Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-07"
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- Sampling protocol to assess Aspergillus section Fumigati in woodworking environmentsPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Rodriguez, Margarida; Riesenberger, Bruna; Marques, Liliana; Ribeiro, Edna; Viegas, CarlaPortugal’s wood industry employs over 80,000 people and comprises about 16,600 enterprises in 2021. Sawmill workers are exposed to several occupational hazards, including microorganisms. Health problems have been documented by workers exposed to wood dust infected with fungi. A fungal priority pathogens list (WHO FPPL) was recently released by the WHO. It prioritizes fungal pathogens based on their perceived public health importance and unmet research and development needs. Some of the species on this list are frequently found in sawmills. Azole fungicides are commonly used by sawmills to protect wood. Aspergillus section Fumigati azole antifungal resistance has previously been observed in this environment. This study aimed to establish a sampling protocol to effectively isolate Aspergillus section Fumigati in woodworking environments.
- Spatial and multivariate statistics in assessing water quality in the North SeaPublication . Ody, Christopher; Ramos, M. Rosário; Carolino, ElisabeteThe Southern North Sea region plays a vital role in both the economy and society of the surrounding countries. Analyzing the quality of your water is a critical process that involves an assessment of physical, chemical, and biological parameters, essential to guarantee environmental sustainability and the health of local communities and marine ecosystems. Using Multivariate and Spatial Statistics methods, this study seeks to identify spatial patterns and autocorrelations to assess water quality in that region. The data set used was taken on a scientific cruise carried out in December 2020 aboard the RV Meteor vessel, led by a team of German researchers. The raw data went through pretreatment guided by the Data Quality Control protocol of SeaDataNet, an international oceanography project aimed at making European maritime data available. Spike and gradient tests were performed, in addition to data standardization and imputation through inverse distance weighting interpolation. For a better understanding of the scientific area, the data were aggregated by zones for certain analyses and were sometimes considered globally. An exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) was carried out to summarize its main characteristics. A reduction in the dimensionality of the original data was carried out through principal component analysis as an auxiliary tool for spatial analysis. The Spatial autocorrelation is analyzed by calculating global and local Moran’s I Statistics. The outcomes indicate a significant spatial autocorrelation for all variables considered in the freshwater areas and a notable range flattening of the variables in the open sea areas, which possibly caused the lack of significant spatial autocorrelation in those areas.
- Budget-friendly protocol for TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation detection in Aspergillus section Fumigati isolatesPublication . Dias, Marta; Rodriguez, Margarida; Vasques, C.; Riesenberger, Bruna; Marques, Liliana; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaAspergillus section Fumigati is one of the most common sections, in the environment. It has been found in different occupational environments, such as sawmills and waste sorting. Its cryptic species show intrinsic resistance to several antifungals. Resistance in A. fumigatus is emerging due to selective pressure caused by the prolonged use of azoles. It is often associated with mutations in the Cyp51A gene. The fungal priority pathogens list (WHO), includes A. fumigatus with critical priority. Further analysis to identify potential resistance mechanisms and mutations is needed. Objective: This evaluation aims to offer a protocol for mutation detection in Aspergillus section Fumigati isolates. It will contribute to the development of guidance that can support future occupational exposure assessments.
- A aplicação de uma taxa fixa na tributação do rendimento das pessoas singularesPublication . Pinheiro, David; Silva, AmândioDesde a vigência do Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares (IRS), introduzido em 1989, que as taxas deste imposto, as previstas na tabela geral, as liberatórias e as especiais, são anualmente sujeitas às mais diversas modificações, que abrangem, também, o número de escalões, respetivos intervalos e outros regimes de exceção. Estas circunstâncias pervertem os objetivos constitucionais da unicidade e progressividade do imposto e dificultam a perceção do imposto final a pagar, resultante de um normativo disperso e incoerente, face aos princípios que o fundamentam. Com a presente dissertação, pretende-se aprofundar os fundamentos teóricos da tributação do rendimento das pessoas singulares, avaliar o modelo de taxas em vigor e compará-lo com um modelo de taxa fixa, considerando uma isenção de base por sujeito passivo e demais elementos do agregado familiar. Para além disto, pretende-se demonstrar o cumprimento dos princípios constitucionais de um modelo de taxa fixa, nomeadamente o da progressividade, e estimar o impacto da aplicação de um modelo de taxa fixa nas receitas fiscais.
- Naringenin-4'-glucuronide as a new drug candidate against the COVID-19 Omicron variant: a study based on molecular docking, molecular dynamics, MM/PBSA and MM/GBSAPublication . Cobre, Alexandre de Fátima; Neto, Moisés Maia; Melo, Eduardo Borges de; Fachi, Mariana Millan; Ferreira, Luana Mota; Tonin, Fernanda; Pontarolo, RobertoThis study aimed to identify natural bioactive compounds (NBCs) as potential inhibitors of the spike (S1) receptor binding domain (RBD) of the COVID-19 Omicron variant using computer simulations (in silico). NBCs with previously proven biological in vitro activity were obtained from the ZINC database and analyzed through virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), molecular mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM/PBSA), and molecular mechanics/generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA). Remdesivir was used as a reference drug in docking and MD calculations. A total of 170,906 compounds were analyzed. Molecular docking screening revealed the top four NBCs with a high affinity with the spike (affinity energy <-7 kcal/mol) to be ZINC000045789238, ZINC000004098448, ZINC000008662732, and ZINC000003995616. In the MD analysis, the four ligands formed a complex with the highest dynamic equilibrium S1 (mean RMSD <0.3 nm), lowest fluctuation of the complex amino acid residues (RMSF <1.3), and solvent accessibility stability. However, the ZINC000045789238-spike complex (naringenin-4'-O glucuronide) was the only one that simultaneously had minus signal (-) MM/PBSA and MM/GBSA binding free energy values (-3.74 kcal/mol and -15.65 kcal/mol, respectively), indicating favorable binding. This ligand (naringenin-4'-O glucuronide) was also the one that produced the highest number of hydrogen bonds in the entire dynamic period (average = 4601 bonds per nanosecond). Six mutant amino acid residues formed these hydrogen bonds from the RBD region of S1 in the Omicron variant: Asn417, Ser494, Ser496, Arg403, Arg408, and His505. Naringenin-4'-O-glucuronide showed promising results as a potential drug candidate against COVID-19. In vitro, and preclinical studies are needed to confirm these findings.
- + Design de cena; 5 cartazesPublication . Professores do Curso de Teatro, ramo Design de Cena; Professores do Curso de CinemaCatálogo da exposição de pintura patente no Espaço Almeida Garrett, de 1 de julho a 11 de outubro de 2024
- Ultrathin DSAEK versus DMEK: review of systematic reviewsPublication . Moura-Coelho, Nuno; Papa-Vettorazzi, Renato; Reyes, Alonso; Cunha, João Paulo; Güell, José LuisThe efficacy and safety of Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) and ultrathin Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (UT-DSAEK) have been recently compared in several systematic reviews (SRs). This study aimed to assess the evidence quality of such SRs, to obtain a scientifically rigorous comparison between the two techniques. We performed a systematic review of SRs and meta-analyses comparing the efficacy and safety between UT-DSAEK and DMEK up to 24th March 2023, using 3 electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar) plus manual reference search. Specific outcomes analyzed included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), rebubbling rate, and other postoperative complications. Of 90 titles/abstracts screened, four SRs met the inclusion criteria. All SRs adequately analyzed potential bias of the included studies. One SR raised concern for potential literature search bias and two SRs have heterogeneity in some outcomes analyzed. All SRs found higher BCVA after DMEK, but one SR reported significant heterogeneity. All SRs found significant heterogeneity in ECD analysis, with one SR providing inconsistent analysis of this outcome. Three SRs analyzed rebubbling rates, favoring UT-DSAEK over DMEK. Three SRs concluded a higher overall complication rate after DMEK, although rebubbling may be a confounding factor. This systematic review clarifies the strengths and weaknesses of published SRs and reinforces the conclusion that DMEK leads to superior visual outcomes compared to UT-DSAEK, with the trade-off of higher rebubbling rates and possibly other postoperative complications. Studies with longer follow-up are needed to ascertain these differences between procedures.
- Impact of lymphedema on foot-health-related quality of life: a case-control investigationPublication . Monteiro, Ana Júlia; de Labra, Carmen; Losa-Iglesias, Marta Elena; Dias, Adriano; Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Ricardo; Silva-Migueis, Helena; Nuno, Sérgio Loureiro; López-López, Daniel; Gómez-Salgado, JuanObjective: To evaluate the foot-health-related quality of life in individuals with versus without lower-limb lymphedema. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in an academic clinic in Lisbon, Portugal. Eighty participants (40 controls and 40 with lymphedema) were included in the study. The researchers examined sociodemographic and clinical data and foot-health-related quality of life in both groups. In the group with lymphedema, lower-limb lymphedema was also characterized. Results: Individuals with lower-limb lymphedema had significantly lower scores on all dimensions of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire in comparison with the control group. Conclusions: Individuals with lower-limb lymphedema appear to have a poorer foot-health-related quality of life than the general population.
- (Con)fundirPublication . Cruz, Miguel; Jürgens, Stephan; Araújo, Ana Isa; Carvalho, André; Alegria, Gonçalo; Espada, JoséOs alunos da pós-graduação em Media & Performance: Laboratório de Tecnologia Criativa, apresentam no final deste ano, no Museu Nacional de Arte Contemporânea do Chiado, uma instalação onde trabalharam e desenvolveram laboratorialmente relações entre a performance e as várias disciplinas que frequentaram ao longo do curso. Esta pós-graduação inscreve-se no contexto contemporâneo de aproximação recíproca entre as artes cénicas e da performance e várias disciplinas tecnológicas e artísticas. Apesar de ancorada no ecossistema teatral/performático, esta pós-graduação pretende acompanhar e promover novos modos de conceber o dispositivo cénico por 3 vias: Apreensão de um conjunto abrangente de ferramentas tecnológicas; Experimentação artística laboratorial; Diálogo com criativos e pensadores que desenvolvem o seu trabalho em áreas afins (tecnológicas, ou artísticas, ou ambas). Pretende, desta forma, acompanhar algumas tendências reconhecíveis na contemporaneidade, entre as quais: tendência para a desmaterialização (e consequente virtualização) cénica; virtualização do actor/performer e a integração de vários media não hierarquizados.
- Inovação no setor financeiro: uma análise da utilização da tecnologia blockchain nas instituições financeirasPublication . Lopes, Carlos Almeida Nobre; Navas, RaúlNos últimos anos, a conjugação dos avanços tecnológicos com o histórico de casos de fraude envolvendo instituições financeiras, resultou num aumento significativo do interesse pela tecnologia blockchain. Este contexto tem levado os clientes a procurarem mais informação e consequentemente a demonstrar um maior interesse por serviços inovadores, tais como métodos de pagamento alternativos, transferências internacionais mais rápidas e novas oportunidades de investimento. A DeFi (finanças descentralizadas) tem potencial para desencadear mudanças significativas no sistema financeiro global, logo as instituições financeiras devem considerar estratégias de negócio orientadas para o futuro, posicionando-se adequadamente nesta economia de ativos digitais em constante evolução. O presente trabalho visa explorar os conceitos e as estratégias que têm sido implementadas pelo setor bancário no âmbito da adoção da blockchain, com o intuito de avaliar se a sua implementação pode efetivamente ser benéfica. Sendo a blockchain uma tecnologia disruptiva com um enorme potencial para aumentar a confiança e transparência do setor bancário, destacam-se como principais vantagens a utilização de smart contracts, redução de custos, aumento da segurança, eficiência e transparência, melhoria na rapidez das transferências, qualidade da informação e criação de novos serviços para os clientes. No que diz respeito à metodologia utilizada, foi aplicado um inquérito por questionário online, com o objetivo de compreender a disposição dos clientes das instituições financeiras para a utilização de serviços baseados na tecnologia blockchain. A amostra do estudo é composta por 168 inquiridos e os resultados da pesquisa indicam que, de forma geral, os clientes mostram-se recetivos à utilização de novos serviços baseados nesta tecnologia, ou seja, as instituições financeiras ao observar estas tendências devem seguir o caminho da inovação e implementar estratégias que possibilitem a adoção da tecnologia blockchain, de modo a assegurar a continuidade da satisfação e confiança dos seus clientes, reforçar a sua posição competitiva e evitar serem ultrapassados pela concorrência.