As 'conversas informais' extraprocessuais como meio de prova em processo penal

In the present thesis, we examine the approach to the so-called “informal conversations”, especially between a suspect or defendant and criminal police authorities. Our goal is to understand if criminal police authorities are allowed to testify about the content of these conversations, revealing facts that the suspect or defendant may have shared with them, as well as about evidence that they may have acquired through these statements. Firstly, we briefly present the notion of “informal conversations” and the great variety of situations they may encompass: intra or extra-procedural; prior or subsequent to someone acquires the status of defendant. Secondly, we analyse some of the principles and rules that are involved in this controversial issue: principles concerning the procedural structure, organization and dynamic; principles concerning the production and assessment of evidence in the trial hearing; principles concerning the prosecution and the powers of criminal police authorities; the procedural status of the defendant; the rules concerning the reading of statements in the trial hearing; the rules concerning hearsay testimonies. Thirdly, we go through the great amount of case law on the so-called “informal conversations” and related matters, analysing the most relevant cases and the arguments that sustain them, as well as the legal literature. Our goal is to understand the evolution, throughout the last two decades, of the different opinions regarding the approach to the various situations in which “informal conversations” may occur and in which the admissibility of a testimony by criminal police authorities is questioned. Finally, we defend a different approach for testimonies by criminal police authorities prior and subsequent to someone acquiring the status of defendant. We see the moment when someone acquires the status of defendant as a border area in the admissibility of “informal conversations”, because from then on the statements have to be collected and assessed according to the law, so all the other conversations (or any other evidence) collected informally are irrelevant. As to the specific case of the testimony about the re-enactment of the crime, given the high degree of difficulty in separating the defendant’s contributions that may be considered essential and those that may be considered less useful, but still relevant, we support the qualification of the defendant’s contributions as inseparable from the re-enactment, allowing it to be replicated and assessed in the trial hearing with no restrictions.

Estigma e percepções dos médicos de Clínica Geral sobre a doença mental e o suicídio

RESUMO: INTRODUÇÃO: A OMS (2001) revela que cerca de 450 milhões de pessoas sofrem de perturbações mentais ou comportamentais em todo o mundo, mas apenas uma pequena minoria tem tratamento, ainda que elementar. Transformam-se em vítimas por causa da sua doença e convertem-se em alvos de estigma e discriminação. O suicídio é considerado como um grande problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo, é uma das principais causas de morte de jovens adultos e situa-se entre as três maiores causas de morte na população entre 15-34 anos (OMS, 2001). As perturbações mentais aumentam o risco de suicídio. A depressão, esquizofrenia, e a utilização de substâncias incrementam o risco de suicídio. Estudos (Sartorius, 2002; Magliano et al., 2012) mostram que os profissionais de saúde, tal como o público em geral, podem ter atitudes negativas e estigma em relação às pessoas com perturbações mentais, podendo agir em conformidade, uma vez feito e conhecido o diagnóstico psiquiátrico. Os clínicos gerais são os receptores das perturbações mentais e tentativas de suicídio nas principais portas de entrada no acesso a cuidados de saúde. As crenças, conhecimentos e contacto com a doença mental e o suicídio, podem influenciar a atenção clínica. OBJECTIVOS: Avaliar o estigma e as percepções dos médicos de clínica geral em relação às tentativas de suicídio, o suicídio e perturbações mentais bem como os possíveis factores associados a estes fenómenos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo do tipo transversal, combinando métodos quantitativos e qualitativos. A amostra é constituída por 125 sujeitos, médicos de clínica geral. Utilizaram-se as versões adaptadas dos seguintes instrumentos: Questionário sobre Percepções e Estigma em Relação à Saúde Mental e ao Suicídio (Liz Macmin e SOQ, Domino, 2005) e a Escala de Atitudes sobre a Doença Mental (Amanha Hahn, 2002). Para o tratamento estatístico dos dados usou-se a estatística 1) descritiva e 2) Análise estatística das hipóteses formuladas (Qui Quadrado - 2) a correlação entre variáveis (Spearman: ρ, rho). Os dados conectados foram limpos de inconsistências com base no pacote informático e estatístico SPSS versão 20. Para a aferição da consistência interna foi usado o teste de Alfa de Cronbach. RESULTADOS: Uma boa parte da amostra (46.4%) refere que não teve formação formal ou informal em saúde mental e (69.35%) rejeitam a ideia de que “grupos profissionais como médicos, dentistas e psicólogos são mais susceptíveis a cometer o suicídio”. Já (28.0%) têm uma perspectiva pessimista quanto a possibilidade de recuperação total dos sujeitos com perturbação mental. Sessenta e oito(54.4%) associa sujeitos com perturbação mental, a comportamentos estranhos e imprevisíveis, 115 (92.0%) a um baixo QI e 35 (26.7%) a poderem ser violentas e e perigosas. Os dados mostram uma associação estatisticamente significativa (p0.001) entre as variáveis: tempo de serviço no SNS, recear estar perto de sujeitos com doença mental e achar que os sujeitos com doença mental são mais perigosos que outros. Em termos estatísticos, existe uma associação estatitisticamente significativa entre as duas variáveis(X2=9,522; p0.05): percepção de que “é vergonhoso ter uma doença mental” e os conhecimentos em relação à doença mental. Existe uma correlação positiva, fraca e estatisticamente significativa entre os conhecimentos dos clínicos gerais(beneficiar-se de formação em saúde mental) e a percepção sobre os factores de risco (0,187; P0,039). DISCUSSÃO E CONCLUSÕES: A falta de conhecimento sobre as causas e factores de risco para os comportamentos suicidários, opções de intervenção e tratamento, particularmente no âmbito da doença mental, podem limitar a procura de ajuda individual ou dos próximos. Percepções negativas como o facto de não merecerem prioridade nos serviços, mitos (frágeis e cobarde, sempre impulsivo, chamadas de atenção, problemas espirituais) podem constituir-se como um indicador de que os clínicos gerais podem sofrer do mesmo sistema de estigma e crenças, de que sofre o público em geral, podendo agir em conformidade (atitudes de afastamento ereceio). As atitudes são influenciadas por factores como a formação, cultura e sistema de crenças. Sujeitos com boa formação na área da saúde mental têm uma percepção positiva e optimista sobre os factores de risco e uma atitude positiva em relação aos sujeitos com doença mental e comportamentos suicidários.-------------ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The WHO (2001) reveals that about 450 million people suffer from mental or behavioral disorders worldwide, but only a small minority have access to treatment, though elementary. They become victims because of their disease and they become the targets of stigma and discrimination. Suicide is seen as a major public health problem worldwide, is a leading cause of death for young adults and is included among the three major causes of death in the population aged 15-34 years (WHO, 2001). Mental disorders increase the risk of suicide. Depression, schizophrenia, and the substances misuse increase the risk of suicide. Studies (Sartorius, 2002; Magliano et al, 2012) show that health professionals, such as the general public, may have negative attitudes and stigma towards people with mental disorders, and can act accordingly after psychiatric diagnosis is known. General practitioners are the main entry points of mental disorders and suicide attempts in the health sistem. Beliefs, knowledge and contact with mental illness and suicide, may influence clinical care. OBJECTIVES: To assess stigma and perceptions of general practitioners in relation to suicide attempts, suicide and mental disorders as well as possible factors associated with these phenomena. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The sample consisted of 125 subjects, general practitioners. We used adapted versions of the following instruments: Questionnaire of Perceptions and Stigma in Relation to Mental Health and Suicide (Liz Macmin and SOQ, Domino, 2005) and the Scale of Attitudes on Mental Illness (Tomorrow Hahn, 2002). For the statistical treatment of the data we used: 1) descriptive (Data distribution by absolute and relative frequencies for each of the variables under study (including mean and standard deviation measures of central tendency and deviation), 2) statistical analysis of hypotheses using (Chi Square - 2, a hypothesis test that is intended to find a value of dispersion for two nominal variables, evaluating the association between qualitative variables) and the correlation between variables (Spearman ρ, rho), a measure of non-parametric correlation, which evaluates an arbitrary monotonic function can be the description of the relationship between two variables, without making any assumptions about the frequency distribution of the variables). For statistical analysis of the correlations were eliminated subjects who did not respond to questions. The collected data were cleaned for inconsistencies based on computer and statistical package SPSS version 20. To measure the internal consistency was used the Cronbach's alpha test. RESULTS: A significant part of the sample 64 (46.4%) reported no formal or informal training in mental health and 86 (69.35%) reject the idea that "professional groups such as doctors, dentists and psychologists are more likely to commit suicide." On the other hand, 42 (28.0%) have a pessimistic view of the possibility of full recovery of individuals with mental disorder. Sixty-eight ( 54.4 % ) of them associates subjects with mental disorder to strange and unpredictable behavior, 115 ( 92.0 % ), to low IQ, 35 ( 26.7 % ) and even to violent and dangerous behavior, 78 ( 62.4 % ) The data show a statistically significant (p = 0.001) relationship between the following variables: length of service in the NHS, fear of being close to individuals with mental illness and considering individuals with mental illness more dangerous than others. In statistical terms, there is a dependency between the two variables (X2 = 9.522, p> 0.05): the perception that "it is shameful to have a mental illness" and knowledge regarding mental illness. There is a positive and statistically significant weak correlation between knowledge of general practitioners (benefit from mental health training) and the perception of the risk factors (0,187; P0,039). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The lack of knowledge about the causes and risk factors for suicidal behavior, intervention and treatment, particularly in the context of mental illness options, may decreaseseeking for help by individual and their relatives. Negative perceptions such as considering that they dont deserve priority in services, myths (weak and cowards, always impulsive, seeking for attentions, spirituals problems) may indicate that general practitioners, may suffer the same stigma and beliefs systems as the general public, and can act accordingly (withdrawal and fear attitudes). Attitudes are influenced by factors such as education, culture and belief system. Subjects with good training in mental health have a positive and optimistic perception of the risk factors and a positiveattitude towards individuals with mental illness and suicidal behaviour.

Doenças raras na Ilha de S. Miguel : caracterização epidemiológica

RESUMO:O conceito de doenças raras como entidade própria começou a ser divulgado na comunidade médica no início deste século. A perspectiva de congregar múltiplas patologias, com características diferentes, valorizando a baixa frequência com que ocorrem na população interessou a comunidade científica, famílias, indústria e serviços de saúde. Esperava-se encontrar estratégias para melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados de saúde prestados a estes doentes. Uma vez que a informação científica sobre doenças raras está dispersa por diversas fontes o primeiro grande desafio foi sistematizar de forma a obter o “estado da arte”. A investigação que decorreu entre 2001 e 2010 teve como objectivo principal a caracterização dos doentes e das doenças raras numa população com características restritas mas não fechada como é o caso da ilha de S. Miguel nos Açores. Foram identificados 467 doentes a partir de várias fontes e monitorizado o nascimento de recém-nascidos com doença rara durante 10 anos. A prevalência das doenças raras encontrada na ilha de S. Miguel foi de 0,34% e a inerente à definição de doença rara foi de 6 % a 8 % da população na União Europeia. A diferença encontrada poderá decorrer de se ter sobrestimado o verdadeiro valor da prevalência das doenças raras na União Europeia. A incidência de doenças raras determinada na amostra foi de 0,1% e a taxa de mortalidade por causa específica foi de 0,14‰. O diagnóstico foi confirmado por técnicas laboratoriais de citogenética ou genética molecular em 43% dos doentes da amostra. Não foi identificado nenhum agregado populacional com doença rara para além do já conhecido para a DMJ. A criação de uma metodologia de estudo implicou a construção de um registo de doentes. Para tal foi utilizado o conhecimento adquirido anteriormente sobre uma doença rara que serviu de paradigma: a doença de Machado-Joseph. Na sequência dos resultados obtidos foi considerado útil a introdução de variáveis como a figura do cuidador, o cônjuge, o número de filhos do casal, a data da primeira consulta de Genética, o tempo decorrido entre o início dos sintomas e o acesso à consulta de Genética e entre esta actividade e dispor do diagnóstico para melhor compreender o contexto de vida destes doentes na perspectiva de poderem vir a ser incorporadas como indicadores. ----------- ABSTRACT: The concept of rare diseases as a condition began to be disclosed in the medical community at the beginning of this century.The prospect of bringing together multiple pathologies, with different features, enhancing the low frequency with which they occur in the population interested the scientific community, families, industry and health care services. The aim was to find strategies to improve the quality of care provided to these patients. Given that the scientific information on rare diseases is spread out across several sources the first major challenge was to systematize in order to get the "state of the art". The research took place between 2001 and 2010 and had as its main objective the characterization of patients and rare diseases in a population with specific features, but not confined, like in the case of the São Miguel Island in Azores. During 10 years were identified 467 patients from multiple sources and were observed the newborns with rare diseases. Prevalence of rare diseases found in the São Miguel Island was 0,34% compared to the 6% to 8% by definition of rare disease in the population in European Union. This discrepancy may be explained by a likely frequency of overrated rare diseases in European Union. The incidence of rare diseases in the sample was 0,1% and the specific mortality rate was 0,14 ‰. This diagnosis was confirmed by cytogenetic or molecular genetics analysis in 43% of patients in the sample. No population cluster was identified with rare disease besides the already known for Machado-Joseph Disease. The methodology for the study involved the construction of a database of patients. For such purpose it was used previously acquired knowledge on a rare disease paradigm: the Machado-Joseph disease. It was useful to introduce the following variables to properly establish the results: caregiver, spouse, number of children, date of first Genetics appointment, elapsed time between onset of symptoms and access to first appointment as well as this and the final diagnosis to better understand the context of life of these patients in order to incorporate them as rates.

A (in)segurança privada em Portugal

Along with the food and the comfort, safety has always been one of the human priorities. In pursuit of this objective, man developed self-preservation mechanisms, went to live in society and created rules to control the community life. In the West and in the late eighteenth century, with the creation of states as we know them today, the monopoly of security, among other powers, has been preserved untouched until the last quarter of this century. With the bankruptcy of the welfare state and the rise of the regulatory state, many of the essential tasks for the community have also been carried out by private companies or institutions, including education, health care and security. Although not easy, education and health care have been more opened to be managed by the private sector. Instead, the privatization of the security sector has seen much more resistance. Still, especially in the West, the states have delegated some of the security competences to private companies. Portugal is no exception to the rule and, after a few years of unregulated activity, in 1982 was published the first law regulating the private security. After the initial stages of development (evolution and maturation), which lasted until the early years of the 2000‘s, the private security now seems to have reached maturity. Today, now with a new legal system, composed by Law no. 34/2013, of 16 may, its regulations and complementary legislation, now private security encompasses other activities and competences - becoming, an increasingly complement to public safety. It has also increased the pre-requisites and control mechanisms for private security companies, and strengthened the rules that limit their scope of activity.

The financial system in Mozambique: Opportunities, barriers and market potential

This research is empirical and exploratory intending to analyse the attractiveness of banking in Mozambique, considering its positive outlook. To identify the opportunities and barriers, the methods adopted were elite interviews with banking executives, complemented by secondary data. The opportunities for new entrants seem to include bankarization and the emergence of micro and smallmedium enterprises; other avenues seem to include investment banking, support of mega-projects (e.g. energy, infrastructures) through syndicates and cooperation with multilaterals, and the participation in developing capital markets. Conversely, the main barriers include shortage of talent, inadequate infrastructures, poverty, unsophisticated entrepreneurial culture (e.g. informal economy, inadequate financial reporting), burdensome bureaucracy (e.g. visas), foreign exchange regulation, as well as low liquidity and high funding costs for banks. The key conclusions suggest a window of opportunity for niche markets, and new products and services in retail and investment banking.

O impacto do diagnóstico de demência no casal

RESUMO: A experiência de viver com demência ocorre, frequentemente, num contexto de uma relação conjugal duradoura. A qualidade da relação e o sentido de coerência (conjunto de características pessoais que permite compreender, gerir e integrar os factores de stress de forma construtiva) apresentam-se como factores promotores e protectores da saúde, no contexto de experiências adversas, nomeadamente de doença. Provavelmente, o mesmo poderá acontecer nos quadros demenciais. O presente estudo teve como objectivo principal analisar o impacto do diagnóstico, no contexto das fases iniciais de demência, em casais de pessoas idosas, explorando o papel da qualidade da relação conjugal e do sentido de coerência na confrontação com o diagnóstico e na experiência de viver com a doença. Realizámos um estudo observacional de seis casais de pessoas idosas (pessoas com demência e respectivos cônjuges prestadores de cuidados), com recurso a entrevistas individuais e conjuntas como suplemento metodológico central, suportado pela utilização dos instrumentos: Orientation to Life Questionnaire - SOC (Antonovsky, 1987) e Quality of Carer-Patient Relationships – QCPR (Spruytte et al. 2000). Os resultados sugerem que a qualidade da relação e um sentido de coerência mais elevado podem facilitar uma adaptação bem-sucedida aos desafios, promover a adopção de estratégias para reforçar os aspectos positivos da experiência de cuidar e atenuar os negativos (sobrecarga e sofrimento psíquico do cuidador), encorajar padrões positivos no acesso e na utilização dos cuidados formais e adiar a institucionalização precoce da pessoa com demência.----------------------- ABSTRACT: In couples, caregiving experiences in dementia usually occur within long-standing relationships preceding the onset of the illness and evolving as it progresses. The quality of relationship (QR) and Antonovsky’s salutogenic construct of sense of coherence (SOC) are assumed to promote and protect health in stressful situations, such as dementia. SOC refers to the extent to which a person considers his/her life as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. We aim to uncover the role of QR and SOC as moderator or mediator in the ability of patients and their partners to cope with the impact of dementia We studied six couples in which one spouse had been diagnosed with dementia. We used a qualitative research approach (combining in-depth individual and joint interviews), triangulated with the measures Orientation to Life Questionnaire - SOC scale (Antonovsky, 1987) and the Quality of Carer-Patient Relationships – QCPR (Spruytte et al. 2000). The method was informed by a literature review on the role of RQ and SOC within dementia. Results highlight the importance of listening to both spouses, in a dyadic perspective, while acknowledging the voice of PwD themselves despite methodological challenges. Aspects of prior relationship impact on caregiving dynamics and on how the care-giver and care-recipient roles are experienced. At the same time, the experience of living with dementia impacts on the relationship, often causing change or loss which is difficult to accept or adjust to. Diagnosis played an important role on the SOC’s comprehensibility component (life makes sense). Good pre-caregiving and current relationship was associated with carers’ ability to cope, namely on SOC’s manageability (problems will be bearable) and meaningfulness (life is viewed as a challenge). Our findings suggest that an understanding of QR and SOC prior to diagnosis may encourage positive patterns of care, foster successful adaptation to changing needs, and support in-home arrangements as long as possible.

Auto-conceito no pré- escolar : Comparação das auto-percepções das crianças e as heteropercepções dos pais e educadores

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao ISPA - Instituto Universitário

Sobrecarga no cuidar e suas repercussões nos cuidadores de pacientes em fim de vida : Revisão sistemática da literatura

Cuidar de um familiar com doença avançada e/ou em fim de vida pode representar uma grande sobrecarga emocional, física e financeira que afeta a qualidade de vida dos cuidadores. O presente estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma revisão sistemática da literatura sobre a sobrecarga no cuidar, os fatores relacionados e suas consequências nos cuidadores de pacientes com câncer avançado em fim de vida ou em cuidados paliativos. Foi realizada uma busca de artigos científicos publicados nas bases de dados EBSCO, Web of Knowledge e Bireme, desde os primeiros registros nas respectivas bases de dados sobre o tema até março de 2014. Dos 582 artigos encontrados, apenas 27 foram selecionados. A maioria dos artigos afirma que os cuidadores familiares estão sobrecarregados. Em alguns estudos, a sobrecarga no cuidar aparece associada a características do paciente e da sua doença; em outros, a um pior estado de saúde do cuidador, a uma maior sintomatologia psicopatológica (ansiedade, depressão, distress emocional) e também ao desenvolvimento de complicações no luto. Porém, a esperança, o apoio social, a capacidade do cuidador de atribuir um significado à experiência de cuidar e se sentir confortável com as tarefas de cuidar foram associados a menores níveis de sobrecarga.

Heinrich e Cécile Daniker-Haller - A música doméstica na vida de um casal de negociantes entre Zurique e o Rio de Janeiro na primeira metade do século XIX

O casal de suíços, Heinrich (1795–1866) e Cécile Däniker-Haller (1816–1887), com seus filhos, viveu no Rio de Janeiro entre 1828 e 1852. Comerciantes prósperos, cosmopolitas e melômanos, deixaram grande quantidade de informações sobre suas atividades de música em ambiente doméstico daquele período, mas também depois de terem voltado a se estabelecer na Suíça. O Genealogisches Archiv der Helene und Cécile Rübel Familienstiftung (FA HCR), na cidade de Zurique, documenta a história desta família. As informações registradas pelo casal estudado, principalmente em forma de cartas e diários, permitem-nos conhecer e analisar a prática musical em ambiente doméstico das famílias estrangeiras no Rio de Janeiro, e demonstrar quais eram os repertórios por eles utilizados. Entre as conclusões tiradas, inclui-se o fato de que o romantismo alemão teria feito sua entrada no ambiente musical brasileiro através dos salões musicais das famílias estrangeiras, exatamente como foi o caso em outras cidades do mundo não germânico. Nos documentos deixados pela família Däniker-Haller encontram-se os mais antigos testemunhos até hoje encontrados da execução de Lieder de Schubert em ambiente doméstico no Rio de Janeiro. Por outro lado, a prática da Hausmusik na cidade de Zurique vem descrita e comparada àquela carioca. A análise destes relatos também nos permite descrever a diferença que havia entre os eventos musicais em ambiente doméstico íntimo e informal, e os "salões musicais", onde diletantes se produziam em esfera semi-pública previamente preparados e ensaiados, e a marcante diferença no repertório destes dois tipos de eventos sociais.

A GNR e a cooperação entre órgãos da polícia criminal na sociedade do risco. Estudo de caso:

Cooperation between police forces is a topic that is increasingly relevant. The emergence of new threats, as well as looking for new ways to fight crime, require from the, careful monitoring and strict sharing of all relevant information. This Work is entitled “The GNR and cooperation between Criminal Police Bodies in the Risk Society. Case Study: District of Lisbon” and aims to study the cooperation and coordination between police forces in Lisbon district, and verify if there is an parallel between the rule of law and the police procedures. The work is organized in four chapters. The first consists in a theoretical framework to perceive the context and objectives of this work. The second addresses the role of the, the different types of cooperation and instruments that promote cooperation between them. The third presents and analyzes the results. Finally, the fourth and last chapter the conclusions are woven answered the questions derived and starting question, tested hypotheses, and those limitations and future recommendations. In conclusion, the District of Lisbon, there is cooperation, materialized in a constant exchange of information, based on personal and informal relationship between the elements of the various Police Forces.

Sustained competitive advantage of different sized multinational corporations in rural base of the pyramid markets

This thesis explores how multinational corporations of different sizes create barriers to imitation and therefore sustain competitive advantage in rural and informal Base of the Pyramid economies. These markets require close cooperation with local partners in a dynamic environment that lacks imposable property rights and follows a different rationale than developed markets. In order to explore how competitive advantage is sustained by different sized multinational corporations at the Base of the Pyramid, the natural-resource-based view and the dynamic capabilities perspective are integrated. Based on this integration the natural-resource-based view is extended by identifying critical dynamic capabilities that are assumed to be sources of competitive advantage at the Base of the Pyramid. Further, a contrasting case study explores how the identified dynamic capabilities are protected and their competitive advantage is sustained by isolating mechanisms that create barriers to imitation for a small to medium sized and a large multinational corporation. The case study results give grounds to assume that most resource-based isolating mechanisms create barriers to imitation that are fairly high for large and established multinational corporations that operate at the rural Base of the Pyramid and have a high product and business model complexity. On the contrary, barriers to imitation were found to be lower for young and small to medium sized multinational corporations with low product and business model complexity that according to some authors represent the majority of rural Base of the Pyramid companies. Particularly for small to medium sized multinational corporations the case study finds a relationship- and transaction-based unwillingness of local partners to act opportunistically rather than a resource-based inability to imitate. By offering an explanation of sustained competitive advantage for small to medium sized multinational corporations at the rural Base of the Pyramid this thesis closes an important research gap and recommends to include institutional and transaction-based research perspectives.

Application of wavelets to the study of political history

\The idea that social processes develop in a cyclical manner is somewhat like a `Lorelei'. Researchers are lured to it because of its theoretical promise, only to become entangled in (if not wrecked by) messy problems of empirical inference. The reasoning leading to hypotheses of some kind of cycle is often elegant enough, yet the data from repeated observations rarely display the supposed cyclical pattern. (...) In addition, various `schools' seem to exist which frequently arrive at di erent conclusions on the basis of the same data." (van der Eijk and Weber 1987:271). Much of the empirical controversies around these issues arise because of three distinct problems: the coexistence of cycles of di erent periodicities, the possibility of transient cycles and the existence of cycles without xed periodicity. In some cases, there are no reasons to expect any of these phenomena to be relevant. Seasonality caused by Christmas is one such example (Wen 2002). In such cases, researchers mostly rely on spectral analysis and Auto-Regressive Moving-Average (ARMA) models to estimate the periodicity of cycles.1 However, and this is particularly true in social sciences, sometimes there are good theoretical reasons to expect irregular cycles. In such cases, \the identi cation of periodic movement in something like the vote is a daunting task all by itself. When a pendulum swings with an irregular beat (frequency), and the extent of the swing (amplitude) is not constant, mathematical functions like sine-waves are of no use."(Lebo and Norpoth 2007:73) In the past, this di culty has led to two di erent approaches. On the one hand, some researchers dismissed these methods altogether, relying on informal alternatives that do not meet rigorous standards of statistical inference. Goldstein (1985 and 1988), studying the severity of Great power wars is one such example. On the other hand, there are authors who transfer the assumptions of spectral analysis (and ARMA models) into fundamental assumptions about the nature of social phenomena. This type of argument was produced by Beck (1991) who, in a reply to Goldstein (1988), claimed that only \ xed period models are meaningful models of cyclic phenomena".We argue that wavelet analysis|a mathematical framework developed in the mid-1980s (Grossman and Morlet 1984; Goupillaud et al. 1984) | is a very viable alternative to study cycles in political time-series. It has the advantage of staying close to the frequency domain approach of spectral analysis while addressing its main limitations. Its principal contribution comes from estimating the spectral characteristics of a time-series as a function of time, thus revealing how its di erent periodic components may change over time. The rest of article proceeds as follows. In the section \Time-frequency Analysis", we study in some detail the continuous wavelet transform and compare its time-frequency properties with the more standard tool for that purpose, the windowed Fourier transform. In the section \The British Political Pendulum", we apply wavelet analysis to essentially the same data analyzed by Lebo and Norpoth (2007) and Merrill, Grofman and Brunell (2011) and try to provide a more nuanced answer to the same question discussed by these authors: do British electoral politics exhibit cycles? Finally, in the last section, we present a concise list of future directions.

Estudo experimental e numérico sobre o comportamento de vigas mistas com conector Crestbond

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se um estudo sobre vigas mistas em aço e betão onde se utilizam conectores do tipo Crestbond contínuos para estabelecer a ligação entre a viga metálica e a laje de betão e garantir o funcionamento misto entre estes dois elementos. Apresentam-se os resultados de ensaios numéricos e experimentais obtidos em vigas mistas de aço e betão realizadas com conectores Crestbond, na Universidade do Minho. Os provetes consistem numa viga metálica IPE200 com um conector CR40 R10 contínuo, posicionado sobre o banzo superior da viga e soldado em todo o seu desenvolvimento, e uma laje betão armado com secção transversal de 0.40×0.10 m2. Os provetes apresentam um vão de 3.0 m e um comprimento total de 3.2 m. O modelo numérico foi desenvolvido no software Atena 3D.

Crescer com os outros: a aprendizagem cooperativa e o trabalho de grupo como estratégias fundamentais no desenvolvimento de competências sociais: o contributo do Projeto Curricular Integrado

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar e Ensino do 1º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

Literacia, media e cidadania - Livro de atas do 3.º Congresso

(Excerto) A terceira edição do Congresso sobre Literacia, Media e Cidadania (LMC) teve lugar nos dias 17 e 18 de abril de 2015, em Lisboa, no Pavilhão do Conhecimento. Organizado pelo GILM – Grupo Informal sobre Literacia para os Media, o evento, que contou com a participação de cerca de 250 profissionais, teve como eixo central a temática “Literacia Mediática e Leituras Críticas do Mundo”. Durante dois dias de trabalho, procurou-se pro-mover uma reflexão crítica sobre a atualidade e o mundo, e o modo como os media a representam, com o objetivo de aprender a olhar e a ler criticamente os ecrãs e as mensagens e textos que produzem, o modo como os cidadãos os usam, como se apropriam deles e como produzem e partilham informação. Estes e outros tópicos relacionados foram apresentados e debatidos em 4 sessões plenárias, 16 sessões de comunicações livres e 4 workshops, acompanhados de uma mostra de projetos, produtos e serviços patentes no átrio do Pavilhão.