Free QQ-distributive lattice over an nn-element chain

In this note we provide an explicit construction of $FQ({\bf n})$, the free $Q$-distributive lattice over an $n$-element chain, different from those given by Cignoli [4] and Abad--Díaz Varela [1], and prove that $FQ({\bf n})$ can be endowed with a structure of a De Morgan algebra.Fil: Monteiro, Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática. Instituto de Matemática Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Abad, Manuel. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; ArgentinaFil: Zander, Marta Amalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Matemática; Argentin

Promoting Physical Exercise Participation: The Role of Interpersonal Behaviors for Practical Implications

he number of people engaging in physical exercise has been decreasing every year. These behaviors are known to be related with non-communicable chronic diseases and to drastically increase premature morbidity and mortality. Since “the lack of motivation” has been pointed out as one of the main reasons for not engaging in physical exercise, several theoretical and empirical studies have been conducted aimed at understanding what influences behavior regulation. According to literature, gym exercisers who perceive exercise instructors as supportive are more likely to maintain physical exercise participation over the long-run. Supporting autonomy, competence, and relatedness should be carefully considered when interacting with health club clients as a way to promote more autonomous motivation. Overall, it seems that exercise instructors should foster a supportive environment for gym exercisers, in order to encourage exercise as a habitual behavior.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment and contributions of grappling and punching forces in combat sports athletes: implications for the development of strength and conditioning

[EN] Training programs designed to improve strength in grappling and punching combat sports’ athletes have become particularly relevant

Some Studies on Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Not Provided

Goal Content for the practice of physical activity and the impact on subjective well-being in older adults

The main goal of this study consisted in an analysis of the impact that the goal content that leads to the practice of physical activity in the elderly population can play on the variables that constitute subjective well-being, as well as to analyze the differences in these variables’ levels according to the amount of physical activity practiced. A total of 300 individuals participated in this study (n=300), including 238 females and 62 males, aged between 60 and 90 years old (M = 68.59; DP = 6.54), who practice differing levels of physical activity. The results enable us to conclude that the goal content for the practice of physical activity has positive effects on the perception of satisfaction with life and on affect. To the same extent, they verify that health is the motivation that has the greatest weight on the practice of physical activity. We also concluded that elderly people who practice more physical activity perceive higher levels of satisfaction with life and positive affect, and lower levels of negative affectinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reasons for dropout in swimmers, differences between gender and age and intentions to return to competition

BACKGROUND: This study’s main purpose was to analyze reasons for dropout in competitive swimmers and differences between gender and age groups. The influence of dropout on swimmers intentions to return to competition, invariance across gender and validation of Questionnaire of Reasons for Attrition were also analyzed. METHODS: Study 1 – 366 athletes participated (N.=366; mean age 15.96, SD 5.99) and the data gathered was used for the exploratory analysis, and data gathered on 1008 athletes were used for the confirmatory analysis and the structural equations (N.=1008; mean age 16.26, SD 6.12); Study 2: 1008 athletes participated (N.=1008; mean age 16.26, SD 6.12) on the descriptive and inferential analysis of the reasons behind the practice dropout. The Questionnaire of Reasons Attrition was used in both studies to assess the reasons associated with the practice dropout. RESULTS: In study 1, the results showed an acceptable fit of the measurement model and invariance across gender and also predictive validity regarding swimmers intentions to return to competition (e.g., demands/pressure” negatively predict intentions). In study 2, the main results showed that the most significant reason for dropout in both genders and all age groups was “dissatisfaction/other priorities”; the study also showed there to be differences between gender and age groups (e.g., female and younger athletes valued “demands/ pressure “more). CONCLUSIONS: This study offers useful guidelines for the training process and to support decisions on sports politics to be implemented to overcome the dropout rate. However, it is important to broaden the evidence to other sports and implement programs on identified priority areas based on longitudinal perspectives.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ecological assessment of executive dysfunction in anxiety

Introduction: The specialized literature states that anxiety can interfere with cognition, particularly in complex cognitive processes such as those related to executive functioning. Neuropsychological studies in anxiety disorders have confirmed the presence of deficits in executive functions, with significant changes in its components. The main aim of this study was to compare the executive performance of a sample with anxiety disorder to a control group, using an instrument that differs from the others by high ecological validity, revealing a higher predictive evidence on daily tasks.Methods: This study included 60 participants aged between 18 and 53 years that were allocated to an experimental group (n=30; mean = 31.93; standard deviation [SD] =10.99) and a control group (n=30; mean = 29.63; SD=9.07). Anxiety symptoms and the executive functioning were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS), respectively.Results: Participants with anxiety disorders presented a significant impairment on executive functioning in general. However, we found a significant impact in tasks that involve control inhibition, design of action strategies according to the functionality and probability of success, the ability to predict or estimate and the ability to plan the action. In addition, the EG required significantly more time to execute all the tests (mean = 440.33, SD = 97.17), compared to the CG (mean = 320.90; SD = 51.27).Conclusions: Individuals with anxiety disorders have a significant impairment in their executive functioning in general, which is reflected in activities of daily living. Keywords: Anxiety disorders; executive functions; BADS; cognitive and affective evaluationIntroduction: The specialized literature states that anxiety can interfere with cognition, particularly in complex cognitive processes such as those related to executive functioning. Neuropsychological studies in anxiety disorders have confirmed the presence of deficits in executive functions, with significant changes in its components. The main aim of this study was to compare the executive performance of a sample with anxiety disorder to a control group, using an instrument that differs from the others by high ecological validity, revealing a higher predictive evidence on daily tasks.Methods: This study included 60 participants aged between 18 and 53 years that were allocated to an experimental group (n=30; mean = 31.93; standard deviation [SD] =10.99) and a control group (n=30; mean = 29.63; SD=9.07). Anxiety symptoms and the executive functioning were assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Behavioural Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome (BADS), respectively.Results: Participants with anxiety disorders presented a significant impairment on executive functioning in general. However, we found a significant impact in tasks that involve control inhibition, design of action strategies according to the functionality and probability of success, the ability to predict or estimate and the ability to plan the action. In addition, the EG required significantly more time to execute all the tests (mean = 440.33, SD = 97.17), compared to the CG (mean = 320.90; SD = 51.27).Conclusions: Individuals with anxiety disorders have a significant impairment in their executive functioning in general, which is reflected in activities of daily living.Keywords: Anxiety disorders; executive functions; BADS; cognitive and affective evaluatio

A1 and A2A Adenosine receptors expression in ALS transgenic mice for the human gene SOD1

Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Biologia Molecular e Genética). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2012A Esclerose Lateral Amiotrópica (ELA) é uma doença progressiva e fatal caracterizada pela degeneração selectiva dos neurónios motores do córtex motor, tronco cerebral e medula espinal, que provoca atrofia muscular, paralesia e morte por falha respiratória. A etiologia da doença continua desconhecida, mas com um consenso de que o dano dos neurónios motores é causado por uma rede de processos patológicos complexos. Os mecanismos envolvidos na degeneração dos neurónios motores são melhor conhecidos num subtipo da doença causada por mutações na enzima superóxido dismutase 1 (SOD1). Esta enzima actua na eliminação de radicais livres de oxigénio e na ELA o processo de degeneração neuronal deve-se a um ganho de função da SOD1. A adenosina tem uma função importante na modulação da transmissão sináptica no SNC e SNP, actuando a dois níveis: inibitório, modulado pelos receptores do subtipo A1 e excitatório, mediado pelos receptores do subtipo A2A. É conhecido que a expressão dos receptores A1 e A2A da adenosina está alterada nalgumas doenças neurodegenerativas, mas o seu papel na ELA é ainda muito pouco conhecido. O objectivo deste trabalho foi determinar o efeito da ELA na expressão proteica e de mRNA dos receptors A1 e A2A da adenosina no decurso da doença. O modelo de murganhos transgénicos para o gene SOD1 humano com a mutação G93A foi usado neste trabalho. Os níveis proteicos e de mRNA de ambos os receptores foram quantificados através das técnicas de immunoblotting e PCR quantitativo em tempo real, respectivamente. Foram estudados diferentes tecidos do SNC e SNP, nomeadamente, córtex e medula espinal (apenas immunoblotting) e nervo frénico-diafragama, de animais selvagens e portadores da doença nas fases pre-sintomática (4-6 semanas) e sintomática (13-14 semanas). Resultados deste estudo indicaram níveis proteicos não alterados nos SNC e SNP do receptor A1 ao longo da progressão da doença. No entanto, observou-se uma sobreexpressão dos receptores A2A no córtex na fase pre-sintomática e um decréscimo na fase sintomática. Os outros tecidos mantiveram-se inalterados no que se refere aos receptores A2A em ambas as fases da doença. A avaliação da expressão de mRNA no diafragma não revelou quaisquer alterações em ambos os receptores da adenosina durante a progressão da doença. Assim, no que se refere aos receptores da adenosina em ELA, as primeiras alterações parecem ocorrer logo no início da doença nos receptores A2A do SNC.Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal disease categorized by a selective degeneration of motor neurons from the cerebral cortex, brainstem and spinal cord that provokes muscle atrophy, progressive paralysis and death due to respiratory failure. The etiology of most ALS cases remains unknown but there is a current consensus that motor neuron degeneration is caused by a complex interaction between multiple pathogenic processes. The mechanisms of motor neuron degeneration are best understood in the subtype of disease caused by mutations in the enzyme superoxide dismutase 1. This enzyme is enrolled in the degradation of free oxygen radicals and in ALS neuronal damage is due to its gain-of-function. Adenosine has a central role as a neuromodulator of the CNS and PNS synaptic transmission. Adenosine acts at two levels: inhibitory through the subtype A1 receptor and excitatory through the subtype A2A receptor. Variation on the expression of A1 and A2A receptors has been identified in some neurodegenerative diseases, but their role in ALS is not yet understood. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of ALS on the protein and mRNA expression of A1 and A2A adenosine receptors through disease progression. The transgenic model of mice carrying the human SOD1 gene with the G93A mutation was used in this work. Protein and mRNA levels of both receptors were quantified through immunblotting and quantitative real time PCR, respectively. Different tissues of the CNS and PNS, namely cortex and spinal cord (immunoblotting only) and phrenic nerve-diaphragm were studied in wild-type and transgenic mice in the pre-symptomatic (4-6 weeks) and symptomatic (13-14 weeks) phases of the disease. Results from this study indicate unaltered A1 receptor protein levels at the CNS and PNS through disease progression. However, there is an overexpression of A2A receptors in the cortex of pre-symptomatic mice and a decrease in the symptomatic phase. The A2A receptors are unaltered in the other tissues in both phases of the disease. The mRNA evaluation does not reveal significant alterations in both adenosine receptors during disease progression. Thus, regarding adenosine receptors in ALS, the first changes seem to occur early in the disease at the CNS in A2A receptors