Entrepreneurship performance and influencing factors in the EU

Entrepreneurship is a driver of economic development, but also it is essential to consider the conditions which endorse remarkable changes in society. Therefore, the present study covers the literature gap by exploring the enhancing factors on entrepreneurship performance. Accordingly, to understand this matter, we aim to test the relationship between economic, social, governmental and innovative conditions and entrepreneurship performance, opportunity and necessity entrepreneurship. The research considers a sample of 21 European Union (EU) countries over the period 2003- 2018. For the methodology followed, a descriptive and quantitative analysis was conducted, which collected from the literature review and statistical databases, such as GEM, The World Bank, and Eurostat. Thus, we have applied the following statistical analysis: descriptive, ANOVA, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. The results obtained have demonstrated an increase and significant relationship of entrepreneurial performance after the 2008 crisis. Additionally, economic, social, governmental and innovative conditions have generally had a negative impact on TEA, compared to a positive on necessity and opportunity entrepreneurship. There is a negative and significant effect between financial environment, population, governmental expenditures, innovation and entrepreneurship performance. A positive and significant relationship was identified between GDP, unemployment, macroeconomic environment, financial environment, age, population and necessity entrepreneurship. Likewise, there was a positive and significant impact between GDP, age and opportunity entrepreneurship. To sum up, this study completes the literature through the analysis of the influencing factors on entrepreneurship performance and both motivations on a sample of 21 EU countries, during a period of sixteen years.O empreendedorismo é um impulsionador de desenvolvimento económico. Assim, é de igual importância considerarem-se as condições que estimulam a sociedade. Desta forma, o estudo apresentado preenche a lacuna da literatura, com a investigação dos fatores influentes no desempenho do empreendedorismo. Pretende-se assim testar a relação existente entre condições económicas, sociais, governamentais, inovadoras e o desempenho do empreendedorismo, empreendedorismo por oportunidade e necessidade. A presente pesquisa considera uma amostra de 21 países da União Europeia (UE) no período de 2003-2018. A metodologia comtemplou uma análise descritiva e quantitativa, baseada na coleta de dados, pela revisão de literatura e por bases de dados estatísticos, como GEM, Banco Mundial e Eurostat. Posteriormente, foram realizadas as seguintes análises estatísticas: descritiva, ANOVA, correlação e regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram um aumento significativo no desempenho do empreendedorismo após a crise de 2008. Complementarmente, as condições económicas, sociais, governamentais e inovadoras obtiveram maioritariamente um impacto negativo no TEA, comparativamente a um efeito positivo e significativo no empreendedorismo por necessidade e oportunidade. Há um efeito negativo e significativo entre ambiente financeiro, população, gastos governamentais, inovação e o desempenho do empreendedorismo. Identificaram-se relações positivas e significativas entre PIB, desemprego, ambiente macroeconómico, ambiente financeiro, idade, população e empreendedorismo por necessidade. Ademais, há um impacto positivo e significativo entre PIB, idade e empreendedorismo por oportunidade. Em suma, este estudo complementa a literatura através da análise dos fatores que influenciam o desempenho do empreendedorismo e as suas motivações numa amostra de 21 países da UE, num período de dezasseis anos

The growth of Halal tourism research and the evidence of Halal hospitality attributes

Halal Tourism is considered one of the fastest-growing markets, however, the literature related to this topic is still scarce. Hence, this study aims to highlight the major contributors to the literature on Halal tourism, both in number of published articles and number of citations, with the goal of mitigating its dispersion and fostering the development of new research. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted, using the Scopus database, followed by a bibliometric analysis of the selected articles. In addition, the study aims to evidence the Halal attributes most often mentioned as relevant in hospitality, according to Muslim tourists and tourism professionals, through a content analysis of a specific sample of articles. Through this thesis, it was concluded that the literature on Halal tourism has been growing in recent years, both in number of publications and number of citations, and that Halal hospitality attributes have greater relative importance in countries that are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation than in non-member countries.O turismo Halal é considerado um dos mercados de crescimento mais rápido, no entanto a literatura relacionada com este tópico ainda é escassa. Assim, este estudo visa destacar os maiores contribuidores para a literatura em turismo Halal, quer em número de artigos publicados como em número de citações, com o objetivo de atenuar a sua dispersão e fomentar o desenvolvimento de novas investigações. Para tal conduzimos uma revisão de literatura sistemática, utilizando a base de dados Scopus, seguida de uma análise bibliométrica aos artigos selecionados. Para além disso, o estudo pretende evidenciar os atributos Halal mais vezes mencionados como relevantes na hotelaria, segundo turistas muçulmanos e profissionais no setor do turismo, através de uma análise de conteúdo a uma amostra específica de artigos. Através desta dissertação, concluímos que a literatura em turismo Halal tem vindo a crescer nos últimos anos, tanto em número de publicações como em número de citações e que os atributos Halal na hotelaria apresentam uma maior importância relativa nos países membros da Organização da Cooperação Islâmica do que nos países não-membros

Micro, macro and mega-influencers on instagram: The power of persuasion via the parasocial relationship

This study analyzes the effect of the parasocial relationship on the audience's intention to adopt the recom-mendations of micro, macro and mega-influencers, considering the number of followers, perceived popularity and opinion leadership. A sample of 140 Portuguese social media influencers (SMIs) was classified into micro, macro or mega-influencers. 577 valid responses to a questionnaire were analyzed using Andrew Hayes' macro PROCESS for SPSS. The findings suggest that the indirect effect between the number of followers and the intention to adopt SMIs' recommendations is mediated by the perceived popularity and opinion leadership, and are moderated by the parasocial relationship. Significant differences are found between micro, macro and mega-influencers in terms of credibility, attractiveness and established relationship. The categorization into micro, macro and mega-influencers is adapted to the context of a small country. This paper provides relevant infor-mation on the process of SMI selection.- (undefined

The relationship between motor coordination and executive functions in 4th grade children

In the last decades, there has been a declining trend in different components of children’s motor capabilities and an increasing concern with cognitive skills, but the relationship between motor and cognitive domains remains uncertain. In this study, we aimed to (1) analyse the relationship between motor coordination (MC) and executive functioning, (2) verify the role of processing speed in this relationship and (3) examine the interaction between MC and task complexity. Ninety-six healthy 9- to 11-year-old were evaluated using the Kõrperkoordination Test für Kinder and the planning scale of the Cognitive Assessment System. The results showed moderate associations between the global composite of MC and executive functioning; however, it seems that processing speed plays an important role in this association. The results also show that children with high MC have better cognitive performances particularly in tasks with higher complexity.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo Rodriguesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Practice of Physical Activity After Breast Cancer Treatments: A Qualitative Study Among Portuguese Women

This work received national funding from FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P, through the Research Center for Psychological Science of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Lisbon (UIDB/04527/2020 and UIDP/04527/2020).Background: Women survivors of breast cancer treatments face significant challenges around initiation or maintenance of physical activity (PA) as they transit to recovery. Embracing their needs and preferences is important to increase adherence. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of Portuguese women survivors of breast cancer regarding regular performance of PA and individual choices and strategies that should be considered in designing effective interventions. Methods: The individual semi-structured interviews (N = 20) were analyzed through thematic analysis, following an inductive process, seeking to identify the barriers, facilitators, and particular influencing circumstances associated with regular PA. Results: Four themes and several contextual, emotional, physical, and social factors were identified as determinants of regular PA. Guilt, women’s duties, and altruism to help close relatives were identified as emotional and cultural factors that are less-found in the existing literature. PA showed influence both from health professionals’ counseling and from knowledge and beliefs held by these women. Conclusion: While confirming the already-known impact of breast cancer diagnosis and treatments on PA, which redefine participants’ availability to be active, the findings highlight beliefs and specific emotional factors that should be considered when planning culturally sensitive interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Characterization of starch amorphous solid dispersions manufactured via hot-melt extrusion by calorimetry and diffractometry

Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2020, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.Uma tarefa desafiadora para a indústria farmacêutica tem sido a melhoria da solubilidade de fármacos pouco solúveis em água. A produção de dispersões sólidas amorfas constitui uma das estratégias mais promissoras para aumentar a solubilidade, velocidade de libertação e biodisponibilidade destes fármacos. Este estudo propõe a produção de dispersões sólidas amorfas com fármacos de classe II do Sistema de Classificação Biofarmacêutica, através da extrusão a quente, tecnologia que permite o aumento da solubilidade em água, usando um polímero natural e biodegradável, o amido. Os fármacos em estudo, Ibuprofeno e Carbamazepina, classificados como fármacos de classe II (baixa solubilidade e elevada permeabilidade), foram formulados com amido de milho e amido de milho glutinoso. O amido é constituído por dois biopolímeros, amilose, uma macromolécula linear, e amilopectina, uma macromolécula altamente ramificada. O Ibuprofeno e a água foram usados pelos seus efeitos plastificantes. Primeiro, a mistura das formulações foi feita num misturador de tambor. A calorimetria diferencial de varrimento foi usada para determinar a temperatura de transição vítrea dos amidos. Durante a extrusão, a água foi adicionada ao extrusor de duplo parafuso co-rotativo através de uma bomba. Depois, as amostras foram secadas em estufa a 40°C durante ±12h e a moagem foi feita em almofariz e num moinho de bolas. Apresenta-se uma visão geral dos métodos de caracterização, a Calorimetria diferencial de varrimento e a Difração de Raios-X, para uma melhor compreensão das dispersões sólidas à base de amido. Os dados apresentados sugerem que a maiores rotações e com mais água, os produtos extrudados tornaram-se mais amorfos. Visualmente, a maioria das amostras exibia uma cor branca opaca homogénea, característica de um material cristalino. Os resultados da difratometria das dispersões sólidas de Ibuprofeno e Carbamazepina indicam que permaneceram na sua forma cristalina. Os termogramas, que exibem um pico endotérmico, indicam de que o Ibuprofeno permaneceu cristalino. Este trabalho permitiu uma melhor compreensão do processo de extrusão a quente, dos métodos de caracterização do estado sólido e do comportamento de amido extrudado com fármacos. Comparando os dois tipos de amidos, o amido de milho revelou-se uma melhor escolha para a produção de dispersões sólidas amorfas.A challenging task for the pharmaceutical industry remains the effort to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. The production of amorphous solid dispersions is one of the most promising strategies to enhance the drug release rate and bioavailability of these active pharmaceutical ingredients. The current study explored the production of amorphous solid dispersions with Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drugs via hot-melt extrusion, an aqueoussolubility enhancement technology, using a natural and eco-friendly polymer such as starch. As model drugs, Ibuprofen and Carbamazepine, categorized as class II drugs (low solubility, high permeability) were formulated with two different starch types, Maize Corn Starch and Waxy Corn Starch. Starch is made of two biopolymers, amylose, a linear macromolecule, and the highly branched amylopectin. Ibuprofen and the addiction of water had plasticizing effects. Prior to extrusion, the physical mixtures were mixed in a tumble blender and Differential Scanning Calorimetry was used to assess the glass transition temperature of both starches. During the extrusion, water was fed into the co-rotating twin-screw with a pump. Then, the samples were dried in an oven at 40°C for ±12h, and grinding was performed through hand grinding and a ball mill. An overview of the solid-state characterization methods, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-Ray Powder Diffraction, is put together for a better comprehension of the extrudates’ solid-state. The data presented suggest that at a higher rotation and with more water, the extrudates became more amorphous. The visual evaluation shows most samples exhibited a white opaque homogeneous colour, characteristic of a crystalline material. The diffractograms showed that Ibuprofen and Carbamazepine were embedded in the starch matrix in their crystalline form. The thermograms of Ibuprofen solid dispersions exhibited a single sharp endothermic peak, indicating that the drug remained crystalline. This work allowed for a better insight into the hot-melt extrusion process, the characterization methods and further understanding of the thermodynamic behaviour of hotmelt extruded starches with incorporated drugs. Comparing both starches, Maize Corn Starch revealed itself a better choice to produce amorphous solid dispersions.Com o patrocínio do Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Bonn, German

A fertile ground for ambiguities: casual sexual relationships among Portuguese emerging adults

Casual sexual relationships (CSRs) are frequent relationship experiences in young adulthood that provide opportunities for many to explore sexual relationships and to construct their sexual identity. Empirical research on casual sex is still lacking outside North-American countries, despite evidence pointing to the need to contextualize sexual interactions in their own sociocultural context. In order to better understand casual sexual relationships, these should be examined in with novel samples in other countries where a “hookup culture” as it is described in the North-American university campus is apparently absent. Through a qualitative study, we explored what casual sexual relationships consist of according to the perceptions of Portuguese college students (N = 35). The thematic analysis of eight focus group interviews resulted in the generation of six themes, three of which are presented here: (1) What CSRs are, regarding features and types of CSRs, (2) Why individuals engage in CSRs, focusing on positive and negative motivations, and (3) What one gets from CSRs, focusing on positive and negative outcomes of CSRs. Our findings showed that Portuguese emerging adults are familiarized with CSRs, particularly with one-night stand, friends with benefits and “curte”/hookup. Sexual interactions associated with other CSRs, such as booty call or fuck buddies, were mentioned but rarely associated with a distinctive label and established characteristics. Participants described the CSRs in a partially overlapping manner presenting some areas of ambiguity, such as with regard to sexual exclusivity and still-unlabeled sexual interactions. CSRs are generally evaluated as positively motivated and mainly beneficial. This study adds to the literature around casual sexual relationships by exploring and describing CSRs in a different sociocultural context, as well as indicating directions for future research in order to better prepare and empower young adults in their sexual and relational trajectories.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Transcription readthrough is prevalent in healthy human tissues and associated with inherent genomic features

We thank João Neto, Silvia Carvalho, and the remaining Computational Multi-Omics Lab members at UCIBIO for their helpful comments and suggestions. Paulo Caldas was a recipient of a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (FOX-MTN-HORIZON-MSCA - 2021-PF-01-01). This work was financed by national funds from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), in the scope of the projects UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences (UCIBIO) and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy - i4HB. The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Project was supported by the Common Fund of the Office of the Director of the National Institutes of Health and by NCI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIDA, NIMH, and NINDS. Publisher Copyright: © 2024, The Author(s).Transcription termination is a crucial step in the production of conforming mRNAs and functional proteins. Under cellular stress conditions, the transcription machinery fails to identify the termination site and continues transcribing beyond gene boundaries, a phenomenon designated as transcription readthrough. However, the prevalence and impact of this phenomenon in healthy human tissues remain unexplored. Here, we assessed transcription readthrough in almost 3000 transcriptome profiles representing 23 human tissues and found that 34% of the expressed protein-coding genes produced readthrough transcripts. The production of readthrough transcripts was restricted in genomic regions with high transcriptional activity and was associated with inefficient splicing and increased chromatin accessibility in terminal regions. In addition, we showed that these transcripts contained several binding sites for the same miRNA, unravelling a potential role as miRNA sponges. Overall, this work provides evidence that transcription readthrough is pervasive and non-stochastic, not only in abnormal conditions but also in healthy tissues. This suggests a potential role for such transcripts in modulating normal cellular functions.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

THE EVALUATION OF MOTOR COMPETENCE IN TYPICALLY DEVELOPING CHILDREN: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

The development of motor competence (MC) is essential in childhood. In this respect, previous studies have found several positive associations of the MC with physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical fitness, and perceived physical competence, as well as an inverse association with weight status. The lack of MC during this stage might, therefore, compromise the future adoption of active and healthier lifestyles. This review aimed at listing and examining the different instruments that have been used to evaluate MC in typically developing children, pointing the weakness and strengths from the perspective of Physical Education (PE) teachers. A systematic search of six electronic databases was conducted. Research designs included cross-sectional, longitudinal or experimental/quasi-experimental. Forty-two articles were identified according to the inclusion criteria. A preference for quantitative measures (21 studies) was verified comparatively to a more qualitative approach (13 studies), although eight studies used both measures. Additionally, we have found that 34 studies used standardized protocol tests and eight studies used protocols developed by the authors. In general the protocols exhibited some strong points, however several presented weaknesses that can limit their application in PE classes, such as the excessive amount of time required, the large number of tasks, the ceiling or floor effects, and the fact that not all MC components are simultaneously evaluated. Different instruments and methodologies have been used to evaluate MC. Finally, a quantitative standardized protocol test is suggested, with proper reliability and validity, which can be used by physical education professional

Link between Motor Competence and Health Related Fitness in Children and Adolescents

This study examined motor competence (MC) behavior in 6- to 14-year-old children, and investigated the differences in health-related fitness (HRF) between high and low MC groups, according to sex and age. A sample of 564 children (288 males) participated in this study, divided into three age groups (6?8 years; 9?11 years; 12?14 years). Total MC and its three components (stability, locomotor, and manipulative) were assessed with a quantitative instrument. HRF was evaluated using a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle-run test and the handgrip test. Participants were divided into tertiles according to their MC level and high and low MC groups were analyzed. Overall, MC increased across age groups for both sexes, but boys presented better results than girls. The high MC group outperformed their low MC peers in all HRF variables, independent of their age group. Although cardiovascular fitness increased with age for both the high and low MC groups, the differences between these groups were greater in older children compared to younger children, within the study age range. The findings suggest that MC interventions should be considered as an important strategy to enhance HRF, and girls at a young age should be a priority target.4811-99FE-2ECD | Luis Paulo Rodriguesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio