Velhas e novas drogas: impactos da toxicodependência: estudo de caso na cidade de Braga

Dissertação de mestrado em Sociologia (área de especialização em Organizações e Trabalho)

Automated network resilience optimization using computational intelligence methods

This paper presents an automated optimization framework able to provide network administrators with resilient routing configurations for link-state protocols, such as OSPF or IS-IS. In order to deal with the formulated NP-hard optimization problems, the devised framework is underpinned by the use of computational intelligence optimization engines, such as Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithms (MOEAs). With the objective of demonstrating the framework capabilities, two illustrative Traffic Engineering methods are described, allowing to attain routing configurations robust to changes in the traffic demands and maintaining the network stable even in the presence of link failure events. The presented illustrative results clearly corroborate the usefulness of the proposed automated framework along with the devised optimization methods.

Numerical methods in multibody system dynamics

"Series: Solid mechanics and its applications, vol. 226"

Implementação e validação de um método analítico para a determinação de sucralose (E955) em refrigerantes e cervejas por HPLC-ELSD

Dissertação de mestrado em Técnicas de Caraterização e Análise Química

Validation study of an automated wrist monitor, omron model HEM-608, compared with the standard methods for blood pressure measurement

OBJECTIVE - The aim of our study was to assess the profile of a wrist monitor, the Omron Model HEM-608, compared with the indirect method for blood pressure measurement. METHODS - Our study population consisted of 100 subjects, 29 being normotensive and 71 being hypertensive. Participants had their blood pressure checked 8 times with alternate techniques, 4 by the indirect method and 4 with the Omron wrist monitor. The validation criteria used to test this device were based on the internationally recognized protocols. RESULTS - Our data showed that the Omron HEM-608 reached a classification B for systolic and A for diastolic blood pressure, according to the one protocol. The mean differences between blood pressure values obtained with each of the methods were -2.3 +7.9mmHg for systolic and 0.97+5.5mmHg for diastolic blood pressure. Therefore, we considered this type of device approved according to the criteria selected. CONCLUSION - Our study leads us to conclude that this wrist monitor is not only easy to use, but also produces results very similar to those obtained by the standard indirect method.

Consequences of the Prolonged Waiting Time for Patients Candidates for Heart Surgery

OBJECTIVE - To assess mortality and the psychological repercussions of the prolonged waiting time for candidates for heart surgery. METHODS - From July 1999 to May 2000, using a standardized questionnaire, we carried out standardized interviews and semi-structured psychological interviews with 484 patients with coronary heart disease, 121 patients with valvular heart diseases, and 100 patients with congenital heart diseases. RESULTS - The coefficients of mortality (deaths per 100 patients/year) were as follows: patients with coronary heart disease, 5.6; patients with valvular heart diseases, 12.8; and patients with congenital heart diseases, 3.1 (p<0.0001). The survival curve was lower in patients with valvular heart diseases than in patients with coronary heart disease and congenital heart diseases (p<0.001). The accumulated probability of not undergoing surgery was higher in patients with valvular heart diseases than in the other patients (p<0.001), and, among the patients with valvular heart diseases, this probability was higher in females than in males (p<0.01). Several patients experienced intense anxiety and attributed their adaptive problems in the scope of love, professional, and social lives, to not undergoing surgery. CONCLUSION - Mortality was high, and even higher among the patients with valvular heart diseases, with negative psychological and social repercussions.

Correlations Between the Collagen Content of the Human Left Ventricular Myocardium, Measured by Biochemical and Morphometric Methods

OBJECTIVE: To assess, in myocardium specimens obtained from necropsies, the correlation between the concentration of hydroxyproline, measured with the photocolorimetric method, and the intensity of fibrosis, determined with the morphometric method. METHODS: Left ventricle myocardium samples were obtained from 45 patients who had undergone necropsy, some of them with a variety of cardiopathies and others without any heart disease. The concentrations of hydroxyproline were determined with the photocolorimetric method. In the histologic sections from each heart, the myocardial fibrosis was quantified by using a light microscope with an integrating ocular lens. RESULTS: A median of, respectively, 4.5 and 4.3 mug of hydroxyproline/mg of dry weight was found in fixed and nonfixed left ventricle myocardium fragments. A positive correlation occurred between the hydroxyproline concentrations and the intensity of fibrosis, both in the fixed (Sr=+0.25; p=0.099) and in the nonfixed (Sr=+0.32; p=0.03) specimens. CONCLUSION: The biochemical methodology was proven to be adequate, and manual morphometry was shown to have limitations that may interfere with the statistical significance of correlations for the estimate of fibrosis intensity in the human myocardium.

Assessment of the techniques of blood pressure measurement by health professionals

OBJECTIVE: To assess blood pressure measurement by health professionals of a public hospital in São Paulo State. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews and direct observation were performed with a verification list according to the criteria reported by Perloff et al. One hundred and five health professionals took part in the study. After measuring blood pressure, the level of concordance between the way the procedure was performed and the recommended one was assessed. RESULTS: Nurses and nurse's aides abided by 40% of the recommended procedures for adequate blood pressure measurement. The other categories of health professionals (nursing and medicine teachers, physicians, residents, and nursing students) abided by approximately 70%. CONCLUSION: Permanent educational activities aiming at standardizing blood pressure measurement should be implemented among the different categories of health professionals.

Correlation between turbidimetric and nephelometric methods of measuring C-reactive protein in patients with unstable angina or non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the turbidimetric method of C-reactive protein (CRP) as a measure of low-grade inflammation in patients admitted with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (ACS). METHODS: Serum samples obtained at hospital arrival from 68 patients (66±11 years, 40 men), admitted with unstable angina or non-ST elevation acute myocardial infarction were used to measure CRP by the methods of nephelometry and turbidimetry. RESULTS: The medians of C-reactive protein by the turbidimetric and nephelometric methods were 0.5 mg/dL and 0.47 mg/dL, respectively. A strong linear association existed between the 2 methods, according to the regression coefficient (b=0.75; 95% C.I.=0.70-0.80) and correlation coefficient (r=0.96; P<0.001). The mean difference between the nephelometric and turbidimetric CRP was 0.02 ± 0.91 mg/dL, and 100% agreement between the methods in the detection of high CRP was observed. CONCLUSION: In patients with non-ST elevation ACS, CRP values obtained by turbidimetry show a strong linear association with the method of nephelometry and perfect agreement in the detection of high CRP.

Quantificação da massa infartada do ventrículo esquerdo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca: comparação entre a planimetria e o método de escore visual semi-quantitativo

OBJETIVO: Validar um novo método de escore visual semi-quantitativo contra a planimetria digital quantitativa para a determinação da massa infartada do ventrículo esquerdo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca com técnica de realce tardio. MÉTODO: Estudados 77 pacientes com infarto miocárdico prévio em aparelho de ressonância magnética de 1,5T utilizando técnica de realce tardio para avaliação da viabilidade miocárdica e cálculo da massa infartada. Para avaliação da função ventricular esquerda pelo método de Simpson utilizamos técnica de cine-ressonância. O cálculo da massa infartada foi realizado nas imagens de realce tardio de duas formas: planimetria e método de escore. Utilizamos métodos de regressão linear simples, correlação e concordância entre métodos e observadores segundo a análise de Bland-Altman. RESULTADOS: Em todos os 77 pacientes as áreas de infarto foram detectadas pela ressonância magnética cardíaca utilizando a técnica de realce tardio. O tamanho do infarto medido pela planimetria foi semelhante ao obtido pelo método de escore, com a média das diferenças entres as medidas de apenas 1,03% da massa do ventrículo esquerdo. As variabilidades inter (0,41%) e intra-observador (0,34%) evidenciaram excelente reprodutibilidade do método de escore. A massa infartada apresentou boa correlação com a fração de ejeção e volumes distólico e sistólico finais indexados, r=-0,76, r=0,63 e r=0,67, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio prévio pela ressonância magnética cardíaca, utilizando a técnica de realce tardio, permite a determinação reprodutível do tamanho do infarto, tanto pelo método de planimetria, quanto pelo modelo semi-quantitativo de escore.

Avaliação da Eficácia do Programa Eco-Escolas na Região Autónoma da Madeira – Os concelhos da Ponta do Sol e da Ribeira Brava

Dissertação de Mestrado em Gestão e Políticas Públicas

Métodos para el análisis de programas probabilistas y no-deterministas utilizando probadores de teoremas. Methods for the analysis of probabilistic and nondeterministic programs using theorem provers.

La verificación y el análisis de programas con características probabilistas es una tarea necesaria del quehacer científico y tecnológico actual. El éxito y su posterior masificación de las implementaciones de protocolos de comunicación a nivel hardware y soluciones probabilistas a problemas distribuidos hacen más que interesante el uso de agentes estocásticos como elementos de programación. En muchos de estos casos el uso de agentes aleatorios produce soluciones mejores y más eficientes; en otros proveen soluciones donde es imposible encontrarlas por métodos tradicionales. Estos algoritmos se encuentran generalmente embebidos en múltiples mecanismos de hardware, por lo que un error en los mismos puede llegar a producir una multiplicación no deseada de sus efectos nocivos.Actualmente el mayor esfuerzo en el análisis de programas probabilísticos se lleva a cabo en el estudio y desarrollo de herramientas denominadas chequeadores de modelos probabilísticos. Las mismas, dado un modelo finito del sistema estocástico, obtienen de forma automática varias medidas de performance del mismo. Aunque esto puede ser bastante útil a la hora de verificar programas, para sistemas de uso general se hace necesario poder chequear especificaciones más completas que hacen a la corrección del algoritmo. Incluso sería interesante poder obtener automáticamente las propiedades del sistema, en forma de invariantes y contraejemplos.En este proyecto se pretende abordar el problema de análisis estático de programas probabilísticos mediante el uso de herramientas deductivas como probadores de teoremas y SMT solvers. Las mismas han mostrado su madurez y eficacia en atacar problemas de la programación tradicional. Con el fin de no perder automaticidad en los métodos, trabajaremos dentro del marco de "Interpretación Abstracta" el cual nos brinda un delineamiento para nuestro desarrollo teórico. Al mismo tiempo pondremos en práctica estos fundamentos mediante implementaciones concretas que utilicen aquellas herramientas.