The possibilities and challenges of personalized pediatric dentistry

Personalized dental treatment consists of providing solutions adapted to the patient and not using standard solutions for all patients. This applies in domains as diverse as the use of diagnostic tests to identify particular biological markers, often genetic, that aid in describing which medical treatments to prescribe, as well as providing dental treatment technique, including personalized medical devices that will work best for each patient. The big question is how we will use the new information, new methods, and new devices available, and put them at the service of better dentistry, focused on better patient care and absense of pain and discomfort. This work will provide an analysis of some of the areas where personalized medicine is evolving the most, and concrete cases in which relevant steps can be taken

Nkisi Soccer Dual Game and the empire’s conquest

A "Passeio - Plataforma de Arte e Cultura Urbana" é uma plataforma do Centro de Estudos de Comunicação e Sociedade (CECS).Por estes dias, a obra que nos saúda no átrio do Museu Nacional de Etnologia em Lisboa, logo no R/C, é uma escultura em mármore branco, de 2023, do pintor, escultor, ensaísta e investigador moçambicano Lívio de Morais (1945-). Intitulada Grito de Liberdade. Não vamos esquecer o Tempo que passou (título com inspiração numa das mais famosas canções revolucionárias de Moçambique), esta obra dá o mote para a exposição que vamos encontrar no 1º piso (Fig.1). Criado em 1965, o então Museu de Etnologia do Ultramar, e hoje Museu Nacional de Etnologia, resultou em muito da atividade do antropólogo Jorge Dias e da sua equipa de colaboradores, mais concretamente de uma campanha a Moçambique, desenvolvida no seio da Missão de Estudos das Minorias Étnicas do Ultramar (1958-1961). Saltando a exposição permanente O Museu, muitas coisas, subi rapidamente as escadas em direção à exposição temporária Desconstruir o Colonialismo, Descolonizar o Imaginário. O Colonialismo em África: Mitos e Realidades. Organizada pelo Centro deCurrently, the work that greets us at the atrium of the National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon, right on the ground floor, is a white marble sculpture from 2023 by the Mozambican painter, sculptor, essayist and researcher Lívio de Morais (1945-). Entitled Grito de Liberdade. Não vamos esquecer o Tempo que passou [Freedom’s Scream]. Let’s not forget the Time that has passed] (a title inspired by one of Mozambique's most famous revolutionary songs), this work sets the tone for the exhibition that we find on the first floor (Fig.1). Created in 1965, the then Museu de Etnologia do Ultramar [Museum of Overseas Ethnology], and now named Museu Nacional de Etnologia [National Museum of Ethnology], was largely the result of the work of anthropologist Jorge Dias and his team of collaborators, specifically a campaign to Mozambique, carried out as part of the Missão de Estudos das Minorias Étnicas do Ultramar [Mission for the Study of Overseas Ethnic Minorities] (1958-1961). Skipping the permanent exhibition O Museu, muitas coisas [The Museum, many things], I quickly went upstairs to the temporary exhibition Desconstruir o Colonialismo, Descolonizar o Imaginário. O Colonialismo em África: Mitos e Realidades [Deconstructing Colonialism, Decolonizing the Imaginary. Colonialism in Africa: Myths and Realities]. Organized by the Centro de Estudos Sobre África e Desenvolvimento [Centre for African and Development Studies] (CESA/ISEG-University of Lisbon) and the National Museum of Ethnology, the exhibition is curated by historian Isabel Castro Henriques and is currently being held as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of April 25th - Carnation Revolution. The centerpiece of the exhibition (and of the National Museum of Ethnology) Nkisi Soccer Dual Game (2019), a sculpture by Congolese artist Hilaire Blue Huyangiko. This work of art combines elements of Congolese ancestral culture (Nkisi as “sacred” or “divine”) with references from contemporary Afro-global popular culture

Influence of different processing techniques on microalgal protein extraction

The nutrient-rich composition of microalgae biomass positions it as a highly promising natural food ingredient. This holds the potential to not only enhance the nutritional value of various food products but also simultaneously alter their structural attributes. This work investigated the effect of five protein extraction techniques such as freeze-thawing, enzymatic-assisted extraction, high-pressure homogenization, ultrasounds-assisted extraction, and pH adjustment (pH 7, pH 10, and pH 13) in protein yield, and subsequente cell and protein structure of three microalgal suspensions, namely, Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica, and Tetraselmis chui. In Chlorella vulgaris, freeze- thawing and high-pressure homogenization exhibited a higher effect in terms of protein yield (~26.60 g protein /100 g protein microalgae). The same occurred for Nannochloropsis oceanica with also ultrasounds-assisted extractions and pH 7 and 10 having a protein yield above 30 %. Tetraselmis chui was similar to Chlorella vulgaris (>20.00 g protein /100 g protein microalgae) for freeze-thawing, high-pressure homogenization and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Enzymatic-assisted had a the lower protein yield for all the three microalgae (<10.00 g protein /100 g protein microalgae). The majority of proteins extracted from Chlorella vulgaris samples had molecular weights exceeding 337 kDa, whereas proteins extracted from Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis had molecular weights ranging from 5 to 50 kDa. -helices occurred in proteins extracted from Chlorella vulgaris through freeze-thawing and enzymatic-assisted extraction, while Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis only had -sheet. In conclusion, for optimal protein yield recovery, methodologies such as freeze-thawing and high-pressure homogenization are the most efficient across all studied microalgae. The method selected for extraction had a greater impact on both the protein yield and structure for spray-dried cells. © 2025 The AuthorsThis study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and LA/P/0029/2020 (LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems). This study was also supported by “Pacto da Bioeconomia Azul” (Project No. C644915664-00000026) within the WP5 Algae Vertical, funded by Next Generation EU European Fund and the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), under the scope of the incentive line “Agendas for Business Innovation” through the funding scheme C5- Capitalization and Business Innovation. Catarina Moreira, Rafaela Nunes, and Bernardo Carvalho are recipients of Ph.D. scholarships supported by FCT (Ref. 2021.05734.BD, SFRH/BD/07527/2020, and 2022.12615.BDANA, respectively). Pedro Ferreira-Santos would like to express gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Union - NextGenerationEU/PRTR - for financial support (FJC2021-046978-I).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Case study of the performance evaluation process implemented in a I.P.S.S.

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Educação (área de especialização em Formação, Trabalho e Recursos Humanos)Esta relatório de estágio de mestrado foca-se no processo de avaliação de desempenho implementado numa Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social, explorando a sua relevância para o desenvolvimento dos colaboradores e para a eficácia da organização. A investigação foi conduzida na Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Rio Velho (S.C.M.R.V.), nome fictício, e envolveu a análise de vários aspetos da avaliação de desempenho. Através de entrevistas, inquéritos e outras técnicas de investigação, foram recolhidos dados que permitiram uma reflexão crítica sobre a prática de avaliação de desempenho, destacando a importância da formação contínua e o alinhamento entre as competências individuais dos colaboradores e os objetivos organizacionais. Em conclusão, a avaliação de desempenho na Instituição Particular de Solidariedade Social estudada mostrou-se uma ferramenta essencial para a gestão de talentos e a melhoria contínua dos seus serviços, embora o processo estudado seja um processo robusto e bem implementado, foram encontradas algumas lacunas no mesmo que ainda podem ser melhoradas, nomeadamente o ajuste nos critérios de avaliação de desempenho, de modo a torná-los mais objetivos e direcionados a cada função dos colaboradores da S.C.M.R.V.This present report focuses focuses on the performance evaluation process implemented in a Private Institution of Social Solidarity exploring its relevance for employee development and organizational effectiveness. The research was conducted at “Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Rio Velho” (S.C.M.R.V.), a fictitious name, and involved the analysis of various aspects of performance evaluation. Through interviews, surveys, and other research techniques, data were collected to reflect critically on the performance evaluation practice, highlighting the importance of continuous training and the alignment between employees, individual competencies, and organizational goals. In conclusion, the performance evaluation studied at the Private Institution of Social Solidarity proved to be an essential tool for talent management and the continuous improvement of its services. Although the process studied is robust and well-implemented, some gaps were found that can still be improved, namely the adjustment of the performance evaluation criteria to make them more objective and tailored to each employee’s role at S.C.M.R.V. Adaptation of the performance evaluation criteria to make them more objective and targeted to each function of the S.C.M.R.V. staff

Precisamos realmente de psicólogos do esporte? Facilitadores e barreiras ao desenvolvimento da psicologia do esporte

Even though sport psychology is an established field of Psychology, with over a century of research and well-defined practice, there are still questions about the added value of these professionals. In this paper, we briefly reflect on some of the advantages of hiring sport psychologists. namely the benefits of supporting evidence-based practice, certified professionals, and developing the athlete as a whole (not just focusing on their performance). On the other hand, there are some barriers related to costs, work conditions, and development opportunities that make organizations question the hiring of such professionals. In this manuscript, we propose a decision-tree on hiring sport psychologists based on one’s analysis of four domains: beliefs about science, ethical issues, career opportunities and work conditions.Embora a psicologia do esporte seja uma área consolidada da Psicologia, com mais de um século de pesquisa e prática bem definida, ainda existem questionamentos sobre o valor agregado desses profissionais. Neste artigo, refletimos brevemente sobre algumas das vantagens de contratar psicólogos do esporte, a saber, os benefícios de apoiar a prática baseada em evidências, profissionais certificados e desenvolver o atleta como um todo (não apenas com foco em seu desempenho). Por outro lado, existem algumas barreiras relacionadas a custos, condições de trabalho e oportunidades de desenvolvimento que levam as organizações a questionar a contratação desses profissionais. Neste manuscrito, propomos uma árvore de decisão sobre a contratação de psicólogos do esporte com base na análise de quatro domínios: crenças sobre a ciência, questões éticas, oportunidades de carreira e condições de trabalho.This work was conducted at two different research centers: Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi/UM) School of Psychology, University of Minho (supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, ref. UIDB/01662/2020) and by the Research Centre for Human Development (supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology, ref. UIDB/04872/2020)

Innovations in food testing tech: ensuring safety from chemical and microbial contaminants

Food safety is a key priority in the food industry due to the health and economic risks from contamination and adulteration. Each year, millions of food samples are tested worldwide to detect contaminants, verify labeling and ensure compliance with safety regulations. This article explores the latest advancements in food testing from cutting-edge chemical analysis to AI-driven data analytics highlighting how they are enabling faster, more reliable testing to ensure the safety of the global food supply chain.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enzymatic degradation of ochratoxin A: the role of ultra-pure water

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic mycotoxin, making its removal from food essential for public health. This study examines OTA degradation by porcine pancreatic lipase (PPL) in ultra-pure water versus buffer systems through in vitro assays and molecular modeling. The results show that PPL fully degrades OTA in ultra-pure water within 7 h at 44 °C, whereas only partial degradation occurs in phosphate buffer. After 4 h, PPL in water degrades 91% of OTA, compared to only 12% in buffer. The enzymes half-life is longer in water (~4 h 4 min) than in phosphate buffer (~2 h 30 min), suggesting better stability in water. Other buffers, including acetate, citrate, and borate, confirmed higher degradation efficiency in low-conductivity, acidic environments similar to ultra-pure water. Additionally, using the model compound p-nitrophenyl octanoate (p-NPO), it was found that p-NPO degrades faster in buffer, likely due to a salting-out effect. Molecular modeling and circular dichroism analysis indicate that PPLs secondary structure in water promotes an ideal conformation for OTA binding. This study suggests ultra-pure water as a greener, sustainable option for reducing mycotoxins in food, with broad industrial applications.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, with DOI 10.54499/UIDB/04469/2020 and by LABBELS—Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. This research was also funded by FEDER (European Regional development fund)-COMPETE-QRENEU through the Chemistry Research Centre of the University of Minho (UID/QUI/00686/2020), contract CEEC INST/00156/2018/CP1642/CT0011. Joana Santos also thanks FCT for funding (UI/BD/152286/2021).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Little great citizens: the role of mediation in the development of dynamics in a school context

Relatório de estágio de mestrado em Educação (área de especialização em Mediação Educacional)A prática da mediação envolve diversas áreas de atuação, destacando-se o contexto escolar, no qual o projeto foi implementado. O estágio foi desenvolvido num Agrupamento de Escolas, mais concretamente, numa Escola Básica de 2.º e 3.º ciclos, situada no Norte de Portugal, no âmbito do 2.º ano do Mestrado em Educação, na área de especialização em Mediação Educacional. O projeto, intitulado Pequenos grandes cidadãos: o papel da mediação no desenvolvimento de dinâmicas em contexto escolar, pretendeu que os alunos desse Agrupamento de Escolas fossem capacitados enquanto cidadãos ativos com valores sustentados e orientados para uma convivência positiva e cultura de paz. Perfilado por uma metodologia de investigação participativa e sustentada pelos princípios da mediação, o projeto na fase de diagnóstico de necessidades permitiu perspetivar uma intervenção direta com a comunidade escolar, com foco na elaboração de um projeto-piloto de mediação de pares, concebido de raiz perante as necessidades e prioridades da instituição. O projeto-piloto consistiu na criação e implementação de uma formação de mediadores de pares, capacitando os alunos enquanto agentes de mudança com vista a contribuírem para o equilíbrio do ambiente escolar. A formação de mediação de pares foi composta por 8 sessões de aproximadamente sessenta minutos e na sua avaliação procurou-se compreender a evolução ao nível das atitudes e comportamentos dos alunos-mediadores na sua atuação no contexto escolar. Os resultados mostraram que os alunos-mediadores adquiriram conhecimentos e competências na área da mediação, especificamente acerca do processo, dos princípios e do papel de um mediador em contexto escolar. O estágio também contemplou uma vertente interventiva, com destaque para uma intervenção com uma turma do 5.º ano, com o intuito de prevenir, resolver e transformar a indisciplina dentro e fora da sala de aula, melhorando as relações interpessoais. A participação nas atividades desenvolvidas pelo Gabinete de Prevenção e Integração de Ação Disciplinar e planificadas pelo Agrupamento de Escolas proporcionaram diversas oportunidades de crescimento pessoal e profissional. Os resultados alcançados evidenciaram a necessidade de se investir na criação e desenvolvimento de espaços dirigidos para a mediação, que sustentem a inclusão social e a convivência positiva, e que através da práxis da mediação é possível fortalecer a comunidade educativa, construindo um futuro mais próximo de uma cultura de paz, tornando os alunos grandes cidadãos.The practice of mediation encompasses various fields, with particular emphasis on the school setting, where this project was implemented. The internship was conducted within a School Grouping, specifically at a middle school located in Northern Portugal, as part of the 2nd year of a Master's Degree in Education with a specialisation in Educational Mediation. The project, titled Little Great Citizens: The role of mediation in the development of dynamics in a school context, aimed to empower students from this school as active citizens with solid values oriented towards positive coexistence and a culture of peace. Guided by a participatory research methodology and based on the principles of mediation, the project's needs assessment phase allowed for a direct intervention with the school community, focusing on the design of a peer mediation pilot project tailored to the needs and priorities of the institution. The pilot project involved the development and implementation of a peer mediator training programme that empowered students as agents of change to help balance the school environment. The peer mediation training consisted of eight sessions of approximately sixty minutes each, and its evaluation sought to understand the development of the attitudes and behaviours of the student-mediators in their roles within the school environment. The results indicated that the student-mediators acquired knowledge and skills in mediation, particularly in relation to the process, principles and role of a mediator in a school context. The internship also included an intervention component, mainly with a fifth-grade class, aimed at preventing, resolving and transforming issues of indiscipline inside and outside the classroom, thereby improving interpersonal relationships. Participation in activities organised by the Office for the Prevention and Integration of Disciplinary Actions and planned by the school grouping offered numerous opportunities for personal and professional development. The results show that there is a need to invest in creating and developing spaces for mediation that support social inclusion and positive coexistence, and that through the praxis of mediation it is possible to strengthen the educational community, building a future that is closer to a culture of peace, making students great citizens

Selection of aptamers to target enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections

[Excerpt] Introduction Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is the leading cause of enteric infections in swine, resulting in significant costs for the industry (1 ). Initial adhesion to the intestinal epithelium relies on fimbriae, with F4 and F18 types being most associated with enteric infections. The traditional use of antibiotics for prevention and treatment is increasingly restricted due to rising antimicrobial resistance (2). Therefore, innovative strategies such as aptamers- small single-stranded oligonucleotides that bind to target molecules through their 3D structures (Figure 1 )- emerge as a promising alternative.[...]This work was financially supported by: Project PTDC/CVT-CVT/4620/2021, funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020- Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI) and by national funds (PIDDAC) through FCT/MCTES; LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/00511/2020 and UIDP/00511 /2020 (LEPABE), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), and by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit (CEB). The authors are also grateful to FCT for the PhD Grants 2023.04664.BDANA and 2023.03705.BDANA.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Projeto mecânico para inspeção robótica: robô para mapeamento de corrosão

Dissertação de mestrado em Mechanical Engineering (specialization area in Integrated Design in Mechanical Construction)The development of an autonomous robotic platform for NDT focusing on corrosion mapping on ferromagnetic cylindrical surfaces is performed in this dissertation. The main goal of this research is to develop a mobile robotic system that improves the efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability of corrosion inspections while reducing operation downtime and human exposure to hazardous environments. A thorough review is done to examine the state of the art necessary for defining the status and relevance of the development of robotic inspection systems. This will be instructive in knowing the capabilities and limitations of the existing technologies to justify the proposed solution. The review covers NDT techniques, robotic systems, and the developments in locomotion and adhesion mechanisms contributing to the robot design. The conceptual project (chapter 3) covers the design methodology followed for the robotic platform. Different locomotion and adhesion methods have been analyzed to select the best configuration for this mobile system. A four-mecanum wheel system is chosen to increase mobility, and magnetic adhesion ensures stability both on vertical and inclined surfaces, which is necessary for operating on cylindrical structures. The CAD model of the robot and the system modeling were developed to validate the choices made in the conceptual project and to verify whether these choices were correct for its kinematic and dynamic behavior. This way, it is possible to detect potential issues that need to be addressed. The work concludes with the development of a simple functional robot with basic, non-complex movements; thus, the system allows for further iterations that add more advanced features, providing ample room for improvements to be made in the future.O desenvolvimento de uma plataforma robótica para para END focada em mapeamento de corrosão em superfícies cilíndricas ferromagnéticas é apresentada nesta dissertação. O objetivo principal deste trabalho de investigação é desenvolver um sistema robótico móvel que melhora a eficácia, precisão e repetibilidade das inspeções à corrosão enquanto que reduz o tempo de operação e a exposição humana a ambientes perigosos. Realizou-se uma revisão literária detalhada para examinar o estado de arte que definiu o estado e a relevância atual do desenvolvimento dos sistemas de inspeção robóticos. Isto foi instrutivo para perceber as capacidades e as limitações das tecnologias existentes e justificar a solução apresentada no capítulo 4. Esta revisão literária cobre as técnicas de inspeções não-destrutivas, os sistemas robóticos, e os desenvolvimentos tecnológicos nos mecanismos de aderência e locomoção, contribuindo para a construção do projeto do robô. O projeto conceptual (capítulo 3) abrange a metodologia de design aplicada no desenvolvimento da plataforma robótica. Diferentes métodos de locomoção e aderência foram analisados para selecionar a melhor configuração possível para este sistema móvel. Um sistema com quatro rodas mecanum foi escolhido para aumentar a mobilidade, e um sistema de aderência magnética assegura estabilidade em superfícies verticais e inclinadas, o que é necessário para opera rem superfícies cilíndricas. O modelo CAD do robô e a modelação do sistema foram desenvolvidos para a afirmar as escolhas referidas no projeto conceptual e verificar se essas escolhas foram as corretas para o comportamento cinemático e dinâmico do mesmo. Deste modo, é possível detetar possíveis problemas a resolver. O trabalho é concluído com a elaboração de um robô funcional simples, com movimentos básicos e nãocomplexos; assim, o sistema permite iterações adicionais que acrescentam funcionalidades mais avançadas oferecendo uma vasta margem de melhorias a serem feitas no futuro