Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06"
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- Data Quality Assessment: A Practical ApplicationPublication . Eliana Costa e Silva; Teresa Peixoto; Óscar Oliveira; Bruno OliveiraThis paper presents a novel data quality score designed to address the challenges of ensuring high-quality data in Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. Given the growing reliance on IoT systems and the volume of data they generate, maintaining data quality is essential for reliable decision-making and effective analytics. The proposed score synthesizes key data quality dimensions, providing a comprehensive measure of data quality that can be applied across various IoT contexts. The results obtained for a public dataset on a water pumping system show the applicability and flexibility of the proposed data quality score. This work contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve data management in IoT environments, ultimately supporting the development of robust, data-driven solutions.
- Eficácia de um programa de literacia em saúde mental na redução do estigma em jovens da Póvoa de VarzimPublication . Moura, Ana Lia; Monteiro, Bárbara; Trigueiro, Maria João; Silva, Vítor Simões; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Portugal, Paula; Sousa, Sara; Campos, Filipa; Soutelo, Ana Paula; Veloso, Paulo; Marques, António; Trigueiro, Maria João; Simões-Silva, Vitor; Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Portugal, Paula; de Sousa, Sara; Campos, Filipa; Machado Veloso Gomes, Paulo Sérgio; Pereira da Silva Marques, António JoséApesar da sociedade ocidental ter evoluído culturalmente no ultimo século, caminhando no sentido da liberalização e da democratização, ainda são visíveis muitos comportamentos preconceituosos e estigmatizantes, especialmente para com minorias. O estigma é então percebido como a marginalização e desvalorização de certos indíviduos tendo por base características consideradas diferentes. O principal objetivo é avaliar a eficácia do programa de intervenção - "Bicho de 7 Cabeças", destinado à diminuição do estigma da saúde mental na população jovem da Póvoa de Varzim, através da promoção da literacia em saúde mental. Realizou-se um estudo quasi-experimental, envolvendo uma amostra de 504 participantes a frequentar o 9º ano em estabelecimentos de ensino da Póvoa de Varzim. Os participantes foram distribuídos por grupo experimental, que recebeu intervenção com sessões educativas e grupo de controlo ativo, que recebeu uma intervenção com a entrega de conteúdo informativo. A avaliação foi realizada através de um questionário em formato digital, composto por questões sociodemográficas e o instrumento - Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS). Resultados: Verificou-se uma diminuição nos níveis de estigma em ambos os grupos (p<0,001), e o valor da interação entre o efeito da intervenção e a pontuação do RIBS foi igualmente (p<0,001). Constatou-se a eficácia do programa de promoção de Literacia em Saúde Mental - "Bicho de 7 Cabeças" na redução dos níveis de estigma em jovens da Póvoa de Varzim.
- Impacto de um programa de apoio terapêutico online para cuidadores informaisPublication . Oliveira, Patrícia; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Trigueiro, Maria João; Marques, António; Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Trigueiro, Maria João; Pereira da Silva Marques, António JoséDada a alta prevalência de cuidadores informais (CI) na Europa (cerca de 80%), e o impacto ambivalente do papel na sua saúde mental e física, desenvolveu-se o programa online “Group Hug – Informal Caregivers”. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto deste programa na sobrecarga, bem-estar psicológico e resiliência em cuidadores informais residentes na área metropolitana de Lisboa. A amostra foi constituída por 17 participantes e foi realizada uma intervenção online com duração de 1 ano. O impacto do programa foi analisado através de uma avaliação realizada antes e após a participação, utilizando os seguintes instrumentos: Escala de Sobrecarga do Cuidador, Escala Breve de Coping Resiliente e a Escala de Medida de Manifestação de Bem-Estar Psicológico. Os resultados não indicaram melhorias significativas ao nível da sobrecarga (p=0.620), do coping resiliente (p=0.740), nem ao nível do bem-estar psicológico (p=0.326); isto pode dever-se a diversos fatores que caracterizam a amostra, à adesão às sessões, e ao facto de a resiliência ser um traço de personalidade e por isso poder ser alterado de forma limitada. As intervenções dirigidas aos cuidadores informais podem ser benéficas, mas é necessário continuar-se a investigar como devem ser implementadas para se garantir maior eficácia. Os terapeutas ocupacionais podem ter um papel importante nesta área, contribuindo com intervenções especializadas que promovam estratégias de gestão da sobrecarga, fortalecimento do bem-estar e desenvolvimento de recursos de resiliência nos cuidadores informais.
- Análise da funcionalidade em idosos do Alto Minho após o programa OtagoPublication . Alves, Odete; Carvalho, Ana de; Francisco, Ana; Pinho, Mariana; Carvalho, Camila; Martins, Hélder; Mesquita, Cristina; Lopes, Sofia; Santos, Paula; Carvalho Mesquita, Cristina; Lopes, SofiaO norte de Portugal apresenta uma elevadataxa de envelhecimento, associada a condições como sarcopenia, diminuição do equilíbrio e da força muscular. O obje,vo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do programa de exercícios de Otago (PEO) na funcionalidade e, de forma secundária, na perceção de saúde e no medo de cair em idososresidentes em estruturas residenciais no Alto Minho. Realizou-se um estudo pré-experimental com 37 par,cipantes (83,46 ± 6,53 anos)sendo a maioria mulheres (75,60%). O PEO foi implementado durante oitosemanas, com avaliação da funcionalidade antes e após a intervenção u,lizando os testes 30 seconds Sit to Stand (30STS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 4 Stage Balance Test "Modified" (4SBTM), 15 seconds Step Test (15SST) e 10 meters Walking Speed (10MWS). A perceção de saúde e o medo de cair foram avaliados através de um ques,onário. Após a intervenção, observou-se uma melhoria significa,va na funcionalidade, com aumento das repe,ções do 30STS (6,69 ± 4,35 para 9,16 ± 5,35; p < 0,001) e redução do tempo do TUG (p = 0,006). No entanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significa,vas do 15SST (p = 0,142) e do 10MWS (p = 0,815). Houve uma melhoria significa,va do equilíbrio dinâmico (4SBTM, p < 0,001), mas não da perceção de saúde ou do medo de cair (p > 0,05). Conclui-se que o PEO melhora a força muscular, mobilidade e equilíbrio dinâmico, sem afetar a perceção de saúde ou o medo de cair.
- Inhibitory control in addictive behaviors: is there room for memory suppression?Publication . Caneda, Eduardo Lopez; Antunes, Natália Almeida“If we remembered everything, we should on most occasions be as ill off as if we remembered nothing” (James, 1890). This phrase by James, like many others found in his masterpiece, The Principles of Psychology, perfectly encapsulates the idea that forgetting, contrary to common perception, is (in most cases) not a negative phenomenon, but serves essential adaptive functions in human life. Indeed, forgetting may be essential for mental health, as it helps regulate negative emotions by limiting access to unpleasant or embarrassing memories, thereby fostering subjective wellbeing and emotional resilience (Nørby, 2018). It also plays a crucial role in learning, facilitating the transition from detailed episodic memories to more generalized and efficient knowledge. An extreme example of the challenges associated with remembering vast amounts of information is the famous case of Solomon Shereshevsky, a Russian journalist with an extraordinary memory who was unable to forget irrelevant details, often becoming overwhelmed by excessive mental associations, as beautifully documented by Alexander Luria in the second half of the 20th century (Luria, 1968; also see Fawcett and Hulbert, 2020; Price and Davis, 2008). Moreover, forgetting ensures that our cognitive processing remains relevant to the present and future, as it filters out outdated information, enabling us to adapt flexibly to new situations and make better-guided decisions (Kuhl et al., 2007; Richards and Frankland, 2017). Thus, forgetting proves to be not only a necessary process for maintaining a healthy emotional state but also an essential mechanism for efficient cognition and dynamic adaptation to an ever-changing environment.
- Phytosome-based nanocarriers enhanced with seaweed extracts: Overcoming the blood–brain barrierPublication . Portela, Mariana; Silva, Aurora; Carpena, Maria; Grosso, Clara; Barroso, Maria Fátima; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Martins, Claudia; Ribeiro, Cristina; Prieto, Miguel A.; Oliveira, Ana IsabelNeurodegenerative diseases impact millions of people globally and are emerging as an imminent challenge due to the rapid aging of the population. The current treatments only focus on relieving their symptoms, so it is necessary to adopt innovative strategies. However, delivering pharmacological agents directly into the brain is difficult because of the presence of the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB). To overcome this obstacle, nanotransporters such as phytosomes have been developed. This study reports the preparation and characterization of phosphatidylcholine (PC) phytosomes based on hydroethanolic extracts of three macroalgae: Ascophyllum nodosum (L.) Le Jolis (AN), Bifurcaria bifurcata R.Ross (BB), and Fucus spiralis L. (FS). Additionally, some phytosomes were functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE). Phytosome characterization was carried out in terms of encapsulation rate, size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and stability, and the efficacy of passage through the BBB was tested using an in vitro transwell model based on hCMEC/D3 cells. The results showed a high percentage of extract bound to PC (from 74.9 to 80.3%), and tests conducted over three weeks showed the stability of the phytosomes developed. There was a notable distinction between the functionalized and non-functionalized phytosomes, reflected in the values of their sizes (from 117.71 to 167.73 nm for non-functionalized and from 277.07 to 361.44 nm for PEG-ApoE phytosomes), PDIs (0.286–0.411 for non-functionalized and 0.389-0.539 for functionalized phytosomes), and zeta potentials (1.91–2.22 and −3.31–−0.68 mV for non-functionalized and functionalized phytosomes), respectively. Regarding their ability to cross the BBB, the functionalization of phytosomes with ApoE did not prove to be a crucial step, perhaps due to the low amount of ApoE used (1%), as all of the nanotransporters always passed through the hCMEC/D3 cell monolayer, regardless of their formulation.
- Influence of puncture devices on the accuracy of cyclophosphamide dosing for chemotherapy administrationPublication . Carvalho, Susana; Cardoso, Andreia; Ferreira, Débora; Silva, Diana Dias da; Moreira, Fernando; Moreira, Fernando; Dias da Silva, Diana CristinaCyclophosphamide is one of the most commonly used cytotoxic drugs in chemotherapy protocols. Its preparation in the hospital setting involves handling concentrated solutions, which pose occupational exposure risks and potential variations in the final dose administered. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of aspiration devices on the concentration of cyclophosphamide in reconstituted solutions. An analytical method was validated using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode-array detector (HPLC-DAD) for quality control. Cyclophosphamide solutions were prepared and aspirated using either a conventional needle or spike device with or without a filtration system. The validated method demonstrated linearity (R2 = 0.9999), high precision (0.22–4.59%) and accuracy (88.9–99.4%), with a limit of quantification of 4.03 µg/mL. Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed between samples aspirated with a needle and those aspirated with a spike fitted with a 5 µm filter, with the latter showing lower cyclophosphamide concentrations, suggesting partial retention of the drug. No significant differences were found between the needle and filterless spike preparations. These results suggest that the choice of aspiration device influences the final drug concentration, potentially affecting therapeutic efficacy. Standardisation of preparation techniques and an awareness of device limitations are essential to ensure accurate chemotherapy dosing and patient safety.
- EEG signatures during pregnancy and their role on parenting-related measures: scoping reviewPublication . Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Amaoui, Sofia; Lamela, Diogo; Jongenelen, Inês; Costa, Raquel; Oliveira, Jorge; Pasion, Rita; Pinto, Tiago Miguel; Paiva, Tiago Oliveira; Campos, Carlos; Campos, CarlosThis scoping review aims to map and synthesise the current research evidence targeting the electroencephalography (EEG) neural correlates during pregnancy and its association with parenting-related measures during pregnancy and postpartum period. Pregnancy is characterised by a wide range of biological changes associated with adaptation to parenthood. A growing body of literature has examined the neural correlates of pregnancy using EEG, revealing distinct patterns in pregnant females, with these EEG metrics changing throughout gestation and postpartum. Due to the heterogeneity of the evidence, the current literature lacks an organised synthesis, making it difficult to understand the neural correlates during pregnancy and their association with parentingrelated measures during pregnancy and postpartum period. Studies will be included if they contain a quantitative EEG metric in their assessment in pregnant women. Studies will be included if they involve clinical or community samples. No sociodemographic, obstetric, or health exclusion criteria will be applied. The scoping review will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI) guidelines and will be reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Searches will be conducted in 7 databases (Cochrane for Trials and Reviews, PsycInfo, PubMed, Psychological and Behavioural Science Collection, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection) for articles published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish with no limitation on the region or publication time frame. Two independent reviewers will screen each record following a standardised flowchart using asreview lab. Data extraction will be performed by the two reviewers using charting tables in Excel. Disagreements at any step will be resolved via consensus or by a third reviewer. Results will be reported using tables and graphs along with a descriptive analysis, according to the research questions.
- Efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: An umbrella reviewPublication . Silva, David; Moreira, Fernando; Santos, Marlene; Moreira, FernandoTocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody that targets and inhibits the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor. As a selective inhibitor of this cytokine, TCZ offers a targeted approach in managing inflammatory conditions. Given its specificity and potential therapeutic benefits, this article aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the efficacy and safety of TCZ in the treatment of RA.
- Pharmacological approaches in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A systematic review of clinical trials on efficacy, survival, and safety profilesPublication . Tomé, Pedro; Moreira, Fernando; Santos, Marlene; Moreira, Fernando; Santos, MarleneAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that results in the deterioration of neuromuscular connections, with no effective treatment currently available.
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