International differences in telecommunications demand

Countries with significantly different development levels experience similar regulatory transformations in the telecommunications industry. While these changes may be particularly successful in lowering costs, they may also lead to lower consumer welfare in markets in which consumers are highly sensitive to price changes. This paper assessed whether price elasticities for telecommunications demand differ between broad groups of countries according to their development levels. We provided empirical evidence of differences in estimated demand elasticities between developed and less developed countries. Our results suggest that consumers in poorer countries may experience greater welfare losses when incentive regulations are implemented.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Privatização e liberalização do sector das telecomunicações em Portugal: uma análise do custo/benefício social

Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal / Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ICP/ANACOM)

Socioeconomic related inequalities in students' mathematics achievement in the European Union

This paper examines the degree of socioeconomic related inequalities in mathematics achievement for students from the European Union and presents some possible sources for the exhibited differences between countries. We applied a methodology which has been used in health economics literature namely by Wagstaff et al. (1991) and Kakwani et al. (1997). We selected parental highest level of education as a proxy for students’ socioeconomic background. Results confirm a significant inequality in achievement favouring the higher socioeconomic groups in all countries. Germany has the greatest socioeconomic related mathematics achievement inequality, followed by Greece, Great Britain and Portugal. Sweden, by contrast, is the country where the socioeconomic related inequality in PISA maths scores seems to be lower. The paper also decomposes the inequality index into the contributions of some socioeconomic factors. Socioeconomic inequality has a sizeable contribution for socioeconomic related inequality in mathematic achievement in very country. Cross-country comparison shows that in some countries, such as Belgium, Denmark or Great Britain, the impact of socioeconomic background on students’ achievement appears to be more important to determine the “excess” of socioeconomic related inequality in mathematics achievement than the inequality in the distribution of the socioeconomic variable. In other group of countries, that includes Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Spain, it is the inequality in the distribution of the socioeconomic variable itself that mainly explains the “excess” of socioeconomic related inequality in mathematics achievement. Portugal is a striking case exhibiting poor mathematic score, a high level of socioeconomic inequality and a high level of socioeconomic related inequality in students’ performance. Moreover, the inequality in family books possession is also a strong predictor for inequality in students’ math achievement.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Initial Experience of a TAVI Program: Analysis of the Anesthetic Decision and its Evolution

Introduction: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation is a less invasive option for aortic valve replacement. The number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations under local anesthesia with sedation has been increasing as the team’s experience increases and less invasive accesses are used. The aim of this study is to describe the evolution of the anesthetic technique in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation at our center over the years, as which was compared. Material and Methods: Retrospective study in 149 consecutive patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation in Hospital Santa Marta (January 2010 to December 2016). Data was collected from the periprocedural records of patients. Patients were stratified according to anesthetic technique. Results: From our patients’ sample, 57.0% were female, with median age 82 [58 - 95] years. Most patients underwent general anesthesia (68.5%). In the local anesthesia with sedation group there was a shorter duration of the procedure (120; [60 - 285] vs 155 [30 - 360]) and a lower number of patients requiring administration of vasopressors (61.8% vs 28.3%) – p 0.05. There was an increasing number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations performed under local anesthesia with sedation over the years. Discussion: The choice of anesthetic technique depends on the patient’s characteristics, experience and preference of the team. Conclusion: Local anesthesia with sedation seems to be associated with similar results as general anesthesia. The increase in the number of transcatheter aortic valve implantations under local anesthesia with sedation seems to follow the trend of lower invasiveness of the procedure

Os valores na aprendizagem da matemática: perspetivas de professores

A investigação tem mostrado que o professor tem um papel determinante nos resultados de aprendizagem dos seus alunos, sendo as suas práticas pedagógicas influenciadas por fatores cognitivos, afetivos e culturais e as suas ações na sala de aula determinantes para a criação na sala de aula de um ambiente que favorece a aprendizagem da matemática com sucesso. Atualmente está em curso um estudo internacional - Values Alignment Study - que procura caracterizar o alinhamento entre os valores dos professores de matemática e os dos seus alunos com o intuito de melhorar a aprendizagem da matemática. Uma das vertentes deste estudo internacional tem por base o questionário WIFItoo - What I find important too, dirigido a professores de matemática e seus alunos. Nesta conferência pretende-se apresentar as principais linhas teóricas e metodológicas do estudo, bem como alguns resultados emergentes da análise das respostas a um questionário por uma amostra de professores de matemática portugueses a lecionar no 7.º e/ou no 10.º ano. Conclui-se que as respostas dos professores se concentraram num pequeno número de valores, sendo o Empenho e Motivação e o Bem-estar dos seus alunos os aspetos importantes para a aprendizagem da matemática.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Values in the teaching and learning of mathematics: the most valued aspects by Portuguese teachers

Este artigo apresenta o primeiro estudo alargado realizado em Portugal onde se identificam e discutem aspetos que os professores de matemática mais valorizam no ensino e na aprendizagem desta disciplina. O estudo seguiu uma metodologia qualitativa e recorreu a uma análise de conteúdo para categorizar as respostas dos participantes, obtidas através de um questionário eletrónico. Foram inquiridos 113 professores de matemática, a lecionar no 7.º e/ou no 10.º ano de escolaridade, acerca dos três aspetos que consideravam mais importantes no ensino e na aprendizagem da matemática. Os autores desenvolveram e operacionalizaram um protocolo de codificação baseado num quadro de análise pré-existente. Os resultados mostram que os professores inquiridos valorizam essencialmente três aspetos – a Motivação e dedicação, o Bem-estar, e Currículo e organização da escola. Isto sugere uma forte tendência para valorizar, por um lado, aspetos que responsabilizam o aluno pela sua própria aprendizagem (e.g., motivação e atenção) e, por outro, aspetos exteriores ao professor (e.g., currículo). Por fim, discutem-se implicações destes resultados para a formação de professores e o desenvolvimento curricular, considerando o momento atual de alterações curriculares em Portugal.This article presents the first extensive study conducted in Portugal, where the aspects that mathematics teachers value the most in the teaching and learning of this subject are identified and discussed. The study followed a qualitative methodology and used content analysis to categorize the participants' responses, obtained through an electronic questionnaire. 113 mathematics teachers, teaching in the 7th and/or 10th grade, were surveyed about the three aspects they considered most important in the teaching and learning of mathematics. The authors developed and operationalized a coding protocol based on a pre-existing analytical framework. The results show that the surveyed teachers essentially value three aspects - Motivation and dedication, Well-being, and Curriculum and school organization. This suggests a strong tendency to value, on one hand, aspects that hold the students responsible for their own learning (e.g., motivation and attention) and, on the other hand, aspects external to the teacher (e.g., curriculum). Finally, the implications of these results for teacher training and curriculum development are discussed, considering the current moment of curricular changes in Portugal.Este trabalho foi parcialmente apoiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia através do Contrato-Programa de Estímulo ao Emprego Científico (CEECIND/01584/2017/CP1469/CT0001) e da UIDEF - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação do Instituto de Educação da Universidade de Lisboa, UIDB/04107/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04107/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influenza severe cases in hospitals, between 2014 and 2016 in Portugal

Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da GripeBackground: Since 2009, the Portuguese Laboratory Network (PLNID) for Influenza Diagnosis has integrated 15 Laboratories in mainland and Atlantic Islands of Azores and Madeira. This PLNID added an important contribute to the National Influenza Surveillance Program regarding severe and hospitalized influenza cases. The present study aims to describe influenza viruses detected in influenza like illness (ILI) cases: outpatients (Outp), hospitalized (Hosp), and intensive care units (ICU), between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The PLNID performs influenza virus diagnosis by biomolecular methodologies. Weekly reports to the National Influenza Reference Laboratory ILI cases tested for influenza. Reports include data on detecting viruses, hospital assistance, antiviral therapeutics, and information on death outcome. Were reported during two winter seasons 8059 ILI cases,being 3560 cases in 2014/15 (1024 in Outp, 1750 Hosp, and 606 in ICU) and 4499 cases in 2015/2016 (1933 in Outp, 1826 Hosp, and 740 in ICU). Results: The higher percentage of influenza positive cases were detected in Outp in both seasons, 18% during 2014/15 and 20% in 2015/16. In 2014/15,influenza cases were more frequent in individuals older than 65 years old and these required more hospitalizations,even in ICU. In 2015/16,the influenza cases were mainly detected in individuals between 15-64 years old. A higher proportion of influenza positive cases with hospitalization in ICU were observed in adults between 45-64 years old.During the study period,the predominant circulating influenza viruses were different in the two seasons: influenza B and A(H3) co-circulated in 2014/15,and influenza A(H1)pdm09 was predominant during 2015/16. Even when influenza A is notthe dominant virus, A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 subtypes correlate with higher detection rate in hospitalized cases (Hosp and UCI), with higher frequencies in adults older than 45. Influenza B,detected in higher proportion in outpatients, was frequently relatedwith influenza cases in younger age groups: 0-4 and 5-14 years old. Conclusions: This study highlights the correlation of theinfluenza virus type/subtype that circulates in each season with the possible need for hospitalization and intensive care in special groups of the population. Circulation of influenza A subtypes can cause more frequentdisease in individuals older than 45, with need of hospitalization including intensive care. On the other hand, influenza B is more frequently associated with less severe cases and with infection in children and younger adults. Influenza B circulation might predict lower number of hospitalizations.The identification of influenza type in circulation,byPLNID ineach season, could guide action planning measures in population health care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da Gripe: inverno 2013/2014

A Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da Gripe (RPLDG) integra, atualmente, 15 laboratórios maioritariamente hospitalares e é coordenada pelo Laboratório Nacional de Referência para o Vírus da Gripe (LNRVG) do Departamento de Doenças Infecciosas do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P. A RPLDG realiza o diagnóstico laboratorial do vírus da gripe assim como de outros vírus respiratórios, permitindo um conhecimento mais preciso da etiologia das infeções respiratórias, particularmente em casos hospitalizados de infeção respiratória aguda grave, constituindo um complemento valioso para o PNVG. Os casos de SG provenientes de emergências hospitalares e casos de Infecção Respiratória Aguda Grave, incluindo casos com internamento em unidade de cuidados intensivos, foram notificados pelos laboratórios da Rede ao LNRVG. Dos 15 laboratórios da Rede, 13 notificaram casos de doença respiratória durante a época de 2013/2014. Os dados recolhidos foram inseridos em suporte informático tendo as bases de dados sido agregadas numa base de dados comum submetida a um processo de validação de congruência de dados. Os dados analisados correspondem ao período que decorreu entre a semana 38 de 2013 e a semana 21 de 2014. Foram notificados pelos Laboratórios da Rede um total de 3790 casos de infeção respiratória. O maior número de notificações foi observado no mês de janeiro e fevereiro (semanas 2/2014 a 8/2014), com um pico de ocorrência na semana 4/2014 com a notificação de 454 casos de infeção respiratória. O vírus da gripe foi detetado em 822 casos de infeção respiratória. O vírus influenza A foi identificado em 807 (98,2%) dos casos positivos, destes 403 (49,0%) pertencem ao subtipo A(H1)pdm09, 98 (12,0%) ao subtipo A(H3) e 306 (37,0%) vírus influenza A não foram subtipados. O vírus influenza B foi detetado em 14 (2,0%) casos. Foi identificada 1 infecção mista por vírus influenza A(H1)pdm09 e A(H3) (0,1%). A maior percentagem de casos de gripe foi observada em indivíduos entre os 15 e os 64 anos sendo o vírus influenza A(H1)pdm09 o predominantemente detetado. Nas crianças com menos de 4 anos o vírus influenza foi detetado numa proporção reduzida, apenas em 8,8% dos casos analisados laboratorialmente, sendo o agente mais detetado neste grupo etário, o vírus sincicial respiratório (dados não mostrados). A Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da Gripe permitiu a deteção dos vírus da gripe em meio hospitalar, incluindo doentes em internamento e UCI. Os vírus influenza A foram predominantes e detetados em maior percentagem nos jovens e adultos

Sex difference and intra-operative tidal volume: Insights from the LAS VEGAS study

BACKGROUND: One key element of lung-protective ventilation is the use of a low tidal volume (VT). A sex difference in use of low tidal volume ventilation (LTVV) has been described in critically ill ICU patients.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether a sex difference in use of LTVV also exists in operating room patients, and if present what factors drive this difference.DESIGN, PATIENTS AND SETTING: This is a posthoc analysis of LAS VEGAS, a 1-week worldwide observational study in adults requiring intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery in 146 hospitals in 29 countries.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Women and men were compared with respect to use of LTVV, defined as VT of 8 ml kg-1 or less predicted bodyweight (PBW). A VT was deemed 'default' if the set VT was a round number. A mediation analysis assessed which factors may explain the sex difference in use of LTVV during intra-operative ventilation.RESULTS: This analysis includes 9864 patients, of whom 5425 (55%) were women. A default VT was often set, both in women and men; mode VT was 500 ml. Median [IQR] VT was higher in women than in men (8.6 [7.7 to 9.6] vs. 7.6 [6.8 to 8.4] ml kg-1 PBW, P < 0.001). Compared with men, women were twice as likely not to receive LTVV [68.8 vs. 36.0%; relative risk ratio 2.1 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.1), P < 0.001]. In the mediation analysis, patients' height and actual body weight (ABW) explained 81 and 18% of the sex difference in use of LTVV, respectively; it was not explained by the use of a default VT.CONCLUSION: In this worldwide cohort of patients receiving intra-operative ventilation during general anaesthesia for surgery, women received a higher VT than men during intra-operative ventilation. The risk for a female not to receive LTVV during surgery was double that of males. Height and ABW were the two mediators of the sex difference in use of LTVV.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01601223