Experience of pico/micro hydro based power generation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Murthy, S.S. [Indian Inst. of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi (India). Dept. of Electrical Engineering

2010-07-01

Although India has approximately 150,000 megawatts of hydro potential, only a small portion is tapped. There is also significant untapped hydro potential in many developing countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, Indonesia and regions in South America and Africa. Small-scale hydroelectric power systems with capacities of up to a few megawatts are eco-friendly and sustainable. They can be classified based on unit sizes as pico (u pto 10 kilowatts), micro (10-100 kilowatts) and mini (100 kilowatts to a few megawatts) hydro systems. Mini hydro systems are always grid connected while micro can be either grid connected or off grid. Pico is always off grid. In India, there are thousands of favorable sites in this range that should be tapped for distributed power generation to electrify local communities. This need is reflected by the global emphasis on distributed power generation as well as the Government of India's policy to promote this type of power generation. A working stand alone pico-hydro power generating system has been successfully installed in 5 sites in Karnataka. The purpose of the project was to demonstrate the technical, managerial and economic feasibility of setting up small hydro projects in remote hilly areas of Karnataka, India and its positive environmental impact. The presentation discussed the site selection criteria; installed sites of pico hydro; system description; parts of the system; the electric load controller; types of electronic load controllers; and a description of the unit and control scheme. tabs., figs.

Os oito odiados: o cinema épico de Quentin Tarantino

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Rosana Cristina Zanelatto Santos

2017-12-01

Full Text Available Propomos, neste artigo, uma leitura da película Os oito odiados (2015, de Quentin Tarantino, naquilo em que ela pode ser aproximada do teatro épico de Bertolt Brecht, utilizando, para qualificá-la, a rubrica cinema épico. Os objetivos deste trabalho são refletir sobre: a dinâmica dos gêneros, a importância da funcionalidade e do efeito para os estudos sobre os gêneros e o papel didático (como postulado por Brecht para seu teatro épico do cinema de Tarantino. Para tanto, analisamos os modos pelos quais Os oito odiados desenvolve o papel didático, encenando situações-limites do ser humano e promovendo reflexões em torno de possíveis questões que impelem o ser humano rumo à violência. Para a leitura dessa película, valemo-nos das perspectivas teóricas de Wolfgang Kayser sobre o gênero, de Noé Jitrik sobre o efeito, de Bertolt Brecht e de Anatol Rosenfeld sobre o teatro épico e de Ariano Suassuna sobre as relações possíveis entre teatro e cinema.

CONHECIMENTO DE IDOSAS SOBRE O USO DE PSICOTRÓPICOS

OpenAIRE

Fabrícia Araújo Prudêncio; Lidya Tolstenko Nogueira

2013-01-01

Del proceso de envejecimiento pueden emergí enfermedades y necesidad de medicamentos psicotrópicos. Esta investigación exploratoria y descriptiva, con enfoque cualitativo, tuvo como objetivo describir el conocimiento de ancianos acerca del uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos. Se entrevistaron a 18 pacientes durante de julio a agosto de 2009, registrados en la Estrategia de Salud Familiar que utilizaban benzodiazepina y/o antidepresivos. Los datos fueron organizados basados en la técnica de anál...

Situação do registro de medicamentos fitoterápicos no Brasil

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ana C. B. Carvalho

Full Text Available Fitoterápico é uma classe de medicamento largamente utilizada no país e constitui um mercado em potencial expansão. Este artigo busca traçar um panorama sobre os medicamentos fitoterápicos registrados no país e as espécies vegetais que lhe deram origem, enfocando o papel regulador da Anvisa. Realizou-se uma pesquisa nas seguintes bases de dados: Visalegis e site da Anvisa para verificar os medicamentos fitoterápicos registrados na Anvisa, obtendo-se os seguintes dados: há 432 fitoterápicos simples registrados e 80 compostos, as espécies vegetais com maior número de derivados registrados são o Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba e a Castanha da Índia (Aesculus hippocastanum, com 33 e 29 registros, respectivamente. O artigo traz ainda uma tabela com as espécies vegetais que possuem derivados registrados como fitoterápicos simples, sua classificação terapêutica, lista as espécies registradas em associação, as principais formas farmacêuticas registradas e os percentuais de registro e empresas por região do país, fornecendo assim um panorama da atuação da Anvisano setor de fitoterápicos.

A Rapid Label-Free Fluorescent Aptasensor PicoGreen-Based Strategy for Aflatoxin B₁ Detection in Traditional Chinese Medicines.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Cheng; Dou, Xiaowen; Zhang, Lei; Sun, Meifeng; Zhao, Ming; OuYang, Zhen; Kong, Dandan; Antonio, F Logrieco; Yang, Meihua

2018-02-28

Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) is a very hazardous carcinogen, readily contaminating foodstuffs and traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) that has inspired increasing health concerns due to dietary exposure. Colloidal nanocrystals have been proposed as optical labels for aptasensor assembly, but these typically require tedious multistep conjugation and suffer from unsatisfactory robustness when used for complex matrices. In the present study, we report a rapid and sensitive method for screening for trace AFB₁ levels in TCMs using a label-free fluorescent aptasensor PicoGreen dye-based strategy. Using PicoGreen to selectively measure complementary double-stranded DNA, fluorescence enhancement due to dsDNA is 'turned off' in the presence of AFB₁ due binding of aptamer target over complementary sequence. Self-assembly of a label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on AFB₁ aptamer and PicoGreen dye was performed. Due to competition between the complementary sequence and AFB₁ target, this rapid method was capable of highly sensitive and selective screening for AFB₁ in five types of TCMs. This proposed approach had a limit of detection as low as 0.1 μg·L -1 and good linearity with a range of 0.1-10 μg·L -1 (0.1-10 ppb). Among the 20 samples tested, 6 batches were found to be contaminated with AFB₁ using this method, which was confirmed using sophisticated liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry analysis. The results of this study indicate the developed method has the potential to be a simple, quick, and sensitive tool for detecting AFB₁ in TCMs.

Diabetes mellitus e antipsicóticos atípicos

OpenAIRE

Sena, Eduardo Pondé de; Sampaio, Aline Santos; Quarantini, Lucas de Castro; Oliveira, Irismar Reis de

2003-01-01

p.:253-257 Pacientes esquizofrênicos têm maior risco para desenvolvimento de transtorno hiperglicêmico e o uso de antipsicóticos parece ampliar o risco de desenvolvimento de diabetes mellitus. O presente trabalho é uma revisão da literatura acerca da relação entre antipsicóticos atípicos e risco de desenvolvimento de diabetes mellitus. A pesquisa bibliográfica foi realizada por meio dos bancos de dados Medline e Webofscience enfocando os seguintes tópicos: "Hyperglycemia", "Diabetes Mellit...

Effectiveness of Sodium Picosulfate/Magnesium Citrate (PICO) for Colonoscopy Preparation

Science.gov (United States)

Suh, Wu Seok; Jeong, Jin Sik; Kim, Dong Sik; Kim, Sang Woo; Kwak, Dong Min; Hwang, Jong Seong; Kim, Hyun Jin; Park, Man Woo; Shim, Min Chul; Koo, Ja-Il; Kim, Jae Hwang; Shon, Dae Ho

2014-01-01

Purpose Bowel preparation with sodium phosphate was recently prohibited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is safe and effective; however, it is difficult to drink. To identify an easy bowel preparation method for colonoscopy, we evaluated three different bowel preparation regimens regarding their efficacy and patient satisfaction. Methods In this randomized, comparative study, 892 patients who visited a secondary referral hospital for a colonoscopy between November 2012 and February 2013 were enrolled. Three regimens were evaluated: three packets of sodium picosulfate/magnesium citrate (PICO, group A), two packets of PICO with 1 L of PEG (PICO + PEG 1 L, group B), and two packets of PICO with 2 L of PEG (PICO + PEG 2 L, group C). A questionnaire survey regarding the patients' preference for the bowel preparation regimen and satisfaction was conducted before the colonoscopies. The quality of bowel cleansing was scored by the colonoscopists who used the Aronchick scoring scale and the Ottawa scale. Results The patients' satisfaction rate regarding the regimens were 72% in group A, 64% in group B, and 45.9% in group C. Nausea and abdominal bloating caused by the regimens were more frequent in group C than in group A or group B (P < 0.01). Group C showed the lowest preference rate compared to the other groups (P < 0.01). Group C showed better right colon cleansing efficacy than group A or group B. Conclusion Group A exhibited a better result than group B or group C in patient satisfaction and preference. In the cleansing quality, no difference was noted between groups A and C. PMID:25360429

Riesgos antrópicos generados por la actividad minera

OpenAIRE

Ana Violeta Argüello Mejía; Enriqueta Cantos Aguirre; Jorge Vitery Moya

2013-01-01

Las actividades productivas generan riesgos antrópicos [1] a mediano y largo plazo. La zona de estudio se ubica en las Parroquias de Pomasqui, San Antonio y Calacalí, donde se han producido riesgos debido a las actividades humanas, en este caso, por la explotación de las canteras para abastecer el mercado de la construcción del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito. La investigación propone determinar los riesgos antrópicos generados por la actividad minera. Los pobladores de la zona identifican qu...

Energy Efficient Pico Cell Range Expansion and Density Joint Optimization for Heterogeneous Networks with eICIC

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yanzan Sun

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Heterogeneous networks, constituted by conventional macro cells and overlaying pico cells, have been deemed a promising paradigm to support the deluge of data traffic with higher spectral efficiency and Energy Efficiency (EE. In order to deploy pico cells in reality, the density of Pico Base Stations (PBSs and the pico Cell Range Expansion (CRE are two important factors for the network spectral efficiency as well as EE improvement. However, associated with the range and density evolution, the inter-tier interference within the heterogeneous architecture will be challenging, and the time domain Enhanced Inter-cell Interference Coordination (eICIC technique becomes necessary. Aiming to improve the network EE, the above factors are jointly considered in this paper. More specifically, we first derive the closed-form expression of the network EE as a function of the density of PBSs and pico CRE bias based on stochastic geometry theory, followed by a linear search algorithm to optimize the pico CRE bias and PBS density, respectively. Moreover, in order to realize the pico CRE bias and PBS density joint optimization, a heuristic algorithm is proposed to achieve the network EE maximization. Numerical simulations show that our proposed pico CRE bias and PBS density joint optimization algorithm can improve the network EE significantly with low computational complexity.

Pico Lantern: a pick-up projector for augmented reality in laparoscopic surgery.

Science.gov (United States)

Edgcumbe, Philip; Pratt, Philip; Yang, Guang-Zhong; Nguan, Chris; Rohling, Rob

2014-01-01

The Pico Lantern is proposed as a new tool for guidance in laparoscopic surgery. Its miniaturized design allows it to be picked up by a laparoscopic tool during surgery and tracked directly by the endoscope. By using laser projection, different patterns and annotations can be projected onto the tissue surface. The first explored application is surface reconstruction. The absolute error for surface reconstruction using stereo endoscopy and untracked Pico Lantern for a plane, cylinder and ex vivo kidney is 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm and 5.6 mm respectively. The absolute error using a mono endoscope and a tracked Pico Lantern for the same plane, cylinder and kidney is 0.8mm, 0.3mm and 1.5mm respectively. The results show the benefit of the wider baseline produced by tracking the Pico Lantern. Pulsatile motion of a human carotid artery is also detected in vivo. Future work will be done on the integration into standard and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

PICO DELLA MIRANDOLA Y SAVONAROLA

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Jorge Velázquez Delgado

2013-09-01

Full Text Available En este artículo se aborda la relaciónentre Gerolamo Savonarola y GiovanniPico de la Mirandola, partiendo de labase de la amistad que sostuvieronambos y problematizando la dificultadque se presenta ante dospersonalidades aparentementeirreductibles. En tanto que símbolosemblemáticos del Renacimientoitaliano, su análisis supone un análisisde las ideas y el  ethos del período.

Elemental composition of air masses under different altitudes in Azores, central north Atlantic

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vieira, B.J.; Wolterbeek, H.Th.

2012-01-01

Between 8th July 2002 and 18th June 2004, aerosol samples were collected in Azores. Their inorganic composition was obtained by neutron activation analysis in order to study the differences of aerosols in two atmospheric altitudes of the central north Atlantic: (1) PICO-NARE observatory (Lower Free Troposphere-LFT) at Pico mountain summit (38,470 deg N, 28,404 deg W, 2,225 m a.s.l.) in Pico Island, Azores, where air masses from the surrounding continents (Africa, Europe, Central and North America) pass through, carrying aerosols with anthropogenic (Sb, Br, Mo, U, Se and Tb) and/or natural emissions (Fe, Co, La, Na, Sm, Cr, Zn, Hf, K and Th); (2) TERCEIRA-NARE station (Marine Boundary Layer) at Serreta (38,69 deg N, 27,36 deg W, 50 m a.s.l.), in Terceira Island, Azores, where natural aerosols (I, Cl, Na, Br and other soil related elements) are predominant. However, a combined interpretation of the data points out to a co-existence of the anthropogenic elements Sb and Mo, eventually with similar origins as the ones passing Pico Mountain summit. Very high concentrations and enrichment factors for Sb, Mo and Br in LFT, higher than the ones found in other areas, confirm atmospheric long-range transport mainly from the west boundary of north Atlantic; this may indicate eventual accumulation and persistence of those elements in the area due to the presence of Azores high pressures or the Hadley cells effect. A significant correlation between Fe and Yb and the enrichment of rare earth elements (La, Sm, Tb and Yb) and Th in LFT aerosols, both reflect a mineral dust intrusions from north Africa (Sahara and Sahel region). (author)

Generalized Phase Contrast with matched filtering using LCoS pico-projectors

OpenAIRE

Bañas, Andrew Rafael; Palima, Darwin; Glückstad, Jesper

2012-01-01

We report a beam shaping system for generating high intensity programmable opticalspots using mGPC: matched filtering combined with Generalized Phase Contrastapplying two consumer handheld pico-projectors. Such a system presents a low costalternative for optical trapping and manipulation, optical lattices and other beamshaping applications usually implemented with high-end spatial light modulators.Portable pico-projectors based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices were usedas binary ph...

Multi-wavelength speckle reduction for laser pico-projectors using diffractive optics

Science.gov (United States)

Thomas, Weston H.

Personal electronic devices, such as cell phones and tablets, continue to decrease in size while the number of features and add-ons keep increasing. One particular feature of great interest is an integrated projector system. Laser pico-projectors have been considered, but the technology has not been developed enough to warrant integration. With new advancements in diode technology and MEMS devices, laser-based projection is currently being advanced for pico-projectors. A primary problem encountered when using a pico-projector is coherent interference known as speckle. Laser speckle can lead to eye irritation and headaches after prolonged viewing. Diffractive optical elements known as diffusers have been examined as a means to lower speckle contrast. Diffusers are often rotated to achieve temporal averaging of the spatial phase pattern provided by diffuser surface. While diffusers are unable to completely eliminate speckle, they can be utilized to decrease the resultant contrast to provide a more visually acceptable image. This dissertation measures the reduction in speckle contrast achievable through the use of diffractive diffusers. A theoretical Fourier optics model is used to provide the diffuser's stationary and in-motion performance in terms of the resultant contrast level. Contrast measurements of two diffractive diffusers are calculated theoretically and compared with experimental results. In addition, a novel binary diffuser design based on Hadamard matrices will be presented. Using two static in-line Hadamard diffusers eliminates the need for rotation or vibration of the diffuser for temporal averaging. Two Hadamard diffusers were fabricated and contrast values were subsequently measured, showing good agreement with theory and simulated values. Monochromatic speckle contrast values of 0.40 were achieved using the Hadamard diffusers. Finally, color laser projection devices require the use of red, green, and blue laser sources; therefore, using a

Acidente de trabalho típico e bipoder

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Leonardo Del Puppo Luz

2012-08-01

Full Text Available Contemporaneamente, os acidentes de trabalho típico ainda vêm se mantendo como uma temática extremamente relevante à malha social. A Previdência (INSS, em 2007, registrou 653.090 acidentes de trabalho. Diante desse quadro estatístico, diversos órgãos públicos têm se empenhado no enfrentamento das ocorrências caracterizadas como acidentes de trabalho típico (ATs. Esta pesquisa originou-se de parte da dissertação que almejou colocar em análise práticas que permeiam as investigações de determinados órgãos públicos no Estado do Espírito Santo quanto à ocorrência dos acidentes de trabalho típico, buscando expandir as problematizações acerca da binarização da culpa pelo acidente, ora atribuída ao empregador, ora ao empregado. Recorreu-se, como aporte teórico-conceitual, ao conceito-ferramenta de Biopoder desenvolvido por Michel Foucault, para lançar uma análise acerca do Biopoder e das políticas de controle dos acidentes. Conclui que se processam mecanismos de subjetivação que parecem reduzir a importância da transversalidade/atravessamentos de instituições na constituição dos acidentes de trabalho.

Analysis of Axial Turbine Pico-Hydro Electrical Power Plant in North Sulawesi Indonesia

Science.gov (United States)

Sangari, F. J.; Rompas, P. T. D.

2018-02-01

This study presents analysis of pico-hydro electrical power plant in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The objective of this study is to get a design of axial turbine pico-hydro electrical power plant. The method used the study of literature, survey the construction site of the power plant and the characteristics of the location being a place of study, analysis of hydropower ability and analyzing costs of power plant. The result showed that the design of axial turbine pico-hydro installation is connected to a generator to produce electrical energy maximum can be used for household needs in villages. This analyze will be propose to local government of Minahasa, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Dark Matter Search Results from the PICO-60 C$_3$F$_8$ Bubble Chamber

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amole, C.; et al.

2017-02-24

New results are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 52 kg of C$_3$F$_8$ located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. As in previous PICO bubble chambers, PICO-60 C$_3$F$_8$ exhibits excellent electron recoil and alpha decay rejection, and the observed multiple-scattering neutron rate indicates a single-scatter neutron background of less than 1 event per month. A blind analysis of an efficiency-corrected 1167-kg-day exposure at a 3.3-keV thermodynamic threshold reveals no single-scattering nuclear recoil candidates, consistent with the predicted background. These results set the most stringent direct-detection constraint to date on the WIMP-proton spin-dependent cross section at 3.4 $\\times$ 10$^{-41}$ cm$^2$ for a 30-GeV$\\thinspace$c$^{-2}$ WIMP, more than one order of magnitude improvement from previous PICO results.

Reliability-Based Robustness Analysis for a Croatian Sports Hall

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Čizmar, Dean; Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2011-01-01

This paper presents a probabilistic approach for structural robustness assessment for a timber structure built a few years ago. The robustness analysis is based on a structural reliability based framework for robustness and a simplified mechanical system modelling of a timber truss system....... A complex timber structure with a large number of failure modes is modelled with only a few dominant failure modes. First, a component based robustness analysis is performed based on the reliability indices of the remaining elements after the removal of selected critical elements. The robustness...... is expressed and evaluated by a robustness index. Next, the robustness is assessed using system reliability indices where the probabilistic failure model is modelled by a series system of parallel systems....

An Efficient Randomized Algorithm for Real-Time Process Scheduling in PicOS Operating System

Science.gov (United States)

Helmy*, Tarek; Fatai, Anifowose; Sallam, El-Sayed

PicOS is an event-driven operating environment designed for use with embedded networked sensors. More specifically, it is designed to support the concurrency in intensive operations required by networked sensors with minimal hardware requirements. Existing process scheduling algorithms of PicOS; a commercial tiny, low-footprint, real-time operating system; have their associated drawbacks. An efficient, alternative algorithm, based on a randomized selection policy, has been proposed, demonstrated, confirmed for efficiency and fairness, on the average, and has been recommended for implementation in PicOS. Simulations were carried out and performance measures such as Average Waiting Time (AWT) and Average Turn-around Time (ATT) were used to assess the efficiency of the proposed randomized version over the existing ones. The results prove that Randomized algorithm is the best and most attractive for implementation in PicOS, since it is most fair and has the least AWT and ATT on average over the other non-preemptive scheduling algorithms implemented in this paper.

PiCO QL: A software library for runtime interactive queries on program data

Science.gov (United States)

Fragkoulis, Marios; Spinellis, Diomidis; Louridas, Panos

PiCO QL is an open source C/C++ software whose scientific scope is real-time interactive analysis of in-memory data through SQL queries. It exposes a relational view of a system's or application's data structures, which is queryable through SQL. While the application or system is executing, users can input queries through a web-based interface or issue web service requests. Queries execute on the live data structures through the respective relational views. PiCO QL makes a good candidate for ad-hoc data analysis in applications and for diagnostics in systems settings. Applications of PiCO QL include the Linux kernel, the Valgrind instrumentation framework, a GIS application, a virtual real-time observatory of stellar objects, and a source code analyser.

PiCO QL: A software library for runtime interactive queries on program data

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marios Fragkoulis

2016-01-01

Full Text Available Pico ql is an open source c/c++ software whose scientific scope is real-time interactive analysis of in-memory data through sql queries. It exposes a relational view of a system’s or application’s data structures, which is queryable through sql. While the application or system is executing, users can input queries through a web-based interface or issue web service requests. Queries execute on the live data structures through the respective relational views. pico ql makes a good candidate for ad-hoc data analysis in applications and for diagnostics in systems settings. Applications of pico ql include the Linux kernel, the Valgrind instrumentation framework, a gis application, a virtual real-time observatory of stellar objects, and a source code analyser.

Fraccionamiento isotópico: efecto de la composición química

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Caballero, E.

1989-12-01

Full Text Available The isotopic fractionation of elements can be afected by several factors such as: Pressure, Crystal structure, Temperature and Chemical Composition. In this review the influence on the isotopic composition of each of these factors, specially that of chemical composition, is studied from a theoretical and experimental point of view.El fraccionamiento isotópico de los elementos puede estar afectado por distintos factores, tales como: Presión, Estructura Cristalina, Temperatura y Composición química. Este trabajo de revisión pretende estudiar la influencia en la composición isotópica de cada uno de estos factores, y en especial, la de la composición química, tanto desde un punto de vista teórico como experimental.

Pico Lantern: Surface reconstruction and augmented reality in laparoscopic surgery using a pick-up laser projector.

Science.gov (United States)

Edgcumbe, Philip; Pratt, Philip; Yang, Guang-Zhong; Nguan, Christopher; Rohling, Robert

2015-10-01

The Pico Lantern is a miniature projector developed for structured light surface reconstruction, augmented reality and guidance in laparoscopic surgery. During surgery it will be dropped into the patient and picked up by a laparoscopic tool. While inside the patient it projects a known coded pattern and images onto the surface of the tissue. The Pico Lantern is visually tracked in the laparoscope's field of view for the purpose of stereo triangulation between it and the laparoscope. In this paper, the first application is surface reconstruction. Using a stereo laparoscope and an untracked Pico Lantern, the absolute error for surface reconstruction for a plane, cylinder and ex vivo kidney, is 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm and 5.6 mm, respectively. Using a mono laparoscope and a tracked Pico Lantern for the same plane, cylinder and kidney the absolute error is 1.4 mm, 1.5 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. These results confirm the benefit of the wider baseline produced by tracking the Pico Lantern. Virtual viewpoint images are generated from the kidney surface data and an in vivo proof-of-concept porcine trial is reported. Surface reconstruction of the neck of a volunteer shows that the pulsatile motion of the tissue overlying a major blood vessel can be detected and displayed in vivo. Future work will integrate the Pico Lantern into standard and robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

pico-PLAZA, a genome database of microbial photosynthetic eukaryotes.

Science.gov (United States)

Vandepoele, Klaas; Van Bel, Michiel; Richard, Guilhem; Van Landeghem, Sofie; Verhelst, Bram; Moreau, Hervé; Van de Peer, Yves; Grimsley, Nigel; Piganeau, Gwenael

2013-08-01

With the advent of next generation genome sequencing, the number of sequenced algal genomes and transcriptomes is rapidly growing. Although a few genome portals exist to browse individual genome sequences, exploring complete genome information from multiple species for the analysis of user-defined sequences or gene lists remains a major challenge. pico-PLAZA is a web-based resource (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/pico-plaza/) for algal genomics that combines different data types with intuitive tools to explore genomic diversity, perform integrative evolutionary sequence analysis and study gene functions. Apart from homologous gene families, multiple sequence alignments, phylogenetic trees, Gene Ontology, InterPro and text-mining functional annotations, different interactive viewers are available to study genome organization using gene collinearity and synteny information. Different search functions, documentation pages, export functions and an extensive glossary are available to guide non-expert scientists. To illustrate the versatility of the platform, different case studies are presented demonstrating how pico-PLAZA can be used to functionally characterize large-scale EST/RNA-Seq data sets and to perform environmental genomics. Functional enrichments analysis of 16 Phaeodactylum tricornutum transcriptome libraries offers a molecular view on diatom adaptation to different environments of ecological relevance. Furthermore, we show how complementary genomic data sources can easily be combined to identify marker genes to study the diversity and distribution of algal species, for example in metagenomes, or to quantify intraspecific diversity from environmental strains. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Applied Microbiology.

Pico gauges for minimally invasive intracellular hydrostatic pressure measurements

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Knoblauch, Jan; Mullendore, Daniel L.; Jensen, Kaare Hartvig

2014-01-01

Intracellular pressure has a multitude of functions in cells surrounded by a cell wall or similar matrix in all kingdoms of life. The functions include cell growth, nastic movements, and penetration of tissue by parasites. The precise measurement of intracellular pressure in the majority of cells......, however, remains difficult or impossible due to their small size and/or sensitivity to manipulation. Here, we report on a method that allows precise measurements in basically any cell type over all ranges of pressure. It is based on the compression of nanoliter and picoliter volumes of oil entrapped...... in the tip of microcapillaries, which we call pico gauges. The production of pico gauges can be accomplished with standard laboratory equipment, and measurements are comparably easy to conduct. Example pressure measurements are performed on cells that are difficult or impossible to measure with other methods....

Matched-filtering generalized phase contrast using LCoS pico-projectors for beam-forming

OpenAIRE

Bañas, Andrew Rafael; Palima, Darwin; Glückstad, Jesper

2012-01-01

We report on a new beam-forming system for generating high intensity programmable optical spikes using so-called matched-filtering Generalized Phase Contrast (mGPC) applying two consumer handheld pico-projectors. Such a system presents a low-cost alternative for optical trapping and manipulation, optical lattices and other beam-shaping applications usually implemented with high-end spatial light modulators. Portable pico-projectors based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices are used as...

Caracterização laboratorial das dislipidemias e o uso de fitoterápicos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hanna Veloso Santos

2015-06-01

Full Text Available As plantas medicinais e os medicamentos fitoterápicos são amplamente utilizados no Brasil como alternativa terapêutica, principalmente por aqueles que estão em tratamento de doenças crônicas com outros medicamentos. Para demonstrar esse efeito, o presente estudo quer avaliar a eficácia de compostos fitoterápicos em portadores de dislipidemias, através de uma revisão de literatura. Os dados obtidos foram analisados e classificados em tipos de fitoterápicos utilizados; suas principais características; estudos que comprovem sua eficácia ou não; informações a respeito de efeitos colaterais; toxicidade e comercialização atual no uso das dislipidemias. Através dos artigos pesquisados, alguns autores asseguram a veracidade de que a farinha da casca de maracujá, extrato de berinjela e a farinha de abacate podem reduzir os níveis de Colesterol total, HDL e LDL, desde que associados as drogas farmacêuticas pré-existentes, embora outros autores concluam que o efeito causado pela ingestão do fitoterápicos não surtam resultados significativos.

Impacto do uso de psicotrópicos na dispersão do intervalo QT em pacientes adultos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bruno de Queiroz Claudio

2014-06-01

Full Text Available Fundamento: A dispersão do intervalo QT induzida por fármacos tem sido associada a arritmias ventriculares potencialmente fatais. Pouco se conhece sobre o uso de psicotrópicos, isolados ou em combinação com outros fármacos, na dispersão do QT. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto do uso psicotrópicos na dispersão do intervalo QT em pacientes adultos. Métodos: Estudo de coorte observacional, envolvendo 161 pacientes hospitalizados em um departamento de emergência de hospital terciário, estratificados em usuários e não usuários de psicotrópicos. Dados demográficos, clínicos, laboratoriais e de fármacos em uso foram coletados à admissão, bem como o eletrocardiograma de 12 derivações, com a mensuração do intervalo e da dispersão do QT. Resultados: A dispersão do intervalo QT foi significativamente maior no grupo de usuário de psicotrópicos comparado ao grupo não usuário (69,25 ± 25,5 ms vs. 57,08 ± 23,4 ms; p = 0,002. O intervalo QT corrigido pela fórmula de Bazzett também se mostrou maior no grupo de usuário de psicotrópicos, com significância estatística (439,79 ± 31,14 ms vs. 427,71 ± 28,42 ms; p = 0,011. A análise por regressão linear mostrou associação positiva entre o número absoluto de psicotrópicos utilizados e a dispersão do intervalo QT, com r = 0,341 e p < 0,001. Conclusão: Na população amostral estudada, o uso de psicotrópicos se mostrou associado ao aumento da dispersão do intervalo QT, e esse incremento se acentuou em função do maior número de psicotrópicos utilizados.

Las consecuencias económicas de un nombre atípico. El caso colombiano

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alejandro Gaviria

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Este artículo examina las consecuencias en los ingresos laborales de tener un nombre atípico para el caso colombiano. La primera parte del artículo muestra que los jóvenes, hijos de padres no escolarizados, habitantes de zonas rurales y pertenecientes a minorías étnicas tienen una mayor probabilidad de tener un nombre atípico. La segunda parte muestra que el efecto de un nombre atípico en los salarios es grande (superior a 10% y que el mismo es mucho mayor para las personas escolarizadas que para los no escolarizadas. Los resultados sugieren la existencia de mecanismos de trasmisión intergeneracional distinto de los tradicionales (restricciones de crédito, mecanismos hereditarios, transferencias de ingresos, etc..

Estudio médico deontológico del embarazo ectópico

OpenAIRE

Palma, J.A. (Jorge Arturo)

1990-01-01

Dentro de la temática general del aborto, el trabajo se centra hoy en el estudio moral del tratamiento médico del embarazo ectópico. El tema adquiere importancia si tenemos en cuenta que, según sea el enfoque y la solución que se dé a este problema, se abre o no un camino para la justificación moral del llamado 'aborto terapéutico'. Nos planteamos el problema de si la intervención quirúrgica por la cual se extirpa un embarazo ectópico, y de la que resulta la muerte del...

ANTICONCEPCIÓN HORMONAL DE EMERGENCIA Y EMBARAZO ECTÓPICO: CASO CLÍNICO

OpenAIRE

Rosa W,Guillermo; Anrinque Ch,Denisse; Rodríguez J,Paola

2009-01-01

El riesgo de embarazo ectópico después de anticoncepción de emergencia es un hecho conocido y con el aumento de la demanda por este método, es esperable un mayor número de casos en el futuro. Se presenta un caso de embarazo ectópico después del fracaso de la anticoncepción de emergencia con levonorgestrel. The risk of ectopic pregnancy after emergency contraception is known and with the increased use of this treatment, we might expect more cases in the future. One case of ectopic pregnancy...

A Feasibility Study of Power Generation from Sewage Using a Hollowed Pico-Hydraulic Turbine

OpenAIRE

Tomomi Uchiyama; Satoshi Honda; Tomoko Okayama; Tomohiro Degawa

2016-01-01

This study is concerned with the feasibility of power generation using a pico-hydraulic turbine from sewage flowing in pipes. First, the sewage flow rate at two connection points to the Toyogawa River-Basin Sewerage, Japan, was explored for over a year to elucidate the hydraulic energy potential of the sewage. Second, the performance of the pico-hydraulic turbine was investigated via laboratory experiments that supposed the turbine to be installed in the sewage pipe at the connection points. ...

El cuento en Colombia. Viento de trópico

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Javier Arias Ramírez

1961-01-01

Full Text Available No sería "Viento de Trópico", sino Cuentos Intensos, el nombre del libro que acaba de publicar José Francisco Socarrás. Hay tal dramatismo y tal densidad psicológica, propios de quien ha vivido en continuo y fatigoso indagar de la conciencia.

Guidance, Navigation, and Control System for Maneuverable Pico-Satellites, Phase I

Data.gov (United States)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration — A compact, low-power GN&C system is essential to the success of pico-satellite Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D). Austin Satellite Design (ASD)...

Robustness and modular structure in networks

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Bagrow, James P.; Lehmann, Sune; Ahn, Yong-Yeol

2015-01-01

-12]. Many complex systems, from power grids and the Internet to the brain and society [13-15], can be modeled using modular networks comprised of small, densely connected groups of nodes [16, 17]. These modules often overlap, with network elements belonging to multiple modules [18, 19]. Yet existing work...... on robustness has not considered the role of overlapping, modular structure. Here we study the robustness of these systems to the failure of elements. We show analytically and empirically that it is possible for the modules themselves to become uncoupled or non-overlapping well before the network disintegrates....... If overlapping modular organization plays a role in overall functionality, networks may be far more vulnerable than predicted by conventional percolation theory....

Testing and implementation of a transportable and robust radio-element mapping system

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Jacques Bezuidenhout

2015-09-01

Full Text Available Gamma ray spectroscopy has been successfully applied as a survey tool in the fields of morphology, geology and mineral exploration. Gamma ray surveys are regularly done at ground level, which frequently requires transecting remote and unforgiving environments. Thus a need for the development of a transportable, robust and portable gamma ray detection system was identified. In addition to collecting radiation data, such a system was required to also provide the geographic position of the data and allow for various analyses tools to be utilised in the field. These functions were achieved by integrating a USB-driven scintillation detector with a field tablet and creating software to control acquisition and analyses of radiation data, as well as logging position. The system was tested in different geographical locations under different modes of transport. The instrument was tested by employing several different methods of data analysis in order to extract natural nuclide condensations. The consistency in the obtained data demonstrated the reliability of the instrument in the different environments. The system also successfully replicated previous radio-element survey findings and provided information on several geographical phenomena, including information on the geology, paved road structure and beach sediment characteristics.

Matched-filtering generalized phase contrast using LCoS pico-projectors for beam-forming.

Science.gov (United States)

Bañas, Andrew; Palima, Darwin; Glückstad, Jesper

2012-04-23

We report on a new beam-forming system for generating high intensity programmable optical spikes using so-called matched-filtering Generalized Phase Contrast (mGPC) applying two consumer handheld pico-projectors. Such a system presents a low-cost alternative for optical trapping and manipulation, optical lattices and other beam-shaping applications usually implemented with high-end spatial light modulators. Portable pico-projectors based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices are used as binary phase-only spatial light modulators by carefully setting the appropriate polarization of the laser illumination. The devices are subsequently placed into the object and Fourier plane of a standard 4f-setup according to the mGPC spatial filtering configuration. Having a reconfigurable spatial phase filter, instead of a fixed and fabricated one, allows the beam shaper to adapt to different input phase patterns suited for different requirements. Despite imperfections in these consumer pico-projectors, the mGPC approach tolerates phase aberrations that would have otherwise been hard to overcome by standard phase projection. © 2012 Optical Society of America

Laia de Camões — O épico

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Lygia Alvares Correa

1951-06-01

Full Text Available CIDADE ('liernatii. Laia de Camões — O épico, Revista da Faculdade  de Letras. Tomo XVI. 2.°' série. ns. I e 2. Universidade de Lisboa  1950. (Primeiro Parágrafo do Artigo Este segundo volume que a respeito de Camões escreve o Prof. Cidade surge 14 anos após, "Luiz de Camões".

Crust-Mantle Interactions at Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltepetl) Volcano, Mexico.

Science.gov (United States)

Schaaf, P.; Carrasco, G.

2006-12-01

Pico de Orizaba (Citlaltepetl) volcano constitutes the easternmost and highest stratovolcano of the subduction- related Plio-Quaternary Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (TMVB). The volcano can be divided into three main constructional stages. Its activity started during the mid-Pleistocene. The present cone was built on the remnants of the ancestral buildings by eruption of amphibole-two pyroxene dacitic lava flows, the most recent of which was erupted in the seventeenth century. The volcano is surrounded to the SW by monogenetic Quaternary cindercones and maars. All representative units were sampled in this work for geochemical and isotopic purposes, including a small quartzitic xenolith found in the basaltic monogenetic suite. Volcanic products of the stratocone are quite heterogeneous and range from calc-alkaline basaltic andesites to dome rhyolites, also displayed by a wide range of SiO2 and MgO (72.6-53.2 and 7.0-0.3 wt. %, respectively). In comparison to other TMVB stratovolcanoes (e.g., Colima, Nevado de Toluca), Pico de Orizaba shows similar 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7037-0.7048) but considerably more evolved Nd-Pb isotopic ratios (eNd: -1.8 to + 1.4; 206Pb/204Pb: 18.61-18.78). Elevated LILE concentrations and depleted HFSE witness the importance of slab- derived aqueous fluids and metasomatic reactions between the subducting lithosphere and overlying mantle wedge. On the other hand, Pico de Orizaba volcano shows additionally high crustal contributions of a source with depleted Sr and enriched Nd and Pb isotopic signatures, best explained by considerable assimilation of the local Grenvillian basement in magma generation processes. In contrast to Popocatépetl volcano with a high-level magma reservoir emplacement (7-8 km) and obvious interaction with the carbonate-dominated shallow basement rocks (e.g. elevated 87Sr/86Sr ratios and CO2 in gas plumes), this effect cannot be observed at Pico de Orizaba volcano, although a regional Cretaceous limestone basement is also

Finite Element Method (FEM) Modeling of Freeze-drying: Monitoring Pharmaceutical Product Robustness During Lyophilization.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Xiaodong; Sadineni, Vikram; Maity, Mita; Quan, Yong; Enterline, Matthew; Mantri, Rao V

2015-12-01

Lyophilization is an approach commonly undertaken to formulate drugs that are unstable to be commercialized as ready to use (RTU) solutions. One of the important aspects of commercializing a lyophilized product is to transfer the process parameters that are developed in lab scale lyophilizer to commercial scale without a loss in product quality. This process is often accomplished by costly engineering runs or through an iterative process at the commercial scale. Here, we are highlighting a combination of computational and experimental approach to predict commercial process parameters for the primary drying phase of lyophilization. Heat and mass transfer coefficients are determined experimentally either by manometric temperature measurement (MTM) or sublimation tests and used as inputs for the finite element model (FEM)-based software called PASSAGE, which computes various primary drying parameters such as primary drying time and product temperature. The heat and mass transfer coefficients will vary at different lyophilization scales; hence, we present an approach to use appropriate factors while scaling-up from lab scale to commercial scale. As a result, one can predict commercial scale primary drying time based on these parameters. Additionally, the model-based approach presented in this study provides a process to monitor pharmaceutical product robustness and accidental process deviations during Lyophilization to support commercial supply chain continuity. The approach presented here provides a robust lyophilization scale-up strategy; and because of the simple and minimalistic approach, it will also be less capital intensive path with minimal use of expensive drug substance/active material.

Simulation of excitation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, Seung Yong; Kim, No Hyu

2016-01-01

This paper presents an analytic and numerical simulation of the generation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound with nano-scale wavelength, enabling the production of bulk waves in thin films. An analytic model of laser-matter interaction and elasto-dynamic wave propagation is introduced to calculate the elastic strain pulse in microstructures. The model includes the laser-pulse absorption on the material surface, heat transfer from a photon to the elastic energy of a phonon, and acoustic wave propagation to formulate the governing equations of ultra-short ultrasound. The excitation and propagation of acoustic pulses produced by ultra-short laser pulses are numerically simulated for an aluminum substrate using the finite-difference method and compared with the analytical solution. Furthermore, Fourier analysis was performed to investigate the frequency spectrum of the simulated elastic wave pulse. It is concluded that a pico-second bulk wave with a very high frequency of up to hundreds of gigahertz is successfully generated in metals using a 100-fs laser pulse and that it can be propagated in the direction of thickness for thickness less than 100 nm

Simulation of excitation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Seung Yong; Kim, No Hyu [Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Chunan (Korea, Republic of)

2016-12-15

This paper presents an analytic and numerical simulation of the generation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound with nano-scale wavelength, enabling the production of bulk waves in thin films. An analytic model of laser-matter interaction and elasto-dynamic wave propagation is introduced to calculate the elastic strain pulse in microstructures. The model includes the laser-pulse absorption on the material surface, heat transfer from a photon to the elastic energy of a phonon, and acoustic wave propagation to formulate the governing equations of ultra-short ultrasound. The excitation and propagation of acoustic pulses produced by ultra-short laser pulses are numerically simulated for an aluminum substrate using the finite-difference method and compared with the analytical solution. Furthermore, Fourier analysis was performed to investigate the frequency spectrum of the simulated elastic wave pulse. It is concluded that a pico-second bulk wave with a very high frequency of up to hundreds of gigahertz is successfully generated in metals using a 100-fs laser pulse and that it can be propagated in the direction of thickness for thickness less than 100 nm.

Simulation of excitation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Seung Yong; Kim, No Kyu [Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University of Technology and Education, Chunan (Korea, Republic of)

2014-12-15

This paper presents an analytic and numerical simulation of the generation and propagation of pico-second ultrasound with nano-scale wavelength, enabling the production of bulk waves in thin films. An analytic model of laser-matter interaction and elasto-dynamic wave propagation is introduced to calculate the elastic strain pulse in microstructures. The model includes the laser-pulse absorption on the material surface, heat transfer from a photon to the elastic energy of a phonon, and acoustic wave propagation to formulate the governing equations of ultra-short ultrasound. The excitation and propagation of acoustic pulses produced by ultra-short laser pulses are numerically simulated for an aluminum substrate using the finite-difference method and compared with the analytical solution. Furthermore, Fourier analysis was performed to investigate the frequency spectrum of the simulated elastic wave pulse. It is concluded that a pico-second bulk wave with a very high frequency of up to hundreds of gigahertz is successfully generated in metals using a 100-fs laser pulse and that it can be propagated in the direction of thickness for thickness less than 100 nm.

Grafito isotrópico obtenido a partir de coque para aplicaciones en automoción

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Oñoro, J.

2004-04-01

Full Text Available The graphite is an allotropic form of the element carbon consisting of layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms in a planar condensed ring system. Coke particles used for conventional synthetic graphite products are long and narrow. These particles produce a preferred structural orientation in the product after the conventional uniaxial pressing or extrusion with high anisotropy. With a properly election of raw materials and process is possible reduce the anisotropy to obtain isotropic graphite. Repsol-YPF has produced a binderless polyaromatic mesophase from petroleum pitch, which has shown to be very appropriated as raw material for production of high strength isotropic graphite with high performance and low cost. This graphite have offered thermal, mechanical, chemical and wear properties higher than conventional graphite. The isotropic graphite obtained is suitable for making pistons, valves, turbojoints and other automotives components. The pistons design with this isotropic graphite has been developed for an automotive petrol engine. Piston prototypes were manufactured and tested in engines at full power and at full torque. This paper analysed the physical, mechanical and fracture properties of the isotropic graphite obtained.

El grafito es una forma alotrópica del carbono, consistente en capas de átomos de carbono cristalizados en anillos hexagonales planos. Las partículas de coque utilizadas para sintetizar el grafito convencional son largas y estrechas, lo que da lugar a una estructura orientada de alta anisotropía tras un proceso de compactación o extrusión. Con una adecuada selección de materias primas y procesos de conformado es posible reducir dicha anisotropía, hasta eliminarla en la obtención del grafito isotrópico. La empresa Repsol-YPF, S.A., ha desarrollado un proceso para la fabricación de una mesofase poliaromática extraída por carbonización de residuos del refino del petróleo, a partir de la cual se

A light left in the dark: The practice and politics of pico-hydropower in the Lao PDR

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Smits, Mattijs; Bush, Simon R.

2010-01-01

The article describes the widespread use of an estimated 60,000 low-head pico-hydropower turbines and well-developed networks of supply and support in the Northern part of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This apparent widespread use is contrasted with the policy narratives of key actors in the government, multilateral organisations and the private sector which show an often simplified and overly negative attitude towards pico-hydropower. Based on empirical research carried out in three upland districts and the capital, Vientiane, the paper critically investigates the apparent disjuncture between policy and practice by placing pico-hydropower within the broader political context of rural electrification in the Lao PDR. It is argued that the neglect of pico-hydropower and other off-grid household electrification technologies is a result of an endemic lack of information on which to base policy decisions, the orientation of the government to facilitate large scale foreign investment in large hydropower dams, the universal applicability of solar home systems, and the broader state agenda of centralisation and control over service provision to remote upland areas.

Pico-solar electric systems the earthscan expert guide to the technology and emerging market

CERN Document Server

Keane, John

2014-01-01

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the technology behind the pico-solar revolution and offers guidance on how to test and choose quality products. The book also discusses how pioneering companies and initiatives are overcoming challenges to reach scale in the marketplace, from innovative distribution strategies to reach customers in rural India and Tanzania, to product development in Cambodia, product assembly in Mozambique and the introduction of 'pay as you go' technology in Kenya.Pico-solar is a new category of solar electric system which has the potential to transform the lives

¿Teatro épico hoy? Paradojas radicales y tres dramas en español

OpenAIRE

García Barrientos, José Luis

2013-01-01

[ES] A la luz de las dos paradojas que se advierten en la raíz misma del llamado teatro épico, la política, en cuanto se presenta al servicio de una clase, el proletariado, que no puede sostenerlo, y la narrativa, derivada de la contradicción entre los dos modos de imitación aristotélicos, se defiende la tesis de que en la actualidad siguen plenamente vigentes las aportaciones estéticas (“narrativas”) del teatro épico, pero no el dogmatismo político revolucionario en que supues...

Analgésicos tópicos

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Murilo Pereira Flores

2012-04-01

Full Text Available JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O tratamento da dor envolve a utilização de analgésicos opioides, analgésicos comuns, anti-inflamatórios não hormonais (AINH's e analgésicos adjuvantes. Tradicionalmente, estes fármacos são administrados por via sistêmica ou no neuroeixo. Entretanto, quando aplicados por estas vias, estão associados a efeitos colaterais importantes, os quais podem inviabilizar o seu uso. A administração tópica de analgésicos é uma alternativa. O objetivo deste trabalho é discutir os analgésicos tópicos, seus mecanismos de ação e eficácia clínica. CONTEÚDO: Trata-se de um trabalho de revisão que aborda a utilização tópica de anestésicos locais, capsaicina, clonidina, antidepressivos tricíclicos, cetamina, opioides e canabinoides, discutindo o seu mecanismo de ação e a sua eficácia. CONCLUSÕES: Os analgésicos tópicos são promissores como estratégia para o tratamento da dor, já que estão associados à menor incidência de efeitos colaterais. O benefício dos anestésicos locais, dos AINH's e da capsaicina está bem estabelecido, entretanto, a eficácia de clonidina, antidepressivos tricíclicos, cetamina, opioides e canabinoides ainda é questionável. Trabalhos demonstram que a abordagem multimodal é uma alternativa, porém estudos são necessários para confirmar esta hipótese.

ANÁLISIS CARIOTÍPICO DE CAPSICUM PUBESCENS (SOLANACEAE "ROCOTO"

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Misael Guevara

2014-06-01

Full Text Available Análisis cariotípico de Capsicum pubescens R&P (Solanaceae. Los cromosomas han sido descritos, comparados y dibujados, usando una técnica de coloración modificada, C. pubescens tiene un número cromosómico diploide 2n = 24, de los cuales 11 pares son metacéntricos y 1 par submetacéntrico.

CONSULTA DE ENFERMAGEM EM GERIATRIA: TÓPICOS A SEREM ABORDADOS NO EXAME FÍSICO — PARTE II.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maria Coeli Campedelli

Full Text Available Neste trabalho são apresentados os itens considerados importantes para o exame físico do indivíduo idoso, além de outros tópicos que são fundamentais para a consulta de Enfermagem, complementando o artigo intitulado: "Consulta de Enfermagem em Geriatria: tópicos a serem abordados na Entrevista — parte I".

Poisoning histories in the Italian renaissance: The case of Pico Della Mirandola and Angelo Poliziano.

Science.gov (United States)

Gallello, Gianni; Cilli, Elisabetta; Bartoli, Fulvio; Andretta, Massimo; Calcagnile, Lucio; Pastor, Agustin; de la Guardia, Miguel; Serventi, Patrizia; Marino, Alberto; Benazzi, Stefano; Gruppioni, Giorgio

2018-05-01

Giovanni Pico della Mirandola and Angelo Poliziano were two of the most important humanists of the Italian Renaissance. They died suddenly in 1494 and their deaths have been for centuries a subject of debate. The exhumation of their remains offered the opportunity to study the cause of their death through a multidisciplinary research project. Anthropological analyses, together with documentary evidences, radiocarbon dating and ancient DNA analysis supported the identification of the remains attributed to Pico. Macroscopic examination did not reveal paleopathological lesions or signs related to syphilis. Heavy metals analysis, carried out on bones and mummified tissues, showed that in Pico's remains there were potentially lethal levels of arsenic, supporting the philosopher's poisoning theory reported by documentary sources. The arsenic concentrations obtained from analysis of Poliziano's remains, are probably more related to an As chronic exposure or diagenetic processes rather than poisoning. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved.

Inotrópicos en el postoperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular: estudio de corte transversal

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Luis A. Muñoz

2014-07-01

Conclusión: En casi la mitad de los pacientes en postoperatorio de cirugía cardiovascular se utilizó un agente inotrópico, de los cuales la adrenalina fue la más frecuente, seguida de la norepinefrina; el inodilatador utilizado fue la dobutamina. No se utilizaron inotrópicos sensibilizadores del calcio y en baja frecuencia inhibidores de la fosfodiesterasa III con resultados similares en cuanto a estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos y mortalidad respecto a estudios en otras poblaciones.

The herpetofauna of Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, Honduras

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James R. McCranie

2005-10-01

Full Text Available Seventy-three species of amphibians and reptiles (six salamanders, 20 anurans, 20 lizards, and 27 snakes are known from Parque Nacional Pico Bonito, Honduras. The physiography, climate, vegetation, and microhabitats of the park are briefly described. Forty-four species are recorded from Lowland Moist Forest, 45 from Premontane Wet Forest, and 14 from Lower Montane Wet Forest. The primary microhabitat and relative abundance of each species are indicated and population declines are discussed.

DOS SOCIALISMOS UTÓPICO E REVOLUCIONÁRIO À ECONOMIA SOLIDÁRIA

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Miriam Hermi Zaar

2013-01-01

Full Text Available Gran parte de las características que atribuimos a las experiencias asociadas a la economía solidaria no son recientes, están imbuidas de conceptos desarrollados por teóricos del siglo XIX que formaron parte de corrientes filosóficas como el liberalismo, el socialismo utópico y el socialismo revolucionario. A ellas contribuyeron, por un lado, las ideas y las obras de los socialistas utópicos Saint Simon, Charles Fourrier y Robert Owen; y por otro, las teorías revolucionarias desarrolladas por Proudhon, Bakunin, Kropotkin, Marx y Lenin. Para entender este proceso elaboramos una reflexión teórica sobre los ideales que fomentaron las experiencias asociativas en este último siglo y medio, que continúan presentes en los recientes movimientos sociales que se caracterizan por la práctica de la economía solidaria.

Robust pattern decoding in shape-coded structured light

Science.gov (United States)

Tang, Suming; Zhang, Xu; Song, Zhan; Song, Lifang; Zeng, Hai

2017-09-01

Decoding is a challenging and complex problem in a coded structured light system. In this paper, a robust pattern decoding method is proposed for the shape-coded structured light in which the pattern is designed as grid shape with embedded geometrical shapes. In our decoding method, advancements are made at three steps. First, a multi-template feature detection algorithm is introduced to detect the feature point which is the intersection of each two orthogonal grid-lines. Second, pattern element identification is modelled as a supervised classification problem and the deep neural network technique is applied for the accurate classification of pattern elements. Before that, a training dataset is established, which contains a mass of pattern elements with various blurring and distortions. Third, an error correction mechanism based on epipolar constraint, coplanarity constraint and topological constraint is presented to reduce the false matches. In the experiments, several complex objects including human hand are chosen to test the accuracy and robustness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that our decoding method not only has high decoding accuracy, but also owns strong robustness to surface color and complex textures.

Improved Mobility Performance in LTE Co-Channel HetNets Through Speed Differentiated Enhancements

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Barbera, Simone; Michaelsen, Per Henrik; Säily, Mikko

2012-01-01

, requiring minimum assistance and signaling from the network. Extensive system level simulations are used to quantify the benefits. Results confirm that the proposed solutions offer improvements in several mobility key performance indicators such as radio link failure, number of handovers, offload to pico......This paper analyzes the mobility performance of LTE (Long Term Evolution) co-channel heterogeneous networks (HetNet) with macro and pico cells. Improved methods for differentiating offload and mobility robustness as a function of the UE (User Equipment) mobility are proposed. The suggested solution...... comprises two key elements, namely enhanced UE MSE (Mobility State Estimation), as well as optimized methods such that high speed users are primarily kept at the macro layer, while the offload to pico cells for low speed users is maximized. The proposed methods are designed as UE autonomous solutions...

Digital and preliminary bedrock geologic map of the Pico Peak quadrangle, Vermont

Data.gov (United States)

Vermont Center for Geographic Information — Digital Data from VG98-226A Walsh, G. J., and Ratcliffe, N.M., 1998,�Digital and preliminary bedrock geologic map of the Pico Peak quadrangle, Vermont: USGS...

Generalized Phase Contrast with matched filtering using LCoS pico-projectors

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Bañas, Andrew Rafael; Palima, Darwin; Glückstad, Jesper

2012-01-01

, optical lattices and other beam shaping applications usually implemented with high-end spatial light modulators. Portable pico-projectors based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices were used as binary phase-only spatial light modulators by setting the appropriate polarization of the illumination...

Review of the efficacy of placebo in comparative clinical trials between typical and atypical antipsychotics Revisão da eficácia do placebo nos ensaios clínicos que comparam antipsicóticos típicos e atípicos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Irismar Reis de Oliveira

2009-03-01

Full Text Available OBJECTIVE: To review the efficacy of placebo in comparison with atypical and typical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder and to evaluate the pertinence of using placebo in clinical trials with antipsychotics. METHOD: Trials in which the atypical antipsychotics were compared with typical antipsychotics and placebo were included. A search was conducted using the terms "amisulpride", "aripiprazole", "clozapine", "olanzapine", "quetiapine", "risperidone", "sertindole", "ziprasidone" and "zotepine". Main efficacy parameters were calculated using the proportion of "events" (defined as a deterioration or lack of improvement by at least 20% in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale or Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the pooled relative risk with random effects, with their respective 95% confidence intervals. We also calculated the necessary sample sizes in studies in which the study drug is compared to a typical antipsychotic or placebo. RESULTS: The pooled efficacy rates observed were 40.8%, 34.9% and 21.3% for the atypical antipsychotics, typical antipsychotics and placebo, respectively. One hundred and sixty six patients would have to be included when a new drug is compared with placebo if calculation is based on a difference of 20% found between the atypical antipsychotic and placebo and 2,054 if the difference sought were that found between the atypical antipsychotic and the typical antipsychotic, i.e. 6%. The estimated therapeutic failures would be 115 of the 166 patients when the study drug is compared with placebo, and 1,274 failures in the 2,054 patients when the study drug is compared to the typical antipsychotic. CONCLUSIONS: Placebo controlled studies may reduce the number of individuals exposed to the harmful effects of ineffective drugs.OBJETIVO: Revisar a eficácia do placebo em comparação com a dos antipsicóticos atípicos e típicos no tratamento da esquizofrenia e do transtorno

Índice cronotrópico-metabólico na doença de Chagas

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rocha Ana Luiza Lunardi

2005-01-01

Full Text Available A insuficiência cronotrópica constitui achado comum entre os pacientes chagásicos. Novas metodologias estão sendo empregadas na avaliação da resposta cronotrópica em vários grupos de pacientes. O índice cronotrópico-metabólico, um desses novos métodos, quantifica a relação entre o aumento da freqüência cardíaca e o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2 max durante o teste ergométrico. A resposta normal é linear, com índice em torno de 1,0. Objetivamos avaliar a resposta cronotrópica e em indivíduos saudáveis e pacientes chagásicos com e sem disfunção ventricular esquerda, utilizando-se do índice cronotrópico-metabólico. Foram avaliados 171 pacientes com doença de Chagas sem doenças associadas e 24 controles submetidos a protocolo clínico e ao teste ergométrico máximo. Os chagásicos foram divididos em dois grupos: Ch1= pacientes com fração de ejeção (FE > 39% e Ch 2= FE<40%. A análise e o cálculo do índice cronotrópico-metabólico foram feitos pelo método de Wilkoff. Os pacientes chagásicos apresentaram maior idade e maior prevalência de bloqueio completo de ramo direito, assim como menor VO2 max ao teste ergométrico. Ambos os grupos de chagásicos apresentaram menor inclinação do índice cronotrópico-metabólico (Ch1: 0,91±0,10, Ch2: 0,89±0,08 do que os controles (1,0±0,12, p< 0,001. Pacientes com doença de Chagas com e sem disfunção ventricular esquerda podem apresentar resposta cronotrópica deprimida, manifesta por menor inclinação do índice cronotrópico-metabólico.

Experimental model for endometriosis. Comparative histological study between the ectopic and eutopic endometrium Modelo experimental de endometriose: estudo histológico comparativo entre o endométrio estópico e o eutópico

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Cézar Alencar de Lima Rezende

1997-12-01

Full Text Available Thyrty-six rats werw implanted with endometrial squares (2 X 2mm to the left parietal peritoneum and the right uterine horn was tied. The rats were mated for 20 days and then sacrificed. Topic and ectopic endometrial histological pattern were compared. There was a correlation between the histological pattern of the autografted endometrium and the eutopic endometrium im most rats, pregnant or not. This suggests that both responded in a similar way to the same endocrine stimuli. The experimental model for endometriosis admiting the histological correlation between the uterine endometrium and the ectopic is factible and it is easy to be repetead.Trinta e seis ratas foram submetidas a implante cirúrgico de retalho endometrial quadrangular (2 x 2mm no peritônio parietal esquerdo e ligadura do corno uterino direito. As ratas foram acasaladas por 20 dias e logo após sacrificadas. Foram comparados o padrão histológico do endométrio eutópico e do ectópico.Houve correspondência entre o padrão histológico do endométrio auto-transplantado e o endométrio eutópico na maioria das ratas, prenhes ou não, sugerindo que ambos responderam de forma semelhante aos mesmo estímulos endócrinos. O modelo experimental de endometriose na rata, permitindo a correlação histológica entre o endométrio uterino e o ectópico, é viável e de fácil repetição.

Pico hydro power for rural electrification in developing countries

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maher, P.; Smith, N.P.A.; Williams, A.A.

1998-01-01

Pico hydro power is a renewable energy system which has the potential to provide millions of rural people world-wide with a cheap, sustainable source of electricity. The development of new, cost-reducing approaches, including local manufacture and implementation in developing countries, has increased the accessibility of this technology to large numbers of people. The new approaches are investigated and some of the present constraints to wider adoption of this technology are analysed. (Author)

Utilização de fitoterápicos por idosos: resultados de um inquérito domiciliar em Belo Horizonte (MG, Brasil

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Lucianno D. P. Marliére

Full Text Available Os fitoterápicos constituem uma modalidade de terapia complementar ou alternativa diante das necessidades de saúde e seu uso tem sido crescente na população idosa de diversos países. Entretanto, apresentam interações medicamentosas e reações adversas importantes e sua utilização não deve ser indiscriminada. Este estudo objetivou caracterizar o perfil de utilização de fitoterápicos por aposentados e pensionistas do INSS, com 60 anos e mais, residentes em Belo Horizonte, MG. A partir do cadastro do INSS, selecionou-se uma amostra aleatória de 881 idosos para entrevista. Investigou-se a prevalência de uso de fitoterápicos e interações medicamentosas potenciais. Um total de 667 (80,3% dos selecionados foi entrevistado. Setenta e um participantes (10,6% utilizaram fitoterápicos nos últimos 15 dias, principalmente aqueles preparados a partir de extratos de ginkgo (41,8%, aesculus (12,3% e isoflavonas de soja (8,2%. Mais de 60% dos fitoterápicos foram adquiridos em farmácias de manipulação. Aproximadamente 45% dos usuários de fitoterápicos estavam expostos a pelo menos uma interação medicamentosa potencial entre eles e medicamentos sintéticos, tais como entre ginkgo e diuréticos tiazídicos (14 e antiagregante plaquetário/anticoagulantes (8. São necessárias estratégias de orientação para o uso racional de fitoterápicos entre idosos, mais vulneráveis aos prejuízos decorrentes da utilização inadequada desses.

Tratamento Videolaparoscópico de Endometriomas Ovarianos

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Lopez Adriana C.S.

2000-01-01

Full Text Available Objetivo: avaliar os resultados do tratamento videolaparoscópico de 32 pacientes com endometrioma ovariano. Métodos: estudo retrospectivo que incluiu trinta e duas pacientes encaminhadas ao setor de Endoscopia Ginecológica do Serviço de Ginecologia e Obstetrícia do Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual "Francisco Morato de Oliveira" - São Paulo, as quais tinham diagnóstico clínico e ultra-sonográfico de endometrioma ovariano e foram tratadas por videolaparoscopia. Onze pacientes com endometriomas com diâmetro menor que 3 cm foram submetidas à drenagem do endometrioma e exérese da cápsula na primeira laparoscopia. Vinte e uma pacientes com endometriomas com diâmetros maior que 3 cm foram submetidas à drenagem do endometrioma e lavagem do cisto na primeira laparoscopia. A seguir, utilizaram análogo do GnRH por quatro meses (1 ampola mensal e então foram submetidas à segunda laparoscopia para retirada da cápsula do endometrioma. O exame histopatológico do material obtido na cirurgia foi realizado em todos os casos. Avaliou-se o resultado imediato do procedimento e a freqüência de recidivas. Resultados: não se registraram intercorrências cirúrgicas ou complicações pós-operatórias. Ocorreram três recidivas em um período de seis a doze meses, todas no grupo de 21 pacientes com endometriomas com o diâmetro maior que 3 cm. Conclusão: o tratamento videolaparoscópico dos endometriomas ovarianos com retirada da cápsula apresenta bons resultados e baixo índice de recidiva.

Incident Wave Climate at the OWC Pico Plant

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Le Crom, I.; Cabrera Bermejo, H.; Pecher, Arthur

2011-01-01

The aim of the study is to retrieve the incident wave information that coincides with former Pico plant operation periods. The recent implementation of a directional pressure sensor for wave measurement as well as the recovery of the data gathered by a directional wave rider buoy allowed embarkin...... on the validation of two different models by using both wave measurements: a model for wave propagation (SWAN) and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). This paper, as a first step of a comprehensive study, leads to several recommendations to improve both methodologies in future works....

Accelerating customer integration into innovation processes using Pico-Jobs

OpenAIRE

Blohm, Ivo;Fähling, Jens;Leimeister, Jan Marco;Krcmar, Helmut;Fischer, Jan

2014-01-01

Crowdsourcing marketplaces emerged in the internet and enable the integration of customers in various tasks along the innovation process. Marketplaces such as Amazon?s Mechanical Turk install a member base for third parties, where they can offer small, highly structured paid tasks which can hardly be solved automatically with ICT which we call Pico Jobs. In this paper a new method for systematically utilizing the creative potential of the users of these marketplaces for new product developmen...

Robust Centered Element Concentric Circular Antenna Array with Low Side Lobe Using Variable Loading and Tapering Windows in the Presence of Array Imperfections

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M. F. Reza

2017-01-01

Full Text Available This paper presents centered element concentric circular antenna array (CECCAA using variable diagonal loading (VDL technique and different filtering windows. The different filtering windows are modified to apply in the CECCAA system. The modified novel technique not only is able to reduce the side lobe level (SLL but also has the ability to detect and highly attenuate the directional interferences. However, the performance of CECCAA system is degraded in the presence of array imperfections. This performance degradation problem due to array imperfections can be improved by using robust techniques. The proposed technique is also robust against array imperfections and improves the performance. Moreover, the performance of the proposed structure is better than a concentric circular antenna array (CCAA. Several examples are presented to analyze the performance of proposed beamformer by using different tapering windows.

Performance Assessment of the Pico OWC Power Plant Following the Equimar Methodology

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pecher, Arthur; Crom, I. Le; Kofoed, Jens Peter

2011-01-01

This paper presents the power performance of the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy converter installed on the Island of Pico. The performance assessment of the device is based on real performance data gathered over the last years during normal operation. In addition to the estimation...

Pitiose eqüina no Pantanal brasileiro: aspectos clínico-patológicos de casos típicos e atípicos Equine pythiosis in the Brazilian Pantanal region: clinical and pathological findings of typical and atypical cases

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Adriana B. Monteiro Leal

2001-12-01

Full Text Available A pitiose eqüina é doença endêmica no Pantanal Brasileiro e causa prejuízos significativos a eqüinocultura. Neste trabalho são relatados 16 casos de pitiose subcutânea em eqüinos no Pantanal Sul-Matogrossense, que foram divididos em onze casos típicos e cinco casos atípicos, de acordo com o quadro clínico e o tempo de duração das lesões. O diagnóstico foi confirmado pela detecção de anticorpos específicos pelo teste ELISA, isolamento do agente e histopato-lógico. A duração da doença variou entre 1 e 6 meses nos casos típicos e superior a 12 meses nos casos atípicos. As lesões dos casos típicos caracterizavam-se por granulomas subcutâneos, ulcerados, com abundante secreção serossangui-nolenta e prurido. Nos casos atípicos foram observadas lesões subcutâneas caracterizadas por grandes massas "tumorais" circunscritas, recobertas por pele escura, sem ulcerações e com pouca secreção. Os animais estavam em bom estado nutricional e as lesões apresentavam-se de aspecto organizado, às vezes pedunculadas. Histologicamente, foi observado tecido de granulação com muitos eosinófilos nos casos típicos, enquanto os atípicos, se caracterizaram por hiperplasia pseudo-epiteliomatosa da epiderme e infiltrado eosinofílico. As características clínicas e histopato-lógicas completas das duas formas clínicas e os possíveis fatores responsáveis pelas diferenças entre as duas formas são apresentados e discutidos.Equine pythiosis is an endemic disease of horses and causes significant economic losses to equine breeding in the Brazilian Pantanal. This article describes 16 cases of subcutaneous pythiosis in horses from that region. The clinical cases were divided in typical (11 and atypical (5, according to the clinical features and duration of the disease. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by detection of specific antibodies by ELISA, isolation of the agent and histopathology. The duration of the disease varied from 1

Replication and Robustness in Developmental Research

Science.gov (United States)

Duncan, Greg J.; Engel, Mimi; Claessens, Amy; Dowsett, Chantelle J.

2014-01-01

Replications and robustness checks are key elements of the scientific method and a staple in many disciplines. However, leading journals in developmental psychology rarely include explicit replications of prior research conducted by different investigators, and few require authors to establish in their articles or online appendices that their key…

Peak alignment and robust principal component analysis of gas chromatograms of fatty acid methyl esters and volatiles

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Frosch, Stina; Jørgensen, Bo

2007-01-01

. The ability of robust algorithms to deal with outlier problems, including both sample-wise and element-wise outliers, and the advantages and drawbacks of two robust PCA methods, robust PCA (ROBPCA) and robust singular value decomposition when analysing these GC data were investigated. The results show...... that the usage of ROPCA is advantageous, compared with traditional PCA, when analysing the entire profile of chromatographic data in cases of sub-optimally aligned data. It also demonstrates how choosing the most robust PCA (sample or element-wise) depends on the type of outliers present in the data set....

COMPORTAMIENTO PRODUCTIVO DE NOVILLOS PASTOREANDO EN TRÓPICO DE ALTU RA CON Y SIN SUPLEMENTACIÓN ENERGÉTICA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

C. P. Sossa

2015-01-01

Full Text Available En Colombia, la producción de carne bovina tradicionalmente se realiza en el trópico bajo, mientras que en el trópico de altura, los sistemas ganaderos predominantes son de lechería especializada. Las gramíneas de trópico alto son de mayor valor nutricional que las de trópico bajo, aunque pueden presentar un exceso de proteína, por lo cual una estrategia de suplementación debe basarse en la inclusión de materias primas energéticas. Al analizar la oferta de nutrientes en el pasto kikuyo (Pennisetum clandestinum se observan altos contenidos de proteína (20.6% y baja disponibilidad de energía (2.31 Mcal EM/ kg. Así, el presente estudio se realizó con el propósito de evaluar la producción de carne bovina en condiciones de trópico de altura (Santa Rosa de Osos, Antioquia. Durante 122 días se evaluó el crecimiento de 18 novillos de diversos cruces, que pastoreaban en dos grupos en praderas de kikuyo hasta alcanzar el peso de beneficio (420 kg. El primer grupo (peso inicial 316±370 kg recibió 0.55 kg/día de un suplemento energético a base de maíz, melaza y sebo (51%, 12% y 37%, respectivamente, mientras el segundo grupo (peso inicial 322,8±27.8 kg se encontraba sólo en pastoreo. Los animales suplementados (CS pastoreaban en 2.5 ha y los no suplementados (SS en 3.2 ha. Hubo una ganancia total de 78.8 y 73.3 kg de peso/novillo durante todo el período, equivalentes a ganar 646 y 601 gr/animal/día y a producir 848.5 y 617.1 kg de carne/ha/año en el sistema CS y SS, respectivamente. Cebar novillos en trópico de altura puede ser una actividad productiva exitosa, pero es necesario identificar, tanto el nivel de inclusión, como la fuente energética adecuada para mejorar la relación energía:proteína en la dieta de animales pastoreando P. clandestinum.

Robustness of the ATLAS pixel clustering neural network algorithm

CERN Document Server

AUTHOR|(INSPIRE)INSPIRE-00407780; The ATLAS collaboration

2016-01-01

Proton-proton collisions at the energy frontier puts strong constraints on track reconstruction algorithms. The algorithms depend heavily on accurate estimation of the position of particles as they traverse the inner detector elements. An artificial neural network algorithm is utilised to identify and split clusters of neighbouring read-out elements in the ATLAS pixel detector created by multiple charged particles. The method recovers otherwise lost tracks in dense environments where particles are separated by distances comparable to the size of the detector read-out elements. Such environments are highly relevant for LHC run 2, e.g. in searches for heavy resonances. Within the scope of run 2 track reconstruction performance and upgrades, the robustness of the neural network algorithm will be presented. The robustness has been studied by evaluating the stability of the algorithm’s performance under a range of variations in the pixel detector conditions.

Computer-Presented Organizational/Memory Aids as Instruction for Solving Pico-Fomi Problems.

Science.gov (United States)

Steinberg, Esther R.; And Others

1985-01-01

Describes investigation of effectiveness of computer-presented organizational/memory aids (matrix and verbal charts controlled by computer or learner) as instructional technique for solving Pico-Fomi problems, and the acquisition of deductive inference rules when such aids are present. Results indicate chart use control should be adapted to…

Perfil fenotípico e genotípico de Staphylococcus aureus isolados de estudantes de enfermagem, 2008 Perfil fenotípico y genotípico del Staphylococcus aureus aislados de estudiantes de enfermería, 2008 Phenotypic and genotypic profile of Staphylococcus aureus isolated in nursing students, 2008

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Suelen Teixeira Faria

2011-01-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de carreamento nasal, perfil fenotípico e genotípico de S. aureus isolados de estudantes de enfermagem. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, com população composta por 101 alunos, cursando as três primeiras séries do curso de graduação em Enfermagem no ano de 2008. S. aureus foi isolado de material biológico obtido dos vestíbulos nasais através de swab. A susceptibilidade à oxacilina e vancomicina foi determinada pelo teste de concentração inibitória mínima. A presença do gene MecA foi determinada pelo teste de reação em cadeia da polimerase. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se 90,1% de positividade para S. aureus. A frequência de resistência à oxacilina foi de 9,8% e todas as amostras foram sensíveis à vancomicina. A oito amostras resistentes À oxacilina apresentaram o gene MecA. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência foi elevada. A resistência à oxacilna foi expressiva e todas as amostras foram sensíveis à vancomicina. As amostras resistentes à oxacilina carreavam o gene MecA.OBJETIVO: Verificar la prevalencia de transporte nasal, perfil fenotípico y genotípico de S. aureus aislados de estudiantes de enfermería. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal, con población compuesta por 101 alumnos, cursando las tres primeras series del Pregrado en Enfermería en el año 2008. El S. aureus fue aislado del material biológico obtenido de los vestíbulos nasales a través de swab. La susceptibilidad a la oxacilina y vancomicina fue determinada por el test de concentración inhibitoria mínima. La presencia del gen MecA fue determinada por el test de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa. RESULTADOS: Se verificó el 90,1% de positividad para el S. aureus. La frecuencia de resistencia a la oxacilina fue de 9,8% y todas las muestras fueron sensibles a la vancomicina. Las ocho muestras resistentes a la oxacilina presentaron el gen MecA. CONCLUSION: La prevalencia fue elevada. La resistencia a la oxacilina fue expresiva y todas

Molecular characterization of free tropospheric aerosol collected at the Pico Mountain Observatory: a case study with a long-range transported biomass burning plume

Science.gov (United States)

Dzepina, K.; Mazzoleni, C.; Fialho, P.; China, S.; Zhang, B.; Owen, R. C.; Helmig, D.; Hueber, J.; Kumar, S.; Perlinger, J. A.; Kramer, L. J.; Dziobak, M. P.; Ampadu, M. T.; Olsen, S.; Wuebbles, D. J.; Mazzoleni, L. R.

2015-05-01

Free tropospheric aerosol was sampled at the Pico Mountain Observatory located at 2225 m above mean sea level on Pico Island of the Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic. The observatory is located ~ 3900 km east and downwind of North America, which enables studies of free tropospheric air transported over long distances. Aerosol samples collected on filters from June to October 2012 were analyzed to characterize organic carbon, elemental carbon, and inorganic ions. The average ambient concentration of aerosol was 0.9 ± 0.7 μg m-3. On average, organic aerosol components represent the largest mass fraction of the total measured aerosol (60 ± 51%), followed by sulfate (23 ± 28%), nitrate (13 ± 10%), chloride (2 ± 3%), and elemental carbon (2 ± 2%). Water-soluble organic matter (WSOM) extracted from two aerosol samples (9/24 and 9/25) collected consecutively during a pollution event were analyzed using ultrahigh-resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Approximately 4000 molecular formulas were assigned to each of the mass spectra in the range of m/z 100-1000. The majority of the assigned molecular formulas had unsaturated structures with CHO and CHNO elemental compositions. FLEXPART retroplume analyses showed the sampled air masses were very aged (average plume age > 12 days). These aged aerosol WSOM compounds had an average O/C ratio of ~ 0.45, which is relatively low compared to O/C ratios of other aged aerosol. The increase in aerosol loading during the measurement period of 9/24 was linked to biomass burning emissions from North America by FLEXPART retroplume analysis and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) fire counts. This was confirmed with biomass burning markers detected in the WSOM and with the morphology and mixing state of particles as determined by scanning electron microscopy. The presence of markers characteristic of aqueous-phase reactions of phenolic species suggests

Robustness of the ATLAS pixel clustering neural network algorithm

CERN Document Server

AUTHOR|(INSPIRE)INSPIRE-00407780; The ATLAS collaboration

2016-01-01

Proton-proton collisions at the energy frontier puts strong constraints on track reconstruction algorithms. In the ATLAS track reconstruction algorithm, an artificial neural network is utilised to identify and split clusters of neighbouring read-out elements in the ATLAS pixel detector created by multiple charged particles. The robustness of the neural network algorithm is presented, probing its sensitivity to uncertainties in the detector conditions. The robustness is studied by evaluating the stability of the algorithm's performance under a range of variations in the inputs to the neural networks. Within reasonable variation magnitudes, the neural networks prove to be robust to most variation types.

Riesgos antrópicos generados por la actividad minera

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ana Violeta Argüello Mejía

2013-10-01

Full Text Available Las actividades productivas generan riesgos antrópicos [1] a mediano y largo plazo. La zona de estudio se ubica en las Parroquias de Pomasqui, San Antonio y Calacalí, donde se han producido riesgos debido a las actividades humanas, en este caso, por la explotación de las canteras para abastecer el mercado de la construcción del Distrito Metropolitano de Quito. La investigación propone determinar los riesgos antrópicos generados por la actividad minera. Los pobladores de la zona identifican que la minería artesanal en sus inicios constituyó una fuente de trabajo, donde sus familias también se involucraban. Actualmente, se observa que en la mayoría de las canteras se utiliza maquinaria especializada y no participan los trabajadores de la zona. Los taludes de las canteras son de 80o y 90o grados, generando amenazas para los trabajadores y moradores de las viviendas aledañas. Uno de los mayores impactos es la contaminación del aire, sin embargo, el suelo y los cursos de agua están siendo afectados por los desperdicios que produce la actividad minera. La población, que está expuesta permanentemente al polvo ocasionado por las canteras y al transporte de material, acusa enfermedades de tipo respiratorio. Así mismo, el ruido ocasionado por el transporte constituye una molestia constante para los pobladores.

Robust Pedestrian Navigation for Challenging Applications

OpenAIRE

Gilliéron, PY; Renaudin, V

2009-01-01

Presentation of a concept for robust indoor navigation. The concept is based on three key elements: - the use of an absolute geographical reference - the hybridisation of complementary technologies - specific motion models. This concept is illustrated by the means of two applications: the urban displacement of blind people and the indoor guidance of fire-fighters

Matched-filtering generalized phase contrast using LCoS pico-projectors for beam-forming

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Bañas, Andrew Rafael; Palima, Darwin; Glückstad, Jesper

2012-01-01

, optical lattices and other beam-shaping applications usually implemented with high-end spatial light modulators. Portable pico-projectors based on liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) devices are used as binary phase-only spatial light modulators by carefully setting the appropriate polarization of the laser...

Information theory perspective on network robustness

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schieber, Tiago A.; Carpi, Laura; Frery, Alejandro C.; Rosso, Osvaldo A.; Pardalos, Panos M.; Ravetti, Martín G.

2016-01-01

A crucial challenge in network theory is the study of the robustness of a network when facing a sequence of failures. In this work, we propose a dynamical definition of network robustness based on Information Theory, that considers measurements of the structural changes caused by failures of the network's components. Failures are defined here as a temporal process defined in a sequence. Robustness is then evaluated by measuring dissimilarities between topologies after each time step of the sequence, providing a dynamical information about the topological damage. We thoroughly analyze the efficiency of the method in capturing small perturbations by considering different probability distributions on networks. In particular, we find that distributions based on distances are more consistent in capturing network structural deviations, as better reflect the consequences of the failures. Theoretical examples and real networks are used to study the performance of this methodology. - Highlights: • A novel methodology to measure the robustness of a network to component failure or targeted attacks is proposed. • The use of the network's distance PDF allows a precise analysis. • The method provides a dynamic robustness profile showing the response of the topology to each failure event. • The measure is capable to detect network's critical elements.

Replication and robustness in developmental research.

Science.gov (United States)

Duncan, Greg J; Engel, Mimi; Claessens, Amy; Dowsett, Chantelle J

2014-11-01

Replications and robustness checks are key elements of the scientific method and a staple in many disciplines. However, leading journals in developmental psychology rarely include explicit replications of prior research conducted by different investigators, and few require authors to establish in their articles or online appendices that their key results are robust across estimation methods, data sets, and demographic subgroups. This article makes the case for prioritizing both explicit replications and, especially, within-study robustness checks in developmental psychology. It provides evidence on variation in effect sizes in developmental studies and documents strikingly different replication and robustness-checking practices in a sample of journals in developmental psychology and a sister behavioral science-applied economics. Our goal is not to show that any one behavioral science has a monopoly on best practices, but rather to show how journals from a related discipline address vital concerns of replication and generalizability shared by all social and behavioral sciences. We provide recommendations for promoting graduate training in replication and robustness-checking methods and for editorial policies that encourage these practices. Although some of our recommendations may shift the form and substance of developmental research articles, we argue that they would generate considerable scientific benefits for the field. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).

Using robust statistics to improve neutron activation analysis results

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zahn, Guilherme S.; Genezini, Frederico A.; Ticianelli, Regina B.; Figueiredo, Ana Maria G.

2011-01-01

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) is an analytical technique where an unknown sample is submitted to a neutron flux in a nuclear reactor, and its elemental composition is calculated by measuring the induced activity produced. By using the relative NAA method, one or more well-characterized samples (usually certified reference materials - CRMs) are irradiated together with the unknown ones, and the concentration of each element is then calculated by comparing the areas of the gamma ray peaks related to that element. When two or more CRMs are used as reference, the concentration of each element can be determined by several different ways, either using more than one gamma ray peak for that element (when available), or using the results obtained in the comparison with each CRM. Therefore, determining the best estimate for the concentration of each element in the sample can be a delicate issue. In this work, samples from three CRMs were irradiated together and the elemental concentration in one of them was calculated using the other two as reference. Two sets of peaks were analyzed for each element: a smaller set containing only the literature-recommended gamma-ray peaks and a larger one containing all peaks related to that element that could be quantified in the gamma-ray spectra; the most recommended transition was also used as a benchmark. The resulting data for each element was then reduced using up to five different statistical approaches: the usual (and not robust) unweighted and weighted means, together with three robust means: the Limitation of Relative Statistical Weight, Normalized Residuals and Rajeval. The resulting concentration values were then compared to the certified value for each element, allowing for discussion on both the performance of each statistical tool and on the best choice of peaks for each element. (author)

Robust wide-range control of nuclear reactors by using the feedforward-feedback concept

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Weng, C.K.; Edwards, R.M.; Ray, A.

1994-01-01

A robust feedforward-feedback controller is proposed for wide-range operations of nuclear reactors. This control structure provides (a) optimized performance over a wide operating range resulting form the feedforward element and (b) guaranteed robust stability and performance resulting from the feedback element. The feedforward control law is synthesized via nonlinear programming, which generates an optimal control sequence over a finite-time horizon under specified constraints. The feedback control is synthesized via the structured singular value μ approach to guarantee robustness in the presence of disturbances and modeling uncertainties. The results of simulation experiments are presented to demonstrate efficacy of the proposed control structure for a large rapid power reduction to avoid unnecessary plant trips

EMBARAZO ECTÓPICO MOLAR CORNUAL: CASO CLÍNICO

OpenAIRE

Flores Acosta,Clara del Carmen; Barboza Quintana,Oralia; Vidal Gutiérrez,Oscar; Morales Martínez,Felipe

2010-01-01

Antecedentes: La incidencia de embarazo ectópico es 20/1000 embarazos y en la región cornual se presentan en el 2-4%. La mola hidatiforme ocurre en 1/1000 embarazos en EEUU y 1/500 en México. La presentación simultánea es muy rara. Se han descrito solamente 40 casos en la literatura médica, con una incidencia estimada de 0,04% de localización cornual. Caso clínico: Primigesta de 30 años, que cursando un embarazo de 8 semanas, acude de urgencia por presentar náuseas y vómitos de 1 día de evolu...

EMBARAZO ECTÓPICO CRÓNICO COMO MASA ANEXIAL

OpenAIRE

Ruvalcaba L.,Eva; Muñoz G.,David; Pérez M.,Delia

2005-01-01

Introducción: El embarazo ectópico crónico es una entidad clínico-patológica infrecuente con evolución poco clara; los estudios de imagen muestran la presencia de masa pélvica extrauterina con patrón mixto y líquido libre en fondo de saco como resultado de la ruptura de la trompa de Fallopio, sangrado, proceso inflamatorio y necrosis. Caso: Mujer de 43 años de edad, con masa anexial de patrón mixto, elevación de marcadores tumorales, útero vacío y cuadro clínico autolimitado e inespecífico de...

Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure(®) laser system.

Science.gov (United States)

Torbeck, Richard; Bankowski, Richard; Henize, Sarah; Saedi, Nazanin

2016-01-01

The use of picosecond lasers to remove tattoos has greatly improved due to the long-standing outcomes of nanosecond lasers, both clinically and histologically. The first aesthetic picosecond laser available for this use was the PicoSure(®) laser system (755/532 nm). Now that a vast amount of research on its use has been conducted, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to validate the continued application of the PicoSure(®) laser system for tattoo removal. A PubMed search was conducted using the term "picosecond" combined with "laser", "dermatology", and "laser tattoo removal". A total of 13 articles were identified, and ten of these met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies showed that picosecond lasers are an effective and safe treatment mode for the removal of tattoo pigments. Several studies also indicated potential novel applications of picosecond lasers in the removal of various tattoo pigments (eg, black, red, and yellow). Adverse effects were generally mild, such as transient hypopigmentation or blister formation, and were rarely more serious, such as scarring and/or textural change. Advancements in laser technologies and their application in cutaneous medicine have revolutionized the field of laser surgery. Computational modeling provides evidence that the optimal pulse durations for tattoo ink removal are in the picosecond domain. It is recommended that the PicoSure(®) laser system continue to be used for safe and effective tattoo removal, including for red and yellow pigments.

Robust Algebraic Multilevel Methods and Algorithms

CERN Document Server

Kraus, Johannes

2009-01-01

This book deals with algorithms for the solution of linear systems of algebraic equations with large-scale sparse matrices, with a focus on problems that are obtained after discretization of partial differential equations using finite element methods. Provides a systematic presentation of the recent advances in robust algebraic multilevel methods. Can be used for advanced courses on the topic.

Escala de VO2pico em adolescentes obesos e não-Obesos por diferentes métodos Escala de VO2pico en adolescentes obesos y no obesos por diferentes métodos Scale of VO2peak in obese and non-obese adolescents by different methods

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gerusa Eisfeld Milano

2009-12-01

Full Text Available FUNDAMENTO: O consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico pode ser definido como a maior taxa de consumo de oxigênio durante exercício exaustivo ou máximo. A avaliação da aptidão aeróbica pode ser expressa como relativa à massa corporal, mas esse procedimento pode não remover completamente as diferenças quando indivíduos pesados são avaliados. Assim, o procedimento com escala alométrica é uma estratégia atraente para comparar indivíduos com grandes diferenças em massa corporal. OBJETIVO: Investigar o VO2pico em indivíduos obesos e não-obesos usando o método de correção de massa corporal (convencional e escala alométrica (método alométrico e, como esses métodos são aplicados quando indivíduos de ambos os sexos se exercitam em uma esteira ergométrica. MÉTODOS: O VO2pico relativo ao peso corporal e pelo método alométrico foi comparado em 54 adolescentes obesos e 33 não-obesos (10 a 16 anos. Calorimetria indireta foi usada para avaliar o VO2pico durante um teste máximo. O expoente alométrico foi calculado levando-se em consideração a massa corporal individual. Então o VO2pico foi corrigido pelo expoente alométrico. As comparações foram realizadas usando-se two-way ANOVA para medidas repetidas (p0,05. Entretanto, o VO2pico calculado pelo método convencional foi maior (p0,05 entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos obesos apresentaram VO2pico mais baixo do que os não-obesos, quando avaliados pelo método convencional. Entretanto, quando o método da escala alométrica foi aplicado, as diferenças desapareceram.FUNDAMENTO: El consumo pico de oxígeno (VO2pico puede ser definido como la mayor tasa de consumo de oxígeno durante ejercicio exhaustivo o máximo. La evaluación de aptitud aeróbica puede expresarse como relativa a la masa corporal, pero ese procedimiento puede no resolver completamente las diferencias cuando se evalúan individuos pesados. Por ello, el procedimiento con escala alométrica es una

Return Predictability, Model Uncertainty, and Robust Investment

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lukas, Manuel

Stock return predictability is subject to great uncertainty. In this paper we use the model confidence set approach to quantify uncertainty about expected utility from investment, accounting for potential return predictability. For monthly US data and six representative return prediction models, we...... find that confidence sets are very wide, change significantly with the predictor variables, and frequently include expected utilities for which the investor prefers not to invest. The latter motivates a robust investment strategy maximizing the minimal element of the confidence set. The robust investor...... allocates a much lower share of wealth to stocks compared to a standard investor....

Disponibilidad de medicamentos psicotrópicos en establecimientos del Ministerio de Salud del Perú, 2011

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Dominic Hodgkin

Full Text Available Objetivos. Describir la disponibilidad de medicamentos psicotrópicos para el tratamiento de trastornos mentales en el Perú en los establecimientos del Ministerio de Salud. Materiales y métodos. Se analizaron informes mensuales de inventarios de medicamentos disponibles y de consumo en los establecimientos del Ministerio de Salud durante el año 2011. Usando un diseño transversal, se determinó la disponibilidad de siete clases de medicamentos psicotrópicos, distinguiendo el nivel de atención de los establecimientos, y el nivel de autonomía de decisión para la compra de medicamentos. Resultados. Los medicamentos ansiolíticos estuvieron disponibles en los establecimientos de salud de todos los niveles de atención. Los antidepresivos y antipsicóticos se encontraron disponibles en alrededor de dos tercios de los hospitales, y en menos del 20% de centros y puestos de salud. Las otras cuatro clases de medicamentos psicotrópicos (litio, hipnóticos y sedantes, psicoestimulantes/TDAH y drogas antidemencia solo estuvieron disponibles en hospitales y mas no así en centros y puestos de salud. El 5% de los hospitales contó con suministro suficiente para satisfacer la demanda durante todos los meses del año. Conclusiones. Existe una importante brecha en la disponibilidad de medicamentos psicotrópicos en los establecimientos del Ministerio de Salud del Perú. Se observa esta situación tanto en hospitales como en el nivel primario de atención. Es necesario tomar acciones en la política y gestión de salud, incluyendo más financiamiento y una mayor capacitación en salud mental para el personal de la atención primaria, entre otras iniciativas.

Source apportionment of soil heavy metals using robust absolute principal component scores-robust geographically weighted regression (RAPCS-RGWR) receptor model.

Science.gov (United States)

Qu, Mingkai; Wang, Yan; Huang, Biao; Zhao, Yongcun

2018-06-01

The traditional source apportionment models, such as absolute principal component scores-multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR), are usually susceptible to outliers, which may be widely present in the regional geochemical dataset. Furthermore, the models are merely built on variable space instead of geographical space and thus cannot effectively capture the local spatial characteristics of each source contributions. To overcome the limitations, a new receptor model, robust absolute principal component scores-robust geographically weighted regression (RAPCS-RGWR), was proposed based on the traditional APCS-MLR model. Then, the new method was applied to the source apportionment of soil metal elements in a region of Wuhan City, China as a case study. Evaluations revealed that: (i) RAPCS-RGWR model had better performance than APCS-MLR model in the identification of the major sources of soil metal elements, and (ii) source contributions estimated by RAPCS-RGWR model were more close to the true soil metal concentrations than that estimated by APCS-MLR model. It is shown that the proposed RAPCS-RGWR model is a more effective source apportionment method than APCS-MLR (i.e., non-robust and global model) in dealing with the regional geochemical dataset. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Diurnal Evolution of Aerosol Optical Properties and Morphology at Pico Tres Padres: A Phenomenological Analysis

Science.gov (United States)

Mazzoleni, C.; Chakrabarty, R.; Dubey, M. K.; Moosmuller, H.; Chylek, P.; Onasch, T. B.; Herndon, S.; Zavala, M.; Kolb, C.

2007-05-01

Aerosol optical properties affect planetary radiative balance and therefore climate. The optical properties are related to chemical composition, size distribution, and morphology, which also have implications for human health and environmental degradation. During the MILAGRO field campaign, we measured ensemble aerosol absorption and angle-integrated scattering in Mexico City. These measurements were performed using the Los Alamos aerosol photoacoustic instrument with an integrated nephelometer (LAPA) operating at 781 nm. The LAPA was mounted on-board the Aerodyne Inc. mobile laboratory, which hosted a wide variety of gaseous and aerosol instruments. During the campaign, the Aerodyne mobile laboratory was moved to different sites, capturing the influence of spatial and temporal parameters including location, aging, elevation, and sources on ambient air pollution. The LAPA operated almost continuously between the 3rd and the 28th of March 2006. During the same period we collected ambient aerosols on more than 100 Nuclepore filters for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Filter samples were collected during specific pollution events and different times of the day. Subsequently, SEM images of selected filters were taken to study particle morphology. The elemental composition of a few individual particles was also qualitatively assessed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Between March 7th and 19th the laboratory was sampling air close to the top of the Pico Tres Padres, a ~3000 m high mountain on the north side of the Mexico City. Daily changes of aerosol loading and pollutant concentrations followed the expected diurnal variations of the boundary layer height. Here we report a preliminary analysis of aerosol absorption, scattering, and morphology at Pico Tres Padres for three specific days (9th, 11th and 12th of March 2006). The single scattering albedo (ratio of scattering to total extinction) during these three days showed a characteristic drop in the

Modelling Project Feasibility Robustness by Use of Scenarios

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Moshøj, Claus Rehfeld; Leleur, Steen

1998-01-01

, SEAM secures a consistent inclusion of actual scenario elements in the quantitative impact modelling and facilitates a transparent project feasibility robustness analysis. SEAM is implemented as part of a decision support system with a toolbox structure applicable to different types of transport...

Robust MST-Based Clustering Algorithm.

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Qidong; Zhang, Ruisheng; Zhao, Zhili; Wang, Zhenghai; Jiao, Mengyao; Wang, Guangjing

2018-06-01

Minimax similarity stresses the connectedness of points via mediating elements rather than favoring high mutual similarity. The grouping principle yields superior clustering results when mining arbitrarily-shaped clusters in data. However, it is not robust against noises and outliers in the data. There are two main problems with the grouping principle: first, a single object that is far away from all other objects defines a separate cluster, and second, two connected clusters would be regarded as two parts of one cluster. In order to solve such problems, we propose robust minimum spanning tree (MST)-based clustering algorithm in this letter. First, we separate the connected objects by applying a density-based coarsening phase, resulting in a low-rank matrix in which the element denotes the supernode by combining a set of nodes. Then a greedy method is presented to partition those supernodes through working on the low-rank matrix. Instead of removing the longest edges from MST, our algorithm groups the data set based on the minimax similarity. Finally, the assignment of all data points can be achieved through their corresponding supernodes. Experimental results on many synthetic and real-world data sets show that our algorithm consistently outperforms compared clustering algorithms.

Nursing Research, CER, PICO and PCORI.

Science.gov (United States)

Patel, Darpan I

2018-01-01

Community and public health nurse researchers encompass a unique cohort of nurse researchers that have the skills and capacity to lead projects and programs of science centered on improvement of patient outcomes through methods of comparative effectiveness research (CER). CER, as a general method, has been taught to all nurses in the form of the PICO question to improve evidence-based practices. As the climate for funding becomes more and more competitive, nurse researchers are primed to lead the change in improving patient outcomes through patient centered outcomes research (PCOR). However, the number of projects funded by agencies like the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute, fall well below the capabilities of the field. The purpose of this commentary is to promote the field of PCOR and encourage novice and experienced nurse researchers to apply for funding from the PCORI by introducing different methods for building capacity and promoting engagement in the national conversations of PCOR and CER.

Use of the parameterised finite element method to robustly and efficiently evolve the edge of a moving cell.

Science.gov (United States)

Neilson, Matthew P; Mackenzie, John A; Webb, Steven D; Insall, Robert H

2010-11-01

In this paper we present a computational tool that enables the simulation of mathematical models of cell migration and chemotaxis on an evolving cell membrane. Recent models require the numerical solution of systems of reaction-diffusion equations on the evolving cell membrane and then the solution state is used to drive the evolution of the cell edge. Previous work involved moving the cell edge using a level set method (LSM). However, the LSM is computationally very expensive, which severely limits the practical usefulness of the algorithm. To address this issue, we have employed the parameterised finite element method (PFEM) as an alternative method for evolving a cell boundary. We show that the PFEM is far more efficient and robust than the LSM. We therefore suggest that the PFEM potentially has an essential role to play in computational modelling efforts towards the understanding of many of the complex issues related to chemotaxis.

O abuso de medicamentos psicotrópicos na contemporaneidade

OpenAIRE

Pelegrini,Marta Regueira Fonseca

2003-01-01

O artigo propõe uma análise crítica do fenômeno do abuso de medicamentos psicotrópicos na atualidade. A base teórica é a psicanálise. A argumentação parte da discussão da subjetividade contemporânea, resgatando o conceito de mal-estar na civilização em Freud, para elucidar algumas das causas e dos efeitos desse fato atual. The article propose a critical analyse about the abuse of psychotropy medicines, usuing the theory of psychoanalyses and the discussion about the subjectivite process....

Contribuições para a construção de taxonomias de tópicos em domínios restritos utilizando aprendizado estatístico

OpenAIRE

Maria Fernanda Moura

2009-01-01

A mineração de textos vem de encontro à realidade atual de se compreender e utilizar grandes massas de dados textuais. Uma forma de auxiliar a compreensão dessas coleções de textos é construir taxonomias de tópicos a partir delas. As taxonomias de tópicos devem organizar esses documentos, preferencialmente em hierarquias, identificando os grupos obtidos por meio de descritores. Construir manual, automática ou semi-automaticamente taxonomias de tópicos de qualidade é uma tarefa nada trivial. A...

Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure® laser system

Science.gov (United States)

Torbeck, Richard; Bankowski, Richard; Henize, Sarah; Saedi, Nazanin

2016-01-01

Background and objectives The use of picosecond lasers to remove tattoos has greatly improved due to the long-standing outcomes of nanosecond lasers, both clinically and histologically. The first aesthetic picosecond laser available for this use was the PicoSure® laser system (755/532 nm). Now that a vast amount of research on its use has been conducted, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to validate the continued application of the PicoSure® laser system for tattoo removal. Study design and methods A PubMed search was conducted using the term “picosecond” combined with “laser”, “dermatology”, and “laser tattoo removal”. Results A total of 13 articles were identified, and ten of these met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies showed that picosecond lasers are an effective and safe treatment mode for the removal of tattoo pigments. Several studies also indicated potential novel applications of picosecond lasers in the removal of various tattoo pigments (eg, black, red, and yellow). Adverse effects were generally mild, such as transient hypopigmentation or blister formation, and were rarely more serious, such as scarring and/or textural change. Conclusion Advancements in laser technologies and their application in cutaneous medicine have revolutionized the field of laser surgery. Computational modeling provides evidence that the optimal pulse durations for tattoo ink removal are in the picosecond domain. It is recommended that the PicoSure® laser system continue to be used for safe and effective tattoo removal, including for red and yellow pigments. PMID:27194919

TASAS DE RECAMBIO FLORÍSTICO DE GÉNEROS EN BOSQUES MONTANOS DEL NEOTRÓPICO

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

López Wilson

2010-06-01

Full Text Available Se evaluó la tasa de recambio fl orístico en bosques de alta montaña (por encima delos 1500 m.s.n.m. al nivel taxonómico de géneros en dos áreas geográfi cas y surelación con factores espaciales, climáticos y históricos. Las áreas defi nidas fueron:1 Colombia, la cual se defi ne para los sitios en este país localizados alrededor delEcuador geográfi co; y 2 Neotrópico: sitios externos a Colombia más distantesdel Ecuador geográfi co. Las preguntas a responder fueron: ¿Qué tan comparablesson las tasas de recambio fl orístico de géneros en las diferentes áreas geográfi cas?y ¿Qué tan similares son los factores que controlan la distribución de géneros?La diversidad beta fue diferente según el área geográfi ca. La variación climática,representada por la precipitación, fue más relevante a escala del neotrópico, mientrasque la variación altitudinal lo fue a escala de Colombia. Los patrones de distribuciónal nivel de género, fueron poco congruentes con los reportados a nivel de especiesen bosques montanos del neotrópico, especialmente cuando se consideraron datoscercanos alrededor del Ecuador geográfi co en Colombia.

El rol del desempeño típico y máximo en selección de personal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

UTE CHRISTINE KLEHE

2007-01-01

Full Text Available Este artículo presenta una revisión de la investigación sobre la distinción entre desempeño típico y máximo. Comenzando con una distinción entre lo que los solicitantes pueden hacer (desempeño máximo y lo que ellos harán (desempeño típico, en términos de su desempeño probable en el puesto, demostraremos cómo tal distinción puede añadir información valiosa tanto para profesionales como para investigadores en selección de personal. Mientras que la distinción entre desempeño típico y máximo se ajusta bien a los actuales modelos de desempeño laboral y ha recibido considerable atención en contextos teóricos, suele ser pasada por alto tanto por investigadores como por profesionales en selección de personal. Los investigadores realizan extensos estudios de validación y las organizaciones hacen grandes inversiones financieras en la selección de nuevos empleados sin saber cuál de estos dos aspectos del rendimiento están prediciendo o están intentando predecir. Finalmente, propondremos algunas áreas para futura investigación en el estudio del desempeño típico y máximo.

Designing Phononic Crystals with Wide and Robust Band Gaps

Science.gov (United States)

Jia, Zian; Chen, Yanyu; Yang, Haoxiang; Wang, Lifeng

2018-04-01

Phononic crystals (PnCs) engineered to manipulate and control the propagation of mechanical waves have enabled the design of a range of novel devices, such as waveguides, frequency modulators, and acoustic cloaks, for which wide and robust phononic band gaps are highly preferable. While numerous PnCs have been designed in recent decades, to the best of our knowledge, PnCs that possess simultaneous wide and robust band gaps (to randomness and deformations) have not yet been reported. Here, we demonstrate that by combining the band-gap formation mechanisms of Bragg scattering and local resonances (the latter one is dominating), PnCs with wide and robust phononic band gaps can be established. The robustness of the phononic band gaps are then discussed from two aspects: robustness to geometric randomness (manufacture defects) and robustness to deformations (mechanical stimuli). Analytical formulations further predict the optimal design parameters, and an uncertainty analysis quantifies the randomness effect of each designing parameter. Moreover, we show that the deformation robustness originates from a local resonance-dominant mechanism together with the suppression of structural instability. Importantly, the proposed PnCs require only a small number of layers of elements (three unit cells) to obtain broad, robust, and strong attenuation bands, which offer great potential in designing flexible and deformable phononic devices.

Designing Phononic Crystals with Wide and Robust Band Gaps

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, Yanyu [National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Jia, Zian [State University of New York at Stony Brook; Yang, Haoxiang [State University of New York at Stony Brook; Wang, Lifeng [State University of New York at Stony Brook

2018-04-16

Phononic crystals (PnCs) engineered to manipulate and control the propagation of mechanical waves have enabled the design of a range of novel devices, such as waveguides, frequency modulators, and acoustic cloaks, for which wide and robust phononic band gaps are highly preferable. While numerous PnCs have been designed in recent decades, to the best of our knowledge, PnCs that possess simultaneous wide and robust band gaps (to randomness and deformations) have not yet been reported. Here, we demonstrate that by combining the band-gap formation mechanisms of Bragg scattering and local resonances (the latter one is dominating), PnCs with wide and robust phononic band gaps can be established. The robustness of the phononic band gaps are then discussed from two aspects: robustness to geometric randomness (manufacture defects) and robustness to deformations (mechanical stimuli). Analytical formulations further predict the optimal design parameters, and an uncertainty analysis quantifies the randomness effect of each designing parameter. Moreover, we show that the deformation robustness originates from a local resonance-dominant mechanism together with the suppression of structural instability. Importantly, the proposed PnCs require only a small number of layers of elements (three unit cells) to obtain broad, robust, and strong attenuation bands, which offer great potential in designing flexible and deformable phononic devices.

Through the Microscope: Understanding "The Tempest" in the Context of the Introduction to Pico della Mirandola’s "Oration on the Dignity of Man"

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Michaela Krämer

2016-12-01

Full Text Available In the format of interpretation the creative laboratory of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” is being revealed. By all accounts “The Tempest” has no specific sources. This study, however, supposes, that Shakespeare could refer to the basic concept and, from this perspective, even very closely rely on the details. Hence, it is proved, that the philosophical impulse of Shakespeare’s tragedy can be considered the introduction to the “Oration on the Dignity of Man” by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, created for the forbidden later theological discussions on relevant topics in Rome (1486, which dealt with the possibility of moral self-determination and individual responsibility. Imposing the lines of the treatise by Pico on the images and plot of the drama by Shakespeare, we immediately notice a twisted three-dimensional image, the transition from abstract relationship to the visible processes of existence and consciousness, at the same time fantastic and real. This analysis is based on the statement, that “The Tempest” can be interpreted as the staging of memorable images of Pico. This statement is relevant to point of view, according to which Shakespeare could choose the idea of the Oration, or directly from the passage of the text. Shakespeare consciously goes beyond the ideas of Pico. If the quotations from the text of Pico are considered as a subtext, it immediately becomes evident that scene, characters and action of the play are based in some way on a complex conceptual scheme. With the underlying meaning of the Oration by Pico, “The Tempest” is a powerful creative experiment and a reasonable appeal to the uniqueness of human life and spiritual freedom of a man. Thus, this study, without resorting to discuss specific aspects of the play, aspires to promote scientific debate about its hidden meaning.

Abordajes endoscópicos a la base de cráneo anterior

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gonzalo De Los Santos

2016-07-01

Full Text Available Los abordajes endoscópicos a la base de cráneo anterior se han desarrollado de forma muy importante en las últimas décadas y continúan extendiéndose paralelamente a la aparición de nuevo instrumental y equipo que facilitan su aplicación. Factores importantes que han contribuido a ello son la posibilidad de acceder de forma directa a zonas difíciles y la disminución de morbilidad que pueden aportar, manteniendo los resultados esperados. Pero también tienen desventajas y limitaciones pues requieren conocimiento anatómico y el uso de material específico en un campo quirúrgico limitado por el espacio, estructuras anatómicas vitales y la visión bidimensional. La correcta planificación quirúrgica y la selección de los pacientes son elementos fundamentales. Esto nos permitirá determinar si es posible este tipo de abordaje, conocer la localización de la lesión, la zona de entrada al cráneo y el corredor que deberemos utilizar para ello. Los abordajes endoscópicos, correctamente indicados y planificados son procedimientos seguros y efectivos.

Pico-CSIA: Picomolar Scale Compound-Specific Isotope Analyses

Science.gov (United States)

Baczynski, A. A.; Polissar, P. J.; Juchelka, D.; Schwieters, J. B.; Hilkert, A.; Freeman, K. H.

2016-12-01

The basic approach to analyzing molecular isotopes has remained largely unchanged since the late 1990s. Conventional compound-specific isotope analyses (CSIA) are conducted using capillary gas chromatography (GC), a combustion interface, and an isotope-ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS). Commercially available GC-IRMS systems are comprised of components with inner diameters ≥0.25 mm and employ helium flow rates of 1-4 mL/min. These flow rates are an order of magnitude larger than what the IRMS can accept. Consequently, ≥90% of the sample is lost through the open split, and 1-10s of nanomoles of carbon are required for analysis. These sample requirements are prohibitive for many biomarkers, which are often present in picomolar concentrations. We utilize the resolving power and low flows of narrow-bore capillary GC to improve the sensitivity of CSIA. Narrow bore capillary columns (<0.25 mm ID) allow low helium flow rates of ≤0.5mL/min for more efficient sample transfer to the ion source of the IRMS while maintaining the high linear flow rates necessary to preserve narrow peak widths ( 250 ms). The IRMS has been fitted with collector amplifiers configured to 25 ms response times for rapid data acquisition across narrow peaks. Previous authors (e.g., Sacks et al., 2007) successfully demonstrated improved sensitivity afforded by narrow-bore GC columns. They reported an accuracy and precision of 1.4‰ for peaks with an average width at half maximum of 720 ms for 100 picomoles of carbon on column. Our method builds on their advances and further reduces peak widths ( 600 ms) and the amount of sample lost prior to isotopic analysis. Preliminary experiments with 100 picomoles of carbon on column show an accuracy and standard deviation <1‰. With further improvement, we hope to demonstrate robust isotopic analysis of 10s of picomoles of carbon, more than 2 orders of magnitude lower than commercial systems. The pico-CSIA method affords high-precision isotopic analyses for

"Arrancale los dientes al trópico": ambiente,enfermedad y el programa sanitario de Estados Unidos en Panamá, 1904-1914

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Paul Sutter

2000-01-01

Full Text Available Apoyado en fuentes escritas durante y después de la construcción del Canal de Panamá (1904- 1914, este artículo examina la forma en que los estadunidenses conceptualizaron los trópicos de Panamá y el modo en que dicha conceptualización orientó su política, en especial la sanitaria, durante el periodo de construcción del canal. Debido a que las enfermedades tropicales, en especial la malaria y la fiebre amarilla, ocupaban un lugar central en el modo de concebir los trópicos por parte de los estadunidenses, el objetivo de este trabajo es mostrar que los problemas de enfermedades en Panamá eran el resultado de complejas interacciones ambientales y sociales, y no una mera característica natural de los trópicos.

La industria metálica del depósito sepulcral de Pico Ramos (Muskiz, Biscay.

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José Mª Salgado

1995-01-01

Full Text Available Los materiales metálicos del conjunto calcolítico de la cueva sepulcral de Pico Ramos son un punzón biapuntado y una punta de cobre. Además, existe una pieza laminar que podría pertenecer a este momento a pesar de que cuenta con impurezas más frecuentes en épocas posteriores. El análisis de Fluorescencia de Rayos X de las dos primeras piezas citadas indica que ambas cuentan con un   contenido similar de cobre, bajo en níquel y alto en arsénico, en comparación con otros materiales del País Vasco. Se apunta la posibilidad de que el material de Pico Ramos corresponda a una primera fase de la metalurgia, quizá producto de intercambios previos al desarrollo local del proceso productivo metalúrgico.

Handling Occlusions for Robust Augmented Reality Systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Maidi Madjid

2010-01-01

Full Text Available Abstract In Augmented Reality applications, the human perception is enhanced with computer-generated graphics. These graphics must be exactly registered to real objects in the scene and this requires an effective Augmented Reality system to track the user's viewpoint. In this paper, a robust tracking algorithm based on coded fiducials is presented. Square targets are identified and pose parameters are computed using a hybrid approach based on a direct method combined with the Kalman filter. An important factor for providing a robust Augmented Reality system is the correct handling of targets occlusions by real scene elements. To overcome tracking failure due to occlusions, we extend our method using an optical flow approach to track visible points and maintain virtual graphics overlaying when targets are not identified. Our proposed real-time algorithm is tested with different camera viewpoints under various image conditions and shows to be accurate and robust.

Dislipidemias e antipsicóticos atípicos Dyslipidemias and atypical antipsychotics

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Edilberto Amorim de Cerqueira Filho

2006-01-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Um progressivo número de evidências surge associando o uso de antipsicóticos atípicos a dislipidemias, situação pouco atentada por considerável número de psiquiatras e preditora importante de doenças cardiovasculares (DCVs e de morbimortalidade. O propósito deste estudo é revisar a associação entre o uso de antipsicóticos atípicos e o desenvolvimento de dislipidemias em pacientes com esquizofrenia. MÉTODOS: A pesquisa bibliográfica utilizou os bancos de dados MEDLINE e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO, com os descritores: schizophrenia, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia e lipids, para identificar artigos originais publicados no período de 1997 a setembro de 2006. RESULTADOS: Os artigos foram agrupados segundo cada agente terapêutico, de acordo com o seu impacto sobre o perfil lipídico. CONCLUSÃO: Observa-se maior risco de desenvolvimento de dislipidemias em pacientes com esquizofrenia em uso de alguns antipsicóticos atípicos. Intervenções comportamentais e farmacológicas devem ser associadas nos indivíduos com esquizofrenia em tratamento antipsicótico e que desenvolvem dislipidemias.OBJECTIVE: Pieces of evidence appear associating the use of atypical antipsychotics to dyslipidemias, situation that is of little attention by considerable number of psychiatrists and important predictor of cardiovascular illnesses and morbi-mortality. The intention of this study is to review the association between the atypical antipsychotic use and the development of dyslipidemias in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: The bibliographical research used databases MEDLINE and SciELO, for the key words: schizophrenia, dyslipidemia, hyperlipidemia and lipids, with the objective to identify original articles published in the period of 1997 to September 2006. RESULTS: The articles were distributed according to each therapeutic agent and their impact on lipidic profile. CONCLUSION: Higher risk of development of dyslipidemias

Tópicos generales de planeación estratégica

OpenAIRE

Rosenstiehl-Martínez, José Luis

2017-01-01

El presente documento está dirigido a los estudiantes de administración de empresas y carreras afines, tiene como objetivo presentar una guía para el desarrollo del Curso de Planeación Estratégica, orientado a describir los tópicos generales de la planeación estratégica como herramienta de consulta para los estudiantes. Para este se consultaron autores que han teorizado sobre la temática de planeación como función esencial del proceso administrativo. Contiene dos unidades en las que se realiz...

Los productos típicos y su reglamentación.

OpenAIRE

Cartay, Rafael

2003-01-01

1.- Artículos Cartay, Rafael. "Los productos típicos y su reglamentación. Una tentativa de aplicación de la denominación de origen al cacao venezolano" Kalvatchev, Zlatko; Garzaro, Domingo; Guerra Cedezo, Franklin. "Theobroma Cacao L.: Un nuevo enfoque para nutrición y salud" Anido, Daniel; Gutiérrez, Alejandro. "La demanda de las calorías en Venezuela 1970-1995: Algunas evidencias empíricas" Molina, Luisa Elena. "Notas sobre la situación de la producción primaria de arroz en Ven...

Developing Atmospheric Science Tools for Teachers Based on Research at the Pico Mountain Observatory, Pico Island, Azores

Science.gov (United States)

Harkness, L.; Mazzoleni, L. R.; Dzepina, K.; Mazzoleni, C.; China, S.

2013-12-01

Atmospheric science and climate change are becoming increasingly important, especially in education, as the Next Generation Science Standards now include climate change. A collaborating team of research scientists and students are studying the free troposphere, specifically the aerosol composition and properties, on the island of Pico in the Azores Archipelago. The research station sits in the caldera of Mount Pico, 2225 meters above sea level. At this elevation, the station is above the marine boundary layer, thus placing it in the free troposphere. In this work, collaboration between a high school Earth Science teacher and university researchers was formed with the goal of developing classroom and outreach materials regarding atmospheric science. Among the materials, a video was created containing: site and project background, explanation of some of the instruments used and candid conversations regarding science and research. The video serves several purposes, such as informing students and the general public about what is happening in the atmosphere and informing students about the importance of science and research. The video could also be used to educate the local island community and tourists. Other materials designed include data directly obtained from the project, such as measurements of aerosol particles in electron microscopy photos (which were imaged for particle morphology and size), and composition of the aerosol particles. Students can use this evidence, as well as other data, to gain a better understanding of aerosols and the overall effect they have on the climate. Students will discover this evidence as they work through a series of experiments and activities. Using the strategy of Claim-Evidence-Reasoning as a way to answer scientific questions, students will use the evidence they gathered to explain their ideas. One such question could be, 'How do aerosols affect the climate?' and the student's 'claim' is their answer to that question. In the

Pico-ampere current sensitivity and CdSe quantum dots assembly assisted charge transport in ferroelectric liquid crystal

Science.gov (United States)

Pratap Singh, Dharmendra; Boussoualem, Yahia; Duponchel, Benoit; Sahraoui, Abdelhak Hadj; Kumar, Sandeep; Manohar, Rajiv; Daoudi, Abdelylah

2017-08-01

Octadecylamine capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) dispersed 4-(1-methyl-heptyloxy)-benzoic acid 4‧-octyloxy-biphenyl-4-yl ester ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) were deposited over gold coated quartz substrate using dip-coating. The topographical investigation discloses that the homogeneously dispersed QDs adopt face-on to edge-on assembly in FLC matrix owing to their concentration. Current-voltage (I-V) measurement was performed using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM) which yields ohmic to critical diode like I-V curves depending upon the concentration of QDs in FLC. The recorded pico-ampere (pA) current sensitivity in FLC-QDs composites is attributed to micro-second drift time of electron due to weak electronic coupling between the π-electrons on the FLC and s-electrons on the metal surface. The observed pico-ampere sensitivity is the least current sensitivity recorded so far. For FLC-QDs composites, almost 24% faster electro-optic response was observed in comparison to pure FLC. The pico-ampere current sensitivity can be utilized in touch screen displays whereas the change in polarization for low applied electric field ameliorates the increased electrical susceptibility counteracting the internal electric field and its use in electronic data storage and faster electro-optical devices.

Robustness Analysis of Big Span Glulam Truss Structure

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rajčié, V.; čizmar, D.; Kirkegaard, Poul Henning

2010-01-01

(Eurocode 0 &1, Probabilistic model code etc.) Based on a project of big span glulam truss structure, build in Croatia few years ago, a probabilistic model is made with four failure elements. Reliability analysis of components is conducted and based on this a robustness analysis is preformed. It can...

ULTRASONIDO ENDOSCÓPICO EN PATOLOGÍAS DEL PÁNCREAS

OpenAIRE

LÁZARO ANTONIO ARANGO M., DR.; CLAUDIA PATRICIA DÍAZ T., DRA.

2015-01-01

El ultrasonido endoscópico (EUS) ha revolucionado el diagnóstico y el manejo de muchas patologías de la vía digestiva, particularmente la patología pancreática, convirtiéndose en un examen prácticamente imprescindible en el abordaje diagnóstico y terapéutico de un paciente con un problema de páncreas. Es necesario dejar en claro que el método no es único y que para lograr una sensibilidad alta y cumplir el objetivo de realizar lo más adecuado, debe sumarse a otros métodos de acuerdo a cada...

Robustness Evaluation of Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard; čizmar, D.

2010-01-01

The present paper outlines results from working group 3 (WG3) in the EU COST Action E55 – ‘Modelling of the performance of timber structures’. The objectives of the project are related to the three main research activities: the identification and modelling of relevant load and environmental...... exposure scenarios, the improvement of knowledge concerning the behaviour of timber structural elements and the development of a generic framework for the assessment of the life-cycle vulnerability and robustness of timber structures....

Robust Model Predictive Control of a Wind Turbine

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Mirzaei, Mahmood; Poulsen, Niels Kjølstad; Niemann, Hans Henrik

2012-01-01

In this work the problem of robust model predictive control (robust MPC) of a wind turbine in the full load region is considered. A minimax robust MPC approach is used to tackle the problem. Nonlinear dynamics of the wind turbine are derived by combining blade element momentum (BEM) theory...... of the uncertain system is employed and a norm-bounded uncertainty model is used to formulate a minimax model predictive control. The resulting optimization problem is simplified by semidefinite relaxation and the controller obtained is applied on a full complexity, high fidelity wind turbine model. Finally...... and first principle modeling of the turbine flexible structure. Thereafter the nonlinear model is linearized using Taylor series expansion around system operating points. Operating points are determined by effective wind speed and an extended Kalman filter (EKF) is employed to estimate this. In addition...

Extravasamento de quimioterápicos: conhecimentos da equipe de enfermagem = Chemotherapeutic’s extravasation: knowledge of the nursing team

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Correia, Jefferson Nery

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Objetivo: Analisar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem que atua no setor de clínica oncológica de uma instituição hospitalar, quanto à prevenção, identificação e condutas no extravasamento de quimioterápicos intravenosos. Materiais e Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo exploratório com abordagem qualitativa, realizado por meio de entrevistas gravadas com auxílio de um roteiro semiestruturado, que foram posteriormente transcritas. A análise dos dados foi realizada pela análise de conteúdo e com a literatura pertinente ao assunto. Resultados: Identificaram-se três categorias: o conhecimento sobre quimioterápicos, o extravasamento de quimioterápicos e a necessidade de treinamento sobre quimioterapia. Foi possível observar que o conhecimento de cada indivíduo sobre o assunto é limitado. A equipe percebe a necessidade de educação permanente, pois além de tratar-se de cuidados especializados, há mudanças dos medicamentos antineoplásicos disponíveis. Conclusão: O estudo evidenciou algumas falhas existentes no conhecimento dos profissionais que realizam os cuidados na administração de quimioterápicos em relação à prevenção, identificação e condutas na ocorrência de extravasamento. Infere-se que o treinamento da equipe de enfermagem antes do contato com os pacientes oncológicos e da quimioterapia seja necessário, como também a educação continuada e permanente, garantindo desta maneira maior segurança para os pacientes e atendimento mais humanizado e de qualidade

Robust Market Launch Planning for a Multi- Echelon Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hansen, Klaus Reinholdt Nyhuus; Grunow, Martin; Gani, Rafiqul

2011-01-01

launching activities after the drug has been approved. In this paper, we present a recourse-based stochastic model, which allows for time phasing the market entries to balance the fluctuating demand with the fixed and periodic production of the active pharmaceutical ingredient. The two major risk elements...... during launch are forecasting inaccuracy and the risk of a required label change from local regulatory authorities. Robust solutions are found by implementing the Robust Optimization framework....

Embarazo ectópico abdominal en paciente posmenopáusica

OpenAIRE

Jiménez Puñales, Sandi; Fernández Gómez, José; Fleites León, Aracelys; Cruz González, Susel; Sarmiento Benavides, Sulian; Fuentes Hernández, Yander

2015-01-01

La anidación anómala del blastocito se denomina como gestación ectópica. El embarazo ectópico abdominal es una forma rara que se presenta en aproximadamente el 1 % de ellos. Se define como la implantación del producto de la concepción en la cavidad peritoneal, excluyendo las localizaciones tubáricas, ováricas e intraligamentarias. Este es de difícil diagnóstico, pues en muchas ocasiones se realiza de forma tardía. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar el caso de una paciente posmenopá...

Drenaje laparoscópico de un seudoquiste pancreático: reporte de caso

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B.A. Crisanto-Campos

2012-07-01

Full Text Available Los seudoquistes pancreáticos se definen como colecciones pancreáticas o peripancreáticas homogéneas, no asociadas a tejido necrótico, rodeadas de tejido fibroso o de granulación sin epitelio. El manejo se ha clasificado en quirúrgico (convencional y laparoscópico, y no quirúrgico (endoscópico y radiológico. El objetivo es describir nuestra experiencia inicial en el manejo de un seudoquiste pancreático, con una cistogastroanastomosis posterior laparoscópica, realizada en la Clínica de Páncreas del Hospital General “Dr. Manuel Gea González”, de la Ciudad de México. La cirugía laparoscópica de páncreas es relativamente nueva, las nuevas técnicas e instrumentales han permitido su desarrollo. Nuestra técnica tiene ventajas prácticas confirmadas por otros autores, como una hemostasia sencilla, un ángulo de visión amplio que permite una adecuada necrosectomía, la realización de una anastomosis sin necesidad de engrapadoras, y la posibilidad de resolver otras patologías intraabdominales asociadas, como en este caso.

Attraction Basins as Gauges of Robustness against Boundary Conditions in Biological Complex Systems

Science.gov (United States)

Demongeot, Jacques; Goles, Eric; Morvan, Michel; Noual, Mathilde; Sené, Sylvain

2010-01-01

One fundamental concept in the context of biological systems on which researches have flourished in the past decade is that of the apparent robustness of these systems, i.e., their ability to resist to perturbations or constraints induced by external or boundary elements such as electromagnetic fields acting on neural networks, micro-RNAs acting on genetic networks and even hormone flows acting both on neural and genetic networks. Recent studies have shown the importance of addressing the question of the environmental robustness of biological networks such as neural and genetic networks. In some cases, external regulatory elements can be given a relevant formal representation by assimilating them to or modeling them by boundary conditions. This article presents a generic mathematical approach to understand the influence of boundary elements on the dynamics of regulation networks, considering their attraction basins as gauges of their robustness. The application of this method on a real genetic regulation network will point out a mathematical explanation of a biological phenomenon which has only been observed experimentally until now, namely the necessity of the presence of gibberellin for the flower of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana to develop normally. PMID:20700525

Attraction basins as gauges of robustness against boundary conditions in biological complex systems.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jacques Demongeot

Full Text Available One fundamental concept in the context of biological systems on which researches have flourished in the past decade is that of the apparent robustness of these systems, i.e., their ability to resist to perturbations or constraints induced by external or boundary elements such as electromagnetic fields acting on neural networks, micro-RNAs acting on genetic networks and even hormone flows acting both on neural and genetic networks. Recent studies have shown the importance of addressing the question of the environmental robustness of biological networks such as neural and genetic networks. In some cases, external regulatory elements can be given a relevant formal representation by assimilating them to or modeling them by boundary conditions. This article presents a generic mathematical approach to understand the influence of boundary elements on the dynamics of regulation networks, considering their attraction basins as gauges of their robustness. The application of this method on a real genetic regulation network will point out a mathematical explanation of a biological phenomenon which has only been observed experimentally until now, namely the necessity of the presence of gibberellin for the flower of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana to develop normally.

Lasers in tattoo and pigmentation control: role of the PicoSure® laser system

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Torbeck R

2016-05-01

Full Text Available Richard Torbeck,1 Richard Bankowski,2 Sarah Henize,3 Nazanin Saedi,11Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 2Cynosure, Inc, Westford, MA, 3Huron Consulting Group, Chicago, IL, USABackground and objectives: The use of picosecond lasers to remove tattoos has greatly improved due to the long-standing outcomes of nanosecond lasers, both clinically and histologically. The first aesthetic picosecond laser available for this use was the PicoSure® laser system (755/532 nm. Now that a vast amount of research on its use has been conducted, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature to validate the continued application of the PicoSure® laser system for tattoo removal.Study design and methods: A PubMed search was conducted using the term "picosecond" combined with "laser", "dermatology", and "laser tattoo removal".Results: A total of 13 articles were identified, and ten of these met the inclusion criteria for this review. The majority of studies showed that picosecond lasers are an effective and safe treatment mode for the removal of tattoo pigments. Several studies also indicated potential novel applications of picosecond lasers in the removal of various tattoo pigments (eg, black, red, and yellow. Adverse effects were generally mild, such as transient hypopigmentation or blister formation, and were rarely more serious, such as scarring and/or textural change.Conclusion: Advancements in laser technologies and their application in cutaneous medicine have revolutionized the field of laser surgery. Computational modeling provides evidence that the optimal pulse durations for tattoo ink removal are in the picosecond domain. It is recommended that the PicoSure® laser system continue to be used for safe and effective tattoo removal, including for red and yellow pigments.Keywords: tattoo, removal, laser, picosecond 

Farmacovigilancia de fitoterápicos em uma indústria farmacêutica brasileira: mecanismo de aperfeiçoamento dos produtos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fabiane Sobrinho de ABREU

2014-12-01

Full Text Available A utilização dos fitoterápicos tem como base a tradição popular e é considerada uma opção terapêutica à utilização da medicina convencional. Erroneamente diz-se que o uso desses medicamentos é isento de reações adversas, porém, se não forem utilizados com orientação adequada, podem gerar efeitos nocivos ao organismo. Os medicamentos de forma geral, após serem lançados no mercado, podem provocar reações adversas inesperadas sendo necessário assim, o trabalho da farmacovigilância. Este trabalho teve como objetivo levantar os casos de reações adversas provocadas com a utilização de medicamentos fitoterápicos produzidos por um laboratório nacional sediado no Rio de Janeiro. Um estudo descritivo, retrospectivo, transversal e quantitativo, foi realizado utilizando a base de dados de notificações espontâneas de reações inesperadas da referida indústria, no período de dezoito meses. Durante o período levantado, houve um total de trinta e duas notificações distribuídas entre seis fitoterápicos contendo: Trifolium pratense L, Pinus pinaster Aiton, Hedera helix L., Tribullus terrestris L., Pelargonium sidoides DC., Cimicifuga racemosa (L. Nutt. A reação adversa mais relatada, independente da espécie vegetal utilizada foi alergia. Usuários com idade acima de cinquenta anos predominaram nos relatos, provenientes principalmente da região Sudeste. Conclui-se que a maioria dos medicamentos fitoterápicos produzidos e distribuídos pela indústria é segura e eficaz para o tratamento das patologias a que se destinam. Para que haja um melhor contato entre o notificador e o prescritor, é importante a divulgação da farmacovigilância de fitoterápicos entre os profissionais da Saúde. Dessa forma, é possível conhecer os efeitos nocivos, permitindo ações de aprimoramento do medicamento, e garantindo sua eficácia e segurança.

On the Robustness and Prospects of Adaptive BDDC Methods for Finite Element Discretizations of Elliptic PDEs with High-Contrast Coefficients

KAUST Repository

Zampini, Stefano

2016-06-02

Balancing Domain Decomposition by Constraints (BDDC) methods have proven to be powerful preconditioners for large and sparse linear systems arising from the finite element discretization of elliptic PDEs. Condition number bounds can be theoretically established that are independent of the number of subdomains of the decomposition. The core of the methods resides in the design of a larger and partially discontinuous finite element space that allows for fast application of the preconditioner, where Cholesky factorizations of the subdomain finite element problems are additively combined with a coarse, global solver. Multilevel and highly-scalable algorithms can be obtained by replacing the coarse Cholesky solver with a coarse BDDC preconditioner. BDDC methods have the remarkable ability to control the condition number, since the coarse space of the preconditioner can be adaptively enriched at the cost of solving local eigenproblems. The proper identification of these eigenproblems extends the robustness of the methods to any heterogeneity in the distribution of the coefficients of the PDEs, not only when the coefficients jumps align with the subdomain boundaries or when the high contrast regions are confined to lie in the interior of the subdomains. The specific adaptive technique considered in this paper does not depend upon any interaction of discretization and partition; it relies purely on algebraic operations. Coarse space adaptation in BDDC methods has attractive algorithmic properties, since the technique enhances the concurrency and the arithmetic intensity of the preconditioning step of the sparse implicit solver with the aim of controlling the number of iterations of the Krylov method in a black-box fashion, thus reducing the number of global synchronization steps and matrix vector multiplications needed by the iterative solver; data movement and memory bound kernels in the solve phase can be thus limited at the expense of extra local ops during the setup of

Estudio de la fauna de aves de la cueva de Pico Ramos (Muskiz, Bizkaia.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

P. Castaños

1995-01-01

Full Text Available Se estudian los restos de Aves de la cuenca de Pico Ramos. Destaca entre las especies halladas la presencia de Alca Gigante (Pinguinus impennis a cuya extinción y hallazgos holocenos se dedica especial atención. Se ofrecen datos osteométricos y biogeográficos de las restantes especies.

Robustness Metrics: Consolidating the multiple approaches to quantify Robustness

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Göhler, Simon Moritz; Eifler, Tobias; Howard, Thomas J.

2016-01-01

robustness metrics; 3) Functional expectancy and dispersion robustness metrics; and 4) Probability of conformance robustness metrics. The goal was to give a comprehensive overview of robustness metrics and guidance to scholars and practitioners to understand the different types of robustness metrics...

Estudio sedimentológico de la cueva sepulcral de Pico Ramos (Muskiz, Biscay.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

P. Areso

1995-01-01

Full Text Available En este trabajo se realiza el estudio de una columna de sedimento del yacimiento de Pico Ramos. No se ven indicadores de frío, ni circuación de agua, aunque la humedad ha sido elevada. Dentro de lo homogeneo de todas las muestras, se ve un ligero empeoramiento que se situaría entre los niveles 3 y 4.

Un caso de deformación del pico en el tordo cabeza café (Molothrus ater

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Epifanio Blancas-Calva

2013-07-01

Full Text Available Registré la presencia de un individuo macho, probablemente inmaduro, de tordo cabeza café (Molothrus ater con deformación en el pico, en la localidad de Petaquillas, municipio de Chilpancingo, Guerrero. Es necesario realizar estudios para aclarar las causas de la deformación en el pico en esta y otras especies, y si éste es un caso particular o es un fenómeno que afecta a otros individuos u otras especies con distribución en el área. Es importante dilucidar si existe relación entre la patología registrada y la contaminación ambiental en el área por la irrigación de campos de cultivo con aguas residuales de la ciudad de Chilpancingo.

Rejeição de transplantes de córnea: tratamento tópico vs. pulsoterapia - resultados de 10 anos

OpenAIRE

Costa,Dácio Carvalho; Castro,Rosane Silvestre de; Camargo,Mariela Soares Ferraz de; Kara-José,Newton

2008-01-01

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia da associação de pulsoterapia com 500 mg de metilprednisolona intravenosa ao acetato de prednisolona 1% tópico no tratamento do primeiro episódio de rejeição endotelial de transplantes de córnea. MÉTODOS: Estudo caso-controle retrospectivo com 81 sujeitos que apresentaram o primeiro episódio de rejeição endotelial e submetidos à terapia nos primeiros quinze dias dos sintomas. RESULTADOS: 67 sujeitos foram tratados com acetato de prednisolona 1% tópico de 1 em 1 h...

Desenvolvimento de equações para estimativa do VO2PICO pelo teste de 9 minutos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ana Carolina Paludo

2014-06-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Desenvolver e validar modelos matemáticos para predição do VO2pico em crianças e adolescentes, por meio da utilização do teste de campo de corrida/caminhada de 9 minutos. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 211 escolares, de sete a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos, regularmente matriculados em duas escolas do Município de Londrina - PR, sendo 141 escolares separados para amostra de desenvolvimento e 70 para validação das equações desenvolvidas. As medidas avaliadas foram: massa corporal, estatura, espessuras de dobras cutâneas (tricipital e subescapular, além da maturação biológica. Os testes de corrida/caminha de 9 minutos foram realizados em pista de atletismo e a análise direta do VO2pico (mL/kg/min realizada em laboratório, com analisador de gás portátil, através um teste incremental em esteira rolante. O desenvolvimento das equações foi realizado através da análise de regressão linear pelo método stepwise e a validação foi realizada pelos testes matemáticos específicos levando em consideração uma significância de 5% para todas as análises. RESULTADOS: A equação geral para a amostra total foi VO2pico= 24,506+16,672 (maturação, 0=pré e 1=púbere e pós - 0,346 (Σ DC + 5,187 (sexo, 0=F e 1=M + 0,009 (distância com um r=0,742 e EPE=9,149 mL/kg/min e sua validação apresentou r=0,570, CCI= 0,68, limites de concordância de -1,4 mL/kg/min, EPE=8,39 mL/kg/min e CV= 21,94%. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que a equação generalizada desenvolvida fornece uma estimativa válida do VO2pico em crianças e adolescentes de sete a 12 anos de idade.

Combined use of FRN and CSSI techniques: SWMCN Laboratory PICO experience during the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2015, Vienna, Austria

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mabit, L.; Toloza, A.; Resch, C.

2016-01-01

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly 2015 that took place at the Austria Center of Vienna, from 12-17 April 2015, was a big success with 4870 oral, 8489 poster, and 705 PICO (Presenting Interactive COntent™) presentations as well as 11837 scientists attending from 108 different countries. This year again, the activities of the SWMCN Laboratory were well represented with 3 PICO presentations during the SSS12.10 session (i.e. Soil and sediment tracing techniques for understanding environmental processes)

Embarazo ectópico en cicatriz de cesárea. Presentación de un caso

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Martha Lucía Marrugo-Flórez

2013-01-01

Full Text Available El embarazo ectópico en cicatriz de cesárea anterior corresponde aproximadamente al 6,1 % de todos los embarazos ectópicos y tiene una incidencia mayor que el embarazo cervical dentro del grupo mencionado. Consiste en la implantación del blastocito en la cicatriz uterina, rodeado de miometrio y tejido conectivo. El manejo de esta patología ha sido controversial a lo largo de los años, debido a que ocurre en muchas mujeres que desean conservar su paridad. Presentamos un caso atendido en marzo en nuestra institución, en el que se realizó manejo médico con metrotexate sistémico e intraamniótico y presentó una evolución satisfactoria. Se realiza una revisión del tema y se explican los diferentes manejos propuestos para esta patología.

Robust Identification of Developmentally Active Endothelial Enhancers in Zebrafish Using FANS-Assisted ATAC-Seq.

Science.gov (United States)

Quillien, Aurelie; Abdalla, Mary; Yu, Jun; Ou, Jianhong; Zhu, Lihua Julie; Lawson, Nathan D

2017-07-18

Identification of tissue-specific and developmentally active enhancers provides insights into mechanisms that control gene expression during embryogenesis. However, robust detection of these regulatory elements remains challenging, especially in vertebrate genomes. Here, we apply fluorescent-activated nuclei sorting (FANS) followed by Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) to identify developmentally active endothelial enhancers in the zebrafish genome. ATAC-seq of nuclei from Tg(fli1a:egfp) y1 transgenic embryos revealed expected patterns of nucleosomal positioning at transcriptional start sites throughout the genome and association with active histone modifications. Comparison of ATAC-seq from GFP-positive and -negative nuclei identified more than 5,000 open elements specific to endothelial cells. These elements flanked genes functionally important for vascular development and that displayed endothelial-specific gene expression. Importantly, a majority of tested elements drove endothelial gene expression in zebrafish embryos. Thus, FANS-assisted ATAC-seq using transgenic zebrafish embryos provides a robust approach for genome-wide identification of active tissue-specific enhancer elements. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Régimen jurídico aplicable a los contratos atípicos en la jurisprudencia colombiana

OpenAIRE

Maria Elisa Camacho López

2005-01-01

El presente artículo tiene por objeto, explicar el desarrollo que ha tenido el tema de los contratos atípicos en la jurisprudencia colombiana, haciendo especial énfasis en los mecanismos sugeridos para determinar su régimen jurídico aplicable.

Microbiological, chemical, and sensory changes in irradiated pico de gallo

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Howard, L.R.; Miller, G.H. Jr.; Wagner, A.B.

1995-01-01

The effects of gamma processing (1 kGy) and refrigerated storage (2 degrees C) on microbiological, sensory, and chemical quality of pico de gallo was studied. Color, flavor, texture, odor, and heat sensory attributes were not affected by radiation treatment. The treatment decreased populations of aerobic mesophilic, heterofermentative, and total lactic microflora during storage. L-ascorbic acid content declined 50% in response to gamma processing, but levels were similar in irradiated and non-irradiated samples after 6 wk. Pectin solubility was affected by radiation treatment. Gamma processing caused a reduction in pectin degree of estenfication, and conversion of chelator soluble to dilute alkali soluble and nonextractable pectins

Robustness analysis method for orbit control

Science.gov (United States)

Zhang, Jingrui; Yang, Keying; Qi, Rui; Zhao, Shuge; Li, Yanyan

2017-08-01

Satellite orbits require periodical maintenance due to the presence of perturbations. However, random errors caused by inaccurate orbit determination and thrust implementation may lead to failure of the orbit control strategy. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the robustness of the orbit control methods. Feasible strategies which are tolerant to errors of a certain magnitude can be developed to perform reliable orbit control for the satellite. In this paper, first, the orbital dynamic model is formulated by Gauss' form of the planetary equation using the mean orbit elements; the atmospheric drag and the Earth's non-spherical perturbations are taken into consideration in this model. Second, an impulsive control strategy employing the differential correction algorithm is developed to maintain the satellite trajectory parameters in given ranges. Finally, the robustness of the impulsive control method is analyzed through Monte Carlo simulations while taking orbit determination error and thrust error into account.

Relação entre a variabilidade da frequência cardíaca e VO 2pico em mulheres ativas

OpenAIRE

Tamburús, Nayara Yamada; Rebelo, Ana Cristina Silva; César, Marcelo de Castro; Catai, Aparecida Maria; Takahashi, Anielle Cristhine de Medeiros; Andrade, Carolina Pieroni; Porta, Alberto; Silva, Ester da

2014-01-01

OBJETIVO: Ava+liar a associação entre os índices da variabilidade da frequência cardíaca (VFC) e a aptidão cardiorrespiratória.MÉTODOS: Sessenta e duas mulheres (idade 22,1 ± 3,3 anos) foram divididas em quatro grupos: treinamento aeróbio (AER, n = 15), treinamento de força (FOR, n = 13), treinamento combinado (aeróbio e força) (AER+FOR, n = 15) e controle (C, n = 19). O teste cardiopulmonar foi realizado para avaliar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória a partir do consumo de oxigênio pico (VO2pico...

Efficiency Enhancement of Pico-cell Base Station Power Amplifier MMIC in Gallium Nitride HFET Technology Using the Doherty technique

Science.gov (United States)

Seneviratne, Sashieka

With the growth of smart phones, the demand for more broadband, data centric technologies are being driven higher. As mobile operators worldwide plan and deploy 4th generation (4G) networks such as LTE to support the relentless growth in mobile data demand, the need for strategically positioned pico-sized cellular base stations known as 'pico-cells' are gaining traction. In addition to having to design a transceiver in a much compact footprint, pico-cells must still face the technical challenges presented by the new 4G systems, such as reduced power consumptions and linear amplification of the signals. The RF power amplifier (PA) that amplifies the output signals of 4G pico-cell systems face challenges to minimize size, achieve high average efficiencies and broader bandwidths while maintaining linearity and operating at higher frequencies. 4G standards as LTE use non-constant envelope modulation techniques with high peak to average ratios. Power amplifiers implemented in such applications are forced to operate at a backed off region from saturation. Therefore, in order to reduce power consumption, a design of a high efficiency PA that can maintain the efficiency for a wider range of radio frequency signals is required. The primary focus of this thesis is to enhance the efficiency of a compact RF amplifier suitable for a 4G pico-cell base station. For this aim, an integrated two way Doherty amplifier design in a compact 10mm x 11.5mm2 monolithic microwave integrated circuit using GaN device technology is presented. Using non-linear GaN HFETs models, the design achieves high effi-ciencies of over 50% at both back-off and peak power regions without compromising on the stringent linearity requirements of 4G LTE standards. This demonstrates a 17% increase in power added efficiency at 6 dB back off from peak power compared to conventional Class AB amplifier performance. Performance optimization techniques to select between high efficiency and high linearity operation are

Steam sterilization of previously-assembled laparoscopic instruments Esterilización por vapor de los instrumentos laparoscópicos previamente armados Esterilização pelo vapor dos instrumentos laparoscópicos previamente montados

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tamara Carolina de Camargo

2008-01-01

Full Text Available Video-laparoscopy represents one of the greatest surgical advances in the recent past. Reprocessable laparoscopic instruments are complex devices that, if completely disassembled for sterilization, would cause problems for the surgical teams at the moment of their use in the surgery. The method of choice for the sterilization of this equipment is saturated steam under pressure. The goal of this review was to describe the state-of-the-art in the search for safe results in autoclaving the previously-assembled reprocessable laparoscopic instruments, since they are difficult to assemble at the moment of surgery. The PUBMED database was consulted, using controlled and free keywords, as well as their combinations, without time or language restrictions. The study investigating the exact issue of this research found contamination in both assembled (1/24 and disassembled (1/30 instruments, demonstrating equivalent risks. In view of the results and considering the lack of studies, a new experimental laboratory study is recommended, using a contamination challenge.El video-laparoscopía representa uno de los mayores avances en el área de la cirugía en los últimos tiempos. Los instrumentos laparoscópicos reprocesables son artículos complejos, que si son esterilizados totalmente desarmados ocasionan trastornos a los equipos quirúrgicos en el momento de su utilización en el campo operatorio. El método de elección para la esterilización de esos instrumentos es el vapor saturado bajo presión. El objetivo de esta revisión fue describir el estado del arte en búsqueda de los resultados de la seguridad en el autoclavado del instrumental laparoscópico reprocesable, previamente armado, teniendo presente las dificultades de su montaje en el momento de la cirugía. Se consultó la base de datos PUBMED, usando vocablos controlados, libres y la combinación de ambos, sin restricción de tiempo e idioma. Fueron localizados apenas dos artículos que

Enabling Rapid and Robust Structural Analysis During Conceptual Design

Science.gov (United States)

Eldred, Lloyd B.; Padula, Sharon L.; Li, Wu

2015-01-01

This paper describes a multi-year effort to add a structural analysis subprocess to a supersonic aircraft conceptual design process. The desired capabilities include parametric geometry, automatic finite element mesh generation, static and aeroelastic analysis, and structural sizing. The paper discusses implementation details of the new subprocess, captures lessons learned, and suggests future improvements. The subprocess quickly compares concepts and robustly handles large changes in wing or fuselage geometry. The subprocess can rank concepts with regard to their structural feasibility and can identify promising regions of the design space. The automated structural analysis subprocess is deemed robust and rapid enough to be included in multidisciplinary conceptual design and optimization studies.

A robust detector for rolling element bearing condition monitoring based on the modulation signal bispectrum and its performance evaluation against the Kurtogram

Science.gov (United States)

Tian, Xiange; Xi Gu, James; Rehab, Ibrahim; Abdalla, Gaballa M.; Gu, Fengshou; Ball, A. D.

2018-02-01

Envelope analysis is a widely used method for rolling element bearing fault detection. To obtain high detection accuracy, it is critical to determine an optimal frequency narrowband for the envelope demodulation. However, many of the schemes which are used for the narrowband selection, such as the Kurtogram, can produce poor detection results because they are sensitive to random noise and aperiodic impulses which normally occur in practical applications. To achieve the purposes of denoising and frequency band optimisation, this paper proposes a novel modulation signal bispectrum (MSB) based robust detector for bearing fault detection. Because of its inherent noise suppression capability, the MSB allows effective suppression of both stationary random noise and discrete aperiodic noise. The high magnitude features that result from the use of the MSB also enhance the modulation effects of a bearing fault and can be used to provide optimal frequency bands for fault detection. The Kurtogram is generally accepted as a powerful means of selecting the most appropriate frequency band for envelope analysis, and as such it has been used as the benchmark comparator for performance evaluation in this paper. Both simulated and experimental data analysis results show that the proposed method produces more accurate and robust detection results than Kurtogram based approaches for common bearing faults under a range of representative scenarios.

PICASSO, COUPP and PICO - search for dark matter with bubble chambers

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Amole C.

2015-01-01

Full Text Available The PICASSO and COUPP collaborations use superheated liquid detectors to search for cold dark matter through the direct detection of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs. These experiments, located in the underground laboratory of SNOLAB, Canada, detect phase transitions triggered by nuclear recoils in the keV range induced by interactions with WIMPs. We present details of the construction and operation of these detectors as well as the results, obtained by several years of observations. We also introduce PICO, a joint effort of the two collaborations to build a second generation ton-scale bubble chamber with 250 liters of active liquid.

Marine litter on the seafloor of the Faial-Pico Passage, Azores Archipelago.

Science.gov (United States)

Rodríguez, Yasmina; Pham, Christopher K

2017-03-15

Plastic pollution in the marine environment attracts much attention from both researchers and the general public. Plastic items and other debris are commonly observed everywhere in the ocean, from the surface down to the deep ocean floor. In this study, we analysed 45.2km of video footage, collected during 56 transects surveying the seafloor of the Faial-Pico Passage in order to quantify the abundance of marine litter and its interactions with benthic fauna. The footage was collected by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and a manned submersible at depths ranging between 40 and 525m. The mean litter density in the passage was 0.26±0.03 items·100m -1 (±SE) and was significantly higher between 151 and 250m compared to other depth strata. Overall, derelict fishing gear, mostly made of plastic, were the most common objects found on the seafloor, representing 64% of all items. Although we observed few evidence of direct deleterious effects by the litter, interactions with fauna were observed in more than half of the items. This study makes an important contribution in quantifying the abundance of marine litter on the seafloor of the Azores. The location of the Faial-Pico Passage, close to shore, makes it an appropriate site for long-term monitoring of litter on the seafloor and evaluate the efficiency of upcoming public policies aimed at reducing litter input into the oceans. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Robust design optimization using the price of robustness, robust least squares and regularization methods

Science.gov (United States)

Bukhari, Hassan J.

2017-12-01

In this paper a framework for robust optimization of mechanical design problems and process systems that have parametric uncertainty is presented using three different approaches. Robust optimization problems are formulated so that the optimal solution is robust which means it is minimally sensitive to any perturbations in parameters. The first method uses the price of robustness approach which assumes the uncertain parameters to be symmetric and bounded. The robustness for the design can be controlled by limiting the parameters that can perturb.The second method uses the robust least squares method to determine the optimal parameters when data itself is subjected to perturbations instead of the parameters. The last method manages uncertainty by restricting the perturbation on parameters to improve sensitivity similar to Tikhonov regularization. The methods are implemented on two sets of problems; one linear and the other non-linear. This methodology will be compared with a prior method using multiple Monte Carlo simulation runs which shows that the approach being presented in this paper results in better performance.

Volcano-tectonic evolution of a linear volcanic ridge (Pico-Faial Ridge, Azores Triple Junction) assessed by paleomagnetic studies

Science.gov (United States)

Silva, Pedro F.; Henry, Bernard; Marques, Fernando O.; Hildenbrand, Anthony; Lopes, Ana; Madureira, Pedro; Madeira, José; Nunes, João C.; Roxerová, Zuzana

2018-02-01

The morphology of volcanic oceanic islands results from the interplay between constructive and destructive processes, and tectonics. In this study, the analysis of the paleomagnetic directions obtained on well-dated volcanic rocks is used as a tool to assess tilting related to tectonics and large-scale volcano instability along the Pico-Faial linear volcanic ridge (Azores Triple Junction, Central-North Atlantic). For this purpose, 530 specimens from 46 lava flows and one dyke from Pico and Faial islands were submitted to thermal and alternating magnetic fields demagnetizations. Detailed rock magnetic analyses, including thermomagnetic analyses and classical high magnetic field experiments revealed titanomagnetites with different Ti-content as the primary magnetic carrier, capable of recording stable remanent magnetizations. In both islands, the paleomagnetic analysis yields a Characteristic Remanent Magnetization, which presents island mean direction with normal and reversed polarities in agreement with the islands location and the age of the studied lava flows, indicating a primary thermo-remanent magnetization. Field observations and paleomagnetic data show that lava flows were emplaced on pre-existing slopes and were later affected by significant tilting. In Faial Island, magmatic inflation and normal faults making up an island-scale graben, can be responsible for the tilting. In Pico Island, inflation related to magma intrusion during flow emplacement can be at the origin of the inferred tilting, whereas gradual downward movement of the SE flank by slumping processes appears mostly translational.

DIREITO AGRÁRIO E O TRATAMENTO DOS CONTRATOS AGRÁRIOS ATÍPICOS

OpenAIRE

Fabrício Pinto Weiblen; Marcelo Scherer da Silva; Tarso Wayhs Tech; José Fernando Lutz Coelho

2012-01-01

Aborda a necessidade de um tratamento adequado e diferenciado aos contratos agrários atípicos em face das complexas relações que se desenvolvem no meio rural atualmente. Apresenta ainda uma visão crítica a respeito das características e aplicabilidade da legislação agrária no cenário jurídico e propõe alternativas com o objetivo de uma prestação mais eficiente do Direito Agrário na área contratual.

Educational use assessment of Geomorphosites applied to the Picos de Europa National Park (Northern Spain)

Science.gov (United States)

Bazán, Héctor; Serrano, Enrique; Ruiz-Flaño, Purificación

2014-05-01

There are sites that constitute worthy places of preservation or promotion the natural heritage receiving different names according to the object of interest (biological, geological, hydrological, geomorphological, etc.). National parks are places for everybody to learn about abiotic and biotic nature and the way they rely on each other. The abiotic nature implies different parts, as geologic, hydrologic or geomorphologic. The geomorphosites are especially relevant because link geology, climate, surface processes and hydrology with landscape. Beyond the intrinsic scientific, conservation or scenic values, such sites possess a general value being the didactic use one of the aspects considered in the assessment methods. Several authors have indicated that the aim of the evaluation of sites will change if the purpose is leaning to inventories development, environmental impact assessment or divulgation (educational, tourist activities or only protection). One of the meanings of the term educational is "everything suitable to teaching or providing education" as is referred in dictionaries. With this definition, although the geomorphosites has not an educational value per se, any natural element can be used as educational object, and the teacher intention's must transform a geomorphosite in a educational resource. The educational assessment of several methods have been analysed in this work and we have concluded that there are confusing and inaccurate for teaching purposes. The analysed methods do not specify how the geomorphosites are useful for teaching or how the teacher can develop the scholar programs. The objective is a more accuracy in the educational use of geomorphosites focused on the different educational levels as a tool by teaching and leisure activities. Our proposal is the development of methodological sheets that emerge from the analysis of the curricular content and specific bibliography. Sheets on general geomorphology, periglacial, glacial and karst

Efecto de los inotrópicos sobre la mortalidad en falla cardiaca aguda. Metaanálisis en red de ensayos clínicos

OpenAIRE

Juan M. Sénior; Edison Muñoz; James Díaz

2017-01-01

Introducción: en pacientes con falla cardiaca aguda es necesario el uso de inotrópicos para lograr su estabilización. Objetivo: definir cuál de los medicamentos inotrópicos se asocia con menor mortalidad. Metodología: se realizó un metaanálisis en red con la aproximación frecuentista. La búsqueda sistemática incluyó PUBMED, EMBASE, CENTRAL, DARE, Epistemonikos, SieELO, LILACS y OpenGray. Se incluyeron ensayos clínicos con asignación aleatoria en pacientes con falla cardiaca aguda que re...

Grassmann Averages for Scalable Robust PCA

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hauberg, Søren; Feragen, Aasa; Black, Michael J.

2014-01-01

As the collection of large datasets becomes increasingly automated, the occurrence of outliers will increase—“big data” implies “big outliers”. While principal component analysis (PCA) is often used to reduce the size of data, and scalable solutions exist, it is well-known that outliers can...... to vectors (subspaces) or elements of vectors; we focus on the latter and use a trimmed average. The resulting Trimmed Grassmann Average (TGA) is particularly appropriate for computer vision because it is robust to pixel outliers. The algorithm has low computational complexity and minimal memory requirements...

Contratos atípicos de las entidades descentralizadas del orden nacional sometidas al estatuto general de contratación de la administración pública

OpenAIRE

Ronderos Botero, Jorge Arturo

2012-01-01

La investigación aborda la problemática del contrato estatal atípico a partir de un marco teórico, con el fin de encontrar los contratos estales atípicos en la práctica pública, y a partir de allí realizar un análisis de su contenido de acuerdo al Estatuto General de Contratación de la Administración Pública.

A Unifying Mathematical Framework for Genetic Robustness, Environmental Robustness, Network Robustness and their Trade-offs on Phenotype Robustness in Biological Networks. Part III: Synthetic Gene Networks in Synthetic Biology

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Bor-Sen; Lin, Ying-Po

2013-01-01

Robust stabilization and environmental disturbance attenuation are ubiquitous systematic properties that are observed in biological systems at many different levels. The underlying principles for robust stabilization and environmental disturbance attenuation are universal to both complex biological systems and sophisticated engineering systems. In many biological networks, network robustness should be large enough to confer: intrinsic robustness for tolerating intrinsic parameter fluctuations; genetic robustness for buffering genetic variations; and environmental robustness for resisting environmental disturbances. Network robustness is needed so phenotype stability of biological network can be maintained, guaranteeing phenotype robustness. Synthetic biology is foreseen to have important applications in biotechnology and medicine; it is expected to contribute significantly to a better understanding of functioning of complex biological systems. This paper presents a unifying mathematical framework for investigating the principles of both robust stabilization and environmental disturbance attenuation for synthetic gene networks in synthetic biology. Further, from the unifying mathematical framework, we found that the phenotype robustness criterion for synthetic gene networks is the following: if intrinsic robustness + genetic robustness + environmental robustness ≦ network robustness, then the phenotype robustness can be maintained in spite of intrinsic parameter fluctuations, genetic variations, and environmental disturbances. Therefore, the trade-offs between intrinsic robustness, genetic robustness, environmental robustness, and network robustness in synthetic biology can also be investigated through corresponding phenotype robustness criteria from the systematic point of view. Finally, a robust synthetic design that involves network evolution algorithms with desired behavior under intrinsic parameter fluctuations, genetic variations, and environmental

A Manifestação de Tópico e Foco em Línguas da Família Tupi-Guarani

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marcia Maria Damaso VIEIRA

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Neste artigo, temos como objetivo identificar e descrever algumas construções envolvendo tópico e foco em duas línguas da família Tupi-Guarani: Asurini do Trocará e Tupinambá. Com base na abordagem cartográfica de Rizzi (1997,2004 para a periferia esquerda da oração, forneceremos evidências para a manifestação de diferentes tipos de categorias discursivas, como tópico com deslocamento para a esquerda e foco nas construções conhecidas como Indicativo II. Com a fi nalidade de enriquecer o nosso trabalho, resgatamos a análise de Rodrigues (1990 sobre um determinado tipo de foco verifi cado em Tupinambá que apresenta comportamento semelhante ao sistema de obviation encontrado nas línguas algonquinas.

Soporte nutricional adaptado al tratamiento fisioterápico de lesiones en el deporte

OpenAIRE

Sancho Morante, Alicia

2014-01-01

RESUMEN: INTRODUCCIÓN: En el abordaje de las lesiones, el tratamiento tanto médico como fisioterápico han sido ampliamente estudiados y conforman un elemento indispensable. Sin embargo, el soporte nutricional es un aspecto que, aunque recientemente se está demostrando que ofrece grandes beneficios, generalmente pasa a un segundo plano y no se le da la trascendencia que merece. OBJETIVOS: Relacionar la importancia que ejerce el consumo de determinados nutrientes sobre la prevención y tratam...

Manejo endoscópico del vólvulo gástrico

OpenAIRE

Gómez, Martín Alonso; Ortiz, Camilo

2011-01-01

El vólvulo gástrico es una enfermedad muy rara que puede ser aguda o crónica y estar asociada a otras patologías. Es muy importante su rápida identificación porque de su tratamiento oportuno va a depender el pronóstico del paciente. Usualmente el manejo es quirúrgico con la gastropexia abierta o laparoscopia; sin embargo, puede intentarse un manejo endoscópico el cual es más rápido, sencillo y genera una menor morbilidad para los pacientes. Presentamos en este artículo dos casos de vólvulo gá...

A light left in the dark: The practice and politics of pico-hydropower in the Lao PDR

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Smits, M.; Bush, S.R.

2010-01-01

The article describes the widespread use of an estimated 60,000 low-head pico-hydropower turbines and well-developed networks of supply and support in the Northern part of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This apparent widespread use is contrasted with the policy narratives of key

Exploration of robust operating conditions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tromp, John W.; Pomares, Mario; Alvarez-Prieto, Manuel; Cole, Amanda; Ying Hai; Salin, Eric D.

2003-01-01

'Robust' conditions, as defined by Mermet and co-workers for inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrometry, minimize matrix effects on analyte signals, and are obtained by increasing power and reducing nebulizer gas flow. In ICP-mass spectrometry (MS), it is known that reduced nebulizer gas flow usually leads to more robust conditions such that matrix effects are reduced. In this work, robust conditions for ICP-MS have been determined by optimizing for accuracy in the determination of analytes in a multi-element solution with various interferents (Al, Ba, Cs, K, Na), by varying power, nebulizer gas flow, sample introduction rate and ion lens voltage. The goal of the work was to determine which operating parameters were the most important in reducing matrix effects, and whether different interferents yielded the same robust conditions. Reduction in nebulizer gas flow and in sample input rate led to a significantly decreased interference, while an increase in power seemed to have a lesser effect. Once the other parameters had been adjusted to their robust values, there was no additional improvement in accuracy attainable by adjusting the ion lens voltage. The robust conditions were universal, since, for all the interferents and analytes studied, the optimum was found at the same operating conditions. One drawback to the use of robust conditions was the slightly reduced sensitivity; however, in the context of 'intelligent' instruments, the concept of 'robust conditions' is useful in many cases

Qualidade das bulas de fitoterápicos no Brasil | Quality of the package inserts of phytomedicines in Brazil

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marcia Maria Barros dos Passos

2016-05-01

Full Text Available O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar se as bulas de medicamentos fitoterápicos industrializados estão de acordo com a legislação nacional vigente. Foram analisadas 41 bulas dos medicamentos fitoterápicos compostos por alcachofra, castanha da Índia, ginkgo e sene, adquiridas nos sites das empresas titulares dos registros. A análise foi feita quanto à presença de itens segundo a RDC nº 47 de 2009 e ao conteúdo de indicação de uso, posologia e reações adversas comparada às bulas padrão e à literatura científica. A análise quantitativa provou que as bulas têm cumprido o que é exigido pela legislação vigente. No entanto, quanto à análise qualitativa, todos os fitoterápicos analisados neste trabalho possuíam pelo menos uma bula com erro relacionado à posologia, indicações de uso e reações adversas. Houve uma melhora gradativa das bulas dos medicamentos fitoterápicos, porém mesmo com as bulas padrão ainda existem erros, que podem induzir o paciente ao uso incorreto do medicamento. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The objective of this study was to assess whether the package inserts of industrialized phytomedicines are in line with current Brazilian legislation or not. Forty-one package inserts of phytomedicines containing artichoke, horse chestnut, ginkgo and senna were accessed in the respective proprietary websites and then analyzed. The analysis aimed to verify the presence of items required by the normative RDC 47/2009 and the usage indication, dosage and side effects compared to standard package inserts and to the scientific literature. Quantitative analysis proved that the package inserts are in accordance with the current legislation. However, in qualitative analysis, all phytomedicines analyzed in this study had at least one error related to dosage, posology or adverse reactions. A gradual improvement of the package inserts of phytomedicines has

Investigation of a measure of robustness in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Science.gov (United States)

Makonnen, Yoseif; Beauchemin, Diane

2015-01-01

In industrial/commercial settings where operators often have minimal expertise in inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass spectrometry (MS), there is a prevalent need for a response factor indicating robust plasma conditions, which is analogous to the Mg II/Mg I ratio in ICP optical emission spectrometry (OES), whereby a Mg II/Mg I ratio of 10 constitutes robust conditions. While minimizing the oxide ratio usually corresponds to robust conditions, there is no specific target value that is widely accepted as indicating robust conditions. Furthermore, tuning for low oxide ratios does not necessarily guarantee minimal matrix effects, as they really address polyatomic interferences. From experiments, conducted in parallel for both MS and OES, there were some element pairs of similar mass and very different ionization potential that were exploited for such a purpose, the rationale being that, if these elements were ionized to the same extent, then that could be indicative of a robust plasma. The Be II/Li I intensity ratio was directly related to the Mg II/Mg I ratio in OES. Moreover, the 9Be+/7Li+ ratio was inversely related to the CeO+/Ce+ and LaO+/La+ oxide ratios in MS. The effects of different matrices (i.e. 0.01-0.1 M Na) were also investigated and compared to a conventional argon plasma optimized for maximum sensitivity. The suppression effect of these matrices was significantly reduced, if not eliminated in the case of 0.01 M Na, when the 9Be+/7Li+ ratio was around 0.30 on the Varian 820 MS instrument. Moreover, a very similar ratio (0.28) increased robustness to the same extent on a completely different ICP-MS instrument (PerkinElmer NEXION). Much greater robustness was achieved using a mixed-gas plasma with nitrogen in the outer gas and either nitrogen or hydrogen as a sheathing gas, as the 9Be+/7Li+ ratio was then around 1.70. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on using a simple analyte intensity ratio, 9Be+/7Li+, to gauge plasma robustness.

Perceptual Robust Design

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pedersen, Søren Nygaard

The research presented in this PhD thesis has focused on a perceptual approach to robust design. The results of the research and the original contribution to knowledge is a preliminary framework for understanding, positioning, and applying perceptual robust design. Product quality is a topic...... been presented. Therefore, this study set out to contribute to the understanding and application of perceptual robust design. To achieve this, a state-of-the-art and current practice review was performed. From the review two main research problems were identified. Firstly, a lack of tools...... for perceptual robustness was found to overlap with the optimum for functional robustness and at most approximately 2.2% out of the 14.74% could be ascribed solely to the perceptual robustness optimisation. In conclusion, the thesis have offered a new perspective on robust design by merging robust design...

IMP Supersite vs Pico de Tres Padres: The first few hours of mixing and oxidation during the MCMA-2006/MILAGRO Campaign

Science.gov (United States)

Herndon, S.; Onasch, T.; Wood, E.; Knighton, B.; Zavala, M.; Mazzoleni, C.; Thornhill, D.; Marr, L.; Kolb, C.; Molina, L. T.

2007-05-01

The Aerodyne Research, Inc. (ARI) mobile laboratory was deployed in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) for the full month of March 2006 to support the MCMA-2006/MAX-Mex/MILAGRO research project activities, in collaboration with other MCMA-2006 research groups (see information on MCMA-2006/MILAGRO posted at http:www.mce2.org). The ratios of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to combustion tracer species such as CO and CO2 are compared at one of the supersites (T0) and Pico de Tres Padres. T0 (located at the Mexican Petroleum Institute, IMP) is heavily influenced by various emission sources in the local area, predominantly roadway traffic. Pico de Tres Padres is an isolated, privately owned mountain located within the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). It rises 1000 m above the MCMA basin floor and is located about halfway between T0 and T1. The airmasses analyzed at Pico de Tres Padres seem to be mixed urban emissions absent of high frequency spikes of CO, NO or CO2. Relationships between VOCs, and combustion tracers will be used to gain a crude understanding of the initial photochemical processing of the urban emissions. How the initial photochemical processing of Mexico City's air may relate to secondary aerosol production is also explored.

Robust portfolio selection based on asymmetric measures of variability of stock returns

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Wei; Tan, Shaohua

2009-10-01

This paper addresses a new uncertainty set--interval random uncertainty set for robust optimization. The form of interval random uncertainty set makes it suitable for capturing the downside and upside deviations of real-world data. These deviation measures capture distributional asymmetry and lead to better optimization results. We also apply our interval random chance-constrained programming to robust mean-variance portfolio selection under interval random uncertainty sets in the elements of mean vector and covariance matrix. Numerical experiments with real market data indicate that our approach results in better portfolio performance.

Posicionamento ectópico de eletrodo de marcapasso Posicionamiento ectópico de electrodo de marcapaso Ectopic positioning of pacemaker electrode

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gildo Mota

2010-05-01

Full Text Available Apresentamos o caso de um paciente portador da forma cardíaca da doença de Chagas com disfunção ventricular esquerda e bloqueio atrioventricular de 2º grau Mobitz II, associados a vários episódios de síncope. Foi submetido a implante de marcapasso artificial definitivo dupla câmara. Após um ano do implante foi diagnosticado deslocamento de eletrodo atrial, sendo submetido a reimplante de eletrodo atrial. Após dois anos do primeiro procedimento cirúrgico, apresentava dispneia aos grandes esforços. Durante a avaliação, foi solicitado ecocardiograma, que detectou a presença de corpo estranho de características metálicas em câmaras cardíacas esquerdas, consistente com eletrodo de marcapasso ectópico.Referimos el caso de un paciente portador de la forma cardíaca de la enfermedad de Chagas con disfunción ventricular izquierda y bloqueo atrioventricular de 2° grado Mobitz II, asociados a varios episodios de síncope. Fue sometido a implante de marcapaso artificial definitivo doble cámara. Tras un año del implante se diagnosticó desplazamiento de electrodo atrial, con la sumisión del paciente a reimplante de electrodo atrial. Tras dos años del primer procedimiento quirúrgico, presentaba disnea a los grandes esfuerzos. Durante la evaluación, se solicitó ecocardiograma, que detectó presencia de cuerpo extraño de características metálicas en cámaras cardíacas izquierdas, de acuerdo con electrodo de marcapaso ectópico.The present case reports on a patient presenting the cardiac form of Chagas disease, with left ventricular dysfunction and second-degree atrioventricular block Mobitz type II, associated with several syncope episodes. The patient underwent a double-chamber definitive artificial pacemaker implant. One year after the implant, the displacement of the atrial electrode was diagnosed and the patient was submitted to re-implantation of the atrial electrode. Two years after the first surgical procedure, the

Robust authentication through stochastic femtosecond laser filament induced scattering surfaces

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Haisu; Tzortzakis, Stelios

2016-01-01

We demonstrate a reliable authentication method by femtosecond laser filament induced scattering surfaces. The stochastic nonlinear laser fabrication nature results in unique authentication robust properties. This work provides a simple and viable solution for practical applications in product authentication, while also opens the way for incorporating such elements in transparent media and coupling those in integrated optical circuits.

Robust authentication through stochastic femtosecond laser filament induced scattering surfaces

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Haisu [Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion 71110 (Greece); Tzortzakis, Stelios, E-mail: stzortz@iesl.forth.gr [Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion 71110 (Greece); Materials Science and Technology Department, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion (Greece); Science Program, Texas A& M University at Qatar, P.O. Box 23874, Doha (Qatar)

2016-05-23

We demonstrate a reliable authentication method by femtosecond laser filament induced scattering surfaces. The stochastic nonlinear laser fabrication nature results in unique authentication robust properties. This work provides a simple and viable solution for practical applications in product authentication, while also opens the way for incorporating such elements in transparent media and coupling those in integrated optical circuits.

On robust parameter estimation in brain-computer interfacing

Science.gov (United States)

Samek, Wojciech; Nakajima, Shinichi; Kawanabe, Motoaki; Müller, Klaus-Robert

2017-12-01

Objective. The reliable estimation of parameters such as mean or covariance matrix from noisy and high-dimensional observations is a prerequisite for successful application of signal processing and machine learning algorithms in brain-computer interfacing (BCI). This challenging task becomes significantly more difficult if the data set contains outliers, e.g. due to subject movements, eye blinks or loose electrodes, as they may heavily bias the estimation and the subsequent statistical analysis. Although various robust estimators have been developed to tackle the outlier problem, they ignore important structural information in the data and thus may not be optimal. Typical structural elements in BCI data are the trials consisting of a few hundred EEG samples and indicating the start and end of a task. Approach. This work discusses the parameter estimation problem in BCI and introduces a novel hierarchical view on robustness which naturally comprises different types of outlierness occurring in structured data. Furthermore, the class of minimum divergence estimators is reviewed and a robust mean and covariance estimator for structured data is derived and evaluated with simulations and on a benchmark data set. Main results. The results show that state-of-the-art BCI algorithms benefit from robustly estimated parameters. Significance. Since parameter estimation is an integral part of various machine learning algorithms, the presented techniques are applicable to many problems beyond BCI.

Pico e’ lapa: Filosofía de una ironía trágica. Una relectura aristotélica

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Andrés Solano Fallas

2016-10-01

Full Text Available En este artículo se realiza una relectura aristotélica sobre cuatro temas que, enmarcados en el concepto de ironía, aparecen en la novela costarricense Los Hijos del Diablo. Pico e’ Lapa, el último de Minor Herrera-Valenciano. Se define qué es ironía de acuerdo con Aristóteles y posteriormente se analizan los temas seleccionados como ejemplos de esta figura, estos son: la decisión de un padre, perder el miedo, sobre las amistades peligrosas y la ley del silencio (justicia. Cada uno responde a asuntos propiamente de la Ética a Nicómaco (la decisión, el miedo, la amistad, la justicia; en lugar de tratarlos individualmente, se les engloba como ejemplos irónicos de la vida de Pico e’ Lapa.

Multiteide Project: Multiparametric characterization of the activity of Teide-Pico Viejo volcanic system

Science.gov (United States)

Domínguez Cerdeña, Itahiza; Villasante-Marcos, Victor; Meletlidis, Stavros; Sainz-Maza, Sergio; Abella, Rafael; Torres, Pedro A.; Sánchez, Nieves; Luengo-Oroz, Natividad; José Blanco, María; García-Cañada, Laura; Pereda de Pablo, Jorge; Lamolda, Héctor; Moure, David; Del Fresno, Carmen; Finizola, Anthony; Felepto, Alicia

2017-04-01

Teide-Pico Viejo complex stands for one of the major natural volcanic hazards in the Canary Islands, due to the expected types of eruptions in the area and the high number of inhabitants in Tenerife Island. Therefore, it is necessary to have a volcanic alert system able to afford a precise assessment of the current state of the complex. For this purpose, the knowledge of the expected signals at each volcanic activity level is required. Moreover, the external effects that can affect the measurements shall be distinguished, external influences as the atmosphere are qualitatively known but have not been quantified yet. The objective of the project is to collect, analyze and jointly and continuously evaluate over time geophysical, geodetic, geochemical and meteorological data from the Teide-Pico Viejo complex and its surroundings. A continuous multiparametric network have been deployed in the area, which, together with the data provided by the Volcano Monitoring Network of the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) and data from other institutions will provide a comprehensive set of data with high resolution in both space and time. This multiparametric network includes a seismic array, two self-potential lines for continuous measurements, five magnetometers and two weather stations. The network will be complemented with 8 CGPS stations, one tiltmeter, 10 seismic stations, and four thermometric stations on the fumaroles of Teide volcano that IGN already manage in Tenerife. The data will be completed with the results from different repeated surveys of self potential, soil temperature and CO2 diffuse flux in several pre-established areas on top of Teide throughout the entire duration of project. During the project, new computation tools will be developed to study the correlation between the different parameters analyzed. The results obtained will characterize the possible seasonal fluctuations of each parameter and the variations related to meteorological phenomena. In

Perspectivas Futuras para o Observatório do Pico dos Dias

Science.gov (United States)

Bruch, Albert

2004-02-01

Com o Observatório Gemini plenamente operacional e o telescópio SOAR iniciando suas operações em breve, a astronomia observacional brasileira encontra-se no auge de uma transformação profunda que terá um impacto grave no Observatório do Pico dos Dias - OPD. Refletimos aqui sobre a natureza desse impacto e estratégias para manter a competitividade do OPD. Não queremos apresentar receitas prontas, mas idéias que poderão servir como base de discussão sobre o uso inteligente dos telescópios do OPD como parte do conjunto de instrumentos disponíveis à comunidade astronômica brasileira.

'Cerrásteme la puerta rigurosa': exclusus amator, un tópico clásico en las letras españolas

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ramajo Caño, Antonio

2004-12-01

Full Text Available The commonplace of the exclusus amator first arose in ancient Greece. Refashioned again and again in Latin literature, it came into Spanish literature, where it was to appear with a certain frequency until well into Romanticism. The present work points out texts where it appears and shows how it has changed and how it has remained the same.El tópico del exclusus amator brota en la Grecia arcaica. Reelaborado una y otra vez en la literatura latina, llegará a la literatura española, en la que aparecerá con cierta frecuencia, al menos hasta entrado el Romanticismo. En el presente trabajo se señalan textos donde el tópico figura, con su permanencia y su variación.

Uma Abordagem ao Págico baseada no Processamento e Análise de Sintagmas dos Tópicos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ricardo Rodrigues

2012-04-01

Full Text Available Este artigo descreve a abordagem ao Págico seguida pelo sistema Rapportágico. Trata-se de uma abordagem centrada na indexação dos artigos da Wikipédia, na identificação de sintagmas nas frases dos tópicos dados, e no seu posterior processamento e análise, de forma a facilitar a correspondência entre tópicos e artigos que lhes possam servir de resposta. Os sintagmas facilitam a identificação de pequenas estruturas com diferentes papéis dentro da frase. Antes de serem utilizados para consulta, alguns sintagmas sofrem manipulações, como, por exemplo, a expansão das palavras que os constituem em palavras de significado semelhante (sinónimos. Embora haja ainda um longo caminho a percorrer, o sucesso da abordagem traduziu-se, em termos de resultados, na obtenção de uma pontuação com algum destaque entre todas as participações no Págico, especialmente naquelas automáticas.

Quantification of the CO2 emitted from volcanic lakes in Pico Island (Azores)

Science.gov (United States)

Andrade, César; Cruz, José; Viveiros, Fátima; Branco, Rafael

2017-04-01

This study shows the results of the diffuse CO2 degassing surveys performed in lakes from Pico volcanic Island (Azores archipelago, Portugal). Detailed flux measurements using the accumulation chamber method were made at six lakes (Capitão, Caiado, Paul, Rosada, Peixinho and Negra) during two field campaigns, respectively, in winter (February 2016) and late summer (September 2016). Pico is the second largest island of the Azores archipelago with an area of 444.8 km2; the oldest volcanic unit is dated from about 300,000 years ago. The edification of Pico was mainly due to Hawaiian and Strombolian type volcanic activity, resulting in pahoehoe and aa lava flows of basaltic nature, as well as scoria and spatter cones. Three main volcanic complexes are identified in the island, namely (1) the so-called Montanha Volcanic Complex, corresponding to a central volcano located in the western side of the island that reaches a maximum altitude of 2351 m, (2) the São Roque-Piedade Volcanic Complex, and (3) the Topo-Lajes Volcanic Complex, this last one corresponding to the remnants of a shield volcano located in the south coast. The studied lakes are spread along the São Roque-Piedade Volcanic Complex at altitudes between 785 m and 898 m. Three are associated with depressions of undifferentiated origin (Caiado, Peixinho, Negra), two with depressions of tectonic origin (Capitão, Paul), while Rosada lake is located inside a scoria cone crater. The lakes surface areas vary between 1.25x10-2 and 5.38x10-2 km2, and the water column maximum depth is 7.9 m (3.5-7.9 m). The water storage ranges between 3.6x104 to 9.1x104 m3, and the estimated residence time does not exceed 1.8x10-1 years. A total of 1579 CO2 flux measurements were made during both surveys (868 in summer and 711 in the winter campaign), namely 518 in Caiado lake (293; 225), 358 in Paul (195; 163), 279 in Capitão (150, 129), 200 in Rosada (106, 94), 171 in Peixinho (71, 100) and 53 measurements in Negra lake. Negra

Diagnóstico fenotípico de las inmunodeficiencias primarias en Antioquia, Colombia, 1994-2002.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Carlos Julio Montoya

2002-12-01

Full Text Available La infección recurrente es una causa frecuente de consulta médica y puede deberse a un grupo heterogéneo de trastornos que incrementan la susceptibilidad a los microorganismos patógenos y oportunistas, como las deficiencias inmunológicas subyacentes. Con el fin de definir un tratamiento racional oportuno y orientar el diagnóstico molecular de las inmunodeficiencias primarias, se estableció un programa para el diagnóstico fenotípico de estas enfermedades en el departamento de Antioquia (Colombia, que comprende un análisis clínico y de laboratorio de los individuos que presentan infecciones recurrentes de evolución anormal. Entre el 1 de agosto de 1994 y el 31 de julio de 2002 se hizo el diagnóstico fenotípico de inmunodeficiencia primaria en 98 pacientes. Similar a lo informado en la literatura especializada, en esta región las deficiencias predominantes de anticuerpos fueron las más frecuentes (40,8% seguidas por las deficiencias combinadas (21,4%. Esta caracterización fenotípica ha permitido iniciar rápidamente el tratamiento adecuado y, en algunos casos, comenzar los estudios funcionales y moleculares que conduzcan al diagnóstico molecular definitivo.

GM`s PICOS initiative on resource conservation and pollution prevention: Greening the supply chain

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pritchett, T. [General Motors Corp., Detroit, MI (United States)

1997-12-31

This paper is comprised of reprints of several related articles from business publications. The first article, on supply-side economics, describes efforts by General Motors to cut costs by encouraging suppliers to reduce the environmental impacts of their products. The PICOS{trademark} program of General Motors helps industrial identify and implement energy efficiency and pollution prevention projects that lower operating costs while reducing emissions linked to global climate change. The second article also describes the program, focusing on aspects of global competition.

Taphonomic and sedimentological aspects from PICOS II paleontological site, a quaternary pond deposit of Alagoas, Brazil

Science.gov (United States)

Asakura, Yumi; Silva, Jorge Luiz Lopes da; Silva, Ana Paula Lopes da; Silva, Elaine Pollyanne Alves da; Omena, Érica Cavalcante

2016-11-01

The Picos II Paleontological Site (PIIPS), located in the city of Piranhas, in Alagoas State, is a fossil deposit with a pond-like geomorphological feature, a kind of peculiar deposit for the Quaternary of Northeast Brazil. A detailed taphonomic study is presented about the PIIPS assemblage, from material collection to the laboratory analysis. The conservation state of the collected fossils in PIIPS is different from that found in other tank deposits, showing a high degree of specimen preservation. Two taxa of pleistocenic mammals have been identified: Eremotherium laurillardi and Notiomastodon platensis, and fragments of an avian bone, whose taxonomic identification was not possible. The taphonomic analysis indicates that the deposited material experienced a short transportation in high-energy event, with a short period of subaerial exposure before the final burial, where at least the final disarticulation occurred in situ, which explains the high conservation level of the material. The sedimentological analysis made in each layer of the deposit corroborates the information related to the transport of the material, which were obtained in taphonomic analysis. Regarding these aspects, PIIPS reflects nearly non-biased biocenotic patterns. The well-preserved material found in PIIPS demonstrates the great potential of deposits with pond-like geomorphological features, with sidelines that are less steep than traditional tanks, providing smoother transport and accommodation for skeletal elements, which is a distinguishing factor in preserving fossils of vertebrates.

Measure of robustness for complex networks

Science.gov (United States)

Youssef, Mina Nabil

Critical infrastructures are repeatedly attacked by external triggers causing tremendous amount of damages. Any infrastructure can be studied using the powerful theory of complex networks. A complex network is composed of extremely large number of different elements that exchange commodities providing significant services. The main functions of complex networks can be damaged by different types of attacks and failures that degrade the network performance. These attacks and failures are considered as disturbing dynamics, such as the spread of viruses in computer networks, the spread of epidemics in social networks, and the cascading failures in power grids. Depending on the network structure and the attack strength, every network differently suffers damages and performance degradation. Hence, quantifying the robustness of complex networks becomes an essential task. In this dissertation, new metrics are introduced to measure the robustness of technological and social networks with respect to the spread of epidemics, and the robustness of power grids with respect to cascading failures. First, we introduce a new metric called the Viral Conductance (VCSIS ) to assess the robustness of networks with respect to the spread of epidemics that are modeled through the susceptible/infected/susceptible (SIS) epidemic approach. In contrast to assessing the robustness of networks based on a classical metric, the epidemic threshold, the new metric integrates the fraction of infected nodes at steady state for all possible effective infection strengths. Through examples, VCSIS provides more insights about the robustness of networks than the epidemic threshold. In addition, both the paradoxical robustness of Barabasi-Albert preferential attachment networks and the effect of the topology on the steady state infection are studied, to show the importance of quantifying the robustness of networks. Second, a new metric VCSIR is introduced to assess the robustness of networks with respect

Reduced conservatism in stability robustness bounds by state transformation

Science.gov (United States)

Yedavalli, R. K.; Liang, Z.

1986-01-01

This note addresses the issue of 'conservatism' in the time domain stability robustness bounds obtained by the Liapunov approach. A state transformation is employed to improve the upper bounds on the linear time-varying perturbation of an asymptotically stable linear time-invariant system for robust stability. This improvement is due to the variance of the conservatism of the Liapunov approach with respect to the basis of the vector space in which the Liapunov function is constructed. Improved bounds are obtained, using a transformation, on elemental and vector norms of perturbations (i.e., structured perturbations) as well as on a matrix norm of perturbations (i.e., unstructured perturbations). For the case of a diagonal transformation, an algorithm is proposed to find the 'optimal' transformation. Several examples are presented to illustrate the proposed analysis.

Validación de dos algoritmos para la localización 3D del instrumental laparoscópico a partir de la imagen de vídeo endoscópico

OpenAIRE

Oropesa García, Ignacio; Sánchez González, Patricia; Morales Martín, Iñigo; Moyano Cuevas, J.L.; Sánchez Margallo, Francisco Miguel; Gómez Aguilera, Enrique J.

2012-01-01

Uno de los aspectos fundamentales en un sistema de cirugía guiada por imagen (CGI) es la localización del instrumental quirúrgico con respecto a la anatomía del paciente. Los sistemas basados en sensores ofrecen buenos niveles de precisión, pero son sensibles a distintas fuentes de ruido en el quirófano y contribuyen a la sobrecarga tecnológica del mismo. Una alternativa novedosa es analizar la imagen del vídeo endoscópico para llevar a cabo la detección y localización espacial del instrument...

Robust multivariate analysis

CERN Document Server

J Olive, David

2017-01-01

This text presents methods that are robust to the assumption of a multivariate normal distribution or methods that are robust to certain types of outliers. Instead of using exact theory based on the multivariate normal distribution, the simpler and more applicable large sample theory is given.  The text develops among the first practical robust regression and robust multivariate location and dispersion estimators backed by theory.   The robust techniques  are illustrated for methods such as principal component analysis, canonical correlation analysis, and factor analysis.  A simple way to bootstrap confidence regions is also provided. Much of the research on robust multivariate analysis in this book is being published for the first time. The text is suitable for a first course in Multivariate Statistical Analysis or a first course in Robust Statistics. This graduate text is also useful for people who are familiar with the traditional multivariate topics, but want to know more about handling data sets with...

Pico-level DNA sensing by hetero-polymetalate, Na10{Dy2W10O30(µ-S)6}·80H2O, cluster

Science.gov (United States)

Dutta, Taposhree; Ganguly, Jhuma; Sarkar, Sabyasachi

2018-04-01

The polyoxometalate dysprosium cluster, (Dy-S-W POM) , Na10[Dy2W10O30(µ-S)6]·80H2O, shows remarkable dsDNA denaturation property. In the presence of 0.22 µmol of this Dy-S-W POM, the melting temperature (Tm) of calf-thymus (CT) dsDNA is decreased to 62.35 °C. Dy-S-W POM shows bleaching of methylene blue (MB). Addition of CT-DNA in the MB bleached solution of Dy-S-W POM apparently intercalates MB. Such trapped MB by CT-DNA responds to its re-oxidation by elemental sulfur formed in the bleaching process involving Dy-S-W POM. This reduction-oxidation property of MB with Dy-S-W POM led to the detection of pico (13.20 pmol) level of DNA even by naked eye, which will be helpful for rapid trace DNA detection in forensic science and DNA-related diagnostics, complimenting time-consuming sophisticated methodology.

Germinomas cerebrais (teratomas atípicos da pineal Cerebral germinomas (atipical teratomas of the pineal region

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Alexandre Alencar

1981-12-01

Full Text Available São estudados três casos de germinomas cerebrais, sendo um tópico, da região pineal, e dois ectópicos, chamados germinomas supra-selares ou quiasmáticos. Estes últimos parecem ser mais agressivos que os seus congeneres tópicos, pois alem de se disseminarem pelas cisternas basais, costumam infiltrar as paredes do III ventrículo, fórnix, hipotálamo, nervos e quiasma ópticos. Caracteristicamente produzem um enorme aumento das proteínas liquóricas, desacompanhado de uma pleocitose proporcional. As proteínas liquóricas aumentadas sao globulinas cujas reações mostram-se fortemente positivas, possivelmente produzidas pelas celulas de aspecto linfocitario que constituem parte desta neoplasia. O aumento das proteinas liquoricas e tao acentuado que em presenca de uma crianca ou adolescente com sindrome de hipertensão intracraniana, hiperproteinoraquia sem pleocitose e sinais clínicos ou radiológicos sugestivos de localização na base do crânio a possibilidade de um germinoma quiasmático deve ser seriamente considerada, pois o quadro e muito sugestivo.Three cases of Cerebral Germinomas, one of them situated in the pineal region (topical and two ectopical of the so called suprasellar or chiasmal Germinomas are studied. These last ones may be more aggressive than the congeneral topical ones, since besides it's dissemination throughout the basal cisternas they usually infilstrate into de walls of the III Ventricle, Fornix, Hypothalamus, Chiasma and Optic nervs. A high level of proteins in the spinal fluid without proportional increase of the cells is characteristic. Globulins are the predominant fraction of the increased spinal fluid proteins, as indicated by the highly positive laboratory test. These globulins are possibly produced by the lymphocytes which are part of this neoplasm. The high level of protein in the spinal fluid without proportional increase of the cells, in the presence of intracranial syndrome in a child or

Review: Deciphering animal robustness. A synthesis to facilitate its use in livestock breeding and management.

Science.gov (United States)

Friggens, N C; Blanc, F; Berry, D P; Puillet, L

2017-12-01

As the environments in which livestock are reared become more variable, animal robustness becomes an increasingly valuable attribute. Consequently, there is increasing focus on managing and breeding for it. However, robustness is a difficult phenotype to properly characterise because it is a complex trait composed of multiple components, including dynamic elements such as the rates of response to, and recovery from, environmental perturbations. In this review, the following definition of robustness is used: the ability, in the face of environmental constraints, to carry on doing the various things that the animal needs to do to favour its future ability to reproduce. The different elements of this definition are discussed to provide a clearer understanding of the components of robustness. The implications for quantifying robustness are that there is no single measure of robustness but rather that it is the combination of multiple and interacting component mechanisms whose relative value is context dependent. This context encompasses both the prevailing environment and the prevailing selection pressure. One key issue for measuring robustness is to be clear on the use to which the robustness measurements will employed. If the purpose is to identify biomarkers that may be useful for molecular phenotyping or genotyping, the measurements should focus on the physiological mechanisms underlying robustness. However, if the purpose of measuring robustness is to quantify the extent to which animals can adapt to limiting conditions then the measurements should focus on the life functions, the trade-offs between them and the animal's capacity to increase resource acquisition. The time-related aspect of robustness also has important implications. Single time-point measurements are of limited value because they do not permit measurement of responses to (and recovery from) environmental perturbations. The exception being single measurements of the accumulated consequence of a

Robustness of Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Faber, Michael Havbro; Vrouwenvelder, A.C.W.M.; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2011-01-01

In 2005, the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS) together with Working Commission (WC) 1 of the International Association of Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) organized a workshop on robustness of structures. Two important decisions resulted from this workshop, namely...... ‘COST TU0601: Robustness of Structures’ was initiated in February 2007, aiming to provide a platform for exchanging and promoting research in the area of structural robustness and to provide a basic framework, together with methods, strategies and guidelines enhancing robustness of structures...... the development of a joint European project on structural robustness under the COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) programme and the decision to develop a more elaborate document on structural robustness in collaboration between experts from the JCSS and the IABSE. Accordingly, a project titled...

Monitoramento de interações farmacocinéticas entre plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos e os medicamentos convencionais pelo sistema de farmacovigilância brasileiro

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

André Luís Dias Araujo MAZZARI

2014-12-01

Full Text Available O consumo de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos está cada vez mais em expansão pelo mundo. Contudo, os fitoterápicos, como qualquer xenobiótico, podem causar alterações farmacocinéticas no organismo, ocasionando distúrbios nos metabolismos de fase 1 e fase 2, devido à inibição ou indução de enzimas metabólicas. Em caso de coadministração de plantas medicinais e/ou fitoterápicos com medicamentos convencionais, poderá haver interações que comprometem a eficácia do último, ocasionando uma falha terapêutica. Como ensaios pré-clínicos farmacocinéticos não são uma exigência regulatória para que um medicamento fitoterápico seja registrado, os casos de interações com fármacos convencionais (Herb-Drug Interactions - HDI acabam sendo revelados somente na fase de pós- -comercialização, ou seja, pelos sistemas de farmacovigilância. Inúmeros países já reportaram casos de HDI através de seus respectivos centros de farmacovigilância à Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS, mas até o momento, o Brasil não reportou nenhum oficialmente. Além disso, durante os primeiros 10 anos de monitoramento, nenhum caso de HDI envolvendo plantas medicinais brasileiras foi apresentado. Sabe-se que aproximadamente 90% da população brasileira fazem uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos, e que casos de HDI podem estar acontecendo sem serem percebidos e/ou notificados. Para que este cenário mude, é necessário que se adote medidas que visem ao estímulo do profissional de saúde à comunicação de suspeita de HDI para o centro de farmacovigilância, bem como a educação continuada destes profissionais, com a inclusão de especialistas em medicina tradicional no sistema de saúde, além de campanhas de prevenção à automedicação de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos pela população, que atualmente não é praticado no Brasil.

Prototype of a hybrid cosmic ray detector at the Pico de Orizaba: First stage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ponce, E.; Perez, E.; Villasenor, L.; Garipov, G.; Salazar, H.; Martinez, O.; Moreno, E.; Pedraza, I.; Cotzomi, J.; Khrenov, B.

2003-01-01

In this work we present a progress report of the project of a high energy cosmic ray observatory located at Pico de Orizaba mountain. One of the goals of this facility will be to contribute to the understanding of the origin of the cosmic rays at energies around the feature known as the knee. To achieve this goal we plan to use a hybrid detector composed of a surface detector array and a fluorescence telescope. The design and expected performance of the fluorescent detector is presented

Designing Robustness to Temperature in a Feedforward Loop Circuit

OpenAIRE

Sen, Shaunak; Kim, Jongmin; Murray, Richard M.

2013-01-01

Incoherent feedforward loops represent important biomolecular circuit elements capable of a rich set of dynamic behavior including adaptation and pulsed responses. Temperature can modulate some of these properties through its effect on the underlying reaction rate parameters. It is generally unclear how to design such a circuit where the properties are robust to variations in temperature. Here, we address this issue using a combination of tools from control and dynamical systems theory as wel...

A simple finite element method for linear hyperbolic problems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mu, Lin; Ye, Xiu

2017-01-01

Here, we introduce a simple finite element method for solving first order hyperbolic equations with easy implementation and analysis. Our new method, with a symmetric, positive definite system, is designed to use discontinuous approximations on finite element partitions consisting of arbitrary shape of polygons/polyhedra. Error estimate is established. Extensive numerical examples are tested that demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the method.

High resolution bone material property assignment yields robust subject specific finite element models of complex thin bone structures.

Science.gov (United States)

Pakdel, Amirreza; Fialkov, Jeffrey; Whyne, Cari M

2016-06-14

Accurate finite element (FE) modeling of complex skeletal anatomy requires high resolution in both meshing and the heterogeneous mapping of material properties onto the generated mesh. This study introduces Node-based elastic Modulus Assignment with Partial-volume correction (NMAP) as a new approach for FE material property assignment to thin bone structures. The NMAP approach incorporates point spread function based deblurring of CT images, partial-volume correction of CT image voxel intensities and anisotropic interpolation and mapping of CT intensity assignment to FE mesh nodes. The NMAP procedure combined with a derived craniomaxillo-facial skeleton (CMFS) specific density-isotropic elastic modulus relationship was applied to produce specimen-specific FE models of 6 cadaveric heads. The NMAP procedure successfully generated models of the complex thin bone structures with surface elastic moduli reflective of cortical bone material properties. The specimen-specific CMFS FE models were able to accurately predict experimental strains measured under in vitro temporalis and masseter muscle loading (r=0.93, slope=1.01, n=5). The strength of this correlation represents a robust validation for CMFS FE modeling that can be used to better understand load transfer in this complex musculoskeletal system. The developed methodology offers a systematic process-flow able to address the complexity of the CMFS that can be further applied to create high-fidelity models of any musculoskeletal anatomy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tension and robustness in multitasking cellular networks.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jeffrey V Wong

Full Text Available Cellular networks multitask by exhibiting distinct, context-dependent dynamics. However, network states (parameters that generate a particular dynamic are often sub-optimal for others, defining a source of "tension" between them. Though multitasking is pervasive, it is not clear where tension arises, what consequences it has, and how it is resolved. We developed a generic computational framework to examine the source and consequences of tension between pairs of dynamics exhibited by the well-studied RB-E2F switch regulating cell cycle entry. We found that tension arose from task-dependent shifts in parameters associated with network modules. Although parameter sets common to distinct dynamics did exist, tension reduced both their accessibility and resilience to perturbation, indicating a trade-off between "one-size-fits-all" solutions and robustness. With high tension, robustness can be preserved by dynamic shifting of modules, enabling the network to toggle between tasks, and by increasing network complexity, in this case by gene duplication. We propose that tension is a general constraint on the architecture and operation of multitasking biological networks. To this end, our work provides a framework to quantify the extent of tension between any network dynamics and how it affects network robustness. Such analysis would suggest new ways to interfere with network elements to elucidate the design principles of cellular networks.

Presença do pensamento utópico nos romances de Lima Barreto

OpenAIRE

Alice Atsuko Matsuda

2009-01-01

A presente tese teve como objetivo verificar como se configurou o pensamento utópico nos romances de Lima Barreto. Os romances analisados foram: Recordações do escrivão Isaías Caminha (1909), Triste fim de Policarpo Quaresma (1911 em folhetim e 1916 em livro), Numa e a ninfa (1915 em folhetim e 1917 em livro), Vida e morte de M. J. Gonzaga de Sá (1919), Clara dos Anjos (1948 – publicação póstuma). Partiu-se do pressuposto de que o romancista tinha uma postura de um romantismo revolucionário o...

Study of shift shock reduction of an automatic transmission using robust control; Robust seigyo wo mochiita ido hensokuki no hensoku shock teigen ni kansuru kenkyu

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oshima, K [JATCO Corp., Shizuoka (Japan); Totsuka, H; Sanada, K; Kitagawa, A [Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo (Japan)

1997-10-01

To effectively reduce shift shock of an Automatic Transmission, we designed a feed-back controller that manipulates the hydraulic pressure of a clutch and input torque, and also controls the turbine revolution and output torque. We used robust control theory to consider the fluctuation of hydraulic characteristics and friction elements, and verified the effect of the controller by simulation and experiment. 1 ref., 11 figs.

Soil CO2 Degassing Path along Volcano-Tectonic Structures in the Pico-Faial-São Jorge Islands (Azores Archipelago, Portugal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fátima Viveiros

2017-06-01

Full Text Available The Azores archipelago is composed of nine volcanic islands located at the triple junction between the North American, Eurasian, and Nubian plates. Nowadays the volcanic activity in the archipelago is characterized by the presence of secondary manifestations of volcanism, such as hydrothermal fumaroles, thermal and cold CO2-rich springs as well as soil diffuse degassing areas, and low magnitude seismicity. Soil CO2 degassing (concentration and flux surveys have been performed at Pico, Faial, and São Jorge islands to identify possible diffuse degassing structures. Since the settlement of the Azores in the fifteenth Century these three islands were affected by seven onshore volcanic eruptions and at least six destructive earthquakes. These islands are crossed by numerous active tectonic structures with dominant WNW-ESE direction, and less abundant conjugate NNW-SSE trending faults. A total of 2,855 soil CO2 concentration measurements have been carried out with values varying from 0 to 20.7 vol.%. Soil CO2 flux measurements, using the accumulation chamber method, have also been performed at Pico and Faial islands in the summer of 2011 and values varied from absence of CO2 to 339 g m−2 d−1. The highest CO2 emissions were recorded at Faial Island and were associated with the Pedro Miguel graben faults, which seem to control the CO2 diffuse degassing and were interpreted as the pathways for the CO2 ascending from deep reservoirs to the surface. At São Jorge Island, four main degassing zones have been identified at the intersection of faults or associated to WNW-ESE tectonic structures. Four diffuse degassing structures were identified at Pico Island essentially where different faults intersect. Pico geomorphology is dominated by a 2,351 m high central volcano that presents several steam emissions at its summit. These emissions are located along a NW-SE fault and the highest measured soil CO2 concentration reached 7.6 vol.% with a maximum

Uso tópico do inteferon alfa-2b para neoplasia escamosa da superficie ocular em um caso de paciente com xeroderma pigmentoso

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Nayara Queiroz Cardoso Pinto

Full Text Available Resumo Relato de um caso clínico de Xeroderma Pigmentoso com carcinoma espinocelular de conjuntiva bilateral que apresentou regressão importante das dimensões tumorais com o uso de Interferon alfa-2b tópico. Relato de caso: Paciente feminina com Xeroderma Pigmentoso em estágio avançado, com ausência de pele sadia, tendo sido submetida a cerca de 60 exéreses de lesões de pele malignas. A paciente compareceu com tumoração conjuntival em ambos os olhos, correspondendo a carcinoma espinocelular de conjuntiva e neoplasia intraepitelial de conjuntiva em olho esquerdo. Devido as dificuldades cirúrgicas, alta taxa de recidiva e elevada probabilidade de formação de simbléfaro foi-se iniciado terapêutica com Interferon alfa-2beta 1.000.000 unidades tópico, obtendo-se bons resultados com importante regressão do tamanho da lesão e resolução dos sintomas. Conclusão: O uso tópico de interferon alfa-2beta em neoplasia escamosa de conjuntiva, mostrou-se uma boa opção terapêutica em situações de elevado risco cirúrgico e de complicações pós operatórias.

Defining robustness protocols: a method to include and evaluate robustness in clinical plans

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McGowan, S E; Albertini, F; Lomax, A J; Thomas, S J

2015-01-01

We aim to define a site-specific robustness protocol to be used during the clinical plan evaluation process. Plan robustness of 16 skull base IMPT plans to systematic range and random set-up errors have been retrospectively and systematically analysed. This was determined by calculating the error-bar dose distribution (ebDD) for all the plans and by defining some metrics used to define protocols aiding the plan assessment. Additionally, an example of how to clinically use the defined robustness database is given whereby a plan with sub-optimal brainstem robustness was identified. The advantage of using different beam arrangements to improve the plan robustness was analysed. Using the ebDD it was found range errors had a smaller effect on dose distribution than the corresponding set-up error in a single fraction, and that organs at risk were most robust to the range errors, whereas the target was more robust to set-up errors. A database was created to aid planners in terms of plan robustness aims in these volumes. This resulted in the definition of site-specific robustness protocols. The use of robustness constraints allowed for the identification of a specific patient that may have benefited from a treatment of greater individuality. A new beam arrangement showed to be preferential when balancing conformality and robustness for this case. The ebDD and error-bar volume histogram proved effective in analysing plan robustness. The process of retrospective analysis could be used to establish site-specific robustness planning protocols in proton therapy. These protocols allow the planner to determine plans that, although delivering a dosimetrically adequate dose distribution, have resulted in sub-optimal robustness to these uncertainties. For these cases the use of different beam start conditions may improve the plan robustness to set-up and range uncertainties. (paper)

Defining robustness protocols: a method to include and evaluate robustness in clinical plans

Science.gov (United States)

McGowan, S. E.; Albertini, F.; Thomas, S. J.; Lomax, A. J.

2015-04-01

We aim to define a site-specific robustness protocol to be used during the clinical plan evaluation process. Plan robustness of 16 skull base IMPT plans to systematic range and random set-up errors have been retrospectively and systematically analysed. This was determined by calculating the error-bar dose distribution (ebDD) for all the plans and by defining some metrics used to define protocols aiding the plan assessment. Additionally, an example of how to clinically use the defined robustness database is given whereby a plan with sub-optimal brainstem robustness was identified. The advantage of using different beam arrangements to improve the plan robustness was analysed. Using the ebDD it was found range errors had a smaller effect on dose distribution than the corresponding set-up error in a single fraction, and that organs at risk were most robust to the range errors, whereas the target was more robust to set-up errors. A database was created to aid planners in terms of plan robustness aims in these volumes. This resulted in the definition of site-specific robustness protocols. The use of robustness constraints allowed for the identification of a specific patient that may have benefited from a treatment of greater individuality. A new beam arrangement showed to be preferential when balancing conformality and robustness for this case. The ebDD and error-bar volume histogram proved effective in analysing plan robustness. The process of retrospective analysis could be used to establish site-specific robustness planning protocols in proton therapy. These protocols allow the planner to determine plans that, although delivering a dosimetrically adequate dose distribution, have resulted in sub-optimal robustness to these uncertainties. For these cases the use of different beam start conditions may improve the plan robustness to set-up and range uncertainties.

Methods for robustness programming

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Olieman, N.J.

2008-01-01

Robustness of an object is defined as the probability that an object will have properties as required. Robustness Programming (RP) is a mathematical approach for Robustness estimation and Robustness optimisation. An example in the context of designing a food product, is finding the best composition

Robust, nonlinear, high angle-of-attack control design for a supermaneuverable vehicle

Science.gov (United States)

Adams, Richard J.

1993-01-01

High angle-of-attack flight control laws are developed for a supermaneuverable fighter aircraft. The methods of dynamic inversion and structured singular value synthesis are combined into an approach which addresses both the nonlinearity and robustness problems of flight at extreme operating conditions. The primary purpose of the dynamic inversion control elements is to linearize the vehicle response across the flight envelope. Structured singular value synthesis is used to design a dynamic controller which provides robust tracking to pilot commands. The resulting control system achieves desired flying qualities and guarantees a large margin of robustness to uncertainties for high angle-of-attack flight conditions. The results of linear simulation and structured singular value stability analysis are presented to demonstrate satisfaction of the design criteria. High fidelity nonlinear simulation results show that the combined dynamics inversion/structured singular value synthesis control law achieves a high level of performance in a realistic environment.

Contratos atípicos de las entidades descentralizadas del orden nacional sometidas al estatuto general de contratación de la administración pública

OpenAIRE

Ronderos Botero, Jorge Arturo

2012-01-01

La investigación aborda la problemática del contrato estatal atípico a partir de un marco teórico, con el fin de encontrar los contratos estales atípicos en la práctica pública, y a partir de allí realizar un análisis de su contenido de acuerdo al Estatuto General de Contratación de la Administración Pública. The investigation deals with the problems of atypical public contract from a theoretical framework, in order to find the atypical contracts in the public practice, and from there to c...

Dark matter search results from the PICO-60 {\mathrm{CF}}_3{I} bubble chamber

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amole, C.; Ardid, M.; Asner, D. M.; Baxter, D.; Behnke, E.; Bhattacharjee, P.; Borsodi, H.; Bou-Cabo, M.; Brice, S. J.; Broemmelsiek, D.; Clark, K.; Collar, J. I.; Cooper, P. S.; Crisler, M.; Dahl, C. E.; Daley, S.; Das, M.; Debris, F.; Dhungana, N.; Fallows, S.; Farine, J.; Felis, I.; Filgas, R.; Girard, F.; Giroux, G.; Grandison, A.; Hai, M.; Hall, J.; Harris, O.; Jin, M.; Krauss, C. B.; Lafrenière, M.; Laurin, M.; Lawson, I.; Levine, I.; Lippincott, W. H.; Mann, E.; Maurya, D.; Mitra, P.; Neilson, R.; Noble, A. J.; Plante, A.; Podviianiuk, R. B.; Priya, S.; Ramberg, E.; Robinson, A. E.; Rucinski, R.; Ruschman, M.; Scallon, O.; Seth, S.; Simon, P.; Sonnenschein, A.; Štekl, I.; Vázquez-Jáuregui, E.; Wells, J.; Wichoski, U.; Zacek, V.; Zhang, J.; Shkrob, I. A.

2016-03-01

New data are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 36.8 kg of CF3I and located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. PICO-60 is the largest bubble chamber to search for dark matter to date. With an analyzed exposure of 92.8 livedays, PICO-60 exhibits the same excellent background rejection observed in smaller bubble chambers. Alpha decays in PICO-60 exhibit frequency-dependent acoustic calorimetry, similar but not identical to that reported recently in a C3F8 bubble chamber. PICO-60 also observes a large population of unknown background events, exhibiting acoustic, spatial, and timing behaviors inconsistent with those expected from a dark matter signal. These behaviors allow for analysis cuts to remove all background events while retaining 48.2% of the exposure. Stringent limits on weakly interacting massive particles interacting via spin-dependent proton and spin-independent processes are set, and most interpretations of the DAMA/LIBRA modulation signal as dark matter interacting with iodine nuclei are ruled out.

Robustness of Structural Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Canisius, T.D.G.; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard; Baker, J.W.

2007-01-01

The importance of robustness as a property of structural systems has been recognised following several structural failures, such as that at Ronan Point in 1968,where the consequenceswere deemed unacceptable relative to the initiating damage. A variety of research efforts in the past decades have...... attempted to quantify aspects of robustness such as redundancy and identify design principles that can improve robustness. This paper outlines the progress of recent work by the Joint Committee on Structural Safety (JCSS) to develop comprehensive guidance on assessing and providing robustness in structural...... systems. Guidance is provided regarding the assessment of robustness in a framework that considers potential hazards to the system, vulnerability of system components, and failure consequences. Several proposed methods for quantifying robustness are reviewed, and guidelines for robust design...

Active Robust Control of Elastic Blade Element Containing Magnetorheological Fluid

Science.gov (United States)

Sivrioglu, Selim; Cakmak Bolat, Fevzi

2018-03-01

This research study proposes a new active control structure to suppress vibrations of a small-scale wind turbine blade filled with magnetorheological (MR) fluid and actuated by an electromagnet. The aluminum blade structure is manufactured using the airfoil with SH3055 code number which is designed for use on small wind turbines. An interaction model between MR fluid and the electromagnetic actuator is derived. A norm based multi-objective H2/H∞ controller is designed using the model of the elastic blade element. The H2/H∞ controller is experimentally realized under the impact and steady state aerodynamic load conditions. The results of experiments show that the MR fluid is effective for suppressing vibrations of the blade structure.

Finite element formulation for a digital image correlation method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sun Yaofeng; Pang, John H. L.; Wong, Chee Khuen; Su Fei

2005-01-01

A finite element formulation for a digital image correlation method is presented that will determine directly the complete, two-dimensional displacement field during the image correlation process on digital images. The entire interested image area is discretized into finite elements that are involved in the common image correlation process by use of our algorithms. This image correlation method with finite element formulation has an advantage over subset-based image correlation methods because it satisfies the requirements of displacement continuity and derivative continuity among elements on images. Numerical studies and a real experiment are used to verify the proposed formulation. Results have shown that the image correlation with the finite element formulation is computationally efficient, accurate, and robust

Robustness in laying hens

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Star, L.

2008-01-01

The aim of the project ‘The genetics of robustness in laying hens’ was to investigate nature and regulation of robustness in laying hens under sub-optimal conditions and the possibility to increase robustness by using animal breeding without loss of production. At the start of the project, a robust

VERDADE E FICÇÃO EM TEXTOS UTÓPICOS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bento Itamar Borges

2007-12-01

Full Text Available Considerados do ponto de vista da teoria literária, os textos filosóficos que tratam explicitamente da política caem sobretudo sob os gêneros do tratado e do ensaio, mas, indiretamente, a teoria política sofre a influência das utopias, literárias ou experimentadas de fato. A validade de um tratado – e certamente também da enviesada crítica da economia política – depende do método que o sustenta, ao passo que no ensaio pesam as credenciais daquele que emite uma opinião. Por fim, cabe questionar o que significa o requisito da verdade nos textos utópicos, que variam da nostalgia ao sonho: o passado seria objeto da cronologia, que averiguaria a ocorrência de ilhas e paraísos, mas é muito difícil avaliar enunciados contrafatuais e sobre eventos futuros. A literatura sabe lidar com a ficção, enquanto a filosofia quer salvar pelo menos a crítica da pólis em seu momento presente.

Design of a quasi-flat linear permanent magnet generator for pico-scale wave energy converter in south coast of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Science.gov (United States)

Azhari, Budi; Prawinnetou, Wassy; Hutama, Dewangga Adhyaksa

2017-03-01

Indonesia has several potential ocean energies to utilize. One of them is tidal wave energy, which the potential is about 49 GW. To convert the tidal wave energy to electricity, linear permanent magnet generator (LPMG) is considered as the best appliance. In this paper, a pico-scale tidal wave power converter was designed using quasi-flat LPMG. The generator was meant to be applied in southern coast of Yogyakarta, Indonesia and was expected to generate 1 kW output. First, a quasi-flat LPMG was designed based on the expected output power and the wave characteristic at the placement site. The design was then simulated using finite element software of FEMM. Finally, the output values were calculated and the output characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that the designed power plant was able to produce output power of 725.78 Wp for each phase, with electrical efficiency of 64.5%. The output characteristics of the LPMG: output power would increase as the average wave height or wave period increases. Besides, the efficiency would increase if the external load resistance increases. Meanwhile the output power of the generator would be maximum at load resistance equals 11 Ω.

El sistema entrópico de movilidad cotidiana en la zona metropolitana de Bogotá

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Óscar A. Alfonso R.

2013-06-01

Full Text Available La deseconomía fundamental de las grandes aglomeraciones metropolitanas es el incremento sostenido y significativo en los tiempos de viaje en que a diario incurren sus habitantes. Puesto que una porción de la energía consumida en la movilidad cotidiana no se traduce necesariamente en riqueza individual ni colectiva, los sistemas presentan rasgos entrópicos que, tal como se analiza para el caso de Bogotá, no cuentan con una institucionalidad metropolitana con la capacidad para reorientarlo.

Design optimization of a robust sleeve antenna for hepatic microwave ablation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Prakash, Punit; Webster, John G; Deng Geng; Converse, Mark C; Mahvi, David M; Ferris, Michael C

2008-01-01

We describe the application of a Bayesian variable-number sample-path (VNSP) optimization algorithm to yield a robust design for a floating sleeve antenna for hepatic microwave ablation. Finite element models are used to generate the electromagnetic (EM) field and thermal distribution in liver given a particular design. Dielectric properties of the tissue are assumed to vary within ± 10% of average properties to simulate the variation among individuals. The Bayesian VNSP algorithm yields an optimal design that is a 14.3% improvement over the original design and is more robust in terms of lesion size, shape and efficiency. Moreover, the Bayesian VNSP algorithm finds an optimal solution saving 68.2% simulation of the evaluations compared to the standard sample-path optimization method

Estudo bibliográfico sobre o uso das plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos no Brasil

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Claudia Sarmento Gadelha

2013-12-01

Full Text Available A utilização da natureza para fins terapêuticos é tão antiga quanto a civilização humana e, por muito tempo, produtos minerais, de plantas e animais foram fundamentais para a área da saúde. Historicamente, as plantas medicinais são importantes como fitoterápicos e na descoberta de novos fármacos, estando no reino vegetal a maior contribuição de medicamentos. É crescente o uso da fitoterapia como prática médica integrativa em diversos países, inclusive no Brasil. A utilização de plantas medicinais tem como facilitadores a grande diversidade vegetal e o baixo custo associado à terapêutica, o que vem despertando a atenção dos programas de assistência à saúde e profissionais. No Brasil, cerca de 82% da população brasileira utiliza produtos à base de plantas medicinais nos seus cuidados com a saúde, seja pelo conhecimento tradicional na medicina tradicional indígena, quilombola, entre outros povos e comunidades tradicionais, seja pelo uso popular na medicina popular, de transmissão oral entre gerações, ou nos sistemas oficiais de saúde, como prática de cunho científico, orientada pelos princípios e diretrizes do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS. É uma prática que incentiva o desenvolvimento comunitário, a solidariedade e a participação social. O objetivo do trabalho foi fazer um levantamento bibliográfico sobre plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos usados pela população. Foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico com o intuito de obter informações de cunho científico sobre o uso de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos. Com o estudo realizado pode-se perceber que é de fundamental importância da formação/qualificação dos profissionais de saúde para que melhor atendam as necessidades da população além de ampliar investimento em pesquisas que melhorem os conhecimentos sobre o tema estudado.

SOCP relaxation bounds for the optimal subset selection problem applied to robust linear regression

OpenAIRE

Flores, Salvador

2015-01-01

This paper deals with the problem of finding the globally optimal subset of h elements from a larger set of n elements in d space dimensions so as to minimize a quadratic criterion, with an special emphasis on applications to computing the Least Trimmed Squares Estimator (LTSE) for robust regression. The computation of the LTSE is a challenging subset selection problem involving a nonlinear program with continuous and binary variables, linked in a highly nonlinear fashion. The selection of a ...

Pico Reentry Probes: Affordable Options for Reentry Measurements and Testing

Science.gov (United States)

Ailor, William H.; Kapoor, Vinod B.; Allen, Gay A., Jr.; Venkatapathy, Ethiraj; Arnold, James O.; Rasky, Daniel J.

2005-01-01

It is generally very costly to perform in-space and atmospheric entry experiments. This paper presents a new platform - the Pico Reentry Probe (PREP) - that we believe will make targeted flight-tests and planetary atmospheric probe science missions considerably more affordable. Small, lightweight, self-contained, it is designed as a "launch and forget" system, suitable for experiments that require no ongoing communication with the ground. It contains a data recorder, battery, transmitter, and user-customized instrumentation. Data recorded during reentry or space operations is returned at end-of-mission via transmission to Iridium satellites (in the case of earth-based operations) or a similar orbiting communication system for planetary missions. This paper discusses possible applications of this concept for Earth and Martian atmospheric entry science. Two well-known heritage aerodynamic shapes are considered as candidates for PREP: the shape developed for the Planetary Atmospheric Experiment Test (PAET) and that for the Deep Space II Mars Probe.

Traços estereotípicos associados a pessoas jovens e idosas em Portugal

OpenAIRE

Marques, Sibila; Lima, Maria Luísa; Novo, Rosa

2006-01-01

O objectivo geral deste trabalho foi o de recolher os atributos estereotípicos do grupo das pessoas jovens e idosas em Portugal. Foi conduzido um estudo em que se procedeu ao controlo do sexo dos alvos e da pertença etária dos participantes. Na primeira fase do estudo, 67 pessoas jovens e 85 pessoas idosas realizaram uma tarefa de geração espontânea de traços culturalmente associados a pessoas jovens e idosas de ambos os sexos. No segunda fase do estudo, 62 pessoas jovens e 62 pes...

Perfil de utilização de fitoterápicos em farmácias comunitárias de Belo Horizonte sob a influência da legislação nacional

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

A.Q. Ribeiro

Full Text Available Um panorama do consumo de fitoterápicos em farmácias comunitárias de Belo Horizonte (MG é utilizado neste artigo como instrumento para analisar a influência da legislação nacional sobre este mercado. Para tal, foram entrevistados indivíduos que adquiriram fitoterápicos nos estabelecimentos farmacêuticos visitados. Observa-se que, na mesma nação detentora da maior biodiversidade do planeta e privilegiada por uma cultura popular conhecedora das propriedades terapêuticas das plantas, existe uma tendência de mercado para a utilização de plantas exóticas, oriundas de países desenvolvidos. A influência da legislação brasileira de fitoterápicos, que prima pela qualidade, eficácia e segurança desses medicamentos, mas que, ao mesmo tempo, tende a proscrever as drogas nativas que fazem parte da medicina popular brasileira, é discutida nesse trabalho. Verifica-se, assim, a pertinência de se discutir o perfil de usuário de fitoterápicos à luz das normas de registro desses fármacos no país no campo da saúde pública, tendo em vista que essa legislação repercute nas estratégias e/ou empecilhos para aumentar o acesso a medicamentos pela população.

Robust Growth Determinants

OpenAIRE

Doppelhofer, Gernot; Weeks, Melvyn

2011-01-01

This paper investigates the robustness of determinants of economic growth in the presence of model uncertainty, parameter heterogeneity and outliers. The robust model averaging approach introduced in the paper uses a flexible and parsi- monious mixture modeling that allows for fat-tailed errors compared to the normal benchmark case. Applying robust model averaging to growth determinants, the paper finds that eight out of eighteen variables found to be significantly related to economic growth ...

An effective, robust and parallel implementation of an interior point algorithm for limit state optimization

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Dollerup, Niels; Jepsen, Michael S.; Frier, Christian

2014-01-01

A robust and effective finite element based implementation of lower bound limit state analysis applying an interior point formulation is presented in this paper. The lower bound formulation results in a convex optimization problem consisting of a number of linear constraints from the equilibrium...

Imunodepressão induzida por talidomida e ciclosporina em transplante cardíaco heterotópico de coelho

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João Batista Vieira de Carvalho

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: A talidomida, por seus efeitos antiinflamatórios e imunodepressores, tem sido utilizada no tratamento de doenças dermatológicas e na doença enxerto-contra-hospedeiro no transplante de medula óssea. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar a ação deste medicamento como imunodepressor em transplante de órgãos, estudando sua ação isoladamente ou em combinação com a ciclosporina na prevenção da rejeição ao aloenxerto cardíaco heterotópico em coelho. MÉTODO: Foram utilizados 50 coelhos, sendo 25 doadores e 25 receptores.Os animais receptores foram subdivididos em cinco grupos (n= 5 : Grupo I (controle animais não-imunodeprimidos; Grupo II (imunodeprimidos com ciclosporina na dose de 10 mg/kg/dia; Grupo III (imunodeprimidos com talidomida na dose de 100 mg/kg/dia; Grupo IV (imunodeprimidos com ciclosporina na dose de 5,0 mg/kg/dia e Grupo V (imunodeprimidos com ciclosporina na dose de 5,0 mg/kg/dia associada a talidomida na dose de 50 mg/kg/dia. Os medicamentos foram administrados através de cateter orogástrico, a partir do dia anterior ao transplante. RESULTADOS: O coração do doador foi implantado no abdome dos receptores. A associação de talidomida e ciclosporina apresentou o menor escore histopatológico de rejeição (p < 0,05. Observou-se que a talidomida empregada isoladamente ou associada à ciclosporina foi efetiva contra a rejeição, aumentando a sobrevida (p < 0,01 de animais submetidos ao transplante cardíaco heterotópico em posição abdominal. CONCLUSÕES: A talidomida empregada isoladamente, ou associada à ciclosporina, pode representar uma opção de imunodepressão em transplantes cardíaco heterotópico experimental de coelho.

Habilidades comunicativas verbais no desenvolvimento típico de linguagem: relato de caso

OpenAIRE

Abe, Camila Mayumi; Bretanha, Andreza Carolina; Bozza, Amanda; Ferraro, Gyovanna Junya Klinke; Lopes-Herrera, Simone Aparecida

2013-01-01

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar as habilidades comunicativas verbais utilizadas por crianças com desenvolvimento típico de linguagem de 6 a 8 anos de idade. Participaram deste estudo 10 crianças de ambos os gêneros na faixa etária de 6 a 8 anos, sem alterações de linguagem. Foi gravada uma amostra de interação de cada criança com um adulto (pai e/ou mãe) em vídeo com 30 minutos de duração. As gravações foram transcritas na íntegra e analisadas pela pesquisadora e por outra fonoaudióloga tr...

Efeito de bioterápico na eosinofilia durante a SLMV experimental

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Luciana Camillo

2014-09-01

Full Text Available O Toxocara canis (Tc é um parasito pertencente ao filo Nematódeo que possui como hospedeiro definitivo os cães, O homem é hospedeiro paratênico e contamina-se acidentalmente ao ingerir ovos contendo larvas infectantes (L3 do parasito, as quais são liberadas e atravessam a mucosa intestinal, atingem a circulação, Durante este processo migratório, antígenos de excreção e secreção (TES são liberados provocando intensa reação inflamatória, do tipo Th2, caracterizando a síndrome, denominada Larva Migrans Visceral (SLMV, As principais características desta doença crônica são as eosinofilias sanguínea e tecidual persistentes, Desse modo, torna-se importante a busca por terapias que contribuam com a redução dos quadros inflamatórios com intensa eosinofilia, Assim, o uso deste bioterápico, produzido a partir do extrato antigênico de ovos e larvas de (Tc, e seu efeito no recrutamento de leucócitos totais, células mononucleares e eosinófilos no sangue, para o espaço broncoalveolar e para a cavidade peritoneal de camundongos infectados pelo (Tc foi investigado, Foram utilizados camundongos fêmeas (Swiss, divididos nos grupos: Controle (C, Infectado (Tc, Imunizado (Im+Tc e Tratado (Tc+Bio, Os animais Tc, Im+Tc e Tc+Bio receberam 500 ovos/animal por gavagem, Posteriormente, os animais foram eutanasiados no 18º dia da infecção e o número das células nos compartimentos foi determinado, Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que, Im+Tc, assim como nos Tc+Bio tiveram redução significativa dessas células nos compartimentos analisados quando comparados grupo Tc, Assim, sugeriu-se que a bioterapia modulou negativamente o recrutamento de células inflamatórias, principalmente eosinófilos no sangue, pulmão e intestino demonstrando um potencial anti-inflamatório desse bioterápico na SLMV experimental.

Obtención de materiales con comportamiento tixotrópico mediante

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Prado, J. M.

2005-12-01

Full Text Available The thixotropic behavior of a material is associated to the coexistence of a liquid and a solid phase in suitable proportions so that the mixture does not crumble. In these conditions, the slurry is relatively insensible to shear stresses, being able to deform itself very easily. In this work, a thixotropic material formed by an alloy 63%Sn-37%Pb (which acts as the union agent or liquid phase, and a determined percentage of copper particles (which act as the solid phase will be elaborated. This mixture is made by means of mechanical agitation at 250° C when the Sn-Pb alloy is in the liquid state. The work includes the preparation of slurries with different percentages of Cu in the interval from 10 to 50% in weight (the Cu particles being both spherical and irregular morphology. The material obtained was characterized by optical and Scanning Electron Microscope.El comportamiento tixotrópico de un material está asociado a la coexistencia de fases líquida y sólida en las proporciones adecuadas para que la mezcla no se desmorone. En estas condiciones, la mezcla es relativamente insensible a esfuerzos de cizalladura pudiendo deformarse muy fácilmente. En este trabajo, se plantea la elaboración de un material tixotrópico a partir de un compuesto, formado por una aleación 63 % Sn-37 % Pb (que actuará como el agente ligante o fase líquida, al que se añade un porcentaje determinado de partículas de cobre (que actúan de fase sólida. Para ello, se realiza la mezcla de las partículas de cobre con la aleación Sn-Pb en estado líquido a 250 °C por medio de agitación mecánica. El trabajo comprendió la preparación de diversos porcentajes de mezcla, en un intervalo entre 10 y 50 % en peso de cobre (de morfología tanto esférica como irregular. El material así obtenido se caracterizó por medio de microscopía óptica y electrónica de barrido.

ENGELS, Friedrich. Do socialismo utópico ao socialismo científico. Tradução de Rubens Eduardo Frias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Centauro, 2005. 98 p.

OpenAIRE

Angélica Lima Melo; Clodomir Cordeiro de Matos Júnior

2015-01-01

Friedrich Engels nasceu em Barmen, Renânia, em 1820, e faleceu no ano de 1895. O autor e colaborador de Marx foi um dos teóricos que fundamentou o materialismo dialético enquanto fator condicionante da transformação histórico-social. Desse modo, podemos refletir a partir da obra “Do Socialismo Utópico ao Socialismo Científico” sobre as importantes contribuições da corrente de socialistas utópicos, assim como as conjunturas sociais que foram desencadeadas devido às influências dessa corrente....

Utilização das ferramentas JIT, MRP II e OPT como estratégia na redução de custos em indústria de fitoterápicos

OpenAIRE

Barretto, André Renato; Unesp - Universidade Estadual Paulista

2013-01-01

RESUMO Seguindo uma nova tendência mundial, o segmento farmacêutico passa a reforçar seus investimentos na área de tecnologia de industrialização do natural, ou seja, o fitoterápico. O uso de produtos fitoterápicos  tem apresentado uma crescente expansão, devido ao seu potencial de prevenção e com menos efeitos colaterais. Para que essas indústrias alcancem vantagem competitiva, é primordial a adoção de ferramentas como Just in Time, Manufacturing Resources Planning e Optimized Production ...

Systematic review of topic treatment for venous ulcers Revisión sistemática del tratamiento tópico de la úlcera venosa Revisão sistemática do tratamento tópico da úlcera venosa

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Eline Lima Borges

2007-12-01

Full Text Available Venous ulcer patients can experience this situation for several years without achieving healing if treatment is inadequate. Evidence-based professional practice generates effective results for patients and services. This research aimed to carry out a systematic review to assess the most effective method to improve venous return and the best topic treatment for these ulcers. Studies were collected in eight databases, using the following descriptors: leg ulcer, venous ulcer and similar terms. The sample consisted of 33 primary studies and two Meta-analyses. A wide range of treatments was identified, grouped in compression therapy (54.3% and topical treatment (45.7%. It was evidenced that compression therapy increases ulcer healing rates and should be used in patients with intact arteries. There is no consensus about the best topical treatment, although different options should be associated with compression therapy.Pacientes con úlcera venosa pueden convivir con esta situación durante varios años, sin obtener la cicatrización de la herida caso el tratamiento no sea adecuado. La práctica profesional basada en evidencias produce resultados efectivos para el paciente y para los servicios. La finalidad del estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática para evaluar el método más eficaz para mejorar el retorno venoso y el mejor tratamiento tópico de la úlcera. Se buscaron estudios indexados en ocho bases de datos, mediante los descriptores úlcera de pierna, úlcera venosa y similares. La muestra incluyó 33 estudios primarios y 2 estudios de metanálisis. Se identificó una diversidad de tratamientos que fueron agrupados en terapia compresiva (54,3% y tratamiento tópico (45,7%. Fue evidenciado que la terapia compresiva aumenta la tasa de cicatrización de la úlcera y que debe ser usado en pacientes sin comprometimiento arterial. No queda claro cual es la mejor terapia tópica. Sin embargo, las diferentes opciones deben ser asociadas a la

Topic utilization of sesquiterpene lactone from Milleria quinqueflora on treatment of bothropic envenomation in rabbits Uso tópico da lactona sesquiterpênica de Milleria quinqueflora no tratamento local da pele de coelhos após envenenamento botrópico experimental

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M.M. Melo

2005-08-01

Full Text Available Estudou-se o efeito terapêutico da lactona sesquiterpênica (SL, 4,15-Epoxy-miller-9-Z-enolide, na lesão local do envenenamento botrópico experimental. Utilizaram-se três grupos de coelhos inoculados com 1.0µg de veneno de Bothrops alternatus e tratados com solução NaCl (0,85% (grupo I, SL diluída em glicerol (0,5% (grupo II e SL diluída em vaselina (0,5% (grupo III. Todos os animais foram avaliados nos tempos 30min e 1, 2, 24, 30, 48, 54, 72, 96, 120 e 148h quanto ao grau de edema, diâmetro do halo hemorrágico e presença de necrose local. Os animais do grupo II apresentaram os menores valores de grau de edema e halo hemorrágico com desaparecimento em 54h. Apesar de a necrose ter ocorrido em todos os animais, o diâmetro também foi menor no grupo II, quando comparado com os outros grupos. A SL, extraída da Milleria quinqueflora, possui efeito antiinflamatório, que é importante no tratamento local do envenenamento botrópico.

Robustness of structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Vrouwenvelder, T.; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2009-01-01

After the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in 2001 and a number of collapses of structural systems in the beginning of the century, robustness of structural systems has gained renewed interest. Despite many significant theoretical, methodical and technological advances, structural...... of robustness for structural design such requirements are not substantiated in more detail, nor have the engineering profession been able to agree on an interpretation of robustness which facilitates for its uantification. A European COST action TU 601 on ‘Robustness of structures' has started in 2007...... by a group of members of the CSS. This paper describes the ongoing work in this action, with emphasis on the development of a theoretical and risk based quantification and optimization procedure on the one side and a practical pre-normative guideline on the other....

Análise cromatográfica de fitoterápicos a base de espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia

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Michele Debiasi Alberton

Full Text Available Na análise por CCD de fitoterápicos à base de espinheira-santa (Maytenus ilicifolia Martius ex Reissek (Celastraceae, dentre oito amostras analisadas, em apenas três delas foi identificada a presença de M.ilicifolia. Nas cinco amostras restantes, foram identificadas a presença de Zollernia ilicifolia e Sorocea bonplandii, duas espécies adulterantes. Em apenas uma das oito amostras foi constatada a ausência dos adulterantes citados.

Atividade Experimental como Proposta de Formação de Aprendizagem Significativa no Tópico de Estudo de Soluções no Ensino Médio

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Francisco Alberto Saraiva

2017-05-01

Full Text Available Como parte da dissertação em Ensino de Ciências e Matemática (ECM, o presente artigo investiga especificamente, indícios de Aprendizagem Significativa (AS no ensino e aprendizagem em Química no tópico Estudo de Soluções (ES adotando Atividade Experimental (AE. Para coleta de dados, foram aplicadas questões após as aulas teóricas e atividade experimental a estudantes do 2° ano do Ensino Médio de uma escola pública do Ceará. A análise dos dados leva a concluir que a AE, na abordagem do tópico de ES, contribui para aprendizagem significativa, pois os estudantes apresentaram evolução em suas respostas.

Robust Solar Position Sensor for Tracking Systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ritchie, Ewen; Argeseanu, Alin; Leban, Krisztina Monika

2009-01-01

The paper proposes a new solar position sensor used in tracking system control. The main advantages of the new solution are the robustness and the economical aspect. Positioning accuracy of the tracking system that uses the new sensor is better than 1°. The new sensor uses the ancient principle...... of the solar clock. The sensitive elements are eight ordinary photo-resistors. It is important to note that all the sensors are not selected simultaneously. It is not necessary for sensor operating characteristics to be quasi-identical because the sensor principle is based on extreme operating duty measurement...... (bright or dark). In addition, the proposed solar sensor significantly simplifies the operation of the tracking control device....

Efecto de los inotrópicos sobre la mortalidad en falla cardiaca aguda. Metaanálisis en red de ensayos clínicos

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Juan M. Sénior

2017-09-01

Discusión: no hay diferencias en el uso de inotrópicos como dobutamina, levosimendán o milrinone en términos del desenlace de mortalidad, así que su utilización dependerá de otras consideraciones.

Robustness of Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2008-01-01

This paper describes the background of the robustness requirements implemented in the Danish Code of Practice for Safety of Structures and in the Danish National Annex to the Eurocode 0, see (DS-INF 146, 2003), (DS 409, 2006), (EN 1990 DK NA, 2007) and (Sørensen and Christensen, 2006). More...... frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure combined with increased requirements to efficiency in design and execution followed by increased risk of human errors has made the need of requirements to robustness of new structures essential....... According to Danish design rules robustness shall be documented for all structures in high consequence class. The design procedure to document sufficient robustness consists of: 1) Review of loads and possible failure modes / scenarios and determination of acceptable collapse extent; 2) Review...

Luxación rotuliana, tratamiento fisioterápico. Revisión bibliográfica narrativa.

OpenAIRE

Álvarez Bengoechea, Clara

2017-01-01

La luxación rotuliana es una lesión musculoesquelética muy frecuente entre jóvenes y deportistas que puede producir dolor e impotencia funcional. Su tratamiento puede ser quirúrgico o conservador siendo este último el de primera elección y destacando dentro de él, el tratamiento fisioterápico. Con este trabajo fin de grado se ha realizado una revisión bibliográfica narrativa con los objetivos de revisar todo lo publicado en relación a la luxación rotuliana y su tratamiento e identificar y ana...

Dynamics robustness of cascading systems.

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Jonathan T Young

2017-03-01

Full Text Available A most important property of biochemical systems is robustness. Static robustness, e.g., homeostasis, is the insensitivity of a state against perturbations, whereas dynamics robustness, e.g., homeorhesis, is the insensitivity of a dynamic process. In contrast to the extensively studied static robustness, dynamics robustness, i.e., how a system creates an invariant temporal profile against perturbations, is little explored despite transient dynamics being crucial for cellular fates and are reported to be robust experimentally. For example, the duration of a stimulus elicits different phenotypic responses, and signaling networks process and encode temporal information. Hence, robustness in time courses will be necessary for functional biochemical networks. Based on dynamical systems theory, we uncovered a general mechanism to achieve dynamics robustness. Using a three-stage linear signaling cascade as an example, we found that the temporal profiles and response duration post-stimulus is robust to perturbations against certain parameters. Then analyzing the linearized model, we elucidated the criteria of when signaling cascades will display dynamics robustness. We found that changes in the upstream modules are masked in the cascade, and that the response duration is mainly controlled by the rate-limiting module and organization of the cascade's kinetics. Specifically, we found two necessary conditions for dynamics robustness in signaling cascades: 1 Constraint on the rate-limiting process: The phosphatase activity in the perturbed module is not the slowest. 2 Constraints on the initial conditions: The kinase activity needs to be fast enough such that each module is saturated even with fast phosphatase activity and upstream changes are attenuated. We discussed the relevance of such robustness to several biological examples and the validity of the above conditions therein. Given the applicability of dynamics robustness to a variety of systems, it

Robust and distributed hypothesis testing

CERN Document Server

Gül, Gökhan

2017-01-01

This book generalizes and extends the available theory in robust and decentralized hypothesis testing. In particular, it presents a robust test for modeling errors which is independent from the assumptions that a sufficiently large number of samples is available, and that the distance is the KL-divergence. Here, the distance can be chosen from a much general model, which includes the KL-divergence as a very special case. This is then extended by various means. A minimax robust test that is robust against both outliers as well as modeling errors is presented. Minimax robustness properties of the given tests are also explicitly proven for fixed sample size and sequential probability ratio tests. The theory of robust detection is extended to robust estimation and the theory of robust distributed detection is extended to classes of distributions, which are not necessarily stochastically bounded. It is shown that the quantization functions for the decision rules can also be chosen as non-monotone. Finally, the boo...

Padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol em profissionais de Enfermagem

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Siomara Tavares Fernandes Yamaguti

2015-12-01

Full Text Available RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a frequência de profissionais de enfermagem de unidades hospitalares com alteração no padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol. Método Foram incluídos 56 profissionais de enfermagem randomicamente selecionados, alocados nas unidades ambulatório, clínica médica, clínica cirúrgica, centro cirúrgico, pronto socorro infantil e adulto, unidade de terapia intensiva adulto e pediátrica de um hospital universitário. Para avaliação do padrão diurno de secreção de cortisol foram coletadas amostras de saliva em dois dias úteis consecutivos de trabalho. Resultados 42,5% dos profissionais de enfermagem apresentaram padrão atípico de secreção de cortisol. Além disso, quanto maior o tempo de trabalho na profissão, maior a concentração de cortisol (r=0,346; p=0,020. Conclusão Mais de um terço da amostra de profissionais de enfermagem apresentou padrões atípicos de secreção de cortisol, sugerindo que estes profissionais podem estar expostos a uma sobrecarga não apenas mental, mas biológica, estando expostos ao risco para o adoecimento por doenças relacionadas ao estresse.

Robustness Property of Robust-BD Wald-Type Test for Varying-Dimensional General Linear Models

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Xiao Guo

2018-03-01

Full Text Available An important issue for robust inference is to examine the stability of the asymptotic level and power of the test statistic in the presence of contaminated data. Most existing results are derived in finite-dimensional settings with some particular choices of loss functions. This paper re-examines this issue by allowing for a diverging number of parameters combined with a broader array of robust error measures, called “robust- BD ”, for the class of “general linear models”. Under regularity conditions, we derive the influence function of the robust- BD parameter estimator and demonstrate that the robust- BD Wald-type test enjoys the robustness of validity and efficiency asymptotically. Specifically, the asymptotic level of the test is stable under a small amount of contamination of the null hypothesis, whereas the asymptotic power is large enough under a contaminated distribution in a neighborhood of the contiguous alternatives, thus lending supports to the utility of the proposed robust- BD Wald-type test.

Lowest order Virtual Element approximation of magnetostatic problems

Science.gov (United States)

Beirão da Veiga, L.; Brezzi, F.; Dassi, F.; Marini, L. D.; Russo, A.

2018-04-01

We give here a simplified presentation of the lowest order Serendipity Virtual Element method, and show its use for the numerical solution of linear magneto-static problems in three dimensions. The method can be applied to very general decompositions of the computational domain (as is natural for Virtual Element Methods) and uses as unknowns the (constant) tangential component of the magnetic field $\\mathbf{H}$ on each edge, and the vertex values of the Lagrange multiplier $p$ (used to enforce the solenoidality of the magnetic induction $\\mathbf{B}=\\mu\\mathbf{H}$). In this respect the method can be seen as the natural generalization of the lowest order Edge Finite Element Method (the so-called "first kind N\\'ed\\'elec" elements) to polyhedra of almost arbitrary shape, and as we show on some numerical examples it exhibits very good accuracy (for being a lowest order element) and excellent robustness with respect to distortions.

Cuidado y mantenimiento del instrumental quirúrgico laparoscópico

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Mery Susana Rodríguez Gamboa

2018-01-01

Full Text Available Este artículo busca explicar la importancia de un adecuado mantenimiento y cuidado del instrumental laparoscópico en la realización de cirugías de varios tipos. Debido a las características específicas de este tipo de instrumental como su delicadeza, sus dimensiones (milímetros, su composición (mezcla de materiales, su alto costo, entre otras; se requiere un cuidado permanente en todas las etapas en que se los utiliza. Si no se brinda un cuidado óptimo en todas las etapas del proceso quirúrgico (antes, durante y después de la cirugía, el instrumental no cumplirá con la duración esperada y se generaran inconvenientes para el centro médico, el personal y los pacientes. Por lo tanto, capacitar al personal que maneja este instrumental y establecer normas para su uso y cuidado, debe ser indispensable en todas las casas de salud; para garantizar su duración y buen funcionamiento.

Active and passive damping based on piezoelectric elements -controllability issues-

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Holterman, J.; de Vries, Theodorus J.A.; van Amerongen, J.; Jonker, Jan B.; Jonker, J.B.

2001-01-01

Piezoelectric elements are widely used for damping micro-vibrations in mechanical structures. Active damping can be realised robustly by means of collocated actuator-sensor-pairs, controlled so as to extract vibration energy. Excellent damping performance is possible as long as sufficient

Robust Circle Detection Using Harmony Search

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Jaco Fourie

2017-01-01

Full Text Available Automatic circle detection is an important element of many image processing algorithms. Traditionally the Hough transform has been used to find circular objects in images but more modern approaches that make use of heuristic optimisation techniques have been developed. These are often used in large complex images where the presence of noise or limited computational resources make the Hough transform impractical. Previous research on the use of the Harmony Search (HS in circle detection showed that HS is an attractive alternative to many of the modern circle detectors based on heuristic optimisers like genetic algorithms and simulated annealing. We propose improvements to this work that enables our algorithm to robustly find multiple circles in larger data sets and still work on realistic images that are heavily corrupted by noisy edges.

On the Robustness of Poverty Predictors

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Arndt, Channing; Nhate, Virgulino; Silva, Patricia Castro Da

Monitoring of poverty requires timely household budget data. However, such data are not available as frequently as needed for policy purposes. Recently, statistical methods have emerged to predict poverty overtime by combining detailed household consumption and expenditure data with more frequent...... data collected from other surveys. In this paper we compare poverty predictions for Mozambique using different source data to test the robustness of the predicted poverty statistics. A critical element in this exercise of predicting poverty overtime is the stability of the parameters that determine...... household consumption. We find that the assumption of stable consumption determinants does not hold for Mozambique during the time period examined. We also examine what drives the resulting predicted poverty statistics. The paper then considers the policy implications of these findings for Mozambique...

Final Report of the Project "From the finite element method to the virtual element method"

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Manzini, Gianmarco [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); Gyrya, Vitaliy [Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

2017-12-20

The Finite Element Method (FEM) is a powerful numerical tool that is being used in a large number of engineering applications. The FEM is constructed on triangular/tetrahedral and quadrilateral/hexahedral meshes. Extending the FEM to general polygonal/polyhedral meshes in straightforward way turns out to be extremely difficult and leads to very complex and computationally expensive schemes. The reason for this failure is that the construction of the basis functions on elements with a very general shape is a non-trivial and complex task. In this project we developed a new family of numerical methods, dubbed the Virtual Element Method (VEM) for the numerical approximation of partial differential equations (PDE) of elliptic type suitable to polygonal and polyhedral unstructured meshes. We successfully formulated, implemented and tested these methods and studied both theoretically and numerically their stability, robustness and accuracy for diffusion problems, convection-reaction-diffusion problems, the Stokes equations and the biharmonic equations.

Tipos polínicos encontrados em amostras de méis de Apis mellifera em Picos, Estado do Piauí Pollinic types found in honey samples of Apis mellifera from Picos, State of Piaui

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Geni da Silva Sodré

2008-06-01

Full Text Available Com o objetivo de determinar os tipos polínicos de méis produzidos por Apis mellifera L., 1758, no município de Picos, Estado do Piauí, foram realizadas análises polínicas de 35 amostras de méis coletadas entre novembro e dezembro de 2001 no Laboratório de Apicultura do Departamento de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zoologia Agrícola da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", Universidade de São Paulo. A identificação dos tipos polínicos foi realizada por meio de descrições obtidas em literatura especializada. Os resultados demonstraram que foram encontrados 36 tipos polínicos, distribuídos em 18 famílias botânicas, sendo consideradas como pólen dominante Piptadenia sp. (Mimosaceae, Mimosa caesalpiniiaefolia Benth. (Mimosaceae, M. verrucosa Benth. (Mimosaceae e Croton urucurana Baill. (Euphorbiaceae.This research deals with the pollinic types of honeys produced by Apis mellifera L., 1758 in the municipality of Picos, State of Piaui were determined in the Laboratory of Apiculture, Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Agricultural Zoology, College of Agriculture ‘Luiz de Queiroz', University of São Paulo, in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, pollinic analysis of 36 honey samples collected in November and December of 2001. The identification of e pthollinic made by types was specialized literature. The results showed that 36 types of pollen were found, distributed in 18 botanical families, and the following plant species were considered as dominant Piptadenia sp. (Mimosaceae, Mimosa caesalpiniiaefolia Benth. (Mimosaceae, M. verrucosa Benth. (Mimosaceae and Croton urucurana Baill. (Euphorbiaceae.

Robust mixed finite element methods to deal with incompressibility in finite strain in an industrial framework

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Al-Akhrass, Dina

2014-01-01

Simulations in solid mechanics exhibit several difficulties, as dealing with incompressibility, with nonlinearities due to finite strains, contact laws, or constitutive laws. The basic motivation of our work is to propose efficient finite element methods capable of dealing with incompressibility in finite strain context, and using elements of low order. During the three last decades, many approaches have been proposed in the literature to overcome the incompressibility problem. Among them, mixed formulations offer an interesting theoretical framework. In this work, a three-field mixed formulation (displacement, pressure, volumetric strain) is investigated. In some cases, this formulation can be condensed in a two-field (displacement - pressure) mixed formulation. However, it is well-known that the discrete problem given by the Galerkin finite element technique, does not inherit the 'inf-sup' stability condition from the continuous problem. Hence, the interpolation orders in displacement and pressure have to be chosen in a way to satisfy the Brezzi-Babuska stability conditions when using Galerkin approaches. Interpolation orders must be chosen so as to satisfy this condition. Two possibilities are considered: to use stable finite element satisfying this requirement, or to use finite element that does not satisfy this condition, and to add terms stabilizing the FE Galerkin formulation. The latter approach allows the use of equal order interpolation. In this work, stable finite element P2/P1 and P2/P1/P1 are used as reference, and compared to P1/P1 and P1/P1/P1 formulations stabilized with a bubble function or with a VMS method (Variational Multi-Scale) based on a sub-grid-space orthogonal to the FE space. A finite strain model based on logarithmic strain is selected. This approach is extended to three and two field mixed formulations with stable or stabilized elements. These approaches are validated on academic cases and used on industrial cases. (author)

Image-converter diagnostics of laser and laser plasma in pico-femtosecond region

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Schelev, M.Ya.

1979-01-01

In the present communication we would like to outline some new trends in development of pico-femtosecond image-converter diagnostics for laser and laser plasma research on the basis of the recent works done in P.N.Lebedev Physical Institute. The discussion of the following subjects will be included: new generation of picosecond image-converter tubes (ICT), pulsed control circuitry, late prototype of picosecond image-converter cameras (ICC), test installation consisting of Nd: glass and YAG lasers for production the ultra-short pulses and sinusoidally modulated radiation, methods and techniques for image tube and camera dynamic measurements in IR, visible and X-ray spectral regions. Also discussed are the image processing technique for pictures taken with picosecond ICC in order to correct the geometrical distortions, enhance pictures quality and evaluate parameters of the input signals through their recorded images. (author)

Simple robust technique using time delay estimation for the control and synchronization of Lorenz systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jin, Maolin; Chang, Pyung Hun

2009-01-01

This work presents two simple and robust techniques based on time delay estimation for the respective control and synchronization of chaos systems. First, one of these techniques is applied to the control of a chaotic Lorenz system with both matched and mismatched uncertainties. The nonlinearities in the Lorenz system is cancelled by time delay estimation and desired error dynamics is inserted. Second, the other technique is applied to the synchronization of the Lue system and the Lorenz system with uncertainties. The synchronization input consists of three elements that have transparent and clear meanings. Since time delay estimation enables a very effective and efficient cancellation of disturbances and nonlinearities, the techniques turn out to be simple and robust. Numerical simulation results show fast, accurate and robust performance of the proposed techniques, thereby demonstrating their effectiveness for the control and synchronization of Lorenz systems.

Robustness Beamforming Algorithms

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Sajad Dehghani

2014-04-01

Full Text Available Adaptive beamforming methods are known to degrade in the presence of steering vector and covariance matrix uncertinity. In this paper, a new approach is presented to robust adaptive minimum variance distortionless response beamforming make robust against both uncertainties in steering vector and covariance matrix. This method minimize a optimization problem that contains a quadratic objective function and a quadratic constraint. The optimization problem is nonconvex but is converted to a convex optimization problem in this paper. It is solved by the interior-point method and optimum weight vector to robust beamforming is achieved.

Preliminary characterization of an alpine karst aquifer in a complex geological setting using the KARSYS approach. Picos de Europa, North Spain

Science.gov (United States)

Ballesteros, Daniel; Malard, Arnauld; Jeannin, Pierre-Yves; Jiménez-Sánchez, Montserrat; García-Sansegundo, Joaquín; Meléndez, Mónica; Sendra, Gemma

2013-04-01

Research applied to karst aquifers linked to a homogeneous limestone in high mountain areas affected by several tectonic events is a hard task, due to methodological constraints and the uncertainties of the geological data. The KARSYS approach (Jeannin et al. 2012) is based on the combination of existing geological data and basic principles of karst hydraulic, allowing for characterizing the geometry of an aquifer considering a smaller amount of data than other methods. The Picos de Europa (North Spain) is an alpine karst massif with a surface area of 700 km2, peaks up to 2,648 m and fluvial gorges up to 2,000 m deep, including about 270 km of cave passage. The bedrock is mainly composed of Ordovician quartzite covered by massive Carboniferous limestone and is affected by two systems of thrusts and other faults. The most of the geological structures are from Variscan orogeny (Carboniferous in age), some of them could be originated or modified during the Permian-Mesozoic extensional episode, and the others were originated or reactivated during the Alpine Orogeny. Therefore, the Picos de Europa can be considered as a complex geological environment in which usual hydrogeological methods are difficult to use. The aim of this study is to characterize the geometry of the Picos de Europa aquifers applying the KARSYS approach. The approach includes: 1) the identification of aquifer and aquiclude formations; 2) the inventory of the main springs; 3) the establishment of a 3D geological model, focused on the aquifer boundaries; 4) the implementation of the hydraulic features within the 3D model and the delineation of the karst system. The main aquifer of the Picos de Europa is developed within the Carboniferous limestone and displays a complex geometry generally limited and divided into several unconfined groundwater bodies by Ordovician to Carboniferous rocks related to the thrusts. The lowest limit of the aquifer is marked by the N-dipping detachment level of the thrusts

Sistemas agrosilvopastoriles: una alternativa de desarrollo rural sustentable para el trópico mexicano

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M. Á. Musálem

2002-01-01

Full Text Available Se presenta algunas definiciones de agroforestería, los conceptos y características y la importancia y perspectivas en México. Además, se describe brevemente algunos de los sistemas más importantes en las regiones templadas, tropicales y áridas de México. Así mismo, se ejemplifica con algunos esquemas producto de la investigación reciente aplicados en la región tropical de Puebla y Veracruz y en la zona templada del Estado de México. Así mismo, se enfatiza la aplicación de los sistemas agrosilvopastoriles en las fincas de los pequeños productores en el trópico de México.

Preconditioning for Mixed Finite Element Formulations of Elliptic Problems

KAUST Repository

Wildey, Tim; Xue, Guangri

2013-01-01

In this paper, we discuss a preconditioning technique for mixed finite element discretizations of elliptic equations. The technique is based on a block-diagonal approximation of the mass matrix which maintains the sparsity and positive definiteness of the corresponding Schur complement. This preconditioner arises from the multipoint flux mixed finite element method and is robust with respect to mesh size and is better conditioned for full permeability tensors than a preconditioner based on a diagonal approximation of the mass matrix. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.

Robustness Analyses of Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard; Hald, Frederik

2013-01-01

The robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest arising from a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. In order to minimise the likelihood of such disproportionate structural failures, many mo...... with respect to robustness of timber structures and will discuss the consequences of such robustness issues related to the future development of timber structures.......The robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest arising from a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. In order to minimise the likelihood of such disproportionate structural failures, many...... modern building codes consider the need for the robustness of structures and provide strategies and methods to obtain robustness. Therefore, a structural engineer may take necessary steps to design robust structures that are insensitive to accidental circumstances. The present paper summaries issues...

Prevalência de eczema atópico e sintomas relacionados entre estudantes Prevalence of atopic eczema and associated symptoms in school children

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Inês C Camelo-Nunes

2004-02-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência de eczema atópico e de sintomas relacionados entre estudantes da região centro-sul da cidade de São Paulo, em 1996 e 1999. MÉTODOS: Em 1996 e 1999, o questionário escrito do International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC foi aplicado aos pais de crianças com 6-7 anos (3.005 em 1996 e 3.033 em 1999 e a adolescentes de 13-14 anos (3.008 em 1996 e 3.487 em 1999. Para o ISAAC: a o relato de eczema alguma vez indica que, pelo menos uma vez na vida, foi fornecido por um médico o diagnóstico de eczema atópico, sendo utilizado para definir "diagnóstico médico" b o relato concomitante de lesões no último ano evidenciadas em locais característicos constitui o "critério combinado" para o diagnóstico de eczema atópico e foi, também, utilizado por nós. Os dados obtidos foram transcritos no banco de dados Epi-Info 6.0 e analisados. RESULTADOS: No grupo dos 6-7 anos houve redução significante do "diagnóstico médico" de eczema atópico em 1999 (11,4% em comparação a 1996 (13,2%. O aumento da prevalência de "diagnóstico médico" observado em 1999, entre os adolescentes, não foi significante (14% x 15%. Considerando-se o "critério combinado", não houve diferenças significantes, entre 1996 e 1999, em ambos os grupos (6,6% x 6,8% para crianças de 6-7 anos e 3,7% x 4,4% para adolescentes. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do aumento da prevalência das doenças atópicas em várias partes do mundo, documentamos redução na prevalência de "diagnóstico médico" de eczema atópico entre crianças de 6 a 7 anos. Contudo, o eczema atópico é doença relevante na população pediátrica.OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and associated symptoms in schoolchildren from the city of São Paulo in 1996 and 1999. METHODS: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC written questionnaire was applied to the parents of 6 to 7-year-old children in 1996 and

Aspectos clínicos endoscópicos, relacionados con la diverticulosis de colon. Las Tunas, enero 2011 – diciembre 2012

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Liem Fonseca Chong

2015-12-01

Full Text Available Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de series de casos, en el Hospital “Dr. Ernesto Guevara de la Serna” de Las Tunas, con el objetivo de caracterizar los aspectos clínicos endoscópicos de la diverticulosis del colon, en el periodo comprendido desde enero 2011 a diciembre 2012. El universo quedó constituido por todos los pacientes a los que se les realizó colonoscopia, y la muestra por todos los pacientes con diagnóstico endoscópico de enfermedad diverticular. Para la obtención de los datos primarios se revisaron los expedientes clínicos de 101 pacientes con esta enfermedad, efectuando un cuestionario, en el cual se recogieron, analizaron y tabularon las variables, utilizando como medida de resumen el porcentaje. Se procesaron los datos y se interpretaron los resultados, concluyendo que en el grupo de pacientes estudiados predominaron las mujeres de más de 65 años, con dolor abdominal como síntoma principal y las hemorroides, como enfermedad que más se asoció a esta padecimiento, siendo el colon sigmoides el más afectado.

Um mundo metafísico nos trópicos

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Else Ribeiro Pires Vieira

2008-04-01

Full Text Available A fonte torna-se a estrela inatingível e pura que, sem se deixar contaminar, contamina, brilha para os artistas dos países da América Latina... ilumina os movimentos das mãos, mas ao mesmo tempo torna os artistas súditos do seu magnetismo superior.. Silviano Santiago, Uma literatura nos trópicos Afastando-me do discurso crítico em torno das influências e do caráter tributário a ele inerente, sobre o qual nos adverte Santiago já em ensaio de 1971,1 afastando-me, igualmente, de Polarizações hierarquizadas como fonte/alvo, situando-me na fronteira fluida do transformar de escritas/reescritas e nela privilegiando áreas de permeabilidade entre os discursos e o seu jogo relacional, ofereço, neste texto, reflexões em torno da poesia metafísica inglesa traduzida entre 1978 e 1991 na sua interseção com outras produções textuais brasileiras no período de início da abertura política, gestação e nascimento da Nova República2 . Traduzir a Inglaterra, ler o Brasil. O que se traduz? Quem se traduz? Por que se traduz? Como se traduz?

Luis Buñuel: trascendiendo el tópico

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Dr. Manuel Carlos Fernández Sánchez

2001-01-01

Full Text Available En 1900 nace el cineasta Luis Buñuel en Calanda, Aragón. En el año 2000 se celebró en distintos ámbitos cinematográficos y televisivos de todo el mundo el centenario de su nacimiento. Festivales de cine, cadenas de televisión por satélite u onda hertziana, periódicos y revistas se hacen eco de la enorme trascendencia del lenguaje cinematográfico buñueliano. Este estudio sobre la última de sus películas rodada en Andalucía, concretamente en Sevilla, pretende aportar un nuevo análisis sobre esta obra que trascendió el tópico andaluz.ABSTRACIn 1900 the film director Luis Buñuel is born in Calanda, Aragón. In 2000, it took place the centennial of his birth in different film and television environments in all over the world. The transcendency of film languaje used by Buñuel has been anlysed in cinema festivals, television, newspapers and magazines. This study, focus on his last movies filmed in Andalusia, concretely in Seville, it seeks to contribute with a new analysis on this work that transcended the Andalusian topic.

Changes in Al and Fe associated with amorphous soil minerals over one year after a wildfire at Pico Cho Marcial (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

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J. Notario

2013-05-01

Full Text Available Amorphous-linked Al, Fe and Si were determined both in burned and unburnt soil samples after a wildfire close to Pico Cho Marcial (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain that affected 7.1 ha of high mountain Teide broom scrub along four successive samplings held in September 2003 (three months after the wildfire, February 2004, June 2004 and October 2004. Soils in the area are Lithic Xerorthents, with a scarcely developed AC-type profile. The chemical elements under study were extracted using selective dissolutions (0.2M acid ammonium oxalate and 0.1N sodium pyrophosphate, and determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. The average contents of total amorphous Al (oxalate-extractable and organo-metallic complexes-bound Al (pyrophosphate extractable were significantly higher in burned samples along the study. Also, the oxalate-extractable Al varied significantly along the different samplings, and so consequently did the Alp:Alox ratio. A progressive decrease in the Al:Si ratio in allophanes was also found throughout the study period. No differences were found for oxalate-extractable Fe, either between sample groups or samplings, which was also applicable to the (Alox+0.5Feox percentage.

Láser de monóxido de carbono : Estudio espectroscópico del sistema Angstrom

OpenAIRE

Schinca, Daniel Carlos

1985-01-01

En el presente trabajo se intenta resumir la labor desarrollada en láseres gaseosos de moléculas diatómicas de excitación pulsada, particularmente en lo que respecta a láseres de monóxido de carbono de geometría axial. De esta manera, se realiza un detallado análisis espectroscópico tanto de la salida láser de las bandas de emisión del Sistema Angstrom como de la emisión espontánea de las mismas bajo diferentes condiciones experimentales. Es sabido que la molécula de monóxido de car...

Tratamento artroscópico do impacto femoroacetabular Arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement

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Giancarlo C. Polesello

2009-06-01

Full Text Available OBJETIVOS: O propósito deste estudo é avaliar os resultados em curto prazo do tratamento artroscópico do impacto femoroacetabular. A hipótese é a de que os resultados do tratamento artroscópico são favoráveis. MÉTODOS: Entre agosto de 2003 e agosto de 2007, 28 quadris foram submetidos ao tratamento do impacto femoroacetabular pela via artroscópica. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 34 anos, com média de seguimento de 27 meses. Quanto à melhora clínica, os pacientes foram avaliados pré e pósoperatoriamente pelo Harris Hip Score (HHS modificado por Byrd. Os pacientes foram avaliados pré e pós-operatoriamente em relação à rotação interna do quadril acometido. Os valores obtidos nos índices acima foram analisados estatisticamente através do método de Wilcoxon para a avaliação de variáveis não paramétricas. RESULTADOS: O Harris Hip Score médio pré-operatório foi de 54,2 e o pós-operatório, de 94,8 (p OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the short-term follow-up results of arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Our hypothesis is that arthroscopic treatment results are favorable. METHODS: Between August 2003 and August 2007, 28 hips had femoroacetabular impingement treated by hip arthroscopy. The mean age was 34 years, with mean follow-up period of 27 months. Clinical results were graded with the modified Harris hip score, which was measured pre-and postoperatively. Patients had also their internal rotation analyzed. These parameters were calculated by using Wilcoxon's t test for analysis of nonparametric paired samples performed. RESULTS: The mean preoperative Harris Hip Score was 54.2, improving to 94.8 postoperatively (p<0,001. The mean increase was 37.5 points. We had 4 good results (15% and 24 excellent results (85%. Preoperatively, the patients had a mean internal rotation of 17º, and, postoperatively, 36º. The average internal rotation increase was 19º (p<0,001. CONCLUSIONS

International Conference on Robust Statistics

CERN Document Server

Filzmoser, Peter; Gather, Ursula; Rousseeuw, Peter

2003-01-01

Aspects of Robust Statistics are important in many areas. Based on the International Conference on Robust Statistics 2001 (ICORS 2001) in Vorau, Austria, this volume discusses future directions of the discipline, bringing together leading scientists, experienced researchers and practitioners, as well as younger researchers. The papers cover a multitude of different aspects of Robust Statistics. For instance, the fundamental problem of data summary (weights of evidence) is considered and its robustness properties are studied. Further theoretical subjects include e.g.: robust methods for skewness, time series, longitudinal data, multivariate methods, and tests. Some papers deal with computational aspects and algorithms. Finally, the aspects of application and programming tools complete the volume.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO FISIOGRÁFICA E SOCIOECONÔMICA DO MUNICÍPIO DE PICOS/PI: potencialidades, limitações e vulnerabilidades

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Albert Isaac Gomes Viana

2017-10-01

Con el intenso uso de los recursos naturales por parte de la sociedad, hay la creación o una mayor nitidez de las potencialidades, limitaciones y vulnerabilidades de determinada área. Delante de eso, el municipio de Picos tiene características fisiográficas y socioeconómicas que requieren un estudio científico e integrador de estos elementos (sociedad y naturaleza, proporcionando un retrato de la realidad local, lo que posibilita (reconocer e instigar estudios sobre variadas temáticas. De esta forma, el objetivo presentado es identificar y analizar las potencialidades, las limitaciones y las vulnerabilidades (en relación a los aspectos fisiográficos y socioeconómicos del municipio de Picos/Piauí. Para tal, se hizo uso de levantamiento bibliográfico, documental, teórico-conceptual y cartográfico, actividades de campo, acceso a sitios institucionales y de noticias, además del uso de aparato de GPS, cámara fotográfica, cuaderno de campo y de herramientas de QGis ArcGis y del Google Earth Pro. A través del estudio se constataron las siguientes fragilidades, vulnerabilidades y limitaciones: apropiación irregular del relieve e impactos ambientales, los aspectos educativos, culturales, religiosos, de infraestructura y de disponibilidad de los recursos naturales. Partiendo del principio de que la ocupación humana y sus actividades están íntimamente relacionadas principalmente con la necesidad de recursos naturales y la antropización de ambientes es necesario, ante el estudio realizado, implantar políticas específicas para disminuir los riesgos a que la población picoense es expuesta y sus vulnerabilidades asociadas, así como promover mecanismos de sustentación y mejora de los puntos que se han encontrado como potencialidad. Palabras clave: Caracterización Fisiográfica y Socioeconómica; Potenciales; Limitaciones y Vulnerabilidades; Picos/PI.

Gastrostomia de incisão única como alternativa para o procedimento endoscópico

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Ricardo Zorrón

Full Text Available OBJETIVO: A gastrostomia, realizada para possibilitar acesso nutricional ou descompressão, é comumente realizada por via endoscópica, por radiologia intervencionista, e, mais raramente, por via cirúrgica através de videolaparoscopia ou incisão mediana supra-umbilical. Os métodos endoscópico e radiológico, apesar de estabelecidos em muitos centros, não constituem rotina em hospitais comunitários pela necessidade de pessoal qualificado e material descartável, sendo usualmente realizada a gastrostomia cirúrgica com incisão mediana e anestesia geral. A Gastrostomia de Incisão Única descrita neste trabalho é um novo método cirúrgico menos invasivo, que foi desenvolvido para ser realizado sob anestesia local, com uma única incisão e sem necessidade de equipamento especial. MÉTODO: Quinze pacientes elegíveis para gastrostomia por diferentes indicações foram operados sob anestesia local. Após incisão subcostal de 1cm sobre o músculo reto abdominal esquerdo, uma área de parede gástrica era localizada, com ajuda de azul de metileno injetado no estômago, e exteriorizada através da incisão. Duas suturas em bolsa eram realizadas e a sonda gástrica introduzida. O estômago era fixado à aponeurose, resultando em uma gastrostomia de incisão única, segura e bem fixada. Alimentação pôde ser iniciada através da gastrostomia em 24 a 48hs. RESULTADOS: Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à técnica com sucesso. Complicações menores ocorreram em três pacientes: um apresentou alargamento do estoma, necessitando de sutura local adicional, e em outro, ocorreu deiscência parcial de mucosa que foi tratada conservadoramente. Em um terceiro paciente, houve lesão iatrogênica de cólon transverso, que foi suturada sem intercorrências. O tempo operatório médio foi de 49,4 min, e a introdução de alimentação foi de 34,3 hs em média. Não houve falha na instituição de dieta com esta técnica, nem complicações maiores como

Robust Scientists

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Gorm Hansen, Birgitte

their core i nterests, 2) developing a selfsupply of industry interests by becoming entrepreneurs and thus creating their own compliant industry partner and 3) balancing resources within a larger collective of researchers, thus countering changes in the influx of funding caused by shifts in political...... knowledge", Danish research policy seems to have helped develop politically and economically "robust scientists". Scientific robustness is acquired by way of three strategies: 1) tasting and discriminating between resources so as to avoid funding that erodes academic profiles and push scientists away from...

Formulación de productos nutroterápicos de interés social aptos para tratamientos hospitalarios

OpenAIRE

Galán, María Gimena

2016-01-01

La nutrición enteral es la administración de nutrientes a cualquier nivel del tubo digestivo de fórmulas enterales (FE), y tiene por objetivo reducir la morbi-mortalidad asociada a malnutrición en pacientes que no pueden, no deben o no quieren consumir los alimentos por las vías convencionales. El principal inconveniente de las FE comerciales es su elevado costo, que en muchas ocasiones lleva a restringir su uso. El objetivo general de la propuesta fue desarrollar productos nutroterápicos con...

Embarazo ectópico tubárico roto posterior a esterilización quirúrgica (Ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy after surgical sterilization

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ismael Suárez Torres

2014-07-01

Full Text Available Resumen (español La esterilización tubárica quirúrgica es un método comúnmente utilizado de anticoncepción. Aunque el embarazo después de la esterilización es poco común, este puede ocurrir y cuando esto ocurre existe un riesgo substancial de convertirse en un embarazo ectópico. Se presenta el caso un embarazo ectópico posterior a la esterilización quirúrgica tubárica en una paciente de 38 años, V gesta, III paras, I cesárea, con antecedentes de uso de dispositivos intrauterinos por varios años antes de la salpingectomía realizada 12 meses antes durante la cesárea, quien consultó por presentar marcada palidez cutáneo-mucosa, retraso menstrual y dolor abdominal de fuerte intensidad. Durante la laparotomía ambas trompas estaban separadas en dos porciones. La porción terminal de la trompa derecha se observó la presencia de una tumoración compatible con un embarazo ectópico tubárico roto. Abstract (english Surgical tubal sterilization is a commonly used method of contraception. Although pregnancy after sterilization is uncommon, when it occurs, there is a substantial risk that it will be an ectopic pregnancy. We report a case of ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy following surgical tubal sterilization in a 38 years-old patient, gravida V, para III, cesarean I, with history of intrauterine device use for many years before salpingectomy performed 12 months before during cesarean section, who consulted for presenting menstrual delay and severe abdominal pain. During laparotomy both tubes were separated in two portions. There was observed in terminal portion of right tube the presence of a tumor compatible with ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Discovery and cross-section measurement of neutron-rich isotopes in the element range from neodymium to platinum with the FRS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kurcewicz, J.; Farinon, F.; Geissel, H.; Pietri, S.; Nociforo, C.; Prochazka, A.; Weick, H.; Winfield, J.S.; Estradé, A.; Allegro, P.R.P.; Bail, A.; Bélier, G.; Benlliure, J.; Benzoni, G.; Bunce, M.; Bowry, M.; Caballero-Folch, R.

2012-01-01

Using the high-resolution performance of the fragment separator FRS at GSI we have discovered 60 new neutron-rich isotopes in the atomic number range of 60⩽Z⩽78. The new isotopes were unambiguously identified in reactions with a 238 U beam impinging on a Be target at 1 GeV/nucleon. The production cross-section for the new isotopes have been measured down to the pico-barn level and compared with predictions of different model calculations. For elements above hafnium fragmentation is the dominant reaction mechanism which creates the new isotopes, whereas fission plays a dominant role for the production of the new isotopes up to thulium.

Robust Trust in Expert Testimony

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Christian Dahlman

2015-05-01

Full Text Available The standard of proof in criminal trials should require that the evidence presented by the prosecution is robust. This requirement of robustness says that it must be unlikely that additional information would change the probability that the defendant is guilty. Robustness is difficult for a judge to estimate, as it requires the judge to assess the possible effect of information that the he or she does not have. This article is concerned with expert witnesses and proposes a method for reviewing the robustness of expert testimony. According to the proposed method, the robustness of expert testimony is estimated with regard to competence, motivation, external strength, internal strength and relevance. The danger of trusting non-robust expert testimony is illustrated with an analysis of the Thomas Quick Case, a Swedish legal scandal where a patient at a mental institution was wrongfully convicted for eight murders.

A weak Galerkin least-squares finite element method for div-curl systems

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Jichun; Ye, Xiu; Zhang, Shangyou

2018-06-01

In this paper, we introduce a weak Galerkin least-squares method for solving div-curl problem. This finite element method leads to a symmetric positive definite system and has the flexibility to work with general meshes such as hybrid mesh, polytopal mesh and mesh with hanging nodes. Error estimates of the finite element solution are derived. The numerical examples demonstrate the robustness and flexibility of the proposed method.

Robustness Analysis of Timber Truss Structure

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Rajčić, Vlatka; Čizmar, Dean; Kirkegaard, Poul Henning

2010-01-01

The present paper discusses robustness of structures in general and the robustness requirements given in the codes. Robustness of timber structures is also an issues as this is closely related to Working group 3 (Robustness of systems) of the COST E55 project. Finally, an example of a robustness...... evaluation of a widespan timber truss structure is presented. This structure was built few years ago near Zagreb and has a span of 45m. Reliability analysis of the main members and the system is conducted and based on this a robustness analysis is preformed....

Robust Sequential Circuits Design Technique for Low Voltage and High Noise Scenarios

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Garcia-Leyva Lancelot

2016-01-01

In this paper we introduce an innovative input and output data redundancy principle for sequential block circuits, the responsible to keep the state of the system, showing its efficiency in front of other robust technique approaches. The methodology is totally different from the Von Neumann approaches, because element are not replicated N times, but instead, they check the coherence of redundant input data no allowing data propagation in case of discrepancy. This mechanism does not require voting devices.

Qualitative Robustness in Estimation

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mohammed Nasser

2012-07-01

Full Text Available Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} Qualitative robustness, influence function, and breakdown point are three main concepts to judge an estimator from the viewpoint of robust estimation. It is important as well as interesting to study relation among them. This article attempts to present the concept of qualitative robustness as forwarded by first proponents and its later development. It illustrates intricacies of qualitative robustness and its relation with consistency, and also tries to remove commonly believed misunderstandings about relation between influence function and qualitative robustness citing some examples from literature and providing a new counter-example. At the end it places a useful finite and a simulated version of   qualitative robustness index (QRI. In order to assess the performance of the proposed measures, we have compared fifteen estimators of correlation coefficient using simulated as well as real data sets.

LCL-Filter Design for Robust Active Damping in Grid-Connected Converters

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pena-Alzola, Rafael; Liserre, Marco; Blaabjerg, Frede

2014-01-01

in the grid inductance may compromise system stability, and this problem is more severe for parallel converters. This situation, typical of rural areas with solar and wind resources, calls for robust LCL-filter design. This paper proposes a design procedure with remarkable results under severe grid inductance......Grid-connected converters employ LCL-filters, instead of simple inductors, because they allow lower inductances while reducing cost and size. Active damping, without dissipative elements, is preferred to passive damping for solving the associated stability problems. However, large variations...

Tercer molar ectópico a nivel de región infraorbitaria-seno maxilar Ectopic third molar of the maxillary sinus-infraorbital region

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C. Moreno García

2007-06-01

Full Text Available Introducción. Los cordales ectópicos son aquellos incluidos en posiciones inusuales o desplazados a distancia de su normal localización anatómica. La erupción ectópica de un diente dentro de la cavidad oral es común pero en otros lugares es raro. La erupción ectópica puede ir asociada con alteraciones en el desarrollo, procesos patológicos o yatrogenia. Caso Clínico. Mujer de 56 años de edad con tercer molar superior derecho ectópico a nivel de región infraorbitaria-seno maxilar. Presentaba dolor e inflamación hemifacial derecha de larga evolución y resistente a tratamiento médico. Se realizó exéresis quirúrgica de dicho cordal mediante abordaje de Caldwell-Luc. Discusión. En muchos casos la etiología de un cordal ectópico no puede ser identificada. La mayor parte de las veces son asintomáticos y diagnosticados mediante estudios radiológicos. Conclusión. La indicación de la exodoncia en el caso de un diente ectópico en general viene determinada por la presencia de sintomatología o en prevención de futuras complicaciones.Introduction. Ectopic third molar teeth are those that are impacted in unusual positions, or that have been displaced and are at a distance from their normal anatomic location. Ectopic eruption of a tooth within the oral cavity is common, but rare in other sites. Ectopic eruption can be associated with developmental disturbances, pathologic processes or iatrogenic activity. Case Report. Female, fifty-six years old, with an upper right ectopic third molar located in the maxillary sinus-infraorbital region. She presented with pain and inflammation of the right side of her face that she had been experiencing for along time and which had been resistant to treatment. Surgical excision was carried out of the third molar tooth using the Caldwell-Luc approach. Discussion. In many cases the etiology of ectopic third molars cannot be identified. Generally they are asymptomatic and diagnosed by radiology

Robustness of mission plans for unmanned aircraft

Science.gov (United States)

Niendorf, Moritz

, and criticalities are derived. This analysis is extended to Euclidean minimum spanning trees. This thesis aims at enabling increased mission performance by providing means of assessing the robustness and optimality of a mission and methods for identifying critical elements. Examples of the application to mission planning in contested environments, cargo aircraft mission planning, multi-objective mission planning, and planning optimal communication topologies for teams of unmanned aircraft are given.

Robustness in econometrics

CERN Document Server

Sriboonchitta, Songsak; Huynh, Van-Nam

2017-01-01

This book presents recent research on robustness in econometrics. Robust data processing techniques – i.e., techniques that yield results minimally affected by outliers – and their applications to real-life economic and financial situations are the main focus of this book. The book also discusses applications of more traditional statistical techniques to econometric problems. Econometrics is a branch of economics that uses mathematical (especially statistical) methods to analyze economic systems, to forecast economic and financial dynamics, and to develop strategies for achieving desirable economic performance. In day-by-day data, we often encounter outliers that do not reflect the long-term economic trends, e.g., unexpected and abrupt fluctuations. As such, it is important to develop robust data processing techniques that can accommodate these fluctuations.

Robust Programming by Example

OpenAIRE

Bishop , Matt; Elliott , Chip

2011-01-01

Part 2: WISE 7; International audience; Robust programming lies at the heart of the type of coding called “secure programming”. Yet it is rarely taught in academia. More commonly, the focus is on how to avoid creating well-known vulnerabilities. While important, that misses the point: a well-structured, robust program should anticipate where problems might arise and compensate for them. This paper discusses one view of robust programming and gives an example of how it may be taught.

Robust Reliability or reliable robustness? - Integrated consideration of robustness and reliability aspects

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kemmler, S.; Eifler, Tobias; Bertsche, B.

2015-01-01

products are and vice versa. For a comprehensive understanding and to use existing synergies between both domains, this paper discusses the basic principles of Reliability- and Robust Design theory. The development of a comprehensive model will enable an integrated consideration of both domains...

"Hello, I'm Carbon.": Writing about Elements and Compounds

Science.gov (United States)

Stout, Roland P.

2010-01-01

General chemistry students are asked to assume the identity of an element and to write their own story. In the spirit of pedagogical approaches such as writing-to-learn and writing across the curriculum, this assignment has several objectives, most significantly to connect students to the discipline of chemistry in a robust way. Facilitating this…

Using PICO Methodology to Answer Questions About Smoking in COPD Patients.

Science.gov (United States)

Jiménez Ruiz, Carlos A; Buljubasich, Daniel; Riesco Miranda, Juan Antonio; Acuña Izcaray, Agustín; de Granda Orive, José Ignacio; Chatkin, José Miguel; Zabert, Gustavo; Guerreros Benavides, Alfredo; Paez Espinel, Nelson; Noé, Valeri; Sánchez-Angarita, Efraín; Núñez-Sánchez, Ingrid; Sansores, Raúl H; Casas, Alejandro; Palomar Lever, Andrés; Alfageme Michavila, Inmaculada

2017-11-01

The ALAT and SEPAR Treatment and Control of Smoking Groups have collaborated in the preparation of this document which attempts to answer, by way of PICO methodology, different questions on health interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking. The main recommendations are: (i)moderate-quality evidence and strong recommendation for performing spirometry in COPD patients and in smokers with a high risk of developing the disease, as a motivational tool (particularly for showing evidence of lung age), a diagnostic tool, and for active case-finding; (ii)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for using intensive dedicated behavioral counselling and drug treatment for helping COPD patients to stop smoking; (iii)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for initiating interventions for helping COPD patients to stop smoking during hospitalization with improvement when the intervention is prolonged after discharge, and (iv)high-quality evidence and strong recommendation for funding treatment of smoking in COPD patients, in view of the impact on health and health economics. Copyright © 2017 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Robust control for a biaxial servo with time delay system based on adaptive tuning technique.

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Tien-Chi; Yu, Chih-Hsien

2009-07-01

A robust control method for synchronizing a biaxial servo system motion is proposed in this paper. A new network based cross-coupled control and adaptive tuning techniques are used together to cancel out the skew error. The conventional fixed gain PID cross-coupled controller (CCC) is replaced with the adaptive cross-coupled controller (ACCC) in the proposed control scheme to maintain biaxial servo system synchronization motion. Adaptive-tuning PID (APID) position and velocity controllers provide the necessary control actions to maintain synchronization while following a variable command trajectory. A delay-time compensator (DTC) with an adaptive controller was augmented to set the time delay element, effectively moving it outside the closed loop, enhancing the stability of the robust controlled system. This scheme provides strong robustness with respect to uncertain dynamics and disturbances. The simulation and experimental results reveal that the proposed control structure adapts to a wide range of operating conditions and provides promising results under parameter variations and load changes.

Biochemical characterization of a sphingomonad isolate from the ascocarp of white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Pavić A.

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Available information on bacteria that influence the economically important white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico life cycle is scarce. From the ascocarp of white truffle we isolated a strain TMG 022C, capable for growth in nitrogendepleted conditions and assimilation of mannitol and trehalose. According to 16S rDNA sequence phylogeny, the strain was closely related to Sphingobium amiense. The strain had the ability to perform ammonification, reduce nitrate and solubilize Ca3(PO42, produce chitinase, lipase, phospholipase and β-glucanase, but not cellulase, pectinase, protease and siderophores. The results suggest that Sphingobium sp. TMG 022C could have an influence on the Tuber magnatum life cycle through improved mycelium nutrition and ascocarp decomposition.

Learning by statistical cooperation of self-interested neuron-like computing elements.

Science.gov (United States)

Barto, A G

1985-01-01

Since the usual approaches to cooperative computation in networks of neuron-like computating elements do not assume that network components have any "preferences", they do not make substantive contact with game theoretic concepts, despite their use of some of the same terminology. In the approach presented here, however, each network component, or adaptive element, is a self-interested agent that prefers some inputs over others and "works" toward obtaining the most highly preferred inputs. Here we describe an adaptive element that is robust enough to learn to cooperate with other elements like itself in order to further its self-interests. It is argued that some of the longstanding problems concerning adaptation and learning by networks might be solvable by this form of cooperativity, and computer simulation experiments are described that show how networks of self-interested components that are sufficiently robust can solve rather difficult learning problems. We then place the approach in its proper historical and theoretical perspective through comparison with a number of related algorithms. A secondary aim of this article is to suggest that beyond what is explicitly illustrated here, there is a wealth of ideas from game theory and allied disciplines such as mathematical economics that can be of use in thinking about cooperative computation in both nervous systems and man-made systems.

Robust Preconditioning Estimates for Convection-Dominated Elliptic Problems via a Streamline Poincaré--Friedrichs Inequality

Czech Academy of Sciences Publication Activity Database

Axelsson, Owe; Karátson, J.; Kovács, B.

2014-01-01

Roč. 52, č. 6 (2014), s. 2957-2976 ISSN 0036-1429 R&D Projects: GA MŠk ED1.1.00/02.0070 Institutional support: RVO:68145535 Keywords : streamline diffusion finite element method * solving convection-dominated elliptic problems * convergence is robust Subject RIV: BA - General Mathematics Impact factor: 1.788, year: 2014 http://epubs.siam.org/doi/abs/10.1137/130940268

Comportamento atípico da doença reumática no decurso da gravidez. A propósito de um caso Comportamiento atípico de la enfermedad reumática en el transcurso del embarazo. A propósito de un caso Atypical presentation of rheumatic carditis in pregnancy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lurildo Cleano Ribeiro Saraiva

2009-04-01

Full Text Available Descreve-se o caso de uma mulher de 31 anos de idade que, no decurso da segunda gestação, apresentou quadro atípico de doença reumática na 28ª semana. Aspectos relacionados à prevenção da moléstia e ao tratamento no ciclo gravídico-puerperal são discutidos.Se describe el caso de una mujer de 31 años de edad que, en el transcurso de la segunda gestación, presentó cuadro atípico de enfermedad reumática en la 28ª semana. Se discutirán los aspectos relacionados a la prevención de la molestia y al tratamiento en el ciclo grávido-puerperal.We report the case of a 31-year old woman presenting with atypical rheumatic disease in the 28th week of the second pregnancy. Questions related to prevention of the disease and its treatment during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle are discussed.

Hydrogeology of Pico Frentes Karst system (Iberian range, Spain)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rosas, P.; Sanz, E.; Menendez-Pidal, I.

2016-07-01

The karst system of Pico Frentes has developed within an Upper Cretaceous calcareous series whose welldefined folded geometry determines that its aquifer reserves are held mainly in three hydraulically-connected synclines, with a groundwater capacity of between 5 and 7 hm3 . The recharge to this unconfined peneplain aquifer is autogenous and diffuse. On a large scale, groundwater flow is directed by the base of the synclines, while on a small scale, it flows along groundwater conduits towards the Fuentetoba Spring (210 l/s) and source of the River Mazos (50 l/s), following a highly variable flow regime of low inertia, with other smaller discharges emanating during periods of high water. Analysis of hydrographs of these springs indicates a very variable rate system and little power regulating natural, characteristic of a typical karstic aquifer, with great capacity for renewal and low residence time. Using hydrogram simulations of these upwellings using a mathematical rainfall-runoff model, a detailed quantification of the average water balance was made for a twenty-year time series. This water balance consists of 16,86 hm3 rainfall (100%); natural recharge, 8,35 hm3 (49,53%); EVT 8,50 hm3 (50,41%); pumped groundwater abstractions, 0,01hm3 (0,06%); surface runoff, 0 hm3, groundwater transfers to other aquifer, 0 hm3. (Author)

Robust

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

2017-01-01

‘Robust – Reflections on Resilient Architecture’, is a scientific publication following the conference of the same name in November of 2017. Researches and PhD-Fellows, associated with the Masters programme: Cultural Heritage, Transformation and Restoration (Transformation), at The Royal Danish...

Evaluación de los Hongos Micorrízicos Arbusculares de zonas del trópico húmedo del Ecuador

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Emy Moína-Quimí

2018-02-01

Full Text Available El estudio se enfocó en el análisis de la simbiosis entre hongos micorrízicos arbusculares y árboles del trópico húmedo ecuatoriano, mediante técnicas físicas de separación se aisló esporas de hongos micorrízicos arbusculares para obtener la densidad por gramos de suelo, mientras que el porcentaje de micorrización en la flora representativa fue determinada al comprobar la presencia de estructuras micorrízicas en el interior de las raíces de las plantas evaluadas, y además, se realizó un análisis físico-químico del suelo estudiado. Los análisis arrojaron resultados que demuestran una densidad media de esporas, también se determinó un porcentaje de micorrización por arriba del 50% en las floras representativas. A nivel de esporas, se identificaron géneros predominantes de las zonas, estando presentes Acaulospora, Ambispora, Claroideoglomus, Diversispora, Entrophospora, Funneliformis, Gigaspora, Glomus, Pacispora y Scutellospora, de los cuales se llegó a identificar por métodos taxonómicos cerca de 15 especies. Concluyendo que existe una diversidad de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares en el trópico húmedo ecuatoriano.

Cimicifuga racemosa L., Trifolium pratense L. e Vitex agnus-castus L.: a correspondência das indicações contida nas bulas dos fitoterápicos e o respaldo científico

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L. C. Lopes

2009-01-01

Full Text Available

É cada vez maior o número de mulheres que utilizam fitoterápicos como terapia alternativa para a menopausa, entretanto, na maioria das vezes esses produtos não possuem um mecanismo de ação conhecido, tão pouco eficácia clinica comprovada. O presente estudo objetiva avaliar a correspondência das indicações clínicas e os achados científicos de três produtos fitoterápicos de elevado índice de vendas na região de Piracicaba, destinados ao alívio dos sintomas da menopausa. Para isso foi realizado um levantamento dos fitoterápicos com maior venda numa farmácia pertencente a uma grande rede e listadas as plantas medicinais que compunham esses medicamentos. Posteriormente, verificou-se no Dicionário de Especialidades Farmacêuticas (DEF 2004/05 todos fitoterápicos que tinham em sua composição pelo menos uma das três plantas medicinais selecionadas (Cimicifuga racemosa L., Trifolium pratense L. e Vitex agnus-castus L. e feito um levantamento de como estavam registrados na ANVISA. Para análise da segurança do uso e eficácia dessas plantas medicinais fez-se uma busca em bases de dados científicos MEDLINE procurando trabalhos pré-clínicos de toxicidade e clínicos controlados randomizados que comprovassem a indicação terapêutica da planta. Dentre os resultados encontrados obteve-se que nenhum trabalho sobre toxicidade referia-se a segurança do uso da planta. Quanto a eficácia, das sete indicações propostas pelo fabricante do medicamento que contém a Cimicifuga racemosa L., somente uma das indicações se confirmava em estudo publicado; das nove indicações descritas na bula da Vitex agnus-castus L., duas se confirmavam através de pesquisas realizadas; e, das sete listadas para a Trifolium pratense L., uma foi comprovada. Palavras-chave: menopausa; medicamentos fitoterápicos; plantas medicinais

The prescribing of psychotropic drugs in mental health services in Trinidad Prescripción de psicotrópicos en los servicios de salud mental de Trinidad

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shelley Moore

2002-09-01

probable predisposition to adverse drug reactions. Given our results and based on the evaluation of individual patients, consideration should be given to a broader use of the newer antidepressants (SSRIs and antipsychotics. Unless justified, polypharmacy should be avoided.Objetivos. Describir, analizar e interpretar las características de la prescripción de psicotrópicos en pacientes nuevos que acudieron a las consultas externas de psiquiatría en la isla caribeña de Trinidad. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal de los psicotrópicos prescritos por psiquiatras a 132 nuevos pacientes psiquiátricos ambulatorios que acudieron a consultas externas por primera vez entre noviembre de 1998 y febrero de 1999. Resultados. Algunos pacientes recibieron más de un psicotrópico. Los antidepresivos fueron los psicotrópicos recetados con mayor frecuencia (79 de los 132 pacientes, 59,8%, seguidos de los antipsicóticos (67/132; 50,8%. Los antidepresivos prescritos con mayor frecuencia fueron los tricíclicos (58/79; 73,4%, y en particular la amitriptilina (53/58; 91,4%. La fluoxetina fue el único inhibidor selectivo de la recaptación de serotonina (ISRS que se recetó (21/79; 26,6%. De los 67 pacientes que recibieron antipsicóticos, a 41 (61,2% se les recetaron fenotiazinas, entre ellas la trifluoperazina (14/41; 34,1% y la tioridazina (13/41; 31,7%. El antipsicótico prescrito con más frecuencia fue la sulpirida (21/67; 31,3%. A 20 de los 132 pacientes (15,1% se les recetaron anticolinérgicos. A 83 (62,9% se les prescribió más de un fármaco simultáneamente: o bien más de un psicotrópico o una combinación de psicotrópicos y no psicotrópicos. La prescripción por etnia, edad y sexo coincidió con las tasas de morbilidad observadas en los diferentes grupos. La prescripción de ISRS a pacientes de origen africano o indio fue significativamente menos frecuente que a los de origen mixto. Conclusiones. Estos resultados muestran una preferencia de los psiquiatras de

FUNCIONES E IMPORTANCIA ECONÓMICA DEL RECURSO CHAPULIXTLE (DODONAEA VISCOSA EN UN EJIDO DEL SUBTRÓPICO MEXICANO

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José Isabel Juan Pérez

2013-06-01

Full Text Available El chapulixtle (Dodonaea viscosa es una planta cosmopolita. Para demostrar la importancia económica de esta planta, se realizó una investigación de campo en un Ejido del Subtrópico Mexicano, durante el período 2010 - 2012. Fue explorado el hábitat de la planta y su utilización por parte de las familias campesinas. La investigación se sustentó en la Geografía Ambiental (Bocco, 2007 y la Ecología Cultural (Steward, 1955, complementándose con la aplicación de un cuestionario al 100% de las familias campesinas, observación directa, observación participante, estadística descriptiva y uso del equipo DGPS. Los resultados demuestran que el uso del chapulixtle en el Ejido se relaciona con las condiciones socioculturales y económicas de los habitantes y por las diferentes estrategias utilizadas para su manejo. Los usos principales son: ecológico, ambiental, agrícola, pecuario, artesanal, medicinal, para combustible, ornamental, construcción de viviendas, agroforestal y recarga de acuíferos. En las zonas rurales, esta planta ha contribuido significativamente en la economía de las familias campesinas, además, las condiciones socioculturales de las familias campesinas del Subtrópico Mexicano han influido en la diversidad de usos. En el Ejido se encontraron 22 usos diferentes, y lo más probable es que en otras comunidades del territorio mexicano existan otros más.

Robustness in Railway Operations (RobustRailS)

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jensen, Jens Parbo; Nielsen, Otto Anker

This study considers the problem of enhancing railway timetable robustness without adding slack time, hence increasing the travel time. The approach integrates a transit assignment model to assess how passengers adapt their behaviour whenever operations are changed. First, the approach considers...

Relação entre a lesão condral e o pico de torque após reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior do joelho: estudo de casos

OpenAIRE

Traete,RF; Pinto,KNZ; Mattiello-Rosa,SM

2007-01-01

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A associação entre lesão do ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA) e desenvolvimento de osteoartrite (OA) secundária tem sido objeto de vários estudos. A lesão ligamentar predispõe a lesões da cartilagem articular, influenciando, assim, o controle motor e o pico de torque. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do grau de lesão condral no pico de torque da musculatura anterior e posterior da coxa após lesão e reconstrução do LCA. MÉTODO: Seis sujeitos do sexo masculino com lesão total e u...

Robust statistical methods with R

CERN Document Server

Jureckova, Jana

2005-01-01

Robust statistical methods were developed to supplement the classical procedures when the data violate classical assumptions. They are ideally suited to applied research across a broad spectrum of study, yet most books on the subject are narrowly focused, overly theoretical, or simply outdated. Robust Statistical Methods with R provides a systematic treatment of robust procedures with an emphasis on practical application.The authors work from underlying mathematical tools to implementation, paying special attention to the computational aspects. They cover the whole range of robust methods, including differentiable statistical functions, distance of measures, influence functions, and asymptotic distributions, in a rigorous yet approachable manner. Highlighting hands-on problem solving, many examples and computational algorithms using the R software supplement the discussion. The book examines the characteristics of robustness, estimators of real parameter, large sample properties, and goodness-of-fit tests. It...

Hunter-gatherer postcranial robusticity relative to patterns of mobility, climatic adaptation, and selection for tissue economy.

Science.gov (United States)

Stock, J T

2006-10-01

Human skeletal robusticity is influenced by a number of factors, including habitual behavior, climate, and physique. Conflicting evidence as to the relative importance of these factors complicates our ability to interpret variation in robusticity in the past. It remains unclear how the pattern of robusticity in the skeleton relates to adaptive constraints on skeletal morphology. This study investigates variation in robusticity in claviculae, humeri, ulnae, femora, and tibiae among human foragers, relative to climate and habitual behavior. Cross-sectional geometric properties of the diaphyses are compared among hunter-gatherers from southern Africa (n = 83), the Andaman Islands (n = 32), Tierra del Fuego (n = 34), and the Great Lakes region (n = 15). The robusticity of both proximal and distal limb segments correlates negatively with climate and positively with patterns of terrestrial and marine mobility among these groups. However, the relative correspondence between robusticity and these factors varies throughout the body. In the lower limb, partial correlations between polar second moment of area (J(0.73)) and climate decrease from proximal to distal section locations, while this relationship increases from proximal to distal in the upper limb. Patterns of correlation between robusticity and mobility, either terrestrial or marine, generally increase from proximal to distal in the lower and upper limbs, respectively. This suggests that there may be a stronger relationship between observed patterns of diaphyseal hypertrophy and behavioral differences between populations in distal elements. Despite this trend, strength circularity indices at the femoral midshaft show the strongest correspondence with terrestrial mobility, particularly among males.

Robust Manufacturing Control

CERN Document Server

2013-01-01

This contributed volume collects research papers, presented at the CIRP Sponsored Conference Robust Manufacturing Control: Innovative and Interdisciplinary Approaches for Global Networks (RoMaC 2012, Jacobs University, Bremen, Germany, June 18th-20th 2012). These research papers present the latest developments and new ideas focusing on robust manufacturing control for global networks. Today, Global Production Networks (i.e. the nexus of interconnected material and information flows through which products and services are manufactured, assembled and distributed) are confronted with and expected to adapt to: sudden and unpredictable large-scale changes of important parameters which are occurring more and more frequently, event propagation in networks with high degree of interconnectivity which leads to unforeseen fluctuations, and non-equilibrium states which increasingly characterize daily business. These multi-scale changes deeply influence logistic target achievement and call for robust planning and control ...

FUNCIONES E IMPORTANCIA ECONÓMICA DEL RECURSO CHAPULIXTLE (DODONAEA VISCOSA) EN UN EJIDO DEL SUBTRÓPICO MEXICANO

OpenAIRE

José Isabel Juan Pérez

2013-01-01

El chapulixtle (Dodonaea viscosa) es una planta cosmopolita. Para demostrar la importancia económica de esta planta, se realizó una investigación de campo en un Ejido del Subtrópico Mexicano, durante el período 2010 - 2012. Fue explorado el hábitat de la planta y su utilización por parte de las familias campesinas. La investigación se sustentó en la Geografía Ambiental (Bocco, 2007) y la Ecología Cultural (Steward, 1955), complementándose con la aplicación de un cuestionario al 100% de las f...

Experiência com transplante cardíaco heterotópico em pacientes com resistência pulmonar elevada: seguimento tardio Experiencia con trasplante cardíaco heterotópico en pacientes con resistencia pulmonar elevada: seguimiento tardío Experience with heterotopic heart transplantation in patients with elevated pulmonary vascular resistance: late follow-up

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jose Henrique Andrade Vila

2010-02-01

Full Text Available FUNDAMENTO: Nos últimos anos o numero de artigos sobre transplante cardíaco heterotópico tem sido escasso na literatura, inclusive internacional, e em particular do seguimento de longo prazo destes pacientes, o que levou ao presente relato. OBJETIVO: Relatar a experiência clínica inicial e evolução tardia de quatro pacientes submetidos a transplante cardíaco heterotópico, sua indicação e principais complicações. MÉTODOS: As cirurgias ocorreram entre 1992 e 2001, sendo que a indicação de transplante heterotópico, em todas, foi pela RVP, variável de 4,8UW a 6.5UW, com gradiente transpulmonar acima de 15mmHg. No 3º paciente, foi realizada uma anastomose direta entre as artérias pulmonares sem emprego de tubo protético e, no coração nativo, foi realizada uma valvoplastia mitral e aneurismectomia de ventrículo esquerdo (VE. O esquema imunossupressor imediato foi duplo com ciclosporina e azatioprina nos três primeiros pacientes e ciclosporina e micofenolato mofetil no 4º paciente. RESULTADOS: Um óbito imediato por falência do enxerto, um óbito após dois anos e meio por endocardite em trombo intraventricular no coração nativo, e um terceiro óbito seis anos após o transplante, por complicações pós-operatórias de cirurgia na valva aórtica do coração nativo. O remanescente, 15 anos após o transplante, encontra-se bem, em classe funcional II (NYHA, seis anos após a oclusão cirúrgica da valva aórtica do coração nativo. CONCLUSÃO: O transplante cardíaco heterotópico é um procedimento com resultado inferior ao transplante cardíaco ortotópico, por apresentarem maior RVP. Os trombos intraventriculares no coração nativo, que exigem anticoagulação prolongada, bem como as complicações de válvula aórtica, também no coração nativo, podem exigir tratamento cirúrgico. Entretanto, em um paciente, a sobrevida de 15 anos mostrou a eficácia de longo prazo desse tipo de alternativa, para pacientes

Abordaje terapéutico sobre el pensamiento referencial en un caso de Trastorno Esquizotípico de la Personalidad

OpenAIRE

Senín Calderón, María Cristina; Rodríguez Testal, Juan Francisco

2011-01-01

En el presente estudio se describe el procedimiento de evaluación y abordaje terapéutico de un caso con trastorno esquizotípico de la personalidad. La intervención llevada a cabo fue de corte cognitivo-conductual. Paralelamente se realiza un seguimiento de una medida fundamental de dicho trastorno: del pensamiento referencial, por medio de series temporales breves. En dicho análisis se obtiene una evidente, aunque progresiva, disminución del criterio. Los resultados post-tratamien...

Robustness - theoretical framework

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, John Dalsgaard; Rizzuto, Enrico; Faber, Michael H.

2010-01-01

More frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure combined with increased requirements to efficiency in design and execution followed by increased risk of human errors has made the need of requirements to robustness of new struct...... of this fact sheet is to describe a theoretical and risk based framework to form the basis for quantification of robustness and for pre-normative guidelines....

Efeito do uso tópico de capsaicina na mucosite intestinal induzida por 5-fluorouracil em camundongos Swiss

OpenAIRE

Lorrayne Gonçalves Lopes

2014-01-01

5-FU (5-Fluorouracil) é um agente quimioterápico chave no tratamento de diversos tipos de câncer, sendo amplamente usado contra o câncer colorretal. Mucosite intestinal com diarreia e vômito é um efeito adverso frequentemente dose-limitante da terapia com 5- FU, afetando a qualidade de vida dos pacientes e a continuidade da terapia. Capsaicina (trans-8-metil-N-vanílico-6-nonenamida) é um componente de várias espécies de pimenta, sendo responsável pela pungência dos frutos. Ela apresenta amplo...

Explicit Dynamic Finite Element Method for Predicting Implosion/Explosion Induced Failure of Shell Structures

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Jeong-Hoon Song

2013-01-01

Full Text Available A simplified implementation of the conventional extended finite element method (XFEM for dynamic fracture in thin shells is presented. Though this implementation uses the same linear combination of the conventional XFEM, it allows for considerable simplifications of the discontinuous displacement and velocity fields in shell finite elements. The proposed method is implemented for the discrete Kirchhoff triangular (DKT shell element, which is one of the most popular shell elements in engineering analysis. Numerical examples for dynamic failure of shells under impulsive loads including implosion and explosion are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the method.

Robustness Assessment of Spatial Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning

2012-01-01

Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. In order to minimise the likelihood of such disproportionate structural failures many modern buildi...... to robustness of spatial timber structures and will discuss the consequences of such robustness issues related to the future development of timber structures.......Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. In order to minimise the likelihood of such disproportionate structural failures many modern building...... codes consider the need for robustness of structures and provide strategies and methods to obtain robustness. Therefore a structural engineer may take necessary steps to design robust structures that are insensitive to accidental circumstances. The present paper summaries issues with respect...

Robust Segmentation of Planar and Linear Features of Terrestrial Laser Scanner Point Clouds Acquired from Construction Sites

Science.gov (United States)

Maalek, Reza; Lichti, Derek D; Ruwanpura, Janaka Y

2018-01-01

Automated segmentation of planar and linear features of point clouds acquired from construction sites is essential for the automatic extraction of building construction elements such as columns, beams and slabs. However, many planar and linear segmentation methods use scene-dependent similarity thresholds that may not provide generalizable solutions for all environments. In addition, outliers exist in construction site point clouds due to data artefacts caused by moving objects, occlusions and dust. To address these concerns, a novel method for robust classification and segmentation of planar and linear features is proposed. First, coplanar and collinear points are classified through a robust principal components analysis procedure. The classified points are then grouped using a new robust clustering method, the robust complete linkage method. A robust method is also proposed to extract the points of flat-slab floors and/or ceilings independent of the aforementioned stages to improve computational efficiency. The applicability of the proposed method is evaluated in eight datasets acquired from a complex laboratory environment and two construction sites at the University of Calgary. The precision, recall, and accuracy of the segmentation at both construction sites were 96.8%, 97.7% and 95%, respectively. These results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed method for robust segmentation of planar and linear features of contaminated datasets, such as those collected from construction sites. PMID:29518062

Mixed finite element - discontinuous finite volume element discretization of a general class of multicontinuum models

Science.gov (United States)

Ruiz-Baier, Ricardo; Lunati, Ivan

2016-10-01

We present a novel discretization scheme tailored to a class of multiphase models that regard the physical system as consisting of multiple interacting continua. In the framework of mixture theory, we consider a general mathematical model that entails solving a system of mass and momentum equations for both the mixture and one of the phases. The model results in a strongly coupled and nonlinear system of partial differential equations that are written in terms of phase and mixture (barycentric) velocities, phase pressure, and saturation. We construct an accurate, robust and reliable hybrid method that combines a mixed finite element discretization of the momentum equations with a primal discontinuous finite volume-element discretization of the mass (or transport) equations. The scheme is devised for unstructured meshes and relies on mixed Brezzi-Douglas-Marini approximations of phase and total velocities, on piecewise constant elements for the approximation of phase or total pressures, as well as on a primal formulation that employs discontinuous finite volume elements defined on a dual diamond mesh to approximate scalar fields of interest (such as volume fraction, total density, saturation, etc.). As the discretization scheme is derived for a general formulation of multicontinuum physical systems, it can be readily applied to a large class of simplified multiphase models; on the other, the approach can be seen as a generalization of these models that are commonly encountered in the literature and employed when the latter are not sufficiently accurate. An extensive set of numerical test cases involving two- and three-dimensional porous media are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the method (displaying an optimal convergence rate), the physics-preserving properties of the mixed-primal scheme, as well as the robustness of the method (which is successfully used to simulate diverse physical phenomena such as density fingering, Terzaghi's consolidation

Robustness of numerical TIG welding simulation of 3D structures in stainless steel 316L

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

El-Ahmar, W.

2007-04-01

The numerical welding simulation is considered to be one of those mechanical problems that have the great level of nonlinearity and which requires a good knowledge in various scientific fields. The 'Robustness Analysis' is a suitable tool to control the quality and guarantee the reliability of numerical welding results. The robustness of a numerical simulation of welding is related to the sensitivity of the modelling assumptions on the input parameters. A simulation is known as robust if the result that it produces is not very sensitive to uncertainties of the input data. The term 'Robust' was coined in statistics by G.E.P. Box in 1953. Various definitions of greater or lesser mathematical rigor are possible for the term, but in general, referring to a statistical estimator, it means 'insensitive to small deviation from the idealized assumptions for which the estimator is optimized. In order to evaluate the robustness of numerical welding simulation, sensitivity analyses on thermomechanical models and parameters have been conducted. At the first step, we research a reference solution which gives the best agreement with the thermal and mechanical experimental results. The second step consists in determining through numerical simulations which parameters have the largest influence on residual stresses induced by the welding process. The residual stresses were predicted using finite element method performed with Code-Aster of EDF and SYSWELD of ESI-GROUP. An analysis of robustness can prove to be heavy and expensive making it an unjustifiable route. However, only with development such tool of analysis can predictive methods become a useful tool for industry. (author)

Una nueva técnica para el estudio microscópico de los huevos de Anopheles Una nueva técnica para el estudio microscópico de los huevos de Anopheles

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Osorno-Mesa Ernesto

1947-12-01

Full Text Available A new method is described for dissection and mounting of the exochorion of Anopheles eggs, for microscopic study, which has advantages over previous methods. The possible taxocomic importance of the morphology of the micropyle, clearly seen by this method, is noted. Se describe una técnica original para el estudio microscópico de los huevos de Anopheles, fundamentada en la disección del exocorion, indicando las grandes ventajas que tiene. Se anota la importancia taxonómica que pueda tener la morfología del micrópilo. / Abstract. A new method is described for dissection and mounting of the exochorion of Anopheles eggs, for microscopic study, which has advantages over previous methods. The possible taxocomic importance of the morphology of the micropyle, clearly seen by this method, is noted.

A Comparative Theoretical and Computational Study on Robust Counterpart Optimization: I. Robust Linear Optimization and Robust Mixed Integer Linear Optimization

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Zukui; Ding, Ran; Floudas, Christodoulos A.

2011-01-01

Robust counterpart optimization techniques for linear optimization and mixed integer linear optimization problems are studied in this paper. Different uncertainty sets, including those studied in literature (i.e., interval set; combined interval and ellipsoidal set; combined interval and polyhedral set) and new ones (i.e., adjustable box; pure ellipsoidal; pure polyhedral; combined interval, ellipsoidal, and polyhedral set) are studied in this work and their geometric relationship is discussed. For uncertainty in the left hand side, right hand side, and objective function of the optimization problems, robust counterpart optimization formulations induced by those different uncertainty sets are derived. Numerical studies are performed to compare the solutions of the robust counterpart optimization models and applications in refinery production planning and batch process scheduling problem are presented. PMID:21935263

Elemental mapping in achromatic atomic-resolution energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Forbes, B.D. [School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 (Australia); Houben, L. [Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Gruenberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich (Germany); Mayer, J. [Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Gruenberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich (Germany); Central Facility for Electron Microscopy, RWTH Aachen University, D-52074 Aachen (Germany); Dunin-Borkowski, R.E. [Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Gruenberg Institute, Forschungszentrum Jülich, D-52425 Jülich (Germany); Allen, L.J., E-mail: lja@unimelb.edu.au [School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010 (Australia)

2014-12-15

We present atomic-resolution energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) images obtained with the chromatic-aberration-corrected FEI Titan PICO at the Ernst-Ruska Centre, Jülich, Germany. We find qualitative agreement between experiment and simulation for the background-subtracted EFTEM images of the Ti–L{sub 2,3} and O–K edges for a specimen of SrTiO{sub 3} oriented down the [110] zone axis. The simulations utilize the transition potential formulation for inelastic scattering, which permits a detailed investigation of contributions to the EFTEM image. We find that energy-filtered images of the Ti–L{sub 2,3} and O–K edges are lattice images and that the background-subtracted core-loss maps may not be directly interpretable as elemental maps. Simulations show that this is a result of preservation of elastic contrast, whereby the qualitative details of the image are determined primarily by elastic, coherent scattering. We show that this effect places a constraint on the range of specimen thicknesses which could theoretically yield directly useful elemental maps. In general, interpretation of EFTEM images is ideally accompanied by detailed simulations. - Highlights: • Achromatic atomic-resolution EFTEM images were obtained for STO 〈110〉. • Simulations were in qualitative agreement with Ti–L{sub 2,3} and O–K edge maps. • The experimental EFTEM maps are not directly interpretable as elemental maps. • Image intensities are strongly determined by preservation of elastic contrast. • Interpretation of EFTEM images is ideally accompanied by detailed simulations.

Robust wireless power transfer using a nonlinear parity-time-symmetric circuit

Science.gov (United States)

Assawaworrarit, Sid; Yu, Xiaofang; Fan, Shanhui

2017-06-01

Considerable progress in wireless power transfer has been made in the realm of non-radiative transfer, which employs magnetic-field coupling in the near field. A combination of circuit resonance and impedance transformation is often used to help to achieve efficient transfer of power over a predetermined distance of about the size of the resonators. The development of non-radiative wireless power transfer has paved the way towards real-world applications such as wireless powering of implantable medical devices and wireless charging of stationary electric vehicles. However, it remains a fundamental challenge to create a wireless power transfer system in which the transfer efficiency is robust against the variation of operating conditions. Here we propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that a parity-time-symmetric circuit incorporating a nonlinear gain saturation element provides robust wireless power transfer. Our results show that the transfer efficiency remains near unity over a distance variation of approximately one metre, without the need for any tuning. This is in contrast with conventional methods where high transfer efficiency can only be maintained by constantly tuning the frequency or the internal coupling parameters as the transfer distance or the relative orientation of the source and receiver units is varied. The use of a nonlinear parity-time-symmetric circuit should enable robust wireless power transfer to moving devices or vehicles.

Robust wireless power transfer using a nonlinear parity-time-symmetric circuit.

Science.gov (United States)

Assawaworrarit, Sid; Yu, Xiaofang; Fan, Shanhui

2017-06-14

Considerable progress in wireless power transfer has been made in the realm of non-radiative transfer, which employs magnetic-field coupling in the near field. A combination of circuit resonance and impedance transformation is often used to help to achieve efficient transfer of power over a predetermined distance of about the size of the resonators. The development of non-radiative wireless power transfer has paved the way towards real-world applications such as wireless powering of implantable medical devices and wireless charging of stationary electric vehicles. However, it remains a fundamental challenge to create a wireless power transfer system in which the transfer efficiency is robust against the variation of operating conditions. Here we propose theoretically and demonstrate experimentally that a parity-time-symmetric circuit incorporating a nonlinear gain saturation element provides robust wireless power transfer. Our results show that the transfer efficiency remains near unity over a distance variation of approximately one metre, without the need for any tuning. This is in contrast with conventional methods where high transfer efficiency can only be maintained by constantly tuning the frequency or the internal coupling parameters as the transfer distance or the relative orientation of the source and receiver units is varied. The use of a nonlinear parity-time-symmetric circuit should enable robust wireless power transfer to moving devices or vehicles.

Robust Multiscale Iterative Solvers for Nonlinear Flows in Highly Heterogeneous Media

KAUST Repository

Efendiev, Y.

2012-08-01

In this paper, we study robust iterative solvers for finite element systems resulting in approximation of steady-state Richards\\' equation in porous media with highly heterogeneous conductivity fields. It is known that in such cases the contrast, ratio between the highest and lowest values of the conductivity, can adversely affect the performance of the preconditioners and, consequently, a design of robust preconditioners is important for many practical applications. The proposed iterative solvers consist of two kinds of iterations, outer and inner iterations. Outer iterations are designed to handle nonlinearities by linearizing the equation around the previous solution state. As a result of the linearization, a large-scale linear system needs to be solved. This linear system is solved iteratively (called inner iterations), and since it can have large variations in the coefficients, a robust preconditioner is needed. First, we show that under some assumptions the number of outer iterations is independent of the contrast. Second, based on the recently developed iterative methods, we construct a class of preconditioners that yields convergence rate that is independent of the contrast. Thus, the proposed iterative solvers are optimal with respect to the large variation in the physical parameters. Since the same preconditioner can be reused in every outer iteration, this provides an additional computational savings in the overall solution process. Numerical tests are presented to confirm the theoretical results. © 2012 Global-Science Press.

Robust procedures in chemometrics

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kotwa, Ewelina

properties of the analysed data. The broad theoretical background of robust procedures was given as a very useful supplement to the classical methods, and a new tool, based on robust PCA, aiming at identifying Rayleigh and Raman scatters in excitation-mission (EEM) data was developed. The results show...

Robust canonical correlations: A comparative study

OpenAIRE

Branco, JA; Croux, Christophe; Filzmoser, P; Oliveira, MR

2005-01-01

Several approaches for robust canonical correlation analysis will be presented and discussed. A first method is based on the definition of canonical correlation analysis as looking for linear combinations of two sets of variables having maximal (robust) correlation. A second method is based on alternating robust regressions. These methods axe discussed in detail and compared with the more traditional approach to robust canonical correlation via covariance matrix estimates. A simulation study ...

Endogenous viral elements in animal genomes.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Aris Katzourakis

2010-11-01

Full Text Available Integration into the nuclear genome of germ line cells can lead to vertical inheritance of retroviral genes as host alleles. For other viruses, germ line integration has only rarely been documented. Nonetheless, we identified endogenous viral elements (EVEs derived from ten non-retroviral families by systematic in silico screening of animal genomes, including the first endogenous representatives of double-stranded RNA, reverse-transcribing DNA, and segmented RNA viruses, and the first endogenous DNA viruses in mammalian genomes. Phylogenetic and genomic analysis of EVEs across multiple host species revealed novel information about the origin and evolution of diverse virus groups. Furthermore, several of the elements identified here encode intact open reading frames or are expressed as mRNA. For one element in the primate lineage, we provide statistically robust evidence for exaptation. Our findings establish that genetic material derived from all known viral genome types and replication strategies can enter the animal germ line, greatly broadening the scope of paleovirological studies and indicating a more significant evolutionary role for gene flow from virus to animal genomes than has previously been recognized.

Effect of different parameters on machining of SiC/SiC composites via pico-second laser

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Weinan; Zhang, Ruoheng [State Key Laboratory of Transient Optics and Photonics, Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, Shaanxi 10068 (China); Liu, Yongsheng, E-mail: yongshengliu@nwpu.edu.cn [Science and technology on Thermostructure Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072 (China); Wang, Chunhui; Wang, Jing [Science and technology on Thermostructure Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072 (China); Yang, Xiaojun [State Key Laboratory of Transient Optics and Photonics, Xi’an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, Shaanxi 10068 (China); Cheng, Laifei [Science and technology on Thermostructure Composite Materials Laboratory, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710072 (China)

2016-02-28

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • The highlights of the manuscript include the following two aspects. • First, we found that the different machining modes (helical line scanning and single ring line scanning) and processing power of machining have remarkable effect on the surface morphology of the machined area, such as the shape, depth and the formation of different surface structures. • Secondly, we investigated that the debris consisted of C, Si and O was observed on the machined surface. • Some of the Si–C bonds of the SiC matrix and fibers would be transformed into Si–O bonds after machined, depending on the processing power. - Abstract: Pico-second laser plays an important role in modern machining technology, especially in machining high hardness materials. In this article, pico-second laser was utilized for irradiation on SiC/SiC composites, and effects of different processing parameters including the machining modes and laser power were discussed in detail. The results indicated that the machining modes and laser power had great effect on machining of SiC/SiC composites. Different types of surface morphology and structure were observed under helical line scanning and single ring line scanning, and the analysis of their formulation was discussed in detail. It was believed that the machining modes would be responsible to the different shapes of machining results at the same parameters. The processing power shall also influence the surface morphology and quality of machining results. In micro-hole drilling process, large amount of debris and fragments were observed within the micro-holes, and XPS analysis showed that there existed Si–O bonds and Si–C bonds, indicating that the oxidation during processing was incomplete. Other surface morphology, such as pores and pits were discussed as well.

Robust multi-site MR data processing: iterative optimization of bias correction, tissue classification, and registration.

Science.gov (United States)

Young Kim, Eun; Johnson, Hans J

2013-01-01

A robust multi-modal tool, for automated registration, bias correction, and tissue classification, has been implemented for large-scale heterogeneous multi-site longitudinal MR data analysis. This work focused on improving the an iterative optimization framework between bias-correction, registration, and tissue classification inspired from previous work. The primary contributions are robustness improvements from incorporation of following four elements: (1) utilize multi-modal and repeated scans, (2) incorporate high-deformable registration, (3) use extended set of tissue definitions, and (4) use of multi-modal aware intensity-context priors. The benefits of these enhancements were investigated by a series of experiments with both simulated brain data set (BrainWeb) and by applying to highly-heterogeneous data from a 32 site imaging study with quality assessments through the expert visual inspection. The implementation of this tool is tailored for, but not limited to, large-scale data processing with great data variation with a flexible interface. In this paper, we describe enhancements to a joint registration, bias correction, and the tissue classification, that improve the generalizability and robustness for processing multi-modal longitudinal MR scans collected at multi-sites. The tool was evaluated by using both simulated and simulated and human subject MRI images. With these enhancements, the results showed improved robustness for large-scale heterogeneous MRI processing.

A finite-element for the analysis of shell intersections

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koves, W.J.; Nair, S.

1994-01-01

The analysis of discontinuity stresses at shell intersections is a problem of great importance in several major industries. Some of the major areas of interest are pressure-containing equipment, such as reactors and piping, in the nuclear and fossil power industry; pressure vessels and heat exchangers in the petrochemical industry; bracing in offshore oil platforms; and aerospace structures. A specialized shell-intersection finite element, which is compatible with adjoining shell elements, has been developed that has the capability of physically representing the complex three-dimensional geometry and stress state at shell intersections. The element geometry is a contoured shape that matches a wide variety of practical nozzle configurations used in ASME Code pressure vessel construction, and allows computational rigor. A closed-form theory of elasticity solution was used to compute the stress state and strain energy in the element. The concept of an energy-equivalent nodal displacement and force vector set was then developed to allow complete compatibility with adjoining shell elements and retain the analytical rigor within the element. This methodology provides a powerful and robust computation scheme that maintains the computational efficiency of shell element solutions. The shell-intersection element was then applied to the cylinder-sphere and cylinder-cylinder intersection problems

Structural robustness with suboptimal responses for linear state space model

Science.gov (United States)

Keel, L. H.; Lim, Kyong B.; Juang, Jer-Nan

1989-01-01

A relationship between the closed-loop eigenvalues and the amount of perturbations in the open-loop matrix is addressed in the context of performance robustness. If the allowable perturbation ranges of elements of the open-loop matrix A and the desired tolerance of the closed-loop eigenvalues are given such that max(j) of the absolute value of Delta-lambda(j) (A+BF) should be less than some prescribed value, what is a state feedback controller F which satisfies the closed-loop eigenvalue perturbation-tolerance requirement for a class of given perturbation in A? The paper gives an algorithm to design such a controller. Numerical examples are included for illustration.

The Mixed Finite Element Multigrid Method for Stokes Equations

Science.gov (United States)

Muzhinji, K.; Shateyi, S.; Motsa, S. S.

2015-01-01

The stable finite element discretization of the Stokes problem produces a symmetric indefinite system of linear algebraic equations. A variety of iterative solvers have been proposed for such systems in an attempt to construct efficient, fast, and robust solution techniques. This paper investigates one of such iterative solvers, the geometric multigrid solver, to find the approximate solution of the indefinite systems. The main ingredient of the multigrid method is the choice of an appropriate smoothing strategy. This study considers the application of different smoothers and compares their effects in the overall performance of the multigrid solver. We study the multigrid method with the following smoothers: distributed Gauss Seidel, inexact Uzawa, preconditioned MINRES, and Braess-Sarazin type smoothers. A comparative study of the smoothers shows that the Braess-Sarazin smoothers enhance good performance of the multigrid method. We study the problem in a two-dimensional domain using stable Hood-Taylor Q 2-Q 1 pair of finite rectangular elements. We also give the main theoretical convergence results. We present the numerical results to demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the multigrid method and confirm the theoretical results. PMID:25945361

Robust plasmonic substrates

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kostiučenko, Oksana; Fiutowski, Jacek; Tamulevicius, Tomas

2014-01-01

Robustness is a key issue for the applications of plasmonic substrates such as tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, surface-enhanced spectroscopies, enhanced optical biosensing, optical and optoelectronic plasmonic nanosensors and others. A novel approach for the fabrication of robust plasmonic...... substrates is presented, which relies on the coverage of gold nanostructures with diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films of thicknesses 25, 55 and 105 nm. DLC thin films were grown by direct hydrocarbon ion beam deposition. In order to find the optimum balance between optical and mechanical properties...

A robust standard deviation control chart

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Schoonhoven, M.; Does, R.J.M.M.

2012-01-01

This article studies the robustness of Phase I estimators for the standard deviation control chart. A Phase I estimator should be efficient in the absence of contaminations and resistant to disturbances. Most of the robust estimators proposed in the literature are robust against either diffuse

Robust Weak Chimeras in Oscillator Networks with Delayed Linear and Quadratic Interactions

Science.gov (United States)

Bick, Christian; Sebek, Michael; Kiss, István Z.

2017-10-01

We present an approach to generate chimera dynamics (localized frequency synchrony) in oscillator networks with two populations of (at least) two elements using a general method based on a delayed interaction with linear and quadratic terms. The coupling design yields robust chimeras through a phase-model-based design of the delay and the ratio of linear and quadratic components of the interactions. We demonstrate the method in the Brusselator model and experiments with electrochemical oscillators. The technique opens the way to directly bridge chimera dynamics in phase models and real-world oscillator networks.

Interações medicamentosas de fitoterápicos e fármacos: Hypericum perforatum e Piper methysticum

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C. H.G. Cordeiro

Full Text Available A utilização de produtos naturais na medicina popular é milenar e persiste até os dias atuais. Entretanto, a idéia de que estes produtos são isentos de toxicidade torna o uso de medicamentos fitoterápicos cada vez maior e indiscriminado. Este trabalho trata de uma revisão sobre as interações que podem ocorrer com a utilização concomitante de Hypericum perforatum L. (erva de são joão e Piper methysticum F. (kava-kava com fármacos, podendo levar a sérios efeitos tóxicos, incluindo a fatalidade.

La dimension estética y la crítica social en el pensamiento crítico y utópico de herbert marcuse

OpenAIRE

MOGOLLON, JUAN MANUEL

2004-01-01

A partir de una interpretación de corte fundamentalmente psicológico-antropológico, el siguiente ensayo busca sustentar la idea de Marcuse que afirma que el carácter crítico y utópico de la dimensión estética es el resultado de una represión cultural. des

Robustness: confronting lessons from physics and biology.

Science.gov (United States)

Lesne, Annick

2008-11-01

The term robustness is encountered in very different scientific fields, from engineering and control theory to dynamical systems to biology. The main question addressed herein is whether the notion of robustness and its correlates (stability, resilience, self-organisation) developed in physics are relevant to biology, or whether specific extensions and novel frameworks are required to account for the robustness properties of living systems. To clarify this issue, the different meanings covered by this unique term are discussed; it is argued that they crucially depend on the kind of perturbations that a robust system should by definition withstand. Possible mechanisms underlying robust behaviours are examined, either encountered in all natural systems (symmetries, conservation laws, dynamic stability) or specific to biological systems (feedbacks and regulatory networks). Special attention is devoted to the (sometimes counterintuitive) interrelations between robustness and noise. A distinction between dynamic selection and natural selection in the establishment of a robust behaviour is underlined. It is finally argued that nested notions of robustness, relevant to different time scales and different levels of organisation, allow one to reconcile the seemingly contradictory requirements for robustness and adaptability in living systems.

Robust topology optimization accounting for geometric imperfections

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Schevenels, M.; Jansen, M.; Lombaert, Geert

2013-01-01

performance. As a consequence, the actual structure may be far from optimal. In this paper, a robust approach to topology optimization is presented, taking into account two types of geometric imperfections: variations of (1) the crosssections and (2) the locations of structural elements. The first type...... is modeled by means of a scalar non-Gaussian random field, which is represented as a translation process. The underlying Gaussian field is simulated by means of the EOLE method. The second type of imperfections is modeled as a Gaussian vector-valued random field, which is simulated directly by means...... of the EOLE method. In each iteration of the optimization process, the relevant statistics of the structural response are evaluated by means of a Monte Carlo simulation. The proposed methodology is successfully applied to a test problem involving the design of a compliant mechanism (for the first type...

PROBABILISTIC FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A HEAVY DUTY RADIATOR UNDER INTERNAL PRESSURE LOADING

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ROBIN ROY P.

2017-09-01

Full Text Available Engine cooling is vital in keeping the engine at most efficient temperature for the different vehicle speed and operating road conditions. Radiator is one of the key components in the heavy duty engine cooling system. Heavy duty radiator is subjected to various kinds of loading such as pressure, thermal, vibration, internal erosion, external corrosion, creep. Pressure cycle durability is one of the most important characteristic in the design of heavy duty radiator. Current design methodologies involve design of heavy duty radiator using the nominal finite element approach which does not take into account of the variations occurring in the geometry, material and boundary condition, leading to over conservative and uneconomical designs of radiator system. A new approach is presented in the paper to integrate traditional linear finite element method and probabilistic approach to design a heavy duty radiator by including the uncertainty in the computational model. As a first step, nominal run is performed with input design variables and desired responses are extracted. A probabilistic finite elementanalysis is performed to identify the robust designs and validated for reliability. Probabilistic finite element includes the uncertainty of the material thickness, dimensional and geometrical variation. Gaussian distribution is employed to define the random variation and uncertainty. Monte Carlo method is used to generate the random design points.Output response distributions of the random design points are post-processed using different statistical and probability technique to find the robust design. The above approach of systematic virtual modelling and analysis of the data helps to find efficient and reliable robust design.

Finite element analysis of multi-material models using a balancing domain decomposition method combined with the diagonal scaling preconditioner

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ogino, Masao

2016-01-01

Actual problems in science and industrial applications are modeled by multi-materials and large-scale unstructured mesh, and the finite element analysis has been widely used to solve such problems on the parallel computer. However, for large-scale problems, the iterative methods for linear finite element equations suffer from slow or no convergence. Therefore, numerical methods having both robust convergence and scalable parallel efficiency are in great demand. The domain decomposition method is well known as an iterative substructuring method, and is an efficient approach for parallel finite element methods. Moreover, the balancing preconditioner achieves robust convergence. However, in case of problems consisting of very different materials, the convergence becomes bad. There are some research to solve this issue, however not suitable for cases of complex shape and composite materials. In this study, to improve convergence of the balancing preconditioner for multi-materials, a balancing preconditioner combined with the diagonal scaling preconditioner, called Scaled-BDD method, is proposed. Some numerical results are included which indicate that the proposed method has robust convergence for the number of subdomains and shows high performances compared with the original balancing preconditioner. (author)

Rim intratorácico ectópico Thoracic ectopic kidney

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Claudinei Leôncio Beraldo

2005-04-01

Full Text Available O rim ectópico intratorácico é uma anomalia rara. De todas as ectopias renais é a mais rara (p = 0,005%. Relata-se um caso de ectopia renal intratorácica em um homem negro de 83 anos, que procurou atendimento médico com quadro clínico compatível com enfisema pulmonar. Foi solicitado radiograma de tórax, que evidenciou uma massa, diagnosticada por tomografia computadorizada como ectopia renal. A maioria dos casos de rim torácico aparece como uma tumoração intratorácica encontrada em radiogramas de tórax solicitados por qualquer outra razão alheia à suspeita dessa anomalia, e não necessita de tratamento específico.Thoracic ectopic kidney is a rare anomaly, the rarest of all renal ectopia types (p = 0.005%. Herein, we describe a case of thoracic ectopic kidney in an 83-year-old black man who, upon seeking medical attention, presented a clinical profile consistent with pulmonary emphysema. A chest X-ray was ordered, and the results showed evidence of a mass, which was then diagnosed (through computed tomography as renal ectopia. The majority of thoracic ectopic kidney cases present as an intrathoracic tumor seen on chest X-rays ordered for reasons other than suspicion of this anomaly and do not require special treatment.

Robust AIC with High Breakdown Scale Estimate

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Shokrya Saleh

2014-01-01

Full Text Available Akaike Information Criterion (AIC based on least squares (LS regression minimizes the sum of the squared residuals; LS is sensitive to outlier observations. Alternative criterion, which is less sensitive to outlying observation, has been proposed; examples are robust AIC (RAIC, robust Mallows Cp (RCp, and robust Bayesian information criterion (RBIC. In this paper, we propose a robust AIC by replacing the scale estimate with a high breakdown point estimate of scale. The robustness of the proposed methods is studied through its influence function. We show that, the proposed robust AIC is effective in selecting accurate models in the presence of outliers and high leverage points, through simulated and real data examples.

Methodology in robust and nonparametric statistics

CERN Document Server

Jurecková, Jana; Picek, Jan

2012-01-01

Introduction and SynopsisIntroductionSynopsisPreliminariesIntroductionInference in Linear ModelsRobustness ConceptsRobust and Minimax Estimation of LocationClippings from Probability and Asymptotic TheoryProblemsRobust Estimation of Location and RegressionIntroductionM-EstimatorsL-EstimatorsR-EstimatorsMinimum Distance and Pitman EstimatorsDifferentiable Statistical FunctionsProblemsAsymptotic Representations for L-Estimators

Robust Approaches to Forecasting

OpenAIRE

Jennifer Castle; David Hendry; Michael P. Clements

2014-01-01

We investigate alternative robust approaches to forecasting, using a new class of robust devices, contrasted with equilibrium correction models. Their forecasting properties are derived facing a range of likely empirical problems at the forecast origin, including measurement errors, implulses, omitted variables, unanticipated location shifts and incorrectly included variables that experience a shift. We derive the resulting forecast biases and error variances, and indicate when the methods ar...

Theoretical Framework for Robustness Evaluation

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2011-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical framework for evaluation of robustness of structural systems, incl. bridges and buildings. Typically modern structural design codes require that ‘the consequence of damages to structures should not be disproportional to the causes of the damages’. However, although...... the importance of robustness for structural design is widely recognized the code requirements are not specified in detail, which makes the practical use difficult. This paper describes a theoretical and risk based framework to form the basis for quantification of robustness and for pre-normative guidelines...

Robust portfolio selection under norm uncertainty

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Lei Wang

2016-06-01

Full Text Available Abstract In this paper, we consider the robust portfolio selection problem which has a data uncertainty described by the ( p , w $(p,w$ -norm in the objective function. We show that the robust formulation of this problem is equivalent to a linear optimization problem. Moreover, we present some numerical results concerning our robust portfolio selection problem.

(Non-) robustness of vulnerability assessments to climate change: An application to New Zealand.

Science.gov (United States)

Fernandez, Mario Andres; Bucaram, Santiago; Renteria, Willington

2017-12-01

Assessments of vulnerability to climate change are a key element to inform climate policy and research. Assessments based on the aggregation of indicators have a strong appeal for their simplicity but are at risk of over-simplification and uncertainty. This paper explores the non-robustness of indicators-based assessments to changes in assumptions on the degree of substitution or compensation between indicators. Our case study is a nationwide assessment for New Zealand. We found that the ranking of geographic areas is sensitive to different parameterisations of the aggregation function, that is, areas that are categorised as highly vulnerable may switch to the least vulnerable category even with respect to the same climate hazards and population groups. Policy implications from the assessments are then compromised. Though indicators-based approaches may help on identifying drivers of vulnerability, there are weak grounds to use them to recommend mitigation or adaptation decisions given the high level of uncertainty because of non-robustness. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topologically robust sound propagation in an angular-momentum-biased graphene-like resonator lattice

Science.gov (United States)

Khanikaev, Alexander B.; Fleury, Romain; Mousavi, S. Hossein; Alù, Andrea

2015-10-01

Topological insulators do not allow conduction in the bulk, yet they support edge modes that travel along the boundary only in one direction, determined by the carried electron spin, with inherent robustness to defects and disorder. Topological insulators have inspired analogues in photonics and optics, in which one-way edge propagation in topologically protected two-dimensional materials is achieved breaking time-reversal symmetry with a magnetic bias. Here, we introduce the concept of topological order in classical acoustics, realizing robust topological protection and one-way edge propagation of sound in a suitably designed resonator lattice biased with angular momentum, forming the acoustic analogue of a magnetically biased graphene layer. Extending the concept of an acoustic nonreciprocal circulator based on angular-momentum bias, time-reversal symmetry is broken here using moderate rotational motion of air within each element of the lattice, which takes the role of the electron spin in determining the direction of modal edge propagation.

Origen geográfico de camélidos en el periodo mochica (100-800 AD) y análisis isotópico secuencial del esmalte dentario: enfoque metodológico y aportes preliminares

OpenAIRE

Goepfert, Nicolas; Dufour, Elise; Gutiérrez, Belkys; Chauchat, Claude

2013-01-01

Comunes en los sitios arqueológicos costeños peruanos en la época prehispánica, los camélidos se encuentran hoy en día ausentes de este medio ambiente. Por lo tanto, se sugirió durante mucho tiempo que estos animales llegaban a la costa a través de intercambios con la sierra. Este trabajo representa un primer intento en la utilización del oxígeno en los análisis isotópicos secuenciales para reconstruir el origen geográfico de los camélidos en la zona andina. El análisis isotópico del esmalte ...

Robust k-mer frequency estimation using gapped k-mers.

Science.gov (United States)

Ghandi, Mahmoud; Mohammad-Noori, Morteza; Beer, Michael A

2014-08-01

Oligomers of fixed length, k, commonly known as k-mers, are often used as fundamental elements in the description of DNA sequence features of diverse biological function, or as intermediate elements in the constuction of more complex descriptors of sequence features such as position weight matrices. k-mers are very useful as general sequence features because they constitute a complete and unbiased feature set, and do not require parameterization based on incomplete knowledge of biological mechanisms. However, a fundamental limitation in the use of k-mers as sequence features is that as k is increased, larger spatial correlations in DNA sequence elements can be described, but the frequency of observing any specific k-mer becomes very small, and rapidly approaches a sparse matrix of binary counts. Thus any statistical learning approach using k-mers will be susceptible to noisy estimation of k-mer frequencies once k becomes large. Because all molecular DNA interactions have limited spatial extent, gapped k-mers often carry the relevant biological signal. Here we use gapped k-mer counts to more robustly estimate the ungapped k-mer frequencies, by deriving an equation for the minimum norm estimate of k-mer frequencies given an observed set of gapped k-mer frequencies. We demonstrate that this approach provides a more accurate estimate of the k-mer frequencies in real biological sequences using a sample of CTCF binding sites in the human genome.

Robustness and structure of complex networks

Science.gov (United States)

Shao, Shuai

This dissertation covers the two major parts of my PhD research on statistical physics and complex networks: i) modeling a new type of attack -- localized attack, and investigating robustness of complex networks under this type of attack; ii) discovering the clustering structure in complex networks and its influence on the robustness of coupled networks. Complex networks appear in every aspect of our daily life and are widely studied in Physics, Mathematics, Biology, and Computer Science. One important property of complex networks is their robustness under attacks, which depends crucially on the nature of attacks and the structure of the networks themselves. Previous studies have focused on two types of attack: random attack and targeted attack, which, however, are insufficient to describe many real-world damages. Here we propose a new type of attack -- localized attack, and study the robustness of complex networks under this type of attack, both analytically and via simulation. On the other hand, we also study the clustering structure in the network, and its influence on the robustness of a complex network system. In the first part, we propose a theoretical framework to study the robustness of complex networks under localized attack based on percolation theory and generating function method. We investigate the percolation properties, including the critical threshold of the phase transition pc and the size of the giant component Pinfinity. We compare localized attack with random attack and find that while random regular (RR) networks are more robust against localized attack, Erdoḧs-Renyi (ER) networks are equally robust under both types of attacks. As for scale-free (SF) networks, their robustness depends crucially on the degree exponent lambda. The simulation results show perfect agreement with theoretical predictions. We also test our model on two real-world networks: a peer-to-peer computer network and an airline network, and find that the real-world networks

Robustness Recipes for Minimax Robust Optimization in Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy for Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Voort, Sebastian van der [Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam (Netherlands); Section of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Applications, Department of Radiation, Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands); Water, Steven van de [Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam (Netherlands); Perkó, Zoltán [Section of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Applications, Department of Radiation, Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands); Heijmen, Ben [Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam (Netherlands); Lathouwers, Danny [Section of Nuclear Energy and Radiation Applications, Department of Radiation, Science and Technology, Delft University of Technology, Delft (Netherlands); Hoogeman, Mischa, E-mail: m.hoogeman@erasmusmc.nl [Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam (Netherlands)

2016-05-01

Purpose: We aimed to derive a “robustness recipe” giving the range robustness (RR) and setup robustness (SR) settings (ie, the error values) that ensure adequate clinical target volume (CTV) coverage in oropharyngeal cancer patients for given gaussian distributions of systematic setup, random setup, and range errors (characterized by standard deviations of Σ, σ, and ρ, respectively) when used in minimax worst-case robust intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) optimization. Methods and Materials: For the analysis, contoured computed tomography (CT) scans of 9 unilateral and 9 bilateral patients were used. An IMPT plan was considered robust if, for at least 98% of the simulated fractionated treatments, 98% of the CTV received 95% or more of the prescribed dose. For fast assessment of the CTV coverage for given error distributions (ie, different values of Σ, σ, and ρ), polynomial chaos methods were used. Separate recipes were derived for the unilateral and bilateral cases using one patient from each group, and all 18 patients were included in the validation of the recipes. Results: Treatment plans for bilateral cases are intrinsically more robust than those for unilateral cases. The required RR only depends on the ρ, and SR can be fitted by second-order polynomials in Σ and σ. The formulas for the derived robustness recipes are as follows: Unilateral patients need SR = −0.15Σ{sup 2} + 0.27σ{sup 2} + 1.85Σ − 0.06σ + 1.22 and RR=3% for ρ = 1% and ρ = 2%; bilateral patients need SR = −0.07Σ{sup 2} + 0.19σ{sup 2} + 1.34Σ − 0.07σ + 1.17 and RR=3% and 4% for ρ = 1% and 2%, respectively. For the recipe validation, 2 plans were generated for each of the 18 patients corresponding to Σ = σ = 1.5 mm and ρ = 0% and 2%. Thirty-four plans had adequate CTV coverage in 98% or more of the simulated fractionated treatments; the remaining 2 had adequate coverage in 97.8% and 97.9%. Conclusions: Robustness recipes were derived that can

Discovery and cross-section measurement of neutron-rich isotopes in the element range from neodymium to platinum with the FRS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kurcewicz, J., E-mail: j.kurcewicz@gsi.de [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Farinon, F.; Geissel, H. [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Justus-Liebig-Universitaet Giessen, 35392 Giessen (Germany); Pietri, S.; Nociforo, C. [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Prochazka, A. [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Justus-Liebig-Universitaet Giessen, 35392 Giessen (Germany); Weick, H.; Winfield, J.S. [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Estrade, A. [GSI Helmholtzzentrum fuer Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt (Germany); Astronomy and Physics Department, Saint Mary' s University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3C3 (Canada); Allegro, P.R.P. [Institute of Physics, Universidade de Sao Paulo, CEP 05508-090 Cidade Universitaria, Sao Paulo (Brazil); Bail, A.; Belier, G. [CEA DAM DiF, 91290 Arpajon Cedex (France); Benlliure, J. [Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, E-15706 Santiago de Compostella (Spain); Benzoni, G. [INFN sezione di Milano, I-20133 Milano (Italy); Bunce, M.; Bowry, M. [Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH (United Kingdom); Caballero-Folch, R. [Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08034 Barcelona (Spain); and others

2012-10-31

Using the high-resolution performance of the fragment separator FRS at GSI we have discovered 60 new neutron-rich isotopes in the atomic number range of 60 Less-Than-Or-Slanted-Equal-To Z Less-Than-Or-Slanted-Equal-To 78. The new isotopes were unambiguously identified in reactions with a {sup 238}U beam impinging on a Be target at 1 GeV/nucleon. The production cross-section for the new isotopes have been measured down to the pico-barn level and compared with predictions of different model calculations. For elements above hafnium fragmentation is the dominant reaction mechanism which creates the new isotopes, whereas fission plays a dominant role for the production of the new isotopes up to thulium.

SPATIAL CLUSTER AND OUTLIER IDENTIFICATION OF GEOCHEMICAL ASSOCIATION OF ELEMENTS: A CASE STUDY IN JUIRUI COPPER MINING AREA

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tien Thanh NGUYEN

2016-12-01

Full Text Available Spatial clusters and spatial outliers play an important role in the study of the spatial distribution patterns of geochemical data. They characterize the fundamental properties of mineralization processes, the spatial distribution of mineral deposits, and ore element concentrations in mineral districts. In this study, a new method for the study of spatial distribution patterns of multivariate data is proposed based on a combination of robust Mahalanobis distance and local Moran’s Ii. In order to construct the spatial matrix, the Moran's I spatial correlogram was first used to determine the range. The robust Mahalanobis distances were then computed for an association of elements. Finally, local Moran’s Ii statistics was used to measure the degree of spatial association and discover the spatial distribution patterns of associations of Cu, Au, Mo, Ag, Pb, Zn, As, and Sb elements including spatial clusters and spatial outliers. Spatial patterns were analyzed at six different spatial scales (2km, 4 km, 6 km, 8 km, 10 km and 12 km for both the raw data and Box-Cox transformed data. The results show that identified spatial cluster and spatial outlier areas using local Moran’s Ii and the robust Mahalanobis accord the objective reality and have a good conformity with known deposits in the study area.

A Conceptual Methodology for Assessing Acquisition Requirements Robustness against Technology Uncertainties

Science.gov (United States)

Chou, Shuo-Ju

2011-12-01

In recent years the United States has shifted from a threat-based acquisition policy that developed systems for countering specific threats to a capabilities-based strategy that emphasizes the acquisition of systems that provide critical national defense capabilities. This shift in policy, in theory, allows for the creation of an "optimal force" that is robust against current and future threats regardless of the tactics and scenario involved. In broad terms, robustness can be defined as the insensitivity of an outcome to "noise" or non-controlled variables. Within this context, the outcome is the successful achievement of defense strategies and the noise variables are tactics and scenarios that will be associated with current and future enemies. Unfortunately, a lack of system capability, budget, and schedule robustness against technology performance and development uncertainties has led to major setbacks in recent acquisition programs. This lack of robustness stems from the fact that immature technologies have uncertainties in their expected performance, development cost, and schedule that cause to variations in system effectiveness and program development budget and schedule requirements. Unfortunately, the Technology Readiness Assessment process currently used by acquisition program managers and decision-makers to measure technology uncertainty during critical program decision junctions does not adequately capture the impact of technology performance and development uncertainty on program capability and development metrics. The Technology Readiness Level metric employed by the TRA to describe program technology elements uncertainties can only provide a qualitative and non-descript estimation of the technology uncertainties. In order to assess program robustness, specifically requirements robustness, against technology performance and development uncertainties, a new process is needed. This process should provide acquisition program managers and decision

Nucleon matrix elements using the variational method in lattice QCD

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dragos, J.; Kamleh, W.; Leinweber, D.B.; Zanotti, J.M.; Rakow, P.E.L.; Young, R.D.; Adelaide Univ., SA

2016-06-01

The extraction of hadron matrix elements in lattice QCD using the standard two- and threepoint correlator functions demands careful attention to systematic uncertainties. One of the most commonly studied sources of systematic error is contamination from excited states. We apply the variational method to calculate the axial vector current g_A, the scalar current g_S and the quark momentum fraction left angle x right angle of the nucleon and we compare the results to the more commonly used summation and two-exponential fit methods. The results demonstrate that the variational approach offers a more efficient and robust method for the determination of nucleon matrix elements.

SELECCIÓN DE “CABEZAS DE CLON” EN CAFÉ ROBUSTA (Coffea canephora EN EL TRÓPICO SECO, ECUADOR

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Luis Alberto Duicela Guambi

2016-06-01

Full Text Available La investigación se ejecutó de junio 2007 a diciembre 2012, en el Centro Experimental de café robusta ubicado en el Recinto Las Mercedes, cantón Isidro Ayora, provincia del Guayas, donde prevalece la zona de vida “Bosque muy seco tropical”. El objetivo fue seleccionar árboles “Cabezas de clon” de alto valor genético para impulsar la caficultura en el trópico seco del litoral ecuatoriano. Se evaluaron 32 accesiones de distinto origen, cada una conformada de 20 cafetos. En una primera etapa, se evaluaron los caracteres morfológicos y productivos de las accesiones y en una segunda etapa se incluyeron los atributos organolépticos e industriales de los árboles promisorios. El análisis estadístico incluyó el cálculo de estadígrafos, análisis de varianza, componentes principales y conglomerados jerárquicos. Los resultados permitieron identificar y seleccionar dos accesiones tipo conilón y siete tipo robusta. Las “cabezas de clon” seleccionadas fueron: CONERB-01-Planta 13-14-17-20, CON-ETP-01-Planta 11, COF-01-Plantas 02 y 04, COF-02-Plantas 15 y 17, COF-04-Planta 18, COF-05-Planta 2, COF-06-Plantas 3-15-17, NP-4024-Planta 15 y NP-2024-Planta 10. El potencial productivo de los árboles seleccionados varía de 2,5 a 3,9 t ha-1, por tanto, se infiere que existen genotipos de alta productividad, adaptados al trópico seco y al manejo intensivo con riego.

A spectral element-FCT method for the compressible Euler equations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Giannakouros, J.; Karniadakis, G.E.

1994-01-01

A new algorithm based on spectral element discretizations and flux-corrected transport concepts is developed for the solution of the Euler equations of inviscid compressible fluid flow. A conservative formulation is proposed based on one- and two-dimensional cell-averaging and reconstruction procedures, which employ a staggered mesh of Gauss-Chebyshev and Gauss-Lobatto-Chebyshev collocation points. Particular emphasis is placed on the construction of robust boundary and interfacial conditions in one- and two-dimensions. It is demonstrated through shock-tube problems and two-dimensional simulations that the proposed algorithm leads to stable, non-oscillatory solutions of high accuracy. Of particular importance is the fact that dispersion errors are minimal, as show through experiments. From the operational point of view, casting the method in a spectral element formulation provides flexibility in the discretization, since a variable number of macro-elements or collocation points per element can be employed to accomodate both accuracy and geometric requirements

Estudio de la electrooxidación de CO en electrodos de Pt(poly) y Pt(hkl) : el origen del pre-pico

OpenAIRE

López Cudero, Ana

2011-01-01

Se han combinado técnicas electroquímicas clásicas como la voltametría cíclica, con otras como la espectroscopía infrarroja con transformada de Fourrier, la microscopia de efecto túnel o la generación de segundo armónico, a fin de estudiar a fondo las variaciones del recubrimiento en función del potencial de admisión a explicar la existencia del pre-pico en los voltamogramas de stripping de CO

A theoretical and practical contribution to supply chain robustness:developing a schema for robustness in dyads

OpenAIRE

Durach, Christian F.

2016-01-01

Published in print by Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin, ISBN 978-3-7983-2812-9 (ISSN 1865-3170) This doctoral thesis develops four individual research studies on supply chain robustness. The overall goal of these studies is to develop a conceptual framework of supply chain robustness by consolidating current literature in the field, and, drawing on that framework, to construct a schema of determinants that facilitate robustness in buyer-supplier relationships. This research is motivated by...

LOS SISTEMAS AGROFORESTALES COMO ALTERNATIVA A LA CAPTURA DE CARBONO EN EL TRÓPICO MEXICANO

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fernando Casanova-Lugo

2011-01-01

Full Text Available Se presenta una revisión relacionada con el papel que juegan los sistemas agroforestales (SAF como una alternativa para la captura de carbono en los ecosistemas del trópico mexicano. Se presentan los SAF como una estrategia productiva y ecológicamente amigable con el ambiente. Asimismo se resalta la importancia de los SAF en el ciclo global de carbono, argumentando algunos aspectos relacionados con la captura de carbono en la vegetación y el suelo. Finalmente, se describen las perspectivas futuras, en relación con las necesidades de estudio para mejorar la implementación y aprovechamiento sostenible de los SAF. Se concluye que los SAF son una alternativa sostenible que ayuda a incrementar la productividad y contribuyen a mitigar el calentamiento global con una importante contribución en las zonas tropicales.

A experiência subjetiva do uso de psicotrópicos na perspectiva de pessoas com diagnóstico de esquizofrenia

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Iara Scaranelo Penteado Benini

2016-03-01

Full Text Available O presente artigo objetiva discutir a experiência subjetiva do uso de psicotrópicos na perspectiva de pessoas com o diagnóstico de esquizofrenia. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo de base fenomenológica hermenêutica ou interpretativa que ocorreu a partir da análise de narrativas produzidas em grupos focais. Conclui ser a experiência do usuário de medicamentos diversa e importante, devendo ser incluída no processo de tomada de decisão quanto ao tratamento medicamentoso, onde o sujeito deve ser central.

Robust control design with MATLAB

CERN Document Server

Gu, Da-Wei; Konstantinov, Mihail M

2013-01-01

Robust Control Design with MATLAB® (second edition) helps the student to learn how to use well-developed advanced robust control design methods in practical cases. To this end, several realistic control design examples from teaching-laboratory experiments, such as a two-wheeled, self-balancing robot, to complex systems like a flexible-link manipulator are given detailed presentation. All of these exercises are conducted using MATLAB® Robust Control Toolbox 3, Control System Toolbox and Simulink®. By sharing their experiences in industrial cases with minimum recourse to complicated theories and formulae, the authors convey essential ideas and useful insights into robust industrial control systems design using major H-infinity optimization and related methods allowing readers quickly to move on with their own challenges. The hands-on tutorial style of this text rests on an abundance of examples and features for the second edition: ·        rewritten and simplified presentation of theoretical and meth...

Robust Portfolio Optimization Using Pseudodistances

Science.gov (United States)

2015-01-01

The presence of outliers in financial asset returns is a frequently occurring phenomenon which may lead to unreliable mean-variance optimized portfolios. This fact is due to the unbounded influence that outliers can have on the mean returns and covariance estimators that are inputs in the optimization procedure. In this paper we present robust estimators of mean and covariance matrix obtained by minimizing an empirical version of a pseudodistance between the assumed model and the true model underlying the data. We prove and discuss theoretical properties of these estimators, such as affine equivariance, B-robustness, asymptotic normality and asymptotic relative efficiency. These estimators can be easily used in place of the classical estimators, thereby providing robust optimized portfolios. A Monte Carlo simulation study and applications to real data show the advantages of the proposed approach. We study both in-sample and out-of-sample performance of the proposed robust portfolios comparing them with some other portfolios known in literature. PMID:26468948

Robust Portfolio Optimization Using Pseudodistances.

Science.gov (United States)

Toma, Aida; Leoni-Aubin, Samuela

2015-01-01

The presence of outliers in financial asset returns is a frequently occurring phenomenon which may lead to unreliable mean-variance optimized portfolios. This fact is due to the unbounded influence that outliers can have on the mean returns and covariance estimators that are inputs in the optimization procedure. In this paper we present robust estimators of mean and covariance matrix obtained by minimizing an empirical version of a pseudodistance between the assumed model and the true model underlying the data. We prove and discuss theoretical properties of these estimators, such as affine equivariance, B-robustness, asymptotic normality and asymptotic relative efficiency. These estimators can be easily used in place of the classical estimators, thereby providing robust optimized portfolios. A Monte Carlo simulation study and applications to real data show the advantages of the proposed approach. We study both in-sample and out-of-sample performance of the proposed robust portfolios comparing them with some other portfolios known in literature.

How Robust is Your System Resilience?

Science.gov (United States)

Homayounfar, M.; Muneepeerakul, R.

2017-12-01

Robustness and resilience are concepts in system thinking that have grown in importance and popularity. For many complex social-ecological systems, however, robustness and resilience are difficult to quantify and the connections and trade-offs between them difficult to study. Most studies have either focused on qualitative approaches to discuss their connections or considered only one of them under particular classes of disturbances. In this study, we present an analytical framework to address the linkage between robustness and resilience more systematically. Our analysis is based on a stylized dynamical model that operationalizes a widely used concept framework for social-ecological systems. The model enables us to rigorously define robustness and resilience and consequently investigate their connections. The results reveal the tradeoffs among performance, robustness, and resilience. They also show how the nature of the such tradeoffs varies with the choices of certain policies (e.g., taxation and investment in public infrastructure), internal stresses and external disturbances.

International Conference on Robust Statistics 2015

CERN Document Server

Basu, Ayanendranath; Filzmoser, Peter; Mukherjee, Diganta

2016-01-01

This book offers a collection of recent contributions and emerging ideas in the areas of robust statistics presented at the International Conference on Robust Statistics 2015 (ICORS 2015) held in Kolkata during 12–16 January, 2015. The book explores the applicability of robust methods in other non-traditional areas which includes the use of new techniques such as skew and mixture of skew distributions, scaled Bregman divergences, and multilevel functional data methods; application areas being circular data models and prediction of mortality and life expectancy. The contributions are of both theoretical as well as applied in nature. Robust statistics is a relatively young branch of statistical sciences that is rapidly emerging as the bedrock of statistical analysis in the 21st century due to its flexible nature and wide scope. Robust statistics supports the application of parametric and other inference techniques over a broader domain than the strictly interpreted model scenarios employed in classical statis...

Field and city: Grande Sertão and Tristes Trópicos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Abel da Silveira Viana

2008-07-01

Full Text Available Until what point the intellectual improvement made possible the improvement in the social relations between field and city in Brazil of 20th century middle? The articulated and displayed images by important intellectuals were many times entailed to a supposed necessity of governmental public politics directed to the field inhabitant. The constatation takes us to at least two questions: the disguise of a superficial human being construction, which is, the idea of democratic State, based in a false politics unit, social and cultural, when not racial; and, as a consequence, the subjugation of social groups kept out of society, which the field inhabitant is one example. For the evaluation of this problem, we have two basic texts, for joining a important dimension to think about the problem of the representation and state homogenization: for being central in the debate on the relation field-city, and to establish dialogue with the academic thought of its time. These workmanships, which the article talks about, are Tristes trópicos, by Claude Lévi-Strauss, and Grande sertão: veredas by João Guimarães Rosa.

Robustness of IPTV business models

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Bouwman, H.; Zhengjia, M.; Duin, P. van der; Limonard, S.

2008-01-01

The final stage in the STOF method is an evaluation of the robustness of the design, for which the method provides some guidelines. For many innovative services, the future holds numerous uncertainties, which makes evaluating the robustness of a business model a difficult task. In this chapter, we

Robust Design Impact Metrics: Measuring the effect of implementing and using Robust Design

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ebro, Martin; Olesen, Jesper; Howard, Thomas J.

2014-01-01

Measuring the performance of an organisation’s product development process can be challenging due to the limited use of metrics in R&D. An organisation considering whether to use Robust Design as an integrated part of their development process may find it difficult to define whether it is relevant......, and afterwards measure the effect of having implemented it. This publication identifies and evaluates Robust Design-related metrics and finds that 2 metrics are especially useful: 1) Relative amount of R&D Resources spent after Design Verification and 2) Number of ‘change notes’ after Design Verification....... The metrics have been applied in a case company to test the assumptions made during the evaluation. It is concluded that the metrics are useful and relevant, but further work is necessary to make a proper overview and categorisation of different types of robustness related metrics....

Design and 3D printing of controllable-pitch archimedean screw for pico hydropower generation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Kyung Tae; Kim, Eun Seob; Chu, Won Shik; Ahn, Sung Hoon [Seoul National University, Seoul (Korea, Republic of)

2015-11-15

Renewable energy has attracted considerable attention because the energy problem has become a worldwide issue. The development of pico-hydropower generation, as a component of distributed generation, has been a subject of concern. In particular, the Archimedean screw generator (ASG) has more benefits, such as low cost, easy maintenance, and fish-friendly characteristic, compared with other types of hydro turbine. Despite these advantages, no appropriate design theory of ASG and Controllable-pitch Archimedean screw (CPAS) exists. Hence, a design theory of ASG and CPAS was theoretically investigated and designed in this study. CPAS was designed for a small-scale hydro-power generation system. With a 3D printer, fused deposition modeling was used to fabricate the blade of CPAS with polylactic acid and epoxy surface coating. A performance evaluation was conducted and analyzed. Results indicate a similar trend with the proposed theory. The power generation was 123 W and efficiency was 71% in 0.04 m{sup 3}/s.

Design and 3D printing of controllable-pitch archimedean screw for pico hydropower generation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Kyung Tae; Kim, Eun Seob; Chu, Won Shik; Ahn, Sung Hoon

2015-01-01

Renewable energy has attracted considerable attention because the energy problem has become a worldwide issue. The development of pico-hydropower generation, as a component of distributed generation, has been a subject of concern. In particular, the Archimedean screw generator (ASG) has more benefits, such as low cost, easy maintenance, and fish-friendly characteristic, compared with other types of hydro turbine. Despite these advantages, no appropriate design theory of ASG and Controllable-pitch Archimedean screw (CPAS) exists. Hence, a design theory of ASG and CPAS was theoretically investigated and designed in this study. CPAS was designed for a small-scale hydro-power generation system. With a 3D printer, fused deposition modeling was used to fabricate the blade of CPAS with polylactic acid and epoxy surface coating. A performance evaluation was conducted and analyzed. Results indicate a similar trend with the proposed theory. The power generation was 123 W and efficiency was 71% in 0.04 m"3/s

Factores diagnósticos endoscópicos y pronósticos relacionados con el Helicobacter Pylori en la enfermedad injerto contra huésped tras el trasplante alogénico de células hematopoyéticas

OpenAIRE

Velasco Guardado, Antonio

2016-01-01

[ES] INTRODUCCIÓN: El trabajo consta de tres artículos originales relacionados por un lado con el diagnóstico endoscópico e histológico en la Enfermedad de Injerto contra Huésped (EICH) tras el trasplante alogénico de células hematopoyéticas (TACH) y por otro sobre el papel que juega la infección por Helicobacter pylori (HP) en dicha enfermedad. El tracto gastrointestinal es la principal diana de la Enfermedad de Injerto contra Huésped. Su diagnóstico se basa en los hallazgos endoscópicos e ...

Robust loss functions for boosting.

Science.gov (United States)

Kanamori, Takafumi; Takenouchi, Takashi; Eguchi, Shinto; Murata, Noboru

2007-08-01

Boosting is known as a gradient descent algorithm over loss functions. It is often pointed out that the typical boosting algorithm, Adaboost, is highly affected by outliers. In this letter, loss functions for robust boosting are studied. Based on the concept of robust statistics, we propose a transformation of loss functions that makes boosting algorithms robust against extreme outliers. Next, the truncation of loss functions is applied to contamination models that describe the occurrence of mislabels near decision boundaries. Numerical experiments illustrate that the proposed loss functions derived from the contamination models are useful for handling highly noisy data in comparison with other loss functions.

Robustness of airline route networks

Science.gov (United States)

Lordan, Oriol; Sallan, Jose M.; Escorihuela, Nuria; Gonzalez-Prieto, David

2016-03-01

Airlines shape their route network by defining their routes through supply and demand considerations, paying little attention to network performance indicators, such as network robustness. However, the collapse of an airline network can produce high financial costs for the airline and all its geographical area of influence. The aim of this study is to analyze the topology and robustness of the network route of airlines following Low Cost Carriers (LCCs) and Full Service Carriers (FSCs) business models. Results show that FSC hubs are more central than LCC bases in their route network. As a result, LCC route networks are more robust than FSC networks.

Estimación temporal en seres humanos mediante el procedimiento pico con interrupciones

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Ramsés Vázquez-Lira

2011-03-01

Full Text Available Diversos procedimientos empleados en el estudio del aprendizaje animal hansido adaptados para investigación con humanos; específicamente, los procedimientosde intervalo fijo, bisección y generalización temporal, y el procedimientopico, originalmente empleados para estudiar el proceso de estimación temporalen animales no humanos, han sido también utilizados con humanos, brindandoimportantes conocimientos para la comprensión del comportamiento humano. Elpresente trabajo reporta la adaptación para humanos del procedimiento pico coninterrupciones, utilizado en las últimas décadas para dilucidar aspectos atencionalesy mnémicos del proceso de estimación temporal. Se encontró que los 35participantes (22.3 ± 3.1 años de edad tienden a detener su estimación temporaldurante la interrupción, conservando en memoria temporal el tiempo previo a lainterrupción; los presentes resultados sugieren que la tasa de decaimiento dememoria temporal en humanos es menor que en cualquiera de las otras especiesque han sido evaluadas en este procedimiento.

Evaluation of Structural Robustness against Column Loss: Methodology and Application to RC Frame Buildings.

Science.gov (United States)

Bao, Yihai; Main, Joseph A; Noh, Sam-Young

2017-08-01

A computational methodology is presented for evaluating structural robustness against column loss. The methodology is illustrated through application to reinforced concrete (RC) frame buildings, using a reduced-order modeling approach for three-dimensional RC framing systems that includes the floor slabs. Comparisons with high-fidelity finite-element model results are presented to verify the approach. Pushdown analyses of prototype buildings under column loss scenarios are performed using the reduced-order modeling approach, and an energy-based procedure is employed to account for the dynamic effects associated with sudden column loss. Results obtained using the energy-based approach are found to be in good agreement with results from direct dynamic analysis of sudden column loss. A metric for structural robustness is proposed, calculated by normalizing the ultimate capacities of the structural system under sudden column loss by the applicable service-level gravity loading and by evaluating the minimum value of this normalized ultimate capacity over all column removal scenarios. The procedure is applied to two prototype 10-story RC buildings, one employing intermediate moment frames (IMFs) and the other employing special moment frames (SMFs). The SMF building, with its more stringent seismic design and detailing, is found to have greater robustness.

Multimodel Robust Control for Hydraulic Turbine

OpenAIRE

Osuský, Jakub; Števo, Stanislav

2014-01-01

The paper deals with the multimodel and robust control system design and their combination based on M-Δ structure. Controller design will be done in the frequency domain with nominal performance specified by phase margin. Hydraulic turbine model is analyzed as system with unstructured uncertainty, and robust stability condition is included in controller design. Multimodel and robust control approaches are presented in detail on hydraulic turbine model. Control design approaches are compared a...

Event recognition by detrended fluctuation analysis: An application to Teide-Pico Viejo volcanic complex, Tenerife, Spain

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Del Pin, Enrico; Carniel, Roberto; Tarraga, Marta

2008-01-01

In this work we investigate the application of the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) to seismic data recorded in the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) during the month of July 2004, in a phase of possible unrest of the Teide-Pico Viejo volcanic complex. Tectonic events recorded in the area are recognized and located by the Spanish national agency Instituto Geografico Nacional (IGN) and their catalogue is the only currently available dataset, whose completeness unfortunately suffers from the strong presence of anthropogenic noise. In this paper we propose the use of DFA to help to automatically identify events. The evaluation of this case study proves DFA to be a promising tool to be used for rapidly screening large seismic datasets and highlighting time windows with the potential presence of discrete events

Robustness of Linear Systems towards Multi-Dissipative Pertubations

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Thygesen, Uffe Høgsbro; Poulsen, Niels Kjølstad

1997-01-01

We consider the question of robust stability of a linear time invariant plant subject to dynamic perturbations, which are dissipative in the sense of Willems with respect to several quadratic supply rates. For instance, parasitic dynamics are often both small gain and passive. We reduce several...... robustness analysis questions to linear matrix inequalities: robust stability, robust H2 performance and robust performance in presence of disturbances with finite signal-to-noise ratios...

Caracterização química e mineralogia de solos antrópicos (terras pretas de índio na amazônia central

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Francisco Weliton Rocha Silva

2011-06-01

Full Text Available Na Amazônia brasileira é comum a ocorrência de sítios arqueológicos. Frequentemente, observa-se que as ações humanas nesses sítios promoveram modificações significativas em muitas das características físicas, morfológicas e químicas dos solos desses ambientes, tornando-os muito diferentes dos solos adjacentes, especialmente nas áreas de terra firme da região. Embora muitos estudos tenham sido conduzidos visando compreender a magnitude dessas modificações e seus reflexos na gênese dos solos influenciados, muitas questões precisam ser mais bem compreendidas, sobretudo as relacionadas com a mineralogia desses solos. Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar as características químicas, a composição mineralógica das frações argila e areia e o grau de pedogênese de cinco perfis de solos com horizonte A antrópico (Au, em ambientes de terra firme e várzea, localizados na Bacia Sedimentar do Amazonas, entre Coari e Manaus-AM. Amostras de solos foram coletadas, preparadas e submetidas às análises químicas de rotina e caracterizadas quanto aos teores de carbono oxidável e aos teores de Si, Fe, Al e P; adicionalmente, efetuou-se a identificação dos minerais presentes nas frações argila e areia, por meio de difratometria de raios X. Os resultados mostraram que as modificações promovidas pela atividade humana levaram à melhoria da fertilidade do solo, resultando em solos com acidez moderada, elevados teores de Ca2+ e de P disponíveis e baixos teores de Al3+ trocável. Esses resultados também revelaram teores muito elevados de P-total nos horizontes antrópicos, variando entre 1.630 e 8.840 mg kg-1 de P2O5. A mineralogia da fração argila dos solos antrópicos de terra firme revelou dominância de caulinita, além da ocorrência de gibbsita, de goethita e de óxidos de titânio (anatásio. O perfil de várzea, além de caulinita e goethita, apresentou também minerais do tipo 2:1 na fração argila. A mineralogia da

Robust performance results for discrete-time systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Mahmoud Magdi S.

1997-01-01

Full Text Available The problems of robust performance and feedback control synthesis for a class of linear discrete-time systems with time-varying parametric uncertainties are addressed in this paper. The uncertainties are bound and have a linear matrix fractional form. Based on the concept of strongly robust H ∞ -performance criterion, results of robust stability and performance are developed and expressed in easily computable linear matrix inequalities. Synthesis of robust feedback controllers is carried out for several system models of interest.

Robust adaptive synchronization of general dynamical networks ...

Indian Academy of Sciences (India)

Home; Journals; Pramana – Journal of Physics; Volume 86; Issue 6. Robust ... A robust adaptive synchronization scheme for these general complex networks with multiple delays and uncertainties is established and raised by employing the robust adaptive control principle and the Lyapunov stability theory. We choose ...

Análisis de regresión lineal multivariable para la obtención del caudal pico de descarga en rotura de presas

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

José Manuel Sánchez Muñoz

2016-04-01

Full Text Available En este artículo se hace un estudio del comportamiento dinámico e hidráulico del terreno en caso de avenida por rotura de presa, así como una presentación de una metodología de regresión lineal multivariable a partir del análisis de los datos históricos de rotura de presas para la obtención del caudal pico de descarga.

Robust synthesis for real-time systems

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Larsen, Kim Guldstrand; Legay, Axel; Traonouez, Luois-Marie

2014-01-01

Specification theories for real-time systems allow reasoning about interfaces and their implementation models, using a set of operators that includes satisfaction, refinement, logical and parallel composition. To make such theories applicable throughout the entire design process from an abstract...... of introducing small perturbations into formal models. We address this problem of robust implementations in timed specification theories. We first consider a fixed perturbation and study the robustness of timed specifications with respect to the operators of the theory. To this end we synthesize robust...... specification to an implementation, we need to reason about the possibility to effectively implement the theoretical specifications on physical systems, despite their limited precision. In the literature, this implementation problem has been linked to the robustness problem that analyzes the consequences...

Nonlinear dynamic analysis using Petrov-Galerkin natural element method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Hong Woo; Cho, Jin Rae

2004-01-01

According to our previous study, it is confirmed that the Petrov-Galerkin Natural Element Method (PG-NEM) completely resolves the numerical integration inaccuracy in the conventional Bubnov-Galerkin Natural Element Method (BG-NEM). This paper is an extension of PG-NEM to two-dimensional nonlinear dynamic problem. For the analysis, a constant average acceleration method and a linearized total Lagrangian formulation is introduced with the PG-NEM. At every time step, the grid points are updated and the shape functions are reproduced from the relocated nodal distribution. This process enables the PG-NEM to provide more accurate and robust approximations. The representative numerical experiments performed by the test Fortran program, and the numerical results confirmed that the PG-NEM effectively and accurately approximates the nonlinear dynamic problem

Las representaciones de carros de Los Buitres (Capilla, Badajoz en la cronología del Arte esquemático típico

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Julián BÉCARES PÉREZ

2009-12-01

Full Text Available RESUMEN: Se realiza una revisión crítica de las representaciones de carros de los abrigos V y X de Los Buitres de Capilla, habida cuenta de la importancia que se les ha concedido de cara a la datación del arte esquemático típico, ya que pueden considerarse como los principales responsables de la larga perduración que se suele atribuir a este ciclo artístico. Ponemos de manifiesto los problemas que existen para conferirles una datación concreta, y lo arriesgado de la utilización que se ha hecho de estos motivos, anómalos en el arte esquemático típico.RÉSUMÉ: Une revisión des representations des chariots des abris V y X de «Los Buitres de Capilla» a lieu, compte tenu de l'importance qu'on leur a donne face a la datation de l'art schématique typique, car ils peuvent étre consideres comme les principaux responsables de la grande subsistance qui est normalement atribuée á cette cycle artistique. On remarque les problémes pour donner une datation concrete ainsi que le danger de l'utilisation qu'on a fait de ees motifs, anomals dans l'art schématique typique.

Probabilistic Robustness Analysis of Timber Structures—Results from EU COST Action E55:WG3

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2011-01-01

The present paper outlines results from Working Group 3 (WG3) in the EU COST Action E55—‘Modelling of the performance of timber structures’. The objectives of the project are related to the three main research activities: the identification and modelling of relevant load and environmental exposure...... scenarios, the improvement of knowledge concerning the behaviour of timber structural elements and the development of a generic framework for the assessment of the life-cycle vulnerability and robustness of timber structures....

A Novel Evolutionary Algorithm for Designing Robust Analog Filters

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Shaobo Li

2018-03-01

Full Text Available Designing robust circuits that withstand environmental perturbation and device degradation is critical for many applications. Traditional robust circuit design is mainly done by tuning parameters to improve system robustness. However, the topological structure of a system may set a limit on the robustness achievable through parameter tuning. This paper proposes a new evolutionary algorithm for robust design that exploits the open-ended topological search capability of genetic programming (GP coupled with bond graph modeling. We applied our GP-based robust design (GPRD algorithm to evolve robust lowpass and highpass analog filters. Compared with a traditional robust design approach based on a state-of-the-art real-parameter genetic algorithm (GA, our GPRD algorithm with a fitness criterion rewarding robustness, with respect to parameter perturbations, can evolve more robust filters than what was achieved through parameter tuning alone. We also find that inappropriate GA tuning may mislead the search process and that multiple-simulation and perturbed fitness evaluation methods for evolving robustness have complementary behaviors with no absolute advantage of one over the other.

Quantitative Modelling of Trace Elements in Hard Coal.

Science.gov (United States)

Smoliński, Adam; Howaniec, Natalia

2016-01-01

The significance of coal in the world economy remains unquestionable for decades. It is also expected to be the dominant fossil fuel in the foreseeable future. The increased awareness of sustainable development reflected in the relevant regulations implies, however, the need for the development and implementation of clean coal technologies on the one hand, and adequate analytical tools on the other. The paper presents the application of the quantitative Partial Least Squares method in modeling the concentrations of trace elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V and Zn) in hard coal based on the physical and chemical parameters of coal, and coal ash components. The study was focused on trace elements potentially hazardous to the environment when emitted from coal processing systems. The studied data included 24 parameters determined for 132 coal samples provided by 17 coal mines of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin, Poland. Since the data set contained outliers, the construction of robust Partial Least Squares models for contaminated data set and the correct identification of outlying objects based on the robust scales were required. These enabled the development of the correct Partial Least Squares models, characterized by good fit and prediction abilities. The root mean square error was below 10% for all except for one the final Partial Least Squares models constructed, and the prediction error (root mean square error of cross-validation) exceeded 10% only for three models constructed. The study is of both cognitive and applicative importance. It presents the unique application of the chemometric methods of data exploration in modeling the content of trace elements in coal. In this way it contributes to the development of useful tools of coal quality assessment.

Caracterización de rellenos fisurales por desequilibrios isotópicos de series radiactivas naturales. El caso del batolito granítico de El Berrocal

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Hernández Benítez, A.

1993-08-01

Full Text Available The isotopic ratios obtained for geological materials from the granitic batholith of El Berrocal show values very close to equilibrium, like in a geochemically closed system, for the fresh granitic rock. The fracture fillings studied present values with a disequilibrium between radionuclides. This is due to the existance in the system of mobilization/retention phenomena for these elements. The fracture fillings have been sequentially leached and the results show that Uranium is preferently bound to the adsorbed and iron-rich phases. Thorium, with a lower geochemical mobility, is related mainly to the residual or detritical phases.Las relaciones isotópicas obtenidas en materiales del batolito granítico de El Berrocal muestran valores cercanos al equilibrio propios de un sistema geoquímicamente estable para la roca granítica sin alterar, mientras que en los rellenos fisurales se observan desequilibrios isotópicos que indican fenómenos actuales de movilización/retención de estos radisótopos. Los rellenos se han sometido a una lixiviación secuencial donde se observa que el uranio está asociado preferentemente a las fases adsorbidas y ricas en oxi-hidróxidos de hierro, mientras que el torio se moviliza con mayor dificultad y está asociado a la fase residual del relleno.

Tópicos para uma boa análise de dados de estudos empíricos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Teresa Garcia-Marques

2014-08-01

Full Text Available Este artigo discute o processo de análise de dados em sete tópicos: a modelos estatísticos, técnicas estatísticas e diferenciação de "receita estatística"; b a associação da validade das conclusões estatísticas ao processo de delineamento e amostragem; c a diferença e complementaridade da descrição de dados e do teste de hipóteses; d como as hipóteses se relacionam com os testes estatísticos a realizar; e a análise preliminar de dados e sua relevância; f teste de hipótese na perspectiva de Fisher e de Neyman e Pearson; g a apresentação dos dados como um processo comunicacional, e vantagens do uso de normas (APA.

REINA at CLEF 2007 Robust Task

OpenAIRE

Zazo Rodríguez, Ángel Francisco; Figuerola, Carlos G.; Alonso Berrocal, José Luis

2007-01-01

This paper describes our work at CLEF 2007 Robust Task. We have participated in the monolingual (English, French and Portuguese) and the bilingual (English to French) subtask. At CLEF 2006 our research group obtained very good results applying local query expansion using windows of terms in the robust task. This year we have used the same expansion technique, but taking into account some criteria of robustness: MAP, GMAP, MMR, GS@10, P@10, number of failed topics, number of topics bellow 0.1 ...

Nuevos receptores heteroditópicos derivados de urea con potencial aplicación en el reconocimiento selectivo de aniones y metabolitos fosfatados

OpenAIRE

Carreira Barral, Israel

2016-01-01

[Resumen]En la presente Tesis Doctoral se han desarrollado nuevas plataformas estructurales basadas en complejos de metales del bloque d (CoII, NiII, CuII y ZnII) con potencial aplicación en el reconocimiento selectivo de aniones y metabolitos con actividad biológica. Los sistemas diseñados se pueden clasificar como receptores heteroditópicos que incorporan, por un lado, una zona de reconocimiento catiónico [1,7-dioxa-4,10-diazaciclododecano, 1,4,7,10-tetraazaciclododecano (...

Rigid body formulation in a finite element context with contact interaction

Science.gov (United States)

Refachinho de Campos, Paulo R.; Gay Neto, Alfredo

2018-03-01

The present work proposes a formulation to employ rigid bodies together with flexible bodies in the context of a nonlinear finite element solver, with contact interactions. Inertial contributions due to distribution of mass of a rigid body are fully developed, considering a general pole position associated with a single node, representing a rigid body element. Additionally, a mechanical constraint is proposed to connect a rigid region composed by several nodes, which is useful for linking rigid/flexible bodies in a finite element environment. Rodrigues rotation parameters are used to describe finite rotations, by an updated Lagrangian description. In addition, the contact formulation entitled master-surface to master-surface is employed in conjunction with the rigid body element and flexible bodies, aiming to consider their interaction in a rigid-flexible multibody environment. New surface parameterizations are presented to establish contact pairs, permitting pointwise interaction in a frictional scenario. Numerical examples are provided to show robustness and applicability of the methods.

The Variation Management Framework (VMF) for Robust Design

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Howard, Thomas J.; Ebro, Martin; Eifler, Tobias

2014-01-01

Robust Design is an approach to reduce the effects of variation. There are numerous tools,methods and models associated with robust design, however, there is both a lack of a processmodel formalising the step of a robust design process and a framework tying the models together.In this paper we pr...... in the market place and identifies areaswhere action can be taken against variation. An additional benefit of the framework is that itmakes the link between visual/sensory/perceptual robustness, product robustness, and productionvariation (Six Sigma)....

Dark Matter Search Results from the \mathrm{<span\; class="hlt">PICO</span>}\text{-}60{{C}}_3{{F}}_8 Bubble Chamber

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Amole, C.; Ardid, M.; Arnquist, I. J.; Asner, D. M.; Baxter, D.; Behnke, E.; Bhattacharjee, P.; Borsodi, H.; Bou-Cabo, M.; Campion, P.; Cao, G.; Chen, C. J.; Chowdhury, U.; Clark, K.; Collar, J. I.; Cooper, P. S.; Crisler, M.; Crowder, G.; Dahl, C. E.; Das, M.; Fallows, S.; Farine, J.; Felis, I.; Filgas, R.; Girard, F.; Giroux, G.; Hall, J.; Harris, O.; Hoppe, E. W.; Jin, M.; Krauss, C. B.; Laurin, M.; Lawson, I.; Leblanc, A.; Levine, I.; Lippincott, W. H.; Mamedov, F.; Maurya, D.; Mitra, P.; Nania, T.; Neilson, R.; Noble, A. J.; Olson, S.; Ortega, A.; Plante, A.; Podviyanuk, R.; Priya, S.; Robinson, A. E.; Roeder, A.; Rucinski, R.; Scallon, O.; Seth, S.; Sonnenschein, A.; Starinski, N.; Štekl, I.; Tardif, F.; Vázquez-Jáuregui, E.; Wells, J.; Wichoski, U.; Yan, Y.; Zacek, V.; Zhang, J.

2017-06-01

New results are reported from the operation of the PICO-60 dark matter detector, a bubble chamber filled with 52 kg of C₃F₈ located in the SNOLAB underground laboratory. As in previous PICO bubble chambers, PICO-60C₃F₈ exhibits excellent electron recoil and alpha decay rejection, and the observed multiple-scattering neutron rate indicates a single-scatter neutron background of less than one event per month.

Robust recognition via information theoretic learning

CERN Document Server

He, Ran; Yuan, Xiaotong; Wang, Liang

2014-01-01

This Springer Brief represents a comprehensive review of information theoretic methods for robust recognition. A variety of information theoretic methods have been proffered in the past decade, in a large variety of computer vision applications; this work brings them together, attempts to impart the theory, optimization and usage of information entropy.The?authors?resort to a new information theoretic concept, correntropy, as a robust measure and apply it to solve robust face recognition and object recognition problems. For computational efficiency,?the brief?introduces the additive and multip

Robust methods for multivariate data analysis A1

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Frosch, Stina; Von Frese, J.; Bro, Rasmus

2005-01-01

Outliers may hamper proper classical multivariate analysis, and lead to incorrect conclusions. To remedy the problem of outliers, robust methods are developed in statistics and chemometrics. Robust methods reduce or remove the effect of outlying data points and allow the ?good? data to primarily...... determine the result. This article reviews the most commonly used robust multivariate regression and exploratory methods that have appeared since 1996 in the field of chemometrics. Special emphasis is put on the robust versions of chemometric standard tools like PCA and PLS and the corresponding robust...

Towards improved modeling of steel-concrete composite wall elements

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vecchio, Frank J.; McQuade, Ian

2011-01-01

Highlights: → Improved analysis of double skinned steel concrete composite containment walls. → Smeared rotating crack concept applied in formulation of new analytical model. → Model implemented into finite element program; numerically stable and robust. → Models behavior of shear-critical elements with greater ease and improved accuracy. → Accurate assessments of strength, deformation and failure mode of test specimens. - Abstract: The Disturbed Stress Field Model, a smeared rotating crack model for reinforced concrete based on the Modified Compression Field Theory, is adapted to the analysis of double-skin steel-concrete wall elements. The computational model is then incorporated into a two-dimensional nonlinear finite element analysis algorithm. Verification studies are undertaken by modeling various test specimens, including panel elements subject to uniaxial compression, panel elements subjected to in-plane shear, and wall specimens subjected to reversed cyclic lateral displacements. In all cases, the analysis model is found to provide accurate calculations of structural load capacities, pre- and post-peak displacement responses, post-peak ductility, chronology of damage, and ultimate failure mode. Minor deficiencies are found in regards to the accurate portrayal of faceplate buckling and the effects of interfacial slip between the faceplates and the concrete. Other aspects of the modeling procedure that are in need of further research and development are also identified and discussed.

Jung y la baraja gitana: un análisis de los símbolos arquetípicos de las cartas

OpenAIRE

Campos, Denise dos Santos

2017-01-01

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo proponer un análisis arquetípico de los símbolos que aparecen en la baraja gitana. El motivo y planteamiento de la tesis es buscar si el significado primordial del símbolo, que se ha vuelto muy ajeno y extraño para el hombre moderno, permite un “acceso” al inconsciente, o sea, si es un lenguaje del Inconsciente como los sueños y otros hechos estudiados por el psicoanálisis y la psicología compleja. Las bases y pilares fundamentales de la psicología analí...

La sombra sobre Marvel : reescrituras del horror arquetípico en los cómics del Doctor Extraño.

OpenAIRE

Martín, Jorge

2017-01-01

Desde que H.P. Lovecraft sentó las bases del horror cósmico, otros muchos autores y medios han seguido el influjo de esta manifestación de lo fantástico. Entre ellos, el comic book americano también ha tratado de incorporar a sus códigos los terrores arquetípicos imaginados por el autor de Providence. Nuestro estudio pretende analizar un caso paradigmático: el superhéroe de la editorial Marvel conocido como Doctor Extraño, pues las particularidades de este personaje parecen óptimas para la tr...

Robustness Evaluation of Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2009-01-01

Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure.......Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure....

Ins-Robust Primitive Words

OpenAIRE

Srivastava, Amit Kumar; Kapoor, Kalpesh

2017-01-01

Let Q be the set of primitive words over a finite alphabet with at least two symbols. We characterize a class of primitive words, Q_I, referred to as ins-robust primitive words, which remain primitive on insertion of any letter from the alphabet and present some properties that characterizes words in the set Q_I. It is shown that the language Q_I is dense. We prove that the language of primitive words that are not ins-robust is not context-free. We also present a linear time algorithm to reco...

Pesquisa e atividades de extensão em fitoterapia desenvolvidas pela Rede FitoCerrado: uso racional de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos por idosos em Uberlândia-MG

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

H.L. Machado

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Este estudo objetivou realizar atividades de extensão em fitoterapia, a partir de um levantamento de dados sobre as plantas medicinais, fitoterápicos e medicamentos convencionais utilizados por 292 idosos frequentadores de um programa de Atividades Físicas e Recreativas para a Terceira Idade (AFRID, na cidade de Uberlândia-MG, utilizando como instrumento de investigação, um questionário semiestruturado. Dentre os entrevistados verificamos que 88% utilizavam medicamentos prescritos, principalmente para o controle da hipertensão. O uso de plantas medicinais foi relatado por 76,7% dos idosos, sendo as mais citadas: Cymbopogon citratus, Mentha sp., Rosmarinus officinalis, Plectranthus barbatus, Ocimum gratissimum, e Matricaria chamomilla. Dezesseis (5,5% idosos utilizavam fitoterápicos, principalmente preparados a partir de extratos de Ginkgo biloba, Aesculus hippocastanum e Passiflora incarnata em associação com Crataegus oxyacantha e Salix alba. O uso concomitante de plantas medicinais e fitoterápicos com medicamentos convencionais foi relatado por 86,2% e 81,3% dos idosos, respectivamente. Após a análise dos dados percebemos a necessidade do desenvolvimento de ações educativas para informar e conscientizar os idosos sobre o uso da fitoterapia. Elaboramos uma caderneta e uma cartilha para promoção da difusão dessas informações e o aprimoramento do uso da fitoterapia entre os idosos e, dessa forma, alcançar os profissionais de saúde sobre os riscos e benefícios dessa terapêutica; contribuindo assim para o uso seguro e racional da fitoterapia.

Investigating Planetesimal Evolution by Experiments with Fe-Ni Metallic Melts: Light Element Composition Effects on Trace Element Partitioning Behavior

Science.gov (United States)

Chabot, N. L.

2017-12-01

the qualitative effects of O and Si relative to the well-determined effects of S. Together, these experimental studies provide a robust dataset to identify key elements that are predicted to produce distinct chemical signatures as a function of different Fe-Ni metallic melt compositions during planetesimal evolution processes.

Surface-Supported Robust 2D Lanthanide-Carboxylate Coordination Networks.

Science.gov (United States)

Urgel, José I; Cirera, Borja; Wang, Yang; Auwärter, Willi; Otero, Roberto; Gallego, José M; Alcamí, Manuel; Klyatskaya, Svetlana; Ruben, Mario; Martín, Fernando; Miranda, Rodolfo; Ecija, David; Barth, Johannes V

2015-12-16

Lanthanide-based metal-organic compounds and architectures are promising systems for sensing, heterogeneous catalysis, photoluminescence, and magnetism. Herein, the fabrication of interfacial 2D lanthanide-carboxylate networks is introduced. This study combines low- and variable-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations addressing their design and electronic properties. The bonding of ditopic linear linkers to Gd centers on a Cu(111) surface gives rise to extended nanoporous grids, comprising mononuclear nodes featuring eightfold lateral coordination. XPS and DFT elucidate the nature of the bond, indicating ionic characteristics, which is also manifest in appreciable thermal stability. This study introduces a new generation of robust low-dimensional metallosupramolecular systems incorporating the functionalities of the f-block elements. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A new technique for the deposition of standard solutions in total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) using pico-droplets generated by inkjet printers and its applicability for aerosol analysis with SR-TXRF

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fittschen, U.E.A.; Hauschild, S.; Amberger, M.A.; Lammel, G.; Streli, C.; Foerster, S.; Wobrauschek, P.; Jokubonis, C.; Pepponi, G.; Falkenberg, G.; Broekaert, J.A.C.

2006-01-01

A new technique for the deposition of standard solutions on particulate aerosol samples using pico-droplets for elemental determinations with total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is described. It enables short analysis times without influencing the sample structure and avoids time consuming scanning of the sample with the exciting beam in SR-TXRF analysis. Droplets of picoliter volume (∼ 5-130 pL) were generated with commercially available and slightly modified inkjet printers operated with popular image processing software. The size of the dried droplets on surfaces of different polarity namely silicone coated and untreated quartz reflectors, was determined for five different printer types and ten different cartridge types. The results show that droplets generated by inkjet printers are between 50 and 200 μm in diameter (corresponding to volumes of 5 to 130 pL) depending on the cartridge type, which is smaller than the width of the synchrotron beam used in the experiments (< 1 mm at an energy of 17 keV at the beamline L at HASYLAB, Hamburg). The precision of the printing of a certain amount of a single element standard solution was found to be comparable to aliquoting with micropipettes in TXRF, where for 2.5 ng of cobalt relative standard deviations of 12% are found. However, it could be shown that the printing of simple patterns is possible, which is important when structured samples have to be analysed

Interrogating the topological robustness of gene regulatory circuits by randomization.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Bin Huang

2017-03-01

Full Text Available One of the most important roles of cells is performing their cellular tasks properly for survival. Cells usually achieve robust functionality, for example, cell-fate decision-making and signal transduction, through multiple layers of regulation involving many genes. Despite the combinatorial complexity of gene regulation, its quantitative behavior has been typically studied on the basis of experimentally verified core gene regulatory circuitry, composed of a small set of important elements. It is still unclear how such a core circuit operates in the presence of many other regulatory molecules and in a crowded and noisy cellular environment. Here we report a new computational method, named random circuit perturbation (RACIPE, for interrogating the robust dynamical behavior of a gene regulatory circuit even without accurate measurements of circuit kinetic parameters. RACIPE generates an ensemble of random kinetic models corresponding to a fixed circuit topology, and utilizes statistical tools to identify generic properties of the circuit. By applying RACIPE to simple toggle-switch-like motifs, we observed that the stable states of all models converge to experimentally observed gene state clusters even when the parameters are strongly perturbed. RACIPE was further applied to a proposed 22-gene network of the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT, from which we identified four experimentally observed gene states, including the states that are associated with two different types of hybrid Epithelial/Mesenchymal phenotypes. Our results suggest that dynamics of a gene circuit is mainly determined by its topology, not by detailed circuit parameters. Our work provides a theoretical foundation for circuit-based systems biology modeling. We anticipate RACIPE to be a powerful tool to predict and decode circuit design principles in an unbiased manner, and to quantitatively evaluate the robustness and heterogeneity of gene expression.

A Survey on Robustness in Railway Planning

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lusby, Richard Martin; Larsen, Jesper; Bull, Simon Henry

2018-01-01

Planning problems in passenger railway range from long term strategic decision making to the detailed planning of operations.Operations research methods have played an increasing role in this planning process. However, recently more attention has been given to considerations of robustness...... in the quality of solutions to individual planning problems, and of operations in general. Robustness in general is the capacity for some system to absorb or resist changes. In the context of railway robustness it is often taken to be the capacity for operations to continue at some level when faced...... with a disruption such as delay or failure. This has resulted in more attention given to the inclusion of robustness measures and objectives in individual planning problems, and to the providing of tools to ensure operations continue under disrupted situations. In this paper we survey the literature on robustness...

Hallazgos laparoscópicos en la infección por Schistosoma mansori. Estudio en 209 pacientes

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Fabio Rivas Muñoz

1988-12-01

Full Text Available Se describen los hallazgos laparoscópicos en 209 pacientes parasitados de Schistosoma mansoni, estudiados en el lnstituto de Medicina Tropical "PEDRO KOURI" (IPK de La Habana (Cuba entre 1979 y 1988. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad se hizo mediante análisis coproparasitológico, utilizando la técnica de Knigth. La laparoscopía, realizada de conformidad con el paciente, antes de instaurar el tratamiento, mostró la presencia de GRANULOMAS sobre la superficie hepática y ESPLENOMEGALIA como los hallazgos más prominentes. No se tiene conocimiento de reportes similares con este tipo de estudios y se plantea la posibilidad de que la laparoscopía se constituya en una herramienta importante en la valoración del grado de compromiso hepatoesplénico sufrido por quienes padecen la enfermedad.

A robust interpretation of duration calculus

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Franzle, M.; Hansen, Michael Reichhardt

2005-01-01

We transfer the concept of robust interpretation from arithmetic first-order theories to metric-time temporal logics. The idea is that the interpretation of a formula is robust iff its truth value does not change under small variation of the constants in the formula. Exemplifying this on Duration...... Calculus (DC), our findings are that the robust interpretation of DC is equivalent to a multi-valued interpretation that uses the real numbers as semantic domain and assigns Lipschitz-continuous interpretations to all operators of DC. Furthermore, this continuity permits approximation between discrete...

Design Robust Controller for Rotary Kiln

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Omar D. Hernández-Arboleda

2013-11-01

Full Text Available This paper presents the design of a robust controller for a rotary kiln. The designed controller is a combination of a fractional PID and linear quadratic regulator (LQR, these are not used to control the kiln until now, in addition robustness criteria are evaluated (gain margin, phase margin, strength gain, rejecting high frequency noise and sensitivity applied to the entire model (controller-plant, obtaining good results with a frequency range of 0.020 to 90 rad/s, which contributes to the robustness of the system.

Danish Requirements for Robustness of Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, John Dalsgaard; Christensen, H. H.

2006-01-01

. This paper describes the background of the revised robustness requirements implemented in the Danish Code of Practice for Safety of Structures in 2003 [1, 2, 3]. According to the Danish design rules robustness shall be documented for all structures where consequences of failure are serious. This paper...... describes the background of the design procedure in the Danish codes, which shall be followed in order to document sufficient robustness in the following steps: Step 1: review of loads and possible failure modes/scenarios and determination of acceptable collapse extent. Step 2: review of the structural...

Robust lyapunov controller for uncertain systems

KAUST Repository

Laleg-Kirati, Taous-Meriem; Elmetennani, Shahrazed

2017-01-01

Various examples of systems and methods are provided for Lyapunov control for uncertain systems. In one example, a system includes a process plant and a robust Lyapunov controller configured to control an input of the process plant. The robust

Robustness Analysis of Typologies of Reciprocal Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Kirkegaard, Poul Henning; Parigi, Dario

2013-01-01

to the future development of typologies of reciprocal timber structures. The paper concludes that these kinds of structures can have a potential as long span timber structures in real projects if they are carefully designed with respect to the overall robustness strategies.......Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. In order to minimise the likelihood of such disproportionate structural failures many modern building...... codes consider the need for robustness in structures and provides strategies and methods to obtain robustness. Therefore a structural engineer may take necessary steps to design robust structures that are insensitive to accidental circumstances. The present paper outlines robustness issues related...

Characterestics of pico-second single bunch at the S-band linear accelerator

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uesaka, Mitsuru; Kozawa, Takahiro; Kobayashi, Toshiaki; Ueda, Toru; Miya, Kenzo

1994-01-01

Measurement of the bunch structure of a pico-second single bunch was performed using a femto-second streak camera at the S-band linear accelerator of the University of Tokyo. The aim of this research is to investigate the feasibility of the generation of a femto-second single bunch at the S-band linac. The details of the bunch structure and energy spectrum of an original single bunch were precisely investigated in several operation modes where the RF phases in accelerating tubes and a prebuncher were varied. The femto-second streak camera was utilized to measure the bunch structure by one shot via Cherenkov radiation emitted by the electrons in the bunch. Next, an experiment for magnetic pulse compression of the original single bunch was carried out. Pulse shapes of the compressed bunchs for different energy modulation were also obtained by measuring Cherenkov radiation by one shot using the femto-second streak camera. Prior to the experiment, numerical tracking analysis to determine operating parameters for the magnetic pulse compression was also done. Measured pulse widths were compared with calculated ones. Finally, a 2 ps (full width at half maximum; FWHM) single bunch with an electric charge of 0.3 nC could be generated by the magnetic pulse compression. ((orig.))

Ten Years of Black Carbon Measurements in the North Atlantic at the Pico Mountain Observatory, Azores (2225m asl)

Science.gov (United States)

Kumar, S.; Fialho, P. J.; Mazzoleni, L. R.; Olsen, S. C.; Owen, R. C.; Helmig, D.; Hueber, J.; Dziobak, M.; Kramer, L. J.; Mazzoleni, C.

2012-12-01

The Pico Mountain Observatory is located in the summit caldera of the Pico mountain, an inactive volcano on the Pico Island in the Azores, Portugal (38.47°N, 28.40°W, Altitude 2225m asl). The Azores are often impacted by polluted outflows from the North American continent and local sources have been shown to have a negligible influence at the observatory. The value of the station stems from the fact that this is the only permanent mountaintop monitoring station in the North Atlantic that is typically located above the marine boundary layer (average MBL heights are below 1200 m and rarely exceed 1300 m) and often receives air characteristic of the lower free troposphere. Measurements of black carbon (BC) mass have been carried out at the station since 2001, mostly in the summer seasons. Here we discuss the BC decadal dataset (2001-2011) collected at the site by using a seven-wavelength AE31 Magee Aethalometer. Measured BC mass and computed Angstrom exponent (AE) values were analysed to study seasonal and diurnal variations. There was a large day-to-day variability in the BC values due to varied meteorological conditions that resulted in different diurnal patterns for different months. The daily mean BC at this location ranged between 0 and ~430 ngm-3, with the most frequently occurring value in the range 0-100 ngm-3. The overall mean for the 10 year period is ~24 ngm-3, with a coefficient of variation of 150%. The BC values exhibited a consistent annual trend being low in winter months and high in summer months, barring year to year variations. To differentiate between BC and other absorbing particles, we analyzed the wavelength dependence of aerosol absorption coefficient and determined a best-fit exponent i.e., the Ångström exponent, for the whole dataset. Visible Ångström exponent (AE: 470-520-590-660 nm) values ranged between 0 and 3.5, with most frequently occurring values in the range 0.85 to 1.25. By making use of the aethalometer light attenuation

Sound source reconstruction using inverse boundary element calculations

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Schuhmacher, Andreas; Hald, Jørgen; Rasmussen, Karsten Bo

2003-01-01

Whereas standard boundary element calculations focus on the forward problem of computing the radiated acoustic field from a vibrating structure, the aim in this work is to reverse the process, i.e., to determine vibration from acoustic field data. This inverse problem is brought on a form suited ...... it is demonstrated that the L-curve criterion is robust with respect to the errors in a real measurement situation. In particular, it is shown that the L-curve criterion is superior to the more conventional generalized cross-validation (GCV) approach for the present tire noise studies....

Automatic generation of accurate subject-specific bone finite element models to be used in clinical studies.

Science.gov (United States)

Viceconti, Marco; Davinelli, Mario; Taddei, Fulvia; Cappello, Angelo

2004-10-01

Most of the finite element models of bones used in orthopaedic biomechanics research are based on generic anatomies. However, in many cases it would be useful to generate from CT data a separate finite element model for each subject of a study group. In a recent study a hexahedral mesh generator based on a grid projection algorithm was found very effective in terms of accuracy and automation. However, so far the use of this method has been documented only on data collected in vitro and only for long bones. The present study was aimed at verifying if this method represents a procedure for the generation of finite element models of human bones from data collected in vivo, robust, accurate, automatic and general enough to be used in clinical studies. Robustness, automation and numerical accuracy of the proposed method were assessed on five femoral CT data sets of patients affected by various pathologies. The generality of the method was verified by processing a femur, an ileum, a phalanx, a proximal femur reconstruction, and the micro-CT of a small sample of spongy bone. The method was found robust enough to cope with the variability of the five femurs, producing meshes with a numerical accuracy and a computational weight comparable to those found in vitro. Even when the method was used to process the other bones the levels of mesh conditioning remained within acceptable limits. Thus, it may be concluded that the method presents a generality sufficient to cope with almost any orthopaedic application.

O Processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros da atenção primária e a Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais/Fitoterápicos

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

A.D.Z. SOUZA

Full Text Available RESUMO O estudo objetivou conhecer o processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros da atenção primária em relação à Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos. O referencial foi baseado em Guareschi e Kleinman. A abordagem foi qualitativa, descritiva. Fizeram parte dos estudos enfermeiros de 21 municípios da região Sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram coletados por questionário autoadministrado, no período de junho a agosto de 2013. A análise seguiu a proposta operativa de Minayo, emergindo dois temas: processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros e a Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos; viabilização desta na atenção primária. Observou-se o desconhecimento da política, apesar de ter sido constatado a indicação de plantas medicinais no processo de trabalho. A política é viável quando o enfermeiro organiza grupos, coloca em prática o diálogo interdisciplinar, e contempla a questão dos aspectos culturais do usuário.

Experimental Optimization In Polymer BLEND Composite Preparation Based On Mix Level of Taguchi Robust Design

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Abdul Aziz Mohamed; Jaafar Abdullah; Dahlan Mohd; Rozaidi Rasid; Megat Harun AlRashid Megat Ahmad; Mahathir Mohamad; Mohd Hamzah Harun

2012-01-01

L 18 orthogonal array in mix level of Taguchi robust design method was carried out to optimize experimental conditions for the preparation of polymer blend composite. Tensile strength and neutron absorption of the composite were the properties of interest. Filler size, filler loading, ball mixing time and dispersion agent concentration were selected as parameters or factors which are expected to affect the composite properties. As a result of Taguchi analysis, filler loading was the most influencing parameter on the tensile strength and neutron absorption. The least influencing was ball-mixing time. The optimal conditions were determined by using mix-level Taguchi robust design method and a polymer composite with tensile strength of 6.33 MPa was successfully prepared. The composite was found to fully absorb thermal neutron flux of 1.04 x 10 5 n/ cm 2 / s with only 2 mm in thickness. In addition, the filler was also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and elemental analysis (EDX). (Author)

Robustness of Long Span Reciprocal Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Balfroid, Nathalie; Kirkegaard, Poul Henning

2011-01-01

engineer may take necessary steps to design robust structures that are insensitive to accidental circumstances. The present paper makes a discussion of such robustness issues related to the future development of reciprocal timber structures. The paper concludes that these kind of structures can have...... a potential as long span timber structures in real projects if they are carefully designed with respect to the overall robustness strategies.......Robustness of structural systems has obtained a renewed interest due to a much more frequent use of advanced types of structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in case of failure. The interest has also been facilitated due to recently severe structural failures...

PRODUCTION COSTS OF GARLIC IN THE CITIES OF PICOS AND BOCAINA (PIAUÍ, BRAZIL IN THE YEAR OF 1974 CUSTO DE PRODUÇÃO DA CULTURA DO ALHO NOS MUNICÍPIOS DE PICOS E BOCAINA (PI NO ANO DE 1974

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Eliezer Furtado de Carvalho

2007-09-01

Full Text Available

The authors tried to establish the cost of garlic production, and the rates of utilization of the production factors, such as land, money invested, and labor, in the counties of Picos and Bocaina, in the State of Piauí. The data were collected using ";registration booklets” which were annotated daily by seven ";typical producers” who had been chosen for the study. The production cost per hectare, obtained through adding the expenses in money, calculated expenses, and retribution to production factors, was Cr$ 34,098.59, while the gross income per hectare was Cr$ 22,191.09. Labor costs were responsible for 58.03% of total cost. Man-hours for irrigation represented 29.54% of labor costs. The data presented show that the cultivation of garlic with the present technology is unfeasible economically.

No estudo, realizado nos municípios de Picos e Bocaina (PI, procurou-se determinar o custo de produção do alho e os índices de utilização dos fatores terra, capital e mão-de-obra. Os dados foram coletados através de “cadernos de registro” preenchidos diariamente por 7 produtores "típicos”, selecionados para o estudo. O custo de produção por hectare, obtido pelo somatório das despesas em dinheiro, despesas calculadas e retribuição aos fatores de produção foi de Cr$ 34.098,59, enquanto a renda bruta por hectare foi de Cr$ 22.191,09. A despesa com mão-de-obra é responsável por 58,03% do custo total. A irrigação participa com 29,54% do custo da mão-de-obra. Os dados apontados mostram que a cultura do alho com a tecnologia atualmente utilizada é uma atividade altamente deficitária.

Micro-joule pico-second range Yb3+-doped fibre laser for medical applications in acupuncture

Science.gov (United States)

Alvarez-Chavez, J. A.; Rivera-Manrique, S. I.; Jacques, S. L.

2011-08-01

The work described here is based on the optical design, simulation and on-going implementation of a pulsed (Q-switch) Yb3+-doped, 1-um diffraction-limited fibre laser with pico-second, 10 micro-Joule-range energy pulses for producing the right energy pulses which could be of benefit for patients who suffer chronic headache, photophobia, and even nausea which could is sometimes triggered by a series of factors. The specific therapeutic effect known as acupunctural analgesia is the main objective of this medium-term project. It is a simple design on which commercially available software was employed for laser cavity design. Monte Carlo technique for skin light-transport, thermal diffusion and the possible thermal de-naturalization optical study and prediction will also be included in the presentation. Full optical characterization will be included and a complete set of recent results on the laser-skin interaction and the so called moxi-bustion from the laser design will be extensively described.

Age and moviment of ground waters in the region of Picos-Piaui (Brazil) and their hydrochemical evolution

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Santiago, M.M.F.; Rade, H.; Torquato, J.R.F.; Garrett, L.

1981-01-01

The results of carbon-14 measurements and chemical analyses of waters tapped from wells dug in the Picos-Piaui region are presented. The water is younger in the east than in the west of the investigated area. Apparently there is an age gradient related to the distance of the well from recharge area of the aquifer. The measurements ages range from about 7.800 to 36.500 years. The wells can be classed into three different groups according to its predominant anions; carbonates in the east, sulfates in the west and chlorides in the south. By international standards the water from nearly all wells can be classified as 'potable', only two show slinghtly higher contents of sodium and sulfates some others an increased load of nitrates. (Author) [pt

Adapting environmental function analysis for management of protected areas in small islands--case of Pico Island (the Azores).

Science.gov (United States)

Calado, Helena; Bragagnolo, Chiara; Silva, Susana; Vergílio, Marta

2016-04-15

Protected areas (PAs) are considered key priorities for ensuring long-term sustainability of small islands. The traditional approach of conservation versus development is currently being replaced by an approach of "win-win" relationships. During the last decades PAs have been increasingly requested to simultaneously ensure biodiversity conservation, mainstream ecosystem services into main development policies, and accounting for leisure-related revenues to sustain local and regional economies. Following this new paradigm, the Smartparks project (Planning and Management System for Small Islands Protected Areas), encompassing this study, aimed at an innovative approach for supporting the management of PAs in small islands. In this study, we propose a methodology based on Environmental Functional Analyses (EFA) to compare the potential for conservation and the potential for use of PAs that can be used not only on small islands but also in other territories. For this purpose, a set of environmental and socio-economic components was defined and selected indicators describing each component to calculate conservation and use/development functions of PAs were established. Pico Island, in the Azores archipelago (Portugal), was selected as the case study for testing the methodology. The EFA for all PAs of Pico Island was performed identifying those with more potential for conservation or for development of human activities, and also those with high levels of conflict. A total of 34 indicators was applied (assigning a value from 1 to 3) to the 22 PAs composing the INP of Pico Island: 44% were scored with a value of 1, in both ecological and social components; 22% and 29% were scored 3 in ecological and social components respectively. Social indicators were generally considered less important than environmental ones. In general, PAs presented higher values for conservation. The results further show that the potential for conservation and/or development was consistent with the

Nonlinear robust hierarchical control for nonlinear uncertain systems

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Leonessa Alexander

1999-01-01

Full Text Available A nonlinear robust control-system design framework predicated on a hierarchical switching controller architecture parameterized over a set of moving nominal system equilibria is developed. Specifically, using equilibria-dependent Lyapunov functions, a hierarchical nonlinear robust control strategy is developed that robustly stabilizes a given nonlinear system over a prescribed range of system uncertainty by robustly stabilizing a collection of nonlinear controlled uncertain subsystems. The robust switching nonlinear controller architecture is designed based on a generalized (lower semicontinuous Lyapunov function obtained by minimizing a potential function over a given switching set induced by the parameterized nominal system equilibria. The proposed framework robustly stabilizes a compact positively invariant set of a given nonlinear uncertain dynamical system with structured parametric uncertainty. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a jet engine propulsion control problem with uncertain pressure-flow map data.

The importance of robust design methodology

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Eifler, Tobias; Howard, Thomas J.

2018-01-01

infamous recalls in automotive history, that of the GM ignition switch, from the perspective of Robust Design. It is investigated if available Robust Design methods such as sensitivity analysis, tolerance stack-ups, design clarity, etc. would have been suitable to account for the performance variation...

Security and robustness for collaborative monitors

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Testerink, Bas; Bulling, Nils; Dastani, Mehdi

2016-01-01

Decentralized monitors can be subject to robustness and security risks. Robustness risks include attacks on the monitor’s infrastructure in order to disable parts of its functionality. Security risks include attacks that try to extract information from the monitor and thereby possibly leak sensitive

LASIK hipermetrópico pós-DSAEK (Descement Stripping Automated Endotelial Keratoplasty

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Antonio Carlos Manhas Meireles

Full Text Available RESUMO O DSAEK (Descemet stripping automated endotelial Keratoplasty é um dos procedimentos de escolha para tratamento das doenças que acometem o endotélio corneano. Apesar do sucesso terapêutico, o procedimento pode induzir uma hipermetropia residual. Em média a refração se estabiliza em um perído que varia de 6 a 12 meses após o transplante. O objetivo desse relato é descrever a evolução dessa opção terapêutica utilizada em um paciente de 54 anos portador de Distrofia de Fuchs. O paciente foi submetido ao transplante de córnea (DSAEK e a remoção do cristalino no mesmo tempo cirúrgico o que resultou em hipermetropia residual. Após 3 anos de acompanhamento apresentava-se com a melhor visão corrigida de 20/20 (Snellen no olho operado com uma refração de +3,25 -1,00 (5º. Optou-se por realização de LASIK (Laser assisted in situ Keratomileusis hipermetrópico, obtendo um resultado visual satisfatório.

Robust statistics and geochemical data analysis

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Di, Z.

1987-01-01

Advantages of robust procedures over ordinary least-squares procedures in geochemical data analysis is demonstrated using NURE data from the Hot Springs Quadrangle, South Dakota, USA. Robust principal components analysis with 5% multivariate trimming successfully guarded the analysis against perturbations by outliers and increased the number of interpretable factors. Regression with SINE estimates significantly increased the goodness-of-fit of the regression and improved the correspondence of delineated anomalies with known uranium prospects. Because of the ubiquitous existence of outliers in geochemical data, robust statistical procedures are suggested as routine procedures to replace ordinary least-squares procedures

Towards distortion-free robust image authentication

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Coltuc, D

2007-01-01

This paper investigates a general framework for distortion-free robust image authentication by multiple marking. First, by robust watermarking a subsampled version of image edges is embedded. Then, by reversible watermarking the information needed to recover the original image is inserted, too. The hiding capacity of the reversible watermarking is the essential requirement for this approach. Thus in case of no attacks not only image is authenticated but also the original is exactly recovered. In case of attacks, reversibility is lost, but image can still be authenticated. Preliminary results providing very good robustness against JPEG compression are presented

On the robustness of Herlihy's hierarchy

Science.gov (United States)

Jayanti, Prasad

1993-01-01

A wait-free hierarchy maps object types to levels in Z(+) U (infinity) and has the following property: if a type T is at level N, and T' is an arbitrary type, then there is a wait-free implementation of an object of type T', for N processes, using only registers and objects of type T. The infinite hierarchy defined by Herlihy is an example of a wait-free hierarchy. A wait-free hierarchy is robust if it has the following property: if T is at level N, and S is a finite set of types belonging to levels N - 1 or lower, then there is no wait-free implementation of an object of type T, for N processes, using any number and any combination of objects belonging to the types in S. Robustness implies that there are no clever ways of combining weak shared objects to obtain stronger ones. Contrary to what many researchers believe, we prove that Herlihy's hierarchy is not robust. We then define some natural variants of Herlihy's hierarchy, which are also infinite wait-free hierarchies. With the exception of one, which is still open, these are not robust either. We conclude with the open question of whether non-trivial robust wait-free hierarchies exist.

Primal and dual approaches to adjustable robust optimization

NARCIS (Netherlands)

de Ruiter, Frans

2018-01-01

Robust optimization has become an important paradigm to deal with optimization under uncertainty. Adjustable robust optimization is an extension that deals with multistage problems. This thesis starts with a short but comprehensive introduction to adjustable robust optimization. Then the two

Effect of soil moisture on trace elements concentrations using

African Journals Online (AJOL)

H. Sahraoui and M. Hachicha

2017-01-01

Jan 1, 2017 ... [22] Guitian F, Carballas T. Técnicas de Análisis de Suelos. (In Spanish)., Ed. Pico Sacro,. Santiago de Compostela, Spain, 1976. [23] US Salinity Laboratory Staff. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkaline soils. USDA Handbook 60. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington DC, USA., 1954, 1– ...

Design principles for robust oscillatory behavior.

Science.gov (United States)

Castillo-Hair, Sebastian M; Villota, Elizabeth R; Coronado, Alberto M

2015-09-01

Oscillatory responses are ubiquitous in regulatory networks of living organisms, a fact that has led to extensive efforts to study and replicate the circuits involved. However, to date, design principles that underlie the robustness of natural oscillators are not completely known. Here we study a three-component enzymatic network model in order to determine the topological requirements for robust oscillation. First, by simulating every possible topological arrangement and varying their parameter values, we demonstrate that robust oscillators can be obtained by augmenting the number of both negative feedback loops and positive autoregulations while maintaining an appropriate balance of positive and negative interactions. We then identify network motifs, whose presence in more complex topologies is a necessary condition for obtaining oscillatory responses. Finally, we pinpoint a series of simple architectural patterns that progressively render more robust oscillators. Together, these findings can help in the design of more reliable synthetic biomolecular networks and may also have implications in the understanding of other oscillatory systems.

Cicatrización: evaluación de dos tratamientos tópicos de uso habitual en la cicatriz postcirugía estética

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gustavo Prezzavento

Full Text Available Resumen Introducción y Objetivo La cicatrización es un proceso complejo que involucra diferentes tipos celulares y fases de inflamación, proliferación, remodelación y reparación. Cada una está caracterizada por eventos bioquímicos específicos y células características, conduciendo a la regeneración del epitelio dañado. El presente estudio compara y evalúa 2 tratamientos de uso tópico en 2 cicatrices de un mismo paciente al que se le practicó cirugía estética con la finalidad de determinar si existen diferencias en cuanto a las características de las mismas. Particularmente, en la Cirugía Estética, se busca que el nuevo tejido producto del proceso cicatricial no se destaque de la piel circundante. Material y Método Uno de los tratamientos utilizados fue la aplicación tópica de crema con sulfadiazina de plata, vitamina A y lidocaína, y el otro de una crema hidratante sin ningún principio activo añadido. Empleamos como indicadores para la evaluación los parámetros de medición de la superficie, calidad de la misma (Escala de Vancouver para cicatrices y percepción del paciente (Escala de Evaluación Objetiva de Paciente y Observador. Resultados Indican que la utilización de un tratamiento tópico con sulfadiazina de plata, vitamina A y lidocaína acelera la reducción del tamaño de la herida, mejora la calidad de la cicatriz y favorece la percepción positiva por parte del paciente en comparación con aquellas cicatrices tratadas tópicamente con una crema hidratante sin principios activos. Conclusiones El uso tópico de crema con sulfadiazina de plata, vitamina A y lidocaína constituye una opción terapéutica que mejora el resultado final tanto estético como funcional de las cicatrices postquirúrgicas en Cirugía Estética.

Robustness of Distance-to-Default

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jessen, Cathrine; Lando, David

2013-01-01

Distance-to-default is a remarkably robust measure for ranking firms according to their risk of default. The ranking seems to work despite the fact that the Merton model from which the measure is derived produces default probabilities that are far too small when applied to real data. We use...... simulations to investigate the robustness of the distance-to-default measure to different model specifications. Overall we find distance-to-default to be robust to a number of deviations from the simple Merton model that involve different asset value dynamics and different default triggering mechanisms....... A notable exception is a model with stochastic volatility of assets. In this case both the ranking of firms and the estimated default probabilities using distance-to-default perform significantly worse. We therefore propose a volatility adjustment of the distance-to-default measure, that significantly...

Robustness of digital artist authentication

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Jacobsen, Robert; Nielsen, Morten

In many cases it is possible to determine the authenticity of a painting from digital reproductions of the paintings; this has been demonstrated for a variety of artists and with different approaches. Common to all these methods in digital artist authentication is that the potential of the method...... is in focus, while the robustness has not been considered, i.e. the degree to which the data collection process influences the decision of the method. However, in order for an authentication method to be successful in practice, it needs to be robust to plausible error sources from the data collection....... In this paper we investigate the robustness of the newly proposed authenticity method introduced by the authors based on second generation multiresolution analysis. This is done by modelling a number of realistic factors that can occur in the data collection....

Dinámicas del relacionamiento comunitario de un proyecto minero localizado en el subtrópico ecuatoriano: el caso del proyecto Curipamba.

OpenAIRE

Hidalgo Mantilla, Elbio Ferdinand

2016-01-01

La presente investigación hace referencia a las dinámicas desarrolladas en los procesos de relacionamiento comunitario del proyecto minero Curipamba, el cual se localiza en el subtrópico de la provincia de Bolívar y pertenece a la empresa minera Curimining S.A., dedicada a la exploración geológica de áreas con potencial minero en el Ecuador. El aspecto primordial de la investigación se enfoca en comprender cómo los actores involucrados en dicho proyecto minero llegaron a establecer interaccio...

Adaptive Critic Nonlinear Robust Control: A Survey.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Ding; He, Haibo; Liu, Derong

2017-10-01

Adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) and reinforcement learning are quite relevant to each other when performing intelligent optimization. They are both regarded as promising methods involving important components of evaluation and improvement, at the background of information technology, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and deep learning. Although great progresses have been achieved and surveyed when addressing nonlinear optimal control problems, the research on robustness of ADP-based control strategies under uncertain environment has not been fully summarized. Hence, this survey reviews the recent main results of adaptive-critic-based robust control design of continuous-time nonlinear systems. The ADP-based nonlinear optimal regulation is reviewed, followed by robust stabilization of nonlinear systems with matched uncertainties, guaranteed cost control design of unmatched plants, and decentralized stabilization of interconnected systems. Additionally, further comprehensive discussions are presented, including event-based robust control design, improvement of the critic learning rule, nonlinear H ∞ control design, and several notes on future perspectives. By applying the ADP-based optimal and robust control methods to a practical power system and an overhead crane plant, two typical examples are provided to verify the effectiveness of theoretical results. Overall, this survey is beneficial to promote the development of adaptive critic control methods with robustness guarantee and the construction of higher level intelligent systems.

DC Algorithm for Extended Robust Support Vector Machine.

Science.gov (United States)

Fujiwara, Shuhei; Takeda, Akiko; Kanamori, Takafumi

2017-05-01

Nonconvex variants of support vector machines (SVMs) have been developed for various purposes. For example, robust SVMs attain robustness to outliers by using a nonconvex loss function, while extended [Formula: see text]-SVM (E[Formula: see text]-SVM) extends the range of the hyperparameter by introducing a nonconvex constraint. Here, we consider an extended robust support vector machine (ER-SVM), a robust variant of E[Formula: see text]-SVM. ER-SVM combines two types of nonconvexity from robust SVMs and E[Formula: see text]-SVM. Because of the two nonconvexities, the existing algorithm we proposed needs to be divided into two parts depending on whether the hyperparameter value is in the extended range or not. The algorithm also heuristically solves the nonconvex problem in the extended range. In this letter, we propose a new, efficient algorithm for ER-SVM. The algorithm deals with two types of nonconvexity while never entailing more computations than either E[Formula: see text]-SVM or robust SVM, and it finds a critical point of ER-SVM. Furthermore, we show that ER-SVM includes the existing robust SVMs as special cases. Numerical experiments confirm the effectiveness of integrating the two nonconvexities.

A CONSTITUIÇÃO TÓPICO-DISCURSIVA DE HISTÓRIAS EM QUADRINHOS EM SALA DE AULA POR ALUNAS RECÉM-ALFABETIZADAS

OpenAIRE

Dikson, Dennys; Calil, Eduardo

2015-01-01

Este trabalho apresenta um ensaio inicial com reflexões voltadas a discutir a construção da referenciação (CAVALCANTE, 2011, CORTEZ & KOCH, 2013, KOCH, 2010) e do tópico discursivo (KOCH et al., 1996; e LINS, 2008), estabelecida durante processos de escritura de história em quadrinhos (HQ), produzidas por uma díade de alunas (7 anos) de um 2º ano do Ensino Fundamental (escola pública). Para isso, registramos em vídeo proposta de produção textual desta díade, feitas pela professora para to...

Fitoterápicos: um mercado promissor

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

TRAUDI KLEIN

2010-06-01

Full Text Available

Observa-se na Fitoterapia uma tendência de contribuição efetiva à saúde da população. Por consequência, a padronização de fitomedicamentos é um pré-requisito para a garantia da qualidade, bem como para a constância dos efeitos terapêuticos e segurança do usuário. A validação de processo analítico deve garantir, através de evidências experimentais, que o método atenda às exigências das aplicações analíticas, assegurando a confiabilidade dos resultados. Assim, os equipamentos e materiais de laboratório devem ser devidamente calibrados e o analista qualificado. As substâncias químicas de referência devem ser certificadas por compêndios oficiais, como as Farmacopeias ou por outros códigos autorizados pela legislação vigente.Tão importante quanto o desenvolvimento e validação de uma metodologia analítica é o posterior estudo de estabilidade, a fim de garantir que o produto mantenha sua qualidade durante toda vida útil. Para a obtenção de registro de um medicamento fitoterápico dentro dos padrões requeridos pela legislação faz-se necessário, portanto, a realização de diferentes testes para validação deste medicamento de forma a garantir sua segurança no uso, eficácia na utilização e qualidade do produto. Palavras-chave: Fitomedicamentos. Validação. Saúde Publica. Padronização. ABSTRACT Phytomedicines: a promising market There is an observable trend towards phytotherapy making a recognized effective contribution to public health. Consequently, the standardization of phytomedicines is a prerequisite for quality assurance and to ensure the consistency of therapeutic effects and safety of the user. Analytical method validation should ensure, through experimental testing, that the method meets the requirements of the analytical applications, ensuring the reliability of results. Thus, the equipment and laboratory materials must be properly calibrated and the analyst

Robustness-related issues in speaker recognition

CERN Document Server

Zheng, Thomas Fang

2017-01-01

This book presents an overview of speaker recognition technologies with an emphasis on dealing with robustness issues. Firstly, the book gives an overview of speaker recognition, such as the basic system framework, categories under different criteria, performance evaluation and its development history. Secondly, with regard to robustness issues, the book presents three categories, including environment-related issues, speaker-related issues and application-oriented issues. For each category, the book describes the current hot topics, existing technologies, and potential research focuses in the future. The book is a useful reference book and self-learning guide for early researchers working in the field of robust speech recognition.

Robust Self Tuning Controllers

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Poulsen, Niels Kjølstad

1985-01-01

The present thesis concerns robustness properties of adaptive controllers. It is addressed to methods for robustifying self tuning controllers with respect to abrupt changes in the plant parameters. In the thesis an algorithm for estimating abruptly changing parameters is presented. The estimator...... has several operation modes and a detector for controlling the mode. A special self tuning controller has been developed to regulate plant with changing time delay.......The present thesis concerns robustness properties of adaptive controllers. It is addressed to methods for robustifying self tuning controllers with respect to abrupt changes in the plant parameters. In the thesis an algorithm for estimating abruptly changing parameters is presented. The estimator...

Repfinder: Finding approximately repeated scene elements for image editing

KAUST Repository

Cheng, Ming-Ming

2010-07-26

Repeated elements are ubiquitous and abundant in both manmade and natural scenes. Editing such images while preserving the repetitions and their relations is nontrivial due to overlap, missing parts, deformation across instances, illumination variation, etc. Manually enforcing such relations is laborious and error-prone. We propose a novel framework where user scribbles are used to guide detection and extraction of such repeated elements. Our detection process, which is based on a novel boundary band method, robustly extracts the repetitions along with their deformations. The algorithm only considers the shape of the elements, and ignores similarity based on color, texture, etc. We then use topological sorting to establish a partial depth ordering of overlapping repeated instances. Missing parts on occluded instances are completed using information from other instances. The extracted repeated instances can then be seamlessly edited and manipulated for a variety of high level tasks that are otherwise difficult to perform. We demonstrate the versatility of our framework on a large set of inputs of varying complexity, showing applications to image rearrangement, edit transfer, deformation propagation, and instance replacement. © 2010 ACM.

Robustness analysis of chiller sequencing control

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Liao, Yundan; Sun, Yongjun; Huang, Gongsheng

2015-01-01

Highlights: • Uncertainties with chiller sequencing control were systematically quantified. • Robustness of chiller sequencing control was systematically analyzed. • Different sequencing control strategies were sensitive to different uncertainties. • A numerical method was developed for easy selection of chiller sequencing control. - Abstract: Multiple-chiller plant is commonly employed in the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system to increase operational feasibility and energy-efficiency under part load condition. In a multiple-chiller plant, chiller sequencing control plays a key role in achieving overall energy efficiency while not sacrifices the cooling sufficiency for indoor thermal comfort. Various sequencing control strategies have been developed and implemented in practice. Based on the observation that (i) uncertainty, which cannot be avoided in chiller sequencing control, has a significant impact on the control performance and may cause the control fail to achieve the expected control and/or energy performance; and (ii) in current literature few studies have systematically addressed this issue, this paper therefore presents a study on robustness analysis of chiller sequencing control in order to understand the robustness of various chiller sequencing control strategies under different types of uncertainty. Based on the robustness analysis, a simple and applicable method is developed to select the most robust control strategy for a given chiller plant in the presence of uncertainties, which will be verified using case studies

Adaptive mixed finite element methods for Darcy flow in fractured porous media

KAUST Repository

Chen, Huangxin; Salama, Amgad; Sun, Shuyu

2016-01-01

In this paper, we propose adaptive mixed finite element methods for simulating the single-phase Darcy flow in two-dimensional fractured porous media. The reduced model that we use for the simulation is a discrete fracture model coupling Darcy flows in the matrix and the fractures, and the fractures are modeled by one-dimensional entities. The Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element methods are utilized for the solution of the coupled Darcy flows in the matrix and the fractures. In order to improve the efficiency of the simulation, we use adaptive mixed finite element methods based on novel residual-based a posteriori error estimators. In addition, we develop an efficient upscaling algorithm to compute the effective permeability of the fractured porous media. Several interesting examples of Darcy flow in the fractured porous media are presented to demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm.

Adaptive mixed finite element methods for Darcy flow in fractured porous media

KAUST Repository

Chen, Huangxin

2016-09-21

In this paper, we propose adaptive mixed finite element methods for simulating the single-phase Darcy flow in two-dimensional fractured porous media. The reduced model that we use for the simulation is a discrete fracture model coupling Darcy flows in the matrix and the fractures, and the fractures are modeled by one-dimensional entities. The Raviart-Thomas mixed finite element methods are utilized for the solution of the coupled Darcy flows in the matrix and the fractures. In order to improve the efficiency of the simulation, we use adaptive mixed finite element methods based on novel residual-based a posteriori error estimators. In addition, we develop an efficient upscaling algorithm to compute the effective permeability of the fractured porous media. Several interesting examples of Darcy flow in the fractured porous media are presented to demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm.

Attractive ellipsoids in robust control

CERN Document Server

Poznyak, Alexander; Azhmyakov, Vadim

2014-01-01

This monograph introduces a newly developed robust-control design technique for a wide class of continuous-time dynamical systems called the “attractive ellipsoid method.” Along with a coherent introduction to the proposed control design and related topics, the monograph studies nonlinear affine control systems in the presence of uncertainty and presents a constructive and easily implementable control strategy that guarantees certain stability properties. The authors discuss linear-style feedback control synthesis in the context of the above-mentioned systems. The development and physical implementation of high-performance robust-feedback controllers that work in the absence of complete information is addressed, with numerous examples to illustrate how to apply the attractive ellipsoid method to mechanical and electromechanical systems. While theorems are proved systematically, the emphasis is on understanding and applying the theory to real-world situations. Attractive Ellipsoids in Robust Control will a...

Advances in robust fractional control

CERN Document Server

Padula, Fabrizio

2015-01-01

This monograph presents design methodologies for (robust) fractional control systems. It shows the reader how to take advantage of the superior flexibility of fractional control systems compared with integer-order systems in achieving more challenging control requirements. There is a high degree of current interest in fractional systems and fractional control arising from both academia and industry and readers from both milieux are catered to in the text. Different design approaches having in common a trade-off between robustness and performance of the control system are considered explicitly. The text generalizes methodologies, techniques and theoretical results that have been successfully applied in classical (integer) control to the fractional case. The first part of Advances in Robust Fractional Control is the more industrially-oriented. It focuses on the design of fractional controllers for integer processes. In particular, it considers fractional-order proportional-integral-derivative controllers, becau...

Incentive-Compatible Robust Line Planning

Science.gov (United States)

Bessas, Apostolos; Kontogiannis, Spyros; Zaroliagis, Christos

The problem of robust line planning requests for a set of origin-destination paths (lines) along with their frequencies in an underlying railway network infrastructure, which are robust to fluctuations of real-time parameters of the solution. In this work, we investigate a variant of robust line planning stemming from recent regulations in the railway sector that introduce competition and free railway markets, and set up a new application scenario: there is a (potentially large) number of line operators that have their lines fixed and operate as competing entities issuing frequency requests, while the management of the infrastructure itself remains the responsibility of a single entity, the network operator. The line operators are typically unwilling to reveal their true incentives, while the network operator strives to ensure a fair (or socially optimal) usage of the infrastructure, e.g., by maximizing the (unknown to him) aggregate incentives of the line operators.

Forecasting exchange rates: a robust regression approach

OpenAIRE

Preminger, Arie; Franck, Raphael

2005-01-01

The least squares estimation method as well as other ordinary estimation method for regression models can be severely affected by a small number of outliers, thus providing poor out-of-sample forecasts. This paper suggests a robust regression approach, based on the S-estimation method, to construct forecasting models that are less sensitive to data contamination by outliers. A robust linear autoregressive (RAR) and a robust neural network (RNN) models are estimated to study the predictabil...

Robust-yet-fragile nature of interdependent networks

Science.gov (United States)

Tan, Fei; Xia, Yongxiang; Wei, Zhi

2015-05-01

Interdependent networks have been shown to be extremely vulnerable based on the percolation model. Parshani et al. [Europhys. Lett. 92, 68002 (2010), 10.1209/0295-5075/92/68002] further indicated that the more intersimilar networks are, the more robust they are to random failures. When traffic load is considered, how do the coupling patterns impact cascading failures in interdependent networks? This question has been largely unexplored until now. In this paper, we address this question by investigating the robustness of interdependent Erdös-Rényi random graphs and Barabási-Albert scale-free networks under either random failures or intentional attacks. It is found that interdependent Erdös-Rényi random graphs are robust yet fragile under either random failures or intentional attacks. Interdependent Barabási-Albert scale-free networks, however, are only robust yet fragile under random failures but fragile under intentional attacks. We further analyze the interdependent communication network and power grid and achieve similar results. These results advance our understanding of how interdependency shapes network robustness.

A robust classic.

Science.gov (United States)

Kutzner, Florian; Vogel, Tobias; Freytag, Peter; Fiedler, Klaus

2011-01-01

In the present research, we argue for the robustness of illusory correlations (ICs, Hamilton & Gifford, 1976) regarding two boundary conditions suggested in previous research. First, we argue that ICs are maintained under extended experience. Using simulations, we derive conflicting predictions. Whereas noise-based accounts predict ICs to be maintained (Fielder, 2000; Smith, 1991), a prominent account based on discrepancy-reducing feedback learning predicts ICs to disappear (Van Rooy et al., 2003). An experiment involving 320 observations with majority and minority members supports the claim that ICs are maintained. Second, we show that actively using the stereotype to make predictions that are met with reward and punishment does not eliminate the bias. In addition, participants' operant reactions afford a novel online measure of ICs. In sum, our findings highlight the robustness of ICs that can be explained as a result of unbiased but noisy learning.

Comparing Four Instructional Techniques for Promoting Robust Knowledge

Science.gov (United States)

Richey, J. Elizabeth; Nokes-Malach, Timothy J.

2015-01-01

Robust knowledge serves as a common instructional target in academic settings. Past research identifying characteristics of experts' knowledge across many domains can help clarify the features of robust knowledge as well as ways of assessing it. We review the expertise literature and identify three key features of robust knowledge (deep,…

Síntesis y análisis espectroscópico de algunas borazocinas y su polimerización

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

C. D. Albornoz

2009-06-01

Full Text Available Se sintetizan una serie de borazocinas haciéndose un estudio químico y espectroscópico enRMN 1 H, infrarrojo, ultravioleta y espectroscopia de masas, mostrándose la gran estabilidad de estos compuestos y su estructura de anillo de ocho miembros. Se presenta la síntesis de un alto polímero lineal de heterocadena boro —nitrógeno, por efecto de catalizadores sobre la B-tetracloro, N-tetraterbutil borazocina. Su linealidad se explica en base a solubilidades y en los espectros vibracional y de transiciones electrónicas. Este polímero demuestra ser estable térmica y químicamente, excepto al ataque de ciertos oxidantes. Por último, se explica la estabilidad de estos compuestos, por el efecto sustituyente, tanto sobre el núcleo como sobre la cadena.

Robust inference in sample selection models

KAUST Repository

Zhelonkin, Mikhail; Genton, Marc G.; Ronchetti, Elvezio

2015-01-01

The problem of non-random sample selectivity often occurs in practice in many fields. The classical estimators introduced by Heckman are the backbone of the standard statistical analysis of these models. However, these estimators are very sensitive to small deviations from the distributional assumptions which are often not satisfied in practice. We develop a general framework to study the robustness properties of estimators and tests in sample selection models. We derive the influence function and the change-of-variance function of Heckman's two-stage estimator, and we demonstrate the non-robustness of this estimator and its estimated variance to small deviations from the model assumed. We propose a procedure for robustifying the estimator, prove its asymptotic normality and give its asymptotic variance. Both cases with and without an exclusion restriction are covered. This allows us to construct a simple robust alternative to the sample selection bias test. We illustrate the use of our new methodology in an analysis of ambulatory expenditures and we compare the performance of the classical and robust methods in a Monte Carlo simulation study.

Robust inference in sample selection models

KAUST Repository

Zhelonkin, Mikhail

2015-11-20

The problem of non-random sample selectivity often occurs in practice in many fields. The classical estimators introduced by Heckman are the backbone of the standard statistical analysis of these models. However, these estimators are very sensitive to small deviations from the distributional assumptions which are often not satisfied in practice. We develop a general framework to study the robustness properties of estimators and tests in sample selection models. We derive the influence function and the change-of-variance function of Heckman\\'s two-stage estimator, and we demonstrate the non-robustness of this estimator and its estimated variance to small deviations from the model assumed. We propose a procedure for robustifying the estimator, prove its asymptotic normality and give its asymptotic variance. Both cases with and without an exclusion restriction are covered. This allows us to construct a simple robust alternative to the sample selection bias test. We illustrate the use of our new methodology in an analysis of ambulatory expenditures and we compare the performance of the classical and robust methods in a Monte Carlo simulation study.

REINA at CLEF 2007 Robust Track (2007)

OpenAIRE

Zazo, Ángel F.; G.-Figuerola, Carlos; Alonso-Berrocal, José-Luis

2007-01-01

This paper describes our work at CLEF 2007 Robust Task. We have participated in the monolingual (English, French and Portuguese) and the bilingual (English to French) subtask. At CLEF 2006 our research group obtained very good results applying local query expansion using windows of terms in the robust task. This year we have used the same expansion technique, but taking into account some criteria of robustness: MAP, GMAP, MMR, GS@10, P@10, number of failed topics, number of topics bellow 0.1 ...

Robust methods for data reduction

CERN Document Server

Farcomeni, Alessio

2015-01-01

Robust Methods for Data Reduction gives a non-technical overview of robust data reduction techniques, encouraging the use of these important and useful methods in practical applications. The main areas covered include principal components analysis, sparse principal component analysis, canonical correlation analysis, factor analysis, clustering, double clustering, and discriminant analysis.The first part of the book illustrates how dimension reduction techniques synthesize available information by reducing the dimensionality of the data. The second part focuses on cluster and discriminant analy

Robust surgery loading

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Hans, Elias W.; Wullink, Gerhard; van Houdenhoven, Mark; Kazemier, Geert

2008-01-01

We consider the robust surgery loading problem for a hospital’s operating theatre department, which concerns assigning surgeries and sufficient planned slack to operating room days. The objective is to maximize capacity utilization and minimize the risk of overtime, and thus cancelled patients. This

Robust policy choice under Calvo and Rotemberg pricing

OpenAIRE

Sienknecht, Sebastian

2012-01-01

This paper examines the robustness of welfare-based policy choices across the nonlinear Calvo and Rotemberg pricing assumptions. Comparisons between simple interest rate rules turn out to be robust and independent of the price dispersion inherent in the Calvo setting. This robustness is violated if there is a policy alternative that controls for price dispersion.

An Entropy-Based Upper Bound Methodology for Robust Predictive Multi-Mode RCPSP Schedules

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Angela Hsiang-Ling Chen

2014-09-01

Full Text Available Projects are an important part of our activities and regardless of their magnitude, scheduling is at the very core of every project. In an ideal world makespan minimization, which is the most commonly sought objective, would give us an advantage. However, every time we execute a project we have to deal with uncertainty; part of it coming from known sources and part remaining unknown until it affects us. For this reason, it is much more practical to focus on making our schedules robust, capable of handling uncertainty, and even to determine a range in which the project could be completed. In this paper we focus on an approach to determine such a range for the Multi-mode Resource Constrained Project Scheduling Problem (MRCPSP, a widely researched, NP-complete problem, but without adding any subjective considerations to its estimation. We do this by using a concept well known in the domain of thermodynamics, entropy and a three-stage approach. First we use Artificial Bee Colony (ABC—an effective and powerful meta-heuristic—to determine a schedule with minimized makespan which serves as a lower bound. The second stage defines buffer times and creates an upper bound makespan using an entropy function, with the advantage over other methods that it only considers elements which are inherent to the schedule itself and does not introduce any subjectivity to the buffer time generation. In the last stage, we use the ABC algorithm with an objective function that seeks to maximize robustness while staying within the makespan boundaries defined previously and in some cases even below the lower boundary. We evaluate our approach with two different benchmarks sets: when using the PSPLIB for the MRCPSP benchmark set, the computational results indicate that it is possible to generate robust schedules which generally result in an increase of less than 10% of the best known solutions while increasing the robustness in at least 20% for practically every

Risk, Robustness and Water Resources Planning Under Uncertainty

Science.gov (United States)

Borgomeo, Edoardo; Mortazavi-Naeini, Mohammad; Hall, Jim W.; Guillod, Benoit P.

2018-03-01

Risk-based water resources planning is based on the premise that water managers should invest up to the point where the marginal benefit of risk reduction equals the marginal cost of achieving that benefit. However, this cost-benefit approach may not guarantee robustness under uncertain future conditions, for instance under climatic changes. In this paper, we expand risk-based decision analysis to explore possible ways of enhancing robustness in engineered water resources systems under different risk attitudes. Risk is measured as the expected annual cost of water use restrictions, while robustness is interpreted in the decision-theoretic sense as the ability of a water resource system to maintain performance—expressed as a tolerable risk of water use restrictions—under a wide range of possible future conditions. Linking risk attitudes with robustness allows stakeholders to explicitly trade-off incremental increases in robustness with investment costs for a given level of risk. We illustrate the framework through a case study of London's water supply system using state-of-the -art regional climate simulations to inform the estimation of risk and robustness.

MASTITE BOVINA: SENSIBILIDADE DE AGENTES ETIOLÓGICOS A ANTIBIÓTICOS E QUIMIOTERÁPICOS BOVINE MASTITIS: SENSITIVITY OF ETIOLOGICAL AGENTS TO ANTIBIOTICS AND CHEMOTHERAPICS

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Roberval Rodrigues da Costa

2007-09-01

Full Text Available

Foram analisadas 590 amostras de leite procedentes de 701 vacas da bacia leiteira de Goiânia, que apresentaram ao teste de Whiteside/CMT resultado suspeito ou positivo. Foi feito o teste de sensibilidade bacteriana “in vitro” a antibióticos e quimioterápicos dos agentes etiológicos isolados das lactoculturas. Os antibióticos e quimioterápicos testados foram: trimetropim-sulfametazole, tetraciclina, streptomicina cloranfenicol, kanamicina, penicilina G, furadantina, neomicina, eritromicina e novobiocina. As drogas que mostraram a maior ação foram: trimetropim-sulfametazole, cloranfenicol e furadantina; por outro lado, maior resistência foi observada para a penicilina G, streptomicina e eritromicina.

590 samples of mi1k collected from 701 cows in the milk area around Goiânia were submitted to the Whiteside/CMT test and all suspect or positive. It was also done the bacterial sensibility test “in vitro” to antibiotics and chemotherapics of the aetiological agents isolated from the lactocultures. The antibiotics and chemioterapics tested were as follow: trimetropim-sulfametazole, tetracicline, streptomicine, chloranfenicol, kanamicine, penicilin G, furadantine, neomicine, eritromicine and novobiocine. The drugs which had better action were: trimetropim-sulfametazole, chloranfenicol and furadantine; on the other side, a higher resistance was observed for penicilin G, streptomicine and eritromicine.

TAO-robust backpropagation learning algorithm.

Science.gov (United States)

Pernía-Espinoza, Alpha V; Ordieres-Meré, Joaquín B; Martínez-de-Pisón, Francisco J; González-Marcos, Ana

2005-03-01

In several fields, as industrial modelling, multilayer feedforward neural networks are often used as universal function approximations. These supervised neural networks are commonly trained by a traditional backpropagation learning format, which minimises the mean squared error (mse) of the training data. However, in the presence of corrupted data (outliers) this training scheme may produce wrong models. We combine the benefits of the non-linear regression model tau-estimates [introduced by Tabatabai, M. A. Argyros, I. K. Robust Estimation and testing for general nonlinear regression models. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 58 (1993) 85-101] with the backpropagation algorithm to produce the TAO-robust learning algorithm, in order to deal with the problems of modelling with outliers. The cost function of this approach has a bounded influence function given by the weighted average of two psi functions, one corresponding to a very robust estimate and the other to a highly efficient estimate. The advantages of the proposed algorithm are studied with an example.

Robustness of holonomic quantum gates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solinas, P.; Zanardi, P.; Zanghi, N.

2005-01-01

Full text: If the driving field fluctuates during the quantum evolution this produces errors in the applied operator. The holonomic (and geometrical) quantum gates are believed to be robust against some kind of noise. Because of the geometrical dependence of the holonomic operators can be robust against this kind of noise; in fact if the fluctuations are fast enough they cancel out leaving the final operator unchanged. I present the numerical studies of holonomic quantum gates subject to this parametric noise, the fidelity of the noise and ideal evolution is calculated for different noise correlation times. The holonomic quantum gates seem robust not only for fast fluctuating fields but also for slow fluctuating fields. These results can be explained as due to the geometrical feature of the holonomic operator: for fast fluctuating fields the fluctuations are canceled out, for slow fluctuating fields the fluctuations do not perturb the loop in the parameter space. (author)

Robust estimation and hypothesis testing

CERN Document Server

Tiku, Moti L

2004-01-01

In statistical theory and practice, a certain distribution is usually assumed and then optimal solutions sought. Since deviations from an assumed distribution are very common, one cannot feel comfortable with assuming a particular distribution and believing it to be exactly correct. That brings the robustness issue in focus. In this book, we have given statistical procedures which are robust to plausible deviations from an assumed mode. The method of modified maximum likelihood estimation is used in formulating these procedures. The modified maximum likelihood estimators are explicit functions of sample observations and are easy to compute. They are asymptotically fully efficient and are as efficient as the maximum likelihood estimators for small sample sizes. The maximum likelihood estimators have computational problems and are, therefore, elusive. A broad range of topics are covered in this book. Solutions are given which are easy to implement and are efficient. The solutions are also robust to data anomali...

An Intercompany Perspective on Biopharmaceutical Drug Product Robustness Studies.

Science.gov (United States)

Morar-Mitrica, Sorina; Adams, Monica L; Crotts, George; Wurth, Christine; Ihnat, Peter M; Tabish, Tanvir; Antochshuk, Valentyn; DiLuzio, Willow; Dix, Daniel B; Fernandez, Jason E; Gupta, Kapil; Fleming, Michael S; He, Bing; Kranz, James K; Liu, Dingjiang; Narasimhan, Chakravarthy; Routhier, Eric; Taylor, Katherine D; Truong, Nobel; Stokes, Elaine S E

2018-02-01

The Biophorum Development Group (BPDG) is an industry-wide consortium enabling networking and sharing of best practices for the development of biopharmaceuticals. To gain a better understanding of current industry approaches for establishing biopharmaceutical drug product (DP) robustness, the BPDG-Formulation Point Share group conducted an intercompany collaboration exercise, which included a bench-marking survey and extensive group discussions around the scope, design, and execution of robustness studies. The results of this industry collaboration revealed several key common themes: (1) overall DP robustness is defined by both the formulation and the manufacturing process robustness; (2) robustness integrates the principles of quality by design (QbD); (3) DP robustness is an important factor in setting critical quality attribute control strategies and commercial specifications; (4) most companies employ robustness studies, along with prior knowledge, risk assessments, and statistics, to develop the DP design space; (5) studies are tailored to commercial development needs and the practices of each company. Three case studies further illustrate how a robustness study design for a biopharmaceutical DP balances experimental complexity, statistical power, scientific understanding, and risk assessment to provide the desired product and process knowledge. The BPDG-Formulation Point Share discusses identified industry challenges with regard to biopharmaceutical DP robustness and presents some recommendations for best practices. Copyright © 2018 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Robust Structured Control Design via LMI Optimization

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Adegas, Fabiano Daher; Stoustrup, Jakob

2011-01-01

This paper presents a new procedure for discrete-time robust structured control design. Parameter-dependent nonconvex conditions for stabilizable and induced L2-norm performance controllers are solved by an iterative linear matrix inequalities (LMI) optimization. A wide class of controller...... structures including decentralized of any order, fixed-order dynamic output feedback, static output feedback can be designed robust to polytopic uncertainties. Stability is proven by a parameter-dependent Lyapunov function. Numerical examples on robust stability margins shows that the proposed procedure can...

The Crane Robust Control

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Marek Hicar

2004-01-01

Full Text Available The article is about a control design for complete structure of the crane: crab, bridge and crane uplift.The most important unknown parameters for simulations are burden weight and length of hanging rope. We will use robustcontrol for crab and bridge control to ensure adaptivity for burden weight and rope length. Robust control will be designed for current control of the crab and bridge, necessary is to know the range of unknown parameters. Whole robust will be splitto subintervals and after correct identification of unknown parameters the most suitable robust controllers will be chosen.The most important condition at the crab and bridge motion is avoiding from burden swinging in the final position. Crab and bridge drive is designed by asynchronous motor fed from frequency converter. We will use crane uplift with burden weightobserver in combination for uplift, crab and bridge drive with cooperation of their parameters: burden weight, rope length and crab and bridge position. Controllers are designed by state control method. We will use preferably a disturbance observerwhich will identify burden weight as a disturbance. The system will be working in both modes at empty hook as well asat maximum load: burden uplifting and dropping down.

Robust structural optimization using Gauss-type quadrature formula

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Sang Hoon; Seo, Ki Seog; Chen, Shikui; Chen, Wei

2009-01-01

In robust design, the mean and variance of design performance are frequently used to measure the design performance and its robustness under uncertainties. In this paper, we present the Gauss-type quadrature formula as a rigorous method for mean and variance estimation involving arbitrary input distributions and further extend its use to robust design optimization. One dimensional Gauss-type quadrature formula are constructed from the input probability distributions and utilized in the construction of multidimensional quadrature formula such as the Tensor Product Quadrature (TPQ) formula and the Univariate Dimension Reduction (UDR) method. To improve the efficiency of using it for robust design optimization, a semi-analytic design sensitivity analysis with respect to the statistical moments is proposed. The proposed approach is applied to a simple bench mark problems and robust topology optimization of structures considering various types of uncertainty.

Robust structural optimization using Gauss-type quadrature formula

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Sang Hoon; Seo, Ki Seog [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of); Chen, Shikui; Chen, Wei [Northwestern University, Illinois (United States)

2009-07-01

In robust design, the mean and variance of design performance are frequently used to measure the design performance and its robustness under uncertainties. In this paper, we present the Gauss-type quadrature formula as a rigorous method for mean and variance estimation involving arbitrary input distributions and further extend its use to robust design optimization. One dimensional Gauss-type quadrature formula are constructed from the input probability distributions and utilized in the construction of multidimensional quadrature formula such as the Tensor Product Quadrature (TPQ) formula and the Univariate Dimension Reduction (UDR) method. To improve the efficiency of using it for robust design optimization, a semi-analytic design sensitivity analysis with respect to the statistical moments is proposed. The proposed approach is applied to a simple bench mark problems and robust topology optimization of structures considering various types of uncertainty.

Robust Structural Optimization Using Gauss-type Quadrature Formula

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lee, Sang Hoon; Seo, Ki Seog; Chen, Shikui; Chen, Wei [Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

2009-08-15

In robust design, the mean and variance of design performance are frequently used to measure the design performance and its robustness under uncertainties. In this paper, we present the Gauss-type quadrature formula as a rigorous method for mean and variance estimation involving arbitrary input distributions and further extend its use to robust design optimization. One dimensional Gauss-type quadrature formula are constructed from the input probability distributions and utilized in the construction of multidimensional quadrature formula such as the tensor product quadrature (TPQ) formula and the univariate dimension reduction (UDR) method. To improve the efficiency of using it for robust design optimization, a semi-analytic design sensitivity analysis with respect to the statistical moments is proposed. The proposed approach is applied to a simple bench mark problems and robust topology optimization of structures considering various types of uncertainty.

Robust Structural Optimization Using Gauss-type Quadrature Formula

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lee, Sang Hoon; Seo, Ki Seog; Chen, Shikui; Chen, Wei

2009-01-01

In robust design, the mean and variance of design performance are frequently used to measure the design performance and its robustness under uncertainties. In this paper, we present the Gauss-type quadrature formula as a rigorous method for mean and variance estimation involving arbitrary input distributions and further extend its use to robust design optimization. One dimensional Gauss-type quadrature formula are constructed from the input probability distributions and utilized in the construction of multidimensional quadrature formula such as the tensor product quadrature (TPQ) formula and the univariate dimension reduction (UDR) method. To improve the efficiency of using it for robust design optimization, a semi-analytic design sensitivity analysis with respect to the statistical moments is proposed. The proposed approach is applied to a simple bench mark problems and robust topology optimization of structures considering various types of uncertainty

Robust identification of noncoding RNA from transcriptomes requires phylogenetically-informed sampling.

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Stinus Lindgreen

2014-10-01

Full Text Available Noncoding RNAs are integral to a wide range of biological processes, including translation, gene regulation, host-pathogen interactions and environmental sensing. While genomics is now a mature field, our capacity to identify noncoding RNA elements in bacterial and archaeal genomes is hampered by the difficulty of de novo identification. The emergence of new technologies for characterizing transcriptome outputs, notably RNA-seq, are improving noncoding RNA identification and expression quantification. However, a major challenge is to robustly distinguish functional outputs from transcriptional noise. To establish whether annotation of existing transcriptome data has effectively captured all functional outputs, we analysed over 400 publicly available RNA-seq datasets spanning 37 different Archaea and Bacteria. Using comparative tools, we identify close to a thousand highly-expressed candidate noncoding RNAs. However, our analyses reveal that capacity to identify noncoding RNA outputs is strongly dependent on phylogenetic sampling. Surprisingly, and in stark contrast to protein-coding genes, the phylogenetic window for effective use of comparative methods is perversely narrow: aggregating public datasets only produced one phylogenetic cluster where these tools could be used to robustly separate unannotated noncoding RNAs from a null hypothesis of transcriptional noise. Our results show that for the full potential of transcriptomics data to be realized, a change in experimental design is paramount: effective transcriptomics requires phylogeny-aware sampling.

MU-SYNTHESIS BASED ACTIVE ROBUST VIBRATION CONTROL OF AN MRI INLET

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Atta Oveisi

2016-04-01

Full Text Available In this paper, a robust control technique based on μ-synthesis is employed in order to investigate the vibration control of a funnel-shaped structure that is used as the inlet of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI device. MRI devices are widely subjected to the vibration of the magnetic gradient coil which then propagates to acoustic noise and leads to a series of clinical and mechanical problems. In order to address this issue and as a part of noise cancellation study in MRI devices, distributed piezo-transducers are bounded on the top surface of the funnel as functional sensor/actuator modules. Then, a reduced order linear time-invariant (LTI model of the piezolaminated structure in the state-space representation is estimated by means of a predictive error minimization (PEM algorithm as a subspace identification method based on the trust-region-reflective technique. The reduced order model is expanded by the introduction of appropriate frequency-dependent weighting functions that address the unmodeled dynamics and the augmented multiplicative modeling uncertainties of the system. Then, the standard D-K iteration algorithm as an output-feedback control method is used based on the nominal model with the subordinate uncertainty elements from the previous step. Finally, the proposed control system implemented experimentally on the real structure is to evaluate the robust vibration attenuation performance of the closed-loop system.

Estudio espectroscópico de la radiación electromagnética ultravioleta, visible e infrarroja cercana sobre la obra pictórica.

OpenAIRE

D'ANTONI, PABLO LUIS

2013-01-01

La Tesis "Estudio Espectroscópico de la Radiación Electromagnética, Ultravioleta Visible e Infrarroja cercana sobre la Obra Pictórica" de Pablo D'Antoni desarrolla un método no invasivo para caracterizar, medir y predecir daños a los pigmentos y aglutinantes en obras pictóricas, probablemente por la radiación electromagnética (REM). Usando 3 formas de Espectroscopia: 1) Irradiancia, 2) FORS(Espectroscopía de Reflectancia (y Absorbancia) con Fibra Optica, se analizan los efectos producidos por...

Adaptive antenna system by ESP32-PICO-D4 and its application to web radio system

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Toshiro Kodera

2018-04-01

Full Text Available Adaptive antenna technique has an important role in the IoT environment in order to establish reliable and stable wireless communication in high congestion situation. Even if knowing antenna characteristics in advance, electromagnetic wave propagation in non-line-of-sight environment is very complex and unpredictable, therefore, the adjustment the antenna radiation for the optimum signal reception is important for the better wireless link. This article presents a simple but effective adaptive antenna system for Wi-Fi utilizing the function of a highly integrated component, ESP32-PICO-D4. This chip is a system-in-chip containing all components for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth application except for antenna. Together with SP3T RF switch and dielectric antennas and high-resolution audio DAC, completed web-radio system is made in the size of 50 × 50 mm. Keywords: Beam switching, Adaptive antenna, System-in-chip, ESP32, Web-radio

Perspective: Evolution and detection of genetic robustness

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Visser, de J.A.G.M.; Hermisson, J.; Wagner, G.P.; Ancel Meyers, L.; Bagheri-Chaichian, H.; Blanchard, J.L.; Chao, L.; Cheverud, J.M.; Elena, S.F.; Fontana, W.; Gibson, G.; Hansen, T.F.; Krakauer, D.; Lewontin, R.C.; Ofria, C.; Rice, S.H.; Dassow, von G.; Wagner, A.; Whitlock, M.C.

2003-01-01

Robustness is the invariance of phenotypes in the face of perturbation. The robustness of phenotypes appears at various levels of biological organization, including gene expression, protein folding, metabolic flux, physiological homeostasis, development, and even organismal fitness. The mechanisms

Emergence of robustness in networks of networks

Science.gov (United States)

Roth, Kevin; Morone, Flaviano; Min, Byungjoon; Makse, Hernán A.

2017-06-01

A model of interdependent networks of networks (NONs) was introduced recently [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (USA) 114, 3849 (2017), 10.1073/pnas.1620808114] in the context of brain activation to identify the neural collective influencers in the brain NON. Here we investigate the emergence of robustness in such a model, and we develop an approach to derive an exact expression for the random percolation transition in Erdös-Rényi NONs of this kind. Analytical calculations are in agreement with numerical simulations, and highlight the robustness of the NON against random node failures, which thus presents a new robust universality class of NONs. The key aspect of this robust NON model is that a node can be activated even if it does not belong to the giant mutually connected component, thus allowing the NON to be built from below the percolation threshold, which is not possible in previous models of interdependent networks. Interestingly, the phase diagram of the model unveils particular patterns of interconnectivity for which the NON is most vulnerable, thereby marking the boundary above which the robustness of the system improves with increasing dependency connections.

Framework for Robustness Assessment of Timber Structures

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sørensen, John Dalsgaard

2011-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical framework for the design and analysis of robustness of timber structures. This is actualized by a more4 frequent use of advanced types of timber structures with limited redundancy and serious consequences in the case of failure. Combined with increased requirements...... to efficiency in design and execution followed by increased risk of human errors has made the need of requirements to robustness of new structures essential. Further, the collapse of the Ballerup Super Arena, the bad Reichenhall Ice-Arena and a number of other structural systems during the last 10 years has...... increased the interest in robustness. Typically, modern structural design codes require that ‘the consequence of damages to structures should not be disproportional to the causes of the damages’. However, although the importance of robustness for structural design is widely recognized, the code requirements...

Robust energy harvesting from walking vibrations by means of nonlinear cantilever beams

Science.gov (United States)

Kluger, Jocelyn M.; Sapsis, Themistoklis P.; Slocum, Alexander H.

2015-04-01

In the present work we examine how mechanical nonlinearity can be appropriately utilized to achieve strong robustness of performance in an energy harvesting setting. More specifically, for energy harvesting applications, a great challenge is the uncertain character of the excitation. The combination of this uncertainty with the narrow range of good performance for linear oscillators creates the need for more robust designs that adapt to a wider range of excitation signals. A typical application of this kind is energy harvesting from walking vibrations. Depending on the particular characteristics of the person that walks as well as on the pace of walking, the excitation signal obtains completely different forms. In the present work we study a nonlinear spring mechanism that is composed of a cantilever wrapping around a curved surface as it deflects. While for the free cantilever, the force acting on the free tip depends linearly on the tip displacement, the utilization of a contact surface with the appropriate distribution of curvature leads to essentially nonlinear dependence between the tip displacement and the acting force. The studied nonlinear mechanism has favorable mechanical properties such as low frictional losses, minimal moving parts, and a rugged design that can withstand excessive loads. Through numerical simulations we illustrate that by utilizing this essentially nonlinear element in a 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) system, we obtain strongly nonlinear energy transfers between the modes of the system. We illustrate that this nonlinear behavior is associated with strong robustness over three radically different excitation signals that correspond to different walking paces. To validate the strong robustness properties of the 2DOF nonlinear system, we perform a direct parameter optimization for 1DOF and 2DOF linear systems as well as for a class of 1DOF and 2DOF systems with nonlinear springs similar to that of the cubic spring that are physically realized

Robust Multiscale Modelling Of Two-Phase Steels On Heterogeneous Hardware Infrastructures By Using Statistically Similar Representative Volume Element

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Rauch Ł.

2015-09-01

Full Text Available The coupled finite element multiscale simulations (FE2 require costly numerical procedures in both macro and micro scales. Attempts to improve numerical efficiency are focused mainly on two areas of development, i.e. parallelization/distribution of numerical procedures and simplification of virtual material representation. One of the representatives of both mentioned areas is the idea of Statistically Similar Representative Volume Element (SSRVE. It aims at the reduction of the number of finite elements in micro scale as well as at parallelization of the calculations in micro scale which can be performed without barriers. The simplification of computational domain is realized by transformation of sophisticated images of material microstructure into artificially created simple objects being characterized by similar features as their original equivalents. In existing solutions for two-phase steels SSRVE is created on the basis of the analysis of shape coefficients of hard phase in real microstructure and searching for a representative simple structure with similar shape coefficients. Optimization techniques were used to solve this task. In the present paper local strains and stresses are added to the cost function in optimization. Various forms of the objective function composed of different elements were investigated and used in the optimization procedure for the creation of the final SSRVE. The results are compared as far as the efficiency of the procedure and uniqueness of the solution are considered. The best objective function composed of shape coefficients, as well as of strains and stresses, was proposed. Examples of SSRVEs determined for the investigated two-phase steel using that objective function are demonstrated in the paper. Each step of SSRVE creation is investigated from computational efficiency point of view. The proposition of implementation of the whole computational procedure on modern High Performance Computing (HPC

Tópicos de física contemporânea no ensino médio : um texto para professores sobre supercondutividade

OpenAIRE

Ostermann, Fernanda; Ferreira, Leticie Mendonca; Cavalcanti, Claudio Jose de Holanda

1998-01-01

Este artigo é dirigido a professores de Física do ensino médio com o objetivo de tratar um tópico de Física Contemporânea - supercondutividade - não só no contexto dos conteúdos trabalhados na escola média, mas também a partir de temas não abordados nesse nível de ensino: conceitos básicos de Mecânica Quântica e Física do Estado Sólido. Existe consenso, em nível nacional e internacional, quanto à necessidade de introduzir, já no ensino médio, conteúdos de Física Contemporânea no currículo. No...

Elemental Constituents of Particulate Matter and Newborn's Size in Eight European Cohorts

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Pedersen, Marie; Gehring, Ulrike; Beelen, Rob

2016-01-01

cohorts comprising 34,923 singleton births in 1994-2008. Annual average concentrations of elemental constituents of PM smaller than 2.5 and 10 µm (PM2.5 and PM10) at maternal home addresses during pregnancy were estimated using land-use regression models. Adjusted associations between each birth...... measurement and concentrations of eight elements (copper, iron, potassium, nickel, sulfur, silicon, vanadium and zinc) were calculated using random-effects regression on pooled data. RESULTS: A 200 ng/m(3) increase in sulfur in PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of LBW (adjusted odds ratio, 1.36, 95......% confidence interval: 1.17, 1.58). Increased nickel and zinc in PM2.5 concentrations were also associated with an increased risk of LBW. Head circumference was reduced at higher exposure to all elements except potassium. All associations with sulfur were most robust to adjustment for PM2.5 mass concentration...

A Robust Design Applicability Model

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Ebro, Martin; Lars, Krogstie; Howard, Thomas J.

2015-01-01

to be applicable in organisations assigning a high importance to one or more factors that are known to be impacted by RD, while also experiencing a high level of occurrence of this factor. The RDAM supplements existing maturity models and metrics to provide a comprehensive set of data to support management......This paper introduces a model for assessing the applicability of Robust Design (RD) in a project or organisation. The intention of the Robust Design Applicability Model (RDAM) is to provide support for decisions by engineering management considering the relevant level of RD activities...

Hallazgos endoscópicos en esófago y estómago en perros de la raza Bulldog Francés

OpenAIRE

García-Sancho, M.

2011-01-01

El objetivo de este estudio retrospectivo es la descripción de los hallazgos clínicos y endoscópicos, en 15 perros de la raza Bulldog Francés, con un cuadro clínico de vómitos y/o regurgitaciones. La revisión de los informes de endoscopia emitidos por el Servicio de Gastroenterología y Endoscopia del Hospital Clínico Veterinario Complutense permitió la selección de los perros objeto de estudio: 12 machos y 3 hembras, de edades comprendidas entre los 7 meses y los 3 años (1,62±0,89). La presen...

Pico- and femtosecond laser-induced crosslinking of protein microstructures: evaluation of processability and bioactivity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Turunen, S; Kaepylae, E; Kellomaeki, M [Tampere University of Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, PO Box 692, 33101 Tampere (Finland); Terzaki, K; Fotakis, C; Farsari, M [Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), N. Plastira 100, 70013, Heraklion, Crete (Greece); Viitanen, J, E-mail: elli.kapyla@tut.fi [VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, PO Box 1300, 33101 Tampere (Finland)

2011-12-15

This study reports the pico- and femtosecond laser-induced photocrosslinking of protein microstructures. The capabilities of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser to promote multiphoton excited crosslinking of proteins were evaluated by fabricating 2D and 3D microstructures of avidin, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and biotinylated bovine serum albumin (bBSA). The multiphoton absorption-induced photocrosslinking of proteins was demonstrated here for the first time with a non-toxic biomolecule flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as the photosensitizer. Sub-micrometer and micrometer scale structures were fabricated from several different compositions of protein and photosensitizer by varying the average laser power and scanning speed in order to determine the optimal process parameters for efficient photocrosslinking. In addition, the retention of ligand-binding ability of the crosslinked protein structures was shown by fluorescence imaging of immobilized biotin or streptavidin conjugated fluorescence labels. The surface topography and the resolution of the protein patterns fabricated with the Nd:YAG laser were compared to the results obtained with a femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. Quite similar grain characteristics and comparable feature sizes were achieved with both laser sources, which demonstrates the utility of the low-cost Nd:YAG microlaser for direct laser writing of protein microstructures.

Pico- and femtosecond laser-induced crosslinking of protein microstructures: evaluation of processability and bioactivity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Turunen, S; Kaepylae, E; Kellomaeki, M; Terzaki, K; Fotakis, C; Farsari, M; Viitanen, J

2011-01-01

This study reports the pico- and femtosecond laser-induced photocrosslinking of protein microstructures. The capabilities of a picosecond Nd:YAG laser to promote multiphoton excited crosslinking of proteins were evaluated by fabricating 2D and 3D microstructures of avidin, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and biotinylated bovine serum albumin (bBSA). The multiphoton absorption-induced photocrosslinking of proteins was demonstrated here for the first time with a non-toxic biomolecule flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as the photosensitizer. Sub-micrometer and micrometer scale structures were fabricated from several different compositions of protein and photosensitizer by varying the average laser power and scanning speed in order to determine the optimal process parameters for efficient photocrosslinking. In addition, the retention of ligand-binding ability of the crosslinked protein structures was shown by fluorescence imaging of immobilized biotin or streptavidin conjugated fluorescence labels. The surface topography and the resolution of the protein patterns fabricated with the Nd:YAG laser were compared to the results obtained with a femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser. Quite similar grain characteristics and comparable feature sizes were achieved with both laser sources, which demonstrates the utility of the low-cost Nd:YAG microlaser for direct laser writing of protein microstructures.