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.
- Apple fermentation: Valorization of surpluses from the fruit industryPublication . Ribeiro, Tatiana; Leitão, Mariana; García, Pablo; Barreiros, Luísa; Correia, Patrícia; Correia, Patrícia Carla dos Santos CorreiaFermentation is an anaerobic process in which sugars are converted into alcohol by bacterial enzymes or into lactic acid by yeasts. Apple is rich in vitamins and phytochemicals, mainly flavonoids, and it is responsible for antioxidant action. Apples that are unsuitable for fresh use or of inappropriate commercial size are not valued in the market, as they often do not have the physical characteristics the consumer appreciates and are therefore rejected. Furthermore, in industries and fruit processing, high amounts of waste are generated. Study possibilities for valorizing apple waste through fermentation, combining the circular and sustainable economy concepts. Local producers, processing industries, and commercial areas were contacted to establish collaborations and test different apple fermentation conditions, varying the part of the fruit used. Flasks with apple and water were placed in the oven at 30 ◦C, samples were collected every 24 h, and the pH was measured. The fermented products were analyzed to evaluate their antimicrobial activity, measuring the inhibition halo for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Candida albicans. The most promising was the test with only apple pulp, since it was under these conditions that a greater inhibition halo was recorded compared to tests with combinations of pulp, peel, seed, and stem. Fermented apple pulp demonstrated greater activity in the sensitivity test for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Fermented apple appears to have antimicrobial activity against several species. It is necessary to repeat the tests and analyze the intermediate fermentation times. It would be interesting to vary the state of division of the fruit as well as to carry out biostimulation tests and bioinoculation. As a future project, in addition to analyzing antimicrobial activity, it is intended to identify fermented products, using UV/VIS spectrophotometry and HPLC.
- Aprender genética: Uma abordagem interativa entre Ensino Superior e 1.º Ciclo do Ensino BásicoPublication . Novais, Gonçalo; Dias, Clara; Ferreira, Beatriz; Lamas, Maria Céu; Mota, Sandra; Amorim, Manuela; Amorim Sousa, Maria Manuela; Mota, Sandra; Ribeiro Lamas, Maria do CéuIntegrada na UC Educação Clínica II da E2S|Porto, foi desenvolvida uma intervenção educativa sobre hereditariedade, dirigida a 86 estudantes do 1.º ao 4.º ano do Ensino Básico (5-10 anos), em 4 sessões independentes com cerca de 45 minutos. Partindo da questão “Porque somos parecidos com os nossos pais?”, a atividade utilizou uma abordagem lúdico-pedagógica para explorar conceitos genéticos. Iniciou com a identificação de características fenotípicas familiares, como a capacidade de enrolar a língua. Seguiram-se atividades práticas com coelhos brancos/pretos em cartão para explicar dominância e recetividade, complementadas por um xadrez mendeliano com “ervilhas” de esferovite. Após a introdução aos conceitos de célula, cromossomas e DNA, os alunos realizaram um “cariótipo” usando pauzinhos de gelados com diferentes padrões de bandas, tamanhos e cores. A análise dos questionários pré e pós-intervenção revelou um aumento de respostas corretas em cada ano escolar (1º ano: >60%; 2º ano: >47%; 3º ano: >45%; 4º ano: >27%), demonstrando a eficácia da metodologia. Esta abordagem (inter)ativa, associando teoria e experiência, revelou-se eficaz na promoção do conhecimento científico e no estímulo ao interesse precoce pela ciência.
- Artificial intelligence in problem-based learning in higher education: A scoping reviewPublication . Alexandrino, Ana; Cunha, Christine; Lima, Teresa; Alexandrino, Ana Silva; Cunha, ChristineThe rapid evolution of technology calls for continuous pedagogical innovation in higher education, with active approaches like Problem-Based Learning (PBL) fostering critical thinking and collaboration. Artificial Intelligence (AI) shows strong potential to enhance PBL, yet there is a clear need for comprehensive research on its integration within higher education (HE) curricula. This study aims to map the scope of existing evidence on the use of AI in PBL contexts for higher education students. The eligibility criteria follow the PCC framework: Population: Higher education students; Concept: Use of Artificial Intelligence; Context: Problem-Based Learning. Methodology: Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reporting according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, this scoping review addresses the main research question: What is the scope of existing evidence on the use of AI in PBL for higher education students? The sub-questions are: 1. What types of AI tools and systems are used and how are they pedagogically integrated into PBL approaches for HE students? 2. What are the identified benefits and challenges in using AI in PBL contexts for HE students? 3. What are the identified research gaps regarding the use of AI in PBL for HE students? A systematic search will be conducted in electronic databases such as Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, and ScienceDirect, including studies published between 2015 and 2025, available in English or Portuguese. Study selection will be done by two independent reviewers. Results will be synthesized narratively, grouping findings thematically. This review expects to identify AI tools applied in PBL, pedagogical strategies, benefits, challenges, and gaps in the literature, offering evidence-based insights for pedagogical practice, and guide future research in this emerging domain.
- Assembly of bacterial consortium for the biodegradation of PFAS and related subproductsPublication . Neves, David M. B.; Pinto, Ana Sofia; Mucha, Ana Paula; Almeida, C. Marisa R.; Alexandrino, Diogo A. M.; Carvalho, Maria F.; Alexandrino, DiogoPer- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals with wide application in consumer products since the 1950s. A recent revision of the PFAS definition has also introduced several polyfluorinated pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals into this class, further exacerbating the urgency of any PFAS-related pollution scenario. Their many favourable properties, including improved persistence and lipophilicity, has caused PFAS to be considered mobile pollutants with the capacity to accumulate in the environment for various decades. In fact, their increased presence in the aquatic environment has negative effects on the environment and human health, so it is of great importance to develop and improve remediation techniques to remove PFAS and other related subproducts from aquatic matrices. This work aims to create a synthetic bacterial consortium and study its capacity to degrade different PFAS and/or their subproducts. To achieve this, different fluoroorganic-degrading bacterial strains are currently being screened. Among them, a fluoroaliphatic (Delftia acidovorans MFA5) and a fluoroaromatic-degrading strains (Labrys portucalensis F11) have already been preselected to be included in the consortium. Soon, when a final selection of prospective fluoroorganic-degrading strains is achieved, their co-cultivation compatibility will be investigated through growth inhibition tests (cross-streak and diffusion disc activity assays). Strains with favourable co-cultivation dynamics will then be assembled in a synthetic bacterial consortium and tested for its ability to degrade different PFAS (individually) and related subproducts, based on bacterial growth analysis and on defluorination efficiency. This work will contribute to the ongoing effort of designing an efficient PFAS bioremediation unit to outfit a novel hybrid water treatment technology that combines nanophotocatalysis and bioremediation for the mitigation of PFAS aquatic pollution.
- 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.