Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-09-26"
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- Wall Drop Punt Kick and Catch (Tripela) Test: More Than Just a Measure of Gross Manipulative CoordinationPublication . Matos, Rui; Amaro, Nuno; Lopes, Nataniel; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Coelho, Luis; Ibáñez, Sergio J.; Estevan, Isaac; Menescardi, Cristina; Monteiro, Diogo; Antunes, RaulPrevious work has shown that the Wall Drop Punt Kick and Catch (Tripela) test has a strong correlation with the manipulative component (the two tests) of the Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) battery, especially for boys. In the present study, our aim was to broadly examine the association between the Tripela test and the six MCA battery’ tests. We recruited 68 children and early adolescents (36 boys; 32 girls; M age = 11.48, SD = 0.73 years) for assessment. Within the entire sample and in boys, the Tripela test significantly correlated with all the six MCA tests (“r” from 0.285 to 0.785 with the entire sample, and from 0.424 to 0.760 with boys). In girls, the Tripela test only correlated with two out of the six MCA tests (0.388 and 0.517). Results suggest that, for boys, the Tripela test may be an appropriate field-based test to assess motor competence. Compared to several MC assessment batteries, Tripela is much less time-consuming and does not require expensive resources. For girls, results are to be taken with care, as only two significant correlations occurred.
- Using ChatGPT in Learning Chinese Mandarin: An Interactive Dictionary Rather Than a Content FacilitatorPublication . Zhang, YuxiongAs a widely discussed AI tool in recent times, ChatGPT has been the subject of extensive research, particularly in EFL learning contexts where it is often utilized as a sophisticated grammar reviewer. This study shifted its focus to exploring ChatGPT's role in Chinese Mandarin acquisition. Seven senior students from an undergraduate Chinese-Portuguese/Portuguese-Chinese translation program in Portugal participated, with six completing a structured four-task learning activity. Analysis of participant conversations with ChatGPT, a written test conducted immediately after the activity, and a questionnaire assessing satisfaction, perceived learning effectiveness, prior tool usage, and learning outcomes revealed that ChatGPT can function as an interactive, adaptable, and comprehensive real-time dictionary for Chinese Mandarin. It effectively explains word meanings and expressions in specific linguistic contexts and suggests appropriate idiomatic expressions based on learners’ prompts. Contrary to previous findings, participants reported lower satisfaction and limited perceived learning effectiveness. This may be due to the role ChatGPT played in the present study, where it was used merely as a chatbot for target-language interaction rather than as a tool facilitating their learning process by providing ready-made responses. Additionally, participants’ attitudes and preferences for traditional learning methods may also have contributed to these results. The study suggests that effective integration of ChatGPT into Chinese language learning practices requires time and careful consideration.
- Article Title: Impact of Dysphagia on Quality of Life in Machado-Joseph DiseasePublication . Mota, Joana Paz; Rodrigues, Inês Tello; Rodrigues, Inês Tello; Ferreira, Ana Filipa; Melo, Ana Rosa Vieira; Pires, Paula; Lopes, Pedro; Vasconcelos, João; Raposo, Mafalda; Lima, ManuelaDysphagia is a frequent symptom of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3)/Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), being associated with alterations in nutritional intake and hydration, as well as an increased risk of aspiration pneumonia. This study aims to evaluate the impact of self-perceived dysphagia and its relationship with quality of life in SCA3/MJD mutation carriers. 41 SCA3/MJD mutation carriers from the Azorean cohort were recruited. The Swallowing Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (SWAL-QOL), the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), the Volume-Viscosity Swallow Test (V-VST), the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), the Inventory of Non-Ataxia Signs (INAS), and the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were applied. Dysphagia was confirmed in 40% SCA3/MJD patients, whose SWAL-QOL was significantly decreased when compared to participants without dysphagia (p = 0.001). As expected, SCA3/MJD carriers with worse SWAL-QOL showed a high risk of dysphagia (p < 0.01), a worse functional oral intake of food and liquids (p < 0.01) and more severe ataxia (p < 0.01). Additionally, high severity of dysphagia reported on the INAS scale, (p < 0.01) and high frequency of swallowing disorders, perceived by SCA3/MJD carriers (p < 0.01) were observed in SCA3/MJD carriers with worse SWAL-QOL. Our findings confirm that dysphagia negatively impacts the quality of life of SCA3/MJD carriers, highlighting the need for permanent support by specialized healthcare professionals during disease progression. Additionally, we recommend that SCA3/MJD carriers with a score of 1 or higher on both the INAS dysphagia item and the ADL swallowing item be referred for specialized healthcare support in swallowing disorders.
- Qualitative Research: The Heart of Evidence-Based PracticePublication . García-Fernández, Rubén; Oliveira, Ellen Synthia Fernandes de; Presado, Maria Helena; Silva, Marcelle Miranda; Marques, Fátima Mendes; Baixinho, Cristina LavaredaEvidence-based practice in healthcare remains challenging. The sheer volume of studies, methodological diversity, scarce resources, and professionals’ difficulties in locating, appraising, and implementing evidence all contribute. In addition, there is often a lack of clear, evidence-based health-policy guidelines. In addition, there is a predominant positivist paradigm in the training of most health professionals, which makes it challenging to introduce the results of qualitative studies into practice. We believe that qualitative research provides a unique insight into the experiences, needs, difficulties, and choices of people going through transitions between health and illness. This is a theoretical paper based on a narrative literature review, the authors aim to reflect on the results of qualitative healthcare research, the difficulties in translating the knowledge obtained by more constructivist and interpretative methods, and the gains that can be made from an Evidence-Based Practice supported by the results of qualitative studies that make it possible to respect the patient’s values and preferences, allowing person-centered care. Studies that enable the exploration of experiences, perspectives, and meanings in complex areas, such as self-care, behavioral change, and adherence to therapeutic regimens, support health professionals’ clinical decision-making. This support reflects the multifaceted nature of human experiences in care settings and is vital for understanding phenomena both in isolation and in relation to other research approaches. Qualitative studies are the heart of evidence-based practice because they deepen and individualize knowledge about phenomena and make it possible to focus care on people, especially those with increased vulnerability.
- Veggies4myHeart digital game: an educational tool to promote vegetable consumption in preschool children - a multicentre experimental studyPublication . Braga-Pontes, Cátia; Ferreira, Patrícia V.; Barros, Neuza; Vieito, Leonel; Lages, Marlene; Simões-Dias, Sara; Torre, Sophie Bucher Della; Guarino, Maria P.Background Vegetable consumption as part of a balanced and diversified dietary pattern is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Even though the scientific evidence for these benefits is strong, the consumption of vegetables remains far below recommendations, especially in early childhood. Despite existing literature, the evidence on how to increase vegetable consumption in preschool children remains limited and the development and validation of new strategies should be pursued in varied contexts. The study presented herein aimed to compare the impact of educational sessions based on the serious game Veggies4myHeart and repeated exposure to vegetables on preschool children’s willingness to taste them and also their nutrition knowledge, measured at baseline and post-intervention, in Portuguese and Swiss preschool children. Methods The intervention was carried out in preschools with 39 Portuguese and 45 Swiss children, from 3 to 6 years old, in their preschools, between May 2019 and February 2021. Children participated in weekly 20-minute educational sessions for 5 weeks, delivered by trained nutritionists and incorporating the Veggies4myHeart digital game. Willingness to taste was assessed by offering the five raw vegetables in standard portions and recording whether each child tasted them at baseline, throughout the intervention, and post-intervention. Nutrition knowledge was assessed using three questionnaires applied before and after the intervention. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS software and statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Results Comparing the results between the two countries post-intervention, statistically significant differences were found in the willingness to taste lettuce, carrot, and red cabbage, with Portuguese children showing more willingness to taste these vegetables than Swiss children (p < 0,05). Improvements in nutrition knowledge, from baseline to post-intervention, were observed in both countries (p < 0,001), but without statistically significant differences between countries (p = 0.114). Conclusions Despite differences in context and eating habits of Portuguese and Swiss children, the intervention with the Veggies4myHeart digital game increased preschoolers’ willingness to taste vegetables, supporting the value of repeated exposure combined with digital tools. Improvement in nutrition knowledge further reinforces the potential of serious games as comprehensive educational strategies for promoting healthy habits in young children.
- Extensão de OSINT Para Analise e Procura de DadosFerreira, Jorge Veloso de Campos Baptista; Monteiro, Marco António de OliveiraA digitalização e a ubiquidade da informação na sociedade atual intensificaram a necessidade de segurança da informação e proteção da privacidade. A Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) destaca-se como uma ferramenta essencial para a recolha e análise de dados públicos, contribuindo para a tomada de decisões em áreas como a cibersegurança, a investigação criminal e o jornalismo. Contudo, o aumento exponencial de dados disponíveis impõe desafios que exigem soluções mais avançadas. Neste contexto, os Large Language Model (LLM) surgem como recursos inovadores, capazes de automatizar e otimizar a análise de informação através do processamento de linguagem natural. Este documento explora a integração entre OSINT e LLM, apresentando uma investigação detalhada sobre as suas aplicações e limitações na área da cibersegurança. Como contributo prático, é desenvolvido um projeto que combina ambas as abordagens, materializado na criação de uma extensão de navegador integrada com um backend funcional e com suporte a ferramentas OSINT. Este projeto demonstra o potencial desta conjugação para fortalecer a segurança digital e promover uma análise mais eficiente, automatizada e precisa de dados provenientes de fontes abertas.