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- Wireless Flex Sensor Belt Networks for Foetal Movement Monitoring in Low Risk PregnanciesPublication . Borges, Luís M.; Barroca, Norberto; Zamith, Fernando; Lebres, António SérgioIn this work two flex sensor belts were produced to count the foetal movements in the last four weeks of pregnancy. While one is a standalone solution the other is a wireless flex sensor belt network one. A description of the type of sensors is followed by the discussion of the different types of acquisition and data treatment methodologies. The application to display the deformation angles is presented as well. The wireless sensor network solution is based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, and the hierarchical wireless network solutions include a Wi-Fi layer. Preliminary results highlight the need for accounting for mother respiration movements and actual experiences with pregnant woman will facilitate tuning the threshold-trigger, to improve the detection performance.
- Frequency of anisometropia in children in the Médio TejoPublication . Nunes, Amélia; Fernandes, Duarte José Gaião; Tuna, Ana Rita; Gonçalves, A.; Calado, R.; Monteiro, PedroAnisometropia is a difference in refractive error in the two eyes of an individual. It is often associated with amblyopia, both in the presence of and in the absence of strabismus. Its revalence depends on several factors, different values being found in different geographical areas of the world and in different age groups. [...]
- Visual function and impact of visual therapy in children with learning disabilities: a pilot studyPublication . Martins, Ana R.; Nunes, Amélia Fernandes; Jorge, ArmindaUndetected visual dysfunctions affect performance. Thus it’s e-essential the implementation of programs for visual evaluation/intervention in schoolchildren. [...]
- Eye discomfort at close work in Portuguese university students: A comparative analysis between the pre-COVID and confinement periodPublication . Nunes, Amélia Fernandes; Leitão, Mara Filipa Antunes; Nunes, António; Monteiro, PedroBackground Many individuals experience visual symptoms associated with near work. The level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of digital screen use. Objective To study the eye discomfort with near tasks in university students in the pre-COVID period and in the period of confinement due to the pandemic. Methods Two independent samples of students, aged between 18 and 35 years, were used to assess symptomatic behaviour with the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) questionnaire. In the pre-COVID period the sample had 342 participants, 64.6% females and in the COVID period 322 students participated, 71.4% females. The study of differences was carried out by the Mann-Whitney U test. The interpretation of the statistical inference was performed for a significance level≤0.05. Results There was an increase in the number of symptomatic cases in the COVID period without statistical evidence of differences in the frequency of symptoms reported in the two periods. The dimensions "somatic sensations" and "cognitive performance" were the typology of symptoms that most contributed to visual complaints with near vision. There was a significantly different symptomatic behaviour between genders in the period of confinement (p = 0.001), worsening in females and improving in males. Conclusion These findings suggest that females and males exposed to digital environments, over time, may exhibit different symptomatic behaviour. Our results suggest that boys adapt more quickly than girls. Factors that predispose to these changes, aetiology and potential intervention actions still need further study.
- Adaptação do Questionário Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness para Português (SPEED-Vp) numa População Não ClínicaPublication . Sanches, Ana Lúcia; Leite, Sara Gisela; Nunes, António; Caixinha, Miguel; Monteiro, Pedro; Nunes, AméliaIntrodução: O objetivo deste estudo foi traduzir e adaptar o questionário Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness para o português europeu, bem como avaliar o desempenho psicométrico da versão traduzida, incluindo repetibilidade e concordância. Material e métodos: O questionário original Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness - SPEED foi traduzido e adaptado para o contexto cultural português seguindo uma metodologia cientificamente válida comumente usada no processo de adaptação de instrumentos para outras culturas e línguas. O questionário resultante da tradução para o novo idioma foi sujeito a um pré-teste onde os comentários dos participantes foram escritos e considerados para a versão final do questionário. Para a validação da escala da versão final do questionário traduzido, 89 indivíduos de uma população não clínica, com idades entre 18 e 84 anos, foram convidados a responder ao questionário (61% eram mulheres). Uma semana depois, o mesmo questionário foi repetido por 63 indivíduos. A confiabilidade interna do questionário foi analisada pelo alfa de Cronbach, a estabilidade temporal pelo teste-reteste e a análise de concordância entre medidas pelo método de Bland-Altman. Resultados: A consistência interna do questionário traduzido, SPEED-vP, foi alta (α = 0,871) e todos os itens do questionário contribuíram para o aumento desse índice. Essa consistência também foi confirmada como alta no reteste (α = 0,856) e quando a amostra foi estratificada por idade e sexo. O questionário SPEED-complete também apresentou alta consistência (α = 0,88). A repetibilidade do instrumento foi alta (ICC 0,933; IC 95%: 0,899 e 0,960) e o gráfico de Bland-Altman revelou boa concordância entre as medidas. Conclusão: O Standardized Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness in Portuguese (SPEED-vP) apresentou boas propriedades psicométricas para a população portuguesa. Portanto, a versão traduzida do questionário SPEED-vP pode ser usada para mensurar quantitativamente a presença de sintomas de olho seco na população portuguesa.
- Tear meniscus height agreement and reproducibility between two corneal topographers and spectral-domain optical coherence tomographyPublication . Soares, Ivo; Ramalho, Eva; Brardo, Francisco M.; Nunes, Amélia FernandesClinical relevance: Tear meniscus height (TMH) is an important clinical marker in dry eye diagnosis and management. Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility and agreement of TMH measurements in non-clinical participants using the Oculus Keratograph 5 M, Medmont Meridia, and Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (Spectralis SD-OCT). Methods: Fifty-six participants (mean 43.8 ± 22.4 years) were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Image acquisitions were performed on the three devices, sequentially and randomized. The repeatability and reproducibility of inter-observer and inter-device analysis were performed. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bland-Altman Plots were used to evaluate the agreement between devices. Results: The mean TMH with the Oculus Keratograph 5 M, Medmont Meridia and Spectralis SD-OCT were 0.29 ± 0.16 mm, 0.24 ± 0.09 mm and 0.27 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. There were no significant inter-observer differences (paired t-tests, p < 0.001). All the devices exhibited good inter-observer reliability (ICC ≥ 0.877), and good repeatability (CV ≤ 16.53%). Inter-device reliability is moderate (ICC = 0.621, p < 0.001). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that TMH measurements given by the Spectralis SD-OCT are not significantly different from the Oculus Keratograph 5 M (p = 0.19) and the Medmont Meridia (p = 0.38). TMH measurements from Oculus Keratograph 5 M were significantly higher than those from Medmont Meridia (p = 0.02). Correlations between the mean TMH and the difference in the TMH measurements were positive for Oculus Keratograph 5 M and Medmont Meridia (r2 = 0.62, p < 0.001), negative for Medmont Meridia and Spectralis SD-OCT (r2 = -0.59, p < 0.001), and not significant for Oculus Keratograph 5 M and Spectralis SD-OCT (r2 = 0.05, p = 0.74). A strong correlation was found for TMH measured with all devices (r2 = 0.55 to 0.81, p < 0.001). Conclusions The Oculus Keratograph 5 M, Medmont Meridia, and Spectralis SD-OCT provide reliable and reproducible inter-observer TMH measurements. Inter-device reliability is moderate, with a close correlation between Spectralis SD-OCT and the Oculus Keratograph 5 M. Oculus Keratograph 5 M and Medmont Meridia are repeatable devices appropriate for the measurement of TMH, but they are not interchangeable in clinical practice.
- Prevalence, sociodemographic risk factors, and coverage of myopia correction among adolescent students in the central region of PortugalPublication . Nunes, Amélia Fernandes; Cunha, Mariana; Sousa, Miguel Castelo-Branco; Godinho, Cristina AlbuquerqueBackground Knowing the prevalence of myopia at school age is essential to implement preventive measures and appropriate interventions, ensure access to vision care, promote a healthier educational environment and improve academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopia and its associated sociodemographic risk factors, as well as to estimate the coverage of myopia correction among adolescents in center of Portugal. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 1115 adolescents from the 5th to the 9th year of school, with an average of 12.9 years (SD = 1.5) ranging from 10.0 to 18.0 years. Optometric evaluations were carried out in a school environment and consisted of the evaluation of distance visual acuity, assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart (ETDRS charts 1 and 2) at 4 m, and measured by refractive error with a pediatric autorefractometer (Plusoptix), by non-cycloplegic. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE ≤ -0.50 diopter (D)) and uncorrected visual acuity (UVA ≤ 95VAR). Adjusted logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate risk factors. Results We found a myopia rate of 21.5% and a high myopia rate of 1.4%. Higher school level and attendance at urban schools were associated with myopia, but no association was found with age or sex. Only 34.6% of myopic adolescents use the best optical correction and 26.4% do not use any type of optical correction. Conclusions Data on the prevalence of refractive problems in Portugal are scarce and heterogeneous. This study, although regional, provides a valuable contribution with a clear and reproducible methodology, following international guidelines and filling gaps in the existing literature. The results show that the rate of myopia in this age group is similar to reports from other European studies. The high rate of adolescents with uncorrected or undercorrected myopia in Portugal is a problem that deserves attention.
- Educar em Ciência com e para a CidadaniaPublication . Cao Míguez, Ana Belén; Lopes, Lígia; Mogo, Sandra; Soares, SandraÉ com grande prazer que apresentamos este livro, resultante do XX Encontro Nacional de Educação em Ciências / VI International Seminar of Science Education, realizado na Universidade da Beira Interior (UBI), de 18 a 20 de janeiro de 2024. Organizado pelo Departamento de Física da FCUBI (Faculdade de Ciências da UBI) e pela APEduC (Associação Portuguesa de Educação em Ciências), este evento reuniu uma ampla comunidade de especialistas na área da Educação em Ciências, desde docentes do Ensino Básico ao Superior, até investigadores e estudantes das mais diversas áreas científicas. Ao longo desses dias, testemunhámos uma partilha interdisciplinar de ideias, experiências e conhecimentos, enriquecendo assim o panorama educacional e científico do nosso país. [...]
- Developing competencies through flow, gamification and cultural integration: an analysis of the potential of games in teaching/learningPublication . Lopes, Lígia; Schreurs, Sonja; Licour, Caroline; Soares, SandraMuch has been done to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on school and university education, both in filling gaps in learning and in social integration and motivation of students post-pandemic. The need to transition from conventional teaching to remote learning has led students and teachers in a spiral of evolution in the development of digital skills due to the urgent adaptability required by the situation. The search for new technologies and didactics that seemed difficult at the time because many were not yet expecting such a sudden change, now takes advantage of that experience to create projects and courses that allow for accelerated recovery and thus transform what was once a complicated task into a new perspective on teaching and learning. One of these ways is the use of epistemic games and gamification to maintain ‘flow’. Flow is a combination of skill development through challenges and the pleasure of completing tasks. In this work, we will discuss a project that, with the union of remote and face-to-face teaching & learning, allowed university students to use the knowledge received during an intensive course on environmental radiation to design an escape room-style game with the aim of teaching students at other levels of education. CERAMUG, a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) in partnership with ERASMUS+, aimed at two-way learning, to learn to use specific instruments for measuring natural environmental radiation and to teach, through a game, the existence of this natural radiation in order to inform and raise awareness of high school students on the subject. The aim of this course was to promote the development of competencies that allow students to succeed in their future professional challenges. The impact of the project is not only the innovative experience for students to learn specialized nuclear measurement techniques, but also to encourage other employability competencies and digital skills necessary for their careers, as well as promoting integration among students from different cultures and countries.
- Exposure to radon in buildings in the municipality of Lubango, Angola, during winter monthsPublication . Bahu, Yoenls; Kessongo, Joaquim; Peralta, Luis; Soares, SandraThe evaluation of indoor radon exposure in dwellings is done for the first time in Lubango. The corresponding annual effective dose to which the population is exposed during the wintertime was calculated. A total of 59 single-family houses and 16 public buildings were selected. The results obtained show that in 100% of the houses, the radon concentrations are below 300 Bq m−3. The values of the indoor annual effective dose vary from (2.0 ± 0.1) to (7.0 ± 0.2) mSv y−1 below the recommended maximum reference level of 10 mSv y−1.