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Publicações

Publicações por SYSTEM

2025

DREAM App to Promote the Mental Health in Higher Education Students

Autores
Vaz, CB; Galvao, A; Pais, C; Pinheiro, M;

Publicação
ADVANCED RESEARCH IN TECHNOLOGIES, INFORMATION, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY, ARTIIS 2024 INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOPS, PT I

Abstract
This paper presents the development process of the mobile App D.R.E.A.M., Design-thinking to Reach-out, Embrace and Acknowledge Mental health, which is a tool for self-assessment and self-care in promoting the mental health of higher education students. In Portugal, the program for promoting Mental Health in higher education advocates the development and use of digital tools, such as apps and/or social networks and platforms, aimed at promoting wellbeing and with the potential for use to be more accessible to higher education students. The objective of this app is to promote the mental health and wellbeing of higher education students. Design Thinking was used as the methodology for building the app, which was developed using a combination of low-code/no-code tools, Flutter/Dart coding, and Google's Firebase capabilities and database functionalities. In the first semester of the 2023/2024 academic year, 484 students downloaded the app, and 22 emails were received for psychological consultations. A dynamic update of the app is required, with modules on time management and study organization, structured physical activity programs, development of socio-entrepreneurial skills, and vocational area.

2025

Optimization of heat and ultrasound-assisted extraction of Eucalyptus globulus leaves reveals strong antioxidant and antimicrobial properties

Autores
Lima, L; Pereira, AI; Vaz, CB; Ferreira, O; Dias, MI; Heleno, SA; Calhelha, RC; Barros, L; Carocho, M;

Publicação
FOOD CHEMISTRY

Abstract
The extraction of phenolic compounds from eucalyptus leaves was optimized using heat and ultrasound-assisted techniques, and the bioactive potential of the resulting extract was assessed. The independent variables, including time (t), solvent concentration (S), and temperature (T) or power (P), were incorporated into a five- level central composite design combined with Response Surface Methodology. Phenolic content was determined by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and used as response criteria. The developed models were successfully fitted to the experimental data to identify the optimal extraction conditions. Heat-assisted extraction proved to be the most efficient method for phenolic recovery, yielding 27 +/- 2 mg/g extract under optimal conditions (120 min, 76.5 degrees C, and 25 % ethanol, v/v). The extracts exhibited a high concentration of phenolic glycoside derivatives, including gallotannin, quercetin, and isorhamnetin. These findings suggest that the extracts hold promise as natural additives in food technology, owing to their moderate antimicrobial activity and strong antioxidant properties.

2025

Assessing the sustainable performance of the transport sector in European countries using alternative Benefit-of-the-Doubt models

Autores
Gruetzmacher, SB; Vaz, CB; Ferreira, AP;

Publicação
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES

Abstract
The energy policy of the European Union stresses the need for sustainable energy consumption, improvements in energy efficiency and lower fossil fuel dependence in a decoupling strategy from unstable democracies. Transportation still represents a sector largely dependent on fossil fuels, which come with several negative impacts. Measuring and assessing the sustainability of the transport sector becomes necessary. This study aims to assess the sustainability performance of the transport sector across 28 European countries over a four-year period, aligned with the policy agenda outlined in strategic documents. The methodological approach involves applying Benefit-of-the-Doubt (BoD) models, comparing aversion that uses transformation methods for anti- isotonic sub-indicators with a variant that directly incorporates these sub-indicators as reverse indicators. In general, the European countries have improved the sustainability performance of their transport sector during the time span analyzed according to the results of both models. For the inefficient units, two improvement strategies are presented based on the profiles identified on the benchmarks from both models, which can be alternative stages to achieve the robust best practices of the benchmarks.

2025

Exergames in the Rehabilitation of Burn Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Autores
Santos, I; Ferreira, M; Fernandes, CS;

Publicação
EUROPEAN BURN JOURNAL

Abstract
The rehabilitation of burn patients is essential and is intrinsically linked to conventional rehabilitation; the motivational challenges faced by burn patients in maintaining engagement with these rehabilitation programs are well known. It is understood that the use of other resources, particularly technological ones, associated with conventional rehabilitation could overcome these constraints and thereby optimize the rehabilitation program and health outcomes. The objective of this study is to synthesize the available evidence on the use of exergames in rehabilitation programs for burn patients. This systematic review was developed following the guidelines of the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). The search was conducted in the following databases: Medline (R), CINAHL (R), Sports Discus (R), Cochrane (R), and Scopus (R) during May 2025. The PRISMA Checklist Model was used to organize the information from the selected studies. Seven RCTs were included, involving a total of 236 participants. Outcomes related to the use of exergames in the rehabilitation of burn patients were identified, including increased range of motion, functionality, strength, speed of movement, improved balance, reduced fear and pain, and satisfaction with the technological resource used. It is believed that the results of this review, which confirmed the advantage of using exergames, such as Nintendo Wii, PlayStation, Xbox Kinect, or Wii Fit, to optimize the functionality of burn patients, can support clinical decision-making and encourage the integration of exergames to improve rehabilitation programs for burn patients.

2025

Technological resources in the rehabilitation of adult burn patients: A scoping review

Autores
Santos, I; Ferreira, MC; Fernandes, CS;

Publicação
BURNS

Abstract
Introduction: The importance of investigating innovative technologies to improve patient rehabilitation is fundamental in the current context of healthcare. This highlights the need to map the technological resources used in the rehabilitation of adult burn patients. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to the parameters set by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and structured using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and MetaAnalyses for Scoping Reviews). The scientific literature search covered various databases: Medline, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, Scopus, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library. The inclusion criteria considered studies related to the use of technological resources in the rehabilitation of burn patients. The research was conducted until November 2024. Results: A total of 19 articles published between 2000 and 2024 were included. The technological resources analyzed included virtual reality (10 studies), exergames (6 studies), exoskeletons (4 studies), and augmented reality (1 study). These resources primarily aimed to promote motor functionality, increase muscle strength, and enhance joint range of motion. Conclusion: The technologies applied to the rehabilitation of burn patients represent a promising advancement, with the potential to transform the paradigm of rehabilitation, making it more interactive. Future research should focus on a detailed analysis of the long-term benefits and on integrating these technologies into standard rehabilitation protocols.

2025

Empowering Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review on Gamified Approaches To Health Literacy for Self-Care

Autores
Cerqueira, F; Ferreira, MC; Campos, MJ; Fernandes, CS;

Publicação
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Abstract
To address the challenges of self-care in oncology, gamification emerges as an innovative strategy to enhance health literacy and self-care among individuals with oncological disease. This study aims to explore and map how gamification can promote health literacy for self-care of oncological diseases. A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR Checklist developed for scoping reviews. A comprehensive search strategy was employed across MEDLINE (R), CINAHL (R), Scopus (R), and Web of Science (R) databases, with keywords focusing on oncological patients and gamification tools applied to self-management, from inception to December 2023. Thirty studies published between 2011 and 2023 were included, with a total of 1,118 reported participants. Most interventions (n = 21) focused on the development of mobile applications. The most frequent gamification elements included customizable avatars, rewards, social interaction, quizzes, and personalized feedback. The interventions primarily targeted health literacy and patient education, symptom monitoring, management of side effects, pain control, and adherence to medication and nutrition regimens. The integration of gamification elements into digital health solutions for oncology is expanding and holds promises for supporting health literacy and self-care. Further studies, preferably longitudinal, are needed to assess the effectiveness and impact of these interventions across different oncological populations and clinical settings.

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