Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-05"
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- Allergen sensitization associates with worse lung function parametersPublication . Gonçalves, I.; Pereira, A. M.; Jacinto, Tiago; Amaral, Rita; Fonseca, J. de Almeida Lopes daTo assess the association between the number of allergen sensitizations and lung function variables in individuals with airway symptoms. Methods. Retrospective study with all individuals who performed lung function and skin-prick tests at CUF-Porto (01/2011-06/2016). Six allergen groups were considered. % predicted Pre-Bronchodilator test (BD) and % change after BD were analysed for spirometry and plethysmography parameters. Results. A total of 1293 individuals were included, 54% (n = 698) adults and 69% (n = 891) with sensitization to ≥ 1 allergen group. % FEV1 was significantly higher and % change in FEV1 significantly lower in non-sensitized individuals. % sRaw was higher in polysensitized (vs non-sensitized). Conclusions. The presence of allergen sensitizations was significantly associated with worse key lung function parameters.
- Explanation Plug-In for Stream-Based Collaborative FilteringPublication . Leal, Fátima; García-Méndez, Silvia; Malheiro, Benedita; Burguillo, Juan C.Collaborative filtering is a widely used recommendation technique, which often relies on rating information shared by users, i.e., crowdsourced data. These filters rely on predictive algorithms, such as, memory or model based predictors, to build direct or latent user and item profiles from crowdsourced data. To predict unknown ratings, memory-based approaches rely on the similarity between users or items, whereas model-based mechanisms explore user and item latent profiles. However, many of these filters are opaque by design, leaving users with unexplained recommendations. To overcome this drawback, this paper introduces Explug, a local model-agnostic plug-in that works alongside stream-based collaborative filters to reorder and explain recommendations. The explanations are based on incremental user Trust & Reputation profiling and co-rater relationships. Experiments performed with crowdsourced data from TripAdvisor show that Explug explains and improves the quality of stream-based collaborative filter recommendations.
- Macro modeling of electricity price towards SDG7Publication . Martins, Florinda; Felgueiras, Carlos; Caetano, NídiaEnergy challenges are crucial issues to achieve Sustainable Development and its goals. Energy availability and affordability are pillars for ending poverty, giving access to commodities as well as water, etc. Modern lives rely on appliances and gadgets based on electric energy being its price a key issue making it worth to analyze and promote simple models able to predict electric energy prices to support in decision-making processes and in management. This work studied the correlation of electricity price with variables such as the electricity mix, GDP (gross domestic product), energy productivity, electricity consumption per capita, fossil fuel reserves, and diesel price, using Spearman correlation. To the significant correlations found it was then applied the Kruskal–Wallis test and the variables that presented statistically significant differences were then considered to model electricity price based on these macro variables. Our findings revealed that the best models were a logarithmic and a linear model of energy productivity to predict electricity price, which is fundamental to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), specifically SDG7. In the validation process, these models presented an average deviation of 10.3% and 11.7%, respectively, which is reasonable considering the simplicity of the models developed.
- Book of Abstracts of the First International Conference - Building Bridges in STEAM Education in the 21st CenturyPublication . Soares, Filomena Baptista; Lopes, Ana Paula; Pinto, Carla; Mendonça, JorgeThe International Conference BBC'22 aims to provide an opportunity for all academic and non-academics to share their personal experiences and projects, presenting their contributions and getting feedback from other attendees.
- Characterization of two-year progression of neurodegeneration in different risk phenotypes of diabetic retinopathyPublication . Santos, A.R.; Lobo, C.; Ribeiro, L.; Marques, I.P.; Ferreira, S.; Santos, T.; Cunha-Vaz, J.To characterize the two-year progression of neurodegeneration in different diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk phenotypes in type 2 diabetes.
- Reflective practices in speech and language therapy degreePublication . Gonçalves, Maria João; Faria, Mónica; Araújo, André G. M.; Faria, Paula Cristina; Pinto, Marta JoanaSpeech and language therapists are health professionals working with people with communication and swallowing-related problems. The scope of practice includes competences that go far beyond clinical and technical abilities. As in other fields, inter and intrapersonal competences are crucial to develop and establish quality health services and a well-succeeded career. Reflective practices are used to achieve a professional profile aligned with 21st century competences, with strong soft skills, and capacity to develop new competences during professional lifetime. This chapter presents the experience of a Portuguese health school where several tools and strategies have systematically been used for the last 15 years in a Speech and Language Therapy degree, as tutorials, portfolio, reflective reports, self- and peer assessments, simulations, and clinical practicum. The outcomes are relevant and may be inspiring for other allied health professions' education, including students, teachers, and clinical educators.
- Brominated flame retardants effect in MCF-7 cells: Impact on vitamin D pathwayPublication . Sousa, Sara; Maia, Maria Luz; Pestana, Diogo; Teixeira, Diana; Ângelo-Dias, Miguel; Martins, Catarina; Borrego, Luís Miguel; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Calhau, Conceição; Domingues, Valentina; Faria, AnaBrominated flame retardants (BFRs) are persistent environmental pollutants, allowing a constant human exposure which carries several health risks, including the occurrence of breast cancer and vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D inhibits cell growth and is negatively associated with breast cancer risk. The effect of BFRs in breast cancer and vitamin D pathway is still poorly understood. MCF-7 cells were treated with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), 2-ethylhexyl-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB), hexabromobenzene (HBB) and pentabromotoluene (PBT) using short and long-term exposure protocols. Viability, proliferation, migration, cell cycle and gene expression were assessed. Gene expression of hVDBP and hCYP2R1 was also evaluated in hepatocytes. Long-term exposure of MCF-7 cells to HBB increased cell proliferation and migration, consequently increasing MMP-9 expression. The vitamin D pathway was also altered by BFRs: cells appeared less prepared to activate and transport vitamin D and the signaling, action and inactivation mechanisms were diminished in the presence of BFRs. Untreated MCF-7 cells showed cell cycle arrest in phase G0/G1 in the presence of activated vitamin D. However, when MCF-7 cells were exposed to BFRs, cell cycle was arrested in phase G2/M, possibly due to DNA damage. Nonetheless, calcitriol seems to be able to mitigate the effect of some BFRs exposure, e.g. PBT
- Halal tourism market in the city of PortoPublication . Liberato, Pedro; Almeida, Paulo; Liberato, DáliaTendencialmente, os turistas halal procuram destinos turísticos onde existe uma predominância religiosa muçulmana. Contudo, em anos transatos, têm desenvolvido curiosidade em relação a regiões com diferentes estruturas culturais. Além de ser um mercado com uma grande expressividade populacional, é também um dos que mais assegura a circulação de capital. Um dos grandes beneficiários deste movimento tem sido o continente europeu, cuja taxa de visitas de turistas muçulmanos tem observado um aumento gradual. Portugal poderá estabelecer-se como um destino interessante para o turista halal, pois partilha de um legado cultural deixado pelo povo muçulmano durante a sua ocupação da Península Ibérica. O presente estudo tem como objetivo compreender se a cidade do Porto reúne as condições necessárias para acolher o turista halal. Nessa perspetiva, foram listados um conjunto de serviços e produtos, especialmente relacionados com a alimentação e alojamento, que servem não só a população muçulmana viajante, mas também a população muçulmana local. Pretende-se, ainda, averiguar se os stakeholders associados ao setor do turismo têm a consciência dos conceitos “halal” e “turismo halal”, avaliando o interesse da cidade em relação ao segmento estudado. Serão enumeradas as limitações e obstáculos que um viajante muçulmano poderá sentir ao visitar a cidade do Porto. Por forma a assegurar a avaliação dos objetivos propostos, optou-se por uma metodologia qualitativa, utilizando como instrumento de recolha de dados a entrevista semiestruturada. Foram aplicadas dez entrevistas a representantes da comunidade muçulmana local, gestores de unidades hoteleiras, proprietários de restaurantes e ainda agentes de entidades públicas locais. Apesar de existirem serviços e produtos que satisfazem minimamente os requisitos do turista halal, presentemente a cidade do Porto não reúne as condições necessárias para acolher um súbito incremento de procura turística associada à população muçulmana. Torna-se evidente que não há diversidade de oferta ao nível de restaurantes fornecedores de alternativas lícitas de carne. Acresce a inviabilidade para que as unidades hoteleiras apresentem um roteiro de serviços que satisfaça totalmente um cliente islâmico. Se por um lado a falta de procura do cliente muçulmano não motiva financiamento público ou privado aplicado ao segmento halal, por outro, existe a consciência generalizada que a exploração do mercado seria benéfica para a cidade, quer em termos de procura turística, quer ao nível da comunidade local. É visível a postura reativa das Destination Management Organizations (DMOS) regional e local, no Porto, assumindo uma posição dependente das motivações e interesses do turista halal.
- Characterization of two-year progression of capillary closure in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathyPublication . Marques, I.; Ribeiro, L.; Ferreira, S.; Santos, A.R.; Santos, T.; Cunha-Vaz, J.To characterize the two-year progression of capillary closure in different diabetic retinopathy (DR) risk phenotypes in type 2 diabetes (T2D).
- Development of biosensors for functional textile applicationsPublication . Nascimento, Ana; Abreu, Cristina; Silva, Mariana; Leite, Bárbara; Rouly, Simon; Ferraz, Ricardo; Costa, Miguel; Prudêncio, Cristina; Parente, Elsa; Vieira, MónicaSARS-CoV-2, the cause of the disease COVID-19, has a high level of contagiousness, and has been verified as a major epidemiological threat. In order to reduce the spread of the virus, the entire population was advised to use personal protective equipment, among which are the face masks. The eficacy of masks depend on the time of use, amount of moisture and contact with infectious agents. The objective of this study is the development of a colorimetric biosensor, based on biological reactions that detect a given analyte through color change. This biosensor will be incorporated in a textile surface, with the capacity of direct indication of the protection effectiveness of the face masks, giving the user information about the filtration level of the equipment, with a humidity sensor; and of the contamination space, with a sensor to detect the presence of the virus. Thus, a biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 is intended to indicate the contact with the virus. It was developed based on gold nanoparticles functionalized with sialic acid, to be coupled with a humidity biosensor and previously presented to scientific community. The humidity biosensor is intended to contribute to reduce the risk spread and contagion of the disease, by monitoring the effectiveness of the protection of the masks, since humidity causes the degradation of the filtering quality of the masks. For the development of the humidity biosensor, two approaches were adapted: clay and silica mesoporous, which will be impregnated, together with the SARS-CoV-2 biosensor, on a textile surface, and then incorporated into the textile mask. The developed biosensor appears to be more reliable through silica-based technology with methylene blue dye, is aligned with the Portuguese standard for textile face masks that indicate up to 4 hours of use and [85±5]% of maximum relative humidity, as maximum levels expected for the inutilization of the masks. After reaching this humidity the biosensor changes color, indicating to us the need for mask replacement.