A «corrupção e a fraude» no espaço comunicacional português e europeu: contributo para uma visão interdisciplinar constitucional criminológica e jurídico-penal

As formas de definir «corrupção e fraude» são infinitas, pelo que a aplicação do Direito penal constitucional pode ficar prejudicada. A comunicação e o comentário público e política são por vezes feitos em termos profundamente equivocados. Recentemente, em Portugal, destacados políticos e comentadores chegaram a apelar à «criminalização do enriquecimento ilícito», nem que fosse com o sacrifício da própria Constituição ou do Estado de Direito. É a democracia que passa a estar em perigo. Ao mesmo tempo que se defende com fanatismo quase teológico o sistema económico capitalista, procura-se consagrar na lei a sua destruição. Ou seja, há uma certa demagogia política que quer ter tudo ao mesmo tempo como se isso fosse possível. Perante isto, resta ao cidadão comum agir se for necessário sob as possibilidades das causas de justificação e fazendo uso do direito constitucional de resistência. ABSTRACT Ways to define «corruption and fraud» are endless, so the application of constitutional criminal law may be impaired. The communication and public comment and politics are sometimes done in terms profoundly mistaken. Recently, in Portugal, prominent politicians and commentators have come to call the «criminalization of illicit enrichment» (embezzlement) even if it was at the sacrifice of the Constitution or the rule of law. It is democracy that happens to be in danger. At the same time it defends itself with almost theological fanaticism the capitalist economic system, seeking to enshrine in law its destruction. That is, there is a certain political demagoguery that wants to have everything at the same time as if that were possible. Given this, it remains to ordinary act if necessary under the scope of defenses and making use of the constitutional right of resistance.

Research on evaluation system of emergency disposal plan for power plant incidents

This paper starts with the analysis of the unusual inherence mechanism, from two aspects: accumulating and human error. We put forward twelve factors affected the decision of the emergency treatment plan in practice and summarized the evaluation index system combining with literature data. Then we screened out eighteen representative indicators by used the FDM expert questionnaire in the first phase. Hereafter, we calculated the weight of evaluation index and sorted them by the FAHP expert questionnaire, and came up with the frame of the evaluation rule by combined with the experience. In the end, the evaluation principles are concluded.

Principles of communication and negotiation

In this chapter we outline the fundamentals of communication and negotiation in a group of people. Being aware of these generic principals greatly contributes to improve the effectiveness and the outcome of the meetings that MUTW students will be engaged in.

Working in and on groups: an illustration of the principles of exploratory practice in an esp classroom

Neste artigo, descrevo e analiso uma actividade de trabalho em grupo desenvolvida para uma aula da disciplina de Língua Inglesa VI das turmas do 3º ano do Curso de Línguas e Secretariado do Instituto Superior de Contabilidade e Administração do Porto (ISCAP). No enquadramento teórico, abordam-se questões relacionadas com o trabalho em grupo numa aula de língua estrangeira, nomeadamente a dimensão social da sala de aula em geral e da interacção aluno-aluno em particular. Apresentam-se então os princípios da Exploratory Practice, com ênfase na possibilidade preconizada por esta abordagem de se poder transformar uma actividade de reflexão e discussão sobre o processo de ensino/aprendizagem numa unidade pedagógica. Segue-se a apresentação da proposta didáctica, respectivo plano de aula e alguns exemplos dos textos produzidos pelos alunos. O artigo termina com a apresentação de alguns comentários críticos, realçando-se a contribuição da Exploratory Practice para o desenvolvimento de uma maior consciencialização por parte dos alunos do seu processo de aprendizagem.

Studying the development of an online course on Curriculum : implications for the students' workload in light of the Bologna principles

ECER 2014 "The Past, the Present and Future of Educational Research in Europe" will take place at the University of Porto from 1 - 5 September 2014.

10 kVp rule – An anthropomorphic pelvis phantom imaging study using a CR system: impact on image quality and effective dose using AEC and manual mode

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the influence of tube potential (kVp) variation in relation to perceptual image quality and effective dose (E) for pelvis using automatic exposure control (AEC) and non-AEC in a Computed Radiography (CR) system. Methods and materials - To determine the effects of using AEC and non-AEC by applying the 10 kVp rule in two experiments using an anthropomorphic pelvis phantom. Images were acquired using 10 kVp increments (60–120 kVp) for both experiments. The first experiment, based on seven AEC combinations, produced 49 images. The mean mAs from each kVp increment were used as a baseline for the second experiment producing 35 images. A total of 84 images were produced and a panel of 5 experienced observers participated for the image scoring using the two alternative forced choice (2AFC) visual grading software. PCXMC software was used to estimate E. Results - A decrease in perceptual image quality as the kVp increases was observed both in non-AEC and AEC experiments, however no significant statistical differences (p > 0.05) were found. Image quality scores from all observers at 10 kVp increments for all mAs values using non-AEC mode demonstrates a better score up to 90 kVp. E results show a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.000) on the 75th quartile from 0.37 mSv at 60 kVp to 0.13 mSv at 120 kVp when applying the 10 kVp rule in non-AEC mode. Conclusion - Using the 10 kVp rule, no significant reduction in perceptual image quality is observed when increasing kVp whilst a marked and significant E reduction is observed.

Image quality and dose analysis for a PA chest X-ray: comparison between AEC mode acquisition and manual mode using the 10 kVp ‘rule’

Purpose - To compare the image quality and effective dose applying the 10 kVp rule with manual mode acquisition and AEC mode in PA chest X-ray. Method - 68 images (with and without lesions) were acquired using an anthropomorphic chest phantom using a Wolverson Arcoma X-ray unit. These images were compared against a reference image using the 2 alternative forced choice (2AFC) method. The effective dose (E) was calculated using PCXMC software using the exposure parameters and the DAP. The exposure index (lgM provided by Agfa systems) was recorded. Results - Exposure time decreases more when applying the 10 kVp rule with manual mode (50%–28%) when compared with automatic mode (36%–23%). Statistical differences for E between several ionization chambers' combinations for AEC mode were found (p = 0.002). E is lower when using only the right AEC ionization chamber. Considering the image quality there are no statistical differences (p = 0.348) between the different ionization chambers' combinations for AEC mode for images with no lesions. Considering lgM values, it was demonstrated that they were higher when the AEC mode was used compared to the manual mode. It was also observed that lgM values obtained with AEC mode increased as kVp value went up. The image quality scores did not demonstrate statistical significant differences (p = 0.343) for the images with lesions comparing manual with AEC mode. Conclusion - In general the E is lower when manual mode is used. By using the right AEC ionising chamber under the lung the E will be the lowest in comparison to other ionising chambers. The use of the 10 kVp rule did not affect the visibility of the lesions or image quality.

10 kVp rule – An anthropomorphic pelvis phantom imaging study using a CR system: impact on image quality and effective dose using AEC and manual mode

Background - Pelvis and hip radiography are consistently found to be amongst the highest contributors to the collective effective dose (E) in all ten DOSE DATAMED countries in Europe, representing 2.8 to 9.4% of total collective dose (S) in the TOP 20 exams list. The level of image quality should provide all the diagnostic information in order not to jeopardise the diagnosis, but being able to provide the needed clinical information with the minimum dose. A recent study suggests further research to determine whether the “10 kVp rule” would have value for a range of examinations using Computed Radiography (CR) systems. As a “rule of thumb” increasing the kVp by 10 whilst halving the mAs is suggested to give a similar perceptual image quality when compared to the original exposure factors. Aims - In light of the 10kVp rule, this study aims to investigate the influence of tube potential (kVp) variation in relation to perceptual image quality and E for pelvis imaging using automatic exposure control (AEC) and non-AEC in a Computed Radiography (CR) system. Research questions - Does the 10kVp rule works for the pelvis in relation to image quality in a CR system? Does the image quality differs when the AEC is used instead of manual mode using the 10kVp rule and how this impacts on E?

Image quality and dose analysis in PA chest x-ray: comparison between AEC and manual mode acquisition using the 10 kVp rule

Purpose: To compare image quality and effective dose when the 10 kVp rule is applied with manual and AEC mode in PA chest X-ray. Methods and Materials: A total of 68 images (with and without lesions) were acquired of an anthropomorphic chest phantom in a Wolverson Arcoma X-ray unit. The images were evaluated against a reference image using image quality criteria and the 2 alternative forced choice (2 AFC) method by five radiographers. The effective dose was calculated using PCXMC software using the exposure parameters and DAP. The exposure index (lgM) was recorded. Results: Exposure time decreases considerably when applying the 10 kVp rule in manual mode (50%-28%) compared to AEC mode (36%-23%). Statistical differences for effective dose between several AEC modes were found (p=0.002). The effective dose is lower when using only the right AEC ionization chamber. Considering image quality, there are no statistical differences (p=0.348) between the different AEC modes for images with no lesions. Using a higher kVp value the lgM values will also increase. The lgM values showed significant statistical differences (p=0.000). The image quality scores did not present statistically significant differences (p=0.043) for the images with lesions when comparing manual with AEC modes. Conclusion: In general, the dose is lower in the manual mode. By using the right AEC ionising chamber the effective dose will be the lowest in comparison to other ionising chambers. The use of the 10 kVp rule did not affect the detectability of the lesions.