Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2019-08"
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- Polytechnic Institutes in Portugal: research on the impact of twelve institutes on the local economyPublication . Oliveira, Pedro; Alves, João; Bailôa, Sandra; Basto, Mário; Cadima, Rita Alexandra Cainço Dias; Correia, Florbela; Costa, Vânia; Cunha, Jorge; Daniel, Ana; Dominguinhos, Pedro; Esteves, Salete; Fernandes, Joana; Figueiredo, António; Grilo, Luís; Jorge, Nuno; Lucas, Eugénio; Malva, Madalena; Maximiano, Catarina; Mendes, Susana; Moreira, Anabela; Moreira, Sandrina; Mourato, Joaquim; Natário, Manuela; Oliveira, Pedro; Nunes, Sandra; Pedro, Fátima; Pedro, Cristina Pereira; Pereira, Raquel; Pinheiro, Fernanda; Romero, Félix; Santos, Carla; Serafim, Miguel; Simões, Joaquim; Vareiro, LaurentinaPolytechnic Institutes in Portugal: research on the impact of twelve institutes on the local economy Higher Education Institutions are recognized as important actors in regional development. The Portuguese higher education system comprises both Universities and Polytechnic Institutes, which face an increasing pressure to demonstrate that their presence has an impact on the surrounding communities contributing to their economic development. This paper presents the estimation of the economic impact of twelve Polytechnic Institutes, located in quite diverse regions, based on a shared model so that comparisons have a collective framework of analysis. The main results obtained show that the economic impact ranged from 1.8% to 10.6% of the local GDP and that these Institutes are major local employers.
- Acclimation capability inferred by metabolic performance in two sea cucumber species from different latitudesPublication . Kühnhold, Holger; Novais, Sara C.; Alves, Luís M. F.; Kamyab, Elham; Lemos, Marco F. L.; Slater, Matthew J.; Kunzmann, AndreasThe notion that thermal specialists from tropical regions live closer to their temperature limits than temperate eurytherms, seems too generalized. Species specific differences in physiological and biochemical stress reactions are linked to key components of organism fitness, like metabolic capacity, which indicates that acclimation potential across latitudes might be highly diverse rather than simplistic. In this study the exposure of a tropical (Holothuria scabra) and a temperate (Holothuria forskali) sea cucumber species to identical cold- and warmacclimation stress was compared using the key metabolic parameters, respiration rate, enzyme activity (ETS, LDH, IDH), and energy reserve fractions (lipid, carbohydrate and protein). Results show much broader respiratory adjustments, as response to temperature change, in H. scabra (2–30 μgO2*gww−1 *h−1) compared to H. forskali (1.5–6.6 μgO2*gww−1 *h−1). Moreover, the tropical species showed clearly pronounced up and down regulation of metabolic enzymes and shifts in energy reserves, due to thermal acclimation, while the same metabolic indicators remained consistent in the temperate species. In summary, these findings indicate enhanced metabolic plasticity in H. scabra at the cost of elevated energy expenditures, which seems to favor the tropical stenotherm in terms of thermal acclimation capacity. The comparison of such holistic metabolic analyses between conspecifics and congeners, may help to predict the heterogeneous effects of global temperature changes across latitudinal gradients.
- Factors in the Sharing of Tacit Knowledge among Volunteer FirefightersPublication . Oliveira, Márcio; Paulo, PinheiroThe studies in the area of knowledge management, directed to non-profit organizations are scarce, as opposed to what happens in the private and public sector. The growing importance of the third sector and its institutions, in establishing a more just and balanced society, combating asymmetries and placing itself on the side of the neediest, justifies the attention of the academic community, in order to establish and adopt best practices to carry out their missions. The choice of a case study of organizations such as the Portuguese fire brigades, unique in their action and identity, accompanies the need increasingly recognized by Portuguese society to enable these organizations to perform best in the face of tragic events in recent years in Portugal, particularly in the case of large fires. This study focuses on analysing the sharing of tacit knowledge in non-profit organisations (NPOs) through the case of Portuguese volunteer firefighters (Vfs). A literature review on tacit knowledge sharing allowed the identification of indicators to share this knowledge. A quantitative methodology was followed, with data collection through questionnaires and the treatment of which was able to determine the indicators that influence each factor. We correspondingly applied exploratory factorial analysis to study the indicators for the tacit sharing of knowledge. This returned three factors as leading to the sharing of tacit knowledge within the scope of these organisations: organisational culture, individual characteristics and organisational structure.
- Effectiveness of a combined intervention on psychological and physical capacities of frail older adults: a cluster randomized controlled trialPublication . Apóstolo, João Luís Alves; Dixe, Maria dos Anjos; Bobrowicz-Campos, Elzbieta Malgorzata; Areosa, Timóteo; Santos-Rocha, Rita; Braúna, Mónica; Ribeiro, Jaime; Marques, Isabel; Freitas, Joana; Almeida, Maria de Lurdes; Couto, FilipaBackground: Older adults experience physical and psychological declines affecting independency. Adapted and structured combined interventions composed of cognitive stimulation and physical exercise contribute to comorbidities’ reduction. Methods: Multicenter single-blinded two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial conducted to assess effectiveness of a combined intervention (CI), composed of a cognitive stimulation program (CSP) and a physical exercise program (PEP), on psychological and physical capacities of frail older adults as to on their activities of daily living. Were recruited 50 subjects from two elderly end-user organizations. Of these, 44 (65.9% females, mean age of 80.5 8.47 years) were considered eligible, being randomly allocated in experimental (EG) or control group (CG). Data collected at baseline and post-intervention. EG received CI three times a week during 12 weeks. CG received standard care. Non-parametric measures were considered. Results: At baseline, groups were equivalent for study outcomes. The comparison of pre- and post-intervention data revealed that subjects receiving CI reduced depressive symptomatology and risk of fall based on gait and balance, and improved gait speed. Simultaneously, in the CG a significant decline on activities of daily living was observed. Significant results were found among biomechanical parameters of gait (BPG). EG’ effect size revealed to be small (0.2 r < 0.5). CG’ effect size was also small; but for activities of daily living there was an evident decrease. Conclusion: The CI is effective on managing older adults’ psychological and physical capacities.
- The impact of choice factors on international students’ loyalty mediated by satisfactionPublication . Amaro, Dina; Marques, Alzira; Alves, HelenaThe presence of international students is a valuable input for Higher Education Institutions (HEI) at all levels. Thus, it is critical to understand not only how students make their decisions and what factors and sources of information provided by the HEI most influence them, but also to evaluate students’satisfaction and loyalty with the choice made, in order to define the most suitable and competitive marketing strategies to attract and retain international students. Based on the information gathered through a questionnaire with a sample of 190 international students studying at a Portuguese HEI, a quantitative, crosssectional and causal study was conducted using the estimation of a structural equation model calculated through PLS, in order to investigate the impact of choice factors and information sources on international students’ loyalty, mediated by satisfaction with the choice made. The findings indicate that the choice factors with the greatest impact on satisfaction of the international students were: the perception of the country, the environment and location of the HEI, and the sources of information provided by the HEI. It was also concluded that a positive global perception of the HEI influences the recommendation from significant others, and increases the satisfaction and loyalty of all the international students. Thus, HEI managers should account for these factors when making strategic marketing decisions to increase the number of international students.