CUBE - Contribuições em Revistas Científicas / Contribution to Journals
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- Artificial intelligence for algorithmic trading digital assets: evidence from the Counter-Strike 2 skin marketPublication . Guede-Fernández, Federico; Wagle, Yash; Dias, Pedro; Giordano, Ana Paula; Henriques, Lúcio; Costa, Gonçalo; Azevedo, SaloméIntroduction: The Counter-Strike 2 skin market has developed into a multi-billion-dollar digital asset ecosystem, characterized by high volatility, low liquidity, and pricing inefficiencies that differ substantially from traditional financial markets. Despite the growing economic relevance of virtual items, no previous study has systematically examined the use of artificial intelligence for skin trading. Methods: This work designs and evaluates an automated trading system that applies deep learning models, specifically Long Short-Term Memory networks and Neural Hierarchical Interpolation for Time Series, to forecast skin prices and guide trading decisions. A dataset of 12,000 unique skins from the Steam Market, covering the period from May 2024 to April 2025, was collected using the CSGOskins.gg application programming interface. To reflect real market conditions, the trading strategy incorporated the Steam Market restrictions of a seven-day minimum holding period and a ten percent transaction cost, and was benchmarked against a traditional buy-and-hold strategy. Backtesting was performed multiple time horizons of two, three, and 6 months. Portfolio selection was based on risk and return criteria, including a Sharpe ratio greater than one, a Sortino ratio greater than two, and a return on investment above five percent. Results: Artificial intelligence consistently outperforms buy-and-hold, particularly in smaller, more concentrated portfolios and over longer time horizons. For example, in 6-month simulations, artificial intelligence portfolios achieved returns approaching 20%, compared to 5% to 10% for buy-and-hold, with excess returns as high as 75% in small portfolios. Larger portfolios reduced absolute returns but improved risk-adjusted performance, confirming that diversification enhances stability while diluting raw profitability. Analysis of portfolio composition by rarity further revealed that artificial intelligence favors moderately rare and liquid skins such as Mil-Spec, resembling mid-cap equity investment strategies, while buy-and-hold accumulates rarer skins, analogous to small-cap holdings that rely on scarcity premiums. Discussion: These findings highlight that even in virtual goods markets, the trade-offs between return, risk, and diversification reflect established principles of modern portfolio theory. The study demonstrates both the feasibility and the potential of artificial intelligence-based trading systems in the Counter-Strike 2 skin economy, contributing methodological advances and practical insights for participants in this emerging digital asset market.
- Prostate cancer progression: a scoping review, pharmacoeconomic assessment, and evaluation of quality of lifePublication . Dinis de Sousa, Rute; Zagalo, Daniela Mariana; Gouveia, Miguel; Gomes, Luís; Santos Dias, José; Mansinho, André; Santos, Susana; Mariano, José; Canhão, Helena; Rodrigues, AnaAIMS/BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men and a leading cause of cancer-related death. Progression from non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) to metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) significantly worsens health-related quality of life (HRQoL), increases mortality, and raises healthcare costs. This study assessed the impact of avoiding or delaying progression to mCRPC on HRQoL, mortality, and economic outcomes, incorporating patients' lived experiences and unmet needs. METHODS: Three complementary studies were conducted. Study 1 was a scoping review of HRQoL and functional outcomes across disease stages, analyzing 56 studies (27 RCTs, 29 observational). Study 2 used a pharmacoeconomic survival-partition model of apalutamide, calibrated for the Portuguese healthcare system, to estimate utility gains, mortality impacts, and healthcare costs associated with delaying progression (excluding drug costs). Study 3 comprised two virtual focus groups (n?=?5) exploring patient experiences, including symptom burden, psychological impact, daily life disruption, coping strategies, and care-related unmet needs. RESULTS: High-risk nmCRPC patients had higher HRQoL and better function than mCRPC patients. Symptomatic mCRPC had the lowest HRQoL (EQ-5D 0.63-0.90 vs 0.85-0.86; FACT-P 93-123 vs 109-121). Delaying progression yielded an estimated utility gain of 0.192, reduced annual mortality (0.1% vs 19.1%), and 4.4-fold lower healthcare costs. Focus groups confirmed greater physical symptoms, emotional distress, and social disruption in mCRPC, while nmCRPC experiences centered on monitoring and uncertainty. Patients identified gaps in supportive care, including psychosocial, sexual, and functional needs. CONCLUSIONS: Delaying progression from nmCRPC to mCRPC confers substantial HRQoL, survival, and economic benefits. Patient perspectives highlight gaps in supportive care and the value of early targeted interventions. LIMITATIONS: Small qualitative sample, reliance on baseline HRQoL without longitudinal adjustment, heterogeneity across studies, and exclusion of nmCRPC treatment costs may limit generalizability and precision.
- Cycles of inequality in the marketplace: insights from macro, marketer, and consumer perspectivesPublication . Thompson, Debora V.; Kirmani, Amna; Hamilton, Rebecca; Li, Andy; du Plessis, Christilene; Fernandes, Daniel; Johnson, Guillaume; McFerran, Brent; Ni, Jian; Pavlov, Vladimir; Petersen, Francine; Scheer, Lisa; Vieites, Yan; Wilcox, KeithSeeking inequality via differentiation is a fundamental theme in the marketing literature: consumers derive utility from products that convey socially valued attributes, and marketers target consumers by giving them opportunities to differentiate on socially valued attributes. However, as a large body of evidence shows, inequality can reduce consumer well-being and limit economic growth. In this paper, we take a systemic view of marketplace inequality, examining the interdependence among consumers, marketers, and macro forces in shaping inequality in markets for goods and services. Our broad review of the marketing literature across ten marketing journals and a variety of subdomains within the field (e.g., macromarketing, consumer behavior, marketing strategy, quantitative marketing) suggests that macro forces, marketers, and consumers are all part of a dynamic system in which each contributes to creating, perpetuating, and disrupting cycles of marketplace inequality. By highlighting the process by which inequality can be created, perpetuated, and reduced, we hope to give marketing researchers and practitioners insight into interventions that have the potential to increase consumer well-being and marketer profitability.
- O vazio, o ouro e o medo: representações de copacabana na memória de idososPublication . Rocha, Everardo; Feix, Isabel; Siciliano, Tatiana OliveiraThis paper aims to present the representations of Copacabana related to lifestyles and consumption practices for a group of elderly people in the period that they call “golden years”. Based in a study with ethnographic inspiration, the group’s discourse shows the articulation between the moment they perceive as the ideal of the neighborhood and their own lives. Copacabana for them meant a route that goes from “emptiness” to “gold” and finally to “fear”. The first is represented as empty and lifeless space; the second reflect happiness, consumption and leisure; and the third is perceived as a moment of fear and decadency.
- Social entrepreneurship and broader theories: a critical reassessment and future agendaPublication . Zeyen, Anica; Beckmann, Markus; Müller, Susan; Khanin, Dmitry; Krueger, Norris; Murphy, Patrick J.; Santos, Filipe; Scarlata, Mariarosa; Walske, Jennifer; Zacharakis, AndrewIn 2013, following an AOM workshop on “Social Entrepreneurship and Broader Theories,” we published essays challenging dominant economic, business, and entrepreneurship concepts. We revisit them to reflect on the field’s evolution and remaining gaps. Two essays take a macro perspective, exploring adaptive societies and the tragedy of the commons. Two examine the managerial level, discussing limited practical impact and the need for stronger blended performance metrics. Two focus on entrepreneurship, examining a shift toward community-venture paradigms and critiquing traditional business model tools. Together, they invite a rethinking of the when, why, what, and how of social entrepreneurship research and practice.
- Insect-based dinner products for meat substitution in ordinary diets: developing the quality criteria and experimental products for consumer interventionsPublication . Maya, C.; Flore, R.; Sun, Y.; Costa, A. I. A.; Cunha, L. M.; Rocha, C.; Monteiro, M. J. P.; Osimani, A.; Aquilanti, L.; Borght, M. Van Der; Vandeweyer, D.; Chiriac, I. E.; Peters, M.; Rukov, J.; Roos, N.The growing environmental impact of livestock farming has emphasised the need for more sustainable diets with lower meat consumption, identifying insects as a potential alternative protein source. The Sustainable Insect Chain (SUSINCHAIN) project aimed to incorporate six new insect protein products into regular dinner meals, aiming to replace 20% of meat protein through a six-week dietary intervention in Denmark and Portugal, namely a randomised controlled study targeting families with children and young and childless couples respectively. This paper presents the process undertaken by project partners to develop the specifications and establish the quality criteria for the six study products. Quality criteria focused on the immediate appeal and sensory properties of edible insects as food ingredients, particularly taste, texture, and appearance to promote acceptability. Initial sensory evaluations of product prototypes provided essential feedback for improvement. The development of insect-based food products, including those mimicking traditional meat products, highlighted the significance of sensory quality and consumer perception in product acceptance. Non-meat mimicking items had high sensory appeal, but were not perceived as meat replacements, typically being later added as side dishes or supplements by intervention participants. Balancing insect protein content with sensory appeal presented challenges, highlighting the need to consider portion sizes and presentation. Overall, animal meat protein replacement in dinner meals using insect-based foods requires an integrated approach that combines innovative product development, ongoing quality assessments, and a deep understanding of consumer preferences, crucial for market acceptance and adoption.
- What's driving the decline in entrepreneurship?Publication . Kozeniauskas, NicholasWhy has there been a steady decline in entrepreneurship in the US in recent decades? To answer this question, I develop a general equilibrium occupation choice model and combine it with data on these choices. Skill-biased technical change can account for much of the decline in the relative entrepreneurship rate of more educated people, but cannot explain the decline in the aggregate level of entrepreneurship. The major factors in the decline in the share of people who are entrepreneurs, the firm entry rate, and the size of the entrepreneur sector are rising entry costs and outsized productivity gains by large non-entrepreneur firms.
- Memórias de um tempo de lazer, consumo e alegria: um estudo etnográfico sobre uma casa de idosos no Rio de JaneiroPublication . Feix, Isabel; Rocha, EverardoThis article presents an ethnographic study conducted in a high-end retirement home in Rio de Janeiro, aimed at analyzing the memories of 27 elderly residents (born between 1924 and 1952) from the Brazilian urban elite regarding their leisure, consumption, and sociability practices between the 1930s and 1970s. Based on fieldwork observations, the elders’ narratives were interpreted as collective representations shaped by the processes of modernization, industrialization, and the expansion of mass media. The testimonies reveal how household appliances, automobiles, travel, fashion, media, and advertising strategies became symbolic markers of social distinction, projecting images of prosperity and progress.
- Dietary intake according to different patterns of food preparation in children and adults: results from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015/2016)Publication . Rei, Mariana; Correia, Daniela; Torres, Duarte; Lopes, Carla; Costa, Ana Isabel A.; Rodrigues, Sara S. P.Objective: To investigate associations between dietary intake and patterns of food preparation, by age group. Design: This cross-sectional study analysed dietary intake data from the most recent Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Cluster analysis categorized dietary intake based on the source of food preparation. Regression models were used to study the association between dietary daily intake, Healthy Eating Score (HES), and patterns of food preparation. Setting: Portugal, using data representative of the Portuguese population. Participants: A total of 5005 Portuguese residents aged 3 to 84 years were included in the analysis. Dietary intake and food preparation patterns were examined by age group. Results: The predominant pattern of food preparation was food prepared by restaurants, canteens, and other away-from-home establishments (45.9%, 95%CI = 43.8, 48.1%). Children and adolescents in this pattern had significantly higher intakes of energy and carbohydrates but lower protein intake compared to those consuming predominantly home-prepared foods. Among adults and the elderly, this pattern was associated with higher intakes of energy, saturated fats, trans fats, and free sugars, and lower fibre intake. Additionally, children and adolescents whose diets predominantly included food prepared away-from-home showed a decrease in HES (? = -0.7, 95% CI = -1.3, -0.2), and adults experienced a greater reduction (? = -1.2, 95% CI = -1.5, -0.9). Conclusions: In Portugal, consuming food prepared away-from-home is associated with poorer dietary quality, with higher energy and unhealthy nutrient intake and lower HES, suggesting a need for interventions focused on promoting healthier food preparation practices.
- Meta-analysis on the impact of corporate social responsibility initiatives on consumer attitudes and behaviorPublication . Vale, Rita Coelho do; Matos, Pedro Verga; Almeida, Filipa deThe present research conducts a thorough meta-analysis to better understand the relationship and magnitude of the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives on consumers’ behavior and attitudes, including multiple moderators (e.g., type of CSR initiatives, type of industry, and country development level). Data comprises 744 effect sizes, extracted from 165 research articles encompassing 67,270 participants. Altogether, the findings reinforce the importance of CSR to consumers, suggesting that companies benefit from incorporating CSR initiatives in their business practices, having a positive effect of medium magnitude when no specific moderators are considered in the analysis (r?=?.38; linear models?=?.25; correlations?=?.44). However, findings also indicate that when considering specific moderators (e.g., country development, industry type, and cultural characteristics) and consumer responses type (e.g., attitudinal vs behavioral), this magnitude can differ significantly, providing evidence that consumer engagement in CSR activities is multifaceted and does not always translate into the expected outcomes.