University of Beira Interior

La pandemia de la COVID-19 generó una profunda reconfiguración simbólica en múltiples ámbitos culturales, entre ellos el sistema de la moda. Este artículo analiza cómo la documentación mediática y visual producida por la moda, a través de procesos de transtextualidad, resignificó la mascarilla medicinal, transformándola de un objeto funcional y antiviral en un signo estético, simbólico e identitario. Desde un enfoque cualitativo e interpretativo, el estudio aplica un análisis documental y semiótico, basado en la teoría de la transtextualidad de Gérard Genette, a un corpus de 100 documentos visuales y textuales producidos entre 2020 y 2021. El análisis se articula en torno a tres categorías principales – intertextualidad, paratextualidad e hipertextualidad – examinadas a partir de casos representativos de la documentación mediática de la moda. Los resultados evidencian que la moda actuó simultáneamente como mediadora estética y como agente de documentación cultural, incorporando referencias de la cultura popular, discursos científicos y estrategias de marca en la construcción visual de la mascarilla. A través de la mediatización y la circulación de imágenes en medios y plataformas digitales, la mascarilla se consolidó como un objeto híbrido que articula protección, estilo y pertenencia simbólica. Se verifica que la documentación mediática y visual de la moda desempeñó un papel central en la resignificación cultural de la mascarilla durante la pandemia, contribuyendo a la producción de un archivo simbólico que registra las tensiones entre lo funcional, lo estético y lo social en contextos de crisis global.

Resource efficiency is a key pillar of the European Union's strategy to address climate change, the energy transition, and sustainable economic growth. This study examines how firm-specific characteristics influence the difficulties EU companies face in implementing resource efficiency strategies. Using multilevel latent class analysis, the study identified four firm-level clusters, ranging from minimal to severe implementation barriers, and five country-level classes reflecting varying degrees of national-level challenges. Findings show that smaller and older firms with lower turnover and limited investment tend to face moderate to severe difficulties, highlighting the critical importance of financial capacity and organizational agility. At the country level, pronounced geographic variation emerges: firms in Northern and Central Europe generally face fewer obstacles, whereas those in Southern and Eastern Europe encounter greater challenges. The results emphasize the need for differentiated policy and managerial interventions, including targeted financial support, capacity-building programs, and cross-regional knowledge exchange, to promote strategic resource allocation and broader adoption of sustainable practices. Overall, the study advances theoretical understanding by linking firm heterogeneity with multilevel contextual factors and provides actionable insights for enhancing resource efficiency across the EU. • Using multilevel latent class analysis, EU firms are grouped into four clusters, with smaller and older firms facing greater limits. • Clear regional gaps emerge: Northern and Central Europe face fewer barriers than Southern and Eastern Europe, notably Spain. • Firms with lower turnover and limited circular investments face more barriers, underscoring finance and strategy as key factors. • Results support tailored policies, combining targeted finance, sector advice, and cross‑regional knowledge sharing.

• Degradation kinetic studies were conducted for the first time on (L)CNF films. • Phosphorus content governed the stability against aging of P-(L)CNF films. • A small amount of lignin mitigated color change without promoting further degradation. • Highly phosphorylated P-(L)CNF films need chemical stabilization for aging resistance. Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) films are promising high-performance sustainable materials, yet their aging behaviors remain poorly understood. Herein, films prepared from a low-phosphorus content CNF (0.65 mmol/g, P-CNF 1), a high-phosphorus content CNF (2.55 mmol/g, P-CNF 2), and a lignin-containing phosphorylated CNF (2.54 mmol/g, P-LCNF) were subjected to accelerated moist-heat aging (80 °C, 65 % relative humidity, up to eight days). Before aging, P-CNF 1 films exhibited higher degree of polymerization (DP) of cellulose, crystallinity and thermal stability, while P-CNF 2 and P-LCNF films showed significantly higher tensile strength and transparency. Under the used aging conditions, kinetic analysis of DP data revealed that P-CNF 1 films degraded approximately four times slower ( k = 8.69×10 –5 day -1 ) than P-CNF 2 (3.78×10 –4 day -1 ) and P-LCNF (3.19×10 –4 day -1 ) films. After eight days, P-CNF 1 films lost 52 % of the cellulose DP and 33 % of tensile strength, whereas P-CNF 2 and P-LCNF films showed larger reductions in the cellulose DP (72‒75 %) and tensile strength (63‒67 %). P-CNF 1 films also exhibited superior color stability with aging (color difference (ΔE)=6.9) than P-CNF 2 (ΔE=12.2) and P-LCNF (ΔE=8.3) films. Transparency remained nearly unchanged in all films, but specular gloss decreased, particularly for P-CNF 2 and P-LCNF films. FTIR and 31 P NMR studies confirmed chemical changes induced by aging, while SEM imaging evidenced morphological alterations. Overall, phosphorus content governed stability against aging, while residual lignin mitigated color change without promoting further degradation. These findings highlight the need for chemical stabilization strategies, especially for highly phosphorylated (L)CNF films.

Background/Objectives: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a prevalent survivorship concern associated with functional limitations and reduced quality of life. Although cognitive rehabilitation shows beneficial effects, implementation depends not only on efficacy but also on survivors' anticipated willingness to engage. No psychometrically validated instrument currently exists to assess prospective acceptability of cognitive rehabilitation among cancer survivors. This study aimed to: (1) develop the Acceptability of Cognitive Rehabilitation Interventions Survey-Cancer Survivors (ACRIS-CS); (2) examine its structural validity (factor structure), internal consistency, and construct validity; (3) describe prospective acceptability levels; and (4) identify independent predictors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 154 cancer survivors reporting cognitive complaints. The ACRIS-CS was developed based on the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Structural validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA); internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's alpha; and construct validity was evaluated through hypothesis-driven correlational analyses. Multiple linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of prospective acceptability. Results: EFA supported a three-factor structure explaining 68.7% of total variance (KMO = 0.847, Bartlett's χ2 (55) = 864.431, p < 0.001). The total scale demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.85; subscales α = 0.73-0.85), and construct validity was supported. Mean prospective acceptability indicated overall moderate-to-high levels. Being in active treatment (β = -0.248, p = 0.001) and having greater prior knowledge of CRCI (β = 0.240, p = 0.002) were independently associated with prospective acceptability (adjusted R2 = 0.113). Conclusions: The ACRIS-CS demonstrated preliminary evidence of structural validity, internal consistency, and construct validity. Prospective acceptability appears to be influenced by treatment status and prior knowledge of CRCI, supporting the need for further confirmatory validation before routine clinical implementation.

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine in Angola, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the chemical composition of L. camara essential oil from leaves (Lc-EO) collected in Uíge Province, Angola. GC-MS analysis enabled the identification of 96 volatile compounds, with sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes as the predominant constituents. Among them, β-caryophyllene (14.49%), sabinene (9.13%), bicyclogermacrene (8.18%), α-humulene (5.66%), nerolidol (5.29%), and 1,8-cineole (5.14%) were identified as major components. The antioxidant activity of Lc-EO was assessed using DPPH, ABTS, and superoxide anion (O2•-) assays. Lc-EO showed strong activity in the DPPH assay (IC50 = 0.72 µg/mL), moderate activity in the ABTS assay (IC50 = 87.5 µg/mL), but minimal effect on O2•- radicals (IC50 = 1491 µg/mL). It also significantly inhibited lipid peroxidation (IC50 = 236.2 µg/mL). The anti-inflammatory activity of Lc-EO was assessed through its ability to inhibit protein denaturation, exhibiting a moderate effect with 28% inhibition. In silico ADMET predictions suggested drug-like properties and low predicted systemic toxicity for major compounds. The Artemia salina lethality assay indicated moderate general toxicity (IC50 = 154.1 µg/mL), whereas the MTT viability assay revealed higher cytotoxic potency of Lc-EO (IC50 = 31.58 µg/mL), highlighting model-dependent differences in sensitivity. Overall, L. camara essential oil shows relevant bioactivity consistent with its traditional use, particularly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, while its cytotoxicity highlights the need for safety evaluation. These findings indicate that the assayed oil is a promising source of bioactive compounds, but further studies are required to support its development as a safe pharmaceutical raw material.

Strength training is essential to modern methods for enhancing performance, but several scientific and practical issues remain unclear. Progress in this area requires a better understanding of how strength and power adaptations affect the physiological, biomechanical, and psychological factors that support athletic performance. Improvements in force output, movement speed, and rate of force development are crucial for winning, yet the mechanisms behind these changes and how they interact with training variables need more research. This Research Topic brings together contributions that address these gaps by examining acute and chronic effects of strength and resistance training, analysing technical and neuromuscular determinants of performance, and highlighting the role of psychological and perceptual factors.A first group of studies in this collection highlights the significance of psychological

Purpose In the last decade, there has been a growing consensus that expanding gender diversity in the workplace can improve productivity and work quality. However, the well-being of female workers continues to be a challenge for companies. This study aims to evaluate the influence of some work practices (remote work, participation, flex-time, and work autonomy) on work engagement and work-life balance of European workers in the logistics sector, distinguishing male from female workers. The analysis is grounded in the job demands-resources (JD-R) model and social exchange theory (SET). Design/methodology/approach To this end, we used a quantitative methodology, carrying out a multi-group analysis and applying the partial least square method to a sample of 4,806 European workers in the logistics sector. Findings The results reveal significant gender differences in the intensity of influence of work practices on work engagement and work-life balance. Participation and flex-time practices positively influence the work engagement of female workers, and remote work practices their work-life balance, but with less intensity when compared to male workers. The relationship between work engagement and work-life balance is negative, being more intense in the case of female workers. Finally, when the association between workplace practices and work-life balance is mediated by work engagement, there is a positive influence of remote work and participation in work practices in the case of female workers. Originality/value This study contributes to deepening knowledge about gender differences in the workplace by integrating the JD-R model and SET to reveal gendered pathways between workplace practices, work engagement, and work-life balance in the logistics sector. It demonstrates that workplace practices appropriate to workers' gender should be promoted to enhance work engagement and work-life balance, which are valued by workers and could lead to greater worker proficiency.

Purpose This study aims to understand the dynamics of knowledge sharing, governance mechanisms and innovation results generated in an interorganizational network formed within the scope of the RedFruitsHealth case, a collaborative initiative between a higher education institution (HEI) and several companies in the agri-food sector, focused on the valorization of red fruits through the development of healthy and functional food products. Design/methodology/approach Adopting a qualitative and exploratory approach, using the case study method, we fundamentally used semi-structured interviews with the partners involved in this network as a technique for gathering information. Findings Based on a thematic analysis of the interviews, the results made it possible to understand the motivations, barriers and strategic stakeholders in this type of network. The empirical evidence shows the potential of an HEI–Companies network to promote innovation in the agri-food sector, particularly in value-added products based on endogenous resources, while contributing to regional development and meeting the growing demands for healthy food. Practical implications This study makes both theoretical contributions, enriching the literature on interorganizational networks in contexts of nutritional enhancement, and practical contributions, presenting guidelines for the effective implementation of networks in the agri-food sector. Originality/value In this study, a new and innovative framework, for the effective implementation of interorganizational networks in the agri-food sector, is proposed.