Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-04"
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- Preliminary Study and Pre-Validation in Portugal of New Farmers’ Mindfulness and Life Satisfaction Scale (FMLSS)Publication . Morais, Artur; de Pinho Ferreira Guiné, Raquel; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; Magalhães, CátiaBackground/Objective: Besides the common risks associated with agriculture, recently, there has been growing concern about the impact of agriculture on farmers’ mental health, due to high stress levels, depression, anxiety, and increasing rates of suicide, especially complex considering that many of these farmers are older people. The potential of the practice of mindfulness to minimize mental health problems and improve people’s sense of well-being has been studied in recent decades, although there is a dearth of literature related to farmer populations. This study aimed to correlate the presence of mindfulness traits with general life quality and well-being and assess the levels of mindfulness and life satisfaction among family farmers, as well as to evaluate which characteristics might be associated with them. Method: The sample was composed of 30 farmers from the region of Viseu—Portugal, who were randomly selected for a survey consisting of an adaptation of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), with some new items specific to the context of agriculture. A proposed Farmers’ Mindfulness and Life Satisfaction Scale (FMLSS) was validated through factor analysis and internal reliability analysis. Result: The results showed a relatively high average score for the 10 items of the mindfulness scale (4.23 ± 0.56) and the global sum of scores for the 5 items of the life satisfaction scale (26.67 ± 4.76). Factor analysis revealed six factors, globally explaining 77% of the variance, with values of alpha varying from 0.640 to 0.874. The FMLSS was validated with 19 items of the 20 initially considered (α = 0.672). Cluster analysis revealed two typologies of participants, “Pleased” and “Accommodated” family farmers. These two clusters had global values for the FMLSS of 5.19 ± 0.51 and 4.37 ± 0.59, with the higher value obtained for the “Pleased” family farmers, who were mostly of male gender and worked more hours per week and whose agricultural activities had higher significance for their family income. Conclusions: Overall, we observed a relatively high level of mindfulness and satisfaction with life among family farmers. This suggests the importance of future research on mental health among family farmers.
- Sustainable Heat Production for Fossil Fuel Replacement—Life Cycle Assessment for Plant Biomass Renewable Energy SourcesPublication . Lopes Brás, Isabel Paula; Fabriccino, Massimiliano; Ferreira, José; Ferreira Silva, Maria Elisabete; Mignano, VincenzoThis study aims to assess the environmental impact of using wood-based biomass as a high-efficiency fuel alternative to fossil fuels for heat production. To achieve this, the life cycle of biomass transformation, utilization, and disposal was analyzed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology with SimaPro 9.5.0.2 PhD software. The system boundaries included extraction, processing, transportation, combustion, and waste management, following a cradle-to-gate approach. A comparative analysis was conducted between natural gas, the most widely used conventional heating fuel, and two biomass-based fuels: wood pellets and wood chips. The results indicate that biomass utilization reduces greenhouse gas emissions (−19%) and fossil resource depletion (−16%) while providing environmental benefits across all assessed impact categories analyzed, except for land use (+96%). Biomass is also to be preferred for forest waste management, ease of supply, and energy independence. However, critical life cycle phases, such as raw material processing and transportation, were found to contribute significantly to human health and ecosystem well-being. To mitigate these effects, optimizing combustion efficiency, improving supply chain logistics, and promoting sustainable forestry practices are recommended. These findings highlight the potential of biomass as a viable renewable energy source and provide insights into strategies for minimizing its environmental footprint.
- Targeted-Amplicon NGS for Blastocystis sp. in Shepherd Dogs of Portugal Discriminates Co-Colonization with Multiple Zoonotic SubtypesPublication . Sara Gomes-Gonçalves; Maria João Feiteiro; Guilherme Moreira; Rita Cruz; Fernando Esteves; Helena Vala; João R. Mesquita; Cruz, Rita; Esteves, Fernando; Vala Correia, Helena Maria
- O efeito de contágio entre diferentes instrumentos financeiros: ações, obrigações, commodities e as taxas de câmbiosPublication . Viegas, Andreia Ferreira; Pinto, António Pedro Soares; Reis, Pedro Manuel NogueiraO presente estudo analisa os retornos de quatro mercados financeiros diferentes - o mercado acionista, o mercado obrigacionista, o mercado das commodities e o mercado cambial - no período compreendido entre julho de 2014 e dezembro 2023. O objetivo principal é analisar o efeito contágio entre os retornos de diferentes instrumentos financeiros, avaliando o modo como, a alteração na rentabilidade de um instrumento financeiro pode ter um efeito causal na rentabilidade dos restantes e, determinar o modo como estes choques ocorrem. Pretende-se, ainda, identificar os choques mais significativos e determinar a reciprocidade causal entre instrumentos financeiros, avaliando se os diferentes instrumentos financeiros são influenciados de modo semelhante durante o período em análise. Este trabalho justifica-se pela crescente interação dos mercados financeiros ao longo dos anos, com os riscos e as oportunidades a repercutirem-se de uma forma cada vez mais rápida. Assim, choques em determinados instrumentos financeiros podem antecipar variações noutros instrumentos, o que é muito relevante, principalmente para os grandes investidores, permitindo-lhes uma gestão mais eficiente dos seus investimentos. Pretende-se, ainda, colmatar a lacuna associada ao facto de a maioria dos estudos abordarem um conjunto reduzido de instrumentos financeiros ou, incidirem sobre períodos de crise específicos. Para dar resposta a estas questões recorreu-se à metodologia do VAR, para analisar como a rentabilidade de um instrumento financeiro é influenciada pelos seus valores passados e pelos valores passados de outros instrumentos financeiros. Para complementar a análise, foi aplicado o teste de causalidade de Granger para identificar o instrumento financeiro que gera choques, e também foi utilizada a Função Impulso Resposta (IRFs) para avaliar a intensidade e duração desses choques em outras variáveis. Este estudo identificou relações significativas entre três pares de mercados financeiros: o mercado cambial e o mercado acionista, o mercado cambial e o mercado obrigacionista e o mercado acionista e o mercado obrigacionista. Nos dois primeiros pares, observou-se a existência de relações recíprocas, com ambos os mercados a impactarem se mutuamente, com o mercado cambial e o mercado obrigacionista a terem uma relação inversa. Já o mercado cambial e o mercado acionista, mostraram uma relação dinâmica, com a sua relação a variar entre positiva e negativa ao longo do tempo. Conclui-se que a relação entre os mercados acionista e obrigacionista é unilateral, com o mercado obrigacionista a impactar o acionista, mas não o contrário.
- EXPERTA: dos desafios às oportunidades de marketingPublication . Pereira, Bruno Miguel Ferreira Martins; Ferreira, Bruno MorgadoA crescente globalização do comércio internacional, apesar de criar novas oportunidades para as empresas, também impõe desafios complexos. As empresas portuguesas, especialmente as PMEs, enfrentam dificuldades na expansão das operações, nomeadamente nos mercados para além da União Europeia. Nesse contexto, surge a EXPERTA, uma consultora especializada em importação e exportação, com o objectivo de simplificar o processo de internacionalização para PMEs portuguesas. A EXPERTA oferece suporte nas áreas de conformidade regulatória, gestão de riscos, análise de mercado e optimização logística. Este trabalho de projeto tem como objetivo principal desenvolver uma estratégia de marketing para a EXPERTA, com base na análise do mercado de consultoria em comércio internacional e nas necessidades das PMEs. A pesquisa inclui uma análise SWOT e PESTAL, um levantamento de 20 empresas concorrentes, 5 entrevistas e a elaboração de um plano estratégico de marketing. As principais conclusões indicam que as PMEs portuguesas procuram consultorias que ofereçam soluções personalizadas, expertise em regulamentações internacionais, uma forte rede de contactos e um acompanhamento contínuo. O plano de marketing proposto foca na segmentação de mercado, no posicionamento da marca e em estratégias de marketing mix que respondem às necessidades das PMEs, com o objetivo de aumentar a visibilidade da EXPERTA, atrair clientes e consolidar sua posição no mercado.
- MULTIMODAL CREATIVITY AT THE SERVICE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN PORTUGAL: THE JASM PROJECTPublication . Costa Lopes, Ana Maria; Costa, Cristina Amaro da; Coutinho, Emília; Oliveira, Isabel; Pereira, José; Gillain, Romain; MOTA ROBOREDO AMANTE, FÁTIMA SUSANA; Fidalgo, Susana; Rocha Relvas, Susana; Delplancq, Véronique; JPBReviewThe JASM project used the Korsakow6 platform to produceStorytellingin foreign languages (FL), by students of the Media Studies degree course (Higher Education-HE) of the Escola Superior de Educação de Viseu(ESEV, Portugal).Objective: Look into the impact of non-linear digital narratives upon FL learning in HE, assessing the role of multimodal tools in fostering linguistic, cultural, and technological skills.Theoretical Framework: The study was grounded in active methodologies with a focus on integrating intercultural skills. Using new technologies is a catalyst forenhancing student motivation and autonomy.Method: The project, developed within the context of French and English, involved 25 voluntarily participating students attending the first year. Following language level tests, each group gathered information about the nationality and culture of migrants living in Viseu. Students conducted interviews and documented migrants’ life stories, traditions, using digital narratives. Final outputs included short films, social media posts, exhibitions, and an e-book. Results and Discussion: Students enhanced cognitive, emotional and aesthetic skills within collaborative environments, integrating experiences from multilingual and multicultural contexts with creative and multimodal abilities and increased autonomy and initiative. Challenges were identified, highlighting the need for ongoing teacher training.Research Implications: This project showed how digital and active pedagogies can foster the development of FL and intercultural competencies in HE students.Originality/Value: This study provides for an innovative approach relying on multimodal technologies for teaching FL in HE. The transformative potential of digital narratives as an impactful pedagogical tool is highlighted.
- Carbon footprint calculator for the Portuguese textile and clothing industry: development, application and validationPublication . C. Duarte; Ferreira, José; Lopes Brás, Isabel Paula; Ferreira Silva, Maria Elisabete