Repositório do ISPA
Repositório Institucional do Ispa-Instituto Universitário
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Mystical experiences as catalysts in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A case study
Publication . Couceiro, Miguel Joaquim Soares Teles; Rodrigues, Victor José da Conceição Teixeira Amorim; Torres, Nuno
This case study explores the potential role of mystical-type experiences in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). A patient with generalized anxiety disorder and migraines underwent four
intramuscular KAP sessions (0.5–0.9 mg/kg). Outcomes were assessed using the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45), the Hood Mysticism Scale (HMS), and interviews. Greater therapeutic gains followed sessions with higher HMS scores. The patient attributed improvements to the psychological and spiritual impact of the experiences, emphasizing the therapeutic relationship and integration process. In this case, these experiences appeared to play a meaningful role in therapeutic change, contributing to the discussion on the role of subjective effects in KAP.
Contrasting trends of Falkland skua populations at two key nesting sites
Publication . Correia, Edna; Granadeiro, José Pedro; Kuepfer, Amanda; Stanworth, Andy; Catry, Paulo
Stercorarius antarcticus antarcticus is a long-lived seabird breeding primarily in the Falkland Islands. Despite its current Least Concern status by the IUCN, its population is declining, and trends remain poorly understood. We surveyed breeding populations across 18 islands and compared the changes in population size on New Island and Steeple Jason Island, the two largest known nesting sites. Between 2009 and 2023, the New Island population declined by 26% (2.1% annually), from 333 to 246 apparently occupied territories (AOTs). Over a similar period, the Steeple Jason Island population increased by 50% (3.1% annually), from 222 to 332 AOTs - reversing the population sizes at the two sites. A higher proportion of single-egg clutches and empty nests on New Island suggests lower breeding success. In contrast, the growth on Steeple Jason Island may be associated with a high number of food sources, including the establishment of a breeding rookery of South American fur seals (Arctocephalus australis). Resightings of skuas ringed as chicks indicate natal philopatry but also some dispersal across the archipelago. These results emphasise the need for a broad, multi-colony approach to better understand and manage Falkland skua populations.
Literacia em saúde digital entre adolescentes do 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e Secundário
Publication . Viana, Cláudia Elisabete
Introdução: O acesso crescente à internet ampliou as possibilidades de promoção da literacia em saúde, entre os adolescentes, tornando relevante o conceito de literacia em saúde digital (eHealth Literacy), que se refere à capacidade de aceder, compreender, avaliar e utilizar informações de saúde online.
Objetivo: Descrever os níveis de literacia em saúde digital de adolescentes do 3º ciclo e ensino secundário de um Agrupamento de Escolas do distrito de Viseu, explorando relações com as variáveis género, compreensão de informações em saúde e o uso problemático da internet.
Métodos: Estudo descritivo-correlacional, quantitativo e transversal, realizado com 291 adolescentes, utilizando a eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS) e a análise estatística no SPSS 27.
Resultados: A média global da eHEALS foi de 3,674, indicando perceções positivas sobre as competências de literacia em saúde digital. Os rapazes apresentam maior confiança no uso de informações online para tomada de decisões (t= 2,001; p= 0,046). A capacidade de avaliar criticamente a qualidade da informação digital relacionou-se positivamente com a compreensão da informação em saúde. O impacto no desempenho e nas relações correlacionou-se significativamente com os itens da eHEALS.
Conclusão: Os adolescentes apresentaram boa literacia em saúde digital, destacando-se a avaliação crítica como essencial para decisões mais informadas e uso consciente da informação online.
Comparative materials-level evaluation of 3′- and 5′-Thiol DNA aptamer conjugation on gold nanospheres and nanoflowers: Apparent DNA loading output, morphology retention, and qualitative salt-challenge response
Publication . Sun, Jingchun; Zhang, Linbing; Gonçalves, David; Kuang, Shaoping; Yang, Hongsheng
Gold nanospheres (AuNPs) and gold nanoflowers (AuNFs) are widely used as platforms for DNA aptamer functionalization, while conjugation behavior and colloidal tolerance remain important factors affecting subsequent sensing-oriented optimization. In this study, 82-nt thiolated DNA aptamer constructs bearing either 3′-SH or 5′-SH terminal modification were immobilized onto citrate-stabilized AuNPs and AuNFs under matched stepwise salt-aging conditions. Apparent nanoparticle-associated DNA output was estimated by Qubit-based measurement of unbound ssDNA in the supernatant and expressed as mass-based loading output (ng). Under the tested stock-dispersion conditions, AuNP samples showed higher apparent conjugation output than AuNF samples. Specifically, the apparent conjugation yields for AuNPs were 80.65 ± 1.64% (3′-SH) and 84.76 ± 1.98% (5′-SH), whereas those for AuNFs were 66.64 ± 3.36% (3′-SH) and 73.65 ± 1.36% (5′-SH). The corresponding apparent DNA loading outputs were 2329.7 ± 47.4 ng and 2448.7 ± 57.1 ng for AuNPs, and 1925.1 ± 97.0 ng and 2127.4 ± 39.3 ng for AuNFs. DLS size increases and zeta potential shifts toward more negative values were consistent with the formation of a DNA-associated interfacial layer, while TEM images supported morphology retention after conjugation. A qualitative visual salt-challenge assessment indicated that aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles displayed improved resistance to salt-induced aggregation relative to bare particles under the tested conditions. Because the commercially supplied AuNP and AuNF dispersions were not normalized to identical particle number or accessible surface area, the reported values should be interpreted as comparative apparent outputs rather than intrinsic loading capacities. Within this scope, the present study provides a convenient preliminary materials-level evaluation of thiolated aptamer conjugation behavior and may support future glyphosate aptasensor optimization.
Working With VIPP-School to improve teacher–child interaction: Two case studies
Publication . Starreveld, Kim M.; Mathilde M., Overbeek; Willemen, Agnes M.; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian
The Video-Feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Pedagogy and Sensitive Discipline in School (VIPP-School) aims at enhancing teacher sensitivity and sensitive discipline in interactions with children showing behavior problems. Although the first evidence for effectiveness has been shown, the mechanisms of change that underly the learning process of teachers during the intervention are still unclear. This study presents two case studies of kindergarten teachers participating in VIPP-School. Drawing on the intervention manual, logbooks, intervener feedback, and independent observations, we describe how the intervention was carried out and how each teacher’s personalized learning path related to changes in sensitivity and sensitive discipline. These cases highlight the importance of iterative cycles of reflection and application of new strategies for learning. The results provide further insight into mechanisms of change in video-feedback interventions and show how the protocolized VIPP-School intervention can be tailored to individual teacher–child dyads.