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Understanding the Drivers of Social Media Corrective Behaviors: A Data-driven Exploration of Platform Dissatisfaction
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Data Science and Advanced Analytics, specialization in Business AnalyticsThe prevalence of social media in recent decades has brought both benefits and drawbacks to
users. A significant concern is dissatisfaction, which often leads to corrective behaviors such
as reducing or quitting platform usage. Existing research on social media corrective behaviors
typically focuses on internal user-driven factors, paying less attention to external platformrelated factors. This study addresses this gap by combining text mining techniques and
structural equation modeling to identify and analyze the platform-related factors contributing
to social media dissatisfaction. Using topic modeling on online user discussions, six key drivers
of dissatisfaction were identified: lack of engagement, lack of algorithm quality, advertisement
overload, content moderation, account access issues, and the appeals process. Addiction, a
prominent issue in current literature, was also included. A structural model based on the
Stressor-Strain-Outcome framework explored the relationships between these drivers,
dissatisfaction, and corrective behaviors. Data was collected via a survey, and findings were
supported by interviews and subsequent sentiment analysis. Results indicate that lack of
engagement, lack of algorithm quality, content moderation, and account access issues
significantly increase dissatisfaction, while advertisement overload and the appeals process
were not found to have a significant effect. This dissatisfaction leads to corrective behaviors,
with use reduction often preceding platform quitting. Addiction was found to contribute to
dissatisfaction and use reduction, but not impactful enough to directly lead to quitting. These
findings inspired practical recommendations for platforms to mitigate dissatisfaction and
retain users, while also paving the way for future research through an innovative and thorough
approach
The use of ChatGPT in the workplace: Understanding antecedents and outcomes
No full textDissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Business IntelligenceThe integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, is revolutionizing
workplace dynamics by transforming communication, productivity, and decision-making
processes. This research explores the adoption of ChatGPT by employees, focusing on its
impact on productivity, innovation, and efficiency. Specifically, the study investigates how
ChatGPT affects essential professional skills, the human-technology relationship, and the
challenges of integrating these tools into everyday tasks. Data will be collected through an
online questionnaire, evaluating dimensions such as productivity, efficiency, and use of skills,
and analyzed using structural equation models to validate the hypotheses. The results aim to
contribute to the debate on the role of AI in workplace transformation, offering organizations
practical insights to maximize the benefits of ChatGPT while addressing potential risks and
skills gaps. This research not only expands academic understanding of AI integration but also
provides practical guidelines for its implementation in professional contexts
A sustainable approach to develop new advanced topical delivery system for skincare
No full textO hidroxitirosol (HT) é um promissor composto natural, utilizado para tratar problemas de pele, devido às suas elevadas propriedades antioxidantes. No entanto, o HT é extremamente instável, o que justifica a necessidade de técnicas de administração tópica inovadoras e sustentáveis para aumentar a sua estabilidade e biodisponibilidade em produtos de cuidados para a pele.
As tentativas iniciais de encapsular o HT utilizando nanopartículas poliméricas de quitosano (CSNPs) mostraram instabilidade na formulação, que foi solucionada com a adição de um complexo de albumina sérica bovina (BSA) pra otimizar o sistema. A caracterização revelou que ambas as formulações de nanopartículas diminuíram de tamanho, enquanto que a adição de um complexo de BSA ajudou a manter o tamanho das nanopartículas estável (289 – 363 nm) e homogéneo (PdI 93%) e um possível efeito citotóxico em queratinócitos (HaCaT) (viabilidade celular > 85%). Além disso, estas nanopartículas foram capazes de reduzir a formação de espécies reativas de oxigénio (ROS) (> 70%), realçando o seu forte poder antioxidante. As HT BSA-CSNPs foram incorporadas com sucesso numa matriz de gel polimérica, para manter integridade estrutural e melhorando o comportamento elástico do gel. O gel com HT BSA-CSNPs demonstrou maior adesividade, com um aumento da força normal de pico (0.401 ± 0.013 N), tempo de adesão prolongado (3.474 ± 1.242 s) e maior área sob a curva força-tempo (2.059 ± 0.385 N.s).
Em suma, este trabalho ofereceu provas de que o HT pode ser um composto antioxidante viável para utilização em cosméticos, através do desenvolvimento de uma formulação sustentável baseada num gel de nanopartículas poliméricas para encapsular a molécula de HT e preservar a sua estabilidade estrutural e garantir o seu efeito antioxidante.Hydroxytyrosol (HT), is a promising natural compound used to address skin conditions, due to its high antioxidant properties. However, HT is extremely unstable, and therefore the need to use innovative and sustainable topical delivery techniques, to increase its stability and bioavailability on skincare applications.
Initial attempts to encapsulate HT using polymeric chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) showed formulation instability, which was addressed adding bovine serum albumin (BSA)-complex to optimize the system. Characterization revealed that both nanoparticle formulations lowered in size, while the addition of a BSA-complex helped to maintain their size stable (289 - 363 nm) and homogeneous (PdI 93%) and a possible cytotoxic effect on keratinocytes (HaCaT) (cell viability > 85%). Also, these nanoparticles were able to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (> 70%), highlighting strong antioxidant potential. The HT BSA-CSNPs were successfully incorporated into a polymeric gel matrix, maintaining its structural integrity and enhancing its elastic behavior. The gel with HT BSA-CSNPs demonstrated improved adhesive- ness, with increased peak normal force (0.401 ± 0.013 N), prolonged adhesion time (3.474 ± 1.242 s), and a larger area under the force-time curve (2.059 ± 0.385 N.s).
To sum up, this work offered proof that HT can be a viable antioxidant compound to be used in cosmetics, by developing a sustainable formulation based on a gel with polymeric nanoparticles to encapsulate the HT molecule and to preserve its structure stability and guarantee its antioxidant effect.Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa (FFUL
Real estate market in Portugal: student accommodation field lab - understanding the market
No full textThis research addresses the student housing market in Lisbon, marked by growing demand and
insufficient, suitable supply. The study aims to create a market-oriented offer to meet changing
needs. Methods include literature review, qualitative interviews, a perceptual map, and conjoint
analysis, leading to a detailed marketing plan. Results show a market gap based on customer
perceptions of the companies Idealista, Uniplaces, Airbnb, JLL, and Milestone, and identify
distinct student preferences for accommodation features. The study highlights a significant gap
between supply and demand and suggests ways to bridge it
Striatal activity and synaptic features underlying dystonic muscle contraction
No full textResumo: A distonia é uma doença do movimento caracterizada por contrações
musculares involuntárias e intermitentes, que levam a movimentos e
posturas anormais. A distonia DYT1 é a forma hereditária mais comum e é
causada por uma mutação no gene TOR1A. Apesar da sua causa genética bem
definida, a distonia DYT1 apresenta uma baixa penetrância (~30%). Como
resultado, surgiu o conceito de "second hit", sugerindo que fatores ambientais
adicionais podem ser necessários para desencadear a manifestação da
distonia. Embora tenham sido feitos progressos significativos na
compreensão da distonia, a sua fisiopatologia exata ainda não está clara. Os
gânglios da base, particularmente o estriado, desempenham um papel
fundamental no controlo dos movimentos voluntários. Supõe-se que um
desequilíbrio entre as vias direta e indireta possa levar às contrações
musculares anormais. No entanto, os mecanismos subjacentes não são bem
compreendidos. Alterações na plasticidade sináptica estriatal e na
complexidade dendrítica dos MSNs foram relatadas em modelos animais de
dystonia. No entanto, nenhum estudo examinou diferenças específicas entre
as vias. Este projeto tem como objetivo determinar a plasticidade estrutural
estriatal num modelo de ratinho de distonia DYT1, antes e 12 semanas após
um "second hit" (compressão do nervo ciático) conhecido por induzir
movimentos semelhantes à distonia. Utilizando imagens confocais de alta
resolução, analisámos a morfologia dendrítica das D1-MSNs marcados com
EYFP, por injeção retro-orbital de AAV9.Ef1.DIO.EYFP em ratinhos D1-Cre
cruzados com ratinhos DYT1 e com os respectivos controlos (WT). As
reconstruções 3D das imagens confocais dos D1-MSNs permitiram a
quantificação detalhada dos parâmetros dendríticos, nomeadamente análise
3D de Sholl, o comprimento total das dendrites, o número de dendrites, os
pontos de ramificação, a retilineidade e o volume do soma. Os nossos
resultados mostram que, embora o efeito da mutação DYT1 na complexidade
dendrítica não tenha atingido significância estatística, houve um aumento do
volume do soma nos ratinhos DYT1 em comparação com os controlos WT, 12
semanas após a compressão do nervo ciático. Estes resultados sugerem que
a disfunção da torsinaA, em combinação com um “second hit”, afeta a
plasticidade estrutural das D1-MSNs. O nosso estudo fornece novas informações sobre as anomalias morfológicas nas D1-MSNs associadas à distonia DYT1.Abstract: Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary and
intermittent muscle contractions, leading to abnormal movements and
postures. DYT-TOR1a dystonia (DYT1) is the most common hereditary form and
it is caused by a mutation in the TOR1A gene. Despite its well-defined genetic
cause, DYT1 dystonia exhibits low penetrance (~30%). As a result, the "secondhit"
concept emerged, suggesting that additional environmental factors may
be necessary to trigger the manifestation of dystonia. While significant
progress has been made in understanding dystonia, its precise
pathophysiology remains unclear. The basal ganglia, particularly the striatum,
play a key role in controlling voluntary movements. It is hypothesized that an
imbalance between the direct and indirect pathways may lead to the
abnormal muscle contractions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not
well understood. Changes in striatal synaptic plasticity and medium spiny
neuron (MSN) dendritic complexity have been reported in animal models of
dystonia. However, no studies have examined pathway-specific differences.
This project aims to determine striatal structural plasticity in a mouse model
of DYT1-Tor1A dystonia, before and 12 weeks after a “second-hit” (sciatic nerve
crush) known to induce dystonia-like movements. Using high-resolution
confocal imaging, we analyzed the dendritic morphology of D1-MSNs sparsely
labeled with EYFP, by retro-orbital injection of AAV9.Ef1.DIO.EYFP in D1-Cre
mice crossbred with DYT1 mice and wild-type littermates (WT). 3D
reconstructions of D1-MSNs’ confocal images allowed for detailed
quantification of dendritic parameters. Namely, 3D Sholl analysis, total
dendritic length, number of dendrites, branching points, straightness, and
soma volume. Our results show that, while an effect of the DYT1 mutation on
dendritic complexity did not reach statistical significance, there was an
increase in soma volume in DYT1 mice compared to WT controls, 12 weeks
after a sciatic nerve crush. These findings suggest that torsinA dysfunction, in
combination with a second-hit, affects the structural plasticity of D1-MSNs.
Our study provides novel insights into the morphological abnormalities in D1-
MSNs associated with DYT1 dystonia
Modos de expressão do “Quase”: reflexões sobre transitoriedade e impermanência
No full textO conceito de “quase” assume um papel central ao articular as tensões entre
os desejos e a inevitabilidade da ausência, revelando-se como um ponto de inflexão
para a crítica do espaço urbano contemporâneo. A partir dessa perspectiva, a
pesquisa realiza uma análise crítica dos modos de expressão do “quase”,
entendendo-o como um fio condutor capaz de abrir novas possibilidades de
compreensão sobre a transitoriedade e a impermanência.
A metodologia adotada nesta pesquisa baseia-se em uma análise bibliográfica
e interdisciplinar, envolvendo obras literárias, artísticas e arquitetônicas, em diálogo
com a estética e a filosofia. O objetivo é investigar como o conceito simbólico de
“quase” influencia a arte, a política e a cultura. Assim, as conexões entre teoria
estética e cotidiano contribuem para o desdobramento teórico sobre a incompletude,
vista como um elemento estético intrínseco às transformações históricas e
individuais, ambas presentes na experiência de viver.
Entre as emoções associadas à incompletude, a melancolia transcende o
plano subjetivo ao manifestar-se no espaço, seja por meio de vazios ou lugares que
escapam a uma definição clara. A melancolia é uma emoção complexa, capaz de
refletir a fragmentação da modernidade. Por isso, torna-se essencial construir uma
visão crítica e empática sobre o mundo em que vivemos, sublinhando a importância
dos modos de expressão do “quase” para (re)conhecer as nuances do cotidiano, que
podem atuar como elementos revolucionários no processo de desconstrução de
paradigmas opressivos.The concept of 'almost' assumes a central role by articulating the tensions
between desires and the inevitability of absence, revealing itself as a turning point for
the critique of contemporary urban space. From this perspective, the research
conducts a critical analysis of the modes of expression of 'almost,' understanding it as
a guiding thread capable of opening new possibilities for comprehending transience
and impermanence.
The methodology adopted in this research is based on a bibliographic and
interdisciplinary analysis, involving literary, artistic, and architectural works, also in
dialogue with aesthetics and philosophy. The goal is to investigate how the symbolic
concept of 'almost' influences art, politics, and culture. In this way, the connections
between aesthetic theory and everyday life contribute to the theoretical development
regarding incompleteness, viewed as an intrinsic aesthetic element in historical and
individual transformations, both present in the experience of living.
Among the emotions associated with incompleteness, melancholy transcends
the subjective plane by manifesting itself in space, whether through emptiness or
places that elude clear definition. Melancholy is a complex emotion capable of
reflecting the fragmentation of modernity. Therefore, it is essential to build a critical
and empathic view of the world we live in, highlighting the importance of the modes of
expression of 'almost' in recognizing the nuances of everyday life, which can act as
revolutionary elements in the process of deconstructing oppressive paradigms
A comparative study of customer experience in online second-hand luxury fashion retail vs. traditional luxury retail
No full textThis paper compares customer experience in traditional luxury retail and online second-hand
luxury platforms. It investigates the effects of personalisation, trust, and perceived value on
consumer satisfaction and repurchase intention through the lens of theoretical models. Survey
data reveals that the identified relationships persist in both contexts but vary in intensity
depending on the channel type. The importance of trust and value increases in online
environments because risk and sustainability become more significant factors. This research
provides theoretical insights for customer experience in hybrid luxury markets and practical
advice to develop strategies for physical and digital channels
Machine translation na tradução técnico-científica: as ferramentas Patent Translate e WIPO Translate para a tradução de patentes
No full textAs patentes desempenham um papel importante para a inovação e desenvolvimento
científico, pois, para obter a patente, o requerente tem de divulgar os detalhes técnicos
da invenção, que são depois disponibilizados publicamente. A globalização do sistema
de patentes gerou a necessidade de aceder às patentes publicadas noutras jurisdições,
de forma a assegurar que a invenção cumpre um dos requisitos de patenteabilidade, a
novidade. Este acesso foi facilitado pela tradução automática, que representa uma
revolução no sistema de patentes ao tornar possível o acesso a uma grande quantidade
de documentos a nível global, de forma rápida e a baixo custo. Apesar da relevância das
patentes e do importante papel que a tradução automática representa no sistema, não
existem muitos estudos que incidam sobre tradução automática de patentes. Dado que
os utilizadores tomam decisões quanto à patenteabilidade da invenção com base na
informação fornecida pelos sistemas de tradução automática de patentes, seria
importante a existência de um maior número de estudos sobre a qualidade dos textos
de chegada obtidos através dos referidos sistemas. Os objetivos principais deste estudo
são analisar a qualidade das ferramentas de tradução automática WIPO Translate e
Patent Translate e aferir como é percecionada a qualidade dessas ferramentas por
examinadores de patentes e tradutores. Para tal, procedeu-se à análise de vinte textos
de chegada em português, produzidos a partir de dez textos de partida de patentes
australianas referentes a cinco áreas técnicas, aplicando a métrica LISA-QA. O segundo
método escolhido foi um questionário, destinado a examinadores de patentes e
tradutores. Os resultados obtidos indicam que, em geral, o Patent Translate tem um
melhor desempenho que o WIPO Translate. Esta ferramenta tem bastante potencial,
mas apresenta alguns problemas, sobretudo ao nível da pontuação e ao nível das
adições. Estes problemas por vezes geram resultados que podem comprometer a
informação obtida nas pesquisas ao estado da técnica. Os dados mostram ainda que o
desempenho do Patent Translate é bastante positivo, mas o facto de os inquiridos nunca
descartarem a necessidade de revisão dos textos é indicativo que o sistema não poderá,
por enquanto, substituir a tradução humana. Porém, para obter uma compreensão
básica do conteúdo da patente, as traduções produzidas por esta ferramenta cumprem
esse propósito.Patents play a key role for innovation and scientific development because, in order for
the patent to be granted, the applicant must disclose the technical details of the
invention. These details are then made publicly available. The globalisation of the patent
system has created a need to access patents published in other jurisdictions, so as to
ensure that the invention is new, thus meeting that patentability requirement. This
access has been facilitated by machine translation, which, by making it possible to access
a large number of documents from around the world, quickly and cheaply, represents a
revolution in the patent system. Despite the relevance of patents and the important role
that machine translation plays in the system, there is a limited body of research on
patent machine translation. Given that users make decisions regarding the patentability
of the invention based on the information provided by the patent machine translation
systems, it is important to produce a larger number of studies on the quality of the target
texts obtained through said systems. The main objectives of this study are to assess the
quality of two machine translation tools - WIPO Translate and Patent Translate – and to
ascertain how the quality of these tools is perceived by patent examiners and
translators. In order to do that, 20 Portuguese translations of 10 Australian patents from
5 technical domains were assessed, using the LISA-QA metrics. The second chosen
method was a survey, aimed at patent examiners and translators. The results indicate
that, in general, Patent Translate performs better than WIPO Translate. The latter has
great potential, but there were some issues regarding punctuation and additions. These
issues may produce inaccurate results, which in turn may compromise the information
obtained during prior art searches. Data obtained show that the performance of Patent
Translate is more positive, but the fact that respondents never dismiss the need to revise
the target texts indicates that the system cannot, for now, fully replace human
translation. However, the translations carried out by the tool fulfil the purpose of
obtaining the gist of a patent
EssilorLuxottica equity research: the key advantage of vertical integration and digital innovation
No full textEssilorLuxottica, Italian French company born from a merger in 2018, is the undisputed leader
in the eyewear market. Guided by its iconic CEO Leonardo del Vecchio, the company has been
able to capitalize, early on time, on the changing consumer trend in the eyewear market that
viewed glasses not only as a health-related product but a fashion product. From here a series
of strategic acquisitions allowed the company to build an international network of 44 mass
production facilities, over 150 brands, 118 distribution centers and 18000 retailers across over
150 countries. This global portfolio consolidated its position, creating a key competitive
advantage on both geographic and products diversification. On the other side we have the
recent trend of digitalization that is integrated both in the product and in consumer experience.
Ray-Ban Meta is transforming eyewear glasses into a tech product able to enhance consumers’
life through performance optimization, access to information and entertainment. After an
analysis of the company and its respective markets, different valuation models have been
adopted to estimate its share price by the end of 2025. The final recommendation was therefore
to buy EssilorLuxottica shares, given a price of 243€ at the beginning of May, with the
potential for the share price to raise to 290€ by the end of December 2025. Therefore, a return
of 19%
Technogym equity research report - from wellness to Wall Street - Technogym global expansion and valuation perspective
No full textThis master’s thesis presents a comprehensive
analysis of Technogym’s financial performance,
business model, and competitive positioning in the
global wellness and fitness industry. By evaluating
the company’s strategic initiatives, sources of
competitive advantage, and expansion potential, the
research assesses the opportunities and challenges
shaping its future growth.Grounded in detailed
financial forecasts and valuation models, this equity
research report aims to estimate the fair value of
Technogym’s stock, providing a structured
foundation for assessing its investment potential