Impacto das novas tecnologias no aumento da eficiência da iluminação pública: caso de estudo do parque das nações

Portugal comprometeu-se em finais de 2009 com novos objetivos para a política energética e estabeleceu como prioridade a eficiência energética, designadamente através da aplicação de programas de redução do consumo de energia na Administração Pública e da promoção de comportamentos e escolhas que minimizem o consumo energético. Neste contexto, o principal objetivo a que se propõe este trabalho é: contribuir para a nova política energética do Governo, através do estudo do impacto das novas tecnologias e novos procedimentos, no aumento da eficiência da Iluminação Pública. Nesta dissertação é efetuada uma análise aos sistemas de Iluminação Pública existentes e, também o estudo das inovações tecnológicas disponíveis no mercado. Feita esta caracterização e com base em critérios económicos e técnicos suportados por normas nacionais e internacionais em vigor, as soluções que maximizem a eficiência energética na sua globalidade são identificadas e propostas para implementação no terreno. Será igualmente analisado o impacto no sistema elétrico existente das alterações propostas. A componente experimental desta dissertação foi realizada no Parque das Nações com a colaboração da Parque Expo – Gestão Urbana do Parque das Nações, S.A., entidade gestora do espaço público do Parque das Nações. O Parque das Nações apresenta-se como um local de inegável interesse para os objetivos desta dissertação porque: dispõe de uma grande diversidade de soluções na Iluminação Pública; encontra-se a curta distância do ISEL e funciona, não raras vezes, como “montra” tecnológica do País.

O clima organizacional em unidades hospitalares públicas e privadas: a perspectiva dos técnicos de radiologia

Mestrado em Intervenção Sócio-Organizacional na Saúde. Área de especialização: Políticas de Administração e Gestão de Serviços de Saúde

Surprises of the transformer as a coupled oscillator system

We study a system of two RLC oscillators coupled through a variable mutual inductance. The system is interesting because it exhibits some peculiar features of coupled oscillators: (i) there are two natural frequencies; (ii) in general, the resonant frequencies do not coincide with the natural frequencies; (iii) the resonant frequencies of both oscillators differ; (iv) for certain choices of parameters, there is only one resonant frequency, instead of the two expected.

Digital radiology and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)

Plain radiography still accounts for the vast majority of imaging studies that are performed at multiple clinical instances. Digital detectors are now prominent in many imaging facilities and they are the main driving force towards filmless environments. There has been a working paradigm shift due to the functional separation of acquisition, visualization, and storage with deep impact in the imaging workflows. Moreover with direct digital detectors images are made available almost immediately. Digital radiology is now completely integrated in Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) environments governed by the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard. In this chapter a brief overview of PACS architectures and components is presented together with a necessarily brief account of the DICOM standard. Special focus is given to the DICOM digital radiology objects and how specific attributes may now be used to improve and increase the metadata repository associated with image data. Regular scrutiny of the metadata repository may serve as a valuable tool for improved, cost-effective, and multidimensional quality control procedures.

Study and comparison of physiological response with Harmony® suspension system and suspension with pin

The purpose of this study is a cross-qualitative and quantitative gait analysis in 3 traumatic unilateral amputees using prosthesis with pin suspension compared to the use of prosthesis with a high vacuum suspension, the Harmony® system. In Portugal, there aren’t many studies made in the field of orthotic and prosthetic and knowledge about the number of amputees in the country. The only know is that the major cause of lower limb amputation is diabetes mellitus, being the most affected population the older age groups. The combination of technological developments with daily needs of the amputees is becoming more and more important for they better quality of life. This work was done during the curricular unit “Investigation in Prosthetics and Orthotics” class, in the 4th year of Health Technology School of Lisbon, in Portugal. This study analyzes if the change of suspension in transtibial prosthesis will influence some physiological response in amputees.

Performance of microstrip antennas in the presence of EBG in an indoor localization system

Indoor localization systems in nowadays is a huge area of interest not only at academic but also at industry and commercial level. The correct location in these systems is strongly influenced by antennas performance which can provide several gains, bandwidths, polarizations and radiation patterns, due to large variety of antennas types and formats. This paper presents the design, manufacture and measurement of a compact microstrip antenna, for a 2.4 GHZ frequency band, enhanced with the use of Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) structures, which improve the electromagnetic behavior of the conventional antennas. The microstrip antenna with an EBG structure integrated allows an improvement of the location system performance in about 25% to 30% relatively to a conventional microstrip antenna.

A new cloning system based on the OprI lipoprotein for the production of recombinant bacterial cell wall-derived immunogenic formulations

The conjugation of antigens with ligands of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) is emerging as a promising strategy for the modulation of specific immunity. Here, we describe a new Escherichia coli system for the cloning and expression of heterologous antigens in fusion with the OprI lipoprotein, a TLR ligand from the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outer membrane (OM). Analysis of the OprI expressed by this system reveals a triacylated lipid moiety mainly composed by palmitic acid residues. By offering a tight regulation of expression and allowing for antigen purification by metal affinity chromatography, the new system circumvents the major drawbacks of former versions. In addition, the anchoring of OprI to the OM of the host cell is further explored for the production of novel recombinant bacterial cell wall-derived formulations (OM fragments and OM vesicles) with distinct potential for PRR activation. As an example, the African swine fever virus ORF A104R was cloned and the recombinant antigen was obtained in the three formulations. Overall, our results validate a new system suitable for the production of immunogenic formulations that can be used for the development of experimental vaccines and for studies on the modulation of acquired immunity.

Smart Electric Vehicle Charging System

In this work is proposed the design of a system to create and handle Electric Vehicles (EV) charging procedures, based on intelligent process. Due to the electrical power distribution network limitation and absence of smart meter devices, Electric Vehicles charging should be performed in a balanced way, taking into account past experience, weather information based on data mining, and simulation approaches. In order to allow information exchange and to help user mobility, it was also created a mobile application to assist the EV driver on these processes. This proposed Smart ElectricVehicle Charging System uses Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, in order to connect Electric Vehicles and also renewable energy sources to Smart Grids (SG). This system also explores the new paradigm of Electrical Markets (EM), with deregulation of electricity production and use, in order to obtain the best conditions for commercializing electrical energy.

Chitosan-alginate microparticulate delivery system for an alternative route of administration of BCG vaccine

Immunisation against M. tuberculosis with current available BCG vaccine lacks efficacy in preventing adult pulmonary tuberculosis. Targeting nasal mucosa is an attractive option for a more effective immunization. The delivery of BCG via the intranasal route involves overcoming barriers such as crossing the physical barrier imposed by the mucus layer and ciliar remotion, cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking by antigen presenting cells. Due to its biodegradable, immunogenic and mucoadhesive properties, chitosan particulate delivery systems can act both as vaccine carrier and adjuvant, improving the elicited immune response. In this study, different combinations of Chitosan/Alginate/TPP microparticles with BCG were produced as vaccine systems. The developed microparticle system successfully modulates BCG surface physicochemical properties and promotes effective intracellular uptake by human macrophage cell lines Preliminary immune responses were evaluated after s.c. and intranasal immunisation of BALB/c mice. BCG vaccination successfully stimulated the segregation of IgG2a and IgG1, where intranasal immunisation with chitosan/alginate particulate system efficiently elicited a more equilibrated cellular/humoral immune response.

Occupational exposure to poultry dust and effects on the respiratory system in workers

Farmers are occupationally exposed to many respiratory hazards at work and display higher rates of asthma and respiratory symptoms than other workers. Dust is one of the components present in poultry production that increases risk of adverse respiratory disease occurrence. Dust originates from poultry residues, molds, and feathers and is biologically active as it contains microorganisms. Exposure to dust is known to produce a variety of clinical responses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic airways obstructive disease (COPD), allergic alveolitis, and organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS). A study was developed to determine particle contamination in seven poultry farms and correlate this with prevalence rate of respiratory defects and record by means of a questionnaire the presence of clinical symptoms associated with asthma and other allergy diseases by European Community Respiratory Health Survey. Poultry farm dust contamination was found to contain higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM) PM5 and PM10. Prevalence rate of obstructive pulmonary disorders was higher in individuals with longer exposure regardless of smoking status. In addition, a high prevalence for asthmatic (42.5%) and nasal (51.1%) symptoms was noted in poultry workers. Data thus show that poultry farm workers are more prone to suffer from respiratory ailments and this may be attributed to higher concentrations of PM found in the dust. Intervention programs aimed at reducing exposure to dust will ameliorate occupational working conditions and enhance the health of workers.