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- The use of Machine Learning in diabetes preventionPublication . Lopes, M.; Fialho, Joana; Wanzeller, Cristina; Autor correspondente: Fialho, Joana.; Fialho, Joana; Wanzeller Guedes de Lacerda, Ana CristinaIntrodução: A Diabetes Mellitus é uma das doenças crónicas que mais crescem no mundo. Diante disso, técnicas de Aprendizagem de Máquina (Machine Learning - ML) oferecem potencial para a identificação de padrões relevantes ao controle da doença. Objetivo: Analisar o impacto de técnicas de ML e a utilização de técnicas de seleção de características na predição da diabetes, utilizando o conjunto de dados “Diabetes Health Indicators”. Métodos: Aplicou-se a metodologia CRISP-DM. Os dados foram equilibrados com a técnica de subamostragem NearMiss. Utilizaram-se a Eliminação Recursiva de Características (RFE) e a Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA) para a seleção de atributos. Foram testados seis modelos: Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, KNN, Regressão Logística, Perceptron Multicamadas (MLP) e Redes Neurais Recorrentes (RNN). Resultados: A RNN destacou-se com acurácia de 86,8% e F1-score de 0,868 em dados balanceados. A combinação de RFE com MLP também apresentou desempenho robusto. O equilíbrio de classes melhorou significativamente os resultados. Conclusão: As técnicas de ML e DL são promissoras para a triagem clínica e políticas públicas. É necessário aumentar a representatividade dos dados, incorporar IA explicável e calibrar limiares para reduzir os falsos negativos, que são essenciais para aplicações práticas.
- Emerging Trends in Higher Education: Technological Progress, Shifts in Student Populations, and Changing Workforce NeedsPublication . Peixoto, Cristina; Cecília Agostinho; Fialho, Joana; Márcio Nascimento; Antunes, Maria JoséThe higher education sector is undergoing significant changes driven by technological advancements, changing student demographics, and evolving workforce demands. Emerging trends shaping the future of higher education include personalized learning powered by adaptive technologies and artificial intelligence, the rise of short-term skill-specific certifications, virtual and augmented reality enhancing learning experiences, data- driven decision-making, interdisciplinary programs fostering critical thinking, global collaboration through online platforms, competency-based education prioritizing mastery, artificial intelligence and machine learning. This will enable personalized learning, lifelong learning initiatives supporting continuous education, increased focus on mental health and well- being, and alternative funding models like income share agreements and corporate partnerships. While these trends offer promising opportunities, they also present challenges related to equity, privacy, and balancing market demands with academic integrity. The aim of this study is to explore each of these trends, understand their implications, and evaluate the impact of the transformations they bring to the future of higher education.
- Dimorfismo sexual mandibular da população Portuguesa – Predição do gênero para análise forense: Um estudo pilotoPublication . Carolina Farinha Silva; Gustavo Vicentis de Oliveira Fernandes; Fialho, Joana; Juliana Campos Hasse Fernandes; André Correia; Ana Cristina FigueiredoEste estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o dimorfismo sexual em uma coleção de mandíbulas portuguesas através de uma metodologia métrica digital, utilizando análise estatística descritiva, inferencial e multivariada para identificar quais parâmetros são mais dimórficos e quais são os melhores preditores de sexo. Trinta e três mandíbulas (14 mulheres e 19 homens) e pertences pessoais foram fotograficamente registrados com código e sexo. Os dados foram coletados por tomografia e as medidas foram feitas pelo software Simplant Pro. Foram registrados a largura máxima e mínima do ramo mandibular, altura condilar, altura do processo coronoide, altura da sínfise mandibular, ângulo mandibular, distâncias bimentual, biantegonial, bigonial e bicondilar e comprimento máximo mandibular. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando IBM® SPSS. Os resultados mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas para os seguintes parâmetros: altura do processo coronoide, altura do côndilo, comprimento máximo da mandíbula e largura mínima do ramo mandibular. Na análise estatística multivariada foi possível identificar a altura do processo coronoide como melhor preditor de sexo com precisão em 72,2% dos casos. Isto permite uma diferenciação mais fácil entre mandíbulas femininas e masculinas com uma precisão de 64,3% e 78,9%, respectivamente. Foi possível concluir que a altura do processo coronoide é o parâmetro mais dimórfico e o melhor preditor de sexo na amostra.
- Influence of Wood Chemical Composition on Liquefaction Efficiency and Polyurethane Foam Properties: A Study of Red Angico and MahoganyPublication . Emilly Silva; Gonçalves Oliveira Valente da Cruz-Lopes, Luísa Paula; Domingos, idalina; Fabricio Gonçalves; Bruna da Silva Cruz; Michelângelo Fassarella; Antônio Thiago de Almeida; Esteves, BrunoBiomass liquefaction is a thermochemical process that converts lignocellulosic materials into reactive liquid intermediates, enabling the production of bio-based polyols as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals. This study investigates the liquefaction of two lignocellulosic biomasses, Red Angico (Anadenanthera colubrina) and Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla), using a glycerol–ethylene glycol polyalcohol system, chosen for its renewable origin and high solvating efficiency. The resulting polyols were used to produce polyurethane (PU) foams, and their properties were evaluated in relation to biomass composition. The chemical composition of each biomass significantly influenced its liquefaction behavior and polyol characteristics. Mahogany achieved higher liquefaction efficiency, whereas Red Angico polyols generated PU foams with superior mechanical performance, highlighting the influence of species-specific chemistry. Water content and isocyanate index were found to modulate foam structure and compressive strength. This work demonstrates how tailored liquefaction strategies using polyalcohol systems can optimize bio-based PU foam properties, providing a sustainable route for high-performance polymer materials.
- Olive Tree (Olea europaea) Pruning Autohydrolysis: FTIR Analysis, and Energy PotentialPublication . Domingos, idalina; Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; Ferreira, José; Esteves, BrunoOlive trees cultivated in the Viseu region (Portugal) were used in the present work. This study investigates the compositional characteristics and hydrothermal behavior of olive branches (OB) and olive leaves (OL) under autohydrolysis, aiming to assess their potential for biorefinery applications. Chemical analysis revealed that during autohydrolysis (140–180 ◦C, 15–30 min), OL exhibited greater solubilization than OB, consistent with their higher extractive content. Increasing the temperature promoted selective hemicellulose removal and partial cellulose degradation, leading to a relative enrichment of lignin in the solid residues. Nevertheless, the cellulose content of olive branches for 180 ◦C and 30 min hydrolysis increased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed progressive structural rearrangements, including enhanced hydroxyl exposure, carbonyl formation, and lignin condensation, indicating the transformation of the solid phase toward more aromatic and thermally stable structures. Autohydrolysis slightly increased the higher heating value of the solid residues while acid-catalyzed liquefaction markedly increased, exceeding those of both native and technical lignins. These results suggest extensive carbon enrichment and oxygen removal during liquefaction. Overall, autohydrolysis proved effective for hemicellulose solubilization and sugar recovery, while liquefaction favored energy densification and lignin condensation. The distinct behaviors of OB and OL highlight the importance of tailoring processing conditions to each feedstock type. Both materials show strong potential as renewable resources for bioenergy and value-added carbon-based products within an integrated olive biomass biorefinery framework
- Sleep Quality among Medical Students of a Portuguese UniversityPublication . Ferreira, Rita; Brás, João; Fialho, Joana; Peixoto, CristinaIntrodução: O sono é um processo fisiológico complexo presente na maioria dos seres vivos. As perturbações do sono têm vindo a aumentar exponencialmente. Os estudantes universitários, particularmente, os estudantes de medicina, são especialmente vulneráveis a esta problemática. Contudo, a literatura existente relativa ao tema é escassa, especialmente, em Portugal. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em avaliar a qualidade de sono nos estudantes do curso Medicina da Universidade da Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal e analisar as diferenças e relações existentes de acordo com a idade, sexo, coabitação e ano de curso. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal em que os estudantes envolvidos preencheram o Índice da Qualidade de Sono de Pittsburg (PSQI), previamente validado para a população portuguesa. Os valores obtidos, para cada componente do PSQI, foram inicialmente analisados para a população global, e posteriormente relacionados com as variáveis sociodemográficas, visando a obtenção de relações estatisticamente significativas. Resultados: Duzentos noventa seis estudantes responderam ao questionário. Destes, 62,2% consideraram o seu sono bom; 42,4% obtiveram 1 na componente latência do sono; 50% admitiu dormir entre 6 a 7 horas; 73,9% evidenciou uma eficiência de sono adequada; 85,5% relatou pouco ou nenhum distúrbio do sono; 83,8% referiu nunca ter usado medicação para dormir; e 60,8% mencionou pouca ou nenhuma disfunção diurna. Relativamente ao PSQI global, 73,1% dos estudantes obtiveram uma pontuação superior a 5, indicando uma má qualidade de sono. Das raparigas, 74,7% e dos rapazes, 67,7% revelaram uma pobre qualidade de sono. Dos estudantes, que vivem sozinhos, 91,3% também exibiram uma pobre qualidade de sono. Relativamente ao ano letivo do curso no qual o inquérito foi aplicado, 82,4% dos estudantes do 1º ano reportaram uma pobre qualidade de sono, assim como 77,5% do 2º ano, 72,1% do 3º, 77,8% do 4º, 65,8% do 5º e 71,4% do 6º ano do curso. Conclusão: Globalmente, os estudantes que participaram neste estudo apresentaram má qualidade de sono, com uma classificação no PSQI superior 5. Contudo, as classificações em cada um dos componentes não são tão negativas. A maioria dos participantes classificam o seu sono como bom ou muito bom, quase metade dos participantes referiram dormir mais de 7 horas e a maioria apresentou uma eficiência de sono superior a 85%. De igual forma, 83,8% nunca usaram medicação para dormir. Não sendo um resultado robusto, torna-se imperioso a realização de mais estudos que o comprovem inequivocamente. Mais, tais estudos também serão imprescindíveis para identificar situações em que a intervenção terapêutica melhorará tais parâmetros.
- From Invasion to Valorization: Adsorbent Applications of Acacia dealbata Biomass in PortugalPublication . Weber Macena, Morgana; Esteves, Bruno; Jackelline S. Pinto; Rui Novais; Ana P. F. Caetano; Lucas Grosche; Helena Pereira; Gonçalves Oliveira Valente da Cruz-Lopes, Luísa PaulaAcacia dealbata, an invasive species in Portugal, produces large amounts of residual biomass during control operations, thereby presenting challenges and opportunities for sustainable valorization. Heavy metal contamination, including zinc (Zn), remains a critical environmental challenge due to its widespread industrial release and potential ecotoxicological impacts. This study explores the potential use of A. dealbata biomass as a biosorbent for zinc removal from aqueous solutions, comparing the performance of natural biomass and A. dealbata charcoal fines. Adsorption isotherms, kinetics, and surface characterizations were conducted to evaluate their physicochemical properties and sorption efficiency. The A. dealbata charcoal fines exhibited a significantly higher specific surface area (33 m2 g −1 ) and total pore volume (0.030 cm3 g −1 ) compared with the untreated biomass (1.4 m2 g −1 and 0.004 cm3 g −1 , respectively). Despite these structural differences, both materials demonstrated similar maximum adsorption capacities (23.36 and 23.79 mg g−1 for natural and charcoal fines, respectively). These results indicate that untreated A. dealbata biomass can perform as a biosorbent comparably to its carbonized form, representing a simple, low-cost, and sustainable alternative for heavy metal removal, offering a low-energy and sustainable alternative for Zn remediation.
- SSENPV's Integrated Management PlatformPublication . Pinto, Bruno; Matos, Cristina Peixoto; Abrantes, Steven; Lourenço, Carolina; Fialho, Joana; Cravo, Ivone; Antunes, Maria José; Nascimento, MárcioAt the Polytechnic of Viseu (PV) [1], the number of students has been increasing [2], and it is hoped that this trend continues, for the sake of the literacy of the population that serves in its area of coverage and for the reduction of the desertification of the interior region in which is inserted. In the case of Students with Specific Educational Needs (SSEN) who attend the PV (SSENPV), it is extremely important to develop procedures that minimize the anxiety brought about by change for these students, as well as to facilitate their adaptation, to make the period of permanence in Higher Education (HE) an inclusive period, generating well-being, promoting academic success, and facilitating the transition to active life. To combat this phenomenon and since the PV is a Higher Education Institution (HEI) that is guided by equity in its community, in particular the student community, the SSENPV census is a crucial measure insofar as it is necessary to implement procedures, which must respect and obey individual specificities. It is also intended that, regarding access to information on the platform, it will allow reducing asymmetries between students as well as access to services. To respond to this reality, within the scope of the Inova & Includes project. IPV I2 [3], a group of researchers, in partnership with the degree course in Computer Engineering at the Superior School of Technology and Management of Viseu (ESTGV) – curricular unit of “Project”, developed an integrated management platform for SSENPV. This platform, which is intended to be a contribution to true equity in education in the PV, is based on the support of social impact in different dimensions, which translates into the implementation of the following profiles: • Informative Profile: dissemination of legislation and other relevant information on Specific Educational Needs (SEN), ensuring centralized and accessible information management and streamlining procedures and support measures. • Academic Profile: registration and updating of data on the SSENPV. • Technical Evaluation and Follow-up Profile: registration of the SSENPV procedural evaluation, with automatic sending of technical evaluations to authorized users
- Uma História de Sucesso: O Caso da Produção Audiovisual do Jornal do CentroPublication . Costa Lopes, Mónica Dulce; Ferreira, SóniaThe global epidemiological outbreak caused by Sars-CoV-2, which resulted in the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly affected different sectors of society. The impact on audiovisual production was no exception. The restrictive measures imposed to prevent the spread of the virus have had notable effects on film production, television programs and other audiovisual content. Many production jobs were cancelled or postponed. To overcome these scenarios, adaptation had to be rapid and various strategies had to be adopted. At the same time, the pandemic has also led to new public behaviours and preferences, such as increased demand for streaming platforms. This article focuses on the study of this impact in the specific case of the audiovisual production of Jornal do Centro during the pandemic period. Jornal do Centro produces informative, entertaining, institutional, and promotional audiovisual content. Through the application of the interview survey, this research aims to explain how the production process, in each of the pre-production, production and postproduction phases, overcame limitations, adapted, and created solutions. It also reveals which strategies are maintained in the current scenario.
- Center of Portugal Tourism: Effects of Video Advertisements on Positive Emotions and Narrative TransportationPublication . Santos, Sara; Vasconcelos, Maria; Ferreira, Sónia; Augusto, Luísa; Santo, Pedro EspíritoNowadays, it is possible to acknowledge the appeal of online platforms for advertising or the growing popularity of videos as a form of viewer engagement and entertainment. In video advertising, the narrative framework significantly impacts how the message is interpreted, particularly when storytelling techniques are applied. Moreover, the quality and format of the advertising's message directly impact consumers' intention to make a purchase. Recently, short movies have become very popular and offer much promise for marketing travel. The way that the advertisement presents the location can have a significant impact on how people feel towards the destination. Through the creation of compelling advertisements, marketers can significantly impact customer feelings, piquing their interest in destinations. A total of 906 responses were gathered for the study, and the data were analyzed using structural equation modelling and the SMART-PLS program. All the hypotheses that were tested were confirmed, indicating that the narrative structure, transportation, and advertisement design all had a significant impact on the development of positive feelings in the viewers of the promotional videos. Therefore, the narrative and design of the advertising influence the positive emotions of tourists who see this ad. These findings bolster the body of knowledge regarding using narratives in travel videos and imply that promotional videos can effectively accomplish destination marketing. Moreover, these carry repercussionsfor marketing professionals, giving them invaluable guidance on producing compelling and memorable content for travel-related videos.