A satisfação dos utentes idosos nos cuidados continuados no Algarve

A presente investigação tem como objetivo geral conhecer o grau de satisfação dos utentes idosos internados nas Unidades Média Duração e Reabilitação (UMDR) e nas Unidades de Longa Duração e Manutenção (ULDM) do Algarve da Rede Nacional de Cuidados Continuados Integrados (RNCCI). A amostra é constituída por 91 idosos com idades compreendidas entre os 65 e os 91 anos internados em Unidades de Média Duração e Reabilitação e em Unidades de Longa Duração e Manutenção no Algarve. Quanto à metodologia delineada para esta investigação, esta assentou numa investigação de teor quantitativo, transversal e exploratório. Sendo esta investigação um estudo exploratório e transversal, os instrumentos utilizados para avaliação da satisfação dos utentes idosos foram o questionário sócio-demográfico e a construção de uma escala de avaliação da satisfação. Para análise dos resultados foram utilizados os testes estatísticos: teste t, o teste não paramétrico, Kruskal Wallis e o SPSS – versão 19. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que os utentes das UMDR e ULDM se encontram satisfeitos com a qualidade da prestação dos cuidados que lhes são prestados e com o internamento. De entre os resultados obtidos destaca-se, ainda, a identificação de três fatores principais responsáveis pela satisfação dos utentes internados nas UMDR e ULDM: 1) “ambiente físico, segurança e acolhimento profissional”; 2) “apoio familiar e social”; e 3) “informação e processo terapêutico”.

Chemical communication in the Mozambique tilapia: a role for amino acids

The Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) is a maternal mouthbrooding cichlid from the southern Africa. The olfactory sensitivity of the species to 20 amino acids was assessed using the electro-olfactogram (EOG). We estimated whether the olfactory potency of the polar fraction of male urine can be explained by the presence of identified amino acids. In addition, filtrate and amino acid mixture of the urine of Nile tilapia were used to estimate their olfactory potency for O.mossambicus. Finally, concentrations of the main amino acids were measured in the urine of males of different social status and the correlations between amino acid concentration and hierarchical status were explored. L-cysteine, L-glutamine and L-threonine were the most potent stimuli at M while L-proline and L-aspartate were the least potent. Four groups of amino acids were identified according to their thresholds of detection and three groups – according to the similarity of their ɣ-factors. The estimated threshold of detection for O.mossambicus mixture was higher than that for the filtrate. On the contrary, the threshold of detection for the mixture of Nile tilapia was lower than that for the filtrate The concentration of L-arginine in the urine was positively correlated with fish dominance index. Both L-arginine and L-glutamic acid concentrations had much greater variability in dominant males (DI˃0.5) than in subordinate males (DI˂0.5). The urinary concentrations of L-phenylalanine had similar variability in dominant and subordinate groups. The Mozambique tilapia has olfactory sensitivity to all twenty amino acids tested. The fish showed more acute sensitivity to conspecific urine filtrate than to the heterospecific. Olfactory potency of O.mossambicus filtrate can be largely but not fully explained by the presence of L-arginine, L-glutamic acid and L-phenylalanine. Larginine and L-glutamic acid may indicate the dominance status of the fish and, possibly, individual identity.

Golf destinations' brand personality: the case of the Algarve

The purpose of this research is to develop and validate a measurement scale to assess golf destinations’ brand personality and therefore to perceive the destination personality of the Algarve as a golf destination. Based on literature review on human personality, brand personality, destination brand image and marketing scales validation procedures, an initial 36 unrepeated items were the base for a survey instrument. Those items were generated from the literature, from the results of individual interviews with experts in tourism and golf in the Algarve and from promotional texts in golf- related websites. After content validation, the items were allocated into categories of attributes by a panel of expert judges. A survey was then applied to a convenient sample of 600 golf players in the Algarve, and 545 (valid) questionnaires were analysed to refine the scale. Golf players assessed the components of the relational brand personality (functional, symbolic and experiential) as well as the Algarve as a golf destination. A taxonomy of brand personality was developed and tested in the Algarve as it is recognized as one of the world best golf destination. The developed taxonomy of brand personality was assessed in two ways: 1) through the overall perception of the Algarve as a golf destination and 2) through the perception of specific attributes of the destination grouped into three main categories (functional, symbolic and experiential). Therefore, two multi-dimensional brand personality models were estimated by using structural equation modelling. Findings of this study indicate that golf players ascribe personality characteristics to destinations. The brand personality of the Algarve is translated into three main dimensions enjoyableness, distinctiveness and friendliness when tourists/golf players reveal their overall perception of the destination. The brand personality of golf destination Algarve is reflected in the dimensions reliability, hospitality, uniqueness and attractiveness when tourists assess the components of the relational brand personality. Refined scales consisting of 10 and 12 items were finally derived meeting both reliability and validity requirements. This study does not replicate Aaker’s (1997) personality dimensions and very little parallelism can be drawn with Aaker’s (1997) brand personality scale since only three items from her scale were validated in both models: friendly and cheerful, (sincerity), reliable (competence). The same is verified concerning the ‘Big-five’. The human personality traits (HPT) validated to describe golf destinations personality are only four helpful, pleasant (agreeableness), relaxed (emotional stability), and innovative (intellect or openness). As far as destination image descriptors (DID) are concerned, the items appealing, relaxed and safe were validated, while traits suggested by the interviews and website promotional texts such as calm, natural, spectacular, unique, welcoming, and the best (destination-specific traits) appear to be appropriate to describe the personality of a golf destination. The results suggest that the overall perception of the Algarve´s brand personality is described by the dimensions enjoyableness, distinctiveness and friendliness. Moreover, the relational perspective revealed that the functional attributes of the destination are described by the dimension reliablility, while the symbolic attributes are described by the dimensions hospitablility and uniqueness and finally its experiential attributes are described by the dimension attractiveness. These results show that a golf destination´s brand personality should not just be based on good golf practices. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the context of destination brand personality.

Evolution, gene regulation and functional analysis of BMP2 in fish

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily with a central role in bone formation and mineralization. BMP2, a founding member of this family, has demonstrated remarkable osteogenic properties and is clinically used to promote bone repair and fracture healing. Lack of basic data on factors regulating BMP2 expression and activity have hampered a better understanding of its role in bone formation and bone-related diseases. The objective of this work was to collect new functional data and determine spatiotemporal expression patterns in a fish system aiming towards a better understanding of BMP2 function and regulation. Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gilthead seabream BMP2 gene was inferred from luciferase reporter systems. Several bone- and cartilage-related transcription factors (e.g. RUNX3, MEF2c, SOX9 and ETS1) were found to regulate BMP2 transcription, while microRNA 20a was shown to affect stability of the BMP2 transcript and thus the mineralogenic capacity of fish bone-derived host cells. The regulation of BMP2 activity through an interaction with the matrix Gla protein (MGP) was investigated in vitro using BMP responsive elements (BRE) coupled to luciferase reporter gene. Although we demonstrated the functionality of the experimental system in a fish cell line and the activation of BMP signaling pathway by seabream BMP2, no conclusive evidence could be collected on a possible interaction beween MGP and BMP2. The evolutionary relationship among the members of BMP2/4/16 subfamily was inferred from taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses. BMP16 diverged prior to BMP2 and BMP4 and should be the result of an ancient genome duplication that occurred early in vertebrate evolution. Structural and functional data suggested that all three proteins are effectors of the BMP signaling pathway, but expression data revealed different spatiotemporal patterns in teleost fish suggesting distinct mechanisms of regulation. In this work, through the collection of novel data, we provide additional insight into the regulation, the structure and the phylogenetic relationship of BMP2 and its closely related family members.

Inovação e tecnologia no turismo. O sector hoteleiro do Algarve

Dissertação de mestrado, Ciências Económicas e Empresariais, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, 2004

Molecular structure and functional analysis of runx3 in zebrafish

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade do Algarve, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, 2014

Turismo, território e desenvolvimento local: práticas de participação e governança no Baixo Guadiana

Tese de doutoramento, Turismo, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, 2013

Influência da rota dos vinhos no enoturismo do Algarve

This article aims to approach the Wine Route in Algarve, while fueling the Enotourism in the Region. In methodological therms, secondary sources were consulted, including literature considered relevant, as well the analysis of the case Tenerife, as a destination where Enotourism was successfully implemented. The primary sources used for the case study were based on an analysis of interviews to the producers associates to the Algarve Wine Route (AWR) and an interview with the head of AWR, which led to the view and vision of the leaders in the implementation of this project. In order to give greater depth to the theme addressed the issue of external promotion of wine tourism, verifying which markets to consider in attracting tourists for using such statistics and information listed on the Portuguese Tourism Website. The main results point to the need for continuity the consolidation and reinforcing the AWR, increasing the collaboration between partners and among economic actors. In the opinion of the respondents, the external markets are the major destination for both the flow of wine production, as for attracting new customers and as such should be treated as strategic markets.

Um modelo para a melhoria da qualidade dos recursos humanos das autarquias locais

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão Empresarial, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, 2004

Identification and molecular characterization of bone-related micrornas: functional implications

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Ciências Biomédicas e Medicina, Universidade do Algarve, 2014

A renovação permanente: uma investigação sobre a arte do actor

Tese de doutoramento, Comunicação, Cultura e Artes, Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Universidade do Algarve, 2014

Relatório de atividade profissional

Dissertação de mestrado, Biologia Marinha, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

Estudo da atividade protetora de extratos vegetais contra stresse genotóxico

Dissertação de mestrado, Biologia Molecular e Microbiana, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

A problemática de um ecossistema empreendedor: o caso do Concelho de Lagos

Dissertação de mestrado, Economia da Inovação e Empreendedorismo, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015

A criação de uma empresa: reserva online - agência de marketing digital

Dissertação de Mestrado, Marketing, Faculdade de Economia, Universidade do Algarve, 2015