Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco
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Relatório de estágio na marca Sacoor Brother e Sacoor Blue - Inclusão de coleções genderlles e de moda inclusiva para a marca Sacoor Brothers e Sacoor Blue
No full textRelatório de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas do Politécnico de Castelo Branco e Faculdade de Arquitetura da Universidade de Lisboa para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Design do Vestuário e Têxtil.O presente trabalho apresenta os conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo da prática em design de moda na empresa Sacoor Brothers. Este projeto teve como ponto de partida o estágio curricular realizado na mesma empresa, com duração de seis meses, que decorreu de 17/10/2023 a 02/04/2023. O principal objetivo foi aplicar, de forma prática e concreta, os conhecimentos obtidos ao nível académico, consolidando assim a aprendizagem teórica adquirida durante a formação.
As informações contidas neste trabalho resultam da experiência prática de integração num ambiente de trabalho composto por profissionais de diferentes áreas da indústria da moda. A pesquisa desenvolvida focou-se no segmento de vestuário infantil, permitindo a realização de um estudo de caso sobre o papel deste segmento na construção da identidade e imagem da marca Sacoor Brothers.
Foi realizada uma investigação complementar ao estágio, no contexto de coleções genderless e moda inclusiva. A abordagem metodológica dividiu-se na fase não intervencionista, dedicada à pesquisa de informação sobre diferentes temas, e uma fase intervencionista, focada no desenvolvimento prático das tarefas e projetos realizados.
No sentido de compreender a relação entre o moda inclusiva e a identidade da marca, o trabalho reúne informações sobre a história, coleções já realizadas nesta temática de moda inclusiva e a metodologia de trabalho da Sacoor Brothers, com especial foco no departamento de produção. No capítulo dedicado ao relatório de estágio, descrevem-se os métodos de trabalho e as atividades realizadas, bem como os projetos desenvolvidos.
As conclusões realçam a relevância de o designer possuir um entendimento abrangente tanto do produto como da marca, destacando a importância de uma formação técnica empresairal e também a prática de incluir moda inclusiva e produtos genderless como temática de coleções e também projetos. O estágio revelou-se uma experiência essencial para compreender o trabalho na indústria da moda.Abstract: This work presents the knowledge acquired during the fashion design internship at Sacoor Brothers. The starting point for this project was a six-month internship at the same company, which ran from 17/10/2023 to 02/04/2023. The main objective was to apply, in a practical and concrete way, the knowledge obtained at academic level, thus consolidating the theoretical learning acquired during training.
The information contained in this work results from the practical experience of integrating into a work environment made up of professionals from different areas of the fashion industry. The research carried out focused on the children's clothing segment, allowing a case study to be carried out on the role of this segment in building the identity and image of the Sacoor Brothers brand.
Complementary research to the internship was carried out in the context of genderless collections and inclusive fashion. The methodological approach was divided into a non-interventionist phase, dedicated to researching information on different topics, and an interventionist phase, focused on the practical development of the tasks and projects carried out.
To understand the relationship between inclusive fashion and the brand's identity, the work gathers information on the history, collections already made in this inclusive fashion theme and the working methodology of Sacoor Brothers, with a special focus on the production department. The chapter dedicated to the internship report describes the working methods and activities carried out, as well as the projects developed.
The conclusions emphasize the importance of the designer having a comprehensive understanding of both the product and the brand, highlighting the importance of entrepreneurial technical training and also the practice of including inclusive fashion and genderless products as themes in collections and projects. The internship proved to be an essential experience for understanding work in the fashion industry
A influência da habilitação académica dos pais/encarregados de educação na aprendizagem das crianças na Guiné-Bissau
No full textDissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Intervenção Social Escolar.Na Guiné-Bissau, muitos pais/encarregados de educação deparam com limitações educacionais provenientes de um sistema de ensino historicamente fragilizado, com a desigualdade no acesso à educação e elevadas taxas de analfabetismo, sobretudo nas áreas rurais. Essa situação compromete o envolvimento direto dos pais/encarregados de educação na vida escolar das crianças, o que de certa forma, pode afetar negativamente o desempenho e a motivação dos alunos. Crianças que possuem pais/encarregados de educação com maior nível de escolaridade geralmente têm mais acesso a estímulos cognitivos, prática de leitura e orientação acadêmica, refletindo-se em melhores resultados escolares. Considerando os baixos níveis de habilitação académica da maioria dos pais/encarregados de educação guineenses, torna-se pertinente compreender como é percecionada, por parte dos principais intervenientes educativos, a influência dessa variável no sucesso escolar.
Deste modo, este trabalho teve como objetivos principais caracterizar o sistema educativo guineense numa perspetiva temporal, desde o período pré-colonial até à atualidade, analisar as novas dinâmicas do sistema educativo guineense e suas mudanças no currículo escolar e analisar a opinião de diferentes intervenientes educativos (pais/encarregados de educação, estudantes, professores e técnicos de educação) sobre a influência das habilitações académicas dos pais/encarregados de educação no desenvolvimento da aprendizagem e no progresso educacional das crianças. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, tivemos como preocupação planificar um projeto de intervenção denominado “Pais/Encarregados de Educação, Professores e Alunos – O Triângulo Virtuoso do Sucesso Escolar” que visa contribuir para a melhoria do desempenho escolar dos alunos do 9º ano por meio da fortificação de processos de comunicação e laços entre a escola, os pais e os professores.
No aspeto da metodologia, o trabalho fundamenta-se essencialmente num estudo de natureza qualitativa, suportado por uma revisão de literatura detalhada, bem como por entrevistas semiestruturadas aplicada aos três (3) técnicos do Ministério da Educação Nacional e Ensino Superior, que nos permitiram evidenciar dimensões importantes do fenómeno em questão, assim como também, instrumento de recolha de dados de natureza quantitativa, ou seja, questionários aplicados a catorze (14) alunos, de igual modo a catorze (14) pais/encarregados de educação e assim também para (14) professores. A recolha de dados foi efetuada em duas escolas do país, uma de natureza pública no meio rural (Escola Tchambú Sanha) e outra de natureza privada no meio urbano (Academia Betel).
Conforme os resultados alcançados, constatou-se que na opinião da generalidade dos inquiridos, existe uma relação entre maiores habilitações académicas dos pais/encarregados de educação e respostas positivas em diferentes dimensões fundamentais ao sucesso escolar.
Após a análise proporcionada pela revisão literária efetuada e os resultados do estudo empírico, apresenta-se uma proposta de um programa de intervenção a ser implementado nas escolas envolvidas no estudo. O Programa de intervenção justificasse pelo interesse de promover uma cultura de colaboração mútua entre a escola, os pais/encarregados de educação e os professores, oferecendo ações educativas específicas para cada grupo, tendo como finalidade melhorar a qualidade do processo de aprendizagem.Abstract: In Guinea-Bissau, many parents/supervisors face educational limitations arising from a historically weakened education system, with unequal access to education and high illiteracy rates, especially in rural areas. This situation compromises the direct involvement of parents/supervisors in their children's school life, which in some ways can negatively affect student performance and motivation. Children who have parents/supervisors with a higher level of education generally have more access to cognitive stimulation, reading practice and academic guidance, resulting in better school results. Considering the low levels of academic qualification of most Guinean parents/supervisors, it becomes pertinent to understand how the influence of this variable on school success is perceived by the main educational actors.
Thus, the main objectives of this study were to characterize the Guinean education system from a temporal perspective, from the pre-colonial period to the present day, to analyze the new dynamics of the Guinean education system and its changes in the school curriculum, and to examine the opinions of different educational stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, and education technicians) on the influence of parents academic qualifications on children's learning development and educational progress. Based on the results obtained, we planned an intervention project called "Parents, Teachers, and Students - The Virtuous Triangle of School Success," which aims to contribute to improving the academic performance of 9th-grade students by strengthening communication processes and bonds between the school, parents, and teachers. In terms of methodology, the work is essentially based on a qualitative study, supported by a detailed literature review, as well as semi-structured interviews with three (3) technicians from the Ministry of National Education and Higher Education, which allowed us to highlight important dimensions of the phenomenon in question, as well as a quantitative data collection instrument, that is, questionnaires applied to fourteen (14) students, as well as to fourteen (14) parents/guardians and also to (14) teachers. Data collection was carried out in two schools in the country, one public in a rural area (Tchambu Sanha School) and another private in an urban area (Betel Academy). According to the results obtained, it was found that, in the opinion of most respondents, there is a relationship between higher academic qualifications of parents/guardians and positive responses in different dimensions fundamental to academic success. After the analysis provided by the literature review carried out and the results of the empirical study, a proposal for an intervention program to be implemented in the schools involved in the study is presented. The intervention program is justified by the interest in promoting a culture of mutual collaboration between school, parents/guardians and teachers, offering specific educational actions for each group, with the aim of improving the quality of the learning process
A spatial decision support system to assess the nature-based tourism development potential in the Centro Interior Region of Portugal
No full textWith its potential to conserve environmental values, integrate local communities, boost sustainable development, generate jobs, improve infrastructure, and support the local economy, nature-based tourism is a significant source of income for local communities, stimulating entrepreneurship and economic diversification. Based on this principle, this study aims to assess the potential of existing natural resources in the Centro Interior region that can anchor the creation of tourism products that respect the fundamental criteria of nature-based tourism. Identifying areas suitable for developing tourism activities and their constraints was based on integrating a set of criteria using multicriteria spatial analysis tools in a GIS environment. The following descriptors were integrated: the bird and plant richness, target species of plants and animals, protected areas, landscape diversity, hemeroby level, geologic values, road network, accommodation offer, existing water bodies and watercourses, and pedestrian routes. The criteria were classified into three suitability levels by applying the Hierarchical Analytical Process. The results indicate the region’s favorable conditions for engaging in nature-based activities. The study, with its comprehensive analysis, suggests that the information produced could prove valuable in formulating new policies to enhance the value of natural assets through tourism, empowering stakeholders and policymakers to make informed decisions for the Centro Interior region
Estratégias pedagógicas para o ensino de violoncelo a adultos iniciantes na terceira idade: desafios e interrogações
No full textRelatório de estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino de Música – Instrumento e Música de Conjunto.O relatório de estágio apresentado foi desenvolvido no âmbito do Mestrado em Ensino de Música da Escola Superior de Artes Aplicadas, pertencente ao Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, e está organizado em duas grandes secções.
A primeira parte consiste na apresentação da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada, realizada na Academia de Música do Porto e na Escola Artística do Conservatório de Música Calouste Gulbenkian de Aveiro, durante o ano letivo de 2024-2025. Este estágio proporcionou a oportunidade de aplicar, de forma prática, os conhecimentos adquiridos ao longo do mestrado, através do contacto direto com alunos, da implementação de estratégias pedagógicas e da reflexão crítica sobre o processo de ensino-aprendizagem musical. A experiência proporcionou uma visão aprofundada sobre o papel do professor na formação artística e pessoal dos alunos, bem como sobre os desafios e oportunidades do ensino especializado da música em contexto institucional.
A segunda parte do relatório centra-se na investigação sobre o ensino de violoncelo a adultos iniciantes na terceira idade. Parte-se do princípio de que a aprendizagem musical é não só possível nesta fase da vida, como também extremamente benéfica, promovendo o bem-estar, a estimulação cognitiva e o reforço da autoestima.
O estudo foca-se na identificação e sugestão de estratégias pedagógicas adaptadas às particularidades dos alunos mais velhos, tendo em conta o ritmo de aprendizagem, características físicas e motivações pessoais. Foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica e analisadas diferentes metodologias, de forma a aplicar estratégias que garantam uma aprendizagem acessível, agradável e eficaz.
Defende-se que o ensino do violoncelo na terceira idade deve seguir uma abordagem progressiva, agradável e centrada no aluno, que respeite o seu tempo e capacidades, promovendo não apenas a aprendizagem do instrumento, mas também a valorização pessoal.
Este estudo pretende, assim, contribuir para a construção de práticas pedagógicas mais sensíveis e eficazes no contexto do ensino da música a adultos na terceira idade, deixando algumas questões em aberto.Abstract: The internship report presented was developed within the scope of the Master's Degree in Music Education at the School of Applied Arts, part of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, and is organized into two main sections.
The first part consists of the presentation of the Supervised Teaching Practice, carried out at the Porto Music Academy and at the Artistic School of the Calouste Gulbenkian Music Conservatory in Aveiro, during the 2024-2025 academic year. This internship provided the opportunity to practically apply the knowledge acquired throughout the master's program, through direct contact with students, the implementation of pedagogical strategies, and critical reflection on the musical teaching-learning process. The experience offered an in-depth view of the teacher’s role in the artistic and personal development of students, as well as the challenges and opportunities of specialized music education in an institutional context.
The second part of the report focuses on research about teaching cello to adult beginners in later life. It is based on the premise that musical learning is not only possible at this stage of life but also highly beneficial, promoting well-being, cognitive stimulation, and self-esteem enhancement.
The study focuses on identifying and suggesting pedagogical strategies adapted to the particularities of older students, taking into account their learning pace, physical characteristics, and personal motivations. A literature review was conducted and different methodologies analyzed in order to apply strategies that ensure accessible, enjoyable, and effective learning.
It is argued that cello teaching in later life should follow a progressive, pleasant, and student-centered approach that respects the individual’s time and abilities, promoting not only instrumental learning but also personal appreciation.
This study thus aims to contribute to the development of more sensitive and effective pedagogical practices in the context of music education for older adult learners, while leaving some questions open
Genetic polymorphisms of P2RX7 but not of ADORA2A are associated with the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection
No full textThe authors acknowledge the support of the board of directors of IPSS - Casa do Pai and the technical support of NP Tânia Oliveira.SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from mild to severe presentations, according to the intensity of the aberrant inflammatory response. Purinergic receptors dually control the inflammatory response: while adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) are anti-inflammatory, ATP P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) exert pro-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to assess if there were differences in allelic andgenotypic frequencies of a loss-of-function SNP of ADORA2A (rs2298383) and a gain-of-function single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of P2RX7 (rs208294) in the severity of SARS-CoV-2-associated infection. Fifty-five individuals were enrolled and categorized according to the severity of the infection. Endpoint genotyping was performed in blood cells to screen for both SNPs. The TT genotype (vs. CT + CC) and the T allele (vs. C allele) of P2RX7 SNP were found to be associated with more severe forms of COVID-19, whereas the association between ADORA2A SNP and the severity of infection was not significantly different. The T allele of P2RX7 SNP was more frequent in people with more than one comorbidity and with cardiovascular conditions and was associated with colorectal cancer. Our findings suggest a more prominent role of P2X7R rather than of A2AR polymorphisms in SARS-CoV-2 infection, although larger population-based studies should be performed to validate our conclusions.This research was funded by La Caixa Foundation (HP17/00523), Centro 2020 (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000008:BrainHealth2020 and CENTRO-01-0246-FEDER-000010) and FCT (UIDB/04539/2020, UIDP/04539/2020 and LA/P/0058/2020).N/
Perceived bullying in Physical Education classes, school Burnout, and satisfaction: A contribution to understanding children’s school well-being
No full textThis study examines the effects of peer bullying that middle school students experience in physical education classes on school burnout and school satisfaction to understand children’s well-being in this important stage of their lives. Method: The study was conducted with 829 students from 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades in Türkiye of both genders (403 male, 426 female), with an age mean of 11.7 ± 1.16 years old. Data were collected using the Physical Education Class Perceived Bullying Scale, developed by the researchers in the present study, along with the School Burnout Scale and the School Satisfaction Scale for Children. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data and examine the direct and indirect relationships between students’ perception of bullying, school burnout and satisfaction. Results: The findings indicate that perceived bullying in physical education classes positively and significantly predicts school burnout (β = 0.388, p < 0.001), while it negatively and significantly affects school satisfaction (β = −0.122, p = 0.006). Moreover, significant positive relationships were found between perceived bullying and school burnout, and significant negative relationships were found between perceived bullying and school satisfaction. Conclusions: This study reveals that peer bullying in physical education classes significantly affects students’ school burnout and satisfaction. These findings highlight the need for developing effective strategies to prevent bullying in educational settings and promote children’s healthcare and well-being
Enhancing germination of Dianthus lusitanus: a sustainable approach to plant production and biodiversity conservation
No full textIncorporating native spontaneous flora species into urban landscapes enhances biodiversity, supports ecosystem services, and contributes to sustainable development. Dianthus lusitanus, an Ibero-North African endemic chamaephyte from the Caryophyllaceae family, thrives in full sun exposure and sandy, acidic soils. The aim of this study was to develop a germination protocol for D. lusitanus by evaluating the effects of two seed conservation methods, as well as different treatments with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on germination. Seeds were stored at either 6 °C for three months (lot A) or at room temperature (lot B). Five germination treatments were applied: T1) sterilized water (control); T2) immersion in 1% H2O2 for 30 minutes; T3) immersion in 3% H2O2 for 30 minutes; T4) immersion in 1% H2O2 for 15 hours (overnight); and T5) periodic
watering with 50 mM H2O2. Ninety seeds per treatment were tested in a randomized complete block design and incubated at alternating temperatures of 25/22 °C (day/night) with a 16/8 hour photoperiod. Germination percentages were quantified after 20 days. Seeds stored at 6 °C exhibited significantly higher germination rates compared to those stored at room temperature (p = 0.007). A positive effect on seed germination percentage was observed when seeds were soaked in H2O2 solutions. The highest germination percentage (83.3%) was recorded in treatment T4, while the lowest values were observed in treatments T1 and T5 for seeds from Lot B (11.1% and 22.2%, respectively). This protocol has practical applications in ornamental plant production, biodiversity conservation, and the restoration of degraded areas, contributing to sustainability and the preservation of natural resources.The present study was funded by the DesirMED project – Demonstration and Mainstreaming of Nature-Based Solutions for Climate-Resilient Transformation in the Mediterranean, under Grant Agreement No. 101112972 | desirmed.eu
The Tempo Giusto: A call for recalibrating time in human movement research
No full textHuman movement science now runs on accelerating metrics, short grant cycles, and compressed editorial timelines. Speed can deliver rapid outputs but often erodes validity, reproducibility, and conceptual innovation. We advance time-attuned science – tempo giusto – as a design-and-governance concept that calibrates the pace of inquiry to the intrinsic timescales of human movement. Rather than universal deceleration, it prescribes fast evidence when mechanisms and decision horizons warrant it, and sustained observation with planned replication when effects unfold slowly. Delivering this alignment requires systems that reward durability, openness, and societal relevance over volume or venue prestige. A commitment to temporal justice ensures that access to the time required for valid inquiry is widely shared. Where time, method, and purpose converge, findings become cumulative, credible, and enduring.FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), within the scope of SPRINT - Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center UID/6185/2023
Modular microservices architecture for generative music integration in digital audio workstations via VST plugin
No full textSupplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/fi17100469/s1, Video S1: VideoS1.mp4; Video S2: VideoS2.mp4; Video S3: VideoS3.mp4; Video S4: VideoS4.mp4; Video S5: VideoS5.mp4.
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors on request.This paper presents the design and implementation of a modular cloud-based architecturethat enables generative music capabilities in Digital audioWorkstations through a MIDI microservices backend and a user-friendly VST plugin frontend. The system comprises a generative harmony engine deployed as a standalone service, a microservice layer that orchestrates communication and exposes an API, and a VST plugin that interacts with the backend to retrieve harmonic sequences and MIDI data. Among the microservices is a dedicated component that converts textual chord sequences into MIDI files. The VST plugin allows the user to drag and drop the generated chord progressions directly into a DAW’sMIDI track timeline. This architecture prioritizes modularity, cloud scalability, and seamless integration into existing music production workflows, while abstracting away technical complexity from end users. The proposed system demonstrates how microservice-based design and cross-platform plugin development can be effectively combined to Support generative music workflows, offering both researchers and practitioners a replicable and extensible framework.V.N.G.J.S. and A.N.R. acknowledge that this work was funded by FCT/MECI through national funds and, when applicable, co-funded EU funds under UID/50008: Instituto de Telecomunicações.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Gait and dual-task performance in older adults with suspected cognitive impairment: Effects of an 8-week exercise program
No full textThe study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Évora (protocol code GD24725/2023, approval date: 21 September 2023).Gait performance in aging relies heavily on cognitive resources, yet the extent to which short-term interventions can mitigate dual-task costs in institutionalized populations remains understudied. This study aimed to compare single and dual-task gait performance between older adults with and without suspected cognitive impairment and to evaluate the effects of an 8-week multicomponent exercise program on functional mobility. Methods: Institutionalized older adults (n = 42) were stratified into two groups: suspected cognitive impairment (n = 26) and no suspected impairment (n = 16), based on MMSE and Clock Drawing Test screening. Participants performed the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Dual-Task TUG (TUG-DT) at baseline and post-intervention. Results: At baseline, the suspected impairment group exhibited significantly poorer performance on both tests (p < 0.001) compared to the non-impaired group. Following the 8-week intervention, the suspected impairment group demonstrated large, significant improvements in both TUG (r = −0.73) and TUG-DT (r = −0.59), whereas the non-impaired group remained stable. Notably, while the single-task TUG showed the greatest responsiveness to the exercise
program, the TUG-DT continued to reveal a significant cognitive-motor load. Conclusions: Multicomponent exercise effectively enhances functional mobility in cognitively vulnerable older adults, reversing declines in both single and dual-task conditions. Significance: These findings support the implementation of dual-task screening to unmask latent functional deficits and validate the use of accessible, short-term multicomponent exercise programs as a vital strategy to preserve autonomy in institutionalized older adults.N/