Abstract Shallow geothermal energy systems (SGES) are being widely recognized throughout the world in the era of renewable energy promotion. The world is aiming to promote and implement the concept of nearly zero energy consumption in the building sector. Shallow geothermal energy systems have huge potential to meet the heating and cooling demand of a building with low carbon emissions. However, the shallow geothermal system exploration rate and its global contribution to renewable energy used in the buildings sector is yet relatively low. Therefore, this study explores specific barriers which hinder the promotion of shallow geothermal energy systems through a systematic review of the literature. The study was carried out by investigating published papers indexed in Scopus and Web of science core collection databases. The selected papers are focused on shallow geothermal energy systems and barriers to their promotion. Only review and research articles types were included in the analysis and constrained to the topic of closed-loop shallow geothermal energy systems. This system’s promotion has been influenced by the lack of legislation, little knowledge about the conductivity of soil and by high initial investment cost at its topmost. The least influencing barrier is considered to be the heating and cooling efficiency of shallow geothermal energy systems.

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyday life in societies around the world. One of the most severe consequences has been the social isolation imposed by this extremely contagious disease. In this context, many people began looking for a pet for the first time. In Brazil, for instance, the pet sector increased its financial returns in 2020. In addition, companies that produce pet foods have experienced problems with the supply of materials. Supply chain disruption is a problem faced by many different organizations during this time of crisis. This study, therefore, investigated the supply of raw materials stored in the silos and tanks of a large company. This company have operations in 80 countries across the world and produces different products, including pet food. Thirteen raw materials used to produce pet food were considered. In addition, eight criteria of the company’s supply process were identified and explored. Moreover, the Flexible and Interactive Tradeoff (FITradeoff) method, which is a Multiple Criteria Decision Making/Aiding (MCDM/A) method, was applied to rank the raw materials based on supply difficulty. In terms of supply criticality, the order of materials was established from less critical to most critical. These results can be used by companies to better plan the receipt of these materials to reduce the risk of supply chain-related disruptions and propose better ways to distribute activities between planners to help them in their daily management.

Abstract Prolonged overexposure to catecholamines causes toxicity, usually credited to continuous adrenoceptor stimulation, autoxidation, and the formation of reactive pro-oxidant species. Non-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were used to study the possible contribution of oxidative stress in adrenaline (ADR)-induced neurotoxicity, as a model to predict the toxicity of this catecholamine to peripheral nerves. Cells were exposed to several concentrations of ADR (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1mM) and two cytotoxicity assays [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction] were performed at several time-points (24, 48, and 96h). The cytotoxicity of ADR was concentration- and time-dependent in both assays, since the lowest concentration tested (0.1mM) also caused significant cytotoxicity at 96h. N-acetyl-cysteine (1mM), a precursor of glutathione synthesis, prevented ADR-induced toxicity elicited by 0.5mM and 0.25mM ADR following a 96-h exposure, while the antioxidant Tiron (100µM) was non-protective. In conclusion, ADR led to mitochondrial distress and ultimately cell death in non-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, possibly because of ADR oxidation products. The involvement of such processes in the catecholamine-induced peripheral neuropathy requires further analysis.

ABSTRACT In this work, we aim to discuss the main aspects of the interactions between Instagram digital influencers and a group of Physical Education academics from the Brazilian Northeast. This research is a case study whose data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 20 students. We used content analysis for coding and categorization of speeches and webQDA software. The main types of interaction found permeate different levels of harmful behaviors, professional influence, health education and consumption. As a health area, Physical Education has an important role in considering these new ways of interacting with digital information media and their actors, considering the various training and professional contexts.

RESUMEN En este trabajo pretendemos discutir los principales aspectos de las interacciones entre los influenciadores digitales de Instagram y un grupo de académicos de Educación Física del Nordeste brasileño. Esta investigación es un estudio de caso cuyos datos se obtuvieron a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas a 20 estudiantes. Se utilizó el análisis de contenido para la codificación y categorización de los enunciados y el software webQDA. Los principales tipos de interacción encontrados permean diferentes niveles de conductas nocivas, influencia profesional, educación para la salud y consumo. Como área de la salud, la Educación Física tiene un papel importante en la consideración de estas nuevas formas de interacción con los medios digitales de información y sus actores, teniendo en cuenta los diversos contextos formativos y profesionales.

RESUMO Neste trabalho visamos discutir os principais aspectos das interações entre influenciadores digitais do Instagram e um grupo de acadêmicos de Educação Física do Nordeste brasileiro. Essa pesquisa é um estudo de caso cujos dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas a 20 estudantes de uma universidade do Nordeste brasileiro. Utilizamos a análise de conteúdo para codificação e categorização das falas e o software webQDA. Os principais tipos de interação encontrados perpassam diferentes níveis dos comportamentos nocivos, da influência profissional, da Educação para a saúde e do consumo. Enquanto área da saúde, a Educação Física tem um importante papel na consideração dessas novas formas de interagir com os meios digitais de informação e seus atores, considerando os variados contextos formativos e profissionais.

Abstract Residential care (RC) in Portugal has been the subject of an important scrutiny. Considering the relevance that the media assumes in public opinion, this study will focus on the main themes addressed in the scope of the RC in daily and weekly newspapers in the last 5 years. The document analysis focused, firstly, on RC news content and, secondly, on caregivers. The results will be discussed taking into account the comparative news coverage and scientific production in this field.

Resumo O acolhimento residencial (AR) em Portugal tem sido objeto de um importante escrutínio. Considerando a relevância que a comunicação social assume na opinião pública, este estudo incidirá sobre os principais temas abordados no âmbito do AR em diários e semanários nos últimos 5 anos. A análise documental incidiu num primeiro momento sobre conteúdos noticiosos do AR e num segundo momento nos cuidadores. Os resultados serão discutidos tendo em conta a cobertura noticiosa comparativa e a produção científica neste domínio.

Abstract Currently, research on understanding adipose tissue (AT) metabolism has increased significantly. AT is an endocrine organ, that releases proteins, specific metabolites, hormones, micro-RNAs and signaling lipids, all involved in a network of inter-organ communication. Among other effects, AT dysfunction contributes to a proinflammatory and diabetogenic state, from an early stage in the disease development. Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions worldwide, which has been linked to the development and progression of high-comorbidity and diseases, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, therapeutic strategies have been devised to modulate the composition of fat stores, including changes in lifestyle and/or pharmacological treatment for weight management or attenuation of cardiometabolic risk factors. As a result, life expectancy has been increasing. However, the population is being overmedicated and secondary adverse effects due to drug usage can be serious. Commonly prescribed drugs for immunosuppression and psychiatric disorders, such as severe depression and anxiety, are known to alter metabolism, particularly, in AT depots. In this review, we discuss important molecular mechanisms in AT, especially in epicardial AT (EAT), that are highly modulated by these drugs, and put forth EAT as a potential therapeutic target for CVD.

Resumo Este estudo avaliou a resistência à fratura de dentes imaturos simulados reforçados com cimento de aluminato de cálcio (CAC) ou trióxido agregado mineral (MTA) contendo nanopartículas de carbonato de cálcio (nano-CaCO3). O arranjo microestrutural dos cimentos e sua constituição química também foram avaliados. Quarenta e oito caninos simulando dentes imaturos foram distribuídos em 6 grupos (n=8): Controle negativo - sem plug apical ou obturação do canal radicular; CAC - plug apical com CAC; CAC/nano-CaCO3 - plug apical com CAC + 5% nano-CaCO3; MTA - plug apical com MTA; MTA/nano-CaCO3 - plug apical com MTA + 5% nano-CaCO3; e Controle positivo - obturação dos canais radiculares com MTA. A resistência à fratura foi avaliada em máquina universal de ensaios. Amostras dos cimentos foram analisadas em Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura (MEV) para determinar seu arranjo microestrutural. A análise química dos cimentos foi realizada por Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raio-X (EDS). A resistência à fratura de CAC/nano-CaCO3 foi significativamente maior do que o controle negativo (p<0,05). Não houve diferença significativa entre os outros grupos (p>0,05). Ambos os cimentos apresentaram microestrutura mais regular com a adição de nano-CaCO3. As amostras de MTA apresentaram mais cálcio disponível em formas solúveis do que CAC. A adição de nano-CaCO3 ao CAC aumentou a resistência à fratura dos dentes em comparação aos dentes não reforçados. A microestrutura de ambos os cimentos contendo nano-CaCO3 foi semelhante, com uma distribuição mais homogênea de cristais de formato lamelar e prismático. MTA apresentou mais cálcio disponível nas formas solúveis do que CAC.

Abstract This study assessed the fracture resistance of simulated immature teeth reinforced with calcium aluminate cement (CAC) or mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) containing calcium carbonate nanoparticles (nano-CaCO3). The microstructural arrangement of the cements and their chemical constitution were also evaluated. Forty-eight canines simulating immature teeth were distributed into 6 groups (n=8): Negative control - no apical plug or root canal filling; CAC - apical plug with CAC; CAC/nano-CaCO3 - apical plug with CAC+5% nano-CaCO3; MTA - apical plug with MTA; MTA/nano-CaCO3 - apical plug with MTA+5% nano-CaCO3; and Positive control - root canal filling with MTA. The fracture resistance was evaluated in a universal testing machine. Samples of the cements were analyzed under Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to determine their microstructural arrangement. Chemical analysis of the cements was performed by Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The fracture resistance of CAC/nano-CaCO3 was significantly higher than the negative control (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among the other groups (p>0.05). Both cements had a more regular microstructure with the addition of nano-CaCO3. MTA samples had more calcium available in soluble forms than CAC. The addition of nano-CaCO3 to CAC increased the fracture resistance of teeth in comparison with the non-reinforced teeth. The microstructure of both cements containing nano-CaCO3 was similar, with a more homogeneous distribution of lamellar- and prismatic-shaped crystals. MTA had more calcium available in soluble forms than CAC.

Resumo Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da ação do Governo Português no sector da saúde, no período de intervenção da Troika (2011-2015), tomando como critério a preocupação com a aplicação dos princípios de Boa Governança, em termos de grau e diversidade. Pretende-se perceber em que medida a ação pública promovida pelo Ministério da Saúde se desenvolveu procurando contribuir para o fortalecimento das práticas de Boa Governança. Com base em análise documental, suportada nos diplomas legais e em outros documentos oficiais, foram analisadas 50 medidas de ação do Ministério da Saúde, que se distribuem por nove áreas de intervenção. Os princípios de Boa Governança que representam uma preocupação mais transversal são claramente o da “transparência” e o da “eficácia/eficiência”, presentes em oito das nove áreas de intervenção. A preocupação com a “orientação para consensos” está essencialmente presente nas medidas tipificadas como Acordos, a “independência” na área Ética, o “reforço do Estado de direito” na área Controlo e a “equidade/inclusão” na área Cidadão no Centro do SNS.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the quality of the Portuguese Government’s action in the health sector during Troika’s intervention period (2011-2015), taking as criterion the concern with the application of Good Governance principles, in terms of degree and diversity. The intention is to understand the extent to which the public action promoted by the Ministry of Health has developed seeking to contribute to the strengthening of Good Governance practices. Fifty measures of the Ministry of Health, distributed by nine intervention areas, were analyzed, based on documental analysis, supported on the law and on other official documents. The principles of Good Governance that demonstrate a more transversal concern are clearly that of “transparency” and of “effectiveness/efficiency”, present in eight of the nine intervention areas. The concern with “orientation to consensus” is essentially present in the measures classified as Agreements, “independence” in the Ethics area, the “strengthening of the rule of Law” in the Control area and “equity/inclusion” in the area of the Citizen in the Centre of the NHS.

Resumo Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a qualidade da ação do Governo Português no sector da saúde, no período de intervenção da Troika (2011-2015), tomando como critério a preocupação com a aplicação dos princípios de Boa Governança, em termos de grau e diversidade. Pretende-se perceber em que medida a ação pública promovida pelo Ministério da Saúde se desenvolveu procurando contribuir para o fortalecimento das práticas de Boa Governança. Com base em análise documental, suportada nos diplomas legais e em outros documentos oficiais, foram analisadas 50 medidas de ação do Ministério da Saúde, que se distribuem por nove áreas de intervenção. Os princípios de Boa Governança que representam uma preocupação mais transversal são claramente o da “transparência” e o da “eficácia/eficiência”, presentes em oito das nove áreas de intervenção. A preocupação com a “orientação para consensos” está essencialmente presente nas medidas tipificadas como Acordos, a “independência” na área Ética, o “reforço do Estado de direito” na área Controlo e a “equidade/inclusão” na área Cidadão no Centro do SNS.

Abstract This study aims to evaluate the quality of the Portuguese Government’s action in the health sector during Troika’s intervention period (2011-2015), taking as criterion the concern with the application of Good Governance principles, in terms of degree and diversity. The intention is to understand the extent to which the public action promoted by the Ministry of Health has developed seeking to contribute to the strengthening of Good Governance practices. Fifty measures of the Ministry of Health, distributed by nine intervention areas, were analyzed, based on documental analysis, supported on the law and on other official documents. The principles of Good Governance that demonstrate a more transversal concern are clearly that of “transparency” and of “effectiveness/efficiency”, present in eight of the nine intervention areas. The concern with “orientation to consensus” is essentially present in the measures classified as Agreements, “independence” in the Ethics area, the “strengthening of the rule of Law” in the Control area and “equity/inclusion” in the area of the Citizen in the Centre of the NHS.

RESUMO A situação de estudo (SoS) tem revelado ser uma estratégia eficiente para promoção de aprendizagens significativas. Este estudo teve como objetivo demonstrar como uma SdE sobre educação em saúde (“Conhecendo o câncer: um caminho para a vida”) pode ser implementada no âmbito do processo de cocriação (CoC). O estudo foi realizado numa escola de ensino médio, com a participação de cinco grupos: alunos (14-15 anos), professores, futuros professores, formadores universitários de professores e profissionais de saúde. As dez atividades foram realizadas na escola e no exterior em cinco meses, desenvolvendo um processo de ciclo autorreflexivo: “refletir e planejar”, “atuar e observar” e “analisar e refletir”. As transcrições dos debates e dos textos dos alunos e professores foram submetidas a análise de conteúdo. Este estudo demonstrou que a Situação de Estudo implementada em um processo de cocriação foi muito eficiente para os alunos desenvolverem um aprendizado significativo.

ABSTRACT Situation of study (SoS) has been reported as an excellent strategy to promote students’ significant learning. This work intended to demonstrate how a SoS on health education (“Knowing cancer: a way to life”) can be implemented within the co-creation (CoC) framework. The study was carried out in a middle school, with the participation of five groups: students (14-15 years old), teachers, future teachers, university teacher trainers and health professionals. The 10 activities were carried out in school and outdoors for five months, undergoing a process of self-reflexive cycle: “reflecting and planning”, “acting and observing”, and “analyzing and reflecting”. Transcripts of debates and of students’ and teachers’ texts were subject to content analysis. This study on a topic of health education demonstrated that the Situation of Study implemented in a co-creation process was very efficient for students to develop significant learning.

RESUMEN La situación de estudio (SdE) es una excelente estrategia para la promoción de aprendizajes significativos. El objetivo de este trabajo es demostrar cómo una SdE sobre educación en salud (“Conociendo el cáncer: un camino para la vida”) puede ser implementada en el ámbito del proceso de co-creación (CoC). El estudio fue realizado en una escuela de educación secundaria, con la participación de 5 grupos: estudiantes (14-15 años), profesores, futuros profesores, formadores universitarios de profesores y profesionales de salud. Las diez actividades fueron realizadas en la escuela y en el exterior durante cinco meses, desarrollando un proceso de ciclo autorreflexivo “reflexionar y planear”, “actuar y observar” y “analizar y reflexionar”. Las transcripciones de los debates y los textos de estudiantes y profesores fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido. Este estudio demostró que la situación de estudio fue muy eficiente para que los estudiantes desarrollen aprendizajes significativos.

Abstract Osteoporosis is a metabolic disorder characterized by a loss of bone mass and structure and increasing the risk of fragility fractures, mostly among postmenopausal women. Sheep is a recognized large animal model for osteoporosis research. An experimental group of ewes (3-4 years old) was subjected to ovariectomy (OVX) and weekly glucocorticoid (GC) application for 24 weeks and compared with a sham control group. Blood and bone marrow parameters were analyzed before and 24 weeks after OVX and GC administration. Osteopenia was confirmed through micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis of L4 vertebra in the study end. A statistically significant increase was observed in mean corpuscular volume, mean cell hemoglobin and monocytes and a decrease in red blood count and eosinophils (p<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, magnesium and α1-globulin increased, and creatinine, albumin, sodium and estradiol decreased (p<0.05). A slight decrease of bone formation markers (bone ALP and osteocalcin) and an increase of bone resorption markers (C-terminal telopeptides of collagen type 1 and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) were observed, but without statistical significance. This study aims to contribute to better knowledge of sheep as a model for osteoporosis research and the consequences that a performed induction protocol may impose on organic metabolism.

Resumo Este estudo debruça-se sobre as dificuldades de alunos portugueses do 9.° ano de escolaridade na construção e interpretação de diagramas de extremos e quartis (DEQ). O estudo tem por base as respostas dadas por 93 alunos do 9.° ano a duas questões sobre DEQ num teste de diagnóstico escrito. Examinando as configurações dos objetos e processos matemáticos que intervêm nas resoluções dos alunos, identificaram-se discrepâncias entre os significados pessoais atingidos pelos alunos e os significados institucionais pretendidos na construção e interpretação de DEQ, constatando-se que: (i) na construção de DEQ observam-se confusões na forma de apresentar um DEQ ao incorporar o seu suporte numérico no próprio diagrama, detectando-se dificuldades na precisão a tomar para a escala do suporte quando o domínio de variação dos dados é maior; e (ii) na interpretação de DEQ são manifestas dificuldades em analisar a forma distribucional dos dados através de um DEQ, observando-se a tendência para o aluno responder com base na perceção intuitiva da simetria e dispersão da distribuição, sem recorrer a medidas estatísticas adequadas na sua argumentação. Observou-se, ainda, que a construção do DEQ é mais fácil do que a sua interpretação. Estes resultados corroboram a ideia de que a análise de dados agregados, usando DEQ, não é uma tarefa fácil de compreender por parte de alunos deste nível de escolaridade, sugerindo-se uma maior articulação entre atividades de construção de DEQ e atividades de interpretação.

Abstract This study deals with the difficulties of 9th grade Portuguese students in the building and interpreting of boxplots (DEQ). The study is based on the responses given by 93 9th grade students to 2 questions on the DEQ in a written diagnostic test. By examining the configurations of the objects and mathematical processes that intervene in the students' resolutions, we have identified discrepancies between the personal meanings reached by the students and the institutional meanings intended in the construction and interpretation of the DEQ, noting that: (i) in the construction of the DEQ we observed confusions in the form of presenting a DEQ by incorporating its numeric support in the diagram itself, and difficulties in the accuracy to be considered for the support scale of the support when the data's variation domain is greater; and (ii) in the interpretation of DEQ, there are clear difficulties in analyzing the distributional form of the data through a DEQ, observing the tendency for the student to respond based on the intuitive perception of the symmetry and dispersion of the distribution, without resorting to statistical measures in their justifications. We also observed that the construction of the DEQ is easier than its interpretation. These results corroborate the idea that the analysis of aggregate data, using DEQ, is not an easy task to understand by students of this level of education, so we suggest a greater articulation between DEQ construction activities and interpretation activities.

Abstract Paper aims This paper presents teachers and students perspectives of integration Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses contents into the first year of Industrial Engineering and Management (IEM) program through Project-Based Learning (PBL). Originality These perspectives provide strategies that IEM teachers could use to challenge students to apply STEM contents to design a product and its production system by developing a semester interdisciplinary project. Research method Grounded on project deliveries and an on-line questionnaire, the teachers and students’ work and perceptions were analysed in order to understand and to evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies. Main findings Results pointed out a general satisfaction of the teachers with the way teams integrate the STEM contents to design the production system and the product and students proud of their projects. Implications for theory and practice PBL is recognized as an active learning methodology that engages students in their own learning process and allows them to realize the relevance of all courses and the role of each to design a product/production system. Nevertheless, is fundamental a good knowledge of the PBL process to achieve this.

ABSTRACT Sustainable Supply Chain is nowadays an increasing area of concern for both academia and industry that aims to design, plan and operate supply chains that guarantee market needs while considering not only profit objectives but also environmental and social concerns in a solution of compromise. Being supply chains complex systems the pursuing of such compromise solution calls for the use of decision tools that can support decision makers. Such tools should be based on quantitative models where Operational Research (OR) methods ought to be explored and where optimization, in particular, has a role to play. In this paper, the main characteristics of such optimization models, focusing on the design and planning of sustainable supply chains are discussed and the main issues to be considered when addressing such problems are identified. A framework, SusFrame, developed to guide practitioners and researchers in the development of optimization models for the design and planning of sustainable supply chains, is presented and applied to the solution of a set of case-studies, demonstrating the large applicability of such tool and how optimization methods can be used to help the sustainable supply chain decision process.

Abstract Rethink the interventions, human practices and their effects on the natural environment, for the preservation of life and biodiversity, threatened by the capitalist model of production, consumption and disposal, becomes each day more indispensable. The role of universities as knowledge building space is fundamental for the insertion of the environmental approach (greening) in its various fronts (education, research, extension, and management). Following the line of several types of researches about the subject, this paper aims to identify if and how the issue of sustainability (e.g. through Project-Based Learning use) is taught in the various engineering programs of a Portuguese Public University. This study was carried out by a documental research based on the programs´ curricula published in the official website of the university. The engineering programs selected included integrated master, master (second cycle) and doctorate (third cycle). In this study, it was identified programs that are more focused on sustainability concepts than others, so the programs were classified in three categories: strongest, medium and weakest focus.