Control and Supervision of Wind Energy Conversion Systems

This paper is about a PhD thesis and includes the study and analysis of the performance of an onshore wind energy conversion system. First, mathematical models of a variable speed wind turbine with pitch control are studied, followed by the study of different controller types such as integer-order controllers, fractional-order controllers, fuzzy logic controllers, adaptive controllers and predictive controllers and the study of a supervisor based on finite state machines is also studied. The controllers are included in the lower level of a hierarchical structure composed by two levels whose objective is to control the electric output power around the rated power. The supervisor included at the higher level is based on finite state machines whose objective is to analyze the operational states according to the wind speed. The studied mathematical models are integrated into computer simulations for the wind energy conversion system and the obtained numerical results allow for the performance assessment of the system connected to the electric grid. The wind energy conversion system is composed by a variable speed wind turbine, a mechanical transmission system described by a two mass drive train, a gearbox, a doubly fed induction generator rotor and by a two level converter

Constant-Time Communication for Information Retrieval Systems

The construction of write-ahead logging is a robust grand challenge. In fact, few biologists would disagree with the synthesis of RPCs, demonstrates the intuitive importance of steganography. In our research we show not only that the foremost virtual algorithm for the de- velopment of Scheme is in Co-NP, but that the same is true for suffix trees

Soil CO2 emissions at Furnas volcano (São Miguel Island, Azores archipelago) - volcano monitoring perspectives, geomorphologic studies and land-use planning application

Carbon dioxide (CO2) diffuse degassing structures (DDS) at Furnas Volcano (São Miguel Island, Azores) are mostly associated with the main fumarolic fields, evidence that CO2 soil degassing is the surface expression of rising steam from the hydrothermal system. Locations with anomalous CO2 flux are mainly controlled by tectonic structures oriented WNW-ESE and NW-SE and by the geomorphology of the volcano, as evidenced by several DDS located in depressed areas associated with crater margins. Hydrothermal soil CO2 emissions in Furnas volcano are estimated to be ~ 968 t d-1. Discrimination between biogenic and hydrothermal CO2 was determined using a 1 statistical approach and the carbon isotope composition of the CO2 efflux. Different sampling densities were used to evaluate uncertainty in the estimation of the total CO2 flux, and showed that a low density of points may not be adequate to quantify soil emanations from a relatively small DDS. Thermal energy release associated to diffuse degassing at Furnas caldera is about 118 MW (from an area of ~ 4.8 km2) based on the H2O/CO2 ratio in fumarolic gas. The DDS affect also Furnas and Ribeira Quente villages, which are located inside the caldera and in the south flank of the volcano, respectively. At these sites, 58% and 98% of the houses are built over hydrothermal CO2 emanations, and the populations are at risk due to potential high concentrations of CO2 accumulating inside the dwellings. Keywords: Soil diffuse degassing; soil CO2 flux; emission rates; Azores archipelago

OAGB Bowel Function in Patients With up to 5 Years Follow-Up: Updated Outcomes

Objective: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is considered an effective technique in weight reduction and remission of comorbidities. However, in common with many bariatric and metabolic/bariatric procedures, gastrointestinal side effects are frequently reported, but clinical experience varies. The objective of this study was to analyze the bowel function of patients who undergo OAGB looking at 5-year postoperative outcomes. Method: This study is cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical, developed with individuals undergoing OAGB (n = 208) in yhe period between 2015 and 2020. The time periods evaluated were 1 to 6 months (T1), 6 to 12 months (T2), and 1 to 5 years (T3). Data analysis was performed using SPSS v.28.0, considering a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Results: 114 participants (54.8%), 79.8% women, mean age 47.0 ± 12.6 years, and BMI 40.1 ± 5.6 kg/m2, 51.9% dyslipidemia, 43.6% arterial hypertension, and 19.1% diabetes mellitus. The T1 group had more severe symptoms/nausea than the T2 group. The T2 group had a significantly lower defecation frequency than the T1 and T3 groups. As for the occurrence of diarrhea, associations were not found in the considered groups. The T3 group had a greater severity of constipation associated with greater difficulty in consuming red meat, white meat, rice, vegetables, and salads. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent in the first postoperative months. However, diarrhea was not common. The patient selection policy and surgical technique were decisive in this result. Constipation was prevalent in patients between 1 and 5 postoperative years. It was also prevalent in those who had food intolerance, which from a nutritional point of view is an adverse factor for optimal bowel function.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive Factors and Morbidities Associated With Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Very Low Birth Weight Infants With Gestational Age 27 - 31 Weeks

A persistência de canal arterial hemodinamicamente significativo (PCAHS) é uma patologia frequente em recém-nascidos de muito baixo peso. O objectivo deste estudo foi identificar fatores de risco e morbilidades associadas à PCAHS no recém-nascido de muiot baixo peso com idade gestacional de 27 e 31 semanas. Estudaram-se os recém-nascidos(RN) com idade gestacional entre 27 e 31 semans e peso de nascimento inferior a 1500 gramas, admitidos numa unidade de cuidados intensivos neonatais entre 2010 e 2012. Realizou-se um estudo caso-coorte, tendo-se identificado os casos com diagnóstico ecográfico de PCAHS e uma amostra sistemática de RN sem diagnóstico de PCAHS (coorte de controlos). Foram explorados por regressão logística modelos preditivos da ocorrência de PACHS e da sua contribuição para a principal morbilidade neonatal. Nos três anos de estudo, a incidência de PACHS foi de 15%, intervalo de confiança (IC) 95% 11,3 - 19,5. A análise dos 44 RN com PACHS e dos 60 sem PACHS identificou como melhores preditores de PACHS a necessidade de ventilação venosa invasiva (odds ratio (OR) 3.65: IC95%1, 268 - 10,479: p=0,016) e a administração de surfatante (OR ajustado 4,52; IC95% 1,738-11,735; p=0,002); a PACHS mostrou ser significativa no modelo preditivo de leucomalácia periventricular (LPV) (OR ajustado 4,42: IC95% 1,621-12,045; p=0,004). Os resultados obtidos sugerem que estratégias preventivas e terapêuticas que permitam a redução da necessidade de administração de surfatante e de ventilação mecânica invasiva podem reduzir o risco de PCAHS. A PCAHS está positivamente associada à incidência de LPV

eLabs – platform for online laboratory management

We observe, today, an unprecedented development of information technologies in various organizational, social and economic fields. The Web is the main driver of this evolution from a simple display system of linked pages to a powerful platform for information and communication, having the interaction, the dynamism and multimedia resources their main features. At the organizational level, the Web has introduced several improvements, turning the business processes more effective and centered on users. The deployment of portals to support management and communication in organizations was the first step in the integration of information technologies in several fields of organizations. One of the most relevant technologies to support business process management is workflow, representing the most significant solution for process automation and information management inside an organization. According to Hales (1997) workflow is a proactive management system that manages the workflow among the participants (users or other systems), according to predefined procedures that define the tasks. This article discusses the development of a platform for online laboratory management based on workflow technologies, with the main goals to improve communication, cooperation and integrated management of resources, promoting greater efficiency in laboratory management. The eLabs platform is been used in Instituto Politécnico de Bragança for laboratory management, integrating the management of internal and external services, equipment, resources and tasks. The results obtained demonstrate an improvement in the efficiency of resources management and the enhancement of quality of services realized inside the institution and to the community

The Efficacy of LUCAS in Cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Chest compression is the basic technique of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in patients with cardiac arrest. The quality and early performance of CPR is critical to improve the prognosis and chances of restoring spontaneous blood flow. Today we have manual compressions and mechanical chest compression devices. Objective: The aim of this study is to clarify the importance of the LUCAS system (The Lund University Cardiac Arrest System) in CPR. Material and methods: A systematic review of the literature by mobilizing the descriptors "Cardiac Arrest", "Lucas Efficacy" and "nursing", using the methodological head. Ten conceivable databases were selected, between 2010-2020, and seven articles were included for analysis. Results and discussion: The results of the studies are different, as four of the studies indicate that LUCAS is fully effective, particularly in fatigue and transport, but two of them do not recognise its full effectiveness. One of the studies mentions that the fact that compression by the automatic device is effective does not necessarily reflect a better result. The vast majority of the studies recognise the need for further studies to make more convincing decisions. Conclusion: Mechanical chest compression devices can improve patient outcome if used appropriately in the event of cardiac arrest. The hemodynamic performance of the LUCAS compression-decompression system is, according to some results, better than manual CPR. However, the quality of the current evidence is not sufficient. Randomised studies are needed to evaluate the effect of mechanical chest compression devices on survival inside or outsider the hospital.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug-resistance testing: challenges, recent developments and perspectives

Drug-resistance testing, or antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), is mandatory for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in cases of failure on standard therapy. We reviewed the different methods and techniques of phenotypic and genotypic approaches. Although multiresistant and extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) tuberculosis is present worldwide, AST for M. tuberculosis (AST-MTB) is still mainly performed according to the resources available rather than the drug-resistance rates. Phenotypic methods, i.e. culture-based AST, are commonly used in high-income countries to confirm susceptibility of new cases of tuberculosis. They are also used to detect resistance in tuberculosis cases with risk factors, in combination with genotypic tests. In low-income countries, genotypic methods screening hot-spot mutations known to confer resistance were found to be easier to perform because they avoid the culture and biosafety constraint. Given that genotypic tests can rapidly detect the prominent mechanisms of resistance, such as the rpoB mutation for rifampicin resistance, we are facing new challenges with the observation of false-resistance (mutations not conferring resistance) and false-susceptibility (mutations different from the common mechanism) results. Phenotypic and genotypic approaches are therefore complementary for obtaining a high sensitivity and specificity for detecting drug resistances and susceptibilities to accurately predict MDR/XDR cure and to gather relevant data for resistance surveillance. Although AST-MTB was established in the 1960s, there is no consensus reference method for MIC determination against which the numerous AST-MTB techniques can be compared. This information is necessary for assessing in vitro activity and setting breakpoints for future anti-tuberculosis agents

Kinetics of Expression in Cancer Drug Resistance

This research was funded by Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), grant number UID-BIM-00009-2020 and GHTM-UID/Multi/04413/2013. The APC was funded by Fundação de Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), grant number UID-BIM-00009-2020.Cancer drug resistance (CDR) is a major problem in therapeutic failure. Over 90% of patients with metastatic cancer present CDR. Several mechanisms underlie CDR, including the increased expression of efflux ABC transporters and epigenetic phenomena. Nevertheless, a topic that is not usually addressed is the mechanism underlying the loss of CDR once the challenge to these cells is withdrawn. A KCR cell line (doxorubicin-resistant, expressing ABCB1) was used to induce loss of resistance by withdrawing doxorubicin in culture medium. ABCB1 activity was analysed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry through substrate (DiOC2) retention assays. The expression of 1008 microRNAs was assessed before and after doxorubicin withdrawal. After 16 weeks of doxorubicin withdrawal, a decrease of ABCB1 activity and expression occurred. Moreover, we determined a signature of 23 microRNAs, 13 underexpressed and 10 overexpressed, as a tool to assess loss of resistance. Through pathway enrichment analysis, “Pathways in cancer”, “Proteoglycans in cancer” and “ECM-receptor interaction” were identified as relevant in the loss of CDR. Taken together, the data reinforce the assumption that ABCB1 plays a major role in the kinetics of CDR, and their levels of expression are in the dependence of the circuitry of cell miRNAspublishersversionpublishe

Monitoring of fumarole discharge and CO2 soil degassing in the Azores: contribution to volcanic surveillance and public health risk assessment

Fluid geochemistry monitoring in the Azores involves the regular sampling and analysis of gas discharges from fumaroles and measurements of CO2 diffuse soil gas emissions. Main degassing areas under monitoring are associated with hydrothermal systems of active central volcanoes in S. Miguel, Terceira and Graciosa islands. Fumarole discharge analysis since 1991 show that apart from steam these gas emissions are CO2 dominated with H2S, H2, CH4 and N2 in minor amounts. Mapping of CO2 diffuse soil emissions in S. Miguel Island lead to the conclusion that some inhabited areas are located within hazard-zones. At Furnas village, inside Furnas volcano caldera, about 62% of the 896 houses are within the CO2 anomaly, 5% being in areas of moderate to high risk. At Ribeira Seca, on the north flank of Fogo volcano, few family houses were evacuated when CO2 concentrations in the air reached 8 mol%. To assess and analyse the CO2 soil flux emissions, continuous monitoring stations were installed in S. Miguel (2), Terceira and Graciosa islands. The statistical analysis of the data showed that some meteorological parameters influence the CO2 flux. The average of CO2 flux in S. Miguel stations ranges from 250 g/m2/d at Furnas volcano to 530 g/m2/d at Fogo volcano. At Terceira Island it is about 330 g/m2/d and at Graciosa 4400 g/m2/d