Fitness but not weight status is associated with projected physical independence in older adults.

Obesity and fitness have been associated with older adults' physical independence. We aimed to investigate the independent and combined associations of physical fitness and adiposity, assessed by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with the projected ability for physical independence. A total of 3496 non-institutionalized older adults aged 65 and older (1167 male) were included in the analysis. BMI and WC were assessed and categorized according to established criteria. Physical fitness was evaluated with the Senior Fitness Test and individual test results were expressed as Z-scores. Projected ability for physical independence was assessed with the 12-item composite physical function scale. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for being physically dependent. A total of 30.1 % of participants were classified as at risk for losing physical independence at age 90 years. Combined fitness and fatness analysis demonstrated that unfit older adults had increased odds ratio for being physically dependent in all BMI categories (normal: OR = 9.5, 95 %CI = 6.5-13.8; overweight: OR = 6.0, 95 %CI = 4.3-8.3; obese: OR = 6.7, 95 %CI = 4.6-10.0) and all WC categories (normal: OR = 10.4, 95%CI = 6.5-16.8; middle: OR = 6.2, 95 %CI = 4.1-9.3; upper: OR = 7.0, 95 %CI = 4.8-10.0) compared to fit participants that were of normal weight and fit participants with normal WC, respectively. No increased odds ratio was observed for fit participants that had increased BMI or WC. In conclusion, projected physical independence may be enhanced by a normal weight, a normal WC, or an increased physical fitness. Adiposity measures were not associated with physical independence, whereas fitness is independently related to physical independence. Independent of their weight and WC status, unfit older adults are at increased risk for losing physical independence.D.A.S. is supported by a scholarship from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BPD/92462/2013). L.S. conducted this work during a visiting scholar period to the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Portugal, supported by the Capes Foundation within the Ministry of Education, Brazil (Process: 88887.065407/2014-00). UE was partly funded by the MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK (Grant MC_UU_12015/3)This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Springer via https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-016-9911-

Cálculo da carga térmica em sistemas de ventilação e ar condicionado

Devido à insuficiência de rotinas informatizadas para cálculo da carga térmica  e  sistemas de ventilação e ar condicionado, os cálculos são feitos tomando-se usualment por base a literatura disponível em livros sobre o tema, o que acarreta um temp excessivo para a realização dos cálculos, além do que a bibliografia disponível nã apresenta evolução quanto aos novos materiais empregados nas construções, bem com emprega coeficientes de cálculo superdimensionados, acarretando consumo excessivo d energia nos sistemas de ventilação e condicionamento. Por outro lado, as rotina informatizadas ou são complexas e com custo elevado de aquisição, ou apresenta resultados incompletos quando disponibilizadas para o usuário. O projeto tem por objetiv o desenvolvimento de uma rotina para cálculo da carga térmica utilizando ferramenta computacionais geradas a partir dos programas EXCEL e ACESS em que serã incorporadas metodologias mais refinadas de cálculo, bem como a utilização de  bibliotecas mais         atualizadas        tanto     de        materiais           quanto  de           parâmetros       de dimensionamento. Como resultado final pretende-se ter uma rotina de cálculo de fác utilização por engenheiros e estudantes de engenharia e que possa também se atualizada periodicamente.

Forecasting: theory and practice

Forecasting has always been at the forefront of decision making and planning. The uncertainty that surrounds the future is both exciting and challenging, with individuals and organisations seeking to minimise risks and maximise utilities. The large number of forecasting applications calls for a diverse set of forecasting methods to tackle real-life challenges. This article provides a non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting. We provide an overview of a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods, principles, and approaches to prepare, produce, organise, and evaluate forecasts. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a variety of real-life contexts. We do not claim that this review is an exhaustive list of methods and applications. However, we wish that our encyclopedic presentation will offer a point of reference for the rich work that has been undertaken over the last decades, with some key insights for the future of forecasting theory and practice. Given its encyclopedic nature, the intended mode of reading is non-linear. We offer cross-references to allow the readers to navigate through the various topics. We complement the theoretical concepts and applications covered by large lists of free or open-source software implementations and publicly-available databases

Forecasting: theory and practice

Forecasting has always been in the forefront of decision making and planning. The uncertainty that surrounds the future is both exciting and challenging, with individuals and organisations seeking to minimise risks and maximise utilities. The lack of a free-lunch theorem implies the need for a diverse set of forecasting methods to tackle an array of applications. This unique article provides a non-systematic review of the theory and the practice of forecasting. We offer a wide range of theoretical, state-of-the-art models, methods, principles, and approaches to prepare, produce, organise, and evaluate forecasts. We then demonstrate how such theoretical concepts are applied in a variety of real-life contexts, including operations, economics, finance, energy, environment, and social good. We do not claim that this review is an exhaustive list of methods and applications. The list was compiled based on the expertise and interests of the authors. However, we wish that our encyclopedic presentation will offer a point of reference for the rich work that has been undertaken over the last decades, with some key insights for the future of the forecasting theory and practice