Uncertainty management in multidisciplinary design of critical safety systems

Managing the uncertainty in multidisciplinary design of safety-critical systems requires not only the availability of a single approach or methodology to deal with uncertainty but a set of different strategies and scalable computational tools (that is, by making use of the computational power of a cluster and grid computing). The availability of multiple tools and approaches for dealing with uncertainties allows cross validation of the results and increases the confidence in the performed analysis. This paper presents a unified theory and an integrated and open general-purpose computational framework to deal with scarce data, and aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. It allows solving of the different tasks necessary to manage the uncertainty, such as uncertainty characterization, sensitivity analysis, uncertainty quantification, and robust design. The proposed computational framework is generally applicable to solve different problems in different fields and be numerically efficient and scalable, allowing for a significant reduction of the computational time required for uncertainty management and robust design. The applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated by solving a multidisciplinary design of a critical system proposed by NASA Langley Research Center in the multidisciplinary uncertainty quantification challenge problem

The personalisation of politics: why political leaders now lie at the heart of European democracy

It is often argued that European politics is increasingly ‘personal’, with the popularity of party leaders exerting a growing impact on the outcome of elections. Drawing on a new study, Diego Garzia, Frederico Ferreira da Silva and Andrea De Angelis assess how these dynamics have developed in western Europe since the 1960s. Their findings suggest that the personalisation of politics has taken place hand-in-hand with decreasing importance for partisanship in structuring voter choice

Influence of estimated training status on anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure in middle-aged and older women

The purpose of this study was to compare the association between anti and pro-oxidant activity, nitrite concentration, and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged and older women with different levels of estimated training status (TS). The sample consisted of 155 females (50-84 years) who were submitted to a physical examination to evaluate estimated TS through the "Functional Fitness Battery Test," BP measurements, and plasma blood samples to evaluate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activity and nitrite concentrations. Participants were separated by age into a middle-aged group (< 65 years) and an older (≥65 years) group and then subdivided in each group according to TS. Blood biochemistry was similar between groups. On the other hand, protein oxidation was lower in participants with higher TS, independent of age. Older females with higher TS presented higher nitrite concentrations, lower lipoperoxidation, and lower values of BP compared with those with lower TS. Lower GPx activity was observed in participants with higher TS compared with middle-aged with lower TS. Thus, our results suggest that good levels of TS may be associated with lower oxidative stress and higher nitrite concentration and may contribute to maintain normal or reduced blood pressure values.Fil: Jacomini, André M.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Dias, Danielle da Silva. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Brito, Janaina de Oliveira. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: da Silva, Roberta F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Monteiro, Henrique L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Universidade Nove de Julho; Brasil. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad Medicina. Instituto de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular; ArgentinaFil: De Angelis, Kátia. Universidade Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Amaral, Sandra L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Zago, Anderson S.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasi

Proposta de ampliação do programa de coleta seletiva para o município de São Jorge do Ivaí no Estado do Paraná. = Proposed expansion of a selective collection program for the São Jorge of Ivaí city, Paraná, Brazil.

Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados relativos à proposta para a ampliação do programa de coleta seletiva no município de São Jorge do Ivaí, estado do Paraná, Brasil. A metodologia contempla aplicação de questionário, visita ao barracão de triagem, caracterização gravimétrica de resíduos e confecção de mapa de zoneamento da coleta seletiva. A coleta seletiva atual foi implementada pela prefeitura municipal por meio de um projeto piloto na região central do município. Estima-se a coleta de 1,12 t mensal de resíduos com a participação de 30% da população do município. No entanto, as estimativas aqui realizadas indicam a geração diária de 6,0 t de resíduos sólidos urbanos com 20% (1,18 t diário) passíveis de reaproveitamento e reciclagem. Desse modo, se justifica a ampliação da coleta seletiva no município e as necessidades básicas para a realização dessa implantação são aqui descritas. = This paper presents the results for the proposed to expand the program of selective collection in the São Jorge Ivaí, Paraná, Brazil. The methodology involved questionnaires, visits to the shed screening, characterization of wastes and gravimetric preparation of zoning map of the collection. The current selective collection was implemented by the municipal government through a pilot project in the central city. It is estimated to collect 1.12 tons per month of waste with theparticipation of 30% of the population of the municipality. However, the estimates made here indicate the daily generation of 6.0 tons of waste with 20% (1.18 t/day) capable of reusing and recycling. Thus, there is justification for expanding the collection at the county and the basic needs for the completion of this deployment are described here

Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by fructose overload in an experimental model of hypertension and menopause

Background: Metabolic syndrome is characterized by the association of 3 or more risk factors, including: abdominal obesity associated with an excess of abdominal fat, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension. Moreover, the prevalence of hypertension and metabolic dysfunctions sharply increases after the menopause. However, the mechanisms involved in these changes are not well understood. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of fructose overload on cardiovascular autonomic modulation, inflammation and cardiac oxidative stress in an experimental model of hypertension and menopause. Methods: Female SHR rats were divided into (n = 8/group): hypertensive (H), hypertensive ovariectomized (HO) and hypertensive ovariectomized undergoing fructose overload (100 g/L in drinking water) (FHO). Arterial pressure (AP) signals were directly recorded. Cardiac autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analysis. Oxidative stress was evaluated in cardiac tissue. Results: AP was higher in the FHO group when compared to the other groups. Fructose overload promoted an increase in body and fat weight, triglyceride concentration and a reduction in insulin sensitivity. IL-10 was reduced in the FHO group when compared to the H group. TNF-α was higher in the FHO when compared to all other groups. Lipoperoxidation was higher and glutathione redox balance was reduced in the FHO group when compared to other groups, an indication of increased oxidative stress. A negative correlation was found between IL-10 and adipose tissue. Conclusion: Fructose overload promoted an impairment in cardiac autonomic modulation associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in hypertensive rats undergoing ovarian hormone deprivation.Fil: Conti, Filipe Fernandes. Universidad Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Brito, Janaina de Oliveira. Universidad Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Bernardes, Nathalia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Dias, Danielle da Silva. Universidad Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Sanches, Iris Callado. Universidad Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Malfitano, Christiane. Universidad Nove de Julho; BrasilFil: Llesuy, Susana Francisca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Analítica y Fisicoquímica; ArgentinaFil: Irigoyen, Maria-Claudia. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: De Angelis, Kátia. Universidad Nove de Julho; Brasi

The e-ASTROGAM gamma-ray space observatory for the multimessenger astronomy of the 2030s

e-ASTROGAM is a concept for a breakthrough observatory space mission carrying a γ-ray telescope dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.15 MeV to 3 GeV. The lower energy limit can be pushed down to energies as low as 30 keV for gamma-ray burst detection with the calorimeter. The mission is based on an advanced space-proven detector technology, with unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolution, combined with remarkable polarimetric capability. Thanks to its performance in the MeV–GeV domain, substantially improving its predecessors, e-ASTROGAM will open a new window on the non-thermal Universe, making pioneering observations of the most powerful Galactic and extragalactic sources, elucidating the nature of their relativistic outflows and their effects on the surroundings. With a line sensitivity in the MeV energy range one to two orders of magnitude better than previous and current generation instruments, e-ASTROGAM will determine the origin of key isotopes fundamental for the understanding of supernova explosion and the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The mission will be a major player of the multiwavelength, multimessenger time-domain astronomy of the 2030s, and provide unique data of significant interest to a broad astronomical community, complementary to powerful observatories such as LISA, LIGO, Virgo, KAGRA, the Einstein Telescope and the Cosmic Explorer, IceCube-Gen2 and KM3NeT, SKA, ALMA, JWST, E-ELT, LSST, Athena, and the Cherenkov Telescope Array.Peer Reviewe

A topological analysis of a geographical model for internet

This paper presents the analysis of a complex networks model of Internet connectivity named “Geometric Growing Model with n\ud Redundant Edges” (GGM-RE-n). This approach models the growth of Internet while taking into account the physical position of the\ud nodes. The node degree distribution and average radius are investigated for different configurations of the networks. The results\ud provide insights about the progressive evolution of the networks as new edges are added, as well as about the effect of the locality\ud factor over the degree distribution and average radius.FAPESP (03/08269-7)FAPESP (05/00587-5)CNPq (301303/ 06-1

On the effects of geographical constraints on task execution in complex networks

In the present work we investigate the effects of spatial constraints on the efficiency of task execution in systems underlain by geographical complex networks where the probability of connection decreases with the distance between the nodes. The investigation considers several configurations of the parameters defining the network connectivity, and the Barabasi-Albert network model is also considered for comparisons. The results show that the effect of connectivity is significant only for shorter tasks, that the locality of connections implied by the spatial constraints reduces efficency, and that the addition of edges can improve the efficiency of the execution, although with increasing locality of the connections the improvement is small

Blood pressure and lipid profile in young women: the role of anthropometric measurement

Composição corporal tem importância fundamental para a qualidade de vida e é um forte preditor de mortalidade e morbidade nos seres humanos. A identificação e o monitoramento da quantidade de gordura corporal têm recebido atenção especial no que se refere aos aspectos relacionados com a promoção da saúde, não apenas de suas ações na prevenção e no controle das doenças cardiovasculares, mas também pela sua associação com fatores de risco, especialmente em níveis de lipídeos plasmáticos e da pressão arterial. Foi investigado a relação entre o índice de massa corporal (IMC) e percentual de gordura corporal (% GC) pela bioimpedância elétrica (BIA), com os níveis de pressão arterial (sistólica e diastólica) e lipídeos séricos (CT, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, TG). Em um grupo de 57 mulheres (com idades entre 18 e 26 anos de idade), a obesidade foi detectada em cinco e 19 mulheres, IMC (≥ 30 kg/m2) e % BF (≥ 30%), respectivamente. IMC e % GC foram positivamente correlacionados com a pressão arterial (sistólica e diastólica), e altamente significativos no grupo dos obesos pelo % GC. Além disso, o IMC e % GC foram significativamente correlacionados com todos os lipídios e frações de lipoproteínas VLDL-C e triglicérides, respectivamente. Estes resultados sugerem que o % GC é um bom indicador de “obesidade oculta” em indivíduos com índice de massa corporal normal. Que o uso associado de IMC e % GC para melhor avaliar a obesidade pode melhorar o estudo dos níveis de pressão arterial e alterações de lipídios que é geralmente associada à obesidade.Body composition has fundamental importance in the quality of life and is a powerful predictor of mortality and morbidity in humans. The identification and monitoring of the amount of body fat have been receiving special attention in aspects related to health promotion, not just for its actions in the prevention and in the control of cardiovascular diseases but also for their induction and association with risk factors, especially in the plasmatic lipid levels and arterial pressure. It was investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (%BF) by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) with the blood pressure levels (systolic and diastolic) and serum lipids (TC, HDL-c, LDL-c, VLDL-c, TG). In a group of fifty seven women (aged 18 to 26 years old ), obesity was detected in 5 and 19 women by BMI (≥ 30 kg/m2) and %BF (≥ 30%), respectively. BMI and % BF were positively correlated with blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), and highly significant in the obese group by %BF. Moreover, BMI and % BF were significantly correlated with all lipids and lipoprotein fractions VLDL-c and triglyceride, respectively. These results suggest that %BF is a good indicator of “occult obesity” in subjects with normal body mass index. The associated use of BMI and %BF to better evaluate obesity may improve the study of blood pressure levels and serum lipid changes that are commonly associated with obesity

Dynamic Aerobic Exercise Induces Baroreflex Improvement in Diabetic Rats

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of an acute aerobic exercise on arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into control (n = 8) and diabetic (n = 8) groups. AP, HR, and BRS, which were measured by tachycardic and bradycardic (BR) responses to AP changes, were evaluated at rest (R) and postexercise session (PE) on a treadmill. At rest, STZ diabetes induced AP and HR reductions, associated with BR impairment. Attenuation in resting diabetes-induced AP (R: 103 ± 2 versus PE: 111 ± 3 mmHg) and HR (R: 290 ± 7 versus PE: 328 ± 10 bpm) reductions and BR dysfunction (R: −0.70 ± 0.06 versus PE: −1.21 ± 0.09 bpm/mmHg) was observed in the postexercise period. In conclusion, the hemodynamic and arterial baro-mediated control of circulation improvement in the postexercise period reinforces the role of exercise in the management of cardiovascular risk in diabetes