A comparative analysis of adolescents' emotions and emotion regulation strategies when witnessing different cyberbullying scenarios.

The search for greater popularity and acceptance by peers increases the use of social networks that may cause cyberbullying. The high number of adolescents who observe this phenomenon may help reduce the negative impact on the victims. Emotion regulation is an important predictor of adolescents' psychological adjustment and social competence to adopt a prosocial behavior. Bystanders of these incidents may misinterpret what they see, due to specific cyberbullying characteristics which may influence emotion regulation negatively. Studies about emotions and emotion regulations in bystanders are scarce. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the emotional reactions and emotional regulation strategies of bystanders while witnessing various cyberbullying scenarios (posting photographs, direct threats, offences to integrity, threats to share personal information), as well as to focus on different behavior, victim characteristics, aggressor traits, and spectator reactions. A convenience sample of 143 adolescents (from 12 to 17 years old) was used. Results showed that worry and sadness were the most expressed emotions in all scenarios (mainly for girls) and posting a photograph was considered more concerning for girls and boys both. To regulate emotions, participants used distraction (especially seven graders) and rumination strategies. Nonetheless, when posting a photo without permission, they all adopted prosocial behavior (boys and girls) because they considered it more serious. Seventh graders adopted less prosocial behavior than eighth graders. In short, girls were more prosocial than boys. Boys may have more difficulty in regulating emotions properly and it may contribute to not intervening. Also, younger adolescents may have experienced less emotional maturity. Therefore, developing programs based on socio-emotional skills, which increase awareness of the seriousness of cyberbullying, can teach youth how to deal with emotions in order to regulate them effectively, thus increasing emotional maturity.

Moral disengagement and empathy in cyberbullying: how they are related in reflection activities about a serious game.

Cyberbullying is a complex phenomenon with multiple factors involved, both contextual and individual factors, such as moral disengagement and empathy. This study investigated how moral disengagement and empathy could be related, longitudinally in cyberbullying events. Specifically, two gamified tasks (one for empathy and other for moral disengagement) were analyzed. These tasks were developed attending to the specificities of the cyberbullying scenarios presented in a serious game. To accomplish this goal, data from gamified tasks (N = 208), from 4 different moments, were analyzed through multilevel linear modeling. Results suggested that there was a change in adolescents' moral disengagement over time. Participants with greater empathy revealed lower moral disengagement overall. Over time, adolescents with greater empathy revealed lower moral disengagement within their own growth rate. Overall, our results provide important information about the dynamic relationship between moral disengagement, empathy and cyberbullying, which informs future studies and interventions.

Measuring empathy online and moral disengagement in cyberbullying.

This investigation intends to explore how adolescents report empathy in online contexts and moral disengagement in cyberbullying incidents, and how these two constructs are related. To accomplish this goal, three studies were conducted considering the need to develop new instruments to uncover this new approach of measuring empathy and moral disengagement. In the first study, we adapted the Portuguese version of the Empathy Quotient-short form to online contexts, which resulted in the Empathy Quotient in Virtual Contexts (EQVC). We also developed the Process Moral Disengagement in Cyberbullying Inventory (PMDCI), in order to assess moral disengagement in these specific situations. In the second study we conducted exploratory factor analyses (N = 234) of these instruments. Finally, in the third study, we conducted confirmatory factor analyses (N = 345) of both instruments. These results showed how adolescents reported empathy in online contexts and moral disengagement in cyberbullying incidents. Specifically, empathy revealed a bi-dimensional structure including difficulty and self-efficacy in empathizing (Cronbach's α = 0.44, 0.83, respectively), whereas process moral disengagement revealed four unidimensional questionnaires including locus of behavior, agency, outcome, and recipient (Cronbach's α = 0.76, 0.65, 0.77, 0.69, respectively). Furthermore, a correlational analysis was also performed of both constructs, and we also considered the variable sex. Results showed that difficulty in empathizing was negatively associated with sex (with girls revealing more difficulty than boys) and all moral disengagement mechanisms except for behavior. Moral disengagement was positively correlated with sex, suggesting boys morally disengaged more from cyberbullying. The instruments provided new insights on how empathy and moral disengagement can be specific to online contexts and cyberbullying situations, and how they can be used in educational programs to promote empathy and gain insight on moral disengagement within this phenomenon.

"It is Typical of Teenagers": When Teachers Morally Disengage from Cyberbullying.

Teachers can contribute to preventing and solving cyberbullying situations. Therefore, it is relevant to investigate what may influence their involvement and actions concerning this phenomenon. A first study analyze teachers' definitions of cyberbullying, how they would intervene and feel morally implicated with the phenomenon. A second study aimed to investigate the association between teachers' being aware of cyberbullying and their perceived severity, moral disengagement with the phenomenon, perceived performance to solve such situations and their acquired knowledge about cyberbullying. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted in the first study with 25 to 65-year-old teachers. An online inventory was answered in study two by 541 middle and high school teachers (Mage = 50, SD = 7). A thematic analysis from the first study revealed that most teachers did not report repetition of behavior, power imbalance, intentionality to harm, and occurrence among peers as defining features of cyberbullying. Also, strategies they would use to intervene mainly focused on reporting the incident. Moreover, moral disengagement mechanisms were found in teachers' discourse, which contribute to displacing responsibility for intervening and perceiving cyberbullying as less severe. In the second study, path analysis revealed that teachers' awareness of cyberbullying among their students was positively associated with moral disengagement and acquired knowledge of the phenomenon. The mediating role of acquired knowledge of cyberbullying was significant between being aware of cyberbullying and teachers' perceived severity of the situation, moral disengagement, and perceived performance to solve these situations. These findings highlight the relevance of developing cyberbullying training actions involving teachers.

How beliefs and unpleasant emotions direct cyberbullying intentions.

This study aims to investigate the role of emotions and beliefs of perceived severity about cyberbullying behavior in the relationship between bystanders' personal moral beliefs and their behavioral intentions in cyberbullying. A group of 402 fifth to twelfth graders (M age = 13.12; SD = 2.19; 55.7% were girls) participated and we ran exploratory factorial analyses of the instruments. A group of 676 fifth to twelfth grade students (M age = 14.10; SD = 2.74; 55.5% were boys) participated and we performed confirmatory factor analyses. A group of middle school students (N = 397; Mage = 13.88 years; SD = 1.45; 55.5% girls) participated and we ran the final analyses aimed to test the research hypotheses. Results from self-report measures showed that unpleasant emotions mediated personal moral beliefs and adolescent bystanders' intentions to help cybervictims. Normative beliefs of severity mediated the relation between personal moral beliefs and intentions to cyberbully others.

SARS-CoV-2 Membrane Protein: From Genomic Data to Structural New Insights.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is composed of four structural proteins and several accessory non-structural proteins. SARS-CoV-2's most abundant structural protein, Membrane (M) protein, has a pivotal role both during viral infection cycle and host interferon antagonism. This is a highly conserved viral protein, thus an interesting and suitable target for drug discovery. In this paper, we explain the structural nature of M protein homodimer. To do so, we developed and applied a detailed and robust in silico workflow to predict M protein dimeric structure, membrane orientation, and interface characterization. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in M protein were retrieved from over 1.2 M SARS-CoV-2 genomes and proteins from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database, 91 of which were located at the predicted dimer interface. Among those, we identified SNPs in Variants of Concern (VOC) and Variants of Interest (VOI). Binding free energy differences were evaluated for dimer interfacial SNPs to infer mutant protein stabilities. A few high-prevalent mutated residues were found to be especially relevant in VOC and VOI. This realization may be a game-changer to structure-driven formulation of new therapeutics for SARS-CoV-2.

Aggressive Communication Style as Predictor of Cyberbullying, Emotional Wellbeing, and Personal Moral Beliefs in Adolescence / Un estilo de comunicación agresivo como predictor del ciberacoso, el bienestar emocional y las creencias morales personales en la adolescencia

Different forms of verbal aggression are often presented in cyberbullying and are used to harm others in online communication. This study proposed to understand the influence of an aggressive communication style on adolescents’ intentions to engage in cyberbullying, their emotional well-being, and personal moral beliefs. A convenience sample of 218 adolescents (Mage = 14.67, SD = 0.84, 53% girls) in Portugal responded to questionnaires. Structural equation modeling analyses were conducted to test mediating effects. An aggressive communication style may lead adolescents to perceive cyberbullying behavior as fair, and to decrease their emotional well-being. Moreover, this communication style may contribute to adolescents’ intentions to engage in cyberbullying, and whether they believe this type of behavior is fair or unfair may determine those intentions. These findings contribute to an understanding of determiners of cyberbullying and the provision of insights to develop school interventions in this field.

Diferentes formas de agresión verbal están presentes a menudo en el ciberacoso y se utilizan para dañar a otros en la comunicación online. Este estudio propuso comprender la influencia de un estilo de comunicación agresivo en la intención de los adolescentes de participar en el ciberacoso, su bienestar emocional y sus creencias morales personales. Una muestra de conveniencia de 218 adolescentes (Medad = 14.67, SD = 0.84, 53% niñas) en Portugal respondió a los cuestionarios. Se realizaron análisis de modelado de ecuaciones estructurales para probar los efectos de mediación. Un estilo de comunicación agresivo puede llevar a los adolescentes a percibir el comportamiento de ciberacoso como justo y a disminuir su bienestar emocional. Además, este estilo de comunicación puede contribuir a la intención de los adolescentes de participar en el ciberacoso y la creencia de que este tipo de comportamiento sea justo o injusto puede determinar esa intención. Estos hallazgos contribuyen a comprender los factores determinantes del ciberacoso y a proporcionar información para desarrollar intervenciones escolares en esta área.

“It is Typical of Teenagers”: When Teachers Morally Disengage from Cyberbullying

Teachers can contribute to preventing and solving cyberbullying situations. Therefore, it is relevant to investigate what may influence their involvement and actions concerning this phenomenon. A first study analyze teachers’ definitions of cyberbullying, how they would intervene and feel morally implicated with the phenomenon. A second study aimed to investigate the association between teachers’ being aware of cyberbullying and their perceived severity, moral disengagement with the phenomenon, perceived performance to solve such situations and their acquired knowledge about cyberbullying. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted in the first study with 25 to 65-year-old teachers. An online inventory was answered in study two by 541 middle and high school teachers (Mage = 50, SD = 7). A thematic analysis from the first study revealed that most teachers did not report repetition of behavior, power imbalance, intentionality to harm, and occurrence among peers as defining features of cyberbullying. Also, strategies they would use to intervene mainly focused on reporting the incident. Moreover, moral disengagement mechanisms were found in teachers’ discourse, which contribute to displacing responsibility for intervening and perceiving cyberbullying as less severe. In the second study, path analysis revealed that teachers’ awareness of cyberbullying among their students was positively associated with moral disengagement and acquired knowledge of the phenomenon. The mediating role of acquired knowledge of cyberbullying was significant between being aware of cyberbullying and teachers’ perceived severity of the situation, moral disengagement, and perceived performance to solve these situations. These findings highlight the relevance of developing cyberbullying training actions involving teachers. (AU)

How Presenteeism Shaped Teacher Burnout in Cyberbullying Among Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV2 has had an impact on the education sector, and its stakeholders, such as teachers who had to do remote work from their home, despite many constraints. These professionals tried to perform their teaching functions, despite having to deal with adverse situations, such as cyberbullying among their students, as well as their difficulties related to presenteeism and burnout. In this context, this study aimed to understand whether observing cyberbullying among students can be associated with teachers' productivity loss due to presenteeism and burnout. This study also proposed to examine the role of productivity loss due to presenteeism in the relationship between observing cyberbullying situations among students and teacher burnout. A random sample of 1,044 (Mage=51.05, SD=7.35; 76.6% female) middle school and high school teachers answered an inventory about their experience working at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically with regards to cyberbullying incidents they observed among their students, their productivity loss due to presenteeism, and their burnout levels. Results from structural equation modeling revealed that observing students engaging in cyberbullying situations was positively associated with productivity loss due to presenteeism and teacher burnout. Also, teacher's productivity loss due to presenteeism mediated the relationship between observing cyberbullying incidents among their students and their burnout levels. Specifically, the effect of productivity loss due to presenteeism explained the effect of observing cyberbullying incidents on teachers' burnout levels. These results are innovative and shed light on the importance of teacher wellbeing at their job in the midst of a pandemic, namely, when they observe their students engaging in hostile situations, which may lead them to greater levels of burnout.

Impacts of Social and Emotional Learning Interventions for Teachers on Teachers' Outcomes: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis.

Teaching is among the most emotionally demanding jobs, impacting teachers' personal lives and job performance. Since teaching-specific stressors are mainly socio-emotional related, social and emotional learning (SEL) interventions targeting teachers have increased rapidly in recent years. This study conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis of 43 empirical studies which evaluated the efficacy of school-based SEL interventions involving 3,004 in-service preK-12 teachers. The initial systematic review showed that these interventions were very heterogeneous and the research on their efficacy assessed widely distinct outcome variables. Concerning the meta-analysis, results showed statistically significant small to medium effect sizes favoring the experimental group, with SEL interventions impacting teachers' social and emotional competence [g = 0.59, 95% CI (0.29, 0.90)], well-being [g = 0.35, 95% CI (0.16, 0.54)], and psychological distress [g = -0.34, 95% CI (-0.57, -0.10)]. Meta-regressions did not reveal significant values of the explanatory variables, and publication bias was found for social and emotional competence and well-being domains. Findings add to growing empirical evidence regarding the impact of these interventions and contribute to the development of guidelines for the design of effective SEL interventions for teachers.

How alginate properties influence in situ internal gelation in crosslinked alginate microcapsules (CLAMs) formed by spray drying.

Alginates gel rapidly under ambient conditions and have widely documented potential to form protective matrices for sensitive bioactive cargo. Most commonly, alginate gelation occurs via calcium mediated electrostatic crosslinks between the linear polyuronic acid polymers. A recent breakthrough to form crosslinked alginate microcapsules (CLAMs) by in situ gelation during spray drying ("CLAMs process") has demonstrated applications in protection and controlled delivery of bioactives in food, cosmetics, and agriculture. The extent of crosslinking of alginates in CLAMs impacts the effectiveness of its barrier properties. For example, higher crosslinking extents can improve oxidative stability and limit diffusion of the encapsulated cargo. Crosslinking in CLAMs can be controlled by varying the calcium to alginate ratio; however, the choice of alginates used in the process also influences the ultimate extent of crosslinking. To understand how to select alginates to target crosslinking in CLAMs, we examined the roles of alginate molecular properties. A surprise finding was the formation of alginic acid gelling in the CLAMs that is a consequence of simultaneous and rapid pH reduction and moisture removal that occurs during spray drying. Thus, spray dried CLAMs gelation is due to calcium crosslinking and alginic acid formation, and unlike external gelation methods, is insensitive to the molecular composition of the alginates. The 'extent of gelation' of spray dried CLAMs is influenced by the molecular weights of the alginates at saturating calcium concentrations. Alginate viscosity correlates with molecular weight; thus, viscosity is a convenient criterion for selecting commercial alginates to target gelation extent in CLAMs.

Influence of Dietary Sources of Melatonin on Sleep Quality: A Review.

Sleep is an essential biological phenomenon, being a physiological and behavioral process necessary for quality of life. Melatonin is a circadian hormone produced at night by the pineal gland, regulated by the light/dark cycle, under the control of the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Melatonin is an indoleamine, synthesized from the essential amino acid tryptophan via serotonin. Melatonin is also found in plants, where it helps fight oxidative stress. To present a systematic review on the ability of food sources of melatonin to promote healthy sleep. A literature search was performed on the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases, including only randomized, placebo-controlled trials published in English between 2005 and 2019. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed by the Jadad scale. Of the 25 eligible articles, eight met the inclusion criteria. They addressed the intake of milk or cherry juice in children, adults, and elderly subjects and evaluated sleep quality by questionnaires, sleep diary, actigraphy, or polysomnography. The analysis of the studies presented limitations, including lack of homogeneity of treatment dosage and duration. Nonetheless, the results indicated that the consumption of milk and sour cherries, sources of melatonin, may improve sleep quality in humans. These results pointed out to the potential suitability of food sources of melatonin as adjuvants in the prevention and treatment of sleep disorders. Further studies are necessary to better ascertain the aspects relevant to their use.

Ações de educação alimentar e nutricional com grupos em vulnerabilidade social: relato de experiência / Food and nutritional education actions with social vulnerability groups: experience report / Accionesde educación alimentaria y nutricional con grupos en vulnerabilidad social: informe de experiencia

Introdução:O aumento da incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis evidencia a necessidade de ações educativas que promovam melhora na qualidade de vida, diminuição da insegurança alimentar e prevenção de agravos nutricionais. Objetivo:Relatar a experiência de um projeto de extensão universitária desenvolvido para estimular a adoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis e transmitir demais informações relevantes para a autonomia alimentar. Metodologia:O projeto de extensão vinculado ao curso de Nutrição promoveu aplicação de oficinas no decorrer do ano de 2019, realizadas por acadêmicos supervisionados por professores. Os beneficiados foram frequentadores do Centro de Arte e Lazer e Centro de Referência de Assistência Social do município de Itajaí-SC, sendo estes idosos e indivíduos em vulnerabilidade social, respectivamente. Contaram com participação de acadêmicos bolsistas, voluntários e estagiários de Nutrição em Saúde Coletiva, proporcionando a interface ensino e extensão. Os temas abordados foram adaptados de acordo com as demandas de cada local e público específico. Resultados:As oficinas desenvolvidasoportunizaram a vivência de educação alimentar e nutricional a acadêmicos de nutrição, proporcionando ampliação do conhecimento teórico e prático obtido na Universidade com troca de experiências com a comunidade. Conclusão:A oportunidade de atuação em uma extensão universitária proporciona experiências únicas que não são adquiridas dentro da sala de aula. Ela estreita os laços entre universitários e a comunidade, tornando os acadêmicos profissionais aptos a praticar a empatia e sensibilidade social, tão importante ao profissional da saúde. Ainda, favorece a autonomia do indivíduo em relação a alimentação saudável e melhora da qualidade de vida (AU).

Introduction:The increased incidence of noncommunicable chronic diseases highlights the need for educational actionsthat promote improved quality of life, decreased food insecurity and prevention of nutritional disorders. Objective:Report the experience of a university extension project developed to encourage the adoption of healthy eating habits and transmit other relevant information for food autonomy. Methodology: The extension project linked to the Nutrition course promoted workshops in 2019, conducted by academics supervised by teachers. The beneficiaries were attendees of the Art and Leisure Center and Reference Center for Social Assistance in the city of Itajaí-SC, being these elderly and individuals in social vulnerability, respectively. Participated by scholarship scholars, volunteers and trainees of Collective Health Nutrition, providing the interface teachingand extension. The topics addressed were adapted according to the demands of each specific location and audience. Results:The developedworkshopsprovided the opportunity to experiencefood and nutrition education to students of the nutrition course, and through practice, provided the expansion of theoretical knowledge obtained at the university with the exchange of experiences with the community. Conclusions:The opportunity to work ata university extension provides unique experiences that are not gained within the classroom. It tightens ties between college students and the community, making academics professionals able to practice the empathy and social sensitivity that is so important to the health worker. Still, it favors the autonomy of the individual in relation to healthy eating and improvement of quality of life (AU).

Introducción: Texto das conclusõe El aumento en la incidencia de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles resalta la necesidad de acciones educativas que promuevan la mejora de la calidad de vida, la disminución de la inseguridad alimentaria y la prevención de problemas nutricionales. Objetivo: Informar sobre la experiencia de un proyecto de extensión universitaria desarrollado para fomentar la adopción de hábitos alimenticios saludables y transmitir otra información relevante para la autonomía alimentaria.Metodología: El proyecto de extensión vinculado al curso de Nutrición promovió la aplicación de talleres a lo largo de 2019, realizados por académicos supervisados por maestros. Los beneficiarios asistieron al Centro de Arte y Ocio y al Centro de Referencia de Asistencia Social en el municipio de Itajaí-SC, siendo estos ancianos e individuos en vulnerabilidad social, respectivamente. Contaban con la participación de becarios, voluntarios y pasantes de Nutrición en Salud Pública,brindando la interfaz de enseñanza y extensión. Los temas cubiertos fueron adaptados de acuerdo a las demandas de cada ubicación y audiencia específica. Resultados: Los talleres desarrollados brindaron la oportunidad de experimentar la educación alimentaria y nutricional para estudiantes de nutrición, proporcionando una expansión del conocimiento teórico y práctico obtenido en la Universidad con un intercambio de experiencias con la comunidad. Conclusiones: la oportunidad de trabajar en una extensión universitaria proporciona experiencias únicas que no se adquieren dentro del aula. Aprieta los lazos entre los estudiantes universitarios y la comunidad, haciendo que los académicos profesionales puedan practicar la empatía y la sensibilidad social, tan importantes para los profesionales de la salud. Aún así, favorece la autonomía del individuo en relación con una alimentación saludable y la mejora de la calidad de vida (AU).

Drying kinetic of tucum fruits (Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer): physicochemical and functional properties characterization.

The aim of the present study was to assess the drying kinetic of tucum fruits (epicarp and mesocarp) Astrocaryum aculeatum Meyer at three different temperatures (50, 60, and 70 °C). The physicochemical characterization, water activity, moisture content, including ß-carotene and vitamin C content in-natura and dried fruits were analyzed. The fruit fractions presented high ß-carotene, protein and lipid levels. Fatty acid profile showed oleic acid as the major fatty acid. Different mathematical models were computed to assess the drying process. The Page model was observed to be the best to describe the drying kinetic with the highest correlation coefficient (R2) 0.99 and the least Chi squared (χ2) close to 105 at the studied temperatures. The drying process reduced water activity to desirable levels in all trials and ß-carotene retentions after drying remained at satisfactory levels, fact that resulted in minimum value of 63% and approximately 94% in some cases. Vitamin C retention was comparatively more around 20-40% compared to control.

Perceived effects of the economic recession on population mental health, well-being and provision of care by primary care users and professionals: a qualitative study protocol in Portugal.

INTRODUCTION: Economic recession periods can pose accentuated risks to population's mental health and well-being as well as additional threats to health systems. Users and health professionals are key stakeholders in care delivery; however, little attention has been given to their experiences of the crisis. This paper presents a qualitative study protocol to assess users' and health professionals' perceptions about the effects of the post-2008 economic recession on mental health and care delivery in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The methodology to assess perceived effects of the economic recession by primary care users and professionals on population mental health, well-being and provision of care is presented. Focus groups with users and semistructured interviews with health professionals will be carried out in three primary healthcare units in Lisbon areas especially affected by the crisis. Thematic analysis of full-transcribed interviews will be conducted using an iterative and reflexive approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of NOVA Medical School, NOVA University of Lisbon. The findings will be useful for other researchers and policy-makers to develop and implement the assessment of prevailing experiences of users and health professionals on the effects of the economic recession on mental health and quality of care in primary health context, promoting their involvement and contribution to services responsiveness.