A influência da Fisioterapia na prevenção de quedas no idoso: revisão bibliográfica

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciado em FisioterapiaObjetivo: Analisar diversos protocolos sobre a influência da Fisioterapia na prevenção de quedas na população idosa. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma pesquisa computorizada nas bases de dados Pubmed, Web of Knowledge e PEDro para identificar estudos que avaliassem a influência da fisioterapia na prevenção de quedas na população idosa. Resultados: Foram incluídos 6 estudos randomizados controlados envolvendo um total de 645 participantes. Foi possível constatar vários resultados positivos para os idosos nas intervenções realizadas nos 6 estudos tais como melhoria do equilíbrio, aumento da produção de força, flexibilidade, diminuição do risco de quedas e aumento da qualidade de vida do idoso. Conclusão: A fisioterapia tem um papel importante na vida ativa do idoso e na prevenção de quedas nos idosos utilizando programas de exercício que incluem: Pilates, Treinos de Força, Resistência e Equilíbrio.Objective: To analyze several protocols on the influence of Physiotherapy in falls prevention in the elderly population. Methodology: A computerized research was conducted in Pubmed, Web of Knowledge and PEDro databases to identify studies that evaluated the influence of physiotherapy on falls prevention in the elderly population. Results: 6 randomized controlled trials involving a total of 645 participants were included. It was possible to verify several positive results for the elderly in the interventions carried out in the 6 studies such as improvement of balance, better strength production, flexibility, decreased risk of falls and increased quality of life. Conclusion: Physiotherapy plays an important role in the active life of the elderly and in falls prevention using exercise programs that include: Pilates, Strength Training, Endurance and Balance.N/

Thermophysical properties of compressed earth blocks incorporating natural materials

Building materials are responsible for significant CO2 emissions and energy consumption, both during production and operational phases. Earth as a building material offers a valuable alternative to conventional materials, as it naturally provides high hygrothermal comfort and air quality even with passive conditioning systems. However, disadvantages related to high density, conductivity, and wall thickness prevent its effective inclusion in the mainstream. This research explores enhancing the thermophysical properties of compressed earth blocks (CEBs) by using locally sourced natural materials. The study is framed in the Portuguese context and the natural materials involved are wheat straw (WS) as a by-product of wheat harvesting, cork granules (CGs) from bottle caps, and ground olive stone (GOSs) residues from olive oil production. Blocks were produced with different mixtures of these materials and the thermal response was examined in a hot box apparatus. Best results include a 20 and 26% reduction in thermal conductivity for mixtures with 5v.% CG and 10v.% GOS, respectively, and an associated reduction in bulk density of 3.8 and 5.4%. The proposed approach therefore proves to be effective in improving the key thermophysical characteristics of CEBs. The article includes a comparative analysis of the experimental data from this study with those from the literature. The study contributes to the growing knowledge of sustainable materials, providing insights for researchers and practitioners looking for innovative solutions for low-carbon and energy-efficient materials.This work is funded by national funds through FCT, Foundation for Science and Technology, under grant agreement UIBD/150874/2021 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UI/BD/150874/2021, accessed 23 April 2024), attributed to the first author. The work is partly financed by Fundação “La Caixa” (Programa Promove) under the project BTCpro with the reference PV20-00072. The work is also partly financed by FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) under the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), reference UIDB/04029/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04029/2020, accessed 23 April 2024), and under the Associate Laboratory Advanced Production and Intelligent Systems ARISE, reference LA/P/0112/2020

Artificial neural networks to predict the mechanical properties of natural fibre-reinforced Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs)

The purpose of this study is to explore Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to predict the compressive and tensile strengths of natural fibre-reinforced Compressed Earth Blocks (CEBs). To this end, a database was created by collecting data from the available literature. Data relating to 332 specimens (Database 1) were used for the prediction of the compressive strength (ANN1), and, due to the lack of some information, those relating to 130 specimens (Database 2) were used for the prediction of the tensile strength (ANN2). The developed tools showed high accuracy, i.e., correlation coefficients (R-value) equal to 0.97 for ANN1 and 0.91 for ANN2. Such promising results prompt their applicability for the design and orientation of experimental campaigns and support numerical investigations.This work was funded by the FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology), under grant agreement UIBD/150874/2021 attributed to the first author. This work was also partly financed by Fundação “La Caixa”, under the reference PV20-00072, and FCT/MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) under the R&D Unit Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE), under reference UIDB/04029/2020

Analysis of CO 2 emissions and techno-economic feasibility of an electric commercial vehicle

In order to attain emissions reduction targets to improve air quality and reduce global warming, electric vehicles (EVs) arise as alternatives to conventional vehicles fueled by fossil fuels. In this context, this work presents a comparative study between an EV and its conventional version, a medium-duty, diesel engine powered vehicle, from road tests following a standard cycle in urban driving conditions. The performance parameters evaluated are EV electric energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation and, for the conventional vehicle, exhaust CO2 emissions and energy consumption calculated from fuel consumption and heating value. Five scenarios were built to conduct an economic viability study in terms of payback and net present value (NPV). Considering the conditions applied, the results from the environmental analysis showed that CO2 emissions from the EV was 4.6 times lower in comparison with the diesel vehicle. On the other hand, the economic analysis revealed that the viability of the EV is compromised, mainly due to the imported parts with unfavorably high exchange rates. In the best scenario and not considering revenue from commercial application, the calculated payback period of the EV is 13 years of operation

Entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurship in European countries

Purpose This study aims to pursue better understanding and investigation of the factor that can have an impact on the level of entrepreneurial activity. To achieve this, statistical analysis was conducted. Indicators from 22 countries of the European Union were reunited to compare the differences between entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurship. Design/methodology/approach To analyse entrepreneurial intentions in Europe, two databases of the Global Databases Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) were used, namely, “GEM NES Key Indicators 2007-2015” and “GEM APS Key Indicators 2001-2015”, available at www.gemconsortium.org/data/sets, considering only the data from 2015 and analysed with IBM SPSS Statistics tool. Each original database includes 60 countries, and this study is limited to an analysis of only countries of the European continent, resulting in a sample of 22 countries. Findings The major determinants of the entrepreneurial intention in the countries studied were: “perceived capacity”; “entrepreneurial intention” itself which will, in fact, influence the “rate of nascent entrepreneurship”; “governmental and political factors” in relation to the respective “financing for the entrepreneur”; and “basic education and training” in entrepreneurship which influences “research and development”. Research limitations/implications This study has few limitations because, as it refers to a European analysis, it would require a more generalized analysis of the factors, such as to include more and better indicators for the demographic, economic and institutional determinants of the entrepreneurial intentions and entrepreneurship in the European countries under study. For future research on the explanation of commercial activity, we must address the methodological problem of distinguishing the effect of business intentions from other determinants, as these also influence entrepreneurial attitudes. Despite the conceptual and empirical limitations, the conclusions of the study imply and provide several recommendations for the future policy of entrepreneurship in Europe. Practical implications In the past decades, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intentions have gained increasing attention from academics, governments and politicians around the world. It is seen as a critical factor for economic growth and development of a country, as it contributes to the solution of fundamental macroeconomic issues such as increased employment, development of competitiveness, innovation and the creation of economic and social values. Therefore, academics and researchers, governments and politicians are interested in identifying the differences and causes between countries that influence the level of entrepreneurship as a phenomenon associated with business activity in a country. Social implications Results reveal that some of the key determinants of entrepreneurial intention in the European countries are related to policy factors, like “governmental and political factors” and “basic education and training” in entrepreneurship. In this way, the study can help politicians elaborate the policies related to entrepreneurship, implying an increase in entrepreneurial intentions in a country and consequently implications for socio-economic development. Originality/value To achieve the originality of the study, two databases of the GEM of 2015 were used and duly adapted. In this way, the value of the article is very significant, as it is possible to group data from several countries, to test hypotheses and to arrive at very useful conclusions that may be of interest to policymakers at both the European and national levels. The adoption of adequate policies promotes and supports entrepreneurship in the context of the Europe 2020 Strategy, which is the European Union’s growth strategy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quinta da França

Quinta da França (QF) is a farm located in Cova da Beira, Covilhã, which is managed by Terraprima. The farm’s main activities are agriculture and livestock production. Among the fodder crops, the most important are temporary and permanent pastures and annual crops (such as maize, both irrigated and rainfed). Livestock consists of sheep, cows and goats (the latter in smaller numbers). The management of QF privileges sown seeks to optimize the environmental services of agricultural activities through the use of biodiverse pastures and no-tillage, and to obtain payment for those services. Regarding forest occupation, the oak-Negral is dominant, but there is a non-neglectable area of pine, and some small plots of eucalyptus marble and/or acacia. The main promoters of change in QF are: investment and participation in R&D projects; payment for environmental services; land use changes, biotic and abiotic threats and public support. Some R&D projects were particularly important in the management of QF. theProject Agro 87) plaid a pivotal role in the implantation of a significant area of biodiverse pastures in QF. Project Landstate was the source of the trademarked Terraprima products. Project Extensity contributed to the improvement and monitoring of the environmental performance of QF. QF, through Terraprima, was also a pioneer in the payment for environmental services. Terraprima signed with EDP (the Portuguese electrical company) the first contract in Portugal for carbon sequestration resulting from agro-forestry activities. Main promoters of land use change in QF are the construction of the irrigation perimeter of Cova da Beira, and the consequent intensification of agricultural and livestock activities. The main abiotic and biotic threats identified are the occurrence of fires and the incidence of the brucellosis disease. In terms of public support, agri-environmental payments are particularly important. The main themes for conditions and trends identified in the QF are biodiversity, food production, carbon sequestration / soil protection / regulation of water cycle and the supply of scientific information. In terms of biodiversity, and with respect to vertebrates, species with confirmed occurrence in QF are 72% of all species in the region. Main food products in QF are beef, lamb and calf meat, sheep milk, and grain silage maize. Carbon sequestration, soil protection and water cycle regulation are all achieved together by planting new forests, introducing sustainabl

Calcaneus stress fracture: a case report

Calcaneal stress fracture is a rare clinical entity associated with diverse etiological factors such as high intensity training, female sex, smoking and poor nutrition. The authors present a case of a calcaneal stress fracture treated conservatively with immobilization, limited weight bearing and vitamin D supplementation.