Browsing by Author "Pereira, Joana"
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- Adding pieces to the Portuguese Sign Language lexicon puzzle: three pilot studiesPublication . Mineiro, Ana; Pereira, Joana; Duarte, Liliana; Morais, IsabelThe main goal of this article is to present several pieces of the “puzzle” concerning Portuguese Sign Language (LGP) lexicon – polissemy, linguistic specialization of forms and the sign’s history throughout time –, thus demonstrating how these pieces fit into the linguistic mechanism of human creativity and the dynamic evolution of languages, two privileged factors in cultural expression.
- Amor Surdo: realidade cultural? O papel da Língua Gestual Portuguesa e da Cultura Surda no comportamento afectivo de 10 jovens SurdosPublication . Pereira, JoanaA cultura Surda, conceito que abarca a visão que os membros das comunidades linguísticas minoritárias Surdas detêm de si mesmos e do mundo, é um conceito recente na comunidade científica internacional. Em Portugal ainda se perspectiva muito a surdez na sua dimensão biológica, por meio de uma concepção patológica baseada na ausência ou diminuição do sentido da audição. Esta não corresponde à visão que as pessoas Surdas têm de si próprias. Este trabalho apresenta a pessoa Surda como um indívíduo que se concebe a si mesmo como experienciando uma existência positiva, com uma língua e cultura destacadas das da maioria populacional. O papel do amor nas vidas humanas é o de tecer laços afectivos entre os indivíduos, construindo redes relacionais que se tornam no tecido cultural e social em que vivemos. Neste estudo qualitativo analisa-se o papel que a Língua Gestual Portuguesa (LGP) e a cultura Surda têm no florescimento das relações de amor que ocorrem na vida de 10 jovens Surdos e o modo como os sujeitos pensam a amizade e o amor romântico. A informação recolhida através de inquéritos por questionário aos participantes revela que, na escolha de potenciais amigos« ou parceiros românticos, uma atitude de abertura para com a diversidade e de respeito para com a cultura Surda, os seus valores e língua é, para eles, determinante.
- Antiulcerative and antitumoral properties of spent brewer's yeast peptide extracts for incorporation in foodsPublication . Amorim, Manuela; Pereira, Joana; Monteiro, Karin; Ruiz, Ana; Pinheiro, Hélder; Carvalho, João; Pintado, ManuelaToday, the inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis are increasing and have been associated to contemporary people. Additionally, the increasing of cancer in the world is also a current fact. These issues are attracting attention in the search of new ingredients used in the prevention and improvement of these diseases. Particularly, several compounds, when added to foods, are able to positively stimulate certain biological systems leading to health improvement. Thereby, extracts obtained from the combined autolysis and hydrolysis of yeast cells possess compounds such peptides and amino acids, which eventually may control the production of inflammatory cytokines, thus leading to an anti-inflammatory activity and antitumoral properties. Thus, the main objective of the present work is to study the antiulcerative and antitumoral potential of yeast peptide extract for further incorporation in functional foods to prevent or improve symptoms in these chronic diseases. Peptide concentrates obtained by hydrolysis of spent brewer yeast proteins with extracts of Cynara cardunculus were studied using animal models to prove possible protection of the stomach mucosa against ulcerative lesions caused by oral administration of absolute ethanol. The peptide fraction below 3 kDa (peptidic extract) from yeast proteins was able to reduce gastric injuries to significant levels (p < 0.05). Additionally, the anti-proliferative activity of these extracts in nine cell lines of different human tumor was tested. The results exhibited a promising antiproliferative activity against leukemia cells. These results suggest that this new peptide extract can be used to develop new functional foods, although further studies are required.
- B-learning in a distance learning graduate program for deaf studentsPublication . Lagarto, José Reis; Mineiro, Ana; Pereira, JoanaThis article results from a case study with exploratory traits where the implementation of a graduate degree in Portuguese Sign Language at the Portuguese Catholic University is analysed. With this study we intend to determine whether distance learning models using blended learning strategies are adequate for deaf students at the university level. The teaching practice using a learning management system and some Web 2.0 tools show us that is possible to provide education and training to disabled people that are not able to attend regular face-to-face courses at University. The option for technology-enhanced learning environments allows new solutions for old problems; issues that somehow limited the development of different skills in groups of individuals with specific traits.
- Comportamentos de saúde oral em adolescentes portuguesesPublication . Pereira, Carlos; Veiga, Nélio; Amaral, Odete; Pereira, JoanaIntrodução: A frequência da escovagem, a utilização do fio dentário e a consulta regular ao médico dentista são importantes determinantes de saúde oral. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar os comportamentos de saúde oral numa amostra de adolescentes portugueses, mais especificamente a prevalência de escovagem, a utilização de fio dentário e as consultas regulares ao médico dentista, e estabelecer a associação destes comportamentos com aspetos sociodemográficos. Participantes e métodos: Realizámos um estudo transversal onde avaliámos os alunos de 26 escolas públicas do terceiro ciclo e secundário do distrito de Viseu. Em cada escola avaliámos todos os adolescentes do 7.° ao 12.° ano de escolaridade. A recolha de dados foi efetuada através de um questionário autoaplicado e respondido pelos adolescentes em sala de aula, contendo questões referentes a comportamentos de saúde oral e estatuto socioeconómico. Dos 8768 distribuídos, recolhemos 7644 (87,2%). Foram excluídos da análise os questionários sem informação para o sexo e para a idade, bem como os que correspondiam a idades inferiores a 12 ou superiores a 18 anos. Ficámos com uma amostra final de 7563 adolescentes (4117 do sexo feminino). Resultados: A prevalência de escovagem (2 ou mais vezes por dia) é de 23,5%, mais frequente no sexo feminino (25,5 vs. 21,2%, p < 0,01). A frequência da escovagem (2 vezes ou mais por dia) encontra-se associada às habilitações literárias dos pais (< 4 anos = 18,2%, 4-12 anos = 23,2% e > 12 anos = 44,2%, p < 0,01) e à área de residência (urbano = 36,9%, rural = 16,7%, p < 0,01). A utilização diária do fio dentário é referida por 4,4% dos adolescentes, mais frequente no sexo feminino (4,6 vs. 4,1%, p < 0,05). 37,1% dos adolescentes referem nunca terem utilizado o fio dentário, 40,5% referem utilizá-lo às vezes e 18,1% desconhecem o fio dentário. 86,7% dos adolescentes referem ter consultado um médico dentista, uma ou mais vezes durante a vida e 55,0% referem que o fizeram nos últimos 12 meses. As razões mais frequentes para a ida à consulta nos últimos meses foram: consulta de rotina (49,8%), odontalgias (27,8%) e tratamentos dentários (21,6%). Conclusão: O presente estudo permitiu concluir que os comportamentos de saúde oral dos adolescentes estão associados a fatores demográficos e socioeconómicos. Os hábitos de higiene oral são mais frequentes no sexo feminino. Uma elevada proporção de adolescentes não realiza consultas de rotina e vai ao médico apenas quando tem odontalgias. Programas comunitários devem ser considerados por forma a melhorar os conhecimentos e os comportamentos relacionados com a saúde oral dos adolescentes.
- Editorial: deaf culturePublication . Gil, Cristina; Gertz, Genie; Pereira, Joana; Humphries, Tom
- Formulation and consumer acceptance of cereal bars with functional properties by the incorporation of peptides and β- glucans from Spent Brewer's YeastPublication . Amorim, Manuela; Pereira, Joana; Pinheiro, Hélder; Pacheco, Maria Teresa; Pintado, ManuelaThe market for functional ingredients and foods has a high growth due to increased awareness and promotion of healthy eating and lifestyle of consumers. Food can be used as vehicle to intake bioactive compounds that provide health benefits and increase people well-being. Thus, cereal bars are a popular and convenient food, which is an ideal carrier to incorporate functional ingredients that promote health and prevent diseases. The design and development of functional foods should not be made based solely on nutritional function without taking into account product properties, such as color, texture, flavor and taste. The sensory properties are the most important attributes for the consumer acceptance, as well as other quality issues such as stability and texture. This work was focused on the formulation and sensory analysis of cereal bars obtained by incorporation of peptides and β-glucans extract obtained via autolysis and hydrolysis of spent brewer’s and presenting biological activities such as, antihypertensive and prebiotic. However, this ingredient results in particular taste and flavor that may constrain the matrix choice and consumer acceptance. The cereal bar was formulated based on oat, rice and corn and added 2% extract. Consumer acceptance tests were performed to test general acceptability in particular for the appearance, aroma, flavor and texture by hedonic scale of nine points (9 = liked a lot and 1 = dislike very much) and intent to purchase of 5 point scale (5= definitely would buy and 1= definitely would not buy). The final cereals bars were assessed by 52 consumers and showed positive response since "like" for all attributes were obtained. Regarding the intention to purchase, the sample had an average between "maybe bought" and "probably would buy". So these results suggest that cereal bar is an adequate matrix to produce a functional food with antihypertensive and prebiotic activity based on spent brewer's yeast bioactive ingredient.
- Health determinants among a sample of Portuguese childrenPublication . Veiga, Nelio Jorge; Pereira, Carlos; Loureiro, Rosalina; Amaral, Maria Odete Pereira; Coelho, Inês; Pereira, JoanaIntroduction: The current lifestyles suggest risk behaviors that are the basis of a country’s health profile. Objectives: The objective of this study was the assessment of health determinants and its association with socio-demographic variables among a sample of Portuguese children from 3 to 10 years old. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with a total of 1617 children from public schools, from the two main school groups of Tondela and Vouzela, Portugal. The final study sample was built with a total of 1365 children aged between 3 and 10 years old. Data collection was accomplished by the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire to the parents and caregivers of the children. Results: It was found that the older children had a lower adherence to healthy eating habits and a higher prevalence of physical activity. The boys had higher levels of physical activity and higher prevalence of sedentary behaviors, in comparison with girls. The residence area of the children was associated with a higher prevalence of fastfood consumption and sedentary behaviors. Conclusions: It becomes noticeable the need to make an intervention on the most vulnerable social groups to obtain more effective health equality. Health promotion strategies should be seriously considered in communities in order to improve healthy lifestyles among Portuguese children and their families.
- Helicobacter pylori infection and functional dyspepsia in adolescencePublication . Pereira, Carlos; Veiga, Nélio; Amaral, Odete; Pereira, Joana; Bastos, IldaIntroduction: Studies confirm that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection may be a predisposing factor for gastric pathology later in life. This study consisted in determining the prevalence of H. pylori present in the stomach and functional dyspepsia in sample of Portuguese adolescents. Participants and methods: A sample of 437 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, attending a public school in Sátão, Portugal, was enrolled in this cross sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire focusing socio-demographic variables, social and daily habits and gastric-related pathologies was filled out by all participants in this study. The self-reported form for children and adolescents of the Rome III Diagnostic Questionnaire was also applied in order to assess functional dyspepsia. The adolescents were screened for H. pylori infection using the Urease Breath Test (UBT) that consists in the exhalation of carbon dioxide in samples before and after swallowing urea labeled with non radioactive carbon-13. Prevalence was expressed in proportions and compared by the chi-square test. Crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used. Results: The prevalence of gastric H. pylori was 35.9%. Functional dyspepsia was present in 22.4% of the sample and was associated with age (≤ 15years OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.17-4.33), residential area (rural OR=1.98, 95%CI=1.05-4.35) and family history of gastric disease (OR=3.39, 95%CI=1.17-9.87). After adjustment by multivariate logistic regression for socio-demographic variables and family history of gastric disease, the results demonstrate no association between H. pylori infection and functional dyspepsia (OR=1.08 95%CI=0.8-1.3). Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of H. pylori infection and functional dyspepsia among adolescents, suggesting that gastric pathology continues to be an important public health issue. This study provides important baseline measurements for future preventive measures
- Imprinting of founders' entrepreneurial motivations on enterprises' practices and processes: the context of creative industriesPublication . Abecassis-Moedas, Céline; Manceau, Delphine; BenMahmoud-Jouini, Sihem; Pereira, JoanaThis paper explores the imprinting of entrepreneurs' motivations on the practices and processes of enterprises. We investigate the question in the context of creative industries (CIs) as an extreme case of entrepreneurial motivations (EMs) prevalence. We analyse the EM of 14 founders of design consultancies. Three EMs emerge: self-fulfilment, freedom and financial motivation. The qualitative analysis reveals that the founders' EMs at the time of a venture's founding has a lasting impact on the characteristics of the venture (name, processes formalization, decision-making processes, performance measures and growth strategies). Specifically, founders driven by self-fulfilment tend to build ventures named after them. In these ventures, processes are informal, decision-making is centralized, performance measures are based on personal satisfaction and recognition and enterprise growth is restrained. Founders who seek freedom tend to run enterprises with semiformal processes, semicentralized decision-making, a client satisfaction focus, and slow growth strategies. In contrast, founders with financial motivations tend to create enterprises with formal processes, decentralized decision-making, financial performance metrics and growth ambitions. By focusing on EM and adopting a holistic approach beyond some characteristics of the venture, we complement the imprinting literature.