Innovation and Environmental Policy: Clean vs. Dirty Technical Change

We study a two sector endogenous growth model with environmental quality with two goods and two factors of production, one clean and one dirty. Technological change creates clean or dirty innovations. We compare the laissez-faire equilibrium and the social optimum and study first- and second-best policies. Optimal policy encourages research toward clean technologies. In a second-best world, we claim that a portfolio that includes a tax on the polluting good combined with optimal innovation subsidy policies is less costly than increasing the price of the polluting good alone. Moreover, a discriminating innovation subsidy policy is preferable to a non-discriminating one. JEL codes: H23, O3, O41Pollution, Endogenous Growth, Innovation, Environmental Policy, Laissez-Faire Equilibrium, Optimal Equilibrium, Discriminating vs. Non-Discriminating Subsidies to R&D

Technology Adoption in Nonrenewable Resource Management

Nonrenewable resource scarcity has been a traditional concern when designing optimal growth models. Technological change has played an important role in those models, since its presence is assumed to mitigate the depletion effect on extraction paths over time. We formalize the general problem of a competitive nonrenewable resource extracting firm to analyze optimal extraction behavior and technology adoption when adoption is costly, both in a deterministic and a stochastic environment, when the firm either anticipates adoption or not. Based on a quadratic extraction cost function, our results do not support the traditional view according to which the firm will only incur in an adoption cost when the stock is depleted enough.nonrenewable resources; technology adoption; depletion effect; cost of adoption.

Educating for sociability and learning for citizenship: developing communicational skills and mediation in educational contexts

This text concerns a program about the Promotion of Social and Communicational Skills and Mediation (PSCSM) developed with children aged between 10 and 13 years in a non-formal educational institution. The program of intervention had, as its purpose, the promotion of social and communicational competencies and mediation, thus enabling the children involved to have a healthy and responsible sociability in the different contexts in which they find themselves: family, school, peer group, amongst others. It was developed over 13 sessions with objectives and activities intentionally planned with the view of promoting competencies of communication, co-operation, responsibility, a critical spirit, solidarity, autonomy, respect, integration, inclusion and the recognition of rights and duties. This work was carried out with an action-research methodology that resorted to various techniques and instruments to gather and record information. The results obtained showed the impact and benefits of the program and they also revealed the necessity of educational institutions investing in the promotion of an ethical literacy and the empowerment of the children and young people for healthy sociability and active citizenship

Avaliação do risco de pé diabético

Curso de mestrado em enfermagem médico cirúrgicaA condição de Pé Diabético é uma das complicações mais graves em Pessoas com Diabetes. A úlcera do pé diabético leva na maioria das vezes à amputação, que é evitável através do diagnóstico precoce, encaminhamento, referenciação e atuação, por isso é prioritário que todas as pessoas com diabetes sejam avaliadas com o objetivo de serem identificados fatores de risco condicionantes do desenvolvimento de lesões nos pés. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o risco de pé diabético. Optou-se por uma abordagem quantitativa, através da colheita de informação de tipo transversal e da sua análise descritiva, com enfoque correlacional. A amostra não probabilista ficou constituída por 70 adultos, maioritariamente do sexo masculino (65.7%), com uma média de idades de 66 anos, residente em meio rural (80.0%). Verificou-se predominância de pessoas portadoras de diabetes entre 10 e 15 anos (37.1%), do tipo II (82.9%), tratadas com antidiabéticos orais e insulina (41.4%) e seguidos na Consulta de Pé Diabético do CHTV entre 2 e 3 anos (40.0%). A avaliação em ambos os pés mostrou que 59.4% dos utentes têm um pé neuropático e 7.8% apresenta um pé neuroisquémico. A presença de úlceras nos pés afeta 38,6% e 30% já sofreram amputações, 20.0% das pessoas com diabetes têm em simultâneo úlceras e amputações, a maioria acontecem na faixa etária dos 72 aos 83 anos (50.1%). O estudo da Estratificação do Risco permitiu constatar que são os homens que apresentam maior risco, e que este aumenta nas pessoas mais velhas. A Classificação do Grau de Risco permitiu apurar que no pé direito, a maioria apresentava risco categoria 0 (38,8%), seguidos dos de categoria 3 (28,4%) e 2 (19,9%), e por fim os que apresentam categoria 1 (13,4%). No que concerne ao pé esquerdo o grupo mais representativo continua a ser nos que apresentam categoria 0 (35,8%), seguidos os de categoria 3 (32,8%). Em terceiro surgem os que têm categoria 1 (16,4%) e por fim os que apresentam neuropatia sensorial e deformidade pé ou doença vascular periférica, ou seja categoria 2 (14,8%). A conjugação de ambos os pés apresenta-se com categoria 0 - 42.9%, seguidos pelos da categoria 3 – 28.6%, em terceiro lugar os que pertencem categoria 2 – 16.1% e por fim os que pertencem à categoria 1 – 12.4%. Segundo os critérios da DGS, a amostra apresenta Alto risco de Pé Diabético (44.6%), seguido dos que apresentam Baixo risco (42.9%) e por fim os que têm Médio risco (12.5%). A avaliação dos pés da pessoa com diabetes permite determinar a estratificação do seu risco e intervir precocemente na prevenção do pé diabético e da consequente amputação, assumindo-se como uma medida de consolidar ganhos em saúde e melhorar a qualidade de vida destas pessoas. Palavras-chave: Diabetes, pé diabético, avaliação, risco.ABSTRACT The condition of the diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications in people with diabetes. The diabetic foot ulcer in most cases leads to amputation, which is preventable through early diagnosis, notice, notice and action, so it is a priority that all people with diabetes should be evaluated in order identify limitations of risk factors in the development of foot lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of diabetic foot. We selected a quantitative approach, through the collection of cross-sectional information and its descriptive analysis with correlational focus. The non-probabilistic sample was composed of 70 adults, mostly male (65.7%), with an average age of 66 years, living in rural areas (80.0%). There was a predominance of people with diabetes between 10 and 15 years (37.1%), type II (82.9%) treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin (41.4%) and followed the medical appointment of diabetic foot of “CHTV” between 2 and 3 years (40.0%). The evaluation of both feet showed that 59.4% of users have a neuropathic foot and 7.8% have a neuroischaemic foot. The presence of foot ulcers affect 38.6% and 30% have already suffered amputations, 20.0% of people with diabetes have simultaneously ulcers and amputations, most occur between the ages of 72 to 83 years (50.1%). The study of risk stratification has found that men are at the greatest risk, and that this risk increases in older people. The assessment of the degree of risk revealed that, in the right foot, most people presented risk category 0 (38.8%), followed by category 3 (28.4%) and 2 (19.9%), and finally those presenting a category 1 (13.4%). Regarding the left foot, the most representative group remains in those with category 0 (35.8%), followed by category 3 (32.8%). In the third place are those that have category 1 (16.4%) and finally those with sensorial neuropathy and foot deformity or peripheral vascular disease, i.e. category 2 (14.8%). The combination of both feet is presented with category 0 - 42.9%, followed by category 3 - 28.6%, in third those belonging to category 2 - 16.1% and finally those who belong to category 1 - 12.4%. According to the criteria of the DGS, the sample presents high risk of diabetic foot (44.6%), followed by those who have low risk (42.9%) and finally those with medium risk (12.5%). The assessment of the feet from people with diabetes to determine their risk stratification and make an early intervention in the prevention of diabetic foot and the subsequent amputation can be taken as a measure to consolidate gains in health and improve the quality of life of these people. Keywords: diabetes, diabetic foot, assessment, risk

Effects of seropositivity in reproductive choices of women living with HIV/AIDS

O estudo investigou a percepção de mulheres vivendo com HIV/Aids quanto aos efeitos da soropositividade sobre suas escolhas reprodutivas. Optou-se pelo delineamento qualitativo com uso de entrevista individual semi-estruturada com trinta mulheres HIV positivas em idade reprodutiva. A maior parte delas (n=18) afirmou que a soropositividade modificou o desejo de ter filhos. As categorias de motivos mais freqüentes foram o receio do risco de transmissão do HIV para o bebê e soropositividade como sinônimo de morte. Os resultados sinalizam a necessidade de que os serviços atuem em consonância com os programas de atenção integral à saúde da mulher e os princípios do Sistema Único de Saúde, acolhendo e respeitando as decisões reprodutivas de mulheres.AIDS epidemiological profile indicates a feminine trend particularly among those in the reproductive age. The study investigated the HIV positive women perception of the seropositivity effects on their reproductive choices. It was chosen a qualitative research design with the use of semi-structured individual interviews with thirty HIV positive women in their reproductive age. As the most frequent categories of reasons, most women reported they did not wish to have children, showing the fear of HIV transmission to the baby and seropositivity as a synonym of death. The findings indicate the need for the services in HIV/AIDS to act in line with the programs of comprehensive health care of women and the principles of Brazilian Health System, respecting the reproductive decisions of seropositive women

Women, seropositivity and the reproductive choices

O crescimento da epidemia do vírus da imunodeficiência humana entre as mulheres vem atualizando questões referentes à sexualidade e à reprodução. Este estudo investigou a percepção de mulheres portadoras do vírus da imunodeficiência humana positivo quanto às escolhas reprodutivas no contexto da soropositividade. Optou-se pela metodologia qualitativa, com a utilização de um grupo focal com mulheres soropositivas residentes no Distrito Federal. Na análise dos resultados, observou-se que as participantes estavam bem informadas sobre o processo de prevenção da transmissão vertical. A condição sorológica teve impacto na vida sexual e reprodutiva, evidenciado no adiamento ou extinção dos planos de ter filhos. A reação das pessoas em geral, bem como do profissional de saúde, diante do desejo de ter filhos por parte da mulher soropositiva foi apontada como desfavorável. Os achados do estudo, de caráter exploratório e preliminar, apontam para a relevância da realização de pesquisas na área, a fim de que os direitos reprodutivos das mulheres soropositivas sejam compreendidos, favorecendo sua valorização e respeito.The growth of the human imunodeficiency virus epidemic among women brings into focus questions of sexuality and reproduction. This study investigated the perception of women, who are seropositive, as to their reproduction choices in the context of seropositivity. Qualitative methodology was chosen with the use of a focus group comprising seropositive women living in the Federal District (Brasilia). On analyzing the results, it was observed that the participants were well informed about the process of prevention of vertical transmission. The serological condition had an impact on their sexual and reproductive life, evidenced by the postponement or abandonment of plans to have children. The reaction of people in general, as well as the health professional, faced with the seropositive woman's desire to have children, was shown to be unfavorable. The results of this exploratory and preliminary study, demonstrate the importance of developing research studies in the area, in order to understand the rights of these seropositive women to reproduce, helping to accord them value and respect

Changes in Functional Fitness, Mood States and Salivary IgA Levels after Exercise Training for 19 Weeks in Elderly Subjects

This study analysed the influence of a 19 week exercise program in the functional fitness, salivary IgA and mood states of an elderly population. Thirty three subjects with ambulatory capacity and without any medical contraindications to exercise aged between 68 and 95 years old participated and were distributed into 2 groups: 15 subjects performed aerobic exercise that included low-impact rhythmic work sequences with music, three times a week, and 18 remained sedentary. The exercising group attained improvements in all components of functional fitness with significant differences registered for aerobic endurance, lower and upper body strength. The exercising group also showed improvements in the mood states, with statistically significant less depression, less tension, less fatigue, more vigour and less anger. On the other hand, the sedentary control group showed an increase in confusion and a loss of vigour. For the exercising group salivary IgA levels were higher after the 19 week exercise program with no changes for the control group. This study shows a positive effect of exercise on physical, psychological and mucosal immune parameters in elderly populations which may improve quality of lif