Participatory surveillance on influenza as a tool for health promotion

“Conventional” surveillance, usually through sentinel networks or statutory notification systems, can be supplemented by participatory surveillance. Gripenet is an important participatory surveillance tool used in Portugal for influenza surveillance. The platform gathers symptom reports from citizens across the country to calculate ILI (Influenza Like Illness) incidence. While gathering data to perform surveillance is the main focus, the tool is also used for health literacy and health promotion, increasing awareness for several health topics. Gripenet is part of a European consortium including 11 countries and there is still a lot of room to reach other countries and eventually evolve towards surveillance of other diseases or conditions. Description of the problem: The platform is available throughout the year, but only active during influenza season. During that time, a newsletter is sent every week, including the link to provide the symptoms for the surveillance platform, as well as news and recommendations to improve health knowledge, attitude and behaviour. Content is published in the website and also shared in social media (Facebook and Twitter). Results: A total of 26 posts were created and 16 newsletters were issued. In the last registered week, 4404 e-mails were sent, and 1738 users were recorded as active. Facebook reached 301 in the most relevant publication and 63 in the least relevant. Resources allocated are very limited (basic website management and content production) and can reach a significant population, with science based information. Lessons: At a time when misinformation abounds, providing relevant and science based information to the public is paramount. Increasing the reach of the participatory surveillance tool and in the meantime enabling more social media impact is certainly a step in that direction, using limited resources.Abstract publicado em: Eur J Public Health. 2017 Nov 1;27(Suppl 3):ckx186.168. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckx186.168info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploration of the internal flux rope current density using a spacecraft constellation

Durant molts anys la comunitat científica ha estat treballant per entendre millor la topologia i les propietats físiques dels tubs de flux (flux ropes en anglès), car són una de les principals formes en les quals l’activitat solar estructura el plasma i els camps electromagnètics. Aquests tubs de flux són, per definició, rotacions de línies de camp magnètic al voltant d’un eix. És per això que els estudis sempre s’han centrat en la topologia del camp magnètic. Tanmateix, segons les equacions de Maxwell, la distribució de densitat de corrent elèctric es pot considerar com l’origen de l’estructura helicoidal. Aquest treball introdueix una nova metodologia per encarar la investigació dels tubs de flux, basada en l’estudi de la densitat de corrent. Amb aquesta finalitat es fa servir una constel·lació de satèl·lits per estimar la densitat de corrent elèctric, mitjançant la tècnica curlometer. També s’ha validat i testejat la metodologia, simulant la trajectòria d’una constel·lació de quatre satèl·lits travessant un tub de flux. Seguidament, la qualitat de la metodologia és avaluada sota diferents circumstàncies i condicions. Finalment, s’aplica la metodologia en un tub de flux observat per Cluster el dia 13 de febrer de 2001.Durante muchos años la comunidad científica ha trabajado para entender mejor la topología y las propiedades físicas de los tubos de flujo (flux ropes en inglés), puesto que son una de las principales maneras en las que la actividad solar estructura el plasma y los campos electromagnéticos. Es por eso que los estudios siempre se han centrado en la topología del campo magnético. No obstante, de acuerdo con las leyes de Maxwell, la distribución de densidad de corriente se puede considerar como el origen de la estructura helicoidal. Este trabajo introduce una nueva metodología para encarar la investigación de los tubos de flujo, basada en el estudio de la densidad de corriente. Con esta finalidad se emplea una constelación de satélites para estimar la densidad de corriente, mediante la técnica curlometer. También se ha validado y testeado la metodología, simulando la trayectoria de una constelación de cuatro satélites atravesando un tubo de flujo. Finalmente, se aplica la metodología en un tubo de flujo observado por Cluster el día 13 de febrero de 2001.For many years the scientific community has been working on understanding the topology and the physical properties of flux ropes since they are one of the main ways solar activity structures plasma and electromagnetic fields. These flux ropes are, by definition, rotations of the magnetic field lines around an axis. Therefore, the main focus of its research has always been on magnetic field topology. However, according to Maxwell’s laws, the current density distribution can be considered the genesis of the helical magnetic field structure. This work introduces a new methodology to approach the flux rope investigation by studying its internal current density distribution. To this end, a constellation of spacecraft is employed to estimate the current density through the curlometer technique. The methodology has been validated and tested by simulating the trajectory of a 4-spacecraft constellation through a synthetic flux rope. Thereupon, the methodology’s performance is evaluated under various circumstances and conditions. Finally, the methodology is applied to a flux rope observed by Cluster on the 13th of February 2001.Outgoin

Bicycle accidents: A new trend for Hospital Admissions?

Poster on the increase in Bicycle accidents in Portugal, comparison between 2003 and 2013, showing an 11% increase, particularly in the most recent yearsN/

Asymptotic linearity and limit distributions, approximations.

Linear and quadratic forms as well as other low degree polynomials play an important role in statistical inference. Asymptotic results and limit distributions are obtained for a class of statistics depending on m þ X, with X any random vector and m non-random vector with JmJ-þ1. This class contain the polynomials in m þ X. An application to the case of normal X is presented. This application includes a new central limit theorem which is connected with the increase of non-centrality for samples of fixed size. Moreover upper bounds for the suprema of the differences between exact and approximate distributions and their quantiles are obtained

Acidentes domésticos e de lazer na população portuguesa: quem está em risco?

Poster sobre acidentes domésticos e de lazer em Portugal, com base no Inquérito Nacional de Saúde de 2014N/

Cabify’s rebranding case study : a repositioning challenge

In 2016 Cabify expanded to Portugal with the intention of leading corporate transportation and seeking to stand out in the market through its service of excellence and quality. At the end of that year, an internal and external study was conducted to assess if the general perception of the brand was in line with what the company wanted to convey. The results showed that employees did not identify with the communicated brand and that consumers perceived Cabify as premium, nevertheless inaccessible. Thus, the perceived brand was not aligned with the company’s desired positioning. A rebranding strategy was put in motion in order to reshape consumers’ perceptions, placing Cabify as a more inclusive brand. The main challenge lyed in bringing the brand closer to the audience, while maintaining the premium facet an avoiding confusion in the current users. The ultimate goal of this case study is to deeply understand the reasons that led to Cabify’s rebranding, to analyze the steps taken to reposition the brand and the impact of this strategy on consumer perceptions, having in mind Portuguese preferences regarding digital platforms of mobility. Main results indicate that although a successful shift in the audience’s perception occurred, when considering the company’s intentions, there was also a propensity of perceiving the new Cabify image as more lowcost. Aditionally, the study concludes that the current image awareness is low. Some recommendations are drawned in order to leverage the company’s communication strategy and user acquisition.A Cabify expandiu-se para Portugal em 2016 com a intenção de se destacar no mercado como solução de mobilidade corporativa, através da qualidade do serviço. No final desse ano foi realizado um estudo interno e externo para perceber se a percepção da marca estava de acordo com a imagem pretendida pela empresa. Os resultados mostraram que os colaboradores não se identificavam com a marca e que os consumidores percepcionavam a Cabify como uma marca premium mas consequentemente inacessível. Essa percepção não estava alinhada com o posicionamento desejado da empresa. Foi desenvolvida uma estratégia de rebranding com o intuito de remodelar as percepções dos consumidores e promover a Cabify como uma marca mais inclusiva. O principal desafio enfrentado pela empresa é tornar a marca mais próxima do consumidor, mantendo a sua faceta premium. O objetivo deste estudo é compreender as razões que levaram ao rebranding da Cabify, analisar as medidas tomadas para reposicionar a marca e o impacto dessa estratégia nas percepções dos consumidores, fazendo também uma análise das suas preferências em relação às plataformas mobilidade. Os principais resultados indicam que, embora tenha ocorrido uma mudança positiva na percepção do público quando consideradas as intenções da empresa, houve também uma tendência em perceber a nova imagem como mais lowcost. Adicionalmente, concluiu-se que as pessoas ainda não estão familiarizadas com a nova marca. São apresentadas recomendações com o objectivo de melhorar a estratégia de comunicação da empresa e a aquisição de usuários

Consistency of Decision in Finite and Numerable Multinomial Models

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. This research received no external funding.The multinomial distribution is often used in modeling categorical data because it describes the probability of a random observation being assigned to one of several mutually exclusive categories. Given a finite or numerable multinomial model (Formula presented.) whose decision is indexed by a parameter (Formula presented.) and having a cost (Formula presented.) depending on (Formula presented.) and on (Formula presented.), we show that, under general conditions, the probability of taking the least cost decision tends to 1 when n tends to ∞, i.e., we showed that the cost decision is consistent, representing a Statistical Decision Theory approach to the concept of consistency, which is not much considered in the literature. Thus, under these conditions, we have consistency in the decision making. The key result is that the estimator (Formula presented.) with components (Formula presented.), where (Formula presented.) is the number of times we obtain the ith result when we have a sample of size n, is a consistent estimator of (Formula presented.). This result holds both for finite and numerable models. By this result, we were able to incorporate a more general form for consistency for the cost function of a multinomial model.publishersversionpublishe

Evaluation of parasitism and predation of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) by Diglyphus isaea (Walker, 1838) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

To evaluate an eventual parasitism and/or predation behaviour of the eulophid parasitoid Diglyphus isaea (Walker, 1838) on Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) larvae two assays were performed releasing adult parasitoids. The first assay was conducted in Petri dishes using tomato leaflets havig mines with T. absoluta larvae inside. The second, was performed on previously infested potted tomato plants. In both assays no parasitism but only predation was found. Predation was observed, mainly on L2 and L3 larvae which had moulted. Proportion of clearly preyed larvae reached 17% in Petri dishes and 38% in potted plants. Predation was attested by the presence of punctures done by the oviscapt of the female parasitoid. A significant higher proportion of dead larvae where it was not possible to see punctures occurred in the presence of the parasitoid females. Some of them probably were also preyed on by D. isaea femalesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relationship between happiness, stress and musculoskeletal disorders in portuguese dentists

Tese de doutoramento, Medicina Dentária (Dentisteria Conservadora), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, 2016Dentistry, taking into account its need for concentration, accuracy and manual skills as well as physical and psychological requirements, is one of the most stressful professions and the one with most frequently reported musculoskeletal disorders. Dentists present high levels of stress, which may impair their physical and mental health, their well-being and personal relationships, and the quality of treatments that they provide to patients. Stress is related to the onset of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are a major health concern for dentists. Happiness precedes and creates several favorable life outcomes predicting quality of life and longevity, with countless benefits not only on a individual basis, but also for the families and the communities to which people belong. Happy people live healthier and longer lives, both physically and mentally. The main purpose and the novelty of the present study was to assess the relationship between stress, happiness (both fluctuating and authenticdurable) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists. The first part of this study includes the validation of Subjective Fluctuating Happiness Scale (SFHS) and Subjective Authentic-Durable Happiness Scale (SA-DHS) for the Portuguese population. In order to validate SHFS and SA-DHS, two other measures have been applied: Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The entire questionnaire was applied nationwide simultaneously using both online (n = 1338) and paper/pencil methods (n = 1018), making a total of 2356 respondents. The Portuguese versions of Subjective Fluctuating Happiness Scale and Subjective Authentic-Durable Happiness Scale had high internal consistency in every sample. For the total sample, the Cronbach’s alpha was .90 for SFHS and .93 for SA-DHS; the mean values were: 3.58, and 4.60 respectively for SFHS and SA-DHS. Both scales had adequate convergent validity. Item 15, in the Portuguese version, loaded in Contentment Subscale. Both scales showed high reliability and seemed to be a valid tool for measuring and distinguish between fluctuating (SFHS) and authentic-durable happiness (SA-DHS), for both online and paper/pencil survey methods. To assess the relationship between stress, happiness and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists, four measures have been applied: SHFS, SHA-DS, Perceived Stress Scale and a musculoskeletal complaint (MSC) questionnaire, adapted for the present study by the author. Portuguese dentists were surveyed through online method (n = 508). Mean stress level was 22.99 and 17.62 on full and short scales, respectively. The stress was positively correlated with the MSC and the fluctuating happiness, and negatively correlated with authentic-durable happiness. The prevalence of MSC for at least one body region was 88.2% for the last week, and 90.7% for the last year. MSC were positively correlated with fluctuating happiness and negatively with authentic-durable happiness. Subjective happiness scored 3.32 on fluctuating and 4.54 on authenticdurable, in a 1-7 scale. Stress and MSC were high among Portuguese dentists, and higher among female dentists. Fluctuating happiness and MSC were predictors of stress. Portuguese dentists presented high levels of stress and MSC, which were positively correlated with each other, and negatively related to authenticdurable happiness and to physical activity