Are societal changes new? Questions or trends and future perceptions on knowledge-based economy

With the emergence of a global division of labour, the internationalisation of markets and cultures, the growing power of supranational organisations and the spread of new information technologies to every field of life, it starts to appear a different kind of society, different from the industrial society, and called by many as ���the knowledge-based economy���, emphasizing the importance of information and knowledge in many areas of work and organisation of societies. Despite the common trends of evolution, these transformations do not necessarily produce a convergence of national and regional social and economic structures, but a diversity of realities emerging from the relations between economic and political context on one hand and the companies and their strategies on the other. In this sense, which future can we expect to the knowledge economy? How can we measure it and why is it important? This paper will present some results from the European project WORKS ��� Work organisation and restructuring in the knowledge society (6th Framework Programme), focusing the future visions and possible future trends in different countries, sectors and industries, given empirical evidences of the case studies applied in several European countries, underling the importance of foresight exercises to design policies, prevent uncontrolled risks and anticipate alternatives, leading to different ���knowledge economies��� and not to the ���knowled

A DCAP for the social and solidarity economy

This article presents a work-in-progress version of a Dublin Core Application Profile (DCAP) developed to serve the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE). Studies revealed that this community is interested in implementing both internal interoperability between their Web platforms to build a global SSE e-marketplace, and external interoperability among their Web platforms and external ones. The Dublin Core Application Profile for Social and Solidarity Economy (DCAP-SSE) serves this purpose. SSE organisations are submerged in the market economy but they have specificities not taken into account in this economy. The DCAP-SSE integrates terms from well-known metadata schemas, Resource Description Framework (RDF) vocabularies or ontologies, in order to enhance interoperability and take advantage of the benefits of the Linked Open Data ecosystem. It also integrates terms from the new essglobal RDF vocabulary which was created with the goal to respond to the SSE-specific needs. The DCAP-SSE also integrates five new Vocabulary Encoding Schemes to be used with DCAP-SSE properties. The DCAP development was based on a method for the development of application profiles (Me4MAP). We believe that this article has an educational value since it presents the idea that it is important to base DCAP developments on a method. This article shows the main results of applying such a method.

Adolescents and School Asthma Knowledge and Attitudes

Introduction: bronchial asthma is a chronic disease that affects a high percentage of adolescents, with a significant restriction of daily activities, and is a cause of school absenteeism. The relationships between adolescents and asthma disease in school were assessed, with a view to improving knowledge about the asthmatic adolescent. Methods: a survey was conducted in the Lisbon metropolitan area, covering urban (Lisbon) and rural (Lourinh��a ) zones and including 1879 students and 81 teachers from the 7th to 9th high school years. The study groups were asthmatic students, their peers, and teachers. A self-administered questionnaire was applied to collect information. The results were compared with a reference group of 91 asthmatic students attending our Department of Immunoallergy-Hospital Dona Estef��nia. Cotinine urinary measurements were made in a sample of asthmatics and a control group. Results: the prevalence of current asthma among students was 10%. Estimates of asthma annual burden among 7th to 9th year students from Lisbon and Lourinh��a high schools included 4,307 days missed from school, 4,148 medical consultations and a minimum of 351 hospital emergency care and 80 hospital admissions. Exposure to passive smoking was not significantly different between asthmatic students and theirs peers. Cotinine urinary measurements did not discriminate between exposed and non-exposed individuals. Cigarette smoking was almost as common among adolescent asthmatics (5.4%) as it was in non-asthmatic subjects (6.7%). However, 55% of asthmatics mentioned active and passive smoking as an asthma exacerbating factor. Asthmatic students, theirs peers and teachers showed a deficient knowledge about asthma (mean group scores: 17.6; 14.2 and 17.7 of a possible 30), particularly in the areas related to asthma recognition and its management. Asthmatics attending our Allergy Department had the highest scores. All groups showed tolerance in the sense of a positive and understanding attitude toward a person with asthma. However, traditional beliefs about asthma disease (dependence, inferiority...) were confirmed. A positive correlation between knowledge levels and tolerance attitudes was found. Conclusion: in view of the dimension of the asthma problem in adolescence and its social and economic impact, it is justifiable to assess the need for the implementation of asthma education programs in schools in order to improve asthma management by the adolescents and their schools.

Empreendedorismo social e desenvolvimento regional

O prop��sito desta comunica����o �� compreender a rela����o entre a favorabilidade do contexto externo e o empreendedorismo social em Portugal. A investiga����o adota uma metodologia quantitativa. Os dados prim��rios foram recolhidos atrav��s de um inqu��rito por question��rio, on���line, enviado aos respons��veis que estiveram na base da constitui����o das Organiza����es N��o���Governamentais de Coopera����o para o Desenvolvimento existentes em Portugal, bem como aos respons��veis pelos projetos, que �� data do inqu��rito, se encontravam cotados na Bolsa de Valores Sociais. No teste das hip��teses de investiga����o foram utilizadas t��cnicas de an��lise descritiva, t��cnicas de redu����o de dados (an��lise fatorial por componentes principais), e o teste t���student. Os resultados revelaram que um contexto externo favor��vel tem uma import��ncia baixa na decis��o de forma����o de uma organiza����o social. Os resultados obtidos encontram suporte para o facto de muitas iniciativas de empreendedorismo social tenderem a localizar as suas atividades em ambientes desfavor��veis, o que confirma o papel do empreendedorismo social na atenua����o das assimetrias sociais e econ��micas entre as regi��es do territ��rio nacional.

Social entrepreneurship

The purpose of this chapter is to contribute to a better understanding of the link between social entrepreneurship and institutional environment in Portugal. A quantitative approach is used in the study, with primary data collected through an online survey. A questionnaire was emailed to both Portuguese Non-Governmental Organizations and projects available on the Portuguese Social Stock Exchange. In the analysis of the data, we used descriptive statistics, factorial analysis and t-student tests in an attempt to validate the research hypotheses. The results show that a favorable institutional environment has low importance in the decision to develop social entrepreneurial initiatives. This conclusion supports the idea that many social entrepreneurs can emerge even in developing regions where the institutional environment is weak. Therefore,social entrepreneurship could be an instrument of regional development and contribute to attenuating the social and economic differences among Portuguese regions.

Proposta de implementa����o da responsabilidade social numa empresa de engenharia e constru����o

Este estudo tem como finalidade analisar a possibilidade de implementa����o e integra����o do sistema de gest��o da responsabilidade social numa empresa de engenharia e constru����o, de acordo com a norma NP 4469-1 (2008). Um dos objetivos deste trabalho �� explorar uma das atividades fundamentais para o crescimento da economia: a constru����o. Esta funciona como bar��metro da economia nacional, ou seja, movimenta v��rios setores importantes na sua cadeia de produ����o, contribuindo na cria����o de riqueza como tamb��m de emprego. Como consequ��ncia das mudan��as na economia nos ��ltimos anos, o com��rcio nacional transformou-se em com��rcio globalizado, tendo como mercado n��o s�� um pa��s mas o mundo inteiro. As empresas veem isso como um desafio, independentemente da sua dimens��o. A redu����o de custos e a diferencia����o n��o podem ser a ��nica fonte de competitividade. A recente situa����o de instabilidade econ��mica mundial impulsiona as empresas a inovarem na sua imagem para com os stakeholders e, assim, garantir o seu desenvolvimento e sustentabilidade financeira. A tem��tica da Responsabilidade Social Empresarial (RSE) surgiu da necessidade de existir um esp��rito empresarial respons��vel, ao encontro do conceito de desenvolvimento sustent��vel (Baylis e Smith, 2005). Apesar da ampla divulga����o da no����o de responsabilidade social das empresas, n��o se verifica, no entanto, uma defini����o exata da mesma, pois o tema tem sido abordado de diversas formas e tem dividido opini��es ao longo dos anos. A responsabilidade social ��, assim, um fruto da gest��o das organiza����es e das profundas cr��ticas sociais, legais, ��ticas e econ��micas, inspiradas nos par��metros da obten����o de valor social (Parra, 2003). A sustentabilidade revela uma mudan��a de paradigma do mundo empresarial, na medida em que as empresas devem adotar pr��ticas socialmente respons��veis, que integrem de forma volunt��ria as preocupa����es ambientais, sociais e econ��micas no desenvolvimento das suas atividades operacionais e das suas intera����es com as partes interessadas.

Does it pay to be social responsible? Portuguese SMEs feedback

The research on corporate social responsibility has been focused mainly on Anglo-Saxon countries and big companies. Most scholars agree there is a positive relationship between companies social and economic performance, however, this is not unanimous. Moreover,during economic downturns, companies struggle for survival and might consider corporate social responsibility efforts should be postponed. This research investigates if there is a positive relationship between social performance and key business results using a large sample of small and medium Portuguese companies over an extended period of time. The research results support the existence of valid positive relationships between companies��� social performance and key business results, confirming it does pay to invest in corporate social responsibility even in less favorable economic scenarios and for small and medium companies across all business sectors.

Fiscal decentralisation and economic theory

There is no complete overview or discussion of the literature of the economics of federalism and fiscal decentralization, even though scholarly interest in the topic has been increasing significantly over recent years. This paper provides a general, brief but comprehensive overview of the main insights from the literature on fiscal federalism and decentralization. In doing so, literature on fiscal federalism and decentralization is grouped into two main approaches: ���first generation of theories��� and ���second generation of theories���.

ENTEROPATHOGENS DETECTED IN A DAYCARE CENTER, SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL: BACTERIA, VIRUS, AND PARASITE RESEARCH

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and etiological profile of enteropathogens in children from a daycare center. Methods: From October 2010 to February 2011 stool samples from 100 children enrolled in a government daycare center in the municipality of São José do Rio Preto, in the state of São Paulo, were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 246 bacteria were isolated in 99% of the fecal samples; 129 were in the diarrheal group and 117 in the non-diarrheal group. Seventy-three strains of Escherichia coli were isolated, 19 of Enterobacter, one of Alcaligenes and one of Proteus. There were 14 cases of mixed colonization with Enterobacter and E. coli. Norovirus and Astrovirus were detected in children with clinical signs suggestive of diarrhea. These viruses were detected exclusively among children residing in urban areas. All fecal samples were negative for the presence of the rotavirus species A and C. The presence of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana and hookworm was observed. A significant association was found between food consumption outside home and daycare center and the presence of intestinal parasites. Conclusions: For children of this daycare center, intestinal infection due to pathogens does not seem to have contributed to the occurrence of diarrhea or other intestinal symptoms. The observed differences may be due to the wide diversity of geographical, social and economic characteristics and the climate of Brazil, all of which have been reported as critical factors in the modulation of the frequency of different enteropathogens.

Os jovens versus protocolo social

Os jovens s��o as gera����es adultas do futuro e por isso as que est��o mais sujeitas a transforma����es sociais com consequ��ncias diretas e indiretas no seu comportamento. Partindo dessa premissa, consideramos constituir mat��ria importante de estudo, analisar se os jovens hoje em dia utilizam normas de protocolo social. Foi realizada uma investiga����o junto de alunos do ensino profissional privado com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 24 anos, na cidade do Porto e na cidade de Barcelos, pretendendo-se averiguar se os jovens atualmente sabem ser e sabem estar consoante as situa����es, usando regras de boa educa����o e boas maneiras. Por outro lado, tivemos a oportunidade de verificar se devido a vari��veis sociais e econ��micas, assim como devido a vari��veis geogr��ficas existiram semelhan��as ou diferen��as nos resultados da investiga����o. Para efetuar este estudo optou-se pela pesquisa explorat��ria usando a estrat��gia do estudo de caso porque se investigou uma situa����o do dia-a-dia cujas respostas n��o estavam bem definidas. �� considerado um estudo de caso m��ltiplo dado que envolve duas realidades (Porto e Barcelos). Foram utilizadas t��cnicas qualitativas e quantitativas atrav��s da aplica����o de question��rios aos jovens das duas escolas e posteriormente foram realizadas entrevistas para aferir os resultados dos question��rios. Ap��s a an��lise dos resultados, verifica-se que estes jovens utilizam as normas de protocolo social pois adotam comportamentos que o demonstram e respondem adequadamente ��s perguntas que lhes s��o feitas. Mais revela o estudo n��o existir diferen��as significativas entre os alunos das duas cidades uma vez que a linha de pensamento entre eles �� muito id��ntica. A atitude de julgamento em rela����o aos alunos do ensino profissional desvanece dado que estes fazem uso das regras da boa educa����o.

Incid��ncia do cancro do est��mago e do pulm��o : um estudo espacio-temporal na regi��o sul de Portugal Continental entre 2000-2008

RESUMO - Enquadramento/Objectivos: As doen��as oncol��gicas constituem a segunda causa de morte em Portugal, e t��m um profundo impacto psicossocial, n��o s�� pela sua elevada incid��ncia e mortalidade mas tamb��m pelos enormes custos envolvidos na sua preven����o, tratamento e reabilita����o. De acordo com estudos anteriores, existem disparidades geogr��ficas na incid��ncia da doen��a oncol��gica. �� por isso indispens��vel caracterizar e analisar as diferentes distribui����es espaciais no tempo e no espa��o, para controlar a doen��a e promover a sa��de, contribuindo ao mesmo tempo para uma melhor compreens��o da etiologia da doen��a. Este projecto compreende 3 objectivos principais que s��o: a caracteriza����o de distribui����o espacio-temporal do cancro do pulm��o e do cancro do est��mago, separadamente e em conjunto, na regi��o sul de Portugal Continental (abrangida pelo ROR-Sul) no espa��o temporal de 2000 a 2008, procurando identificar potenciais ��reas de risco no desenvolvimento destes tumores. Metodologia: Numa primeira fase realizou-se um estudo descritivo das taxas de incid��ncia dos tumores aqui retratados por idades, por sexo, por ano e por distritos. Posteriormente com o objectivo de identificar a presen��a de ��reas de elevada incid��ncia, procedeu-se �� an��lise de clustering espacio-temporal das taxas de incid��ncia ao n��vel dos concelhos na regi��o do estudo, em 2000-2008. Resultados: Os resultados da an��lise descritiva revelaram que ambos os tumores s��o mais incidentes nos homens do que nas mulheres e que estes s��o igualmente mais incidentes em pessoas com mais de 75 anos. A an��lise de clustering espacio temporal permitiu verificar a exist��ncia um padr��o geogr��fico heterog��neo da incid��ncia de ambos os tumores, da qual resultaram 3 clusters para o cancro do est��mago e 2 clusters para o cancro do pulm��o (p <0,001). Os clusters do est��mago pertencem maioritariamente �� regi��o do Alentejo e os clusters do cancro do pulm��o �� regi��o da grande Lisboa. Conclus��es: Os resultados da an��lise de clustering demonstraram um padr��o heterog��neo da distribui����o da incid��ncia dos dois cancros na regi��o e per��odo temporal do estudo. As zonas identificadas de elevado risco s��o diferentes para ambos o tumores. A regi��o que apresenta maior risco para o desenvolvimento do cancro do est��mago �� o Alentejo e do pulm��o �� o distrito de Lisboa.

The influence of the regional basic diet from northeast Brazil on health and nutritional conditions of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Protein nutritionalstatus indicators were studied in weanling albino Swiss mice infected with S. mansoni andfed the Regional Basic Diet (RBD)from Northeast Brazil, a multideficient diet of low-protein content. Each mouse was infected percutaneously with 80 cercariae. The experiment lasted 63 days. The growth curve, food consumption, protein intake, weight gain, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Net Protein Ratio (NPR) were the parameters investigated. RBD-fed mice showed a marked weight loss, a lower food and protein intake, a slower body weight gain and lower rates of food protein utilization when compared to casein-fed animals. Differences between infected and non-infected mice were not consistent. The present results suggest that the effects of RBD-induced malnutrition on health and nutritional conditions of the mice are more severe than those of Manson's schistosomiasis, in the initial phase of the disease.

The national physics and chemistry exams and the learning of sciences

Disserta����o apresentada para obten����o do Grau de Doutor em Ci��ncias da Educa����o, pela Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Evaluation of neuroprotective potential of plyphenols derived from Portuguese native plants: Juniperus sp. and Rubus sp.

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biochemistry

Influence of lime type and curing conditions on lime and lime-metakaolin mortars

Durability of Building Materials and Components (Vasco Peixoto de de Freitas, J.M.P.Q. Delgado, eds.), Building Pathology and Rehabilitation, vol. 3, VIII, 105-126. ISBN: 978-3-642-37474-6 (Print) 978-3-642-37475-3 (Online). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-37475-3_5