The relationship between responsible leadership and organizational citizenship behavior in the hospitality industry

The purpose of this study is to explore the mediating role of the perception of social responsibility, and organizational identification, in the relationship between responsible leadership and organizational citizenship behavior in the hospitality industry. A questionnaire was answered by 214 frontline employees of four and five-star hotels, in the north of Portugal. Results indicate that there is a mediation model, which uses the effect of the perception of social responsibility and organizational identification in the relationship between responsible leadership and organizational citizenship behaviors. This study is a first attempt to propose a parallel multiple mediator model that explores the effect of hotel frontline employees’ perceptions of the importance of social responsibility, as well as the effect of employees’ identification with the organization, both of which act as mediators in the relationship between responsible leadership and OCB in the hospitality industry

Building inclusive preschool classrooms: How desirable and feasible is a set of strategies that facilitate teacher-child relationships?

Positive teacher-child relationships promote children’s engagement, as children feel more secure to explore and participate in free or oriented activities. For children with disabilities, a context wherein they can receive the support to maintain a positive engagement in different activities is even more relevant. A scarcity of research exists on how to promote ECEC quality, namely, how to facilitate teacher-child interactions in inclusive environments. This study aims to evaluate preschool teachers’ opinions about the desirability and feasibility of a set of empirically validated strategies to improve teacher-child interactions in ECEC classrooms, for the group and children with disabilities. The participants were 89 Portuguese preschool teachers. Based on a non-systematic literature review, a questionnaire composed of 22 strategies to facilitate teacher-child interactions (in 4 dimensions: emotionally responsive interactions, classroom management, attend to children’s perspectives, and scaffolding learning) was developed. Along with the questionnaire, a set of socio-demographic variables was also collected. ECEC teachers scored significantly higher in the desirability subscale compared with the feasibility subscale in all dimensions and at both the child and the group level. This gap between teachers’ perceived desirability and feasibility provides important insights regarding the dimensions which are important to reinforce in ECEC teachers’ education and professional development. The mean difference between the desirability and feasibility subscales registered a higher effect size at the child’s level than at the group’s level, confirming that the inclusion of children with disabilities in preschool settings remains a challenge. Moreover, the effect size was small to moderate in the Emotionally Responsive Interactions dimension for both child and group levels. These results are aligned with previous studies stating that among different self-identified dimensions for improvement, emotional support is the less evoked by ECEC teachers. Across all dimensions, the main reason teachers give for difficulty in feasibility, both at the group and child’s level, is lack of knowledge. Overall, understanding the reasons teachers attribute to the difference between the strategies’ desirability and feasibility informs the assessment of teacher education needs and might be operationalized as a new observation instrument.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gamification applied to autism spectrum disorder

Gamification is a recent technique in software development that allows the application of game principles to non-game contexts and environments. In an increasingly technological world, gamification has now higher popularity, and it is currently used in several technologies. One of the health conditions where gamification can bring great benefits is in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a persistent neurodevelopmental disorder that can be characterized briefly by deficits in verbal and non-verbal communication, difficulties in interaction, and manifestation of stereotyped movements or interests. In the case of ASD, the programs, software, or the mobile applications should focus on the development of intrapersonal (such as motivation) and interpersonal (social skills) skills. Therefore, gamification can be useful in cases of ASD, but it is necessary to increase the analysis of the potentialities and needs for improvement of technologies and applications available on the market.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Colonización oral por Candida en pacientes que asisten a una clinica dental in Braga, Portugal

The ability of the Candida species to colonize surfaces can be considered as a risk factor for oral infection. Aims The aim of this work was to establish oral Candida carriage in patients attending a dental clinic in Braga, Portugal. Methods A total of 97 patients were analysed. Swab samples were collected, and directly cultured onto CHROMagar Candida. Representative yeasts were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Results From the samples analysed 54.6% (n=53) were Candida positive, and Candida albicans was the most frequently isolated species, accounting for 79% of all the species identified. Non-C. albicans Candida (NCAC) species recovered included Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida guilliermondii. There was a lack of association between the presence of C. albicans and NCAC species, and age, gender, or prostheses wearing in this population. In 17% of the cases (n=9), polymicrobial cultures, with two different Candida species, were identified. Conclusions This study shows a high Candida carriage rate among this population, thus pointing to the relevance of an accurate diagnostic approach in Candida species identification.Antecedentes: La capacidad que poseen las diferentes especies de Candida de colonizar las superficies, puede ser considerada como un factor de riesgo para la infección oral. Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer la colonización oral por Candida en pacientes que asisten a una clinica dental en Braga, Portugal. Métodos: Un total de 97 pacientes fueron estudiados. Se colectaron muestras bucales con hisopo y fueron cultivadas directamente en CHROMagar Candida. Las levaduras seleccionadas se identificaron mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. Resultados: De las muestras analizadas 54.6% (n=53) fueron positivas para Candida. Candida albicans fue la especie más frecuentemente aislada, representado el 79% de todas las especies identificadas. Las especies de Candida no-Candida albicans (CNCA) aisladas fueron C. parapsilosis, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis y C. guilliermondii. En la población estudiada no se observó asociación entre la presencia de C. albicans y CNCA con la edad, el sexo o el uso de prótesis. En el 17% de los casos (n=9) se identificó colonización mixta con dos especies de Candida. Conclusiones: Este estudio muestra una alta incidencia de colonización por Candida en esta población; por lo tanto, se sugiere la necesidad de un diagnóstico preciso para la identificación de las especies de Candida.Margarida Martins was financially supported by a fellowship from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal (Contract SFRH/BD/28222/2006). This research was supported by FCT through the Project PPCDT/BIO/61112/2004

Microbiota assessment of fresh-cut apples packaged in two different films

The aim of this work was to assess the natural microbiota of packed fresh-cut apples during refrigerated storage. Two different films were tested for the package, a biodegradable (PLA) film and a conventional and commercial one (OPP). Two antioxidant additives were applied, a natural olive pomace extract and the commercial ascorbic acid used by the industries. The results revealed lower bacteria counts in samples with olive pomace extract and PLA films than in those with ascorbic acid and OPP films after 5 and 12 days of storage. These findings suggest that the use of such natural extracts as additives in fruits could delay the growth of mesophilic bacteria. The characterization and identification of the bacterial isolates from fresh-cut apple samples showed that the most prevalent species were Citrobacter freundii, Staphylococcus warneri, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Alcalinogenes faecalis, Corynebacterium jeikeium, Micrococcus spp., Pantoea aglomerans and Bacillus spp. Furthermore, an increase in the microbial diversity during the storage time at refrigerated temperatures was observed, except for the sample treated with olive pomace extract and packaged in OPP film. The highest microbial diversity was found for samples with ascorbic acid as an additive. This could indicate a negative effect of ascorbic acid on the microbial inhibition of apple slices. The natural olive pomace extract demonstrated potential as an antimicrobial additive for fresh-cut apples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Study of the edible Rumex induratus from Côa Valley in hepaticocarcinoma cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer (about 90%) which remains a worldwide health challenge due to its incidence growth and yet scarce and not specific treatments.HCC is characterized by a metabolic and oxidative stress which induces a prolonged pathological inflammation and cell damage, and also an evident increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which will lead to an increase of cellular lipid peroxidation and of hepatic enzymes. Available treatments are not very effective being usually adapted from other illnesses. Plants are considered very important sources for the discovery of new compounds to prevent and treat diseases (1). There are several natural drug leads presently used in chemotherapy including in HCC. Rumex induratus is native in Iberian Peninsula and spontaneous in northwest Portugal where it is used in local cuisine. Its extracts have significative antioxidant activity (2). This work aimed to add value to this species focused on the evaluation of the antitumoral activity of different extracts. Extractions of Rumex induratus (collected in Vale do Côa, Portugal, between March and May 2021) were made in water, ethanol 80% and ethanol 100% and tested in HCC in vitro models using HepG2, HuH7 and Hep3B cells lines. Metabolic activity, cellular morphology, cellular death and the quantification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide) were assayed. A reduction in the metabolic activity was dependent on the extract and its concentration: it was observed that the infusion was more cytotoxic and Hep3B the most sensitive cell line. As for cellular morphology, in HuH7 was observed the condensation of the nucleus after treatment with infusion, and in Hep3B the hydroethanolic extract led to cellular contraction. Cellular death evaluated by the membrane potential revealed that HepG2 and HuH7 suffered from exposure to infusion and hydroethanolic extracts, while Hep3B was not so sensitive. As for ROS quantification, a growth pattern in the concentration of the superoxide anion and a decrease in peroxides were detected with an increase in the concentration of R. induratus extracts. Although not so robust, results of this study still revealed an evident influence of R. induratus extracts in the cellular activity and intracellular ROS production in the studied hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. It is understandable that these biologic activities are directly associated to the existent phenolic compounds which antioxidant potential allows the understanding that the extracts led to an increase in membrane potential in all cell lines, with HepG2 presenting the highest values. In conclusion, the plant extract provides intracellular differences that can lead to the triggering of apoptosis in tumor cells. Nevertheless, future assays will allow to understand the mechanism of action of R. induratus extracts in HCC and to potentiate its use.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Análise do conhecimento das estudantes de medicina acerca do coletor menstrual / Analysis of the knowledge of medicine students about the menstrual collector

Introdução: O coletor menstrual é um dispositivo para a gestão do sangue menstrual que contribui com a quebra do paradigma dos tabus relacionados a menstruação e ajuda na criação de novos papéis ao ato de menstruar. Revisão sistemática já indica que os coletores são uma opção segura para a captação da menstruação. Objetivo: Analisar o conhecimento das estudantes de Medicina acerca do coletor menstrual e as variáveis relacionadas ao conhecimento. Métodos: Estudo transversal, observacional, com delineamento descritivo. Dados coletados por questionários a estudantes de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Sergipe no período de novembro de 2019 a março de 2020 e analisados e interpretados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: 145 questionários foram elegíveis para a pesquisa. A idade média das participantes foi 22,46 anos. São, majoritariamente, pardas, solteiras, heterossexuais e estão bem distribuídas entre os ciclos do curso. Maioria das alunas afirma não ter religião. Apenas 11% das alunas não conhecem o coletor menstrual. Das conhecedoras, apenas 9% utilizam o mesmo. Houve correlação entre vida sexual ativa e o uso de contraceptivos ao conhecimento do coletor menstrual. Conclusão: A média de idade foi 22,47 anos. A maioria conhecia o coletor menstrual, porém não fazia uso. Entre as que não faziam uso, a justificativa foi insegurança, e, entre as que faziam uso, a justificativa maior foi a sustentabilidade. Houve associação entre atividade sexual e uso de contraceptivos e o conhecimento sobre o coletor menstrual. 

revista de ciências da arte

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Livro Verde dos Montados

O Livro Verde dos Montados apresenta diversos objectivos que se interligam: Em primeiro lugar, o Livro Verde pretende reunir e sistematizar, de uma forma simples e acessível ao público, o conhecimento produzido em Portugal pelos investigadores e técnicos de várias instituições de investigação ou de gestão que estudam o Montado. Assume-se como uma oportunidade de caracterizar o sistema tendo em conta as suas várias dimensões, identificando as principais ameaças à sua preservação assim como os caminhos que podem ajudar à sua sustentabilidade. Não sendo um documento científico, baseia-se no conhecimento científico e pretende constituir a base para uma plataforma de organização, tanto dos investigadores como do conhecimento científico actualmente produzido em Portugal sobre o Montado.Em segundo lugar, o Livro Verde deverá contribuir para um entendimento partilhado do que é o Montado, por parte do público, de técnicos e de especialistas, conduzindo a uma classificação mais clara do que pode ser considerado Montado e de quais os tipos distintos de Montados que podem ser identificados. Em terceiro lugar, o Livro Verde estabelece as bases para uma estratégia coordenada de disponibilização de informação sobre o sistema Montado, visando o seu conhecimento, apreciação e valorização pela sociedade portuguesa no seu conjunto. Deste modo, o Livro Verde poderá constituir um instrumento congregador e inspirador para a realização de acções de sensibilização e informação sobre o Montado. Em quarto lugar, pretende-se que o Livro Verde contribua para um maior reconhecimento e valorização do Montado como sistema, a nível do desenho das políticas nacionais por parte dos vários sectores envolvidos.Finalmente, o Livro Verde constituirá um documento parceiro do Livro Verde das Dehesas, produzido em Espanha em 2010, de forma a reforçar o reconhecimento e a devida valorização destes sistemas silvo-pastoris no desenho das estratégias e políticas relevantes pelas instituições europeias. Em suma, os autores pretendem que o Livro Verde dos Montados se afirme como o primeiro passo para uma efectiva definição e implementação de uma estratégia nacional para os Montados