DESENVOLVIMENTO DE UMA HANDBIKE DE BAIXO CUSTO

Este trabalho consiste no desenvolvimento de uma handbike, veículo de propulsão humana voltado para o lazer de pessoas portadoras de deficiência física nos membros inferiores. O projeto foi focado em manter as condições de estabilidade e segurança em níveis satisfatórios, onde foram analisados fatores referentes à geometria da direção, o dimensionamento geral, a ergonomia do ciclista e a análise estrutural, feita em software que utiliza o método dos elementos finitos, apresentando também uma seleção dos componentes necessários para seu funcionamento. O projeto prioriza a simplicidade na construção e manutenção, propondo mudanças nos conceitos já existentes, resultando em uma redução de custo final, contribuindo para popularização dessa prática esportiva no lazer, e ajudando na inclusão dessa parcela da sociedade

Causality in real-time dynamic substructure testing

Causality, in the bond graph sense, is shown to provide a conceptual framework for the design of real-time dynamic substructure testing experiments. In particular, known stability problems with split-inertia substructured systems are reinterpreted as causality issues within the new conceptual framework. As an example, causality analysis is used to provide a practical solution to a split-inertia substructuring problem and the solution is experimentally verified

Geographically distributed hybrid testing & collaboration between geotechnical centrifuge and structures laboratories

© 2018, Institute of Engineering Mechanics (IEM). All rights reserved. Distributed Hybrid Testing (DHT) is an experimental technique designed to capitalise on advances in modern networking infrastructure to overcome traditional laboratory capacity limitations. By coupling the heterogeneous test apparatus and computational resources of geographically distributed laboratories, DHT provides the means to take on complex, multi-disciplinary challenges with new forms of communication and collaboration. To introduce the opportunity and practicability afforded by DHT, here an exemplar multi-site test is addressed in which a dedicated fibre network and suite of custom software is used to connect the geotechnical centrifuge at the University of Cambridge with a variety of structural dynamics loading apparatus at the University of Oxford and the University of Bristol. While centrifuge time-scaling prevents real-time rates of loading in this test, such experiments may be used to gain valuable insights into physical phenomena, test procedure and accuracy. These and other related experiments have led to the development of the real-time DHT technique and the creation of a flexible framework that aims to facilitate future distributed tests within the UK and beyond. As a further example, a real-time DHT experiment between structural labs using this framework for testing across the Internet is also presented

Adult Intussusception Caused by an Inverted Meckel Diverticulum

Adult intussusception caused by an inverted Meckel diverticulum is rare. We report a 55-year-old Japanese man with intussusception. He was admitted to our hospital with vomiting and abdominal pain. The abdomen was hard with tenderness and muscle guarding. Computed tomography scanning demonstrated a typical inhomogeneous target-shaped mass in the right abdomen. We diagnosed intussusception and performed emergency surgery. At laparotomy, ileocolic intussusception was observed and the ileocecal segment was resected. The surgical specimen comprised an 84 cm segment of resected ileocecum with an elongated polypoid lesion measuring 11 × 2 cm within the ileal lumen. Histopathological examination demonstrated that the polypoid lesion was an inverted Meckel diverticulum. Postoperatively, the patient made an uneventful recovery

Aluminium content of spanish infant formula

Aluminium toxicity has been relatively well documented in infants with impaired renal function and premature neonates. The aims of this study were to analyse the concentration of aluminium in the majority of infant formulae sold commercially in Spain, to determine the influence of aluminium content in the tap water in reconstituted powder formulae and to estimate the theoretical toxic aluminium intake in comparison with the PTWI, and lastly, to discuss the possible interactions of certain essential trace elements added to formulation with aluminium according to type or main protein based infant formula. A total of 82 different infant formulae from 9 different manufacturers were studied. Sample digestion was simulated in a closed acid-decomposition microwave system. Aluminium concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with graphite furnace. In general, the infant formulae studied provide an aluminium level higher than that found in human milk, especially in the case of soya, preterm or hydrolysed casein-based formulae. Standard formulae provide lower aluminium intakes amounting to about 4 % PTWI. Specialised and preterm formulae result in moderate intake (11 – 12 % and 8 – 10 % PTWI, respectively). Soya formulae contribute the highest intake (15 % PTWI). Aluminium exposure from drinking water used for powder formula reconstitution is not considered a clear potential risk. In accordance with the present state of knowledge about aluminium toxicity, it seems prudent to call for continued efforts to standardise routine quality control and reduce aluminium levels in infant formula as well as to keep the aluminium concentration under 300 g l-1 for all infant formulae, most specifically those formulae for premature and low birth neonates

Design of a multicentre randomized trial to evaluate CT colonography versus colonoscopy or barium enema for diagnosis of colonic cancer in older symptomatic patients: The SIGGAR study

Background and Aims: The standard whole-colon tests used to investigate patients with symptoms of colorectal cancer are barium enema and colonoscopy. Colonoscopy is the reference test but is technically difficult, resource intensive, and associated with adverse events, especially in the elderly. Barium enema is safer but has reduced sensitivity for cancer. CT colonography ("virtual colonoscopy") is a newer alternative that may combine high sensitivity for cancer with safety and patient acceptability. The SIGGAR trial aims to determine the diagnostic efficacy, acceptability, and economic costs associated with this new technology.Methods: The SIGGAR trial is a multi-centre randomised comparison of CT colonography versus standard investigation ( barium enema or colonoscopy), the latter determined by individual clinician preference. Diagnostic efficacy for colorectal cancer and colonic polyps measuring 1 cm or larger will be determined, as will the physical and psychological morbidity associated with each diagnostic test, the latter via questionnaires developed from qualitative interviews. The economic costs of making or excluding a diagnosis will be determined for each diagnostic test and information from the trial and other data from the literature will be used to populate models framed to summarise the health effects and costs of alternative approaches to detection of significant colonic neoplasia in patients of different ages, prior risks and preferences. This analysis will focus particularly on the frequency, clinical relevance, costs, and psychological and physical morbidity associated with detection of extracolonic lesions by CT colonography.Results: Recruitment commenced in March 2004 and at the time of writing ( July 2007) 5025 patients have been randomised. A lower than expected prevalence of end-points in the barium enema sub-trial has caused an increase in sample size. In addition to the study protocol, we describe our approach to recruitment, notably the benefits of extensive piloting, the use of a sham-randomisation procedure, which was employed to determine whether centres interested in participating were likely to be effective in practice, and the provision of funding for dedicated sessions for a research nurse at each centre to devote specifically to this trial

MRCP compared to diagnostic ERCP for diagnosis when biliary obstruction is suspected: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an alternative to diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for investigating biliary obstruction. The use of MRCP, a non-invasive procedure, may prevent the use of unnecessary invasive procedures. The aim of the study was to compare the findings of MRCP with those of ERCP by the computation of accuracy statistics. METHODS: Thirteen electronic bibliographic databases, covering biomedical, science, health economics and grey literature were searched. A systematic review of studies comparing MRCP to diagnostic ERCP in patients with suspected biliary obstruction was conducted. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, acceptability and adverse events were reported. RESULTS: 25 studies were identified reporting several conditions including choledocholithiasis (18 studies), malignancy (four studies), obstruction (three studies), stricture (two studies) and dilatation (five studies). Three of the 18 studies reporting choledocholithiasis were excluded from the analysis due to lack of data, or differences in study design. The sensitivity for the 15 studies of choledocholithiasis ranged from 0.50 to 1.00 while specificity ranged from 0.83 to 1.00. The positive likelihood ratio ranged: from 5.44–47.72 and the negative likelihood ratio for the 15 studies ranged from 0.00–0.51. Significant heterogeneity was found across the 15 studies so the sensitivities and specificities were summarised by a Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. For malignancy, sensitivity ranged from 0.81 to 0.94 and specificity from 0.92 to 1.00. Positive likelihood ratios ranged from 10.12 to 43 and negative likelihood ratios ranged from 0.15 to 0.21, although these estimates were less reliable. CONCLUSION: MRCP is a comparable diagnostic investigation in comparison to ERCP for diagnosing biliary obstruction

Development of nonlinear analytical model and seismic analyses of a steel frame with self-centering devices and viscoelastic dampers

This paper highlights the role of advanced structural analysis tools on the conception of high-performance earthquake-resistant structural systems. A new steel frame equipped with self-centering devices and viscoelastic dampers is described. A prototype building using this frame is designed and a detailed nonlinear analytical model for seismic analysis is developed. Seismic analyses results show the effectiveness of the proposed frame to enhance structural and non-structural performance by significantly reducing residual drifts and inelastic deformations, and by reducing drifts, total floor accelerations and total floor velocities. These results are the basis for further studies aiming to develop design methods and criteria for the proposed high-performance frame