Perceived motor ability and selection, optimization, and compensation: Effects of age and institutionalization

The authors examined the mediation effect of the perceived motor ability (PMA) on the direct “effects” of age (third vs. fourth age) and residential status (institutionalized vs. communitarians) on selection, optimization, and compensation (SOC) strategies. With a non-probabilistic sample of 107 elders (Mdn = 80 years) from urban areas, and controlled for cognitive impairment and depression, the authors analysed the structural component of the path model with latent constructs that represents those relationships. This was made only after the structural validity of the constructs had been assured. Constructs were operationalized through the PMA questionnaire and a 16-item version of the SOC questionnaire. Only age had direct effects on the constructs: lower PMA and lower SOC of the elders in the fourth age. Authors also verified that the PMA mediation effect was partial

Wideband Tympanometry

The wideband tympanometry (WBT) assesses the middle ear function with a transient wideband stimulus in order to capture the middle ear behavior at a wide range of frequencies. Data in the literature suggest that the WBT has more sensibility to detect middle ear disorders than the traditional tympanometry. In this context, pathologies, which might be more easily identified/monitored by WBT, include otosclerosis, flaccid eardrums, ossicular chain discontinuity with semicircular canal dehiscence, and negative middle ear pressure with middle ear effusion. The chapter presents information on classical tympanometry, the multifrequency tympanometry equivalent coded as WBT, clarification of terms used in WBT measurements, and a short overview of clinical applications in infants and adults

Faculty work on Federal Institutes in the context of higher education expansion

Este artigo apresenta e discute alguns dos resultados de uma pesquisa concluída em 2015, que analisou o processo de reordenamento da Rede Federal de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica no contexto da expansão da educação superior, bem como sua repercussão sobre o trabalho dos docentes dos cursos superiores dos Institutos Federais. Por meio desta pesquisa, buscou-se identificar o que interferia no exercício da docência nos cursos superiores, a fim de compreender quais condições, facilidades, problemas ou dificuldades são encontrados pelos docentes em sua atuação. A investigação teve caráter qualitativo e utilizou, como instrumentos de coleta de dados, a pesquisa documental, a observação e entrevistas. O estudo evidenciou que a oferta de educação superior em meio às reformas da educação profissional e tecnológica vem se consolidando na Rede Federal de Educação Profissional e Tecnológica desde 2008, por meio dos Institutos Federais, que atuam como agentes de expansão da educação superior. A experiência estudada foi o processo de reordenamento, também chamado de ifetização, do Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais (IFNMG), com foco nas condições de trabalho dos docentes que atuam nas graduações. A forma como a expansão da instituição e de seus cursos ocorre submete os docentes a condições de trabalho precárias, já que não lhes são possibilitadas todas as condições materiais necessárias. Não obstante, espera-se dos docentes um perfil multifuncional, com vistas a desenvolver múltiplas atividades e cobrir as lacunas institucionais. O estudo revelou peculiaridades nas condições de trabalho docente nos cursos superiores da instituição e também demonstrou a existência de generalidades que se apresentam para o conjunto desses trabalhadores na atualidade.The present paper presents and discusses some of the results of a research conducted in 2015, which analyzed the process of rearrangement of the Federal Professional and Technical Education Network in the context of the expansion of higher education, as well as its impact on the work of Federal Institute faculty members. It sought to identify what interfered with higher-education teaching, in order to understand the conditions, advantages, problems and hindrances found by teachers in their professional exercise. Research was qualitative in nature, and used documentary research, observation and interviews as data collection tools. The study evidenced that higher-education offer in the midst of professional and technical education reform had been consolidating in the Federal Professional and Technical Education Network since 2008, by means of Federal Institutes, which have acted as higher-education expansion agents. The experience under study was the rearrangement process, also called ifetization, of the Instituto Federal do Norte de Minas Gerais [Federal Institute of Northern Minas Gerais] (IFNMG), with an emphasis on the work of faculty members in undergraduate programs. As it happened, expansion placed teachers under insufficient work conditions, as it failed to provide them the necessary means. However, faculty members were expected to have a multifunctional profile, with a view to develop multiple tasks and fill institutional gaps. Research revealed the peculiarities in teaching work conditions in the institution’s higher education programs, and also demonstrated the existence of more general conditions currently in place for these workers

Desafios no recrutamento e seleção para os SI/TI : um estudo sobre as skills requeridas

Mestrado Bolonha em Ciências EmpresariaisA celeridade das inovações tecnológicas tem fomentado grande parte da dinâmica global, reforçando a importância da área dos Sistemas e Tecnologias de Informação (SI/TI) no mercado de trabalho. Para responder aos desafios emergentes, os profissionais do setor vêem-se obrigados à constante atualização das suas aptidões e conhecimento. Neste contexto, a relevância das soft skills no perfil de skills de profissionais da área de SI/TI tem sido foco de interesse da literatura, nas últimas décadas. Estas skills surgem como essenciais, por potenciarem as capacidades técnicas e estimularem a eficiência dos processos. Contudo, desconhece-se o seu peso nos processos de recrutamento e seleção de candidatos ao setor, nomeadamente em Portugal. Desta forma, a presente dissertação procurou entender qual o perfil de skills procurado, e em que medida são valorizadas as soft skills no mercado nacional de SI/TI. Adicionalmente, procurou-se entender quais os principais desafios sentidos nos processos de recrutamento e seleção destes profissionais em Portugal. Para dar resposta aos objetivos da investigação, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas a recrutadores tecnológicos de empresas nacionais. A análise das entrevistas evidenciou a valorização das soft skills nos candidatos ao setor de SI/TI, contudo, demonstrou não serem um critério de seleção principal. Foi ainda possível reconhecer as principais dificuldades sentidas no recrutamento e retenção dos trabalhadores, agravadas com a atual situação de pandemia. Estas conclusões permitem trazer o debate e reflexão para junto dos intervenientes na formação e recrutamento de profissionais no setor, bem como dotar as organizações de uma maior consciência do perfil de skills mais valorizado hoje e nos próximos anos.The speed of technological innovation has driven much of the global dynamic, reinforcing the importance of the Information Systems and Technology (IS/IT) field in the labor market. To meet the emerging challenges, professionals in this sector are forced to constantly update their skills and knowledge. In this context, the relevance of soft skills in the skill profile of IS/IT professionals has been a main focus in the literature in recent decades. These skills emerge as essential because they enhance technical skills and stimulate process efficiency. However, it’s role in the recruitment and selection processes of candidates for the sector, namely in Portugal, remains unknown. Thus, this dissertation sought to understand which are the skills in great need, and to what extent soft skills are valued in the national IS/IT market. Additionally, we tried to understand the main challenges experienced in the recruitment and selection processes of these professionals in Portugal. To meet the research objectives, semi-structured interviews were conducted with technology recruiters from national companies. The analysis of the interviews showed the recognition of soft skills’ value in candidates for the IS/IT sector, however, it proved not to be the main selection criterion. It was also possible to identify the main difficulties experienced in recruiting and retaining workers in the field, worsen by the current pandemic outbreak. These conclusions allow the debate and reflection to those involved in the training and recruitment processes of professionals in this sector, as well as provide organizations with a greater awareness on the most valued skills’ profile, currently and in the years to come.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Application of a Dot Blot Hybridization Platform to Assess Streptococcus uberis Population Structure in Dairy Herds

Streptococcus uberis is considered one of the most important pathogens associated with bovine mastitis. While traditionally acknowledged as an environmental pathogen, S. uberis has been shown to adopt a contagious epidemiological pattern in several dairy herds. Since different control strategies are employed depending on the mode of transmission, in-depth studies of S. uberis populations are essential to determine the best practices to control this pathogen. In this work, we optimized and validated a dot blot platform, combined with automatic image analysis, to rapidly assess the population structure of infective S. uberis, and evaluated its efficiency when compared to multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) genotyping. Two dairy herds with prevalent S. uberis infections were followed in a 6 month period, in order to collect and characterize isolates from cows with persistent infections. These herds, located in Portugal (Barcelos and Maia regions), had similar management practices, with the herd from Barcelos being smaller and having a better milking parlor management, since infected cow segregation was immediate. A total of 54 S. uberis isolates were obtained from 24 different cows from the two herds. To overcome operator-dependent analysis of the dot blots and increase the technique's consistency and reliability, the hybridization signals were converted into probability values, with average probabilities higher than 0.5 being considered positive results. These data allowed to confirm the isolates' identity as S. uberis using taxa-specific markers and to determine the presence of virulence- and antibiotic resistance-related genes. In addition, MLSA allowed to disclose the most prevalent S. uberis clonal lineages in both herds. Seven different clusters were identified, with Barcelos showing a high clonal diversity and Maia a dominant lineage infecting most cows, suggesting distinct epidemiological patterns, with S. uberis displaying an environmental or contagious transmission pattern depending on the herd. Overall, this work showed the utility of dot blot and MLSA to characterize population structure and epidemiological patterns of mastitis-causing S. uberis. This approach allowed to disclose prevalent virulence patterns and clonal lineages of S. uberis in two distinct herds, and gain insights on the impact of herd management practices on pathogen population structure.PA was supported by the project “Genomics Applied to Genetic Resources” co-financed by North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013 (ON.2—O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The authors would like to thank SEGALAB (Laboratório de Sanidade Animal e Segurança Alimentar, S.A.), for providing the bacterial isolates used in this study

Newborn Hearing Screening And Early Diagnostic In The Nicu.

The aim was to describe the outcome of neonatal hearing screening (NHS) and audiological diagnosis in neonates in the NICU. The sample was divided into Group I: neonates who underwent NHS in one step and Group II: neonates who underwent a test and retest NHS. NHS procedure was automated auditory brainstem response. NHS was performed in 82.1% of surviving neonates. For GI, referral rate was 18.6% and false-positive was 62.2% (normal hearing in the diagnostic stage). In GII, with retest, referral rate dropped to 4.1% and false-positive to 12.5%. Sensorineural hearing loss was found in 13.2% of infants and conductive in 26.4% of cases. There was one case of auditory neuropathy spectrum (1.9%). Dropout rate in whole process was 21.7% for GI and 24.03% for GII. We concluded that it was not possible to perform universal NHS in the studied sample or, in many cases, to apply it within the first month of life. Retest reduced failure and false-positive rate and did not increase evasion, indicating that it is a recommendable step in NHS programs in the NICU. The incidence of hearing loss was 2.9%, considering sensorineural hearing loss (0.91%), conductive (1.83%) and auditory neuropathy spectrum (0.19%).201484530

Audiological And Behavior Findings In Children Underwent A Bilateral Myringoplasty - A Comparative Study

Analisar os resultados pré-cirúrgico da avaliação audiológica de crianças submetidas à intervenção cirúrgica para inserção de tubos de ventilação bilateral; analisar o tempo de permanência do tubo de ventilação e avaliar o processamento auditivo, após a intervenção cirúrgica. Métodos: 79 escolares, entre oito e 12 anos, foram divididos em dois grupos: 1 - 40 escolares sem antecedentes de otite média e 2 - 39 estudantes com histórico de otite média submetidos à cirurgia para inserção de tubos de ventilação bilateral. Todas as crianças foram submetidas à avaliação audiológica e avaliação do processamento auditivo. Resultados: na avaliação auditiva pré-cirúrgica todos os pacientes apresentaram resultados do tipo condutivo. O tempo médio de permanência do tubo de ventilação foi de 11,8 meses. A orelha esquerda apresentou desempenho estatisticamente inferior nos testes dicótico de dígitos e padrão de frequência. Os escolares do grupo 2 apresentaram desempenho estatisticamente inferior quando comparados ao grupo 1 nos testes Dicótico de Dígitos e Detecção de Intervalos no Ruído. Conclusão: as crianças com histórico de otite média nos primeiros anos de vida apresentaram respostas do tipo condutivo na avaliação pré-cirúrgica e respostas inferiores nos testes dicóticos de dígitos e Detecção de Intervalos no Ruido.18488188

Otoacoustic emissions and acoustic immitance measurements using 226 Hz and 1000 Hz probe tones in neonates

PURPOSE: to assess the results found in Immittance measurements using 226 Hz and 1000 Hz in neonates without Hearing Loss Risks Indicators (HLRI) and to correlate them to Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TOAEs) and also to study Acoustic Reflex using 226 Hz probe tones. METHODS: assessments of 52 full - term neonates, being 26 males and 26 females on an age group from 11 to 51 days of life. Anamnesis, Meatoscopy, EOAT, Tympanometry using 226 and 1000 probe tones and Ipsilateral Acoustic Reflex Research were performed. For statistical analysis of the data the following tests were applied: Wilcoxon Test and McNemar, Mann-Whitney Test, Test Qui-Square and Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA. RESULTS: data were analyzed regardless gender and ears. In relation to TOAEs, (78.8%) were found. The found tympanometric curves using 226 Hz probe tone were: A (55.8%), D (40.4%) and Ar (1%), B (2.9%); and the found ones using 1000 Hz probe tone were: A (74%), D (1%), B (14,4%) and Blocked (10.6%). According to p - value, there was a relation between Tympanometric and general reproductivity. On the sample, 81.7% of the ears indicated presence of Acoustic Reflex. CONCLUSION: tympanometric curve using 1000 Hz probe tone showed to be more adequate for detecting changes in the middle ear than 226 Hz probe tone, changes in the middle ear had influence on amplitude by frequency band and general reproductivity of TOAEs. Acoustic Reflex using 226 Hz probe tone was present in most of the neonates without HLRI.OBJETIVO: analisar os resultados encontrados na imitanciometria com tons de sonda de 226 e 1.000Hz em lactentes sem indicadores de risco para perda auditiva (IRPA) e correlacioná-los com as Emissões Otoacústicas Transitórias (EOAT). Além de estudar o reflexo acústico ipsilateral com tom de sonda de 226 Hz. MÉTODOS: foram avaliados 52 lactentes a termo, 26 do sexo masculino e 26 do feminino, com faixa etária de 11 a 51 dias de vida. Foram realizadas anamnese, meatoscopia, EOAT, timpanometria com tons de sonda de 226 e 1000 Hz e pesquisa do reflexo acústico ipsilateral. Na análise estatística dos dados aplicou-se: teste de Wilcoxon pareado e McNemar, testes de Mann-Whitney, qui-quadrado (ou exato de Fisher) e teste ANOVA por Kruskal-Wallis. RESULTADOS: os dados foram analisados independentes de sexo e orelha. Em relação à EOAT, 78,8% estavam presentes. As curvas timpanométricas encontradas com tom de sonda de 226 Hz foram: A (55,8%), D (40,4%), Ar (1,0%), B (2,9%); já com tom de sonda de 1000 Hz encontrou-se: A (74%), D(1%), B (14,4%) e Bloqueada (10,6%). O reflexo acústico ipsilateral mostrou-se presente em 81,7% das orelhas. CONCLUSÃO: houve relação estatisticamente significante entre as curvas timpanométricas (para os tons de sonda de 226 e 1000 Hz) e a relação sinal / ruído e a reprodutibilidade geral das EOAT. O reflexo acústico ipsilateral com tom de sonda de 226 Hz esteve presente na maioria dos lactentes sem IRPA.47948