Academic and life satisfaction in Portuguese and Mozambican college students : a comparative study

Publicado em "ICERI2010 Proceedings, ISBN 978-84-614-2439-9"The social-cognitive model of well-being [1] has become an important framework to study satisfaction and adjustment in specific life contexts and in overall life [1] [2]. Taking into consideration this integrative perspective, this paper aims to understand and compare the process of academic satisfaction in European and Mozambican Portuguese speaking college students, and to draw implications for psycho educational interventions and research in those contexts. We present and discuss the results of the assessment of self-efficacy, goal progress, environmental supports, academic adjustment, positive affect and overall life satisfaction dimensions (AAQ; Academic Adjustment Questionnaire [1]), conducted with 305 students attending one public university and one public polytechnic institute in Portugal, and with 465 students attending one public university in Mozambique. A first study of the instrument in Portugal with higher education students [3] revealed values of internal consistency for the seven scales ranging between 0,75 and 0,88 (M =0, 84, SD = 5,00). In this study, the range of internal consistency coefficients (Cronbach alpha) were between 0,52 and 0,78 (M =0,67, SD = 9,5) for the Portuguese sample, and between 0,65 and 0,83 (M =0,75, SD = 5,4) for the African Mozambican sample. Moreover, in the Portuguese sample, positive correlations were registered between the dimensions of academic adjustment, positive affect and satisfaction with life in general. In the Mozambican sample, in turn, in general, moderate and positive correlations were obtained, statistically significant between all the dimensions of the academic adjustment that were evaluated. An analysis of the mean tells us that, in both samples, students tend to have moderate values on the dimensions of the academic adjustment model. The comparison test of means reveals significant differences between the two countries in the overall dimensions of academic adjustment, with the exception of the scale factors to stimulate the academic adjustment. Specifically, the Portuguese students obtain the highest values in the dimensions of self-confidence, overall adjustment, and satisfaction with life. The Mozambican students registered higher results on self- confidence to face academic barriers and progress in their academic goals. The results obtained also evidence that students from both countries perceive they have a support system and incentives in the academic and classroom environments. This is a dimension that is directly and indirectly correlated with academic adjustment, in both samples, which suggests the importance of socio-cognitive dimensions of adjustment to college

Is sirolimus a therapeutic option for patients with progressive pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease characterised by progressive airflow obstruction. No effective medical treatment is available but therapy with sirolimus has shown some promise. The aim of this observational study was to evaluate sirolimus in progressive LAM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sirolimus (trough level 5 - 10 ng/ml) was administered to ten female patients (42.4 ± 11.9 years) with documented progression. Serial pulmonary function tests and six-minute-walk-distance (6-MWD) assessments were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean loss of FEV₁was -2.30 ± 0.52 ml/day before therapy and a significant mean gain of FEV₁of 1.19 ± 0.26 ml/day was detected during treatment (p = 0.001). Mean FEV₁and FVC at baseline were 1.12 ± 0.15 l (36.1 ± 4.5%pred.) and 2.47 ± 0.25 l (69.2 ± 6.5%pred.), respectively. At three and six months during follow-up a significant increase of FEV₁and FVC was demonstrated (3 months ΔFEV₁: 220 ± 82 ml, p = 0.024; 6 months ΔFEV₁: 345 ± 58 ml, p = 0.001); (3 months ΔFVC: 360 ± 141 ml, p = 0.031; 6 months ΔFVC: 488 ± 138 ml, p = 0.006). Sirolimus was discontinued in 3 patients because of serious recurrent lower respiratory tract infection or sirolimus-induced pneumonitis. No deaths and no pneumothoraces occurred during therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that sirolimus might be considered as a therapeutic option in rapidly declining LAM patients. However, sirolimus administration may be associated with severe respiratory adverse events requiring treatment cessation in some patients. Moreover, discontinuation of sirolimus is mandatory prior to lung transplantation.</p

Outbreak of acute respiratory infection among infants in Lisbon, Portugal, caused by human adenovirus serotype 3 and a new 7/3 recombinant strain

Human adenoviruses (AdVs) typically cause mild illnesses in otherwise healthy hosts. We investigated a pediatric outbreak of acute respiratory infection with fatal outcomes that occurred in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2004.Biological specimens were collected from 83 children attending two nurseries, a kinesiotherapy clinic, and the household of a nanny. Adenovirus infection was confirmed in 48 children by PCR and virus isolation. Most(96%) isolates were classified as being of subspecies B1. Phylogenetic analysis of fiber and hexon gene sequences revealed that most infants were infected with AdV serotype 3 (AdV3) strains. Infants attending one nursery harbored a new recombinant strain containing an AdV serotype 7 hexon and serotype 3 fiber (AdV7/3). Both the AdV3 and the AdV7/3 strains caused fatal infections. Two different serotype 3 strains were circulating in Lisbon in 2004, and the new AdV7/3 recombinant type originated from only one of those strains. These results demonstrate that recombination leads to the emergence of new adenovirus strains with epidemic and lethal potentialThis research was funded by DGE of the European Commission (for the research project entitled Genomic inventory, forensic markers, and assessment of potential therapeutic and vaccine targets for viruses relevant in biological crime and terrorism, grant SSPE-CT-2005-022639 RIVIGENE

Brassica oleracea var. costata: comparative study on organic acids and biomass production with other cabbage varieties

BACKGROUND: A study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of agronomic practices, harvesting time and leaf age on the organic acid composition and biomass production of Brassica oleracea L. var. costata DC (tronchuda cabbage). Samples were cultivated under eight different fertilisation regimes (two levels each of nitrogen, boron and sulfur, an organic fertiliser and no fertiliser) and collected at three different times. RESULTS: Principal component analysis of the data indicated significant differences. Three principal components with an eigenvalue higher than one accounted for 79.0% of the total variance of the data set. Samples obtained with conventional fertilisation were characterised by the highest values of fresh weight. External leaves showed higher total organic acid and malic acid contents than internal leaves,while the latterwere characterised by higher proportions of citric acid. For consecutive harvests, total organic acid concentration decreased in both external and internal leaves. CONCLUSION: The use of a conventional fertilisation regime (nitrogen, boron or sulfur) improved the growth of B. oleracea var. costata without affecting its organic acid profile. However, for consecutive harvests, total organic acid concentration was observed to decrease independently of the agronomic practices tested. Leaf age influenced the quantitative composition of organic acids.FC

Monitoramento da murcha do abacaxizeiro associada à cochonilha Dysmicoccus brevipes em áreas de sistema de produção integrada no Estado do Tocantins - ciclo 2010.

No Brasil, cultiva-se o abacaxizeiro, Ananas comosus (L) na maioria das regiões ,sendo a 'Pérola' a cultivar mais plantada. Apesar de seu aspecto rústico, essa bromeliácea, em uma produção comercial, exige tratos culturais e fitossanitários rigorosos, para evitar problemas como a murcha que está associada à cochonilha Dysmicoccus brevipes Cockerell (1893) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), cujas perdas na produção, em cultivares suscetíveis, podem ultrapassar os 80% (SANCHES, 2005). O mercado interno é ainda o mais visado pelos produtores de abacaxi, sendo a aquisição ou venda de mudas entre produtores uma prática muito comum que, propicia a dispersão desse inseto de uma propriedade para outra ou de uma região para outra. O Sistema de Produção Integrada de Abacaxi é uma prática de apoio aos produtores para atender as exigências crescentes do mercado consumidor quanto à produção de alimentos seguros. Esse sistema é baseado nas boas práticas agrícolas traduzindo em valorização do ser humano, conservação do meio ambiente (solo e água), melhoria da qualidade de vida dos produtores rurais, respeito à legislação trabalhista e segurança do trabalhador.bitstream/item/31028/1/documentos-193ID27590.pd

Exploración vocacional en adolescentes: evaluación de una intervención en clase

Analisa-se o impacto de uma intervenção psicológica na exploração e tomada de decisão vocacional em adolescentes portugueses. Em contexto curricular e de classe, desenvolveram-se actividades de exploração do meio e do Eu com 39 alunos e 43 alunas do 9o ano, entre 13 e 17 anos (M=14,4, DP=0,95). Em um design pré/pós-teste, aplicaram-se o Career Exploration Survey (CES) e o Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). Os resultados do teste do sinal evidenciaram ganhos significativos (p<0,01) nas dimensões de exploração e diminuição significativa da falta de informação profissional (p<0,01) e do total das dificuldades de decisão (p<0,05). Observou-se um padrão de correlações negativas (ró de Spearman) entre as duas medidas vocacionais, evidenciando uma relação entre a informação explorada na intervenção e a diminuição das dificuldades de decisão por falta de motivação. Em geral, os resultados suportam a importância do papel da exploração da carreira na diminuição das dificuldades de tomada de decisão.This study analyses the impact of a psychological intervention to promote vocational exploration and decisionmaking in Portuguese adolescents. Activities to foster exploration of self and environment were developed in a classroom program with 39 boys and 43 girls, all 9th grade students, between 13 and 17 years of age (M=14,4, SD=0.95). Following a pre/post-test design, the Career Exploration Survey (CES), and the Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ) were administered. Results of sign-test showed significant increments (p<0.01) in all of the exploration dimensions, significant reduction of lack of occupational information (p<0.01) and of the total of career decision-making difficulties (p<0.05). Negative correlations (Spearman’s rho) between the two career measures was observed, evidencing a relationship between information explored during intervention and decreased difficulty with decision-making due to lack of motivation. In general, results support the importance of career exploration on diminishing decision-making difficulties.Evalúa-se el impacto de una intervención psicológica que fomenta la exploración y la decisión vocacional en adolescentes portugueses. Fueran efectuadas actividades de exploración del medio ambiente y del yo en contexto curricular de clase con 39 alumnos y 43 alumnas del curso 3º ESO, 13 hasta 17 años (M=14,4, DP=0,95). Utilizó-se un diseño pre/posteste, con aplicación del Career Exploration Survey (CES) y Career Decision Difficulties Questionnaire (CDDQ). Resultados del test del señal evidencian beneficios significativos (p<0,01) en las dimensiones de la exploración, reducción significativa de ausencia de información ocupacional (p<0,01) y total de dificultades de decisión (p<0,05). Ha sido observado un patrón de correlaciones negativas (ró de Spearman) entre las dos medidas vocacionales, mostrando relación entre la información explorada e la disminución de las dificultades de decisión por falta de motivación. En general, resultados sostienen la importancia de la exploración de carrera en la disminución de las dificultades de decisió

Acción antibacteriana de geopropolis de Melipona quadrifaciata en cultivo de secreción de otitis en perros

Objective. The objective of the present paper was to test the in vitro antibacterial activity of the Mandaçaia (Melipona quadrifaciata) bee’s geopropolis. Materials and methods. The experiment was carried out with secretion samples collected from animals with ear diseases evaluated at Unifeso’s Clinic School of Veterinary Medicine, where in vitro tests took place,  antibiograns with alcoholic extract of geopropolis were made 10 test tubes (two tubes for each concentration of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%). Results. Were not identified microorganisms at concentrations of 70, 80 and 90%. Conclusions. The geopropolis of Melipona quadrifasciata showed antibacterial activity in vitro against microorganisms from ear secretion of dogs with otitis externa.Objetivo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue probar la actividad antibacteriana in vitro de la geopropólea de la abeja Mandaçaia (Melipona quadrifasciata). Materiales y métodos. Se realizó el experimento con muestras de secreciones obtenidas de animales con enfermedades del oído evaluados en la Clínica Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria de Unifeso, donde tuvieron lugar las pruebas in vitro, antibiograns con extracto alcohólico de geopropolis fueron realizados 10 tubos de ensayo (dos tubos para cada concentración del 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%). Resultados. No se identificaron los microorganismos a concentraciones de 70, 80% y 90%. Conclusiones. La geopropolis de Melipona quadrifasciata mostró actividad antibacteriana, in vitro, frente a microorganismos de la secreción del oído de los perros con otitis externa

Critérios de selecção de brocas de osteotomia em cirurgia oral

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio