Browsing by Author "Silva, Paulo"
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- An overview of the evolution of civil engineering education towards sustainability in PortugalPublication . Silva, Paulo; Caetano, Nídia S.; Felgueiras, CarlosEducation is essential to prepare future professionals, preparing them for the labor market, by providing knowledge and practical experiences. The model that trains these professionals becomes crucial for professionals to adapt to the current needs of this market, which in itself is competitive and dynamic, so it is always in constant change of priorities and needs. It is undeniable that environmental and sustainability issues have become essential aspects in the performance of any business at a global level. Particularly, the concern with sustainability becomes evident in the field of civil engineering, due to the need of optimization of use of resources (raw materials, energy and water), that can have a huge impact on the environment, resulting both from reduction of consumption of resources, and pollutants emissions. Therefore, the MSc courses should have two levels of education on sustainability: at the mul-tidisciplinary level, Higher Education schools should offer courses specifically dedicated to sustainable development and sustainability should be analysed glob-ally; at the disciplinary level, each course should include the basic related concerns with sustainability issues. This work surveys civil engineering courses in Portugal and analyzes how subjects related to SDGs are directly or indirectly present in the respective curricula.
- Caracterização das infeções osteoarticulares associadas a prótese num hospital central, entre 2016 e 2022Publication . Silva, Paulo; Ferreira, Stéphanie; Amorim, ManuelaA infeção protésica é das complicações mais temíveis no decorrer de uma artroplastia e, dada a sua natureza multidisciplinar, a abordagem clínica permanece um desafio. Assim, é fundamental a cooperação entre especialidades médicas e cirúrgicas, destacando que um diagnóstico microbiológico o mais preciso possível é crucial para um tratamento efetivo (McNally M et al., 2021).
- Challenges and singularities of Energy Poverty in Portuguese society: A case studyPublication . Silva, Paulo; Felgueiras, CarlosThe impossibility and lack of accessibility for several households in Europe to resort to efficient heating and cooling technologies in their homes or to carry out energy rehabilitation in buildings has been a growing concern, not only in the European Union, but also in many Member States. These households that are energetically vulnerable belong to the statistics of the phenomenon identified as energy poverty. Multiple factors justify the growing concern about this problem within the European Union, either due to the need to assess the consequences of the liberalization of energy markets on the most vulnerable consumers, or due to the creation, exposure and identification of situations of poverty, social exclusion, health problems public health, decrease in comfort and living conditions. These factors tend to influence the country's macroeconomic outlook to the extent that they undermine energy policy options, reducing their efficiency and making it difficult to implement energy policies that are more environmentally friendly and capable of facing the challenges of climate change. Since the built environment is the largest consumer of energy, the fight against energy poverty should be encouraged in this sector due to the impact it may have on the country's socioeconomic indicators.
- Characterization of an antioxidant surfactant-free topical formulation containing Castanea sativa leaf extractPublication . Almeida, Isabel F.; Maleckova, Jitka; Saffi, Raquel; Monteiro, Helena; Góios, Filipa; Amaral, Maria Helena; Costa, Paulo Cardoso; Garrido, Jorge; Silva, Paulo; Pestana, Nazaré; Bahia, Maria FernandaContext: Inclusion of antioxidants in topical formulations can contribute to minimize oxidative stress in the skin, which has been associated with photoaging, several dermatosis and cancer. Objective: A Castanea sativa leaf extract with established antioxidant activity was incorporated into a semisolid surfactant-free formulation. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of this formulation. Materials and methods: Physical, microbiological and functional stability were evaluated during 6 months storage at 20 °C and 40 °C. Microstructure elucidation (cryo-SEM), in vitro release and in vivo moisturizing effect (Corneometer® CM 825) were also assessed. Results and discussion: Minor changes were observed in the textural and rheological properties of the formulation when stored at 20 °C for 6 months and the antioxidant activity of the plant extract remained constant throughout the storage period. Microbiological quality was confirmed at the end of the study. Under accelerated conditions, higher modifications of the evaluated parameters were observed. Cryo-SEM analysis revealed the presence of oil droplets dispersed into a gelified external phase. The release rate of the antioxidant compounds (610 ± 70 µgh−0.5) followed Higuchi model. A significant in vivo moisturizing effect was demonstrated, that lasted at least 4 h after product’s application. Conclusion: The physical, functional and microbiological stability of the antioxidant formulation was established. Specific storage conditions should be recommended considering the influence of temperature on the stability. A skin hydration effect and good skin tolerance were also found which suggests that this preparation can be useful in the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-mediated dysfunctions.
- Development of vocations in engineering in secondary schools in PortugalPublication . Silva, Paulo; García-Holgado, Alicia; Felgueiras, CarlosEducation is essential to future professionals, preparing them for the labor market, by providing knowledge and practical experiences. Through educational models, adapted to each level of education, students are equipped with knowledge, experiences and notions that help them to understand which path they should follow in their professional career. For several reasons, this foundation can fail and lead students to embark on careers that do not satisfy them and leading to a dropout in university education. Another phenomenon is the lack of attractiveness that Engineering career seems to have for secondary school students and the underdeveloped vocations in this scientific area, leading students to avoid some kind of subjects such as mathematics, physics, or science. To study the present case, actions will be carried out on secondary school students, measuring the impact that it may have on choosing a career in Engineering. At the end of the study, it is expected to discover the origins of the problem and identify possible solutions to resolve and stabilize the situation, as it would be desirable for more secondary students to pursue a career in Engineering.
- Empreendedorismo Social, o papel das IPSS: estudo de casoPublication . Silva, Paulo; Silva, Eduardo; Gonçalves, PauloO empreendedorismo social tem vindo, nas últimas décadas, a ser denominado como um novo paradigma determinante para o funcionamento da economia, em grande parte, porque a economia social tornou-se basilar na sociedade, por um lado, pelo crescimento exponencial da exclusão social, elevado desemprego e envelhecimento da população e, por outro, devido às dificuldades orçamentais dos governos. O empreendedorismo social, utilizado por Instituições Particulares de Solidariedade Social sem fins lucrativos, procura resolver problemas sociais de forma inovadora e sustentável, com a finalidade de dar resposta aos grandes desafios sociais da atualidade, através da ação social na prevenção e no apoio nas diversas situações de fragilidade, exclusão ou carência humana, promovendo a inclusão, a integração social e o desenvolvimento local. O objetivo fundamental do presente trabalho, pretende verificar até que ponto as IPSS podem ser definidas como empreendedores sociais, através da prestação de serviços, nas variadas áreas à população local, de forma a alcançar o valor social. Neste estudo enveredou-se pela metodologia qualitativa, utilizando o método do estudo de caso único, recorrendo ao questionário como instrumento de recolha de dados numa instituição particular de solidariedade social do concelho da Maia. Deste estudo foi possível concluir a IPSS tem uma proximidade às populações, através das diversas valências vocacionadas para a resolução de problemas sociais emergentes, promovendo a inclusão a integração social, e alcançar o valor social. Assim, consideramos a IPSS estudada como sendo parte integrante e promotora do empreendedorismo social.
- Energy Policies, Education and Sustainable Development Goals Applied to Low Developed Countries - a Symbiotic Case StudyPublication . Martins, Florinda; Silva, Paulo; Felgueiras, Carlos; Almeida Santos, Adriano Manuel; Pereira, Filipe; Caetano, NídiaEnergy, its use and management, weighs heavily on the burden that each society can impose on a fragile balance of nature, with implications not only environmental and financial, but also social, creating jobs and improving quality of life. Devising strategies that combine these three factors are a valuable option that will yield good results, meeting the challenge of fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The most important thing is to implement the old maxim: "no one is left behind", so low developed countries are an opportunity to achieve impressive results, while allowing them to improve their way of life and their comfort. It’s often said that ‘action begets reaction’, so any positive action taken in the community can have social repercussions, such as improving the quality of education and knowledge about sustainability. This study will provide an overview of how energy management and environmental mitigation strategies can impact underdeveloped countries.
- An Energy Storage System for the Alto Douro Wind Power Plant: A Technical StudyPublication . Magalhães, Alexandre; Xavier, Celso; Felgueiras, Carlos; Pereira, Filipe; Almeida Santos, Adriano Manuel; da Silva, A. Ferreira; Silva, Paulo; Caetano, Nídia; Machado, JoséRenewable energies are crucial to meeting global demand for environmentally friendly energy at a time when fossil fuels are being cut back. In recent years, and essentially due to the reduced reserves of fossil fuels, Portugal has been promoting investment in renewable energies as a way of freeing itself from energy imports and dependence on fossil fuels. However, despite the high number of hours of sunshine per day and the use of wind and hydraulic energy, production is unstable due to climate variability. All this climate instability translates into fluctuations in the energy released to the grid. In order to minimize this problem, energy storage systems have become a key element in guaranteeing the stability of the renewable energy supply at times of low production. This article presents a feasibility analysis of a renewable energy storage system with the aim of maximizing the profitability of a wind farm located in Portugal's Alto Douro region. As a starting point, a demand analysis is presented, as well as simulations of the system's performance in terms of energy use and profitability as a function of efficiency and power. Taking these assumptions and the analysis into account, a modular lithium battery storage system with high efficiency and fast charging and discharging powers was chosen.
- Energy transition in a business company – solar PV for a car fleetPublication . Silva, Paulo; Caetano, Nídia S.; Felgueiras, CarlosFossil fuels are increasingly limited in today's world, causing an energy crisis due to external factors, increasing prices in international markets. To solve this global problem, the energy transition related to mobility in companies that oversee their car fleets is highlighted. This transition to electric mobility influences several economic, technical, and social aspects, thus it becomes crucial for companies to adapt their infrastructure and dynamics to have more sustainable practices. According to the 2021-2022 EIB Climate Survey, 55% of Portuguese young people consider climate change when looking for a job. Furthermore, when asked about future car purchases, 84% of Portuguese car buyers say they will purchase either a hybrid or electric car, making Portugal the EU No. 1 country in terms of intentions to purchase electric cars. These statistics show the urgency for companies to adapt to future needs, as well as align with the European goals of reducing greenhouse gases emissions to 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050.
- Engineering Education for a Sustainable Future A systematic literature review and a perspectivePublication . Silva, Paulo; Felgueiras, Carlos; Caetano, Nídia; Martins, Florinda; Onofrei, George; Blue, Juanita; Sintejudeanu, Mara; Acitores, Adela; Cruz, Francisco; Erro, Alfonso Martín; Moreno, Susana; Davey, Todd; Collins, Monica Holly; Spada, DominicEducation represents a fundamental pillar of society, being an important factor in shaping and building each individual for their future. It is common sense that society, like the world we live in, undergoes adaptations and modifications over time, especially due to the need to resolve issues that allow for improved comfort and greater chances of survival in these changes. There-fore, a question arises: what factor must be highlighted in order to respond to this need? Sustainability presents itself as a preponderant factor in humanity's response to building a more sober, educated, conscious and cohesive society. Educating an individual with tools and qualities based on sustainability, who in the future will have the capacity to reach many other individuals in an educational context, presents itself as a possible way to enhance and disseminate sustainability in social, academic and professional aspects. This study is based on the premise of an ERASMUS + project that aims to provide a possibility for a more sustainable education in the field of Engineering, having as its central point a holistic approach that must be the center of society: Sustainability.