Desempenho e eficiência nas Forças Armadas

Este trabalho procurou responder ao enorme desafio que constitui a avaliação e adaptação de um modelo de gestão de competências às Forças Armadas, como formato alternativo e mais eficiente na gestão dos seus recursos humanos. Embora este assunto seja absoluta novidade no contexto organizacional militar, pareceu-nos relevante procurar a razão de ser de tal afastamento, pelo que quisemos conhecer a realidade deste modelo de gestão aplicado no mundo organizacional de grandes empresas nacionais e estrangeiras. Percorrendo o trabalho, o leitor encontrará inicialmente a envolvente organizacional às competências, com base num enquadramento conceptual sobre a evolução, perspectivas diferenciadoras e definição das competências. Em seguida, e, à luz das especificidades e realidade actual da gestão de recursos humanos, na organização militar, encontrará justificação para a necessidade e oportunidade de aplicação de um modelo de gestão de competências às Forças Armadas, como ferramenta essencial e complementar às mudanças organizacionais em curso. Relevada essa necessidade, é explicada, depois, a metodologia implementada no levantamento, avaliação e desenvolvimento das diferentes formas de competências, apoiada nas experiências e modelos aplicados nas organizações estudadas, de onde deduzimos contributos aplicáveis à implementação do modelo nas Forças Armadas, visando a melhoria de desempenho e eficiência na organização. O estudo versa ainda uma comparação evidenciando o impacto positivo da aplicação do modelo de gestão de competências nos processos relativos aos recursos humanos, a que associámos uma análise SWOT, relevando os pontos fortes e fracos, oportunidades e ameaças resultantes desta aplicação na Instituição Militar. Em complemento às conclusões que relevam a viabilidade e aplicabilidade de aplicação deste modelo na organização militar, foram formuladas recomendações ao SIGDN e aos Ramos, visando a análise e aprofundamento, em Forum próprio, da racional e pertinência deste assunto aplicado às Forças Armadas. Abstract: This paper aimed for an answer to the enormous challenge that constitutes the evaluation and adaptation of a managerial competences model to the Armed Forces, as an alternative and more efficient format in the management of its human resources. Although this subject is absolute newness in the military´s organizational context, it was considered relevant to look for the reason of such unlike, leading us to better understand the reality of this management´s model when applied in both important national and foreign organizations. Following the study, the reader will find, initially, the involving organizational approach to the competences, on the basis of a conceptual framing on the evolution, different perspectives and definition of the competences. After that, in light of the particularities and current reality of the human resources management, in the military organization, he will find justification for the necessity and momentum of application for a competences managerial model to the Armed Forces, as an essential tool and a complementary support to the ongoing organizational changes. Raised this necessity, it is later explained, the methodology implemented in the survey, evaluation and development of the different forms of competences, supported in the experiences and models applied in the studied organizations, allowing us to deduce applicable contributions to the implementation of the model in the Armed Forces, aiming at the improvement of performance and efficiency in our organization. The study then goes through a comparison evidencing the positive impact of the managerial competences model´s application in the related human resources processes, that we further associated a SWOT analysis, standing out the strong and weak points, opportunities and resultant threats of this application in the Military Institution. In complement to the conclusions that raise the viability and applicability of this model in the military organization, recommendations to the SIGDN and the Service Branches were formulated, aiming at the analysis and the enlightenment, in proper Forum, of the rational and relevancy of this subject applied to the Armed Forces

Efficacy of Aliskiren/Hydrochlorothiazide Combination for the Treatment of Hypertension: A Meta-Analytical Approach

Background: Single-pill combinations of aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide have recently been approved by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of hypertension. Objective: This study aimed to assess the antihypertensive efficacy of aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide combination in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Methods: A search in International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library and ISI Web of Knowledge was performed from 2000 to November 2009, to identify randomized, double-blind, clinical trials using aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension. Studies were included if they evaluated the antihypertensive efficacy of aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide in patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension and age 18 years. The meta-analytical approach calculated the weighted average reductions of systolic and diastolic blood pressure for each daily dosage combination. Results: We included 5 clinical trials testing several combinations of aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide and containing data on 5448 patients. In all studies blood pressure was assessed at inclusion (baseline) and after 8 weeks of therapy. Blood pressure reductions and control rates were significantly (p < 0.05) higher with the aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide combinations than with placebo and the same doses of aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide alone. The weighted mean reductions (mm Hg) from baseline of systolic and diastolic blood pressure for each aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide combination were: -15.8/- 10.3 (150/25 mg); -15.9/-11.8 (300/12.5 mg); -16.9/-11.6 (300/25 mg). Blood pressure control rates (%) for the above combinations were, at least, respectively: 43.8, 50.1 and 51.9. Conclusions: Aliskiren/hydrochlorothiazide provided clinically significant additional blood pressure reductions and improved blood pressure control rates over aliskiren or hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy.We thank the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for supporting the fellowship grant SFRH/BD/36756/ 2007 to Manuel Morgado

Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Focus on Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Inflammation

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is an independent clinical entity defined as structural and functional changes in the myocardium because of metabolic and cellular abnormalities induced by diabetes, resulting in cardiac failure. Hyperglycemia has been seen as a major cause of DCM due to activation of different mechanisms leading to oxidative stress. Several body of evidence show that distinct pathways of oxygen and nitrogen reactive species formation contribute to myocardial impairment. Abnormal mitochondrial morphology and energetics, evoked by abnormal Ca2+ handling, metabolic changes and oxidative stress, are observed in DCM, suggesting a pivotal role of mitochondrial dynamics in disease pathogenesis. In addition, insulin resistance compromises myocardial glucose uptake due to cellular depletion of glucose transporter proteins, together with increased myocardial uptake of free fatty acids and augmented triglyceride levels, which cause cardiomyocyte lipotoxicity. Finally, the state of chronic low-grade inflammation, a feature of obese type 2 diabetes, seems to also play a major role in DCM progression, whose mechanisms have been progressively disclosed. In this book chapter, we review the cellular mechanism contributing to DCM development, focusing on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation of cardiomyocytes, as well as on possible therapeutic strategies

Influence of Atmospheric Conditions on mmWave CATR Facilities: Formulation and Compensation Scheme

The performance of a CATR relies on the planarity of the synthesized test wave, which is generated within a bounded volume for which specifications are drawn. Millimetre-wave facilities deal with the classical limitations of this frequency band, among which two become critical in our analysis: time-extensive acquisition campaigns and impact of environmental variables. Both features become more evident when increasing the frequency of operation. The variation in atmospheric variables, such as humidity, temperature and pressure has an influence over the performance of all the elements of the facility. The instrumentation behavior is influenced both by the warming up process, and the ambience conditions that surround the equipment. On the changes of the atmosphere itself, they affect the electromagnetic wave propagation, given the physical link between the conditions of the atmosphere and its electric properties as an electromagnetic waves propagation mediu

Amplificador CMOS de baixo ruído para imagiologia médica

Mestrado em Engenharia Electrónica e TelecomunicaçõesA presente dissertação aborda o projecto de um frontend analógico integrado para sincronização e amplificação de sinais produzidos por um fotomultiplicador de silício. A solução proposta pretende possibilitar medidas de tempo com resoluções na ordem dos picosegundos, para implementação em equipamentos compactos dedicados à Tomografia por Emissão de Positrões, com capacidade para medida do tempo de voo de fotões (TOFPET). O canal de frontend completo foi implementado em tecnologia CMOS 130nm, e compreende blocos de préamplificação, integração de carga, equilíbrio dinâmico do ponto de operação, bem como circuitos geradores de correntes de referência, para uma área total em silício de 500x90 μm. A discussão de resultados é baseada em simulações póslayout, e as linhas de investigação futuras são propostas.An analogue CMOS frontend for triggering and amplification of signals produced by a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) is proposed. The solution intends to achieve picosecond resolution timing measurements for compact timeofflight Positron Emission Tomography (TOFPET) medical imaging equipments. A 130nm technology was used to implement such frontend, and the design includes preamplification, shaping, baseline holder and biasing circuitry, for a total silicon area of 500x90 μm. Postlayout simulation results are discussed, and ways to optimize the design are proposed

Blood pressure control and antihypertensive pharmacotherapy patterns in a hypertensive population of Eastern Central Region of Portugal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Interventions to improve blood pressure control in hypertension have had limited success in clinical practice despite evidence of cardiovascular disease prevention in randomised controlled trials.</p> <p>The objectives of this study were to evaluate blood pressure control and antihypertensive pharmacotherapy patterns in a population of Eastern Central Region of Portugal, attending a hospital outpatient clinic (ambulatory setting) for routine follow-up.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medical data of all patients that attended at least two medical appointments of hypertension/dyslipidemia in a university hospital over a one and a half year period (from January 2008 to June 2009) were retrospectively analysed. Demographic variables, clinical data and blood pressure values of hypertensive patients included in the study, as well as prescribing metrics were examined on a descriptive basis and expressed as the mean ± SD, frequency and percentages. Student's test and Mann-Whitney rank sum test were used to compare continuous variables and χ²test and Fisher exact probability test were used to test for differences between categorical variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all, 37% of hypertensive patients (n = 76) had their blood pressure controlled according to international guidelines. About 45.5% of patients with a target blood pressure <140/90 mmHg (n = 156) were controlled, whereas in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease (n = 49) the corresponding figure was only 10.2% (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Among patients initiating hypertension/dyslipidemia consultation within the study period 32.1% had stage 2 hypertension in the first appointment, but this figure decreased to 3.6% in the last consultation (<it>P </it>= 0.012). Thiazide-type diuretics were the most prescribed antihypertensive drugs (67%) followed by angiotensin receptor blockers (60%) and beta-blockers (43%). About 95.9% patients with comorbid diabetes were treated with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Clinically important blood pressure decreases can be achieved soon after hypertension medical appointment initiation. However, many hypertensive patients prescribed with antihypertensive therapy fail to achieve blood pressure control in clinical practice, this control being worse among patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease. As pharmacotherapy patterns seem to coincide with international guidelines, further research is needed to identify the causes of poor blood pressure control.</p

Association of statin therapy with blood pressure control in hypertensive hypercholesterolemic outpatients in clinical practice

Background: Some clinical evidence revealed that statins, apart from lowering cholesterol levels, also have an antihypertensive effect. Our aim was to evaluate the existence of a possible association of statin therapy with blood pressure (BP) control in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Patients attending a hypertension/ dyslipidemia clinic were prospectively evaluated. Those patients with a diagnosis of stage 1 hypertension and hypercholesterolemia who consented to participate were included in the study, either in the statin group (when taking a statin) or in the control group (when not taking a statin). Exclusion criteria included dementia, pregnancy, or breastfeeding, and history or evidence of stage 2 hypertension. Detailed clinical information was prospectively obtained from medical records. A total of 110 hypertensive patients were assigned to the study (82 in the statin group and 28 in the control group). Results: Although there were no signifcant differences (P > 0.05) in both groups concerning gender, body mass index, antihypertensive pharmacotherapy, and serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, a higher BP control was observed in the statin group (P = 0.002). Signifcantly lower systolic BP (−6.7 mmHg, P = 0.020) and diastolic BP (−6.4 mmHg, P = 0.002) levels were reported in the statin group. Serum levels of low-density lipoprotein were also signifcantly lower in the statin group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: This observational study detected an association of statin therapy with BP control in hypertensive hypercholesterolemic patients in clinical practice. These fndings raise the possibility that statin therapy may be useful for BP control in the studied population.We thank the FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) for supporting the fellowship grant (no. SFRH/BD/36756/2007) attributed to Manuel Morgad

MApVA (Metodologias Ativas para Vacinação Ativa)

O Cenário de Aprendizagem MApVA é sustentado pela atual importância da vacinação junto das faixas etárias mais jovens, apostando numa consciencialização do seu impacto na saúde pública. O processo será desenvolvido através da metodologia de trabalho de projeto. Pretende-se que os alunos construam mecanismos de diagnóstico da taxa de vacinação junto dos seus pares, como também desenvolvam materiais e instrumentos de promoção da vacinação.N/

Experimental results of a developed single-phase thyristor switched capacitor

In this paper are presented simulation and experimental results of a developed single-phase Thyristor Switched Capacitor (TSC), when it is compensating the power factor at the fundamental frequency (displacement power factor) of an electrical system with distorted voltage. The developed single-phase TSC can produce reactive capacitive power with 3 different values. The Thyristor Switched Capacitor is a type of equipment capable of compensating inductive reactive power at the fundamental frequency, without causing voltage and current transients when it is turned-on. However, it can be observed in this paper that in situations where the voltage is distorted, the TSC produces harmonic currents, which is extremely harmful to the electrical system. The capacitor banks used in industries for power factor correction presents the same problem when voltages are distorted.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Berberine reverts hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction in high-fat fed rats: A possible role for SirT3 activation

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid with anti-diabetic properties. Despite the central role of liver and thus hepaticmitochondria inwhole-bodymetabolism, berberine effects on hepaticmitochondrial function in an obesity model are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that berberine treatment recovers mitochondrial efficiency when altered by a high-fat feeding.Mitochondria isolated from the liver of high-fat fed rats exhibited decreased capacity to accumulate calcium and impaired oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, as shown by impaired mitochondrialmembrane potential, oxygen consumption and cellular ATP levels. Interestingly, the recovery of mitochondrial function by berberine was associated with an increased activity of the mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (SirT3). In conclusion, berberine potent protective effects against metabolic syndrome may rely on increasing mitochondrial SirT3 activity, normalizing mitochondrial function and preventing a state of energetic deficit caused by impaired OXPHOS.JST, FVD, APG and ATV were recipients of a Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia PhD scholarship (SFRH/BD/38467/2007, SFRH/BD/38372/ 2007, SFRH/BD/44674/2008 and SFRH/BD/44796/2008, respectively). This project was supported by a FCT grant PTCD/SAU-OSM/72443/ 2006