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Academic entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly important to the field of research as well as to policy makers due to its ability to contribute to the economic, technological, and social development of regions and countries. This research aims to evaluate the determinants that influence the interest of Portuguese higher education students (HEI's) to become entrepreneurs. The methodology used is quantitative and uses structural model equations. The results obtained demonstrate that the student's perception of business skills, business growth skills, strategy, and successful business are key factors that students take into account in their entrepreneurial orientation. The research contributes to this theory by adding new knowledge to the literature on the perception of the HEI's students to become entrepreneurs, specifically the students of Portuguese universities. In practical terms, the contributions offered within this research are based on suggestions for the third mission of universities, explicitly knowledge transfer to the community, business groups, and policy makers, as well as the creation of the essentials within university boundaries to promote entrepreneurship amongst its students. The research is original and innovative, as no research on this field with all the aggregated elements under study has been previously performed in Portugal. Furthermore, the obtained results can translate into ideas that potentially create jobs.

Higher education in health study programs is particularly focused on the development of technical skills, despite there being a consensus on the importance of training students regarding socioemotional and life skills. The aim of this study was to characterize and explore correlations between socioemotional skills and decision-making styles in undergraduate health students. Undergraduate students (18-25 years old) were recruited at a School of Health Sciences in Portugal. Participants were characterized in terms of sociodemographic data, socioemotional skills (Study on Social and Emotional Skills questionnaire) and decision-making styles (Melbourne Decision Making questionnaire). Descriptive statistics and correlations between questionnaires´ subscales were calculated. Students presented higher scores in tolerance (34.8±3.4), cooperation (34.7±2.4), empathy (31.1±3.2), vigilance (16.0±1.9), and procrastination (9.9±2.1). Assertiveness presented negative correlations with buck-passing ("rho"=-0.43, p<0.01) and procrastination ("rho"=-0.38, p<0.01) and positive correlation with vigilance ("rho"=0.22, p=0.03). Students demonstrated higher values in empathy, cooperation, and tolerance skills, meaning they tend to be kind and care for others' well-being. Vigilance style is related to assertiveness characterizing hard working leaders able to pay attention to others' needs. Training that involves socioemotional skills might be crucial for the style of decision-making in future health professionals.

Oral and written skills are increasingly considered to be essential tools in the job market for the success of any worker, and are thus called soft skills. Nevertheless, most graduates who enter the labor market experience difficulties in the apprehension of communication, not only with regard to writing, but also in oral communication. These difficulties are also noticeable in the classroom, for instance when students need to participate by expressing their doubts when they have to present research work within the curricular units they attend, or when they have to write their answers in assessment tests. In this paper, we explore the communication skills of students from different graduate degrees (n = 345) in order to understand how they prepare for oral and written communication. We made use of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension (PRCA), validated by McCroskey, Beatty, Kearney, and Plax (1985), in order to understand students' oral communication apprehension. To understand the levels of written communication apprehension, we applied the Daly--Miller Writing Apprehension Test (DMWA). We thus analyzed the communicational skills and the communication apprehension of students from social and human sciences courses in order to understand how they prepare for oral and writing communication, and whether there were differences between genders and between different graduate courses regarding communication apprehension. The main results of this research confirm that the students experienced difficulties with and fear of communication, especially for oral communication. Furthermore, the results indicate that female students showed more significant levels of anxiety with regard to oral and written communication than male students. This exploratory study also makes it possible to distinguish areas of communication apprehension according to the different genders, and even with regard to the degree courses students belonged to.

Background: Assessing the elements of nursing practice environments is crucial, as investing in their improvement will enhance outcomes for nurses, patients, and organizations. Moreover, comparing practice environments from different countries improves the definition of cross-cutting guidelines that can be applied in various contexts. Thus, this study aims to evaluate nursing practice environments in hospitals in Portugal and Brazil. Methods: A multicenter and cross-sectional study was conducted in eight Portuguese and eight Brazilian hospitals. Five hundred eighty-two nurses completed a survey regarding their sociodemographic and professional attributes, as well as the Scale for the Environments Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice. The data were subjected to comparative analyses between the two countries. We adhered to ethical requirements in both participating countries. Results: In Brazil, the Structure, Process, and Outcome components were considered favorable to the quality of care and well-being of nurses. In Portugal, nurses considered the Structure and Outcome components favorable and the Process component very favorable. Statistically significant differences were found between the two countries in several dimensions of the three subscales. The Structure and Outcome components scored significantly better in hospitals in Brazil, and the Process component scored better in Portuguese hospitals. Conclusions: These conclusions underscore the urgent need for investment in continuous training and a culture of evaluation that promotes continuous improvement. Additionally, promoting the involvement and participation of nurses could simultaneously contribute to the development of more sustainable health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to test the validity and reliability of the shortened version of the Scale for the Environments Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice (SEE‐Nursing Practice). Methods: This methodological, cross‐sectional study was conducted between September and December 2022. The original version of the SEE‐Nursing Practice was administered in questionnaire format across 17 hospitals. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to identify relevant items for the new shortened version of the scale and evaluate its construct validity. Results: The study involved 1713 registered nurses from various regions of Portugal. From the exploratory factor analysis, the SEE‐Nursing Practice was condensed to 59 items and 3 subscales. In the structure subscale, 14 items were removed, and the remaining 29 items distributed over four factors; in the process subscale, 18 items were removed, and the remaining 19 items organized into three factors; in the outcome subscale, 2 items were removed, and the remaining 11 items distributed over two factors. The Cronbach's alpha for the three subscales exceeded 0.90, indicating high reliability. Confirmatory factor analyses provided support for the validity of the 59‐item model. Conclusion: The shortened version of the SEE‐Nursing Practice shows adequate validity and reliability, reducing the burden associated with its longer version. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Given the impact of nursing practice environments on clients, nurses, and institutions, it is essential to have tools that allow for understanding the reality of practice contexts.The use of tools to evaluate nursing practice environments enables the measurement of the impact of interventions implemented with a view to their continuous improvement.Lengthy assessment tools can result in a greater response burden for the participant and, consequently, a lower response rate and poor quality of those responses.What this paper adds? The shortened version of the Scale for the Environments Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice was considered valid and reliable for assessing practice environments from the standpoint of structure, process, and outcome.The implications of this paper: This study makes the shortened version of the Scale for the Environments Evaluation of Professional Nursing Practice (SEE‐Nursing Practice) available to the scientific community.It enables the assessment and proposal of improvement strategies in nursing practice environments with the shortened version of the SEE‐Nursing Practice, saving time associated with its completion, which will have a positive impact on participant adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the findings of a study that analyzed the marketing activities of a number of vocational schools in a municipality where these organizations were allowed to compete for students. The research employed a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive design. The data was collected through interviews with school leaders, regional education authorities and civil society stakeholders, as well as an analysis of school promotional and informational materials. The study shows that marketing played a minor role in school leaders' management activities and that these leaders addressed marketing in a mostly unsystematic, informal and intuitive way. We explain this in terms of the specific nature of the local context in which the schools operated, namely, the levels of structural and behavioral competition in the vocational school system and the way the market is regulated by public authorities.

This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study that analyzed relations among schools located in a Portuguese municipality where these organizations were officially authorized to compete with one another for students. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with school leaders. The findings show that despite the formal possibility of inter-school competition within an educational market framework, there was no significant competition among the schools, and that their leaders managed their relations with other organizations in accordance with collaborative principles. The paper addresses some of the factors that may account for this and which provide a useful illustration of the specific nature of local educational environments, within the context of the global introduction of market mechanisms in education systems.

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This is the fourth international preparatory study designed to develop International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF, and Children and Youth version, ICF-CY) Core Sets for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Examine functioning of individuals diagnosed with ASD as documented by the ICF-CY in a variety of clinical settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 11 units from 10 countries. Clinical investigators assessed functioning of 122 individuals with ASD using the ICF-CY checklist. In total, 139 ICF-CY categories were identified: 64 activities and participation, 40 body functions and 35 environmental factors. The study results reinforce the heterogeneity of ASD, as evidenced by the many functional and contextual domains impacting on ASD from a clinical perspective.

Introduction: Recognizing the positive impact of movement and positions on labor progression and maternal and neonatal outcomes, there is a strong recommendation to empower women for active labor during antenatal education. This study investigates nurse-midwives' interventions in empowering women for active labor, during antenatal education within primary healthcare settings. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted in Primary Healthcare Units that provide antenatal education for childbirth in Portugal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 nurse-midwives between August and October 2023. Content analysis, utilizing NVIVO software, was employed for data analysis, and the study adhered to the COREQ reporting guidelines. Results: Six themes emerged: 1) Perspective of nurse-midwives and contextual influences; 2) Assessment of women's needs; 3) Enhancing women's knowledge; 4) Enhancing women's capabilities; 5) Supporting women in decision-making; and 6) Nursemidwives' perspective on intervention outcomes. It is necessary to create environments conducive to knowledge and skill acquisition and invest in developing body awareness and its impact on labor progression. Encouraging women's involvement in decision-making is crucial, especially in less flexible hospital environments. Conclusions: This study highlighted the value nurse-midwives place on empowering women for active labor. Interventions featured sharing evidence-based practices and birth stories to foster reflection, emphasizing pelvic mobility training and partner involvement. Reflective practices could enable women to explore options and communicate effectively with healthcare professionals during labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An accurate assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) is crucial to guide public policy and intervention. The Conflict Tactic Scales Revised (CTS-2) is one of the most widely used instruments to do so. Despite its good psychometric properties, research on interpartner agreement has pointed to low-to-moderate estimates, which generated some concerns about the validity of the results obtained through single-partner reports. This cross-sectional study introduces indexes that have not previously been used to assess interpartner agreement. Both partners' reports on perpetration and victimization were analyzed in a community sample of 268 different-sex couples. Our results generally pointed to better agreement levels on IPV occurrence than frequency, suggesting that the proxy method (i.e., using a single-partner report) could be a reliable method for assessing IPV occurrence but not its frequency in this population. Findings are discussed as well as the advantages and constraints of different IPV assessment practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P-glycoprotein (P-GP) is a transporter molecule expressed on the apical surface of capillary endothelial cells of the Blood–Brain Barrier (BBB), whose activity heavily influences drug distribution, including antidepressants. This transporter is encoded by ABCB1 gene, and genetic variations within ABCB1 gene have been proposed to affect drug efflux and have been previously associated with depression. In this context, we aimed to evaluate the role of C1236T, G2677TA and C3435T ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment phenotypes from a cohort of patients harboring Major Depressive Disorder. Patients enrolled in the study consisted of 80 individuals with Major Depressive Disorder, who took part in a 27-month follow-up study at HML, Portugal. To investigate the correlation between ABCB1 polymorphisms and antidepressant response phenotypes, DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and C1236T, C3435T and G2677TA polymorphisms were genotyped with TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assays. Despite the fact that the evaluated polymorphisms (C1236T, C3435T and G2677TA) were not associated with treatment resistant depression, or relapse, we observed that patients carrying TT genotype of the C3435T polymorphism remit earlier than the ones carrying CC or CT genotypes (10.2 weeks vs. 14.9 and 21.3, respectively, p = 0.028, Log-rank test). Since we found an association with C3435T and time to remission, and not to the absence of remission, we suggest that this polymorphism could have an impact on antidepressant drug distribution, and thus influence on the time to remission will occur, without influencing the risk of remission itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children who have been trafficked may experience longer-term mental health consequences with a significant impact on all life domains. Key professionals must be prepared and adopt practices that help to prevent and fight child trafficking and the harm caused. This study aims to explore the current knowledge of professionals from Portugal on child trafficking and perceptions about their practices and skills. The sample consisted of 614 professionals from justice (47.1%), education (19.4%), social (18.9%), and health care (14.7%) areas who completed an online survey. Professionals were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation and less about victims' profile. Professionals who had direct contact with and/or training in human trafficking presented more knowledge and positive perceptions about their practices and skills. This study aims to raise awareness and develop informed training programs based on professionals' needs and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about use of early interventions for autism spectrum disorder in Europe. Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder aged 7?years or younger (N?=?1680) were recruited through parent organisations in 18 European countries and completed an online survey about the interventions their child received. There was considerable variation in use of interventions, and in some countries more than 20% of children received no intervention at all. The most frequently reported interventions were speech and language therapy (64%) and behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions (55%). In some parts of Europe, use of behavioural, developmental and relationship-based interventions was associated with higher parental educational level and time passed since diagnosis, rather than with child characteristics. These findings highlight the need to monitor use of intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder in Europe in order to contrast inequalities.

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a tragic event. Studies involving the comparison between IPH and intimate partner homicide-suicide (IPH-S) are scarce, with few studies in Portugal about this issue. The current study aims to compare IPH and IPH-S perpetrators, the victim–perpetrator relationships dynamics, and homicide circumstances. The data was collected through the analysis of 78 judicial processes of IPH that occurred in Portugal, between 2010 and 2015. Of the cases, 51 were IPH, 20 were IPH-S cases, and seven were attempted suicide cases, being perpetrated in 84.6% (n = 66) for male perpetrators. Suicide after intimate homicide were all committed by men. All judicial processes analyzed refer to heterosexual relationships. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the groups concerning perpetrator and victim sociodemographic characteristics, victim-perpetrator dyadic dynamics, and crime circumstances. The results show mostly common trends between the two groups with some differentiating factors when compared individually (e.g., perpetrator professional status, criminal records). Regression logistic analysis showed no differences between IPH and IPH-S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to very limited activity of rehabilitation services for adults with cognitive decline and dementia. This study aimed to characterize the barriers, facilitators, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rehabilitation process of people with dementia or cognitive impairment. Material and methods: An online survey directed to physiotherapists working in mental health collected data on the professional and training experience of the physiotherapists, as well as data on the population with dementia or cognitive impairment, and on the barriers and facilitators in accessing/obtaining results in physiotherapy in the pandemic period. Results: Sixty-three physiotherapists participated in this study. Three main barriers hindering these people in accessing or obtaining good results in the rehabilitation process were: (i) interruption of rehabilitation processes/restricted access to specialized monitoring in situations of prophylactic isolation; (ii) break in the routine of the person with dementia and caregiver; (iii) disruption to social interaction (isolation, distancing from their social networks). Regarding facilitators, the most important were: (i) greater proximity between people with dementia and their caregiver/family; (ii) intervention in the natural context of the person with dementia; (iii) greater proximity of professionals to the caregiver and the person with dementia. Conclusions: Barriers and facilitators identified in this study are crucial for physiotherapy interventions in different critical contexts (e.g., social restriction/seasonal variations), and have an impact on the healthy lifestyle of people with dementia, including in physical activity promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To determine the self-reported prevalence of child and partner physical and emotional abuse in the north of Portugal and to investigate attitudes about these forms of family violence. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from a representative sample of parents in two-parent families with children under the age of 18 years. A total of 2,391 parents participated (1,057 males), aged 20-67 years. Four questionnaires were used, one behavioral and one attitudinal, for each of the forms of abuse: child and partner. Results: At least one act of emotional or physical abuse towards a child during the previous year was reported by 25.9% of participants (12.3% reported physically abusive and 22.4% emotionally abusive acts). Abuse of a partner was reported by 26.2% of participants; at least one act of physical abuse during the previous year was reported by 12% and of emotional abuse by 23.7%. The attitudinal data, however, showed general disapproval of the use of violence, both for disciplining children and within marital relationships. The degree of self-reported support for physical punishment was higher in participants who reported using abusive behavior. Females more commonly reported acts of child abuse, and males reported acts of partner abuse. Both forms of self-reported abuse showed an association with low educational and socio-economic status. Conclusions: This is the first study in Portugal to analyze family violence through self-report using a representative sample. The findings indicate that child and partner abuse constitute a significant problem in the region of northern Portugal. The discrepancy between the self-reported behavioral and attitudinal data may reflect conflicts in Portuguese society, which is undergoing substantial cultural changes.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) has been linked to several negative health outcomes. Therefore, reducing SB or breaking up prolonged periods of SB improves functional fitness, food consumption, job satisfaction, and productivity. Reducing SB can be achieved by introducing a health-enhancing contextual modification promoted by a sit-stand desk in the workplace. The primary goal will be to test the effectiveness of this intervention in reducing and breaking up SB, while improving health outcomes in office-based workers during a 6-month intervention. Methods: A two-arm (1:1), superiority parallel-group cluster RCT will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in a sample of office-based workers from a university in Portugal. The intervention will consist of a psychoeducation session, motivational prompts, and contextual modification promoted by a sit-stand desk in the workplace for 6 months. The control group will work as usual in their workplace, with no contextual change or prompts during the 6-month intervention. Three assessment points will be conducted in both groups, pre-intervention (baseline), post-intervention, and a 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes include sedentary and physical activity-related variables, which will be objectively assessed with 24 h monitoring using the ActivPAL for 7 days. The secondary outcomes include (a) biometric indices as body composition, body mass index, waist circumference, and postural inequalities; and (b) psychosocial variables such as overall and work-related fatigue, overall discomfort, life/work satisfaction, quality of life, and eating behavior. Both the primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at each assessment point. Discussion: This study will lean on the use of a sit-stand workstation for 6 months, prompted by an initial psychoeducational session and ongoing motivational prompts. We will aim to contribute to this topic by providing robust data on alternating sitting and standing postures in the workplace. Trial registration: The trial was prospectively registered, and the details are at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JHGPW; Registered 15 November 2022. OSF Preregistration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some victims of interpersonal violence do not acknowledge or label their experience as criminal. This study aims to explore men's experiences as victims of intimate partner violence and identify the key elements that contribute to their (un)acknowledgment and needs. We interviewed 10 Portuguese male victims in heterosexual relationships who requested formal help. A thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 11. Social gender discourses and expectations prevented men from acknowledging their intimate victimization and created barriers to seeking help. Participants struggled to achieve the social status of the victim and to gain access to intervention measures. These findings reflect the invisibility and insufficient social awareness of intimate partner violence against men and enhance our understanding of the need of those men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall prevalence of inactivity among individuals aged 55 or older in Portugal is the highest in Europe therefore it's important to develop effective strategies to increase adherence to structured exercise programs by older adults (Picorelli et al., 2014a). The purpose of this paper is to characterise different perspectives on barriers and facilitators to the practise of physical exercise in a sample of the Portuguese elderly. Two groups of enrolled and non-enrolled in a community exercise program were recruited. Each group had 6 participants that were included in the study if they were ≥ 60 years of age. Two focus groups were conducted via Zoom and lasted ≤ 60 min. Participants were asked about five domains regarding physical exercise. Data analysis occurred in three phases by 2 trained and experienced examiners. While the enrolled group highlighted benefits (n = 6) and facilitators (n = 6), and shared strategies to overcome some barriers (n = 2) the non-enrolled group focused on the barriers (n = 6) instead and shared more excuses to justify their non-practice of physical exercise (n = 3). To overcome the barriers considered by the participants in the non-enrolled group, some education strategies focused on physical literacy might be crucial. The high number of barriers felt by the less active older people makes it more complicated for them to adopt and maintain an exercise program. Narratives-based methodologies are interesting methodologies to collect patient-centred perspectives about exercise practise and therefore design adequate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A randomised trial of European Fans in Training (EuroFIT), a 12-week healthy lifestyle program delivered in 15 professional football clubs in the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, successfully increased physical activity and improved diet but did not reduce sedentary time. To guide future implementation, this paper investigates how those effects were achieved. We ask: 1) how was EuroFIT implemented? 2) what were the processes through which outcomes were achieved? Methods: We analysed qualitative data implementation notes, observations of 29 of 180 weekly EuroFIT deliveries, semi-structured interviews with 16 coaches and 15 club representatives, and 30 focus group discussions with participants (15 post-program and 15 after 12 months). We descriptively analysed quantitative data on recruitment, attendance at sessions and logs of use of the technologies and survey data on the views of participants at baseline, post program and after 12 months. We used a triangulation protocol to investigate agreement between data from difference sources, organised around meeting 15 objectives within the two research questions. Results: We successfully recruited clubs, coaches and men to EuroFIT though the draw of the football club seemed stronger in the UK and Portugal. Advertising that emphasized getting fitter, club-based deliveries, and not 'standing out' worked and attendance and fidelity were good, so that coaches in all countries were able to deliver EuroFIT flexibly as intended. Coaches in all 15 clubs facilitated the use of behaviour change techniques and interaction between men, which together enhanced motivation. Participants found it harder to change sedentary time than physical activity and diet. Fitting changes into daily routines, planning for setbacks and recognising the personal benefit of behaviour change were important to maintain changes. Bespoke technologies were valued, but technological hitches frustrated participants. Conclusion: EuroFIT was delivered as planned by trained club coaches working flexibly in all countries. It worked as expected to attract men and support initiation and maintenance of changes in physical activity and diet but the use of bespoke, unstable, technologies was frustrating. Future deliveries should eliminate the focus on sedentary time and should use only proven technologies to support self-monitoring and social interaction. Trial registration: ISRCTN81935608, registered 16/06/2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thoracic fraction of road dust (PM10) was measured for the first time in Portugal in parking areas, both outdoors and indoors, with the aim of completing existing studies carried out in active lanes of various roads. An in situ resuspension chamber was used to collect a total of 23 samples in three parking areas of Aveiro, whilst the laboratory procedures included determination of carbonaceous content (OC and EC) by a thermo-optical technique, elemental composition by ICP-MS and ICP-OES after acid digestion, and the Aliivribrio fisherii bioluminescent bacteria ecotoxicity bioassay. Dust loadings (DL10) obtained were 18.5 ± 9.8 mg PM10 m−2, in outdoor parking, and 1.8–23.7 mg PM10 m−2 for indoor parking, corresponding to emission factors of 476 and 75–589 mg veh−1 km−1, respectively. OC represented 9–30 % of PM10 for the indoor parking areas. However, for the outdoor samples, the high iron oxide content jeopardised the OC-EC separation. In those samples, carbonates accounted for 10.0 ± 3.3% of the PM10 mass. The analysis of elemental components focused on major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, K, and Mg) as well as minor elements. The total mass fraction of element oxides accounted for 27.1% (outdoor) and 23.6–34.3% (indoor). ΣPAH calculated for all parking areas accounted for 8.38–36.9 μg g−1 PM10. The ecotoxicological bioassay showed that all aqueous solutions were toxic to bioluminescent bacteria, whereas no clear correlations could be made with specific component groups, with the exception of ΣPAH and EC50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital competence is among the basic key competences for digital learning and employability. For this reason, its acquisition and development should be on the agenda of higher education institutions (HEIs) who wish to prepare their students to thrive in an ever faster evolving digital labour market. However, the existence of a valid instrument that can help HEIs measuring and further integrating digital competence into pedagogical and organisational practices with sufficient precision is yet to be accomplished. This article provides a valid and reliable instrument to measure higher education students' digital competence on the basis of the European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens, also known as DigComp. The instrument was applied to a sample of 411 students from a mid‐large public HEI and the results attest its validity and reliability. In addition, the study explores proficiency differences among students from different fields of education and training, and gender. Results demystify the idea that ICT students are more digitally competent than those in other fields of study, but suggest males score higher than females, which feeds into the ongoing debate of gender differences in relation to digital technologies and the readiness of females for the digital labour market. The results lead to clear implications for research and practice. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicDigital competence is critical for higher education (HE) students to benefit from digital learning, strive in a digital society and increase employability prospects.There is a lack of valid instruments to measure higher education (HE) students' digital competence and facilitate the identification of digital competence gaps.Few studies focus on the relationship between HE students' digital competence, gender and fields of education and training (FET).What this paper addsA valid and reliable instrument based on a common European framework for digital competence.HE students lack the necessary digital competences to effectively cope with digital environments.Digital proficiency is particularly low regarding "Safety", "Problem solving" and "Digital content creation" competence areas.ICT students show less proficiency than those from other FET.Male students score higher than females.Implications for practice and/or policyThe instrument can be adopted by different stakeholders to assess students/future job seekers' digital competence.HE institutions could benefit from such an instrument as a diagnosis to design specific teaching and learning strategies and target students' proficiency and particular needs.Tackling specific FET and competence areas can better support the development of students' digital competence and facilitate their employability prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Portuguesa de Enfermagem de Reabilitação is the property of Associacao Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros de Reabilitacao (APER) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: This retrospective case series study aimed to investigate the demographic and clinical patterns of primary stabbing headache (PSH). In addition, we tried to identify subgroups of treatment responses in a neurology outpatient consultation at a Portuguese tertiary hospital. Methods: Clinical records were retrospectively reviewed and patients meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, criteria for PSH were identified from January 2014 to December 2020. We collected data regarding demographic characteristics, clinical features of the headache, primary headache comorbidities, and information about treatment‐related do PSH. Results: Of 1857 patients, 32 (1.7%; mean [SD] age of onset 56 [3.5] years) had the final diagnosis of PSH. Regarding headache characteristics, 20 patients (62.5%) reported episodes of stabbing in fixed locations and 12 (37.5%) in multiple areas; the duration of each attack was between ≤5 s (seven [21.9%]), 5–60 s (20 [62.5%]), and ≥60 s (five [15.6%]). In all, 18 patients (56.3%) had an episodic course (vs. six of 32 [18.8%] an acute course and eight of 32 [25%] a chronic course). In all, 17 patients started medical treatment (53.1%), with total or partial improvement in 10 (58.8%) of them. It was found that patients with pain in fixed locations had a better response to treatment when compared to patients with multiple locations, in a statistically significant way (eight of 11 vs. two of six, p = 0.023). Conclusion: In our sample, the mean age of onset of PSH was >50 years and there was a wide range of PSH duration. The duration of each attack (>5 s), the pain in fixed locations, non‐daily episodes of the pain in each attack, and the intermittent course of headache were the most prevalent clinical features. Finally, patients with stabbing in localized areas had a better response to treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyber‐harassment refers to a pattern of repeated, intentional, and unwanted annoyances, impositions, threats, or other aggravating actions mediated by Information and Communication Technologies. Globally, substantial proportions of adolescents experience cyber‐harassment, resulting in a host of deleterious health‐related consequences. This study tested the empirical utility of the Lifestyle‐Routine Activities Theory in accounting for adolescent cyber‐victimization. A representative sample of 627 adolescents, aged 12–16, enrolled in schools from northern Portugal and Azores, were surveyed. Consistent with the theoretical assumptions, older adolescents, who used tablets, published information on social network profiles, added unknown people as friends, met face‐to‐face with them, and had parents with less knowledge of their online contacts were at increased risk of being cyber‐victimized. Theoretical and practical implications are elaborated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which identified clusters of anti-Ku-positive patients according to their spectrum of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) specificities and analyzed their clinical and analytical features. Topics discussed include features identified from the patients' clinical charts, autoantibody clusters identified in the analysis, and limitations of the study.

Despite the growing interest from researchers' in recent years, stalking is a phenomenon of difficult operationalization within the scientific community. Examining the phenomenon in criminal justice professionals has become relevant since the work context is considered a fertile environment for the presence of stalking, despite underreported. This study aims specifically to know the prevalence, nature, dynamics, impact, and help-seeking behaviors (and its perceived effectiveness) of stalking victimization by criminal justice professionals stalked in Portugal. We were also interested in the professionals' perceptions of why they were stalked. The data were collected through a web-based survey, after the approval of the ethic committee. The sample was composed of 270 criminal justice professionals, mostly men (59.3%), with a mean age of 42.70 (SD = 9.07) years. The results showed that 24.8% reported having been stalked at least once in their lifetime. Stalking prevalence was higher in women compared to men. Concerning the profession, the highest prevalence was verified in the group of professionals composed of lawyers, jurists, court officials, and auditors, followed by the group of magistrates, and finally the judges and the criminal police. More diversity of stalking behaviors experienced was associated with a higher frequency of those behaviors. Psychological health (70.7%) and lifestyle/behavioral changes (62.1%) were the most reported areas of impact. Being stalked in a private context (e.g., intimate relationships), for a longer period and feeling a higher level of fear as a result of the stalking campaign were associated with more impact. Most of the victims (74.6%) revealed having sought help to cope with the stalking experience, with women seeking more help than men (88.6% vs. 59.4%). For bringing evidence that criminal justice professionals are at risk of being stalked, these findings can contribute to the adoption of policies and strategies to prevent stalking victimization among this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coparenting conflict is predictive of parents' and children's adjustment to divorce. An accurate assessment of postdivorce acrimonious coparenting relationships is critical for research, clinical, forensic, and public policy purposes. The Acrimony Scale (AS) is a measure commonly used to assess coparenting conflict. We translated and cross-culturally adapted the AS to the Portuguese context, testing its reliability and validity. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from a community and convenience sample of 196 unrelated divorced parents, assessing sociodemographic characteristics, coparenting conflict, and divorce adjustment. The study consisted of two phases: (1) forward-backward translation and cultural adaptation and (2) psychometric properties analyses: construct and criterion-related validity and internal consistency reliability. The 25-item AS was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to the Portuguese language. Principal component analyses (PCA) suggested a three-factor structure solution of 22-items, explaining 57.5% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed the goodness of fit of this tridimensional model. The results also demonstrated acceptable convergent and good discriminant validity and high internal reliability. Scores on the AS suggested good known-groups validity and high discriminative power with 86.7% classification accuracy. The area under the ROC curve was 0.91, establishing a very good predictive value of the scale. We suggest that the AS is a reliable multidimensional measure to assess coparenting conflict after divorce and may be useful, namely, in the psychological assessment of child custody and evaluation of the effectiveness of coparenting conflict-based interventions. We discussed future research and practical implications. Highlights: It is the first psychometric validation of the AS, including in the Portuguese context. Reliability and validity procedures provided evidence that the AS, with three factors and 22 items, is a valid and reliable measure of coparenting conflict. AS shows a high discriminative power between high and low conflictual divorced parents and is a strong predictor of divorce adjustment and positive divorce resolution. This study is an important advancement in the research of coparenting conflict as acrimony has been found to be a salient predictor of parents' and children's postdivorce adjustment. The availability of cross-culturally appropriate and valid instruments is important in describing the state of the problem as well as in developing tailored interventions among highly conflictual divorced parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic radically changed nursing education. Along with social isolation, the transition to distance education affected the well-being of students in several countries, particularly Portugal and Spain. Objectives: To identify which variables are predictors of psychological well-being for Portuguese and Spanish nursing students during mandatory lockdowns. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study involving a sample of 1075 students (944 women, mean age 22.46 + /−4.95 years). Data were collected from an online questionnaire which applied the following scales: Perceived Stress Scale (α =.820); Brief COPE-14 Subscales (α =.430 < 0.930); Well-being Manifestations Measure Scale (α =.940); Herth Hope Index (α =.850). A multiple regression model was created to predict the psychological well-being of nursing students. Results: The following predictor variables were identified in the model of the psychological well-being of students during the COVID-19 pandemic: perceived stress (β =.405; p ≤.001); hope (β =.404; p ≤.001); and the mechanisms of active coping (β =.405; p ≤.001), planning (β =.097; p ≤.001), and positive reinterpretation (β =.053; p =.12). These five variables predicted 62.0% of the nursing students' psychological well-being (R 2 =.620; F = 350.82; p ≤.001). Conclusion: Promoting students' mental health is essential, especially in periods of great adversity, such as a pandemic. Our results lead the way for the design and validation of an intervention program that addresses the five variables identified as predictors of students' psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study uses a qualitative approach to explore how Portuguese police perceive human trafficking and the individuals involved. Three hundred and twenty-five professionals (aged 21–54) completed an online survey about human trafficking. The resulting data suggest that Portuguese police have a narrative congruent with the European image of the "iconic" victim and trafficker, which is usually framed by the mass media. In a country such as Portugal, where there are a significant number of labor trafficking cases, those stereotyped narratives may narrow the efforts and the interventions of police officers. However, this study also suggests a similarity between the data reported about the forms of recruitment, exploitation, and control recognized by the Portuguese police and the literature available. This study has important implications for practitioners and highlights the need to invest in empirical research to produce efficient policies and interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the efficacy of three nutrition education strategies on the intake of different vegetables in preschool children.Design: This is an experimental study conducted in four Portuguese preschools. The intervention consisted of 20-min educational sessions, once a week, for 5 weeks, with one of the following randomised educational strategies: Portuguese Food Wheel Guide (control), digital game, storybook, storybook and reward (stickers). All groups had repeated exposure to vegetables in all sessions. A pre- and post-test were conducted to determine vegetable intake, and a 6-month follow-up was realised.Setting: Preschools of Leiria district, Portugal.Participants: A sample of 162 children aged 3 to 6 years. All eligible children attending the preschools were invited to participate.Results: All interventions tested were effective in increasing vegetable consumption both in the short and medium term, without statistically significant differences, compared to the control group. Stickers were more effective in the short term than in the medium term.Conclusions: The nutritional education strategies associated with repeated exposure tested in this study were effective in promoting vegetable consumption in preschool children. The use of stickers may be a valid strategy to promote the consumption of vegetables less recognised by children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stalking is commonly perceived as a gendered crime, predominantly affecting women as victims. However, males can also be victims of this crime. Research has found that men may experience different types of behaviours and their coping and help-seeking may be unique due to individual, interpersonal, sociocultural factors and traditional gender stereotypes that shape perceptions about the seriousness of the crime and whether and/or where victims seek help. Nevertheless, no research has linked these findings to male victims of stalking. Therefore, the present study used a subsample of Portuguese men (n = 76), with a mean age of 40.49 (DP = 18.14), who self-identified as victims of stalking. The objectives were to analyse their experiences of victimization, namely behaviours, dynamics, impact and help-seeking. Moreover, another major goal of the current study was to develop a model to predict the circumstances under which male victims of stalking seek help. Results revealed that when male stalking victims search for help, it is more likely they are dealing with a higher diversity of stalking behaviours and experiencing a greater negative impact on their lives. These findings have important implications for practitioners and underlines macro-level social recommendations for raising awareness about this underreported phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing interest in academic entrepreneurship has characterized the past few years. Young university students are increasingly encouraged to create their companies to boost their region's social and economic development. In this regard, women entrepreneurs have been playing a decisive role. They have been increasing in number, becoming of key importance due to their status and significance for the gender impact on entrepreneurship. This research evaluates women's entrepreneurial intention in the Portuguese academy, denoting which entrepreneurial intent is influenced by environmental factors such as closer valuation and social valuation and motivational factors such as attitude toward the behavior, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. For this purpose, a quantitative methodology was used. A questionnaire was applied to 731 female students of higher education in Portugal. The analysis of the results allowed us to perceive which variables under study influenced the entrepreneurial intention. The findings will reinforce the literature, thus, contributing to strengthening the theoretical framework on entrepreneurial intentions in women and launching clues for action within public decision‐makers, universities, and civil society, allowing to adopt practices that will increase entrepreneurship in women. To our knowledge, this research is one of the few studies on female entrepreneurial intention in academia in a peripheral region of Europe such as Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the knowledge of the Portuguese community on child trafficking. Through an online inventory, with a sample of 492 community members, with a mean age of 40.53 and mostly female (70.7%), participants were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation, risk and vulnerability factors, the profile of the victims, and the situation in Portugal about child trafficking. On the contrary, they were less knowledgeable about the dynamics of child trafficking. Having a college education, and contacting with the subject through informal or/and formal sources were predictors of a higher level of knowledge of child trafficking. This study reinforces the importance of the community as a whole in fighting child trafficking. To protect children against child trafficking, public policies should prioritize the role of the community. An empowered community can actively contribute to the prevention, signaling, and (re)integration of victims of child trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study presented in this article was carried out in 2019 with students from the third year of the History course at the State University of Londrina/Paraná/Brazil, and the students from the Master's Degree in History Teaching at the University of Minho, in the city of Braga in Portugal, and addressed the meaning of the Supervised Practice for the training of History teachers. The discipline is formed within the field of dialogue between the epistemology of History and teaching procedures based on the science of History. In this text, we chose to explore a questionnaire applied to the two realities with questions that face the meaning of History, of being a History teacher and the experience lived during the implementation of teaching projects in the regencies carried out within public schools in both countries. The research in both institutions took place for two main reasons: first, because we consider that in these institutions there is an improvement in the training of History teachers, translated into a model of Supervised Practice with avant-garde characteristics, whose accomplishment is reflected in research that provokes the perception of the importance of supervised educational practices, and, second, because the experiences translated in the interviews will help understanding this moment as an essential epistemological basis for teacher training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portugal is one of the European countries that implemented early protective measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Portugal declared a state of emergency on 18 March, and a set of regional and national preventive public health measures was progressively implemented. Studies on the psychological impact of pandemics show evidence of the negative impact on mental health. Of particular concern are individuals with previous fragility (e.g. personal, family or occupational) and those undergoing life transitions. In this paper, we present a telephone-based psychological crisis intervention that was implemented to provide brief, appropriate, and timely psychological help. This intervention follows standard models of crisis intervention and is structured in five phases and five different intervention modules to take into account the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of specific risk groups. With these support services, we hope to help our community better cope with the immediate impact of the pandemic and to contribute to preventing serious mental health problems in the medium and long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is consensus that intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a gender crime and that it is one of the most extreme forms of violence. This study aims to identify the differences and similarities between men and women who committed IPH. Data were collected from 75 criminal cases: 12 homicides perpetrated by women against men and 63 by men against women. At the individual level, homicidal women and men showed previous criminal records, substance abuse and psychiatric disorders. The intimate relationships were similar: regarding its duration, they were underway at the time of the IPH, they had a history of previous separations and reconciliations, and also, they had history of abusive dynamics. Regarding the modus operandi of IPH, the victims were mainly killed in the house of the victim and/or the aggressor, usually with a white armour weapon or a firearm and under the influence of substances. Nevertheless, there were specific differentiating factors. Men who committed murder were described as the primary aggressors (79%), while the women who committed murder (46%) were previously documented as victims of intimate partner violence. Attempted suicide/suicide after the homicide was proven in 38% of the IPH offender men, with no women having committed or attempted suicide. The time elapsed between the homicide and the judicial sentence was six times higher for women, and the length of imprisonment was on average three times higher for men. Most of the men were convicted of first-degree murder, while the women were mostly convicted of second-degree murder. Practical implications of the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pterosaur fossil record in Portugal is scarce, comprising mainly isolated teeth and rare postcranial material. Here, we describe a well-preserved right proximal femur of a pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Kimmeridgian, Upper Jurassic Praia da Amoreira-Porto Novo Formation of Peniche, Portugal. It is noteworthy for its relatively large size, compared to other Jurassic pterosaurs. It shows affinities with dsungaripteroids based on a combination of features including the bowing of the shaft, the mushroom-like cap of the femoral head, and the distinctly elevated greater trochanter. The femur has a relatively thinner bone wall compared to dsungaripterids, and is more similar to basal dsungaripteroids. A histological analysis of the bone cortex shows it had reached skeletal maturity. The preserved last growth period indicates fast, uninterrupted growth continued until the final asymptotic size was reached, a growth pattern which could best be compared to pterodactyloid femora from the Early Cretaceous. The specimen is the second confirmed report of a dsungaripteroid from the Jurassic, and it is the first record of this group from the Iberian Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand, through victims' experiences, the impact and subsequent help-seeking and support process. The data was collected in institutional settings, through a semi-structured interview, from nine adult sheltered victims of labor exploitation of both sexes – 2 females and 7 males, aged between 42–67 years (M = 56.67; SD = 8.411). Thematic analysis was used, and three main themes emerged: formal support system, post-victimization and impact and traumas during formal support. The support provided to the victim was portrayed as effective and adequate; being able to meet the most basic and immediate needs. The victims trusted the police and the governmental institutions and were able to collaborate with the courts. The implications regarding the help-seeking system and public policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigacion & Educacion en Enfermeria is the property of Universidad de Antioquia, Facultad de Enfermeria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Pregnancy and labour are the previous stages of motherhood and paternity and the beginning of the acquisition of the parental role, and the way in which labour is experienced can inluence this transition. In order to promote positive birth experiences, it is essential to ensure care centred on the expectant couple, where their expectations and preferences for their labour should be considered as an integral component of care. Objective: The present study, inserted in a larger investigation, aimed to describe the describe the expectations of mother and father, as a "pregnant couple" regarding their labor. Methodology: Qualitative, exploratory-descriptive study. The participants were ten couples who attended the Childbirth Preparation Program at an obstetrics unit of a central hospital in central Portugal. The data collection technique was the semi-structured interview and data analysis performed using the Bardin content analysis method and the NVivo10 software. Results: Most participants demonstrated that they were involved in the planning of their labour and valued it as a normal and physiological event. All participants mentioned the importance of the father's presence and the quality of the relationship with health professionals and the mothers recognize a sense of responsibility for the success of labour. Parents identiied the importance of their role as the mother's emotional support, although only half feel able to do so effectively. All participants reported trusting health professionals and accepting the proposed interventions, although they recognize that sometimes there may be some imposition of interventions, expressing a willingness to be involved in decision making. Most participants mentioned the importance of a family intimacy after the childbirth and value immediate skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. Conclusion: This study can contribute to the relection and implementation of care models that privilege scientiic and safe conduct and that increase couples' choice, responding to their expectations and needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to access the experience of the victims of human trafficking, during recruitment, exploitation, and identification phases. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview, resulting in a clinical-forensic sample of nine adult victims of both sexes – two females and seven males, aged between 42 and 67 years (M = 56.67; SD = 8.411). Data analysis was done using thematic analysis and allowed to reinforce the dynamics of trafficking in human beings, concerning victims and traffickers (e.g., the deception in the recruitment phase) and dynamics of exploitation (e.g., entrapment strategies). This study was able to provide novelty concerning the hetero identification of the victims by community members. Despite the control strategies employed by the traffickers, some victims were identified and reported by neighbors to competent authorities. This should be considered as it may be indicative that educational campaigns are having an effect by enhancing the victims' identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The socioeconomic changes that many countries have been experiencing in recent decades, caused by structural factors or by specific circumstances, where the pandemic crisis of COVID-19 is only the most recent example, have posed challenges to organizations, which present themselves more and more and in various forms as threatened by the possibility of fulfilling their mission. Public and private sectors increasingly present themselves as insufficient to respond effectively to day-to-day requests. This context of instability and the resulting impacts for non-profit organizations pose serious problems to the way in which governance is exercised and served as a motivation for carrying out a study that aimed to understand the influence of strategy and human resources on the governance of these organizations. A review of the literature on the variables under study made it possible to identify the sub-dimensions associated with each one of them and the respective indicators. Thus, for a quantitative study, it was possible to apply a questionnaire to 242 Holy Houses of Mercy in Portugal to understand the direct and indirect influences of strategic management and human resources management on the governance of these institutions. The results obtained show the existence of a positive relationship between the variables under analysis, confirming that not only do these variables influence, by themselves and directly, the governance of the institutions studied, but also the strategy influences human resources policies, which in turn have implications for the way the Holy Houses of Mercy deal with aspects associated with governance. It is concluded that, in general, for these organizations to be more effective in efforts to improve their governance processes, they must focus on strategic management and human resources management instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an exploratory study aiming to investigate the existence of distinct groups of social enterprises according to organisational identity dimensions. A taxonomy was developed with a two-step cluster analysis based on the importance attached to both social and market identity by 111 social enterprises acting in Portugal. ANOVA and Chi-square analyses were employed to investigate differences between groups. The taxonomy provides a parsimonious description of four groups of social enterprises and suggests the existence of a trade-off between the involvement and participation of clients/beneficiaries and the geographical scope. The combination of high levels of social identity and market identity is associated with more satisfactory levels of social and financial performance. However, giving prevalence to the social or the market identity seems to lead to lower levels of financial and social performance, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]