Suchergebnisse

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is thought to play a key role in chronic pain felt by bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) patients by activating its high affinity receptor tropomyosin-related kinase subtype A (Trk A). Whether this pathway is also involved in the aggravation of pain sensation during stress events was here investigated. The levels of plasmatic NGF were increased in rats submitted to Water Avoidance Stress test (WAS), compared to controls. The administration of the alpha1A adrenoceptors blocker silodosin prevented the increase of plasmatic NGF. Urinary NGF levels were also moderately increased in animals submitted to WAS. WAS increased pain behaviour score, lowered abdominal mechanical pain threshold and increase voiding bladder reflex activity. These changes were prevented by the administration of TrkA antagonist GW441756. These findings prompt the use of plasmatic NGF as diagnosis tool for chronic visceral painful conditions and opens therapeutic opportunities for TrkA receptors antagonist/NGF sequestration. ; The statements and opinions presented here reflect the author's view and neither IMI nor the European Union, EFPIA, or any Associated Partners are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. This project has received funding from the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking under grant agreement No [777500]. This Joint Undertaking receives support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and EFPIA. www.imi.europa.eu. www.imi-paincare.eu. This work was partially supported by PFD Research Foundation and ICA IC/PBS Research Grant.

Cognitive manufacturing utilizes cognitive computing, the industrial Internet of things (IoT), and advanced analytics to upgrade manufacturing processes in manners that were not previously conceivable. It enables associations to improve major business measurements, for example, productivity, product reliability, quality, and safety, while decreasing downtime and lowering costs. Considering all the facts that can prejudice the manufacturing performance in Industry 4.0, the cognitive load has received more attention, since it was previously neglected with respect to manufacturing industries. This paper aims to investigate what causes cognitive load reduction in manufacturing environments, i.e., human–computer interaction technologies that reduce the identified causes and the applications of cognitive manufacturing that use the referred technologies. Thus, a conceptual framework that links cognitive manufacturing to a reduction of the cognitive load was developed. ; This research was funded by the project 026653|POCI-01-0247-FEDER-026653—INDTECH—New technologies for smart manufacturing, co-financed by the Portugal 2020 Program (PT 2020), Compete 2020 Program, and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The authors wish to thank the relevant bodies for the opportunity and financial support that permitted carrying out this project: Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) and C-MAST (Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies), under project UIDB/00151/2020. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Purpose: Given the growing importance of sustainability, an efficient model is proposed that allows the identification and quantification of industrial waste. Methodology/Approach: First, a bibliographic review of the existing models of joint application was carried out: Sustainability, Lean Philosophy, and Industry 4.0. Critical analysis of the existing models of joint application of these concepts. Preparation of the model proposal and analysis of the results. Findings: The proposed model, in addition to contributing to compliance with current laws, allows a better perception of the waste produced, including its characterization. This promotes the directing of waste to responsible and competent entities for its collection and recycling, showing a change in the company in environmental management policies. Research Limitation/implication: The inherent cost of reorganizing the layout design can be limiting, as it depends on the type, size, business characteristics, and flexibility of your existing production system. Originality/Value of paper: It is a new model of joint application of the three concepts and fills the void of the existing models. This allows organizations to have a better understanding of the waste produced.

Purpose: Develop a new model that combines the concepts of Maintenance, Lean Philosophy, and Industry 4.0 to improve maintenance management. Methodology/Approach: For the elaboration the following methodology was used: Bibliographic review of the existing models of joint application: Maintenance, Lean Philosophy, and Industry 4.0. Critical analysis of the existing models of joint application of the three concepts. Preparation of the model proposal and analysis of the results. Findings: The model developed is easy to apply, flexible and inexpensive, being a useful tool for both the maintenance and production areas, in any size and industrial area. Research Limitation/implication: One of the limitations is the distance between the devices that make up the system, as it can influence their performance. The implementation of Total Productive Maintenance can present some challenges within companies. Originality/Value of paper: The study presents a new model to improve maintenance management, being unique since the existing models are mostly focused on predictive maintenance. The system also allows the introduction of the monitoring of other important parameters such as vibrations, temperature among others.

Currently, the concept of smart cities and renewable energy are more consolidated and developed. With each passing day, new technological advances are emerging within both themes. At the same time, the water sector has becoming increasingly demanding in terms of quality and compliance with all existing legislation. That said, it is understandable that both sectors and their management entities come together in search of more sustainable operations that go against the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, decentralization of energy production and the improvement of efficiency, quality and use of resources. It is important to understand the synergies between water and energy to contradict what has been said so far about the increasing demand for energy, its exponential trend and the negative repercussions on freshwater resources. As such, this article aims to address the interconnection between both sectors to promote alternative scientific and technological improvements to the management and development of Integrated Water-Energy systems, while studying the dynamics between the theoretical development of the problem and the challenges of prototyping of such complex systems in real and urban context. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Abstract
This paper aims to study the influence of Information Technologies on the competitiveness of companies/supply chains. That is, it intends to analyse if the adoption of Information Technologies contributes to improve costs, time and customer service. To attain this objective a case study and content analysis methodology is used. Results indicate that there is a positive relation between the adoption of technologies, namely RFID, A.R. and the competitiveness of companies/supply chains. By the use of these technologies it is possible to improve several processes across the supply chain, as well as the reduction of costs related to labor, improvement in inventories and management of transport channels as well as an improvement on customer service. The improvement of these indicators has as consequence a gain in competitiveness allowing the companies to respond to the market needs in a differentiated way increasing by this way the customers' satisfaction. As the information technologies have been considered very important for businesses it is crucial to improve our understanding on the main advantages associates with them and their contribution for competitiveness improvement of companies and supply chains, so this paper represents an important contribution for academics and professionals in this field.