Sapientia
Repositório Científico da UAlg
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Application of solar HVAC system in residential buildings for winter conditions in mediterranean climate
Publication . Conceição, Eusébio; Gomes, João; Conceição, Margarida; Conceição, Maria Inês; Lúcio, Maria Manuela Jacinto do Rosário; Awbi, Hazim
The design of thermal strategies applied in buildings based on the use of renewable energies can play an important role in the development of a built environment that is better adapted to the climate. This paper is focused on the application of a renewable solar energy system coupled with a Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioned (HVAC) system to promote occupants’ thermal comfort (TC) and indoor air quality (IAQ) in buildings during heating season. In the building thermal design, a building thermal dynamic model is used to calculate the temperatures of the opaque and transparent building surfaces, the temperature of the water supply ducts, the TC level and the IAQ level, among other variables. The TC conditions of the occupants were evaluated using the Predicted Mean Vote index, commonly used in the literature in similar studies. IAQ was assessed by the usual carbon dioxide concentration in environments where most of the pollution is of human origin. The numerical study was carried out in a virtual residential building consisting of two floors and seven compartments. The building is occupied at night and at midday. Two cases were studied, considering, respectively, the non-use and use of the solar HVAC system. The solar HVAC system consists of solar water collectors, installed above the roof area, and thermo-convector heat exchangers, installed inside each occupied space. The results show that the application of this solar HVAC system in a Mediterranean-type climate is able to guarantee, during occupancy, acceptable TC levels in three compartments and near acceptable TC levels in one compartment. Regarding IAQ, acceptable level can be achieved throughout the day.
Valorization of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits and by-products as high-value sustainable products: a comprehensive review on bioactive composition, health benefits, and industrial applications
Publication . Djaoudene, Ouarda; Rodríguez-Solana, Raquel; Romano, Anabela
Health-promoting foods are attracting growing interest as complements to pharmacological interventions, particularly when incorporated into bioactive-enriched functional foods. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) plays a key socio-economic role in arid and semi-arid regions, and is widely recognized for its high nutritional value, functional attributes, and therapeutic potential. Date fruits and their processing by-products, particularly the seeds, are a rich source of essential nutrients, dietary fiber, and diverse phytochemicals with documented antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. This narrative review summarizes the latest evidence from experimental, preclinical, and emerging clinical studies on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, and biofunctional properties of dates and their derivatives, with particular emphasis on seeds as a significant processing by-product. Recent advances in their valorization for food applications, including bakery products, dairy products, beverages, meat products, confectionery, and active packaging, are critically discussed, as are their emerging uses in the pharmaceutical and related industries. Particular attention is given to their potential to improve the nutritional quality, functional performance, sensory attributes, and shelf life of food products. Overall, date fruits and their by-products are cost-effective, natural, and sustainable ingredients for developing value-added functional foods. Their efficient valorization offers promising strategies for reducing waste, implementing circular economy principles, and meeting the increasing consumer demand for healthier products. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary research and innovation to advance sustainable by-product utilization, improve agro-industrial waste management, and expand the range of high-value applications for date fruits and seeds, thereby contributing to global food security, economic development, and improved public health.
Unable to switch off: fear of missing out, affective rumination, and psychological detachment from work
Publication . Sousa, Cátia; Pires, Bárbara
The expansion of digital connectivity has reshaped contemporary work environments, increasing flexibility while simultaneously blurring the boundaries between work and personal life. In such contexts, employees may experience difficulties in psychologically detaching from work during off-job time. Drawing on the Effort–Recovery model and Conservation of Resources theory, this study examined whether affective work-related rumination indirectly explained the association between Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and psychological detachment. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 228 employees from diverse occupational sectors who completed validated measures of FoMO, affective rumination, and psychological detachment. Indirect effect analyses using bootstrapping procedures indicated that FoMO was positively associated with affective rumination, and affective rumination was negatively associated with psychological detachment. The indirect effect was significant, whereas the direct association between FoMO and detachment was not. These findings are consistent with an indirect association pattern whereby FoMO is related to lower psychological detachment through higher levels of affective rumination. However, given the cross-sectional design, the results should be interpreted as correlational evidence rather than as demonstrating a causal mediation process. The model accounted for approximately 10% of the variance in psychological detachment. Overall, the findings suggest that FoMO may be indirectly related to reduced recovery experiences via emotionally charged repetitive thinking that sustains cognitive activation beyond working hours. Addressing rumination and supporting healthier digital boundary management may therefore represent promising avenues for supporting occupational mental health in increasingly connected work environments.
Assessing the viability of chitosan-based films reinforced with cellulose nanofibers from salicornia ramosissima agro-industrial by-product for food packaging
Publication . Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Sautron, Laurence; Kalamaridou, Aliki; Lazzarotto Cristofoli, Nathana; Quintino, Andreia; Amaral, Renata A.; Saraiva, Jorge A.; Vieira, Margarida
This study investigates the valorisation of Salicornia ramosissima agro-industrial by-product by using cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) extracted from this halophyte to reinforce chitosan-based films. The physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of chitosan films containing 0% (control), 1%, and 2% (w/w) CNF were evaluated. Films were produced by solvent casting with glycerol as a plasticiser. At the 2% CNF concentration, films exhibited a reduced moisture content and increased solubility in aqueous solutions. The water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) decreased as CNF content increased under constant humidity but increased at higher temperature and humidity. Control films were more transparent, yet CNF-reinforced films had higher tensile strength and Young’s modulus, reflecting greater stiffness. Maximum elongation at break decreased markedly with the addition of CNFs. SEM revealed that reinforced films had more heterogeneous, rougher surfaces, particularly at 2% CNF. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that 2% CNF adversely affected the thermal stability of the chitosan film. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated that CNF reinforcement protected against UV-induced degradation. Degradability tests in soil and seawater confirmed that the chitosan–CNF mixture preserved degradability, especially at 1% CNF. These findings demonstrate that reinforcing chitosan-based films with CNFs from S. ramosissima can improve functional properties and suggest the potential of this approach for biomaterials development in food packaging applications.
Anticholinergic burden in elderly people in nursing homes: cross-sectional assessment using ACB calculator and CRIDECO anticholinergic load scale
Publication . Nascimento, Tânia; Matos, Maria Ana; Pinto, Ezequiel
Background/Objectives: Anticholinergic burden is an important risk marker in older adults, associated with cognitive decline, falls, and increased mortality. This study aimed to assess anticholinergic burden in institutionalized elderly individuals using two tools (ACB calculator and CALS—CRIDECO Anticholinergic Load Scale), as well as to analyze its relationship with pharmacotherapeutic variables like polypharmacy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by analyzing the pharmacotherapeutic profiles of institutionalized elderly individuals (≥65 years) utilizing individualized medication preparation services from a community pharmacy in Alentejo (Portugal). Participants agreed to the study and had complete, up-to-date pharmacotherapeutic profiles. Results: The pharmacotherapeutic profiles of 75 institutionalized elderly people were analyzed; the sample comprised mostly women (72%) who had experienced excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) (56%) and had an average age of 85.62 ± 7.62 years. It was found that 90.7% (ACB) and 89.3% (CALS—CRIDECO) of the elderly had anticholinergic burden, with mean values of 3.60 ± 2.84 and 3.33 ± 2.51, respectively. Women exhibited higher anticholinergic burden in unadjusted analyses (p < 0.05). The burden correlated moderately with the total number of medications (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results show high exposure to anticholinergic medications in the institutionalized elderly population, reinforcing the rationale for systematic therapeutic reviews focused on the pharmacological safety of institutionalized older adults in community pharmacies.