Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2017-03"
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- Analysis of fungal burden by conventional and molecular methods in different settings and matrices: implications for public and occupational healthPublication . Gomes, Anita Quintal; Faria, Tiago; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Carolino, Elisabete; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, CarlaFungal burden has traditionally been detected by conventional culture analysis. This method allows the identification and quantification of organisms posing high health/occupational risk and is widely used by the scientific community. The fungal burden determined by culture analysis can, in most studies, be compared with legal and scientific guidelines allowing an estimation of the degree of severity of the exposure. However, this method is limited by several factors, including incubation conditions such as the incubation time, which can be very long for some species, thus preventing a quick assessment of fungal burden. Another limiting factor is competition between species: clinically relevant species might possess lower growth rates than other non-toxic fast growing fungi thus hampering their detection. These limitations can be overcome by the use of quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). This method, based on the amplification of genomic regions specific to certain fungal species, increases sensitivity, allowing the specific detection of a given species and removing interference by other species present in the sample. qPCR also allows the detection of dormant forms of fungi, such as spores. Thus the ideal scenario is to use these the two methods in parallel, as they complement each other to provide useful information for the assessment of exposure to fungi. We briefly describe several studies where both methods were used to detect the presence of toxigenic fungi, namely Aspergillus, particularly from the Fumigati, Flavi and Circumdati sections. These include fungal analysis from different matrices such as air, feed and coffee and within different settings, including wastewater treatment plants, slaughterhouses, feed industries, poultry and swine pavilions. The results obtained with both conventional and molecular methods are compared and discussed as well as its implications for the exposed workers' health.
- Estrutura de capital e rendibilidade do setor empresarial do Estado: os casos da Carris e da STCPPublication . Sousa, Nelson Gabriel Saavedra e; Breia, Arménio FernandesEste trabalho visa estudar o modelo de gestão de financiamento das Empresas Públicas do setor dos transportes em Portugal. O objeto é o estudo de caso da Companhia Carris de Ferro de Lisboa, S.A., e da Sociedade de Transportes Coletivos do Porto, S.A.. O endividamento destas empresas e a sua consequente difícil sustentabilidade económico-financeira será objeto de análise financeira, nomeadamente através de vários rácios e análises associadas. Procurar-se-á apurar e analisar os factos que levam estas empresas a apresentar consecutivamente resultados reveladores de difícil sustentabilidade e viabilidade. Neste âmbito fizemos uma análise histórica a ambas as empresas em estudo, onde abordamos a sua atividade no âmbito do Serviço Público e evolução dos principais indicadores de endividamento e rendibilidade. Por fim iremos comparar o desempenho destas empresas com a empresa líder de mercado e com o Setor de transportes em geral, tentando assim responder como evoluiu o endividamento e a rendibilidades destas empresas entre 2009 e 2015, e qual o seu comportamento em relação ao setor de transportes em geral assim como a sua posição e evolução em relação à empresa com maior volume de negócios do setor rodoviário.
- Serum zinc evolution in dysphagic patients that underwent endoscopic gastrostomy for long term enteral feedingPublication . Santos, Carla Adriana; Fonseca, Jorge; Lopes, Maria Teresa Martins; Carolino, Elisabete; Guerreiro, António SousaBackground and objectives - Patients undergoing endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) present with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) but little are known about zinc status. Our aim was to evaluate serum zinc, its relationship with serum proteins and with the nature of the underlying disorder, during the first 3 months of PEG feeding. Methods and study design - Prospective observational study during a 3-month period after gastrostomy. Data were collected at initial PEG procedure (T0), after 4 (T1) and 12 weeks (T3). Initial evaluation included: age, gender, a disorder causing dysphagia, Neurological Dysphagia (ND) or Head and Neck Cancer (HNC), NRS-2002, BMI, albumin, transferrin, zinc. At T1 and T3, a blood sample was collected for zinc, albumin, transferrin. Serum zinc evaluation was performed with ICP-AES - Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. Patients were fed with homemade meals. Results - A total of 146 patients (89 males), 21-95 years were studied: HNC-56, ND-90 and low BMI in 78. Initial low zinc in 122; low albumin in 77, low transferrin in 94; low values for both proteins in 66. Regarding the serum protein evolution, their levels increase T0-T3, most patients reaching normal values. zinc has a slower evolution, most patients still displaying low zinc at T3. Significant differences between the 3 moments for zinc (p=0.011), albumin (p<0.0001) and transferrin (p=0.014). Conclusion - PEG patients are prone to PEM and zinc deficiency. Most patients present decreased zinc, suggesting that zinc deficiency is common in PEG candidates and is not corrected during 3 months of enteral feeding. Zinc deficiency should be expected and teams taking care of PEG patients should use zinc supplementation.
- A burla tributária como um instrumento de planeamento fiscal abusivoPublication . Guerreiro, Ana Sofia Pereira Ana; Guimarães, Vasco BrancoNesta Dissertação iremos abordar a temática dos comportamentos abusivos dos contribuintes, bem como algumas das suas causas mais comuns. De seguida, será feita alusão às principais diferenças que existem entre planeamento fiscal abusivo e agressivo, num contexto internacional, europeu e também nacional. No âmbito destes comportamentos abusivos, por parte dos contribuintes, que têm sempre na base da sua existência a minimização dos encargos fiscais através de meios ilícitos e fraudulentos, é dada uma definição de evasão e fraude fiscais. A par desta comparação de conceitos, é importante mencionar que é sempre feita uma análise de casos práticos, que já foram julgados pela justiça, permitindo, desta forma, que se possa ter uma visão mais concreta de tudo o que é exposto. Como principal crime tributário retratado neste trabalho, e que acaba por ser o tema central do mesmo, apontaremos a burla tributária, onde serão apresentadas as suas principais características, bem como a forma em que a fraude carrossel se pode caracterizar e associar à burla, através dos esquemas que são apresentados, nomeadamente, a fraude carrossel em IVA. Por fim, será feita a ligação entre o crime de burla tributária, fraude carrossel e planeamento fiscal abusivo, uma vez que todos estes esquemas ilícitos requerem sempre, um planeamento muito sofisticado para serem postos em prática. Daremos, ainda, ênfase ao facto de um dos principais objetivos que pretendemos alcançar com esta Dissertação, se traduzir, essencialmente, em demonstrar a importância de alertar e sensibilizar as gerações futuras, para que estas possam assumir uma postura mais preventiva e de combate à fraude e evasão fiscais, devido a todo o clima de desconfiança ultimamente instaurado.
- O Projeto Troika em Portugal: media, resiliência e vulnerabilidadePublication . Rodrigues, Vanessa Ribeiro; Diz, Henrique; Dos Santos, Maria José Palma LampreiaEste artigo tem como principal objetivo analisar em que medida o Projeto Troika de narrativas visuais (2014) contribuiu para dar voz a histórias de vulnerabilidade e resiliência em Portugal, empoderar a sociedade portuguesa para o progresso humano e de que forma se enquadra no jornalismo para o desenvolvimento. Além disso, pretende perceber como o projeto se harmoniza, tematicamente, nas problemáticas das Nações Unidas da agenda para o desenvolvimento pós-2015. Para responder a essas questões, realizamos um estudo exploratório por meio de entrevistas estruturadas a três membros desse coletivo independente. Concluímos que o documentário se afirma com maior potencial para promover a reflexão do que as fotografias, no que diz respeito a questões de desenvolvimento e progresso humano, e que os seus contributos poderão ser ao nível da promoção do debate para a consciencialização. No entanto, não parecem ter criado potencial imediato para o empoderamento da sociedade civil. Assim, sugere-se que, em futuros trabalhos jornalísticos nesse âmbito de jornalismo para o desenvolvimento, sejam combinadas, sempre que possível, narrativas que associem quer documentários, quer entrevistas registradas em áudio aos principais intervenientes, como forma de empoderar a sociedade e contribuir de forma mais eficaz para a mudança social.
- Structural reinforcements on AFO's: a study using computer-aided design and finite element methodPublication . Gomes, Gonçalo; Lourenco, Inês; Oliveira, José; Gomes, Miguel; Vale, Alberto; Freire, Luís; Quental, Paulo; Policarpo, Hugo; Matos, José PedroThe opening of cracks on the lateral sides of AFO's is a common problem due to the stress forces applied during the gait cycle. The problem can usually be prevented with the inclusion of structural reinforcements in the expected cracking zone of the AFO. This study proposes an approach to evaluate the effect of the applied reinforcements to the AFO's, quantifying the stress forces and deformation experienced by the orthotic device during the stance phase of the gait. For that, a CAD file of an AFO had to be crated and then edited using CAD software (ANSYS® SpaceClaim® Direct Modeler™) in order to create a geometry suitable to be analyzed by a CAE software (ANSYS® Workbench™™ with the Finite Element Method (FEM). Besides the digital model, different input conditions, such as forces (for dynamic conditions), supports (for static conditions) and material properties were defined and analyzed.
- Bidirectional boost/buck quadratic converter for distributed generation systems with electrochemical storage systemsPublication . Pires, V. Fernão; Foito, D.; Cordeiro, ArmandoThe increasing number of distributed generation systems using renewable and non-conventional energy sources show the trend of future generation systems. Most of these systems require power electronic converters as an interface between the DC voltage buses and electrochemical storage systems. Such storage systems, like batteries or supercapacitors, usually need bidirectional DC-DC converters to allow their charge or discharge according with necessary operation conditions. In this paper, a non-isolated bidirectional Buck-Boost converter with high voltage gain for electrochemical storage devices used in distributed generation systems is presented. To achieve high voltage gain ratios, the proposed topology presents quadratic characteristics in both step-down (Buck) and step-up (Boost) operation modes. In addition to the wide conversion range, it presents continuous input and output current, reduced charging/discharging ripple and simple control circuitry. All these features allow the energy exchange smoothly and continuously resulting in a longer durability of storage devices. The principle of the operation of the proposed converter in both operation modes, as well as their theoretical analysis will be discussed. The performance of this bidirectional power converter is confirmed through simulation and experimental results.
- N2O-Free single-pot conversion of cyclohexane to adipic acid catalysed by an iron(II) scorpionate complexPublication . Da Costa Ribeiro, Ana Paula; Martins, Luisa; Pombeiro, ArmandoThe highly efficient eco-friendly synthesis of adipic acid (96% yield, 98% selectivity, TONs up to 1.8 × 103) directly from cyclohexane is achieved by using ozone and [FeCl2{κ3-HC(pz)3}] (pz = pyrazol-1-yl) in a solvent-, heating-, radiation- and N2O-free new protocol.
- Organisational narratives of applied knowledge in technology based organisationsPublication . Piteira, Margarida; Gomes, JorgeThis paper presents the conclusions of four case studies in technology-based (TB) organisations. These companies have a strong international presence and also represent success-stories of Portuguese innovation, covering the 1980s through to the 2000s. Using a qualitative approach, the authors pinpoint the critical success factors that made these companies a reference in terms of innovation. These cases were chosen as they all recount the successful application of sustainable innovation in social processes to organisations. The research question was: What are the key factors that drive innovation processes in successful Portuguese technology-based organisations? Results show that the lessons learned from narratives of innovation play an instrumental role in the comprehension of social interaction complexities. Furthermore, the study identifies several management practices that highlight the significance of the players involved in innovation. The findings show that a passion for knowledge and its productive applications are key differentiating factors.
- Anxiety in cancer patients during 18F-FDG PET/CT low dose: a comparison of anxiety levels before and after imaging studiesPublication . Grilo, Ana Monteiro; Vieira, Lina; Carolino, Elisabete; Oliveira, Cátia; Pacheco, Carolina; Castro, Maria; Alonso, JuanObjective - Assessing the level of anxiety in oncology patients who underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and identifying the main reasons that generate anxiety. Material and Method - The study included 81 cancer patients submitted to the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Patients filled in the Scan Experience Questionnaire and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) before and after (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan. Results - Substantial levels of anxiety were detected both before and after (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan (STAI mean > 30), with a significant increase in the state of anxiety after scan performance (p < 0.0001, Medianpre = 31.1, and Medianpos = 33.0). (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose results are the main cause of anxiety both before (79.1%) and after (86.9%) the scan. The information provided by staff both before and on the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose day was classified mostly as completely understandable (70.5% and 75.3%, resp.) and as very useful (70.5% and 72.6%, resp.) and correlated positively with patients' overall satisfaction with NM Department (rS = 0.372, p = 0.004 and rS = 0.528, p = 0.000, resp.), but not with anxiety levels. Conclusions - Patients perceive high levels of anxiety during the (18)F-FDG PET/CT low dose scan and the concern with scan results was pointed out as the main factor for that emotional reaction.