A supervised versus home-based program effects on liver transplanted familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy patients: walking, fatigue and quality of life

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy is a systemic deposition of amyloidal fibre mainly on peripheral nervous system (but also in other systems like heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, etc) and mainly produced in the liver. Purpose of this study: to evaluate the effects of a six months exercise training program(supervised or home-based) on walking capacity, fatigue and health related quality of life (HRQL) on Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy patients submitted to a liver transplant.

The portuguese insurance industry: basis for strategic process decision

Nowadays, the Portuguese insurance industry operates in a market with a much more aggressive structure than a few decades ago. Markets and the economy have become globalised since the last decade of the 20th century. Market forces have gradually shifted – power is now mainly on the demand side. In order to meet the new requirements, the insurance industry must develop a strong strategic ability to respond to constant changes of the new international economic order.One of the basic aspects of this strategic development will focus on the ability to predict the future. We introduce the subject by briefly describing the sector, its organisational structure in the Portuguese market, and challenges arising from the development of the European Union. We then analyse the economic and financial structure of the sector. From this point of view, we aim at the possibility of designing models that could explain the demand for insurance, claims and technical reserves evolution. Such models, (even if based on the past), would resolve, at least partly, one of the greatest difficulties experienced by insurance companies when estimating the budget. Thus, we examine the existence of variables that explain the previous points, which are capable of forming a basis for designing models that are simple but efficient, and can be used for strategic planning.

SAR determination and influence of the human head in the radiation of a mobile antenna for two different frequencies

The big proliferation of mobile communication systems has caused an increased concern about the interaction between the human body and the antennas of mobile handsets. In order to study the problem, a multiband antenna was designed, fabricated and measured to operate over two frequency sub bands 900 and 1800 MHz. After that, we simulated the same antenna, but now, in the presence of a human head model to analyze the head's influence. First, the influence of the human head on the radiation efficiency of the antenna has been investigated as a function of the distance between the head and the antenna and with the inclination of the antenna. Furthermore, the relative amount of the electromagnetic power absorbed in the head has been obtained.

Influence of the Human Head in the Radiation of a Mobile Antenna

The big proliferation of mobile communication systems has caused an increased concern about the interaction between the human body and the antennas of mobile handsets. In order to study the problem, a multiband antenna was designed, fabricated and measured to operate over two frequency sub bands 900 and 1800 MHz. After that, we simulated the same antenna, but now, in the presence of a human head model to analyze the head's influence. First, the influence of the human head on the radiation efficiency of the antenna has been investigated as a function of the distance between the head and the antenna and with the inclination of the antenna. Furthermore, the relative amount of the electromagnetic power absorbed in the head has been obtained. In this study the electromagnetic analysis has been performed via FDTD (Finite Difference Time Domain).

Occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds in the Portuguese printing industry

In the printing industry, volatile organic compounds main sources are the uses of organic solvents, fountain solutions and cleaning agents. Nowadays, one circumstance which might confuse the exposure reality is that the majority of solvents which are often used have a faint odour. Therefore, the conditions at offset printing in regard to solvent exposure may seem acceptable to workers. Fortunately, general ventilation and local exhaust systems have also become more common, and new printing machines, often with automatic cleaning, have entered the market. The health effects of volatile organic solvents are dependent on the chemicals involved but, normally, are associated with affecting the nervous system, the liver and also the kidneys. The purpose of this study was to document the conditions regarding exposure to volatile organic compounds in an offset printing unit and to permit identify task with higher exposure and with priority for preventive measures application. Exposure assessment was done before and after installation of general ventilation and local exhaust equipments and during printing and cleaning procedure.

MDAI: Model based Design in Automobile Industry

It is proposed a new approach based on a methodology, assisted by a tool, to create new products in the automobile industry based on previous defined processes and experiences inspired on a set of best practices or principles: it is based on high-level models or specifications; it is component-based architecture centric; it is based on generative programming techniques. This approach follows in essence the MDA (Model Driven Architecture) philosophy with some specific characteristics. We propose a repository that keeps related information, such as models, applications, design information, generated artifacts and even information concerning the development process itself (e.g., generation steps, tests and integration milestones). Generically, this methodology receives the users' requirements to a new product (e.g., functional, non-functional, product specification) as its main inputs and produces a set of artifacts (e.g., design parts, process validation output) as its main output, that will be integrated in the engineer design tool (e.g. CAD system) facilitating the work.

Assessment of the impact of the European CO2 emissions trading scheme on the Portuguese chemical industry

This paper describes an assessment of the impact of the enforcement of the European carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions trading scheme on the Portuguese chemical industry, based on cost structure, CO2 emissions, electricity consumption and allocated allowances data from a survey to four Portuguese representative units of the chemical industry sector, and considering scenarios that allow the estimation of increases on both direct and indirect production costs. These estimated cost increases were also compared with similar data from other European Industries, found in the references and with conclusions from simulation studies. Thus, it was possible to ascertain the impact of buying extra CO2 emission permits, which could be considered as limited. It was also found that this impact is somewhat lower than the impacts for other industrial sectors.

Industry concentration and market volatility

In this paper our aim is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between market volatility and industrial structure. As conflicting results have been documented regarding the relationship between market industry concentration and market volatility, this study investigates this relationship in the time series. We have found that this relationship is only significant and positive for Spain. Our results suggest that we cannot generalize across different countries that market industrial structure (concentration) is a significant factor in explaining market volatility.

Intermittent claudication and physical exercise: effectiveness of a home-based program

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) as a high incidence in general population and 12% to 20% of population with more than 60 years has already clinical symptoms, such as intermittent claudication (IC), pain, loss of strength and functional incapacity. There are already some studies that refer the possible positive effects of physical exercise in functional consequences of PAD. The purpose of this study was to verify the results of a home-based (HB) weekly supervised physical exercise program in patients with IC in consequence of PAD in lower limbs, and observe the medium number of diary steps walked by the subjects of our study.

Lighting conditions in assembling electrical industry

Proper lighting is a prerequisite for obtaining a good working environment. Good lighting includes quantity and quality requirements, and should necessarily be appropriate to the activity/task being carried out, bearing in mind the comfort and visual efficiency of the worker. Apart from the advantages in the health and welfare for the workers, good lighting also leads to better job performance (faster), less errors, better safety, fewer accidents and less absenteeism. The overall effect is: better productivity.

Mobile Banking: fatores determinantes na adesão

Dissertação apresentada à Escola Superior de Comunicação Social para obtenção de grau de mestre em Publicidade e Marketing.

Reconfigurable antenna for mobile devices

O trabalho descrito nesta dissertação de mestrado foca-se em geral na investigação de antenas impressas. São apresentados conceitos básicos, em conjunto com alguns exemplos desenvolvidos. No entanto, o principal foco prende-se com técnicas de miniaturização e reconfigurabilidade de antenas. A miniaturização de antenas é um tema de investigação de longa data, no entanto, novas técnicas e soluções são apresentadas regularmente. Nesta tese, é aplicada uma técnica recente, baseada na introdução de indutores encapsulados no elemento ressonante de uma antena, que permite miniaturizar um monopólio impresso com uma frequência de ressonância de 2.5 GHz. Outro assunto abordado neste trabalho é a reconfigurabilidade de antenas. Algumas das técnicas mais comuns na investigação actual são apresentadas e debatidas. Uma solução com recurso a díodos PIN é usada para estudar esta capacidade. Os conceitos e características deste tipo de componentes são apresentadas sendo feito o desenho e fabrico de um possível monopólio impresso reconfigurável para operação em dupla banda. Por fim, são combinadas as técnicas de miniaturização com inductor encapsulado e reconfigurabilidade através de díodos PIN, por forma a projectar uma antena reconfigurável muito pequena, para operação em duas bandas distintas. Os resultados são discutidos e com base nestes, algumas possíveis otimizações são propostas. The work reported in this dissertation is focused in the printed antenna research. Basic concepts of printed antennas are presented, along with a few examples that were developed. The main focus however, is around miniaturization and reconfigurability of antennas. Antenna miniaturization is a long time research subject, however, new techniques and solutions are presented everyday. In this thesis, a recent technique based on the introduction of chip inductors in the resonating element of a printed antenna is used in order to miniaturize a monopole with a resonating frequency at 2.5 GHz. Another issue approached in this work is antenna reconfigurability. Some common techniques used in antenna reconfiguration are presented and debated. A solution with PIN diodes is used to study this capability. The concepts and characteristics of this type of components are presented and an example of a reconfigurable printed monopole for dual-band operation is designed and fabricated. At last, miniaturization with chip inductor and reconfigurability through PIN diodes are used together to create a very small antenna for dual-band operation. The simulated and measured results are discussed and upon these, some possible optimizations are proposed.

Planeamento e otimização de femto-células em ambiente empresarial

O objetivo deste trabalho consiste em avaliar as capacidades das femto-células, no âmbito do planeamento e otimização de redes Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) instaladas no interior de edifícios num ambiente empresarial. A avaliação será feita através do estudo da tecnologia das femto-células, e do planeamento efetuado num cenário real onde, através do desenvolvimento e teste de um conjunto parametrizações, será avaliado o funcionamento das femto-células assim como forma de otimizar o seu desempenho. O estudo realizado permitiu identificar um conjunto de características que as femto-células partilham com as Self-Organizing Networks (SON), como a auto-configuração, auto-otimização de parâmetros rádio, ajuste dinâmico da área de cobertura, atribuição automática de Scrambling Codes (SC) e da frequência da portadora, criação automática de relações de vizinhança, entre outras, que permitem facilitar o processo de planeamento e otimização de redes móveis UMTS. Recorrendo a um cenário empresarial real, foi efetuado um planeamento celular indoor de raiz, através do qual foi possível testar o funcionamento da algumas das principais funções das femto-células, nomeadamente a capacidade de ajuste dinâmico da área de cobertura. Foi também avaliado o funcionamento de um grupo co-localizado de femto-células, onde foi possível testar parametrizações com o objetivo de melhorar o processo de handover entre as femto-células do grupo, e entre estas e a rede macro Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). A avaliação de cada um de cada uma das parametrizações testada, é efetuada a partir das medidas recolhidas no terreno, recorrendo à ferramenta TEMS® Investigation, assim como aos Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) que as femto-células disponibilizam. Os resultados obtidos mostram o benefício da utilização das femto-células num ambiente empresarial real, assim como os eventuais problemas e desafios que podem surguir do planeamento celular indoor recorrendo à tecnologia das femto-células, sendo apresentada a parametrização que permite obter o melhor desempenho da rede instalada.

Personalized sightseeing tours support using mobile devices

In this paper, we present PSiS (Personalized Sightseeing Tours Recommendation System) Mobile. PSiS Mobile is our proposal to a mobile recommendation and planning support system, which is designed to provide effective support during the tourist visit with context-aware information and recommendations about places of interest (POI), exploiting tourist preferences and context.

Energy efficiency analysis considering the use of an intelligent systems management in a smart home

In this abstract is presented an energy management system included in a SCADA system existent in a intelligent home. The system control the home energy resources according to the players definitions (electricity consumption and comfort levels), the electricity prices variation in real time mode and the DR events proposed by the aggregators.