Nicolau e Nicolina, 90 anos de travessuras

Tomámos a rubrica Diabruras de Nicolau, mais tarde Nicolau e Nicolina, do primeiro suplemento infantil de grande fôlego em Portugal – o Notícias Miudinho do Diário de Notícias, – e propusemo-nos criar cinco Livros- -de-Montar, um para cada fase do seu percurso, entre 1924 e 1933. Observámos o percurso das publicações infantis em Portugal, particularmente nas décadas dos nossos protagonistas, e tirámos ilações dos seus períodos áureos; pesquisámos suportes e mecanismos em papel recortado e todo o tipo de livros, no limiar do conceito. Tentámos perceber como poderíamos, sem recorrer a mão-de-obra estrangeira, criar livros pop-up em Portugal, a baixo custo, e contribuir para melhorar dois pontos fracos da cultura de hoje, que o nosso exercício na docência verifica diariamente: desenvolver competências ao nível da motricidade fina, perceção do espaço e gosto pela leitura; e fomentar momentos de partilha “analógica” entre gerações, cuja falta é hoje gritante; ABSTRACT: NICOLAU E NICOLINA, 90 years of pranks Taking as a starting Diabruras de Nicolau, later Nicolau e Nicolina, the first children’s supplement of grand success in Portugal – the Notícias Miudinho of Diario de Noticias, - we proposed to create five books to assemble, one for each phase of its course, between 1924 and 1933. We analysed the course of children’s publications in Portugal, particularly in the decades of our protagonists, taking conclusions of its golden periods; we searched for supports and mechanisms in cut paper and all kind of books, in the concept’s threshold. We tried to understand how we could create, without resorting to cheap labour from around the globe, pop-up books in Portugal, at low cost, and also to contribute to improving two weak points in today’s culture, that we as teachers face every day: to develop delicate motor skills, space perception and a taste for reading; and to encourage moments of analogical closeness between generations, whose absence is striking today.

A influência da cultura Otaku na sociedade ocidental

Com este artigo pretende-se contar a história e o impacto da cultura otaku (cultura pop japonesa) na sociedade ocidental, com principal ênfase nas relações Japão-Estados Unidos da América e ainda com uma pequena ênfase no efeito desta subcultura em Portugal. Durante o artigo abordar-se-ão temas históricos e actuais sobre o que levou ao desenvolvimento desta subcultura, como a história Japonesa, o desenvolvimento pós-guerra do Japão, a influência americana no anime japonês e posterior influência japonesa nos cartoons americanos, o desenvolvimento do cinema japonês com o género tokusatsu, entre muitos outros.

Umgang mit Musik

Die Beiträge zur Bonner AMPF:Tagung, die in diesem Band dokumentiert sind, machen das Kernproblem musikpädagogischen Denkens und Handelns deutlich: Der menschliche Umgang mit Musik und demgemäß der pädagogische verweigert sich einer idealen, interindividuellen und zeitlosen Bestimmung. Die technische Verfügbarkeit von Musik erlaubt eine Vielfunktionalität, und niemand bestreitet den hohen Stellenwert, den Musik in unserem Leben einnimmt. Gleich ob als Stimulus intellektueller Bemühung, ästhetischer Kontemplation oder ausgleichender Entspannung, ob als manipulierender Soundtrack oder als prestigespendendes Sozialetikett: Der Umgang mit Musik reicht von elitärer Ästhetisierung bis zu zweckgebundener Funktionalisierung; dem einen ist Musik stets Sinnzusammenhang, dem anderen Reizquelle und Gebrauchsgegenstand. Die Bonner Tagung sollte über das Stadium von Programmatik und Spekulation hinaus auf der Basis empirischer Erfahrung und kritischer Reflexion Positionen klären und Orientierungen geben, die wesentlich zur Versachlichung der Diskussion beitragen können. (DIPF/Orig.)

Heat dissipation from carbon nano-electronics

The incorporation of graphitic compounds such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene into nano-electronic device packaging holds much promise for waste heat management given their high thermal conductivities. However, as these graphitic materials must be used in together with other semiconductor/insulator materials, it is not known how thermal transport is affected by the interaction. Using different simulation techniques, in this thesis, we evaluate the thermal transport properties - thermal boundary conductance (TBC) and thermal conductivity - of CNTs and single-layer graphene in contact with an amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2) substrate. First, the theoretical methodologies and concepts used in our simulations are presented. In particular, two concepts are described in detail as they are necessary for the understanding of the subsequent chapters. The first is the linear response Green-Kubo (GK) theory of thermal boundary conductance (TBC), which we develop in this thesis, and the second is the spectral energy density method, which we use to directly compute the phonon lifetimes and thermal transport coefficients. After we set the conceptual foundations, the TBC of the CNT-SiO2 interface is computed using non- equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the new Green-Kubo method that we have developed. Its dependence on temperature, the strength of the interaction with the substrate, and tube diameter are evaluated. To gain further insight into the phonon dynamics in supported CNTs, the scattering rates are computed using the spectral energy density (SED) method. With this method, we are able to distinguish the different scattering mechanisms (boundary and CNT-substrate phonon-phonon) and rates. The phonon lifetimes in supported CNTs are found to be reduced by contact with the substrate and we use that lifetime reduction to determine the change in CNT thermal conductivity. Next, we examine thermal transport in graphene supported on SiO2. The phonon contribution to the TBC of the graphene-SiO2 interface is computed from MD simulations and found to agree well with experimentally measured values. We derive the theory of remote phonon scattering of graphene electrons and compute the heat transfer coefficient dependence on doping level and temperature. The thermal boundary conductance from remote phonon scattering is found to be an order of magnitude smaller than that of the phonon contribution. The in-plane thermal conductivity of supported graphene is calculated from MD simulations. The experimentally measured order of magnitude reduction in thermal conductivity is reproduced in our simulations. We show that this reduction is due to the damping of the flexural (ZA) modes. By varying the interaction between graphene and the substrate, the ZA modes hybridize with the substrate Rayleigh modes and the dispersion of the hybridized modes is found to linearize in the strong coupling limit, leading to an increased thermal conductance in the composite structure.

Improving the use of G-CSF during chemotherapy using physiological mathematical modelling : a quantitative systems pharmacology approach

La diminution des doses administrées ou même la cessation complète d'un traitement chimiothérapeutique est souvent la conséquence de la réduction du nombre de neutrophiles, qui sont les globules blancs les plus fréquents dans le sang. Cette réduction dans le nombre absolu des neutrophiles, aussi connue sous le nom de myélosuppression, est précipitée par les effets létaux non spécifiques des médicaments anti-cancéreux, qui, parallèlement à leur effet thérapeutique, produisent aussi des effets toxiques sur les cellules saines. Dans le but d'atténuer cet impact myélosuppresseur, on administre aux patients un facteur de stimulation des colonies de granulocytes recombinant humain (rhG-CSF), une forme exogène du G-CSF, l'hormone responsable de la stimulation de la production des neutrophiles et de leurs libération dans la circulation sanguine. Bien que les bienfaits d'un traitement prophylactique avec le G-CSF pendant la chimiothérapie soient bien établis, les protocoles d'administration demeurent mal définis et sont fréquemment déterminés ad libitum par les cliniciens. Avec l'optique d'améliorer le dosage thérapeutique et rationaliser l'utilisation du rhG-CSF pendant le traitement chimiothérapeutique, nous avons développé un modèle physiologique du processus de granulopoïèse, qui incorpore les connaissances actuelles de pointe relatives à la production des neutrophiles des cellules souches hématopoïétiques dans la moelle osseuse. À ce modèle physiologique, nous avons intégré des modèles pharmacocinétiques/pharmacodynamiques (PK/PD) de deux médicaments: le PM00104 (Zalypsis®), un médicament anti-cancéreux, et le rhG-CSF (filgrastim). En se servant des principes fondamentaux sous-jacents à la physiologie, nous avons estimé les paramètres de manière exhaustive sans devoir recourir à l'ajustement des données, ce qui nous a permis de prédire des données cliniques provenant de 172 patients soumis au protocol CHOP14 (6 cycles de chimiothérapie avec une période de 14 jours où l'administration du rhG-CSF se fait du jour 4 au jour 13 post-chimiothérapie). En utilisant ce modèle physio-PK/PD, nous avons démontré que le nombre d'administrations du rhG-CSF pourrait être réduit de dix (pratique actuelle) à quatre ou même trois administrations, à condition de retarder le début du traitement prophylactique par le rhG-CSF. Dans un souci d'applicabilité clinique de notre approche de modélisation, nous avons investigué l'impact de la variabilité PK présente dans une population de patients, sur les prédictions du modèle, en intégrant des modèles PK de population (Pop-PK) des deux médicaments. En considérant des cohortes de 500 patients in silico pour chacun des cinq scénarios de variabilité plausibles et en utilisant trois marqueurs cliniques, soient le temps au nadir des neutrophiles, la valeur du nadir, ainsi que l'aire sous la courbe concentration-effet, nous avons établi qu'il n'y avait aucune différence significative dans les prédictions du modèle entre le patient-type et la population. Ceci démontre la robustesse de l'approche que nous avons développée et qui s'apparente à une approche de pharmacologie quantitative des systèmes (QSP). Motivés par l'utilisation du rhG-CSF dans le traitement d'autres maladies, comme des pathologies périodiques telles que la neutropénie cyclique, nous avons ensuite soumis l'étude du modèle au contexte des maladies dynamiques. En mettant en évidence la non validité du paradigme de la rétroaction des cytokines pour l'administration exogène des mimétiques du G-CSF, nous avons développé un modèle physiologique PK/PD novateur comprenant les concentrations libres et liées du G-CSF. Ce nouveau modèle PK a aussi nécessité des changements dans le modèle PD puisqu’il nous a permis de retracer les concentrations du G-CSF lié aux neutrophiles. Nous avons démontré que l'hypothèse sous-jacente de l'équilibre entre la concentration libre et liée, selon la loi d'action de masse, n'est plus valide pour le G-CSF aux concentrations endogènes et mènerait en fait à la surestimation de la clairance rénale du médicament. En procédant ainsi, nous avons réussi à reproduire des données cliniques obtenues dans diverses conditions (l'administration exogène du G-CSF, l'administration du PM00104, CHOP14). Nous avons aussi fourni une explication logique des mécanismes responsables de la réponse physiologique aux deux médicaments. Finalement, afin de mettre en exergue l’approche intégrative en pharmacologie adoptée dans cette thèse, nous avons démontré sa valeur inestimable pour la mise en lumière et la reconstruction des systèmes vivants complexes, en faisant le parallèle avec d’autres disciplines scientifiques telles que la paléontologie et la forensique, où une approche semblable a largement fait ses preuves. Nous avons aussi discuté du potentiel de la pharmacologie quantitative des systèmes appliquées au développement du médicament et à la médecine translationnelle, en se servant du modèle physio-PK/PD que nous avons mis au point.

Communities in Collaboration: Building the Empire Archival Discovery Cooperative

Presentation from the MARAC conference in Pittsburgh, PA on April 14–16, 2016. S24; - Pittsburgh Pop-Up #2.

Prostytucja w aspekcie prawnym i jej skutki psychiczno-społeczne

Zgodnie z art. 203 Kodeksu karnego zabronione jest uprawianie prostytucji. Jednakże prostytucja jest to powszechnie istniejące zjawisko – fakt społeczny. Istnieje wiele czynników, dzięki którym dziewczyny decydują się na taki, a nie inny sposób zarabiania pieniędzy. Obecnie także pojawiła się nowa jego forma, a mianowicie sponsoring. Prostytucja jako zjawisko nie jest społecznie szkodliwa. Problem pojawia się, gdy nasilają się przyczyny tego stanu rzeczy, m.in. zanikanie silnych więzi społecznych, głębokiej emocjonalności czy utrata poczucia tożsamości. Seks niewątpliwie jest dziedziną życia człowieka. O sposobie zaspokojenia popędowych napięć seksualnych, a także o poziomie osiąganej przy tym satysfakcji nie decydują funkcje narządów płciowych, a cała osobowość. Seks pełni różne funkcje, a mianowicie psychologiczną, społeczną i biologiczną. Społeczeństwa były różnie nastawione do zjawiska prostytucji. Przez jednych była ona społeczne akceptowana, zaś przez drugich surowo represjonowana. Prostytucja w świetle prawa karnego oznacza nierząd prowadzony w celu osiągnięcia zysku. Także w związku z prostytucją jest karalne stręczycielstwo, kuplerstwo i sutenerstwo. Następstwa prostytucji mogą być psychologiczne i psychiatryczne. Pierwsze z nich polegają na tym, że młoda kobieta nie zdaje sobie sprawy z konsekwencji jakie mogą być po zdecydowaniu się na taką formę pracy, nie ma świadomości jak obciąża swoją psychikę. Kobiety mają do czynienia z przemocą i brutalnością w tym zawodzie, są upokarzane i wyszydzane przez klientów. Drugie natomiast polegają na tym, że kobieta sama do siebie traci szacunek, a potem zaczyna nawet siebie nienawidzić. Nawet jeśli kobieta z tym zerwie, pozostaje w niej poczucie winy i trauma wstydliwej przeszłości. Istnieją natomiast międzynarodowe regulacje prawne związane ze zjawiskiem prostytucji. Jedną z nich jest Konwencja ONZ w sprawie Eliminacji Wszelkich form Dyskryminacji Kobiet i druga Konwencja ONZ w sprawie Zwalczania Handlu Ludźmi i Eksploatacji Prostytucji.

De la ciudad postmoderna a la ciudad metabólica.

La conceptualización posmoderna de las ciudades ha entendido el fenómeno urbano como una colección de fragmentos con lógicas urbanas independientes, desde los centros históricos a las periferias, de la ciudad histórica de Rossi a la ciudad pop de Venturi. Esta visión entendía la ciudad como un fenómeno artificial que se desarrolla con independencia del medio sobre el que se asienta. Desde esta perspectiva el desarrollo urbano se entiende impulsado por las fuerzas económicas con independencia de los flujos de energía y materia presentes en la región natural sobre la que ciudad se asienta. Esta visión de la ciudad —que por otro lado sigue estando muy presente— está siendo paulatinamente desafiada por el creciente interés en la ecología y en la termodinámica que hoy en día permea los debates urbanos y sociales. Partiendo de referencias como los hermanos Odum o Ian McHarg, se están replanteando las antes precisas distinciones entre las esferas de la sociedad y de la naturaleza —o la cultura y la ciencia—, cuestión que está haciendo explícita la interrelación entre la ciudad y sus contextos naturales y sociales que antes se obviaba. La charla considera la discusión en torno a la ecología y la energía como una oportunidad para reconsiderar la manera en la que las ciudades son conceptualizadas. Aquellas perspectivas que dan prioridad a la estructura espacial o al funcionamiento están siendo relegadas por una visión holística que superpone su estructura espacial y material con los intercambios de materia y energía que establece con su contexto.

Tecnologia de semeadura cruzada e reduzida na cultura da soja em função de doses de boro e zinco.

O objetivo do trabalho foi o de comparar a resposta de dois sistemas de semeadura nas características agronômicas da cultura da soja. O experimento foi conduzido na safra 2013/2014, no município de Sinop-MT, na Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril. Utilizou-se a cultivar BRS 8381, convencional. Realizou-se semeadura Cruzada a 0,45 m e semeadura Reduzida a 0,23 m entre linhas, mantendo-se a mesma população de plantas por hectare (POP). Os demais fatores experimentais foram constituídos por 3 doses de B (0, 1 e 2 kg ha-1) e 3 doses de Zn (0, 2 e 4 kg ha-1), utilizando-se como fontes o ácido bórico e o sulfato de zinco. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, a 5% de probabilidade. Avaliou-se os seguintes parâmetros: POP, massa de 100 grãos (M100), número de vagens por planta (VAG), altura de plantas (ALT) e a produtividade de grãos (PROD). Para a POP, observou-se diferenças significativas entre os arranjos de planta (arranjos) e também na interação entre B e Zn. Entre os arranjos, o Cruzado foi estatisticamente superior ao Reduzido, com 410.000 pl ha-1 e 315.000 pl ha-1, respectivamente. Entre as doses de B dentro de Zn, observou-se diferenças somente para o tratamento testemunha de Zn, sendo que a menor dose de B proporcionou maior POP (396.000 pl ha-1) que a maior dose (343.000 pl ha-1), porém, semelhantes a dose intermediária (359.000 pl ha-1). Quanto a M100, observou-se diferenças somente entre os arranjos. O arranjo Reduzido (12,8g) proporcionou maior M100 em relação ao arranjo Cruzado (12,3 g). Para a ALT, observouse diferenças somente entre os arranjos avaliados. O Reduzido apresentou maior ALT, com 80 cm, em relação ao Cruzado (74 cm). Esse fato se deve ao próprio arranjo, onde as plantas competem mais por luz entre si, na fileira, em relação ao arranjo cruzado, causando aumento em altura. Em relação ao VAG, observou-se diferenças entre os arranjos e entre as doses de Zn. Entre os arranjos, o sistema Reduzido (45 vag pl-1) foi superior ao Cruzado (38 vag pl-1). Observou-se também redução do VAG com o aumento da POP, o que pode ser explicado pela plasticidade da cultura, que compensou o VAG pela diferença na POP. Em relação as doses de Zn, observou-se que a maior dose proporcionou maior VAG (44 vag pl-1) em relação a testemunha (39 vag pl-1), porém, semelhantes a dose intermediária (41 vag pl-1). Em relação à PROD, somente os rranjos se diferenciaram entre si. A maior PROD foi obtida no arranjo Reduzido (2738 kg ha-1) em relação ao Cruzado (2253 kg ha-1). Conclui-se que nas condições em que se desenvolveu o trabalho, o arranjo Reduzido foi superior. A adubação com B, se mal manejada, pode reduzir a POP e a aplicação adequada de Zn pode proporcionar aumento do VAG.

Infrared thermography monitoring of the NaCl crystallisation process

In this work, we describe the growth of NaCl crystals by evaporating droplets of aqueous solution while monitoring them with infrared thermography. Over the course of the evaporation experiments, variations in the recorded signal were observed and interpreted as being the result of evaporation and crystallisation. In particular, we observed sharp and transient decreases in the thermosignal during the later stages of high-concentration drop evaporation. The number of such events per experiment, referred to as “pop-cold events”, varied from 1 to over 100 and had durations from 1 to 15 s. These events are interpreted as a consequence from the top-supplied creeping (TSC) of the solution feeding the growth of efflorescence-like crystals. This phenomenon occurred when the solution was no longer macroscopically visible. In this case, efflorescence-like crystals with a spherulite shape grew around previously formed cubic crystals. Other crystal morphologies were also observed but were likely fed by mass diffusion or bottom-supplied creeping (BSC) and were not associated with “pop-cold events”; these morphologies included the cubic crystals at the centre, ring-shaped at the edge of droplets and fan-shaped crystals. After complete evaporation, an analysis of the numbers and sizes of the different types of crystals was performed using image processing. Clear differences in their sizes and distribution were observed in relation to the salt concentration. Infrared thermography permitted a level of quantification that previously was only possible using other techniques. As example, the intermittent efflorescence growth process was clearly observed and measured for the first time using infrared thermography.

Plataforma digital de promoción y difusión musical

La industria musical a nivel mundial atraviesa una etapa de transición en varios procesos análogos a digitales y también de formatos físicos, como CD´s por mp3, esto representa para los artistas, nuevos caminos para generar ingresos y facilidades de introducción en la industria. En Ecuador, no se puede hablar de industria musical pues, lo que se ha desarrollado hasta este momento es solo una “escena musical” en donde los artistas intentan salir hacia mercados extranjeros utilizando diferentes herramientas de difusión tanto tradicionales como digitales, siendo pocos quienes consiguen este objetivo y además, rentabilidad en sus carreras musicales. El proyecto de intervención denominado “Construcción de una plataforma digital para la promoción y difusión de artistas musicales del género pop y rock de la ciudad de Cuenca, fundamentado en estrategias digitales creadas bajo el concepto ‘Mezcla de comunicaciones de marketing’, período 2015 -2016”, genera un modelo de negocio experimental basado en soportes digitales y estrategias de marketing y comunicación que benefician la difusión, venta y promoción de los artistas y su material musical. Todo esto con miras a aportar al desarrollo de la escena musical en Ecuador. El modelo de negocio experimental se basa en tres actividades que el Staff 4.32 (nombre de la plataforma digital) brindará como servicios a sus consumidores: 1) generador de contenidos con temáticas referentes a la industria musical, 2) distribución digital de música en tiendas online y 3) sello representante de artistas que forman parte del catálogo de músicos del Staff.

A trial of e-simulation of sudden patient deterioration (FIRST2ACT WEB) on student learning

BACKGROUND: High-fidelity simulation pedagogy is of increasing importance in health professional education; however, face-to-face simulation programs are resource intensive and impractical to implement across large numbers of students. OBJECTIVES: To investigate undergraduate nursing students' theoretical and applied learning in response to the e-simulation program-FIRST2ACT WEBTM, and explore predictors of virtual clinical performance. DESIGN AND SETTING: Multi-center trial of FIRST2ACT WEBTM accessible to students in five Australian universities and colleges, across 8 campuses. PARTICIPANTS: A population of 489 final-year nursing students in programs of study leading to license to practice. METHODS: Participants proceeded through three phases: (i) pre-simulation-briefing and assessment of clinical knowledge and experience; (ii) e-simulation-three interactive e-simulation clinical scenarios which included video recordings of patients with deteriorating conditions, interactive clinical tasks, pop up responses to tasks, and timed performance; and (iii) post-simulation feedback and evaluation. Descriptive statistics were followed by bivariate analysis to detect any associations, which were further tested using standard regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 409 students who commenced the program (83% response rate), 367 undergraduate nursing students completed the web-based program in its entirety, yielding a completion rate of 89.7%; 38.1% of students achieved passing clinical performance across three scenarios, and the proportion achieving passing clinical knowledge increased from 78.15% pre-simulation to 91.6% post-simulation. Knowledge was the main independent predictor of clinical performance in responding to a virtual deteriorating patient R(2)=0.090, F(7, 352)=4.962, p<0.001. DISCUSSION: The use of web-based technology allows simulation activities to be accessible to a large number of participants and completion rates indicate that 'Net Generation' nursing students were highly engaged with this mode of learning. CONCLUSION: The web-based e-simulation program FIRST2ACTTM effectively enhanced knowledge, virtual clinical performance, and self-assessed knowledge, skills, confidence, and competence in final-year nursing students.

Conservative management for female urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse review 2013 : summary of the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence

Aims The objective of the 5th International Consultation on Incontinence (ICI) chapter on Adult Conservative Management was to review and summarize the new evidence on conservative management of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in order to compile a current reference source for clinicians, health researchers, and service planners. In this paper, we present the review highlights and new evidence on female conservative management. Methods Revision and updates of the 4th ICI Report using systematic review covering years 2008–2012. Results Each section begins with a brief definition and description of the intervention followed by a summary, where possible, of both the state and level of evidence for prevention and treatment, and ends with a “grade of recommendation.” The paper concludes with areas identified as requiring further research. Conclusions For UI, there are no prevention trials on lifestyle interventions. There are, however, few new intervention trials of lifestyle interventions involving weight loss and fluid intake with improved levels of evidence and grade of recommendation. Outside of pre- and post-natal pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) trials for the prevention of female UI, there is a dearth of PFMT prevention trials for women with UI. PFMT remains the first-line treatment for female UI with high levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. Bladder training levels of evidence and grades of recommendation are maintained. For POP, new evidence supports the effectiveness of physiotherapy in the treatment of POP and there are now improved levels of evidence and grades of recommendation.

Socio-economic status, growth, physical activity and fitness: the Madeira growth study

Within a country social conditions change over time and these conditions vary from country to country. The associations between these conditions, somatic growth, physical activity and fitness reflect these changes. Aim: The study documented variation in somatic growth, physical activity and fitness associated with socio-economic status (SES). Subjects and methods: The study involved 507 subjects (256 boys and 251 girls) from the Madeira Growth Study, a mixed longitudinal study of five cohorts (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 years of age) followed at yearly intervals over 3 years (1996–1998). A total of 1493 observations were made. Anthropometric measurements included lengths, body mass, skeletal breadths, girths and skinfolds. Physical activity and SES were collected via questionnaire and interview. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Variation in somatic growth, physical activity and physical fitness by SES (high, average and low) was tested with analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences between SES groups were observed for height, body mass and skinfolds. Boys and girls from high SES groups were taller, heavier and fatter (subscapular and triceps skinfolds) than their peers from average and low SES groups. At some age intervals, the high SES group had larger skeletal breadths (girls) and girths (boys and girls) than low SES. Small SES differences were observed for physical activity (sport and leisure-time indices). SES was significantly associated with physical fitness. At some age levels, boys from the low SES group performed better for muscular and aerobic endurance whereas girls from the high SES group performed better for power. Conclusion: Considerable variation in somatic growth and physical fitness in association with SES has been demonstrated, but little association was found for physical activity.

Short-term secular change in height, body mass and Tanner-Whitehouse 3 skeletal maturity of Madeira youth, Portugal

Secular trends in height and weight are reasonably well documented in Europe. Corresponding observations for skeletal maturation are lacking. Aim: To assess secular trends in height, body mass and skeletal maturity of Portuguese children and adolescents and to provide updated reference values for skeletal maturity scores (SMSs). Subjects and methods: Data for 2856 children and adolescents of 4–17 years, 1412 boys and 1444 girls, from The ‘Madeira Growth Study’ (MGS; 1996–1998) and from the‘Healthy Growth of Madeira Children Study’ (CRES; 2006) were used. Height and body mass were measured. Skeletal maturity was assessed with the Tanner-Whitehouse 2 and 3 methods. Results: Children from CRES were taller and heavier than peers from MGS. Differences in height reached 5.8cm in boys and 5.5cm in girls. RUS SMSs did not differ consistently between surveys boys, while higher RUS scores were observed in CRES girls. Adult RUS SMSs for MGS and CRES combined were attained at 15.8 years in boys and 14.8 years in girls. Corresponding ages for adult Carpal SMSs were 14.4 and 14.0, respectively. Conclusion: The short-term trends for height and mass were not entirely consistent with the trends in RUS and Carpal SMSs and SAs.