Supply chain traceability using blockchain

Mestrado em Gestão MBARastreabilidade é a capacidade de rastrear a origem, a história e a distribuição de produtos numa cadeia logística. Para implementar rastreabilidade completa, é crucial estabelecer uma cadeia de custódia, normalmente definida como uma sequência de procedimentos que valida a propriedade e o controle de produtos ao longo da cadeia de logística. No mercado atual globalizado, as cadeias de logística podem abranger um grande número de países e fronteiras e exigir a interoperabilidade de numerosas organizações. Esta vastidão e complexidade impacta a competitividade dos negócios e dificulta a segurança, e a transparência da cadeia de logística. A implementação da rastreabilidade é fundamental para que as organizações possam posteriormente demonstrar a rastreabilidade, proveniência e integridade e conformidade do produto. A tecnologia Blockchain, com os seus atributos de descentralização, transparência e imutabilidade, tem sido apontada como destinada a revolucionar vários setores, com aplicação ao gerenciamento de cadeias de logística. O presente estudo começa pela revisão da literatura publicada para encontrar aspetos que influenciam o problema e segue a Metodologia de Pesquisa de Projeto para analisar os requisitos e propor uma solução para um sistema de gestão de cadeia de logística com melhor rastreabilidade. Os resultados da tese são artefactos de arquitetura, incluindo um contracto inteligente para Ethereum e um sistema de autenticação baseado em certificados, que permitem a implementação de um sistema de cadeia de logística suportado em Ethereum Blockchain que providencia aos seus utilizadores e ao consumidor final, as funcionalidades de proveniência, rastreabilidade e cadeia de custódia.Traceability is the ability to trace the origin, processing history, and the distribution of products in a Supply chain. In order to implement a complete traceability system, it is crucial to establish a chain of custody. Chain of Custody is typically defined as a sequence of procedures that validates the ownership and control of products along the supply chain. In the current global marketplace supply chains can span a huge number of countries and require interoperation of a multitude of organizations. This vastness of supply chains impacts business competitiveness since it adds complexity and can difficult securing traceability, chain of custody and transparency. In this work it is proposed a complete approach for organizations to be able to demonstrate traceability, provenance (proof of origin) and product integrity and compliance. Blockchain technology with its attributes of decentralization, transparency and immutability has been touted to revolutionize several industries, and most recently has been proposed for supply chain management (SCM). The present study reviews the published literature to find the aspects that influence the problem and then follows the Design Science Research Methodology to analyze the requirements and propose a solution to a more complete traceability in SCMs. The results of this thesis were architectural artifacts, including an Ethereum SC (Smart Contract) and a certificate-based authentication system. These deliverables would allow implementation of a supply chain system over the Ethereum Blockchain that can provide decentralized and trustful assurance of the provenance, chain of custody and traceability functionalities for the participants and consumers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sialyl LewisX/A and Cytokeratin Crosstalk in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy—i4HB. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) encompasses multiple entities and is generally highly aggressive and metastatic. We aimed to determine the clinical and biological relevance of Sialyl-Lewis X and A (sLeX/A)—a fucosylated glycan involved in metastasis—in TNBC. Here, we studied tissues from 50 TNBC patients, transcripts from a TNBC dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a primary breast cancer cell line. All 50 TNBC tissue samples analysed expressed sLeX/A. Patients with high expression of sLeX/A had 3 years less disease-free survival than patients with lower expression. In tissue, sLeX/A negatively correlated with cytokeratins 5/6 (CK5/6, which was corroborated by the inverse correlation between fucosyltransferases and CK5/6 genes. Our observations were confirmed in vitro when inhibition of sLeX/A remarkably increased expression of CK5/6, followed by a decreased proliferation and invasion capacity. Among the reported glycoproteins bearing sLeX/A and based on the STRING tool, α6 integrin showed the highest interaction score with CK5/6. This is the first report on the sLeX/A expression in TNBC, highlighting its association with lower disease-free survival and its inverse crosstalk with CK5/6 with α6 integrin as a mediator. All in all, sLeX/A is critical for TNBC malignancy and a potential prognosis biomarker and therapeutic target.publishersversionpublishe

an updated review

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work received financial support from the European Commission through the GLYCOTwinning project (Grant Pascoal et al. 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1350101 Frontiers in Immunology 16 frontiersin.org Agreement: 101079417). CP thanks FCT for the grant. BP (EJPRD/0001/2020/ B2) thanks EJPRD COFUND-EJP N 825575 for her fellowship through the ProDGNE project (EJPRD/0001/2020). PG thanks the CDG & Allies – Professionals and Patient Associations International Network for the 9th Liliana Scientific Initiation Scholarship. HC thanks FCT for the CEEC the funding project 2023.00074.RESTART. Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2024 Pascoal, Francisco, Mexia, Pereira, Granjo, Coelho, Barbosa, dos Reis Ferreira and Videira.Glycosylation is a critical post-translational modification that plays a pivotal role in several biological processes, such as the immune response. Alterations in glycosylation can modulate the course of various pathologies, such as the case of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of more than 160 rare and complex genetic diseases. Although the link between glycosylation and immune dysfunction has already been recognized, the immune involvement in most CDG remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. In this study, we provide an update on the immune dysfunction and clinical manifestations of the 12 CDG with major immune involvement, organized into 6 categories of inborn errors of immunity according to the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). The immune involvement in phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2)-CDG - the most frequent CDG - was comprehensively reviewed, highlighting a higher prevalence of immune issues during infancy and childhood and in R141H-bearing genotypes. Finally, using PMM2-CDG as a model, we point to links between abnormal glycosylation patterns in host cells and possibly favored interactions with microorganisms that may explain the higher susceptibility to infection. Further characterizing immunopathology and unusual host-pathogen adhesion in CDG can not only improve immunological standards of care but also pave the way for innovative preventive measures and targeted glycan-based therapies that may improve quality of life for people living with CDG.publishersversionpublishe

Assessment of G2V and V2G Systems for the Integration of Renewable Generation

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências e TecnologiaO consumo de combustíveis fósseis em larga escala e os problemas ambientais resultantes da emissão de gases de efeito estufa para a atmosfera criaram uma necessidade de alteração dos hábitos de mobilidade. Como resposta a estas necessidades tem existido um forte investimento efetuado pelas empresas do setor automóvel no desenvolvimento de veículos elétricos (VEs), bem como nas tecnologias a estes associados.A falta de controlo no carregamento dos VEs pode introduzir maiores picos na rede elétrica. Contudo, utilizando a estratégia Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V), de acordo com preços ou disponibilidade de energia renovável, podem-se gerar benefícios tanto para a rede como para o utilizador. Com tecnologia adequada, além de absorver energia da rede, os veículos também podem usar parte da capacidade de armazenamento para injetar energia na rede, a fim de garantir o equilíbrio entre a geração e a procura, usando o sistema Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), mas à custa de uma degradação da bateria. Esta dissertação teve como objetivo analisar as diferentes metodologias e tecnologias para implementação de G2V e V2G, assim como os seus potenciais benefícios e limitações para a rede e utilizadores. Para tal, foi feita uma avaliação da autonomia dos VEs, considerando dois diferentes climas, o seu consumo diário, a capacidade das baterias (para locomoção e para V2G), o preço das mesmas e o tempo de carga, considerando três tipos de penetração, 10%, 25% e 50%, em Portugal, em três dias típicos: inverno, primavera e verão. Avaliaram-se assim os benefícios técnicos nas três estratégias de controlo analisadas: sem controlo, com controlo G2V e com controlo V2G.Por fim, avaliaram-se também os benefícios económicos, quer para a rede quer para os proprietários de cada modelo de VE, nas três estratégias analisadas. Para esta avaliação considerou-se a degradação diária das baterias, associada ao uso de V2G, através de um modelo em ambiente Simulink. Verificou-se assim que ambas as estratégias podem gerar grandes benefícios para a rede e para o consumidor.The large-scale consumption of fossil fuels and the environmental problems arising from the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere have created a need to change mobility habits. As an answer to these needs, there has been a strong investment by automotive companies in the development of electric vehicles, as well as in the associated technologies.The lack of control in electric vehicles charging may introduce higher peaks in the electrical grid. However, by using the Grid-to-Vehicle (G2V) strategy, according to the prices or availability of renewable energy, benefits can be generated for both the grid and the user. With the right technology, in addition to absorbing energy from the grid, the vehicles can also use part of the storage capacity to inject energy into the grid to ensure the matching between renewable generation and demand, using Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), but at the expense of battery degradation. The goal of this dissertation is to analyze the different methodologies and technologies for the implementation of G2V and V2G, as well as their potential benefits and limitations for the grid and users. To accomplish this, it has been made an evaluation of the autonomy of the electric vehicles considering a wide range of influential factors: two different climates, their daily consumption, the capacity of their batteries (for mobility and for V2G), their price and charging time, three types of penetration (10%, 25% and 50%), in Portugal, and, finally, in three typical days: winter, spring and summer. Thus, the technical benefits of three control strategies (without control, with G2V control and with V2G control) were analyzed.Finally, the economic benefits were also assessed, both for the grid and for the owners of each EV model, in the three analyzed strategies. For this evaluation, the daily degradation of the batteries was considered, associated to the use of V2G, through a model in Simulink environment. It was thus verified that both strategies can generate great benefits for the grid and for the consumer

O trabalho criativo em Portugal: uma análise a partir do caso do design de comunicação

Esta investigação ocupa-se do trabalho criativo, procurando perceber sociologicamente a heterogeneidade de situações que o compreendem, o seu modo de organização e funcionamento e a sua importância atual. Centra-se num domínio exemplar do setor cultural e criativo e, em sentido mais amplo, da economia criativa – o design gráfico e de comunicação –, analisando-o à luz das especificidades do contexto português. Como se procura argumentar ao longo da tese, o design constitui hoje um objeto privilegiado quer para compreender e debater a realidade prática do trabalho criativo, quer para problematizar algumas das conceções homogeneizantes e simplificadoras que, no quadro de uma retórica que ainda é hoje hegemónica nos contextos técnico-científicos, políticos, económicos e mediáticos, se têm afirmado sobre o trabalho criativo e sobre o seu concurso para os processos de desenvolvimento socioeconómico na atualidade. Questiona-se, pois, o que representa hoje o trabalho criativo em design gráfico e de comunicação e qual a sua relevância (política, económica, social, cultural) em Portugal; em que situações e sob que condições concretas é atualmente desenvolvido o trabalho dos designers gráficos e de comunicação, identificando os principais vetores de transformação e as grandes mudanças ocorridas nas últimas décadas; quais são as especificidades que distinguem este tipo de trabalho criativo de outras formas de trabalho “não-criativas”; e, por fim, como são, no seu âmbito, concebidas e aplicadas a noção de criatividade e outras noções associadas, como inovação, originalidade, autoria, empreendedorismo. Para tal, propôs-se um modelo analítico que, compatibilizando uma abordagem micro e macrossociológica, pretendeu captar, na sua complexidade, a multiplicidade e heterogeneidade de discursos, contextos e práticas profissionais em design gráfico e de comunicação em Portugal. Adotando uma perspetiva simultaneamente sincrónica e diacrónica, esta investigação procurou caraterizar o modo como esta área de atividade criativa se foi desenvolvendo no decurso do tempo; quais os seus principais protagonistas; quais os diversos discursos e retóricas (políticos, académicos, empresariais, mediáticos e outros) hoje existentes sobre o setor do design em Portugal, assim como as eventuais medidas e instrumentos de política pública que, no decurso do tempo, foram sendo especificamente dirigidas ao seu desenvolvimento e consolidação; e, por fim, quais os múltiplos contextos de trabalho em design gráfico e de comunicação em Portugal e o tipo de relações socioprofissionais que aqui se constituem e desenvolvem. Metodologicamente, foram mobilizados distintos instrumentos e técnicas de pesquisa, de forma a obter-se um olhar sociológico mais amplo, multifacetado e complexo acerca do mercado de trabalho em design gráfico e de comunicação em PortugalThis investigation deals with creative work, seeking to sociologically understand the heterogeneity of situations that comprise it, its mode of organization and functioning and its current importance. It focuses on an exemplary domain of the cultural and creative sector and, in a broader sense, of the creative economy –graphic and communication design –, analyzing it in the light of the specificities of the Portuguese context. As we try to argue throughout the thesis, design is today a privileged object either to understand and debate the practical reality of creative work, or to problematize some of the homogenizing and simplifying conceptions that, within the framework of a rhetoric that is still hegemonic in the technical-scientific, political, economic and media contexts have asserted themselves on creative work and its contribution to the processes of socio-economic development today.It is questioned what creative work in graphic and communication design represents today and what is its relevance (politically, economically, socially, culturally) in Portugal; in which situations and under which concrete conditions the work of graphic and communication designers is currently developed, identifying itsmain vectors of transformation and the great changes that have taken place in recent decades; what are the singularitiesthat distinguish this type of creative work from other “non-creative” forms of work; and, finally, how, within its scope, the notion of creativity and otherassociated notions, such as innovation, originality, authorship, entrepreneurship, are conceived and applied.To this end, an analytical model was proposed which, combining a micro and macro-sociological approach, intended to capture, in its complexity, the multiplicity and heterogeneity of discourses, contexts and professional practice in graphic and communicationdesignin Portugal.Adopting a simultaneously synchronic and diachronic perspective, this investigation sought to characterize the way in whichthis area of creative activity was developed over time; who are its main protagonists; what are the various discourses and rhetoric (in political, academic, business, media spheres, among others) currently existing about the design sector in Portugal, as well as the possible measures and instruments of public policy that, over time, were being specifically addressed to its development and consolidation; and, finally, what are the multiple contexts of work in graphic and communication design in Portugal and the kind of socio-professional relationships that are constituted and developed in this field.Methodologically, different instruments and research techniques were mobilized in order to obtain a broader, multifaceted and complex sociological look at thegraphic and communication design labour market in Portugal.Esta investigação foi financiada pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) com a bolsa individual de doutoramento SFRH/BD/84115/2012, no âmbito do Programa Operacional Potencial Humano (POPH), tendo beneficiado de acolhimento científico por parte do Centro de Estudos Sociais (CES) da Universidade de Coimbra

A narrativa vídeo aplicada ao multimédia

Dissertação de mestrado em Comunicação Multimédia, Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, 2014Exame público realizado em 19 de Março de 2015O multimédia emergiu como um novo processo de comunicação que introduziu significativas alterações nos anteriores cânones comunicacionais. Com a presente investigação, pretendeu-se analisar, na optica do realizador vídeo, quais as alterações a nível criativo e funcional a que o mesmo ficou sujeito, face à intervenção do digital e da interatividade. O realizador de vídeo digital interativo, inserido no novo contexto tecnológico e organizacional assiste a uma migração das suas funções, em que a criação, a adaptação e enfim a produção se encontram orientadas para um consumidor activo, com exigências muito diferenciadas e em permanente evolução. Este contexto de mudança permanente exige uma procura igualmente permanente de novas soluções criativas e produtivas, com a introdução de linguagens impressivas, que motivem o utilizador/consumidor, enquanto elo determinante da comunicação multimédia

Revisiting the immunopathology of congenital disorders of glycosylation: an updated review

Glycosylation is a critical post-translational modification that plays a pivotal role in several biological processes, such as the immune response. Alterations in glycosylation can modulate the course of various pathologies, such as the case of congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a group of more than 160 rare and complex genetic diseases. Although the link between glycosylation and immune dysfunction has already been recognized, the immune involvement in most CDG remains largely unexplored and poorly understood. In this study, we provide an update on the immune dysfunction and clinical manifestations of the 12 CDG with major immune involvement, organized into 6 categories of inborn errors of immunity according to the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS). The immune involvement in phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2)-CDG - the most frequent CDG - was comprehensively reviewed, highlighting a higher prevalence of immune issues during infancy and childhood and in R141H-bearing genotypes. Finally, using PMM2-CDG as a model, we point to links between abnormal glycosylation patterns in host cells and possibly favored interactions with microorganisms that may explain the higher susceptibility to infection. Further characterizing immunopathology and unusual host-pathogen adhesion in CDG can not only improve immunological standards of care but also pave the way for innovative preventive measures and targeted glycan-based therapies that may improve quality of life for people living with CDG

A Participatory Framework for Plain Language Clinical Management Guideline Development

Sandra Brasil was supported by CDG & Allies—PPAIN funding. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.Background: Clinical management guidelines (CMGs) are decision support tools for patient care used by professionals, patients, and family caregivers. Since clinical experts develop numerous CMGs, their technical language hinders comprehension and access by nonmedical stakeholders. Additionally, the views of affected individuals and their families are often not incorporated into treatment guidelines. We developed an adequate methodology for addressing the needs and preferences of family and professional stakeholders regarding CMGs, a recently developed protocol for managing congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG), a family of rare metabolic diseases. We used the CDG community and phosphomannomutase 2 (PMM2)-CDG CMGs as a pilot to test and implement our methodology. Results: We listened to 89 PMM2-CDG families and 35 professional stakeholders and quantified their CMG-related needs and preferences through an electronic questionnaire. Most families and professionals rated CMGs as relevant (86.5% and 94.3%, respectively), and valuable (84.3% and 94.3%, respectively) in CDG management. The most identified challenges were the lack of CMG awareness (50.6% of families) and the lack of plain language CMG (39.3% of professionals). Concordantly, among families, the most suggested solution was involving them in CMG development (55.1%), while professionals proposed adapting CMGs to include plain language (71.4%). Based on these results, a participatory framework built upon health literacy principles was created to improve CMG comprehension and accessibility. The outputs are six complementary CMG-related resources differentially adapted to the CDG community’s needs and preferences, with a plain language PMM2-CDG CMG as the primary outcome. Additionally, the participants established a distribution plan to ensure wider access to all resources. Conclusions: This empowering, people-centric methodology accelerates CMG development and accessibility to all stakeholders, ultimately improving the quality of life of individuals living with a specific condition and raising the possibility of application to other clinical guidelines.publishersversionpublishe