Catholic University of Angola

Clinopyroxene oxygen isotope compositions provide critical insights into diverse geological processes. In situ oxygen isotope analysis is preferred over bulk methods because of complications such as inclusions, alteration, and isotope...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been significantly expanding scientific research practices by supporting processes such as searching, reading, synthesizing, and academic writing. This study investigated how these technologies can strengthen scientific production without compromising ethics, integrity, or human agency. The research adopted a qualitative, applied, and descriptive approach, grounded in bibliographic and documentary review, with content analysis. The results reveal a growing ecosystem of tools, such as Elicit, Perplexity, Scholarcy, Litmaps, Research Rabbit, NotebookLM, and generative models like ChatGPT, which accelerate literature reviews, enhance textual clarity, synthesize multiple sources, and assist with tasks such as translation, drafting, and idea organization. Despite these advantages, risks were identified, including plagiarism, inconsistencies, excessive dependence, weakening of analytical skills, variation in responses to the same query, and potential methodological distortions. To mitigate such risks, ethical guidelines are proposed, emphasizing exclusively human authorship, transparency in AI usage, cross-validation of information, and the preservation of researcher agency. It is concluded that AI should be employed as a complementary tool capable of enhancing the efficiency and quality of scientific production, provided its use is critical, responsible, and aligned with ethical principles that maintain the researcher at the center of knowledge creation, interpretation, and validation.

Abstract BackgroundSexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) are fundamental to human dignity, well-being, and sustainable development. Despite strong international and national commitments, young women in Angola continue to face critical SRHR challenges, including high rates of adolescent pregnancy and limited access to contraception and maternal healthcare. These challenges are understood to be shaped, in part, by gender norms that influence social expectations, behaviours, and access to services. Addressing SRHR thus requires not only expanded healthcare provision but also strengthened normative support and attention to the power dynamics that underpin gender inequality. Measuring gender norms, however, remains methodologically complex. Existing tools often conflate personal attitudes with perceived social expectations or rely on indirect proxies, limiting their capacity to reflect the social and context-specific nature of norms.ResultsTo address this gap, a mixed-methods study was conducted. Contextually relevant SRHR-topics were identified through a literature review, key informant interviews, and participatory workshops, resulting in the development of an eleven-item gender norms questionnaire. The questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional study including 2,081 young women aged 16–24 across urban and rural settings in three Angolan provinces and evaluated using Rasch analysis. Quantitative data revealed regional and socio-economic disparities, with early pregnancy and intimate partner violence more prevalent in less resourced settings. Perceived normative support was stronger for issues related to education and bodily autonomy than for reproductive maturity and equality within intimate relationships. While some provincial variation in item functioning was noted, the questionnaire demonstrated sound psychometric properties overall.ConclusionsGender norms remain central to SRHR experiences, marked by notable thematic and geographical variations. Divergent levels of normative support across SRHR domains reflect underlying tensions between entrenched social expectations and evolving values related to gender equality. Socio-economic disparities appear to intersect with these normative dynamics, potentially compounding structural disadvantage. The integration of both summary and item-level measures enables a more comprehensive understanding of the complex, layered nature of gender norms and the environments in which they operate. Continued research is essential to refine measurement and support the development of gender-responsive programmes that meaningfully support young women in realising their SRHR.

This research focuses on the intersection of macroeconomics and international trade, particularly within the context of protectionism. The analysis covers the period from 2002 to 2023 and adopts a correlational design to explore the association between tariffs and economic growth, in terms of domestic investment. The theoretical association between these variables can be explained through the Classical Perspectives of International Trade, Endogenous Growth Theory, and Infant Industry Argument. The empirical literature reviewed revealed that there is a gap in the literature in terms of empirical studies on the impact of tariffs on economic growth in Angola, with a particular focus on domestic investment. The present research fills this gap employing Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) analysis. The data were sourced from national and international institutions such as The National Bank of Angola (BNA), The World Bank, and The International Monetary Fund (IMF), thereby eliminated the need for traditional sampling techniques. The combined pre- and post-estimation tests revealed that the data are non-stationary at level but become stationary after first differencing. The results show a significant short-run negative effect (β = -1.45, p = 0.00) in contrast, there is a strong positive long-run effect (β = 2.04, p = 0.00). Diagnostic tests confirm model stability, no autocorrelation (p > 0.24), presence of homoskedasticity (p = 0.25), and normality (p = 0.86), supporting its robustness for policy analysis. Consequently, the findings derived from this model provide a credible basis for policy recommendations. In summary, the results obtained revealed that tariffs in the short run had served to protect local industries in Angola, however their immediate effects deterred domestic investment. In the long run, tariffs emerge as a crucial determinant of domestic investment in Angola, exerting a significant and positive influence. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on the role of tariff policies in developing economies, in general, and Angola in particular, as it presents both short- and long-term challenges and opportunities. This duality underlines the importance for policymakers to adopt a balanced, context-specific approach to tariff policy—one that maximizes long-term benefits without jeopardizing short-term economic stability. Additionally, microeconomic studies are crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the effects of tariff imposition. To comprehensively analyse the microeconomic impact of tariffs or protectionism in Angola, further research should explore how tariffs influence investment in specific sectors.

Este artículo es una reflexión sobre los dilemas éticos de la intervención y la toma de decisiones en contextos poco habituales, como es la asistencia a personas de otras culturas. Los contextos multiculturales representan un gran desafío para los profesionales sanitarios. Un ejemplo es la gestión del tiempo: al haber sido formados en una cultura monocrónica, estos profesionales a menudo encuentran dificultades para comprender y adaptarse a las perspectivas temporales de personas provenientes de culturas policrónicas. El desconocimiento de las claves culturales de las personas inmigrantes que son atendidas en las estructuras sanitarias se ha convertido en un factor de estrés para muchos profesionales y constituye un riesgo para una praxis clínica alejada de los estándares éticos. El artículo tiene por objetivo identificar las cuestiones éticas en la relación asistencial multicultural y proponer algunas estrategias que pensamos que pueden contribuir en la gestión ética de los conflictos que surgen en estos ámbitos.

RESUMO Objetivo: Compreender os fatores que influenciam a liderança do cuidado por enfermeiros gestores à luz da teoria de Frederick Herzberg. Método: Estudo qualitativo, exploratório-descritivo, realizado em Luanda, capital de Angola, junto a três hospitais de referência nacional. Os participantes foram enfermeiros detentores de cargos de direção e chefia, como diretor de enfermagem, enfermeiros-chefes de serviço e supervisores. Os dados foram produzidos por meio de entrevista, realizadas de novembro a dezembro de 2023, utilizando roteiro de entrevista semiestruturada. Para o processamento dos dados, utilizou-se o software IRaMuTeQ, com a Classificação Hierárquica Descendente, seguida de análise discursiva com suporte da teoria de Herzberg. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 43 enfermeiros. Os discursos foram divididos pelo IRaMuTeQ em 361 segmentos (83,5 %), organizados em seis classes: Classe 1, Reconhecimento e respeito entre colegas e lideranças; Classe 6, Aspirações profissionais na carreira da enfermagem; Classe 2, Organização e supervisão das práticas de enfermagem; Classe 3, Desafios e obstáculos enfrentados na prática da enfermagem; Classe 4, Fatores relacionados à motivação e realização profissional; e Classe 5, Fatores relacionados às necessidades básicas e ao bem-estar. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo destacam que fatores motivacionais, como reconhecimento e oportunidades de crescimento profissional, são essenciais para a satisfação no trabalho entre enfermeiros gestores. Esses fatores são cruciais para promover um ambiente de trabalho positivo e engajador. No entanto, fatores higiênicos, como condições de trabalho precárias e recursos inadequados, foram identificados como causas predominantes de insatisfação.

The ultimate goal of this paper was to examine the degree of elasticity between two variables, namely, agricultural credit and agricultural growth, in Angola in the period 2003–2022. Time series data were fitted into the ARDL test using various econometric techniques such as the ADF stationarity test, the Granger causality test, and the ordinary least squares method as well as a vector error correction model (VECM) to analyze the relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural economic growth, showing a causal relationship. Both the impacts through elasticities and the optimal point existing in this relationship were estimated. It was concluded that the impact of agricultural credit on agricultural GDP was 14.41%. The Granger causality test showed signs of a positive linkage between agricultural credit and agricultural GDP. However, there is a causal relationship between agricultural credit and agricultural GDP, in a unidirectional aspect. This result is consistent with most of the earlier studies reviewed in the literature, confirming that credit-oriented monetary policies can boost economic growth and, consequently, development in Angola. It is important for agricultural credit systems to be designed in a way that ensures equitable access, fair interest rates, and appropriate risk management mechanisms. Additionally, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms should be in place to assess the environmental and social impacts of credit programs on agricultural sustainability. It is worth noting that this is a first-of-its-kind study on the matter of the Angolan credit experience, specifically for the agricultural sector. Angola is still searching for a sustainable credit model that could be used as a catalyzer to boost growth and contribute to economic development.

Contexto. A falência da fístula arteriovenosa para hemodiálise ocorre entre 50 e 60% após sua confecção. A falência do acesso é fonte de importante morbidade e fatores como o calibre das artérias e veias são conhecidos como determinantes da patência da fístula, porém, os preditores de sucesso variam conforme a população estudada. Objetivo. Identificar fatores associados à falência da fístula arteriovenosa. Métodos. Estudo caso-controle, foram estudados pacientes em hemodiálise por fístulas arteriovenosas. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre confecção da fístula e reintervenções para identificação de fatores relacionados à falência. Resultados. Foram analisados 127 pacientes, 61% homens. Vinte e sete pacientes apresentaram falência da fístula em até 1 ano da confecção e este grupo foi considerado o grupo caso. O grupo controle foi composto por 100 pacientes que não perderam o acesso no primeiro ano. Houve diferença entre os grupos quanto ao sexo (63% de mulheres no grupo caso e 33% de mulheres no grupo controle, p<0,001) e diabéticos (11% no grupo caso e 32% no grupo controle, p=0,03). A primeira fístula funcionante (OR = 0,28; IC: 0,09 a 0,77) e o diabetes (OR = 0,22; IC: 0,04 a 0,75) foram variáveis associadas a menor chance de falha no acesso. A confecção de fístulas com prótese, mostrou um aumento a chance de falência em 3,22 vezes (IC: 1,13 a 9,12). Conclusão. Os principais fatores determinantes da falência das fístulas arteriovenosas no primeiro ano foram o uso de prótese e a necessidade de confecção de mais de uma fístula.