ESS - SA - Comunicações em eventos científicos
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- From controlled to chaotic: Disparities in laboratory vs real-world stress detectionPublication . Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, Fátima; Kallio, Johanna; Coelho, Filipe; Kyllonen, Vesa; Rocha, Nuno; Rodrigues, Matilde A.; Vildjiounaite, Elena; Ferreira, Simão; Rodrigues, MatildeThis paper explores the discrepancies between laboratory and real-world stress detection, emphasizing the pronounced differences in data loss, data preprocessing, feature design, and classifier selection. Laboratory studies offer a controlled environment that optimizes data quality, whereas real-world settings introduce chaotic and unpredictable elements, coupled with a diverse range of human behaviours, resulting in substantial data loss and compromised data quality. We discuss the development of stress detectors for two distinct types of data: physiological and behavioural. We also address the specific challenges associated with designing effective stress detection systems for each data type and compare the features and classifiers used in both laboratory and real-world contexts. Additionally, this paper proposes future research directions aimed at crafting stress detectors that are robust and effective in real-life scenarios.
- 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.
- Development of a bioremediation system for the removal of PFAS from aquatic environmentsPublication . Pinto, Ana Sofia; Neves, David M. B.; Maia, Tiago; Mucha, Ana Paula; Almeida, C. Marisa R.; Martins, Pedro; Lanceros-Mendez, Senetxu; Alexandrino, Diogo A. M.; Alexandrino, DiogoAmong the many pollutants that afflict aquatic ecosystems, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) stand out due to their distribution, environmental persistence and ecotoxicity. Currently, there are no suitable remediation technologies capable of mitigating PFAS-related pollution in these ecosystems. Yet, the combination of nanophotocatalysis (NPC) and bioremediation (BRMD) may prove useful in combating PFAS aquatic pollution. NPC has shown promising results for the breakdown of persistent pollutants, while BRMD processes can benefit from the high degree of redundancy and promiscuity of bacterial catabolism to efficiently degrade various pollutants and their sub-products. As such, this work aims to develop an efficient BRMD unit, based on a synthetic bacterial consortium with orthogonal defluorination capacity, and explore its potential to act as a secondary water treatment step in tandem with a TiO2-based NPC treatment, to remove PFAS from aquatic matrices. The first development step, currently ongoing, is set on screening different bacterial strains enriched with fluorinated pollutants, petroleum hydrocarbons or cyanotoxins. This sorting is being achieved by validating the degradative capabilities of the strains based on their bacterial growth and defluorination performances. So far, these preliminary tests led to the selection of two prospective consortium members, Delftia acidovorans MFA5 and Labrys portucalensis F11, based on their capacity to defluorinate 50 mgL-1 of fluoroacetate and fluorobenzene in 8 days, respectively. Once all strains are selected and their co-cultivation dynamics are ascertained, a synthetic bacterial consortium will be assembled and tested as a BRMD step coupled to a primary NPC treatment against two different PFAS in quasi-real aquatic matrices.
- A practical case of mentoring in higher education at a health schoolPublication . Saúde, Miguel; Ferraz, Ricardo; Silva, Vítor; Barreto, João; Portugal, Paula; Santos, Joana; Vieira, Mónica; Vieira, Mónica; Santos, Joana; Barreto, João Francisco; Simões-Silva, VitorThe rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is reshaping higher education, particularly in creative fields such as design, multimedia, and audiovisuals. Students increasingly seek faster solutions for academic challenges, often relying on AI-generated content rather than engaging in research, critical analysis, and validation through credible sources or instructors. This tendency weakens the "thinking vs. creating" stage of the design methodology, a fundamental cognitive process that requires deep concentration, research, and creative reasoning to materialize ideas effectively. The proposed design methodology consists of four stages: (1) Briefing—problem definition, (2) Thinking vs. Creating—ideation, (3) Materialization—execution based on Lupton’s (2016) Design Thinking principles, and (4) Solution—evaluating originality, relevance, and creativity. In practical-laboratory classroom settings, students engage in manual techniques such as mind maps and moodboards (A2 format). Initially, they hesitate to move away from digital tools but later recognize the cognitive and creative benefits of these techniques. This process reinforces the understanding that strong ideas require effort rather than instant AI-generated solutions. A survey had a total of 256 answers of students in Communication Design, Multimedia, and Audiovisuals, revealed that 64.8% use ChatGPT, 28.9% Capcut, 19.5% Copilot, 13.3% Adobe Firefly, 11.7% DALL·E, and other AI tools. However, only 41.4% critically reflect on AI-generated content, 17.6% validate it with teachers, and 14.5% verify information through online sources. This study concludes that while AI accelerates and optimizes aspects of the creative process, human cognitive engagement remains essential. The integration of AI in co-creation processes, particularly at the "thinking vs. creating" stage, enhances skill development when used as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for critical and creative thinking.
- Práticas de promoção da segurança e saúde ocupacional no desenvolvimento sustentável institucionalPublication . Silva, Manuela V. da; Mendes, Tatiana R.; Santos, Patrícia O.; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaO Instituto Politécnico do Porto (P.PORTO) enquanto Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) de referência está fortemente alinhado com o desenvolvimento sustentável assumindo um compromisso com a inovação e a sustentabilidade organizacional. De acordo com os Objetivos do Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da Agenda 2030 das Nações Unidas, o P.PORTO tem adotado uma abordagem abrangente para a promoção da sustentabilidade nas suas diversas dimensões e atividades, assim como na área da Segurança e Saúde no Trabalho (SST), promovendo ambientes de trabalho saudáveis e seguros. Centrado no ODS 8 ‘Trabalho Decente e Crescimento Económico’, visando a promoção do crescimento económico sustentado, inclusivo e sustentável e o emprego pleno e produtivo, o P.PORTO através da sua Política de Gestão, tem desenvolvido várias iniciativas, destacando-se, o plano de valorização e progressão do pessoal, o projeto ‘missão equidade, diversidade e inclusão’ e o programa de vigilância da saúde do trabalhador e do estudante. Neste contexto, e no ano 2024, foram desenvolvidas várias atividades de avaliação de risco e atividades de promoção da saúde do trabalhador e do ambiente, tendo constituído o objetivo do presente estudo. A figura 1 de forma global identifica o contributo das diferentes atividades para os ODS.
- Horizontes futuros: repensar o ensino e curricula para a sustentabilidade no ensino superior através da implementação de casos práticosPublication . Rigueiro, Constança; Farinha, Carla Sá; Dinis, Maria Alzira Pimenta; Silva, Manuela Vieira da; Caeiro, Sandra; Mapar, Mahsa; Moreiram Anabela; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaO Grupo de trabalho de Educação e Curricula para a Sustentabilidade definiu no seu plano de atividades para 2024 a realização de um ciclo de webinars denominado “Horizontes Futuros: repensar o ensino e curricula para a sustentabilidade no ensino superior”. Estes eventos são de periodicidade trimestral, na forma de mesa-redonda e abordam a implementação da sustentabilidade no ensino e curricula nas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), em particular as que subscreveram a Carta de Intenções com a Rede Campus Sustentável (RCS). Tendo por base a comunicação para a sustentabilidade, estes webinars têm como objetivo proporcionar momentos de partilha de experiências, práticas de sucesso e de desafios que as IES encontraram nesta implementação. Para tal são convidados membros da governança das IES, de norte a sul de Portugal, para reportar o que têm feito no âmbito da missão definida neste contexto. O objetivo deste trabalho é fazer um balanço destes webinars e realçar através da análise de conteúdo das suas apresentações e dos debates ocorridos, quais têm sido as práticas mais comuns, os atuais desafios e as dificuldades nas diversas IES.
- Sustainability in medical imaging and radiotherapy education and practice: a survey of the student perspectives in a Portuguese Allied Health SchoolPublication . Saúde, José Miguel; Adubeiro, Nuno; Nogueira, Luísa; Ribeiro, Inês; Xavier, Ana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Alberto Alves Carvalhais, CarlosHigher education institutions play an important role as they prepare the professionals, decision-makers, and democratic citizens of the future. In Allied Health education, it is crucial to develop a professional that, in addition to the technical and clinical content, also have a critical sense regarding environmental and social aspects. This study aims to survey medical imaging and radiotherapy (MIR) students’ perceptions and knowledge about environmental sustainability in MIR education and practice.
- Exploring the possible link between fluoride sensitivity and bacterial defluorinationPublication . Maia, Tiago; Carvalho, Maria F.; Alexandrino, Diogo A. M.; Alexandrino, DiogoFluoorganic compounds are ubiquitous environmental pollutants due to their widespread use and high environmental persistence, mostly attributed to the stability of their carbon-fluoride bonds. The biotransformation of these compounds has been observed in some microorganisms, but defluorination (cleavage of carbon-fluorine bonds) remains the limiting step. Intracellular accumulation of fluoride occurs during microbial defluorination, which can cause several toxic effects. This work hypothesizes that intracellular fluoride stress may potentially affect the defluorination process in bacteria, limiting this critical catabolic step for the eventual mineralization of fluoroorganic pollutants. Fluoride sensitivity was first ascertained in defluorinating bacteria Labrys portucalensis F11 and Delftia acidovorans MFA5 (known degraders of fluorobenze1 and fluoroacetate2, respectively), with an Escherichia coli strain as the non-defluorinating control. Sensitivity was tested for increasing concentrations of f luoride (0-0.6 mM NaF) both in oligotrophic (minimal salts medium with acetate) and mesotrophic media (Nutrient Broth), based on bacterial growth inhibition for 48 hours at 28 ºC. After ascertaining their sensitivity thresholds, these strains are now being tested for their defluorination ability, against their preferred fluorinated substrates, when exposed to the NaF concentration with the highest observed growth inhibition. Results showed that fluoride stress was more severe in oligotrophic media, with 0.4 mM NaF presenting the highest growth inhibition among tested strains. Strain MFA5 was also shown to be the least sensitive to fluoride, while F11 was the most affected. Conclusions: Fluoride can exert cytostatic effects even in bacterial strains with proven ability to biodegrade fluorinated compounds. These results will allow to enlighten the ties between fluoride sensitivity and bacterial defluorination, thus broadening the knowledge on influencing factors of a critical catabolic reaction.
- Impact of food replacements within a meal in the nutrients profile and quality indicesPublication . Silva, Marta; Ribeiro, Mafalda; Viegas, Olga; Martins, Zita; Casal, Susana; Mendes, Eulália; Faria, Miguel; Pinto, Edgar; Ferreira, Isabel MPLVO; Pinto, EdgarModern societies are increasingly prone to chronic noncommunicable diseases linked with inadequate nutrition. Knowledge about macronutrients balance, micronutrient deficiencies, bioactive and harmful compounds is the starting point of a holistic approach concerning the effects of ingestion of a whole meal in human health.
- Whole meals nutritional composition: comparison between experimental and theoretical dataPublication . Ribeiro, Mafalda; Silva, Marta; Viegas, Olga; Martins, Zita; Casal, Susana; Mendes, Eulália; Pinto, Edgar; Faria, Miguel A.; Ferreira, Isabel MPLVO; Pinto, EdgarInformation concerning food composition is essential in public health and nutrition. Chemical analyses are the most accurate methodologies for the assessment of food composition, however, these procedures are very expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, food composition data has been compiled in databases to facilitate the access and manipulation of information. Although food composition databases (FCDB) are vital tools, they have some limitations.