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Abstract The technical feasibility of developing an Internet of Things multi‐user communication system is evaluated based on a central digital multiband carrierless amplitude and phase transmitter, which broadcasts data on multiple channels for a number of low‐cost/low‐power devices. It addresses the issue of carrier synchronisation, which is critical in real‐world implementations because of imperfections of devices and the delays of the system. A simulation model for the traditional Costas Loop is presented, along with performance results, which demonstrate the system's ability to synchronise with pull‐in and lock ranges of ±800 and ±900 Hz, respectively. The loop requires 1.194 ms to be in the locked state, allowing the system to lock within 6 symbols period. In addition, the authors measured the performance of the system in the presence of noise and interference from other modulated bands. The results showed that noise and interference did not degrade the system's performance. Although the system was unable to lock when energy was present in adjacent bands, alternative options such as a high order phase‐locked loop and hybrid frequency‐division multiple access and time‐division multiple access, can improve system performance without significantly increasing the cost and complexity of the devices.

The diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection has become more common and represents a major cause of kidney graft loss. The ideal treatment remains unknown, with little evidence supporting the use of a specific therapy. The definition of antibody-mediated rejection is based on serologic (presence and/or development of donor-specific antibodies) and histologic (evidence of acute tissue injury with C4d deposition or other signs of antibody interaction with the vascular endothelium) criteria. Antibody-mediated rejection without donor-specific antibodies is a subcategory with a defying diagnosis. This particularly entity is increasingly being reported as an important cause of allograft dysfunction in kidney transplantation. We describe the case of a kidney transplant recipient with a low immunological risk and delayed graft function due to an antibody-mediated rejection with negative donor-specific antibodies.

Abstract SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs mainly indoors, through virus-laden airborne particles. Although the presence and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol are now acknowledged, the underlying circumstances for its occurrence are still under investigation. The contamination of domiciliary environments during the isolation of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients in their respective rooms in individual houses and in a nursing home was investigated by collecting surface and air samples in these environments. Surface contamination was detected in different contexts, both on high and low-touch surfaces. To determine the presence of virus particles in the air, two sampling methodologies were used: air and deposition sampling. Positive deposition samples were found in sampling locations above the patient’s height, and SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in impactation air samples within a size fraction below 2.5 μm. Surface samples rendered the highest positivity rate and persistence for a longer period. The presence of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 RNA occurred mainly in deposition samples and closer to symptom onset. To evaluate the infectivity of selected positive samples, SARS-CoV-2 viability assays were performed, but our study was not able to validate the virus viability. The presented results confirm the presence of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor compartments occupied by COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, in the absence of aerosol-generating clinical procedures.

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistula is the optimal vascular access for hemodialysis as it has the best long-term patency rate and the lowest complication rate. Although we are still lacking consensus, surgery has been advocated as the best treatment option for maturation delay. We proposed to evaluate the results of endovascular approach of arteriovenous fistula’s maturation delay in our hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, selecting patients referred to our diagnostic and therapeutic angiography unit due to arteriovenous fistula delayed maturation, between April 2017 and June 2020. Results: Thirty-four patients were referred to our center due to maturation delay, of which six (17.7%) were excluded as the diagnosis was not confirmed and six (17.7%) because the lesions were not suitable for percutaneous angioplasty. The other 22 patients (64.7%) were subjected to percutaneous endovascular treatment. Mean age was 67.3 ± 13.8 years. Eighteen patients (81.8%) had maturation delay due to peri-anastomotic stenosis; 12 (66.7%) were forearm fistulas (all radio-cephalic). Mean follow-up time was 21.2 ± 11.2 months. Eleven (91.7%) fistulas were salvaged, although four (33.3%) needed reintervention. Primary and assisted primary patencies at 6 and 12 months were 66.7% vs 91.7% and 58.3% vs 91.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Our results point out that endovascular treatment is a good treatment option for maturation delay of forearm arteriovenous fistulas due to juxta-anastomotic stenosis. Even though surgical treatment appears to have better primary patency, a step-by-step approach seems to be a valid strategy, as our assisted primary patency shows.

Abstract Mid‐ocean ridges generate a myriad of physical oceanographic processes that favor the supply of food and nutrients to suspension‐ and filter‐feeding organisms, such as cold‐water corals and deep‐sea sponges. However, the pioneering work conducted along the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge failed to report the presence of large and dense living coral reefs, coral gardens, or sponge aggregations. Here, we describe the densest, near‐natural, and novel octocoral garden composed of large red and white colonies of Paragorgia johnsoni Gray, 1862 discovered at 545–595 m depth on the slopes of the Mid‐Atlantic Ridge, in the Azores region. This newly discovered octocoral garden is a good candidate for protection since it fits many of the FAO criteria that define what constitutes a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem. The observations described here corroborate the existence of a close relationship between the octocoral structure and the ambient currents on ridge‐like topographies, providing new insights into the functioning of mid‐ocean ridges' ecosystems. The ubiquitous presence of biogenic and geological topographies associated with mid‐ocean ridges, which could act as climate refugia, suggests their global importance for deep‐sea biodiversity. A better understanding of the processes involved is, therefore, required. Our observations may inspire future deep‐sea research initiatives to narrow existing knowledge gaps of biophysical connections with benthic fauna at small spatial scales along mid‐ocean ridges.

Introduction: Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease worldwide. A kidney biopsy in a diabetic patient must be considered when non-diabetic renal disease is suspected, such as in the presence of a rapid decline in renal function or severe unexplained proteinuria. However, the timing and criteria of a biopsy remain controversial in these patients. We aimed to identify clinical and histological markers that could help differentiate diabetic and non-diabetic renal disease and decide if this invasive approach is needed or not. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed 30 years of biopsies from diabetic patients performed at a tertiary hospital. We collected patient demographic data, biopsy indications, histological findings, and clinical and analytical data both at the moment of the biopsy and extensive followup. Based on kidney biopsy findings, patients were categorized as isolated diabetic nephropathy, non-diabetic kidney disease, or non-diabetic kidney disease superimposed on diabetic nephropathy (diabetic kidney disease). Results and Discussion: We enrolled 92 patients, mostly with type 2 diabetes, with a mean age of 62.9 ± 13.2 years. Nearly half of them had isolated diabetic nephropathy (53.3%), and 15.2% had diabetic nephropathy superimposed on non-diabetic kidney disease, comprising a total of 63 patients (68.5%) with diabetic kidney disease. Twenty-nine patients (31.5%) were considered to have non-diabetic kidney disease. These last patients were significantly less likely to need insulin therapy (p=0.002), had more frequently an acute deterioration of renal function (p=0.01), lower albumin levels (p=0.03), and a higher prevalence of microhematuria (p=0.001). We found the latter to be an independent predictor of non-diabetic kidney disease. Further, patients with the primary diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy had higher survival than those who had nondiabetic kidney disease, contradicting published data. Conclusions: The criteria for performing a biopsy in diabetic patients still lack consensus, although the priority to identify non-diabetic kidney disease prevails. We believe the non-diabetic kidney disease predictors we describe may prove helpful for determining the need for a histological assessment in diabetic patients.

Introduction: Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is one of the rarest and the most severe acute hepatic manifestations of sickle cell disease (SCD) and it can rapidly progress to acute liver failure. It is associated with a high mortality rate, demanding prompt recognition and management. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 7-year-old boy with a history of homozygous HbS SCD who presented to the emergency department with fever, increasing abdominal pain, and jaundice. His course was complicated by acute liver injury (AST 9,472 IU/L, ALT 2,683 IU/L, total bilirubin 15.4 mg/dL; conjugated bilirubin 8.69 mg/dL, hypoalbuminemia 2.6 g/dL, and persistent hypoglycemia), with acute liver failure (coagulopathy not corrected by vitamin K administration with INR 3.26, decreased factors V 10% and VII 28%, and West Haven grade I hepatic encephalopathy associated with mild hyperammonemia of 71 µmol/L). After excluding other causes of acute liver failure, the patient was diagnosed as having SCIC and was successfully treated with manual exchange transfusion. Conclusion: This case reinforces that exchange transfusion is an effective treatment for SCIC and that it should be introduced promptly to prevent fulminant and potentially fatal liver failure.

Abstract This paper analyzes mineralogical, geochemical, and geochronological aspects, along with the effect of hydrothermal/metasomatic overprints, to identify the presence of primary phosphate as well as depositional and paleoenvironmental conditions in marble and calcsilicate sequences recrystallized under transitional amphibolite-granulite metamorphic conditions in the Tanque Novo-Ipirá Complex within the Salvador-Curaçá Orogen, northeastern São Francisco Craton, state of Bahia, Brazil. Petrographic studies have identified up to 10 vol.% disseminated apatite and whole-rock P2O5 contents up to 3.2 wt.%. Post-depositional events affected the lithofacies to varying degrees. Late hydrothermalism did not modify the rare earth element and yttrium (REEY) patterns considerably. When normalized to Post-Archean Australian Shale (PAAS), these lithofacies are marked by flat pattern REEY, true negative Ce anomalies, and positive Y and Gd. The highly variable Eu anomalies were inherited from the source composition but may have been affected by interaction with fluids. U-Pb LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) ages indicate a maximum depositional age of 2128 Ga, as well as Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean sources. Samples with anomalous phosphorus show Y/Ho ratios >30 and Ce/Ce* anomalies between 0.53 and 1.0 with an average of 0.70, suggesting a sub-oxic environment for phosphate precipitation.

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Essential oil (EO), hydrolate, and nondistilled aqueous phase (decoction) obtained from the hydrodistillation of lemongrass byproducts were studied in terms of their potential as food ingredients under a circular economy. The EO (0.21%, dry weight basis) was composed mainly of monoterpenoids (61%), the majority being citral (1.09 g/kg). The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of lemongrass EO against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Staphylococcus aureus, were 617, 1550, and 250 μg/mL, respectively. This effect was dependent on the citral content. Particularly for Gram-negative bacteria, a synergism between citral and the remaining EO compounds enhanced the antimicrobial activity. The polymeric material obtained from the nondistilled aqueous phase was composed of phenolic compounds (25% gallic acid equivalents) and carbohydrates (22%), mainly glucose (66 mol%). This polymeric material showed high antioxidant activity due to bound phenolic compounds, allowing its application as a functional dietary fiber ingredient. Matcha green tea formulations were successfully mixed with lemongrass hydrolate containing 0.21% EO (dry weight basis) with 58% of monoterpenoids, being citral at 0.73 g/kg, minimizing matcha astringency with a citrus flavor and extending the product shelf life. This holistic approach to essential oils’ hydrodistillation of Cymbopogon citratus byproducts allows for valorizing of the essential oil, hydrolate, and decoction for use as food ingredients.

Os tumores pulmonares primários em idade pediátrica são raros, existindo, contudo, uma multiplicidade de tipos histológicos, com diferentes abordagens terapêuticas. O tumor miofibroblástico inflamatório do pulmão representa 0,04% - 1,2% de todos os tumores pulmonares, é mais frequente em crianças e adultos jovens e a sua etiologia é desconhecida. A apresentação clínica e radiológica é muito variável, pelo que o diagnóstico é difícil. Descrevemos o caso de um adolescente de 15 anos, com achado de nódulo pulmonar em radiografia de tórax realizada no contexto de infeção respiratória e cujo estudo etiológico revelou tratar-se de um tumor miofibroblástico inflamatório do pulmão. Foi realizada resseção atípica por toracoscopia videoassistida, verificando-se evolução favorável. Salientamos a raridade desta entidade, a necessidade de elevado índice de suspeição clínica e a marcha diagnóstica que levou ao esclarecimento definitivo e à sua resolução.

Passive transfer of antibodies secondary to intravenous immunoglobulin infusion is a rare but important side effect that can lead to the wrong diagnosis and therapeutic decisions. It has never been reported in a newborn. A male newborn, vaccinated against hepatitis B and diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, presented positive hepatitis B core antibodies at 12 days of life. Exclusion of hepatitis B infection was mandatory as it would be a contraindication to heart transplant. Passive transfer of antibodies was confirmed at 44 days of age, after seroreversion of hepatitis B core antibodies. Passive transfer of antibodies after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion can lead to a misleading diagnosis if not recognized. In our patient it could have been especially harmful had it prevented heart transplant. Screening for hepatitis B should be performed at least 1 month after intravenous immunoglobulin infusion.

The Calluna vulgaris honey produced in Portugal, concerning its phenolic compounds and abscisic acids profiles, as well as its antioxidant activity and the protective effect against oxidative damage in human erythrocytes were herein performed for the first time. The phenolic and abscisic acid profiles were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS (17 compounds). The total content of phenolics and abscisic acids was 15,446.4 µg/g of honey extract, with catechin derivatives and abscisic acids being major constituents. The highest scavenging capacity was found against reactive nitrogen species. Additionally, the honey extract prevented ROO•-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes collected from human blood, by inhibiting hemolysis, lipid peroxidation and hemoglobin oxidation. In conclusion, C. vulgaris honey contains high content of catechin derivatives and abscisic acids that may be responsible for its biological activity, characterized by a strong antioxidant capacity, which adds up to the nutritional value of this delicacy.

Objective: To improve the knowledge on the metabolite profile of five red grapes from Dão region (Portugal), concerning to the phenolic characteristics (coloured and non-coloured phenolics) and organic acid composition. Methods: Five red grapes collected from Dão region were studied. The profiles of phenolic compounds and organic acids were estimated by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detector, respectively. Results: Totally 24 phenolic compounds were identified, and distributed by several classes: 8 anthocyanins, 1 hydroxybenzoic acid, 4 hydroxycinnamic acids, 1 stilbene, 4 flavan-3-ols, 6 flavonols. Additionally, 10 organic acids were detected in all samples. Total contents of each phenolic class and organic acids amounts varied significantly among the different grape cultivars investigated. The principal components analysis differentiates the Touriga Nacional from the other varieties due to their high contents in anthocyanins, non-coloured phenolics and organic acids. Touriga Nacional is an important red grape cultivar, highly esteemed in Dão region for its ability to produce high quality wines. Conclusions: The results suggest that the red grapes from Dão region present a good composition in bioactive compounds, being important for the production of wines with superior quality.

Large constellations of low-orbit satellites have already been launched with the aim of offering complete worldwide coverage of broadband Internet; however, compact, simple, and low-cost mobile terminals are necessary to establish the communication. This paper describes the design of a reconfigurable and compact filtenna with the ability to switch between the satellites’ uplink and downlink frequencies, 20 GHz and 29 GHz, maintaining an excellent performance. Due to its simplicity, efficiency, and Rx/Tx isolation, this antenna is a relevant candidate to be part of mobile terminals and devices, or even sensors, that communicate with satellites.

Limited fitness for practice may result from a mismatch between education and practice. Aiming to meet the common interests of academics and practitioners, the Portuguese Pharmaceutical Society (PPS) developed the Education and Practice Platform (EPP). The EPP includes one representative from each pharmacy faculty, and all Councils of Speciality Boards of Practice. Brainstorming with involved parties enabled sharing of interests, concerns and identifying a common path. Aims, mission, vision and values were set. The EPP’s mission is to: act as an enabler to foster the quality and adequacy of education through sharing best practices, ultimately leading to facilitate professional integration, and to foster quality development in teaching practices with recognition for autonomy in freedom to teach and to learn. Its vision is an alignment of education and practice with the PPS’ statutes to ensure validation of the competences defined for each practice area, and compliance with international guidance. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were set. Activities developed include the creation of a national forum to discuss education and practice, development of workshops on teaching methods and pharmacy internships, enhanced representation in international events and response to global and national requests. Ongoing work focuses on the creation of a common training framework in hospital and community pharmacy practice adapted to Portugal. The EPP is a worldwide case study, encouraging the development of discussion contributing to an open climate of sharing best practices, indirectly leading to foster a better alignment between education and practice. Many of these results are so far intangible in scientific terms but worth describing.

Introduction: Isolated right pulmonary artery agenesis in an adult patient is an extremely rare condition that requires a high level of suspicion to make the diagnosis. Case Description: A 32-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with a 4-month history of recurrent respiratory infections. Chest radiography and computerized tomography (CT) revealed alveolar opacities on the medium and inferior right lobes. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy with bronchial aspirate was negative on both cytological and microbiological analysis. Due to the persistent of the imaging findings after a full course of a wide-spectrum antibiotic, an angio-CT was performed, revealing a complete stop at the level of the right pulmonary artery. Angiography confirmed the diagnosis of right pulmonary artery agenesis. Discussion: Currently, the patient has no exertional dyspnoea, screening for pulmonary hypertension has so far been negative and no further respiratory infections have occurred. It is important to call attention to a major congenital malformation that may remain asymptomatic until adulthood.

A criação da uma marca tem sido identificada como um fator determinante para Organizações Não Governamentais (ONGs) quando se trata de competir por financiamento público (estatal) ou privado, assim como na tentativa de recrutar voluntários. Assim, nossa proposta é verificar se a imagem da marca que cada indivíduo associa a uma ONG específica influencia quer na angariação de fundos quer no recrutamento de voluntários, usando um questionário aplicado a uma amostra de 654 indivíduos. Os resultados obtidos mostram que utilidade e afeto contribuem ambos na intenção de ajudar financeiramente às ONGs. Quando se trata de doar tempo, somente eficiência foi achadacomo um fator significante na variabilidade desta intenção. No caso da influência da consciência da marca, conclui-se que a familiaridade com a ONG contribui positivamente para a intenção de doar.

Neste artigo apresenta-se uma metodologia para a obtenção de cenários de resposta em contexto de decisão tendo em vista a gestão dos recursos hídricos superficiais na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Guadiana. Os resultados baseiam-se na espacialização das variáveis mais relevantes e das respectivas condicionantes à sua distribuição geográfica. Para tal, cartografa-se o balanço entre a procura e a oferta deste recurso natural, identificam-se as maiores pressões e assinala-se a hipotética aparição de conflitos entre os usos alternativos. Através dos seus resultados sintetiza-se a realidade e avalia-se a coerência ambiental da distribuição espacial das decisões. Um dos seus principais resultados consiste na cartografia prospectiva acerca do balanço entre a procura e a oferta dos recursos hídricos. Por fim, são criados três cenários relativos à situação de partida, o ano de 2011.

The Sensing as a Service is emerging as a new Internet of Things (IoT) business model for sensors and data sharing in the cloud. Under this paradigm, a resource allocation model for the assignment of both sensors and cloud resources to clients/applications is proposed. This model, contrarily to previous approaches, is adequate for emerging IoT Sensing as a Service business models supporting multi-sensing applications and mashups of Things in the cloud. A heuristic algorithm is also proposed having this model as a basis. Results show that the approach is able to incorporate strategies that lead to the allocation of fewer devices, while selecting the most adequate ones for application needs.

The mitochondrial toxin 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) has been largely used to study neurodegenerative disorders in which bioenergetic defects are implicated. In the present study, we analyzed the molecular pathways involved in FK506 neuroprotection against cell death induced by 3-NP, using cultured cortical neurons. 3-NP induced cytochrome c release and increased caspases -2, -3, -8, and -9-like activities, although, calpain activity was not significantly affected. FK506 decreased cytochrome c release and caspase-3-like activity induced by 3-NP, without changing the activities of other caspases. FK-506 also decreased the number of apoptotic neurons, determined by Hoechst. Under these conditions, FK506 alone significantly reduced calcineurin activity by about 50%. Our results also showed a decrease in mitochondrial Bax and an increase in mitochondrial Bcl-2 levels upon exposure to FK506 and 3-NP. However, no significant changes occurred in total Bcl-2 and Bax levels. Altogether, the results suggest that FK506 neuroprotection against 3-NP-induced apoptosis is associated with the redistribution of Bcl-2 and Bax in the mitochondrial membrane.

Resumo: A miocardite é uma doença inflamatória do miocárdio. Pode‐se apresentar de forma subtil ou fulminante.Apresenta‐se o caso duma mulher de 39 anos com choque cardiogénico no contexto de miocardite fulminante, com necessidade de colocação de membrana de oxigenação extracorporal arteriovenosa como ponte para a recuperação. O estudo etiológico revelou infeção por Legionella pneumophila do serogrupo 1. Após início de antibioterapia com azitromicina endovenosa verificou‐se recuperação da função biventricular. Abstract: Myocarditis is defined as inflammation of the myocardium. The clinical manifestations of myocarditis vary from flu‐like symptoms to fatal fulminant forms.We report the case of a 39‐year‐old woman with a diagnosis of cardiogenic shock caused by fulminant myocarditis. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used as a bridge to recovery.Etiological study revealed Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 infection.Recovery of biventricular function was seen after treatment with azithromycin. Palavras‐chave: Miocardite, Choque cardiogénico, Legionella pneumophila, Membrana de oxigenação extracorporal, Keywords: Myocarditis, Cardiogenic shock, Legionella pneumophila, Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Foram estudados em casa de vegetação alguns parâmetros de crescimento em plantas de quiabo (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench cv. Piranema) colonizadas por dois grupos de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares, com o objetivo de determinar a influência dos inóculos na nutrição e morfologia radicular do quiabeiro. Um grupo continha apenas esporos de Acaulospora longula (A) enquanto o outro, esporos de oito espécies: Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus microcarpum, Acaulospora longula, Acaulospora morrowae, Sclerocystis coremioides, Sclerocystis sinuosa, Scutellospora pellucida. As plantas foram submetidas a três níveis de P (0, 10 e 60 kg ha-1 de P2O5) e coletadas em três diferentes idades (22, 32 e 47 dias), com quatro repetições para cada tratamento. Foi determinado o acúmulo de N, P, K, e Mg na raiz e parte aérea, bem como o influxo médio desses elementos e a área radicular. Os resultados indicaram, além da resposta positiva do quiabeiro ao P, uma maior eficiência da inoculação com mistura de espécies apesar de o influxo médio, determinado aos 47 dias, apresentar maiores valores para o tratamento com A. longula.An experiment was carried out in greenhouse to determine the influence of inoculation of two groups of arbuscular mycorrhizae on the nutrition and radicular morphology of the okra plant (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench cv. Piranema. One group had only Acaulospora longula spores and the other a spore mixture of eight species: Glomus occultum, Glomus aggregatum, Glomus microcarpum, Acaulospora longula, Acaulospora morrowae, Sclerocystis coremioides, Sclerocystis sinuosa, Scutellospora pellucida. The experiment was held in greenhouse conditions with three levels of P (0, 10 and 60 kg ha-1 of P2O5), three samplings dates (22, 32 and 47 days) and four replications. The accumulation of N, P, K, Ca and Mg in roots and shoots, root area and their influx ratio were determined. The results made evident that the mixture of species was more efficient although there were higher ratios of influx with Acaulospora longula between 0 and 47th. day.

Neoplasic disease has been assuming an increasingly relevant role in the world's public health. Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second cause of death by neoplasia in women. In the Portuguese population, breast cancer is the main cause of death by neoplasia in females. Among the Azorean women, the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor is breast cancer, Pico Island being the third in terms of cancer incidence in the region. The risk factors are well known, well established and some of them can be prevented. Despite the great incidence of breast cancer, in the general population, particularly among the youngest, the knowledge about the disease is quite limited. The aims of this study are to characterize and identify the risk factors of women with breast cancer diagnose between 1998 and 2008 residing in Pico's island and, simultaneously to evaluate the knowledge of the students in Pico island about this disease.The method used for the gathering of the data in both cases was an anonymous and confidential questionnaire. In study 1 the questionnaire was conducted by an interviewer after the women's consent. Study 2 was performed in the three secondary schools of Pico island.The incidence rate of breast cancer in Pico island women is higher than the national incidence rate. There was an enormous variability in the incidence rates calculated for each year, with no clear tendency. The main responsible for the appearance of breast cancer in this population could be a conjugation of factors and not only a single isolated factor. The risk factors that stand out are: sedentariness (71.4%), family history (47.6%) and obesity (44.4%). The 295 students interviewed aged between 15 and 21 years. Of the total, 43 had relatives with breast cancer, however the majority (56.3%) assumes to be little informed about this disease.Through study 1 we conclude that there is a combination of hereditary and environmental risk factors, modifiable and non modifiable risk factors that may contribute to the onset of breast cancer. It is important to encourage changes in the life style of the women and rising of awareness towards risk factors. For the study of the student population, we conclude that the students have a very limited degree of knowledge of the disease; however, they assumed the will to more information, which leaves an open door for future formation and awareness actions.

The involvement of local people in the management of scarce resources, such as water available for agriculture, is a desirable approach to address some of the difficulties in the decision-making processes. This paper reports the experience of a research team of sociologists and geographers involved in the MULINO project (Multi-sectoral, Integrated and Operational decision support system for sustainable use of water resources at the catchment scale). In the framework of this international and interdisciplinary project, a social network analysis was developed in a catchment of south Portugal. This analysis was structured in five fundamental steps: Stakeholder Identification; Data Collection; Data Treatment; Network Visualisation; and Local Network Analysis. The information was gathered mainly through a questionnaire, bibliographic references, statistical inputs and field observations. In order to obtain a typology of stakeholders and their interactions, a factorial analysis of multiple correspondences and a cluster analysis were applied. The social network analysis, which is the measuring and visualisation of relationships and flows between people, groups, organisations or other information/knowledge processing entities, supported the description of two types of patterns that link different sets of actors: social groups (sets of actors closely linked together) and social positions (sets of actors who are linked into the overall social system in similar ways). The analysis of the Caia Catchment network shows that this type of analysis is important not only as a means to characterising certain parameters about the network’s characteristics, but also as a significant tool to help improve the communication within the social network.