Veritati
Institutional Repository of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Recent Submissions
Comparative studies of different signal acquisition systems in microfluidic paper-based analytical devices developed for accurate point-of-care analysis
Publication . Pereira, Mafalda G.; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Rangel, António O. S. S.; Mesquita, Raquel B. R.; Cerdà, Víctor
The exponential growth of small, on-hand devices/sensors has been aligned with the increasing use of smartphones as detectors. However, smartphone detection may result in high variability of signal acquisition, due to differences in lighting conditions, consequently compromising accurate and reliable quantification. The use of smartphones for qualitative assessment (“yes/no” response) has been widely employed; however, their use in quantitative assessment has been less reported. For point of care (POC) analysis, the use of smartphones as detectors can be an exceptional advantage; however, it is crucial to ensure that the accuracy of the analysis is not compromised. A critical and structured evaluation of image acquisition systems was performed to evaluate the impact on POC biomarkers quantification with microfluidic paper-based devices (?PADs). Different image acquisition systems were tested for a ?PAD to properly evaluate the impact of lighting conditions when using a smartphone in a specially designed box. The decrease in intensity counts was about 30% from the scanner to the smartphone, but it did not affect the calculated absorbance. We proved that smartphones can be used as reliable detection systems, providing accurate and precise quantification when appropriate attention is given to exterior lighting conditions. When quantifying iodide and nitrite in a sample, a relative error of 5% was observed for both image-acquiring systems, a scanner and a smartphone.
Spirituality in children with life-limiting, life-threatening and/or complex chronic conditions: a scoping review
Publication . Ferreira, Mónica Santos; Pereira, Diana Gomes; Caldeira, Sílvia
Purpose: To map available knowledge about spirituality in children with life-limiting, life-threatening and/or complex chronic conditions. Methods: This review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Registration was done with the Open Science Framework. The searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, via EBSCOhost, and in the Portuguese Open Access Scientific Repository, in September 2024. The sample was composed of 48 studies. Results: The concept of spirituality is represented by the relationship established with oneself, with the world, and the notion of transcendence. Spiritual needs relate to developmental stage, relationships, sense of normalcy, meaning, and purpose. The relationship established between spirituality and illness is bidirectional, represented by beliefs, practices, and mechanisms of spiritual adaptation. Spiritual care is about supporting children with insights about beliefs, values and behaviours, addressing needs inherent in the developmental process, setting achievable goals that can support a meaningful life and legacy, fostering connections, mediating communication, improving spiritual coping, alleviating spiritual suffering, managing losses, and redefining hope. Conclusions: This review underlines the complexity, variability, and importance of spirituality while living within a complex, life-threatening or life-limiting paediatric context. However, there is still an urgent need to develop studies on the concept in specific subgroups of this paediatric population. Clinical implications: Spirituality has an undeniable and aggregating role throughout the course of a life-limiting, life-threatening and/or complex chronic condition. Spiritual care and nurturing should be prioritised in care plans within these complex paediatric contexts.
Alkaline extraction of phenolic compounds from Eucalyptus leaves: influence on antioxidant and antimicrobial activity
Publication . Afonso, Tiago B.; Bonifácio-Lopes, Teresa; Costa, Eduardo; Macedo, Tiago; Moreira, Joana; Oliveira, Juliana; Pintado, Manuela
Introduction: The valorization of agro-industrial by-products is a strategic approach to reducing biomass waste while advancing circular bioeconomy practices. Eucalyptus leaves, an abundant residue from the forestry and pulp industries, are particularly rich in phenolic compounds with well-known antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. These bioactivities highlight the potential of eucalyptus extracts for sustainable applications in the cosmetic and textile industries. However, their efficient recovery requires optimized extraction methodologies capable of disrupting the complex plant matrix and maximizing compound release. The aim of this study was to investigate how variations in eucalyptus particle size and alkali concentration can enhance the recovery of phenolic-rich extracts with bioactive potential. Conclusions: Alkaline extraction proved capable for recovering phenolic compounds from eucalyptus leaves, yielding extracts with relevant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. However, the extracts showed cytotoxicity at the tested concentrations, highlighting the need for further optimization of extraction parameters and the establishment of safe concentration ranges before potential use in applications such as cosmetics or textiles.
European integration through open-ended mechanisms
Publication . Torres, Francisco
The book analyses the building of the European Union’s governance framework from the point of view of the sustainability of the European integration process. It departs from the premise that the evolution of that framework hinges on some degree of preference convergence to have occurred or to occur. It addresses two fundamental EU institutions that were built as open-ended mechanisms: Economic and Monetary Union and the European Green Deal. In doing so, it also discusses the importance of ‘openness’ to further political integration and the limits of differentiated integration.