Climate variability impacts on coastal dune slack ecohydrology

The hydrological regime of freshwater systems plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the different biological communities that inhabit them. Climate change is expected to cause major alterations in the hydrological regime of dune slacks by producing shifts in temperature, precipitation and evapotranspiration. Across seasons, we explore the controls on common water fleas (Cladocera) and aquatic plant communities relative to water level regime, water chemistry, weather and geomorphological setting, in a slack of the Sheskinmore dune system, Co. Donegal, northwest Ireland. Cladoceran abundance and diversity peak in summer, but also vary inter-annually, and drivers for this and hydrological variability are discussed. Vegetation is likewise affected by hydrology in a spatial sense, where distribution follows wet/dry patches of water. Water chemistry is more variable within the same season than across different years, particularly related to the drying out of the slack. Rainfall through 2016-2017 was lower than average and evapotranspiration showed higher values than average for the same time period. The influence on the slack of this decreased precipitation extended across successive seasons. The water table is the most important driver of slack ecology, with incidence on biological communities expressed by the increased variability inter-annually, as opposed to seasonal variation

Dactylorhiza elata, Stately Dactylorhiza

Mediterranean regional assessment: Near Threatened (NT) The species is found from southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. In two countries within the Mediterranean distribution (France and Portugal) populations or habitat of this species have declined by more than 30% over three generations. In another two countries (Algeria and Morocco) a similar decline is suspected but cannot yet be confirmed, and in Spain populations appear to be relatively abundant however there is no information on population trends. Elsewhere the species is known only from singlesites in Sardinia and Tunisia. whilst the extent of occurrence is very large, the area of occupancy (AOO) is possibly restricted however distribution data are inadequate to confirm the AOO. Therefore whilst the rate of decline cannot be measured throughout the range of the species, the Mediterranean population decline is confirmed, it is ongoing and is not reversible, consequently this species is close to classification as Vulnerable (A2c and A4c). Further to this, if monitoring data become available to provide an indication of population trends in Spain and these show that it is in decline then it is clear that the species should be considered threatened at both the Mediterranean and global scales. This species is therefore classed as Near Threatened, approaching Vulnerable (A2c+4c)

Art and the politics of Beatrice of Portugal in Savoy, between France and the Emp

UID/HIS/04666/2019publishersversionpublishe

A importância da informação financeira e da auditoria externa para as comissões de trabalhadores enquanto utentes das demonstrações financeiras : estudo de caso do sector bancário português

Mestrado em AuditoriaA credibilidade da informação financeira auditada é uma questão importante para a economia e para a sociedade, na qual se incluem os trabalhadores. Esta investigação tem como objectivos, a análise da temática relativa à importância da informação financeira e da auditoria externa para as comissões coordenadoras das Comissões de Trabalhadores do sector bancário português, no uso do seu direito à informação e consulta, bem como sobre a existência de diferenças de expectativas em auditoria neste grupo. A metodologia baseia-se num questionário aos membros dessas Comissões de Trabalhadores. Conclui-se que a informação financeira é considerada importante e utilizada de forma regular, no entanto, a certificação legal de contas é analisada por um menor grupo de inquiridos. As fraudes, os actos ilegais e a continuidade são os principais tópicos apurados nas diferenças de expectativas. Constatam-se necessidades de formação e de desenvolvimento de instrumentos específicos para auxiliar estes stakeholders na utilização da informação financeira a que legalmente têm direito a aceder

Legal Gender Recognition in Portugal: A Path to Self-Determination

This paper presents research on the enforcement and impact of the first legal gender recognition legislation in Portugal (Law no.7/2011). The study describes how the administrative process created by the law functioned during its initial 5-year period, and identifies challenges and processes of resistance to this legal innovation. Simultaneously, it seeks to assess the impact of the law on the social and psychological well-being of trans people, including in their access to vital spheres of social life such as education and employment. The research employs a mixed-methods approach and a multi-informant methodology: an online questionnaire was completed by 68 trans and non-binary people, and semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with various selected stakeholders: representatives of trans and LGBTIQ+ organisations (n=5), health professionals identified as experts in the topic and as gatekeepers in legal gender recognition processes (n=12), and trans people (n=6). Results show, on the one hand, the significant positive impact that legal gender recognition has on the psychological well-being and social welfare of the participants. On the other hand, results also show several challenges and forms of resistance to the implementation of the law, in particular those challenges resulting from the fact that legal gender recognition depended on a clinical diagnosis and the provision of a clinical report

Users Satisfaction Regarding Nursing Information and Documentation In Electronic Health Records: A Study At The Health Centers Group Tâmega II - Vale Do Sousa Sul

Introdução Os Sistemas de Informação em Saúde (SIS) permitem não só a cooperação multidisciplinar, como também a partilha de informação e desenvolvimento da assistência em saúde na dimensão tecnológica, favorecendo a eficiência, a qualidade e a continuidade dos cuidados.(1) Os Sistemas de Informação e de Documentação em Enfermagem (SIDE) são ferramentas de suporte à decisão clínica, formação, investigação e gestão. O investimento dos serviços de saúde na implementação e na manutenção dos SIDE tem ocorrido progressivamente. Em Portugal, nas últimas duas décadas, os SIDE em suporte eletrónico têm evoluído, com especial relevância aquando da mudança do SAPE para o SClínico.(1) O SClínico é considerado um sistema de Registos de Saúde Eletrónicos (RSE). O uso de RSE aumentou substancialmente nos últimos anos, permitindo o crescimento da qualidade dos serviços de saúde e, ao mesmo tempo, o controle de seus custos.(2) A satisfação dos utilizadores com o uso dos SIDE é uma dimensão essencial e decisiva para o seu sucesso e rentabilização, influenciando a atividade organizacional.(3) Os enfermeiros detêm um papel imprescindível no suporte ao uso dos SIDE.(4) Assim, o conhecimento dos enfermeiros relativamente à satisfação no uso dos SIDE por parte dos seus utilizadores, torna-se fulcral para a concretização da implementação destes dispositivos.(5) Consequentemente, e para que haja a vinculação por parte dos enfermeiros a uma cultura organizacional de criatividade e de inovação tecnológica inerente aos serviços de saúde, urge a necessidade de conhecer a satisfação dos enfermeiros no uso dos SIDE, nos diversos contextos de prática. Métodos Paradigma quantitativo, com abordagem descritiva, exploratória e de caráter transversal. Será aplicado o "Questionário de satisfação dos utilizadores de sistemas de informação e documentação de enfermagem",(6) sendo a amostragem não probabilística e a amostra constituída por enfermeiros em exercício de funções há mais de três meses nas Unidades Funcionais do ACeS Tâmega II - Vale do Sousa Sul, que aceitem participar de forma esclarecida, livre e informada. Todos os participantes serão esclarecidos quanto aos objetivos e à metodologia do estudo assinando o consentimento informado de forma livre, tendo por base a garantia de todas as normas de confidencialidade e de anonimato. Resultados (esperados) Pretende-se com esta investigação uma abordagem exploratória acerca da satisfação com os Sistemas de Informação em Enfermagem (SIE) em uso, contando com a participação dos enfermeiros, por forma a conhecer não só a satisfação dos enfermeiros como também explorar as relações passíveis de serem estabelecidas entre esta variável e outras variáveis como os dados sociodemográficos e profissionais, e o contexto de prática. Discussão e Conclusão A satisfação dos enfermeiros com os SIE em uso é um fator preponderante na evolução da qualidade dos cuidados. Desta forma, o estudo desta variável poderá contribuir para uma melhoria dos processos de gestão e de governo dos SIE em uso, partindo do nível de satisfação dos enfermeiros enquanto utilizadores dos SIDE suportados pelas Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação (TIC). (Nota: a tese será redigida em língua inglesa).Introduction Health Information Systems (HIS) allow not only multidisciplinary cooperation but also the sharing of information and the development of healthcare in the technological dimension, favoring efficiency, quality and continuity of care.(1) Nursing Information and Documentation Systems (NIDS) are supporting tools for clinical decision, training, research and management. The investment of health services in the implementation and maintenance of NIDS has been progressive. In Portugal, over the last two decades, electronic NIDS have evolved, with particular relevance when changing from SAPE to SClinico.(1) The SClínico is considered an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system. The use of EHR has increased substantially in recent years, allowing the growth of the quality of health services and, at the same time, controlling their costs.(2) User satisfaction with the use of NIDS is an essential and decisive dimension for its success and profitability, influencing organizational activity.(3) Nurses play an essential role in supporting the use of NIDS.(4) Thus, the knowledge of nurses regarding the satisfaction with the use of NIDS by their users, becomes central to the implementation of these devices.(5) Consequently, and for nurses to be linked to an organizational culture of creativity and technological innovation inherent to health services, there is an urgent need to know the satisfaction of nurses in the use of NIDS in the different contexts of practice. Methods Quantitative paradigm, with a descriptive, exploratory and transversal approach. The "Nursing Information and Documentation Systems User Satisfaction Questionnaire"(6) will be applied, with non-probabilistic sampling and the sample consisting of nurses working for more than three months in the Functional Units of ACeS Tâmega II - Vale do Sousa Sul, who agree to participate in an informed, free and clarified manner. All participants will be informed about the objectives and methodology of the study by signing the informed consent, based on the guarantee of all confidentiality and anonymity rules. Expected Results The aim of this investigation is an exploratory approach about satisfaction with the Nursing Information Systems (NIS) in use, with the participation of nurses, in order to know not only the satisfaction of nurses but also to explore the relationships that can be established between this variable and other variables such as sociodemographic and professional data, and the context of practice. Discussion and Conclusion Nurses' satisfaction with the NIS in use is a preponderant factor in the evolution of the quality of care. Thus, the study of this variable may contribute to an improvement in the management and governance processes of the NIS in use, starting from the level of satisfaction of nurses as users of NIDS supported by Information and Communication Technologies

Analysis of take-back decisions regarding electrical and electronic equipment waste in Portugal

Este artigo tem como objetivo analisar os determinantes da decisão de entrega dos EEE em fim de vida para reciclagem, avaliando as motivações e os interesses dos utilizadores destes equipamentos em relação ao mercado de retoma dos EEE em Fim de Vida. Os resultados obtidos indicam que existe uma falta de sensibilidade dos consumidores para o processo de retoma dos seus equipamentos. Por outro lado, mostram que as condições de informação e as características sociodemográficas interferem nos desejos dos consumidores para a devolução dos seus REE. Neste âmbito, pode-se concluir que o mercado de retoma de EEE em Fim de Vida em Portugal se encontra em fase de crescimento nomeadamente ao nível de estratégias de retoma e competitividade.This paper aims to investigate the determinants of consumers’ decision to take-back Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste in Portugal. It assesses users’ perception of these items, evaluating the motivations and interests they have concerning the market of electrical and electronic equipment waste. Results indicate a lack of awareness by consumers about the process of take-back available for their equipment. On the other hand, results show that information conditions and sociodemographic factors affect consumers' motivations for returning the electrical and electronic equipment at the end of life. In this context, it can be concluded that the Portuguese market for the recovery of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste is still in its infancy, particularly in terms of recovery strategies and competitiveness

Complex order van der Pol oscillator

In this paper a complex-order van der Pol oscillator is considered. The complex derivative Dα±ȷβ , with α,β∈R + is a generalization of the concept of integer derivative, where α=1, β=0. By applying the concept of complex derivative, we obtain a high-dimensional parameter space. Amplitude and period values of the periodic solutions of the two versions of the complex-order van der Pol oscillator are studied for variation of these parameters. Fourier transforms of the periodic solutions of the two oscillators are also analyzed

Fractional central pattern generators for bipedal locomotion

Locomotion has been a major research issue in the last few years. Many models for the locomotion rhythms of quadrupeds, hexapods, bipeds and other animals have been proposed. This study has also been extended to the control of rhythmic movements of adaptive legged robots. In this paper, we consider a fractional version of a central pattern generator (CPG) model for locomotion in bipeds. A fractional derivative D α f(x), with α non-integer, is a generalization of the concept of an integer derivative, where α=1. The integer CPG model has been proposed by Golubitsky, Stewart, Buono and Collins, and studied later by Pinto and Golubitsky. It is a network of four coupled identical oscillators which has dihedral symmetry. We study parameter regions where periodic solutions, identified with legs’ rhythms in bipeds, occur, for 0<α≤1. We find that the amplitude and the period of the periodic solutions, identified with biped rhythms, increase as α varies from near 0 to values close to unity