Repositório Científico da Universidade Politécnica de Castelo Branco
RC UPCB - Repositório Científico
Entradas recentes
Comissionamento de um equipamento automático de seleção de fruta
Publication . Reis, Gonçalo José Antunes dos; Andrade, Luis Pedro Mota Pinto de; Pontes, Bernardo Paulo
A crescente exigência da indústria alimentar ao nível da qualidade, segurança alimentar e eficiência operacional tem impulsionado a implementação de tecnologias automáticas nos processos de transformação de fruta. Os sistemas automáticos de seleção ótica permitem melhorar o controlo de qualidade, reduzir a variabilidade da matéria-prima e aumentar a eficiência dos processos produtivos. O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido numa unidade industrial da Frulact e teve como principal objetivo reavaliar e otimizar o comissionamento de um equipamento automático de seleção de fruta. O estudo incidiu na reorganização dos programas de seleção, formação técnica das equipas, realização de testes com novas matérias-primas e implementação de melhorias operacionais associadas à metodologia SMED. Numa fase inicial, a taxa média de utilização da escolha automática correspondia a 58%, evidenciando margem para otimização da tecnologia instalada. Após a implementação das melhorias, verificou-se um aumento progressivo da utilização do equipamento, atingindo 79% no final do estudo. Paralelamente, a aplicação de princípios SMED permitiu reduzir o tempo médio de setup em aproximadamente 56%, contribuindo para melhorar a eficiência operacional e reduzir tempos improdutivos. Os testes realizados demonstraram potencial para integrar novas matérias primas na seleção automática, embora algumas referências tenham apresentado limitações relacionadas com as características físicas da fruta e dificuldade de deteção de determinados corpos estranhos. A formação técnica permitiu aumentar a autonomia das equipas e reduzir a dependência de suporte técnico externo. De forma global, os resultados demonstraram que a otimização contínua do comissionamento contribuiu para melhorar a utilização do equipamento, aumentar a eficiência do processo e reforçar o controlo de qualidade das matérias-primas na indústria alimentar.
Sustainable innovations in mechanical engineering
Publication . Gaspar, Marcelo; Alves, Maria Leopoldina; Serrano, Luís; Raposo, Daniel; Farinha, Luís
This book covers contemporary mechanical engineering applied research that reshape design, production and mobility systems to innovate through and within sustainability guidelines. Beyond presenting incremental advances through sustainability-oriented innovation, the chapters emphasize maintenance and repairability case-studies, life-extension of assets, resource and energy efficiency in processes, interoperability across cyber-physical production systems, and data-informed decision-making at component, process, and system levels.
Mapping evidence on kinesiophobia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a scoping review
Publication . Alpalhão, Vanessa; Cordeiro, Nuno; Vaz, João; Correia, Pedro de Pezarat
Objective:
This review identified, synthesized, and mapped the scientific evidence on kinesiophobia, as assessed by the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK), in individuals following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), to provide clinicians with a comprehensive evidence map.
Introduction:
Kinesiophobia can negatively impact rehabilitation and return-to-sport outcomes after ACLR. Despite its clinical relevance, the available evidence is fragmented, making it challenging for clinicians to find clear answers to their clinical questions and apply findings consistently in practice.
Eligibility criteria:
We considered studies that assessed kinesiophobia using the TSK in individuals of any age or sex following ACLR, regardless of sport participation or geographical setting. Included sources comprised peer-reviewed primary and secondary research.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCOhost), SPORTDiscus (EBSCOhost), CINAHL Plus (EBSCOhost), and MEDLINE (EBSCOhost) databases up to September 2025. Research alerts were then maintained throughout the review process to identify newly published studies. A framework synthesis approach was adopted, whereby studies were systematically charted across 10 thematic domains, reflecting how kinesiophobia has been investigated in ACLR.
Results:
A total of 145 studies were included in this review. Most were cross-sectional and conducted in high-income countries, while longitudinal studies were limited. Adolescents and females were underrepresented, and the sample sizes and participant characteristics varied widely. Kinesiophobia was examined in relation to personal, clinical, functional, and neurophysiological variables. Intervention studies were scarce but explored cognitive-behavioral, educational, physical, and multimodal strategies for managing kinesiophobia. Only 2 studies adapted the TSK specifically for ACLR.
Conclusions:
Clinicians now have access to a structured map of the evidence on kinesiophobia post-ACLR, which may inform clinical reflection. Future research should address methodological limitations and expand investigations in underrepresented populations and contexts.
Whose time is a body allowed? Virtual reality, aging, and temporal justice
Publication . Ramalho, André
Virtual reality is increasingly being used to support physical activity, rehabilitation, and participation in later life. Virtual reality-based interventions also shape the temporal conditions of participation through pacing, interruption, progression, recovery, and support requirements. Temporal justice offers a way to examine these conditions through three related dimensions: temporal autonomy; the fit between system rhythms and changing capacities; and the distribution of temporal authority and time-related work among older adults, caregivers, practitioners, and institutions. Temporal demands become justice-relevant when they are insufficiently justified or disproportionate, when foreseeable differences in capacity cannot reasonably be accommodated, or when the work required for participation is distributed without adequate recognition or support. A full account of participation would therefore include time-to-start, changing support requirements, interruption and re-entry, technical and symptom-related recovery, caregiver or staff support time, and reasons for discontinuation alongside conventional outcomes. A temporally just virtual reality system supports movement while allowing older adults to remain authors of their own pace within justified therapeutic and safety constraints
Through the eyes of the viewer : colour, emotion, and genre recognition in movie marketing
Publication . Duarte, Paulo; Pais, Henrique Teles; Filipe, Sara Brito
ABSTRACT: This study investigates how colour influences audience perception in film advertising, particularly through movie posters. Integrating theoretical insights from colour psychology and cultural semiotics, the research addresses a gap in the literature regarding the empirical association between colour palettes, film genres, and emotional responses. Using biometric eye-tracking technology, two experimental within-subjects studies were conducted with 41 participants aged 18 to 40. One study examined colour associations with five film genres (action, animation, romantic comedy, science fiction, and horror), while the other explored emotional responses to monochrome posters based on Plutchik’s wheel of emotions. Results reveal both alignment and divergence from traditional colour-genre conventions, such as the unexpected association of green with sadness and orange with trust, highlighting the role of context and design composition in visual interpretation. Findings also confirm central fixation bias, underscoring the influence of spatial placement on visual attention. The study makes a theoretical contribution to chromatic semiotics in film promotion and offers practical insights for designers and marketers seeking to optimize audience engagement.