Universidade-Indústria: transferência de tecnologia em engenharia mecânica

A inovação nas pequenas e médias empresas industriais do ramo da Engenharia Mecânica é muitas vezes inexistenteou incipiente, podendo ser facilmente incrementada através de um estreito relacionamento e cooperação com asUniversidades e/ou os seus Institutos de Interface. Neste contexto, a Universidade do Porto, através do Departamentode Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial da Faculdade de Engenharia, fundou em 1986 o INEGI - Instituto deEngenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial, com a missão de reforçar a cooperação entre esta Universidade e o meioempresarial. O INEGI participa activamente, há 21 anos, no desenvolvimento da indústria nacional contribuindo comconhecimento e competências distintas na área da Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial, assumindo a missão de:Contribuir para o aumento da competitividade da indústria nacional através da investigação e desenvolvimento,demonstração, transferência de tecnologia e formação nas áreas de concepção e projecto, materiais, produção,energia, manutenção, gestão industrial e ambiente. Desde a sua criação, o INEGI tem tido um crescimentosustentado, tendo desenvolvido mais de 1300 projectos para organizações públicas e privadas, estando nestemomento numa fase de internacionalização, através do estabelecimento de protocolos e projectos conjuntos cominstituições internacionais.Esta comunicação pretende demonstrar as vantagens que as empresas podem obter, através de uma ligação ásUniversidades e Institutos de Interface, no desenvolvimento de materiais, produtos e processos tecnológicos,permitindo assim aumentar a sua competitividade. As áreas de intervenção dos projectos inovadores aqui focadosabrangem uma grande variedade de temas multidisciplinares, desde as energias renováveis, desenvolvimento deprocessos tecnológicos e sistemas mecânicos, materiais compósitos, prototipagem rápida e tecnologias avançadas deprodução e gestão industrial

Affective picture modulation: Valence, arousal, attention allocation and motivational significance

The present study analyses the modulatory effects of affective pictures in the early posterior negativity (EPN), the late positive potential (LPP) and the human startle response on both the peripheral (eye blink EMG) and central neurophysiological levels (Probe P3), during passive affective pictures viewing. The affective pictures categories were balanced in terms of valence (pleasant; unpleasant) and arousal (high; low). The data shows that EPN may be sensitive to specific stimulus characteristics (affective relevant pictures versus neutral pictures) associated with early stages of attentional processing. In later stages, the heightened attentional resource allocation aswell as themotivated significance of the affective stimuliwas found to elicit enhancedamplitudes of slow wave processes thought to be related to enhanced encoding, namely LPP,. Although pleasant low arousing pictureswere effective in engaging the resources involved in the slowwave processes, the highly arousing affective stimuli (pleasant and unpleasant) were found to produce the largest enhancement of the LPP, suggesting that high arousing stimulimay are associatedwith increasedmotivational significance. Additionally the response to high arousing stimulimay be suggestive of increasedmotivational attention, given the heightened attentional allocation, as expressed in the P3 probe, especially for the pleasant pictures. The hedonic valencemay then serve as amediator of the attentional inhibition to the affective priming, potentiating or inhibiting a shift towards defensive activation, as measured by the startle reflex.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology with individual grants (SFRH/BD/41484/2007 and SFRH/BD/64355/2009) and by the Spanish Xunta de Galicia – with FEDER funds – (DOG 233 — Resolution date: 2009 November 18t

Domain-specific and generalization effects of cognitive intervention in diffuse axonal injury : a case report

The neurobehavioral sequelae of traumatic brain injury significantly contribute to the longterm disability associated with this pathology.1 Thus far, there is insufficient evidence for either domainspecific or generalization effects resulting from cognitive intervention in memory, executive functioning, or speed-of-processing domains. Here, we report on the case of an adolescent patient who reduced the aforementioned cognitive deficits after being administered a structured cognitive rehabilitation program, allowing the reestablishment of premorbid academic and interpersonal functioningFundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/64457/2009 and SFRH/BD/65213/200

Gray matter morphological alteration in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: evidence for an inhibitory control and emotional regulation disorder

The integration of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) in the Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders cluster, while emphasizing the centrality of inhibitory control and repetitive behaviors may fail to fully acknowledge the existence of significant affective and other cognitive impairments. The objective of this paper is to present examples on available gray matter imaging studies and meta-analyses that may help understanding cognitive and emotional related factors implicated in OCD. Building on these studies, OCD seems to be a disorder of both inhibitory control and emotional regulation. Volumetric and shape abnormalities in different brain territories of the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, thalamus, striate and cerebellum may contribute to impairments in inhibitory control. On the other side, gray matter shape and volume alterations in regions such as the anterior cingulate, insula, amygdala and supramarginal gyrus may contribute to difficulties in emotional regulation. Beyond this inhibitory control – emotional regulation dichotomy, there are other psychological impairments that may be associated with gray matter alterations. For example, difficulties in memory monitoring may be sustained by shape and volumetric alterations in the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Additionally, visual-spatial impairments may be explained by gray matter shape and volume alterations in the superior parietal and occipital lobes as well as the precuneus. Overall the research confirms changes in volume and shape in multiple cortical and subcortical regions that can help explaining the complexity of OCD symptomatology and the diversity of OCD endophenotypes. Additionally, the evidence from brain shape anomalies may suggest the additional possibility of neurodevelopmental changes associated with the pathogenesis of OCD.The first author was funded by the Brazilian National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as a Special Visiting Researcher of the Science Without Borders program (grant number: 401143/2014-7). This study was partially conducted at the Neuropsychophysiology Lab from the Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007653). This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and European Union (FSE-POPH) with two individual grants (SFRH/BPD/86041/2012 and SFRH/BPD/86027/2012).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Morphometric and connectivity white matter abnormalities in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Two psychological mechanisms seem to be associated with the obsessive-compulsive cycle: (1) an emotional mechanism characterized by intense emotional arousal associated with intrusive thoughts of impending danger; (2) a cognitive mechanism exemplified by difficulties with inhibitory control. Several studies found more extensive cognitive deficits in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) beyond problems of inhibitory control and emotional regulation, namely: visual-spatial processing and memory. Thus, there is now extensive research showing that alterations of these psychological mechanisms in OCD (i.e., inhibitory control, emotional regulation, working memory, and visual spatial processing) are associated with morphological gray matter alterations in widespread brain regions. More recently, researchers have started looking at white matter abnormalities in OCD. In this article we review the research looking at white matter morphometric and structural connectivity alterations in OCD. Altogether, while some contradictory findings are still present, there is now evidence for widespread white matter morphometric and connectivity abnormalities affecting major white matter tracts (superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum bundle, semioval center, internal capsule, different regions of the corpus callosum, thalamic radiation, uncinate fasciculus and optic radiation) as well as white matter in regions adjacent to gray matter structures (superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral prefrontal medial frontal cortex; inferior frontal gyrus, caudate, insulate cortex, parietal cortex, supramarginal and lingual gyri, and thalamus). These white matter alterations may help explaining the diversity of OCD psychological impairments in inhibitory control, emotional regulation, memory and visual spatial processing.The authors have no financial or personal conflicts of interest. The first author was funded by the Brazilian National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as a Special Visiting Researcher of the Science Without Borders program (grant number: 401143/2014-7). This study was partially conducted at the Neuropsychophysiology Lab from the Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007653).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Gray matter morphological alteration in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: evidence for an inhibitory control and emotional regulation disorder

The integration of obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) in the Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders cluster, while emphasizing the centrality of inhibitory control and repetitive behaviors may fail to fully acknowledge the existence of significant affective and other cognitive impairments. The objective of this paper is to present examples on available gray matter imaging studies and meta-analyses that may help understanding cognitive and emotional related factors implicated in OCD. Building on these studies, OCD seems to be a disorder of both inhibitory control and emotional regulation. Volumetric and shape abnormalities in different brain territories of the prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, thalamus, striate and cerebellum may contribute to impairments in inhibitory control. On the other side, gray matter shape and volume alterations in regions such as the anterior cingulate, insula, amygdala and supramarginal gyrus may contribute to difficulties in emotional regulation. Beyond this inhibitory control – emotional regulation dichotomy, there are other psychological impairments that may be associated with gray matter alterations. For example, difficulties in memory monitoring may be sustained by shape and volumetric alterations in the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. Additionally, visual-spatial impairments may be explained by gray matter shape and volume alterations in the superior parietal and occipital lobes as well as the precuneus. Overall the research confirms changes in volume and shape in multiple cortical and subcortical regions that can help explaining the complexity of OCD symptomatology and the diversity of OCD endophenotypes. Additionally, the evidence from brain shape anomalies may suggest the additional possibility of neurodevelopmental changes associated with the pathogenesis of OCD.The first author was funded by the Brazilian National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) as a Special Visiting Researcher of the Science Without Borders program (grant number: 401143/2014-7). This study was partially conducted at the Neuropsychophysiology Lab from the Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007653). This work was also supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and European Union (FSE-POPH) with two individual grants (SFRH/BPD/86041/2012 and SFRH/BPD/86027/2012).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Are cognitive interventions for multiple sclerosis effective and feasible?

Purpose: Fifty percent of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are estimated to have cognitive impairments leading to considerable decline in productivity and quality of life. Cognitive intervention has been considered to complement pharmacological treatments. However, a lack of agreement concerning the efficacy of cognitive interventions in MS still exists. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of cognitive interventions in MS. Methods: To overcome limitations of previous meta-analyses, several databases were searched only for Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) with low risk of bias. Results: Five studies (total of 139 participants) met our eligibility criteria. Although good completion and adherence rates were evident, we found no evidence of intervention effects on cognition or mood in post-intervention or follow-up assessments. Conclusions: This is the first meta-analysis assessing the effects of cognitive intervention in MS including only RCTs with comparable conditions. Research regarding efficacy, cost-effectiveness and feasibility is still in its infancy. Caution is advised when interpreting these results due to the small number of RCTs meeting the inclusion criteria. Considering the costs of disease, good completion and adherence rates of this approach, further research is warranted. Recommendations concerning improved research practices in the field are presented as well.R.M. and J.A. are supported by doctoral Grants from Fundac¸ao para a Ci ˜ encia e Tecnologia (FCT) ˆ (SFRH/BD/65213/2009, SFRH/BD/64457/2009 and co-funded by FSE/POPH). A.S. is funded for the project PIC/IC/83290/2007, supported by FEDER (POFC–COMPETE) and FCT to develop and assess the effectiveness of a cognitive stimulation tool for Portuguese clinicians

The Flagella of an Atypical Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Are Required for Efficient Interaction with and Stimulation of Interleukin-8 Production by Enterocytes in Vitro

The ability of some typical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) strains to adhere to, invade, and increase interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro has been demonstrated. However, few studies regarding these aspects have been performed with atypical EPEC (aEPEC) strains, which are emerging enteropathogens in Brazil. in this study, we evaluated a selected aEPEC strain (1711-4) of serotype O51:H40, the most prevalent aEPEC serotype in Brazil, in regard to its ability to adhere to and invade Caco-2 and T84 cells and to elicit IL-8 production in Caco-2 cells. the role of flagella in aEPEC 1711-4 adhesion, invasion, and IL-8 production was investigated by performing the same experiments with an isogenic aEPEC mutant unable to produce flagellin (FliC), the flagellum protein subunit. We demonstrated that this mutant (fliC mutant) had a marked decrease in the ability to adhere to T84 cells and invade both T84 and Caco-2 cells in gentamicin protection assays and by transmission electron microscopy. in addition, the aEPEC 1711-4 fliC mutant had a reduced ability to stimulate IL-8 production by Caco-2 cells in early (3-h) but not in late (24-h) infections. Our findings demonstrate that flagella of aEPEC 1711-4 are required for efficient adhesion, invasion, and early but not late IL-8 production in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Colegio Doutoral Franco BrasileiroInstitut PasteurFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Programa de Apoio a Nucleos de ExcelenciaPRONEXConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilInst Pasteur, Unite Pathogenie Bacterienne Muqueuses, F-75724 Paris 15, FranceInst Butantan, Bacteriol Lab, BR-05503900 São Paulo, BrazilInst Fleury Ensino & Pesquisa, BR-04344903 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilInstitut Pasteur: PTR165FAPESP: 05/59128-0Web of Scienc

Anatomic Aspects of Inguinal Lymph Nodes Applied to Lymphadenectomy in Penile Cancer

Objectives. To provide a better understanding of the distribution of inguinal nodes in order to prevent the complications of unnecessary and extended dissections in penile cancer. Methods. The bilateral inguinal regions of 19 male cadavers were dissected. Nodal distribution was noted and quantified based on anatomical location. The superficial nodes were subdivided into quarters as follows: superomedial, superolateral, inferomedial, and inferolateral. Statistical analysis was performed comparing node distribution between quarters using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the unpaired T-test was used between superficial and deep nodes. Results. Superficial nodes were found in all inguinal regions studied (mean = 13.60), and their distribution was more prominent in the superomedial quarter (mean = 3.94) and less in the inferolateral quarter (mean = 2.73). There was statistical significance between quarters when comparing the upper group with the lower one (P = 0.02). Nodes were widely distributed in the superficial region compared with deep lymph nodes (mean = 13.60 versus 1.71, P < 0.001). Conclusions. A great number of inguinal lymph nodes are distributed near the classical anatomical landmarks for inguinal lymphadenectomy, more prominent in upper quadrants