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Cobertura herbácea da entrelinha do olival, controle da erosão e propriedades físicas do solo: efeitos da espécie da flora espontânea e semeada
Get PDFA erosão hídrica constitui um dos principais fatores de degradação dos solos agrícolas em regiões mediterrâneas, onde a combinação entre elevada pluviosidade concentrada, declives acentuados e manejo inadequado potencializa a perda de solo e nutrientes. Nos olivais tradicionais do Nordeste de Portugal, a prática frequente de mobilização do solo, visando o controle de plantas espontâneas, tem agravado o processo erosivo e comprometido a sustentabilidade produtiva e ambiental desses sistemas. Diante desse cenário, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes espécies e densidades de plantas de cobertura sobre os processos erosivos e as propriedades físicas e hidráulicas do solo, sob condições controladas de chuva simulada. Foram conduzidos dois ensaios experimentais em lisímetros, utilizando espécies de cobertura com distintos hábitos radiculares (Lolium multiflorum, Calendula officinalis, Ornithopus compressus, Brachypodium distachyon, Trifolium subterraneum, Centaurea cyanus e Silene gallica), além de um tratamento controle sem vegetação. As variáveis analisadas incluíram escoamento superficial, perda de solo, salpicamento, densidade aparente, porosidade total, macro e microporosidade, condutividade hidráulica (inicial e final), capacidade de campo (CC) e capacidade máxima de água (CMA).
Os resultados demonstraram que a presença de cobertura vegetal reduziu significativamente o escoamento e a perda de solo, evidenciando forte correlação inversa entre a porcentagem de cobertura e a Erosividade (R² > 0,90). As plantas de cobertura também promoveram melhorias estruturais expressivas, reduzindo a densidade aparente e aumentando a conectividade do sistema poroso. Observou-se que a macroporosidade e a condutividade hidráulica foram fortemente influenciadas pela atividade radicular, sendo que os tratamentos com maior emergência e densidade de plantas apresentaram condutividade mais elevada, mesmo quando o volume total de macroporos era inferior, o que indica que a continuidade e funcionalidade dos poros são mais determinantes que seu volume absoluto. De forma geral, os ensaios revelaram que o uso de plantas de cobertura contribui para a melhoria da estrutura e da funcionalidade hidráulica do solo, reduzindo a vulnerabilidade à erosão e promovendo maior eficiência no uso da água. Além dos benefícios ambientais, a adoção dessas práticas apresenta viabilidade econômica e relevância social, pois alia a conservação dos recursos naturais ao fortalecimento da sustentabilidade da olivicultura transmontana. Os resultados obtidos reforçam que a cobertura vegetal, quando adequadamente manejada, representa uma ferramenta eficaz e ecologicamente responsável para o controle da erosão e a recuperação da qualidade física dos solos mediterrâneos.Water erosion is one of the main factors of soil degradation in Mediterranean agricultural regions, where the combination of intense and concentrated rainfall, steep slopes, and inadequate management practices increases soil and nutrient losses. In traditional olive groves of Northeast Portugal, frequent soil tillage aimed at controlling spontaneous vegetation has intensified erosion processes, compromising both the productive and environmental sustainability of these systems.
In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of different cover crop species and sowing densities on soil erosion and on the physical and hydraulic properties of the soil, under controlled simulated rainfall conditions. Two experimental trials were carried out in erosion trays using cover crop species with contrasting root systems (Lolium multiflorum, Calendula officinalis, Ornithopus compressus, Brachypodium distachyon, Trifolium subterraneum, Centaurea cyanus and Silene gallica), as well as a bare soil control. The variables analyzed included surface runoff, soil loss, splash detachment, bulk density, total, macro- and microporosity, hydraulic conductivity (initial and final), field capacity (FC), and maximum water capacity (MWC).
Results showed that the presence of vegetation significantly reduced both runoff and soil loss, revealing a strong negative correlation between soil cover percentage and erosion intensity (R² > 0.90). Cover crops also promoted structural improvements, decreasing bulk density and enhancing pore system connectivity. It was observed that macroporosity and hydraulic conductivity were strongly influenced by root activity, as treatments with higher plant emergence and density exhibited greater conductivity even when total macroporosity was lower, indicating that pore continuity and functionality are more decisive than total pore volume. Overall, the experiments demonstrated that the use of cover crops effectively improves soil structure and hydraulic functionality, reducing vulnerability to erosion and enhancing water use efficiency.
Beyond environmental benefits, adopting such practices offers economic feasibility and social relevance, as it combines natural resource conservation with the long-term sustainability of the Trás-os-Montes olive groves. The results highlight that cover crops, when properly managed, are an efficient and ecologically responsible tool for erosion control and for restoring the physical quality of Mediterranean soils
Of Cervantine Giants and Tyrants: Fantasy and Humor for a Defamiliarizing Reading of the Francoist Dictatorship in Sanco Panco by Salvador de Madariaga
Get PDFSalvador de Madariaga se erige como uno de los pensadores del siglo XX que más tiempo y esfuerzo dedicó a la idea de España, de ser español y a las identidades europeístas, muchas veces ligadas a su concepción del Quijote. Una de sus novelas menos estudiadas, Sanco Panco (1964), denominada «novela-fantasía» por él mismo, fue construida como parodia del régimen franquista e imitación del estilo cervantino. Siguiendo el marco teórico de la fantasía y lo maravilloso de David Roas (2001, 2008), tendremos en cuenta los conceptos de humor, especialmente el lingüístico y el poliglotismo madariaguesco. El escritor hace especial hincapié en la visión en algunos estereotipos nacionales dentro del espacio de la guerra fría y la dictadura franquista, usando para ello la parodia lingüística, tan fácil para el Madariaga trilingüe y diplomático, buen conocedor de las diversas nacionalidades que intervinieron en la política internacional de los años cincuenta y sesenta del pasado siglo
Conhecimento dos Enfermeiros do serviço de urgência sobre via verde sépsis na pessoa em situação crítica: impacto de uma atividade formativa
Get PDFO presente relatório foi desenvolvido no âmbito do mestrado de Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica na área da pessoa em situação crítica. A sua elaboração encontra-se estruturada em duas partes. A primeira parte apresenta uma análise reflexiva sobre as experiências vivenciadas nos diferentes contextos clínicos que contribuíram para a aquisição e desenvolvimento de competências gerais e específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Médico Cirúrgica à pessoa em situação crítica. A segunda parte expõe o trabalho de investigação desenvolvido no domínio da via verde sépsis (VVS), com o objetivo de analisar o contributo de uma atividade formativa para o desenvolvimento dos conhecimentos dos enfermeiros do serviço de urgência sobre a VVS na abordagem da pessoa em situação crítica.
A sépsis, designada por uma reação inflamatória generalizada do organismo em resposta a um foco infecioso, instalado em qualquer órgão do corpo humano. Atualmente é uma preocupação a nível mundial, sendo responsável por uma das principais causas de mortalidade e morbilidade em todo mundo. A sépsis e o choque séptico são uma emergência clínica, sendo o seu reconhecimento precoce determinante para o tratamento eficaz. O reconhecimento precoce exige das equipas de Enfermagem do Serviço de Urgência conhecimentos sobre os sintomas sugestivos de sépsis.
Foi realizado um estudo quase-experimental com delineamento intragrupo, de cariz quantitativo, a uma amostra de 61 enfermeiros de um Serviço de Urgência do Norte de Portugal, que se disponibilizou a participar no estudo de forma voluntária. O instrumento de recolha de dados utilizado foi o questionário, realizado e construído por Caulino (2021). No estudo foi aplicado o questionário pré e pós implementação de atividade formativa sobre VVS, para avaliar o contributo da formação no conhecimento da amostra do estudo. A amostra é predominantemente do sexo feminino, com idade compreendida entre os 31 e os 40 anos, maioritariamente detentores de pós-graduação em Emergência/Trauma, com média de 10,8 anos de experiência profissional, e de 6,5 anos de experiência profissional em serviço de urgência. Antes da implementação da atividade formativa, 3,3% da amostra enquadrava-se no nível de conhecimento sobre VVS classificado como muito mau, 13,1% no nível de conhecimentos classificado como mau, 55,7% no nível de conhecimento razoável, 26,2%% no nível bom e 1,6% da amostra no nível muito bom. Após a implementação da formação constatou-se que nenhum participante apresentou níveis de conhecimento muito mau ou mau, e a percentagem de participantes com nível de conhecimento razoável, diminuiu para 14,8%, o nível de conhecimento bom aumentou para 42,6%, no nível de conhecimento muito bom pré e pós formação verificou-se um aumento significativo de 1,6% para 42,6% da amostra.
Os diferentes ensinos clínicos permitiram vivenciar um vasto contacto com a pessoa em situação crítica, contribuíram para o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento de competências especificas do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica na área da pessoa em situação critica. A competência do cuidar da pessoa, família a vivenciar processos complexos de doença critica foi uma prática diária dos vários campos de estágio. Para tal o enfermeiro deve ser detentor de conhecimentos que lhe permitam responder de forma rápida e holística à pessoa em situação crítica.A formação implementada mostrou ser um pilar fundamental para dar resposta ao domínio do desenvolvimento das aprendizagens profissionais. É imperioso que os enfermeiros no serviço de urgência sejam detentores de um conhecimento aprofundado dos sinais e sintomas sugestivos de ativação de VVS, considerando ser os primeiros profissionais de saúde que contactam com o doente.This report was developed as part of the Medical-Surgical Nursing master's degree in critical care. The structure is divided into two sections. The first part presents a reflective analysis of the experiences in the different clinical contexts that contributed to the acquisition and development of the general and specific competences of the Nurse Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing for the critically ill person. The second part of the report presents the research carried out on the via verde sepsis (VVS) topic. The study aimed to analyze the contribution of a training activity to developing emergency department nurses' knowledge of VVS in the approach to the critically ill person.
Sepsis is a generalized inflammatory reaction of the body in response to an infectious outbreak in any organ of the human body. It is a global concern that must be addressed, as it is responsible for one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Sepsis and septic shock are clinical emergencies, and early recognition is crucial for effective treatment.
Early recognition of sepsis symptoms by Emergency Department nursing teams is crucial. A quantitative quasi-experimental study with an intra-group design was conducted with a sample of 61 nurses from an emergency department in the northern region of Portugal, who volunteered to take part in the study. The data collection instrument employed was a questionnaire designed and constructed by Caulino (2021). The pre- and post-implementation questionnaires were utilized to evaluate the impact of the training on the knowledge of the study sample. The sample was predominantly female, with an average age of 31 to 40 years, and most of the participants had a postgraduate degree in Emergency/Trauma. The average professional experience in emergency services was 10.8 years, and the average professional experience in the field was 6.5 years. Prior to the implementation of the training activity, 3.3% of the sample exhibited a very poor level of knowledge regarding VVS, 13.1% demonstrated a poor level of knowledge, 55.7% exhibited a reasonable level of knowledge, 26.2% displayed a good level of knowledge, and 1.6% of the sample demonstrated a very good level of knowledge. Following the implementation of the training, it was ascertained that none of the participants exhibited a poor or substandard level of knowledge. The proportion of participants possessing a reasonable level of knowledge diminished to 14.8%, while the proportion with a commendable level of knowledge increased to 42.6%. Moreover, the proportion with an exceptional level of knowledge exhibited a substantial increase from 1.6% to 42.6% of the sample before and after the training.
The diverse clinical courses during the master's, enabled extensive interaction with critically ill patients, thereby facilitating the development and refinement of the specific competencies of the Medical-Surgical Nurse Specialist in the domain of critical care. The ability to care for individuals and families encountering complex critical illness processes was a daily occurrence in the various internship fields. To achieve this, nurses must possess the knowledge to respond quickly and holistically to people in critical situations. The training provided was found to be a fundamental pillar for responding to the development of professional learning. Nurses in the emergency department must possess in-depth knowledge of the signs and symptoms suggestive of VVS activation, as they are the first health professionals to come into contact with the patient
Assessing the Shelf-Life of Olive Oil Under Different Storage Conditions: A Review of Predictive Models
Get PDFOlive oil holds a significant position in the global vegetable oil market, often reaching high prices compared to other vegetable oils. However, like other oils, it is vulnerable to oxidation, which can degrade its quality during storage, making it essential to determine its shelf-life. So, kinetic or empirical models have been developed to estimate how long olive oil can maintain the legal quality standards necessary for its commercial classification or to be marketed with nutritional or health claim. This study reviews recent advancements in modelling approaches to predict the shelf-life of olive oil under different storage conditions, namely storage duration (from 2 months to 2 years), temperature (20–50 ºC), and light exposure (light versus dark storage). Most models estimate the timeframe in which olive oil remains compliant with regulatory requirements for specific commercial grades, namely extra virgin olive oil, with fewer models addressing health-related claims. Developed models include pseudo zero-, pseudo first-, and pseudo second-order kinetic models and empirical models, derived from experimental data on the oil’s chemical stability over time. While empirical models can be highly accurate, they often require extensive chemical data, including for compounds for which no legal thresholds exist, and complex statistical techniques, limiting their use by non-specialists. In contrast, kinetic models offer simpler and user-friendly mathematical equations. Nonetheless, olive oil’s shelf-life predictions remain influenced by factors such as initial oil composition, packaging materials, and storage conditions, underscoring the ongoing need to refine the predictive models.Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020, https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/00690/2020; and UIDP/00690/2020, https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDP/00690/2020) unit as well as to the Associate Laboratory SusTEC (LA/P/0007/2020). The authors are also grateful to the project “Agenda VIIAFOOD—Platform for Valorization, Industrialization and Commercial Innovation in Agri-Food” (no. C644929456-
00000040), financed by the Recovery and Resilience Plan. Nuno Ferreiro acknowledges the Ph.D. research grant (2022.10072.BD) provided by FCT. Nuno Rodrigues also acknowledges the national funding by FCT, through the institutional scientific employment program-contract
Avaliação da capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida da pessoa com Doença Parkinson - Estudo exploratório
Get PDFA Doença de Parkinson tem impacto progressivo na capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida. Em Portugal, a prevalência estimada aumentou de 180 casos/100.000 habitantes em 2017 para cerca de 480/100.000 em 2024, realçando a importância do estudo.
Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade funcional e qualidade de vida das pessoas com doença de Parkinson.
Métodos: Estudo exploratório quantitativo com amostragem não probabilística por “bola de neve”. Foram aplicados os questionários Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire-39 e Escala de Fadiga de Parkinson-16, bem como testes funcionais: Prova de Marcha de 6 Minutos, Escala de Equilíbrio de Berg, Teste de Sentar e Levantar, Escala de Hoehn e Yahr e Teste Timed Up and Go. Critérios de inclusão: diagnóstico confirmado, estágio ≤3 na Escala de Hoehn e Yahr, idade >18 anos, período “ON” da medicação dopaminérgica e capacidade para responder aos questionários.
Resultados: A amostra foi composta por 10 indivíduos (9 homens e 1 mulher) com idade média de 62 anos, os quais apresentavam mobilidade e força muscular reduzidas. Observaram-se correlações significativas entre a pior qualidade de vida e os seguintes fatores: menor capacidade de marcha (ρ = -0,857; p = 0,002), maior fadiga (ρ = 0,854; p = 0,002) e maior tempo gasto no teste de sentar-levantar cinco (ρ = 0,924; p < 0,001). Adicionalmente, a capacidade de marcha apresentou uma correlação positiva com o equilíbrio (ρ = 0,753; p = 0,012) e correlações negativas com a fadiga (ρ = -0,705; p = 0,023) e com o tempo no teste de sentar-levantar (ρ = -0,782; p = 0,008).
Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem uma forte associação entre a capacidade funcional e a qualidade de vida na Doença de Parkinson. Com base nestes achados, recomenda-se a implementação de intervenções de enfermagem de reabilitação com foco na melhoria da marcha, equilíbrio, força muscular e gestão da fadiga e a importância de integrar estas intervenções na prática clínica, com recurso a instrumentos de avaliação validados. Apesar da dimensão da amostra, os dados obtidos alinham-se com a evidência existente
Modeling Performance in IRONMAN® 70.3 Age Group Triathletes
Get PDFIndividual factors related to performance in age group triathletes competing in different race distances have been explored in scientific literature. However, only a few studies have been conducted using machine learning (ML) predictive models to explore the importance of those individual factors. This study intended to build and analyze machine learning regression models that predict the performance of IRONMAN (R) 70.3 age group triathletes, considering sex, age, country of origin, and event location as predictive factors. A total of 823,464 finishers records (625,398 men and 198,066 women) of IRONMAN (R) 70.3 age group triathletes participating in 197 different events in 183 different locations between 2004 and 2020 were analyzed. The triathletes' sex, age, country of origin, event location and year, and race finish times were thus obtained and considered for the study. Four different ML regression models were built to predict the triathletes' race times from their age, sex, country of origin, and race location. The model with the best performance was then selected and further analyzed using model-agnostic interpretability tools to understand which factors would contribute most to the model predictions.ResultsThe Random Forest Regressor model obtained the best predictive score. This model's partial dependence plots indicated that men under 30 years, from Switzerland or Denmark, competing in IRONMAN (R) 70.3 Austria/St. Polten, IRONMAN (R) 70.3 Switzerland, IRONMAN (R) 70.3 Sunshine Coast, and IRONMAN (R) 70.3 Busselton presented the best performance.ConclusionsOur results prove that ML models can be used to examine the complex, non-linear interactions between the factors that influence performance and gain insights that can help IRONMAN (R) 70.3 age group triathletes better plan their races
Behavioral regulation in sport questionnaire and sport motivation scale-II: a scale comparison
Get PDFThis 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). 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. 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. 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.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work was funded by National Funds by FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology under the following project UID/04045: Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences, and Human Development. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Physiotherapists in Portugal: a 2024 overview
Get PDFPopulation ageing highlights the importance of healthy behaviors, with physiotherapy playing a key role in prevention and active ageing. This study aimed to characterize the active physiotherapist workforce in Portugal and assess its availability nationally and by municipality. Data from the Portuguese Order of Physiotherapists and national statistics showed that, in 2024, 11,552 physiotherapists were active, mostly female, with a mean age of 35.4 years. Portugal has 111.7 physiotherapists per 100,000 inhabitants, below the European average. Significant geographical inequalities were identified, with most municipalities having low availability and some showing extremely low ratios. These disparities raise concerns and highlight the need for more equitable workforce distribution
Enhancing green capability in the hospitality sector through nudging: A conceptual framework
No full textTourism activities bring on considerable environmental costs, consequently, tourism is not only a climate change victim but also responsible for a significant percentage of the world’s carbon emissions. Due to people’s growing concern with environmental issues, the hospitality sector has been trying to reduce its environmental impact and at the same time managing to improve their green capability. One of the initiatives involved implementing a choice-architecture tool known as nudge. Nudging allows for effortlessly steering people in a desired direction; therefore, how can we promote ‘greener’ consumer behaviour in the hospitality industry through nudging and thereby reduce the industry’s impact on climate change. In order to answer to this question a conceptual methodology was chosen. Such method enables to raise questions and hypotheses that will enlarge the discussion’s scope on green capabilities and on nudge in the hospitality sector. Moreover, a novel theoretical framework for green capabilities is presented. This framework will help to implement nudge in a way that this can work as an accelerator for green capacity building in the hospitality sector. However, we must also refer to the fact that our study being conceptual is like all conceptual studies heavily dependent on the researcher’s own perspectives and experiences
The role of strategic planning in hotel event management
Get PDFStrategic planning plays an important role in ensuring hotel event success. This study investigates how strategic planning impact the effectiveness of hotel event management, particularly by examining how elements such as budget allocation, preparation time, and task allocation affect hotel event outcomes, including guest satisfaction, return business, and attendance. The analysis based on primary data from various internal documents, event performance metrics, and responses to surveys completed by the hotel staff. A total of 20 the biggest events held in 2024 year were analysed. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, and boxplot visualisations were used to illustrate how different planning inputs correlate with these performance components. Boxplots were applied as a clear, non-parametric tool for examining variability, outliers, and trends in the dataset, offering an accessible and effective way to compare distribution across events without assuming normality. The visual outputs helped highlight key differences in how planning inputs aligned with performance outcomes. In addition, staff responses revealed issues such as time constraints, communication problems and lack of coordination before the event. These observations emphasise the need for strategic planning as well as effective operational execution to ensure successful hotel event management. As a result of the findings, practical recommendations were made to improve communication, enhance staff training and suggest the use of predictive analysis for future planning processes.O planeamento estratégico desempenha um papel importante no sucesso dos eventos hoteleiros. Este estudo investiga de que forma o planeamento estratégico impacta a eficácia da gestão de eventos em hotéis, examinando particularmente como elementos como a alocação orçamental, o tempo de preparação e a distribuição de tarefas afetam os resultados dos eventos, incluindo a satisfação dos hóspedes, o retorno de clientes e a taxa de participação. A análise baseou-se em dados primários recolhidos a partir de diversos documentos internos, métricas de desempenho dos eventos e respostas a inquéritos preenchidos pelos colaboradores do hotel. Um total de 20 dos maiores eventos realizados no ano de 2024 foi analisado. Foram utilizadas estatísticas descritivas, análise de frequência e visualizações em boxplot para ilustrar como diferentes inputs de planeamento se correlacionam com estes componentes de desempenho. Os boxplots foram aplicados como uma ferramenta clara e não paramétrica para examinar a variabilidade, os outliers e as tendências no conjunto de dados, oferecendo uma forma acessível e eficaz de comparar distribuições entre eventos sem assumir normalidade. As representações visuais ajudaram a destacar diferenças-chave na forma como os elementos de planeamento se alinharam com os resultados alcançados. Adicionalmente, as respostas dos colaboradores revelaram problemas como limitações de tempo, falhas de comunicação e falta de coordenação antes dos eventos. Estas observações reforçam a importância do planeamento estratégico, bem como da execução operacional eficaz, para garantir o sucesso dos eventos hoteleiros. Como resultado das conclusões obtidas, foram feitas recomendações práticas para melhorar a comunicação, reforçar a formação das equipas e sugerir a utilização de análise preditiva nos processos de planeamento futuros