La proteccion de los consumidores y usuarios y la Constitucion española de 1978

La proclamacion en el articulo 51 de la Constitucion española de un principio de defensa de los consumidores y usuarios, plantea un doble reto juridico. A) La definicion de la idea consumerista consagrada que se articula sobre la juridificacion de la cotidianiedad y sobre una concepcion no exclusivamente cuantitativa de progreso economico y social. B) La aplicacion de los principios de unidad y coherencia al bloque normativo consumerista, lo que supone la reinterpretacion desde la definicion constitucional a las disposiciones anteriores a la lucha y el analisis del desarrollo del principio constitucionalizado a partir de la ley para la defensa de consumidores y usuarios (ley 29/1984 de 19 de julio)

Bem-estar subjetivo de idosos institucionalizados: da construção da autonomia à construção da autoestima

O processo de envelhecimento é caracterizado pela presença de défices motores e cognitivos que prejudicam a autonomia do idoso. Com o objetivo de perceber em que medida o grau de autonomia do idoso afeta a sua autoestima, delineou-se um estudo descritivo e exploratório, adotando-se uma abordagem mista na recolha e tratamento de dados. Utilizaram-se como instrumentos de avaliação e recolha de dados a Escala de Barthel (EB) e a Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg (EAR), a entrevista, a análise documental e a observação naturalista. O estudo, assenta numa amostra de adultos em idade avançada (n=12), com idades compreendidas entre os 56 e os 90 anos, residentes no Lar Social do Arrabal. Os resultados revelam que no que diz respeito ao nível de autonomia, os níveis grave e moderado são os níveis onde a amostra apresenta os valores mais baixos de autoestima e que os utentes independentes detêm a pontuação mais elevada na EAR o que leva a concluir que, nesta amostra, quanto maior o nível de dependência da pessoa, mais baixa é a sua autoestima. Por fim, tendo em conta os resultados, construiu-se um artefacto de suporte ao cuidador, para intervenção com os idosos. Considerou-se essencial a intervenção psicológica, com o objetivo de promover a estimulação cognitiva, dotando os idosos de estratégias de coping para lidar com a diminuição da sua autonomia e com as alterações do seu corpo inerentes à idade, promovendo a adaptação ao contexto institucional, e neste sentido aumentando a interação grupal. A estimulação da mobilidade física é também um ponto de intervenção, para que o idoso desenvolva capacidades que diminuam ou retardem o seu nível de dependência

Non-traditional students in higher education: barriers to learning and professional insertion

This article emerges from two research projects focused on non-traditional students in higher education. Our objectives aims to understand the barriers of learning and academic success, considering the perspectives of the several social actors in the academia; and to understand the barriers of the same students had in their transition to the work environment. The results show that a set of situational and institutional factors work as obstacles to these students. The results also show that age is a determinant factor regarding hiring and that the characteristics of the labour market today make hard the professional insertion of non-traditional undergraduates

Sensitivity Analysis Through Error Function of Crystalline-Si Photovoltaic Cell Model Integrated in a Smart Grid

The paper is based on the device representation of PV cell there are different internal parameters that representing their behavior. The internal parameters have impacts on the PV power generation. In this work, a single diode solar cell five parameter model is used to understand the internal parameters’ sensitivity not the efficiency. Sensitivity is important because of giving idea about parameters response to the total system. The more a parameter is sensitive, the more the system is dependent on those parameters. Here the internal parameters called photocurrent, diode saturation current, series resistance, shunt resistance, diode ideality factor, and cell temperature are investigated through the simulation for getting their sensitivity which aims to identify the parameters having much impact on total system, this identification would help to make a better model for the PV panel which could be more faster in real time system to give estimation of the power generation. Better understanding about the parameters is identically significant for modelling the PV system. At the end of this work a simplified model is built with simplified PV structure

One rotten apple or a rotten tree:football leaders’ perceptions of racism in European football

Despite efforts by key stakeholders to address racial discrimination in international football, racially charged behaviour persists, particularly in the European context. To explore this phenomenon, our paper employs Critical Race Theory as a central framework and links empirical research to racism and inclusion while keeping institutional football and policy concerns at the forefront of its investigation. Primary questions underlining the study concern practices and actors that enable or sustain exclusionary practices in the football industry. To better understand the nature of racial discourse among football leaders and how it potentially facilitates or acts as a barrier to inclusion in football, qualitative interviews were conducted with leaders from eight European countries. The interviews revealed conflicting tensions in the football industry. Tensions between corporatized football practices and equality policymaking, discrepancies in views on discriminatory actions and their connections to larger structural issues and resistance to change from predominantly White, male leadership.</p

Fórum Energias Renováveis em Portugal 2020

RESUMO: O Plano Nacional Energia e Clima é o principal instrumento de política energética e climática nacional, para a década 2021-2030, rumo a um futuro neutro em carbono, definindo as políticas de atuação a médio prazo para o objetivo da neutralidade carbónica em 2050. Nesta fase de transição energética é necessária uma análise cuidada das várias tecnologias existentes e emergentes, que possam contribuir para a descarbonização do sistema energético, de forma equilibrada e sustentável. Mais importante que as medidas em cada tecnologia é a sua integração em todo o sistema energético, de forma a tirar partido das sinergias entre as várias tecnologias e as diferentes utilizações finais e assim promover um equilíbrio e mais valia para todos. O atual cenário da energia (renovável) em Portugal teve o seu início no final do século XX e imprimiu uma profunda alteração no sistema energético, principalmente no setor elétrico, sobretudo devido à importância das centrais eólicas. A perspetiva do PNEC é que se verifique um grande investimento no aproveitamento em larga escala da energia solar fotovoltaica, ao mesmo tempo que outras tecnologias se tornam promissoras e competitivas, como é o caso da energia solar de concentração, ou mesmo da energia eólica offshore. Para além destas fontes renováveis, a biomassa constitui um importante recurso renovável cujo contributo importa discutir em termos futuros, quer no âmbito da bioenergia, quer no seu sentido mais lato, a bioeconomia. Adicionalmente, os consumidores começam a assumir um papel ativo, quer em termos de opções de mercado, quer no que respeita a opções de autoprodução, na qual a opção pelo veículo elétrico e pelo armazenamento (elétrico e térmico), terá um papel instrumental na gestão de um futuro sistema elétrico, tendencialmente 100% renovável. O Fórum Energias Renováveis em Portugal 2020 foi organizado, sob coordenação do LNEG, com a constituição de diferentes grupos de trabalho com a participação da comunidade da energia - indústria, investidores, empresas, academia e instituições de investigação, e consumidores finais, onde se debateram temas específicos do setor energético e das energias renováveis, nomeadamente: o futuro do setor elétrico e como se poderão atingir os objetivos de uma maior integração de energias renováveis; as energias renováveis no setor dos transportes; as energias renováveis para calor e frio, no contexto das cidades do futuro e nos setores industrial e agrícola; o novo papel dos consumidores e dos consumidores/produtores (prosumers). Foram realizados seminários setoriais e um seminário final, em maio de 2019, para apresentação pública das conclusões. Foi ainda elaborada uma súmula de contributos, submetida no processo de consulta pública realizada pela Direção Geral de Energia e Geologia, no âmbito o PNEC 2030. Neste documento, estão publicados capítulos independentes e com autoria distinta, por tema, e uma síntese das principais reflexões /conclusões dos trabalhos de cada grupo, a saber: Biocombustíveis, Energia Eólica, Energia Solar (térmica e fotovoltaica) e Energias Renováveis e Integração no Sistema Energético. Em “Anexos” são divulgadas as apresentações públicas efetuadas no âmbito do Fórum.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Baseline patient profiling and three-year outcome data after metabolic surgery at a South African centre of excellence

The bariatric team at Waterfall City Hospital in Gauteng has performed 820 metabolic surgeries under the guidance of an extended team, and with comprehensive recordkeeping. Baseline profiling on more than 50 variables afforded insight into patients undergoing surgery. The available outcome data over three years were comparable with those in the documented literature. The attempted weight loss period prior to agreeing to surgery was 16–18 years. Weight loss in the overall cohort was 29% at three years, with a two-year outcome as follows: diabetes mellitus remission of 81.6% in males and 83.1% in females, full and part-hypertension resolution of 84.8% in males and 74.6% in females, hyperlipidaemia on no treatment of 76.8% in males and 72.1% in females, and sleep apnoea of 75.5% in males and 76.8% in females. Separating out the diabetic group indicated a diabetes mellitus remission of 73.9% in males and 75.1% in females at one year. Improvement in the components of metabolic syndrome was demonstrated in the total cohort. There was an worse profile and higher risk in the male patients. Similarly, higher risk was recorded in the biliopancreatic diversion-duodenal switch cohort, and there was a higher percentage of elected diabetic patients. A wide range of revision surgery was performed, with a higher complication rate (20%) experienced compared to that recorded with the primary surgeries. The morbidity data were separated into medical and surgical morbidity. Major medical morbidity was documented at 5.6% and surgical morbidity at 3.9%. Surgical morbidity in the first 250 cases was reported to be 6% vs. 2.7% in the last 570 cases. Mortality for the cohort was noted to be 0.1%.Keywords: bariatric surgery, outcome data, profiling, South Afric

From stone masonry to emigrant’s mansions. Changes in vernacular architecture in central Portugal

The research made for this purpose was realized to study the connection between the way of life, the climate, the geology and the vernacular architecture in the parish of Cernache do Bonjardim, municipality of Sertã, central region of Portugal, where various styles of rural houses can be found. The traditional rural home of this territory is constituted by stone walls, mostly made of shales or granite and has two floors: a lower floor with a place for animals or food storage, and an upper floor with the kitchen/living-room and bedrooms. Usually, both floors are joined by outside stairs. Each available space, for instance under these stairs, is used to keep animals like swine or hens, goats or rabbits, and to store food. Usually there is a piece of ground around the house used for the plantation of vegetables and fruit trees. This kind of home is adapted to the people's way of living and the climate, using local materials like stone or wood. In the 19th century there was an emigration wave to Brazil. When the people returned they wanted to show their acquired richness and (sometimes) culture to the neighbours in the village and constructed large houses of mansion-type, which didn't show the strong adaption to the environment anymore, but had other functionalities and a better comfort. As the transportation means improved, the building material was no more limited to the local offer. The emigration from the sixties of the 20th century until today brought new kinds of buildings. Their style was influenced from the country of emigration. There is no more relation to the local style of building. For the construction, modern materials like concrete, tile walls and roof tiles are used. The major conclusions of the research are that the vernacular architecture of the studied region has changed from houses adapted to the climate and the rural way of life, to larger and no more "typical" buildings. The main reasons for this change are the return of emigrants from abroad and its influence, the availability of new materials, the better education and income of the people, the wish to life more comfortably, and the change of the people´s way of life from farming to employment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mapping flexibility of urban energy systems (FIRST) project: rationale and study design of an exploratory project

ABSTRACT: With the publication of the new Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, a large number of buildings are expected to become high energy performance and explore more the availability of renewable energy resources. Such buildings are often described in literature as nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB). Because renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, have an intrinsic variability, the zero-energy annual balance of nZEBs is difficult to reach at short time resolution (e.g. hourly). Thus, since electricity generation from small-scale solar renewable (typical case in Portugal) in individual households has limited capacity to be adjusted according to the power system needs, it is relevant to consider the demand flexibility potential, specially at community level (cluster of buildings). Unfortunately, there is a lack of studies on the impact of changes in electricity use at urban level on the future energy systems. Therefore, an approach addressing the energy flexibility (EF) in buildings may allow obtaining useful exploratory directions for the construction sector and related markets, policy makers and regulatory bodies. For these reasons, an exploratory project aimed at examining the potential of EF at the level of an existent neighbourhood in Lisbon was initiated. In this article we describe the objectives, design, and methods of the FIRST project, designed to map out the potential for EF in terms of benefits and costs in Lisbon.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio