http://hdl.handle.net/10174/49 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:50:43 GMT 2026-06-03T12:50:43Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42076 Title: A study protocol for assessing the effects of intangible cultural heritage experiences on human well-being Authors: Nunez-Garcia, Alicia; Fuente-Garcia, Sofia; Lowemi, Erfan; Masoodian, Masood; Vieira, Renata; Rodrigues, Aurea; Luz, Saturnino Abstract: Background: While interventions have been designed which use extended reality (XR) technology in promoting physical, mental and social well-being through cultural heritage experiences, well-defined methodologies for the assessment of such interventions is lacking. Objectives: We present a protocol for evaluating the usability and effectiveness of an XR system that mediates and facilitates access to intangible cultural heritage experiences. We aim to assess the effects of these experiences on user well-being and attitudes across four case studies: ageing societies, sustainable tourism, disappearing communities, and immigration and multiculturalism. Methods and analysis: Participants will be randomly assigned to control or intervention groups. The effects of the XR intervention on well-being will be assessed through statistical analysis of the participants’ salivary cortisol and cortisone levels, physiological signals, and subjective ratings, both pre- and post-intervention and between control and intervention groups. Usability will be measured through a system usability scale. Speech will be recorded for qualitative and natural language processing analysis. Machine learning models will be developed for prediction of affect and well-being on multimodal data. Discussion: This is one of the first international and multidisciplinary studies to explore the effects of XR-mediated intangible cultural heritage experiences on well-being and attitudes towards issues of societal importance. One of the main strengths of this study is the range of data modalities it collects, and the range of methods it employs to analyse these data in a complementary manner, including qualitative, statistical and advanced machine learning methods. Conclusion: This protocol offers a method and four case studies to assess the potential of immersive XR experiences and interventions of intangible cultural heritage as contributors to increased well-being and as actors of societal change. It stands as a reference model for further similar interventions in the field. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42076 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42074 Title: Drawing digital lines: pattern analysis of divisive rhetoric in social network discussions Authors: Bassi, Davide; San Martino, Giovanni; Vieira, Renata; Pereira-Farina, Martin Abstract: Social dialogue is a cornerstone for political decision-making and maintaining mutual understanding between diverse societal groups when addressing collective challenges. However, this dialogue is increasingly strained in digital environments where users regularly encounter opposing viewpoints. While research has examined how political actors strategically leverage divisive rhetoric, less attention has been paid to how ordinary users utilize these devices in everyday online interactions. This study investigates how users employ divisive rhetorical strategies across social networks, examining the relationships between topic controversiality, user stance, and interactive patterns. Through a large-scale analysis of 146K YouTube comments on immigration and climate change discussions—two highly polarizing topics in contemporary discourse. The research combines computational methods for rhetoric mining with network analysis to track patterns of user interaction and manifestation of divisive rhetoric. Our analysis reveals three key findings: (1) Controversial topics elicit significantly higher frequencies of divisive rhetorical strategies compared to non-controversial ones, with distinct patterns across topics; (2) Users demonstrating strong stance commitment (Pro and Contra) use significantly more divisive rhetoric with parallel patterns, regardless of ideological position, distinguishing them from neutral users; (3) Users strategically adapt their rhetorical behavior to their interlocutor’s stance, suggesting that stance intensity rather than specific ideological content drives rhetorical similarity. Framed through Social Identity Theory, we conceptualize these wedge rhetorical devices as an interactive toolkit that users deploy to navigate social positioning in deindividualized discussions, either reinforcing solidarity among users sharing similar positions or creating distinctions from those holding opposing views. This study shows how computational methods can effectively track and analyze the ways citizens strategically navigate social positioning on sensitive issues, contributing to our understanding of online political discourse dynamics. Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42074 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42007 Title: Mujeres que matan: el homicidio en feminino en el Portugal del setecientos Authors: Ribeiro, Ana Sofia Editors: García Hurtado, Manuel Abstract: Las imágenes prescritas por las normas sociales vigentes en la Europa del Antiguo Régimen relegaban a la mujer al espacio doméstico y a la tutela masculina (padre, hermano o marido). Jurídicamente, la mujer tenía escasa capacidad de acción y decisión, siendo reducida a una situación de minoría y con una autonomía muy limitada. Sin embargo, los estudios más recientes sobre el papel económico y social de la mujer en el Portugal moderno han subrayado la autonomía de su acción en aspectos como el trabajo o la administración del patrimonio, por ejemplo. No obstante, el intento de explicar la desigualdad de género, que indeleblemente existió y persiste, perpetuó un discurso de victimización de la mujer, en paralelo con el discurso teológico-moral, científico y jurídico que la consideraba un ser tentador y la raíz del mal del mundo, del pecado original. En esta comunicación se pretende analizar el papel del cuerpo y de la acción femenina como agentes del crimen de homicidio en el Portugal del final del Antiguo Régimen. La segunda mitad del siglo XVIII trajo consigo algunas transformaciones en los códigos jurídicos vigentes, aunque el homicidio siguió siendo uno de los crímenes más severamente castigados. A pesar de ello, el homicidio nunca ha sido objeto de un estudio profundo a largo plazo en Portugal. ¿Cómo mataban las mujeres portuguesas del setecientos? ¿Qué historias de vida se ocultan detrás de estos casos? ¿Qué significados sociales, culturales y simbólicos persisten en estas historias? Se pretende confrontar la norma con la práctica, evidenciando el papel de la mujer como agente capaz de tomar decisiones. El análisis se centrará en tres ciudades portuguesas: Oporto, Évora y Lisboa, a partir de tres fuentes documentales distintas: perdones parciales, procesos judiciales y los archivos de la Intendencia General de la Policía. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42007 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42006 Title: Auto de regulação de taxas para a venda de bens de consumo produzidos por curtidores e sapateiros no concelho de Arraiolos (1694) Authors: Lopes, Bruno Abstract: Auto realizado na Câmara de Arraiolos, no distrito de Évora, a 30 de janeiro de 1694, para estabelecimento do preço pelo qual curtidores e sapateiros poderiam vender bens de consumo no concelho de Arraiolos. Estipulam-se, ainda, as penas a aplicar, que reverteriam para a fazenda camarária, em caso de incumprimento. Estão presentes as autoridades locais: o juiz de fora, os vereadores, os procuradores da câmara e do povo, o escrivão da câmara, assim como dois homens nobres, o juiz dos mesteres e respetivo escrivão, e quatro oficiais mecânicos, estes últimos em representação dos seus pares. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42006 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z