Maria Helena de Aguiar Pereira e Pestana

Cognitive reserve and the severity of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a clinical syndrome caused by neurodegeneration and characterized by a progressive deterioration in cognitive ability and capacity for independent living. Cognitive reserve (CR) describes the capacity of the adult brain to cope with the effects of the neurodegenerative process and to minimize the clinical manifestation of pathology of dementia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of CR and the severity of AD. Method This study was cross-sectional. Functional and neuropsychological abilities of 75 outpatients with probable AD diagnosis were evaluated. Patients completed two questionnaires, Participation in leisure activities throughout life and CR Questionnaire.Result The relationship between Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and the level of CR was statistically significant (likelihood ratio (LR), p = 0.015).Conclusion The level of CR influenced the severity of dementia. This study suggests that AD patients with higher CR may benefit against cognitive decline after diagnosis of AD.

Measures of cognitive reserve in Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTIONnCognitive reserve (CR), a hypothetical construct used to obtain information about cognitive aging, describes the capacity of the adult brain to cope with the effects of neurodegenerative processes. This study evaluated CR using a CR questionnaire (CRQ) and a set of variables (education, leisure activities, lifelong occupation) that inform CR. It also developed a CR index, validated the CRQ, and examined the correlation between the different CR measures.nnnMETHODSnFunctional and neuropsychological capacities of 75 outpatients (mean age: 80.2 years) with a probable AD diagnosis were evaluated. Socio-demographic data and clinical variables were collected. Patients completed two questionnaires: the Participation in Leisure Activities throughout Life questionnaire, and the CRQ.nnnRESULTSnParticipants with a greater CR had higher scores in cognitive tests than the elderly with a lower CR. A CR index was developed. CRQ reliability was 0.795 (Cronbachs alpha). There was a close association between the CR Index and the CRQ.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study found an association between CR measures and education, occupation and participation in leisure activities. The CRQ seems to be a suitable instrument to measure CR in Portuguese populations.

Mental health of the older people from the self-governing Region of Madeira. Pilot study

SUMMARY Mental health was assessed in accordance with the structure proposed by Ware & Veit (1) which considers psychological well-being and distress. The purpose of this pilot study, carried out in Madeira Autonomous Region (RAM), was to validate the research protocol for characterising the mental health of the Region’s older people. Sixty three elders were chosen for the Mini Mental Health Examination and 47 of these were included in the sample. All of the people were aged 65 or older and lived in the community. Nearly all of the people could carry out basic daily life activities independently. The average points score found for the Mental Health Inventory shows that the mental health index of these older people is greater than that found by Ribeiro (2) in a sample of young Portuguese people. The research protocol was shown to be suitable. The results have provided us with an initial snap-shot of the mental health of the elders in Madeira.La salud mental ha sido evaluada de acuerdo con la estructura propuesta por Ware & Veit (1), que incluye una dimension positiva (el bienestar psicologico) y otra negativa (el distress psicologico). Este estudio piloto tiene como objetivo elaborar un protocolo para tipificar la situacion de la salud mental en la poblacion anciana de la region. De los 63 ancianos seleccionados, a los que se les realizo el Mini Mental Health Examination, 47 integran la muestra. Todos tenian 65 anos o mas y residen en la comunidad. La casi totalidad era independiente en sus actividades basicas cotidianas. La puntuacion media obtenida por los ancianos en el Inventario de Salud Mental fue superior a la obtenida por Ribeiro (2) en una muestra de jovenes portugueses. El protocolo de investigacion ha sido el adecuado. Los resultados nos han proporcionado una primera imagen de la salud mental en los ancianos de la RAM.

Human resources’ student’s sensitivity to factors of sustainability

This paper analyzes the sensitivity of college students to sustainability factors, including their definition of the concept and their perception of human resources management as a factor of sustainability. The prospects of the construct of sustainability – from the United Nations Conference in 1972, in Stockholm, to contemporary achievements and theoretical explorations-are reviewed as a conceptual framework. The research among college students has been developed along two lines: the study of their idea of sustainability; and the assessment of people’s management practices as a factor of sustainability. The research combined the use of a semantic differential questionnaire and a focus group to collect data and to complement the quantitative data with a more qualitative vision and understanding. The results consolidate the idea that: it is interesting to use the sustainability concept in combination with the complexity level of contexts; students of HRM are well informed about the concept; and that their attitudes on the subject are positive, as they are motivated to lead companies to adopt sustainable practices in human resource management, as an effective sustainability factor.This paper analyzes the sensitivity of college students to sustainability factors, including their definition of the concept and their perception of human resources management as a factor of sustainability. The prospects of the construct of sustainability – from the United Nations Conference in 1972, in Stockholm, to contemporary achievements and theoretical explorations-are reviewed as a conceptual framework. The research among college students has been developed along two lines: the study of their idea of sustainability; and the assessment of people’s management practices as a factor of sustainability. The research combined the use of a semantic differential questionnaire and a focus group to collect data and to complement the quantitative data with a more qualitative vision and understanding. The results consolidate the idea that: it is interesting to use the sustainability concept in combination with the complexity level of contexts; students of HRM are well informed about the concept; and that their attitudes on the subject are positive, as they are motivated to lead companies to adopt sustainable practices in human resource management, as an effective sustainability factor.El articulo analiza la sensibilidad de los estudiantes universitarios a los factores de sostenibilidad, incluyendo la percepcion de la gestion de los recursos humanos como factor de sostenibilidad. Como marco conceptual, se colocan las perspectivas del constructo de sostenibilidad, desde la conferencia de las Naciones Unidas en 1972, en Estocolmo, hasta los logros y reflexiones contemporaneas. La investigacion entre los estudiantes universitarios se ha desarrollado en dos lineas: el estudio de la representacion de sostenibilidad; y la evaluacion de las practicas de los principios y de la gestion de personas como un factor de sostenibilidad. La investigacion utilizo un cuestionario de tipo diferencial semantico y un grupos focal, para recopilar los datos y para complementar su tratamiento cuantitativo con una vision mas cualitativa y mas comprensiva. Los resultados consolidan la idea de que es interesante utilizar el concepto de sostenibilidad en combinacion con los niveles de complejidad de los contextos; ademas muestran que los estudiantes de gestion de recursos humanos estan bien informados sobre el concepto y que estan motivados para llevar a las empresas a adoptar practicas sostenibles en la gestion de recursos humanos.

The Effect of Emotions on Brand Recall by Gender Using Voice Emotion Response with Optimal Data Analysis

Purpose—To analyses the effect of emotions obtained by oral reproduction of advertising slogans established via Voice Emotion Response software on brand recall by gender; and to show the relevance for marketing communication of combining “human–computer Interaction (HCI)” with “affective computing (AC)” as part of their mission.

The Knowledge Domain of Affective Computing: A Scientometric Review

Purpose—The aim of this study is to investigate the bibliographical information about affective computing identifying advances, trends, major papers, connections, and areas of research.

La salud mental en los ancianos de la Región Autónoma de Madeira: Estudio piloto

SUMMARY Mental health was assessed in accordance with the structure proposed by Ware & Veit (1) which considers psychological well-being and distress. The purpose of this pilot study, carried out in Madeira Autonomous Region (RAM), was to validate the research protocol for characterising the mental health of the Region’s older people. Sixty three elders were chosen for the Mini Mental Health Examination and 47 of these were included in the sample. All of the people were aged 65 or older and lived in the community. Nearly all of the people could carry out basic daily life activities independently. The average points score found for the Mental Health Inventory shows that the mental health index of these older people is greater than that found by Ribeiro (2) in a sample of young Portuguese people. The research protocol was shown to be suitable. The results have provided us with an initial snap-shot of the mental health of the elders in Madeira.La salud mental ha sido evaluada de acuerdo con la estructura propuesta por Ware & Veit (1), que incluye una dimension positiva (el bienestar psicologico) y otra negativa (el distress psicologico). Este estudio piloto tiene como objetivo elaborar un protocolo para tipificar la situacion de la salud mental en la poblacion anciana de la region. De los 63 ancianos seleccionados, a los que se les realizo el Mini Mental Health Examination, 47 integran la muestra. Todos tenian 65 anos o mas y residen en la comunidad. La casi totalidad era independiente en sus actividades basicas cotidianas. La puntuacion media obtenida por los ancianos en el Inventario de Salud Mental fue superior a la obtenida por Ribeiro (2) en una muestra de jovenes portugueses. El protocolo de investigacion ha sido el adecuado. Los resultados nos han proporcionado una primera imagen de la salud mental en los ancianos de la RAM.

La salud mental de los ancianos de la Region Autónoma da Madeira

SUMMARY Mental health was assessed in accordance with the structure proposed by Ware & Veit (1) which considers psychological well-being and distress. The purpose of this pilot study, carried out in Madeira Autonomous Region (RAM), was to validate the research protocol for characterising the mental health of the Region’s older people. Sixty three elders were chosen for the Mini Mental Health Examination and 47 of these were included in the sample. All of the people were aged 65 or older and lived in the community. Nearly all of the people could carry out basic daily life activities independently. The average points score found for the Mental Health Inventory shows that the mental health index of these older people is greater than that found by Ribeiro (2) in a sample of young Portuguese people. The research protocol was shown to be suitable. The results have provided us with an initial snap-shot of the mental health of the elders in Madeira.La salud mental ha sido evaluada de acuerdo con la estructura propuesta por Ware & Veit (1), que incluye una dimension positiva (el bienestar psicologico) y otra negativa (el distress psicologico). Este estudio piloto tiene como objetivo elaborar un protocolo para tipificar la situacion de la salud mental en la poblacion anciana de la region. De los 63 ancianos seleccionados, a los que se les realizo el Mini Mental Health Examination, 47 integran la muestra. Todos tenian 65 anos o mas y residen en la comunidad. La casi totalidad era independiente en sus actividades basicas cotidianas. La puntuacion media obtenida por los ancianos en el Inventario de Salud Mental fue superior a la obtenida por Ribeiro (2) en una muestra de jovenes portugueses. El protocolo de investigacion ha sido el adecuado. Los resultados nos han proporcionado una primera imagen de la salud mental en los ancianos de la RAM.