Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco
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Comparative study of physical activity, leisure preferences, and sedentary behavior among portuguese, italian, and spanish university students
Get PDFObjective: The objective of this study is to describe and compare the levels of physical activity, preferences for leisure-time physical activity, and the frequency of non-sedentary behaviors of Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish students attending higher education. Methods: A total of 1354 students (21.2 ± 2.9 years) participated in the study, with data collected through an online questionnaire for 6 months. Results: The highest levels of sedentary behavior are found among Spanish students, followed by the Portuguese, and lastly the Italians. In relation to physical activity levels, Spanish students perform more low and moderate physical activity, while Italian students perform more vigorous activities and naturally have a lower level of sedentary behavior. Conclusions: However, it is worth highlighting that students from all three countries reach the minimum levels of physical activity recommended by the WHO.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Efficient data exchange between WebAssembly modules
Get PDFIn the past two decades, there has been a noticeable decoupling of machines and operating systems. In this context, WebAssembly has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional virtual machines. Originally designed for execution in web browsers, it has expanded to executing code in restricted and secure environments, and it stands out for its rapid startup, small footprint, and porta- bility. However, WebAssembly presents significant challenges in data transfer and the management of interactions with the module. Its specification requires each module to have its own memory, re- sulting in a “share-nothing” architecture. This restriction, combined with the limitations of importing and exporting functions that only handle numerical values, and the absence of an application binary interface (ABI) for sharing more complex data structures, leads to efficiency problems; these are exacerbated by the variety of programming languages that can be compiled and executed in the same environment. To address this inefficiency, the Karmem was designed and developed. It includes a new interface description language (IDL) aimed at facilitating the definition of data, functions, and relationships between modules. Additionally, a proprietary protocol—an optimized ABI for efficient data reading and minimal decoding cost—was created. A code generator capable of producing code for various programming languages was also conceived, ensuring harmonious interaction with the ABI and the foreign function interface. Finally, the compact runtime of Karmem, built atop a WebAssembly runtime, enables communication between modules and shared memory. Results of the experiments conducted show that Karmem represents an innovation in data communication for WASM in multiple environments and demonstrates the ability to overcome challenges of efficiency and interoperability.This work was funded by National Funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), I.P., within the scope of the project UIDB/05583/2020 and DOI identifier https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/05583/2020. Furthermore, we would like to thank the Research Centre in Digital Services (CISeD) and the Instituto Politécnico de Viseu for their support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Find me a date : Potential of digital application in combating loneliness 65+
No full textNum mundo cada vez mais virtual e também mais envelhecido, há cada vez mais pessoas a procurar um companheiro/a virtualmente e os idosos não são exceção. Este artigo pretende contribuir para o estudo do uso de aplicações digitais de amizade e/ou contexto amoroso como forma de combate à solidão. Os utilizadores ao se registarem na aplicação podem estabelecer ligações e/ou fazer amizades, com um objetivo de estabelecerem um potencial relacionamento amoroso ou parceiro sexual. A sexualidade na faixa etária dos 65+ ainda continua a ser encarada com um tabu, para analisar este tema recorreu-se a uma investigação qualitativa no âmbito de um estudo exploratório. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas a seis alunos de uma academia sénior na vila da Sertã. O principal objetivo esteve relacionado com a avaliação e a aceitação da aplicação digital “Felizes.pt”, tentando perceber de que forma encontrar um parceiro seria valorizado pelos inquiridos e se ajudaria no combate à solidão. Os resultados obtidos indicam
que existe, embora que de uma forma tímida a vontade de um novo relacionamento. As opiniões manifestadas pelos participantes, ainda que a amostra não permita generalizações, são indicadoras da existência de um potencial da aplicação digital na diminuição do isolamento dado poder promover possibilidades de conhecerem mais pessoas que até podem levar a uma relação amorosa ou a uma relação mais sólida e mais próxima.In an increasingly virtual and aging world, there are more and more people looking for a partner virtually and the elderly are no exception. This article aims to contribute to the study of the use of digital friendship applications and/or romantic contexts as a way of combating loneliness. When users register on the application, they can establish connections and/or make friends, with the aim of establishing a potential romantic relationship or sexual partner. Sexuality in the 65+ age group still continues to be seen as taboo. To analyze this topic, qualitative research was used as part of an exploratory study. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with six students from a senior academy in the village of Sertã. The main objective was related to the evaluation and acceptance of the digital application “Felizes.pt”, trying to understand how finding a partner would be valued by respondents and whether it would help in combating loneliness. The results obtained indicate that there is, albeit in a timid way, the desire for a new relationship. The opinions expressed by the participants, eventhough the sample does not allow for generalizations, are indicative of the existence of a digital application’s potential in reducing isolation as it can promote possibilities of meeting more people, which can even lead to a romantic relationship or a more solid relationship
Multiformat accessible menus: A tool for social inclusion and autonomy for all
No full textDiversos estudos comprovam que a acessibilidade carece ainda de um quadro de ação efetivo e eficaz que habilite o acesso
a diversos serviços comuns do dia-a-dia para todas as pessoas. Nomeadamente, acessibilidade à informação ainda não é considerado
um direito pleno e garantido nos dias de hoje para pessoas com Necessidades Específicas (NE). De forma a responder a esta necessidade procedeu-se à adaptação de ementas de restaurantes, através de um design inclusivo, em comunicação acessível e multiformato
(braille, símbolos pictográficos para a comunicação, QR code com áudio e fotografias). Com o objetivo de validar este recurso enquanto instrumento de promoção da inclusão social e da autonomia de pessoas com NE, a presente investigação teve por base um
estudo de casos múltiplos com o envolvimento de dois restaurantes, num contexto de educação não formal. As técnicas e instrumentos
de recolha de dados utilizadas foram a entrevista semiestruturada (n=1), notas de campo, Focus Group com proprietários e colaboradores do restaurante (n=4) e inquérito por questionário dirigido aos clientes (n=80) dos restaurantes. Com recurso à análise de
conteúdo e a uma análise estatística descritiva constatamos que todas as categorias de análise revelaram valores significativos e de
interesse sobre as perceções das pessoas envolvidas no estudo. Os resultados obtidos numa pesquisa exploratória aferiram que 97%
dos inquiridos consideram que os serviços de turismo devem disponibilizar ementas acessíveis para garantir a acessibilidade e a
participação de todos. Os dados revelam ainda que a adaptação de ementas em comunicação acessível pode representar uma ferramenta de promoção da inclusão (98%) e autonomia (95%) de pessoas com NE. Apesar de ser um instrumento que carece de mais
investigações científicas, a implementação de ementas acessíveis em restaurantes, poderá habilitar uma participação plena e efetiva a todas as pessoas, independentemente das suas NE, outorgando-lhes a autonomia e independência que lhes conferem dignidade.Various studies have shown that accessibility still lacks an effective and efficient framework for action to enable access
to various common everyday services for all people. In particular, accessibility to information is not yet considered a full and guaranteed right for people with Specific Needs (SEN). To respond to this need, restaurant menus were adapted using inclusive design, accessible communication and multiformat (braille, pictographic symbols for communication, QR code with audio and photographs). To validate this resource as a tool for promoting social inclusion and autonomy for people with SEN, this research was
based on a multiple case study involving two restaurants in a non-formal education context. The data collection techniques and
instruments used were semi-structured interviews (n=1), field notes, Focus Groups with restaurant owners and employees (n=4),
and questionnaires for restaurant customers (n=80). Using content analysis and a descriptive statistical analysis, we found that all the
categories of analysis revealed significant and interesting values regarding the perceptions of the people involved in the study. The
results obtained in an exploratory survey showed that 97% of respondents believe that tourism services should provide accessible
menus to ensure accessibility and participation for all. The data also shows that adapting menus in accessible communication can
be a tool to promote inclusion (98%) and autonomy (95%) for people with SEN. Despite being an instrument that needs further
scientific research, implementing accessible menus in restaurants could enable full and effective participation for all people, regardless of their SEN, granting them the autonomy and independence that give them dignity
Diagnóstico das necessidades da população envelhecida da Freguesia de Teixoso e Sarzedo (Covilhã)
No full textTrabalho de Projeto apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de
Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de
Mestre em Gerontologia Social.O crescente envelhecimento da população mundial representa um desafio no século
XXI, em vários setores, como na saúde, na economia, na sociedade, tanto ao nível
individual como comunitário e organizacional. Apesar da conquista da longevidade, o
envelhecimento é considerado uma ameaça ao futuro das sociedades, ignorando-se as
inúmeras oportunidades que se associam a este processo inevitável no ser humano. No
entanto, é fundamental que se criem estratégias, políticas e caminhos que permitam
responder aos requisitos, desejos e direitos que o processo de envelhecimento exige para
que a velhice seja vivida consoante as necessidades e expetativas reais de cada indivíduo.
Com este trabalho projeto pretende-se identificar as necessidades e expetativas dos
idosos da União de Freguesias de Teixoso e Sarzedo, o qual contemplou os seguintes
objetivos específicos: identificar os principais recursos de saúde e sociais à disposição da
população-alvo; identificar as necessidades das pessoas idosas da freguesia; analisar as
expectativas em relação ao processo de envelhecimento; propor um projeto de
intervenção para promover a qualidade de vida e a inclusão social da pessoa idosa.
Trata-se de um estudo de caráter quantitativo e descritivo, com uma amostra por
conveniência, constituída de acordo com os critérios do estudo. Foram inquiridos 50
idosos com mais de 65 anos e foi utilizado um questionário como instrumento de recolha
de dados validados através do projeto PerSoPerAge (SAICT-POL/23678). Foi assegurado a
confidencialidade e o caráter voluntário de cada participante.
Os resultados demonstram que a maioria da população inquirida tem uma baixa
escolaridade; fracos recursos económicos; uma rede de apoio familiar e social bastante
reduzida que acarreta sentimentos de isolamento social; e a participação nas atividades
propostas é quase nula. A grande maioria manifesta o desejo de permanecer nas suas
casas, nas suas comunidades e consideram inadequadas as instituições de apoio à pessoa
idosa.
Após análise e discussão dos resultados, foi elaborado uma proposta de projeto de
intervenção com o objetivo de colmatar estas necessidades e promover o envelhecimento
positivo, ativo e saudável da freguesia em estudo. Este plano contempla três eixos de
intervenção: 1 – Promover um envelhecimento positivo, ativo e saudável, 2 – Fornecer
qualidade e eficiência nos cuidados e serviços prestados, e 3 – Impulsionar a participação
ativa das pessoas idosas.Abstract: The growing aging of the world's population represents a challenge of the 21st Century, in various sectors such as health, the economy, society, both at the individual, community and organizational level. Despite the achievement of longevity, aging is considered a threat to the future of societies, alienating us from the countless
opportunities associated with this inevitable process in humans. However, it is essential to
create strategies, policies and paths that allow responding to the requirements, desires
and rights that the aging process demands so that old age can be lived according to the
real needs and expectations of each elderly person.
This project aims to identify the needs and expectations of the elderly in the Union of
Parishes of Teixoso and Sarzedo, which included the following specific objectives: identify
the main health and social resources available to the target population; identify the needs
of elderly people in the parish; analyze expectations regarding the aging process; and
propose an intervention plan to promote the quality of life and social inclusion of elderly
people.
This is a quantitative and descriptive study, with a convenience sample, constituted in
accordance with the study criteria. 50 elderly people over 65 years of age were
interviewed and a questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument validated
through the PerSoPerAge project (POCO-010145-FEDER-023678). The confidentiality and
voluntary nature of each participant were assured.
The results demonstrate that the majority of the surveyed population has a low level of
education; weak economic resources; a very small family and social support network that
leads to feelings of social isolation; and participation in the proposed activities is almost
null. The vast majority express the desire to remain in their homes, in their communities
and consider institutions that support elderly people to be inadequate.
After analysing and discussing the results, a proposal for na intervention plan was
drawn up with the aim of meeting these needs and promoting positive, active and healthy
aging in the parish under study. This plan includes three intervention axes: 1 – Promote
positive, active and healthy aging; 2 – Provide quality and efficiency in the care and
services provided, and 3 – Encourage the active participation of elderly people
Spectroscopic insights into prodigiosin pigment production by Serratia marcescens
No full textThe appearance of cheese can be influenced by the intentional use of dyes such as paprika that color its rind, particularly in smear-ripened cheeses. In addition to this intentional addition, some microorganisms naturally present in cheeses can produce pigments that lead to color defects that negatively impact consumer acceptance and economic profitability. Serratia marcescens can produce a red pigment known as prodigiosin (Di Salvo, 2023).
Prodigiosin is the most prominent secondary metabolite in the group of prodiginin compounds, with cycloprodigiosine, metacycloprodigiosine, undecylprodigiosin, prodigiosin R1, and streptorubin B (Stankovic et al., 2014). It was evaluated the prodigiosin production in two bacterial cultures Serratia marcescens ESACB 596 and Serratia marcescens ESACB 734, sourced from the Microbial Culture Collection of the Microbiology Laboratory of
Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, Portugal, with the aim to determine the optimal conditions to produce pink pigment. To achieve this, experiments were performed in three culture media (Luria Broth (LB), Nutritive Broth (NB) and Peptone Glycerol Phosphate (PGP), at two pH levels (7.5 and 8.0) and two different temperatures (22 °C and 28 °C).This research was funded by the Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS-IPCB) [project UIDB/00681/2020] funding by Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (FCT). This work was financially supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) under the PhD scholarship SFRH/BD/135692/2018 and financed to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2019 and UIDB/50017/2020), through FCT/MCTES national funds, and co-financing by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement and Compete 2020
Novas Tecnologias e Inteligência Artificial em saúde: transformação na formação académica e na prática profissional
No full textNos últimos anos as novas tecnologias e a inteligência artificial (IA) têm assumido um papel crescente no setor da saúde. A sua aplicação tanto na formação académica dos futuros profissionais, nas instituições do ensino superior (IES) como nos diferentes contexto profissionais, exige uma transformação da formação oferecida aos profissionais de saúde.A formação académica destes profissionais tem, tradicionalmente seguido métodos clássicos, com uma forte componente teórica e prática. Contudo, as novas tecnologias têm vindo a alterar significativamente o ambiente de sala de aula, as estratégias de ensino-aprendizagem e as competências exigidas aos profissionais de saúde.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Abandono escolar : Políticas e Práticas na Guiné-Bissau
No full textDissertação de Mestrado apresentada a Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Intervenção Social Escolar.Esta dissertação discute o tema de abandono escolar na Guine -Bissau, com destaque para a compreensão do processo histo rico da educação dividido em três fases: pré-colonial, colonial e pós-colonial. Concomitantemente, refletir sobre políticas educativas que esta o em vigor e a forma como as mesmas são articuladas para proporcionar melhorias dentro sistema educativo guineense. As taxas de abandono escolar que ainda se encontram sem respostas adequadas impelem as investigações que possam somar aos esforços atuais para a minimização do fenómeno que afeta negativamente o progresso social, político e económico da Guine -Bissau. Diante disso, a investigação vai procurar encontrar explicações sobre as causas do abandono escolar, a forma como as políticas educativas te m sido executadas olhando, por conseguinte, aos progressos e retrocessos verificados ao longo dos anos. Procurar-se-á, naturalmente, analisar o reflexo da conjuntura social, ou seja, de que forma e que os conflitos sistema ticos contribuem na obstrução dos resultados positivos dentro do sistema. E, a partir dessa realidade, convocar a contribuição de diferentes agentes educativos sobre as suas vivências, conhecimentos e ideias relativamente as políticas que devem ser implementadas para que o fenómeno de abandono escolar possa ser reduzido.
A metodologia elegida para esta investigação e o estudo de caso, uma perspetiva metodológica que se considerou aplicável a este trabalho. E uma investigação qualitativa e, a obtenção de dados vai ser através das entrevistas com diversos agentes educativos, desde professores, alunos, pais e técnicos da educação.Abstract: This dissertation addresses school dropout in Guinea-Bissau, with emphasis on the understanding of the historical process of education divided into three phases: pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial. At the same time, it reflects on the educational policies that are in force and the way in which they are articulated to supposedly provide improvements within the Guinean education system. The dropout rates that are still without adequate answers push for research that can add to the current efforts to minimize the phenomenon that negatively affects the social, political and economic progress of Guinea-Bissau. In view of this, the investigation seeks to find explanations about the causes of school dropout, the way in which public educational policies have been executed, looking, therefore, at the progress and setbacks verified over the years.
Naturally, we will try to analyze the reflection of the social conjuncture, that is, how systematic conflicts contribute to the obstruction of positive results within the national educational system. And, based on this reality, call for the contribution of different educational agents on their experiences, knowledge and ideas regarding the policies that must be implemented so that the phenomenon of school dropout can be reduced and eradicated. The methodology chosen for this research is the case study, a methodological perspective that was considered applicable to this work. It is a qualitative investigation and data are obtained through interviews with various educational agents such as teachers, students, parents and education technicians
Molecular evidence of sporadic Coxiella burnetii excretion in sheep milk, central Portugal
No full textCoxiella burnetii is the etiologic agent of Q fever, a worldwide zoonosis. Cattle, sheep and goats are considered the main reservoirs of the disease. Transmission to humans occurs mainly through the inhalation of infectious aerosols from milk, faeces, urine, and birth products from infected ruminants. In this study, a 2-year longitudinal approach was performed to ascertain the excretion of C. burnetii in bulk tank milk samples of sheep from a mountain plateau in central Portugal, with sampling conducted during the years 2015 and 2016. From a total of 156 bulk tank milk samples tested by qPCR, only one showed to be positive for C. burnetii (1.28% [95%CI: 0.03–6.94]), from 2015, the first year of collection. Bidirectional sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of IS1111 transposase partial region confirmed the presence of C. burnetii DNA. The presence of C. burnetii in raw milk samples highlights the necessity for additional research to determine if raw milk is a potential source for human infection. Animal health surveillance and prevention measures against this zoonotic disease should be considered.Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The Portuguese musical heritage: A methodology for enhanced knowledge, preservation, and access
No full textThe musical heritage preserved by Portuguese Memory Institutions stands as a tangible testimony to the rich landscape of musical creation and practices in our cultural history. Preserving and scholarly examining this legacy are imperative for building a robust cultural identity.
Regrettably, in Portugal, a substantial portion of this heritage remains undiscovered or overlooked by the institutions responsible. It is often not made accessible and, in numerous instances, lacks proper cataloguing. Consequently, its existence remains unknown, even to specialized audiences such as performers and musicologists. Locating and describing this historical musical heritage is an essential first step toward the knowledge of surviving musical sources