Mathematics learning and assessment using MathE platform: a case study

Universities are encouraging the implementation of innovative methodologies and teaching strategies to develop an interactive and appealing educational environment where students are the focus of the learning process. In such a personalised learning environment, an increase of the students’ engagement and the improvement of the outcomes arise. MathE has been developed to help achieve this goal. Based on collaborative procedures, internet resources – both pre-existing and freely available as well as resources specifically conceived by the project team – and communities of practices, MathE intends to be a tool to nurture and stimulate the learning of Mathematics in higher education. This study introduces and describes the MathE platform, which is divided into three sections: Student’s Assessment, Library and Community of Practice. An in-depth description of the Student’s Assessment section is presented and an analysis of the results obtained from students, when using this feature of the platform, is also provided. After this, and based on the answers to an online survey, the impact of the MathE platform among students and teachers of eight countries is shown. Although the number of collected results is still scarce, it allows the recognition of a trend regarding the use of the material of the Student’s Assessment section for autonomous study. The results indicate the platform is well organized, with a satisfactory amount and diversity of questions and good interconnection between the various parts. Nevertheless, both teachers and students indicate that more questions should be introduced. The overall opinion about the MathE platform is very favourableThe authors are grateful to FCT for financial support through national funds UIDB/05757/2020.The authors are grateful to FCT for financial support through national funds UIDB/05757/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the -tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulationsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Viral genetic clustering and transmission dynamics of the 2022 mpox outbreak in Portugal

Pathogen genome sequencing during epidemics enhances our ability to identify and understand suspected clusters and investigate their relationships. Here, we combine genomic and epidemiological data of the 2022 mpox outbreak to better understand early viral spread, diversification and transmission dynamics. By sequencing 52% of the confirmed cases in Portugal, we identified the mpox virus sublineages with the highest impact on case numbers and fitted them into a global context, finding evidence that several international sublineages probably emerged or spread early in Portugal. We estimated a 62% infection reporting rate and that 1.3% of the population of men who have sex with men in Portugal were infected. We infer the critical role played by sexual networks and superspreader gatherings, such as sauna attendance, in the dissemination of mpox virus. Overall, our findings highlight genomic epidemiology as a tool for the real-time monitoring and control of mpox epidemics, and can guide future vaccine policy in a highly susceptible population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

revista de Ciências da Arte

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Thrombus aspiration in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results of a national registry of interventional cardiology

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the impact of thrombus aspiration (TA) during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (P-PCI) in 'real-world' settings. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study, using data from the National Registry of Interventional Cardiology (RNCI 2006-2012, Portugal) with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients treated with P-PCI. The primary outcome, in-hospital mortality, was analysed through adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS: We assessed data for 9458 STEMI patients that undergone P-PCI (35% treated with TA). The risk of in-hospital mortality with TA (aOR 0.93, 95%CI:0.54-1.60) was not significantly decreased. After matching patients through the propensity score, TA reduced significantly the risk of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.58, 95%CI:0.35-0.98; 3500 patients). CONCLUSIONS: The whole cohort data does not support the routine use of TA in P-PCI, but the results of the propensity-score matched cohort suggests that the use of selective TA may improve the short-term risks of STEMI..info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nationwide access to endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in portugal

Publisher Copyright: Copyright Ordem dos M dicos 2021.Introduction: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal and its administrative districts. Material and Methods: A retrospective national multicentric cohort study was conducted, including all ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal over two years (July 2015 to June 2017). All endovascular treatment centers contributed to an anonymized database. Demographic, stroke-related and procedure-related variables were collected. Crude endovascular treatment rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for mainland Portugal, and each district and endovascular treatment standardized ratios (indirect age-sex standardization) were also calculated. Patient time metrics were computed as the median time between stroke onset, first-door, and puncture. Results: A total of 1625 endovascular treatment procedures were registered. The endovascular treatment rate was 8.27/100 000 inhabitants/year. We found regional heterogeneity in endovascular treatment rates (1.58 to 16.53/100 000/year), with higher rates in districts closer to endovascular treatment centers. When analyzed by district, the median time from stroke onset to puncture ranged from 212 to 432 minutes, reflecting regional heterogeneity. Discussion: Overall endovascular treatment rates and procedural times in Portugal are comparable to other international registries. We found geographic heterogeneity, with lower endovascular treatment rates and longer onset-to-puncture time in southern and inner regions. Conclusion: The overall national rate of EVT in the first two years after the organization of EVT-capable centers is one of the highest among European countries, however, significant regional disparities were documented. Moreover, stroke-onset-to-first-door times and in-hospital procedural times in the EVT centers were comparable to those reported in the randomized controlled trials performed in high-volume tertiary hospitalspublishersversionpublishe

Estudo de conservação sob atmosfera controlada na qualidade da cereja cv. Satin

A cereja é muito apreciada e apresenta um tempo de comercialização muito curto devido a ser um fruto altamente perecível. Técnicas de conservação pós-colheita são essenciais para manter a qualidade da cereja até serem consumidas. Baixas temperaturas são utilizadas para retardar o processo de deterioração da fruta e como complemento a aplicação de atmosferas controladas permite retardar o processo de amadurecimento e envelhecimento. A diminuição de oxigénio e o aumento de dióxido de carbono e azoto inibe o amadurecimento, mantendo o sabor e a qualidade da fruta. Neste trabalho experimental, cerejas da cultivar Satin foram conservadas em câmaras de refrigeração no produtor e nas instalações do CATAA com equipamento de atmosferas controladas. Quatro atmosferas controladas com diferentes combinações de oxigénio e dióxido de carbono foram testadas e o seu efeito na qualidade das cerejas foi avaliado. Ao longo do tempo de conservação as cerejas foram analisadas a diferentes níveis: qualidade (peso, dureza, cor e sólidos solúveis totais), microbiológico e organolético. Os resultados de temperatura e humidade no produtor e no CATAA, foram comparados e indicam que ambas as situações apresentam ótimas condições de conservação. No entanto, complementar a conservação com atmosferas controladas sugere que a qualidade da cereja é mantida por mais tempo, através da minimização do envelhecimento e processo de amadurecimento.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estudo de conservação sob atmosfera controlada na qualidade da cereja cv. Satin.

A cerejeira (Prunus avium L.) é uma espécie pertencente à subfamília das Prunóideas e a produção de cereja apresenta elevada importância económica na região da Beira Interior, que, embora não seja a região com maior área de produção é a principal região de produção de Portugal. A cereja apresenta um elevado teor de compostos bioativos como vitamina C, fibra, antocianinas, quercetina e carotenóides relacionados com a prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares, diabetes e cancro (McCune et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2016). No entanto, este fruto não climatérico deteriora-se rapidamente após a colheita apresentando alterações na cor da pele, acastanhamento do pedúnculo, desidratação, amolecimento da polpa, diminuição da acidez e apodrecimento (Dugan & Roberts, 1997; Wang et al., 2016). A refrigeração, combinada com a utilização de atmosferas controladas, visa o atraso da deterioração e o consequente prolongamento da vida útil alargando o período de oferta. Esta técnica consiste no armazenamento a baixa temperatura num ambiente com uma concentração elevada de CO2, uma concentração baixa de O2 e uma humidade relativa elevada (Andrade et al., 2019). Os valores indicados na bibliografia relativos à concentração de CO2 variam entre 5% e 20% (Gross et al., 2016) e, para a concentração de O2, encontram-se entre 1% (Gross et al., 2016) e 10% (Ben-Yehoshua et al., 2005)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio