Browsing by Author "Dias, Ana"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 23
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Application of triz methodology to support the emergence of collaborative networksPublication . Navas, Helena; Abreu, António; Dias, AnaNowadays, companies operate in markets exposed to the effects of globalization, the opportunities for conducting business are becoming shorter in terms of time as well as the business environment is increasingly volatile. Thus, companies have to start learning to work together in certain areas or skills, to follow different paths other through the stimulation of inter-firm relationships giving rise to organizational models based on networks of collaboration between companies. However, a major challenge with the knowledge that this area faces is related to the need to develop a general theory of collaborative networks. Thus, the establishment of collaborative processes in response to a business opportunity should not follow an ad-hoc process, but instead must be supported by appropriate methodologies to support the process of analysis of technological and organizational systems, identify contradictions and problematic situations and process indicate the likely solution to the found problems. In this context, the Theory of Invention Problem Solving, better known by its acronym TRIZ, aims to aid in the detection of contradictions regarding systems and the generation of creative solutions which eliminate the contradictions found and get major improvements in technological and organizational systems. Innovation is crucial to increasing the efficiency of organizations, to improve competitiveness and profitability, since life cycle of products is becoming shorter. The collaborative chains need to develop innovative solutions progressively with the aim of improving processes. The TRIZ methodology can indicate some guidelines for managers of companies and their network since it The 2016 International Conference on Systematic Innovation July 20-22, 2016, Lisbon, Portugal allows to generate solutions to radical or based on the application of the latest scientific discoveries and experienced little change. The aim of this paper is to contribute to greater agility and sustainability of the processes of formation of collaborative chains to meet business opportunities, introducing the TRIZ methodology supporting the creation and development of collaborative chains.
- Biodiesel production processes and sustainable raw materialsPublication . Ramos, Marta; Dias, Ana; Puna, Jaime; Gomes, João; Bordado, JoãoEnergy security and environmental concerns, related to the increasing carbon emissions, have prompted in the last years the search for renewable and sustainable fuels. Biodiesel, a mixture of fatty acids alkyl esters shows properties, which make it a feasible substitute for fossil diesel. Biodiesel can be produced using different processes and different raw materials. The most common, first generation, biodiesel is produced by methanolysis of vegetable oils using basic or acid homogeneous catalysts. The use of vegetable oils for biodiesel production raises serious questions about biodiesel sustainability. Used cooking oils and animal fats can replace the vegetable oils in biodiesel production thus allowing to produce a more sustainable biofuel. Moreover, methanol can be replaced by ethanol being totally renewable since it can be produced by biomass fermentation. The substitution of homogeneous catalyzed processes, nowadays used in the biodiesel industry, by heterogeneous ones can contribute to improve the biodiesel sustainability with simultaneous cost reduction. From the existing literature on biodiesel production, it stands out that several strategies can be adopted to improve the sustainability of biodiesel. A literature review is presented to underline the strategies allowing to improve the biodiesel sustainability.
- Biopsychosocial factors that influence the purpose in life among working adults and retireesPublication . Coelho, Anabela; Lopes, Manuel; Barata, Marta; Sousa, Sofia; Goes, Margarida; Bia, Florbela; Dias, Ana; João, Ana; Lusquinhos, Leonel; Oliveira, Henrique; Gaspar, TâniaThis study aimed to identify and characterize biopsychosocial factors that impact the purpose in life (PIL) among adults that are working or already retired. This cross-sectional study includes a sample of 1330 participants, of whom 62.2% were female, with ages ranging from 55 and 84 years, with a mean of 61.93 years and a standard deviation of 7.65. Results suggest that the education level, stress, spirituality (religion) and optimism, social support from friends, and quality of life-related to physical health seem to contribute positively to the PIL for both groups. However, some variables such as age, marital status and environmental quality of life help explain the PIL of retired people, and the quality of life-related to social support helps explain the PIL of working adults. Overall, the reported findings suggest that the purpose in life is strongly related to physical, psychological, social, and environmental health factors. It is highlighted that working adults and retired people have their purpose in life-related to similar factors and others specific to each life stage, suggesting the need for crucial interventions to promote a healthier and more positive aging process.
- Control charts to support trust monitoring in dynamic logistics networksPublication . Abreu, António; Requeijo, José; Calado, João Manuel Ferreira; Dias, AnaNowadays, companies to be competitive must develop capabilities that enable them to respond quickly to market needs. According to some managers, the strategy is the development of dynamic logistics networks based on a collaborative environment. However, the absence of mechanisms to detect and even anticipate potential opportunistic behaviour is an obstacle to the proliferation of this way of working. The article aims to understand the role of trust to sustainability of collaborative processes. The paper begins by discussing the trust properties. It is then discussed how statistical control charts can be used to support the trust monitoring of each member within a collaborative ecosystem. The control charts’ tools suggested in this paper are the Z control charts for trust level monitoring and the Zi capacity index. Finally, it is discussed how this approach can be applied to dynamic logistics networks within the context of a collaborative ecosystem.
- Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of environmental relevant concentrations of bisphenol A and interactions with doxorubicinPublication . Ramos, Carina; Ladeira, Carina; Zeferino, Sofia; Dias, Ana; Faria, Isabel; Cristovam, Elisabete; Gomes, Manuel; Ribeiro, EdnaBisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most widely utilized endocrine disruptors to which humans are exposed, particularity through ingestion. BPA is an aneugenic compound with a putative association to tumorigenesis. Although extensively studied in estrogen-responsive cells, information regarding its effects on cells from the upper gastrointestinal tract exposed to free/active forms of BPA are still scarce. Similarly, BPA interactions with other drugs has been neglected, although it has been suggested to has a potential role in doxorubicin (DOX) chemoresistance. This study is intended to assess potential cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of BPA, as well as its interactions with DOX, in Human epithelial type 2 cells (Hep-2) originated from a human laryngeal carcinoma and in a DNA damage responsive cell line, the human lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). Cell viability was analyzed through the resazurin assay. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER) expression was visualized by immunodetection. Genotoxicity, namely DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage, were assessed by comet assay and micronuclei induction, and mitotic disruption was evaluated cytologically by fluorescent microscopy wif DAPI staining. Cytotoxicity analysis showed that exposure to BPA per se does not affect cellular viability. Nevertheless, the genotoxic analysis showed that BPA induced an increase of DNA damage in the Hep-2 cell line and in oxidative damage in the MRC-5 cell line. An increase of micronuclei was also observed in both cell lines following BPA exposure. BPA and DOX co-exposures suggested that BPA acts as an antagonist of DOX effects in both cell lines. The interaction wif DOX appears to be cell type dependent, exhibiting a non-monotonic response curve in MRC-5 cells, a GPER expressing cell line. Our study emphasizes the need for a deeper knowledge of BPA interactions, particularly with chemotherapeutic agents, in the context of risk assessment and public health.
- Cytotoxicity effects of bisphenol A in Hep2 and MRC5 cell lines: is established TDI protective enough?Publication . Ribeiro, Edna; Zeferino, Ana Sofia; Dias, Ana; Cristovam, Elisabete; Viegas, SusanaEndocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds generally employed in the food and drinks processing and packing, with potential associated hazardous effects for human health. Bisphenol A (BPA) stands out as a paradigmatic xenoestrogen for which human exposure is widespread, omnipresent and persistent, particularly trough ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) experts on the latest comprehensive re-evaluation of BPA exposure and toxicity reduced the tolerable daily intake (TDI) from 50 μg/kg bw/day to 4 μg/kg bw/day. This compound is included in the Priority List of Chemicals within the EU Strategy for Endocrine Disruptors and classified as high concern in terms of human/wildlife exposure. BPA even at very low concentrations can influence cell fate in a cell type specific manner and epidemiological studies have demonstrated positive correlations between BPA levels detected in human biological samples and etiology of numerous pathologies. Here we aimed to evaluate potential cytotoxic effects of BPA concentrations within the range detected in human biological samples consistent to exposure levels below the established TDI, namely 4.4 μM, 4.4 nM and 0.44 nM in Hep2 and MRC5 cell lines. Cytotoxic effects were assessed trough the fluorometric method CellTiter-Blue assay and expression of BPA high affinity receptor GPER, in MRC5 cells, was performed trough immunofluorescence technique. We demonstrate that MCR5 cells express GPER receptor and no significant differences in viability associated with BPA exposure was observed in both cell lines. Our results indicate that BPA concentrations below the EFSA established TDI do not affect Hep2 or MRC5 cellular viability which sustains the indication of safe levels. Nevertheless, further research must be performed in order to assess potential effects that are not reflected by cytotoxicity such as genotoxicity and mixtures interactions.
- Definition of strategies based on simulation and design of experimentsPublication . Abreu, António; Requeijo, José; J. M. F. Calado; Dias, AnaNowadays, even fairly small companies have to use more and more efficient working methodologies such as the "transnational" ones. The market may still be local or regional, but the competition is global. Companies, to be competitive, need to market their products at acceptable prices, in the right time and with a higher level of quality. According to some authors, the company's survival strategy involves the development of methodologies that are capable of designing, developing and / or improving the processes so that they are more efficient, with a low cost and in a shorter time. This article begins by discussing the relevance of the theme to the competitiveness of companies. Next, it is discussed how the Design of Experiments associated with simulation tools can contribute to the definition of operational strategies. Finally, an illustrative example is presented, and the main conclusions are drawn.
- A framework for risk assessment in collaborative networks to promote sustainable systems in innovation ecosystemsPublication . Santos, Ricardo; Abreu, António; Dias, Ana; Calado, João Manuel Ferreira; Anes, Vitor; Soares, JoséNowadays—and due to an increasingly competitive world—organizations need to collaborate in an open innovation context to be e_cient and e_ective by achieving high levels of innovation with their products and services. However, the existing resources—as well as the innovation achieved from the diversity of partners involved—brings challenges to the management; in particularly with risk management. To fulfill such needs, risk management frameworks have been created to support managers, on preventing threats with systems development, although without properly account the influence of each system component, on the entire system, as well as the subjectivity within human perception. To account for these issues, a framework supported by fuzzy logic is presented in this work, to evaluate the risk level on system development in open innovation environment. The approach robustness is assessed by using a case study, where the challenges and benefits found are discussed.
- Inovação e Desenvolvimento de Novos ProdutosPublication . Dias, AnaNeste livro dedicado à inovação apresenta-se um conjunto considerável de ferramentas disponíveis para concepção e desenvolvimento de novos produtos, classificados conforme a especificidade da sua utilização na indústria e serviços. Aqui se propõe um modelo holístico de conjugação das ferramentas, base da organização dos capítulos do livro e roteiro de avaliação do grau de maturidade das organizações inovadoras. Aborda-se com o detalhe possível, o que concerne aos múltiplos aspectos operacionais e estratégicos das empresas que competem no mercado global dos novos produtos, contribuindo-se assim para uma nova capacidade empresarial. Pretende-se que o contributo do livro se estenda ainda ao refrescamento de programas de algumas unidades curriculares de cursos superiores de gestão e de engenharia, nomeadamente na engenharia industrial.
- MAIDNP – Modelo Abrangente e Integrado para o DNPPublication . Dias, Ana; Abreu, António; Navas, HelenaO desenvolvimento de novos produtos (DNP) é crucial para a existência das empresas, fonte de vantagem competitiva e fator determinante do seu êxito empresarial. Diversos fatores tanto, operacionais como organizacionais ou até estratégicos, contribuem para o processo de inovação que suporta o DNP. A avaliação holística de todos estes fatores, no seu conjunto, não tem sido objeto de investigação conducente à proposta de um modelo integrado e sistémico. Desta forma, este artigo tem como objetivo a proposta de um modelo abrangente de natureza funcional, que integre os níveis estratégico, organizacional e processual, bem como o conjunto de fatores a ter em conta nos projetos de DNP. Com base na revisão de literatura, chega-se por via dedutiva-indutiva a um modelo conceptual abrangente e integrado. O modelo conceptual é validado de forma empírica, no meio industrial, através de quatro casos de estudo, explanatórios e explicativos referentes à implementação de novos produtos e serviços, tanto incrementais como disruptivos. Após a validação empírica considera-se que o modelo conceptual se transforma em funcional. Como resultado, o MAIDNP (Modelo Abrangente e Integrado para o Desenvolvimento de Novos Produtos) constitui-se também como uma ferramenta aferidora de processos, projetos e produtos, dedicado às empresas que inovam, concebem e desenvolvem novos produtos. The development of new products (NPD) is crucial for the existence of companies, source of competitive advantage and determinant of their business success. Several factors, both operational and organizational or even strategic, contribute to the innovation process that supports NPD. The holistic assessment of all these factors as a whole has not been the subject of research leading to the proposal for an integrated and systemic model. In this way, this paper aims to propose a MAIDNP – MODELO ABRANGENTE E INT EGRADO PARA O DNP 46 comprehensive functional model that integrates the strategic, organizational and procedural levels, as well as the set of factors to be taken into account in NPD projects. Based on the literature review, it is deductively-inductive to a comprehensive and integrated conceptual model. The conceptual model is empirically validated in the industrial environment through four explanatory case studies, concerning the implementation of new products and services, both incremental and disruptive. After empirical validation it is considered that the conceptual model becomes functional. As a result, MAIDNP (Integrated and Comprehensive Model for the Development of New Products) is also a process, project and product benchmarking tool dedicated to companies that innovate, design and develop new products.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »