Bateria de provas de raciocínio (BPR-5): estudo de validação em contexto escolar

[Resumo] A Bateria de Provas de Raciocínio (BPR-S; Almeida & Primi, 1996) é formada por cinco provas, todas avaliando o raciocínio (opera<;ao comum) através de itens de conteúdo diverso (abstracto, verbal, numérico, espacial, e mecanico). Desta forma a BPR-S pretende conciliar a teoria do factor g e as teorias das múltiplas inteligencias na descri<;ao e avalia<;ao da inteligencia. A bateria subdivide-se em duas versoes: (i) Versao A - destinada aos alunos do 7° ao 9° ano de escolaridade; e a Versao B - destinada aos alunos do 10° ao 12° ano. O estudo de construçao e validaçao da bateria tem sido conduzido conjuntamente em Portugal e no Estado de Sao Paulo (Brasil). Este artigo apresenta as análises da consistencia interna dos itens e da validade dos resultados. Os valores obtidos adequam-se aos objectivos das provas, mesmo com urna redu<;ao no número de itens face a outras provas similares. Dada a maior utiliza<;ao destas provas no contexto escolar, sobretudo em orientaçao vocacional, reflectem-se algumas quest5es em tomo da utiliza<;ao da BPR-S na consulta psicológica nas escola

Potential programming of dopaminergic circuits by early life stress

Stress and high levels of glucocorticoids during pre- and early postnatal life seem to alter developmental programs that assure dopaminergic transmission in the mesolimbic, mesocortical and nigrostriatal systems. The induced changes are likely to be determined by the ontogenetic state of development of these brain regions at the time of stress exposure and their stability is associated with increased lifetime susceptibility to psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. This article is intended to serve as a starting point for future studies aimed at the attenuation or reversal of the effects of adverse early life events on dopamine-regulated behaviors.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)CRESCENDO (EU Integrated Project FP6-018652)Institute for Social and Affective Neuroscienc

Development of nickel-based magnetoliposomes

Liposomes entrapping nickel-based magnetic nanoparticles (magnetoliposomes) were prepared and characterized.This work was supported by FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Project of CFUM [PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2011 (F-COMP-01-0124-FEDER-022711)]. FCT is also acknowledged for the PhD grant of A.R.O. Rodrigues (SFRH/BD/90949/2012)

Bateria de provas de raciocínio (BPR-5): estudo de validação em contexto escolar

A Bateria de Provas de Raciocínio (BPR-S; Almeida & Primi, 1996) é formada por cinco pro vas, todas avaliando o raciocínio (opera<;ao comum) através de itens de conteúdo diverso (abstrac to, verbal, numérico, espacial, e mecanico). Desta forma a BPR-S pretende conciliar a teoria do fac tor g e as teorias das múltiplas inteligencias na descri<;ao e avalia<;ao da inteligencia. A bateria sub divide-se em duas vers5es: (i) Versao A - destinada aos alunos do 7° ao 9° ano de escolaridade; e a Versao B - destinada aos alunos do 10° ao 12° ano. O estudo de constru<;ao e valida<;ao da bateria tem sido conduzido conjuntamente em Portugal e no Estado de Sao Paulo (Brasil). Este artigo apre senta as análises da consistencia interna dos itens e da validade dos resultados. Os valores obtidos adequam-se aos objectivos das provas, mesmo com urna redu<;ao no número de itens face a outras provas similares. Dada a maior utiliza<;ao destas provas no contexto escolar, sobretudo em orien ta<;ao vocacional, reflectem-se algumas quest5es em tomo da utiliza<;ao da BPR-S na consulta psi cológica nas escolasThe Differential Reasoning Tests (BPR-S; Almeida & Primi, 1996) is composed by five sub tests, evaluating reasoning (coromon cognitive processes) with items of different contents (abstract, verbal, numerical, spatial, and mechanical). In this way, the BPR-S tries to conciliate the traditio nal g jactor theory ofintelligence and the multiple intellectual aptitudes. This battery is subdivided in two versions: (i) Version A for students from 7th to 9th grades; and (ii) Version B for students from 10th to 12th grades. The battery construction and validation has been done in Portugal and Brazil (Sao Paulo). This paper presents the analysis of the internal consistency of items and vali dity scores. Coefficients we have obtained support theorical and practical purposes of these tests, although a reduction of the number of items. Face the traditional use of these tests in educational settings, mainly for vocational guidance services, we analise the BPR-S use implications for the psychological practices in the schools.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Forage Yield and Structural Traits of Tanzaniagrass (\u3cem\u3ePanicum Maximum\u3c/em\u3e) at Four Canopy Heights

Pasture forage production is based on the growth of tillers (Hodgson, 1990). Although the effect of canopy height and structural traits on productivity of temperate grasses are well known e.g. (Bircham & Hodgson,1983; Binnie & Chestnut, 1994) tiller studies on tropical pasture species are scarce

Development of multifunctional liposomes containing magnetic/plasmonic MnFe2O4/Au core/shell nanoparticles

Multifunctional liposomes containing manganese ferrite/gold core/shell nanoparticles were developed. These magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles were covered by a lipid bilayer or entrapped in liposomes, which form solid or aqueous magnetoliposomes as nanocarriers for simultaneous chemotherapy and phototherapy. The core/shell nanoparticles were characterized by UV/Visible absorption, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The magnetoliposomes were characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and TEM. Fluorescence-based techniques (FRET, steady-state emission, and anisotropy) investigated the incorporation of a potential anti-tumor drug (a thienopyridine derivative) in these nanosystems. The core/shell nanoparticles exhibit sizes of 25 ± 2 nm (from TEM), a plasmonic absorption band (λmax = 550 nm), and keep magnetic character. XRD measurements allowed for the estimation of 13.3 nm diameter for manganese ferrite core and 11.7 nm due to the gold shell. Aqueous magnetoliposomes, with hydrodynamic diameters of 152 ± 18 nm, interact with model membranes by fusion and are able to transport the anti-tumor compound in the lipid membrane, with a high encapsulation efficiency (EE (%) = 98.4 ± 0.8). Solid magnetoliposomes exhibit hydrodynamic diameters around 140 nm and also carry successfully the anticancer drug (with EE (%) = 91.2 ± 5.2), while also being promising as agents for phototherapy. The developed multifunctional liposomes can be promising as therapeutic agents for combined chemo/phototherapy.European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020 and Portugal2020. This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UID/FIS/04650/2013) and CQUM (UID/QUI/00686/2016) and through the research project PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020), financed by the European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020 and Portugal2020. The APC was also funded by FCT. A.R.O.R. acknowledges FCT for a research grant under UID/FIS/04650/2013 funding.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stealth magnetoliposomes based on calcium-substituted magnesium ferrite nanoparticles for curcumin transport and release

Despite the promising pharmacological properties of curcumin, the transport and effective release of curcumin is still a challenge. The advances in functionalized nanocarriers for curcumin have also been motivated by the anticancer activity of this natural compound, aiming at targeted therapies. Here, stealth (aqueous and solid) magnetoliposomes containing calcium-substituted magnesium ferrite nanoparticles, CaxMg1−xFe2O4 (with x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) were developed as nanocarriers for curcumin. The magnetic nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic properties and crystalline structure, with sizes below 10 nm. The magnetoliposomes based on these nanoparticles have hydrodynamic diameters around or below 150 nm and a low polydispersity. The influence of an alternating magnetic field (AMF) on drug release over time was evaluated and compared with curcumin release by diffusion. The results suggest the potential of drug-loaded magnetoliposomes as nanocarriers that can be magnetically guided to the tumor sites and act as agents for a synergistic effect combining magnetic hyperthermia and controlled drug release.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding of CF-UM-UP (UID/FIS/04650/2019) and through the research project PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028020), financed by European Fund of Regional Development (FEDER), COMPETE2020 and Portugal2020. The magnetic measurements were supported by projects UTAP-EXPL/NTec/0046/2017, NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-028538 and PTDC/FIS-MAC/29454/2017. The APC was also funded by FCT. B.D.C. acknowledges FCT for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/141936/2018)

Novel magnetoliposomes based on shape-anisotropic nanoparticles for combined chemotherapy and magnetic hyperthermia

In this work, a new method for magnetoliposomes synthesis with improved and adequate structural, physicochemical and magnetic properties was developed. The overall results confirmed the development of a promising new method for the synthesis of cubic-shaped magnetic ferrite nanoparticles and a novel route for drug-loaded SMLs with improved features. The properties of these multifunctional nanosystems point to their future effective application in cancer therapy.Compete 2020, Portugal 2020, FEDER, PTDC/QUI-QFI/28020/2017, UIDB/04650/2020. SFRH/BD/141936/201

Determination of Kresoxim-Methyl in Water and in Grapes by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Using PhotochemicalInduced Fluorescence and Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction (DLLME)

A high-performance chromatographic method was developed to determine the fungicide kresoxim-methyl. Off-line photochemical derivatization was used to induce the formation of a stable and fluorescent product since the fungicide does not present natural fluorescence. Intense fluorescence at 370/430nm was achieved by treating the analyte in solution at pH 6 to ultraviolet light for 45s. The chromatographic conditions included isocratic elution with 50/ 50% (v/v) acetonitrile/water and the photochemical product appeared at a retention time of 7.2min. The short and long term stabilities of the photoproduct were evaluated and variation of less than 5% was achieved. The limits of detection in water samples and in grapes samples were 0.019mg kg1 and 0.065mg kg1 of kresoxim-methyl residue, respectively. The linear response covered three orders of magnitude up to 10.6mg kg1 of kresoxim-methyl. The robustness was evaluated through a Box–Behnken experimental design showing the insignificance of all factors and their interactions. The potential interference of tebuconazole for the determination of kresoxim-methyl was studied. The use of the dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) allowed recoveries between 80% and 101% depending on concentration with the minimum generation of waste products