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

Training health professionals in patient-centered communication during magnetic resonance imaging to reduce patients’ perceived anxiety

Objective: We examined how a patient-centered communication training program for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) affected health professional (HP) practice and patients’ perceived anxiety (PA). Methods: We implemented an intervention program. Six of the 17 eligible HPs completed the study. The proportion of observed desired behaviors (PODBs), including MRI procedure explanation (MRI-PE), communication, and MRI checking procedures was measured using an observation grid. We tested 182 patients (85 pre-, 58 post-, and 39 at follow-up) for PA pre- and post-MRI. Results: The Bayesian ANOVA effect size suggested moderate evidence of improvement in HP PODBs, preto post-intervention. Use of MRI-PE declined between post-intervention and follow-up (6 months later). Observed changes in PA, pre- to post-MRI, could be related to time constraints and perceived pressure to explain the exam in detail once institutional routines are reestablished. Conclusion: In MRI units, time constraints condition the performance of HPs who address patients’ PA. Practice implications: “Real workplace” interventions that promote better patient-centered communication and provide each patient with a comprehensive explanation of MRI procedures also appear to improve HP PODBs

Questionário de Integração Social no Ensino Superior (QISES)

O Questionário de Integração Social no Ensino Superior (QISES), destinado a estudantes do Ensino Superior (ES), é composto por 20 itens igualmente distribuídos por cinco fatores. Um versa o Equilíbrio Emocional (EE) dos estudantes e dois versam relacionamentos internos à instituição de ES: Relacionamento com Colegas (RC) e Relacionamento com Professores (RP). Os restantes fatores respeitam a relacionamentos externos à instituição: Relacionamento com Família (RF) e Relacionamento com Amigos (RA)

Bistability, softening, and quenching of magnetic moments in Ni-filled carbon nanotubes

The authors apply first-principles calculations to investigate the interplay between structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of nanostructures composed of narrow nanotubes filled with metallic nanowires. The focus is on the structural and magnetic responses of Ni-filled nanotubes upon radial compression. Interestingly, metastable flattened structures are identified, in which radially deformed nanotubes are stabilized by the interactions with the encapsulated wire. Moreover, our results indicate a quenching of the magnetic moment of the wire upon compression, as a result of the transfer of charge from the $s$ to the $d$ orbitals of the atoms in the wire.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure