Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-10"
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- Influencing factors of the innovation power in the adoption of sustainability strategiesPublication . Barbieri da Rosa, Luciana Aparecida; Gomes, Clandia Maffini; Campos, Waleska; Rodrigues, Carolina; Godoy, Tais Pentiado; Kneipp, Jordana MarquesThe study aimed to analyze which are the best corporate environmental strategies to foster the innovation power of companies in the mining sector. The methodology used was the quantitative approach through multiple linear regression analysis were used to analyze the power of innovation and to see how the interrelationship between pressures and incentives can influence companies in the implementation of the sustainability strategy which resulted in five different models. The results show that different environmental strategies foster, in different ways, the power of innovation of companies in the analyzed mineral sector. Therefore, it became evident that cost reduction and adaptation to a strong regulatory environment are strategies capable of promoting external guidance and the transparency of innovation processes. Second, the search for reducing environmental impacts and adapting to a strong regulatory environment are strategies that strengthen knowledge of the business environment. In addition, the results show that leadership in products and processes can be optimized through strategies to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Finally, Autonomy and market leadership in relation to innovative initiatives can be achieved via cost reduction, incorporation of social and environmental guidelines, and adaptation to a strong regulatory environment. Thus, this study contributes to the theory and practice of innovation as it reveals to be the best corporate strategy capable of fostering the innovation power of companies in the mineral sector.
- Predictors of pneumonia in patients with acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Algarve, Southern PortugalPublication . Soares, Rita; Fernandes, Adriana; Taveira, Isabel; Marreiros, Ana; Nzwalo, HipólitoIntroduction: Following the hyperacute phase of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH), the severest form of stroke, pneumonia emerges as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Prevention of stroke associated pneumonia (SAP) is fundamental to improve the prognosis of SICH patients. Aim: Identify clinical, sociodemographic and process of care factors associated with occurrence of SAP after SICH in Algarve, southern Portugal. Methods: Observational, retrospective study of community representative consecutive case series of patients with SICH admitted to the sole public hospital in the region. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of SAP after SICH. Results: A total of 525 patients were included. The mean age was 71 ( +/- 13) years and 64% were men. SAP occurred in 165 (31.5%). Lower Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS score): <= 8 (OR= 2.087; 95% CI= [1.027;4.424]; p = 0.042) and GCS 9-12 (OR= 1.775; 95% CI= [1.030;3.059]; p = 0.039); prolonged emergency room stay (OR= 8.066; 95%CI=[3.082;21.113]; p < 0.001) and hyperactive delirium (OR=2.860; 95% CI= [1.661;4.925]; p < 0.001) increased the likelihood of SAP. Being younger, = 59 years (OR= 0.391; 95% CI= [0.168; 0.911]; p = 0.029) and 60-71 years (OR= 0.389; 95% CI= [0.185; 0.818]; p = 0.013); and having less severe SICH/intracerebral hemorrhage score (ICH score) <= 2 (OR=0.601; 95% CI= [0.370; 0.975]; p = 0.039), decreased the risk of SAP. Conclusion: After SICH, SAP occurs in approximately a third of patients. Non preventable (admission severity, ageing) and potentially preventable (prolonged emergency room stay, hyperactive delirium) determine the occurrence of SAP. Intensification of preventive intervention in high-risk patients, delirium prevention and improvement of the process of care can potentially reduce the occurrence of SAP after SICH.
- Response surface methodology (RSM) for optimization of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum extracts with antioxidant and anti-diabetic activitiesPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; AAZZA, Smail; EL-GUENDOUZ, Soukaina; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Miguel, MariaBackground: Euphorbia is one of the plants most used by herbalists and therapists in Morocco. Objectives: The aerial part of two plant samples (Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum) collected in Morocco was examined for the solvent effect, extraction time, and plant concentration in order to determine the best extraction conditions. Materials and Methods: To achieve this goal, a response surface methodology (RSM) using a full three-level factorial design was used to optimize the conditions for the extraction of antioxidants and a-glucosidase inhibitors. Temperature, time, and plant-to-solvent ratio (PSR) and their linear and quadratic interactions on TPC (total phenol concentration), TFC (total flavonoid concentration), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) trapping activity, and a-glucosidase inhibiting activities were studied. Results: According to desirability functions, the optimum operating conditions to achieve a higher extraction yield of phenols and higher antioxidant and anti-diabetic activity were found by using extraction during 60 min at 30 degrees C using a PSR of 20 mg/mL, whereas a longer extraction time (270 min) was needed for E. resinifera and a higher extraction temperature (50 degrees C), with a lower PSR (10 mg/mL) for E. officinarum. Conclusion: In order to find the best conditions to extract secondary metabolites with biological activity and application in phytotherapy, the appropriate solvent generally used by populations, water in this case, should be used, but the best extraction conditions have to be found in order to enhance the pharmacological actions.
- Vernacular architecture and cultural Identity in shrinking rural settlementsPublication . Martinez, V. G.; Geng, MA; Paolla, Peligrini; Costa, Miguel ReimãoThe depopulation and abandonment of rural areas is a phenomenon that is repeated on a global scale and is transversal to most territories and cultures. This shrinking process particularly affects vernacular architecture, due to its modest materiality and therefore the cultural values that reside in it, both of a material and immaterial nature. This work analyses the situation of rural vernacular architecture in shrinking areas in three regions of different scales and cultural approaches as the southern areas of China, Morocco and Spain, taking as reference typological elements specific to each region. The research delves into experiences in which the endangered cultural heritage is transformed into a dynamizing force for the territory on which it is based and opens the door to different solutions both for the conservation and valorisation of its own elements and for the resolution of the underlying socio-cultural problems. The research identifies generic and universal aspects of the shrinking process, as well as specific conditions of each of the various study territories. The work found how the cases taken into consideration share some conditions in dealing with the consequences of the shrinkage, such as adaptation difficulties, administrative distance, heritage fragility.
- The evolution of pyrotechnology in the Upper Palaeolithic of EuropePublication . Murphree, William; Aldeias, VeraPyrotechnology, the ability for hominins to use fire as a tool, is considered to be one of the most important behavioural adaptations in human evolution. While several studies have focused on identifying the emergence of fire use and later Middle Palaeolithic Neanderthal combustion features, far fewer have focused on modern human fire use. As a result, we currently have more data characterizing the hominin fire use prior to 50,000 years before present (BP), than we do for Upper Palaeolithic of Europe. Here we review the available data on Upper Palaeolithic fire evidence between 48,000 and 13,000 years BP to understand the evolution of modern human pyrotechnology. Our results suggest regional clustering of feature types during the Aurignacian and further demonstrate a significant change in modern human fire use, namely in terms of the intensification and structural variation between 35,000 and 28,000 years BP. This change also corresponds to the development and spread of the Gravettian technocomplex throughout Europe and may correspond to a shift in the perception of fire. Additionally, we also show a significant lack of available high-resolution data on combustion features during the height of last glacial maximum. Furthermore, we highlight the need for more research into the effects of syn- and post-depositional processes on archaeological combustion materials and a need for more standardization of descriptions in the published literature. Overall, our review shows a significant and complex developmental process for Upper Palaeolithic fire use which in many ways mirrors the behavioural evolution of modern humans seen in other archaeological mediums.
- Experimental characterization of the thermal performance of the Haines 2 solar cookerPublication . Apaolaza-Pagoaga, Xabier; Carrillo-Andrés, Antonio; Ruivo, CelestinoThis work presents the most exhaustive experimental characterization of the thermal performance of the Haines 2 solar cooker available to date. Two Haines 2 solar cookers were tested side-by-side in Malaga, Spain, 36.7 N, between May 2021 and December 2021. A novel test procedure using empty pots and a tilted plane with variable inclination gave useful information about the influence of the solar altitude angle on cooker performance, and allowed identification of the best range for each of the two available reflector configurations for this cooker. Some suggestions are given to improve the cooker design for low solar altitude angles. In addition, a large number of water heating tests partly based on the ASAE S580.1 standard protocol were conducted to i) determine the standardised power, ii) examine the influence of the solar altitude angle, and iii) investigate the impact of using partial loads. All these results provide a complete characterization of the performance of this cooker in a wide range of operating conditions of practical interest. It is recommended that future versions of ASAE S580.1 standard consider the influence of both solar altitude angle and partial loads.
- QR codes: A case of its level of adoption in PortugalPublication . Lopes Bolzan, Roberson; Ventura, Paula; Fernandes, Silvia; Lampreia Carvalho, FatimaThe choice of this work arises from the interest in the topics of entrepreneurship and technology transfer toward launching more innovative products/services. It focuses on delivering a technology, QR code, which brings more innovation to a product especially with the current growth of mobile activities. Then, with the help of a strategic plan, it evaluates the level of potential acceptation and adoption of the proposed service and of widespread use of QRs in Portugal. Thus, an interactive prototype of the supporting platform is described and used for its validation with users. Most participants in this project know the technology and consider the idea interesting and promising. They even suggest add-ons such as more video functions and a higher variety of events and/or resources for combination. However, through a deeper analysis, aspects related with effective use of the service, eventual payment, and explaining how it works reveal lower enthusiasm. Thus, although there is a promising scenario for its implementation in the Portuguese market, training aimed at effectively knowing and using QR-code technology must evolve. Given the challenges of today's society, the future application of this product/service shall pass through an innovation acspecialized information or resources for activities in the areas of tourism, banking, health, etc.
- Variability of key-performance-indicators in commercial gilthead seabream hatcheriesPublication . Kourkouta, Chara; Tsipourlianos, Andreas; Power, Deborah; Moutou, Katerina A.; Koumoundouros, GeorgeSkeletal abnormalities are one of the most important key-performance-indicators (KPIs) in finfish hatcheries. Coping with the problem of skeletal abnormalities relies on the understanding of the link between the variability in the rearing conditions, and the variability in abnormalities incidence. Here, 74 seabream larval populations, from four commercial hatcheries, were examined for the presence of abnormalities and monitored with respect to the applied conditions. The inward folding of gill-cover and pugheadedness were the most frequent abnormalities present, with a mean (+/- SD) frequency of 11.3 +/- 17.9 and 6.0 +/- 7.2%, respectively. Other abnormalities were observed at very low mean rates (<= 1%). A new abnormality type, ray-resorption syndrome, was also found. The recorded rate of normally inflated swimbladder was 92.3 +/- 7.4% and mean survival rate was 25.9 +/- 21.0%. Classification tree analysis indicated six rearing variables as potentially important predictors for pugheadedness, six variables for caudal-fin abnormalities and 10 variables for survival rate. Complementary genetic analysis, revealed differentiating genetic diversity and significant genetic distances among participating hatcheries, suggestive of the role of company-specific management of genetic resources in KPIs' variability. The results are discussed with respect to their potential use in the control of skeletal abnormalities by commercial hatcheries, as well as for benchmarking among different hatcheries.
- Faunal remains associated with human cremations: The chalcolithic pits 16 and 40 from the Perdigões ditched enclosures (Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal)Publication . Almeida, Nelson J.; Carlos Valera, AntónioDifferent funerary behaviors are recorded in the Iberian Peninsula during Late Prehistory. Cremation is not the most common practice and the association between human cremains and fauna is even scarcer. We present two Chalcolithic pits (pits 16 and 40) from the Perdigoes ditched enclosures, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal. Humans were accompanied by animals and other votive materials such as arrowheads, ivory anthropomorphic figurines, and marble idols. Differences between the two contexts are discussed regarding the selection of faunal anatomical parts, the abundance of species, and the manipulation of remains. The results obtained were compared to previously published data from anthropological analysis. Burning damage intensity is different among pits and between humans and fauna. Hence, this suggests that the latter also resulted from diverse practices, including the possible selection of animal body portions for cremation and/or the deposition of selected burned bones or even related to patterns existing in the contexts of the provenance of the cremated materials before the cremation events.
- Setting the relationship between human-centered approaches and users? Digital well-being: A reviewPublication . Polanco-Diges, Leticia; Ramón Saura, José; Patrícia Valle, Patrícia Oom do ValleWith the advancement of technology and advent of the new digital era, the society is getting increasingly exposed to novel technologies, digital platforms, or smart devices. This reality opens a wide range of questions about the benefits and challenges of technology and its impact on humans. In this context, the present study investigates the relationship between human-centered approaches and their application to achieve users' digital well-being, as well as explores whether marketing and business industry are sufficiently considering human-centered approaches in their implementation of practices that care for users' digital wellbeing. To this end, we conduct a systematic literature review. The exploratory results confirm that the implementation of human-centered approaches makes it possible to achieve a greater user well-being in the marketing and management sector. Additionally, we also identify and dis-cuss seven more relevant areas. Our review concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of our findings for further research on the use of human-centric and digital well-being concepts.