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- Higher education settings menus have low compliance with the Mediterranean Diet and high carbon and water footprint: a case study from Portugal, Croatia and TurkeyPublication . Neto, B.; Dikmen, D.; Ferreira, L.; Viegas, Cláudia; Filipec, S.; Drobac, L.; Šatalić, Z.; Rocha, AdaThis study focuses on evaluating the compliance of menus from Higher Education Institutions (HEI) with the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and calculates their respective carbon and water footprints. From September 2023 to June 2024, menus from 52 HEIs across Portugal, Croatia, and Turkey were analysed using a Mediterranean Diet Compliance Index (MeDCIn). Also, the footprints of 300 meals from 30 different menus were calculated. Overall results show a low compliance with the MD (mean score 2.7 ± 3.4). Turkish menus scored the highest values (5.2 ± 1.7) while Portuguese menus scored the lowest (1.10 ± 3.7) (MeDCIn varies between −20.5 and 27). The limited availability of dishes with eggs, wholegrains, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and seasonal products was a key factor contributing to the low compliance observed, as well as insufficient variety in Mediterranean dishes, vegetables, pulses, seafood, and lean meat. The average water footprint was 1785.41 ± 909.3 m3/ton, with Turkish menus having the highest consumption (2271.90 ± 1016.11 m3/ton) and Portuguese menus the lowest (1485.46 ± 767.28 m3/ton). The average carbon footprint was 1.9 kg CO2-eq, with Turkish menus again scoring the highest (2.91 ± 2.13 kg CO2-eq) and Portuguese menus the lowest (1.42 ± 1.26 kg CO2-eq). The findings reveal a complex relationship between MD compliance and environmental footprints, with moderate positive correlations observed. These results provide valuable insights to develop targeted interventions to improve menu options in HEI cafeterias and reduce their environmental impact.
- Optimisation of hydraulic lime mortars incorporating an oil-refinery catalyst by-product for sustainable building rehabilitationPublication . Costa, Carla; Nunes, SandraAbstract This investigation employs a Central Composite Design-based Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology to develop hydraulic lime mortars incorporating equilibrium catalyst (ECat), a by-product generated at the fluid catalytic cracking unit in oil refineries. The derived mathematical models describe the quantitative effects of key mixing variables, specifically ECat content, water-to-binder ratio and water repellent dosage, as well as their cross-interactions, on mortar properties, namely workability, compressive strength, ultrasound propagation velocity and dynamic modulus of elasticity. Numerical optimisation techniques enabled the identification of optimal lime mortar compositions that maximise eco-efficiency while ensuring compliance with both regulatory and technological requirements for diverse masonry applications, including the rehabilitation of ancient buildings. Results confirm the by-product upcyclability of ECat, with feasible incorporation levels up to 56.6 % by mass, yielding mortars with significant potential for reducing the environmental impact of the built environment while advancing the circular economy and fostering technological innovation in the construction sector.
- Development and validation of a Portuguese psychologist's empathy scale: a pilot studyPublication . Cruz, Márcia; Grilo, Ana; Custódio, Susana; Dores, Artemisa R.; Silva, Carina; Alves, PauloThe systematic assessment of empathy is essential for identifying psychologists' competencies and developmental needs, ultimately contributing to more effective clinical practice. Given the multidimensional nature of empathy, comprehensive evaluation requires consideration of its cognitive, affective, and behavioural dimensions. However, no existing instrument is specifically validated to assess psychologists' self-perceived empathy in clinical contexts. To address this limitation, the present pilot study aimed to develop and undertake a preliminarily validation of the Portuguese Psychologists' Empathy Scale (PPES), a self-report instrument designed to assess empathy among psychologists working in Portuguese-speaking contexts across these three components. The study proceeded in two phases: item construction and initial psychometric testing. A total of 106 Portuguese psychologists completed a 57-item Likert-type instrument. Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (χ2(45) = 811.56, p < .001), and the KMO index (0.73) indicated moderate adequacy for factor analysis. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three core factors explaining 48% of the total variance, with strong internal consistency. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis supported model refinement, leading to the removal of items with low factor loadings. The final PPES comprises 43 items distributed across cognitive (16), affective (16), and behavioural (11) dimensions. The findings provide encouraging preliminary evidence for the PPES, demonstrating robust internal consistency and acceptable initial factorial validity. Nevertheless, further studies using independent samples and external validation procedures are required to fully establish its psychometric soundness and clinical applicability with Portuguese-speaking psychologists.
- Nutritional information approaches for consumers in menus: an exploratory study to understand consumer perceptionsPublication . Bonito, Manuela; Costa, Francisca; Rocha, Ada; Viegas, CláudiaNutritional labelling, mandatory for pre-packed foods in the European Union, is one of public health's main tools to inform consumers and promote healthier choices. However, limited nutrition literacy remains a major barrier to its effectiveness, especially in food service settings where information is less standardised. To address this, Viegas and Rocha proposed an infographic (IFG) labelling format, which is designed according to the Mediterranean Diet and portion sizes of the Portuguese Food Guide. This study compared the IFG to the Nutritional Declaration (ND) among Portuguese adults using institutional food service. The ND scored higher in perceived meal balance and completeness. The IFG was also considered useful, and many respondents expressed interest in combining both formats. These findings suggest that the infographic format may serve as a promising complementary tool in food service settings and help policy makers to include a more effective labelling of food service menus to promote healthier choices.
- Towards a validation of the standard and enzyme-linked comet assay: a retrospective variability analysisPublication . Møller, Peter; Ladeira, Carina; Ziemann, Christina; Knasmueller, Siegfried; Mišík, Miroslav; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria João; Olsen, Ann Karin; Azqueta, Amaya; Langie, Sabine A.; Bonassi, Stefano; Dusinska, Maria; Gajski, Goran; Collins, AndrewThe comet assay is one of the most popular tests for genotoxicity in cell cultures, non-animal species, animals, and humans. It has high sensitivity to detect low levels of DNA damage, can be applied to non-proliferating cells, requires relatively few cells, is technically simple, and is low-cost. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) adopted in 2016 the in vivo comet assay for measurement of DNA strand breaks in animal tissues. There is a desire to expand the comet assay to genotoxicity testing in cell cultures, including the detection of oxidatively damaged DNA by incubation of gel-embedded nucleoids with DNA repair enzymes, especially formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (Fpg), which converts oxidised purines to DNA breaks. Based on available information in the literature, this review provides a retrospective evaluation of the validation status of this assay, focusing on accuracy and reliability in genotoxicity testing in vitro. Information on accuracy is scarce, although limited evidence suggests levels of Fpg-sensitive sites are similar to those obtained by Fpg-linked alkaline unwinding and alkaline elution assays. Several ring studies have shown that estimated background levels of DNA breaks vary within and between laboratories. However, ring studies indicate good intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of the standard assay on ionizing radiation-exposed and the Fpg-linked assay on potassium bromate-exposed cells. Further studies are needed to assess the reproducibility in multiple laboratories using coded samples of non-genotoxins and genotoxins. Nevertheless, the available results indicate the comet assay is a reliable in vitro genotoxicity test.
- Contraste em microscopia eletrónica de transmissão: as alternativas emergentes ao acetato de uranilo (revisão sistemática)Publication . Correia, Sara; Pipio, Eva; Santos, Raquel; Pinto, Andreia; Ferro, AmadeuTransmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a key technique for nanometric ultrastructural analysis in biomedical research. Uranyl acetate (UA) has long been the contrast agent of choice due to its high electron density and affinity for cellular components. However, UA is a radioactive, nephrotoxic, potentially carcinogenic, and subject to strict regulation by the European Chemicals Agency, prompting the need for safer alternatives. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether non-radioactive substitutes for UA preserve ultrastructural image quality while improving laboratory safety.
- Carcinogenicity of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate, butyraldehyde, and cumyl hydroperoxidePublication . Lachenmeier, Dirk W.; Arrandale, Victoria H.; DeMarini, David M.; Ruksha, Tatiana; Abdallah, Mohamed A-E; Bettini, Giuliano; Ishii, Yuji; Ladeira, Carina; Pi, Jingbo; Rossner, Pavel; Ryan, Kristen R.; Stefanska, Barbara; Van Gerwen, Maaike; Venier, Marta; Conti, Aline de; Facchin, Caterina; Kunzmann, Andrew T.; Madia, Federica; Pasqual, Elisa; Wedekind, Roland; Al Nahas, Aline; Coutaz-Repland, Seyederoya; Ohene-Agyei, Phyllis; Suonio, Eero; Mattock, Heidi; Benbrahim-Tallaa, Lamia; Schubauer-Berigan, Mary K.In March 2026, a Working Group of 12 scientists from nine countries met at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, to finalise their evaluation of the carcinogenicity of tris(chloropropyl) phosphate (TCPP), butyraldehyde, and cumyl hydroperoxide. TCPP was classified as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A) based on the combination of “sufficient” evidence for cancer in experimental animals and “strong” mechanistic evidence in human primary cells. Butyraldehyde was classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B) based on “sufficient” evidence for cancer in experimental animals and on “strong” mechanistic evidence in experimental systems. Cumyl hydroperoxide was classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B) based on “strong” mechanistic evidence in human primary cells and experimental systems. These assessments will be published in Volume 141 of the IARC Monographs.
- Synovial biopsy in a case of nivolumab-induced arthritisPublication . Costa, Roberto Pereira da; Pinho, Mafalda; Patrocínio, João; Torres, Sofia; Ferreira, Cristina; Fonseca, João Eurico; Khmelinskii, NikitaImmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are valuable therapeutic weapons against cancer that potentiate a T cell-mediated immune response. Nivolumab is an ICI that targets the PD-1 receptor. Rheumatic immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which are induced by ICIs, occur in 10% of cases. However, their pathogenesis remains unclear. Synovial biopsy has allowed for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of different arthropathies. Key message: Synovial biopsy has a role in understanding the aetiopathogenesis of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced arthritis.
- Microwave heating as an alternative to conventional drying ovens for histological section adhesion: evaluation across different tissue typesPublication . Anselmo, Beatriz; Laranjeiro, Marisa; Novo, Maria Manuela; Ferro, Amadeu José BorgesAdequate adhesion of histological sections to glass slides is essential for reliable microscopic evaluation and accurate clinical diagnosis. Conventionally, section adhesion is achieved using drying ovens, a method known for its effectiveness but requiring high energy consumption and substantial laboratory space. Microwave oven heating has emerged as a potential alternative, offering faster processing and lower operational costs; however, its effectiveness for slide adhesion has not been systematically validated across different tissue types. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of microwave heating at 8000W as an alternative to conventional oven drying for histological section adhesion.
- Differentiable neural search architecture with zero-cost metrics for insulator fault predictionPublication . Seman, Laio Oriel; Buratto, William Gouvêa; Gonzalez, Gabriel Villarrubia; Leithardt, Valderi Reis Quietinho; Nied, Ademir; Stefenon, Stefano FrizzoReliable monitoring of high-voltage insulators is critical for maintaining the stability of electrical power systems, particularly under environmental contamination that can lead to flashover. Traditional inspection techniques struggle to anticipate degradation dynamics, while data-driven models often rely on fixed neural architectures that inadequately capture the complex temporal patterns in leakage current signals. This work proposes a Differentiable Neural Architecture Search (DARTS) framework, based on zero-cost metrics, tailored for time series forecasting in insulator monitoring. The method based on DARTS integrates a mixed encoder-decoder design with learnable selection over long short-term memory, gated recurrent units, and transformer components, coupled with a cross-attention bridge featuring temporal bias and gating mechanisms. To ensure efficient architecture exploration, the search leverages metrics such as SynFlow and Jacobian covariance for early candidate screening, followed by a bilevel optimization stage with entropy and diversity regularization. Experiments on real-world leakage current data demonstrate that the discovered architectures outperform manually designed baselines, offering improved forecasting performance.
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