Socio-economic status, growth, physical activity and fitness: the Madeira growth study

Within a country social conditions change over time and these conditions vary from country to country. The associations between these conditions, somatic growth, physical activity and fitness reflect these changes. Aim: The study documented variation in somatic growth, physical activity and fitness associated with socio-economic status (SES). Subjects and methods: The study involved 507 subjects (256 boys and 251 girls) from the Madeira Growth Study, a mixed longitudinal study of five cohorts (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 years of age) followed at yearly intervals over 3 years (1996–1998). A total of 1493 observations were made. Anthropometric measurements included lengths, body mass, skeletal breadths, girths and skinfolds. Physical activity and SES were collected via questionnaire and interview. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Variation in somatic growth, physical activity and physical fitness by SES (high, average and low) was tested with analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences between SES groups were observed for height, body mass and skinfolds. Boys and girls from high SES groups were taller, heavier and fatter (subscapular and triceps skinfolds) than their peers from average and low SES groups. At some age intervals, the high SES group had larger skeletal breadths (girls) and girths (boys and girls) than low SES. Small SES differences were observed for physical activity (sport and leisure-time indices). SES was significantly associated with physical fitness. At some age levels, boys from the low SES group performed better for muscular and aerobic endurance whereas girls from the high SES group performed better for power. Conclusion: Considerable variation in somatic growth and physical fitness in association with SES has been demonstrated, but little association was found for physical activity.

Catando vidas no lixo : o caso de uma cooperativa de trabalho de reciclagem em Santa Maria - DF

Dissertação apresentada para obtenção do grau de mestre no âmbito do Mestrado em Educação Social e Intervenção Comunitária da Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém.

Changing the servicescape : The influence of music, self-disclosure and eye gaze on service encounter experience and approach-avoidance behavior

The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and understand the effect of a servicescape’s ambient and social conditions on consumers’ service encounter experience and their approach/avoidance behavior in a retail context. In three papers, with a total sample of over 1600 participants (including 550 actual consumers) and seven experiments, the author investigates the effect of music (ambient stimuli), employees’ self-disclosure (verbal social stimuli) and employees’ gazing behavior (nonverbal social stimuli) on consumers’ service encounter experience and approach/avoidance behavior in a retail store. Paper I comprised two experiments, and the aim was to investigate the influence of music on emotions, approach/avoidance behavior. Paper II comprised two experiments, and the aim was to investigate the effect of frontline employees’ personal self-disclosure on consumers’ reciprocal behavior. Paper III comprised three experiments, and the aim was to investigate the influence of employee’s direct eye gaze/ averted eye gaze on consumer emotions, social impression of the frontline employee and encounter satisfaction in different purchase situations. The results in this thesis show that music affects consumers in both positive and negative ways (Paper I). Self-disclosure affects consumers negatively, in such a way that it decreases encounter satisfaction  (Paper II) and, finally, eye gaze affects consumers by regulating both positively – and in some cases also negatively – consumers’ social impression of the frontline employee and their encounter satisfaction (Paper III). The conclusions of this thesis are that both ambient and social stimuli in a servicescape affect consumers’ internal responses, which in turn affect their behavior. Depending on the purchase situation, type of retail, and stimuli, the internal and behavioral responses are different.

Power to the virtuous? Civic culture in the changing digital terrain

Much scholarship laments a decline in civic participation and community social capital in a changing media world. But the concept of “civicness” remains important to functioning societies across the globe. This research borrows from the cultural turn in studies of media, communication and citizenship to examine civic as culture, anchored in the practices and symbolic milieu of everyday life. As its theoretical entry point, this research paper positions civic as virtue. Drawing on scholars from Aristotle to Pierre Bourdieu, civic virtue may be understood as a perceived moral obligation to serve the common good, especially the interests of a “community” in which individuals and/or groups are connected. In particular, the research extends Bourdieu's ideas to consider news media as a powerful institution alongside the state that may claim monopoly over the manipulation of civic virtue under certain social conditions. Civic virtue offers much in discussions about media power in the digital age and its relationship to the future viability and legitimacy of news media. The research draws on exemplars from a study into digitally mediated civic participation in a rural/regional Australian context to position certain local media as “keepers” and “conferrers” of civic virtue in the social settings they serve.

Development aid: regulatory impact assessment and conditionality

The purpose of this paper is to examine how Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) can contribute to decision-making processes of Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans and grants. The point of departure for the discussion is the phenomenon that RIA, within a context of ODA, is applied by International Finance Institutions mainly in the context of Development Policy Loans, to introduce or strengthen country systems for Regulatory Impact Assessment. However, ODA grants, and loans, particularly when specific policy or regulatory conditions are attached to them, significantly impact economic and social conditions within the beneficiary country. This article examines what role RIA can play in facilitating a coherent decision-making process affecting the ODA allocation within a context of conditionalities requiring the introduction of new, or changes to existing, policies and regulations. The discussion considers the nexus between development aid effectiveness, conditionality and ownership, and RIA. The article argues a justification for applying RIA to ODA loans and grants which carry regulatory and policy conditionalities.

Neo-liberalism and new configurations of global space: possibilities, tensions and problematics for gender justice

While the global neo-liberal agenda has increased the impoverishment and marginalisation of many women, it has also created possibilities for pursuing gender justice. Deepened and broadened understandings and measures of equity brought about by the processes of globalisation and insights from feminism have disturbed neo-liberal regimes and produced action around the pursuit of gender equity goals. Moreover, new configurations of ‘the global’ have strengthened transnational feminist networks and coalitions and generated multiple and varied spaces for feminist engagement. Against this backdrop, this article draws attention to the ways in which these shifts have brought to light previously unrecognised complexities and tensions that continue to hinder the pursuit of global gender justice. Focusing on the feminist work of NGOs and CSOs and, specifically, issues of social capital and cultural context, the article examines the problematics and possibilities regarding these organisations' promotion of gender change at local, national and transnational levels. Such examination foregrounds the significance of a coherent feminist politics and activism that responds to the social conditions and cultural nuances that impact on gender relations in particular contexts and is supported by broader facilitative structures and social networks.

Toward a Taxonomy of Harmin Knowledge Organization Systems

A starting point for contributing to the greater good is to examine and interrogate existing knowledge organization practices that do harm, whether that harm is intentional or accidental, or an inherent and unavoidable evil. As part of the transition movement, the authors propose to inventory the manifestations and implications of the production of suffering by knowledge organization systems through constructing a taxonomy of harm. Theoretical underpinnings guide ontological commitment, as well as the recognition of the problem of harm in knowledge organization systems. The taxonomy of harm will be organized around three main questions: what hap- pens?, who participates?, and who is affected and how? The aim is to heighten awareness of the violence that classifications and naming practices carry, to unearth some of the social conditions and motivations that contribute to and are reinforced by knowledge organization systems, and to advocate for intentional and ethical knowledge organization practices to achieve a minimal level of harm.

Socio-economic status, growth, physical activity and fitness: the Madeira growth study

Within a country social conditions change over time and these conditions vary from country to country. The associations between these conditions, somatic growth, physical activity and fitness reflect these changes. Aim: The study documented variation in somatic growth, physical activity and fitness associated with socio-economic status (SES). Subjects and methods: The study involved 507 subjects (256 boys and 251 girls) from the Madeira Growth Study, a mixed longitudinal study of five cohorts (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 years of age) followed at yearly intervals over 3 years (1996–1998). A total of 1493 observations were made. Anthropometric measurements included lengths, body mass, skeletal breadths, girths and skinfolds. Physical activity and SES were collected via questionnaire and interview. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Variation in somatic growth, physical activity and physical fitness by SES (high, average and low) was tested with analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences between SES groups were observed for height, body mass and skinfolds. Boys and girls from high SES groups were taller, heavier and fatter (subscapular and triceps skinfolds) than their peers from average and low SES groups. At some age intervals, the high SES group had larger skeletal breadths (girls) and girths (boys and girls) than low SES. Small SES differences were observed for physical activity (sport and leisure-time indices). SES was significantly associated with physical fitness. At some age levels, boys from the low SES group performed better for muscular and aerobic endurance whereas girls from the high SES group performed better for power. Conclusion: Considerable variation in somatic growth and physical fitness in association with SES has been demonstrated, but little association was found for physical activity.

El capital intelectual y su relación con la innovación en la universidad CES

En la sociedad actual del conocimiento las universidades tienen la responsabilidad de generar conocimiento e innovaciones para ofrecer soluciones a problemas de comunidades de interés. Para lograrlo las universidades deben enfocarse en su activo más importante, su capital intelectual. Hasta ahora las investigaciones relacionadas con el capital intelectual y la innovación en las universidades, son limitadas a pesar de ser un elemento estratégico para la dirección de estas organizaciones, ya que estos aspectos le representan valor en el tiempo, por tanto esta investigación busca establecer cuál es la relación que existe entre el capital intelectual y la innovación en la Universidad CES. El objetivo de esta investigación era identificar el grado de relación entre capital intelectual e innovación en la Universidad CES. La metodología del estudio, es un estudio cuantitativo, de tipo descriptivo explicativo, con un diseño transversal, que permitió establecer el efecto del capital intelectual sobre la innovación de la Universidad CES. La población del fueron los directivos, líderes de los grupos de investigación y los coordinadores de investigación de la Universidad CES. Según los resultados obtenidos, este estudio determinó que el capital intelectual no tiene una relación estadísticamente significativa con la innovación personal de la Universidad CES y se determinó también que las tres dimensiones del capital intelectual tienen una relación estadísticamente significativa con los resultados de la innovación en la Universidad CES. El principal aporte de este estudio fue ofrecer evidencias sobre el capital intelectual como una de las principales fuentes de innovación para la Universidad.

Estudio comparativo de cuatro factores: depresión, somatización, ansiedad y agotamiento en dos empresas colombianas

En el transcurso de los últimos años se ha evidenciado con mayor frecuencia la influencia de factores sociales en el desarrollo de síntomas como estrés, depresión, ansiedad, somatización, entre otras. Dentro del ámbito laboral han surgido enfermedades que parten de condiciones sociales y de la interrelación de sus empleados dentro de la organización. Este estudio tuvo como finalidad revisar y analizar la información referente a la influencia de los entornos laborales y factores psicosociales que pueden incurrir en el desarrollo de psicopatología en el trabajo. Como apoyo en el análisis de las distintas teorías que surgen alrededor de esta temática y teniendo como marco de referencia la descripción de los factores que influyen en el desarrollo de estas, se aplicó, el cuestionario QDS4 adaptado por Castillo (2010), cuestionario que buscó analizar las diferentes sintomatologías en dos empresas de distintos sectores en la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia. Generando un sondeo sobre la presencia y posible desarrollo de estas cuatro sintomatologías dentro de cada una de las organizaciones.

Representaciones sociales y prácticas de actividad física en docentes de educación física, localidad de Suba UPZ 71

Debido a la problemática del sedentarismo e inactividad física en edad escolar y sus implicaciones en la aparición de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, surge un interés por realizar análisis cualitativos que tengan en cuenta los contextos sociales en los que se da esta problemática, con el objetivo de conocer, desde los actores inmersos en las comunidades, cómo se está llevando a cabo y cómo se entiende la actividad física; por tanto, se planteó en esta investigación un diseño narrativo en el cual se indagó, por medio de entrevistas a profundidad, acerca de las representaciones sociales y prácticas de actividad física que desarrollan 9 docentes de educación física pertenecientes a 3 colegios distritales de la Unidad de Planeamiento Zonal Tibabuyes, en la localidad de Suba en Bogotá, Colombia. Resultados: Los docentes entienden la actividad física como todo tipo de movimiento humano, así mismo, se evidencia que las prácticas deportivas son las que predominan en el ámbito escolar. En relación con las condiciones sociales, se encontró que el aspecto familiar es un limitante para el desarrollo de las prácticas físicas del estudiante. Las políticas escolares y distritales le restan importancia a las clases de educación física en el currículo escolar y la inseguridad, debido al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en el sector, deteriora los espacios deportivos y recreativos como parques y zonas verdes.

A autoridade de segurança alimentar e económica e os seus inspetores: uma análise sociológica dos dilemas identitários do grupo profissional

O estudo realizado analisa as experiências e vivências profissionais dos inspetores da Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica, tomando como pano de fundo a perspetiva de que o quotidiano da ação dos atores se configura como uma estruturação e ou restruturação de esquemas de desempenho específicos, mediada pela permanente criação e estabilização de alianças e negociações entre os atores. A partir duma abordagem qualitativa sobre as orientações profissionais, o sentido e a direção da satisfação profissional e as tendências das condições materiais e sociais das suas práticas quotidianas profissionais, conclui essencialmente o seguinte: por um lado, os entrevistados privilegiam uma nova ordem de modelo profissional para o seu grupo, com maiores margens de liberdade e ou de autonomia, e, por outro lado, os inspetores da Autoridade de Segurança Alimentar e Económica vivem num dilema identitário, face às dificuldades de reconhecimento social da sua profissão como órgão de polícia criminal especializada; Authorithy for the Food and Economy Security and his Inspectors: a sociological analysis of professional group identity dilemmas Abstract: The study analyzes the professional experiences of ASAE inspectors, using as theoretical perspetive that actors everyday action is configured as a structuring and or restructuring of specific performance schemes, mediated by permanent creation and stabilization alliances and negotiations between the actors. Through a qualitative approach to professional guidance, job satisfaction meaning and direction, and trends about the material and social conditions of professional daily practices, I essentially concludes that: on the one hand, respondents are favor a new order of professional model for their group, with higher margins and freedom or autonomy, and, on the other hand, ASAE inspectors are living an identity dilemma, given the difficulties of social recognition of their profession as specialized criminal police corps.

SENSORES REMOTOS FOTOGRÁFICOS: ZONIFICACIÓN POR INUNDACIONES EN LAS CUENCAS BAJAS DE LOS RÍOS PARRITA Y LIMONCITO: UNA CARACTERIZACIÓN SOCIOESPACIAL MEDIANTE FOTOS AEREAS Y MAPAS

Usando procedimientos de trabajo con fotos aéreas de diferentes años, se analiza en el caso de la ciudad de Limón el avance del poblamiento hacia áreas costeras sujetas a inundaciones. Una vez diseñado el mapa que muestra para cuatro períodos la información extraída de las fotos aéreas, se realiza-un análisis físico –social de las condiciones  que dan origen a la vulnerabilidad al riesgo por inundación. En el caso del poblado de Parrita, se reconstruyen con ayuda de fotos aéreas, los distintos cursos fluviales que el río Parrita ha formado en un período de toma fotográfica aérea para cuatro años diferentes. Una vez dibujado este documento, se efectúa un análisis sobre las áreas de mayor riesgo por inundaciones, evaluando los aspectos sociales y económicos de la población afectada.  SUMMARY Using aerial photographs of different years, we analyze in the case of the Limon city, the growth population in coastal areas affected by flooding. A map showing four periods of aerial photointerpretation, fieldwork and another sources, gives information about the physical and social conditions of some areas with vulnerability by flooding. In the case of Parrita town, the use of aerial photographs of four periods, make it possible to know the geomorphological dynamic of Parrita river. With this map, we evaluate the risk by flooding, taking into account the social and economical aspects of the affected population.

Avaliação da efetividade do programa cisterna a partir da abordagem dos meios de vida.

Resumo: Este estudo objetivou analisar a efetividade do Programa Cisternas utilizando abordagens teóricas orientadas aos atores, a partir do desenvolvimento de novas práticas sociais implementadas pelos agricultores beneficiários do Programa para a convivência com o Semiárido brasileiro. Elaborou-se um estudo de caso selecionando a Comunidade Sítios Areias, localizada no município de Sobral (CE). A coleta de dados foi realizada com a aplicação de questionários às famílias beneficiadas pelo Programa. O marco teórico utilizado foi a teoria da Abordagem dos Meios de Vida para caracterizar a efetividade do programa e compreender o processo de mudança social. Constatou-se que o Programa apesar de utilizar os preceitos do paradigma de desenvolvimento sustentável para a sua implantação, não possibilitou a efetividade do programa em promover modificações das práticas sociais, não revertendo a estratégia de migração das famílias, ocasionada pelo processo de desativação dos beneficiários com a agricultura. A implementação do programa não conseguiu combater a pobreza rural, mesmo proporcionando o acesso à água as famílias. Concluiu-se que a forma de intervenção exigia uma nova dinâmica para o Semiárido, bem mais complexa do que simplesmente a construção de tecnologias sociais de captação de água. Recomenda-se políticas integradas e que contribuam para a melhoria dos meios de vida das famílias, mas que também ensejem seu protagonismo e o fortalecimento de sua autonomia frente às adversidades climáticas frequentes da região. [Evaluation of the effectiveness of the Cisterns Programe according to the Sustainable Livelihood Approach]. Abstract: This study was carried out in order to analyze the effectiveness of the Cisterns Program according to the new social practices implemented by the family farmers in order to survive and live in the adverse environment of the Brazilian semiarid. The empirical space chosen was the Municipality of Sobral (CE) and the case study was the Community Areia Branca. Data was collected on all the families benefited from the Cisterns Program. The analytical theoretical framework used was the Sustainable Livelihood Approach to characterize the effectiveness of the program and the process of social change. It was found that despite using the concepts of sustainable development paradigm in the implementation of Cisterns Program, the program was not effective in promoting social changes or to reserve the migration practice as well, which is a family strategy due to deactivation of agricultural activities. The implementation of the program failed to combat rural poverty other than providing access to water. The form of intervention in the semiarid requires a new dynamic approach, which is far more complex than simply building social technologies for water storage. In order to fight poverty in the region, it is necessary to implement integrated policies able to improve life style and bring about changes in order to empower and give autonomy to the families helping them to face the adverse climatic conditions typical of the region.

The right to adequate housing in International Human Rights Law: Polish transformation experiences

AbstractHousing rights are now one of the most fundamental social and economic human rights. It is therefore the duty of every country to implement such rights for its own citizens, irrespective of its economicdevelopment, political situation, or social conditions. Possession of appropriate living conditions determines, in fact, the possibility of using other, more advanced human rights (e.g. the right to health, right to development, right to peace, or access to culture). Realization of the right to adequate housing is increasingly problematic for developed countries. According to the United Nations, there areover 100 million homeless people worldwide and more than 1 billion inadequately housed. Poland is an example of a country particularly afflicted by housing problems after the Second World War.Experiences of Polish democratic transformation after 1989, therefore, provide interesting lessons (and warnings) for all countries wishing to deal with the social problems arising from housing difficulties.Keywords: right to adequate housing, human rights, housing rights, social transformation, transition, economic and social human rights, social issues, Poland, United Nations, communism.ResumenEl derecho a la vivienda es uno de los derechos humanos sociales y económicos más elementales. Por lo tanto, es un deber de todos los países implementar esos derechos para susciudadanos y ciudadanas, independependientmente de su desarrollo económico, situación política, o condiciones sociales. La posesión de adecuadas condiciones de vida determinala posibilidad de utilizar otros derechos humanos más avanzados (por ejemplo, derecho a la salud, derecho al desarrollo, derecho a la paz, acceso a la cultura). La realizacióndel derecho a una vivienda adecuada es cada vez más problemática para los países desarrollados. Según las Naciones Unidas, hay más de 100 millones de personas sin hogar en todo el mundo y más de 1000 millones alojadas en viviendas inadecuadas. Polonia es ejemplo de un país particularmente afectado por los problemas de vivienda después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Experiencias de la transformación democrática de Polonia después de 1989 ofrecen lecciones interesantes (y advertencias) para todos los países que deseen hacer frente a los problemas sociales derivados de las dificultades de vivienda.Palabras clave: derecho a la vivienda, derechos humanos, transformación social, transición, derechos económicos y sociales, cuestiones sociales, Polonia, Naciones Unidas, comunismo.