Drive for thinness as a women's strategy to avoid inferiority

The emphasis on the need to achieve and be successful, and the contextual competitive dynamics in Western societies, may explain the increase of distinct forms of psychopathology. This study examined sex differences relative to the expression and consequences of feeling under pressure to compete to avoid a threatening social position. Also, we tested whether insecure striving moderates the impact of a low social rank on drive for thinness, in women. In this cross-sectional study self-report measures of insecure striving and secure non-striving, social comparison, depression, anxiety and stress, and eating disorders symptomatology were completed by a sample of 245 male and 429 female students. For both men and women, the need to strive is associated with general psychopathological symptoms (depression, anxiety and stress). Furthermore, insecure striving was a significant moderator between a low social rank and the endorsement of the importance of thinness and dieting behaviours in women. These findings support the hypothesis that drive for thinness arises as a competitive weapon to assure a secure place in the social world. Key words: striving, social rank mentality, eating disorders’ symptoms, thinness

Cultivating the compassionate self against depression: An exploration of processes of change.

Introduction Compassion and self-compassion can be protective factors against mental health difficulties, in particular depression. The cultivation of the compassionate self, associated with a range of practices such as slow and deeper breathing, compassionate voice tones and facial expressions, and compassionate focusing, is central to compassion focused therapy (Gilbert, 2010). However, no study has examined the processes of change that mediate the impact of compassionate self-cultivation practices on depressive symptoms. Aims The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of a brief compassionate self training (CST) intervention on depressive symptoms, and explore the psychological processes that mediate the change at post intervention. Methods Using a longitudinal design, participants (general population and college students) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: Compassionate self training (n = 56) and wait-list control (n = 37). Participants in the CST condition were instructed to practice CST exercises for 15 minutes everyday or in moments of stress during two weeks. Self-report measures of depression, self-criticism, shame and compassion, were completed at pre and post in both conditions. Results Results showed that, at post-intervention, participants in the CST condition decreased depression, self-criticism and shame, and increased self-compassion and openness to receive compassion from others. Mediation analyses revealed that changes in depression from pre to post intervention were mediated by decreases in self-criticism and shame, and increases in self-compassion and openness to the compassion from others. Conclusions These findings support the efficacy of compassionate self training components on lessening depressive symptoms and promoting mental health.N/

Balanced scorecard: erros e dificuldades de implementação

Mestrado em GestãoO ambiente empresarial está em constante mutação. Mais que nunca os gestores necessitam de adquirir competências e entender profundamente a organização em que estão inseridos. Com o objectivo de maximizar a eficácia e eficiência das organizações foram criadas ferramentas como o Balanced Scorecard (BSC), que permite a operacionalização das estratégias através de indicadores financeiros e não-financeiros. Este modelo desenvolvido na década de 90, é uma das ferramentas de maior sucesso das últimas décadas. Causando actualmente impacto a nível da gestão estratégica, gestão da mudança e na avaliação do desempenho organizacional e podendo ser adaptado a qualquer tipo de organização. São inúmeros os casos de sucesso existentes, maioritariamente em grandes empresas. Apesar disso, devido principalmente à complexidade do modelo e a características das organizações, são cada vez mais comuns falhas de implementação. Através de análises a várias implementações em PME, decorridas durante o estágio na empresa de consultoria Klim Consulting, é possível chegar a um conjunto de erros e dificuldades identificadas na implementação de um BSC. Estes erros e dificuldades vão desde o envolvimento de toda a organização, a comunicação e divulgação, a resistência à mudança, o processo de análise e planeamento estratégico, o desconhecimento da metodologia de implementação, a monitorização e avaliação pós-implementação, a correlação existente entre objectivos e indicadores, a implementação dos planos de acção, o processo de definição dos indicadores, o desdobramento dos objectivos estratégicos a nível individual até ao facto de as organizações não incorporarem no BSC as aprendizagens realizadas com processos anteriores. Após identificados os problemas foi possível efectuar um cruzamento com a literatura existente obtendo como resultado um conjunto de soluções que as organizações podem adoptar de forma a precaverem ou melhorarem esses mesmos problemas.The business world is always changing. More than ever, the managers need to acquire skills and deeply understand the organization’s environment. Methods like the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) were created to maximize the level of efficiency of organizations allowing the definition of strategies trough financial and non-financial indicators. This method was developed in the 90’s and had a great impact on strategic management, changed management and performance assessment and it could be used in any organization. This method is still very popular. There are many success stories, especially in major companies. Due to the complexity of the method and characteristics of organizations, it is easy and common the implementation to fail. Trough the analysis of implementations in small and medium companies, that took place during the internship in the Klim Consulting, it is possible to elaborate on some common group of errors and difficulties. The most common errors and difficulties range from the commitment of the organization, the communication, changing resistance, analysis process and strategic planning, lack of knowledge of the method, monitoring and implementation assessment, correlation between goals and indicators, action plans implementations, defining indicators and the outspread of individual strategic goals to the non-incorporation of the learning curve of process in the BSC. After the problems’ identification it was possible to cross them with available literature, obtaining a group of solutions that the companies could adopt in order to prevent these common errors

Synthesis of iminosugars through diastereo/enantioselective diels-alder cycloaddition

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências (Especialidade em Química)Stereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition is a very important methodology in the synthesis of chiral organic compounds. In this thesis, the selectivity was achieved by means of a chiral auxiliary or by the use of chiral Lewis acid complex. Diastereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition was achieved by reacting a 1,3- butadiene bearing 2,3,4,6-tetraacetyl glucosyl as chiral auxiliary with PTAD. Total facial selectivity was obtained in this process. The cycloadduct obtained was converted in the known (-)-1-azafagomine, and in (+)-5-epi-1-azafagomine. Two new 1-N-phenyl carboxamide derivatives of 1-azafagomine were obtained by partial reductive cleavage of the phenyltriazolidinone moiety. The inhibitory potency of these new compounds towards α- and β-glucosidases was evaluated, and with the compound related to (-)-1- azafagomine showing the best inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. The biological mechanism of action of both enantiomers in yeast α-glucosidase was studied by molecular docking methodologies using the homologue Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme. The efficient packing of the aromatic ring of the N-phenyl carboxamide moiety into a hydrophobic subsite (pocket) in the enzyme’s active site seems to be responsible for the improved binding affinity. This process was very efficient in terms of facial discrimination; however a long sequence of reactions were needed to obtain the final products, due to the additional steps required to introduce and remove the chiral auxiliary. As an alternative, a shorter synthetic strategy was devised using a Diels-Alder cycloaddition catalysed by a bimetallic complex of Mg and Zn tethered to BINOL (LACASA-DA). Combination of a D-erythrose 1,3-butadiene with maleimides and achiral 2Hazirine 3-carboxylate in a LACASA-DA cycloadditions gave in most cases total facial selectivity. In the case of cycloadduct obtained from 2H-azirine, both enantiomers were obtained depending of the chirality of BINOL. The (R)-cycloadduct, obtained with (S)- BINOL, is a precursor of neuraminic acid and D-swainsonine analogues. Moreover, LACASA-DA methodology also gave excellent enantioselectivities (>99 %) with achiral reagents, such as 2,4-pentadienol (diene) and t-butyl 2H-azirine 3- carboxylate or DEAD (dienophiles). Both enantiomeric forms of cycloadducts were obtained only by changing BINOL stereochemistry. Cycloadducts obtained from 2H azirine were easily converted in two sets of polihydroxylated pipecolic acid derivatives, after 3 steps. All new compounds were fully characterized by the usual spectroscopic technics (1H NMR and 13C NMR and IR), analytical techniques (mass spectrometry) and physical properties (optical rotation). The absolute stereochemistry of stereocentres included in the molecules was determined by X-ray crystallography, in cases where single crystals could be obtained, or by combination of coupling constants (J) in the 1H NMR data with dihedral angles determined by molecular dynamics studies for the oils.A reação de Diels-Alder estereosseletiva é uma metodologia muito importante na síntese de compostos orgânicos quirais. Neste trabalho, a seletividade foi conseguida utilizando um auxiliar quiral ou um ácido de Lewis quiral. A reação de Diels-Alder diastereosseletiva entre um dieno contendo o 2,3,4,6- tetra-acetilglucopiranosilo como auxiliar quiral e o PTAD, originou o aducto correspondente com total seletividade facial. O cicloaducto obtido foi convertido em aza-açucares conhecidos: (-)-1-azafagomina e (+)-5-epi-1-azafagomina. A clivagem redutiva parcial da unidade de feniltriazolidinona originou dois novos derivados N-fenilcarboxamida da 1-azafagomina. Estes novos compostos foram avaliados quanto à sua atividade inibitória face às enzimas α- e β-glucosidases. O composto relacionado com a (-)-1-azafagomina exibiu a melhor atividade inibitória face à α-glucosidase. O mecanismo biológico de acção de ambos os enantiómeros na -glucosidase (baker’s yeast) foi estudado por metodologias de “docking” molecular utilizando a enzima homóloga Saccharomyces cerevisiae. O acondicionamento eficiente do anel aromático da unidade N-fenil carboxamida numa bolsa hidrofóbica presente no local activo da enzima parece ser responsável pelo aumento da inibição. Esta metodologia mostrou-se muito eficiente em termos de discriminação facial, no entanto, era necessário uma longa sequência reacional para se obter os produtos finais, devido aos passos adicionais necessários para introduzir e remover o auxiliar quiral. Assim, enveredou-se por um processo mais curto que usa a cicloadição de Diels-Alder catalisada por um complexo bimetálico de Mg e Zn ligado ao BINOL (LACASA-DA). A combinação de um dieno derivado da D-eritrose, com maleimidas e uma azirina não quiral, a 2H-azirina 3-carboxilato de t-butilo, usando a estratégia LACASADA gerou, na maioria dos casos, total seletividade facial. No caso do cicloaducto obtido a partir da azirina, foram obtidos ambos os enantiómeros dependendo da quiralidade do BINOL. O cicloaducto (R) obtido com o (S)-BINOL, é um precursor de análogos do ácido neuramínico e da D-swainsonina. Adicionalmente, a metodologia LACASA-DA também originou produtos com excelentes enantiosseletividades (>99 %) usando reagentes não quirais, tais como, o 2,4-pentadienol (dieno) e a 2H-azirina 3-carboxilato de t-butilo ou o azodicarboxilato de dietilo (DEAD) (dienófilos). Ambas as formas enantioméricas dos cicloaductos foram obtidas apenas alterando a estereoquímica do BINOL. Os cicloaductos obtidos a partir da 2H-azirina foram facilmente convertidos, em dois conjuntos de derivados polihidroxilados do ácido pipecólico, em apenas três passos reacionais. Todos os compostos foram caracterizados pelas técnicas espetroscópicas usuais (1H e 13C RMN, e IV), técnicas analíticas (espetrometria de massa) e propriedades físicas (rotação ótica). A estereoquímica absoluta dos estereocentros incluídos nos produtos foram determinados por cristalografia de raio-X, nos casos em que os cristais puderam ser obtidos, ou por correlação das constantes de acoplamento (J) dos espetros de RMN de protão com os ângulos diedros determinados por estudos de dinâmica molecular, para os óleos.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia pela bolsa de Doutoramento atribuída (SFRH/BD/61290/2009) e pelo apoio financeiro ao projeto de investigação (PTDC/QUI/67407/2006) no qual se inseriu este trabalho

Estratégias de maneio na prevenção da toxémia de gestação em cabras leiteiras

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia Zootécnica-Produção AnimalA toxémia de gestação é a doença metabólica mais comum em pequenos ruminantes. A sua incidência tem vindo a aumentar dado o contínuo incremento dos níveis de produtividade destes animais, factor predisponente para esta doença. O objectivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação de estratégias de maneio para a sua prevenção numa exploração intensiva de cabras leiteiras. Para isso procedeu-se à análise dos registos da exploração nos últimos 3 anos e acompanhou-se o efectivo no período peri-parto. A evolução da condição corporal demonstrou que o maneio alimentar é de uma forma geral correcto. No que respeita à doença, pode afirmar-se que ainda persiste, embora com incidência reduzida (3,84%) mas superior nas cabras secas (85,71%). Tal deve-se provavelmente ao seu maneio alimentar, pois as suas necessidades nutricionais não são aparentemente satisfeitas pela dieta utilizada, e a um menor exercício físico. De referir ainda que a maior parte dos casos ocorreu em primíparas, as quais têm necessidades nutricionais diferentes e são penalizadas na ingestão de alimento pela dominância dos animais adultos. O aperfeiçoamento das dietas destes animais, a disponibilidade de mais espaço para estimular o exercício físico e a separação das primíparas constituem sugestões de melhoria deste problema.Pregnancy toxemia is the most common metabolic disease in small ruminants. Its incidence has been increasing due to the continuing raise in productivity levels of these animals, predisposing factor for this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the management strategies for its prevention in an intensive dairy goats farm. Farm records over the past three years were analyzed and the herd was monitored in the peri-partum period. Body condition changes showed that dietary management is generally correct. Pregnancy toxaemia still persists, although with a reduced incidence (3.84%) and most in dry goats (85.71%). This can probably be justified by dietary management because their nutritional requirements are not apparently satisfied by diet and also by insufficient physical activity. Most of this cases occurred in primiparae, which have different nutritional requirements and are frequently penalized in food intake by dominant adult animals. Improving the diets of these animals, the availability of exercise area and the separation of primiparae are suggested to decrease the incidence of pregnancy toxaemia

Flow behaviour of vegetable beverages to replace milk

Recent developments in rheology, Proceedings of the Iberian Meeting on Rheology (IBEREO 2019)Recently, milk consumption has been declining and there is a high demand for cow milk substitutes other than soy beverages. However, market offers are mainly cereal and nut-based beverages, which are essentially poor in protein content (less than 1.5% against the 3.5% in milk) and are not true milk replacers in that sense. Therefore, legume-based beverage was becoming a fast-growing segment in newer food development. This work presents the rheological behavior of commercial non-dairy beverages, showing that they are shear-thinning fluids and it is part of a database containing all information available about commercialized nondairy alternative beverages that is being collected to be used as the target for the development of pulse-based beverages. Flow properties of pulse-based beverages are expected to be typical non-Newtonian fluids, as current non-dairy alternative beverages, where the apparent viscosity decreases over shear, i.e., they are shear-thinning fluids which is fundamental for the mouthfeel and consumer acceptance of new developing beverages. The viscosity curves obtained are presented as a guide flow pattern to be achieved by the use of rheology modifiers, if necessary, to find the right mouthfeelinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Optimization of braided reinforced composite rods

This work described the deveÌopment of braided reinforced composite rods for concrete reinforcement. The research study aims to analyse the influence of braided fabrics geometry on the core reinforced braided fabrics mechanical behaviour. Moreover, this study intends to identify the influence of different fiber types used as core reinforcement and of testing conditions on the mechanical properties of braided fabric composite rods.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (POCI/CTM/6086/2004

Conhecimentos sobre sexualidade

O conhecimento, enquanto fator capaz de exercer influência sobre as atitudes, é um pré-requisito fundamental nos programas de prevenção dos comportamentos sexuais de risco. Este estudo teve como objetivo desenvolver um instrumento para avaliar os conhecimentos dos adolescentes sobre a sexualidade. O Questionário de Conhecimentos sobre Sexualidade pretende avaliar os conhecimentos num continuum de dificuldade e distinguir os alunos com diferentes níveis de saberes. A amostra foi constituída por 1545 adolescentes com uma média de 16 anos (DP=1.80) que frequentam a escola. Os resultados evidenciam que as raparigas estão mais informadas do que os rapazes, e que os jovens portugueses com mais de 15 anos, sem religião, com mais de 5 anos de educação sexual na escola e que tiveram a mãe como educadora sexual são os que têm mais conhecimentos sobre a sexualidade. As atitudes dos adolescentes em relação ao preservativo mostraram estar associadas aos conhecimentos e os adolescentes que usaram preservativo no último encontro sexual revelaram níveis mais elevados de conhecimentos.Abstract: Knowledge, as a factor that exerts influence on attitudes, is a fundamental prerequisite in prevention programs of risky sexual behaviours. The aim of this study was to develop an instrument that would assess the knowledge that adolescents have about sexuality. The Knowledge about Sexuality Questionnaire assesses the knowledge in a difficulty continuum and also the distinction of students with different levels of knowledge. The sample was composed by 1545 adolescents with a mean age of 16 years (SD=1.80) that attend school. The results show that girls are more informed than boys, and that Portuguese adolescents older than 15, without religion, with more than 5 years of sexual education in school and having their mothers as sexual educators are the ones with more knowledge about sexuality. The attitudes of the adolescents towards the use of condom are associated with the knowledge they have about it and the adolescents that used condom in their last sexual relation reveal higher levels of knowledge.Résumé: En tant que potentiel facteur d’influence sur les attitudes, la connaissance est un préalable fondamental dans les programmes de préventions des comportements sexuels à risque. L’étude présentée ici a pour objectif de développer un instrument permettant d’évaluer les connaissances des adolescents sur la sexualité. Le Questionnaire des Connaissances sur la Sexualité permet ainsi d’évaluer les connaissances dans un continuum de difficultés et permet en outre de classer les élèves selon différents niveaux de savoir. L’échantillon utilisé est constitué de 1545 adolescents fréquentant des classes allant de la 5ème à la terminale (M=16,44 ans ; DP=1,80). Les résultats ont permis de mettre en évidence que les filles sont plus informées que les garçons, et que les jeunes de plus de 15 ans, sans religion, ayant fréquenté les cours d‘éducation sexuelle pendant plus de 5 ans et qui ont eu leur mère comme éducatrice sur les questions de sexualité sont les plus informés sur ce sujet. Les attitudes des adolescents au sujet du préservatif sont associées aux connaissances et ceux qui ont utilisé un préservatif lors de leur dernière relation sexuelle montre des niveaux plus élevés de connaissance.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - FCT (Referência SFRH/BD/75130/2010)

La communication en éducation sexuelle à l’école: Études préliminaires de validation du Questionnaire de Communication en Éducation Sexuelle – Version Professeurs

Os/as professores/as portugueses têm um papel central na implementação da educação sexual (ES) nas escolas. A abordagem deste tema implica que os/as docentes atuem como facilitadores, utilizando uma comunicação positiva e aberta, capaz de estimular reflexões e debates com os/as alunos/as sobre a sexualidade. Este estudo pretende validar o Questionário de Comunicação em Educação Sexual na Escola – Versão Professores (QCESE-VP) para a população portuguesa. Participaram no estudo 78 professores/as das regiões Centro, Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Os/as docentes responderam ao QCESE-VP, que é um instrumento de autorresposta composto por duas secções: a primeira constituída por 20 itens e a segunda por 12 itens. Os resultados da análise fatorial exploratória revelaram que o instrumento apresenta boas características psicométricas, com indicadores de alta consistência interna. A partir de testes estatísticos foi possível identificar diferenças na comunicação dos/as professores/as associadas ao sexo, anos de docência, formação em educação sexual, abordagem da educação sexual com os/as alunos/as. Os resultados sugerem que o QCESE-VP pode ser útil na identificação das necessidades de formação dos/as professores/as em competências e estratégias de comunicação em educação sexual e apoiar a avaliação dos programas nas escolas.Abstract: Portuguese teachers have a central role in the implementation of sex education in schools. The approach of this theme implies that teachers act as facilitators, using a positive and open communication, being able to stimulate reflection and discussion with students about sexuality. This study aims to validate the Questionnaire of Communication about Sexual Education in the School – Teacher Version (QCSES-TV) for the Portuguese population. Seventy-eight teachers of the Centre, Lisbon and Tagus Valley regions answered the QCSES-TV. The QCSES-TV is a self-report instrument composed by two sections: the first has 20 items and the second 12 items. The results from the exploratory factor analysis revealed that the instrument has good psychometric characteristics, with high internal consistency indicators. From the statistical tests is possible to identify differences in communication of teachers due to gender, years of teaching, training sex education, the sex education approach with students and some of the factors that affect the willingness and readiness of teachers to address sex education. The results suggest that the QCSES-TV can be useful in identifying the teachers’ training needs in communication strategies in sex education and assist the evaluation of programmes in schools.Résumé: Les professeurs portugais jouent un rôle central dans la mise en place de l’éducation sexuelle(es) en contexte scolaire. L’approche de cette thématique implique que les enseignants agissent comme des facilitateurs en recourant à une communication positive et ouverte permettant de stimuler les réflexions et les débats autour de l’ES avec les élèves. Notre étude prétend valider le Questionnaire de Communication en Education Sexuelle – Version Professeurs (QCESE-VP) destiné à la population portugaise. Soixante-dix-huit professeurs des régions du Centre, de Lisbonne et de Vale do Tejo ont participé à cette recherche. Les enseignants ont répondu au QCESE-VP, un instrument d’auto-évaluation composé de deux sections: la première étant constituée de 20 items et le deuxième de 12. Les résultats obtenus par le biais d’une analyse factorielle exploratoire ont permis de mettre en évidence la qualité des caractéristiques psychométriques de cet instrument et des indicateurs de haute consistance interne. Par le biais de testes statistiques nous avons pu identifier des différences concernant la communication des enseignant/es selon le genre les années d’ancienneté, la formation en éducation sexuelle, l’approche donnée à l’éducation sexuelle avec les élèves et certains facteurs affectant la volonté et la disponibilité des enseignant/es quand il s’agit d’aborder l’éducation sexuelle. Les résultats ont montré que le QCESE-VP est un instrument utile permettant d’identifier les besoins de formation des enseignant/es, notamment en ce qui concerne les stratégies de communication à adopter en éducation sexuelle, et qu’il s’agit d’un instrument important pour orienter l’évaluation des programmes dans les écoles.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - Referência nº SFRH/BD/75130/201