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- Active teaching-learning methodologies in Higher Education: a project with the communityPublication . Sousa, Jenny; Mangas, CatarinaActive teaching-learning methodologies are a reality at the School of Education and Social Sciences of the Polytechnic of Leiria (Portugal), namely through the articulation with institutions of the community. The qualitative research presented in this article intends to analyse the perception of the students who are attending the Higher Professional Technical Course in Sociocultural and Sports Intervention, specifically concerning the importance of these methodologies in a project carried out with the District Hospital of Leiria. During the development of this partnership, 42 students were challenged to collaborate throughout the training process and, at the end, they were asked to write a report, which was considered the data collection instrument. These individual reports include descriptions, analyses and reflections that were processed through content analysis, using categories, and adopting an exploratory approach. The results showed that the students considered that this methodology of teaching-learning allows them to acquire know-what, know-why and know-how competencies. Moreover, they admit that the articulation with external institutions contributes to a better acquisition and mobilisation of practical knowledge that they will be able to apply to different situations, spaces and times in their future professional lives.
- Adaptive learning for dynamic environments: A comparative approachPublication . Costa, Joana; Silva, Catarina; Antunes, Mário; Ribeiro, BernardeteNowadays most learning problems demand adaptive solutions. Current challenges include temporal data streams, drift and non-stationary scenarios, often with text data, whether in social networks or in business systems. Various efforts have been pursued in machine learning settings to learn in such environments, specially because of their non-trivial nature, since changes occur between the distribution data used to define the model and the current environment. In this work we present the Drift Adaptive Retain Knowledge (DARK) framework to tackle adaptive learning in dynamic environments based on recent and retained knowledge. DARK handles an ensemble of multiple Support Vector Machine (SVM) models that are dynamically weighted and have distinct training window sizes. A comparative study with benchmark solutions in the field, namely the Learn++.NSE algorithm, is also presented. Experimental results revealed that DARK outperforms Learn++.NSE with two different base classifiers, an SVM and a Classification and Regression Tree (CART).
- Afinal, o que é uma apresentação oral?Publication . Jorge, Noémia de Oliveira; Carreira, InêsA apresentação oral é um género de texto que, pode convocar outros géneros textuais (por exemplo, a síntese, a apreciação crítica ou o texto de opinião…), e implicar a ativação de diferentes capacidades de linguagem (narrar, argumentar, expor…), no âmbito do “oral formal”. Depois de sintetizarmos as principais características da apresentação oral (a nível temático-estrutural, linguístico e extralinguístico), apresentamos uma proposta de modelo didático deste género, destinada ao 5.º ano de escolaridade e orientada para o desenvolvimento de três capacidades de linguagem distintas, no âmbito da disciplina de Português: exposição, reconto e tomada de posição (cf. Aprendizagens Essenciais de Português – 5.º ano).
- Un análisis conductual de los predictores de la adherencia al ejercicio y su impacto económico en el contexto del fitnessPublication . Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Matos, Rui; Morquecho Sánchez, Raquel; Amaro, Nuno; Cid, Luis; Couto, Nuno; Santos Teixeira, Diogo; Monteiro, Diogo; Antunes, RaulEste estudio pretendía examinar la relación entre las percepciones de los clientes sobre los comportamientos de los fisiólogos del ejercicio, los tipos de motivación y su influencia posterior en la adherencia al ejercicio durante un periodo de seis meses. Además, evaluamos el impacto financiero del abandono de los clientes en los ingresos de los gimnasios durante este periodo. Métodos: Una muestra de 1.803 individuos (edades 18-54; M = 26,61, SD = 5,48) inscritos en gimnasios de todo Portugal participaron en este estudio. Resultados: Durante el periodo de seis meses, el 42% de los clientes cancelaron sus abonos, lo que supuso una pérdida de ingresos mensual estimada de 28.659,60 euros al final del sexto mes. Acumulativamente, los gimnasios experimentaron una pérdida total de ingresos de 110.393,27 euros durante el periodo de estudio. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que los comportamientos de apoyo a las necesidades por parte de los fisiólogos se asocian positivamente con la motivación autónoma, que a su vez promueve la adherencia al ejercicio a largo plazo. Por el contrario, los comportamientos que frustran las necesidades están relacionados con la motivación controlada, que afecta negativamente al mantenimiento del ejercicio. Estos datos ponen de relieve la importancia de las estrategias de motivación tanto para la retención de clientes como para la sostenibilidad financiera de los gimnasios.
- Analysis of Frailty Indices Based on Sociodemographic and Clinical Determinants in Older WomenPublication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Monteiro, Diogo; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Matos, Rui; Amaro, Nuno; Pocinho, Ricardo Filipe da Silva; Gordo, Sara; Dias Tavares da Silva, Sílvia Manuela; Antunes, RaulBackground: The aim of this study was to analyze levels of frailty, across physical, psychological, social, and overall dimensions, according to marital status, age, number of diagnosed illnesses, and number of medications taken in community-dwelling older women. Methods: The study included a total of 94 older women, aged between 60 and 89 years. All participants completed a sociodemographic and clinical questionnaire, as well as an instrument to measure physical, psychological, and social frailty, along with the total frailty score in the study participants. Group comparison test, such as the Kruskal–Wallis test, was applied. Results: Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in frailty were associated with marital status, clinical burden, and polypharmacy, with widowed/divorced individuals, those with more diagnosed diseases, and those taking more medications exhibiting higher physical and total frailty levels, while psychological frailty was notably higher in the oldest age group. Conclusions: The results indicate that physical and social interventions should be more relevant for older women with greater social isolation, as they may increase frailty indices and consequently the risk of hospitalization, institutionalization, and mortality.
- Ascertaining Restaurant Financial Sustainability by Analyzing Menu PerformancePublication . Gomes, Conceição; Malheiros, Cátia; Lima Santos, Luís; Campos, Filipa Alexandra Gomes deThe complexity of companies in the restaurant industry is clear, and various techniques can be used to make decisions. The analysis of performance and the optimization of restaurant menus are considered important, which is why several approaches can be used. The objective of this study is to achieve financial sustainability in the restaurant industry through menu performance analysis and identifying strategies to improve menu profitability. A qualitative methodology of a dual case study was adopted by comparing a restaurant within a hotel and a street restaurant. The results show that for restaurant owners and managers, these approaches are useful, simple, and pertinent for measuring the performance of the restaurant menu and consequently improving results. The originality of this research lies in the fact that three analysis models were applied simultaneously, allowing for an in-depth analysis of the profitability of the menus being analyzed. This study identified the most profitable items for each restaurant and the items that needed to be changed to contribute more to the profitability of the restaurant’s menu, resulting in practical implications. Through theoretical implications, this study corrects the limited knowledge about performance through the restaurant menu, creating a starting point for knowledge spreading to society. In conclusion, this research is one of the first to bridge the gap between theory and practice, taking several approaches to assess restaurant menu performances, which can be useful in restaurants to promote sustainability.
- Atividade física, exercício físico e fitness em Portugal: passado, presente e futuroPublication . Monteiro, Diogo; Chaves, César; Bastos, Vasco; Pereira, Hugo; Teixeira, Diogo; Rodrigues, FilipeThis article sought, analytically and narratively, to analyze the trends in physical activity and exercise practice in Portugal over the past two decades. Additionally, the context of fitness in the national territory was examined, based on records released over the past years. Specifically, physical exercise was analyzed based on the fitness context, where interest was focused on the economic response to attrition rates and the weekly frequency of members. The current work is structured into several parts, namely: i) physical activity practiced in Portugal; ii) the panorama of physical exercise and fitness in Portugal; and iii) the economic analysis of the fitness sector in Portugal; iv) levels of physical exercise, and v) reasons for non-practice and abandonment of physical exercise. Finally, we will present a discussion highlighting practical implications. In conclusion, this study highlights the difficulty of the fitness sector in reversing inactivity trends. There is a need to review the methods used to assess physical activity and exercise. Additionally, it underscores the importance of understanding the reasons for dropout in fitness centers and implementing reforms to improve customer experience and reduce attrition rates.
- Automated femoral landmark extraction for optimal prosthesis placement in total hip arthroplastyPublication . Almeida, Diogo F. de; Ruben, Rui; Folgado, João; Fernandes, Paulo R.; Gamelas, João; Verhegghe, Benedict; Beule, Matthieu DeThe automated extraction of anatomical reference landmarks in the femoral volume may improve speed, precision, and accuracy of surgical procedures, such as total hip arthroplasty. These landmarks are often hard to achieve, even via surgical incision. In addition, it provides a presurgical guidance for prosthesis sizing and placement. This study presents an automated workflow for femoral orientation and landmark extraction from a 3D surface mesh. The extraction of parameters such as the femoral neck axis, the femoral middle diaphysis axis, both trochanters and the center of the femoral head will allow the surgeon to establish the correct position of bony cuts to restore leg length and femoral offset. The definition of the medullary canal endosteal wall is used to position the prosthesis' stem. Furthermore, prosthesis alignment and sizing methods were implemented to provide the surgeon with presurgical information about performance of each of the patient‐specific femur‐implant couplings. The workflow considers different commercially available hip stems and has the potential to help the preoperative planning of a total hip arthroplasty in an accurate, repeatable, and reliable way. The positional and orientation errors are significantly reduced, and therefore, the risk of implant failure and subsequent revision surgery are also reduced.
- Autores, textos e modos literários nos programas curriculares e nas provas de avaliação externa - que relação?Publication . Leitão, M. A.; Jorge, Noémia de OliveiraApresenta-se, neste artigo, uma reflexão sobre a representatividade de autores, textos e modos literários nas provas de avaliação externa de Português de 2.º e 3.º CEB realizadas entre 2009 e 2021 e nos documentos curriculares por que as mesmas se regeram. Assim, depois de contextualizada a relação entre textos literários, avaliação externa e programas curriculares, analisa-se a presença (vs. ausência) e o predomínio (vs. esquecimento) de autores, expressões de literatura (portuguesa, de língua portuguesa, estrangeira) e modos literários (narrativo, lírico, dramático) nos dois tipos de documentos, estabelecendo-se relações com fenómenos como o pluricentrismo da língua portuguesa e com a interculturalidade que caracteriza, cada vez mais, o sistema de ensino português.
- Behavioral regulation in sport questionnaire and sport motivation scale-II: a scale comparisonPublication . Bica, Joana; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Matos, Rui; Amaro, Nuno; Antunes, Raul; Couto, Nuno; Cid, Luis; Forte, Pedro; Monteiro, DiogoIntroduction: This study compared the psychometric properties of two primary instruments for assessing sport motivation based on Self-Determination Theory: the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) and the Behavioral Regulation in Sport Questionnaire (BRSQ). Methods: A cross-sectional analysis evaluated the scales’ internal consistency, factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and model fit, which required post-hoc modifications. Measurement invariance and adherence to the theoretical simplex pattern were also tested. Results: The BRSQ demonstrated generally acceptable reliability, while the SMS-II showed deficiencies in its introjected, external, and amotivation subscales. Both scales faced validity challenges in distinguishing adjacent motivational constructs. Although measurement invariance was supported, correlations deviated from the theoretical quasi-simplex pattern. Discussion: The BRSQ appears more robust, but neither scale is flawless. Researchers must select instruments aligned with their specific objectives and interpret scores cautiously due to these psychometric limitations. This underscores the need for refined tools to better capture the dynamic complexity of motivation in sports.