Sapientia
UAlg Scientific Repository
About Sapientia
SAPIENTIA brings together all scientific publications produced by teachers, researchers, and students (theses and dissertations) from the University of Algarve and cooperating entities (ULSALG-Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve and Ciência Viva network centers in the Algarve) and aims to maximize their visibility, ensure easy access to this collection, improve the public impact of the scientific activity of the University and other entities, as well as ensure the preservation of their memories.
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Recent Submissions
Methodologies for detoxifying bivalves from marine paralytic shellfish toxins
Publication . Aderogba, Adewale; Leal, Joana F.; Cristiano, Maria de Lurdes
The marine environment emerges as a key provider of food and sustainable products. However, these benefits are accompanied by numerous challenges owing to harmful algal blooms (HAB) and their associated biotoxins, which accumulate in organisms, like bivalves, threatening seafood quality. Among the various biotoxins, paralytic shellfish toxins (PST), the causative agents of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), are among the most potent, lethal, and frequently reported instances of human intoxication. Removing PST from marine system is particularly challenging because of their hydrophilicity, susceptibility to biotransformation and the potential influence of other substances naturally present in the environment. Although there are several methods applied to mitigate HAB, to the best of our knowledge there are no proven effective methods for removing PST in marine environments. Consequently, there is a need to develop efficient removal technologies, especially envisaging fast, environmentally safe, inexpensive, and readily available solutions. Having examined several proposed methods for removing PST (e.g., thermal and industrial procedures, adsorption using different materials, photodegradation, AOPs) and comparing their efficacy, this study aims to streamline the current knowledge on PST removal, identify knowledge gaps, and provide valuable insights for researchers, environmental managers, and policymakers engaged in mitigating the risks associated with PST.
Examining identity and perceived risk on technology acceptance and behavioural intentions of fans: an extended TAM perspective
Publication . Shuya, Zhao; Ribeiro, Tiago; Almeida, Victor
Purpose – The rise of digital innovations in the sports industry has led to the growing adoption of fan tokens, offering sports organisations new ways to engage with their fans. As these digital assets gain traction, understanding the factorsthat influence their acceptance becomesincreasingly critical. Thus, thisstudy usesthe Technology Acceptance Model to explore the roles of fan identity and the perceived risk in shaping fan token acceptance and aims to examine their effect on the behavioural intentions of football fans. Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered from a sample of football fans (n 5 360) representing eight Brazilian clubs that issue official fan tokens through the Socios.com platform. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships within the proposed framework with bootstrapping techniques applied to assess the robustness of the estimates and examine the mediating effects of key variables on behavioural intentions. Findings – The results highlight the key role of TAM in predicting fan token adoption. Technological acceptance emerged as a strong predictor of both word-of-mouth communication and fan purchase intentions. Fan identity demonstrated a significant positive influence on fan token acceptance and purchase intention. Moreover, fan token acceptance was found to mediate the relationship between fan identity and behavioural intentions, indicating that fans with strong identification are more likely to adopt tokens from their sports clubs. Originality/value – This study advances theoretical understanding by incorporating fan identity, trust and perceived risk into the extended TAM framework. Our findings highlight the critical importance of trustbuilding strategies and effective risk mitigation in promoting fan adoption of technology and strengthening their behavioural intentions. The fan token industry should recognize the well-established and mediating role of technological acceptance while strengthening trust and leveraging fan identity to build deeper, value-driven connections.
Water management practices and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination in Ethiopian tertiary hospitals: implications for waterborne healthcare-associated infections
Publication . Hailemichael, Etsub Brhanesilassie; Desta, Adey Feleke; Taye, Girma; Gari, Sirak Robele; Alemu, Amare; Gobena, Waktole; Amogne, Wondwossen
The threat of healthcare-associated infections is significantly heightened when caused by drug-resistant pathogens. This study evaluates water management practices and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems of two tertiary hospitals of Ethiopia. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining the qualitative data thematic analysis with quantitative microbiological results from 120 potable water samples. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data collection was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. The findings indicate that neither hospital had a dedicated water management programme for preventive maintenance. Microbial analysis revealed a 16% prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the water samples, with 26.3% of isolates demonstrating resistant to at least one antibiotic class. Notably, two isolates from the maternity ward of Hospital A exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and imipenem. Overall, the structural and operational standard of the water management programmes in both hospitals were found to be non-conformant to international standards. A higher rate of Pseudomonas positivity, including resistant and MDR strains, indicates persistent hospital water contamination and a tangible risk for HAIs. These results underscore the critical need for the formation of multidisciplinary water safety team to optimize water quality management in these hospitals.
Classifying polish in use-wear analysis with convolutional neural networks
Publication . Eleftheriadou, Anastasia; Djellal, Youssef; McPherron, Shannon; Marreiros, Joao
Lithic use-wear analysis examines micro- and macroscopic traces on tool surfaces resulting from human use and post-depositional processes. Polish, formed through surface abrasion with different materials, is a key diagnostic feature that is increasingly analyzed using machine learning to enhance automation and standardization. However, further research is needed to explore whether deep learning approaches, in particular, can be effectively applied to use-wear analysis and to determine the optimal surface area size (e.g., patch size and microscope objectives) and model architecture (custom vs. pre-trained) for achieving the best results. This study employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify experimental polish based on contact material (wood, hide, bone) and use intensity, while also assessing optimal imaging and analytical parameters. The results of this exploratory study suggest that CNNs may effectively identify polish from bone and hide but perform less effectively with wood. The models also successfully distinguish between polish formed by short- and long-term use. Custom models outperformed pre-trained ones, particularly when using images that captured smaller areas of the tool’s surface, suggesting that bigger surface areas may lack the necessary information for optimal results. These findings underscore the need to expand use-wear datasets in terms of size and variability and optimize CNN architectures and workflows.
Conservation workshop in Okinawa: urgent action needed for land hermit crabs
Publication . Hsu, Chia-Hsuan; Reimer, James Davis; Naruse, Tohru; Miller, Shawn; Henriques, Sérgio
On 21 April 2025, in support of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Invertebrate Conservation Committee’s efforts to address taxonomic gaps in underrepresented regions, a workshop was held in Okinawa, Japan, bringing together researchers and stakeholders to discuss challenges in land
hermit crab conservation. Recent cases of illegal trafficking of thousands of land hermit crabs from the Ryukyu Islands to Indonesia, Taiwan and China, as well as sales of Okinawaorigin crabs, are of serious concern. During the workshop, participants discussed the ecological roles, cultural values,
and management of land hermit crabs, highlighted smuggling incidents and considered future actions.