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- Schools' evaluation drift: inconsistencies and interpellations of a high-stake inspection systemPublication . Serra, Lídia Jesus Pecegueiro; Alves, José MatiasA consensus exists in transnational educational policy regarding the relevance of accountability and the contribution of school evaluation to education quality. This paper scrutinises the evaluation results of Portuguese schools provided by the Inspectorate services using a pairwise comparison between 194 schools evaluated in 2018-2020 and 2021-2023. Regarding the literature gap on the behaviour of accountability systems over time, this study can contribute to a reflection on justice and transparency in high-stakes systems. The findings suggest that (i) the external evaluation results drift following a directional evolutionary model, indicating progression concerning the self-evaluation, educational services, and results domains; (ii) the occurrence of standardisation and leadership legitimisation phenomenon; (iii) possible side ecects in the schools' evaluation process, namely evasive behaviour, apparent and constructed realities, and evaluation distortion; (iv) the external evaluation framework flexibility in accommodating territorial dicerences between schools without producing system disadvantage. Departing from insights into how a high-stakes external evaluation system operates over time, the study ocers an empirically grounded assumption that reveals dynamics not unique to Portugal, but characteristic of accountability regimes adopted across many educational systems. In conclusion, to improve the quality of education, low-stakes accountability systems should be implemented to strengthen transparent schools' autonomy.
- Culturally adapted lifestyle and mental health intervention for low-income pregnant women: a feasibility studyPublication . Nunes, Maria Arminda; Melnyk, Bernadette; Almeida, Sofia; Vieira, Margarida; Cardoso, AlexandrinaBackground: Low-income pregnant women face challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and protecting their mental health, increasing their risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. The Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment (COPE) program, culturally adapted for the Portuguese context, aims to promotes a healthy lifestyle and mental health.Objective: We aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of the culturally adapted intervention among low-income pregnant women, comparing in-person and online modalities.Methods: This mixed-methods study followed the Medical Research Council framework. Phase I involved cultural and linguistic adaptation of COPE using the ADAPT model. Phase II was a pre-post feasibility study with 45 low-income pregnant women attending in-person or online sessions. Feasibility was assessed through recruitment and retention. Acceptability was evaluated via engagement in skill-building activities, session rescheduling, and qualitative feedback. Preliminary effects were measured at T0 (baseline), T1 (post-intervention), and T2 (4-6 weeks postpartum).Results: Recruitment was 65.2%, with 68.9% retention, higher in the online group. On average, participants completed 3 skill-building activities and rescheduled 2.3 sessions. Qualitative feedback supported the intervention's acceptability. Anxiety and depressive symptoms significantly decreased from T0 to T1, with anxiety reduction sustained at T2. Postpartum depression declined in the in-person group but increased online. Perceived stress remained unchanged, while healthy lifestyle beliefs and behaviors improved significantly.Conclusion: The COPE intervention was feasible and acceptable, demonstrating improvements in lifestyle behaviors and mental health. Its cultural adaptation supports applicability in the Portuguese context and highlights potential for broader international transfer. Trial Registration: Open Science Framework doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SQ5GK).
- Plant-derived bioactive compounds: one health perspectivePublication . Gonçalves, Ana C.; Pinto, Ana R.; Cima, André; Olo-Fontinha, Eva; Martins, Joana C. L.; Garcia, Juliana; Lemos, André; Saavedra, Maria José; Pintado, Maria Manuela; Alves, Maria JoséThis review, within the One Health framework, compiles information on plant-derived bioactive compounds and emphasises their multifunctional role in improving environmental, animal, and human health. These compounds support sustainable health and ecological stability by influencing biological and environmental processes. Data from literature research are combined to explain the mechanisms and potential uses of different key bioactive compounds. Mechanistic insights focus on their capacity to regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and microbial balance, linking these effects to therapeutic benefits in human health, enhanced animal productivity, and environmental sustainability. These compounds show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and metabolic activities, helping prevent chronic diseases, strengthen immunity, and reduce reliance on antibiotics and pollution. Examples like quercetin, resveratrol, and curcumin demonstrate their roles in modulating inflammatory and metabolic pathways to foster sustainable health and ecological balance. Bioactive compounds are linked to the One Health strategy, providing benefits across biological systems. Nonetheless, challenges such as variability, bioavailability, and standardization remain. Future directions should aim to develop sustainable extraction and formulation methods, leverage omics technologies and artificial intelligence for discovery and characterization, and foster industry partnerships to validate these compounds and secure global regulatory approval.