Theory of mind and attentional bias to facial emotional expressions: A preliminary study

Theory of mind ability has been associated with performance in interpersonal interactions and has been found to influence aspects such as emotion recognition, social competence, and social anxiety. Being able to attribute mental states to others requires attention to subtle communication cues such as facial emotional expressions. Decoding and interpreting emotions expressed by the face, especially those with negative valence, are essential skills to successful social interaction. The current study explored the association between theory of mind skills and attentional bias to facial emotional expressions. According to the study hypothesis, individuals with poor theory of mind skills showed preferential attention to negative faces over both non-negative faces and neutral objects. Tentative explanations for the findings are offered emphasizing the potential adaptive role of vigilance for threat as a way of allocating a limited capacity to interpret others’ mental states to obtain as much information as possible about potential danger in the social environment

O quitrídio nos ranários do estado de São Paulo e suas implicações para conservação da anurofauna nativa

Orientador: Luís Felipe de Toledo Ramos PereiraDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de BiologiaResumo: A produção e comercialização de rã-touro, Lithobates catesbeianus, possui um grande potencial econômico e é uma prática realizada durante anos em todo o mundo. A rã-touro é uma das principais espécies de anfíbios invasores do mundo, causando muitos impactos negativos as populações nativas. Além disso, desempenha papel fundamental no processo de disseminação do fungo quitrídio (Bd). Levando em conta a tolerância dessa espécie à infecção por Bd e a criação em massa de animais, objetivamos analisar a presença de Bd nas rãs-touro produzidas e compreender o papel dos ranários como possíveis reservatórios e centros de disseminação do patógeno. Assim, amostramos aproximadamente 1.500 rãs em 10 ranários do estado de São Paulo quanto à presença, prevalência e carga de infecção de Bd; além da água que abastece e é liberada dos ranários para o ambiente. Ainda, isolamos e genotipamos cepas encontradas nos ranários e testamos se diferentes cepas isoladas de rãs-touro são tão ou mais virulentas do que as isoladas de anfíbios nativos. Para testar a virulência de cepas, expusemos indivíduos de Brachycephalus ephippium a diferentes cepas de Bd: isolados de rã-touro e isolados de hospedeiros nativos. Observamos indivíduos infectados com Bd em todos os ranários amostrados, com altas prevalências e cargas de infecção. O fluxo de água liberado foi alto, quase 60.000 litros diários, com uma carga média de 423 e.g. de zoósporos / litro. Além disso, encontramos 2 linhagens distintas de Bd: Bd-GPL-2 e Bd-Brasil. Encontramos diferença na virulência entre as cepas isoladas de rã-touro ou hospedeiro nativo, sendo a mais virulenta e a menos virulenta isoladas de rã-touro. Todos os indivíduos de Brachycephalus ephippium morreram com carga de infecção similar, no entanto, algumas cepas foram capazes de atingir a carga de zoósporos necessários para matar mais rápido do que outras. Nossos resultados evidenciam que os ranários estão contribuindo para a intensificação e disseminação de Bd para ambientes naturais. Além disso, os ranários mantêm diferentes variedades de cepas, tanto em relação à diversidade de linhagens quanto em relação à amplitude de virulência. Assim, enfatizamos a necessidade de implementar o controle e a mitigação de Bd nos ranários com foco na conservação de anfíbios nativosAbstract: The production and trade of bullfrogs, Lithobates catesbeianus, is of great economic potential and a practice held for years all over the world. Besides causing negative impacts on native amphibian populations, as an invasive species, it also plays a key role in the process of disseminating the chytrid fungus (Bd) throughout the world. Taking into account that bullfrogs are tolerant to Bd and the massive production of these frogs in widespread farms, it is possible that the bullfrog farms are Bd reservoirs and dissemination centers, not only of different Bd strains, but also of hypervirulent ones. Thus, we characterized farms as to the presence, prevalence and load of Bd infection in bullfrogs, in the water that supplies the farms, and in the water that is released back to the environment. In addition, we isolated and genotyped strains found in farms and we tested whether different strains isolated from bullfrogs are as virulent as those isolated from native anurans. We sampled approximately 1,500 bullfrogs in 10 farms of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. To test the virulence of genotypes, we exposed individuals of the pumpkin toadlet, Brachycephalus ephippium, to different Bd genotypes: isolated from bullfrog farms and isolated of native hosts. Individuals were sampled by swabbing and mortality curves were constructed to evaluate the effect of Bd genotypes on individuals mortality. We observed individuals infected with Bd in all farms sampled, with high prevalence and infection loads. The water flow released from farms was high, nearly 60,000 liters daily, with an average load of 423 g.e. Bd zoospores per liter. In addition, we found two Bd strains in these farms: Bd-GPL-2 and Bd-Brasil. In the laboratory infection experiment we observed difference among genotypes, being the most and the least virulent strains those isolated from farms. Pumpkin toadlets died with relatively the same average Bd infection load, however, survival depended on the genotype; i.e., some genotypes were able to reach the load of zoospores required to kill earlier than others. Therefore, our results indicate that bullfrog farms are contributing to intensifying and dissemination of Bd into the natural environments. Besides this, farms maintain different Bd genotypes, both in relation to phylogenetic lineage and virulence amplitude. Based on these results, we emphasize the urgente need to implement Bd controling and mitigation strategies in bullfrog farms focusing on the conservation of native amphibiansMestradoEcologiaMestra em Ecologia2016/03344-0FAPES

O assoreamento das albufeiras das barragens hidroeléctricas e a “erosão” das praias : (uma contribuição para o conhecimento dos seus sedimentos)

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências do Ambiente, área de especialização em Qualidade Ambiental.A migração das praias para o interior, correntemente designada por erosão das praias, tem sido atribuída a várias causas (Bird 1996) entre as quais: o pisoteio das dunas, a extracção de areia dos rios, praias e dunas; a retenção de sedimentos nas albufeiras das barragens; as estruturas portuárias; e a subida do nível do mar provocada pelo glacio-eustatismo, ligado ao aquecimento global da atmosfera, e pelo tectonoeustatismo. Comentam-se as ideias que envolvem estas causas e sintetizam-se as opiniões sobre as mesmas de alguns autores portugueses. Comparam-se, como achega para a compreensão da migração das praias, os sedimentos dos enchimentos das albufeiras da Venda Nova, de Salamonde e da Caniçada com os do rio Cávado e das praias que envolvem o seu estuário; utiliza-se a descrição dos sedimentos, baseada em dados dimensionais das suas populações detríticas e nas suas associações de minerais pesados. Os dados sedimentológicos não permitem inferir (por insuficiência de amostras, embora o número de amostras tratadas fosse cerca de 130) uma ligação das acumulações de sedimentos nas albufeiras das barragens (predomínio de indivíduos finos) com as areias das praias. Mantém-se em aberto o problema que atribui às barragens a principal causa da migração das praias. Referem-se os factos mais significativos na discussão do problema, como o eustatismo e o esgotamento das fontes de alimentação das areias não ligadas às redes fluviais (acumulações clásticas na plataforma continental e formações que afloram na faixa costeira).The inland beach migration, also known as beach erosion, is attributed to several causes (Bird 1996) and among them to: dune trampling; river, beach, and dune sand mining; retention of sediments in dam reservoirs ; harbour structures; and sea-level rise due to glacio-eustasy, linked to the global warming of the atmosphere, and to tectoniceustasy. The ideas behind these causes and the opinions of some Portuguese authors are synthesised and commented. As an approach to the understanding of inland beach migration, the sediments of the infill of the dam reservoirs of Venda Nova, Salamonde and Caniçada were compared with the sediments of the Cávado River and of the beaches in the neighbourhood of the estuary. The description of the sediments is based on grain size analysis data of the detritical populations, and on the heavy mineral associations. There were not insufficient number of sedimentological data (despite the analysis of ca. 130 samples), the relationship between the (mainly fine) sediment accumulations in the dam reservoirs and the beach sands is not possible to make. The question remains still open whether the river dams are the main responsible factor for the inland beach migration. The most significant facts about the problem in discussion, such as eustasy and the exhaustion of the nourishment sand sources not connected to the fluvial hydrographic net (clastic accumulations on the continental shelf and outcrops of the coastal zone) are mentioned

Relationship between optimism and functional autonomy in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo verificar a relação existente entre autonomia funcional e otimismo. Método: Os participantes são 280 indivíduos portadores de esclerose múltipla (EM) diagnosticada há mais de um ano em que a maioria são mulheres, com nível elevado de escolaridade, maioritariamente casados, e a trabalhar em regime de tempo integral. A funcionalidade foi avaliada com a Escala de Impacto de Participação e Autonomia – IPA, e o otimismo com o Life Orientation Test – Revised (LOT-R). A recolha de dados realizou-se em unidades de saúde de Lisboa e cumpriu as regras conforme a Declaração de Helsínquia. Conclusão: Os resultados mostram que existem valores de correlação estatisticamente significativos, mas moderados entre as dimensões da LOT-R e IPA, sugerindo que o otimismo é um fator importante para a autonomia funcional dos indivíduos portadores de EM. ABSTRACT - Aim: The present study aims at identifying the relationship between optimism and functional autonomy in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Method: The participants are 280 individuals diagnosed with MS for more than one year; the majority are women, with high levels of education, mostly married and employed on full time. To access functionality we used the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Scale – IPA, and to assess optimism the Life Orientation Test - Revised (LOT-R). Data was collected in Lisbon health settings. Data collection follows the rules of the Helsinki Declaration. Conclusion: Results show that correlations between the two main variables are statistically significant, but moderate, suggesting that the perception of optimism is an important factor for functional autonomy in individuals with MS

Psychometric characteristics of the instruments used to assess quality of life in multiple sclerosis: a literature review

A esclerose múltipla (EM) é a doença crónica neurológica que mais afeta adultos jovens; em 80% dos casos, a doença progride para situações de níveis variados de incapacidade, o que torna necessário avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) desses indivíduos. O objetivo desta revisão foi localizar estudos que avaliam a QV em indivíduos com EM, identificando os instrumentos utilizados e suas características psicométricas. Foram consultadas as bases Psycinfo, Psycarticles, Psycbooks, Psychology & Behavioral Science Collection, EJS E-Journal, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Medline, e Academic Search Complete, utilizando os descritores 'multiple sclerosis' e 'quality of life', para localizar artigos publicados no período 1997-2007. Foram selecionados 1.376 artigos e, após a leitura dos resumos, excluídos os referentes a instrumentos que não tinham boas características psicométricas e/ou eram pouco referenciados. Foram encontrados 461 artigos, dos quais 267 usaram instrumentos genéricos e 194 específicos para a EM. Dos 7 instrumentos (2 genéricos, 5 específicos) com boas características psicométricas utilizados pelos estudos consultados, o mais usado é o SF-36 (em 237 estudos). Todos os instrumentos têm validade verificada e apresentam grau elevado de confiabilidade, podendo ser utilizados para avaliação da qualidade de vida de pacientes com EM tanto em pesquisa quanto na clínica. ABSTRACT - Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the chronic neurological disease that most affects young adults; 80% of patients experience a transition towards persistent disability, hence the need to assess their quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to review studies that assess QoL in patients with multiple sclerosis, inquiring on the instruments used and their psychometric features. Articles published from 1997 through 2007 were searched for by means of key words 'multiple sclerosis' and 'quality of life' in databases Psycinfo, Psycarticles, Psycbooks, Psychology & Behavioral Science Collection, EJS E-Journal, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Medline, and Academic Search Complete. From the 1,376 studies found, after abstract reading those that reported on instruments with poor psychometric properties and/or were little referred were excluded. A total of 461 articles were selected, of which 267 reported using generic instruments and 194, MS-specific ones. Among the 7 instruments reported by the studies as having good psychometric characteristics (2 generic, five MS-specific), the most used is the SF-36 (by 237 studies). All instruments have shown adequate psychometric properties and a high degree of reliability, hence may be used to assess QoL in subjects with multiple sclerosis both in clinic and research

A model of organizational climate, team flow and coping strategies

Nowadays, the way employees and teams perceive organizational climates seem to have a decisive influence on work execu?on and produc?vity, but also on the strategies people use to cope with organizational stressors. These, in turn, seem to influence productivity and performance

Análise psicométrica da escala de impacto na autonomia e participação, em pessoas com esclerose múltipla

A avaliação da Autonomia e funcionalidade das pessoas com esclerose múltipla é fundamental para a compreensão das limitações e necessidades destas pessoas. O presente estudo tem como objectivo estudar as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Impacto Autonomia e Participação em doentes com esclerose múltipla. Participaram neste estudo 280 indivíduos com diagnóstico de esclerose múltipla, 71,4% mulheres com idade média de 39,23 anos. Procedeu-se à análise factorial exploratória, consistência interna, teste-reteste, validade convergente e discriminante. Os resultados demonstram valores psicométricos apropriados para a versão de língua portuguesa semelhantes às versões de língua alemã e de língua inglesa. Concluímos que esta escala tem boas condições psicométricas para avaliar a autonomia funcional em indivíduos com esclerose múltipla. ABSTRACT: Assessment of Autonomy and participation of patients with multiple sclerosis is essential to understand the limitations and necessities of these patients. The present study aims to examine the psychometric proprieties of the Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire (IPA) in patient with multiple sclerosis. Participants are 280 patients with a diagnostic of multiple sclerosis, 71.4% females, mean age of 39.23 years. We inspect metric properties namely, validity, construt validity and convergent and discriminant validity, and reliability, internal consistency and test-retest. The results show that IPA is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment autonomy and participation in Portuguese language, with similar sensibility than the Germany and English version. In conclusion these instruments have psychometric conditions for assessment the functional autonomy of people with multiple sclerosis

Learning and studying in residential care homes: development of instruments for needs assessment

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The importance of hope for quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis

Aims: This study intends to describe the importance of hope for the quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis. Evidence has indicated that Hope is important as a buffer between risk factors, physical and psychological health status, and quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The study was exploratory and descriptive. Setting: A general Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Participants: 280 patients with Multiple Sclerosis. We explore the relationship between Hope and Quality of Life. The instruments used are the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life scale (MSQol-54) and the Hope Scale. Results: The correlation between the Hope Scale and the domains of MSQOL-54: Physical Health (r=0.24, p<0.05), Physical Role Limitations (r=0.25, p<0.05), Emotional Role Limitations (r=0.35, p<0.05), Pain (r=0.28, p<0.05),Well-being (r=0.48, p<0.01), Energy (r=0.42, p<0.01), Health in General (r=0.41, p<0.01), Social Function (r=0.45, p<0.01), Cognitive Function (r=0.28, p<0.05), Health Distress (r=0.52, p<0.01), Overal Qol (r=0.49, p<0.01), Sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05), Change in Health (r=-0.17, p<0.05), and Satisfaction with sexual function (r=0.33, p<0.05). Conclusions: There is a statistically significant correlation between the variables, suggesting that hope can play an important role in the quality of life of patients with multiple sclerosis, especially in domains such as the perception of well-being, health in general, and social function, and distress.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio