Estimation of component redundancy in optimal age maintenance

The classical Optimal Age-Replacement defines the maintenance strategy based on the equipment failure consequences. For severe consequences an early equipment replacement is recommended. For minor consequences the repair after failure is proposed. One way of reducing the failure consequences is the use of redundancies, especially if the equipment failure rate is decreasing over time, since in this case the preventive replacement does not reduce the risk of failure. The estimation of an active component redundancy degree is very important in order to minimize the life-cycle cost. If it is possible to make these estimations in the early phase of system design, the implementation is easier and the amortization faster. This work proposes an adaptation of the Optimal Age-Replacement method in order to simultaneously optimize the equipment redundancy allocation and the maintenance plan. The main goal is to provide a simple methodology, requiring the fewer data possible. A set of examples are presented illustrating that this methodology covers a wide variety of operating conditions. The optimization of the number of repairs between each replacement, in the cases of imperfect repairs, is another feature of this methodology

Assessing on-off control for regulating temperature on a resin transfer moulding process

This work presents the assessment of digital control strategies for regulating the temperature in a resin transfer moulding manufacturing process for fibre reinforced polymers

A finite-strain solid–shell using local Löwdin frames and least-squares strains

A finite-strain solid–shell element is proposed. It is based on least-squares in-plane assumed strains, assumed natural transverse shear and normal strains. The singular value decomposition (SVD) is used to define local (integration-point) orthogonal frames-of-reference solely from the Jacobian matrix. The complete finite-strain formulation is derived and tested. Assumed strains obtained from least-squares fitting are an alternative to the enhanced-assumed-strain (EAS) formulations and, in contrast with these, the result is an element satisfying the Patch test. There are no additional degrees-of-freedom, as it is the case with the enhanced-assumed-strain case, even by means of static condensation. Least-squares fitting produces invariant finite strain elements which are shear-locking free and amenable to be incorporated in large-scale codes. With that goal, we use automatically generated code produced by AceGen and Mathematica. All benchmarks show excellent results, similar to the best available shell and hybrid solid elements with significantly lower computational cost

Solução analítica para placas piezoeléctricas

Neste trabalho apresenta-se um processo de solução analítica para placas rectangulares contendo lâminas de materiais compósitos, piezoeléctricos e piezomagnéticos. Mostram-se resultados para um laminado espesso actuado mecanicamente e electricamente, comparando uma situação sem a presença de defeitos estruturais com o caso em que existe uma delaminagem total ao longo de uma interface

Component redundancy allocation in optimal cost preventive maintenance scheduling

This work presents a methodology to assist maintenance teams in defining the maintenance schedule and redundancy allocation that minimise the life-cycle average cost of a system. The minimal data required are three average costs and one reliability function. This methodology is useful in a system design phase, since in this situation data is usually scarce or inaccurate, but can also be applied in the exploration phase. It consists of an adaptation of the classical optimal age replacement method, combined with a redundancy allocation problem. A set of simple illustrative examples covering a variety of operating conditions is presented, demonstrating quantitatively the applicability of the methodology to a range of maintenance optimisation decisions

Rare and severe complications of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency : a case report

© 2013 Ferreira et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Introduction: We report the case of a patient with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency who presented with unusual anatomical and biochemical features, namely massively enlarged adrenal glands, adrenogenital rest tissue and an unexpected endocrine profile. The contribution of the adrenocortical cells in the adrenals and testicles was determined by a cosyntropin stimulation test before and after adrenalectomy. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a case in the literature. Case presentation: A 35-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to the emergency room with an Addisonian crisis. He had been diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia in the neonatal period. He acknowledged poor adherence to treatment and irregular medical assistance. Physical examination revealed marked cutaneous and gingival hyperpigmentation, hypotension, and hard nodules in the upper pole of both testicles. Blood analysis showed mild anemia and hyponatremia and no evidence of acute infection. Endocrine evaluation showed very low cortisol levels, low dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and elevated corticotropin, 11-deoxycortisol and delta-4-androstenedione. The concentration of 17-hydroxyprogesterone was 20,400ng/dL. After the cosyntropin stimulation test the pattern was similar and there was no significant increase in cortisol or 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The abdominal computed tomography scan revealed grossly enlarged and heterogeneous adrenal glands (left, 12cm; and right, six cm). A bilateral adrenalectomy was performed and pathologic examination revealed adrenal myelolipomas with nodular cortical hyperplasia. The sonogram showed bilateral heterogeneous masses on the upper pole of both testes which corresponded to the nodular hyperplasia of adrenal rest tissues. The genetic study revealed compound heterozigoty (mutations R124H and R356W), suggestive of a phenotypically moderate disease. We performed a cosyntropin stimulation test after adrenalectomy. The steroidogenic profile displayed the same unusual features, indicating an important contribution from the adrenogenital cells. Conclusion: This case illustrates that congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency can progress to severe acute and chronic complications. The masses in the patient’s adrenal glands and testicles resulted from chronically elevated adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth of adrenocortical cells. The basal and stimulated steroid profile, before and after adrenalectomy, revealed an unexpected pattern, suggesting significant contribution of the testicular adrenal cells to the steroidogenesis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conhecimento de adultos jovens sobre o acidente vascular cerebral numa cidade ao sul de Portugal

Aim: To analyze the knowledge of young adults about stroke. Method: Quantitative, cross-sectional study in a non-clinical environment. Convenience simple. Through the elementary school of Evora, parental figures were asked to participate. Ethical aspects were respected. Self-fill questionnaire returned after one week. Results: 147 men (44.5%) participated, 183 women (55.5%), with a mean age of 42.25 years (SD = 5.00). The most commonly reported risk behavior for stroke is smoking (56.5%), followed by hypertension (28.8%) and hypercholesterolemia (28.8%). The main sources of information are television (93.2%) and friends (89.4%). In immediate witness assistance, the attitudes of the participants would be mostly incorrect. There is a gap between knowledge and the respective action. Conclusions: there is a risk behavior, observed also among other studies, with a population of older people. The results show a lack of literacy in health. It will be urgent to develop projects that inform and exemplify the risks of behavior. The performance of the person with stroke must be taught and trained to the citizen. The dissemination of information about stroke is urgent in the region. Young adults, as educators, can intervene to reduce cases in the generation of their children.Objetivo: Analizar el conocimiento de adultos jóvenes sobre el accidente cerebrovascular. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal, en ambiente no-clínico. Muestra de conveniencia de adultos. A través de los niños de las escuelas de la ciudad de Évora, se pidió la participación de las figuras parentales. Los aspectos éticos fueron respetados. Cuestionario de auto rellenado devuelto pasado una semana. Resultados: Participaron 147 hombres (44.5%), 183 mujeres (55.5%), con la edad media de 42.25 años (DP=5.00). El comportamiento de riesgo más referido para el accidente cerebrovascular es el tabaquismo (56.5%), siguiéndo la hipertensión (28.8%) y la hipercolesterolemia (28.8%). Las principales fuentes de información son la televisión (93,2%) y los amigos (89,4%). En la ayuda inmediata, las actitudes de los participantes serían en la mayoría incorrectas, existiendo un desfase entre el conocimiento y la respectiva actuación. Conclusiones: Existen entre los participantes comportamientos de riesgo observados en otros estudios con población de personas mayores. Los resultados detectan déficit de alfabetización en salud. Será urgente el desarrollo de proyectos que informen y ejemplifiquen, los riesgos de los comportamientos. La actuación ante la persona con accidente cerebrovascular, debe ser objeto de enseñanza y de entrenamiento al ciudadano. La divulgación de información sobre accidente cerebrovascular es urgente en la región. Los adultos jóvenes, como educadores, pueden intervenir para disminuir los casos en la generación de sus hijos.Objetivo: Analizar el conocimiento de adultos jóvenes sobre el accidente cerebrovascular. Métodos: Estudio cuantitativo, transversal, en ambiente no-clínico. Muestra de conveniencia de adultos. A través de los niños de las escuelas de la ciudad de Évora, se pidió la participación de las figuras parentales. Los aspectos éticos fueron respetados. Cuestionario de auto rellenado devuelto pasado una semana. Resultados: Participaron 147 hombres (44.5%), 183 mujeres (55.5%), con la edad media de 42.25 años (DP=5.00). El comportamiento de riesgo más referido para el accidente cerebrovascular es el tabaquismo (56.5%), siguiéndo la hipertensión (28.8%) y la hipercolesterolemia (28.8%). Las principales fuentes de información son la televisión (93,2%) y los amigos (89,4%). En la ayuda inmediata, las actitudes de los participantes serían en la mayoría incorrectas, existiendo un desfase entre el conocimiento y la respectiva actuación. Conclusiones: Existen entre los participantes comportamientos de riesgo observados en otros estudios con población de personas mayores. Los resultados detectan déficit de alfabetización en salud. Será urgente el desarrollo de proyectos que informen y ejemplifiquen, los riesgos de los comportamientos. La actuación ante la persona con accidente cerebrovascular, debe ser objeto de enseñanza y de entrenamiento al ciudadano. La divulgación de información sobre accidente cerebrovascular es urgente en la región. Los adultos jóvenes, como educadores, pueden intervenir para disminuir los casos en la generación de sus hijos

Is Music Effective For Pain Relief In Burn Victims?

Objective: to describe the effect of music on pain of burn victims during the dressing change. Methods: applied, descriptive, exploratory and quantitative research held in a Burn Treatment Unit from October 2015 to April 2016. The study included 16 burn victims who were divided in three groups: A: patients heard music before dressing; B: patients hear music during dressing; C: patients did not hear music. Results: the average age was 31.8 years (± 14.1) and most of the subjects were male. Lower limbs and trunk were the most affected parts of the body, especially with second-degree burns and which affected an average of 15.8% (± 11.5) of the body surface. There was a predominance of gospel music (50.0%). The music reduced the average heart rate and oxygen saturation, but did not change ventilatory rate. There was a decrease in the average of pain intensity in groups GB (p = 0.0505 and GC (p = 0.0055). During the dressing, the burning was unanimous characteristic for all subjects, in the same manner as verbal reports was the form of manifestation. Conclusion: music proved to be a simple and effective resource in controlling pain in burn victims. Keywords: Burns; Music; Pain

Profile Of Burn Victims Attended By An Emergency Unit

Objectives: to identify the sociodemographic and health profile of burn victims, knowing the characteristics of the events and detecting the major analgesics prescribed in the emergency department. Methods: descriptive, exploratory and quantitative study with 16 burn victims treated at a Burn Treatment Unit from October 2015 to May 2016. Results: the average age of participants was 31.8 years (± 14.1). Mostly, the subjects were male (62.5%), single (43.8%), brown (68.8%), economically active (75.0%) and coming from Aracaju and its surroundings (62.5%). Injuries from burns were mostly of second degree (93.8%) and reached the lower limbs (68.8%). The average burned body surface was 15.8% (± 11.5). The circumstances surrounding burns occurred mainly at home (50.0%), on Sundays (25.0%) and in the shifts morning (37.5%) and night (37.5%). The main etiological agent was alcohol (31.3%). All patients received analgesia in the emergency department, but the minority had pain documented (18.8%). The physician was the only professional who reported pain in their records, but did incompletely (18.8%). Conclusion: due to the negative effects of burns, it is crucial to adopt educational and preventive measures to change the current scenario of epidemiology of such trauma. Keywords: Burns; Epidemiology; Analgesia; Emergency