Use of socially assistive robots in mental health: barriers and facilitators

Access to mental healthcare is faced with many challenges and to address the needs of patients, socially assistive robots (SAR) have been used as an innovative therapeutic tool. The literature highlights a variety of relevant functions and benefits that these robots can serve, be it companion, coach, or play partner. This chapter aims to contribute to the current knowledge about SAR in mental health as a tool that could complement the support provided by professionals, identifying its barriers and facilitators. Despite the presence of certain barriers to their implementation (e.g., technical problems, professionals' resistance), social robot interventions generally show positive effects on patients with mental health conditions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Cell Wall Integrity Pathway Contributes to the Early Stages of Aspergillus Fumigatus Asexual Development

Aspergillus fumigatus is a major cause of human disease. The survival of this fungus is dependent on the cell wall organization and function of its components. The cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) is the primary signaling cascade that controls de novo synthesis of the cell wall in fungi. Abundant conidiation is a hallmark in A. fumigatus, and uptake of conidia by a susceptible host is usually the initial event in infection. The formation of conidia is mediated by the development of fungus-specific specialized structures, conidiophores, which are accompanied by cell wall remodeling. The molecular regulation of these changes in cell wall composition required for the rise of conidiophore from the solid surface and to disperse the conidia into the air is currently unknown. Here, we investigated the role of CWIP in conidiation. We show that CWIP pkcAG579R, ΔmpkA, and ΔrlmA mutants displayed reduced conidiation during synchronized asexual differentiation. The transcription factor RlmA directly regulated the expression of regulators of conidiation, including flbB, flbC, brlA, abaA, and rasB, as well as genes involved in cell wall synthesis and remodeling, and this affected the chitin content in aerial hyphae. Phosphorylation of RlmA and MpkA was increased during asexual differentiation. We also observed that MpkA physically associated with the proteins FlbB, FlbC, BrlA, and RasB during this process, suggesting another level of cross talk between the CWIP and asexual development pathways. In summary, our results support the conclusion that one function of the CWIP is the regulation of asexual development in filamentous fungi. IMPORTANCE A remarkable feature of the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is its ability to produce impressive amounts of infectious propagules known as conidia. These particles reach immunocompromised patients and may initiate a life-threatening mycosis. The conidiation process in Aspergillus is governed by a sequence of proteins that coordinate the development of conidiophores. This process requires the remodeling of the cell wall so that the conidiophores can rise and withstand the chains of conidia. The events regulating cell wall remodeling during conidiation are currently unknown. Here, we show that the cell wall integrity pathway (CWIP) components RlmA and MpkA directly contribute to the activation of the conidiation cascade by enabling transcription or phosphorylation of critical proteins involved in asexual development. This study points to an essential role for the CWIP during conidiation and provides further insights into the complex regulation of asexual development in filamentous fungi.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo 2015/17541-0, 2016/07870-9, 2017/19694-3Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico 462383/2014-

A multicultural approach to teach sustainability

Globalization is a tendency that covers all society perspectives in general, and the high education in particular. The main traditional objective of these institutions was to prepare domestic students with a set of skills. The research competition and universities rankings, as well as the need to reach other publics pushed them towards internationalization. The exchange of students across the UE is a well-known reality which success is largely due to cultural similarities. However, a set of issues raises in importance when students from different cultures are involved. We proposed an International Summer Course with a layout specifically designed to identify those questions. In our experience the class included Korean and Portuguese students in the same proportions to develop some work under the framework of sustainability, a specific theme chosen in order to foster consensus. Aiming at a higher level of internationalization and having in mind that students could gain from an intensive and multicultural experience ISEP organized its first Engineering for Sustainable Development (E4SD) Summer Course, in July 2014. This work reports some results from this experience, which included a Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach, and points new directions. In fact, PBL seemed to be a way of promoting integration and the inclusion of multiple cultures allowed the analysis of different perspectives which otherwise would not have been considered. On the other hand, all the students had an international experience, in a non native language, which has driven them out of their confort zon

Food consumption and nutritional status: characterization of physically active women

Few studies have characterized the food consumption and nutritional status of physically active women. The aim of this study was evaluating the food consumption and nutritional status of physically active women. Thirty women aged between 18 and 59 years, who trained at least three times a week, were evaluated. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were checked. The percentage of body fat (%BF) was determined by the seven-skinfold protocol. Food consumption was assessed from the 72 food records collected on non-consecutive days. The records were analyzed using the DietPro 5i Program. The evaluated population had the following anthropometric characteristics: (Weight = 64.13 ± 10.16 kg, Height = 1.64 ± 0.06 m, BMI = 23.91 ± 3.04 kg/m2, WC = 77.48 ± 9.36 cm, %BF = 25.35 ± 4.65); 33% were overweight and 30% had elevated WC. BMI showed a strong and positive correlation with% WC (r=0.70, p<0.001) and with WC (r = 0.84, p<0.001). The average daily consumption of energy and nutrients were: (Energy = 24.5 ± 7.0 Kcal/kg/day, Carbohydrates = 3.1 ± 1.1 g/kg/day, Proteins = 1.1 ± 0.3 g/kg/day, Lipids = 0.9 ± 0.4 g/kg/day, Fiber = 16.7 ± 6.2 g/day, Calcium = 556.2 ± 165.3 mg/day and Iron = 9.8 ± 2.1 mg/day). Most women consumed inadequate energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and iron. No woman achieved the recommended minimum calcium intake. It is concluded that an expressive portion has BMI, WC and% BF above the desirable values ​​that are associated with healthy nutritional status. In addition, the significant percentage of inadequate consumption of energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, calcium, and iron reveals the need for professional guidance

Consumo alimentar e estado nutricional: caracterização de mulheres fisicamente ativas

Few studies have characterized the food consumption and nutritional status of physically active women. The aim of this study was evaluating the food consumption and nutritional status of physically active women. Thirty women aged between 18 and 59 years, who trained at least three times a week, were evaluated. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and Body Mass Index (BMI) were checked. The percentage of body fat (%BF) was determined by the seven-skinfold protocol. Food consumption was assessed from the 72 food records collected on non-consecutive days. The records were analyzed using the DietPro 5i Program. The evaluated population had the following anthropometric characteristics: (Weight = 64.13 ± 10.16 kg, Height = 1.64 ± 0.06 m, BMI = 23.91 ± 3.04 kg/m2, WC = 77.48 ± 9.36 cm, %BF = 25.35 ± 4.65); 33% were overweight and 30% had elevated WC. BMI showed a strong and positive correlation with% WC (r=0.70, p&lt;0.001) and with WC (r = 0.84, p&lt;0.001). The average daily consumption of energy and nutrients were: (Energy = 24.5 ± 7.0 Kcal/kg/day, Carbohydrates = 3.1 ± 1.1 g/kg/day, Proteins = 1.1 ± 0.3 g/kg/day, Lipids = 0.9 ± 0.4 g/kg/day, Fiber = 16.7 ± 6.2 g/day, Calcium = 556.2 ± 165.3 mg/day and Iron = 9.8 ± 2.1 mg/day). Most women consumed inadequate energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, and iron. No woman achieved the recommended minimum calcium intake. It is concluded that an expressive portion has BMI, WC and% BF above the desirable values ​​that are associated with healthy nutritional status. In addition, the significant percentage of inadequate consumption of energy, carbohydrates, proteins, fiber, calcium, and iron reveals the need for professional guidance.Poucos estudos têm caracterizado o consumo alimentar e estado nutricional de mulheres fisicamente ativas. Mediante o exposto, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo alimentar e estado nutricional de mulheres fisicamente ativas. Foram avaliadas 30 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 59 anos, que treinavam pelo menos três vezes por semana. Foram verificados o peso, altura, circunferência da cintura (CC) e o Índice de Massa Corporal (IMC). O percentual de gordura corporal (%GC) foi determinado pelo protocolo de sete dobras cutâneas. O consumo alimentar foi avaliado a partir do registro alimentar de 72 horas coletado em dias não consecutivos. Os registros foram analisados utilizando o Programa DietPro 5i. A população avaliada apresentou as seguintes características antropométricas: (Peso = 64,13 ± 10,16 kg, Altura = 1,64 ± 0,06 m, IMC = 23,91 ± 3,04 kg/m2, CC = 77,48 ± 9,36 cm, %GC = 25,35 ± 4,65); 33% estavam com sobrepeso e 30% tinham a CC elevada. O IMC apresentou correlação forte e positiva com o %GC (r = 0,70, p&lt;0,001) e com a CC (r = 0,84, p&lt;0,001). O consumo diário médio de energia e nutrientes foram: (Energia = 24,5 ± 7,0 Kcal/kg/dia, Carboidratos = 3,1 ± 1,1 g/kg/dia, Proteínas = 1,1 ± 0,3 g/kg/dia, Lipídios = 0,9 ± 0,4 g/kg/dia, Fibras = 16,7 ± 6,2 g/dia, Cálcio = 556,2 ± 165,3 mg/dia e Ferro = 9,8 ± 2,1 mg/dia). A maioria das mulheres faziam consumo inadequado de energia, carboidratos, proteínas, fibras alimentares e ferro. Nenhuma mulher alcançou a ingestão mínima recomendada de cálcio. Conclui-se que parcela expressiva possui IMC, CC e %GC acima dos valores desejáveis que são associados ao estado nutricional saudável. Além disso, os expressivos percentuais de inadequação de consumo de energia, carboidratos, proteínas, fibras alimentares, cálcio e ferro revelam a necessidade de orientação profissional

Ergonomics in "remote work" activities: a workstation adaptation case study in Brazil

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic decreed by the outbreak of the new coronavirus culminated in the need to implement jobs in the homes of employees who had to adhere to the “remote work” style, due to social isolation actions in Brazil. Many of the employees started to work in the absence of adequate working conditions in their homes, impacting the three dimensions of ergonomics, i.e., physical, organizational and cognitive. The objective of this chapter is to report the adjustments made in a workplace after the change of modality from face-to-face (f2f) activities to “remote work” after the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, aiming to adopt actions aimed at ergonomics. The research was carried out with a professional in the area of Environmental and Sanitary Engineering who started remote work in March 2020. The work is of a qualitative nature, using photos to illustrate the changes occurring before and after the installation of the equipments and reports on strategies to improve working conditions in the “remote work”. The cost of physical adaptations was also computed. The most reported complaints collected by the professional were back pain, neck, forearm, wrist and eye pain, in addition to mental fatigue. The necessary equipment and furniture were acquired for the physical adaptation of the workspace. Issues of working hours, days off, means of communication were also addressed, but aspects of cognitive and organizational ergonomics must have the participation of the entire work group to achieve effective results. The accompaniment of a specialized technical professional would be important for the establishment of further assertive actions, seeking the productivity and quality of life of the employee.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modelling the distribution of a commercial NE-Atlantic sea cucumber, Holothuria mammata : demographic and abundance spatio-temporal patterns

Funding: This study was financed by the Operational Programme Mar2020, MAR-02.01.01-FEAMP-0052, “Newcumber – Avanços para o cultivo sustentável de pepinos do mar”. It received further financial support from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (projects UIDB/04292/2020, UIDB/00006/2020, CoastNet – PINFRA/22128/2016, AB with the Scientific Stimulus Programme – CEECIND/00095/2017 and FA with the individual research grant 2020.09563.BD). This publication was financed by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação IP under project reference UIDB/04292/2020, and by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement N810139: Project Portugal Twinning for Innovation and Excellence in Marine Science and Earth Observation – PORTWIMS.There is an increasing demand for sea cucumbers, for human consumption, mainly from Asian markets and, as a consequence, NE-Atlantic species are now new targets for exploitation and exportation. Holothuria mammata is one of the most valuable species in Europe. However, the lack of historical economic interest in this species in most European countries has also led to a lack of studies concerning biological and ecological aspects on wild populations and this is a major issue for stock management. This study aims to determine the temporal and spatial patterns of distribution of H. mammata, considering its abundance and demographic structure in a NE-Atlantic area, SW Portugal, as a function of environmental conditions. For that, a population from a marine protected area was followed for 1 year at 1.5-month intervals. Throughout the coastal area, six sites were selected and at each sampling campaign three random transects per site and substrate (rock and sand) in which all H. mammata individuals were counted and measured. For each site and survey several environmental parameters of interest, from the water column, the sediment and substrate cover, were also measured. Generalized Linear Models were used to model the spatial and temporal distribution of the species according to environmental conditions, to determine the species’ habitat preferences. The distribution models indicate that abiotic and biotic parameters of the water column are not the main drivers shaping the distribution of H. mammata. The species has a patchy distribution, and its habitat preferences depend on environmental stability, the presence of shelter and habitat complexity, which is more important for smaller, more vulnerable, individuals, while bigger size classes tend to venture more into less stable environments in an opportunistic fashion. The knowledge of these population traits is determinant to develop stock management measures, which are now urgent to prevent the depletion of commercial sea cucumber populations in the NE-Atlantic. Sustainable fisheries policies should be developed and start by considering to delimit fishing areas and periods, considering the species spatial and temporal distribution patterns.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Algoritmo de Huffman aplicado à compactação de textos de jogos desenvolvidos pela ferramenta Dev X Game

Este artigo resultante de um projeto interdisciplinar teve como objetivo utilizar o algoritmo de Huffman para compactar arquivos e organiz&aacute;-los no computador dos usu&aacute;rios

Algoritmo de Huffman aplicado à compactação de textos de jogos desenvolvidos pela ferramenta Dev X Game

Este artigo resultante de um projeto interdisciplinar teve como objetivo utilizar o algoritmo de Huffman para compactar arquivos e organizá-los no computador dos usuários

Project to promote training for screening and provision of primary care to children at risk of developmental delay and/or disability, in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé e Príncipe é um país em desenvolvimento que, atualmente, não possui serviços de sinalização/rastreio precoce que permita detetar crianças em risco de atraso no desenvolvimento nem o apoio às suas famílias. Pretende-se promover a capacitação de profissionais da área da saúde e educação, para a sinalização/rastreio de crianças com risco de atraso no desenvolvimento e melhorar a prestação de cuidados básicos, envolvendo a família. Trata-se de um estudo de caso psicológico que pretende promover o apoio a crianças, pais e profissionais de saúde, segundo um modelo de mentoria terapêutica à distância. Serão utilizadas as contagens do número de crianças sinalizadas/rastreadas, das crianças que recebem a prestação de cuidados pelos tutores e o número de profissionais que após uma formação especializada consegue garantir o rastreio das crianças. O grau de conhecimento dos pais será medido através de um questionário. Aumento do número de profissionais envolvidos, aumento do número de crianças sinalizadas e recebem a prestação de cuidados, aumento do grau de conhecimento dos pais para a prestação de cuidados. Espera-se que as crianças com risco de atraso no desenvolvimento e/ou deficiência sejam sinalizadas/rastreadas e recebam uma prestação de cuidados pelos tutores, envolvendo a família. Ademais, objetiva-se o aumento da literacia na saúde dos profissionais de saúde e educação assim como dos familiares envolvidos. Desta forma, consideramos que problemas escolares poderão ser prevenidos e a propensão para adoção de comportamentos desviantes e a institucionalização poderão ser atenuadas.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio