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Enhancing agricultural audit systems with IoT and predictive analytics: deployment and performance
No full textThis article proposes an extension of a geospatial-based agricultural audit platform by integrating Internet of Things technologies and predictive analytics. It builds on previous work to address field connectivity, scalability, and risk anticipation. The proposal outlines a modular architecture, identifies technical challenges and mitigation strategies, and presents use cases for different user profiles. Ethical, legal, and environmental implications of digitalisation are also discussed. This conceptual work supports future experimental validation and highlights the potential of digital transformation to enhance compliance with the Common Agricultural Policy and align with the European Green Deal priorities
Efectos de la fisioterapia en la función pélvica y calidad de vida en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria - una revisión sistemática
No full textIn recent years, pelvic floor physiotherapy, namely pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) has shown a high importance in women with urinary incontinence (UI), optimizing pelvic function and quality of life (QoL).
Objective: Evaluate the effects of pelvic floor physiotherapy on pelvic function and QoL in women with UI.
Methods: Computerized search in the databases Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science, using the combination of keywords: Physiotherapy; Urinary Incontinence; QoL,in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality was analysed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale.
Results: Nineteen articles meeting the eligibility criteria were included with a total of 2253 participants and an arithmetic mean of 8.4/10 on the PEDro scale. PFMT interventions showed positive effects on QoL, as well as in decreasing involuntary urine loss and increasing pelvic floor muscle strength. In addition, PFMT combined with biofeedback, electrotherapy or Pilates training seemed to reveal significant effects.
Conclusions: PFMT is an effective treatment for UI in women. PFMT significantly improves QoL in women with UI, a determinant factor for physical, mental, and social conditions.En los últimos años, la fisioterapia del suelo pélvico (SP), en particular, el entrenamiento de los músculos del SP (EMSP), ha demostrado tener una gran importancia en mujeres con incontinencia urinaria (IU), en la optimización de la función pélvica y calidad de vida (CdV).
Objetivos: Evalúe los efectos de la fisioterapia del SP en la función pélvica y CdV en mujeres con IU.
Métodos: Búsqueda computarizada en las bases de datos Pubmed, Scopus y Web of Science, utilizando la combinación de palabras clave: Fisioterapia; Incontinencia urinaria; CdV, de acuerdo con las directrices PRISMA. La calidad metodológica fue analizada mediante la escala de Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro).
Resultados: Se incluyeron 19 artículos que cumplieron con los criterios de elegibilidad, con un total de 2253 participantes y una media aritmética de 8,4/10 en la escala de PEDro. Las intervenciones de EMSP mostraron efectos positivos, tanto en CdV como en la reducción de la pérdida involuntaria de orina y el aumento de la fuerza de los músculos del SP. Además, el EMSP combinado con biofeedback, electroterapia o entrenamiento de Pilates parece tener efectos significativos.
Conclusiones: El EMSP es un tratamiento eficaz para la IU en mujeres. Mejora significativamente la CdV de mujeres con IU, un factor determinante para el estado físico, mental y social.Nos últimos anos, a fisioterapia do pavimento pélvico (PP), nomeadamente, o treino dos músculos do PP (TMPP) tem revelado uma elevada importância em mulheres com incontinência urinária (IU), na otimização da função pélvica e qualidade de vida (QdV).
Objetivo: Avaliar os efeitos da fisioterapia do PP na função pélvica e QdV em mulheres com IU.
Métodos: Pesquisa computorizada nas bases de dados Pubmed, Scopus e Web of Science, recorrendo a combinação de palavras-chave: Fisioterapia; Incontinência urinária; QdV, de acordo com as guidelines PRISMA. A qualidade metodológica foi analisada através da escala de Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro).
Resultados: Foram incluídos 19 artigos que cumpriram os critérios de elegibilidade com um total de 2253 participantes e com média aritmética de 8,4/10 na escala de PEDro. As intervenções do TMPP apresentaram efeitos positivos, ao nível de QdV, assim como na diminuição da perda involuntária de urina e aumento da força dos músculos do PP. Adicionalmente, o TMPP conciliado com o biofeedback, a eletroterapia ou o treino de Pilates, parece revelar efeitos significativos.
Conclusão: O TMPP é um tratamento eficaz para a IU em mulheres. O TMPP melhora significativamente a QdV de mulheres com IU, fator determinante para o estado físico, mental e social.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Solvent screening for the purification of monoterpenoids by countercurrent and centrifugal partition chromatography
No full textCountercurrent chromatography (CCC) and centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) are efficient techniques to purify terpenoids from essential oils. These methods require suitable solvent systems for the partition between the two immiscible liquid phases. In this study, using the analytical shake-flask method, we measured the partition coefficients of three model monoterpenoids, namely carvone, eucalyptol and thymol, in 11 biphasic solvent systems, at 298.2 K. Moreover, the predictive COSMO-RS model was applied to represent the partition coefficients of data measured in this work and retrieved from the literature, the liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data of three solvent families suitable for CCC/CPC separations (i.e., Arizona, Modified Arizona and Green Arizona) and the solute's partition coefficients in the three solvent families. RESULTS: The partition coefficients obtained for thymol and eucalyptol are the first partition data available in the literature. The obtained root mean square deviations (RMSDs) between the experimental and predicted partition coefficients (log basis) varied between 0.28 and 0.49. For LLE, RMSDs of 0.040 and 0.048 were achieved for the Arizona and Green Arizona families, respectively. CONCLUSION: The predictive COSMO-RS model describes the monoterpenoid partition coefficients and the LLE data of the solvent families well. The most favorable solvent systems to perform the separations were identified, showing that systems with low and intermediate-to-low polarities are the most promising options for separating the selected monoterpenoids from their natural matrices by CCC/CPC techniques.This work was developed within the scope of the project CIMO – Mountain Research Center, UIDB/00690/2020 and LA/P/0007/2020, and CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 and LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)/MCTES. Sérgio M Vilas-Boas thanks FCT and the European Social Fund (ESF) for his PhD grant (SFRH/BD/138149/2018 and COVID/BD/152936/2022).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A velhice na perspetiva do género: diferentes olhares
Get PDFA adoção de uma perspetiva de género, embora essencial para uma melhor compreensão da velhice e do processo de envelhecimento, é uma temática ainda pouco investigada. Este estudo, qualitativo e exploratório, teve como objetivos: analisar as semelhanças e as diferenças na autopercepção da velhice e do processo de
envelhecimento em função do género e identificar as estratégias e os recursos adotados para um envelhecimento bem-sucedido. Para tal realizaram-se entrevistas semiestruturadas, administradas individualmente a cada pessoa idosa. Participaram quatro casais heterossexuais, com idades dos 70 aos 85 anos, não institucionalizados e residentes no norte de Portugal. Todos reconheceram as mudanças físicas e biológicas que surgem com a idade. Não obstante, predominaram autoperceções positivas e negativas acerca
velhice, respetivamente, nos homens e nas mulheres. Prevaleceu uma conceção da mulher idosa como protetora e cuidadora da família, enquanto face ao homem idoso emergiram, sobretudo, características
socialmente valorizadas. A maioria dos homens e das mulheres salientou o envolvimento em atividades significativas, destacando as crenças positivas e existência de objetivos realistas e pessoais como estratégias para um envelhecimento bem-sucedido. Reportaram igualmente o papel de agência da pessoa idosa e da
diversidade de recursos comunitários enquanto elementos organizadores das rotinas. Os dados apelam para a
complexidade das imagens da velhice e para a necessidade de reformulação dos estereótipos etários e sexistas que perpetuam a desigualdade social entre mulheres e homens idosos.Este trabalho foi apoiado pela FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia no âmbito do Centro de Investigação em Educação Básica com a referência UIDB/05777/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/05777/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Green extraction of anthocyanin from red cabbage waste using acid whey as a promising bio-based solvent
No full textThe use of acid whey as a biological-based solvent may be an innovative and sustainable strategy to add value to
agro-industrial by-products. This study assessed acid whey as a solvent for extracting anthocyanins from discarded
red cabbage leaves. Methods such as Heating and Stirring Extraction (HSE), Ultrasound-Assisted
Extraction (UAE), and Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) were compared using acid whey or acidified
ethanol as solvents. The yield of anthocyanin extract from acid whey is approximately 7 % lower compared to
that obtained from acidified ethanol. All extracts exhibited in vitro antioxidant activity. Anthocyanin-rich extracts
from red cabbage leaves revealed the predominant presence of cyanidin-3-O-(feruloyl)-sophoroside-5-O-glucoside
(949 m/z). No cytotoxic effects were observed in the tested extracts, underscoring their safety and potential
for industrial applications. Furthermore, incorporating powdered extracts into marshmallows yielded promising
results as a natural colorant, emphasizing their versatility. These findings underscore acid whey role as a sustainable
biobased solvent for extracting anthocyanins from red cabbage waste.
Industrial relevance: The use of acid whey as a solvent for extracting anthocyanins from purple cabbage leaves is a
valuable alternative in the agroindustry. This practice adds value to by-products and promotes sustainability.
Emerging technologies, such as ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized liquid extraction (PLE),
enhance the efficiency of this process. Analysis shows that acid whey is efficient and environmentally friendly,
yielding extracts with antioxidant properties. These extracts can also serve as natural colorants, meeting the
demand for natural ingredients. Thus, acid whey enhances sustainability in agroindustrial production.The authors are also grateful to CAPES (OLIVEIRA, J. scholarship)
and CNPq (Grant number 304020/2022-2), and to FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC):
CIMO, 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); also to National
funding by FCT, P.I., through the individual scientific
employment program-contract for L. Barros and C. Pereira contracts. R.
C. G. Corrêa is a research grant recipient of Cesumar Institute of Science,
Technology, and Innovation (ICETI).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparative growth and yield performance of sweet chestnut in high-forest and coppice systems in young plantations
Get PDFWe compare growth and yield of sweet chestnut in coppice and high-forest systems up to 24 years of age in Northern Portugal. In the coppice, data from 4 permanent plots submitted to different management models for small (P1), medium (P2) and large (P4) diameters, including a plot without intervention (P3), were used. Management model in P4 (1 shoot at the end of rotation) is converging to a similar product as high-forest over time. Site index (SI) for the coppice is 15 m of dominant height (hdom) at 20 years. The same SI was used when selecting data from permanent plots in high-forest for the comparison. Individual-tree equations previously developed were used to obtain stem volumes. Biomass of stem was obtained from volume using wood density. Results show that coppice for similar ages and SI, produces more stem volume per hectare than high-forest in any situation up to 24 years. At this age, height of the mean tree (hg) and hdom are lesser in the high-forest than in the coppice’s management model with similar target (P4). In contrast, diameter of the mean tree (dg) and dominant diameter (ddom) are similar in both systems. Results also show that P4 in coppice system produced more 100 m3 ha-1 of stem volume than the high-forest at age 24. However, mean annual increment (MAI) in stem volume in high-forest is still increasing as opposed to the coppice. Thus, coppice system produces more biomass in young ages than high-forest (MAI in biomass: 9 t ha-1 year-1 against almost 4 t ha-1 year-1, respectively). Managing coppice for a final target similar to high-forest introduces flexibility in sylviculture, allowing both high amount of biomass production in young stages, and long-life products at the end of rotation.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by
national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); AGRO Program, Project 267: Sustainable Management
of Chestnut Forested Areas in High-Forest and Coppice Systems; Project PTDC/AGRCFL/68186/Mixed forests:
Modeling, dynamics and geographical distribution of productivity and carbon storage in mixed forest ecosystems
in Portugal; Project PDR2020-101-031671 GO_FTA: Afforestation of agricultural lands with+ value, financial
support of FEADER and Portuguese Government.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Raman measurements on gamma irradiated chestnut fruits
No full textIrradiation for food preservation is on use in several countries for different types of foods: fish, meat, vegetables, etc., with its application accepted and regulated by national and international food safety agencies. In this work an irradiation preservation process was applied on chestnut fruits, studying its impact on fruit characteristics. Here, we applied Raman scattering measurements on two varieties of non-irradiated and irradiated chestnut fruits at different irradiation doses (1, 2 and 5 kGy), to identify the main peaks associated with main molecular structures present on chestnut fruits and their behavior (intensity, peak position and full width at half maximum-FWHM) with irradiated doses. The intensity ratios of relevant peaks were used to correlate the obtained results with the dose and/or variety. With the focus of this research centered not only on structural changes after processing but also on the possibility to use this tool to easily distinguish between varieties and/or processed fruits by irradiation. From the results presented in this study, following the appropriate Raman peaks, it was possible to clearly identify the chestnut fruits varieties and also to discriminate irradiated from non-irradiated samples. From our knowledge, this is the first time that Raman scattering measurements were performed on chestnut fruits submitted to an irradiation preservation process.This work was supported by national funds through FCT/MCTES
(PIDDAC): CIMO, UIDB/00690/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/00690/
2020) and UIDP/00690/2020 (DOI: 10.54499/UIDP/00690/2020); SusTEC, LA/P/0007/2020
(DOI: 10.54499/LA/P/0007/2020); and C2TN UID/Multi/04349/2020
(DOI: 10.54499/UIDB/04349/2020). The work was also supported by
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through the Coordinated
Research Project D61024 “Development of New Applications of
Machine Generated Food Irradiation Technologies”.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Prática de Ensino Supervisionada – As Tecnologias Educativas como Potenciadoras do Pensamento Crítico
No full textO pensamento crítico desempenha um papel fundamental na educação, pois promove
discussões críticas e reflexões mais sustentadas sobre ciência e tecnologia, sendo, em grande
parte, esse o comprometimento dos sistemas educativos. A combinação de tecnologias
educativas com o pensamento crítico é crucial para preparar as crianças para os desafios do
mundo atual. As tecnologias educativas, vieram remodelar as práticas pedagógicas e ajudar
a ampliar as aprendizagens das crianças, motivando-as, desenvolvendo outras competências,
personalizando a educação, preparando as crianças para o futuro. Neste sentido, a
investigação sobre as nossas próprias práticas pedagógicas debruçou-se sobre As tecnologias
educativas como potenciadoras do pensamento crítico. Considerando o tema em análise,
salientamos os objetivos da nossa investigação conduzida ao longo da Prática de Ensino
Supervisionada (PES): (i) identificar processos associados às tecnologias educativas que
permitam o desenvolvimento do pensamento crítico; (ii) implementar estratégias criativas
que tenham sentido no contexto a que dizem respeito (creche, pré-escolar e 1.º ciclo do
ensino básico), para promover as tecnologias educativas o pensamento crítico e a inovação;
(iii) analisar as práticas pedagógicas implementadas, identificando os resultados obtidos a
partir das propostas de trabalho apresentadas. A metodologia qualitativa foi adotada por ser
a mais adequada para analisar e avaliar o processo, bem como o progresso das crianças. A
recolha de dados foi realizada por meio da observação direta e participante, utilizando notas
de campo, uma grelha de observação, registos fotográficos e produções das crianças como
instrumentos. Na análise dos dados recorremos à estatística descritiva para apresentarmos os
dados recolhidos a partir da grelha de observação. Ao longo PES, quer nas práticas, quer na
recolha de dados, fomos percebendo que o uso de tecnologia, de aplicações, de recursos
online, da realidade aumentada, tornou a aprendizagem mais interativa e diversificada. As
crianças sentiram-se motivadas para as explorar e aprender, permitindo-lhes uma sensação
de descoberta diariamente. A exposição de jogos educativos e interativos, das ferramentas
digitais, também desenvolveu habilidades nas crianças e competências de descoberta de
trabalho em diversas plataformas digitais, estimulando a criatividade, a concentração, o
raciocínio lógico e o pensar criticamente sobre o tema para o explorar. Além disso, a
programação e a robótica promoveram o pensamento computacional, tal como a realidade
aumentada, sendo fascinante para o grupo de crianças, captando a sua inteira atenção.
Diversas plataformas permitiram que fossem as crianças a explorar e a realizar as atividades
ao seu próprio ritmo, adaptando os conteúdos às necessidades individuais. Constatamos que
a familiaridade com tecnologias, desde cedo, prepara melhor as crianças para um mundo
cada vez mais digital, facilitando a colaboração entre elas, incentivando a troca de ideias e o
trabalho em equipa. No entanto, salientamos que é importante equilibrar o uso das
tecnologias e plataformas digitais, garantindo o uso de forma consciente e segura, de forma
ética e reflexiva, tanto em contexto educativo como nas suas vidas pessoais.Critical thinking plays a fundamental role in education, as it promotes critical discussions
and more sustained reflections on science and technology, and this is largely the commitment
of educational systems. Combining educational technologies with critical thinking is crucial
to preparing children for the challenges of today's world. Educational technologies have
reshaped teaching practices and helped to extend children's learning, motivating them,
developing other skills, personalising education and preparing children for the future. In this
sense, the research into our own teaching practices focussed on Educational technologies as
enablers of critical thinking. Considering the topic under analysis, we would like to highlight
the objectives of our research conducted during the Supervised Teaching Practice (PES): (i)
to identify processes associated with educational technologies that enable the development
of critical thinking; (ii) to implement creative strategies that make sense in the context to
which they relate (nursery, pre-school and primary school), to promote educational
technologies, critical thinking and innovation; (iii) to analyse the pedagogical practices
implemented, identifying the results obtained from the work proposals presented. The
qualitative methodology was adopted because it was the most appropriate for analysing and
evaluating the process, as well as the children's progress. Data was collected through direct
and participant observation, using field notes, an observation grid, photographic records and
the children's productions as instruments. In analysing the data, we used descriptive statistics
to present the data collected from the observation grid. Throughout the PES, both in practice
and in data collection, we realised that the use of technology, apps, online resources and
augmented reality made learning more interactive and diverse. The children felt motivated
to explore and learn, allowing them a sense of discovery on a daily basis. The exhibition of
educational and interactive games and digital tools also developed the children's skills and
competences in discovering and working on various digital platforms, stimulating creativity,
concentration, logical reasoning and thinking critically about the topic to be explored. In
addition, programming and robotics promoted computational thinking, as did augmented
reality, which fascinated the group of children and captured their undivided attention.
Various platforms allowed the children to explore and carry out the activities at their own
pace, adapting the content to their individual needs. We found that familiarity with
technology from an early age better prepares children for an increasingly digital world,
facilitating collaboration between them, encouraging the exchange of ideas and teamwork.
However, we emphasise that it is important to balance the use of digital technologies and
platforms, ensuring that they are used consciously and safely, ethically and reflectively, both
in an educational context and in their personal lives
Chemical speciation and oxidative potential of PM10 in different residential microenvironments: Bedroom, living room and kitchen
No full textExposure to particulate matter (PM) and its chemical constituents in residential microenvironments has become a major health concern worldwide. The oxidative potential (OP) has been proposed as a metric for estimating the PM capacity to induce oxidative stress and, consequently, health effects. In the present study, PM10 was daily monitored simultaneously in the bedroom, living room and kitchen of three dwellings for one week in a small town of Portugal, to perform a detailed characterisation of its organic and inorganic constituents and the determination of the OP. Bedrooms (B) were found to be a hotspot of PM10 concentrations (B1 = 22.7 μg m-3; B2 = 19.5 μg m-3; B3 = 68.1 μg m-3). PM10-bound elements varied significantly between microenvironments in all dwellings. Lower molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found to be between 14 and 72 times higher than high molecular weight PAHs in bedrooms. The mean volume-normalised OP determined by the dithiothreitol and ascorbic acid assays varied within the 0.01–0.38 nmol min-1 m-3 and 0.03–0.53 nmol min-1 m-3 ranges, respectively. Quinones, oxy-aromatic, aromatic and alkyl-aromatic compounds stood out in bedrooms. Strong and significantly positive relationship between OP and black carbon, Cu and Br were observed, indicating common redox active species mainly associated with traffic emissions. Sr, Fe, Zn and Zr presented higher concentrations in dwelling 3, exhibiting excellent positive correlation with OP, indicating that the Sahara dust intrusion recorded in that house may have contributed to the formation of more redox active species thought
to drive antioxidant depletion responses.Yago A. Cipoli (SFRH/BD/04992/2021) and Daniela Figueiredo (DOI:10.54499/2020.06414.BD) acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the PhD scholarship. FCT is also acknowledged for the research contract under Scientific Employment Stimulus to Estela D. Vicente (DOI:10.54499/2022.00399.CEECIND/CP1720/CT0012). The authors are grateful to FCT for its financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/ 00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020), SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020) and CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020, UIDB/50017/2020 and LAP/0094/2020). We thank the volunteers for their support in carrying out the monitoring campaign.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Slow food tourism: exploring consumer motivational dimensions
No full textIn this chapter one examines the literature on the travel motivations and activities undertaken by slow food tourists to understand what kind of activities they become involved in while at the receptive destination. Thus, there is a need for slow food tourism research to move beyond studies of motivation to travel in way to better understand the factors that influence tourists’ choices regarding food- related activities in the destination. Consequently, one decided to develop an exploratory study with the intention of expanding the discussion on the subject and to bring new insights into the meaning of slow food tourism suggesting new interpretations based on motivational dimensions. Results point out the need for further research on how the tourism supply sector can better market slow food tourism. Thus, it is our belief that this study allows us to contribute to tourism research and practice in several meaningful ways.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio