Portuguese Adaptation of Students Engagement in Schools International Scale (SESIS)

The importance of student’s engagement has been recently pointed out in research. However, there has been a lack of engagement assessment instrument, pertaining psychometric qualities. Objective: This paper presents the Portuguese adaptation of the “Student’s Engagement in School International Scale” (SESIS), drawn up from a12 countries international study (Lam et al., 2012; Lam et al., in press). Method: Psychometric properties of this scale were examined with data from 685 students from different grades (6th, 7th, 9th and 10th), from both sexes, and different regions of the country. Results: Factorial analysis of the results, with varimax rotation, lead to three different factors which explain 50.88% of the variance. The scale integrates the original 33 items, and cognitive, affective and behavioural dimensions. For the external validity study, the relationship between student’s engagement in school results and other school variables — academic performance, self-concept — was considered, and significant relations were observed, as expected. Conclusion: The data presented highlights the qualities of SESIS, as well as its usefulness for research purposes. Suggestion: It is suggested the investigation of the extension of SESIS’s three-dimensionality, in future studiesKeywords: Innovation, technology, research projects, etc. [Arial 10-point, justified alignment]

Alternative models for the calculation of the RMR and Q indexes for granite rock masses

Empirical classification systems like the RMR and Q are often used in current practice of geotechnical structures design built in rock masses. They allow obtaining an overall description of the rock mass and the calculation, through analytical solutions, of strength and deformability parameters which are determinant in design. To be applied these systems need a set of geomechanical information that may not be available or can be difficult to obtain. In this work it is intended to develop new alternative regression models for the calculation of the RMR and Q indexes using less data than the original formulations and keeping a high accuracy level. It is also intended to have an insight of which parameters are the most important for the prediction of the indexes and in the rock masses behaviour. This study was carried out applying Data Mining techniques to a database of the empirical classification systems applications in a granite rock mass. Data Mining is a relatively new area of computer science which concerns with automatically find, simplify and summarize patterns and relationships within large databases. The used Data Mining techniques were the multiple regression and artificial neural networks. The developed models are able to predict the two geomechanical indexes using less information that in the original formulations with a good predictive capacity.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - projecto POCI/ECM/57495/2004 "Geotechnical Risk in Tunnels for High Speed Trains

Home-Based Preoperative Exercise Training for Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Feasibility Trial

Background: Clinical guidelines recommend prehabilitation with exercise training to optimize recovery after lung cancer surgery. However, the lack of access to facility-based exercise programs is a major barrier to routine participation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of a home-based exercise intervention before lung cancer resection. Methods: We conducted a prospective, two-site feasibility study, including patients scheduled for lung cancer surgery. Exercise prescription involved aerobic and resistance training with telephone-based supervision. The primary endpoint was overall feasibility (recruitment rate, retention rate, intervention adherence and acceptability). Secondary endpoints included safety and effects on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and physical performance, evaluated at baseline, after the exercise intervention and 4–5 weeks after surgery. Results: Over three months, 15 patients were eligible, and all agreed to participate (recruitment rate: 100%). A total of 14 patients completed the exercise intervention, and 12 patients were evaluated postoperatively (retention rate: 80%). The median length of the exercise intervention was 3 weeks. Patients performed an aerobic and resistance training volume higher than prescribed (median adherence rates of 104% and 111%, respectively). A total of nine adverse events occurred during the intervention (Grade 1, n = 8; Grade 2, n = 1), the most common being shoulder pain. After the exercise intervention, significant improvements were observed in the HRQOL summary score (mean difference, 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], from 0.9 to 4.8; p = 0.049) and the five-times sit-to-stand test score (median difference, −1.5; 95% CI, from −2.1 to −0.9; p = 0.001). After surgery, no significant effects on HRQOL and physical performance were observed. Conclusion: A short-term preoperative home-based exercise intervention is feasible before lung cancer resection and may enhance accessibility to prehabilitation. Clinical effectiveness should be investigated in future studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of Preoperative Home-Based Exercise Training on Quality of Life After Lung Cancer Surgery: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Preoperative exercise training is recommended for improvement of clinical outcomes after lung cancer (LC) surgery. However, its efectiveness in preventing postoperative decline in quality of life (QoL) remains unknown. This study investigated the efect of preoperative home-based exercise training (PHET) on QoL after LC surgery. Methods. Patients awaiting LC resection were randomized to PHET or a control group (CG). The PHET program combined aerobic and resistance exercise, with weekly telephone supervision. Primary outcome was QoL-assessed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire C30 (QLQC30) at baseline, before surgery, and 1 month after surgery. The secondary outcomes were hospital length of stay and physical performance. The main analysis included a factorial repeated-measures analysis of variance. Additionally, the proportion of patients experiencing clinical deterioration from baseline to post-surgery was assessed. Results. The study included 41 patients (68.1±9.3 years; 68.3% male) in the intention-to-treat analysis (20 PHET patients, 21 CG patients). A signifcant group × time interaction was observed for global QoL (p =0.004). Betweengroup diferences in global QoL were statistically and clinically signifcant before surgery (mean diference [MD], 13.5 points; 95% confdence interval [CI], 2.4–24.6; p =0.019) and after surgery (MD, 12.4 points; 95% CI, 1.3–23.4; p=0.029), favoring PHET. Clinical deterioration of global QoL was reported by 71.4% of the CG patients compared with 30 % of the PHET patients (p =0.003). Between-group diferences in favor of PHET were found in pain and appetite loss as well as in physical, emotional and role functions after surgery (p <0.05). Compared with CG, PHET was superior in improving preoperative fve-times sit-to-stand and postoperative exercise capacity (p <0.05). No between-group diferences in other secondary outcomes were observed. Conclusion. The study showed that PHET can efectively prevent the decline in QoL after LC surgery.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ASO Visual Abstract: Effect of Preoperative Home-Based Exercise Training on Quality of Life After Lung Cancer Surgery: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo exploratório sobre reactividade cardíaca e dificuldade de uma tarefa de equilíbrio dinâmico em crianças de 6-7 anos de idade

A reactividade cardíaca está directamente associada à ansiedade provocada pela dificuldade de uma tarefa. Fomos verificar se a frequência cardíaca (FC) em crianças era sensível à dificuldade de uma tarefa de equilíbrio dinâmico. 35 crianças, de 6-7anos de idade, deslocaram-se de pé sobre bancos suecos em 4 condições: (i) de frente, de olhos abertos; (ii) de frente, de olhos fechados, (iii) de costas, de olhos abertos; (ii) de costas, de olhos fechados; com um cardiofrequencímetro colocado. Durante a instrução e a execução da tarefa, a mudança da FC esteve directamente associada ao grau de dificuldade da mesma, e nas condições sem informação visual o aumento de FC foi superior. A alteração da FC não pode ser exclusivamente justificada pela preparação para e pela execução motora da tarefa, porque a reactividade cardíaca nas condições sem informação visual é significativamente superior. A FC das crianças foi sensível à dificuldade da tarefa. A reactividade cardíaca observada sustenta o conceito cardíaco-somático e a hipótese de estarmos na presença de active coping.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The understanding of information about oral chemotherapy treatment among outpatients at a University Hospital in Ceará, Brazil

This study assessed the understanding of information about oral chemotherapy treatment, among patients attending the hematology outpatients' ward of a University hospital. A questionnaire with patient data and details of the treatment was applied to 147 outpatients. The analysis of variables and classification of the level of understanding about the treatment followed methods established in the literature with some adjustments. The study found a significant association between the level of understanding about treatment with the level of education and the occupation of the respondents. Regarding the correct acquisition and administration of the medicine-its name, dose and frequency of administration-there was agreement between the medical prescriptions and the responses for 90.7, 88.0 and 99.3 % of patients, respectively. Patients had less knowledge about the duration and side-effects of the treatment. The level of treatment understanding was classified as good for 74.1 % of those interviewed, suggesting a rational use of oral chemotherapy by the majority of patients.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Cultura Material, Cultura Científica: Património Industrial para o Futuro

IH4Future (PTDC/FIS-aQM/30292/2017Material, Culture, Scientific Culture: Industrial Heritage for the Futurepublishersversionpublishe

The cyclooxigenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib prevents epidermal dysplasia in HPV16-transgenic mice: efficacy and safety observations

Carcinogenesis induced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) involves inflammatory phenomena, partially mediated by cyclooxigenase-2. In pre-clinical models of HPV-induced cancer, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have shown significant e cacy, but also considerable toxicity. This study addresses the chemopreventive e ect and hepatic toxicity of a specific cyclooxigensase-2 inhibitor, parecoxib, in HPV16-transgenic mice. Forty-three 20 weeks-old female mice were divided into four groups: I (HPV16+/-, n = 10, parecoxib-treated); II (HPV16+/- n = 11, untreated); III (HPV16+/-, n = 11, parecoxib-treated) and IV (HPV16+/- n = 11, untreated). Parecoxib (5.0 mg/kg once daily) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally for 22 consecutive days. Skin lesions were classified histologically. Toxicological endpoints included genotoxic parameters, hepatic oxidative stress, transaminases and histology. Parecoxib completely prevented the onset of epidermal dysplasia in HPV16+/- treated animals (0% versus 64% in HPV16+/- untreated, p = 0.027). Parecoxib decreases lipid peroxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increases the GSH:GSSG ratio in HPV16+/- treated animals meaning that oxidative stress is lower. Parecoxib increased genotoxic stress parameters in wild-type and HPV16-transgenic mice, but didn’t modify histological or biochemical hepatic parameters. These results indicate that parecoxib has chemopreventive e ects against HPV16-induced lesions while maintaining an acceptable toxicological profile in this model.This work is supported by National Funds by FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects UID/AGR/04033/2019, UID/CVT/00772/2019 and UID/EQU/00511/2019 - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy—LEPABE funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Project “LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION”—NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000005, funded by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio