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  • Ultra-fast and compact optical Galois field adder based on the LPhC structure and phase shift keying
    Publication . Askarian, Asghar; Parandin, Fariborz; Bagheri, Nila; Velez, Fernando J.
    In this study, we propose a novel all-optical Galois Field (AOGF) adder that utilizes logic alloptical XOR gates. The design is founded on the constructive and destructive interference phenomenon of optical beams and incorporates the phase shift keying (PSK) technique within a two-dimensional linear photonic crystal (2D-LPhC) structure. The suggested AOGF adder comprises eight input ports and four output ports. To obtain the electric field distribution in this structure, we employ the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) procedure. The FDTD simulation results of the proposed AOGF adder demonstrate that the minimum and maximum values of the normalized power at ON and OFF states (𝑃ଵ,௠௜௡, 𝑃଴,௠௔௫) for the output ports are 95% and 1.7%, respectively. Additionally, we obtain different functional parameters, including the ONOFF contrast ratio, rise time, fall time, and total footprint, which are measured at 17.47 dB, 0.1 ps, 0.05 ps, and 147 μm2 , respectively.
    2024-02Journal article Open access Show more
  • MEMO_MOVE: Effect of combined exercise and cognitive stimulation on fitness and cognitive function of individuals with mild cognitive impairment
    Publication . Rondão, Catarina Alexandra de Melo; Esteves, Maria Dulce Leal; Mota, Maria Paula Gonçalves da
    After the sixth decade of life, the incidence and prevalence of dementia diseases doubles every five years. Portugal is an aging nation, therefore presents a high prevalence of Dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Dementia is a condition in which there is progressive deterioration in cognition that affects day to day function and englobes numerous neuropathological conditions, such as Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, multi-infarct dementia, Lewy body dementia or Parkinson's disease dementia. Physiologically, dementia is related with aberrant accumulation of damaged macromolecule caused by age-related oxidative stress increase, that can result in silent chronic inflammatory processes, reducing neurotrophines action and impairing the maintenance of cognitive performance. In this scenario, physical activity seems to help the reduction of chronic inflammation in the central nervous system, increasing neuroplasticity and promoting remodulation of neuronal circuits by increasing cerebral blood flow. MCI is a syndrome defined as cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual's age and education level but that does not interfere notably with activities of daily life and often is a precursor of Dementia. Regular exercise has emerged as one of the most crucial lifestyle factors for improving both physical and cognitive performance among the elderly. However, although there are some indications of the benefits of aerobic exercise in reducing oxidative stress, little is known about (1) the evidence of the benefits of exercise on dementia; (2) the most adequate exercise plan to promote benefits on physical and cognitive function and (3) the benefits of multicomponent exercise (combination of exercise and cognitive stimulation) on physical fitness and cognitive function among people with Dementia or MCI. To address these questions several works were carried out: (1) a critical review based on revision articles concerned the evidenced effects of physical exercise in people with MCI were made. Main conclusions enhance the benefits that patients with dementia have from various exercise programs to improve global cognition, especially in the early to moderate stage of the disease. (2) In order to be more successful in the intervention, it was important to find out among the professionals working with these subjects which aspects they consider most relevant in the planning, and which are the main constraints. The main aspects mentioned were related with recommendations, such as the importance of including families and caregivers; the need to educate families and caregivers about the importance of physical exercise in dementia; respect the patient's will to participate; promote the collaboration and involvement of the senior residence staff; ensure attentive, respectful, and friendly treatment; create a relationship of trust with the exercise professional; the appropriate design of physical exercise and cognitive stimulation; an appropriate schedule; and a safe environment. Additionally, the main concerns were related to dementia patients' resistance to participate in exercise programs, inappropriate activities or exercises; the risk of falls; the lack of exercises’ adaptation; the difficulty in understanding instructions; the physical space for the implementation of programs not always being the most adequate; the lack of family support; the inadequate diagnosis of dementia; the danger of disorientation; episodes of violence; the willingness of people involved in the care of demented patients to collaborate; the lack of sensitivity in the treatment of people with MCI/Dementia; and the lack of adequate exercise equipment in nursing homes. (3) The physical fitness level in older persons with mild cognitive impairment was assessed, evidencing that is very poor among this population, with severe consequences on their functional independence. Therefore, promoting an active lifestyle among this population should be a crucial concern, to maintain motor abilities to perform daily tasks. (4) In order to establish the intervention characteristics, a literature review was conducted to collte and analyze previous work, which provided a summary the type of exercise that should be implemented among this population. The MEMO_MOVE program was structured and described, regarding (i) inclusion of a cognitive stimulation component; (ii) the kind of cognitive stimulation; and (iii) the type of exercise, duration, frequency, intensity, and program length. (5) After the identification of the key aspects to include in the exercise program for subjects with MCI, and paying attention to the main recommendations and constrains identified by the professionals that take care of these people, a study to evaluate the effects of a multicomponent exercise program on cognitive function and physical fitness in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment and to identify the role of oxidative stress and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), had been carried out. At baseline, 37 elderly nursing home residents with mild cognitive impairment were divided into two groups: the control group (CG, n = 12, 81.8 years) and the experimental group (EG, n = 25, 83.2 years). These elderlies followed multicomponent exercise training with dual task for 24 weeks, with two sessions per week and 45–50 min per session. Exercises included strength training and aerobic exercises, taking into consideration functional movement and light to moderate intensity. Cognitive stimulation included computer exercises, balanced platform games, word games, puzzles, math calculations, progressive and regressive counting, and word games. Physical assessments (weight, height, and body mass index), health and functional parameters (fitness tests: chair stand, arm curls, chair sit-and-reach, eight feet up-and-go, back scratch, 6-min walking, feet together, semi-tandem, and full tandem), lipid profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides), measures of lipid peroxidation damage, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and BDNF were measured in plasma, based on which analyses were performed before and after the 24 weeks of the multicomponent exercise intervention. The main results showed an overall improvement in physical and functional performance. Regarding cognitive function, there were significant improvements in the cognitive performance, particularly in retention and recall capacity. Significant different variations between groups in Total Cholesterol between baseline and post intervention period, occurred. The plasma biochemical parameters of BDNF, decrease in both groups between baseline and post intervention. Total antioxidant capacity increased in both groups, however while CG increased lipid peroxidation, EG decreased it. The results suggest that a multicomponent exercise training program (aerobic and strength exercises combined with cognitive stimulation) in institutionalized elderly with MCI is effective in improving physical fitness, memory and reducing oxidative stress-induced damage.
    2024-02Doctoral thesis Open access Show more
  • Heat transfer effect on the modeling of jets under supercritical and transcritical conditions
    Publication . Magalhães, Leandro; Silva, A. R. R.; Barata, Jorge M M
    The injection of nitrogen under supercritical and transcritical conditions, where the injection temperature is below nitrogen’s critical point, but the pressure is above it, is considered in this paper. While the scientific community recognizes that the sharp gradients of the different thermophysical parameters make it inappropriate to employ a two-phase flow modeling at conditions above the critical point, the issue is not restrained to the mere representation of turbulence for a mono-phase flow. Instead, a quantitative similarity with gas-jet-like behavior led to proposing an incompressible but variable density hypothesis suitable for describing supercritical and sub/near-critical conditions. Presently, such an approach is extended and assessed for a configuration including injector heat transfer. As such, axial density and temperature decay rates and jet spreading rates of density and temperature are evaluated, indicating a higher mixing efficiency in the supercritical regime and an overall dominance of heat propagation over momentum transport, with a greater preponderance in the supercritical regime.
    2024-02-03Journal article Open access Show more
  • Mapeamento e Sistematização do Processo Operacional de uma empresa de fabrico de produtos metálicos
    Publication . Nunes, Beatriz Isabel Patrício; Albuquerque, Pedro Manuel; Gaspar, Pedro Miguel de Figueiredo Dinis Oliveira
    O presente relatório de estágio enquadra-se no âmbito da conclusão do Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industrial, concretizado em contexto industrial, na empresa J3LP, Lda., inserida no setor de polimento de peças metálicas, nomeadamente componentes que integram acessórios de moda de alto luxo. O foco principal deste relatório de estágio inseriu-se essencialmente no estudo das atividades operacionais realizadas no Departamento de Produção, e consequentemente, no mapeamento dos processos inerentes a esse, com base nos princípios do Lean Manufacturing. Foi realizada uma descrição da situação atual do Departamento de Produção, com base no levantamento de todas as atividades realizadas pelos intervenientes de interesse, dos documentos utilizados e indicadores disponibilizados, sendo feita uma análise crítica para identificar os problemas a resolver. Com isto, para eliminar os problemas encontrados foram apresentadas as propostas de melhoria sugeridas, nomeadamente, o Procedimento de Tratamento de Problemas, o Processo de Gestão de Equipas, o Processo de Gestão de Produção e outros documentos complementares a estes processos, como um standard operacional para o acompanhamento da equipa de produção e outro para a realização de uma auditoria às secções a cargo, uma agenda para a encomenda dos materiais consumíveis, um standard para a arrumação e organização dos moldes e um registo para os problemas de produção. Todos os documentos sugeridos visam padronizar atividades essenciais ao completo e organizado funcionamento do Departamento de Produção, a par com a monitorização eficaz das atividades realizadas neste. Com a adoção das metodologias de trabalho propostas, espera-se um aumento da produtividade das secções, diminuição das horas de recuperação e de outros desperdícios, nomeadamente movimentações desnecessárias, defeitos, tempo de espera e processamento desnecessário.
    2024-02-05Master thesis Embargoed access Show more
  • Relatório de Estágio no Laboratório SYNLABHEALTH ALENTEJO: Dislipidemia nas várias regiões do Alentejo
    Publication . Freire, Marco António Cavaca; Barroca, Maria Gabriel André Aparício; Tomaz, Cândida Ascensão Teixeira
    O laboratório SYNLABHEALTH ALENTEJO é um laboratório específico para a realização de análises de produtos biológicos, com o objetivo de fornecer informações detalhadas sobre o estado de saúde dos utentes, tornando possível aos médicos diagnosticarem, prevenirem e tratarem qualquer patologia. Ao longo do relatório foram descritos os tipos de análises clínicas realizados, bem como os equipamentos e os procedimentos rotineiros utilizados no laboratório. Neste, são abordados temas nas áreas de: Bioquímica, Imunologia, Serologia, Hematologia e Microbiologia. O presente trabalho, também possui uma vertente de investigação, onde é descrito um estudo sobre a dislipidemia nas três regiões do Alentejo: Baixo, Central e Alto Alentejo. O principal objetivo foi caracterizar o perfil lipídico dos utentes dos laboratórios Synlab, nestas três diferentes regiões, e avaliar qual possui maior número de casos de dislipidemias e, consequentemente, um maior risco para as doenças cardiovasculares. No total, foram analisados dados de 70 160 utentes das três regiões do Alentejo, sendo 30 785 do sexo masculino e 39 375 do sexo feminino, tendo em conta os seguintes parâmetros: Triglicéridos, Colesterol Total, LDL e HDL. Para a distinção entre diabéticos e não diabéticos foram também analisados os parâmetros de Hemoglobina Glicada, (Hba1c), Glucose e Albumina (micro-albuminúria). Os resultados evidenciaram que a região onde se observou a maior prevalência de dislipidemia foi a do Baixo Alentejo, uma vez que apresentou a maior percentagem de utentes com dislipidémia relacionada com elevada concentração de colesterol. Adicionalmente, esta região possui os valores mais elevados em quase todos os parâmetros dislipidémicos, nomeadamente o LDL e os Triglicéridos. Verificou-se também que a população diabética em estudo possui os Triglicéridos mais elevados, quando comparado com a população não diabética, o que se justifica pela sua patologia metabólica. Através do estudo realizado, pode concluir-se que população do Baixo Alentejo possui um maior risco de desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares, quando comparada com as outras regiões do Alentejo, uma vez que os seus utentes apresentaram os valores mais elevados dos diversos parâmetros dislipidémicos em análise.
    2024-02-05Master thesis Open access Show more
  • The role of STEAP1 in the sensitivity of C4-2B prostate cancer cells to taxane-based chemotherapy
    Publication . Coelho, Rafaella Severino; Baptista, Cláudio Jorge Maia; Rocha, Sandra Catarina Moreira da
    Prostate cancer (PCa) is the third-leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. As a precursor to PCa, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions are defined as a preneoplastic growth of the prostate that could develop into carcinoma and metastatic disease. The Six Transmembrane Epithelial Antigen of the Prostate 1 (STEAP1) is a prostate-specific cell-surface antigen, almost exclusively expressed on the secretory epithelium of the prostate tissue. However, this protein is known to be overexpressed in several types of cancer, including PCa. The STEAP1 protein is found on cell-cell junctions and acts as an ion channel or transporter of small molecules, indicating that this protein plays an important role in cell communication. In cancer, STEAP1 overexpression has been associated with inhibition of apoptosis, enhancement of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as induction of epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Furthermore, a link between overexpression of STEAP1 and poor prognosis in PCa has also been found. The most common approach for metastatic castration-resistant PCa treatment is the sequential prescription of single-agent therapies. Among those agents are the so-called taxane-based chemotherapeutics, a category of highly useful antineoplastic drugs, which includes paclitaxel, docetaxel, and cabazitaxel. However, as the disease progresses, patients become resistant to treatment. Currently, up to 90 % of cancerrelated deaths are due to the emergence of drug resistance. Nonetheless, combined therapies have been explored in an attempt to overcome the resistance and improve the therapeutic effectiveness. This study aimed to assess the sensitivity of PCa cells to taxane-based drugs when the STEAP1 gene is silenced, as well as to evaluate the expression of STEAP1 in response to the same drugs. C4-2B cells were selected to be transfected with a specific siRNA against the STEAP1 gene or with a scramble siRNA sequence. Wild-type and STEAP1-knockdown C4-2B cells were treated with paclitaxel, docetaxel, or cabazitaxel, and STEAP1 expression and cell viability were evaluated. The results showed that STEAP1 knockdown or taxane-based treatment significantly reduced the viability of PCa cells. However, the effect was reversed when the drugs were combined with STEAP1 knockdown, where the cell viability of C4-2B cells increased. This study demonstrated that STEAP1 expression levels might influence the response of PCa cells to chemotherapeutics drugs. Moreover, it seems that the use of paclitaxel, docetaxel, or cabazitaxel is more effective in PCa cells that overexpress STEAP1.
    2024-02-06Master thesis Open access Show more
  • Relatório de Estágio Académico de Viseu Futebol Clube, SUB-19
    Publication . Costa, Pedro Miguel Gomes; Ferraz, Ricardo Manuel Pires; Branquinho, Luís Filipe Cardoso
    No âmbito da Unidade Curricular de Estágio do 2º ciclo de estudos em Ciências do Desporto – Treino Desportivo, da Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI), foi realizado um estágio curricular no Académico de Viseu Futebol Clube (AVFC), equipa que competiu no Campeonato Nacional Sub-19 2ª Divisão. Atividades realizadas no decorrer deste estágio, decorreram na equipa técnica do plantel de Sub-19 na categoria de treinador estagiário. O treino desportivo tem evoluído significativamente nas últimas décadas, especialmente no futebol, onde várias metodologias têm sido desenvolvidas de forma a otimizar o desempenho dos jogadores. Assim com o intuito de potenciar o desenvolvimento do processo de treino, no decorrer do estágio foi realizado um trabalho de investigação que teve como principal objetivo de investigar os efeitos de diferentes tempos de recuperação nas respostas de carga de treino durante a realização de jogos reduzidos de 4 vs. 4. Participaram no estudo, 8 jogadores da equipa de sub-19 que participavam no campeonato nacional da categoria. Foram utilizados dois formatos de jogo reduzido com a duração total de 18 minutos: 1 contínuo (18 minutos) e 4 fracionados (3x6 minutos) com diferentes tempos de recuperação entre repetições (30s, 1 min, 1,30m e 2min). Os resultados permitiram concluir que existe uma tendência para respostas mais elevadas de carga de treino com o uso de métodos fracionados e períodos mais longos de recuperação com exceção da velocidade máxima onde curtos períodos de recuperação (30s) parecem ser suficientes para promover altas respostas de carga externa. A comparação entre métodos fracionado e contínuo sugere que o método fracionado resulta em cargas interna e externa mais elevadas.
    2024-02-06Master thesis Open access Show more
  • Development of graphene-based systems for cancer treatment
    Publication . Sousa, Ana Rita Lima de; Correia, Ilídio Joaquim Sobreira; Mendonça, António José Geraldes de; Diogo, Duarte Miguel de Melo
    Cancer is a major public health issue that still poses a significant challenge in the field of medicine. The first line therapy for this disease is surgery, with the removal of the tumor and nearby tissues, but it is mostly restricted to the early stages. Chemotherapy is another therapeutic option, and it employs powerful drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. This treatment approach, as well as radiotherapy, can be used in the later stages of cancer development. However, these two classical treatments tend to induce severe side effects, such as fatigue, hair loss, nausea, and major organ damage. The limitations of the existing treatments emphasize the demand for the development of novel, more effective, and safer anticancer strategies. In the past decade, near infrared (NIR; 750 – 1000 nm) light-responsive nanoparticles have emerged due to their potential to mediate a spatio-temporally controlled anticancer activity. In this novel type of therapy, nanomaterials are intravenously administered and navigate through the bloodstream with the intent to extravasate into the tumor site. In this regard, the leaky vasculature of the tumor-associated vessels and the impaired lymphatic drainage, present on this site, drive the nanoparticles’ tumor uptake (known as the enhanced permeability and retention effect). The occurrence of spontaneous dynamic vents on the tumor vasculature was also found to facilitate the accumulation of the nanomaterials at the diseased site. Afterwards, the tumor zone is exposed to NIR light, which exhibits minimal interaction with essential body components as well as a high tissue penetration depth. Then, the tumor-homed nanostructures absorb the NIR light, creating a temperature increase that is harmful to cancer cells (photothermal therapy (PTT)). Among the different NIR light absorbing nanomaterials, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanostructures have attracted a great attention for cancer related applications. Besides having a high NIR absorption and photothermal capacity, the large aromatic surface area of rGO enables the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs, and subsequent photothermally-induced drug release. Such opens a venue for exploring this nanomaterial for cancer chemotherapy-PTT (chemo-PTT). Nevertheless, as-synthesized rGO has a poor colloidal stability (i.e., tends to precipitate in complex biological fluids), and lacks selectivity towards the cancer cells.The former limitation of rGO can be overcome by functionalizing its surface with polymers containing hydrophilic segments. For this purpose, the decoration of rGO surface with poly(ethylene glycol)-based amphiphiles has been by far the most commonly applied approach. However, some recent literature has highlighted that poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized nanomaterials may have immunogenicity issues. Thus, the validation of new biocompatible hydrophilic polymers for stabilizing rGO is highly demanded. For improving rGO selectivity towards cancer cells, the surface of this nanomaterial has also been functionalized with amphiphilic polymers containing moieties/segments that bind to receptors that are overexpressed in cancer cells’ membranes. However, these non-covalent functionalization approaches using amphiphilic polymers carry the drawback of being prone to prematurely detach from the rGO surface during blood circulation. Despite the nanomaterials’ potential (including NIR light-responsive nanostructures), their translation into clinical applications has been slow. In fact, only a small fraction of the systemically administered nanoparticles is able to reach the tumor site. Additionally, the currently available pre-clinical in vivo models often over-represent the enhanced permeability and retention effect, which is not ubiquitously present in all human solid tumors. To fully harness the potential of rGO for cancer PTT or chemo-PTT, its direct delivery into the tumor site appears to be a promising approach (local administration route). In this regard, exploring the potential of injectable hydrogels for mediating the local delivery of rGO (and other therapeutic agents) may further improve the selectivity and efficacy of this nanomaterial for cancer PTT or chemo-PTT. In this way, the main goal of the work plan developed during this Doctoral thesis was to establish new approaches to increase the applicability of rGO in cancer therapy by systemic administration (through its functionalization with stabilizing coatings (poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)) or targeting moieties (hyaluronic acid)) or by local administration (through its incorporation in injectable hydrogels). This thesis includes three chapters focused on the research works developed. In the first research work (chapter 3), rGO was produced using dopamine as the reduction agent, and the reduction process was fine-tuned to optimize the size distribution and NIR absorption of the resulting materials. Then the attained rGO was covalently functionalized with thiol-terminated poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) through a Michael-type addition – the functionalized nanomaterial was termed as P-DOPA-rGO. After its assembly, P-DOPA-rGO was characterized, showing suitable physicochemical features, colloidal stability, and cytocompatibility for being applied in cancer therapy. The P-DOPA-rGO also created a temperature increase of 36 °C upon NIR laser irradiation (808 nm, 1.7 W/cm2, 5 min; 75 μg/mL of DOPA-rGO equivalents). As a result, the PTT mediated by P-DOPA-rGO effectively eradicated breast cancer cell monolayers (viability below 3 %) and significantly reduced the viability of heterotypic breast cancer spheroids to just 30 %. In the subsequent research work (chapter 4), rGO produced by using dopamine was covalently functionalized with thiolated hyaluronic acid through a Michael-type addition and loaded with doxorubicin – termed as DOX/HA-DOPA-rGO. The produced nanomaterials presented a good size distribution and surface charge, appropriate cytocompatibility, as well as greater uptake by CD44-overexpressing breast cancer cells. The DOX/HA-DOPA-rGO produced a photoinduced heat of about 35 °C (808 nm, 1.7 W/cm2, 5 min; 75 μg/mL of DOPA-rGO equivalents). In the in vitro studies, the chemo-PTT mediated by DOX/HA-DOPA-rGO reduced the breast cancer cells’ viability to just 22 %. In turn, the standalone nanomaterials’ PTT (HA-DOPA-rGO plus NIR light) and nanomaterials’ chemotherapy (DOX/HA-DOPA-rGO) only reduced the cells’ viability to 38 % and 81 %, respectively. In the third research work (Chapter 5), an injectable in situ forming thermo-responsive chitosan-agarose hydrogel was developed for incorporating rGO (produced using Vitamin C) and a combination of doxorubicin:ibuprofen – termed as thermogel-rGODI. The hydrogel displayed suitable injectability and gelation time, as well as good physicochemical properties, cytocompatibility, and was capable of producing a NIR-responsive temperature increase of 8 °C (808 nm, 1.7W/cm2, 10 min, 10 μg/mL of rGO). In the in vitro studies, the chemo-PTT mediated by the thermogel-rGODI plus NIR light (10 μg/mL of rGO; 90.4 μM of the doxorubicin:ibuprofen) reduced the breast cancer cells’ viability to just 34 %. In turn, the standalone hydrogels’ PTT (thermogel-rGO plus NIR light) and hydrogels’ chemotherapy (thermogel-rGODI) only decreased the cancer cells’ viability to 60 and 76 %, respectively. Overall, the results obtained in this Ph.D. thesis demonstrate that the functionalization of rGO nanomaterials with poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and hyaluronic acid can potentially enhance their applicability in cancer therapy, through the systemic route, by improving their stability and targeting capacity, respectively. Furthermore, the results also attest the potential of injectable hydrogels for the local delivery of rGO and chemotherapeutic drugs aimed for cancer therapy. In this way, these innovative approaches can contribute to push the translation of rGO-based nanomaterials from the bench to the bedside.
    2024-02-08Doctoral thesis Embargoed access Show more
  • Conhecimentos e atitudes dos estudantes de Medicina da UBI em relação às pessoas trans e às suas necessidades em saúde
    Publication . Cardoso, Mariana Santos Macedo; Moutinho, José Alberto Fonseca; Rodrigues, Carla Susana Tovim; Nunes, Sara Monteiro Morgado Dias
    Introdução: Pessoas LGBTQIA+ enfrentam disparidades documentadas na assistência médica, e estas são experienciadas de forma mais acentuada por pessoas trans. Um dos fatores na sua origem é a falta de acesso a profissionais com formação nesta área. Estudantes de medicina e médicos apresentam lacunas de conhecimento comprovadas na assistência à saúde LGBTQIA+ devido a instrução escassa da temática. Conhecer a perceção dos atuais alunos de medicina sobre o tema, poderá despoletar estratégias para melhorar os futuros currículos de formação médica. Objetivos: O objetivo principal desta investigação é perceber quais os atuais conhecimentos dos alunos de Medicina da Universidade da Beira Interior sobre as particularidades dos cuidados a pessoas trans e formular contributos para melhorar a formação dos profissionais de saúde em diversidade de género e sexualidade. Métodos: O presente estudo é transversal, baseado na recolha de respostas a um inquérito anónimo em formato GOOGLE FORMS enviado, através do email institucional da faculdade, a todos os estudantes de medicina da FCS-UBI, acessível entre 22 de setembro e 2 de novembro de 2023. No total, foram obtidas 221 respostas. O questionário elaborado é constituído por duas partes: a primeira, elaborada pelos autores e não validada, tem como objetivo avaliar os conhecimentos dos estudantes sobre necessidades de saúde da população trans e a segunda pretende avaliar as atitudes para com homens e mulheres trans com recurso à escala EARHMT, validada para português por Ana Raquel Machado Guimarães em "A study about attitudes toward transgender: a transparent hate or a colourful love?". Resultados: Obtiveram-se 221 respostas, das quais 95 (43%) correspondiam a alunos dos 5º e 6º anos. Do total, 177 (80%) identificaram-se como do género feminino, 42 (19%) do masculino e 2 (1%) não binários. Em relação à orientação sexual, 186 (84%) referiram ser heterossexuais, 19 (9%) bissexuais e 8 (4%) homossexuais. Os inquiridos relataram um desconhecimento total em relação a vários tópicos, incluindo: 65 (29,4%) sobre os tipos de cirurgias de reafirmação de género, 67 (30,3%) os tipos de hormonoterapia para reafirmação de género, 144 (65,2%) sobre as recomendações para o rastreio do cancro do colo do útero e do cancro da mama, em trans masculinos, e 150 (67,9%) desconheciam as recomendações para o rastreio do cancro da próstata em trans femininos. Quanto à formação, 162 (73,3%) alunos referiram que receberam nenhuma ou escassa formação sobre a população LGBTQIA+ durante todo o curso, e 84% declararam que não tinham recebido qualquer tipo de instrução em cuidados de saúde específicos para a população trans. A maioria dos estudantes de medicina não demonstrou atitudes negativas para com a população trans e 76% considerou que seria importante a sua abordagem na formação académica. Conclusão: Os estudantes de medicina da UBI reportaram um nível de conhecimentos médicos muito insuficiente para a prestação cuidados de saúde a pessoas trans, o que sugere necessidade de reajustar o curriculum da formação médica nesta área.
    2024-02-09Master thesis Open access Show more
  • Moda Consciente e Bem-estar
    Publication . Miyoshi, Letícia Augusto Borges; Pereira, Maria Madalena Rocha; Fernandes, Solange Rosa
    O presente trabalho visa aprofundar a compreensão da relação complexa entre moda e bem-estar, reconhecendo o paradoxo existente: enquanto as tendências de moda proporcionam auto expressão e autoestima, o seu consumo desenfreado gera, paralelamente, aflição e culpa, dada a notória pegada ambiental da indústria. Segundo dados da Organização das Nações Unidas, o aumento médio de consumo de vestimenta aumentou 60% em relação ao que era há 15 anos, enquanto o tempo de uso de cada peça diminuiu pela metade. Para entender essa realidade, foi utilizada uma metodologia não intervencionista, recorrendo a uma revisão bibliográfica abrangente através da abordagem de temas como pós-modernidade, sustentabilidade, comportamentos de consumo e tendências de mercado, a fim de explorar estratégias e soluções coletivas que promovam um consumo de moda mais consciente e de acordo com o bem-estar geral dos indivíduos. Conclui-se que a formação de comunidades pode ser um caminho a ser seguido, visto que desempenham um papel vital ao unir, educar, apoiar e capacitar os indivíduos a enfrentarem os desafios das mudanças climáticas e da instabilidade global. Por fim, foram analisados diversos serviços focados no bem-estar e no consumo de moda consciente cujos insights motivaram a idealização de um projeto único e inovador baseado na participação ativa da comunidade como forma de promover o consumo consciente de moda atrelado ao bem-estar físico, mental e do ambiente.
    2024-02-14Master thesis Open access Show more