Repositório RCAAP

The European Higher Education Area was meant to ensure more comparable, compatible and coherent systems of higher education. This is possible however, only if there is a trustful relationship amongst its members and by the creation of quality assurance mechanisms, such as the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and its agencies. Nevertheless, it seems that in certain professional areas, like engineering, this European accreditation is not sufficient, and other means of quality assurance with worldwide recognition are sought, such as the EUR-ACE label. The aim of this research is to ascertain how the Portuguese Higher Education Institutions, with studies programmes that were awarded the EUR-ACE label, are using it in their promotion and what are its meanings and benefits. Based on the analysis done, it is possible to conclude that in spite of EUR-ACE labels being awarded to studies programmes and not to Institutions, they are being used to promote the Institutions. The stakeholders that are more frequently mentioned by the Institutions as beneficiaries of the EUR-ACE label are graduates, by means of the European and international professional mobility. The EUR-ACE label is seen by Institutions as a proof of the quality of studies programmes, because of its demanding and rigorous criteria, that assures Excellency and European and international high quality assurance standards.

In this paper, the metaphor of a “journey” is used to reflect on teaching and learning in Higher Education. Learning is seen as a “journey” where the guide is the teacher and the traveller is the student. Some key elements from the research done on the last decades are brought together in order to raise awareness to the complexity of this process, namely those regarding the teacher and the student, in order to help teachers begin to find the appropriate “journey” for themselves and their students. The ideas presented here are the result of a “teaching and learning journey” that the author took with a group of Professors of Higher Education Universities from Central Asia, in 2015.

Student-centered learning requires students taking responsibility for their own learning, and becoming autonomous learners. Using a mixed methodology approach with a sequential explanatory design, this paper reports some results from an ongoing research about learner autonomy of mechanical engineering students (first cycle) in Portugal. For the purpose of this paper, the focus is the relationship between learner autonomy and academic achievement and the way it translates to students’ perceptions of autonomy in learning, its characteristics and importance, and how having students talk about learner autonomy can be useful to improve their learning and build a bridge between research and practice in Engineering Education. The results show that students have positive perceptions about their own learner autonomy and its importance. A positive moderated statistically significant correlation was found between learner autonomy and academic achievement, which is mainly due to the control dimension of learner autonomy. Students lack initiative, with this dimension being the one that least contributes to learner autonomy, and having no statistically significant correlation with academic achievement. Because of this, promoting actions that increase students taking initiative seems to be a way of improving learner autonomy. However, the actions taken have to consider that for some students, learner autonomy requires perseverance and is difficult to maintain. So, even though for most students, having opportunities to improve may be enough, less autonomous students may require that the action of teachers and the curricular activities proposed, promotes an academic environment that encourages and supports autonomy in learning.

For years, it has been recognized in the literature, the need to change and improve assessment methods. In spite of that, the purpose of most assessment is still grading students, and not the learning enhancement. In the early 1970s, researchers found that what influenced students most was not the teaching but the assessment, which lead to the idea of the hidden curriculum. According to students’ testimony, what and how much they studied were completely dominated by the way they perceived the demands of the assessment. This effect of assessment in students’ learning is what Biggs defined as backwash, which means that students’ learn what they think will be assessed. Backwash is almost seen as negative, but studying for the test is only negative if the test doesn’t assess what we intend students’ to learn. A two-stage test was used in Thermodynamics (Mechanical Engineering, 2nd year), as a way to improve learning of a particular topic (state properties determination). The stages were a week apart. In the first stage, the students answer 20 questions in 30 minutes. Based on what they thought they missed in the first stage (grades were not published at this time), they could try to improve their performance in the second stage, by studying harder in the week between the two stages. The teacher didn't interfere with this process, encouraging self-assessment and self-regulation, in order to promote the autonomy of the learners. In the second stage, the test only included the questions that each student missed and had the duration of 30 minutes. Students’ evaluation of this task was done through a series of questions, in an anonymous questionnaire. Results (143 valid questionnaires) show that this kind of assessment, that uses a more student-centred approach, as required by the Bologna Process, is seen by the students as a helpful tool to promote study (85,3%) and enhance learning (87,6%). Students express the will to have more two-stage tests (89,1%).

The chemical composition and daily mineral intake (DMI) of six macro (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and chloride) and four microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, and zinc) were determined in four types of Portuguese breads (white wheat, maize, wheat/maize, and maize/rye breads). Samples were processed with microwave assisted digestion and mineral composition was determined with a high-resolution continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometer with flame and graphite furnace. Bread contributes to an equilibrated diet since it is rich in several minerals (0.21 mg/100 g of copper in wheat bread to 537 mg/100 g of sodium in maize/rye bread). Maize/rye bread presented the highest content of all minerals (except phosphorous and chloride), while the lowest levels were mainly found in wheat bread. Median sodium concentrations (422-537 mg/100 g) represented more than 28% of the recommended daily allowance, being in close range of the maximum Portuguese limit (550 mg/100 g). Maize/rye bread exhibited the highest DMI of manganese (181%), sodium (36%), magnesium (32%), copper (32%), zinc (24%), iron (22%), potassium (20%), and calcium (3.0%). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model based on the mineral content allowed the differentiation among white wheat, maize, and maize/rye bread. Zinc, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorus, potassium, copper, and calcium proved to be good chemical markers to differentiate bread compositions.

The occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment is recognized as one of the emerging issues in environmental chemistry. Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed to remove pharmaceuticals (and their metabolites) from domestic wastewaters. The treatability of pharmaceutical compounds in WWTPs varies considerably depending on the type of compound since their biodegradability can differ significantly. As a consequence, they may reach the aquatic environment, directly or by leaching of the sludge produced by these facilities. Currently, the technologies under research for the removal of pharmaceuticals, namely membrane technologies and advanced oxidation processes, have high operation costs related to energy and chemical consumption. When chemical reactions are involved, other aspects to consider include the formation of harmful reaction by-products and the management of the toxic sludge produced. Research is needed in order to develop economic and sustainable treatment processes, such as bioremediation and biosorption. The use of low-cost materials, such as biological matrices (e.g., algae and fungi), has advantages such as low capital investment, easy operation, low operation costs, and the non-formation of degradation by-products. An extensive review of existing research on this subject is presented.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are man-made compounds with metabolic disruption impact. We investigated the effect of POP exposure in the cardiometabolic and inflammatory profile in a population of women with obesity and hypertension. In 43 premenopausal women (22 treated vs. 21 nontreated) undergoing bariatric surgery, blood and adipose tissue samples (visceral (vAT) and abdominal subcutaneous (scAT)) were collected. Median concentrations of ∑HCH and ∑POPs in vAT were significantly higher in treated women. VAT ∑HCH and scAT ∑HCH and ∑POPs concentrations were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure in the non-treated group. Our findings suggest that exposure to POPs and its accumulation in vAT and circulating in plasma may be associated to a higher cardiovascular risk in women with obesity and hypertension, with or without antihypertensive treatment.

Investigation during 11-month period was performed to study the presence of caffeine in the Lis River in Leiria Town in Portugal, and a monitoring during 9-month period was realized to check the contribution of the human pollution of two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that discharge their effluents to the studied river. The samples were collected in five sampling points along the river and in two influents and two effluents of the studied WWTPs. Caffeine was detected in all ninety-one collected samples. The caffeine concentration ranged from 25.3 to 321 ng/L in the river samples, from 112 to 1927 ng/L in the WWTP effluents, and from 9478 to 83,901 ng/L in the WWTP influents. The highest concentration in the river was detected in the two sampling points located after the effluent discharge points and reached 315 and 321 ng/L. Risk assessment was performed for three trophic levels using the risk quotient calculation and revealed that caffeine do not cause toxic effect on Daphnia magna and on fish but could be possibly toxic to algae. The results proved that caffeine can be an effective indicator of human-born pollution.

This study describes the possibilities of valorising a waste stream that originates from apple wood by mapping the reducing capacity and phenolic profile from extracts derived from apple tree (Malus domestica). This study evaluated the efficiency of warm solvent extraction (WSE) and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) techniques for extracting antioxidant phenolic compounds from the bark and core wood of an apple tree cultivated in the north-eastern part of Belgium. Furthermore, the influence of the pre-treatment technique, namely, fresh, oven-dried, and freeze-dried samples, respectively, on the yield of polyphenols was studied. Fresh bark extract obtained by UAE—the most efficient extraction technique—employing acetone 60% v/v contains the highest levels of phenolic compounds as well as the highest antioxidant activity. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis shows that phloridzin is the major compound of the identified polyphenol markers present in bark and core wood extracts. Based on the obtained results, it may be possible to produce a polyphenolic extract from apple wood at an industrial scale without extensive costs or altering the antioxidant properties. This study reveals the potential of apple tree wood residues valorisation through the recovery of phenolic compounds for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

Twelve biochars from forest and agri-food wastes (pruning of Quercus ilex, Eucalyptus grandis, Pinus pinaster, Quercus suber, Malus pumila, Prunus spinosa, Cydonia oblonga, Eriobotrya japonica, Juglans regia, Actinidia deliciosa, Citrus sinensis and Vitis vinifera) were investigated as potential low-cost and renewable adsorbents for removal of a commonly used pharmaceutical, fluoxetine. Preliminary adsorption experiments allowed to select the most promising adsorbents, Quercus ilex, Cydonia oblonga, Eucalyptus, Juglans regia and Vitis vinifera pruning material. They were characterized by proximate, elemental and mineral analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, determination of specific surface area and pH at the point of zero charge. Batch and equilibrium studies were performed, and the influence of pH was evaluated. The equilibrium was reached in less than 15 min in all systems. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 6.41 mg/g for the Eucalyptus biochar, which also demonstrated a good behavior in continuous mode (packed column).

This work describes the development of a paper-based platform for highly sensitive detection of diclofenac. The quantification of this anti-inflammatory drug is of importance in clinical (e.g. quality and therapeutic control) and environmental (e.g. emerging contaminant determination) areas. The easy-to-handle platform here described consists of a carbon-ink paper-based working electrode and two metallic wires, provided by a gold-plated standard connector, as reference and counter electrodes. The porous paper matrix enables the preconcentration of the sample, decoupling sample and detection solutions. Thus, relatively large sample volumes can be used, which significantly improves the sensitivity of the method. A wide dynamic range of four orders of magnitude, between 0.10 and 100 μM, was obtained for diclofenac determination. Due to the predominance of adsorption at the lowest concentrations, there were two linear concentration ranges: one comprised between 0.10 and 5.0 μM (with a slope of 0.85 μA μM-1) and the other between 5.0 and 100 μM (with a slope of 0.48 μA μM-1). A limit of detection of 70 nM was achieved with this simple device that provided accurate results with an RSD of ca. 5%. The platform was applied for diclofenac quantification in spiked tap water samples. The versatility of this design enabled the fabrication of a multiplexed platform containing eight electrochemical cells that work independently. The low cost, small size and simplicity of the device allow on-site analysis, which is very useful for environmental monitoring.

A green synthetic route was developed to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aqueous solution for biological applications. Eschweilenol C, a compound derivative ellagic acid was identified as the main constituent of the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. by NMR analysis. In the green synthesis, the ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia and its aqueous fraction were used to promote silver reduction and nanoparticle stabilization. The synthesized AgNPs presented a spherical or polygonal morphology shape by TEM analysis and AgNPs showed high levels of antioxidant and considerable antibacterial and antifungal activities. Synthesized nanoparticles presented significant antioxidant activity by sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, in addition to iron reduction (FRAP assay) and measurement of antioxidant capacity in ORAC units, in addition, AgNP synthesized with the aqueous fraction also demonstrated antioxidant potential in microglial cells. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to growth inhibition by the nanoparticles, among which the AgNPs formed by the ethanolic extract was the most effective. The data obtained by AFM images suggested that AgNPs could lead to the lysis of bacteria and subsequent death. The antifungal assays showed high efficiency against yeasts and dermatophytes. This work represents the first description of antifungal activity by AgNPs against Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. In relation to biocompatibility, the AgNPs induced lower haemolysis than AgNO3.

This work reports a new paper-based sensing platform and its application in a label-free potentiometric immunosensor for Salmonella typhimurium detection based on the blocking surface principle. A paper-based strip electrode was integrated with a filter paper pad which acted as a reservoir of the internal solution. The design offers a convenient platform for antibody immobilization and sampling, proving also that is a simple and affordable methodology to control an ionic flux through a polymer membrane. Two different immunosensing interfaces were assembled on the developed paper-strip electrode. The simplest interface relied on direct conjugation of the antibody to the polymer membrane and the second one resorted to an intermediate layer of a polyamidoamine dendrimer, with an ethylenediamine core from the fourth generation. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to assess the successive interface modification steps and the resulting analytical performance of both immunosensors was compared. For such, the potential shift derived from the blocking effect of the ionic flux caused by antigen-antibody conjugation was correlated with the logarithm of the Salmonella typhimurium concentration in the sample. In optimized conditions, a limit of detection of 5 cells mL-1 was achieved. As a proof-of-concept, the proposed method was applied to apple juice samples, demonstrating to be a suitable prototype to be used in real scenarios in useful time (<1 h assay).

The effect of a dietary incorporation of the seaweedsUlva lactucaandChondrus crispusas functional ingredients was evaluatedin gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juvenile growth, feed efficiency, muscle lipid composition, intermediary metabolism,oxidative status and gut histomorphology. Fish (15 g initial body weight) were fed with isoproteic (46%) and isolipidic (18%)diets with fish meal (FM) and plant feedstuffs (PF) (27:73 protein from FM:PF) as main protein sources (control diet). Three otherdiets were formulated similar to the control but including 5%U. lactuca,5%C. crispusor 2.5% of both algae (dietsUlva,Chondrusand Mix, respectively). Dietary incorporation ofUlvadid not affect growth performance (P> 0.05) while it leads tohigher muscleΣSFA (saturated fatty acids); and liver lipid peroxidation (LPO). Moreover, lower muscleΣPUFA (polyunsatu-rated fatty acids) and plasma glucose was observed. Dietary incorporation ofChondrusleads to lower growth; whole-body drymatter and lipid content; muscleΣPUFA andω3 fatty acids; and plasma glucose. In addition, higher muscleΣMUFA (mono-unsaturated fatty acids); and liver LPO was observed. Dietary incorporation of both algae (Mix) led to lower growth; whole-bodylipid content; muscleΣPUFA andω3 fatty acids; plasma glucose; and hepatic PK (pyruvate kinase) and HOAD (3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase). Furthermore, it leads to higher muscleΣSFA andΣMUFA; and liver LPO. Overall, no beneficial effects ofincluding the tested seaweeds in the diets was observed, while oxidative status was negatively affected in all dietary treatments.

An enzymatic biosensor based on nitric oxide reductase (NOR; purified from Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus) was developed for nitric oxide (NO) detection. The biosensor was prepared by deposition onto a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) of a nanocomposite constituted by carboxylated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), a lipidic bilayer [1,2-di-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DOPE), 1,2-di-(9Z-octadecenoyl)-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-polyethylene glycol (DSPE-PEG)] and NOR. NOR direct electron transfer and NO bioelectrocatalysis were characterized by several electrochemical techniques. The biosensor development was also followed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Improved enzyme stability and electron transfer (1.96 × 10-4 cm.s-1 apparent rate constant) was obtained with the optimum SWCNTs/(DOPE:DOTAP:DSPE-PEG)/NOR) ratio of 4/2.5/4 (v/v/v), which biomimicked the NOR environment. The PGE/[SWCNTs/(DOPE:DOTAP:DSPE-PEG)/NOR] biosensor exhibited a low Michaelis-Menten constant (4.3 μM), wide linear range (0.44-9.09 μM), low detection limit (0.13 μM), high repeatability (4.1% RSD), reproducibility (7.0% RSD), and stability (ca. 5 weeks). Selectivity tests towards L-arginine, ascorbic acid, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite and glucose showed that these compounds did not significantly interfere in NO biosensing (91.0 ± 9.3%-98.4 ± 5.3% recoveries). The proposed biosensor, by incorporating the benefits of biomimetic features of the phospholipid bilayer with SWCNT's inherent properties and NOR bioelectrocatalytic activity and selectivity, is a promising tool for NO.

Marine macroalga Bifurcaria bifurcata was investigated as sorbent for two environmental emerging pollutants, the pharmaceuticals venlafaxine (VLF) and fluoxetine (FLX), from aqueous solutions, both in mono and bicomponent batch systems. The alga was characterized by means of IR spectroscopy, allowing to identify the most important groups for biosorption, carboxylic, sulfonic and hidroxile. The point of zero charge was determined, being 6.4. Adsorption of FLX follows a pseudo first order kinetics and kinetic constants are higher for FLX than for VLF. Its adsorption better represented by the pseudo second order model. For both pharmaceuticals, the equilibrium was reached within *100 min. Adsorption studies reveal that the process was more efficient at lower pH range and followed the Langmuir–Freundlich’s model for VLF and Langmuir’s model for FLX. Maximum adsorption capacities reached a level of 12 – 3 and 22 – 4 lmol/g for VLF and FLX, respectively, in the mono-component system. The difference was attributed to the presence of various functional groups of varying polarity within the adsorbates’ molecules that affected their interactions with the adsorbent surface. The Langmuir–Freundlich’s extended model was applied to the adsorption data of the bicomponent system and no changes in the maximum adsorption capacities were found (14 – 2 and 20 – 3 lmol/g for VLF and FLX, respectively), there is no evidence of competition between the adsorbates.

Boron‐doped diamond (BDD) electrodes possess outstanding physical, chemical, and electronic properties and have been successfully, yet in a limited way, explored in the electroanalysis of substances with therapeutic action (analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics, anti‐inflammatories, antihypertensives, antidepressants, vitamins, and others) in diverse milieus (pharmaceutical formulations, urine, serum, whole blood, surface waters, seawaters, groundwater, wastewaters, etc.). Therefore, in this Review, a broad overview of the available scientific information on recent progress and achievements of the application of bare or modified BDD electrodes to the bioanalytical and environmental detection of pharmaceutical compounds is presented. The main parameters, for example boron concentration, applied operational conditions during pretreatment, chemical and physical structure, and other influential factors on the electroanalytical BDD electrodes performance, are discussed.

The natural alkaloid epiisopiloturine has recently become the focus of study for various medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antischistosomal effect. The incorporation of active molecules in natural polymeric matrices has garnered increasing interest during recent decades. A new derivative of cashew gum successfully obtained by gum acetylation has shown great potential as a carrier in controlled drug release systems. In this work, epiisopiloturine was encapsulated in acetylated cashew gum nanoparticles in order to increase solubility and allow slow release, whereas the morphology results were supported by computer simulations. The particles were produced under a variety of conditions, and thoroughly characterized using light scattering and microscopic techniques. The particles were spherical and highly stable in solution, and showed drug incorporation at high levels, up to 55% efficiency. Using a dialysis-based in vitro assay, these particles were shown to release the drug via a Fickian diffusion mechanism, leading to gradual drug release over approximately 6 h. These nanoparticles show potential for the use as drug delivery system, while studies on their potential anti-inflammatory action, as well as toxicity and efficacy assays would need to be performed in the future to confirm their suitability as drug delivery candidates.

Nitric oxide (NO) has a crucial role in signaling and cellular physiology in humans. Herein, a novel third-generation biosensor based on the Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus metalloenzyme (nitric oxide reductase (NOR)), responsible for the NO reduction in the denitrifying processes, was developed through the direct adsorption of a new nanocomposite (multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF4)/NOR) onto a pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE) surface. The NOR direct electron transfer behavior (formal potential of -0.255 ± 0.003 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and electrocatalysis towards NO reduction (−0.68 ± 0.03 V vs. Ag/AgCl) of the PGE/[MWCNTs/BMIMBF4/NOR] biosensor were investigated in phosphate buffer at pH 6.0. Large enzyme loading (2.04 × 10−10 mol/cm2), acceptable electron transfer rate between NOR and the PGE surface (ks = 0.35 s-1), and high affinity for NO (Km = 2.17 μmol L-1) were observed with this biosensor composition. A linear response to NO concentration (0.23–4.76 μmol L-1) was perceived with high sensitivity (0.429 μA/μmolL-1), a detection limit of 0.07 μmol L-1, appropriate repeatability (9.1% relative standard deviations (RSD)), reproducibility (6.0–11% RSD) and 80–102% recoveries. The biosensor was stable during 1 month retaining 79–116% of its initial response. These data confirmed that NOR incorporated in the MWCNTs/BMIMBF4 nanocomposite can efficiently maintain its bioactivity paving a new and effective way for NO biosensing.

The oxytocinergic system is a primary biological system involved in regulating a child's needs for bonding and for protection from threats. It is responsive to social experiences in close relationships, though evidence across studies is not entirely consistent. Guided by previous literature, we investigated individual and environmental factors predicting and presumably affecting children's oxytocin (OT) response during mother-child interaction. by focusing on children's OXTR genotype, and maternal behavior, respectively. This was achieved by assessing salivary OT levels of 88 Portuguese preschoolers prior to and following a mother-child interaction task, and by genotyping children's OXTR SNP rs53576. Maternal interactive behavior was assessed using Ainsworth scales. Results indicated that child genotype and mother's sensitive responsiveness interacted in predicting change in child OT concentrations from before to after the interaction. Specifically, Genotypic differences emerged under conditions of low maternal sensitive responsiveness: OT levels increased over time for children with the GG genotype when maternal sensitive responsiveness was low, but no such genotypic differences were evident when mothers were highly sensitive responsive. Findings provide preliminary support for the notion that increased understanding of children's OT and close relationships requires consideration of both individual and environmental factors.