Child protection during emergencies in Fiji and Tonga: enabling, constraining or controlling children's agency and participation - Stuebing, Dennis L. (University of Saint Joseph, 2017)
Keywords: PhD in Global Studies (D-GLS); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Rethinking special administrative regions Chinese cultural identities and the role of social media: a case study of Macau - Lou, Lai Chu (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
Hong Kong and Macau were politically reunified with Mainland China in 1997 and 1999, respectively. These two cities culturally originated from Mainland China, but due to their own colonial experiences, the Chinese cultural identities within Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China became different. The nature of Chinese cultural identities within Hong Kong and Macau were hybridized, and they have formed their own Chinese cultural identities with their own peculiarities. The Internet is a popular communication medium and it facilitates cultural communication inside and outside of these three places. The high-speed development of modern technology leads to the variety of services that emerge in the Internet, such as discussion forum, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, etc. These new and open spaces serve as a platform for ordinary people to express themselves in different ways. General observations in the Internet reveal that the discussion on Chinese cultural identity among Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China exists. The combination of self-identity and reconstruction of self-cultural identity are happening in these differently colonized places. Some local Chinese people in Macau, and Taiwanese in Taiwan, share this kind of experience as well. Meanings in different issues via different symbols are formed and they can be seen from the photos that circulate in the Internet using threads posted in Blogs or discussion forums. All these kinds of images or contexts become symbols of recognizable identities. Internet use, therefore, has facilitated the cultural communication between Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, and Taiwan. It has also intensified the enlightenment of Chinese cultural identity, showing and highlighting in effect the remnants of recognizable traits in these territories that were once colonized by different states. In essence, they may arguably have formed heterogeneous Chinese cultural identities. This study presents the uniqueness of the formation of Macau identity in comparison to Hong Kong, and how different it was from Hong Kong after the end of the colonial period. This ‘awakening process’, it is argued, provides a new perspective for understanding the attendant connotations and evaluations of cultural identities, and the different perspectives used to understand how the Internet is reshaping the social world. The reconstruction of cultural identity is a global issue and cultural hybridity is an essential element for reconstruction of self-cultural identity in the postcolonial period. This study employs postcolonial theory, along with observation, in-depth interview and online data collection and content analysis that were adapted during the course of the research, in order to discuss this phenomenon
Keywords: PhD in Global Studies (D-GLS); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Ambivalence, relationality, complexity and integration grassroots artistic landscape of Macao S.A.R in the post-retrocession era - Mendes, Carla de Utra (University of Saint Joseph, 2017)
This research intends to analyze how the social, political, economical and cultural transformations of the retrocession of Macao S.A.R. to China influenced the contemporary grassroots artistic production, namely their response to the issue of One Country, Two Systems policy. This transitional state of these places in-between creates a somehow ambivalent situation where some of the core values of identity and heritage are fading away due to the forces of the current development. In this sense, it urges to consider the ways in which artists in the post-retrocession era in their lived experiences, form their own sense of community and consciousness of place, time and belonging and, by doing so, can contribute to the preservation of some of the local and specific characteristics, enhancing the cultural vitality of the region. The growing interest by the artists in the issues of preservation and engagement with the locality, trough memory and history, manifested in ‘alternative’ modes of production, is providing a different model of ‘place making’ and a narrative that contrasts and complements some of the top-down cultural policies. Since the focus of development in these territories has been on the idea of creative industries, entertainment and tourism as possible realities for the pressing economical diversification, these grassroots models, functioning as the ‘second system’ open up complexity, providing different questions and answers to the future of artistic production. Finally, departing from these examples, we analyze the possibility of a new image for these kinds of artistic practices, through their incorporation into the possibility of relational aesthetics ‘with Chinese characteristics’, within the perspective of integration, and as emergent features in the field of contemporary art
Keywords: PhD in Global Studies (D-GLS); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Migrant transnationalism and religious transformation: religious faith and practice among Filipino migrants (An Anthroplogical Approach Focusing on Macau) - Alabanza, Ian Shelley Sasha Pugal (University of Saint Joseph, 2016)
Religion and migration are both phenomena that have endured perennially in the experience of humanity. However, studies on the relationship of these two subjects are not as prevalent compared to how widespread international migration has become especially among people coming from religious societies. This work contributes to the knowledge base on the significance of religion within the context of international migration by looking at how religious faith and practice evolve as a result of the experience of migration. Interviews about the migration narratives of Filipino Catholics working in Macau were conducted. These were supported by data collected through the use of survey questionnaires that look into changes in religious practices of respondents as well as their attitudes towards faith and belief. The study has found that there is constancy in the religious faith and practice of Filipino Catholics even amidst external changes to the physical and social environment brought about by moving to a predominantly secular society. Through recourse to anthropological analysis, this immutability of faith is attributable to the unique ethnographic feature of Filipinos’ high regard for the centrality and importance of interiority in their life. Keywords: migration, immigrant religion, faith, Filipino religiosity
Keywords: PhD in Global Studies (D-GLS); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Enhancing Learning of Accounting for Non-Accounting students: Through Lens of Theory of Planned Behavior and Experiential Learning Styles - Lau, Meng Chan (University of Saint Joseph, 2020)
This thesis aims to explore how learning accounting for non-accounting major students could be enhanced through a comprehensive framework connecting individual attributes and learning approaches. While accounting is considered an important and mandatory discipline for business students, it is also considered a difficult subject which deters students’ engagement in the subject. Although the issue has been widely recognized, there are relatively less discussions on possible remedies. Learning accounting is a dynamic process that go beyond the traditional one-to-many learning and teaching settings, all factors revolving the students’ learning environment and process, altogether determine and affect the learning efficiencies. A meta-analysis was first performed to understand the standings of accounting education and to identify gaps within existing literatures in the field of management, accounting, tourism and general education researches. A documentary review on the curricula of all Macau HEI programs involving compulsory accounting courses was also conducted to understand the role and significance of accounting courses for non-accounting college students in Macau. Based on the literature review, this study borrows constructs from theory of planned behavior (TPB) models in its research framework. It attempts to provide a comprehensive framework to understand how students learn accounting efficiently by delving into individual learning styles of the students and their perceived helpfulness and self-efficacy, in respective to different learning techniques. Due to its exploratory nature, a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative methodology is adopted, where both focus group discussions and in-depth interviews are performed with non-accounting students to elicit understandings on student’s difficulties in learning accounting and their preferences for different learning styles. Then, a full-scale quantitative survey is conducted in a Macau higher education institute to assess the learning efficiencies of accounting in different situations. A triangulation with feedback from faculties and administrators are also elicited to provide alternate dimensions on the issues. With no surprise, there is no one best 3 teaching style or method for all students, this thesis contributes to accounting education research by provide a comprehensive diagnosis on the all-round learning stimulus and hindrance in learning accounting. At the end, recommendations are provided for accounting educators to emphasize on the uniqueness of students and to encourage a more dynamic and open environment for learning. Limitations of the studies are also discussed
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

The influence of bilateral trade agreements on mode of market entry choice of resources seeking Chinese firms operating in Nigeria - Olukayode, Iwaloye Ojo (University of Saint Joseph, 2014)
In the past three decades there have being an increase in the number of Bilateral Trade Agreements (BTAs) globally. These agreements involve huge human and financial movements and are essentially based on trade and investment. This phenomenon has brought new dimension to global business environment by changing the landscape in whichfirms from emerging markets operate in another emerging market. In the light of this, this dissertation is to examine how bilateral trade agreementsprovisions influence choice of foreign market entry mode of resource seeking Chinese Multinational Enterprises operating in Nigeria. This study adopts a qualitative design, collecting data using semi-structured interviews. The data are analyzed with content analysis and explanation building to identify themes through application of replication logic. The data obtained from the interviews regarding the research questions are presented and discussed as major findings and adoptedfor the creation of the new model for the study of resources seeking firm’s choice of market entry modes in emerging markets The model developed in this dissertation makes a contribution to theory for the study of market entry modes of MNEs from developing countries entering another developing country. In this case, Chinese resources seeking multinational firms entering Nigeria. Elements of Dunning’s OLI theory, Resources Dependency Theory, and Institution theory extended for the purpose for the theory development process. This investigation also provides important information to assist state policy actors in their development of bilateral trade agreements between China and Nigeria. Implications for firms and their involvement in developing countries and with framework where bilateral trade agreements exist are also provided
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Banking efficiency and competition: an empirical research on Macau's banking industry - Lei, Hoi Kin (University of Saint Joseph, 2019)
This research examines the relationship between banking competition and efficiency using relevant data of Macau banking industry from 1999 to 2016. The key finding of this research is to demonstrate a clear causality between competition and efficiency in Macau’s banking industry throughout the study period. The interaction between two vital factors of the banking industry provides a solid empirical evidence for the practitioners and policymakers to make sound decisions accordingly. The most recent data show that there is a wide variation of key operational indicators of different banks in 2016. However, this study finds no evidence that the size of operations in terms of total bank loans would impact banks’ efficiency. Economies of scale or market share doesn’t necessarily bring cost efficiency in Macau’s banking industry
Keywords: Doctorate of Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Succession in Chinese family business: transgenerational transmission of social capital in Macao - Phillips, Jenny Oliveros Lao (University of Saint Joseph, 2018)
This dissertation reports on a study which aims to add to the theoretical understanding of how social capital is transferred from one generation to the next in business families. Studies in the field of family business have emphasized the importance of succession for the survival of family businesses, but while the succession process and planning have been widely studied, the examination of social capital succession is scarce. As for the studies in family business’s social capital, the importance of social capital as a source of competitive advantage which already exists in business families have often been expressed, but there is a lack of research in the means of transferring this form of capital from the family business leaders to their successors. The study presented here addresses this gap in family business succession literature and social capital literature, explaining the means of transgenerational succession of social capital in family businesses. This is a qualitative research using the multiple case study method which aims to investigate the means of social capital transmission by comparing the cases of five different Chinese family businesses in Macau, which are in the succession process, with the successor currently managing the firm while the former generation business leaders are in the process of handing over the business and preparing for retirement. In doing so, this research offers a theoretical framework of explaining how social capital is transmitted from the incumbents to the successors throughout a five-stage succession process developed for this research. The forms of social capital that exists in family businesses are identified from previous literature, in order to clearly explain how these different forms of social capital are passed on from generation to generation based on the review on succession process introduced in published literature. A theoretical iii framework is formed from the two parent theories on family business succession and social capital, and is then verified empirically from five Chinese family businesses in Macau. The cases are developed through in-depth interviews with the incumbents and successors of the family businesses, informal interviews with stakeholders (including family members, business associates, non-family employees and customers), direct observation on the premises of the Chinese family businesses and secondary data, in order to study the process of intergenerational transmission of social capital in these Chinese family businesses
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Lusophone-African multinational enterprises internationalization mode: a case analysis of Angolan and Mozambican enterprises - Gonçalves, Marcus Vinicius Amaral (University of Saint Joseph, 2017)
Several internationalization theories have been developed over the past few decades that have made great contributions in explaining enterprise internationalization and their mode of entry strategy. It has been suggested that the determinants of entry mode choice of enterprises from emerging and frontier markets differ from those of comparable enterprises from advanced economies. Literature review appears to indicate that there is a need to expand the framework for entry mode strategies to accommodate the expansion issues enterprises from emerging and frontier countries face in the global marketplace. Nevertheless, not much information and acceptable conclusion has been made on how MNEs from frontier markets internationalize and what factors influence their choice of entry into those markets. This study investigated the internationalization strategies of Lusophone Africa MNEs from Angola and Mozambique, more specifically their entry mode. Information was gathered through a survey of 29 MNE’s upper management respondents and subsequent face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 24 of them in their countries. The results of this study suggest that most MNEs opted for equity-based investment strategies, mainly joint venture and M&E as their preferred mode of entry when internationalizing. A significant group of them opted for e- commerce/e-business strategies, and direct and indirect exports. A smaller portion of the interviewees chose Greenfield investment as a mode of entry. Many of these MNEs could be classified as born global/INV. Finally, this study presents a conceptual framework for use in studying the entry mode choice of enterprises from Lusophone Africa frontier markets and presents research propositions for better understanding the determinants of entry mode strategies of enterprise from Angola and Mozambique. Keywords: Internationalization, Entry Mode, Emerging Markets, Frontier Markets, Lusophone African MNEs, Angola, Mozambique
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Accounting in Macau: A Historical Perspective from 1970s until 2008 - Lam, Ching Chi (University of Saint Joseph, 2011)
The current research study embraced the objectives to investigate the transformation of accounting in Macau from the first set of accounting legislations in 1970s, through the first set of accounting standards in 1983, until a year after the first application of international accounting standards, by 2008. From the transformation, the role taken by accounting in the economy and the factors that have influenced the transformation were intended to identify. Through the historical picture, findings have supported and expanded the theoretical concepts that accounting was taking both active and passive roles in the economy. Furthermore, they also supported the theoretical concepts that culture, economic environment, political environment and education influenced the transformation of accounting. The objectives have been structured through three research issues identified from the analysis of past literatures. Five qualitative and quantitative research studies have been carried out, using primary and secondary data from both primary and secondary sources. In-depth interviews on 13 representative respondents of the government, the profession, the industry and the academia, directly or in-directly related with accounting have been done. A case study on a company doing business in Macau since 1970s was included to enrich, supplement and evaluate the findings on the accounting practice of Macau. Based on the findings, a model has been constructed that represented the interaction between accounting and the different factors of the economy. Contributions from the research findings have enriched the research literatures on the area of accounting history. Implications from the findings have generated better insights for the business and economic histories of Macau
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; Thesis and Dissertations PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); University of Saint Joseph

Inquiry-Based Teaching and Learning as Cross-Cultural Educational Innovation - Pottier, Susan (University of Saint Joseph, 2011)
Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning is fundamental to modern western Science Education. This thesis argues that improving Science Education within a traditional Chinese educational setting can be realized by introducing Inquirybased Learning as a cross-cultural educational innovation - through the agency of a Science Learning Centre (SLC). The thesis evaluates the impact and uptake of the Inquiry-based approach, as seen through SLC activities that foster the professional development of Science teachers, and that build awareness of the approach at the community level. It also examines the process of establishing a SLC, and regional network, in Macau. The conceptual and substantive factors affecting the cross-cultural transfer of an Inquiry-based Teaching and Learning approach and the development of the SLC are explored through the theoretical lenses of Complexity Theory, Innovation and Change Theory; Social Networking Theory; and a range of Curriculum Development Theories. Central to the thesis is the analysis of three Episodes involving Inquiry-based training programmes facilitated by the SLC, and one Account of the development of the SLC itself: a series of Geoscience Inquiry-based learning workshops in Macau and Hong Kong; an invitational international professional development Training Programme provided in York by the National Science Learning Centre in England; an innovative Master’s in Education degree module which involved learning in an unfamiliar context; and finally, the creation of the Macau Science Learning Centre network as an agency for promoting Science Education in Macau. Furthermore, the thesis analyzes the multi-dimensional roles of the writer as participant, co-teacher, co-facilitator, researcher, ethnographer, theorist, and SLC manager. It incorporates aspects of educational innovation and change, teacher professional training, and the development of collaborative social networks. The research makes a unique contribution to the field of Science Education, especially in terms of the transfer and adaptability of an Inquiry-based approach into a traditionally Chinese educational setting through the agency of a SLC
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

English as a foreign language: a comprehensive study on teacher's self-efficacy and its antecedents in Macao - Lam, Man Ieng; Malungu, Laurie Baker; Negreiros, João Garrott Marques (University of Saint Joseph, 2019)
As societies globalize, mastery of a second or multiple languages has become an important index to enhance interaction in the society. In that English is a is a widely used medium of communication globally for engagement in international business, commerce, science, technology and governance, the benefits of an efficacious English language teaching force to facilitate the English acquisition process of students in classrooms around the world is highly valued. For the purpose of this study, the English language teacher efficacy instrument (ELTEI) was adapted to the local context to measure the professional efficacy of the English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher participants. The objective of the research was to investigate the degree of relationship between antecedent conditions and specific teacher efficacy in Macao. A mixed-method approach in a sequential phase design was adopted to explore the efficacy of English language teachers serving Chinese medium schools in a non-English speaking region in Asia. Phase-one employed a qualitative approach to contextualize the measurement instrument and to ascertain important characteristics of the target population. Phase-two ensured a quantitative approach to yield understanding regarding the influence of key antecedent conditions on the efficacy of English language teachers in Macao. As evidenced through multiple linear regressions and structural equation modeling, openness, neuroticism, and perceived school support were significant predictors for teacher’s self-efficacy in English teaching. Recommendations for the school management to enhance and sustain the efficacy of EFL teachers in Macao were discussed
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

A rainforest experience and its impact on Chinese students' oro-environmental identity and behavior: a phenomenological case study in undergraduate design education in Macau - Tam, Nga Ian (University of Saint Joseph, 2017)
This study covers the limited research on how experiences with nature can foster Chinese students’ pro-environmental identity and behavior. The relevant literature outlines five areas – identity, human behavior, experiences, nature and transformation – in understanding how the Chinese culture of ‘face’ (lain/mian) shapes Chinese students’ identity and behavior today and why experience with nature can help to transform Chinese students’ values, beliefs and norms, and shapes someone who manifests an environmentally sensitive behavior. Past research studies environmental behavior in various dimensions, including the correlation between environmental knowledge and positive environmental attitudes and behavior. Yet surveys of how students’ experience with nature fosters a pro-environmental identity and behavior, especially amongst Chinese students, are rare. The qualitative case study in this thesis seeks to find out whether senior students in the Design Department of IPM’s School of Arts who experienced nature in Southern Thailand show a stronger pro-environmental identity and behavior compared to those not in the experiential learning program. A survey which includes the Environmental Identity Survey (Clayton, 2003) and the Environmentally Responsible Behaviors Index (Smith-Sebasto & D’Acosta, 1995) was administered to all senior students, and an in-depth interview with students who had experience with nature in Southern Thailand was conducted. The findings suggest that a rainforest experience not merely fosters pro-environmental identity and behavior, but student all rounded development especially as a step towards internationalization. The findings also indicate to what extent the programmatic factors of the experience were important in changing Chinese students’ values, beliefs and norms in thinking and behaving environmentally, as well as in student personal development. Keywords: nature, experiential learning, pro-environmental identity, pro-environmental behavior
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

English learning strategies and strategy instruction: a mixed methods study of EFL students in higher education - Chan, Mei Lan (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
This thesis investigates the Language Learning Strategies (LLS) used by English as a Foreign Language (EFL) nursing students of higher education in Macao and the effectiveness related to students’ learning outcomes by Strategy Instruction (SI). To date there has been no literature in the area of SI among the Macao Chinese EFL higher education students on teaching all LLS groups, and on four main English skills to look at its effects on learning processes and outcomes at the same time, and this study starts to fill the gap. The research uses an embedded mixed methods research design in phase one and an embedded mixed methods quasi-experimental design in phase two. Phase one aimed to identify students’ LLS use. The findings revealed that students’ cognitive, metacognitive and compensatory strategies were used more than affective, memory-related and social strategies, and overall they used a medium to low level of LLS. In phase two, the effects of SI on students’ changes of LLS use, their proficiency and English learning processes were identified. After SI, students used LLS both more widely and frequently in all four main English skills. Most students’ motivation and self-confidence were enhanced. After SI the affective group of strategies in the treatment group statistically significantly improved, with a moderate effect size, from that of the comparison group. It was found that the widely used Strategy Inventory for Language Learning questionnaires by Oxford (1989c) had limited statistical power and some conceptual confusion. Recommendations are made for policy and practice of EFL instruction
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

As fronteiras do sentido num projeto educacional europeu:uma grounded theory - Lopes, Carlos Manuel de Brito Mariano de Vasconcelos (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
Esta dissertação reporta uma investigação realizada com o objectivo de se compreender a persistente dificuldade de integração sentida no patamar transnacional de um projeto educacional europeu Comenius, de parceria entre escolas. A Grounded Theory foi a metodologia selecionada para orientar a recolha e análise de dados. Os dados empíricos primários foram extraídos de entrevistas abertas, não estruturadas, realizadas aos professores europeus envolvidos nas atividades do projeto. Identificou-se, como principal fator obstrutivo da unidade operacional a esse nível no projeto, a existência de significativas barreiras à comunicação entre os diferentes parceiros europeus, latentes, pouco compreensíveis, mas extraordinariamente operativas. Implicações do estudo e sugestões para esforços subsequentes visando evitar ou, pelo menos, contornar o mesmo tipo de problema, ou problemas similares, estão incluídas
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Re-conceptualising computer literacy teaching and learning using constructivist principles and peer-tutoring - Wong, Kin Ming (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
Nowadays, many university students (in Macau) are required to attend computer literacy courses to develop their basic skill levels and knowledge as part of their literacy foundation requirements. To be effective, such courses, which are very staff intensive and require access to expensive equipment and software, necessitate high levels of individual teaching. Evidence gathered at two study sites during this research, strongly suggests that many students may not be benefiting sufficiently from their computer literacy courses. Teachers frequently complain about the weak IT skills of many course graduates. This research proposes an innovative model for designing and delivering computer literacy courses based on constructivist principles, using peer-tutoring and blended learning to increase cost effectiveness and to improve student outcomes. Central to the model being proposed is the training and deployment of former course graduates as peer instructors and assessors. Constructivist principles provide a conceptual framework to ensure that the curriculum content, teaching strategies, learning styles and assessment procedures are properly aligned and fully understood by both the instructors and students to achieve high quality learning outcomes. An action research approach was used during the pilot and trail phases of the research to monitor the implementation of the model and evaluate its effectiveness using mixed methods. The planned two–phase action evaluation used a questionnaire to investigate the effectiveness of knowledge and skill transfer to students, and tutors’ learning progress; in-depth semi-structured interviews were used to survey, interpret and evaluate students’ and tutors’ perceptions of the new teaching and learning approach. Most respondents had a Confucian Heritage Cultural Background. For the first time, the research provides new insights into ways in which Confucian Heritage Cultural factors, interact with constructive principles in developing peer-tutoring methods in a university setting inMacau, and more widely
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Using Collaborative learning and blended learning with Macau undergraduate students inside and outside university classroom - Monteiro, Elisa Pack Jon Fong Rendall (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
This thesis reports a mixed methods empirical research which included a university-wide survey and action research in form of a quasi-experiment in collaborative blended learning (CBL) with Macau undergraduate students. The intervention embodied the principles of social constructivism and investigated the putative benefits and challenges of CBL. The purpose of the study was to identify how to promote effective CBL in undergraduate students and to increase effective learning, motivation, autonomy, empowerment, and communication. It found that only small improvements to students’ CBL took place over time, and found that the students needed specific instruction, practice and development in how to collaborate, both with and without online learning. Despite being in a world-leading, enriched digital environment, the students were new to collaboration and online learning. Students discovered and appreciated the benefits and challenges to collaboration and CBL largely by doing it. The thesis shows that CBL does not release teachers from their instructional and pedagogical roles; rather they place teachers at the heart of effective practice and improvements. The study underpins the need for explicit training of students in CBL. It identifies several strategies and tools which can be useful to promote effective genuine CBL
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Towards A New Professionalism For English Language Teachers In China : Changes In Beliefs And Attitudes, And Classroom Practice - Sansom, David William. (University of Saint Joseph,, 2015)
This doctoral dissertation focuses on teacher education in the context of experienced tertiary English language teachers in mainland China. It investigates the changes in teachers’ beliefs and attitudes, and in their classroom practice, that result from an external inservice education and training (INSET) course. It follows up subsequent change in teachers’ classroom practice, and in their beliefs and attitudes, in their teaching contexts one year after the INSET course. This dissertation presents a review of the literature in the field of second language teacher education, shifts in research paradigms in the field, and the characterisation of inservice teacher professional development. The nature of teachers’ beliefs and attitudes, and of teachers’ classroom practice, are synthesised from the literature, and are related to research on stages of innovations. Models of change (from beliefs and attitudes to classroom practice, as well as alternative pathways) are discussed, and a conceptualisation of the processes of teacher change in the context of innovations for experienced inservice teachers is proposed. The research presents a case study of one group of teachers attending an INSET course, and uses qualitative data collection, analysis and interpretation. Findings are discussed which provide insight and guidance for INSET provision in the context of experienced teachers, and which add to the research in the field of teacher education in the context of China. The findings suggest that in the complexity of INSET among individual teachers any one model of the process of teacher change may not be applicable, but rather that multiple possible models of change exist for each teacher—in beliefs and attitudes, and in classroom practice—and for each innovation. It is likely that each individual teacher experiences different change models for different innovations during the same INSET course. The significance and implications of the findings are discussed in relation to INSET provision, teacher change, and theories of teacher education and development, as well as the limits of the study, and future research areas suggested
Keywords: Attitudes; Beliefs; China; Classroom Practice; English Teachers; PhD in Education (D-SE); Professionalism; Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Community health specialist nurses and primary health care in Macao: Linking core competencies with curriculum development - Lam, Oi Ching Bernice Nogueira (University of Saint Joseph, 2012)
This study focuses on curriculum development for competency-based training of advanced practice nursing and smoking cessation in Macao. The aims of this thesis are: (a) to link the core competencies of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) to curriculum development; (b) to make recommendations for improved specialist nurse training to address current problems of nursing; and (c) to gather data to indicate the scope and the severity of the issues related to nurse training in Macao. The thesis presents a comprehensive literature review of theoretical frameworks of competency-based nursing curricula, curriculum development and design, quality assurance, best practice in competency based models of nursing education, theories of change and innovation, needs analysis and stakeholder satisfaction. The thesis develops and implements a needs analysis and situational analysis of nursing education in Macao, using a „mixed methods‟ approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative data to identify the needs for, and perception of, core competencies in Community Health APNs by the health professionals and clients of the community. This includes an empirical survey of stakeholders, semi-structured interviews with professionals in the field of nursing and nurse training, structured questionnaires from clients, observational data on training and implementation of competency-based curricula, and evaluation of a piece of curriculum implementation of an APN training program on smoking cessation. Through action research cycles, the thesis synthesizes a range of literature and empirical data, and, from these, gains feedback for improvement and refinement of the new curriculum to be implemented. As well as conducting client satisfaction surveys of the primary health care provision and services in Macau and how these could be improved, the thesis provides the framework for a competency-based curriculum for nursing education in Macau. The thesis argues that, in order to keep abreast with current developments in nurse training and practice worldwide, it is essential for APN education and training to adopt a competency-based approach and for curricula to be framed in terms of competencies and outcomes. It indicates that these are currently under-developed in Macao, and that there is an urgent need for them to be addressed, in terms of general, core and specific competencies (e.g. smoking cessation). The thesis argues that, for such developments to iii happen, fundamental changes will be required to curricula and to APN nursing practice, as, even though there may be changes to curricula, the opportunity to put general and specific competencies into practice by APNs is currently severely restricted because of a range of constraints in Macao. The thesis argues that there is an urgent need for APNs to receive competency-based training and practice for smoking cessation, and the opportunity to put this training into practice. It indicates that even short workshops and training programs can be effective. The thesis argues that current obstacles to such practice can be identified, but that overcoming them presents serious challenges to the current system, and will require action on many fronts, including revisions to local legislation, nurse credentialing, facilitation by senior managers of the health service, and an increase in the supply of nurses. The thesis indicates that there is a strong and united will for changes to be made to bring about competency-based training, curricula and practice in Macao, but that there are many practical barriers to be overcome in order to bring about these changes
Keywords: Macao; PhD in Education (D-SE); Practice Nursing; School of Education. Education; Smoking Cessation; Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Teacher stress in the Macau workplace - Garcia, Alejandro Salcedo (Inter-University Institute of Macau, 2008)

Macau school students and stress: an analysis - George, Elsamma (University of Saint Joseph, 2004)
Keywords: Thesis and Dissertations Master of Education (MED); University of Saint Joseph

Sacred and the Everyday: Comparative Approaches to Literature, Religious and Secular - Morgan, Stephen (USJ Press, 2021)

Bioethics : ethics of life - Gomez, Fausto B. (University of Saint Tomas Publishing House, 2021)

Home–School Collaboration in Assessment, Placement, and Individual Education Plan Development for Children With Special Education Needs in Macao: The Views of Parents - Correia, Ana; Teixeira, Vitor; Forlin, Chris (School Community Journal, 2021)
The aim of this study was to explore home–school collaboration in the areas of assessment, placement, and Individual Education Plan (IEP) development for children identified with disabilities or special educational needs (SEN) in Macao. Despite the noted benefits of parent–school partnerships from prior research, minimal research has been conducted from the perspective of parents of children with SEN to examine whether these partnerships materialize in the context of Macao. Participants included 115 parents of school-aged children diagnosed with SEN. They provided demographic information and completed a 36-item questionnaire derived from two validated instruments. The research identified a range of factors which hinder parental involvement in decision-making and in the inclusion of children with SEN in optimal ways in Macao schools. Parents indicated they were not receiving relevant information and assessment feedback from the teachers; they were minimally involved in the IEP process, and their children were not receiving one-to-one support, regardless of the type of placement. Parents also underlined issues related to the timing of assessment procedures. Parents of children attending special classes in regular schools voiced more satisfaction with support provision than parents of children following the full inclusion model. Recommendations about how services could be improved for greater parental involvement are discussed. Key Words: parental involvement, school–family collaboration, inclusion, special educational needs, Macao, Individual Education Plans, IEP

Liturgical Text as Mandorla: windows from the Everyday to the Sacred, from the Sacred to the Everyday - Morgan, Stephen (Sacred and the Everyday: Comparative Approaches to Literature, Religious and Secular, 2021)

Triggering a Change of The Economic Paradigm - Rothlin, Stephan (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2021)

Aristotle, Lubich And Ratzinger On A New Economic Paradigm - Eh, Edmond (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2021)

Ethical Investment’s Visible Hand: Methods And Transformative Potentials - Gassner, Franz (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2021)

A network analysis investigation of the comorbidity between sleep dysfunction and PTSD symptomatology among Filipino domestic workers in Macao (SAR) China- ClinicalKey - Wang, Siyuan; Sit, Hao Fong; Garabiles, Melissa R.; Blum, Daniel; Hannam, Kevin; Armour, Chérie; Hall, Brian J. (Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021)

Predictive models to the COVID-19 - Bernardo Gois, Francisco Nauber; Lima, Alex; Santos, Khennedy; Oliveira, Ramses; Santiago, Valdir; Melo, Saulo; Costa, Rafael; Oliveira, Marcelo; Henrique, Francisco das Chagas Douglas Marques; Neto, José Xavier; Martins Rodrigues Sobrinho, Carlos Roberto; Lôbo Marques, João Alexandre (Data Science for COVID-19, 2021)
Following the World Health Organization proclaims a pandemic due to a disease that originated in China and advances rapidly across the globe, studies to predict the behavior of epidemics have become increasingly popular, mainly related to COVID-19. The critical point of these studies is to discuss the disease's behavior and the progression of the virus's natural course. However, the prediction of the actual number of infected people has proved to be a difficult task, due to a wide range of factors, such as mass testing, social isolation, underreporting of cases, among others. Therefore, the objective of this work is to understand the behavior of COVID-19 in the state of Ceará to forecast the total number of infected people and to aid in government decisions to control the outbreak of the virus and minimize social impacts and economics caused by the pandemic. So, to understand the behavior of COVID-19, this work discusses some forecast techniques using machine learning, logistic regression, filters, and epidemiologic models. Also, this work brings a new approach to the problem, bringing together data from Ceará with those from China, generating a hybrid dataset, and providing promising results. Finally, this work still compares the different approaches and techniques presented, opening opportunities for future discussions on the topic. The study obtains predictions with R2 score of 0.99 to short-term predictions and 0.93 to long-term predictions.
Keywords: COVID-19; Forecast; Holt Winters; Kalman filter; Machine learning; Prophet; SEIR

Origin of the Qiyugou gold deposit in the southern margin of the North China Craton: Insights from trace elements of pyrite and mineralogy of Bi-minerals - Wu, Qiang; Zhao, Tai-Ping; Chen, Wei Terry; Gao, Xin-Yu; Meng, Lei; Qiu, Wenhong Johnson (Ore Geology Reviews, 2021)
The Qiyugou gold deposit, located in the Xiong’ ershan area of the North China Craton, contains abundant bismuth-sulfosalts that are closely associated with gold mineralization. Pyrite is the dominant Au-hosted mineral, and has been formed in three generations (Py1, Py2, and Py3). Py1 grains, generally intergrown with milky quartz, are coarse (>1 mm), euhedral in shape, and Au-depleted in composition. In contrast, subhedral Py2 grains, associated with light gray quartz, are medium to coarse (0.2–3 mm) and are enriched in gold that is both invisible and visible. Py3 grains (0.1–0.5 mm), intergrown with abundant sulfide minerals, are relatively fine and Au-depleted. The time-resolved LA-ICP-MS depth profiles of the Py2 grains indicate that invisible gold occurs as either solid solution or nano-particles of native gold and electrum. Visible gold occurs as small blebs in the Py2 grains where inclusions of native bismuth, galenobismutite, lillianite homologs, tetradymite, and galena are also present. In addition, it is common that electrum in microfracture infillings or along grain boundaries of the Py1 and Py2, are intergrown with bismuthinite derivatives, Bi-Cu sulfosalts, emplectite, tetradymite, chalcopyrite, galena, and Py3. Based on textural relationships and mineral assemblages, calculation of physicochemical conditions show that gold was formed in conditions of fTe2 = ~10−11 and fS2 = ~10−11 to 10−12 for Py2, and fTe2 = ~10−9 to 10-11and fS2 = ~10−10 to 10−11 for Py3. We thus proposed that such physicochemical conditions may have triggered the precipitation of Bi melt, and sulfidation driven by cooling or increase in sulfur content results in the transformation of the Au-Bi liquid into a stable assemblage of native gold and bismuthinite. These bismuth minerals are associated with native gold/Au-bearing minerals, indicating that the Au mineralization of the Qiyugou gold deposit might be genetically associated with Bi melt. The present study highlights the role of Bi as important gold scavengers in arsenic-deficient ore-forming fluid.
Keywords: Bi melts scavenging Au; Bismuth minerals; Qiyugou gold deposit; The southern margin of the North China craton; Trace element of pyrite

As subculturas organizacionais e a avaliação de escolas: genealogia de uma relação conflitiva em estudo de caso - Correia, Ana; Costa, Jorge (Proceedings of II Simpósio sobre Organização e Gestão escolar, 2002)

Panos, traje e moda em Angola: a linguagem política do corpo - Correia, Ana; Ribeiro, Xénia (Lusofonia, Encruzilhadas Culturais, Actas da Conferência sobre Lusofonia, 2011)

The gender gap in science, engineering, technology & mathematics: unfolding traditional mindsets - Correia, Ana; Marques, Ana (Proceedings of Fifth International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 2012)

Prospects and pitfalls of being a good communicator: Contemplating the career choices of female students in Macau - Correia, Ana; Marques, Tania (8th Annual Conference of the Asian Studies Association of Hong Kong, 2013)

The fiction of Fernanda Dias and Senna Fernandes: Revisiting colonial Macau through the lens of ethnicity, gender and patriarchy - Correia, Ana; Borges, Vera (Proceedings of The European Conference on Cultural Studies 2014,, 2014)

A análise da cultura organizacional escolar através dos seus artefactos - Correia, Ana; Costa, Adelino (Revista do Fórum Português de Administração Educacional,, 2003)

Liderança feminina nas escolas de Macau: uma abordagem exploratória - Correia, Ana; Costa, Jorge (Revista Portuguesa de Investigação Educacional, 2004)

Da aptidão à aspiração: um caminho por percorrer - Correia, Ana (CECS - Publicações / eBooks, 2015)

Attitudes and self-beliefs of ability towards mathematics and science and their effects on career choices A case study with Macao-chinese girls - Correia, Ana; Fernandes, Clara; Maia, Joao (Third International Conference on Advances In Economics, Social Science and Human Behaviour Study - ESSHBS 2015, 2015)
This study explores girls’ attitudes and selfassessment of abilities towards mathematics and science and its effects on career preferences. Results from Pi

Classroom management into learning: using phenomenography to analyse student teachers’ conceptions of classroom management - Correia, Ana Maria (Revista Portuguesa de Investigação Educacional, 2019)
Classroom management is a critical area in the curriculum of teacher education programs. Student teachers’ conceptions of the role of the teacher as a class leader are frequently backed by their intuition and experience as students and socio-cultural context rather than evidence-based. This paper examines the conceptions of classroom management held by a multicultural group of forty-four student teachers attending a teacher education program at a higher education institute in Macao. The study aims at understanding the patterns of variation expressed by student teachers regarding the purpose and relevance of the object of learning. It compares a) the patterns of variation in students’ views of classroom management, and b) the students’ learning progress based on the pre-and post-test. The phenomenographic approach was adopted as the conceptual framework. Participants handwritten transcripts from student teachers at the first and last sessions of the course are the primary type of data collection. The findings show that changes in student teachers’ understanding of the conceptions of classroom management occurred during the course. The initial preferences for disciplinary approaches to classroom leadership have given way to conceptions of promoting the integration of classroom management into learning. The participants expressed increasing adherence to classroom management systems targeting and providing behavioural and academic supports and interventions to children and adolescents with and without special needs.

Perceived competence and social acceptance of preschool children in Macao: a case study - Teixeira, Vitor; Correia, Ana (International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 2017)

Using digital reading platforms to develop Chinese elementary students' English reading - Correia, Ana; Norte, Patrícia; Garrot, João (International Symposium on Education and Psychology (ISEP), 2017)

Variation in students' conceptions of classroom management - Correia, Ana (International Symposium on Education and Psychology (ISEP), 2017)

Catholic social teaching and environmental responsibility - Rothlin, Stephan; McCann, Dennis (A planetary and global ethics for climate change and sustainable energy, 2016)

Catholic Orders as Efficient Institutions - Rothlin, Stephan; Frey, B. S (Lumen: A Journal of Catholic Studies, 2015)

Responsible Entrepreneurship. How to Write a Business Plan (Chinese-English Version) - Rothlin, Stephan; Myers, T. A; Thompson, M (University of International Business and Economics Press, 2015)

International Business Ethics. What We Have Learnt by Focusing on China? - Rothlin, Stephan; McCann, Dennis (Eine Wirtschaft, die Leben fördert. Wirtschafts- und unternehmensethische Reflexionen im Anschluss an Papst Franziskus, 2017)

Pekinger Nachtgespräche: Gott und die Welt in China (Nighttalks in Beijing. God and the World in China) - Rothlin, Stephan; Achten, Peter (Fromm Verlag, 2018)

International Business Ethics: Focus on China - Rothlin, Stephan; McCann, Dennis (Springer-Verlag, 2016)
This book addresses an essential need felt by many who seek to promote best business practices in China and East Asia – namely the need for culturally appropriate instructional materials (basic information, case studies and ethical perspectives) that will allow managers and entrepreneurs to understand and embrace the challenge of moral leadership in business. In an era characterized by globalization and the increasing importance of the economies of China, India, Japan and SE Asia, international business ethics must reflect the concerns of the people living and working in this area, the moral and spiritual traditions that have nurtured them and their specific contributions to sustainable development. This book presents twenty important case studies, taken from newsworthy events of the past few years, in which Asians and others have attempted to respond to this challenge. Each case study has been selected and shaped in order to highlight various aspects of doing business in Asia, starting with basic principles and moving on to the specific responsibilities that businesses have towards their various stakeholders. The authors contend that the best way to appreciate the relevance of Asian moral and spiritual traditions is to determine their specific contribution to virtue ethics, where the ancient traditions of both East and West converge in their focus on the qualities of moral leadership that form the basis of best business practice. Exploring the case studies will enable readers to appreciate the continued relevance of these ethical perspectives in Asian business. Best business practice clearly involves learning to do business and playing the game according to the rules; but the necessity of playing by the rules is not likely to become clear until one takes up the path that leads to a virtuous life in business, developing a moral character chiefly based on integrity.

Un nuovo paradigma economico.(“Ideas for a New Economic Paradigm”) - Rothlin, Stephan (La Civiltà Cattolica, 2021)
La crisi del Covid-19 ha evidenziato il disagio e il divario sempre più ampio tra ricchi e poveri. La crisi finanziaria del 2007-2009 era già risuonata come un campanello d'allarme sulla necessità di

Resource estimation of the sulfide-rich deposits of the Yuhuang-1 hydrothermal field on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge - Yu, Junyu; Tao, Chunhui; Liao, Shili; Dias, Ágata; Liang, Jin; Yang, Weifang; Zhu, Chuanwei (Ore Geology Reviews, 2021)
Seafloor massive sulfide (SMS) deposits are important deep-sea mineral resources expected to occur predominantly on slow- and ultraslow-spreading mid-ocean ridges. Resource estimates are already available for some of the largest SMS deposits on slow-spreading ridges but not on ultraslow-spreading ridges. Based on geological mapping and sampling, this study investigates the distribution and content of sulfide-rich deposits in the Yuhuang-1 hydrothermal field (YHF), located on the ultraslow-spreading Southwest Indian Ridge. The sulfide-rich deposits in the YHF are composed of two areas ∼500 m apart: the southwest sulfide area (SWS) and the northeast sulfide area (NES). We calculated the volume of sulfide-rich mounds in the YHF and arrived at a total accumulation of ∼10.6 × 106 tons, including at least ∼7.5 × 105 tons of copper and zinc and ∼18 tons of gold. Furthermore, considering the coverage of layered hydrothermal sediment mixed with sulfide-rich breccias, which may have underlying massive sulfide deposits, the maximum total mass was estimated at ∼45.1 × 106 tons. This suggests that the YHF is one of the largest SMS deposits worldwide and confirm that ultraslow-spreading ridges have the greatest potential to form large-scale SMS deposits.
Keywords: Resource estimate; Seafloor massive sulfide deposits; Southwest Indian Ridge; Yuhuang-1 hydrothermal field

Anticipare il Futuro della Cina. L’eredità del vescovo gesuita Jin Luxian SJ (“Anticipating the Future of China. The Heritage of the Jesuit Bishop Jin Luxian SJ”) - Rothlin, Stephan (La Civiltà Cattolica, 2020)

La Dottrina Sociale della Chiesa in Cina. Un riferimento per l’etica degli affari (“Catholic Social Teaching in China. A reference for Business Ethics”) - Rothlin, Stephan (La Chiesa in Cina. Un future da scrivere, 2019)

The Long March toward Moral Leadership in Business - Rothlin, Stephan; McCann, D (Silliman Journal, 2018)

Professional Ethics as Training in Civic Education - Rothlin, Stephan (Hong Kong Journal of Catholic Studies, 2018)

Transparency: A Necessary First Step Toward an Ethic of Finance - Rothlin, Stephan; McCann, D; Myers, T (Silliman Journal, 2017)

Magmatic Evolution of Garnet-Bearing Highly Fractionated Granitic Rocks from Macao, Southeast China: Implications for Granite-Related Mineralization Processes - Quelhas, Pedro; Mata, João; Dias, Ágata (Journal of Earth Science, 2021)
The widespread W-(Mo)-Sn-Nb-Ta polymetallic mineralization in Southeast (SE) China is genetically associated with Mesozoic highly fractionated granitic rocks. Such rocks have enigmatic mineralogical and geochemical features, making its petrogenesis an intensely debated topic. To better understand the underlying magma evolution processes, petrography, garnet chemistry and whole-rock major and trace element data are reported for Jurassic highly fractionated granitic rocks and associated microgranite and aplitepegmatite dikes from Macao and compared with coeval similar granitic rocks from nearby areas in SE China. Despite the fact that the most evolved rocks in Macao are garnet-bearing aplite-pegmatite dikes, the existence of coeval two-mica and garnet-bearing biotite and muscovite granites displaying more evolved compositions (e.g, lower Zr/Hf ratios) indicates that the differentiation sequence reached higher degrees of fractionation at a regional scale. Although crystal fractionation played an important role, late-stage fluid/melt interactions, involving F-rich fluids, imparted specific geochemical characteristics to Macao and SE China highly fractionated granitic rocks such as the non-CHARAC (CHArge-and-RAdius-Controlled) behavior of trace elements, leading, for example, to non-chondritic Zr/Hf ratios, Rare Earth Elements (REE) tetrad effects and Nb-Ta enrichment and fractionation. Such process contributed to the late-stage crystallization of accessory phases only found in these highly evolved facies. Among the latter, two populations of garnet were identified in MGI (Macao Group I) highly fractionated granitic rocks: small grossular-poor euhedral grains and large grossular-rich skeletal garnet grains with quartz inclusions. The first group was mainly formed through precipitation from highly evolved Mn-rich slightly peraluminous melts under low-pressure and relatively low temperature (∼700 °C) conditions. Assimilation of upper crust metasedimentary materials may have contributed as a source of Mn and Al to the formation of garnet. The second group has a metasomatic origin related to the interaction of magmatic fluids with previously crystallized mineral phases and, possibly, with assimilated metasedimentary enclaves or surrounding metasedimentary strata. The highly fractionated granitic rocks in Macao represent the first stage in the development of granite-related W-(Mo)-Sn-Nb-Ta mineralization associated with coeval more evolved lithotypes in SE China.

Geology of the Macao Special Administrative Region (China) - Quelhas, Pedro; Borges, Ricardo; Dias, Ágata Alveirinho; Ribeiro, Maria Luísa; Costa, Pedro; Mata, João (Journal of Maps, 2021)
A 1:12,000 geological map of the Macao Special Administrative Region has been produced through detailed field work supported by petrographic, mineralogical, geochronological and geochemical data obtained in previous studies. This map aims to represent a reliable tool to understand the geological evolution of the region and for management of the territory. The geology of Macao is dominated by two groups of Jurassic granitic rocks belonging to an intrusive suite located along the coast of Southeast China: Macao Group I (MGI: 164.5 ± 0.6 to 162.9 ± 0.7 Ma) and Macao Group II (MGII: 156.6 ± 0.2 to 155.5 ± 0.8 Ma), including the associated microgranite, aplite and pegmatite dikes and quartz veins. Remnants of the metasedimentary wall-rock are present as Devonian xenoliths enclosed within the granites. Younger Jurassic to Cretaceous andesite to dacite dikes (150.6 ± 0.6 to <120 Ma) intrude the granitic rocks. Additionally, Quaternary sedimentary deposits cover the older lithologies.
Keywords: Jurassic; Macao (South China); Mesozoic; geological map; granites; magmatic rocks

Acculturative stress and coping among migrant workers: A global mixed-methods systematic review - Liem, Andrian; Renzaho, Andre M. N.; Hannam, Kevin; Lam, Agnes I. F.; Hall, Brian J. (Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 2021)
No existing review has synthesized key questions about acculturation experiences among international migrant workers. This review aimed to explore (1) What are global migrant workers’ experiences with acculturation and acculturative stress? (2) What are acculturative stress coping strategies used by migrant workers? And (3) how effective are these strategies for migrant workers in assisting their acculturation in the host countries? Peer-reviewed and gray literature, without time limitation, were searched in six databases and included if the study: focused on acculturative stress and coping strategies; was conducted with international migrant workers; was published in English; and was empirical. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Three-layered themes of acculturation process and acculturative stress were identified as: individual layer; work-related layer; and social layer. Three key coping strategies were identified: emotion-focused; problem-focused; and appraisal-focused. These coping strategies were used flexibly to increase coping effectiveness and evidence emerged that a particular type of acculturative stress might be solved more effectively by a specific coping strategy. Migrant workers faced numerous challenges in their acculturative process. Understanding this process and their coping strategies could be used in developing research and interventions to improve the well-being of migrant workers.
Keywords: acculturation; cultural adaptation; global mental health; health disparities; healthcare access; migrant health

Geological Map of the Macao Special Administrative Region (China) - Quelhas, P; Borgens, R; Dias, Ágata; Ribeiro, L; Costa, P; Mata, J (Journal of Maps, 2021)

A origem e evolução dos magmas graníticos de Macao à luz de dados de geoquímica elementar e isotópica / Source and evolution of Macao granitic magmas: insights from wholerock geochemistry and isotopic signatures. - Dias, Ágata; Quelhas, P; Mata, J; Lou, U T; Ribeiro, M L; Borges, R (XIV Congresso de Geoquímica dos Países de Língua Portuguesa e XIX Semana de Geoquímica (XIV CGPLP/XIX SG, international conference, 2018)

Sulphide mineralization in Arctic seafloor hydrothermal fields: extending the European exploration area to the Far North - Cruz, M I; Dias, Ágata; Pedersen, R B; Relvas, J M R S; Fonseca, R; Barriga, F J A S (ERA-MIN., 2013)

Sulfide Sites in the Arctic Ocean: Jan Mayen and Loki’s Castle, Mineralogical Magazine - Cruz, M I; Marques, A F; Dias, Ágata; Pedersen, R; Relvas, J M R S; Barriga, F J A S (Goldschmidt, 2013)

Sr and Nd isotopic composition of Jan Mayen and Loki’s Castle: a progress report - Cruz, M I; Marques, F A M; Dias, Ágata; Pedersen, R; Barriga, F (43rd Underwater Mining Institute, 2014)

Saldanha hydrothermal field: the role of the sediment-cover in the preservation of ore-forming minerals - Dias, Ágata; Barriga, F (Third InterRidge Theoretical Institute: Magmatic and Tectonic Processes and Seabed Resources at Mid-Ocean Ridges. T2-09, 2015)

Petrology and Geochemistry of Granitic Rocks from Macao - Dias, Ágata; Quelhas, P; Lou, U; Mata, J; Ribeiro, M L (Goldschmidt, 2016)

Mesozoic Granitic Magmatism in Macao, Southeast China - Quelhas, P. M.; Mata, J.; Lou, U. T.; Ribeiro, M. L.; Dias, Ágata (AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, 2016)
Macao ( 30 Km2) is a territory characterized by small granitic intrusions, located along the coastal region of Southeast China (Cathaysia Block). Granitoids occur as different facies, including microgranite dykes, with distinct textural, mineralogical and geochemical features, for which a middle-upper Jurassic age ( 164 Ma) has been proposed. New data suggest that these granitoids are mostly high-K calc-alkaline metaluminous (A/CNK = 0.8 - 1.1) biotite granites, consistent with total absence of primary muscovite. They show variable amounts of SiO2 (67-77%), reflecting different degrees of magmatic evolution. There is also variability in terms of trace elements, particularly Rare Earth Elements (REEs), evidenced by decreasing (La/Sm)N, (Gd/Lu)N, (Ce/Yb)N and (Eu/Eu*)N towards the more evolved samples, which can be partly attributed to fractional crystallization processes. Most of the granitoids are characterized by (La/Yb)N = 3 - 10.8, showing negative Ba, Nb, Sr, Zr, P, Ti and Eu anomalies. On the other hand, microgranite dykes, along with a few more evolved granites, show an opposite tendency, being usually enriched in HREEs relatively to LREEs with (La/Yb)N = 0.4 - 1.1. Our data suggests intermediate genetic affinities between I-type and A-type granites. Although these granitoids are mostly metaluminous (characteristic of I-types), Ga/Al ratios, usually used to identify A-types, are close to the accepted boundary between A-type and other granite types. The affinities with A-type granites are more marked for the more evolved facies, which depict higher values of FeOt/MgO (14 - 60) and K2O/MgO (60 - 250). Their trace element characteristics are also transitional between WPG (Within-plate granites) and Syn-COLG (Collision Granites). We interpret those transitional characteristics (A/I and WPG/Syn-COLG) of Macao granitoids as reflecting an origin by melting of infracrustal sources over a period of high heat transfer from mantle to crust during an extensional tectonic setting probably contemporaneous with the subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate beneath the Eurasia, whose paleo-suture is thought to be located in the east flank of the Central Range, Taiwan.
Keywords: 8499 General or miscellaneous; VOLCANOLOGY

New geochemical constraints on I-type granites of Macao: evidences for fractional crystallization and petrogenetic affinities with Jurassic-Cretaceous granites in SE China - Dias, Ágata; Quelhas, P; Mata, J; Lou, U T; Borges, R; Ribeiro, M. L (Goldschmidt, 2017)

Geochronological, geochemical and petrographic constraints on incremental pluton growth: the case of Macao granitic suite - Dias, Ágata; Quelhas, P; Mata, J; Wayne, Davis (Goldschmidt, 2019)

Geochemistry of Fe-Si-(Mn) Chimneys from Luso Vent Field, MAR - Dias, Ágata; Costa, P; Marques, A F; Ribeiro, L; Madureira, P; Calado, A; Gonçalves, E; Morato, T (Goldschmidt, 2019)

Sulfide mineralization of the Saldanha hydrothermal field (MAR): constraints from sulfur isotope in-situ microanalysis - Dias, Ágata; Qiu, W; Barriga, F; Tao, C (InterRidge Workshop on Hydrothermal Ore-forming Processes, 2019)

Hydrothermal Fe-Mn deposits from low-temperature systems of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - Costa, P; Dias, Ágata (InterRidge Workshop on Hydrothermal Ore-forming Processes, 2019)

Diving into the unknown: robotics as tools to study the deep-sea. Informed Scientific Sampling in Large-scale Outdoor Environments - Dias, Ágata (International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems IROS, 2019)

Oxyhydroxide Hydrothermal Crusts from Saldanha Hydrothermal Field - Costa, Pedro; Dias, Ágata (Goldschmidt2020, 2020)

Ore-Forming Process of the Menez Gwen Hydrothermal Field: In situ S Isotopes and Trace Metals Constraints - Dias, Ágata; Qiu, Wenhong; Costa, Isabel Maria Amaral; Barriga, Fernando J A S (Goldschmidt2020, 2020)

Sub-Seafloor Sulfide Mineralization in the Saldanha Hydrothermal Field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) - Dias, Ágata; Qiu, Wenhong; Barriga, Fernando J A S; Tao, Chunhui (Goldschmidt2020, 2020)

Geochemistry and stable isotope constraints on high-temperature activity from sediment cores of the Saldanha hydrothermal field - Dias, Ágata; Früh-Green, G.L.; Bernasconi, S.M.; Barriga, F.J.A.S. (Marine Geology, 2011)

Surface sediment composition and distribution of hydrothermal derived elements at the Duanqiao-1 hydrothermal field, Southwest Indian Ridge - Dias, Ágata; Liao, Shili; Tao, Chunhui; Su, Xin; Yang, Zhen; Ni, Jianyu; Liang, Jin; Yang, Weifang; Liu, Jia; Li, Wei; Dong, Chuanwan (Marine Geology, 2019)

High-precision geochronology of Mesozoic magmatism in Macao, Southeast China: Evidence for multistage granite emplacement - Quelhas, Pedro; Dias, Ágata; Mata, João; Davis, Donald Wayne; Ribeiro, Maria Luísa (Geoscience Frontiers, 2020)

XRD Identification of Ore Minerals during Cruises: Refinement of Extraction Procedure with Sodium Acetate Buffer - Milinovic, Jelena; Dias, Ágata; Janeiro, Ana I.; Pereira, Manuel F. C.; Martins, Sofia; Petersen, Sven; Barriga, Fernando J. A. S. (Minerals, 2020)
The on-board identification of ore minerals during a cruise is often postponed until long after the cruise is over. During the M127 cruise, 21 cores with deep-seafloor sediments were recovered in the Trans-Atlantic Geotraverse (TAG) field along the Mid Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Sediments were analyzed on-board for physicochemical properties such as lightness (L*), pH and Eh. Selected samples were studied for mineral composition by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Based on XRD data, sediment samples were separated into high-, low- and non-carbonated. Removal of carbonates is a common technique in mineralogical studies in which HCl is used as the extraction agent. In the present study, sequential extraction was performed with sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.0) to remove carbonates. The ratio between the highest calcite XRD reflection in the original samples (Iorig) vs its XRD-reflection in samples after their treatment with the buffer (Itreat) was used as a quantitative parameter of calcite removal, as well as to identify minor minerals in carbonated samples (when Iorig/Itreat > 24). It was found that the lightness parameter (L*) showed a positive correlation with calcite XRD reflection in selected TAG samples, and this could be applied to the preliminary on-board determination of extraction steps with acetate buffer (pH 5.0) in carbonated sediment samples. The most abundant minerals detected in carbonated samples were quartz and Al- and Fe-rich clays. Other silicates were also detected (e.g., calcic plagioclase, montmorillonite, nontronite). In non-carbonated samples, Fe oxides and hydroxides (goethite and hematite, respectively) were detected. Pyrite was the dominant hydrothermal mineral and Cu sulfides (chalcopyrite, covellite) and hydrothermal Mn oxides (birnessite and todorokite) were mineral phases identified in few samples, whereas paratacamite was detected in the top 20 cm of the core. The present study demonstrates that portable XRD analysis makes it possible to characterize mineralogy at cored sites, in particular in both low- and high-carbonated samples, before the end of most cruises, thus enabling the quick modification of exploration strategies in light of new information as it becomes available in near-real time.

Sulfur isotopic compositions of sulfides along the Southwest Indian Ridge: implications for mineralization in ultramafic rocks - Dias, Ágata; Ding, Teng; Tao, Chunhui; Liang, Jin; Chen, Jie; Wu, Bin; Ma, Dongsheng; Zhang, Rongqing; Wang, Jia; Liao, Shili; Wang, Yuan; Yang, Weifang; et al. (Mineralium Deposita, 2020)

Evidence for mixed contribution of mantle and lower and upper crust to the genesis of Jurassic I-type granites from Macao, SE China - Quelhas, Pedro; Mata, João; Dias, Ágata (GSA Bulletin, 2021)
Abstract Much controversy has occurred in the past few decades regarding the nature of the sources, the petrogenetic processes, and the tectonic regime(s) of the Jurassic magmatism within the Southeast China magmatic belt. This study aims to contribute to the discussion with mineral chemistry, and whole-rock element and Sr-Nd-Hf-Pb isotopic geochemical data from granitic rocks and microgranular mafic enclaves from Macao, where two discrete groups of I-type biotite granites have been identified (referred to as Macao Group I [MGI] and Macao Group II [MGII]). It is proposed that the granitic magmas were generated by partial melting of infracrustal medium- to high-K, basaltic Paleoproterozoic to Mesoproterozoic protoliths (Nd depleted mantle model age [TDM2] = 1.7–1.6 Ga and Hf TDM2 = 1.8–1.6 Ga), triggered by underplating of hot mantle-derived magmas in an extensional setting related to the foundering of a previously flat slab (paleo–Pacific plate) beneath the SE China continent. The main differences between the two groups of Macao granites are attributed to assimilation and fractional crystallization processes, during which upper-crustal Paleozoic metasediments were variably assimilated by MGI magmas. This is evidenced by an increase in initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios with degree of evolution, presence of metasedimentary enclaves, and high percentage of zircon xenocrysts with Paleozoic ages. In addition, other processes like late-stage fluid/melt interaction and magma mixing also left some imprints on granite compositions (rare earth element tetrad effect plus non–charge-and-radius-controlled behavior of trace elements and decoupling between different isotope systems, respectively). The distribution of isotopically distinct granites in SE China reflects the nature of the two Cathaysia crustal blocks juxtaposed along the Zhenghe-Dapu fault.

Three Essays on Foreign Trade, Offshoring and International Rivalry - Lei, Weng Chi (University of Washington, 2018)
This dissertation consists of three essays, covering the topics of foreign trade, offshoring and international rivalry. In particular, Chapter 1 analyzes the strategic capacity allocation of an international oligopoly. Because a line of products shares specific inputs that are fixed in the short run, a multiproduct oligopolist faces a capacity constraint in the production. Not being able to produce the desirable quantities to meet demand, an oligopolist strategically allocates its capacity among different products against its rival. If the market were monopolistic, a firm would mainly concern the effective profitability of a product when allocating its capacity and when responding to a capacity expansion. Identical duopolists that compete in a Cournot fashion should have identical capacity allocation. However, in a sequential game, while the Stackelberg leader allocates all its scarce capacity towards the more profitable product, the follower should still allocate some capacity towards the unprofitable product. This matches the observation that Boeing, the incumbent in the large commercial aircrafts (LCA) industry, specializes in smaller planes, while Airbus allocates resources more evenly towards both superjumbo planes and smaller planes. Chapter 2 provides an explanation to the observation that international oligopolists, which are similar in many ways (subject to the same state of technology, have equal market shares, etc.), may engage in significantly different degrees of offshoring. Different from previous studies, which considered fragmentation to be affected by global exogenous factors only, this essay sees fragmentation as an endogenous variable. A firm can invest on R&D of its own fragmentation technology to enable certain degrees of fragmentation, so that offshoring of those fragmented subparts can be achieved. An important implication of endogenous fragmentation is that the government now has a policy alternative to export subsidy. Very often, when export subsidy is prohibited under an FTA, a government has incentive to subsidize fragmentation of a firm, which can stimulate both export and offshoring. Chapter 3 investigates Macao's and Singapore's questionable goal to diversify among two tourism services—gambling and convention. Macao has a cost advantage in gambling while Singapore has a cost advantage in convention. When a city operates as a regional monopoly, the simple multiproduct model shows that it is optimal for a city to diversify in response to an expansion in the markets of the tourism services. If the two cities operate as a Cournot duopoly instead, there will be a higher degree of product differentiation between the cities. Yet, both cities diversify more when there is a market expansion. On the other hand, Osaka is a potential entrant. The three-city model shows that if Osaka's relative cost of producing convention is even lower than Singapore’s, both Macao and Singapore will produce greater proportions of gambling compared to the two-city case. In general, Macao and Singapore respond to Osaka’s rivalry by strategizing their product mixes to avoid head-on competition with Osaka.
Keywords: 0501:Economics; Economics; Foreign trade; International rivalry; Offshoring; Social sciences; Strategic capacity allocation

‘Em Procissão Solene a Deus Orando, para os Batéis Viemos Caminhando’—The Long Ebb-Tide of Catholic Public Piety in the Former-Portuguese Enclave of Macao - Morgan, Stephen (Religions, 2021)
When the City of the Name of God of Macao marked 400 years of Portuguese administration in 1956, the Catholic community’s participation was marked by a wide range of activities that included liturgical celebrations, public processions and other devotions that involved large numbers of the lay faithful, members of confraternities, in addition to the clergy and religious of the enclave. Twenty-one years later the Diocese of Macao celebrated its own quatercentenary with celebrations of a decidedly more sober character and at the retrocession of Macao to Chinese control in December 1999, other than a few liturgical events and hierarchical presence at civic ceremonies, the Church was all but invisible. As the Diocese of Macao plans for its 450th anniversary, some of the former richness has begun to return. This paper outlines the long ebb tide and now-nascent flow of the tide of Catholic public piety in Macao over this period by reference to the Catholic religious processions of the City and seeks to offer tentative explanations grounded in the theological, ecclesial, political and cultural winds that have blown across the Pearl River Delta since the end of the Second World War.
Keywords: Catholic Church; China; Macao; Portugal; Vatican II; confrarias; processions; public piety

The interplay between a Confucian-heritage culture and teachers’ sentiments and attitudes towards inclusion in Macao - Correia, Ana; Monteiro, Elisa; Kuok, Angus; Forlin, Christine; Teixeira, Vitor (European Journal of Special Education Research, 2019)

Assimetrias de Género. Ensino e Liderança Educativa - Correia, Ana (Fundação Manuel Leão, 2009)
Keywords: DLCRE

Lusofonia, encruzilhadas culturais, Actas da Conferência sobre Lusofonia - Correia, Ana; Sousa, Ivo (Saint Joseph University Press, 2011)

Attitudes and self-beliefs of ability towards mathematics and science and their effects on career choices: A case study with Macao-Chinese girls - Correia, Ana; Fernandes, Clara; Maia, João (Beyong mirrors: Research pathways (CeiDE 2013-2017), 2018)

Principal perspectives - Correia, Ana; Tchiang, Van Man (Perspectives on Inclusion, 2019)

A figura feminina na ficção de Senna Fernandes: identidade, subalternidade e agência - Correia, Ana (O Macaense. Identidade e cultura e quotidiano, 2020)

Computer Literacy Teaching Using Peer Learning and Under the Confucian Heritage Cultural Settings of Macao, China - Wong, Kelvin; Neves, Ana; Negreiros, João (2017)
University students in Macao are required to attend computer literacy courses to raise their basic skills levels and knowledge as part of their literacy foundation. Still, teachers frequently complain about the weak IT skills of many students, suggesting that most of them may not be benefiting sufficiently from their computer literacy courses. This research proposes an enhanced framework based on constructivist principles by using peer-tutoring to increase cost effectiveness and to improve student outcomes. Essential to this proposed model is the training of former course graduates as peer-instructors to achieve high quality learning results. At Instituto de Formação Turistica (IFT), a case study was used to evaluate its effectiveness using a qualitative analysis. In Macao, most students have a Confucian Heritage Cultural (CHC) background and the current findings demonstrate that students share more easily their learning difficulties within their group as their interpersonal relationships improve. It is suggested that since CHC cooperative learning is primarily based on bonds, students involved in this 'relationship-first, learning-second' type shared a larger amount of knowledge and social skills, a dual positive outcome. Moreover, English language is a major barrier for the understanding of the teacher’s message to Chinese students. Meanwhile, the negative Western concept of plagiarism is replaced, under the CHC, as the ‘face giving’ and it is directly based on the relationship intensity to 'help friends'. At last, peer-tutors play a key role in the student increase internal motivation regarding the joy of the learning process.

Wrestling with God - Flores, Randolf (Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives In Religious Studies, 2016)
This study will discuss the following Old Testament texts: Gen 32:23-32; Jon 1:17; Tob 6:1-9; and Exod 4:24-26 and will argue that these are about the initiation of a person to do a divine mission. Some parallels from Asia—Epic Gilgamesh, texts from Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, and the Philippine epic, Biag ni Lam-ang will also be taken into consideration to shed light on them. It will also present their interpretation as typoi of the sacraments of initiations found in early Christian literature and art.

Vatican II - Gomez, Fausto (Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives In Religious Studies, 2016)
From a reason-faith perspective, I reflect on “Vatican II: Gaudium et Spes Fifty Years Later.” In the introduction, I speak briefly on the Second Vatican Council, and on its Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes (“Joy and Hope”) and its ethical and social teachings.

Spatial Analysis Techniques Using MyGeoffice®: - Negreiros, João Garrott Marques (Advances in Geospatial Technologies, 2018)

Portuguese as an Additional Language: Domains Use among Young Learners - Neves, Ana Cristina (Language Policy and Language Acquisition Planning, 2018)
Three key concepts will make up the pillars of this paper: second, foreign and heritage languages. Whenever appropriate “additional language” will be used as an umbrella term. A study of the domains of language use will be applied to these three different sociolinguistic contexts. To date, there are not many empirical studies on the domains of language and, more specifically, among young learners in different areal contexts, as it is the case of this study.
Keywords: Additional language; Domains of language use; Foreign language; Heritage language; Language policy; Second language

Petrology and geochemistry of the igneous rocks from Macao (South China) :tectono-magmatic implications - Quelhas, Pedro Moniz (University of Saint Joseph; Universidade de Lisboa. Faculdade de Ciências, 2019)
The territory of Macao is composed of several granitic intrusions belonging to one of the biggest granite provinces in the world, the Southeast China Magmatic Belt (SCMB), located in the southeast (SE) area of the Cathaysia Block. The SCMB is known by the occurrence of large volumes of Mesozoic magmatic rocks (over 90% are granitic rocks and equivalent volcanic rocks with minor basalts), occupying a total outcrop area of nearly 200.000 km2. The geology of Macao (~30 Km2) is dominated by granitic rocks displaying a wide range of textural, mineralogical and chemical features, making it an ideal region to study these rocks and the petrogenetic processes responsible for their diversity. This study employed a wide range of research methodologies, namely field studies, petrography, zircon geochronology, mineral chemistry, whole-rock elemental and isotopic geochemistry to determine the nature of the source, the petrogenetic processes and the tectonic regimes of the Mesozoic magmatism in this region. Thus, the data collected along this study aims to provide new knowledge on the tectono-magmatic evolution of Macao, in particular, and of SE China, in general. The results obtained from the high-precision U–Pb zircon geochronology, acquired through isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS) and in-situ laser ablation multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-MC-ICPMS), revealed different ages for Macao granites. Despite its relatively small area, the determined ages tightly constrain the Macao granitic magmatism to two periods, ranging from 164.5 ± 0.6 to 162.9 ± 0.7 Ma (MGI – Macao Group I granites) and 156.6 ± 0.2 to 155.5 ± 0.8 Ma (MGII – Macao Group II granites). In addition, younger dacitic rocks were dated at 150.6 ± 0.6 Ma and <120 Ma. The existence of two proximal but distinct granitic pulses, spanning for a time of about 9 Ma and separated by ca. 6 Ma, in the Macao granitic suite suggests that it was incrementally assembled. This hypothesis is also extendable to the neighbouring Hong Kong region, where the magmatic activity occurred in four major pulses spanning for about 24 Ma. However, the MGII granites indicate the occurrence, on the Pearl River Delta region, of a magmatic pulse between those defined in Hong Kong at the origin of Lamma Suite (165–160 Ma) and the Kwai Chung Suite (148–146 Ma). In addition, Rare Element Earth (REE) ratios suggest that this pulse may only occur in Macao area, while MGI granites show evolving trends of REE ratios similar to those of Jurassic granites outcropping in vast areas of the Cathaysia Block (SE China). Inheritance patterns in the zircon U–Pb data indicate the presence of a population of antecrysts (165–180 Ma) crystallized from earlier magmatic pulses and a population of inherited zircons, from Precambrian to Phanerozoic sources, incorporated into the magmas during melting and/or ascent/emplacement at crustal levels. The oldest inherited ages (2.4 Ga and possibly 2.9 Ga) suggest contribution of Proterozoic and possibly of late Archaean crustal sources for the Macao magmatism. The granitic rocks of Macao are mainly high-K calc-alkaline metaluminous to weakly peraluminous I-type granites with variable degrees of fractionation. Fractional crystallization played an important role in the evolution of these granites, though the fractionation paths differ for the highly fractionated facies of both groups mainly due to distinct accessory fractionating phases. Such difference is evident by distinct REE evolution trends: while MGI magmas seem to have evolved by gradual enrichment in heavy REE relatively to light REE, originating progressively flatter REE patterns, magmas from MGII are marked by depletion of middle REE, leading to progressively concave upward REE patterns. However, while most of the geochemical variation of the MGII granites can be explained by fractional crystallization, the same is not true for MGI granites. The MGI highly fractionated granites show evidence for the REE tetrad effect and are characterized by non-CHArge-and-RAdius-Controlled (non-CHARAC) behaviour of trace elements, suggesting late-stage melt/fluid interactions involving F-rich fluids. The stage of evolution represented by the MGI highly fractionated granites corresponds to the onset of fluid/melt interaction in a highly evolved granitic system, which may have led to enhanced hydrothermal activity in more evolved stages, as those represented in neighbouring areas in SE China. Significant differences in isotopic composition were also observed, with the MGII being characterized by a much narrow range of initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios and εNd(t) and εHf(t) values than MGI. Based on these differences, the MGII granites are considered to be part of a comagmatic suite that has evolved in closed system, contrasting with what can be inferred for MGI. The increase in initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios with degree of evolution, the presence of metasedimentary enclaves and the high percentage of inherited zircon with Paleozoic ages in MGI, suggest the occurrence of an assimilation fractionation crystallization (AFC) process. The AFC processes were a major cause for the I-S transitional characteristics of the MGI highly fractionated granites and possibly of the other similar Jurassic biotite granites in SE China. The observed decoupling of Sr, Nd and Hf isotope systems might have resulted from magma mixing between the granitic and more mafic magmas, which caused the homogenization of Sr isotope ratios but not of the Nd and Hf ones. Such process is also supported by the occurrence of Microgranular Mafic Enclaves (MME) hosted by the granites. Isotope and major element compositions together with model ages strongly suggest that Macao granitic magmas were generated by partial melting of infracrustal medium-to-high K basaltic Paleo-Proterozoic to Mesoproterozoic protoliths heated by, and mixed to some degree with mantle-derived magmas. The temporal and spatial association of Macao and SE China Jurassic I-type granites with basaltic/gabbroic rocks, syenites and A-type granites, displaying typical intraplate chemical features, indicates an extensional regime rather than an active margin for the origin of these rocks. It also points to an important role of mantle-derived magmas in the production of SE China Jurassic granites. Adiabatic decompression melting of the asthenospheric mantle produced mafic magmas, which underplated at the base of the crust (Moho), subsequently triggering partial melting of the lower crust to generate the granitic magmas. The Jurassic Macao granites are interpreted as being produced in an intraplate extensional setting related to the break-off and foundering of a previously flat-slab (Paleo-Pacific plate) beneath the Eurasian plate. The boundary between east and west Cathaysia blocks is roughly along the Zhenghe-Dapu Fault (ZDF), which intersects the SE China coast near Hong Kong and is thought to have played a major role for the Mesozoic magmatic activity in this region. The stronger isotopic affinities of Macao granites with the other granitic rocks and lower crustal xenoliths from the western Cathaysia Block suggest that the ZDF is likely to pass south of Macao, a fact that has not been mentioned before. In addition to the Early Yanshanian (Jurassic) granitic magmatism in Macao, the younger ages obtained for the dacite dykes indicate that the territory was also affected, to a lesser degree, by Late Yanshanian (Cretaceous) magmatism. The transition from granitic to dacitic magmatism most likely corresponds to a change in the regional tectonic regime, which induced a significant change in the magma genesis processes. In contrast with the intraplate features of Macao and SE China Jurassic granites and coeval mafic rocks, the geochemical features of the Macao dacite dykes (e.g. high LILE/HFSE ratios and negative anomalies of Nb, Ta and Ti) are identical to those characterizing arc-like subduction-related magmas. These dacites are most likely evolved products of arc-like magmatism and may testify the reestablishment of a normal subduction system in this area of SE China.
Keywords: Thesis and Dissertations PhD in Science (D-SC); University of Saint Joseph

Like a Tree Planted By Streams of Water :The Baptist Church Takes Root In Macao (John and Lilian Galloway 1908-1968) - Ballew, Robert Lawrence (University of Saint Joseph, 2015)
In 2014 Macao Baptist Church celebrated it’s 110th anniversary. How did the Baptist church come to be established in the Portuguese, predominantly Catholic and Buddhist city of Macao? Through careful examination of letters and reports from the main protagonists, John Laurels and Lilian Reeves Todd Galloway, the process of establishing the Baptist church can be revealed and understood within the greater context of the Baptist missionary work in China. The Galloway’s work will be evaluated through a framework of missions eras presented by Dr. Ralph D. Winter. This work looks at the material in two major sections; first, the lives of the Galloways in Macao from 1908 to 1968, and second, the missionary methods of the Galloways over the same period. Using missiological methods of the Kingdom Mission era, the Galloways stood firmly in the Church Mission era focusing their efforts on Personal rather than Social Transformation efforts. Their work laid the foundation for a century of Baptist work in Macao by local Christians as well as foreign missionaries.
Keywords: Baptists; China Macau (Special Administrative Region); China--Macau (Special Administrative Region); Christianity; Church property; Education; Thesis and Dissertations PhD in Religious Studies (D-RS); University of Saint Joseph

Semiotic multimodality :a filmic analysis of Wong Kar-Wai's in the mood for love / - Tan, Chee Seng (University of Saint Joseph, 2017)
The study builts on Bateman and Schmidt’s (2011) and Tseng’s (2009) research on film as a form of “cinematographic document,” and continues their efforts to construct a semiotic mode of film. The author recognizes the complexity of undertaking research in the domain of semiotic discourse. This study argues that as film analysis is about ways of seeing and synthesizing different cinematic styles, strategies; learnt cinematic conventions and reflective viewing is imperative. The interaction of robust multimodal resources, well-defined analytic units, based on dependable models, and conducted through a discursive process should align to produce fruitful filmic discourse. The study premised on the assumption that film is more than a “self-enclosed signification system” but a crucial “cultural practice” that “reflect and inflect culture.” Taken together, this view underscores the importance and interactivity of cinema, culture and society. To this end, the study contributes to filmic meaning making, the New Hong Kong Cinema, and finally, the present study invariably serves as a form of “social document” or “cultural artifacts” in its exploration of Hong Kong ever changing identity, culture and moods.
Keywords: PhD in Global Studies (D-GLS); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Parents, students and secondary schools in Macao - Tchiang, Van Man (University of Saint Joseph, 2009)
Macao, a developing city, has been undergoing rapid and significant changes economically, culturally, and socially, partly as a consequence of the changes to the economy brought about by the gaming and tourism industry. Changes in Macao have had a major impact on its schools. Parents have a significant impact on students in school, and Macao’s secondary schools are having to handle a range of challenges and problems brought by students and their parents, many of these as a result of the changes in the wider society of Macao. The response of many schools to the challenges faced is limited, and they understate and under-use the important role played by more developed forms of parental involvement in schools. This study examines the nature, scope and extent of the problems that secondary schools in Macao are having to handle from parents and students, how the schools are handling them, and what needs to be done in order to address the problems and handle them more effectively. Through a large scale survey, interviews and a small scale questionnaire, the thesis identifies key problems facing the schools from students and parents, and it reveals that many of Macao’s secondary schools are ill-equipped to handle these, and there are many signs that the problems are becoming more acute. The thesis finds that negative parental behavior has had a stronger effect on students than positive parental behavior, and it finds that there are several reasons why the schools, in their present state, cannot address these matters effectively. A significant gap is found between what the schools indicate they should be doing and what they are actually doing to address increased parental involvement in order to impact positively on Macao’s students. Recommendations are made for intervention and action
Keywords: PhD in Education (D-SE); Thesis and Dissertations; University of Saint Joseph

Adapting the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (Utaut 2) to Explain Acceptance of Battery Electric Vehicles: Evidence From Macau - Lampo, Alessandro (University of Saint Joseph, 2020)
Vehicles solely powered by electricity are a major technological innovation that combines individual transportation needs and environmental sustainability, yet their market penetration is low. Research has traditionally indicated factors such as the vehicle’s purchasing price, driving range, and charging time as the main barriers to adoption. However, the decision to adopt a technology also depends on what the technology represents to the user; therefore, other factors may be important to explain individuals’ behavior. This study is a quantitative and cross-sectional look at the behavioral intention to adopt battery electric vehicles (BEVs) technology in the context of Macau. The research builds on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT 2) (Venkatesh et. al., 2012) to explain the characteristics of the local consumers. Besides the addition of image and environmental concern to the theoretical model, the study also put forward and evaluate the construct of technology show-off, an original measure of the visible and experiential characteristics of a technology. A sample of 236 Macau residents was analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM). The analysis of the data supported the explanatory and predictive power of our model and helped to describe the idiosyncrasies of local residents. The results provide insights related to individual technology acceptance that could be useful in designing more accurate strategies and fostering the uptake of BEVs in Macau or markets that share similarities
Keywords: PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); Thesis and Dissertations; Thesis and Dissertations PhD in Business Administration (D-BA); University of Saint Joseph

The Film Sound Analysis Framework: A Conceptual tool to Interpret the Cinematic Experience - Barbosa, Álvaro; Dizon, Kristine (Journal of Science and Technology of the Arts, 2020)
Keywords: Analysis framework; Film studies; Sound and music design

Pandemic (Im)mobilities - Adey, Peter; Hannam, Kevin; Sheller, Mimi; Tyfield, David (Mobilities, 2021)

Tourist’s mobilities: Walking, cycling, driving and waiting - Hannam, Kevin; Butler, Gareth; Witte, Alexandra; Zuev, Dennis (Tourist Studies, 2021)
This commentary reviews recent research in terms of tourist’s mobilities in terms practices of walking, cycling and driving. It concludes by reflecting on the contemporary lock down of travel in terms of the global pandemic and its consequences for waiting, stillness and immobility – particularly in terms of flying.

Hydrological Risk Assessment at Praia, Cape Verde - Silva, Jose Lino; Negreiros, Joao Garrott Marques (International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2017)
Hydrology modeling became a relevant topic for the Cidade da Praia, Cabo Verde, Africa, due to negative impact risk to local population and its assets. The modeling via Geographical Information Systems (GIS) can help the decision-making process of space occupation and characterization for this type of risk. Under the municipalities of Praia, the phenomenon of flash flood is common, causing soil erosion and landslide. This constitutes a risk for the local habitat, particularly in districts with a lack of strong human infrastructures. To simulate, analyze and generate risk maps using GIS to help this county governance authorities for decision-making, thus, becomes the main aim of this article.

Pestilent Popes or a Pestilent Church? Judaism, Catholicism, and Skeptical Theism - McNabb, Tyler Dalton (The Heythrop Journal, 2020)

Has Oppy Done Away with the Aristotelian Proof? - McNabb, Tyler; DeVito, Michael (The Heythrop Journal, 2020)

Education in Religious Freedom - Gassner, Franz (Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2016)
The author emphasizes the crucial relevance of religious liberty and freedom of expression for a harmonious and peaceful development of modern societies. He follows the prophetic Declaration of Religious Freedom of Second Vatican Council (1965) with its constitutional limitation of governmental powers in matters of religion. The high value of religious freedom is judged as bulwark of all human rights and true capstone of sound human and societal developments, which have to be guarded against any form of infringements. In this regard, a reasonable education in religious freedom and liberty is indispensable for young people of the twenty-first century. Education in religious freedom in the context of moral and religious formation is based on the dignity of every human person and promotes a deeper mutual and cultural understanding by respecting the conscience of every human person. It thus carries the potential to diminish conflicts and clashes in a sustainable way. Educational reforms in countries have to include the high value of religious liberty and freedom as a main element and condition for human dignity and a peaceful global development.

Abfaelle sind kostbar!" Konsumethische Perspektiven in Papst Franziskus' Enzyklika Laudaut Si - Gassner, Franz (Eine Wirtschaft, die Leben fördert wirtschafts- und unternehmensethische Reflexionen im Anschluss an Papst Franziskus, 2017)

Resources for Future in a Caring Economy - Gassner, Franz (Menschenrechte und Gerechtigkeit als bleibende Aufgaben, 2020)

Is the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa Sustainable? - Nwachukwu, Francis C. (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2019)
In 2000, the China-Africa relationship was further strengthened with the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The FOCAC offers a platform for consultation and cooperation mechanisms aimed at deepening diplomatic, security, trade and investment relations between China and African countries. Later came the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in 2013, an international trade network initiated by China that connects the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. The BRI focuses on the following key areas: cultural exchange; policy coordination; facilities connectivity; trade and investment; and financial integration. The BRI shares development objectives similar to those of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In fact, the BRI implements part of the SDGs and provides a practical mechanism to strengthen the Sino-Africa relationship, which Africa can leverage to meet its Sustainable Goals. Africa is linked through the “Road” of the BRI plan and has received infrastructural projects funded by China to facilitate trade and integration of the national economies along the trading route. Through the establishment of Economic and Trade Zones which attracts investments from Chinese companies, and building infrastructures such as sea ports and railways, China through the BRI framework is helping Africa meet UN SGD Goal 9 concerning industry, innovation and infrastructure. A practical effect is that the BRI is helping African countries overcome the infrastructure gap, create jobs, acquire skills and promote integration between countries.

“China Wahala”: the Tribulations of Nigerian “Bushfallers” in a Chinese Territory” - Morais, Isabel (Transtext(e)s Transcultures 跨文本跨文化. Journal of Global Cultural Studies, 2009)
Recent scholarly studies and media coverage have primarily focused on China’s increasing presence and sometimes asymmetrical engagement with Africa in tandem with the new trend of Chinese migration to that continent. Yet, the inverse flux of Africans to China and the emergence of African communities in Southern China over the last decades is influencing some areas of the Pearl River Delta Region, and changing the fabric of cities like Guangzhou, Macau and Hong Kong, in a way without precedent. There are representations or exotic descriptions from some mass circulation magazines and newspapers on the infamous Chungking Mansions in Hong Kong or the so-called “Chocolate-city,”an area centered aroundHongqiao, the village-district and Canaan market in the city of Guangzhou, with its arcades and strip malls filled with ethnic businesses and transnational migrants. In Macau, significant concentrations of African population of different origins are also seen in the “Papa pun” commercial center or in downtown areas. Despite many studies devoted to the “ethnoburbs” in other latitudes, only very recently, these entrepreneurial African communities in Mainland China are starting to become worthy of serious scholarly attention. Yet,there is total absence of studies dealing with the presence of more and more African students and the cultural manifestations of African communities well portrayed in the new African cinema, in music produced by Afro-Chinese bands or even singers.Besides a continuing inward flow of transient Africans who come to China for business on a regular basis, a significant number of settler African traders, particularly Nigerians, have already married local Chinese women, set up families, autonomously run their businesses without recourse to Chinese intermediaries, and established a web of informal and formal committees representing their home nations and states, to solve disputes while maintaining personal and business links with Africa. Besides, those emigrant ‘bushfallers’ who are coming to China solely for business purposes, a new form of “silent” migration of Nigerians comprising students from different backgrounds is enrolling in higher education institutions in the Macau Special Administrative Region of China. These students are coming to pursue their studies or to seek a job to pay their student fees at the margin of the PRC scholarship and stipendprograms for visiting African students that were popular in China in the 1960s and mid-1970s as part of CCP’s foreign policy for Third World aiming friendly relations with Africa. Today, these “transnational” Nigerian students are in their own way affirming their identity and difference, in southern China, in particularly in Macau SAR, thanks to their network of multiple interrelations across nation-states from Africa to Asia and to a combination of perseverance, zeal, and gentleness without subservience. Although they have not been targets for the hostility and even violence like the Shanghai incident of July 1979 or the Nanjing protests in December 1988 at Hehai University targeting African students, today these Nigerian students are facing more subtle forms of ethnocentrism and legal discrimination from immigration laws to daily practices, which always try to associate their citizenship to problematic or easy stereotypes of scam or colour. Yet, at the same time, everything seems to indicate that these newcomers are quick adapting and finding new forms of negotiating their social integration in the Chinese local society which in turn is offering more opportunities.This paper is part of a more ambitious project which aims to assess the new forms of migration from Africa to China and from China to Africa as well as their impact and contribution of globalization. First, this paper considers why and how Macau has evolved from a Portuguese outpost where slavery was a an institutionalized commodity to special administrative region of China where a new urban African community, mostly composed by Nigerian students, is in formation due to opportunities and rapid changes occurring in the region in the first years of the twenty-first century, by comparing the new to old African communities of students and business people/migrant workers from former Portuguese colonies (Angola, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique).Finally, borrowing the title from a sequel movie with the same title of the promising New African cinema, the paper focus on the “China Wahala”or the troubles of these Nigerian students through their tales of their experiences of racism(s) and their negotiations and responses which radically contradicts not only the slogans of cultural diversity propagated by the official discourse and tourist channels as these Nigerians are confronted daily with often dramatic situations ranging from indifference and ostracism to exclusion.

Macau entre a “China Tropical” e a lusofonia a Oriente: Algumas achegas sobre os contextos colonial e pós-colonial - Morais, Isabel (Portuguese Studies Review, 2018)

Science and Laudato Si’ on the Paradigm Shift towards Sustainable Development - Gassner, Franz (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2018)
For sustainability researchers and global policy makers it is lucid clear that a radical turnaround of modern societies is needed to approach sustainable development paths. Pope Francis takes his stand on a basic paradigm shift in his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’: Care for our Common Home (2015). He calls for a radical shift of mindsets and ecological and cultural conversion which are needed for sustainability and a life in dignity for all. The author compares aspects from sustainability research and Laudato Si’ and shows how science and Francis spiritual-theological take converge. Both call for the need of new mindsets and spiritual resources to nourish just life-styles and sustainable societies.

Plasticity in reproductive behaviour in two populations of the peacock blenny - Oliveira, Rui F.; Simões, Mariana G.; Gonçalves, David; Saraiva, João L. (Behaviour, 2011)

Hormones and Sexual Behavior of Teleost Fishes - Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, Rui F. (Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates, 2011)

Social cues in the expression of sequential alternative reproductive tactics in young males of the peacock blenny, Salaria pavo - Fagundes, Teresa; Simões, Mariana G.; Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, Rui F. (Physiology & Behavior, 2012)

Interpopulational variation of the mating system in the peacock blenny Salaria pavo - Saraiva, João L.; Pignolo, Giulia; Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, Rui F. (acta ethologica, 2012)

Efficient isolation of polymorphic microsatellites from high-throughput sequence data based on number of repeats - Cardoso, Sara D.; Gonçalves, David; Robalo, Joana I.; Almada, Vitor C.; Canário, Adelino V.M.; Oliveira, Rui F. (Marine Genomics, 2013)

Ecological modulation of reproductive behaviour in the peacock blenny: a mini-review - Saraiva, J. L.; Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, R. F. (Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 2013)

Birth date predicts alternative life‐history pathways in a fish with sequential reproductive tactics - Fagundes, Teresa; Simões, Mariana G.; Saraiva, João L.; Ros, Albert F. H.; Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, Rui F. (Functional Ecology, 2015)

Chromosome-level reference genome of the Siamese fighting fish Betta splendens, a model species for the study of aggression - Fan, Guangyi; Chan, Judy; Ma, Kailong; Yang, Binrui; Zhang, He; Yang, Xianwei; Shi, Chengcheng; Law, Henry; Ren, Zhitao; Xu, Qiwu; Liu, Qun; Wang, Jiahao; et al. (GigaScience, 2018)

Intra-Asia higher education mobilities - Ge, Yun; Ho, Kong Chong (Routledge Handbook of Asian Migrations, 2017)
Intra-Asian higher education mobility is a relatively new phenomenon in Asia and one triggered by the dynamic economic changes occurring in East Asia,

Desafios à unidade geopolítica da lusofonia - Leandro, Francisco da Silva (IDNBrief, 2017)
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Impacts of Public Support and Voices Pluralism in Macao Newspapers - Simões, José Manuel; Faustino, Paulo (Journalism and Mass Communication, 2017)

Shequ construction and service development in urban China: an examination of the Shenzhen model - Tang, Ning; Sun, Fei (Community Development Journal, 2017)

Placement, inclusion, law and teachers’ perceptions in Macao’s schools - Teixeira, Vitor; Correia, Ana; Monteiro, Elisa; Kuok, A. C. H.; Forlin, Chris (International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2018)
In Macao, the government has initiated a debate regarding revisions in the Decree Law in order to promote a more inclusive schooling system. In this Special Administrative Region of China, inclusive education is one of three possible types of special education that are likely be legislated in the future. The way the teachers perceive the different aspects related to inclusive education, namely the principles, concepts and law, is essential for its full implementation. The aim of this study is to understand teachers’ perceptions about the proposed amendments in the consultation document for changes in the special education regime. In particular, we focus on teachers’ acceptance of the recommended role of parents, the proposed placement models and expectations for teacher training. A mixed-methods approach with a survey of a sample of 500 teachers in private schools and interviews to a sub-sample of 20 provide the data. While agreeing in principle with the majority of the proposed changes in the Decree Law, there were several reservations made by the teachers, especially regarding the extent of parental choice, placement decisions and teacher training. Recommendations to continue the pathway for a more inclusive education system in Macao and for further research are made.
Keywords: Disability; education policy; inclusive education; special education; special education needs

The Cultivation of Research Labor in Pacific Asia with Special Reference to Singapore - Ge, Yun; Ho, K. C. (Asia Pacific Education Review, 2018)
This paper adopts a political economy perspective in understanding how the country context frames the development of higher education doctoral science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. We argue that a country's commitment to research and development spending as a strategy to maintain its economic competitiveness creates the market for research labor. This embeddedness of STEM doctoral training programs in the country's science and technology system enlarges differences between STEM and non-STEM doctoral programs. This argument is validated from a survey of doctoral students in leading Pacific Asian universities which shows that STEM doctoral programs have stronger research networks, are better financed, use better facilities, and incorporate a variety of research placements. The embeddedness of STEM programs is further illustrated from the case of Singapore. Singapore-based STEM doctoral students mention enjoying better financial support and receiving better career advice from their supervisors. They depend on collaborative peer learning and cite more varied employment options when asked about their career plans.
Keywords: Career Counseling; Cooperative Learning; Doctoral Programs; Educational Facilities; Employment Opportunities; Financial Support; Foreign Countries; Graduate Students; Networks; STEM Education; Student Attitudes; Student Placement; Student Research; Student Surveys; Supervisor Supervisee Relationship; Universities

Perceived efficacy of teachers in Macao and their alacrity to engage with inclusive education - Monteiro, Elisa; Kuok, A. C. H.; Correia, Ana; Forlin, Chris; Teixeira, Vitor (International Journal of Inclusive Education, 2019)
This paper reports findings of a mixed methods study examining private school teachers’ perceptions of efficacy in dealing with the challenges presented by inclusive education in Macao. This is highly pertinent after the Government invited consultation to propose changes to amendments of the Decree Law of 1996 concerning the education of students with Special Education Needs (SEN) which will likely see private schools being required to accept these students in the future. Within the context of teacher preparedness for inclusive education, the study found that a number of teachers felt that they were not at all prepared to teach students with SEN. Whilst some teachers suggested that they lacked skills and knowledge in teaching in inclusive classrooms, some felt overwhelmed with the challenges. The teachers proposed that they would need to know how to provide instructional adaptations and modifications to support students with SEN. Implications for continuous development of teacher training and education are discussed within the context of improving teacher efficacy and how private school teachers could better respond to the challenges of inclusive education in Macao.
Keywords: Inclusive education; Macao; teacher education; teacher efficacy

Entre a tradição e a modernidade, os Potiguara. Estudo etno-histórico, narrativas de memórias e rituais, a revisitação e o turismo - Simões, José Manuel (História, histórias, 2017)
Keywords: transformações

O Espaço ao Espaço Público e ao Sentido dos Fatos que os Media nos Oferecem - Simões, José Manuel (Revista GEMInIS, 2018)
Comunicar é tornar comum e informar é dar forma à comunicação. Entre um e outro vai frequentemente uma distancia que nem sempre é possível eliminar. O objetivo deste artigo é mostrar que tanto a comunicação como a informação são um espaço ao sentido da vida. Pese embora as contrariedades e obstáculos, a conivência com os poderes, os imperativos de rentabilidade, a pressão do tempo e a aceleração, os media oferecem um espaço ao espaço público, ao sentido dos fatos, à interpelação; um espaço ao sentido da vida.

Reading acquisition in beginner readers: Typical errors in European Portuguese - Simões, Edlia; Martins, Margarida Alves (Educação e Pesquisa, 2018)

Acoustic communication in marine shallow waters: testing the acoustic adaptive hypothesis in sand gobies - Amorim, Maria Clara P.; Vasconcelos, Raquel O.; Bolgan, Marta; Pedroso, Silvia S.; Fonseca, Paulo J. (Journal of Experimental Biology, 2018)
Skip to Next Section Acoustic communication is an important part of social behaviour of fish species that live or breed in shallow noisy waters. Previous studies have shown that some fish species exploit a quiet window in the background noise for communication. However, it remains to be examined whether hearing abilities and sound production of fish are adapted to marine habitats presenting high hydrodynamism. Here, we investigated whether the communication system of the painted (Pomatoschistus pictus) and the marbled (Pomatoschistus marmoratus) gobies is adapted to enhance sound transmission and reception in Atlantic shallow water environments. We recorded and measured the sound pressure levels of social vocalisations of both species, as well as snapshots of ambient noise of habitats characterised by different hydrodynamics. Hearing thresholds (in terms of both sound pressure and particle acceleration) and responses to conspecific signals were determined using the auditory evoked potential recording technique. We found that the peak frequency range (100–300 Hz) of acoustic signals matched the best hearing sensitivity in both species and appeared well adapted for short-range communication in Atlantic habitats. Sandy/rocky exposed beaches presented a quiet window, observable even during the breaking of moderate waves, coincident with the main sound frequencies and best hearing sensitivities of both species. Our data demonstrate that the hearing abilities of these gobies are well suited to detect conspecific sounds within typical interacting distances (a few body lengths) in Atlantic shallow waters. These findings lend support to the acoustic adaptive hypothesis, under the sensory drive framework, proposing that signals and perception systems coevolve to be effective within local environment constraints.

Neurogenomic mechanisms of social plasticity - Cardoso, Sara D.; Teles, Magda C.; Oliveira, Rui F. (Journal of Experimental Biology, 2015)
Skip to Next Section Group-living animals must adjust the expression of their social behaviour to changes in their social environment and to transitions between life-history stages, and this social plasticity can be seen as an adaptive trait that can be under positive selection when changes in the environment outpace the rate of genetic evolutionary change. Here, we propose a conceptual framework for understanding the neuromolecular mechanisms of social plasticity. According to this framework, social plasticity is achieved by rewiring or by biochemically switching nodes of a neural network underlying social behaviour in response to perceived social information. Therefore, at the molecular level, it depends on the social regulation of gene expression, so that different genomic and epigenetic states of this brain network correspond to different behavioural states, and the switches between states are orchestrated by signalling pathways that interface the social environment and the genotype. Different types of social plasticity can be recognized based on the observed patterns of inter- versus intra-individual occurrence, time scale and reversibility. It is proposed that these different types of social plasticity rely on different proximate mechanisms at the physiological, neural and genomic level.

Temporal variation in brain transcriptome is associated with the expression of female mimicry as a sequential male alternative reproductive tactic in fish - Cardoso, Sara D.; Gonçalves, David; Goesmann, Alexander; Canário, Adelino V. M.; Oliveira, Rui F. (Molecular Ecology, 2018)
Distinct patterns of gene expression often underlie intra- and intersexual differences, and the study of this set of coregulated genes is essential to understand the emergence of complex behavioural phenotypes. Here, we describe the development of a de novo transcriptome and brain gene expression profiles of wild-caught peacock blenny, Salaria pavo, an intertidal fish with sex-role reversal in courtship behaviour (i.e., females are the courting sex) and sequential alternative reproductive tactics in males (i.e., larger and older nest-holder males and smaller and younger sneaker males occur). Sneakers mimic both female's courtship behaviour and nuptial coloration to get access to nests and sneak fertilizations, and later in life transition into nest-holder males. Thus, this species offers the unique opportunity to study how the regulation of gene expression can contribute to intersex phenotypes and to the sequential expression of male and female behavioural phenotypes by the same individual. We found that at the whole brain level, expression of the sneaker tactic was paralleled by broader and divergent gene expression when compared to either females or nest-holder males, which were more similar between themselves. When looking at sex-biased transcripts, sneaker males are intersex rather than being either nest-holder or female-like, and their transcriptome is simultaneously demasculinized for nest-holder-biased transcripts and feminized for female-biased transcripts. These results indicate that evolutionary changes in reproductive plasticity can be achieved through regulation of gene expression, and in particular by varying the magnitude of expression of sex-biased genes, throughout the lifetime of the same individual.
Keywords: RNA-seq; Salaria pavo; alternative reproductive tactics; behavioural plasticity; neurogenomic state; sex-biased gene expression

Ontogenetic development of the inner ear saccule and utricle in the Lusitanian toadfish: Potential implications for auditory sensitivity - Chaves, Patrícia P.; Valdoria, Ciara M. C.; Amorim, M. Clara P.; Vasconcelos, Raquel O. (Hearing Research, 2017)
Studies addressing structure-function relationships of the fish auditory system during development are sparse compared to other taxa. The Batrachoididae has become an important group to investigate mechanisms of auditory plasticity and evolution of auditory-vocal systems. A recent study reported ontogenetic improvements in the inner ear saccule sensitivity of the Lusitanian toadfish, Halobatrachus didactylus, but whether this results from changes in the sensory morphology remains unknown. We investigated how the macula and organization of auditory receptors in the saccule and utricle change during growth in this species. Inner ear sensory epithelia were removed from the end organs of previously PFA-fixed specimens, from non-vocal posthatch fry (<1.4 cm, standard length) to adults (>23 cm). Epithelia were phalloidin-stained and analysed for area, shape, number and orientation patterns of hair cells (HC), and number and size of saccular supporting cells (SC). Saccular macula area expanded 41x in total, and significantly more (relative to body length) among vocal juveniles (2.3–2.9 cm). Saccular HC number increased 25x but HC density decreased, suggesting that HC addition is slower relative to epithelial growth. While SC density decreased, SC apical area increased, contributing to the epithelial expansion. The utricule revealed increased HC density (striolar region) and less epithelial expansion (5x) with growth, contrasting with the saccule that may have a different developmental pattern due to its larger size and main auditory functions. Both macula shape and HC orientation patterns were already established in the posthatch fry and retained throughout growth in both end organs. We suggest that previously reported ontogenetic improvements in saccular sensitivity might be associated with changes in HC number (not density), size and/or molecular mechanisms controlling HC sensitivity. This is one of the first studies investigating the ontogenetic development of the saccule and utricle in a vocal fish and how it potentially relates to auditory enhancement for acoustic communication.
Keywords: Auditory sensitivity; Batrachoididae; Hair cell; Ontogeny; Saccule; Utricle

Catholic schools and inclusive education in Macao: a journey of a thousand miles - Correia, Ana; Teixeira, Vitor (EDUCA - International Catholic Journal of Education, 2017)

Non-Native Raters and Native Speech: Other Perspective for the Research on Comprehensibility of Second Language Input - Figueiredo, Sandra; Simões, Edlia; Martins, Margarida Alves; Fernandes da Silva, Carlos (synergy, 2017)
Abstract: This study examines how specific variables such as age, first language, nationality, school grade and socioeconomic status (SES) affect the comprehensibility of second language (L2) speech in 92 second/non-native language learners. Comprehensibility refers to the degree of speech understanding. Fluency, rhythm, grammatical features and word stressing are concurrent factors for the listening comprehension (and the listener comprehensibility) mainly in L2 context. Research evidence focused the quality and differences of speech samples produced by the L2 learners and the comprehensibility rated by native speakers. In reverse scenario there is less evidence on the judgment of L2 learners for speech samples produced by native speakers. In this study we analysed if the comprehensibility ability of 92 young Portuguese L2 learners differ in the following conditions: age, nationality, home language, school grade, proficiency and socioeconomic status. Speech (one text) was recorded by a native speaker and was judged by L2 speakers using 1-5 Likert scale for comprehension difficulty. Main results showed that neither age nor home language had influence for comprehensibility, but socioeconomic, nationality and grades accounted for statistical differences between the groups tested. Also, data suggested that phonetic features are more likely important for the beginner in second language learning compared to the semantic features of speech that heavily depend on vocabulary domain. Keywords: Speech comprehensibility, nationality, grades, socioeconomic status, second language. Read more →

Extending social networking into the secondary education sector - Kio, Su Iong (British Journal of Educational Technology, 2016)
Secondary schools do not have the same technical resources and capabilities as universities. They usually need to rely on ready-to-use tools to fulfill their information and communication technology (ICT) structure. Social networking site (SNS) has emerged as a practical solution to this need. However, few have collected empirical data on the application of SNS in a secondary school setting. This paper probes into the current condition of SNS usage among secondary school students using a sample of 851 students in Macau, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. Data in terms of access, profile and activities are collected. The activities on SNSs are analyzed by regression techniques to produce a prediction model relating perceived academic benefit and SNS activities. The model yields a strong positive relationship between that benefit and activities such as raising questions and engaging in study-related discussions. The model also yields a weak dependency on activities such as searching for information and entertainment. The paper also evaluates the actual academic utilization of a Facebook Group for one class of secondary school students for a period of one year. At the end of the year, various opinion parameters are measured, and improvements are observed in most parameters.

Characterization of the Natural Soundscape of Zebrafish and Comparison with the Captive Noise Conditions - Lara, Rafael A.; Vasconcelos, Raquel O. (Zebrafish, 2019)
Zebrafish is a well-established model organism in hearing research. Although the acoustic environment is known to shape the structure and sensitivity of auditory systems, there is no information on the natural soundscape of this species. Moreover, zebrafish are typically reared in large-scale housing systems (HS), although their acoustic properties and potential effects on hearing remain unknown. We characterized the soundscape of both zebrafish natural habitats and laboratory captive conditions, and discussed possible impact on auditory sensitivity. Sound recordings were conducted in five distinct zebrafish habitats (Southwest India), from quieter stagnant environments with diverse biological/abiotic sounds to louder watercourses characterized by current and moving substrate sounds. Sound pressure level (SPL) varied between 98 and 126 dB re 1 μPa. Sound spectra presented most energy below 3000 Hz and quieter noise windows were found in the noisiest habitats matching the species best hearing range. Contrastingly, recordings from three zebrafish HS revealed higher SPL (122-143 dB) and most energy below 1000 Hz with more spectral peaks, which might cause significant auditory masking. This study establishes an important ground for future research on the adaptation of zebrafish auditory system to the natural soundscapes, and highlights the importance of controlling noise conditions in captivity.
Keywords: Animals; Animals, Laboratory; Auditory Threshold; Batrachoidiformes; Ecosystem; Environment; Female; Hair Cells, Auditory; Hearing; Housing, Animal; India; Male; Neuronal Plasticity; Noise; Saccule and Utricle; Seasons; Sexual Behavior, Animal; Sound; Species Specificity; Vocalization, Animal; Zebrafish; ambient noise; hearing sensitivity; natural habitat; sound pressure level; soundscape

Development of Structure and Sensitivity of the Fish Inner Ear - Vasconcelos, Raquel O.; Alderks, Peter W.; Sisneros, Joseph A. (Fish Hearing and Bioacoustics: An Anthology in Honor of Arthur N. Popper and Richard R. Fay, 2016)
Fish represent the largest group of vertebrates and display the greatest diversity of auditory structures. However, studies addressing how the form and function of the auditory system change during development to enhance perception of the acoustic environment are rather sparse in this taxon compared to other vertebrate groups. An ontogenetic perspective of the auditory system in fishes provides a readily testable framework for understanding structure–function relationships. Additionally, studying ancestral models such as fish can convey valuable comparable information across vertebrates, as early developmental events are often evolutionary conserved. This chapter reviews the literature on the morphological development of the fish auditory system, with particular focus on the inner ear structures that evolve from an otic placode during early embryonic development and then continue to undergo differentiation and maturation in the postembryonic phase. Moreover, the chapter provides a systematic overview of how auditory sensitivity develops during ontogeny. Although most studies indicate a developmental improvement in auditory sensitivity, there is considerably species-specific variation. Lastly, the paucity of information and literature concerning the development of auditory capabilities for social communication in fishes is also discussed. Further investigation on the development of structure and function of the fish auditory system is recommended in order to obtain a deeper understanding of how ontogenetic morphological changes in the auditory pathway relate to modifications in acoustic reception, auditory processing, and the capacity to communicate acoustically.
Keywords: Auditory development; Auditory physiology; Ear morphology; Fish ontogeny

Use of stable isotopes to understand food webs in Macao wetlands - Chen, Qian; Liu, Yang; Ho, Wei-Tim; Chan, Shek Kiu; Li, Qiu-hua; Huang, Jian-Rong (Wetlands Ecology and Management, 2017)
In this study, components of the food-web in Macao wetlands were quantified using stable isotope ratio techniques based on carbon and nitrogen values. The δ13C and δ15N values of particulate organic matter (δ13CPOM and δ15NPOM, respectively) ranged from −30.64 ± 1.0 to −28.1 ± 0.7 ‰, and from −1.11 ± 0.8 to 3.98 ± 0.7 ‰, respectively. The δ13C values of consumer species ranged from −33.94 to −16.92 ‰, showing a wide range from lower values in a freshwater lake and inner bay to higher values in a mangrove forest. The distinct dietary habits of consumer species and the location-specific food source composition were the main factors affecting the δ13C values. The consumer 15N-isotope enrichment values suggested that there were three trophic levels; primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary consumer trophic level was represented by freshwater herbivorous gastropods, filter-feeding bivalves, and plankton-feeding fish, with a mean δ15N value of 5.052 ‰. The secondary consumer level included four deposit-feeding fish species distributed in Fai Chi Kei Bay and deposit-feeding gastropods in the Lotus Flower Bridge flat, with a mean δ15N value of 6.794 ‰. The tertiary consumers group consisted of four crab species, one shrimp species, and four fish species in the Lotus Flower Bridge Flat, with a mean δ15N value of 13.473 ‰. Their diet mainly comprised organic debris, bottom fauna, and rotten animal tissues. This study confirms the applicability of the isotopic approach in food web studies.

Wisdom in Aristotle and Aquinas: From Metaphysics to Mysticism - Eh, Edmond (Existenz: An International Journal in Philosophy, Religion, Politics, and the Arts, 2017)
This essay contains an attempt to trace the evolution of the concept of wisdom as found in the thought of Aristotle and Aquinas in terms of how the philosophical concept of wisdom as an intellectual virtue is understood and used to express the theological concept of wisdom as a gift of the Holy Spirit. The main aim is to understand how Aquinas derived the concept of wisdom from Aristotle's metaphysics and developed it in his mysticism. This research is based on a close study of Book Six of Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics, the corresponding sections of Aquinas' Sententia libri Ethicorum and question forty-five of the second part of the second part of Aquinas' Summa Theologiae. The insights gained from the study are then used to decipher the theoretical meaning of Augustine's famous saying: "love and do what thou wilt" and to expound on the practical value of wisdom for religious leaders.

Chinese Religious Syncretism in Macau | Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies - Eh, Edmond (2017)
In this paper, I address the phenomenon of syncretism with respect to Chinese religions. An analysis of the syncretism that takes place between the three major Chinese religious traditions is first done in its personal and social dimensions. The social structure of Chinese religion is then used as a framework to understand how Buddhism and Daoism were made compatible with Confucianism. All this will serve as a background for the case study of Macau, where Chinese religious syncretism is very much alive. Three popular religious festivals are celebrated annually and simultaneously on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, namely, zuilongjie (醉龍節) Feast of the Drunken Dragon, tangongdan (譚公誕) Tam Kung Festival and fodanjie (佛誕節) Feast of the Buddha.

What Kinds of Comparison Are Most Useful in the Study of World Philosophies? - Sivin, Nathan; Akasoy, Anna; Anderson, Warwick; Colas, Gérard; Eh, Edmond (Journal of World Philosophies, 2018)
Keywords: comparative history; connected history; cultural manifolds; diachronic; intellectual history; inter-cultural comparison; intra-cultural comparison; mutual pollination; postcolonial history; synchronic; transnational history

A Confucian Perspective on Tertiary Education for the Common Good - Eh, Edmond (The Journal of the Macau Ricci Institute, 2018)
Confucian education is best captured by the programme described in the Great Learning. Education is presented first as the process of self-cultivation for the sake of developing virtuous character. Self-cultivation then ...

Management Transition in South Korea: A Case Study - Chan, Wai Ip; Trimarchi, Michael; Negreiros, Joao (Asian Journal of Business and Management Sciences, 2012)
South Korea management system has been influenced significantly by their traditional social and religious beliefs for hundreds of years. Yet, the 1997 Asian financial crisis has gradually confirmed this shifted, from the Confucius mentality to a close Westernized system. This paper aims to evaluate this management transition in South Korea. The theoretical model of the convergent-divergent, as proposed by Chatterjee and Nankervis [2006], is applied to identify a number of critical factors. The aforementioned factors altogether have influenced the management system in four main vectors: (A) From seniority to meritocracy performance management; (B) From consultative to individualistic decision-making style; (C) From ignoring to embracing corporate governance; (D) From avoiding to improving environmental sustainability.

Financial Worldwide Crisis: The Anti-Counter Cycle of Australia - Pou, Boey Tang; Trimarchi, Michael; Negreiros, Joao (Journal of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Çankırı Karatekin University, 2013)
If Australia has been subject to major influences by the United States and European countries, why is its economy healthier than their counter partners? What are the economic foundations that underline this anti-counter cycle of financial worldwide crisis from Australia? What are some of the lessons that countries from Europe that have not fared during the current financial worldwide crisis should learn from Australia? The purpose of this paper is to review the present Australian management system. Four changes are identified including embracement of corporate governance, a shift to adopt more R&D activities, a shift to adopt environmental sustainability practices and emerging corporate social responsibility. On the conclusions settings, a recap and recommendation on how Portugal, a member of the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain) Southern European Countries club forgot to embrace directives that have been applied in Australia, to avoid the actual financial and identity crisis.

Evaluation of Deterministic Spatial Interpolators with myGeoffice©: The Utah Grasshoppers Case - Negreiros, Joao; Phillips, Jenny O. L. (International Journal of Geology, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, 2018)
The knowledge of spatial distribution of grasshoppers can be very relevant for agricultural planning purposes. On the other hand, the comparison of spatial interpolators for efficiency and reliability reasons is also a key factor to understand interpolation maps outcomes (versus reality). At last, but not least, the use of open Web geographical tools to disseminate true spatial inferential methods to address spatial issues is still quite limited (if none) in high schools and universities, particularly in Geography subjects. If the latter can be addressed with myGeoffice©, the first issue will use the Utah, USA, dataset (58 samples) to layout the spatial distribution of grasshoppers and understand the counties that are more pro to this kind of agriculture infestation. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW), Moving Average (MA), Multi-quadratic, Inverse Multi-quadratic and Nearest Neighbor (NN) will produce interpolated surfaces of grasshopper’s properties. Efficiency of spatial interpolators was assessed in this writing based on the prediction error’s statistics derived from the difference between the estimation and the real samples on a cross-validation procedure. Remarkably, results show that NN was the most accurate one when compared with the remaining deterministic approaches at sample’s locations.

Transgenerational Entrepreneurship In Chinese Family Businesses: Proposal For A Model Of Work-Life Synergy - Phillips, Jenny O. L.; Osorio, Arturo E.; Alves, José (Zenodo, 2018)
Family business are the dominant form of business in the world, and Chinese family business (CFB) is a unique type of family business that relies on collective action to survive. This paper argues that in CFBs, entrepreneurial actions are transgenerational collective endeavors, and successors are groomed as stewards of the family legacy. Work-life relationship in CFBs is about synergy and not balance because the family identity is the business identity, and vice-versa. Using five in-depth case studies, this research introduces an alternative understanding of CFBs and proposes a model of work-life synergy in transgenerational entrepreneurship based on discussion of five theory-based propositions. This model explains that through emphasizing on the business family's shared value and entrepreneurial legacy, elements of trust, shared identity and stewardship of family members are enhanced which leads to collective action and goal of the business family, resulting in transgenerational entrepreneurship. Limitations and future research are presented.
Keywords: Chinese family business; family legacy; stewardship; transgenerational entrepreneurship; work-life synergy.

Open Innovation as Means of Building Social Capital: A Way to Globalization for Traditional SMEs - Phillips, Jenny O. L. (Journal of Strategic Innovation and Sustainability, 2018)
This research explores innovation of traditional SMEs that do not actively invest in innovation. Elements of open innovation have been identified in these firms in their effort to build social capital which they perceive as pertinent to their businesses. The result of the research shows that instead of using social capital as means for innovation, the unintentional practice of open innovation has contributed to the development of social capital, which further opens up potential for globalization. As a result, a model of open innovation as means of developing social capital for enhancing globalization potential for SMEs was developed.
Keywords: Innovation; SMEs; Social Capital; Sustainability

Web 2.0 Tool Recommendations for Teachers - Negreiros, Joao Garrott Marques; Lei, Weng Chi (International Journal of Innovation and Research in Educational Sciences, 2019)

The Road to Service Export Diversification: Gambling and Convention in Macao - Lei, Weng Chi (Economics and Finance Readings: Selected Papers from Asia-Pacific Conference on Economics & Finance, 2019, 2020)
This book is a compilation of the best papers presented at the APEF 2019 conference which was held on 25th and 26th July 2019 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront in Singapore. With a great number of submissions, it presents the latest research findings in economics and finance and discusses relevant issues in today's world. The book is a useful resource for readers who want access to economics, finance and business research focusing on the Asia-Pacific region.

Aid to Infrastructure Development in Sub Saharan Africa: An Assessment of China Financing Approaches - Diakité, A.D. (China-Africa: New Types of Exchange, Cultural Identity and Emerging Relations in a Globalized World, 2010)

Ten Spatial Problems with myGeoffice© for Teaching Purposes - Negreiros, Joao; Diakite, Ansoumane (Open Journal of Social Sciences, 2019)
For a long time, Geography did not hold a specific mathematical approach for any interpretation of space and this was the key reason why Geography degrees covered a wide variety of subjects such as demography, geology or topography to fulfill its curriculum. Yet from the 90’s, Geography finally created its own research agenda to meet four vital questions of any true geographer: “Where is …?”, “Is there a general spatial pattern?”, “What are the anomalies?” and “Why do these phenomena pursue certain spatial distribution?” The present review article addresses ten different spatial (point, regression and event) issues for learning and teaching aim where statistics play a major background role on the outcomes of myGeoffice© free Web GIS platform. These include cluster analysis, geographically weighted regression (GWR), ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, path analysis, minimum spanning tree, linear regression, space-time clustering and point patterns, for instance. Although the technical viewpoint of the algorithms is not explained at fully, this review paper makes a rather strong emphasis on the result’s interpretation, their respective meaning and when these techniques should be applied in a learning/teaching context.

Motives of Traditional and Emerging Donors in Aid Giving: Comparative Study between China and France - Diakite, Ansoumane D.; Phillips, Jenny O. L. (Journal of Social and Political Sciences, 2019)
Since the beginning of bilateral aid giving in the aftermath of the Second World War, the motives for aid giving have changed from being purely political and humanitarian to a mix of different interests. While poverty reduction is frequently stated as the goal of aid giving, it is commonplace for donors to use aid to advance their national interests. The rise of new, emerging donors is creating discussion in both the political and academic fields of aid giving. Traditional or western donors see emerging donors, such as China’s efforts in aid-giving as seeking the natural resources of the recipient countries. This paper provides a historical analysis of the aid-giving motivations underlying an emerging donor, China, and a traditional donor, France. The motives for China’s and France’s aid giving to African countries, with special focus on Guinea, show a great number of similarities.
Keywords: Aid Giving Motives, Emerging Donor, Traditional Donor, Poverty Reduction

Lead: An iOS Application to Help in the Construction of New Habits - de Aguiar, André Wescley Oliveira; Bezerra, Jagni Dasa Horta; Marques, João Alexandre Lobo; de Alexandria, Auzuir Ripardo (International Journal of Information and Electronics Engineering, 2019)

Artificial Intelligence Prediction for the COVID-19 Data Based on LSTM Neural Networks and H2O AutoML - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Epidemiology Compartmental Models—SIR, SEIR, and SEIR with Intervention - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Forecasting COVID-19 Time Series Based on an Autoregressive Model - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Nonlinear Prediction for the COVID-19 Data Based on Quadratic Kalman Filtering - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Predicting the Geographic Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study from Brazil - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Prediction for Decision Support During the COVID-19 Pandemic - Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, José; Fong, Simon James (Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis, 2020)

Multi-view convolutional neural network with leader and long-tail particle swarm optimizer for enhancing heart disease and breast cancer detection - Lan, K.; Liu, L.; Li, T.; Chen, Y.; Fong, S.; Marques, J.A.L.; Wong, R.K.; Tang, R. (Neural Computing and Applications, 2020)

Nonlinear characterization and complexity analysis of cardiotocographic examinations using entropy measures - Marques, J.A.L.; Cortez, P.C.; Madeiro, J.P.V.; Albuquerque, V.H.C.; Fong, S.J.; Schlindwein, F.S. (Journal of Supercomputing, 2020)

Influência da nova estrutura fiscal de impostos de Angola na gestão de escolas privadas do municipio do Lobito - Armando Carlos Hombo Nogueira; Luis Miguel Pacheco; Marcus Antonio Almeida Rodrigues (Revista Gestao em Analise, 2019)

Evaluating Mathematical Models for Morphological Classification of the QRS Complex - Do Vale Madeiro, J.P.; Barreto, D.; Marques, J.A.L.; Salinet, J.L. (Computing in Cardiology, 2019)

Multi-view Convolution Neural Network with Swarm Search Based Hyperparameter Optimization for Enhancing Heart Disease and Breast Cancer Detection - Lan, K.; Li, T.; Fong, S.; Marques, J.A.L.; Wong, R.K. (5th International Conference on Soft Computing and Machine Intelligence, ISCMI 2018, 2018)

Automatic Cardiotocography Diagnostic System Based on Hilbert Transform and Adaptive Threshold Technique - Marques, J. A. Lobo; Cortez, P. C.; Madeiro, J. P. D. V.; Fong, S. J.; Schlindwein, F. S.; Albuquerque, V. H. C. D. (IEEE Access, 2019)
The visual analysis of cardiotocographic examinations is a very subjective process. The accurate detection and segmentation of the fetal heart rate (FHR) features and their correlation with the uterine contractions in time allow a better diagnostic and the possibility of anticipation of many problems related to fetal distress. This paper presents a computerized diagnostic aid system based on digital signal processing techniques to detect and segment changes in the FHR and the uterine tone signals automatically. After a pre-processing phase, the FHR baseline detection is calculated. An auxiliary signal called detection line is proposed to support the detection and segmentation processes. Then, the Hilbert transform is used with an adaptive threshold for identifying fiducial points on the fetal and maternal signals. For an antepartum (before labor) database, the positive predictivity value (PPV) is 96.80% for the FHR decelerations, and 96.18% for the FHR accelerations. For an intrapartum (during labor) database, the PPV found was 91.31% for the uterine contractions, 94.01% for the FHR decelerations, and 100% for the FHR accelerations. For the whole set of exams, PPV and SE were both 100% for the identification of FHR DIP II and prolonged decelerations.
Keywords: Acceleration; Biomedical monitoring; Cardiography; Cardiotocography (CTG); Databases; FHR DIP II; FHR accelerations; FHR baseline detection; FHR decelerations; Fetal heart rate; Hilbert transform; Hilbert transforms; Monitoring; PPV; Transforms; accurate fetal heart rate feature detection; accurate fetal heart rate feature segmentation; adaptive threshold technique; antepartum database; automatic cardiotocography diagnostic system; auxiliary signal; cardiotocographic examinations; computerized diagnostic aid system; digital signal processing techniques; fetal distress; fetal heart rate (FHR); fetal signals; maternal signals; medical signal detection; medical signal processing; obstetrics; patient monitoring; positive predictivity value; preprocessing phase; segmentation processes; uterine contractions; uterine contractions (UC); uterine tone signals; visual analysis

On the probability flow in the Stock market I: The Black-Scholes case - Arraut, Ivan; Au, Alan; Tse, Alan Ching-biu; Marques, Joao Alexandre Lobo (arXiv.org, 2020)
It is known that the probability is not a conserved quantity in the stock market, given the fact that it corresponds to an open system. In this paper we analyze the flow of probability in this system by expressing the ideal Black-Scholes equation in the Hamiltonian form. We then analyze how the non-conservation of probability affects the stability of the prices of the Stocks. Finally, we find the conditions under which the probability might be conserved in the market, challenging in this way the non-Hermitian nature of the Black-Scholes Hamiltonian.
Keywords: General Finance

Early Notices Regarding Creole Portuguese in Former Portuguese Timor - Baxter, Alan N.; Cardoso, Hugo C. (Journal of Language Contact, 2017)

Social network predicts loss of fertilizations in nesting males of a fish with alternative reproductive tactics - Cardoso, Sara D.; Faustino, Ana I.; Costa, Silvia S.; Valério, Fábio; Gonçalves, David; Oliveira, Rui F. (acta ethologica, 2017)
Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) evolve when there is strong intra-sexual competition between conspecifics for access to mates. Typically, larger “bourgeois” males reproduce by securing the access to reproductive resources while smaller “parasitic” males reproduce by stealing fertilizations from larger males. A number of factors can influence the reproductive success of each tactic, including intrinsic (e.g. size) and extrinsic (e.g. tactic relative frequency) variables. An example where plastic ARTs occur is the peacock blenny Salaria pavo, with large males reproducing by defending nests and attracting females (bourgeois tactic) and small males reproducing by achieving sneaked fertilizations (parasitic tactic). In this study, we conducted field observations on individually tagged animals to determine their social network and collected eggs from 11 nests to determine the fertilization success of each male tactic. Paternity estimates for 550 offspring indicated an average fertilization success for nest-holder males of 95%. Nest-holder male morphological traits and social network parameters were tested as predictors of fertilization success, but only the number of sneakers present in the nest-holder’s social networks was found to be a predictor of paternity loss. Although male morphological traits had been previously found to be strongly correlated with reproductive success of nest-holder males, as measured by the number of eggs collected in the male’s nest, no correlation was found between any of the measured morphological traits and fertilization success for these males. The results suggest a stronger influence of the social environment than of morphological variables in the proportion of lost fertilizations by nest-holder males of this species.

Predictive Models for Decision Support in the COVID-19 Crisis - Marques, João Alexandre Lobo; Gois, Francisco Nauber Bernardo; Xavier-Neto, Jose; Fong, Simon James (SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology, 2021)
COVID-19 has hit the world unprepared, as the deadliest pandemic of the century. Governments and authorities, as leaders and decision makers fighting the virus, enormously tap into the power of artificial intelligence and its predictive models for urgent decision support. This book showcases a collection of important predictive models that used during the pandemic, and discusses and compares their efficacy and limitations. Readers from both healthcare industries and academia can gain unique insights on how predictive models were designed and applied on epidemic data. Taking COVID19 as a case study and showcasing the lessons learnt, this book will enable readers to be better prepared in the event of virus epidemics or pandemics in the future.

Are Work Engaged Employees Perceive Career Success? A Study of Hospitality at Macau - Kuok, A. C. H (Journal of Hospitality, 2020)
This study examined 206 casino dealers in hospitality at Macau to investigate the extent of their subjective career success and work engagement. Casino dealers were work engaged, but their subjective career success was fairly low, with significant difference between them, which indicates they have cognitive dissonance about their jobs. Several personality variables (emotional suppression and work ethic), organizational variables, i.e., organizational socialization (training, understanding, coworker support, future prospects), and distributive justice, were assessed in relation to subjective career success and work engagement. Organizational socialization, work ethic, and distributive justice were positively correlated with and predictors of subjective career success and work engagement; while emotion suppression was negatively correlated with and predictor of work engagement. This study provides evidence of extending the theories of subjective career success and work engagement in Chinese society and hospitality. Also, it identifies factors that could resolve the employees’ cognitive dissonance, and implementations for management were discussed.
Keywords: Subjective career success; emotion suppression; hospitality; human resources; socialization; work engagement

The Effect of Self-Efficacy and Role Understanding on Teachers’ Emotional Exhaustion and Work Engagement in Inclusive Education in Macao (SAR) - Kuok, A. C. H.; Teixeira, Vitor; Forlin, Chris; Monteiro, Elisa; Correia, Ana (International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 2020)
This study examined responses from 508 full-time teachers working in inclusive schools in Macao (SAR). The intention was to understand the teachers’ perceptions about their roles and how they responded to inclusive practices in their school. Teachers’ perceived levels of emotional exhaustion and cognitive work engagement were assessed in relation to several professional competencies (self-efficacy with using inclusive instruction, collaborating with parents and paraprofessionals, and managing disruptive behaviours), as well as the organisational variable of role understanding. Regression analysis showed that teachers’ self-efficacy with using inclusive instruction was found to be the most powerful negative predictor of emotional exhaustion; while self-efficacy for managing disruptive behaviours was a positive predictor of teachers’ cognitive work engagement. Teachers’ level of understanding of their role and that of their schools was a negative predictor of emotional exhaustion and a positive predictor of cognitive work engagement. Moreover, it further confirmed that the concept of co-existence between work engagement and burnout can be applied to inclusive teachers. Results were interpreted in relation to management in inclusive schools in Macao and were followed by a discussion on the implications of enhancing inclusive education.

A review of the Colloquium «Narrative, Media and Cognition» — a cartography of the borders of narrative - Castro, Maria Guilhermina; Caires, Carlos Sena; Ribas, Daniel; Palinhos, Jorge (Journal of Science and Technology of the Arts, 2015)
We present an overview and discussion of the Colloquium «Narrative, Media and Cognition», which took place at Porto's Centre of Catholic University of Portugal in July of 2015, under the organization of the Research Centre for Science and Technology of the Arts (CITAR). Several scholars of different areas presented research about the uses and advances in narrative study and practice in a broad range of areas, giving some important insights about the latest developments in Narrative Studies, Ontology of Narrative and the uses of Narrative in Art, Cinema, Performance, Journalism, Marketing and Literature, among other fields. After briefly describing the main points of each presentation in the Colloquium we try to draw some conclusions and possibilities raised by the Colloquium and take a glimpse of future paths that the use of Narrative can end up taking.

Creative Engagement: Multimodal digital games in children's learning environment in Macau S.A.R. - Martins de Abreu, F.; Barbosa, Álvaro (Association for Computing Machinery, 2017)
One of the biggest challenges that we have encountered, when trying to encourage digital games in schools, is trying to explain what its benefits are in teaching and learning environments. In this pilot experimental study we explore how multimodal audio and visual games can be used in learning environments for children, specifically by fostering creative behaviors through User-Centered design approaches. To achieve this objective, a framework is being developed with multimodal experiences based on flexible design patterns that exploits basic visual and audio elements, allowing children from three to six years of age to play and learn through fun and subsequently trigger creative behaviors. These studies are making use of tangible objects, digital games and mobile platforms. We are making use of commercial digital games to understand and discuss the affordances of these games in an educational environment and how they support creativity in learning. (Fig.1)
Keywords: Children; Creative Learning; Devices; Digital Games; Mobile; Multimodal; Tangible Technologies; User-Centered Design

User Preference on Artificial Reverberation and Delay Time Parameters - Pestana, Pedro Duarte; Reiss, Joshua; Barbosa, Álvaro (Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, 2017)

3D Printing Objects As Installation Art: Standing Humanity: 3D Yan Character - Estadieu, Gérald; Martins de Abreu, F.; Barbosa, Álvaro (ACM, 2017)

Cross-Adaptive Polarity Switching Strategies for Optimization of Audio Mixes - Pestana, Pedro; Reiss, Josh; Barbosa, Alvaro (2015)

Capture and transformation of urban soundscape data for artistic creation - Gomes, Jose Alberto; Pinho, Nuno Peixoto De; Lopes, Filipe; Costa, Gustavo; Dias, Rui; Tudela, Diogo; Barbosa, Álvaro (Journal of Science and Technology of the Arts, 2014)

The creative industries as an integrated factor in a sustainable model for Macao's economic development - Azevedo, Margarida; Barbosa, Álvaro (Creative Industries Journal, 2014)
This article presents an insight into one of the regions with the fastest-growing economy, heavily based on an entertainment, gaming and tourism industry, and that is urgently looking for a sustainable model that articulates with complementary sectors within the cultural and creative industries – Macao. Macao is facing a major economic and social challenge; it has grown as a vulnerable economy relying almost exclusively on gaming revenues. Alternative activities to diversify the economy are urgently required to answer the competition risks haunting this industry. The cultural and creative industries could be a complementary activity – a vehicle for economic diversification. However, current public and private stakeholders for the cultural and creative sector might have been neglecting the unique cultural and heritage ecosystem of the territory, focusing on isolate opportunities and overlooking an inclusive and robust strategy. A sustainable model that attends to the local conditions and its people is required for alternative activities to become a meaningful sector for the social and economic development of Macao.

Privacy in sound-based social networks - Cordeiro, J.; Barbosa, A. (Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2014)

Using smartphones as personal monitoring tools for the acoustic environment - Cordeiro, Joao; Barbosa, Alvaro (2014)

The Foundation of Soundscape-Lab in Macau. - Cordeiro, Joao; Barbosa, Alvaro; Martins, Luis; Gomes, Jose (2014)

An eco-structuralism approach in soundscape (data) composition - Gomes, J.A.; Barbosa, A.; Penha, R. (ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 2014)

Composing with Soundscapes: an Approach Based on Raw Data Reinterpretation. - Gomes, Jose; Pinho, N.; Lopes, F.; Costa, G.; Dias, R.; Barbosa, Alvaro (2014)

Monitoring Temporal Personal Information Regarding Soundscapes and Movement, as a Way to Enhance Social Interactions - Barbosa, Alvaro; Cordeiro, Joao (Springer - Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2013)

NIME Education at the School of Arts of the Portuguese Catholic University / CITAR - Barbosa, Alvaro; Martins, Luis (2013)

Loudness Measurement of Multitrack Audio Content Using Modifications of ITU-R BS.1770 - Barbosa, Alvaro; Pestana, Pedro; Reiss, Josh (2013)

Soundscape-Sensing in Social Networks. - Cordeiro, Joao; Barbosa, Alvaro (2013)

A Soundscape Assessment Tool Based On A Massive Multichannel Loudspeaker Setup - Cordeiro, Joao; Barbosa, Alvaro; Santos, A. (2013)

Are Luminous Devices Helping Musicians to Produce Better Aural Results, or Just Helping Audiences Not To Get Bored - Joaquim-Fernandes, Vitor; Barbosa, Alvaro (2013)

NIME education at the school of arts of the portuguese catholic university/CITAR - Martins, L.G.; Barbosa, A. (Proceedings - 2013 Learning and Teaching in Computing and Engineering, LaTiCE 2013, 2013)

Spectral Characteristics of Popular Commercial Recordings 1950-2010 - Pestana, Pedro; Reiss, Josh; Ma, Z.; Barbosa, Alvaro (2013)

Perfect Take: Experience Design and New Interfaces for Musical Expression - Barbosa, Alvaro; Makelberge, Nicolas; Perrota, Andre; Ferreira, Luis Sarmento (NIME, 2012)

Accuracy of ITU-R BS.1770 Algorithm in Evaluating Multi-track Material - Barbosa, Alvaro; Pestana, Pedro; Reiss, Josh (Audio Engineerg Soceity, 2012)

Murky shooting: The use of auditory (non-speech) feedback on mobile audiogames - Cordeiro, J.; Baltazar, A.; Barbosa, A. (ACM International Conference Proceeding Series, 2012)

Malacca Creole Portuguese in the 19th century: Evidence of a wider lectal range? - Baxter, Alan N. (Journal of Pidgin and Creole Languages, 2018)
Abstract Earlier linguistic research suggested that Malacca Creole Portuguese (MCP) had existed without diglossia with Portuguese ever since the Dutch conquest of Portuguese Malacca in 1642, yet it had experienced some contact with Portuguese in the 19th and 20th centuries. The present study adds significantly to this discussion. It considers a range of information from sociohistorical studies and archival sources (including linguistic data) relating to the Dutch (1642–1795, 1818–1823) and early British (1795–1818, 1823–1884) colonial periods. For the Dutch period, it is seen that contact with other Creole Portuguese communities is likely to have persisted for some time. Most significant, however, is the finding that 19th century texts in Portuguese and creole Portuguese, recently identified in archival sources in London and Graz, show that Portuguese continued to be part of the Malacca sociolinguistic setting until the early British period, and that missionary Indo-Portuguese also had a presence at that time. It is concluded that, rather than presenting a narrow lectal range akin to that of the MCP community in the late 20th century, the creole lectal grid in the 19th century was more complex, and included dimensions of a continuum in a diglossic relationship with Portuguese.

Sounding Architecture: Inter-Disciplinary Studio at HKU - Barbosa, Alvaro; Tsang, Thomas (Aalborg University, 2017)
Sounding Architecture, is the first collaborative teaching development between Department of Architecture and Department of Music at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), introduced in Fall 2016. In this paper we present critical observations about the studio after a final public presentation of all projects. The Review was conducted with demonstrations by groups of students supervised by different Lecturer, in each case focusing on a different strategy to create a connection between Sound, Music, Acoustics, Space and Architectural Design. There was an assumption that the core working process would have to include the design of a new musical instrument, which in some cases became the final deliverable of the Studio and in other cases a step in a process that leads to a different outcome (such as an architectural Design, a performance or social experiment). One other relevant aspect was that Digital technology was used in the design and fabrication of the physical instruments' prototypes, but in very few cases, it was used in the actual generation or enhancement of sound, with the instruments relying almost exclusively in acoustic and mechanical sound.