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- Coccolithophores as potential marine resource for sustainable aquaculturePublication . Vicente, Bernardo; Santos, Tamára; São João, Ricardo; Rodrigues, Luísa; Pereira, Hugo; Varela, João; Tenreiro, AnaCoccolithus braarudii (holococcolith) and Emiliana huxleyi (heterococcolith) were isolated from Portuguese coastal waters and domesticated under laboratory conditions with the objective of providing strains with high potential for the production of high value products for aquaculture and biotechnology. The growth patterns and photophysiology of the two species were investigated under controlled conditions, (19±1°C, 12:12 Light: Dark, 115 µmol photons m-2 s-1) using pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry (PAM), and the different growth phases characterized by flow cytometry (cell size, complexity, chlorophyll a autofluorescence and lipid content). The biochemical and nutritional profile of the studied species was assessed by elemental analyses, gravimetric quantification of total lipids and the fatty acid profile determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The growth rate of C. braarudii was on average 69.5% higher (0.76d-1) when compared with E. huxleyi (0.44d-1) (P=0.005). Results from biochemical analyses revealed that this strain of C. braarudii has high protein and lipid content, 34.6% and 22.1% of total dry weight, respectively. The fatty acid (FA) profile was mainly composed of ω-3 PUFA, 64.1% total FA, with high levels of DHA and EPA. E. huxleyi revealed lower (P<0.001) protein and lipid contents and a fatty acid profile rich in DHA but poor in EPA. Finding alternative sources to ω-3 PUFA from wild fish is currently a major challenge for aquaculture. Given the cell size, high growth rate and nutritional quality, C. braarudii is a promising candidate for microalgae-based diets in aquaculture, particularly of larval stages, thus contributing to sustainable aquaculture practices.
- Haptic perception and motor behaviors in infants users of ergonomic pacifiersPublication . Correia, Andreia; Elias, Cláudia; David, Diana; Cabral, Inês; Telo, Mónica; Catela, DavidInfants haptically react to changes in object characteristics (Rochat, 1987; Streri, Lhote, & Dutilleul, 2000), being able to explore the space and be sensitive to different orientations of a rod by the hands (Gentaz & Streri 2002). One-year-old babies show haptic recognition memory after a short period of haptic familiarization, manipulating novel objects differently from familiar ones (Gottfried and Rose, 1980). Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) is defined as sucking without the delivery of fluid, is a naturally occurring phenomenon recognized as a pacifying mechanism for preterm and term infants. Thumb sucking and other sucking movements have been seen in human foetuses as early as the 12th week of gestation (Hepper, Shahidullah, & White, 1991). During familiarization to hard nipples, two-month-old infants revealed decreasing of the amount of irregular mouthing oral activity, while the amount of NNS increased, supporting the hypothesis that information about the object is detected during mouthing rather than during NNS (Pêcheux, Lepecq & Salzarulo, 1988). Oral exploration and mouthing increases up to the age of seven months and then declines until the age of eleven months, while manual skills progress and diversify between the ages of five and eleven months (Ruff, Saltarelli, Capozzoli & Dubiner, 1992). The purposes of this paper are to verify if infants detect different spatial orientations of pacifier in the mouth; and if so, to describe infants' motor behaviors when constrained with different spatial orientations of an ergonomic pacifier in the mouth. The sample consisted of 10 infants (decimal age: 271,6 ± 60,8 days, minimum: 191 days, maximum: 352 days), 5 females, belonging to two kindergartens, users of ergonomic pacifiers (sucking ratio: 1,1 ± 0,8). Informed consent was obtained. The assent was assumed if the baby did not avoid the pacifier of the experimenter and did not cry, sleep or reject the experimenter's presence. The babies' pacifier was used. Pacifiers were placed by the same experimenter in the babies' mouths in three positions relative to the standard orientation: (i) rotated 90 degrees clockwise; ii) rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise; iii) rotated 180 degrees. The conditions were alternated between the babies. Data were collected with the infant awakened and in a good mood, using their reclined chair at approximately 110-130 degrees (Harrison et al., 1999), in a place with few objects and minimal noise, with the recording of the camera diagonally, at the level of the mouth. The pacifier was presented at the eye level of the child's midline and at approximately 50 cm (eg, Banks, 1980). Each infant made 1 trial in each condition. When confronted with pacifiers' spatial constraints, all infants presented active behaviors, divisible in 3 categories: i) relocated the pacifier to the standard spatial position, through 3 possible ways- turning it with the mouth; or, grasping it and turning it with the hand; or, spitting it and putting it in the mouth; ii) relocated the pacifier, but to 180 degrees relative to the standard spatial position, through the same actions named in i); and, iii) pacifier rejection, by the ways of spitting it or bitting it. No association was found between decimal age and frequency of behaviors occurrence. No gender differences were found in the frequency of behaviors occurrence. Successful mouth turning behavior occurred 11 times (in 30 possible trials), while successful grasp turning occurred 2 times. In some cases, infants made successive actions to relocate the pacifier, e.g., in the counter clockwise condition, a male infant with 221 days of age grasped and rotated the pacifier and, also, rotated it with the mouth, and a female infant with 303 days of age spit it, grasped and putted it in the mouth, and then rotated it with the mouth. In an open question made to parents, asking them to report play behaviors of their infants with the pacifier, answers obtained reported behaviors as dislocates it to front and rear with the mouth, makes it tremble with the mouth, grasp it and look at it, bitts it, turns it with the mouth, take it off and put it in. The results reveal that these infants have detected the incorrect position of the pacifier in the mouth, supporting the hypothesis that information about the object is detected during mouthing (Pêcheux, Lepecq & Salzarulo, 1988). An equifinality principle was present in their motor actions, i.e., they had variations of a motor solutions for the same need, e.g., rotating the pacifier in both directions, clockwise and counter clockwise; or, different solutions for the same need, e.g., rotating the pacifier with the mouth or with the hand. Some infants revealed the capability to try to solve their problem through successive motor actions, meaning that a perception-action cycle was present, i.e., after perceptual detection of incorrect pacifier position a motor action was made, and if pacifier position detected was again incorrect a new motor action was done. All these actions reveal that infants detect and search for the ergonomic affordance of the pacifier, to have it comfortably inside the mouth (cf., Rochat, 1987). The occurrence of this perception-action cycle proves that mouth haptic perception is present, is used by infants to solve a spatial problem through motor actions, and that the pacifiers, as implements, are used for functional play (parents reports).
- Incluir – Art as a weapon in psychiatryPublication . Fernandes, Nuno Agostinho; Mendes, Ana; Ferreira, Carla; São João, Ricardo; Coelho, Teresa; Massano, TeresaObjectives Assess the impact of the project INcluir on stigma and self-esteem perceived by individuals with mental illness (MI). Background and Individuals with MI are often confronted with stigma and prejudgement and subject to social exclusion. Self-esteem is an important mediating factor in MI, influencing both development and maintenance of the psychopathological state. It is recognised that arts participation by people with MI can offer a range of therapeutic benefits and facilitate the process of recovery through community inclusion and stigma reduction. The "INcluir" project is based on the creation of artistic workshops for people with severe MI and is promoted by the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the District Hospital of Santarém. Materials and methods Application of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale (RSSS) and the AQ-9 stigma rating scale proposed by Corrigan in subjects prior to their integration into the art workshops and after their terminus and into a control group. Results There was a 23% improvement in the RSSS after attending workshops. Compared to the control group, the results of the group that attended the workshops showed a difference of improvement of 48% according to the RSSS; There were statistically significant improvements in 8 of the 9 domains evaluated with regard to stigma in MI in the group that attended the workshops. The group that attended the workshops obtained a 66% improvement in the evaluation of the MI stigma. Conclusions Participation in art projects allows individuals with MI to be seen beyond their diagnosis, contributing positively to the reduction of stigma and to their increased self-esteem.
- Haptic perception of physical and functional properties of table tennis and badminton rackets in children and elderlyPublication . Ferreira, Danny; Catela, DavidThe haptic perception affords detection of the physical and functional properties of an instrument actively sustained. Fifty-seven children (8.82 ± .38 years old) and sixty-four elderlies (71.3 ± 4.46 years old) estimated the length and the distance of the center of percussion for two Table Tennis rackets and a Badminton racket. The eigenvalues of each racket for length and distance from the wrist to the center of percussion were calculated. The present study confirmed the results obtained with Tennis Field rackets, extending them to Table Tennis and Badminton rackets, and, also, to children. The elderlies preserved, and children had the capacity of haptically detect physical and functional properties of Table Tennis and Badminton rackets. The weight of the rackets affected properties estimations. The eigenvalues may be a valid tool for the definition of physical and functional properties of sport instruments, allowing better adjustment to different motor development stages.
- Sport Intervention Programs (SIPs) to Improve Health and Social Inclusion in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Scifo, Lidia; Borrego, Carla Chicau; Monteiro, Diogo; Matosic, Doris; Feka, Kaltrina; Bianco, Bianco; Alesi, MariannaInactivity is a major issue that causes physical and psychological health problems, especially in people with intellectual disability (ID). This review discusses the beneficial effects of sport intervention programs (SIPs) in people with ID, and aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature in order to identify the main factors influencing the participation of people with ID in SIPs. Twelve papers were analyzed and compared. The results show a large variety in examined SIPs, concerning participants’ age and disability, intervention characteristics and context, as well as measures and findings. The main factors essential for people with ID partaking in SIPs appeared to be suitable places for the SIP development, adequate implementation of physical activity (PA) programs in school and extra-school contexts, education, and the training of teachers and instructors. The literature review highlights the relevance of using SIPs in order to improve physical and psychological health, as well as increase social inclusion in populations with ID. SIPs should be included in multifactor intervention programs. Nevertheless, the need is recognized for stakeholders to adopt specific practice and policy in promoting social inclusion in order to organize intervention strategies which are able to provide quality experiences in sport and physical activity for people with ID.