The Adaptive Dynamics of the Halloween Effect: Evidence from a 120-Year Sample from a Small European Market

The Halloween effect predicts that stock markets in the winter months (November through April) generate significantly higher returns than in the summer months (May through October). This paper examines the time-varying behavior of the Halloween effect within a new historical dataset that covers about 120 years of Portuguese stock market history. We combine subsample analysis with rolling window analysis to show that the performance of the anomaly has varied in an adaptive fashion over time. The anomaly existed during the first four decades of the 20th century. Afterward, it vanished for 60 years, reappearing only at the beginning of the 21st century. However, in the first two decades of the new century, the effect seems to be a mere reflection of the excess return generated in January. Overall, the time-varying performance of the Halloween effect supports the adaptive market hypothesis for the Portuguese stock market

Validity of interpretation: A user validity perspective beyond the test score

This paper introduces the concept of user validity and provides a new perspective on the validity of interpretations from tests. Test interpretation is based on outputs such as test scores, profiles, reports, spreadsheets of multiple candidates' scores, etc. The user validity perspective focuses on the interpretations a test user makes given the purpose of the test and the information provided in the test output. This innovative perspective focuses on how user validity can be extended to content, criterion, and to some extent construct-related validity. It provides a basis for researching the validity of interpretations and an improved understanding of the appropriateness of different approaches to score interpretation, as well as how to design test outputs and assessments that are pragmatic and optimal

The association of problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age

Background/objectives: There is scarce evidence of how certain eating behaviours compromise the compliance with dietary guidelines and weight status in school-aged children. This study aims to evaluate the association of children’s problematic eating behaviours with food quality and body mass index at 7 years of age. Subjects/methods: Participants were children aged 7 years old from a population-based cohort study from Porto, Portugal-Generation XXI. Children’s quantity and speed of ingestion, food refusal at the table and food rewards requesting were evaluated by caregiver’s perception. Food consumption was evaluated by a food frequency questionnaire and compared with age-appropriate guidelines. Children’s weight status was assessed by objective measurements and parent’s perceptions. Associations were estimated by logistic regressions (odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (95% CI)) adjusted for maternal age, education, smoking during pregnancy, birth type, child’s sex, weight-for-gestational age and sports (n = 3801). Results: Children eating small amounts of food, refusing to eat at the table with the rest of the family during meals and asking for food rewards showed a higher consumption of energy-dense foods (OR = 1.51; 95% CI:1.23–1.86; OR = 1.58; 95% CI:1.16–2.16; OR = 1.56; 95% CI:1.14–2.12) and presented higher odds of consuming fruit and vegetables below recommendations (OR = 1.41; 95% CI:1.22–1.64; OR = 1.20; 95% CI:1.00–1.45; OR = 1.28; 95% CI:1.05–1.55). Children displaying these eating behaviours were less likely to be overweight/obese, hence their parents were less likely to show concern with their weight. Including food quality as covariate in the final models with obesity status did not change the associations. Conclusions: Problematic eating behaviours were associated with poorer food quality (more energy-dense foods and low fruit and vegetables), but food quality does not seem to explain the association with obesity status. Parents were less likely to be concerned about their child’s weight if the child ate slowly or poorly, and accordingly the odds of them being overweight or obese were lower.Generation XXI was funded by the Health Operational Programme—Saúde XXI, Community Support Framework III and the Regional Department of Ministry of Health. This study was supported through FEDER from the Operational Programme Factors of Competitiveness (COMPETE) and through national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science) under the project PTDC/SAU-EPI/121532/2010 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-021177) and through the Investigator Programme (IF/01350/2015–Andreia Oliveira and IF/01060/2015–Ana Cristina Santos). It also had support from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Epidemiology, Physiopathology, Clinical Manifestation and Diagnostic

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) is a term used to define a compilation of signs and symptoms arising from decreased estrogenic stimulation of the vulvovaginal and lower urinary tract. Among 27-84% of women in postmenopausal are affected for symptoms of GSM, and these can unquestionably impair health, sexual function, consequently the quality of life of these women. The main signs and symptoms of GSM include, among others, burning, irritation, vulvovaginal dryness, dyspareunia, urinary symptoms of urgency, dysuria, or recurrent urinary tract infection. The diagnosis can be made through anamnesis, questionnaires, physical exams, and, sometimes, complementary exams. Objective vaginal assessment is essential and can be complemented by using the Vaginal Health Index (VHI), Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI), or vaginal pH measurement. The acknowledgment of this condition by health professionals is crucial for its identification and proper management and exclusion of other conditions that make a differential diagnosis with it.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Use of Moisturizers and Lubricants for Vulvovaginal Atrophy

The estrogen decrease in postmenopausal women results in functional and anatomical changes in the genitourinary tract. The most prevalent and bothersome symptoms are vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and reduced lubrication, which can significantly affect the quality of life of these women, principally those who are sexually active. Hormonal therapy with local estrogens is generally considered the "gold standard." However, there are cases in which there are clinical concerns about its use or women opt for non-hormonal options. Thus, safe and effective non-hormonal options are needed to improve symptoms in these women. Moisturizers and lubricants are first-line therapy for breast cancer survivors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hormonal Approach for Postmenopausal Vulvovaginal Atrophy

Menopause is a physiological and progressive phenomenon secondary to decreased ovarian follicular reserve that significantly affects the genital tract. Although postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy primarily affects postmenopausal women, it is also seen in premenopausal women. The hypoestrogenic condition results in hormonal and anatomical changes, with the main symptoms, are dryness, burning and genital irritation, decreased lubrication, urinary urgency, dysuria, and recurrent urinary tract infections. This review aims to update hormone therapy for urogenital atrophy, both local and systemic, and discusses the importance of understanding and the need for active treatment of this condition. The main therapeutic objective is the relief of symptoms, and hormonal therapy (HT) is still the most effective choice for treating clinical manifestations, despite the side effects of its use. HT should be used in an individualized way to the needs of the women and appropriate to the stage in which she is menopausal, perimenopausal, or after menopause.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio