O Potencial Artístico da Arquitectura e a sua Apropriação no Espaço Público

Ao longo da minha formação na Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto, fui desenvolvendo um crescente interesse pela aproximação da arquitectura aos domínios das outras disciplinas artísticas. Sempre procurei compreender de que modo os objectos arquitectónicos e escultóricos se enquadram na cidade, servem a sociedade e qual a intenção intrínseca a estes de se adaptarem a um determinado lugar. Esse preciso contexto pressupõe também uma reacção específica de um determinado público e é neste diálogo constante entre obra e público que encontro a essência para a elaboração do presente trabalho. O trabalho encontra-se estruturado em três partes: Na primeira intitulada O museu: a sala convencional, é feita uma breve retrospectiva da relação entre objecto artístico e espaço museológico. São enunciadas as características e qualidades espaciais idealizadas para a exposição da obra de arte. Tais formulações expressas, basearam-se em textos de Brian O'Doherty cujas reflexões presentes no livro No Interior do Cubo Branco, se tornaram decisivas para o presente estudo. Este capítulo serve-nos sobretudo, para introduzir a transição da exposição da obra de arte para o espaço público. A segunda parte A cidade: a nova sala expositiva procura interpretar de que forma o objecto artístico modifica e transforma o meio urbano. Esta subdivide-se em três capítulos: No primeiro capítulo Arte como espaço público, serão analisadas obras arquitectónicas, cujo próprio edifício, caracterizado pelo seu potencial artístico, define e caracteriza o espaço público. O exemplo do Museu Guggenheim de Bilbao (1997) de Frank Ghery, serve-nos a reflexão sobre a relação entre objecto arquitectónico e espaço público. Outros exemplos seleccionados do acervo da cultura arquitectónica de quem aqui escreve, são obras construídas que reiteram, de outras formas esta relação: O Memorial do Holocausto, Berlim, (2005), de Peter Eisenman e o Pavilhão de Portugal, Lisboa, (1998), de Álvaro Siza Vieira. No segundo capítulo Arte no espaço público, verificar-se-á a necessidade de inserção de elementos escultóricos associados ao edifício arquitectónico, que complementem o desenho e a qualificação do espaço urbano, permitindo desta forma, criar diferentes ambientes e sensações com os quais o utilizador se identifique. Para o desenvolvimento deste capítulo tornou-se relevante analisar a obra Tilted Arc (1987) de Richard Serra instalada na Federal Plaza em Nova York, cuja polémica lançou os novos temas de arte pública. O caso de estudo abordado é o Pavilhão de Portugal, Bienal de Veneza, (2008) de Eduardo Souto de Moura e Ângelo de Sousa. No terceiro capítulo Arte de interesse público, compreender-se-á a aproximação da arte ao público através da intervenção urbana considerando a escala da cidade e o seu impacto global. O autor Nicolas Bourriaud desenvolveu um novo entendimento do conceito de arte pública direccionado para os problemas sociais, cuja procura de soluções faz parte das novas práticas do espaço público. Dentro deste contexto será analisado o projecto : Jardins Verticais, São Paulo (2007) do Atelier Bijari e Arq. José Subero.Throughout my training at the School of Architecture, University of Porto, I developed a growing interest in the approach to the fields of architecture from other art disciplines. I always tried to understand how architectural objects and sculptures fits in the city, serve society and how these intrinsic intention to adapt to a particular place. This context must also implies a specific response of a determined population and it is this constant dialogue between the work and public meeting that is the essence for the preparation of this work. The work is structured in three parts: In the first titled The Museum: the conventional living room, there is a brief review of the relationship between art object and museum. Are listed the characteristics and qualities idealized space for the exhibition of the artwork. Such formulations expressed were based on texts by Brian O'Doherty whose reflections in the book Inside the White Cube, became decisive for the present study. This chapter serves mainly to introduce us to transition from display of artwork for public space. The second part of The City: the new exhibition hall is an interpretation of how the art object changes and transforms the urban environment. This is subdivided into three chapters: In the first chapter Art as a public space, architectural works will be analyzed, whose own building, characterized by its artistic potential, defines and characterizes the public space. The example of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (1997) Frank Gehry, it serves us to reflect on the relationship between the architectural object and public space. Other selected examples of the collection of architectural culture of those who write here are construction works that reiterate this relationship in other ways: The Holocaust Memorial, Berlin (2005), Peter Eisenman and the Pavilion of Portugal, Lisbon (1998), by Alvaro Siza Vieira. In the second chapter Art in public space, it will verify the necessity of including sculptural elements associated with the building architecture to complement the design and qualification of the urban space, thus allowing to create different atmospheres and feelings with which the user is identify. To develop this chapter it became important to analyze the work Tilted Arc (1987) by Richard Serra installed at Federal Plaza in New York, which launched the controversial new areas of public art. The case study considered is the Portugal Pavilion, Venice Biennale (2008) by Eduardo Souto de Moura and Ângelo de Sousa. In the third chapter Art of public interest, will understand the approach of art to the public through urban intervention considering the scale of the city and its global impact. The author Nicolas Bourriaud developed a new understanding of the concept of public art directed to social problems which demand solutions part of the new practices of public space. Whithin this context the project will be analyzed: Vertical Gardens, São Paulo (2007) by Atelier Bijari and Arq. José Subero

On footedness and ankle’s Dynamic Joint Stiffness relation

Our earlier reports suggest no dynamic joint stiffness (DJS) inter-limb differences related to footedness. A different approach to our data was used in this study: first define ankle DJS, then look for inter-limb differences and finally correlate them with the subject’s perceived footedness. Methods: 31 subjects (20 females, 11 males) were assessed for ankle DJS during the stance phase of gait, unilateral triple-jump for distance (TSU) and single-leg hopping (Hop). DJS was obtained by linear models at three stance sub-phases (controlled plantar flexion (CPF); controlled dorsiflexion (CDF); power plantar flexion (PPF)). Footedness assessed by the Lateral Preference Inventory (LPI). Results: Paired samples t-test showed statistical inter-limb differences in ankle DJS at PPF on gait (p< 0.01) and Hop (p< 0.05) tasks. No footedness-DJS correlation was found with exception of the TSU PPF (Pearson’s p<0.05). Descriptive analysis shows that in gait, 55% of the subjects maintained the same stiffer ankle between the CPF and the CDF, 45% keep the same stiffer ankle between CDF and PPF, and only 19% keep the same stiffer ankle along all stance. In TSU and Hop, only 48% and 74%, respectively, keep the same stiffer ankle between CDF and PPF. Conclusion: This approach increased our earlier findings of footedness-DJS correlation, but the results are still low. The variability of DJS along the stance sub-phases between tasks needs more attention. Hop task cold be more adequate for footedness assessment due to a more consistent DJS behaviour along the stance

Interdependência da lateralidade com a estabilidade articular do membro inferior

A presença de dominância de um membro inferior em relação ao seu contra lateral, leva a esperar a existência de diferenças funcionais. O objetivo desta tese visou a identificação de diferenças entre membro inferior dominante (DOM) e não dominante (NDOM), no que diz respeito à estabilidade articular (JS), avaliada por medidas de rigidez dinâmica articular (DJS), rigidez vertical (KVERT) ou rigidez de membro inferior (KLEG). A integração de elementos conceptuais e metodológicos foi desenvolvida em diferentes capítulos. O primeiro reporta a adaptação cultural e avaliação da fidedignidade da versão portuguesa do Lateral Preference Inventory (LPI). O segundo visou confirmar a fidedignidade da resposta online e observacional do LPI, além de estudar a consistência entre a dominância do membro inferior obtida pelo LPI e a seleção de membro inferior para a execução de quatro tarefas funcionais assimétricas (apoio unilateral com olhos abertos (UQSO) e fechados (UQSC), triplo salto unilateral em distância (SLJD) e saltitar unilateral (UH)). Os restantes capítulos visaram verificar diferenças nas medidas de JS entre DOM e NDOM na marcha, no SLTJD e no UH. A versão portuguesa do LPI foi criada com registo de boa fidedignidade (α>0,7) para a maioria dos itens e índices. Boa fidedignidade foi registada entre as versões do LPI (α>0,7), com exceção da dominância de ouvido (α0,7) in the majority of LPI’s itens and indexes. Good reliability scores (α>0,7) were obtained between the two versions of the LPI, except for the eardness (α<0,5). No acceptable scores were obtained for the consistency between the footedness score from LPI and the consistency on lower limb selection for the tasks (α<0,5). No significant differences were found between DOM and NDOM, exception for the power plantar flexion (PPF) sub phase of the UH (p<0,05) at the ankle DJS (ADJS).Results indicate that JS fail to be an objective footedness indicator. The results indicate as dominant the support lower limb or even that no lower limb dominance exists

Vertical jump test assessment in non-athlete adults: Systematic review

Vertical impulse tests usually designated “jump tests”, are regularly carried out in the assessment of physical performance in athletic performers. The present review aims to explore if such tests can be part of the performance evaluation processes in non-athlete performers. To achieve this, a systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA standards. The databases Pubmed, CINAHL Plus, Medline Complete and Google Scholar were accessed. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, seven articles were selected. Overall conclusions indicate that countermovement jump (CMJ) gathered consensus as the preferred method to evaluate physical performance, particularly with the contribution of upper limbs movement and self-selected range of angular knee joint flexion. Other information gathered include test procedures to enhance vertical test results and the gender influence on test results

Perfusion, stance and plantar pressure asymmetries on the human foot in the absence of disease: a pilot study

Physiological perfusion asymmetries in the lower limb are known, although poorly understood, as are asymmetries reported in plantar pressure and stance. This preliminary study aims to explore potential relationships between perfusion and pressure variables in humans. A convenience sample of eight healthy individuals (25.25 ± 5.37 years old) of both sexes, was selected. Chosen variables were perfusion, plantar pressure, and stance. Perfusion was measured in both feet by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) and polarized light spectroscopy (PSp), and plantar pressure and stance were obtained by a pressure plate. These were measured in baseline (Phase I) in repeated squatting (Phase II), and in recovery (Phase III). A 95% confidence interval was adopted. Intraindividual significant perfusion asymmetries between both feet were detected by LDF in Phase I. These disappeared in Phase II and returned in Phase III. PSp did not detect any asymmetries. Plantar pressure was also asymmetric and differently distributed along both feet with no statistical significance except in the hindfoot. Significant correlations were found between BMI and mean Plantar Pressure in Phase I and Phase III, and an inverse correlation between LDF perfusion and Plantar Pressure in Phase I. These results seem to suggest an interesting direction for the exploration and study of these asymmetries in the absence of disease.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cognitive room for Design education: Theoretical aspects

The normal aspect of rooms dedicated to Design education tends to use exhibitions of actual and past student’s work as a strategy to inspire creativity in their students. On other hand, the maintenance of the same objects in that room can lead to some boringness as students or workers look at the same things for a period. This leads us to the problem we wish to reflect on: Can a room be designed to be user-adaptative allowing multi-sensory experience in line with the educational process in a Design setting? Our goal was to describe the possible link between the educational process and the contribution of a room that is cognitive adaptable to the different needs of that educational process. To achieve this, a theoretical study was conducted to propose a framework for cognitive room creation, based on augmented cognition concepts. The concepts of creativity, visual pollution, and human-environment interaction understood as the cognitive workload was confronted in order to create a technology-based concept of a room that is adaptative to the cognitive needs of its users, in a design creational process setting. Theoretically, it seems possible to create a room that adapts to one’s educational needs, including emotional status, one aspect that can directly be associated with the creativity performance in Design. The implementation of a simulated room based on these ideas will help to quantify the real benefit of this theoretical assumption to Design education and practice. If true it can be traduced to other room-based realities as school rooms. Keywords: Adaptative rooms; augmented cognition; education; media as multi-sensory experiences

Knee valgus and hip and knee muscle activations during vertical jump

Background and aims – The muscular co‑contraction of the quadriceps, hamstrings and hip external rotators plays a crucial role in the dynamic control of joint stability, and so does specifically the frontal plane knee valgus mechanism. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between muscle activation and the frontal plane knee angle variation during the vertical jump stance phase. Methods – The muscular activity of rectus anterior, hamstrings and gluteus maximus muscles were recorded along 220 vertical jumps (110 jumps corresponding to each of the lower limbs) performed by 4 executors (two female and two male, mean age 28 years ± 6.4) by means of Surface Electromyography collected at 1000Hz and correlated with frontal plane knee angle variation synchronized video data collected at 25Hz. Results – It was found that there are significant correlations between activation of the rectus muscle in the descending phase of the jump at the right and the left and the tendency to a lower or higher valgus angle respectively. The gender influences the dynamics of the knee, making sure that women have different activation strategies than men. Conclusion – The decrease in hip muscle activation appears to influence the dynamic movements of the knee in the frontal plane, adjusting to the results obtained by other authors. The material used in the data collection, the synchronism between the trigger and the video, and the low number of executants that belonged to the sample, may be limitations to the study that should be taken into account in further studies

Cross-cultural adaptation and reliability of the Portuguese version of the Lateral Preference Inventory for the laterality profile assessment

Objetivo: A avaliação do perfil de lateralidade, medida composta pela avaliação de quatro índices de dominância que incluem a da mão, do pé, visual e auditiva, é amplamente utilizada em várias áreas do conhecimento. O Lateral Preference Inventory (LPI) é um instrumento simples que permite esta avaliação. O objetivo deste estudo é o de traduzir e adaptar culturalmente o LPI para a língua portuguesa, bem como testar a sua fidedignidade. Métodos: O processo de obtenção da versão portuguesa do LPI incluiu a realização de traduções e retroversões, a consulta de painéis de consenso e pré-teste. Medidas de Resultados: Para verificar a fidedignidade da versão portuguesa do LPI foi utilizado o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe (ICC) e respectivo alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: A segunda versão preliminar do LPI foi bem aceite pelos indivíduos no pré-teste com pequenas sugestões a incluir na versão final. A avaliação da fidedignidade mostrou valores excelentes e moderados para 12 itens (0.7<α<α0.8) e baixo no caso da dominância auditiva (αAim: The laterality profile, that comprehends the indexes of handedness, footedness, eyedness and eardness, is widely used in different scopes of scientific knowledge. The Lateral Preference Inventory (LPI) is a simple tool that allows the laterality profile assessment. The objective of the present study is to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and reliability assessment of a Portuguese version of the LPI. Methods: The process of cross-cultural adaptation included the translation and back translation of the instrument, the assessment by a committee of experts and a pre-test. Outcome measures: Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha were used to assess reliability. Results: the second version of the LPI was well accepted by the individuals in the pre-test phase, with only small inclusions to be made in the final version. Reliability assessment revealed excellent to moderate values in 12 items (0.7<α<α0.8), being poor in the case of eardness (αinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Effect of a Proprioceptive Exercises Programme on Disease Activity and Gait Biomechanical Parameters of Post-Menopausal Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

This study aimed to assess the effects of a proprioceptive exercises programme on disease activity and on ankle kinematic and kinetic parameters of post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty-seven post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis were allocated to exercise group (n = 15) or control group (n = 12). Exercise group intervention: proprioceptive exercises (12 weeks; 3 one-on-one workouts/week; 30 min/workout). Control group intervention: stretching exercises (12 weeks; 1 one-on-one workout every two weeks; 30 min/workout). Disease Activity Score (28 joints) was used to assess disease activity. A 3D motion analysis system (9 cameras, 200 Hz) and a force plate (1000 Hz) were used to collect kinematic and kinetic data during a barefoot walking at self-selected speed. For each subjects’ foot, 7 trials of the stance phase were collected. One subject withdrawal was registered in exercise group. Post-intervention, exercise group’ subjects yielded higher gait speed, shorter stance phase, shorter controlled dorsiflexion sub-phase, and higher ankle power peak (p < 0.05), however, they showed no differences in Disease Activity Score, ankle moment of force peak, and variability of biomechanical parameters; control group’ subjects showed no differences in all parameters. Proprioceptive exercises seemed to be a safe option to gain gait biomechanical improvements in post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis