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- 3D Printed Robotic Hand with Piezoresistive Touch CapabilityPublication . Fonseca, Gonçalo; Nunes-Pereira, João; Silva, AbilioThis work proposes the design of a low-cost sensory glove system that complements the operation of a 3D-printed mechanical hand prosthesis, providing it with the ability to detect touch, locate it and even measure the intensity of associated forces. Firstly, the production of the prosthetic model was performed using 3D printing, which allowed for quick and cheap production of a robotic hand with the implementation of a mechanical system that allows controlled movements with high performance and with the possibility of easily replacing each piece individually. Secondly, we performed the construction and instrumentation of a complementary sensory mimicry add-on system, focusing on the ability to sense touch as the primary target. Using piezoresistive sensors attached to the palm of the glove, a multi-sensor system was developed that was able to locate and quantify forces exerted on the glove. This system showed promising results and could be used as a springboard to develop a more complex and multifunctional system in the future.
- aBEIRAr – Uma Biblioteca do Ensino Superior num projeto de Ciência CidadãPublication . Pessoa, Paulo; Pinto, SandraO Projeto de Ciência Cidadã – aBEIRAr – nasce de uma convergência de objetivos comuns entre diferentes parceiros que estão inseridos num território de montanha e no interior de Portugal. A valorização deste território constituiu o mote para que se desse início à criação e desenvolvimento do projeto, tendo sempre em conta o fundamental e imprescindível envolvimento do cidadão, entre o saber ancestral e o conhecimento científico. Haverá melhor forma de valorizar o território, do que cruzar os saberes e envolver os que nele vivem, ao mesmo tempo que se impulsiona a inovação tendo em conta a idiossincrasia territorial? É este o mote que sustenta o projeto aBEIRAr: participação do cidadão, reconhecimento do saber ancestral e científico para uma inovação efetiva e sustentável destes territórios tantas vezes esquecidos e pouco valorizados.
- Assessment of the Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of the Phenolic Compounds of Prunus avium L. by in Vitro Digestion and Cell ModelPublication . Gonçalves, Joana; Ramos, Rodrigo; Luís, Ângelo; Rocha, Sandra; Rosado, Tiago; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana PaulaThe fruit of Prunus avium L., commonly known as sweet cherry, is an excellent source of phytochemicals, namely, phenolic compounds. This study aims to determine in vitro the bioavailability and the bioactivity of phenolic compounds present in cherries. Caco-2 cells were used, and the permeability and integrity of the monolayer formed were investigated. After incubation, the phenolic compounds that permeabilized the cell monolayer were quantified using a high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl method. The results demonstrated that the phenolic compounds of sweet cherries after undergoing a simulated digestion were absorbed by the cellular barrier, becoming bioavailable. Contrary to what was found after incubation with the in vitro digested extract, the integrity of the cell monolayer was altered and its permeability increased upon incubation with the sweet cherry phenolic extract. Regarding the antioxidant activity, it was verified that this decreased after the absorption by the cellular monolayer. This study suggests that digestion is an indispensable process for absorption because without it the phenolic content of the food matrix does not become bioaccessible.
- Attribution of somatosensory properties to an upper limb prosthesisPublication . Fonseca, Gonçalo; Nunes-Pereira, João; Pereira Silva, AThe nervous system is a complex network composed by cells, tissue, and organs that have the ability of receiving, transmit, regulate, and send information and stimuli, not only within our body but from our surroundings1. This information is produced by a complex system of neurochemical and electrical reactions that produce the perceptions of heat, smell, taste, proprioception, and touch that lead to physical reactions (movement)2. When that transmission of information is lost due to malformations or accident, there are several physiological responses that will either be lost or try to find new pathways to function and make sense out the current situation. Bringing the division of this work into three phases. The first phase, the production of the prosthetic model by 3D printing (Fig. 1a), reducing the time-consuming production of the different parts by changing production characteristics like infill, layer height, surface quality, ironing and type of material used. The second phase, the instrumentalization of the prosthetic (Fig. 1b) focussing on allowing it to function by controlled and regulated force execution, with lowcost servomotors and components, with easy access to replacement. The third phase, the construction of the sensing mimicking, add-on sensory system using piezoresistive sensors attached to the palm side of a glove on specific regions that allowed not only the location and detection of the forces being exerted, but also their quantification (Fig. 1c). The type of instrumentalization planning used on the sensory glove, allow an easier access to the sensors and other components, making it quite to replace or to adapt . Overall, the results produced were very promising, and better than expected, allowing not only the localization and measurement of force, and analog read for each sensor without too much signal interference, but also a better access and cost reduction prototype.
- Ayahuasca Beverages: Phytochemical Analysis and Biological PropertiesPublication . Gonçalves, Joana; Luís, Ângelo; Gradillas, Ana; García, Antonia; Restolho, José; Fernández, Nicolás; Domingues, F.C.; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana PaulaAyahuasca is a psychoactive beverage, originally consumed by indigenous Amazon tribes, of which consumption has been increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile, as well as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of decoctions of four individual plants, a commercial mixture and four mixtures of two individual plants used in the Ayahuasca preparation. For this purpose, a phytochemical characterization was performed, determining the content of flavonoids, total phenolic compounds, and analyzing the phenolic profile. Besides, 48 secondary metabolites were investigated by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS) and their concentration estimated with real standards when present. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by both the β-carotene bleaching test and DPPH free radical scavenging assay, and the anti-inflammatory activity was determined by a protein denaturation method. Finally, the antimicrobial properties were evaluated using the disc diffusion assay, resazurin microtiter method, anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm activity assays. The obtained results showed that, in general, the samples have a high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids with noticeable differences, reflecting on remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Significant antimicrobial properties were also observed, with emphasis on the effect of B. caapi and P. harmala on planktonic and biofilm cells of A. baumannii, inhibiting both the biofilm formation and the production of violacein pigment.
- Biblioteca da UBI com a Ciência Cidadã: Projeto aBEIRArPublication . Pessoa, Paulo; Pinto, SandraO Projeto de Ciência Cidadã – aBEIRAr – nasce de uma convergência de objetivos comuns entre diferentes parceiros. A valorização do território abrangido pela Comunidade Intermunicipal das Beiras e Serra da Estrela constituiu o mote para a criação e desenvolvimento deste projeto, baseado no imprescindível envolvimento do cidadão.
- Biblioteca da UBI: 5 anos de experiência KohaPublication . Rosa, José Maria Silva; Ribeiro, Ilda Anunciação do Patrocinio CamposApresentação sobre a Biblioteca da UBI e os 5 anos com o sistema de gestão Koha durante a "Conferência 10 Anos do Koha em Portugal" (18-19 Maio 2017, IPL).
- Comparative study of sample preparation procedures to determine the main compounds in ayahuasca beverages by QuEChERS and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysisPublication . Gonçalves, Joana; Rosado, Tiago; Barroso, Mário; Restolho, José; Fernández, Nicolás; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Duarte, Ana PaulaIntroduction Ayahuasca is a psychoactive drink originally consumed by indigenous people of the Amazon. The lack of regulation of this drink leads to uncontrolled consumption, and it is often consumed in religious contexts. Objective The aim of this work is to compare three miniaturised extraction techniques for extracting the main ayahuasca compounds from beverages. Methodology Three sample pretreatment techniques were evaluated (dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction [DLLME], microextraction by packed sorbent [MEPS] and QuEChERS [Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe]) for the simultaneous extraction of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmine, harmaline, harmol and harmalol from ayahuasca beverage samples. Then, the most promising technique (QuEChERS) was chosen to pre-concentrate the analytes, subsequently detected by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD). Results The procedure was optimised, with the final conditions being 500 μL of extractor solvent, 85 mg of primary secondary amine (PSA) and 4 s of vortexing. The analytical method was validated, showing to be linear between 0.16 and 10 μg/mL for β-carbolines and between 0.016 and 1 μg/mL for DMT, with coefficients of determination (R2) between 0.9968 and 0.9993. The limit of detection (LOD) and lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) were 0.16 μg/mL for all compounds, except for DMT (0.016 μg/mL) and extraction efficiencies varied between 60.2% and 88.0%. Conclusion The analytical methodology proved to be accurate and precise, with good linearity, LODs and LLOQs. This method has been fully validated and successfully applied to ayahuasca beverage samples.
- COVID-19 in children: A Systematic review and meta-analysisPublication . Amaral, Leonor; Luís, Ângelo; Gallardo, Eugenia; Domingues, Fernanda C.; Pereira, LuísaThe consumption of new psychoactive substances (NPSs) has been increasing, and this problem affects several countries worldwide. There is a class of NPSs of natural origin, consisting of plants and fungi, which have a wide range of alkaloids, responsible for causing relaxing, stimulating or hallucinogenic effects. The consumption of some of these substances is prompted by religious beliefs and cultural reasons, making the legislation very variable or even ambiguous. However, the abusive consumption of these substances can present an enormous risk to the health of the individuals, since their metabolism and effects are not yet fully known. Additionally, NPSs are widely spread over the internet, and their appearance is very fast, which requires the development of sophisticated analytical methodologies, capable of detecting these compounds. Thus, the objective of this work is to review the toxicological aspects, traditional use/therapeutic potential and the analytical methods developed in biological matrices in twelve plant specimens (Areca catechu, Argyreia nervosa, Ayahuasca, Catha edulis, Datura stramonium, Lophophora williamsii, Mandragora officinarum, Mitragyna speciosa, Piper methysticum Forst, Psilocybe, Salvia divinorum and Tabernanthe iboga).
- ERASMUS+ staff mobilityPublication . Gabriel, Graça da Conceição FilipeWe live in an age of global knowledge, with rapid advances in science and technology and acceleration in learning. We also live in an age of profound need for more cohesive and inclusive societies which allow citizens to play an active role in democratic life, thus fostering social integration, and enhancing intercultural understanding. It is through education and training that that nowadays societies and individuals can play a decisive role tackling socio-economic changes and other key challenges. The labour market accompanies these changes, requiring professionals to be able to interact in a global setting. Furthermore, some particular skills are increasingly viewed as major soughtafter assets: intercultural skills, global awareness, foreign language(s) expertise, interconnected networking, lifelong learning, tolerance and constant adaptability. The Erasmus+ is the European Union's programme that invests in knowledge, skills and competences that will benefit individuals, organisations and society as a whole by ensuring equity, prosperity and social inclusion. This programme is also an effective instrument for personal fulfilment. The present report aims at providing a summary of the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Programme developed at The Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) from 13th May to 17th May 2019. It offers a brief description of the city, the university and the Library, together with an account of the main activities undertaken at the M. Gorky Scientific Library.