Pulmonary mycobiome of patients with suspicion of respiratory fungal infection – an exploratory study

Objective: This pilot study aimed to characterize the pulmonary mycobiome of patients with suspicion of fungal infection of the respiratory tract as well as to identify potentially pathogenic fungi colonizing/infecting their lungs. Methods: A cohort of 10 patients was analyzed, including HIV+ patients and patients with active infection caused by Mycobacterium species. Their respiratory samples (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid/ bronchial secretions) were pre-treated with lyticase and proteinase K; DNA was extracted using the High Pure PCR Template Preparation kit following the manufacturer’s instructions. The internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS1) and calmodulin gene were amplified by PCR and the resulting amplicons were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform with pair-end reads of 150 bp. The obtained results were analyzed using the PIPITS pipeline as described by Gweon et al. [1]. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) to which less than 0.1% of the total reads attributed were disregarded. Results: Thirty-seven different OTU were identified from which two belonged to the Plantae kingdom, 11 had less than the 0.1% threshold of the total reads and were therefore disregarded. The remaining 24 different OTU (grouped in 17 phylotypes), were considered as part of the pulmonary mycobiome of patients. Two phyla were identified: Basidiomycota (33.3%) and Ascomycota (54.2%). Regarding the Basidiomycota phylum, reads were classified in three classes (Agaricomycetes, Tremellomycetes and Walleomycetes), while for the Ascomycota phylum four different taxonomical classes were identified: Pneumocystidomycetes, Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes and Saccharomycetes, with the latter being the most frequent class. Twelve fungal genera were identified, being Candida the most frequently detected. The median number of fungal genera detected in patients’ pulmonary mycobiome was six (ranging from two up to nine). The genus Papilotrema and the potentially pathogenic genera Cryptococcus and Pneumocystis were exclusively found in the pulmonary mycobiome of HIV+ + patients. Other potentially pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus spp., Trichosporon spp., Saccharomyces spp. and Schizophyllum spp. were also detected. Conclusion: This pilot study illustrates how the pulmonary mycobiome is rich and highly variable in patients with fungal infections. The obtained results suggest that the described metagenomic analysis may possess a great ability to quickly and effectively detect potentially pathogenic fungi in the mycobiome of patients, making it a promising future diagnostic tool. Thus, further optimization, standardization and clinical validation of these NGS methodologies should be warranted in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cross-presentation by WASp deficient B cells and dendritic cells

The immune system comprises of different cell types whose role is to protect us against pathogens. This thesis investigates a very important mechanism for our organism protection in a specific disorder: cross-presentation in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS). WAS is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the cytoskeletal regulator WASp and WAS patients suffer from eczema, thrombocytopenia, and immunodeficiency. X-linked neutropenia (XLN) is caused by gain-of-function mutations in WASp and XLN patients suffer from severe congenital neutropenia and immunodeficiency. This thesis was focused on the role of B and T lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs). This work will be divided into two main topics: 1) In the first part I studied the capacity of B cells to take up, degrade and present antigen. Moreover I studied the capacity of B cells to induce T cell proliferation. 2) In the second part, I studied T cell proliferation induced by dendritic cells. To increase our understanding about this mechanism, additional experiments were performed, including acidification capacity of CD8+ and CD8- DCs, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production since it is directly connected to acidification. These assays were measured by flow cytometry. Localization of Rac1 and Rac2 GTPases was assessed by confocal microscopy. Proliferation, acidification and ROS production assays were performed also with cells from X-linked neutropenia (XLN) mice. From this study we concluded that B cells cannot induce CD8+ T cell proliferation however they take up and present antigen. Moreover I have shown that increased cross-presentation by WASp KO DCs with ovalbumin is associated with decreased capacity to acidify endosomal compartment; and WASp KO CD8- DCs have increased Rac2 localization to the phagosome. XLN dendritic cells have similar acidification and ROS production capacity than wildtype cells. In conclusion, our data suggests that WASp regulates antigen processing and presentation in DCs

Contributions of online social networks for e-learning

The emergence of Web 2.0 offers users the opportunity to not only see but also introduce new content and interact with the authors of original content and other users. The structure of the Web 2.0 offers an online space for groups of people with common interests to share experiences and information. Today, websites such as online social networks are extremely well known worldwide, with more users each day. The concept of Web 2.0 is based on these sites, encouraging the creation of collaborative environments of sharing among its users. Such concepts are extremely interesting when applied in an academic environment. The use of e-learning platforms have become widespread, however, such systems tend to be mostly mere repositories of content and are not stimulant systems for students. Concepts such as community, relationship and sharing, present in online social networks will be important in shaping the learning process of the student, making him an active element in this process by encouraging his critical spirit and his ability to solve problems

Potential Indirect Relationships in Productive Networks

Productive Networks, such as Social Networks Services, organize evidence about human behavior. This evidence is independent of the network content type, and may support the discovery of new relationships between users and content, or with other users. These indirect relationships are important for recommendation systems, and systems where potential relationships between users and content (e.g., locations) is relevant, such as with the emergency management domain, where the discovery of relationships between users and locations on productive networks may enable the identification of population density variations, increasing the accuracy of emergency alerts. This thesis presents a Productive Networks model, which enables the development of a methodology for indirect relationships discovery, using the metadata on the network, and avoiding the computational cost of content analysis. We designed and conducted a set of experiments to evaluate our proposals. Our results are twofold: firstly, the productive network model is sufficiently robust to represent a wide range of networks; secondly, the indirect relationship discovery methodology successfully identifies relevant relationships between users and content. We also present applications of the model and methodology in several contexts

Market research on energy transmission regarding sustainable energy transition

Demand for energy and renewable sources is increasing. The buildings segmenthas the potential to have the largest share of renewable- produced energy followed by industry, yet transport can face the highe stgrowth .Greater investment opportunities will emergein buildings and transport with new technology and low-carbon policies unlocking new business models inareas like demand flexibility, efficiency and e-mobility Transmission Transmission developmentcomesasaresultoftheriseindemand,generationcapacityandthedistancethatseparatesthesetwo.Theseconstraintscanbeaddressedthroughasetofsolutionswhichcomplemented,meettherequirementsofaflexibleintegratedtransmissionHello, this the demand AbstractInvestment OpportunitiesAcleanerenergymarketwilldiversifytheecosystemandchangethenatureoffactorstosucceedacrossdemand,transmissionandgeneration.Investmentopportunitieswillbegreaterinenergydemandandthetotalinvestmentofthethreeareascombinedrepresents3.1%oftheWorldGDP.Thisnewecosystemwillallownewplayerstoemergeandfragmentaformerhighlyconcentratedmarketwithincreaseduncertainty,encouragingpartnershipsGenerationThegenerationenergymarketoncedominatedbymassiveoilcompaniesisexperiencingchangesthatallownewtypesofplayers.The2050scenariosshowlargeincreasesinrenewabletechnologiestotalinstallationcapacitiesandpowergenerationmainlyinwindandsolarpoweraswellasagreatinvestmentopportunityinwindpowe

Integração do método SLR na norma ISO 13790: o caso das estufas

Tese de mestrado integrado em Engenharia da Energia e do Ambiente, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2012The building sector is responsible for about one third of the European final energy consumption. Over the last few years its energy performance has been promoted, mainly through the 2010/31/EU directive. According to this directive, the energy performance of buildings determination should include passive systems and be based on current European standards, as ISO 13790, which supports the heating and cooling energy needs calculations. In this work, a method to account for the solar gains of sunspaces, in the heating energy needs (HEN) calculations is analyzed. Despite the methodology presented for these systems in the referred standard, there are simpler methods, such as SLR method, which is based on empirical correlations. Therefore SLR correlations are determined for sunspaces for the Portuguese climate. A proposal to integrate the SLR method in the standard, to easily account the gains of sunspaces combined with direct gain systems, is also analyzed. To achieve this goal, the SLR method, initially defined for a monthly time basis, is generalized for an annual time basis. A simplified methodology for determining the terms used in the method is proposed, based on the methodology presented in the standard. Overall 120 cases of sunspaces with different geometric and constructive characteristics were analyzed. The monthly determination of HEN, through the SLR correlations determined in this work, presents high errors. However, its annual determination, through the monthly method, is viable, with errors below 30 % for most cases. The generalization of the SLR method for an annual time basis is also viable. The annual HEN determined through the integration of SLR method in the standard is only viable for sunspaces with lower projected area.Os edifícios representam cerca de um terço do consumo de energia final na Europa, tendo sido, nos últimos anos, promovida a melhoria do seu desempenho energético, nomeadamente através da diretiva 2010/31/EU. Segundo esta diretiva, o cálculo do desempenho energético dos edifícios deve contabilizar os sistemas passivos, devendo basear-se nas normas europeias em vigor, como a ISO 13790, que suporta o cálculo das necessidades de energia para aquecimento e arrefecimento. Neste trabalho, analisa-se a contabilização dos ganhos provenientes de estufas no cálculo das necessidades de energia para aquecimento (NEPA). Apesar de, na referida norma, ser apresentada uma metodologia para esta contabilização, existem métodos mais simples, como o método SLR, que se baseia em correlações empíricas. Assim, neste trabalho, determinam-se correlações SLR para estufas, aplicadas ao clima de Portugal. Além disso, analisa-se também uma proposta de integração do método SLR na norma, por forma a contabilizarem-se, de forma simples, os ganhos provenientes de sistemas combinados de estufas e ganhos diretos. Para tal, generaliza-se a aplicação do método SLR, definido inicialmente para uma base temporal mensal, a uma base temporal anual, propondo-se assim uma metodologia de cálculo simplificada para a determinação dos termos utilizados no método SLR, tendo por base a metodologia apresentada na norma. Analisaram-se 120 casos de estufas com diferentes caraterísticas geométricas e construtivas. A determinação mensal das NEPA, através das correlações SLR determinadas neste trabalho, apresenta erros elevados. Contudo, a sua determinação anual, através do método mensal, é mais viável, com erros inferiores a 30 % na maioria dos casos. A generalização do método SLR para uma base de tempo anual também é viável. A determinação anual das NEPA através da integração do método SLR na norma, apenas é viável para as estufas com menor área projetada na fachada do edifício

Desenvolvimento e aplicação de um sistema de informação para a monitorização de desvios de stock

Com o mercado a tornar-se cada vez mais competitivo, as empresas sentem necessidade de melhorar constantemente os seus processos de forma a dar resposta às necessidades dos clientes, priorizando a sua satisfação. É fundamental garantir que os recursos logísticos também acompanhem essa evolução, e assim responder aos requisitos do mercado. Tendencialmente, as organizações que possuem stock apresentam dificuldades em contabilizar de forma exata o inventário, o que representa uma ineficiência operacional. As dificuldades do inventário são resultado de uma desorganização física e informática dos materiais. Tudo isto se reflete em desperdícios de recursos monetários, humanos, tempo e, principalmente, na redução do nível de serviço ao cliente. As tecnologias ou sistemas de informação surgem com o objetivo de contribuir na otimização e controlo do fluxo correto de materiais ao longo da cadeia de abastecimento. O presente trabalho propõe-se desenvolver um sistema de informação para monitorizar o nível de inventário da fábrica Renault Cacia, passando pelas suas quatro fases de construção: análise do problema, análise de requisitos, modelização da solução e implementação. Este sistema pretende verificar fases específicas de funcionamento da cadeia de abastecimento no interior da fábrica para descobrir inconformidades e posteriormente aplicar ferramentas lean para eliminar esses desperdícios.With the market becoming more competitive, companies feel the need to constantly improve their processes in order to respond the customer needs, prioritizing their satisfaction. It is essential to ensure that the logistical resources also follow this evolution, and respond the market requirements. Inventory organizations tend to have difficulties in accounting for the exact number of inventory, which is an operational inefficiency. The inventory difficulties are the result of a physical and informatical disorganization of materials. All this is reflected in wasted monetary, human resources, time, and mainly to reduce the level of customer service. The technologies or information systems arise with the objective of contributing to the optimization and control of the correct flow of materials along the supply chain. The present work proposes to develop an information system to monitor the inventory level of Renault Cacia, through its four phases construction: problem analysis, requirements analysis, solution modeling and implementation. This system intends to verify specific phases of the supply chain inside the factory to discover nonconformities and later to apply lean tools to eliminate these wastes.Mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão Industria

Physical activity in women undergoing mastectomy and breast reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Regular physical activity has been recommended for the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Besides being a protective factor against breast cancer, physical activity following the diagnosis of breast cancer has been associated with an improved quality of life and survival. The aim of this study was to assess levels of physical activity in women who had undergone mastectomy without breast reconstruction and in women who had undergone breast reconstruction after breast cancer treatment. METHODS: Two groups, each with 18 patients, comprised the patient series. One group comprised women who had undergone mastectomy without breast reconstruction, and the other group comprised women who had undergone mastectomy and breast reconstruction. All patients were aged between 18 and 60 years. The exclusion criteria were physical disability; illiteracy; ongoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or psychiatric therapy; and surgery performed within the previous 12 months. Study participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by applying the chi-square and Student's t tests, adopting a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: In the group of women who had undergone mastectomy without breast reconstruction, 16.7% were very active, 61.1% were active, and 22.2% were insufficiently active. In the group of women who had undergone mastectomy with breast reconstruction, 55.6% were very active, 33.3% were active, and 11.1% were insufficiently active. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the level of physical activity among women who underwent breast reconstruction was higher than that among women who underwent mastectomy without breast reconstruction.INTRODUÇÃO: A prática regular de atividade física tem sido recomendada para prevenção e tratamento de doenças coronárias, diabetes melito e hipertensão arterial. Além de fator protetor, a atividade física após o diagnóstico de câncer de mama tem sido correlacionada a aumento da qualidade de vida e da sobrevida. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o nível de atividade física de mulheres mastectomizadas sem reconstrução mamária e de mulheres submetidas a reconstrução mamária pós-tratamento de câncer de mama. MÉTODO: A casuística foi composta por 2 grupos, um de mulheres mastectomizadas sem reconstrução mamária e outro de mulheres mastectomizadas e submetidas a reconstrução mamária pós-mastectomia, ambos com 18 pacientes. Todas as pacientes tinham idade entre 18 anos e 60 anos. Os critérios de exclusão foram: deficiência física, analfabetismo, vigência de tratamento de quimioterapia, radioterapia ou psiquiátrico, e tratamento cirúrgico realizado em período inferior a um ano. As voluntárias responderam ao Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ). A análise estatística foi realizada aplicando-se o teste qui-quadrado e o teste t de Student, tendo sido adotado o nível de significância de P < 0,05. RESULTADOS: No grupo de mulheres mastectomizadas sem reconstrução mamária, 16,7% eram muito ativas, 61,1% ativas e 22,2% insuficientemente ativas. No grupo de mulheres com a mama reconstruída, essas incidências foram de 55,6%, 33,3% e 11,1%, respectivamente. Houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos (P < 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: O nível de atividade física entre as mulheres submetidas a reconstrução mamária é melhor que entre as mulheres mastectomizadas sem reconstrução mamária.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaSociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia PlásticaUNIFESP, EPMSciEL

Students’ motivation for a sustainable career in the hospitality industry in Portugal

Based on the intersection between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 “Quality Education” and SDG 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, the main purpose of this study, framed by the self-determination theory, was to identify the relationship between the factors that motivate students to pursue a career in the hospitality and tourism industry and their commitment to the university and to their program, guaranteeing a more sustainable career. Methodologically, a survey was used to assess students’ perceptions about their commitment to conclude their BA academic program and their time at university, and to identify the types of motivation to pursue a future career in hospitality and tourism. The study took place, with the participation of 305 students, in one of the leading Portugal universities in hospitality and tourism. By leveraging the structural equation modelling technique, we tested how extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for a career in the hospitality and tourism industry contribute to the commitment to the program and the university. Results suggested that students’ commitment to remain in the university and their commitment to conclude their BA program are mainly associated with introjected motivation. This study highlights the need to study higher education systems to boost sustainable human resources management, mainly creating bridges between education systems and industry to allow individuals to have more sustainable careers.Based on the intersection between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 “Quality Education” and SDG 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, the main purpose of this study, framed by the self-determination theory, was to identify the relationship between the factors that motivate students to pursue a career in the hospitality and tourism industry and their commitment to the university and to their program, guaranteeing a more sustainable career. Methodologically, a survey was used to assess students’ perceptions about their commitment to conclude their BA academic program and their time at university, and to identify the types of motivation to pursue a future career in hospitality and tourism. The study took place, with the participation of 305 students, in one of the leading Portugal universities in hospitality and tourism. By leveraging the structural equation modelling technique, we tested how extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for a career in the hospitality and tourism industry contribute to the commitment to the program and the university. Results suggested that students’ commitment to remain in the university and their commitment to conclude their BA program are mainly associated with introjected motivation. This study highlights the need to study higher education systems to boost sustainable human resources management, mainly creating bridges between education systems and industry to allow individuals to have more sustainable careersinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Violência conjugal em famílias da cidade de Benguela

O presente estudo aborda o tema “ violência conjugal em casais da cidade de Benguela, com objectivo de avaliar a prevalência de cada um dos comportamentos de violência nesta amostra da população Angolana. Realizou-se um estudo do tipo transversal descritivo, e exploratório e comparativo. Colectou-se os dados na cidade de Benguela nomeadamente no hospital Central de Benguela postos de saúde, promoção da mulher, direcção da O.M.A , investigação criminal escolas publicas, colégios privados no ano de 2011. Para implementação do estudo privilegiou-se a pesquisa bibliográfica, os métodos técnicas e processamento de dados. O estudo baseou-se numa pesquisa do tipo transversal descritivo, exploratório e comparativo, abrangiu 400 sujeitos, incluindo 200 do género feminino e 200 do género masculino ,divididos pelas, zonas rural urbana, e periférica .Onde concluiu-se que os homens, apresentam maior violência física do que as mulheres, e que os comportamentos de violência com mais prevalência tanto nas relações passadas como para as actuais são: dar uma bofetada, Insultar, defama pratica de sexo pela força, e que a violência é mais frequente no meio rural