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Toxoplasma gondii in northeastern Portugal: a narrative review of a neglected zoonotic infection in a one health context
No full textToxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals,
including humans1. Despite its global distribution and considerable impact on public health, animal production, and the
environment, it remains overlooked, exemplifying a One Health issue2,3. Transmission occurs mainly through ingestion of
infective stages: sporulated oocysts, via contaminated water, soil, or food, tissue cysts in undercooked meat, or
tachyzoites, through transplacental transmission or unpasteurized dairy products1,4. Though often asymptomatic,
toxoplasmosis can cause severe outcomes in immunocompromised individuals and during pregnancy. Small ruminants are
particularly susceptible, with infection linked to reproductive losses and zoonotic transmission via meat5. In Portugal,
T. gondii infection, and toxoplasmosis, remains underreported and poorly studied. The Northeastern region (Trás-os-
Montes) is especially relevant due to the high density of small ruminant farming and close human, animal and environment
interactions6. A narrative review of the literature on the epidemiological status of T. gondii infection in Northeast Portugal was
carried out. Sources included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and institutional reports (EFSA, ECDC, INE). The
EFSA/ECDC/20237 report a 4.2% rise in congenital toxoplasmosis and a 29% positivity in small ruminants, the highest in five
years. In Portugal, according to the only national survey (1979–1980)8, seroprevalence was 47%, with the North presenting the
highest percentage (51%). Subsequent studies revealed regional fluctuations8–12 and more recently, a 72.8% value was reported
amongst workers with occupational exposure13. In the Northeastern region (2004–2010)14–17, active circulation of T. gondii was
demonstrated in various animal species including wild and livestock, particularly small ruminants, as well as in women of
childbearing age. The detection of genotype II, associated with moderate virulence, in meat intended for consumption
reinforces the zoonotic risk18. These findings highlight the urgent need for updated and integrated epidemiological studies,
supported by a One Health approach
A review of best methods for 3D scanning and modeling of terrain and buildings using drones and photogrammetry
No full textRecent advancements in drone technology and photogrammetry have revolutionized the field of
3D terrain and building modelling. Drones equipped with photogrammetric software provide
efficient, accurate, and cost-effective solutions for capturing high-resolution 3D models of both
natural and urban environments. This literature review consolidates research on best practices
for terrain and building scanning using drones and photogrammetry, focusing on methodologies,
integration of technologies, challenges, and future directions. Additionally, the review explores
applications in urban planning, environmental monitoring, disaster management, and heritage
preservation
Digital innovation in tourism: exploring the potential of chatbots
No full textIn the last decade there has been a substantial increase in references to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI has entered people’s lives, without them often realizing it. AI is increasingly present in our lives and in our daily lives, from our homes, transport, travel, industry, etc. It is inseparable to talk about AI without talking about chatbots. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to study the potential of chatbots in the tourism industry. For this purpose, a questionnaire was carried out among Higher Education students in Portugal, as it is understood that it is a good universe of study, since these technologies are still more associated with young audiences. On the other hand, also as a result of programs such as Erasmus, these young people travel more and are more aware of the potential of chatbots in tourism. The results of the questionnaire are presented in light of the literature and the responses collected, as well as the limitations of the present study. Future work that may mitigate the limitations of this research work are also presented.e authors are grateful to the UNIAG, R&D unit fimded by the FCT— Portuguese Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education. "Project Code Reference: UIDB/04752/2020 e UIDP/04752/2020"
Habilidade empática do cuidador formal de uma pessoa idosa: um estudo exploratório
No full textEste estudo de natureza quantitativa, descritiva e exploratória, tem como objetivo analisar a habilidade empática de auxiliares de ação direta de pessoas idosas em função das suas características sociodemográficas e profissionais. Para a recolha de dados foi utiizado um questionário composto por itens sociodemográficos e profissionais, além da versão validada para a população portuguesa do Índice de Reatividade Interpessoal. Colaboraram neste estudo 177 profissionais, na sua maioria mulheres (96,61%), casadas ou em união de facto
(60,45%), com educação secundária completa (56,60%) e uma média etária de 46,54 anos. O tempo médio de experiência profissional foi de 10,15 anos. Os resultados indicaram que os níveis médios de empatia foram superiores à média teórica da escala, com os seguintes fatores em ordem decrescente: Preocupação Empática, Tomada de Perspetiva, Fantasia e Desconforto Pessoal. Importa salientar que estes valores não se diferenciaram em função da idade, do estado civil e do nível de escolaridade dos participantes. Constatou-se, porém, que os cuidadores com mais experiência e maior satisfação profissional apresentaram níveis mais elevados de empatia afetiva. Além disso, aqueles que assinalaram maior satisfação profissional evidenciaram maiores níveis de
empatia cognitiva e afetiva. Infere-se dos dados obtidos a necessidade da continuidade relacional e institucional por parte dos cuidadores, e do investimento em programas que fortaleçam o desenvolvimento de habilidades empáticas nestes profissionais, o que poderá ter um impacto significativo na melhoria dos serviços prestados e na qualidade de vida das pessoas idosas.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 (hwps://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/05777/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Controlling Listeria monocytogenes contamination in fresh goat milk cheeses: Dynamic modelling during storage
No full textPredictive models applied for artisanal fresh goat cheeses are invaluable tools for rapid decision-making in
quality and safety management. Listeria monocytogenes is a common foodborne pathogen associated with recent
safety alerts in ready-to-eat (RTE) products in Andalucia. Managing artisanal production variables, such as
storage conditions and final product features (pH or water activity [aw]) might be crucial for controlling
L. monocytogenes in these traditional products. This study evaluated the time-temperature dependence of
L. monocytogenes during shelf-life of fresh goat milk cheese artisanally produced in Andalucía. The effect of
storage temperature (4–25 ◦C) over 5–20 days was tested in lab-scale fresh goat milk cheeses initially inoculated
with a three-strain cocktail of the pathogen (ca. 2–3 log cfu/g). The Huang (model A) and Baranyi (model B)
models coupled with Ratkowsky were fitted to the collected growth data to describe the relationship between
L. monocytogenes concentration, growth rate (μmax, log cfu/d), storage temperature, and time. The results
highlighted the higher variability of growth data at 4 ◦C, the linear relationship between μmax and temperature,
the inverse correlation between ymax (exceeding 5 log cfu/g at all the temperatures) and ΔY (with a maximum of
4.386 and minimum of 2.461, at 4 and 25 ◦C, respectively) and a faster decrease of pH at higher temperatures.
Model validity, assessed through goodness-of-fit and both internal and external validations (under both
isothermal temperatures and a dynamic temperature workflow simulating real production scenario), revealed
good model adjustment to L. monocytogenes growth in artisanal commercial cheeses, after determining a
correction factor of 1.806 and 1.856, for models A and B, respectively. Predictions indicated that an initially
contaminated artisanal fresh goat milk cheese would not meet regulatory limits after 4 days under refrigeration
conditions (4 ◦C), aerobic conditions, or opened packaging. These results highlight the potential public health
risk of artisanal fresh goat milk cheeses related to L. monocytogenes transmission if manufacturing and storage
conditions are not well controlled, emphasizing the need for stringent microbial control efforts and mitigation
measures.The authors are grateful to EU PRIMA program and the International
Joint Programming (Project Reference PCI2019-103453) R&D Projects
2019 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Plan Estatal
de Investigación Científica y Técnica y de Innovación 2017–2020: State
R&D Program Oriented to the Challenges of the Society) for funding the
ArtiSaneFood project (PRIMA/0001/2018)
Combined action of dietary-based approaches and therapeutic agents on cholesterol metabolism and main related diseases
No full textDyslipidaemia is among the major causes of severe diseases and, despite being wellestablished,
the hypocholesterolaemic therapies still face significant concerns about potential side effects
(such as myopathy, myalgia, liver injury digestive problems, or mental fuzziness in some people
taking statins), interaction with other drugs or specific foods. Accordingly, this review describes the latest
developments in the most effective therapies to control and regulate dyslipidaemia.
Scope and approach: Herein, the metabolic dynamics of cholesterol and their integration with the current
therapies: statins, bile acid sequestrants, fibrates, niacin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9
(PCSK9) inhibitors, reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL), or anti-inflammatory and immunemodulating
therapies), were compared focusing their effectiveness, patients’ adhesion and typical
side-effects. Likewise, the interaction of these therapies with recommended dietary habits, focusing
functional foods and nutraceuticals uptake were also considered.
Key findings and conclusions: Since none of the current therapeutic alternatives represent an ideal solution
(mainly due to side-effects or patients’ tolerance), the potential adjuvant action of selected diets
(and other healthy habits) was proposed as a way to improve the cholesterol-lowering effectiveness,
while reducing the adverse effects caused by dose-increase or continuous uptake of alternating therapeutic
agents. In general, the relevance of well-adapted diets must be acknowledged and their potential
effects must be exhorted among patients, who need to be aware of the associated multifactorial
advantages.This work was supported by UID/QUI/50006/2019 with funding
from FCT/MCTES through national funds. J.C.M. Barreira acknowledges
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for his contract
(CEECIND/04479/2017); C.S.G.P. Pereira thanks FCT for her PhD
grant (2021.09490.BD).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Production of ethanolic biodiesel from waste cooking oils and purification through adsorption using olive pits based materials
No full textMestrado de dupla diplomação com a UTFPR - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paran
Stock market effects of corporate malpractices and misconduct: evidence from the short-seller Hindenburg
No full textThis study used event study methodology to examine the impact Hindenburg Research shortseller
reports on targeted firms. The results show negative abnormal returns in firms when
those reports reveal bad news about malpractices and misconduct. Our results show a higher
negative stock market reaction to the Hindenburg reports when target firms are small, have
higher leverage, higher Tobin’s Q, and corporate malpractice involves financial fraud. Our
findings evidence that adverse information disclosed in the Hindenburg report led to a “torpedo
effect”, resulted in sharp, immediate, and persistent share price drops.This paper is financed by Portuguese national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., projects numbers UIDB/00685/2020 (António Martins) and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC): UNIAG, UIDB/04752/2020 and UIDP/04752/2020 (Nuno Moutinho).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Preparação e caracterização de adsorventes obtidos de caroço de azeitona para remoção de estrogênios
No full textMestrado de dupla diplomação com a UTFPR - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paran
Variabilidade temporal e espacial das precipitações e suscetibilidade à seca no distrito de Bragança - Portugal
No full textGrande parte do nordeste de Portugal é composta por zonas áridas, caracterizadas
por uma suscetibilidade de moderada a severa à desertificação e à seca. Foi realizada
uma análise de tendências, tanto individual quanto combinada, da precipitação e do
índice de seca SPI em vinte estações meteorológicas no Distrito de Bragança, em
Portugal, abrangendo um período de quarenta anos (1957-1997). A análise revelou
que, ao longo do período de estudo, à medida que a escala temporal do SPI aumentou
(de 1 para 12 meses), houve um aumento na frequência de meses secos, bem como
na ocorrência de meses com secas severas e extremas. Os resultados indicam uma
redução gradual ao longo da escala temporal, dos meses classificados como
‘’Próximo ao normal’’ na classificação de SPI, passando de 69% no SPI 1 para 65,5%
no SPI 12. Em contrapartida, a percentagem de meses de secas aumentou
gradualmente, com valores passando de 14,3% dos meses de seca no SPI 1 a 17%
no SPI 12. A percentagem de meses de ‘’seca severa’’ e ‘’seca extrema’’ seguiram o
mesmo padrão de aumento dos meses secos, aumentando conforme a escala de
análise de SPI 1 a SPI 12. No geral, as tendências identificadas para precipitação e
seca sugerem uma intensificação gradual na vulnerabilidade à desertificação na
região, embora sem um padrão de variação uniforme na região ao longo das 4
décadas estudadas.Much of northeastern Portugal is arid, characterized by moderate to severe
susceptibility to desertification and drought. An individual and combined trend analysis
of precipitation and the SPI drought index was performed at twenty meteorological
stations in the Bragança District of Portugal, covering a forty-year period (1957–1997).
The analysis revealed that, over the study period, as the SPI time scale increased
(from 1 to 12 months), there was an increase in the frequency of dry months, as well
as in the occurrence of months with severe and extreme droughts. The results indicate
a gradual reduction over the time scale of months classified as ‘’Near normal’’ in the
SPI classification, going from 69% in SPI 1 to 65.5% in SPI 12. In contrast, the
percentage of drought months increased gradually, with values going from 14.3% of
drought months in SPI 1 to 17% in SPI 12. The percentage of months of ‘’severe
drought’’ and ‘’extreme drought’’ followed the same pattern of increase as dry months,
increasing as the scale of analysis from SPI 1 to SPI 12. Overall, the trends identified
for precipitation and drought suggest a gradual intensification in vulnerability to
desertification in the region, althou