Repositório Científico da Universidade Politécnica de Castelo Branco
RC UPCB - Repositório Científico
Entradas recentes
Industry digitalization technological developments in forest machines towards forestry 4.0
Publication . Sampaio, Carlos; Torres, Pedro; Farinha, Luís
This paper describes a case study, where the applicability of digital tools helps an SME to implement the concepts of Industry Digitization, reinforcing its entrepreneurial activity. We adopted a qualitative research methodology, through a case study, involving a research project for the digitization of the industry and technological developments in forest machines towards forestry 4.0. The case study reveals an example of technological improvements that solve a concrete problem and open the doors of a product to new markets, new customer demands , opening new market horizons through digitally based entrepreneurial practices.
A new antibacterial protocol based on Cymbopogon nardus (L.) rendle essential oil and UV-C radiation with potential application for hatching eggs
Publication . Oliveira , Gabriel da Silva; McManus , Concepta; Delgado, F.M.G.; Domingues , Joana; Oliveira Filho , Josemar Gonçalves de; Salgado, Cristiane Batista; Sousa , Heloisa Alves de Figueiredo; Santos, Vinícius Machado dos
Background/Objectives: Hatching egg sanitization protocols are primarily developed to protect embryos during the embryonic stage from exposure to horizontally transmitted pathogenic bacteria, thereby ensuring their survival. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle (Poaceae) essential oil, alone or combined with UV-C radiation, as a potential sanitization protocol for hatching eggs.
Methods: Unwashed table eggs, used as an experimental model, were sprayed with C. nardus essential oil at two concentrations (0.625–1.25%) and exposed to UV-C radiation for different exposure times (0–10 min). Mesophilic bacterial load and the physical characteristics of the eggshell were subsequently evaluated.
Results: A significant reduction in the mesophilic bacterial load on the eggshell surface was observed following the application of the treatments. C. nardus essential oil promoted reductions greater than 2 log10 CFU/mL, demonstrating strong antimicrobial activity. The application of UV-C radiation alone resulted in a progressive decrease in the bacterial population, reaching approximately 2 log10 CFU/mL after 10 min of exposure. However, the combination of the essential oil and UV-C radiation showed the highest antibacterial efficacy, reducing bacterial counts to below 1 log10 CFU/mL, indicating that the combination of the two technologies was more effective than either treatment applied alone. No significant macroscopic changes were observed in the physical characteristics of the eggshells.
Conclusions: The combined application of C. nardus essential oil and UV-C radiation on the eggshell surface may represent a promising sanitization protocol with potential application for hatching eggs.
From pollen to patterns: authentication and geographical classification of stingless bee honey by melissopalynology and chemometrics
Publication . Hernández Zarta, Héctor Hernán; Caruso, Sebastian; Ressutte, Jéssica; Luz, Cynthia F.P. da; Anjos, O.; Spinosa, Wilma A.; Galvan, Diego
The geographical origin of stingless bee honey influences its physicochemical, biochemical, and sensory characteristics. In this study, we propose a chemometric approach for the geographical classification and authentication of Brazilian stingless bee honey based on melissopalynological profiling. A dataset of honey samples from five Brazilian states (Par´a, Maranh˜ao and Amazonas in the North; Rio Grande do Sul and Paran´a in the South) and five genera of stingless bees was assembled. Pollen types were identified and quantified under photonic microscopy, and the relative frequencies of key pollen types were used as input variables. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed clear geographical differentiation, with Northern honeys associated with pollen types such as Tapirira guianensis, Triplaris, and Protium, whereas Southern were differentiated from Eucalyptus, Allophylus edulis, and Mimosa scabrella. Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS-DA) modeling achieved a satisfactory classification between Northern and Southern honeys, with zero misclassifications. In addition, a one-class classification using Data-Driven Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (DD-SIMCA) successfully authenticated honeys from Rio Grande do Sul, yielding perfect metrics in sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. These findings indicate that pollen composition, coupled with robust chemometric analyses, provides reliable
markers for the geographical classification and authentication of stingless bee honey.
Market orientation and business performance: Finding past, present and future trends
Publication . Sampaio, Carlos; Sebastião, João Renato; Régio, Mónica
The positive relationship between Market orientation and business performance has been widely reported in market orientation literature. However, there are mixed evidences about the effects of environmental factors such as market, economic or technologic turbulence and competitive intensity in this relationships. The current worldwide constrains in supply chains due to COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are causing severe effects in economies around the world. This study uses bibliometric methods, specifically an analysis to the co-citation network and a thematic analysis to market orientation published literature, to understand the current state-of-the-art of the research field. It also advices managers on how to create superior value to customers and superior business performance and proposes a set of future research lines.
Targeting skin aging: Anti-senescent potential and key enzyme modulation of Lavandula essential oils
Publication . Silva, Jorge M. Alves; Domingues, Joana; Delgado, F.M.G.; Ribeiro, Teresa; Cruz, Teresa; Salgueiro, Lígia; Girão, Henrique; Zuzarte, Mónica
Introduction: Skin aging is an inherent biological process linked to chronological aging that can be accelerated by external factors. Cellular senescence and skin enzymes are crucial players in this process and, therefore, relevant preventive and therapeutic targets. In this scenario, aromatic plants and their essential oils have gained attention as promising agents in the management of skin aging. The present study aims to explore the anti-senescent potential of Lavandula stoechas subsp. luisieri and Lavandula pedunculata essential oils on skin fibroblasts and their effect on relevant enzymes, given their anti-inflammatory effects.
Methods: The chemical characterization of the essential oils was carried out by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and their effect evaluated on etoposide-induced senescent fibroblasts during the recovery phase. Relevant markers of cellular senescence were analyzed, namely, β-galactosidase activity through a colorimetric assay, nuclear alterations by immunofluorescence, SASP
secretion through ELISA, expression levels of cell cycle inhibitors by WB analysis and ultrastructural alterations using transmission electron microscopy. Modulation of key enzyme activity was determined using an in chemico approach.
Results: The essential oil of L. pedunculata was characterized by high amounts of fenchone and camphor whereas that of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri showed a very peculiar chemical profile rich in rare necrodane derivatives and lavandulyl acetate. Both essential oils were effective in decreasing most of the senescence markers but L. stoechas subsp. luisieri strikingly attained significant effects at very low concentrations (6.25 μg/mL).
Conclusion: These results highlight the potential of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri to mitigate cellular senescence and delay skin aging, thereby contributing to the valorization of this underexplored species in cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications.