Teaching research methodology by linking teaching and research

The active strategy linking teaching and research was applied in the context of the course of Methods and Techniques of Research in Education of the 1st year of the Master’s programme in Pre School and Primary Education of the Instituto Superior Politécnico Gaya. The strategy was implemented by the development of the following activities: A1: Brainstorming; A2: Looking for information; A3: Creating reading records - analysis / critical approach; A4: SWOT Analysis; A5: Questioning/ discussion; A6: Critical reflection; A7: “Critical friend”. The choice of topic was based on the initial assumption that the skills developed by the strategy matched the content of the course (also associated with research). This issue and the reduced number of students of the class (4 students) allowed: the development of monitored research moments, individual presentations, the promotion of questioning opportunities, interaction / discussion and individual writing

Reading and writing in Higher Education: A Portuguese case study

This study aims to present the main aims of a study skills project developed in two main interrelated sections: diagnosis and intervention. In the diagnosis process, the used a questionnaire (Queststud) directed to the students allowed the assessment of the comprehension/retention and writing levels of competence. On the other hand, through the use of the Questprof specifically directed to their professors, we aimed to assess the students’ level of competence based on their experiences during classes. In the intervention process, a “Study Skills Workshop” was developed where students have the opportunity of experiencing specific reading comprehension, retention and writing strategies and develop their skills in order to overcome their own difficulties

Essay by Francisco Dias

UIDB/05021/2020 UIDP/05021/2020Melodrama’s adaptability is a direct cause of the way in which it can also be transmedial, transgenre and transnational, finding new ways of expression outside of the classic confinements of Hollywood’s excesses. Hirokazu Kore-eda’s Manbiki kazok, also known as Shoplifters, is an example of a film that belongs to the melodrama category, but that explores the pathos and feeling that are characteristic of the genre in a way that not only is it not divorced of the political but contains within itself a fierce rebuke of the pressures of a capitalist society that underlines its emotional burden.publishersversionpublishe

Influência da adesão à terapêutica no controlo da diabetes tipo 2

Monografia realizada no âmbito da unidade de Estágio Curricular do Mestrado Integrado em Ciências Farmacêuticas, apresentada à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de CoimbraIntrodução: A adesão à terapêutica é um fator importante que pode influenciar os resultados de saúde dos doentes, particularmente em doenças crónicas como a Diabetes. Uma fraca adesão à terapêutica com antidiabéticos pode conduzir a falhas no tratamento, resultando em complicações como retinopatia, neuropatia e nefropatia, entre outras, reduzindo a qualidade de vida dos doentes e aumentando os custos nos cuidados de saúde. Objetivos: Inserido num estudo mais alargado para avaliar a influência do conhecimento da Diabetes, das crenças na medicação e da adesão à terapêutica por parte de diabéticos tipo 2 no controlo da sua doença, tendo em vista uma otimização da intervenção farmacêutica, o objetivo específico do presente trabalho foi avaliar o grau de adesão à terapêutica antidiabética e procurar relacioná-lo com o grau de controlo da Diabetes nesses mesmos doentes. Metodologia: Este estudo efetuou-se em farmácias do distrito de Coimbra. Os participantes no estudo foram os indivíduos que entraram nestas farmácias num determinado período a solicitar um antidiabético não-insulínico e que aceitaram participar no projeto. A estes foi solicitado, após assinatura do consentimento informado, o preenchimento de 3 questionários relativos aos conhecimentos da doença, às crenças na medicação e à adesão à terapêutica (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-item). Foram-lhes depois medidos os valores de hemoglobina glicada, pressão arterial e perímetro abdominal. Finalmente foi registada informação acerca da sua medicação crónica. Resultados: Dos 154 participantes no estudo, 53% apresentaram uma adesão forte, 34% uma adesão média e 13% uma adesão fraca à terapêutica. Do total da amostra, 118 doentes apresentaram valores de HbA1c ≤ 7% (77% dos diabéticos estavam controlados). Destes, 57% evidenciaram uma adesão forte, 31% uma adesão média e 12% uma adesão fraca à terapêutica. Relativamente aos 36 doentes com HbA1c > 7%, 42% evidenciaram uma adesão forte, 42% uma adesão média e 16% uma adesão fraca à terapêutica. Verificou-se ainda que 46% dos doentes apresentaram valores dentro dos limites de referência quer para a HbA1c quer para a pressão arterial e 17% dos doentes apresentaram valores dentro dos limites de referência quer para a HbA1c quer para o perímetro abdominal. Relativamente à influência da classe terapêutica na adesão à medicação, os resultados sugerem que o tipo de medicamentos utilizado não influencia a adesão, verificando-se que tanto em doentes aderentes como em não aderentes predomina a prescrição de Metformina (34% e 40%, respetivamente) ou a associação Metformina + Inibidor da DPP-4 (22% e 25%, respetivamente). Conclusão: Mais de metade da amostra em estudo (53%) apresenta uma forte adesão à terapêutica antidiabética. Pode-se concluir que a adesão é um pilar importante no controlo da Diabetes, ainda que não o único que garante o controlo da doença. Outros fatores relativos ao estilo de vida, atividade física e dieta podem ser igualmente preponderantes no sucesso do tratamento.Introduction: Medication adherence is an important factor influencing patient health outcomes, particularly in chronic diseases such as diabetes. Poor adherence to antidiabetic medication can cause therapeutic failure, leading to manifestation of diabetes related complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy, and also to reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Objectives: Part of a larger study that evaluate the influence of Diabetes knowledge, beliefs in medication and treatment adherence of type 2 diabetic patients, in control of their disease, the specific objective of this study was to assess the association between the antidiabetic medication adherence and glycaemic control among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methodology: This study was carried out in community pharmacies in Coimbra. Participants were individuals who entered these pharmacies in a given period to request a non-insulin antidiabetic and who agreed to participate in the project. After signing an informed consent, they were asked to fill three questionnaires concerning knowledge of the disease, beliefs in medications and medication adherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-item). Glycated hemoglobin, blood pressure and waist circumference were also measured, as well as data regarding their chronic medication were collected. Results: Of the 154 patients included in the analysis, 53% were classified highly adherent. Medium and low adherers correspond to 34% and 13%, respectively. Of the total sample, 118 patients had HbA1c ≤ 7% (77%). Of these, 57% were highly adherent, 31% medium adherent and 12% low adherent. With respect to 36 patients with HbA1c> 7%, 42% were highly adherent, 42% medium adherent and 16% low adherent. It was also found that 46% of patients had values within the therapeutic targets or for HbA1c and for blood pressure and 17% of patients had values within the therapeutic goals for HbA1c and for the abdominal circumference. Regarding the influence of the antidiabetic drug class in medication adherence, the results suggest that the type of drug used does not influence the adherence. Both in adherent and nonadherent patients predominate the prescription of Metformin (34% and 40%, respectively) or Metformin + Inhibitor Association DPP-4 (22% and 25%, respectively). Conclusion: More than half of the study population (53%) has a strong adherence to antidiabetic therapy. It can be concluded that adherence to therapy is an important pillar in the control of diabetes, although not the only one that ensures the control of the disease. Other factors related to lifestyle, physical activity and diet may also be important keys to reach a successful treatment

The determinants of length of stay in the Azores : a count model approach

This paper employs count data models to estimate the determinants of length of stay, as count data models naturally lend themselves to overcome the censoring and truncation data issues associated with the non-negative, integer nature of length of stay. This paper employs a rich micro data set gathered through questionnaires ministered to a representative sample of tourists departing from the Azores: the fastest growing touristic region in Portugal. It is found that sociodemographic profiles, such as nationality and Azorean ascendancy, and trip attributes, such as repeat visitation rates and type of flight, are important determinants of length of stay. In addition, it is found that destination image and attitudes regarding environmental initiatives, constructed from a factor analysis exercise, also influence length of stay. In particular, the results suggest that marketing strategies that promote the Azores for its nature, landscape, remoteness, weather and safety may increase length of stay, whereas cultural heritage has the opposite effect.N/

Utilização de ferramentas geoquímicas na rastreabilidade da origem geográfica de Hippocampus guttulatus

Seahorses within genus Hippocampus are currently exposed to a wide range of anthropogenic pressures, such as habitat loss, bycatch and fisheries targeting seahorses. In fact, millions of individuals are sold every year to overcome the demand, mainly for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), curios and aquarium purposes. In spite the restrictions imposed by several countries in the extraction, exportation and importation of seahorses, the illegal capture and trade still occur. A tool used for the traceability of geographic origin of marine living resources, is the analysis of elemental fingerprints (EF) from mineral structures. The EF of the mineral structure, that includes an armor composed by bony plates, was determined in cultured seahorses of the species Hippocampus gutullatus from two different origins (Galicia and Ria Formosa). It was also evaluated the suitability of these EF for the traceability of the geographic origin of this species. The following elements, Al (aluminium), Ba (barium), Ce (cerium), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Fe (iron), K (potassium), Mg (magnesium), Mn (manganese), Na (sodium), Ni (nickel), P (phosphorus), Sr (strontium) and Zn (zinc), were considered and expressed in ratios referent to the quantity of detected Ca (calcium). The EF from the bones, belonging to the head, trunk, dorsal fin and tail, of seahorses from Galicia, were confronted to the EF of conspecifics processed as a whole from the same location, presenting always significant differences in their EF (ANOSIM, p=0.001). Thus, none of these body parts is a perfect proxy to the whole body. The analysis of body parts of seahorses from Galicia and Ria Formosa revealed that the dorsal fin was the one exhibiting the higher ratios of Al/Ca, Ba/Ca, Ce/Ca, Cr/Ca, Cu/Ca, Fe/Ca and Mn/Ca. A CAP analysis that included the four body parts, from both locations, correctly classified all trunk replicates. An ANOVA analysis, for each individual elemental ratio and that included the same body parts, from both locations, indicated that, in general, the EF were significantly different. An additional CAP analysis to validate the trunk as a model for the traceability of the geographic origin, resulted in the correct classification of all whole body replicates from Galicia. A CAP analysis, which included six seahorse body portions (without one or two body parts), to simulate the apprehension of individuals with body parts missing, resulted in the correct attribution of all body portions to the respective origin (Galicia or Ria Formosa). The EF from the bony structure of Hippocampus guttulatus, has the potential of being an important tool for the traceability of the geographic origin of organisms, apprehended from illegal fishing and trade. The results from this preliminary work will guide the following experimental essays that intend to assess the geographic origin of wild organisms captured illegallyOs cavalos-marinhos do género Hippocampus encontram-se atualmente expostos a diversas pressões antropogénicas, tais como a degradação dos seus habitats, pesca direcionada e pesca acidental. De facto, milhões de indivíduos são capturados todos os anos, de modo a dar resposta à intensa procura para a Medicina Tradicional Chinesa, aquariofilia e venda de souvenirs. Apesar das restrições implementadas por vários países na sua extração, importação e exportação, verifica-se que a captura e comércio ilegal de cavalos-marinhos ainda ocorre. Uma das ferramentas utilizadas para rastrear a origem geográfica de recursos vivos marinhos é a análise dos perfis geoquímicos das suas estruturas mineralizadas. A assinatura elementar da estrutura mineralizada de cavalos-marinhos, que inclui um exosqueleto de placas ósseas, foi determinada em organismos produzidos em cativeiro da espécie Hippocampus guttulatus, oriundos de duas localizações distintas(Galiza e Ria Formosa). Foi igualmente aferida a adequabilidade da utilização destas assinaturas para a rastreabilidade da origem geográfica desta espécie. Foram analisados os seguintes elementos químicos, expressos em rácios referentes à quantidade de Ca (cálcio) detetada: Al (alumínio), Ba (bário), Ce (cério), Cr (crómio), Cu (cobre), Fe (ferro), K(potássio), Mg (magnésio), Mn (manganês), Na(sódio), Ni (níquel), P (fósforo), Sr (estrôncio) e Zn (zinco). Os perfis geoquímicos da estrutura óssea da cabeça, tronco, barbatana dorsal e cauda de cavalos-marinhos da Galiza foram comparados com o perfil geoquímico de conspecíficos do mesmo local processados como um todo, tendo estes apresentado sempre diferenças significativas nas suas assinaturas geoquímicas (ANOSIM,p=0,001). Desta forma, nenhuma destas partes do corpo é uma variável sub-rogada perfeita para a assinatura geoquímica de um organismo inteiro. A análise das partes do corpo de cavalos-marinhos da Galiza e da Ria Formosa revelou que a barbatana dorsal apresentava os rácios mais elevados de Al/Ca, Ba/Ca, Ce/Ca, Cr/Ca, Cu/Ca, Fe/Ca e Mn/Ca. A análise CAP, que incluiu as quatro partes do corpo de cavalos-marinhos de ambos os locais, classificou corretamente todas as réplicas dos troncos. Uma análise ANOVA, que confrontou cada rácio elementar individualmente, das mesmas partes do corpo e de ambos os locais, revelou que os perfis geoquímicos eram de uma maneira geral significativamente diferentes. Um teste CAP adicional, para a validação do tronco como modelo para a rastreabilidade da origem geográfica, resultou na correta classificação de todas as réplicas dos organismos processados inteiros da Galiza. Uma análise CAP que incluiu seis porções do corpo de cavalos-marinhos (sem uma ou duas partes do corpo), de forma a simular a apreensão de organismos que possam não apresentar a integridade da sua forma, resultou na atribuição correta de todas as porções corporais à respetiva origem (Galiza ou Ria Formosa). A análise das assinaturas geoquímicas da estrutura óssea de Hippocampus guttulatus apresenta o potencial de constituir uma ferramenta importante para a rastreabilidade da origem geográfica de cavalos-marinhos apreendidos de pesca e comércio ilegais. Os resultados deste primeiro estudo guiarão assim os próximos ensaios experimentais que visem aferir a origem geográfica de organismos selvagens capturados ilegalmente.Mestrado em Biologia Marinha Aplicad

Key factors for designing and delivering an effective asynchronous professional learning experience

In this paper, we explore the key factors for designing and delivering an effective asynchronous professional learning experience. This research study was developed with 107 participants in a module of a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) - a qualification which is offered to new academics at a United Kingdom (UK) Russell Group university, in line with practice at many other UK higher education institutions (HEIs).The module design was led by a range of factors which the relevant literature deems important for ensuring successful asynchronous online learning design. A questionnaire was created to measure participants’ overall perceptions regarding efficiency (learning context, facilitation, tutor feedback, peer feedback) and gains (presence, participation, persistence, connectedness, sense of community, learning experience). Participants were also invited to refer to the extent to which peer collaboration contributed to learning, to how far they felt part of a community on the module and to whether the asynchronous learning approach facilitated learning. Our results both confirmed and contradicted the positive findings of the literature: respectively, our participants did indeed find that many of the asynchronous design factors led, for them, to successful learning; they also identified some of the factors (e.g., peer feedback) as more challenging. We discuss the results of our study in terms of the effectiveness of this range of factors, considering the specific context of our module; we raise relevant questions about the issues and dilemmas involved in designing and delivering asynchronous learning courses when participants have a dual role as both learners and teachers