The role of ICT in teacher education. The development of web pages by project method

This paper is a description of an in-service teacher training experience that used ICT to develop a project that involved teachers (nursery and primary) and also children, parents and other members of the educational community. Its aim was to build an Internet site that would give information about school life. It's an open web space where teachers, parents and students can express and share their ideals and activities. This project is still in progress and is being developed in three interconnected phases: conception, development and evaluation. The most important issue to relate is that the technical or instrumental learning is dependent on the ideas and purposes of teachers, students and parents. We believe that when we talk about ICT in schools and also in teacher education we shouldn't only be concerned with the 'means', that is to say, how to introduce computers or how to use a word processor and Internet resources, but also with the 'ends'. Only when we question the ends do we begin to pay attention to what we do, that is, to construct a story that is worth telling " ... to tell that we are merely tools makers (and tools users) is to miss the entire narrative aim? We are world's makers and world's weavers" (Postman, 2002, p. 108)

Evaluation of the Sigma Quality level for Serum Iron determination by two colorimetric methods, Ferrozine and Ferene S

Iron plays important functions in the body such as the formation and functioning of hemoglobin and it’s disorders are among the most common diseases of human1. It is essential to ensure that its levels determination through laboratory tests are accurate and precise. The participation of laboratories in the External Quality Assessment (EQA) allows the increases of the quality level of the laboratory results and improvement of its performance.2This study was developed in the Portuguese Nacional EQA Program (PNAEQ) concerning the laboratories results from the Clinical Chemistry Scheme. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and improve the sigma quality level regarding the Iron parameter and reduce the variability of the laboratories results participating in the EQA program of Clinical Chemistry of the Nacional External Quality Assessment Program (PNAEQ). The mean Sigma quality level indicated that the Ferrozine method had a better performance compared with Ferene S method. Half of the control samples had a sigma quality level higher than 3.0, which is set as the minimum acceptable quality.3 Despite of the improved of the Sigma quality level in the Pilot Test, the results demonstrated a need to improved the analytical process performance and to identified more potential causes and implement new improvement actions. It becomes necessary to raise awareness with the laboratories, improving the Pilot Test participation frequency, resulting in a recurrent and current assessment of the laboratory activity performance. Developing Six Sigma projects on a periodic basis is important for continuously and progressively increasing the level of Sigma quality in laboratory examinations. The main advantage of quality assessment on the sigma scale is providing evidence of overall laboratory performance, taking into account random and systematic errors.N/

The implementation of sustainability practices in portuguese higher education institutions

The purpose of this work is to analyze the current state of implementation of sustainability development (SD) in Portuguese higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was developed to measure the level of implementation of SD practices in HEIs as well as the number of rankings, certifications and declarations of these institutions. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail to all rectors, presidents, directors of faculties, departments and schools of Portuguese universities and polytechnics. A sample of 53 leaders was obtained. Findings Portuguese HEIs are mainly engaged in the social dimension of sustainability. The economic dimension emerges in second place and the institutional in third; the environmental dimension is the least developed. Except for a few specific topics (e.g. related to research on SD, and the offer of degree courses in SD), there are no significant differences between universities and polytechnics in the implementation of SD practices. Only 11 per cent of HEIs are innovators in the implementation of SD practices, and a majority of HEIs have implemented less than 34 per cent of the SD practices studied. Research limitations/implications This research has a national scope, and the results should be interpreted only in the Portuguese context. Future studies should include a larger range of institutional actors within the faculty. Practical implications This study provides valuable insights and theoretical and methodological guidance for future implementation processes supporting the transition to sustainability in HEIs. Originality/value This is the first study conducted in Portuguese HEIs with the aim of determining their efforts to implement and promote sustainability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeito da eletrolipólise na gordura abdominal em doentes cardíacos - fase manutenção

Objetivo: Verificar se a eletrolipólise pode ser um método coadjuvante na Reabilitação Cardíaca (RC) de modo a diminuir a gordura abdominal em indivíduos com Doença Cardiovascular (DCV). Métodos: Seis indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, da classe de RC do Centro Clinico de Gaia (CCG), foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos, grupo controlo (GC) (n=3) e grupo experimental (GE) (n=3). O GE realizou 8 sessões (duas vezes por semana) de eletrolipólise por microcorrentes 30 minutos antes da classe de RC. Utilizaram-se como meios de avaliação a perimetria, adipometria, bioimpedância e ultrassonografia, análise sanguíneas, bem como a aplicação da Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Questionário Internacional de Actividade Física (IPAQ) e Questionário Semi-Quantitativo de Frequência Alimentar (QSQFA). Resultados: Através do cálculo da mudança mínima detetável (MMD) verificou-se diminuição do perímetro ao nível do umbigo (3,7cm e 1,5cm) e barriga (4,2cm e 2,83cm) em dois indivíduos do GE e diminuição nas avaliações da ultrassonografia (de 1,3mm a 8,4mm) no GE. Conclusão: Do presente estudo foi possível concluir que nesta amostra existiu uma tendência para a diminuição da gordura abdominal localizada através dos dados obtidos pela perimetria e ultrassonografia.Objective: Verify if electrolipolysis could help the Cardiac Rehabilitation decreasing the abdominal’s fat in people with Cardiovascular Disease. Methods: six individuals of both sexes, from “Centro Clínico de Gaia” Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, were randomized in two groups: the control (CG) (n=3) and the experimental group (EG) (n=3). The EG had 8 session (twice a week) of electrolipolysis, through microcurrent, during 30 minutes and before the Cardiac Rehabilitation classes. Subjects were evaluated with perimeter and skinfold thickness measurements, bioelectrical-impedance analysis and ultrasonography, blood analyses, as well as Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results: The calculation of Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) showed, in two individuals of the EG, a decrease in the navel measure (3,7cm and 1,5cm) and in the belly measure (4,2cm and 2,83cm). All the individuals that belonged to the EG showed, at the end of the study, a decrease in the ultrasonography data (of 1,3mm to 8,4mm). Conclusion: Through the analyses of the results obtained in this study and for these individuals, it was possible to conclude, by perimeter measurement and ultrasonography data, a decrease of the abdominal fat

Educación y Trabajo: presentación

El estudio del vínculo entre la educación y el mundo del trabajo forma parte de una tradición de investigaciones focalizadas en los procesos de cambio y reproducción de la estructura social. En su interior, conf luyen trabajos que expresan perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas diversas que abrevan en amplias problemáticas sociales, integrando un campo con gran densidad de debates, vasta producción y vocación de transferencia hacia las áreas de políticas públicas y el sector social. La intensidad de producciones y nudos problemáticos construidos en el marco de esta tradición hace difícil plantear una versión única respecto de un canon que demarque los contornos de este campo académico. Por esta razón, la presentación de este dossier expresa la visión de quien lo firma, su experiencia generacional grabada en un conjunto de historias institucionales aprendidas sobre la base de lecturas, investigación e intercambios.Fil: Miranda, Ana. Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15; Argentin

How will the human resource department processes, change in order to manage the workforce of the future?

This paper aims to investigate the future changes the human resources processes will pass through, in order to manage the workforce of the future. The future cannot be predicted, however this paper aims to look at rising trends in the Human Resources1 world, and how they will impact the way in which employees work and collaborate. Using a qualitative approach, the investigation was performed through five interviews to HR managers, business reports and studies. The results show how the change in processes can be built around four paradoxes: mobility, work-life balance, employee values and HR’s strategic importance, in order to better manage the workforce of the future. Essentially the HR department is at an unprecedented tipping point, whereas they are changing their operating models, to adapt to the constant changes in the business world in order to manage employees efficiently in the future

Stomach cancer incidence in Southern Portugal 1998-2006:a spatio-temporal analysis

Understanding geographical differences in health, particularly in small areas, became a major concern of epidemiologists. Geographical association studies and, more recently, several spatial disease mapping studies have emerged due to the development of new spatial statistical tools. Among other diseases, these methods are being applied to analyze cancer data. However, in this kind of studies, it is of utmost importance to also investigate the influence of temporal variability and that is why spatio-temporal studies became so popular. The aim of this study is to investigate spatial and temporal trends for the incidence of this type of cancer. This retrospective population-based study is based on data on all stomach cancers registered by the Southern Portuguese Cancer Registry (ROR Sul) between 1998 and 2006. Because several studies have underlined the important role of socioeconomic status in cancer risk, information on this variable has also been taken into account. Bayesian hierarchical models were applied to model stomach incidence at a county level and resulting relative risks were used to build risk maps for cancer incidence. Age-Period-Cohort models were also applied.N/

Avaliação Externa da Qualidade no âmbito da Hematologia: experiência PNAEQ

Introdução: O Programa Nacional de Avaliação Externa da Qualidade (PNAEQ), tem como objetivo a promoção de programas de avaliação externa da qualidade, assim como a monitorização do desempenho dos participantes, com vista à melhoria contínua, nomeadamente nos programas de Contagens Celulares (Glóbulos Vermelhos(GV), Glóbulos Brancos (GB), Plaquetas (PLT), Hemoglobina (Hb), Hematócrito (Ht)); Reticulócitos; Hemoglobinopatias e de Morfologia de Sangue Periférico (MSP). Objetivo: A avaliação da performance dos laboratórios participantes, no período de 2011 a 2013, nos programas de Hematologia (Contagem celular, Reticulócitos, Hemoglobinopatias e Morfologia de sangue periférico- MSP) que o PNAEQ disponibiliza, em colaboração com o Grupo de trabalho de Hematologia

Empirical research on tax havens: Years 2008 to 2018

The main goal of this study is to analyze and characterize the empirical research produced in the time period between the years 2008 and 2018 on the subject of tax havens. As specific objectives, it is intended to analyze the characteristics of the researchers profile and the content of the published articles, using, to do so, the following variables: type of authorship, productivity and geographic affiliation (country and continent) of the authors, university and research centers contribution, journal and year of publication, most researched themes and most cited articles. The results of the study show that collective authorship is predominant, being that articles with two authors are more frequent, and the majority of the researchers in the sample contributed with only one article. Geographically, the continent with the highest contribution was Europe and analyzing by country the United States of America held the highlighted role. Regarding the universities and research centers, Australian universities presented more affiliated authors. With regards to the content of the articles, the thirty six articles from the sample were published in twenty seven different journals, being that 2015 was the year with the most publications. Other than the topic tax havens, tax avoidance and tax evasion where the most addressed themes by the researchers.A análise e caraterização da investigação empírica produzida entre os anos 2008 e 2018 no âmbito da temática tax havens são os principais objetivos deste estudo. Como objetivos específicos, pretende-se analisar as características inerentes ao perfil dos investigadores e do conteúdo dos artigos publicados, utilizando as seguintes variáveis: tipo de autoria, produtividade e afiliação geográfica (país e continente) dos autores, contribuição das universidades e centros de investigação, revista e ano de publicação, temáticas mais investigadas e artigos mais citados. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram que a autoria coletiva é a predominante, sendo mais frequente os artigos com dois autores, tendo a maioria dos investigadores presentes na amostra participado com apenas um artigo. Geograficamente, o Continente com maior contribuição foi a Europa e analisando por país o maior destaque é detido pelos Estados Unidos da América. No que respeita ao contributo das universidades e centros de investigação, as universidades australianas apresentam mais autores afiliados. Relativamente à análise do conteúdo dos artigos constatou-se que, da amostra de trinta e seis artigos, estes foram publicados em vinte e sete revistas diferentes, sendo que o ano com maior número de publicações foi 2015. Além da temática tax havens, tax avoidance e tax evasion foram os temas mais abordados pelos investigadores

Relação entre taxas de juros e mercados financeiros

Dissertação de mestrado em Matemática Económica e FinanceiraUsando a análise com wavelets poderá representar-se de um modo eficiente uma série temporal com uma dinâmica complexa. A chamada análise de wavelets, desenvolvida a partir da década de 1980, pelas suas capacidades de localização no plano tempo-frequência com uma resolução não constante, veio fornecer uma ferramenta alternativa à tradicional análise de Fourier. O uso das wavelets tem vindo a ser utilizado pelos economistas nos últimos anos, para a análise de dados económicos e financeiros, fazendo uso da chamada transformada discreta da wavelet. Com a introdução de novos conceitos, na década de 1990, acabaram por surgir generalizações da teoria das wavelets. Esses novos conceitos, tal como a transformada de wavelet contínua ou coerência da wavelet cruzada, permitem a análise das dependências tempo-frequência de duas séries. Neste trabalho pretende-se observar se existe relação entre taxas de juros e mercados financeiros, para isso, propôs-se a análise de wavelets com incidência no comportamento do índice Dow Jones Industrial Average e a taxa de juro Effective Federal Funds Rate. Recorreu-se para tal, aos espectros das ôndulas e de seguida, à coerência e à diferença de fase entre as duas séries.Using the wavelets one can represent time series with a complex dynamics in an efficient way. The so-called wavelet analysis, developed in the 1980s, thanks to its location capabilities in time-frequency plane, came to provide an alternative tool to traditional Fourier analysis. The use of wavelets has been used by economists in recent years for the analysis of economic and financial data, making use of so-called discrete wavelet transform. With the introduction of new concepts in the 1990s, eventually emerged generalizations of the theory of wavelets. These new concepts, such as the continuous wavelet transform or the cross-wavelet coherency, allow for the analysis of time-frequency dependencies of two series. This work aims to test whether there is a relationship between interest rates and financial markets with wavelet analysis. We use wavelet analysis, in particular the wavelet spectrum and wavelet coherency, to focus on the behavior of The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the rate on Federal Funds Effective Rate