Performance Analysis of WDM-PON Architecture for Wireless Services Distribution in Future Aircraft Networks

In this work, an in-depth analysis concerning the transmission performance of IEEE802.11g/n (Wi-Fi) signals in a WDM-PON system is presented. It is considered that the optical/electrical transceivers are based on low-cost 850 nm VCSELs and PIN photodiodes. System modelling includes the impact of noise generated in the optical path, such as relative intensity noise (RIN), shot noise, photodetector thermal noise, clipping and intermodulation distortion. An analytic analysis based on Volterra series is conducted and mathematical expressions for both the EVM and SNR are derived. The theoretical analysis is also compared with experimental results. Among several conclusions, it is observed that the laser intermodulation distortion, clipping and RIN are the most relevant factors

CUSTOS DE PRODUÇÃO: O IMPACTO DA PRODUTIVIDADE NOS RESULTADOS DA CAFEICULTURA NAS PRINCIPAIS REGIÕES PRODUTORAS DO BRASIL

Dentre os produtos agrícolas exportados pelo Brasil, o café mantém seu destaque. Esta cultura é representativa para o saldo positivo da balança comercial brasileira e também na geração de empregos, principalmente os diretos, os quais contribuem significativamente com a fixação do trabalhador no meio rural. O objetivo desse estudo foi o de estimar os custos de produção de café nos estados de Minas Gerais, Paraná, Espírito Santo e São Paulo e mensurar o impacto da produtividade no resultado financeiro de propriedades cafeeiras. O custo de produção é uma informação financeira fundamental para a avaliação do desempenho do negócio café. Os custos são medidas monetárias ligadas diretamente ao processo produtivo, ou seja, a aplicação de recursos na produção de café resulta em custos, os quais devem ser cobertos pela atividade. Participam desse estudo, dados levantados nas seguintes cidades: Três Pontas, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Patrocínio e Manhumirím no estado de Minas Gerais, Iuna e Jaguaré no Espírito Santo, Altinópolis em São Paulo e Ribeirão do Pinhal no estado do Paraná. A pesquisa para levantamento dos dados é uma iniciativa da Confederação Nacional da Agricultura e Pecuária (CNA). Os resultados indicam que a média do custo operacional do café arábica foi de R$265,00 por saca de café produzida, sendo reduzido para R$210,00 quando as produtividades potenciais são alcançadas. As produtividades indicadas pelos produtores e técnicos pesquisados foram em média de 21 sacas por hectare, com potencial de 30 sacas por hectare, quando alcançado o potencial da adubação aplicado nas propriedades. Como o preço do café foi em média R$247,00 no ano de 2007, o diferencial de produtividade apresenta-se decisivo para a viabilidade da cafeicultura. ---------------------------------------------Among the agricultural products exported by Brazil, coffee maintains its prominence. This product plays an important role helping to keep the Brazilian trade balance positive and generating jobs, especially the direct ones, which contribute significantly to the setting of workers in rural areas. The aim of this study was to estimate the costs of coffee production in the states of Minas Gerais, Paraná, Espírito Santo and São Paulo and measure the impact of productivity in the financial result of coffee producer farms. The production cost is a financial information essential for assessing the performance of coffee business. Costs are monetary measures linked directly to the production process, that is, the application of resources in the coffee production results in costs that must be covered by the activity. The data were collected in the following towns: Três Pontas, Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Patrocínio and Manhumirím in the state of Minas Gerais; Iuna and Jaguaré in the state of Espírito Santo, Altinópolis in the state of São Paulo and Ribeirão do Pinhal in the state of Paraná. The research of sourcing data is an initiative of the National Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA). The results indicate that the average of the operational cost of Arabic coffee was R$ 265.00 per bag of coffee produced, being reduced to R$210.00 when the potential yields are reached. The productivity indicated by producers and technicians surveyed was of 21 bags per hectare on average, with the potential of 30 bags per hectare when the fertilizer application potential was reached in the farms. As the price of coffee was R$ 247.00 on average in the year 2007, the differential of productivity is now crucial to the viability of coffee.Custos de Produção, Café, Produtividade, Production Costs, Coffee, Productivity, Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade,

Cidade compreensiva entre a cidade representativa e a cidade do quotidiano - a importância da compreensão da arquitetura e do urbanismo no espaço contemporâneo das cidades

Kevin Lynch referiu-se à cidade como uma obra de arte temporal, ou seja, moldada pelo tempo. Leonardo Benevolo definiu a cidade em dois sentidos, o primeiro indicando a organização concentrada e integrada da vida humana, e o segundo denotando-a como um cenário físico da sociedade, que subsiste para lá dessa sociedade. Entre um e outro, Aldo Rossi acrescentou a definição existencial de “coisa humana” e defendeu que a cidade reforça a sua representação na “real transformação da natureza”. É nesta perspetiva, comum aos três autores – de que a cidade assenta a sua génese nas diversas camadas temporais que se vão acrescentando –, que pretendemos fazer esta reflexão. Analisando a cidade contemporânea, defendemos que existem, dentro dos nossos espaços urbanos, duas cidades que colidem e só tangencialmente se tocam: a primeira designámos ‘cidade representativa’ e a segunda ‘cidade quotidiana’. O espaço urbano compreensivo, como intermediário conceptual das diferentes dimensões da cidade apresenta-se como a matriz de investigação das diferentes visões urbanas permitindo-se tornar uma ferramenta no âmbito disciplinar da arquitetura e do urbanismo contemporâneo.Kevin Lynch referred to the city as a temporal work of art, i.e., as an artificial compound shaped by time. Leonardo Benevolo defined the city in two grounds, the first one indicating the concentrated and integrated organization of a community, and the second one denoting it as a physical scenario of society, which persists beyond that society. In between them, Aldo Rossi added the existential definition of “human thing” and argued that the city reinforces its representation in the “real transformation of nature”. It is in this perspective, shared by the three authors – that the city bases its genesis on the different time layers that are added – that we intend to reflect. Analyzing the contemporary city, we advocate that there are, within our urban spaces, two cities that collide and only tangentially touch each other: the first one we named ‘representative city’ and the second ‘everyday city’. The comprehensive urban space, as a conceptual intermediary of the different dimensions of the city, presents itself as the research matrix of the different urban visions discussed, allowing it to become a tool in the disciplinary scope of contemporary architecture and urbanism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

DESAFÍOS Y DERECHOS DE LA FAMILIA Y CUIDADORES DE PORTADORES DEL TRASTORNO DEL ESPECTRO AUTISTA

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar la problemática y los desafíos de las relaciones familiares y con los cuidadores de portadores del Trastorno del Espectro Autista (TEA), con contribuciones de experiencias clínicas y el reconocimiento de los derechos garantizados mundialmente, a través de la Convención Internacional de las Personas con discapacidad - Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU). El presente estudio se entiende como exploratorio y descriptivo través de una revisión asistemática narrativa de la literatura científica, con el fin de contribuir y profundizar el conocimiento del tema investigado. Se presentan los siguientes estudios científicos vinculados en la perspectiva de los familiares de portadores de TEA, se percibe impactos socioeconómicos tanto para los portadores diagnosticados, como para su grupo familiar. Se necesita una actuación precoz de profesionales de la salud en las aclaraciones sobre la patología, sanando todas las dudas y anhelos del grupo familiar relacionadas con las dificultades impuestas por el síndrome y en la conquista de la autonomía del autista mediante estrategias de adaptación

Forest fire prevention and suppression plan for the Unicentro/Irati Campus

In June of 2007 a fire got close to the main buildings of the Unicentro Irati Campus, placing at risk buildings, constructions, as well as employees and academic students present at that time. Due to this fact, this work had as a general objective to develop a forest fire prevention and suppression plan for the Campus, and as secondary objectives: a) to determine the points of higher risk of forest fire in the study area; b) to evaluate the infrastructure based on the available resources; c) to evaluate the efficiency of the monitoring system. The analysis of the data was carried out through a remote sensing and GIS Spring 4.4.3 software, and subsidized with diverse publications that describe the steps of the elaboration of this type of activity. The results evidenced the following conclusions: the points of highest risks of forest fire in the Campus are located at the entrance, in the areas next to the constructions, and at the quarry region; the available financial sources allowed the acquisition of an infrastructure with basic equipment for fire control; the monitoring system is partially adequate for the study area. Several activities have been described to compose the forest fire control plan for the Unicentro Campus.Em junho de 2007, um incêndio alcançou as imediações da Unicentro, colocando em risco benfeitorias, edificações, bem como funcionários e alunos ali presentes. Diante desse fato, este trabalho teve como objetivo geral desenvolver um plano de prevenção e combate a incêndios florestais para o Campus e, como objetivos específicos: a) determinar os pontos de maior grau de perigo na área de estudo; b) dimensionar a infraestrutura a partir dos recursos disponíveis; c) avaliar a eficiência do sistema de vigilância e monitoramento das ocorrências. A análise dos dados foi realizada em ambiente de sistema de informações geográficas (SIG), através do aplicativo Spring 4.4.3, e subsidiada com diversas publicações que descrevem as etapas da elaboração desse tipo de levantamento. Os resultados permitiram chegar às seguintes conclusões: os pontos de maior grau de perigo de incêndios no Campus estão localizados na entrada, nas áreas próximas às edificações e na região da pedreira; os recursos disponíveis permitiram a aquisição de uma infraestrutura com equipamentos básicos de controle a incêndios; o sistema de vigilância e monitoramento das ocorrências está parcialmente adequado para a área de estudo. Diversas atividades foram descritas para compor o plano de prevenção e combate a incêndios florestais do Campus Universitário de Irati da Unicentro

Description and Executability of a Novel Pre-tied Mini Ligature (Miniloop) in Laparocopic Ovariectomy in Cats

Background: Ovariectomy(OVE) and ovariohysterectomy (OVH) are the most performed surgical procedures in Veterinary Medicine. In videosurgery, both in stray animals at sterilization campaigns and in the increasing demand of tutors to perform the technique. Laparoscopy results in reduced tissue damage, due to minimal organ manipulation and surgical access hemostasis can be performed by several methods, such as electro-coagulation, clips, and intra and extracorporeal ligatures. A pre-tied ligature system, or endoloop, is a haemostatic technique comprised of a slipknot and knot pusher, which is inserted into the abdominal cavity through one of the laparoscopic ports. The aim of this study was to describe a novel OVE technique in cats, in which haemostasis was performed using miniloop, aimed at reducing the number of ports needed for knot tying.Material, Methods & Results: Ten healthy not spayed female cats, aged 6 months to 5 years, were selected for this study. They were submitted to an OVE using miniloop as haemostasis method. Access to the peritoneal cavity was through two 5 mm ports on the midline of the ventral abdomen, 5 cm apart, with one immediately caudal to the umbilical scar and the other in between the last pair of teats. The first trocar was inserted at the caudal incision using the Hasson technique and a 5 mm zero-degree optics attached to a camera was introduced through it. The placement of the second access port was video assisted. For ovary exposure, the patients were positioned in lateral recumbency on the contralateral side to the ovary being removed. The miniloop was composed of a 2 mm diameter minitrocar, a 1.8 mm knot pusher, and a pre-tied slipknot. It was introduced percutaneously at the lateral abdominal wall. It was inserted attached to a pre-tied loop ligature. A Babcock forceps was used to guide the slipknot until it enveloped the ovarian vessels and the proximal part of the uterine horn. Subsequently, the knot was tightened with the aid of the knot pusher. A second miniligature was applied. The forceps was removed and a Metzenbaum scissors inserted to cut between the ligatures, releasing the ovary with the nylon ligature but keeping the PDS knot. It was performed at both ovary. Mean (±SD) surgical time was 44.8 min (± 13.4) and varied significantly (P = 0.0006) between animals, with the shortest time being 29 min and the longest 66 min. Positioning of the patients in lateral decubitus allowed for good ovarian exposure, without the need for excessive manipulation of the intestinal loops or other abdominal organs. Rupture of the suture thread was the only trans-operative complication observed and occurred in two animals. A second ligature (miniloop) was needed to ensure haemostasis. One cat showed eventration at the site of the caudal port on the second day post-operative.Discussion: The mean surgical time in the present study was lower than reported by some authors, but longer than anothers. Furthermore, the surgical time from this study is similar to that of other studies in cats in which haemostasis of the OAVC was achieved using bipolar electrocoagulation. Surgical team expertise is of outmost importance in minimizing complications and overcoming problems during videosurgical procedures in order to reduce surgical time, such as gas leakage, extensive incision, and difficulty in manipulating surgical instruments

Strengthening therapeutic adherence and pharmacovigilance to antimalarial treatment in Manaus, Brazil: a multicomponent strategy using mHealth

Background: Public health initiatives for improving adherence to primaquine based regimens and enhancing effective pharmacovigilance are needed to support the efforts for malaria elimination in real world conditions. Methods: A multicomponent patient-oriented strategy using a Smart Safety Surveillance (3S) approach including: (1) educational materials for treatment counselling and identification of warning symptoms of haemolytic anaemia; (2) an mHealth component using Short Message Service (SMS) treatment reminders and (3) development and implementation of follow-up phone surveys three days after treatment completion, using a web-based platform linked to the local information system of malaria. Adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Self-reported events were registered using a structured questionnaire and communicated to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency. Results: Educational materials were disseminated to 5594 patients, of whom 1512 voluntarily entered the mHealth component through the local information system; 7323 SMS were sent, and 1062 participants completed a follow-up survey after treatment. The mean age of patients was 37.36 years (SD 13.65), 61.24% were male, 98.54% were infected with. Plasmodium vivax and 95.90% received a short regimen of chloroquine plus primaquine (CQ + PQ 7 days), as per malaria case management guidelines in Brazil. From the 1062 surveyed participants 93.31% were considered adherent to the treatment. Most of the patients (95.20%) reported at least one adverse event. Headache, lack of appetite and nausea/vomiting were the most frequently reported adverse events by 77.31%, 70.90% and 56.78% of the patients respectively. A quarter of the patients reported anxiety or depression symptoms; 57 (5.37%) patients reported 5 to 6 warning symptoms of haemolytic anaemia including jaundice and dark urine in 44 (4.14%). Overall, three patients presenting symptoms of haemolytic anaemia attended a hospital and were diagnosed with G6PD deficiency, and one had haemolysis. All of them recovered. Conclusions: Under real world conditions, a multicomponent patient-oriented strategy using information and communication technologies allowed health care providers to reinforce treatment adherence and enhance safety surveillance of adverse events associated with regimens using primaquine. Active monitoring through phone surveys also reduced under-reporting of ADRs. This approach is low-cost, scalable and able to support prioritized activities of the national malaria programme.Fil: Macías Saint Gerons, Diego. Universidad de Valencia; EspañaFil: Rodovalho, Sheila. Universidad Federal del Amazonas.; BrasilFil: Barros Dias, Ádila Liliane. Universidad Federal del Amazonas.; BrasilFil: Lacerda Ulysses de Carvalho, André. Pan American Health Organization; BrasilFil: Beratarrechea, Andrea Gabriela. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Monteiro, Wuelton Marcelo. Universidad Federal del Amazonas.; BrasilFil: Barata Machado, Myrna. State of Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation; BrasilFil: Fernandes da Costa, Cristiano. State of Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation; BrasilFil: Yoshito Wada, Marcelo. No especifíca;Fil: Maximiano Faria de Almeida, Márcia Helena. No especifíca;Fil: Silva de Matos Fonseca, Rayanne. Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado; BrasilFil: Mota Cordeiro, Jady Shayenne. Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado; BrasilFil: Rodrigues Antolini, Alinne Paula. No especifíca;Fil: Nepomuceno, João Altecir. No especifíca;Fil: Fleck, Karen. Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency; BrasilFil: Simioni Gasparotto, Fernanda. Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency; BrasilFil: Lacerda, Marcus. Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado; BrasilFil: Rojas Cortés, Robin. Pan American Health Organization; Estados UnidosFil: Pal, Shanthi Narayan. No especifíca;Fil: Porrás, Analía I.. Pan American Health Organization; Estados UnidosFil: Ade, María de la Paz. Pan American Health Organization; Estados UnidosFil: Castro, José Luis. Pan American Health Organization; Estados Unido

Comparative serology techniques for the diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in a rural population from the state of Querétaro, Mexico

Immunological diagnostic methods for Trypanosoma cruzi depend specifically on the presence of antibodies and parasitological methods lack sensitivity during the chronic and “indeterminate” stages of the disease. This study performed a serological survey of 1,033 subjects from 52 rural communities in 12 of the 18 municipalities in the state of Querétaro, Mexico. We detected anti-T. cruzi antibodies using the following tests: indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA), indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), ELISA and recombinant ELISA (rELISA). We also performed Western blot (WB) analysis using iron superoxide dismutase (FeSOD), a detoxifying enzyme excreted by the parasite, as the antigen. Positive test results were distributed as follows: ELISA 8%, rELISA 6.2%, IFA and IHA 5.4% in both cases and FeSOD 8%. A comparative study of the five tests was undertaken. Sensitivity levels, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, concordance percentage and kappa index were considered. Living with animals, trips to other communities, gender, age, type of housing and symptomatology at the time of the survey were statistically analysed using SPSS software v.11.5. Detection of the FeSOD enzyme that was secreted by the parasite and used as an antigenic fraction in WBs showed a 100% correlation with traditional ELISA tests