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- CytroCell: a computational study in aqueous solution and infrared spectroscopic structural characterizationPublication . Tixier, Anne-Sylvie Fabiano; Michel, Nicolas; Ciriminna, Rosaria; Petri, Giovanna Li; Angellotti, Giuseppe; Pagliaro, Mario; Garcia, AnaA COSMO-RS conductor-like screening model for realistic solvation and molecular dynamics simulations conducted in GROMACS were used to gain insight into the structure and behaviour of CytroCell citrus nanocellulose in aqueous and more complex solutions, including the green solvent dihydrolevoglucosenone. DRIFT spectroscopy was used to investigate the structure of CytroCell nanocellulose solid samples obtained via acoustic cavitation of lemon, orange, and red orange industrial processing waste. The computational and experimental results obtained are relevant to all forthcoming applications of this new family of nanocelluloses sustainably sourced from the citrus industry’s main waste product via the CytroCav circular economy process.
- Seasonal, spatial, and high-frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen and net ecosystem metabolism in a shallow coastal lagoon, Ria Formosa - Portugal.Publication . Correia, Cátia; Jacob, José; Cravo, AlexandraThis study provides a detailed assessment of dissolved oxygen (DO) dynamics and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, highlighting how spatial and temporal variability shape mesotidal ecosystems. Complementary approaches were applied: short-term (24 h) diel oxygen open-water method at two stations (eastern and western boundaries) in comparison with the bottle incubation method, and a 2.5-year high-frequency dataset at an inner station lagoon. DO showed clear seasonal patterns, largely driven by photosynthesis and respiration, but strongly modulated by water circulation and hydrodynamics. Sporadic hypoxic events (DO ≤ 2 mg L) were observed but do not represent a risk. The boundary stations are shallower and colonized by submerged vegetation, displayed stronger diel fluctuations than at the inner station, underscoring the role of biological processes in lagoon metabolism. NEM estimates revealed strong spatial contrasts: the western station was autotrophic, while the eastern station predominantly attributed to restricted water exchange. Long-term records from the inner station indicated a slightly heterotrophic status, reinforcing the value of sustained high-frequency monitoring for capturing ecosystem trends overlooked by short-term approaches. The results also highlight lagoon-coastal ocean connectivity, suggesting dual exchanges: local production may be exported offshore to sustain adjacent coastal areas, while coastal processes, such as upwelling, can also influence lagoon metabolism. Methodological comparisons confirmed that bottle incubation method underestimated NEM relative to diel oxygen open-water method, emphasizing the role of hydrodynamics in mesotidal system metabolism. Although sampling focused on western and eastern boundaries and inner lagoon, the strong tidal renewal in the main and secondary channels suggests Ria Formosa overall is close to metabolic balance, with spatial heterogeneity shaped by hydrodynamics, vegetation, and coastal forcing. By integrating short-term, high-frequency, and long-term observations, this study advances understanding of metabolism in coastal lagoons, offering key insights for predicting ecosystem responses to climate change and for guiding management of vulnerable coastal environments.
- Unraveling the potential of gasotransmitters as neurogenic and neuroprotective molecules: focus on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.Publication . Simao, Sonia; Filipa Santos, Daniela; Teixeira, Mariana; Agostinho, Rafaela R.; Rodrigues, Joana; Vitorino, Marta; Araújo, Inês M.Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease are the two most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders worldwide, both characterized by progressive neuronal loss. Despite distinct pathophysiological features, they share cellular dysfunctions such as abnormal protein aggregation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, research into which might be beneficial for developing novel therapeutic strategies that could tackle both conditions. This review highlights the emerging role of the gasotransmitters nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide as modulators of adult neurogenesis and neuroprotection in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. We have gathered recent evidence demonstrating that these endogenous gases exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, and, critically, promote neurogenesis - suggesting a dual neuroprotective and neuroregenerative therapeutic potential. The unique physicochemical features of these gasotransmitters, including their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and diffuse rapidly throughout the neural tissue, further support their suitability as candidates for innovative neuroregenerative treatments. While clinical translation remains challenging, harnessing the neurogenic and neuroprotective actions of these gasotransmitters may offer transformative avenues for addressing the increasing burden of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
- Tailored bacterial co-cultures improve Tisochrysis lutea growth and nutrient profiles under xenic conditions: a new pathway to improve microalgal productionPublication . Santos, Tamara; da Fonseca Simões, Beatriz; Rossetto, Veronica; Pereira, Hugo; Maia, Inês Beatriz; Oliveira, Marta; Esteves Lopes Navalho, João Carlos; Engelen, Aschwin; Varela, JoãoThe marine haptophyte Tisochrysis lutea is a valuable source of high-value compounds, including polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid, and pigments (e.g., fucoxanthin). However, high production costs and variability remain major challenges for its large-scale application in aquaculture, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries. Therefore, strategies to enhance biomass production and quality are actively explored. In natural environments, T. lutea establishes mutualistic interactions with bacteria to obtain essential nutrients such as vitamin B12, yet the role of bacteria in industrial cultures remains poorly understood. In this study, 145 bacterial strains were isolated and taxonomically identified from industrial T. lutea cultures, with members of the class Gammaproteobacteria and Actinomycetia being the most prevalent. Forty isolates were screened individually in co-culture with T. lutea revealing strain-specific effects on growth and biochemical composition. Seven beneficial strains were used to design 21 tailored bacterial blends. Several consortia enhanced biomass production (up to 74 %) and increased key bioactive compounds, particularly methylcobalamin (up to 300 %). These findings demonstrate the potential of tailored bacterial consortia to enhance T. lutea productivity and nutritional quality under production-relevant xenic conditions, enabling strategic microbiome modulation for specific industrial goals.
- Aulas de toxicologia alimentarPublication . Braz, Nídia Maria Dias Azinheira RebeloA Toxicologia estuda os efeitos adversos das substâncias nos seres vivos ou em sistemas alternativos in vitro, como culturas de células ou de tecidos. Toxicologia alimentar é o ramo da Toxicologia que se ocupa dos agentes tóxicos veiculados pelos alimentos, quer sejam parte da sua constituição ou resultem de contaminação.
- Resilience of innovationPublication . Viana, Luiz; Pinto, HugoThe resilience of innovation approach extends the notion of resilience—commonly used to refer to socio-economic systems—to the innovation process. This text reviews conceptual perspectives on resilience (engineering, ecological, adaptive and transformative) and highlights innovation as a dynamic process, not just an outcome. Innovation resilience differs from related concepts such as innovation persistence and technological resilience, which focus on stability rather than the transformative nature of the process. In addition, we highlight that innovation resilience is a multi-level phenomenon and allows for the exploration of opportunities for social and environmental change in times of uncertainty.
- Stunning and slaughter methods in gilthead seabream: animal welfare and muscle qualityPublication . Cabrera-Álvarez, María José; Soares, Sónia Marina António; Nuñez Velazquez, Samira; Anibal, Jaime; Esteves, Eduardo; Costa, Rita; Guerreiro, Pedro Miguel; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Arechavala-López, Pablo; Saraiva, JoãoEuropean Union directives and international guidelines emphasise the need for humane slaughter practices, with particular attention to the proper stunning of fish prior to slaughter. This study investigates the impact of various combinations of stunning and slaughter methods on the welfare of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), a widely farmed species in the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions. Specifically, the study explores electrical stunning, anaesthesia, and no stunning, followed by slaughter using either ice-slurry or the ikejime (hand-held spike tool) technique. Fish were monitored for visual signs of consciousness, heart rate, internal temperature, plasma stress and osmotic parameters, and muscle quality parameters. The findings revealed that electrical stunning, although inducing brief unconsciousness, did not sustain it long enough to be effectively combined with ice-slurry, resulting in stress responses and muscle quality parameters comparable to those observed in unstunned fish. In contrast, anaesthesia effectively reduced stress and improved meat quality. The ikejime technique, despite its labour-intensive nature, demonstrated significant advantages, including reduced physiological stress and superior muscle quality outcomes. These results suggest that the viability of electrical stunning as a humane option for industry implementation has important limitations, while ikejime, with further refinement and automation, could offer a humane and effective solution to optimise both animal welfare and meat quality in industrial settings.
- Waves of innovation: the role of sustainability in driving impact in the blue economy – a PLS-SEM approachPublication . Elston, Jennifer Nicole; Pinto, Hugo; Nogueira, CarlaThe Blue Economy, with its emphasis on ocean-based industries, is critical for achieving sustainable development. This study investigates the intricate relationship between sustainability, innovation, and their economic, environmental, and social impacts within Portugal’s Blue Economy. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships between sustainability, innovation, and triple bottom line (TBL) outcomes based on survey data from firms operating in the sector. The findings confirm that innovation acts as both a direct outcome of sustainability efforts and a mechanism for mediating its impacts on economic and environmental performance. However, no significant direct or mediating effects were observed for social outcomes, highlighting a persistent gap in this dimension that requires further research. The study contributes to both theory and practice by highlighting the strategic integration of sustainability into organizational innovation processes and its role in enhancing multidimensional performance. By identifying critical pathways and barriers, this study offers valuable guidance for policymakers and industry leaders striving to enhance the long-term sustainability of the Blue Economy.
- Building resilience in tourism firms: evidence from COVID-19Publication . Jesus, Carina; Serra Coelho, Luís Miguel; Ramos, CeliaMultiple factors determine tourism companies' capacity to resist and overcome disruptive events, such as pandemics or wars. This paper investigates this issue using a sensitivity index and finds that reductions in human capital, bigger size, and higher past profitability diminish resilience, while higher leverage and capital intensity strengthen it. Our findings further suggest that these effects differ across countries and underscore the negative consequences of Eurozone membership. This paper broadens our understanding of how companies can improve their resilience, providing valuable insights for future preparedness strategies for tourism firms and policymakers.
- Movement patterns and connectivity of argyrosomus regius along the southwest coast of Portugal using network analysisPublication . Fanna, Samuele; Gandra, Miguel; Kraft, Sebastian; Martínez Ramírez, Lucas; Vilas, Cesar; Winkler, Alexander; Abecasis, DavidThe meagre (Argyrosomus regius) is a large teleost inhabiting the coastal waters of the East Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Along the Iberian Peninsula, it is frequently targeted by both commercial and recreational fisheries. Despite its relevance, information on its population structure and movement ecology has been scarce until recently. While these studies have provided a foundation, information on the main migratory corridors along the coast is still missing. The current study aimed to identify primary migratory routes, aggregations, and residency sites along the Southwest coast of Portugal. Forty-nine adult meagres were captured and tagged with acoustic transmitters between 2018 and 2023. Their movement was monitored from 122 acoustic receivers, grouped into 25 arrays, which were deployed throughout the Gulf of C´adiz and along the Southwest coast of Portugal. A spatial network approach was applied to analyse these data. The locations near the tagging site and along the Southwest coast displayed high values of eigenvector and betweenness centralities, indicating their crucial role in facilitating the connectivity of adult meagre between the two regions. Furthermore, co-occurrences outside the spawning season highlight their role as potential feeding grounds. The number of detections and co-occurrences near the Guadiana Estuary provides further evidence that the location may serve as a spawning ground, although additional data are needed to confirm this. Our findings expand previous research, identifying key passages and aggregation sites for meagre along the coast. These results can inform management and conservation efforts, particularly in the context of marine spatial planning.