Development and validation of a tool to measure temporal orientation

Individuals are thought to differ in the extent to which their day-to-day thoughts, feelings, and fantasies focus on the past or future (i.e., temporal orientation). This thesis describes the continued development of a multidimensional measure of temporal orientation that includes the following four subscales: (1) negative future orientation, (2) positive future orientation, (3) negative past orientation, and (4) positive past orientation. Two studies were conducted. In study one, 921 introductory psychology students completed the thirty-item Temporal Orientation Scale (TOS). Based on analyses of the 30-item initial version of the scale, a refined 21-item version of the TOS was developed. In study two, the reliability and validity of the 21-item version of the TOS were assessed. Two hundred and forty-six introductory psychology students participated in study two. While results for the total scale indicated low levels of internal consistency, analysis of the individual subscales demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability over a five to seven week period. Convergent validation was obtained for the positive future orientation and negative past orientation subscales and discriminant validity evidence was obtained for the positive future and positive past orientation subscales. The results are discussed in terms of suggestions for continued scale development and validation

Prevalence of physical activity among adolescents from 105 low, middle, and high-income countries

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open accessarticle distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).Introduction: Physical activity (PA) is a beneficial health behaviour, however most adolescents worldwide are physically inactive. Updated information on the prevalence and trends of PA is important to inform national and international authorities and support countries’ public health policies and actions. This study aimed to present the worldwide, regional, and national prevalence of PA participation according to its frequency in adolescents. Methods: This study is based on cross-sectional surveys of adolescents’ populations from several countries and all regions worldwide. The sample comprised 520,533 adolescents (251,788 boys; 268,745 girls), from 105 countries and regions. Results: Most adolescents engaged in PA up to 3 days/week (57.1%; 95% CI: 56.9; 57.2). The prevalence of engaging in PA every day decreases over the age from 28.2% at age of 11–12 years (95% CI: 27.4; 29.0) to 21.2% at age of 16–17 years (95% CI: 20.3; 22.0) among boys; and from 19.4% (95% CI: 18.5; 20.2) to 11.1% (95% CI: 10.1; 12.0) among girls. For boys and girls who engaged in PA 5-6 days/week, the prevalence increases from countries with the lowest human development index to countries with the highest. Cambodia (7.3%, 95% CI: 3.8; 10.8), Philippines (7.7%, 95% CI: 5.6; 9.7), Sudan (8.8%, 95% CI: 4.7; 12.9), Timor-Leste (8.9%, 95% CI: 5.5; 12.3), and Afghanistan (10.1%, 95% CI: 6.1; 14.1) were the countries with the lowest prevalence of sufficient PA. Conclusions: National, regional, and worldwide data on the prevalence of physical activity in adolescents highlights the importance of improving the global levels of PA, especially in girls. Identifying the factors causing the age-related decrease in physical activity levels will permit public health entities to define priority actions and policies against physical inactivity.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

9-year follow-up of uncommon cleft palate in Aarskog-Scott syndrome

Aarskog-Scott syndrome (AAS) is characterized by different facial, skeletal and genital anomalies and may have oral manifestations. A 7-year-old boy was referred to the University General Hospital for treatment of speech difficulties and frequent regurgitation. Characteristics such as a triangle-shaped face, hypertelorism, low-set ears, flattened nose, shawl scrotum and partial syndactylia on hands and feet were observed. Based on these clinical features, the child was diagnosed with AAS. Upon intraoral examination, maxillary atresia and an incomplete cleft palate were observed. The mixed dentition was characterized by extensive coronary destruction of primary teeth and caries lesions on permanent teeth. Here, the case of a 9-year follow-up of this child with uncommon AAS associated with cleft palate is reported. The child was referred to a multidisciplinary team for planning and carrying out the treatment. In the follow-up visit after 9 years from the beginning of the treatment, the child showed greater sociability, with significant improvement in spontaneous speech and pronunciation of phonemes. However, the patient continues until now with articulation and spontaneous speech training. The correction of class II malocclusion, better dental alignment and canine extrusion were achieved. At the moment, the patient uses a nighttime extraoral device, and the treatment continues for dental alignment and prevention of tooth decay. The presence of cleft palate could be coincidental with AAS and may aggravate the prognosis, requiring careful patient monitoring by a multiprofessional team

Eating related problems amongst Iberian female college students

The current survey descriptive study evaluates the prevalence of eating related problems amongst a sample of first-year female college students attending an university campus in one of two areas of the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe. A total of 1079 students participated in the current study, 486 from a large university campus of the North of Portugal (Minho), and 595 from two large university campuses of the Northwest of Spain (Galicia). Participants responded to the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) and to a questionnaire designed at assessing eating related habits and problems. Results showed that a significant number of students scored high on the EDI and showed considerable prevalence of eating related problems. Based on this self reported data, it is estimated that the prevalence of eating disorders on these peripheral areas of both countries is not significantly different than what is common in other European areas or countries.El presente estudio evalúa la prevalencia de los trastornos de la alimentación en una muestra de alumnas universitarias de primer año que frecuentaban una Universidad de una de dos áreas del Noroeste de la Península Ibérica. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, mediante observación. Un total de 1079 mujeres participaron en este estudio, 486 de una Universidad del Norte de Portugal (Minho) y 595 de dos Universidades del Noroeste de España (Galicia). Las participantes respondieron al Inventario de Trastornos Alimentarios (EDI) y a un cuestionario desarrollado para evaluar problemas relacionados con la alimentación. Los resultados mostraron que un número significativo de estudiantes obtuvo un resultado elevado en el EDI, presentando una prevalencia considerable de problemas relacionados con la alimentación. Basándonos en los datos auto referidos se estimó que la prevalencia de trastornos en el comportamiento alimentario en estas áreas periféricas de ambos países no es significativamente diferente de lo que resulta común en otros países y áreas de Europa.O presente estudo avalia a a prevalência de problemas alimentares numa amostra de alunas universitárias do primeiro ano que frequentavam uma universidade de uma de duas áreas do noroeste da Península Ibérica. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, mediante observação. Um total de 1079 mulheres participaram neste estudo, 486 de uma universidade do Norte de Portugal (Minho) e 595 de duas universidades do Noroeste de Espanha (Galiza). Os participantes responderam ao Inventário de Perturbações Alimentares (EDI) e a um questionário desenvolvido para avaliar problemas relacionados com a alimentação. Os resultados mostraram que um número significativo de estudantes obtiveram um resultado elevado no EDI e apresentavam uma prevalência considerável de problemas relacionados com a alimentação. Com base nos dados de auto relato foi estimada que a prevalência de perturbações do comportamento alimentar nestas áreas periféricas de ambos os países não é significativamente diferente da que é comum noutros países e áreas da Europa.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - PRAXIS/PCSH/P/PSI/85/96, Pograma Operacional "Ciência, Tecnologia, Inocação (POCTI) - POCTI/33252/PSI/2000

Adaptation of the Behavioural Regulation in Active Commuting to School (BR-ACS) questionnaire in Portuguese youth

© 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).This study aimed to translate and adapt the psychometric properties of the Behavioural Regulation in Active Commuting to School (BR-ACS) questionnaire to young Portuguese students. This study had two stages: (1) translation and adaptation of the questionnaire; (2) evaluation of the psychometric properties. A sample of 338 participants (212 female, 126 male) aged 11 to 19 years (Mage = 15.6 ± 2.1) from 31 cities and Madeira island participated in this study. The confirmatory factor analysis suggested an acceptable fit to the data for the first-order and third-order measurement models. The composite reliability values ranged from 0.71 (identified regulation) to 0.90 (integrated regulation), demonstrating internal consistency. The AVE values ranged from 0.40 (amotivation) to 0.69 (integrated regulation), demonstrating an acceptable convergent validity for all constructs. The model estimation had an acceptable fit, with values akin to those of the first-order tested model. Finally, the results of the multigroup analysis for the successive restricted models (CFI < 0.010 and RMSEA < 0.015) point out that the null hypothesis of factor invariance between gender cannot be rejected. The psychometric properties demonstrates the suitability of this questionnaire among Portuguese youths aged 11 to 19. This questionnaire will help understand the motivation aspects that underpin active commuting to school and consequently help to increase physical activity among Portuguese adolescents.This work was supported by a grant (2018–3291/001–001) from the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) ERASMUS+ Sport Program. E.R.G. acknowledges support from LARSyS—Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology (FCT) pluriannual funding 2020–2023 (Reference: UIDB/50009/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MODELAGEM MOLECULAR DE COPOLÍMEROS ACEITADORES E DOADORES DE ELÉTRONS

With the discovery that some polymers could conduct electricity there was a strong demand for new systems that could reproduce or improve the properties of metallic materials, mainly for ease of synthesis, lower cost, and lightness. Currently, more than 85% of the world production of photovoltaic cells involves the use of crystalline silicon. The introduction of new organic materials with donor and acceptor characteristics has been used to improve the gap properties of the materials. Copolymers formed from benzothiadiazole, fluorene and thiophene with promising photovoltaic properties were theoretically studied. The energetic, structural, electronic and optical properties were obtained with the semi-empirical AM1 method and the optical properties were obtained with the ZINDO semi-empirical method. It is observed from the theoretical study that the electronic and optical properties of the molecules improve when combined the donor and acceptor molecule of electrons.Con el descubrimiento de que algunos polímeros pueden conducir la electricidad se ha producido una fuerte demanda de nuevos sistemas que pudieran mejorar las propiedades de los materiales metálicos, principalmente em relación a facilidad de síntesis, menor costo y peso ligero. Actualmente, más del 85% de la producción mundial de células fotovoltaicas implica el uso de silicio cristalino. La introducción de nuevos materiales orgánicos con características de donadores y aceptadores se ha utilizado para mejorar la propiedades de banda prohibida de los materiales. Fueron estudiados através de simulaciones computacionales copolímeros formados de benzotiadiazol, tiofeno y fluoreno com propiedades prometedoras para aplicaciones fotovoltaicas. Las propiedades energéticas, estructurales, electrónicas y ópticas se obtuvieron con el método semiempírico AM1 y las propiedades ópticas se obtuvieron con el método semiempírico ZINDO. Se observa del estudio teórico computacional que las propiedades electrónicas y ópticas de las moléculas mejoran cuando se combinan con las moléculas donadoras y aceptadoras de electrones.Com a descoberta de que alguns polímeros poderiam conduzir eletricidade houve uma forte demanda por novos sistemas que pudessem reproduzir ou melhorar as propriedades de materiais metálicos, objetivando principalmente facilidade de síntese, menor custo, e leveza. Atualmente, mais de 85% da produção mundial de células fotovoltaicas envolve a utilização de silício cristalino. A introdução de novos materiais orgânicos com características doadoras e aceitadoras tem sido utilizada para melhorar as propriedades de gap dos materiais. Foram estudados teoricamente os copolímeros formados de benzotiadiazole, fluoreno e tiofeno com promissoras propriedades fotovoltaicas. As propriedades energéticas, estruturais, eletrônicas e ópticas foram obtidas com o método semi empírico AM1 e as propriedades ópticas foram obtidas com o método semi empírico ZINDO. Observa-se do estudo teórico que as propriedades eletrônicas e ópticas das moléculas melhoram quando combinados a molécula doadora e aceitadora de elétrons

Globalization and its impacts on vulnerability and on the flexibilization of the labor relationships in health

No processo de globalização, a flexibilização laboral e a vulnerabilidade da população tendem a aumentar. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a situação do mercado de trabalho no setor saúde à brasileiro luz dos conceitos da vulnerabilidade no contexto da globalização. Foi realizado um estudo sistemático a partir da produção técnico-científica nacional e internacional. Os conceitos de vulnerabilidade foram tomados como base teórica, pois consideram não somente questões pertinentes ao setor saúde como também sua relação com a estrutura e superestrutura social, passível de integrar-se no marco das condições de trabalho desse setor, que em termos das condições de trabalho podem elucidar a formulação de políticas mais humanas aos trabalhadores.In the globalization process, labor flexibilization and the population's vulnerability tend to increase. The purpose of this study is to analyze the situation of the work market in the Brazilian health sector under the light of vulnerability in the globalization context. A systematic study was carried out based on national and international technical and scientific production. The concepts of vulnerability were used as the theoretical base, as they consider not only issues that are pertinent to the health sector, but also to its relationship with the social structure and superstructure, which can integrate with each other in the framework of this sector's work conditions, which, in turn, can elucidate the formulation of policies that are more human for the workers

Associations between neighborhood-level violence and individual mental disorders: results from the World Mental Health surveys in five Latin American cities

Rapidly urbanizing areas of Latin America experience elevated but unevenly distributed levels of violence. Extensive research suggests that individual exposure to violence is associated with higher odds of both internalizing (anxiety and mood) and externalizing (substance and intermittent explosive) mental disorders. Less research, however, has focused on how neighborhood-level violence, as an indicator of broader neighborhood contexts, might relate to the mental health of residents, independently of an individual’s personal exposure. We used multilevel analyses to examine associations of neighborhood-level violence with individual-level past-year mental disorders, controlling for individual-level violence exposure. We used data from 7,251 adults nested in 83 neighborhoods within five large Latin American cities as part of the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Accounting for individual-level violence exposure, living in neighborhoods with more violence was associated with significantly elevated odds of individual-level internalizing disorders, but not externalizing disorders. Caution should be exercised when making causal inferences regarding the effects of neighborhood-level violence in the absence of experimental interventions. Nevertheless, neighborhood context, including violence, should be considered in the study of mental disorders. These findings are particularly relevant for rapidly urbanizing areas with high levels of violence, such as Latin America