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Differential elemental accumulation of the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) along an invasion gradient
No full textThe non-native signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) can influence elemental cycling in aquatic ecosystems through bioaccumulation and transfer of chemical elements, with potential spatial variation along invasion gradients. In this study, we investigate the differences in elemental exposure in signal crayfish in the Rabaçal River, Portugal. We focus on potential intra-population differences along a well-defined invasion gradient, comparing individuals from the invasion core (upstream) and the downstream expanding front (n = 30 each). We examined 57 elements in the muscle of the signal crayfish, including essential elements (EEs): Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mg, Ca, Fe, Se, V, S; non-essential and potentially toxic elements (PTEs): Cd, Hg, Pb, U, As, Sr, Ba, Cr, Zr, Cs, Tl; and technology-critical elements (TCEs): Ti, Rb, La, Ce, Pr, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Ga, Ge, Hf, Ta, In, Re, Te, Pt. We explored the relationship between element concentrations and signal crayfish trophic ecology, inferred through stable isotope analysis (613C and 615N), behaviour, and epibiotic associate load-factors known to shape invasion success through their effects on resource acquisition, competition, and physiological stress. Significant differences in element concentrations were found between individuals from the core and front. Individuals from the front showed higher levels (mean mu g/kg, dry weight) of Co: (476 vs. 297), V: (390 vs. 262), Mn: (2.6 x 104 vs. 1.0 x 104), Hg: (2526 vs.1658), andTa: (21 vs. 11). These patterns suggest that front individuals, with higher 615N values and more exploratory behaviour, feed at higher trophic levels (e.g., macroinvertebrates), which may explain the elevated concentrations of biomagnifying elements such as Hg and Ta. On the other hand, individuals from the core had higher levels of Pb: (361 vs. 234), and Sr: (39772 vs. 20018), likely due to a diet based on basal resources, as supported by the strong negative correlation between Pb and 613C, indicating reliance on benthic sources more prone to lead accumulation. This study increases our understanding of contaminant accumulation along an invasion gradient, offering insights for management practices-such as targeted removal of highly contaminated individuals, improved monitoring of metal levels in invaded areas, and public awareness campaigns-to minimise ecological impacts on higher trophic levels.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through national funds under the project MULTI-CRASH: Multi-dimensional ecological cascades triggered by an invasive species in pristine habitats (PTDC/CTA-AMB/0510/2021) (https://doi.org/10.54499/PTDC/CTA-AMB/0510/2021) and the Scientific Employment Stimulus – 6th Edition (2023.07078.CEECIND) (https://doi.org/10.54499/2023.07078.CEECIND/CP2841/CT0002)
SEO in Rural Tourism: A Case Study of Terras de Trás-os-Montes, Portugal
No full textThis research investigates the application of search engine optimization (SEO) in developing the digital image of rural tourism businesses in the Terras de Trás-os-Montes region of Portugal. With digital marketing becoming increasingly important for businesses to stay competitive, SEO has become a vital tool for developing online recognition, qualified traffic acquisition, and enhancement of conversion rates. The research performs an SEO analysis of 21 rural tourism websites by applying the Ubersuggest tool, analyzing such key indicators as on-page SEO scores, organic traffic, keyword ranking, backlinks, and technical performance. The results identify wide SEO performance discrepancies, with some sites registering excellent practices and others with critical errors that impair the sites' online recognizability. In particular, low word count, absent meta description, and loading speed issues are very much present. The research emphasizes the need for effective SEO methods, such as on-page maintenance, content creation, and link building, to advance search engine ranking and end-user experience. Moreover, the study emphasizes the necessity for rural tourism businesses to evolve and adapt to current SEO trends, i.e., voice search optimization and local SEO, in the changing digital business environment. The results provide recommendations for rural tourism businesses to develop their digital marketing activities and make progress online.This research received no external funding
The role of multi-agent systems in realizing asset administration shell type 3
No full textIn the context of Industry 4.0 (I4.0), the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) has been gaining significant attention in recent years. The AAS serves as a standardized digital representation of an asset, encapsulating all relevant information about the asset throughout its lifecycle. Since its introduction in 2015, the past decade has seen considerable progress in developing traditional AAS solutions, namely AAS Type 1 and Type 2. As this initial phase reaches maturity, it becomes essential to shift focus toward AAS Type 3 (proactive), a specific category that extends traditional AAS functionalities by incorporating higher levels of autonomy, intelligence, and collaborative capabilities. However, AAS Type 3 is still in its early stages, lacking formal specifications and comprehensive implementation guidelines. In this context, Multi-Agent Systems (MAS) have been investigated as a means to enhance traditional AAS solutions toward the realization of AAS Type 3, particularly by embedding autonomous, intelligent, and collaborative behaviors. Building on this perspective, this paper explores the role of MAS in realizing AAS Type 3 through a comprehensive analysis of existing agent-based AAS approaches in the literature. Furthermore, this paper proposes a reference model based on common patterns found in the literature to support the development of AAS Type 3 solutions, contributing to the discussion on the formalization of specifications and providing greater clarity on this emerging topic. Finally, to better demonstrate key aspects of the model, some illustrative examples are presented to guide its application and facilitate understanding.This work was supported by national funds: UID/05757—Research Centre in Digitalization and Intelligent Robotics (CeDRI), and SusTEC, LA/P/0007/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020). Lucas Sakurada thanks the FCT for the PhD Grant 2020.09234.BD (DOI: 10.54499/2020.09234.BD)
Acceptance and familiarization with wearable devices in Portugal and Brazil
No full textThis research sought to understand the acceptance of wearable devices in Portugal and Brazil, analyzing aspects such as demographic profiles, experiences with technology and personal perceptions. An adaptation of the UTAUT2 model was made, obtaining responses from university students and frequent internet users through a questionnaire that used the Likert scale. The evaluation of the data indicated a predominance of participants from Portugal, a tendency for acceptance to be more pronounced among younger people, those with a higher level of education and a greater technological proficiency among men and more qualified individuals. The relationship between users and non-users of wearable devices proved to be balanced, with a more marked acceptance by people aged 35 to 59, women and those who have a positive view of technology. The Smartwatch stood out among the devices, followed by the Fitness Bracelet and the Smart Ring. A variation in social influence was observed according to the type of device, being more striking in the case of Smartwatches. Surprisingly, social influence did not prove to be as crucial in the acceptance of wearable devices as initially thought. The findings show a trend towards the adoption of these devices, while also warning of challenges linked to the perceived value and price of products, signaling an area with great potential for future research and innovation
Biodiesel production by transesterification using choline hydroxide as catalyst
No full textBiodiesel is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and is a biodegradable and renewable fuel, produced from fat sources mainly composed of triglycerides. The use of ionic liquids (ILs) in biodiesel catalytic production has been studied mainly in the ecological field, as it allows a high recycling efficiency. Choline (2-hydroxyethyl trimethylammonium)-based ILs have received attention due to their biocompatibility characteristics and potential for various industrial applications. Specifically, choline hydroxide (ChOH) represents a promising option. This work's objective is the optimization of the methyl transesterification reaction conditions using commercial and waste sunflower oil (WSO) as raw material and ChOH as a catalyst, assessing the
possibility of recovering the catalyst between reaction cycles. Therefore, biodiesel production was
carried out on heating plates with temperature control and with magnetic stirring, using methanol reflux. After phase separation, centrifugation was used to enhance biodiesel recovery. Reaction conversion was assessed by acidity drop determination, and the biodiesel FAME content was determined by GC-FID, through a procedure in accordance with EN 14103, using methyl
heptadecanoate as the internal standard. IL recovery was carried out by solvent extraction with
water-based binary systems, followed by an FTIR analysis of both phases for ChOH detection, and
a comparison with initial IL samples. Optimal conversions, determined by acid value (AV) reduction or by biodiesel FAME mass content, were obtained using a 4%wt. catalyst load, oil/methanol molar ratio of 1:8, duration of 1 h, and temperature of 65 °C. The products’ AV for WSO showed a significant reduction relating to the raw material AV (6.14 mgKOH/g). For the reactions with commercial sunflower oil (AV close to 0.20 mgKOH/g), the biodiesel phase AV remained low.
ChOH recovery, performed with n-butanol/water and ethyl acetate/water systems, proved to be
inefficient under the conditions tested. FTIR analysis showed the presence of ChOH in both liquid–liquid extraction phases
Cuidadores informais no cuidado ao idoso no domicílio: o olhar da enfermagem em Vila Flor
No full textOs cuidadores informais são peça-chave na assistência a idosos em contexto domiciliário, suprindo necessidades físicas, emocionais e sociais (Sousa et al., 2020). Apesar da sua relevância, enfrentam desafios como sobrecarga emocional, isolamento e carência de formação técnica (Silva & Pereira, 2021). A ausência de apoio estruturado pode comprometer tanto o bem-estar do cuidador quanto a segurança do idoso (OECD, 2023). Profissionais de saúde, nomeadamente enfermeiros, têm um papel crucial na capacitação dos cuidadores informais, promovendo práticas seguras e humanizadas (DGS, 2019). Esta investigação analisa a perceção dos profissionais sobre as necessidades formativas, competências e desafios enfrentados por cuidadores informais de idosos em Portugal, com o intuito de contribuir para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de capacitação mais ajustadas e eficazes. Objetivo: Avaliar a perceção dos enfermeiros do concelho de Vila Flor sobre as hard skills e soft skills dos cuidadores informais de idosos em contexto domiciliário, identificando necessidades formativas prioritárias que promovam a segurança do idoso dependente e a melhoria da qualidade dos cuidados prestados. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, transversal e de natureza mista. A recolha de dados foi realizada através de um questionário estruturado, disponibilizado na plataforma Google Forms, assegurando o anonimato e a acessibilidade dos participantes. Participaram no estudo 11 enfermeiros a exercer funções na Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados (UCSP) e na Unidade de Cuidados na Comunidade (UCC) do concelho de Vila Flor. A amostra foi composta por 9 mulheres e 2 homens, com idades compreendidas entre os 40 e os 62 anos, todos com experiência profissional igual ou superior a cinco anos em cuidados de saúde primários.
A construção do instrumento de recolha de dados e a fundamentação do estudo basearam-se em 8 referências científicas e institucionais, publicadas entre 2018 e 2024. Resultados: 80% dos profissionais inquiridos referiu ter contacto semanal ou mensal com cuidadores informais; 60% avaliaram os conhecimentos dos cuidadores informais como moderados, 80% reconheceram que os cuidadores demonstram competências básicas em cuidados de higiene e conforto. Os profissionais destacaram três grandes áreas de dificuldades dos cuidados informais: sobrecarga física e/ou emocional, falta de conhecimentos técnicos e práticos e gestão do stress e isolamento social, 100% dos participantes consideram fundamental a existência de programas formais de formação para cuidadores informais. Os profissionais identificaram os seguintes formatos como mais eficazes para capacitar cuidadores informais: sessões presenciais em grupo, materiais audiovisuais e formação entre pares. Conclusão: Os cuidados domiciliários prestados a idosos por cuidadores informais são, frequentemente, realizados sem preparação adequada para enfrentar as exigências físicas, técnicas e emocionais da função. A perceção dos enfermeiros inquiridos evidencia lacunas significativas nas competências técnicas (hard skills) e na gestão do stress, aspetos que comprometem a qualidade e a segurança dos cuidados. Todos os profissionais reconhecem a necessidade urgente de programas formais de capacitação, salientando o papel do enfermeiro como agente educativo e facilitador de cuidados seguros e humanizados no domicílio. Contudo, constrangimentos como a escassez de tempo e de recursos nas unidades de saúde limitam a operacionalização destas estratégias formativas. Assim, torna-se imprescindível que as políticas de saúde integrem a capacitação sistemática dos cuidadores informais como componente essencial da enfermagem comunitária, promovendo a continuidade dos cuidados, a autonomia da pessoa idosa e a sustentabilidade do sistema de saúde. Este estudo contribui para a prática clínica ao evidenciar prioridades formativas concretas e abordagens pedagógicas preferenciais, orientando os enfermeiros na sua ação educativa. Simultaneamente, reforça a relevância de novas investigações que aprofundem o impacto da formação nos resultados em saúde, bem como as melhores estratégias de apoio a estes cuidadores no território nacional
Let´s get inclusive
No full textIn Portugal, higher education has been undergoing changes related to globalization and
democratization of access on the one hand and, on the other hand, to the expansion and diversification of the training offer. The increase in the number of foreign students brings greater diversity in terms of their individual, social, economic and cultural characteristics. Figures made available to Lusa by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, confirm that the number of PALOP students has increased by 170% in five years, from 7.355 to almost 19.993, The number of students from Portuguese-speaking African countries in higher education in Portugal has almost tripled in five years, but many face difficulties and there are high levels of dropouts, warns Miguel Chaves from the New University of Lisbon, stressing that the communication difficulties of these students are reflected in a "big problem", namely in terms of academic success. With diversity comes new challenges, which include: a greater demand to ensure effective higher education for all; the need for culturally inclusive and responsive teaching, with a focus on promoting equity, equality, and respect for diversity; and creating a space that allows different people to learn differently [1]. The challenge: to highlight the need to provide sustainable psychosocial support to students from PALOP countries. The approach and process: the approach was based on the Design thinking (DT) process [2]. It took place over the course of a semester. DT is a humanistic approach to innovation and creativity and in this project, the process focused on the students Stakeholders), starting with a deep empathy and discovery of needs in terms of mental health and well-being issues; difficulties encountered in the IPB platform depending on the needs and motivations of the students [3]. The result achieved: in order to raise awareness among IPB managers, the project was presented to the IPB board and academic services. The need for an up-to-date, intuitive platform with clear communication was highlighted, both for academic aspects and for support in the health area. Based on the report, two part-time medical doctors were hired. The next steps planned: it is our goal to contribute to a healthy and happy academic environment, with emphasis on the area of psychological and social well-being
AI-driven solutions for enhancing digital accessibility in higher education
No full textDigital accessibility is essential for ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to educational materials in higher education. Despite the existence of standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and PDF Universal Access (PDF/UA), many institutions still face challenges in providing accessible digital content. Existing tools can identify accessibility issues but often fall short in automating the remediation process or offering personalized adjustments for individual learners. This paper presents an AI-driven framework designed to automate the detection, remediation, and personalization of digital content to meet accessibility requirements. The proposed framework integrates AI and machine learning to enhance the accessibility of PDFs, HTML content, and multimedia resources, ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1 and PDF/UA standards. The study demonstrates that the AI system detects accessibility issues with 92% accuracy and successfully remediates 85% of identified issues. Additionally, the framework offers real-time personalized adjustments, improving user satisfaction for 94% of students with disabilities. The AI system also reduces the time and cost of ensuring accessibility, making it an efficient tool for educational institutions. The paper concludes with recommendations for further research to expand the framework’s capabilities and offers insights for developing inclusive education policies that leverage AI technology
Innovation and creativity in tourism, business and social sciences
No full textThe accommodation and food services sector is vital to Portugal’s tourism industry, contributing significantly to economic output and employment. This study analyses the sector’s business dynamics from 2004 to 2022, focusing on key indicators such as business entry, exit, and survival rates. The research uses recent administrative data to examine in an exploratory manner how businesses within the sector have responded to significant economic challenges, including the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal a resilient yet evolving sector, with a noticeable shift towards corporate consolidation and a decline in sole proprietorships. The study highlights the sector’s sensitivity to economic fluctuations, underscoring the need for strategic planning and policy intervention to support sustained growth and stability. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to navigate future economic uncertainties and foster a more robust accommodation and food services sector in Portugal.This work was supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC): UNIAG, UIDB/04752/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04752/2020) and UIDP/04752/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/04752/2020)
Removal of metformin from aquatic matrices using cork-based adsorbents
No full textMetformin is considered an emerging micropollutant, belonging to the pharmaceutical class, and is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Due to its incomplete metabolism and extensive prescription for chronic disease management, it has been frequently detected in aquatic environments. Even at trace concentrations, it may cause endocrine disruptions in aquatic biota and lead to the formation of toxic byproducts during water treatment.1,2 In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of metformin removal from aqueous matrices through the adsorption process, using activated carbons produced from cork residues. The methodology involved the preparation of the adsorbents via physical activation (CF) and chemical activation using potassium hydroxide (KOH) (CQ), followed by characterization in terms of carbonization yield, moisture and ash content, point of zero charge (pHPZC), presence of acidic and basic surface functional groups, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Metformin quantification was carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Studies on drug removal, adsorption kinetics, activation energy estimation, and evaluation of operational parameters influencing the process, such as adsorbent dosage, pH, and initial metformin concentration, were conducted. The results demonstrated that the type of activation applied to each carbon significantly influenced the physicochemical properties of the materials, as well as their adsorption performance. According to the kinetic studies, adsorption equilibrium was reached within the first minutes for CQ, while for CF it was more gradual. In equilibrium studies, the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models were applied. For CF, both models showed a good fit, with a predominance of the Freundlich model, indicating a slightly heterogeneous surface and favorable adsorption. For CQ, the Langmuir model provided a better fit, with a high maximum adsorption capacity, suggesting monolayer adsorption on a more homogeneous surface.3,4
From the study carried out, the activated carbons produced from cork residues demonstrated high performance as promising materials for the removal of metformin in aqueous media, particularly those obtained through chemical activation, achieving a removal efficiency of approximately 99.0% under optimized alkaline pH conditions (pH 11). The use of this residue as a raw material highlights the potential of renewable-origin adsorbents in water treatment processes, contributing to the valorization of an abundant by-product in Portugal and to the development of more environmentally sustainable solutions, in line with the principles of a circular economy.This work was supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC): UIDB/00690/2020 (DOI:10.54499/UIDB/00690/2020) and UIDP/00690/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/00690/2020); and SusTEC, LA/P/0007/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020)