GIS Applications on the Essential Public Services in Mozambique

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor in Information Management, specialization in Geographic Information SystemsWater supply and health are considered essential public services and are therefore a fundamental right for human development. The use of GIS in public services has had a tremendous growth as result of the availability of various information technology services and software, and is currently being considered useful to the understanding and treatment of health problems in different geographic areas and and optimize the locations of infrastructure and public services. The aim of this study is to measure the geographic accessibility of population to existing healthcare centers, and find the most suitable locations for small dams/water reservoirs in the Tete province region, Mozambique, which has a pronounced water deficit. The objectives were achieved using the GIS approach, where accessibility to health services was first measured using travel time and driving scenarios to the health centers. On the other hand, to find the most suitable locations for small dams / reservoirs a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) analysis through an Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) were implemented, including local experts ’consultation. The study consider 9 criteria including slope, elevation, rainfall, stream density, lineaments, soil, land-use, distance to roads and distance to villages as the most important criteria in locating a dam.Findings from this study highlight accessibility problems, especially in the walking scenario, in which 90.2% of Mozambique was considered an underserved area. In this scenario, Maputo City (69.8%) is the province with the greatest coverage of HC. On the other hand, Tete (93.4%), Cabo Delgado (93%) and Gaza (92.8%) are the provinces with the most underserved areas. The driving scenario was less problematic, with about 66.9 % of Mozambique being considered a served area. For dam/reservoir site location study, the results show three main categories of suitability: “Not suitable” (15% of total area), “Modestly suitable” (78%), and “Suitable” (7%). We found that 92% abandoned small dams/reservoirs were in areas classified as “Modestly suitable” confirming the robustness of our model. We also found that most of the dams/reservoirs currently operating (78%) and planned (73%) are in modestly suitable areas. This finding suggests that the decision to construct dams/reservoirs may not have considered the most critical suitability factors identified in this study. The mapped outputs may have policy implications and could be used for future decision-making processes and analysis for both the health and water resources managemen

Avaliação da esperança em cuidados paliativos : tradução e adaptação transcultural do Herth Hope Index

Introdução e objectivos: O presente estudo teve como objectivos traduzir e validar para a cultura portuguesa o “Herth Hope Index”; determinar o nível de esperança dos doentes em Cuidados Paliativos e identificar as suas características sócio-demográficas e clínicas. Metodologia Partindo do “Herth Hope Index” (Kaye Herth, 1992) procedeu-se a um estudo de investigação metodológica. O instrumento foi validado numa amostra de 117 doentes, maioritariamente do sexo feminino (56, 4%) com uma média de idades de 67,3 anos (D.P.= 12, 2). Na validação seguiu-se a mesma metodologia da autora da escala original a quem foi solicitada a autorização assim como às direcções das instituições onde foram recolhidos os dados (Equipas de Cuidados Paliativos). Obtivemos também o consentimento informado dos doentes. Resultados: Após a análise da homogeneidade dos itens, suprimiram-se 3 da escala original, ficando a Escala de Esperança de Herth – HHI-PT constituída por 9 itens que permite a obtenção de uma pontuação global (pontuações mais elevadas maior nível de esperança) organizados apenas numa dimensão que explica 50,3% de variância explicada. O coeficiente de alfa de Cronbach (0,873) permite igualmente afirmar que o instrumento apresenta uma boa consistência interna. Os doentes apresentam índices de esperança bons (média de 3,2; D.P.= 0,52). Conclusão: Os resultados indiciaram estarmos perante uma escala fiável e válida para a avaliação da esperança em cuidados paliativos, embora se sugira a necessidade de novos estudos de revalidação

Health practices and behaviours of students

Aims: To determine the practices and behaviours determinants of health among students; to determine the prevalence of eating disorders in a non-clinic population of students and to determine some predicting factors of the health practices and behaviours of students Methodology: A Cross sectional correlational study was conducted. The population for this study was composed of 1442 students who filled a questionnaire composed of: sociodemographic and family data, health practices and behaviours and diagnostic criteria for eating disorders; and general health data Results: The majority of students perceive health as good. As to the prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, girls registered a higher rate than boys (p<0,05) Identical results were found for the abdominal perimeter, with girls presenting a higher coronary risk when this parameter is present. The prevalence rate of pre-obesity and obesity is higher among male students. The results demonstrate differences according to gender which suggest that girls have healthier practices, eating and sleeping habits, driving behaviours and physical activity than boys. Older students have healthier eating and physical activity behaviours than younger students. The health practices and behaviours of students do not rely on the fact of them having all their meals at home. No potential cases of anorexia or bulimia were detected

O IMPACTO DAS RECEITAS ARRECADADAS NOS MERCADOS INFOMAIS PARA O DESENVOLVIMENTO LOCAL: ESTUDO REALIZAO EM 4 MERCADOS INFORMAIS NO MUNICÍPIO DE MBANZA KONGO (2014 – 2019)

I In the present work, we sought to analyze the impact of revenues collected in informal markets for local development. As for the methodological process, the qualitative-quantitative research and the practical study were used in 4 informal markets located in the municipality of Mbanza Kongo, province of Zaire/Angola. The data were collected from the reports of the municipal administration in question, a semi-structured interview was applied to those responsible for the markets under study, the research methods were hypothetical-deductive, statistical and bibliographic. 60 vendors were randomly questioned, 4 managers and the municipal director of integrated economic development. After the study carried out, it was concluded that only two markets have good infrastructural conditions to adequately accommodate commercial agents, that is, (Bela Vista and Sagrada Esperanca). As for the revenues collected, in total they were Akz 6.817.570, and that at the official exchange rate of the BNA on September 4, 2022, the amount corresponds to USD 16.144,357.En el presente trabajo, buscamos analizar el impacto de los ingresos recaudados en los mercados informales para el desarrollo local. En cuanto al proceso metodológico, se utilizó la investigación cualitativa-cuantitativa y el estudio práctico en 4 mercados informales ubicados en el municipio de Mbanza Kongo, provincia de Zaire/Angola. Los datos fueron recolectados de los informes de la administración municipal en cuestión, se aplicó una entrevista semiestructurada a los responsables de los mercados en estudio, los métodos de investigación fueron hipotético-deductivo, estadístico y bibliográfico. Se encuestó aleatoriamente a 60 vendedores, 4 gerentes y el director municipal de desarrollo económico integrado. Luego del estudio realizado se concluyó que solo dos mercados cuentan con buenas condiciones de infraestructura para albergar adecuadamente a los agentes comerciales, es decir, (Bela Vista y Sagrada Esperanca). En cuanto a los ingresos recaudados, en total fueron Akz 6.817.570, y que, al tipo de cambio oficial del BNA del 4 de septiembre de 2022, el monto corresponde a USD 16.144,357.No presente trabalho procurou – se analisar o impacto das receitas arrecadadas nos mercados informais para desenvolvimento local. Quanto ao processo metodológico recorreu – se a pesquisa quali-quantitativa e o estudo prático direcionou – se em  4 mercados informais localizados no município de Mbanza Kongo, província do Zaire/Angola. Os dados foram recolhidos nos relatórios da administração municipal em referência, aplicou – se uma entrevista semi-estruturada aos responsáveis dos mercados em estudo, os métodos de pesquisas foram o hipotético-dedutivo, estatístico e bibliográfico. Foram questionados 60 vendedores de forma aleatório, 4 responsaveis e o director municipal do desenvolvimento económico integrado. Depois do estudo realizado, conclui–se que, apenas dois mercados apresentam boas condições infraestrurais para acomodar condignamente os agentes comerciais, isto é, (Bela Vista e Sagrada esperança). Quanto as receitas arrecadadas, no total foram de Akz 6 817 570, e que no câmbio oficial do BNA do dia 4 de Setembro de 2022, o valor corresponde a USD 16.144,357.No presente trabalho procurou – se analisar o impacto das receitas arrecadadas nos mercados informais para desenvolvimento local. Quanto ao processo metodológico recorreu – se a pesquisa quali-quantitativa e o estudo prático direcionou – se em  4 mercados informais localizados no município de Mbanza Kongo, província do Zaire/Angola. Os dados foram recolhidos nos relatórios da administração municipal em referência, aplicou – se uma entrevista semi-estruturada aos responsáveis dos mercados em estudo, os métodos de pesquisas foram o hipotético-dedutivo, estatístico e bibliográfico. Foram questionados 60 vendedores de forma aleatório, 4 responsaveis e o director municipal do desenvolvimento económico integrado. Depois do estudo realizado, conclui–se que, apenas dois mercados apresentam boas condições infraestrurais para acomodar condignamente os agentes comerciais, isto é, (Bela Vista e Sagrada esperança). Quanto as receitas arrecadadas, no total foram de Akz 6 817 570, e que no câmbio oficial do BNA do dia 4 de Setembro de 2022, o valor corresponde a USD 16.144,357

Esperanza en un grupo terapéutico de pacientes deprimidos: Un estudio de caso cualitativo

To understand the perceptions of hope for people with depression in the context of a therapy group. Methods: using a qualitative case study approach, a semi-structured in-depth interview and a self-report questionnaire were conducted with seven women with depression integrated in a therapy group at a Portuguese day-care psychiatric unit. Data collection and analysis used triangulation of sources. Results: the participants evidenced hope founded on the positive experiences of the past with a strong affiliation component. Hope management is done fundamentally through the interpersonal relationships established between the members of the group, based on communicational patterns that are established on a regular basis, mediated by the group therapist. Conclusion: the therapy group functioned towards the reinforcement of hope in people who experience depression, and it works as a motivation to manage the implications of illness in the participants’ life and health project. Descriptors: Case Study; Depression; Hope; Interpersonal Relations; Self-Help Groups.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microfilariae Classification Using Multiple Classifiers for Color and Shape Features

This paper presents a multi-classifier approach for classifying microfilariae in 2-D images. A shape descriptor based on the quench function is described. This descriptor is represented as a feature vector that encodes the shape information. The color feature vector is calculated as a histogram. Two classifiers were used to train both color and shape feature vectors, one for each vector. The posterior probabilities calculated from the scores of each classifier are then used to calculate the final classification decision. The experimental results show that, although the proposed approach is simple, it is efficient when compared to various approaches.publishersversionPeer reviewe

a systematic review of literature

publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

MRNA-Seq and microarray development for the Grooved carpet shell clam, Ruditapes decussatus:A functional approach to unravel host -parasite interaction

Abstract Background The Grooved Carpet shell clam Ruditapes decussatus is the autochthonous European clam and the most appreciated from a gastronomic and economic point of view. The production is in decline due to several factors such as Perkinsiosis and habitat invasion and competition by the introduced exotic species, the manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. After we sequenced R. decussatus transcriptome we have designed an oligo microarray capable of contributing to provide some clues on molecular response of the clam to Perkinsiosis. Results A database consisting of 41,119 unique transcripts was constructed, of which 12,479 (30.3%) were annotated by similarity. An oligo-DNA microarray platform was then designed and applied to profile gene expression in R. decussatus heavily infected by Perkinsus olseni. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes between those two conditionswas performed by gene set enrichment analysis. As expected, microarrays unveil genes related with stress/infectious agents such as hydrolases, proteases and others. The extensive role of innate immune system was also analyzed and effect of parasitosis upon expression of important molecules such as lectins reviewed. Conclusions This study represents a first attempt to characterize Ruditapes decussatus transcriptome, an important marine resource for the European aquaculture. The trancriptome sequencing and consequent annotation will increase the available tools and resources for this specie, introducing the possibility of high throughput experiments such as microarrays analysis. In this specific case microarray approach was used to unveil some important aspects of host-parasite interaction between the Carpet shell clam and Perkinsus, two non-model species, highlighting some genes associated with this interaction. Ample information was obtained to identify biological processes significantly enriched among differentially expressed genes in Perkinsus infected versus non-infected gills. An overview on the genes related with the immune system on R. decussatus transcriptome is also reported.Peer Reviewe

Adesão ao regime Terapêutico na Doença Crónica: Revisão da Literatura

Na actualidade, uma percentagem significativa da população mundial depara-se com a necessidade de tomar medicação e de adoptar medidas para controlar e tratar, tanto as patologias agudas como as crónicas. Os doentes portadores de patologia crónica são os que menos aderem à terapêutica. Estima-se que, nos países desenvolvidos, apenas 50% dos doentes crónicos cumprem o tratamento acordado com o profissional de saúde, condicionando a economia, o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida da sociedade. A compreensão deste fenómeno implica tomar conhecimento dos vários modelos conceptuais existentes, bem como analisar os seus pressupostos teóricos. É de capital interesse conhecer os factores que influenciam a adesão, percebendo a associação estabelecida entre variáveis internas e externas ao doente, assim como as variáveis relacionais. Desta forma, poder-se-ão delinear estratégias que promovam a adesão ao regime terapêutico, quer a nível educacional, quer comportamental, ou conjugando as duas dimensões. Na avaliação da adesão terapêutica poder-se-á recorrer a métodos directos e indirectos, sendo os directos mais fidedignos, mas menos utilizados devido ao seu elevado custo