A primavera árabe no Egito e na Síria: repercussões no conflito israelo-palestiniano

Tese de Mestrado em Relações InternacionaisO Médio Oriente assume especial importância para os países ocidentais pela sua posição geoestratégica, relativamente às rotas que permitem o acesso e o abastecimento de recursos energéticos. Tem, também, um papel fundamental na segurança mundial, devido à necessidade de contenção do terrorismo jihadista internacional. A Primavera Árabe embora, desde logo, associada às aspirações democráticas das populações árabes tornou, ainda mais, indefinida a conjuntura da região. A expansão de grupos fundamentalistas islâmicos junto dos movimentos revolucionários preocupa a comunidade internacional e o Estado de Israel. O debate em torno da “questão palestiniana” é, neste contexto, cada vez mais atual e pertinente. O conflito israelo-palestiniano tem um impacto significativo nas relações entre os países da região, e representa uma ameaça à já frágil estabilidade que caracteriza o Médio Oriente. Os obstáculos que, ao longo de mais de 60 anos, impediram a resolução desta problemática tiveram como resultado o desenvolvimento de mais radicalismo e violência. Neste sentido, as revoltas árabes podem implicar alterações importantes na geopolítica da região e nas alianças que asseguraram o statu quo israelita.The Middle East plays a special role to the western countries due to its geostrategic position regarding the routes that allow the access and supply of energetic resources. It also displays a special role in the world’s safety due to the need of containing terrorism of the international jihad. The Arab spring, although associated to the democratic aspirations of the Arab people, made the conjuncture of the region even more undefined. The expansion of Islamic fundamentalists’ groups within the revolutionary movements worries the international community and the state of Israel. The debate over the “Palestine issue” is, in this context, more current and relevant. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has a significant impact on the relations between the countries in the region and represents a threat to the already fragile stability that characterizes the Middle East. The obstacles that over more than 60 years prevented the resolution of this problematic had as a result the development of more radicalism and violence. In this sense, the Arab revolutions’ may implicate important changes on the geopolitics of this region and in the alliances’ that assured the Israeli statu quo

O efeito das recompensas na satisfação do trabalho e na retenção de talentos : o caso do setor imobiliário

Mestrado em Gestão de Recursos HumanosNo atual contexto do mercado de trabalho, as organizações sentem a necessidade de reter o seu capital humano. No setor imobiliário em particular, devido ao elevado crescimento dos últimos anos associado a uma elevada rotatividade dos seus recursos humanos, a questão da retenção de talentos torna-se particularmente relevante. A significativa escassez de investigações sobre o tema no setor motivou a realização deste estudo, cujo principal objetivo é avaliar o papel das recompensas na satisfação no trabalho e na intenção de saída dos colaboradores. O estudo empírico, suportado num inquérito por questionário envolveu uma amostra de 220 colaboradores de três mediadoras imobiliárias. Os inquiridos manifestam um elevado nível de satisfação no trabalho e com as recompensas auferidas e uma baixa intenção de saída. Conclui-se que a satisfação com as recompensas está positivamente relacionada com a satisfação no trabalho, sendo que a satisfação com as recompensas extrínsecas impacta mais na satisfação no trabalho do que a satisfação com as recompensas intrínsecas. Por outro lado, a satisfação com ambos os tipos de recompensas está negativamente relacionada com a intenção de saída, sendo que as recompensas intrínsecas têm um impacto superior na intenção de saída. Os homens mostram-se mais satisfeitos no trabalho do que as mulheres. Os mais jovens são os menos satisfeitos, quer com as recompensas auferidas, quer com o trabalho, revelando maior intenção de sair das respetivas organizações.In the current context of the global job market, organizations feel the need to retain their human capital. In the real estate industry in particular, due to the high growth of recent years associated with a high turnover of its human resources, retention of talent becomes a particularly relevant issue. The significant lack of research on the subject in the industry motivated the realization of this study, whose main objective is to evaluate the role of rewards in job satisfaction and in the collaborators' intention of leaving. The empirical study, supported by an inquiry, involved a sample of 220 employees of three real estate agents. The respondents manifest a high level of satisfaction at work, they agree with the obtained rewards and have a low desire to leave. In conclusion, satisfaction with rewards is positively related with job satisfaction, being that satisfaction with extrinsic rewards impacts more the job satisfaction than satisfaction with intrinsic rewards. On the other hand, satisfaction with rewards is negatively related with the desire of leaving, being that satisfaction with intrinsic rewards has a greater impact than satisfaction with extrinsic rewards. Men appear more satisfied at work than women. The younger ones are the least satisfied, both with the obtained rewards and with work, revealing a greater intention to leave their organizations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Otimização da distribuição de cargas na INDASA

Mestrado em Matemática e AplicaçõesO presente relatório realizou-se no âmbito do estágio curricular do curso do Mestrado de Matemática e Aplicações, que decorreu na INDASA, empresa pertencente à indústria de abrasivos flexíveis, com o objetivo de desenvolver um instrumento de apoio ao planeamento da alocação de cargas no trabalho das diversas máquinas. Pretende-se garantir o equilíbrio do esforço das máquinas. Este trabalho dividiu-se em duas fases. Na primeira fase procedeu-se a uma análise dos dados fornecidos pela empresa, com vista a identificar as variáveis de interesse a considerar no problema de otimização. Para esse efeito procedeu-se a um agrupamento dos tipos de lixa por tempos de processamento e a um estudo estatístico baseado na análise de caixas de bigodes construídas com recurso ao software estatístico R. Na segunda fase foram desenvolvidos vários modelos de Programação Linear Inteira, os quais foram resolvidos com recurso ao Open Solver tendo sido desenvolvida uma aplicação em Excel como ferramenta de apoio ao planeamento de alocação ótimo das cargas.This report was carried out as part of the Mathematics and Applications Masters course, and addresses a problem proposed by INDASA, a company belonging to the flexible abrasives industry, with the objective of developing an instrument to support the planning of workload allocation of the various machines. It is intended to ensure the balance of the machine efforts. This work was divided into two phases. In the first phase, the data provided by the company was analyzed to identify the variables of interest to be considered in the optimization problem. For this purpose a grouping of the sandpaper types was carried out for processing times and a statistical study based on the analysis of boxplots constructed with the use of R Statistical Software. In the second phase, several Integer Linear Programming models were developed, which were solved using the Open Solver and an Excel application was developed as a tool to support optimal load allocation planning

The Relationship between Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity: A Contribution Study in Institutionalised Portuguese Older Adults

Demographic aging of the population allied with the new family structures and societal dynamics is generating an increasing demand for institutions for older adults. Nutritional status is a key health determinant that impacts the quality of life among older adults. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and nutritional risk, functional capacity, and cognition in institutionalised Portuguese older adults by a cross-sectional study in 15 institutions. Nutritional status (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), nutritional risk (mini nutritional assessment (MNA)), degree of functional independence (Barthel index (BI)), and cognitive ability (mini mental state examination (MMSE)) were assessed. Of the 214 older adults evaluated, 28.0% were at risk of malnutrition, 69.6% were mildly functional dependent, and 39.3% presented minor cognitive impairment. The risk of malnutrition increased functional dependence and cognitive impairment. The MNA score, but not the BMI or WC, was related to disability and deficits in cognition. A differential interdependence was found between nutritional, cognitive, and functional status. Strategies to improve self-care and well-being in nursing homes should consider a correct diet and a closer evaluation of nutritional risk to preserve cognition, independence, and autonomy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Portuguese version of the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR)

The Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR) is a new parent/patient reported outcome measure that enables a thorough assessment of the disease status in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We report the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the parent and patient versions of the JAMAR in the Portuguese language. The reading comprehension of the questionnaire was tested in 10 JIA parents and patients. Each participating centre was asked to collect demographic, clinical data and the JAMAR in 100 consecutive JIA patients or all consecutive patients seen in a 6-month period and to administer the JAMAR to 100 healthy children and their parents. The statistical validation phase explored descriptive statistics and the psychometric issues of the JAMAR: the three Likert assumptions, floor/ceiling effects, internal consistency, Cronbach\u2019s alpha, interscale correlations, and construct validity (convergent and discriminant validity). A total of 80 JIA patients (6.3% systemic, 68.8% oligoarticular, 3.7% RF negative polyarthritis, 21.2% other categories) and 30 healthy children were enrolled. The JAMAR components discriminated well healthy subjects from JIA patients. All JAMAR components revealed good psychometric performances. Notably, there was no significant difference between healthy subjects and their affected peers in school-related items. In conclusion, the Portuguese version of the JAMAR is a valid tool for the assessment of children with JIA and is suitable for use both in routine clinical practice and clinical research

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and digital gangrene in a patient with granulomatosis with polyangiitis : a rare case report

© 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia.Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) is an antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV), classically associated with the presence of proteinase 3 (PR3)-ANCA. GPA has a wide range of clinical manifestations, with multiorgan involvement, particularly upper and lower respiratory tract, and kidneys. One of itsrarest manifestationsis digital ischemia or gangrene that accounts for <1% of cases. Posterior reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a syndrome characterized by headache, visual changes, confusion, and seizures, accompanied by distinctive neuroimaging features, which are usually reversible. Rare cases of its association with vasculitis, including GPA, have been described. Others conditions such as end-stage renal disease, immunosuppressive drug use and eclampsia are additional risk factors for the development of PRES.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synergistic antimicrobial interaction of honey and bacteriophage in Escherichia coli biofilms

I Simpósio de Bioquímica AplicadaWound colonization by biofilms-forming bacteria is one of the main obstacles to the treatment of chronic wounds, causing a number of biological and financial problems. Biofilms are structured communities of bacterial cells enclosed in a self-produced polymeric matrix, adhered to inert or living surfaces, blocking antibiotics and patients immune cells from reaching bacteria. Bacterio(phages), viruses infecting exclusively bacteria, and honey are being considered as valuable alternatives to treat a variety of infections (Table 1). Phages are harmless to mammalian cells, specific for target bacteria therefore not affecting commensal microflora, have the ability to selfreplicate as long as the host is present, and are effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Honey is a complex substance with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity, essentially attributed to the high sugar content, low pH, the presence of hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal that reacts with important biological molecules (RNA, DNA and proteins). Honey had yet the potential to promote tissue regeneration, cicatrization, decrease inflammation, improving wound healing. In this work the combination of those two antimicrobial agents was considered in the control E. coli biofilms.Hospital Escala Braga (Braga,Portugal) for providing the clinical isolate. This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope off the strategic funding of the UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte 2020-Programa Operacional Regional do Norte and the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012(FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462) and the project PTDC/CVT-EPI/4008/2014(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016598). Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the SFRH/BPD/69356/2010 and SFRH/BD/93078/2013. FCT (IF/01413/2013)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A efetividade do exercício físico no tratamento da depressão

CONTEXTO: Tendo em conta a prevalência das doenças mentais e as comorbilidades a elas associadas, torna-se emergente a atuação na promoção da saúde mental e tratamento. De acordo com a literatura, existem diversos aspetos nos quais o exercício físico exerce relevante influência. No âmbito da saúde mental, importa também perceber se este poderá ter benefícios no tratamento de perturbações depressivas. OBJETIVO: Conhecer a efetividade do exercício físico no tratamento da perturbação depressiva. MÉTODOS: Systematic reviews of effectiveness que utiliza a estratégia PICO e as recomendações PRISMA apresentadas pelo Joanna Briggs Institute e partindo da questão, Qual a efetividade do exercício físico no tratamento da depressão? A pesquisa foi realizada com recurso às seguintes plataformas de acesso: Isi web of knowledge; Scopus; Trip database e EBSCO Host. Esta revisão decorreu ao longo do mês de outubro do ano de 2018. RESULTADOS: Identificaram-se 310 resultados. Foram analisados cinco documentos, quatro resultaram da pesquisa efetuada nas plataformas de acesso e um resulta da consulta de referências bibliográficas. A seleção foi feita após leitura do título; eliminação de duplicados; leitura de resumos e textos integrais. CONCLUSÕES: Utentes com perturbação depressiva major a serem tratados com terapêutica farmacológica e exercício físico, apresentam uma maior redução da sintomatologia depressiva, quando comparados aqueles que são sujeitos apenas ao tratamento com terapêutica farmacológica. O exercício físico revelou-se, também, como uma alternativa ao incremento farmacológico. Como intervenção não farmacológica, é aquela com maiores benefícios na melhoria da depressão e sintomatologia depressiva.BACKGROUND: Considering the prevalence of mental illnesses and their associated comorbidities, promotion and treatment of mental health become the utmost importance. According to the literature, there are several aspects in which physical exercise has a relevant influence. In the field of mental health, it is also important to understand whether it may have benefits in the treatment of depressive disorders. AIM: To know the effectiveness of physical exercise in the treatment of depression. METHODS: Systematic reviews of effectiveness using the PICO strategy and PRISMA recommendations presented by the Joanna Briggs Institute and based on the question, What is the effectiveness of physical exercise in the treatment of depression? The research was performed using the following databases: Isi web of knowledge; Scopus; Trip database and EBSCO Host. This review took place throughout October of 2018. RESULTS: 310 results were identified. Five documents were analyzed, four were the result of searching the databases and one from bibliographic references. The selection was made after reading the title; elimination of duplicates; reading of abstracts and full texts. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major depressive disorder to be treated with pharmacological therapy and physical exercise show a greater reduction in depressive symptoms, when compared to those who are subjected only to treatment with pharmacological therapy. Physical exercise has also proved to be an alternative to pharmacological increment. As a non-pharmacological intervention, it is the one with the greatest benefits in improving depression and depressive symptoms.CONTEXTO: Teniendo en cuenta la prevalencía de las enfermedades mentales, y los transtornos comorbidos asociados a dichas enfermedades, es imperativo tomar acciones para promocionar la salud mental y los tratamientos de la misma. Según la literatura, hay varios aspectos en los que el ejercicio físico ejerce una influencia relevante. En el campo de la salud mental, también es importante comprender si puede tener beneficios en el tratamiento de los trastornos depresivos. OBJETIVO: Conocer la efectividad del ejercicio físico en el tratamiento del trastorno depresivo. METODOLOGÍA: Systematic reviews of effectiveness utilizando la estrategia PICO y las recomendaciones de PRISMA presentadas por el Instituto Joanna Briggs y basadas en la pregunta: ¿Que efectividad tiene el ejercício físico en el tratamiento de lá depresión? La investigación se realizó utilizando las siguientes plataformas de acceso: Isi web of knowledge; Scopus; Trip database y EBSCO Host. Esta revisión tuvo lugar a lo largo de octubre del año 2018. RESULTADOS: 310 resultados fueron identificados. Se analizaron cinco documentos, cuatro fueron el resultado de la búsqueda en las plataformas de acceso y uno resultante de referencias bibliográficas. La selección se realizó después de leer el título; eliminación de duplicados; lectura de resúmenes y textos completos. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con trastorno depresivo mayor que se tratan con terapia farmacológica y ejercicio muestran una mayor reducción en la sintomatología depresiva en comparación con aquellos que están sujetos a tratamiento con terapia farmacológica sola. El ejercicio físico también ha demostrado ser una alternativa al incremento farmacológico. Como una intervención no farmacológica, es la que tiene mayores beneficios para mejorar la depresión y los síntomas depresivos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison with adult-onset rheumatic diseases

Objective To compare physical disability, mental health, fatigue and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) across juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) categories in adulthood and between JIA and adult-onset rheumatic diseases. Methods Cross-sectional analysis nested in a cohort of adult patients with JIA registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt). Physical disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire - Disability Index), mental health symptoms (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy - Fatigue Scale (FACIT-F)) and HRQoL (EuroQol-5D (EQ5D) and Short Form (SF-36)) were compared across JIA categories. Patients with polyarticular JIA and enthesis-related arthritis (ERA) JIA were compared respectively to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA), matched for gender and age, adjusted for disease duration and activity. Results 585 adult patients with JIA were included. Comparison across JIA categories showed that persistent oligoarthritis and patients with ERA reported a higher score in EQ5D and SF-36 physical component when compared with other JIA categories. Polyarticular JIA reported less disability and fatigue than patients with RA (median Health Assessment Questionnaire of 0.25 vs 0.63; p<0.001 and median FACIT-F score 42 vs 40; p=0.041). Polyarticular JIA had also better scores on EQ5D and all domains of SF-36, than patients with RA. Patients with ERA reported less depression and anxiety symptoms (0% vs 14.8%; p=0.003% and 9% vs 21.3%; p=0.002) and less fatigue symptoms (45 vs 41; p=0.01) than patients with SpA. Conclusion Persistent oligoarticular JIA and ERA are the JIA categories in adulthood with better HRQoL. Overall, adult polyarticular and patients with ERA JIA have lower functional impairment and better quality-of-life than patients with RA and SpA.publishersversionpublishe

Rheumatology practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic : a pragmatic view

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has come with many challenges for healthcare providers and patients alike. In addition to the direct burden it has placed on societies and health systems, it had a significant impact in the care of patients with chronic diseases, as healthcare resources were deployed to fight the crisis, and major travel and social restrictions were adopted. In the field of rheumatology, this has required notable efforts from departments and clinicians to adapt to the novel status quo and assure the follow-up of patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. In the present viewpoint, we provide a practical approach to tackle this reality. Key measures include setting up preventive team management strategies, optimising communication with patients and reorganising patient care in all its dimensions. We then anticipate the nuances of rheumatology practice as restrictive measures are progressively lifted, while an effective vaccine is still pending. This includes the need to reimpose the same strategy as further waves unfold. Finally, we look ahead and address the lessons we can incorporate into post-COVID-19 rheumatology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio