Detect and pointing algorithm's performance for a planar smart antenna array: a review

An adaptive antenna array combines the signal of each element, using some constraints to produce the radiation pattern of the antenna, while maximizing the performance of the system. Direction of arrival (DOA) algorithms are applied to determine the directions of impinging signals, whereas beamforming techniques are employed to determine the appropriate weights for the array elements, to create the desired pattern. In this paper, a detailed analysis of both categories of algorithms is made, when a planar antenna array is used. Several simulation results show that it is possible to point an antenna array in a desired direction based on the DOA estimation and on the beamforming algorithms. A comparison of the performance in terms of runtime and accuracy of the used algorithms is made. These characteristics are dependent on the SNR of the incoming signal.

Para uma experi��ncia est��tica em contexto educativo: trabalho de projecto

Trabalho de Projecto submetido �� Escola Superior de Teatro e Cinema para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de Mestre em Teatro - especializa����o em Teatro e Comunidade

Trace metals in size-fractionated particulate matter in a Portuguese hospital: exposure risks assessment and comparisons with other countries

Hospitals are considered as a special and important type of indoor public place where air quality has significant impacts on potential health outcomes. Information on indoor air quality of these environments, concerning exposures to particulate matter (PM) and related toxicity, is limited though. This work aims to evaluate risks associated with inhalation exposure to ten toxic metals and chlorine (As, Ni, Cr, Cd, Pb, Mn, Se, Ba, Al, Si, and Cl) in coarse (PM2.5���10) and fine (PM2.5) particles in a Portuguese hospital in comparison with studies representative of other countries. Samples were collected during 1 month in one urban hospital; elemental PM characterization was determined by proton-induced X-ray emission. Noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were assessed according to the methodology provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA; Region III Risk-Based Concentration Table) for three different age categories of hospital personnel (adults, >20, and <65 years) and patients (considering nine different age groups, i.e., children of 1���3 years to seniors of >65 years). The estimated noncarcinogenic risks due to occupational inhalation exposure to PM2.5-bound metals ranged from 5.88��10���6 for Se (adults, 55���64 years) to 9.35��10���1 for As (adults, 20���24 years) with total noncarcinogenic risks (sum of all metals) above the safe level for all three age categories. As and Cl (the latter due to its high abundances) were the most important contributors (approximately 90 %) to noncarcinogenic risks. For PM2.5���10, noncarcinogenic risks of all metals were acceptable to all age groups. Concerning carcinogenic risks, for Ni and Pb, they were negligible (<1��10���6) in both PM fractions for all age groups of hospital personnel; potential risks were observed for As and Cr with values in PM2.5 exceeding (up to 62 and 5 times, respectively) USEPA guideline across all age groups; for PM2.5���10, increased excess risks of As and Cr were observed particularly for long-term exposures (adults, 55���64 years). Total carcinogenic risks highly (up to 67 times) exceeded the recommended level for all age groups, thus clearly showing that occupational exposure to metals in fine particles pose significant risks. If the extensive working hours of hospital medical staff were considered, the respective noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were increased, the latter for PM2.5 exceeding the USEPA cumulative guideline of 10���4. For adult patients, the estimated noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were approximately three times higher than for personnel, with particular concerns observed for children and adolescents.

Levels and risks of particulate-bound PAHs in indoor air influenced by tobacco smoke: a field measurement

Considering tobacco smoke as one of the most health-relevant indoor sources, the aim of this work was to further understand its negative impacts on human health. The specific objectives of this work were to evaluate the levels of particulate-bound PAHs in smoking and non-smoking homes and to assess the risks associated with inhalation exposure to these compounds. The developed work concerned the application of the toxicity equivalency factors approach (including the estimation of the lifetime lung cancer risks, WHO) and the methodology established by USEPA (considering three different age categories) to 18 PAHs detected in inhalable (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particles at two homes. The total concentrations of 18 PAHs (��PAHs) was 17.1 and 16.6 ng m���3 in PM10 and PM2.5 at smoking home and 7.60 and 7.16 ng m���3 in PM10 and PM2.5 at non-smoking one. Compounds with five and six rings composed the majority of the particulate PAHs content (i.e., 73 and 78 % of ��PAHs at the smoking and non-smoking home, respectively). Target carcinogenic risks exceeded USEPA health-based guideline at smoking home for 2 different age categories. Estimated values of lifetime lung cancer risks largely exceeded (68���200 times) the health-based guideline levels at both homes thus demonstrating that long-term exposure to PAHs at the respective levels would eventually cause risk of developing cancer. The high determined values of cancer risks in the absence of smoking were probably caused by contribution of PAHs from outdoor sources.

Ultrafine Particles in Ambient Air of an Urban Area: Dose Implications for Elderly

Due to their detrimental effects on human health, the scientific interest in ultrafine particles (UFP) has been increasing, but available information is far from comprehensive. Compared to the remaining population, the elderly are potentially highly susceptible to the effects of outdoor air pollution. Thus, this study aimed to (1) determine the levels of outdoor pollutants in an urban area with emphasis on UFP concentrations and (2) estimate the respective dose rates of exposure for elderly populations. UFP were continuously measured over 3 weeks at 3 sites in north Portugal: 2 urban (U1 and U2) and 1 rural used as reference (R1). Meteorological parameters and outdoor pollutants including particulate matter (PM10), ozone (O3), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were also measured. The dose rates of inhalation exposure to UFP were estimated for three different elderly age categories: 64���70, 71���80, and >81 years. Over the sampling period levels of PM10, O3 and NO2 were in compliance with European legislation. Mean UFP were 1.7 �� 104 and 1.2 �� 104 particles/cm3 at U1 and U2, respectively, whereas at rural site levels were 20���70% lower (mean of 1 ��104 particles/cm3). Vehicular traffic and local emissions were the predominant identified sources of UFP at urban sites. In addition, results of correlation analysis showed that UFP were meteorologically dependent. Exposure dose rates were 1.2- to 1.4-fold higher at urban than reference sites with the highest levels noted for adults at 71���80 yr, attributed mainly to higher inhalation rates.

Participa����o de crian��as com multidifici��ncia e defici��ncia visual em actividades na escola : orienta����es para a interven����o

O crescente reconhecimento das limita����es das crian��as com multidefici��ncia e defici��ncia visual, quer nas interac����es com os parceiros quer de uma forma geral nos ambientes em que se inserem, motivou este estudo, que pretendeu analisar o n��vel de participa����o destas crian��as em actividades na escola. Considerando a import��ncia de contribuir com informa����o para orienta����es na interven����o educativa de crian��as com MDVI, realizou-se um estudo que analisa o seu comportamento e envolvimento em actividades da escola. Para a realiza����o deste estudo, observaram-se os comportamentos de tr��s crian��as com MDVI, com idades compreendidas entre os 9 e os 10 anos, em tr��s ambientes da escola, nomeadamente a sala de aula, o refeit��rio e o recreio, e em tr��s actividades (pintura, jogos, almo��o, saltar �� corda, andar de baloi��o e subir escadas) de forma a analisar o seu envolvimento e limita����es nas actividades. Na an��lise dos dados das observa����es foram identificadas quatro categorias de participa����o: Inicia, Perde Oportunidade, Inicia com Apoio e Comportamento Potencialmente Comunicativo, registando-se valores que permitiram encontrar caracter��sticas dos comportamentos das crian��as observadas, assim como o seu n��vel de participa����o em actividades na escola. Os resultados do estudo permitiram verificar que a participa����o das crian��as em actividades est�� condicionada pelos ambientes em que est��o envolvidas, e n��o pelas problem��ticas que cada crian��a apresenta.----------------------------------------ABSTRACT: The motivation of this study is the increasing knowledge and awareness of children who have multiple disabilities and a visual impairment (MDVI) and the limitation with their peer interactions and in general. The purpose of this study was to analyze the participation level of children with MDVI in school activities. Considering the importance of contributing with guidelines for educational intervention with children with MDVI, we did a study that analyzes the behavior and the level of participation of MDVI children in school activities. In this research study we observed the behavior of three children with MDVI, of 9/10 years old, in three different environments at school; the classroom, the canteen and the playground, and in different activities (painting, playing games, having lunch, skipping rope, etc), in order to analyze their participation and their activity limitations in the activities referred. Data analysis identified four categories of participation: Initiation; Missed Opportunities; Initiation with support and Potentially communicative behavior. Results of data analysis allowed us to find out characteristics of children��s behavior, as well as their level of participation in activities. The main findings of this research allowed us to verify that the child���s engagement in activities depends on the environments where they are located and not on their disability.

Prestadores de cuidados familiares a doentes com VIH/SIDA: perfil psico-emocional e social

RESUMO: Com o presente estudo pretendemos identificar a sobrecarga resultante do envolvimento familiar com os doentes portadores de VIH/SIDA. Numa breve introdu����o te��rica, procedemos �� revis��o dos conceitos sobrecarga familiar e dos sentimentos/emo����es vivenciados pelos prestadores de cuidados. Metodologia: Estudo do tipo descritivo e explorat��rio, com uma amostra de 51 indiv��duos, cuja finalidade consiste na caracteriza����o dos prestadores de cuidados familiares a doentes com VIH/SIDA. Objectivos: Identificar quem o doente com VIH/SIDA, considera ser a pessoa significativa nos cuidados informais. Caracterizar, do ponto de vista s��cio-demogr��fico, os doentes e os prestadores de cuidados familiares. Identificar sentimentos e emo����es de viv��ncias, que justifiquem o sofrimento emocional e as repercuss��es na sobrecarga familiar nos prestadores de cuidados informais. Instrumentos: Na avalia����o da sobrecarga familiar, utiliz��mos o Question��rio de Problemas Familiares���- FPQ (Family Problemas Questionnaire). Para identifica����o dos Acontecimentos de Vida, adopt��mos a escala de Holmes e Rahe (Life Events); Para identifica����o do estrato social escolhemos escala de Graffar. Finalmente, para a caracteriza����o s��cio-demografica concebemos dois question��rios: um dirigido aos doentes e o outro aos prestadores de cuidados informais. Conclus��es: A sobrecarga da doen��a VIH/SIDA, nos prestadores de cuidados familiares, n��o �� uniforme nas diferentes dimens��es. A dimens��o sobrecarga subjectiva �� superior �� objectiva. O suporte social revela-se fraco, relacionado com as perdas familiares, devidas a morte, pelas rela����es familiares disfuncionais, entre os membros da fam��lia, pela falta de apoio e informa����o dos t��cnicos de sa��de. O sexo feminino �� predominante nos cuidadores. As m��es e esposas s��o o grau de parentesco dominante. Os solteiros s��o o grupo mais afectado pelo VIH/SIDA. Os cuidadores apresentam idade superior �� dos doentes. O estrato social preponderante �� o m��dio baixo e o baixo. Os familiares, apesar da atitude negativa dos doentes perante os cuidadores, mant��m-se envolvidos. Segundo a avalia����o multiaxial proposta pelo DM-IV, constat��mos, ao n��vel do eixo I, sintomatologia cl��nica do tipo das perturba����es depressivas e perturba����es da ansiedade. No eixo IV, os cuidadores evidenciam problemas psicossociais e ambientais, nomeadamente nas categorias problemas com o grupo de apoio prim��rio, problemas relacionados como grupo social, problemas educacionais, problemas de alojamento, problemas econ��micos. Os problemas relacionados com o grupo de apoio prim��rio, s��o os que mais parecem contribuir para os problemas psicossociais e ambientais.---------------------------------------ABSTRACT: This study wants to describe several problems as a result of the family���s relationship with HIV/AIDS patients, like overload. In a brief theoric introduction, we made a small revision about the concepts of family���s overload, and feelings or emotions that have been lived by the people who provide cares to the patients with this chronic disease. Methodology: This is a describing and exploratory study, with a sample with 51 individuals, with the aim to characterize the people inside the family who give care HIV/AIDS patients. Aim: To identify who are the most important people in informal cares from the patient perspective. To characterize, in a social-demographic point of view, patients and the people who take care of them. To identify feelings and emotions that could explain an emotional suffer, and some causes in the family burden. Means: to evaluate the family���s overload we used the Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). To identify life events we adopted the Holmes and Rahe scale. To identify the social stratum we used the Graffer scale. Finally to do a socio-economic characterization we did two kinds of questionnaire, the first one was directed for the patients, and the second one was chosen for the people who give care. Conclusions: The HIV/AIDS disease burden on the people who takes familiar cares isn���t uniform on several areas that we studied. The subjective overload it is superior to the objective. The social support is weak and poor, and related with family losses by dead, dysfunctional family relationships, and the lack of support and information by the medical staff. Mothers and wives are the dominant relative degree. And the singles are the major group with HIV/AIDS disease. The people who take care are usually older than the sick. The major social status is low or medium-low. The relatives keep evolved though the negative attitude of the sick. According with the evaluation multiaxial proposed by the DM-IV, in axle 1 we note clinic sintomatologic belonging to the type depressive perturbations and perturbations of the anxiety. Regarding with axle IV the caretakers show up psycho-social and environmental problems, namely on the categories: problems with the primary support group and problems related as social group, educational problems, accommodation problems and.

The tricks of the trade (un)exposed

One of the filmic trends which has been neglected by the Academy Awards is the metacinema, which for practical purposes I will consider to be a cross between the complexities of the self-reflexive cinema (highly connoted with modernism) and the Hollywood Film (the classical films about the urge to ���make it��� in Hollywood). Indeed, these films have always existed and some, as Sunset Boulevard (Billy Wilder, 1950, USA) and Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch, 2001, FRA/USA), have even made it to the ceremony, but were, predictably, defeated in the main categories, by other more ���serious��� or less self-reflexive products. The United States has always insisted on not revealing the tricks of the trade while, ironically, generating films that deal with this theme, in order to cater to the curiosity of the metacinema-inclined spectator. For this reason such films are usually about the universe of cinema but not its medium, at least not in a way that discloses the operations of the technical apparatus. Why are these films not viewed as serious enough and artistic enough to be awarded Oscars by the Academy in the categories of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematography? Are they being discarded for the same reasons that comedy and musicals usually are? Or are they being punished for being too unveiling? Or is the industry going for commercial products that can easily be pushed on a global scale and make a profit?

Ac����o do vento em pontes: estudo comparativo RSA/NP EN 1991-1-4

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obten����o do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na ��rea de Especializa����o em Estruturas

Escrever para aprender estudo do meio

Disserta����o apresentada �� Escola Superior de Educa����o de Lisboa para obten����o de grau de mestre em Did��ticas Integradas em L��ngua Portuguesa, Matem��tica, Ci��ncias Naturais e Sociais

Modela����o e previs��o de vendas no setor do retalho de cal��ado

Disserta����o apresentada ao Instituto Polit��cnico do Porto para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Log��stica Orientada por: Professora Doutora Patr��cia Alexandra Greg��rio Ramos

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) isolated from AIDS patients and the criteria required for its implication in disease

Before the AIDS pandemia, the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was responsible in most cases for the pneumopathies that attack patients with basic chronic pulmonary diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis36. In 1981, with the advent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), MAC started to represent one of the most frequent bacterial diseases among AIDS patients, with the disseminated form of the disease being the major clinical manifestation of the infection8. Between January 1989 and February 1991, the Section of Mycobacteria of the Adolfo Lutz Institute, S��o Paulo, isolated MAC from 103 patients by culturing different sterile and no-sterile processed specimens collected from 2304 patients seen at the AIDS Reference and Training Center and/or Emilio Ribas Infectology Institute. Disseminated disease was diagnosed in 29 of those patients on the basis of MAC isolation from blood and/or bone marrow aspirate. The other 74 patients were divided into categories highly (5), moderately (26) and little suggestive of disease (43) according to the criteria of DAVIDSON (1989)10. The various criteria for MAC isolation from sterile and non-sterile specimens are discussed.

Gest��o dos custos dos acidentes de trabalho em meio hospitalar

RESUMO - No contexto econ��mico actual, os custos pelos acidentes devem ser tidos em conta por todos os gestores das organiza����es, com especial destaque ao sector da sa��de. Assim a an��lise econ��mica deste estudo visa alertar para o impacto econ��mico dos acidentes de trabalho em contexto hospitalar e sensibilizar os gestores para a an��lise do custo-beneficio da preven����o. Existem custos facilmente constat��veis, tais como, o tempo perdido no dia do acidente, quer pelo sinistrado quer pelos colegas de trabalho que o assistem, as despesas de uma ida ao servi��o de urg��ncia, a paragem da produ����o, a forma����o de m��o-de-obra alternativa, a substitui����o dos trabalhadores, o pagamento de horas extras, o restabelecimento dos trabalhadores, os sal��rios pagos aos trabalhadores sinistrados, as despesas administrativas e o aumento do pr��mio do seguro, entre outros. Existem outros custos que n��o s��o t��o evidentes e por conseguinte, dificilmente quantific��veis, como �� o caso da deteriora����o da imagem da empresa e o impacto sentimental que estes provocam nos colegas de trabalho que se traduz em quebras de produtividade. A an��lise econ��mica foi realizada tendo em conta a defini����o de v��rias vari��veis, de v��rias rubricas de custos pertencentes ao mesmo dom��nio. Neste projecto pretende-se analisar o custo global da sinistralidade segundo tr��s ��pticas distintas. A ��ptica da variabilidade, da imputabilidade e da responsabilidade, de forma a ser poss��vel obter o custo marginal devido �� ocorr��ncia de um novo acidente, o montante de custos assumidos pelas empresas e os custos unit��rios segundo a natureza e a localiza����o da les��o. ---------- ABSTRACT - In the current economic context, the costs originated by labour accidents must be taken in account by all the managers of the organisations, in this case, especially by the health sector. Thus, the economic analysis of this study case aims, to alert for the economic impact of the industrial accidents and motivate the managers for the analysis of the cost-benefit for prevention. There are kinds of costs easily quantified such as, the lost time in the day of the accident, expenses in the urgencies service, production interruption, workforce formation, workers��� substitution, extra work payment, employers��� healing, wages paid to injured workers���, administrative expenses and a biggest insurers������ prime, among other things. The economic analysis of the labour injuries, was developed taking in account the definition of some variables, of some cost categories which belong to same domain. In this project we pretend to analyse the global cost labour injuries according to three distinct optics: variability, imputability and responsibility. Thus, it became possible to get the cost due to an occurrence of a new accident, the unitary sum of costs assumed by the companies and costs according to nature and the localisation of the injury.

Gest��o da cadeia de abastecimento de bens de consumo baseada em modelos de previs��o lineares

Disserta����o apresentada ao Instituto Polit��cnico do Porto para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Log��stica

Depress��o : detec����o, diagn��stico e tratamento. Estudo de preval��ncia e despite das perturba����es depressivas e tratamento��

RESUMO:A depress��o cl��nica �� uma patologia do humor, dimensional e de natureza cr��nica, evoluindo por epis��dios heterog��neos remitentes e recorrentes, de gravidade vari��vel, correspondendo a categorias nosol��gicas porventura artificiais mas clinicamente ��teis, de elevada preval��ncia e respons��vel por morbilidade importante e custos sociais crescentes, calculando-se que em 2020 os epis��dios de depress��o major constituir��o, em todo o mundo, a segunda causa de anos de vida com sa��de perdidos. Como desej��vel, na maioria dos pa��ses os cuidados de sa��de prim��rios s��o a porta de entrada para o acesso �� recep����o de cuidados de sa��de. Cerca de 50% de todas as pessoas sofrendo de depress��o acedem aos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios mas apenas uma pequena propor����o �� correctamente diagnosticada e tratada pelos m��dicos prestadores de cuidados prim��rios apesar dos tratamentos dispon��veis serem muito efectivos e de f��cil aplicabilidade. A exist��ncia de dificuldades e barreiras a v��rios n��veis ��� doen��a, doentes, m��dicos, organiza����es de sa��de, cultura e sociedade ��� contribuem para esta generalizada inefici��ncia de que resulta uma manuten����o do peso da depress��o que n��o tem sido poss��vel reduzir atrav��s das estrat��gias tradicionais de organiza����o de servi��os. A equipa comunit��ria de sa��de mental e a psiquiatria de liga����o s��o duas estrat��gias de interven����o com desenvolvimento conceptual e organizacional respectivamente na Psiquiatria Social e na Psicossom��tica. A primeira tem demonstrado sucesso na abordagem cl��nica das doen��as mentais graves na comunidade e a segunda na abordagem das patologias n��o psic��ticas no hospital geral. Todavia, a efectividade destas estrat��gias n��o se tem revelado transfer��vel para o tratamento das perturba����es depressivas e outras patologias mentais comuns nos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios. Novos modelos de liga����o e de trabalho em equipa multidisciplinar t��m sido demonstrados como mais eficazes e custo-efectivos na redu����o do peso da depress��o, ao n��vel da presta����o dos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios, quando s��o atinentes com os seguintes princ��pios estrat��gicos e organizacionais: detec����o sistem��tica e abordagem da depress��o segundo o modelo m��dico, gest��o integrada de doen��a cr��nica incluindo a continuidade de cuidados mediante colabora����o e partilha de responsabilidades intersectorial, e a aposta na melhoria cont��nua da qualidade. Em Portugal, n��o existem dados fi��veis sobre a frequ��ncia da depress��o, seu reconhecimento e a adequa����o do tratamento ao n��vel dos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios nem se encontra validada uma metodologia de diagn��stico simples e fi��vel pass��vel de implementa����o generalizada. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo transversal com os objectivos de estabelecer a preval��ncia pontual de depress��o entre os utentes dos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios e as taxas de reconhecimento e tratamento pelos m��dicos de fam��lia e testar metodologias de despiste, com base num question��rio de preenchimento r��pido ��� o WHO-5 ��� associado a uma breve entrevista estruturada ��� o IED. Foram seleccionados aleatoriamente 31 m��dicos de fam��lia e avaliados 544 utentes consecutivos, dos 16 aos 90 anos, em quatro regi��es de sa��de e oito centros de sa��de dotados com 219 cl��nicos gerais. Os doentes foram entrevistados por psiquiatras, utilizando um m��todo padronizado, o SCAN, para diagn��stico de perturba����o depressiva segundo os crit��rios da 10�� edi����o da Classifica����o Internacional de Doen��as. Apurou-se que 24.8% dos utentes apresentava depress��o. No melhor dos cen��rios, menos de metade destes doentes, 43%, foi correctamente identificada como deprimida pelo seu m��dico de fam��lia e menos de 13% dos doentes com depress��o estavam bem medicados com antidepressivo em dose adequada. A aplica����o seriada dos dois instrumentos n��o revelou dificuldades tendo permitido a identifica����o de pelo menos 8 em cada 10 doentes deprimidos e a exclus��o de 9 em cada 10 doentes n��o deprimidos. Confirma-se a elevada preval��ncia da patologia depressiva ao n��vel dos cuidados prim��rios em Portugal e a necessidade de melhorar a capacidade diagn��stica e terap��utica dos m��dicos de fam��lia. A interven����o de despiste, que foi validada, parece adequada para ser aplicada de modo sistem��tico em Centros de Sa��de que disponham de recursos t��cnicos e organizacionais para o tratamento efectivo dos doentes com depress��o. A obten����o da linha de base de indicadores de preval��ncia, reconhecimento e tratamento das perturba����es depressivas nos cuidados de sa��de prim��rios, bem como a valida����o de instrumentos de uso cl��nico, viabiliza a capacita����o do sistema para a produ����o de uma campanha nacional de educa����o de grande amplitude como a proposta no Plano Nacional de Sa��de 2004-2010.------- ABSTRACT: Clinical depression is a dimensional and chronic affective disorder, evolving through remitting and recurring heterogeneous episodes with variable severity corresponding to clinically useful artificial diagnostic categories, highly prevalent and producing vast morbidity and growing social costs, being estimated that in 2020 unipolar major depression will be the second cause of healthy life years lost all over the world. In most countries, primary care are the entry point for access to health care. About 50% of all individuals suffering from depression within the community reach primary health care but a smaller proportion is correctly diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians though available treatments are effective and easily manageable. Barriers at various levels ��� pertaining to the illness itself, to patients, doctors, health care organizations, culture and society ��� contribute to the inefficiency of depression management and pervasiveness of depression burden, which has not been possible to reduce through classical service strategies. Community mental health teams and consultation-liaison psychiatry, two conceptual and organizational intervention strategies originating respectively within social psychiatry and psychosomatics, have succeeded in treating severe mental illness in community and managing non-psychotic disorders in the general hospital. However, these strategies effectiveness has not been replicated and transferable for the primary health care setting treatment of depressive disorders and other common mental pathology. New modified liaison and multidisciplinary team work models have been shown as more efficacious and cost-effective reducing depression burden at the primary care level namely when in agreement with principles such as: systematic detection of depression and approach accordingly to the medical model, chronic llness comprehensive management including continuity of care through collaboration and shared responsibilities between primary and specialized care, and continuous quality improvement. There are no well-founded data available in Portugal for depression prevalence, recognition and treatment adequacy in the primary care setting neither is validated a simple, teachable and implementable recognition and diagnostic methodology for primary care. With these objectives in mind, a cross-sectional descriptive study was performed involving 544 consecutive patients, aged 16-90 years, recruited from the ambulatory of 31 family doctors randomized within the 219 physicians working in eight health centres from four health regions. Screening strategies were tested based on the WHO-5 questionnaire in association with a short structured interview based on ICD-10 criteria. Depression ICD-10 diagnosis was reached according to the gold standard SCAN interview performed by trained psychiatrists. Any depressive disorder ICD-10 diagnosis was present in 24.8% of patients. Through the use of favourable recognition criteria, 43% of the patients were correctly identified as depressed by their family doctor and about 13% of the depressed patients were prescribed antidepressants at an adequate dosage. The serial administration of both instruments ��� WHO-5 and short structured interview ��� was feasible, allowing the detection of eight in ten positive cases and the exclusion of nine in ten non-cases. In Portugal, at the primary care level, high depressive disorder prevalence is confirmed as well as the need to improve depression diagnostic and treatment competencies of family doctors. A two-stage screening strategy has been validated and seems adequate for systematic use in health centres where technical and organizational resources for the effective management of depression are made available. These results can be viewed as primary care depressive disorders baseline indicators of prevalence, detection and treatment and, along with clinical useful instruments, the health system is more capacitated for the establishment of a national level large education campaign on depression such as proposed in the National Health Plan 2004-2010.