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Facing the abyss: ontological distance in the poetry of a carthusian monk
No full text‘Facing the Abyss’ refers to the liminal and temporal theme of ‘Ontological Distance’ in the poetry of an anonymous Carthusian monk in the period 1964-2024. This article approaches the topic mainly from the perspectives of Catholic monastic spirituality and the Carthusian tradition. The thematic analysis of the selected texts explores the metaphors and expressions employed by the monk-poet to describe the extremity of the ontological distance between the Creator and creatures. The acknowledgment of the extreme ontological distance, rather than leading to existential despair, can become a source of joy and gratitude when viewed through faith. The paper identifies some influences of early Eastern monastic spiritual traditions that echoed in the contemporary Carthusian author’s writings
Perdido na síntese : como os resumos de avaliações gerados por IA moldam a confiança do consumidor
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) is transforming e-commerce, including the way consumers interact with online reviews. Major platforms, such as Amazon, now use AI-generated review summaries (AGRS) to reduce information overload. However, the effect of AGRS on consumer trust remains unclear. This thesis examines whether AGRS enhance or diminish trust, how this effect depends on review valence (positive, negative, or two-sided), and whether perceived helpfulness mediates these relationships. A 2×3 online experiment with 291 participants tested how consumers responded to reviews that differed in valence and whether or not they included an AGRS. The findings showed that the AGRS alone did not significantly influence trust or perceived helpfulness. However, helpfulness strongly predicted trust. Review valence had a partial effect: positive summaries were perceived as being less trustworthy than negative or two-sided ones. These results extend trust transfer and information processing theories by showing that AGRS have little influence in high-trust contexts, except when summarizing positive reviews. Managers should adopt AGRS only when they clearly add value, ensure transparency, and position them as complements rather than substitutes. For researchers, the results underscore the need to test AGRS in more naturalistic and demanding settings, as well as across product types, to better understand their role in consumer decision-making.A inteligência artificial (IA) está a transformar o comércio eletrónico, incluindo a forma como os consumidores interagem com as avaliações online. Grandes plataformas, como a Amazon, agora usam resumos de avaliações gerados por IA (AGRS) para reduzir a sobrecarga de informações. No entanto, o efeito do AGRS na confiança do consumidor ainda não está claro. Esta tese examina se o AGRS aumenta ou diminui a confiança, como esse efeito depende da valência da avaliação (positiva, negativa ou ambígua) e se a percepção de utilidade medeia essas relações. Uma experiência online 2×3 com 291 participantes testou como os consumidores respondiam a avaliações que diferiam em valência e se incluíam ou não um AGRS. Os resultados mostraram que o AGRS por si só não influenciava significativamente a confiança ou a utilidade percebida. No entanto, a utilidade previa fortemente a confiança. A valência da avaliação teve um efeito parcial: os resumos positivos foram percebidos como menos confiáveis do que os negativos ou ambíguos. Estes resultados ampliam as teorias de transferência de confiança e processamento de informação, mostrando que as AGRS têm pouca influência em contextos de alta confiança, exceto quando resumem avaliações positivas. Os gestores devem adotar as AGRS apenas quando elas claramente agregam valor, garantem transparência e posicionam-nas como complementos, em vez de substitutos. Para os investigadores, os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de testar as AGRS em ambientes mais naturalistas e exigentes, bem como em diferentes tipos de produtos, para compreender melhor o seu papel na tomada de decisão do consumidor
Preparando o imobiliário para o futuro : avaliação de risco de inundações e tomada de decisões estratégicas no caso da BPI GA
No full textThis dissertation presents a computational model to assess future flood risks for BPI Gestão de Ativos (BPI GA) real estate portfolio in Portugal. The proposed methodology incorporates multiple data sources to support decision-making. Including asset details from BPI GA portfolio, flood hazard data from aqueduct and depth-damage curves from JRC. The model predicts monetary damages up to 2080 under various climate scenarios. The findings highlight the temporal and spatial variability of flood impacts, emphasizing the importance of strategic investment planning. By quantifying Value at Risk (VaR) and visualizing risk hotspots, this study aids in identifying high-risk areas and optimizing future investments. The results underscore the necessity of incorporating climate projections into real estate management to ensure resilience against evolving flood hazards.Esta dissertação apresenta um modelo computacional para avaliar os riscos futuros de inundações no portfólio imobiliário da BPI Gestão de Ativos (BPI GA) em Portugal. A metodologia proposta incorpora múltiplas fontes de dados para apoiar a tomada de decisões, incluindo detalhes dos ativos do portfólio da BPI GA, dados de risco de inundação do Aqueduct e curvas de profundidade-dano do JRC. O modelo prevê danos monetários até 2080 sob diversos cenários climáticos. Os resultados destacam a variabilidade temporal e espacial dos impactos das inundações, enfatizando a importância do planejamento estratégico de investimentos. Ao quantificar o Valor em Risco (VaR) e visualizar os pontos críticos de risco, este estudo auxilia na identificação de áreas de alto risco e na otimização de investimentos futuros. Os resultados ressaltam a necessidade de incorporar projeções climáticas na gestão imobiliária para garantir resiliência frente à evolução dos riscos de inundações
Os efeitos do consumo de café na memória de trabalho dos estudantes universitários : estudo exploratório com fNIRS
No full textO consumo de café é comum entre estudantes do ensino superior, sendo frequentemente associado a melhorias na atenção, memória e desempenho cognitivo. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos do café na memória de trabalho, integrando dados sociodemográficos, desempenho em tarefas cognitivas e registos neurofisiológicos obtidos por espectroscopia funcional no infravermelho próximo (fNIRS). Participaram 31 estudantes, distribuídos aleatoriamente por dois grupos: grupo experimental (n = 17), que ingeriu café, e grupo de controlo (n = 14), que ingeriu descafeinado. Os participantes realizaram tarefas n-back (0-back e 3-back) em três momentos: antes da ingestão (T1), 15 minutos após (T2) e 45 minutos após (T3). Foram recolhidas medidas de precisão, tempo de reação e padrões de ativação do córtex pré-frontal. Os resultados comportamentais revelaram efeitos significativos do café na tarefa 0- back, nomeadamente maior rapidez e precisão. Já na tarefa 3-back, não se verificaram diferenças significativas entre grupos no desempenho comportamental, apesar de ter sido registada uma variabilidade da ativação cerebral mais robusta nas regiões pré-frontais no grupo experimental, em particular nas áreas dlPFC, dmPFC e vlPFC. Os dados sugerem que os efeitos do café são mais evidentes em tarefas de atenção sustentada e mais subtis, mas neurofisiologicamente detetáveis, em tarefas exigentes como a memória de trabalho.Coffee consumption is common among university students and is often associated with improvements in attention, memory, and cognitive performance. This study aimed to assess the effects of coffee on working memory by integrating sociodemographic data, performance in cognitive tasks, and neurophysiological recordings obtained via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Thirty-one students participated, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 17), which consumed coffee, or a control group (n = 14), which consumed decaffeinated coffee. Participants completed n-back tasks (0-back and 3-back) at three time points: before ingestion (T1), 15 minutes after (T2), and 45 minutes after (T3). Accuracy, reaction time, and prefrontal cortex activation patterns were recorded. Behavioral results showed significant effects of coffee in the 0-back task, with increased speed and accuracy. In contrast, no significant differences in behavioral performance were found between groups in the 3-back task. However, stronger variability in prefrontal activation was observed in the experimental group, particularly in the dlPFC, dmPFC, and vlPFC regions. These findings suggest that coffee’s effects are more evident in sustained attention tasks and more subtle—yet neurophysiologically detectable—in tasks with higher cognitive demand, such as working memory
Outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement in younger low-risk patients: a comprehensive meta-analysis of efficacy and safety
No full textBackground and aims: Severe aortic stenosis (AS) was traditionally managed with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) emerged as a less invasive alternative, initially for high-risk patients. This meta-analysis evaluates the outcomes of TAVI in younger, low-risk patients, in whom SAVR is currently the gold standard. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing TAVI with SAVR in younger (mean age <75 years) low-risk patients (STS score <4%) with severe AS. The primary endpoint was a composite of death or disabling stroke. Secondary endpoints included all-cause mortality, disabling stroke, atrial fibrillation (AF), permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI), bleeding, functional class (NYHA), and quality-of-life (KCCQ score) improvements. Results: Four RCTs were included with 4,252 patients (2,125 TAVI and 2,127 SAVR). At a mean follow-up of 16 ± 5 months, TAVI showed a non-significant reduction in the composite of death or disabling stroke [2.8% vs. 5.1% risk ratio (RR) 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.96–1.00), p = 0.11] and all-cause mortality [2.1% vs. 3.7%, RR 0.99, 95% CI (0.97–1.00), p = 0.15]. The incidence of disabling stroke was significantly lower in TAVI [0.9 vs. 2.1 RR 0.99, 95% CI (0.98–1.00), p < 0.01]. Hospital readmission [7.1% vs. 9.5% RR 0.97, 95% CI (0.96–0.99), p < 0.01] and bleeding rates [4.7% vs. 16%, RR 0.87, 95% CI (0.82–0.93), p < 0.01] were significantly lower in the TAVI group. Conversely, TAVI had a higher PPI rate [14% vs. 6%, RR 1.08, 95% CI (1.02–1.14), p < 0.01]. Faster symptomatic and quality-of-life improvements were sustained in the TAVI group. Conclusions: TAVI is a viable option for younger low-risk patients with severe AS, being non-inferior to SAVR in short-term outcomes. The benefits of TAVI include a lower risk of disabling stroke, hospital readmission, and bleeding, as well as quicker improvements in symptoms and quality of life. However, higher PPI rates require careful patient selection. The results support a tailored approach to TAVI in younger patients, with ongoing evaluation of long-term outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: https: www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024559473, PROSPERO (CRD42024559473)
Trends in homelessness and social sustainability: veterans vs. non-veterans in the US
No full textIntroduction: Social sustainability is deeply connected to the well-being of marginalized groups, and it is important to highlight how mental health impacts the social inclusion of homeless individuals, particularly veterans. Homelessness is a growing global issue, disproportionately affecting U.S. veterans, with mental health challenges playing a significant role in its onset and perpetuation. Purpose: This study aims to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of homeless veterans and non-veterans in the U.S. Method: Using public data (N = 6295), this quantitative study applies descriptive and inferential statistical analyses. Results: Homeless veterans are more likely than non-veterans to be older, male, and identify as Caucasian or African American. They are more frequently high school graduates or have higher education, and report being divorced, widowed, married, or in varied employment statuses (full-time, part-time, or unemployed). Veterans exhibit higher rates of severe mental illnesses, schizophrenia, trauma- and stressor-related disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, depression, anxiety, and substance or alcohol use disorders. However, they are less likely than non-veterans to report substance-induced disorders, intoxication, dependence, or abuse involving cocaine, cannabis, opioids, and other substances. Conclusions: Psychosocial interventions for homeless veterans should prioritize mental health-related concerns, whereas efforts for homeless non-veterans should focus on addressing substance use. Future research should develop tailored interventions, explore the sociodemographic factors influencing homelessness, and investigate the interplay between trauma, mental health, and substance use. Addressing these issues can contribute to a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable society by providing long-term support and integration opportunities for those most affected. The novelty of this study lies in distinguishing between mental health issues prevalent in veterans and substance use disorders more common in non-veterans, offering insights for tailored interventions. It also connects these findings to social sustainability, suggesting that addressing these issues can promote a more inclusive and resilient society
Prebiotic potential of olive leaf by-product throughout in vitro human colon fermentation
No full textOlive leaf represents a promising source of novel ingredients with potential health benefits, being rich in dietary fiber and phenolic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate the prebiotic effects of olive leaf bioactive compounds through in vitro human colonic fermentation. The phenolic compounds identified prior to fermentation included hydroxytyrosol, vanillin, oleuropein, and tyrosol. Olive ground leaf significantly promoted the fermentation of colonic microbiota with respect to positive control (FOS) by enhancing the growth of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium spp. or Clostridum leptum, and producing short-chain fatty acids, such as acetate, butyrate and propionate, related to health benefits. Furthermore, olive leaf showed a lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio compared to FOS, resulting in a beneficial effect on gut microbiota composition. These findings support the potential of olive leaf as a functional ingredient with prebiotic properties, offering promising applications in the development of novel foods or ingredients aimed at improving human health
The other side of communicating bad news: a comment on the article ‘The experiences of Indonesian parents receiving bad news about their children's diseases: a qualitative descriptive study’
No full textSmart solar cooking with a box oven: modelling and early validation with the sunrise project
No full textAim: The SUNRISE project (Smart Use of SuNlight Radiation for Innovative and SustainablE Cooking) is a three-year interdisciplinary initiative (2025–2027) that brings together food engineering, artificial intelligence, and renewable energy. It includes four key tasks: (1) assessing the effects of solar slow cooking on food quality, (2) modelling and simulating thermal behaviour, (3) designing AI-enhanced cookers, and (4) evaluating environmental and economic sustainability. The project addresses the need for energy-efficient, quality-preserving cooking technologies that support sustainable food systems.This contribution presents early developments from Tasks 1 and 2, focusing on the thermal modelling of a solar box oven (SunTaste®, SunOK) and the quality evaluation of solar-cooked chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.).Method: A dynamic thermal model was developed based on energy balances, incorporating convective, radiative, and conductive heat transfers. The simulator reflects the time-dependent variation of solar radiation and is being refined to predict temperature profiles inside the oven and estimate cooking durations. Experimental trials are being conducted with chickpeas under real sunlight conditions using the SunTaste® oven. Product quality is assessed in terms of texture, visual attributes, and sensory characteristics and compared with conventionally cooked samples. Results: Preliminary results show that the simulator effectively captures the dynamic solar input during the cooking process. Work is underway to improve its predictive capacity. Simultaneously, chickpeas cooked in the solar oven display promising sensory and physical qualities.Conclusion: These first results confirm the relevance of combining simulation and experimentation to understand and improve solar cooking systems. The SUNRISE project contributes to developing intelligent, low-energy cooking solutions that promote nutritious and environmentally responsible food preparation