Relações públicas no sector da saúde e do bem-estar: estratégia de r.p. para o posionamento de uma cadeia de spas de hotel

A área da saúde e do bem-estar em Portugal, é um segmento em clara expansão. Dadas as suas características geográficas, estranha-se, contudo, a falta de equipamentos no campo da talassoterapia bem como a dispersidade da oferta no sector do turismo de saúde. Respondendo a uma necessidade sentida pelo grupo Hotéis Real, este trabalho de projecto pode definir-se como o desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de construção e expressão de um novo serviço de spas para esta cadeia hoteleira, numa perspectiva de comunicação corporate. Para tal, o projecto estrutura-se assente numa revisão de literatura que analisa as principais temáticas e questões tanto da área da saúde e do bem-estar, como do sector do turismo.

Thoron and radon activity concentration in mineral waters of spas from southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

España balnearia: de las termas a los spas urbanos

Investigación sobre la historia de los balnearios en España, la transformación del tipo y ejemplos relevantes de la arquitectura contemporánea en España.

Springs, streams and spas of London; history and associations,

Mode of access: Internet.

Innate immunity and its control in the pathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases

The pathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthropathies (SpAs) such as reactive arthritis (ReA), is incompletely understood. ReA is a sterile joint inflammation, which may follow a distal infection caused by Gram-negative bacteria that have lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in their outer membrane. The functions of innate immunity that may affect the pathogenesis, prognosis and treatment of these diseases were studied in this thesis. When compared with healthy controls, whole blood monocytes of healthy subjects with previous ReA showed enhanced capacity to produce TNF, an essential proinflammatory cytokine, in response to adherent conditions (mimicking vascular endothelium made adherent by inflammatory signals) and non-specific protein kinase C stimulation. Also, blood neutrophils of these subjects showed high levels of CD11b, an important adhesion molecule, in response to adherence or LPS. Thus, high responsiveness of monocytes and neutrophils when encountering inflammatory stimuli may play a role in the pathogenesis of ReA. The results also suggested that the known risk allele for SpAs, HLA-B27, may be an additive contributor to the observed differences. The promoter polymorphisms TNF 308A and CD14 (gene for an LPS receptor component) 159T were found not to increase the risk of acute arthritis. However, all female patients who developed chronic SpA had 159T and none of them had 308A, possibly reflecting an interplay between hormonal and inflammatory signals in the development of chronic SpA. Among subjects with early RA, those having the polymorphic TLR4 +896G allele (causing the Asp299Gly change in TLR4, another component of LPS receptor) required a combination of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs to achieve remission. It is known that rapid treatment response is essential in order to maintain the patients work ability. Hence, +896G might be a candidate marker for identifying the patients who need combination treatment. The production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which strongly promotes vascular permeability and angiogenesis that takes place e.g. early in rheumatic joints, was induced by LPS and inhibited by interferon (IFN)-alpha in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These long-living cells might provide a source of VEGF when stimulated by LPS and migrating to inflamed joints, and the effect of IFN-alpha may contribute to the clinical efficacy of this cytokine in inhibiting joint inflammation.

Nota sullo status della gallina prataiola (Tetrax tetrax) nella Zona di Protezione Speciale Piana di Semestene, Bonorva, Macomer e Bortigali (Sardegna), 2007-2009

The little bustard Tetrax tetrax is a bird of agro-pastoral landscapes rapidly disappearing from most of Western Europe due to agricultural intensification. In Italy, the species is virtually extinct from the mainland but still occurs in Sardinia, where four Special Protection Areas (SPAs) have been designated in 2007 to protect the bustard and related habitat. In this note, we document a steep decline (between 50 and 87,5%) of the species during the last decade in one of those four SPAs, Plains of Semestene, Bonorva, Macomer and Bortigali. However, during summer 2009, a group of 17 individuals was found within the SPA, confirming that the species, although at low numbers (5-15 displaying males), still breeds successfully in the area. Potential limiting factors are also discussed. We urge to undertake conservation measures based on solid scientific evidence if the local population is to be saved from probable extinction in the near future.

Evaluation of live-attenuated Salmonella vaccines expressing Campylobacter antigens for control of C. jejuni in poultry

Campylobacter jejuni is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen of worldwide importance. It is estimated that 460,000 human infections occur in the United Kingdom per annum and these involve acute enteritis and may be complicated by severe systemic sequelae. Such infections are frequently associated with the consumption of contaminated poultry meat and strategies to control C. jejuni in poultry are expected to limit pathogen entry into the food chain and the incidence of human disease. Toward this aim, a total of 840 Light Sussex chickens were used to evaluate a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ΔaroA vaccine expressing the C. jejuni amino acid binding protein CjaA as a plasmid-borne fusion to the C-terminus of fragment C of tetanus toxin. Chickens were given the vaccine at 1-day-old and two weeks later by oral gavage, then challenged after a further two weeks with C. jejuni. Across six biological replicates, statistically significant reductions in caecal C. jejuni of c. 1.4 log10 colony-forming units/g were observed at three and four weeks post-challenge relative to age-matched unvaccinated birds. Protection was associated with the induction of CjaA-specific serum IgY and biliary IgA. Protection was not observed using a vaccine strain containing the empty plasmid. Vaccination with recombinant CjaA subcutaneously at the same intervals significantly reduced the caecal load of C. jejuni at three and four weeks post-challenge. Taken together these data imply that responses directed against CjaA, rather than competitive or cross-protective effects mediated by the carrier, confer protection. The impact of varying parameters on the efficacy of the S. Typhimurium ΔaroA vaccine expressing TetC-CjaA was also tested. Delaying the age at primary vaccination had little impact on protection or humoral responses to CjaA. The use of the parent strain as carrier or changing the attenuating mutation of the carrier to ΔspaS or ΔssaU enhanced the protective effect, consistent with increased invasion and persistence of the vaccine strains relative to the ΔaroA mutant. Expression in the ΔaroA strain of a TetC fusion to Peb1A, but not TetC fusions to GlnH or ChuA, elicited protection against intestinal colonisation by C. jejuni that was comparable to that observed with the TetC-CjaA fusion. Our data are rendered highly relevant by use of the target host in large numbers and support the potential of CjaA- and Peb1A-based vaccines for control of C. jejuni in poultry. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lançamentos imobiliários na Freguesia: consumo da habitação na hipermodernidade. O marketing do discurso verde de do lazer

A Freguesia de Jacarepaguá, do Rio de Janeiro, nos últimos cinco anos recebeu mais de 80 lançamentos. Juntamente com a Barra da Tijuca, vem sendo um dos principais alvos do mercado imobiliário carioca, correspondendo a 95% das construções da cidade. Tornou-se bairro na década de 1980. Nas últimas décadas, tem sido foco de expansão urbana. Foi escolhida como espaço privilegiado para a análise das construções e práticas discursivas do mercado imobiliário. O objetivo foi entender o processo de comercialização e lançamento das habitações. Anúncios e materiais de propaganda de 52 empreendimentos permitiram identificar 21 grupos de discursos, ancorados em enunciados e imagens do verde, de famílias felizes e inúmeros itens de lazer que se constituíram em objetos de análise. Novos conceitos e produtos habitacionais são postos no mercado com o uso de inúmeras táticas e estratégias, embasadas no imaginário carioca do verde local e no ideário da casa própria. O marketing dos discursos é utilizado como produtor de sentido sobre o consumidor, sujeito urbano hipermoderno, desejoso de segurança, maior qualidade de vida, sustentabilidade, novos luxos e facilidades a sua disposição. O discurso sedutor é voltado para uma sociedade de consumo, onde inovações mercadológicas, crescentes facilidades financeiras e de crédito fomentam e retroalimentam o desejo e o sonho da casa própria. O crescente número de unidades lançadas estimula a concorrência, assume o posto de investimento lucrativo e fomenta a lógica de uma economia neoliberal. Paradoxalmente, destrói a casa-oïkos planetária. A nova habitação ganha itens ecoeficientes, certificações ecológicas e itens de entretenimento, serviços e lazer que extrapolam as necessidades básicas de abrigo e proteção para atingir o encantamento e o novo status do público alvo: o consumidor da classe média. Surgem novos conceitos de moradia, spas, clubes e boutiques. O mundo urbano é transportado para dentro dos muros. O espaço da habitação ganha inúmeros atributos de distinção e consumo. Desta forma, o produto habitação assume definitivamente a categoria de bem de consumo.

由异构的二苯醚二酐和二苯硫醚二酐合成的聚酰亚胺

本论文的目的是研究由桥联二配的异构体合成的聚酰亚胺的性质，期望能发现既不牺牲热性能和机械性能又能改善加工性的新型聚酰亚胺材料。国内外目前在此方面的研究还较少，对异构化聚酰亚胺进行系统研究既填补了基础研究在此方面的空白，也对发展新的聚酰亚胺品种具有很天的实际意义。本论文在聚酞亚胺组过去工作的基础上，以氯代苯配为原料合成了二苯醚二配（ODPA）和二苯硫醚二酐（TDPA）两种桥联二配的3，3'-位和3，4'-位异构体（以桥键相对苯酐单元的位置命名），并得到了3，3’一ODPA和3，4'-ODPA的单晶，发现它们的顺反构象在单晶中都能稳定存在，其扭曲结构对聚合物的性质有很大影响。本论文还以三种ODPA异构体和三种TDPA异构体为基础合成了一系列的热塑性聚酰亚胺，对它们的性质进行了研究，发现以3，3'-位和3，4'-位二配为基础的聚酰亚胺在酚类溶剂和DMAc、DMF、NMP等极性溶剂中具有良好的溶解性，在DMSO和CHC13中部分溶解，而以4，4'-位二配为基础的聚酰亚胺则只溶于酚类溶剂。异构ODPA和TDPA系列基于同种二胺的聚酰亚胺薄膜都具有高的耐热性，后者的热氧化稳定性比前者稍高。以3，3'-位二酐为基础的聚酰胺酸热亚胺化的薄膜较脆，但由它们化学亚胺化后的聚酰亚胺粉末再溶解可得优良力学性能的韧膜。以3，4'-位二醉和4，4'-位二配为基础的聚酰胺酸热亚胺化薄膜具有相近的优异力学性质。对以4，4'-ODPA为主的共聚、共混聚酰胺酸热亚胺化薄膜力学性能的研究表明，当3，3'-OD队的含量超过30％时，薄膜脆性明显增加，而3，4'-ODPA以任何比例和4，4'-ODPA共聚、共混都能得到强韧的薄膜。异构TDPA系列聚酰亚胺的力学性能同ODPA系列相当。由异构ODPA和TDPA系列合成的聚酰亚胺动态力学性质规律相同。它们的玻璃化转变温度（Tg）均为3，3'-位的最高，3，4'-位次之，4，4'-位的最低。对于β转变，均为4，4'-位的Tβ最高，β转变峰也最强，3，4'-位的Tβ较低，β转变峰也稍弱，3，3'-位的β转变最弱，没有明显的β转变峰。由ODPA系列异构体同ODA共聚、共混的热酞亚胺化聚酰亚胺薄膜除3，3'-ODPA含量为75％时膜脆DMTA未测外，其他共聚、共混聚酰亚胺薄膜的Tg均随4，4'-位含量的增加而降低，Tp随4，4'-位含量的增加而升高，β转变峰的强度也随4，4'-位含量的增加而增大，Tp（K）/Tg（K）数值均在0.68～0.75之间。含3，3'-位和3，4'-位二配的聚酰亚胺薄膜在Tg过后不久即被迅速拉长至伸长率超过30％（DMTA仪器的设限），而由4，4'-位二酐合成的聚酰亚胺则到450℃伸长率均未超30％。经对ODPA系列异构体同·ODA聚合的聚酰亚胺薄膜拉伸前后的WAXD研究发现，4，4'-ODPA/ODA的薄膜在拉伸前后结晶峰无变化，表明Tg前后其分子间均有较大的作用力，其他两种膜拉伸后有明显的取向结晶现象，由此可见它们在Tg后的迅速伸长可能是因为其扭曲结构使得分子链堆积疏松，链段的活动性随自由体积的增大而迅速增强。对中等分子量的异构ODPA和TDPA系列同ODA聚合的聚酰亚胺的流变性质研究发现，3，4'-位聚酰亚胺拥有最低的熔体粘度，可能因为其分子堆积比4，4'-位的疏松，而链刚性又比3，3'-位的弱。由异构ODPA和TDPA系列与不同二胺和封端剂合成的PMR型热固性聚酰亚胺流变性质规律不尽相同。异构ODPA/MDA/NA的PMR树脂中3，3'-位树脂熔融粘度谷底数值较高加工窗口较窄。异构ODR入／ODA/NA的PMR树脂中三者熔融粘度谷底相同，均在SPa·s左右，3，3'-位和3，4'-位树脂的加工窗口几乎重合，4，4'-位树脂加工窗口随不同次制样的结晶性不同而有所变化。同异构ODPA/ODA/NA的PMR树脂相比，异构TDPA／ODA/NA系列的熔融粘度谷底数值稍高（10～14Pa·s之间），但也彼此相同，无异构体间的差别，3，4'-位和4，4，一位树脂加工窗口均较宽且4，4'-位树脂无明显结晶出现，3，3'-位窗日最窄。异构TDPA/ODA/PEPA的PMR树脂熔融粘度谷底比NA封端的低，降到2-4Pa·s左右，且加工窗口大大加宽，异构体之间差别不大，熔融粘度谷底数值比4，4'-ODPA/ODA/PEPA树脂低，窗口也宽。以3，4’-ODA取代4，4'-ODA后，由4，4'-TD队、3，4'-TD队、3，4'-ODPA和4，4’-OD队合成的PE以封端PMR树脂均拥有1 Pa·s左右的熔体粘度谷底。4，4'-ODPA／3，4'-ODA／PEPA结晶性较强，加工窗口在290℃以上，其他三种树脂的加工窗口都可扩宽到270～350℃，可望适合用RrM工艺加工高性能的复合材料。总体看来，异构ODPA和TDPA系歹lJ的PMR树脂中，由4，4'-ODPA合成的树脂有较强的结晶性，由3，3'-位二配合成的树脂熔体粘度和加工窗口多有变化，但由4，4'-TDPA和3，4'-位二酐合成的不同种类树脂和其异构体相比均具有较低的熔体粘度谷底和较宽的加工窗口，可见异构TDPA系列的热固性聚酰亚胺熔融加工性比异构ODPA系列好。

Characterisation of the South West European Marine Sites: Summary Report. Occasional Publication of the Marine Biological Association 14

The UK and EU have recently committed to an ecosystem-based approach to the management of our marine environment. In line with the requirements of the Habitats regulations, all consents likely to significantly affect Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are to be reviewed. As part of this process, 'site characterisation' is seen as an important first step towards the improved management of designated sites. This characterisation series, undertaken by the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom and funded by the Environment Agency and English Nature, sets out to determine the current status of designated marine sites in South West England, and how vulnerable (or robust) they are to contaminants (metals, organics, nutrients) and other anthropogenic pressures. Using published information and unpublished data-sets from regulatory agencies, conservation bodies and research institutes (particularly those of the PMPS*), evidence is compiled on the links between potentially harmful 'activities', environmental quality, and resultant biological consequences. This includes an evaluation of long-term change. The focus is the effect of water and sediment quality on the key interest features of European Marine sites in the South West of England, namely: - Fal and Helford cSAC (MBA Occasional Publication 8) - Plymouth Sound and Estuaries cSAC/ SPA (MBA Occasional Publication 9) - Exe Estuary SPA (MBA Occasional Publication 10) - Chesil and the Fleet cSAC/ SPA (MBA Occasional Publication 11) - Poole Harbour SPA (MBA Occasional Publication 12) - Severn Estuary pSAC/SPA (MBA Occasional Publication 13) Detailed analysis for each of these sites is provided individually. The summary report contains an overview of physical properties, uses and vulnerability for each of these sites, together with brief comparisons of pollution sources, chemical exposure (via sediment and water) and evidence of biological impact (from bioaccumulation to community-level response). Limitations of the data, and gaps in our understanding of these systems are highlighted and suggestions are put forward as to where future research and surveillance is most needed. Hopefully this may assist the statutory authorities in targeting future monitoring and remedial activities. * PMSP: Plymouth Marine Sciences Partnership, comprising the Marine Biological Association (MBA), University of Plymouth (UoP), the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science, and Plymouth Marine Laboratories (PML)

Portuguese georesources suitability for medical hydrology applications

In Portugal, there is an old tradition in using clayey materials for therapeutic purposes. They are applied in pelotherapy, at several beaches of the Atlantic coast in the form of clay-sea water mixtures (peloids) to treat skin and rheumatic diseases. During many generations, peloids have been applied without scienti c studies that prove their therapeutic validity. In the last decade, the Portuguese scienti c community has become increasingly more interested in assessing the properties that make clayey materials suitable for therapeutic purposes. The abundance of clayey formations and the established practices of medical hydrology in our country turned this interest into a new perspective of application. The studied materials include di erent clays (in age and origin) mainly collected from well-known Mesozoic-Cenozoic formations, in some cases outcropping at beaches where empirical applications occur. This thesis focus in the study of silt-clay fraction (< 63 m).To determine their suitability for therapy, compositional, physicochemical, technological, thermal and rheological properties were assessed. Conventional techniques (XRD, XRF and Sedigraph) were used to assess compositional features of silt-clay fraction. Electron microscopy (SEM, VPSEM, HREM) was used to study the micromorphology and composition of clay fraction (< 2 m). Physicochemical properties (cation exchange and speci c surface) were assessed using the Ammonium Acetate and BET methods. Technological properties (plasticity and abrasivity indices) were assessed using the Atterberg limits and Einlehner abrasion tests. Thermal properties (speci c heat and cooling kinetics) were estimated by DSC analysis and cooling tests. Pharmacotechnical tests (compressibility index, sediment volume and Brook eld viscosity) were used to assess the powder owability as well as the physical stability and viscosity of clay-water dispersions. We selected as suitable Portuguese clays for health applications the samples A-Pe, A-Be2, A-Sd, J-Fr , M-To, C-Lu1, C-Lu2, Pl-Ba, M-Ga and J-Ab because they represent safe materials, with an adequate composition, good technological, physicochemical and thermal properties for application, also presenting an adequate rheology when dispersed in water. Their most relevant characteristics are the high clay minerals content, abundant smectite, illite and kaolinite, and safe hazardous concentrations. They also showed moderate capacity to exchange Ca 2+, high plasticity, low abrasivity, high speci c heat and slow cooling kinetics. They evidenced fair powder owability and good potential to formulate viscous dispersions when stabilized. Because the majority of the assessed characteristics are in accordance with those presented by clays applied in European spas for pelotherapy, we considered this group of clays also suitable for medical hydrology treatments in Portuguese spas.

A comunicação na promoção do termalismo em Viseu: novos meios para novos públicos

O Turismo apresenta-se, hoje, como uma área com imensas possibilidades de expansão na região de Viseu e mais ainda no que respeita ao termalismo, quer com a continuidade da qualidade do termalismo clássico quer com a consolidação do segmento de Saúde e Bem-estar. A comunicação, numa empresa, é muito importante, mas torna-se primordial que seja eficaz, e nisto, o recurso a línguas estrangeiras é fundamental, de modo a potenciar a competitividade internacional das empresas Portuguesas. De modo a respondermos à questão central deste estudo - o que é que as termas de Viseu estão a fazer de modo a comunicar eficazmente as suas valências aos diferentes públicos e qual a importância de iniciarem um esforço maior bem como de criarem instrumentos de comunicação mais eficazes e adequadas às aspirações de desenvolvimento económico e social – recorremos ao levantamento e à análise das fontes de informação utilizadas em termalismo, na região de Viseu, e da aplicação de questionários aos intervenientes no processo termal. Tendo em mente a questão fulcral desenvolveu-se um estudo composto por quatro capítulos, tendo um prévio, onde é apresentado o estudo. O primeiro é reservado ao enquadramento teórico, onde se cruzam as perspetivas de Linguística Sistémica Funcional, Turismo em Portugal e Comunicação de Informação. O segundo apresenta a metodologia de investigação adotada, o terceiro expõe a análise dos dados recolhidos, nos Sítios Web das estâncias termais Viseenses, nas brochuras, através dos questionários aplicados às rececionistas, à equipa médica, aos administradores das termas, aos presidentes das câmaras, aos aquistas e aos gabinetes de promoção termal. O terceiro capítulo termina com um diálogo de esclarecimento final efetuado aos presidentes camarários e aos administradores termais. No quarto e último capítulo são expostas as principais conclusões do estudo e é evidenciada a importância que as línguas estrangeiras têm na comunicação internacional dos produtos e serviços termais, bem como a necessidade do recurso a uma comunicação eficaz de modo a que as termas possam alcançar resultados mais proveitosos.

A segmentação e o bem-estar do consumidor spa pós-moderno

A presente dissertação discute uma área de negócios emergente em Portugal, os SPAs, que com alteração da legislação em 2004, deixou de estar confinada ao conceito de saúde para integrar o conceito de bem-estar. Apesar do número de unidades em Portugal ser já significativo, existe pouca informação disponível sobre o tema, que também se verifica em termos internacionais. O principal objectivo desta dissertação é o de contribuir para o aprofundar do conhecimento científico nesta área de negócio. Pretende-se aferir os benefícios que os clientes SPA procuram nas referidas unidades em Portugal e avaliar as diferenças existentes entre os clientes das unidades hoteleiras e os clientes das unidades Fitness. O estudo comparou também os níveis de bem-estar geral e específico que cada segmento apurado reportou após as experiências SPA. Foi efectuada uma investigação empírica para o estudo em causa, tendo sido recolhidas duas amostras, uma em ambiente Fitness e outra em ambiente Hoteleiro, através da aplicação de inquéritos após a experiência SPA. Os resultados permitem fazer uma caracterização permitem perceber que em ambas amostras existem quatro factores latentes que permitem perceber as razões que levam os clientes a procurar este tipo de serviço. De entre os factores mais importantes destacam-se a saúde, beleza o relaxamento e isolamento. Os dados permitiram perceber que, em ambas as amostras, existem quatro tipo de grupos homogéneos de clientes. As conclusões apuradas podem permitir a estas unidades de negócio perceber o que os clientes valorizam e contribuir para a segmentação do mercado. Estas duas técnicas podem contribuir para que os SPAs consigam reforçar a satisfação dos clientes com os serviços que lhe são prestados e apostar em segmentos de mercado para os quais se sintam mais vocacionados e que lhes permitam uma obter uma maior rendibilidade.

Characterisation of adventitious lung sounds in people with dementia

Introduction: Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) are highly prevalent in institutionalised people with dementia, constituting an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Computerised auscultation of Adventitious Lung Sounds (ALS) has shown to be objective and reliable to assess and monitor respiratory diseases, however its application in people with dementia is unknown. Aim: This study characterised ALS (crackles and wheezes) in institutionalised people with dementia. Methods: An exploratory descriptive study, including 6 long-term care institutions was conducted. The sample included a dementia group (DG) of 30 people with dementia and a match healthy group (HG) of 30 elderly people. Socio-demographic and anthropometric data, cognition, type and severity of dementia, cardio-respiratory parameters, balance, mobility and activities and participation were collected. Lung sounds were recorded with a digital stethoscope following Computerised Respiratory Sound Analysis (CORSA) guidelines. Crackles’ location, number (N), frequency (F), two-cycle duration (2CD), initial deflection width (IDW) and largest deflection width (LDW) and wheezes’ number (N), ratio (R) and frequency (F) were analysed per breathing phase. Statistical analyses were performed using PASW Statistics(v.19). Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to the mean N of crackles during inspiration and expiration in both trachea and thorax. DG trachea crackles had significant higher F during inspiration and lower IDW, 2CD and LDW during expiration when compared with HG. At the thorax, the LDW during inspiration was also significantly lower in the DG. A significant higher N of inspiratory wheezes was found in the HG. Both groups had a low ratio of high frequency wheezes. Conclusion: Computerised analyses of ALS informed on the respiratory system and function of people with dementia and elderly people. Hence, this could be the step towards prevention, early diagnosis and continuous monitoring of respiratory diseases in people with cognitive impairment.