Browsing by Author "Moreira, A."
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- Antipsychotic therapy and biochemical laboratory profile characterization of a sample of patients diagnosed with schizophreniaPublication . Amorim, Manuela; Moreira, A.; Condeço, Jorge; Monteiro, Pedro; Marques, António; Summavielle, TeresaSchizophrenia (SCZ) patients are reported to present significant abnormalities in lipid and glucose metabolism, that increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes, possibly induced by antipsychotic therapy (APT) and lifestyle.
- Cost reduction and quality improvements in the printing industryPublication . Moreira, A.; Silva, F.J.G.; Correia, A.I.; Pereira, Maria Teresa; Ferreira, Luís Pinto; Almeida, F. deCompetitiveness has been the key factor for the survival of the companies. The economic crisis that marked the beginning of this millennium forced the total readjustment of processes and operations which, in some cases, gave origin to deep changes in the organizations. In addition, concerns and consequent environmental constraints have begun to increase. Printing industry was strongly influenced by these factors. This study aims to reduce the use of toxic products and general costs in offset printing process, as well as promote a productivity increase in the printing industry. Because this kind of industry is largely influenced by weather conditions, historical data was collected, allowing to reach the balance between the printing consumables usage and working methodologies, leading to implementing important improvements. At the end of the study, it was possible to observe very good results, increasing the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) and reducing the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) relatively to the equipment. The biggest achievement was the massive reduction of the isopropyl alcohol consumption in the offset printing process, increasing the air quality at the facilities, reducing the costs and most of the problems during the printing process.
- Efeito e fatores preditivos da variação do glicerol sanguíneo induzido por eletrolipólise associada a exercício físico moderadoPublication . Couto, M; Noites, Andreia; Vilarinho, Rui; Melo, Cristina; Monteiro, Pedro; Moreira, A.; Cerqueira, Maria Manuela Amorim; Costa, D.; Adubeiro, Nuno; Nogueira, Luisa; Santos, RubimA acumulação de triglicerídeos no tecido adiposo abdominal acarreta risco acrescido para a saúde. Existem poucos estudos que demonstrem o efeito da eletrolipólise sobre o adipócito. A eletrolipólise poderá ser uma medida terapêutica coadjuvante ao exercício com o objectivo de potenciar a lipólise localizada. Assim torna-se pertinente reproduzir tais estudos, explorando se existem características individuais preditivas de mobilização lipolítica
- Evaluation of MCP Correlation Algorithms Applied to Wind Data SeriesPublication . Moreira, A.; Rocha, T.; Mendonça, J.; Pilão, R.; Pinto, P.This work aimed to develop methodologies for analysing statistical correlations among wind data series using various Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP) methods, with the goal of selecting the most suitable method for extrapolating long-term data with minimal associated uncertainty. It was analysed the minimum time required for a wind measurement campaign when applying this methodology. Fifteen local wind measurement stations were selected. The long-term wind data reanalysis series that exhibited the strongest correlation with the measured wind data at each station was then chosen. Multiple tests were conducted with different simultaneous periods between the measured data series and the long-term series. Fifteen correlation algorithms were tested for each concurrent period. The performance of each model was evaluated using the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) and MBE (Mean Bias Error) associated with each MCP. Analysis of the errors identified measurement periods with the lowest associated error ranging from 1 to 5 years and a single-factor ANOVA analysis was conducted. Finally, t-significance tests were performed. The study concluded that the Neural Network was the most effective MCP method. Additionally, it was determined that the minimum number of years required for a local measurement campaign should be between 2 and 3 years.
- Evaluation of MCP correlation algorithms applied to wind data seriesPublication . Moreira, A.; Rocha, T.; Mendonça, J.; Pilão, R.; Pinto, P.(Objectives) This work aimed to develop methodologies for analyzing statistical correlations among wind data series using various Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP) methods, with the goal of selecting the most suitable method for extrapolating long-term data with minimal associated uncertainty. Furthermore, the study intends to investigate how the concurrent period used to build the correlation can affect the performance indicators of MCP methods.
- Impact of a school-based intervention to promote fruit intake: a cluster randomized controlled trialPublication . Rosário, R.; Araújo, A.; Padrão, P.; Lopes, O.; Moreira, A.; Abreu, S.; Vale, S.; Pereira, B.; Moreira, P.Objective: There is evidence that fruit consumption among school children is below the recommended levels. This study aims to examine the effects of a dietary education intervention program me, held by teachers previously trained in nutrition, on the consumption of fruit as a dessert at lunch and dinner, among children 6-12 years old. Study design: This is a randomized trial with the schools as the unit of randomisation. Methods: A total of 464 children (239 female, 6-12years) from seven elementary schools participated in this cluster randomized controlled trial. Three schools were allocated to the intervention and four to the control group. For the intervention schools, we delivered professional development training to school teachers (12 sessions of 3 h each). The training provided information about nutrition, healthy eating, the importance of drinking water and healthy cooking activities. After each session, teachers were encouraged to develop classroom activities focused on the learned topics. Sociodemographic was assessed at baseline and anthropometric, dietary intake and physical activity assessments were performed at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Dietary intake was evaluated by a 24- h dietary recall and fruit consumption as a dessert was gathered at lunch and dinner. Results: Intervened children reported a significant higher intake in the consumption of fruit compared to the controlled children at lunch (P = 0.001) and at dinner (P = 0.012), after adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Our study provides further support for the success of intervention programmes aimed at improving the consumption of fruit as a dessert in children.
- Substance P antagonist improves both obesity and asthma in a mouse modelPublication . Ramalho, R.; Almeida, Joana; Beltrão, M.; Pirraco, A.; Costa, R.; Sokhatska, O.; Guardão, L.; Palmares, C.; Guimarães, J. T.; Delgado, L.; Moreira, A.; Soares, R.Evidence suggests a causal relationship between obesity and asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Substance P (SP), involved in neurogenic inflammation by acting through its receptor NK1-R, seems to participate in obese–asthma phenotype in mice. To evaluate the effect of a selective substance P receptor antagonist on a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and asthma. Diet-induced obese Balb/c mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with a selective NK1-R antagonist or placebo. Serum glucose, insulin, IL-6, resistin, and OVA-specific IgE levels were quantified. A score for peribronchial inflammation in lung histology was used. Cells were counted in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Adipocyte sizes were measured. Ovalbumin-obese mice treated with NK1-R antagonist had lower weight (P = 0.0002), reduced daily food intake (P = 0.0021), reduced daily energy intake (P = 0.0021), reduced surface adipocyte areas (P < 0.0001), lower serum glucose (P = 0.04), lower serum insulin (P = 0.03), lower serum IL-(P = 0.0022), lower serum resistin (P = 0.0043), lower serum OVA-specific IgE (P = 0.035), and lower peribronchial inflammation score (P < 0.0001) than nontreated OVA-obese mice. We observed an interaction between obesity, allergen sensitization, and treatment with NK1-R antagonist for metabolic and systemic biomarkers, and for allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation, showing a synergy between these variables. In an experimental model of obesity and asthma in mice, NK1-R blockade improved metabolic and systemic biomarkers, as well as allergen sensitization and bronchial inflammation. These positive effects support a common pathway in the obese–asthma phenotype and highlight SP as a target with potential clinical interest in the obese–asthma epidemics.