Desenvolvimento de equipamento lúdico de processamento de plástico reciclado

This project aims to increase literacy related to plastics recycling, associated technological processes and the creation of new products made with this raw material. Plastic materials present and contribute to a shallow environmental impact throughout their life cycle, except at the end of life. If discarded into the environment, they will be a source of contamination for thousands of years. It is therefore essential, on one hand, to develop recycling processes and incorporate this raw material in new products and, on the other hand, to create acceptance of these products made with recycled raw material in society. The circular economy is an alternative to the current linear, make, use, dispose of, economy model, to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the most value from them while in use, and recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of their service life. The Precious Plastics project was started in 2013 by Dave Hakkens (Netherlands) and replicated in several locations worldwide. The University of Aveiro, in collaboration with Design Factory Aveiro and with the support of the project "INTEGRA@TEC -Transfer of integrated skills and generating business innovation in the Central Region". It developed a set of recycled plastics processing equipment in 2019, which integrated the Smart Plastic Lab, which has a pole in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Students have already used the equipment, professors and researchers for several scientific-technological dissemination and exploration actions, namely activities of the Summer Academy of the University of Aveiro, hackathons of the OceanWisee project and several masters' works. They will now also be in Precious Plastics Aveiro, a project to be developed by the University of Aveiro. This project was funded by the Portuguese Institute for Sports and Youth through the Youth Participatory Budget Portugal, which will bring together new equipment adapted for better transportability to be taken to presentations. The project Precious Plastics Aveiro aims to create a creative recycling unit, with offsite activities developed by the Living Science Centre Factory and activities in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Environment and Planning, as well as in the Design Factory Aveiro.O presente projeto visa contribuir para o aumento da literacia relacionada com a reciclagem de plásticos, dos processos tecnológicos associados e da criação de novos produtos feitos com esta matéria-prima, de uma forma lúdica. Os materiais plásticos apresentam e contribuem para um muito baixo impacto ambiental ao longo do seu ciclo de vida, exceto no final de vida, pois se descartados para o meio ambiente serão fonte de contaminação por milhares de anos. Importa, pois, por um lado desenvolver processos de reciclagem e incorporação desta matéria-prima em novos produtos e por outro lado criar aceitação destes produtos feitos com matéria-prima reciclada na sociedade. É neste contexto que o presente projeto tem a sua génese, inspirado no projeto Precious Plastics, um projeto de desenvolvimento de equipamento de reciclagem de plástico aberto (“open source”), assente num conjunto de máquina e ferramentas que trituram, fundem e injetam plástico reciclado, permitindo a criação de novos produtos a partir de plástico reciclado em pequena escala. O projeto Precious Plastics iniciado em 2013 por Dave Hakkens (Países Baixos) tem vindo a ser replicado em vários pontos do mundo, tendo a Universidade de Aveiro, em parceria com a Design Factory Aveiro, apoiados pelo projeto “INTEGRA@TEC –Transferência de competências integradas e geradoras de inovação empresarial na Região Centro”, desenvolvido, em 2019, um conjunto de equipamentos de processamento de plásticos reciclados que integraram o Smart Plastic Lab, que dispõe de um polo no Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica da Universidade de Aveiro e um segundo polo na Design Factory Aveiro do Parque Ciência e Inovação. Os equipamentos serviram já diversas ações de disseminação e exploração cientifico-tecnológica, nomeadamente atividades da Academia de Verão da Universidade de Aveiro, hackathons do projeto OceanWise diversos trabalhos de mestrado. Serão agora enquadrados também no projeto Precious Plastics Aveiro, um projeto a ser desenvolvido pela Universidade de Aveiro. Este é financiado pelo Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude por via do Orçamento Participativo Jovem Portugal, que juntará novos equipamentos, adaptados para uma maior transportabilidade, de modo a serem levados às escolas do ensino básico e secundário. O projeto Precious Plastics Aveiro tem como objetivo a criação de uma unidade de reciclagem criativa, com atividades deslocalizadas desenvolvidas pela Fábrica Centro de Ciência Viva, e atividades nos Departamentos de Engenharia Mecânica e de Ambiente e Ordenamento, assim como na Design Factory Aveiro.Mestrado em Engenharia Mecânic

Avaliação da eficácia de uma intervenção educacional na redução da neofobia alimentar em idosos

A neofobia alimentar, que consiste na resistência a experimentar comida nova e/ou diferente da considerada “normal”, apresenta a evidente desvantagem de diminuir a variedade alimentar e, em consequência, o adequado aporte nutricional. Os estudos visando a compreensão e tentativa de superação da neofobia alimentar têm sido, quase exclusivamente, direcionados à população infantil. No entanto, sabe-se que a população idosa também apresenta atitudes caracteristicamente neofóbicas. Estudos recentes apontam para que um aumento da seletividade na escolha alimentar possa estar associado a um agravamento do estado nutricional desta população, comprometendo a qualidade e quantidade da ingestão alimentar. Acredita-se que uma redução dos comportamentos neofóbicos em idosos pode contribuir significativamente para a melhoria do seu estado nutricional e da sua qualidade de vida. Neste trabalho, propõe-se e avalia-se a eficácia de um protocolo de intervenção de educação alimentar em idosos institucionalizados, que possuam as capacidades psico-motoras necessárias, composta por quatro vertentes: palestras, workshops, jogos e tertúlias. A avaliação da eficácia da intervenção realizada foi medida através da comparação da quantidade de comida ingerida, antes e depois da intervenção, em três pratos que a população idosa em que se aplicou o protocolo demonstrava, tipicamente, relutância em ingerir: Arroz do Mar; Massa de Atum, Ovo e Salsa e Esparguete com Carne de Vaca Picada e Molho de Bolonhesa. Concluiu-se que houve um aumento estatisticamente significativo na quantidade ingerida de Arroz do Mar, bem como do número de idosos que ingeriram, na íntegra, o prato de Arroz do Mar e de Carne de Vaca Picada e Molho de Bolonhesa. Por outro lado, concluiu-se, através da aplicação de dois questionários, que tanto os idosos como os profissionais que trabalhavam com eles, consideraram a intervenção eficaz, sendo que a maioria dos idosos e dos cuidadores notaram diferenças nos comportamentos alimentares.Food neophobia, the resistance to try new food and/or different food from the one considered "normal", has the obvious disadvantage of decreasing food selection and, therefore, the appropriate nutritional intake. The studies aiming to understand and attempting to overcome food neophobia have been almost exclusively directed to the child population. However, it is known that the elderly population also shows characteristically neophobic attitudes. Recent studies indicate that an increased selectivity in food choice may be associated with a worsening of the nutritional status of this population, compromising the quality and quantity of food intake. It is believed that a reduction in neophobic behavior in the elderly can significantly contribute to the improvement of their nutritional status and quality of life. In this paper, we propose and evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional education intervention protocol in institutionalized elderly with the necessary psycho-motor skills. It is composed by four components: lectures, workshops, games and gatherings. The effectiveness evaluation of the performed intervention was measured by comparing the amount of eaten food before and after the intervention, with reference to three dishes which the elderly population to whom the protocol was applied showed typically to be reluctant to eat: Sea Rice; Tuna Pasta, Egg and Parsley and Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bolognese Sauce. It was concluded that there was a statistically significant increase in the amount ingested of Sea Rice, as well as in the number of elderly people who ate entirely the Sea Rice and Spaghetti with Minced Beef and Bolognese Sauce dishes. On the other hand, it was concluded, by applying two qualitative questionnaires, that both seniors and professionals considered the intervention effective, most seniors and caregivers having noted differences in eating behavior

Source apportionment of PM2.5 before and after COVID-19 lockdown in an urban-industrial area of the Lisbon metropolitan area, Portugal

The lockdowns held due to the COVID-19 pandemic conducted to changes in air quality. This study aimed to understand the variability of PM2.5 levels and composition in an urban-industrial area of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and to identify the contribution of the different sources. The composition of PM2.5 was assessed for 24 elements (by PIXE), secondary inorganic ions and black carbon. The PM2.5 mean concentration for the period (December 2019 to November 2020) was 13 ± 11 μg.m−3. The most abundant species in PM2.5 were BC (19.9%), SO42− (15.4%), NO3− (11.6%) and NH4+ (5.3%). The impact of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the PM levels was found by comparison with the previous six years. The concentrations of all the PM2.5 components, except Al, Ba, Ca, Si and SO42−, were significantly higher in the winter/pre-confinement than in post-confinement period. A total of seven sources were identified by Positive Matrix Factorisation (PMF): soil, secondary sulphate, fuel-oil combustion, sea, vehicle non-exhaust, vehicle exhaust, and industry. Sources were greatly influenced by the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with vehicle exhaust showing the sharpest decrease. Secondary sulphate predominated in summer/post-confinement. PM2.5 levels and composition also varied with the types of air mass trajectories.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Source apportionment of PM2.5 in the pre-pandemic versus pandemic period in an area near Lisbon: lessons for air quality management

Trabalho apresentado em European Aerosol Conference - EAC2023, 3-8 setembro 2023, Málaga, EspanhaN/

The impact of thyroid hormone dysfunction on ischemic heart disease

Thyroid hormones have a central role in cardiovascular homeostasis. In myocardium, these hormones stimulate both diastolic myocardial relaxation and systolic myocardial contraction, have a pro-angiogenic effect and an important role in extracellular matrix maintenance. Thyroid hormones modulate cardiac mitochondrial function. Dysfunction of thyroid axis impairs myocardial bioenergetic status. Both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism are associated with a higher incidence of coronary events and an increased risk of heart failure progression. Endothelial function is also impaired in hypothyroid state, with decreased nitric oxide-mediated vascular relaxation. In heart disease, particularly in ischemic heart disease, abnormalities in thyroid hormone levels are common and are an important factor to be considered. In fact, low thyroid hormone levels should be interpreted as a cardiovascular risk factor. Regarding ischemic heart disease, during the late post-myocardial infarction period, thyroid hormones modulate left ventricular structure, function and geometry. Dysfunction of thyroid axis might even be more prevalent in the referred condition since there is an upregulation of type 3 deiodinase in myocardium, producing a state of local cardiac hypothyroidism. In this focused review, we summarize the central pathophysiological and clinical links between altered thyroid function and ischemic heart disease. Finally, we highlight the potential benefits of thyroid hormone supplementation as a therapeutic target in ischemic heart disease

Thyroid Hormones within the Normal Range and Cardiac Function in the General Population: The EPIPorto Study

Background: Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are associated with marked changes in cardiac structure and function. However, the association of thyroid function within the normal range with cardiac structure and function in the general population remains uncertain. Methods: Eight hundred thirty-five subjects aged ≥45 years from the EPIPorto cohort (evaluation between 2006 and 2008) were cross-sectionally analyzed. We excluded participants with TSH, free T4 (FT4), or free T3 (FT3) outside of the reference range or with self-reported cardiovascular or thyroid disease. Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by echocardiography. We used linear regression models unadjusted and adjusted for sex and age (model 1), and sex, age, BMI, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking (model 2). Nonlinear associations were assessed using restricted cubic splines. Results: The mean age was 61.5 years (SD 10.5); 61.1% of the patients were women. In the adjusted model 2, heart rate was positively associated with FT3; diastolic blood pressure was positively associated with TSH; LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes were inversely associated with TSH, and ejection fraction was nonlinearly associated with FT3, with higher ejection fractions near the limits of the reference range. Left ventricle (LV) posterior wall thickness was nonlinearly associated with FT4 in the adjusted model 1, with a greater thickness near the limits of the reference range. Regarding diastolic function, no significant associations were observed in adjusted models. Conclusions: Thyroid function within the reference range was associated with heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac structure, and function. Increasing thyroid function (lower TSH, higher FT4, or higher FT3) was associated with a higher heart rate, a lower diastolic blood pressure, and larger LV volumes. LV wall thickness and ejection fraction had a U-shaped association with thyroid hormones.This work was supported by the DOCnet project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000003), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the NETDIAMOND project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016385), supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, Lisbon’s Regional Operational Program 2020, and national funds from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology – both projects through the Cardiovascular Research Center (UnIC, FCT 51/94) – and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant POCI/SAU-ESP/61492/2004) and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862, ref. info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UID/DTP/04750/2013/PT)

Association of thyroid function, within the euthyroid range, with cardiovascular risk: The EPIPorto study

Background: Thyroid hormones are important modulators of cardiovascular function. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are known to contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. It remains uncertain whether thyroid hormones level within the euthyroid range are associated with cardiometabolic risk. We aimed to evaluate the association between thyroid function levels within the euthyroid range and cardiovascular risk in a population-based cohort. Methods: Eight hundred thirty-five subjects aged ≥45 years from the EPIPorto population-based cohort were included. We excluded participants with TSH, free T4 (FT4), or free T3 (FT3) outside of the reference range, or with previous cardiovascular or thyroid disease. The associations between thyroid function, cardiovascular risk factors and the 10-year estimated risk of cardiovascular events (using SCORE2 and SCORE2-OP) were evaluated in linear and logistic regression models, crudely and adjusting for age, sex, BMI, diabetes, and smoking. Results: The mean age of the participants was 61.5 (SD 10.5) years and 38.9% were men. Eleven percent of the participants had diabetes, 47.8% had dyslipidemia, and 54.8% had hypertension. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 (SD 4.6) kg/m2, and the median (percentile25-75) 10-year risk of cardiovascular events was 5.46% (2.92, 10.11). Participants with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. Lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 levels were associated with higher prevalence of diabetes and more adverse lipid profile. Higher TSH, lower FT3 and lower FT3/FT4 ratio were associated with lower eGFR. Lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and higher FT4 were associated with an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events. Conclusions: In a population-based study, variations of thyroid function within the euthyroid range were associated with cardiovascular risk factors. On one hand, individuals with higher BMI, larger waist circumference and higher hs-CRP had higher levels of FT3 and FT3/FT4 ratio. On the other hand, a decreased conversion of T4 to T3 (lower FT3, lower FT3/FT4 ratio and/or higher FT4) was associated with a higher prevalence of diabetes, a more adverse lipid profile, a lower eGFR and an increased 10-year risk of cardiovascular events. Copyright © 2022 Neves, Fontes-Carvalho, Borges-Canha, Leite, von Hafe, Vale, Martins, Guimarães, Carvalho, Leite-Moreira and Azevedo.This work was supported by the DOCnet project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000003), supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and the NETDIAMOND project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016385), supported by European Structural and Investment Funds, Lisbon’s Regional Operational Program 2020, and national funds from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology – both projects through the Cardiovascular Research Center (UnIC, FCT 51/94) – and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (grant POCI/SAU-ESP/61492/2004) and the Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia – Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862, ref. UID/DTP/04750/2013). This work is financed by national funds through the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020

Psicose inicial: evolução clínica e psicossocial dos doentes em programa especializado, comparativamente ao tratamento habitual

Introduction: Following national and international models of specialized interventions for early‑onsetpsychotic disorders, these author’s department implemented in 2010 its own Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis (PIPP). This is an intensive, multidisciplinary approach programme for patients presenting with psychotic symptoms in their first five years, in order to improve care and reach better recovery. The aim of the present research was to address the impact of such specialized intervention on the recovery of patients experiencing early onset psychosis. Methods: We retrospetively studied a set of clinical and psychosocial variables in a group of patients consecutively admitted to the PIPP, from 2010 on, after being diagnosed with psyvhosis in its first five years, being then followed for five more in the programme. For comparison, we studied the same variables in a historic sample of early‑onset psychosis patients that were offered treatment‑as‑usual in psychiatry outpatient consultation (N‑PIPP), before PIPP was created. We performed statistical analyses using SPSS 22 software.Results: Compared to the N‑PIPP group, patients in the PIPP achieved significantly lower risk for inwards readmission (0.40, p=0.043) and defnitive treatment drop‑out (RR=0.21, p=0.011); and they were more likely to get a job or social occupation (RR=1.83, p=0.048). They also seemed to attain higher clinical remission, despite not statistically signifacant (RR=1.33, p=0.184).Conclusion: The approach provided by a specialized multidisciplinary programme for patients with early‑onset psychosis has a favourable effect on their clinical and social outcome.Introdução: A par dos modelos nacionais e internacionais de intervenção na fase inicial das perturbações psicóticas, teve início, em 2010, um Programa de Intervenção Precoce em Psicose (PIPP) na instituição dos autores. Este proporciona um acompanhamento multidisciplinar intensivo, a doentes nos primeiros cinco anos de apresentação de sintomas psicóticos, visando otimizar a abordagem para que alcancem uma melhor recuperação e evolução. Foi objetivo do presente trabalho avaliar o impacto dessa intervenção especializada sobre a evolução dos doentes em fase inicial de uma perturbação psicótica. Metodologia: Foi efetuado um estudo retrospetivo de um conjunto de variáveis clínicas e sociais de uma amostra de doentes admitidos consecutivamente no PIPP, desde 2010, por um diagnóstico de psicose com menos de cinco anos de evolução, e acompanhados durante os cinco anos seguintes no programa. Comparativamente, analisámos o comportamento das mesmas variáveis numa amostra histórica de doentes com psicose inicial tratados de forma genérica (N-PIPP), previamente à criação do programa. A análise estatística fez-se com recurso ao programa informático SPSS 22. Resultados: Comparativamente ao grupo N-PIPP, os doentes do grupo PIPP apresentaram, ao fim de cinco anos, um risco significativamente menor de reinternamento (RR=0,33, p=0,043) e de abandono definitivo do tratamento (RR=0,21, p=0,011); e uma maior probabilidade de ocupação social ou profissional (RR= 1,83, p=0,048). Apresentaram também maior remissão sintomática apesar de não se ter apurado significância estatística nessa associação (RR= 1,33, p=0,184).  Conclusões: O acompanhamento dos doentes em fase de psicose inicial num programa especializado tem um efeito favorável na sua evolução clínica e social

Oral glucose tolerance testing at 1 h and 2 h: relationship with glucose and cardiometabolic parameters and agreement for pre-diabetes diagnosis in patients with morbid obesity

Background: One hour plasma glucose concentration (1hPG) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may be an alternative to 2-h plasma glucose concentration (2hPG) in the identification of individuals at increased risk of hyperglycaemia, although its role is not fully understood. Aim: We aim to investigate the relationship of these measures with other glucose parameters, as well as their relationship with cardiometabolic risk markers and the level of agreement for prediabetes mellitus diagnosis, in a sample of patients with morbid obesity. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 656 patients with morbid obesity without diagnosed diabetes. To define prediabetes with 2hPG, 2022 American Diabetes Association guidelines criteria were used, while for 1hPG, glucose ≥ 155 mg/dL was considered. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient was used to assess the agreement between both measures of prediabetes mellitus diagnosis. Results: A Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.405 (p < 0.001) was obtained. The 1hPG were positively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (ρ = 0.281, p < 0.001), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (ρ = 0.581, p < 0.001), glycated haemoglobin (Hb1AC) (ρ = 0.347, p < 0.001) and were negatively correlated with homeostatic model assessment for cell-β function (HOMA-β) (ρ = −0.092, p = 0.018). 2hPG were also correlated with the same parameters, except for HOMA-β. Conclusion: A fair agreement between 1 and 2hPG was verified. 1hPG criteria may be a useful indicator of β-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance in patients with morbid obesity without diabetes diagnosis. © 2022, The Author(s).Funding text 1: We would like to acknowledge the support of all the endocrinologists, surgeons and nutritionists of the Multidisciplinary Group for Surgical Management of Obesity.; Funding text 2: Isabel Maia holds a PhD Grant (ref: SFRH/BD/117371/2016) co-funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (The Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) and the POCH/FSE programme

Beta Cell Function as a Baseline Predictor of Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Background: Obesity is a multifactorial disease, which is strongly associated to other metabolic disorders. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment of morbid obesity. The role of beta cell function in weight loss after bariatric surgery is uncertain. Aim: To evaluate the association between beta cell function and percentage of total body weight loss (TBWL%) 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study in patients with morbid obesity followed in our center between January 2010 and July 2018. Patients were excluded if they had diabetes at baseline or missing data on the needed parameters. We evaluated baseline Homeostatic Model Assessment of IR, Homeostatic Model Assessment of ß-cell function (HOMA-beta), Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index, and Matsuda and DeFronzo index, and TBWL% at years 1 to 4. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association of indexes of insulin resistance with TBWL% (unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and type of surgery). Results: There were 1,561 patients included in this analysis. HOMA-beta was negatively associated with TBWL% at second, third, and fourth years post-surgery (ß = -1.04 [-1.82 to -0.26], p<0.01; ß = -1.16 [-2.13 to -0.19], p=0.02; ß = -1.29 [-2.64 to 0.06], p=0.061, respectively). This was not observed in the first year post-surgery nor for the other indexes. Glycemia at baseline was positively associated to EWL% at second and third years post-surgery. Conclusion: ß-cell function at baseline seems to be associated to long-term weight loss, explicitly after the first year post bariatric surgery. This might be a helpful predictor of weight loss in clinical practice.The authors would like to thank all the CRIO group members for following these patients: John Rodrigues Preto; Eduardo Jorge Lima da Costa; Hugo Miguel Santos Sousa; André Manuel Costa Pinho; Carla Cristina Oliveira Rodrigues Teixeira Galego; Maria Flora Ferreira Sampaio Carvalho Correia; Cidália Fátima Castro Carção Gil; Diva Bizarro Figueiredo Melim; Eduardo Gil Ferreira Rodrigues Pinto; Marco António Costa Silva; Cristina Sarmento Pontes Martins; Luis Miguel Gonçalves Pereira; Inês Vasconcelos Sousa Magalhães; Isabel Maria Boavista Vieira Marques Brandão; Sertório Manuel Freitas Andrade, and Patrícia Maria Lopes Nunes. The authors would also like to thank the patients and the hospital for their support. The authors would like to thank to Associação dos Amigos do Serviço de Endocrinologia do Hospital de S. João