Robustez mental : uma perspectiva integradora

A literatura em psicologia do desporto refere-se à robustez mental como uma das caraterísticas psicológicas mais importantes no desempenho desportivo, apesar dos investigadores, até recentemente, terem devotado pouco tempo ao estudo do construto. Esta revisão aborda as principais definições e conceptualizações sobre a robustez, relacionando-a com outros construtos similares e concorrentes e tentando integrar diversas perspectivas provindas de diferentes comunidades de pesquisa. Propomos que a robustez mental do desportista seja concebida como um sistema ecológico e dinâmico de gestão de recursos, numa conceção que amplia o conceito de robustez a uma meta-competência envolvendo integração dinâmica de diversos recursos psicoló- gicos, diferentemente mobilizáveis em função das caraterísticas dos indivíduos, da natureza dos problemas, das situações e dos contextos, de modo a enfrentar os desafios da vida e as tarefas da existência.Literature on sport psychology has consistently referred to mental toughness as one of the most important psychological characteristics related to outcomes in sport, although researchers have, until recently, devoted little time to studying this concept. This review considers major definitions and conceptualizations, relating this construct to other similar or concurrent ones and trying to integrate several perspectives from diverse research communities into the study of mental toughness. we propose that mental toughness should be conceived as a dynamic ecological resource management system, in a conception that extends the concept of robustness to a meta-skill involving the dynamic integration of a wide variety of psychological resources, mobilized differently depending on the characteristics of each individual, the nature of specific problems, situations and contexts, and ways of facing up to tasks and the challenges of life

Aplicação de materiais fibrosos na área militar

Os materiais fibrosos têm sofrido, nos últimos anos, desenvolvimentos que podem ser utilizados com enorme vantagem na área militar. Os militares, em teatro de operações, estão sujeitos a vários tipos de agressões que necessitam de protecção extrema, para evitarem ferimentos ou mesmo a morte. Assim, estão sujeitos a várias ameaças que incluem frio ou calor extremos (protecção térmica); fragmentos ou balas soltas (protecção mecânica); gases tóxicos nocivos e vírus que podem levar rapidamente à morte (protecção química e biológica); e, necessidade de se esconderem rapidamente do inimigo (camuflagem). As fibras têm aplicações na área militar representando verdadeiras vantagens como maior leveza, conforto, segurança que leva a um melhor cumprimento das funções que outros materiais são incapazes de oferecer. Este artigo de revisão bibliográfica mostra algumas dessas aplicações e aborda as tendências de investigação que estão a ser levadas a cabo no sentido de se conseguir atingir o objectivo do “soldado ideal”

Fibrous based materials in sustainable civil and architectural applications – a review

The aim of this review paper is to present a survey on fibrous materials used in key areas of construction and architectural sectors. Here are highlighted conceptual challenges involved in some of the applications trying to define what we call a “green” building. The main applications reviewed are concrete reinforcement, structural health monitoring, insulation, and architectural membranes. On the other hand, tendencies in the area such as sustainability, weight reduction, enhanced durability and resistance, multi-functionality, bio-mimetization and hybridization are also discussed and analysed

Interferon-beta treated-multiple sclerosis patients exhibit a decreased ratio between immature/transitional B cell subset and plasmablasts

Our aim was to quantify circulating B cell subsets; immature/transitional, naïve, CD27- and CD27+ memory cells and plasmablasts, in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with IFN-β. The most relevant findings were a significant increase of plasmablasts and a decrease of immature/transitional B cells, resulting in a decreased ratio between those cells in relapse RRMS, together with an increase of CD27- and CD27+IgM+ memory B cell subsets in both phases of the disease. These alterations point to an active B cell response, particularly in relapse, and the above referred ratio could constitute a good biomarker of relapse in patients that underwent IFN-β treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aplicações de materiais fibrosos na área médica

Os têxteis médicos têm sofrido um enorme desenvolvimento e tornaram-se uma área de grande interesse. As propriedades dos materiais fibrosos, como a biocompatibilidade ou a flexibilidade tornam estes materiais indicados para aplicações médicas. Assim, estes materiais encontram-se em quase todos os campos da medicina e dividem-se em: materiais cirúrgicos, dispositivos extra -corporais e produtos de saúde e higiene. As aplicações mais relevantes encontram-se nos materiais cirúrgicos implantáveis e, por isso, espera-se uma grande evolução destes, nos próximos anos. É, igualmente, expectável uma maior funcionalização das fibras, com maior especificidade, e uma integração mais intensa entre a tecnologia e a medicina, de modo a serem produzidas fibras com maior potencial, como, por exemplo, materiais fibrosos com capacidade de monitorização dos sinais vitais. Este artigo pretende demonstrar todo o potencial de interesse da aplicação de materiais fibrosos na medicina, recorrendo a vários exemplos de utilização, onde estes materiais desempenham um papel preponderante

A gerontopsychomotor rehabilitation program can revert losses of motor and cognitive functioning on nursing home residentes.

NTRODUCTION European Union older adults number and old-age-dependency has increased (Eurostat, 2015). A frequent answer for their care needs is nursing home admission, although this solution tends to exacerbate older adults losses of cognitive and motor functioning (Frandin et al., 2016). OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of a psychomotor intervention, accomplished by a multimodal exercise program alternating exercises mainly motor with exercises mainly cognitive, on executive and physical function of nursing homes residents. METHODS This study included 34 nursing home residents (82.4±6.3 yrs): 17 were allocated to the experimental group (EG: engaged on a 10- weeks multimodal exercise program), and 17 to a control group (maintained usual activities). Planning ability and selective attention were assessed by the Tower of London task and the attention Test d2, respectively. Physical function was assessed by the Senior Fitness Test and the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment. RESULTS Comparison between groups evidenced that the EG improved planning ability variables from5% to 32%, attention variables from 19% to 67%, and physical function variables (aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility) from 11% to 41% (p<0.05), corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 to 1.11. CONCLUSIONS The program induced improvements in the participants ́ executive functions (planning ability and attention) and physical functions, with a treatment effect from small to high. This shows that the psychomotor intervention was able to revert the usual loss of cognitive and motor functioning in old and very old institutionalized persons

Effects of a 10-week multimodal exercise program on physical and cognitive function of nursing home residents: a psychomotor intervention pilot study

Background Nursing home institutionalization tends to exacerbate loss of functioning. Aims Examine the feasibility and the effect of a psycho- motor intervention—a multimodal exercise program pro- moting simultaneous cognitive and motor stimulation—on the executive (planning ability and selective attention) and physical function of nursing home residents. Methods Seventeen participants engaged in a 10-week multimodal exercise program and 17 maintained usual activities. Results Exercise group improved planning ability (25– 32%), selective attention (19–67%), and physical function [aerobic endurance, lower body strength, agility, balance, gait, and mobility (19–41%)], corresponding to an effect size ranging from 0.29 (small) to 1.11 (high), p < 0.05. Discussion The multimodal exercise program was fea- sible and well tolerated. The program improved execu- tive and physical functions of the nursing home residents, reverting the usual loss of both cognitive and motor func- tioning in older adult institutionalized. Conclusions Multimodal exercise programs may help to maintain or improve nursing home residents’ functioning.FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013) - and the European Fund for regional development through Horizon 2020 - Portugal 2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Alentejo (ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000007 - project: ESACA - Ageing Safely in Alentejo. Understanding for Action)

Determinantes da intenção de saída dos colaboradores das firmas de auditoria

Mestrado Bolonha em Contabilidade, Fiscalidade e Finanças EmpresariaisA Turnover Intention/Intenção de saída (IS) é uma questão fulcral na gestão de colaboradores nas firmas de auditoria, já que se pode materializar na sua saída efetiva e/ou numa menor dedicação na qualidade dos trabalhos realizados. Todos os anos, as firmas de auditoria são confrontadas com elevadas taxas de rotação de pessoal, cujos custos de substituição (recrutamento e formação) são bastante significativos. Este estudo identifica e analisa três fatores determinantes da IS, a justiça organizacional, o desempenho e a satisfação no trabalho. Nesta investigação pretende-se estudar a relação entre as três dimensões da justiça organizacional (justiça distributiva, justiça procedimental e justiça interacional) e a IS, bem como a relação destas três dimensões com a satisfação e o desempenho no trabalho. Adicionalmente, investiga-se o impacto da satisfação e do desempenho na IS das firmas de auditoria. Para a análise distribuíram-se questionários entre julho de 2020 e fevereiro de 2021, tendo-se obtido uma amostra de 117 colaboradores de firmas de auditoria portuguesas. As várias hipóteses foram testadas a partir do Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Model. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a satisfação no trabalho está positivamente associada à justiça distributiva e à justiça interacional. Sugerem ainda uma relação negativa entre a satisfação no trabalho e a IS, pelo que o aumento da satisfação tende a reduzir a intenção de saída dos auditores. Adicionalmente, também se comprova o impacto positivo da satisfação no desempenho dos auditores. Por outro lado, não se observou uma relação significativa entre as várias dimensões da justiça organizacional com a intenção de saída e o desempenho no trabalho.Turnover Intention (TI) is a key issue in the management of employees in audit firms, as it can materialize in their effective departure and/or less dedication to auditing quality. Every year, audit firms are faced with high staff turnover rates, whose replacement costs (recruitment and training) are quite significant. This study identifies and analyzes three determining factors of IS (organizational justice, job performance and job satisfaction). The investigation intends to study the relationship between the three sub-dimensions of organizational justice (distributive justice, procedural justice, interactional justice) and IS, as well as the relationship of these three sub-dimensions with job satisfaction and job performance. Additionally, it’s investigated the impact of job satisfaction and job performance on IS in audit firms. For the analysis, questionnaires were distributed between July 2020 and February 2021, a sample of 117 employees of Portuguese audit firms was obtained. The various hypotheses were tested from the Partial Least Squares – Structural Equation Model. The results obtained show that job satisfaction is positively associated with distributive justice and interactional justice. They also suggest a negative relationship between job satisfaction and IS, so that the increase in satisfaction tends to reduce the auditors' intention to leave. Additionally, the positive impact of job satisfaction on the performance of auditors is also proven. On the other hand, there was no significant relationship between the various dimensions of organizational justice with turnover intention and job performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Isolates from hospital environments are the most virulent of the Candida parapsilosis complex

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Candida parapsilosis </it>is frequently isolated from hospital environments, like air and surfaces, and causes serious nosocomial infections. Molecular studies provided evidence of great genetic diversity within the <it>C. parapsilosis </it>species complex but, despite their growing importance as pathogens, little is known about their potential to cause disease, particularly their interactions with phagocytes. In this study, clinical and environmental <it>C. parapsilosis </it>isolates, and strains of the related species <it>C. orthopsilosis </it>and <it>C. metapsilosis </it>were assayed for their ability to induce macrophage cytotocixity and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, to produce pseudo-hyphae and to secrete hydrolytic enzymes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Environmental <it>C. parapsilosis </it>isolates caused a statistically significant (<it>p </it>= 0.0002) higher cell damage compared with the clinical strains, while <it>C. orthopsilosis </it>and <it>C. metapsilosis </it>were less cytotoxic. On the other hand, clinical isolates induced a higher TNF-α production compared with environmental strains (<it>p </it>< 0.0001). Whereas the amount of TNF-α produced in response to <it>C. orthopsilosis </it>strains was similar to the obtained with <it>C. parapsilosis </it>environmental isolates, it was lower for <it>C. metapsilosis </it>strains. No correlation between pseudo-hyphae formation or proteolytic enzymes secretion and macrophage death was detected (<it>p </it>> 0.05). However, a positive correlation between pseudo-hyphae formation and TNF-α secretion was observed (<it>p </it>= 0.0119).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We show that environmental <it>C. parapsilosis </it>strains are more resistant to phagocytic host defences than bloodstream isolates, being potentially more deleterious in the course of infection than strains from a clinical source. Thus, active environmental surveillance and application of strict cleaning procedures should be implemented in order to prevent cross-infection and hospital outbreaks.</p