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Edible insects: A survey about perceptions regarding possible beneficial health effects and safety concerns among adult citizens from Portugal and Romania
Get PDFThis work was supported by the FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal). Furthermore,
we would like to thank the Research Centres CERNAS (Ref: UIDB/00681/2020, DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00681/2020), CIDEI (UIDB/05507/2020, DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/05507/2020), UCISA:E (UIDB/007421/2020, DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/007421/2020), and the Polytechnic University of Viseu for their financial support. This work was funded by the CERNAS-IPV Research Centre and the Polytechnic University of Viseu, Portugal, in the ambit of the project EISuFood (Ref. CERNAS-IPV/2020/003).Although edible insects (EI) have been consumed for ages in many countries around the world, in most
European countries, this is not a traditional practice. Still, it has been encouraged as a sustainable source of animal protein besides other nutrients. The Food and Agricultural Organization and the United Nations, recommend consuming EI as a way to contribute to the sustainable development goals. Hence, this research investigated how participants from Portugal and Romania perceive EI, and how these can be useful as a source of nutrients and other benefits for human health, as well as possible risks. For that, it was undertaken a questionnaire survey, with data collected online in the two countries. For the analysis of data, basis statistics and chi-square tests were used. Results showed significant differences between Portuguese and Romanian
participants in six out of ten questions, namely regarding safety (p < 0.001), use in traditional medicine (p < 0.001), possible infection with parasites (p = 0.021), of pesticides (p = 0.031), their usage as therapeutics (p = 0.001) and being potential sources of allergens (p < 0.001) and aflatoxins (p < 0.001). Also, differences were tested for other sociodemographic variables. The results showed significant differences according to age for only three questions, gender for only two questions, and Education for most of the questions, i.e., six out of the ten. These results highlighted the greater influence of variables like country of origin and education in the perception of the effects of EI in human health.This work was funded by the FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal) through
the Research Centres CERNAS (UIDB/00681/2020), CIDEI (UIDB/05507/2020), UCISA:E (UIDB/007421/2020), and the Polytechnic University of Viseu (CERNAS-IPV/2020/003).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Assessment of body composition, lower limbs power and anaerobic power of senior soccer players: differences according to the positions on the field
Get PDFTrabalho desenvolvido no âmbito do Grupo de Otimização do Treino e do Rendimento Desportivo (GOERD), da Faculdade de Ciências do Desporto da Universidade da Extremadura (Espanha), e em colaboração com o Centro de Investigação e Inovação em Desporto Atividade Física e Saúde, SPRINT, (Portugal).O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a composição corporal, a potência de membros inferiores e a potência anaeróbia, comparando
as posições em campo de jogadores de futebol. Participaram 81 jogadores de futebol e foram realizadas avaliações de bioimpedância,
Countermovement Jump e Running Anaerobic Sprint Test. Verificou-se que existem diferenças na composição corporal, apresentando
os guarda-redes e os defesas centrais os valores mais elevados. Relativamente à variável altura, as principais diferenças ocorrem quando
comparamos os alas (p< 0.001) com as restantes posições e os defesas centrais em comparação com os médios centros (p= 0.002), e
avançados (p= 0.010). Também os alas em relação à maioria das outras posições, na variável massa corporal (p≤ 0.010), massa muscular
(p≤ 0.033), massa livre de gordura (p≤ 0.024) e massa gorda (p≤ 0.045). Na avaliação da potência de membros inferiores, verificaram se diferenças entre os guarda-redes e avançados, na variável maior salto (p= 0.021), por sua vez, foram encontradas diferenças quando
comparamos os guarda-redes com os alas, médios centro e avançados (p≤ 0.028) e entre os defesas centrais com os alas, na força
máxima produzida (p= 0.002). Nas avaliações de potência anaeróbia, não se verificaram diferenças. Pode-se assim concluir que existem
características específicas de composição corporal entre as posições de jogadores de futebol. As posições que envolvem movimentos
explosivos e um maior número de ações aéreas, apresentam melhores desempenhos nestas avaliações como se verificou. Por fim, nas
avaliações de potência anaeróbia, esta homogeneidade poderá ser explicada pelas exigências comuns que o futebol moderno apresenta.Resumen: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la composición corporal, la potencia de los miembros inferiores y la potencia anaeróbica,
comparando las posiciones en el campo de jugadores de fútbol. Participaron 81 jugadores de fútbol y se realizaron evaluaciones de
Bioimpedancia, Countermovement Jump e Running Anaerobic Sprint Test. Se verificó que existen diferencias en la composición cor poral, siendo los porteros y los defensas centrales los que presentan los valores más altos. En cuanto a la variable de la altura, las
principales diferencias se producen al comparar los laterales (p< 0.001), con el resto de las posiciones y los defensas centrales en
comparación con los centrocampistas centrales (p= 0.002) y los delanteros (p= 0.010). También, los laterales comparados con la
mayoría de las otras posiciones, en la variable masa corporal (p≤ 0.010), masa muscular (p≤ 0.033), masa libre de grasa (p≤ 0.024) y
masa grasa (p≤ 0.045). En la evaluación de la potencia de los miembros inferiores, se encontraron diferencias entre los porteros y los
delanteros, en la variable mayor salto (p= 0.021), a su vez, se encontraron diferencias al comparar a los porteros con los laterales, los
centrocampistas y los delanteros (p≤ 0.028) y entre los defensores centrales con los laterales, así como en la fuerza máxima producida
(p= 0.002). En las evaluaciones de la potencia anaeróbica, no se encontraron diferencias. Se puede concluir que existen características
específicas de la composición corporal entre las posiciones de los jugadores de fútbol. Las posiciones que implican movimientos explo sivos y un mayor número de acciones aéreas, presentan mejores rendimientos en estas evaluaciones como se comprobó. Por último,
en las evaluaciones de la potencia anaeróbica, esta homogeneidad puede explicarse por las exigencias comunes que presenta el fútbol
moderno.Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate body composition, lower limb power and anaerobic power, comparing the positions of soccer players on the field. 81 soccer players participated and bioimpedance, Countermovement Jump and Running Anaerobic Sprint Test evaluations were performed. It was verified that there are differences in body composition, with goalkeepers and central defenders presenting the highest values. Regarding the height variable, the main differences occur when we compare the full-back (p< 0.001) with the remaining positions and the central defenders in comparison with the midfielders (p= 0.002) and forwards (p= 0.010). Also, full-back compared to most other positions in the variable body mass (p≤ 0.010), muscle mass (p≤ 0.033), fat free mass (p≤ 0.024) and fat mass (p≤ 0.045). In the evaluation of lower limb power, differences were found between goalkeepers and forwards, in the highest jump variable (p= 0.021), in turn, differences were found when comparing goalkeepers with full-back, midfielders and forwards (p≤ 0.028) and between central defenders with full-back, in the maximum force produced (p= 0.002). In the evaluations of anaerobic power, no differences were found. It can be concluded that there are specific characteristics of body composition between the positions of soccer players. The positions that involve explosive movements and a larger number of aerial actions, present better performances in these evaluations as it was verified. Finally, in the anaerobic power evaluations, this homogeneity can be explained by the common demands that modern soccer presents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The application of soil erosion models of an agroforestry basin under Mediterranean conditions from a geotechnical point of view
Get PDFSoil erosion has been causing an imbalance in nature and the environment. It is mainly
caused naturally but is also due to human interventions leading to desertification and possible
contamination. Therefore, engineering, geography, and cartography have been allies in applying
erosion models to predict, address, and remediate the impacts. Therefore, the Revised Universal
Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) and Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) linked to Geographic
Information Systems (GISs) could boost decision making as tools to mitigate issues. This study
applies the RUSLE and SWAT models from a geotechnical point of view to analyze a sub-watershed
at Idanha-a-Nova (Portugal) over 4 years, showing a predominant erosion risk class with losses
lower than 5 t.ha−1.year−1 (60 to 86%), characterized as very low risk. The modeling permitted
the development of soils erosion susceptibility charts, in addition to material availability and the
suitability for construction areas, exposing a replicable methodology that could contribute to minimizing
environmental impacts while encouraging a more intelligent use of the land towards a greener
exploration.The authors acknowledge the support by the GeoBioTec Research Unit, through the strategic projects UIDB/04035/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04035/2020) and UIDP/04035/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/04035/2020), funded by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, IP/MCTES (Portugal) through national funds (PIDDAC).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Analysis of the frequency and effectiveness of the technical actions used in the 2021 European Judo Championship according to the elapsed time of combat
Get PDFThe interpretation of temporal parameters during competitive practice is always interesting and pertinent, and
specifically in judo, which requires high preparation from athletes to be able to control or throw the opponent
in a short space of time. The interest of this study perspective, which allows us to interpret competitive action
in more detail, is also important to reflect that according to the legal adaptations dictated by the rules of a
modality, it makes its study necessary. The objective was to analyse the frequency and effectiveness of
technical actions used in the 2021 European Judo Championship depending on the elapsed time of combat.
The study sample focused on 400 combats of the European Judo Championship 2021, with 6731 technical
actions in combat being categorized. We used an observation system created for this purpose, according to
the classification system proposed by Kodokan. Cross-frequency tables were produced, where the
association degree between variables was analysed using the Chi Square test, where the significance level
was set at p ≤ .05. We complemented the association analysis between variables by calculating the adjusted
standardized residuals. The number of technical actions tends to decrease over the 1st to 4th minute of
combat and consequently also towards the golden score time. The relative percentage of technical actions
scored from the 1st to the 4th minute of combat tends to increase, with the Ippon advantage assuming an
increasing percentage trend and the Waza-ari advantage a decreasing trend, maintaining this trend in golden
score.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Hospitality and tourism demand : exploring industry shifts, themes, and trends
No full textTourism demand is critical for the hospitality industry and is influenced by a set of
continuously changing factors. The tourism and hospitality industries play a critical role in many
regions and countries, supporting the local economy, providing employment, and fostering economic
and social development with effects across multiple industries. This study aims to analyse the nature
of tourism and hotel demand through a thematic analysis. By conducting a review of the existing
literature published over the period of 2018–2023, this research identifies overarching patterns, trends,
and themes characterising the current research landscape. Research results reveal significant insights
into market trends and strategic industry shifts. It particularly emphasises areas such as customer
demand forecasting, technology integration, and sustainability, which are crucial for understanding
demand fluctuations. The findings offer insights into the theoretical foundations of tourism and hotel
demand and provide practical implications for industry stakeholders aiming to strategise effectively
in a dynamic market.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Planeamento, gestão e monitorização de recursos agroflorestais: ferramentas de apoio à decisão
No full textNo início da década de 90 do século 20, o pinheiro-bravo era a espécie mais representativa da floresta de Portugal Continental (40%; 1252,3 mil ha). Esta floresta situava-se principalmente na região Centro do País constituída por uma grande mancha florestal contínua. É sabido que a Norte do rio Tejo o regime de propriedade é essencialmente privado e de pequena dimensão. Assim, a floresta de pinheiro-bravo da região Centro, embora ocupando geograficamente uma extensa área contínua, é no plano cadastral um imenso retalho de pequenas propriedades privadas (minifúndio), que tem dificultado a execução de estudos nesta floresta.
Numa perspetiva do proprietário florestal, um dos procedimentos que se revelam de marcado interesse é a cubagem das árvores, com vista à determinação do seu volume. A avaliação do volume da árvore, e consequentemente o volume do povoamento, é vital para a comercialização da madeira. Porém, a determinação do volume da árvore por medições diretas implica o abate das árvores o que nem sempre é possível. Assim, os volumes da árvore são estimados recorrendo a modelos de simulação, tendo por base a medição de variáveis expeditas e de recolha pouco dispendiosa, como sejam o diâmetro da árvore e a altura da árvore.
Existem diversas tipologias de modelos (e.g., para simulação do volume total, dos volumes percentuais e do perfil de tronco), que de forma integrada permitem simular o volume total da árvore e os volumes mercantis de acordo com a toragem desejada e dimensão comercial dos diâmetros dos toros, exigidos para um determinado fim industrial. Tal, é de extrema importância na medida em que o preço de venda da madeira de pinheiro-bravo varia consoante o seu destino industrial (e.g., madeira, rolaria e lenha). Quando da realização deste estudo os modelos existentes para o pinheiro-bravo eram generalistas, aplicáveis para Portugal Continental ou para grandes regiões do País, e não permitiam obter os volumes mercantis da árvore de forma flexível e detalhada. Assim, foi objetivo deste estudo realizar o ajustamento de várias tipologias de modelos, designadamente, modelos de volume total, de volume percentual e de perfil de tronco, para os povoamentos puros de pinheiro-bravo no distrito de Castelo Branco. Para o efeito, teve-se por base os dados recolhidos entre 1987 e 1989 em 146 árvores (1588 observações) em povoamentos puros desta espécie na área em estudo.
Os modelos de simulação obtidos são ferramentas indispensáveis para apoiar a decisão e rentabilizar economicamente a venda da madeira de pinheiro-bravo na região em estudo de acordo com as especificações comerciais para o destino industrial pretendido. Estes modelos são ainda uma das componentes necessárias para o desenvolvimento de um modelo de crescimento e produção para a espécie e área de estudo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A global review of cheese colour: microbial discolouration and innovation opportunities
No full textCheese is a biologically active food product, characterised by its colour, texture, and taste.
Due to its rich matrix of fats and proteins, as well as the fact that the cheese’s surface acts as its own
packaging, the cheese becomes more susceptible to contamination by microorganisms during the
ripening process, particularly bacteria and fungi. The ripening of cheese involves several biochemical
reactions, with the proteolytic activity of the cheese microbiota being particularly significant.
Proteolysis results in the presence of free amino acids, which are precursors to various metabolic
mechanisms that can cause discolouration (blue, pink, and brown) on the cheese rind. Surface
defects in cheese have been documented in the literature for many years. Sporadic inconsistencies
in cheese appearance can lead to product degradation and economic losses for producers. Over the
past few decades, various defects have been reported in different types of cheese worldwide. This
issue also presents opportunities for innovation and development in edible and bioactive coatings to
prevent the appearance of colour defects. Therefore, this review provides a comprehensive analysis
of cheese colour globally, identifying defects caused by microorganisms. It also explores strategies
and innovation opportunities in the cheese industry to enhance the value of the final product.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).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Polimedicação nos idosos admitidos no serviço de urgência
No full textIntrodução: A polimedicação é definida pela OMS como o uso simultâneo de um número excessivo de medicamentos, assumindo-se uma situação de polimedicação major a toma de cinco ou mais princípios activos diferentes por dia.
Objectivo: Apresentar os resultados relativos à polimedicação de idosos admitidos em Serviço de Urgência (SU).
Metodologia: Apresentamos o resultado de dois estudos observacionais, retrospectivos e descritivos que incidiram sobre a fragilidade e agressividade nos cuidados de fim de vida em idosos admitidos em SU. No primeiro estudo analisamos 8082 episódios de urgência, de pessoas com 65 ou mais anos, em 2019, e no segundo estudo, 2555 episódios de urgência, de idosos residentes em ERPI, em 2019. Foram recolhidos dados de variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas. Análise estatística com nível de significância de 0,05.
Resultados: No primeiro estudo “Fragilidade e cuidados em fim de vida - Prevalência da Fragilidade e Agressividade dos Cuidados em Fim de Vida nos idosos admitidos num SU” cerca de 66% dos idosos que são admitidos no SU apresentam polimedicação major. No segundo estudo “Nursing home residents in the emergency department: Characteristics; Fragility and Aggressiveness in care” cerca de 92% dos idosos
residentes em ERPI que recorrem ao SU estão polimedicados, com média de 9 princípios ativos diários, com um máximo de 22 princípios diários.
Conclusão: A polimedicação aumenta o risco de interações e reações adversas. Além disso, na pessoa idosa potencia o risco de morbimortalidade, para além de diminuir a adesão ao regime terapêutico. Os resultados destes estudos são muito preocupantes e é por isso fundamental a sensibilização e formação para a desprescrição adequada, redefinindo os objetivos terapêuticos, ajustando a medicação às reais
necessidades da pessoa. Além disso, levanta problemas éticas importantes relacionados com a obstinação terapêutica, quando se insiste na prescrição de medicação excessiva e desadequada. Em idosos residentes em ERPI com elevados níveis de fragilidade a situação ganha contornosalarmantes.Bolsa de Investigação Isabel Correia Levy, 2020, da Associação Portuguesa de Cuidados Paliativos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparison of FT-Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopy for distinguishing between two honey PDOs
No full textVibrational spectroscopy has demonstrated high applicability for honey analysis, offering rapid, non-destructive and accurate methods for assessing its chemical composition, identifying different honey regions and ensuring authenticity. In this study, we compare the usefulness of FT-Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopy techniques in distinguishing between two Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) of honey, name quality, determined according to the standard methods of the International Honey Commission including acidity, pH, moisture, water activity (aw), electrical conductivity (EC), total polyphenols (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and CIELAB color (L*, a*, b*), as well as the color in PFUND scale. The values observed for the analytical parameters are all in accordance with legal limits.NextGenerationEU recovery funds, through the Project BeeLand PRR-C05-i03-I-000081. This work was also supported by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for their financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CERNAS-IPCB, UIDB/00681/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/00681/2020) and CICS-UBI (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00709/2020 and https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/00709/2020)
Lexical knowledge and lexiculture as elements of curricular integration : experiences in pre-service teachers training context
No full textIn recent decades, there have been various endeavours in Europe and the United States to rejuvenate
curricular development practices, aiming to reinstate didactic-curricular integration as a methodological
approach to explicit lexical teaching. The genesis of the curricular integration concept we adopt stems
from a phenomenological understanding of this issue and technical-didactic approaches to vocabulary
teaching and learning within initial teacher education contexts.
Building upon the multidimensional relationship between curricular integration and lexical knowledge
architecture, we explore how different conceptions of curricular integration, applicable to students in
initial teacher education, manifest during supervised teaching practice in primary education.
Approaching this from a technical-didactic standpoint, we delineate the key domains shaped by the
interface of Curricular Integration and Lexical Knowledge Architecture at this educational stage. Here,
the transversal nature and explicit dimension of word teaching are pivotal for declarative knowledge,
encompassing phonetic form, graphic and orthographic representation, inflectional paradigms, meaning
in context, word class, and usage restrictions.
Our research, grounded in Design-Based Research (DBR) principles, aims methodologically and
investigative to cultivate processes and cycles of didactic action within initial teacher education. We
focus on producing and implementing integrated curricular units that feature didactic-curricular
integration, specifically targeting explicit vocabulary teaching. Our goal is to scrutinize and comprehend
the connections between explicit vocabulary teaching, reading practices, and learning success across
various curricular domains. The primary investigative objective is to propose and test integrated practical
interventions for explicit vocabulary teaching, viable within supervised teaching practice settings.
The specific cycles of DBR experimentation seek to operationalize and demonstrate the efficacy of
technical-didactic development in approaches to explicit vocabulary teaching processes. We view this
as a crucial integrating element, bringing prospective teachers closer to developing lexical awareness
and promoting inclusive education and integrated academic success. This entails deep immersion in
the linguistic and cultural contexts of the school communities they engage with.
Through our research experiences, we have unveiled a direct impact relationship among these three
realms, underscoring the technical-didactic importance of considering two key aspects related to explicit
vocabulary teaching in early schooling:
• The criteria for selecting vocabulary for explicit teaching, alongside reading and writing practices,
considering semantic features and shared cultural significance of chosen words.
• The methodological approach process, emphasizing, from a didactic perspective, fundamental
knowledge of phonetic form, semantic and categorial selection properties, syntactic category,
meaning, and selection constraints.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio