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- Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties of Hazelnuts from Three Varieties Cultivated in PortugalPublication . Ferrão, Ana Cristina; Guiné, Raquel; Silva, Marco; Lopes, Arminda; Correia, PaulaHazelnut is an important crop worldwide, and the characteristics of the fruits are quite variable according to a number of factors, including variety and cultivation conditions, which in turn can vary according to harvest year. This study aimed to investigate some physical and chemical characteristics of three hazelnut varieties grown in Portugal (Grada de Viseu, Tonda di Giffoni and Butler) along two different harvesting years (2021 and 2022). Also, the microbial quality was investigated for its relevance to the conservation of the fruits. The physical properties evaluated were biometric characteristics and colour, the chemical components analysed were moisture, lipids, protein, ash and fibre, and the microbial properties investigated were the microorganisms, moulds and yeasts. The results showed that, generically, statistically significant differences were found between the three varieties under study on several properties investigated. The kernel was confirmed as the lighter part of all hazelnuts, and when comparing between varieties, Tonda di Giffoni presented the lighter fruits in both harvesting years. With respect to weight, the Tonda di Giffoni variety was the lightest in both harvest years. Moisture content was observed to be higher than the recommended limits for two of the samples (Grada de Viseu in 2021: 6.01 ± 0.26 g/100 g and Butler in 2022: 6.02 ± 0.37 g/100 g), although the difference was marginal given that the recommended limit is 6%. Not surprisingly, lipids were the major chemical component, ranging from 66.46 ± 1.67 to 70.14 ± 1.75 g/100 g in 2021 and from 64.38 ± 1.67 to 77.77 g/100 g in 2022. It was further observed that the three varieties presented a satisfactory microbiological quality. Finally, applying factor analysis with principal components and Varimax rotation, a solution that explains 92.8% of the variance was obtained. This study provided information that is relevant for the characterisation and evaluation of variability according to the year of hazelnuts of three varieties cultivated in Portugal.
- Educational Robotics and Environmental Education: Experiences and Ideas from Initial Early Childhood Teacher EducationPublication . Pacheco Figueiredo, Maria; Ferreira, Sandra; Azevedo Gomes, Cristina; Abrantes, Isabel; Alves, ValterThe connection between nature-based experiences and educational robotics was explored in a project on environmental education in early childhood education. Future teachers contributed to the study on the potential of educational robotics to enhance nature-based experiences for children for environmental education purposes. Direct experiences with nature in early childhood contribute to care for nature across their lifespans (Chawla, 2020; Ernst et al., 2021). The explicit connection between nature experiences and sustainability in early childhood education is a relatively recent development (Elliott and Hughes, 2023). Educational robotics and other technologies can be used to support the connection between indoor and outdoor experiences as well as provide an engaging learning experience that combines the excitement of robotics with the wonder of the natural world (Figueiredo and Ferreira, 2024). As an interpretative study (Cresswell, 2014), the data was collected through observations of 20 teacher education students (female) in their practicum, and group interviews on educational robotics, environmental education, and nature outdoors. The data was analysed using content analysis. Information about the study and a consent form were provided to all participants. Anonymity was assured. Participants could withdraw at any time. All participants found proposals for combining robotics and nature in meaningful ways. Articulating those experiences with environmental education was challenging beyond the idea of connection to nature. Being-in-nature is necessary but insufficient for environmental education, requiring further work by educators, for example on ethical relationships between humans and “more-than-humans” (Elliott and Young, 2015). It would be beneficial if awareness of these dimensions was incorporated across teacher education
- Valorization of Pinecones as Biosorbents for Environmental Remediation of Zn-Contaminated WastewatersPublication . Macena, Morgana; Gonçalves Oliveira Valente da Cruz-Lopes, Luísa Paula; Grosche, Lucas; Esteves, Bruno; Santos-Vieira, Isabel; Pereira, HelenaEmpty pinecones are a largely available byproduct of Pinus pinea L. nut production, mostly concentrated in the Mediterranean area; e.g., in Portugal, around 70,000 tons of pinecones are produced annually. One valorization line for residual biomass is its use as biosorbents for the removal of contaminants in effluents and water courses which are an increasing environmental problem. This study explores the biosorbent potential of pinecones to remove zinc ions from aqueous solutions. We analyzed the morphology and chemical composition of pinecones (9.4% extractives, 37.0% lignin, 68.6% holocellulose, 1.4% ash). The effect of pH and adsorbent dose on the adsorption process was studied, as were the sorption kinetics and isotherms. The pinecones showed good potential to remove Zn ions, with 96% removal at pH 7 and a maximum adsorption capacity of 7.92 mg g−1 . The process followed the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating a heterogeneous surface and multilayer adsorption, and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. The use of pinecones as bio-adsorbent is therefore a green and low-cost alternative for environmental remediation and biomass waste management.
- Avaliação e intervenção familiar em famílias migrantes : Contributo do enfermeiro de famíliaPublication . Balula, Telma Sofia Carreira; Bica, IsabelIntrodução: Nos últimos anos, Portugal tornou-se um destino cada vez mais atrativo para migrantes de diversas partes do mundo. Esta nova realidade apresenta desafios e oportunidades, tanto para população que é recebida como para a população que os acolhem. Para famílias migrantes com crianças pequenas, os desafios são ainda mais significativos, abrangendo áreas críticas como educação, integração social e saúde. Esses desafios podem afetar gravemente o seu bem-estar e dificultar a sua integração na sociedade portuguesa. Neste contexto, a Enfermagem de Saúde Familiar assume um papel fundamental na identificação de necessidades e na promoção de ganhos em saúde. Objetivos: O presente estudo teve como objetivos: avaliar as famílias migrantes à luz do Modelo Dinâmico de Avaliação e Intervenção Familiar (MDAIF); identificar necessidades nas diferentes dimensões da estrutura e funcionamento familiar; e implementar planos de intervenção em Enfermagem de Saúde Familiar, construídos em colaboração com as famílias, culturalmente sensíveis e ajustados ao seu ciclo de vida. Métodos: Trata-se de uma investigação qualitativa, sustentada em quatro estudos de caso individuais com famílias migrantes acompanhadas por uma Unidade de Saúde Familiar (USF) integrada na Unidade Local de Saúde (ULS) Viseu Dão Lafões. A seleção das famílias foi intencional, tendo por base o respetivo ficheiro clínico. A recolha de dados decorreu em diferentes contextos (consultas presenciais, visitas domiciliárias e videochamadas), e recorreu a instrumentos como o MDAIF, Genograma, Ecomapa, Escala de Graffar, FACES II e a Escala de Risco Familiar de Segovia-Dreyer e de Garcia-Gonzalez. As áreas de atenção em destaque foram: Planeamento Familiar Não Eficaz, Papel Parental Não Adequado e Gravidez Não Adequada. Resultados: Os resultados evidenciam a eficácia do Modelo Dinâmico de Avaliação e Intervenção Familiar (MDAIF) na prática de enfermagem centrada na família migrante. A abordagem colaborativa entre enfermeiro e família destacou-se como essencial para identificar focos de atenção, definir prioridades e implementar intervenções eficazes. A utilização de instrumentos como o Genograma, Ecomapa e escalas de avaliação familiar permitiu uma leitura holística e detalhada das dinâmicas familiares, facilitando planos de cuidados individualizados. O enfermeiro de família revelou-se peça-chave, promovendo educação, empoderamento e autonomia das famílias, mesmo perante os desafios inerentes ao processo migratório. A flexibilidade do MDAIF permitiu adaptar intervenções ao contexto sociocultural, reforçando a pertinência de uma abordagem culturalmente sensível. A análise evidenciou lacunas nos ficheiros familiares, sublinhando a importância de uma avaliação abrangente que contemple toda a rede familiar, incluindo membros não registados formalmente. Apesar das limitações do estudo (pequena amostra e contexto específico), os resultados reforçam o valor da intervenção sistémica e holística em enfermagem de saúde familiar, apontando caminhos para investigações futuras com amostras mais amplas e diversificadas. Conclusões: Este estudo reforça a importância de uma abordagem holística e sistémica da família na prática de Enfermagem de Saúde Familiar. Reconhecer a família como unidade dinâmica, com recursos, vulnerabilidades e contextos próprios, permite ao enfermeiro intervir de forma mais personalizada, culturalmente sensível e orientada para ganhos efetivos em saúde. A proximidade e o vínculo terapêutico estabelecido foram elementos-chave para o sucesso das intervenções e para a promoção da autonomia e da resiliência familiar. Palavras-Chave - Família, Migração, Enfermagem de família; Modelo Dinâmico de Avaliação e Intervenção Familiar; Intervenção Familiar
- Hepatocellular Early Apoptosis Associated with HES 130/0.4 Administration for Volume Replacement in Pigs After Severe BleedingPublication . Vala, Helena; Faustino-Rocha, Ana I.; Cruz, Rita; Venâncio, Carlos; Silva, Aura; Mesquita, João R.; Ortiz, Ana Liza; Ferreira, David A.Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 is commonly used for volume replacement, yet its hepatic effects in the context of acute haemorrhage remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate hepatic histopathological changes related to HES 130/0.4 administration when compared to Ringer’s lactate (RL) in healthy pigs subjected to acute bleeding under general anaesthesia. Eighteen pigs were randomised into three groups: RL (n = 6), HES 130/0.4 (n = 6), and a non-bleeding control (n = 6). Liver tissue was collected postmortem and analysed using haematoxylin–eosin staining, cytochrome c immunohistochemistry, the TUNEL assay, and M30 immunofluorescence. No statistically significant differences were observed in general histopathological changes, TUNEL, or cytochrome c expression (p > 0.050). However, the pigs that received HES 130/0.4 for volume replacement showed significantly higher intensity of the liver M30 immunostaining in the Q-score (p < 0.010), H-score (p < 0.010), and c indexc index (p < 0.050) when compared to animals that received Ringer’s lactate solution or animals in the control group. These findings suggest that HES 130/0.4 induces increased early hepatocellular apoptosis when compared to RL in this model, raising concerns about its hepatic safety profile under haemorrhagic conditions.
- Promoting Local Development and Food Literacy in a Rural Angolan CommunityPublication . Inês Figueiredo; Margarida Campos, Sofia; Joana Andrade; Eduardo Santos; Vitor Martins; Cardoso, Ana Paula; Ferreira, ManuelaBackground/Objectives: In Angola, malnutrition contributes each year to the deaths of an estimated 42,000 to 76,000 children under the age of 5. Addressing this issue must stand as a priority and requires providing local residents with access not only to nutritious food but also to adequate and accurate information in order to facilitate informed dietary choices. As part of the “Seigungo—Health, Education and Quality of Maternal and Child Life in Gungo project”, a nutrition-focused study was conducted in Gungo, Angola to evaluate the effectiveness of a training model designed to enhance food literacy among residents. Methods: Data were collected using a 14-item questionnaire developed to assess various key domains of food literacy: information seeking and access; comprehension and thematic knowledge; critical evaluation of information and behaviour; practical application and sound decision-making. Results: Thirty trainees took part in the study, of which 60% were men, with a mean age of 45.6 years. The majority were single (53.3%) and had completed six years of formal education (26.7%). Before attending the training program, 86.7% of the participants demonstrated inadequate or problematic food literacy. Following the intervention, the proportion of participants with adequate food literacy increased significantly from 13.3% to 73.3% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The training program had a statistically significant impact on improving food literacy.