Webpaper: más perguntas e boas respostas : a arte de interrogar

Neste documento apresentamos o conceito de WebPaper, a resposta a um conjunto de questões de vários graus de dificuldade usando como recurso base a Internet. Em primeiro lugar é discutido o conceito de WebPaper e o tipo de questões que são colocadas. Em seguida são descritas as experiências já realizadas e em que contextos. Finalmente, apresentamos uma framework para a ajuda na realização de WebPapers.In this document we present the concept of WebPaper, a question-answering contest for humans using the Internet as a resource. First, we discuss the concept of WebPaper and the kind of questions used. Second, we describe the experiments permorfed and their contexts. Finally, we present a framework for the creation of WebPapers

Are voters fiscal conservatives? Evidence from Brazilian municipal elections

Some papers in literature show that voters are fiscal conservatives, while others find evidence of a preference for fiscal profligacy. We use a traditional Probit model to analyze the preference of Brazilian municipal voters in the 2000 election. The main result suggests that voters prefer greater expenditure. We present evidence that this result is a consequence of a fiscal federalism model where there is a soft budget constraint for municipalities (institutional context). Moreover, we obtained evidence that voters with different levels of schooling impose a different result on expenditure. The effect of expenditure is more marked in municipalities with a low level of literacy.Alguns artigos na literatura mostram que os eleitores são conservadores em assuntos fiscais enquanto outros encontram evidências de preferência por uma expansão fiscal. Nós usamos um modelo Probit tradicional para analisar a preferência dos eleitores municipais brasileiros na eleição de 2000. Nosso principal resultado sugere que os eleitores preferem mais gastos. Apresentamos algumas evidências de que esse resultado é uma consequência do modelo de federalismo fiscal existente no qual predomina uma restrição orçamentária fraca para os municípios (contexto institucional). Adicionalmente, obtivemos evidências de que os eleitores com diferentes níveis de escolaridade impõem diferente resultado nos gastos. O efeito do gasto é maior nos municípios onde o nível de alfabetização é menor

Pressure cooker under pressure: implementation of life cycle strategies and tools in a medium sized industry in Portugal

This paper concerns the application of a set of life cycle oriented strategies and tools to a pressure cooker manufactured by a medium size company located in Portugal and targeting the international market. The life cycle assessment (LCA) indicated the major environmental problems of this product, which together with the company strategy of appealing the consumer through a 100% recyclable and more ergonomic product, provided the direction for the product and market development. Besides the LCA, an ecodesign project was carried out for a reference pressure cooker and through the use of several tools, including ecodesign checklists co-developed by LNEG in a previous project, a number of improvement options was generated, leading to the reduction and substitution of raw materials consumption, improved recyclability, better ergonomic features, more eco-friendly packaging and improved user interaction. A simplified environmental product declaration for the reference product was elaborated, in the framework of the EU Stepwise EPD project, and its marketing asset was evaluated through different communication methods, including phone meetings, website feedback, mailing lists and direct communication with customers in business fairs. This paper presents the results of this project and the characteristics of the improved product, and reflects upon the use of different life cycle-related strategies and tools in an integrated way; thus, this case study contributes to the understanding of the pros and cons of implementing life cycle strategies and tools in businesses

A metabolic integrated yeast knowledgebase (MIYEASTK)

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Self-care profiles of the elderly institutionalized in Elderly Care Centres

The concept of self-care in the elderly has been frequently associated with autonomy, independence and personal accountability. Self-care practices are a result of individual lifestyles and paths adapted to the circumstances and expectations of the elderly. Based on the model by Backman and Hentinen (1999), the present study attempts to categorically describe the types of self-care of the elderly. This is an exploratory study, transversal, of a quantitative nature. The sample was comprised of 313 participants, randomly selected among Elderly Care Centres in the interior North of Portugal. The Portuguese version of Self-care of Home Dwelling Elderly was used for data collection. The results call for a replication of the study, using the theoretical derivation of the four self-care profiles (responsible, formally guided, independent and abandoned).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk Factors Associated with Falls among Nursing Home Residents: A Case-Control Study

Introduction: To identify factors predictive of falls and enable appropriate management of fall risk it is necessary to understand the behaviour and health conditions of older adults living in nursing homes. Objective: This study had two main objectives. The first was to find significant predictors for falls in older adults living in nursing homes. The second main goal was to build a predictive model to find the best predictors for falls. Methods: Out of 56 nursing homes with the same legal statute, 25 agreed to participate. The sample was randomly selected and only the independent or slight/ moderately dependent participants were included in the study (n = 325). Results: There was a mean of 1.47 ± 0.99 falls (range from 1 to 7) per resident in nursing homes. By using the t test and odds ratio analysis, ten factors related to falls were identified. Through the binary logistic regression, a model was tested identifying four robust predictors: static balance, resorting to emergency services, polypharmacy, and an independent self-care profile. Conclusions: The present study replicated the main results of contemporary research on the risk factors of falls. More importantly, it suggests that the self-care profile model should be taken into account in future studies and early interventions. It is crucial to implement preventive measures consistent with safer environments and to establish an individual plan for integrated activities according to older adults’ health needs.Para identificar os fatores preditivos de quedas e permitir a gestão adequada do seu risco, é necessário compreender o comportamento e as condições clínicas dos idosos. Objetivos: Este estudo teve dois objetivos principais. O primeiro foi encontrar preditores para quedas em idosos que vivem em estruturas residenciais para idosos. O segundo objetivo principal foi construir um modelo preditivo para encontrar os melhores preditores de quedas. Métodos: De um total de 56 estruturas residenciais para idosos contactados, com o mesmo enquadramento legal, 25 aceitaram participar. A amostra foi selecionada aleatoriamente e apenas os participantes independentes ou com um compromisso leve/moderado foram incluídos no estudo (n = 325). Resultados: Registou- se uma média de 1.47 ± 0.99 quedas (variando entre 1 a 7) por participante. Por meio do teste t e da análise de odds ratio, foram identificados dez fatores relacionados com as quedas. Através da regressão logística binária, foi testado um modelo identificando quatro preditores robustos: equilíbrio estatístico, recurso a serviços de emergência, polifarmácia e perfil de autocuidado independente. Conclusões: O presente estudo replicou os principais resultados de pesquisas contemporâneas sobre os fatores de risco para quedas. Mais importante ainda, sugere que o modelo de perfil de autocuidado deve ser levado em consideração em estudos futuros e intervenções precoces. É fundamental implementar medidas preventivas condizentes com ambientes mais seguros e estabelecer um plano individual de atividades integradas de acordo com as necessidades de saúde dos idosos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio