Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06-30"
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- A Marginal de Leça da Palmeira: deambulações no tempo e pelo espaço, rumo à “artequitetura” de SizaPublication . Abreu, José Guilherme; Mesquita, MárioThis article analyses the historical, urban, and architectural evolution of the Leça da Palmeira waterfront (Portugal), from the 19th century to the present, focusing on the impact of the Port of Leixões and the seminal intervention by architect Álvaro Siza Vieira. Through a diachronic approach, the authors explore how a coastal landscape initially deȎned by Ȏshing and bourgeois leisure was transformed by port and industrial infrastructures, culminating in Siza’s urban plan (1960–1984). The text also addresses contemporary challenges, including the decommissioning of the Sacor Oil ReȎnery (2021) and tensions between heritage preservation and new land uses, highlighting the fragile boundary between natural and humanized space.
- Dual and sequential drug delivery systems with antimicrobial and bone regenerative therapeutic effectsPublication . Rodrigues, Miguel A.; Ferreira, Carla; Borges, João P.; Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Oliveira, Ana L.; Santos, José D.; Lopes, Maria A.Bone defect healing is often compromised by infections acquired during surgery, hindering regeneration. An effective solution should first prevent infection and then promote bone repair. Localised drug-delivery systems capable of dual and sequential release of antimicrobial and bone-regenerative agents represent a promising solution; however, precisely controlling this sequential release remains an unmet challenge. To address this issue, this study explores a novel approach by developing delivery systems based on either hollow or non-hollow porous bioceramics with an alginate hydrogel matrix, resulting in cutting-edge systems with a controlled, stage-specific release of antimicrobial and bone regenerative agents that meet the clinical needs. Gentamicin served as the antimicrobial agent, while raloxifene and/or alendronate represented hydrophobic and hydrophilic bone-regenerative agents. The systems were evaluated for release profiles, kinetic modelling, and the effects of lyophilisation and sterilisation (using ethylene oxide or supercritical CO2) on drug stability and release kinetics. The release followed a precise dual-sequential pattern: gentamicin was released over 2–3 weeks, followed by another 2–3 weeks of bone-regenerative agents. Kinetic model fitting showed that gentamicin release was driven mainly by diffusion (with or without hydrogel swelling), and raloxifene/alendronate release was dominated by a mixture of diffusion and polymeric matrix swelling/erosion. Lyophilisation and sterilisation preserved release profiles, though timeframes shifted slightly, with supercritical CO2 causing minimal delay. Gentamicin retained strong antimicrobial activity post-processing, confirming the system's potential for infection control and bone repair.
- The effect of home palliative care on patient dignity: a scoping reviewPublication . Valentim, Flávia de Araújo Cordeiro; Oliveira, Nádia Marisa Sotério de; Alves, Vicente Paulo; Capelas, Manuel LuísIntroduction: Home-based palliative care plays a vital role in preserving the dignity of terminally ill patients and their families. However, the factors influencing this experience from the perspective of patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals are not fully understood. Aim: To map existing evidence on the effects of home-based palliative care on patient dignity, considering the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and health professionals. Methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, including studies published until December 2024. Eligible studies addressed dignity in the context of home-based palliative care. Opinion reports, case reports, and gray literature were excluded. Results: Five studies that used qualitative methods were included. Key factors supporting the preservation of dignity include patient autonomy and self-determination, family support, effective symptom management, and supportive care environments. Challenges include caregiver burden, organizational barriers, and lack of infrastructure in home care services. Conclusion: Home-based palliative care can contribute to preserving patient dignity when structured support is provided and patient autonomy is respected. However, structural and organizational challenges remain significant barriers. Future research should explore strategies to enhance health service integration and caregiver support to promote humane and equitable home-based palliative care.
- Therapeutic insights into Garcinia mangostana: bioactivities, challenges, and future directions in drug discoveryPublication . Anis, Y.; Labana, R. V.; Mendonça, D.; Ayunee, S.; Dimasin, R. V. D.; Bodade, R.; Sukati, S.; Boonhok, R.; Oliveira, S. M. R.; Girol, A. P.; Pereira, M. de Lourdes; Chooi-Ling, L.; Samudi, C.; Nissapatorn, V.Garcinia mangostana is a tropical tree native to India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. In Traditional Medicinal Systems (TMS), decoctions and infusions prepared from mangosteen fruits have effectively treated skin lesions and various inflammatory conditions. Researchers have also reported its extensive biological activities, viz. antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. This literature review comprehensively describes the biological potential of G. mangostana over the last twenty-five years. It includes a discussion of the bioactive compounds of G. mangostana and their extraction, purification, and characterization processes. Antimicrobial, anticancer, antitumorigenic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiparasitic activities are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the paper addresses the main obstacles associated with using mangosteen extracts and suggests ways to overcome these challenges. The medicinal properties of G. mangostana are primarily attributed to a-mangostin and other bioactive xanthones. However, other bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic activities remain not fully characterized. Therefore, developing effective extraction methods for these bioactive compounds, along with their characterization, possible bioactivities (pharmacodynamics), and any synergistic effects, is essential. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET), are necessary. It is also worth considering plant parts other than the pericarp.
- Predição de lesões por pressão através de inteligência artificial em unidades de cuidados intensivos: protocolo de scoping reviewPublication . Alves, José; Azevedo, Rita; Marques, Ana; Alves, PauloIntrodução: As lesões por pressão são eventos adversos frequentes em unidades de cuidados intensivos, com impacto na qualidade de vida das pessoas e nos custos em saúde. As escalas tradicionais de avaliação de risco apresentam limitações no contexto do doente crítico. A inteligência artificial tem vindo a afirmar-se como uma abordagem promissora na identificação precoce do risco, com maior sensibilidade e capacidade de integração de dados clínicos complexos. Objetivo: Identificar e mapear a evidência científica sobre a utilização de inteligência artificial na predição de lesões por pressão em adultos em situação crítica internados em unidades de cuidados intensivos. Métodos: Será realizada uma scoping review segundo a metodologia do Joanna Briggs Institute e a checklist PRISMA-ScR. A pesquisa incluirá bases de dados e literatura cinzenta, sem restrições de idioma ou data. Serão incluídos estudos que abordem a utilização de inteligência artificial na predição de lesões por pressão em unidades de cuidados intensivos. Resultados: Os dados serão apresentados de forma descritiva e narrativa, com quadros e tabelas que evidenciam os tipos de inteligência artificial, variáveis preditoras, desempenho dos modelos e implicações clínicas. Conclusões: Esta revisão permitirá sistematizar o conhecimento disponível, identificar lacunas na literatura e apoiar a integração de soluções baseadas em inteligência artificial na prática de enfermagem em cuidados intensivos.
- External action, internal gains : how EIB investments outside the EU affect the EU's markets and economyPublication . Mendes, Rita Santos; Soares, CarlaAs the European Union increasingly positions itself as a global actor through development finance, the European Investment Bank’s external role has expanded. This shift raises questions about whether this strategy positively impacts the Union and how it aligns with its mission of supporting the internal market’s development. The analysis combines event studies – examining financial market reactions of European stocks and European Investment Bank bonds – with a Propensity Score Matching staggered Difference-in-Differences approach that evaluates trade and investment flow changes between the Union and the non-European Union countries supported by the bank. The results suggest that European firms responded positively, whereas the bank’s bond investors exhibited some caution, possibly reflecting concerns over the increased risk associated with a global mandate. On the macroeconomic side, there are indications of positive trends in exports and outward foreign direct investment flows to the European Union, as well as imports from the Union. However, the lack of statistical significance limits the confirmation of measurable effects. These findings challenge the idea that the bank might support Aid for Trade outcomes. This research contributes to the literature on development finance, European Union foreign policy and the effects in donor regions. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into how the European Union reacts to changes in the European Investment Bank's external strategy and suggests that the bank's external operations may serve geopolitical objectives more than direct economic gains to the European Union.
- Has their time come? : cryptocurrencies as assets on corporate balance sheetsPublication . Binder, Marc Philipp; Rajsingh, PeterThis study investigates the strategic drivers and operational challenges of adopting cryptocurrencies as corporate assets. While Bitcoin and other digital assets have historically been associated with speculative investment, a growing number of corporations are exploring their utility as part of broader treasury strategies. Using a mixed-method design, this research integrates twelve expert interviews with senior finance professionals and a structured analysis of eight publicly traded firms holding digital assets. The findings reveal four primary adoption motivations: portfolio diversification, inflation hedging, innovation signaling, and high-growth potential. However, adoption is constrained by five core challenges: regulatory uncertainty, accounting complexity, custody and security risks, exposure limitations, and extreme volatility. Quantitative analysis suggests that neither firm size nor industry alone predicts the level of crypto adoption; rather, proportional exposure is shaped by a combination of treasury scale and strategic intent. These insights are contextualized through Resource-Based Theory, Dynamic Capabilities, and Signaling Theory. The study concludes that cryptocurrencies, while not yet mainstream treasury instruments, are emerging as strategic tools for financial flexibility and competitive differentiation. This thesis offers practical guidance for treasurers, regulators, and investors navigating the evolving intersection of digital assets and corporate finance.
- Ambev : equity reportPublication . Alves, Allan Luiz Massuella; Martins, José TudelaThis report aims to estimate the fair value for Ambev stock listed in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE); a discounted cash flow (DCF) model was the main tool used to analyze this share. This method of valuing the firm was chosen due to Ambev being a huge steady firm who generates relatively stable and predictable cash flows. Although the company has its stock listed in the Brazilian stock market, I chose to evaluate the America Depositary Receipt (ADR) to maintain the whole financial statements, revenue forecast and balance sheet in United States Dollar, as for the investor perspective it makes much more sense since this way much of the forex volatility noise and the Brazilian Real inflation impacts can be minimized and have less impact in the predictability of the cash flows. Based on my assumptions for the forecast of the cash flows, I propose a recommendation to buy the share, meaning I consider the stock to be undervalued compared to my model.