Tracking of fatness during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood: a 7-year follow-up study in Madeira Island, Portugal

Aims: Investigating tracking of fatness from childhood to adolescence, early adolescence to young adulthood and late adolescence to young adulthood. Subjects and methods: Participants from the Madeira Growth Study were followed during an average period of 7.2 years. Height, body mass, skin-folds and circumferences were measured, nine health- and performance-related tests were administered and the Baecke questionnaire was used to assess physical activity. Skeletal maturity was estimated using the TW3 method. Results: The prevalence of overweight plus obesity ranged from 8.2–20.0% at baseline and from 20.4–40.0% at followup, in boys. Corresponding percentages for girls were 10.6– 12.0% and 13.2–18.0%. Inter-age correlations for fatness indicators ranged from 0.43–0.77. BMI, waist circumference and sum of skin-folds at 8, 12 and 16-years old were the main predictors of these variables at 15, 19 and 23-years old, respectively. Strength, muscular endurance and aerobic fitness were negatively related to body fatness. Physical activity and maturation were independently associated with adolescent (15 years) and young adult (19 years) fatness. Conclusions: Over 7.2 years, tracking was moderate-to-high for fatness. Variance was explained by fatness indicators and to a small extent by physical fitness, physical activity and maturation.

Screening of wheat Landraces from Madeira Island for iron tolerance

Since the fifteen century, the rainfed-cultivation of wheat for grain is traditionally performed on the Island of Madeira. Under several microclimatic conditions and along very sloppy mountains, the landraces are grown on isolated terraces of Andosols with high amounts of iron. Iron oxides are the main inorganic binding agent contributing to the stability of aggregates and to soil fertility in long-term sustainable agriculture in acid and iron-rich soils. After a two day period of seedling initial growth, a screening test of sixty traditional wheat (Triticum spp.) landraces from the ISOPlexis Genebank at the University of Madeira, Funchal, was performed using nutrient solutions containing 10 or 600 mM Fe, during five days, under controlled laboratory conditions. The elongation of the longest primary root was measured for each genotype and the mean root increment relative to control (as, % relative root increment or RRI; n=28) calculated. This parameter appeared to be a sensitive indicator of Fe tolerance in wheat. Over 85% of wheat germplasm showed the RRI higher than 50%, while the RRI of seven accessions exceeded 70%. This indicates that those landraces are Fe tolerant and might be of particular interest for cultivation under acid rich iron soils of tropical and subtropical areas.

Tracking of fatness during childhood, adolescence and young adulthood: a 7-year follow-up study in Madeira Island, Portugal

Aims: Investigating tracking of fatness from childhood to adolescence, early adolescence to young adulthood and late adolescence to young adulthood. Subjects and methods: Participants from the Madeira Growth Study were followed during an average period of 7.2 years. Height, body mass, skin-folds and circumferences were measured, nine health- and performance-related tests were administered and the Baecke questionnaire was used to assess physical activity. Skeletal maturity was estimated using the TW3 method. Results: The prevalence of overweight plus obesity ranged from 8.2–20.0% at baseline and from 20.4–40.0% at followup, in boys. Corresponding percentages for girls were 10.6– 12.0% and 13.2–18.0%. Inter-age correlations for fatness indicators ranged from 0.43–0.77. BMI, waist circumference and sum of skin-folds at 8, 12 and 16-years old were the main predictors of these variables at 15, 19 and 23-years old, respectively. Strength, muscular endurance and aerobic fitness were negatively related to body fatness. Physical activity and maturation were independently associated with adolescent (15 years) and young adult (19 years) fatness. Conclusions: Over 7.2 years, tracking was moderate-to-high for fatness. Variance was explained by fatness indicators and to a small extent by physical fitness, physical activity and maturation.

Celiac disease in children from Madeira island and its prevalence in first degree relatives

Context - It is well recognized that celiac disease is an immune-mediated systemic disorder highly prevalent among relatives of celiac patients. Objectives - The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of celiac disease in a group of first degree relatives of celiac children, and to access the frequency of human leukocyte antigen HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 in celiac disease patients and their affected relatives. Methods - A survey was conducted of 39 children with celiac disease with follow-up in the Pediatric outpatient’s clinic of Dr. Nélio Mendonça Hospital, in Madeira Island, Portugal. Were invited 110 first degree relatives to undergo serological screen for celiac disease with IgA antibody to human recombinant tissue transglutaminase (IgA-TGG) quantification. In all seropositive relatives, small intestinal biopsy and HLA typing was recommended. Results - HLA- typing was performed in 38 celiac patients, 28/74% DQ2 positive, 1/2% DQ8 positive and 9/24% incomplete DQ2. Positive IgA-TGG was found in five out of the 95 relatives, and CD was diagnosed in three of them. Three relatives had the presence of HLA-DQ2, two were DQ2 incomplete (DQB1*02). Conclusion - The prevalence of celiac disease among first degree celiac patients´ relatives was 3.1%, 4.5 times higher than the general Portuguese population (0,7%) witch reinforces the need of extensive diagnostic screening in this specific group. HLA-DQ2 typing may be a tool in the diagnostic approach.

Assessment of PV Systems Performance in the Madeira Island Using Typical Meteorological Year Data

This paper focus on the development of an algorithm using Matlab to generate Typical Meteorological Years from weather data of eight locations in the Madeira Island and to predict the energy generation of photovoltaic systems based on solar cells modelling. Solar cells model includes the effect of ambient temperature and wind speed. The analysis of the PV system performance is carried out through the Weather Corrected Performance Ratio and the PV system yield for the entire island is estimated using spatial interpolation tools.

Understanding significant precipitation in Madeira island using high-resolution numerical simulations of real cases

In order to advance the knowledge about precipitation development over Madeira island, four rainfall patterns are investigated based on high-resolution numerical simulations performed with the MESO-NH model. The main environmental conditions during these precipitation periods are examined, and important factors leading to significant accumulated precipitation in Madeira are shown. We found that the combination of orographic effect and atmospheric conditions is essential for the establishment of each situation. Under a moist and conditionally unstable atmosphere, convection over the island is triggered, and its location was determined mainly by variations of the ambient flow, which was also associated with different moist Froude numbers. Interestingly, our results showed some similarities with situations discussed in idealized studies. However, the real variations of the atmospheric configuration confirm the complexity of significant precipitation development in mountainous regions. In addition, precipitating systems initially formed over the ocean were simulated reaching the island. The four periods were characterised by different time durations, and the local terrain interacting with the mesoscale circulation was decisive in producing a large part of the precipitation, which concentrated in distinct regions of the island induced by the airflow dynamic.

Numerical simulations of significant orographic precipitation in Madeira island

High-resolution simulations of high precipitation events with the MESO-NHmodel are presented, and also used to verify that increasing horizontal resolution in zones of complex orography, such as in Madeira island, improve the simulation of the spatial distribution and total precipitation. The simulations succeeded in reproducing the general structure of the cloudy systems over the ocean in the four periods considered of significant accumulated precipitation. The accumulated precipitation over theMadeirawas better represented with the 0.5 km horizontal resolution and occurred under four distinct synoptic situations. Different spatial patterns of the rainfall distribution over the Madeira have been identified

Era uma vez uma ilha de Pescadores Artesanais: impactos socioambientais dos grandes complexos industriais, conflitos e resistência (Ilha da Madeira/Itaguaí/RJ)

O presente estudo visa analisar os processos de transformações econômicos, políticos e socioambientais decorrentes da instalação dos grandes empreendimentos em territórios tradicionais da pesca, mais especificamente, as experiências da comunidade pesqueira da Ilha da Madeira/baía de Sepetiba/Itaguaí-RJ, desde a instalação da Cia Ingá Mercantil (1964) até os dias atuais, identificando, nos vários ciclos de industrialização: os fatores endógenos e exógenos que contribuem para a vulnerabilidade ou sustentabilidade da pesca artesanal e do meio ambiente. Sinalizando, nesta experiência, alguns aspectos que possam servir de referência para outras comunidades pesqueiras que vivenciam problemas similares. Introduzimos a problemática a partir da contextualização da pesca artesanal no Brasil, as políticas, a regulamentação da atividade, a organização dos pescadores. Ao evidenciar a pesca artesanal no estado do Rio de Janeiro, destacamos os conflitos socioambientais decorrentes da instalação de complexos industriais em territórios tradicionalmente ocupados por pescadores, com destaque para os conflitos relativos à instalação do Porto de Açu, em São João da Barra/RJ e os gasodutos para a refinaria de petróleo na baía de Guanabara. Aprofundamos a temática, a partir de um estudo de caso na Ilha da Madeira, baía de Sepetiba, Itaguaí/RJ. Esse território, tradicionalmente ocupado por pescadores, mergulhou em uma crise socioambiental a partir da década de 60 e, desde então, vem passando por diversas transformações: alteração radical da paisagem, degradação ambiental além do sufocamento da atividade pesqueira. Os fatos são evidenciados por meio de pesquisas bibliográficas, documentais, registros fotográficos, sobretudo, história de oral. Em entrevistas com informantes-chave resgatamos as memórias pessoais e, nesse percurso, fomos recuperando parte da história do território. Caracterizando a paisagem, a vida e trabalho dos pescadores, a cultura local: tradições, costumes, valores, aspectos materiais e simbólicos, em um período anterior a chegada das indústrias, quando a Ilha da Madeira era de fato, uma Ilha. Em suas narrativas os entrevistados foram pontuando as sucessões dos trágicos acontecimentos que ocorreram após a instalação da Ingá até os dias atuais. Esses fatos são demarcados em ciclos que compõem a crise socioambiental no território. Um estudo que retrata a injustiça ambiental, a vulnerabilidade de uma comunidade pesqueira, cuja experiência serve de alerta para outras comunidades tradicionais. Ressaltamos a importância das articulações entre os movimentos locais com instâncias extras locais, sinalizando para a necessidade de democratização dos processos decisórios e da gestão compartilhada dos recursos de uso comum. Também pontuamos a urgência de superação do paradigma que dissocia desenvolvimento, natureza e sociedade, fortalecendo uma lógica de produção que, ao se impor como hegemônica sufoca todas outras formas de organização do trabalho.

Turismo e Eventos Especiais - A Festa da Flor na Ilha da Madeira

Em muitas sociedades, o turismo de eventos destaca-se, cada vez mais, como uma tendência promissora que gera movimento económico e social para o lugar onde se insere. Os eventos especiais, especialmente as festas e festivais de índole cultural, funcionam como instrumentos de promoção para a imagem de uma região como destino turístico a ser consumido. Por outro lado, é muitas vezes através deles que uma comunidade preserva a sua identidade cultural frente ao processo da globalização. O presente artigo analisa as dimensões da experiência que os turistas adquiriram na Festa da Flor da Ilha da Madeira. Para atingir o objetivo aplicou-se um inquérito por questionário aos turistas que foram ao evento e utilizou-se como modelo teórico a ‘economia da experiência’ de Pine e Gilmore (1999).

Turismo : meios de comunicação e promoção : o caso da Madeira

O turismo é uma importante ferramenta para desenvolver a economia da Ilha da Madeira. Neste ãmbito é necessário influenciar os turistas potenciais. Os municípios e as instâncias regionais devem ter um papel determinante na promoção da sua localidade como um destino turístico. Os meios de comunicação são essenciais para a promoção de um destino turístico. Entre os diferentes instrumentos de promoção, a Internet é um novo meio para disseminar as vantagens de certos lugares e regiões. Neste estudo, procura-se verificar e analisar o papel dos municípios da Madeira e da DRT na promoção da sua localidade como um destino turístico, via Internet. /*** Abstract - Tourism is an important tool to develop the economy of Madeira island. On that respect it is necessary to influence potential tourists. Municipalities and regional bodies must have an important role to promote the various tourism destinations. Media tools are essential for the promotion of the communities as tourism destinations. Among the different instruments of promotion Internet is a new way to promote, compete and disseminate the advantages of certain places and regions. In this study the approach is oriented to identify and analyse the role of Madeira municipalities in the promotion of their tourism locals, via Internet.

TURISMO, PAISAGEM E CLIMA NA ILHA DA MADEIRA

A paisagem e o clima são dois elementos essenciais para o desenvolvimento do turismo em muitas regiões. Por outro lado, podem constituir fortes elementos de atracção turística e, também, funcionam como atributos especiais para a promoção turística de uma cidade ou vila. Em muitos casos, a paisagem e o clima influem no processo de decisão do turista sobre o destino que pretende visitar. É no clima e na exuberância da paisagem que se encontra um dos maiores atractivos turísticos da Ilha da Madeira. Por isso, tanto a paisagem como o clima são recursos de grande valor na consolidação da oferta turística. O presente artigo pretende analisar a importância da paisagem e do clima na promoção do destino Madeira.

EVENTOS TURÍSTICOS E SATISFAÇÃO DO TURISTA: O CASO DA FESTA DO FIM-DO-ANO NA ILHA DA MADEIRA

The identification and analysis of the tourist satisfaction in tourism events is fundamental to maintain or improve the image of an event. The knowledge concerning the tourist level of satisfaction at an event can help the organisers to better understand tourist behaviour and intention. Tourism events, particularly those which encompass the cultural identity of a region, allow a community to celebrate its cultural singularities. Such singularities wake the tourist’s desire to experience a culture different from his/hers. The present article aims at identifying and analysing the tourist level of satisfaction at the New Year’s Eve Festivity in Madeira Island.

Caracterização hidráulica, hidrológica e do transporte sólido das principais linhas de água (ribeiras) do concelho de Câmara de Lobos: ilha da Madeira

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização de Hidráulica

Implementação das medidas de autoproteção num edifício escolar da Ilha da Madeira

O presente artigo resume uma dissertação de Mestrado em Segurança e Higiene do Trabalho. Foi feito um estudo da implementação das Medidas de Autoproteção (MAP) contra incêndio, numa escola de ensino básico e secundário, cujo edifício é isolado, com três pisos e comporta 952 pessoas. Teve como objetivos contribuir para a melhoria dos resultados em situações de emergência, da cultura de segurança e da resiliência. A concretização deste estudo implicou reuniões com o Delegado de Segurança (DS) da instituição, visitas de reconhecimento às instalações, análise de documentação existente, elaboração de documentação auxiliar, programação de ações de sensibilização e de simulação, com envolvimento de meios. A metodologia baseou-se na observação participante, com recurso a gravações de vídeo das atividades desenvolvidas, para posterior análise. No fim do estudo, concluiu-se que os Agentes de Segurança (AS) não estariam, à partida, capacitados para desempenhar as respetivas funções nas MAP. Verificou-se, ainda assim, ser possível desenvolver-lhes algumas competências, mediante informação, formação e treino, que vieram iniciar os AS em matérias de combate ao incêndio, evacuação e primeiros socorros, bem como sensibilizar para as consequências a que se podem expor, para a necessidade de controlo emocional e comunicação eficaz, em situação de emergência. / This article summarizes a master course thesis in Health and Safety at Work. A study was made about the implementation of Measures of Fire Self-Protection (MAP) in a school of basic and secondary education, whose building is isolated, with three floors and accommodates 952 persons. The study aimed to improve results in emergency situations, safety culture and resilience. Such objectives required meetings with the School Safety Officer (DS), reconnaissance visits to facilities, analysis of existing documentation, preparation of auxiliary documentation and awareness-raising actions programming and simulation, as well as the allocation of their resources. The methodology was based on participant observation, with the use of video recordings of activities for later analysis. At the end of the study it was found that the Safety Agents (AS), at the beginning, would not be able to carry out their functions in the MAP. Still, it was found to be possible to develop in them some skills, through information, education and training, which initiated the agents in matters of fire fighting, evacuation and first aid, as well as raised their awareness of the consequences to which they may be exposed, to the need for emotional control and effective communication, in an emergency situation.

Ecology and conservation of bottlenose dolphins in Madeira Archipelago, Portugal

This study aimed to provide an insight on the ecology of the bottlenose dolphin population in Madeira archipelago. To achieve this, population structure; group dynamics, site-fidelity, residency and movement patterns within and out of the study area; survival and abundance estimates and spatial and temporal distribution and habitat preferences related to physiographic parameters using data collected between 2001-2011, were investigated. Photo-identification data analysis revealed strong evidences that bottlenose dolphins seen in the archipelago of Madeira belong to an open population with regular recruitment of new animals to the area. This population exhibited a typical fission-fusion society, in which short-term acquaintances prevail, with only a few long-lasting associations. Photo-identification methods demonstrated that there is a large variability in residency pattern, with resident, transient and migrant individuals. Only a small number of dolphins were found to be resident (4.3%). Social network diagram as well as SLAR analysis supported the existence of a mixed population of residents, migrants and transients. Mark-recapture methods estimated a high survival rate, within the range of other long-lived cetacean species. The resident community is composed of app. 180 individuals. In addition, around 400 dolphins of different residency patterns were found to use the south area of Madeira Island. Spatial distribution indicated that bottlenose dolphins were regularly found in shallow and closer to shore areas, suggesting the existence of biological processes influenced by bathymetry. Moreover, temporal patterns revealed no strong seasonal fluctuation in the presence of bottlenose dolphins in Madeira archipelago waters. Bottlenose dolphins are listed under the Annex II of the EU habitats Directive that requires the designation of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for this species; as such, the knowledge gained through this work can be used by governmental authorities to the establishment and management of areas for the conservation of bottlenose dolphin in Madeira archipelago.