Institutional Repository Universidade Portucalense
Not a member yet
6170 research outputs found
Sort by
Digital Education in Private Higher Education Institutions in Portugal contributions from the institutional perspective [comunicação oral]
No full textComunicação oral apresentada na International Conference in Information Technology and Educations, ICITED'25
OPTIMA Health Priority: an intelligent system to prioritise patients in a context of healthcare scarcity
No full textThe management of healthcare resources, particularly in contexts of scarcity such as crises or pandemics,
presents a pressing challenge, further complicated by the absence of explicit and widely
accepted prioritization guidelines. In such scenarios, healthcare professionals often carry a significant
ethical burden, making critical decisions based on implicit rationing criteria, frequently
without the support of structured methodologies or public consensus. This study presents OPTIMA
Health Priority, an intelligent, automated, and explainable triage system designed to assist
in ethically sustainable patient prioritization. The OPTIMA is grounded in public perceptions,
collected through a large scale online questionnaire where participants were asked to make prioritization
choices between patients with different clinical and personal characteristics.
One of the key challenges encountered in this context was class imbalance, particularly concerning
under represented prioritization profiles. Such imbalance can lead to biased model predictions,
disproportionately favouring more frequent cases and neglecting critical but rarer patient
profiles. To address this, the synthetic data generation process was carefully designed to ensure
class distribution parity across different prioritization levels using Gaussian Copula models within
the Synthetic Data Vault framework, ensuring balanced, privacy compliant, and ethically replicated
input data. This balancing was crucial for achieving fair and generalizable model performance.
The proposed prioritization model, OPTIMA, integrates a multi-criteria decision support
algorithm, combining advanced machine learning classifiers. Classification is guided by nine ethically
grounded and socially accepted rationing criteria: (i) severity of disease (pain); (ii) life
expectancy gain; (iii) age; (iv) rule of rescue (imminent risk of death); (v) improvement in quality
of life; (vi) waiting time; (vii) social need (e.g., parenthood); (viii) negative merit (e.g., risky behaviours);
and (ix) instrumental value (e.g., being a healthcare worker). To enhance interpretability
and trust, model decisions are explained, offering transparency and insight into how each feature
influences prioritization outcomes.
The core contributions of this work include: (i) the ethical generation of synthetic data for
healthcare modelling; (ii) the development of a transparent and auditable triage system; (iii) the
alignment of algorithmic decisions with societal values and ethical principles; and (iv) methodological
reproducibility and scalability. Experimental results confirm the model’s robustness and
predictive performance, indicating its potential to support fair, consistent, and socially aligned
patient prioritization in real world healthcare systems. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive
attempt to develop an explainable Artificial Intelligence system for patient triage that
explicitly integrates societal values into algorithmic healthcare decisions, promoting both equity
and efficiency in resource constrained medical environments.A gestão de recursos de saúde, particularmente em contextos de escassez como crises ou pandemias,
representa um desafio, agravado pela ausência de diretrizes de priorização explícitas.
Nesses cenários, os profissionais de saúde carregam um pesado encargo ético, tomando decisões
críticas baseadas em critérios de racionamento implícitos e sem o apoio de metodologias estruturadas
ou do consenso público. Este estudo apresenta o OPTIMA Health Priority, um sistema de
triagem inteligente, automatizado e explicável, concebido para apoiar a priorização de pacientes
de forma eticamente sustentável. O OPTIMA baseia-se nas percepções da população, recolhidas
através de um questionário, no qual os participantes foram convidados a tomar decisões de
priorização entre pacientes com diferentes características clínicas e pessoais.
Um dos principais desafios enfrentados neste contexto foi o desbalanceamento das classes, particularmente
no que diz respeito a perfis de priorização sub-representados. Este desbalanceamento
pode conduzir a previsões enviesadas por parte do modelo, favorecendo desproporcionalmente
os casos mais frequentes e descurando perfis de pacientes críticos, mas mais raros. Para mitigar
este problema, é proposto um processo de geração de dados sintéticos de forma a garantir a paridade
na distribuição das classes entre os diferentes níveis de priorização, recorrendo a modelos de
Cópula Gaussiana no âmbito da framework Synthetic Data Vault. Este equilíbrio foi fundamental
para alcançar um desempenho justo e generalizável por parte dos modelos.O modelo de priorização
proposto, OPTIMA, integra um algoritmo de apoio à decisão multi-classe, combinando
classificadores avançados de Machine Learning.A classificação é orientada por nove critérios de
racionamento, social e eticamente reconhecidos: (i) gravidade da doença (dor); (ii) ganhos na expectativa
de vida; (iii) idade; (iv) risco iminente de morte; (v) melhoria da qualidade de vida; (vi)
tempo de espera; (vii) necessidade social (e.g., parentalidade); (viii) mérito negativo (e.g., comportamentos
de risco); e (ix) valor instrumental (e.g., ser profissional de saúde). Para aumentar a
interpretabilidade e a confiança, as decisões do modelo são explicadas, oferecendo transparência
e perceção sobre como cada feature influencia os resultados.
As contribuições centrais deste trabalho incluem: (i) a geração de dados sintéticos na saúde;
(ii) o desenvolvimento de um sistema de triagem transparente e auditável; (iii) o alinhamento
das decisões com valores sociais e princípios éticos; e (iv) reprodutibilidade e escalabilidade
metodológica. Os resultados experimentais confirmam a robustez e o desempenho do modelo, indicando
o seu potencial para apoiar uma priorização de pacientes justa, consistente e socialmente
alinhada. Até onde sabemos, esta é a primeira tentativa abrangente de desenvolver um sistema de
Inteligência Artificial explicável para triagem de pacientes que integra explicitamente valores sociais
nas decisões algorítmicas em saúde, promovendo equidade e eficiência em ambientes médicos
com recursos limitados
Community-driven conservation and heritage resilience on the Island of Mozambique [abstract]
No full textThe Island of Mozambique, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, possesses a rich cultural and architectural heritage increasingly threatened by extreme weather events, particularly cyclones. Sustainable conservation efforts require the involvement and empowerment of local communities to address these challenges effectively.
In response to the devastating impacts of cyclones Gombe (2022) and Dilkeledi (2025), the "Resilient Mozambique" project was launched to enhance the conservation and resilience of the island's heritage. A core component of this initiative was a structured online training program, designed to equip community members and local authorities with essential skills in heritage conservation, risk assessment, and disaster preparedness. The training consisted of four thematic sessions: (i) World Heritage principles and policies (2 days); (ii) Diagnosis and Conservation methodologies (3 days), which focused on assessing the state of conservation, restoration techniques, and preventive conservation strategies; (iii) GIS applications for heritage management (5 days), aimed at developing a multi-sectoral tool for monitoring and planning interventions and assessing main risks and vulnerabilities; and (iv) habitat-resilient construction techniques (2 days), emphasizing sustainable building practices adapted to local climatic conditions.
The Diagnosis and Conservation session was divided into three key components: evaluation, intervention, and planning. The first part focused on assessing the conservation state of built heritage, introducing participants to diagnostic methodologies such as visual inspections, mapping, photographic, and technical documentation. A hands-on practical session enabled participants to apply these techniques by analyzing a local building and documenting pathologies using standardized diagnostic sheets. The second component addressed intervention strategies, exploring traditional conservation techniques, compatibility of materials, and decision-making criteria for restoration. Participants engaged in a simulation exercise where they proposed interventions for the analyzed structures, encouraging critical thinking on balancing authenticity and integrity. The final section focused on long-term planning, discussing heritage management policies and the role of community participation in conservation efforts. The training concluded
with a collaborative exercise in which participants drafted preliminary conservation plans, aligning local knowledge with international preservation standards.
This training model sought to bridge technical expertise with local knowledge, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community. By equipping participants with practical skills and theoretical foundations, the initiative aimed to build long-term resilience and improve local conservation capacities. A key discussion point is the effectiveness of remote capacity-building initiatives and the challenges of implementing conservation strategies from a distance. While preliminary results indicate increased community engagement and awareness, practical applications remain dependent on access to resources and continued institutional support.
By sharing insights from this experience, this abstract contributes to the broader discourse on integrating community participation into conservation strategies for climate-vulnerable heritage sites. It highlights the necessity of tailored, locally driven approaches that empower communities to take an active role in preserving their cultural and architectural heritage
The relationship between human values and support for distributive approaches in healthcare rationing: An exploratory study
No full textHuman values are a key component in understanding individuals’ choices. One such decision involves defining the criteria that should guide healthcare prioritization. The recent public health crisis (COVID-19) has underscored the insufficiency of healthcare resources in meeting growing demand. Preferences for allocating health resources are are deeply intertwined with ethical and moral judgments rooted in personal and societal values. Therefore, effective healthcare prioritization policies must consider the values of the population they serve. Drawing on Schwartz’s theory of basic human values, the present study aimed to identify the predominant human values among 1,148 Portuguese participants and examine their association withrespondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and their influence on support for three healthcare rationing approaches. A cluster analysis based on the higher-order dimensions of Schwartz’s value model identified four distinct groups: social focus, growth focus, strong social and personal focus, and weak social and personal focus. While egalitarianism emerged as the most widely accepted principle of justice in allocating scarce healthcare resources, participants with a strong social and personal focus prefered utilitarian and equity-based criteria more. Furthermore, positive associations were observed between utilitarian and equity approaches to healthcare rationing. Incorporating societalvalues into resource allocation decisions can can help establish priorities and guide more effective healthcare planning strategies
Green Supply Chain Management [entrada em enciclopédia]
No full textThere has been increased pressure from policymakers, company managers, the media, suppliers and customers for companies to
implement green practices in their business models. The purpose is to combat climate change since companies are the main pollutants.
Implementing Green Supply Chain Management by companies can contribute to achieving environmental sustainability. In this
chapter, the concept of green supply chain management is described, as well as its evolution. Furthermore, potential drivers and
obstacles that companies face in the transition from conventional supply chain management to green supply chain management are
described
Plano de marketing digital Banco Carregosa
No full textEste relatório, elaborado no âmbito do segundo ano do Mestrado em Marketing e Negócios
Digitais da Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique, apresenta os resultados de um
estágio curricular realizado no Banco Carregosa, com foco na área de comunicação e
marketing digital. O objetivo principal do estágio foi desenvolver um Plano de Marketing Digital
para 2025, para o Banco Carregosa, bem como um relatório detalhando as atividades
realizadas ao longo do período.
Durante o estágio, foram realizadas atividades como a análise de mercado e estudos sobre
o comportamento digital de clientes do Banco Carregosa, com foco nos segmentos Private
Banking, Top Affluent e Trading Online. Foi tambémi elaborado um Plano de Marketing Digital
com foco em estratégias de comunicação online, além de recomendações específicas para
o banco. Entre os objetivos atingidos, destacam-se a compreensão detalhado do cliente, a
identificação de clusters de clientes Top Affluent e Trading Online, e a análise de produtos e
serviços do Banco Carregosa em diferentes canais digitais e de concorrência. Além disso,
foram identificadas oportunidades para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de marketing digital
alinhadas aos diversos segmentos de mercado e às tipologias de clientes-alvo do banco.
Em termos práticos, o relatório destaca a importância de estratégias digitais bem estruturadas
para o fortalecimento da comunicação e do posicionamento de mercado de instituições
bancárias como o Banco Carregosa, especialmente em segmentos como Private Banking e
Trading Online, onde a personalização e a segmentação de clientes são fundamentais para
o sucesso. Assim, o marketing digital apresenta bastante relevância, uma vez que se trata de
uma ferramenta essencial para instituições financeiras que procuram obter destaque em
mercados competitivos, especialmente num contexto de transformação tecnológica.
Em suma, a aquisição de novos conhecimentos e competências conseguidos durante a
realização do estágio curricular, contribuíram para o desenvolvimento profissional e pessoal
da estagiária.This report, prepared within the scope of the second year of the Master in Marketing and
Digital Business at Universidade Portucalense Infante D. Henrique, presents the results of a
curricular internship held at Banco Carregosa, focusing on the area of communication and
digital marketing. The main objective of the internship was to develop a Digital Marketing Plan
for 2025, for Banco Carregosa, as well as a report detailing the activities carried out over the
period.
During the internship, activities were carried out such as market analysis and studies on the
digital behavior of Banco Carregosa clients, focusing on the segments Private Banking, Top
Affluent and Trading Online. A Digital Marketing Plan was also developed, focusing on online
communication strategies, as well as specific recommendations for the bank. Among the
objectives achieved, we highlight the detailed understanding of the client, the identification of
clusters of Top Affluent and Trading Online clients, and the analysis of products and services
of Banco Carregosa in different digital and competition channels. In addition, opportunities
were identified for the development of digital marketing strategies aligned to the various
market segments and types of target customers of the bank.
In practical terms, the report highlights the importance of well-structured digital strategies for
strengthening communication and market positioning of institutions such as Banco Carregosa,
especially in segments such as Private Banking and Online Trading, where personalization
and customer segmentation are key to success. Thus, digital marketing is very relevant, since
it is an essential tool for financial institutions that seek to stand out in competitive markets,
especially in a context of technological transformation.
In short, the acquisition of new knowledge and skills acquired during the curricular internship
contributed to the professional and personal development of the trainee
Adapt-Life on remand: A pilot randomized trial with individuals in pretrial detention
No full textRemand prisoners (RP) are in a precarious situation marked by uncertainty and vulnerability, facing significant challenges from the moment they are admitted. Despite numerous efforts to provide treatment in correctional settings, most interventions have been designed primarily for sentenced prisoners. The ADAPT program, however, is a structured intervention specifically tailored for RP. It aims to enhance emotion and behavior regulation, address cognitive distortions, improve problem-solving skills, and offer strategies for suicide prevention. The primary objective of this pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of the ADAPT in improving emotional literacy and emotional regulation, while reducing cognitive distortions and suicide risk. Our findings indicated that, at the Posttreatment phase, there were statistically significant improvements across all measured outcomes in the treatment group compared to the control group. Specifically, participants in the ADAPT exhibited lower levels of anxiety, somatization, and depression. Additionally, there was a notable decrease in suicide concerns, negative affect, and difficulties in emotional regulation. Conversely, there was an increase in positive affect among those who underwent the program. These results provide preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of the ADAPT as a valuable intervention for RP, a population often overlooked in treatment efforts
Determinants of loneliness among Brazilian college students: Structure and correlates
No full textLoneliness is a subjective, and unpleasant experience. This paper aimed at investigating the psychometric features of the short version of the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6), and its correlates in a Brazilian sample. To achieve this purpose two studies were conducted.
The first study examined the factor structure of the ULS-6, its internal consistency and measurement invariance (MI) by gender. The sample included 252 participants aged 18–28 years. They completed the ULS-6 and socio-demographic factors. The fit of the unidimensional model of the ULS-6 to the data was good, and reliability was adequate. Measurement invariance across genders was supported. Gender had no direct effect on loneliness. The second study explored the relationships between socio-demographic factors, personality traits and loneliness. Furthermore, this study evaluated the mediating role of body appreciation in the relationship between satisfaction with love life (SWLL) and loneliness. Financial security, conscientiousness, extraversion, and neuroticism were significant predictors of loneliness. The findings also demonstrated that higher levels of satisfaction with love life contributed to reduced loneliness, and that body appreciation mediated the relationship of SWLL with loneliness. Suggestions for future investigation are provided
Otimismo, ansiedade face ao envelhecimento e idadismo: Um estudo com jovens adultos
No full textO presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a relação entre otimismo,
ansiedade face ao envelhecimento e atitudes idadistas numa amostra de 369 jovens
adultos, com idades entre os 18 e os 30 anos. Adicionalmente, pretende-se analisar as
diferenças nas variáveis referidas (Otimismo, Ansiedade face ao Envelhecimento e
Idadismo) em função do sexo biológico dos participantes. Utilizou-se um método
quantitativo, com recolha de dados por questionário online. Os instrumentos incluíram a
Escala de Otimismo (Barros, 1998), Escala de Ansiedade Face ao Envelhecimento (Lasher
& Faulkender, 1993) e a Escala de Idadismo de Fraboni- Versão Reduzida Portuguesa
(Neto & Neto, 2024). As análises foram realizadas no SPSS e incluíram estatísticas
descritivas, testes t e análises correlacionais e de mediação. Verificaram-se diferenças
significativas de género nas atitudes idadistas, com os homens a apresentarem níveis
superiores em comparação às mulheres. As análises de mediação indicaram que o
otimismo influencia o idadismo de forma indireta, através da ansiedade face ao
envelhecimento, caracterizando um modelo de mediação total. Em suma, os dados
sugerem que a ansiedade face ao envelhecimento desempenha um papel mediador
fundamental na ligação entre otimismo e atitudes idadistas em jovens adultos
