Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-06-26"
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- Aesthetic performance of glass ionomers in restoring cervical lesions : a systematic reviewPublication . Marques, Rodrigo Fortunato; Matos, Adriana Bona; Sampaio, Ana Cláudia Morais de Moura Teles deBackground and objectives: Due to bonding and fluoride-release properties, glass ionomers are useful not only for children but also for the adult population. This systematic review aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of polyacid-modified resin composites (PMRCs) and resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) in the restoration of cervical lesions for color stability, surface roughness, and marginal integrity using standardized or modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Materials and methods: A comparative analysis was conducted using data from 11 clinical studies published between 1999 and 2025. These studies evaluated Class V restorations involving PMRCs and RMGICs, with follow-up periods ranging from 12 to 60 months. Clinical outcomes (color stability, surface roughness, and marginal integrity) were analyzed according to material type and longitudinal evaluation. All studies employed USPHS-based assessment scale. Results: PMRCs demonstrated greater consistency and superiority in long-term esthetic and clinical outcomes, particularly in preserving color stability, smooth surface texture, and marginal adaptation: key factors for visual integration, biofilm resistance, and long-term sealing performance. Regarding marginal adaptation, both materials performed similarly in the short-term when proper isolation and conditioning techniques were applied. However, PMRCs tended to maintain a more stable marginal seal in long-term scenarios, likely due to their superior mechanical resilience and reduced susceptibility to hydrolytic degradation. Conclusions: Both PMRCs and RMGICs can provide acceptable clinical outcomes in cervical restorations, but PMRCs appear to offer superior esthetic and mechanical performance over extended periods. RMGICs may still represent a viable alternative in cases with high caries risk or moisture-sensitive conditions, although their long-term durability remains comparatively limited.
- Stakeholder differences in valued hotel green practicesPublication . Julião, Jorge; Monteiro, Inês; Gaspar, Marcelo; Trindade, Maria AliceThis paper aims to compare the perceptions of hotel customers and hotel staff regarding the value of green hotel attributes. By examining both stakeholder groups, the study addresses a gap in sustainable hospitality research, which largely overlooks employee perspectives in favour of customer preferences. An exploratory, cross-sectional survey was conducted using structured questionnaires, administered to hotel guests (n = 307) and hotel staff (n = 89) in Porto, Portugal. Respondents rated 15 green hotel attributes using a five-point Likert scale. Demographic data were also collected to analyse perceptual differences across gender, age, income, and education. The results revealed that both customers and staff exhibited environmental awareness, though their prioritisation of specific green practices differed. Customers tended to value visible environmental measures, such as recycling bins, energy-saving light bulbs, and renewable energy signage, while staff placed greater emphasis on operational sustainability aspects, including low-flow plumbing fixtures, refillable soap dispensers, and durable goods used in service areas. These differences reflect the stakeholders’ distinct roles and experiences within the hotel ecosystem. This study enriches the discourse on sustainable hospitality by providing a dual-stakeholder analysis of green hotel attributes using a shared evaluative framework. The findings offer practical insights for hotel managers aligning sustainability strategies with the expectations of both guests and employees, supporting more effective and inclusive green implementation in the lodging sector.
- A intervenção do tribunal judicial na constituição do tribunal arbitralPublication . Sousa, Sónia Isabel dos Santos Pinto de; Martins, André de Almeida Lemos FloresA presente dissertação debruça-se sobre a intervenção do tribunal judicial na constituição do tribunal arbitral. O objetivo central é analisar os aspetos mais importantes desta intervenção, os problemas que se podem suscitar, bem como a sua legitimidade e necessidade. Será feita uma explanação concreta das hipóteses em que o tribunal judicial assiste o tribunal arbitral como suprimento de uma falha ou omissão. Para tal, é utilizado um método analítico, que compreende uma decomposição dos aspetos doutrinários e jurisprudenciais mais relevantes nesta questão, bem como, um estudo do regime jurídico da arbitragem voluntária no nosso ordenamento jurídico. Pretendemos ainda compreender se, nos moldes atuais em que a lei da arbitragem voluntária está consagrada, a intervenção do tribunal judicial é absolutamente necessária.
- A questionnaire proposal to know the role of dietary habits in caries risk assessment : Portuguese versionPublication . Edelmann, Olivia Sook Scheel; Matos, Adriana Bona; Correia, Maria José Serol de BritoIntroduction: Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic diseases globally, influenced by multifactorial etiologies in which dietary sugar intake plays a critical role. While the correlation between sugar consumption and caries is well established, clinical dietary assessments often fail to capture the nuances of patients’ sugar habits. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate how dietary habits are currently assessed in caries risk evaluations and to develop a comprehensive, evidence-based dietary questionnaire tailored for use at the Dental Clinical of Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, focusing on studies published between 2000 and 2024. Inclusion criteria were cross-sectional studies involving adult populations and the use of dietary questionnaires assessing carbohydrate intake. A total of 32 eligible studies were analyzed to identify common themes and frequently used questions. Results: The analysis revealed that most questionnaires emphasized the frequency of cariogenic food and beverage consumption, particularly sugar-sweetened items, with limited attention to carioprotective foods or contextual dietary behaviors. Based on these findings, a culturally adapted dietary questionnaire was developed to enhance caries risk assessment by identifying both obvious and hidden sources of dietary sugars. Conclusion: Integrating a structured, evidence-based dietary assessment tool into routine dental anamnesis can significantly improve the identification of dietary risk factors for dental caries. This approach supports individualized, preventive dietary counseling and aligns with best practices in contemporary caries management.
- The integration of mHealth into prenatal and peadeatric care in BrazilPublication . Tibana, Luísa Lopes Lisboa; Afonso, Carla Susana Moiteiro GanitoFrom the rise of telehealth to the larger adoption of wearables and mHealth, the impact of digital health in the healthcare sector can be seen around the world. In this context, tools such as medical apps become increasingly more present in patient’s lives. This study explores the integration of pregnancy and baby apps into prenatal and paediatric care in Brazil, a country where, driven by both public and private initiatives, digital health solutions have found fertile ground to bloom. Through a mixed method approach with a greater focus on its qualitative side, this study dives into seven relevant pregnant and baby apps available for the Brazilian market and, through the lenses of specialists, assesses the challenges and benefits that come with using such digital health solutions. The results suggest that, on the one hand, the apps can complement traditional healthcare practices by promoting the adoption of healthier habits, reducing anxiety and fostering community. On the other hand, these digital health solutions are also subject of concern. The lack of regulation as well as information overload can impact the users in a negative way. This study highlights the importance of dialogue between the various stakeholders as well collaboration, regulations and caution when developing, maintain and guiding patients through these tools.
- As providências cautelares na arbitragem voluntáriaPublication . Costa, Gonçalo Alcalde Faria Puig e; Martins, André de Almeida Lemos FloresEste trabalho terá como objetivo fornecer uma visão do panorama atual das providências cautelares na arbitragem voluntária em Portugal, provisionando também uma perspetiva histórica do tema e evolutiva que construíram os pilares da legislação em vigor. Assim, iniciar-se-á por um exame geral da competência dos tribunais arbitrais para o decretamento de providências cautelares, questão que historicamente levantou elevada controvérsia dada a falta de potestas dos tribunais arbitrais. Paralelamente, verificar-se-á a forma como os tribunais estaduais e os tribunais arbitrais partilham a competência para a ordenação de medidas cautelares. Será, também, analisado o regime em vigor, com enfoque nas limitações dos tribunais arbitrais ao nível cautelar, dada a sua natureza, e na forma pela qual estas limitações são supridas, de modo a fornecer às partes a melhor tutela jurídica, sendo ou não necessária a intervenção dos tribunais estaduais, que atuam no processo arbitral na sua indispensável função de assistência e colaboração, quer numa fase declarativa. Posteriormente, será estudada a eventual capacidade de os tribunais arbitrais ordenarem providências cautelares cujo decretamento e execução se confundam num só momento, e a relação dessa capacidade com a falta de ius imperii por parte dos tribunais arbitrais. Serão, ainda, abordados outros pontos importantes no regime português que dão resposta a problemas da arbitragem, a saber a delimitação do tipo de competências cautelares determináveis pelo tribunal arbitral e a figura do árbitro de emergência, interveniente na arbitragem voluntária que, ainda que não previsto na LAV, pode ser uma figura central no suprimento de falhas de um tribunal arbitral ao nível cautelar.
- Beyond function : how symbolic brand image influences SME purchase decisions in fintech : a study in the context of the Australian payments industryPublication . Seidel, Mariana Rueda; Romeiro, PauloThis thesis explores how brand positioning strategies shape brand image and influence purchase intention among small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Australia’s payments industry. Grounded in branding, consumer behavior, and attitude formation theory, it compares three strategies: price-quality, local-based, and attribute-based positioning. Using a between-subjects experimental design, participants were shown fictional advertisements, each reflecting one of the positioning approaches. They then evaluated the brand based on symbolic and functional image dimensions and indicated their purchase intention. Findings highlight that brand image plays a crucial mediating role between positioning and purchase intention. Among the strategies, local-based positioning generated the strongest effects, particularly via symbolic image traits. Symbolic brand image was more influential than functional image, emphasizing traits like approachability. Mediation analysis confirmed that the impact of brand positioning on purchase intention occurs primarily through brand image, rather than a direct effect. This study contributes to academic literature by offering empirical evidence on the psychological mechanisms behind value-based brand positioning in a B2B fintech context. It also provides actionable insights for payment brands: to connect with SMEs, emphasizing symbolic meaning and local relevance may be more effective than focusing solely on functional or price-based messaging.
- The impact of corporate sponsorship and traditional advertising on perceived brand quality : the role of generational differences and event sponsorship typesPublication . Auguin, Yann; Romeiro, PauloThis study examines the impact of two different promotional strategies (corporate sponsorship and traditional advertising) on consumers’ perceptions of brand quality, while accounting for generational differences (Gen Z vs. Millennials) and types of event sponsorship (sports vs. cultural events) as moderating variables. A quantitative experimental survey design was employed, with 277 individuals who were randomly assigned to one of three advertising stimuli (traditional advertisement, sports sponsorship, or cultural sponsorship) for a fictional brand. Statistical methods were utilized to assess the data. Findings indicate no significant difference in perceived brand quality between corporate sponsorship and conventional advertising. Nonetheless, both differences in demographics and the nature of the sponsored event significantly affected the impact of sponsorship on perceived brand quality. Cultural sponsorships, along with a combination of sports and cultural sponsorships, proved to be more beneficial than sports sponsorships alone. Moreover, Generation Z and Millennials had divergent responses to various advertising types, underscoring the significance of generational targeting. These findings emphasize the strategic importance of customizing advertising efforts to generational preferences and aligning sponsorship forms with audience values. Although conventional advertising retains its significance, brands aiming to elevate perceived quality, particularly among younger demographics should focus on authentic and suitably aligned sponsorship possibilities.