How can luxury brands maintain exclusivity by promoting a digital channel as the main touchpoint with the customer? The Josefinas and Manjerica cases

For years, several luxury brands were reluctant to operate through digital channels, as they believed it promoted a democratisation of luxury. Currently, the industry faces several challenges due to the entry into it and the paradox of rarity that puts in question the main pillars of luxury - rarity and exclusivity. This dissertation has as main objective to understand how brands that prioritize digital encounters, manage to retain customers through these same channels, what are the strategies chosen to create a luxurious experience with the absence of frontline staff and understand if these overcome the paradox that the industry faces. To have more information on the subject, two semi-structured interviews were conducted with two Portuguese luxury brands that operate only in digital, to understand what their perception about their customers is, what are the strategies chosen to maintain a strong contact with them so that they do not miss a physical shop and at what moments there is a personalization and a co-creation with the customer. To conclude, digital luxury consumers look for brands that can bridge the gap between online and offline, where there are moments of co-creation and attention with them.Durante anos, várias marcas de luxo estiveram reticentes em passar a operar através de canais digitais, pois acreditavam que este promovia uma democratização do luxo. Atualmente a indústria enfrenta vários desafios devido à entrada no mesmo e ao paradoxo da raridade que coloca em causa os principais pilares do luxo- raridade e exclusividade. Esta dissertação tem como principal objetivo entender como é que marcas que priorizam os encontros digitais, conseguem reter clientes através desses mesmo canal, quais são as estratégias escolhidas para criar uma experiência luxuosa com a ausência de colaboradores na linha da frente e perceberem se estas ultrapassam o paradoxo que a indústria enfrenta. Para se ter mais informações sobre o tema, foi utilizado uma aproximação exploratória e qualitativa suportada em duas entrevistas semiestruturadas a duas marcas de luxo portuguesas que operam apenas no digital, com o objetivo de perceber qual é a perceção destas sobre os seus clientes, quais as estratégias escolhidas para manterem um forte contacto com o mesmo para que este não sinta saudades de uma loja física e em que momentos é que se verifica uma personalização e uma cocriação com o cliente. Em suma, os consumidores de luxo digital procuram marcas que consigam fazer a ponte entre o online e offline, onde existam momentos de co-criação e de atenção com o mesmo

Tensión de adhesión de revestimientos cerámicos obtenidos por proyección robótica a llama

Introduction: One of the possible applications of ceramic thermal barriers is in shells (permanent moulds – die casting). The moulds` capacity to support very high temperatures (up to 1600 °C) plays a crucial role in the selection of materials due to the liquid state of the cast iron. Objectives: This paper presents and discusses the obtained results from robotic flame projection tests, carried out with the purpose to quantify the influence of several factors of flame sprayed in the adhesion strength of coatings of Nickel-Aluminium Molybdenum and Zirconium Oxide. In literature a minimum adhesion strength was not found for the application of thermal ceramic barriers in the coating of permanent casting moulds, so in this work it is intended to obtain its values considering several combinations of projection parameters and substrates. Methods: The determination of the adhesion strength was performed according to the standard ASTM C633-79 where the coated test specimens were glued to CK45 steel against-specimens with a cyanoacrylate glue (LOCTITE 415). A weight of 100 N was then applied for 3 minutes to promote the initiation of the polymerization reaction of the cyanoacrylates and a period of 24 hours was needed so the bonded glue could acquire its maximum strength (sufficient enough to tear off the coating of the specimen). Finally tensile tests were carried out at the speed of 1 mm/min. Results: The main parameters studied are the material of the substrate, the projection angle and the substrate preheating temperature. The higher adhesion strength for the sprayed to 90° (average value of 6.2 MPa) was obtained by the specimens of spheroidal graphite cast iron (SGCI) with a preheating temperature of 120 °C. For the preheating of 90 °C and spray angle of 90° the aluminum-copper (AlCu) and brass specimens were the ones that obtained the higher adhesion strengths (average value of 4.5 MPa). The sprayed of 65° originates the higher adhesion strength in all the materials used for the substrate, being the highest value (average value of 8.3 MPa) obtained by the spheroidal graphite cast iron. Conclusions: The results obtained clearly suggest that the substrate material and the preheating temperature strongly influence the adhesion strength. The analysis of the coatings microstructures, using optical microscopy, supports this observation.Introdução: Uma das possíveis aplicações de barreiras térmicas cerâmicas é no revestimento de moldes permanentes para fundição. A capacidade do molde suportar temperaturas muito elevadas (até 1600 °C), devido ao estado líquido do ferro fundido, desempenha um papel crucial na seleção de materiais. Objetivos: Este artigo apresenta e discute os resultados obtidos a partir de testes de projeção robótica à chama, com o objetivo de quantificar a influência de vários fatores da projeção à chama na tensão de adesão de revestimentos de Níquel-Alumínio Molibdênio e Óxido de Zircónia. Na literatura não foi encontrada uma tensão mínima de adesão requerida para a aplicação de barreiras térmicas cerâmicas no revestimento de moldes permanentes para fundição, assim, no trabalho apresentado neste artigo, pretende-se obter seus valores considerando várias combinações de parâmetros de projeção e substratos. Métodos: A determinação da tensão de adesão foi realizada de acordo com a norma ASTM C633-79 em que os provetes revestidos foram colados a contra-provetes de aço CK45 grenalhados, com uma cola à base de cianoacrilatos (LOCTITE 415). De seguida aplicou-se um peso de 100 N durante 3 minutos para a força de compressão promover o início da reação de polimerização dos cianoacrilatos e aguardou-se 24 horas para que a junta colada tivesse tempo de adquirir a resistência máxima (o suficiente para arrancar o revestimento do provete). Realizaram-se depois ensaios de tração à velocidade de 1 mm/min. Resultados: Os principais parâmetros estudados foram o material do substrato, o ângulo de projeção e a temperatura de pré aquecimento do substrato. A maior força de adesão para a projeção a 90° (média de 6,2 MPa) foi obtida com os provetes de ferro fundido com grafite esferoidal (SGCI) com uma temperatura de pré-aquecimento de 120 ° C. Para o pré-aquecimento de 90 °C e ângulo de projeção de 90°, foram os provetes de duralumínio (AlCu) e de latão que obtiveram as maiores forças de adesão (média de 4,5 MPa). A projeção a 65 ° origina a maior tensão de adesão em todos os materiais utilizados para o substrato, sendo o maior valor (média de 8,3 MPa) obtido pelo ferro fundido de grafite esferoidal. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos sugerem claramente que o material do substrato e a temperatura de pré-aquecimento influenciam fortemente a tensão de adesão. A análise das microestruturas dos revestimentos, utilizando microscopia ótica, comprova esta observação.Introducción: Una de las posibles aplicaciones de barreras térmicas cerámicas es en el revestimiento de moldes permanentes para fundición. La capacidad del molde para soportar temperaturas muy altas (hasta 1600 °C), debido al estado líquido del hierro fundido, desempeña un papel crucial en la selección de materiales. Objetivos: Este artículo presenta y discute los resultados obtenidos a partir de pruebas de proyección robótica a la llama, con el objetivo de cuantificar la influencia de varios factores de la proyección a la llama en la resistencia a la adhesión de revestimientos de Niquel-Aluminio-Molibdeno y Óxido de Zirconia. En la literatura no se encontró una tensión mínima de adhesión requerida para la aplicación de barreras térmicas cerámicas en el revestimiento de moldes permanentes para fundición, así en el trabajo presentado en este artículo, se pretende obtener sus valores considerando varias combinaciones de parámetros de proyección y sustratos. Métodos: La determinación de la tensión de adhesión se realizó de acuerdo con la norma ASTM C633-79 en la que se probaron las probetas revestidas a contra-probetas de acero CK45 gralladas, con un pegamento a base de cianoacrilatos (LOCTITE 415). A continuación se aplicó un peso de 100 N durante 3 minutos para la fuerza de compresión promover el inicio de la reacción de polimerización de los cianoacrilatos y se aguardó 24 horas, para que la junta adhesiva tuviera tiempo de adquirir la resistencia máxima (suficiente para arrancar el revestimiento de la probeta). Se realizaron después los ensayos de tracción a velocidad de 1 mm/min. Resultados: Los principales parámetros estudiados son el material del sustrato, el ángulo de proyección y la temperatura de precalentamiento del sustrato. La mayor fuerza de adhesión para la proyección a 90° (media de 6,2 MPa) fue obtenida con las probetas de hierro fundido con grafito esferoidal (SGCI) con una temperatura de precalentamiento de 120 °C. Para el precalentamiento de 90 °C y ángulo de proyección de 90°, fueron las probetas de duraluminio (AlCu) y de latón que obtuvieron las mayores fuerzas de adhesión (media de 4,5 MPa). La proyección a 65° origina la mayor tensión de adhesión en todos los materiales utilizados para el sustrato, siendo el mayor valor (media de 8,3 MPa) obtenido por el hierro fundido de grafito esferoidal. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren claramente que el material del sustrato y la temperatura de precalentamiento influyen fuertemente en la fuerza de adhesión. El análisis de las microestructuras de los revestimientos, utilizando microscopia óptica, comprueba esta observación

Exposure to PAHs during Firefighting Activities: A Review on Skin Levels, In Vitro/In Vivo Bioavailability, and Health Risks

Occupational exposure as a firefighter is a complex activity that continuously exposes subjects to several health hazards including fire emissions during firefighting. Firefighters are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known as toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds, by inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. In this work, a literature overview of firefighters’ dermal exposure to PAHs after firefighting and data retrieved from skin in vitro/in vivo studies related to their dermal absorption, bioavailability, and associated toxicological and carcinogenic effects are reviewed. The evidence demonstrates the contamination of firefighters’ skin with PAHs, mainly on the neck (2.23–62.50 ng/cm2), wrists (0.37–8.30 ng/cm2), face (2.50–4.82 ng/cm2), and hands (1.59–4.69 ng/cm2). Concentrations of possible/probable carcinogens (0.82–33.69 ng/cm2), including benzopyrene isomers, were found on firefighters’ skin. PAHs penetrate the skin tissues, even at low concentrations, by absorption and/or diffusion, and are locally metabolized and distributed by the blood route to other tissues/organs. Lighter PAHs presented increased dermal permeabilities and absorption rates than heavier compounds. Topical PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and promote the enzymatic generation of reactive intermediates that may cause protein and/or DNA adducts. Future research should include in vitro/in vivo assays to perform a more realistic health risk assessment and to explore the contribution of dermal exposure to PAHs total internal dose: This work received support by UIDB/50006/2020, UIDP/50006/2020, LA/P/0008/2020, and PCIF/SSO/0017/2018 by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior. M. Oliveira and F. Rodrigues are thankful to the scientific contracts CEECIND/03666/2017 and CEECIND/01886/2020, respectively. G. Sousa thanks the PhD grant 2021.08526.BD supported by national funds of the FCT and community European Union funding through Fundo Social Europeu and the Program Por_Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinants of HIV late presentation among men who have sex with men in Portugal (2014–2019): who’s being left behind?

Introduction: HIV late presentation (LP) remains excessive in Europe. We aimed to analyze the factors associated with late presentation in the MSM population newly diagnosed with HIV in Portugal between 2014 and 2019. Methods: We included 391 newly HIV-1 diagnosed Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), from the BESTHOPE project, in 17 countrywide Portuguese hospitals. The data included clinical and socio-behavioral questionnaires and the viral genomic sequence obtained in the drug resistance test before starting antiretrovirals (ARVs). HIV-1 subtypes and epidemiological surveillance mutations were determined using different bioinformatics tools. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between predictor variables and late presentation (LP). Results: The median age was 31 years, 51% had a current income between 501-1,000 euros, 28% were migrants. 21% had never been tested for HIV before diagnosis, with 42.3% of MSM presenting LP. 60% were infected with subtype B strains. In the multivariate regression, increased age at diagnosis, higher income, lower frequency of screening, STI ever diagnosed and higher viral load were associated with LP. Conclusion: Our study suggests that specific subgroups of the MSM population, such older MSM, with higher income and lower HIV testing frequency, are not being targeted by community and clinical screening services. Overall, targeted public health measures should be strengthened toward these subgroups, through strengthened primary care testing, expanded access to PrEP, information and promotion of HIV self-testing and more inclusive and accessible health services.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

HIV-1-Transmitted Drug Resistance and Transmission Clusters in Newly Diagnosed Patients in Portugal Between 2014 and 2019

Objective: To describe and analyze transmitted drug resistance (TDR) between 2014 and 2019 in newly infected patients with HIV-1 in Portugal and to characterize its transmission networks. Methods: Clinical, socioepidemiological, and risk behavior data were collected from 820 newly diagnosed patients in Portugal between September 2014 and December 2019. The sequences obtained from drug resistance testing were used for subtyping, TDR determination, and transmission cluster (TC) analyses. Results: In Portugal, the overall prevalence of TDR between 2014 and 2019 was 11.0%. TDR presented a decreasing trend from 16.7% in 2014 to 9.2% in 2016 (p for-trend = 0.114). Multivariate analysis indicated that TDR was significantly associated with transmission route (MSM presented a lower probability of presenting TDR when compared to heterosexual contact) and with subtype (subtype C presented significantly more TDR when compared to subtype B). TC analysis corroborated that the heterosexual risk group presented a higher proportion of TDR in TCs when compared to MSMs. Among subtype A1, TDR reached 16.6% in heterosexuals, followed by 14.2% in patients infected with subtype B and 9.4% in patients infected with subtype G. Conclusion: Our molecular epidemiology approach indicates that the HIV-1 epidemic in Portugal is changing among risk group populations, with heterosexuals showing increasing levels of HIV-1 transmission and TDR. Prevention measures for this subpopulation should be reinforced.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Os critérios de escolha e avaliação dos consumidores nos guias digitais de restauração : caso Zomato

Este estudo tem como objetivo perceber se a aplicação Zomato tem influência na escolha de um restaurante, bem como identificar os atributos oferecidos na aplicação que mais importam para os utilizadores, em diferentes situações: almoço de individual em dia da semana, almoço de família, jantar de amigos e jantar romântico. Pretende, também, compreender quais as dimensões mais importantes que condicionam a satisfação na experiência de consumo num restaurante, quando o consumidor o avalia, após a experiência. Será, também, realizada uma caracterização do perfil do utilizador da Zomato. O estudo iniciou-se com uma revisão da literatura, sendo que não foram encontradas evidências diretas sobre a influência da aplicação ou sobre os atributos que mais importam para o consumidor na escolha de um restaurante, com a contribuição dos guias digitais de avaliação. A informação sobre o perfil dos utilizadores desta aplicação também não foi encontrada. No entanto, existem vários estudos que investigam os atributos que mais contribuem para a qualidade da experiência num restaurante. Nesta investigação foi realizada uma análise quantitativa, com a participação de 219 inquiridos utilizadores da aplicação Zomato. Até então, não existiam estudos em Portugal, com os mesmos objetivos desta investigação. Os resultados revelaram que a Zomato tem influência na decisão na escolha de um restaurante. Em relação ao segundo objetivo, concluiu-se que num almoço individual em dia de semana os atributos da aplicação mais importantes na escolha de um restaurante é o preço médio, o tipo de comida e a localização; num almoço de família os critérios mais importantes são o tipo de comida, a classificação e a localização; em relação ao jantar de amigos, o preço médio, a localização e o tipo de comida são os atributos com maior importância na escolha de um restaurante e, por fim, no jantar romântico, os atributos mais relevantes são a classificação, o tipo de comida e as fotografias do ambiente. Quanto ao terceiro objetivo, os três principais critérios de avaliação para classificar um restaurante após a experiência são a qualidade da comida, limpeza e comportamento/simpatia do staff. Por fim, os resultados revelaram que o utilizador da Zomato é tendencialmente mais jovem, com mais de 12 anos de escolaridade. Não se verificou nenhuma diferença estatística para o género, situação financeira, estado civil e restrição alimentar.This study aims to understand whether the Zomato application has an influence on an individual’s decision when choosing a restaurant, as well as to identify the attributes offered in the application that matter the most to users, in various situations: individual lunch on weekdays, family lunch, dinner with friends and romantic dinner. It also aims to understand what are the most important dimensions that make up a user’s satisfaction when evaluating a restaurant after a consumption experience. Additionally, a characterization of the Zomato user profile was carried out. The study starts with a literature review, and no direct evidence was found on the influence of the application or on the attributes that matter the most to consumers when choosing a restaurant, with the contribution of digital evaluation guides. Information about the profile of the users of this application was also not found. However, there are several studies that investigate the attributes that most contribute to the quality of an experience in a restaurant. In this investigation a quantitative analysis was carried out, with the participation of 219 users of the Zomato application. Until then, there were no studies made in Portugal, with the same objectives of this investigation. The results revealed that Zomato influences users’ decisions when choosing a restaurant. On the second objective, it was concluded that for an individual lunch on a weekday, the most important attributes of the application when choosing a remainder are the average price, the type of food and the location; for a family lunch specifically, the most important criteria are the type of food, classification and location, while for a dinner with friends, the average price, the location and the type of food are the most important attributes when choosing a restaurant and, finally, for a romantic dinner, the most relevant attributes are the classification, the type of food and the pictures of the environment. As for the third objective, the three main evaluation criteria for classifying a restaurant after the experience are the quality of the food, cleanliness and the staff's behavior / friendliness. Finally, the results revealed that the Zomato user tends to be younger, with more than 12 years of schooling. There was no statistical difference for gender, financial status, marital status and food restriction

How can internal auditors drive sustainability excellence? Unveiling the crucial role of internal auditors in elevating sustainable auditing reports

This thesis aims to investigate the significant role of internal auditors in Portuguese companies, namely in promoting best practices in sustainable audit reporting. By incorporating sustainability considerations into their audit processes, internal auditors have the potential to promote sustainable practices, identify areas for improvement and strengthen risk management frameworks. To effectively promote sustainability audit excellence, internal auditors must possess a sound knowledge of sustainability principles and keep abreast of evolving regulations and standards applicable within organizations. The present thesis is grounded on a qualitative research approach, namely by conducting eleven interviews with external auditors responsible for validating the reports produced by internal auditors

Tensão de adesão de revestimentos cerâmicos obtidos por projeção robótica à chama

Introduction: One of the possible applications of ceramic thermal barriers is in shells (permanent moulds – die casting). The moulds` capacity to support very high temperatures (up to 1600 °C) plays a crucial role in the selection of materials due to the liquid state of the cast iron. Objectives: This paper presents and discusses the obtained results from robotic flame projection tests, carried out with the purpose to quantify the influence of several factors of flame sprayed in the adhesion strength of coatings of Nickel-Aluminium-Molybdenum and Zirconium Oxide. In literature a minimum adhesion strength was not found for the application of thermal ceramic barriers in the coating of permanent casting moulds, so in this work it is intended to obtain its values considering several combinations of projection parameters and substrates. Methods: The determination of the adhesion strength was performed according to the standard ASTM C633-79 where the coated test specimens were glued to CK45 steel against-specimens with a cyanoacrylate glue (LOCTITE 415). A weight of 100 N was then applied for 3 minutes to promote the initiation of the polymerization reaction of the cyanoacrylates and a period of 24 hours was needed so the bonded glue could acquire its maximum strength (sufficient enough to tear off the coating of the specimen). Finally tensile tests were carried out at the speed of 1 mm/min. Results: The main parameters studied are the material of the substrate, the projection angle and the substrate preheating temperature. The higher adhesion strength for the sprayed to 90° (average value of 6.2 MPa) was obtained by the specimens of spheroidal graphite cast iron (SGCI) with a preheating temperature of 120 °C. For the preheating of 90 °C and spray angle of 90° the aluminum-copper (AlCu) and brass specimens were the ones that obtained the higher adhesion strengths (average value of 4.5 MPa). The sprayed of 65° originates the higher adhesion strength in all the materials used for the substrate, being the highest value (average value of 8.3 MPa) obtained by the spheroidal graphite cast iron. Conclusions: The results obtained clearly suggest that the substrate material and the preheating temperature strongly influence the adhesion strength. The analysis of the coatings microstructures, using optical microscopy, supports this observation.Introdução: Uma das possíveis aplicações de barreiras térmicas cerâmicas é no revestimento de moldes permanentes para fundição. A capacidade do molde suportar temperaturas muito elevadas (até 1600 °C), devido ao estado líquido do ferro fundido, desempenha um papel crucial na seleção de materiais. Objetivos: Este artigo apresenta e discute os resultados obtidos a partir de testes de projeção robótica à chama, com o objetivo de quantificar a influência de vários fatores da projeção à chama na tensão de adesão de revestimentos de Níquel-Alumínio-Molibdênio e Óxido de Zircónia. Na literatura não foi encontrada uma tensão mínima de adesão requerida para a aplicação de barreiras térmicas cerâmicas no revestimento de moldes permanentes para fundição, assim, no trabalho apresentado neste artigo, pretende-se obter seus valores considerando várias combinações de parâmetros de projeção e substratos. Método: A determinação da tensão de adesão foi realizada de acordo com a norma ASTM C633-79 em que os provetes revestidos foram colados a contra-provetes de aço CK45 grenalhados, com uma cola à base de cianoacrilatos (LOCTITE 415). De seguida aplicou-se um peso de 100 N durante 3 minutos para a força de compressão promover o início da reação de polimerização dos cianoacrilatos e aguardou-se 24 horas para que a junta colada tivesse tempo de adquirir a resistência máxima (o suficiente para arrancar o revestimento do provete). Realizaram-se depois ensaios de tração à velocidade de 1 mm/min. Resultados: Os principais parâmetros estudados foram o material do substrato, o ângulo de projeção e a temperatura de pré-aquecimento do substrato. A maior força de adesão para a projeção a 90° (média de 6,2 MPa) foi obtida com os provetes de ferro fundido com grafite esferoidal (SGCI) com uma temperatura de pré-aquecimento de 120 ° C. Para o pré-aquecimento de 90 °C e ângulo de projeção de 90°, foram os provetes de duralumínio (AlCu) e de latão que obtiveram as maiores forças de adesão (média de 4,5 MPa). A projeção a 65 ° origina a maior tensão de adesão em todos os materiais utilizados para o substrato, sendo o maior valor (média de 8,3 MPa) obtido pelo ferro fundido de grafite esferoidal. Conclusões: Os resultados obtidos sugerem claramente que o material do substrato e a temperatura de pré-aquecimento influenciam fortemente a tensão de adesão. A análise das microestruturas dos revestimentos, utilizando microscopia ótica, comprova esta observação.Introducción: Una de las posibles aplicaciones de barreras térmicas cerámicas es en el revestimiento de moldes permanentes para fundición. La capacidad del molde para soportar temperaturas muy altas (hasta 1600 °C), debido al estado líquido del hierro fundido, desempeña un papel crucial en la selección de materiales.< Objetivos: Este artículo presenta y discute los resultados obtenidos a partir de pruebas de proyección robótica a la llama, con el objetivo de cuantificar la influencia de varios factores de la proyección a la llama en la resistencia a la adhesión de revestimientos de Niquel-Aluminio-Molibdeno y Óxido de Zirconia. En la literatura no se encontró una tensión mínima de adhesión requerida para la aplicación de barreras térmicas cerámicas en el revestimiento de moldes permanentes para fundición, así en el trabajo presentado en este artículo, se pretende obtener sus valores considerando varias combinaciones de parámetros de proyección y sustratos. Métodos: La determinación de la tensión de adhesión se realizó de acuerdo con la norma ASTM C633-79 en la que se probaron las probetas revestidas a contra-probetas de acero CK45 gralladas, con un pegamento a base de cianoacrilatos (LOCTITE 415). A continuación se aplicó un peso de 100 N durante 3 minutos para la fuerza de compresión promover el inicio de la reacción de polimerización de los cianoacrilatos y se aguardó 24 horas, para que la junta adhesiva tuviera tiempo de adquirir la resistencia máxima (suficiente para arrancar el revestimiento de la probeta). Se realizaron después los ensayos de tracción a velocidad de 1 mm/min. Resultados: Los principales parámetros estudiados son el material del sustrato, el ángulo de proyección y la temperatura de precalentamiento del sustrato. La mayor fuerza de adhesión para la proyección a 90° (media de 6,2 MPa) fue obtenida con las probetas de hierro fundido con grafito esferoidal (SGCI) con una temperatura de precalentamiento de 120 °C. Para el precalentamiento de 90 °C y ángulo de proyección de 90°, fueron las probetas de duraluminio (AlCu) y de latón que obtuvieron las mayores fuerzas de adhesión (media de 4,5 MPa). La proyección a 65° origina la mayor tensión de adhesión en todos los materiales utilizados para el sustrato, siendo el mayor valor (media de 8,3 MPa) obtenido por el hierro fundido de grafito esferoidal. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren claramente que el material del sustrato y la temperatura de precalentamiento influyen fuertemente en la fuerza de adhesión. El análisis de las microestructuras de los revestimientos, utilizando microscopia óptica, comprueba esta observación

conTemporary reflectiOns regarding heart Failure manaGEmenT - How to ovERcome the PorTuguese barriers (TOGETHER-PT)

Copyright © 2023. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that is a significant burden in hospitalisations, morbidity, and mortality. Although a significant effort has been made to better understand its consequences and current barriers in its management, there are still several gaps to address. The present work aimed to identify the views of a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals on HF awareness and literacy, diagnosis, treatment and organization of care, identifying current challenges and providing insights into the future. METHODS: A steering committee was established, including members of the Heart Failure Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (GEIC-SPC), the Heart Failure Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (NEIC-SPMI) and the Cardiovascular Study Group (GEsDCard) of the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF). This steering committee produced a 16-statement questionnaire regarding different HF domains that was answered to by a diversified group of 152 cardiologists, internists, general practitioners, and nurses with an interest or dedicated to HF using a five-level Likert scale. Full agreement was defined as ≥80% of level 5 (fully agree) responses. RESULTS: Globally, consensus was achieved in all but one of the 16 statements. Full agreement was registered in seven statements, namely 3 of 4 statements for Patient Education and HF-awareness and 2 in 4 statements of both HF-diagnosis and Healthcare organization, with proportions of fully agree responses ranging from 82.9% to 96.7%. None of the HF-treatment statements registered full agreement but 3 of 4 achieved ≥ 80% of level 4 (agree) responses. CONCLUSION: This document aims to be a call to action to improve HF patients' quality of life and prognosis, by promoting a change in HF care in Portugal.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

Reflexões contemporâneas sobre a gestão da insuficiência cardíaca – Como ultrapassar as barreiras em Portugal

© 2023 Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. on behalf of Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Introduction and objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that is a significant burden in hospitalisations, morbidity, and mortality. Although a significant effort has been made to better understand its consequences and current barriers in its management, there are still several gaps to address. The present work aimed to identify the views of a multidisciplinary group of health care professionals on HF awareness and literacy, diagnosis, treatment and organization of care, identifying current challenges and providing insights into the future. Methods: A steering committee was established, including members of the Heart Failure Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology (GEIC-SPC), the Heart Failure Study Group of the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine (NEIC-SPMI) and the Cardiovascular Study Group (GEsDCard) of the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine (APMGF). This steering committee produced a 16-statement questionnaire regarding different HF domains that was answered to by a diversified group of 152 cardiologists, internists, general practitioners, and nurses with an interest or dedicated to HF using a five-level Likert scale. Full agreement was defined as ≥80% of level 5 (fully agree) responses. Results: Globally, consensus was achieved in all but one of the 16 statements. Full agreement was registered in seven statements, namely 3 of 4 statements for patient education and HF awareness and 2 in 4 statements of both HF diagnosis and healthcare organization, with proportions of fully agree responses ranging from 82.9% to 96.7%. None of the HF treatment statements registered full agreement but 3 of 4 achieved ≥80% of level 4 (agree) responses. Conclusion: This document aims to be a call-to-action to improve HF patients' quality of life and prognosis, by promoting a change in HF care in Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio