Detailed theoretical models for extra-solar planet-host stars: The "red stragglers" HD37124 and HD46375

In this paper we analyse and discuss the HR Diagram position of two extra-solar planet-host stars - HD37124 and HD46375 - by means of theoretical stellar evolution models. This work was triggered by the results obtained by Laws et al. (2003) who found that these stars were in contradiction to the expectation based on their high metallicity. Fixing the age of both stars with the value based on their chromospheric activity levels and computing our own evolutionary models using the CESAM code, we are able to reproduce the observed luminosity, effective temperature and metallicity of both stars for a set of stellar parameters that are astrophysically reliable even if it is non-trivial to interpret the absolute values for these parameters. Our results are discussed in the context of the stellar properties of low mass stars.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, A&A, in pres

Caregivers’ responses to children’s negative emotions: Associations with preschoolers’ executive functioning

There is a lack of knowledge regarding the connection between parental emotional responsiveness and children’s executive functioning (EF). This study aimed to explore the relations between caregivers’ reactions to their children’s distress and children’s EF. Mothers of 136 preschoolers reported their reactions to their children’s negative emotions using the Coping with Children’s Negative Emotions Scale. Children’s EF was assessed through the mothers and teachers’ reports using the Behavioral Inventory of Executive Functioning for Preschool Children. Results showed that the mothers’ perceived use of negative emotional regulation responses (i.e., punitive and minimizing reactions) was associated with lower levels of EF in children, as reported by both mothers and teachers. The association between the mothers’ use of positive emotional regulation responses (i.e., problem-focused, emotion-focused, and expressive encouragement reactions) and children’s EF was not significant. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the mothers’ use of negative emotional regulation responses accounted for significant proportions of variance in EF indexes. These findings suggest that parental socialization of emotion could be important for children’s EF. Specifically, caregivers’ negative emotional regulation responses to children’s distress may serve as a risk factor for poorer EF in children. Efforts to improve children’s EF may be more effective when parental emotional responsiveness to their distress is considered.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fungal nanotechnology

Due to the outbreak of infectious diseases caused by different pathogenic microorganisms and the development of drug resistance, nanoscale materials have emerged up as novel antimicrobial agents and the well known activity of silver ions and silver-based compounds has promoted research in this field. For this reason, there is an essential need to develop environmentally benign procedures for synthesis of silver nanoparticles for commercialization purposes. In this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesised extracellularly from silver nitrate using the fungi supplied by Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM) fungal culture collection, and the morphology of the nanoparticles was characterised The potential to manipulate key parameters, which control growth and other cellular activities, to achieve an optimised production of nanoparticles were also investigated. In addition, a preliminary study was performed to assess the anti-fungal silver nanoparticles activity against bacteria

Common pathologies in RC bridge structures: a statistical analysis

One of the main tasks in bridge engineering is to maintain the existing bridge stock according to current and predicted traffic and safety requirements. Bridges deterioration commonly occurs due to a wide variety of pathological factors, with origin in, for example: unexpected traffic loads, vehicle impacts, environmental factors, earth movements, chloride attack, carbonation effect, lack of maintenance, de-icing salts, degradation of the drainage systems, pavement quality. Considering this, a statistical analysis of the most common pathologies in bridge structures, their origin and consequences, was carried out. This analysis was performed considering the pathologies for the overall structure, and for each bridge component. A total of 85 reinforced concrete bridges, representative of the bridge stock in Portugal, were analyzed. Additionally, a comparison of the obtained results with a similar study for Germany was developed. The main differences between the results obtained for each country within this study are pointed out

Validation of a compact microwave imaging system for bone fracture detection

This work presents a systematic evaluation of the effectiveness of an air-operated microwave imaging (MWI) system for detection of arbitrarily oriented thin fractures in superficial bones, like the tibia. This includes the proposal of a new compact, portable setup where a single Vivaldi antenna performs a semi-cylindrical scan of the limb. The antenna is operated in monostatic radar mode, near the skin but without contact, thus ensuring hygiene and patient comfort during the exam. The image is reconstructed using a wave-migration algorithm in the frequency domain combined with an adaptative algorithm based on singular value decomposition to remove the skin artifact, dealing with non-uniform bone profile and tissue cover. The study investigates the system resolution, the robustness of the method to the uncertainty of the permittivity and thickness of the involved tested tissues, as well as the robustness to involuntary patient movement. The experimental validation was performed for the first time on an integral ex-vivo animal leg, with all tissues present, including skin and fur. It confirmed both the effectiveness of the method, and the feasibility of the setup.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feasibility of bone fracture detection using microwave imaging

This paper studies the feasibility of Microwave Imaging (MWI) for detection of fractures in superficial bones like the tibia, using a simple and practical setup. First-responders could use it for fast preliminary diagnosis in emergency locations, where X-Rays are not available. It may prove valuable also for cases where X-ray are not recommended, e.g., length pregnant women or children. The method is inspired on the synthetic aperture radar technique. A single Vivaldi antenna is used to linearly scan the bone in the 8.3-11.1 GHz frequency range and collect the scattered fields. The system is operated in air, without the need for impractical impedance-matching immersion liquids. The image is reconstructed using a Kirchhoff migration algorithm. A Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) strategy is used to remove skin and background artifacts. To test this technique, a set of full-wave simulations and experiments were conducted on a multilayer phantom and on an ex-vivo animal bone. Results show that the system can detect and locate bone transverse fractures as small as 1 mm width and 13 mm deep, even when the bone is wrapped by 2 mm thick skin.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Experimental evaluation of thin bone fracture detection using microwave imaging

Microwave imaging is a promising candidate modality for the detection of fractures in superficial bones. We propose a simple dedicated experimental setup and use it to evaluate experimentally the feasibility of detection and location of thin transversal fractures in an animal bone. A single small Vivaldi antenna scans the bone along its length in two longitudinal planes, and collects the monostatic scattered fields in the 8.3-11.1 GHz frequency range. The image is reconstructed using a wave migration algorithm. Tests were carried on an ex-vivo animal leg bone with an induced transversal fracture. The results showed that transversal bone fractures can be detected down to 0.35 mm thickness. The system is attractive for a practical application because it is contactless, operated in air, non-ionizing, simple and comfortable for the patient. It can be used e.g. by first responders in the field, or in low-income settings.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Visita precursora do projeto Rondon: relato de experiências no estado do Pará, em Santa Luzia do Pará, em 2007, e em São Domingos do Araguaia, em 2015

Trabalho apresentado no II Congresso Nacional do PROJETO RONDON, realizado em Florianópolis, SC, no período de 23 a 25 de setembro de 2015 - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina.A visita precursora tem a finalidade de fazer o reconhecimento local, como manter contato com a comunidade e apoio dos órgãos públicos, assim como flexibilizar a proposta encaminhada nas condições do município, prepararem alojamento e alimentação para alunos e professores durante os dezesseis dias que permanecem nas Operações, escolhida para a IES atuar. No momento da visita precursora o Projeto Rondon sai da teoria e vai para a prática, além do que serve para transformar a proposta em plano de trabalho factível as localidades. Este artigo tem o objetivo de descrever as experiências na visita precursora nos Municípios de Santa Luzia do Pará, em 2007 e em São Domingos do Araguaia, em 2015, no Estado do Pará, como planejamento para a Operação Grão-Pará e para a operação Itacaiúnas, em dois momentos diferentes do Projeto Rondon. Foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica descritiva e de relato de caso sobre a visita precursora em duas épocas do Projeto Rondon, durante a Operação Grão-Pará em 2007 e a Operação Itacaiúnas em 2015, ambas no Estado do Pará. Foi observado durante a pesquisa que visita precursora tem passado por muitas transformações, necessária as realidades do Projeto Rondon, das IES e principalmente dos Municípios envolvidos, é um instrumento de planejamento para que as Operações ocorram com eficiência e eficácia à época de sua realização. A vista precursora é a composição de cenários para a realização das Operações do Projeto Rondon as quais se destinam, até mesmo para manter contato com a comunidade, a fim de apoiar os Rondonistas, principalmente em se tratando da hospedagem e alimentação dos alunos e professores das equipes do conjunto A e B. Especificamente as visitas precursoras com Santa Luzia do Pará, destinadas as Operações Grão-Pará em 2007 e Itacaiúnas em 2015, foram infinitamente importantes para delinearmos e ajustarmos a proposta à realidade do município, até mesmo para organizarmos os minicursos, workshops, entre outras atividades, durante as Operações

Costs Associated with Malaria in Pregnancy in the Brazilian Amazon, a Low Endemic Area Where Plasmodium vivax Predominates.

BACKGROUND: Information on costs associated with malaria in pregnancy (MiP) in low transmission areas where Plasmodium vivax predominates is so far missing. This study estimates health system and patient costs of MiP in the Brazilian Amazon. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Between January 2011 and March 2012 patient costs for the treatment of MiP were collected through an exit survey at a tertiary referral hospital and at a primary health care centre in the Manaus metropolitan area, Amazonas state. Pregnant and post-partum women diagnosed with malaria were interviewed after an outpatient consultation or at discharge after admission. Seventy-three interviews were included in the analysis. Ninety-six percent of episodes were due to P. vivax and 4% to Plasmodium falciparum. In 2010, the total median costs from the patient perspective were estimated at US $45.91 and US$216.29 for an outpatient consultation and an admission, respectively. When multiple P. vivax infections during the same pregnancy were considered, patient costs increased up to US $335.85, representing the costs of an admission plus an outpatient consultation. Provider direct and overhead cost data were obtained from several sources. The provider cost associated with an outpatient case, which includes several consultations at the tertiary hospital was US$103.51 for a P. vivax malaria episode and US $83.59 for a P. falciparum malaria episode. The cost of an inpatient day and average admission of 3 days was US$118.51 and US $355.53, respectively. Total provider costs for the diagnosis and treatment of all malaria cases reported in pregnant women in Manaus in 2010 (N = 364) were US$17,038.50, of which 92.4% (US$ 15,741.14) due to P. vivax infection. CONCLUSION: Despite being an area of low risk malaria transmission, MiP is responsible for a significant economic burden in Manaus. Especially when multiple infections are considered, costs associated with P. vivax are higher than costs associated with P. falciparum. The information generated may help health policy decisions for the current control and future elimination of malaria in the area