Literacy(ies) and skills in times of digital education: Exploring communication and interaction in digitally mediated learning worlds

This article seeks to explore the notions of literacy(ies) and competences in times of digital education. The aim of the study was to understand, from perspectives of experts, what literacy(ies) and competences are in digital teaching-learning contexts, how they are operationalised, which strategies can be used for their development, and what are the opportunities and challenges for their application in digital education. Through a qualitative approach, four experts were interviewed as privileged informants in their areas of expertise. The individuals interviewed are academics with extensive research in the areas of literacy(ies), digital and infocommunication skills and digital education. The interviews were conducted during the first quarter of 2023, as part of a larger ongoing study - digital and infocommunicational competences in virtual learning environments: practices in e-learning curricular units in Portuguese Higher Education. According to these experts, digital is largely responsible for the recent changes in the world, but the most important thing is not learning or teaching digital: it is developing citizens' skills or competences, exploring communication and interaction in digitally mediated learning worlds. This demands the mobilization of competences to search and exchange information, and to interact with another people in digital environments. This can help citizens become more confident, critical, and open-minded users of today’s technologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Body image dissatisfaction and experimental pressure pain sensitivity in a cohort of 13-year-old adolescents

Objective: We aimed to quantify the associations between body image (dis)satisfaction and pressure pain thresholds in adolescents, using data from Generation XXI, a population-based cohort study in Portugal. Methods: We assessed 1785 13-year old adolescents cross-sectionally. Body image satisfaction was measured using the Children's Figure Rating Scale. Pain detection and tolerance thresholds were assessed using cuff pressure algometry. We quantified the associations between body image categories (satisfied, prefers slightly thinner, prefers much thinner, and prefers heavier) and pain detection and tolerance thresholds using linear and logistic regression for continuous and binary (odds of achieving the highest distribution quarter) outcomes, respectively. Models were adjusted to pubertal stage and body mass index. Results: Adolescents who desired a heavier silhouette had lower pressure pain tolerance thresholds when compared to those who were satisfied (linear regression coefficient: −3.95; 95% confidence interval: −6.68, −1.21), which was more precise in boys (−3.51; −7.17, −0.08). Those adolescents also had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance threshold (odds ratio: 0.66; 0.48, 0.90), especially girls (0.58; 0.35, 0.98). Adolescents who desired much thinner silhouettes had lower odds of achieving the highest quarter of pressure pain tolerance (0.68; 0.46, 1.00), and this was clearer in girls (0.66; 0.48, 0.90). Pain detection thresholds did not show robust associations with body image dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Our study suggests an association between satisfaction with one's silhouette and pain tolerance in adolescents from the general population, arguing for an integrated approach to the assessment of body image and pain sensitivity. © 2022 The AuthorsThis study was funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) , through COMPETE 2020 Operational Programme ‘Competitiveness and Internationalization’ together with national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education - through the projects “ STEPACHE - The pediatric roots of amplified pain: from contextual influences to risk stratification ” ( POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029087 , PTDC/SAU-EPI/29087/2017 ), “ Appetite regulation and obesity in childhood: a comprehensive approach towards understanding genetic and behavioural influences ” ( PTDC/SAU-EPI/30334/2017/ POCI-01-0145- FEDER-030334) , and by the Epidemiology Research Unit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) ( POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862 ; UID/DTP/04750/2019 ; LA/P/0064/2020 ), Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of the Portuguese Ministry of Health) and Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation . This work was also supported by a research grant from FOREUM Foundation for Research in Rheumatology (Career Research Grant). Funding sources were not involved in the design, conduct, analysis or writing of the present results

Gemini imidazolium gels enhance the photodynamic performance of porphyrins

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) successful clinical use has led to an emerging interest in the development of improved delivery systems for photosensitizers. Amongst different formulations, gels have the advantage of being easier to apply, providing greater adhesion to the affected region and allowing light penetration. Importantly, we have previously reported that by incorporating porphyrin into a bisimidazolium gelator matrix there is an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation compared to the photosensitizer in solution [1]. Motivated by this, we report further assessment on the photosensitizing capabilities of porphyrins in a gel structure. In this work, we evaluated effect of varying the chemical structures of porphyrins on their photosensitizing capabilities whilst embedded within a supramolecular hydrogel based on gemini imidazolium amphiphiles. The investigated porphyrins presented enhanced singlet oxygen (1O2) within the hydrogel matrix compared to solution and showed negligent release in relevant biological media. Rheological measurements revealed that porphyrin hydrogels presented desirable viscoelastic properties as a functional delivery system for PDT

Plataforma de monitorização e suporte à decisão de doentes críticos

A situação complexa dos doentes críticos e a quantidade de dados disponíveis dificultam a obtenção de conhecimento profícuo para a decisão. Acrescendo o facto de nas Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) ainda existir um elevado número de dados em papel, o decisor não consegue interpretar corretamente e em tempo útil toda a informação adquirida. Neste contexto, o fator humano pode provocar erros no processo de tomada de decisão (PTD), uma vez que, normalmente, não há tempo suficiente para analisar corretamente a situação clínica do doente. Para facilitar a aquisição de conhecimento e suportar o PTD por parte dos profissionais da UCI, foi desenvolvida uma plataforma global que, de entre as várias funcionalidades, permite um acompanhamento do doente e a previsão de eventos futuros de uma forma contínua e em tempo real, apresentando novos conhecimentos que podem contribuir de forma significativa para a melhoria da situação clínica de um doente.The complex situation of critical patients and the amount of data available in Intensive Care Units (ICU) makes difficult to obtain useful knowledge to the decision. Adding the fact that in ICU there is a large number of data on paper the decision maker cannot interpret correctly and in short time all the information acquired. In this context the human factor can cause errors in decision-making process (DMP), because normally the intensivist does not have enough time to properly analyse the clinical condition of the patient. To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and support the ICU decision process by their professionals, a global platform was developed. Among the various features, this platform allows patient monitoring and forecasting future events continuously and in real time, presenting whenever is possible new knowledge which can contribute significantly to the improvement of the clinical status of a patient

Supervisión pedagógica en la política y en la práctica educativa: La mirada de la evaluación externa de escuelas en Portugal

A Avaliação Externa das Escolas (AEE) tem sido reconhecida, em Portugal, como um importante mecanismo de produção de mudanças nas escolas do ensino não superior, muito embora essas mudanças nem sempre pareçam atingir o cerne da ação educativa – a sala de aula. Atualmente no seu terceiro ciclo de implementação, a AEE privilegia o foco nos processos, concretamente nos processos de ensino. Tal justifica que prestemos um olhar atento à forma como processos orientados para a melhoria da prática letiva, como é o caso da supervisão pedagógica, são conceptualizados nos referenciais que orientam a AEE e nos relatórios que dela resultam. O estudo realizado baseou-se na análise documental dos referenciais dos 3 ciclos de AEE, dos relatórios do 3.º ciclo de AEE e, quando possível, e de forma complementar, de relatórios das mesmas escolas avaliadas em ciclos anteriores, numa lógica diacrónica. O corpus documental foi sujeito a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados salientam a presença de referências à supervisão desde o 1º ciclo de AEE, e uma tendência, sobretudo nos relatórios do 3.º ciclo, para valorizar uma supervisão pedagógica de matriz colaborativa, bem como para considerar que essa prática ainda não está completamente implementada nas escolas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Abstract computation in schizophrenia detection through artificial neural network based systems

Schizophrenia stands for a long-lasting state of mental uncertainty that may bring to an end the relation among behavior, thought, and emotion; that is, it may lead to unreliable perception, not suitable actions and feelings, and a sense of mental fragmentation. Indeed, its diagnosis is done over a large period of time; continuos signs of the disturbance persist for at least 6 (six) months. Once detected, the psychiatrist diagnosis is made through the clinical interview and a series of psychic tests, addressed mainly to avoid the diagnosis of other mental states or diseases. Undeniably, the main problem with identifying schizophrenia is the difficulty to distinguish its symptoms from those associated to different untidiness or roles. Therefore, this work will focus on the development of a diagnostic support system, in terms of its knowledge representation and reasoning procedures, based on a blended of Logic Programming and Artificial Neural Networks approaches to computing, taking advantage of a novel approach to knowledge representation and reasoning, which aims to solve the problems associated in the handling (i.e., to stand for and reason) of defective information.This work is funded by National Funds through the FCT, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within projects PEstOE/EEI/UI0752/2014 and PEst-OE/QUI/UI0619/2012

Analysis of electroencephalogram-derived indexes for anesthetic depth monitoring in pediatric patients with intellectual disability undergoing dental surgery

Background: Patients with intellectual disability (ID) often require general anesthesia during oral procedures. Anesthetic depth monitoring in these patients can be difficult due to their already altered mental state prior to anesthesia. In this study, the utility of electroencephalographic indexes to reflect anesthetic depth was evaluated in pediatric patients with ID. Methods: Seventeen patients (mean age, 9.6 ± 2.9 years) scheduled for dental procedures were enrolled in this study. After anesthesia induction with propofol or sevoflurane, a bilateral sensor was placed on the patient's forehead and the bispectral index (BIS) was recorded. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, which was adjusted according to the clinical signs by an anesthesiologist blinded to the BIS value. The index performance was accessed by correlation (with the end-tidal sevoflurane [EtSevo] concentration) and prediction probability (with a clinical scale of anesthesia). The asymmetry of the electroencephalogram between the left and right sides was also analyzed. Results: The BIS had good correlation and prediction probabilities (above 0.5) in the majority of patients; however, BIS was not correlated with EtSevo or the clinical scale of anesthesia in patients with Lennox-Gastaut, West syndrome, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. BIS showed better correlations than SEF95 and TP. No significant differences were observed between the left- and right-side indexes. Conclusion: BIS may be able to reflect sevoflurane anesthetic depth in patients with some types of ID; however, more research is required to better define the neurological conditions and/or degrees of disability that may allow anesthesiologists to use the BIS.Aura Silva’s work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, reference SFRH/BPD /75697/2011info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fluidised bed combustion of two species of energy crops

The use of biomass fuels for energy production through combustion has a growing application worldwide mainly for two reasons: first, the utilization of biomass for energy contributes to mitigate emission of green house gases; second, its use decreases the dependence of imported fossil fuels in Europe. The objective of this work was to study the combustion behaviour of two endogenous biomass species: cardoon (cynara cardunculus) and arundo (arundo donax), which were specially produced in energy crops plantations. Mixtures of cardoon and a forestry biomass specie (eucalyptus) were also studied to evaluate potential benefits from synergies between both biomass fuel types. The results showed that the utilization of cardoon, in pelletized form, and loose arundo as feedstock, did not give rise to any operational problems related with the feeding system. It was verified that the mono combustion of cardoon could pose problems at industrial scale in fluidised bed systems, considering the high levels of HCl and NOX emissions obtained and tendency to sinter the bed sand material. The addition of the forestry biomass to cardoon appeared to prevent the bed agglomeration problem. Furthermore, both the NOX and SO2 emissions were found to decrease at the same time suggesting potential synergy of blending different types of biomass regarding pollutant emissions and in bed agglomeration problems

Co-firing of biomass and other wastes in fluidised bed systems

A project on co-firing in large-scale power plants burning coal is currently funded by the European Commission. It is called COPOWER. The project involves 10 organisations from 6 countries. The project involves combustion studies over the full spectrum of equipment size, ranging from small laboratory-scale reactors and pilot plants, to investigate fundamentals and operating parameters, to proving trials on a commercial power plant in Duisburg. The power plant uses a circulating fluidized bed boiler. The results to be obtained are to be compared as function of scale-up. There are two different coals, 3 types of biomass and 2 kinds of waste materials are to be used for blending with coal for co-firing tests. The baseline values are obtained during a campaign of one month at the power station and the results are used for comparison with those to be obtained in other units of various sizes. Future tests will be implemented with the objective to achieve improvement on baseline values. The fuels to be used are already characterized. There are ongoing studies to determine reactivities of fuels and chars produced from the fuels. Reactivities are determined not only for individual fuels but also for blends to be used. Presently pilot-scale combustion tests are also undertaken to study the effect of blending coal with different types of biomass and waste materials. The potential for synergy to improve combustion is investigated. Early results will be reported in the Conference. Simultaneously, studies to verify the availability of biomass and waste materials in Portugal, Turkey and Italy have been undertaken. Techno-economic barriers for the future use of biomass and other waste materials are identified. The potential of using these materials in coal fired power stations has been assessed. The conclusions will also be reported

Bright conjugated polymer nanoparticles containing a biodegradable shell produced at high yields and with tuneable optical properties by a scalable microfluidic device

This study compares the performance of a microfluidic technique and a conventional bulk method to manufacture conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) embedded within a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PEG5K–PLGA55K) matrix. The influence of PEG5K–PLGA55K and conjugated polymers cyano-substituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (CN-PPV) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) (F8BT) on the physicochemical properties of the CPNs was also evaluated. Both techniques enabled CPN production with high end product yields (?70–95%). However, while the bulk technique (solvent displacement) under optimal conditions generated small nanoparticles (∼70–100 nm) with similar optical properties (quantum yields ∼35%), the microfluidic approach produced larger CPNs (140–260 nm) with significantly superior quantum yields (49–55%) and tailored emission spectra. CPNs containing CN-PPV showed smaller size distributions and tuneable emission spectra compared to F8BT systems prepared under the same conditions. The presence of PEG5K–PLGA55K did not affect the size or optical properties of the CPNs and provided a neutral net electric charge as is often required for biomedical applications. The microfluidics flow-based device was successfully used for the continuous preparation of CPNs over a 24 hour period. On the basis of the results presented here, it can be concluded that the microfluidic device used in this study can be used to optimize the production of bright CPNs with tailored properties with good reproducibility