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We introduce a model of tourism choice where we consider that the choice of a tourism resort by a tourist, depends not only on the characteristics of the product offered by the resort but depends also on certain characteristics -crowding types- of the other tourists that have chosen the same resort. To get insights about the effect of crowding types in the allocation of tourists across resorts we exploit a club formation approach and model the framework by means of a Nash game. We establish existence of strategic equilibrium and characterize relevant equilibria.

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Background: Body fat is related to changes in lipid profile, blood pressure and metabolism of insulin and glucose, known as the metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components among overweight and obese Portuguese schoolchildren, and to identify associated clinical and biochemical characteristics. Methods: A total of 82 children (14 overweight and 68 obese; 40 boys and 42 girls) aged 7-9 years, underwent anthropometric measurements. A blood sample was obtained to assess biochemical parameters. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). MS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria modified by Cook. Results: The prevalence of MS was 15.8%. Abdominal obesity was present in all children. Frequency of elevated blood pressure, low HDL-cholesterol and elevated triglyceride concentrations were 62.6%, 13.4% and 11.0%, respectively. None of the children presented impaired fasting glucose, however hyperinsulinemia (7.3%) and IR (8.5%) were observed. The number of components of MS was higher in children with higher z-BMI (rho = 0.411; p < 0.001). MS was associated with higher leptin concentrations. No association was found with adiponectin or ghrelin levels. Leptin correlated positively with obesity, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, hepatic function and C-reactive protein, and negatively with HDL and Apolipoprotein A-I/B ratio. Conclusions: This study shows a significant prevalence of MS among obese schoolchildren. Abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure were the most frequent components of this syndrome. Dyslipidemia, IR and high levels of leptin were also associated with MS in this young group.

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HAND GRIP STRENGTH IN A SAMPLE Of 11 to 14 Years Old Children Introduction: The determination of hand grip strength is an objective method of evaluation of upper members' integrity. It is also used as a general health indicator. Data about grip strength values in healthy children is useful in the research and diagnosis of diseases that interfere with grip force. The aim of this study was to determine average values of children hand grip strength by age and evaluate its relation with weight and height. Material and Methods: Hand grip strength was measured with the dynamometer Jamar Hydraulic Hand (R) in a convenience sample of 195 children of either gender, with ages between 11 and 14 years old. Results: Statistical significant differences were observed in hand grip strength between genders, being higher in boys. Moderate correlations were found between grip strength and age (R = 0.679, p < 0.001), height (R = 0.691, p < 0.001), and weight (R = 0.620, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study presents values of hand grip strength obtained from a sample of Portuguese children of 11 to 14 years old, which are directly associated with height and weight.

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NITROGEN BALANCE ASSESSMENT IN BURN PATIENTS Introduction: The burn injury probably represents the largest stimulus for muscle protein catabolism. This state is characterized by an accelerated catabolism of the lean or skeletal mass that results in a clinical negative balance of nitrogen and muscle wasting. The determination of an appropriate value for protein intake is essential, since it is positively related to the nitrogen balance (NB) and accordingly several authors argue that a positive NB is the key parameter associated with nutritional improvement of a burn patient. Objectives: Evaluation of the degree of protein catabolism by assessment of the Nitrogen Balance; Defining of nutritional support (protein needs) to implement in patients with burned surface area (BSA) >= 10%. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the clinical files and scrutinized the clinical variables of interest. The NB was estimated according to three formulae. Each gram of nitrogen calculated by the NB was then converted into grams of protein, subtracted or added to protein intake (or administered enteric or parenterically) and divided by kg of reference Weight (kg Rweight), in an attempt to estimate the daily protein needs. Results: The cohort consisted of 10 patients, 6 females, with average age of 58(23) years old, a mean of BSA of 21.4(8.4)%, ranging from a minimum of 10.0% and maximum of 35.0%. On average, patients were 58 (23) years old. The average number of days of hospitalization in the burn unit was 64.8(36.5) days. We observed significant differences between the 3 methods used for calculating the NB (p = 0.004), on average the NB was positive. When the formula A was used the average value of NB was higher. Regarding the attempt to estimate the needs of g prot/kg Rweight/day most of the values did not exceed, on average, 2.6 g Prot/kg Rweight/day and no significant differences between patients with a BSA% of 10-20% and with BSA% > 20% were found. Conclusion: Despite being able to estimate the protein catabolism through these formulas and verifying that most values were above zero, wide individual fluctuations were visible over time. Based on the sample reference that recommends a value of 1.5-2 g Prot/kg Rweight/day, we can conclude it to be underestimated, when comparing with the mean value of 2.6 g Prot/kg Rweight/day we established.

Abstract
This paper considers the single machine scheduling problem with linear earliness and quadratic tardiness costs. The research on the version with an inserted idle time focused on an exact approach, while several heuristics were already proposed for the version with no idle time. These heuristics were then the basis for the development of new heuristic procedures for the version with idle time. Some improvement procedures were also considered. The new heuristics outperformed the existing procedures. A genetic algorithm provides the best results in terms Of Solution quality, but is computationally intensive. One of the backward scheduling dispatching rules provides results of similar quality and can quickly solve even large instances. The new heuristics were also applied, with the appropriate modifications, to the version with no idle time. Again, the new procedures provided better results than the existing heuristics. Therefore, the procedures developed in this paper are the new heuristics of choice for both versions of the considered problem. [Received 09 October 2008; Revised 02 February 2009; Accepted 20 February 2009]