Patient-centric therapy is especially important in pediatrics and may be attained by three-dimensional printing. Filaments containing 30% w/w of theophylline were produced by hot-melt extrusion and printed using fused deposition modelling to produce tablets. Here, preliminary results evaluating the effect of infill geometry (cross, star, grid) on drug content and release are reported.

Introduction: In the context of the Public Health curricular unit, students were requested to choose a relevant theme within the scope of public health and to develop a field study involving the community and ideally draw an intervention impacting on their well-being. We identified breast, cervical and colorectal cancer as a priority [1]. Our aim was to evaluate the citizens' knowledge about screening and then subsequently to raise their awareness of the importance of screening. Our ultimate goal was to increase knowledge by providing written information on the theme. Materials and methods: We conducted a pilot before and after study aiming to involve 10% of the estimated sample (700 adult individuals; for an 11% increase [2], 5% Type I and 20% type II errors using Sample Size Calculator) living in the municipalities of Almada, Santar em and Lisboa. To evaluate their knowledge, we developed a 20-item questionnaire containing statements to be rated using a 4 point Likert scale, scored for a maximum of 80 points. We assessed knowledge at baseline and 48 h following the intervention. The intervention consisted of the delivery of a flyer containing general information on cervical cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer prevention and early detection means. Data analysis resorted to paired samples t-test using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 25.0, considering a 95% confidence interval. Results: The sample included 70 people aged between 23 and 70 years, 73% female, with 56% having university education. Most respondents considered important to engage in screening programs, at both time points (70%); however, only 56% knew where these could be sought, as opposed to 68% following intervention. Mean baseline knowledge was 63.27 points, increasing to 73.54 post intervention, i.e. 10.27 points corresponding to a significant increase of 12.37% (p-value .05). Discussion and conclusions: Our data suggests that through a very simple educational intervention it is possible to improve the population's knowledge about cancer screening programs, with impacts exceeding previously reported studies [2]. We should acknowledge our sample is limited (10%) and probably biased as educational levels reported were quite high. This apparent limitation, however, suggests we may even produce greater differences targeting our intervention at lower literate individuals. Future studies should focus on the link between knowledge and behaviour as the literature suggests intention may have a role in mediating this association [3].

Abstract. The development of new sensors that are available at more accessible prices may lead to the spread of their use on common studies in structural dynamics. One of areas of interest is the experimental determination of rigid body properties that are mandatory when the vibration response is to be calculated at low frequency ranges. In this work, a comparison of the experimental determination of rigid body properties is carried out to evaluate the performance of the commonly used tri-axial piezoelectric accelerometers and their equivalent MEMS sensors. Although their prices are quite different, both sensors can measure the inertia restraint line that is related to the inertia properties of the tested object. An identification algorithm is applied to the frequency response functions obtained by using both sensors, leading to the estimation of the body mass value, as well as the three coordinates of the centre of mass and the six elements of the inertia tensor. An experimental example supports the use of the referred low-cost sensors.

Cannabis is the illegal drug most used worldwide. Its long-term use increases the risk of depression and schizophrenia, causing a major public health problem. A validated questionnaire was applied to first year students of Instituto Universitário Egas Moniz to assess their intention regarding cannabis use. They do not consider cannabis to be much associated with well-being, they slightly consider the opinion of relatives, and they show a low intent to use the drug, believing themselves to have strong self-control. Scores are above average for 18-y.o. Portuguese students, except for belief in self-control.