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El peso invisible del cuidado: sobrecarga y bienestar en los cuidadores informales
Get PDFCom o aumento da esperança média de vida e da prevalência de doenças crónicas associadas ao envelhecimento da população colocam-se novos desafios às famílias nomeadamente a necessidade do cuidar, assumindo o papel de cuidador informal. O cuidador informal (CI), pelo seu ato de cuidar compromete a sua rotina diária e limita a participação em atividades e relações sociais. Ao assumir este papel enfrenta diversos desafios, desde a adaptação do domicílio às condições da pessoa cuidada, até à conciliação entre o cuidar e as suas responsabilidades familiares, sociais e laborais. Associado ao papel de cuidador, surgem frequentemente sinais de sobrecarga física, emocional, psicológica e socioeconómica, com impacto direto na saúde e qualidade de vida de quem cuida. Pretende-se avaliar a sobrecarga de trabalho em cuidadores informais e compreender a perceção do estado de saúde dos cuidadores informais. Estudo de carácter quantitativo, com abordagem descritiva e transversal, com uma amostra de 75 CI. A colheita de dados decorreu entre fevereiro e junho de 2025, através de um questionário com variáveis sociodemográficas, a Escala de Sobrecarga de Zarit (versão reduzida) e a Escala de Qualidade de Vida EQ-5D (Ferreira; Ferreira; Pereira, 2013). Os dados foram tratados estatisticamente com recurso ao programa Jamovi. Observou-se que a sobrecarga moderada está presente em 45,3% da amostra e com sobrecarga grave 36%. As dimensões da escala EQ - 5D, realça “tempo”, “stress/angústia” médias de 1.63 (dp=0.61) e 1.64 (dp=0.65) respetivamente. Esta realidade evidencia a necessidade de maior apoio institucional, reconhecimento formal e políticas públicas eficazes para os C
Special Issue “Biomechanical Analysis in Physical Activity and Sports”
Get PDFBiomechanics plays a vital role in helping us understand how the human body moves, especially in the context of sports and physical activity. By applying principles from physics and engineering, biomechanical analysis allows us to study the forces acting on the body. This is incredibly valuable not only for enhancing athletic performance but also for health and physical activity-related analysis. Recent technological advances, including motion capture systems, force plates, electromyography (EMG), and computational fluid dynamics, have provided us with powerful tools for measuring and modeling movement with unparalleled precision [1– 3]. These technologies have been adopted across various sports, including running, cycling, and swimming, helping athletes and coaches in enhancing their performance techniques [2, 3 ]. In addition, the emergence of wearable technology and artificial intelligence (AI) has further advanced real-time analysis capabilities. Today, athletes can receive immediate feedback through sensors embedded in their gear, allowing them to adjust their technique on the spot, which also plays a big part in preventing injuries [1
Intervention in graphomotor skills: a case study in the context of inclusive education
Get PDFChild neurodevelopment is a complex process that includes a series of psychomotor and behavioral changes from conception to adulthood. The integration of neuroscience knowledge into teaching practices has shown potential for improving the teaching-learning process, especially for children with learning difficulties. Graphomotor difficulties are closely related to fine motor skills. This is identified as one of the main areas of difficulty, manifesting itself in the grasping of small objects, in fitting tasks, and in visuomotor coordination, influencing part of their autonomy. This skill involves precise movements of the hands and fingers, which involve speed, accuracy, and reprogramming and actions. Based on inclusive education, this article presents a case study developed in a school in Portugal with a student attending the 1st grade of primary school who benefits from selective measures to support learning and inclusion under Decree-Law 54/2018 of July 6, which regulates Inclusive Education.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UID/05777/2023
Charting the course: navigating the evolving field of research management and administration research
Get PDFAs we navigate the increasingly complex landscape of global research and innovation, the role of Research Management and Administration (RMA) professionals has become more critical than ever for enabling research excellence and ensuring the effective delivery of impactful research outcomes. Thus, this role has become not just increasingly visible but also to some extent even acknowledged by leading stakeholders (e.g. policy makers such as the European Commission). RMA professionals are the individuals and teams who, behind the scenes, enable and enhance the entire research lifecycle, from grant applications to impact realization and everything in between, including science diplomacy, science communication, and research strategy development (Agostinho et al., 2020)
Spatiotemporal tourist behaviour forecast
Get PDFThis research systematically explores spatiotemporal tourist behaviour forecasting by examining and comparing traditional, machine learning, and hybrid models. Specifically, it seeks to identify key data sources, analyze their impact on prediction accuracy, and evaluate the performance of diverse analytical models. Furthermore, it investigates the practical applications of these forecasts across different areas, offering valuable insights for tourism stakeholders (Zheng et al., 2017
Advances on the Synthesis, Reactivity, and Biological Properties of 4<i>H</i>‐Thiochromen‐4‐(thio)one Derivatives
No full textThe aim of the present review is to provide a systematic survey on the recent advancements in the chemical synthesis of thiochromones, thiochromanones, the less explored thiochromene-4-thiones and some analogs. These compounds are used as versatile building blocks in the synthesis of other complex and polycyclic heterocyclic analogs. Highlights on biological and photophysical properties of these thio derivatives are also included and discussed. It covers the literature from 2014 to 2024, in more than 170 publications.This work received support and help from national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through the projects of CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020, DOI:10.54499/UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020, DOI:10.54499/UIDP/00690/2020), SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020, DOI:10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020) and REQUIMTE (LA/P/0008/2020, DOI:10.54499/LA/P/0008/2020; UIDP/50006/2020, DOI:10.54499/UIDP/50006/2020 and UIDB/50006/2020, DOI:10.54499/UIDB/50006/2020)
Tourist taxes and local sustainability: Trends in policy integration across Portuguese municipalities
Get PDFThis study aims to analyse the recent evolution of municipal regulations regarding tourist taxes in Portugal, focusing on how these taxes are integrated into local public sustainability policies. It seeks to understand how municipalities are utilising these taxes as tools to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism
(Carvalho et al., 2024; Göktaş & Çetin, 2023) and to promote more sustainable local development across economic, social and environmental dimensions. Additionally, the research aims to identify best practices and emerging trends in allocating revenues generated by these taxes, contributing to the ongoing discussion about their strategic role in sustainable tourism planning and management
Development of a Honey and Aloe vera Sports Gel
Get PDFMestrado de dupla diplomação com a Université Libre de TunisSports supplements, designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery, have seen significant market growth due to increased awareness of exercise benefits. This trend has led to the development of sports gels, offering a digestive advantage for endurance athletes during high-intensity exercise. This study aimed to develop a novel sports gel with natural ingredients, addressing the demand for innovative sports nutrition solutions. The formulation includes mineral water for electrolytes, honey (fructose and glucose) as a primary carbohydrate source, maltodextrin for sustained energy release, and aloe vera for antioxidant properties. The combination of simple and complex carbohydrates was strategically chosen to provide efficient and sustained energy delivery through distinct metabolic pathways. The product development process focused on optimizing gelling agent formulations to create a sports gel with rheological properties comparable to those of a commercial control product. Initial analyses of the control gel established key reference parameters: firmness (26.5 ± 0.49 g), consistency (247 ± 5.44 g/s), cohesiveness (-19.6 ± 1.48 g), index of viscosity ( -79.40±8.06 g/s ) and viscosity (133.7 ± 14.84 mPa/s). To achieve similar properties, five gelling agents—carrageenan (IC), gellan gum (GG), guar gum (GU), locust bean gum (LB), and xanthan gum (XG)—were evaluated at concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 3%. These agents were screened based on their influence on rheological properties (firmness, consistency, cohesiveness, viscosity, and index of viscosity), as well as their time-stability, visual appeal, and cost-effectiveness. The goal was to identify gums that closely matched the reference values of the control product while maintaining high quality and market feasibility. Based on the results of the parameter
evaluations, concentrations between 1.25% and 2.25% were shown to be the most appropriate.
The gelling agents were ranked from 1st to 5th place, with xanthan gum ranking first, followed by GG and GU, so these three gelling agents were selected for further studies. Finally, a mixture design experiment was conducted to refine the formulation, identifying optimal combinations of Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, and Guar Gum to meet the target rheological properties. The regression models generated demonstrated strong predictive accuracy, with high R² values (>0.7) and no significant lack of fit (p>0.05). Simultaneous optimization of the rheological parameters, aligned with the properties of the control gel, yielded an optimal gelling agent formulation consisting of 0.75% xanthan gum and 0.25% gellan gum. Validation experiments confirmed the reliability of the predictive models, showing strong agreement between predicted and experimentally observed values across all measured parameters. The final product formulation comprised 47.40% honey, 43.14% water, 7.46% maltodextrin, 1% aloe vera, 0.75% xanthan gum, and 0.25% gellan gum. Compared to the control sports gel, the final product demonstrated similar firmness (27.4 g vs. 26.5 g) and consistency (258.8 g\s vs. 247 g\s), cohesiveness (-10.99 vs -13.93 g ), while showing a lower viscosity index (-57.7 g\s vs. -79.4 g\s) and viscosity (36.71 mPa\s vs 57.87 mPa\s ). Chemical and physicochemical analyses revealed a reduced moisture content (41.2% vs. 66.5%), likely attributed to the inclusion of honey. The sugar content, comprising glucose (15 g/100 mL) and fructose (30 g/100 mL), aligned with the desired amount, while the pH (4.1) was within an acceptable range. The final product exhibited antioxidant activity, measured at 10.42 µl Trolox equivalents using the DPPH assay. The DPPH assay for aloe vera alone indicated a significant antioxidant potential (47.33 µl Trolox eq), highlighting its promising contribution to the overall antioxidant properties of the gel. These findings suggest that increasing the aloe vera content in future formulations could further enhance the antioxidant profile of the product. Additionally, Aloin concentrations derived from aloe vera were measured at 0.83 mg/L, which is below the legal limit of 10 mg/L, ensuring the product's safety for consumption. Overall, the results confirm the feasibility of developing a sports gel with optimized texture, stability, and natural ingredients. Future research should prioritize optimizing aloe vera concentration to enhance antioxidant benefits and further evaluate the functional advantages of the final formulation.Suplementos desportivos, concebidos para melhorar o desempenho atlético e a recuperação, têm registado um crescimento significativo no mercado devido à maior consciencialização dos benefícios do exercício. Esta tendência levou ao desenvolvimento de géis desportivos, oferecendo uma vantagem digestiva para atletas de resistência durante exercícios de alta intensidade. Este estudo visou desenvolver um novo gel desportivo com ingredientes naturais, respondendo à procura de soluções inovadoras em nutrição desportiva. A formulação inclui água mineral para eletrólitos, mel (frutose e glucose) como fonte primária de hidratos de carbono, maltodextrina para liberação sustentada de energia e aloe vera pelas suas propriedades antioxidantes. A combinação de hidratos de carbono simples e complexos foi estrategicamente escolhida para fornecer energia de forma eficiente e sustentada através de vias metabólicas distintas. O processo de desenvolvimento do produto focou-se na otimização das formulações de agentes gelificantes para criar um gel desportivo com propriedades reológicas comparáveis às de um produto comercial de controlo. As análises iniciais do gel de controlo estabeleceram parâmetros de referência chave: firmeza (26,5 ± 0,49 g), consistência (247 ± 5,44 g/s), coesividade (-19,6 ± 1,48 g) index de viscosidade ( -79,40 ±8.06 g/s ) e viscosidade (133,7 ± 14,84 mPa/s). Para alcançar propriedades semelhantes, cinco agentes gelificantes—carragenina (IC), goma gelana (GG), goma guar (GU), goma de alfarroba (LB) e goma xantana (XG) - foram avaliados em concentrações variando de 0,5% a 3%. Estes agentes foram selecionados com base na sua influência nas propriedades reológicas (firmeza, consistência, coesividade, viscosidade e índice de viscosidade), bem como na sua estabilidade ao longo do tempo, apelo visual e custo-efetividade. O objetivo era identificar gomas que se aproximassem dos valores de referência do produto de controlo, mantendo alta qualidade e viabilidade de mercado. Com base nos resultados das avaliações dos parâmetros, concentrações entre 1,25% e 2,25% mostraram-se as mais apropriadas. Os agentes gelificantes foram classificados do 1º ao 5º lugar, com a goma xantana em primeiro, seguida por GG e GU, sendo estes três agentes gelificantes selecionados para estudos posteriores. Por fim, foi realizado um experimento de design de mistura para refinar a formulação, identificando combinações ótimas de Goma Xantana, Goma Gelana e Goma Guar para atender às propriedades reológicas alvo. Os modelos de regressão gerados demonstraram forte precisão preditiva, com altos valores de R² (>0,7) e sem falta de ajuste significativa (p>0,05). A otimização simultânea dos parâmetros reológicos, alinhada com as propriedades do gel de controlo, resultou numa formulação ótima de agente gelificante consistindo em 0,75% de goma xantana e 0,25% de goma gelana. Experimentos de validação confirmaram a confiabilidade dos modelos preditivos, mostrando forte concordância entre os valores previstos e os observados experimentalmente em todos os parâmetros medidos. A formulação final do produto compreendeu 47,40% de mel, 43,14% de água, 7,46% de maltodextrina, 1% de aloe vera, 0,75% de goma xantana e 0,25% de goma gelana. Em comparação com o gel desportivo de controlo, o produto final demonstrou firmeza (27,4 g vs. 26,5 g) e consistência (258,8 g\s vs. 247 g\s) semelhantes, coesividade (-10,99 vs -13,93 g), enquanto apresentava um índice de viscosidade (-57,7 g\s vs. -79,4 g\s) e viscosidade (-36,71 mPa\s vs -57,87 mPa\s) mais baixos. Análises químicas e físico-químicas revelaram um teor de humidade reduzido (41,2% vs. 66,5%), provavelmente atribuído à inclusão do mel. O conteúdo de açúcar, compreendendo glucose (15 g/100 mL) e frutose (30 g/100 mL), estava alinhado com a quantidade desejada, enquanto o pH (4,1) estava dentro de uma faixa aceitável. O produto final exibiu atividade antioxidante, medida em 10,42 µl equivalentes de Trolox usando o ensaio DPPH. O ensaio DPPH apenas para aloe vera indicou um potencial antioxidante significativo (47,33 µl eq Trolox), destacando sua promissora contribuição para as propriedades antioxidantes gerais do gel. Estes resultados sugerem que aumentar o conteúdo de aloe vera em formulações futuras poderia melhorar ainda mais o perfil antioxidante do produto.
Adicionalmente, as concentrações de Aloína derivadas da aloe vera foram medidas em 0,83 mg/L, o que está abaixo do limite legal de 10 mg/L, garantindo a segurança do produto para consumo. No geral, os resultados confirmam a viabilidade de desenvolver um gel desportivo com textura otimizada, estabilidade e ingredientes naturais. Pesquisas futuras devem priorizar a otimização da concentração de aloe vera para aumentar os benefícios antioxidantes e avaliar ainda mais as vantagens funcionais da formulação final
O impacto da inteligência artificial no desenvolvimento de competências de pesquisa e de investigação no 2.º CEB
Get PDFNuma sociedade cada vez mais dependente da tecnologia, a Inteligência Artificial (IA) tem demonstrado seu crescente potencial na transformação da forma como acedemos, processamos e utilizamos a informação. No contexto educativo, essa evolução apresenta desafios e inúmeras oportunidades, nomeadamente no desenvolvimento das competên-cias dos alunos. A presente dissertação tem como objetivo principal compreender e pro-mover o impacto da IA no desenvolvimento de competências de pesquisa e de investiga-ção no 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (2.º CEB). Para isso, foi formulada a seguinte questão de investigação: “Qual o impacto da inteligência artificial no desenvolvimento de com-petências de pesquisa e de investigação no 2.º CEB?”. Os objetivos específicos delineados para responder à questão de investigação foram: (i) diagnosticar o nível inicial das com-petências de pesquisa e investigação dos alunos; (ii) promover a integração de ferramen-tas de IA nas atividades de pesquisa e investigação; e (iii) avaliar o impacto da utilização da IA no desenvolvimento das competências de pesquisa e investigação dos alunos, após a intervenção pedagógica. A metodologia adotada baseia-se na investigação-ação, permi-tindo uma abordagem cíclica de diagnóstico, intervenção e avaliação. Os resultados obti-dos sugerem que a utilização de ferramentas de IA pode representar um papel relevante na melhoria das competências de pesquisa e investigação dos alunos, auxiliando na for-mulação de perguntas, na análise de fontes e na organização de informação. Conclui-se que, quando integrada de forma pedagógica e crítica, a IA pode ser uma ferramenta im-portante para a aprendizagem, fomentando a autonomia dos estudantes.In a society increasingly dependent on technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown growing potential in transforming the way we access, process, and use information. In the educational context, this evolution presents both challenges and numerous opportunities, particularly in the development of students’ skills. The main objective of this thesis is to identify and foster the impact of AI on the development of research and inquiry skills in students of the 2nd Cycle of Basic Education. To this end, the following research question was formulated: “What is the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the development of re-search and inquiry skills in the 2nd Cycle of Basic Education?” The adopted methodology is based on action research, allowing a cyclical approach of diagnosis, intervention, and evaluation. The objectives defined to address the research question were: (i) to diagnose the initial level of students’ research and inquiry skills; (ii) to promote the integration of AI tools into research and inquiry activities; and (iii) to evaluate the impact of AI use on the development of these skills after the pedagogical intervention. The results suggest that the use of AI tools can play a significant role in improving students’ research and inquiry skills, supporting the formulation of questions, critical analysis of sources, and organiza-tion of information. It is concluded that, when integrated pedagogically and critically, AI can be a valuable tool to enhance learning processes and promote student autonomy
Hybrid wavefront and bidirectional A* coverage path planning for AGVs in photovoltaic farm inspection
Get PDFThis work presents a novel Coverage Path Planning (CPP) framework integrating theWavefront Algorithm with bidirectional A* to optimize path planning for Autonomous Ground Vehicles (AGVs) that inspect photovoltaic farms. The proposed framework combines the efficient propagation capabilities of the Wavefront Algorithm with the heuristic-driven optimization of bidirectional A*, comparing the results achieved to those from the individual algorithms. The framework was validated in a Software-In-The-Loop (SITL) simulation environment using Gazebo and the Robot Operating System (ROS), focusing on AGV-based inspection of ground infrastructure and cables beneath solar panels. The outcomes demonstrate significant coverage efficiency and overall robustness.This work was supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC): CeDRI, UIDB/05757/2020 (DOI:10.54499/UIDB/05757/2020) and UIDP/05757/2020 (DOI:10.54499/UIDB/05757/2020); SusTEC, LA/P/0007/2020(DOI: 10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020). The authors would like to thank the following Brazilian Federal Agencies, CEFET/RJ, FAPERJ, CNPq, INESC P&D Brasil, and IPB for supporting this research. This work was carried out with the support of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001