Search

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to contribute to research on individual entrepreneurial intention (IEI) by assessing the importance of entrepreneurship education to students in vocational training programmes and using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) to analyse these students' entrepreneurial intentions. The family background of the students and their exposure to entrepreneurship subject matter were included as antecedents of TPB components and IEI. Design/methodology/approach: To test the research model, the primary data were collected with questionnaires distributed to students in their last year of vocational training programmes with and without entrepreneurship coursework, in a region of Northern Portugal. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Findings: The results show that TPB dimensions substantially contribute to explaining students' IEI. However, their family background makes only a minor contribution, and exposure to entrepreneurship education has no influence on IEI. Research limitations/implications: Given these results, the authors propose a broader discussion is needed of the importance of introducing business classes into the curricula of vocational training programmes. Originality/value: This research's results show that IEI models need to assign greater importance to variables related to previous exposure to entrepreneurial experiences through direct family members. The findings contribute to a fuller understanding of IEI and the factors that precede the formation of this intention among students in training programmes.

To be successfully established on oceanic islands, native ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have to migrate from the mainland or from nearby islands, crossing the ocean barriers, to find a suitable habitat. Despite the general interest on oceanic islands biotas, nothing is known about the deep-time migration and settling of native ants in these insular ecosystems. Palaeoentomological studies on oceanic islands that could provide palaeobiological information on Formicidae are scarce. Here, we describe and illustrate the first fossil of an ant from the Macaronesian archipelagos (Atlantic Ocean), based on a partial forewing found within 1.3 Ma (Calabrian, Pleistocene) lacustrine sediments from Madeira Island, Portugal. Although unidentifiable beyond the family level, this fossil record provides a minimum age for the presence of ants in the Madeira archipelago. Palaeoecologically, this record indicates the presence of suitable habitats for ants during the early Pleistocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palaearctic Erica sect. Chlorocodon, known as the wind‐pollinated besom heaths (WPBH), includes the Macaronesian E. azorica, E. platycodon subsp. platycodon and E. platycodon subsp. maderincola together with the Mediterranean and North African E. scoparia. Despite the broad extant distribution, the mainland fossil record of this section is scarce and poorly preserved and dated, and Macaronesian fossils were so far unknown. Here we discuss the systematic affinities of the first fossils of a WPBH found in Macaronesia, within a 1.3 Ma (Pleistocene, Calabrian stage) Madeira Island fossiliferous deposit. One flower and dissociated seed fossils were found in the same sediment layer, being preserved as coalified compressions with cuticular preservation. Both the flower and seed fossils present unique WPBH characters. The flower fossil is characterised by an exserted, peltate and discoid stigma – an unequivocal adaptation to anemophily, unique within Palaearctic Erica taxa. The seed fossils are of small size, presenting a testa with channelled anticlinal cell‐walls, a characteristic only found in the extant Macaronesian WPBH. Morphological, anatomical, and biometric comparisons of the fossils to extant flowers and seeds suggest that the fossils are related to the Palaearctic E. sect. Chlorocodon, being morphologically close to E. azorica. Here we assign them to E. aff. azorica. These findings suggest a colonisation to Madeira Island prior to 1.3 Ma, corresponding to the oldest and unambiguous WPBH fossils, at least 0.90–1.2 Ma older than the oldest known record. The fossil flower also indicates the presence of anemophilous traits since at least the early Pleistocene. Finally, the presence of a WPBH could suggest the same ecological role in seral communities, important to the establishment of the Madeiran temperate stink‐laurel forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends the literature on big data applied to tourism by validating the significance of point-of-sale (POS) electronic transactions, which have received little attention within tourism literature, as a reliable and effective alternative to surveys on guests stays at tourist accommodation establishments. Compared with official statistics on occupancy of tourist accommodation establishments, data on POS transactions tend to exhibit greater volatility and a less adverse year-on-year variation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal. Still, both data sources reveal the same underlying trend. POS electronic payments, namely, at lodging establishments, deliver timely data for most municipalities in Portugal, filling in significant data gaps in many low-density areas, where statistical confidentiality is imposed in tourism indicators. This supports POS data's effectiveness to analyse regional inequalities at the municipal level, allowing to gain a clearer understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 in domestic tourism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the summer of 2020 intra-national mobility restrictions were lifted in most European countries, and domestic tourism partially cushioned the negative impacts of plunging international arrivals. Considering the perceived risk of crowding, low tourist density destinations were expected to benefit from shifts in tourists' preferences. This paper shows that, in the case of Portugal, preference for tourism in rural areas increased substantially and those regions best positioned to offer rural accommodation experienced a stronger and lasting recovery of domestic demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maps produced in this article allow an extended interpretation of rural tourism's development in mainland Portugal by identifying spatio-temporal patterns, relationships, and connections. This is accomplished through the superimposition of multiple thematic layers and kernel density analysis to potentially predict rural tourism's ruralisation patterns. The maps demonstrate that the development of rural tourism in Portugal observed a centrifugal and dispersive pattern, spreading from semi-urban to deep-rural areas. The analysis is further refined by applying the CHAID algorithm helping to show that the more recent rural tourism establishments are avoiding towns and villages and locating closer to agricultural land and protected areas. The maps and the complementary analyses provide a multidimensional understanding of rural tourism's spatial development exemplified in complex relationships between location factors and distinct rural tourism accommodation typologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the empirical literature, the analysis of aggregate productivity dynamics using firm-level productivity has mostly been based on changes in the mean of log-productivity. This paper shows that there can be substantial quantitative and qualitative differences in the results relative to when the analysis is based on changes in the mean of productivity, and discusses the circumstances under which such differences are likely to happen. We use firm-level data for Portugal for the period 2006–2015 to illustrate the point. When the mean of productivity is used, we estimate that TFP and labor productivity for the whole economy increased by 17.7 percent and 5.2 percent, respectively, over this period. But, when the mean of log-productivity is used, these two productivity measures decline by 4.3 percent and 1.8 percent, respectively. Similarly disparate results are obtained for productivity decompositions regarding the contributions for productivity growth of surviving, entering and exiting firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Hypoglycemia leading to hospitalization is associated with adverse economic outcomes, although the real burden is unknown. The HIPOS-WARD (Hypoglycemia In Portugal Observational Study-Ward) aimed to characterize ward admissions due to hypoglycemia episodes in treated patients with diabetes and assess their economic impact to the National Health System. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study, conducted in 16 Portuguese centers for 22 months. The applied microcosting approach was based on healthcare resource data, collected from patients' charts upon ward admission until discharge, and unitary costs from official/public data sources. Absenteeism was also estimated for active workers on the basis of the human capital approach. Results: Of the 176 patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled, 86% had type 2 diabetes. Half of the patients (50.0%) were on insulin-based therapy, followed by 30.1% on a secretagogue-based regimen, 9.7% on non-secretagogue therapy, and 10.2% on a combination of insulin and secretagogue. Overall mean costs per patient were medication, 45.45 €; laboratory analysis, 218.14 €; examinations, 64.91 €; physician and nurse time, 268.55 € and 673.39 €, respectively. Bed occupancy was the main cost driver (772.09 €) and indirect cost averaged 140.44 €. Overall, the cost per hypoglycemia episode leading to hospitalization averaged 2042.52 € (range 194.76–16,762.87 €). Patients treated with insulin-based regimens (2267.76 €) and type 2 diabetes (2051.29 €) had the highest mean costs. The mean cost increased with repeated hypoglycemic events (2191.67 €), correlated complications (2109.26 €), and death (5253.38 €). Conclusion: HIPOS-WARD's findings confirm and support both the substantial clinical and economic impact of hospitalization due to hypoglycemia in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent empirical studies document that the level of resource misallocation in the service sector is significantly higher than in the manufacturing sector. We quantify the importance of this difference and study its sources. Conservative estimates for Portugal in 2008 show that closing this gap, by reducing misallocation in the service sector to manufacturing levels, would boost aggregate gross output by around 12 percent and aggregate value added by around 31 percent. Differences in the effect and size of productivity shocks explain most of the gap in misallocation between manufacturing and services, while the remainder is explained by differences in firm productivity and age distributions. We interpret these results as stemming mainly from higher output‐price rigidity, higher labor adjustment costs and higher informality in the service sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant fossils are known from the Azores Islands, yet poorly studied. We present a comprehensive bibliographical review for the archipelago. A first pre-scientific reference dates from late fifteenth century, while the first scientific description was reported in 1821, accounting for trunks in pyroclastic units and silicified plants within hydrothermal deposits. Throughout the second-half of the nineteenth century and the first-half of the twentieth century, prospection by naturalists and geological mapping work, led to the discovery and description of plant fossils in most islands. From the 1970s onwards, the taxonomic interest ceased, and plant fossils were used mainly for 14C dating. Recently, sediment cores from lakes and peatlands were used for palaeoecological reconstructions and to measure anthropogenic impacts. Generally, plant fossils are younger than 50 ka, although older fossils may exist. Azorean plant fossils include somatofossils of leaves, stems, logs and seeds preserved as impressions, compressions, adpressions, permineralizations, lava tree casts and mummifications. The taphonomy of macrofloral elements is usually related to explosive volcanic activity, while palynological record is associated with lake sediments and peat bogs. The persistence in palaeobotanical and palaeopalynological studies will decisively contribute to disentangle the paleodiversity, palaeoecology, and add crucial information on insular plant phylogeny and biogeography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants on oceanic islands can evolve insular syndromes such as secondary woodiness, a generalized trend found in island floras worldwide. This phenomenon occurs through evolution in situ. It is triggered by ecological and physiological stimuli that transform herbaceous annuals into woody perennials. However, well‐dated and informative fossils that could help track and frame the evolution of this syndrome are lacking. Remarkably, in Madeira Island (Portugal), there are good examples of Apiaceae that evolved secondary woodiness, like the giant neoendemic Melanoselinum (≡ Daucus). Apiaceae has a very scarce fossil record, despite being a cosmopolitan family and an economically important crop. Here we describe the oldest Daucus s.l. fossil known to date and the first fossil evidence of a plant with insular woodiness. The fossils are preserved as mummified/compressed mericarps within 1.3‐million‐year‐old fluvio‐lacustrine sediments of the Funchal unit, Upper Volcanic complex, near Porto da Cruz. We assign them to the extant neoendemic species Melanoselinum (≡ Daucus) decipiens. The mericarp morphology shows remarkable stasis since the Calabrian stage of the Early Pleistocene. Our results demonstrate that in the Madeiran Daucinae clade, insular woodiness developed at least 1.3 million years ago, indicating a coeval or earlier immigration to Madeira Island of a Daucus sp. Our results reinforce the role of palaeobotanical research in oceanic islands, supported by stratigraphy and geochronology studies, as a key element for the understanding of plant palaeobiogeography, ecology and evolution worldwide. We expect this contribution to shed light on the evolutionary origins of carrots, and related plant groups, an important element of human food, and to better comprehend the evolution of plant insular woodiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean silvo-pastoral system known as Montado, in Portugal, is a complex land use system composed of an open tree stratum in various densities and an herbaceous layer, used for livestock grazing. Livestock also profit from the acorns, and the grazing contributes to avoid shrub encroachment. In the last 20 years, subsidies from the European Union have greatly promoted cattle rearing in this system and the introduction of heavy breeds, at the expense of sheep, goats or the native cattle breeds. The balance of the traditional system is thus threatened, and a precise assessment of the balance between the different components of the system, therefore is highly needed. The goal of this study was to gain a better understanding of a Montado farm system with cattle rearing as the major economic activity by applying the emergy evaluation method to calculate indices of yield, investment, environmental loading and sustainability. By integrating different ecosystem components, the emergy evaluation method allows a comprehensive evaluation of this complex and multifunctional system at the scale of an individual farm. This method provides a set of indices that can help us understand the system and design management strategies that maximize emergy flow in the farm. In this paper, we apply the emergy evaluation method to a Montado farm with cattle rearing, as a way to gain a better understanding of this system at the farm scale. The value for the transformity of veal (2.66E+06 sej J) is slightly higher, when compared to other systems producing protein. That means that the investment of nature and man in this product was higher and it requires a premium price on the market. The renewability for Holm Oaks Farm (49 %), lower than for other similar systems, supports the assumption that this is a farm in which, comparing with others, the number of purchased inputs in relation to renewable inputs provided by nature, is higher. The Emergy Investment Ratio is 0.91 for cattle rearing compared to a value of 0.49 for cork and 0.43 for firewood harvesting, making it clear that cattle rearing is a more labor demanding activity comparing with extractive activities as cork and firewood harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree height is a key variable in forest monitoring studies and for forest management. However, tree height measurement is time consuming, and the recommended procedure is to use estimates from height-diameter models. Here, we compare height-diameter model forms and approaches for predicting tree height (h) as a function of tree diameter at breast height (d) and additional stand level covariates. Four model forms were evaluated: (i) basic models (which only used d as predictor variable); (ii) generalized models (which used d and stand-level predictor variables); (iii) a mixed-effects model based on the best basic model; and (iv) a mixed-effects model based on the best generalized model. Several alternatives aimed at minimizing height measurement effort were tested in terms of accuracy and applicability. From a practical point of view, the selected generalized model is recommended for estimating the height of maritime pine in Portugal. The results also show that a calibrated basic mixed model provides more accurate results than a basic model locally fitted when the number of h-d observations is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitiveness of traditional arable crop system of Alentejo region of Portugal has been questioned for long. Discussion and research on the sustainability of the system has evolved on two contrasted alternative options for production technologies to traditional system. On the one hand reduced and no tillage systems aim to more extensive technical operations reducing costs and maintaining production, or even to increase it in the long run as soil fertility improves. On the other hand, input intensification using irrigation, as a complement in the last stage of crop cycle or always when needed, aimed to increase system production levels. To evaluate competitiveness and sustainability of arable crop system we evaluated traditional rotation technology and alternative no tillage and irrigation systems and analyze their farm economic results as well as their energy efficiency and environmental impacts. The analysis of the impact of no tillage and irrigation on arable land production system showed that both alternatives contributed to cost savings and profit earnings, energy savings and reduced GHG emissions, increasing physical and economic factor efficiency. Research and technological development of both options are worthwhile to promote competitiveness and sustainability of arable crop production systems of the Alentejo region in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As an industry tourism is often perceived important as a means of development in marginal rural zones, such developments are thought to appeal to a post-modern market seeking ʻunique’ experiences. This paper examines the rural tourism experience offered by a small village in Central Portugal that uses its heritage and traditions to offer such experiences. The case, derived from interviews, analyses the experience of tourists and residents, the interactions between different stakeholders, impacts and marketing implications. It concludes that social, emotional and symbolic dimensions of the experience, associated with rurality, are important determinants of tourist satisfaction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural 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 Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural 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: There is a lack of valid and specific tools to measure chronic constipation severity in Brazil., Aims: To validate the Constipation Scoring System for Brazilian spoken Portuguese., Methods: Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation itself (reliability and convergent and divergent validation). Translation: definitive version from the original version's translation and evaluation by specialists. Cultural adaptation: score content analysis of the definitive version, as an interview to patients. Interobserver reliability: application by two researchers on the same day. Intraobserver reliability: same researcher at different times, in a 7-day interval. Divergent validation: non-constipated volunteers. Convergent validation: two groups, good response to clinical treatment and refractory to treatment., Results: Cultural adaptation: 81 patients, 89% female, with mean age of 55 and seven years of schooling, and overall content validity index was 96.5%. Inter and intraobserver reliability analysis: 60 patients, 86.7% female, mean age of 56 and six years of schooling, and the respective intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.991 and 0.987, p<0.001. Divergent validation: 40 volunteers, 25 male, mean age of 49 years, and the mean global score was 2. Convergent validation of patients with good response to clinical treatment: 47 patients, 39 female, mean age of 60 and six years of schooling, and the pre- and post-treatment scores were 19 and 8, respectively (p<0.001). Convergent validation of refractory to clinical treatment patients: 75 patients, 70 female, mean age of 53 and seven years of schooling, and the global average score was 22., Conclusions: The Constipation Scoring System (Índice de Gravidade da Constipação Intestinal) validated for the Brazilian population is a reliable instrument for measuring the severity of intestinal chronic constipation.

In oceanic islands, well age-constrained deposits containing arthropod somatofossils (body fossils) are rare. However, when available, these are important for providing empirical and independent minimum ages for molecular phylogenetic dating and complementary data on taxonomy, evolution and palaeobiogeography information of the biological groups found as fossils. This is especially important for taxa that speciated within oceanic islands, many becoming single island endemics (SIE). Recently, associated with a 1.3 Ma (Calabrian) fluvial and lacustrine sedimentary deposit from Porto da Cruz in Madeira Island (Fig. 1), a wing, putatively identified as Hymenoptera, was found. Here we describe this wing fossil as belonging to Ichneumonidae, a group with ca. 30% of SIE in Madeira Island. Moreover, this is the first somatofossil of ichneumonid parasitic wasps found in Madeira Island and in Macaronesian islands (i.e. Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cabo Verde).

Background: In situ breakage of Implanon® is a rare occurrence with unknown clinical significance. Authors report two different cases of broken Implanon® of women attended at our Family Planning Clinic., Discussion: In situ implants may spontaneously and asymptomatically break, although some uncertainty relies on whether that situation has a real impact on the contraceptive effectiveness or on bleeding patterns. Even more, it can be argued if, as a result of an occurrence of that nature, the implant shall or shall not be removed before the envisaged 3-year period of effectiveness., Conclusion: Currently, the clinical significance of implant breakage remains unknown. The decision to remove a broken or bent implant should be based on clinical judgements considering patients' wishes., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)