Sapientia
Repositório Científico da UAlg
Entradas recentes
Quaternary Arctic planktonic foraminifera: morphological differentiation and taxonomic reassessment of subpolar spinose taxa
Publication . Coxall, Helen K.; Cronin, Thomas M.; Darling, Kate; Husum, Katrine; Handl, Tamara; Huber, Brian T.; Kanvinde, Megh M.; Razmjooei, Mohammad; Vermassen, Flor; Voelker, Antje; Weitkamp, Tirza M.; O'Regan, Matt
Planktonic foraminifera in the modern Arctic Ocean are dominated by the non-spinose polar species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma. Acmes of two spinose, presumed subpolar taxa in Quaternary central Arctic sediment cores are therefore anomalous, implying significantly different past conditions. Currently the names Turborotalita quinqueloba (Natland) and Turborotalita egelida (Cifelli and Smith) are applied to the subpolar morphotypes, which have been associated with marine isotope stages (MISs) 5 and 11, respectively, although the latest age models challenge this. Besides age uncertainties, a major obstacle to fully interpreting these plankton events is unclear taxonomy, which complicates species identification, core correlations, and paleoenvironmental reconstructions. We address this by analyzing Arctic and sub-Arctic planktonic foraminifera using light and SEM imaging and conducting morphometric analysis. Our results reveal consistent morphological and stratigraphic differences between the two Arctic spinose morphotypes, providing a basis for their taxonomic differentiation. We confirm that the younger morphotype corresponds to T. quinqueloba, characterized by tight coiling; an elongate final chamber overhanging the umbilicus; and, on average, a smaller proloculus. However, the central Arctic forms exhibit overall smaller tests than Nordic Sea counterparts and display smooth, non-encrusted wall textures. The older spinose morphotype is distinguished by larger size, a globular final chamber, an open umbilicus, evolute coiling, and a wider range and larger mean proloculus size. Compared to T. quinqueloba, it also has a lower chamber count and a distinctive wall texture that is never encrusted and characterized by sparse, robust spine bases and occasional linear ridges formed by aligned pustules. Our taxonomic investigation shows that the species name egelida is not appropriate for the older morphotype. We therefore reinstate the original species name exumbilicata, established by Herman in 1974. We highlight several morphospecies that may be confused with exumbilicata and that have contributed, or may contribute, to misassignments: Globigerina atlantisae Cifelli and Smith is consistent with the non-spinose Tenuitellita iota, whereas smooth-walled morphotypes of N. pachyderma that have been conflated with exumbilicata (egelida) can be seen under SEM to have a non-spinose wall. While it remains possible that the exumbilicata morphotype is an ecophenotype of T. quinqueloba, the absence of primary turborotalitid features and possession of some other features seen in the Globigerina falconensis lineage are instead suggestive of genus Globigerina. We here adopt a conservative taxonomic approach, referring to the older morphotype as “Globigerina” exumbilicata, pending future investigation. Our conclusions are outlined in a focused taxonomic framework covering relevant Arctic and subpolar planktonic foraminifera. The latest available biostratigraphic age constraints imply that “G.” exumbilicata is older than 0.44 Ma and younger than 1.8 Ma. It is possible that the “G.” exumbilicata acme represents a polar occupation by planktonic foraminifera in the central Arctic Ocean before ecological dominance by N. pachyderma. These new insights provide a foundation for advancing our understanding of Arctic planktonic foraminiferal evolution, the development of polar ecosystems, and Quaternary climate dynamics.
Revisão Bibliográfica sobre cancro da mama em Portugal
Publication . Renda, Marta; Rodriguez-Reinado, Carmen
El cáncer es una de las patologías más preocupantes en términos de salud pública, por la carga que representa para el paciente, la familia, los servicios de salud y la sociedad en general. Es una de las mayores causas de morbilidad y mortalidad a nivel mundial. A nivel mundial, las cifras disponibles de cáncer de mama en 2018 apuntan a unos 2.088.849 casos nuevos y 626.679 muertes, lo que corresponde al 25,4% de todos los casos y al 15,1% de todas las muertes por cáncer (excepto los cánceres de piel no melanoma) en mujeres. (Fernández-Navarro et al., 2021) A nivel europeo, el cáncer de mama ocupó el primer lugar en cuanto a incidencia y mortalidad en mujeres en 2018, con 522.513 nuevos casos y 137.707 muertes, lo que corresponde al 28,2% de los nuevos casos y al 16,2% de todas las nuevas muertes por cáncer (excepto no melanoma cánceres de piel) en las mujeres. Para las personas mayores de 15 años, la tasa de supervivencia relativa a 5 años fue del 83,8 % entre 2000 y 2007. (Fernández-Navarro et al., 2021).
Aplicación de las ciencias del aprendizaje a la enseñanza medica
Publication . Renda, Marta; Rodriguez-Reinado, Carmen
Hoy en día, el aprendizaje multimedia está presente en prácticamente todas, si no todas, las áreas de la educación. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los docentes utilizan este tipo de aprendizaje de acuerdo a lo que ellos mismos consideran que es el método de aprendizaje de los estudiantes, ignorando la existencia de principios bien estudiados sobre la teoría cognitiva del aprendizaje multimedia. Dad su importancia, la educación médica o no médica, debe guiarse por una teoría basada en: 1) cómo aprenden las personas: ciencia del aprendizaje; 2) por principios basados en la evidencia sobre cómo diseñar una instrucción eficaz: ciencia de la instrucción. (Mayer, 2005, 2010).
Integration of artificial intelligence in chest radiographs in primary care: educational innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration
Publication . Renda, Marta; Gaudêncio, Nélia
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into radiological workflows, with most applications developed and validated in hospital-based environments where radiologists are readily available. In these settings, AI has demonstrated its ability to improve workflow efficiency, accelerate image triage, and support safer clinical decision-making, while complementing - rather than replacing - professional expertise [1-3].
The impact of work-family policies on employee performance in the tourism industry
Publication . Biedma-Ferrer, José María; Medina-Garrido, José Aurelio; Rodrigues Guita Almeida, Maria Helena; Bogren, Maria
Purpose
This study aims to explore the influence of work-family policies (WFP) existence and accessibility on employee performance within the tourism industry, emphasizing the mediating roles of specific WFP measures and the moderating impact of demanding work.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based on data collected through questionnaires administered to 224 employees in the tourism industry and analysed using a structural equation modelling approach.
Findings
The findings confirm that WFP existence positively affects performance and is negatively related to accessibility, though the mediating effects of specific WFP measures vary significantly. Flexibility in working time and location emerge as pivotal mediators, while long leaves and support services do not show significant effects. In addition, demanding work moderates key relationships, weakening the positive effects of WFP in high-demand environments.
Practical implications
Tourism organizations should enhance both WFP existence and accessibility, especially through flexible work arrangements related to working time and location. Addressing high work demands through improved workload management and organizational practices that facilitate the actual use of available policies can improve employee performance and organizational outcomes.
Originality/value
The added value of this research lies in demonstrating that the impact of WFP depends on how employees perceive their accessibility and on the specific measures available, rather than on their mere existence. Crucially, it identifies that flexibility in working time and location is the primary driver of this improvement, whereas other measures, such as long-term leaves, do not show a significant impact in this specific high-pressure environment.