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Percorrer I. Componente Universitária por Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) "12:Produção e Consumo Sustentáveis"
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- Brand hate semiotics: hate as a story theory. Netnographic approach during the war on GazaPublication . Assoud, Mohamed; Berbou, Lahoucine; Vieira, Luís SérgioPurpose – This study aims to investigate brand hate semiotics among Muslim and Arabic-speaking consumers during the 2023 war on Gaza, exploring traits associated with hated and boycotted brands within a sociopolitical context. Design/methodology/approach – The research uses semiotic analysis and a netnographic approach to examine 3,000 public consumer-generated content linked to the hashtag # عطاق) boycott in Arabic) from Instagram and Facebook. Findings – Brands such as McDonald’s, KFC, Coca-Cola and Starbucks, which were subjected to hate and boycotts, are linked to negative associations and narratives, including The Stranger, The Faceless Foe, The Enemy of God and The Criminal. User-generated content significantly influences brand boycotts among Muslim and Arabic-speaking consumers. Research limitations/implications – Future research should explore additional sociopolitical contexts and demographics to generalize the findings further. Practical implications – Understanding the semiotic drivers of brand hate can help marketers develop effective crisis management and brand recovery strategies tailored to specific cultural contexts. Social implications – The findings highlight the impact of sociopolitical events on consumer behavior, emphasizing the need for brands to be aware of their cultural and ethical stances in global markets. Originality/value – This research contributes to brand hate theory by using the “hate as a story” lens, offering a unique theoretical perspective. It systematically explores the semiotic aspects of brand hate and pioneers’ semiotic analysis and netnography in this field. The study also addresses the underrepresentation of Muslim and Arabic-speaking consumers in brand hate literature.
- Bridging the ESG data gap: transparent metrics and rankings for emerging financial marketsPublication . QACHACH, AZHAR RIM; El Mahrad, Badr; Kharbouch, Omar; Moumen, Aniss; Aoufi, Sara El; Gueddari, Manal El; Abdallah-Ou-Moussa, SoukainaEnvironmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance has become a pivotal driver of firm valuation, investment flows, and capital market stability and a critical dimension of corporate sustainability and investor decision-making. Yet, emerging markets face structural barriers to standardized ESG measurement due to limited data availability and inconsistent disclosures. This study addresses this gap by developing a simplified, transparent and indicator-based ESG assessment model tailored to the Moroccan capital market using publicly available data from 20 companies listed in the MASI ESG Index on the Casablanca Stock Exchange. The framework evaluates 12 equally weighted indicators across environmental, social, and governance pillars, and employs the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method, to generate firm-level ESG scores and rankings. In addition to equal-weighted rankings, the model was stress-tested using entropy-based and expert-informed weights. Results reveal a wide disparity in ESG maturity: while environmental reporting is relatively advanced, social and governance disclosures lag behind. Top-ranking firms align closely with international frameworks such as GRI, whereas others lack fundamental transparency. By offering a replicable, low-data ESG scoring method applicable to other emerging markets, this research provides actionable insights for investors, regulators, and corporate leaders. The findings contribute to the financial literature on ESG integration, support the design of sustainable investment strategies, and advance policy efforts to strengthen capital market resilience across the MENA region.
- 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.
- Combining adequate BRUV deployment times with individual photo-identification improves monitoring of shark populations in the CaribbeanPublication . Kohler, Johanna; Gore, Mauvis; Ormond, Rupert; Mason, Katherine; Veeder, Anne; Austin, TimothySharks play a key role in coral reef ecosystems, but Caribbean populations are concerningly low. When monitoring endangered species, it is critical to use minimally invasive tools and protocols that are adequate for local species and the environment. This study investigated the adequate deployment time of baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) for shark studies in the Cayman Islands and whether the use of photo-identification to recognise individuals (MaxIND) on BRUVs could im prove abundance estimates (in comparison to MaxN) and the analysis of shark behaviour. From 2015 to 2018, a total of 557 BRUVs were deployed with recording times ranging from 3.8 to 211.03 min. The results showed that (1) of the total number of individual sharks recorded on videos, 95% of individuals were recorded within the first 110 min (slight variations between species), (2) MaxIND values were 1.1-1.5 times greater than that of MaxN (ratios varying with species) and (3) time of first arrival (Tarrive) was similar for all recorded species but time spent in front of the camera's field of view (Tvisit) and activity levels (count of entries in camera's field of view) varied between species. The results provide key information to improve the localised monitoring of rare/endangered species and can inform conservation management.
- Customising sustainable bio-based polyelectrolytes: introduction of charged and hydrophobic groups in cellulosePublication . Magalhães, Solange; Aliaño González, María José; Cruz, Pedro F.; Rosenberg, Rose; Haffke, Dirk; Norgren, Magnus; Alves, Luís; Medronho, Bruno; Rasteiro, Maria da GraçaAbstract: Cellulose has been widely explored as a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers in industrial applications, thanks to its advantageous properties. The introduction of chemical modifications on cellulose structure, focusing on cationic and hydrophobic modifications, can enhance its functionality and expand the range of applications. In the present work, cationization was carried out through a two-step process involving sodium periodate oxidation followed by a reaction with the Girard T reagent, yielding a degree of substitution for cationic groups (DScationic) between 0.3 and 1.8. Hydrophobic modification was achieved via esterification with fatty acids derived from commercial plant oils, using an enzyme-assisted, environmentally friendly method. Lipase-catalysed hydrolysis, optimised at 0.25% enzyme concentration and with a 1 h reaction time, produced an 84% yield of fatty acids, confirmed by FTIR and NMR analyses. The degree of substitution for hydrophobic groups (DShydrophobic) ranged from 0.09 to 0.66. The molecular weight (MW) of the modified cellulose derivatives varied from 1.8 to 141 kDa. This dual modification strategy enables the creation of cellulose-based polymers with controlled electrostatic and hydrophobic characteristics, customisable for specific industrial applications. Our approach presents a sustainable and flexible solution for developing cellulose derivatives tailored to diverse industrial needs.
- Edible coatings enhance storability and preserve quality of kiwiberry (Actinidia arguta L.) cv. Ken’s RedPublication . Guerreiro, Adriana; Gago, Custódia; Passos, Dário; Martins, Jaime; Cruz, Sandra P.; Guerra, Rui; Veloso, Fernão; Antunes, Maria DulceKiwiberries, an emerging fruit variety with increasing consumer demand, face significant commercialization challenges due to their short shelf life. This study evaluates the effectiveness of edible alginate-based coatings in extending the shelf life of kiwiberries. Two emulsion types—coarse (Coarse) and nanoemulsions (Nano)—and two application methods—spraying (Spray) and dipping (Dip)—were tested. Additionally, the use of visible/near-infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy for non-destructive quality monitoring was explored. Coatings were prepared with 2% (w/v) alginate (SAlg) enriched with eugenol (Eg) and citral (Ct) at their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.10% and 0.15%, respectively, as well as at double these concentrations. This resulted in a total of ten different treatments. The fruits were stored at approximately 5 ◦C, with evaluations conducted after 5 days, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Quality parameters, including color, firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), dry matter, weight loss, decay, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoids, DPPH, FRAP, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, were analyzed. Over the storage period, color and SSC increased, while firmness decreased. Weight loss and MDA levels showed the most significant changes, particularly in treatments with higher essential oil concentrations. Notably, treatments such as SAlg Spray, SAlg Dip, SAlg Ct 0.15 + Eg 0.1 Nano Spray, SAlg Ct 0.15 + Eg 0.1 Nano Dip, and SAlg Ct 0.15 + Eg 0.1 Coarse Dip demonstrated superior preservation of kiwiberry quality. Moreover, Vis-NIR spectroscopy proved valuable for distinguishing between coating treatments, highlighting its potential for non-destructive quality assessment.
- Embedding a real-time strawberry detection model into a pesticide-spraying mobile robot for greenhouse operationPublication . Amraoui, Khalid El; Ansari, Mohamed El; Lghoul, Mouataz; Alaoui, Mustapha El; Abanay, Abdelkrim; Jabri, Bouazza; Masmoudi, Lhoussaine; LUÍS VALENTE DE OLIVEIRA, JOSÉAbstract: The real-time detection of fruits and plants is a crucial aspect of digital agriculture, enhancing farming efficiency and productivity. This study addresses the challenge of embedding a real-time strawberry detection system in a small mobile robot operating within a greenhouse environment. The embedded system is based on the YOLO architecture running in a single GPU card, with the Open Neural Network Exchange (ONNX) representation being employed to accelerate the detection process. The experiments conducted in this study demonstrate that the proposed model achieves a mean average precision (mAP) of over 97%, processing eight frames per second for 512 × 512 pixel images. These results affirm the utility of the proposed approach in detecting strawberry plants in order to optimize the spraying process and avoid inflicting any harm on the plants. The goal of this research is to highlight the potential of integrating advanced detection algorithms into small-scale robotics, providing a viable solution for enhancing precision agriculture practices.
- Enhancing polycaprolactone with levulinic acid-extracted lignin: toward sustainable bio-based polymer blendsPublication . Melro, Elodie; Duarte, Hugo; Antunes, Filipe E.; Valente, Artur J. M.; Romano, Anabela; Medronho, BrunoThe growing demand for sustainable materials has intensified the search for biodegradable polymers. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), though biodegradable, is fossil-derived. In this study, a novel lignin extracted from pine wood using a green solvent was incorporated into PCL and compared with commercial lignins (dealkaline, alkaline, and lignosulfonate). The lignin additions imparted antioxidant properties, enhanced thermal stability, and promoted circular economy goals through lignin valorization. Notably, the green-extracted lignin showed superior compatibility with PCL when compared with commercial lignins, as evidenced by lower water uptake and solubility, and improved surface hydrophobicity (higher contact angle). Although the addition of lignin reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break, it greatly increased the PCL radical scavenging activity (DPPH) from 8 ± 1% of neat PCL to 94.8 ± 0.3% when 20 wt% of lignin-LA was added. Among the tested lignins, lignin-LA stands out as the most promising candidate to be applied as a functional additive in biodegradable polymer blends and composites for advanced sustainable applications. Not only given its intrinsically higher sustainability but also due to its capacity for improving the thermal properties of PCL–lignin blends.
- Factors influencing the choice of the Algarve region as a tourist destination: does season matter?Publication . Barreira, Ana Paula; Cesário, MarisaThe dissimilar ways in which tourists assess the attributes of a tourism destination in different seasons is an issue scarcely addressed in the literature. Here, we show that the characteristics of a tourism destination (the Algarve region, Portugal) are rated differently in peak (summer) and off‐peak (autumn/winter) seasons. Nationality is decisive in explaining the different assessments between seasons of the factors that group subsets of 17 attributes of the tourism destination. In general, the factors that are rated higher by domestic tourists during the summer are the same as those that are rated higher by foreign tourists in the autumn/winter.
- Prioritising research on endocrine disruption in the marine environment: a global perspectivePublication . Pinto, Patricia IS; Miglioli, Angelica; LaLone, Carlie A.; Baumann, Lisa; Baynes, Alice; Blanc‐Legendre, Mélanie; Cancio, Ibon; Cousin, Xavier; Dang, ZhiChao; Dumollard, Rémi; Ford, Alex T.; Green, Christopher; Iguchi, Taisen; Kearney, Philippa; Knigge, Thomas; Minier, Christophe; Monsinjon, Tiphaine; Monteiro, Marta S.; Sturve, Joachim; Watanabe, Haruna; Yamamoto, Hiroshi; Ankley, Gerald; Power, Deborah Mary; Katsiadaki, IoannaA healthy ocean is a crucial life support system that regulates the global climate, is a source of oxygen and supports major economic activities. A vast and understudied biodiversity from micro- to macro-organisms is integral to ocean health. However, the impact of pollutants that reach the ocean daily is understudied for marine taxa, which are also absent or poorly represented in regulatory test guidelines for chemical hazard assessment. Inspired by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science, which aims to reverse the decline in ocean health, this communication calls for global coordination in building resources for studying the effects of marine pollution. The bibliographic analysis, a collective product of scientists from diverse backgrounds, focused on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In this review, we (i) critically analyse the literature on endocrine signalling pathways and high-level physiological impacts of EDCs across 20 representative marine taxa; (ii) identify knowledge and regulatory gaps; (iii) apply bioinformatics approaches to marine species genomic resources, with relevance for predictions of susceptibility; and (iv) provide recommendations of priority actions for different stakeholders. We reveal that the scientific literature on EDCs is biased towards terrestrial and/or freshwater organisms, is limited to a handful of animal taxa, and marine organisms are dramatically underrepresented. Our bibliographic analysis also confirmed that only a small number of (neuro) endocrine pathways are covered for all animals, whilst basic knowledge on endocrine systems/endocrine disruption for most marine invertebrate phyla is minimal. Despite significant gaps in genomic resources for marine animals, endocrine-related protein conservation was evident across more than 500 species from diverse marine taxa, highlighting that they are at risk from EDCs. Despite recent technological advances, translation of existing knowledge into international regulatory test guidelines for chemical hazard assessment and monitoring programs is limited. Furthermore, the current understanding is confounded in part by transposing vertebrate endocrinology onto non-vertebrate taxa. In this context, specific recommendations are provided for all stakeholders, including academia (e.g. to expand knowledge across metazoan taxa and endocrine targets and translate it to New Approach Methodologies and Adverse Outcome Pathways; to increase and improve tools for comparative species-sensitivity distributions and cross-species extrapolations), regulators (e.g. increase awareness of specific risks for the marine environment, prioritise international standardisation of testing methods for marine species and request evidence for absence of endocrine disruption in marine phyla), policy makers (e.g. implement sustained, long-term international marine monitoring programs and increase global co-operation) and the public or non-governmental organisations (e.g. foster public engagement and behaviours that prevent marine chemical pollution; promote citizen science activities; and drive political actions towards protective and restorative marine policies). We hope that this and past reviews can contribute towards meeting ambitious international plans for marine water quality assurance, mitigation of marine pollution impacts and protection of marine biodiversity. The importance of marine biodiversity for climate change mitigation, food security and sustainable ecosystem services calls for urgent, cooperative action.