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Creating a brand strategy for careceiver - crafting effective communication strategies for careceiver
No full textCareceiver, a Portuguese startup founded in 2019 by nurse-founder Joana Afonso, seeks to
revolutionize caregiving dynamics for caregivers. This thesis explores its strategic development
and branding imperative, emphasizing effective communication strategies to establish trust with
B2C and B2B partners. Careceiver's goal is to provide comprehensive support to informal
caregivers through an innovative app and platform. Communication is vital in product branding,
highlighting the need for Careceiver to craft an engaging narrative and targeted messages to
foster brand awareness and support among caregivers, contributing to its success in the
caregiving market
Strategic analysis of uniquemark: the market entry of an innovative assay marking technology - international licensing for assay offices
No full textThe project aims to design a comprehensive market entry strategy to successfully launch
UniqueMark, an innovative hallmarking technology, into the market. This Work Project intends
to assist Imprensa Nacional Casa da Moeda (INCM) in developing a strategic business plan,
leveraging the technology’s value proposition and market opportunities. Internal and external
analysis, incorporating best practices and concept testing, are the key phases of the
methodology. The findings are organized among two main guiding pillars (price and place) that
led to the recommendation of a customized strategy tailored to firm’s needs. Further research
was suggested to better implement the final recommendations.
Keywords: Strategy Consulting, Hallmarking, Assay Office, Jewelry, Authenticity,
Traceability, Technology, Innovation, Precious Metals
Emotional Intelligence in AI: The Impact of Empathetic Chatbots on Student Satisfaction
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems ManagementThis Master's thesis explores the impact of empathetic chatbots as a supportive service in
higher education, focusing on the potential of emotional intelligence in AI to improve student
satisfaction in high-stress situations. Although chatbots are commonly used by students on a
daily basis for academic and administrative tasks, with chatbot's responses often lacking
emotional sensitivity, there is a research gap in the provision of emotional chatbots that cover
the broad resolution of everyday challenges that a student may face outside of purely learning
activities. This study investigates whether empathetic chatbots that prioritize the importance
of students' emotional states, can imply higher satisfaction, leading to an increased intention
to use among university students. The research follows a quantitative approach applying
Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). Primary data was gathered
from 240 students and recent graduates randomly assigned to either an empathetic or a nonempathetic chatbot group. A multigroup analysis was used to compare the differences in the
relationships among the model's variables depending on the chatbot type. The results indicate
that cognitive empathy, characterized by the construct of understanding and trust, has a
positive and statistically significant impact on student satisfaction. Emotional responsiveness
and human-like empathy did not show significant results. In addition, a strong and statistically
significant positive relationship between student satisfaction and the intention to continue
using the chatbot for future problems or requests was found. When comparing the results
between the groups of different chatbot types, emotional responsiveness had a lower impact
on student satisfaction in the empathetic group compared to the non-empathetic group. The
study contributes to research on affective computing and highlights the implementation of
empathy in human-computer interactions in higher education
Natural flocculants (EPS) production using glycerol-rich industrial wastewater in bench-scale bioreactors and evaluation of flocculation capability
No full textThe role of aspirations, expectations, and non-cognitive factors in shaping educational pathways in Portugal
No full textThis study explores the influence of personal aspirations, expectations, and non-cognitive
skills on the educational trajectories of 9th grade students in over 200 disadvantaged schools
across Portugal. Employing OLS regressions, the research assesses the role of each one of
these dimensions in shaping their preferences towards vocational or academic high school
paths, including specific specialization.
The findings reveal a significant correlation between personal aspirations, expectations, and
non-cognitive skills and students' educational choices with aspirations and expectations
playing a significant role in vocational selections. This underscores the critical importance of
considering these factors in understanding and supporting the educational choices of students
from disadvantaged backgrounds ultimately aiming to enhance their educational outcomes
Marketing strategies for FGM implants in Brazil: arcsys, an innovative and revolutionary system in implantology
No full textThis thesis examines marketing strategies for FGM Implants in Brazil, focusing on the Arcsys
implants’ system. Through a detailed analysis of Instagram posts, it identifies effective social
media tactics to enhance brand image and market presence. Key findings highlight the
importance of visual storytelling, audience engagement, and strategic hashtag use. The study
provides actionable recommendations for optimizing social media strategies, aiming to
strengthen FGM Implants’ position in the competitive implantology market and foster greater
consumer trust and loyalty
Cellular and molecular mechanisms of neuronal remodelling at the neuromuscular junction
No full textNervous system function depends on the coordinated activity of populations
of neurons that are connected and communicate at junctions called synapses.
Synapses are first established during embryogenesis using a highly precise genetic
program from which neural circuits are defined, allowing processes such as
perception, learning, memory, or locomotion. However, circuit wiring can be
further remodeled using neuronal activity-dependent plasticity mechanisms.
Therefore, synaptogenesis is a long-developmental process that involves synapse
formation, maintenance, refinement, and elimination. The plasticity of neural
circuits is critical because it allows for information storage and environmental
adaptation in young individuals and throughout adulthood. Hence, it is not
surprising that defects in synaptic connectivity and plasticity are characteristic of
numerous neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
Synapses are typically found in round varicosities formed at neuronal axons,
called synaptic boutons, which are conserved structures from invertebrates to
humans. Although boutons are important synaptic compartments where
neurotransmission occurs, very little is known about the mechanism and dynamics
of bouton formation, especially during the postembryonic period. Initial circuit
formation is relatively well-characterized and requires intricate developmental
events prior to synaptogenesis, including cell fate specification, cell migration, axon
guidance, and synaptic target selection, all of which occur almost simultaneously
in billions of neurons during vertebrate nervous system development. During this
period, the mechanisms that give rise to synaptic boutons and synapses involve
the formation of labile and dynamic growth cones (GCs), comprised of filopodia
and lamellipodia, which guide axons towards their targets and differentiate into
round boutons upon arrival at their destination. Once formed, the circuit
architecture can change in response to developmental cues and external stimuli,
such as synaptic activity, allowing for more selective remodeling, including bouton
formation and elimination. However, how these and other structural changes are
coordinated between synaptic partners and the mechanisms used for neuronal
remodeling are still unknown.
The aim of this PhD thesis was to address a fundamental question in
neuroscience: How are synaptic boutons formed and integrated into wired neurons? The Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a synapse formed
between motor neurons (MNs) and skeletal muscle fibers that is essential for
muscle contraction and movement, was adopted as a model to study this question.
In addition to clearly discernible boutons, NMJs show robust structural plasticity
during larval growth, with new boutons added to the neuronal arbor through
developmental and activity-dependent processes. The analysis was performed
mainly in 3rd instar larvae, in which developmental bouton addition is nearly
completed, after induction of structural plasticity using depolarization protocols
with a solution containing elevated K+ that mimics intense activity, and allows for
the rapid addition of new boutons to the NMJ. This stimulation method was used
and combined with live samples of Drosophila larvae to dissect the details of
bouton outgrowth in real-time.
Neuronal migration and growth are critical for proper synaptic wiring in the
nervous system. To date, the mechanisms described for bouton formation have
involved filopodia or lamellipodia structures. However, live imaging of
unanesthetized Drosophila larval NMJs with high temporal resolution (in secs)
sheds light on an unreported mechanism for bouton addition in wired neurons,
which can potentially be used for rewiring of mature neurons. In the Drosophila
larval NMJ, synaptic bouton addition in response to intense activity does not occur,
as in the embryonic stage, where a GC differentiates into round boutons. Instead,
new boutons emerge rapidly as round protrusions of the neuronal membrane
resembling blebbing, a pressure-driven mechanism used by other cells in 3D
migration and tissue invasion. Moreover, new boutons exhibit key characteristics
of blebbing: a reduction in filamentous actin (F-actin) during their growth and the
recruitment of non-muscle myosin II (MyoII), an essential regulator of blebbing.
Because the NMJ is deeply inserted into the muscle, for the MN to attach new
boutons to the muscle, it must further invade it, which is mechanistically similar to
migration across other tissues. It is possible that MNs have adopted a strategy in
which blebbing is combined with activity-dependent signaling pathways to
modulate the formation of new boutons during intense neuronal activity.
Interestingly, an association between muscle contraction and bouton formation
was observed in live imaging movies, suggesting a role of the muscle during this
process. Using several strategies, the muscle contraction potential was
manipulated during NMJ stimulation, which showed that this mechanism of bouton formation requires muscle contraction around the neuronal membrane.
One hypothesis is that the muscle plays a mechanical role in MN plasticity and
bouton remodeling, possibly by compressing the MN during contractility and
increasing its confinement, which is an important factor in promoting blebbing.
These findings suggest that in addition to biochemical signaling, a balance of
mechanical forces cooperates between MN and muscle cells to coordinate activitydependent
bouton formation at the Drosophila NMJ.
This research further expanded our understanding of the mechanisms that
control synaptic bouton assembly in neurons and identified a mechanism,
blebbing, by which wired neurons may form new boutons, allowing their structural
expansion and plasticity, using transsynaptic physical interactions as the main
driving force. Further investigation of this mechanism can contribute to a clear
understanding of the normal neuronal structure and function, which is essential
for studying responses to injury or disease
How can The principles of impact investing be applied to reconcile the exponential growth targets of venture capital with the sustainability demands prevalent in climate tech
No full textThis thesis addresses three key assumptions about green growth, climate technologies, and
venture capital's alignment with sustainability, which are implicitly held by many stakeholders
in the green venture ecosystem. The main objective is to determine whether the principles of
impact investing can reconcile the aggressive growth targets of venture capital with the
sustainability demands in climate tech. The research identifies challenges and opportunities in
aligning these objectives and suggests strategies to bridge this gap, highlighting the need for
coherent definitions, impact measurement methods, and sheds light on the academic debate on
green growth versus degrowth
Mobilidade Intermunicipal em Transporte Público na Área Metropolitana de Lisboa: uma abordagem espacial com modelos geográficos de floresta aleatória e regressão ponderada multiescala
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Geographic Information Systems and Science, specialization in Geospatial Data ScienceA mobilidade intermunicipal em transporte público coletivo (TC) nas áreas metropolitanas é um
elemento fundamental do planeamento urbano, especialmente na promoção de sistemas de
transporte sustentáveis e equitativos. Este estudo foca-se na Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
(AML), através da análise dos fatores que influenciam os movimentos pendulares (movimentos
entre o local de residência e o local de trabalho/estudo) intermunicipais em TC (variável
dependente) ao nível da freguesia. A análise baseia-se em dados dos Censos de Portugal de
2021, incluindo atributos de mobilidade, infraestrutura de transportes e acessibilidade,
condições socioeconómicas e características do ambiente construído. Foram aplicados dois
modelos, sendo estes o Python-based Geographical Random Forest (PyGRF) e o Multiscale
Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR). O PyGRF, um modelo de machine learning
espacialmente explícito, destacou-se pelo desempenho preditivo superior na identificação de
variáveis explicativas relevantes assim como a visualização das características locais. O MGWR,
baseado em pressupostos lineares, complementou a análise com uma abordagem multiescala,
ao revelar coeficientes locais estatisticamente significativos. A integração destes modelos,
através de mapas coropléticos bivariados, permitiu uma visão abrangente dos principais fatores
que influenciam os movimentos pendulares em TC. Os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de
políticas direcionadas à melhoria das infraestruturas de TC, sobretudo na periferia, com ênfase
nas freguesias da margem sul do rio Tejo. Este estudo fornece evidências robustas para apoiar
políticas urbanas que promovam uma mobilidade sustentável e equitativa.Intermunicipal mobility using public transport in metropolitan areas is a crucial element of urban
planning, particularly in promoting sustainable and equitable transportation systems. This study
focuses on the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA) by analyzing the factors influencing
intermunicipal commuting (movements between place of residence and place of work/study)
using public transport (dependent variable) at the parish level. The analysis is based on data
from the 2021 Portugal Census, including mobility attributes, transport infrastructure and
accessibility, socioeconomic conditions, and built environment characteristics. Two models were
applied: the Python-based Geographical Random Forest (PyGRF) and the Multiscale
Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR). The PyGRF, a spatially explicit machine learning
model, stood out for its superior predictive performance in identifying relevant predictors and
visualizing local characteristics. The MGWR, grounded in linear assumptions, complemented the
analysis with a multiscale approach by revealing statistically significant local coefficients. The
integration of these models through bivariate choropleth maps provided a comprehensive view
of the main factors influencing public transport commuting patterns. The results highlight the
need for targeted policies to improve public transport infrastructure, particularly in peripheral
areas, with a focus on the municipalities on the southern bank of the Tagus River. This study
provides robust evidence to support urban policies that promote sustainable and equitable
mobility
Cardiac signaling via EVs derived from CCBE1 human cardioids in response to cardiac injury
No full textCardiovascular diseases (CVD) are estimated to claim 17.9 million lives per year. As
such, understanding key aspects of human cardiogenesis is critical for the development
of novel therapies. In vitro cardiac modeling has relied heavily on 2D models. However,
they exhibit fundamental structural and functional limitations. Hence, self-organized
hiPSC-based organoids have emerged in recent years as a reliable platform to model
cardiovascular development and disease.
The epicardium, a single-cell layer of mesothelial cells that covers the entire heart,
is a source of regulatory and paracrine signals that are essential for proper cardiovascular
development. Collagen- and calcium-binding EGF-like domains 1 (CCBE1) is an ECM
protein initially implicated in coronary vasculature development and more recently
described as essential for cardiac development. Our group has demonstrated that CCBE1
mutant mice displayed deficient myocardium development, and defects in its
compaction. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) have recently emerged as intercellular
communication mediators. Although several studies have reported the isolation of EVs
derived from 2D-cultured cells, fail to replicate important structural and physiological
features of the native tissue. Therefore, the main aim of this thesis was to study the
differential cardiac signaling mediated by EVs released from WT and CCBE1-KO human
cardioids.
To study the involvement of CCBE1 in human cardiogenesis, we validated a CCBE1-
KO hiPSC line previously generated in our lab. We showed that a lack of CCBE1 produced
a significant reduction in size and contractility of human cardioids. An impairment in
cardiomyocyte differentiation was demonstrated by the reduced gene expression of the
myocardial markers TNNT2, MHY6, and MHY7. On the other hand, the differentiation of
cardiac fibroblasts and epicardial and endothelial cells was not significantly affected. EVs
produced by CCBE1 KO cardioids displayed a broader size distribution and lower particle
concentration, compared to the ones derived from WT cardioids.
Overall, we demonstrated that the disruption of regular cardiac differentiation
due to the absence of CCBE1 has an impact on the profile of the EVs produced by human
cardioids.Estima-se que as doenças cardiovasculares (DCV) sejam responsáveis por 17,9
milhões de mortes por ano. Como tal, uma compreensão aprofundada da cardiogénese
humana é essencial para o desenvolvimento de novas terapias. Os modelos cardíacos in
vitro têm-se baseado fortemente em modelos 2D. No entanto, estes apresentam
limitações estruturais e funcionais. Assim, os organóides baseados em hiPSCs surgiram
nos últimos anos como uma plataforma 3D fiável para estudar o desenvolvimento e a
doença cardiovascular.
O epicárdio, uma camada unicelular de células mesoteliais que cobre todo o
coração, é uma fonte de sinais reguladores e parácrinos que são essenciais para o
desenvolvimento cardiovascular. A proteína CCBE1 (do inglês collagen- and calcium binding EGF-like domains 1) é uma proteína da matriz extracelular inicialmente implicada
no desenvolvimento da vasculatura coronária e mais recentemente descrita como
necessária para o desenvolvimento cardíaco. O nosso grupo demonstrou que ratinhos
mutantes CCBE1 apresentam um desenvolvimento deficiente do miocárdio e defeitos na
sua compactação. As Vesículas Extracelulares (VEs) emergiram recentemente como
mediadores da comunicação intercelular. Embora vários estudos tenham relatado o
isolamento de VEs derivadas de células cultivadas em 2D, estes modelos não conseguem
replicar caraterísticas estruturais e fisiológicas importantes do tecido nativo. Por
conseguinte, o principal objetivo desta tese foi estudar a sinalização cardíaca diferencial
mediada por VEs libertados de cardióides humanos WT e CCBE1-KO.
Para estudar o envolvimento do CCBE1 na cardiogénese humana, validámos uma
linha de hiPSC CCBE1-KO previamente gerada no nosso laboratório. Mostrámos que a falta
de CCBE1 produziu uma redução significativa no tamanho e na contratilidade dos
cardióides humanos. O comprometimento na diferenciação de cardiomiócitos foi
demonstrado pela redução da expressão genética dos marcadores miocardiais TNNT2,
MHY6 e MHY7. Por outro lado, a diferenciação dos fibroblastos cardíacos e das células
epicardiais e endoteliais não foi significativamente afetada. As VEs produzidas por
cardióides CCBE1 KO apresentaram uma maior distribuição de tamanhos mais e uma
menor concentração de partículas, em comparação com as derivadas de cardióides WT.
Em geral, demonstrámos que a ausência de CCBE1 durante a diferenciação
cardíaca tem um impacto no perfil das VEs produzidas por cardióides humanos