Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-07"
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- Heart with Mozambique: a Portuguese contribution to the eradication of rheumatic heart diseasePublication . Almeida, Inês Grácio de; Esteves, Ana; Gil, Victor
- Sustainable textiles with plant extracts for skin applicationsPublication . Oliveira, Cláudia S.; Rocha, Ashly; Antunes, Jéssica; Silva, Augusta; Silva, Carla; Tavaria, Freni K.The expanding market for antimicrobial textiles demands innovative products to support modern technological advancements across various industries. This growing need includes the food industry, where antimicrobial textiles are vital for preventing contamination through uniforms and surface coverings; healthcare institutions, which utilize these products to reduce infection spread; consumer goods such as clothing and sportswear that benefit from enhanced hygiene and odor control; and dermatotherapeutical applications where antimicrobial textiles aid in treating skin infections. Given their direct contact with human skin, it's crucial to consider their safety and effectiveness. To address this demand, numerous antimicrobial textiles have been developed, often relying on synthetic components like metals (silver, copper, zinc) and chemical agents (quaternary ammonium compounds, triclosan). However, the potential side effects of these synthetic materials highlight the need for natural antimicrobial agents, which are considered safer. Plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, offer a promising alternative. For instance, Eucalyptus and hop extracts have shown strong antimicrobial properties against various bacteria. This study evaluates the use of these plant extracts to functionalize textiles, testing their antimicrobial activity against common skin bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli), while assessing their biocompatibility with human skin cells to ensure safety for direct skin applications.
- Hybridizing machine learning with time series analysis for enhanced forecasting in management science and operational efficiency: a systematic reviewPublication . Teymourifar, Aydin; Trindade, Maria A. M.In the dynamic landscape of management science, this systematic review provides a comprehensive exploration of the amalgamation of machine learning techniques with traditional time series analysis methods. As time series analysis continues to play an increasingly pivotal role in enhancing managerial decision-making processes by offering insights derived from sequential data points, this study endeavors to shed light on the multifaceted applications and synergistic benefits resulting from the integration of time series analysis with machine learning. By scrutinizing a diverse array of studies and practical implementations, the study aims to illuminate the rich potential of this hybrid approach across various domains, including market trend forecasting, inventory management, financial management, and operational efficiency. Through an in-depth analysis, this review elucidates how the fusion of machine learning and time series analysis contributes to heightened forecasting accuracy and operational efficacy, thus empowering decision-makers with more robust insights and strategies.
- Psychometric evaluation of the Swedish version of the Empathic Experience Scale (EES)Publication . Sarling, Andreas; Sundin, Örjan; Jansson, BillyBackground: This study assessed the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Empathic Experience Scale (EES), a recently developed scale for empathic traits (Innamorati et al., 2019). According to previous research, EES has two dimensions: Vicarious Experience and Intuitive Understanding. Methods: We used a split-sample method with a combination of exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for an adult population (N = 805) from both Sweden and Finland. Results: Our findings support previous research, favoring a two-factor model over a unidimensional model. The final model provided support for measurement invariance across different grouping variables. Consistent with previous research on empathic traits, women obtained higher scores on both dimensions of the scale compared to men. Furthermore, the EES showed high internal consistency, good discriminant, and convergent validity.
- What is the most effective method for reducing the microbial load in date paste?Publication . Soares, Inês; Vedor, Rita; Muñoz-Bas, Clara; Pérez-Alvarez, José; Fernández-López, Juana; Brandão, Teresa; Miller, Fátima; Barbosa, Joana Cristina; Machado, Daniela; Gomes, Ana MariaDate paste's high moisture and sugar content, which nourishes microorganisms such as bacteria and molds, makes it susceptible to microbial contamination. These conditions are inherent to its composition and processing methods (Zamir et al., 2018, Muñoz-Tebar et al., 2023). Ensuring low microbial load in date paste is crucial for safety, compliance, and quality (Zamir et al., 2018). Contamination can cause illnesses, alter taste, and shorten shelf life, affecting consumer satisfaction and market competitiveness (Muñoz-Tebar et al., 2023). Therefore, implementing adequate microbial control strategies, such as optimized processing, hygiene protocols, controlled storage and effective microbial load reduction strategies, is vital for safety, quality, and market acceptance.
- Turn down for watt: community fit and thermal comfort habituation predict average household heating energy consumptionPublication . Gruda, Dritjon; Hanges, PaulLowering average household heating energy consumption plays a pivotal role in addressing climate change and has been central to policy initiatives. Strategies proposed so far have included commitments, incentives/ disincentives, feedback, and social norms. Yet, findings so far have been mixed and fail to explain the mechanism that drives energy conservation behavior. Using a sample of 2,128 participants across the United States, we collected survey data matched with archival temperature data to investigate the influence of past experiences on current energy conservation behaviors. Our findings indicate that childhood home temperatures significantly predict current home temperature settings. Importantly, community fit moderated this relationship. Individuals with high community fit were more likely to align their home temperature settings to those of their community. These insights not only shed light on the underlying mechanisms driving energy consumption behavior but also suggest that fostering a sense of community fit might be a more effective strategy for promoting sustainable energy practices.
- Relatório de Outono 2023: cobertura e caracterização das equipas e profissionais das equipas de cuidados paliativosPublication . Capelas, Manuel Luís; Afonso, Tânia; Teves, Carla; Benittes, Larissa; Durão, Sofia
- Ultrasound-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from goji berries: optimization, bioactivity, and intestinal permeability assessmentPublication . Teixeira, Filipa; Silva, Ana Margarida; Sut, Stefania; Dall'Acqua, Stefano; Ramos, Oscar L.; Ribeiro, Alessandra B.; Ferraz, Ricardo; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Rodrigues, FranciscaLycium barbarum L. berries have a remarkable chemical composition and extensive biological activities, being a valuable component of health and nutraceutical practices. Nevertheless, a deep insight on the intestinal permeation of the pro-healthy bioactive compounds is urgently needed to predict the real effects on human body. This study attempted, for the first time, to optimize the Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of goji berries using a Response Surface Methodology approach and establish the intestinal permeation of the principal pro-healthy compounds. The optimal extraction conditions were a solid:liquid ratio of 8.75 % for 56.21 min, using an intensity of 59.05 W/m2. The optimal extract displayed a remarkable antioxidant capacity, with LC/DAD-ESI-MS analysis unveiled a diverse phytochemical profile, encompassing different compounds (e.g. glu-lycibarbarspermidine F, 2-glu-kukoamine, rutin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid). The intestinal co-culture model demonstrated that glu-lycibarbarspermidine F (isomer 2) (73.70 %), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (52.66 %), and isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (49.31 %) traversed the intestinal cell layer, exerting beneficial health-promoting effects.
- Hymenaeus: improving legal response and access to the law for victims of domestic violence. Final reportPublication . Ferreira, Elisabete; Jacobsen, Jørn
- Comparative analysis and conclusionsPublication . Ferreira, Elisabete; Vilas Boas, Mariana