Developing and implementing an environmental performance index for the Portuguese military

Business Strategy and the Environment nº 15, p. 71–86

A terapia ocupacional como recurso para idosos institucionalizados: um estudo de avaliação das necessidades ocupacionais

RESUMO: O envelhecimento populacional está associado a necessidades de saúde, incluindo aspectos ligados à realização das actividades quotidianas e à vertente ocupacional em geral.O presente estudo procurou identificar as necessidades ocupacionais de uma amostra de idosos institucionalizados e avaliar alterações no desempenho ocupacional e na satisfação após participação num programa de actividades terapêuticas. A amostra foi constituída por 20 indivíduos, com uma média de idades de 86,2 anos (DP=6,0), maioritariamente do sexo feminino e viúvos, com níveis de escolaridade diversos, sem défice cognitivo grave, provenientes de duas instituições para idosos em Lisboa. Os instrumentos utilizados foram entrevista de caracterização sócio-demográfica. Mini- Mental State Examination. Índice de Katz e Medida Canadiana de Desempenho Ocupacional. Após a participação no programa de actividades, oito indivíduos mantiveram as notas de desempenho e de satisfação na Medida Canadiana; cinco apresentaram aumento em ambas as notas; para dois, o desempenho permaneceu inalterado e o grau de satisfação diminuiu; finalmente, três deixaram de ter pelo menos um problema no desempenho, destacando-se um indivíduo que deixou de ter problemas para se alimentar, tornando-se independente nesta área. Comparando as avaliações iniciais e as reavaliações pósintervenção, não se registaram diferenças significativas nas pontuações de desempenho nem de satisfação da Medida Canadiana. Em conclusão, muitos dos participantes do estudo referiram um desempenho deficiente em muitas actividades ocupacionais que valorizavam, assim como um grau elevado de insatisfação em relação a esse desempenho. Apesar de ter tido algum impacto nas necessidades ocupacionais dos participantes, o programa de actividades não pareceu trazer benefícios generalizados nesta pequena amostra.------------ABSTRACT:The aging process in institutionalized populations has implications that encompass various issues related to health, including occupational development and the performance of daily activities. It was this study’s objective to identify the occupational needs of a sample of institutionalized elderly and to identify the existence of changes in occupational performance and satisfaction after participation in a program of therapeutic activities. The sample consisted of 20 individuals (mostly female and widowed) from two nursing homes in Lisbon, having various levels of education and an average age of 86,2 years (SD=6,0) as well as the ability of verbal expression without severe cognitive deficit. The instruments used were a structured interview for socio-demographic characterization, the Mini Mental State Examination, the Katz Index and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. We found that older respondents claimed that the performance of daily activities constituted a problem. They stated that the activities of self-care and leisure were the most problematic, that they had negative self-perceptions regarding their own performance, and that they were dissatisfied with this performance of their daily activities. After participating in program activities, eight respondents experienced no change in their respective grades of performance and satisfaction, five showed increases in both grades and, for two respondents, the performance remained unchanged while the satisfaction level showed a decline. Three stopped having at least one problem in performance, and one participant even stopped referring feeding problems, having become independent in this area. Regarding the evolution of the Canadian Measure performance and satisfaction scores (before versus after the intervention), we found no significant differences. In conclusion, most participants stated that they were performing badly in what concerned the occupational activities they valued the most. The same applies to low levels of satisfaction regarding that performance. In this small sample, and despite some benefits, the program of therapeutic activities did not prove to be significantly effective.

Spatial and temporal analysis of recent drought using vegetation temperature condition index: case of Somali regional state of Ethiopia

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Contribuição para a adaptação cultural do Neck Disability Index e caraterização da prática de fisioterapia em pacientes com dor crónica cervical

RESUMO: Objetivo: Este trabalho teve como objetivo contribuir para o processo de adaptação cultural do Neck Disability Index (NDI), através da análise da sua unidimensionalidade e do estudo da sua fiabilidade (consistência interna e fiabilidade teste-reteste), validade de constructo e poder de resposta. De igual forma pretendeu-se caraterizar a intervenção realizada pela fisioterapia e os resultados obtidos em pacientes com Dor Cervical Crónica (DCC). Introdução: A dor cervical é um problema cada vez mais comum nos países industrializados, constituindo uma das três condições mais frequentemente reportadas por queixas de origem músculo-esquelética. A sua incidência é um fenómeno em crescimento, com custos implicados para a sociedade. Desta forma reconhece-se a importância de um instrumento que monitorize a evolução da incapacidade funcional associada à DCC. O NDI é atualmente o instrumento de avaliação mais recomendado para avaliar a incapacidade funcional associada à dor cervical. Foi traduzido e adaptado à língua portuguesa, mas à data não foi realizada nenhuma avaliação das suas propriedades psicométricas. Por outro lado, apesar de a literatura referir que os serviços de Fisioterapia são extremamente procurados por indivíduos com DCC, em Portugal, a informação sobre a sua prática nesta condição clínica é escassa ou mesmo inexistente. Assim, e sendo a incapacidade nas atividades funcionais uma das variáveis de maior impacto da DCC e ao mesmo tempo um dos resultados principais da intervenção da Fisioterapia, importa por um lado possuir instrumentos capazes de avaliar o nível de incapacidade funcional e a sua mudança, e por outro, aferir qual a intervenção realizada pela Fisioterapia e quais os resultados obtidos. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo de coorte prospetivo com uma amostra de conveniência, do tipo não probabilístico, constituída por 88 pacientes com DCC de origem músculo-esquelética e causa não traumática referenciados para 6 serviços de fisioterapia / medicina física e de reabilitação de clínicas e centros de reabilitação, sendo elegíveis todos os pacientes que cumprissem os critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos. Os pacientes foram avaliados em três momentos pré-definidos: antes do início das sessões de fisioterapia ou na 1ª semana de tratamento; 4 a 7 dias após a 1ª avaliação; e 7 semanas após o início da fisioterapia. Para verificação da unidimensionalidade do NDI, procedeu-se a uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória. As propriedades psicométricas do NDI avaliadas foram a Fiabilidade (consistência interna e fiabilidade teste-reteste), a Validade de Constructo e o Poder de Resposta. Posteriormente procedeu-se à caraterização da prática da fisioterapia quanto às modalidades utilizadas, número de sessões de tratamento e duração do episódio de cuidados. Adicionalmente descreveu-se os resultados obtidos após a intervenção da fisioterapia ao nível da dor e incapacidade. Resultados: os resultados obtidos foram positivos e significativos, com a confirmação da unidimensionalidade do NDI, sendo que em todos os critérios seguidos o fator mínimo retido foi de um. Na avaliação da consistência interna o valor obtido foi acima do mínimo aceitável (α Cronbach = 0,77), enquanto o valor de fiabilidade teste-reteste foi elevado (CCI =0,95). De igual forma, os resultados foram positivos para a validade de constructo, obtendo-se uma associação positiva do NDI com a Escala Numérica da dor (END). O valores de poder de resposta reportaram uma Área Abaixo da Curva de 0,63 (IC 95%=0,51-0,75), com valor de Diferença Mínima Clinicamente importante de 5,5 pontos (sensibilidade = 69,6%; especificidade = 43,6%). Relativamente á intervenção de fisioterapia em casos de DCC verificou-se que as características da prática da fisioterapia reportadas neste relatório são de difícil comparação ou análise dada a escassez ou inexistência de trabalhos publicados sobre este assunto em pacientes com DCC. No entanto, neste estudo, encontraram-se reduções significativas na intensidade da dor e incapacidade funcional após a intervenção de fisioterapia (z= -7,16; p<0,001 e t= 10,412, p<0,05, respetivamente). Conclusão: Os resultados do presente estudo revelam que o NDI-VP possui uma boa Fiabilidade, Validade de Constructo e Poder de Resposta. Revela ainda que a intervenção da fisioterapia em casos de DCC, apesar da escassez de trabalhos publicados, proporciona uma redução significativa dos níveis de dor e incapacidade em pacientes com DCC.--------------- ABSTRACT:Objective: the aim of this study was to contribute for the process of cultural adaption of the Neck Disability Index (NDI), through the analysis of his unidimensionality and the study of his reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability), construct validity and responsiveness. At the same time it pretends to characterize the intervention performed by physical therapy and the results in patients with Chronic Neck Pain (CNP). Introduction: neck pain is a common problem in the industrialized countries, since is one of the three most reported conditions by complaints with musculoskeletal origin. His incidence is a growth phenomena that implicate great costs to society. Therefore the importance of an instrument that monitories the evolution of the functional disability associated to CNP is recognized. Nowadays, NDI is the instrument most recommended to evaluate functional disability associated to neck pain. It has been translated and adapted to portuguese but, till now, no evaluation of his psychometric proprieties has been completed. In the other hand, despite literature refers that physical therapy services are extremely searched by patients with neck pain, in Portugal, the information about practice in this clinical condition is very few or inexistent. Therefore, and since disability in the functional activities is one of the variables with most impact of CNP and, at the same time, one of the main results of physical therapy interventions, it’s important to have instruments capable of evaluate the level of functional disability and his change, and also calculate which intervention of physical therapy is most appropriate and his results. Methodology: it was used a prospective cohort study with a convenience sample, non-probabilistic, consisting of 88 patients with CNP of musculoskeletal origin and non-traumatic cause, referred to 6 physical therapy services of clinics and rehabilitation centers, and fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria established. Patients were evaluated in three pre-defined moments: before the beginning of physical therapy or during the first week of treatment; 4 to 7 days after the first evaluation; and 7 weeks after beginning of physical therapy. To verify NDI unidimensionality, we run an Exploratory Factorial Analysis. NDI psychometric proprieties evaluated were reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability), construct validity and responsiveness. Subsequently, it was proceeded the characterization the practice of physical therapy regarding to the modalities used, the number of treatment sessions and duration of the episode of care. Additionally it was described the results obtained after the intervention of the physical therapy, the level of pain and the disability. Results: results were positive and significant, with the confirmation of the NDI unidimensionality, since in every followed criteria the minimal retained factor was one. In the evaluation of internal consistency the value was above the minimal accepted (α Cronbach = 0,77), and the test-retest reliability value was high (CCI =0,95). Results were positive to construct validity, with an positive association of the NDI with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Responsiveness values reported an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0,63 (IC 95%=0,51-0,75) with a Minimal Important Detectable Change (MIDC) of 5,5 points (sensitivity = 69,9%; specificity = 43,6%). Regarding physical therapy interventions in CNP, it was verified that the physical therapy characteristics reported are difficult to compare or analyze since there are very few published studies about this topic. However, in this study, significant reductions were founded in pain intensity and functional disability after intervention(z= -7,16; p<0,001 and t= 10,412, p<0,05, respectively).Conclusion: present study results reveals that NDI has an good reliability, construct validity and responsiveness. It also reveals that physical therapy intervention in CNP, beside few studies published, result in a significant reduction of pain and disability levels in patients with CNP.

Recent droughts and the impact of North Atlantic Oscillation in Iberia; a spatiotemporal analysis based on vegetation temperature condition Index (VTCI)

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

The effects Ishares IBovespa index fund creation on the liquidity of underlying stocks

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Finance from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

A happiness index of human development

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Active ageing index and quality of life

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Rigid pavements distresses - pavement condition index evaluation

Pavements require maintenance in order to provide good service levels during their life period. Because of the significant costs of this operation and the importance of a proper planning, a pavement evaluation methodology, named Pavement Condition Index (PCI), was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This methodology allows for the evaluation of the pavement condition along the life period, generally yearly, with minimum costs and, in this way, it is possible to plan the maintenance action and to adopt adequate measures, minimising the rehabilitation costs. The PCI methodology provides an evaluation based on visual inspection, namely on the distresses observed on the pavement. This condition index of the pavement is classified from 0 to 100, where 0 it is the worst possible condition and 100 the best possible condition. This methodology of pavement assessment represents a significant tool for management methods such as airport pavement management system (APMS) and life-cycle costs analysis (LCCA). Nevertheless, it has some limitations which can jeopardize the correct evaluation of the pavement behavior. Therefore the objective of this dissertation is to help reducing its limitations and make it easier and faster to use. Thus, an automated process of PCI calculation was developed, avoiding the abaci consultation, and consequently, minimizing the human error. To facilitate also the visual inspection a Tablet application was developed to replace the common inspection data sheet and thus making the survey easier to be undertaken. Following, an airport pavement condition was study accordingly with the methodology described at Standard Test Method for Airport Pavement Condition Index Surveys D5340, 2011 where its original condition level is compared with the condition level after iterate possible erroneous considered distresses as well as possible rehabilitations. Afterwards, the results obtained were analyzed and the main conclusions presented together with some future developments.

Impact of carbon/nitrogen feeding strategy on polyhydroxyalkanoates production using mixed microbial cultures

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) production using mixed microbial cultures (MMC) requires a multi-stage process involving the microbial selection of PHA-storing microorganisms, typically operated in sequencing batch reactors (SBR), and an accumulation reactor. Since low-cost renewable feedstocks used as process feedstock are often nitrogen-deficient, nutrient supply in the selection stage is required to allow for microbial growth. In this context, the possibility to uncouple nitrogen supply from carbon feeding within the SBR cycle has been investigated in this study. Moreover, three different COD:N ratios (100:3.79, 100:3.03 and 100:2.43) were tested in three different runs which also allowed the study of COD:N ratio on the SBR performance. For each run, a synthetic mixture of acetic and propionic acids at an overall organic load rate of 8.5 gCOD L-1 d-1 was used as carbon feedstock, whereas ammonium sulfate was the nitrogen source in a lab-scale sequence batch reactor (SBR) with 1 L of working volume. Besides, a sludge retention time (SRT) of 1 d was used as well as a 6 h cycle length. The uncoupled feeding strategy significantly enhanced the selective pressure towards PHA-storing microorganisms, resulting in a two-fold increase in the PHA production (up to about 1.3 gCOD L-1). A high storage response was observed for the two runs with the COD:N ratios (gCOD:gN) of 100:3.79 and 100:3.03, whereas the lowest investigated nitrogen load resulted in very poor performance in terms of polymer production. In fact, strong nitrogen limitation caused fungi to grow and a very poor storage ability by microorganisms that thrived in those conditions. The COD:N ratio also affected the polymer composition, indeed the produced poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) showed a variable HV content (1-20 %, w/w) among the three runs, lessening as the COD:N increased. This clearly suggests the possibility to use the COD:N ratio as a tool for tuning polymer properties regardless the composition of the feedstock.

Trading the changes of stock market index composition: Evidence from European markets

This paper studies the changes in European stock market indexes composition from 1995 to 2015. It was found that there are mixed price effects producing abnormal returns around the effective replacement of added and deleted stocks. The price pressure hypothesis seems to hold for added stocks in some indexes but not for deleted stocks as there is not a clear inversion of behaviour after the replacement. Finally, the building and back testing of a trading strategy aiming to capture some of those abnormal returns shows it yields a Sharpe Ratio of 1.4 and generates an annualised alpha of 11%.