The policy reaction function of the Ecb: an ordered-probit model

Based on Ordered-Probit models, I estimate the monetary policy reaction function of the European Central Bank between 2001 and 2019. Results show that the ECB does display a forward-looking behaviour. Inflation and output growth projections play a significant role in their monetary policy decisions. Moreover, yield spreads across euro area countries do not seem to be significant on their decision. Therefore, the possibility of a secondary mandate related to financial markets’ stability is not confirmed, according to my results. Lastly, marginal effects on the ordered probit regressions, show that forecasts on output growth have the largest weight on monetary policy decisions

The visible image is not always correct: the differentiation of layers by optical microscopy in samples’ cross sections

The stratigraphic characterization of polychrome surfaces in works of art is frequently done through the observation of cross-section samples by optical microscopy (OM). Three examples that show some limits to this method are presented here. In samples where at first only one layer was visible, several strata were detected through electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). These and other examples ought to be taken into consideration by conservators, who should be aware of similar possibilities in other cases

Reciclagem de cinzas volantes por vitroceramização

Mestrado em Ciência e Engenharia dos MateriaisNeste trabalho pretendeu-se desenvolver uma metodologia para a reciclagem de cinzas volantes com o intuito de reduzir o impacto ambiental causado pelos aterros destes subprodutos industriais. O objectivo final deste trabalho foi a preparação e caracterização de vidros cerâmicos derivados de cinzas volantes para utilização como materiais de revestimento. Foram utilizadas cinzas volantes de carvão provenientes da central térmica da Tapada do Outeiro, no norte de Portugal, já extinta. Numa fase introdutória as cinzas volantes, bem como as matérias-primas baratas utilizadas na indústria vidreira (soda Solvay e calcite) e adicionadas às cinzas volantes para a sua vitrificação, foram caracterizados sob o ponto de vista químico e físico. No processo de vitrificação das cinzas, as condições de fusão foram optimizadas de forma a utilizar o maior peso destes resíduos nas cargas e obter materiais amorfos trabalháveis. Foram definidos vários esquemas de tratamento térmico com o intuito de promover a cristalização controlada dos vidros obtidos e seleccionar os programas de ceramização mais eficazes. Este processo foi monitorizado através de análise térmica diferencial, difracção de raios-X e observações microestruturais. Os vidros cerâmicos com microestruturas finas e homogéneas e, sem poros e fissuras, foram caracterizados quanto às suas propriedades mecânicas, químicas e térmicas. Os resultados mostraram que os vidros cerâmicos caracterizados apresentam propriedades melhoradas relativamente ao vidro base e podem ser utilizados como materiais estruturais, em revestimento para paredes e pavimento.In this work it was aimed to develop a methodology for the recycling of flyashes, hoping to contribute for the minimization of the environmental impact caused by the landfill disposal of these industrial sub-product. The final goal of this work was the preparation and characterization of fly-ashbased glass-ceramics for application as cladding materials. Coal fly ashes produced by the extinguished power plant at Tapada do Outeiro, in the north of Portugal, were used in this work. These fly-ashes, as well as cheap raw materials from the glass industry, added to the batches as fluxing sources (soda Solvay and limestone), were firstly submitted to chemical and physical characterization. In the vitrification process, the melting conditions were optimised with the criterion of producing workable amorphous materials by using the maximum amount of fly ashes in the batches. Several thermal treatment schemes were defined to promote the controlled crystallization of the obtained glasses and to select the most effective ceramization programs. Differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction and microstrutural observations were used to monitorize this procedure. The obtained glass-ceramics with homogeneous and fine-grained microstructures and without pores and cracks were characterized in terms of mechanical, chemical and thermal properties. The results showed that some of these glass-ceramics exhibit improved properties compared with the respective parent glass and can be used as structural materials, namely as cladding materials for walls and floors

Internal radiation dose assessment of radiopharmaceuticals prepared with cyclotron-produced 99m Tc

Technetium-99m (99m Tc) is the radioisotope most widely used in diagnostic nuclear medicine. It is readily available from 99 Mo/99m Tc generators as the \u3b2- decay product of the 99 Mo (T\ubd =66 h) parent nuclide. This latter is obtained as a fission product in nuclear reactors by neutron-induced reactions on highly enriched uranium. Alternative production routes, such as direct reactions using proton beams on specific target materials [100 Mo(p,2n)99m Tc], have the potential to be both reliable and relatively cost-effective. However, results showed that the 99m Tc extracted from proton-bombarded 100 Mo-enriched targets contains small quantities of several Tc radioisotopes (93m Tc, 93 Tc, 94 Tc, 94m Tc, 95 Tc, 95m Tc 96 Tc and 97m Tc). The aim of this work was to estimate the dose increase (DI) due to the contribution of Tc radioisotopes generated as impurities, after the intravenous injection of four radiopharmaceuticals prepared with cyclotron-produced 99m Tc (CP-99m Tc) using 99.05% 100 Mo-enriched metallic targets

Enseñar, el arte de transformar y crecer

 The article, built as an essay, is based on research related to “The Pedagogical Knowledge of Teachers of Technological Education: Comfenalco University Technology Foundation so that their teaching promotes the integral formation of the student. It begins by referencing the singularities of a changing context by the dynamics that characterize science and technology as well as the conceptual ones of higher education, allowing reflection on the traits that the teacher must possess so that his teaching is appreciated as a profession that contributes to increase the dignity of people through the development of skills from a universal perspective of knowledge, based on ethical principles and values and taking into account the different levels of higher education in Colombia, in such a way that the competences developed in the students correspond thereto. Teaching that must also meet the demands of a sequential education that promotes the gradual growth of people according to their personal, family, social and economic interests and the needs of the social environment and the productive sector. It is then proposed to evaluate the performance in the classroom as an indicator to define a teacher training plan that contributes to improving the pedagogical exercise, from the disciplinary and didactic, and to achieve better results in the academic, work and social performance of the students.El artículo, construido como un ensayo, se fundamenta en la investigación relacionada con “El Saber Pedagógico de los Docentes de la Educación Tecnológica: Fundación Universitaria Tecnológico Comfenalco para que su enseñanza propicie la formación integral del estudiante. Se inicia referenciando las singularidades de un contexto cambiante por la dinámica que caracteriza a la ciencia y a la técnica así como las conceptuales de la educación superior, permitiendo reflexionar sobre los rasgos que debe poseer el profesor para que su enseñanza sea apreciada como una profesión que contribuya a acrecentar la dignidad de las personas mediante el desarrollo de capacidades desde una perspectiva universal del conocimiento, basada en principios y valores éticos y teniendo en cuenta los diferentes niveles de la educación superior en Colombia, de tal manera que las competencias desarrolladas en los estudiantes correspondan a ello. Enseñanza que también debe atender las exigencias de una formación secuencial que propicie el crecimiento gradual de las personas de acuerdo a sus intereses personales, de familia, sociales, y económicos y a las necesidades del entorno social y del sector productivo. Se propone entonces evaluar el desempeño en el aula como un indicador para definir un plan de formación docente que contribuya a mejorar el ejercicio pedagógico, desde lo disciplinar y la didáctica, y a lograr mejores resultados en el desempeño académico, laboral y social de los estudiante

Nutritional knowledge and calcium intake on health professionals

It is demonstrated that a better knowledge leads to better eating habits but there are no studies on the relation between NK* and calcium intake. Verify if calcium intake of health professionals is influenced by their NK. 103 workers of the three Hospitals of Oporto filled two previously validated questionnaires Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), General Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire(GNKQ) and a questionnaire about Socio-demographic data. The relation between NK and calcium intake was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. Individuals that had a calcium intake within DRI’s** had a significantly higher score in GNKQ Total Score and in the Section It appears that NK influences calcium DRIs compliance in health professionals

Portuguese websites obesity information

The internet is widely used by everyone as a source of health information,namely in obesity and weight lost. However, the easy production and edition of documents on the Internet enables any user to be an author and write the information according to their will, not ensuring the veracity of it. In this context the internet may be seen as a threat to one’s health. Thus, the aim of the study was to characterize and evaluate Portuguese websites obesity information and verify if the technical and scientifi c background of the author was related to the obesity information score of the websites. Portuguese 127 websites were evaluated with regard to obesity information, according to the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Management of Obesity a national clinical guideline. The average score for information on obesity was 6.38 in 26 possible on websites aimed at children/young people and 3.51 in the 24 possible directed at adults. Of the websites examined 67% did not mention the technical training of the author and only 11% were authored by a Dietitian. This study shows that the score of obesity information was signifi cantly higher in the sub-sample of the Dietitian or multidisciplinary team author. These results demonstrate the need to regulate the Internet as a source of health information, requiring the presence of a professional with technical training in healthcare