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  • Multidrug resistance assessment of indoor air in Portuguese long-term and acute healthcare settings
    Publication . Santos-Marques, C.; Teixeira, C.; Pinheiro, R.; Brück, W. M.; Pereira, Sónia Gonçalves; dos Santos Marques, Catarina; Silva Teixeira, Camila; Pinheiro, Rafael; Gonçalves Pereira, Sónia
    Background: Knowledge about air as a pool of pathogens and multidrug resistance (MDR) in healthcare units apart from hospitals is scarce. Aim: To investigate these features in a Portuguese long-term healthcare unit (LTHU) and a central hospital (CH). Methods: Air samples were collected and their microbial load (bacteria and fungi) determined. Bacterial isolates were randomly selected for further characterization, particularly identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and polymerase chain reaction screening of extended-spectrum b-lactamases, carbapenemase genes and mecA gene, with RAPD profile assessment of positive results of the latter. Findings: A total of 192 samples were collected (LTHU: 86; CH: 106). LTHU showed a statistically significantly higher bacterial load. CH bacteria and fungi loads in inpatient sites were statistically significantly lower than in outpatients or non-patient sites. A total of 164 bacterial isolates were identified (MALDI-TOF: 78; presumptively: 86), the majority belonging to Staphylococcus genus (LTHU: 42; CH: 57). The highest antimicrobial resistance rate was to erythromycin and vancomycin the least, in both settings. Eighteen isolates (11%) were classified as MDR (LTHU: 9; CH: 9), with 7 MDR Staphylococcus isolates (LTHU: 4; CH: 3) presenting mecA. Nine non-MDR Staphylococcus (LTHU: 5; CH: 4) also presented mecA. Conclusion: The current study highlights that healthcare unit indoor air can be an important pool of MDR pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes. Also, LTHUs appear to have poorer air quality than hospitals, as well as supportive areas compared to curative care areas. This may suggest possible yet unknown routes of infection that need to be explored.
    2025-05Research article Open access Show more
  • The Language of Cultural Studies and the Arts: A digital mapping of entanglements and trends based on the digital humanities
    Publication . Cantú, William Afonso; Sousa, Jenny
    This study explores the intersection between Cultural Studies and the Arts, highlighting their theoretical, methodological and epistemological links. Culture, as a site of symbolic disputes and the production of meanings, plays a central role in this intersection, closely intertwined with the construction of identity and material representation. In this context, the Arts emerge as human representation, functioning as aesthetic expressions and discursive practices that relate to social, political and historical processes. The integration of Digital Humanities into this process has contributed to these analyses, introducing methods of analysis that combine traditional humanities methods with technological tools to map citation networks and theoretical trends. This research uses bibliometric analysis to identify fundamental theoretical nuclei and emerging patterns at the intersection of Cultural Studies and the Arts. The results reveal a growing interdisciplinary articulation between these fields, particularly around themes related to identity, representation, power and symbolic mediation. The study provides an epistemological cartography that improves understanding of the theoretical synergies in Cultural Studies and demonstrates the relevance of digital methodologies for cultural research, reinforcing the transformative potential of interdisciplinary approaches. Through the methodology and results, this research contributes to broadening the analytical scope of Cultural Studies and encourages further research into artistic production, cultural criticism and evolving methodologies in the humanities.
    2025-05Research article Open access Show more
  • Atitudes e Comportamentos de Separação de Embalagens Usadas na Comunidade Intermunicipal da Região de Leiria
    Publication . Fernandes, Maria Eduarda; Gomes da Silva, Carlos; Gaspar Ferreira, Alcina; Febra, Lígia; Maurício Costa, João
    A Comunidade Intermunicipal da Região de Leiria (CIMRL) é composta por 10 Municípios, com cerca de 287 mil habitantes (INE, 2022) e recolhe anualmente 123 022 toneladas de resíduos sólidos urbanos, dos quais apenas 17% são recolhidos de forma seletiva (INE, 2025). Neste contexto, e enquadrado no Projeto Embalagem do Futuro (PPS08), é importante compreender melhor os comportamentos e atitudes dos agregados familiares da CIMRL face à separação de embalagens usadas (plástico, metal/alumínio, vidro, cartão/papel e cápsulas de café). Tendo por base a Theory of Planned Behavior, uma das principais teorias usadas para compreender a complexidade do comportamento social humano, as normas morais e os valores pro-ambientais, foi realizado um inquérito online junto dos agregados familiares da CIMRL.
    2025-05Book Open access Show more
  • Clima motivacional y diversión en el deporte: el papel mediador de la regulación conductual
    Publication . Perez Garcia, José Alberto; Morquecho-Sánchez, Raquel; Ramirez-Nava, Rúben; Monteiro, Diogo; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Morales-Sánchez, Verónica; Hernández-Mendo, Antonio
    La regulación del comportamiento es un mecanismo explicativo fundamental para entender cómo influye el clima motivacional en la diversión, lo que refuerza la importancia de fomentar entornos que impliquen tareas para mejorar la motivación de los deportistas y su experiencia deportiva en general, especialmente en lo que respecta la diversión. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el papel mediador de la regulación conductual en la relación entre el clima motivacional (implicación en la tarea e implicación en el ego) y la diversión en el deporte. En el estudio participaron 294 jugadores de fútbol (153 hombres y 141 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 19 años (M = 14.55; SD = 1.71). Se utilizó la Motivational Climate Sport Youth Scale para evaluar el clima motivacional, la Sport Motivation Scale-II para evaluar la regulación conductual y la Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale para evaluar la diversión. Se realizó un análisis de mediación para examinar el papel de la regulación conductual en la relación entre el clima motivacional y la diversión. Los resultados indicaron que un clima motivacional de implicación en la tarea se asocia con mayores niveles de motivación autónoma (r = .681; p≤.001), que a su vez se relaciona con una mayor diversión (r = .175; p≤.001). Por otro lado, un clima de implicación del ego se asocia con una motivación no autodeterminada (r = .657; p≤.001) y una menor diversión (r = -.357; p≤.001). La motivación autónoma medió significativamente en la relación entre el clima de implicación en la tarea y la diversión (β = .38; 95% CI = .201, .575). El estudio refuerza la importancia de promover climas motivacionales de implicación en la tarea para fomentar la motivación autónoma y aumentar la diversión en los deportistas. La motivación autónoma parece desempeñar un papel mediador en la relación entre el clima motivacional y el disfrute.
    2025-05-01Research article Open access Show more
  • Un análisis conductual de los predictores de la adherencia al ejercicio y su impacto económico en el contexto del fitness
    Publication . Antunes, Raul; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Matos, Rui; Morquecho Sánchez, Raquel; Amaro, Nuno; Cid, Luis; Couto, Nuno; Santos Teixeira, Diogo; Monteiro, Diogo
    Este estudio pretendía examinar la relación entre las percepciones de los clientes sobre los comportamientos de los fisiólogos del ejercicio, los tipos de motivación y su influencia posterior en la adherencia al ejercicio durante un periodo de seis meses. Además, evaluamos el impacto financiero del abandono de los clientes en los ingresos de los gimnasios durante este periodo. Métodos: Una muestra de 1.803 individuos (edades 18-54; M = 26,61, SD = 5,48) inscritos en gimnasios de todo Portugal participaron en este estudio. Resultados: Durante el periodo de seis meses, el 42% de los clientes cancelaron sus abonos, lo que supuso una pérdida de ingresos mensual estimada de 28.659,60 euros al final del sexto mes. Acumulativamente, los gimnasios experimentaron una pérdida total de ingresos de 110.393,27 euros durante el periodo de estudio. Conclusiones: Los hallazgos sugieren que los comportamientos de apoyo a las necesidades por parte de los fisiólogos se asocian positivamente con la motivación autónoma, que a su vez promueve la adherencia al ejercicio a largo plazo. Por el contrario, los comportamientos que frustran las necesidades están relacionados con la motivación controlada, que afecta negativamente al mantenimiento del ejercicio. Estos datos ponen de relieve la importancia de las estrategias de motivación tanto para la retención de clientes como para la sostenibilidad financiera de los gimnasios.
    2025-05-01Research article Open access Show more
  • What Do Children with Above-Average Abilities Understand About Financial Literacy?
    Publication . Santos, Eulália; Tavares, Fernando Oliveira; Maurício, Cátia
    Metaphors help to simplify complex concepts, making them more accessible and understandable for children. Children can build a more concrete understanding of these concepts by associating abstract financial ideas with familiar situations or objects. The present study aims to explore what children with above-average abilities understand by financial literacy, using words and images as tools of expression. During a workshop, 22 children with above-average abilities participated in two tasks, one individual and one group task. The results showed that “save” (90.9%), “money” (63.9%), “invest” (59.1%), and “bank” (54.5%) are the words most strongly associated with the concept of financial literacy among the children. Regarding images, money (M = 1.77), a clock or calendar (M = 2.50), a pig (M = 2.75), and a house (M = 2.84) were identified as the most representative symbols of financial literacy for this group of children. In the group task, children perceive financial literacy mainly as managing and using money to satisfy needs and desires. The results can inform educators about the need to adapt educational materials to match children’s level of understanding better, promoting more effective and accessible financial education.
    2025-05-07Journal article Open access Show more
  • Mediación intercultural y desarrollo humano de las comunidades: miradas cruzadas entre las contribuciones de Paulo Freire y Pierre Furter
    Publication . Madureira, Cristiana de Sousa Pizarro Bravo
    A mediação intercultural configura amplas perspetivas de intervenção para o desenvolvimento pessoal e social de indivíduos e das comunidades. Partindo de um projeto de mediação intercultural, numa Eurorregião do Norte de Portugal/Galiza, procuramos problematizar este projeto cruzando perspetivas entre as pedagogias de Paulo Freire (1967) e de Pierre Furter (1970). Este projeto contribuiu para a construção de utopias realizáveis, através da criação de espaços de intervenção socioeducativa e com o objetivo de promover uma cultura de convivência pacífica e de bem-estar na, em e para a comunidade. Paulo Freire (1967) e Pierre Furter (1970) deram um grande contributo para ampliarmos a compreensão do papel da educação no desenvolvimento humano e sustentável das comunidades. Freire (1967) destaca a relevância do método educativo dialógico e apresenta as suas perspectivas de problematização e sensibilização, bem como da leitura crítica do mundo. Furter (1996), por sua vez, propõe uma abordagem educacional baseada na experimentação, na interdisciplinaridade e na conexão entre a teoria e a prática. Partindo das ideias destes autores, foram analisados os pressupostos deste projeto de mediação intercultural e as atividades desenvolvidas com o objetivo de promover o desenvolvimento humano na, para e da comunidade. Os resultados apontam para a necessidade de concretizarmos os nossos sonhos, as nossas utopias, através de uma pedagogia dos laços sociais, focada no trabalho colaborativo com os agentes comunitários, que permita a abertura à alteridade com utopias comuns sustentáveis, através de uma experiência repleta de diálogo intercultural que seja emancipatória, para que aprendamos a ser pessoas com dignidade numa sociedade de convivência.
    2025-05-16Research article Open access Show more
  • Prática desportiva e resultados académicos em alunos UAARE e de Desporto Escolar Implicação para uma Liderança e Gestão Escolares
    Publication . Afra, André Filipe Magalhães Brogueira de Teixeira e; Matos, Rui Manuel Neto e
    Além das aulas curriculares de Educação Física, as escolas têm investido no Desporto Escolar, com um número significativo de grupos equipa/alunos a participar em diversas modalidades. Como professor de Educação Física, surgiram-me dúvidas sobre o impacto da prática regular de atividade física e do Desporto Escolar nos resultados académicos dos alunos, levando-me a questionar se essa prática influenciaria de alguma forma o desempenho académico. A reflexão estende-se também aos alunos integrados no projeto Unidades de Apoio ao Alto Rendimento na Escola, que, para além da escola, praticam atividade física de alto nível. Questiono-me também sobre o impacto da prática desportiva no sucesso académico desses alunos. Esta tese de mestrado explora a inter-relação entre a liderança, a gestão escolar e a prática desportiva, com um foco particular na sua influência no sucesso académico dos alunos. A investigação está estruturada em três capítulos principais, que abordam, respetivamente, os conceitos de Liderança e Gestão no contexto escolar, Desporto Escolar e e as Unidades de Apoio ao Alto Rendimento na Escola, e a ligação entre a prática desportiva e os resultados académicos. Com este trabalho, proponho-me a analisar se existem diferenças significativas nos resultados académicos dos alunos que participam no DE ou nas UAARE, em comparação com as médias globais, de ciclo e de ano, de todos os alunos. A relação entre resultados académicos e prática desportiva é um elemento que irá ajudar o gestor escolar na direcção da sua escola e a definir as suas políticas educacionais.
    2025-05-16Master thesis Open access Show more
  • Impact of Management Indicators on the Business Performance of Hotel SMEs in Mexico
    Publication . Brito, Antonio Emmanuel Pérez; Zapata, Martha Isabel Bojórquez; Lima Santos, Luís; Gomes, Conceição
    Empirical studies on management control and business performance are growing. However, a research gap exists regarding the tourism development/hotel small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in terms of administrative management and organizational functions. Hence, drawing from the principles of management control, specifically about the utilization of business performance evaluation techniques, this study aimed to construct a business performance index for hotel SMEs in the state of Yucatán, Mexico. To this end, the index evaluated multiple variables including investment, profitability, financing sources, operating metrics, and the utilization of financial information. To accomplish the goals, this study administered surveys to the proprietors/administrators of 139 hotel SMEs. It employed a quantitative approach and utilized the multiple linear regression model with the forward technique. Its findings demonstrate that the utilization of financial information and funding sources have the most substantial correlations with business performance. As theoretical and practical implications, a business performance index arose, replying to the needs presented by the Mexican Association of Hotels in Yucatán.
    2025-05-16Journal article Open access Show more
  • Deep Eutectic Systems: A Game Changer for Marine Bioactives Recovery
    Publication . Amador, Sandro; Martins, Alice; Matias, Margarida; Pedrosa, Rui; Pinteus, Susete
    The extraction of bioactive compounds from marine natural products has gained increasing attention due to their diverse applications, such as in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Yet, low extraction yields and toxicity associated with common solvents are a major bottleneck. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) have emerged as promising green alternatives to conventional organic solvents, offering advantages such as biodegradability, greater environmental and economic sustainability, low toxicity, and enhanced extraction selectivity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the principles, physicochemical properties, and applications of DESs/NADESs to obtain bioactive compounds from marine organisms. Among the most recent works, it is possible to verify the success of NADESs to extract carrageenan from the seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii; pigments from Palmaria palmata; and polyphenols and proteins from different brown seaweeds. NADESs have also shown high potential to extract other valuable compounds from marine by-products, such as chitin from crabs and shrimp shells, and also lipids and proteins from different fish species and protein rich extracts from tilapia viscera. The challenges for DESs/NADESs use at industrial scale are also discussed, and success cases are revealed, highlighting their potential as game changers for extracting bioactive compounds from marine organisms and driving the development of innovative biotechnological products.
    2025-05-16Journal article Open access Show more