Climate change prevention through community actions and empowerment: a scoping review

As society tries to tackle climate change around the globe, communities need to reduce its impact on human health. The purpose of this review is to identify key stakeholders involved in mitigating and adapting to climate change, as well as the type and characteristics of community empowerment actions implemented so far to address the problem. Published and unpublished studies from January 2005 to March 2022 in English and Portuguese were included in this review. The search, conducted on PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, and RCAAP (Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal), followed a three-step search strategy. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers, using an extraction tool specifically designed for the review questions. Twenty-seven studies were eligible for inclusion: six used interviews as a qualitative method, three were systematic reviews, three were case study analyses, three used surveys and questionnaires as quantitative methods, two used integrative baseline reviews, and three utilized a process model design. Six studies targeted local, public and private stakeholders. Community settings were the context target of fifteen studies, whereas twelve specifically referred to urban settings. Seven types of community actions were acknowledged across the globe, characterised as hybrid interventions and referring to the leading stakeholders: local governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society, universities, public health, and private sectors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Electromyographic and magnetic resonance imaging evaluations of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome

OBJETIVOS: Analisar a atividade elétrica (EMG) dos músculos vasto medial oblíquo (VMO), vasto lateral longo (VLL) e vasto lateral oblíquo (VLO) de indivíduos com síndrome da dor femoropatelar (SDFP) durante contração isométrica voluntária máxima (CIVM) de extensão da perna com o joelho a 30(0), a dor por meio da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e o posicionamento da patela por meio da ressonância magnética nuclear por imagem (RMNI). MÉTODOS: Avaliaram-se 12 mulheres com SDFP e 12 clinicamente normais, que realizaram cinco CIVM de extensão da perna no ângulo de 30(0) para análise da EMG. Avaliou-se o ângulo do sulco (AS), ângulo de congruência (AC), ângulo de inclinação patelar (AIP) e deslocamento patelar (DP) pela RMNI. Utilizaram-se testes estatísticos: ANOVA, análise de variância de medidas repetidas para EMG; o teste Mann-Whitney U para análise da RMNI; o teste de correlação de Pearson (r) entre EMG e RMNI e análise de variância one-way para avaliação da dor (p<0,05). RESULTADOS: Verificou-se maior atividade elétrica do músculo VLL em relação ao VMO no grupo com SDFP. Em ambos os grupos, os músculos VMO e VLL apresentaram maior atividade elétrica que o VLO. Para o grupo SDFP, a RMNI revelou maiores valores do AS e menores do AC, e verificou-se uma correlação negativa entre VMO e AIP. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados sugerem que maior atividade elétrica do VLL, juntamente com o aumento do AS e diminuição do AC, possam ser fatores favorecedores da instabilidade patelar nos indivíduos com SDFP.OBJECTIVES: To analyze the electrical activity of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) muscles of individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of lower leg extension with the knee at 30°; to assess pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS); and to assess patellar positioning using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Twelve women with PFPS and 12 clinically normal women were evaluated. They performed five MVICs of lower leg extension at 30° for electromyographic (EMG) analysis. Using MRI, the sulcus angle (SA), congruence angle (CA), patellar tilt angle (PTA) and patellar displacement (PD) were obtained. The following statistical tests were used: analysis of variance (ANOVA) for repeated measurements to assess EMGs; Mann-Whitney U test to analyze MRIs; Pearson's (r) correlation test between EMGs and MRIs; and one-way ANOVA to evaluate pain (p<0.05). RESULTS: In the PFPS group, there was greater electrical activity in the VLL than in the VMO. In both groups, there was greater electrical activity in the VMO and VLL than in the VLO. In the PFPS group, the MRI showed higher SA and lower CA values, and there was a negative correlation between the VMO and the PTA. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that, in individuals with PFPS, greater electrical activity in the VLL combined with an increased SA and a decreased CA may contribute to patellar instability.Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa (CNPq

The effect of hip abduction on the EMG activity of vastus medialis obliquus, vastus lateralis longus and vastus lateralis obliquus in healthy subjects

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this paper were to investigate (d) whether vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), vastus lateralis longus (VLL) and vastus lateralis obliquus (VLO) EMG activity can be influenced by hip abduction performed by healthy subjects. BACKGROUND: Some clinicians contraindicate hip abduction for patellofemoral patients (with) based on the premise that hip abduction could facilitate the VLL muscle activation leading to a VLL and VMO imbalance METHODS AND MEASURES: Twenty-one clinically healthy subjects were involved in the study, 10 women and 11 men (aged X = 23.3 ± 2.9). The EMG signals were collected using a computerized EMG VIKING II, with 8 channels and three pairs of surface electrodes. EMG activity was obtained from MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in a seated position and MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° with patients in side-lying position with the knee in full extension. The data were normalized in the MVIC knee extension at 50° of flexion in a seated position, and were submitted to ANOVA test with subsequent application of the Bonferroni multiple comparisons analysis test. The level of significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The VLO muscle demonstrated a similar pattern to the VMO muscle showing higher EMG activity in MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion compared with MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction for male (p < 0.0007) and MVIC hip abduction at 0° of abduction for female subjects (p < 0.02196). There were no statistically significant differences in the VLL EMG activity among the three sets of exercises tested. CONCLUSION: The results showed that no selective EMG activation was observed when comparison was made between the VMO, VLL and VLO muscles while performing MVIC hip abduction at 0° and 30° of abduction and MVIC knee extension at 90° of flexion in both male and female subjects. Our findings demonstrate that hip abduction do not facilitated VLL and VLO activity in relation to the VMO, however, this study included only healthy subjects performing maximum voluntary isometric contraction contractions, therefore much remains to be discovered by future researc

ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ACTIVITY OF THE VASTUS MEDIALIS OBLIQUE AND VASTUS LATERALIS LONGUS MM. DURING OPEN AND CLOSED KINETIC CHAIN EXERCISES

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze the electromyographic activity of the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) and Vastus Lateralis Longus (VLL) muscles during knee extension in Open Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a ‘knee extension table’, and in Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a Horizontal Leg-Press (VITALLY). METHODS: The electromyographic activity of the VMO and VLL muscles was measured in 12 subjects between 18 and 23 years old (x=21.9 e SD=1.16), without prior hip, knee, and ankle pathologies, during Maximal Isometric Contraction (MCI) at 90º flexion of hip and knee. A 16-Channel EMG System (CAD 12/36 - 60 K - LINX) and differential surface electrodes (DELSYS) were used to obtain the data. The signal was recorded in Root Mean Square (RMS) and expressed in microvolts. The data analysis was performed through Student’s t-test at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: The results showed that the electromyographic activity of the VMO muscle was significantly greater than that of the VLL muscle during Open and Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises. CONCLUSIONS: The data of this study, within the experimental conditions used, suggest that the VMO muscle can recover functionally by MCI at 90º flexion of hip and knee during Open Kinetic Chain Exercise, using an ‘extension table’, and also in Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise, using a Horizontal Leg-Press. This research was conducted in accordance with the National Council of Health (Resolution 196/96)

Alternative products for the protection of vine against downy mildew

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência de produtos alternativos na proteção da videira (Vitis vinifera) contra o míldio (Plasmopara viticola), bem como determinar a influência desses produtos na qualidade dos frutos da cultivar Merlot. Para o controle da doença, foram utilizados produtos à base de extratos vegetais, manano-oligossacarídeos fosforilados, fosfitos e acibenzolar-S-metil, além de fungicidas tradicionais. A intensidade do míldio em folhas e cachos, a produtividade, o número total de cachos por parcela, o peso médio do cacho e baga e as características analíticas do mosto foram avaliados nas safras de 2007/2008 e 2008/2009. Os fosfitos proporcionaram proteção contra o míldio da videira, com produtividade semelhante à do tratamento com fungicidas tradicionais. Os tratamentos baseados em manano-oligossacarídeos fosforilados, acibenzolar-S-metil e extratos vegetais não apresentaram controle eficiente do míldio. Os produtos alternativos testados não influenciam a qualidade analítica dos frutos, mas proporcionam, em geral, peso médio de cachos e de bagas menor que o do tratamento com fungicidas.The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of alternative products for the protection of vine (Vitis vinifera) against downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola), and to determine the influence of these products on the quality of Merlot cultivar grapes. Products based on plant extracts, phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharides, phosphites and acibenzolar-S-methyl, besides traditional fungicides, were used for the disease control. The intensity of downy mildew on leaves and bunches, productivity, total number of bunches per plot, average weight of bunch and berry and analytical characteristics of grapes were assessed during the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 seasons. Phosphites provided protection against downy mildew, and the yield was similar that of to the treatment with traditional fungicides. Treatments based on phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharides, acibenzolar-S-methyl and plant extracts showed no effective control of downy mildew. The alternative products tested do not influence the analytical quality of the grapes, but generally provide lower average weight of bunches and berries than the treatment with fungicides

Background choice and immobility as context dependent tadpole responses to perceived predation risk

The association of immobility and camouflage is widespread as a defensive mechanism in prey from varied taxa. However, many experiments assessing the reaction of prey to predator cues are conducted under artificial laboratory conditions. In a previous experiment we observed the tadpoles of Ololygon machadoi (Hylidae) to respond to predator visual and/or chemical cues by choosing backgrounds that improve their disruptive properties, but detected no associated reduction of movement. Here we experimentally demonstrate this response in the species’ natural habitat, on backgrounds where the tadpoles are likely to achieve their best camouflage. We also tested whether previous experiences could influence both background choice and immobility in O. machadoi tadpoles. These novel experimental results suggest that a defensive behavior—i.e., reduction of movement—in these tadpoles is more strongly expressed under the natural conditions where they evolved, compared to laboratory conditions where prey and predator were brought into closer contact. Besides, previous experiences are likely to play an important role in expressed defensive responses

EL ENVEJECIMIENTO Y LA SUBJETIVIDAD: EXPERIENCIAS DE TRABAJO EN PSICOLOGÍA CON GRUPOS DE PERSONAS DE EDAD AVANZADA

Ao longo das últimas décadas, muitas pesquisas tem apontado o crescente processo de envelhecimento populacional. No Brasil, há a previsão de que em 2020 nosso país será o sexto em população idosa no mundo. Em diversas cidades brasileiras, o número de habitantes com mais de 60 anos atinge níveis significativos. Diante desse fenômeno, vários desafios se colocam para as políticas públicas, para a sociedade e para a universidade, na produção de conhecimentos e de novas práticas de intervenção junto a essa demanda. Dessa maneira, o presente trabalho relata a experiência de duas atividades desenvolvidas em grupos com idosos pelo núcleo de estágio “Envelhecimento e Processos de Subjetivação”, do curso de graduação em Psicologia da Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), campus de Assis, que é coordenado por uma docente e conta com a participação de doze estagiários. Procuramos propiciar aos estagiários do curso de Psicologia uma formação que lhes permitam articular a produção de conhecimento com a construção de novas estratégias de atuação profissional com a população envelhecida. As atividades em grupo são desenvolvidas junto a idosos asilados e com pessoas enquadradas na categoria de terceira idade e têm como objetivo fomentar estratégias de intervenção que possam produzir a expansão da subjetividade dos idosos, de maneira a combater o isolamento social a que muitos estão submetidos e também de promover (res)significações do processo de envelhecer. Para tanto, oferecemos duas atividades semanais distintas, com uma hora e meia de duração cada uma. Uma delas é a “Oficinas de Psicologia com Idosos Asilados”, que conta com a participação de cerca de 30 idosos provenientes de duas instituições asilares da cidade de Assis (SP). Nessas oficinas desenvolvemos atividades de senso-percepção e expansão da mobilidade, além de encontros que buscam resgatar memórias e histórias de vida dos asilados e atividades que promovam a sociabilidade entre eles, tanto no espaço do campus como nos espaços da cidade. Já o grupo “Encontros com a Terceira Idade”, que é parte da programação do projeto de extensão Universidade Aberta à Terceira Idade (UNATI) da UNESP, campus de Assis, tem cerca de 50 participantes com idade superior a 60 anos, em sua maioria mulheres. Nesse espaço grupal, são discutidas diversas temáticas referentes ao processo de envelhecer e seu impacto na construção da subjetividade, como questões de gênero, família, sentidos e sentimentos do corpo e outros. Nosso trabalho com os idosos asilados e com a terceira idade, em consonância com o propósito acadêmico de atuar junto à comunidade externa e produzir conhecimento, tem propiciado a criação de novas ferramentas de atuação em psicologia para além do modelo clínico tradicional. Além disso, esses espaços grupais também têm se mostrado como um lugar estratégico no sentido de questionar a lógica de invalidação do ser que envelhece presente tanto no cenário social como também entre os próprios idosos. Observamos que, quando são estimulados, eles redescobrem sua capacidade de refletir, criticar e ponderar sobre diversos assuntos, podendo produzir processos de subjetivação mais potencializados nos encontros com o outro.Over the past decades, many studies have pointed to the growing process of the ageing population. In Brazil, there is a prediction that by 2020 our country will have the sixth largest elderly population in the world. In several Brazilian cities, the number of inhabitants over 60 reaches significant levels. Given this phenomenon, several challenges exist for public policies, society and the university in the production of knowledge and new practices for intervention with this demand. Thus, this paper reports the experience of two group activities developed with the group "Ageing Processes and Subjectivity" at Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus of Assis, coordinated by a faculty member and composed of twelve undergraduate apprentices in Psychology. The experience seeks to provide Psychology apprentices a training that will enable them to articulate the knowledge production with the construction of new strategies for professional work with the ageing population. Group activities are developed with the elderly, either institutionalized or not, and aim to promote intervention strategies that may produce the expansion of the subjectivity of the elderly, in order to combat the social isolation that many are submitted and also to promote (re)significations of the ageing process. To achieve this end, it is offered two different weekly activities, each one hour and a half long. One of them is the "Psychology Workshops with Senior nursing home residents", which includes the participation of about 30 individuals from two nursing homes in Assis (SP). In these workshops we develop sense and perception and activities of the expansion of mobility along with meetings that seek to foster memories and life stories of nursing home residents and activities that promote sociability among them, both within the campus and in the spaces of the city. The other group, "Encounters with the Third Age", is part of a project called University Opened to the Third Age (UnATI) of UNESP, Assis, which has about 50 participants aged over 60 years, mostly women. In this group, various topics related to ageing are discussed and its impact on the construction of subjectivity, such as gender, family, feelings and senses of the body and other processes. Our work with institutionalized old people, together with the academic purpose of creating knowledge while acting together with the external community, has led to the development of new tools of action in psychology beyond the traditional medical model. Moreover, these group experiences have also been seen as a strategic place in order to question the logic of invalidating the ageing person perceived on the social scene as well as among the elderly themselves. We observed that, when stimulated, they rediscover their capacity to reflect, criticize and ponder on various subjects, and may produce subjective processes more potentiated in their contact with others.En las últimas décadas, muchos estudios han señalado el creciente proceso de envejecimiento de la población. Hay una predicción de que en 2020 nuestro país sea el sexto en población de edad avanzada en el mundo. En varias ciudades brasileñas, el número de habitantes mayores de 60 años alcanza niveles significativos. Ante este fenómeno, existen varios retos a las políticas públicas, a la sociedad y a la universidad, en la producción de conocimientos y nuevas prácticas de intervención a esa demanda. Por lo tanto, en este trabajo se presenta la experiencia de dos actividades en grupos con mayores, llevadas a cabo por el grupo "Procesos de Envejecimiento y Subjetividad ", del curso de graduación en Psicología de la Universidad Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Campus de Assis,  coordinado por un profesor de la facultad y con la participación de doce alumnos. El grupo propone ofrecerles a los alumnos una formación de grado de Psicología que les permitirá articular la producción de conocimiento con la construcción de nuevas estrategias para el trabajo profesional con esa población. Las actividades en grupo se desarrollan junto a personas consideradas de edad avanzada y que están dentro de la categoría de la tercera edad. El objetivo de esas actividades es promover estrategias de intervención que puedan producir la expansión de la subjetividad de los mayores, con el fin de combatir el aislamiento social a que muchos están sometidos, y también para promover las (re) significaciones del proceso de envejecimiento. Para ello, se ofrecen dos actividades semanales diferentes, con una hora y media cada una. Una se trata de los "Talleres de Psicología con los residentes de hogares de ancianos mayores", que incluye la participación de unas 30 personas de dos asilos de ancianos en Assis (SP).  En estos talleres se desarrolla la percepción sensorial y la expansión de las actividades de movilidad, además de encuentros que buscan promover los recuerdos y las historias de vida de los solicitantes de asilo y actividades que promueven la sociabilidad entre ellos, tanto en el campus como en los espacios de la ciudad.  Ya el grupo "Encuentros con la Tercera Edad", que forma parte del proyecto de extensión de la Universidad Abierta a la Tercera Edad (UNATI) de la UNESP, Assis, cuenta con cerca de 50 participantes mayores de 60 años, en su mayoría mujeres. En ese grupo, se discuten diversos temas relacionados con el envejecimiento y su impacto en la construcción de la subjetividad, como el género, la familia, los sentimientos y sentidos del cuerpo y otros temas. Nuestro trabajo con los residentes de asilo y las personas mayores de edad, en consonancia con el objetivo académico de actuar en conjunto con la comunidad externa y producir conocimiento, ha llevado a la creación de nuevos instrumentos de acción de la psicología más allá del modelo médico tradicional. Además, estos espacios grupales también se constituyen como un lugar estratégico con el fin de cuestionar la lógica de invalidación presente tanto en el ámbito social, así como entre los propios ancianos. Hemos observado que, cuando son estimulados, redescubren su capacidad de reflexionar, criticar y reflexionar sobre diversos temas y pueden producir procesos de subjetividad más potentes en los encuentros con el otro