Strengthening the role of civil society in water sector governance towards climate change adaptation in African cities – Durban, Maputo, Nairobi

Water resources management is one of the most important climate change-related issues on international, national and urban public policy agendas. Income inequality in South Africa, Mozambique, and Kenya is among the largest in the world; in all three countries, equity struggles related to water are growing in social, political and ecological significance, which is both a symptom and a cause of urban vulnerabilities related to climate change. Democratic mediation of these conflicts, and sustainable long-term management of water resources in the face of climate change, requires public participation. But those most affected by water issues such as scarcity and flooding are also those least likely to be able to participate in governance and policy institutions. In particular, members of economically disadvantaged groups – especially women, in general – tend to be gravely impacted by poor water management, but also face great difficulties in participating effectively in governance bodies. This project responded to that particular need, and has developed practical strategies for strengthening urban governments in planning investments in climate change adaptation. The project linked university researchers with community-based NGOs conducting environmental education and organizing participatory workshops in low-income urban areas with pressing climate change and water-related problems; built on proven methods of community-university collaboration to strengthen urban watershed governance; increased equity in public participation processes related to urban climate change adaptation; and fostered progressive local, national and international policy development on climate change-related water management – while training students, university researchers, NGO staff members, and community participants. The major research outcome of the project is its contribution to understanding effective ways of strengthening local governments, NGOs and civil society organizations involved in environmental education and organizing for improved public participation in watershed governance and climate change adaptation in African urban areas.This research was supported by the International Development Research Centre, grant number IDRC GRANT NO. 106002-00

Alterações oftalmológicas na gravidez

Pregnancy is needed for the perpetuation of the human species, and it leads to physiological adaptations of the various maternal organs and systems. The eye, although a closed space, also undergoes some modifications, most of which are relatively innocuous, but they may occasionally become pathological. For women, pregnancy is a susceptibility period; however, for many obstetricians, their knowledge of the ocular changes that occur during pregnancy tends to be limited. For this reason, this is a important area of study as is necessary the development of guidelines to approach those changes. Of equal importance are the knowledge of the possible therapies for ophthalmological problems in this period and the evaluation of the mode of delivery in particular conditions. For this article, an extensive review of the literature was performed, and a summary of the findings is presented.A gravidez é necessária à perpetuação da espécie humana, levando a adaptações fisiológicas dos diversos órgãos e sistemas maternos. O olho, apesar de uma cavidade fechada, sofre também algumas modificações, a maioria relativamente inócuas, que pontualmente poderão se tornar patológicas. A gravidez assume-se como um período particular de suscetibilidade para a mulher; no entanto, muitos obstetras têm conhecimento limitado sobre as alterações oftalmológicas na gravidez. Por conseguinte, impõe-se o seu estudo, bem como a elaboração de diretrizes para lidar com essas mudanças. De igual importância são o conhecimento da eventual terapêutica para problemas oftalmológicos neste período e a avaliação do tipo do parto em condições particulares. Desta forma, foi efetuada uma revisão bibliográfica extensa e apresentada uma síntese do tema.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solitary frontal ulcer: A syphilitic gumma

We report the case of a 30-year-old woman presenting with a single, deep, asymptomatic frontal ulcer that had developed in the previous two months without preceding trauma. Blood tests revealed reactive Rapid Plasma Reagin and Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assays. The diagnosis of syphilitic gumma was confirmed after histological analysis of the ulcer border. No other manifestations of late syphilis were detected. Ulcer healing was observed after treatment with benzathine penicillin and there was progressive reduction of follow-up serum RPR titers. The relevance of this case arises from its unusual presentation in a previously healthy immunocompetent individual

Difficulties for the entrepreneurial small-scale comercial poultry production in developing countries.

Projeto/Plano de Ação: 02.09.70700-01

Performance of stones under different conditions : a study of metro stations

The study of stone alterations in the Lisbon Metro stations allowed the discussion of the influence in the development of these alterations of stones characteristics and the actual conditions to which the stones are subjected. Alterations occur under what can be considered the usual conditions of use but also under abnormal situations that must be taken into account given its frequency. The diverse situations identified are considered in the discussion of possible recommendations bearing in mind the actual situations found at the stations.Financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia com fundos nacionais (programa plurianual de financiamento de unidades de investigação)