Posttraumatic Growth in Bereaved Parents: A Multidimensional Model of Associated Factors

Objective: Although the death of a child is a devastating event, recent evidence shows that personal growth is a relevant outcome of parents' grief. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with posttraumatic growth (PTG) and to propose a multidimensional model consisting of sociodemographic, situational, and intrapersonal and interpersonal factors. Methods: A sample (N = 197; 89.8% female; mean age = 39.44 years) of bereaved parents completed the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form, the 14-Item Resilience Scale, the Continuing Bonds Scale and the Dyadic Coping Inventory. Results: The final model consisted of sociodemographic, situational, intrapersonal and interpersonal factors of PTG, which accounted for 36.7% of the variance. Higher levels of PTG were generally associated with female sex, younger age of the child, higher levels of resilience, higher levels of internalized continuing bonds (i.e., internal representation of the child, maintaining psychological proximity), and higher levels of stress communication by the partner (communicating the stress experience and requesting emotional or practical support). Conclusions: In clinical practice, health professionals assisting bereaved parents should pay attention to men and parents of older children, who might be at higher risk of difficulties in developing PTG. Additionally, promoting a more internalized bond with the child, resilience and dyadic coping, especially stress communication, can constitute important therapeutic goals

Prática de ensino supervisionada e trabalho de investigação : consciência fonológica em crianças da educação pré-escolar

Resumo O presente Relatório Final de Estágio foi realizado no âmbito da disciplina de Prática de Ensino Supervisionada I e Prática de Ensino Supervisionada II do Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar. Esta experiência permitiu verificar que algumas crianças apresentavam dificuldades no desenvolvimento da linguagem, particularmente na fonologia. Partiu-se para a formulação de um problema que pretende colmatar lacunas ao nível do desenvolvimento da linguagem oral: “Que estratégias se poderão implementar para desenvolver a consciência fonológica?”. O objetivo principal deste estudo é perceber como se pode desenvolver a consciência fonológica em crianças de idade pré-escolar, de modo a facilitar a entrada no 1.º CEB, nomeadamente no que respeita à iniciação à leitura e à escrita. A metodologia adotada foi a investigação qualitativa com a metodologia de observação participante; os dados foram recolhidos no jardim de infância onde o investigador assumiu o papel principal de recolha dos dados. Os instrumentos utilizados durante a recolha de dados foram a observação participante e tarefas de consciência fonológica propostas às crianças. Os dados obtidos durante esta investigação permitiram concluir que é importante treinar e estimular a consciência fonológica na educação pré-escolar e que são várias as estratégias que o educador de infância pode utilizar.Abstract The present report was accomplished within the subject of Supervised Teaching Practice I and Supervised Teaching Practice II of the Master’s course in Pre-school Education. This experience allowed us to realise that some children had difficulties in oral language development, particularly concerning phonological awareness. To start this research study we had to formulate a problem, trying to identify the existing gaps in children’s development of oral language. So, the research question was: "What strategies can be implemented to develop phonological awareness?". Therefore, the main objective of this study is to understand how phonological awareness can be developed in children of pre-school age, in order to facilitate their transition to primary school, avoiding major difficulties in reading and writing later on. A qualitative research methodology with participant observation was adopted. Data were collected by the researcher in the nursery school. The instruments used for data collection were both participant observation and the tasks centred on phonological awareness proposed to the children. All the data obtained throughout this research study allowed us to conclude that it is important to train and stimulate phonological awareness in pre-school education and that there are several strategies that a pre-school teacher can use for that purpose

Environmental risk evaluation of potential toxic elements in stream sediments – Monfortinho area (Central Portugal)

Os elementos potencialmente tóxicos (EPT) em sedimentos de corrente constituem uma importante ferramenta na avaliação do risco ambiental na influência de depósitos minerais. A região de Monfortinho está localizada na bacia hidrográfica do rio Erges, que faz fronteira com Espanha. Desde a época romana, que se conhecem evidências da exploração de ouro sedimentar nesta região do país, a qual tem vindo a desaparecer ao longo do tempo. Na avaliação da distribuição espacial de EPT selecionados – As, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V e Zn - foram analisadas 217 amostras de sedimentos de corrente. Os sedimentos de corrente mostram uma elevada variabilidade na concentração dos EPT, podendo concluir-se que os valores mais elevados se relacionam com as mineralizações de Au na região de Monfortinho, bem como, com as de Sn-W que ocorrem nas proximidades. A maioria dos EPT apresenta um fator de contaminação moderado, embora para o Ba, Cr e B este seja elevado a muito elevado; o que se reflete num grau de contaminação moderado a elevado para a área de estudo. Na influência dos vários EPT, a maioria da área mostra um índice de resposta à toxicidade baixo, embora em 5% das amostras este seja moderado.Potentially toxic elements (PTE) of stream sediments are an important tool in environmental risk assessment associated with mineralized deposits. εonfortinho is in the watershed of the Erges river, a transboundary river with Spain. Since Roman period, there is evidence of sedimentary gold exploitation in this region, which has ceased over time. To define a spatial distribution of selected PTE - As, B, Ba, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, V and Zn - β17 samples of stream sediments were analysed. Stream sediments show a high PTE contents variability, suggesting that the highest values are related to the Au mineralization in εonfortinho, as well as the Sn-→ mineralization’s around the study area. Almost stream sediments show a moderate PTE contamination factor, although for Ba, Cr and B has a very high contamination; which is reflected in a moderate to high degree of contamination in the area. All the PTE contribution indicate a low toxic response index for the area, although for 5% of stream sediments indicate a moderate associated toxicity.Os autores agradecem ao δNEG (atual representante dos Serviços Geológicos de Portugal) pela cedência dos dados. Este trabalho foi desenvolvido no âmbito do ICT – Universidade do εinho (Braga).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of static magnetic field in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Magnetic fields have been studied by many researchers as an agent that provides changes in the metabolism of microorganisms. The effects in biological systems are produced by a relative movement between mobile ions or intracellular free electrons and the magnetic field, which can generate electric fields within a cell. Despite of the interaction mechanism to be yet unclear, is known also that the direct action of magnetism cause changes in the conformational shape of cell proteins, altering its functions. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether static magnetic field (SMF) could be applied to increasing ethanol yield by S. cerevisiae and verifying the biological effects on growth stimulation or inhibition. The influence of aerobic and anaerobic conditions and the ability of the cells to induce their defensive enzymes were also explored. Batch fermentations of S. cerevisiae were conducted for 26 h, in YPD medium, in hyperbaric bioreactor (Parr 4563, Parr Instruments, USA) with 5 NdFeB magnets, with an average flux of 120 mT (measured by a PHYWI Teslameter, USA). The magnets were enclosed into a transparent flat polyethylene case with 4.0 x 3.5 cm and 1.3 cm width. All magnets were disposed with the same polarity, so when closed the case every one showed similar north or south poles at each face of the case. As they repelled each one, the magnets maintained the maximal distance between them, in an “X” disposition, with a magnet in the center. Controls were performed in the same manner without magnets. To investigate the effects of gas, aerobic and anaerobic conditions trials were performed under air (1 bar and 5 bar) and nitrogen (1 bar). An increase of the cell dry weight and specific growth rate, under aerobic conditions (5 bar of total air pressure), of approximately 2-fold was obtained compared with the experiments exposed to nitrogen, for both magnetized and non-magnetized cultures. The cellular growth was not stimulated by the application of SMF. In fact, an improvement of 2-fold in specific growth rate was obtained in the control group, for aerobic and anaerobic conditions. An increase of approximately 3-fold in biomass yield was obtained in aerobic cultures compared with anaerobic. The biomass yield of exposed group to SMF was similar to non-exposed one under 5 bar of air pressure and in nitrogen cultures. On the other hand, a stimulation of ethanol production was obtained in magnetized cultures relatively to those of the controls, for both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Generally, antioxidant enzymes were induced by total air. An increase of the SOD specific activity in magnetized cultures was obtained compared with the control experiments. Also, the SMF exposed cultures reached the highest values of the catalase specific activity. However, SMF exposure led to a decrease in the glutathione reductase activity. The marker malondialdehyde (MDA) is certainly the most widely used to assess the lipid peroxidation processes. The use of anaerobic conditions resulted in a reduction of MDA levels, for both exposed and nonexposed groups. Generally, the MDA concentration was similar for both magnetized and nonmagnetized cultures. This work shows that magnetic fields can be applied as a controlling factor of S. cerevisiae fermentations for ethanol or enzymes production

Personality and return to work of the patient after ischemic heart disease

INTRODUÇÃO O regresso ao trabalhar tem sido considerado um problema de saúde pública e uma das principais metas da reabilitação cardiovascular porque tem benefícios económicos para a sociedade, em termos do aumento de produtividade e redução de custos, e também melhora o bem-estar individual e a segurança económica dos pacientes e suas famílias. Diversas variáveis médicas, psicológicas e sociodemográficas têm sido relacionadas com o regresso ao trabalho após cardiopatia isquémica, sendo atribuído um peso maior às variáveis sociopsicológicas. OBJETIVO Determinar a prevalência do regresso ao trabalho e relacionar a influência da personalidade no regresso ao trabalho da pessoa após cardiopatia isquémica. MÉTODOS Estudo de carácter analítico, correlacional e transversal, realizado com 164 doentes com idade inferior ou igual a 65 anos, com diagnóstico clínico de cardiopatia isquémica, decorridos três a seis meses após a alta hospitalar. A recolha de dados foi efetuada através de um questionário (caracterização sociodemográfica, escala de Graffar e o Inventário de Personalidade (Vaz-Serra, Ponciano e Freitas, 1980) autoaplicado na consulta de followup de cardiologia. Foi utilizado o teste de análise discriminante processado através do programa SPSS versão 20.0 para Windows. RESULTADOS Os doentes apresentaram uma média de idade de 54.2 anos ± 7.4 anos, 81.7% eram do sexo masculino, 96.3% eram “casados”, 41.5% pertenciam à Classe III da escala de Graffar. A prevalência do regresso ao trabalho foi de 58.5%. A análise discriminante pelo método stepwise permitiu a obtenção de um modelo final que permite a diferenciação dos dois grupos. O neuroticismo revelou-se como pedidor do regresso ao trabalho da pessoa após cardiopatia isquémica. CONCLUSÕES Os resultados são consistentes com alguns estudos nacionais e internacionais, confirmando a relação entre personalidade e o regresso ao trabalho. O regresso ao trabalho após um evento cardíaco é um processo multidimensional que parece ser fortemente influenciado por fatores psicossociais, entre os quais a personalidade. Assim, ao identificar os traços da personalidade do indivíduo, nomeadamente o pensamento, os sentimentos, o comportamento, a forma de agir nas atividades do dia-a-dia, seria possível prever comportamentos associados ao processo de saúde e doença.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hydrogeochemical assessment of termal water in fractured rocks – a Portuguese case study

The thermal Fadagosa-Nisa water is located at north Alentejo (Portugal) and it is important in the economy of this region. The studied area is in a predominantly fractured granite and the water circulation is characteristic of fissured media, with a productivity of 2 L/s from a single well. Water hydrogeochemistry results revealed a mineralized water, with an electrical conductivity of 454 µS/cm and a total mineralization of 310 mg/L, neutral (pH=7.9-8.0) and a temperature of 19ºC. The thermal water has a dominant hydrogeochemical sodium-bicarbonate facies, with a fluoride (F-=9.6 mg/L) and hydrogen sulphide content (HS=15.2 mg/L), and moderate amounts of silica (SiO2=34.0 mg/L). The low nitrate (NO3-=0.1 mg/L) and sulphate (SO42-=1.6-5.2 mg/L) contents support the low vulnerability associated to the groundwater catchment. No significant seasonal changes have been found in the Fadagosa-Nisa thermal groundwater composition, suggesting a hydrogeochemical stability to the area. The regular hydrogeochemical results is in accordance to the low vulnerability obtained by the application of DRASTIC index in the Fadagosa-Nisa area.Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), under contracts UID/GEO/04683/2013 with FCT (the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Beclin 1 mitigates motor and neuropathological deficits in genetic mouse models of Machado-Joseph disease

Machado-Joseph disease or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, the most common dominantly-inherited spinocerebellar ataxia, results from translation of the polyglutamine-expanded and aggregation prone ataxin 3 protein. Clinical manifestations include cerebellar ataxia and pyramidal signs and there is no therapy to delay disease progression. Beclin 1, an autophagy-related protein and essential gene for cell survival, is decreased in several neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed at evaluating if lentiviral-mediated beclin 1 overexpression would rescue motor and neuropathological impairments when administered to pre- and post-symptomatic lentiviral-based and transgenic mouse models of Machado-Joseph disease. Beclin 1-mediated significant improvements in motor coordination, balance and gait with beclin 1-treated mice equilibrating longer periods in the Rotarod and presenting longer and narrower footprints. Furthermore, in agreement with the improvements observed in motor function beclin 1 overexpression prevented neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration, decreasing formation of polyglutamine-expanded aggregates, preserving Purkinje cell arborization and immunoreactivity for neuronal markers. These data show that overexpression of beclin 1 in the mouse cerebellum is able to rescue and hinder the progression of motor deficits when administered to pre- and post-symptomatic stages of the diseas

Recovery of bioactive compounds from Arbutus unedo L. fruits: Comparative optimization study of maceration/microwave/ultrasound extraction techniques

The aim of this work was to produce an extract rich in different bioactive compounds from Arbutus unedo L. fruits to enhance its possible valorization and commercialization. The conditions of the main variables of maceration, microwave, and ultrasound assisted extractions (MA, MAE and UAE, respectively) were optimized and compared in terms of its composition (based on the total material extracted, total content in carbohydrates, phenolic and flavonoid compounds) and its preservative potential (based on the response of four in vitro antioxidant assays). The key variables of each extraction technique (time, temperature or power and hydroalcoholic mixture) were evaluated by specific experimental designs using response surface methodology. Mathematical models were developed and numerical optimal values for each extraction technique and response were achieved. Regarding the extraction of target compositional compounds, MAE was the most efficient, closely followed by MA. In terms of its preservative potential, MAE was the most suitable solution, but MA gave similar results at lower temperatures (~90 °C). Globally, MA and MAE were the best options conducting to optimal solutions using reduced amounts of ethanol. UAE required higher ethanol contents (~60%). The results showed alternatives to obtain extracts of A. unedo fruits, supporting their potential to be exploited at industrial level.The authors thank the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2013) and L. Barros contract. The authors are also grateful to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E; and to the European Structural and Investment Funds (FEEI) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE. To POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006984 (LA LSRE-LCM), funded by FEDER, through POCI-COMPETE2020 and FCT. To Xunta de Galicia for financial support for the post-doctoral researcher of M.A. Prieto. B. Albuquerque thanks Celeide Pereira (UTFPR, Brazil) for her master co-supervision. Finally, the authors want to express their gratitude to Araceli Menduiña Santomé (Instituto de Investigacións Mariñas, IIM-CSIC) for her professional work and dedication on the production of the laboratory results.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The scientific and technological trajectories of four Latin American countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Brazil

This paper introduces the differences and similarities of interactions between science and technology (S&T) among four Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. Through the analysis of articles and patents data as well as the elaboration of global matrices and national three-dimensional matrices, it was possible to observe the recent trajectory of the scientific and technological production of countries. The results indicate that the Latin American countries have a similar pattern regarding their scientific and technological structure and they are part of a regime characterized by immature National Systems of Innovation (NSI).Latin American countries, science and technology interaction, national systems of innovation