Portuguese Institutions Research Articles

Information persistence services designed to support home care.

BackgroundDue to the challenges faced by health and social care systems, in particular those related to actual demographic trends, home care emerges as a potentially cost-effective solution to answer the needs of citizens, and to allow the reallocation of resources to alternatives to hospitalization or institutionalization.ObjectiveHome care services require cooperation between different actors, including health and social caregivers, care receivers, and their informal caregivers (eg, relatives or friends), across time, space, and organizational boundaries. Therefore, it is foreseeable that eHealth services can contribute to their improvement. The aim of this study is to evaluate information persistence services based on the Reference Information Model (RIM) of the Health Level Seven (HL7) version 3 to support formal caregivers, both health and social care providers, and informal caregivers in the context of home care services.MethodsA pilot study was set up involving two Portuguese institutions that provide home care services for the elderly. Defining of information requirements was performed according to a comprehensive process. This included a review of the literature, observations of work activities, interviews with caregivers, care receivers and their relatives, analysis of paper documentation related to care receivers’ histories, health conditions and care plans, and brainstorming groups involving specialized professionals. Following this, information objects were implemented and validated.ResultsThe methodological approach, as well as the information persistence services, proved to be robust and adequate to specify, implement, and validate different types of information objects related to home care services for the elderly. This study also reinforces the application of the RIM of the HL7 version 3 beyond the strict scope of health care, allowing the persistence of not only health care information, but also information related to social assistance activities.ConclusionsThis study contributes to the ongoing efforts related to the development of eHealth applications to improve the cooperation among formal health care and social caregivers, as well as care receivers and their informal caregivers.

DIFFERENCES IN PORTUGUESE CREDIT INSTITUTIONS' LENDING AND INVESTMENT BEHAVIOUR IN A TIME OF SLUMP

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the influence of the different property rights models of credit institutions (public, private, cooperative or mutual) in their credit policy and investment behaviour and in response to the current crisis and regulatory framework adjustments. Taking Portuguese credit institutions as the object, it concludes that overall banks’ business models are qualitatively identical and their lending and investment behaviours are similar, except for the saver profile of cooperative banks and the deeper focus on loans to customers to the detriment of financial investments of the mutual savings banks. Moreover, the reactions to the crisis were equivalent, except for the state-owned banks, which presented the most favourable reaction, albeit not deep enough to be significant.

Factors Related to Domestic Violence in Pregnant Women

Abstract Introduction Domestic violence is, according to the World Health Organization, a public health problem, of increased severity during pregnancy, affecting the health of the woman and the fetus. Objective The objective of this study was to identify the factors related to domestic violence during pregnancy. Research Methods Quantitative, descriptive, correlational study with a non-probability convenience sample consisting of 852 postpartum women, of whom 370 were victims of domestic violence according to criteria adopted by the modified scale of prevalence data collected between February and June 2012 in two Portuguese public institutions of health, one in the Central Region and the other in Greater Lisbon. Findings The prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy was 43.4%. Predictive factors were the immigrant partner/spouse (p Conclusion Domestic violence during pregnancy is highly prevalent being more frequent among partners of socioeconomically disadvantaged classes, in families with few members, who despite planning the pregnancy, do not do a proper surveillance. This knowledge of improper surveillance of maternal and fetal health should function as a warning sign for the health professionals of a need for an early intervention.

Same challenges, different processes: perceptions on governance changes in Portuguese and Finnish higher education

This article compares recent governance reforms in Finnish and Portuguese higher education (HE) systems and institutions (HEIs). Although Portugal and Finland differ significantly, both the countries have recently undertaken similar HE legislative reforms. This article analyses the contexts and implementation processes of these legal frameworks: Law 62/2007 (RJIES) and Yliopistolaki 558/2009 (New Universities Act), aim at changing institutional governance structures, management and decision-making practices. Findings rely on legal documents and on the voices of practitioners. It is argued that new public management ideology and practice, also disseminated by international organizations' agendas (e.g. the Organisation for the Economic Cooperation and Development – OECD, and the European Commission), offer an explanation for similarities in national HE policies. In turn, historical and cultural specifics as well as structural characteristics of political-administrative systems may explain differences in policy design, implementation processes and national outcomes.

Training Effects on Older Adults in Information and Communication Technologies Considering Psychosocial Variables

The main aim of this study is to contribute knowledge about the impact of the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) on the self-concept, mood, and quality of life of institutionalized older adults in retirement homes and day care centers (Portuguese institutions). It also studies the influence of independent variables such as age; education; referral to the institution (own initiative, indicated by friends, indicated by family, indicated by social security); attendance schedule; and visits from family and friends. The study comprised 41 participants organized into two groups: 22 older adults in the ICT Group and 19 older adults in the Passive Control Group. There were three evaluation periods: before the onset of intervention and 11 and 22 months after intervention began. The results demonstrate that involvement with information and communication technologies produced positive effects on older adults’ social behavior and their self-perception of physical and environment facets of quality of life. Moreover, they suggest that there is a relationship between psychosocial variables and independent variables.

Angola's 2013 dengue outbreak: clinical, laboratory and molecular analyses of cases from four Portuguese institutions.

Dengue virus (DENV) is the arbovirus with the widest impact on human health. In Africa in general, and in Angola in particular, the epidemiology and public health impact of DENV is far from clear. However, rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, increased international travel, and the presence of virus major vector (Aedes aegypti) in the country suggest that DENV transmission may occur. In parallel to the occurrence of a dengue outbreak affecting the capital of Angola, between March and July 2013 four Portuguese institutions diagnosed dengue infection in 146 individuals returning to Portugal. Clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and molecular analyses of partial viral genomic segments were performed. The mean age of the individuals included in this study was 42 years old, the majority being men of Portuguese nationality, reporting various lengths of stay in Angola. Fever was the most reported clinical sign, being frequently associated (61.0%) with myalgia and headache. Hematological values, including hematocrit, white-blood cell and platelets counts, correlated with the absence of severe or complicated cases, or coagulation disorders. No deaths were observed. Viral NS1 was detected in 56.2% of the samples, and all NS1 negative cases had anti-dengue IgM antibodies. RT-PCR indicated the presence of DENV1, which was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of 25 partial NS5 viral sequences. The DENV cases analyzed conformed to classical and uncomplicated dengue, caused by the suggested exclusive circulation of a genetically homogeneous DENV1 of genotype III, apparently with a single origin.

Group Identification of Youth in Residential Care: Evidences of Measurement and Dimensionality

This study aims to adapt the Tarrant’s scale of group identification for youth in residential care and to provide evidence of the validity and reliability of this scale. This study is part of a larger project including 59 Portuguese institutions and 400 adolescents (55 % males) from 11 to 18 years old (M = 14.68; SD = 1.83). The adolescents that agreed to participate completed a structured questionnaire that was analysed regarding face, construct and concurrent validity, reliability as well as the relationship between group identification, individual characteristics (age, gender) and placement length. Face validity was obtained with feedback from a panel experts and youth in care. The three components structure obtained explains 70.28 % of the variance: Self-categorization, Group Evaluation and Commitment. The CFA revealed good values of fit: CFI = .95, GFI = .91, and RMSEA = .073. Concurrent validity was documented by the positive and significant correlation found between the positive perception of in-group and all dimensions of group identification, as well by a negative and significant correlation between deviant behaviour and all dimensions of group identification. Finally, significant and positive correlations were found between Self-Categorization and the length of placement in the residential setting. Gender differences were found on Group Evaluation with females reporting higher scores than males. The satisfactory psychometric characteristics of this scale strengthened its trustworthiness in the measurement of group identification and emphasize the relevance and validity of this instrument in the evaluation of group identification in residential care populations.

Limnological research in the Iberian Peninsula: a ten-year survey of published literature

Research on limnology in southern Europe had achieved a notable presence in the international arena before the onset of the current dramatic cuts in public investment in science. We assessed the limnological research published in peer-reviewed journals by Spanish and Portuguese (i.e., Iberian) researchers during the decade prior to the economic recession (2000 to 2009). The Thompson ReutersWeb of Knowledge database was used to retrieve all publications on limnology authored by researchers affiliated with Spanish or Portuguese institutions independently of the geographical setting of the study. The publishing pattern was characterised in terms of authors, journals, and citation statistics. In addition, a thematic characterisation of the research was performed by a manual assignation of several categorical descriptors combined with a blind word count analysis. Iberian researchers produced an annual mean of 278 papers on limnology. Papers were published in journals that had impact factors ranging from 0.1 to 31.4, with a mean of 2.0. Based on citations, the impact of the Iberian limnological research was not due to a few highly cited papers but rather to a wide number of publications; each paper received a mean of 8 citations. The Iberian limnological research involved up to 5460 researchers, with a mean of 4.3 authors per paper. The research largely focused on fluvial systems, with 47 % of total publications (2778) devoted to these ecosystems. There was a dominant focus on local, within-system aspects of study sites and the research was mostly restricted to the Iberian Peninsula; larger spatial scales of analysis (i.e., landscape, regional, or global) tended to be overlooked. Iberian research addressed fundamental (75 %) rather than applied (17 %) or methodological (5 %) questions and was vastly dominated by observational approaches (75 %). Interestingly, Iberian limnological research increased its scientific productivity during the analysed decade at a higher rate than its international counterpart (increase of 119 %). Overall, Iberian research on limnology appeared to be in good health during the analysed decade. Certain areas have been more studied than others, which opens opportunities to develop new research.

Masculinidades em jogo na América Portuguesa: a expedição de Pero Coelho de Sousa em 1603

This article shall examine some contingencies, transformations and inventions about some masculinities aspects. The latter are perceived in the trajectories of some men who had made part of conquest and colonization activities in the Northern captaincies of Portuguese America, during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Special attention was given to the captaincy of Siara and Captain Pero Coelho de Sousa’s expedition, started in 1603. For this purpose, it was analyzed the relationships, expectations and behaviors of some men who were the main officers in Portuguese America. Those men developed governance practices in “Brazil”, especially when they deliberated about their advance/internalization in Rio Grande, Paraiba, Siara, Piaui and Maranhao. Based in gender and masculinity studies, this paper intended to analyze the invention of masculine identities in the context noted above, questioning the aspects of identification and differentiation existing between men. This research is supported by the analyses of official documents, such as letters; royal decrees; royal regulations; royal records and certificates; all of them safeguarded in Brazilian and/or Portuguese institutions. It was also examined chronicles; religious memoirs; and some memoirs of those men who adventured themselves in conquest activities. Keywords: Masculinity, gender, identity, Portuguese America.

The Portuguese Banking System and Capital Agreements (2005-2011)

Basel III is set to come into force on 1 January 2014. This capital agreement will include the three pillars enshrined in Basel II and is designed to strengthen regulation and the microprudential supervision of each bank, while also adding the macroprudential dimension (system-wide risks). The purpose of this article is to analyse to what extent banking institutions of Portuguese origin, operating within the national banking sector, have implemented and observed the measures imposed by the Capital Agreements prior to Basel III. Our main results made it possible to identify three different groups of banks as far as the disclosure of information and the application of the risk measurement methods of Basel I and Basel II are concerned. An international comparison also allowed us to conclude that there has been a convergence of Portuguese and Spanish banking institutions in relation to some economic and financial indicators. However, as far as supervision is concerned, Portugal is to be numbered among the countries with more positive results, while Spain displays some weaknesses.

Bibliometric Analysis of Portuguese Research in e-government

Abstract In this article we present a bibliometric analysis of journal articles, conference papers and book chapters published internationally by researchers affiliated to Portuguese institutions in the subject of e-government in the past ten years. The Scopus® database was used as source. The identified articles were analyzed concerning year of publication, citations, topics addressed, scope, methods used, and authors and their affiliation institutions. A benchmark exercise was also performed by comparing Portuguese bibliometrics with all the other countries in the European Union. We conclude that e-government research in Portugal still has a substantial room for improvement. This is apparent from the small number of researchers and institutions involved in e-government research, the limited number of topics addressed, and the results of the international benchmark. By establishing the evolution and current standing of e-government research in Portugal our conclusions are useful to researchers in the area of e-government, and to research managers and research policy makers.

Rural tourism experiences. Land, sense and experience-scapes in quest of new tourist spaces and sustainable community development

The special issue on tourism experiences is one outcome of the International Conference on Rural Tourism entitled Re-inventing rural tourism and the rural tourism experience - Conserving, innovating and co-creating for sustainability that took place in early September 2013 at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. The conference was a milestone at the end of a 3-years research project undertaken in 3 Portuguese villages (Favaios, Janeiro de Cima and Linhares da Beira), with the collaboration of 15 researches from 7 distinct Portuguese institutions, 4 research assistants and 5 master students at the University of Aveiro, and one international consultant (Bernard Lane), who critically discussed with us and confronted findings with those from diverse studies in other contexts and parts of the world.

Foreign direct investment and institutional reform: evidence and an application to Portugal

We examine the role of geographic, economic, and institutional factors in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Europe, using a cross-section of inward bilateral investments. We estimate and assess the expected benefits, the required reform efforts, and the efficiency of reform options corresponding to a convergence of Portuguese institutions to EU standards. We conclude that improving home institutions is likely to have a quantitatively very significant role in attracting FDI. Geographical and market size factors also play a role. Reforms promoting the independence of financial institutions and a leaner bureaucracy, lowering political risk and corruption, and improving the investment code may significantly affect the amount of bilateral inward FDI that is targeted to Portugal.

The information and Communication technologies in Tourism degree courses: the reality of Portugal and Spain

The developments occurring in recent years in the Information and Communication Technologies led inevitably to a great effect on the operation, structure and strategy of organizations around the world, and obviously also in the tourist sector organizations. With the rapid expansion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) throughout almost all aspects of tourism and hospitality industries, the task of integrating technology into education curriculum will be a need. Information and Communication Technologies appear one of the most critical area to the success of tourism in the future and the way it will promote the tourist destinations. This paper aims to analyze the relevance given by the various Portuguese and Spanish institutions of higher education to Information and Communication Technologies in their degrees. The analysis carried out was done in degree courses operating in this school year, 2012/2013, in Portuguese and Spanish universities and polytechnics, public and private.

Public visibility and risk-related disclosures in Portuguese credit institutions

Public visibility and risk-related disclosures in Portuguese credit institutions

Conceptions de formation dans des institutions portugaises de formation initiale d’enseignants d'éducation physique : des connaissances nécessaires aux conseils pédagogiques

Cette etude vise a realiser une synthese des theories de la connaissance de base pour la formation des enseignants en education physique (EPS). Le materiel analyse est compose de programmes de stage (ST), des documents normatifs qui le regissent et de la pensee des superviseurs universitaires (SU). La nature de la recherche est descriptive et interpretative. Elle traite de l'analyse des convergences entre les programmes de ST pour la formation des enseignants et les politiques educatives menees par les institutions face a l'organisation des connaissances pour la formation initiale des professeurs d’EPS. Le corpus est constitue de documents standards qui regissent l'organisation du ST dans les institutions de formation initiale des enseignants d’EPS, des programmes du ST de 6 etablissements et de la pensee subjective de 12 SU lies a ces institutions. Les resultats soulignent que les propositions de reforme de la formation des enseignants, induites par le processus de Bologne, ont force les institutions a creer des cours de formation qui ont reorganise la structure curriculaire des programmes a la lumiere des exigences d'accreditation etablies dans le cadre juridique specifique.

Seeding Change through International University Partnerships: The MIT-Portugal Program as a Driver of Internationalization, Networking, and Innovation

Higher education systems around the globe are experimenting with different strategies to foster internationalization and networking, achieve critical research mass, and strengthen innovation and labour market integration. This paper discusses how Portugal, since 2006, has pursued a distinctive international collaborative strategy to induce critical changes in strategic focus areas at its leading institutions. Utilizing survey and interview data from the MIT-Portugal Program, this paper demonstrates how international collaborations are used to raise student internationalization and selectivity rates, to create national clusters of excellence, and to re-orient engineering education towards innovation and entrepreneurship. The data show that MIT-Portugal has created significant spillovers into Portuguese institutions, underscoring the potential of international collaborations to be drivers of systemic change. We argue Portugal's collaborative approach represents a model strategy for building a targeted human resource, research, and innovation base suited for long-term economic growth. Our findings are relevant for other countries facing similar transition challenges.

DESENHO DE CONTEÚDOS E-LEARNING: QUAIS TEORIAS DE APRENDIZAGEM PODEMOS ENCONTRAR?

This research paper describes the results of a research project whose main objective is to identify the main theories of teaching and learning, namely those that form the basis and development of e-Learning contents at Portuguese institutions. Moreover, the project addresses two types of research (i.e. qualitative and quantitative), by concentrating on specific case studies. The mechanisms used for data collation are semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The analyses of the results point to the existence of a lack of cohesion between teaching and learning theories. In terms of the production of e-contents, there is a lack of explicit learning theories or models that are formally adopted at Portuguese institutions. We examine various theoretical frameworks within the same institution, such as behaviorist, cognitive or constructivist models. The majority of the institutions reported that they had adopted constructivist, instructional design, learning style theory or learning objective models to produce and organize e-contents.

Students’ and teachers’ perspectives about quality of engineering education in Portugal

Quality in higher education is a subject of increasing importance. This idea can be supported by looking at different sources, namely, the scientific literature, national and transnational governments’ policies, such as those emerging from the Bologna Process. Also, the internationalisation of higher education and, within it, students’ and staff mobility among institutions, has brought to the agenda the quality issue, particularly with regard to the teaching and learning process. Several authors argue that the meaning of quality depends on who defines it. This article focuses on a study that looks at how teachers and students in higher education institutions, in Portugal and in the domain of Engineering, see the quality issue. Data was collected through interviews to teachers (six) and students (38) in two different Portuguese institutions. The results indicate that, although teachers and students refer to the same dimensions that influence quality, they have different perspectives about their importance. From the point of view of the authors, this discrepancy requires some pedagogical actions in the context where the study was developed and, also, further research to see if the same tendency exists in different settings.

Léonard Ginsburg et la Paléontologie Portugaise. Hommage amical

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