The role of ICT in teacher education. The development of web pages by project method

This paper is a description of an in-service teacher training experience that used ICT to develop a project that involved teachers (nursery and primary) and also children, parents and other members of the educational community. Its aim was to build an Internet site that would give information about school life. It's an open web space where teachers, parents and students can express and share their ideals and activities. This project is still in progress and is being developed in three interconnected phases: conception, development and evaluation. The most important issue to relate is that the technical or instrumental learning is dependent on the ideas and purposes of teachers, students and parents. We believe that when we talk about ICT in schools and also in teacher education we shouldn't only be concerned with the 'means', that is to say, how to introduce computers or how to use a word processor and Internet resources, but also with the 'ends'. Only when we question the ends do we begin to pay attention to what we do, that is, to construct a story that is worth telling " ... to tell that we are merely tools makers (and tools users) is to miss the entire narrative aim? We are world's makers and world's weavers" (Postman, 2002, p. 108)

Machine learning models to predict electricity consumption and the impacts of COVID-19 in Portugal

This thesis analyzes how data from public data sources and machine learning models can be used to forecast electricity consumption in Portugal. Accurate forecasts are crucial for efficient energy management, given the rising global demand for energy. Portugal presents a compelling case for consumption projections since it significantly relies on energy imports and suffers from poverty. The study uses a data-driven methodology to analyze twelve years of consumption patterns and examine how the COVID-19 pandemic, weather patterns, and GDP affect electricity use. Five predictive models were studied - SARIMA, SARIMAX, VAR, SVR and LSTM - and their performance indicators in two different periods (one for the twelve years of analysis, including during Covid-19, and the other only for data before Covid-19). Thus, this study makes it possible to evaluate the performance of machine learning models in stable and non-stable periods. The study acknowledges its limitations, such as the lack of data in the post-COVID era, while providing valuable insights for developing and managing energy policies.Esta tese analisa a forma como os modelos de “machine learning” e os dados provenientes de fontes de dados públicas podem ser utilizados para prever o consumo de eletricidade em Portugal. Boas previsões são cruciais para uma gestão eficiente do setor energético, nomeadamente devido ao aumento da procura global de energia. Portugal apresenta um ótimo caso para a previsão de consumo, uma vez que depende significativamente de importações de energia e sofre de pobreza energética. O estudo utiliza uma metodologia baseada em dados para analisar doze anos de padrões de consumo energético e analisar a forma como a pandemia do COVID-19, os padrões climáticos e o PIB afetam o consumo de eletricidade. Foram estudados cinco modelos preditivos - SARIMA, SARIMAX, VAR, SVR e LSTM – e os seus indicadores de desempenho em dois períodos diferentes (um para os doze anos de analise, incluído durante o Covid-19, e outro apenas para dados antes do Covid-19). Assim, este estudo permite avaliar a prestação dos modelos de machine learning em periodos estáveis e não estáveis O estudo reconhece as suas limitações, como a falta de dados na era pós-COVID, mas continua a fornecer informações úteis para o desenvolvimento e a gestão de políticas energéticas

The (Inter)cultural Missing Link in Conference Interpreting

The second half of the twentieth century brought about increased international contacts between people from different origins, which led to changes in the translation studies landscape, impacting conference interpreters as well. Although interpreting scholars acknowledge that interpreters are both linguistic and intercultural mediators, at first glance, culture and intercultural mediation appear to be neglected in the domain of conference interpreting, unlike the domains of community and sign language interpreting. In this paper, I conduct an analysis on how the established professional discourse and the scholarly literature have portrayed culture and intercultural mediation in conference interpreting. The analysis reveals various conceptualizations of culture and different stances regarding intercultural mediation. Amongst them, reductionist conceptualizations of culture seem to dominate; conceptualizations that have informed the conference interpreting pedagogy. However, this state of affairs contrasts sharply with the current culturally diverse interpreting landscape, what might have an impact on practice and professional identity

Quality assessment of online information on Brazilian domain sites related to dental implants.

Brazil is one of the biggest consumer markets for dental implants in the world, and most of the information that patients have about this therapy is acquired from the internet. However, no study evaluated the quality of online information related to dental implants in Brazilian domain sites. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of online information in Portuguese language related to dental implants and to compare this information with the literature in English language. The term "dental implants" was searched using Google and Yahoo!. Sites of the first 10 pages of each search engine were considered for the study, and at the end 53 sites were included. The Health-Related Web Site Evaluation Form (HRWEF/ Emory) was applied and a total score was assigned to each of the sites by two researchers. The HRWEF/Emory questionnaire gives a possible variation of 50% -100%, being below 75% considered poor, between 75 and 90% adequate and above 90% excellent. 5.66% of the sites had poor score, 84.90% adequate and 9.43% excellent, with an average of 83.18%. When the questionnaire was separated by categories of linked issues, the quality scores were lower than those observed in the overall assessment (39.52% were poor), showing that the scores on the final results were increased by the readability and navigability categories. There was no difference regarding quality of websites between the search engines Google and Yahoo!. The quality of information on Brazilian domain sites related to dental implants is overall adequate according to HRWEF/Emory. There is no difference in the quality of information between search engines Google and Yahoo!. Direct comparisons with studies evaluating the quality of information in other languages are inappropriate because of the use of different assessment toolsBrazil is one of the biggest consumer markets for dental implants in the world, and most of the information that patients have about this therapy is acquired from the internet. However, no study evaluated the quality of online information related to dental implants in Brazilian domain sites. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of online information in Portuguese language related to dental implants and to compare this information with the literature in English language. The term "dental implants" was searched using Google and Yahoo!. Sites of the first 10 pages of each search engine were considered for the study, and at the end 53 sites were included. The Health-Related Web Site Evaluation Form (HRWEF/ Emory) was applied and a total score was assigned to each of the sites by two researchers. The HRWEF/Emory questionnaire gives a possible variation of 50% -100%, being below 75% considered poor, between 75 and 90% adequate and above 90% excellent. 5.66% of the sites had poor score, 84.90% adequate and 9.43% excellent, with an average of 83.18%. When the questionnaire was separated by categories of linked issues, the quality scores were lower than those observed in the overall assessment (39.52% were poor), showing that the scores on the final results were increased by the readability and navigability categories. There was no difference regarding quality of websites between the search engines Google and Yahoo!. The quality of information on Brazilian domain sites related to dental implants is overall adequate according to HRWEF/Emory. There is no difference in the quality of information between search engines Google and Yahoo!. Direct comparisons with studies evaluating the quality of information in other languages are inappropriate because of the use of different assessment tool

Conservación del águila imperial ibérica -futuro incierto-

Treball presentat a l'assignatura de Deontologia i Veterinària Legal (21223

Terrain characterization for site selection and preparation

Terrain characterization is a key component in autonomous base camp site selection and preparation. Aerial terrain characterization allows for large areas of interest to be characterized in a safe and efficient manner. In this work three terrain characteristics, terrain elevation/slope, land cover/land use classes, and soil moisture content were determined using UAV-mounted sensors to inform base camp site selection and preparation decisions. To determine accurate and real-time elevation/slope values, a stale a priori digital elevation model (DEM) was merged with a high-resolution, updated LIDAR DEM using the mblend method. The mblend method achieved better results than the traditional cover method by ensuring fewer height discontinuities along the edge of the two DEMs. To perform land cover/land use mapping, three semantic segmentation models (PSPNet, U-Net, and Segnet) and three base models (VGG, ResNet, and MobileNet) were modified to include multispectral imagery and compared. Seven land cover classes were determined with an accuracy of 82.71% by model ResNet/SegNet. To determine soil moisture content (SMC), ten models were developed to predict soil moisture – two machine learning models, support vector machine (SVM) and extremely randomized trees (ET), were paired with 5 input variables. The results indicated that SMC could be predicted with greater accuracy by reducing the dimensionality of a hyperspectral dataset to resemble a standard multispectral dataset. The ET model produced better estimations of SMC when trained with the reduced dimensionality (RD) input set and concatenated multispectral (CM) set – obtaining an increase of 1.3% (RD) and 5.4% (CM) in R-squared values and a decrease of .13 and .22 in mean absolute error (MAE) when compared to the baseline set. Finally, a process overview and use case is presented to illustrate the terrain characterization process as a whole

La diversidad a través del dibujo. Propuesta de intervención artística en el CEIP Blas Infante de Trebujena

Vivimos en una sociedad en constante evolución donde cada vez se hace más evidente la gran diversidad de la población. Esto conlleva que, a medida que va pasando el tiempo, las aulas cuenten con mayor heterogeneidad entre su alumnado. Con el presente trabajo se ha pretendido conocer como los niños y niñas viven y valoran la diversidad de su clase, usando como vehículo de expresión la técnica artística del “dibujo libre”. Gracias a todos los beneficios que nos aporta esta manera de hacer arte, mediante el autorretrato y el retrato a uno de sus compañeros, se ha comprobado que este grupo tiene una mirada inclusiva hacia la diversidad y las diferencias individuales, respetándolas y valorándolas positivamente. Así, se ha evidenciado que la única manera de entender la pluralidad es estando presente en nuestro día a día. Por ello, en esta clase, donde cuentan con 11 alumnos con NEAE, están convencidos de que el grupo lo forman todos independientemente de su apariencia física, capacidades, habilidades o intereses.AbstractIn our society, which is in constant evolution, there are more and more evidences of the great diversity among people. This means that, as time goes by, classrooms have greater heterogeneity. The main aim of the present work has been to know how kid live with and value the diversity of their class, using the artistic technique "free drawing" as a vehicle of expression. Thanks to all the benefits that this way of making art brings us, through self and peers portraits. It has been proved that this group has an inclusive view of diversity and individual differences, showing respect and valuing them positively. Thus, it has been shown that the only way to understand plurality is by being present in our daily lives. For this reason, in this class, where they have 11 students with SENs, they are convinced that the group is made up of everyone regardless of their physical appearance, abilities, skills or interests.Universidad de Sevilla. Grado en Educación Primari

Validation of the OMRON M6 Confort®: automatic blood pressure measuring device, according to the International Protocol of the European Society of Hypertension (2010)

Introdução – A medição da pressão arterial (PA), utilizando dispositivos automáticos, é frequentemente realizada na prática clínica e na automedição, permitindo adquirir informação fiável para o diagnóstico, controlo e tratamento da hipertensão arterial. Porém, muitos dos dispositivos automáticos disponíveis no mercado não estão validados segundo protocolos existentes para o efeito. O objetivo do estudo foi confirmar a validação do dispositivo de medição automática da PA, OMRON® M6 Comfort, segundo o Protocolo Internacional da European Society of Hypertension (ESH), de 2010, para a validação de dispositivos de medição automática da PA em adultos. Metodologia – Foram estudados 33 indivíduos, aos quais foram realizadas 9 medições sequenciais da PA, no braço esquerdo, com um esfignomanómetro aneróide alternando com o dispositivo automático. Seguidamente avaliaram-se as diferenças entre os valores obtidos pelos dispositivos para a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD), classificando-as em três níveis (≤ 5, ≤ 10 ou ≤ 15 mmHg). O número das diferenças em cada nível foi comparado ao requerido pelo Protocolo (fase 1.1). Para cada sujeito foi ainda determinado o número de diferenças com valores ≤ 5 mmHg. Pelo menos 24 dos 33 indivíduos devem ter 2 ou 3 diferenças com valores ≤ 5 mmHg e no máximo 3 dos 33 indivíduos podem apresentar as 3 diferenças com valores > 5 mmHg (fase 1.2). Resultados – O dispositivo OMRON® M6 Comfort foi aprovado nas fases 1.1 e 1.2 para a PAS e PAD. A média das diferenças entre as medições da PA, determinada pelos dispositivos automático e manual, foi de -0,82 ± 5,62 mmHg para a PAS e 2,14 ± 5,15 mmHg para a PAD. Considerações Finais – O dispositivo OMRON® M6 Comfort é válido para a medição da PA em adultos, de acordo com o Protocolo Internacional da ESH, de 2010. - ABSTRACT - Introduction – The measurement of blood pressure (BP) using automatic devices is often performed in clinical practice and self-measurement allowing the acquisition of reliable information for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of hypertension. However not all of the automated devices available in the market are validated in accordance with the existing protocols for this purpose. The purpose of this study was to confirm the validation of the automatic measuring device of the BP, OMRON® M6 Comfort, according to the “European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 for the validation of blood pressure measuring devices in adults”. Methodology – The study involved 33 subjects, in each one of them, 9 sequential measurements of BP were performed, in the left arm, with the aneroid sphygmomanometer alternating with the automatic device. Afterwards, the differences on the values obtained by the different devices were evaluated, for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic (DBP), and these differences were then classified into three levels (≤ 5, ≤ 10 or ≤ 15 mmHg). The number of differences at each level was compared to the number required by the protocol (phase 1.1). For each subject the number of differences with values ≤ 5 mmHg was also determined. At least 24 of the 33 subjects should have 2 or 3 differences with values ≤ 5 mmHg and a maximum of 3 of the 33 subjects may have all differences with values > 5 mmHg (phase 1.2). Results – The device OMRON M6 Comfort ® was approved in phases 1.1 and 1.2 for SBP and DBP. The average difference between measurements of BP, as determined by automatic and manual devices, was -0.82 ± 5.62 mmHg for SBP and 2.14 ± 5.15 mmHg for DBP. Conclusion – The device OMRON M6 Comfort® is valid for measuring BP in adults, according to the ESH International Protocol of 2010

Trabalho em ambientes refrigerados: estudo de caso com a realização de monitorização ambiental e electrocardiográfica

Introdução - Em ambientes laborais de baixa temperatura ocorrem reacções fisiológicas destinadas a ajustar o equilíbrio térmico que podem conduzir a sobrecarga cardiovascular. Contudo, em várias áreas de actividade o frio é um factor essencial para a produção, o que torna a exposição ocupacional uma realidade incontornável. Este estudo teve como objectivo identificar alterações electrocardiográficas em trabalhadores de uma Indústria de Processamento de Carnes (IPC), em condições laborais de baixa temperatura (<8ºC) e caracterizar o ambiente térmico. Metodologia - Foram medidos por equipamento específico os parâmetros ambientais (temperatura, humidade relativa e velocidade do ar). Foram calculados o índice IREQ (isolamento requerido pelo vestuário) e o nível de actividade metabólica por posto de trabalho. A monitorização electrocardiográfica foi efectuada através de electrocardiografia ambulatória de Holter (EcgAH). Para recolha de dados complementares ao EcgAH, foram também utilizados um diário de EcgAH, um questionário e um termómetro digital. Resultados/Discussão - A amostra em estudo estava sujeita a um grau hipotérmico ligeiro, podendo dever-se à ausência de exposição a stress térmico e à confluência de factores como: a elevada percentagem de trabalhadores que utiliza vestuário adicional além do protector cedido pela IPC e a elevada taxa metabólica inferida pela análise da frequência cardíaca. Os resultados deste estudo divergiram dos da literatura consultada, não se identificando qualquer expressão electrocardiográfica comum na hipotermia. Considerações finais - Sugere-se a implementação de algumas medidas de carácter organizacional uma vez que, por questões produtivas, é impossível alterar as condições térmicas. Apesar de não se terem identificado alterações electrocardiográficas, considera-se pertinente integrar exames do foro cardiovascular (para além do electrocardiograma, também o electrocardiograma ambulatório de Holter, a medição ambulatória da pressão arterial e ecocardiograma) nos exames realizados no âmbito da medicina do trabalho, pois ambientes refrigerados podem promover alterações a nível cardíaco

Argamassas de cais NHL2 e aérea. A influência dos agregados

O crescimento do mercado da reabilitação de edifícios torna importante o estudo de materiais que sejam adequados para este tipo de obras. Essencialmente devido a questões de compatibilidade, as cais de construção estão de novo a ser utilizadas em algumas obras em edifícios antigos. Neste trabalho, estudaram-se argamassas com base numa cal hidráulica natural NHL2, classificada segundo a última versão da norma NP EN 459Z1:2011, que foi recentemente lançada no mercado, e compararam-se com argamassas com base em cal aérea CL90 (com características conhecidas),ambas de produção nacional e classificadas segundo essa norma. Para além do ligante, o agregado, e nomeadamente a sua distribuição granulométrica, também desempenha um papel muito importante nas características das argamassas. Neste trabalho utilizou-se como agregado silicioso uma areia fina, uma areia grossa e uma areia resultante de mistura e com distribuição granulométrica semelhante à da areia CEN de referência. Assim, o objectivo desta dissertação foi essencialmente conhecer o comportamento físico e mecânico das argamassas, e a forma como o tipo de ligante (fracamente hidráulico ou aéreo) e a granulometria das areias o influencia. Produziram-se e caracterizaram-se, no estado fresco e endurecido, aos 28 e aos 90 dias, seis composições de argamassas ao traço 1:3 de NHL2 e de CL90 com as três granulometrias distintas de agregados. Os resultados obtidos mostram que as argamassas de NHL2 apresentam grandes poros esféricos, característicos dos ligante hidráulicos, e grandes poros-fissura, característicos dos ligantes aéreos; a existência deste dois tipos de poros provoca uma tendência de redução dos parâmetros mecânicos com a progressão da cura e maiores valores de porosidade aberta em relação às argamassas CL. As argamassas produzidas com a mistura de areias obtiveram resistências mecânicas mais elevadas, menor porosidade e melhor comportamento em relação à água que as argamassas produzidas com areias monogranulares