Consumer Behaviour in Fitness Club: Study of the Weekly Frequency of Use, Expectations, Satisfaction and Retention

This study aims to understand the relationship between the weekly frequency of use, expectations, satisfaction and retention of members in a fitness Clubs. In this market it is indispensable to understand the characteristics of faithful members, in order to act appropriately with each segment. Accordingly, the weekly frequency, which a member goes to the gym, their expectations, satisfaction and retention are key variables to understand them. Data was collected with a sample of 146 members. The instrument was constituted by the sample characterization and questions to understand the consumer behaviour in fitness (weekly frequency of use, expectations, satisfaction and retention behaviours). The statistical analysis consisted on descriptive and inferential analyses, using SPSS software. In this study the weekly frequency did not show the explanatory capacity to predict the satisfaction and retention. The relationship between expectations with satisfaction (73%) and retention (64%) was statistically significant. Finally, the relationship between satisfaction and retention (63%) was positive and significant. The results indicated that fitness club managers must act to keep those who are less likely to remain, who aren’t the ones who go less times a week to the club, but those who have a lower satisfaction and, consequently, lower retention.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cu oxidation mechanism on Cu-Zr(O)N coatings: Role on functional properties

Zirconium oxynitride (Zr(O)N) and Copper-Zirconium oxynitrides (Cu-Zr(O)N) were deposited by a DC reactive magnetron sputtering technique on stainless steel substrates. A duty cycle controller was used to obtain different oxygen contents in the developed films and a chemical activation procedure was carried out to obtain copper oxides. The samples were chemical and structurally characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD and XPS. Additional functional features were evaluated according to colour variation and inhibition halo tests. Zr(O)N and Cu-Zr(O)N surfaces showed a wide colour variation from golden to black tones, progressing through intermediate tones such as purple, blue and bluish grey. An antibacterial effect was only obtained after the chemical activation of Cu-ZrON-DC100, which showed a Zr(O)N matrix incapable of catching more oxygen from deposition. After, with the additional availability of O2- ions, the Cu present in the coating reacted with these ions forming CuO. The antibacterial mechanism was associated with the aforementioned characterizations and ICP-OES spectroscopy. The Cu2+ ions release had no influence on the antibacterial effect although the presence of CuO was decisive in obtaining an antibacterial behaviour. The acquired results demonstrated a potential multifunctionality of Cu-Zr(O)N coatings, joining an aesthetical surface with an antibacterial effect.This research is sponsored by FEDER funds through the COMPETE program - Competitive Factors Operational Program - and by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology - under the scope of the strategic funding of co-financed via UIDB/00285/2020 and UIDB/04650/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte, On-SURF (co-financed via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01-0247-FEDER 546024521; The authors also thank the financial support in the framework of HEALTHYDENT - POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030708) and ATRITO-0 (co-financed via FEDER (PT2020) POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-030446.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Introduction to the research handbook on academic careers and managing academics

This chapter introduces the rationale for looking at how academics are managed, as their status as an elite profession has been questioned. It discusses the multitude of factors at play in managing academics, such as the expansion of higher education, the widespread changes in employment status, the evolving processes to attract and retain talent in the academic profession, the digitalisation and increasing diversity of academic work, the global academic labour market, and the longevity of the academic workforce. It then presents the chapters included in the research handbook on Managing Academics that contribute to a better understanding of how academics are managed at national and institutional levels. A first set of chapters focuses on the changing context for managing academics, a second part discusses the role of academics and other higher education professionals and their relationship, a third group of chapters centres on the theme of gendered academic careers, a fourth collection of chapters delves on the performance of academics, a fifth sequence of chapters looks at human resource management of academics, a sixth section of the handbook analyses mobility and internationalisation of academics, and a final part discusses the theme of age and the generational gaps present in current academia.This work was financially supported by the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029427- funded by FEDER, through COMPETE2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds (OE), through FCT/MCTES

Surveillance of the behaviour of pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms after ortho-phtalaldehyde disinfection

A relatively novel antimicrobial agent, ortho-phtalaldehyde (OPA), was tested in the control of biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens on stainless steel surfaces. The toxic action of OPA was assessed by means of activity tests and dry weight of the biofilms. For comparative purposes, the activity of OPA against bacterial suspended cultures was also evaluated. The results showed that concentrations of OPA higher than 15 mg L-1 inactivate the planktonic populations while having a lower effect against the P. fluorecens biofilms. The inactivation of the biofilm was only attained with the higher OPA concentrations (50 and 100 mg L-1) and for longer exposure times (3 h). The application of OPA appears to cause little effect in the removal of biofilms from the metal slides since the amount of biofilm mass that remained on the surfaces, after biocide treatment, stills to be very high and representative. These results suggest the fact that, with OPA application, biofilms can be inactivated but stay attached to the surfaces, decreasing, by this way, the success of the chemical treatment.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), project POCTT/1999/BIO/35683

Studies on the behaviour of Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms after ortho-phthalaldehyde treatment

A relatively novel biocide, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), was tested to control biofilms formed by Pseudomonas fluorescens on stainless steel surfaces. The toxic action of OPA was assessed in terms of inactivation and removal of the biofilm by means of, respectively, the determination of the respiratory activity and the variation in the dry weight of the biofilms. For comparison, the activity of OPA against suspended bacteria was also evaluated. The results showed that higher concentrations of OPA and longer exposure times are needed to inactivate P. fluorescens biofilms than planktonic populations, thus denoting that sessile bacteria have a reduced susceptibility to OPA. This appears to be associated with the reaction with the proteins of the matrix, as demonstrated by the reduction of the antimicrobial action of OPA in the presence of a protein (bovine serum albumin). The application of OPA appeared to cause little effect in the removal of biofilms from the metal slides since the mass of biofilm that remained on the surfaces, after biocide treatment, was within the same range as those observed in the control tests. These results suggest that, with OPA application, biofilms can be inactivated but stay attached to the surfaces, decreasing thereby the success of the chemical treatment.Instituto de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (IBQF). Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTT/1999/BIO/35683

On an integrated DSM package associated to a solar thermal obligation. The ProSTO EU project and the Portuguese experience

Based on the work that it is running within the ProSTO EU project (http://www.solarordinances.eu/), this paper presents a tentative approach to an integrated demand side measures (DSM) package that must be associated to a solar thermal obligation (STO) in a community. All the complete set of measures that must be taken to succeed will be presented. The experience shows that it is necessary to get an integrated “policy package” in the way of “zero building emissions”, around the kernel key point of clear requirements, aiming energy savings, namely for energy demand limitation, and energy efficiency of thermal installations. A parent kernel key point of this “policy package” is quality: certification of thermal solar system and components; planner, designer and installer certification; technical mandatory requirements in the regulations; mandatory guarantee (maintenance contract). All relevant documents of these quality items must be integrated in the Building Use Manual for easy management. Another kernel key point, this one with focus on overcoming barriers, is public awareness, throughout on-line information (lists of certified equipments, installers, technical description of the equipments, manual of good practices, scholar materials (class notes, computer codes, homework assignments, etc.), etc.), and the implementation of training courses for al

On the Best Practice Implementation of Solar Thermal Obligations. The ProSTO EU Project and the Portuguese experience

Based on the work that it is running within the ProSTO EU project (http://www.solarordinances.eu/), this paper presents a tentative approach to the best way for a successful implementation of a solar thermal obligation (STO) in a community. The EU framework, and base line assessment – including success factors and performance indicators were presented by the ProSTO coordinator elsewhere [1]. The Portuguese case was presented elsewhere too [2]. Here, all the complete set of measures that must be taken to succeed, will be presented. The experience shows that it is necessary to get an integrated “policy package” in the way of “zero building emissions”, around the kernel key point of clear requirements, aiming energy savings, namely for energy demand limitation, and energy efficiency of thermal installations. A parent kernel key point of this “policy package” is quality: certification of thermal solar system and components – solar collectors, factory made systems, and custom built systems; planner, designer and installer certification; technical impositions in the regulations (supported by a very consistent manual of actual good practices for solar thermal applications, with a flexible method to follow new developments); guarantee impositions (maintenance contract). All relevant documents of these quality items must be integrated in the Building Use Manual for easy management. Another kernel key point, this with focus on overcoming barriers, is that of public awareness, aiming to create an understanding that the implementation of a STO is not another awful bureaucratic burden, throughout on-line information (lists of certified equipments, installers, technical description of the equipments, manual of good practices, scholar materials (class notes, computer codes, homework assignments, etc.), etc.), and the implementation of training courses for all stakeholders

Relating air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Occurrences.

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A certificação de qualidade em sistemas solares para aquecimento de água

Tendo em atenção a política nacional para o desenvolvimento do mercado da Energia Solar Térmica, motivada pela necessidade de uma maior utilização das Energias Endógenas (Resolução do Conselho de Ministros nº154/2001 de 27 de Setembro), descreve-se a situação actual na área dos Equipamentos Solares para Aquecimento de Água, no que diz respeito à Certificação de Produtos e à Certificação de Pessoas, como medidas necessárias para a Garantia de Qualidade nesta área