Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-06"
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- Perceptions of online teaching in the academic community at a higher education health institutionPublication . Poças, Ilda Maria; Grilo, Ana; Silva, Carina; Homem, Ana; Rodrigues, Carolina; Francisco, Inês; Nogueira, PatríciaPurpose: Faced with the COVID-19 pandemic situation, higher education institutions needed to adapt, moving from face-to-face teaching to distance learning online. The aim is to analyze the perception of the academic community in a higher education health institution (students' and lecturers' perception; and lecturers' perception of students) in the face of transition, emotional states, and visual changes.
- Ocular repercussions in COVID-19 patients: structural changes of the retina and choroidPublication . Poças, Ilda Maria; Cunha, João Paulo; Camacho, Pedro; Silva, Carina; Ribeiro, Edna; Brito, Miguel; Mendonça, Paula; Barroqueiro, Olga; Lino, Pedro Miguel; Condado, Patrícia; Nicho, Inês; Carmo, Rita; Castelhano, Mariana; Carvalho, Francisca; Almeida, Júlio Costa; Prieto, IsabelPurpose: In March 2022, after 1 year of the emergence of the pandemic by Covid-10 in Portugal, 3413013 positive cases were recorded. The eye can be not only the gateway for coronaviruses (CoV) but also one of their target organs. Conjunctivitis, uveitis, vasculitis, retinitis, and optic neuritis have been documented in animal models. Although most studies focus on respiratory tract involvement, ocular surface involvement such as tears are also reported in other CoVs and their relationship should be valued and studied as a form of treatment, contagion, and transmission. Also, the neurotropism of CoVs, not only through hematogenous dissemination but also through the retrograde neuronal route, associated or not with vascular/ischemic compromise of COVID-19 and its brain sequela may justify the use of non-invasive methodologies to characterize the retina and choroid of patients infected with COVID-19. The possible neurodegeneration associated with the coronavirus will be important to assess the thickness of the innermost layers of the upper hemiretin, with involvement described in other neurodegenerative diseases.
- Revisiting the fracture forming limits of bulk forming under biaxial tensionPublication . Sampaio, Rui F. V.; Pragana, João; Bragança, Ivo; Silva, Carlos; Martins, PauloThe formability limits of bulk metal forming in principal strain space and in the effective strain vs. stress-triaxiality space are characterized by an uncertainty region in which cracks may be triggered by tension (mode I of fracture mechanics) or by out-of-plane shear (mode III). The problem in obtaining experimental data in this region has been known for a long time and the main objective of this paper is to present a new upset formability test geometry that can effectively contribute to the characterization of the formability limits of bulk metal forming parts subjected to biaxial tension. Alongside with this objective, this paper also presents an analytical expression for converting the fracture forming limit line corresponding to crack opening by mode III in principal strain space into a hyperbolic fracture limit curve in the effective strain vs. stress-triaxiality space. The overall methodology employed by the authors combines experimentation along with analytical and numerical modelling, and the contents of the paper is a step towards diminishing the actual lack of knowledge regarding failure by fracture in bulk metal forming parts subject to stress-triaxiality values beyond uniaxial tension. Results show that a new uncoupled ductile fracture criterion built upon combination of the integrands of the Cockcroft-Latham and McClintock criteria can be successfully used to model the physics of the bulk metal forming limits for the entire range of stress-triaxiality values corresponding to cracking on free surfaces.
- O contributo da auditoria para a prevenção e deteção de fraude. Uma aplicação ao setor bancárioPublication . Henriques, Gonçalo Filipe Lopes; Roque, PedroA fraude é um complexo problema no mundo empresarial que afeta muitas empresas, independentemente do seu setor, dimensão e localização. Neste sentido, a presente dissertação de mestrado tem como propósito o estudo da fraude e as suas implicações em auditoria no que diz respeito à prevenção e deteção da mesma. Aquando da realização de uma auditoria, o auditor é responsável por alcançar uma garantia razoável de fiabilidade quanto à não existência de distorções materialmente relevantes nas demonstrações financeiras, obtendo uma prova de auditoria suficiente e apropriada, nomeadamente, no que diz respeito aos riscos de distorção material derivados a erros ou fraude. Deste modo, o auditor deverá respeitar sempre os princípios éticos e o ceticismo profissional exigidos na atividade de auditoria, devendo ainda manter-se alerta relativamente a comportamentos suspeitos de fraude (red flags) e identificar situações de risco ou fragilidades que potenciem a prática de fraude. Sendo o setor bancário um dos mais afetados pela problemática em estudo, o que nos últimos anos tem motivado perdas substancialmente elevadas em todo o ramo, pretende-se demonstrar quais os tipos de fraudes mais comuns que têm afetado o setor e quais os mecanismos de prevenção e deteção adotados pelos bancos a atuar em Portugal, através do caso em estudo, o Novobanco, onde é permitido compreender que, na sua função de controlo, o banco dispõe de três linhas de defesa que trabalham em conjunto para mitigar a fraude.
- Occupational exposure to fungi and mycotoxins: overview of different studies developed in PortugalPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Kosicki, Robert; Soszczyńska, Ewelina; Caetano, Liliana Aranha; Viegas, SusanaAs in all European countries, Portuguese employers are obliged by legal requirements to assess and prevent exposure to chemical, physical and biological risks (Directive 89/391/EEC). However, the health risks of biological origin are frequently less recognized and, thus, underreported. This study intends to present an overview of the assessments of fungal contamination and mycotoxins performed in three different occupational environments (Firefighters headquarters - FFH; Waste collection trucks – WCT and; Cemeteries - CM). Active sampling (impaction and impingement methods) and several passive sampling methods (swabs, settled dust, settled dust filters, electrostatic dust cloths – EDC, cleaning materials,…) were employed. Azole resistance screening, the molecular detection of Aspergillus sections, as well as mycotoxin analysis were also conducted. Regarding FFH it was raised concern regarding the following findings: a) microbial contamination didn´t comply with Portuguese IAQ legal requirements in most of the FFH (fungal load 45.45%); b) fungal exposure through inhalation underlining a possible risk factor for respiratory diseases; c) prevalence of Aspergillus sp. in cleaning materials that might represent a potential source of cross-contamination; d) widespread of Aspergillus section Fumigati in all the FFH analysed; e) trend of multidrug resistance found among fungi with a focus on Fumigati isolates; and f) detection of several mycotoxins (fumonisin B2, nivalenol, mycophenolic acid, and sterigmatocystin). Concerning WCT Aspergillus sp. (4.18%) was one of the most prevalent species. Aspergillus section Fumigati was detected in 5 samples. Mycotoxins were detected in filters (N=1) and in settled dust samples (N=16). The mycotoxin detected in the filter was fumonisin B1 and the most detected in settled dust was mycophenolic acid. Sterigmatocystin, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenon were detected in only one sample each. In what concerns CM, Aspergillus sp. presented the highest counts in DG18 (18.38%) and it wasn't observed in azole-supplemented SDA media. Mycophenolic acid was detected in one settled dust sample. Overall, our study reveals that a comprehensive sampling approach using active and passive sampling methods and combined analytic methods (i.e., culture-based and molecular) is an important asset in microbial exposure assessments. Furthermore, in all three occupational environments mycotoxins were detected unveiling this occupational health threat.
- Influence of corrosion on the electrical and mechanical performance of hybrid busbarsPublication . Sampaio, Rui F. V.; Bragança, Ivo; Pragana, J. P. M; Silva, C. M. A.; Fernandes, João C. S.; Martins, Paulo A. F.This paper is focused on the electrical and mechanical performance of aluminum-copper hybrid busbars subjected to corrosion over time. Two different types of hybrid busbars with joints produced by conventional fastening with M8 hexagonal socket head bolt-nut pairs made from medium carbon steel and by a new injection lap riveting process with semi-tubular rivets made from the material of the softer conductor are used and subjected to salt spray and electrochemical tests. Electrical resistance measurements performed on hybrid busbars taken from the corrosion testing cabinet at the end of each exposure period allow concluding that the new injection lap riveted hybrid busbars have a better electrical performance over time due to the elimination of fasteners with a higher electrical resistivity than aluminum and copper and to the elimination of the aluminum-steel and copper-steel galvanic pairs. The capability of the injection lap riveted hybrid busbars to withstand shear forces after corrosion testing also revealed to be adequate and like those of the original (uncorroded) hybrid busbars.
- Hipertensão arterial não controlada: falha de eficácia da medicação ou na adesão?Publication . Santos, Tatiana Elvira Pereira da Silva dos; Coelho, AndréIntrodução: Em Portugal, as doenças cardiovasculares representam cerca de 32% de todas as mortes e a hipertensão arterial constitui o principal fator de risco para a mortalidade. Embora atualmente se disponha de medicamentos anti-hipertensivos eficazes e seguros, continua a verificar-se uma elevada taxa de doentes hipertensos com a pressão arterial não controlada. Objetivo: Avaliar a relação entre a adesão à terapêutica e a primeira alteração à terapêutica inicial, em doentes hipertensos recém-diagnosticados e tratados, nas Unidades de Saúde da Rede de Cuidados de Saúde Primários da Região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte retrospetivo, com recurso a dados recolhidos no Sistema de Informação da Administração Regional de Saúde de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo referentes a doentes hipertensos recém-diagnosticados e tratados com um medicamento anti-hipertensivo, nas Unidades de Saúde da Rede de Cuidados de Saúde Primários da Região de Lisboa e do Vale do Tejo. Com recurso ao Microsoft Excel determinou-se o medication possession ratio por doente e procedeu-se à sua comparação entre os dois grupos, com e sem alterações à terapêutica inicial. Resultados: A amostra foi constituída por 4890 doentes, dos quais 1961 sofreram alterações à terapêutica inicial durante o período em estudo. Os doentes com alterações possuem um medication possession ratio de 78,02±29,49%, enquanto nos doentes sem alterações, esse valor foi de 84,64± 24,93%. Conclusão: Os resultados deste estudo revelam que os doentes que sofreram alteração à terapêutica têm uma adesão à terapêutica inferior até ao momento da alteração comparativamente aos doentes cuja medicação não foi modificada no mesmo período temporal. Assim, essas alterações podem ser impróprias, movidas por falhas na adesão à terapêutica por parte dos doentes e não por falhas na efetividade da medicação.
- Caso clínico nº 8Publication . Mendonça, Paula; Pratas, Ana; Vasconcelos, Diamantina; Linares, CláudiaColpocitologia da cúpula vaginal de mulher de 92 anos; carcinoma ductal da mama invasivo bem diferenciado há dez anos; histerectomia total e anexetomia bilateral há dois anos.
- A investigação aplicada e o desenvolvimento das profissõesPublication . Lança, LuísA prestação de cuidados de saúde é caracterizada por constantes desafios e novos paradigmas. As inovações tecnológicas com um permanente desenvolvimento da tecnologia e sofisticados equipamentos clínicos, a mudança na forma de prestação dos cuidados de saúde e dos processos de trabalho, o surgimento de novas doenças, constituem desafios contantes para os profissionais das áreas da imagem médica e radioterapia.
- Linking corporate social responsibility, brand activism, and corporate reputation: the portuguese casePublication . Miranda, Sandra; Miguel, AlexandraCorporate social responsibility (CSR) and, more recently, brand activism have become important topics in business strategies, with companies playing an increasingly prominent role in socio-political life and addressing a wide range of social issues. However, the legitimacy of spending capital for investments in CSR and activism actions is not yet fully accepted by the business and academic world, with several companies and authors considering these expenses unnecessary. As such, this chapter aims to highlight Portuguese empirical research that demonstrates how companies' social and environmental responsibility actions can impact their corporate reputation, based on a quantitative investigation carried out to 613 consumers of a company in the Portuguese energy sector. The results showed that CSR is one of the factors that has the greatest positive impact on corporate reputation, thus contributing to a better understanding of how companies' social investments can be a source of competitive advantage and benefit corporate performance.