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Publicações

2025

From policy to practice: Rolling out the clinical nurse specialist role in Portugal

Autores
Amorim-Lopes, M; Cruz-Gomes, S; Doldi, E; Almada-Lobo, B;

Publicação
HEALTH POLICY

Abstract
The specialization of Health Human Resources (HHR) is increasingly recognized as essential for addressing evolving healthcare demands. This paper presents a comprehensive policy framework for assisting with the implementation of Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) roles at the national or regional level, integrating key dimensions including barriers and enablers, regulation and governance, education and training requirements, career development, workforce planning, and economic analysis. The framework was applied to the implementation of CNS roles in Portugal, resulting in the issuance of a decree-law by the government. Our findings demonstrate that the economic analysis step was critical in addressing concerns from government authorities and health system funders regarding the potential budgetary impact of CNS implementation. By providing evidence-based projections of costs and benefits, the economic analysis facilitated smoother negotiations and consensus-building among stakeholders, including nursing unions. Furthermore, the integration of workforce planning ensured the alignment of educational capacity with workforce needs, thus avoiding potential implementation bottlenecks. The application of the framework also revealed important feedback relationships between its dimensions, highlighting the interdependent nature of the implementation process. This dynamic approach, which adapts to real-time feedback and stakeholder input, underscores the necessity of a holistic and iterative strategy for successful CNS role integration. The insights gained from the Portuguese case underscore the utility of this policy framework in guiding the implementation of advanced nursing roles in diverse healthcare contexts.

2025

Barrett's paradox of cooperation in the case of quasi-linear utilities

Autores
Accinelli, E; Afsar, A; Martins, F; Martins, J; Oliveira, BMPM; Oviedo, J; Pinto, AA; Quintas, L;

Publicação
MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES

Abstract
This paper fits in the theory of international agreements by studying the success of stable coalitions of agents seeking the preservation of a public good. Extending Baliga and Maskin, we consider a model of N homogeneous agents with quasi-linear utilities of the form u(j) (r(j); r) = r(alpha) - r(j), where r is the aggregate contribution and the exponent alpha is the elasticity of the gross utility. When the value of the elasticity alpha increases in its natural range (0, 1), we prove the following five main results in the formation of stable coalitions: (i) the gap of cooperation, characterized as the ratio of the welfare of the grand coalition to the welfare of the competitive singleton coalition grows to infinity, which we interpret as a measure of the urge or need to save the public good; (ii) the size of stable coalitions increases from 1 up to N; (iii) the ratio of the welfare of stable coalitions to the welfare of the competitive singleton coalition grows to infinity; (iv) the ratio of the welfare of stable coalitions to the welfare of the grand coalition decreases (a lot), up to when the number of members of the stable coalition is approximately N/e and after that it increases (a lot); and (v) the growth of stable coalitions occurs with a much greater loss of the coalition members when compared with free-riders. Result (v) has two major drawbacks: (a) A priori, it is difficult to convince agents to be members of the stable coalition and (b) together with results (i) and (iv), it explains and leads to the pessimistic Barrett's paradox of cooperation, even in a case not much considered in the literature: The ratio of the welfare of the stable coalitions against the welfare of the grand coalition is small, even in the extreme case where there are few (or a single) free-riders and the gap of cooperation is large. Optimistically, result (iii) shows that stable coalitions do much better than the competitive singleton coalition. Furthermore, result (ii) proves that the paradox of cooperation is resolved for larger values of.. so that the grand coalition is stabilized.

2025

Non-formal education as a response to social problems in developing countries

Autores
Almeida, F; Morais, J;

Publicação
E-LEARNING AND DIGITAL MEDIA

Abstract
Non-formal education seeks to address the limitations of formal education that do not reach all communities and do not provide all new competencies and capabilities that are essential for the integrated development of communities. The role of non-formal education becomes even more relevant in the context of developing countries where significant asymmetries in access to education emerge. This study adopts the Solutions Story Tracker provided by the Solutions Journalism Network to identify and explore solutions based on journalism stories in the non-formal education field. A total of 256 stories are identified and categorized into 14 dimensions. The findings reveal that practical, participatory, and volunteering dimensions are the three most common dimensions in these non-formal education initiatives. Furthermore, two emerging dimensions related to empowerment and sustainability are identified, allowing us to extend the theoretical knowledge in the non-formal education field. These conclusions are relevant for establishing public policies that can involve greater participation by local communities in non-formal education and for addressing sustainability challenges through bottom-up initiatives.

2025

Optical technologies in monitoring mobility and delivery of drugs and metabolic agents

Autores
Tuchin, VV; Dai, TH; Oliveira, LM;

Publicação
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS

Abstract
[No abstract available]

2025

Towards Utilizing Robust Radiance Fields for 3D Reconstruction of Breast Aesthetics

Autores
Pinto, G; Zolfagharnasab, MH; Teixeira, LF; Cruz, H; Cardoso, MJ; Cardoso, JS;

Publicação
Artificial Intelligence and Imaging for Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges in Breast Care - Second Deep Breast Workshop, Deep-Breath 2025, Held in Conjunction with MICCAI 2025, Daejeon, South Korea, September 23, 2025, Proceedings

Abstract
3D models are crucial in predicting aesthetic outcomes in breast reconstruction, supporting personalized surgical planning, and improving patient communication. In response to this necessity, this is the first application of Radiance Fields to 3D breast reconstruction. Building on this, the work compares six SoTA 3D reconstruction models. It introduces a novel variant tailored to medical contexts: Depth-Splatfacto, designed to improve denoising and geometric consistency through pseudo-depth supervision. Additionally, we extended model training to grayscale, which enhances robustness under grayscale-only input constraints. Experiments on a breast cancer patient dataset demonstrate that Splatfacto consistently outperforms others, delivering the highest reconstruction quality (PSNR 27.11, SSIM 0.942) and the fastest training times (×1.3 faster at 200k iterations). At the same time, the depth-enhanced variant offers an efficient and stable alternative with minimal fidelity loss. The grayscale train improves speed by ×1.6 with a PSNR drop of 0.70. Depth-Splatfacto further improves robustness, reducing PSNR variance by 10% and making images less blurry across test cases. These results establish a foundation for future clinical applications, supporting personalized surgical planning and improved patient-doctor communication. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

2025

Silicon Carbide Converter Design: A Review

Autores
Rasul, A; Teixeira, R; Baptista, J;

Publicação
Energies

Abstract
To achieve lower switching losses and higher frequency capabilities in converter design, researchers worldwide have been investigating Silicon carbide (SiC) modules and MOSFETs. In power electronics, wide bandgap devices such as Silicon carbide are essential for creating more efficient, higher-density, and higher-power-rated converters. Devices like SiC and Gallium nitride (GaN) offer numerous advantages in power electronics, particularly by influencing parasitic capacitance and inductance in printed circuit boards (PCBs). A review paper on Silicon carbide converter designs using coupled inductors provides a comprehensive analysis of the advancements in SiC-based power converter technologies. Over the past decade, SiC converter designs have demonstrated both efficiency and reliability, underscoring significant improvements in performance and design methodologies over time. This review paper examines developments in Silicon carbide converter design from 2014 to 2024, with a focus on the research conducted in the past ten years. It highlights the advantages of SiC technology, techniques for constructing converters, and the impact on other components. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis of prior studies has been conducted, with a particular focus on strategies to minimize switching losses, as discussed in the reviewed articles. © 2025 by the authors.

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