Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-06"
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- Contraceptive counseling: construction and validation of instrument—“5C contraceptive counseling”Publication . Palma, Sara; Ayres-de-Campos, Diogo; Antunes, Mónica; São-João, Ricardo; Presado, Maria HelenaIntroduction: Contraceptive illiteracy leads to non-adherence, discontinuation, and dissatisfaction with the method. Person-centered contraceptive counseling is based on quality care on a communicative basis that promotes shared decision-making, leading to a choice adapted to the woman’s needs, lifestyle, and health condition. We intend to build and validate an instrument that serves as a guide for quality contraceptive counseling, facilitating decision-making about contraceptive methods. Methods: We used the Delphi method in a total of two rounds. The content was validated through a panel of eighteen experts with experience in teaching, research in contraceptive counseling, and obstetric nursing. To assess the consensus and stability of the responses, two questionnaires were administered and the Content Validity Index and Content Validity Ratio were calculated. Results: The initial version of the guide, consisting of six indicators and thirty-five items, was submitted to the panel of experts to obtain consensus and stability from respondents (first round). The results showed a response rate of 66.0%; thirty-four indicators reached consensus and one did not reach consensus. Suggestions for modifying the indicator were received by the experts and incorporated in the next round. In the second round, the response rate increased to 78.0%. Two indicators were resubmitted, of which one was accepted. This resulted in the final version of the instrument, with six points and thirty-five items. Discussion: The guide proved to be a valid tool for nurse–midwives to provide quality contraceptive advice to women, allowing them to make autonomous and informed choices regarding their sexual and reproductive health.
- Enhancing consumer purchase intentions for sustainable packaging products: an in-depth analysis of key determinants and strategic insightsPublication . Duarte, Paulo; Silva, Susana C.; Roza, Afonso S.; Dias, Joana CarmoEnvironmental concerns drive corporate and consumer focus on sustainable packaging. Research explores key factors influencing consumer intent, emphasizing the importance of strategic integration for enhanced purchase intentions and environmental goals. A comprehensive literature review identifies factors such as perceived value, willingness to pay, environmental concern, and attitude toward sustainable packaging. Empirical validation using survey data demonstrates the statistical significance of these factors on consumer purchase intentions, with the willingness to pay to emerge as the most influential determinant. Stakeholders are urged to incorporate these findings into strategies for sustainable packaging, fostering positive environmental impact, and informing academic and managerial discussions.
- L’espoir trompeur de « juste une orange »Publication . Marra, Suzie“Apenas uma laranja” is one of the narratives that mak eup Retalhos da Vida de um Médico, the central work of 20th century Portuguese doctor and writer FernandoNamora. In this narrative, the main character is a doctor who finds himself powerless in the face of an appeal from the population of a very poor region to take care of a typhus epidemic. Faced with a desolate scenario dominated by typhoid plague, the doctor (and narrator)realizes that he must give hope where he sees none.
- Chemical characterization of the cultivar ‘Vinhão’ (vitis vinifera L.) grape pomace towards its circular valorisation and its health benefitsPublication . Machado, Adriana Rodrigues; Voss, Glenise Bierhalz; Machado, Manuela; Paiva, Jorge A. P.; Nunes, João; Pintado, ManuelaAmong the most significant and productive agroindustries worldwide is the wine business. This agroindustry generates millions of tons of biological residues, carrying huge negative impacts related to the disposal of these materials into the environment. Nevertheless, these byproducts present a high potential for developing new products, contributing to the circularity of this economic sector. In this study, the chemical composition of the grape pomace (GP) obtained from the vinification process (2018 campaign).) of red grapes of the Portuguese cultivar ‘Vinhão’ was determined. The analyses of the pH, proximate composition (moisture content, proteins, lipids, ashes, fibers, and carbohydrates), the total phenolic compounds (Folin Ciocalteau method), and the mineral and fatty acid composition were carried out in triplicate, and the results expressed on a dry matter basis. After dehydration of ‘Vinhão’ GP, this very acidic by-product showed the following proximate composition (%): moisture, 3.43 ± 0.86; ash, 8.20 ± 0.017; lipids, 3.38 ± 0.11; proteins, 9.85 ± 0.51 and 3.28 ± 0.04; dietary fiber, 49.37 ± 1.75; carbohydrates, 35.47 ± 2.35. The content of total phenolic compounds was 35.35 ± 3.61 mg GAE/g. GP also revealed to be an excellent source of K, Ca, Fe, Mn, as well as of arachidic acid. The results obtained in this study suggest that GP from the Portuguese cultivar ‘Vinhão’ is feasible to enrich the nutritional value of food and feed. Moreover, the integration of pomace flour in food and feed is a viable option for reducing the environmental impact and adding value to the by-product, responding to the circular economy challenges.
- Performance-based contracting of urban transport operation services: evidence from Porto's light-railPublication . Santos, Mário Coutinho dos; Pinto, João M.; Matos, Pedro VergaThis paper develops a bonus/malus incentive model for contracting out the provision of urban railroad operation services, and testing parts of its performance using Monte Carlo methods. We also provide evidence on the performance measures of Metro do Porto's (MdP) light-rail network operation, during the 2010–2016 term of a bonus/malus-based contract, incorporating some features of our model. Results document that the implementation of a performance-based contract with an embedded incentive bonus/malus mechanism may contribute to promoting ridership patronage, increasing the average ride, and ultimately promoting the overall economic operating efficiency of the system. The comparative operating performance analysis of MdP versus Metropolitano de Lisboa, a vertically integrated, governmentally-owned metro network, shows that MdP exhibits higher revenue, cost, and operating efficiency in the 2010–2016 period, and that the bonus/malus mechanism induces the private sub-concessionaire to respond more efficiently to changes in demand.
- Defining an integrated framework for demand forecasting, due date assignment, scheduling, and performance evaluation in operations managementPublication . Teymourifar, Aydin; Pinto, Maria Francisca de Lima Teixeira; Moreira, José Maria Antunes Bento; Machado, Inês Filipa MedeirosThis study introduces an integrated framework for operations management, encompassing demand forecasting, capacity allocation based on estimated demand, due date assignment for incoming orders according to allocated capacity, and utilizing due dates as scheduling rules and performance evaluation criteria. We provide detailed insights into implementing this innovative approach, leveraging regression models and neural networks. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive review of alternative methods applicable to this framework. Our method offers practical applicability across diverse sectors of operations management, yielding tangible outcomes, which we elucidate in this study.
- Quantifying different aspects of women's vulnerability: a reviewPublication . Teymourifar, AydinThis paper conducts a comprehensive systematic review aimed at thoroughly understanding and quantifying the multitude of indicators that delineate women's vulnerability across diverse countries globally. It delves deeply into various dimensions of vulnerability, encompassing socioeconomic status, environmental conditions, health, access to resources, and systemic inequalities, thereby shedding light on its complex and multifaceted nature. Advocating for holistic approaches, the study underscores the importance of integrating social protection measures, poverty alleviation initiatives, educational enhancements, healthcare reforms, environmental conservation efforts, disaster preparedness strategies, human rights advocacy, and inclusive development policies to address vulnerability effectively. The analysis meticulously scrutinizes socioeconomic indicators, including income disparity, employment rates, educational attainment, and poverty levels, alongside health metrics such as maternal health outcomes and the prevalence of infectious and non-communicable diseases. Through systematic comparison across different countries, the study provides invaluable insights for policymakers, facilitating the development of targeted and evidence-based strategies on a global scale to mitigate women's vulnerability. Methodological rigor is maintained throughout the study, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This ensures the thoroughness, clarity, and replicability of the findings, thereby enhancing the credibility and validity of the research outcomes.
- Freelance journalism in Zimbabwe: challenges and opportunitiesPublication . Tshuma, Lungile; Ndlovu, Mphathise; Dhladhla, Zinzile N.In Zimbabwe, the comatose economy has had an impact on the media industry. Since 2000, media houses have been shutting down due to lack of financial support or poor business environment. For some news organisations, they have been retrenching their staff as a cost cutting measure. This has also led to retrenched journalists to write for other publications as freelance journalists. This study examines the state of freelance journalism in Zimbabwe. It aims to assess their role and contribution to the media industry, challenges they face, and also the survival strategies they are adopting. This qualitative study is informed by Bourdieu’s field theory. It used in-depth interviews while thematic analysis was employed in analyzing data. Findings demonstrates that freelance journalists are contributing to the growth of media industry in Zimbabwe by writing on specialised beats like science reporting. Besides such contributions, findings further demonstrated that freelance journalism is seen as ‘curse’ as journalists are easily harassed by the state agents who rarely recognizes someone not working for an established organisation.
- Patient-reported outcome measures in knee injuries rehabilitation: a protocol for interventionPublication . Moreira, José; Mesquita, Marina; Flamínio, José; Almeida, Manuel de; Delgado, Bruno; Boto, PauloDifferent musculoskeletal conditions affect people all over the world and were considered by the WHO to be the main cause of disability in 4 of 6 regions in 2017, with an increase in the associated burden and the impact they have on today's society. One of these conditions is related to the knee, which is associated with complex and vulnerable injuries associated with ligaments, menisci, and cartilage. After surgery, there is a reflex inhibition of motor neurons and immobilization, there is rapid atrophy and weakness in the different associated muscles, affecting proprioception, strength and muscle function, compromising quality of life. The aim of this article is to describe a protocol for a rehabilitation program after surgery for people with knee injuries. An experimental study will be carried out with 75 patients, with control and experimental groups. In both groups, initial measurements will be compared with measurements after the program, at different times. It is hoped that this study will generate significant information on rehabilitation intervention for people with knee injuries.
- Bacterial degradation of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS): detection of by-products by target and non-target analysisPublication . Wijayahena, Mindula K.; Moreira, Irina S.; Wallace, Joshua S.; Castro, Paula M. L.; Aga, Diana S.Introduction: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are highly fluorinated synthetic chemicals with a wide variety of uses1,2. The carbon- fluorine bonds exhibit very high bond dissociation energies: around 536 kJ/mol, making PFAS generally resistant to degradation by oxidation, thermal treatment, and biological mechanisms, which has led to their classification as “forever chemicals”3. Strategies to enhance the biodegradation of these compounds are of great interest, such as identifying bacterial species that may be used for bioaugmentation. Labrys portucalensis F11 is an aerobic bacterium that has been isolated in Portugal and can degrade fluorinated pharmaceuticals, fluorobenzene, and fluoxetine4,5. This F11 strain has the ability to cleave C-F bonds in these fluorinated organic compounds and was therefore tested for its ability to degrade perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), the most frequently detected PFAS in the environment. Objectives: To determine whether the F11 bacteria strain can degrade PFOS; To identify biodegradation products by non-targeted analysis. Conclusions: Labrys portucalensis strain F11 degraded PFOS. Shorter-chain PFAS, from C7 to C3 were formed as metabolites. Non-target analysis facilitated the identification of the unsaturated and hydrogenated C8 compounds. IMS separation exhibited the separation of isomers of PFOS as well as defluorinated PFOS isomers including isomers of H-PFOS and isomers of unsaturated PFOS.