Iluminação em ambientes fabris: otimização e análise técnica-e-económica

Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica e TelecomunicaçõesEsta Dissertação aborda a temática da eficiência energética em sistemas de iluminação fabris. Desde os primórdios da história da humanidade que a iluminação tem representado um papel importante. Não só garante condições de segurança, como começou por ser o intuito primordial das fogueiras pré-históricas, traduzindo-se num elemento de conforto. Atualmente seria impensável conceber as mais diversas atividades económicas e produtivas de um país sem iluminação. Nesse sentido a iluminação representa também um elemento fomentador de produtividade. Não é bem conhecido o impacto que a iluminação tem nos custos operacionais de uma unidade fabril. Principalmente por ser difícil de quantificar separadamente na fatura de eletricidade qual a percentagem correspondente à iluminação. Tipicamente estes custos podem ascender a 20% do orçamento global da autarquia em países desenvolvidos. Por esse motivo, o sector da iluminação tem investido esforço no sentido de promover melhores soluções de iluminação capazes de por um lado de satisfazer os requisitos do espaço a iluminar, e por outro propiciar soluções eficientes do ponto de vista energético. Estas soluções assentam essencialmente no uso de dispositivos mais eficientes (como por exemplo os LED´s ou as lâmpadas compactas fluorescentes) bem como em estratégias de controlo eficientes baseadas em dados sensoriais (como por exemplo deteção de movimento/presença). A combinação destas estratégias permite reduzir os consumos em cerca de 80% quando comparadas com soluções passivas. A empresa Amorim Cork Research Lda. é uma empresa prestadora de serviços ao universo das empresas da Corticeira Amorim, uma das maiores multinacionais de origem portuguesa. Teve origem no negócio da cortiça, em 1870, sendo hoje líder destacada no sector a nível mundial. Dada a dimensão da empresa e a sua subdivisão em várias Unidades Industriais com requisitos individuais, será expectável que a iluminação represente uma parte significativa da fatura de eletricidade. Atualmente, os vários setores encontram-se equipados com soluções de iluminação diferentes, na sua maioria empregando tecnologias passivas, noutros casos com dispositivos eficientes. Há algum interesse em migrar para soluções mais eficientes, em parte suportadas em DALI (com interface de comunicação PLC ou Zigbee).This dissertation addresses the issue of energy efficiency in industrial lighting systems. Since the dawn of human history that the lighting has played an important role. Not only ensures safety, as was originally the primary purpose of prehistoric fires, resulting in a comfort element. Nowadays it would be impossible to conceive the most diverse economic and productive activities of a country without lighting. In this sense the lighting is also a productivity developer element. It is well known the impact that lighting has on operating costs of a plant. Mainly because it is difficult to quantify separately, in the electricity bill, the percentage of lighting. Typically these costs can amount to 20 % of the overall budget of the municipality in developed countries. For this reason, the lighting industry has invested effort to promote better lighting solutions that on the one hand meet the requirements of space to light, and on the other provide efficient solutions from the energy point of view. These solutions are essentially based on the use of more efficient devices (such as the LEDs or compact fluorescent lamps) as well as efficient control strategies based on sensory data (such as motion detection / presence). The combination of these strategies can reduce consumption by 80 % when compared to passive solutions. The Amorim Cork Research Lda. is a company providing services to the population of companies Corticeira Amorim, one of the largest multinationals of Portuguese origin. It originated in the cork business in 1870 and today is the clear leader in the global industry. Given the size of the company and its subdivision in various industrial units with individual requirements, it will be expected that lighting represents a significant part of the electricity bill. Currently, many industries are equipped with different lighting solutions, mostly using passive technologies in other cases with efficient devices. There is some interest in moving to more efficient, partly supported by DALI (with PLC or Zigbee communication interface). Therefore, this work aims to present numbers that can provide a complete answer with respect to effect a change in outdoor lighting

Chemical Composition and Effect against Skin Alterations of Bioactive Extracts Obtained by the Hydrodistillation of Eucalyptus globulus Leaves

Eucalyptus globulus is planted extensively for pulp, paper and wood production. Although bioactive compounds obtained from its biomass are used as cosmetics ingredients, the skin effects were not yet fully explored. In order to fill this gap, this work aimed to study the protective effect against skin damage provided by the essential oil (EO) obtained from the hydrodistillation of Eucalyptus globulus leaves, and by an extract obtained from the hydrodistillation residual water (HRW). The major compound identified in the EO was 1,8-Cineole, and the phenolic acids in the HRW included gallic acid as the main phenolic constituent. Moreover, non-toxic EO and HRW concentrations were shown to have anti-aging skin effects in vitro, decreasing age-related senescence markers, namely β-galactosidase and matrix metalloproteinases activation, as well as collagen type 1 upregulation. In addition, EO and HRW were found to exhibit depigmenting effects by inhibiting tyrosinase and melanin production, along with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the absence of skin irritation and sensitization in cells exposed to EO and HRW revealed the safety of both extracts for topical use. Taken together, these results highlight the beneficial effects of extracts obtained from Eucalyptus globulus biomass for skin aesthetic and health purposes, which should be explored deeply for the prediction of future pharmaceutical and dermocosmetics industrial applications

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EFETIVIDADE DA INTERVENÇÃO EDUCACIONAL DIGICARE NA MELHORIA DAS HABILIDADES DE COACHING CLÍNICO DE ESTUDANTES DE ENFERMAGEM E MEDICINA NO VIETNAME E BANGLADESH: UM PRÉ- E PÓS-ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

Coaching has become an important approach to support self-management of patients with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in healthcare education. Studies conducted in European countries have emphasized the significance of formal coaching training in enhancing the competencies of healthcare students. However, in Southeast Asia, where NCDs pose a serious public health concern, there is a lack of such training opportunities. To address this issue, an exploratory pre and post study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the DigiCare educational intervention in improving clinical coaching skills. Nursing and medical students from six universities in Vietnam and Bangladesh were invited to participate. The intervention included both theoretical and practical classes with interactive methods and home assignments, with a total duration of over 10 contact hours. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the Self-Efficacy and Performance in Self-management Support instrument, which was translated and culturally adapted to both countries. Statistical analysis showed a significant improvement in students’ overall competence scores from before (M = 2.6, SD = .67) to after the intervention (M = 3.05, SD = .55), with a medium effect size (p < .001; d = .73). The DigiCare educational intervention appears to be a low-cost and meaningful addition to the curriculum of both nursing and medical universities across countries, with potential benefits in the development of students’ clinical coaching competencies.O coaching tornou-se uma abordagem importante para apoiar a autogestão de pacientes com doenças não transmissíveis (DNTs) na educação em saúde. Estudos realizados em países europeus têm enfatizado a importância do treinamento formal em coaching para aprimorar as competências dos estudantes de saúde. No entanto, no Sudeste Asiático, onde as DNTs representam uma séria preocupação de saúde pública, há uma falta de oportunidades de treinamento nesse sentido. Para abordar essa questão, foi conduzido um pré- e pós-estudo exploratório para avaliar a eficácia da intervenção educacional DigiCare na melhoria das habilidades de coaching clínico. Estudantes de enfermagem e medicina de seis universidades no Vietname e em Bangladesh foram convidados a participar. A intervenção incluiu aulas teóricas e práticas com métodos interativos e tarefas domiciliares, totalizando mais de 10 horas de contato. Avaliações pré e pós-intervenção foram conduzidas utilizando o instrumento de Autoeficácia e Desempenho no Suporte à Autogestão, que foi traduzido e adaptado culturalmente para ambos os países. Análises estatísticas mostraram uma melhoria significativa nas pontuações gerais de competência dos estudantes, de antes (M = 2,6, DP = 0,67) para depois da intervenção (M = 3,05, DP = 0,55), com um efeito médio (p < 0,001; d = 0,73). A intervenção educacional DigiCare parece ser uma adição de baixo custo e significativa para o currículo de universidades de enfermagem e medicina em diferentes países, com benefícios potenciais no desenvolvimento das competências clínicas de coaching dos estudantes

ADAPTAÇÃO CULTURAL E VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO QUESTIONÁRIO SELF EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE IN SELF-MANAGEMENT SUPPORT (SEPSS) EM ESTUDANTES DE GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM E MEDICINA DE BANGLADESH

In an aging society, healthcare professionals and students face increasing demands to actively involve patients in the decision-making process regarding their health conditions and lifestyles. Self-management support is considered a best practice that aligns with the patient-centered care paradigm in Bangladesh. However, there is currently no instrument available to assess healthcare professionals’ competencies in this field, particularly during their early education and training period. The aim of this study was to translate the Self Efficiency and Performance in Self-management Support (SEPSS) instrument into Bangla and validate its psychometric properties in a sample of undergraduate healthcare students in Bangladeshi higher education institutions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and cultural appropriateness of the Bangla version of SEPSS-36 among 486 nursing and medical students. Confirmatory factor analysis was carried out using the chi-square model fit index (CMIN), comparative fit index (CFI), and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) as fit indices. The internal consistency was estimated by the Cronbach alpha coefficient. The results indicate that the CMIN (2.658) and RMSEA (.058) values suggest that the sample data and hypothetical model are an acceptable fit in the analysis, with satisfactory CFI values (.895). The reliability for all SEPSS dimensions was acceptable. The Bangla version of the SEPSS questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument that can assist healthcare educators and researchers in determining students’ competencies within this domain.Numa sociedade envelhecida, os profissionais de saúde e os estudantes enfrentam exigências cada vez maiores para envolver ativamente os pacientes no processo de tomada de decisão em relação às suas condições de saúde e estilos de vida. O apoio à autogestão é considerado uma prática recomendada que está alinhada com o paradigma de cuidados centrados no paciente em Bangladesh. No entanto, atualmente não existe um instrumento disponível para avaliar as competências dos profissionais de saúde nesse campo, especialmente durante o período inicial de educação e formação. O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir o instrumento Self Efficiency and Performance in Self-management Support (SEPSS) para o bengali e validar as suas propriedades psicométricas numa amostra de estudantes de saúde de graduação em instituições de ensino superior de Bangladesh. Foi realizado um estudo transversal para avaliar a confiabilidade, validade e adequação cultural da versão em bengali do SEPSS-36 entre 486 estudantes de enfermagem e medicina. A análise fatorial confirmatória foi conduzida utilizando o índice de ajustamento do modelo qui-quadrado (CMIN), o índice de ajustamento comparativo (CFI) e o erro quadrado médio de aproximação (RMSEA) como índices de ajustamento. A consistência interna foi estimada pelo coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Os resultados indicam que os valores de CMIN (2,658) e RMSEA (0,058) sugerem que os dados da amostra e o modelo hipotético têm um ajustamento aceitável na análise, com valores de CFI satisfatórios (0,895). A confiabilidade de todas as dimensões do SEPSS foi aceitável. A versão em bengali do questionário SEPSS é um instrumento válido e fiável que pode ajudar os educadores e investigadores em saúde a determinar as competências dos estudantes nesta área

COMO É QUE OS ESTUDANTES DE ENFERMAGEM PERCEBEM A TECNOLOGIA EM SAÚDE? UM ESTUDO DE VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO USABILITY EVALUATION QUESTIONNAIRE NO VIETNAME

The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the role of nurses and nursing students in patient care, making it an integral component of healthcare delivery. The use of innovative technologies has become commonplace in healthcare settings, creating a high-tech environment that can enhance nursing care quality and patient experience. It is essential for nursing staff and students to be receptive to incorporating such tools into their practice to ensure safe and efficient use of various forms of healthcare technology. Objective: Given the absence of an existing tool in Vietnam to evaluate healthcare students’ technology acceptance, the aim of our research was to culturally adapt, translate, and validate the Usability Evaluation Questionnaire (UtEQ) among nursing students in Vietnam. Method: We conducted a methodological and cross-sectional study in two phases: translation of the UtEQ to Vietnamese (UtEQ-V) following six stages proposed by Beaton and collaborators, and assessment of its psychometric properties in a non-probability sample of 295 Vietnamese nursing students. Results: The UtEQ-V’s reliability was found to be above 0.8 for all factors (.88–.95), while confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate goodness-of-fit indicators. Conclusion: The UtEQ-V is a reliable and valid instrument that can support nursing educators and researchers to assess students’ technology acceptance during their clinical training.O rápido avanço da tecnologia transformou o papel das enfermeiras e dos estudantes de enfermagem nos cuidados aos pacientes, tornando-o um componente integral da prestação de cuidados de saúde. O uso de tecnologias inovadoras tornou-se comum nos contextos de saúde, criando um ambiente de alta tecnologia que pode melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados de enfermagem e a experiência do paciente. É essencial que a equipa de enfermagem e os estudantes estejam recetivos à incorporação de tais ferramentas na sua prática, a fim de garantir o uso seguro e eficiente de várias formas de tecnologia de saúde. Objetivo: Dada a inexistência de uma ferramenta existente no Vietname para avaliar a aceitação da tecnologia por parte dos estudantes de saúde, o objetivo da nossa investigação foi adaptar culturalmente, traduzir e validar o Questionário de Avaliação da Usabilidade (UtEQ) entre estudantes de enfermagem no Vietname. Método: Realizámos um estudo metodológico e transversal em duas fases: tradução do UtEQ para vietnamita (UtEQ-V) seguindo as seis etapas propostas por Beaton e colaboradores e avaliação das suas propriedades psicométricas numa amostra não probabilística de 295 estudantes de enfermagem vietnamitas. Resultados: A fiabilidade do UtEQ-V revelou-se superior a 0,8 para todos os fatores (.88–.95), enquanto a análise fatorial confirmatória apresentou indicadores adequados de ajustamento. Conclusão: O UtEQ-V é um instrumento fiável e válido que pode apoiar os educadores e os investigadores de enfermagem na avaliação da aceitação da tecnologia pelos estudantes durante o seu treino clínico

COMO É QUE OS ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA E ENFERMAGEM VEEM A TECNOLOGIA DE SAÚDE? UM ESTUDO DE VALIDAÇÃO PSICOMÉTRICA DO QUESTIONÁRIO DE AVALIAÇÃO DE USABILIDADE EM BANGLADESH

The modernization of healthcare delivery is a reality in various international settings. To ensure efficient and safe use of the diverse forms of healthcare technology available, professionals and students must be receptive to incorporating such tools into their practice. Currently, there is no instrument in Bangladesh to assess healthcare students’ technology acceptance. Objective: To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the Usability Evaluation Questionnaire (UtEQ) among Bangladeshi healthcare students. Method: A cross-sectional study with a methodological approach was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved the translation of the UtEQ questionnaire to Bengali, following the six stages proposed by Beaton et al. In the second phase, the psychometric properties of the questionnaire were evaluated using a non-probability sample of 486 undergraduate healthcare students from three higher education institutions in Bangladesh. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was estimated to find out the internal consistency. Results: Internal consistency was found to be excellent for all scale dimensions, ranging from 0.88 to 0.92, while confirmatory factor analysis showed adequate goodness-of-fit indicators. Conclusion: The UtEQ-B provides a reliable and valid method for healthcare educators and researchers to assess technology acceptance among healthcare students during clinical training in Bangladesh.A modernização da prestação de cuidados de saúde é uma realidade em vários contextos internacionais. Para garantir a utilização eficiente e segura das diversas formas de tecnologia em saúde disponíveis, os profissionais e estudantes devem estar receptivos à incorporação dessas ferramentas na sua prática. Atualmente, não existe em Bangladesh um instrumento para avaliar a aceitação da tecnologia pelos estudantes de saúde. Objetivo: Traduzir, adaptar culturalmente e validar o Questionário de Avaliação da Usabilidade (UtEQ) entre estudantes de saúde de Bangladesh. Método: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma abordagem metodológica em duas fases. A primeira fase envolveu a tradução do questionário UtEQ para bengali, seguindo as seis etapas propostas por Beaton et al. Na segunda fase, foram avaliadas as propriedades psicométricas do questionário usando uma amostra não probabilística de 486 estudantes de graduação em saúde de três instituições de ensino superior em Bangladesh. Foi realizada uma análise fatorial confirmatória e estimou-se o coeficiente alfa de Cronbach para verificar a consistência interna. Resultados: Foi encontrada uma consistência interna excelente para todas as dimensões da escala, variando de 0,88 a 0,92, enquanto a análise fatorial confirmatória mostrou indicadores adequados de ajuste. Conclusão: O UtEQ-B fornece um método confiável e válido para educadores e pesquisadores em saúde avaliarem a aceitação da tecnologia entre estudantes de saúde durante o treinamento clínico em Bangladesh

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

Effect of Blueberry Supplementation on a Diet-Induced Rat Model of Prediabetes—Focus on Hepatic Lipid Deposition, Endoplasmic Stress Response and Autophagy

Blueberries, red fruits enriched in polyphenols and fibers, are envisaged as a promising nutraceutical intervention in a plethora of metabolic diseases. Prediabetes, an intermediate state between normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, fuels the development of complications, including hepatic steatosis. In previous work, we have demonstrated that blueberry juice (BJ) supplementation benefits glycemic control and lipid profile, which was accompanied by an amelioration of hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics. The purpose of this study is to clarify the impact of long-term BJ nutraceutical intervention on cellular mechanisms that govern hepatic lipid homeostasis, namely autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in a rat model of prediabetes. Two groups of male Wistar rats, 8-weeks old, were fed a prediabetes-inducing high-fat diet (HFD) and one group was fed a control diet (CD). From the timepoint where the prediabetic phenotype was achieved (week 16) until the end of the study (week 24), one of the HFD-fed groups was daily orally supplemented with 25 g/kg body weight (BW) of BJ (HFD + BJ). BW, caloric intake, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were monitored throughout the study. The serum and hepatic lipid contents were quantified. Liver and interscapular brown and epidydimal white adipose tissue depots (iBAT and eWAT) were collected for histological analysis and to assess thermogenesis, ER stress and autophagy markers. The gut microbiota composition and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content were determined in colon fecal samples. BJ supplementation positively impacted glycemic control but was unable to prevent obesity and adiposity. BJ-treated animals presented a reduction in fecal SCFAs, increased markers of arrested iBAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure, together with an aggravation of HFD-induced lipotoxicity and hepatic steatosis, which were accompanied by the inhibition of autophagy and ER stress responses in the liver. In conclusion, despite the improvement of glucose tolerance, BJ supplementation promoted a major impact on lipid management mechanisms at liver and AT levels in prediabetic animals, which might affect disease course