Questioning the merits and demerits of electronic communication in Social Work

This paper examines the social dynamics of electronic exchanges in the human services, particularly in social work. It focuses on the observable effects that email and texting have on the linguistic, relational and clinical rather than managerial aspects of the profession. It highlights how electronic communication is affecting professionals in their practice and learners as they become acculturated to social work. What are the gains and losses of the broad use of electronic devices in daily lay and professional, verbal and non-verbal communication? Will our current situation be seriously detrimental to the demeanor of future practitioners, their use of language, and their ability to establish close personal relationships? The paper analyzes social work linguistic and behavioral changes in light of the growth of electronic communication and offers a summary of merits and demerits viewed through a prism emerging from Baron’s (2000) analysis of human communication.

Autoavaliação institucional na dimensão do SINAES comunicação com a sociedade : estudo de múltiplos casos em instituições de ensino superior do Rio Grande do Norte

This study is about the institutional self-evaluation in Dimension 4, "Communication with Society", from the National System of Higher Education Evaluation SINAES, mandatory for all universities in Brazil. A multiple cases study was conducted with three institutions from Rio Grande do Norte, and the goal was to know how this evaluation is made, describing the concept for the evaluation of communication proposed by them, identifying controllers or emancipator aspects, categorizing methodological procedures and discussing the difficulties reported in the communication evaluation process. Coordinators of the institutions Evaluating Committees were interviewed and data categorized by means of qualitative content analysis. It was noted characteristics of the current controller, emancipator and hybrid designs in the three institutions for evaluation of communication, revealing the lack of a theoretical corpus that transits in accordance with the systemic perspective and epistemology of complexity from SINAES. It was found that the most frequently reported difficulties in the evaluation processes of communication are in the preparation stage, especially in the definition of indicators and tools and awareness work. The weakness in planning makes their own activities in the sector of communication become targets of assessment, forming goals poorly related with broader organizational goals. It was also concluded that the technical evaluation cannot override the issues associated with the broader issue of the complexity surrounding the assessment paradigm proposed by SINAES because contradictions and imperfections are part of the evaluation process and several references are current in the literature to support this view. Finally, it is said that objectives such as transparency and behavioral changes can rely on methodologies and techniques for research on the question of the construction of meaning

Impacto das fusões e aquisições no desempenho de empresas portuguesas

As fusões e aquisições (F&A) são operações estratégicas usadaspor empresas para fortalecer e manter a sua posição no mercado. Estas são vistas por muitos como uma forma relativamente rápida, flexível e eficiente de expandir para novos mercados, incorporar novas tecnologias e inovar. Sem essas qualidades, as empresas acreditam que é praticamente impossível ser competitivo na economia global de hoje. No entanto, o seu sucesso não é de forma alguma garantido. Perante esta incerteza de que tudo corra de forma vantajosa, o presente trabalho pretende avaliar através do estudo do impacto do processo de fusão ou aquisição o desempenho das empresas portuguesas. Procedemos a duas metodologias para chegar a uma conclusão sobre este estudo. Primeiramente foi feito o cálculo e análise de indicadores económico-financeiros antes e depois da realização da F&A e em segundo, uma análise do efeito de notícias boas e más referentes ao anúncio da mesma através da metodologia das janelas de eventos para cinco casos de F&A ocorridos em Portugal, sendo assim o método de análise baseado em casos de estudo. Foi possível verificar, regra geral, um desempenho superior das empresas adquirentes após o processo de F&A. Concluiu-se que os mercados reagem de forma distinta às boas e às más notícias e que o investidor é alvo de alterações de comportamento em termos de sentimento antes e após o anúncio. Deste modo a análise é sensível à distinção por tipos de notícias, sendo necessária a sua correta classificação. Por último, os resultados parecem indiciar que as reações do mercado acionista aos processos de F&A estão dependentes da situação económico-financeira corrente, resultado que merecerá futuramente uma análise posterior mais cuidada e profunda.

Relógios biológicos, apetite e sono

Um ritmo circadiano normal, hábitos alimentares saudáveis, prática de exercício físico regular e uma boa higiene de sono constituem fatores imprescindíveis para o bom funcionamento do organismo e para a prevenção de diversas doenças. Os universitários constituem uma população bastante vulnerável a ritmos circadianos anormais, hábitos alimentares pouco saudáveis, sedentarismo e problemas de sono, provenientes das alterações no seu estilo de vida bem como alterações a nível comportamental. O objetivo deste estudo é identificar o cronótipo (matutino, intermédio ou vespertino), os hábitos alimentares e de sono dos alunos universitários. Neste sentido utilizou-se uma amostra de 302 estudantes da Universidade Fernando Pessoa, no qual 238 são do sexo feminino e os restantes 64 são do sexo masculino. Com a finalidade da recolha de dados foi elaborado um questionário através do Formulários do Google. Para avaliar o tipo de cronótipo dos universitários aplicou-se o Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) e os hábitos de sono foram avaliados a partir do Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) e da Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Para avaliar os hábitos alimentares dos participantes formulou-se um conjunto de questões tendo em conta este objetivo. Estes dados foram recolhidos on-line, tendo sido enviado o questionário a todos os alunos da Universidade Fernando Pessoa através do respetivo correio eletrónico institucional. No final desta investigação, foi possível concluir que a maioria dos alunos universitários apresenta um cronótipo intermédio (50 pontos ± 9,43), hábitos alimentares saudáveis e equilibrados e apresenta ainda uma má qualidade de sono (8 pontos ± 2,86) e padrões de sono irregulares, no entanto, não exibem sonolência diurna excessiva (8 pontos ± 3,96).

The use of motivational interviews by nurses to promote health behaviors in adolescents: A scoping review protocol

Abstract The developmental changes during adolescence may affect subsequent risk for diseases and health-related behaviors. Traditionally, professionals assume that knowledge is sufficient for behavioral changes; however adolescents continue to engage in unhealthy behaviors despite clearly knowing what they should do and how to change. "What is lacking is the motivation to apply that knowledge". Motivational Interview (MI) may be taken as an essential tool in the provision of nursing care to adolescents, being itself a workspace with possible therapeutic effects. Objectives The objective of this scoping is to examine and map the use of MI by nurses in their clinical practice with adolescents to promote health behaviors. The review will focus on knowing what is the current extent of the use of nurse-led MI; which adolescent populations were included; in which contexts nurses use MI; which MI techniques/strategies have been used and what outcomes on health behaviors promotion have been reported. Methodology This scoping review will be informed by JBI methodology. The population of this study is adolescents aged 10 to 19 years participating in nurse-led MI. The concept of MI include MI done by personal or telephone call, with any number of sessions, brief interventions and other motivational interventions grounded but not limited to the principles described by Miller & Rollnick (2008). All geographical and all clinical practice contexts where nurses' undertake MI with adolescents such as hospitals, primary health care, health care centers, community or schools will be contemplated. English, Spanish and Portuguese published studies will be considered for inclusion. Results An initial limited search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken followed by analysis of the text words contained in the title and abstract, and of the index terms used to describe the concepts, synonyms (with truncations), MeSH Terms and Cinhal headings of this study. It was identified 5 synonyms for "Adolescents", 7 for "MI" and 2 for "nurse". A first search using the all 14 identified keywords and index terms was made at Medline (Title/Abstract) and brought up 125 articles. Other 16 databases referenced at the protocol will be searched to identify additional studies. Articles identified from the final search will be assessed for relevance to the review, based on information provided in the title and abstract. The full article will be retrieved for all studies that meet the inclusion criteria of the review. It is expected that findings from this Scoping Review provide needed information to nurses related to the use of MI to promote health behaviors in adolescents. Conclusions There is little knowledge of what works for whom (which adolescent subpopulation) under what circumstances (in which setting, for what problem) in relation to nurse-led MI. There is a need for scoping or mapping the nurse-led MI with adolescents to identify evidence gaps and to inform opportunities for future development in nursing practice. Moreover, information regarding implemented and evaluated interventions, techniques used, contexts of application and adolescents groups is dispersed in the literature which impedes the formulation of questions about the outcomes and effectiveness of those interventions. The practical implication of this mapping will be clarifying all these aspects.

The use of motivational interviews by nurses to promote health behaviors in adolescents: a scoping review protocol

Adolescents - defined as young people between 10 and 19 years of age1 - are, in general, a relatively healthy segment of the population.2 However, the developmental changes that take place during adolescence may affect their subsequent risk for diseases and for a variety of health-related behaviors. In fact, early onset of preventable health problems (e.g. obesity, malnutrition, STDs) and the engagement in health risk behaviors (e.g., sedentary life style, excessive alcohol consumption, unprotected sex) during adolescence, are likely to put them at greater risk for physical and mental health problems at a later stage in life. Moreover, health related problems and health risk behaviors may disrupt adolescents' physical and cognitive development and therefore may affect their ability to think and act in relation to decisions about their health in the future.1 In summary, health-related behaviors in adolescence, apart from their influence on the continuum of "health-disease", they also have the potential to influence future behaviors. In fact, several studies have shown that past behaviors are good predictors of future behaviors .3,4 Thus, promoting healthy practices during adolescence and taking measures to better protect young people from health risks are essential for the prevention of health problems in adulthood.5 According to the World Health Organization, the main problems affecting young people include mental health problems (such as behavioral disorders, eating disorders, suicide, anxiety or depression), the use of substances (illegal substances, alcohol and tobacco), interpersonal violence, nutrition (a proper nutrition consists of healthy eating habits and physical exercise), unintentional injuries (which are a leading cause of death and disability among young people, with road traffic injuries accounting for about 700 deaths per day), sexual and reproductive health (for example, risky sexual behaviors, early pregnancy and childbirth) and HIV (resulting from sexual transmission and drug injection).5,6 On the other hand, the number of children and youth with chronic health conditions has increased dramatically in the past four decades7 as larger numbers of chronically ill children survive beyond the age of 10.8 Despite the lack of data on adolescents' health making it difficult to determine the prevalence of chronic illnesses in this age group9, it is known that one in ten adolescents suffers from a chronic condition worldwide.10 In fact, national population based studies from Western countries show that 20-30% of teenagers have a chronic illness, defined as one that lasts longer than six months.8 The most prevalent chronic illness among adolescents is asthma and the one with the highest incidence is diabetes mellitus, particularly type II.9 Traditionally, healthcare professionals have been mainly investing in health education activities, through the transmission of knowledge with a view to creating habits, customs and behaviors, and promoting healthy lifestyles. However, empowering people does not only consist of giving them the right information11 , i.e. good information is not enough to cause people to make changes.12 The motivation or desire to change unhealthy behaviors and habits depends on many factors, namely intrinsic motivation, control over personal decisions, self-confidence and perception of effectiveness, personal ambivalence, and individualized assistance.12 Many professionals assume that supplying knowledge is sufficient for behavioral changes; however, even very good advice often fails to generate behavioral change. After all, people continue to engage in unhealthy behaviors despite clearly knowing what they should do and how to change. "What is lacking is the motivation to apply that knowledge".13, p.1233 In fact, behavioral change is a complex phenomenon with multiple determinants that also includes motivational variables. It is associated with ambivalent processes expressed in the dilemma between keeping the current status and moving on to new ways of acting. For example, telling adolescents that if they keep on engaging in a certain behavior, they are increasing the risk of developing a long-term condition such as cardiovascular disease, stroke or diabetes is rarely enough to trigger the desired behavioral change; people are more likely to change when they believe that the change is really effective and that they are able to implement it.12 Therefore, it is essential to provide specific training for "healthcare professionals to master motivational techniques, avoid confrontation with the users, and facilitate behavioral changes".14 In this context, motivating patients to make behavioral changes is also an important nursing task where change in lifestyle is a major element of patients' treatment and preventive interventions.15 One of the nurse's goals is to help improve a patient's health or help them to manage existing health conditions. Once nurses are in a position where they have to focus on accomplishing tasks and telling patients what needs to be accomplished16, the role of the nurse is expanding even more into the use of motivational strategies.17 MI is bringing nurses back to therapeutic communication and moving them closer to successful health promotion and disease management, by promoting behavior change and empowering their patients. As the nursing profession evolves, MI is seen as a challenge and the basis of nurse's interactions with individuals, families and communities.16, 17 In the same way, MI may be taken as an essential tool in the provision of nursing care to adolescents, being itself a workspace with possible therapeutic effects regarding problems, clarification of doubts, and development of skills.18 In fact, MI may be particularly applicable in work with adolescents because of their specific developmental stage. Adolescents attempt to establish their own autonomy and identity while struggling with social interactions and moral issues, which leads to ambivalence.19 Consistent with the developmental challenges during adolescence, "MI explicitly honors autonomy, people's right and irrevocable ability to decide about their own behavior"20 while allowing the person to explore possibilities for change of risky or maladaptive behaviours.19 MI can be defined as a directive, client-centred counselling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. It is most centrally defined not by technique but by its spirit as a facilitative style of interpersonal relationship.21 It is a set of strategies and techniques widely used in clinical practice based on the transtheoretical model of change. The Stages of Change model describes five stages of readiness—precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance—and provides a framework for understanding behavior change.22 The MI has been widely tested and applied in different areas, such as modification of addictive behaviors, interventions with offenders in the context of justice, eating disorders, promotion of therapeutic adherence among chronic patients, promotion of learning in school settings or intervention with adolescents at risk.18,23 In general, clinical practice has been adopting the perspective of motivation as something relatively immutable, i.e., the adolescent is either motivated for change/treatment and, in these conditions, the professional's role is to help him/her, or the adolescent is not motivated and then change/treatment is not feasible. Alternatively the theoretical model underlying the MI technique postulates that the individual's adherence to change/treatment depends on his/her motivation, which can change throughout the therapeutic intervention. As several studies found positive results for effects of MI24-26 and its use by health professionals is encouraged23,27 nurses may play an important role in patients' process of change. As nurses have a crucial role in clinical contexts, they can facilitate the process of ending risk behaviors and/or adopting positive health behaviors through some motivational techniques, namely with adolescents. A considerable number of systematic reviews about MI already exist pointing to some benefits of its use in the treatment of a broad range of behavioral problems and diseases.13,28,29 Some of the current reviews focus on examining the effectiveness of MI for adolescents with diverse health risks/problems 30-32. However, to date there are no reviews that present and assess the evidence for the use of nurse-led MI in adolescents. Therefore, we have little knowledge of what works for whom (which adolescent subpopulation) under what circumstances (in which setting, for what problem) in relation to motivational interviewing by nurses. There is a clear need for scoping or mapping the use of MI by nurses with adolescents to identify evidence gaps and to inform opportunities for future development in nursing practice. On the other hand, information regarding nurse-led implemented and evaluated interventions, techniques and/or strategies used, contexts of application and adolescents subpopulation groups is dispersed in the literature33-36 which impedes the formulation of precise questions about the effectiveness of those interventions conducted by nurses and therefore the realization of a systematic review. In other words, it is known that different kind of motivational interventions have been implemented in different contexts by nurses, however does not exist a map about all the motivational techniques and/or strategies used. Furthermore the literature does not clarify which is the role of nurses at cross professional motivational intervention implemented programs and finally the outcomes and evaluation of interventions are unclear. Thus, the practical implication of this mapping will be clarifying all these aspects. Without this clarification is not possible to proceed to the realization of a systematic review about the effectiveness of the use of motivational interviews by nurses to promote health behaviors in adolescents, in a particular context and/or health risk behavior; or regarding the effectiveness of certain technique and/or strategy of MI. Consequently, there are important questions about the nature of the evidence in this area that need to be answered before formulating a precise question of effectiveness. This scoping review aims to respond to these questions. An initial search of the JBI Database of Systematic Reviews & Implementation Reports, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, , Database of promoting health effectiveness reviews (DoPHER), The Campbell Library, Medline and CINAHL, has revealed that currently there is no Scoping Review (published or in progress) on the subject. In this context, this scoping review will examine and map the published and unpublished research around the use of MI by nurses implemented and evaluated to promote health behaviors in adolescents; to establish its current extent, range and nature and identify its feasibility, outcomes and gaps in the evidence defining research priorities in this field. This scoping review will be informed by the JBI methodology37 that suggests a five stage methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews which includes: identifying the research question, searching for relevant studies, selecting studies, charting data, collating, summarizing and reporting the results.

Spatial behavior of two coral reef fishes within a Caribbean Marine Protected Area

A better understanding of the key ecological processes of marine organisms is fundamental to improving design and effective implementation of marine protected areas (MPAs) and marine biodiversity. The movement behavior of coral reef fish is a complex mechanism that is highly linked to species life-history traits, predation risk and food resources. We used passive acoustic telemetry to study monthly, daily and hourly movement patterns and space use in two species, Schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) and Stoplight parrotfish (Sparisoma viride). We investigated the spatial overlap between the two species and compared intra-specific spatial overlap between day and night. Presence-absence models showed different diel presence and habitat use patterns between the two species. We constructed a spatial network of the movement patterns, which showed that for both species when fish were detected by the array of receivers most movements were made around the coral reef habitat while occasionally moving to silt habitats. Our results show that most individuals made predictable daily crepuscular migrations between different locations and habitat types, although individual behavioral changes were observed for some individuals across time. Our study also highlights the necessity to consider multiple species during MPA implementation and to take into account the specific biological and ecological traits of each species. The low number of fish detected within the receiver array, as well as the intraspecific variability observed in this study, highlight the need to compare results across species and individuals to be used for MPA management.

Investigação do efeito de analgésicos no pós-operatório de ratos WISTAR submetidos ao modelo de cirurgia esteriotáxica

A dor é um fenômeno que induz alterações fisiológicas que alteram e que podem até mesmo invalidar os resultados de um experimento. Nos protocolos de cirurgia estereotáxica (SS) em roedores não é comum a utilização de analgésicos no pósoperatório, sob o argumento de que os mesmos interferem nos resultados. Nosso objetivo foi investigar o efeito da administração de analgésicos no pós-operatório de ratos submetidos ao modelo de SS. Os parâmetros avaliados foram mudanças na ingestão de ração, no peso dos animais, possíveis alterações comportamentais e a astrogliose reativa. A cirurgia foi realizada nas coordenadas referentes ao estriado esquerdo. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar machos. O tramadol foi administrado a cada 12 h e o carprofeno a cada 24 h, ambos até os animais completarem 72 h de pós-operatório. O peso da ração mostra que todos os animais que sofreram cirurgia comeram significativamente menos do que os grupos Ctrl nos tempos 48 e 72 h após a SS. Quando o peso dos animais foi avaliado, os grupos SS+TM e SS+CP perderam significativamente mais peso do que os grupos Ctrl. Os testes comportamentais não apresentaram diferença estatística. Nosso estudo mostra que, para os parâmetros avaliados, não houve prejuízo aos animais que receberam analgesia após a cirurgia. Assim, concluímos que é possível o uso desses fármacos na rotina dos animais submetidos ao modelo de SS

Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (the Apollo method): a new approach to obesity management

Background: Many obese patients cannot lose weight or reject conventional obesity management. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (the Apollo method) is a pioneering coadjuvant, interventionist technique for the integral management of obesity. Objectives: The goals of this study were to report safety and efficacy results obtained at 6 months in patients undergoing endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty. Material and methods: A prospective study was performed in 55 patients (13 males, 42 females) who were subjected to the Apollo technique; mean age was 43.5 years (range 25-60) and mean BMI was 37.7 kg/m² (range 30-48). All received multidisciplinary follow-up for weight loss. Weight changes and presence of complications were assessed. Through the endoscope a triangular pattern suture is performed consisting of approximately 3-6 transmural (mucosa to serosa) stitches, using a cinch device to bring them nearer and form a plication. Results: A total of 6-8 plications are used to provide a tubular or sleeve-shaped restriction to the gastric cavity. No major complications developed and patients were discharged at 24 hours following the procedure. Endoscopic and radiographic follow-up at 6 months post-procedure showed a well preserved tubular form to the stomach. After 6 months patients had lost 18.9 kg and 55.3% of excess weight. Conclusions: Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty, together with dietary and psycho-behavioral changes, is a safe, effective technique in the coadjuvant management of obese patients.

Plejotropowe działanie neuropeptydów allatostatynowych w regulacji procesów fizjologicznych u chrząszczy

Wydział Biologii

Nanotubos de carbono de parede simples funcionalizados com polietilenoglicol: avaliação de parâmetros in vivo e in vitro

Os nanomateriais apresentam uma escala na qual ao menos uma das dimensões varia entre 1 e 100 nm e possuem propriedades químicas, físicas ou biológicas dependentes da nanoestrutura e que lhes confere características funcionais de interesse para fins comerciais ou aplicações na área médica. Dentre os nanomateriais mais estudados e utilizados, destacam-se os de carbono, que incluem os fulerenos e os nanotubos de carbono (NT). Uma potencial utilização dos nanomateriais de carbono é na área biomédica, já que estes podem interagir com os sistemas biológicos em nível molecular e supramolecular com alto grau de especificidade. Em contrapartida, é importante considerar que os nanotubos de carbono podem exercer efeitos tóxicos, tendo como possível mecanismo o estresse oxidativo. Sendo assim, o objetivo desse trabalho foi investigar a ação dos nanotubos de carbono de parede única funcionalizados com polietilenoglicol (SWNT-PEG) em Danio rerio “zebrafish” (Teleostei, Cyprinidae). Avaliaram-se parâmetros bioquímicos, histológicos, comportamentais e de biodistribuição para entender como esse material se comporta in vitro e in vivo. Foi observado que o tipo de funcionalização é determinante para a ação desse material em meio biológico. No experimento in vitro o SWNT-PEG não mostrou efeito pró-oxidante nas avaliações de peroxidação lipídica, capacidade antioxidante total, conteúdo de GSH e atividade de GCL. Na exposição intraperitoneal em zebrafish constatou-se a agregação e geração de processo inflamatório, o que sugere que a cadeia de PEG utilizada para a funcionalização dos NT possui um tamanho inadequado e/ou uma funcionalização ineficiente para manter a estabilidade do material em meio biológico e evitar uma resposta inflamatória por parte do organismo exposto. Possivelmente devido a esta característica do nanomaterial, nas análises de biodistribuição, através de espectroscopia Raman, não se observou distribuição de SWNT-PEG no sistema nervoso central de zebrafish. No entanto, através da análise histológica foi observado processo inflamatório no tecido nervoso central, bem como alterações comportamentais avaliadas na tarefa de campo aberto.

Comparação entre técnicas de aferição da temperatura corpórea em micos-estrela cativos (Callithrix penicillata) e sua relação com parâmetros hematológicos, peso corporal e umidade e temperatura do ambiente

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, 2015.

Comparação entre técnicas de aferição da temperatura corpórea em micos-estrela cativos (Callithrix penicillata) e sua relação com parâmetros hematológicos, peso corporal e umidade e temperatura do ambiente

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, 2015.

A depressão, um problema para os adolescentes

Este relatório é a expressão de vivências enriquecedoras e das competências adquiridas que permitiram o desenvolvimento de intervenções, que foram reconhecidas como adequadas pelos adolescentes deprimidos. Esta população foi escolhida como alvo porque a depressão lhes causa sofrimento com consequências graves no seu desenvolvimento. O desenvolvimento das intervenções com os adolescentes foi organizado por um conjunto de estratégias definidas e documentadas pela literatura. Este processo de desenvolvimento de competências esteve associado a uma reflexão sobre as ações, e estratégias que foram desenvolvidas com os adolescentes. Neste processo realizei avaliação diagnóstica e consequente intervenção terapêutica de forma sistemática e contínua, com os adolescentes, de forma a ajudar a restaurar a sua saúde mental. No final do programa terapêutico que foi instituído com os adolescentes observámos melhorias das queixas iniciais, alterações comportamentais, aumento da qualidade de vida e bem-estar, trazendo-lhes maior satisfação com a sua vida; ABSTRACT: This report is the expression of enriching experiences and of the skills acquired that allowed the development of interventions which are recognized as appropriate for depressed adolescents. I choose this population as a target because depression causes, in several cases, suffering with serious consequences for their development. The development of interventions with adolescents was organized based on a set of strategies defined and documented by scientific literature. This skills development process was associated with a reflection on the actions and strategies that have been developed with the adolescents. In this process, I performed (systematically and continuously), with the adolescents, diagnostic evaluation and subsequent therapeutic intervention, in order to help restore their sanity. At the end of the therapeutic program instituted with adolescents, we observed improvements of the initial complaints, behavioral changes, increased quality of life and well-being. All these improvements results in greater satisfaction in their own lives.

Autoavaliação institucional na dimensão do SINAES comunicação com a sociedade : estudo de múltiplos casos em instituições de ensino superior do Rio Grande do Norte

This study is about the institutional self-evaluation in Dimension 4, "Communication with Society", from the National System of Higher Education Evaluation SINAES, mandatory for all universities in Brazil. A multiple cases study was conducted with three institutions from Rio Grande do Norte, and the goal was to know how this evaluation is made, describing the concept for the evaluation of communication proposed by them, identifying controllers or emancipator aspects, categorizing methodological procedures and discussing the difficulties reported in the communication evaluation process. Coordinators of the institutions Evaluating Committees were interviewed and data categorized by means of qualitative content analysis. It was noted characteristics of the current controller, emancipator and hybrid designs in the three institutions for evaluation of communication, revealing the lack of a theoretical corpus that transits in accordance with the systemic perspective and epistemology of complexity from SINAES. It was found that the most frequently reported difficulties in the evaluation processes of communication are in the preparation stage, especially in the definition of indicators and tools and awareness work. The weakness in planning makes their own activities in the sector of communication become targets of assessment, forming goals poorly related with broader organizational goals. It was also concluded that the technical evaluation cannot override the issues associated with the broader issue of the complexity surrounding the assessment paradigm proposed by SINAES because contradictions and imperfections are part of the evaluation process and several references are current in the literature to support this view. Finally, it is said that objectives such as transparency and behavioral changes can rely on methodologies and techniques for research on the question of the construction of meaning