An agent-based evolutionary approach for manufacturing system layout design

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de ComputadoresIn this thesis it is presented an approach to the problem of layout design for a manufacturing system, which is an important part of its design stage, given that it has influence in the system efficiency and, therefore, in its output rate and fault handling capabilities. The presented approach is based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that, by using information provided by the the user through an ontology file, and by using algorithms from graph-theory, designs the layout of a manufacturing system. The instances of the ontology represent manufacturing resources and their characteristics that, when they are being used by the algorithm, are encoded in chromosomes and in their genes. The algorithm begins with a number of chromosomes with low fitness which, with the directed evolution provided by the algorithm, that is restricted by the control parameters that might be tunned by the user, improve with the passing of the new generations. It is considered that the fittest solution is the one that connects, in order, all the resources required by the manufacturing plan, described in the ontology, without the occurrence of overlaps when the layout is constructed. The configuration presented by the transport system that handles parts and materials, in the selected layout, is only dependent on the available resources and on the fitness function used by the GA, being that the last cannot be changed by the user. This approach differs from others by positioning simultaneously all the components of the manufacturing system and not only workstations or transport system. The solution is directed to evolvable assembly systems, purpose for which it was implemented inside an agent, so it can be integrated in a Multiagent System (MAS) to be used in the control of a manufacturing system with minimal changes. Keywords: layout design, manufacturing system, multiagent system, ontology, genetic algorithm

Excess pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations associated with influenza epidemics in Portugal from season 1998/1999 to 2014/2015

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate excess pneumonia and influenza (P&I) hospitalizations during influenza epidemics and measure their correlation with influenza vaccine coverage in the 65 and more years old, according to the type/subtype of influenza virus. Methods: The study period comprised week 40/1998-40/2015. Age-specific weekly P&I hospitalizations (ICD-9: 480-487) as main diagnosis were extracted from the National Hospital Discharge database. Age-specific baseline hospitalization rates were estimated by autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model without time periods with excess hospitalizations. Excess hospitalizations were calculated by subtracting expected hospitalization rates from the observed during influenza epidemic periods. Correlation between excess P&I hospitalizations and influenza vaccine coverage in the elderly was measured with Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: The average excess P&I hospitalizations/season was 19.4/105 (range 0-46.1/105), and higher excess was observed in young children with <2 years (79.8/105) and ≥65 years (68.3/105). In epidemics with A(H3) dominant, the highest excess hospitalizations were observed among 65 and over. Seasons which influenza B or A(H1)pdm09 dominance the highest excess was observed in children with <2 years. High negative correlation was estimated between excess hospitalizations associated with A(H3) circulation and vaccine coverage in the elderly (r = −.653; 95% CI: −0.950 to −0.137). Conclusion: Over 80% of the influenza epidemics were associated with excess hospitalizations. However, excess P&I hospitalizations pattern differed from age group and circulating virus. This ecologic approach also identified a reduction in excess P&I associated with A(H3) circulation with increasing vaccine coverage in the elderly.APC for this article is funded by World Health Organization (WHO)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Using a new developed die and different types of thermosetting resins to produce U200 profiles by pultrusion

In this work, a new steel heated pultrusion die was designed, developed and manufactured to produce U200 glass fibre reinforced thermosetting matrix (GRP) profiles. The finite element analysis (FEA) was used to predict and optimise the developed die heating by using cylindrical electrical powered cartridges. To assess the new die performance it was mounted in the 120 kN pultrusion line of the Portuguese company Vidropol SA and used to produce continuously U200 profiles able to meet all requirements specified for the E23 grade accordingly to the European Standard EN 13706: 2002. After setting up the type, orientation and sequence of layers in the U 200 laminate, different types of thermosetting resins were used in its production. Orthophthalic, isophthalic and bisphenolic unsaturated polyester as well as vinylester resins were used to produce glass fibre reinforced U 200 composite profiles. All applied resins were submitted to SPI gel tests in order to select the more appropriated catalyst system and optimise the processing variables to be used in each case, namely, pultrusion pull-speed and die temperature. The best pultrusion operational conditions were selected by varying and monitoring the pull-speed and die temperature and, at the same time, measuring the temperature on the manufactured U 200 profile during processing. Finally, the produced U200 profiles were submitted to visual inspection, calcination and mechanical tests, namely, flexural, tensional and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests, to assess their accomplishment with the EN 13706 requirements.FCT, projeto UID/CTM/50025/201

Development of a new U 200 pultrusion die to produce GRP composite profiles using different thermosetting resins

In this work, a steel heated pultrusion die was designed, developed and manufactured to produce U200 glass fibre reinforced thermosetting matrix (GRP) profiles. The finite element analysis (FEA) was used to predict and optimise the developed die heating by using cylindrical electrical powered cartridges. To assess the new die performance it was mounted in the 120 kN pultrusion line of the Portuguese company Vidropol SA and used to produce continuously U200 profiles able to meet all requirements specified for the E23 grade accordingly to the European Standard EN 13706: 2002. After setting up the type, orientation and sequence of layers in laminate, orthophthalic, isophthalic and bisphenolic unsaturated polyester as well as vinylester resins were used to produce glass fibre reinforced U 200 composite profiles. An appropriated catalyst system was selected and the processing variables optimised for each case, namely, pultrusion pull-speed and die temperature. Finally, the produced U200 profiles were submitted to visual inspection, calcination and mechanical tests, namely, flexural, tensional and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests, to assess their accomplishment with the EN 13706 requirements.FCT, Projeto UID/CTM/50025/201

Experiência Profissionalizante na Vertente de Investigação e Farmácia Comunitária

O presente relatório divide-se em dois capítulos que pretendem descrever o trabalho de investigação desenvolvido no Departamento de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental do Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira, sob a orientação da Professora Doutora Eugenia Gallardo e coorientação da Dr.ª Silvina Fontes, assim como o relatório descritivo da experiência profissionalizante na Farmácia Moderna, sob a orientação da Dr.ª Maria Octávia Vaz. O Capítulo I enquadra todo o processo inerente à vertente de investigação. A esquizofrenia e a perturbação bipolar são consideradas das patologias do foro mental relacionadas a um maior estigma e incompreensão, tendo como consequência uma elevada taxa de suicídio. Relativamente à terapia farmacológica, conforme o último informe da Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde, I.P. entre 2000 e 2012 ocorreu um aumento do consumo de psicofármacos, expresso através das Dose Diária Definida por 1000 habitantes dia, em todos os subgrupos, mas mais evidente nos antidepressivos (+240%) e antipsicóticos (+171%). A presente investigação tem como objetivo, com o recurso a questionários, recolher dados de utentes do Departamento de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental do Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira que se encontram em tratamento com antipsicóticos, com o intuito de estudar quais os fármacos que tomam, que patologia apresentam, possíveis reações adversas e interações farmacológicas. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo aplicado a 36 indivíduos, com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 80 anos, à qual foi aplicado uma estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultante da estatística, verificou-se que para o controlo da patologia, a maioria da amostra conta com antipsicóticos da primeira geração (88,89%), sendo o mais comum neste grupo o haloperidol (71,88%), seguido de antipsicóticos de segunda geração (52,78%), sendo o mais usado a olanzapina (47,37%), estando também presentes outras classes farmacológicas como benzodiazepinas (30,56%), anticolinérgicos (19,44%), anticonvulsivantes (13,89%), bloqueadores beta (13,89%), antidepressivos (8,33%) e estabilizadores de humor (2,78%). Verificou-se que 97,22% da amostra referiu sentir pelo menos um dos sintomas característicos dos antipsicóticos, sendo os principais a “boca seca” (74,29%), “sedação/sonolência” (60,00%) e o “aumento de peso” (57,14%). Foram ainda verificadas associações entre a toma de alguns antipsicóticos e o aparecimento de efeitos secundários. A nível de reações adversas características de possível interação farmacológica, 63,89% referiu sentir pelo menos uma destas, sendo as mais comuns a “fraqueza ou desinteresse para realizar tarefas” (65,22%), “sedação/sonolência” (60,00%) e “dificuldade em realizar tarefas” (47,83%). Com esta investigação, conclui-se que a maioria dos utentes ainda se encontram a tomar antipsicóticos de primeira geração, apresentando reações adversas características destes, não havendo, porém, relevante associação estatisticamente significativa relativamente aos efeitos secundários. No Capítulo II encontram-se descritas as atividades realizadas no âmbito do estágio curricular em Farmácia Comunitária, na Farmácia Moderna, na vila do Tortosendo – Covilhã, entre 21 de janeiro e 31 de maio. Conta com relato das atividades desenvolvidas, descrevendo o funcionamento da farmácia comunitária, as funções e responsabilidades inerentes à prática farmacêutica. Este período permitiu a aplicação dos conhecimentos adquiridos, aliando o contacto com o utente e as suas necessidades, contribuindo para o colmatar da formação base essencial para um futuro farmacêutico.The following document is divided in two chapters, which describe the research work developed in the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira, under the supervision of Professor Eugenia Gallardo, PharmD PhD and Silvina Fontes, MD, as well as a descriptive report of the professionalising experience in the Farmácia Moderna, under the supervision of Maria Octávia Vaz, PharmD. Chapter I involves all the process related to the research component. Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are mental illnesses related to a bigger stigma and incomprehension, and are associated to an elevated suicide rates. As for the pharmaceutical therapy, according to the last report from the Health Products and Medication National Authority, I.P, between 2000 and 2012, there was an increase in consumption of antipsychotics, expressed as the Defined Daily Dose per 1000 inhabitants-day, in all subgroups, but more evidently in antidepressants (+240%) and antipsychotics (+171%). The present research’s objective is, with the use of inquiries, gather data from patients of the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health of the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Cova da Beira which are being treated with antipsychotics, with the purpose of studying which drug they use, what disorder they have, possible adverse reactions and pharmacological interactions. This is a descriptive study applied to 36 individuals between the ages of 18 and 80 years old, to whom both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. It was verified that, for disease management, the majority of the patients used first-generation antipsychotics (88,89%), with haloperidol being the most common (71,88%), followed by second-generation antipsychotics, the most used being olanzapine (47,37%), as well as other pharmacological classes such as benzodiazepines (30,56%), anticholinergics (19,44%), anticonvulsants (13,89%), beta blockers (13,89%), antidepressants (8,33%) and mood stabilisers (2,78%). 97,22% of the patients referred feeling at least one of characteristic symptoms of antipsychotics, namely “dry mouth” (74,29%), “sedation/drowsiness” (60,00%) and “weight gain” (57,14%). Furthermore, associations between the use of some antipsychotics and the appearance of side-effects were verified. Regarding adverse reactions typical of possible pharmacological interaction, 63,89% revealed feeling at least one, the most common being “weakness or lack of interest to perform tasks” (65,22%), “sedation/drowsiness” (60,00%) and “difficulty in performing tasks” (47,83%). With this investigation, it was concluded that the majority of the patients still use first-generation antipsychotics, presenting characteristic adverse reactions, despite that no significant statistical association was found relatively to the observed side-effects. In Chapter II the activities performed in the context of the curricular internship in Community Pharmacy, in Farmácia Moderna, located in Tortosendo – Covilhã, between the 21st of January and the 31st of May, are described. It includes a report of the developed activities, describing the routine of the community pharmacy and the functions and responsibilities inherent to the pharmaceutical practice. This period allowed the application of acquired knowledge, linking the contact with the patient with their needs, contributing to the fulfilment of the essential basis education for a future pharmacist

Determinantes da lealdade à marca: estudo empírico aplicado à Sony PlayStation

Num mercado com elevada concorrência, as empresas têm de se esforçar para criarem laços de lealdade com os seus clientes, dado que os clientes leais estão dispostos a pagar mais por um produto/serviço, uma vez que a confiança na marca faz com que os clientes não tenham intenções de deixar a marca. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho centra-se nos diversos fatores que levam os consumidores a serem leais a uma marca. Na revisão de literatura, abordam-se, além da lealdade, os principais conceitos que estão associados a este tema. São eles a experiência com a marca, a identificação com a marca, a satisfação com a marca, o amor à marca, o envolvimento com a marca, o engajamento com a marca e o passa-palavra positivo da marca. De seguida, desenvolve-se um modelo conceptual e formulam-se catorze hipóteses, que serão testadas na parte empírica da tese, com recurso a um questionário online, distribuído através de correio eletrónico e colocado em comunidades de marca online. Foram obtidas 236 respostas, o que permite fazer uma análise às determinantes que levam à lealdade à marca, com recurso a análise fatorial exploratória e à análise de regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados obtidos indicam que o envolvimento com a marca e a identificação com a marca afetam positivamente o engajamento com a marca. Já a experiência com a marca exerce um efeito positivo na identificação com a marca. Por sua vez, o engajamento com a marca e a experiência com a marca têm um efeito positivo na satisfação com a marca. O engajamento com a marca, a experiência com a marca, a identificação com a marca e a satisfação com a marca exercem um impacto positivo no amor à marca. Realcese que o engajamento com a marca e o amor à marca assumem um papel importante na criação da lealdade à marca. Por fim, o engajamento com a marca, o amor à marca e a lealdade à marca exercem um efeito significativo no passa-palavra positivo da marca

Indicadores de solvência bancária baseados no mercado de ações

Mestrado Bolonha em Mathematical FinanceA falência de uma instituição financeira tem um impacto severo na sociedade. Assim, e com vista a minimizar o impacto causado, tem existido uma grande preocupação com a solvência bancária. Posto isto, o objetivo da presente dissertação é estudar o risco de crédito de uma instituição financeira recorrendo a indicadores baseados no mercado de capitais. Os indicadores utilizados para o estudo foram a Distance to Default e a Distance to Capital. O conceito Distance to Default mede a distância a que uma instituição financeira está do default. Por outro lado, o conceito Distance to Capital que ainda é pouco explorado, tem como objetivo analisar se a implementação de ações regulatórias seria uma mais-valia no estudo do risco de crédito dos bancos. Ambos os indicadores são calculados tendo por base a mesma estrutura teórica, o modelo de Merton, sendo que diferem no fator de correção que tem em consideração os diferentes níveis de capitalização. Para a aplicação prática foi escolhido o banco Millennium BCP, dado que o Modelo de Merton apenas se aplica a empresas cotadas e este é o único banco português atualmente cotado em bolsa. Os resultados mostraram uma grande semelhança entre si, o que não permitiu aferir qual o indicador mais fiável no cálculo do risco de crédito. No entanto, a semelhança dos resultados permite afirmar que o banco esteve sempre estável e com um baixo risco de default.The bankruptcy of a financial institution has a severe impact on society. Thus, with the aim of minimizing the impact caused, there has been a great concern with bank solvency. That said, the objective of this dissertation is to study the credit risk of a financial institution using indicators based on the equity market. The indicators used for the study were Distance to Default and Distance to Capital. The concept of Distance to Default tells us how far a financial institution is from default. The Distance to Capital concept is still underexplored and the aim of this concept is to analyse if the implementation of regulatory action would be useful in studying the credit risk of banks. Both indicators are calculated based on the same theoretical framework, the Merton Model, and they differ in the correction factor that considers the different levels of capitalization. For the analysis of indicators, the Millennium BCP bank was chosen, as it is the only Portuguese listed bank and the Merton Model can only be applied to listed companies. The results showed a great similarity to each other, which did not allow us to conclude which is the most reliable indicator in the calculation of credit risk. However, the similarity of the results enables us to affirm that the bank was always stable and with a lower risk of defaultinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Acaso e jogo na política de Pascal

A questão da contingência é uma preocupação central no pensamento de Blaise Pascal e perpassa diversos aspectos de suas análises. Seja no âmbito da pesquisa científica, seja nas considerações existenciais e políticas o acaso se encontra no núcleo das reflexões do filósofo sobre a condição humana. Persegue-se elucidar o lugar da reflexão sobre o acaso no pensamento de Pascal e as imposições éticas exigidas por ela.The question of contingency is a central concern in the thought of Blaise Pascal and is related with various aspects of his analises. In the field of scientific research, as well as in the existential and political considerations, chance has a central place in the philosopher’s reflextions concerning human condition. It aims to clarify the stead of chance on Pascal’s thought and the ethical impositions demanded by it