Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 226
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Certification, maintenance and decertification of standardised innovation management systems: Motivations, barriers and benefitsPublication . MENDES DE SABOYA, LIANA; Candido, Carlos Joaquim Farias; Cesário, MarisaThe role of standardised innovation management systems (SIMS) in fostering organisational innovation has been largely overlooked in the literature. This study addresses this gap by investigating the certification, maintenance, and decertification of SIMS. Using a descriptive and inductive methodology, the research analyses primary data from 94 Portuguese organisations with certified SIMS. The findings reveal a strong prevalence of internal motivations for certification, low implementation obstacles, and significant benefits, suggesting that these firms have successfully internalised the SIMS standard into their innovation management processes. Maintenance motivations are also strong, particularly internal ones, which align well with the critical success factors for sustaining certification. The benefits of maintaining SIMS are substantial, particularly internal benefits, as initial external motivations for certification often evolve into internal maintenance motivations. Decertification motivations and propensity are weak among the sample firms. Expectations of negative performance impacts following potential decertification are also low, likely because these organisations have effectively internalised the SIMS standard. This study is the first to explore the maintenance and decertification of SIMS, providing evidence that SIMS can deliver substantial benefits, be efficiently maintained, and continuously enhance innovation and competitiveness. As a result, most organisations exhibit little interest in decertification. The findings offer significant contributions to research and provide actionable insights for practitioners, suggesting that innovation management systems can indeed be standardised with considerable benefits.
- Common mechanistic pathways in rare congenital syndromes with primary microcephalyPublication . Jorge, Xavier; Milagre, Ines; Ferreira, Anita; Calado, Sofia; Oliveira, Raquel; Carvalhal, SaraPrimary microcephaly is an often-seen phenotype in several rare congenital syndromes. It is characterised by a smaller brain size at birth compared to the norm. The causes of this malformation are not fully understood, but genetic testing suggests a connection with defective genes involved in mitotic regulation and proteins related to DNA repair and replication pathways. Cohesinopathies represent a group of rare syndromes, where several subtypes exhibit spontaneous railroad chromosomes and primary microcephaly. This includes Roberts Syndrome, Warsaw Breakage Syndrome and a recently characterised syndrome caused by mutations in the BUB1 gene. Currently, we are examining fibroblast cells from patients with these syndromes to identify common mechanistic pathways. In this context, we have identified a new promising candidate: Topoisomerase II alpha, a protein responsible for resolving of the DNA catenation both in the DNA replication and mitosis. Defective localisation of Topoisomerase II alpha may contribute to the observed mitotic defects in these cells. We are currently exploring the impact of these defects on brain development using reprogramming techniques to assess proper neuronal differentiation.
- RESUPERES Manual intervention proposal for the resilience development in higher education. Overcoming adversitiesPublication . Sousa, Carolina; Cepero González, María Del Mar; Gonçalves, Carla Dionísio; Borges, Maria LeonorIn the 21st century, universities are perceived as spaces that are exposed to social reality and its conflicts. They assume social responsibility which empowers them to respond, with almost certain success, to the demands placed on society, seeking equity and the promotion of justice and solidarity. Students who gain access to university in present society are highly diverse, which increases the urgency with which pedagogy must be made inclusive for all. This will demand that teachers respond to individual differences in order to avoid the exclusion of certain students and will lay the foundation of a sustainable and inclusive university context in which all can learn as long as they are provided with the most suitable conditions for learning (Moriña, 2020). Indeed, many students have reported serious difficulties in terms of access to the Internet due to complex economic situations, either because they cannot afford computer equipment or because poor connectivity is inherent to their place of residence. The impact and presence of technological tools in university classrooms, student-centred teaching approaches, and the increasing presence of students traditionally unrepresented in university spaces, leads to the need to reconsider the role of teachers, underlining comprehensive lifelong training as a way of responding to this new educational reality.
- The first record of Lysmata rauli Laubenheimer and Rhyne, 2010 (Decapoda: Caridea: Lysmatidae) from the tropical eastern AtlanticPublication . Wirtz, Peter; Moura, Carlos; Nhanquê, Filipe T.; Barbosa, Castro; Serrao, Ester A.Here we report the first record of the shrimp Lysmata rauli Laubenheimer and Rhyne, 2010 in the eastern Atlantic, from the intertidal at Kere Island, Bijag & oacute;s archipelago, Guinea-Bissau.
- Preparation and characterization of Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 particles functionalized with mercaptopropyl groups and of their composites with poly(lactic acid)Publication . Díez-Rodríguez, Tamara M.; Blázquez-Blázquez, Enrique; Martínez, Juan C.; Lourenço, João P.; Cerrada, María L.; Pérez, ErnestoSanta Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) particles functionalized with mercaptopropyl groups (named as SBASH) have been prepared by a synthetic one-pot approach, and then have been incorporated into poly(lactic acid) (PLA), comparing their characteristics with those shown by composites attained with neat SBA-15 (PLASBA). The silica including the mercaptopropyl groups exhibits a certain loss of regularity because of its functionalization, although displays a better interaction with PLA than the pristine SBA-15 particles in the resulting materials. These composites (PLASBASH and PLASBA) also show a thermal stability slightly higher than neat PLA. An important nucleation effect of SBASH silica in the crystallization of PLA has been deduced from cooling experiments as well as from the cold crystallization in heating runs and from the degree of crystallinity reached. Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) profiles show that the PLA long spacings are rather similar for the different composites and the neat PLA. Thus, crystal size is rather similar in all samples. Microhardness values show an evident effect of reinforcement in all the composites compared with that shown by neat PLA. Nevertheless, the increase in rigidity is smaller in the biobased PLASBASH composites, those containing the modified silica, than in the PLASBA materials with the pristine SBA-15 particles.
- Predicting gear used in a multi-gear coastal fleetPublication . Leitão, Pedro; Campos, Aida; Castro, MargaridaKnowledge of the gear used in multi-gear fisheries is crucial for supporting fisheries management. Still, the high complexity and lack of data in the Portuguese multi-gear coastal fleet compromise this task. The present study developed a method to predict main fishing gear used in each fishing trip for the Portuguese multi-gear coastal fleet based on landing records (species caught, port, and month of landing). Landing records were used to predict gear (available for part of the fleet with electronic logbooks) using a machine learning model (random forest). This model was then applied to the remaining trips of the fleet, without electronic logbooks, to predict the gear used. A total of six gear types were considered: bivalve dredges, traps, gillnets, trammel nets, drifting longlines, and bottom longlines. The overall model prediction error was 14 %; bivalve dredges and longlines had the lowest errors, and trammel nets and gillnets were the highest. The study sheds new light on important aspects of the dynamics of this fleet, namely a decreasing trend in the use of longlines, poor electronic logbook coverage for some gear types, and greater diversity in the catches obtained with nets compared to other gear types.
- Designing a coastal monitoring marine biodiversity survey, using trammel nets and gillnets in PortugalPublication . Rufino, Marta M.; Maia, Catarina; Dinis, David; Farias, Inês; Moura, Teresa; Gomes, Pedro; Quaresma, Ivania; Martins, Rogélia; Figueiredo, Ivone; Serra-Pereira, Bárbara; Gaspar, Miguel; Moreno, AnaAlthough coastal areas are of great importance, they often lack long term monitoring surveys, which are essential for effective management, fisheries sustainability, and marine spatial planning. To address this, we conducted two experimental surveys aimed at assessing communities and their biodiversity, with the objective of designing a monitoring program for marine coastal biodiversity, based on gear type, depth, sampling arrangement, total net length, and panel position within the haul. Depth was found to be the most important factor shaping biodiversity, while gear type had the greatest impact on assessing species richness. Overall, both number of species and diversity increased with depth, though significant differences were only found between hauls deployed at 10 m and deeper (30-50 m). Trammel nets caught a larger number of species compared to gillnets, and there was evidence of an interaction between depth and gear, in terms of abundance and at the community level; samples taken deeper than 10 m showed more gear-related differences. We found that neither the panel position within the haul nor the number of nets had any impact on species diversity or abundance. Similarly, there was no evidence for an effect related to the arrangement of nets, as results were consistent whether using separated or continuous net panels. However, the number of nets used as a sampling unit significantly influenced the results, as the variation in species abundance and diversity with depth and gear type was similar, when 20 or 30 nets were used, but became more variable when only 10 nets were used, even with increased replication. We concluded that both trammel nets and gillnets should be included in a coastal biodiversity monitoring program, as each catches a different set of species, including both demersal and pelagic taxa. Further, we recommend using a minimum of 20 nets (ideally 30+) per station, with replication. The evaluated monitoring system has a minimal impact on the ecosystem, can be easily deployed using commercial vessels and effectively captures a large number of species, being thus, highly recommended to be used in coastal monitoring surveys.
- Preparation and characterization of Santa Barbara Amorphous-15 particles functionalized with mercaptopropyl groups and of their composites with poly(lactic acid)Publication . Díez-Rodríguez, Tamara M.; Blázquez-Blázquez, Enrique; Lourenço, João P.; Martínez, Juan C.; Cerrada, María L.; Pérez, ErnestoSanta Barbara Amorphous-15 (SBA-15) particles functionalized with mercaptopropyl groups (named as SBASH) have been prepared by a synthetic one-pot approach, and then have been incorporated into poly(lactic acid) (PLA), comparing their characteristics with those shown by composites attained with neat SBA-15 (PLASBA). The silica including the mercaptopropyl groups exhibits a certain loss of regularity because of its functionalization, although displays a better interaction with PLA than the pristine SBA-15 particles in the resulting materials. These composites (PLASBASH and PLASBA) also show a thermal stability slightly higher than neat PLA. An important nucleation effect of SBASH silica in the crystallization of PLA has been deduced from cooling experiments as well as from the cold crystallization in heating runs and from the degree of crystallinity reached. Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) profiles show that the PLA long spacings are rather similar for the different composites and the neat PLA. Thus, crystal size is rather similar in all samples. Microhardness values show an evident effect of reinforcement in all the composites compared with that shown by neat PLA. Nevertheless, the increase in rigidity is smaller in the biobased PLASBASH composites, those containing the modified silica, than in the PLASBA materials with the pristine SBA-15 particles.
- Biological traits and population dynamics for sustainable harvesting of Carcinus maenasPublication . Monteiro, João Nuno; Ovelheiro, Andreia; Maia, Francisco; Teodosio, Maria; Leitão, FranciscoResearch focusing on the biological patterns and population dynamics of Carcinus maenas has not been conducted for the purpose of fishery management along the European coastal systems. This has led to the implementation of fisheries management policies without scientific considerations, adversely affecting fishery profitability. To addrees this gap, we studied the crab species' population dynamics, reproductive biology, and growth patterns across different Portuguese lagoons and estuaries on a monthly basis from 2019 to 2021. Surveys were performed in the Southern (Ria Formosa lagoon and Ria Alvor estuary), Central (Sado river/estuary) and Northern regions (Ria Aveiro estuary) of Portugal. Monthly biological data was used to analyse size-frequency distributions, sex ratios, spawning seasons, recruitment pulses, estimate carapace width at first maturaty and biological growth parameters. It was observed that spawning occurs almost year-round in all systems, with a peak in the colder months, between September and March. In the southern regions of the Portuguese coast, the spawning period starts earlier than in the central and northern systems, with a higher sex ratio recorded for females in all systems. The carapace width at which 50 % (CW50) of individuals reach maturity is similar for both sexes, around 30 mm, a value below to the minimum landing size enforced in Portugal. The analysis of von Bertalanffy growth curves revealed a continuous recruitment with a peak during the colder months, with individuals reaching the size at maturation after six months. The fast growth and continuous recruitment leds to the existence of between four and six growth cohorts for both sexes across all system. The findings of this study can contribute to more effective fisheries management policies for C. maenas in Portugal, such as a reduction of the minimum landing size.
- Identification of stone deterioration patterns with large multimodal models. Definitions and benchmarkingPublication . Corradetti, Daniele; Rodrigues, José DelgadoThe conservation of stone-based cultural heritage sites is a critical concern for preserving cultural and historical landmarks. With the advent of Large Multimodal Models, as GPT-4omni (OpenAI), Claude 3 Opus (Anthropic) and Gemini 1.5 Pro (Google), it is becoming increasingly important to define the operational capabilities of these models. In this work, we systematically evaluate the image classification capabilities of the main foundational multimodal models to recognise and categorize anomalies and deterioration patterns of stone elements that are useful in the practice of conservation and restoration of world heritage. After defining a taxonomy of the main stone deterioration patterns and anomalies, we asked the foundational models to identify a curated selection of 354 highly representative images of stone-built heritage, offering them a careful selection of labels to choose from. The result, which varies depending on the type of pattern, allowed us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of these models in the field of heritage conservation and restoration.