Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-08-31"
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- Are antimicrobial peptides a 21st-century solution for atopic dermatitis?Publication . Machado, Manuela; Silva, Sara; Costa, Eduardo M.Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that is the result of various environmental, bacterial and genetic stimuli, which culminate in the disruption of the skin’s barrier function. Characterized by highly pruritic skin lesions, xerosis and an array of comorbidities among which skin infections are the most common, this condition results in both a significant loss of quality of life and in the need for life-long treatments (e.g., corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies and regular antibiotic intake), all of which may have harmful secondary effects. This, in conjunction with AD’s rising prevalence, made the development of alternative treatment strategies the focus of both the scientific community and the pharmaceutical industry. Given their potential to both manage the skin microbiome, fight infections and even modulate the local immune response, the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from more diverse origins has become one of the most promising alternative solutions for AD management, with some being already used with some success towards this end. However, their production and use also exhibit some limitations. The current work seeks to compile the available information and provide a better understanding of the state of the art in the understanding of AMPs’ true potential in addressing AD.
- Unleashing creative synergies: a mixed-method case study in music education classroomsPublication . Cardoso, Mário Anibal; Morgado, Elsa Maria Gabriel; Leonido, LeviAlgorithmic music composition has been gaining prominence and recognition as an innovative approach to music education, providing students with opportunities to explore creativity, computational thinking, and musical knowledge. This study aims to investigate the impact of integrating algorithmic music composition in the classroom, examining its influence on student engagement, musical knowledge, and creative expression, as well as to enhance computational thinking skills. A mixed-method case study was conducted in three Basic Music Education classrooms in the north of Portugal, involving 71 participants (68 students and 3 music teachers). The results reveal: (i) both successes and challenges in integrating computational thinking concepts and practices; (ii) pedagogical benefits of integrating programming platforms, where programming concepts overlapped with music learning outcomes; and (iii) positive impact on participants’ programming self-confidence and recognition of programming’s importance. Integrating algorithmic music composition in the classroom positively influences student engagement, musical knowledge, and creative expression. The use of algorithmic techniques provides a novel and engaging platform for students to explore music composition, fostering their creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Educators can leverage algorithmic music composition as an effective pedagogical approach to enhance music education, allowing students to develop a deeper understanding of music theory and fostering their artistic expression. Future research should contribute to the successful integration of digital technologies in the Portuguese curriculum by further exploring the long-term effects and potential applications of algorithmic music composition in different educational contexts.
- Ouvir para além do antropoceno: Poetry as an echological survivalPublication . Amorim, João Pedro; Teixeira, LuísA partir de Poetry as an echological survival do artista Nuno da Luz, iremos refletir sobre formas de envolvência ambiental e ecológica. Esta exposição nos permite propor uma alternativa sensorial à discussão crítica sobre as narrativas do Antropoceno, respondendo às críticas colocadas sobre este conceito. A arte sonora tem um papel fundamental na redefinição da nossa relação com o planeta dadas as características materiais do som e o fato de complementar a mundividência ocidental, que privilegia a visão. O trabalho do artista cria um estar-no-mundo em que o visitante é penetrado pelas ondas sonoras, o que causa a redefinição da sua condição ecológica: criando, assim, uma “sobrevivência echológica”.