University of Algarve

Spermatogonia cryopreservation is a method to preserve valuable genomes from both maternal and paternal origin. The damage associated with the application of this technology on post-thaw cell quality is important to assess, including at the epigenetic level. This study aimed to assess post-thawed spermatogonia quality by evaluating alterations in plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity (fragmentation and apoptosis), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde levels) and epigenetic modifications (DNA methylation profile). We observed that plasma membrane integrity (fresh 78.98 % ± 5.66; cryopreserved 62.81 % ± 3.25; P = 0.003) and DNA integrity (fresh 32.95 % ± 2.28; cryopreserved 37.28 % ± 1.87; P = 0.0026) were affected by cryopreservation, while no difference in lipid peroxidation was observed (fresh 1.13 % ± 0.45; cryopreserved 0.91 % ± 0.96; P = 0.701). While global levels of DNA methylation were unaffected by cryopreservation (fresh 82.80 % ± 0.47; cryopreserved 83.32 % ± 0.81; P = 0.745), some differentially methylated cytosines (DMC) were observed in cryopreserved versus fresh spermatogonia (156 DMC). This study showed that spermatogonia cryopreserved according to our protocol provides a good supply of undamaged cells for several applications. The significance of the few detected DMCs deserves further attention since it may affect gamete differentiation and epigenetic profile.

The field of medical image segmentation powered by deep learning has recently received substantial attention, with a significant focus on developing novel architectures and designing effective loss functions. Traditional loss functions, such as Dice loss and Cross-Entropy loss, predominantly rely on global metrics to compare predictions with labels. However, these global measures often struggle to address challenges such as occlusion and nonuni-form intensity. To overcome these issues, in this study, we propose a novel loss function, termed Global–Local Active Contour (GLAC) loss, which integrates both global and local image features, reformulated within the Mumford-Shah framework and extended for multiclass segmentation. This approach enables the neural network model to be trained end-to-end while simultaneously segmenting multiple classes. In addition to this, we enhance the U-Net architecture by incorporating Dense Layers, Convolutional Block Attention Modules, and DropBlock. These improvements enable the model to more effectively combine contextual information across layers, capture richer semantic details, and mitigate overfitting, resulting in more precise segmentation outcomes. We validate our proposed method, namely GLAC-Unet, which utilizes the GLAC loss in conjunction with our modified U-shaped architecture, on three biomedical segmentation datasets that span a range of modalities, including two-dimensional and three-dimensional images, such as dermoscopy, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Extensive experiments demonstrate the promising performance of our approach, achieving a Dice score (DSC) of 0.9125 on the ISIC-2018 dataset, 0.9260 on the Automated Cardiac Diagnosis Challenge (ACDC) 2017, and 0.927 on the Infant Brain MRI Segmentation Challenge 2019. Furthermore, statistical significance testing with p-values consistently smaller than 0.05 on the ISIC-2018 and ACDC datasets confirms the superior performance of the proposed method compared to other state-of-the-art models. These results highlight the robustness and effectiveness of our multiclass segmentation technique, underscoring its potential for biomedical image analysis. Our code will be made available at https://github.com/minhnhattrinh312/Active-Contour-Loss-based-on-Global-and-Local-Intensity

Blockchain is an emerging technology, and despite the growing literature on the topic, research on the use of blockchain in the tourism and hospitality industry is still fragmented. Therefore, further research is needed to explore blockchain’s applications, benefits, and obstacles from the perspective of businesses and consumers. This article aims to systematically review the extant blockchain-related literature and understand how this technology can be applied to optimise tourism and hospitality products and enhance tourist experiences. Following PRISMA guidelines, 98 peer-reviewed articles were deemed relevant to this study through a search in Scopus and Web of Science platforms. As a result of mapping research on blockchain in tourism and hospitality industry using Bibliometrix, a framework focused on applications, benefits and obstacles was developed. Findings can be used as a guide by researchers to advance the topic, as well as by stakeholders and policymakers in the field. Managers in tourism and hospitality should understand how to incorporate blockchain in businesses better, and policymakers should endeavour to develop clear regulations, especially for cryptocurrency use, which can lead to an increase in the adoption of blockchain in tourism and hospitality companies.

In recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours. A key component in these discussions is the aesthetic and symbolic character of intentionally incised artefacts. In this study, we emphasize the geometry of the incisions as clues to intentionality. Using 3D surface analysis, we characterised incisions found on a Levallois core from Manot cave, and on a flake and retouched blade from Amud cave. In addition, we applied the same methodology to the previously published engraved Levallois core from Qafzeh and the plaquette from Quneitra. The incisions on the Manot, Qafzeh and Quneitra artefacts show similar geometric characteristics. Notably in each of these cases, the incisions form patterns that align with the artefact’s surface topography and shape. In contrast, the incisions on the Amud artefacts are shallower, with no clear orientation or patterning. The methodology applied thus creates a comparative context for MP incised items, reinforcing the interpretation of the Manot, Qafzeh and Quneitra artefacts as deliberate engravings, whereas the marks on the items from Amud are consistent with their functional use as abraders. While the Qafzeh, Quneitra and Manot items are isolated initiatives in their chronological and geographic contexts, the shared traits of the intentional engravings underscore their predetermined nature.

The Proposed Specifiers for Conduct Disorder (PSCD) is a promising novel scale that measures psychopathic traits and includes an additional conduct disorder factor that taps the antisocial dimension of psychopathy. The current study sought to broaden the application of PSCD by examining the factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and connections to delinquency in a young adult sample (N = 450; M = 31.91 years, SD = 13.02 years) obtained from the Brazilian community. Participants completed a self-report version of the PSCD along with other theoretically meaningful psychometric measures. Results supported a four-factor intercorrelated factor structure, with male participants scoring significantly higher than female participants on the PSCD total, grandiose-manipulative (GM), callous-unemotional (CU), daring-impulsive (DI), and conduct disorder (CD) factors. The four factors of the PSCD mainly presented positive, moderate to high significant inter-correlations and adequate reliability. The convergent validity with measures of the dark tetrad of personality, difficulties in emotion regulation, and self-reported delinquency also revealed positive moderate significant associations. Our findings support the use of the PSCD as a promising short, time-effective self-report measure of psychopathic traits in young adults.

The evolution of human behaviour is marked by key decision-making processes reflected in technological variability in the early archaeological record. As part of the technological system, differences in raw material quality directly affect the way that humans produce, design and use stone tools. The selection, procurement and use of various raw materials requires decision-making to evaluate multiple factors such as suitability to produce and design tools, but also the materials’ efficiency and durability in performing a given task. Therefore, characterizing the physical properties of various lithic raw materials is crucial for exploring changes in human interactions with their natural environment through time and space and for understanding their technological behaviour. In this paper, we present the first step in an ongoing program designed to understand the decision-making criteria involved in the use of raw materials by the early Acheulian tool-makers at the Melka Wakena (MW) site-complex, located on the Ethiopian highlands. We present the results of the first experimental step, in which we identified and measured the engineering properties of raw materials in the lithic assemblages. These data serve as an objective, quantifiable baseline for natural experiments as well as archaeological inquiries into the technological decision-making processes of early Pleistocene hominins in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Aortoiliac disease poses a significant cardiovascular (CV) risk, especially in individuals with chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to assess the predictive role of chronic kidney disease in long-term major adverse CV events in patients submitted to aortoiliac revascularization due to severe aortoiliac atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: From 2013 to 2023, patients who underwent aortoiliac revascularization for TASC II type D lesions, including those with chronic kidney disease, were selected from a prospective cohort study. Demographic, clinical, and postoperative data were collected. Prognostic factors were evaluated for their independent impact on outcomes using survival analysis with a multivariate Cox regression model. RESULTS: The study included 135 patients, 93.3% male, with a mean age of 62.39±9.20 years. Chronic kidney disease was associated with higher prevalence of short-term myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (54.5%, P=0.014) and was a long-term predictor of acute heart failure (Hazard Ratio=4.884; 95% confidence interval 2.377-22.802; P=0.007), major adverse CV events (HR 2.992; 95% CI 1.498-5.975, P=0.002) and all-cause mortality (HR 3.296; 95% CI 1.626-6.682, P<0.001). The multivariable analysis revealed significant associations between major adverse CV events and the following predictors: chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR=2.416, 95% CI 1.171-4.984, P=0.017) and congestive heart failure (adjusted HR=2.633, 95% CI 1.233-5.623, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic kidney disease is a recognized CV risk factor and an independent predictor of long-term acute heart failure, major adverse CV events, and all-cause mortality. These findings underscore the importance of early identification of CV complications and stricter long-term follow-up for chronic kidney disease patients undergoing aortoiliac revascularization.

Background Endocrine therapy’s effects may hinder the functional performance and quality of life of women with breast cancer. Physical activity can counteract these effects, but this population does not regularly adopt it. This study aimed to test the impact of a 12-week home-based exercise intervention with a supervised component on the functional performance, quality of life, and physical activity of women with breast cancer undergoing endocrine therapy. Methods Twenty-one women were initially randomized. Three participants were missing at random before the intervention started, leaving 18 with breast cancer stage I to III diagnosis, aged 18 to 75 years, receiving endocrine therapy, and reporting low to moderate activity levels. The study comprised a weekly online exercise session and, an exercise booklet intervention, and control group. Functional performance, quality of life, and physical activity were assessed. ANOVAs with repeated measures and Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons were conducted. Results High adherence to program was observed (80%). Significant group-by-time interactions, favoring the intervention group, were found for functional performance—sit-to-stand (F = 19.64; P < .001; Eta ² = .55), arm curl (F = 13.01; P = .002; Eta ² = .45), and timed-up-go (F = 12.22; P = .003; Eta ² = .43); quality of life—insomnia (F = 6.05; P = 0.026; Eta ² = .27) and global health status (F = 6.81; P = .020; Eta ² = .31); and total physical activity (F = 5.95; P = .027; Eta ² = .27). Conclusion The findings suggest that home-based exercise programs might be feasible and improve strength and overall mobility. These programs may contribute to increasing physical activity and quality of life of women with breast cancer. Further studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.

Recent crises exacerbate social, environmental, and economic problems affecting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urban resilience. Urgent action is needed to address these issues. The paper aims to (i) broaden the debate on urban resilience and the SDGs and (ii) examine how the interconnection of Urban Spatial Resilience (USR) and the SDGs can contribute to sus­tainable cities and communities. The research is developed through a literature review and a bibliometric analysis, followed by a quantitative approach using modeling and simulation. The results reveal three critical elements that can impact urban resilience and sustainable development: SDG11, urban spatial structure resilience, and urban spatial form resilience. Other findings indi­cate that SDG13 and SDG6 have a significant indirect relationship with urban resilience. The study provides policy implications supporting urban resilience and the SDGs.

Tagetes patula L. is a prominent plant that is frequently used for its ornamental value. Marigolds are sources of various compounds of great interest to agricultural, pharmaceutical, and nutritional industries. Microalgae can be applied as a biostimulant as they have multifunctional properties in agriculture, namely facilitating nutrient uptake, improving crop performance and physiological status, and thus increasing tolerance to abiotic stress. This study evaluated the effect of applying Chlorella vulgaris as a plant biostimulant on the growth and flowering of T.patula plants. Microalgae suspensions were applied to the substrate at concentrations of 0.5, 2.0 and 5.0 g dry weight (DW) L⁻¹. A set of plants without the application of microalgae was used as control. The use of microalgae had a positive impact on plant growth. Specifically, C. vulgaris application resulted in greater height, while the highest concentration (5.0 g DW L⁻¹) resulted in higher fresh weight. Microalgae application significantly promoted the earlier flowering of marigolds. The macronutrient and micronutrient values were statistically similar between the control plants and those treated with microalgae. When considering only the treated plants, there was a significant correlation between the concentration of C. vulgaris and the concentrations of N, P, Mn and Cu in the shoots of T.patula plants. Plants receiving higher concentrations of C. vulgaris exhibited higher levels of these nutrients. These results highlight the potential use of Chlorella vulgaris as an effective biostimulant for enhancing the growth, flowering, and nutrient uptake of T.patula, offering valuable applications for improving ornamental plant production and, ultimately, agricultural sustainability.

This cross-sectional, cross-cultural study aimed to investigate the relationships between death anxiety and work passion, focusing on the dimensions of harmonious and obsessive passion, as well as the moderating roles of work centrality and connection to work. Participants included Portuguese (n = 301) and Saudi Arabian (n = 181) employees. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze these relationships. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups, with Arabian participants reporting higher levels of death anxiety, work passion, and work centrality compared to Portuguese participants. The model demonstrated an adequate fit in both cultural contexts. The results indicated that death anxiety was negatively associated with harmonious work passion and positively associated with obsessive work passion in both cultures, with these effects being more pronounced among Saudi Arabian participants. Results of moderation analysis revealed that work centrality moderated the relationship between death anxiety and harmonious work passion only in Saudi Arab sample, while connection to work moderated this relationship only in Portuguese sample. Furthermore, the results indicated that work centrality and connection to work have no moderating effects on obsessive work passion in both cultures. These findings highlight the potential influence of cultural values on attitudes toward work and the interplay between personal and professional life, shaping how individuals experience death anxiety in the workplace.

Rhodolith beds are diverse and globally distributed habitats. Nonetheless, the role of rhodoliths in structuring the associated species community through a hierarchy of positive interactions is yet to be recognised. In this review, we provide evidence that rhodoliths can function as foundation species of multi-level facilitation cascades and, hence, are fundamental for the persistence of hierarchically structured communities within coastal oceans. Rhodoliths generate facilitation cascades by buffering physical stress, reducing consumer pressure and enhancing resource availability. Due to large variations in their shape, size and density, a single rhodolith bed can support multiple taxonomically distant and architecturally distinct habitat-forming species, such as primary producers, sponges or bivalves, thus encompassing a broad range of functional traits and providing a wealth of secondary microhabitat and food resources. In addition, rhodoliths are often mobile, and thus can redistribute associated species, potentially expanding the distribution of species with short-distance dispersal abilities. Key knowledge gaps we have identified include: the experimental assessment of the role of rhodoliths as basal facilitators; the length and temporal stability of facilitation cascades; variations in species interactions within cascades across environmental gradients; and the role of rhodolith beds as climate refugia. Addressing these research priorities will allow the development of evidence-based policy decisions and elevate rhodolith beds within marine conservation strategies.

Human Activity Recognition focuses on developing systems and techniques to recognise and categorise human actions automatically based on sensor data. This study combines ultra-wideband technology and binary sensors to describe and recognise daily activities in real-world environments with multiple occupants, ensuring accurate user localisation through non-invasive and privacy-respecting methods. A novel method that combines wearables with ultra-wideband technology, which allows the generation of heatmaps for accurate positioning, and binary sensors, which collect nearby interaction with daily activities in naturalistic conditions, is presented. A dataset comprised of real-world data collected from three individuals in a real-life environment (house) was compiled. Advanced deep learning models are implemented to effectively fuse spatiotemporal information, leading to an encouraging performance in recognition of daily activities. The promising results suggest that this approach could be viable for large-scale deployments in future smart environments.

The use of animal‐borne devices (= biologgers) has revolutionized the study of marine megafauna, yet there remains a paucity of data concerning the behavioral and physiological impacts of biologger attachment and retention. Here, we used animal‐borne cameras to characterize the behavior and dive duration of juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in The Bahamas for up to 210 min after biologger deployment (n = 58). For a “control,” we used unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect comparable data from nonhandled green turtles (n = 25) in the same habitats. Animal‐borne footage revealed that immediately after release turtles spent 70%–80% of their time swimming with a mean dive duration of 45.3 ± 34.3 s (SD). Over time, the percentage of time spent swimming decreased alongside an increase in dive duration until reaching a plateau around 90 min. However, the “control” UAV data for time spent swimming and dive durations were more comparable to the behaviors observed immediately after biologger deployment than during the plateau. We observed no significant differences in dive durations based on body size, and differences in behaviors based on body size were also minimal. We conclude that the effects of handling stress and biologger attachment on the behavior and dive duration of juvenile green turtles are evident up to 90 min postdeployment. After that, it is possible that either: (1) the effects of biologger deployment and retention are negligible, but UAVs may produce biased data that overestimates the proportion of time turtles typically spend swimming or (2) longer durations (> 210 min) are necessary for turtle behaviors to return to nonhandled levels and UAVs accurately represent the proportion of time turtles typically spend swimming. Answering this question, alongside further research into the physiological and behavioral implications of handling stress and biologger attachment, is essential to improve ethical biologging guidelines for sea turtles.

Marine invasive species pose significant ecological, economic, and social challenges, disrupting native ecosystems, outcompeting local species, and altering biodiversity. The spread of these species is largely driven by global trade, shipping, and climate change, which allow non-native species to establish themselves in new environments. Current management strategies, including early detection, rapid response, and biosecurity measures, have had some success, but the complexity and scale of the problem require continuous monitoring. This review explores the possibility of using some marine in-vasive species as skincare ingredients and explores the Azorean islands as a case study for the valorization of biomass. Additionally, this review addresses legislative barriers that delay the development of sustainable cosmetic markets from invasive species, high-lighting the regulatory landscape as a critical area. It concludes that marine invasive species present a regional and global problem that requires regional and global solutions. Such solutions strongly need to address environmental impacts and net socioeconomic benefits, but such solutions must also consider all regional differences, technical capacities and financial resources available. Thus, as a future perspective, strategies should em-phasize the need for international collaboration and the development of more effective policies to prevent the spread of invasive species. There is still much work to be com-pleted. By working together, the biodiversity for future generations will be better monitored and explored.

The exploration of natural products derived from medicinal plants that provide an abundance of bioactive compounds has long been a cornerstone of scientific discovery, revolutionizing fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology [...]