Repository logo

Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-11-01"

Filter results by year or month
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Sulfonyldibenzoate coordination polymers as bioactive dopants for polysaccharide films with antibacterial and antibiofilm properties
    Publication . Fernandes, Tiago; Macedo, Filipa; Cabral, Rafaela G.; Guiu, Telma; Franco, Chris H. J.; Jorge, Paula; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Anfré, Vânia; Cerca, Nuno; Kirillov, Alexander M.
    This work describes the preparation, characterization, and antimicrobial properties of bioactive silver(I) and copper(II) coordination polymers (bioCPs) and derived biopolymer materials. Two bioCPs, [Ag2(μ6-sdba)]n (1) and [Cu(μ4-sdba)H2O]n·1.5nH2O (2), were assembled from metal salt precursors and 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoic acid (H2sdba). Both compounds were used as dopants for preparing hybrid biopolymerfilms based on agarose (AGR) or potato starch (PS) as model polysaccharide biopolymers with varying rates of degradability and silver/copper release. BioCPs and derived biopolymer films (1@[AGR]n, 2@[AGR]n, 1@[PS]n, and 2@[PS]n) with a low loading of dopant (1–5 wt%) show promising antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) and Gram-negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) bacteria. Silver doped biopolymer films also totally impair the formation of bacterial biofilms, with undetectable biofilm cells in several cases (∼7.5 log or 99.99999% inhibition). By reporting new bioCPs and biopolymer films obtained from renewable polysaccharides, this multidisciplinary work extends the application of coordination compounds as components of hybrid functional materials with antimicrobial properties and prospective biomedical relevance.
    2023-11-01Journal article Open access Show more
  • Combining low-code development with ChatGPT to novel no-code approaches: a focus-group study
    Publication . Martins, José; Branco, Frederico; São Mamede, Henrique
    Low-code tools are a trend in software development for business solutions due to their agility and ease of use. There are a certain number of vendors with such solutions. Still, in most Western countries, there is a clear need for the existence of greater quantities of certified and experienced professionals to work with those tools. This means that companies with more resources can attract and maintain those professionals, whilst other smaller organizations must rely on an endless search for this scarce resource. We will present and validate a model designed to transform ChatGPT into a low-code developer, addressing the demand for a more skilled human resource solution. This innovative tool underwent rigorous validation via a focus group study, engaging a panel of highly experienced experts. Their invaluable insights and feedback on the proposed model were systematically gathered and meticulously analysed.
    2023-11-01Journal article Restricted access Show more