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Publicações

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

Life cycle assessment comparison of electric and internal combustion vehicles: A review on the main challenges and opportunities

Autores
da Costa, VBF; Bitencourt, L; Dias, BH; Soares, T; Andrade, JVBD; Bonatto, BD;

Publicação
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS

Abstract
A notable shift from an internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) fleet to an electric vehicles (EVs) fleet is expected in the medium term due to increasing environmental concerns and technological breakthroughs. In this context, this paper conducts a systematic literature review on life cycle assessment (LCA) research of EVs compared to ICEVs based on highly impactful articles. Several essential aspects and characteristics were identified and discussed, such as the assumed EV types, scales, models, storage technologies, boundaries, lifetime, electricity consumption, driving cycles, combustion fuels, locations, impact assessment methods, and functional units. Furthermore, LCA results in seven environmental impact categories were gathered and evaluated in detail. The research indicates that, on average, battery electric vehicles are superior to ICEVs in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (182.9 g CO2-eq/km versus 258.5 g CO2-eq/km), cumulative energy demand (3.2 MJ/km versus 4.1 MJ/km), fossil depletion (49.7 g oil-eq/km versus 84.4 g oil-eq/km), and photochemical oxidant formation (0.47 g NMVOC-eq/km versus 0.61 g NMVOC-eq/km) but are worse than ICEVs in terms of human toxicity (198.1 g 1,4-DCB-eq/km versus 64.8 g 1,4-DCB-eq/km), particulate matter formation (0.32 g PM10-eq/km versus 0.26 g PM10-eq/km), and metal depletion (69.3 g Fe-eq/km versus 19.0 g Fe-eq/km). Emerging technological developments are expected to tip the balance in favor of EVs further. Based on the conducted research, we propose to organize the factors that influence the vehicle life cycle into four groups: user specifications, vehicle specifications, local specifications, and multigroup specifications. Then, a set of improvement opportunities is provided for each of these groups. Therefore, the present paper can contribute to future research and be valuable for decision-makers, such as policymakers.

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

Prioritisation of Studies In Sustainable Urban Mobility Via Fuzzy-Topsis: A Methodological Approach For Systematic Reviews

Autores
Arianna Teixeira Pereira; Janielle Da Silva Lago; Yvelyne Bianca Iunes Santos; Bruno Miguel Delindro Veloso; Norma Ely Santos Beltrão;

Publicação
Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental

Abstract
Objective: This study investigates the applicability of systematic methods in the identification and evaluation of studies on sustainable urban mobility, providing subsidies to guide managers and policymakers in the development of efficient and environmentally responsible public policies.   Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) associated with the Fuzzy-TOPSIS method, a multi-criteria model capable of evaluating and prioritizing studies considering the imprecision inherent in decision-making processes. The PICO technique was used to define the analysis criteria, and the PRISMA protocol ensured the transparency and replicability of the results. Six criteria were established in the qualitative analyses for treatment in the Fuzzy-TOPSIS method.   Results and Discussion: The proposed approach proved effective in selecting the most relevant studies. The discussion points to the need to integrate Fuzzy-TOPSIS with complementary methods, such as DEMATEL and Social Network Analysis (SNA), in order to improve the modeling of causal relationships and strengthen the reliability of prioritization.   Research Implications: The results offer important insights for urban planning and the formulation of public policies, contributing to energy efficiency, reducing GHG emissions and improving the quality of public transport.   Originality/Value: The innovation of this study lies in the combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the analysis of sustainable mobility, providing a robust benchmark that can positively influence practices and strategies in urban management.

2025

Water–energy nexus

Autores
Ali Esmaeel Nezhad; Toktam Tavakkoli Sabour; Mohammad Sadegh Javadi; Pedro H.J. Nardelli; Saeid Jowkar; Farideh Ghanavati;

Publicação
Towards Future Smart Power Systems with High Penetration of Renewables

Abstract

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