Relatório de estágio em reabilitação neurológica

Mestrado em Fisioterapia.

Nintendo Wii: uso terapêutico no controlo postural em indivíduos que sofreram um acidente vascular cerebral

Mestrado em Fisioterapia.

The electric vehicle integration into the power system: an application to the portuguese case

Electric vehicles (EV) offer a great potential to address the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) in the power grid, and thus reduce the dependence on oil as well as the greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The high share of wind energy in the Portuguese energy mix expected for 2020 can led to eventual curtailment, especially during the winter when high levels of hydro generation occur. In this paper a methodology based on a unit commitment and economic dispatch is implemented, and a hydro-thermal dispatch is performed in order to evaluate the impact of the EVs integration into the grid. Results show that the considered 10 % penetration of EVs in the Portuguese fleet would increase load in 3 % and would not integrate a significant amount of wind energy because curtailment is already reduced in the absence of EVs. According to the results, the EV is charged mostly with thermal generation and the associated emissions are much higher than if they were calculated based on the generation mix.

O uso do smartphone na avaliação do risco de queda associado ao envelhecimento

Introdução: O declínio do equilíbrio, da força dos membros inferiores e o medo de cair são fatores de risco de queda associados ao envelhecimento e a sua avaliação pode ser realizada pelo teste One Leg Standing (OLS), Sit to Stand (STS) e pela Falls Eficacy Scale (FES), respetivamente. As aplicações para smartphone constituem uma alternativa para a avaliação dos fatores de risco de queda no envelhecimento. Objetivo: Analisar a capacidade de uma aplicação para smartphone na avaliação dos testes STS, OLS e FES. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo analítico numa amostra de 27 voluntários com idade ≥ 60 anos. Realizaram-se os testes STS, OLS e a FES (versão iconográfica, apresentada no smartphone). Os dados foram recolhidos simultaneamente por um smartphone e pelo Qualisys Motion Capture Systems associado a uma plataforma de forças. Foi utilizado o r de Pearson ou Spearman para analisar as possíveis correlações. Resultados: No STS obteve-se uma correlação muito forte (rp=0.97) no número de repetições de ciclos Sit Stand Sit (SLS) e forte na duração média do SLS (rp=0.85) e das subfases Sit to Stand (rp=0.69) e Stand to Sit (rp=0.778), com p<0.001. As medidas de inclinação do tronco apresentaram correlações fortes, com exceção do ângulo inicial (p≥0.05). No OLS, verificou-se uma correlação moderada entre o deslocamento do centro de pressão peak to peak médio-lateral (rs=0.45; p=0.017) e antero-posterior (rs=0.39; p=0.046), root mean square médio-lateral (rs=0.39; p=0.046) e antero-posterior (rs=0.46; p=0.017) e área do estatocinesiograma (rs=0.45; p=0.018). Na FES obteve-se uma correlação moderada em três categorias: ‘tomar banho/duche’ (rs=0.49; p=0.010), ‘deitar/levantar da cama (rs=0.43; p=0.024) e ‘chegar aos armários’ (rs=0.38; p=0.050). Conclusão: A aplicação para smartphone parece avaliar corretamente os ciclos e a variação da inclinação do tronco no STS, porém parece necessitar de ser reajustada na FES e na velocidade do deslocamento do centro de pressão, no OLS.

An application of structural equation modeling of test dispositional optimism as mediator or moderator in quality of life in patients with chronic disease

The aim of the present study was to test a hypothetical model to examine if dispositional optimism exerts a moderating or a mediating effect between personality traits and quality of life, in Portuguese patients with chronic diseases. A sample of 540 patients was recruited from central hospitals in various districts of Portugal. All patients completed self-reported questionnaires assessing socio-demographic and clinical variables, personality, dispositional optimism, and quality of life. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the moderating and mediating effects. Results suggest that dispositional optimism exerts a mediator rather than a moderator role between personality traits and quality of life, suggesting that “the expectation that good things will happen” contributes to a better general well-being and better mental functioning.

A novel application of microwave-assisted extraction of polyphenols from brewer’s spent grain with HPLC-DAD-MS analysis

This paper reports a novel application of microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of polyphenols from brewer’s spent grains (BSG). A 24 orthogonal composite design was used to obtain the optimal conditions of MAE. The influence of the MAE operational parameters (extraction time, temperature, solvent volume and stirring speed) on the extraction yield of ferulic acid was investigated through response surface methodology. The results showed that the optimal conditions were 15 min extraction time, 100 °C extraction temperature, 20 mL of solvent, and maximum stirring speed. Under these conditions, the yield of ferulic acid was 1.31±0.04% (w/w), which was fivefold higher than that obtained with conventional solid–liquid extraction techniques. The developed new extraction method considerably reduces extraction time, energy and solvent consumption, while generating fewer wastes. HPLC-DADMS analysis indicated that other hydroxycinnamic acids and several ferulic acid dehydrodimers, as well as one dehydrotrimer were also present, confirming that BSG is a valuable source of antioxidant compounds.

Sequential application of soil vapor extraction and bioremediation processes for the remediation of ethylbenzene-contaminated soils

Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is an efficient, well-known and widely applied soil remediation technology. However, under certain conditions it cannot achieve the defined cleanup goals, requiring further treatment, for example, through bioremediation (BR). The sequential application of these technologies is presented as a valid option but is not yet entirely studied. This work presents the study of the remediation of ethylbenzene (EB)-contaminated soils, with different soil water and natural organic matter (NOMC) contents, using sequential SVE and BR. The obtained results allow the conclusion that: (1) SVE was sufficient to reach the cleanup goals in 63% of the experiments (all the soils with NOMC below 4%), (2) higher NOMCs led to longer SVE remediation times, (3) BR showed to be a possible and cost-effective option when EB concentrations were lower than 335 mg kgsoil −1, and (4) concentrations of EB above 438 mg kgsoil −1 showed to be inhibitory for microbial activity.

Redes de rega de campos de golfe

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Efetividade do conceito de Mulligan comparativamente ao exercício terapêutico supervisionado na diminuição da dor no ombro em atletas de Polo Aquático

Introdução: A aplicação das técnicas de Mulligan têm como objetivo reduzir a dor, aumentar as amplitudes articulares e melhorar a funcionalidade, assim como sobre a aplicação de um programa exercícios supervisionados ao complexo articular do ombro. O propósito de um programa de exercícios do ombro pode ser dirigido para o alívio da dor, para o equilíbrio e aumento da força muscular, assim como para restabelecer sem dor as amplitudes articulares de movimento. Objetivos: Este estudo teve como objectivo comparar a eficácia do conceito de Mulligan com um programa de exercícios terapêuticos na diminuição da dor no ombro em atletas de Polo Aquático. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo quase-experimental, sendo a amostra composta por 13 atletas do sexo masculino e 11 atletas do sexo feminino, que apresentavam dor na região do ombro, com idades compreendidas entres os 19 e os 32 anos de idade (n=24). Foi aplicado um questionário para a recolha da informação relativa à caracterização do atleta e á presença de dor. A avaliação foi realizada em diversos momentos, nomeadamente avaliação pré tratamento, avaliação pós primeira, segunda e terceira semana de tratamento, utilizando o instrumento EVA. Estatística: Procedeu-se à análise estatística descritiva e recorreu-se ao teste de Willcoxon, Teste T para testar associação entre a intensidade da dor e os diferentes momentos da avaliação da dor, a Teste de Willcoxon para testar associação entre a intensidade da dor entre os diferentes momentos de avaliação. Foi usado um nível de significância de 0,05. Resultados: Os resultados demonstram que nos dois grupos os atletas tiveram diminuição da intensidade da dor no ombro, embora se tenha verificado que a intervenção com MVM produz resultados mais rápidos e eficazes na diminuição da intensidade da dor, comparativamente á intervenção com exercícios terapêuticos supervisionados em atletas de Polo Aquático com dor no ombro. Conclusão: A intervenção com mobilização com movimento teve maior eficácia na diminuição intensidade da dor comparativamente á intervenção com exercícios terapêuticos supervisionados em atletas com dor no ombro.

Hierarchical cluster analysis of groups of individuals : application to business data

3rd SMTDA Conference Proceedings, 11-14 June 2014, Lisbon Portugal.

Application of wetland systems in the treatment of acid rock mine drainage

The presented work was conducted within the Dissertation / Internship, branch of Environmental Protection Technology, associated to the Master thesis in Chemical Engineering by the Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto and it was developed in the Aquatest a.s, headquartered in Prague, in Czech Republic. The ore mining exploitation in the Czech Republic began in the thirteenth century, and has been extended until the twentieth century, being now evident the consequences of the intensive extraction which includes contamination of soil and sub-soil by high concentrations of heavy metals. The mountain region of Zlaté Hory was chosen for the implementation of the remediation project, which consisted in the construction of three cells (tanks), the first to raise the pH, the second for the sedimentation of the formed precipitates and a third to increase the process efficiency in order to reduce high concentrations of metals, with special emphasis on iron, manganese and sulfates. This project was initiated in 2005, being pioneer in this country and is still ongoing due to the complex chemical and biological phenomenon’s inherent to the system. At the site where the project was implemented, there is a natural lagoon, thereby enabling a comparative study of the two systems (natural and artificial) regarding the efficiency of both in the reduction/ removal of the referred pollutants. The study aimed to assist and cooperate in the ongoing investigation at the company Aquatest, in terms of field work conducted in Zlaté Hory and in terms of research methodologies used in it. Thereby, it was carried out a survey and analysis of available data from 2005 to 2008, being complemented by the treatment of new data from 2009 to 2010. Moreover, a theoretical study of the chemical and biological processes that occurs in both systems was performed. Regarding the field work, an active participation in the collection and in situ sample analyzing of water and soil from the natural pond has been attained, with the supervision of Engineer, Irena Šupiková. Laboratory analysis of water and soil were carried out by laboratory technicians. It was found that the natural lagoon is more efficient in reducing iron and manganese, being obtained removal percentages of 100%. The artificial lagoon had a removal percentage of 90% and 33% for iron and manganese respectively. Despite the minor efficiency of the constructed wetland, it must be pointed out that this system was designed for the treatment and consequent reduction of iron. In this context, it can conclude that the main goal has been achieved. In the case of sulphates, the removal optimization is yet a goal to be achieved not only in the Czech Republic but also in other places where this type of contamination persists. In fact, in the natural lagoon and in the constructed wetland, removal efficiencies of 45% and 7% were obtained respectively. It has been speculated that the water at the entrance of both systems has different sources. The analysis of the collected data shows at the entrance of the natural pond, a concentration of 4.6 mg/L of total iron, 14.6 mg/L of manganese and 951 mg/L of sulphates. In the artificial pond, the concentrations are 27.7 mg/L, 8.1 mg/L and 382 mg/L respectively for iron, manganese and sulphates. During 2010 the investigation has been expanded. The study of soil samples has started in order to observe and evaluate the contribution of bacteria in the removal of heavy metals being in its early phase. Summarizing, this technology has revealed to be an interesting solution, since in addition to substantially reduce the mentioned contaminants, mostly iron, it combines the low cost of implementation with an reduced maintenance, and it can also be installed in recreation parks, providing habitats for plants and birds.

The flipped-broadcast learning system, application on Azores

On this work we suggest a teaching solution that can be implemented in Azores, an archipelago of nine islands of Portugal, based in already known system of e-learning, with a twist based on the flipped method. Structured in a cooperative way, the organization of the system allows to isolated groups of people to have access to a certain level of teaching, if they cannot have the possibility to have physical presence in school due to problems emerging from territory discontinuity. Our suggestion can be elaborate in a model that can be adapted to any level of education, and can be adapted also in cases that a cut of budget exists. We suggest the name of fb-learning: Flipped Broadcast Learning.

Modelo de data mining para deteção de embolias pulmonares

Trabalho de Projeto para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática e de Computadores

Modeling Movement of Tourists : Tools and Application in São Miguel Island, Portugal

Tourism contributes to the development of many regions. Different factors affect the movement of tourists within a destination. Those factors are related to the tourist characteristics, like the time budgets, preferences or destination knowledge, and to the destination features, like the attraction characteristics or accessibility level. Tourist decisions aren’t always done in a rational way. Emotions add further complexity to the human decision process. The use of footpaths can play an important role in the satisfaction of tourists, helping them discover the territory and giving them access to different types of attractions. The existence of a mathematical model that integrates the main factors related to the movement of independent tourists within a destination, in a dynamic way, will make possible the creation of an adaptable software tool. This tool will meet the specific needs of tourists, allowing the use of the network in an optimal way by the different tourist profiles, and the needs of the regional government and business, permitting better decisions and the offer of relevant tourism products. This article identifies the main tourists’ mobility criteria in the São Miguel island territory, Azores, Portugal, recognizes the necessary modelling process and identifies the basis for the construction of the mathematical model that explains the movement of tourists within the destination.

Aplicação da metodologia Kaizen aos processos de produção e logística da Polisport

A metodologia Kaizen, originária do Japão, tem como significado “melhorar continuamente” e ao longo da sua existência tem sido aplicada com grande sucesso em várias empresas, existindo três aspectos fundamentais para sua aplicabilidade: um melhor serviço ao cliente, uma melhor qualidade dos seus produtos e na redução dos custos pela via da eliminação dos desperdícios. Neste sentido, a dissertação propõe a aplicação da metodologia e ferramentas Kaizen ao contexto real da empresa Polisport. Esta empresa integra o Grupo Polisport e tem como seu núcleo principal a obtenção de materiais, montagem e comercialização de artigos finais para bicicleta, moto e automóvel. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho reflecte o estudo de técnicas de criação de valor interno, tendo em vista o aumento da produtividade dos seus processos produtivos. É realçado ainda a complementaridade da metodologia Kaizen com o estudo dos tempos e métodos, distinguindo o balanceamento e a ergonomia de postos de trabalho directamente relacionado com a eficiência do operário.