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Resistance Training Before Hyperalgesia Induction Promotes Analgesic Effects Through Central and Peripheral Biomarker Modulation in an Experimental Fibromyalgia-like Model
Get PDFFibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome characterized by widespread pain and complex pathophysiology, requiring new therapeutic approaches. This study aims to investigate the effects of resistance training (RT) before hyperalgesia induction on pain sensitivity, IL-6 and IL-10 expression in skeletal muscle, and thalamic serotonin levels in a fibromyalgia (FM)-like rat model. Methods: Wistar female rats aged 12 months were divided into four groups: untrained neutral saline (UNS), untrained acid saline (UAS), RT neutral saline (RTN), and RT acid saline (RTA). Both the RTN and RTA groups were subjected to an RT protocol comprising vertical ladder climbing three times a week throughout 14 weeks. The UAS and RTA groups received 100 mu L of neutral, sterile saline (pH 4.0) in the left gastrocnemius muscle, while the UNS and RTN groups received 100 mu L of neutral saline (pH 7.4). Mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed using Von Frey's electronic esthesiometer. Expression of interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10) was analyzed in skeletal muscle, and serotonin expression was quantified in the thalamus. Results: After hyperalgesia induction, the RT groups demonstrated higher paw withdrawal thresholds than the UAS group (p < 0.05). Both IL-6 and IL-10 expression was lower in the RTA group compared to the UAS group (p < 0.05). Thalamic serotonin expression was higher (p < 0.05) in the RTA group compared to the UAS group. Conclusion: Previous RT was able to prevent mechanical hyperalgesia experienced by rats after its induction by acid saline by preventing the increase in the IL-6 and IL-10 levels in skeletal muscle and preventing the decrease in thalamic serotonin expression.This study was financed by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior—Brasil (CAPES)—Finance Code 001, the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais—Brasil (FAPEMIG) [APQ-03879–23 and APQ-03316–23], the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico—Brasil (CNPq), and the Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG)
WEXGrid: a modular python framework for defining, managing, and executing complex workflows in local and lSF grid environments
Get PDFWEXGrid is a modular framework and software tool designed to address the challenges of creating, managing, and executing scientific workflows on local workstations and distributed Load Sharing Facility (LSF) Grid environments. Break workflows into discrete targets with explicit inputs, outputs, execution actions, and resource requirements, all of which are defined programmatically in Python. This ensures that the underlying concepts remain accessible to computational scientists.
The system then builds a dependency graph in which the execution order is automated based on data and control dependencies. This graph can be used to drive dynamic scheduling based on resource availability and task readiness. Cache management reduces redundant computations by validating outputs through timestamps and checksums. This influences scheduling decisions, optimizing resource utilization.
WEXGrid supports parallel and asynchronous task execution, balancing workload distribution across resources with data locality concerns to avoid Input/Output (I/O) bottlenecks. Its fault-tolerant architecture includes mechanisms for detecting and isolating faults to avoid cascading failures. Its provenance capture and metadata interoperability meet the Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) principles for reproducibility and portability.
WEXGrid aims to enable scalability and maintainability, providing a unified interface for defining and executing workflows for heterogeneous computational infrastructures without sacrificing performance or transparency. Future enhancements include adaptive scheduling informed by real-time telemetry, rich provenance integration, and extended interoperability with cloud and containerized environments. These enhancements will ensure sustained efficiency and reproducibility across heterogeneous scientific computing platforms.O WEXGrid é uma estrutura modular e uma ferramenta de "software" concebida para enfrentar os desafios da criação, gestão e execução de fluxos de trabalho científicos em estações de trabalho locais e em ambientes de rede distribuídos LSF. Divide os fluxos de trabalho em alvos discretos com entradas, saídas, ações de execução e requisitos de recursos explicitamente definidos, todos programaticamente especificados em Python. Esta abordagem garante que os conceitos subjacentes permaneçam acessíveis aos cientistas computacionais.
O sistema constrói, então, um grafo de dependências no qual a ordem de execução é automatizada com base nas dependências de dados e de controlo. Este grafo pode ser utilizado para orientar o agendamento dinâmico em função da disponibilidade de recursos e da prontidão das tarefas. A gestão de cache reduz cálculos redundantes, validando as saídas através de carimbos de data/hora e somas de verificação. Estes mecanismos influenciam as decisões de agendamento, otimizando a utilização dos recursos.
O WEXGrid suporta a execução paralela e assíncrona de tarefas, equilibrando a distribuição da carga de trabalho entre os recursos e considerando a localização dos dados para evitar gargalos de I/O. A sua arquitetura tolerante a falhas inclui mecanismos de deteção e isolamento de erros, prevenindo falhas em cascata. A captura de proveniência e a interoperabilidade de metadados cumprem os princípios FAIR de reprodutibilidade e portabilidade.
O WEXGrid visa promover a escalabilidade e a manutenção, fornecendo uma interface unificada para a definição e execução de fluxos de trabalho em infraestruturas computacionais heterogéneas, sem comprometer o desempenho ou a transparência. As melhorias futuras incluem programação adaptativa informada por telemetria em tempo real, integração avançada de proveniência e interoperabilidade alargada com ambientes em nuvem e contentores. Estas evoluções garantirão eficiência e reprodutibilidade sustentadas em plataformas de computação científica heterogéneas
Do green innovation strategies exist? Past, present and future trends in literature
Get PDFFor companies to subsist in the highly changeable and competitive market, they must foster innovation. Similarly, for companies to respond to market changes, fluctuations and trends, they need to develop green-oriented strategies. Therefore, reversing the innovation process to be greener is becoming a strategic opportunity for companies. As well as contributing to the company's long-term performance, green innovations can be a differentiation tool for improving the company's competitive position. Despite the growth in literature on green innovation strategies, the field is dispersed. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive overview of past, present and future trends in the literature on green innovation strategies through a systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis, employing two bibliometric techniques: bibliographic coupling and cluster analysis.FindingsFor this purpose, the Web of Science database was used, where 509 documents were collected, which were then subjected to a selection process. In total, 63 scientific studies were selected and analyzed, resulting in the identification and classification of theoretical perspectives on green innovation strategies, in which five main approaches emerged: (1) Implications of green innovation strategies, (2) Drivers of green innovation strategies, (3) Diffusion/diffusers of green innovation strategy, (4) Internal and external drivers of green innovation strategy and (5) Stakeholders in the green innovation process. The review highlighted existing gaps in the literature and illuminated avenues for future research, indicating potential research questions. Originality/valueCollectively, our findings hold significant implications for organizational strategies by providing a robust framework for firms to understand critical factors influencing green innovation. Beyond its strategic relevance, this study advances the green innovation management literature through a holistic framework analyzing how companies can strategically pursue green innovation driven by internal and external factors.The authors declare that they have received no funding for this work
Identificação dos níveis de qualidade do sono usando o algoritmo K-means clustering: Benefícios de um estilo de vida fisicamente ativo durante o envelhecimento
Get PDFCategorizar (clusterizar) um grupo de pessoas idosas considerando os níveis de qualidade do sono e de aptidão funcional.
Métodos: Foi feita uma análise observacional em corte transversal e, foram analisadas medidas relativas a QS, aptidão funcional, pressão arterial, frequência cardíaca e medidas antropométricas, numa população de idosos, praticantes e não praticantes de exercício físico regular. Os participantes do estudo foram recrutados do projeto “+Idade +Saúde” da Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB) e da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Bragança. A amostra do estudo incluiu um total de 49 idosos, com uma média de idade de 77,94 ± 8,44 anos. O modelo K-means clustering foi utilizado para identificar o número ótimo de clusters que englobassem as principais características relacionadas com os níveis de QS.
Resultados: O modelo K-means clustering conseguiu identificar dois clusters com diferentes caraterísticas e, os resultados mostraram que o cluster 2 teve um menor risco de desenvolver distúrbios do sono, com uma pontuação no PSQI de 9 pontos. O cluster 2 ainda apresentou uma menor pontuação na velocidade de marcha (2,35 pontos), uma maior força de preensão manual (FPM) (26,7 pontos), uma maior aptidão aeróbia, representada pela maior pontuação no teste de passos de 2 minutos (211,8 pontos) e, ainda, uma maior pontuação na bateria de teste Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (11,8 pontos). Além disso, foram encontradas correlações entre a QS e a velocidade de marcha de 4 metros (r = 0,52), a FPM (r = -0,35), o teste de passos em 2 minutos (r = -0,45) e o SPPB (r = -0,46).
Conclusão: O presente estudo observou que o risco diminuído de distúrbios do sono em idosos está relacionado a uma maior aptidão funcional, sendo que, o cluster 2 era composto por participantes fisicamente ativos (FA) e, estes apresentavam uma maior velocidade de marcha, um maior equilíbrio, uma maior força dos membros superiores e inferiores e uma maior resistência aeróbia. Adicionalmente, o modelo K-means clustering identificou dois clusters como sendo o número ideal de clusters e, além disso, este modelo teve um bom resultado de validação.Categorize (cluster) a group of elderly people according to their levels of sleep quality and functional fitness.
Methods: A cross-sectional observational analysis was carried out, and measures of SQ, functional fitness, blood pressure, heart rate, and anthropometric measurements were analyzed in a population of elderly people who practiced and did not practice regular physical exercise. The study participants were recruited from the “+Idade +Saúde” project of the School of Education of the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB) and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Bragança. The study sample included 49 elderly people, with an average age of 77.94 ± 8.44 years. The K-means clustering model was used to identify the optimum number of clusters encompassing the main characteristics related to levels of SQ.
Results: The K-means clustering model identified two clusters with different characteristics, and the results showed that cluster 2 had a lower risk of developing sleep disorders, with a PSQI score of 9 points. Cluster 2 also had a lower gait speed score (2.35 points), greater handgrip strength (26.7 points), greater aerobic fitness, represented by a higher score in the 2-minute step test (211.8 points) and a higher score in the Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) (11.8 points). In addition, correlations were found between SQ and 4-meter walking speed (r = 0.52), FPM (r = -0.35), the 2-minute step test (r = -0.45), and the SPPB (r = -0.46).
Conclusions: The present study found that the reduced risk of sleep disorders in the elderly is related to greater functional fitness, with cluster 2 being made up of physically active participants who had greater walking speed, greater balance, greater upper and lower limb strength, and greater aerobic endurance. In addition, the k-means clustering model identified two clusters as the ideal number of clusters, and this model also had a good validation result
My.IPB
Get PDFEste projeto aborda a fragmentação dos serviços digitais no Instituto Politécnico de Bragança (IPB), onde a comunidade académica necessitava de se autenticar repetidamente em múltiplas plataformas. O principal objetivo foi desenvolver o portal My.IPB, uma plataforma centralizada para unificar o acesso a todos os recursos digitais da Instituição. Para alcançar este objetivo, foi implementada uma solução de Single Sign-On (SSO) utilizando Keycloak, integrada com um backend desenvolvido em Spring Boot e um frontend em Angular. A metodologia focou-se numa arquitetura desacoplada, onde o portal atua como um agregador, permitindo o acesso direto a módulos específicos das plataformas integradas. A solução foi também estendida à aplicação móvel "On-line.IPB". Adicionalmente, foi criado um backoffice para a gestão centralizada de plataformas e permissões, e um pipeline de CI/CD para automatizar a entrega da aplicação. Como resultado, o My.IPB tira partido da funcionalidade do Single Sign-On, eliminando a necessidade de múltiplos logins. O sucesso da integração de três plataformas como prova de conceito validou a arquitetura e o processo de integração. O projeto conclui-se com a disponibilização de uma plataforma robusta e escalável que moderniza o acesso aos serviços digitais do IPB.This project addresses the fragmentation of digital services at the Polytechnic Institute of Bragança (IPB), where the academic community needed to repeatedly authenticate across multiple platforms. The main objective was to develop the My.IPB portal, a centralized platform to unify access to all of the Institution’s digital resources.
To achieve this goal, a Single Sign-On (SSO) solution was implemented using Keycloak, integrated with a backend developed in Spring Boot and a frontend in Angular. The methodology focused on a decoupled architecture, where the portal acts as an aggregator, allowing direct access to specific modules of the integrated platforms. The solution was also extended to the "On-line.IPB"mobile application. Additionally, a backoffice was created for centralized management of platforms and permissions, and a CI/CD pipeline was implemented to automate application delivery.
As a result, My.IPB takes advantage of the Single Sign-On functionality, eliminating the need for multiple logins. The successful integration of three platforms as a proof of concept validated the architecture and the integration process. The project concludes with the delivery of a robust and scalable platform that modernizes access to IPB’s digital services
Reaction routes with glycidyl methacrylate for the incorporation of oleic acid in amphiphilic block copolymers
No full textThis research focused on assessing different reaction routes for synthesizing amphiphilic block copolymers, with the hydrophobic part built using glycidyl methacrylate and oleic acid and the hydrophilic segment made from 2(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate. The main objectives of this study were to identify reaction routes leading to low-impact branching and/or crosslinking mechanisms involving epoxides and oleic acid, and to synthesize p (GMA-OA)-b-p(DMAEMA) copolymers in a simple and scalable manner. Block copolymer synthesis was considered using both ATRP and RAFT polymerization. The reaction route involving the synthesis of methacrylated oleic acid proved problematic, whereas higher synthesis efficiency was achieved when the glycidyl methacrylate moieties were modified with oleic acid after polymerization. It was found that working with DMSO solvent and a stoichiometric excess of oleic acid was particularly important for reducing branching/crosslinking. FTIR and GPC analyses were used to assess the progress of the chemical composition and molecular architecture of the intermediate homo- and co-polymers, and to demonstrate the successful production of the intended p(GMA-OA)-b-p(DMAEMA) materials. The synthesized block copolymers were used for encapsulating and delivering oleanolic acid considering solid polymer dispersions and aqueous particle dispersions. SEM and TEM analysis demonstrate the ability of the p (GMA-OA)-b-p(DMAEMA) copolymers to self-assemble in an aqueous environment and well-defined spherical aggregates were observed, for example with size up to 100 nm in size with an external shell around 5-8 nm thick. A high loading capacity for oleanolic acid was measured, with a range of up to 0.17 mg/mL in aqueous particle dispersions. The dynamics of oleanolic acid release was measured under different conditions, including changes in solvent composition, pH and temperature. The results demonstrate sustained release of the encapsulated oleanolic acid and transitions induced by pH/temperature changes.Catarina Gomes acknowledges to FCT for the PhD scholarship 2020.06057.BD. Rolando Dias is grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020). Mário Rui Costa acknowledges the support by LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/50020/2020 and UIDP/50020/2020 (LSRE-LCM), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC)
Níveis de atividade física de crianças de um meio rural do Nordeste de Portugal: comparação entre dias da semana e fim de semana
Get PDFA atividade física (AF) e o comportamento sedentário (CS) são componentes críticos para a saúde e bem-estar de crianças e adolescentes. Globalmente, há uma crescente preocupação com a diminuição dos níveis de AF e o aumento dos estilos de vida sedentários entre os jovens, levando a riscos para a saúde como obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares e problemas de saúde mental. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os níveis de AF de crianças (9 a 11 anos) e adolescentes (12 a 15 anos) de uma área rural no nordeste de Portugal, examinando especificamente as diferenças entre os dias de semana e os fins de semana na prática de AF. A recolha de dados ocorreu entre setembro de 2022 e janeiro de 2023, utilizando um desenho transversal. Os dados diários foram recolhidos durante sete dias consecutivos usando acelerómetros (ActiGraph®, GT3X ou GT1M). A amostra consistiu em 84 participantes com idades entre 9-15 anos, sendo 39 raparigas e 45 rapazes. Os participantes eram de Alfândega da Fé, um município altamente rural no distrito de Bragança, ideal para abordar a lacuna rural-urbana na investigação sobre AF. As crianças usaram um acelerómetro num cinto elástico durante sete dias consecutivos (incluindo fins de semana). Verificaram-se diferenças significativas entre os dias de semana e os fins de semana para todos os níveis de intensidade (t = -41,07 a 0,40, p<0,001, d = -0,35 a 0,54), exceto para AF leve. AFMV total e média por hora foram significativamente diferentes entre os dias de semana e os fins de semana (t=5,22, p<0,001, d=0,37). As contagens de passos também mostraram diferenças significativas (t=5,22, p<0,001, d=0,37). Os dias de semana estavam consistentemente associados a níveis mais elevados de AF em comparação com os fins de semana. Estes resultados são particularmente relevantes em contextos rurais, onde os fins de semana oferecem menos oportunidades organizadas de AF.Este trabalho é financiado por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., no âmbito do projeto UID/05198/2025 (Centro de
Investigação e Inovação em Educação, inED)
A sustentabilidade económico -financeira das empresas do setor do turismo
Get PDFO estudo analisa a sustentabilidade económico-financeira das empresas do setor do turismo em Portugal, identificando os fatores que determinam a sua rentabilidade e resiliência financeira. Com base em dados contabilísticos da base SABI, foram analisadas empresas das regiões NUTS II e dos setores CAE 55 (Alojamento) e CAE 56 (Restauração e Similares). A metodologia combinou análises descritivas e inferenciais (ANOVA, teste t de Welch, testes robustos de Levene e Brown-Forsythe e bootstrap), aplicadas a mais de 200 mil observações válidas. Os resultados indicam que a rentabilidade do ativo (ROA) depende fortemente do EBIT e da autonomia financeira, bem como de fatores estruturais e territoriais. As empresas de maior dimensão e as do setor de alojamento revelaram rentabilidade superior, refletindo maior eficiência operacional e estabilidade de receitas. As diferenças regionais foram significativas, com Algarve e Centro a destacarem-se positivamente face a Lisboa e Vale do Tejo e ao Norte, o que evidencia a influência da intensidade turística e das condições económicas locais. A forma jurídica também se revelou determinante: as sociedades anónimas (SA) apresentaram melhor desempenho, seguidas das sociedades por quotas e unipessoais. Conclui-se que a sustentabilidade económico-financeira das empresas turísticas resulta do equilíbrio entre eficiência operacional, estrutura de capital e contexto institucional. Os resultados contribuem para o avanço da literatura sobre finanças e turismo sustentável e oferecem subsídios úteis à formulação de políticas públicas e estratégias empresariais voltadas à competitividade, resiliência e crescimento sustentável do setor.This study examines the economic and financial sustainability of tourism companies in Portugal, aiming to identify the key determinants of profitability and financial resilience. Using accounting data from the SABI database, firms from different NUTS II regions and sectors (CAE 55 - Accommodation; CAE 56 - Food and Beverage Services) were analysed. The methodology combined descriptive and inferential analyses (ANOVA, Welch’s t-test, Levene and Brown-Forsythe robust tests, and bootstrap) applied to over 200,000 valid observations. Results show that Return on Assets (ROA) is strongly influenced by EBIT, financial autonomy, and structural and territorial factors. Larger companies and those in the accommodation sector achieved higher profitability, indicating greater operational efficiency and income stability. Significant regional differences were found: firms in the Algarve and Central Portugal outperformed those in Lisbon and the North, reflecting the role of tourism intensity and local economic conditions. Legal form also mattered: public limited companies (SA) showed better performance than private limited and sole proprietorships. The findings suggest that financial sustainability in tourism results from a balance between operational efficiency, capital structure, and institutional context. This study contributes to the literature on sustainable finance and tourism and provides insights for public policy and corporate strategy focused on competitiveness, resilience, and long-term growth
Human-mediated introgression and Varroa destructor shaped the genetic structure of honey bee populations in the Azores
Get PDFThe evolutionary trajectory of island populations can be rapidly altered by human-mediated migration, a process further exacerbated when immigrants introduce invasive parasites, creating new selective pressures. Using customised SNP panels constructed with genome-wide diagnostic loci, we describe the genetic changes in honey bee populations inhabiting the Azores archipelago. As part of a breeding initiative in the 1980s, these populations were recurrently exposed to beekeeper-mediated gene flow from a highly divergent commercial line (C lineage) until the arrival of the Varroa mite to the Azores in 2000, which prompted a honey bee importation ban. Admixture analysis revealed a spatially heterogeneous introgression landscape in the Azores. Four of the five mite-free islands (Santa Maria, S & atilde;o Miguel, Terceira, and S & atilde;o Jorge) presented negligible levels of C-lineage introgression (mean Q-value: 0.004-0.091) despite repeated C-lineage importations in the past. In contrast, the three mite-infested islands (Pico, Faial, and Flores) presented high levels of introgression (mean Q-value: 0.156-0.261). The mite-free island of Graciosa harboured the most admixed population (mean Q-value: 0.392), which is consistent with efforts to eradicate the historical population and replace it with C-lineage honey bees during the implementation of the breeding program. Bayesian inference modelling indicated that the presence of a C-lineage maternal origin and Varroa were associated with increased introgression proportions (100% posterior probability), increasing the mean Q-value by 0.049 and 0.118, respectively. Our findings indicate that these anthropogenic processes altered the historically introduced gene pool and provide a foundation for developing effective conservation strategies to protect honey bees in the Azores.Financial support was provided by Portuguese funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and by FEDER (Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional) through the program COMPETE 2020-POCI (Programa Operacional para a Competividade e Internacionalização) in the framework of the project BeeHappy (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029871). ARL was funded by FCT through the individual research grant SFRH/BD/143627/2019. ML was funded by the Swedish Research Council (2017-03963). FCT provided financial support by national funds (FCT/MCTES) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021)
Freestyle master’s swimming: Nationality, sex, and performance trends in World Aquatics competitions (1986–2024)
Get PDFIn sports science, freestyle swimming has been thoroughly studied for particular performance-related factors. Nonetheless, it is unknown what countries the top freestyle swimmers are from, especially not for age group swimmers. In addition, the existing research on the performance of master freestyle swimmers has yet to confirm that male swimmers achieve faster times than their female counterparts across all age groups and distances. The current study looked into the nationalities and sexes of the top freestyle swimmers in each age group in World Aquatics competitions for the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m events from 1986 to 2024. Methods The data (derived from (www.worldaquatics.com/masters/archives/masters-archives) were presented using mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum values, and/or confidence intervals. The year of competition, age, age group, stroke, distance, and first and last names of each swimmer were noted. The nations were then divided into six groups: one group comprising all other countries and the top five nations with the greatest number of appearances in the top 10 fastest freestyle swimming times by distance each year. Results In freestyle swimming, most swimmers (30.6%) competed in the 50m event (n = 25,094, 10,909 female and 14,185 male), followed by the 100m event (25.6%, n = 20,961, 8,796 female and 12,165 male), the 200m event (17.4%, n = 14,309, 6,729 female and 7,580 male), the 400m event (13.4%, n = 10,956, 5,363 female and 5,593 male), and the 800m event (12.6%, n = 10,317, 5,179 female and 5,138 male). The results from the generalized linear models indicate that sex, age group, and the interaction between sex and age group all had significant effects on the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m races. Specifically, for the 50m races, the effect of sex was significant (x(2) (1) = 3451.941, p < 0.001), as was the effect of age group (chi(2) (13) = 19,295.169, p < 0.001), and the interaction between sex and age group (chi (2) (13) = 654.671, p < 0.001). Conclusion The USA demonstrates quantitative dominance by contributing the greatest number of top 10 performers. Additionally, the study highlights significant sex-based performance differences, with males generally outperforming females in all age categories. This study comprehensively analyzes the performance trends observed in freestyle master swimming for nearly four decades