Fungal contamination assessment in Portuguese elderly care centers

Individuals spend 80-90% of their day indoors and elderly subjects are likely to spend even a greater amount of time indoors. Thus, indoor air pollutants such as bioaerosols may exert a significant impact on this age group. The aim of this study was to characterize fungal contamination within Portuguese elderly care centers. Fungi were measured using conventional as well as molecular methods in bedrooms, living rooms, canteens, storage areas, and outdoors. Bioaerosols were evaluated before and after the microenvironments' occupancy in order to understand the role played by occupancy in fungal contamination. Fungal load results varied from 32 colony-forming units CFU m(-3) in bedrooms to 228 CFU m(-3) in storage areas. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently isolated (38.1%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (16.3%) and Chrysonilia sp. (4.2%). With respect to Aspergillus genus, three different fungal species in indoor air were detected, with A. candidus (62.5%) the most prevalent. On surfaces, 40 different fungal species were isolated and the most frequent was Penicillium sp. (22.2%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (17.3%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction did not detect the presence of A. fumigatus complex. Species from Penicillium and Aspergillus genera were the most abundant in air and surfaces. The species A. fumigatus was present in 12.5% of all indoor microenvironments assessed. The living room was the indoor microenvironment with lowest fungal concentration and the storage area was highest.

Inovação tecnológica e performance empresarial

Mestrado em Controlo e Gestão de Negócios

Las evaluaciones externas en la Ley Orgánica para la mejora de la calidad educativa de España

De acuerdo con la información aportada por el Instituto Nacional de Evaluación (2012), España ha participado en las ediciones de 1990, 2006 y 2011 de PIRLS y en las ediciones de 1995 y de 2011 de TIMSS. Por otra parte, en el año 2009, nuestro país participó por primera vez en el Estudio Internacional de Civismo y Ciudadanía (Instituto de Evaluación, 2010). Finalmente, España participa en el Programa para la Evaluación Internacional de los Alumnos (PISA). Por otra parte, junto a estas evaluaciones internacionales, tanto a nivel estatal como autonómico, se han implementado otras pruebas externas. Esta tendencia se ha visto reafirmada y ampliada por la nueva Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa (LOMCE), aspecto que será analizado en esta comunicación. La proliferación de estas prácticas puede ser analizada desde diversas perspectivas. En esta comunicación se realiza una aproximación sustentada en numerosos escritos recientes (Pérez y Soto, 2011, Perrenoud, 2008; Stake, 2006), que advierten sobre los impactos de los sistemas de evaluación en las prácticas de enseñanza. Por otra parte, desde esta aproximación crítica, se sostiene que las evidencias sobre lo que éstas aportan para la mejora de la educación no parecen ser tan abundantes.

Políticas para el aseguramiento de la calidad en la enseñanza obligatoria de España

La presente comunicación se enmarca en el proyecto de investigación “Evaluaciones nacionales e internacionales como política de mejora de la educación en España en el contexto Europeo” (referencia CEMU-2013-20); financiado en el marco de la segunda convocatoria competitiva de Proyectos de Investigación Multidisciplinares de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, aprobada por el Consejo de Gobierno del 8 de febrero de 2013. En este caso, el objetivo principal de la presente comunicación es presentar los sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad que han implementado en tres Comunidades Autónomas (CCAA) de España: País Vasco, Andalucía y Madrid. En el marco del proyecto mencionado, denominamos políticas de aseguramiento de la calidad a aquellas prácticas, relativamente recientes, orientadas a generar conocimiento sobre el sistema educativo, en este caso, vinculado a la enseñanza obligatoria y acciones dirigidas a su mejora. Con mucha frecuencia, estas prácticas han terminado estando reducidas a evaluaciones externas centradas en el rendimiento de los estudiantes, sin ninguna o con escasas acciones posteriores. Por otra parte, estos sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad han recibido diversas críticas, en gran parterelacionadas con su lógica original más próxima al mundo empresarial que al educativo. En este sentido, junto con dar a conocer, desde un punto de vista fundamentalmente descriptivo los sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad de las cuatro CCAA mencionadas, se aborda la discusión centrada en los siguientes aspectos: ¿es posible hablar de sistemas de aseguramiento de la calidad? ¿qué concepciones de calidad subyacente predominan? ¿qué consecuencias tienen para las prácticas educativas?

Avaliação da intervenção socioeducativa sobre a violência na escola

A investigação desenvolvida no âmbito do projeto Estratégias de Intervenção socioeducativa em contextos sociais complexos enquadra-se na avaliação das políticas sociais e educativas, em particular no que diz respeito à segurança escolar em contextos marcados pela diversidade e complexidade social e cultural. O processo de avaliação centrou-se na análise das estratégias de intervenção socioeducativa relativas ao problema da violência na escola, desenvolvidas em três escolas de um concelho da Área Metropolitana de Lisboa. Partindo do pressuposto que a violência na escola é um fenómeno multideterminado e multifacetado, a pesquisa centrou-se numa abordagem que enquadra as esferas de intervenção/ação das instituições formais e dos agentes sociais enquanto mecanismos que estruturam e regulam as concepções e práticas de violência na escola. A recolha e sistematização de informação centrou-se, por um lado, nas estratégias de intervenção que têm vindo a ser desenvolvidas localmente pelas escolas, e, por outro, nas perspetivas dos diferentes intervenientes, considerando-se os alunos, osprofessores, as direções escolares e representantes das entidades e instituições locais. Metodologicamente, privilegiou-se o cruzamento de métodos de carácter extensivo e intensivo, combinando técnicas como a Observação Direta, a realização de Entrevistas, de Grupos Focais, de Questionários, e ainda, a Análise de Redes e a Análise Documental. Numa fase posterior, os diversos intervenientes participaram na discussão e análise dos resultados previamente recolhidos, e na validação conjunta de uma metodologia de intervenção que define um conjunto de estratégias gerais de combate às situações de violência na escola e nos territórios educativos. Esta metodologia é o principal produto do projeto e resulta de um processo de avaliação dinâmico e participado. A contribuição que se apresenta no VI Encontro do CIED ocupa-se dos procedimentos de avaliação desenvolvidos no âmbito deste projeto.

Planning and implementing a new assessment strategy using an e-learning platform

One of the most difficult issues of e-Learning is the students’ assessment. Being this an outstanding task regarding theoretical topics, it becomes even more challenging when the topics under evaluation are practical. ISCAP’s Information Systems Department is composed of about twenty teachers who have been for several years using an e-learning environment (at the moment Moodle 2.3) combined with traditional assessment. They are now planning and implementing a new e-learning assessment strategy. This effort was undertaken in order to evaluate a practical topic (the use of spreadsheets to solve management problems) common to shared courses of several undergraduate degree programs. The same team group is already experienced in the assessment of theoretical information systems topics using the b-learning platform. Therefore, this project works as an extension to previous experiences being the team aware of the additional difficulties due to the practical nature of the topics. This paper describes this project and presents two cycles of the action research methodology, used to conduct the research. The first cycle goal was to produce a database of questions. When it was implemented in order to be used with a pilot group of students, several problems were identified. Subsequently, the second cycle consisted in solving the identified problems preparing the database and all the players to a broader scope implementation. For each cycle, all the phases, its drawbacks and achievements are described. This paper suits all those who are or are planning to be in the process of shifting their assessment strategy from a traditional to one supported by an e-learning platform.

Toxicological Assessment of Coated versus Uncoated Rubber Granulates Obtained from Used Tires for Use in Sport Facilities

Reuse of tire crumb in sport facilities is currently a very cost-effective waste management measure. Considering that incorporation of the waste materials in artificial turf would be facilitated if the rubber materials were already colored green, coatings were specifically developed for this purpose. This paper presents an experimental toxicological and environmental assessment aimed at comparing the obtained emissions to the environment in terms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and ecotoxicity for coated and noncoated rubber granulates. This study is a comprehensive evaluation of the major potential critical factors related with the release of all of these classes of pollutants because previous studies were not systematically performed. It was concluded that between the two types of coatings tested, one is particularly effective in reducing emissions to the environment, simultaneously meeting the requirements of adherence and color stability.

Assessment of genotoxic effects in nurses handling cytostatic drugs

Several antineoplastic drugs have been classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the basis of epidemiological findings, animal carcinogenicity data, and outcomes of in vitro genotoxicity studies. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is easily absorbed through the skin, is the most frequently used antineoplastic agent in Portuguese hospitals and therefore may be used as an indicator of surface contamination. The aims of the present investigation were to (1) examine surface contamination by 5-FU and (2) assess the genotoxic risk using cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in nurses from two Portuguese hospitals. The study consisted of 2 groups: 27 nurses occupationally exposed to cytostatic agents (cases) and 111 unexposed individuals (controls). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were collected in order to measure micronuclei (MN) in both groups. Hospital B showed a higher numerical level of contamination but not significantly different from Hospital A. However; Hospital A presented the highest value of contamination and also a higher proportion of contaminated samples. The mean frequency of MN was significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. No significant differences were found among MN levels between the two hospitals. The analysis of confounding factors showed that age is a significant variable in MN frequency occurrence. Data suggest that there is a potential genotoxic damage related to occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs in oncology nurses.

Strabismus, visual acuity, and uncorrected refractive error in Portuguese children aged 6 to 11 years

Introduction: Visual anomalies that affect school-age children represent an important public health problem. Data on the prevalence are lacking in Portugal but is needed for planning vision services. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of strabismus, decreased visual acuity, and uncorrected refractive error in Portuguese children aged 6 to 11 years. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 672 school-age children (7.69 ± 1.19 years). Children received an orthoptic assessment (visual acuity, ocular alignment, and ocular movements) and non-cycloplegic autorefraction. Results: After orthoptic assessment, 13.8% of children were considered abnormal (n = 93). Manifest strabismus was found in 4% of the children. Rates of esotropia (2.1%) were slightly higher than exotropia (1.8%). Strabismus rates were not statistically significant different per sex (p = 0.681) and grade (p = 0.228). Decreased visual acuity at distance was present in 11.3% of children. Visual acuity ≤20/66 (0.5 logMAR) was found in 1.3% of the children. We also found that 10.3% of children had an uncorrected refractive error. Conclusions: Strabismus affects a small proportion of the Portuguese school-age children. Decreased visual acuity and uncorrected refractive error affected a significant proportion of school-age children. New policies need to be developed to address this public health problem.

Constructing Cultural Policies in Romania. A possible model for communicating the national value system

The premise of this paper is that a model for communicating the national value system must start from a strategy aimed at the identification, the cultivation and communication of values that give consistency to the value system. The analysis concentrates on the elements of such strategies and on the implications of applying a value communication program on the identity architecture of the community. The paper will also discuss the role of the national value system in the context of the emerging global culture, where the individual has the power to create his/her own hybrid cultural model.

Risk Assessment of Chronic Exposure to Magnetic Fields near Electrical Apparatus

Conferência: 9th International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SHO) Guimaraes, Portugal - FEB 14-15, 2013

Assessment of data-driven modeling strategies for water delivery canals

The aim of this paper is to develop models for experimental open-channel water delivery systems and assess the use of three data-driven modeling tools toward that end. Water delivery canals are nonlinear dynamical systems and thus should be modeled to meet given operational requirements while capturing all relevant dynamics, including transport delays. Typically, the derivation of first principle models for open-channel systems is based on the use of Saint-Venant equations for shallow water, which is a time-consuming task and demands for specific expertise. The present paper proposes and assesses the use of three data-driven modeling tools: artificial neural networks, composite local linear models and fuzzy systems. The canal from Hydraulics and Canal Control Nucleus (A parts per thousand vora University, Portugal) will be used as a benchmark: The models are identified using data collected from the experimental facility, and then their performances are assessed based on suitable validation criterion. The performance of all models is compared among each other and against the experimental data to show the effectiveness of such tools to capture all significant dynamics within the canal system and, therefore, provide accurate nonlinear models that can be used for simulation or control. The models are available upon request to the authors.

Cytostatics occupational exposure: genotoxic effects assessment

The use of cytostatics drugs in anticancer therapy is increasing. Health care workers can be occupationally exposed to these drugs classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or teratogenic. Workers may be exposed to this drug, being in the hospital settings the main focus dwelled upon the pharmacy, and nursing personnel. Although the potential therapeutic benefits of hazardous drugs outweigh the risks of side effects for ill patients, exposed health care workers can have the same side effects with no therapeutic benefit. The exposure to these substances is epidemiologically linked to cancer and nuclear changes detected by the cytokinesis-block micronucleus test (CBMN). This method is extensively used in molecular epidemiology, since it determines several biomarkers of genotoxicity, such as micronuclei (MN), which are biomarkers of chromosomes breakage or loss, nucleoplasmic bridges (NPB), common biomarkers of chromosome rearrangement, poor repair and/or telomeres fusion, and nuclear buds (NBUD), biomarkers of elimination of amplified DNA.

Electrocatalytic evaluation of DNA damage by superoxide radical for antioxidant capacity assessment

The integrity of DNA purine bases was herein used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity. Unlike other DNA-based antioxidant sensors reported so far, the damaging agent chosen was the O 2 radical enzymatically generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. An adenine-rich oligonucleotide was adsorbed on carbon paste electrodes and subjected to radical damage in the presence/absence of several antioxidant compounds. As a result, partial damage on DNA was observed. A minor product of the radical oxidation was identified by cyclic voltammetry as a diimine adenine derivative also formed during the electrochemical oxidation of adenine/guanine bases. The protective efficiency of several antioxidant compounds was evaluated after electrochemical oxidation of the remaining unoxidized adenine bases, by measuring the electrocatalytic current of NADH mediated by the adsorbed catalyst species generated. A comparison between O 2 and OH radicals as a source of DNA lesions and the scavenging efficiency of various antioxidant compounds against both of them is discussed. Finally, the antioxidant capacity of beverages was evaluated and compared with the results obtained with an optical method.

Assessment of workers’ exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in a Portuguese waste industry

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is considered by different International Agencies as a genotoxic and potent hepatocarcinogen. However, despite the fact that the fungi producing this compound are detected in some work environments, AFB1 is rarely monitored in occupational settings. The aim of the present investigation was to assess exposure to AFB1 of workers from one Portuguese waste company located in the outskirt of Lisbon. Occupational exposure assessment to AFB1 was done with a biomarker of internal dose that measures AFB1 in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Forty-one workers from the waste company were enrolled in this study (26 from sorting; 9 from composting; 6 from incineration). A control group (n = 30) was also considered in order to know the AFB1 background levels for the Portuguese population. All the workers showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from 2.5ng ml−1 to 25.9ng ml−1 with a median value of 9.9±5.4ng ml−1. All of the controls showed values below the method’s detection limit. Results obtained showed much higher (8-fold higher) values when compared with other Portuguese settings already studied, such as poultry and swine production. Besides this mycotoxin, other mycotoxins are probably present in this occupational setting and this aspect should be taken into consideration for the risk assessment process due to possible synergistic reactions. The data obtained suggests that exposure to AFB1 occurs in a waste management setting and claims attention for the need of appliance of preventive and protective safety measures.