Crianças com défices no controlo motor: contributo para a elaboração do core set da Classificação Internacional de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF)

A CIF é um sistema de classificação adotado pela OMS, que serve de referência universal para descrever, avaliar e medir saúde e incapacidade, a nível individual e ao nível da população. Contudo, apesar do interesse internacional gerado em torno da CIF, esta é considerada uma classificação complexa e extensa, fato que despoletou a criação de core sets – listas de itens da CIF especificamente selecionados pela sua relevância na descrição e qualificação de uma determinada condição de saúde – como resposta a esta problemática. Até à data, foram desenvolvidos core sets para várias patologias comuns. Contudo, apesar do controlo motor ser uma área de investigação muito reconhecida nos últimos 20 anos, ainda não possui um core set próprio. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo é contribuir para o desenvolvimento de um core set, com base na CIF-CJ, dirigido para uma descrição abrangente das competências inerentes a crianças, dos 6 aos 18 anos de idade, com défices no controlo motor. Deste modo, recorreu-se a uma revisão da literatura sobre a temática em estudo, de modo a reunir informação para a construção de uma proposta a core set, posteriormente sujeita ao escrutínio de peritos, através do recurso ao método de Delphi. Após várias rondas, foi alcançado um consenso acerca da lista final de códigos CIF que constituem o core set final.

Optimization, high availability and redundancy in information communications and technology using networks and systems virtualization architectures

Mestrado em Engenharia Informática

Iron oxide/gold core/shell nanomagnetic probes and CdS biolabels for amplified electrochemical immunosensing of Salmonella typhimurium

There is an imminent need for rapid methods to detect and determine pathogenic bacteria in food products as alternatives to the laborious and time-consuming culture procedures. In this work, an electrochemical immunoassay using iron/gold core/shell nanoparticles (Fe@Au) conjugated with anti-Salmonella antibodies was developed. The chemical synthesis and functionalization of magnetic and gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles is reported. Fe@Au nanoparticles were functionalized with different self-assembled monolayers and characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and voltammetric techniques. The determination of Salmonella typhimurium, on screen-printed carbon electrodes, was performed by square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry through the use of CdS nanocrystals. The calibration curve was established between 1×101 and 1×106 cells/mL and the limit of detection was 13 cells/mL. The developed method showed that it is possible to determine the bacteria in milk at low concentrations and is suitable for the rapid (less than 1 h) and sensitive detection of S. typhimurium in real samples. Therefore, the developed methodology could contribute to the improvement of the quality control of food samples.

Arquitecturas e ferramentas para gestão de redes e sistemas: estudo de um caso

Mestrado em Engenharia Informática - Área de Especialização em Arquitecturas, Sistemas e Redes

Core group approach to identify college students at risk for sexually transmitted infections

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the core group for sexually transmitted infections (STI) among college students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in a convenience sample comprising 711 college students of the public university of Morelos, Mexico, between 2001 and 2003. Sociodemographic and sexual behavior information were collected using self-applied questionnaires. Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) infection was tested in the blood. The number of sexual partners in the last year and cocaine consumption were used as indicators to construct the dependent variable "level of STI risk" in three categories: low, medium and high risk (core group). A multinomial analysis was conducted to evaluate whether different sex behaviors were associated with the variable "level of STI risk". RESULTS: There was significant association between HSV-2 seroprevalence and the variable "level of STI risk": 13%, 5.6% and 3.8% were found in high (core group), medium and low categories, respectively. There were gender differences regarding the core group. Men started having sexual intercourse earlier, had more sex partners, higher alcohol and drug consumption, higher frequency of sex intercourse with sex workers, exchanging sex for money, occasional and concurrent partners compared to women. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest existing contextual characteristics in the study population that affect their sex behavior. In Mexico, the cultural conception of sexuality is determined mainly by gender differences where men engage in higher risky sexual behavior than women.

Unlocking the technology-mediated learning process : insights and articulating actions for an institutional approach

This paper is part of the results from the project "Implementation Strategies and Development of an Open and Distance Education System for the University of the Azores" funded by the European Social Fund. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.3/2327

Padrão de ativação de músculos do core abdominal e tilt pélvico no teste de extensão da anca, em indivíduos com e sem dor lombo- pélvica

Introdução: Os padrões de movimento podem sofrer alterações por atraso no timing de ativação e/ou modificações na sequência de recrutamento muscular, predispondo o indivíduo a disfunções, nomeadamente a dor lombo-pélvica. Objetivo: Investigar o timing e o padrão de ativação de músculos do core abdominal, durante o movimento de extensão da anca, do membro dominante, em indivíduos com e sem dor lombo- pélvica crónica inespecífica. Pretende-se, também, pesquisar a existência do padrão de ativação considerado “normal“ e verificar a relação entre o padrão de ativação e o tilt pélvico, em ambos os indivíduos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com 64 estudantes universitários, divididos em dois grupos: 31 sem e 33 com dor lombo-pélvica. Através de eletromiografia de superfície foi recolhida a atividade muscular dos Eretores da Espinha ipsilateral e contralateral, Glúteo Máximo e Bicípite Femoral ipsilaterais. Foi analisado o timing de ativação muscular e as respetivas ordens de ativação. Adicionalmente foi medido o tilt pélvico. Resultados: O grupo com dor lombo-pélvica apresentou um atraso significativo no timing de ativação dos músculos Glúteo Máximo ipsilateral (t=-3,171;p=0,002) e Bicípite Femoral ipsilateral (t=-2,092;p=0,041), em comparação com o grupo sem dor. Verificou-se uma associação significativa entre as 5 ordens de ativação mais frequentes e a presença de dor lombo-pélvica (xf2=11,54;p=0,015). A ordem de ativação "normal" – Glúteo Máximo ipsilateral>Bicípite Femoral ipsilateral>Eretor da Espinha contralateral>Eretor da Espinha ipsilateral – não foi utilizada. Verificou-se que o Bicípite Femoral ipsilateral foi maioritariamente o primeiro a ativar-se e o Glúteo Máximo ipsilateral o último em ambos os grupos. Verificou-se um tilt pélvico significativamente superior nos indivíduos que ativam primeiro o Bicípite Femoral ipsilateral nos grupos com (U=51;p=0,001) e sem dor (U=41p=0,001). Conclusão: Os indivíduos com dor lombo-pélvica apresentaram um atraso no timing de ativação dos músculos do core abdominal. Os resultados parecem refutar a ordem de ativação "normal" que tem sido proposta. Não foi possível apoiar nem contestar a teoria de que um atraso na ativação do Glúteo Máximo está associado com dor lombo-pélvica.

Longitudinal versus polar wrinkling of core-shell fibers with anisotropic size mismatches

We consider a fiber made of a soft elastic material, encased in a stiff elastic shell (core-shell geometry). If the core and shell dimensions are mismatched, e.g., because the core shrinks while the shell does not, but the two remain attached, then an elastic instability is triggered whereby wrinkles may appear on the shell. The wrinkle orientation may be longitudinal (along the fiber axis), polar (along the fiber perimeter), or a mixture of both, depending on the fiber's geometrical and material parameters. Here we investigate under what conditions longitudinal or polar wrinkling will occur.

Criticality of colloids with distinct interaction patches: The limits of linear chains, hyperbranched polymers, and dimers

We use a simple model of associating fluids which consists of spherical particles having a hard-core repulsion, complemented by three short-ranged attractive sites on the surface (sticky spots). Two of the spots are of type A and one is of type B; the bonding interactions between each pair of spots have strengths epsilon(AA), epsilon(BB), and epsilon(AB). The theory is applied over the whole range of bonding strengths and the results are interpreted in terms of the equilibrium cluster structures of the phases. In addition to our numerical results, we derive asymptotic expansions for the free energy in the limits for which there is no liquid-vapor critical point: linear chains (epsilon(AA)not equal 0, epsilon(AB)=epsilon(BB)=0), hyperbranched polymers (epsilon(AB)not equal 0, epsilon(AA)=epsilon(BB)=0), and dimers (epsilon(BB)not equal 0, epsilon(AA)=epsilon(AB)=0). These expansions also allow us to calculate the structure of the critical fluid by perturbing around the above limits, yielding three different types of condensation: of linear chains (AA clusters connected by a few AB or BB bonds); of hyperbranched polymers (AB clusters connected by AA bonds); or of dimers (BB clusters connected by AA bonds). Interestingly, there is no critical point when epsilon(AA) vanishes despite the fact that AA bonds alone cannot drive condensation.

Towards a reliable technology for antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage evaluation: Electrochemical (bio)sensors

To counteract and prevent the deleterious effect of free radicals the living organisms have developed complex endogenous and exogenous antioxidant systems. Several analytical methodologies have been proposed in order to quantify antioxidants in food, beverages and biological fluids. This paper revises the electroanalytical approaches developed for the assessment of the total or individual antioxidant capacity. Four electrochemical sensing approaches have been identified, based on the direct electrochemical detection of antioxidant at bare or chemically modified electrodes, and using enzymatic and DNA-based biosensors.

Ecological footprint as an indicator of sustainability at Lisbon School of Health Technology, Portugal

Higher education institutions, has an active role in the development of a sustainable future and for this reason, it is essential that they became environmentally sustainable institutions, applying methods such as the Ecological Footprint analysis. This study intent is to strengthen the potential of the ecological footprint as an indicator of the sustainability of students of Lisbon School of Health Technology, and identify the relationship between the ecological footprint and the different socio-demographic variables.

Carbon footprint of the academic community of Lisbon School of Health Technology, Portugal

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average temperature of the Earth's surface has risen about 1º C in the last 100 years and will increase, depending on the scenario emissions of Greenhouse Gases. The rising temperatures could trigger environmental effects like rising sea levels, floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes. With growing concerns about different environmental issues and the need to address climate change, institutions of higher education should create knowledge and integrate sustainability into teaching programs and research programs, as well as promoting environmental issues for society. The aim of this study is to determine the carbon footprint of the academic community of Lisbon School of Health Technology (ESTeSL) in 2013, identifying possible links between the Carbon Footprint and the different socio-demographic variables.

Effects of international diffusion of a general purpose technology on wage inequality

This paper studies the effects of the diffusion of a General Purpose Technology (GPT) that spreads first within the developed North country of its origin, and then to a developing South country. In the developed general equilibrium growth model, each final good can be produced by one of two technologies. Each technology is characterized by a specific labor complemented by a specific set of intermediate goods, which are enhanced periodically by Schumpeterian R&D activities. When quality reaches a threshold level, a GPT arises in one of the technologies and spreads first to the other technology within the North. Then, it propagates to the South, following a similar sequence. Since diffusion is not even, neither intra- nor inter-country, the GPT produces successive changes in the direction of technological knowledge and in inter- and intra-country wage inequality. Through this mechanism the different observed paths of wage inequality can be accommodated.