Guia de desenvolvimento de jogos para programadores independentes

Os vídeo jogos ou jogos de computador têm vindo a crescer na sua relação com o público ganhando terreno e credibilidade nos benefícios que os jogadores obtêm quando usam este tipo de software, indo esses benefícios para além do divertimento associado à palavra jogo no seu sentido etimológico. Nos últimos anos cada vez mais o mercado e algumas das mais reputadas instituições de ensino têm dedicado especial atenção a este tipo de software, englobando nesses estudos diversas áreas desde a engenharia à saúde, incluindo ainda, estudos de cariz psicológico e sociológico reveladores de que estas experiências de entretenimento, cada vez mais disponíveis a todos, têm influência na sua envolvente de integração e relação com outros fenómenos de cariz social. Apreciado o estado da arte esta tese tem como principal objetivo servir de guia de iniciação a individuais ou pequenas equipas da área de desenvolvimento de software no caminho para o desenvolvimento de jogos de vídeo independentes, apresentando uma análise cuidada capaz de apoiar as equipas desde o momento zero, estando o mesmo estruturado de forma a refletir o entendimento das bases teóricas em que o desenvolvimento deste tipo de software assenta, o estado da arte sobre plataformas, análise de mercado e indústria, metodologias de desenvolvimento e equipas, e ainda analisadas algumas das mais relevantes ferramentas de desenvolvimento e criação de conteúdos. Como prova de conceito e componente de caráter experimental, este trabalho compreende ainda o desenvolvimento de um jogo de vídeo guiado pelas orientações e lições apreendidas durante o processo de estudo de forma a ser representativo da aplicação dessa aprendizagem, e ainda capaz de detalhar passo a passo cada fase do processo, com o objetivo de apoiar a preparação de pessoas interessadas em iniciar a aventura de desenvolver os seus próprios jogos e quem sabe dar início aos seus próprios negócios e empresas. O jogo desenvolvido replica um recente êxito, o jogo 2048, que apesar da sua mecânica simples revela-se um excelente desafio do ponto de vista da sua implementação, bem como o processo criativo adjacente no transformar algo tão simples e experimentado numa experiência nova capaz de atrair antigos jogadores e interesse de novos. O desenvolvimento e publicação da aplicação experimental, e após análise dos dados recolhidos, mostram-se reveladores de que é de fato possível a programadores independentes entrar num mercado de alto potencial, e que adquiridas as bases de conhecimento expostas no documento estarão em condições mais favoráveis para ultrapassar algumas das mais comuns barreiras no atingir desse objetivo.

SUSCEPTIBILITY TEST FOR FUNGI: CLINICAL AND LABORATORIAL CORRELATIONS IN MEDICAL MYCOLOGY

SUMMARYDuring recent decades, antifungal susceptibility testing has become standardized and nowadays has the same role of the antibacterial susceptibility testing in microbiology laboratories. American and European standards have been developed, as well as equivalent commercial systems which are more appropriate for clinical laboratories. The detection of resistant strains by means of these systems has allowed the study and understanding of the molecular basis and the mechanisms of resistance of fungal species to antifungal agents. In addition, many studies on the correlation of in vitro results with the outcome of patients have been performed, reaching the conclusion that infections caused by resistant strains have worse outcome than those caused by susceptible fungal isolates. These studies have allowed the development of interpretative breakpoints for Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp., the most frequent agents of fungal infections in the world. In summary, antifungal susceptibility tests have become essential tools to guide the treatment of fungal diseases, to know the local and global disease epidemiology, and to identify resistance to antifungals.

Association of Intestinal Malrotation and Bochdalek Hernia in an Adult: a Case Report

Background Late presentations of congenital diaphragmatic hernia are rare and differ from the classic neonatal presentation. The association with other congenital malformations in children, mainly intestinal malrotation, is well documented. The diagnosis of this association in adults is very rare, and depends on a high degree of suspicion. Case presentation We report a case of a 50-year-old female Caucasian patient with a previous history of intestinal malrotation diagnosed in adolescence and treated conservatively. She was referred to the hospital with signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The patient undertook computed tomography that confirmed small bowel obstruction with no obvious cause, and a right subphrenic abscess with right empyema was also present. An exploratory laparotomy was performed that revealed an intestinal malrotation associated with a right gangrenous and perforated Bochdalek hernia. Resection of the affected small bowel, closure of the Bochdalek foramen and the Ladd procedure were carried out. Conclusion This case shows a rare association of two rare conditions in adults, and highlights the challenge in reaching the diagnosis and management options.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HONEYBEE STING CASES IN THE STATE OF CEARÁ, NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

In the American continent, honeybee envenomation is a public health problem due to the high incidence and severity of the cases. Despite its medical importance, there is a lack of epidemiological studies on this topic in Brazil, especially referring to the Northeastern states. The present study has aimed to describe the epidemiological features of honeybee envenomation cases in the state of the Ceará, Northeastern Brazil, from 2007 to 2013. Data were collected from the Injury Notification Information System database of the Health Department of Ceará. A total of 1,307 cases were analyzed. Cases were shown to be distributed in all the months of the studied years, reaching higher frequencies in August. The majority of cases occurred in urban areas and involved men aged between 20 and 29 years. Victims were mainly stung on the head and torso, and they received medical assistance predominantly within 3 hours after being stung. Local manifestations were more frequent than systemic ones. Most cases were classified as mild and progressed to cure. The high number of honeybee sting cases shows that Ceará may be an important risk area for such injuries. Moreover, the current study provides data for the development of strategies to promote control and prevention of bee stings in this area.

Atorvastatin versus Bezafibrate in Mixed Hyperlipidaemia : Randomised Clinical Trial of Efficacy and Safety (the ATOMIX Study)

OBJECTIVE: Combined hyperlipidaemia is a common and highly atherogenic lipid phenotype with multiple lipoprotein abnormalities that are difficult to normalise with single-drug therapy. The ATOMIX multicentre, controlled clinical trial compared the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin and bezafibrate in patients with diet-resistant combined hyperlipidaemia. PATIENTS AND STUDY DESIGN: Following a 6-week placebo run-in period, 138 patients received atorvastatin 10mg or bezafibrate 400mg once daily in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. To meet predefined low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) target levels, atorvastatin dosages were increased to 20mg or 40mg once daily after 8 and 16 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: After 52 weeks, atorvastatin achieved greater reductions in LDL-C than bezafibrate (percentage decrease 35 vs 5; p < 0.0001), while bezafibrate achieved greater reductions in triglyceride than atorvastatin (percentage decrease 33 vs 21; p < 0.05) and greater increases in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) [percentage increase 28 vs 17; p < 0.01 ]. Target LDL-C levels (according to global risk) were attained in 62% of atorvastatin recipients and 6% of bezafibrate recipients, and triglyceride levels <200 mg/dL were achieved in 52% and 60% of patients, respectively. In patients with normal baseline HDL-C, bezafibrate was superior to atorvastatin for raising HDL-C, while in those with baseline HDL-C <35 mg/dL, the two drugs raised HDL-C to a similar extent after adjustment for baseline values. Both drugs were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: The results show that atorvastatin has an overall better efficacy than bezafibrate in concomitantly reaching LDL-C and triglyceride target levels in combined hyperlipidaemia, thus supporting its use as monotherapy in patients with this lipid phenotype.

Internationalization process of Science4you to the United Kingdom

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

PME.Box: Internationalization to Poland

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Pro poor tourism for community development on Atauro Island, Timor-Leste

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Marketing plan for Gazela

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Emove

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Pattern of acquisition of rotavirus antibody in children followed up from birth to the age of three years

Nine hundred and forty-eight serum samples from 83 children living in Belem, Brazil, collected'within their first three years of life, were testedfor the presence of group- specific rotavirus-antibody by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) blocking-test. Passively transferred maternal antibody lasted about two and half months; subsequentely, low levels of rotavirus antibody started to appear at seven months, reaching a peak at eleven months of age. From one year onwards positivity gradually increased, reaching highest values at 34 months of life. Individual responses were examined in sera from 61 children who were followed up since birth to three years of age: 38 (62,3%) ofthem developed a long-term immunity following first infection; eleven (18.0%) children developed a short-term immunity after first infection by rotavirus; seven (11.5%) had no antibody response within their first three years of life; and 5 (8.2%) showed positive antibody response from birth to three years old.

The new mobility paradigm: transformation of value chain and business models

We would like to thank Philipp Schwarz and Julia Gückel for their dedicated support in preparing this paper and our colleagues and students of the School of Engineering and the Business School for our fruitful discussions.

Usefulness of serology for the evaluation of Trypanosoma cruzi transmission in endemic areas of Chagas' disease

Thirteen communities from 7 Argentinian provinces were selected for the evaluation of serology as an indicator of transmission of Chagas disease. Of the communities appraised, 6 did not have a history of previous treatment with insecticides and 7 had received sporadic or continuous insecticide treatment. The inhabitants of 20% of the houses of each locality were studied by serology. The samples were obtained byfinger pricking and 50 fil of blood were mixed with 150μl of 50% glycerine solution in tissue culture media to be assayed by Indirect Hemagglutination and Indirect Immunofluorescence tests. In untreated areas, the prevalence of infection in infants 0-4 years old was 17.5%, reaching to over 22% for the 5-9 year old group, and to 33.3% in 10-14 year old individuals. The prevalence in treated and surveyed areas was 2.6% in 0-4 year old children, 5.4% in 5-9 year old and 6,2% in 10-14 year old youngsters. The differences between both areas were statistically significant (p < 0.005). This study favors serology as a valid indicator for the evaluation of transmission of Chagas disease in rural areas.

The impact of banks dimension on profitability, sustainability and efficiency: An analysis for the Iberian financial system

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Understanding Human Carboxylesterase 2

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Engineering and Technology Sciences, Biotechnology