Francisco Mendes

Wastewater detoxification of organic and inorganic toxic compounds with solar collectors

Abstract The photocatalysis allows the degradation of organic compounds and/or the oxidation/reduction of inorganic compounds (heavy-metal) by the chemical action of the light, in the presence of a catalyst agent. Although the process is natural and fully understood, practical and economic solar detoxification systems are not available yet. With its development, two goals may be achieved: 1) to contribute to a cleaner environment and 2) to save conventional energy, which also pollutes in conventional detoxification plants. In this work, we present the study of the photocatalytic destruction of organic and inorganic compounds by the use of the near UV of the solar spectrum, captured by solar concentrator collectors of the focusing (Hellioman collectors, from PSA, Spain) and non-focusing (CPC, from the USA and Portugal) type. According to recent studies, non-concentrating collectors can be more interesting for this purpose than concentrating ones, given the higher fraction of diffuse radiation, containing a greater percentage of UV, which can be collected by the previous. However, low concentration (C

Bem-estar subjetivo e atividade física em pessoas idosas

Resumo A crescente valorizacao do envelhecimento como experiencia positiva conduziu a investigacao de fatores de qualidade de vida nas pessoas idosas, de onde se destacam o bem-estar subjetivo (BES) e a atividade fisica (AF). Propomo-nos caracterizar e contrastar niveis de BES e AF, em pessoas idosas portuguesas, em funcao da idade e genero. Recorreu-se a uma amostra de conveniencia, com 240 sujeitos (67.5% femininos), com media de idades de 73.07 ± 6.59. Utilizou-se o Baecke Modificado para a AF, bem como a SWLS e a PANAS para o BES. Procedeu-se a analise de dados com o SPSS (IBM-23), considerando p < .05. Na AF predominaram as atividades de ocupacao de tempos livres e domesticas, superiores nas mulheres (p ≤ .01), e valores mais baixos na pratica desportiva. No BES, e preocupante a Afetividade Negativa suplantar o percentil 50. AF e BES correlacionaram-se positivamente (.205 a .275; p ≤ .05 e p ≤ .01) e idade e AF negativamente (-.191 a -.249; p ≤ .01). Importa incrementar a pratica da AF nas pessoas idosas, sobretudo nos mais velhos e masculinos, permitindo, tambem, melhorar o BES. O que as pessoas pensam e sentem acerca das suas vidas nao pode ser descurado, de modo a potenciar o envelhecimento como experiencia positiva.

Same-Sex Parenting: Identification of Social Representations in a Sample of Portuguese Professionals

ABSTRACT Although international scientific research and the position of professional associations reiterate that the parents’ sexual orientation is not a criterion of parenting quality, the social recognition of same-sex parenting remains difficult in Portugal. Given the importance of forensic issues in this field, this study aims to identify the representations of psychologists, social workers, lawyers/attorneys, and judges regarding same-sex parenting. The study involves five homogeneous focus groups with a total of 19 professionals. Content analysis reveals reservations regarding same-sex couples’ access to parenting, in particular among lawyers/attorneys. There also emerged narratives that highlight specific competencies in these families and that argue that sexual orientation does not define the quality of parenting. Social narratives are more expressive than scientific knowledge in support of professional representations. These findings have critical implications for professional practice and formation.