A regulação da atividade espacial

The technological evolution of the past fifty years has provided Humanity the contact with the last frontier of knowledge: space. An unknown world, explored by a small group of nations, which has become crucial to understanding who we are and where we come from. Space assets in recent years have opened the way to a digital society, shaped by the rapid exchange of information, whose means are mostly in space. A place of fascination and curiosity, restricted to a few people in these decades, which may soon be changing. This essay addresses some legal issues concerning the private exploration of space. Liability on space tourism is the core of this investigation, focusing on the comprehension of the international legal framework and its connection with the states national law. In particular, the study of the main international treaties, the U.S. legal system of space law and the developments in Europe are the fundamental tools of the current analysis, not forgetting the point of view of a possible international harmonization. Besides the needed theoretical context on the evolution of space law and a brief approach of the technical matters of the current aerospace engineering, the goal is to examine the characteristics of international space law and its relation with the new private actors, responsible for providing suborbital flights, operating in a near future. Within these circumstances, given the economic potential of the growing private space industry, it is essential to discuss the legal aspects of a spatial regulation. Being liability, undoubtedly, the emerging issue in the legal debate on this topic, it is important to safeguard the interests of the operators, States and, above all, future space tourists.

Efetividade de um programa de educação baseado na neurofisiologia da dor e exercício aquático em comparação com um programa de exercício aquático isolado em indivíduos com dor lombar crónica

RESUMO: Introdução e Objetivos: O exercício é uma das modalidades mais utilizadas no tratamento da Dor Lombar Crónica (DLC) mas também a mais recomendada pela literatura atual. Apesar de efetivo, o exercício não parece responder às características cognitivas e comportamentais identificadas nesta população. Assim, existem recomendações para que seja coadjuvado por educação de forma a minimizar a influência nos resultados de variáveis como o medo do movimento. Porém não é conhecido o real impacto nos resultados de um programa educacional quando acrescentado a um programa de exercício. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar os efeitos de um programa de exercício aquático coadjuvado por educação baseada na neurofisiologia da dor (grupo experimental) comparado a um programa de exercício aquático isolado (grupo controlo), ao nível da intensidade da dor, incapacidade funcional e medo do movimento, em indivíduos com DLC. Metodologia: Sessenta e dois indivíduos com DLC foram aleatoriamente distribuídos pelo grupo experimental (n= 30) e pelo grupo controlo (n= 32). Os participantes de ambos os grupos realizaram um programa de 6 semanas constituído por 12 sessões de exercício aquático. No caso do grupo experimental foram realizadas duas sessões de educação baseada na neurofisiologia da dor (EBN) antes do programa de exercício aquático. As medidas de avaliação primárias foram a intensidade da dor (Escala Visual Análoga) e a incapacidade funcional (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale). Secundariamente avaliou-se o medo do movimento através da Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia. Os participantes foram avaliados antes da intervenção, 3 semanas após o início do programa de exercício aquático, no final da intervenção e 3 meses após o final da intervenção. Resultados: Foram encontradas melhorias significativas no final da intervenção ao nível da intensidade da dor e incapacidade funcional em ambos os grupos. Após 3 meses, apenas o grupo experimental apresentou melhorias significativas nas variáveis primárias. Na comparação entre grupos, os resultados foram favoráveis ao grupo experimental para a intensidade da dor nas avaliações após a intervenção (p= 0,032) e após 3 meses (p= 0,007). Quanto à incapacidade funcional e medo do movimento não se verificaram diferenças significativas entre grupos em nenhum momento. Também as medidas de relevância clínica utilizadas (tamanho do efeito; risco relativo; number needed to treat) favoreceram o grupo experimental. Conclusões: Os resultados mostram que um programa de exercício aquático e EBN foi mais efetivo na melhoria da intensidade da dor a curto e médio prazo do que um programa de exercício aquático isolado. Apesar de serem necessárias mais investigações sobre este tema, este estudo demonstra que a EBN pode otimizar os resultados quando associada a outras intervenções ativas como o exercício aquático.----------------ABSTRACT: Introduction and Objectives: Exercise is one of the most used modalities in the treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) but also the most recommended in current literature. Although it’s effective, exercise does not seem to respond to the cognitive and behavioural characteristics identified in this population. Thus, it is recommended to be assisted by education in order to minimize the influence of variables on the results such as the fear of movement. However, the real impact on the results of an educational program when added to an exercise program is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a program of aquatic exercise and neurophysiology pain education (experimental group) compared to aquatic exercise program alone (control group), on the outcomes of pain intensity, functional disability and fear of movement in individuals with CLBP. Methodology: Sixty two individuals with CLBP were randomly distributed in the experimental group (n = 30) and in the control group (n = 32). Participants in both groups performed a 6-week program consisting of 12 sessions of aquatic exercise. In the case of the experimental group two sessions of neurophysiology pain education (NPE) were performed before the aquatic exercise program. The primary outcomes were pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale) and functional disability (Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale). Secondarily, the fear of movement through the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia was assessed. Participants were assessed before the intervention, three weeks after the start of the aquatic exercise program, at the end of the intervention and 3 months after the end of the intervention. Results: Significant improvements were found at the end of the intervention in both groups in what intensity of pain and functional disability were concerned. After 3 months, only the experimental group showed significant improvements in the primary outcomes. Comparing both groups, the results favoured to the experimental group for intensity of pain scores after the intervention (p = 0.032) and after 3 months (p = 0.007). The functional disability and fear of movement had no significant differences between groups at any time. In addition, the measures of clinical relevance used (size effect; relative risk; number needed to treat) favoured the experimental group. Conclusions: The results show that a program of aquatic exercise and NPE were more effective in improving pain intensity at a short and medium term than an aquatic exercise program alone. Although more research on this topic is needed, this study demonstrates that the NPE can optimize results when combined with other active interventions such as aquatic exercise.

Qualidade de vida na demência : estudo sobre a perceção de Qualidade de Vida em pessoas com demência, seus familiares e cuidadores profissionais em contexto de Internamento

RESUMO: Introdução: Ao fenómeno do envelhecimento está associado uma maior incidência de doenças crónicas e incapacitantes. Atualmente é consensual, a preocupação com a Qualidade de Vida (QdV) nesta faixa etária, acrescendo importância quando falamos em QdV em demência, dada a complexidade dos sintomas, morbilidades e co-morbilidades que se verificam nesta síndrome. Objetivo: O presente estudo tem como objetivo principal avaliar a perceção da QdV em pessoas com demência, seus familiares e cuidadores profissionais, de forma a identificar dimensões que mereçam uma maior atenção na definição de programas de intervenção em situação de institucionalização. Metodologia: Este estudo é de caráter descritivo transversal com componente qualitativa e quantitativa. A população compreende as pessoas com demência do Centro Psicogeriátrico Nª Sª de Fátima (CPNSF). A amostra foi constituída pelas residentes do CPNSF com diagnóstico de demência e classificação total de Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 10. As variáveis em análise foram: QdV, avaliada pela escala QOL-AD versão portuguesa, perfil sociodemográfico das pessoas com demência, familiares e cuidadores profissionais, por inquérito por questionário; Grau de defeito cognitivo, dependência funcional e sintomatologia depressiva das pessoas com demência, verificado por MMSE, índice de Barthel e Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (GDS-15). Foi ainda acedido ao entendimento pessoal sobre o construto de QdV, através de entrevista semiestruturada dirigida a todos os participantes. Resultados: Com base nos resultados obtidos foi possível determinar que as pessoas com demência, associam QdV a fatores como saúde física, humor/disposição, condições de vida, cognição, família, satisfação com a vida, dinheiro. Foram observadas relações negativas com sintomatologia depressiva e funcionalidade para as atividades instrumentais de vida diária. Os familiares associam positivamente QdV a bem-estar geral relacionado com as dimensões física, psicológica e relações sociais, e negativamente com o estado cognitivo e sintomatologia neuropsiquiátrica. Os cuidadores profissionais associam QdV das pessoas com demência a questões relacionadas com condições e satisfação com a vida, bem-estar físico, suporte emocional relações sociais e funcionalidade para as atividades instrumentais básicas de vida diária. Não foi possível correlacionar a QOL-AD com a dimensão funcionalidade por não existir nesta escala um item que inclua este conceito. Conclusão: Este estudo confirma que pessoas com demência, têm capacidade para aceder e avaliar aspetos da sua própria QdV, sendo que tendem a pontuar com valores mais elevados a sua QdV quando comparados com familiares e cuidadores profissionais.--------------- ABSTRACT:Background:: Aging is associated with higher incidence of chronic and debilitating illnesses. The study of quality of life in aging population has been an increasingly discussed topic. Quality of life in dementia is a particular challenging field given the complexity of symptoms, morbilities and co-morbilities that occur in this syndrome. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the perception of quality of life in elderly people with dementia and their families, in order to identify dimensions that should be prioritized in intervention programs aimed at increasing quality of life in persons with dementia living in institutions. Methodology: This study used a is cross-sectional descriptive mixed methods approach. The population comprises people with dementia in Psychogeriatric Center Nossa Senhora de Fátima (CPNSF). The sample consisted of the residents of CPNSF diagnosed with dementia and total score of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥ 10. The variables analyzed were: quality of life, assessed by QOL-AD scale Portuguese version, socio-demographic profile of people with dementia, family members and professional caregivers, by questionnaire survey; Degree of cognitive impairment, functional dependence and depressive symptoms of people with dementia, using respectively MMSE, Barthel index and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). The personal understanding of the QoL construct was also assessed, through semi-structured interviews to all participants Results: The results supported that people with dementia, related quality of life to factors such as physical health, mood / disposition, living conditions, cognition, family, life satisfaction, and money. Negative relations were observed with depressive symptoms and functionality for the instrumental activities of daily living. The family members associate quality of life positively with overall well-being related to the physical, psychological and social relationships, and negatively with cognitive status and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Professional caregivers associate quality of life of people with dementia-related issues conditions and satisfaction with life, physical well-being, social relationships and emotional support functionality to the basic instrumental activities of daily living. It was not possible to correlate the QOL-AD with the size feature does not exist on this scale for an item that includes this concept. Conclusion: This study supports the idea that people with dementia are able to assess and evaluate aspects of their own quality of life, and tend to rate their quality of life higher than family and professional caregivers.

Cumprimento de ordens, obediência hierárquica e disciplina militar versus perpetração (in)voluntária de crimes

Following orders, hierarchical obedience and military discipline are essential values for the survival of the armed forces. Without them, it is not possible to conceive the armed forces as an essential pillar of a democratic state of law and a guarantor of national independence. As issuing orders as well as receiving and following them are inextricably linked to military discipline, and as such injunctions entail the workings of a particular obedience regime within the specific kind of organized power framework which is the Armed Forces, only by analysing the importance of such orders within this microcosm – with its strict hierarchical structure – will it be possible to understand which criminal judicial qualification to ascribe to the individual at the rear by reference to the role of the front line individual (i.e. the one who issues an order vs the one who executes it). That is, of course, when we are faced with the practice of unlawful acts, keeping in mind the organizational framework and its influence over the will of the executor. One thing we take as read, if the orders can be described as unlawful, the boundary line of the duty of obedience, which cannot be overstepped, both because of a legal as well as a constitutional imperative, will have been crossed. And the military have sworn an oath of obedience to the fundamental law. The topic of hierarchical obedience cannot be separated from the analysis of current legislation which pertains to the topic within military institutions. With that in mind, it appeared relevant to address the major norms which regulate the matter within the Portuguese military legal system, and, whenever necessary and required by the reality under analysis, to relate that to civilian law or legal doctrine.

Board independence and innovation

Legislation introduced in the U.S. in 2002/2003 significantly changed board composition of public firms by imposing a 50% independent directors’ ratio. Research on the effect of independent directors is not consensual, implying that this exogenous shock is a unique opportunity to study their importance. This study answers the question of whether or not independent directors can effectively mitigate agency conflicts between shareholders and the management, having a positive impact on the choice of successful R&D projects. We find that an increase of board independence has a positive impact on patent counts. Hence, the results support that independent directors truly spur innovation and risk taking.

How does introducing love impact management?

Religion at work is nowadays a hot-topic for organizational researchers. Studies have been conducted in order to understand whether there is a possible connection between God and management. This study aims to understand what is the impact of managing through God’s Love. It was found that managing with Love contributes for a new organizational culture characterized by the way managers face work (Culture of Identification), the way they use their characteristics for the benefit of the organization (Culture of Integration), the way human relations are developed (Culture of Bonds) and that it creates sustainable value (Culture of Entrepreneurship) for organizations. Main implications of these results are presented below.

How to engage low category users through social media- The case of the make-up sector in Portugal

Purpose: This work project should be inevitably deemed as a practical approach to a marketing problem; “How to engage low category users through the social media – the case of the make-up sector in Portugal”. Design/methodology/approach: Online structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used. The questionnaire was answered by 110 women aged from 15 to 45 years old and the interviews were conducted with 14 women of the same age. The interviews provided key insights for the questionnaire formulation. Findings: Women are poorly informed on make-up properties and characteristics, feeling a genuine concern in regard to this subject. Lack of time, occasional usage and skin damage are the main barriers for make-up usage by low category users. Overcoming these aspects pass by demystifying the association of make-up with skin damage and emphasise the functional and emotional benefits of make-up. Further, brands need to create contents more consumer-oriented and ask directly to fans/followers suggestions and other insights. Resort to Portuguese “common” women for greater empathy in campaigns, promote online meetings between followers and make-up professionals on social media; and finally take advantage of the hybrid condition of Facebook, which incorporates multiple forms of content presentation, including videos, the most appealing format of make-up presentation for women. Research limitations/implications: Further studies addressing this topic, by using larger samples and study of specific make-up brands and campaign programs, over social media to reach a solid growth potential of make-up market evidences in Portugal. Originality/ value: Make-up brands are emphasising their interest in linking social media and marketing their promotional mix around social marketing.

Are celebrities mediators for negative spillover? An empirical study

The aim of this research is to investigate if a celebrity can be a mediator between two brands so that a negative event happening to one brand can spill over to a completely unrelated brand, which shares with the first brand only the celebrity endorser. Even though celebrity endorsement is a popular marketing strategy and celebrities often endorse multiple brands, so far there has not been any systematic study on this topic. Drawing on Associative Network Theory and the Meaning Transfer Model as theoretical framework, this research finds out that negative publicity about a brand can spill over and thereby not only hurt consumers’ attitude toward the celebrity endorser but also toward a second brand that is endorsed by the same celebrity. An unexpected finding is that celebrities can act as a protective shield for brands by weakening the direct impact of negative publicity.

Compaction quality control on site of earthworks - A comparative study

The capacity to use geologic materials (soil and rock) that are available in the surrounding environment is inherent to the human civilization and has contributed to the evolution of societies throughout the course of history. The use of these materials in the construction of structures such as houses, roads, railways or dams, stirred the improvement of socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Several reports of structural problems on embankments can be found throughout history. A considerable number of those registers can be linked to inadequate compaction, demonstrating the importance of guaranteeing a suitable quality of soil compaction. Various methodologies and specifications of compaction quality control on site of earthworks, based on the fill moisture content and dry unit weight, were developed during the 20th century. Two widely known methodologies are the conventional and nuclear techniques. The conventional methods are based on the use of the field sand cone test (or similar) and sampling of material for laboratory-based testing to evaluate the fill dry unit weight and water content. The nuclear techniques measure both parameters in the field using a nuclear density gauge. A topic under discussion in the geotechnical community, namely in Portugal, is the comparison between the accuracy of the nuclear gauge and sand cone test results for assessing the compaction and density ratio of earth fills, particularly for dams. The main purpose of this dissertation is to compare both of them. The data used were acquired during the compaction quality control operations at the Coutada/Tamujais dam trial embankment and core construction. This is a 25 m high earth dam located in Vila Velha de Rodão, Portugal. To analyse the spatial distribution of the compaction parameters (water content and compaction ratio), a 3D model was also developed. The main results achieved are discussed and finally some considerations are put forward on the suitability of both techniques to ensure fill compaction quality and on additional research to complement the conclusions obtained.

Light harvesting in solar cells using natural pigments from red fruits adsorbed to mesoporous TiO2

Nature has developed strategies to present us with a wide variety of colours, from the green of leaves to the bright colours seen in flowers. Anthocyanins are between these natural pigments that are responsible for the great diversity of colours seen in flowers and fruits. Anthocyanins have been used to sensitize titanium dioxide (TiO2) in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs). DSSCs have become one of the most popular research topic in photovoltaic cells due to their low production costs when compared to other alternatives. DSSCs are inspired in what happens in nature during photosynthesis. A primary charge separation is achieved by means of a photoexcited dye capable of performing the electron injection into the conduction band of a wide band-gap semiconductor, usually TiO2. With this work we aimed to synthesize a novel mesoporous TiO2 structure as the semiconductor in order to increase the dye loading. We used natural occurring dyes such as anthocyanins and their synthetic flavylium relatives, as an alternative to the widely used metal complexes of Ru(II) which are expensive and are environmentally unsafe. This offers not only the chance to use safer dyes for DSSCs, but also to take profit of waste biological products, such as wine and olive oil production residues that are heavily loaded with anthocyanin dyes. We also performed a photodegradation study using TiO2 as the catalyst to degrade dye contaminants, such as those from the wine production waste, by photo-irradiation of the system in the visible region of the light spectrum. We were able to succeed in the synthesis of mesoporous TiO2 both powder and thin film, with a high capacity to load a large amount of dye. We proved the concept of photodegradation using TiO2 as catalyst. And finally, we show that wine production waste is a possible dye source to DSSCs application.

A GNR e a cooperação entre órgãos da polícia criminal na sociedade do risco. Estudo de caso:

Cooperation between police forces is a topic that is increasingly relevant. The emergence of new threats, as well as looking for new ways to fight crime, require from the, careful monitoring and strict sharing of all relevant information. This Work is entitled “The GNR and cooperation between Criminal Police Bodies in the Risk Society. Case Study: District of Lisbon” and aims to study the cooperation and coordination between police forces in Lisbon district, and verify if there is an parallel between the rule of law and the police procedures. The work is organized in four chapters. The first consists in a theoretical framework to perceive the context and objectives of this work. The second addresses the role of the, the different types of cooperation and instruments that promote cooperation between them. The third presents and analyzes the results. Finally, the fourth and last chapter the conclusions are woven answered the questions derived and starting question, tested hypotheses, and those limitations and future recommendations. In conclusion, the District of Lisbon, there is cooperation, materialized in a constant exchange of information, based on personal and informal relationship between the elements of the various Police Forces.

Terrorismo

This thesis’ goal is to study the relationship between the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, notably the hypotheses that the Islamic State derives from Al-Qaeda. The topic to be developed in the following pages is based in reliable sources so that we can obtain the most accurate possible conclusions. In preparation of this report, several quotes were used in order to present correct settings and make logical deductions based on documents. It aims to be a modest contribution to a reflection on the theme, which is addressed in a very general way. Concepts of terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism are addressed in the thesis. Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State and the response to terrorism are presented, with the aim of understanding the degree of complexity underlying the Islamic State.

Consumo de álcool nas mães que amamentam durante o 1º ano de vida da criança, prevalência e fatores associados, em Vila Fanca de Xira, em 2014

RESUMO - Introdução: O consumo de álcool durante o aleitamento materno é um tema que tem vindo a ganhar relevo nos últimos anos. Contrariamente ao consumo de álcool durante a gravidez, em que já se conhecem bem as consequências sobre o feto, sobre os efeitos do consumo de álcool durante a amamentação ainda pouco se sabe. Este estudo visa, assim, caracterizar o consumo de álcool e fatores associados nas mães que amamentam, ou amamentaram, durante o 1º ano de vida da criança no concelho de Vila Franca de Xira em 2014. Metodologia: Foi realizado um estudo transversal, com a aplicação de um questionário de auto-preenchimento, a uma amostra estratificada e com alocação proporcional por Unidade Funcional, de mães que estiveram nas consultas de saúde infantil das unidades de saúde do concelho, entre março e maio de 2014. Resultados: A idade mediana das mães foi 31 anos e das crianças foi 3 meses. O tempo total em aleitamento teve uma mediana de 2 meses e somente 16,3% amamentaram mais de 5 meses. A prevalência do consumo de álcool durante a amamentação foi 7,9% e na gestação foi 8,1%. Os fatores que se associaram, com significância estatística, ao consumo de álcool na amamentação foram a maior idade da mãe, os conhecimentos que esta possuía e o consumo anterior de álcool na gestação. Os hábitos tabágicos durante a amamentação tiveram uma prevalência de 13,4% e o consumo de substâncias ilícitas de 0,6%. Conclusões: A prevalência do consumo de álcool durante a amamentação, a nível local, mantém-se semelhante à da gestação, sendo muito inferior à encontrada em outros estudos de outros países. O tempo total em amamentação é baixo considerando as recomendações nacionais e internacionais.

Analysis and treatment of a nineteenth century portrait, study of Artsorb® and a proposal for a microclimate frame

The present work is divided in two parts: Part 1 is focused on the analysis and treatment of a 19th century portrait of Domingos Affonso, which belongs to the Ecomuseu Municipal do Seixal; and Part 2, which is entitled “The Microclimate Frame Project” is focused on the study of Artsorb® and on the planning of a microclimate frame for the painting. In Part 1, a study of the painting’s materials was performed using complementary analytical techniques and the painting’s condition was carefully evaluated. The painting exhibited signs of mould growth, and a more detailed investigation was made of this topic to understand if the fungal community was active and if it represented a real danger to the painting. A treatment was proposed, appropriate to the painting’s condition. A description of the treatment carried out, comprising the treatment options, is also present in this section. Within the study of the microclimate frame, in Part 2, the study of the potential corrosiveness of Artsorb® was a central subject. Artsorb® sheets are one of the most widely used materials for buffering relative humidity fluctuations in microclimate frames and its reported excellent performance is enhanced by its availability in lightweight sheets that can be easily placed inside microclimate frames. However, concerns have arisen regarding the presence of the corrosive salt lithium chloride in the composition of this buffer. Consequently, the present work also aimed to understand the potential risks of using Artsorb® and the possibility of avoiding exposure of lithium chloride to the artworks through the use of Tyvek®. Results from the preliminary tests seem to indicate that Artsorb® releases lithium chloride into air. This study also showed that a Tyvek® cover over Artsorb® reduces but does not eliminate evidence of chlorine contamination, and it significantly reduces the effectiveness of the buffering material. Considering that Artsorb® appears to be unsuitable due to the release of the corrosive salt, that Tyvek® was not efficient as a barrier for lithium chloride or as a permeable material to enable the proper functioning of Artsorb®, the buffering material proposed for the use in the microclimate frames is silica gel without indicator. Based on the choice of buffering material, as a result of this study, a microclimate frame is proposed.

Migrant networks and migrant intentions to return

Social ties are potentially an important determinant of migrants’ intention to return to their home country, and yet this topic has not been addressed in the existing economics literature on international migration. This study examines the absolute and relative importance of migrant social networks both at destination and at origin. We base our research on experimental data from Batista and Narciso (2013)1. By defining networks according to different characteristics of their members and migrant return intentions with respect to three different time horizons, we are able to dissect the network effect into its components. After controlling for unobserved heterogeneity and reverse causality biases we find that network at home seems to be the most important determinant of the migrant’s intention to return home within five and ten years.