Synthesis and characterization of scaffolds produced under mild conditions based on oxidized cashew gums and carboxyethyl chitosan.

This study describes the development of scaffolds based on carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC) and different oxidized cashew gums (CGOx) for tissue engineering (TE) applications. After the physico-chemical characterizations of CEC and CGOx (oxidation degree of 20, 35 and 50%), these macromolecules were used for producing the CGOx-CEC hydrogels through a Schiff base reaction, in the absence of any crosslinking agent. The CGOx-CEC scaffolds obtained after a freeze-drying process were characterized for their morphology, mechanical properties, swelling ability, degradation, and porosity. Those revealed to be highly porous (25-65%), and showed a stable swelling behavior, as well as degradation properties in the absence of enzymes. The use of the cashew gum with higher degree of oxidation led to scaffolds with higher crosslinking densities and increased compressive modulus. None of the hydrogels show cytotoxicity during the 14 days of incubation. Considering all the properties mentioned, these scaffolds are excellent candidates for soft tissue regeneration, owing to the use of eco-friendly starting materials and the easy tuning of their properties.

Fontes de conhecimento percebidas pelos treinadores: estudo com treinadores de andebol da 1ª divisão de seniores masculinos em Portugal / Knowledge sources perceived by Coaches: a study with handball coaches of Portugal's male first league / Representación entre los entrenadores de las fuentes de conocimiento: estudio con entrenadores de balonmano de primera división de séniores masculinos en Portugal

O propósito central deste estudo foi identificar as fontes de conhecimento percebidas por treinadores de elite da 1ª divisão portuguesa de andebol. Realizaram-se 10 entrevistas semiestruturadas que foram submetidas a análise de conteúdo. Os dados revelaram que as fontes de conhecimento diretas assumem uma posição de destaque na construção e reconstrução do conhecimento do treinador, nomeadamente a interação com treinadores, a influência de mentores e a experiência como treinador

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo principal identificar las fuentes de conocimiento percibidas por entrenadores de élite de la primera división portuguesa de balonmano. Fueron realizadas 10 entrevistas semiestructuradas sometidas a un análisis de contenido. Los datos obtenidos mostraron que las fuentes de conocimiento directo asumen una posición prominente en la construcción y reconstrucción de conocimiento del entrenador, incluyendo la interacción con los entrenadores, mentores y la experiencia como entrenador

The aim of this study is to identify knowledge sources perceived by elite handball coaches of the Portuguese first league. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted and submitted to content analysis. The findings show that unmediated knowledge sources assume a prominent position in coaches' knowledge construction and reconstruction, namely interaction with coaches, mentors' influence and coaching experience