Hotel’s end users preferences on green hotel attributes : an application of the quality function deployment

Hotels have been suffering environmentally friendly pressure since customers are increasingly demanding more hotel green attributes. In order to identify which green attributes hotel end-users are positively perceived and how can the hotel meet the customer’s demand, this study, through the construction of a House of Quality, aims to identify which green features hoteliers should focus, without jeopardizing service quality. This research develops the Quality Function Deployment tool, House of Quality, since it establishes relationships between the hotel end-users’ ratings and the green hotel design features that fulfill the customer desires. By implementing a qualitative research methodology, the hotel customer’s preferences were analyzed through a survey. The data was collected through a questionnaire and it focused solely on the city of Porto, Portugal. Findings reveal that hotel end-users perceive as more important the attribute “Active system to detect and repair water leakage in toilets, sinks and showerheads”, followed by the implementation “Good sanitation practices (such as saving water)”. On the other hand, the “Change of bedsheets only upon request (option for multiple night guests)” and the “Use of low-flow toilets and sinks” were the least favorably perceived attributes. The HOQ construction reveals that hotels should prioritize the implementation of a program of “Waste reuse and recycling” and “Use of energy efficiency techniques and technologies”.Os hotéis têm vindo a sofrer uma pressão “amiga do ambiente”, dado que os consumidores procuram cada vez mais atributos ecológicos nos hotéis. De forma a identificar quais os atributos ecológicos avaliados positivamente pelos consumidores finais dos hotéis e de que forma o hotel consegue responder à procura dos consumidores, este estudo, através da construção da House of Quality, pretende identificar quais as funcionalidades ecológicas nas quais os hotéis se devem focar, sem prejudicar a qualidade do serviço. Esta investigação desenvolve a ferramenta da Quality Function Deployment, a House of Quality, visto que estabelece uma relação entre a importância avaliada pelos consumidores finais dos hotéis e as características ecológicas de design nos hotéis que satisfazem os desejos dos consumidores. Através da adoção de uma metodologia qualitativa, as preferências dos consumidores do hotel foram analisadas através de um inquérito. Os dados foram recolhidos através de um questionário distribuído na zona da cidade do Porto, Portugal. Os resultados revelam que os consumidores finais dos hotéis consideram mais importante a existência de um “Sistema ativo de deteção e reparação de fugas de água em sanitas, lavatórios e chuveiros”, seguido pela implementação de “Boas práticas sanitárias (tal como a poupança de água)”. Por outro lado, a “Mudança dos lençóis apenas quando pedido (opção para estadias de várias noites)” e o “Uso de sanitas e lavatórios com baixa pressão de água” foram os atributos ecológicos avaliados menos favoravelmente. A construção da House of Quality revela que os hotéis deviam priorizar a implementação de um programa de “Gestão de Resíduos e Reciclagem” e o “Uso de técnicas e tecnologias com eficiência energética”

Privatização e liberalização do sector das telecomunicações em Portugal: uma análise do custo/benefício social

Instituto das Comunicações de Portugal / Autoridade Nacional de Comunicações (ICP/ANACOM)

Quality of blended learning within the scope of the bologna process

This article builds on existing data about the blended learning approach in higher education. It presents the theoretical framework and data of an empirical study conducted at the University of Porto in Portugal involving teachers who won the E-Learning Prize of Excellence in the period between 2006 and 2010. The main objective of this article is to contribute to an understanding of the value of blended learning within the scope of the Bologna Process which began in 2006 in this University. We consider blended learning as a flexible and integrated approach that combines different forms of communication in synchronous and asynchronous moments. To gather data, we conducted survey questionnaires among teachers and students as well as semistructured interviews and document analysis in a cyclical and interactive process of data collection, data reduction, data display and conclusion drawing/verifying. The research results highlight the importance of teacher intervention to create an environment that stimulates processes of cooperation, autonomy, social integration and the development of learning communities, important in this competitive world. © The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology

The new challenges for higher education institutions in consequence of new public audit

This research was carried out in order to investigate the new challenges for public audit in consequence of the recent public accounting changes, specifically the adoption in Portugal the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), because the New Public Management (NPM) implies a new model of public management, pursuing a public sector with more transparency and accountability (Hood, 1991; Dunleavy & Hood, 1994; Barzelay, 2001; Wiesel & Modell, 2014). Thus, the purpose of this research is to demonstrate the need to design strategies, principles and challenges to the courses offered by Higher Education Institutions (HEI), particularly the Bachelor of Accounting and the Master of Accounting of the School of Technology and Management of the Guarda Polytechnic Institute (in Portuguese, ESTG-IPG), to answer to job market of the public entities, in general, and students and teacher’s needs, in particular. On the one hand, as result of the entry into force on January 1, 2010 of Decree Law nº 158/2009 of 13 July (MFAP, 2009), which approved the new Portuguese Accounting Standards System for the private sector and revoked the Official Accounting Plan, approved by Decree Law nº 410/89 of November 21 (MF, 1989), Portugal adheres to the European model of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). On the other hand, the Official Plan of Public Accounting for the public sector, approved by Decree Law nº 232/97 of September 3 (MF, 1997), will adheres to the IPSAS issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) in a near future. Methodologically, this research relied on a two-track approach. The first takes the form of an editorial review and argument, based on the Portuguese and European legal regime of accounting and auditing and the literature review. The second takes the form of a case study method involving a profound knowledge of the Bachelor of Accounting, approved by Order nº 13997/2012 of October 26 (IPG,2012), that revised the Order nº 21638/2006 of October 24 (IPG, 2006), and the Master of Accounting, approved by Order nº 14928/2011 of November 3 (IPG, 2011), that revised the Order nº 4351/2008 of February 19 (IPG,2008), of the ESTG-IPG

Detection of the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant in Portugal

Communication abstract: Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of CiiEM - Reducing inequalities in Health and Society, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from June 16th to 18th, 2021.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.At the end of 2020, a new highly transmissible variant of SARS-CoV-2 was discovered in the United Kingdom (UK). This work aims to identify potential cases of the UK variant in Portugal using routine diagnostic samples. A total of 26 out of 43 positive samples that were identified by RT-PCR as suspects were confirmed through sequencing to be the SARS-CoV-2 UK variant. The first case of the UK variant identified by us was in samples collected on 21 December 2020 at Lisbon airport in travelers from Manchester and London.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A saúde e os estilos de vida dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo I

Doutoramento em Ciências da Educação, especialidade Educação para a SaúdeAs constantes mudanças sociais, ocupacionais, familiares e emocionais na vida dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 podem afetar a adesão ao tratamento da diabetes e a qualidade de vida dos jovens. Pretende-se com este estudo conhecer os comportamentos de saúde, estilos de vida, competências pessoais e sociais, suporte social, satisfação com a vida, adesão ao tratamento, representações sobre a doença e adaptação psicológica à diabetes dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1, assim como as suas representações, perceções e opiniões em relação à vida e à diabetes. Foi realizado um estudo quantitativo, com aplicação de questionários a 278 jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 (18 - 35 anos), tendo sido organizados 7 estudos com base nesses resultados, e um estudo qualitativo, com utilização de grupos focais, em que participaram 30 jovens (18 - 34 anos). Verificou-se que, apesar das dificuldades inerentes a esta fase da vida, a maior parte dos jovens adultos com diabetes tipo 1 apresenta boas competências pessoais e sociais, bom suporte social e satisfação com a vida, representações positivas sobre a diabetes e boa adaptação psicológica à diabetes. A maior parte dos jovens não revela sintomas de ansiedade, stresse e depressão. Contudo, apesar da razoável adesão ao tratamento da diabetes e dos estilos de vida saudáveis, o controlo metabólico não é satisfatório e um quarto dos jovens refere complicações da diabetes. Verificou-se que, quanto mais elevada a HbA1c, menor a adesão global ao tratamento da diabetes, a perceção de saúde, satisfação com a vida e adaptação psicológica à diabetes. Os jovens realçam a importância da rede de suporte social e os benefícios das atividades de grupo com os pares, que os ajudam a viver melhor com a diabetes. As melhores representações e melhor adaptação psicológica à diabetes estão correlacionadas com melhor adesão ao tratamento da diabetes.ABSTRACT: The frequent changes at social, occupational, family and emotional levels during emerging adulthood can affect adherence to diabetes management tasks and the quality of life of young adults with type 1 diabetes. The objectives of this study consisted on the evaluation of health behaviours, lifestyles, personal and social competences, social support, life satisfaction, adherence to treatment, representations and psychological adaptation to diabetes of young adults with type 1 diabetes. Their perceptions, opinions and representations relating to life and to diabetes were also considered in the study. This research included a quantitative study with questionnaires filled in by 278 young adults with type 1 diabetes (18 – 35 years old). 7 studies were organized based on the results of the quantitative study. This investigation has also included a qualitative study, using focus groups, with the participation of 30 young adults with type 1 diabetes (18 – 34 years old). In spite of the difficulties at this stage of life, most of young adults with type 1 diabetes showed good personal and social competences, social support and satisfaction with life, positive representations and good psychological adaptation to diabetes. Most of youngsters do not reveal symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. The youngsters showed satisfactory lifestyle and a reasonable adherence to diabetes treatment, however with a less optimal metabolic control of diabetes. A quarter of young adults referred having diabetes complications. Highest HbA1c levels were correlated to less global adherence to diabetes treatment, perception of health, satisfaction with life and psychological adaptation to diabetes. Young adults highlighted the good social support from family, friends and multidisciplinary healthcare team and referred the benefits of group activities with peers, which help them to better deal with diabetes. The best representations and psychological adaptation to diabetes were positively correlated with better adherence to diabetes treatment

Allelic diversity and phylogeny of homB, a novel co-virulence marker of Helicobacter pylori

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The <it>homB </it>gene is a <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>disease-marker candidate, strongly associated with peptic ulcer disease, while <it>homA</it>, its paralogue gene with 90% sequence identity, is correlated with non-ulcer dyspepsia. The HomB encoded outer membrane protein was shown to contribute to the proinflammatory properties of <it>H. pylori </it>and also to be involved in bacterial adherence.</p> <p>This study investigated the distribution of <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>genes in 455 <it>H. pylori </it>strains from East Asian and Western countries, and carried out sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>genes were heterogeneously distributed worldwide, with a marked difference between East Asian and Western strains.</p> <p>Analysis of <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>sequences revealed diversity regarding the number of copies and their genomic localization, with East Asian and Western strains presenting different genotypes. Moreover, <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>sequence analysis suggests regulation by phase variation. It also indicates possible recombination events, leading to gene duplication or <it>homB</it>/<it>homA </it>conversion which may as well be implicated in the regulation of these genes. Phylogenetic reconstruction of <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>revealed clustering according to the geographic origin of strains. Allelic diversity in the middle region of the genes was observed for both <it>homB </it>and <it>homA</it>, although there was no correlation between any allele and disease. For each gene, a dominant worldwide allele was detected, suggesting that <it>hom</it>B/<it>hom</it>A allelic variants were independent of the geographical origin of the strain. Moreover, all alleles were demonstrated to be expressed <it>in vivo</it>.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, these results suggest that <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>genes are good candidates to be part of the pool of <it>H. pylori </it>OMPs implicated in host-bacteria interface and also contributing to the generation of antigenic variability, and thus involved in <it>H. pylori </it>persistence.</p

Disease association with two Helicobacter pylori duplicate outer membrane protein genes, homB and homA

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>homB </it>encodes a <it>Helicobacter pylori </it>outer membrane protein. This gene was previously associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and was shown to induce activation of interleukin-8 secretion <it>in vitro</it>, as well as contributing to bacterial adherence. Its 90%-similar gene, <it>homA</it>, was previously correlated with gastritis. The present study aimed to evaluate the gastric disease association with <it>homB </it>and <it>homA</it>, as well as with the <it>H. pylori </it>virulence factors <it>cagA</it>, <it>babA </it>and <it>vacA</it>, in 415 <it>H. pylori </it>strains isolated from patients from East Asian and Western countries. The correlation among these genotypes was also evaluated.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>genes were heterogeneously distributed worldwide, with a marked difference between East Asian and Western strains. In Western strains (n = 234, 124 PUD and 110 non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), <it>homB</it>, <it>cagA </it>and <it>vacA </it>s1 were all significantly associated with PUD (p = 0.025, p = 0.014, p = 0.039, respectively), and <it>homA </it>was closely correlated with NUD (p = 0.072). In East Asian strains (n = 138, 73 PUD and 65 NUD), <it>homB </it>was found more frequently than <it>homA</it>, and none of these genes was associated with the clinical outcome.</p> <p>Overall, <it>homB </it>was associated with the presence of <it>cagA </it>(p = 0.043) and <it>vacA </it>s1 (p < 0.001), whereas <it>homA </it>was found more frequently in <it>cagA</it>-negative (p = 0.062) and <it>vacA </it>s2 (p < 0.001) strains.</p> <p>Polymorphisms in <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>copy number were observed, with a clear geographical specificity, suggesting an involvement of these genes in host adaptation. A correlation between the <it>homB </it>two-copy genotype and PUD was also observed, emphasizing the role of <it>homB </it>in the virulence of the strain.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The global results suggest that <it>homB </it>and <it>homA </it>contribute to the determination of clinical outcome.</p