Circular economy and consumer's engagement: an exploratory study on higher education

Background: Circular Economy has been considered one of the most powerful principles of modern society. The concerns about increasing resource consumption have forced governments and companies to look at the circular models as a hedge against resource scarcity and an engine for innovation and growth. Objectives: This research aims to bring together the Circular Economy and the consumer's perspective to perceive the impact of its choices on CE initiatives. Methods/Approach: A survey was conducted considering the consumer's engagement with the circular economy concepts. Results: The results pointed out the awareness and willingness of consumers for the transition from the linear to the circular production model, providing an added value to consumers for reducing environmental impacts. Conclusions: Consumers' behaviour can have a forefront role in building a guide with best practices to be considered by companies, designers, and consumers on implementing initiatives in the field of Circular Economy.CAPES and Science without Borders scholarship, BEX Process 10.190-13-9 (Alves) and FCT - UIDB/04728/2020; ADiTLAB, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, and FCT through R&D Unit Project Scope UIDB/00319/2020 (ALGORITMI) (Silva); and UIDB/04106/2020 (CIDMA) and UIDP/04106/2020 (Rodrigues

Comparing reverse complementary genomic words based on their distance distributions and frequencies

In this work we study reverse complementary genomic word pairs in the human DNA, by comparing both the distance distribution and the frequency of a word to those of its reverse complement. Several measures of dissimilarity between distance distributions are considered, and it is found that the peak dissimilarity works best in this setting. We report the existence of reverse complementary word pairs with very dissimilar distance distributions, as well as word pairs with very similar distance distributions even when both distributions are irregular and contain strong peaks. The association between distribution dissimilarity and frequency discrepancy is explored also, and it is speculated that symmetric pairs combining low and high values of each measure may uncover features of interest. Taken together, our results suggest that some asymmetries in the human genome go far beyond Chargaff's rules. This study uses both the complete human genome and its repeat-masked version.Comment: Post-print of a paper accepted to publication in "Interdisciplinary Sciences: Computational Life Sciences" (ISSN: 1913-2751, ESSN: 1867-1462

Dissimilar Symmetric Word Pairs in the Human Genome

In this work we explore the dissimilarity between symmetric word pairs, by comparing the inter-word distance distribution of a word to that of its reversed complement. We propose a new measure of dissimilarity between such distributions. Since symmetric pairs with different patterns could point to evolutionary features, we search for the pairs with the most dissimilar behaviour. We focus our study on the complete human genome and its repeat-masked version.Comment: Submitted 13-Feb-2017; accepted, after a minor revision, 17-Mar-2017; 11th International Conference on Practical Applications of Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, PACBB 2017, Porto, Portugal, 21-23 June, 201

BioRePortAP, an electronic clinical record coupled with a database : an example of its use in a single

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the treatment of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists in the Rheumatology Department of Hospital de Santa Maria using the BioRePortAP. Methods: The Portuguese Society of Rheumatology (SPR) developed an electronic medical chart coupled with a database for the follow up of PsA patients, the BioRePortAP, which was launched in May 2009. This evaluation was based on all the PsA patients that were on active treatment with TNF antagonists in September 2009 and were registered in the BioRePortAP. All the previous data on these patients were introduced in BioRePortAP using the prospective paper based follow up protocol that this Department was using since 1999. Only patients with more than 9 months of treatment were analyzed. Results: Forty-two patients with PsA, actively treated with anti-TNF agents in September 2009, for at least 9 months, were analyzed in BioRePortAP. Twenty-three patients were male (55%) and nineteen were female (45%). The average age of these patients was 49.8±10.9 years old, the average disease duration was of 10.7±5.6 years and the mean duration of biological therapy was of 37.8±27.8 months. For the 81% of patients with peripheral joint disease there was a mean reduction of more than 80% in the swollen and tender joint counts, and almost 50% in the health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) value. In the 19% of the patients with axial involvement the reduction of BASDAI and BASFI was not statistically significative. On top of that, PASI score suffered a reduction of 64%. Fourteen patients (33.3%) had to switch their TNF antagonist treatment. 58.8% of the switches were due to adverse effects and 41.2% due to therapy failure. Regarding the 56 adverse reactions registered, only one was a severe reaction. The remaining adverse reactions were not severe and 67% of them were due to infections. Discussion: The results of this first report of the use of the BioRePortAP in clinical practice confirm the efficacy and safety of TNF antagonist treatment in PsA. The results shown here elucidate the potential applications of BioRePortAP as a tool for efficacy and safety assessment of PsA patients treated with biotechnological drugs

Montemuro - A Última Rota da Transumância

A profilaxia sanitária de algumas doenças infecto-contagiosas que afectam os ovinos recomenda a restrição da circulação de rebanhos, impondo também sérias restrições às transições de animais. Duas das doenças de maior importância sanitária em ovinos, quer pela sua elevada contagiosidade, quer pelas suas consequências na saúde animal são a Brucelose e a Agaláxia contagiosa. Destaca-se a Brucelose por ser a considerada a maior Zoonose do mundo e pela incidência elevada na população humana portuguesa e em especial na região centro. Ambas as doenças se traduzem por perdas económicas relevantes nos efectivos que atingem e ambas exigem um controlo preferencialmente do tipo profiláctico uma vez que a sua terapia se revela difícil e mal sucedida na maioria dos casos. Este controlo profiláctico acarreta medidas exigentes e dispendiosas que passam pelo despiste serológico e abate dos animais positivos no caso da Brucelose e vacinações semestrais no caso da Agaláxia, bem como medidas complementares de higiene que visam impedir o contágio entre animais da mesma exploração, entre animais de explorações distintas e cujo incumprimento impede qualquer eficácia das medidas anteriores. Para que a transumância se torne uma prática segura é essencial que, à realidade destes riscos sanitários, seja dada a importância devida por todos os intervenientes na sanidade animal e sejam implementadas medidas seguras para o seu controlo. Até lá, não poderemos deixar de os considerar uma verdadeira ameaça à prática da transumância no nosso país e em particular na nossa região

Induction of stress tolerance in Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus by the addition of sucrose to the growth medium

The lactic acid bacteria (LAS) play an important role in the production of fermented foods. The development of concentrated cultures of LAS, for inoculating the production vat directly (bulk starters), has eliminated many problems traditionally involved in their preparation and maintenance by the food industry. For industrial use, LAS are often preserved in a frozen or dried form, the latter preparations having lower transport and storage costs (Kets et aI. 1996). Dried cultures, however, lose viability/activity during storage, especially when kept at room temperature (Champagne et aI. 1991; Teixeira et aI. 1995a, b; Castro et aI. 1996). Attempts to improve the survival of LAS during drying have already been tried (Linders et aI. 1997b; Gardiner et aI. 2000). Previous results indicated a direct relationship between the presence of compatible solutes in LAS and their ability to survive drying conditions. Such solutes include amino acids, amino acid derivatives, quaternary amines, sugars and tetrahydropyrimidines (Kets & De Sont, 1994; Kets et aI. 1994, 1996). It has been reported for severa I strains of lactobacilli that these organisms are probably unable to accumulate compatible solutes during the very short period of the drying process, and therefore they should be accumulated prior to the drying process (Kets & De Sont, 1994; Leslie et aI. 1995; Kets et aI. 1996; Linders et aI. 1997b). The aim of the present work was to investigate the effect of adding sucrose to the growth medium of Lactobacil/us delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus on its survival during heating, spray drying and during the time of storage.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Autoeficacia, autorregulación y aprendizaje cooperativo en estudiantes españoles y portugueses de Educación Secundaria

International reports show more positive academic and drop-out results in the neighbor Portugal than in Spain, but comparisons should be considered carefully. Data which reflect students’ own perceptions on pedagogical and psychological variables significant for learning are needed. The goal of this study was to compare two similar groups of students in Portugal and Spain in relation to their academic self-efficacy, self-regulated learning, and cooperative learning. An ex post facto research design was followed. A total of 1619 students (816 Portuguese, 795 Spanish) enrolled in 27 different schools in Spain and Portugal participated. Ages varied between 12 and 17 years. The only condition to participate was having experienced cooperative learning in the last six months. The multivariant lineal general model showed significant differences based on country, sex and age. Portuguese students scored significantly higher in interpersonal skills, group processing and positive interdependence, while Spanish students scored higher in individual accountability, academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning prior, during and after. Women scored significantly higher in all the variables except academic self-efficacy, where there were no differences. Regarding age, as it increases the scores decrease in promotive interaction, academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning prior, during and after. Finally, the generalized linear model showed that group processing and the three dimensions of self-regulated learning predicted academic self-efficacy. In conclusion, Portuguese students perceived that cooperative learning was more intensely promoted in their classes. The Spanish students showed stronger academic self-efficacy and self-regulated learning, which contradicts the worst results obtained in the latest PISA reports. These students could suffer the “Dunning-Kruger” effect and not be aware of the knowledge they lack.Los informes internacionales muestran resultados académicos y de abandono escolar mucho más positivos en la vecina Portugal que en España, pero las comparaciones deben tomarse con precaución. Son necesarios datos que reflejen las percepciones de los propios estudiantes sobre variables pedagógicas y psicológicas significativas para el aprendizaje. El objetivo de esta investigación fue comparar dos poblaciones similares de estudiantes de Portugal y de España en relación a la autoeficacia académica, el aprendizaje autorregulado y el aprendizaje cooperativo. Se siguió un diseño de investigación ex post facto prospectivo. Un total de 1619 estudiantes (816 portugueses, 795 españoles), enrolados en 27 centros educativos distintos de España y Portugal participaron. Sus edades oscilaron entre los 12 y los 17 años. El único requisito para participar era que hubieran experimentado en sus clases aprendizaje cooperativo en los últimos seis meses. El modelo lineal general multivariante mostró diferencias en función del país, sexo y edad. Los estudiantes portugueses puntuaron más alto en habilidades sociales, procesamiento grupal e interdependencia positiva, mientras que los españoles lo hicieron en responsabilidad individual, autoeficacia académica y autorregulación antes, durante y después. Las mujeres puntuaron significativamente más alto en todas las variables, salvo en autoeficacia académica en la que no hubo diferencias. Respecto a la edad, según aumenta esta más disminuyen las puntuaciones en interacción promotora, autoeficacia académica y autorregulación antes, durante y después. Finalmente, el modelo lineal generalizado mostró que el procesamiento grupal y las tres dimensiones de autorregulación del aprendizaje predijeron la autoeficacia académica. En conclusión, los estudiantes portugueses percibieron que en sus clases se trabajaba de una manera más intensa el aprendizaje cooperativo. Los españoles presentaron una mayor autoeficacia académica y una mayor autorregulación del aprendizaje, lo que contradice los peores resultados obtenidos en los últimos informes PISA. Estos estudiantes podrían sufrir el efecto “Dunning-Kruger” y no ser conscientes de los conocimientos que les faltan

Environmental risk assessment in a contaminated estuary: an integrated weight of evidence approach as a decision support tool

Environmental risk assessment of complex ecosystems such as estuaries is a challenge, where innovative and integrated approaches are needed. The present work aimed at developing an innovative integrative methodology to evaluate in an impacted estuary (the Sado, in Portugal, was taken as case study), the adverse effects onto both ecosystem and human health. For the purpose, new standardized lines of evidence based on multiple quantitative data were integrated into a weight of evidence according to a best expert judgment approach. The best professional judgment for a weight of evidence approach in the present study was based on the following lines of evidence: i) human contamination pathways; ii) human health effects: chronic disease; iii) human health effects: reproductive health; iv) human health effects: health care; v) human exposure through consumption of local agriculture produce; vi) exposure to contaminated of water wells and agriculture soils; vii) contamination of the estuarine sedimentary environment (metal and organic contaminants); viii) effects on benthic organisms with commercial value; and ix) genotoxic potential of sediments. Each line of evidence was then ordinally ranked by levels of ecological or human health risk, according to a tabular decision matrix and expert judgment. Fifteen experts scored two fishing areas of the Sado estuary and a control estuarine area, in a scale of increasing environmental risk and management actions to be taken. The integrated assessment allowed concluding that the estuary should not be regarded as impacted by a specific toxicant, such as metals and organic compounds hitherto measured, but by the cumulative risk of a complex mixture of contaminants. The proven adverse effects on species with commercial value may be used to witness the environmental quality of the estuarine ecosystem. This method argues in favor of expert judgment and qualitative assessment as a decision support tool to the integrative management of estuaries. Namely it allows communicating environmental risk and proposing mitigation measures to local authorities and population under a holistic perspective as an alternative to narrow single line of evidence approaches, which is mandatory to understand cause and effect relationships in complex areas like estuaries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of bacPPK34 a bacteriocin produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus strain K34 isolated from “Alheira”

Different lactic acid bacteria were isolated during different stages in the production of “Alheiras”, a traditionally fermented sausage produced in the north of Portugal, between 2005 and 2007, in a total of 484 isolates. One of 484 isolates (K34) produced a bacteriocin, designated as bacPPK34, and was identified as a strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus by 16S rRNA sequencing. The highest bacteriocin production was noted at late log/early stationary phase after 15e18 h of growth in MRS broth at 37 ºC (3200 AU/ml) against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and 12800 AU/ml against Listeria monocytogenes (L1, L2, L3). bacPPK34 was between 2.5 kDa and 6.2 kDa in size, as determined by tricine-SDS-PAGE. Complete inactivation or significant reduction in antimicrobial activity was observed after treatment of cell-free supernatants with proteinase K, pepsin and trypsin. No change in activity was recorded when treated with catalase. The bacteriocin was resistant to treatments with lipase and detergents Triton X-100, Tween 20, SDS, NaCl, urea and EDTA. Furthermore, the bacteriocin remained active after 2 h at pH 2e12 and temperature treatments at 60, 80, 100 ºC, 1 month of storage at º20 and 4 ºC and 20 min at 121 ºC. Addition of bacPPK34 to a mid-log culture of L. monocytogenes and E. faecalis ATCC 29212 inhibited growth. The bacteriocin did not adhere to the surface of the producer cells.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio