Browsing by Author "Pereira, Isabel"
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- Barbecue Grill Workers Occupational Exposure to Particulate-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic HydrocarbonsPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Capelas, Sílvia; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Isabel; Morais, SimoneDuring a regular working day, grill workers are exposed to the emissions of charcoal-fired cooking activities, which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are among the most health relevant compounds. Thus, in this work, the particulate matter at the breathing air zone of grill workers from a barbecue restaurant was sampled and the concentration of eighteen particulate-bound PAHs was determined by liquid chromatography with fluorescence and diode array detection. Median level of total PAHs (ΣPAHs) during 5 consecutive hours of exposure to barbecue fumes was 77.2 ng/m3 (maximum values of 261 ng/m3). Benzo(g,h,i)perylene, phenanthrene, and acenaphthylene were the most abundant compounds (82.7% of ΣPAHs). Levels of benzo(a)pyrene and total carcinogenic PAHs (naphthalene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, and indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene) varied between 0.03–0.79 ng/m3 and 2.10–36.7 ng/m3, respectively. Grill worker’s exposure to PAHs was well below the existent PAHs occupational threshold limit value of 200 µg/m3 proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for an 8-h of exposure to coal tar pitch volatiles. Some preventive measures such as adequate maintenance of barbecue ventilation system, regular wash of workers exposed skin and the use of clean working clothes can contribute to reduce grill worker’s occupational exposure to PAHs.
- Beyond Scores: Early Findings on TBL's Impact in Engineering EducationPublication . Sena-Esteves, M. Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Cristina; Brás-Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina P.; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Leonilde Cristina; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, AnabelaThis paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing study investigating the influence of Team-Based Learning (TBL) on the academic performance of engineering students, particularly its impact on their grasp of subject matter and ability to solve real-world problems. Quantitative data analysis explored correlations between students' entry-level academic scores and their performance in a course incorporating TBL. The initial results suggest that there is no significant correlation, indicating that entry scores may not predict success in this TBL-integrated course. The analysis coverages multiple academic years, offering a comprehensive perspective on how trends and outcomes evolve over time. This study contributes to the discourse on effective educational practices in engineering education by examining the potential of TBL to enhance learning outcomes. Given the study's ongoing nature, these findings are provisional but pave the way for more detailed future analyses.
- Gender Differences in Students’ Assessment in a Fluid Mechanics CoursePublication . Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Morais, Cristina; Ribeiro, Margarida; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena Baptista; Leao, Celina PintoThe main objective of the present work is to verify if, and in what extent, there is a correlation between gender and grades in a topic that is regarded as a core competence of chemical engineering. This analysis is based on data collected through a questionnaire concerning students’ perceptions. Besides no statistical difference on final student's marks, specific differences were obtained and discussed, namely concerning teaching methodologies.
- How do students perceive their Learning Assessment?Publication . Leão, Celina P.; Soares, Filomena Baptista; Pereira, Isabel; Ribeiro, Margarida; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Guedes, Anabela; Meireles, Maria João; Morais, Leonilde Cristina; Silva, Paulo; Pinheiro, M.Nazaré Coelho; Santos, LauraThe present work was developed considering the learning assessment vector and linking it to students’ general satisfaction with the engineering course. The key findings show a positive association between students’ general satisfaction and the learning assessment, specifically with the assessment methodologies effectiveness regarding the different subjects taught. Globally,studentsconsidered the assessment methodologies effective and appropriate to the different subjects taught however, they do not feel encouraged to be part of the process of monitoring his/her performance, and to thetime allocated to the assessment testsas it wasnot considered appropriateto the volume of subjects taught.
- Intercultural exodusPublication . Pereira, IsabelThis essay studies the origin and globalization of the Rastafarian movement. Poverty and disenchantment in the inner cities of Kingston gave way in the early 1930's to the black power movement through Marcus Garvey's "Back to Africa" crusade, which eventually led to the appearance of the Rastafarian movement, a "messianic religious and political movement". In this essay, I propose to analyze when, how and why the Rastafarian movement began, its doctrines and the vehicles which were used for its cultural globalization, in other words, the diffusion of the Rastafarian´s beliefs, meanings, ideals and culture outside the borders of Jamaica. My aim is to offer a better understanding of the Rastafarian movement (commonly only associated with the consumption of drugs), so it is important to analyze this study in a cultural point of view. Some authors1 define culture as the way of life that is influenced by behavior, knowledge, and beliefs.The lack of information about a certain culture may lead to the perception that a specific culture is wrong or inferior to ours and this normally causes conflict between individuals. Appreciating and accepting cultural diversity is an ability which helps to communicate effectively in an international way, therefore, leading to the globalization of a certain culture, in this case, of the Rastafarian cultural movement. There is a significant variation within the Rastafarian movement and no formal organization; for example, some Rastafarians see it more as a way of life than a religion, but uniting the diverse movements is the belief in the divinity and/or messiahship of the Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I, the influence of Jamaican culture, the resistance to oppression, and the pride in African heritage.
- Nível de satisfação em cursos de engenharia: as perceções dos alunosPublication . Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina; Guedes, Anabela; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Alves, Gustavo R.; Pereira, Isabel; Hausmann, Romeu; Petry, ClovisA satisfação e as perceções dos estudantes em relação aos seus cursos superiores são medidas importantes para as instituições de ensino superior. Neste artigo ´e apresentado um resumo do projeto de investigação em curso centrado na análise da perceção e satisfação dos estudantes dos cursos de Engenharia. O objetivo geral deste estudo é analisar e determinar o nível de satisfação dos estudantes de Engenharia Elétrica/Eletrónica com os seus cursos, condições de trabalho e ambiente académico ao longo dos três primeiros anos curriculares correspondentes ao 1o ciclo do ensino superior.
- Quality control of water and air in swimming poolsPublication . Beleza, Vitorino; Pereira, Isabel; Ribeiro, Margarida; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Pinto, Marta; Santos, RosáriaThe water and air treatment circuits in public swimming pools are controlled by the technical staff, automatic systems and by official or accredited laboratories. The controls are based on appropriate legislation and make use of the specialized experience and accumulated knowledge of several entities. This paper presents a summary of the principles considered fundamental for the previously referred to contributions for the adequate control of swimming pools. The implementation of automatic control systems replacing manual monitoring is an interesting option, with economic benefits for operational costs. The analytical control programme proposed in this work, or any other that may serve the same purpose, should be followed by all public swimming pools. This is essential to provide a high quality public service and also to ensure healthy competition among the providers of such services.
- Revisiting Team-Based Learning in a Fluid Mechanics Module: Enhancing Students’ CompetencesPublication . Sena-Esteves, M. Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Cristina; Brás-Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina P.; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Leonilde Cristina; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, AnabelaThis study investigates the evolution of students’ perceptions and experiences with Team-Based Learning (TBL) over three academic years (2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24) applied to the Fluid Mechanics course’ viscosity module of the second year of a chemical engineering degree, 1st semester. Through questionnaire data and qualitative evaluation, competences acquired and changes in teamwork and critical thinking were analyzed, based on a sample of 151 out of 167 enrolled students. Results reveal a shift in competence emphasis over time, with “Team work” initially prominent but more evenly distributed later. While students increasingly prefer individual study, TBL fosters collaboration and critical thinking. TBL assessment indicates consistency across years, with minor variation. The study underscores TBL’s positive impact on student preparation and professional development.
- The Relationship of Higher Education Access with Final Marks in a Core Chemical Engineering TopicPublication . Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Morais, Cristina; Ribeiro, Margarida; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina P.This present work cracks to understand the relationship between final marks in a topic with competences that are core of Chemical Engineering and students’ access grades to a Portuguese Higher Education Institution (HEI). The study is based on data gathered through a questionnaire concerning students’ perceptions about assessment and teaching-learning methodologies in four academic years (2016-2017 to 2019-2020). The student´s access grades were included in the questionnaire since 2018-19 academic year allowing to establish a relationship with the final marks obtained in a core Chemical Engineering Topic, Fluid Mechanics. From the analysis made, it can be said that students who obtained higher access grades to HEI may have also a higher Chemical Engineering curricular unit final mark, although the low linear relationship obtained (r =0.45) for the year 2019-20.