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- A Abordagem farmacológica da DPOC e as iminentes mudanças de paradigmaPublication . Duarte, Maria Beatriz; Grenha, Ana MargaridaChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been a major public health problem and will continue to be a challenge for physicians in the 21st century. Globally, it is at the center of attention due to its high prevalence, morbidity and mortality, creating challenges for health systems. In 2019, COPD was the third most common cause of death (in terms of age-standardized mortality rate) worldwide, accounting for 3.3 million deaths. The treatment of COPD involves the administration of medications via inhalation, with the selection of drugs and devices being crucial in reducing symptoms and the risk of exacerbations. Among the various types of inhalation devices, pressurized metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) are the most commonly prescribed and used by COPD patients worldwide. These devices use hydrofluoroalkanes (HFA) as propellants, which have greenhouse effect and contribute to global warming. In 2018, MDIs were responsible for direct emissions of approximately 18 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) placing them under the scope of the European Union (EU) Fluorinated Gases Regulation. This situation has put the continued use of MDIs at risk, as the EU aims to phase them out. New strategies are required to minimize or eliminate the environmental impact of MDIs, while ensuring that new devices maintain or improve therapeutic efficacy so that the many thousands of patients with controlled disease can continue their treatment. This paradigm shift has driven the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies to seek new therapeutic solutions for COPD. This dissertation aims to conduct a literature review on the development of new alternatives and solutions for COPD therapy.
- The role of virtual experiences in shaping tourists: perceptions of the destination: an exploration of metaverse in the context of tourismPublication . Omotunde, Mosunmola Labake; Campos, Ana CláudiaThis dissertation examines Metaverse influence on tourists' perceptions of destinations and its potential to transform the tourism industry. The main goal is to explore the role of Metaverse in shaping tourist experiences, destination marketing, and sustainability practices through immersive and interactive virtual environments. This will be done by conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) to 68 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus database, focusing on themes such as user engagement, technological adoption, and sustainability. The results of the review allow for a characterization of Metaverse as a powerful tool for enhancing tourist engagement through immersive and interactive experiences, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional tourism by reducing physical travel and environmental impact. However, the study’s findings indicate that challenges, such as technological accessibility, ethical concerns, and the digital divide hinder its widespread adoption. Conclusions reached led to the presentation of key recommendations for future research, including the need for cross-cultural studies, longitudinal analyses, and ethical governance to ensure the responsible and inclusive development of Metaverse tourism.
- The negative influence of social media on adolescent well-being in the ukPublication . Sunday, Glory Ewere; Pimpão, Pedro Gonçalo TenazinhaSocial media is wildly used by United Kingdom adolescents, with potential benefits and harm. This study examined the adverse impact of social media on adolescent well-being in the United Kingdom. The study used a mixed-method approach. 150 respondents were chosen through convenience sampling. An online survey was used to collect data from participants who accessed the study link via emails. SPSS was used to examine survey data. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between the frequency and timing of social media engagement and self-reported outcomes. Out of the 150 chosen participants, only 67 fully completed the study questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 44.67%. The research findings revealed that social media considerably affects the sleep patterns (50%), anxiety, tension, and emotional discomfort (50%) of United Kingdom teens. Most respondents participate in life comparisons, highlighting their vulnerability to digital platforms. Correlation study (r = -0.292, p < 0.05) revealed a relationship between extended social media use and deteriorating mental health in teenagers. In the realm of cyberbullying, while a minority of teenagers reported being direct victims, a substantial percentage acknowledged witnessing online abuse. The mean score for teenagers reporting direct bullying on social media was 1.72. The mean score for seeing others endure bullying was markedly high at 2.87. The findings indicate that passive exposure to cyberbullying is very widespread. Ultimately, participants indicated that social validation metrics, such as likes and comments, significantly influenced their self-esteem. The study confirms that social media involvement among adolescents has significant psychological dangers. These concerns include altered sleep patterns, heightened stress, vulnerability to cyberbullying, and diminished self-esteem. The research emphasises the need for a unified, coordinated strategy to mitigate these risks. However, the research's applicability to the wider teenage population is constrained by its modest sample size of 67 individuals in the United Kingdom.
- Contributo das interações geracionais para o desenvolvimento da formação pessoal e social das crianças: um estudo em contexto de educação pré-escolarPublication . Bonaparte, Katy Christine Correia; Borges, Maria Leonor; Grande, Patrícia BeiraEste trabalho aborda o problema do distanciamento entre gerações na sociedade atual e a consequente perda de oportunidade de aprendizagem, partilha de valores e construção de vínculos significativos entre crianças e idosos. O principal objetivo foi compreender de que forma as interações geracionais, promovidas em contexto de educação pré-escolar, contribuem para o desenvolvimento da formação pessoal e social das crianças. A investigação empírica analisou as experiências vividas no âmbito do projeto pedagógico “Partilhas de Saberes entre Gerações”, realizado com crianças de um Jardim de Infância e idosos de uma Associação, em Loulé. O trabalho utilizou uma abordagem qualitativa, com técnicas de recolha de informação como a observação participante, a entrevista estruturada e a análise das produções das crianças, valorizando a riqueza das narrativas, desde as emoções às aprendizagens resultantes do encontro entre gerações. Os resultados permitem fazer uma caracterização aprofundada das mudanças nas perceções, atitudes e competências das crianças ao longo do projeto, destacando a emergência de valores como respeito, a empatia, a cooperação e o sentido de pertença. Os factos identificados no estudo indicam que o problema do distanciamento geracional pode ser atenuado através da implementação intencional de projetos intergeracionais na Educação Pré-Escolar, promovendo benefícios mútuos para ambas as gerações envolvidas. As conclusões apuradas levaram à apresentação de recomendações para o reforço e continuidade deste tipo de iniciativas em contexto de educação pré-escolar, sublinhando o papel fundamental das instituições educativas, como espaço privilegiado para a construção de uma sociedade mais coesa, inclusiva e humanizada.
- Gesventure - estudo de caso de uma venture catalystPublication . Pires, Rodrigo Adrião Mendonça; Caetano, Dinis Manuel CorreiaEste relatório de estágio, desenvolvido no âmbito do Mestrado em Gestão, Empreendedorismo e Inovação da Universidade do Algarve, apresenta uma análise detalhada das atividades realizadas na Gesventure, uma empresa de referência no ecossistema empreendedor nacional e, em particular, na atividade de Venture Catalyst. O estudo destaca o papel fundamental das entidades Venture Catalyst na facilitação do acesso ao capital de risco por parte de empreendedores qualificados, no suporte estratégico a startups e a Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PMEs) e na dinamização de atividades em prol do ecossistema empreendedor nacional. O trabalho académico inclui uma revisão teórica sobre a temática dos ecossistemas empreendedores, o financiamento de startups, e o papel desempenhado pelos Venture Catalysts no suporte aos empreendedores no processo de angariação de capital, bem como a descrição das atividades desempenhadas durante o estágio, tais como networking, análise de oportunidades de investimento e acompanhamento de processos de financiamento. O relatório pretende dar um contributo para a divulgação, junto das comunidades científica e empresarial, das vantagens associadas a uma atuação estruturada das Venture Catalysts, enquanto atores especializados no processo de identificação de projetos com elevado potencial de valorização e crescimento, na estruturação de planos de negócios de suporte à negociação com investidores via capital próprio e, consequentemente, na criação de condições que permitam a viabilização empresarial de projetos assentes em inovação e na qualidade técnica e experiência profissional dos empreendedores e respetivas equipas.
- Estudo piloto: eficácia de um programa para aumento da literacia relaciono com a perturbação obsessivo-compulsiva dirigido a profissionais de segurança privada.Publication . Gomes, Patrícia Cecília Melo de Soares; Ros, Antónia Maria JiménezA perturbação obsessivo compulsiva (POC) é uma condição incapacitante dado o sofrimento associado e o impacto na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos, esta pode apresentar elevados níveis de comprometimento social e profissional. Esta condição carrega um estigma associado, principalmente nas vertentes mais hostis, o que diminui a procura de ajuda, aumentando a tendência para esconder a sintomatologia. Segundo vários estudos níveis elevados de Literacia em saúde mental (LSM) podem estar associados a uma procura mais ativa de ajuda profissional, a uma maior abertura psicológica, menor distanciamento social e níveis de estigma mais reduzidos. Propusemo-nos a este estudo para comparar a viabilidade e eficácia, num estudo piloto, com base num programa de intervenção através das redes sociais, destinado ao aumento da literacia associado à POC. Participaram no estudo 61 indivíduos com a profissão de segurança privada, com idades compreendidas entre os 22 e os 66 anos. Foi pedido aos participantes que visualizassem a história do José, repartida em 12 episódios, no caso da condição experimental: Programa literacia POC e no caso da condição de controlo: Programa literacia Enfarte do Miocárdio. Os resultados da comparação entre os programas sugerem-nos que um programa para aumento de LSM direcionado à POC, estruturado de forma sequencial, pode contribuir para a destigmatização e para o aumento da LSM. Dado ao número reduzido da nossa amostra, e tratando-se de um estudo piloto, os resultados deste poderão ser replicados em ensaios clínicos controlados.
- Understanding host preference of Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio) by a multi-omics approachPublication . Magalhães, Tomás Thormann Abranches de; Marques, Natália Tomás; Duarte, Amílcar Manuel Marreiros; Pereira, José Alberto CardosoThe citriculture industry is significantly challenged by the devastating bacterial disease Huanglongbing (HLB). There is currently no eective cure for HLB, its management is based on inoculum elimination, and on the control of its vectors, namely the psyllids Trioza erytreae and Diaphorina citri. While Europe is currently free of HLB, T. erytreae is present in Spain and Portugal, two of Europe’s main citrus producers. The present study aimed to analyse the mechanisms underpinning T. erytreae's interaction with its citrus hosts. The plant hosts used in this study were the highly suitable lemon (Citrus ×limon) and the less suitable sweet orange (Citrus×sinensis). Both hosts were infested with T. erytreae adults, and three times more nymphs developed on lemon than on sweet orange plants. A multi-omics analysis on the plant’s enriched vascular sap of both citrus hosts revealed heightened primary and secondary metabolisms activity of sweet orange plants in response to infestation, including jasmonic acid (JA)-related defence mechanisms. A proteomic analysis of the nymphs revealed that the diet provided by lemon plants induced growth and energy pathways in T. erytreae. Based on these results, a subsequent experiment was conducted to stimulate the defence responses of lemon plants, analysing its eect on T. erytreae infestation and on the plants’ volatile organic compounds (VOC). Lemon plants were sprayed with JA to activate herbivory-related defences. The JA treatment resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of T. erytreae eggs and nymphs. Furthermore, the VOC profile was found to be aected by infestation and JA treatment, with high emission of (Z)-3-hexenol acetate, 2-hexen-1-ol and carveol. This research provides knowledge that can be used to develop novel methods for T. erytreae control, enhancing the array of responses to the HLB challenge and promoting a sustainable citriculture.
- Meaningful experiences in a tourism context: Conceptualising and testing a psychological frameworkPublication . Marques Câmara, Ester do Carmo; Pocinho, Margarida Maria Ferreira Diogo Dias; Agapito, Dora Lúcia Miguel; Jesus, Saúl Neves deTourism experiences are multidimensional and subjective, encompassing individuals' sensations, expectations, and needs. In this context, psychology and tourism are a successful partnership to develop meaningful experiences considering tourists’ needs, desires, and expectations. This interconnection is observed through applying positive psychology in the context of meaningful tourist experiences. This approach comprises adequate indicators to explore the tourism field from the perspective of individuals’ well-being. This investigation analyses and explores the concept of meaningful tourism experiences and their antecedents and outcomes. Specifically, it was intended to obtain a psychological framework on the motivations that lead individuals to choose determined places, considering their initial expectations on how that place can fulfil determined requirements, according to one’s characteristics, and the outcomes associated with the meaning attached to the experience, in terms on tourists’ well-being, satisfaction with life, and subjective happiness. Seven complementary studies were undertaken to fulfil these objectives, each assigned to a different document chapter. The results evidence the holistic character of meaningful experiences in tourism in terms of personal, emotional, well-being, relational and behavioural dimensions that enable a better conceptualisation of the construct. Additionally, the emergence of six domains associated with the attribution of meaning to the tourist experience has given a different perspective on the motivations associated with the thriven of meaning: a) self-care; b) nature and disconnect; c) refreshment and rest associated with meditation and mindfulness; d) learning about well-being; e) meaning and its roots; f) emotional intensity and its development. Finally, the results highlight a strong between the motivations associated with the meaning attached to the experience and the psychological outcomes of well-being (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment), satisfaction with life (the degree to which individuals feel satisfied with their life characteristics after getting through a meaningful tourism experience), and subjective happiness (feelings of joy, pleasure, and excitement after the experience took place).
- Cryptic diversity in colonizing seagrasses and implications for conservationPublication . Gonçalves Frade, Duarte; Serrão, Ester A.; Pearson, Gareth A.Seagrasses are foundational marine angiosperms that provide essential ecosystem services, yet many aspects of their diversity and evolution remain poorly understood. This is especially true for colonising seagrasses—small, fast-growing species that dominate dynamic or marginal environments and are becoming increasingly dominant in many regions. This thesis investigates the diversity of colonising seagrasses and its implications for conservation using a combination of phylogenetic, and ecological approaches. By compiling the first comprehensive review of hybridisation and polyploidy in seagrasses, I show that these processes are more widespread than previously recognised, particularly in Ruppia, the most widely distributed genus of colonising seagrass. Phylogenetic evidence indicates that multiple hybrid or allopolyploid Ruppia lineages have colonised oceanic islands (Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands), providing clear evidence of long-distance dispersal—previously considered unlikely for the genus. Additional phylogenetic analyses and botanical surveys reveal overlooked species even in mainland Portugal, a region with a long history of seagrass research, underscoring persistent biases toward larger, persistent species. To assess how colonising and larger seagrasses may respond differently to climate change, species distribution modelling was applied to three West African seagrasses: one colonising species (Halodule wrightii) and two larger species (Cymodocea nodosa, Zostera noltei). The models predict severe losses for the larger species by 2050, while Halodule is expected to persist and expand under most scenarios. Finally, through IUCN Red List assessments, this work reviews the conservation implications of ongoing regime shifts toward colonising species and addresses unresolved taxonomic challenges. Overall, this thesis provides essential baseline data on evolutionary processes, species, and regions that remain underrepresented in the global seagrass literature.
- The exploitation of siliceous raw materials during the Upper Paleolithic in the southwest of the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Belmiro, Joana; Cascalheira, João; Terradas, XavierThe Late Pleistocene was characterised by cyclical, abrupt climatic events that had significant regional environmental impacts. These environmental shifts are often associated with processes of cultural and demographic reorganisation across time and space. This project aims to investigate the economic and social adaptations of human groups during the Upper Palaeolithic (UP) in southwestern Iberia and their relationship to millennial-scale climatic events. To this end, we analysed chert raw materials from the UP archaeological sequence at Vale Boi (Portugal). Vale Boi presents ideal conditions for a comprehensive study of raw material procurement, use, and management: it has been extensively excavated over nearly two decades using state-of-the-art methods, yet only preliminary studies of its raw materials exist. Lithic raw material exploitation, processing, and use are essential to understanding such adaptations, as raw materials are central to the technological and cultural organisation of hunter-gatherers. For this analysis, we employed a multi-method approach that combined macroscopic, petrographic, geochemical and technological analyses. Our results indicate the consistent use of both local and non-local chert resources throughout the UP sequence. Some non-local cherts were sourced from as far as central Portugal and southern Spain, over 250 km from the site. The proportion of non-local materials was highest during the Gravettian period and decreased in subsequent occupations, which relied more heavily on local resources. We interpret this shift as reflecting changes in mobility and settlement patterns—from short-term to longer-term occupations—likely in response to the harsh climatic conditions of Heinrich Event 2 and the Last Glacial Maximum. Despite these changes, the continued presence of non-local materials suggests that long-distance social networks were maintained throughout the UP sequence at Vale Boi, revealing resilient social connections among Iberian hunter-gatherers over more than 10,000 years.