Browsing by Author "Rodrigues, Ana"
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- Análise urbanística dos percursos pedonais dos centros históricos das cidades de Portimão e de LouléPublication . Rodrigues, Ana; Pires Rosa, Manuela; Rebelo, EfigénioNas últimas décadas foram notórias as alterações nas estratégias de desenvolvimento do turismo na região do Algarve. Os atuais instrumentos de gestão territorial da região do Algarve promovem estratégias inovadoras e sustentáveis. Daí, terem sido potenciados novos segmentos de turismo na Região, tais como o turismo cultural e o turismo acessível/sénior. As rotas culturais são um produto turístico, são projetos territoriais onde incluem aspetos culturais que contribuem para a interpretação do património. Exemplos práticos da implementação desta estratégia relacionada com rotas culturais foram os percursos pedonais nos centros históricos das cidades de Portimão e de Loulé: um designado de ‘‘Rota Acessível’’ da cidade de Portimão e outros dois designados de ‘‘Percurso do Comércio” e ‘‘Percurso do Património’’ da cidade de Loulé. O objetivo desta análise consiste em identificar e caraterizar as áreas urbanas onde se integram os referidos percursos por diversas vertentes, tais como cultura, turismo, economia local, entre outras. A metodologia aplicada neste estudo consiste na recolha de dados quantitativos e qualitativos nos ditos espaços urbanos, através da inventariação segundo as vertentes já mencionadas. Os resultados demostram que a acessibilidade universal nos centros históricos poderá ser um fator influenciador para o desenvolvimento do turismo cultural, mas também para os níveis de satisfação dos residentes - por permitir uma vivência do espaço público cultural para e por todos. Concluindo: a acessibilidade universal no espaço público poderá ser um fator urbano determinante, ou mesmo possuir um efeito multiplicador, na transformação do edificado e na vivência comercial e cultural dos centros históricos contribuindo assim para o desenvolvimento sustentável da economia local.
- Assessing quality of life of self-reported rheumatic patientsPublication . Ferreira, Pedro L.; Gonçalves, Sónia P.; Ferreira, Lara Noronha; Pereira, Luis; Antunes, Patrícia; Gouveia, Nélia; Rodrigues, Ana; Canhão, Helena; Branco, Jaimewere used to identify factors associated with HRQoL. Respondents with self-reported RD assigned a lower self-perception to their health status. The burden of disease was observed mainly in physical function, role physical and bodily pain. The EQ-5D-3L dimensions show similar results: the intensity of problems is significantly more evident in respondents with self-reported RD. HRQoL of respondents with self-reported RD is related to sociodemographic variables and is significantly lower when compared with the Portuguese population. Four clusters of homogeneous respondents with self-reported RD were formed and characterized according to a number of variables. Factors associated with HRQoL were identified. In conclusion, suffering from a self-reported RD has a significant impact on self-perceived health status and on the quality of life. The aims of this study were to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with self-reported rheumatic diseases (RD), to classify self-reported rheumatic patients in groups according to their health state and to explore the associations between health status and sociodemographic variables. Data came from the Portuguese Epidemiologic study of the RD. A sample of the Portuguese population aged 18 or more (n = 10,661) stratified by region and locality dimension was interviewed by trained interviewers and answered a standardized questionnaire that included the SF-36v1, the EQ-5D-3L, medical history, identification of potential rheumatic diseases, sociodemographic characteristics, among others. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests were used to compare HRQoL of respondents with and without RD. Comparisons with normative data from the Portuguese population were also carried out. A cluster analysis was used to classify respondents into homogeneous groups. Regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with HRQoL. Respondents with self-reported RD assigned a lower self-perception to their health status. The burden of disease was observed mainly in physical function, role physical and bodily pain. The EQ-5D-3L dimensions show similar results: the intensity of problems is significantly more evident in respondents with self-reported RD. HRQoL of respondents with self-reported RD is related to sociodemographic variables and is significantly lower when compared with the Portuguese population. Four clusters of homogeneous respondents with self-reported RD were formed and characterized according to a number of variables. Factors associated with HRQoL were identified. In conclusion, suffering from a self-reported RD has a significant impact on self-perceived health status and on the quality of life.
- Consumer Characterization of Portimão MuseumPublication . Rodrigues, Ana; Pires Rosa, Manuela; Rebelo, EfigénioO turismo cultural na região do Algarve tem tido um crescimento significativo, principalmente no centro histórico de Portimão. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em caraterizar os consumidores de turismo cultural, tendo em consideração o Museu de Portimão. Este estudo foi desenvolvido em duas partes: revisão da literatura e análise de dados. O conhecimento teórico promoveu uma melhor compreensão e interpretação dos dados em análise. A revisão da literatura foi feita em diversas áreas: a reabilitação urbana e de edifícios, a sustentabilidade, a cultura, a acessibilidade universal e o turismo sénior. Os dados foram cedidos pelo Museu de Portimão, relativos ao número de visitantes do período de 2008 até 2018, também relativamente à nacionalidade e idade dos visitantes, entre 2015 até 2018. Com este estudo foi possível concluir que o turismo cultural em Portimão está em crescimento, principalmente nos últimos quatro anos: forte aumento dos visitantes não portugueses, bem como adultos ativos e pessoas seniores, sobretudo na época baixa. Com estes resultados foi possível compreender a evolução e tendências dos consumidores de turismo cultural - espaço cultural Museu de Portimão. Com a revisão da literatura foi possível também entender que o desenvolvimento do turismo cultural em Portimão é uma consequência de diversas intervenções: reabilitação urbana, acessibilidade urbana e turismo cultural. Esta pesquisa permite uma melhor compreensão de quais as experiências e produtos turísticos, e das estratégias urbanas, que podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento do turismo cultural - desempenho sustentável. Também dar indicadores de como este espaço cultural e turístico poderá estar relacionado com outros segmentos como: o turismo de cruzeiros; o turismo cultural/acessível ou mesmo, o turismo patrimonial. Esta pesquisa pode demonstrar que o desenvolvimento do turismo cultural é um processo a longo prazo que está relacionado com estratégias de diversas áreas, na área do património, património cultural ou urbano, e deve ter uma abordagem sustentável.
- Cultural accessible tourism in Algarve region, case of studyPublication . Rodrigues, Ana; Pires Rosa, Manuela; Rebelo, EfigénioThis article analyse the new trends in cultural tourism, namely at the Portuguese Algarve region. Algarve is internationally known as a “Sun & Beach” destination. However, the new trends in Algarve tourism are associated with segments linked to unique and local aspects, such as: the landscape, the gastronomy, the rural and the urban heritage. Actually, the local culture consists an important variable to improve satisfaction and to create experiences for the Algarve visitors. The accessible tourism is a segment referenced in the Algarve tourism strategy. The project “Accessible beaches/beaches for all”, the “Requalification Plan of Vilamoura Downtown Resort” and the “Municipality Local Plan of Accessibility of the Portimão City” are some examples of accessible tourism implemented in Algarve. In this domain, one promotes the physical and psychological accessibility in public spaces by applying “universal design” principles. Responding to the consumers’ needs, several cultural venues in Algarve have implemented measures to accessible good practices. These measures include the historical and heritage buildings accessibility, providing a better mobility in Algarve cities. With this article we also intend to analyse the state of art of the accessibility in cultural tourism as well as to understand the importance given at accessible cultural tourism for the development of Algarve tourism industry.
- Effectiveness and long-term retention of anti-tumour necrosis factor treatment in juvenile and adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: data from Reuma.ptPublication . Mourao, Ana F.; Santos, Maria J.; Melo Gomes, Jose A.; Martins, Fernando M.; Mendonca, Silvia C.; Ramos, Filipa Oliveira; Fernandes, Susana; Salgado, Manuel; Guedes, Margarida; Carvalho, Sonia; Costa, Jose A.; Brito, Iva; Duarte, Catia; Furtado, Carolina; Lopes, Ana; Rodrigues, Ana; Sequeira, Graca; Branco, Jaime C.; Fonseca, Joao E.; Canhao, HelenaMethods. We prospectively collected patient and disease characteristics from patients with JIA who started biological therapy. Adverse events were collected during the follow-up period. Predictors of response at 1 year and drug retention rates were assessed at 4 years of treatment for the first biologic agent.Results. A total of 812 JIA patients [65% females, mean age at JIA onset 6.9 years (s.d. 4.7)], 227 received biologic therapy; 205 patients (90.3%) were treated with an anti-TNF as the first biologic. All the parameters used to evaluate disease activity, namely number of active joints, ESR and Childhood HAQ/HAQ, decreased significantly at 6 months and 1 year of treatment. The mean reduction in Juvenile Disease Activity Score 10 (JADAS10) after 1 year of treatment was 10.4 (s.d. 7.4). According to the definition of improvement using the JADAS10 score, 83.3% respond to biologic therapy after 1 year. Fourteen patients discontinued biologic therapies due to adverse events. Retention rates were 92.9% at 1 year, 85.5% at 2 years, 78.4% at 3 years and 68.1% at 4 years of treatment. Among all JIA subtypes, only concomitant therapy with corticosteroids was found to be univariately associated with withdrawal of biologic treatment (P = 0.016).Conclusion. Biologic therapies seem effective and safe in patients with JIA. In addition, the retention rates for the first biologic agent are high throughout 4 years.
- Holocene sea level fluctuations and coastal evolution in the central Algarve (southern Portugal)Publication . Moura, Delminda; Veiga-Pires, C.; Albardeiro, L.; Boski, T.; Rodrigues, Ana; Tareco, HelderIn Armação de Pêra Bay, southern Portugal, environmental changes during the Holocene can be interpreted based on the morphological and sedimentological similarities between older geomorphic features (cemented beach and dune rocks) and present coastal features. Using knowledge of the present beach and dune processes, we propose a two-step model for the evolution of Armação de Pêra Bay. First, during the rapid sea level rise between about 8800 and 6600 yr cal BP, the bay changed from a positive to a negative budget littoral cell and transgressive dunes formed, favoured by drought conditions. At about 5000 yr cal BP, during a sea level maximum, beach width was less than the critical fetch and dunes stabilized and underwent cementation during the wetter Atlantic climatic event. The second phase of dune accumulation started at about 3200 yr cal BP, due to a regression of sea level during which the bay changed back to a positive budget littoral cell in which beach width was greater than the critical fetch. Currently, the beach width is less than the critical fetch, dunes are inactive, and the sedimentary budget is negative due to sediment storage in local river systems.
- Paisagem urbana edificada nos percursos turísticos pedonais das cidades de Portimão e Loulé: identidade e diversidade cultural de espaços históricosPublication . Rodrigues, Ana; Pires Rosa, Manuela; Rebelo, EfigénioO objetivo deste estudo consiste na caraterização da paisagem urbana edificada de dois percursos pedonais: Rota Acessível de Portimão e os percursos pedonais “Património” e “Comércio” de Loulé. Com este estudo conclui-se que é possível definir tipologicamente a paisagem urbana de uma área histórica, a partir de percursos turísticos pré-estabelecidos; têm ambientes arquitetónicos e urbanos de grande valor patrimonial, e um papel importante na divulgação do património e da cultura local. Este estudo poderá contribuir para o entendimento da importância das rotas turísticas na preservação do património arquitetónico e urbano de um espaço histórico. A originalidade desta análise está na abordagem interdisciplinar (a arquitetura, o planeamento urbano e o turismo) que poderá contribuir para possíveis medidas inovadoras e para o desenvolvimento local sustentável.
- Predicting progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia using neuropsychological data: a supervised learning approach using time windowsPublication . Pereira, Telma; Lemos, Luis; Cardoso, Sandra; Silva, Dina; Rodrigues, Ana; Santana, Isabel; de Mendonca, Alexandre; Guerreiro, Manuela; Madeira, Sara C.Background: Predicting progression from a stage of Mild Cognitive Impairment to dementia is a major pursuit in current research. It is broadly accepted that cognition declines with a continuum between MCI and dementia. As such, cohorts of MCI patients are usually heterogeneous, containing patients at different stages of the neurodegenerative process. This hampers the prognostic task. Nevertheless, when learning prognostic models, most studies use the entire cohort of MCI patients regardless of their disease stages. In this paper, we propose a Time Windows approach to predict conversion to dementia, learning with patients stratified using time windows, thus fine-tuning the prognosis regarding the time to conversion. Methods: In the proposed Time Windows approach, we grouped patients based on the clinical information of whether they converted (converter MCI) or remained MCI (stable MCI) within a specific time window. We tested time windows of 2, 3, 4 and 5 years. We developed a prognostic model for each time window using clinical and neuropsychological data and compared this approach with the commonly used in the literature, where all patients are used to learn the models, named as First Last approach. This enables to move from the traditional question "Will a MCI patient convert to dementia somewhere in the future" to the question "Will a MCI patient convert to dementia in a specific time window". Results: The proposed Time Windows approach outperformed the First Last approach. The results showed that we can predict conversion to dementia as early as 5 years before the event with an AUC of 0.88 in the cross-validation set and 0.76 in an independent validation set. Conclusions: Prognostic models using time windows have higher performance when predicting progression from MCI to dementia, when compared to the prognostic approach commonly used in the literature. Furthermore, the proposed Time Windows approach is more relevant from a clinical point of view, predicting conversion within a temporal interval rather than sometime in the future and allowing clinicians to timely adjust treatments and clinical appointments.