Gender, socio-economic status and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and old adults.

BACKGROUND: Studies that addressed social and economic determinants of cardiovascular diseases, consistently showed an increase prevalence of the individual features of metabolic syndrome in the lower socio-economic strata. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the association between social class and metabolic syndrome in a sample of urban middle-aged and old Portuguese adults. METHODS: We evaluated 1962 subjects (1207 women and 755 men) aged 40 or more years. Marital status, education, occupation, menarche age and height distribution were used as socioeconomic indicators. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the ATP III, by the presence of at least three of the following characteristics: waist circumference > 102 cm in men and > 88 cm in women; triglycerides > or = 150 mg/dl; HDL cholesterol or = 130/85 mm Hg; and fasting glucose > or = 110 mg/dl. Proportions were compared using the chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed using unconditional logistic regression to estimate the magnitude of the associations. RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was significantly more frequent in females (24.9 vs. 17.4, p < 0.001). In females, the odds favoring metabolic syndrome significantly increased with age and in unfavorable social class as described by occupation, and decreased with education level. In males, metabolic syndrome was significantly more frequent in the 60-69 years age class (OR = 1.82; 95%CI: 1.02-3.26) when compared to those in the 40-49 years age class. Concerning other socioeconomic indicators no significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: This study showed that gender influenced the association of socio-economic status indicators with metabolic syndrome. Females in lower social classes, as defined by education and occupational classification, more frequently presented metabolic syndrome, no such association was found in males

Collaborative research: a case study between Biomedical community of NOVA Medical School and elderly community of Arroios

As Instituições do Ensino Superior desempenham um papel fundamental na sociedade como intervenientes ativos na transferência de conhecimento científico válido e podem também contribuir para mudanças sociais. Um dos aspetos essenciais para o desenvolvimento da educação no ensino superior está relacionado com o aumento do envolvimento da comunidade através de dinâmicas colaborativas entre a academia e a população. Estas abordagens colaborativas são importantes para ajudar as comunidades a resolverem os seus problemas com base no conhecimento produzido pelas universidades. De acordo com a Organização Mundial de Saúde, o número de pessoas seniores está a aumentar dramaticamente em todo o mundo e em Portugal é esperado que a percentagem de pessoas com 60 anos ou mais seja de 41,7% em 2050. Em Arroios, a percentagem de pessoas seniores é de 25,18% e a taxa de analfabetismo é de 2,75%. Nesta freguesia está localizada a NOVA Medical School, uma escola médica que tem como objetivo preparar profissionais e desenvolver investigação em áreas multidisciplinares para resolver problemas de saúde na sociedade. A Unidade EpiDoC é um dos grupos de investigação da NOVA Medical School dedicado à promoção da saúde pública e intervenção na comunidade. Esta unidade lançou um manual prático intitulado “Viver com Saúde depois dos 60 anos” para promover estilos de vida saudáveis. Tendo em conta a proximidade geográfica entre a NOVA Medical School e a Junta de Freguesia de Arroios, bem como a lacuna entre estas duas instituições na área do envelhecimento e da saúde, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o livro “Viver com Saúde depois dos 60 Anos” como um veículo de comunicação de ciência na comunidade sénior de Arroios. O projeto foi realizado na Academia Sénior integrada na Junta de Freguesia de Arroios e os alunos da academia foram divididos em dois grupos atendendo à sua capacidade de ler e escrever de forma independente. Foram utilizados métodos quantitativos e qualitativos para analisar o conhecimento inicial dos alunos seniores e o conhecimento adquirido após a oportunidade de ler o livro, bem como para avaliar o livro como veículo de comunicação de ciência. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que os conteúdos apresentados no livro eram temas já conhecidos pelos alunos seniores, apesar da maioria não se comportar de acordo com esses conhecimentos no seu dia a dia. Observou-se ainda que o livro promoveu comportamentos saudáveis nos estudantes, particularmente na área de nutrição. Em relação à avaliação do livro, o resultado geral foi positivo, exceto para o tópico relacionado com o tamanho e peso do livro. Em conclusão, este projeto contribuiu para a criação de uma ligação entre a comunidade biomédica da NOVA Medical School a comunidade sénior de Arroios através de uma abordagem colaborativa.The Higher Education Institutions have a fundamental role in society as active players to transfer valid scientific knowledge and can also contribute for social changes. One of the essential aspects to the higher education development is related to the increase of community engagement through collaborative dynamics between academia and population. These collaborative approaches are important to help communities to solve their questions based on the knowledge produced by universities. According to the World Health Organization the number of elder people around the world is growing dramatically and in Portugal it is expected a percentage of aged people with 60 years old or over 60 of 41.7% in 2050. In Arroios the percentage of old people is 25.18% and the illiteracy rate is 2.75%. In this parish it is located the NOVA Medical School, a medical school that aims to prepare professionals and to improve research in multidisciplinary areas to solve society’s health problems. EpiDoC Unit is one of the research groups at NOVA Medical School dedicated to public health promotion and community intervention. This unit launched a practical handbook entitled “Viver com Saúde depois dos 60 anos” (Living Healthy after 60 years old) to promote a healthy lifestyle. Taking into account the geographical proximity between NOVA Medical School and the Arroios Parish Council as well as the gap between these two institutions in the ageing and health field, the present thesis aims to evaluate the book “Viver com Saúde depois dos 60 Anos” as a science communication vehicle in the elderly community of Arroios. The project was performed at the Elderly Academy integrated in the Arroios Parish and the students of the academy were divided in two groups concerning their ability to read and write independently. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to analyse the initial knowledge of elderly students and the knowledge acquired after the opportunity to read the book as well as to evaluate the book as a science communication vehicle. The results obtained demonstrated that the contents presented in the book were themes already known by elderly students, although most of them do not behave accordingly to them in their daily lives. It was also observed that the book promoted healthy behaviours in students, particularly in the nutrition area. Regarding the book’s assessment the general result was positive, excepting the topic related to the book’s size and weight. In conclusion, this project contributed to the connection between biomedical community from NOVA Medical School and elderly community from Arroios trough a collaborative approach

O conceito de estabelecimento estável e a dupla tributação internacional

O conceito de estabelecimento estável é importante e necessário para atenuar ou evitar a dupla tributação internacional. Tratando-se de um conceito jurídico, a sua formulação apresenta-se por vezes diferente de imposto para imposto e de ADT para ADT. Neste trabalho faz-se uma breve resenha histórica e evolutiva do conceito e efectua-se uma análise da sua formulação no âmbito da Convenção Modelo da OCDE para a Dupla Tributação sobre o Rendimento e o Capital e do artigo 5 do CIRC, concluindo-se que o legislador nacional desenhou um conceito mais abrangente e que os pré-acordos com a Administração Fiscal bem como a jurisprudência podem ser factores de referência para as empresas multinacionais

The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment - Hydrologic Applications for the Southeast US (IPHEx-H4SE) Part III: High-Resolution Ensemble Rainfall Products

The first stage of the Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEX) includes the 37 development of quality-controlled data sets of different hydrometeorological and landscape attributes at high spatial and temporal resolutions (respectively 1km×1km and 1 hour). These data sets will facilitate the intercomparison of hydrological models and provide support to the ground validation campaign of GPM over the Southern Appalachian region. In the present report we focus on the spatial downscaling of Stage IV precipitation data (Baldwin and Mitchell, 1996; Lin and Mitchell, 2005; see online at http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/ylin/pcpanl/stage4) from 4km to 1km resolution for the period 2007-2011. First, we describe the 44 methodologies utilized to develop the various QPE products and in particular the use of modified fractal downscaling methodologies, which conserve the spatial structure of the coarse resolution while enhancing sub-grid scale variability. Three different (hourly, 1km2) precipitation datasets were produced: 1) Stage IV bilinear interpolated fields; 2) Stage IV fractal downscaled fields using (with 50 ensemble realizations for each hour); and 3) Stage IV fractal downscaled fields using a transient (with 50 ensemble realizations for each hour). The realizations 50 provided for each hour in the fractal downscaled cases should be particularly useful to ensemble hydrologic applications and analysis of uncertainty propagation. The performance of the downscaled QPE (Quantitative Precipitation Estimation) products is subsequently evaluated for selected headwater basins in the Southern Appalachians for individual events and for 5 year continuous simulations in three watersheds, which are intended to highlight that, in long-term hydrological modeling and prediction and the precipitation forcing is de facto not accurate, the uncertainty varies in time, and this is further modulated by storage, evapotranspiration and subsurface flow in the hydrological model, a highly nonlinear system. The results show improved performance of an uncalibrated hydrological model using the downscaled Stage IV product using modified fractal interpolation methods as compared to bilinear interpolation. Finally, a survey of basic skill metrics indicates that current precipitation estimates are significantly poor in the inner mountain region of the Southern Appalachians where NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar Data) data used to inform the Stage IV product is compromised, which is expected in regions of complex terrain.NASA’s Precipitation Measurement Missions Program and GPM Ground Validation

Quando países emergentes reformam a governança global das mudanças climáticas : o Brasil sob Lula

ABSTRACT: Due to its recent economic success, Brazil is considered an emerging country, but is it an emerging power concerning global environmental governance? This article argues that although Brazil has a sui generis profile, it can only be considered an emerging power in some environmental regimes, such as global climate change. Thus, international relations theory needs more analytical instruments to assess the impact of emerging powers in global environmental governance. __________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMOPor causa de seu recente sucesso econômico, o Brasil é considerado um país emergente. Isso vale também para a governança ambiental? Este artigo argumenta que, apesar de o Brasil ter um perfil sui generis, o País pode ser considerado uma potência emergente em alguns regimes ambientais, como o de mudanças climáticas. Portanto, as teorias de relações internacionais precisam de mais instrumentos analíticos para lidar com o impacto de potências emergentes na governança ambiental global

The Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment - Hydrologic Applications for the Southeast US (IPHEx-H4SE). Part II: Atmospheric Forcing and Topographic Corrections

In order to prepare atmospheric forcing data sets to drive the hydrologic models at high spatial resolution, it is necessary to apply appropriate downscale methods and bias correction schemes to the coarse reanalysis products. In this manuscript, first we describe the methodology to derive a high-resolution (1×1 km2, hourly) atmospheric forcing data set from 3-hr NARR (North American Regional Reanalysis) products originally at 32×32km resolution, and second we illustrate the value and utility of the downscaled products to drive hydrologic models offline through analysis of a long-term (5-year) continuous simulation of water and energy budgets in the Southern Appalachians against flux tower observations. The IPHEx-H4SE atmospheric forcing data set includes elevation corrected air temperature and lapse rate, specific humidity, 46 friction velocity, surface layer winds, incoming longwave radiation, and topographically and cloudiness corrected incoming shortwave radiation that enable simulating water and energy fluxes from diurnal to annual time-scales, and for extreme events. Although the 5-year simulation presented here was conducted with a randomly selected rainfall product among those recommended in the companion report ( EPL-2013-H4SE-3) without re-initialization or data assimilation, and therefore does not represent an optimal simulation with the hydrological model but rather a baseline control simulation that integrates and propagates the uncertainty in all forcing data sets, the results clearly illustrate the benefit of using the bias corrected NARR atmospheric forcing fields made available here

From a WebQuest to a ReadingQuest: learners' reactions in an EFL extensive reading class

Most students don’t like reading in a foreign language. They find it a difficult task, mainly due to the high number of unknown words they encounter when reading a text. They consider reading classes boring and uninteresting and as a result our students are poor readers. Concerned with this situation, we conducted a study on the impact of a learning environment based on the WebQuest, a ReadingQuest, and on student engagement in an extensive reading task. The results show that the ReadingQuest is a valuable environment for teaching extensive reading, in contrast to traditional reading classes, as it can enhance motivation and promote constructivist learning.Most students don’t like reading in a foreign language. They find it a difficult task, mainly due to the high number of unknown words they encounter when reading a text. They consider reading classes boring and uninteresting and as a result our students are poor readers. Concerned with this situation, we conducted a study on the impact of a learning environment based on the WebQuest, a ReadingQuest, and on student engagement in an extensive reading task. The results show that the ReadingQuest is a valuable environment for teaching extensive reading, in contrast to traditional reading classes, as it can enhance motivation and promote constructivist learning

Geração de casos de teste a partir de modelos de tarefas

Tese de mestrado integrado. Engenharia Informática e Computação. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201