Electrooptic combinator for ultra-fast pulsed microwave signal generation

Orientador: Evandro ConfortiDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de ComputaçãoResumo: Uma nova técnica de geração de sinais pulsados de microondas é desenvolvida. Baseia-se na composição de dois sinais arbitrários, um trem de pulsos ultra-rápidos e uma portadora de microondas, originados a partir de diferentes fontes e combinados no domínio óptico de forma a preservar ao máximo as características espectrais e temporais dos sinais. São apresentados os conceitos utilizados na técnica e toda a configuração empregada na sua validação experimental. Os resultados obtidos são discutidos e comparados com os sinais pulsados de microondas gerados a partir de um moderno gerador comercial. Os principais componentes utilizados são também caracterizados e propostas de melhorias são apresentadas. A forma de onda obtida a partir da técnica desenvolvida atingiu os resultados esperadosAbstract: A novel technique of pulsed microwave waveform generation has been developed. It is based on the mixture of two arbitrary signals, an ultra-fast pulse train and a microwave carrier, all generated from different sources and combined in the optical domain in order to preserve the spectral and temporal features as much as possible. The technique's concepts and the setup used for the experimental validation have been presented. The obtained results are discussed and compared to the pulsed microwave signals generated by a modern commercial microwave generator. The main components are also characterized and proposals of improvements have been presented. The waveform resulted from this developed technique reached the expected resultsMestradoTelecomunicações e TelemáticaMestre em Engenharia Elétric

Procalcitonin and C-reactive protein during systemic inflammatory response syndrome, sepsis and organ dysfunction

INTRODUCTION: Both C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) are accepted sepsis markers. However, there is still some debate concerning the correlation between their serum concentrations and sepsis severity. We hypothesised that PCT and CRP concentrations are different in patients with infection or with no infection at a similar severity of organ dysfunction or of systemic inflammatory response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty adult intensive care unit patients were observed consecutively over a period of 10 days. PCT, CRP and infection parameters were compared among the following groups: no systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (n = 15), SIRS (n = 15), sepsis/SS (n = 71) (including sepsis, severe sepsis and septic shock [n = 34, n = 22 and n = 15]), and trauma patients (n = 49, no infection). RESULTS: PCT and CRP concentrations were higher in patients in whom infection was diagnosed at comparable levels of organ dysfunction (infected patients, regression of median [ng/ml] PCT = -0.848 + 1.526 sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score, median [mg/l] CRP = 105.58 + 0.72 SOFA score; non-infected patients, PCT = 0.27 + 0.02 SOFA score, P < 0.0001; CRP = 84.53 - 0.19 SOFA score, P < 0.005), although correlation with the SOFA score was weak (R = 0.254, P < 0.001 for PCT, and R = 0.292, P < 0.001 for CRP). CRP levels were near their maximum already during lower SOFA scores, whereas maximum PCT concentrations were found at higher score levels (SOFA score > 12). PCT and CRP concentrations were 1.58 ng/ml and 150 mg/l in patients with sepsis, 0.38 ng/ml and 51 mg/l in the SIRS patients (P < 0.05, Mann–Whitney U-test), and 0.14 ng/ml and 72 mg/l in the patients with no SIRS (P < 0.05). The kinetics of both parameters were also different, and PCT concentrations reacted more quickly than CRP. CONCLUSIONS: PCT and CRP levels are related to the severity of organ dysfunction, but concentrations are still higher during infection. Different sensitivities and kinetics indicate a different clinical use for both parameters

Kinematic models of lower limb joints for musculo-skeletal modelling and optimization in gait analysis

Kinematic models of lower limb joints have several potential applications in musculoskeletal modelling of the locomotion apparatus, including the reproduction of the natural joint motion. These models have recently revealed their value also for in vivo motion analysis experiments, where the soft-tissue artefact is a critical known problem. This arises at the interface between the skin markers and the underlying bone, and can be reduced by defining multibody kinematic models of the lower limb and by running optimization processes aimed at obtaining estimates of position and orientation of relevant bones. With respect to standard methods based on the separate optimization of each single body segment, this technique makes it also possible to respect joint kinematic constraints. Whereas the hip joint is traditionally assumed as a 3 degrees of freedom ball and socket articulation, many previous studies have proposed a number of different kinematic models for the knee and ankle joints. Some of these are rigid, while others have compliant elements. Some models have clear anatomical correspondences and include real joint constraints; other models are more kinematically oriented, these being mainly aimed at reproducing joint kinematics. This paper provides a critical review of the kinematic models reported in literature for the major lower limb joints and used for the reduction of soft-tissue artefact. Advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed, considering their anatomical significance, accuracy of predictions, computational costs, feasibility of personalization, and other features. Their use in the optimization process is also addressed, both in normal and pathological subjects

Validation of a one degree-of-freedom spherical model for kinematics analysis of the human ankle joint

During passive motion, the human tibiotalar (ankle) joint behaves as a single degree-of-freedom (1DOF) system [1,2]. In these conditions, fibres within the ligaments remain nearly isometric throughout the flexion arc and articular surfaces nearly rigid. Relevant theoretical models are showing that the ligaments and the articular surfaces act together as mechanisms to control the passive joint kinematics [3-5]. Kinematic measurements and corresponding model predictions also revealed that the instantaneous screw axes of passive motion pass near to a single point, hereinafter called pivot point [5]. The present study investigates the extent to which this motion is spherical-like

Virus contamination and infectivity in beach environment: Focus on sand and stranded material

To assess the exposure of beachgoers to viruses, a study on seawater, sand, and beach-stranded material was carried out, searching for human viruses, fecal indicator organisms, and total fungi. Moreover, for the first time, the genome persistence and infectivity of two model viruses was studied in laboratory-spiked sand and seawater samples during a one-week experiment. Viral genome was detected in 13.6 % of the environmental samples, but it was not infectious (Human Adenovirus – HAdV, and enterovirus). Norovirus and SARS-CoV-2 were not detected. The most contaminated samples were from sand and close to riverine discharges. In lab-scale experiments, the infectivity of HAdV5 decreased by ~1.5-Log10 in a week, the one of Human Coronavirus-229E disappeared in &lt;3 h in sand. The genome of both viruses persisted throughout the experiment. Our results confirm viral contamination of the beach and suggest HAdV as an index pathogen for beach monitoring and quantitative risk assessment

Identificazione mediante DNA barcoding del mitilide alloctono <i>Xenostrobus securis</i> e nuove segnalazioni in Mediterraneo occidentale = DNA barcoding identification of the exotic mussel <i>Xenostrobus securis</i> and new records in Western Mediterranean

The present study reports species' identification by means of DNA barcoding and new records of the invasive pygmy mussel Xenostrobus securis (Lam. 1819) (Mollusca, Bivalvia), native to South Oceania, in some Western Mediterranean brackish-water biotopes. Monitoring of this species is recommended, given its ecological effects on native biological communities and as fouling agent

Milk fatty acid profile from grazing buffaloes fed a blend of soybean and linseed oils

The aim of the study was to examine the changes in milk fatty acid (FA) profile of grazing buffaloes fed either low (L, 276g/d) or high (H, 572g/d) doses of a blend (70:30, wt/wt) of soybean and linseed oils. Fourteen multiparous Mediterranean buffaloes grazing on a native pasture were fed 4 kg/day of a commercial concentrate containing no supplemental oil over a pre-experimental period of ten days. The baseline milk production and composition and milk FA profile were measured over the last three days. After this pre-experimental period the animals received the same concentrate added with either the L or H oil doses for 26 additional days. Milk yield (g/animal/day) did not differ at the start (1776 ± 522 and 1662 ± 291 for L and H, respectively, P<0.622) or at the end of the trial (4590 ± 991 and 4847 ± 447 in L and H, respectively, P<0.543). Baseline milk fat content (g/kg) averaged 77.1 (±20.5) in L and 74.3 (±9.9) in H (P<0.10) and was reduced (P<0.031) to 60.7 (±23.6) and 49.4 (±11.2) (P<0.0031) respectively after L and H with no differences between treatments (P<0.277). Baseline milk protein content (L=43.2 ± 3.4 and H= 44.3 ± 6.9g/kg) increased after oil supplementation (P<0.0001) in both L (73.2 ± 6.0g/kg) and H (68.4 ± 4.9g/kg) without differences between oil doses (P<0.123). Milk fat content of 14:0 decreased after oil supplementation only in the H treatment (5.29 to 4.03, P<0.007) whereas that of 16:0 was reduced (P<0.001) at both L (24.49 to 19.75g/100g FA) and H (25.92 to 19.17g/100g FA) doses. The reduction of total content of 12:0 to 16:0 was higher (P<0.052) in H (32.02 to 23.93g/100g FA) than L (30.17 to 25.45g/100g FA). Vaccenic acid content increased (P<0.001) from 5.70 to 13.24g/100g FA in L and from 5.25 to 16.77 in H, with higher results in the in H treatment (P<0.001). Baseline rumenic acid was sharply increased (P<0.001) in L (1.80 to 4.09g/100g FA, +127%) and H (1.60 to 4.61g/100g FA, +187%) with no differences between L and H (P<0.19). Overall, these results indicate a pronounced improvement in the nutritional value of milk fat from grazing buffaloes fed little amounts (0.276g/day) of a blend of soybean and linseed oils.O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar as mudanças no perfil de ácidos graxos do leite de búfalas leiteiras recebendo baixas (B, 276g/d) ou altas (A, 572g/d) doses de uma mistura de óleos de soja e linhaça (70:30, peso/peso) na dieta. Quatorze búfalas multíparas da raça Mediterrânea, mantidas em pastagens nativas, receberam 4kg/dia de um concentrado comercial sem adição de óleo (pré-tratamento) ao longo de umperíodopré-experimental de 10 dias. A produção de leiteindividual e amostras de leite foram coletadas individualmente para determinação dos valores basais de composição e perfil de ácidos graxos do leite nos últimos trêsdias. Após este período, os animais receberam o mesmo concentrado adicionado deBou Apor 26 dias. A produção de leite (g/animal/dia) não diferiu no início (1776 ± 522 e 1662 ± 291para B e A, respectivamente (P<0,622) e no final do período experimental(4590 ±991e4847 ± 447 para LeH, respectivamente, P<0,543). O teor de gordura do leite (g/100g) apresentou valores médios de 77,1(±20,5)paraBe74,3 (±9,9)paraA(P<0,10) durante o período pré-tratamento,mas foi reduzido (P<0,03) após o fornecimento das dietas com óleo para 60,7 (± 23,6) e 49,4 (± 11,2), respectivamente para B e A, não havendo diferenças entre tratamentos (P<0,277). Os teores basais de proteína do leite (B=43,2 ± 3,4 e A=44,3 ± 6,9g/kg) aumentaram após a suplementação com óleo (P<0,0001) em ambos B (73,2 ± 6,0g/kg) e A (68,4 ± 4,9g/kg), não ocorrendo diferenças entre tratamentos (P<0,123). O teor médio basal de 14:0 na gordura do leite (4,76g/100g AG) foi reduzido após a suplementação da dieta com óleo somente no tratamento A (5,29 para 4,03, P<0,007). O teor de 16:0 na gordura do leite foi reduzido (P<0,001) nos tratamentos B (24,49 para 19,75g/100g AG) e A (25,92 para 19,17g/100g AG). A redução nos teores de 12:0+14:0+16:0 na gordura do leite foi maior (P<0,052) em A (32,02 para 23,93g/100g AG) do que em B (30,17 para 25,45g/100g AG). O teor de ácido vacênico (AV) na gordura do leite aumentou (P<0,001) de 5,70 para 13,24g/100g AG em B e de 5,25 para 16,77 em A, resultando em maior teor de AV neste último (P<0,001). O teor basal de ácido rumênico aumentou expressivamente (P<0,001) em B (1,80 para 4,09g/100g AG, +127%) e A (1,60 para 4,61g/100g AG, +187%), não havendo diferenças entre tratamentos (P<0,19). No geral, estes resultados indicam uma melhora pronunciada no valor nutricional da gordura do leite de búfalas a pasto recebendo pequenas quantidades (0,276g/dia) de uma mistura de óleos de soja e linhaça na dieta.EEA BalcarceFil: Gagliostro, Gerardo Antonio. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Patiño, Exequiel Maria. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Sánchez Negrete, María Gabriela. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Sager, Gerardo Enrique. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Castelli, Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Antonacci, Liliana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Balcarce; ArgentinaFil: Raco, Fernando. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Gallello, Lucas. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, M.A. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Cañameras, Carlos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Zampatti, Mariela. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas de la Industria Láctea; ArgentinaFil: Bernal, Claudio Adrian. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas. Cátedra de Bromatología y Nutrición; Argentina

VO-compliant workflows and science gateways

Workflow and science gateway technologies have been adopted by scientific communities as a valuable tool to carry out complex experiments. They offer the possibility to perform computations for data analysis and simulations, whereas hiding details of the complex infrastructures underneath. There are many workflow management systems covering a large variety of generic services coordinating execution of workflows. In this paper we describe our experiences in creating workflows oriented science gateways based on gUSE/WS-PGRADE technology and in particular we discuss the efforts devoted to develop a VO-compliant web environment

Deporte paralímpico en Chile, una aproximación a la realidad nacional en el año 2019

Este estudio busca conocer cual es la realidad del Deporte Paralímpico en Chile y cuáles son las brechas que se enfrentan al implementarlo y desarrollarlo. Para el presente artículo se utilizo un diseño y metodología no experimental de carácter descriptivo, del fenómeno a ser estudiado, donde para el levantamiento y análisis de la información se utilizaron principalmente herramientas del paradigma cualitativo , particularmente la técnica de grupos focales o de discusión y análisis por saturación de la información. Los resultados de apuntan a que existe un bajo compromiso del estado/gobierno para el trabajo de la actividad física y el deporte paralímpico, que la ley del Deporte Paralímpico no es suficiente para el desarrollo deportivo en general, que los recursos financieros y humanos son insuficientes y la distribución de estos son inadecuados a nivel estatal y local, que existe una dificultad en la accesibilidad en los recintos deportivos, y a su vez en el transporte y en la conectividad, que la formación profesional y técnica es insuficiente, y por último que la investigación y las ciencias aplicadas son insuficientes y de baja calidad existiendo pocos procesos de estudio y aplicación científica a nivel nacional

Spatial Relationships between Polychaete Assemblages and Environmental Variables over Broad Geographical Scales

This study examined spatial relationships between rocky shore polychaete assemblages and environmental variables over broad geographical scales, using a database compiled within the Census of Marine Life NaGISA (Natural Geography In Shore Areas) research program. The database consisted of abundance measures of polychaetes classified at the genus and family levels for 74 and 93 sites, respectively, from nine geographic regions. We tested the general hypothesis that the set of environmental variables emerging as potentially important drivers of variation in polychaete assemblages depend on the spatial scale considered. Through Moran's eigenvector maps we indentified three submodels reflecting spatial relationships among sampling sites at intercontinental (>10000 km), continental (1000–5000 km) and regional (20–500 km) scales. Using redundancy analysis we found that most environmental variables contributed to explain a large and significant proportion of variation of the intercontinental submodel both for genera and families (54% and 53%, respectively). A subset of these variables, organic pollution, inorganic pollution, primary productivity and nutrient contamination was also significantly related to spatial variation at the continental scale, explaining 25% and 32% of the variance at the genus and family levels, respectively. These variables should therefore be preferably considered when forecasting large-scale spatial patterns of polychaete assemblages in relation to ongoing or predicted changes in environmental conditions. None of the variables considered in this study were significantly related to the regional submodel