Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-11-23"
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- Sustainable deinking processes to recover post-industrial printed plastic filmsPublication . Pimenta, Fernando Bozzola; Gaspar, Marcelo Rudolfo Calvete; Oliveira, Nelson SimõesThe current commercial deinking technology uses non-bio-based surfactants and nonrenewable surfactants, which are harmful to the environment. Therefore, the main objective of current research is to develop an environmentally sustainable process for ink removal on printed post-industrial flexible plastic films using bio-based surfactants. This process focuses on obtaining a deinked plastic that may be reprinted, thus avoiding for inappropriate disposal or reprocessing problems. The value increase of upcycling such post-industrial waste makes it possible to match the quality of the virgin plastic, which is key to carrying out an effective cost analysis of recycled plastic when compared to the new plastic films. In this research, the use of aqueous bio-based surfactant solutions for plastic film deinking was analyzed and discussed, since these surfactants are more environmentally friendly. Dedicated laboratory deinking procedures were undertaken with transparent polyethylene films printed by flexography with different conditions. In the end, a dedicated design proposal for a prototype to industrially deink plastic films printed was presented and discussed.
- Óleos essenciais de macroalgas: Avaliação da capacidade antioxidantePublication . Bordonhos, Lucinda Maria Marques da Rocha; Pinheiro, Maria Joaquina da Cunha; Ganhão, Rui Manuel ManetaNos dias de hoje, as macroalgas têm vindo a ser cada vez mais apreciadas pelos consumidores, devido a uma maior procura por alimentos inovadores e saudáveis. As macroalgas são um recurso marinho que apresenta propriedades de relevo, como a elevada capacidade antioxidante, antibacteriana, anticancerosa, entre outras. Neste sentido, a procura por óleos essenciais tem vindo a crescer ao longo dos últimos anos, tanto na indústria alimentar e cosmética como na área medicinal. No presente estudo, avaliou-se o impacto da metodologia de hidrodestilação em duas macroalgas comumente encontradas na Costa Portuguesa, Fucus vesiculosus e Gracilaria gracilis, avaliando também os respetivos componentes extraídos no óleo essencial, água de decocção e hidrolato. Estes foram avaliados relativamente ao seu teor de fenólicos totais (TPC), e o seu potencial antioxidante expresso pela absorção do radical livre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH) e capacidade de redução do ião férrico (FRAP). Foi efetuada também a análise dos compostos voláteis presentes nos óleos essenciais de ambas as algas por cromatografia gasosa acoplada a espetrometria de massa (CG-MS). Relativamente ao teor de fenólicos totais, entre as duas macroalgas observaram-se diferenças (P< 0.05, teste Tukey) relativamente ao extrato da água de decocção onde a Fucus vesiculosus obteve 1.57 ± 0.05 mg EAG e a Gracilaria gracilis 1.31± 0.04 mg EAG por grama de extrato. A capacidade antioxidante expressa pelo método de DPPH, verificou-se em ambas as macroalgas valores similares (P > 0.05, teste Tukey), no extrato de óleo essencial. Por outro lado, o extrato da água de decocção e o hidrolato da macroalga Fucus vesiculosus revelaram uma capacidade antioxidante superior e significativamente diferente (P < 0.05, teste Tukey) quando comparado com os valores obtidos na Gracilaria gracilis, 82.14%, 53.74% e 60.04%, 50.61%, respetivamente. No que diz respeito à capacidade antioxidante expressa pelo método FRAP, o óleo essencial foi o componente que se demarcou de forma significativa, sendo que a Fucus vesiculosus registou o valor médio de 15.43 µM FeSO4/g e a Gracilaria gracilis 32.19 µM FeSO4/g. Na análise dos compostos voláteis presentes nos óleos essenciais de ambas as macroalgas, foi notória a presença em maior proporção do ácido palmítico na Gracilaria gracilis (84.4%) e o ácido mirístico na macroalga Fucus vesiculosus (82.4%). Em termos globais, foi possível evidenciar a capacidade antioxidante e a presença de ácidos gordos naturais após a hidrodestilação da macroalga Fucus vesiculosus e Gracilaria gracilis, perspetivando-se no futuro uma utilização eficiente nas diversas indústrias de modo a proporcionar benefícios ao consumidor.
- Comparative study of biological activities of macroalgae after decoction and infusionPublication . Caetano, Miguel Forte; Pinheiro, Maria Joaquina da Cunha; Ganhão, Rui Manuel ManetaNas últimas décadas, as macroalgas têm vindo a despertar o interesse na comunidade científica devido à sua riqueza em termos nutricionais bem como ao seu elevado teor em compostos bioativos com potencial de aplicação na área alimentar. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito do processo de infusão e decocção em duas espécies de macroalgas, verde e castanha, Ulva sp. e Fucus vesiculosus, respetivamente. Para tal, foram testadas duas proporções de macroalga e água (1:16 e 1:50 g/mL), e tempos de tratamento de 5 e 15 minutos no caso da infusão, e de 15 e 30 minutos na decocção. Posteriormente, atributos de qualidade como o teor de sólidos solúveis (TSS, % ºBrix), o pH e a cor (CIE L*a*b*), bem como o teor de fenólicos totais (TPC) e a capacidade antioxidante expressa por diferentes metodologias como captura do radical livre DPPH e capacidade de redução do Fe (III) foram avaliados nos extratos sem tratamento (CTR) e após infusão (INF) e decocção (DEC). A qualidade dos extratos das macroalgas verde e castanha manteve-se em termos maioritários de forma similar nos atributos avaliados. No entanto, a decocção aplicada na proporção de macroalga Fucus vesiculosus e água de 1:50 (g/mL) durante 30 minutos conduziu a alterações significativas de cor, nomeadamente no parâmetro de cor b*, que reflete a coloração amarela. De uma forma geral, também se verificou que a decocção conduziu a uma maior extração de compostos fenólicos, bem como ao aumento da capacidade antioxidante, quando comparado com os resultados obtidos nas respetivas amostras controlo. Neste sentido, conclui-se que processos como a infusão e a decocção permitem a extração de compostos de interesse presentes nas macroalgas estudadas e, em particular, na Fucus vesiculosus. Este fato, combinado com a composição nutricional das macroalgas, potenciam a sua inclusão quer na sua forma natural quer como ingrediente natural a ser adicionado a formulações de alimentos da Dieta Mediterrânea.
- Resistance training on postural balance, physical fitness, and fibromyalgia impact: pilot study of online interventionPublication . Albuquerque, Maria; Monteiro, Diogo; Alvarez, Marcos; Vilarino, Guilherme Torres; Andrade, Alexandro; Neiva, Henrique P.is a chronic disease with diverse physical and psychological symptoms and impairments. The present pilot study aims to evaluate the implementation of a previously protocoled online resistance training program in postural balance, physical fitness, and fibromyalgia impact, as well as adaptations and strategies necessary for a better followup of the participant during the program. Three participants with an average age of 53.67 (SD=5.51) years and medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia performed eight weeks of online resistance training exercises (2/week). Physical fitness and postural balance (force platform), fibromyalgia impact (FIQ), and symptoms (VAS) were evaluated before the exercises and after 16 sessions. The variation from pre- to post-training intervention was determined by calculating the percentage of change in each variable. All participants showed gains in countermovement jump (11 to 46%) and reduced pain intensity (10 to 19%). Two out of three participants showed improvement in the countermovement jump with free arms (4 and 28%), medicine ball throw (2 and 42%), mood state (20 to 32%), also a reduction in FIQ (4 and 27%), center of pressure (COP) velocity with eyes open (10 and 7%), COP displacement with eyes open (6 and 9%), anxiety (15 to 84%) and fatigue (10 to 41%). Only one participant has shown improvements in sleep quality (6%). Changes in balance with eyes closed were not found. The online resistance training program protocol showed promising results in this pilot study, with potential gains in neuromuscular performance and balance, and reducing the negative symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Adaptations were necessary throughout the program for better applicability.
- Analysis of the Effect of Different Physical Exercise Protocols on Depression in Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsPublication . Correia, Érica M.; Monteiro, Diogo; Bento, T.; Rodrigues, Filipe; Cid, Luis; Vitorino, Anabela; Figueiredo, Nuno; Teixeira, Diogo; Couto, NunoContext:Physical exercise (PE) is an effective treatment for depression, alone or as an adjunct. Objective:There is a lack of indicators regarding the frequency, intensity, duration, and type of physical exercise (PE). This study aims to synthesize and analyze the dose-effect of different PE protocols in adult subjects in the treatment of depression, based on the analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data Sources:The search was conducted using Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library electronic databases. Study Selection:Studies with an exercise-based intervention published by December 31, 2021 were identified. RCTs and meta-analyses involving adults with depression were also included; 10 studies were selected, including a total of 956 subjects. Study Design:Systematic review and meta-analysis. Level of Evidence:Level 1. Results:Effect sizes were summarized using standardized mean differences (95% confidence interval) by effected randomized models. The results reinforce that exercise appears to be beneficial in improving depression among adults aged 18 to 65 years. Interventions lasting above 150 minutes per week of moderate intensity and group interventions seem to have a more significant effect on reducing depression. Studies have revealed that aerobic exercise, compared with resistance or flexibility, has a more positive effect on depression. Conclusion:PE can be a way to reduce depression and can be used as a possible adjunctive tool for pharmacological and/or alternative treatments. Considering the findings of this study, it is important that health professionals (eg, exercise physiologists, physicians, nurses, psychologists) promote the practice of PE as a complementary alternative and act early to prevent the worsening of depression.
- INTEGRATED PLATFORM FOR INCIDENT RESPONSEPublication . Vieira, Bruno Daniel Trincadeiro Policarpo; Oliveira, Adaíl Domingues da Silva deIncident Response (IR) is a critical component of information security management, as it enables organizations to effectively detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. A Security Operations Center (SOC) is a key component of incident response, as it is responsible for monitoring and managing the security of an organization’s systems and data. However, Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs) often face significant challenges in implementing effective incident response, due to a lack of resources and expertise. These challenges include limited budgets, a lack of dedicated security personnel, and a lack of understanding of the risks and threats facing the organization. This project aims to explore the challenges faced by SMEs in implementing effective incident response, with a specific focus on the role of the SOC in incident response. It will mainly consist on the development of a integrated platform, composed only by open source tools, that can be used to step up the security awareness of SMEs. It will also propose recommendations on how to implement effective incident response, including the development of a SOC, the use of security automation tools, and the implementation of some modern SOC practices. Overall, this project shall provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by SMEs in implementing effective incident response, and will provide practical guidance for SMEs on how to implement effective incident response in their organizations, focusing on the role of the SOC and the use of security automation tools.