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Fur Farming: EU Citizens’ Stance
No full textArticle number - 177Despite its economic profitability, fur farming in Europe, responsible for half of global production, faces a growing ethical backlash. Animal welfare concerns, particularly regarding mink, foxes, and raccoon dogs kept in restrictive cages, have intensified due to advocacy, scientific reviews, and COVID-19 outbreaks. In response, several EU nations have implemented bans or stricter regulations. However, limited research exists on EU public opinion. This study analyses data from Eurobarometer 533 (March 2023), surveying 26,368 citizens across 27 EU countries, to assess attitudes toward fur farming. Respondents selected from three policy preferences: a full ban, EU-wide regulation, or acceptance of current practices. Multinomial logistic regression and chi-square tests revealed significant socio-demographic and ideological influences. Older individuals were more supportive of current practices (p = 0.001), while higher education levels correlated with support for a ban or stricter regulation (p = 0.003). Income positively influenced support for regulation (p = 0.002), and women (p = 0.008), urban residents (p = 0.001), and those with regular animal contact (p = 0.007) were more likely to support reform. Right-leaning respondents (p = 0.012) and residents of countries without fur farming bans (p < 0.001) were less supportive. These findings suggest that values, demographics, and national legislation significantly shape public opinion. Aligning policy with evolving societal values requires integrated legislative reform, public engagement, and equitable transition strategies to ensure meaningful and sustainable improvements in animal welfare across the EU.To the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CISAS UIDB/05937/2020 and UIDP/05937/2020
PROCESSING OF MICROSCOPY IMAGES IN THE COMPRESSED DOMAIN
No full textThis work presents a novel approach to the detection of mitochondria in microscopy
images within the compressed domain, eliminating the need for full image decompression
while maintaining high detection accuracy. The proposed architecture,
Processing of Microscopy Images in the Compressed Domain (ProMIC), integrates
a Domain Translator architecture, enabling object detection networks to operate
directly on images’ latent representations. This approach significantly reduces computational
costs while preserving essential visual information for detection tasks.
The study also included a preliminary analysis of JPEG-AI compression efficiency
against classical codecs (HEVC/H.265 and VVC/H.266) across multiple datasets.
The proposed method builds upon a Base model inspired by a previous compresseddomain
object detection approach. Key innovations in this work include: the use
of a Lightweight Residual Block that enhances feature extraction from latent
representations, improving detection robustness across different compression rates;
a Pixel Domain Fine-Tuning process that enhances the Domain Adaptation of the
model; and a Guided Domain Translator Training strategy that refines the Domain
Translator to extract meaningful information directly from latent codes, minimising
the gap between compressed and pixel-domain object detection models.
Extensive experiments were conducted to compare the performance of both the
Base model and the proposed architecture against a reference object detection
model that operates on reconstructed images. Results on the Lucchi++ dataset
show that ProMIC significantly outperforms the Base model. Notably, the proposed
architecture exceeds the reference model in mean average precision, achieving a 2.31
percentage point improvement at the highest bitrate. This highlights the potential
of compressed-domain image processing to capture meaningful features that may
be lost in fully reconstructed images. Additionally, applying the ProMIC method
reduced the complexity of the object detection system by 42.34% compared to the
reference model.
These findings validate the feasibility of direct object detection in latent codes, offering
a computationally efficient alternative to traditional pixel-domain approaches.
The proposed framework has promising applications in real-time processing, embedded
systems, and large-scale AI-driven image analysis, paving the way for more
efficient and scalable vision models that operate directly in the compressed domain
Promoção da literacia científica: balanços e perspetivas
No full textinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
39 autógrafos epistolares de Lourenço Chaves de Almeida, ‘ourives do ferro’, para Afonso Lopes Vieira.
No full textEste texto retoma uma comunicação realizada em maio de 2025 no Congresso Internacional “Encontros transnacionais da História da Arte e Património”, MCCBatalha, reformulando-a com alguns acrescentos e a transcrição integral da documentação epistolar do espólio da BMLALV. Todas as fotografias dos autógrafos epistolares de Lourenço Chaves de Almeida, dirigidas a Afonso Lopes Vieira, pertencem ao espólio da BMLALV, instituição a que agradecemos a utilização ilustrativa neste artigo.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Behavioral regulation in sport questionnaire and sport motivation scale-II: a scale comparison
No full textIntroduction: This study compared the psychometric properties of two primary
instruments for assessing sport motivation based on Self-Determination Theory:
the Sport Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II) and the Behavioral Regulation in Sport
Questionnaire (BRSQ).
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis evaluated the scales’ internal consistency,
factor structure, convergent and discriminant validity, and model fit, which
required post-hoc modifications. Measurement invariance and adherence to
the theoretical simplex pattern were also tested.
Results: The BRSQ demonstrated generally acceptable reliability, while the SMS-II
showed deficiencies in its introjected, external, and amotivation subscales. Both
scales faced validity challenges in distinguishing adjacent motivational constructs.
Although measurement invariance was supported, correlations deviated from the
theoretical quasi-simplex pattern.
Discussion: The BRSQ appears more robust, but neither scale is flawless. Researchers
must select instruments aligned with their specific objectives and interpret scores
cautiously due to these psychometric limitations. This underscores the need for
refined tools to better capture the dynamic complexity of motivation in sports.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
RVM para Cápsulas de Café: Desenvolvimento e Experiência de Utilização de um Protótipo
No full textProjeto:
Embalagem do Futuro®, Agenda Verde para a Inovação Empresarial, projeto de investimento n.º 59, financiado pelo PRR, NextGenerationEU.Saber mais sobre o projeto: www.embalagemdofuturo.pt/Este relatório apresenta os resultados do ensaio laboratorial realizado com o protótipo de uma Máquina de Venda Reversa (RVM) para recolha e separação de cápsulas de café de plástico e de alumínio, contribuindo para a promoção da economia circular.
O protótipo foi testado durante um período de 12 semanas junto de cerca de 300 colaboradores de uma empresa. O ensaio foi conduzido em duas fases: a primeira, sem premiação para os utilizadores e, a segunda, com a introdução de uma premiação para os utilizadores.
Os resultados obtidos indicam uma taxa de adesão global de 13%. Verificou-se também que a introdução da premiação teve um impacto positivo na adesão à RVM de cápsulas de café, permitindo angariar novos utilizadores e aumentar a utilização do equipamento. São também identificados vários padrões de utilização no ensaio sem premiação e no ensaio com premiação.Embalagem do Futuro | + Ecológica + Digital + Inclusiva
Wastewater Valorisation in Sustainable Productive Systems: Aquaculture, Urban, and Swine Farm Effluents Hydroponics
No full textThe agricultural sector faces significant challenges related to climate change and population growth, which intensify pressure on natural resources and food security. Sustainable resource-efficient systems, alongside wastewater valorisation, are a promising solution. This study evaluated the reuse potential of aquaculture, urban, and swine farm wastewater in hydroponic cultivation. Trials with leafy vegetables and fruit crops were conducted in aquaponic systems containing two fish species (Koi carp and African catfish) and two small-scale hydroponic systems. Water quality, plant development, and environmental parameters were monitored. Results for the best performance scenarios within each cultivation system showed that in urban wastewater, strawberries yielded 183 ± 74 g/plant, exceeding yields in aquaponics (125 ± 60 g/plant). Lettuce performed better in swine farm wastewater (180 ± 39 g/plant) than in urban (65 ± 6 g/plant), with corresponding water-use efficiencies of 117 and 65 g/L. Aquaponics also supported stable yields, up to 108 ± 1 g/plant for lamb’s lettuce and 10,047 ± 8791 g of papaya fruit per plant. Nutrient recovery in hydroponic systems supplied with urban and swine farm wastewater reached up to 95% for N, P, and K. Overall, these systems demonstrated substantially lower water consumption compared with values commonly reported for conventional agriculture, underscoring their strong sustainability advantages.The authors also extend their sincere appreciation to Águas do Centro Litoral (AdCL) for supplying the urban wastewater
Effect of Preventive Exercise Programs for Swimmer’s Shoulder Injury on Rotator Cuff Torque and Balance in Competitive Swimmers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textThis article belongs to the Special Issue Muscle-Tendon Complex: Performance, Injury Prevention, Epidemiology and RehabilitationThe following supporting information can be downloaded at: https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/healthcare13050538/s1, Table S1: CONSORT 2010 checklist for a randomized controlled trial.Article number - 538Background: Over the season, competitive swimmers experience a progressive imbalance in rotator cuff strength, predisposing them to a significant risk factor for a swimmer’s shoulder injury. Objectives: Verify the effectiveness of two 12-week preventive programs on the shoulder rotators’ peak torque and conventional/functional ratios. Design: A care provider- and participant-blinded, parallel, randomized controlled trial with three groups. Participants: Competitive swimmers aged 16 to 35 years with no prior clinical issues related to their shoulders. Interventions: Twice a week, over 12 weeks, the two experimental groups performed five exercises where the only difference was executing the program with weights or elastic bands, and the control group performed a sham intervention. Main outcome measures: The concentric and eccentric peak torque of the internal and external rotators of the dominant shoulder were assessed before and after the intervention using an isokinetic dynamometer Biodex System 3, at 60°/s, 120°/s, and 180°/s. Results: Among the experimental groups, only one test indicated a reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in rotator peak torque, while the control group showed a decrease (p ≤ 0.05) in five tests. Swimmers who completed the prevention programs demonstrated less imbalance in conventional/functional ratios than controls. Conclusions: Implementing a 12-week preventive program minimizes the progressive shoulder rotational imbalance over the season in competitive swimmers. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT06552585.Researchers acknowledge the sponsor of FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, under the project UIDB/00285/2020 and LA/P/0112/2020. The CIFI2D research unit received funding through the reference UIDB/05913/2020, with the DOI 10.54499/UIDB/05913/2020
Clima motivacional e divertimento no desporto: o papel mediador da regulação comportamental
No full textLa regulación del comportamiento es un mecanismo explicativo fundamental para entender cómo influye el clima
motivacional en la diversión, lo que refuerza la importancia de fomentar entornos que impliquen tareas para
mejorar la motivación de los deportistas y su experiencia deportiva en general, especialmente en lo que respecta la
diversión. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar el papel mediador de la regulación conductual en la relación entre el
clima motivacional (implicación en la tarea e implicación en el ego) y la diversión en el deporte. En el estudio
participaron 294 jugadores de fútbol (153 hombres y 141 mujeres) con edades comprendidas entre los 15 y los 19
años (M = 14.55; SD = 1.71). Se utilizó la Motivational Climate Sport Youth Scale para evaluar el clima
motivacional, la Sport Motivation Scale-II para evaluar la regulación conductual y la Physical Activity Enjoyment
Scale para evaluar la diversión. Se realizó un análisis de mediación para examinar el papel de la regulación
conductual en la relación entre el clima motivacional y la diversión. Los resultados indicaron que un clima
motivacional de implicación en la tarea se asocia con mayores niveles de motivación autónoma (r = .681; p≤.001),
que a su vez se relaciona con una mayor diversión (r = .175; p≤.001). Por otro lado, un clima de implicación del
ego se asocia con una motivación no autodeterminada (r = .657; p≤.001) y una menor diversión (r = -.357; p≤.001).
La motivación autónoma medió significativamente en la relación entre el clima de implicación en la tarea y la
diversión (β = .38; 95% CI = .201, .575). El estudio refuerza la importancia de promover climas motivacionales de
implicación en la tarea para fomentar la motivación autónoma y aumentar la diversión en los deportistas. La
motivación autónoma parece desempeñar un papel mediador en la relación entre el clima motivacional y el disfrute.Behavioral regulation serves as a critical explanatory mechanism in understanding how motivational climate
impacts enjoyment, reinforcing the importance of fostering task-involving environments to enhance athletes’
motivation and overall sport experience, particularly in enjoyment. The aim of the study was to analyze the
mediating role of behavioral regulation in the relationship between motivational climate (task-involving and ego involving) and enjoyment in sport. The study involved 294 soccer players (153 males and 141 females) aged
between 15 and 19 (M = 14.55; SD = 1.71). The Motivational Climate Sport Youth Scale was used to assess the
motivational climate, the Sport Motivation Scale-II to assess behavioral regulation and the Physical Activity
Enjoyment Scale to assess enjoyment. A mediation analysis was conducted to examine the role of behavioral
regulation in the relationship between motivational climate and enjoyment. The results indicated that a task involving motivational climate is associated with higher levels of autonomous motivation (r = .681; p≤.001), which
in turn is related to greater enjoyment (r = .175; p≤.001). On the other hand, an ego-involving climate is associated
with non-self-determined motivation (r = .657; p≤.001) and lower enjoyment (r = -.357; p≤.001). Autonomous
motivation significantly mediated the relationship between task-involving climate and enjoyment (β = .38; 95% CI
= .201, .575). The study reinforces the importance of promoting task-involving motivational climates to foster
autonomous motivation and increase enjoyment in athletes. Autonomous motivation seems to play a mediating role
in the relationship between motivational climate and enjoyment.A regulação comportamental é um mecanismo explicativo fundamental para compreender como o clima
motivacional afeta o prazer, reforçando a importância de promover ambientes envolventes de tarefas para melhorar
a motivação dos atletas e a experiência desportiva global, particularmente no prazer. O objetivo do estudo foi
analisar o papel mediador da regulação comportamental na relação entre o clima motivacional (Envolvimento para
a tarefa e Envolvimento com o ego) e o prazer no desporto. O estudo envolveu 294 jogadores de futebol (153 do
sexo masculino e 141 do sexo feminino) com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 19 anos (M = 14.55;
DP=1.71). A Motivational Climate Sport Youth Scale foi utilizada para avaliar o clima motivacional, a Sport
Motivation Scale-II para avaliar a regulação comportamental e a Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale para avaliar o
prazer. Foi efetuada uma análise de mediação para examinar o papel da regulação comportamental na relação entre
o clima motivacional e o prazer. Os resultados indicaram que um clima motivacional de envolvimento com a tarefa
está associado a níveis mais elevados de motivação autónoma (r = .681; p≤.001), que por sua vez está relacionada
com um maior divertimento (r = .175; p≤.001). Por outro lado, um clima de envolvimento para o ego está
associado a uma motivação não autodeterminada (r = .657; p≤.001) e a um menor prazer (r = -.357; p≤.001). A
motivação autónoma mediou significativamente a relação entre o clima de envolvimento com a tarefa e o
divertimento (β = .38; IC 95% = .201, .575). O estudo reforça a importância da promoção de climas motivacionais
de envolvimento com a tarefa para fomentar a motivação autónoma e aumentar o prazer dos atletas. A motivação
autónoma parece desempenhar um papel mediador na relação entre o clima motivacional e o prazer.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio