Desenvolvimento de protótipo de aplicativo móvel em Android® para o controle e acompanhamento nutricional da saúde óssea em mulheres menopáusicas

Following a drop in estrogen in the period of menopause some women begin to lose bone mass more than 1% per year reaching the end of five years with loss greater than 25%. In this regard, factors such as older age, low calcium intake and premature menopause favor the onset of osteoporosis. Preventive methods such as nutritional counseling to a proper diet and the support of technology through applications that assess dietary intake are essential. Thus, this study aimed to develop an application for Android® platform focused on the evaluation of nutritional and organic conditions involved in bone health and risks for developing osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. To achieve this goal we proceeded to a study of 72 women aged 46-79 years, from the physical exercise for bone health of the Laboratory for Research in Biochemistry and Densitometry the Federal Technological University of Paraná program. Data were collected in the second half of 2014 through tests Bone Densitometry and Body Composition, Blood Tests, Anthropometric data and Nutrition Assessment. The study included women with a current diagnosis of osteopenia or osteoporosis primary, aged more than 45 years postmenopausal. For the assessment of bone mineral density and body composition used the device Absorptiometry Dual Energy X-ray (DXA) brand Hologic Discovery TM Model A. For anthropometric assessment was included to body mass, height, abdominal circumference, Waist circumference and hip circumference. The instrument for assessing food consumption was used Recall 24 hours a day (24HR). The estimated intake of energy and nutrients was carried from the tabulation of the food eaten in the Software Diet Pro 4®. In a sub sample of 30 women with osteopenia / osteoporosis serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase tests were performed. The results demonstrated a group of women (n = 30) average calcium intake of 570mg / day (± 340). The analysis showed a mean serum calcium within the normal range (10,20mg / dl ± 0.32) and average values and slightly increased alkaline phosphatase (105.40 U / L ± 23.70). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the consumption of protein and the optimal daily intake of calcium (0.375 p-value 0.05). Based on these findings, we developed an application early stage in Android® platform operating system Google®, being called OsteoNutri. We chose to use Java Eclipse® where it was executed Android® version of the project; choice of application icons and setting the visual editor for building the application layouts. The DroidDraw® was used for development of the three application GUIs. For practical tests we used a cell compatible with the version that was created (4.4 or higher). The prototype was developed in conjunction with the Group and Instrumentation Applications Development (GDAI) of the Federal Technological University of Paraná. So this application can be considered an important tool in dietary control, allowing closer control consumption of calcium and dietary proteins.

Implementação da norma IFS (International Featured Standard) na produção de Migas de Bacalhau da empresa frigoríficos da ermida

Dissertação de Mestrado em Gestão Integrada da Qualidade, Ambiente e Segurança

Detección temprana del cáncer de mama mediante la termografía en Ecuador

En los últimos reportes de Quito-Ecuador ocupa el primer lugar en diagnósticos de cáncer en las mujeres. Las campañas de concienciación y las investigaciones han permitido mejorar el diagnóstico y su tratamiento, pero en países de recursos bajos y medios aun es un problema sin resolver, debido a varios factores: diagnóstico en fases avanzadas y recursos insuficientes que ayuden en su pronta detección. Se conoce que en Ecuador por ejemplo, cerca de cuatro de cada diez mujeres diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama lo son en estadios avanzados (III y IV) cuyo tratamiento es costoso y complejo. Actualmente, según la OMS el reto para todos los países es detectar tempranamente la enfermedad. Por tanto, se debe abordar nuevos retos, tales como la búsqueda de nuevas herramientas y tecnologías costo efectivas que ofrezcan ventajas al actual método, que está basado en mamografías y auto examen. El uso de nuevas tecnologías permitirá identificar la enfermedad en estadios tempranos, lo que dará lugar a que la sobrevida libre de enfermedad aumente, los costos de la atención disminuyan y el pronóstico vital sea mayor. Este trabajo propone incorporar el uso de la termografía como complementaria al diagnóstico precoz de bajo coste y no invasiva.

Estratificação pré-terapêutica do carcinoma do endométrio por ressonância magnética - papel do estudo dinâmico após administração de contraste endovenoso e do estudo ponderado em difusão

O carcinoma do endométrio apresenta uma taxa de incidência em Portugal de cerca de 7.2%, sendo a 5ª neoplasia mais comum na mulher. Apesar de apresentar uma prevalência relativamente elevada, o seu prognóstico global é favorável, uma vez que 75% dos casos são diagnosticados em estádio precoce. O estudo por ressonância magnética é geralmente efectuado após a realização de uma ecografia para avaliação de uma hemorragia uterina anormal e após o diagnóstico histológico por histeroscopia ou ressecção. Contudo, a ressonância magnética pode apresentar um papel determinante no diagnóstico em casos de impossibilidade de biópsia e nos quais a biópsia é inconclusiva. Além do mais, apesar de esta técnica não ser contemplada na classificação para o estadiamento do carcinoma do endométrio da International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics de 2009, apresenta uma função fundamental no estadiamento pré-operatório destas doentes, sendo crucial para definir a abordagem cirúrgica e terapêutica. No presente artigo, as autoras descrevem o estado da arte da ressonância magnética funcional no diagnóstico e no estadiamento do carcinoma do endométrio, chamando a atenção para o papel do estudo dinâmico após administração de contraste endovenoso e do estudo ponderado em difusão nestes cenários através da revisão da literatura mais recente sobre este tópico.

Speculative document evaluation

Optimisation of real world Variable Data printing (VDP) documents is a dicult problem because the interdependencies between layout functions may drastically reduce the number of invariant blocks that can be factored out for pre-rasterisation. This paper examines how speculative evaluation at an early stage in a document-preparation pipeline, provides a generic and effective method of optimising VDP documents that contain such interdependencies. Speculative evaluation will be at its most effective in speeding up print runs if sets of layout invariances can either be discovered automatically, or designed into the document at an early stage. In either case the expertise of the layout designer needs to be supplemented by expertise in exploiting potential invariances and also in predicting the effects of speculative evaluation on the caches used at various stages in the print production pipeline.

Algoritmo de abordagem das lesões anexiais indeterminadas na ecografia

O esclarecimento do órgão de origem, ou principalmente da natureza benigna ou maligna de um tumor anexial ecograficamente indeterminado surge com frequência na prática clínica e obriga a uma investigação complementar da sua natureza de modo a evitar cirurgias inúteis, sem deixar de diagnosticar precocemente a patologia maligna. Neste trabalho apresentamos um algoritmo de diagnóstico por Ressonância Magnética (RM), que recentemente foi proposto pela European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR), o qual permite um diagnóstico preciso dos casos indeterminados à ecografia e uma intervenção responsável na abordagem clínica destas doentes.

Études in vivo et in vitro sur le potentiel néphroprotecteur de plantes médicinales anti-diabétiques de la pharmacopée traditionnelle des Cris de la Baie-James

Notre équipe a identifié le thé Labrador [Rhododendron groenlandicum L. (Ericaceae)] comme une plante potentiellement antidiabétique de la pharmacopée traditionnelle des Cris de la Baie James orientale. Dans la présente étude, nous avons évalué les effets néphroprotecteurs potentiels de la plante. De la microalbuminurie et de la fibrose rénale ont été développées chez des souris alimentées avec une diète grasse (DG). Le R. groenlandicum améliore d’une façon non-significative la microalbuminurie, avec des valeurs de l’aire sous la courbe (ACR) diminuant de 0.69 à 0.53. La valeur de la fibrose rénale qui était, à l’origine, de 4.85 unités arbitraires (UA) dans des souris alimentées à la DG, a chuté à 3.27 UA après avoir reçu un traitement de R. groenlandicum. Le R. groenlandicum a réduit la stéatose rénale de presque la moitié alors que l’expression du facteur de modification Bcl-2 (Bmf) a chuté de 13.96 UA à 9.43 UA. Dans leur ensemble les résultats suggèrent que le traitement avec R. groenlandicum peut améliorer la fonction rénale altérée par DG. Dans l’étude subséquente, notre équipe a identifié 17 espèces de la forêt boréale, de la pharmacopée traditionnelle des Cris de la Baie James orientale, qui ont présenté des activités biologiques prometteuses in vitro et in vivo dans le contexte du DT2. Nous avons maintenant examiné ces 17 extraits afin d’identifier lesquels possèdent un potentiel cytoprotecteur rénale en utilisant des cellules Madin Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) mises à l’épreuve dans un médium hypertonique. Nous concluons que plusieurs plantes antidiabétiques Cris exercent une activité de protection rénale qui pourrait être pertinente dans le contexte de la néphropathie diabétique (ND) qui affecte une proportion importante des Cris. La G. hispidula et la A. balsamea sont parmi les plantes les plus puissantes dans ce contexte et elles semblent protectrices principalement en inhibant la caspase 9 dans la voie de signalisation apoptotique mitochondriale. Finalement, nous avons utilisé une approche de fractionnement guidée par un test biologique pour identifier les fractions actives et les composés de A. balsamea avec un potentiel de protection rénale in vitro dans des cellules MDCK mises au défi avec un médium hypertonique. La fraction d’hexane (Hex) possède le potentiel le plus élevé parmi toutes les fractions de solvant contre les dommages cellulaires induits par le stress hypertonique. Dans des études précédentes, trois composés purs ont été identifiés à partir de la fraction Hex, à savoir, l’acide abiétique, l’acide déhydroabiétique et le squalène. L’acide abiétique se distinguait par son effet puissant dans le maintien de la viabilité des cellules MDCK (AnnV-/PI-) à un niveau relativement élevé (augmentation de 25.48% relative au stress hypertonique, P<0.0001), ainsi qu’une réduction significative (diminution de 20.20% par rapport au stress hypertonique, P<0.0001) de l’apoptose de stade précoce (AnnV+/PI-). L’acide abiétique peut donc servir à normaliser les préparations traditionnelles d’A. balsamea et à trouver des applications potentielles dans le traitement de la néphropathie diabétique. Les trois études ont été intrinsèquement liées les unes aux autres, par conséquent, nous avons réussi à identifier R. groenlandicum ainsi que A. balsamea comme nouvelles plantes prometteuses contre la néphropathie diabétique. Nous croyons que ces résultats profiteront à la communauté crie pour la gestion des complications diabétiques, en particulier la néphropathie diabétique. En parallèle, nos données pourraient faire avancer l'essai clinique de certaines plantes médicinales de la pharmacopée traditionnelle des Cris de la Baie James orientale du Canada.

Breast cancer

Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer morbidity and mortality. Despite significant advances in treatment of breast cancer a substantial proportion of women affected by this disease succumb to it. Survival of patients with advanced disease, chemoresistant tumors or a suboptimal response to endocrine therapy is significantly shortened. Hence, further understanding of disease pathogenesis is required to enhance the arsenal of approaches to cure this deadly ailment. Recent advances in biochemistry, molecular cell biology and cancer research highlighted the importance of dysregulation of protein synthesis, translation, in the development and progression of tumors. This dysregulation appears to take place at an early stage of translation, called translation initiation, that is a highly controlled and rate-limiting step of the protein synthesis. In this chapter we summarize decades of knowledge accumulated in regards to the role of translation and its regulation in the development and progression of breast cancer. We then extensively discuss applications of this knowledge in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

The use of mo and cu monochromatic radiations for quantitative phase analysis: study of the accuracy

Cement hydration is a very complex process in which crystalline phases are dissolving in water and after supersaturation hydrated crystalline and amorphous phases precipitate. Great efforts are being made to develop analytical tools to accurately quantify these processes and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) combined with Rietveld methodology is a suitable tool to quantify these complex mixtures and their time evolutions. However, some problems/drawbacks should be overcome to fully apply it to cement pastes characterization in order to get accurate phase analyses. In order to tackle this issue, a comparison of the Rietveld quantitative phase analyses (RQPA) obtained using Cu-Kα1, Mo-Kα1, and synchrotron strictly monochromatic radiations of three set of mixtures with increasing amounts of a given phase (spiking-method) is presented. The main aim is to test a simple hypothesis: high energy Mo-radiation, combined with high resolution laboratory X-ray powder diffraction optics, could yield more accurate RQPA, for challenging samples, than well-established Cu-radiation procedure(s). Firstly, a series of crystalline inorganic phase mixtures with increasing amounts of an analyte was studied in order to determine if Mo-Kα1 methodology is as robust as the well-established Cu-Kα1 one. Secondly, a series of crystalline organic phase mixtures with increasing amounts of an organic compound was analyzed. This type of mixture can result in transparency problems in reflection and inhomogeneous loading in narrow capillaries for transmission studies. Finally, a third series with variable amorphous content was studied. Limit of detection in Cu-patterns, ~0.2 wt%, are slightly lower than those derived from Mo-patterns, ~0.3 wt%, for similar recording times and limit of quantification for a well crystallized inorganic phase using laboratory powder diffraction was established ~0.10 wt%. From the obtained results it is inferred that RQPA from Mo-Kα1 radiation have slightly better accuracies than those obtained from Cu-Kα1. The results obtained in the previous comparison have been taken into account to obtain accurate RQPA, including the amorphous component with internal standard methodology, of hydrating cement pastes. The final goal of this second study was understanding the early-stage hydration mechanisms of a variety of cementing systems (Ordinary Portland Cement or Belite Alite Ye’elimite cement) as a function of water content, superplasticizer additives and type and content of sulfate source. In order to do so, X-ray powder diffraction data were taken in-situ with the humidity chamber coupled to the Mo-Kα1 powder diffractometer. Some results of this ongoing investigation will be reported and discussed.

Elastic limit: The role of university-focused venture capital firms in extending knowledge and technology transfer

This paper has two main objectives. Firstly, to identify the role of the university-focused intermediaries, specifically UVCs, in order to explain how they interact at the early stage of USO creation, particularly regarding knowledge sharing. Secondly, to analyse whether they change their position once the USO is developed. This gives rise to two Research Questions: How does knowledge sharing occur in the dynamics of a university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem? And Do particular participants, such as UTTOs or UVCs, always occupy the same role and position within the university-based entrepreneurial ecosystem?

A Irrequietude motora como expressão de uma função materna comprometida: Método Rorschach

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada ao Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica.

SOVLENT REACTIVITY AND INTERFACE EVOLUTION AT MODEL ELECTRODES FOR ENERGY APPLICATIONS

The Li-ion rechargeable battery (LIB) is widely used as an energy storage device, but has significant limitations in battery cycle life and safety. During initial charging, decomposition of the ethylene carbonate (EC)-based electrolytes of the LIB leads to the formation of a passivating layer on the anode known as the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The formation of an SEI has great impact on the cycle life and safety of LIB, yet mechanistic aspects of SEI formation are not fully understood. In this dissertation, two surface science model systems have been created under ultra-high vacuum (UHV) to probe the very initial stage of SEI formation at the model carbon anode surfaces of LIB. The first model system, Model System I, is an lithium-carbonate electrolyte/graphite C(0001) system. I have developed a temperature programmed desorption/temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPD/TPRS) instrument as part of my dissertation to study Model System I in quantitative detail. The binding strengths and film growth mechanisms of key electrolyte molecules on model carbon anode surfaces with varying extents of lithiation were measured by TPD. TPRS was further used to track the gases evolved from different reduction products in the early-stage SEI formation. The branching ratio of multiple reaction pathways was quantified for the first time and determined to be 70.% organolithium products vs. 30% inorganic lithium product. The obtained branching ratio provides important information on the distribution of lithium salts that form at the very onset of SEI formation. One of the key reduction products formed from EC in early-stage SEI formation is lithium ethylene dicarbonate (LEDC). Despite intensive studies, the LEDC structure in either the bulk or thin-film (SEI) form is unknown. To enable structural study, pure LEDC was synthesized and subject to synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements (bulk material) and STM measurements (deposited films). To enable studies of LEDC thin films, Model System II, a lithium ethylene dicarbonate (LEDC)-dimethylformamide (DMF)/Ag(111) system was created by a solution microaerosol deposition technique. Produced films were then imaged by ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (UHV-STM). As a control, the dimethylformamide (DMF)-Ag(111) system was first prepared and its complex 2D phase behavior was mapped out as a function of coverage. The evolution of three distinct monolayer phases of DMF was observed with increasing surface pressure — a 2D gas phase, an ordered DMF phase, and an ordered Ag(DMF)2 complex phase. The addition of LEDC to this mixture, seeded the nucleation of the ordered DMF islands at lower surface pressures (DMF coverages), and was interpreted through nucleation theory. A structural model of the nucleation seed was proposed, and the implication of ionic SEI products, such as LEDC, in early-stage SEI formation was discussed.

THE DEVELOPMENT EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERNATIONAL WATER AND SANITATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS: DEFINING “QUALITY AT ENTRY” OF WORLD BANK PROJECTS.

Over the past 15 years, the number of international development projects aimed at combating global poverty has increased significantly. Within the water and sanitation sector however, and despite heightened global attention and an increase in the number of infrastructure projects, over 800 million people remain without access to appropriate water and sanitation facilities. The majority of donor aid in the water supply and sanitation sector of developing countries is delivered through standalone projects. The quality of projects at the design and preparation stage is a critical determinant in meeting project objectives. The quality of projects at early stage of design, widely referred to as quality at entry (QAE), however remains unquantified and largely subjective. This research argues that water and sanitation infrastructure projects in the developing world tend to be designed in the absence of a specific set of actions that ensure high QAE, and consequently have relatively high rates of failure. This research analyzes 32 cases of water and sanitation infrastructure projects implemented with partial or full World Bank financing globally from 2000 – 2010. The research uses categorical data analysis, regression analysis and descriptive analysis to examine perceived linkages between project QAE and project development outcomes and determines which upstream project design factors are likely to impact the QAE of international development projects in water supply and sanitation. The research proposes a number of specific design stage actions that can be incorporated into the formal review process of water and sanitation projects financed by the World Bank or other international development partners.

Discovery and validation of serologic biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of invasive candidiasis by computational immunomics

Invasive candidiasis (IC) is an opportunistic systemic mycosis caused by Candida species (commonly Candida albicans) that continues to pose a significant public health problem worldwide. Despite great advances in antifungal therapy and changes in clinical practices, IC remains a major infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in severely immunocompromised or critically ill patients, and further accounts for substantial healthcare costs. Its impact on patient clinical outcome and economic burden could be ameliorated by timely initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. However, early detection of IC is extremely difficult because of its unspecific clinical signs and symptoms, and the inadequate accuracy and time delay of the currently available diagnostic or risk stratification methods. In consequence, the diagnosis of IC is often attained in advanced stages of infection (leading to delayed therapeutic interventions and ensuing poor clinical outcomes) or, unfortunately, at autopsy. In addition to the difficulties encountered in diagnosing IC at an early stage, the initial therapeutic decision-making process is also hindered by the insufficient accuracy of the currently available tools for predicting clinical outcomes in individual IC patients at presentation. Therefore, it is not surprising that clinicians are generally unable to early detect IC, and identify those IC patients who are most likely to suffer fatal clinical outcomes and may benefit from more personalized therapeutic strategies at presentation. Better diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for IC are thus needed to improve the clinical management of this life-threatening and costly opportunistic fungal infection...

Design de comunicação aplicado à educação musical

Dissertação de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Design de Comunicação, apresentada na Universidade de Lisboa - Faculdade de Arquitectura.