Thermalism in Portugal: corporate response to the COVID-19 pandemic – Strategy, Safety, Human Resources and marketing approach

Framework: Health tourism is currently one of the fastest growing forms of tourism. In Portugal, the “Tourism Strategy 2027” highlighted thermal activity as a means of economic development in the country's regions. On March 11, 2020, WHO declared a covid-19 pandemic. In Portugal, all thermal establishments took the initiative to suspend activity. After the lockdown period the units had to adapt to restart following the guidelines of the health authorities. Goals This study aims to emphasize the spa health tourism sector in Portugal in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, analyze consumer behavior, and suggest future research on the topic. Paper organization: We present qualitative research, through content analysis using WebQDA software and a bibliometric analysis of co-occurrence of keywords in the thermal field, using the VOSviewer software. The analysis was conducted considering public statements from representatives of 21 units in mainland Portugal, published in the media, as of March 2020. Results: The analyses point to a high appreciated value by the customers to the item safety and to the aesthetic and medicinal treatments. There were no differences in behavior between public and private entities. All regions in mainland Portugal behaved the same way in terms of compliance with the health organization's guidelines, seeking to give the customer more safety and confidence. The training and actions of the human resources were essential to adapt the spas to guarantee strict safety and hygiene rules, as well as the respect for physical distance. In terms of marketing and innovation, the biggest references from the clients are at the product level. Final considerations: The current context of the Covid-19 pandemic favors the use of spas for their curative aspect related to lung problems, post-disease. There are several opportunities for hydrotherapy and research associated with the sector. It is important to draw new lines connected to its potential role in accelerating healing and prevention of coronavirusinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nonlinear optimization for human-like movements of a high degree of freedom robotics arm-hand system

The design of autonomous robots, able to closely cooperate with human users in shared tasks, provides many new challenges for robotics research. Compared to industrial applications, robots working in human environments will need to have human-like abilities in their cognitive and motor behaviors. Here we present a model for generating trajectories of a high degree of freedom robotics arm-hand system that reflects optimality principles of human motor control. The process of finding a human-like trajectory among all possible solutions is formalized as a large-scale nonlinear optimization problem. We compare numerically three existing solvers, IPOPT, KNITRO and SNOPT, in terms of their real-time performance in different reach-to-grasp problems that are part of a human-robot interaction task. The results show that the SQP methods obtain better results than the IP methods. SNOPT finds optimal solutions for all tested problems in competitive computational times, thus being the one that best serves our purpose.Eliana Costa e Silva was supported by FCT (grant: SFRH/BD/23821/2005). The resources and equipment were financed by FCT and UM through project "Anthropomorphic robotic systems: control based on the processing principles of the human and other primates motor system and potential applications in service robotics and biomedical engineering" (Ref. CONC-REEQ/17/2001) and by EC through project "JAST: Joint-Action Science and Technology" (Ref. IST- 2-003747-IP).We thank the Mobile and Anthropomorphic Robotics Laboratory at University of Minho for constant good work environment. Finally, we would like to thank Carl Laird and Andreas Wachter for making available IPOPT, and AMPL for making available an unrestricted 30 days trial version of AMPL, KNITRO and SNOPT executables

Human-like movement of an anthropomorphic robot: problem revisited

Human-like movement is fundamental for natural human-robot interaction and collaboration. We have developed in a model for generating arm and hand movements an anthropomorphic robot. This model was inspired by the Posture-Based Motion-Planning Model of human reaching and grasping movements. In this paper we present some changes to the model we have proposed in [4] and test and compare different nonlinear constrained optimization techniques for solving the large-scale nonlinear constrained optimization problem that rises from the discretization of our time-continuous model. Furthermore, we test different time discretization steps.Eliana Costa e Silva was supported by FCT (grant: SFRH/BD/23821/2005)

A ubiquitous learning approach on robotics

Ubiquitous learning refers to the integration of learning processes with everyday environments and activities using technology. By leveraging ubiquitous learning principles in the field of robotics, we can foster an immersive and interactive learning environment that promotes continuous learning and knowledge acquisition. This paper presents an in-depth exploration of a ubiquitous learning approach for robotics with the aim to enhance the educational experiences and capabilities of robotic systems. Furthermore, it explores the potential benefits and challenges of ubiquitous learning in the field of robotics, such as increased adaptability, personalized learning experiences, and the development of lifelong learning skills. The results indicate that a ubiquitous learning approach can significantly enhance the learning capabilities of students.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CeDRI (UIDB/05757/2020 and UIDP/05757/2020) and SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2021).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Electrochemical Outlook on Tamoxifen Biotransformation: Current and Future Prospects

Tamoxifen is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen that is currently and widely used in the treatment of breast cancer in all of its stages, in adjuvant therapy as a long-term suppressant of tumor recurrence and also as a chemopreventive agent in women that are in high risk of developing this type of estrogen-dependent cancer. From a toxicological and (bio)analytical point of view the knowledge of the metabolic pathways of a drug is found to be extremely important. So, in the present work the most important tamoxifen biotransformation steps were reviewed in the light of recent pharmacological data. This overview also includes the current controversy concerning tamoxifen DNA-damaging (genotoxic) versus non-genotoxic mechanisms. A special focus will be given to the putative application of electrochemical methods as a modern and reliable analytical tool for determination of tamoxifen and its metabolites. Moreover, the potential of DNA electrochemical sensors for detection of structural damage to DNA as a basis for toxicity screening is highlighted. Future prospects looking for the importance of developing new analytical methodologies are also discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In vitro inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation by primary S-nitrosothiols

Nitric oxide ( NO) is an effective chain-breaking antioxidant in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and circulates in vivo mainly as primary S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs). In this work, the in vitro peroxidation of linoleic acid-SDS comicelles (LA-SDS) catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase (SLO) and FeII ions was monitored in the presence and absence of three primary RSNOs: S-nitrosocysteine, S-nitroso-N-acetylcysteyne and S-nitrosoglutathione. Kinetic measurements based on the formation of conjugated double bonds and fluorescent oxidized LA-lysine adducts, showed that RSNOs are more potent antioxidants than their corresponding free thiols (RSHs) in equimolar conditions. These results are consistent with the blocking of LA-SDS peroxidation by RSNOs through the inactivation of peroxyl/alkoxyl (LOO /LO ) radicals, leading to nitrogen-containing products of oxidized LA, which release free NO. These results indicate that endogenous RSNOs may play a major role in the blocking of lipid peroxidation in vivo, through the primary inactivation of alkoxyl/peroxyl radicals and also of preformed lipid hydroperoxides.O óxido nítrico ( NO) é um antioxidante efetivo na inibição da peroxidação lipídica e circula in vivo principalmente como S-nitrosotióis primários (RSNOs). Neste trabalho, a peroxidação in vitro de comicelas do ácido linileico-SDS (LA-SDS) catalisada por lipoxigenase de soja (SLO) e íons FeII foi monitorada na presença e na ausência de três RSNOs: S-nitrosocisteína, S-nitroso-N-acetilcisteína e S-nitrosoglutationa. Medidas cinéticas baseadas na formação de duplas ligações conjugadas e adutos fluorescentes de lisina-La oxidado mostraram que os RSNOs são antioxidantes mais potentes que seus tióis livres (RSHs) correspondentes em condições equimolares. Esses resultados são consistentes com o bloqueio da peroxidação de LA-SDS por RSNOs através da inativação dos radicais peroxila/alcoxila (LOO /LO ), levando a produtos nitrogenados do LA oxidado, os quais liberam NO. Esses resultados indicam que os RSNOs endógenos podem desempenhar um papel importante no bloqueio da peroxidação lipídica in vivo, através da inativação primária de radicais alcoxila/peroxila bem como de hidroperóxidos lipídicos pré-formados.18851895Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Synthesis of 4-amino-3,5-dicyano-arylpyrazoles : part 2 : isolation and characterization of by-products

Reaction of (dicyanomethylidene-hydrazino)benzoic acids with chloroacetonitrile, under basic conditions, gave cyanomethyl-3-(7-amino-3,5-dicyano-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-1-yl-benzoates and para substituted cyanomethyl benzoates, in addition to the expected cyanomethyl 3-(4-amino-3,5-dicyano-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzoates.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Portugal). National Program for Scientific Re-equipment, contract REDE/1517/RMN/2005 with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and FC

A feasibility study with survival in swine model

Transrectal access still has some unsolved issues such as spatial orientation, infection, access and site closure. This study presents a simple technique to perform transcolonic access with survival in a swine model series. A new technique for NOTES perirectal access to perform retroperitoneoscopy, peritoneoscopy, liver and lymphnode biopsies was performed in 6 pigs, using Totally NOTES technique. The specimens were extracted transanally. The flexible endoscope was inserted through a posterior transmural incision and the retrorectal space. Cultures of bacteria were documented for the retroperitoneal space and intra abdominal cavity after 14 days. Rectal site was closed using non-absorbable sutures. There was no bowel cleansing, nor preoperative fasting. The procedures were performed in 6 pigs through transcolonic natural orifice access using available endoscopic flexible instruments. All animals survived 14 days without complications, and cultures were negative. Histopathologic examination of the rectal closure site showed adequate healing of suture line and no micro abscesses. The results of feasibility and safety of experimental Transcolonic NOTES potentially brings new frontiers and future wider applications for minimally invasive surgery. The treatment of colorectal, abdominal and retroperitoneal diseases through a flexible Perirectal NOTES Access (PNA) is a promising new approach