RCAAP Repository

O estudo pretende trazer a problemática da procriação medicamente assistida para o campo da teoria dos direitos fundamentais, de modo a verificar se há justificativa constitucional para impor limites ao acesso às técnicas de procriação medicamente assistida. Serão identificados os fundamentos jurídico-constitucionais do acesso às técnicas de procriação medicamente assistida e quais os direitos que eventualmente poderão ser atingidos caso sejam reconhecidos limites à utilização das tecnologias reprodutivas. Discorre sobre o regime legal de acesso às técnicas de procriação medicamente assistida adotado por Portugal e levanta questionamentos éticos e jurídicos sobre a utilização em específico das principais modalidades das tecnologias reprodutivas. Procura identificar se a utilização irrestrita do potencial disponibilizado pela medicina da reprodução colide com outros direitos fundamentais assegurados pela ordem constitucional portuguesa. Ao longo do estudo, busca-se responder se no regime jurídico conferido à procriação medicamente assistida, existe justificativa constitucional para limitar o uso das tecnologias reprodutivas em constante evolução ou se, ao revés, a imposição de restrições para a utilização das tecnologias reprodutivas, segundo o estágio atual da técnica, consistirá em ilegítimo controle pelo Estado dos comportamentos sexuais e reprodutivos dos indivíduos. Por fim, conclui-se que a Constituição da República Portuguesa já contempla limites à utilização das técnicas de procriação medicamente assistida, combinadas ou não com o método de engenharia genética, a fim de que sejam protegidos os direitos à autodeterminação ou livre desenvolvimento da personalidade da criança concebida com recurso às técnicas de PMA, o direito ao patrimônio genético não modificado e o direito à biodiversidade genética, que gozam de status constitucional.

Urban novel ecosystems were sampled across vacant sites in two Portuguese urban regions. The flora were studied with a focus on species’ origin, life form, ecological, chorological and naturalisation types. A multivariate constrained ordination technique was used to identify relationships between plant composition and environmental factors. The vegetation of the two urban regions shows differences, highlighting biome influence, as well as due to climatic variables and (to a lesser degree) soil characteristics and lithology. Although native species are clearly dominant, the frequency of non-native species is high and most are potentially or effectively invasive. In the ecological spectrum, the dominance of opportunistic ruderal species suggests a risk of biotic homogenisation in these ecosystems, which is also noticeable in the analysis of life form, but less in chorological and nativeness spectra. Portuguese novel urban ecosystems are, therefore, simultaneously an opportunity, since spontaneous vegetation management is more cost effective and can bring wilderness to cities; and a hazard, because invasive species must be controlled to support biodiversity conservation efforts.

Background: Dipilidiosis is a parasitic disease caused by the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum. Fleas and, less frequently, lice act as an intermediate host, and their ingestion is required for infection to occur. While the disease mainly afects domestic and wild carnivores, it is also considered a zoonotic disease, with most human cases reported in children. Dipylidium caninum is considered to be the most common tapeworm infesting companion animals, but dipilidosis in humans is rare. The aims of this review were to improve current understanding of the epidemiology of this parasitosis and its management by the medical and veterinary community. Methods: A comprehensive review of the published literature during the last 21 years (2000–2021) on the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prevention measures of D. caninum infection and dipilidiosis in companion animals and humans was conducted. Results: Using predefned eligibility criteria for a search of the published literature, we retrieved and screened 280 publications. Of these, 161 (141 epidemiological studies, 20 case reports [16 human cases]) were considered for inclusion in this review. This parasitosis is present worldwide; however, despite being the most frequent cestode infection in animals, it is often underdiagnosed using common coprological techniques. Its diagnosis in humans has also proved challenging, being frequently confused with pinworm infection, leading to inappropriate treatment and to the persistence of the disease over time. Prevention measures include control of ectoparasites in animals and the environment, as well as regular deworming of animals, most commonly with praziquantel. Conclusions: The diagnosis of dipilidiosis remains challenging in both animals and humans, primarily due to the low sensitivity of the diagnostic methods currently available and a lack of knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the parasite. Although treatment with the appropriate anti-cestode compounds is well tolerated and results in resolution of the infection, indiscriminate use of these compounds may predispose to an increase in resistance. Given the worldwide distribution of this parasite, it is essential to act on several fronts, with a focus on health education for children and animal owners and the control of intermediate hosts, both in animals and in the surrounding environment.

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a major driver of global biodiversity loss, hampering conservation efforts and disrupting ecosystem functions and services. While accumulating evidence documented ecological impacts of IAS across major geographic regions, habitat types and taxonomic groups, appraisals for economic costs remained relatively sparse. This has hindered effective cost-benefit analyses that inform expenditure on management interventions to prevent, control, and eradicate IAS. Terrestrial invertebrates are a particularly pervasive and damaging group of invaders, with many species compromising primary economic sectors such as forestry, agriculture and health. The present study provides synthesised quantifications of economic costs caused by invasive terrestrial invertebrates on the global scale and across a range of descriptors, using the InvaCost database. Invasive terrestrial invertebrates cost the global economy US$ 712.44 billion over the investigated period (up to 2020), considering only high-reliability source reports. Overall, costs were not equally distributed geographically, with North America (73%) reporting the greatest costs, with far lower costs reported in Europe (7%), Oceania (6%), Africa (5%), Asia (3%), and South America (< 1%). These costs were mostly due to invasive insects (88%) and mostly resulted from direct resource damages and losses (75%), particularly in agriculture and forestry; relatively little (8%) was invested in management. A minority of monetary costs was directly observed (17%). Economic costs displayed an increasing trend with time, with an average annual cost of US$ 11.40 billion since 1960, but as much as US$ 165.01 billion in 2020, but reporting lags reduced costs in recent years. The massive global economic costs of invasive terrestrial invertebrates require urgent consideration and investment by policymakers and managers, in order to prevent and remediate the economic and ecological impacts of these and other IAS groups.

Land-use changes adversely may impact ecological entities and humans by affecting the water cycle, environmental changes, and energy balance at global and regional scales. Like many megaregions in fast emerging countries, Tamil Nadu, one of the largest states and most urbanized (49%) and industrial hubs in India, has experienced extensive landuse and landcover change (LULC). However, the extent and level of landscape changes associated with vegetation health, surface permeability, and Land Surface Temperature (LST) has not yet been quantified. In this study, we employed Random Forest (RF) classification on Landsat imageries from 2000 and 2020. We also computed vegetation health, soil moisture, and LST metrics for two decades from Landsat imageries to delineate the impact of landscape changes in Tamil Nadu using Google Earth Engine (GEE). The level of vegetation health and drought for 2020 was more accurately assessed by combining the Temperature Condition Index (TCI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI). A Soil moisture index was subsequently used to identify surface permeability. A 75% expansion in urban areas of Tamil Nadu was detected mainly towards the suburban periphery of major cities between 2000 and 2020. We observed an overall increase in the coverage of urban areas (built-up), while a decrease for vegetated (cropland and forest) areas was observed in Tamil Nadu between 2000 and 2020. The Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) values showed an extensive decline in surface permeability and the LST values showed an overall increase (from a maximum of 41 °C to 43 °C) of surface temperature in Tamil Nadu’s major cities with the highest upsurge for urban built-up areas between 2000 and 2020. Major cities built-up and non-vegetation areas in Tamil Nadu were depicted as potential drought hotspots. Our results deliver significant metrics for surface permeability, vegetation condition, surface temperature, and drought monitoring and urges the regional planning authorities to address the current status and social-ecological impact of landscape changes and to preserve ecosystem services.

This study presents both the procedures and the results obtained with Students School Disruption Scale inferred by teachers.

Introduction: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) do not seem to be at increased risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2, but there is a concern whether immunosuppressive therapy may be associated with more severe disease. Several clinical practice recommendations have been published to help guide IBD care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, few studies have addressed patients' perspectives and fears. We aimed to evaluate Portuguese IBD patients' perspectives on the clinical management of their disease during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as well as the impact on their professional life. Methods: An anonymous electronic survey was created using REDCap and was distributed by the Portuguese Association of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (APDI) between May and August 2020. Patients' perspectives on immunosuppressive therapy, disease management, interaction with gastroenterology departments, and the impact of the pandemic in their professional life were assessed. Patients' proposals to improve medical care were also evaluated. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were performed. Results: A total of 137 participants answered the survey (79.6% females, mean age 41.7 ± 12.1 years). Although having IBD and receiving treatment with immunosuppressors (thiopurines, steroids, or biologics) were considered promotors of anxiety, most patients (85.4%) agreed that disease remission was a priority and only a minority of patients interrupted their treatment during the pandemic. In multivariate analysis, active disease, biologic treatment, and use of corticosteroids in the last 3 months were perceived by the patients as high-risk features for increased risk of SARS-Cov-2 infection and more severe disease. Fifty-nine patients (44%) believed that their follow-up was influenced by the pandemic and only 58.8% felt that they had the opportunity to discuss their therapeutic options with their doctor. Sixty-three patients (46.0%) were working from home during the pandemic, although this decision was related to IBD and immunosuppressive therapy in only 36.5 and 39.7% of the cases, respectively. Areas where care could have been improved during the pandemic were identified by patients, namely enhancement of the communication with IBD professionals, conciliation of telemedicine with face-to-face appointments, and facilitation of the interaction between patients and employers. Conclusion: Most patients agreed that maintaining IBD remission is crucial, and only a minority of the patients stopped their treatment as per their own initiative. IBD status only had a small influence on patients' professional activity during the COVID-19 outbreak, with most changes being related to the pandemic itself.

Technological development renews the appeal of collaborative consumption, through its application to service innovation. In order to recognize the designer's contribution as a facilitator of this reformulation, initially, the globalization of the sector is analyzed. The impacts of this development are then identified. That said, three typologies of digitally activated service systems are exposed, highlighting the influence and dependence of services on the technological dimension. In view of the aforementioned facts, the dissertation focuses on identifying the contribution and participation of design in the efficient, safe and transparent inclusion of technological advances in digitally enabled services, with the aim of creating economic prosperity, social cohesion and ecological balance.

Inter Faces: between Self-portrait and Performativity in the Continuum of Reality is a theoretical-practical investigation that addresses the relationship between art and technology based on the articulation of the self-portrait genre, performance art and augmented reality (AR) technology for mobile devices. It involves the creation of hybrid territories, constituted by the physical landscape, the performative body and self-referential digital content in AR. In order to analyze the creative processes involved in the AR use in performance art, digital content with a poetic dimension was used, superimposing them on the performative body and space. Therefore, the performance Inter Faces was conceived, with the self-portrait genre as a structuring element, from the construction of the guiding concept to the composition of the imagery collection. Thus, several applications for mobile devices were developed in the continuum of reality, enabling the visualization of the digital contents created throughout the investigation by the audience. The enjoyment and interaction of the audience with the performative action led the investigation to the need to analyze both the subjective aspects present in the work / audience relationship, as well as those implied in the technology / user. Such analyzes were essential to assess that the objectives established by the investigation were achieved. By following the path that led to performative action in the continuum of Inter Faces reality, it was demonstrated that performance art can incorporate digital content visualized in AR in the performative space and body. Furthermore, this technological resource allows the evasion of the performative action from the tangible space to the digital space. It is concluded that the performative action in the continuum of reality allows the audience new forms of enjoyment and interaction with the performative action and constitutes an exploratory space for the poetization process of AR.

Este estudo visa compreender a forma como os professores de 1.º Ciclo, durante a pandemia COVID-19, implementaram os Plano de E@D principalmente no período de confinamento no ano letivo 2019/2020. Identificando assim, os seus efeitos sobre os conhecimentos dos professores e sobre a forma como estes mobilizam as tecnologias nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem. O estudo é de natureza qualitativa e recorre à análise de documentos e à entrevista semiestruturada a cinco professores de 1.º Ciclo. Os dados obtidos sugerem possíveis fragilidades no processo de diagnóstico e levantamento de necessidades de formação, estratégias e conhecimentos de diferentes formas de ensino, nomeadamente no que diz respeito ao E@D. Na escola onde foi realizada esta pesquisa as estruturas não se encontram direcionadas para o E@D em dois paradigmas distintos um deles é a formação dos professores estar muito aquém do desejável, o outro é a falta de autonomia e de equipamentos por parte dos alunos.

O presente trabalho foi elaborado no âmbito do Mestrado em Educação e Formação, na área de especialização Organização e Gestão da Educação e Formação do Instituto de Educação da Universidade de Lisboa e foca-se no aparecimento dos think tanks que operam no campo da educação na comunicação social portuguesa, procurando descrever e compreender o modo como se apresentam na ação das políticas públicas em Portugal. O estudo seguiu uma abordagem metodológica de caráter qualitativo, essencialmente tendo por base a pesquisa arquivística, recorrendo-se à análise documental. Tendo por base os dados recolhidos, procedeu-se à análise do conteúdo. Os resultados obtidos indicam que os think tanks portugueses em educação, nomeadamente o EDULOG e o Projeto aQeduto, surgem nos media em Portugal, sendo que os estudos que estes promovem estão em principal foco.

O presente estudo tem como propósito analisar como a predisposição para o ensino online, a satisfação com o ambiente virtual de aprendizagem e as atividades aí desenvolvidas, durante o primeiro confinamento da pandemia Covid-19, influenciaram a motivação, em alunos de 8.º ano de escolaridade, de ambos os sexos, que frequentam uma escola do distrito do Porto. Pretende, também, perceber a perspetiva dos alunos relativamente a aspetos a melhorar, no ensino remoto de emergência, em situação análoga futura. A amostra deste estudo compreende 81 alunos, do 8.º ano de escolaridade, com idades compreendidas entre os 13 e os 16 anos. O presente estudo, partiu assim da aplicação de um survey, o qual teve como finalidade a recolha de dados que permitissem descrever a perceção dos participantes relativamente à predisposição para o ensino online, ao ambiente de aprendizagem online – Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem Percebido – e respetivo grau de satisfação com as atividades realizadas a distância, para caracterizar a motivação destes participantes, num Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem, durante o primeiro confinamento da pandemia Covid-19. Este instrumento apresentou possuir elevada consistência interna. As conclusões deste estudo vão, de uma forma geral, ao encontro das principais hipóteses da Teoria da Autodeterminação na educação, enunciadas por Deci e Ryan (2020): (a) mais formas autónomas de motivação levarão a um aprimoramento do envolvimento, aprendizagem e bem-estar dos alunos; e (b) o apoio psicológico básico de professores e pais facilita essa motivação, ao passo que a necessidade de frustrá-la a prejudica, já que se verifica uma elevada satisfação relativamente ao ambiente virtual de aprendizagem - patente nos elevados valores observados no suporte à autonomia e na satisfação das necessidades básicas (que transparece bem-estar dos alunos) - e elevada motivação intrínseca na resolução das atividades propostas.

O presente trabalho de projeto consiste no desenvolvimento de um curso de Cartão Manipulador de Carnes em E-learning para operadores de talho, da empresa Food’s Yard Company (FYC). Esta proposta formativa visa dar resposta às necessidades de formação destes profissionais numa área crítica e indispensável no exercício das suas funções. Através do diagnóstico de necessidades foi possível observar a elevada taxa de ausência dos operadores de talho desta empresa na formação de Cartão Manipulador, bem como os motivos que levam a tal, sendo que um dos principais motivos se prende com a deslocação dos trabalhadores para a formação e a sua ausência do local de trabalho. Com base na informação recolhida e analisada, compreendeu-se que o desenvolvimento do curso de Cartão Manipulador em E-learning era a solução mais viável para solucionar este problema. Desta forma, foi possível desenvolver o curso neste formato, permitindo que estes trabalhadores tenham acesso a uma formação indispensável e obrigatória para as suas funções, onde poderão desenvolver as competências necessárias relacionadas com a manipulação de carnes e produtos cárneos.

A utilização de niossomas para a veiculação de medicamentos, tem recebido muita atenção devido à potencial ação selectiva destas nanovesículas. Os niossomas são nanovesículas que se formam de forma espontânea, através da hidratação de tensioativos sintéticos. As propriedades dos niossomas são determinadas pelo seu tamanho, forma e pelas propriedades físico-químicas da sua superfície, sendo capazes de modificar a biodistribuição do medicamento e consequentemente a farmacocinética do fármaco por ele veículado. Este trabalho começa por rever a literatura atualmente disponível sobre estas nanovesículas, relativamente aos diferentes componentes que são utilizados no seu desenvolvimento, métodos de preparação, fatores que afetam a sua formação, bem como metodologias utilizadas para a sua caracterização e principais aplicações. O presente trabalho de investigação está integrado num projecto que tem como objectivo o desenvolvimento e caracterização de niossomas funcionalizados com receptores de manose, para a veiculação de fármacos anti-tumorais. O trabalho realizado corresponde apenas a um dos primeiros objetivos deste projecto, o qual se focou no desenvolvimento e caracterização de niosomas vazios, tendo em vista a avaliação do impacto dos diferentes métodos de produção, bem como das diferentes proporções dos componentes da formulação nas propiedades físico-químicas destes sistemas. Foram testados três métodos diferentes para a produção de niossomas (TLE-Paddle, TLE-Vortex e Reverse Phase) e 6 proporções dos componentes dos niossomas (Span®60, colesterol e Solulan). O tamanho, a dispersão de tamanhos (PDI), e o potencial dos niossomas foram determinados de forma a averiguar o impato das variáveis acima referidas. Os resultados apresentados permitem concluir que apenas o diferente rácio molar da formulação testada teve impacto nas características dos niossomas, uma vez que as propriedades dos niossomas não foram afetadas pelos métodos de produção. De entre as formulações de niossomas testadas, a proporção 50:25:25 de Span®60:Colesterol:Solulan permitiu produzir niossomas com as características desejadas, relativamente ao tamanho (inferior a 200 nm) e PDI (inferior a 0,2), sendo seguido pelo sistema produzido utilizando Span®60:Colesterol:Solulan na proporção 40:35:25. 4 Futuramente, os niossomas serão funcionalizados com o recetor de manose à superfície, será selecionado do fármaco antitumoral a veicular, far-se-á a preparação, produção e caracterização destes sistemas, bem como a avaliação da sua ação biológica. Os niossomas constituem sistemas promissores para a veiculação direcionada de substâncias ativas. No entanto, há algumas limitações associadas à sua utilização, nomeadamente a sua translação para uso clínico e o custo de produção.

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Conceptual framework: Studies on military personnel leaving home are scarce and no studies were found relating military personnel leaving home to personal (self-concept) and motivational (work engagement) factors. Leaving home represents breaking the routines and previous lifestyle of military personnel, which requires adaptation to a different environment and provides social and housing challenges. Homesickness may cause depressive symptoms and have a negative impact in adaptation, well-being and school success. Objectives: Hence, the present study aims to analyse the engagement differences in trainees from the Training Course for Petty Officers 1st Class (Curso de Formação de Sargentos - CFS) of the Portuguese Navy regarding self-concept and contextual factors. Methodology: The study’s methodology made use of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, (Schaufeli, Salanova, González-Romá & Bakker, 2002), the Assessment Scale for Trainee Engagement in the Portuguese Navy (Frade & Veiga, 2014), as well as the Assessment Scale for Trainee Self-Concept in the Portuguese Navy (Frade & Veiga, 2016). The sample was comprised of 149 trainees from the Training Course for Petty Officers 1st Class of the Portuguese Navy. Results: Trainees that had left home and presented low self-concept reached higher levels of dedication, vigour and total engagement than those who had not left home. On the other hand, trainees who had not left home and presented low self-concept reached higher results in absorption than those who had left home. As for trainees that had left home but presented a high self-concept, higher levels were reached in all dimensions of engagement with the exception of behavioural engagement. Conclusion: The result analysis allowed the finding of connections between trainee engagement, their self-concept and leaving home. The study includes recommendations that support management actions in the Portuguese Navy towards the promotion of engagement in their Human Resources for learning and work performance situations.

No summary/description provided

This publication unveils a set of fifteen fragmented sandstone blocks currently located in the courtyard of the IXth Pylon of the temple of Amun in Karnak. The study of these inscriptions allows to identify some elements of the offering scenes decorating a number of registers of a monumental doorway dating from the reign of Ptolemy III Evergetes. The exact location inside the Karnak complex of the building to which this door belonged remains still uncertain.

Entre las múltiples representaciones de la divinidad en la religión egipcia, el aspecto animal es uno de los más habitualmente atestiguados en las fuentes de todos los períodos. De esta documentación se deduce que diversas divinidades pueden adoptar simultáneamente diferentes apariencias animales, entre las cuales se establecen relaciones de simple yuxtaposición, sin conexiones aparentes entre las especies implicadas, o de complementariedad. En este último caso, señalamos distintos ejemplos: el Horus letopolitano en su forma de musaraña y de ichneumon, la representación de la divinidad solar como erizo y puerco espín en el templo de Hibis en el oasis de Kharga o del Atum primordial como serpiente y anguila y, finalmente, el dios Banebdjed en sus apariencias de carnero y macho cabrío. Estas asociaciones expresan una unidad de significación que sirve para definir aspectos concretos de la personalidad de la divinidad, caracterizada por su naturaleza múltiple. Las analogías morfológicas y funcionales de las especies integradas en estas parejas justifican la elección de las mismas, al tiempo que permiten extraer conclusiones relativas a la organización del universo animal en el pensamiento egipcio.

A presente investigação pretendeu estudar como se caracterizam as atitudes dos jovens alunos face a si próprios, e como e que tais atitudes se diferenciam em função do rendimento escolar e da área geográfica. Utilizou-se uma amostra de 1281 jovens, com ida de entre 12 e 18 anos, dos 7º, 9º e 11º anos e de zonas geográficas diferentes, interior e litoral do pais. Procedeu-se a aplicação do inquérito, contendo a Escala Autoconcepto Forma 5. Na analise dos resultados, foram encontradas correlações significativas e positivas entre o autoconceito e as classificações em matemática, português, ciências e história, bem como diferenças estatisticamente significativas no autoconceito, favoráveis aos alunos do interior. Os resultados foram interpretados a luz da literatura revista, terminando o estudo com sugestões de novas investigações.