Violence in Portuguese schools

The present article presents the situation of violence in schools in Portugal. It aims to provide a revision of the literature with regards to both official statistics and research studies conducted in the areas of violence, such as delinquency, aggression, bullying, and indiscipline in the educational system. It reports the major conclusions from Portuguese experts in the field of school violence and implications for community-based prevention programs to be developed in this regard. Finally, the paper points toward future directions for further studies in order to deepen our knowledge and ability to prevent violence in schools

Autonomy-connectedness in collectivistic cultures: an exploratory cross-cultural study among Portuguese natives, Cape-Verdean and Chinese people residing in Portugal

The present investigation focuses on a recent personality trait construct, Autonomy-connectedness. This concept has been proposed as a three-dimensional variable (self-awareness, sensitivity to others, and capacity to manage new situations), which intends to reflect a more gender- and culture- sensitive notion of autonomy rather than a value based on individualism and hegemonic masculinity. Two studies were conducted. Study I (N = 185) aimed to adapt the Autonomy-Connectedness Scale (ACS-30) to Portuguese and evaluate its three dimensions among a Portuguese sample. The subscales showed satisfactory reliability and overall results converge with previous studies on Autonomy-connectedness. Study II aimed to analyze and compare three different cultural groups, namely Portuguese natives and, Chinese and Cape Verdean immigrants residing in Portugal. A total of 90 participants (30 participants per nationality/cultural group) collaborated in the study. The findings suggest cultural differences in autonomy-connectedness, as well as a possible association between acculturation processes and autonomy-connectedness. This study extends to the support of autonomy-connectedness as a conceptually meaningful construct, with contributions to both gender and cross-cultural studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Analytical modeling of panel flutter and active control in supersonic variable stiffness composite laminates

This work focuses on panel flutter and active control in supersonic variable stiffness composite laminates, making progress on the analytical modeling and combined exploration of curvilinear fiber composites tailoring and piezoelectric sensors/actuators, as promising structural design technologies, for aeroelastic control. The Classical Laminated Plate Theory and the First-Order Piston Theory are used as structural and aerodynamic models, respectively. Flutter analyses are carried out for simply supported plates, either purely elastic laminates or piezoelectric composite laminates. The tailor-ability of curvilinear fiber composites and the effect of proportional control are discussed. Ultimately, the presented results provide a comprehensive benchmark for future assessments

A Critical Analysis of the Available In Vitro

Angiogenesis is a biological process with a central role in retinal diseases. The choice of the ideal method to study angiogenesis, particularly in the retina, remains a problem. Angiogenesis can be assessed through in vitro and in vivo studies. In spite of inherent limitations, in vitro studies are faster, easier to perform and quantify, and typically less expensive and allow the study of isolated angiogenesis steps. We performed a systematic review of PubMed searching for original articles that applied in vitro or ex vivo angiogenic retinal assays until May 2017, presenting the available assays and discussing their applicability, advantages, and disadvantages. Most of the studies evaluated migration, proliferation, and tube formation of endothelial cells in response to inhibitory or stimulatory compounds. Other aspects of angiogenesis were studied by assessing cell permeability, adhesion, or apoptosis, as well as by implementing organotypic models of the retina. Emphasis is placed on how the methods are applied and how they can contribute to retinal angiogenesis comprehension. We also discuss how to choose the best cell culture to implement these methods. When applied together, in vitro and ex vivo studies constitute a powerful tool to improve retinal angiogenesis knowledge. This review provides support for researchers to better select the most suitable protocols in this field

Layerwise mixed elements with node-dependent kinematics for global–local stress analysis of multilayered plates using high-order Legendre expansions

Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF) is taken a step further to render node-dependent kinematics (NDK) capabilities to new layerwise finite elements based on Reissner's Mixed Variational Theorem (RMVT), especially suited for global–local stress analysis of multilayered plates, ensuring high numerical accuracy and computational efficiency, all together. In the framework of CUF, as introduced originally for multilayered structures, any degree of kinematic refinement can be considered in agreement with Equivalent Single-Layer (ESL) or Layer-Wise (LW) theories to develop advanced finite element models, whether based on the Principle of Virtual Displacements (PVD) or RMVT. The degree of kinematic refinement, which usually holds equally for the entire element, can be taken a step further, by being assigned locally to each of its nodes, making full use of CUF to render NDK capabilities to the elements. Besides, even though the elements can adopt any type of nodal shape functions, high p-order hierarchical Legendre expansions (HLE) can also be combined with NDK, achieving excellent convergence rates. These capabilities combined, explored first under the PVD, are for once integrated in the proposed elements under RMVT to further benefit accurate stress analysis. These elements can be applied throughout the entire mesh, adapting to local, transitional and global regions straightforwardly, providing high numerical accuracy, locally, with minimal computational efforts, globally. The numerical results focus on stress analysis of multilayered composite plates, including local effects, to demonstrate the predictive capabilities of the proposed RMVT-based LW elements with NDK and HLE combined, considering well-known benchmark three-dimensional exact solutions for assessment

Assessment of layerwise user-elements in Abaqus for static and free vibration analysis of variable stiffness composite laminates

In this work, user-elements (UEL) in Abaqus are taken a step forward into the high-order layerwise modelling of variable stiffness composite laminates with curvilinear fibre paths, extending the limited number of available literature on refined multilayered UEL models. Two layerwise UEL models with three discrete layers are here proposed, assigning to each layer the displacements of the first- and third-order shear deformation theories, thus named UEL1 and UEL3, respectively. A complete assessment of the models predictive capabilities is carried out by a comparison with available static and free vibration solutions in the literature – either for constant or variable stiffness laminates – considering various boundary and loading conditions, as well as thin and moderately thick plates. Numerical results demonstrate that the developed models are capable to render fairly accurate and computationally efficient results, with particular emphasis on the higher-order model for predicting the global–local response behaviour of moderately thick plates

Evaluation of exact electro-elastic static and free vibration solutions of multilayered plates for benchmarking: Piezoelectric composite laminates and soft core sandwich plates

Abstract This work provides a study on three-dimensional exact electro-elastic static and free vibration solutions of multilayered plates, focused on a comprehensive evaluation of well-known benchmarks for piezoelectric and/or composite laminates as well as soft core sandwich plates, adding much to thus far available in the literature. The exact solution method for simply supported multilayered plates is fully described in line with earlier leading works, compiled in a single study in a consistent form throughout. The layers involved can be either piezoelectric layers poled through-thickness (i.e. extension mode) or purely elastic layers, including composite layers. For each layer, the form of the through-thickness exact solution depends strongly on its material properties, thus each case arising from an orthotropic, transversely isotropic or simply isotropic layer is considered specifically. Within the free vibration solution, in agreement with an in-plane mode (nx, ny), the so-called special modes for either n x = 0 or n y = 0 , though often overlooked, are purposely addressed, along with thickness modes for each pair (nx, ny). The benchmarks cover purely elastic solutions, as in composite laminates and soft core sandwich plates, as well as electro-elastic solutions, namely piezoelectric composite laminates, involving not only but especially thick plates. For each multilayered plate, the static solution considers either an applied load or an applied electric potential, providing a detailed through-thickness evaluation of displacements and stresses, and when present, the electric potential and electric displacements. The respective free vibration solution reveals the first twenty natural frequencies and associated modes, including all together special modes and thickness modes

Common mental disorders in females from rural towns: prevalence and co-related variables

Analisar a prevalência dos Transtornos Mentais Comuns (TMC) em mulheres residentes em cidades rurais do Estado da Paraíba/Brasil e a associação dos TMC com os aspectos socioeconômicos, vivência de violência doméstica e cuidados em saúde mental. Participaram 608 mulheres entre 18 e 83 anos de idade (43 ± 14,640). Utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico e o Self-Reporting Questionnaire-20. Os dados foram analisados através de análises estatísticas descritivas e bivariadas. A prevalência de TMC foi de 31,6%, com maior índice em mulheres acima dos 50 anos, separadas/divorciadas, com baixa escolaridade e renda. As variáveis preditoras para o TMC foram: ser vítima de violência doméstica, vivência de situação estressora; e a inter-relação entre variáveis como ter mais de 50 anos, ter antecedentes familiares com sofrimento psíquico e renda entre um e dois salários mínimos. Elementos socioculturais significativos no que tange à saúde mental ligados às relações de gênero predizem o aparecimento de TMC nesta população.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Double excitation transitions in Mn2+ -doped alkali halides

4 págs.; 4 figs.It is shown in this work that the room-temperature excitation spectra of as-grown crystals of LiF, NaF, NaCl, KCl, and KBr doped with Mn2+ reveal the existence of double excitation peaks. These peaks are related to the formation of precipitated phases containing Mn2+ in the alkali halide lattice. In the case of LiF:Mn2+ the position of the [A14(G), E4(G)] and T14(G) peaks suggests an anomalously small Mn2+- F- distance for the precipitated phase. © 1983 The American Physical Society.Financial support by the Comision Asesora para la Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnica, is gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

New insights on the impacts of e-waste towards marine bivalves: the case of the rare earth element Dysprosium

With the technological advances and economic development, the multiplicity and wide variety of applications of electrical and electronic equipment have increased, as well as the amount of end-of-life products (waste of electrical and electronic equipment, WEEE). Accompanying their increasing application, there is an increasing risk to aquatic ecosystems and inhabiting organisms. Among the most common elements present in WEEE are rare earth elements (REE) such as Dysprosium (Dy). The present study evaluated the metabolic and oxidative stress responses of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis exposed to an increasing range of Dy concentrations, after a 28 days experimental period. The results obtained highlighted that Dy was responsible for mussel’s metabolic increase associated with glycogen expenditure, activation of antioxidant and biotransformation defences and cellular damage, with a clear loss of redox balance. Such effects may greatly impact mussel’s physiological functions, including reproduction capacity and growth, with implications for population conservation. Overall the present study pointed out the need for more research on the toxic impacts resulting from these emerging pollutants, especially towards marine and estuarine invertebrate species.publishe