Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06-18"
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- Comment on Patrícia Jerónimo’s ‘Legal translation and the challenges of overcoming language barriers in court practice: evidence from Portuguese courts’Publication . Campos, Manuel FontaineThis commentary is a response to Patrícia Jerónimo’s article ‘Legal translation and the challenges of overcoming language barriers in court practice: Evidence from Portuguese courts’, which appears in this special issue. The commentary focuses on the potential of machine translation tools to overcome many of the obstacles that courts currently face in trying to provide adequate translation and interpretation services.
- Environmental and food safety assessment of pre-harvest activities in local small-scale fruit and vegetable farms in Northwest PortugalPublication . Macieira, Ariana; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Brandão, Teresa R. S.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Teixeira, PaulaThe popularity of small-scale and local fruit and vegetable production has increased in recent years due to perceived economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, these operations face contamination risks that both consumers and small-scale producers may underestimate. The present study aimed to assess the microbiological and chemical hazards on fruit, vegetables, soil, and water samples from small-scale farms in north-western Portugal during pre-harvest activities. Additionally, the study investigated farmers’ non-compliance with food safety regulations and good agricultural practices (GAPs), exploring how their behaviour might contribute to the identified hazards. A before-and-after analysis of non-compliant behaviours was conducted to determine the impact of training on improving food safety practices. The analysis identified the presence of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, flame retardant residues, nitrates, and heavy metals. Lead (Pb) concentrations exceeded EU limits in organic carrots from one producer (0.156 ± 0.043 mg/kg) and in chard from another (0.450 ± 0.126 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) levels were also above regulatory thresholds in bell peppers (0.023 ± 0.009 mg/kg) and organic tomatoes (0.026 ± 0.015 mg/kg) from two different producers. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected in irrigation water from two sites, with zinc (Zn) at 0.2503 ± 0.0075 mg/L and Pb at 0.0218 ± 0.0073 mg/L. Among food samples, the most prevalent microorganisms were Pseudomonas spp. (88.2%), Bacillus cereus (76.5%), and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (100%). Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), particularly tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), were detected in all food and soil samples. Some EU-banned pesticides were detected in food and soil samples, but at levels below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Chlorpyrifos (35.3%) and p,p’-DDD (23.5%) were the most detected pesticides in food samples. After the training, GAP behaviour improved, particularly that related to hygiene. However, issues related to record-keeping and soil and water analyses persisted, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving full compliance.
- The study of two impressive simulacra at Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Almada, PortugalPublication . Ferreira, Teresa; Nunes, Margarida; Curto, Ana; Palmeirão, Joana; Manhita, Ana; Olival, Fernanda; Piorro, Luís; Monteiro, Paula; Vieira, EduardaSimulacra, or full-body reliquaries of corpi santi, have largely been overlooked in the discourse of the past century by the Church, the general public, and scholars. This work investigates two noteworthy cases among simulacra—two young individuals, St. Primogenita and St. Theodore—from Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Almada in Portugal. Based on a historical and analytical approach, the study examines the simulacra context, assembly methods, materials, symbols of martyrdom, and adornments. Their possible arrival in Portugal in the late eighteenth century is supported by the Bishop’s seal and textile features that reflect the fashion of that period. Radiographic imaging and particularly borescope inspections revealed distinct assembly techniques, with St. Theodore displaying meticulous anatomical assembly, while St. Primogenita’s construction is less precise. However, access to the cranium fragments of St. Primogenita revealed an elaborate consolidation method. SEM–EDS, FT-IR, and Py-GC–MS analyses identified a fibrous material coated with a dark brown paste, likely used to bond the unfused parts of the ectocranium fragments of a young individual, as well as a paste applied to reinforce the endocranium. Martyrdom symbols further distinguished the simulacra, with St. Primogenita adorned with a silk petal crown attached using animal glue, whereas St. Theodore’s crown was crafted from pigment-dyed cellulosic materials. LC-DAD-MS analysis revealed the natural dyes used in coloured threads. Only St. Primogenita retained fragments from a phial of blood, where a creative method may have been employed to emphasise the blood content. This investigation highlighted the complexity and artistry behind these simulacra.
- Eucalyptus-enhanced cotton: pretreatment and bioactive coating strategies for the development of sustainable textiles with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities for skin applicationsPublication . Oliveira, Cláudia S.; Costa, Ana; Mendanha, Daniel; Macedo, Tiago; Moreira, Joana; Oliveira, Juliana A. S. A.; Bernardes, Beatriz G.; Silva, Carla J.; Tavaria, Freni K.Eucalyptus essential oils and extracts are widely recognized for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and aromatizing properties, making them highly valuable across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles. For the design of biomedical textiles, cotton is favored for its mechanical strength, porosity, and biodegradability, but its vulnerability to microbial action limits its applications. To address this issue, natural compounds like eucalyptus essential oils and extracts have been prioritized over synthetic agents to enhance their antimicrobial properties. While bioactive textiles using essential oils have been well-documented, the incorporation of eucalyptus leaf extracts with different surface modifications of cotton remains largely unexplored. In this line, this study investigated pretreatment approaches to improve the uptake and uniformity of eucalyptus extract on cotton fibers. To achieve this, chitosan (CH), a cationic agent, and alum were applied to the cotton fabric to promote stronger electrostatic interactions and improve the binding of extract’s bioactive components. The functionalized fabrics were tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Escherichia coli, antioxidant properties, and cytotoxicity using human keratinocytes. Eucalyptus-functionalized cotton, particularly with CH pretreatment, exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and enhanced antioxidant capacity in the DPPH assay. No cytotoxicity was detected with 8 h of exposure, but potential effects were observed after 24 h, indicating the need for further evaluation of long-term safety. These findings highlight the potential of eucalyptus-functionalized textiles for personalized clothing aimed at managing skin conditions linked to microbiota dysregulation, emphasizing the need for optimized functionalization and biocompatibility evaluation.
- Corporate social responsibility no ordenamento jurídico português : a gestão exige mais responsabilidade social. E o direito?Publication . Maçarico, Iara Alfaiate; Cruz, Nuno Moreira daO presente estudo pretende compreender se, no ordenamento jurídico português, é possível responsabilizar os administradores de uma sociedade por decisões que prejudiquem as várias partes interessadas. A discussão da Responsabilidade Social Empresarial tem sido amplificada desde os anos 50 do século XX até agora, devido à sua importância na construção e manutenção da relação entre a empresa e, por exemplo, clientes, investidores ou trabalhadores. Verificase, a este propósito, que cada vez mais, se exige à empresa a adoção de medidas de carácter social. Todavia, importa perceber se o ordenamento jurídico português, mormente por meio da Constituição da República Portuguesa e do Código das Sociedades Comerciais, possibilita a responsabilização dos administradores por medidas prejudicais para as partes essenciais para a sustentabilidade da empresa.
- Satisfação do turista face à plataforma digital da Uber : o caso da Circuito Abrangente – Unipessoal Lda.Publication . Pereira, André Nuno Sousa; Cardoso, Carla Isabela de Moura PintoO objetivo principal deste relatório de estágio é precisamente aplicar e desenvolver tanto um questionário como uma entrevista para conseguir avaliar o grau de satisfação do turista relativamente à utilização da plataforma digital da Uber, no contexto da empresa denominada Circuito Abrangente – Unipessoal Lda. Os objetivos específicos da investigação são caracterizar o perfil dos utilizadores, identificar a preferência dos serviços turísticos, comparar os serviços mais económicos e os mais dispendiosos, determinar os pontos de afluência e os destinos mais procurados, analisar a conduta esperada do motorista e respetivas recomendações valorizadas pelos motoristas e, por fim, examinar a preferência entre veículos elétricos e a combustão. Para conseguir reunir toda essa informação, entrevistei o principal prestador de serviços da entidade corporativa e ainda, opcionalmente, exerci atividades de motorista TVDE para obter mais dados, tendo o desafio de comunicar com estrangeiros não falantes, nem de inglês como de português, e ainda para conseguir aplicar o questionário. Relativamente à metodologia aplicada neste estudo, pode-se afirma que foi utilizada uma metodologia quantitativa, através do recurso de um inquérito/questionário e ainda uma metodologia qualitativa, com recurso a uma entrevista. Optou-se por uma amostra não probabilística e por conveniência que inclui cento e uma pessoas.
- A responsabilidade penal do agente encoberto no decurso da investigação criminal mo âmbito das ações encobertas digitaisPublication . Nunes, Ana Xavier; Nunes, Duarte Alberto Rodrigues