Uma forma����o ��til para a literacia no novo contexto de Bolonha

A Declara����o de Bolonha (1999) obrigou a mudan��as v��rias, reconfigurando os modelos formativos no espa��o europeu do ensino superior, at�� 2010. A partir de 2006, em Portugal, com a cria����o e adequa����o dos cursos superiores existentes ao modelo de Bolonha, verificou-se uma generalizada redu����o da dura����o m��dia dos diferentes ciclos de estudo e a defini����o de compet��ncias gerais e espec��ficas para os cursos e estudantes. Reflecte-se sobre a import��ncia da literacia da informa����o, conceito evolutivo e abrangente, que se pode traduzir, sumariamente, em saber quando e porqu�� se tem uma necessidade informacional, onde encontrar a informa����o, como avali��-la, us��-la e comunic��-la de forma ��tica, incluindo as compet��ncias tecnol��gicas, defini����o que se inscreve na interdisciplinar Ci��ncia da Informa����o e no comportamento informacional. Destaca-se a vantagem de uma forma����o para a literacia da informa����o no ensino superior, a qual contribuir��, certamente, para dotar os estudantes das referidas compet��ncias e melhor��-las. Defende-se a necessidade de uma desej��vel inter-ac����o entre m��ltiplos agentes educativos, com destaque para a trilogia estudantes, bibliotec��rios e professores, sendo os primeiros encarados como protagonistas activos das suas aprendizagens e devendo ser dotados de compet��ncias de literacia da informa����o, factor determinante para o seu sucesso. Quanto ao Bibliotec��rio, dotado de novas compet��ncias, entre as quais as tecnol��gicas, deve ser um facilitador do processo de forma����o para a literacia - preferencialmente integrada num projecto pedag��gico e no curr��culo - articulando a sua ac����o educativa com estudantes e docentes. Corroborando a extens��o educativa das Bibliotecas e aliando-a ao uso inevit��vel das novas tecnologias da informa����o e comunica����o, sublinha-se o papel das Bibliotecas Digitais, que podem corresponder eficientemente aos anseios dos utilizadores no acesso a uma informa����o de qualidade, de forma c��moda, r��pida, a baixo custo, com personaliza����o dos servi��os online, com inter-ac����o e socializa����o, atrav��s de ferramentas de edi����o colaborativa, t��picas da Web 2.0.

Routine Transthoracic Echocardiography in a General Intensive Care Unit: an 18 Month Survey in 704 Patients

The authors analyzed 704 transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) examinations, performed routinely to all admitted patients to a general 16-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) during an 18-month period. Data acquisition and prevalence of abnormalities of cardiac structures and function were assessed, as well as the new, previously unknown severe diagnoses. A TTE was performed within the first 24 h of admission on 704 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 61.5+/-17.5 years, ICU stay of 10.6+/-17.1 days, APACHE II 22.6+/-8.9, and SAPS II 52.7+/-20.4. In four patients, TTE could not be performed. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions were quantified in 689 (97.8%) patients, and LV function in 670 (95.2%) patients. Cardiac output (CO) was determined in 610 (86.7%), and mitral E/A in 399 (85.9% of patients in sinus rhythm). Echocardiographic abnormalities were detected in 234 (33%) patients, the most common being left atrial (LA) enlargement (n=163), and LV dysfunction (n=132). Patients with these alterations were older (66+/-16.5 vs 58.1+/-17.4, p<0.001), presented a higher APACHE II score (24.4+/-8.7 vs 21.1+/-8.9, p<0.001), and had a higher mortality rate (40.1% vs 25.4%, p<0.001). Severe, previously unknown echocardiographic diagnoses were detected in 53 (7.5%) patients; the most frequent condition was severe LV dysfunction. Through a multivariate logistic regression analysis, it was determined that mortality was affected by tricuspid regurgitation (p=0.016, CI 1.007-1.016) and ICU stay (p<0.001, CI 1-1.019). We conclude that TTE can detect most cardiac structures in a general ICU. One-third of the patients studied presented cardiac structural or functional alterations and 7.5% severe previously unknown diagnoses.

Differences in exoenzyme production and adherence ability of Candida spp. isolates from catheter, blood and oral cavity

Phospholipase and proteinase production and the ability of adhesion to buccal epithelial cells (BEC) of 112 Candida isolates originated from oral cavity of HIV infected patients and from blood and catheter of intensive care unit patients were investigated. The proteinase production was detected by inoculation into bovine serum albumin (BSA) agar and the phospholipase activity was performed using egg yolk emulsion. A yeast suspension of each test strain was incubated with buccal epithelial cells and the number of adherence yeast to epithelial cells was counted. A percentage of 88.1% and 55.9% of Candida albicans and 69.8% and 37.7% of non-albicans Candida isolates produced proteinase and phospholipase, respectively. Non-albicans Candida isolated from catheter were more proteolytic than C. albicans isolates. Blood isolates were more proteolytic than catheter and oral cavity isolates while oral cavity isolates produced more phospholipase than those from blood and catheter. C. albicans isolates from oral cavity and from catheter were more adherent to BEC than non-albicans Candida isolates, but the adhesion was not different among the three sources analyzed. The results indicated differences in the production of phospholipase and proteinase and in the ability of adhesion to BEC among Candida spp. isolates from different sources. This study suggests that the pathogenicity of Candida can be correlated with the infected site.

Attitudes towards mentally ill in professionals working in Ndera neuropsychiatric hospital in Rwanda��

ABSTRACT: This quantitative study investigated the attitudes toward the mentally ill in professionals working in Ndera neuropsychiatric hospital. The research questions explored were centered on the attitudes of directly involved and supportive professionals toward mentally ill clients and also on the difference between the attitudes of directly involved and supportive professionals toward mentally ill clients and demographic variables. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in attitude between direct care providers and supportive professionals toward the mentally ill clients. The Community Attitudes towards Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale (Dear & Taylor, 1982; Taylor, Dear & Hall, 1979; Taylor & Dear, 1981) was used. A total of 72 members of the staff, including 55 directly involved staff and 17 supportive staff members, participated in the survey. A summary interpretation of the main findings in this thesis reinforces the assumption that negative attitudes towards people with mental illness received in Ndera neuropsychiatric hospital are in existence, even though the majority have favorable attitudes towards the mentally ill. This suggests that persons with mental illness may encounter stigmatizing attitudes from mental health professionals. This study represents one of the first to explore professionals��� attitudes towards the mentally ill. It is hoped that this work will highlight the need to explore the influence of attitudes in the delivery of high quality healthcare. The provider���patient relationship is at the heart of effective treatment and the detrimental impact of prejudicial judgments on this relationship should not be ignored. This study also demonstrates that professionals with different roles report different attitudes and this suggest that they would behave differently towards patients with mental illness. The directly involved professionals have been found to have more positive attitudes than the supportive professional and this seems to show that as individuals improve their ability to interact with persons with mental illness, they become more tolerant. The present study demonstrates that the sociodemographic variables tested have no impact on the attitudes of the professionals working in Ndera neuropsychiatric hospital. The extent of mental health training (as part of general health training) and duration of experience of working in mental health settings did not influence attitudes. Finally, this study demonstrates that there is no correlation between the attitudes towards mentally ill patients and their inclusion in the process of decision-making.

Gest��o de recursos humanos

A gest��o de recursos humanos �� uma abordagem em ascen����o e em constante muta����o, exigindo-se ��s empresas capacidade de atra����o, motiva����o e reten����o de recursos humanos. Este estudo tem como objetivo fundamental compreender quais as boas pr��ticas na gest��o de RH das unidades hoteleiras do Norte de Portugal. Adotando uma abordagem metodol��gica quantitativa, aplicamos como instrumento um question��rio das melhores pr��ticas na gest��o internacional de recursos humanos, o qual foi adaptado ao respetivo contexto social, cultural e organizacional, ��s unidades hoteleiras da regi��o do Norte de Portugal. O question��rio foi respondido por cinquenta e dois gestores daquelas organiza����es. Os principais resultados obtidos sobre as boas pr��ticas de recursos humanos utilizadas confirmam que os respons��veis acreditam estar a fazer uma gest��o de pessoas muito eficaz, que os colaboradores apresentam um elevado desempenho e se encontram satisfeitos com o seu emprego. Utilizam de uma forma geral todas as pr��ticas de recursos humanos eficazmente, que contribuem positivamente para o sucesso organizacional. Chegamos igualmente �� conclus��o, que estando perante um setor de atividade em franco crescimento e com uma enorme concorr��ncia, s�� com uma leitura constante e adequada ao momento das v��rias pr��ticas, permitir�� aos seus gestores atualizar, adaptar a sua lideran��a e assim ter colaboradores satisfeitos, interessados e comprometidos com os objetivos organizacionais. N��o obstante, conclui-se que se pode e deve fazer mais para continuar rumo �� excel��ncia.

A Communication Intervention for Training Southern European Oncologists to Recognize Psychosocial Morbidity in Cancer. I - Development of the Model and Preliminary Results on Physicians' Satisfaction

BACKGROUND: The detection of psychosocial distress is a significant communication problem in Southern Europe and other countries. Work in this area is hampered by a lack of data. Because not much is known about training aimed at improving the recognition of psychosocial disorders in cancer patients, we developed a basic course model for medical oncology professionals. METHODS: A specific educational and experiential model (12 hours divided into 2 modules) involving formal teaching (ie, journal articles, large-group presentations), practice in small groups (ie, small-group exercises and role playing), and discussion in large groups was developed with the aim of improving the ability of oncologists to detect emotional disturbances in cancer patients (ie, depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorders). RESULTS: A total of 30 oncologists from 3 Southern European countries (Italy, Portugal, and Spain) participated in the workshop. The training course was well accepted by most participants who expressed general satisfaction and a positive subjective perception of the utility of the course for clinical practice. Of the total participants, 28 physicians (93.3%) thought that had they been exposed to this material sooner, they would have incorporated the techniques received in the workshop into their practices; 2 participants stated they would likely have done so. Half of the doctors (n = 15) believed that their clinical communication techniques were improved by participating in the workshop, and the remaining half thought that their abilities to communicate with cancer patients had improved. CONCLUSIONS: This model is a feasible approach for oncologists and is easily applicable to various oncology settings. Further studies will demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for improving oncologists skills in recognizing emotional disorders in their patients with cancer.

Modeling in-Hospital Patient Survival During the First 28 Days After Intensive Care Unit Admission: a Prognostic Model for Clinical Trials in General Critically Ill Patients

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to develop a model for estimating patient 28-day in-hospital mortality using 2 different statistical approaches. DESIGN: The study was designed to develop an outcome prediction model for 28-day in-hospital mortality using (a) logistic regression with random effects and (b) a multilevel Cox proportional hazards model. SETTING: The study involved 305 intensive care units (ICUs) from the basic Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 cohort. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 17138) were from the SAPS 3 database with follow-up data pertaining to the first 28 days in hospital after ICU admission. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: The database was divided randomly into 5 roughly equal-sized parts (at the ICU level). It was thus possible to run the model-building procedure 5 times, each time taking four fifths of the sample as a development set and the remaining fifth as the validation set. At 28 days after ICU admission, 19.98% of the patients were still in the hospital. Because of the different sampling space and outcome variables, both models presented a better fit in this sample than did the SAPS 3 admission score calibrated to vital status at hospital discharge, both on the general population and in major subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Both statistical methods can be used to model the 28-day in-hospital mortality better than the SAPS 3 admission model. However, because the logistic regression approach is specifically designed to forecast 28-day mortality, and given the high uncertainty associated with the assumption of the proportionality of risks in the Cox model, the logistic regression approach proved to be superior.

Desenvolvimento de um biossensor para ��cido Glut��mico

A presente disserta����o tem com objetivo o desenvolvimento de um biossensor com base nos pol��meros de impress��o molecular para a dete����o de uma mol��cula alvo, o ��cido glut��mico que �� convertido em glutamina pela glutamina sintetase, recorrendo �� potenciometria. Nas c��lulas neopl��sicas a glutamina n��o �� sintetizada podendo-se considerar que o ��cido glut��mico �� um potencial agente anti-cancro. A t��cnica de impress��o mol��cular utilizada foi a polimeriza����o em bulk, combinando a acrilamida e a bis acrilamida com o ��cido glut��mico. Para se verificar se a resposta potenciom��trica obtida era de facto da mol��cula alvo foram preparados em paralelo com os sensores, materiais de controlo, ou seja, mol��culas sem impress��o mol��cular (NIP). Para se controlar a constitu������o qu��mica dos v��rios sensores nomeadamente, do NIP e do pol��mero de impress��o molecular (MIP) antes e ap��s a remo����o bem como a mol��cula foram realizados estudos de Espetroscopia de Infravermelhos de Transformada de Fourier (FTIR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM) e Espetroscopia de Raios X por dispers��o em energia (EDS). Os materiais desenvolvidos foram aplicados em v��rias membranas que diferiam umas das outras, sendo seletivas ao i��o. A avalia����o das caracter��sticas gerais das membranas baseou-se na an��lise das curvas de calibra����o, conseguidas em meios com pHs diferentes, comparando os v��rios el��trodos. O pH 5 foi o que apresentou melhor resultado, associado a uma membrana que continha um aditivo, o p-tetra-octilphenol, e com o sensor com percentagem de 3%. Posto isto, testou-se em material biol��gico, urina, com as melhores caracter��sticas quer em termos de sensibilidade (18,32mV/d��cada) quer em termos de linearidade (1,6x10-6 a 1,48x10-3 mol/L). Verificou-se ainda que aplicando i��es interferentes na solu����o, estes n��o interferem nesta, podendo ser aplicados na amostra sem que haja altera����o na resposta potenciom��trica. O el��trodo �� capaz de distinguir o ��cido glut��mico dos restantes i��es presentes na solu����o.

Quadros El��tricos Inteligentes-Smart Panels

Na sociedade atual, a preocupa����o com o ambiente, por um lado, e com o conforto e a seguran��a, por outro, faz com que a sustentabilidade energ��tica se assuma como uma forma de interven����o adequada ��s exig��ncias de qualidade de vida e �� efici��ncia no ��mbito da economia. Nesta conformidade, �� incontorn��vel a mais-valia do Smart Panel, um quadro el��trico inteligente criado com vista �� consecu����o daqueles desideratos, o que motivou o tema do presente trabalho. Assim, pretende-se demonstrar as potencialidades do Smart Panel, um novo conceito de quadro el��trico que visa a otimiza����o da sua funcionalidade na gest��o din��mica e pragm��tica das instala����es el��tricas, nomeadamente no que respeita ao controlo, monitoriza����o e atua����o sobre os dispositivos, quer in loco quer, sobretudo, �� dist��ncia. Para a consecu����o deste objetivo, concorrem outros que o potenciam, designadamente a compreens��o do funcionamento do quadro el��trico (QE) tradicional, a compara����o deste com o Smart Panel e a demonstra����o das vantagens da utiliza����o desta nova tecnologia. A grande finalidade do trabalho desenvolvido ��, por um lado, colocar a forma����o acad��mica ao servi��o de um bom desempenho profissional futuro, por outro ir ao encontro da tend��ncia tecnol��gica inerente ��s necessidades que o homem, hoje, tem de controlar. Deste modo, num primeiro momento, �� feita uma abordagem geral ao quadro el��ctrico tradicional a fim de ser compreendido o seu funcionamento, aplica����es e potencialidades. Para tanto, a explana����o inclui a apresenta����o de conceitos te��ricos subjacentes �� conce����o, produ����o e montagem do QE. S��o explicitados os diversos componentes que o integram e fun����es que desempenham, bem como as intera����es que estabelecem entre si e os normativos a que devem obedecer, para conformidade. Houve a preocupa����o de incluir imagens coadjuvantes das explica����es, descri����es e procedimentos t��cnicos. No terceiro cap��tulo �� abordada a tecnologia Smart Panel, introduzindo o conceito e objetivos que lhe subjazem. Explicita-se o modo de funcionamento deste sistema que agrupa prote����o, supervis��o, controlo, armazenamento e manuten����o preventiva, e demonstra-se de que forma a capacidade de leitura de dados, de comunica����o e de comando do quadro el��trico �� dist��ncia se afigura uma revolu����o tecnol��gica facilitadora do cumprimento das necessidades de seguran��a, conforto e economia da vida moderna. Os cap��tulos quarto, quinto e sexto versam uma componente pr��tica do trabalho. No cap��tulo quarto �� explanado um suporte formativo e posterior demonstra����o do kit de ensaio, que servir�� de apoio �� apresenta����o da tecnologia Smart Panel aos clientes. Al��m deste suporte de forma����o, no quinto cap��tulo �� elaborada uma lista de procedimentos de verifica����o a serem executados aos componentes de comunica����o que integram o Smart Panel, para fornecimento ao quadrista. Por fim, no sexto cap��tulo incluem-se dois casos de estudo: o estudo A centra-se na aplica����o da tecnologia Smart Panel ao projeto de um QE tradicional, que implica fazer o levantamento de toda a aparelhagem existente e, de seguida, proceder �� transposi����o para a tecnologia Smart Panel por forma a cumprir os requisitos estabelecidos pelo cliente. O estudo de caso B consiste na elabora����o de um projeto de um quadro el��ctrico com a tecnologia Smart Panel em fun����o de determinados requisitos e necessidades do cliente, por forma a garantir as fun����es desejadas.

Analysis of the pathway of developing a national mental health plan for Suriname

ABSTRACT: The aim of this analysis was to analyze and describe the steps that have been taken in the development of the mental health policy in Suriname after the WHO AIMS. The objectives are: 1.To review the steps to be taken in developing a mental health policy and plan for a country 2.To gather information and data concerning mental health policy and plan development in Suriname 3.To draw conclusion from the experience gained that can be applied to other countries. In general, the information that was gathered from the four countries Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Suriname, was compared with the WHO steps for developing a mental health policy and plan. Were these steps taken into consideration, when developing their mental health policy and plan? If not, what were the reasons why it did not happen? The checklist for evaluating a mental health plan was used in Suriname. This checklist assisted to see if the results of the recommendations given by the WHO AIMS to develop a effective and balanced mental health plan were taken into consideration. The mayor findings of the analysis are that Suriname as well as Guyana used the steps in developing their mental health policy and plan. Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago did not develop a mental health policy and plan. Suriname and Guyana have a mental health coordinating body at the Ministry of Health. Trinidad & Tobago as well as Barbados have a mental health focal person at the Ministry of Health of the respective countries. It can be concluded that successfully improving of health systems and services for mental health is combining theoretical concepts, expert knowledge and cooperation of many stakeholders. The appointment of a mental health coordinating unit at the Ministry of Health is crucial for the development of mental health in a country. Furthermore, mental health is everyone���s business and responsibility. Implementing the steps to be taken when developing a mental health policy and plan as recommended by WHO may be a slow process requiring the mobilization of political will. That���s why it is crucial that persons responsible for this process work close with all stakeholders in relevant sectors, taking their needs into consideration and try to translate that in clear objectives. It is common knowledge that improving the quality of mental health must be accompanied by the availability of financial and human resources. Finally, a mental health policy and plan should be one document tackling all aspects of mental health of a community.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase is inhibited by organic vanadium coordination compounds: pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylatodioxovanadium(V), BMOV, and an amavadine analogue

Inorg Chem. 2008 Jul 7;47(13):5677-84. doi: 10.1021/ic702405d

Unsupervised classification of remote sensing images combining Self Organizing Maps and segmentation techniques

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

Derivation and consistency checking of models in early software product line engineering

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Doutor em Engenharia Inform��tica

Frequency of human leukocyte antigen (hla) in patients with malaria and in the general population of Humait�� county, Amazonas state, Brazil

In August 1983,85 inhabitants of the municipality of Humait��, Amazonas State, Brazil were studied to determine the prevalence of antigens to HLA-A, -B, -C and DR. Thirty-eight were sick with malaria due to Plasmodium falciparum. All subjects were examined for splenomegaly, blood parasitaemia and antibodies to malaria. They constituted three groups: 1) 25 subjects native to the Amazon region who had never had malaria; 2) 38 Amazonian subjects who had malaria in the past or currently had an infection; 3) 22 patients with malaria who had acquired the infection in the Amazon Region but came from other regions of Brazil. Blood was taken from each person, the lymphocytes were separated and typed by the test of microlymphocytotoxicity. There was a high frequency of antigens that could not be identified in the groups studied which suggests the existence of a homozygote or phenotype not identified in the population. There was a high frequency of the phenotype Ag(W24) (44.7%) in group 2 when compared with group 1 (32%) or group 3 (9%). Also the individuals in group 2 showed an elevated frequency of antigen DR(4)80%) when compared with group 1 (36.6%) or group 3 (16.6%). These observations suggest the possibility of a genetic susceptibility to malaria among Amazonian residents and indicate a necessity for more extensive studies of the frequency of HLA antigens among inhabitants of this endemic malarial zone.