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Brain-body static allometry, which is the relationship between brain size and body size within species, is thought to reflect developmental and genetic constraints. Existing evidence suggests that the evolution of large brain size without accompanying changes in body size (that is, encephalization) may occur when this constraint is relaxed. Teleost fish species are generally characterized by havin
I here discuss two problems facing act-type theories of propositions, and argue that Fregean act-type theories are better equipped to deal with them than Russellian ones. The first relates to complex singular terms like '2+2', which turn out not to pose any special problem for Fregeans at all, whereas Soames' Russellian theory currently has no satisfactory way of dealing with them (particularly, w
Repetitive iodinated contrast media exposure may be harmful for the kidneys. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing CT angiography (CTA) and local continuous thrombolysis for acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) had an increased risk of developing contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) compared to patients without DM. Methods: This is a
SPRINT (Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial) showed that intensive lowering of systolic blood pressure to <120 mm Hg was beneficial, as compared with standard treatment in which systolic blood pressure is lowered to <140 mm Hg. The proposal that the results of SPRINT were mainly driven by the reduction of heart failure events has undermined the main conclusion of the study. Therefore, this
Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the mechanisms of change that mediate the impact of a compassionate mind training (CMT) intervention, in particular, whether changes in compassion, fears of compassion and heart rate variability (HRV) would mediate the effects of a brief CMT intervention on psychological vulnerability factors, mental health indicators and positive affect. Methods: Usi
There has been an increased interest in the study of emotional demands (ED) at work and its impact on workers’ well-being. However, ED have been conceptualized as a unitary concept, focused on interactions with clients, and excluding other potential sources of ED at work. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to explore the relation between ED from different relational sources (clients/patien
Job stress and burnout are highly prevalent in healthcare professionals, and nurses in particular. Given its deleterious consequences not only for professionals’ well-being but also for patients and organizations, it is important to have adequate measures to assess professional quality of life. This study aimed to offer a contribution for the Portuguese validation of the Professional Quality of Li
There has been an increased interest in the study of underlying autonomic correlates of emotions. This study tests the hypothesis that high levels of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV) are associated with positive emotions. In addition, we hypothesize that this association will differ according to the type of positive emotion. Also, based on recent findings, we tested the hypothesis th
Purpose This study explored the role of several psychological factors in professional quality of life in nurses. Specifically, we tried to clarify the relationships between several dimensions of empathy, self-compassion, and psychological inflexibility, and positive (compassion satisfaction) and negative (burnout and compassion fatigue) domains of professional quality of life. Methods Using a cros
Objectives Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have received large empirical support for their efficacy. In comparison, few studies have explored the underlying mechanisms and processes through which MBIs impact outcomes. This study aimed to explore the potential role of trait mindfulness, self-compassion and psychological inflexibility as mediators of the effects of a MBI on burnout, compassio
Aims The main goal of this study was to explore the relationships between empathy, empathy-based pathogenic guilt and professional quality of life (burnout and compassion fatigue). We aim to test a model in which we hypothesize that when empathic feelings are related to pathogenic guilt, burnout and compassion fatigue symptoms may be increased. Background Empathy is at the core of nursing practice
Objectives There is growing interest in the construct of alexithymia as it has been increasingly associated with a wide range of psychological disorders, in clinical samples and general population. In comparison to studies relating alexithymia and negative affectivity, there has been a scarcity of studies exploring such links with positive emotions. This study aims to explore the association betwe
Objectives: This study explored the relation between external shame, two types of self-criticism, and depressive, anxious and stress symptoms, in a clinical sample. Specifically, we set out to test whether the impact of external shame on such symptoms would be mediated by two forms of self-criticism. Method: A total of 279 patients (228 female and 51 male; mean age of 28.58) with axis I and II dis
Background Job stress and burnout are highly frequent in healthcare professionals, and prevalence in nurses can be as high as 40%. Mindfulness-based interventions have been shown to be effective in reducing stress and increasing well-being in a wide range of populations and contexts. However, controlled studies with healthcare professionals, and especially nurses, are scarce. Objectives, design an
Background: Job stress and burnout are common among healthcare professionals, and nurses in particular. In addition to the heavy workload and lack of recourses, nurses are also confronted with emotionally intense situations associated with illness and suffering, which require empathic abilities. Although empathy is one of the core values in nursing, if not properly balanced it can also have detrim
A longitudinal study examined the association between interpersonal goals (selfimage and compassionate goals) and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms. We propose that having self-image goals (trying to create and manage a positive image) may lead to psychological distress, while genuinely taking others' needs into account and caring for their welfare (compassionate goals) may promote psycholo
The Forms of Self-criticizing/Attacking and Self-reassuring Scale (FSCRS) is a self-report questionnaire that assesses the forms of self-criticism and self-reassurance. The aim of this study was to explore the latent structure of the FSCRS in nonclinical and clinical samples. Data from 381 participants from the general population and from 304 participants from clinical settings were subjected to c
Research has robustly shown that early negative parenting experiences are associated with psychopathology and self-criticism in adulthood. This study investigates recall of personal feelings of perceived threat and subordination in childhood and its relation to psychopathology. In addition, we explore the mediator role of self-criticism in this association. A sample of 193 subjects from the genera
Health applications have increasingly been used to improve physical, mental and social well-being. Chronic pain (CP) is defined as pain that lasts for a period of three months and causes sporadic or constant discomfort. In Portugal, the treatments for this type of pain are almost exclusively pharmacological and with known limited effects. Endowing patients with self-management skills, will help th
