Customer loyalty through social networks: Lessons from Zara on Facebook

Companies’ escalating investment in social media–—in particular, in Facebook–—has become reality. However, most firms still do not see social networks as a vehicle for cultivating and winning customer loyalty, but rather as a resource for creating brand awareness. In this article, we offer a different view. By examining fans and non-fans of the Zara brand on Facebook, we discovered that Facebook enhances the relations that increase loyalty via trust, customer satisfaction, perceived value, and commitment. Our results revealed that these relations are stronger for fans of the brand than for non-fans, and suggest that customer satisfaction is the strongest determinant of loyalty. This indicates a new opportunity for marketing managers to achieve customer loyalty: Facebook.This work is funded by National Funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciêcia e a Tecnologia)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análise estrutural/comportamental da população de cágado mediterrânico, Mauremys leprosa, na ribeira temporária da Asseca

Dissertação de Mestrado, Biologia Marinha, Especialização em Ecologia e Conservação Marinha, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e Ambiente, Universidade do Algarve, 2009Este estudo tem como finalidade caracterizar a população de Mauremys leprosa na Ribeira da Asseca, através da análise do tamanho e estrutura populacional, pela determinação dos parâmetros morfométricos e ecológicos e, para além disso, estudar a relação existente entre a presença da espécie e os parâmetros ambientais. Esta população apresenta uma grande disparidade na sua distribuição a nível espacial, estando a sua actividade directamente relacionada com a época do ano. No entanto, esta actividade não se mantém independente das elevadas temperaturas registadas na ribeira. Na realidade, a população/amostra apresenta uma densidade intermédia e uma estrutura populacional de acordo com as populações da Península Ibérica, com uma razão entre sexos equilibrada de 0,46. Os valores morfométricos indicam um comprimento de carapaça máximo de 235 mm para as fêmeas e 189 mm para os machos. Confirmou-se o dimorfismo sexual nesta população e comprovou-se que a grande maioria da população amostrada se encontrava em boa condição corporal. Através da análise dos parâmetros ambientais (Análise de Clusters) foi possível distinguir 5 microhabitats distintos e relacioná-los com a presença da espécie. O maior número de indivíduos foi detectado nos pontos de amostragem mais protegidos e na proximidade de pontos de água permanentes. Esta espécie parece assim evitar os locais onde existe maior pressão humana e/ou onde o curso de água é intermitente.This study intended to characterize populations of the turtle Mauremys leprosa distributed in Ribeira da Asseca, a Southern Portugal stream. Population size and structure as well as morphometric and ecologic parameters were registered from May 2007 to August 2008, in order to investigate its relationships with the environment. Spatial distribution was irregular during this period showing that these turtles exhibited alternate activity patterns directly related to the season of the year and that activity wasn´t maintained regardless of the high temperatures recorded in this stream. Although its intermediate densities, this population has a structure and a sex ratio (0,46) in conformity with what is known from other studied M. leprosa populations in Iberian Peninsula. Sexual dimorphism was also confirmed with females and males presenting a maximum carapace length of 235mm and 189 mm, respectively. It was also found that the greater part of the population sampled presents a good body condition. Cluster Analysis of environmental parameters allows the classification of 5 microhabitats and to relate them with the presence of the species. This greater abundances were related to the more protected sites and with permanent water bodies. This species seams to avoid sites with higher human pressure and/or with intermittent water bodies

Determinantes da lealdade a marcas funcionais e emocionais presentes na rede social facebook

Mestrado em MarketingCom o crescente número de utilizadores das redes sociais e, em particular, do Facebook, estudar como este novo meio de comunicação influencia os determinantes de lealdade torna-se importante para todos os que se interessam pela área de marketing. A presente dissertação tem por propósito perceber o impacto relativo dos determinantes confiança, satisfação do consumidor e valor percebido de forma directa sobre a lealdade (intenção de compra), bem como de forma indirecta, através do compromisso. A investigação foi realizada no contexto do Facebook, através de inquérito online, sendo completada com um estudo comparativo desse mesmo impacto para uma marca de carácter funcional, Zara, e uma marca de carácter de marca emocional, Dolce & Gabbana. Os resultados obtidos permitiram compreender que não existe relação dos determinantes em estudo com a lealdade para a sub-amostra de fãs de ambas as marcas no facebook, percebendo-se assim que os potenciais consumidores imediatos das marcas poderão não ser os seus fãs no Facebook, que estabelecem apenas uma ligação psicológica à mesma (compromisso). Por outro lado, denotam-se diferenças quando estudada apenas a sub-amostra de fãs da marca de carácter funcional Zara, uma vez que aqui existe relacão dos determinantes com a lealdade, tanto de forma directa, como indirecta, através do compromisso. Este facto pode ser explicado por esta ser uma marca funcional, com uma componente mais utilitária e preços acessíveis. Assim, no caso das marcas na generalidade, concluiu-se que o Facebook apenas contribui para o compromisso com a marca; no entanto, e caso se tratem de marcas com características funcionais, poderá ter um papel mais preponderante na lealdade às mesmas.With the growing number of users of social networks and Facebook in particular the study of how this new medium influences the determinants of loyalty becomes important for all who are interested in marketing. This work purpose is to understand the relative impact of trust, customer satisfaction and perceived value determinants directly on loyalty (purchase intention), and indirectly, through commitment. The research was conducted under Facebook context, via online surveys, being completed with a comparative study of that same impact for a brand of functional character, Zara, and a brand of emotional character, Dolce & Gabbana. The results led to understand that there is no relationship of determinants in the study of loyalty for the sub-sample of fans of both brands on Facebook, thus realizing that potential buyers may not be their fans on Facebook, establishing a psychological link to it (commitment), only. Moreover, differences were shown when the sub-sample of Zara fan, the functional brand, was studied alone. Given that, in this case, we have relationship with the loyalty determinants, either direct, and indirect, through commitment. This can be explained by the fact of Zara being a brand with a functional component, more utilitarian and affordable. Thus, in the case of brands in general, it was concluded that Facebook only contributes to the brand commitment; however, and if dealing with brands with functional characteristics, it may have a greater role in loyalty to them

O papel da documentação pedagógica no desenvolvimento de um currículo emergente em educação de infância

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada. Mestrado em educação pré-escolarDocumentar porquê, para quê, quando e o que fazer com a informação daí retirada? A documentação pedagógica vai mais além do que uma mera recolha de evidências que justifiquem uma avaliação individual; do ponto de vista do docente permite que este tome consciência do trabalho que está a desenvolver pois obtém provas interpretativas de como as crianças processam a aprendizagem, assim como quais os significados que atribuem a determinada ocorrência, sendo possível decidir com mais estabilidade quais os futuros avanços que determinada situação deverá ter. Do ponto de vista da criança, permite que esta revisite o seu trabalho, reflita sobre o mesmo e se questione de forma crítica sem receios de estar errada. Desta forma, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo retratar de forma reflexiva as semanas de intervenção de prática pedagógica, sendo que pretende igualmente registar o trabalho desenvolvido em investigação-ação, sob o tema de documentação pedagógica, que decorreu com o grupo de crianças de Jardim de Infância. Após a caracterização do grupo, foi percetível que o mesmo apresentava bastantes fatores protetores que faziam com que possíveis problemáticas fossem praticamente inexistentes ou bem adaptadas ao grupo, não se podendo considerá-las para este trabalho. Assim, e em conjunto com a supervisora institucional e a educadora cooperante, decidiu-se em conjunto que a investigação-ação seria mais focada no desenvolvimento profissional da estudante em causa. Com o decorrer do trabalho foi sendo mais acessível a identificação do que é pertinente para o avançar em novos caminhos. No entanto, é seguro afirmar que quando se trata de observar a documentação recolhida ao longo do tempo toda a prática é essencial, visto que ainda é uma ferramenta em construção no desenvolvimento profissional da estudante.ABSTRACT To document, why and for what use? How to treat the information gathered? The documentation goes beyond the mere gather of evidence that justify an individual evaluation; from the point of view of the teacher it allows him to be more conscious of the work that he is developing since he obtains interpretative proof on how the children process apprenticeship, and also the meanings that they input to a determined occurrence, therefore allowing for a more conscious evaluation on how to define the future teachings on each situation. From the child's point of view, it allows her to review her work, reflect on it and to question critically without fear of being wrong. The present study aims to portray reflexively the weeks of the practice intervention, and also intends to register the work developed in action-research under the theme of pedagogical documentation, held with the group of children from the kindergarten. After characterizing the group, it was apparent that it presented enough protective factors that made it impossible for problematic situations to occur, and the ones that did, were well resolved by the group and therefore couldn’t be considered for this work. Thus, in conjunction with the institutional supervisor and the cooperating teacher, it was decided that the research-action would be more focused on the professional development of this masters’ degree student. During the course of this work it started to be more evident the identification of what is more relevant to advance in new ways. However, it is safe to say that when it comes to observe the documentation collected over time all the practice its essential, since it is still a the construction tool in the professional development of the student

A morphology-based feature set for automated Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis diagnosis on surface electromyography

Funding Information: This work was supported by national funds from FCT Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal , I.P. through the protect HomeSenseALS: Home-based monitoring of functional disability in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with mobile sensing with reference PTDC/MEC-NEU/6855/2020 and research unit UIDB/FIS/04559/2020 (LIBPhys-UNL). Publisher Copyright: © 2022Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fast-progressing disease with no cure. Nowadays, needle electromyography (nEMG) is the standard practice for electrodiagnosis of ALS. Surface electromyography (sEMG) is emerging as a more practical and less painful alternative to nEMG but still has analytical and technical challenges. The objective of this work was to study the feasibility of using a set of morphological features extracted from sEMG to support a machine learning pipeline for ALS diagnosis. We developed a novel feature set to characterize sEMG based on quantitative measurements to surface representation of Motor Unit Action Potentials. We conducted several experiments to study the relevance of the proposed feature set either individually or combined with conventional feature sets from temporal, statistical, spectral, and fractal domains. We validated the proposed machine learning pipeline on a dataset with sEMG upper limb muscle data from 17 ALS patients and 24 control subjects. The results support the utility of the proposed feature set, achieving an F1 score of (81.9 ± 5.7) for the onset classification approach and (83.6 ± 6.9) for the subject classification approach, solely relying on features extracted from the proposed feature set in the right first dorsal interosseous muscle. We concluded that introducing the proposed feature set is relevant for automated ALS diagnosis since it increased the classifier performance during our experiments. The proposed feature set might also help design more interpretable classifiers as the features give additional information related to the nature of the disease, being inspired by the clinical interpretation of sEMG.publishersversionpublishe

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Yellow Mealworm as a Partial Fishmeal Replacer on Growth, Metabolism, and Intestinal Histomorphology in Juvenile Meagre (Argyrosomus regius)

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Margarida Saavedra et al. This study was supported by the National Project DIVERSIAQUA II (MAR-02.01.01 FEAMP-0175) and by the project ATLAZUL–Impulsionar a Aliança Litoral Atlântica para o Crescimento Azul (0755_ATLAZUL_6_E) from Spain-Portugal Interreg (POCTEP).Efforts have been made to find alternatives to fish meal (FM), as the sustainability of aquaculture depends on it. Insect meal (IM) is a potential candidate to partially replace FM, being more sustainable and economically viable. In this experimental trial, three diets were tested with different yellow mealworm incorporation: a control diet with no IM, a diet with an inclusion of 10% IM (Ins10), and a diet with an incorporation of 20% IM (Ins20). The diets were tested on 10.5 g meagre for 47 days. The results showed that an IM inclusion higher than 10% affected both growth (2.6 vs. 2.2) and FCR (1.5 vs. 1.9) of meagre juveniles. However, this reduction in growth did not result from lower protein retention or changes in muscle fibre area or density. Little differences were observed in the activity of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes except for aminopeptidase total activity which was higher in the control and Ins10 compared to Ins20 (3847 vs. 3540 mU/mg protein), suggesting no limitations in protein synthesis. Also, the alkaline phosphatase intestinal maturation index was higher in the control group compared to the IM groups (437 vs. 296). On the contrary, several differences were also found in the proteolytic activity in the hepatic and muscle tissues of meagre juveniles fed the Ins10 diet. The inclusion of IM had no impact on intestine histomorphology but changes were detected in the enterocytes of fish from control and Ins10 which showed hypervacuolization and nucleus misplacement compared to the Ins20 treatment. Nevertheless, a higher percentage of Vibrionaceae was recorded for meagre fed on the Ins20 diet. Since no signs of inflammation were observed in the distal intestine, this suggests IM incorporation could have had an important impact on intestinal health due to its antimicrobial properties. This is supported by an increase in the haematocrit in the treatments where IM was added (20 to 25%). In conclusion, incorporations of IM at percentages up to 10% do not seem to have a negative impact on meagre performance at this age but can enhance the fish immune system and protection against intestinal inflammation.publishersversionpublishe

Reduction of skeletal anomalies in meagre (Argyrosomus regius, Asso, 1801) through early introduction of inert diet

The consolidation of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in aquaculture requires an understanding and optimization of larval rearing and nutritional conditions. The aim of this study was to analyse the effects of an early introduction of inert diets during larval rearing, on growth performance, digestive enzymes activity and development of skeletal anomalies. This study evaluated the effects of three different timings for the introduction of inert diet during larval rearing: a control group (CTRL) where inert diet was initiated at 14 days after hatching (DAH) and two treatment groups that had an earlier introduction of inert diet at 8 DAH (T1) and 11 DAH (T2). Meagre larvae exhibited similar pancreatic and intestinal enzymatic activities among the different dietary treatments. No differences in the overall prevalence of anomalies were observed between treatments at 25 or 50 DAH, however, a significant reduction was observed in all groups with the transition from larval to juvenile stage. The precocious introduction of inert diet shifted the distribution of vertebral anomalies to a more anterior vertebral column region. Altogether, this study shows that earlier introduction of inert diets in meagre hatcheries can be beneficial for meagre production in aquaculture.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sofrimento psicológico, consumo de tabaco, álcool e outros fatores psicossociais em adolescentes portugueses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of tobacco, alcohol and social factors (communication with parents, relationships with friends and liking school) on psychological factors as well as differences in gender and school years. The sample consisted of adolescents who participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBCS) study, in 2018, in Portugal and had the participation of 8215 adolescents of the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades, being 52,7% females, with a mean age of 14.36 years (SD=2,18). The results showed that adolescents who have good communication with parents and who like school show fewer psychological symptoms. On the other hand, a bad relationship with friends arises related to an increase in psychological symptoms. The consumption of tobacco and alcohol did not present differences of gender, however they vary according to the school year and relate negatively to psychological symptoms. The results found reinforce the importance of communication and relationship with parents as protective factors and demonstrate that the relationship with friends can be a protective factor for wellbeing. It is therefore crucial to simultaneously help young people to develop strategies to minimize potential adverse effects of this relationship, in particular as regards peer pressure and consequently reduce their impact on their physical and mental health.O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência que o consumo de tabaco, de álcool e os fatores sociais (comunicação com os pais, relação com os amigos e gostar da escola) exercem ao nível dos fatores psicológicos, bem como as diferenças de género e ano de escolaridade. A amostra é constituída por jovens que participaram no estudo Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBCS), em 2018, em Portugal continental e contou com a participação de 8215 jovens do 6º, 8º, 10º e 12º ano, sendo 52,7% do género feminino, com idade média de 14,36 anos (DP=2,28). Os resultados revelaram que os jovens que têm uma boa comunicação com os pais e que gostam da escola revelam menos sintomas psicológicos. Por outro lado, uma má relação com os amigos surge relacionada com um aumento de sintomas psicológicos. O consumo de tabaco e álcool não apresentaram diferenças de género, no entanto variam consoante o ano de escolaridade e relacionam-se de forma negativa com os sintomas psicológicos. Os resultados encontrados reforçam a importância da comunicação e do relacionamento com os pais enquanto fatores protetores e demonstram que a relação com os amigos pode ser um fator de protecção para o bem-estar psicológico. É fundamental simultaneamente ajudar os jovens a desenvolver estratégias para minimizar potenciais efeitos adversos desta relação, nomeadamente no que diz respeito à pressão exercida pelos pares e, consequentemente, reduzir o seu impacto ao nível da sua saúde física e mental.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação do impacte de fogos florestais nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos. 2.º Relatório de Execução Material.

Apresenta os trabalhos desenvolvidos no âmbito do Projeto "Avaliação do impacte de fogos florestais nos recursos hídricos subterrâneos" (POCI/AGR/59180/2004) durante o ano de 2007.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Weight Gain and Loss During Pregnancy

Trabalho Final do Mestrado Integrado em Medicina apresentado à Faculdade de MedicinaIntrodução: A variação do peso na gravidez, relaciona-se com vários fatores e, se de forma inadequada, esta pode ter efeitos negativos para a grávida e para o feto. A obesidade em idade reprodutiva tem vindo a aumentar nos últimos anos, uma vigilância cuidada faz parte de uma das principais formas de prevenir o aparecimento de complicações associadas. Objectivo: Traçar os perfis de peso das mulheres grávidas, num agrupamento de centros de saúde, determinando a prevalência de grávidas obesas, com excesso de peso (EP), normopeso ou baixo peso, antes da conceção e no final da gestação. Outro objectivo deste trabalho foi descrever as principais complicações em cada grupo e ao mesmo tempo avaliar a associação entre ganho ponderal gestacional e retenção de peso. Por fim, estimar possíveis relações entre o IMC prévio da grávida e: o ganho ponderal na gravidez, o peso do recém-nascido e o tipo de parto.Métodos: Estudo de coorte retrospetivo, observacional e longitudinal que decorreu usando uma amostra, de conveniência. A população em estudo incluiu mulheres grávidas inscritas no ACeS Dão-Lafões cujo parto ocorreu entre junho de 2016 e junho de 2017. Os dados foram recolhidos entre dezembro de 2017 e março de 2018 através de registos informáticos (programas SClínico® e SAPE®) e, através da realização de entrevistas telefónicos. As variáveis estudadas foram paridade, tipo de parto, IMC prévio à gravidez, aumento ponderal, complicações, peso do recém-nascido. Para análise estatística utilizou-se o programa SPSS 24.0®, considerando a significância estatística para valores de p<0,05. Resultados: Foram incluídas 93 mulheres, das quais, 80,6% (n=75) tiveram parto vaginal e 19,4%(n=18) tiveram cesariana. Das estudadas 69,6% eram multíparas. No início da gravidez, maioria das grávidas (n=56) apresentavam IMC preconcecional normal, mas 22,6% (n=21) apresentavam excesso de peso, 11,8% (n=11) obesidade e apenas cinco tinham baixo peso. Na gravidez, 26,9% das mulheres aumentaram de peso mais do que o recomendado e 30,1% abaixo do recomendado. Comparando dois grupos, abaixo e acima do IMC=25, verificou-se que as grávidas com IMC igual ou superior a 25 aumentaram mais de peso “acima do recomendado”, diferença no limiar da significância estatística (p=0,061). Demonstrou-se que as grávidas com IMC inicial inferior a 25 conseguiram, em maior número, perder algum do peso adquirido no decorrer da gravidez (p=0,048). Verificou-se que as grávidas que obtiveram aconselhamento em relação ao peso tiveram em maior número um aumento adequado de peso ao longo da gravidez (p=0,047). Discussão e conclusão: Assim, verificou-se a importância da implementação de medidas preventivas de forma a corrigir esta condição, tal como, investir na educação para a saúde, nomeadamente, nas consultas de preconceção e, no aconselhamento de ganho ponderal adequado durante a gravidez e da diminuição da retenção de peso pós-parto.Introduction: The variation of weight during pregnancy is a multifactorial co-relation that, when inadequate, can produce negative effects for the fetus and the mother. Obesity at reproductive age has been increasing over the past few years, a close surveillance is one of the main ways to prevent the onset of associated complications. Objectives: Describe the weight profiles of pregnant women within a group of health care institutions and determining the prevalence of obese, overweight, normal weight, or underweight pregnant women before conception and during the last phase of gestation. Another objective of this study was to describe the main complications in each group and at the same time to evaluate the association between gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. Finally, to estimate possible associations between the previous BMI of the pregnant woman and: the weight gain during pregnancy, the weight of the newborn and the type of delivery.Methods: Retrospective, observational and longitudinal cohort study that was performed using a convenience sample. The population in study consisted in pregnant women enrolled in ACeS Dão-Lafões whose delivery occurred between June 2016 and June 2017. Data were collected between December 2017 and March 2018 from computer records (SClínico® and SAPE® applications) and telephone interviews. The variables studied were parity, type of delivery, BMI prior to pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, complications, newborn weight. For statistical analysis, the SPSS 24.0® application was used, considering the statistical significance for values of p <0.05.Results: A total of 93 women were included in the study, of which 80.6% (n = 75) had vaginal delivery and 19.4% (n = 18) had a cesarean section. Of those studied, 69.6% were multiparous. At the beginning of the pregnancy, most of the pregnant women (n = 56) had normal preconception BMI, but 22.6% (n = 21) were overweight, 11.8% (n = 11) were obese and only five were underweight. During pregnancy, 26.9% of women gained more weight than recommended and 30.1% less than recommended. Comparing two groups, below and above the BMI = 25, it was verified that pregnant women with BMI greater than or equal to 25 increased more than the "recommended" weight, difference in the threshold of statistical significance (p = 0.061). The study showed that pregnant women with an initial BMI of less than 25 were able to lose more of their acquired weight during pregnancy (p = 0.048). It also showed that pregnant women who received weight counseling were more able to obtain adequate weight gain during pregnancy (p = 0.047).Discussion and conclusion: In conclusion, the study showed the importance of implementing preventive measures in order to correct this condition, such as investing in health education, namely in preconception doctor appointments and in counseling for adequate weight gain during pregnancy and decrease in postpartum weight retention