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- Adaptação cultural, tradução e avaliação psicométrica do questionário de estigma sobre a perturbação de hiperatividade e défice de atenção para países de língua portuguesaPublication . Couto, Beatriz; Trigueiro, Maria João; Simões-Silva, Vítor; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Trigueiro, Maria João; Simões-Silva, Vitor; Simões de Almeida, RaquelApesar do crescente conhecimento sobre a Perturbação de Hiperatividade e Défice de Atenção (PHDA), estas pessoas ainda enfrentam estigmas da sociedade. A pesquisa sobre o estigma associado à PHDA é limitada pela falta de instrumentos válidos e fiáveis. Este estudo teve como objetivo validar o Questionário de Estigma sobre a PHDA (ASQ) para a população portuguesa e perceber os níveis de estigma numa amostra comunitária. A amostra consistiu em 762 indivíduos, com idades entre 11 e 64 anos (média = 32,41 ±14,59 anos). A validação incluiu a tradução e adaptação cultural da versão original e a análise das propriedades psicométricas: fiabilidade (teste-reteste e consistência interna), validade de conteúdo e de construto. A consistência interna do ASQ foi excelente (α = 0,93) e os valores de teste-reteste (r = 0,86) suportam a fiabilidade do instrumento. Na validade de construto, a análise fatorial explicou 50,25% da variância e indicou uma nova distribuição dos itens 2, 3, 9 e 15 no instrumento. As mulheres (p<0,001) e os residentes em áreas costeiras (p=0,015) apresentaram níveis mais elevados de estigma. A utilização do ASQ para a pesquisa e prática clínica em Portugal é adequadamente suportada pelas suas propriedades psicométricas. Campanhas direcionadas de literacia e estigma da PHDA podem ser uma via importante para melhorar as atitudes da comunidade em geral em relação à PHDA
- Adaptação de Laboratórios Remotos a Cenários de Ensino: Casos de Estudo com VISIR e RemotElectLabPublication . Fidalgo, André V.; Alves, Gustavo R.; Marques, Maria A.; Viegas, Maria C.; Costa-Lobo, Maria C.; Hernández-Jayo, Unai; García-Zubía, Javier; Gustavsson, Ingvar; Alves, Gustavo; Fidalgo, André; Marques, Maria Arcelina; Viegas, Clara; Costa Lobo, Cristina; Garcia-Zubia, JavierOs laboratórios remotos são uma ferramenta tecnológica e pedagógica com uso crescente em todos os níveis de educação, e sua utilização generalizada é uma parte importante do seu próprio aperfeiçoamento e evolução. Este artigo descreve vários problemas encontrados em aulas laboratoriais, em cursos de ensino superior, na utilização de laboratórios remotos baseados em sistemas PXI, utilizando o sistema VISIR ou uma solução alternativa. São identificados e explicados três problemas que foram relatados por professores que deram apoio aos estudantes na utilização dos laboratórios remotos. O primeiro problema prende-se com a necessidade de permitir aos alunos selecionar a localização específica onde um amperímetro deve ser inserido nos circuitos elétricos, mesmo que incorreta, replicando as dificuldades do mundo real. O segundo é causado por falhas de sincronismo quando são necessárias várias medições em intervalos curtos, como no ciclo de descarga de um condensador. E o último problema é provocado pelo uso de um multímetro em modo DC na leitura de grandezas em CA, um procedimento que colide com as definições do equipamento. Todos os cenários são apresentados e discutidos, incluindo a solução encontrada para cada caso. A conclusão que se retira do trabalho descrito é que a área de laboratórios remotos é um campo em expansão, onde a sua utilização prática permite o aperfeiçoamento e a evolução das soluções disponíveis, exigindo uma cooperação e partilha de informação entre todos os intervenientes, i.e. investigadores, professores e alunos.
- Elderly and fire safety: using serious games to elicit human behaviour in evacuation scenariosPublication . Almeida, João E.; Rossetti, Rosaldo J. F.; Faria, Brígida Mónica; Coelho, António Leça; Faria, Brígida MónicaThe problem of leaving a building while facing some emergency has gained much attention from the scientific community. Evacuation simulators can help emergency planners to assess the safety of buildings. However, such simulators still lack behavioural knowledge to increase their accuracy. The elderly have specific behaviour idiosyncrasies. This paper presents a set of experiments designed to elicit human behaviour in evacuation scenarios using serious games, applied to a population sample of 20 adults aged over 65 years. They were presented three experiments (alarm id, exit-choice in five different situations and auditorium with four situations) and their reactions were collected. Results were analysed and compared with previous similar experiments. Future directions in this research include: to expand and to refine data collection to other scenarios and perform massive data collection using the internet; and to use this data to feed and enhance existing crowd simulators particularly for evacuation purposes.
- Perspetivas terapêuticas na Otosclerose: tratamento cirúrgico versus prótese auditiva um estudo retrospetivo observacionalPublication . Amorim, Miguel; Santos, Ana-Luísa; Neto, Ana; Tomé, David; Tomé, DavidA Otosclerose é uma das causas de perda auditiva de transmissão mais frequente no adulto, existindo dois tipos de reabilitação, cirurgia ou colocação de prótese auditiva. Avaliar os resultados de cirurgia e da adaptação protésica na otosclerose, confrontando as duas opções na redução do air-bone gap. Para este estudo, selecionaram-se 64 pacientes, 46 dos quais da lista de cirurgia do serviço de ORL do Hospital S. João de Deus, tendo os restantes 18 colocado prótese auditiva. A cirurgia foi realizada em 71,9% dos casos e a colocação de prótese auditiva em 28,1%, verificando-se resultados médios, na redução do air-bone gap melhores nos pacientes que foram submetidos a cirurgia. Concluiu-se que a cirurgia foi a técnica de reabilitação mais eficaz na redução ao air-bone gap.
- Physical activity level in women with primary dysmenorrhea: A cross-sectional observational studyPublication . Naia, Zeltia; Santos, Paula Clara; Bello, Olalla; Santos, Paula ClaraPrimary dysmenorrhea (PD), menstrual pain in the absence of pathology, is the main cause of gynecological consultation in young women. There are many studies that suggest a possible relationship between a low level of physical activity (PA) and a greater intensity of menstrual pain, and others that find no relationship between these variables. To identify the level of PA and menstrual pain intensity among women with PD, as well as the relationship between these variables. An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out on a cohort of adult population. Data collection instrument was an online self-administered questionnaire. Main variables were pain intensity (Numeric Rating Scale; McGill Pain Questionnaire, short version) and PA level (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). A total number of 216 responses from the total responses obtained were considered PD cases. A 38% of women did not perform any intense PA during the last 7 days, and a 32.4% did not perform any moderate PA. No significant differences were found in menstrual pain intensity during the three last menstruations among women who performed PA, moderate, or intense. Nor were significant differences found between women who performed PA less than 3 days a week, compared with those ones who did it at least three times a week, or more. Menstrual pain intensity does not differ between the types of PA. A large number of participants did not perform any PA in the last 7 days.
- Secondary metabolites of cyanobacteria from Cape Verde Archipelago act as NO donors with potential application in dermatology and cosmeticsPublication . Morone, Janaína; Hentschke, Guilherme Scotta; Oliveira, Isabel Benta; Vasconcelos, Vítor; Martins, Rosário; Lopes, Graciliana; Martins, RosárioNitric oxide (NO) is a versatile mediator implicated in a variety of physiological processes, with the ultimate goal of maintaining organism homeostasis. In the present work, aqueous extracts from ten cyanobacteria strains isolated from the Cape Verde archipelago were explored as potential NO donors. None of the strains are toxin producers, as demonstrated by PCR and LC-MS analysis. The extracts were mainly composed by phycobiliproteins (9.1 to 43.8 %), followed by polysaccharides (7.7 to 35.1 %), phenols (1.49 to 3.3 %) and chlorophylls (0 to 0.45 %). All the extracts revealed antioxidant potential, with Salileptolyngbya sp. LEGE 181184 presenting the lowest IC 1 50 value for superoxide anion radical scavenging (46.50 μ g mL ), and ability to inhibit the proinflammatory enzyme lipoxygenase (LOX), Salileptolyngbya sp. LEGE 181150 presenting an IC positive control quercetin (28.49 and 31.77 μ g mL 1 25 similar to the , respectively), highlighting the potential of cyanobacteria extracts as natural ingredients for LOX inhibition. All the extracts were able to increase the NO produced by the macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 through iNOS modulation (from concentrations starting in 12.5 μ g mL 1 ), in a similar mechanism and superior extend to that of LPS. None of the extracts induced cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 cells and to the endothelial hCMEC/d3, the fibroblast 3 T3/L1 and the keratinocytes HaCaT cell lines, and no environmental hazard is predicted, as demonstrated through the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo acute toxicity test (zFET). This pioneer study points-out cyanobacteria aqueous extracts as innovative and biobased natural antimicrobial ingredients which, through a NO-donating mechanism, may potentially act against important antibiotic-resistant strains, thus being worth of consideration as therapeutic agents in dermatology.
- Sistema inteligente para auxílio na seleção e execução de tarefas num jogo socialPublication . Reis, Luís Paulo; Neves, Romina; Abreu, Pedro; Faria, Brígida Mónica; Faria, Brigida MonicaNowadays social networks are used for various recreational purposes. It is believed that every day a user spend, on average, two hours playing this type of networkgames. Farmville is a social game available at one of the most successful social networks: Facebook.Farmville game allows each user to use a diverse set of actions in order to manage a virtual farm. However, this management quickly becomes a boring and time consuming process and often the user quitsplaying this game. In this context this project main objective was related with the development of an intelligent system able to effectively assist the player when playing Farmville. The system will help the user in most of his management tasks on the farm such as seeding and harvesting, receiving and sending gifts and managing the farm animals. The use of the implemented system ensures greater progress in the game, because there is a decrease in the time spent in performing the tasks enabling the user to focus on the strategies for advancingin the game.
- Stigma and discrimination among professionals in portuguese integrated continuing care units: stigma and discrimination in ICCUsPublication . Rocha, Patrícia Castro; Sousa, Sara de; Marques, António; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Trigueiro, Maria João; Campos, Filipa; Portugal, Paula; de Sousa, Sara; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José; Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Trigueiro, Maria João; Campos, Filipa; Portugal, PaulaStigma surrounding mental illness (MI) poses a significant obstacle to treatment access, hinders recovery, and may lead to suboptimal care. Breaking the chains of prejudice and embracing tolerance are essential steps in fostering understanding and compassion for those living with MI. This study aims to describe the levels of stigma and discrimination against individuals suffering from MI among professionals in Portuguese Integrated Continuing Care Units (ICCUs). A quantitative, observational, cross-sectional study involving 163 participants utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, alongside two assessment instruments – the Attribution Questionnaire (AQ-27) and Com-munity Attitudes Toward Mental Illness (CAMI). Revealed significant differences in stigma levels based on education (pprejudice = .001; ptolerance = .007) and occupation (pprejudice = .025), higher stigma being associated with lower education levels and specific healthcare occupations (medical assistant). Additionally, a positive correlation was found between age and stigma perception (r = -236, pprejudice = .002; r = -167, ptolerance = .033). The findings underscore the urgent necessity for targeted an-ti-stigma interventions within Portuguese integrated continuing care units, focusing on mitigating education-based disparities, and addressing specific healthcare occupations that exhibit heightened stigma. Effectively combat-ing stigma among professionals is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and compassionate environment in these care settings.
- Systematic review of the uses of Cortaderia selloana (Poaceae), an invasive plantPublication . Teixeira, Jéssica; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoCortaderia selloana, commonly known as Pampas Grass, manifests as an invasive plant across numerous countries with predominant studies focused on its control measures (physical, biological, and chemical approaches). Native to South America, this perennial tussock grass negatively impacts economic, environmental, and human health. This study aims to explore the diverse uses of Cortaderia selloana in geographical, cultural and ecological contexts, to provide insights into its applications, and to contribute to socio-economic and ecological understanding. This study comprises a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The search was conducted in EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect and Web of Science using the search question “("Cortaderia selloana") AND ("use" OR "purpose") NOT (“control”)”. Two researchers independently reviewed the titles and abstracts, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracting data on various aspects covered in the selected studies. A total of 88 articles were retrieved of which 16 were included in this systematic review. This study described diverse applications attributed to Cortaderia selloana, including wastewater treatment, composite synthesis, traditional medicine, bioremediation, biorefining, product development in the automobile industry and decoration. The utilization of this invasive species demonstrated socio-economic and environmental benefits, providing a novel perspective on transforming something harmful into a resource with various applications. Furthermore, the necessity for more research is emphasized, to enhance understanding of known applications and explore new potential uses. This study's main limitation is that it only includes peer-reviewed articles from selected databases. This research provides valuable insights into the diverse uses of Cortaderia selloana across geographical, cultural, and ecological contexts. These findings underscore the importance of considering both the beneficial applications and the challenges posed by this invasive species in order to inform balanced and sustainable management practices.
- The effect of a virtual reality based intervention on processing speed and working memory in individuals with ADHD - A pilot-studyPublication . Cunha, Filipa; Campos, Sara; Simões-Silva, Vítor; Brugada-Ramentol, Victòria; Sá-Moura, Bebiana; Jalali, Hossein; Bozorgzadeh, Amir; Trigueiro, Maria João; Trigueiro, Maria João; Simões-Silva, VitorThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual reality based intervention in processing speed and working memory in students with ADHD symptomatology. A randomized experimental study was conducted, with a sample consisting of 25 adult participants recruited from the Escola Superior de Saúde do Politécnico do Porto. The participants were allocated into two groups: a passive control group and an intervention group that completed 10 sessions using virtual reality-based games from the Enhance VR app. The intervention included 6 games: Whack-a-mole, Shuffled, Assembly, React, Memory Wall, and Maestro. The participants underwent pre- and post-intervention evaluations using the Southwestern Assessment of Processing Speed (SWAPS) and the Sequence of Letters and Numbers and Spatial Location of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - 3rd Edition - WAIS-III. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample and a mixed ANOVA was used to test the effectiveness of the intervention. There was an improvement in the results of processing speed in the group exposed to the intervention (p < 0.001) and the value of the interaction between intervention and time was also significant (p = 0.004). There were no statistically significant differences between the participants’ working memory in the different variables under study, except for the values of the Spatial location test in the experimental group that improved relative to the initial assessment (p = 0.034). A virtual reality cognitive training intervention resulted in improvements in the processing speed measures, which were not found in the control group. Although we cannot make the same conclusions regarding working memory, these results suggest that the VR intervention resulted in progress in the experimental group, possibly influenced by the intervention, which should be verified in future studies with longer interventions