Exploring new ways of integration, visualization and interaction with Geotechnical and Geophysical Data

The work presented in this paper aims at exploring new ways of integrating, visualizing and interacting with geotechnical and geophysical data that may be more rich and interactive than those offered by most current Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Some visualization techniques enabling simultaneous visualization of the several data types available in our case study are proposed. Moreover, methods were developed to guide experts while defining layers and other relevant geological structures. The work is still in an early stage and is main goal has been assessing the validity and adequacy of the proposed techniques to the specific geotechnical and geophysical data under consideration.Universidade de Aveiro e Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branc

Dados geotécnicos e geofísicos : exploração de novas formas de visualização

Este artigo visa a exploração de novas formas de visualização de dados geotécnicos que possam ser mais enriquecedoras e mais interactivas que as oferecidas pelos actuais sistemas informação geográfica (SIG). Desta forma os dados são simplesmente um modelo para a construção de uma potencial ferramenta. Na prática pretende- se a implementação de métodos de visualização e interacção que permitam a visualização simultânea dos vários tipos de dados disponibilizados. Este trabalho ainda se encontra numa fase experimental e tem como objectivo explorar várias formas de visualização, verificar a sua validade/adaptabilidade ao caso concreto dos dados geotécnicos. Neste caso de estudo, foram utilizados dados geotécnicos adquiridos através de diferentes modalidades

Morbidity-mortality and performance evaluation of Brahman calves from in vitro embryo production

<p/> <p>Background</p> <p>The use of bovine <it>in vitro </it>embryo production (IVP) increases the reproductive potential of genetically superior cows, enabling a larger scale of embryo production when compared with other biotechnologies. However, deleterious effects such as abnormal fetal growth, longer gestation period, increased birth weight, abortion, preterm birth and higher rates of neonatal mortality have been attributed to IVP. The aim of this study was to compare the influence of <it>in vitro </it>embryo production and artificial insemination (AI) on gestation length, complications with birth, birth weight, method of feeding colostrum, passive transfer of immunity, morbidity-mortality, and performance in Brahman calves.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Whilst gestation length and birth weight were significantly increased in IVP-derived calves, no difference in weaning weight was observed between groups. The passive transfer of immunity (PT), was assessed in IVP (n = 80) and AI (n = 20) groups 24 hours after birth by determination of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and gammaglobulin activity as well as by quantification of the concentration of total protein in serum. No differences in passive transfer or incidences of dystocia and diseases at weaning were observed between groups. Birth weight, method of feeding colostrum and dystocia were not correlated with PT in either group.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, <it>in vitro </it>embryo production did not affect the health status, development, or passive transfer of immunity in Brahman calves.</p

Insuficiencia hepática aguda asociada a enfermedades metabólicas hereditarias en ninos pequenos

INTRODUCTION: Pediatric acute liver failure (ALF) due to inherited metabolic diseases (IMD) is a rare life-threatening condition with a poor prognosis. Early intervention may be lifesaving. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical presentation, investigation and outcomes of ALF related to IMD in young children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of children aged up to 24 months, admitted to a tertiary pediatric and neonatal Intensive Care Unit during a 27-year period, fulfilling the ALF criteria, with documented metabolic etiology. RESULTS: From 34 ALF cases, 18 were related to IMD: galactosemia (4), mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MDS) (3), ornithine transcarbamilase deficiency (3), congenital defects of glycosylation (2), tyrosinemia type 1 (2), long-chain 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (1), hereditary fructose intolerance (1), classic methylmalonic aciduria (1) and citrulinemia type 1 (1). The median age was 1.3 months. At least one previous suggestive sign/symptom of IMD (vomiting, failure to thrive, hypotonia or developmental delay) was observed in 67% of the cases. The most common physical signs at admission included: hepatomegaly (72%), jaundice (67%) and encephalopathy (44%). The peak laboratorial findings were: mean international normalizad ratio 4.5, median lactate 5mmol/L, mean bilirubin 201μmol/L, median alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 137 UI/L and median ammonia 177μmol/L. One patient was submitted to liver transplant in ALF context (MSD). The mortality rate was 44%. DISCUSSION: The identification of IMD as a frequent cause of ALF allowed specific therapeutic measures and adequate family counselling. Particular clinical features and moderated ALT and bilirubin levels can lead to its suspicion.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Micro-simulation of the impact of different speeds on safety road travel and urban travel time: case study in the city of Guimarães

In recent days, the use of micro-simulation as an additional tool for the study of the network makes this management faster and more efficient, avoiding in situ studies. However, although it is a useful tool, it is necessary that the model under study is the best represented possible in order to obtain results that best fit the reality of the road, and a poor calibration of the model can provide results that do not fit the good management of the road under study. In this sense, using micro-simulation, more precisely to the VISSIM PTV software, a road network at the microscopic level will be evaluated as well as the parameters that most influence the route of the users within that network. The parameters will be modified according to the modeler so as to obtain a model as close to reality as possible. The most appropriate criteria for the calibration and validation of the model will also be chosen. The road safety of the network will also be analyzed using the SSAM software. Here the network's points of conflict will be analyzed, characterizing them as to the type and its severity. Subsequently, a sensitivity analysis will be introduced, where some parameters will be modified individually or together, in order to assess their influence on the network, thus assessing the importance of each in the vehicles.(undefined

Novel auxetic thermoset and thermoplastic composites for energy absorption

Auxetic materials are characterized as materials with negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR), i.e. stretching of these materials in longitudinal direction results in widening in the transverse direction. This counterintuitive behaviour provides higher energy absorption capacity and damage resistance. Auxetic composites can be made from conventional materials, using the laminated angle-ply method, in which the layers are stacked in a special sequence resulting in NPR. Accordingly, the use of carbon fibers as reinforcement is more appropriate than kevlar or glass fibers as they combine exceptional mechanical properties and low weight. Indeed, there are several carbon fibers and matrices that make them suitable for a range of end-uses. This research work focuses on investigating the mechanical properties of composites reinforced with unidirectional carbon fibers. For this purpose, the effects of fiber orientations and the influence of resin type on the mechanical properties and Poisson’s ratio have been investigated as regards to the tensile and impact behaviours. Carbon fiber stacked at different angles reinforcing thermoset and thermoplastic polymers were studied.FCT, projeto “Development of Auxetic Fibrous Composite for Personal Protection, ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016893 e PTDC/CTM-POL/5814/201

Characterization of auxetic and mechanical behaviours of auxetic composites developed using star knitted structures

This work evaluates the auxetic behaviour of composite materials produced from weft-knitted fabrics made from high-tenacity para-aramid (p-AR) and polyamide 6.6 (PA) fibres, which have proven to present negative Poisson’s ratios (NPR). Composites were produced by reinforcing an epoxy resin with those developed fabrics and the degree to which they were able to preserve the previous auxetic behaviour of the fibrous reinforcements investigated in order to obtain a new type of auxetic materials, reinforced with re-entrant star designed fabrics, that could present higher mechanical performance due to its NPR behaviour.This work was funded by the Operational Program of Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI) with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the project “Development of Auxetic Fibrous Composite for Personal Protection” (ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016893 and PTDC/CTM-POL/5814/2014).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio