The circulation of South Gaulish sigillata in southern Lusitania: Alentejo region and the Algarve (Portugal)

Research carried out recently in different contexts at Roman sites in the Algarve and Alentejo has defined distinct sets of South Gaulish sigillata, so elucidating an understanding of the main consumption trends in that region. In this work, recent and older sets of data concerning this category of tableware imported from La Graufesenque are revisited, presented and discussed. The plain and decorated forms are analyzed, as well as the potter’s stamps from sites in southern areas of the present Portuguese territory, which in Roman times corresponded to the province of Lusitania. Even in the case of samples with very unequal compositions, we have identified different consumption patterns between the Alentejo and the Algarve sites, and have compared them with each other and with sets from other regions of Lusitania and Baetica.A investigação realizada recentemente nos sítios algarvios e alentejanos em distintos contextos permitiu uma abordagem aos diferentes conjuntos de sigillata sudgálica possibilitando uma leitura acerca das principais tendências do consumo naquela região Neste trabalho, apresentam-se dados recentes e revisitam-se conjuntos antigos desta categoria de cerâmica de mesa importada de La Graufesenque. Analisam-se as formas lisas e decoradas assim como as marcas de oleiro provenientes de sítios do Sul do actual território português que em época romana correspondia à província da Lusitânia. Mesmo tratando-se de amostras com significados bastante desiguais identificaram-se diferentes padrões de consumo no Alentejo e Algarve que foram comparados entre si e com conjuntos de outras regiões da Lusitânia e da Bética.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avatars, sexualization and affectivities : the case of K-pop girl group AESPA

Korean popular music, or K-pop, and virtual worlds have each experienced increasing interest in the last years, reason why their union, from which resulted unique experiences to the audiences of this music genre, is hardly surprising. One novelty is the female K-pop group Aespa, which counts with the presence of four members and their respective avatars. Despite its creative concept, this group has raised apprehensions among netizens related to the sexualized design of the virtual idols. This thesis then, attempts to examine, from a feminist perspective, the contribution of Aespa’s avatars to the sexualization and objectification of the female idols, as well as analyse the affective responses of the idols and fans towards these entities. It is a thesis that succeeds studies dedicated to denounce the gendered use given to technologies, albeit with a focus on the K-pop industry, and that also emphasizes the need for critical reflection on an entertainment product of growing international consumption.This study was developed by relying on mixed research methods. In order to achieve the objectives outlined, we selected and conducted a visual analysis of the promotional images of Aespa, analysed the narrative present in audio-visual contents of the group, designed and implemented a questionnaire aimed at adult female South Korean fans, and interviewed fans as well.The results suggest the avatars of Aespa contribute to the female idols’ sexualization and objectification 1) through their own existence and sexualized design, 2) by being the guiding force of their concept and thus, dictating all choices related to the group’s aesthetic, and 3) by appearing as additional sexualized elements in some of the group’s images. The avatars were also perceived as capable of holding affective power over the idols, who appeared to manifest signs of body dysmorphia in response. Finally, it was also possible to conclude that even though the avatars seem irrelevant to the fans, the idols appeared capable of influencing fans’ subjectivities and embodiments. These results propose that the avatars can indirectly influence the fans through the idols.A música popular coreana, ou K-pop, e os mundos virtuais têm ambos vivenciado um crescente interesse nos últimos anos, pelo que não surpreende a sua recente união, da qual resultaram experiências únicas para as audiências deste género musical. Uma novidade é o grupo feminino de K-pop Aespa, que conta com a presença de quatro membros e os seus respetivos avatares. Apesar do seu conceito criativo, este grupo despertou apreensão por parte de cibernautas em relação ao design sexualizado dos ídolos virtuais. Esta dissertação procura, assim, através de uma perspetiva feminista, examinar o contributo dos avatares das Aespa para a sexualização e objetificação dos ídolos femininos, bem como analisar as respostas afetivas de ídolos e fãs relativamente a estas entidades. Trata-se de uma dissertação realizada que sucede estudos dedicados a denunciar o uso “genderizado” das tecnologias, porém com enfoque na indústria do K-pop, e que salienta a necessidade de refletir criticamente sobre uma forma de entretenimento com crescente consumo internacional.Este estudo foi desenvolvido a partir da aplicação de métodos de pesquisa mistos. Com o propósito de cumprir os objetivos delineados, recorreu-se à seleção e análise visual de imagens promocionais das Aespa, à análise da narrativa presente em conteúdos audiovisuais do grupo, à construção e aplicação de um questionário dirigido a fãs adultas sul-coreanas, assim como à realização de entrevistas a fãs.Os resultados sugerem que os avatares das Aespa contribuem para a sexualização e objetificação dos ídolos femininos 1) através da sua própria existência e design sexualizado, 2) ao serem a força orientadora do conceito do grupo e, assim, ditarem todas as escolhas relacionadas com a estética do grupo, e 3) ao aparecerem como elementos sexualizados adicionais nalgumas imagens do grupo. Os avatares mostraram-se também capazes de exercer poder afetivo sobre os ídolos, que pareceram manifestar sinais de dismorfia corporal em resposta. Por fim, foi possível concluir ainda que apesar dos avatares parecerem ser irrelevantes para as fãs, os ídolos apresentaram capacidade de influenciar as subjetividades e corporalizações das fãs. Estes resultados propõem uma influência indireta dos avatares sobre as fãs através dos ídolos

Using virtual reality to prepare patients for radiotherapy: a systematic review of interventional studies with educational sessions

Purpose: To understand the impact of radiotherapy educational sessions with virtual reality on oncologic adult patients' psychological and cognitive outcomes related to the treatment experience. Methods: This review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines. A systematic electronic search in three databases, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, was conducted in December 2021 to find interventional studies with adult patients undergoing external radiotherapy who received an educational session with virtual reality before or during the treatment. The studies that provided qualitative or quantitative information about the impact of educational sessions on patients' psychological and cognitive dimensions related to RT experience were retained for analysis. Results: Of the 25 records found, eight articles about seven studies were analysed that involved 376 patients with different oncological pathologies. Most studies evaluated knowledge and treatment-related anxiety, mainly through self-reported questionnaires. The analysis showed a significant improvement in patients' knowledge and comprehension of radiotherapy treatment. Anxiety levels also decreased with virtual reality educational sessions and throughout the treatment in almost all the studies, although with less homogeneous results. Conclusion: Virtual reality methods in standard educational sessions can enhance cancer patients' preparation for radiation therapy by increasing their understanding of treatment and reducing anxiety.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Discovering the Archaeologists of Portugal 2012-14

The present report was elaborated by Associação Profissional de Arqueólogos (APA, Portugal) in the context of the DISCO 2014 project, coordinated by York Archaeological Trust. The nature of APA – a professional association of archaeologists – is coherent with the goals of DISCO 2014, since it is our objective to survey the profession in Portugal, define its major difficulties and influence the decision makers for possibly necessary changes. The project DISCO 2014 is, therefore, the essence of what APA needed to achieve among Portuguese archaeologists – define how many professionals there are, where they work and in which conditions. Furthermore, it was necessary to define which changes might be pivotal to ensure the good path of the discipline in the country and internationally. Upon knowledge of the nature of enquiries and methodology used by other countries (in December 2013), APA decided to launch two questionnaires – a first one individual, and a second one, designed for organisations. The questionnaires were defined with the approval of YAT and were then launched in a Google Survey platform. Archaeologists were individually invited to fill out the forms digitally, through the Internet. Then, a survey of potential employers in Archaeology was performed so that a considerable and diverse number of organisations could be also invited to answer the questionnaire. In this case, we selected institutions which employed archaeologists. For the individual questionnaires we obtained 572 answers to 827 invitations. For the organisations questionnaire we obtained 103 answers. The specific goal of the present project is to identify the changes that have occurred in Archaeology since the 2008 crisis and how our profession has been affected in different countries. Portuguese results demonstrate that the crisis became particularly severe after 2011, as it is visible in the results of both questionnaires – individual and organisational. This economic pressure was likely due to with the interruption of large public investments as a consequence of the World Monetary Fund and European Central Bank intervention in the country. Analysis of the results obtained from the answers to the questionnaires demonstrates specific problems, such as the reduction of permanent jobs, a higher mobility of archaeologists and a severe reduction in income. Academic investment and achievement, however, continues to be significant, even though funding for research has been reduced in the past two years. Socially, archaeologists in Portugal are almost all born in the country and have significant academic education, with a high percentage of professionals that hold postgraduate degrees, from universities in different locations and various countries. In the private sector archaeologists in Portugal have significantly lower salaries than equivalent university graduates in other academic areas. Labour contracts are volatile and work conditions very variable, depending on the private companies the professionals work for. 6 Recently, however, a Union of the Archaeology Workers (STARQ) has been created and the contractual problems are being discussed at that level. APA (Associação Profissional de Arqueólogos) works for the better quality of archaeological work developed in our country. In that sense, we have prepared a series of recommendations that we are directing to an array of institutions which can influence the decision making sectors in diverse areas of public intervention.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular epidemiology, virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance signatures of Aeromonas spp. in the critically endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum follow geographical and seasonal patterns

This research was supported by CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Project UIDB/00276/2020 (funded by FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia IP) and by MARE (MARE-ISPA), MARE/UIDB/MAR/04292/2020 and strategic project MARE/UIDP/MAR/04292/2020 (also funded by FCT). M.L.G. thanks funding by the University of Lisbon (PhD fellowship C10571K). T.A.M. and C.S.M. thank partial support by CEAUL (funded by FCT, Portugal, through the project UIDB/00006/2020).Despite the fact that freshwater fish populations are experiencing severe declines worldwide, our knowledge on the interaction between endangered populations and pathogenic agents remains scarce. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and structure of Aeromonas communities isolated from the critically endangered Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum, a model species for threatened Iberian leuciscids, as well as health parameters in this species. Additionally, we evaluated the virulence profiles, antimicrobial resistance signatures and genomic relationships of the Aeromonas isolates. Lesion prevalence, extension and body condition were deeply affected by location and seasonality, with poorer performances in the dry season. Aeromonas composition shifted among seasons and was also different across river streams. The pathogenic potential of the isolates significantly increased during the dry season. Additionally, isolates displaying clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance phenotypes (carbapenem and fluroquinolone resistance) were detected. As it inhabits intermittent rivers, often reduced to disconnected pools during the summer, the dry season is a critical period for I. lusitanicum, with lower general health status and a higher potential of infection by Aeromonas spp. Habitat quality seems a determining factor on the sustainable development of this fish species. Also, these individuals act as reservoirs of important antimicrobial resistant bacteria with potential implications for public health.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Aeromonas spp. prevalence, virulence and antimicrobial resistance in an ex situ program for threatened freshwater fish – a pilot study with protective measures

This research was supported by CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Project UIDB/00276/2020 (funded by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia IP), by MARE (MARE-ISPA), MARE/UIDB/MAR/04292/2020 and strategic project MARE/UIDP/MAR/04292/2020 (also funded by FCT) and by the Zebra Foundation for Veterinary Zoological Education, Grant “A. hydrophila in Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum”. MLG thanks funding by the University of Lisbon (PhD fellowship C10571K). TAM and CM thank partial support by CEAUL (funded by FCT, Portugal, through the project UIDB/00006/2020).Ex situ breeding programs are important conservation tools for endangered freshwater fish. However, developing husbandry techniques that decrease the likelihood of disease, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence determinants acquisition during this process is challenging. In this pilot study, we conducted a captivity experiment with Portuguese nase (Iberochondrostoma lusitanicum), a critically endangered leuciscid species, to investigate the influence of simple protective measures (i.e., material disinfection protocols and animal handling with gloves) on the dynamics of a potential pathogenic genus, Aeromonas, as well as its virulence profiles and antimicrobial resistance signatures. Our findings show that antimicrobial resistance in Aeromonas spp. collected from I. lusitanicum significantly increased during the extent of the assay (5 weeks), with all isolates collected at the end of the study classified as multidrug-resistant. Additionally, humans handling fishes without protective measures were colonized by Aeromonas spp. The use of protective measures suggested a decreasing trend in Aeromonas spp. prevalence in I. lusitanicum, while bacterial isolates displayed significantly lower virulence index values when virulence phenotypical expression was tested at 22 °C. Despite this study representing an initial trial, which needs support from further research, protective measures tested are considered a simple tool to be applied in ex situ breeding programs for aquatic animals worldwide. Furthermore, current results raise concern regarding antimicrobial resistance amplification and zoonotic transmission of Aeromonas spp. in aquatic ex situ programs.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

F-FDG PET/CT Low Dose: A Comparison of Anxiety Levels before and after Imaging Studies

Objective. Assessing the level of anxiety in oncology patients who underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and identifying the main reasons that generate anxiety. Material and Method. The study included 81 cancer patients submitted to the 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Patients filled in the Scan Experience Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Results. Substantial levels of anxiety were detected both before and after 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan (STAI mean > 30), with a significant increase in the state of anxiety after scan performance ( < 0.0001, Median pre = 31.1, and Median pos = 33.0). 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose results are the main cause of anxiety both before (79.1%) and after (86.9%) the scan. The information provided by staff both before and on the 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose day was classified mostly as completely understandable (70.5% and 75.3%, resp.) and as very useful (70.5% and 72.6%, resp.) and correlated positively with patients' overall satisfaction with NM Department ( = 0.372, = 0.004 and = 0.528, p = 0.000, resp.), but not with anxiety levels. Conclusions. Patients perceive high levels of anxiety during the 18 F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and the concern with scan results was pointed out as the main factor for that emotional reaction

Eficácia da música no controlo da ansiedade durante o exame de PET/TC

Em exames de tomografia de emissão de positrões (PET, do acrónimo inglês Positron Emission Tomography) com tomografia computadorizada (TC) a ansiedade pode interferir com a experiência do paciente e até com o diagnóstico. A música tem vindo a ser utilizada para controlo da ansiedade dos pacientes em inúmeros contextos clínicos. Objetivo – Verificar o efeito da música no controlo da ansiedade dos pacientes durante exames PET/TC. Métodos – Estudo exploratório onde foram incluídos 22 pacientes no grupo de controlo (GC) e 23 no grupo experimental (GE) que realizaram exame de PET/TC com fluorodesoxiglucose marcada com flúor-18 (18F-FDG). Os pacientes do GE ouviram música durante a aquisição de imagens, enquanto os do GC não. Todos os pacientes responderam a questionários sobre a experiência do exame (QEE) e a uma versão reduzida do questionário State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State (STAI-S) antes do exame (AE) e depois do exame (DE). Procedeu-se ainda à medição da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) AE e DE. Resultados – Os valores do STAI-S não diferiram significativamente entre grupos, quer AE quer DE. Contudo, do AE para o DE verificou-se um aumento destes valores no GC e, em oposição, uma diminuição no GE. Comparando as PA entre o GE e o GC constatou-se que não existem diferenças significativas AE, mas existem DE, sendo que no GE os valores são inferiores aos do GC. No GE 91,3% dos pacientes relatou que a música é um auxílio durante o exame, classificando em média o nível de utilidade em 4,4 (0 a 5, sendo 5 o máximo). Conclusões – No presente estudo ouvir música parece ser eficaz no controlo da ansiedade em exames de PET/TC, mostrando-se os pacientes satisfeitos quanto à utilização desta técnica