Search

This document describes a mathematical model for energy system infrastructure planning problems. Its aim is to identify the most socioeconomically desirable energy system configuration for a given problem described within a MILP optimisation framework. The best configuration is identified in a way consistent with net present value calculations for a set of investments and operational needs. The energy system is complemented or created from scratch by the investments, enabling or providing alternative ways for the operational needs to be met. These are expressed as flow requirements in a set of networks that partly describe the energy system. Meeting them may require flows in and out of the system, potentially resulting in expenditures and revenue, in accordance with the respective tariffs. Internal flow distribution proceeds along pre-existing paths or those created through new investments, and is otherwise free, though not necessarily lossless. Losses are path segment-specific, depend on the solution deployed to allow flow along it, and can have static and flow-proportional components. Flows within the system have to be in equilibrium with another and compensate for losses and operational needs. The latter can also be dynamic if specified through modular sets of difference equations and constraints that can also be used to model interactions between networks. These structures are here termed flow converters and can also be introduced through investments. The formulation proposed also includes novelties, namely the structures necessary to use special ordered sets for selecting investments in paths, an alternative way to model static losses without intermediate nodes, and the possibility to define investments in groups of arcs rather than only on individual ones. Other key assumptions include the inexistence of flow delays and the precedence of investments relative to the planning period. Beyond these assumptions, the model design prioritised versatility and organisation over more streamlined approaches, as the model was primarily developed for scientific applications.

The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a middle-aged north-eastern Portuguese population, (2) to analyze the prevalence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), and (3) to assess the risk of T2D in this community-based sample. An exploratory, retrospective, and cross-sectional study was conducted from a total of 6570 individuals aged 18–102 years, among which 3865 were women (57.4 18.1 years) and 2705 were men (60.0 16.8 years). T2D diagnosis, IFG, and the diabetes risk score (low to very high risk) were assessed. The prevalence of T2D in this adult and an older north-eastern Portuguese population was 17.4%. A higher prevalence of T2D was reported in men (22.2%) than in women (14.0%); however, this was without significant differences (p = 0.086). Otherwise, the prevalence of T2D was significantly different among the age groups and increased with age (p < 0.001). Regarding IFG, a higher percentage of cases was observed in men (14.1%) than in women (8.4%) (p < 0.001). The risk of developing T2D in the next 10 years showed an association with sex and age group (p < 0.001) with a small-to-moderate effect (V = 0.1–0.3). Men and the elderly had the highest percentage of cases in the moderate-to-very high-risk bands. The current research confirmed a higher prevalence of T2D, IFG, and diabetes risk than previous Portuguese epidemiological reports. The results also suggest potential prediabetes cases, which should be carefully monitored. The current research adds evidence to the worldwide trend of the increasing prevalence of T2D and intermediate hyperglycemia (i.e., prediabetes). This work was founded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project GreenHealth-Digital strategies in biological assets to improve well-being and promote green health, Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000042). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been increasing exponentially in the Portuguese population. Primary prevention using physical activity (PA), exercise and healthy lifestyles seems to be limited. Thus, current study aims to present the design and preliminary findings of a pilot community intervention for patients with MetS. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted between April and July 2022 with patients with MetS, from a Northeaster Portuguese primary health care. Eight participants completed the three-month intervention program, 6 women (51.0±6.4 years) and 2 men (46.5±4.9 years). The program included: (1) evaluation and prescription of PA (steps/day and floors/day); (2) nutritional and dietary support; (3) strength training sessions; (3) blood testing; (4) anthropometric and body composition assessment. A pre- and post-intervention follow up was conducted. Garmin®F 745 were used for PA prescription and assessment. PA targets per day were: number of steps ≥10 000; uphill walking ≥10 floors; and minutes of intensity ≥150 per week. Nutritional and dietary evaluation was recorded by completing the food frequency questionnaire with subsequent recommendation of changes to healthy diet. The designed strength training program was: (i) frequency of 2x/week; (ii) 8 to 10 exercises, in order to work the main muscle groups; (iii) 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions; (iv) 60 to 70% of one maximum repetition. Blood samples evaluated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fating glucose (FG), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Body weight (kg), lean body mass (kg) and fat mass percentage (%) was evaluated by bio-impedance scale (Tanita MC 780-P MA®). MetS parameters was defined by joint interim statement (JIS) criteria (Alberti et al, 2009). Results: Regarding PA parameters at the end of the three-month program, the average number of daily steps was 11 818, the number of daily floors was 15.35 and moderate to vigorous PA was 253 minutes/week. An improvement in pre- and post-intervention blood concentrations and pressure was observed, namely in HbA1c (-7.4%±15.2), FG (-4.9%±14.4), HDL (-4.8%±9.7), TC (-1.9%±19.9), SBP (-15.6%±10.7) and DBP (-12.7%±9.3). All participants registered a weight loss (-3.4%±2.0), with an increase in lean mass (-4.5%±2.0) and a decrease in fat mass (-8.7%±6.3). Except for one participant, all improved in heart rate recovery after exercise (19.3%±28.2), suggesting an improvement in cardiovascular capacity. Conclusions: The effect of the implemented pilot community intervention program was greater in the participants who followed the program more rigorously. Additionally, the strength training may have been important in increasing lean body mass. The inclusion of PA, strength training and nutritional support in primary health care, through a supervised program, seems to be a key strategy to reduce the risk associated with MetS and delay the complications associated with cardiometabolic diseases. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Can governments succeed in making courts politically compliant without undermining the public’s overall confidence in the judicial system? Many studies show a positive relationship between judicial independence and citizens’ trust in courts, suggesting the answer should be negative. However, most of those studies have focused on contemporary correlations between institutions and attitudes, without assessing what happens when court curbing is actually implemented. Additionally, they also indicate that factors such as citizens’ education level and political preferences may moderate the consequences of attacks on judicial independence. We use Europe as a laboratory to analyze the repercussions on public opinion of the assaults on judicial independence conducted by populist governments in Turkey, Hungary, and Poland over the past decade. Employing data from the Eurobarometer and a difference-in-differences approach, we find evidence of an adverse effect of court curbing on judicial trust. However, such effect emerges as stronger and more consistent among those citizens who are most ideologically distant from their governments. These findings coincide with experimental evidence indicating the apathy of large segments of public opinion towards the prospects of democratic backsliding, suggesting that many citizens may fail to change their trust in the courts even when governments make them politically subservient.

The aim of this study is to explore the role of populism on national identity, moderated by the a priori levels of populist attitudes. Specifically, it aims to test the hypotheses that populist speeches increase national identification, especially for those with a priori lower levels of populist attitudes.

The aim of this study is to explore the role of populism on national identity. Specifically, it aims to test the hypotheses that populist speeches increase both national identification and collective narcissism.

Supplemental Material for Beyond the Myth of Legality? Framing Effects and Public Reactions to High Court Decisions in Europe by Pedro C. Magalhães, Jon K. Skiple, Miguel M. Pereira, Sveinung Arnesen, and Henrik L. Bentsen in Comparative Political Studies

The aim of this study is to conduct a scoping review of the available quantitative research regarding the association between populism and psychological variables related to national identity. This project contains additional documents. Appendix I describes the full search strategy adopted by the team to conduct the searches for quantitative research on the relationship between populism and national identity. Appendix II contains a draft of the extraction form to be piloted and used in the data extraction phase.

This paper offers a critical examination of the foundations of Hans Kelsen’s democratic theory in neo-Kantian epistemology. It argues that, while such an epistemological framework provides coherence to his intellectual endeavor by reconciling his monistic legal theory with a pluralist democratic theory, it weakens the theoretical fertility and analytic edge of his political thought. Furthermore, I also claim that the Kelsenian epistemological turn, in its understanding of both law and politics, remains very much entangled in the dilemmas and modes of thought of a philosophical tradition that Kelsen himself believed to have entirely surpassed. His nevertheless insightful analysis of modern democratic institutions would therefore benefit from being read through different philosophical spectacles., Austrian Journal of Political Science, Bd. 51 Nr. 3 (2022): Kelsen, Politics, and Realism

The aim of this study is to select speeches that vary in their ability to make more or less salient populist attitudes.

This study is a repetition of Pilot Study 2 but with new comparison between speeches. The aim is still to select speeches that vary in their ability to make more or less salient populist attitudes.

We explore variation in risk aversion among elected officials. Previous studies suggest that systematic gender differences in risk-taking attitudes may explain why female legislators are less likely to engage in corruption. However, empirical evidence for this argument comes exclusively from non-elite samples. We test this argument in a survey experiment with Portuguese MPs. Additionally, the study explores whether risk preferences vary when elected officials make personal or public financial decisions.

We test whether women politicians are more risk averse than their male counterparts.

The aim of this study is to select speeches that are considered high and low on populism (dimensions of Manichean worldview, popular sovereignty, anti-elitism, and homogeneity) by experts in Political Science.

The purpose of the study is to replicate on Norwegian respondents a survey experiment fielded among a national representative sample of the Portuguese population. The survey experiment examines how the presentation of different framings concerning the determinants of judicial decisions affect the public's propensity to accept those decisions, above and beyond citizens' agreement with the decisional outcome itself. Subjects will be presented with three alternative frames about a hypothetical decision in constitutional review of a government enacted policy by a court: "legalistic" - decision results from examination of the extent to which the reviewed decision respects legal/constitutional commands and legal precedent; "principled" - decision results from examination of the extent to which reviewed decision balance general constitutional principles; "partisan" - decision results from partisan balance of power within the court. The study poses that presentation of these frames affects perception of procedural fairness of judicial decision-making and public acceptance of court rulings. The specific context is of a hypothetical decision of the Norwegian Supreme Court in constitutional review of a government enacted policy to continue search for oil in the Barents Sea. The experiment is conducted in a nationally representative survey of the Norwegian adult population.