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 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.
- Host-guest complexes of phenoxy alkyl acid herbicides and cyclodextrins. MCPA and β-cyclodextrinPublication . Garrido, E. Manuela; Santos, Marcos; Silva, Paulo; Cagide, Fernando; Garrido, J.M.P.J.; Borges, FernandaThe chlorophenoxy herbicideMCPA(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid), widely used for the control of broad-leafweeds primarily in cereal and grass seed crops, still remains one of the most often used herbicides in Portugal. As the formation of inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins can improve its solubility properties, the interaction between the herbicide MCPA and β-cyclodextrin was investigated. The stability constants describing the extent of formation of the complexes have been determined by phase-solubility studies. Different analytical techniques [ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR)] were employed for a thorough investigation of the structural characteristics of the obtained complexes, which exhibited distinct features and properties from both “guest” and “host” molecules. FTIR and 1H NMR data obtained for the MCPA/β-CD complexes gave information about the interaction between MCPA and the nonpolar cyclodextrin cavity. The dramatic change observed in band frequency and proton displacements of OCH2 group and H6 aromatic proton confirmed the inclusion of MCPA in β-CD. The formation of an inclusion complex between MCPA and β-CD increased the aqueous solubility of this herbicide which could be a particularly advantageous property for some specific applications, namely to improve commercial formulation and for environmental protection.
- 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.
- Internship Assessment from Company Supervisor’s viewpoints: a five-year experiencePublication . Pereira, Isabel M. Brás; Silva, Paulo; Esteves, M. Teresa Sena; Ribeiro, Margarida M.; Guedes, Anabela; Leão, Celina P.; Soares, Filomena BaptistaIn this paper, the assessment of curricular internships performed by the chemical engineering students from the last year of first cycle graduation from Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) is analysed considering the company supervisor point of view. The objective of this study is to verify if the students are able to integrate the real working world and if they have the required skills to develop the proposed activities during the internship. The analysis is based in the results of a questionnaire fulfilled by the company supervisor where different types of characteristics and competencies are evaluated in a scale from 1 (very poor) to 6 (excellent) allowing the assessment of the student’s professional performance. A group of 102 students was considered distributed by five academic years (2009 to 2014) and 39 companies were involved. The results show that the assessment of the students’ performance is globally very positive. The items showing better results refer to punctuality, attendance, learning skills during the internship and students’ relationship with peers. The performance is not so good when considering sense of initiative, autonomy or scientific knowledge in specific areas. Overall performance is classified with a mean value very next to Very Good (5) grade and companies show a great availability to accept more internship students from ISEP. Considering the final academic grades obtained, the internship performance is very well classified by the companies’ supervisors (mean of 17.3/20) reflecting the very high commitment of the students in their internships.