Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-11-07"
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- How can the wastewater treatment sector contribute for the sustainability of the agro-food industries?Publication . Amorim, Catarina L.Over the last decades, the agro-food industry has largely intensified its production to cover the growing needs of society. The economic model based on the take-make-dispose paradigm is no longer viable due to its unsustainability. In this context, the agro-food industry has been paying attention to cross-cutting technologies to incorporate sustainability into its processes. The water footprint is a key issue for the agro-food industry. Huge amounts of water are needed, and consequently huge amounts of wastewater are produced. Wastewater treatment processes are necessary for the preservation of water and its environmental quality. Nowadays, the implementation of greener wastewater treatment technologies, that allow for the reduction, reuse and recovery of materials is an asset. The granular sludge technology is an example of a such innovative process, robust to deal with fluctuations in wastewater composition and able to offer opportunities for more value-added processes. In this presentation, recent data and results will be shown to illustrate how the granular sludge technology can help in the transition to achieve sustainilibity in the agro-food industry, especially related to its water footprint.
- European sustainable finance : introductory notes on the EU green deal and new green finance perspectivesPublication . Alves, José Manuel; Dalhuisen, JanThis work starts by analysing the main features of the EU Green Deal and then delves deeper into one specific workstream of this master plan: sustainable finance (green finance). The initial objective is to highlight the importance of the linkage between climate change and environmental laws and regulations with the field of banking and finance law in general, but our primary aim is to analyse what can be done to support the EU Green Deal in its segment of sustainable finance, and how a modern, comprehensive and forward-looking approach can decisively foster it. This work analyses the subject of green finance, underscores the importance of the creation of robust EU Green Standards, provides a snapshot of the current (market-driven) regulation on green finance, elaborates on the need of engaging all stakeholders in the quest and introduces the new trend of sustainability-linked lending.
- Effect of the interaction between elevated carbon dioxide and iron limitation on proteomic profiling of soybeanPublication . Soares, José C.; Osório, Hugo; Pintado, Manuela; Vasconcelos, Marta W.Elevated atmospheric CO2 (eCO2) and iron (Fe) availability are important factors affecting plant growth that may impact the proteomic profile of crop plants. In this study, soybean plants treated under Fe-limited (0.5 mM) and Fe-sufficient (20 mM) conditions were grown at ambient (400 μmol mol−1) and eCO2 (800 μmol mol−1) in hydroponic solutions. Elevated CO2 increased biomass from 2.14 to 3.14 g plant−1 and from 1.18 to 2.91 g plant−1 under Fe-sufficient and Fe-limited conditions, respectively, but did not affect leaf photosynthesis. Sugar concentration increased from 10.92 to 26.17 μmol g FW−1 in roots of Fe-sufficient plants and from 8.75 to 19.89 μmol g FW−1 of Fe-limited plants after exposure to eCO2. In leaves, sugar concentration increased from 33.62 to 52.22 μmol g FW−1 and from 34.80 to 46.70 μmol g FW−1 in Fe-sufficient and Fe-limited conditions, respectively, under eCO2. However, Fe-limitation decreases photosynthesis and biomass. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that cell wall organization, glutathione metabolism, photosynthesis, stress-related proteins, and biosynthesis of secondary compounds changed in root tissues to cope with Fe-stress. Moreover, under eCO2, at sufficient or limited Fe supply, it was shown an increase in the abundance of proteins involved in glycolysis, starch and sucrose metabolism, biosynthesis of plant hormones gibberellins, and decreased levels of protein biosynthesis. Our results revealed that proteins and metabolic pathways related to Fe-limitation changed the effects of eCO2 and negatively impacted soybean production.
- Food addiction problems in college students: the relationship between weight-related variables, eating habits, and food choicesPublication . Gonçalves, Sónia; Félix, Sílvia; Martins, Filipa; Lapenta, Olívia; Machado, Bárbara C.; Conceição, Eva M.The concept of food addiction, characterized by a strong urge to overeat highly palatable foods, has gained increased research attention over the last decade. College students are a recognized risk group for manifesting an eating pathology and weight gain due to the changes in eating habits experienced during this period. However, there is a gap in the literature connecting food addiction with eating and weight variables in this population. Thus, the present study aims to characterize food addiction in a sample of college students and enlighten the relationship between food addiction, weight-variables, eating habits, and food choices in this population. A sample of 194 college students (89.2% females) aged between 18 and 32 years old (M = 20.85, SD = 2.78) completed a set of self-reported online questionnaires on Google Forms. Namely, a Sociodemographic and Anthropometric Questionnaire, a questionnaire on Food Choices Characterization, the Eating Habits Scale, and the Portuguese Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0. Thirty (22.2%) participants presented food addiction problems. The logistic regression models utilized suggest that participants in the group with food addiction problems are more likely to seek clinical help to control weight, to consider that they should eat less food high in sugar, and to report lower food adequacy. In sum, this finding highlighted a connection between food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students, a population at risk for developing and retaining eating pathologies. Further research is essential to evaluate and implement interventions regarding food addiction, weight dissatisfaction, eating habits, and food choices in college students.
- Governance of PPP infrastructure projects: a variable capital structure valuation approachPublication . Pinto, João Monteiro; Santos, Mário Coutinho dos; Matos, Pedro VergaOver the next decade, governments around the world will invest massively in new projects, aiming at closing the long-identified infrastructure gap, in order to sustain economic and social development, and recover from recent adverse shocks. This paper examines this topic from two perspectives: (i) how should these projects be valued and selected? and (ii) how should these projects be financed? We discuss conceptual, methodological and governance issues raised in the context of infrastructure investment project valuation with variable capital structures. The commonly used free cash flow (FCF) valuation approach may prove inappropriate, or even imprudent, for valuing, namely, very long-term infrastructure projects financed with variable capital structure arrangements. Under this framework, the literature recommends using the Capital Cash Flow (CCF) or the Adjusted Present Value models to mitigate some of the biases of the standard FCF approach. We show that despite dealing with tax benefits differently, FCF and CCF models are algebraically equivalent, the latter being a way to value future cash flows using the same assumptions made in the context of the FCF methodology, while overcoming some of its shortcomings.
- PI4P and BLOC-1 remodel endosomal membranes into tubulesPublication . Jani, Riddhi Atul; Di Cicco, Aurélie; Keren-Kaplan, Tal; Vale-Costa, Silvia; Hamaoui, Daniel; Hurbain, Ilse; Tsai, Feng-Ching; Dimarco, Mathilde; Macé, Anne-Sophie; Zhu, Yueyao; Amorim, Maria João; Bassereau, Patricia; Bonifacino, Juan; Subtil, Agathe; Marks, Michael; Lévy, Daniel; Raposo, Graça; Delevoye, CédricIntracellular trafficking is mediated by transport carriers that originate by membrane remodeling from donor organelles. Tubular carriers contribute to the flux of membrane lipids and proteins to acceptor organelles, but how lipids and proteins impose a tubular geometry on the carriers is incompletely understood. Using imaging approaches on cells and in vitro membrane systems, we show that phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) and biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex 1 (BLOC-1) govern the formation, stability, and functions of recycling endosomal tubules. In vitro, BLOC-1 binds and tubulates negatively charged membranes, including those containing PI4P. In cells, endosomal PI4P production by type II PI4-kinases is needed to form and stabilize BLOC-1-dependent recycling endosomal tubules. Decreased PI4KIIs expression impairs the recycling of endosomal cargoes and the life cycles of intracellular pathogens such as Chlamydia bacteria and influenza virus that exploit the membrane dynamics of recycling endosomes. This study demonstrates how a phospholipid and a protein complex coordinate the remodeling of cellular membranes into functional tubules.
- The impact of virtual environment on fostering individual’s creativity by transformational leadersPublication . Stemmler, Lucas; Almeida, Maria Leonor Maciel dos SantosThe precise use of several transformational leadership techniques greatly develops individual creativity and assists individuals in working in a creative and forward-thinking manner. The rise of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as the trend to home office working patterns, appears to make the transmission of creativity more challenging. It is therefore critical to comprehend how the interaction between leaders and employees relates to the transition to the virtual environment. The goal of this dissertation is to answer if the virtual environment impacts transformational leaders in fostering the creativity of individuals. This leads to the research question: "Does the virtual environment influence transformational leaders in fostering individual creativity?" In order to answer the research question, a mixed method approach was conducted, which includes a qualitative and a quantitative research approach. More specifically, the qualitative research method comprised 10 expert interviews with transformational leaders from various internationally renowned companies. The quantitative research, which was conducted with the help of a survey, focused on the answers of 453 employees (N=453), which measured the level of creativity of the employees through the influence of transformational leaders and the virtual environment. Recommendations generated from the expert interviews were integrated into the questionnaire to determine whether they are also effective from the employees' point of view. The expert interviews and the survey findings clearly illustrate that a virtual environment has an influence on transformational leaders in terms of fostering individual creativity. The effect might be either positive or negative. The virtual environment challenges may be overcome or even improved with the correct technology, methodologies, and tools.
- O despertar da pessoa em situação crítica sob ventilação mecânica invasivaPublication . Guêtas, Jéssica Alexandra Dias; Fernandes, Filipa Alexandra VeludoO presente relatório de Estágio visa demonstrar o meu percurso ao longo do Curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem, com Especialização em Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica, na área de Enfermagem à Pessoa em Situação Crítica. O seu objetivo consiste na comunicação dos resultados da aprendizagem clínica e da investigação realizada ao longo do percurso, através da reflexão crítica e fundamentada de situações que vivenciei que evidenciam a aquisição e desenvolvimento das competências comuns e específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista. Durante este meu percurso deparei-me com uma situação problema, que consistiu no défice de conhecimentos das equipas de enfermagem relativamente às intervenções não farmacológicas no despertar da pessoa sob ventilação mecânica invasiva. Face a isto, considerei pertinente realizar uma Revisão Sistemática de Literatura de evidência de eficácia com o objetivo de identificar, na literatura científica, os estudos de natureza experimental com intervenções não farmacológicas no despertar da pessoa em situação crítica sob ventilação mecânica invasiva e a sua eficácia. Esta revisão foi realizada segundo a metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute e foram selecionados 8 estudos que identificaram a musicoterapia, a escuta de som baseada na natureza, a aromaterapia, a comunicação baseada em sugestões positivas e a terapia de acupressão como intervenções não farmacológicas eficazes no despertar da pessoa em situação crítica sob ventilação mecânica invasiva. A identificação da problemática levou à necessidade de fundamentar e refletir sobre o meu modo de agir, pelo que durante este percurso sustentei o meu pensamento em Enfermagem na teoria de médio alcance de Katharine Kolcaba, ou seja, na Teoria do Conforto. O estágio que contempla este relatório foi dividido em dois contextos, o primeiro decorreu num Serviço de Urgência Geral Polivalente de um Hospital Central e o segundo realizou-se numa Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos de outro Hospital Central onde vivenciei diversas situações que levaram ao desenvolvimento das competências de Enfermeiro Especialista, contudo escolhi apenas algumas que exemplificarei ao longo do relatório para justificar a aquisição das competências. Ao longo destes contextos tive oportunidade de contribuir para a melhoria da sua qualidade e elaborei o protocolo e a respetiva Revisão Sistemática da Literatura de evidência de eficácia, assim como um póster científico que foi divulgado no IV Seminário Internacional do Mestrado em Enfermagem. Assim sendo, este relatório permitiu a aquisição e o desenvolvimento das competências comuns e específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista, assim como a disseminação dos resultados da pesquisa que realizei ao longo deste percurso.
- A escuta e o conforto no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica e sua famíliaPublication . Pica, Isabel Guerreiro; Marques, Rita Margarida DouradoO relatório surge no enquadramento da realização do Curso de Mestrado em Enfermagem com Especialização em Enfermagem Médico–Cirúrgica na Área de Enfermagem à Pessoa em Situação Crítica, da Escola de Enfermagem do Instituto de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Católica Portuguesa de Lisboa. Pretendo, através de uma estrutura sistematizada e coerente, evidenciar resultados obtidos através da investigação e refletir situações vivenciadas ao longo dos estágios realizados, demonstrando o meu desenvolvimento de competências pessoais e profissionais durante este percurso, no sentido de melhorar a qualidade e a humanização dos cuidados prestados. O primeiro capítulo incide numa Análise de Conceito de Escuta nos Cuidados de Enfermagem, de acordo com o método de análise conceptual de Rodgers. A Escuta é crucial para os Cuidados de Enfermagem, para o estabelecimento de relações terapêuticas com a Pessoa/Família e potencia a empatia, a compaixão, o silêncio e a presença. O segundo capítulo incide inicialmente na minha experiência profissional em Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos, facto este que me levou a ter creditação ao estágio inserido na Unidade Curricular anterior de Vigilância e Decisão Clínica. Posteriormente, este capítulo aborda o Estágio Final que ocorreu em dois contextos: o primeiro em contexto de Serviço de Urgência Polivalente e o segundo em contexto de Transporte Inter-Hospitalar Pediátrico. Para os respetivos estágios foram delineados objetivos no âmbito da prestação de Cuidados de Enfermagem Especializados à Pessoa em Situação Crítica e Família e no âmbito da melhoria dos Cuidados prestados, de acordo com as necessidades de cada contexto. De referir o papel marcante da Escuta neste processo de compreensão das necessidades da Pessoa e na prestação de cuidados. A estrutura teórica subjacente ao presente relatório assenta na prática clínica e no grande pilar da Teoria do Conforto de Katherine Kolcaba fundamental para a promoção do bem-estar da Pessoa e sua Família, e geradora de uma prestação de cuidados humanizada. Acredito, assim, demonstrar todo o percurso e desenvolvimento de Competências Comuns de Enfermeiro Especialista, bem como de Competências Específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica na Área de Enfermagem à Pessoa em Situação Crítica.