Estudo preliminar de alguns factores que influenciam as pontuações atribuídas na admissão ao libro de adultos do cavalo puro sangue lusitano

Avaliaram-se a altura ao garrote e as pontuações atribuídas em concursos de admissão ao Livro de Reprodutores da raça Lusitana a 501 animais (175 machos e 326 fêmeas). Encontraram-se correlações altamente significativas de valor positivo entre praticamente todas as variáveis em estudo. Os factores classificação de mérito ou recomendado do progenitor masculino, sexo do animal e ano de admissão ao Livro de Reprodutores tiveram influência significativa sobre as pontuações obtidas pelos animais da amostra aquando da sua admissão ao Livro de Reprodutores. Os resultados obtidos mostram que tem havido um aumento do nível de exigência dos juízes na admissão dos animais ao Livro de Reprodutores, facto a que não é alheia a obrigatoriedade da apresentação dos machos montados, sendo que o mesmo efeito é de esperar se tal critério for também introduzido na admissão das fêmeas

Folliculitis

This issue of eMedRef provides information to clinicians on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutics of folliculitis

Gluten, with or without it: the impact of color of "gluten-free" and "with-gluten" claims in food perception

Various trends emerge frequently concerning healthy eating and gluten-free products are one of the most relevant at the moment. The present research has the goal of understanding how information regarding this component (claims “with-gluten” and “gluten-free) on the package of food products impacts the consumer’s evaluations of healthiness, caloric content and taste. We also seek to understand how the manipulation of the color of this label (green and red) can lead to a change in said evaluations. In this experimental study conducted online (Qualtrics) voluntarily participated 370 subjects (77.6% women, Mage = 28.57, SD = 10.61) distributed randomly between six conditions of the design: 3 (gluten-free, with-gluten and control) x 2 (red and green). The task consisted on the evaluation of 12 items from two distinct food categories – biscuits and bakery goods. We verified that subjects tend to consider products with the claim “gluten-free” as healthier and less caloric than others without claim; the “with gluten” condition did not differ significantly from the control condition neither from the “gluten-free” one. The manipulation of color did not impact significantly any of the evaluations. Nor did de evaluations of taste differ significantly for any of the conditions of the independent variables. It is also relevant to mention that the self-evaluated knowledge of gluten tends to be underestimated – when compared to objective knowledge – and that a gluten-free diet is thought of as superior to a conventional diet. This investigation represents a contribution for the understanding of how consumers perceive aliments and how this type of informational instruments can bias their food choices.Várias modas emergem frequentemente no que diz respeito à alimentação saudável e os produtos livres de glúten são uma das mais relevantes atualmente. A presente investigação tem como objetivo entender o impacto da informação relativamente à presença ou ausência deste componente nas embalagens de produtos alimentares (rótulos “com glúten” e “sem glúten”) na perceção dos alimentos. Propomo-nos ainda a entender de que forma a manipulação da cor deste rótulo (verde vs. vermelho) pode influenciar tais avaliações. Neste estudo experimental conduzido online (Qualtrics) colaboraram voluntariamente 370 participantes (77.6% mulheres, MIdade = 28.57 DP = 10.61) distribuídos aleatoriamente pelas seis condições resultantes do delineamento : 3 (livre de glúten; contém glúten; control) x 2 (verde; vermelho). A tarefa consistia em avaliar um conjunto de 12 exemplares de produtos alimentares (e.g., diferentes tipos de pão e bolachas) relativamente à sua salubridade, teor calórico e sabor. Verificou-se que os participantes tendem a considerar mais saudáveis e menos calóricos os alimentos que possuem o rótulo “sem glúten” comparativamente a alimentos sem qualquer rotulagem. Porém, a condição “com glúten” não se diferenciou significativamente diferente da condição “sem glúten” ou da de controlo. Não se verificou um impacto direto da manipulação da cor na perceção dos alimentos, nem uma interação deste fator com o tipo de rótulo. As avaliações de sabor não diferiram significativamente entre as condições de nenhuma das variáveis independentes. É ainda relevante mencionar que os sujeitos tendem a subestimar o seu conhecimento relativamente ao glúten – quando comparado com o seu conhecimento objetivo – e que estes entendem uma dieta livre de glúten como sendo superior a uma dieta convencional. Esta investigação representa uma contribuição para entender como os consumidores percebem os alimentos e de que forma este tipo de instrumentos informativos podem enviesar as suas escolhas alimentares

A Compiler from Array Programs to Vectorized Homomorphic Encryption

Homomorphic encryption (HE) is a practical approach to secure computation over encrypted data. However, writing programs with efficient HE implementations remains the purview of experts. A difficult barrier for programmability is that efficiency requires operations to be vectorized in inobvious ways, forcing efficient HE programs to manipulate ciphertexts with complex data layouts and to interleave computations with data movement primitives. We present Viaduct-HE, a compiler generates efficient vectorized HE programs. Viaduct-HE can generate both the operations and complex data layouts required for efficient HE programs. The source language of Viaduct-HE is array-oriented, enabling the compiler to have a simple representation of possible vectorization schedules. With such a representation, the compiler searches the space of possible vectorization schedules and finds those with efficient data layouts. After finding a vectorization schedule, Viaduct-HE further optimizes HE programs through term rewriting. The compiler has extension points to customize the exploration of vectorization schedules, to customize the cost model for HE programs, and to add back ends for new HE libraries. Our evaluation of the prototype Viaduct-HE compiler shows that it produces efficient vectorized HE programs with sophisticated data layouts and optimizations comparable to those designed by experts

Supporting Psychosocial Interactions in Electronics 1 During Online Learning Using Multisim

There has been a body of research that shows the benefits of engaging the students in the learning process. This has been even more important now that there are not yet face-to-face meetings in engineer schools and students are confined in their virtual classrooms. Research show benefits of student engagement include increased attention and focus, motivation to utilize higher-level critical thinking skills, and promotion of learning experience. One of the means by which students are engaged in Electronics 1 Classes is through the use of Multisim Software. A student survey was done to randomly select students in Electronics 1 to determine the student’s perception of Multisim and use it as the basis of recommendations to promote better psychosocial interactions among students. Using both quantitative research methods, this study found out that the perception of the students on Multisim can still be improved, although, at its current state, it is already able to provide psychosocial interactions in the class. For future research, however, it is recommended that the strategies outlined in this paper be adopted

Enhancing Home Energy Efficiency: Web and Cloud Integration for Sustainable Electricity Monitoring

This paper demonstrates how sustainability can be integrated to technology by developing a cloud-based web application that monitors the use of energy in a residential setting. In the development of the minimum viable product (MVP), frontend tools were utilized to ensure that the platform runs on most types of devices. Moreover, backend tools were also used to ascertain efficient handling of data while maintaining security for the users. The project which has guaranteed fundamental functionality and a measure of security has been deployed successfully for early users. For future improvements, it is recommended to prioritize the optimization of user interface for devices with limited screen size and to incorporate additional features that would build sustainable energy habits such as integration with smart home devices, goal setting & progress tracking, and gamification elements

Gamifying Energy Management: Leveraging Lokalytica Smartmeter for Sustainable Future

The gamification of software applications has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance user engagement and promote desired behaviors. This paper explores the gamification of the Lokalytica SmartMeter application, an energy management platform that leverages data from meter readings through its users. By incorporating a challenge-based system and a points-based leaderboard, Lokalytica rewards users who reduce their energy consumption. The gamification application of Lokalytica was built using NextJS, a full-stack framework, along with Tailwind CSS and DaisyUI for UI design, MongoDB Atlas for the database, and GitHub for version control, collaboration, and tracking. This paper discusses the development process, the gamification mechanics, and the potential impacts on user behavior and energy conservation for a sustainable future

Mental health literacy of Mexican-American adolescents : examining their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about perinatal depression

The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the mental health literacy of Mexican-American adolescents concerning perinatal depression. The final project is a qualitative descriptive study via deductive and inductive content analysis. Categories and subcategories are presented using the mental health literacy framework. Participants were recruited from urban high schools in Southwestern United States. Twenty pregnant and postpartum (perinatal) Mexican-American adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 years participated in this study. Interpersonal conflict was the most common cause of depressive symptoms as adolescents described strained relationships with the father of the baby and family members. Emotional and instrumental support were most important to adolescents in alleviating stress and depression. Family members and their significant other were individuals that adolescents turned to for support. Family members, the internet, health providers, and mothers who had previously experienced perinatal depression were mentioned as sources of mental health information. However, those who indicated internet sources were unable to explain how information would be verified for accuracy. Although participants were able to identify symptoms of depression, many expressed difficulties in recognizing depressive symptoms. Recognition was facilitated through self-appraisals and appraisal of others. Adolescents who experienced criticism due to their pregnancy status were apprehensive about discussing depressive symptoms as many feared it would lead to more criticism and judgement. Cultural beliefs surrounding motherhood influenced perceptions about depression. Participants often ignored or minimized their symptoms as mothers were often regarded as strong, resilient figures within the family unit. In regards to perceptions about health professionals and treatment, results were somewhat mixed. Adolescents were ambivalent or unfamiliar with treatments and some believed pharmacologic treatments were not beneficial. Participants overwhelmingly expressed that empathy and warmth facilitated professional help-seeking. Health care providers were seen as knowledgeable, but it was important for adolescents to first establish rapport before disclosing their mental health concerns. Utilization of the mental health literacy framework provided a comprehensive description of Mexican-American adolescents’ perceptions about perinatal depression. Consideration of sociocultural environment, values, and beliefs are indicated during interactions with and development of interventions for perinatal Mexican-American adolescentsNursin

Influence of Language Evolution and Compiler Advances on Program Creation: Implications to Electronics Engineering Education

The progression of programming languages, from machine and assembly languages to high-level and very high-level languages, and now towards natural language processing and artificial intelligence, has significantly influenced program creation and assembly. Each generation has brought notable advancements in abstraction, readability, and usability, making programming increasingly accessible and efficient. Early languages such as machine and assembly languages were hardware-dependent and low-level, concentrating on direct interaction with hardware. This paradigm shifted significantly with the emergence of high-level languages, which abstracted hardware specifics and emphasized logic and functionality. These shifts have had profound impacts, particularly in Engineering Education, by potentially reducing the learning curve through increased levels of abstraction, enhanced readability, and the development of languages tailored for specific tasks. However, these advancements also introduce ethical and social considerations, including issues related to privacy, artificial intelligence, and the responsible use of technology. By examining the evolution of computer languages and compiler advancements through historical analysis and actual user experience through purposive sampling, this paper provides an initial exploration of the relationship between programming paradigms and advancements in compiler technologies. Furthermore, it discusses the implications of these findings for Engineering Education, which may serve as a foundation for more comprehensive research or policy studies in the future