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Objectives: Consumer satisfaction is considered one of the most important measures of service quality in child mental health; however, there is limited understanding of factors that influence satisfaction. The objective of this study was to investigate key factors influencing satisfaction with care (SWC) in ADMiRE, a specialist service for young people (YP) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Parents/carers (n = 67) and YP > 9 years (n = 44) attending ADMiRE completed an anonymous Experience of Service Questionnaire (ESQ), a quantitative/qualitative measure of service user satisfaction. Parents/carers also completed symptom severity rating scales. Data were analysed to determine (i) overall SWC, (ii) the relationship between parent- and youth-reported SWC and (iii) the impact of symptom severity on SWC. Thematic analysis of qualitative ESQ data was completed. Results: Parents/carers were significantly more satisfied than YP (p = 0.028). Symptom severity did not impact significantly on parent/carer satisfaction. YP with severe hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive ADHD symptoms were significantly less satisfied with care than those with less severe ADHD symptoms (p = 0.022 and p = 0.017 respectively). Factors related to the therapeutic alliance were identified as being particularly important to both parents/carers and YP. Conclusions: This is the first Irish study that has investigated the impact of symptom severity on service user satisfaction in a child mental health service. The results highlight the different perspectives of YP and parents and provide novel insights into the impact of symptom severity on service user satisfaction. The importance of the therapeutic alliance should not be underestimated in future development of services.

A ubiquidade do mundo digital nos dias de hoje é indiscutível, fazendo este parte intrínseca do quotidiano dos jovens e adolescentes e constituindo um palco de ação, comunicação e criação. A educação para a cidadania digital deve, por conseguinte, ocupar um lugar de destaque no currículo escolar, promovendo, por exemplo a reflexão acerca dos hábitos e atitudes online das crianças e jovens e eventual reformulação dos mesmos. Este processo é essencial para a manutenção de um estilo de vida digital saudável e consciente. O presente relatório propõe-se demonstrar que o processo em questão pode ser desenvolvido no âmbito do ensino da língua inglesa, sendo a aula de inglês apresentada como uma plataforma interlinguística e intercultural ideal para a discussão de temas associados à cidadania digital. A questão de investigação em causa é, assim, como desenvolver a cidadania digital em sala de aula de inglês no ensino secundário? Procurou-se dar resposta à mesma através da implementação de um projeto didático numa turma do 10.º ano de escolaridade numa escola do distrito do Porto, no contexto do qual os participantes foram confrontados com vários aspetos da educação para a cidadania digital ao longo de cinco sessões num total de 420 minutos. Com base na análise dos dados recolhidos, foi possível constatar que apesar de os participantes serem ávidos utilizadores do mundo digital, desconheciam vários dos conceitos e conteúdos abordados. Ao longo do projeto didático, foi-lhes possível refletir criticamente e desenvolver novos conhecimentos relativos a consequências nefastas do uso excessivo das tecnologias digitais, à área da segurança digital e a questões relacionadas com a conduta que se deve adotar quando online. Além disso, constatou-se que um número considerável de alunos ajustou a sua rotina digital com base nas novas competências desenvolvidas, procurando ativamente rever as suas definições de privacidade ou reduzir o seu screen time a fim de alcançar o equilíbrio digital. Comprova-se, por conseguinte, que o desenvolvimento da cidadania digital em sala de aula de inglês no ensino secundário pode revelar-se vital para o crescimento do jovem/adolescente como cidadão digitalmente mais responsável e é exequível através da implementação de projetos didáticos em que se dê preferência a estratégias de aprendizagem ativa e se promova práticas de autorreflexão que permitam aos jovens e adolescentes agir, comunicar e criar online como cidadãos digitais ativos e conscientes. The ubiquity of the digital world in this day and age is undeniable as an intrinsic part of the daily life of teens and youth in general as a stage of action, communication and creation. Digital citizenship education should therefore occupy a prominent place in school curricula, thus promoting, for instance, reflection on online habits and attitudes by children and young people and their eventual overhaul. This is an essential project for maintaining a healthy and mindful digital lifestyle. This report aims to demonstrate that this process can be developed within the scope of the teaching of English, thus presenting the English classroom as an interlinguistic and intercultural plataform, which is ideal for the discussion of topics associated with digital citizenship. The research question is therefore how to develop digital citizenship in the English classroom in the context of secondary education? Answers were sought through the implementation of a didactic project on a 10th grade class in a school located in the district of Porto, where the participants were confronted with several aspects of digital citizensip education throughout five sessions in a total of 420 minutes. Based on the analysis of the data collected, it can be said that despite the participants’ avid use of the digital world, their knowledge of the various concepts and notions approached was incomplete. During the course of the didactic project, they were able to reflect critically aand develop new knowledge related to nefarious consequences of the excessive use of digital technology, the area of online safety and matters concerning the attitudes one should take when online. Besides, it was possible to conclude that a considerable number of students made alterations to their digital routine based on the recently developed skills, actively seeking to adjust their privacy settings or reduce their screen time in order to achieve digital balance. Consequently, it has been shown beyond doubt that digital citizenship development in the English classroom in the contexto of secondary education can turn out to be vital for the maturing of the youngster/teenager as a more digitally responsible citizen and it is feasible through the implementation of didactic projects in which active learning strategies are favoured and self-reflection practices are promoted, thus allowing young people and teenagers to act, communicate and create online as active and mindful digital citizens. Mestrado em Ensino de Português e de Língua Estrangeira no 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e no Ensino Secundário, na Especialidade de Alemão ou Francês ou Espanhol

The main objective of this paper is to analyse the purposes and effects of using derivatives in Portuguese and Spanish firms. For this purpose, two panel data regression models were estimated, with accounting data and firms' financial cash flow data, as well as the fair value of derivatives. The aim of the first regression was to investigate the impact of the use of derivatives on earnings volatility. The second model was to investigate the use of derivatives through financial cash flows. The results of the first model suggest that an increase in the extent of derivatives reduces earnings volatility. The second model presents debt and exchange rate effects on cash flows that may cause changes in the fair value of derivatives. Furthermore, in the second model, operating income was statistically significant for the use of derivatives, these results may indicate that the extent of derivatives can be driven by operating income. The analyses conducted also indicate that firms engage derivatives for risk management purposes, thus these derivatives are mainly measured as a hedge accounting instrument. This research has contributed to the scientific literature on derivatives by investigating the effects of the use of derivatives on the volatility of earnings of Portuguese and Spanish non-financial firms, as well as how derivatives respond to the financial cash flow sensitivities of these firms., International Journal of Business Innovation, Volume 1 Issue 3 (2022)

Purpose This paper explores how global pandemic crises affect the financial vulnerability of municipalities. Design/methodology/approach This paper is developed from the relevant literature an analytical framework to examine municipal financial vulnerability before a global pandemic crisis and in its immediate aftermath by mapping and systematizing its dimensions and sources. To illustrate how it can be used and evaluate its robustness and flexibility, such a tool was applied to Portugal and Italy, two countries that particularly suffered from the Covid-19 crisis. Findings The application of the analytical framework has shown how financially vulnerable municipalities are to global pandemic crises. Financial vulnerability relates to issues ranging from institutional design to internal financial conditions and the perception of the capacity to cope with a crisis. Results further reveal that vulnerability has an inherent contingent nature in time and space and can lead to paradoxical outcomes. Research limitations/implications This paper provides a tool that can be useful for both academic and public policy purposes, to further appreciate municipal financial vulnerability, especially during crises. Practical implications Municipalities can use the framework to better manage their financial vulnerability, strengthening their anticipatory and copying capacities, while oversight authorities can use it to help municipalities become less financially vulnerable or, at least, more aware of their financial vulnerability. Originality/value Municipal financial vulnerability to global shocks has not been explored extensively. Also, the Covid-19 pandemic is different from previous global crises as it affected society overnight with the implementation of lockdown and social distancing measures., The authors also would like to acknowledge that this study was partially conducted at the Research Center in Political Science (UIDB/CPO/00758/2020), University of Minho and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science through national funds. It was also conducted at the Centre for Business and Economics Research, I&D unit funded by national funds through FCT – Fundaçãao para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., Project UIDB/05037/2020.

A soil polluted by waste motor oil (WMO) is inhibiting organic matter mineralization and caused losing its fertility. An alternative solution is to enrich soil and a plant to eliminate WMO at concentration value lower than 4400 ppm, maximum value accepted by the Mexican environmental regulation called NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2003 (NOM-138). The objective of this research was to treat a soil polluted by 35,000 ppm of WMO with Phaseolus vulgaris inoculated with Azotobacter vinelandii and Paenibacillus polymyxa to reduce the WMO´s concentration at lower value than the maximum accepted by the NOM-138. The variable responses for recovering soil „fertility of this experiment was a) the initial and final concentration of WMO by Soxhlet, and b) for P. vulgaris the percentage (%) of germination, the phenology: height of plant, length of root; and biomass: aereal and radical fresh/dry weight at seedlings and reflooring stages. Experimental data were analyzed by Tukey 0.05%. Results showed that soil enriched to facilitate that P. vulgaris with A. vinelandii and P. polymyxa at e-flowering, could reducing ARA until 1152 ppm, lower concentration than the maximum allowed by NOM-138 for recovering soil´s fertility.

Ao longo dos tempos têm vindo a ser desenvolvidos vários estudos, particularmente no contexto americano, onde se verifica o recurso ao "profiling racial" por parte dos agentes da polícia e dos juízes no momento de tomar uma decisão judicial. O profiling racial diz respeito ao estereótipo associado à raça que pode, segundo os estudos, influenciar negativamente o comportamento destes agentes. Dada a escassez de literatura no contexto nacional, o presente estudo procurou apurar, através de uma amostra de conveniência e com recurso a vídeos de crime, a gravidade da aplicação de uma medida hipotética penal a um agressor de raça negra e a um de raça caucasiana e em que medida essa pena é condicionada pela raça do participante que assistia aos vídeos (caucasiana e negra). Os resultados demonstraram que o grupo caucasiano revelou uma preferência pelo endogrupo (o grupo a que pertencem) e o grupo negro demonstrou uma preferência pelo exogrupo (i.e., pelos caucasianos). Quanto à gravidade da pena, ambos os agressores foram sancionados com a mesma medida. Over time, several studies have been developed, particularly in the American context, where police officers and judges resort to "racial profiling" when taking a court decision. Racial profiling refers to the stereotype associated with race that can, according to studies, negatively influence the behavior of these agents. Given the scarcity of literature in the national context, this study sought to investigate, through a convenience sample and using crime videos, the severity of the application of a hypothetical penal measure to a black and a caucasian aggressor and to what extent this penalty is conditioned by the race of the participant who watched the videos (caucasian and black). The results demonstrated that the Caucasian group showed an in-group preference (the group to which they belong) and the black group showed an out-group preference (i.e., for the Caucasians). As for the seriousness of the penalty, both aggressors were sanctioned with the same measure.

The objective of this study was to examine how good working environment on work performance of teachers across private higher institutions in Buea. The sample size included a total of one hundred and seven (107) teachers drawn from one hundred and eighty seven (187) teaching staff of the selected institutions. Nine (9) schools were first selected purposely base on their staff strength. Then four schools were further selected using the simple probability random sampling technique. Respondents were then selected proportionately to the size of the various teaching staff. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The researcher used a multiple regression model that predicted effects of work environment on employee commitment in the Buea municipality. Findings from the study showed that employer/employee relations, working condition and reward and compensation were positive and significantly affect the commitment of teachers in private higher institutions of learning in Buea. It was therefore concluded that work environment positively affects employee commitment in private higher institutions in Buea.

Background Antipsychotics (APs) increase weight, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Guidelines recommend cardio-metabolic monitoring at initial assessment, at 3 months and then annually in people prescribed APs. Aim To determine the rates of cardio-metabolic monitoring in AP treated early and chronic psychosis and to assess the impact of targeted improvement strategies. Methods Medical records were reviewed in two cohorts of first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients before and after the implementation of a physical health parameter checklist and electronic laboratory order set. In a separate group of patients with chronic psychotic disorders, adherence to annual monitoring was assessed before and 3 months after an awareness-raising educational intervention. Results In FEP, fasting glucose (39% vs 67%, p=0.05), HbA1c (0% vs 24%, p=0.005) and prolactin (18% vs 67%, p=0.001) monitoring improved. There were no significant differences in weight (67% vs 67%, p=1.0), BMI (3% vs 10%, p=0.54), waist circumference (3% vs 0%, p=1.0), fasting lipids (61% vs 76% p=0.22) or ECG monitoring (67% vs 67%, p=1.0). Blood pressure (BP) (88% vs 57%, p=0.04) and heart rate (91% vs 65%, p=0.03) monitoring dis-improved. Diet (0%) and exercise (

This debate article follows Steccolini’s (Citation2019) appeal for further discussion on gender budgeting in the academic literature. It explains why governments at every level need to develop gender responsive budgetary initiatives. This importance is highlighted by the needs of the current context—namely to better deal with public financial management in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and to attend to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This paper examines the ongoing transition to the revised Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa Act on Accounting and Financial Reporting for companies in general and to the International Financial Reporting Standards for listed and group companies with a particular focus on recent institutional developments and corporate concerns. The study used 80 professional accountants, most of whom were members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Cameroon and academics. Using the descriptive statistics, the study shows that the transition to the revised OHADA brings about a high level of comparability and transparency of the financial statements, that the International Financial Reporting Standards can be implemented in Cameroon (but not fully), and that the benefit of the transition exceeds the cost.

The objective of this paper is to analyze the performance of the largest listed companies of the European Union between 2010 and 2017, and how they are affected by the gender influence of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the percentage of women on their Boards of Directors. These companies were chosen due to the lack of studies based on companies in the European Union and because the studies related to this subject have ambiguous results. Those ambiguities relate to the finding of positive, negative, or no relationship between gender diversity and company performance. This study is measured utilizing two indicators: ROA and Tobin’s Q. Using a regression model based on a sample of 308 European companies, and the OLS method, a negative relationship was found between having a female CEO and Tobin’s Q. When the ROA is analyzed, this relationship is also negative, but not significant. These results suggest that the fact that the position of CEO is occupied by a woman, has no influence on the company when analyzing the accounting results (ROA). It also negatively influences the market value of the company which can be attributed to gender discrimination, an inequality that is still present in society in general, as well as the labor market. The ratio between the percentage of female board members and the performance indicators is positive, but not significant. This suggests that the percentage of women board members remains too low to allow companies to take advantage of the benefits of gender diversity.

Cookies vary considerably in composition, shapes, flavours or textures, being much appreciated by consumers, and providing easy ways of supplying nutrients and energy, besides bioactive components. The objective of this study was to develop new added-value cookies incorporating whey residue, which is a by-product from the dairy industry, thus finding alternative ways to avail this waste. The cookies were then evaluated for their textural characteristics by means of texture profile analysis. The results obtained revealed that the improved whey cookies were different that the other cookies, better looking and with better global appearance, and also presenting good textural properties, with low hardness and chewiness, allied to high springiness and cohesion, being thus suitable for elderly and children with increased eating difficulties. Furthermore, these properties were maintained along the storage period considered of 15 days, thus guarantying stability of the textural characteristics. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Tapered steel members are often chosen instead of prismatic due to a better cross-section utilization along the member, which makes them an interesting and more economical alternative. Although EN1993-1-1 offers several methodologies for the stability verification of steel members and frames, it does not provide a clear guidance for the stability design of such members. Recently, the research group has provided simplified stability verification methodologies for tapered columns and beams. The developed methodologies are based on analytical derivations which were validated with advanced numerical simulations. In order to improve the accuracy of the proposed procedures, full-scale experimental tests on tapered columns, beams and beam-column were carried out. The experiments are used to calibrate a numerical model, incorporating all relevant parameters, such as: geometrical imperfections (local and global) and material imperfections (residual stresses). In this paper, firstly a global overview of the experimental programme on web-tapered steel members is given. The key results from each experiment are summarized; they are further used for the calibration of an advanced numerical model.

This paper presents a design proposal for the out-of-plane buckling resistance of prismatic beam-columns subject to axial compression and uniaxial major-axis bending that was developed based on the well-known Ayrton-Perry format. Firstly, the relevant theoretical background is summarized, closely following the theoretical derivation performed by Szalai and Papp (2010). Secondly, the required transformations for the engineering application of the design procedure are detailed and extended to arbitrary bending moment distributions. Appropriate generalized initial imperfection factors for the out-of-plane buckling of beam-columns are defined so as to achieving complete consistency across the stability verifications for columns, beams and beam-columns. The proposed procedure is subsequently validated against a large set of advanced numerical simulations. A good agreement was found between the numerical results and the estimates provided by the proposed design procedure, both in terms of the overall trend and the specific quantitative results. Based on a statistical assessment, the comparison with the interaction expression of Eurocode 3 (2005) (method 2) showed that this proposal slightly outperforms the Eurocode procedure, both in terms of average values and dispersion of results.

A documentação pedagógica desempenha um papel central na avaliação formativa e no planeamento. Ao reconhecer a criança como única, competente e com direito a ser protagonista da sua própria aprendizagem, exige que o educador conheça o grupo e cada criança individualmente bem como o seu processo de aprendizagem e de desenvolvimento. Organizar, analisar e interpretar os registos e documentos que o educador vai recolhendo durante os processos pedagógicos, permite-lhe compreender e criar significados para a tomada de decisão sobre a prática pedagógica e atribuir significado às aprendizagens realizadas pelas crianças. Podemos dizer que documentar é essencialmente escolher porque assim como não é possível observar tudo o que acontece no quotidiano educativo, também não é possível documentar tudo. Nem fazia sentido. Este é um processo que envolve escolher o que é essencial e o mais significativo, o que levanta várias questões: Que documentos recolher? Como os organizar? Como é que a documentação pode ser utilizada para comunicar a avaliação? Que linguagem, conteúdos e forma se adequa melhor tendo em conta o destinatário da documentação (crianças, famílias, comunidade, outros docentes)? Que princípios éticos considerar? A documentação pedagógica apoia a reflexão, fundamenta o planeamento e a avaliação e, ao tornar visível as aprendizagens das crianças, promove a participação da família e da comunidade educativa. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The quality of earnings is a summary metric in firm performance evaluation and a focal question to assess the quality of accounting information. A high-quality earnings figure will reflect a firm's current operating performance, being a good indicator of future operating performance; it also accurately annuitizes the intrinsic value of the firm. The multidimensional nature of the earnings quality (EQ) concept has given form to a multiplicity of constructs and measures. This chapter offers a systematic literature review on EQ and its implication on firm value. On the one hand, it discusses the different existent definitions of EQ and the multidimensional nature of the concept; on the other hand, it highlights a “new” EQ perspective taking into account the virtuosities of the residual income model. An empirical model is proposed that reinterprets rebuilding the linear information dynamics in relation to market value added and captures, in a composite measure, the three-dimensional facet of the EQ concept: persistence, predictability, and informativeness of earnings.

The quality of earnings is a summary metric in firm performance evaluation and a focal question to assess the quality of accounting information. A high-quality earnings figure will reflect a firm's current operating performance, being a good indicator of future operating performance; it also accurately annuitizes the intrinsic value of the firm. The multidimensional nature of the earnings quality (EQ) concept has given form to a multiplicity of constructs and measures. This chapter offers a systematic literature review on EQ and its implication on firm value. On the one hand, it discusses the different existent definitions of EQ and the multidimensional nature of the concept; on the other hand, it highlights a “new” EQ perspective taking into account the virtuosities of the residual income model. An empirical model is proposed that reinterprets rebuilding the linear information dynamics in relation to market value added and captures, in a composite measure, the three-dimensional facet of the EQ concept: persistence, predictability, and informativeness of earnings.

The European stability design rules for steel columns, beams and beam-columns are classically based on Ayrton-Perry formulations that rely on the calibration of imperfection factors in order to estimate the maximum resistance. More recently, “general approaches” have been proposed that combine in-plane and out-of-plane behaviour based on a single reference length. The safety of design rules in modern codes of practice is based on the use of partial factors and the separation of the uncertainty related to loading and resistance. EN 1990 - Annex D [1], for example, contains a procedure for the safety analysis of resistance functions, based on First-Order Reliability Methods. However, its application to stability design rules is not straightforward and several additional assumptions are necessary to ensure that a target probability failure is achieved. Finally, design rules and its accuracy depend on the accuracy of the relevant basic variables such as material properties, geometric properties and imperfections. It is therefore required to appropriately characterize the statistical distributions of these basic variables in order to comply with the (semi-) probabilistic safety level assessment of design rules. This paper discusses the different approaches for the derivation of design rules for columns, beams and beam-columns and proposes a mechanical consistent general approach. Secondly, a consistent procedure for the probabilistic assessment of the safety level of stability design rules is presented that simplifies the way material and geometrical properties are considered while maintaining its statistical relevance.

Rationale The role of macrophage iron in the physiopathology of atherosclerosis is an open question that needs to be clarified. In atherosclerotic lesions, recruited macrophages are submitted to cytokines and oxidized lipids which influence their phenotype. An important phenotypic population driven by oxidized phospholipids is the Mox macrophages which present unique biological properties but their iron phenotype is not well described. Objective To investigate the effect of Mox polarization by oxidized LDL (oxLDL) on macrophage iron metabolism in the absence or presence of proinflammatory stimuli. Methods Bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated with different sources of LDL and/or LPS/IFNγ (M1 activator). Expression of ferroportin (Slc40a1, alias Fpn), heme oxygenase-1 (Hmox1), H- and L-ferritin (Fth1 and Ftl1), hepcidin (Hamp), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and interleukine-6 (Il6) was followed by quantitative PCR. FPN and HMOX1 protein expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence and in-cell-Western blotting. Results Mox macrophages expressed increased Hmox1 and Fth1 levels with basal FPN protein levels despite the significant increase of Fpn mRNA. Upregulation of Hmox1 and Fpn mRNA was specific to LDL oxidative modification and mediated by NRF2. The downregulation of both Cp isoforms and the upregulation of Hamp expression observed in Mox macrophages suggest that FPN mediated iron export could be compromised. Simultaneous exposure to oxLDL and LPS/IFNγ leads to a mixed Mox/M1 phenotype that is closer to M1. Conclusion A microenvironment rich in oxLDL and proinflammatory cytokines could promote macrophage iron retention and lipid accumulation profiles, a specific cell phenotype that likely contributes to lesion development and plaque instability in atherosclerosis.

This study examines the whether or not family firms are financially healthier than non-family in terms of capital structure and leverage. It therefore takes into consideration the existence of any significant differences between the leverage and risk choices of family and non-family firms. Using a panel data set of 888 firms and 7104 firm-year observations of unlisted small and medium size firms over the period 2007&ndash, 2014, we present that family owned businesses have lower financial structure than those of non-family owned businesses. This indicates that most family firms use less debt financing than non-family firms, and as such maintain a lower level of debt. Secondly, family firms demonstrate lower risk as illustrated by the Altman Z-score. The Altman Z-score scale illustrates a contrary relationship of significance with respect to family firms and their counterparts in terms of the operation aspect of the business&rsquo, s risk factors. Family firms managed their business operations with lower risk and are generally healthier financially than their counterpart firms. Lastly, findings from the robust tests for the hypotheses using a sample of bankrupt firms in Iberian Balance sheet Analysis System (SABI) reveal that the proportion of failure of family firms as opposed to their counterpart firms is relatively low. Analyzing the bankruptcy files of firms from 2002 to 2014 shows a considerably low ratio of family firms at the 5% significant level. This affirms that the low risk illustrated in the Altman Z-score regression is consistent to the lower ratio of family firms that were declared bankrupted over the study period, which makes Spain an important case in this study.

This paper presents the results of an experimental study on 12 m prestressed stayed columns. In total, 44 tests were carried out to investigate the compressive strength and behaviour of such systems by varying column cross-section geometry, diameter of cables, initial pretension level of stays and steel grade. The details of material testing for both steel and cable, and the compressive strength of each specimen including a detailed analysis of results for further numerical and analytical investigations are presented. The applicability of available analytical and design methods for determining the elastic buckling load and the load carrying capacity of stayed columns was assessed. The results provide detailed data on the behaviour of realistic PSSC and highlight the importance of the imperfections and the benefits of such systems.

EN 1990 — Annex D contains a procedure for the safety analysis of resistance functions, based on First-Order Reliability Methods; this procedure permits the determination of appropriate values (in a semi-probabilistic design concept) of partial safety factors γ M on the basis of physical or numerical test results. In establishing the partial safety factor γ M of a design procedure, scatter related to material and geometrical properties may be isolated from resistance model. In this paper, firstly, an analytical review of existing methodologies for the safety assessment of design rules for steel structures is carried out and followed by the application of different assumptions and simplifications. This analysis is focused on the safety assessment of stability failure modes. Main simplifications relate – firstly – to the isolation of scatter related to material and geometrical properties from the resistance model and – secondly – to the assumption that the basic variables are independent from each other. The assessment is performed using available statistical distributions of basic variables such as the yield strength and cross-section properties. A sensitivity analysis is then performed. This study is done on the basis of the example of flexural buckling of steel column, leading to a general numerical validation of the simplified procedures and the proposal for a standardized assessment procedure for the safety assessment of the partial safety factor γ M for stability problems.

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EC3 provides several methodologies for the stability verification of members and frames. Regarding tapered beam-columns, in EC3-1-1, the safety verification may be performed by the General Method. However, application of this method has been shown not to be reliable. On the other hand, the interaction formulae in EC3-1-1 were specifically calibrated for stability verification of prismatic members. Recently, Ayrton–Perry based proposals for the stability verification of web-tapered columns and beams, in line with the Eurocode principles for the stability verification of prismatic members, have shown to lead to a substantial increase of accuracy and to provide mechanical consistency relatively to application of the General Method. Such methodologies may be further applied to the existing interaction formulae. It is the purpose of this paper to propose a verification procedure for the stability verification of web-tapered beam-columns under in-plane loading by adaptation of the interaction formulae in EC3-1-1, validated through extensive FEM numerical simulations covering several combinations of bending moment about strong axis, My, and axial force, N, and levels of taper.

An indoor/outdoor monitoring programme of PM10 was carried out in two sports venues (a fronton and a gymnasium). Levels always below 50 μg m(-3) were obtained in the fronton and outdoor air. Due to the climbing chalk and the constant process of resuspension, concentrations above 150 μg m(-3) were registered in the gymnasium. The chalk dust contributed to CO3 (2-) concentrations of 32 ± 9.4 μg m(-3) in this sports facility, which represented, on average, 18 % of the PM10 mass. Here, the carbonate levels were 128 times higher than those registered outdoors. Much lower concentrations, around 1 μg m(-3), were measured in the fronton. The chalk dust is also responsible for the high Mg(2+) concentrations in the gym (4.7 ± 0.89 μg m(-3)), unfolding a PM10 mass fraction of 2.7 %. Total carbon accounted for almost 30 % of PM10 in both indoor spaces. Aerosol size distributions were bimodal and revealed a clear dependence on physical activities and characteristics of the sports facilities. The use of climbing chalk in the gymnasium contributed significantly to the coarse mode. The average geometric mean diameter, geometric standard deviation and total number of coarse particles were 0.77 μm, 2.79 cm(-3) and 28 cm(-3), respectively.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly individuals, resulting from a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Impaired brain iron homeostasis has been recognized as an important mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of this disease. Nevertheless, the knowledge gathered so far at the systemic level is clearly insufficient. Herein, we used an integrative approach to study iron metabolism in the periphery, at both genotypic and phenotypic levels, in a sample of 116 patients with AD and 89 healthy control subjects. To assess the potential impact of iron metabolism on the risk of developing AD, genetic analyses were performed along with the evaluation of the iron status profile in peripheral blood by biochemical and gene expression studies. The results obtained showed a significant decrease of serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin concentrations in patients compared with the control subjects. Also, a significant decrease of ferroportin (SLC40A1) and both transferrin receptors TFRC and TFR2 transcripts was found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients. At the genetic level, significant associations with AD were found for single nucleotide polymorphisms in TF, TFR2, ACO1, and SLC40A1 genes. Apolipoprotein E gene, a well-known risk factor for AD, was also found significantly associated with the disease in this study. Taken together, we hypothesize that the alterations on systemic iron status observed in patients could reflect an iron homeostasis dysregulation, particularly in cellular iron efflux. The intracellular iron accumulation would lead to a rise in oxidative damage, contributing to AD pathophysiology.

Eurocode 3 provides several methods for the stability verification of members and frames. However, several inconsistencies and difficulties have been noticed in the case of non-uniform members regarding in what concerns stability verification. In this paper, the case of web-tapered beams is studied. In a first step, available methods for stability verification of web-tapered beams are discussed. A second order analytical model based on an Ayrton–Perry approach is then derived for the case of tapered beams with uniform bending moment and further extended to other bending moment distributions. Several consistent simplifications are carried out in order to build a simple but coherent design model for the stability verification of tapered beams subject to linear bending moment distributions and to parabolic bending moment. More than 3000 numerical simulations are carried out for calibration and analysis of the results. Throughout the paper, specific issues such as the presence of shear or the codified imperfections for welded cross-sections are brought in and taken into account. Finally, it is noted that the proposed model is consistent with recently proposed design models for the stability verification of prismatic beams.