Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-05"
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- Capturing eudaimonic feelings in tourism experience: A construct proposal and preliminary empirical evidencePublication . Medeiros, Sandro Alves de; Campos, Ana Cláudia; Freitas, Lara Brunelle Almeida; Mondo, Tiago Savi; Sthapit, EroseDespite the increasing interest in eudaimonic tourism experiences in recent years, research in tourism studies is fragmented. In addition, studies most often lack conceptualization, not clarifying whether the construct refers to state or trait level and what psychological mechanism is analysed, whether experience, functioning, behaviour or motivation. This pilot study aims to contribute to a better understanding of eudaimonia in tourism experiences by proposing the construct of Eudaimonic Feelings as a proxy for eudaimonia. Eudaimonic Feelings is considered a state-level construct defined as the cognitive-affective appraisals towards self-fulfilment, authenticity, truthful social interactions, and personal meaningfulness concerning a tourism experience. Adopting a multi-item approach, items found in prior research were adapted to explore and measure Eudaimonic Feelings through a survey using a convenience sample. Results support data unidimensionality, items' reliability, and construct robustness and replicability.
- Recovery of catalytic metals from leaching solutions of spent automotive catalytic converters using plant extractsPublication . Nobahar, Amir; Carlier, Jorge; Costa, Maria ClaraThis study investigates the potential of hydroalcoholic extracts of Cistus ladanifer L., Erica Andevalensis and Rubus idaeus L. as a green method for the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from both synthetic unimetallic solutions and multimetallic solutions obtained from the leaching of two different spent automotive catalytic converters (SACC). Experiments with unimetallic solutions revealed that E. andevalensis and R. idaeus extracts could separate about 70% of Pd and less than 40% of other tested metals (Al, Ce, Fe and Pt) from the solutions. Then, application of the plant extracts to two different SACCs leachates showed that E. andevalensis and R. idaeus extracts can induce high precipitation (> 60%) of Pd and Pt with co-precipitation of less than 20% of other metals. UV-Visible spectra analysis confirmed the bio-reduction of Pd2+ ions into Pd-0 nanoparticles by R. idaeus extract, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the contribution of functional groups of the phytochemicals present in the extract (such as phenols, flavonoids and anthocyanins) in the Pd2+ bio-reduction and stabilization. Afterward, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis of the precipitate obtained from one leachate with R. idaeus extract demonstrated the presence of Pd particles along with organic compounds and particles containing other metals. Therefore, particles were subjected to a washing step with acetone for further purification. Finally, scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDX) analysis showed the high purity of the final Pd particles and high-resolution STEM allowed to determine their size variation of 2.5 to 17 nm with an average Feret size of 6.1 nm and confirmed their crystalline structure with an interplanar lattice distance of similar to 0.22 nm. This green approach offers various benefits including simplicity of Pd separation from the leachates as valuable nanoparticles that makes the process more feasible from economic and environmental standpoints. A process cost of similar to 20 $/g of Pd particles recovered was estimated (excluding manpower).
- Aquatic species shows asymmetric distribution range shifts in native and non-native areasPublication . Costa, Eudriano F. S.; Encarnação, João; Teodosio, Maria; Morais, PedroClimate change is reshaping the geographical distribution of species across the globe. In marine ecosystems, climate change creates novel challenges to an environment impacted by numerous anthropogenic stressors. Forecasting shifts in species distribution, including the expansion of non-indigenous species under climate change scenarios, is a management challenge for today’s world.
- Effectiveness of ultrasound screening in right upper quadrant pain: A comparative study in a basic emergency servicePublication . Miravent, Sérgio; Lobo, Manuel; Figueiredo, Teresa; Jiménez, Carmen; Almeida, RuiBackground and Aims: The use of ultrasound screening is primarily facilitated by point‐of‐care ultrasound (POCUS) and its integration into healthcare systems is a result of the versatility of this imaging technique. This study intends to compare the accuracy and pertinence of sonographic findings obtained by a sonographer in a Basic Emergency Service (BES) with that of radiologists at referral hospital (RH) in Portugal. Methods: Twenty patients with right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain and suspected cholecystitis or biliary pathology underwent sonography screening using POCUS in the BES. They were then forwarded to the RH where a radiologist performed a conventional ultrasound exam on the same patients. The results of both exams were compared to determine if the findings obtained in the BES were confirmed by the radiologist in the RH. Results: In our sample, 60% of cases were related to biliary pathology, 20% were liver‐related, 10% had hepatopancreatic biliary etiology, and 10% had unknown etiology. A strong association between the sonographic findings in the BES and the RH was found in the variables “Sonographic Murphy sign” (V = 0.859; p = 0.001), “Cholelithiasis/Gallbladder sludge” (V = 0.840; p = 0.001), and “Intrahepatic biliary tract dilatation” (V = 0.717; p = 0.006). Adequate measures of agreement between the findings of the radiographer and radiologist were obtained for the “Sonographic Murphy sign” (k = 0.664; p = 0.001) and the presence of “Cholelithiasis/Gallbladder sludge” (k = 0.712; p = 0.000). Conclusion: Major biliary abnormalities were detected in patients with RUQ pain in BES using sonography. The correlation between the sonographic findings obtained by the sonographers at BES and those obtained by radiologists at the RH in Portugal was strong, showing that POCUS screening could be extended to other similar settings; however, more studies are needed.
- Civil economy as a path towards sustainability: An empirical investigationPublication . Nogueira, Carla; Marques, João Filipe; Pinto, HugoContemporary societies face a myriad of challenges that require the modification of patterns, ways of living, being and producing. Although climate change is one of the most glaring problems, it cannot be understood merely by environmental aspects. Many of these challenges are interrelated and have their roots in a set of crystallized structures that are obsolete, namely the economic ones. Contemporary capitalism has been proving its limitations and contribution to less fair, harmonious and sustainable societies. Evidence of this is the policy efforts that many organizations, such as the European Commission, are making to promote environmental transitions, the circular economy, and green innovations. This article argues that the concept of civil economy may be complementary to this green policy agenda for reflecting on current social challenges and emphasize the importance of cultural, environmental, spiritual and economic resources operating together. It pays attention to gift-giving as a form of civil economy, defining a framework inspired by positive sociology. The article uses the case study of "Los Portales", an intentional sustainable community located in Spain, with around 40 inhabitants and more than 40 years of existence. The study is of ethnographic character and based on in-depth interviews with experts on the economic governance of this community. The results show that the principles of the gift economy were crucial to the success and longevity of the community. They also suggest an agency-centred approach in which individuals should engage activities that promote personal happiness, collective happiness and prosperity.
- Long-term recurrent events in ST-elevation myocardial infarction and multivessel disease: the impact of different revascularization strategiesPublication . Mimoso, JorgeThis study makes an important contribution to responding to issues in the field. Significant non-culprit lesions should undergo revascularization because it can reduce recurrent cardiovascular events compared to the culprit-vessel-only PCI strategy. Second, there are no significant differences in clinical endpoint between it being conducted at index hospital admission or after discharge. They observed a reduction of up to two days in hospital stay in the delayed CR group when compared with the in-hospital CR group; in-hospital CR was an independent predictor of a longer hospital stay. Thus, in view of the recurrent lack of hospital beds in cardiology services, reducing the length of hospital stay in a safe way for patients and postponing revascularization of non-culprit patients after discharge could improve service management and cardiovascular care.
- Importância do bem-estar no trabalho para o desempenho dos jovens trabalhadores aplicação no Real Hotels GroupPublication . Martins, Pedro Tomás; Brás, Maria da Fé DavidO presente estudo foca-se na análise da influência da satisfação e do bem-estar no desempenho dos trabalhadores, com especial destaque para os mais jovens. De forma a melhorar a performance e reter jovens talentos nos quadros da empresa, é fundamental compreender as suas necessidades e aspirações. Neste sentido, foi conduzido um estudo no Real Hotels Group que contou com a participação de 179 colaboradores, dos quais 105 eram do género feminino e 74 do género masculino. Os objetivos do estudo incluíam: I) Avaliar o nível de satisfação e bem-estar geral dos trabalhadores da empresa; II) Avaliar fatores específicos de satisfação e bem-estar no local de trabalho; III) Detetar diferenças nas avaliações de bem-estar e satisfação entre os trabalhadores que compõem as diferentes gerações; IV) Relacionar os resultados do estudo com os resultados da avaliação de desempenho do Real Hotels Group. Em termos gerais, os resultados demonstraram níveis elevados de satisfação e bem-estar entre os colaboradores. O método de avaliação de desempenho revelou-se o aspeto menos satisfatório, enquanto as relações interpessoais no ambiente de trabalho foram altamente satisfatórias. No que concerne ao bem-estar, o stresse e a fadiga decorrentes do trabalho foram os principais pontos negativos. Quanto às diferentes gerações, a Geração Z apresentou avaliações medianas menos satisfatórias na maioria dos aspetos, enquanto os Baby Boomers obtiveram as pontuações mais elevadas. Embora, no geral, não tenham sido identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas, ocorreram algumas exceções, como no caso da satisfação com as instalações partilhadas pelo staff e a flexibilidade de horários, que variaram mais entre as diferentes gerações. Além disso, as avaliações de desempenho refletiram, em certa medida, os resultados do estudo, com os colaboradores mais jovens a receberem avaliações menos favoráveis.
- Resposta a “Consulta Não Presencial no Serviço Nacional de Saúde Português Durante a Pandemia de COVID-19”Publication . Azeredo, Melanie; Santos, Pedro Martins dos; Jesus, Nuno; Aveiro, Mafalda; Cojocar, IonelaO artigo “Consulta Não Presencial no Serviço Nacional de Saúde Português Durante a Pandemia de COVID-19: Estudo da Opinião dos Médicos e Implicações para o Futuro” permitiu fazer a caracterização da utilização da tele-consulta no início da pandemia de COVID-19 e revelou que esta pode vir a ter um papel importante em Portugal.
- Individual strategies and phenotypic plasticity of sea turtles in response to environmental changes: Loggerhead turtles nesting in Cabo VerdePublication . Martins, Samir; Loureiro, Nuno de Santos; Marco, AdolfoThe archipelago of Cabo Verde probably hosts the largest loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) rookery in the world. Nesting activities occur in all islands, with emphasis on Boa Vista, with more than 55% of the nest’s activities. The ecology of this population is still poorly understood and the studies presented here, carried out in the Sea Turtle Natural Reserve, aims to contribute to overcoming some relevant gaps. Our attention focused on: i. the influence of body size, estimated through the curved carapace length (CCL), the possible indicator of age on the fecundity of nesting females; ii. the influence of parameters such as temperature and moisture of the sand related to clutch location for the survival of offsprings; iii. the influence of nest location characterised by their proximity to the upper limit of the beach and to the water for the predation of hatchlings during their crawl to the sea; iv. the influence of hatcheries on hatching success and viability of hatchlings; and v. the impact of small-scale fishery on the nesting loggerhead turtle. We observed that: i. females nested along the entire width of the beach with a preference for the open area to the detriment of proximity to the tide line and vegetation; ii. only 8% of nesting females had CCL > 90 cm, laying less than 12% of the total annual number of clutches; iii. for higher values of temperature and moisture, the hatching success was lower and produced weaker offsprings; ghost crab predation decreased with increased hatchling group size; iv. hatcheries contributed to the hatching success without causing phenotypic differences; vi. small-scale fishery in Cabo Verde has relevant impacts on the population of C. caretta.
- Dynamic connectedness and network in the high moments of cryptocurrency, stock, and commodity marketsPublication . Hanif, Waqas; Ko, Hee-Un; Pham, Linh; Kang, Sang H.This study examines the connectedness in high-order moments between cryptocurrency, major stock (U.S., U.K., Eurozone, and Japan), and commodity (gold and oil) markets. Using intraday data from 2020 to 2022 and the time and frequency connectedness models of Diebold and Yilmaz (Int J Forecast 28(1):57–66, 2012) and Baruník and Křehlík (J Financ Econom 16(2):271–296, 2018), we investigate spillovers among the markets in realized volatility, the jump component of realized volatility, realized skewness, and realized kurtosis. These higher-order moments allow us to identify the unique characteristics of financial returns, such as asymmetry and fat tails, thereby capturing various market risks such as downside risk and tail risk. Our results show that the cryptocurrency, stock, and commodity markets are highly connected in terms of volatility and in the jump component of volatility, while their connectedness in skewness and kurtosis is smaller. Moreover, jump and volatility connectedness are more persistent than that of skewness and kurtosis connectedness. Our rolling-window analysis of the connectedness models shows that connectedness varies over time across all moments, and tends to increase during periods of high uncertainty. Finally, we show the potential of gold and oil as hedging and safe-haven investments for other markets given that they are the least connected to other markets across all moments and investment horizons. Our findings provide useful information for designing effective portfolio management and cryptocurrency regulations.