The paradox of ageing

Paper prepared for presentation at the 28th International Congress of Actuaries, Paris 2006In this paper, we discuss the so-called paradox of ageing, with respect to the members of the age group 55-64 years of age. This generation is (currently) too young to retire, despite the length of their working lives - for some in excess of forty years - and high earnings, yet is too old to continue working, since employers prefer to hire younger, more flexible and less expensive workers. Furthermore, official statistics show that the longevity of this generation is higher than its predecessors, an evolution that would apparently call for a gradual increase in the retirement age. The argument put forward by its advocates is that by keeping people at work for some more years, additional contributions will be received while delaying pension expenditure, thus compensating for the longer longevity prospects. We argue that, from the point of view of the long-term financial sustainability of the Social Security system, it would be preferable to provide this generation with an option to anticipate the retirement age, while penalising their retirement pension until they reach the age of 65. Such an option would serve as an alternative to a scenario of long-term unemployment in which individuals are granted unemployment benefits, normally exceeding the amount of the "anticipated pension", at the same time as they continue to accumulate pension rights with no contributions to the system. Faced with a situation in which rationing exists in the supply of individual life annuities by the insurance market, we discuss the creation of a financial reserve fund to support life-expectancy increases for all generations, funded by a supplementary contribution, which would be used to pay for the pensions in excess of those resulting from a constant lifespan at the age of retirement for all of the generations. Since the "ageing equation" has no single solution, our aim is to broaden the current debate on the long-term financial sustainability of the Social Security systems towards a richer perspective, in which raising the age of retirement is not the only solution

Un modelo exploratorio de la intención de continuar estudiando en alumnos universitarios no-tradicionales

Background: Although academic achievement is believed to be an important factor in students’ decision to continue studying at university, research on this topic is limited. Method: The current study analyzed the relationship between academic achievement and the intention of 327 non-traditional students to continue studying at university, using a path model. Results: The central hypothesis of the study was confi rmed, as the intention to continue studying was determined by previous academic results, although the amount of variance explained was relatively low (13%). Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that the intention to continue studying at university depends less than expected on the performance achieved. So, universities should consider other variables such as the quality of the academic support offered to these students continue their studies.Antecedentes: a pesar de la importancia que se atribuye al rendimiento académico en la toma de decisión de los alumnos mayores de 25 años sobre si continuar o no sus estudios en la Universidad, la investigación sobre este tópico es limitada. Método: se analizó la relación entre el rendimiento académico y la intención de 327 alumnos no-tradicionales de continuar sus estudios en la Universidad mediante el ajuste de un modelo de relaciones causales. Resultados: la hipótesis central del estudio fue confi rmada en la medida en que la intención de continuar con los estudios resultó determinada por los resultados académicos previos, aunque la cantidad de varianza explicada fue relativamente escasa (un 13%). Conclusiones: de los resultados obtenidos en este estudio se concluyó que la intención de continuar en la Universidad depende menos de lo que se cree del rendimiento logrado, por lo que las universidades deberán dirigir su mirada también a otras variables como, por ejemplo, la calidad del apoyo que estos estudiantes reciben para continuar sus estudios

Numerical 3D modeling of heat transfer in human tissues for microwave radiometry monitoring of Brown fat metabolismo

Background: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) plays an important role in whole body metabolism and could potentially mediate weight gain and insulin sensitivity. Although some imaging techniques allow BAT detection, there are currently no viable methods for continuous acquisition of BAT energy expenditure. We present a non-invasive technique for long term monitoring of BAT metabolism using microwave radiometry. Methods: A multilayer 3D computational model was created in HFSS™ with 1.5 mm skin, 3-10 mm subcutaneous fat, 200 mm muscle and a BAT region (2-6 cm3) located between fat and muscle. Based on this model, a log-spiral antenna was designed and optimized to maximize reception of thermal emissions from the target (BAT). The power absorption patterns calculated in HFSS™ were combined with simulated thermal distributions computed in COMSOL® to predict radiometric signal measured from an ultra-low-noise microwave radiometer. The power received by the antenna was characterized as a function of different levels of BAT metabolism under cold and noradrenergic stimulation. Results: The optimized frequency band was 1.5-2.2 GHz, with averaged antenna efficiency of 19%. The simulated power received by the radiometric antenna increased 2-9 mdBm (noradrenergic stimulus) and 4-15 mdBm (cold stimulus) corresponding to increased 15-fold BAT metabolism. Conclusions: Results demonstrated the ability to detect thermal radiation from small volumes (2-6 cm3) of BAT located up to 12 mm deep and to monitor small changes (0.5°C) in BAT metabolism. As such, the developed miniature radiometric antenna sensor appears suitable for non-invasive long term monitoring of BAT metabolism

Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among professors of the State School in Niterói, Brazil

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout entre os professores da Escola Estadual em Niterói, Brasil. É um estudo quantitativo e descritivo, com informações de uma pesquisa realizada com professores. O questionário utilizado consistiu em questões fechadas que abordavam as características sociodemográficas e as características de trabalho dos sujeitos da pesquisa e o Inventário Maslach Burnout. A suspeita de prevalência de síndrome de burnout de acordo com os critérios de Grunfeld foi de 33 casos (63,5%). A prevalência significativa desta síndrome entre os professores gera alerta sobre as condições de trabalho e a saúde mental desses profissionais. Conclui-se que, a partir dos dados analisados, observou-se que a profissão não possui intervenções para melhorar a qualidade de vida dos professores em seus trabalhos.El objetivo de este estudio fue describir la prevalencia del Síndrome de Burnout entre los profesores de la Escuela Estatal en Niterói, Brasil. Se trata de un estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo, con información de una encuesta realizada con maestros. El cuestionario utilizado constó de preguntas cerradas que abordaron las características sociodemográficas y las características del trabajo de los sujetos de investigación y el Maslach Burnout Inventory. La sospecha de prevalencia de síndrome de burnout según criterio de Grunfeld fue de 33 casos (63.5%). La prevalencia significativa de este síndrome entre los maestros genera alerta sobre las condiciones de trabajo y de la salud mental de estos profesionales. Se concluye que, a partir de los datos analizados, se observó que la profesión carece de intervenciones para mejorar la calidad de vida de los docentes en su trabajoThe objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of Burnout Syndrome among the professors of the State School in Niterói, Brazil. It is a quantitative, descriptive study, with information from a survey conducted with teachers. The questionnaire used consisted of closed questions that addressed the sociodemographic characteristics and work characteristics of the research subjects and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Suspected prevalence of burnout syndrome according to Grunfeld's criteria was 33 cases (63.5%). The significant prevalence of this syndrome among teachers generates alert about working conditions and the mental health of these professionals. It is concluded that, from the data analyzed, it was observed that the profession lacks interventions to improve the quality of life of teachers in their work

Characteristics of resistance training-based protocols in older adults with sarcopenic obesity: a scoping review of training procedure recommendations

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a clinical and functional disease characterized by the coexistence of obesity and sarcopenia. Resistance training (RT) characteristics for older adults with sarcopenia or obesity are already well established in the scientific literature. Nonetheless, we still do not know how detailed the RT protocols are described for older adults with SO. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the characteristics of RT programs, including each of their variables, recommended for older adults with SO. Methods: This is a scoping review study that was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews. The search was carried out until November 2022 in PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, and medRxiv databases. The studies included SO diagnosis and RT as an intervention strategy. The RT variables analyzed were as follows: exercise selection, the volume of sets, the intensity of load, repetition cadence, rest interval between sets, and weekly frequency. Results: A total of 1,693 studies were identified. After applying the exclusion criteria, 15 studies were included in the final analysis. The duration of the RT intervention ranged from 8 to 24 weeks. All studies included full-body routines, with single/multi-joint exercises. Regarding the volume of sets, some studies fixed it in three sets, whereas others varied between one and three sets. The load was reported by repetition range and the weight lifted, elastic-band color/resistance, percentage of one repetition maximum, or perceived exertion scale. Repetition cadence was fixed in some studies, while it was self-selected between concentric and eccentric phases in others. The interval between sets of rest varied from 30 to 180 s. All studies reported progression overload during the interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

a detailed view of the methodology

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are prevalent and leading causes of disability and consumption of healthcare and social resources. EpiReumaPt is a national population-based survey developed by the Portuguese Society of Rheumatology that aimed to estimate the prevalence of RMDs and determine their impact on function, quality of life, mental health and use of healthcare resources. This article describes in detail the design, methodology and planned analyses of EpiReumaPt. Recruitment started in September 2011 and finished in December 2013. This study involved a three-stage approach. The first step was a face-to-face survey performed by trained interviewers at the household of 10,661 subjects who where randomly selected by a stratified multistage sampling. A highly sensitive screening questionnaire for RMDs was used. Secondly, participants who screened positive (64%) for at least one RMD as well as 20% of individuals with a negative screening were invited for assessment by a rheumatologist. In total, 3,877 subjects participated in this second phase, where they were also invited to donate a blood sample to be stored at the Biobanco-IMM. History and physical examination, followed by appropriate laboratory and imaging tests were performed. At the end of the visit, the rheumatologist established a diagnosis. Finally, a team of three experienced rheumatologists reviewed all the clinical data and defined the diagnoses according to previously validated criteria. The EpiReumaPt dataset, containing data from several questionnaires, various clinical measurements and information from laboratory and imaging tests, comprises an invaluable asset for research. The large amount of information collected from each participant and the large number of participants, with a wide age range covering and being representative of the adults from the entire country, makes EpiReumaPt the largest study of RMDs performed in Portugal.publishersversionpublishe

AVALIAÇÃO CLÍNICA E LABORATORIAL DA DERMATITE ATÓPICA CANINA

The canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is an inflammatory skin disease, chronic itchy that affects genetically predisposed individuals, being commonly associated with production of IgE antibodies. The aim of this study was to describe a case of CAD, evidencing its clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment. A Wood lamp, skin deep scraping, skin imprint, fungal and bacterial culture, ear cytology, serological examination for canine visceral leishmaniasis (LVC) and allergen sensitivity test were performed. The animal presented a series of disseminated dermatological lesions accompanied by intense pruritus, where it is possible to observe presences of secondary infections by bacteria and yeasts fungi. Thus, it was decided to topical treatment with shampoo chlorhexidine base 2% associated with miconazole 2.5% and use moisturizer. For bilateral otitis, otologic solution of cyclopirox olamine 1% and glycyrrhizic acid 0.5% was prescribed. After negative response to the initial treatment, the oral use of prednisolone associated with hydroxyzine and soon after cyclosporine was introduced, and clinical control was performed. Although several therapeutic alternatives are available, cure is still not possible, and lesion control is the best treatment approach.A dermatite atópica canina (DAC) é uma dermatopatia inflamatória, crônica e pruriginosa que afeta indivíduos geneticamente predispostos, sendo comumente associada à produção de anticorpos do tipo IgE. O presente relato objetivou descrever um caso de DAC, evidenciando seus sinais clínicos, diagnóstico e tratamento. Foram realizados teste com lâmpada de Wood, raspado profundo de pele, imprint cutâneo, cultura fúngica e bacteriana, citologia de ouvido, exame sorológico para leishmaniose visceral canina (LVC) e teste de sensibilidade a alérgenos. O paciente apresentava uma série de lesões dermatológicos disseminadas acompanhadas de prurido intenso, onde pode-se observar presenças de infecções secundárias por bactérias e leveduras fúngicas. Dessa forma, optou-se por tratamento tópico com shampoo a base de clorexidina 2% associado a miconazol 2,5% e uso de creme hidratante. Para otite bilateral, prescreveu-se solução otológica de ciclopirox olamina 1% e ácido glicirrízico 0,5%. Após resposta negativa ao tratamento inicial, introduziu-se o uso oral de prednisolona associado à hidroxizina e logo depois a ciclosporina, ocorrendo um controle do quadro. Embora várias alternativas terapêuticas estejam disponíveis, a cura ainda não é possível, sendo o controle do quadro lesional a melhor abordagem de tratamento

Plano Nacional de Prevenção e Controlo de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores

As doenças transmitidas por vetores representam uma ameaça global de carácter emergente ou re-emergente em várias regiões do mundo. Existem diversos vetores, tais como flebótomos, ixodídeos, entre outros, que serão abordados em eixo próprio, visto que a presente Estratégia assenta na prevenção e controlo das doenças transmitidas por mosquitos. Nestes termos, a Estratégia para o Plano de Prevenção e Controlo de Doenças Transmitidas por Vetores, ora apresentada, define os eixos de intervenção relativos às capacidades e mecanismos de preparação e respostas para garantir a prevenção e controlo para estas doenças. Incluem o conjunto de mecanismos que garantem a vigilância entomológica e, em especial, a deteção precoce das populações de mosquitos invasores. Centra-se, também, na deteção precoce de doenças transmitidas por mosquitos e na coordenação de resposta intersetorial necessária à operacionalização das medidas consideradas oportunas