Lar militar: projecto de execução

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização em Estruturas

Hydrogen peroxide sensing, signaling and regulation of transcription factors

The regulatory mechanisms by which hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) modulates the activity of transcription factors in bacteria (OxyR and PerR), lower eukaryotes (Yap1, Maf1, Hsf1 and Msn2/4) and mammalian cells (AP-1, NRF2, CREB, HSF1, HIF-1, TP53, NF-κB, NOTCH, SP1 and SCREB-1) are reviewed. The complexity of regulatory networks increases throughout the phylogenetic tree, reaching a high level of complexity in mammalians. Multiple H2O2 sensors and pathways are triggered converging in the regulation of transcription factors at several levels: (1) synthesis of the transcription factor by upregulating transcription or increasing both mRNA stability and translation; (ii) stability of the transcription factor by decreasing its association with the ubiquitin E3 ligase complex or by inhibiting this complex; (iii) cytoplasm-nuclear traffic by exposing/masking nuclear localization signals, or by releasing the transcription factor from partners or from membrane anchors; and, (iv) DNA binding and nuclear transactivation by modulating transcription factor affinity towards DNA, co-activators or repressors, and by targeting specific regions of chromatin to activate individual genes. We also discuss how H2O2 biological specificity results from diverse thiol protein sensors, with different reactivity of their sulfhydryl groups towards H2O2, being activated by different concentrations and times of exposure to H2O2. The specific regulation of local H2O2 concentrations is also crucial and results from H2O2 localized production and removal controlled by signals. Finally, we formulate equations to extract from typical experiments quantitative data concerning H2O2 reactivity with sensor molecules. Rate constants of 140 M-1s−1 and ≥ 1.3 × 103 M-1s−1 were estimated, respectively, for the reaction of H2O2 with KEAP1 and with an unknown target that mediates NRF2 protein synthesis. In conclusion, the multitude of H2O2 targets and mechanisms provides an opportunity for highly specific effects on gene regulation that depend on the cell type and on signals received from the cellular microenvironment.

Desenvolvimento de metodologias analíticas para a determinação de resíduos de pesticidas em Vinhos do Douro e Vinhos do Porto

A produção de vinho é uma actividade de elevada importância ao nível económico, ambiental e social. Como tal, a protecção da vinha e/ou da uva através da utilização de pesticidas assume um papel fundamental nesta actividade, permitindo um aumento no rendimento da produção. No entanto, a transferência destes compostos da uva para o vinho é inevitável, ocorrendo, na maioria dos casos, em quantidades reduzidas. Apesar de, geralmente, a quantidade de pesticidas que pode ser transferida para o vinho não apresentar problemas relevantes para a saúde pública, o desenvolvimento de metodologias que permitam garantir um controlo rigoroso da qualidade do vinho é de elevada importância. O controlo deste produto, assim como de qualquer produto alimentar, não deve ser de certa forma virtual, levando a uma desconfiança crescente do consumidor. Ao longo deste trabalho foram desenvolvidos dois métodos para a determinação de pesticidas em diferentes tipos de vinhos, por SPME-GC-MS/MS. O primeiro método desenvolvido visa a determinação de 8 pesticidas organofosforados e o segundo método permite a determinação de 7 pesticidas, 4 organoclorados e 3 dicarboximidas. Foram estudadas quatro matrizes diferentes: vinho branco do Douro, vinho tinto do Douro, vinho branco do Porto e vinho tinto do Porto. As metodologias adoptadas permitiram a obtenção de bons resultados, apesar das condições adoptadas não serem as mais vantajosas para alguns dos compostos estudados. Dada a complexidade das matrizes, a detecção por espectrometria de massa mostrou ser fundamental para a identificação inequívoca de cada um dos pesticidas. Verificaram-se, de um modo geral, bons resultados ao nível da linearidade, para as gamas de concentrações escolhidas, para os dois métodos. Obtiveram-se também bons resultados para os limites de detecção e quantificação, cujos valores se situam abaixo dos limites máximos de resíduos para as uvas, impostos pela regulamentação europeia, para a maioria dos compostos. No caso dos organofosforados, os limites de detecção variam entre 0,05 μg/L e 13,00 μg/L para os pesticidas clorpirifos-metilo e metidatião, respectivamente. Os limites de quantificação variam entre 0,18 μg/L e 43,32 μg/L, também para os pesticidas clorpirifos-metilo e metidatião. No que se refere ao método para os pesticidas organoclorados e dicarboximidas, foram calculados vários limites de detecção para cada composto, em cada matriz estudada, a partir das rectas de calibração diárias, resultando num conjunto de valores com variações significativas entre cada um, para o mesmo pesticida e na mesma matriz. No entanto, apenas os limites de quantificação foram validados, recorrendo-se aos estudos de repetibilidade e precisão intermédia. Obtiveram-se os seguintes limites de quantificação: captana 52,10 μg/L; clortalonil 20,95 μg/L; dicofol 4,37 μg/L; folpete 93,60 μg/L; iprodiona 274,70 μg/L; procimidona 76,04 μg/L e vinclozolina 10,03 μg/L. Os pesticidas metidatião e captana apresentam-se como os compostos mais problemáticos, uma vez que os limites de quantificação obtidos não permitem a garantia do cumprimento dos limites máximos de resíduos regulamentados. Demonstra-se também que, apesar do efeito de matriz ser significativo na determinação de todos os compostos analisados, o mesmo pode ser atenuado, procedendo-se às calibrações nas respectivas matrizes. Observaram-se variações significativas ao nível da resposta do equipamento ao longo do tempo, quer pela alteração das condições operatórias, quer pela decomposição de alguns compostos ao longo do tempo. Este efeito, evidenciado nos estudos das precisões intermédias e repetibilidades, levou à adopção de um método de validação diferente para a determinação de pesticidas organoclorados e dicarboximidas, recorrendo-se então a calibrações diárias e sequências de trabalho mais pequenas.

Quality assurance and quality control in mammography: a review of available guidance worldwide

Objectives - Review available guidance for quality assurance (QA) in mammography and discuss its contribution to harmonise practices worldwide. Methods - Literature search was performed on different sources to identify guidance documents for QA in mammography available worldwide in international bodies, healthcare providers, professional/scientific associations. The guidance documents identified were reviewed and a selection was compared for type of guidance (clinical/technical), technology and proposed QA methodologies focusing on dose and image quality (IQ) performance assessment. Results - Fourteen protocols (targeted at conventional and digital mammography) were reviewed. All included recommendations for testing acquisition, processing and display systems associated with mammographic equipment. All guidance reviewed highlighted the importance of dose assessment and testing the Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) system. Recommended tests for assessment of IQ showed variations in the proposed methodologies. Recommended testing focused on assessment of low-contrast detection, spatial resolution and noise. QC of image display is recommended following the American Association of Physicists in Medicine guidelines. Conclusions - The existing QA guidance for mammography is derived from key documents (American College of Radiology and European Union guidelines) and proposes similar tests despite the variations in detail and methodologies. Studies reported on QA data should provide detail on experimental technique to allow robust data comparison. Countries aiming to implement a mammography/QA program may select/prioritise the tests depending on available technology and resources.

Factors associated to quality of life in active elderly

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether quality of life in active, healthy elderly individuals is influenced by functional status and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as psychological parameters. METHODS: Study conducted in a sample of 120 active elderly subjects recruited from two open universities of the third age in the cities of São Paulo and São José dos Campos (Southeastern Brazil) between May 2005 and April 2006. Quality of life was measured using the abbreviated Brazilian version of the World Health Organization Quality of Live (WHOQOL-bref) questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical and functional variables were measured through crossculturally validated assessments by the Mini Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Reach, One-Leg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test, Six-Minute Walk Test, Human Activity Profile and a complementary questionnaire. Simple descriptive analyses, Pearson's correlation coefficient, Student's t-test for non-related samples, analyses of variance, linear regression analyses and variance inflation factor were performed. The significance level for all statistical tests was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis showed an independent correlation without colinearity between depressive symptoms measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale and four domains of the WHOQOL-bref. Not having a conjugal life implied greater perception in the social domain; developing leisure activities and having an income over five minimum wages implied greater perception in the environment domain. CONCLUSIONS: Functional status had no influence on the Quality of Life variable in the analysis models in active elderly. In contrast, psychological factors, as assessed by the Geriatric Depression Scale, and sociodemographic characteristics, such as marital status, income and leisure activities, had an impact on quality of life.

Valorização de lamas de tratamento de águas residuais urbanas para utilização agrícola

Trabalho de Dissertação de Natureza Científica para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização em Hidráulica

Happiness, hope, and affection as predictors of quality of life and functionality of individuals with heart failure at three-month follow-up

The scientific evidence supporting the management of the chronically ill in a positive psychological perspective in opposition to traditional pathological approach is scarce. This study examines issues associated with recovery of health status in heart failure, in particular hope, affection, and happiness. We use a longitudinal study of 128 symptomatic patients who after medical intervention reported improved quality of life and function at 3-month follow-up. We evaluated the contribution of happiness, hope and affection, individually and as a whole, in the quality of life and functionality of individuals with heart failure. Happiness (Subjective Happiness Scale), Hope (HOPE Scale), and affection (PANAS (positive and negative affect schedule)) were determined before medical intervention. Individually, we found that happiness is correlated with the quality of life and functionality, hope to self-efficacy dimension of the quality of life scale, positive affect to functionality and negative affect with symptoms dimension, quality of life dimension, and overall sum of the quality of life scale. Overall, we found that happiness has a unique contribution to the quality of life, except in self-efficacy dimension where hope takes this contribution and positive affect has a unique contribution to the functionality in this short-term follow-up. The results highlight the importance of positive variables to health outcomes for people with heart failure and should be considered in intervention programs for this syndrome.

10 kVp rule – An anthropomorphic pelvis phantom imaging study using a CR system: impact on image quality and effective dose using AEC and manual mode

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the influence of tube potential (kVp) variation in relation to perceptual image quality and effective dose (E) for pelvis using automatic exposure control (AEC) and non-AEC in a Computed Radiography (CR) system. Methods and materials - To determine the effects of using AEC and non-AEC by applying the 10 kVp rule in two experiments using an anthropomorphic pelvis phantom. Images were acquired using 10 kVp increments (60–120 kVp) for both experiments. The first experiment, based on seven AEC combinations, produced 49 images. The mean mAs from each kVp increment were used as a baseline for the second experiment producing 35 images. A total of 84 images were produced and a panel of 5 experienced observers participated for the image scoring using the two alternative forced choice (2AFC) visual grading software. PCXMC software was used to estimate E. Results - A decrease in perceptual image quality as the kVp increases was observed both in non-AEC and AEC experiments, however no significant statistical differences (p > 0.05) were found. Image quality scores from all observers at 10 kVp increments for all mAs values using non-AEC mode demonstrates a better score up to 90 kVp. E results show a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.000) on the 75th quartile from 0.37 mSv at 60 kVp to 0.13 mSv at 120 kVp when applying the 10 kVp rule in non-AEC mode. Conclusion - Using the 10 kVp rule, no significant reduction in perceptual image quality is observed when increasing kVp whilst a marked and significant E reduction is observed.

Optimização de recursos numa industria de curtumes

O presente relatório descreve o trabalho de estágio efectuado na empresa Curtumes Aveneda, Lda com o objectivo de optimizar recursos como a água e energia. Foi realizado um diagnóstico energético que permitiu concluir que o consumo de energia na empresa é de 300 tep/ano, pelo que a empresa não é obrigada a adoptar as medidas de Regulamento de Gestão do Consumo de Energia (RGCE). O mesmo diagnóstico aponta para a existência de ineficiências, nomeadamente na tinturaria. Assim, foi projectado um sistema de controlo para adição de água na tinturaria com o intuito de reduzir o consumo de energia e água, e também melhorar a qualidade dos processos de tinturaria, dado que a adição de água é feita manualmente sem controlo de quantidade. Após consulta de fornecedor, o investimento em equipamento para tal sistema é de 10.012,00€ Foi desenvolvido um processo de recurtume compacto no sentido de promover a redução do consumo de água e de energia. Tal processo, quando comparado com um processo normal da empresa, gera uma redução de energia eléctrica no valor de 6.157,05 €/ano, uma redução no consumo de energia térmica da ordem de 904,00 €/ano, e ainda uma redução do consumo de água na ordem de 962 m3/ano correspondente a uma redução de 2.998,76 €/ano no tratamento de efluentes. Outras medidas foram sugeridas, mas sem uma fundamentação técnica e científica suficiente pelo que carecem de um estudo pormenorizado, como a instalação de arrancadores progressivos nos motores dos fulões, a optimização do aquecimento do ar de secagem na estufa com eventual recurso a painéis solares, e a optimização do funcionamento da caldeira dado o seu baixo rendimento.

Desenvolvimento do método de Índice de Qualidade ("QIM-Quality Index Method") para as lapas (Patella candei e Patella aspera) e estudo das suas condições de transporte

Dissertação de Mestrado, Estudos Integrados dos Oceanos, 15 de Março de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.

Perspetivas dos profissinais e dos pais de crianças com incapacidades sobre autodeterminação

Mestrado em Educação Especial: Multideficiência e Problemas de Cognição

Development and validation of a psychometric scale for assessing PA chest image quality: a pilot study

Purpose - To develop and validate a psychometric scale for assessing image quality perception for chest X-ray images. Methods - Bandura's theory was used to guide scale development. A review of the literature was undertaken to identify items/factors which could be used to evaluate image quality using a perceptual approach. A draft scale was then created (22 items) and presented to a focus group (student and qualified radiographers). Within the focus group the draft scale was discussed and modified. A series of seven postero-anterior chest images were generated using a phantom with a range of image qualities. Image quality perception was confirmed for the seven images using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR 17.2–36.5). Participants (student and qualified radiographers and radiology trainees) were then invited to independently score each of the seven images using the draft image quality perception scale. Cronbach alpha was used to test interval reliability. Results - Fifty three participants used the scale to grade image quality perception on each of the seven images. Aggregated mean scale score increased with increasing SNR from 42.1 to 87.7 (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). For each of the 22 individual scale items there was clear differentiation of low, mid and high quality images. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of >0.7 was obtained across each of the seven images. Conclusion - This study represents the first development of a chest image quality perception scale based on Bandura's theory. There was excellent correlation between the image quality perception scores derived using the scale and the SNR. Further research will involve a more detailed item and factor analysis.

Image quality and dose analysis for a PA chest X-ray: comparison between AEC mode acquisition and manual mode using the 10 kVp ‘rule’

Purpose - To compare the image quality and effective dose applying the 10 kVp rule with manual mode acquisition and AEC mode in PA chest X-ray. Method - 68 images (with and without lesions) were acquired using an anthropomorphic chest phantom using a Wolverson Arcoma X-ray unit. These images were compared against a reference image using the 2 alternative forced choice (2AFC) method. The effective dose (E) was calculated using PCXMC software using the exposure parameters and the DAP. The exposure index (lgM provided by Agfa systems) was recorded. Results - Exposure time decreases more when applying the 10 kVp rule with manual mode (50%–28%) when compared with automatic mode (36%–23%). Statistical differences for E between several ionization chambers' combinations for AEC mode were found (p = 0.002). E is lower when using only the right AEC ionization chamber. Considering the image quality there are no statistical differences (p = 0.348) between the different ionization chambers' combinations for AEC mode for images with no lesions. Considering lgM values, it was demonstrated that they were higher when the AEC mode was used compared to the manual mode. It was also observed that lgM values obtained with AEC mode increased as kVp value went up. The image quality scores did not demonstrate statistical significant differences (p = 0.343) for the images with lesions comparing manual with AEC mode. Conclusion - In general the E is lower when manual mode is used. By using the right AEC ionising chamber under the lung the E will be the lowest in comparison to other ionising chambers. The use of the 10 kVp rule did not affect the visibility of the lesions or image quality.

Increasing source to image distance for AP pelvis imaging: impact on radiation dose and image quality

Aim - A quantative primary study to determine whether increasing source to image distance (SID), with and without the use of automatic exposure control (AEC) for antero-posterior (AP) pelvis imaging, reduces dose whilst still producing an image of diagnostic quality. Methods - Using a computed radiography (CR) system, an anthropomorphic pelvic phantom was positioned for an AP examination using the table bucky. SID was initially set at 110 cm, with tube potential set at a constant 75 kVp, with two outer chambers selected and a fine focal spot of 0.6 mm. SID was then varied from 90 cm to 140 cm with two exposures made at each 5 cm interval, one using the AEC and another with a constant 16 mAs derived from the initial exposure. Effective dose (E) and entrance surface dose (ESD) were calculated for each acquisition. Seven experienced observers blindly graded image quality using a 5-point Likert scale and 2 Alternative Forced Choice software. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) was calculated for comparison. For each acquisition, femoral head diameter was also measured for magnification indication. Results - Results demonstrated that when increasing SID from 110 cm to 140 cm, both E and ESD reduced by 3.7% and 17.3% respectively when using AEC and 50.13% and 41.79% respectively, when the constant mAs was used. No significant statistical (T-test) difference (p = 0.967) between image quality was detected when increasing SID, with an intra-observer correlation of 0.77 (95% confidence level). SNR reduced slightly for both AEC (38%) and no AEC (36%) with increasing SID. Conclusion - For CR, increasing SID significantly reduces both E and ESD for AP pelvis imaging without adversely affecting image quality.

Health-related quality of life and working conditions among nursing providers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate working conditions associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) among nursing providers. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, during 2004-2005. The study sample comprised 696 registered nurses, nurse technicians and nurse assistants, predominantly females (87.8%), who worked day and/or night shifts. Data on sociodemographic information, working and living conditions, lifestyles, and health symptoms were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The following questionnaires were also used: Job Stress Scale, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Ordinal logistic regression analysis using proportional odds model was performed to evaluate each dimension of the SF-36. RESULTS: Around 22% of the sample was found to be have high strain and 8% showed an effort-reward imbalance at work. The dimensions with the lowest mean scores in the SF-36 were vitality, bodily pain and mental health. High-strain job, effort-reward imbalance (ERI>1.01), and being a registered nurse were independently associated with low scores on the role emotional dimension. Those dimensions associated to mental health were the ones most affected by psychosocial factors at work. CONCLUSIONS: Effort-reward imbalance was more associated with health than high-strain (high demand and low control). The study results suggest that the joint analysis of psychosocial factors at work such as effort-reward imbalance and demand-control can provide more insight to the discussion of professional roles, working conditions and HRQL of nursing providers.