REPOSITÓRIO P.PORTO
Repositório Científico do Politécnico do Porto
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Product Oriented Scheduling through Job Scheduling Patterns
Publication . Almeida, Ana; Ramos, Carlos; Silva, Sílvio do Carmo
This paper is concerned with product oriented detailed scheduling of job-shop like manufacturing systems. It addresses the scheduling of jobs, either simple, requiring the manufacture of a batch of parts, i.e. simple products, or complex, comprehending the parts fabrication and their multistage assembly into a batch of products. The horizontal scheduling approach was adopted, assuming that full scheduling of a simple or complex job, based on the job routing network of operations, from the first operation to the last, is performed before another job is considered for scheduling, having in consideration existing manufacturing processors and their availability. We followed this approach because we aimed at
compressing job flow time as a strategy to meeting job due dates. To further enhance this objective the idea behind Simultaneous Manufacturing was implemented. In particular, the widespread use of batch overlapping was implemented, which proved particularly effective in reducing job throughput time, maintaining operating simplicity and requiring reduced coordination.
A narrative review on breast cancer treatment supported by focused and systemic phytotherapy
Publication . Machado, Helena; Machado, Jorge; Alves, Christian; Monteiro, Maria do Céu; Cruz, Agostinho; Pinho, Cláudia; Soares, Cristina; Grosso, Clara; Rodrigues, Jorge Magalhães; Criado, Maria Begoña; Pinho, Cláudia; Cruz, Agostinho
Cancer remains a persistent global health challenge, continuously driving the search for novel and effective therapeutic strategies. In the case of breast cancer, treatment decisions are primarily guided by factors such as the disease stage, histological grade, molecular receptor status, and the presence of genetic mutations. Understanding these parameters is crucial for tailoring interventions and improving clinical outcomes. To enhance prognostic and diagnostic accuracy, attention has increasingly turned to identifying molecular targets that play key roles in breast cancer development. Currently, standard treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, these approaches are often associated with significant side effects and a diminished quality of life. As a result, many breast cancer patients are turning to complementary therapies—including phytotherapy, nutritional interventions, and dietary supplements—to support conventional treatment, alleviate adverse effects, and improve overall well-being. Within the vast realm of medicinal flora, anticancer plants represent a compelling area of study, serving as a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds. These compounds have demonstrated significant promise in the ongoing battle against cancer. Often highlighted in traditional medicinal practices, these plants harbor a wide array of phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and terpenoids. These phytochemicals manifest diverse biological activities, notably exhibiting pronounced anticancer properties. The exploration of these natural compounds has opened new avenues for developing innovative and targeted therapeutic strategies in cancer treatment. They achieve definitive chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive roles by integrating with specific molecular signals. Their multiple biological functions include antimutagenic, antiproliferative, antimetastatic, anti-angiogenesis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties, which collectively enable them to control cancer progression and intervene at various stages of cancer cell development. Moreover, these compounds are involved in regulating the cell cycle and microRNA, ultimately leading to cancer cell death by promoting apoptosis and autophagy, often mediated through ROS signaling. Thus, based on a large theoretical revision, we conclude that high-quality evidence is necessary in order to advise these products concerning their efficacy and safety. Also, clinical evidence should be supported by a comprehensive individual diagnosis and adequate research protocols in order to evaluate whether the benefits of these plant-produced interventions can outweigh their harms.
Integrating cognitive factors and eye movement data in reading predictive models for children with Dyslexia and ADHD-I
Publication . Pereira, Norberto; Costa, Maria Armanda; Guerreiro, Manuela
This study reports on several specific neurocognitive processes and eye-tracking predictors of reading outcomes for a sample of children with Developmental Dyslexia (DD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – inattentive subtype (ADHD-I) compared to typical readers. Participants included 19 typical readers, 21 children diagnosed with ADHD-I and 19 children with DD. All participants were attending 4th grade and had a mean age of 9.08 years. The psycholinguistic profile of each group was assessed using a battery of neuropsychological and linguistic tests. Participants were submitted to a silent reading task with lexical manipulation of the text. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the predictive capability of developing dyslexia or ADHD-I based on the following measures: (a) a linguistic model that included measures of phonological awareness, rapid naming, and reading fluency and accuracy; (b) a cognitive neuropsychological model that included measures of memory, attention, visual processes, and cognitive or intellectual functioning, and (c) an additive model of lexical word properties with manipulation of word-frequency and word-length effects through eye-tracking. The additive model in conjunction with the neuropsychological model classification improved the prediction of who develops dyslexia or ADHD-I having as baseline normal readers. Several of the neuropsychological and eyetracking variables have power to predict the degree of reading outcomes in children with learning disabilities.
Principal component analysis of gait Continuous Relative Phase (CRP): Uncovering lower limb coordination biomarkers for functional disability in older adults
Publication . Moreira, Juliana; Alves, Leonel A. T.; Sousa, Rúben Oliveira; Castro, Márcia; Santos, Rubim; Sousa, Andreia S. P.; Pinheiro de Sousa, Andreia Sofia; Rubim Silva Santos, Manuel; Santos Moreira, Juliana
Symmetry in gait coordination reflects the balanced timing and movement between lower limb joints, which are essential for efficient locomotion and functional independence in older adults. Although gait coordination is recognized as a key indicator of aging-related adaptations and functional decline, most studies rely on isolated measures without fully addressing symmetry in intra- and interlimb coordination. This study aimed to identify principal components of gait coordination symmetry and their association with functional disability in older adults. A cross-sectional study assessed 60 community-dwelling older adults (60+), stratified by functional disability (35 non-disabled; 25 disabled). The threedimensional range of motion of lower limb joints was assessed during the gait cycle using an optoelectronic system. Intra- and intersegmental coordination was assessed by the continuous relative phase (CRP), a nonlinear measure that captures both timing and movement relationships between joint angles. Principal component analysis was applied to CRP means and coefficients-of-variation (CV) to identify key coordination principal components (PC). Of eight PC explaining 78.86% of variance, only the PC1 distinguished disability status (p = 0.007, d = 0.66). This component included sagittal-plane intrasegmental CRP mean and CV for the knee–ankle and hip–ankle. This study is novel in combining CRP-derived measures of intra- and interlimb symmetry with principal component analysis to distinguish functional disability in older adults. The findings indicate that sagittal-plane intrasegmental CRP symmetry may serve a relevant biomarker of gait impairment. By linking kinematic coordination features to functional disability, this approach complements clinical assessments and supports early identification of mobility decline in older adults.
The impact of a rectal spacer in VMAT Dosimetry in the treatment of Prostate Cancer
Publication . Oliveira, Susana; Fernandes, Ruben; Baylina, Pilar; Santos, João; Vieira, Guy; Faria, Isabel; Pereira, Norberto; Fernandes, Rúben; BAYLINA MACHADO, PILAR; Sousa Pinho Faria, Isabel Maria
Although the dosimetric advantages of rectal spacers in prostate cancer radiotherapy have been demonstrated in selected clinical trials, real-world data from routine clinical practice remain limited—particularly within the Portuguese healthcare system. This study offers a detailed dosimetric comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), with and without rectal spacer use, in a real-world patient cohort, aiming to assess the clinical relevance of spacer insertion under standard treatment protocols. A retrospective dosimetric evaluation was performed on 80 prostate cancer patients treated at a radiotherapy centre in southern Portugal. Patients were equally divided into two matched groups (n = 40): one receiving VMAT alone, the other receiving VMAT with hydrogel rectal spacer placement. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were analysed for the planning target volume (PTV) and key organs at risk (OARs). Standard dosimetric metrics, such as V50–V75 for the rectum and bladder, V50 for femoral heads, and mean dose for the penile bulb, were assessed. PTV coverage was evaluated using conformity and homogeneity indices. Spacer use significantly decreased rectal dose exposure across all evaluated parameters without compromising PTV coverage or increasing dose to other OARs. These findings support routine rectal spacer applications to enhance treatment safety and patient outcomes.