Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06"
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Data Quality Assessment: A Practical ApplicationPublication . Eliana Costa e Silva; Teresa Peixoto; Óscar Oliveira; Bruno OliveiraThis paper presents a novel data quality score designed to address the challenges of ensuring high-quality data in Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. Given the growing reliance on IoT systems and the volume of data they generate, maintaining data quality is essential for reliable decision-making and effective analytics. The proposed score synthesizes key data quality dimensions, providing a comprehensive measure of data quality that can be applied across various IoT contexts. The results obtained for a public dataset on a water pumping system show the applicability and flexibility of the proposed data quality score. This work contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve data management in IoT environments, ultimately supporting the development of robust, data-driven solutions.
- Unveiling stress vulnerability and occupational noise perception as burnout predictors: Results of an exploratory study in industrial environmentsPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Alberto Alves Carvalhais, Carlos; Ribeiro, Luísa Antunes; Pereira, Cristiana C.Burnout is a complex phenomenon influenced by both environmental and individual factors. This pilot study explores the predictive role of occupational noise perception and stress vulnerability on burnout symptoms among industrial workers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 119 Portuguese workers exposed to occupational noise. Participants completed validated self-report measures assessing noise perception, stress vulnerability, and burnout. Path analysis revealed that both higher stress vulnerability and greater perceived occupational noise were significant predictors of elevated burnout levels. Furthermore, gender emerged as a relevant predictor, with women reporting significantly higher burnout symptoms than men. Age was inversely related to stress vulnerability, indicating greater resilience among older workers. These findings suggest that individual differences in stress vulnerability and noise perception contribute meaningfully to burnout risk, beyond traditional occupational hazard assessments. The study underscores the need for holistic occupational health strategies, integrating both environmental modifications and psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing workers’ coping capacities. This study contributes novel insights into the interplay between perceived noise and psychological vulnerability in industrial settings, supporting broader preventive measures for work-related mental health outcomes.
- Beyond low back pain! The influence of physical activity on mental health, reflected in the functionality of people with low back painPublication . Parolini, Franciele; Becker, Klaus; Goethel, Márcio; Fernandes, Ricardo J.; Fonseca, Hélder; Ervilha, Ulysses F.; Vilas-Boas, João Paulo; Santos, RubimPsychological factors play a crucial role in the experience of acute low back pain and may influence functional outcomes. However, the interplay between these factors and levels of physical activity remains poorly understood. This cross-sectional observational study examined the relationship between psychological variables and functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain, considering different levels of physical activity. Data were collected from 1021 participants through an online platform between 8 June 2022 and 8 April 2023. Standardized instruments were used to assess functional limitations, emotional distress (depression, anxiety, and stress), daily pain catastrophizing, and physical activity levels. A canonical correlation analysis was conducted to explore the multivariate associations between psychological and functional variables. There was a statistically significant association between higher levels of emotional distress and greater functional impairment related to low back pain. This association was observed in both the light-physical-activity group (canonical coefficient = 0.266; p = 0.017), the moderate-physical-activity group (0.237; p = 0.092), and the vigorous-physical-activity group (0.177; p = 0.013). Participants engaging in vigorous physical activity exhibited more favorable psychological profiles and lower functional disability compared to those with lower levels of activity. Regular and vigorous physical activity appears to be a protective factor for mental health and may help reduce functional disability in individuals with acute low back pain. These findings underscore the importance of considering physical activity levels when addressing psychological and functional outcomes in this population.