The impact of health consciousness on the purchase intention of organic food : the moderating effect of perceived store image

Consumers’ interest for organic products is increasing every day and several industries have been witnessing a growing demand for this type of products. Continente being the most prominent chain of hypermarkets in Portugal, is creating value by acquiring a chain of organic food specialized stores, Go Natural. The focus of this study is to better understand how an individual’s degree of health consciousness affects the purchase intention of organic food and how this relationship is mediated by the attitudes one holds towards organic food. Moreover, it intends to determine if perceived store image acts as a moderator both of the direct and indirect effect. Ultimately, it aims to understand if, depending on the store – Continente or Go Natural - there would be a difference in the consumers’ purchase intention. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to obtain the data. The main conclusions taken from the statistical analysis are that the degree of health consciousness has a direct impact on the purchase intention of organic food. However, this relationship is not moderated by perceived store image. Also, the degree of health consciousness has an indirect impact on the purchase intention through the attitudes towards organic food. The relationship between attitudes and the purchase intention is moderated by perceived store image. Lastly, the intention to buy organic food was found to be higher in Go Natural.O interesse em relação aos produtos biológicos tem vindo a crescer cada vez mais e já são várias as indústrias que testemunham um crescimento na procura de produtos biológicos. O Continente, sendo a cadeia de hipermercados mais proeminente em Portugal, comprou uma cadeia de lojas especializadas em comida biológica, Go Natural. O foco deste estudo é determinar como é que o grau de preocupação com a saúde demonstrado impacta a intenção de compra de comida biológica, assim como perceber se essa relação é mediada pelas atitudes em relação à comida biológica. Além disso, pretende determinar se a perceção que os consumidores têm sobre a imagem da loja desempenha um efeito moderador. Por último, o objetivo é perceber se existe uma diferença na intenção de compra de comida biológica, dependendo da loja onde é vendida. Um questionário online foi utilizado para obter os dados necessários. Foi concluído que o grau de preocupação com a saúde impacta a intenção de compra, tanto direta como indiretamente, através das atitudes em relação à comida biológica. Contudo, esta relação direta não é moderada pela perceção da imagem da loja. Já a relação entre as atitudes e a intenção de compra é moderada pela perceção em relação à imagem da loja. Por último, a intenção de compra nas lojas Go Natural é superior em relação ao Continente

Applicable Law to Insurance Contracts in the light Of Rome I Regulation – Challenges to Cross-Border Insurance Contracts in the EU

Abstract: This article explores the current situation of cross-border insurance contracts within the EU. In contracts that do not involve a conflict of laws, the determination of the applicable law is hastily and of a relatively easy resolution, as they will be disciplined by the substantive law of the current legal order, which they only have contact with. When it comes to insurance contracts that are seen in a conflict of laws, defining the applicable law raises a question since these contracts are in contact with at least more than one legal order. In this case, there is a certain amount of uncertainty regarding which judicial order will govern the contract and the criteria that will dictate this resolution. When we refer to an insurance contract that involves a conflict of several laws, such as a policyholder with regular residence in MS A, who contracts an insurance contract with an insurer based in MS B, whose risk is in MS C. Due to this, there are several points of contact with different legal orders. As such, it will be necessary to establish what the contract's regulatory law should be.  In the EU domain, the answer to this issue is to reflect on the regulations defining the applicable law. In this context, we highlight the Rome I Regulation, which establishes in its article 7 a special conflict rule, hence appearing as the starting point for the problem raised by us. This way, we will focus on the analysis of the solutions contained in article 7, related to large risk contracts and contracts covering mass risks whose unpredictability is located within the EU. Finally, we will explore legal solutions to establish an applicable law in association with the principle of free movement. In particular, as seen in a classic case of an active insurance seeking, where the policyholder, in the light of his freedom of movement, decides on his own to hire insurance from another legal system, apart from his home state.   Keywords: Private International Law; European Union; Rome I Regulation; Insurance; Applicable LawAbstract: This article explores the current situation of cross-border insurance contracts within the EU. In contracts that do not involve a conflict of laws, the determination of the applicable law is hastily and of a relatively easy resolution, as they will be disciplined by the substantive law of the current legal order, which they only have contact with. When it comes to insurance contracts that are seen in a conflict of laws, defining the applicable law raises a question since these contracts are in contact with at least more than one legal order. In this case, there is a certain amount of uncertainty regarding which judicial order will govern the contract and the criteria that will dictate this resolution. When we refer to an insurance contract that involves a conflict of several laws, such as a policyholder with regular residence in MS A, who contracts an insurance contract with an insurer based in MS B, whose risk is in MS C. Due to this, there are several points of contact with different legal orders. As such, it will be necessary to establish what the contract's regulatory law should be.  In the EU domain, the answer to this issue is to reflect on the regulations defining the applicable law. In this context, we highlight the Rome I Regulation, which establishes in its article 7 a special conflict rule, hence appearing as the starting point for the problem raised by us. This way, we will focus on the analysis of the solutions contained in article 7, related to large risk contracts and contracts covering mass risks whose unpredictability is located within the EU. Finally, we will explore legal solutions to establish an applicable law in association with the principle of free movement. In particular, as seen in a classic case of an active insurance seeking, where the policyholder, in the light of his freedom of movement, decides on his own to hire insurance from another legal system, apart from his home state.   Keywords: Private International Law; European Union; Rome I Regulation; Insurance; Applicable La

Impacto do desenvolvimento fetal no funcionamento neurocognitivo em adolescentes com cardiopatias congénitas cianóticas e acianóticas

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a performance neurocognitiva em adolescentes com cardiopatia congénita e determinar se os parâmetros de desenvolvimento fetal avaliados em recém-nascidos, tais como o perímetro cefálico, comprimento, peso e índices de Apgar, estão de alguma forma relacionados com o seu desempenho neurocognitivo. Método: Foram avaliados 77 pacientes com Cardiopatia Congénita (43 homens) com idades compreendidas entre os 13 e 18 anos de idade (x= 15,04 ± 1,86), sendo que 46 são cianóticos. O grupo controle incluiu 16 crianças saudáveis (11 homens) com idades entre 13 e 18 anos (x= 15,69 ± 1,44). Os testes neuropsicológicos selecionados foram administrados a ambos os grupos, envolvendo uma ampla gama de funções neurocognitivas, como a memória a curto prazo (verbal e visuo-construtiva), memória de trabalho, velocidade de processamento, atenção (dividida e seletiva) e planeamento. Resultados: Pacientes coronários em comparação ao grupo controlo apresentaram resultados inferiores na totalidade das provas, exceto na prova Memória Lógica. Os pacientes com CIV quando comparados com os pacientes com TF e TGA, apresentaram melhores resultados em todas as provas neuropsicológicas, embora as únicas diferenças significativas foram na prova FCRc (F=4,936; p=.010). Diversas correlações eram aparentes entre os parâmetros fetais/neonatais e as capacidades neuropsicológicas nos diferentes subgrupos de cardiopatias. No entanto, a principal correlação verifica-se entre o perímetro cefálico e as provas Dígitos Diretos (rho=.339; p=.011), Figura Complexa de Rey (rho=.297; p=.027), Stroop Interferências (rho=.283; p=.036) e Trail Making Test (rho=-.321; p=.017). Conclusão: Adolescentes com cardiopatia congénita apresentam um pior desempenho neuropsicológico comparativamente ao grupo controlo, principalmente os pacientes cianóticos (TF e TGA). A circulação fetal parece ter um forte impacto sobre o crescimento cerebral e somático, prevendo um comprometimento cognitivo em adolescentes com cardiopatias congénitas

Tritrichomonose bovina em Portugal

Orientação: Helder Cortes ; co-orientação: Carlos BettencourtA tritrichomonose bovina, doença venéra de declaração obrigatória, causada pelo parasita Tritrichomonas foetus é responsável por falhas reprodutivas e infertilidade nos rebanhos. Sendo o touro assintomático o principal agente de transmissão do protozoário,deverão ser pesquisados agentes venéros infecciosos na realização do exame andrológico.Nas vacas caracteriza-se por aumento do intervalo entre partos, repetição de cios irregulares, aborto epiómetra.Com elevada prevalência mundial e forte impacto negativo na rentabilidade das explorações de bovinos de carne, onde é usual a cobrição natural.Em Portugal, não existindo dados relativos a surtos,está notificada a presença da patologia, sendo que recentemente no Norte de Espanha, foram diagnosticados animais positivos. Este trabalho,teve como objectivo a pesquisa de T .foetus em touros, obtendo-se amostras por lavagem e raspagem prepucial, seguido de diagnóstico direto com cultivo e diagnóstico molecular, com amplificação de DNA porPCR. Dos 104 touros provenientes de 12 explorações extensivas do Alentejo, todos foram negativos. Apesar dos resultados obtidos, a tritrichomonose bovina poderá estar subdiagnosticada em Portugal,sendo um factor decisivo para o sucesso da prevenção, controlo e erradicação,a relaçãoentre o Laboratório, o Médico Veterinário e o Criador.Bovine tritrichomoniasis,venereal pathology of obligatory declaration, caused by the parasite Tritrichomonas foetus is responsible for the causing numerous reproductive failures and infertility in the herds.As the asymptomatic bull is the main agent of transmission of the protozoan, infectious venereal agents should be investigated in the accomplishment of the andrological examination. In cows it is characterized by increased interval between births,I rregular repetition of oestrus, abortion and pyometra.With high global prevalence and strong negative impact on the profitability of beef cattle farms where natural breeding is usual. In Portugal, in the absence of data on outbreaks, the presence of the disease has been reported,and recently in the north of Spain,positive animals were diagnosed. The objective of this study was to study T. foetus in bulls, obtaining samples by washing and preputial scraping, followed by direct diagnosis with culture and molecular diagnosis with DNA amplification, PCR. Of the 104 bulls coming from 12 extensive farms in the Alentejo, all were negative. Despite the results obtained, bovine tritrichomoniasis may be under diagnosed in Portugal, being a decisive factor for the success of prevention, control and eradication, the relationship between the Laboratory, Veterinarian and Breeder

RELIABILITY OF LIGHT-FRAME WOOD ROOF CONSTRUCTION UNDER EXTREME WIND LOADS

Light-frame wood construction is frequently used in the U.S. High wind events, such as hurricanes, may cause severe damage to these structures by breaking the roof envelope. This study focuses on computing reliability indices of roof sheathing panels exposed to high wind events while considering a time and spatially varying wind load. A procedure is developed that links probabilistic and dynamic finite element analysis codes. The results show that a few critical panels are most susceptible to damage, while most panels have significantly higher reliability indices than previous studies based on simplified analyses have shown. By setting a target reliability index, panel nail spacing can be adjusted to provide a more uniform level of safety over the entire roof

The effect of shared temporal cognitions and Pacing styles on intragroup conflict in portuguese healthcare teams

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two specific dimensions of time-related matters (shared temporal cognitions and pacing styles), as a cognitive contextual factor, on different types of team conflict. We hypothesized that the relationship between shared temporal cognitions and the different types of conflict is moderated by pacing styles. A total of 30 teams (245 individuals) participated in this study. All teams were part of different Portuguese healthcare centers. Globally, the results didn’t support the hypotheses concerning the direct influence of time-related matters on intragroup conflicts, although shared temporal cognitions were related to all types of intragroup conflict. The results didn’t support the hypothesis of the moderating role of pacing styles on the relationship between shared temporal cognitions and task conflict, relationship conflict and temporal conflict. Therefore, shared temporal cognitions help teams to avoid getting involved in conflicts that may affect their work while being deadline-action oriented doesn’t mean that tension will build up in the team. KEY-WORDS:Este estudo tem como objective avaliar o impacto de duas dimensões específicas relacionadas com o tempo (cognições temporais partilhadas e pacing styles), como um factor cognitivo, nos diferentes tipos de conflito intragrupal. Supusemos também que a relação entre as cognições temporais partilhadas e os diferentes tipos de conflito é moderado pelos pacing styles. No total obtivemos respostas de 30 equipas (245 indivíduos). Todas as equipas faziam parte de diferentes centros de saúde portugueses. Em geral, os resultados não suportaram as hipóteses em estudo relativamente á influência directa dos assuntos relacionados com o tempo nos conflitos intragrupais, apesar das cognições temporais partilhadas estarem relacionadas com todos os tipos de conflito intragrupal. Os resultados também não provaram que existe um efeito moderador dos pacing styles na relação entre as cognições temporais partilhadas e o conflito de tarefa, relaciona e temporal. Então, as cognições temporais partilhadas ajudam as equipas a evitar conflitos que possam afectar o seu trabalho enquanto terem a tendência para trabalhar mais perto do tempo limite estabelecido em nada contribui para a emergência de conflito