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Publications

Publications by LIAAD

2022

Impact of COVID-19 on the Environments of Professional Nursing Practice and Nurses' Job Satisfaction

Authors
Ribeiro, OMPL; Coimbra, VMO; Pereira, SCD; Faria, ADA; Teles, PJFC; da Rocha, CG;

Publication
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Abstract
(1) Background: The repercussions of work environments were widely studied before the pandemic. However, there are still many difficulties to be discovered considering the impact generated by it. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on nursing practice environments and nurses' job satisfaction. (2) Methods: A correlational study was conducted in a hospital in northern Portugal, with the participation of 416 registered nurses. Data were collected in June 2021 through questionnaires. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. (3) Results: COVID-19 had a favourable impact on the structure component of the practice environments; the process component decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period; the outcome component remained moderately favourable to the quality of care. Nurses were not very satisfied or not at all satisfied with their valuation and remuneration; moderately satisfied with the leadership and staffing; and satisfied with the organisation and resources, co-workers and valuation by patients and families. In more favourable environments, nurses' job satisfactions were higher. (4) Conclusions: Identifying the dimensions with the best and worst scores allowed the institution's managers to concentrate efforts on where improvements were needed, thus preparing professional contexts for the recovery of care activities.

2022

The use of aggregate time series for testing conditional heteroscedasticity

Authors
Teles, P; Chan, WS;

Publication
STATISTICS

Abstract
Many time series exhibit conditional heteroscedasticity such as stock prices or returns, interest rates or exchange rates. Time series used in empirical analysis are often temporal aggregates. We study the effects of using temporally aggregated time series in testing for heteroscedasticity. The distribution of the test statistics is affected by aggregation which causes a severe power loss that worsens with the order of aggregation. Thus, the tests often fail to detect the heteroscedastic nature of the data which is a misleading outcome and can entail wrong decisions. Our conclusions are illustrated by an empirical application.

2022

Statistical study of curing conditions in alkali activation of Portuguese mine tailings

Authors
Correia, E; Miranda, T; Cerveira, A; Castro, F; Fernandez Jimenez, A; Cristelo, N; Coelho, J;

Publication
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOTECHNICS

Abstract
The use of industrial by-products to produce new types of cement-substitute binders is gaining significant momentum, particularly through the alkaline activation technique. However, the exact curing conditions that should be considered with each binder variation have not been fully understood yet. The aim of the present work is thus the statistical analysis of the effects of curing conditions (humidity and temperature) on the mechanical response (uniaxial compression strength and elastic modulus) of different aggregate/binder weight ratios. Five blends of solid mine tailings (as an aggregate) and fly ash (as a precursor), both collected from the Portuguese industry, were activated with sodium hydroxide solution and cured under nine different temperature and humidity combinations. The data analysis was performed using multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance, followed by Tukey's post hoc test, whenever appropriate. Results show that the curing humidity factor showed a lower impact than the curing temperature. Although the increase in temperature and decrease in humidity produced higher compression strengths, the best results were obtained with a specific combination of both (60 degrees C and 50% relative humidity). In general, the increase in tailings' content produced a reduction in compression strength, but only for values above 20% (by weight of the sum of solids).

2022

Wind Energy Assessment for Small Wind Turbines in Different Roof Shapes Based on CFD Simulations

Authors
Oliveira, C; Cerveira, A; Baptista, J;

Publication
SUSTAINABLE SMART CITIES AND TERRITORIES

Abstract
With a still high rate of use of energy from non-renewable sources, it is crucial that new energy generation solutions are adopted to reach greenhouse gas reduction targets. The integration of renewable energy sources in buildings is an interesting solution that allows reducing the need for energy from the power grid, contributing to a significant increase in the energy efficiency of buildings. The main aim of this paper is to evaluate the impact that the aerodynamics of the buildings in particular the roof shape has considering the integration of wind energy systems. The results of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are presented in order to identify the effect of the two roof shapes on energy production by wind turbines (WT). For this purpose, the factor matrices (FM) that gives information about the wind profile around the building taking into account the building's roof profile were calculated. Comparing the results for the wind flow obtained by the FM and the CFD simulations for the flat and gabled roofs, similarities are observed for them, allowing to conclude that the CFD analysis results in a methodology with great accuracy for the aerodynamic study of buildings roof shape.

2022

Natural Regeneration of Maritime Pine: A Review of the Influencing Factors and Proposals for Management

Authors
Ribeiro, S; Cerveira, A; Soares, P; Fonseca, T;

Publication
FORESTS

Abstract
The main objective of the present work was to review the current knowledge about the factors that influence the different phases of the natural regeneration of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) and propose scientifically based management schedules. The review focused on the natural regeneration of maritime pine within its most representative areas (Portugal, Spain, and France). First, a brief characterisation of the main phases of the natural regeneration of maritime pine is described. Next, information on the factors affecting the natural regeneration of the species is provided, highlighting its positive and negative effects. Finally, management proposals are presented to promote the natural regeneration of maritime pine species. Numerous factors influencing the natural regeneration of maritime pine were identified. Fires and climatic factors can intervene in all three regeneration phases (seeding, germination, and seedling survival and development). The natural regeneration failure of maritime pine species can be aggravated in drier scenarios. Forest management plays an important role as it can promote the natural regeneration of the species.

2022

Optimization of Forest Management in Large Areas Arising from Grouping of Several Management Bodies: An Application in Northern Portugal

Authors
Cabral, M; Fonseca, TF; Cerveira, A;

Publication
FORESTS

Abstract
The success of forest management towards achieving desired outcomes depends on various factors and can be improved through forest planning based on optimization approaches. Regardless of the owner type (state, private or common land) and/or governance model, the number of owners or management bodies considered in most studies is low, typically involving one owner/management body or a very small group. This study extends the approach of formulating a Forest Management Plan (FMP) to a large forest area, consisting of areas with different management bodies. The FMP model returns the harvest schedule that maximizes the volume of wood harvested during the planning horizon, while ensuring (1) sustainability and environmental constraints at the overall scale and (2) independent revenues for each management body. The FMP is tested in a real forested area, consisting of 22 common lands, governed by local communities for a planning period of 30 years. The results show that our approach is appropriate for several management bodies. When evaluating the impact of grouping areas (and their owner bodies) on the total volume removed, a comparison of the FMP model with an alternative model that allows for independent management (FMP-IND) showed significant differences, in terms of total volume removed at the end of the horizon. Global management leads to a reduction of about 8.6% in the total removed volume; however, it will ensure a heritage of well-diversified stands, in terms of age classes. The results highlight the importance of managing multi-stakeholder forest areas as a whole, instead of being managed independently, if the aim is to assure more sustainable management of forest resources in the mid and long term.

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