The Influence of Resistance Exercise Training on the Levels of Anxiety in Ischemic Stroke

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of a strength training program on indicators of trait and state anxiety in patients with ischemic stroke. The subjects were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 subjects aged years and a control group (CG) with 13 subjects aged years. EG underwent 12 weeks of strength training, with a frequency of three times a week. For data collection, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. Significant differences were found between pre- and posttest in EG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest) with no differences in CG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest). In the evaluation between the groups, significant differences were found for all indicators of trait anxiety ( EG; CG) and state anxiety ( EG; CG). This pilot study indicates that strength training may provide an improvement in trait and state anxiety more than one year after stroke

Plagiarism as another ethical issue in scientific research

The excessive demand for publications results in high plagiarism and duplicate numbers by scientists who take over existing texts into new publications. In addition to serious ethical problems, this practice hinders the generation of original material. In order to reduce the problem, softwares such as eTBLAST are being used to detect plagiarism and repeated papers. Despite the persistence of fraudsters, these tools have helped to reduce these problems; however, the ideal solution would be the basic ethical establishment principles. Therefore, plagiarism has always been a foible that could lead to fraudulent and dishonorable development of science

The Main Portuguese SAD´s Comparative Study between the Economic and Financial Viability and the Success of their Sports Clubs

The object of this paper is to assess theprofitability of the four leading Portuguese SociedadesAnnimas Desportivas (SADs)1 by comparing theeconomic and financial data of each SAD with therespective sports results of the clubs attached to theseSADs. The methodology followed the various stepsinherent to this type of paper, all the while adopting botha qualitative and quantitative approach, i.e. a hybridapproach. Initially, we took on an interpretativeparadigm, as the elements necessary for research arisefrom the observation and analysis of data. We began byincreasing our scientific knowledge on the subject ofanalysis: SADs, sports results and balanced financialstructures. This was followed by a characterisation of thesector and a thorough analysis of both the accounts andthe sports results of the SADs and the clubs. Thereafter,we crossed the data from these two analyses andcompleted the project with a number of key measures toachieve both financial and sporting success. Finally, itwas possible to conclude that a Sociedade AnnimaDesportiva can, in fact, achieve satisfactory economic,financial and sporting levels if a number of guidingprinciples are adopted. Principles that, wheninterconnected through a virtuous cycle, generate greaterrevenue and consequently profits, contributing to abalanced financial structure, conducive to more victoriesand naturally titles, which in turn provide increasedrevenue, thereby bestowing coherence to the virtuous cycle

Investor Behavior on Extreme Situations of Speculation and Crash: An Approach based on Iterated Prisoners Dilemma

In this paper, the development of an analysis based on the investor behavior on situations of speculation and crash on stock markets is made. An approach to the investor main behavioral features, especially the ones related to the cognitive and decision-making matters, in order to obtain an individual and an aggregated behavioral profile of the investor on situations of extreme events

Produção operacional de equipamentos na recomposição topográfica de áreas degradadas por exploração mineral na floresta nacional do Jamari, Estado de Rondonia, Brasil

A recomposição topográfica de superfícies compreende a etapa inicial para implementação de programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas. Neste campo, estudos ainda são incipientes, pois formas geológicas associadas à paisagem não são possíveis de serem refeitas. Ãreas de piso de lavra normalmente são bastante desfiguradas e compactadas, fato este associado ao tráfego intenso do maquinário de mineração e ao processo de exploração mineral. Desta maneira, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a produção operacional de diferentes equipamentos na recomposição topográfica de áreas de piso de lavra na Floresta Nacional do Jamari, Estado de Rondônia, Brasil. Por meio de um conjunto trator-lâmina equipado com ríper, avaliaram-se as seguintes operações: aplainamento/abaulamento do terreno, terraceamento e escarificação. Estas operações se caracterizam pelo suporte básico no estágio inicial do procedimento de revegetação, em que se procura minimizar o processo erosivo local, permitindo a implantação de estratégias de recuperação, bem como um bom desenvolvimento das espécies selecionadas. A produção operacional dos equipamentos analisados para recomposição topográfica apresentou alto desempenho em piso de lavra, sendo o seu uso relevante para a recuperação das condições iniciais das propriedades físicas do solo/substrato. No entanto, alto desempenho operacional não pode ser considerado como o único fator técnico de seleção do maquinário no momento da mecanização de um solo degradado. Nota-se que a qualidade final do trabalho executado e a interação solo-planta podem ser decisivos na adoção e desempenho das máquinas e técnicas de recuperação a serem adotadas. Palavras chaves: recuperação, equipamentos, área degradada. ABSTRACT The topographic reconstruction of surfaces is the initial stage in a recoveryâs programs of degraded areas. Few studies exist in this knowledge area because geology forms associated to the landscape are not possible of be re-done. Areas of mine pit are usually quite irregular and compacted, this fact is associated with the intense traffic of machines in the mineral exploration. The present work had for objective evaluate the operational production of different equipments in the topographic reconstruction of degraded areas in the National Forest of Jamari, State of Rondonia, Brazil, by means of a conjoint tractor-blade equipped with riper, it was evaluated to following operations: leveling of the land, construction and terraces and subsoiling. The operational production of the equipments analyzed for topographic reconstruction presented high acting in mine pit, and the use of the studied equipments showed important for the recovery of the initial conditions of the physical properties of the soil. However, high operational acting, it cannot be considered as the only technical factor of selection of machines in the moment of the mechanization of a degraded soil, other factors as: the final quality of the executed work and the interaction soil-plant can be decisive in the adoption and acting of the machines and recovery techniques. Key words: recovery, equipments, degraded áre

A importância do estudo da difusão alvéolo-capilar, como complemento da pletismografia, na avaliação funcional de fumadores

Resumo: Foram estudados 194 casos de fumadores e exfumadores (⥠1 UMA), de ambos os sexos e idades compreendidas entre os 20 e os 82 anos, tendo sido excluídos doentes detentores de patologias ou antecedentes profissionais de risco. Apresentavam grau variado de sintomatologia e exame pletismográfico normal, mas com valores anormais do factor de transferência alvéolo-capilar, determinados pelo método de single breath com CO (TLCO SB e TLCO /VA). Dos 194 casos avaliados, 136 (70,1%) tinham valores anormais de um ou dos dois parâmetros referidos. No tratamento estatístico da amostra (teste do qui-quadrado), a diferença da sensibilidade entre ambos os parâmetros foi significativa (p=0,0001). As eventuais limitações do método de avaliação usado (single breath) foram, no presente estudo, minimizadas (restrição ventilatória com capacidade vital<1,5 litros), pela normalidade referida do exame pletismográfico. De igual modo, a presença de alterações da distribuição ventilatória foi, em princípio, excluída pela ausência de valores da relação CPT-sb/CPTplet inferiores a 0,85.Conclusões: A normalidade do exame pletismográfico em grandes fumadores ou ex-fumadores não é suficiente para afirmar uma normalidade da função respiratória, visto que grande percentagem de casos apresenta anormalidades do factor de transferência alvéolo-capilar pelo CO. A limitação alveolar considerada foi, não só a anatómica, mas, igualmente, a de carácter funcional.Rev Port Pneumol 2007; XIII (6): 763-774 Abstract: This study comprised 194 male and female heavy smokers or ex-smokers (⥠1 pack-year) aged between 20 and 82, whose symptoms varied. Cases were only selected from patients with normal whole-body plethysmography. Subjects with any significant pathology and occupational risk factors were excluded from the study.Varying degrees of symptoms were found and a range of results from normal plethysmography examination, with abnormal levels of alveolar-capillary transfer, determined by the single-breath method to analyse CO (TLCO and TLCO -VA) coefficients. Using the chi-square test for statistical analysis of the sample revealed a significant variation in sensitivity between both parameters (p=0.0001).Possible limitations of using the single-breath method, of were reduced in this study (ventilatory restriction withVital Capacity <1.5 litres) by the routine plethysmography results seen. Likewise, the presence of alterations in ventilatory distribution was, in principle, minimised by the absence of TLCsb/TLCplet values below 0.85%Conclusions: Normal plethysmography results in heavy or ex-smokers are not enough to confirm normal respiratory function, as a large percentage of cases present abnormalities in the alveolar-capillary transfer factor for CO. Alveolar limitation was considered not only anatomically, but also from a functional perspective.Rev Port Pneumol 2007; XIII (6): 763-774 Palavras-chave: Transferência alvéolo-capilar, single breath, pletismografia, fumadores, Key-words: Alveolar-capillary transfer, single breath, plethysmography, smoker

The influence of resistance exercise training on the levels of anxiety in ischemic stroke

The aim of this pilot study was to analyze the effect of a strength training program on indicators of trait and state anxiety in patients with ischemic stroke. The subjects were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) consisting of 11 subjects aged years and a control group (CG) with 13 subjects aged years. EG underwent 12 weeks of strength training, with a frequency of three times a week. For data collection, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. Significant differences were found between pre- and posttest in EG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest) with no differences in CG for trait anxiety ( pretest posttest) and state anxiety ( pretest posttest). In the evaluation between the groups, significant differences were found for all indicators of trait anxiety ( EG; CG) and state anxiety ( EG; CG). This pilot study indicates that strength training may provide an improvement in trait and state anxiety more than one year after stroke

O epitélio respiratório em ratos Wistar nascidos em ruído de baixa frequência e expostos a ruído adicional

RESUMO: A exposição ao ruído de baixa frequência (RBF) (â¤500 Hz, incluindo os infra-sons) provoca lesões no epitélio do aparelho respiratório. Em ratos cuja gestação ocorreu sob o efeito de RBF, e que subsequentemente passaram um ano em silêncio, observaram-se lesões estabilizadas e definitivas do epitélio respiratório. Neste estudo, investigam-se as lesões que se observam em ratos nascidos em RBF e expostos a RBF adicional. Ratos nascidos em RBF foram posteriormente expostos a RBF adicional antes de serem sacrificados: 145 h (Grupo A), 235 h (Grupo B), 2213 h (Grupo C), 2438 h (GroupD), 4399 h (Grupo E) e 5304 h (Grupo F). Todos os animais foram tratados de acordo com a norma aplicável (86/609/CE). Fragmentos do epitélio respiratório foram processados para microscopia óptica e electrónica. No grupo A, as microvilosidades das células em escova (CE) juntam-se, deixando de ter a distribuição uniforme observada nos ratos de controlo; no grupo B as microvilosidades das CE aglomeram-se e, nos restantes grupos, apresentam-se fundidas. As rosetas (anéis de células secretoras centradas numa CE) são visíveis nos grupos A-D e tornam-se difíceis de identificar nos grupos E, F. A quantidade de cílios âceifadosâ aumenta com o tempo de exposição, bem como as imagens de desdiferenciação celular. O RBF produz um efeito nefasto sobre o epitélio respiratório destes ratos.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2003; IX (6): 481-492 ABSTRACT: Earlier studies of Wistar rat respiratory epithelia exposed to low frequency noise (LFN) (â¤500 Hz, including infrasound) showed that LFN effects trauma on the respiratory tract. In rats gestated and born in LFN environments, trauma was still evident after spending 1 year in silence. This report studies Wistar rats gestated and born in a LFN environment and exposed to additional LFN. Wistar rats were gestated and born while exposed to LFN. After birth, the following groups were exposed to LFN for an additional 145 hrs (Group A), 235 hrs (Group B), 2213 hrs (Group C), 2438 hrs (Group D), 4399 hrs (Group E), and 5304 hrs (Group F). All animals were treated in accordance with 86/609/EC. Respiratory epithelial fragments were prepared for light and scanning/transmission electron microscopy. Group A brush cell (BC) microvilli tended to group together; in Group B they were clearly clustered together, and in Groups C-F they became fused. Rosetta structures (rings of secretory cells centered on a BC) were visible in Groups A-D and difficult to identify in Groups E,F. The amount of sheared cilia increased with exposure time, as did the images of cellular dedifferentiation. LFN exposure induces severe trauma on the respiratory epithelial cells in these rats.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2003; IX (6): 481-492 Palavras-chave: ruído de baixa frequência, doenças do colagénio, célula em escova, cílios, microvilosidade, desdiferenciação, doença vibroacústica, metaplasia, displasia, carcinoma pavimentocelular, Key-words: low frequency noise, brush cell, collagen diseases, ciliated cell, microvilli, cilia, de-differentiation, vibroacoustic disease, metaplasia, displasia, squamous-cell carcinom

O epitélio respiratório em ratos Wistar

RESUMO: A doença vibroacústica é uma patologia sistémica, caracterizada pela proliferação anormal das matrizes extra-celulares e causada pela exposição crónica a ruído de baixa frequência (RBF) (â¤500 Hz, incluindo os infra-sons). Neste contexto, nos estudos conduzidos em ratos Wistar expostos a RBF, na tentativa de reproduzir a patologia observada em trabalhadores expostos a esta noxa, observaram-se aspectos não descritos. Urge assim esclarecer os aspectos normais em populações de ratos Wistar não expostos. Dez ratos Wistar, tratados de acordo com a norma 86/609/ CE, foram mantidos em silêncio até à idade de 3,5 meses e então sacrificados tendo sido colhidos fragmentos de traqueia e brônquios para microscopia óptica e electrónica de varrimento (MEV) e de transmissão (MET). As células em escova (CE) que se observam frequentemente em MET são menos visíveis em MEV, devido aos cílios das células vizinhas. São frequentes as estruturas em roseta, constituídas por um anel de células secretoras centradas numa CE. Em MET observam-se corpos multivesiculares dentro das CE. Observam-se, tanto em MEV como em MET, numerosas vesículas emanando da membrana plasmática dos cílios e das microvilosidades das CE. Estes dados podem contribuir para a compreensão da função das CE.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2003; IX (5): 381-388 ABSTRACT: Morphofunctional changes of respiratory epithelia became the object of intense study in Wistar rats after previous research showed that occupationally-simulated exposure to low frequency noise (â¤500 Hz, including infrasound) induced irreversible lesions in these tissues. Aspects of normal respiratory epithelia in rats are lacking in the literature, and are the object of this report. Ten Wistar rats were kept in silence, fed standard rat food, and had unrestrained access to water (treated in accordance with 86/609/CE). The animals were sacrificed at 3.5 months of age, and respiratory epithelial fragments were excised and prepared for scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. Brush cells (BC) were frequently observed with TEM, but with SEM they were often covered by the cilia of neighbouring cells. BC were always observed at the center of a ring of secretory cells (SC), in a rosetta-shaped formation. In TEM, the microvilli of SC surrounding the BC were uniform, and had the same density and shape in all cells. Multivesicular bodies were identified in areas within the BC. Formation and budding of vesicles from ciliary plasma membranes and from BC microvilli were frequently observed in both TEM and SEM. These data contribute to the understanding of the BC function.REV PORT PNEUMOL 2003; IX (5): 381-388 Palavras-chave: ruído de baixa frequência, célula em escova, célula secretora, cílios, microvilosidade, morfologia, microscopia electrónica, Keywords: low frequency noise, brush cell, secretory cell, cilia, microvilli, morphology, electron microscop