Search Results (345)

Auditory pseudowords are widely used in psycholinguistics and cognitive neuroscience, but their construction requires control of sublexical familiarity and careful characterization of how acoustic cue manipulations may shift perceived lexical plausibility. Here we introduce the Minho Pseudoword Wordlikeness Ratings (MPWR), the first normative dataset of wordlikeness judgments for European Portuguese (EP) auditory trisyllabic CV pseudowords, and evaluate whether adding a localized F0-based prominence cue modulates wordlikeness beyond distributional familiarity. One hundred and twenty pseudowords were assembled from naturally produced syllables drawn from the Minho Spoken Syllable Pool (MSSP) and recorded under uniform conditions. Each item was implemented in three token types with constant segmental content: a flat baseline and two F0-enhanced versions (+15%) targeting either the penultimate or final syllable. Native EP listeners (N = 101) provided wordlikeness ratings on a 7-point scale. MSSP-derived indices quantified pseudoword syllable familiarity (SWI_All, SWI_N3) and stress-position propensity for the targeted syllable (SPP_marked). Ratings were intentionally low overall yet showed substantial item-to-item variability. F0 enhancement produced a small but reliable decrease in wordlikeness relative to flat tokens, with no reliable difference between penultimate and final targeting positions. SWI_All robustly predicted ratings, whereas SPP_marked added little explanatory value. MPWR provides a practical EP resource for selecting and matching auditory pseudowords using normative wordlikeness ratings and transparent corpus-based descriptors. Full article

This study investigates cross-dialectal influence in native Brazilian Portuguese (BP) immigrants in Portugal regarding the pragmatic distribution of pronominal subjects within a novel framework of second dialect acquisition and first dialect attrition, the Bidialectal Dynamics Model (BDM). Twenty-eight immigrants completed a spontaneous oral production task in both BP and European Portuguese (EP). Two control groups (24 BP speakers in Brazil and 24 EP speakers in Portugal) did the same in their respective native varieties only. All groups favored overt subjects for topic shift. For topic maintenance, BP speakers in Brazil preferred overt subjects despite omitting more pronouns in this context than in topic shift, while EP speakers strongly favored null subjects. At the group level, immigrants produced fewer null subjects than EP controls and more than BP controls, suggesting bidirectional cross-dialectal influence. At the individual level, profiles varied: most participants displayed bidirectional cross-dialectal influence, some maintained their native preferences, others used their second dialect across the board, and only a few displayed target-like behavior. Following the BDM, it is argued that this cross-dialectal influence stems from the co-activation of dialects’ overlapping grammars, particularly in the lexicon, and the different profiles observed reflect bidialectals’ diverse and dynamic environments. Full article

Manufacturing enterprises face increasing complexity in managing the complete life cycle of production systems, requiring integration of information from diverse sources to support timely maintenance, diagnostics, and operational decisions. This paper presents a comprehensive service-oriented architecture (SOA) for decision support in industrial life-cycle management, integrating real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and collaborative problem-solving across extended manufacturing enterprises. The architecture implements a three-layer service model comprising eight core collaborative services, three application services, and six life-cycle management services, orchestrated through a risk assessment module that monitors life-cycle parameters and triggers appropriate maintenance, diagnostics, or hazard prevention actions. The system was developed in the context of a European research project and validated in two industrial settings: automotive assembly lines at a German SME and air conditioning manufacturing at a Portuguese company. Results demonstrated substantial operational improvements, including reduced problem resolution time, lower diagnostic travel requirements, reduced spare-parts consumption, and increased structured problem registration. The original SOAP-based web-services implementation is further contextualized within the contemporary Industry 4.0 landscape through comparison with microservices architectures and discussion of integration paths involving OPC UA, Asset Administration Shells, and digital twins. The paper contributes a validated reference architecture for service-based industrial life-cycle management and clarifies its relevance as an early precursor of contemporary smart manufacturing approaches. Full article

Traditional media have progressively lost electoral centrality, while social media platforms have become key arenas for political communication. Although digital campaigning has been widely studied, limited cross-platform research has examined how social media engagement relates to broader patterns of digital public attention, particularly in Southern European multi-party systems. This study analyses the digital strategies of Portuguese political parties during the 2024 Legislative Elections, drawing on an original dataset of 6251 posts and 8.5 million interactions across Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok, combined with Google search trends data. The main findings show that ideologically extreme parties generate significantly higher engagement, especially the far-right. However, high engagement does not necessarily translate into broader digital attention. Televised debates remain decisive in structuring peaks of online interest, confirming the persistence of hybrid media dynamics. By integrating cross-platform engagement metrics with search data, this study demonstrates the limits of engagement as a proxy for political attention and electoral impact. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires sustained patient engagement in complex therapeutic and self-management processes, making health literacy (HL) a key determinant of effective care. This cross-sectional study assessed HL levels among adults with IBD attending a public day-hospital service in Lisbon, Portugal, and examined associations with sociodemographic, lifestyle, and selected clinical variables. A convenience sample of 280 participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, including the Portuguese version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-PT-Q16). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were used. HL indices were computed and categorized into proficiency levels; domain- and competency-specific indices were also analyzed. Overall, 48.3% of participants had inadequate or problematic HL, whereas 42.5% had sufficient HL. Healthcare-related HL showed the most favourable profile, whereas health promotion emerged as the weakest domain, with domain-specific mean indices ranging from 31.8 ± 8.3 to 34.4 ± 7.4 on a 0–50 scale. Competency-specific indices indicated that appraisal and, particularly in disease prevention, application were the lowest, and item-level analyses highlighted difficulties with mental health information-seeking and evaluating or acting on media-based health information. In multivariable linear regression analysis, higher educational attainment was positively associated with HL (B = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.05 to 1.73; p = 0.039), whereas female sex was independently associated with slightly lower HL scores (B = −1.72; 95% CI: −3.33 to −0.11; p = 0.036). These findings indicate that nearly half of patients with IBD in a day-hospital setting experience HL-related vulnerabilities, especially beyond clinician-mediated care. Targeted, HL-sensitive interventions focusing on critical appraisal and decision-to-action support may enhance self-management and equity in IBD care. Full article

This paper investigates the diachronic development of the sequence assim que (lit. ‘such that’) in the history of Portuguese, with a comparative perspective on the parallel construction así que in Spanish. A corpus-based approach was employed, analyzing approximately 1800 tokens from the Corpus do Português: Historical Genres, spanning eight centuries of written European Portuguese. The results show that assim que remained highly analyzable until the end of the Old Portuguese period, with the adverb assim often followed by a complement or result clause. The grammaticalization of assim que appears to have evolved partly independently from standalone assim. While Portuguese and Spanish share many uses of the construction, modern European Portuguese has diverged, with assim que losing its status as a discourse marker. This change is best explained by the frequent use of cleft constructions (e.g., foi assim que), which reanalyzed que as a subordinating connector, undoing the earlier single-unit interpretation. These findings suggest that even deeply entrenched grammaticalization processes may undergo retraction when the semantic analyzability of component elements allows it. Full article

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognise Total Diet Studies (TDS) as an essential public health tool for assessing dietary exposure to beneficial and harmful substances through food. This study provides occurrence data for nine trace elements (As, Cd, Co, I, Mo, Pb, Se, Sn, and Sr) in representative foods consumed by the Portuguese population, using a harmonised TDS methodology. The study also fills previously missing data in the Portuguese Food Composition Database, strengthening its value for nutritional monitoring and exposure assessment. The results show that the lowest concentration of all trace elements were observed in the “Water and water-based beverages” group while the highest concentrations were found in “Fish, seafood, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates” (As, Cd, I, Pb, Se, Sr), “Sugar confectionery and water-based sweet desserts” (Co), “Legumes, nuts, oilseeds and spices” (Mo), and “Fruit and fruit products” (Sn). Importantly, all measured levels of trace elements were below the applicable legal limits, indicating that the analysed foods do not pose a risk for consumer health. Furthermore, the data can support risk assessment, regulatory decisions, and the development of public health policies related to trace element intake. These findings also facilitate comparisons with international TDS data, contributing to global understanding of dietary exposures. Full article

This paper examines the evolution of the Portuguese residential real estate market during the first twenty-five years of the 21st century, focusing on the short-run determinants of housing transaction values. Using quarterly data from 2000 to 2025, the study applies an econometric time-series framework that explicitly addresses non-stationarity. The model evaluates the dynamic effects of macroeconomic performance, housing credit conditions, indicators of household financial stress, interest rates, confidence measures and demographic factors. Results show that housing market dynamics in Portugal are predominantly driven by GDP growth, with effects persisting across several quarters. Credit-related variables, particularly housing lending conditions and indicators of household financial fragility, exert significant influence. In contrast, short-term interest rates, confidence indicators and immigration flows do not exhibit statistically significant independent short-run effects. The findings highlight the relevance of macroeconomic and financial channels in shaping housing market fluctuations, supporting the need for coordinated housing and macroprudential policies to mitigate cyclical risks. The study provides a long-term empirical assessment of housing market dynamics in a Southern European economy that experienced financial crises, sovereign debt adjustment and post-pandemic recovery, integrating macroeconomic and financial determinants within a unified short-run analytical framework. Full article

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) are the two main European policy instruments for assessing eutrophication in coastal waters, yet their differing assessment architectures often lead to inconsistent classification outcomes. This study provides a scientific comparison of WFD Ecological Status and MSFD Good Environmental Status (GES) classifications for Portuguese coastal waters across three assessment cycles. This is achieved by quantifying the coherence between Eutrophication assessments, by identifying the main drivers of divergence beyond chance, and evaluating where harmonization improved agreement, providing an evidence-based guidance to decision-making and policy regulation. Using officially validated national classifications, we analyzed the methodological drivers of divergence (without reprocessing raw monitoring data) and harmonized both outcomes into a common three-class scheme. Coherence was evaluated using a Discordance Index and Cohen’s kappa coefficient. Results showed that divergence was systematic rather than random, primarily driven by structural (spatial and temporal) misalignment, methodological differences in indicator integration, and contrasting statistical metrics. Both Directives consistently identify eutrophication hotspots associated with major river plumes but differ in how these signals are aggregated and translated into status classes. The study demonstrated that WFD and MSFD provide complementary but only partially aligned assessments, and that coherence improved with methodological harmonization. Full article

Bartonella henselae is a flea-borne zoonotic bacterium for which domestic cats constitute the principal reservoir. However, contemporary molecular epidemiological data from Portugal remain scarce. This retrospective laboratory study analysed EDTA-stabilised blood samples from apparently healthy cats submitted for routine screening by 74 veterinary centres across mainland Portugal and autonomous regions over an 11-year period (2015–2025). DNA extracts were tested using a species-specific TaqMan qPCR assay for B. henselae with an internal extraction control, and a subset of samples was subsequently confirmed by nested PCR followed by Sanger sequencing (ribC). Among 270 cats, 47 tested positive, yielding a qPCR prevalence of 17.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 13.1–22.5). Submissions were predominantly from Northern Portugal, and infection status was not statistically associated with the Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS) level 2 region (p = 0.478). Infection was more frequent in younger cats (median age 2 years, interquartile range [IQR] 1–5; p = 0.037), while sex (p = 0.103) and breed (p = 0.730) were not significantly associated with infection status. These findings support endemic circulation of B. henselae in Portuguese cats at levels comparable to other temperate European regions. The detection of subclinical infection in apparently healthy cats is relevant to transfusion medicine and supports the inclusion of B. henselae qPCR screening in donor selection protocols. Full article

Since Portugal acceded to the European Union, the measures introduced under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) have significantly influenced farmers’ behavior and their choices of agricultural activities, with different consequences on agricultural sustainability. This paper analyses changes in crop-based income following the CAP evolution in Portuguese agriculture from 1989 until 2023 and their consequences on agricultural sustainability. The analysis is based on the Standard Output (SO) for temporary and permanent crops. These data were sourced from the Agricultural Census, conducted every ten years, and the Farm Structure Surveys were held every three years. To examine the evolution of land use and establish relationships between variables, the study employed HJ-Biplot methodology and cluster analysis. Then, a comparative analysis with agricultural sustainability trends, using several social and environmental indicators, was carried out. Regarding temporary crops, the results reveal a decline in the total SO weight of cereals for grain, alongside an increase in vegetables and floriculture. For permanent crops, a decrease was observed in fresh fruits and citrus fruits, while nuts and subtropical fruits showed notable growth. Also, the positive evolution of several SOs was accompanied by improvements in agricultural sustainability on environmental and social indicators. Full article

Introduction: Rare diseases disperse expertise across institutions and borders, making structured second-opinion systems a pragmatic way to concentrate subspecialty knowledge and reduce diagnostic delays. This scoping review mapped the design, governance, adoption, and impacts of such services across implementation scales. Objectives: To describe how second-opinion services for rare diseases are organized and governed, to characterize technological and workflow models, to summarize benefits and barriers, and to identify priority evidence gaps for implementation. Methods: Using a population–concept–context approach, we included peer-reviewed studies describing implemented second-opinion systems for rare diseases and excluded isolated case reports, purely conceptual proposals, and work outside this focus. Searches in August 2025 covered PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and LILACS without date limits and were restricted to English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two reviewers screened independently, and the data were charted with a standardized, piloted form. No formal critical appraisal was undertaken, and the synthesis was descriptive. Results: Initiatives were clustered by scale (European networks, national programs, regional systems, international collaborations) and favored hybrid models over asynchronous and synchronous ones. Across settings, services shared reproducible workflows and provided faster access to expertise, quicker decision-making, and more frequent clarification of care plans. These improvements were enabled by transparent governance and dedicated support but were constrained by platform complexity, the effort required to assemble panels, uneven incentives, interoperability gaps, and medico-legal uncertainty. Conclusions: Systematized second-opinion services for rare diseases are feasible and clinically relevant. Progress hinges on usability, aligned incentives, and pragmatic interoperability, advancing from registries toward bidirectional electronic health record connections, alongside prospective evaluations of outcomes, equity, experience, effectiveness, and costs. Full article

Municipal animal shelters play a crucial role in rescuing abandoned animals, managing free-roaming populations, and promoting animal welfare. This seven-year retrospective study analyzed 2291 animals (1132 dogs, 1159 cats) admitted to a Portuguese municipal shelter (CVM Feira) between 2018 and 2024 to identify predictors of live outcomes. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed on 1325 adoptable animals. Adoption occurred for 58.9% of these animals, while 41.1% remained in long-term housing, reflecting growing shelter capacity pressures. Length of Stay (LOS) was the strongest predictor of adoption, with extended stays markedly reducing adoption odds and contributing to overcrowding. For dogs, female sex and owner or animal protection association (APA) surrender increased adoption likelihood. Microchipped animals were 71 times more likely to be returned to their owners, although only a small proportion entered the shelter with identification. The overall Live Release Rate (LRR) was 79.7% and Save Rate (SR) 84.7%, highlighting effective life-saving efforts, while the Population Balance Calculation (PBC) of 75.6% revealed challenges in population flow-through. These findings provide evidence that data-driven strategies, including reducing LOS, enforcing microchipping, and applying species-specific management, are essential to optimize municipal shelter operations and improve animal welfare, with insights applicable to broader European and international contexts. Full article

Objective: Several questionnaires for the diagnosis and characterization of tinnitus are available in English but there is a need for Portuguese standardized questionnaires for use in research and in clinic. The goals of this study were to translate and culturally adapt the ESIT-SQ (European School for Interdisciplinary Tinnitus Research Screening Questionnaire) to Portuguese, and to validate the questionnaire for clinical use. Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument were performed. The translation stage included the translation and retroversion of the instrument in the languages of interest (English–Portuguese) by three bilingual translators. Subsequently, cross-cultural adaptation was performed involving an Experts Panel (n = 5) and a Patient Panel (n = 4) to evaluate the questionnaire versions obtained after translation and retroversion. Participants completed their evaluation in Microsoft Forms. All ambiguities and uncertainties were addressed by the research team. Validation of the questionnaire involved an ENT specialist (n = 1), health researchers (n = 3), and patients (n = 300). Results: The Portuguese version of the ESIT-SQ (ESIT-SQ-PT) was found to be culturally appropriate, clear, and valid for clinical use. Expert review confirmed strong face validity, with only minor textual adjustments needed. The validation study, involving both online and paper responses, demonstrated good reproducibility and internal consistency across diverse participant profiles. The questionnaire effectively captured a wide range of tinnitus characteristics and associated factors, and reliability analyses confirmed its temporal stability. Overall, the ESIT-SQ-PT proved to be a robust and reliable instrument for assessing tinnitus in Portuguese-speaking populations. Conclusion: The ESIT-SQ in Portuguese (ESIT-SQ-PT), had good face validity, was comprehensible, and was culturally appropriate; thus, it is a valid tool for the screening and assessment of tinnitus and associated symptoms in Portuguese populations. Full article

Vertebrate remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Portugal have been studied for more than 140 years, beginning with the pioneering work of the Geological Commissions and early vertebrate specialists. The Cenomanian of Portugal occupies a key position in understanding vertebrate assemblages from the south-western European Late Cretaceous archipelago. Recent discoveries in the Cenomanian of the onshore northern sector of the Portuguese West Iberian Margin have revealed two new genera of Squamata and Crocodylomorpha, as well as extended biogeographical ranges for groups such as Obaichthyidae. Although Campanian–Maastrichtian fossils are limited to the northern sector, they provide valuable insights into the composition and evolution of western Iberian vertebrate faunas, including significant remains of small dinosaurs and mammals, and the westernmost European occurrences of Pycnodontiformes, Holostei, Elopiformes, Amphibia, Testudines, Squamata, and Crocodylomorpha. The Upper Cretaceous of the Portuguese onshore northern sector of the West Iberian Margin has yielded six vertebrate holotypes, four lectotypes, and syntypes though much material remains undescribed or in need of revision. Identifying additional fossil sites is essential to further expand the dataset. This contribution integrates historical and current knowledge and highlights key priorities for future research. Full article