Electronic governance in Portugal: a silent pioneer

This paper sums up the Portuguese experience on launching and implementing a number of successful EGOV policies at different levels. Such a success was based on a holistic understanding of EGOV, in the confluence of technology, administrative reform and innovation processes, and enforced through a number of well- defined, consistent policies carried out over time. The role of national agencies, independent from local political instances and private interests, in the implementation of an effective EGOV strategy is also stressed.(undefined

Carbon and nitrogen stocks in soil under different landscape units at the Pantanal ecosystem, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the soil carbon and nitrogen storage under different landscape units in the Pantanal ecosystem.(Embrapa Gado de Corte. Documentos, 216). Coordenador Roberto Giolo de Almeida. II SIGEE. Disponível em: . Acesso em: 30 nov. 2016

Relação entre o equilíbrio e o medo de cair em idosos

O equilíbrio corporal constitui uma das funções mais importantes do organismo, estando por isso diretamente associado à qualidade de vida do indivíduo. Algumas das alterações decorrentes do processo de envelhecimento, nomeadamente a nível músculo-esquelético, neuromuscular e sensorial, influenciam a mobilidade funcional e a capacidade para manter a estabilidade em indivíduos idosos1. As manifestações de desequilíbrio levam a uma maior predisposição para quedas e suas consequências diretas como fraturas, imobilidade e medo de cair, levando a uma redução da autonomia pessoal e social e a uma limitação das atividades da vida diária (AVD’s), interferindo na qualidade de vida e podendo, nalguns casos, conduzir à morte

TORGA.net: the trans Portugal-Galicia communication network

The Trans Portugal Galicia Network Project, TORGA.net, was a proposal to the Program Interregional IIIA, Galicia – North of Portugal sub-program with the following partners: University of Minho, University of Vigo, Centro de Supercomputación de Galicia and the Centro de Computação Gráfica in Guimarães. It has as its main objective the creation of infrastructures and the organization and development of the space beyond borders. The project proposes to establish a broadband communication network with reduced operational costs that links the campuses of the Universities of Vigo and Minho, as well as their associated Technological Centers, which are the Supercomputación de Galicia and the Centro de Computação Gráfica in Guimarães. Using this telecommunications infrastructure, Access Centers will be installed in a Technology Access Grid, which will allow distance work sessions such as seminars, lessons, or discussion meetings.Momentan arbeiten die Bildungs-, Forschungs- und Entwicklungs- Einrichtungen von Galicien und dem Norden von Portugal nur gelegentlich und auf einzelne Projekte beschränkt zusammen, obwohl sich längst herausgestellt hat, welche Synergien aus dieser Kooperation entstehen. Auf Grund dessen sieht das Torga.net Projekt die Implementierung einer Breitband- Kommunikations-Infrastruktur vor. Diese wird die Problematik, die durch die geringe Zusammenarbeit beider Regionen entsteht, reduzieren und den Zugang und das Teilen von Wissen erleichtern. Aufbauend auf dieser Kommunikationsplattform sind Lösungen der kooperativen Arbeit vorgesehen. Videokonferenzen und E-Learning dienen dabei als Unterstützung für dieb Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Institutionen beiderseits der Grenzen.União Europeia (UE) - Interregional IIIA, Galicia – North of Portugal Program - Direcção-Geral do Desenvolvimento Regional Secretaria de Estado de Presupuestos y Gastos

Cancer diagnosis disclosure from Portuguese physicians

OBJECTIVE: Doctor-patient communication in oncology, particularly concerning diagnostic disclosure, is a crucial factor related to the quality of the doctor-patient relationship and the psychological state of the patient. The aims of our study were to investigate physicians' opinions and practice with respect to disclosure of a cancer diagnosis and to explore potential related factors. METHOD: A self-report questionnaire developed for our study was responded to by 120 physicians from Coimbra University Hospital Centre and its primary healthcare units. RESULTS: Some 91.7% of physician respondents generally disclosed a diagnosis, and 94.2% were of the opinion that the patient knowing the truth about a diagnosis had a positive effect on the doctor-patient relationship. A need for training about communicating with oncology patients was reported by 85.8% of participants. The main factors determining what information to provide to patients were: (1) patient intellectual and cultural level, (2) patient desire to know the truth, and (3) the existence of family. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Our results point to a paradigm shift in communication with cancer patients where disclosure of the diagnosis should be made part of general clinical practice. Nevertheless, physicians still experience difficulties in revealing cancer diagnoses to patients and often lack the skills to deal with a patient's emotional responses, which suggests that more attention needs to be focused on communication skills training programs

Measuring the Energy Efficiency of Evaporative Systems through a New Index - EvaCOP

Evaporative systems are probably the oldest technology for thermal comfort. However, they are still an essential technology in the food industry, environments for thermal comfort, and even for cooling data centers. Standards have been improved to compare the energy efficiency of this type of equipment. Using AHRI concepts with temperature data from the 29 most populous cities in the world, an EvaCOP index was created from temperatures that are easier to simulate than current parameters. The index parameters were tested in a laboratory located in Curitiba (Brazil). EvaCOP values of 45.58 and 25.77 W/W were found in the calculation in two different simulated equipment and compared with the compression cycle systems that in the most efficient machines is around 6.29 W/W.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Primary pulmonary melanoma: the unexpected tumour

A 62-year-old woman was referred to our pulmonology team with exertional dyspnoea and chest tightness of 2 months duration. Her medical history included cervical cancer and thyroid nodules. Imaging studies showed collapse of left upper lobe. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy unveiled an endoluminal lesion and bronchial biopsy displayed features of melanoma. She denied a history of melanoma or excision of lesions of skin, mucous membranes or the eye. A thorough evaluation including combined positron emission tomography with CT scan excluded other possible sites of primary melanoma, but there was a metastasis in a thoracic vertebra. Palliative radiotherapy of the spine was performed. Chemotherapy initiation with dacarbazine was postponed by the appearance of a malignant pleural effusion, confirmed by pleural fluid cytology. After four cycles chemotherapy was discontinued due to disease progression. The patient is still alive with a follow-up of 12 months, currently on best supportive care

Convergent and discriminant validities of SCBE-30 questionnaire using correlated trait–correlated method Minus One

Correlated trait–correlated method minus one was used to evaluate convergent and discriminant validity of Social Competence Behavior Evaluation questionnaire (Social Competence, Anger-Aggression, Anxiety-Withdrawal) between multiple raters. A total of 369 children (173 boys and 196 girls; Mage = 55.85, SDage = 11.54) were rated by their mothers, fathers, and teachers. Results showed more convergence between parents than parent-teacher ratings. Mother-teacher share a common view of child behavior that is not shared with father. Parents had more difficulty distinguishing internalizing and externalizing behaviors (especially fathers). Measurement invariance across child sex was explored, results imply that differences between boys and girls were not due to measure. Girls (compare to boys) were described as more social competent by their fathers and teachers, while boys as more aggressive by mothers and teachers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships: contributions to preschoolers’ social competence

The main goal of this study was to explore the contributions of early father-child and mother-child attachment relationships to children’s later social competence with their preschool peers; possible unique and shared contributions were tested. Using a multi-method design and focusing on direct observation, attachment was assessed at home at age 3 with the Attachment Behavior Q-sort (AQS) and two years later social competence was assessed at classrooms of 5-year-olds using a set of seven measurement indicators that are part of the Hierarchical Model of Social Competence. Results show that attachment to each parent made unique and significant contributions to children’s social competence and suggested the possibility that each caregiver may have somewhat different patterns of influence on the different indicators of children’s social competence. Findings also suggest the possibility that a secure attachment with one parent may buffer the impact of having an insecure relationship with the other. Due to sample size these results should be seen as a starting point to generate new and larger studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio