VerSus+, heritage for people: Transmit vernacular knowledge to foster a sustainable architecture

This paper presents the results of the project 'Versus-Heritage for People', funded by the EU's Creative Europe programme. The main objective of the project was to actively involve and raise awareness among a wide audience of the value of vernacular knowledge in shaping more sustainable and resilient development models. The material and immaterial elements that make up a vernacular heritage (including local materials, construction methods, models of living and social interaction, technical and ecological knowledge for the management of territories, natural resources, settlements, etc.) have enormous potential for generating forward-looking models that can improve the environmental and social quality of our habitats, foster a sense of identity and belonging, and relate in a balanced way to the capacities of our planet. The paper explores strategies and tools for managing and transmitting the knowledge and values associated with vernacular heritage. The result is the collaboration of the five academic institutions involved in the project - Universitat Politècnica de València as coordinator (ES), University of Florence (IT), University of Cagliari (IT), CRAterre-ENSAG (FR) and Universidade Portucalense (PT)

Does time matter? The role of time perspective and ageism in mental health along the lifespan

Time perspective is a consistent personal viewpoint which evolves with age and may influence mental health across the lifespan. This study aims to: (1) compare time perspective, perceived ageism and mental health indicators, in three age cohorts across the lifespan; (2) examine the influence of time perspective on mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress); and (3) assess whether ageism serves as a moderating factor between time perspective and mental health indicators. 1311 participants from three distinct age groups (18–39, 40–59, and 60+) participated in this cross-sectional study. The following instruments were used: (a) Future Time Perspective Scale (FTPS); (b) Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ); (c) Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21); and (d) a sociodemographic, health and lifestyle questionnaire. MANOVAs and moderated regression analyses were performed on the data. Results indicated the highest levels of stress, anxiety and perceived ageism among younger and older participants. A decrease in FTP-Opportunity and an increase of FTP-Limitation, and the perception of increased positive ageism were found throughout the life cycle. FTP-Opportunity was found to negatively impact stress, anxiety, and depression, whereas FTP-Limitation showed a positive effect. Positive ageism also moderated the effects of FTP-Opportunity on anxiety and depression. This study unveils the intricate relationship between time perspective, mental health, and ageism, indicating that time perspective significantly influences mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Addressing ageism emerges as a crucial component in enhancing mental health in individuals of all ages

The Shared City: Housing and Tourism in the Metropolitan Areas of Lisbon and Porto

This document presents the initial developments of a research work on sustainable housing and tourism beyond the urban centers of Lisbon and Porto’s metropolitan areas. The preliminary data are taken from the last three Portuguese censuses carried out in the first two decades of the 21st century, in 2001, 2011 and 2021. Maintaining the balance between housing and tourism is a challenge in the governance of these two major cities

Research management in Higher Education Institutions from developing countries: An analysis for Bolivia and Paraguay

Research outputs in higher education institutions (HEIs) are crucially dependent on the research management process. Departing from a SWOT analysis, the main objective of this paper is to analyze the perceptions of stakeholders (researchers, teachers, and senior research managers) regarding the main strengths and weaknesses of HEIs, as well as assess the potential opportunities and threats present in the external environment. It analyzed a total of 462 responses from seven HEIs and two ministries participating in the INNOVA project in Bolivia and Paraguay. The results from the statistical analysis indicate that the respondents tend to identify the traditional obstacles and facilitators to research development, namely, the scarcity and instability of public policies, which permeate the institutions, diminishing the consistency of internal research policies and creating difficulties in access to funding and career development opportunities. Building on the substantial progress made in recent years, the unvirtuous cycle may be halted with political stability and committed action between all the concerned parties

Evaluating the acceptance of CBDCs: Experimental research with artificial intelligence (AI) generated synthetic response

This research examines the factors that influence the public's expectation for more information, acceptance or rejection of central bank digital currencies (CBDC). Using generative AI (ChatGPT 4.0), responses were simulated to mimic CBDC adoption scenarios, considering demographic attributes, such as gender, income, education, age, level of financial literacy, network effect, media influence, and merchant acceptance. A total of 663 synthetic responses were generated and analyzed using statistical methods and multinomial logistic regression to assess the probability of acceptance, rejection, or waiting for more information to decide. The chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) model showed a high performance in correctly classifying cases of acceptance, indecision, and rejection, presenting an accuracy of 92.6%. Multinomial logistic regression revealed that factors, such as educational level, financial experience, and income level, significantly influence the decision to accept a CBDC. This method also shows a high performance, as it obtained an accuracy of 96.4%. These results are in line with previous research and underline the effectiveness of generative AI as a reproducible and low-cost tool for analyzing hypothetical scenarios. Generative AI, with its algorithmic fidelity, has great potential for predicting human behavior in economic contexts. However, synthetic data may not capture the complexities and nuances of actual human decision making. As a result, certain contextual factors, emotional influences, and unique personal experiences that may significantly influence an individual's decision to accept or reject CBDC may be overlooked

Trabalhador feliz-produtivo 360: uma abordagem integrada da teoria à prática da tese do happy-productive worker

RESUMO A COVID-19, a dificuldade em reter talentos e as rápidas mudanças dificultam o processo de adaptação individual. Questões do foro psicológico, como ansiedade e depressão, emergem levando à inclusão da saúde e do bem-estar nos objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável da ONU. Assim, investigações ao nível da felicidade começam a brotar no sentido de preservar o capital humano, potencializando os indicadores organizacionais. A tese do happy-productive worker (HPWT) advoga que colaboradores felizes no trabalho têm maiores níveis de desempenho. Deste modo, a investigação desenvolvida é composta por quatro estudos cujo intuito é cobrir algumas das lacunas identificadas neste âmbito. Os estudos elaborados ao longo dos capítulos II a V fornecem resposta, com recurso a uma metodologia mista, à análise do estado da arte da tese, à sua testagem em contexto de incerteza e à possível mediação das variáveis (equilíbrio entre a vida profissional e pessoal – WLB e o teletrabalho – WFHE), identificação de práticas de promoção da felicidade e das razões que levam as empresas a apostarem neste estado, bem como, a enumeração dos principais benefícios e, por último, perceber o papel de programas, tais como o Happiness Works. Assim, com recurso ao método dedutivo, os estudos recorreram às seguintes metodologias: 1) revisão sistemática da literatura com recurso a análise bibliométrica; 2) equações estruturais dos mínimos quadrados parciais; 3) revisão da literatura exploratória e 4) análise de conteúdo (estudo qualitativo). A HPWT é composta por dois conceitos subjetivos para os quais ainda não existe um consenso no que respeita à forma de definir e aferir. A tese pode não ser comprovada quando estamos a analisar um contexto de incerteza, porém verificou-se que o WLB tem uma relação mediadora nesta relação. Esta mediação está em concordância com as provas literárias e com as perceções das entrevistadas. Foi ainda possível validar que apostar na felicidade dos colaboradores é sinónimo de múltiplos benefícios. Os estudos desenvolvidos consideraram outras variáveis para além das postuladas pela HPWT, tendo sido tomada, desde o início, uma posição face à forma de conceptualização destes constructos. Para além disso, validaram-se práticas que podem ser implementadas nas organizações como forma de melhorar o estado de felicidade dos colaboradores, fomentando uma estreita comparação entre a literatura e a respetiva aplicabilidade. Em suma, esta investigação realça a relevância da aposta na felicidade dos colaboradores, demonstrando um conjunto de argumentos e práticas para o efeito. Além disso, a busca pelas formas de incrementar a felicidade não é apenas da incumbência dos gestores, mas também dos decisores políticos, visto que este estado tem repercussões nas componentes societais.COVID-19, the difficulty in retaining talent and rapid change make the process of individual adaptation difficult. Psychological issues such as anxiety and depression are emerging, leading to the inclusion of health and well-being in the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Thus, happiness research is beginning to emerge to preserve human capital and boost organisational indicators. The happy-productive worker thesis (HPWT) argues that happy employees have higher performance levels. The research is comprised of four studies aimed at covering some of the gaps identified in this area. The studies developed in Chapters II to V provide answers, using a mixed methodology, to the analysis of the state-of-the-art of the thesis, its testing in a context of uncertainty and the possible mediation of the variables (work-life balance - WLB and teleworking - WFHE), identification of practices to promote happiness and the reasons that lead companies to invest in this state, as well as listing the main benefits and, finally, understanding the role of programs such as Happiness Works. Thus, using the deductive method, the studies used the following methodologies: 1) systematic literature review using bibliometric analysis; 2) partial least squares structural equations; 3) exploratory literature review and 4) content analysis (qualitative study). HPWT comprises two subjective concepts for which there is still no consensus on defining and measuring them. The thesis may not be proven when we analyse a context of uncertainty, but it has been found that WLB mediates this relationship. This mediation aligns with the literary evidence and the interviewees' perceptions. It was also possible to validate that investing in employee happiness is synonymous with multiple benefits. The studies developed considered other variables in addition to those postulated by HPWT, and a position was taken from the outset on how these concepts were conceptualized. In addition, practices that can be implemented in organisations to improve employees' happiness were validated, fostering a close comparison between the literature and its applicability. In short, this investigation highlights the importance of investing in employee happiness, demonstrating several arguments and practices. Furthermore, the search for ways to increase happiness is not only the responsibility of managers but also political decision-makers since this state has repercussions on societal components

Imputation of the response variable in survival analysis with Interval-Censored Data

This work is funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the UID/00013: Centro de Matemática da Universidade do Minho (CMAT/UM) Program Contract, and the project reference 2023.14897.PEX (DOI: 10.54499/2023.14897.PEX).Handling interval-censored data in survival analysis presents signi cant challenges, as the exact time to the event is only known to fall within prede ned intervals. Common imputation strategies, such as those that use the lower bound, upper bound, or midpoint of the interval, often fail to capture the inherent uncertainty in the data, leading to biased or imprecise estimates. Prior studies have demonstrated the limitations of these approaches, particularly in accurately estimating survival probabilities and hazard ratios. To tackle these issues, we propose the Scaled Linear Redistribution Method, a new imputation technique aimed at overcoming the limitations of existing methods. The method redistributes imputed values within the interval, keeping their variation and basic statistical behavior. While our approach has not yet been implemented, it represents a promising direction for future research. We plan to evaluate its performance through a comprehensive simulation study, comparing its performance to that of traditional imputation methods and the Turnbull estimator, a widely used nonparametric method for interval-censored data

Challenges of Ecotourism in Africa: The state of the art

This article reviews the challenges of ecotourism in Africa, analyzing regional disparities through a literature-based approach. It examines the sector's demand and supply dynamics and divides the African market into Northern, Central, and Southern blocks, selecting representative countries for each region. Despite Africa's vast natural potential for ecotourism, significant constraints persist, varying by region. In the North, issues arise from strategy deficiencies and imbalanced power structures. Central Africa grapples with basic infrastructural crises, such as inadequate accommodations, electricity, and water, often linked to corruption and poor governance. In the South, challenges include underutilization of natural resources, civil conflicts, and politicized institutions, which hinder private sector initiatives. These findings highlight the complex, region-specific barriers that impede ecotourism development across the continent

Introducing the Hyperdynamic Adaptive Learning Fusion (HALF) model for superior predictive analytics in E-learning

Today’s complex world is defined by digital changes in educational paradigms to which E-learning has contributed significantly, and as such, accurate prediction methods are needed for student performance modeling. In this paper a new and complex model is proposed, namely the Hyperdynamic Adaptive Learning Fusion (HALF) model that leverages adaptive computing paradigms and artificial intelligence to build a fusion of learning that adapts to the new learning patterns. Many conventional predictive models employ linear and simplistic relationships to predict an outcome from an input; hence, they fail to decompose complex and heterogenic data patterns of educational data and also suffer from scalability issues for dealing with large volumes of data. To overcome these issues, the HALF model employs the relevant ensemble learning algorithms that consist of bagging, boosting, and an innovative adaptive fusion strategy that integrates base and adaptive models to achieve higher accuracy and resilience in the latter. In doing so, and by adopting the scientific method of working on trials and errors and rigorous assessment employing a database derived from the Open University VLE, the investigation presented in this paper provides compelling evidence of the HALF model’s superior efficacy, which yields an accuracy of 87%. 2%, precision of 85. 4% It has been proved that 3% of all students have significant learning disabilities, while the recall value is 89. 1%, surpassing traditional methods. The model’s equation can be easily applied to any variety of courses and of students, which makes it highly beneficial to educators and administrators; at the same time, the model is highly interpretable. Therefore, HALF model proves to be a revolutionary addition to the current kind of statistical modeling in E-learning that depicts student engagement pattern into more precise and accurate form, reduce biases in all way possible and provides solution that might help to improve the course outcome. The next steps will consist in optimizing the architectural properties of the model as well as the model’s capacity to be scaled, and more generally in learning about the model’s possibilities and limitations across different learning environments

Heritage Tourism and Sustainable City Dynamics

This is a Reprint of the Special Issue Heritage Tourism and Sustainable City Dynamics that was published in Heritage journal.This Special Issue on Heritage Tourism and Sustainable City Dynamics explores the intersection of cultural heritage, tourism, and sustainability through twelve diverse articles. These contributions address themes such as post-COVID-19 resilience in the hotel sector, environmentally responsible behaviour in heritage tourism, and innovative frameworks for urban heritage management. Case studies span globally significant sites, including the Spanish Civil War anti-aircraft shelters, earthen architecture in the Iberian Peninsula, A Plan to Safeguard the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Guano’s Knotted Carpet Weaving Tradition in Ecuador, and Norwegian World Heritage Sites. Articles also examine green tourism's impact on community attachment in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, the economic role of Raymi Llaqta in Peru, and visitor satisfaction at Córdoba's Fiesta de los Patios. Global analyses investigate the comparative advantage of heritage tourism from 2011 to 2022 and new dimensions in religious tourism in Nessebar, Bulgaria. A notable focus is balancing preservation with tourism in Porto, Portugal, and leveraging sustainable practices. These studies highlight the role of heritage in fostering resilience, cultural identity, and sustainable urban development, offering actionable insights for managing challenges in a rapidly evolving tourism landscape. The twelve articles are authored by a group of thirty-five authors. These represent ten countries—Spain, Portugal, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Peru, Ecuador, Hungary, Egypt, and Indonesia—with cross-country collaboration on some articles