Behavioral Regulation Sport Questionnaire: Gender and Sport Invariance in Portuguese Athletes

Versão depositada: post-printThis study aimed to analyze measurement invariance of the Behavioral Regulation Sports Questionnaire (BRSQ) across the gender and four different sports. In addition, we examined nomological validity via basic psychological needs satisfaction. Participants totaled 1,812 Portuguese athletes (1,220 males and 592 females; aged 15–59 years, Mage ¼ 17.72, SD ¼ 5.51) from football (n ¼ 596), basketball (n ¼ 273), swimming (n ¼ 800), and parasport (n ¼ 143). The BRSQ measurement model was invariant across the gender and these four sports. The scale confirmed nomological validity in that satisfaction of the basic psychological needs positively predicted autonomous forms of motivation and negatively predicted more controlled motivation and amotivation as suggested by self-determination theory. In light of this evidence for BRSQ construct validity, composite reliability, nomological validity, and invariance across the gender and four different sports, this scale is a useful tool for the coaches of the aforementioned sports in their efforts to evaluate their athletes’ motivation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Physical activity and affect of the elderly: Contribution to the validation of the Positive and Negative Affect Shedule (PANAS) in the Portuguese population

The concept of affect corresponds to the emotional dimension of subjective well-being (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, & Griffin, 1985). It is represented by two dimensions (negative affect and positive affect), which were the basis of the development of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - PANAS (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988). It was translated and validated for the Portuguese population by Galinha and Pais-Ribeiro (2005b). Nevertheless, because the Portuguese version was not validated in a sample of Portuguese elderly, the goals of this study consisted in the translation of the scale (PANAS) from the original version of 20 items and the validation of its measurement model (including a shortened version) for a sample of Portuguese elderly (n = 311), aged 60 years or older (M = 68.53; DP = 6.69); it was then tested by a confirmatory factorial analysis. The results demonstrated that the measurement model (two factors and 10 items) of the shortened Portuguese version of the PANAS presented acceptable psychometric qualities, which adjusted to the data in a satisfactory way (factorial weights ranging between .57 and .70 in positive affect and between .52 and .68 in negative affect). We also concluded that older adults who practice more physical activity perceive higher levels of positive affect F(2, 297) = 3,78, p < .05; η2 = .025, and lower levels of negative affect F (2, 297) = 6,24, p < .001; η2 = .040).This project was supported by the National Funds through FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2019) - and the European Fund for regional development (FEDER) allocated by European Union through the COMPETE 2020 Programme (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006969).info: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

Gestão da manutenção de equipamentos e infraestruturas portuárias

O presente relatório tem como objetivo descrever as tarefas desenvolvidas durante o estágio curricular do curso de Mestrado em Engenharia Mecânica, lecionado pelo Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra, Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra. O estágio foi efetuado na empresa Portos dos Açores S.A, enquadrando-se na área da gestão e manutenção de equipamentos e infraestruturas portuárias. Foi realizado na área administrativa DGPTO, referente às ilhas do triângulo, que incluem São Jorge, Pico e Faial e ao grupo ocidental, Flores e Corvo, sendo que o estágio teve início na ilha de São Jorge. Recentemente a empresa Portos dos Açores S.A adquiriu uma nova versão do software de manutenção ManWinWin, havendo uma considerável falta de informação e formação, principalmente em portos de ilhas com menor dimensão. Por este facto, um dos objetivos deste estágio foi o levantamento e aquisição de informação de equipamentos e infraestruturas portuárias para complementar ao máximo a informação em falta no software. O estágio decorreu, principalmente, na ilha de São Jorge, no Porto de Velas, onde havia uma grande quantidade de informação a introduzir e a atualizar, mas também por se tratar da ilha de residência do aluno. O plano de estágio englobou ainda a deslocação às outras ilhas do triângulo para complementação do software e uma deslocação à ilha Terceira para melhor conhecer a empresa e poder observar os métodos de trabalho no porto da Praia da Vitoria. Este corresponde ao segundo porto no arquipélago com maior atividade portuária. Esta visita englobou ainda uma formação no software ManWinWin e no software PHC. De forma a garantir a eficácia dos equipamentos portuários é necessário efetuar diversas manutenções ao longo da sua vida útil. Tais ações visam não apenas corrigir anomalias, mas também implementar medidas preventivas de redução do desgaste e da corrosão devido ao ambiente de trabalho. Ao longo deste relatório de estágio, serão apresentados diversos conceitos teóricos fundamentais à compreensão do funcionamento dos equipamentos mais representativos da empresa, bem como efetuado o levantamento e inserção dos seus códigos no software. Serão também apresentados alguns tipos de manutenções efetuadas em equipamentos da empresa no decorrer do estágio curricular, sendo que as referidas manutenções foram realizadas pelos técnicos da empresa com apoio do estagiário. Numa fase final do relatório serão apresentadas várias propostas de inovação a adotar pela empresa

Comparação de dispositivos e iscos para monitorização de Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) em pequenos frutos

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaSince the accidental introduction in Portugal officially in 2012 (EPPO, 2012d), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) became a pest with high economic impact in small fruit crops. On IPM, monitoring and risk assessment is mandatory, therefore the possibility of using traps has enormous interest. The monitoring of this drosophila´s populations can be done with food traps. The goal of the present study is to contribute to a better knowledge about D. suzukii adult fly´s attraction to different traps (devices and baits). The work was developed in two farms, using three devices (transparent cup with or without yellow adhesive sticky trap, red cup DROSO-TRAP® from Biobest, trap made with water bottles) and four baits (vinegar, mature fruit, DROS’ATTRACT® liquid from Biobest and yeast). Spotted wing drosophila catches rose when fruits began to mature in the crop. Regarding the devices the red cup DROSO-TRAP® and the transparent cup were the most efficient devices. The yellow sticky trap did not raise the number of adults captured. Regarding the baits, the yeast mixture and the DROS'ATTRACT® captured higher number of adults than fruit and in some trap combinations also than vinegar. We captured more females than males

Ejercicio físico y estilo de vida sedentario: consecuencias para la salud

Perhaps the greatest barriers for achieving major advances in public health in the twenty-first century result from the paralysis of the pandemic paradigm or from the widespread inability to envision alternative or new models of thought. Human movement represents a complex behavior that is influenced by personal motivation, health and mobility problems, genetic factors, and social and physical environments in which people live. These factors influence the propensity to engage in sedentary behaviors or in physical activity. However, the biological, social, and environmental pathways leading to sedentary behavior versus physical activity may be different. In addition, the health effects associated with sedentary behavior and physical activity may be the result of different biological mechanisms. Thus, our objective was to discuss the importance of physical exercise on health-related outcomes and the consequences of sedentary lifestyles. Research on sedentary behavior has been growing;however, the evidence for its determinants is relatively sparse. More studies are needed to obtain more conclusive results because it is fundamental to understand these complex relationships related to the practice and the acquisition of active and healthy lifestyles as opposed to a sedentary lifestyle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Decision support system for the long-term city metabolism planning problem

A Decision Support System (DSS) tool for the assessment of intervention strategies (Alternatives) in an Urban Water System (UWS) with an integral simulation model called “WaterMet²” is presented. The DSS permits the user to identify one or more optimal Alternatives over a fixed long-term planning horizon using performance metrics mapped to the TRUST sustainability criteria (Alegre et al., 2012). The DSS exposes lists of in-built intervention options and system performance metrics for the user to compose new Alternatives. The quantitative metrics are calculated by the WaterMet² model and further qualitative or user-defined metrics may be specified by the user or by external tools feeding into the DSS. A Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach is employed within the DSS to compare the defined Alternatives and to rank them with respect to a pre-specified weighting scheme for different Scenarios. Two rich, interactive Graphical User Interfaces, one desktop and one web-based, are employed to assist with guiding the end user through the stages of defining the problem, evaluating and ranking Alternatives. This mechanism provides a useful tool for decision makers to compare different strategies for the planning of UWS with respect to multiple Scenarios. The efficacy of the DSS is demonstrated on a northern European case study inspired by a real-life urban water system for a mixture of quantitative and qualitative criteria. The results demonstrate how the DSS, integrated with an UWS modelling approach, can be used to assist planners in meeting their long-term, strategic level sustainability objectives

A “New” Player on the Block

Funding Information: D.A.C. has received honoraria from the Portuguese Navy, CUF Oncologia, and NTT DATA, and has served as a speaker, advisory board member, or has received research or education funding from AstraZeneca, CUF Oncologia, Daiichi Sankyo, Gilead, Hoffmann-La Roche, Merck KGaA, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Nestlé, Novartis, Pfizer, Nanobiotix, Puma Biotechnology Inc., Sanofi, Seagen Inc., and Uriage. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.The tumour microenvironment (TME) comprises a complex ecosystem of different cell types, including immune cells, cells of the vasculature and lymphatic system, cancer-associated fibroblasts, pericytes, and adipocytes. Cancer proliferation, invasion, metastasis, drug resistance and immune escape are all influenced by the dynamic interaction between cancer cells and TME. Microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea and protists, found within tumour tissues, constitute the intratumour microbiota, which is tumour type-specific and distinct among patients with different clinical outcomes. Growing evidence reveals a significant relevance of local microbiota in the colon, liver, breast, lung, oral cavity and pancreas carcinogenesis. Moreover, there is a growing interest in the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) pointed out in several cross-sectional studies on the correlation between microbiota and TME. It is now known that microorganisms have the capacity to change the density and function of anticancer and suppressive immune cells, enabling the promotion of an inflammatory environment. As immunotherapy (such as immune checkpoint inhibitors) is becoming a promising therapy using TIME as a therapeutic target, the analysis and comprehension of local microbiota and its modulating strategies can help improve cancer treatments.publishersversionpublishe

Analysis of the Effect of Different Physical Exercise Protocols on Depression in Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Context:Physical exercise (PE) is an effective treatment for depression, alone or as an adjunct. Objective:There is a lack of indicators regarding the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of physical exercise (PE). This study aims to synthesize and analyze the dose-effect of different PE protocols in adult subjects in the treatment of depression, based on the analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data Sources:The search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Study Selection:Studies with an exercise-based intervention published by December 31, 2021 were identified. RCTs and meta-analyses involving adults with depression were also included; 10 studies were selected, including a total of 956 subjects. Study Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level of Evidence:Level 1. Results:Effect sizes were summarized using standardized mean differences (95% confidence interval) by effected randomized models. The results reinforce that exercise appears to be beneficial in improving depression among adults aged 18 to 65 years. Interventions lasting above 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity and group interventions seem to have a more significant effect on reducing depression. Studies have revealed that aerobic exercise, compared with resistance or flexibility, has a more positive effect on depression. Conclusion:PE can be a way to reduce depression and can be used as a possible adjunctive tool for pharmacological and/or alternative treatments. Considering the findings of this study, it is important that health professionals (eg, exercise physiologists, physicians, nurses, psychologists) promote the practice of PE as a complementary alternative and act early to prevent the worsening of depression.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessment in sport and exercise psychology: considerations and recommendations for translation and validation of questionnaires

Translating and validating measurement instruments in sport and exercise psychology is not an easy task. Rather, it is a task that requires effort and time, for the process is not limited to a simple translation to translate words from one language to another, just in order to make valid and reliable measure. All researchers should be aware that the only proper way is to adopt rigorous and robust methodologies to conduct the process from the preliminary stage of translation to reaching the validation stage of the psychological variable. Only so is it possible to avoid creating fragile and inadequate psychological assessment instruments that can jeopardize the entire investigation to be held with its use. Thus, the main objective of this work is to promote reflection and discussion on the subject by presenting some considerations and recommendations about translation and validation of questionnaires for psychological assessment applied to sport and exercise domain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio