Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-02"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 29
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Resumo do percurso académico e da atividade profissionalPublication . Mesquita, Maria Manuela RamalhoEste documento pretende, de forma sucinta, transmitir o percurso académico, profissional e actividade da Eng.ª Maria Manuela Ramalho de Mesquita, fazendo parte integrante da documentação a entregar no Instituto Politécnico do Porto para a atribuição do título de Especialista na área de Engenharia Civil. Conforme previsto no art.º 16.º do Decreto -Lei n.º 206/2009, de 31 de agosto, alterado pelo Decreto-Lei 27/2021, de 16 de abril o candidato é detentor de título de especialista atribuído pela Ordem do Engenheiros, vindo assim requerer, ser dispensado da apresentação, apreciação crítica e discussão de um trabalho de natureza profissional, havendo apenas lugar à discussão do currículo profissional e à sua apreciação para o exercício de funções docentes. [...]
- The insula, a key brain area for bladder pain control, is modulated by stressPublication . Summavielle, TeresaStress may cause or aggravate Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC) symptoms. Thus, stress models are being refined to be used as systemic in counterpoint to bladder centric animal models We hypothesised that different stress insults modulate the insula activity diversely. Two models were used in female Wistar rats, Maternal Deprivation Model (MDM, stress applied to new-borns and studies done at 6M) and Water Avoidance Stress test (WAS, stress is applied to 6M rats for 1h every 10 days and studies carried afterwards). Mechanical pain threshold was evaluated in L6/S1 dermatomes which share the spinal cord segments of bladder sensory innervation. Bladder function was evaluated by cystometry. Then Insulas were removed. One was immersed in RNAlater, homogenized, RNA extracted, and expression of different biomarkers assessed by real-time PCR. The other insula was immunoreacted against microglia markers Iba1 and Cd68. The analysis of positive cells used LASAF and ImageJ software. Morphometric analysis and 3D reconstructions used IMARIS software.
- Characterisation of progression of macular oedema in the initial stages of diabetic retinopathy: a 3-year longitudinal studyPublication . Lobo, Conceição; Santos, Torcato; Marques, Inês P.; Madeira, Maria H.; Santos, Ana Rita; Figueira, João; Cunha-Vaz, JoséTo characterise the prevalence and three-year progression of centre-involving diabetic macular oedema (CI-DMO) in minimal to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and measurements of retinal fluid using tissue optical reflectivity ratios (OCT-Leakage). Seventy-four eyes from 74 patients were followed in a 3-year prospective longitudinal observational cohort of type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), OCT-Angiography (OCT-A) and OCT-Leakage (OCT-L). Eyes were examined four times with 1-year intervals. Sixteen eyes (17.8%) were excluded from the analysis due to quality control standards. Retinal oedema was measured by central retinal thickness and retinal fluid by using optical reflectivity ratios obtained with the OCT-L algorithm. Vessel density was measured by OCT-A. Thinning of the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (GCL + IPL) was examined to identify retinal neurodegenerative changes. Diabetic retinopathy ETDRS classification was performed using the seven-field ETDRS protocol. CI-DMO was identified in the first visit in 9% of eyes in ETDRS groups 10–20, 10% of eyes in ETDRS group 35 and 15% of eyes in ETDRS groups 43–47. The eyes with CI-DMO and subclinical CI-DMO showed a progressive increase in retinal extracellular fluid during the 3-year period of follow-up. The eyes with CI-DMO and increased retinal extracellular fluid accumulation were associated with vision loss. The prevalence of subclinical CI-DMO and CI-DMO in the initial stages of NPDR occurs independently of severity grading of the retinopathy, showing progressive increase in retinal extracellular fluid and this increase is associated with vision loss (82% 9 out of 11 cases).
- Fast calculation of spectral optical properties and pigment content detection in human normal and pathological kidneyPublication . Botelho, Ana R.; Silva, Hugo F.; Martins, Inês S.; Carneiro, Isa; Carvalho, Sónia D.; Henrique, Rui M.; Tuchin, Valery V.; Oliveira, Luís M.A fast calculation method was used to obtain the spectral optical properties of human normal and pathological (chromophobe renal cell carcinoma) kidney tissues. Using total transmittance, total reflectance and collimated transmittance spectra acquired from ex vivo kidney samples, the spectral optical properties of both tissues, namely the absorption, the scattering and the reduced scattering coefficients, as well as the scattering anisotropy, dispersion and light penetration depth, were calculated between 200 and 1000 nm. Analysis of the mean ab sorption coefficient spectra of the kidney tissues showed that both contain melanin and lipofuscin, and that 83 % of the melanin in the normal kidney converts into lipofuscin in the pathological kidney.
- Involving forensic students in integrative learning—a project proposalPublication . Teixeira, A.; Azevedo, A.; Pérez-Mongiovi, D.; Caldas, I. M.; Costa-Rodrigues, JoãoIn our experience, university students enrolling in health science and forensic science degrees show difficulty in retaining and integrating basic scientific knowledge learned in their first academic year. Furthermore, in the forensic sciences case, many students have oversimplified and unrealistic expectations as a result of the exposure to crime TV shows, internet blogs, and other social media platforms. Our pedagogical proposal is focused on second-year university students, aiming at promoting effective learning and the integration of scientific knowledge from previous courses, in this particular example, molecular and cell biology and biochemistry, with more advanced forensic courses, such as forensic anthropology and odontology. Teams composed of students and tutors from the teaching staff, with the help of dichotomous keys, are challenged to analyze a crime scene and choose the relevant evidence to further investigate, determine the scientific approach, execute the experimental work, interpret the results and, finally, resolve the case. To assess the pedagogical advantages and the receptivity of this project, a survey is to be carried out among students, and respective statistical analysis is also proposed. Finally, we hope this project outline may be adapted to other subjects, and, therefore, be used to address different pedagogical questions in forensic studies.
- Ecological validity in neurocognitive assessment: Systematized review, content analysis, and proposal of an instrumentPublication . Pinto, Joana O.; Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Peixoto, Bruno; Barbosa, FernandoThe main objectives of this study are to identify the dimensions of Ecological Validity(EV) within the definitions of this concept, understand how they are operationalized in neurocog-nitive tests, and propose a checklist for EV attributes in neurocognitive tests. A systematized review was combined with content analysis of the selected papers, usingthe inductive method. We analyzed 82 studies on the EV of neurocognitive tests, 19 literaturereviews and 63 empirical studies. Based on this review, we identified the relevant criteria for evalu-ating EV. EV is a multidimensional concept with two main dimensions: representativeness and gen-eralization. Representativeness involves the subdimensions simplicity-complexity and artificial-nat-ural and several criteria organized on a continuum from low EV to high EV. Generalization isdependent on representativeness and is influenced by different cognitive and non-cognitive fac-tors. We propose six stages for operationalizing EV, from defining the objectives of the neurocog-nitive assessment to the methodology for scoring and interpreting the results.This systematized review helps to operationalize the concept of EV by providing atool for evaluating and improving EV while developing new tests. Further studies with a longitu-dinal design can compare the predictive value of tests with higher versus lower EV-checklistscores.
- Redução dos custos em saúde, em Portugal, no diagnóstico e estadiamento de doenças oncológicas através da abertura de serviços de Medicina NuclearPublication . Pereira, João Daniel Gonçalves; Freitas, Carlos Jorge PereiraAs doenças oncológicas são um grupo de doenças que afeta cada vez mais população mundial e que, por vezes, apresenta uma taxa de mortalidade elevada quando não diagnosticada e tratada a tempo. Vários estudos indicam que a tendência para a incidência destas doenças irá aumentar, estimando-se que, até 2030, 25% da população portuguesa venha a desenvolver um cancro, sendo crucial um diagnóstico rápido e eficaz. Os gastos com o diagnóstico e estadiamento destas doenças atualmente é bastante elevado, atingindo valores de 1.146€ a 3.180€, por doente, num prazo de 5 anos, período normal de controlo destas doenças. O objetivo desta dissertação era apresentar uma técnica que permita baixar os custos com a realização de exames de diagnóstico e estadiamento, permitindo melhores condições para os doentes e menos custos para o estado. A Medicina Nuclear, através da realização de exames PET-CT, permite num só exame a obtenção de um diagnóstico e estadiamento para um determinado doente, onde exista a suspeita da uma doença oncológica. Porém, estes exames apresentam um preço elevado, em comparação com os restantes e o seu número e localização tornam esta técnica limitada. Por outro lado, são necessários menos exames no período dos 5 anos, sendo de 1000€ a 1200€ por doente, por ano. Dada a escassez de serviços existentes, seria necessário um investimento inicial elevado de forma a se obterem os valores médios europeus, porém verifica-se que o custo inicial de abertura dos serviços seria colmatado com a poupança em saúde com o recurso a esta técnica. A abertura destes serviços seria maioritariamente na região interior do país e nas ilhas, onde não existe qualquer serviço. Através desta dissertação, foi possível verificar que o custo de abertura de um serviço com PET-CT é avultado, contudo verifica-se uma diminuição dos custos em saúde com a realização destes exames em detrimento dos tradicionais.
- Effect of substrate bias voltage on structural and tribological properties of W-Ti-C-N thin films produced by combinational HiPIMS and DCMS co-sputteringPublication . Ataie, S.A.; Soltanieh, M.; Naghizadeh, R.; Cavaleiro, A.; Evaristo, M.; Fernandes, F.; Ferreira, F.Protective multi-component thin films at the surface of cutting tools have been significantly developed to reduce wear and friction. The present work investigates the effect of substrate bias voltage on the structural-tribological relations of W-Ti-C-N thin films produced by HiPIMS and DCMS co-sputtering. Chemical analysis of the coatings is obtained and composite phase structure is revealed. Morphology of the coatings illustrates that defectless surfaces may be achieved. Topographical parameters are investigated by employing graphical software. Indentation, scratch and pin-on-disk tests (pin is AISI 52100 steel) are applied to study mechanical behaviors of the films. To produce a wear-resistant film, a median bias voltage ( 60 V) and as a result, optimum content of tungsten concentration (19.2 at. %), grain size (42.8 nm) and average peak interval (188 nm) is required. Finally, a model based on the representative volume element is developed to show crack propagation and delamination.
- Mental health literacy and stigma in a municipality in the north of portugal: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Trigueiro, Maria João; Portugal, Paula; Sousa, Sara; Simões-Silva, Vítor; Campos, Filipa; Silva, Maria; Marques, AntónioPortugal has Europe’s second-highest prevalence of psychiatric illnesses, and this is the reason why mental health literacy (MHL) and stigma should be addressed. This study aimed to investigate the mental health literacy and stigma levels among different groups of people from Póvoa de Varzim, a municipality in the north of Portugal. Students, retired people, and professionals (education, social, and healthcare fields) were recruited using a convenience sample from June to November 2022. Participants’ MHL levels were evaluated using the Mental Health Promoting Knowledge Scale (MHPK), Mental Health Literacy Measure (MHLM) and Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS). Stigma levels were evaluated using Community Attitudes towards Mental Illness (CAMI) and the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS). A total of 928 questionnaires were filed. The respondents included 65.70% of women, a mean age of 43.63 (±26.71) years and 9.87 (±4.39) years of school education. MHL increased with age, education level and was higher in women (p < 0.001). A higher level of MHL was seen in health professionals (p < 0.001). Findings revealed that older people stigmatized people with mental illness more (p < 0.001), and the female gender stigmatize less (p < 0.001). In addition, results showed that stigma decreased with higher mental health literacy (r between 0.11 and 0.38; p < 0.001). To conclude, specific campaigns that promote mental health literacy should be tailored to specific profiles within this population to address those that have more stigma.
- A data mining tool for untargeted biomarkers analysis: Grapes ripening applicationPublication . Machado, Sandia; Barreiros, Luisa; Graça, António R.; Páscoa, Ricardo N.M.J.; Segundo, Marcela A.; Lopes, João A.In metabolomics, data generated by untargeted approaches can be very complex due to the typically extensive number of features in raw data (with and without chemical relevance), dependence on raw data preprocessing methods, and lack of selective data mining tools to appropriately interpret these data. Extraction of meaningful information from these data is still a significant challenge in metabolomics. Moreover, currently available tools may overprocess the data, eliminating useful information. This work aims at proposing a data mining tool capable of dealing with metabolomics data, specifically liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to enhance the extraction of meaningful chemical information. The algorithm construction intended to be as general as possible in highlighting chemically relevant features, discarding non-informative signals specially background features. The proposed algorithm was applied to an LC-MS data set generated from the analysis of grapes collected over a developmental period encompassing a 4-month period. The algorithm outcome is a short list of features from metabolites that are worth to be further investigated, for example by HRMS fragmentation for subsequent identification. The performance of the algorithm in estimating potentially interesting features was compared with the commercial MZmine software. For this case study, the MZmine output yielded a final set of 37 features (out of 1543 initially identified) with noise features while the proposed algorithm identified 99 systematic features without noise. Also, the algorithm required 2 times less user-defined parameters when compared to MZmine. Globally, the proposed algorithm demonstrated a higher ability to pin-point features that may be associated with grapes developmental and maturation processes requiring minimal parameters definition, thus preventing user uncertainty and the compromise of experimental information.
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »