Integração de uma descrição de dispositivos aberta e não-proprietária em sistemas fieldbus reais e simulados

Os sistemas de automação industrial contam com a definição de arquiteturas abertas padronizadas, a maioria delas utilizando tecnologias proprietárias. Em sistemas fieldbus, a tecnologia normatizada que provê a descrição das características dos dispositivos para o software configurador (IHM - Interface Homem Máquina) é de natureza proprietária e de alto custo, chamada de EDD (Electronic Device Description). Alternativamente, a Open-EDD (Open Electronic Device Description) é uma tecnologia aberta e não-proprietária baseada em padrões de software. Este trabalho descreve a utilização e validação da Open-EDD em duas diferentes aplicações: num sistema fieldbus real e num ambiente fieldbus simulado. Os resultados validam a técnica e indicam que esta pode ser aplicada a demais sistemas de automação.Industrial automation systems are based on open standard architectures definitions, in most cases proprietary technologies. In fieldbuses, the standard technology that describes the devices characteristics to the configuration software (HMI) - human machine interface, is proprietary and has high cost, named EDD (Electronic Device Description). Alternatively, the Open-EDD (Open Electronic Device Description) is an open and non-proprietary technology based on software standards. This paper describes the usage and validation of Open-EDD in two different applications: a real fieldbus system and a fieldbus simulation environment. The results validate the proposed technology and indicate that this can be applied to general fieldbus systems

Desmontagem de placas de circuito impresso usando ar quente e força centrífuga

Waste electrical and electronic equipment is a significant source of material that can contribute to reduce environmental impacts associated to extraction and discard stages; therefore, it is necessary to develop efficient recycling processes for components such as Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Current methods for PCB recycling may be optimized by previous disassembly of such components. In the work reported here, an especially designed and manufactured centrifuge was employed to disassemble PCBs from power supplies (PS-PCBs) and memory chips (ME-PCBs) of personal computers (PCs), through combination of hot air flow and centrifugal force. The results showed that the device was capable of separating tin solder, electronic components (EC) and PCB substrate, as long as hazardous components and plastic parts are previously removed. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) with combined energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer showed that the recovered solder had under 3%wt of contamination; therefore, it can be employed in the production of new soldering material, replacing the more commonly used solder dross. EC recovery rates were up to 94%wt for PS-PCBs and 32%wt for ME-PCBs, and once components such as inductors were not visibly damaged in the process, possibilities of reusing recovered components may be further investigated.Os Resíduos de Equipamentos Eletrônicos são uma fonte significativa de material que pode contribuir para reduzir impactos ambientais das etapas de extração e descarte; portanto, é necessário desenvolver processos de reciclagem eficientes para componentes como as placas de circuito impresso (PCIs). Os métodos atuais de reciclagem de PCIs podem ser otimizados pela prévia desmontagem desses componentes. Neste trabalho, uma centrífuga foi especialmente projetada e fabricada para desmontar PCIs de fontes (PS-PCBs) e chips de memória (ME-PCBs) de computadores pessoais, por meio da combinação de fluxo de ar quente e centrifugação. OS resultados mostraram que o equipamento foi capaz de separar solda, componentes eletrônicos (ECs) e substratos das placas, contanto que componentes perigosos e partes plásticas sejam previamente removidos. Análises com microscópio eletrônico de varredura com módulo de energia dispersiva de raio-x integrado mostraram que a solda recuperada apresentou menos de 3% em massa, de contaminação, podendo assim substituir a borra de solda comumente usada na produção de novas soldas. As taxas de recuperação de componentes chegaram a 94% no caso das PS-PCB e 32% para as ME-PCBs, e uma vez que componentes como os indutores não foram visivelmente danificados no processo, as possibilidades de reutilizá-los podem ser investigadas

The breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form: psychometric characteristics in portuguese pregnant women

The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form is a reliable instrument to measure mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form has traditionally been used postnatally, but evidence suggests that it can be used antenatally to identify mothers at-risk of requiring additional support to improve breastfeeding outcomes.This research was supported by FEDER Funds through the Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade−COMPETE and by National Funds through FCT−Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia under the project: PTDC/SAU/SAP/116738/2010. This study was conducted at Psychology Research Centre (UID/PSI/01662/2013), University of Minho, and supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science through national funds and co-financed by FEDER through COMPETE2020 under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement (POCI-01-0145- FEDER-007653).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Amamentação e depressão pós-parto: revisão do estado de arte

Objective: To review the literature on the association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression. Sources: A review of literature found on MEDLINE/ PubMed database. Summary of findings: The literature consistently shows that breastfeeding provides a wide range of benefits for both the child and the mother. The psychological benefits for the mother are still in need of further research. Some studies point out that pregnancy depression is one of the factors that may contribute to breastfeeding failure. Others studies also suggest an association between breastfeeding and postpartum depression; the direction of this association is still unclear. Breastfeeding can promote hormonal processes that protect mothers against postpartum depression by attenuating cortisol response to stress. It can also reduce the risk of postpartum depression, by helping the regulation of sleep and wake patterns for mother and child, improving mother’s self efficacy and her emotional involvement with the child, reducing the child’s temperamental difficulties, and promoting a better interaction between mother and child. Conclusions: Studies demonstrate that breastfeeding can protect mothers from postpartum depression, and are starting to clarify which biological and psychological processes may explain this protection. However, there are still equivocal results in the literature that may be explained by the methodological limitations presented by some studies.Objetivo: Revisar a literatura sobre a associação entre a amamentação e a depressão pós-parto. Fontes: Uma revisão da literatura encontrada na base de dados MEDLINE/Pub-Med. Resumo dos achados: A literatura mostra, de forma consistente, que a amamentação fornece uma ampla quantidade de benefícios tanto para a criança quanto para a mãe. Ainda são necessárias mais pesquisas sobre os benefícios psicológicos para a mãe. Alguns estudos apontam que a depressão na gravidez é um dos fatores que pode contribuir para a não amamentação. Outros estudos sugerem, também, uma associação entre amamentação e depressão pós-parto, não estando clara ainda a direção dessa associação. A amamentação pode promover processos hormonais que protegem as mães contra a depressão pós-parto por atenuar a resposta do cortisol ao estresse. E isso também pode reduzir o seu risco, por auxiliar na regulação dos padrões do sono e vigília da mãe e do filho, melhorando a autoeficácia e o envolvimento emocional da mãe com a criança, reduzindo as dificuldades de temperamento e promovendo uma melhor interação entre eles. Conclusões: A pesquisa aponta que a amamentação pode proteger as mães da depressão pós-parto e começa a esclarecer que processos biológicos e psicológicos podem explicar essa proteção. Contudo, ainda existem resultados ambíguos na literatura que poderão ser explicados pelas limitações metodológicas apresentadas por alguns estudos.Este trabalho foi financiado por fundos nacionais através do FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) e da Comunidade Europeia (FEDER COMPETE): Breastfeeding and Postpartum Depression (PTDC/SAU-SAP/116738/2010)

Phylogenetic investigation of enteric bovine coronavirus in Ireland reveals partitioning between European and global strains

Background: Bovine coronavirus is a primary cause of neonatal calf diarrhea worldwide, and is also associated with acute diarrhea in adult cattle during the winter season. There are no reports on molecular characterization of bovine coronavirus in Ireland, and little data exists apart from serological studies. Findings: In this study, 11 neonatal (mean age 9 days) calf BCoV strains from the south of Ireland were collected over a one year period and characterized using molecular methods. The spike gene which encodes a protein involved in viral entry, infectivity and immune response shows the most variability amongst the isolates and was subsequently selected for in depth analysis. Phylogenetic analysis of the spike gene revealed that the Irish strains clustered with novel BCoV strains from Europe in a unique clade, possibly indicating lineage partitioning. Direct analysis of alignments identified amino acid changes in the spike protein unique to the Irish clade. Conclusion: Thus, monitoring of bovine coronavirus in Ireland is important as the current isolates in circulation in the south of Ireland may be diverging from the available vaccine strain, which may have implications regarding future BCoV vaccine efficacy

Do ethnobotanical and laboratory data predict clinical safety and efficacy of anti-malarial plants?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Over 1200 plant species are reported in ethnobotanical studies for the treatment of malaria and fevers, so it is important to prioritize plants for further development of anti-malarials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The “RITAM score” was designed to combine information from systematic literature searches of published ethnobotanical studies and laboratory pharmacological studies of efficacy and safety, in order to prioritize plants for further research. It was evaluated by correlating it with the results of clinical trials.</p> <p>Results and discussion</p> <p>The laboratory efficacy score correlated with clinical parasite clearance (r_s=0.7). The ethnobotanical component correlated weakly with clinical symptom clearance but not with parasite clearance. The safety component was difficult to validate as all plants entering clinical trials were generally considered safe, so there was no clinical data on toxic plants.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The RITAM score (especially the efficacy and safety components) can be used as part of the selection process for prioritising plants for further research as anti-malarial drug candidates. The validation in this study was limited by the very small number of available clinical studies, and the heterogeneity of patients included.</p

Seismic analysis of four solar-like stars observed during more than eight months by Kepler

Having started science operations in May 2009, the Kepler photometer has been able to provide exquisite data of solar-like stars. Five out of the 42 stars observed continuously during the survey phase show evidence of oscillations, even though they are rather faint (magnitudes from 10.5 to 12). In this paper, we present an overview of the results of the seismic analysis of 4 of these stars observed during more than eight months.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. To appear in the ASP proceedings of "The 61st Fujihara seminar: Progress in solar/stellar physics with helio- and asteroseismology", 13th-17th March 2011, Hakone, Japa