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Publications

2024

Decentring engineering education beyond the technical dimension: ethical skills framework

Authors
Monteiro, F; Sousa, A;

Publication
LONDON REVIEW OF EDUCATION

Abstract
Engineering plays a key role in society today, influencing social behaviour, economic systems, (un)sustainability and future construction. Faced with this central and powerful role of engineering, it is urgent to recognise the need for professionals in this area to be culturally competent and sociopolitically committed in the collective ethical construction of the common good. Engineering course curricula generally focus on technical-scientific training - as is the case in Portugal - not on including or valuing other educational dimensions (namely, social, ethical, cultural or political responsibility). However, to promote an ethically responsible and sustainable future, it is imperative that these dimensions are included in engineers' training, namely through ethical education that promotes a responsible professional practice that contributes to a viable common future. Intending to contribute to a culturally responsive engineering education, and to the development of the pedagogical dimension of the ethical education of engineering students, this study aims to develop a framework of the ethical skills necessary for the professional practice of engineering. The methodology used included a systematic literature review and document analysis. The developed framework allows systematising and interconnecting ethical skills, which can promote and facilitate the inclusion of ethical education in engineering courses. The framework helped to design a curricular module in engineering. It is a useful tool for professors of ethics in engineering, for those responsible for structuring engineering curriculum plans and for anyone responsible for enhancing this field of engineering education.

2024

Assessing the Clinical Efficacy of Virtual Reality Interventions in Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Authors
Oliveira, I; Torneiro, A; Reis, R; Oliveira, E; Ferreira Coimbra, J; Paredes, H; Brugada Ramentol, V; Morgenstern, NA; Coelho, A; Rodrigues, NF;

Publication

Abstract

2024

Water Utility Service Quality Index: A customer-centred approach for assessing the quality of service in the water sector

Authors
Vilarinho, H; Pereira, MA; D'Inverno, G; Nóvoa, H; Camanho, AS;

Publication
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PLANNING SCIENCES

Abstract
This work delves into the crucial role of service quality in the water supply and sanitation sectur. Despite extensive research and implementation of quality management practices in this sector, a universally accepted definition of quality is still lacking, resulting in varikoza service quality assesunent procedures that are difficult to compam. To address this issue, the World Bank launched the Thility of the Future' (UoF) programme, aiming guide water service providers in their efforts to become future-focused utilities that offer reliable, safe, Inclusive, transparent, and resposesive services through best-fit practices. Building upon the Damework provided by the lof programme, this study proposes the Water Utility Service Quallity Index (WUSOI) composite Indicator that reflects the quality of service provided by water supply and sanitation utilities from a customer perspective. Based on Data Envelopment Analysis, the Benelli-of-the-Douht appenach is employed to assign weights for aggregating the indicators representing the diverse performance dimensions. The study operationalines the WUSOI to assess the quality of Purtuguese wholesale water and wastewater companies using data enflected by the national regulator of water and waste services. A Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis technique, the Deck of Cands method, is used to specify an indicator of transparency from the information made available by the regulated utilities. The results show the effectiveness of this tool for evaluating and measuring service quality at the company level. Additionally, the findings highlight areas for Improvement in the utilities' performance. By enabling companies and regulators to identify areas for improvement, the WUSOI can support the delivery of high-quality services to customers.

2024

Enabling Technologies to Support Supply Chain Logistics 5.0

Authors
Andres, B; Diaz-Madroñero, M; Soares, AL; Poler, R;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
Industry 5.0 complements the Industry 4.0 approach by enabling the transition of industry digitization to a sustainable, human-centered and resilient paradigm. This paper delves into the exploration of enabling technologies that facilitate both Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 in the context of supporting supply chain (SC) logistics. The paper defines the principles of Logistics 5.0, which focuses on smart logistics systems for customized distribution, transportation, inventory management and warehousing by emphasizing interconnectivity, digitization, and optimization across SC operations. The traditional logistics framework requires innovative solutions grounded in emerging Industry 5.0 technologies capable of capturing and processing extensive datasets to empower decision-making based on information and knowledge. A comprehensive research has enabled to critically analyze enabling Industry 5.0 technologies by assessing their application status through real-case scenarios within SC Logistics 5.0. Furthermore, the paper identifies research gaps in the reviewed technologies by outlining promising areas for each Industry 4.0 technology. This guidance aims to direct future studies toward the practical application of technologies in supporting Logistics 5.0.

2024

Adaptation and Validation of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire to Portuguese (SSQp) Based on Immersive Virtual Reality Exposure

Authors
Gonçalves, G; Melo, M; Serôdio, C; Silva, R; Bessa, M;

Publication
IEEE ACCESS

Abstract
Cybersickness refers to the negative symptoms caused by exposure to a Virtual Reality (VR) experience. The literature is consensual that cybersickness is a key factor in an experience, as the non-existence of cybersickness provides an optimal virtual experience. Thus, it is of utmost importance to evaluate cybersickness when assessing VR applications to understand the impact of this factor on the user experience and, ultimately, on the VR application viability. However, there is a lack of Portuguese instruments to evaluate this variable. To tackle this, this aimed to translate and validate the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) to Portuguese so it can be used with the Portuguese population and maintain its psychometric properties. The new instrument was validated using a sample of 603 Portuguese subjects aged between 16 and 79. Based on the observed results, the obtained theoretical model shows that the Portuguese version of the SSQ is valid for properly evaluating cybersickness in VR experiences with Portuguese samples.

2024

Dbd Plasma-Treated Polyester Fabric Coated with Doped Pedot:Pss for Thermoregulation

Authors
Magalhães, C; Ribeiro, AI; Rodrigues, R; Meireles, Â; Alves, A; Rocha, J; de Lima, FP; Martins, M; Mitu, B; Satulu, V; Dinescu, G; Padrão, J; Zille, A;

Publication

Abstract

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