Co-Authorship of scientists in the energy field: a study of the ETDE World Energy Database (ETDEWEB) using social network analysis

Dissertação apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Gestão de Informação

Characterization of an antioxidant surfactant-free topical formulation containing Castanea sativa leaf extract

Context: Inclusion of antioxidants in topical formulations can contribute to minimize oxidative stress in the skin, which has been associated with photoaging, several dermatosis and cancer. Objective: A Castanea sativa leaf extract with established antioxidant activity was incorporated into a semisolid surfactant-free formulation. The objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive characterization of this formulation. Materials and methods: Physical, microbiological and functional stability were evaluated during 6 months storage at 20 °C and 40 °C. Microstructure elucidation (cryo-SEM), in vitro release and in vivo moisturizing effect (Corneometer® CM 825) were also assessed. Results and discussion: Minor changes were observed in the textural and rheological properties of the formulation when stored at 20 °C for 6 months and the antioxidant activity of the plant extract remained constant throughout the storage period. Microbiological quality was confirmed at the end of the study. Under accelerated conditions, higher modifications of the evaluated parameters were observed. Cryo-SEM analysis revealed the presence of oil droplets dispersed into a gelified external phase. The release rate of the antioxidant compounds (610 ± 70 µgh−0.5) followed Higuchi model. A significant in vivo moisturizing effect was demonstrated, that lasted at least 4 h after product’s application. Conclusion: The physical, functional and microbiological stability of the antioxidant formulation was established. Specific storage conditions should be recommended considering the influence of temperature on the stability. A skin hydration effect and good skin tolerance were also found which suggests that this preparation can be useful in the prevention or treatment of oxidative stress-mediated dysfunctions.

Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (T.V.T) - Nova e Revolucionária Técnica para o Tratamento Cirúrgico da Incontinência Urinária de Esforço (I.U.E.) Feminina Introduzida na MAC pelo Núcleo de Ginecologia Urológica

Este artigo pretende fazer uma revisão de uma das últimas e inovadoras alternativas cirúrgicas viáveis para a cura da incontinência urinária de esforço feminina, com um sucesso superior a 86%. É uma cirurgia mini invasiva e que induz um suporte da uretra média livre de tensão, muito eficaz. Tem vantagens, poucas complicações, curto tempo operatório e benefícios para a doente no pós-operatório imediato e tardio.

Continuous catalyst free production of biodiesel from agro industrial waste with green solvents

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e Bioquímica

POTENTIALLY PATHOGENIC FREE-LIVING AMOEBAE IN SOME FLOOD-AFFECTED AREAS DURING 2011 CHIANG MAI FLOOD

SUMMARYThe survey was carried out to investigate the presence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) during flood in Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2011. From different crisis flood areas, seven water samples were collected and tested for the presence of amoebae using culture and molecular methods. By monoxenic culture, FLA were detected from all samples at 37 °C incubation. The FLA growing at 37 °C were morphologically identified as Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp. and some unidentified amoebae. Only three samples (42.8%), defined as thermotolerant FLA, continued to grow at 42 °C. By molecular methods, two non-thermotolerant FlA were shown to have 99% identity to Acanthamoeba sp. and 98% identity to Hartmannella vermiformis while the two thermotolerant FLA were identified as Echinamoeba exundans (100% identity) and Hartmannella sp. (99% identity). This first report of the occurrence of FLA in water during the flood disaster will provide information to the public to be aware of potentially pathogenic FLA.

DETECTION OF Leptospira spp. AND Brucella abortus ANTIBODIES IN FREE-LIVING JAGUARS (Panthera onca) IN TWO PROTECTED AREAS OF NORTHERN PANTANAL, BRAZIL

 This study aimed to assess the exposure of free-living jaguars (Panthera onca) to Leptospira spp. and Brucella abortus in two conservation units in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The presence of antibodies in blood samples of eleven jaguars was investigated using autochthonous antigens isolated in Brazil added to reference antigen collection applied to diagnosis of leptospirosis by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT). The Rose Bengal test was applied for B. abortus antibodies. Two (18.2%) jaguars were seroreactive for the Leptospira spp. antigen and the serovar considered as most infective in both animals was a Brazilian isolate of serovar Canicola (L01). All jaguars were seronegative for B. abortus. These data indicate that the inclusion of autochthonous antigens in serological studies can significantly increase the number of reactive animals, as well as modify the epidemiological profile of Leptospira spp. infection.

Solução Industrial para Controlo de OEE

É cada vez mais forte e natural o desenvolvimento de aplicações móveis. Hoje em dia qualquer pessoa seja de forma amadora ou profissional tenta tirar o máximo partido do seu dispositivo móvel, através de aplicações desenvolvidas para as mais diversas áreas. Um dos sistemas operativos que mais programadores apostam é no Android devido à sua versatilidade e ás suas capacidades enquanto sistema operativo dentro de um smartphone. Para além dessas mais-valias, desenvolver uma aplicação para Android não tem qualquer custo, apenas terá, caso seja uma aplicação para adicionar a Google Play Store, caso contrário pode desenvolver-se qualquer tipo de aplicação sem custos, o que não acontece com outros sistemas operativos. Tendo em conta os custos, é normal as pequenas e médias empresas tentarem investir neste tipo de desenvolvimento, pois evitam gastos em licenciamentos para produzir os seus produtos. Seguindo este contexto, esta dissertação insere-se nesse perfil, isto é, tentar encontrar uma solução com baixos custos e que produza os resultados pretendidos. Através das mais diversas API’s é possível adaptar o sistema operativo Android a qualquer área apenas basta enquadrar da melhor maneira ideias e dar asas à imaginação. Desta forma, esta dissertação irá centrar-se na área industrial, na qual o Android pode e deve ser bastante útil, se for usado com rigor. Irá ser abordado o desenvolvimento de aplicações móveis e serão analisadas as tecnologias envolventes no projeto assim como algumas das principais soluções já implementadas e desenvolvidas por empresas no setor e para o sector industrial. O projeto aborda também de que forma é possível aliar o sistema operativo Android á área industrial de forma a permitir um melhor desempenho por parte de todos em prol da empresa á qual está associado. A necessidade de criação desta aplicação, surgiu numa perspectiva de melhoria contínua, com o objectivo de abandonar o procedimento instituído, que era realizado manualmente, passando a fazê-lo de uma forma automática e mais interativa. O processo será realizado pelos colaboradores e terá sempre o seu contributo, mas de uma forma mais rigorosa, simples e eficiente, aumentando a qualidade do serviço.

SEROLOGICAL DETECTION OF HEPATITIS A VIRUS IN FREE-RANGING NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES (Sapajus spp., Alouatta caraya) FROM THE PARANÁ RIVER BASIN, BRAZIL

Nonhuman primates are considered as the natural hosts of Hepatitis A virus (HAV), as well as other pathogens, and can serve as natural sentinels to investigate epizootics and endemic diseases that are of public health importance. During this study, blood samples were collected from 112 Neotropical primates (NTPs) (Sapajus nigritus and S. cay, n = 75; Alouatta caraya, n = 37) trap-captured at the Paraná River basin, Brazil, located between the States of Paraná and Mato Grosso do Sul. Anti-HAV IgG antibodies were detected in 4.5% (5/112) of NTPs, specifically in 6.7% (5/75) of Sapajus spp. and 0% (0/37) of A. caraya. In addition, all samples were negative for the presence of IgM anti-HAV antibodies. These results suggest that free-ranging NTPs were exposed to HAV within the geographical regions evaluated.

Reference-free high-speed cmos pipeline analog-to-digital converters

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia of Universidade Nova de Lisboa

The consultancy field in Europe: A comparative approach

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

The impacts of free trade agreements on use of antidumping

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

A field study of proteinuria in individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni

Proteinuria was detected in 24.7% of 89 individuals with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis and in only 4.6% of 86 subjects with mild hepato-intestinal schistosomiasis, all of them living in comparable conditions in two endemic areas in Bahia, Brazil. From nine individuals who hadproteinuria over30 mg/100ml, eight had hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. These findings maybe related to the presence of schistosomal nephropathy and reveal the significance of this condition in thefield in endemic areas of schistosomiasis.

The role of management accounting in the process of innovation: A field work perspective

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