Supporting leadership development by exposure to role models: two case studies

The idiomatic expression “In Rome be a Roman” can be applied to leadership training and development as well. Leaders who can act as role models inspire other future leaders in their behaviour, attitudes and ways of thinking. Based on two examples of current leaders in the fields of Politics and Public Administration, I support the idea that exposure to role models during their training was decisive for their career paths and current activities as prominent characters in their profession. Issues such as how students should be prepared for community or national leadership as well as cross-cultural engagement are raised here. The hypothesis of transculturalism and cross-cultural commitment as a factor of leadership is presented. Based on current literature on Leadership as well as the presented case studies, I expect to raise a debate focusing on strategies for improving leaders’ training in their cross-cultural awareness.

Os Seguros: uma comparação entre Moçambique e Portugal

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Contabilidade e Finanças Orientador: Mestre António de Almeida Pinto Marques

Development of a biosensor for urea assay based on amidase inhibition, using an ion-selective electrode

A biosensor for urea has been developed based on the observation that urea is a powerful active-site inhibitor of amidase, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of amides such as acetamide to produce ammonia and the corresponding organic acid. Cell-free extract from Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the source of amidase (acylamide hydrolase, EC 3.5.1.4) which was immobilized on a polyethersulfone membrane in the presence of glutaraldehyde; anion-selective electrode for ammonium ions was used for biosensor development. Analysis of variance was used for optimization of the biosensorresponse and showed that 30 mu L of cell-free extract containing 7.47 mg protein mL(-1), 2 mu L of glutaraldehyde (5%, v/v) and 10 mu L of gelatin (15%, w/v) exhibited the highest response. Optimization of other parameters showed that pH 7.2 and 30 min incubation time were optimum for incubation ofmembranes in urea. The biosensor exhibited a linear response in the range of 4.0-10.0 mu M urea, a detection limit of 2.0 mu M for urea, a response timeof 20 s, a sensitivity of 58.245 % per mu M urea and a storage stability of over 4 months. It was successfully used for quantification of urea in samples such as wine and milk; recovery experiments were carried out which revealed an average substrate recovery of 94.9%. The urea analogs hydroxyurea, methylurea and thiourea inhibited amidase activity by about 90%, 10% and 0%, respectively, compared with urea inhibition.

Infant mortality and low birth weight in cities of Northeastern and Southeastern Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To compare estimates of low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA), and infant mortality in two birth cohorts in Brazil. METHODS: The two cohorts were performed during the 1990s, in São Luís, located in a less developed area in Northeastern Brazil, and Ribeirão Preto, situated in a more developed region in Southeastern Brazil. Data from one-third of all live births in Ribeirão Preto in 1994 were collected (2,839 single deliveries). In São Luís, systematic sampling of deliveries stratified by maternity hospital was performed from 1997 to 1998 (2,439 single deliveries). The chi-squared (for categories and trends) and Student t tests were used in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: The LBW rate was lower in São Luís, thus presenting an epidemiological paradox. The preterm birth rates were similar, although expected to be higher in Ribeirão Preto because of the direct relationship between preterm birth and LBW. Dissociation between LBW and infant mortality was observed, since São Luís showed a lower LBW rate and higher infant mortality, while the opposite occurred in Ribeirão Preto. CONCLUSIONS: Higher prevalence of maternal smoking and better access to and quality of perinatal care, thereby leading to earlier medical interventions (cesarean section and induced preterm births) that resulted in more low weight live births than stillbirths in Ribeirão Preto, may explain these paradoxes. The ecological dissociation observed between LBW and infant mortality indicates that the LBW rate should no longer be systematically considered as an indicator of social development.

Os padrões de vinculação estabelecidos e indicadores de resilência (autonomia e capacidades de interação social) em crianças de idade pré-escolar em função da frequência em rede pública ou privada

A dissertação procura compreender de que maneira a frequência da criança numa escola pública ou numa escola privada, poderá afetar o desenvolvimento dos indicadores de resiliência definidos (autonomia e capacidades de interação social) e a sua vinculação aos pais. O presente estudo realizou-se em três escolas do primeiro ciclo com jardim de infância, duas das quais pertenciam ao ensino público e uma ao ensino privado. A revisão da literatura, exposta nos vários capítulos, apresenta a visão de diversos investigadores sobre a problemática da relação entre o desenvolvimento dos indicadores de resiliência definidos, a maneira como as crianças criam as suas relações de vinculação, focando as diferenças relativamente à frequência em rede pública ou rede privada. Por se tratar de um estudo comparativo, foi escolhida uma metodologia quantitativa. Procedeu-se, em seguida, a uma análise qualitativa dos resultados obtidos em algumas variáveis. O estudo conclui que não se verificam diferenças significativas no que diz respeito aos resultados obtidos pelas crianças relativamente às variáveis em estudo, com exceção do indicador de resiliência “capacidades de interação social”. Este estudo também nos mostra que existem várias variáveis a ter em conta para compreender a resiliência e a relação entre as variáveis, nomeadamente, as qualificações dos prestadores de cuidados. Sugere-se a continuação do trabalho iniciado, avaliando a vinculação e os indicadores de resiliência estudados (autonomia e capacidades de interação social) destas mesmas crianças, no futuro. Sugere-se ainda a realização de outros estudos, dentro da mesma área, que possam aprofundar a influência das diversas variáveis que dizem respeito ao contexto socioeconómico e sociodemográfico onde as crianças estão inseridas e ver de que maneira estes afetam as variáveis estudadas neste trabalho. - Abstract The dissertation sought to understand how child‟s frequency in a public or a private school, can affect the development of resilience indicators defined (autonomy and capabilities social interaction capabilities) and their connection to parents. This study was conducted in three primary schools with kindergarten, two of which belonged to public education and one to private education. The literature review, exposed in several chapters, presents the view of many researchers on the issue of the relationship between the development of resilience indicators defined, the way children create their linking relations, focusing on the differences in the frequency on public or private school. Since this is a comparative study, a quantitative methodology was chosen. Then we‟ve proceeded to a qualitative analysis of the results obtained on some variables. The study concludes that there are no significant differences with regard to the results obtained by children, for the variables under study except for the indicator of resilience “capabilities of social interaction”. This study also shows that there are several variables to take into account to understand the resilience and the relation between variables, namely, the qualifications of care providers. It is suggested to continue the work begun by evaluating the binding and resilience indicators studied (autonomy and social interaction skills) of these same children in the future. It is also suggested in other studies within the same area, which may deepen the influence of several variables that relate to socio-demographic and socio-economic context where children are located and see how they affect the variables studied in this work

Development of novel ionic liquids based on ampicillin

Novel ionic liquids containing ampicillin as an active pharmaceutical ingredient anion were prepared with good yields by using a new, efficient synthetic procedure based on the neutralization of a moderately basic ammonia solution of ampicillin with different organic cation hydroxides. The relevant physical and thermal properties of these novel ionic liquids based on ampicillin were also evaluated.

International sustainable development cooperation of physiotherapy course from Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa

Objectives - To share with delegates the international experience in several Program of Physiotherapy course from Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa (ESTeSL).

On the development of textual competence in primary education

The aim of this article is to present the results of an action research project, which has been put into practice in Primary Education. This project was intended to develop students’ textual competence, considering both comprehension and textual production. Our starting hypothesis was that teaching the schematisation of text types, focusing on linguistic devices that underlie text production, would promote the development of textual competence, leading to the production of more coherent and cohesive texts. In order to test this hypothesis we implemented the project in three phases. First, before the intervention, we collected texts produced by the students. Secondly, we implemented a didactic program designed to develop students’ textual competence. Lastly, after the intervention, we collected students’ texts once again. Data was analyzed according to categories that confer cohesion and coherence to different types of texts. Narrative, descriptive, and explanatory texts were assessed in terms of 1) building an autonomous text; 2) hierarchisation of information, and 3) textual organisation. Overall, results indicate that students developed their text conceptualisations, their understanding of the different structures of texts, and produced better writing. Indeed, their written work shows a marked progression from the beginning of the intervention program to the end of the program.

Development of novel ionic liquids based on valproate anion

Valproic acid (2-propyl pentanoic acid) is a pharmaceutical drug used for treatment of epileptic seizures absence, tonic-clonic (grand mal), complex partial seizures, and mania in bipolar disorder [1]. Valproic acid is a slightly soluble in water and therefore as active pharmaceutical ingredient it is most commonly applied in form of sodium or magnesium valproate salt [1].However the list of adverse effects of these compounds is large and includes among others: tiredness, tremor, sedation and gastrointestinal disturbances [2]. Ionic liquids (ILs) are promising compounds as Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)[3]. In this context, the combinations of the valproate anion with appropriate cation when ILs and salts are formed can significantly alter valproate physical, chemical and thermal properties.[4] This methodology can be used for drug modification (alteration of drug solubility in water, lipids, bioavailability, etc)[2] and therefore can eliminate some adverse effect of the drugs related to drug toxicity due for example to its solubility in water and lipids (interaction with intestines). Herein, we will discuss the development of ILs based on valproate anion (Figure 1) prepared according a recent optimized and sustainable acid-base neutralization method [4]. The organic cations such as cetylpyridinium, choline and imidazolium structures were selected based on their biocompatibility and recent applications in pharmacy [3]. All novel API-ILs based on valproate have been studied in terms of their physical, chemical (viscosity, density, solubility) and thermal (calorimetric studies) properties as well as their biological activity.

Development and biological evaluation of API-ILs based on anti-bacterial and anti-fungal drugs

In recent years Ionic Liquids (ILs) are being applied in life sciences. ILs are being produce with active pharmaceutical drugs (API) as they can reduce polymorphism and drug solubility problems [1] Also ILs are being applied as a drug delivery device in innovative therapies What is appealing in ILs is the ILs building up platform, the counter-ion can be carefully chosen in order to avoid undesirable side effects or to give innovative therapies in which two active ions are paired. This work shows ILs based on ampicillin (an anti-bacterial agent) and ILs based on Amphotericin B. Also we show studies that indicate that ILs based on Ampicillin could reverse resistance in some bacteria. The ILs produced in this work were synthetized by the neutralization method described in Ferraz et. al. [2] Ampicillin anion was combined with the following organic cations 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [EMIM]; 1-hydroxy-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C2OHMIM]; choline, [cholin]; tetraethylammonium, [TEA]; cetylpyridinium, [C16pyr] and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium, [P6,6,6,14]. Amphotericin B was combined with [C16pyr], [cholin] and 1-metohyethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C3OMIM]. The ILs-APIs based on ampicillin[2] were tested against sensitive Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumonia (clinical isolated), as well as on Gram positive Staphylococcus Aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis. The arising resistance developed by bacteria to antibiotics is a serious public health threat and needs new and urgent measures. We study the bacterial activity of these compounds against a panel of resistant bacteria (clinical isolated strains): E. coli CTX M9, E. coli TEM CTX M9, E. coli TEM1, E. coli CTX M2, E. coli AmpC Mox2. In this work we demonstrate that is possible to produce ILs from anti-bacterial and anti-fungal compounds. We show here that the new ILs can reverse the bacteria resistance. With the careful choice of the organic cation, it is possible to create important biological and physic-chemical properties. This work also shows that the ion-pair is fundamental in ampicillin mechanism of action.

A New Approach to Monitoring Touristic and Cultural Routes: The Challenge of Development and Use of Indicators-Based Systems

The present paper results of an ongoing research project were it is expected to develop an information system to monitoring a cultural-touristic route. The route to monitor is the Romanesque Route of Tâmega. This Route is composed of 58 monuments located in the region of Tâmega in the North of Portugal. Due to the particular location of this region, that is between coastal zone, but not yet in the inland, it has a weak political influence, and it is reflected in the low levels of development at several levels, observed. The Romanesque Route was implemented in a part of this region in 1998, and enlarged to the all-region in 2010. In order to evaluate the socio-ecomonic impact of this route in the region a research project is being developed. The main goal of this paper is to open a discussion on the elements that must be taken into consideration to evaluate the economic and social impact of a touristic cultural route within a region and this one in particular.

Development of an injectable grout for concrete repair and strengthening

This paper deals with the coupled effect of temperature and silica fume addition on rheological, mechanical behaviour and porosity of grouts based on CEMI 42.5R, proportioned with a polycarboxylate-based high range water reducer. Preliminary tests were conducted to focus on the grout best able to fill a fibrous network since the goal of this study was to develop an optimized grout able to be injected in a mat of steel fibers for concrete strengthening. The grout composition was developed based on criteria for fresh state and hardened state properties. For a CEMI 42.5R based grout different high range water reducer dosages (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.7%) and silica fume (SF) dosages (0%, 2%, 4%) were tested (as replacement of cement by mass). Rheological measurements were used to investigate the effect of polycarboxylates (PCEs) and SF dosage on grout properties, particularly its workability loss, as the mix was to be injected in a matrix of steel fibers for concrete jacketing. The workability behaviour was characterized by the rheological parameters yield stress and plastic viscosity (for different grout temperatures and resting times), as well as the procedures of mini slump cone and funnel flow time. Then, further development focused only on the best grout compositions. The cement substitution by 2% of SF exhibited the best overall behaviour and was considered as the most promising compared to the others compositions tested. Concerning the fresh state analysis, a significant workability loss was detected if grout temperature increased above 35 degrees C. Below this temperature the grout presented a self-levelling behaviour and a life time equal to 45 min. In the hardened state, silica fumes increased not only the grout's porosity but also the grout's compressive strength at later ages, since the pozzolanic contribution to the compressive strength does not occur until 28 d and beyond. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development and validation of the Portuguese version of the WHOQOL-OLD module

OBJECTIVE: The increasing proportion of older adults in the general population and the specific characteristics of this age group show the need for the development of specific instruments to measure quality of life in older adults. The study aimed at describing the development and validation of the Portuguese version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life for Older Persons (WHOQOL-OLD) module. METHODS: The WHOQOL-OLD instrument was administered in a sample of 424 older adults in the city of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, in 2005. The questionnaire comprises 24 items divided into six facets: sensory abilities; autonomy; past, present and future activities; social participation; death and dying; and intimacy. Besides the WHOQOL-OLD module, the WHOQOL-BREF, BDI and BHS instruments were also applied. The instrument's internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The instrument showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's coefficients ranging from 0.71 to 0.88), discriminant validity (p<0.01), concurrent validity (correlation coefficients ranging from -0.61 to -0.50) and test-retest reliability (correlation coefficients ranging from 0.58 to 0.82). Findings concerning criterion validity need further studies. CONCLUSIONS: The WHOQOL-Old module is a useful alternative with good psychometric performance in the investigation of quality of life in older adults.

Development of conceptacles in Amphiroa (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)

Here, we describe the development of sporangial and gametangial conceptacles for Amphiroa beauvoisii and A. vanbosseae; sporangial conceptacles only for A. misakiensis; and gametangial conceptacles only for A. cryptarthrodia and A. rigida. The descriptions are based on the observation of histological preparations obtained from 112 specimens collected from the Gulf of California, in Mexico, and the Azores archipelago of Portugal. Information on the development of the sporangial conceptacle pore and conceptacle senescence is here described and illustrated for the first time. Four development patterns were observed: two for sporangial conceptacles; one for spermatangial conceptacles; and one for carposporangial conceptacles. The phases of development of the sporangial conceptacle were found to be useful in delimiting species within the genus. Based on the sporangium location on the cavity floor and the pore canal anatomy, the species A. beauvoisii, A. misakiensis and A. vanbosseae can be distinguished from each other.