https://hdl.handle.net/10216/143476 Sat, 11 Jul 2026 05:15:47 GMT 2026-07-11T05:15:47Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/165735 Title: Burnout and coping strategies among Professors during COVID-19: Portugal-Brazil comparative study Abstract: The global pandemic experienced in recent years led Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to close their facilities to safeguard the health and safety of the academic community. This reality overloaded professors in terms of work, often leading them to the limit of exhaustion and impacting on their performance, quality of life and well-being, taking, in many cases, to burnout. This study aims to identify and characterize the frequency of burnout and strategies of coping in professors from HEIs of Portugal and Brazil. A sample of 132 professors answered to online self-administrated questionnaires: sociodemographic and telework conditions; Oldenburg-Burnout Inventory and Brief-COPE. The results suggest that: regarding burnout, the exhaustion dimension is higher among professors in Portugal; regarding coping strategies, professors in Brazil use more strategies designated as maladaptive. Appropriate coping strategies and resources made available to professors can contribute to their well-being at work and to their quality of life and happiness. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/165735 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/165649 Title: Survapp: A Shiny Application for Survival Data Analysis Abstract: There is a substantial demand for user-friendly graphical interfaces that empower professionals with limited programming knowledge to perform statistical analysis. Although R software is widely used for statistical analysis, it lacks an adequately intuitive graphical interface for individuals without statistical and programming skills. This paper aims to address this gap by introducing an application called Survapp, enabling users, regardless of their computational knowledge, to conduct survival analysis. The development leveraged R software, RStudio, and the Shiny package to create an interactive web app. Survapp incorporates diverse methodologies for analyzing survival data, including Kaplan-Meier, log-rank tests, Cox regression models, parametric accelerated failure time models, decision trees, random forests, and competitive risk analysis (a specific case of multi-state models). Survapp enables users to analyze survival data, offering example databases for various methodologies within the application. However, the primary objective is to allow users to import their own data and conduct their respective analyses in a user-friendly environment. A distinguishing aspect of Survapp is its interface, bridging the gap between complex statistical methods and users with limited statistical and programming expertise. Overall, Survapp proves to be a highly valuable tool for survival data analysis, catering to users needs and providing a user-friendly interface with a wide range of survival analysis methods. The Shiny app is available at the Shiny Apps repository: https://emanuel-vieira.shinyapps.io/survapp. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/165649 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164629 Title: Estimation of the Transition Probabilities Conditional on Covariates with Repeated Measures: a Joint Modeling Approach Abstract: In recent years, there has been a significant urge of interest in longitudinal and survival data modeling. This approach holds particular significance in cancer research, where it enables the evaluation of how longitudinal markers influence the event of interest. This paper aims to introduce practical estimation techniques for transition probabilities, conditional on observed covariates with repeated measurements. This innovation allows us to incorporate the trajectory of longitudinal outcomes into regression models by accommodating time-varying covariates for each individual. The results presented in this study confirm the superior efficiency of the proposed methods, which merge existing approaches for joint modeling of longitudinal and survival data with the landmark approach for estimating transition probabilities. These methods outperform approaches that do not fully account the information provided by longitudinal covariate measurements. © 2024 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164629 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164563 Title: Presmoothed Estimators of the State Occupation Probabilities in Multi-state Survival Data Abstract: The progress of a disease can be analyzed using multistate models. These models focus on two key parameters of interest: the transition hazard and the state occupation probabilities. The state occupation probabilities have been consistently estimated by the Aalen-Johansen estimator. This estimator is particularly well-suited for handling censoring and benefits from the Markov assumption in the underlying stochastic process. In some cases, these estimators may lead to estimators with higher variability. To mitigate this issue we propose alternative estimators that incorporate a preliminary estimation approach. We introduce also practical estimation techniques for the state occupation probabilities, considering covariate measures. We explore the finite sample behavior of the estimators through simulations. An application to breast cancer is included. © 2024 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164563 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164562 Title: Promoting Nutrition Literacy and Food Neophilia of Middle School Children Through a Serious Hybrid Game Abstract: This paper aims to assess the impact of a serious hybrid game on nutrition literacy and the promotion of food neophilia and, consequently, the diversification of children’s food choices from 10 to 12 years old. FlavourGame is a serious hybrid game that combines a digital component (based on a mobile application, which helps players during the game, acting as an assistant that guides the game’s tasks) with a board game. Real foods with their flavors, aromas, and textures were introduced as props to the players during the game. Nutrition messages were also included in the initial cutscene (mobile application) and in the Curiosity’s Cards about food and nutrition. The intervention group involved two different groups of children, in total 19 participants, from 10 to 12 years old, tested the FlavourGame. Sociodemographic information, eating habits, and food neophobia data were collected. A 12-question nutrition quiz was also administered at the beginning and at the end of the game session to evaluate the game’s impact on nutrition knowledge. A control intervention involving 26 children (6–12 years old) was conducted. The results suggested that Flavourgame could be used as a strategy to address and overcome children’s fear or aversion to new foods and encourage them to try a variety of foods. Regarding nutrition knowledge acquisition, FlavourGame did not show a great performance, but if children continue playing (as expected in a game) the contact with nutrition facts and messages will persist, and, certainly, the knowledge acquisition will improve. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2024. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/164562 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/159928 Title: Micronucleus frequencies in lymphocytes and buccal cells in formaldehyde exposed workers Abstract: Formaldehyde (FA) is a high-volume production chemical produced worldwide with a large range of industrial and medical uses. Listed, since 2004, by IARC as a human carcinogen, FA status was recently revised by the US government who reclassified this compound as known to be a human carcinogen. Both reclassifications are based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from epidemiologic studies, supporting data on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and experimental evidence in animals. The highest level of human exposure to FA occurs in occupational settings. Consistent findings of increased risks of certain types of rare cancers were found among workers with higher measures of exposure to FA (exposure level or duration). The aim of the present study was to assess the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to FA. A group of pathology and anatomy workers was evaluated for micronuclei in lymphocytes and in exfoliated buccal cells. Genotoxic endpoints are of great interest in the risk assessment of occupational carcinogens because they precede by a long time the potential health effects, thus offering a greater potential for preventive measures. Micronuclei in lymphocytes and in exfoliated buccal cells were significantly higher in the exposed subjects when compared with controls. Air sampling was performed in the workers' breathing zone for representative working periods and an 8h-time weighted average was assessed. Results obtained confirm an association between genetic damage and occupational exposure to FA. Such results along with the recent implications of human carcinogenicity, point out the need for close monitoring of FA exposures. Implementation of effective control measures along with hazard prevention campaigns may be crucial to decrease the risk. © 2013 WIT Press. Tue, 01 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/159928 2013-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/159927 Title: Respiratory health in older people living in elderly care centers in Portugal Abstract: [No abstract available] Wed, 01 Jan 2014 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/159927 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151472 Title: Cross-country collaboration for physical activity promotion: experiences from the European Union Physical Activity Focal Points Network Abstract: Background: An analysis of currently existing partnerships and cross-country collaboration for physical activity (PA) promotion is valuable for understanding how such partnerships operate, and how they impact national PA promotion efforts. This study aimed to outline the formation and development of the European Union's (EU) Physical Activity Focal Points Network, to evaluate its outputs and benefits and to describe its potential and challenges. Methods: A mixed methods approach were employed, including document analysis, semi-structured interviews with key officials and an online evaluation survey with the focal points. Results: The network was founded in 2014. Its main task is to coordinate the national collection of information for the EU's Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (HEPA) Monitoring Framework. Besides collecting data, focal points usually meet twice a year to share best practices and plan activities for the promotion of PA within the EU. The results of the evaluation survey show that participation in the network helped members specify goals for PA promotion, gain more knowledge regarding how to promote PA, identify more opportunities to promote PA in their country and to join a collaborative project with other countries. Conclusions: The study shows that the EU Physical Activity Focal Points Network may serve as an example of successful cross-country collaboration in PA promotion. The network has been able to make a contribution to monitoring the implementation of the EU Council Recommendation on HEPA across sectors in particular and of PA promotion in the EU in general. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151472 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151471 Title: The Importance of Design in the Development of a Portable and Modular Iot-Based Detection Device for Clinical Applications Abstract: The integration of human factors engineering methods within the medical device design and development process has been highlighted by international standards organizations. Such methods are contributing to the development of safer medical devices, more suitable to users' needs. Errors during device operation might hamper effective patient diagnosis and treatment, or eventually lead to injury or death. Thus, the designing process of a medical device is indeed crucial to user experience and safety operation. This paper presents a human-centred design analysis of a novel IoT-based screening prototype (iLoF) based on Artificial Intelligence algorithms built-in in a patented-photonics system developed by a deep tech startup. The influence of the design process during the development of the prototype was addressed, based on a human-centred design methodology and considering the device's application environment. iLoF's prototype on-field applicability was evaluated considering a single case-study carried out at one of the main hospitals in Portugal through interviews to ten healthcare professionals with high experience in laboratorial testing. A benchmark assessment and a comparison matrix along with the market products are also presented to fully understand the technology state and to find new solutions that can influence iLoF's product development. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151471 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151470 Title: Economic evaluation of physical activity interventions for type 2 diabetes management: a systematic review Abstract: Background: Economic evaluation of physical activity interventions has become an important area for policymaking considering the high costs attributable to physical inactivity. However, the evidence for such interventions targeting type 2 diabetes control is scarce. Therefore, the present study aimed to synthesize economic evaluation studies of physical activity interventions for type 2 diabetes management. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement (PROSPERO reference number CRD42021231021). An electronic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and NHS Economic Evaluation Database. Studies were eligible if they included: adults with type 2 diabetes; any physical activity intervention in the community settings; an experimental or quasi-experimental design; and a parameter of economic evaluation [cost analysis of interventions, cost-effectiveness analysis (including cost-utility analysis) and cost-benefit analysis] as an outcome. Results: Ten studies were included in this review: seven were randomized controlled trials and three were quasi-experimental studies. All studies included direct costs, and four also included indirect costs. Four studies demonstrated that physical activity interventions were cost-saving, six studies showed cost-effectiveness, and two studies reported cost-utility. The estimates varied considerably across the studies with different analytical and methodological approaches. Conclusion: Overall, this systematic review found that physical activity interventions are a worth investment for type 2 diabetes management. However, comparability across interventions was limited due to heterogeneity in interventions type, design and delivery, which may explain the differences in the economic measures. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151470 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151469 Title: A proposed checklist for climate-friendly sport and exercise programmes Abstract: Background: Fighting the climate crisis is the greatest challenge of our time and will touch all aspects of people's lives. In this context, the United Nations (UN) have called on the sport sector to reduce its negative impacts on the environment and show 'climate leadership'. While some efforts have already been made with regards to mega sport events, there is still a dearth of approaches on limiting the climate impact of recreational sport and exercise programmes. Methods: Based on the UN-Framework 'Sports for Climate Action', literature reviews and additional desk research, a checklist to support local level stakeholders in providing climate-friendly sport and exercise programmes was developed. Results: The proposed checklist consists of five dimensions that need to be considered when designing and offering a climate-friendly sport and exercise programme: (i) active transport to exercise programmes, (ii) the carbon footprint of different types of exercises, (iii) low carbon sport clothing and equipment, (iv) instructors as champions for climate action and (v) advertising and communication. These five dimensions result in a 16-item checklist that supports the planning, advertising, implementation and evaluation of climate-friendly sport and exercise programmes. Conclusions: The proposed checklist intends to facilitate the development of climate-friendly sport and exercise programmes. However, additional work is needed to test the implementation of the checklist at the local level. While the sport sector can make its own contributions to reduce its climate impact, intersectoral action is needed to improve infrastructure for active transport and to build sustainable sport facilities. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/151469 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/10216/143585 Title: Cognivitra: An Information Technology-Based Solution to Support Cognitive and Physical Training at Home Abstract: Objectives: this article focuses on an information technology-based application, the Cognivitra, to support cognitive and physical training (i.e., dual-task training), which can be done at home with supervision of a health care provider. Cognivitra aims to increase the number and duration of training sessions and to overcome restrictions imposed by the availability of human and physical health care resources, and the aim of the study reported by this article was the assessment of the respective functional prototype. Methods: an observational study was conducted to assess the functional prototype using a peer review approach. The prototype was exposed in a highly specialized event related to healthy and active ageing, and key stakeholders were invited to test it and share their insights, including expectation of use, perception of market value, suggestions for improvement and other comments. Results: the observational study was conducted with 57 specialists in information technology-based applications to support healthy and active ageing, with an average age of 41.5 years. The results indicate that most of the participants would use or suggest the utilization of Cognivitra. Moreover, the participants made positive comments and improvement suggestions that focused on the difficulty level, the system response performance, the intuitiveness of icons and instructions, the user interaction, and the exercise duration. Conclusion: in general participants considered that Cognivitra is a useful tool and may represent an added value for remote dual task training. Although the results of this study were very positive and encouraging, improvements should be implemented before starting tests with real users. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/10216/143585 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z