Browsing by resource type "conference paper"
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- Addressing the role of maternal age on the metabolic profile of the placentaPublication . Pinheiro, Ana R.; Rodrigues, Adriana; Matos, Liliana; Guedes-Martins, Luís; Almeida, Henrique; Silva, ElisabeteAfter the age of 35, during pregnancy, there is an increased risk of impaired placentation. Changes in uterine redox balance seem to play a role in deficient placentation. We hypothesized that this local redox dysregulation has a negative impact on the placenta metabolic profile. Thus, we aimed to study the placenta metabolic profile during reproductive aging and the effect of antioxidant supplementation. Placentas were collected from pregnant women aged between 22 and 41 years, and from mice of different ages (3 or 9 months). Additionally, 9-month-old mice were treated with apocynin (5 mM) in the drinking water (3 weeks prior to and during pregnancy). Semi-quantitative real-time PCR was carried out to assess the expression of glucose and fatty acid transporters. Quantitative results are presented with standard error of the mean (SEM). In the human study, Spearman’s correlation was used for the comparative analysis of the variables studied. In the animal model, Student’s t-test was used for comparative analysis of the variables studied. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Concerning glucose transport, the results show that the expression of glucose transporter 1 is strongly negatively correlated with maternal age (r = 0.710; p = 0.0121). Regarding lipid metabolism, there is a strong negative correlation between the fatty acid transporter 4 expression and maternal age (r = -0.6865, p = 0.0233). In mice, the expression of glucose transporter 1 was also decreased in 9-month-old females (p = 0.0329, when compared to the 3-month-old females group). No differences were observed between the reproductively aged females treated with apocynin and the young females (p = 0.1990). The results of this study show that reproductive aging is linked with changes in the placenta metabolic profile. In the mice study model, antioxidant supplementation attenuated the changes observed in nutrient transport in the placenta.
- Algae and Fish Farming: An EPS@ISEP 2022 ProjectPublication . Blomme, Rose-Farah; Domissy, Zoé; Dylik, Zuzanna; Hidding, Thomas; Röhe, Alina; Duarte, Abel J.; BENEDITA CAMPOS NEVES MALHEIRO, MARIA; JUSTO, Jorge; Ferreira, Paulo; Guedes, Pedro; Castro Ribeiro, Maria Cristina de; Silva, Manuel; Auer, Michael E.; Rüütmann, TiiaThe European Project Semester (EPS) at Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP) is a capstone engineering design program where students, organised in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, create a solution for a proposed problem, bearing in mind ethical, sustainability and market concerns. The project proposals are usually aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). New sustainable food production methods are essential to cope with the continuous population growth and aligned with SDG2 and SDG12. In this context, this paper describes the research and work done by a team of Erasmus students enrolled in EPS@ISEP during the spring of 2022. Since sustainable algae farming can be a suitable source of food, the team's goal was the design and develop a proof-of-concept prototype, named GREEN·flow, of a symbiotic aquaponic system to farm algae and fish. The smart GREEN·flow concept comprises a modular structure and an app for control and supervision. The proposed design was driven by state-of-the-art research, targeted to a specific market niche based on a market analysis, and considering sustainability and ethics concerns, all of which are described in this manuscript. A proof-of-concept prototype was built and tested to verify that it worked as intended.
- Assessing daily activities using a PPG sensor embedded in a wristband-type activity trackerPublication . Oliveira, Alexandra; Aguiar, Joyce; Silva, Eliana; Faria, Brígida Mónica; Gonçalves, Helena; Teófilo, Luís; Gonçalves, Joaquim; Carvalho, Victor; Cardoso, Henrique Lopes; Reis, Luís Paulo; Faria, Brigida Monica; Oliveira, AlexandraDue to the technological evolution on wearable devices, biosignals, such as inter-cardiac beat interval (RR) time series, are being captured in a noncontrolled environment. These RR signals, derived from photoplethysmography (PPG), enable health status assessment in a more continuous, non-invasive, nonobstructive way, and fully integrated into the individual’s daily activity. However PPG is vulnerable to motion artefacts, which can affect the accuracy of the estimated neurophysiological markers. This paper introduces a method for motion artefact characterization in terms of location and relative variation parameters obtained in different common daily activities. The approach takes into consideration interindividual variability. Data was analyzed throughout related-samples Friedman’s test, followed by pairwise comparison with Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with a Bonferroni correction. Results showed that movement, involving only arms, presents more variability in terms of the two analyzed parameters.
- Attraction and retention strategies: what matters to the millennial?Publication . Silva, Susana; Martins, Dora; Marques, AureaThe labour market is suffering many changes and transformations putting several challenges to human resources management. One of the biggest challenges is related to the attraction and retention of employees to work in several activity sectors and to retain the talent in the organisations. In particular, hospitality and technology sectors have seen robust growth since the pandemic-induced. This study aims to explore the strategies for attracting and retaining millennials. More specifically, to understand the challenges of multigenerational management, and to understand the strategies used by organisations to meet the needs and interests of the millennial generation. A qualitative exploratory study was conducted using a semi-structured interview with 17 Human resources managers. Data were analysed according to thematic analysis procedures. The results showed that university partnerships are the preferred practice for attracting millennials, work-life balance, benefits, organisational culture, investment in professional development, feedback, and recognition are the main attraction and retention strategies. Participants consider the millennial Generation to be committed, and the biggest challenge in managing generational diversity is linked to the demand and impatience of millennials. In conclusion, human resources managers should consider the generation characteristics to adequate and update their human resources practices.
- Automatic quality assessment of smart device microphone spirometryPublication . Pinho, B.; Almeida, R.; Jácome, C.; Teixeira, J. P.; Amaral, Rita; Lopes, F.; Jacinto, Tiago; Guedes, R.; Pereira, M.; Gonçalves, I.; Fonseca, J. A.; Amaral, RitaLung function tests are critical for diagnosis and monitoring of asthma and other respiratory diseases. Monitoring of lung function, in the absence of a healthcare professional, is very challenging but may be obtained through Smart Devices if automated quality assessment systems guarantee the proper technique during the forced expiratory manoeuvre. This paper describes the evaluation of one such system that uses the microphone of smart devices, regarding the initial effort of forced expiratory manoeuvres using the Back Extrapolated Volume. A health professional recorded microphone spirometry in 55 children (5-10 years), using a mobile game engineered for the purpose, and registered its quality. At least one acceptable manoeuvre was achieved for 96% of the children using a featured threshold. Using a stricter threshold of 5% of forced vital capacity, it was possible to ensure at least one acceptable manoeuvre for 69%. While the obtained results are comparable to findings in literature for regular spirometry in this age group, further work is required before we can determine whether the proposed algorithm is effective in real life.
- Beyond Scores: Early Findings on TBL's Impact in Engineering EducationPublication . Sena-Esteves, M. Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Cristina; Brás-Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, Anabela; Soares, Filomena; Leão, Celina P.; Sena-Esteves, Maria Teresa; Ribeiro, Margarida; Morais, Leonilde Cristina; Pereira, Isabel; Guedes, AnabelaThis paper presents the preliminary findings of an ongoing study investigating the influence of Team-Based Learning (TBL) on the academic performance of engineering students, particularly its impact on their grasp of subject matter and ability to solve real-world problems. Quantitative data analysis explored correlations between students' entry-level academic scores and their performance in a course incorporating TBL. The initial results suggest that there is no significant correlation, indicating that entry scores may not predict success in this TBL-integrated course. The analysis coverages multiple academic years, offering a comprehensive perspective on how trends and outcomes evolve over time. This study contributes to the discourse on effective educational practices in engineering education by examining the potential of TBL to enhance learning outcomes. Given the study's ongoing nature, these findings are provisional but pave the way for more detailed future analyses.
- Breeding endangered beetles - An EPS@ISEP 2024 ProjectPublication . Florus, Cedric; Lattunen, Jennifer; Knäuper, Julius; Jugiel, Krzysztof; Silva, Marion; Dekkers, Thomas; Duarte, Abel J.; BENEDITA CAMPOS NEVES MALHEIRO, MARIA; Santos Ribeiro, Maria Cristina; JUSTO, Jorge; Ferreira, Paulo; Silva, Manuel; Guedes, Pedro; Auer, Michael E.; Rüütmann, TiiaHabitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use are key threats affecting beetle populations. This paper describes Scarabreed, a project that contributes to mitigate the beetle decline crisis. It was carried out by a team of six European students from different engineering fields and nationalities within the European Project Semester (EPS) at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP), a project-based and teamwork learning framework. The designed solution -- the Beetle Breeder Version 2 (BBV2) -- consists of a smart modular vivarium created especially for beetle breeding. It monitors and controls relevant habitat parameters and offers two user-friendly interfaces (on-device and a Web application). The innovative modular structure of the vivarium allows easy scaling, customisation, and transportation. As a whole, the project offers significant environmental benefits: (i) facilitates the captive breeding of endangered beetle species, promoting population restoration efforts; (ii) fosters, as an educational tool, youth and general public awareness about the crucial role beetles play in ecosystems; and (iii) adopts eco-efficient and responsible business practices by following ethics and sustainability driven design and marketing.
- Chemical differences between alternative and traditional tobacco productsPublication . Monteiro, Vânia; Freitas, Inês; Silva, Diana Dias da; Pinho, Paula Guedes de; Pinto, Joana; Dias da Silva, Diana CristinaElectronic cigarettes (E-cigs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) have gained popularity as alternatives to traditional tobacco products (TTPs), claiming to reduce harm. The carcinogenic proper-ties of chemicals in the smoke of TTPs are widely recognized. However, there is still an incomplete understanding of the different chemicals in E-cigs and HTPs and their toxicity to human cells [1]. Thus, this study aimed at characterizing and comparing the chemical composition of three different brands of E-cigs, HTPs and TTPs. We selected the three top-selling brands of E-cigs, HTPs, and TTPs in Portugal, and each brand (n=9) was analyzed in triplicate. Volatile compounds present in all brands were extracted by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and solvent extraction (di-chloromethane). The volatile compounds in the headspace and solvent extracts were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Compound annotation was performed by comparing the mass spectrum of each chromatographic peak in the sample with a mass spectral library and standards, where available. A total of 53 compounds were detected in E-cigs, 44 in HTPs and 41 in TTPs by HS-SPME. Solvent extraction revealed 43 compounds in E-cigs, 35 in HTPs and 22 in TTPs. Only 7 compounds were common to E-cigs, HTPs, and TTPs. Overall, the chemical classes included alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, pyridines and others.The composition of HTPs and TTPs was similar (20 compounds in common), particularly in the classes of ketones, alcohols, terpenoids, and pyridines. In contrast, E-cigs contain a larger number of compounds than HTPs and TTPs, including several alcohols, esters, pyranones, and lactones. The volatile composition of HTPs and TPPs showed less variation be-tween different brands, whereas E-cig brands showed greater variability in their composition. HTPs have a volatile chemical composition similar tothat of TTPs in their original form, so their health effects will depend on the impact of the different types of combustion. E-cigs show a distinct chemical profile across all brands, with chemical classes that are potentially relevant for toxicological studies.
- Circular economy in the restaurant sector: do practices go hand in hand?Publication . Melo, António; Azevedo, Daniel; Silva, Susana; Silva, Goretti; Figueiredo, Ana; Barreto Salgueiro de Melo, Carla IsabelThe growing importance of sustainability has led the restaurant sector to explore circular economy practices to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency. This ongoing study examines the correlation between the adoption of one circular economy practice and the implementation of another within the restaurant sector. The study aims to identify specific practices that are related and assess the extent of these associations. A quantitative methodology was used with a survey that evaluated the adoption of 22 circular economy practices. Data collection was conducted between June and September 2023, resulting in 304 responses. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28.0 with factor analysis employed to identify patterns of practice adoption. The results reveal that while some practices are indeed implemented together, such as energy-efficient equipment being strongly associated with monitoring energy consumption, many other practices did not exhibit significant correlations. For instance, waste reduction initiatives and water-saving measures often appeared isolated, without a consistent implementation linked to other practices. This suggests that restaurants may focus on aspects of circularity while neglecting others, indicating a fragmented rather than integrated approach. The findings point to key areas, such as waste management and energy efficiency, where more strategic interventions could encourage a holistic adoption of circular economy principles. These patterns underscore the need for further investigation into barriers that prevent cohesive practice implementation and opportunities for aligning efforts across multiple sustainability dimensions.
- Clinical aspects of quality of life in tinnitus patientsPublication . de Oliveira, Vasco; Meneses, Rute; Oliveira, VascoThe knowledge of the clinical aspects that could be related with Quality of Live (QoL) of tinnitus patients should be important when the care procedures where organized. It was used a Sociodemographic and Clinical questionnaire, and the Portuguese version of SF-36v2 in 74 tinnitus patients: 34 men; M=55,63 years (PD=13,65; 18-79) and M=8,42 years of schooling (PD=4,54; 4-18). As it was confirmed that is a normal distribution, t test was applied. The time with the complaint, where is perceived and the type of tinnitus where not related with the dimensions of SF-36v2. The QoL was related with hyperacusis (Vitality - VT and Mental Heath – MH), dizziness (Physical function – PF; Role functioning/physical – RF; General Health; VT; and Role functioning/emotional – RE;), existence of “nervous problems” (VT; Social functioning; RE; MH) and hearing level (RF), with values of p<0,033. In our sample, we realized that the presence of hyperacusis, dizziness and worse hearing level and the presence of nervous problems, where related with a compromised QoL. These results, combined in a clinical profile related to worse QoL, in tinnitus patients, can be an important contribution for programing more efficient intervention programs in this patients.