Carla Martins

Does early family risk and current quality of care predict indiscriminate social behavior in institutionalized Portuguese children

The current study extends research on the effects of institutionalization, most notably by evaluating the influence of proximal relationship processes over and above prenatal and pre-institutional family experiences. By focusing on current quality of institutional care and the child’s early family background, it examines the influence of variations in the institutionalization experience on displays of indiscriminate social behavior, after taking into account potentially confounding pre-admission experiences. Seventy-four Portuguese children (11–30 months) placed in 17 residential institutions and their primary caregivers participated in the study. Children’s displays of indiscriminate social behavior were assessed based on an observational measure and a semi-structured interview administered to the child’s caregiver. Data on children’s physical and mental development were also collected. Three contextual-risk composites of early family behavior – prenatal, family relational, and emotional-neglect – were created. The quality of institutional care was examined in terms of structural, relational characteristics, and, additionally, of the quality of child–caregiver relationship. Current quality of care experienced in the institution, operationalized in terms of the absence (vs. presence) of a preferred caregiver, predicted indiscriminate social behavior over and above prenatal and family risk conditions that preceded the child’s institutionalization.

Mães adolescentes: adaptação aos múltiplos papéis e a importância da vinculação

Becoming a mother during adolescence implies huge rearrangements in terms of individual developmental pathway. Using a sample of 38 adolescent mothers from the north region of Portugal, this study aims at examining the importance of adolescent mothers’ attachment organizations, assessed during pregnancy, in the adjustment to role changes imposed by motherhood. Following an ecological perspective on adolescent motherhood, sociodemographic and social support measures were also considered. Our results show that most adolescent mothers exhibit a lower level of adjustment towards the new configuration of roles. A statistically significant association between adolescent mothers’ attachment and quality of adjustment was found.Tornar-se mae na adolescencia obriga a profundos realinhamentos na trajetoria desenvolvimental individual. Partindo de uma amostra de trinta e oito maes adolescentes do Norte de Portugal, pretendeu-se com este estudo explorar o impacto da qualidade da organizacao de vinculacao das adolescentes, avaliada durante a gravidez, na adaptacao as mudancas de papeis decorrentes da maternidade. Seguindo uma perspetiva ecologica, foram igualmente contempladas medidas sociodemograficas e de suporte social. Os resultados revelam que a maioria das adolescentes evidencia um nivel inferior de adaptacao a nova configuracao de papeis, verificando-se uma associacao significativa entre o nivel de adaptacao conseguido e a qualidade da organizacao de vinculacao da adolescente.

3-D Seismic As An Exploration & Production Tool: The Campos Basin Experience

At present, over 50 hydrocarbon accumulations have been discovered in the Campos Basin, six of them corresponding to giant oil fields, located in deep waters. In most of these accumulations, a very important factor is the complex reservoir distribution, requiring fine tuned exploration, appraisal and development tools. In this scenario, 3-D seismic method has been playing a major role. As a typical risk minimizing tool, 3-D seismic surplus the conventional wisdom which directed the 3-D efforts towards the optimization of appraisal well location. Today, in the Campos Basin, the same technique is already considered a standard tool for earlier and later stages in the exploration and production processes. The main benefit of using 3-D seismic data is positioning the wells in predictable areas of better reservoir conditions and eventually, allowing the identification of fluid types, enhancing discoveries and production. A historical comparison of effort and results in the Campos Basin indicates an improvement in performance and a progressive reduction in the number of wells, at the expense of an increase in 3-D seismic application. At the same time, the overall expenditure in exploration decreased, while production and reserves increased.

3-D seismic; a successful strategy in the Campos Basin

Campos Basin, off the southeastern coast of Brazil near Rio de Janeiro, extends, roughly, from the coast to the 3400-m isobath and covers about 100 000 km2 (Figure 1). It is by far the most important hydrocarbon province in Brazil. By the end of 1994, nearly two decades after the first commercial discovery, reserves (proven, probable, and possible) were 7.9 billion bbl — 77% of the country’s total. Present production is 525 000 b/d, 61% of Brazil’s total. About 600 exploratory wells have been drilled and 365 000 km of 2-D and 3-D seismic lines acquired. Over 50 hydrocarbon accumulations have been discovered; six are giant fields in deep waters.

Swimming pool exposure is associated with autonomic changes and increased airway reactivity to a beta-2 agonist in school aged children: A cross-sectional survey

Background Endurance swimming exercises coupled to disinfection by-products exposure has been associated with increased airways dysfunction and neurogenic inflammation in elite swimmers. However, the impact of swimming pool exposure at a recreational level on autonomic activity has never been explored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how swimming pool attendance is influencing lung and autonomic function in school-aged children. Methods A total of 858 children enrolled a cross sectional survey. Spirometry and airway reversibility to beta-2 agonist, skin-prick-tests and exhaled nitric oxide measurements were performed. Pupillometry was used to evaluate autonomic nervous function. Children were classified as current swimmers (CS), past swimmers (PS) and non-swimmers (NS), according to the amount of swimming practice. Results Current swimmers group had significantly lower maximum and average pupil constriction velocities when compared to both PS and NS groups (3.8 and 5.1 vs 3.9 and 5.3 vs 4.0 and 5.4 mm/s, p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively). Moreover, affinity to the beta-2 agonist and levels of exhaled nitric oxide were significantly higher in CS when compared to NS (70 vs 60 mL and 12 vs 10 ppb, p<0.01 and p = 0.03, respectively). A non-significant trend for a higher risk of asthma, atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis was found with more years of swimming practice, particularly in atopic individuals (β = 1.12, 1.40 and 1.31, respectively). After case-case analysis, it was possible to observe that results were not influenced by the inclusion of individuals with asthma. Conclusions Concluding, swimming pool attendance appears to be associated with autonomic changes and increased baseline airway smooth muscle constriction even in children without asthma.

Meal-exercise challenge and physical activity reduction impact on immunity and inflammation (MERIIT trial)

Background The effect of a pre-exercise meal as countermeasure to exercise induced immunodepression is poorly known. Also, sedentary behavior is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk but studies on immune changes are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess: 1) the impact of a pre-exercise Mediterranean meal (MdM) compared with a fast-food type meal (FFM) on exercise-induced immunological changes and 2) the impact of an induced acute period of sedentary behavior on neuro-immune-endocrine status. Methods /Design: This is a two steps clinical trial including: (a) randomized crossover clinical trial, comparing the effect a high-fat/low-nutrient dense meal, FFM, with an isoenergetic similar high-nutrient dense meal, MdM, in the immune response to an exercise challenge (EC) and (b) a pilot trial assessing the neuro-immune-endocrine change induced by acute decreasing by half the usual physical activity level. Results A total of 46 participants (26 females), median aged 25 years were included. Of those 39-completed protocol, including overweight, physical active and inactive and participants with asthma. There were no differences in the EC between interventions. Dietary factors and physical activity were closely monitored during interventions and kept similar. During physical inactivity induction, 31% reached the target of 50% reduction in mean step number and 77% reached a 30% reduction. Conclusion The use of a pre-exercise meal to modulate immune response and the understanding of the immunological impact of physical inactivity might help to establish future recommendations on how to practice exercise in a safer way and to recognize the potential impact of inactivity.