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- Foreword to the special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction (RAGI 2023)Publication . Sá, Vítor J.; Marto, Anabela; Silva, Paula Alexandra; Chalmers, Alan; Sá, Vítor J.This special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction features the papers submitted to Computers & Graphics and presented at the 2023 edition of the International Conference on Graphics and Interaction (ICGI’2023), which was held on November 2 and 3, 2023 at Tomar, as a joint organization between the Polytechnic University of Tomar and the Eurographics Portuguese Chapter (GPCG). The ICGI conference focuses on novel ideas in the areas of Computer Graphics, Image Processing, Computer Vision, Information Visualization, and Human-Computer Interaction, as well as related fields such as Virtual and Augmented Reality, Modelling, Rendering, Digital Arts, and Information Visualisation. The conference further aims to bring together and inspire collaboration among practitioners, users, and researchers. This special issue of Computers & Graphics received sixteen submissions, nine of which were accepted for publication after they had been fully peer-reviewed by at least three experts, according to the standards of Computers & Graphics.
- Satisfação de adultos mais velhos com prótese de joelho com um programa de exercícios em grupoPublication . Silva, Alexandre; Lopes, Sofia; Lopes, SofiaA artroplastia do joelho é a cirurgia mais realizada no membro inferior em adultos mais velhos. A funcionalidade, a qualidade de vida, a segurança, são as principais causas de satisfação relacionadas com a execução de um programa de exercício. Objetivo: Avaliar a satisfação de adultos mais velhos com prótese de joelho relativamente à execução de um programa de exercício em grupo. Metodologia: Estudo observacional descritivo, com 36 adultos mais velhos que realizaram um programa de exercício em grupo, 3 vezes por semana, com duração de 30 minutos, supervisionado por um fisioterapeuta, com um total de 15 sessões. Excluiu-se indivíduos que realizaram o programa em meio aquático. Foi aplicado um questionário de caraterização com questões relacionadas com a satisfação quanto ao programa. Resultados: Verificou-se uma distribuição homogénea entre sexos, com uma média (desvio padrão) de 70.3 (5.3) anos, sendo que 34 (94%) encontram-se reformados e 12 (33%) consideram ter uma saúde boa. A amostra considera que o programa de exercício promove funcionalidade e segurança nas atividades da vida diária, a maioria considera que melhora a qualidade de vida (97.2%), apenas 25% considera que o tempo da sessão é adequado. Todos os indivíduos encontram-se satisfeitos com o programa. Discussão e Conclusão: Os resultados permitem documentar a satisfação e alinhar os serviços com as expectativas dos utilizadores. A experiência do utente constitui, um indicador de qualidade. Conclui-se que o programa revela satisfação dos adultos mais velhos, quanto à funcionalidade, segurança e qualidade de vida, contudo, a sua duração não parece mostrar satisfação.
- Multimetallic layered double hydroxides as efficient and durable oxygen evolution catalysts for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis at high current densitiesPublication . Yaowen Xu, Kaiyang Xu, Hao Tan, Haoliang Huang, Fei Lin, Chenyue Zhang, Jingwei Wang, Run Ran, Jinfeng Zeng, Zhipeng Yu, Sitaramanjaneya Mouli Thalluri, Lijian Meng, Dehua Xiong and Lifeng Liu
- Sensação e funcionalidade na lesão nervosa periférica - a propósito de um estudo de casoPublication . Silva, Bruno; Sousa, Helena; Branco, Sandra; Portugal, Paula; Campolargo, Ana; Portugal, Paula; Sousa, Helena Maria Rocha de SousaLesões Nervosas Periféricas têm um impacto significativo na qualidade de vida e na independência, afetando tanto o movimento quanto a sensação da pessoa. A reintegração na rotina diária é particularmente desafiadora devido às mudanças na força e sensibilidade do membro afetado, que variam conforme o nervo lesionado. Embora seja reconhecido que a reeducação sensorial pode ter efeitos benéficos, há uma lacuna na literatura quanto à formulação de protocolos específicos para essa intervenção. Verificar o impacto do “Programa de Discriminação Sensorial” na reabilitação dos défices sensoriais na lesão do plexo braquial. Estudo de caso de nível micro focado num ator e do tipo multimetodológico. Caso ilustrativo da síndrome do túnel cárpico, com avaliações inicial, intermédia e final, assim como 14 sessões de intervenção. Utilizaram-se vários instrumentos de avaliação, tais como o Mini Mental State Examination, Questionário (3 secções), Índice de Barthel, Escala de Lawton & Broady, WHOQOL-Bref e Monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein. Os dados foram analisados através do Microsoft Excel, versão 2305. Após 14 sessões de intervenção com o “Programa de Discriminação Sensorial”, foram encontrados resultados positivos em relação à reabilitação sensorial em pessoas com STC, o que parece ter um impacto positivo na reabilitação sensorial em lesões nervosas periféricas. Apesar dos resultados positivos, é importante aumentar a amostra e continuar com a aplicação deste programa para apoiar o trabalho dos Terapeutas Ocupacionais nestes casos.
- A recommendation system based on a microservice architecture to avoid workplace stressPublication . Rodrigues, Fátima; Pinelas, Francisco; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde; Rocha, Nuno; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Matilde; Rocha, NunoStress in the workplace is a major problem that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and occupations. It can contribute to various health problems, from anxiety to insomnia, among others. Workplace stress significantly impacts employee well-being and productivity. Current stress-management approaches, while valuable, primarily address stress after it has occurred. This highlights the critical need for proactive systems capable of anticipating individual stress and preventing negative health consequences. This research presents the design and initial implementation of a novel microservice-based recommendation system for proactively mitigating workplace stress among computer users. The system leverages predicted stress levels to deliver timely, personalized, and easily implemented interventions. This study focuses on evaluating the system’s architecture, core functionalities, and initial performance using a content-based filtering approach. A pilot study demonstrated the system’s feasibility, highlighting areas for future development.
- Literary tourism in Northern Portugal and its contribution to regenerative tourismPublication . Bruno Barbosa Sousa; Liberato, Pedro; Rodrigues, Cristina; Carina Pereira; Maria Alexandra Malheiro; Liberato, Dália; Elsa Tavares Esteves; Pedro M. Carvalho; Adriano CostaLiterary tourism has been the subject of new studies and new approaches in the academic context, not only from a historical and cultural perspective, but also for the benefit of the local community and the progress of the territory This chapter aims to present an embryonic reflection on the importance that literary tourism could represent for the benefit of regenerative tourism and the long-term preservation of territories and communities. This research aims to focus on the context of Northern Portugal (a Portuguese geographical context strongly characterized by its cultural wealth and heritage). Regenerative tourism frameworks point to the restoration and building of social, cultural and environmental conditions in destinations. This initial reflection aims to focus on national visitors, considering the importance that domestic tourism can promote in the interior of each country, as a preponderant element for the good practice of a more regenerative tourism (not only in terms of sustainability, but also in terms of culture, history, literary heritage and local resources).
- O Endividamento dos municípios em Portugal: uma análise a fatores multidimensionais e contextuaisPublication . Machado, Fernando Miguel Gonçalves; Pereira, Adalmiro Alvaro Malheiro de Castro; Torres, Cristina Maria Dias PereiraO endividamento dos municípios portugueses tem sido objeto de reflexão e preocupação ao longo dos anos, dada a sua significativa contribuição para a dívida pública nacional. O Regime Financeiro das Autarquias Locais e das Entidades Intermunicipais introduziu várias alterações legislativas com o objetivo de promover a redução do endividamento municipal. Dada a importância de compreender as razões subjacentes ao aumento do endividamento, esta investigação tem como objetivo identificar os fatores que o impulsionam. Com base na recolha de dados relativos aos 308 municípios portugueses, para um período de 11 anos (2012-2022), analisou-se o impacto de fatores económico-financeiros, politico-ideológicos e institucionais no endividamento municipal. Para tal, recorreu-se a uma abordagem quantitativa, aplicando modelos econométricos para dados em painel, com o objetivo de identificar os principais determinantes do endividamento municipal. Consideram-se ainda as disparidades nacionais ao nível demográfico e geográfico, segmentando-se a análise com base nestas diferenças, de modo a obter resultados específicos e concretos para cada região e dimensão. Os resultados evidenciaram que os fatores analisados são validados em determinadas regiões e para determinadas dimensões, corroborando a premissa das assimetrias e a necessidade de avaliar a evolução do endividamento de um município em função da sua região e dimensão demográfica. Verificou-se ainda que, por um lado, todos os grupos de análise validaram pelo menos um fator e, por outro, não existe nenhum fator validado por todos os grupos. Destaca-se ainda que determinados fatores exercem uma influência positiva no endividamento num determinado grupo de análise, enquanto noutro apresentam uma influência negativa, reforçando, assim, a existência de uma grande heterogeneidade municipal em Portugal.
- Precision and reliability of a dynamometer for trunk extension strength and steadiness assessmentPublication . Parolini, Franciele; Goethel, Márcio; Robalino, Johan; Becker, Klaus; Sousa, Manoela; Pulcineli, Barbara C.; Ervilha, Ulysses F.; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Santos, Rubim; Rubim Silva Santos, Manuel; Carvalho Santos Parolini, FrancieleLow back pain is a major cause of disability worldwide, often associated with deficits in trunk extensor strength control. Accurate assessment of trunk extension strength control is crucial for diagnosing impairments and monitoring interventions. This study evaluated the reliability of a dynamometry-based protocol for isometric trunk extension strength control assessment. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (9 females, 19 males) completed two sessions, seven days apart. A single-point load cell system, encapsulated within a 3D-printed structure and connected to a Delsys system® at a sampling frequency of 2000 Hz, was used for data acquisition. Participants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and submaximal isometric contractions (SMVC) guided by trapezoidal visual feedback. Key outcome variables included peak force, mean force, and force steadiness. Calibration demonstrated high accuracy (R2 = 1) with a low root mean square error (0.55 N). Test–retest analysis showed excellent reliability for peak force (ICC = 0.81, SEM = 0.50, MDC = 1.39), mean force (ICC = 0.93, SEM = 0.17, MDC = 1.08), and steadiness (ICC = 0.87, SEM = 0.85, MDC = 2.36), with no significant intersession differences (p > 0.05). This study demonstrates the high reliability of using dynamometry to assess trunk extension strength during MVC and SMVC, endorsing the dynamometer as a tool for functional assessment and the development of personalized rehabilitation and training strategies.
- Analysis of patellar reflex in Parkinson disease patients after an acupuncture treatment protocol – Case series studyPublication . Pereira, Catarina Ramos; Reis, Ana Mafalda; Machado, Jorge; Ramos, Bruno; Criado, Begona; Santos, Maria João; Santos, Rubim; Greten, Henry Johannes; Rubim Silva Santos, ManuelThe investigation of rigidity physiology in Parkinson’s Disease involves the examination of reflexes. Parkinsonian patients often demonstrate reduced sensitivity in polysynaptic reflexes within the leg extensor muscles, which is correlated with their postural instability. The compensatory mechanisms for impaired proprioceptive reflex function may involve alterations in intrinsic muscle stiffness. The interplay between gait and reflexes is intricately linked to the nervous system’s functioning and motor control. Certain reflexes, such as patellar reflex, play a pivotal role in maintaining walking and posture. Ensuring the integrity of these reflexes is essential for facilitating smooth and efficient walking. To analyze the behavior of patellar reflex in four Parkinson’s Disease patients undergoing an acupuncture treatment protocol. This study adopts a case series design. Reflex outcomes based on amplitude and velocity were assessed at six different time moments throughout a month-long treatment protocol using the MP 36, Biopac Systems. Over the long term, a tendency for an improvement in range of movement and velocity of the patellar reflex, was observed. Nevertheless, in specific cases, a reduction in the amplitude during acute effects was also found. Our findings suggest that the acupuncture protocol used may lead to a cumulative improvement in efficacy of patellar reflex in patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, further in-depth research, including a statistical evaluation with a larger participant pool, is necessary to validate and confirm these promising preliminary results.
- Executive function in gambling disorder: A meta-analysis on neuropsychological evidencePublication . Peixoto, Miguel; Dores, Artemisa; Monteiro, Maria; Marques, António; Barbosa, Fernando; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José; Dores, Artemisa; de Faria Távora Moreira Peixoto, MiguelGambling disorder (GD) is associated with defcits in various cognitive functions. Specifcally for executive function (EF), previous fndings are inconsistent, despite defcits being reported for shifting, inhibition, planning, and working memory domains. Although a worse performance in EF measures related to GD severity is often reported, there is a need to clarify current evidence. This study aims to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis to clarify the association between EF defcits and GD. The current study followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocols. The meta-analysis used a random efects model and robust variance estimation to analyze the data, using Hedge’s g to report efect sizes. A total of 21 studies were systematically reviewed, of which 17 were included for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was performed for shifting, inhibition, planning, and verbal fuency. Due to a lower number of studies, working memory data was systematically reviewed, but no meta-analysis was performed. Significant efect sizes were found for shifting and inhibition, indicative of defcits in participants with GD. No signifcant defcits were found for the other EF domains. Working memory results revealed inconsistent evidence, even when divided into verbal and visuospatial modalities. There is enough evidence of defcits in shifting and inhibition in participants with GD. However, better sample characterization should be considered in future studies to better understand the sources of potential heterogeneity. Consideration of gambling severity as a continuous variable could allow for a more detailed analysis of EF alterations across the various degrees of GD.