and zeta potential shifts toward more negative values were consistent with the formation of a DNA-associated interfacial layer, while TEM images supported morphology retention after conjugation. A qualitative visual salt-challenge assessment indicated that aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles displayed improved resistance to salt-induced aggregation relative to bare particles under the tested conditions. Because the commercially supplied AuNP and AuNF dispersions were not normalized to identical particle number or accessible surface area, the reported values should be interpreted as comparative apparent outputs rather than intrinsic loading capacities. Within this scope, the present study provides a convenient preliminary materials-level evaluation of thiolated aptamer conjugation behavior and may support future glyphosate aptasensor optimization.
- Working With VIPP-School to improve teacher–child interaction: Two case studiesPublication . Starreveld, Kim M.; Mathilde M., Overbeek; Willemen, Agnes M.; Bakermans-Kranenburg, MarianThe Video-Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Pedagogy and Sensitive Discipline in School (VIPP-School) aims at enhancing teacher sensitivity and sensitive discipline in interactions with children showing behavior problems. Although the first evidence for effectiveness has been shown, the mechanisms of change that underly the learning process of teachers during the intervention are still unclear. This study presents two case studies of kindergarten teachers participating in VIPP-School. Drawing on the intervention manual, logbooks, intervener feedback, and independent observations, we describe how the intervention was carried out and how each teacher’s personalized learning path related to changes in sensitivity and sensitive discipline. These cases highlight the importance of iterative cycles of reflection and application of new strategies for learning. The results provide further insight into mechanisms of change in video-feedback interventions and show how the protocolized VIPP-School intervention can be tailored to individual teacher–child dyads.
- Outcomes of the therapeutic relationship in treating individuals who have committed crimes: A systematic reviewPublication . Sousa, Marta; Félix, Sílvia; Padinha, Catarina; Caridade, Sónia; de Castro Rodrigues, Andreia; Cunha, OlgaSeveral studies suggest that the quality of the therapeutic relationship (TR) between the patient and their therapist plays a significant role in predicting the outcomes of various forms of psychotherapy. However, it remains unclear whether the TR also influences the outcomes of treatment programs for justice-involved populations. Therefore, this systematic review aims to identify the impact of the TR on treatment outcomes with justice-involved individuals. A comprehensive search was conducted in B-on, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scielo for peer-reviewed quantitative studies providing data on individuals who committed crimes, available in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. A total of 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final synthesis. Most of the included studies comprised predominantly male samples convicted of sexual offenses or intimate partner violence–related crimes. Regarding therapists, both genders were represented, along with a diversity of academic backgrounds. In terms of effectiveness, the findings suggest that the TR may exert a stronger influence on proximal, intrapersonal outcomes—such as motivation to change and well-being—than on more distal, behavioral outcomes, including aggression or recidivism. However, the existing studies are scarce and present several methodological limitations. Although the findings suggest the relevance of considering therapists and their training as potential responsivity factors in treatment, further research is needed to draw firm conclusions.
- Facial mimicry to infant and adult emotions in mothers and non‐mothersPublication . Sinisalo, Hanneli; Veistola, Sonja; Bakermans‐Kranenburg, Marian J.; Peltola, Mikko J.A key aspect of parent–infant interaction is parental mirroring of infant emotions through facial mimicry, the automatic imitation of observed facial expressions. Facial mimicry can be measured using facial electromyography (EMG) and has been associated with empathic abilities, such as recognizing others' emotions. Currently, there is no research investigating how such empathy‐related processes might change during the transition to parenthood. In this study, we compared first‐time mothers of young infants and non‐mothers in their physiological responses in two facial muscle areas (corrugator supercilii and zygomaticus major) to dynamic emotional infant and adult faces. In addition, we examined whether the EMG responses are associated with salivary testosterone levels. Participants performed an emotion recognition task with dynamic infant and adult emotional expressions changing between happy and distressed expressions while facial mimicry was measured with EMG. Mothers showed a more pronounced zygomaticus response specifically to smiling infant faces, and a greater corrugator response to faces changing to distress, regardless of stimulus age. Non‐mothers' zygomaticus response to infant smiles was inversely associated with testosterone level. No other correlations between testosterone and EMG responses were found. These results indicate that new mothers may show heightened affective empathic reactivity especially to infant emotions.
- Gender and judicial decision-making: A systematic review of how gendered narratives shape judicial reasoningPublication . Pereira, Bárbara; Sousa, Marta; Rodrigues, Andreia de Castro; de Castro Rodrigues, AndreiaGendered assumptions within judicial reasoning shape how cases of sexual violence (SV) are interpreted, prosecuted, and adjudicated. This systematic review synthesizes empirical evidence on how gender stereotypes and cultural myths influence judicial and prosecutorial perceptions of adult female victims, primarily in SV cases, with limited evidence from intimate partner violence (IPV). Twenty-eight studies, with judges, prosecutors, and jury eligible mock jurors’ samples were identified across five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Medline, PsycINFO, and SCOPUS), following PRISMA guidelines. Findings suggest that gender stereotypes function as heuristic frameworks shaping the construction and discounting of victim credibility, the interpretation of evidence, and the attribution of responsibility. These patterns were most consistently observed in SV contexts, where deviations from the “ideal victim” stereotype were associated with increased victim-blaming and reduced case progression. Evidence from IPV studies, although limited, suggests distinct credibility dynamics linked to ongoing relational contexts. The review highlights the persistence of gendered biases across decision-maker types and study designs. Conclusions are therefore tempered by the heterogeneity of the evidence base and the predominance of SV research. The findings support the need for structural, procedural, and training-based interventions to reduce bias and promote more equitable judicial outcomes.
- Social presence and isolation effects on intergroup bias: Task mattersPublication . Garcia-Marques, Teresa; Figueira, PedroThis paper examines whether and how intergroup bias, typically studied in explicitly social contexts, extends to conditions of social isolation. Prior research has yielded mixed findings, varying both in how social contexts are operationalized and in how bias is assessed. Across two experiments, we compared intergroup bias under conditions of complete social isolation and co-action (social presence). Bias was measured using the Implicit Association Test (IAT; Experiment 1) and the Weapon Identification Task (WIT; Experiment 2). Results from both experiments demonstrated that intergroup bias reliably emerges even when individuals are socially isolated. However, partially replicating earlier findings, the IAT revealed lower levels of bias when participants were alone, whereas in the WIT, social isolation improved response control without reducing the magnitude of bias. These findings suggest that the expression of intergroup bias depends jointly on social context and task characteristics, pointing to distinct underlying cognitive mechanisms. We discuss the implications of these results for understanding how social presence and task demands shape intergroup cognition.
- Bridging guidelines and practice: Questioning styles in judicial interviews with child sexual abuse victims in PortugalPublication . Fernandes, Delfina; Gomes, João P.; Almeida, Telma Sousa; Matos, Marlene; Albuquerque, Pedro B.central evidentiary mechanism in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases in Portugal. This procedure aims to prevent children from testifying at trial and to collect their accounts closer in time to the alleged events. Although evidence-based guidelines recommend open-ended, child-centered interviewing practices, little is known about how questioning is conducted in SFU interviews. Objective: This study examined questioning styles and children's responses in SFU interviews to assess alignment with best-practice recommendations. Participants and setting: The sample comprised 128 SFU interviews conducted between 2014 and 2024 with CSA victims aged 4 to 19 years. Methods: This retrospective observational study coded interviewer utterance types and children's responses in real-world SFU interviews. Descriptive statistics and linear mixed-effects models were conducted. Results: Option-posing utterances were significantly more frequent than all other utterance types. Focused-recognition prompts were approximately twice as frequent as open or recall-based prompts. Invitations accounted for only 6% of utterances. Because focused-recognition prompts were used so frequently, more than half of the children's reported details were elicited through these prompts. Although rarely used, invitations were the most productive utterance type, eliciting the greatest number of details per utterance. Conclusions: Despite international guidelines supporting child-centered, open-ended interviewing, Portuguese judicial interviews rely heavily on recognition-based questioning. Children's responses may therefore be more vulnerable to error and interviewer influence, potentially compromising testimonial reliability. Findings highlight the need to strengthen adherence to evidence-based interviewing protocols and child-sensitive justice practices.
- Gender disparities in sentence discourses for parental figures convicted of severe violence against minors in their care in PortugalPublication . Cabral, João; Aragón, Maria del Mar Martin; Rodrigues, Andreia CastroThis study aimed to scrutinize court discourses in cases of severe violence by parental figures against minors. Studies on gender differences in judicial settings have revealed that women may be either protected or demonized, as framed by the chivalry hypothesis, familial paternalism, and the double deviance/evil woman hypothesis. This study analyzed 66 judicial sentences involving parental figures (i.e., fathers/stepfathers and mothers/stepmothers) who committed extreme violence against minors. Using Braun and Clarke’s (2012) thematic analysis, we found three main themes: Description of the Act, Courts' Justifications, and Aggravating Factors. Findings revealed that maternal figures received more mentions of mitigating circumstances, psychological state, and motivations for committing their crime, but were more harshly punished and criticized, supporting the evil woman hypothesis. In a field lacking ample data, this study offers crucial findings that warrant discussion for contextualizing and guiding future research.
- How children with autism reason about other’s intentions: False-belief and counterfactual inferencesPublication . Rasga, Célia; Quelhas, Ana Cristina; Byrne, Ruth M. J.; Maria Rasga, CéliaWe examine false belief and counterfactual reasoning in children with autism with a new change-of-intentions task. Children listened to stories, for example, Anne is picking up toys and John hears her say she wants to find her ball. John goes away and the reason for Anne’s action changes—Anne’s mother tells her to tidy her bedroom. We asked, ‘What will John believe is the reason that Anne is picking up toys?’ which requires a false-belief inference, and ‘If Anne’s mother hadn’t asked Anne to tidy her room, what would have been the reason she was picking up toys?’ which requires a counterfactual inference. We tested children aged 6, 8 and 10 years. Children with autism made fewer correct inferences than typically developing children at 8 years, but by 10 years there was no difference. Children with autism made fewer correct false-belief than counterfactual inferences, just like typically developing children.
- Assessing autism knowledge in portugal: validation of the autism spectrum knowledge scale (ASKS-PT)Publication . Dias-Almeida, Beatriz; Gonçalves, Patrícia de Oliveira; Marôco, João; Almeida, Telma SousaPublic understanding of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) influences societal attitudes, healthcare policies, and support systems. However, no validated instrument exists to assess autism knowledge in the Portuguese population. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Autism Spectrum Knowledge Scale – General Population version (ASKSG) for Portugal, ensuring its linguistic, cultural, and psychometric robustness. A sample of 353 Portuguese adults, aged between 18 and 76 years (M=34.24, SD=13.49), completed the scales’ Portuguese adaptation (ASKS-PT) via an online survey. The scale’s psychometric properties were examined using Item Response Theory (2PL model), internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), and test-retest reliability. The ASKS-PT demonstrated strong internal consistency and good test-retest reliability. The 2PL model outperformed the Rasch model, confirming that item difficulty and discrimination effectively differentiated knowledge levels. While participants displayed high accuracy on common misconceptions, gaps persisted in areas such as autism prevalence, genetic risk factors, and diagnostic methods. Participants with prior autism contact scored significantly higher, and women outperformed men, while a family history of mental illness did not predict higher knowledge. The ASKS-PT is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing autism knowledge in Portugal. It offers a valuable tool for researchers, educators, and policymakers to evaluate autism awareness, identify misinformation, and inform public health initiatives