Emotional Intelligence in management and leadership literature – a bibliometric analysis

Several organizations value technical competences of their employees, but it is not enough to differentiate them. So, market distinguishes organizational staff with social and behavioural skills, such emotional intelligence, to improve organizational performance. During the recent years, emotional intelligence has gained a great relevance in terms of management and leadership research, in different contexts. This research aims to provide a literature review about emotional intelligence in management and leadership context and identify suggestions for future research. To achieve that purpose, we used a bibliometric analysis methodology, specifically a co-citation analysis, with support of VOSviewer software. The articles used in this research were obtained from Web of Science database and published between 1980 and 2018. As main contributions of this study, we intend to identify the emotional intelligence clusters that result of management and leadership literature, make aware researchers and managers to this subject relevance, and show the research trends about the emotional intelligence as basis for a set of soft skills that improve the individual and organizational performance.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Relationship between Nutritional Status and Functional Capacity: A Contribution Study in Institutionalised Portuguese Older Adults

Demographic aging of the population allied with the new family structures and societal dynamics is generating an increasing demand for institutions for older adults. Nutritional status is a key health determinant that impacts the quality of life among older adults. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and nutritional risk, functional capacity, and cognition in institutionalised Portuguese older adults by a cross-sectional study in 15 institutions. Nutritional status (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), nutritional risk (mini nutritional assessment (MNA)), degree of functional independence (Barthel index (BI)), and cognitive ability (mini mental state examination (MMSE)) were assessed. Of the 214 older adults evaluated, 28.0% were at risk of malnutrition, 69.6% were mildly functional dependent, and 39.3% presented minor cognitive impairment. The risk of malnutrition increased functional dependence and cognitive impairment. The MNA score, but not the BMI or WC, was related to disability and deficits in cognition. A differential interdependence was found between nutritional, cognitive, and functional status. Strategies to improve self-care and well-being in nursing homes should consider a correct diet and a closer evaluation of nutritional risk to preserve cognition, independence, and autonomy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of photocatalytic ceramic materials through the deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles layers

Urbanism and communities centralization enlarges atmospheric pollution that affects both human beings as well as their constructed buildings. Different scientific and technological studies are being conducted, both in academic and construction industry, aiming the development of new construction materials with properties that can decrease visual pollution of cities, reducing also the number of cleanings required. The present research work aims the study and the production of self-cleaning ceramic surfaces in an economical and viable way without changing aesthetical aspect of material substrates used. The use of TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2-NNPs) represents an attractive way to generate self-cleaning surfaces, therefore promoting the degradation of pollutant agents and reducing cleaning maintenance costs. In order to impart self-cleaning properties to ceramic surfaces, TiO2-NNPs based layers were deposited on different ceramic material substrates using the dip-coating method. The Photocatalytic activity (degradation of pollutants adsorbed on the surface) of the TiO2-NNPs based layers was characterized via the decomposition rate of an aqueous solution of Methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. Colourless layers were successfully produced onto gray and white ceramic substrates using this sol-gel technique, without changing their aesthetical appearance. It was observed that the best photocatalytic activity was exhibited by the most porous ceramic substrate (gray); nevertheless, all the TiO2-NNPs coated ceramic surfaces showed good photocatalytic efficiency.Revigres® Compan

Diabetic Nephropathy Amelioration by a Low-Dose Sitagliptin in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes (Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rat)

This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic low-dose sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, on metabolic profile and on renal lesions aggravation in a rat model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy, the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. Diabetic and obese ZDF (fa/fa) rats and their controls ZDF (+/+) were treated for 6 weeks with vehicle (control) or sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/bw). Blood/serum glucose, HbA1c, insulin, Total-c, TGs, urea, and creatinine were assessed, as well as kidney glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions (interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy), using a semiquantitative rating from 0 (absent/normal) to 3 (severe and extensive damage). Vascular lesions were scored from 0–2. Sitagliptin in the diabetic rats promoted an amelioration of glycemia, HbA1c, Total-c, and TGs, accompanied by a partial prevention of insulinopenia. Furthermore, together with urea increment prevention, renal lesions were ameliorated in the diabetic rats, including glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and vascular lesions, accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, chronic low-dose sitagliptin treatment was able to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy, which might represent a key step forward in the management of T2DM and this serious complication

Estudos preliminares de populações de mexilhão-de-rio (Margaritifera margaritifera l.) nos rios Rabaçal e Tuela Nordeste de Portugal): análise do habitat e da qualidade da água e sedimentos

Permanecem pouco estudadas as condições ecológicas dos rios Rabaçal e Tuela que permitem a existência de populações viáveis de mexilhão-de-rio (Margaritifera margaritifera L.). Estudos preliminares realizados no Verão de 2009 permitiram caracterizar o habitat e microhabitat usado pela espécie assim como a qualidade da água e sedimentos. Relativamente ao habitat foi aplicada a metodologia RHS (River Habitat Survey) complementada com uma análise do microhabitat. Realizaram-se 30 transectos por cada troço de rio seleccionado e determinadas as variáveis da profundidade, substrato dominante e sub-dominante, velocidade da corrente, medida na coluna de água e no leito, e cobertura em cada área amostrada (0.25 cm2). A M. margaritifera apresentou uma distribuição espacial não aleatória, concentrando-se em zonas específicas. As curvas de preferência permitiram detectar diferenças entre os juvenis, presentes maioritariamente em habitats com corrente, menor profundidade e substrato grosseiro (pedras e seixos), e os adultos, de distribuição mais ampla, capazes de colonizar zonas lênticas, com maior profundidade, ausência de corrente e substrato de granulometria fina (areias). No que respeita à qualidade da água detectou-se baixo teor sais dissolvidos (condutividade < 50 µScm-1) e nutrientes (N-Total <0,1 mg/L) (POM <3 mg/L PIM < 0,01mg/L). Apesar da qualidade da água ser elevada foi detectada uma baixa concentração de coliformes totais na água e sedimento indicando alguma influência antropogénica. Como medida de conservação da espécie nestes rios afigura-se essencial a monitorização das descargas de efluentes domésticos, dos efeitos da regularização e sobrepesca com o intuito de evitar a regressão assinalada noutros rios de Portugal

Differential Effects of Acute (Extenuating) and Chronic (Training) Exercise on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Status in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study compares the effects of a single bout of exercise (acute extenuating) with those promoted by an exercise training program (chronic), focusing on low-grade chronic inflammation profile and on oxidative stress status, using the obese ZDF rats as a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of a swimming training program and after a single bout of acute extenuating exercise. Glycaemic, insulinemic, and lipidic profile (triglycerides, total-cholesterol) were evaluated, as well as inflammatory (serum CRPhs, TNF-α, adiponectin) and oxidative (lipidic peroxidation and uric acid) status. When compared to obese diabetic sedentary rats, the animals submitted to acute exercise presented significantly lower values of glycaemia and insulinaemia, with inflammatory profile and oxidative stress significantly aggravated. The trained animals showed amelioration of glycaemic and lipidic dysmetabolism, accompanied by remarkable reduction of inflammatory and oxidative markers. In conclusion, the results presented herein suggessted that exercise pathogenesis-oriented interventions should not exacerbate underlying inflammatory stress associated with T2DM

The evaluation of the antibacterial capacity of tea tree functionalized microcapsules in textiles

The textile industry develops products that go beyond aesthetic concerns. Manufacturers functionalize these new textile products to provide them with new technical properties, to meet and even exceed user needs. The technical properties are diverse, from ultraviolet protection to antimicrobial or self-cleaning properties. The growth of microorganisms on textiles can result in unpleasant odors, stains or even accelerate the wear and tear of textile products. Microcapsules may contain natural or synthetic components in their core, capable of providing the desired properties to textiles (Figure 1). In addition, a shell protects the core and its design allows a gradual release of the main component. In this work, microcapsules were dyed to prevent the appearance of stains. This research tested the antibacterial capacity of microcapsules functionalized with tea tree essential oil on polyester fabric (PES). The fabric was tested with dyed and undyed microcapsules to ensure no dye interference. This research evaluates antibacterial capacity using the following standard bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Development of a plasma activated multifunctional polyester fabric using zinc oxide nanoparticles and citronella oil microcapsules

There is a high demand for the development of textiles possessing multifunctional properties for outdoor, protective and health care applications. The coating of polyester (PES) textiles with metal nanoparticles and essential oils may act in a synergistic mode to obtain materials with improved antimicrobial and UV-protection properties. However, the lack of functional groups onto PES structure makes the adhesion of particles a difficult task. In this work, PES fabric was activated by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment, and functionalized with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-citronella microcapsules by dip-coating

Tuning the bioactivity of tensioactive deoxy glycosides to structure: antibacterial activity versus selective cholinesterase inhibition rationalized by molecular docking

New octyl/dodecyl 2,6-dideoxy-D-arabino-hexopyranosides have been synthesized by a simple but efficient methodology based on the reaction of glycals with alcohols catalysed by triphenylphosphane hydrobromide, deprotection, regioselective tosylation and reduction. Their surface-active properties were evaluated in terms of adsorption and aggregation parameters and compared with those of 2-deoxy-D-glycosides and 2,6-dideoxy-L-glycosides. Deoxygenation at the 6-position led to a decrease in the critical micelle concentration, and an increase in the adsorption efficiency (pC20) promoting aggregation more efficiently than adsorption. With regard to the antibacterial activity, dodecyl 2,6-dideoxy-α-L-arabino-hexopyranoside was the most active compound towards Bacillus anthracis (MIC 25 μM), whereas its enantiomer exhibited a MIC value of 50 μM. Both 2,6-dideoxy glycosides were active towards Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Listeria monocytogenes. In contrast, none of the 2-deoxy glycosides was significantly active. These results and the data on surface activity suggest that aggregation is a key issue for antimicrobial activity. Beyond infection, Alzheimer’s disease also threatens elderly populations. In the search for butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) selective inhibition, 2- deoxy glycosides were screened in vitro by using Ellman’s assay. Octyl 2-deoxy-α-D-glycoside was found to be a BChE selective inhibitor promoting competitive inhibition. Docking studies supported these results as they pinpoint the importance of the primary OH group in stabilizing the BChE inhibitor complex. A size-exclusion mechanism for inhibition has been proposed based on the fact that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) exhibits several bulky residues that hinder access to the active-site cavity. This work shows how the deoxygenation pattern, configuration and functionality of the anomeric centre can tune physical and surface properties as well as the bioactivity of these multifunctional and stereochemically rich molecules.FEDER e FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Complete blood count parameters as biomarkers of retinopathy of prematurity: a Portuguese multicenter study

© The Author(s) 2023. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.Purpose: To evaluate complete blood count (CBC) parameters in the first week of life as predictive biomarkers for the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: Multicenter, prospective, observational study of a cohort of preterm infants born with gestational age (GA) < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1500 g in eight Portuguese neonatal intensive care units. All demographic, clinical, and laboratory data from the first week of life were collected. Univariate logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for ROP and then multivariate regression was performed. Results: A total of 455 infants were included in the study. The median GA was 29.6 weeks, and the median birth weight was 1295 g. One hundred and seventy-two infants (37.8%) developed ROP. Median values of erythrocytes (p < 0.001), hemoglobin (p < 0.001), hematocrit (p < 0.001), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), lymphocytes (p = 0.035), and platelets (p = 0.003) of the group of infants diagnosed with ROP any stage were lower than those without ROP. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p = 0.044), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (p < 0.001), erythroblasts (p < 0.001), neutrophils (p = 0.030), neutrophils-lymphocytes ratio (p = 0.028), and basophils (p = 0.003) were higher in the ROP group. Higher values of MCV, erythroblasts, and basophils remained significantly associated with ROP after multivariate regression. Conclusion: In our cohort, the increase in erythroblasts, MCV, and basophils in the first week of life was significantly and independently associated with the development of ROP. These CBC parameters may be early predictive biomarkers for ROP.Open access funding provided by FCT|FCCN (b-on). This work was supported by the Laboratório de Genética and the Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB) of the Faculdade de Medicina of Universidade de Lisboa and the Instituto de Investigação Científica Bento da Rocha Cabral. The writing of the manuscript was also supported by funds from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia to ISAMB (ref. UIDB/04295/2020 and UIDP/04295/2020). This work was also part of a doctoral project funding by the company CUF with a PhD grant in Medicine awarded in 2021 and by the Portuguese Society of Ophthalmology with a PhD grant awarded in 2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio