O impacto da incapacidade física na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde nos doentes oncológicos : um estudo exploratório

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Secção de Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde - Núcleo de Psicologia da Saúde e da Doença), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, 2009Este estudo pretendeu explorar a relação entre a Incapacidade física e as percepções deQualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde (QDVRS) em doentes oncológicos. E pretendeu tambémconhecer os temas ligados à vivência da incapacidade física e da funcionalidade nesses mesmosdoentes.Para este estudo, foi recolhida uma amostra de conveniência de 26 indivíduos (20 do sexofeminino e 6 do sexo masculino) com diagnóstico médico de doença oncológica, seguidos na Clínicada Dor do IPOLFG. Tendo em conta os objectivos da investigação foram aplicados os seguintesinstrumentos: Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - General, version 4 (FACT-G, v.4, versãoportuguesa), Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short Form SF - 36, version 2 (SF-36, v.2, versãoportuguesa), Functional Living Índex - Cancer (FLI-C, traduzido e adaptado especialmente para esteestudo), e Termómetro do Distresse. Para além destes instrumentos, 15 dos 26 participantes, foramainda alvo de uma Entrevista Semi-Estruturada, e da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) da CapacidadeFísica. Os discursos dos participantes foram categorizados num conjunto de Temas associados àexperiência da incapacidade física e da funcionalidade, através da análise de conteúdo das entrevistasrealizadas.A incapacidade física neste estudo foi mensurada através da EVA para a capacidade física eatravés das dimensões dos questionários que fazem apelo à capacidade física, pelo que esta foiinterpretada de acordo com o significado das dimensões desses questionários. Assim ao explorar arelação existente entre a incapacidade física e a QDVRS, verificou-se que a incapacidade física serelaciona de forma positiva com a QDVRS. Verificou-se também que a incapacidade física se podecorrelacionar negativamente com a QDVRS, contudo de forma menos expressiva. A correlaçãonegativa verificou-se entre as dimensões Funcionamento Físico e Dor Corporal do SF-36 e a escalaglobal de Bem-Estar do FACT-G, mostrando assim que níveis de QDVRS favoráveis se podem fazeracompanhar por baixos níveis de capacidade física. Através da análise qualitativa, foram identificados14 temas básicos considerados como os mais representativos e preponderantes na experiência daincapacidade física e da funcionalidade, em que destes temas se destaca o tema Descrição de sintomasfísicos incapacitantes.Assim, pode-se dizer que a incapacidade física pode interferir com a percepção que os doentesoncológicos fazem da sua QDVRS. Nesse sentido, diminuir a incapacidade fisica, nomeadamente ossintomas fisicos incapacitantes, é fundamental para promover uma melhor QDVRS nestes doentes.The present study was conducted to explore the relationship between physical disability andHealth Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in cancer patients. This study also pretend understand thecentral themes connected with living physical disability and functionality in that patients.In this study a convenience sample of twenty women and six men with a medical diagnosis ofCancer was collected at the Pain Clinic's IPOLFG. In accordance to the objectives of the presentresearch the following instruments were used: Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy - General,version 4 (FACT-G, v.4, Portuguese version), Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short Form SF -36, version 2 (SF-36, v.2, Portuguese version), Functional Living Índex - Cancer (FLI-C, translatedand adapted specifically for this study), e Thermometer of Distress. In addition to these instruments,15 of the 26 participants were given a semi-structured interview and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)concerning the physical capacity . The discourse of the participants was content analised andcategorized through a number of issues associated with the experience of disability andfunctionality,.The disability in this study was assessed through the VAS for the physical capacity andthrough the dimensions of the questionaires related to physical capacity. Data was interpretedaccording to the meaning of the dimensions of these questionnaires. The data suggest that disabilityis related in a positive way with QDVRS. However, it was also suggested that the disability can becorrelated negatively with QDVRS, however not as significant. A negative correlation was foundbetween the dimensions Physical Functioning and Body Pain scales of the SF-36 and overall wellbeingof the FACT-G, showing that levels of favorable QDVRS can be accompanied by low levels ofphysical capacity, which is in contradiction with previous results that say that high values of physicalcapacity correspond to favorable QDVRS. Through qualitative analysis, 14 central themes wereidentified as the most representative and preponderant in the experience of disability andfunctionality, the most proeminent is Description disabling physical symptoms.We can say that physical disability may interfere with the cancer patients' perception of theirQDVRS. So, it seems that an effort to reduce the physical disability, including disabling physicalsymptoms, is essential to promote a better QDVRS in these patients

"Back in my day...": A Preliminary Study on the Differences in Generational Groups Perception of Musically-evoked Emotion

The increasingly globalized world we live in today and the wide availability of music at our fingertips have led to more diverse musical tastes within younger generations than in older generations. Moreover, these disparities are still not well understood, and the extent to which they affect listeners' preferences and perception of music. Focusing on the latter, this study explores the differences in emotional perception of music between the Millennials and Gen Z generations. Interviews were conducted with six participants equally distributed between both generations by recording their listening experience and emotion perception on two previously compiled sets of songs representing each group. Significant differences between generations and possible contributing factors were found in the analysis of the conducted interviews. Findings point to differences in the perception of energy of songs with specific messages of suffering for love, as well as a tendency from the younger group to perceive a well-defined emotion in songs representing their generation in contrast to neutral responses from the other group. These findings are preliminary, and further studies are needed to understand their extent. Nevertheless, valuable insights can be extracted to improve music recommendation systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Optimization of a pilot-scale acidogenic reactor using industrial food waste

Food wastes are essentially the organic material discarded, lost or degraded during the process of food processing or consumption and represent almost a third of all food produced. The present work aims to optimise the valorisation of food wastes in order to produce bioplastics which is an interesting way to valorise this waste. The polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are biopolymers naturally produced by microorganisms that is considered an important alternative to conventional fossil-based plastics since they have similar properties. However, PHA production costs still high, mainly due to the use of pure cultures and costly substrates. The use of mixed microbial cultures and low-cost renewable feedstocks contribute to lower the PHA production costs. This process is divided in three steps: substrate acidogenic fermentation, culture selection and polymer accumulation. Acidogenic fermentation convert the food waste into volatile fatty acids that are used as substrate for the selection phase. Here, PHA accumulating bacteria are cultivated under selective conditions and accumulation is used for those selected bacteria producing the maximum PHA possible. The following work focus on the first step, i.e. studying the impact of optimal operation conditions in terms of pH and dissolved hydrogen concentrations at acidogenic stage on fermentation products profiles. The variation of those profiles induces changes in the final bioplastic which ultimately could lead to new strategies to control the process in order of targeting a bioplastic with specific physical/thermal characteristic.Os resíduos alimentares são essencialmente o material orgânico descartado, perdido ou degradado durante o processo de produção ou consumo de alimentos e representa quase um terço de todos os alimentos produzidos. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo otimizar a valorização de resíduos alimentares, a fim de produzir bioplásticos, sendo esta uma interessante forma de valorizar esses resíduos. Os poli-hidroxialcanoatos (PHA) são biopolímeros produzidos naturalmente por microrganismos e são considerados uma alternativa importante aos plásticos convencionais de origem fóssil, pois possuem propriedades semelhantes. No entanto, os custos de produção de PHA ainda são altos, principalmente devido ao uso de culturas puras e substratos caros. O uso de culturas microbianas mistas e matérias-primas renováveis de baixo custo contribui para reduzir os custos de produção de PHA. Esse processo é dividido em três etapas: fermentação acidogénea do substrato, seleção da cultura e acumulação de polímero. A fermentação acidogénea converte os resíduos alimentares em ácidos gordos voláteis que são usados como substrato na fase de seleção da cultura. Aqui, as bactérias acumuladoras de PHA são produzidas em condições seletivas e a acumulação é usada para as bactérias selecionadas para produzir o máximo de PHA possível. O presente trabalho é focado na primeira etapa estudando o impacto das condições ideais de operação em termos de pH e concentrações de hidrogénio dissolvido nos perfis de produtos de fermentação. A variação desses perfis induz mudanças no bioplástico final, o que pode levar a novas estratégias para controlar o processo, a fim de atingir um bioplástico com características físicas / térmicas específicas

Liquidity rules in Basel III : a test on the largest portuguese banks

Mestrado em FinançasO principal objectivo da presente dissertação foi uma análise preliminar sobre os novos regulamentos provenientes do Basileia III, nomeadamente, uma análise inicial ao Liquidity Coverage Ratio e a sua aplicação prática assim como os seus benefícios na gestão do risco de liquidez nas instituições financeiras. Neste sentido, foram seleccionadas as 5 instituições financeiras, à data de 31 de Dezembro de 2012, que representavam a amostra mais relevante em termos de actividade no sector Português da banca comercial ("mercado bancário" Português). Recorrendo ao Liquidity Coverage Ratio obtido, foi possível observar que o "mercado bancário" português apresentou, inicialmente, um Liquidity Coverage Ratio acima do requerido pelo Basileia III (60%). O Liquidity Coverage Ratio obtido no "mercado bancário" Português foi de 102% em 2013. Num cenário simulado de stress, pode ser verificado que, o mínimo que a carteira de activos líquidos de alta qualidade no "mercado bancário" pode cair é de aproximadamente 59% do seu valor, à data de 31 de Dezembro de 2013, e ainda assim existem condições para cumprir com o mínimo requerido pelo Basileia III (60%). De acordo com todas as análises realizadas, foi possível concluir que o "mercado bancário" Português, tem capacidade para suportar, eficientemente, qualquer cenário de stress financeiro. Desta forma, o mercado detém uma quantidade suficiente de activos líquidos de alta qualidade, que podem fácil e rapidamente ser convertidos em dinheiro (nos sector privados) que suportem uma volatilidade de mercado significativa ou cenários de stress que durem mais de 30 dias.The main objective of the present dissertation was a preliminary analysis of the new regulatory package of Basel III, namely, a first analysis of the Liquidity Coverage Ratio computation, its practical application and its benefits for liquidity risk management in financial institutions. For this purposes, it was selected a sample of 5 Portuguese financial institutions which, as at 31 December 2012, represented the most relevant financial institutions with retail banking activities (Portuguese "banking market"). Considering the average Liquidity Coverage Ratio obtained it was possible to observe that the Portuguese "banking market" started to present a Liquidity Coverage Ratio clearly above the Basel III minimum requirement (60%). The Liquidity Coverage Ratio obtained by the Portuguese "banking market" insofar was 102% for 2013. In a simulated stress scenario, we were able to verify that the minimum which Portuguese "banking market" high quality liquidity assets stock could drop was approximately 59% of its value, at 31st of December 2013, and still maintain the conditions to fulfil the Basel III minimum requirement (60%). According to all the analysis performed, it was possible to conclude that the Portuguese "banking market" has the ability to efficiently sustain, any financial stress scenario. In this sense, holds sufficient stock of high quality liquidity assets that could be easily and immediately converted into cash (in private markets) in order to sustain a significant market volatility or stress scenarios lasting over 30 calendar days

Rede Principal de Serviços Operacionais dos Corpos de Bombeiros em Portugal Continental

De entre os vários Agentes de Proteção Civil, os Corpos de Bombeiros (CB) são aqueles que apresentam maior atividade, maior efetivo e maior cobertura geográfica. No entanto, o modelo de organização dos CB existente assenta sobretudo em pessoal voluntário e numa distribuição territorial sem critério conhecido, resultando num desequilíbrio da resposta operacional e numa vincada assimetria ao longo do território. Impende, por isso, uma reflexão sobre o setor, com uma clara alteração do paradigma, sustentada na crescente vinculação profissional do capital humano. Através do cruzamento da revisão bibliográfica, documental e legislativa com as conclusões de um inquérito realizado a 87,3% dos quadros de comando dos CB de Portugal continental, estabeleceu-se um modelo de identificação dos recursos humanos necessários para cada CB, considerando a profissionalização dos serviços operacionais mínimos, os tempos máximos de resposta em função da população e da área geográfica e a existência de apenas um CB por município. Em cada município deve existir apenas um CB, independentemente do número de quartéis necessários para assegurar tempos de intervenção aceitáveis numa determinada área geográfica. São propostos 278 CB, sendo que em 124 casos (44,6%) é sugerido mais do que um quartel. Em cada CB devem existir, pelo menos, 4 estruturas profissionais correspondentes aos serviços operacionais mínimos – quadro de comando, sala de operações e comunicações, equipas de intervenção permanente e equipas de emergência pré-hospitalar. Para o cumprimento desse desígnio são necessários 22.967 bombeiros profissionais, o que corresponde a um rácio de 2,3 bombeiros profissionais por cada 1.000 habitantes, efetivo inferior ao das Forças Armadas e da Guarda Nacional Republicana e muito próximo do efetivo da Polícia de Segurança Pública. Portanto, seria necessário profissionalizar 74% dos bombeiros registados, mas desconhece-se o caminho que falta percorrer, pois não foi possível aferir quantos bombeiros com vínculo profissional dedicados exclusivamente a missões de proteção e socorro existem.Among the various Civil Protection Agents, the Fire Departments (FD) are those with the highest activity, the most effective and the largest geographical coverage. However, the existing organization model relies mainly on volunteer staff, as well as territorial distribution without known criteria, which seems to result in an imbalance in operational response and a marked asymmetry across the territory. Therefore, it requires a reflection on the sector, with a clear paradigm shift, sustained by the growing of professional human capital. Through the intersection of the bibliographic, documentary and legislative revision with the conclusions of a survey carried out among 87.3% of the FD command staff, a model of identification of the necessary human resources was established, considering the professionalization of minimum operating services, the maximum response times according to population and geographical area and the existence of only a FD per municipality. In each municipality there should be only one FD, regardless of the number of fire stations needed to ensure acceptable intervention times in a given geographical area. 278 FD are proposed, and in 124 cases (44.6%) more than one fire station is recommended. In each FD there must be at least 4 professional structures corresponding to the minimum operational services - command staff, operating and communications center, permanent intervention teams and prehospital emergency teams. To achieve this goal, 22.967 professional firefighters are required, which corresponds to a ratio of 2.3 professional firefighters per 1,000 inhabitants. This ratio is lower than the one of Military Forces and the Republican National Guard and very close to the one of Public Security Police. It would be necessary to professionalize 74% of the registered firefighters, but the way to go is not to go is unknown, as it was not possible to assess how many professional firefighters dedicated exclusively to protection and relief missions exist

Exploring Deep Learning Methodologies for Music Emotion Recognition

Classical machine learning techniques have dominated Music Emotion Recognition (MER). However, improvements have slowed down due to the complex and time-consuming task of handcrafting new emotionally relevant audio features. Deep Learning methods have recently gained popularity in the field because of their ability to automatically learn relevant features from spectral representations of songs, eliminating such necessity. Nonetheless, there are limitations, such as the need for large amounts of quality labeled data, a common problem in MER research. To understand the effectiveness of these techniques, a comparison study using various classical machine learning and deep learning methods was conducted. The results showed that using an ensemble of a Dense Neural Network and a Convolutional Neural Network architecture resulted in a state-of-the-art 80.20% F1-score, an improvement of around 5% considering the best baseline results, concluding that future research should take advantage of both paradigms, that is, conbining handcrafted features with feature learning.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Celikates, Robin (2018), Critique as Social Practice: Critical Theory and Social Self-Understanding

Robin Celikates, professor de Filosofia Social na Universidade Livre de Berlim e membro associado do Instituto de Pesquisa Social da Universidade de Frankfurt, faz parte da novíssima geração de adeptos da Teoria Crítica (ou da chamada Escola de Frankfurt), interessados em atualizá-la como um projeto que busca os potenciais de superação das relações de dominação. Diferentemente de outros adeptos – a exemplo de Rahel Jaeggi, Hartmut Rosa e Rainer Forst –, as tentativas de Celikates em recobrar ..

Determinants of physical activity practices in metropolitan context: the case of Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal

Physical activity is an important health determinant for people’s quality of life and wellbeing. This study intends to (1) identify how the practice of physical activity fits into families’ daily lives; and (2) verify to what extent the practice of physical activity is influenced by the urban model, family composition, and family perceptions. A survey was applied to 410 families (corresponding to 1006 individuals) in Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), Portugal, focusing on different physical activities—gym, swimming, walking/trekking/hiking, and cycling. Results are based on descriptive and bivariate data analysis and show the existence of asymmetries in the practice of physical activity in LMA. The urban context impacts the choice and frequency of physical activity practices. The typology of family and age proved to be more differentiating factors than income, being reinforced by daily lives (e.g., daily movements, transport modes, etc.). Positive self-perceptions of quality of life and health levels are also conducive to more active practices, contrary to negative perceptions of the neighborhood that are related to practices in peripheral destinations. Conclusions highlight the need for differentiated measures of physical activity promotion according to the territories and communities’ characteristics in a multilevel approach.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Comparison Study of Deep Learning Methodologies for Music Emotion Recognition

Classical machine learning techniques have dominated Music Emotion Recognition. However, improvements have slowed down due to the complex and time-consuming task of handcrafting new emotionally relevant audio features. Deep learning methods have recently gained popularity in the field because of their ability to automatically learn relevant features from spectral representations of songs, eliminating such necessity. Nonetheless, there are limitations, such as the need for large amounts of quality labeled data, a common problem in MER research. To understand the effectiveness of these techniques, a comparison study using various classical machine learning and deep learning methods was conducted. The results showed that using an ensemble of a Dense Neural Network and a Convolutional Neural Network architecture resulted in a state-of-the-art 80.20% F1 score, an improvement of around 5% considering the best baseline results, concluding that future research should take advantage of both paradigms, that is, combining handcrafted features with feature learning.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio