Digital Games’ Development Model

Nowadays technology follows us everywhere. However, and although always present, sometimes technology slips by unnoticed. One field that could make better use of technology is the field of social causes, namely the care and aid of individuals with disabilities. Currently, the main drivers of this cause are dedicated people, doctors, professors, etc., who spare some of their time to aid and take care of this individuals but generally don’t master most of the modern technologies. As such the initiative, Social Tech Booster was created, with the purpose of boosting the use of information systems and/or digital games whose sole ob-jective is aiding individual with disabilities. This initiative is fueled by students on later stages of their master degree, whose final thesis, takes the form of one of these systems/games. Since then, multiple systems and games have been de-veloped, mostly digital games with mixed results, through methods that change from student to student, due to the lack of a more viable methodology. As such, in this document a new methodology to successfully develop digital games, capable of dealing with the difficulties linked to social causes, is presented. This methodology makes use of several proven development re-sources to insure the main beneficiaries are the individuals with disabilities, that will feel an improvement in their quality of life

Legal and political regulation of higher education in Portugal: an evolutionary perspective on the current policy issues and the problem of order

The higher education system in Europe is currently under stress and the debates over its reform and future are gaining momentum. Now that, for most countries, we are in a time for change, in the overall society and the whole education system, the legal and political dimensions have gained prominence, which has not been followed by a more integrative approach of the problem of order, its reform and the issue of regulation, beyond the typical static and classical cost-benefit analyses. The two classical approaches for studying (and for designing the policy measures of) the problem of the reform of the higher education system - the cost-benefit analysis and the legal scholarship description - have to be integrated. This is the argument of our paper that the very integration of economic and legal approaches, what Warren Samuels called the legal-economic nexus, is meaningful and necessary, especially if we want to address the problem of order (as formulated by Joseph Spengler) and the overall regulation of the system. On the one hand, and without neglecting the interest and insights gained from the cost-benefit analysis, or other approaches of value for money assessment, we will focus our study on the legal, social and political aspects of the regulation of the higher education system and its reform in Portugal. On the other hand, the economic and financial problems have to be taken into account, but in a more inclusive way with regard to the indirect and other socio-economic costs not contemplated in traditional or standard assessments of policies for the tertiary education sector. In the first section of the paper, we will discuss the theoretical and conceptual underpinning of our analysis, focusing on the evolutionary approach, the role of critical institutions, the legal-economic nexus and the problem of order. All these elements are related to the institutional tradition, from Veblen and Commons to Spengler and Samuels. The second section states the problem of regulation in the higher education system and the issue of policy formulation for tackling the problem. The current situation is clearly one of crisis with the expansion of the cohorts of young students coming to an end and the recurrent scandals in private institutions. In the last decade, after a protracted period of extension or expansion of the system, i. e., the continuous growth of students, universities and other institutions are competing harder to gain students and have seen their financial situation at risk. It seems that we are entering a period of radical uncertainty, higher competition and a new configuration that is slowly building up is the growth in intensity, which means upgrading the quality of the higher learning and getting more involvement in vocational training and life-long learning. With this change, and along with other deep ones in the Portuguese society and economy, the current regulation has shown signs of maladjustment. The third section consists of our conclusions on the current issue of regulation and policy challenge. First, we underline the importance of an evolutionary approach to a process of change that is essentially dynamic. A special attention will be given to the issues related to an evolutionary construe of policy analysis and formulation. Second, the integration of law and economics, through the notion of legal economic nexus, allows us to better define the issues of regulation and the concrete problems that the universities are facing. One aspect is the instability of the political measures regarding the public administration and on which the higher education system depends financially, legally and institutionally, to say the least. A corollary is the lack of clear strategy in the policy reforms. Third, our research criticizes several studies, such as the one made by the OECD in late 2006 for the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, for being too static and neglecting fundamental aspects of regulation such as the logic of actors, groups and organizations who are major players in the system. Finally, simply changing the legal rules will not necessary per se change the behaviors that the authorities want to change. By this, we mean that it is not only remiss of the policy maker to ignore some of the critical issues of regulation, namely the continuous non-respect by academic management and administrative bodies of universities of the legal rules that were once promulgated. Changing the rules does not change the problem, especially without the necessary debates form the different relevant quarters that make up the higher education system. The issues of social interaction remain as intact. Our treatment of the matter will be organized in the following way. In the first section, the theoretical principles are developed in order to be able to study more adequately the higher education transformation with a modest evolutionary theory and a legal and economic nexus of the interactions of the system and the policy challenges. After describing, in the second section, the recent evolution and current working of the higher education in Portugal, we will analyze the legal framework and the current regulatory practices and problems in light of the theoretical framework adopted. We will end with some conclusions on the current problems of regulation and the policy measures that are discusses in recent years

Gestão de informação pessoal em saúde

O sistema de gestão de proteção de dados pessoais e estudos clínicos em Portugal levanta controvérsia e uma interpretação distinta, dada a sensibilidade ética do tema, a integridade humana. Além deste fato, estamos diante de um problema que envolve diversos interesses e, assim, um confronto de posições. Pretende-se, ao longo deste artigo, abordar a percepção da forma como os profissionais da área da saúde, no seu quotidiano, lidam com a questão do tratamento de dados clínicos, numa tentativa de harmonizar pontos de vista e de conteúdo, verificando se há realmente um esforço das instituições hospitalares para facilitarem este processo e permitirem que os usuários sejam universalmente protegidos e bem tratados. Os resultados obtidos no documento de consulta de profissionais de saúde indicam que há uma preocupação com a confidencialidade em 100% dos inquiridos, embora existam sistemas de gestão de dados clínicos diferenciados (seis distintos). Espera-se uma tendência ascendente na procura dessas informações úteis e de interesse para deter essa informação, tomada por profissionais de saúde, instituições de saúde, seguradoras etc. O problema surge no confronto entre a proteção da vida privada, o interesse específico de usuários, o interesse público e as políticas institucionais e governamentais vigentes. Partindo do pressuposto de que a garantia de confidencialidade é uma realidade em termos de segurança, é necessário determinar se os meios utilizados para atingir essa tarefa são os mais eficientes e permitem uma gestão sustentável dos dados de saúde.The management system of protection of personal data and clinical studies in Portugal raises controversy and different interpretation due to the ethical sensitivity of the subject, human integrity. Beyond this fact, we face a problem that involves many interests, and thus a clash of positions. It is intended throughout this article to get answers from professionals in their daily lives to deal with the issue of treatment of clinical data in an attempt to harmonize views and content, checking if there really is an effort by hospitals to facilitate this process and allow users to be universally protected and treated well. The results obtained in the consultation document of health professionals indicate that there is a concern with confidentiality in 100% of respondents, although there are systems of different clinical data management (six distinct). An upward trend, in demand for this useful and of interest to hold this information, is expected and taken by health professionals, health institutions, insurance companies etc. The problem arises in the confrontation between the protection of privacy, the specific interest of users, the public interest and institutional policies and government regulations. Assuming that the guarantee of confidentiality is a reality in terms of security, it is necessary to determine whether the means used to achieve this task are the most efficient and allow a sustainable management of health data

On transdisciplinarity in organizations, innovation and law

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análise de variáveis não diretamente observáveis: influência na tomada de decisão durante o processo de investigação

El tamaño de la muestra, el tipo de variables, su medida y la construcción de instrumentos para la recogida de datos válidos y fiables son aspectos a considerar en el proceso de investigación. En el ámbito de las ciencias sociales, de la salud y particularmente en el área de enfermería, los instrumentos para la recogida de datos son muchas veces compuestos por variables componentes o indicadores que originan variables latentes o no observables directamente, lo que muestra la importancia de decidir cuidadosamente cómo se miden (escala ordinal, Likert o de tipo Likert). Las escalas psicométricas son ejemplos de instrumentos, por el tipo de variables que lo componen, que pueden traer problemas de medición y de análisis estadístico (test paramétricos versus no paramétricos). Así, el investigador cuando usa estas variables, debe respetar algunos supuestos basados en estudios de simulación o recomendaciones basadas en la evidencia científica, lo que permite una mejor toma de decisiones.The sample dimension, types of variables, format used for measurement, and construction of instruments to collect valid and reliable data must be considered during the research process. In the social and health sciences, and more specifically in nursing, data-collection instruments are usually composed of latent variables or variables that cannot be directly observed. Such facts emphasize the importance of deciding how to measure study variables (using an ordinal scale or a Likert or Likert-type scale). Psychometric scales are examples of instruments that are affected by the type of variables that comprise them, which could cause problems with measurement and statistical analysis (parametric tests versus non-parametric tests). Hence, investigators using these variables must rely on suppositions based on simulation studies or recommendations based on scientific evidence in order to make the best decisions.A dimensão da amostra, o tipo de variáveis, o seu formato de medida, a construção dos instrumentos de recolha de dados válidos e fiáveis, são aspectos a ter em consideração no processo de investigação. No âmbito das ciências sociais, da saúde e especificamente na área de enfermagem, os instrumentos de recolha de dados são muitas vezes compostos por variáveis componentes ou indicadores que dão origem a variáveis latentes ou não observáveis diretamente, daí a importância da decisão relativa à forma como são medidas (escala ordinal, Likert ou de tipo Likert). As escalas psicométricas são exemplos de instrumentos, pelo tipo de variáveis que as integram, que podem trazer problemas de medida e de análise estatística (testes paramétricos versus não paramétricos). Assim o investigador quando usa estas variáveis deve respeitar alguns pressupostos baseados em estudos de simulação ou em recomendações fundamentadas na evidência científica, de forma a tomar a melhor decisão

A teoria e a prática dos regimes cambiais (ou de como Davi está vencendo Golias)

Este artigo trata da escolha de regimes de cambiais e seus impactos sobre a economia analisando as diferenças que existem entre os regimes declarados (de jure) e os regimes efetivamente praticados (de facto) por uma amostra de 58 países no período de 1994 a 2007. O trabalho apresenta resultados empíricos que sugerem, particularmente a partir de 2003, a ampliação de facto dos regimes de administração da taxa de câmbio real. Num cenário em que economias migram para regimes de tendência fixa, países que adotam de facto regimes de tendência flutuante podem encontrar-se numa posição ruim quando o regime flutuante tende a valorizar a moeda e os demais países com regimes de tendência fixa estabilizam suas moedas em um nível desvalorizado

COTIDIANO NO SERTÃO DE “O TRONCO”

A proposta de análise de uma das importantes obras de Bernardo Élis, “O Tronco”, busca a percepção dos costumes retratados no romance que se desenrola no então norte de Goiás nas décadas iniciais do século XX. Destacar a criação do dia a dia na Vila do Duro a partir de ações desenvolvidas por entre o espaço e o tempo, nem sempre linear cronologicamente, mas que seguem o processo criativo do autor, que conhecedor do interior de Goiás e de seus habitantes, consegue transpor o ocorrido em uma pequena vila, que na literatura contava com 40 casas. A nossa perspectiva de interpretação é centrada primordialmente em “O Tronco” (ÉLIS, 2003) e tangencia, mesmo que brevemente, Certeau (2013) ao tratar da temática do cotidiano. O objetivo pauta-se em buscar compreender o cotidiano na Vila do Duro materializado nas páginas de “O Tronco”. Palavras-chave: Bernardo Élis. O Tronco. Cotidiano

Viagem aos 200 Anos dos Relatos de Viajantes Europeus sobre Meia Ponte/GO

In 1819 two European travelers, the Austrian Johann Emanuel Pohl and the French Auguste de Saint-Hilaire passed by Meia Ponte registering observations on the old village. They arranged information that included the works called "Travels": official reports that contemplate descriptions about the many localities visited in Brazil by both of them. It is aimed here to investigate the relations between history, science and nature from Meia Ponte, having the travelers' narratives mentioned as a guideline. Methodologically the bibliographical analysis involves the two travelers and several authors who analyzed the two referenced works, seeking a comparative analysis between Meia Ponte (1819) and Pirenópolis City (2018).Em 1819 dois viajantes europeus, o austríaco Johann Emanuel Pohl e o francês Auguste de Saint-Hilaire, passaram por Meia Ponte registrando observações sobre o antigo arraial. Disponibilizaram informações que compuseram as obras denominadas “Viagens”: relatórios oficiais que contemplam descrições acerca das inúmeras localidades visitadas no Brasil por eles. Objetiva-se investigar as relações entre a História, a Ciência e a Natureza meiaponteses tendo as narrativas dos viajantes mencionados como diretriz. Metodologicamente a análise bibliográfica envolve os dois viajantes e autores diversos que analisaram as duas obras referenciais, buscando análise comparativa entre Meia Ponte (1819) e Pirenópolis (2018)