Numerically implemented perturbation method for the nonlinear magnetic moment of an anisotropic superconductor

We present a method to compute the magnetic moment of a bulk, finite-size, three-dimensional, anisotropic superconductor. Our numerically implemented perturbative procedure is based on a solution of the nonlinear Maxwell- London equations, where we include the nonlinear relation between current and gauge invariant velocity. The method exploits the small ratio of penetration depth to sample size. We show how to treat the open boundary conditions over an infinite domain and the continuity requirement at the interface. We demonstrate how our method substantially reduces the computational work required and discuss its implementation to an oblate spheroid. The numerical solution is obtained from a finite difference method. We briefly discuss the relevance of this work to similar problems in other fields.Comment: 43 pages RevTex ms and four postscript figures. To appear in Journal of Computational Physic

A JUDICIALIZAÇÃO DA ASSISTÊNCIA FARMACÊUTICA AO PACIENTE DIABÉTICO NO ESTADO DO PARÁ: 10 ANOS DA AÇÃO CIVIL PÚBLICA Nº 0006454-87.2008.4.01.3900.

A pesquisa pretende analisar os efeitos da judicialização da assistência farmacêutica ao portador de Diabetes Mellitus no Estado do Pará tendo como referência a Ação Civil Pública n° 0006454-87.2008.4.01.3900  e verificar como as políticas públicas destinadas aos diabéticos evoluíram no período de 2008, quando a ação foi interposta, até a presente data. Será realizada pesquisa bibliográfica sobre a judicialização da saúde, federalismo, políticas públicas destinadas aos pacientes diabéticos e aplicação do princípio da responsabilidade solidária entre os entes federados e análise dos regulamentos expedidos pelo Ministério da Saúde que regulam o fornecimento de medicamentos aos diabéticos.

Investigating user response to a hybrid sketch based interface for creating 3D virtual models in an immersive environment

This research was done in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology Berlin. It was supported by VISIONAIR, a project funded by the European Commission under grant agreement 262044.Computer modelling of 2D drawings is becoming increasingly popular in modern design as can be witnessed in the shift of modern computer modelling applications from software requiring specialised training to ones targeted for the general consumer market. Despite this, traditional sketching is still prevalent in design, particularly so in the early design stages. Thus, research trends in computer-aided modelling focus on the the development of sketch based interfaces that are as natural as possible. In this paper, we present a hybrid sketch based interface which allows the user to make draw sketches using offline as well as online sketching modalities, displaying the 3D models in an immersive setup, thus linking the object interaction possible through immersive modelling to the flexibility allowed by paper-based sketching. The interface was evaluated in a user study which shows that such a hybrid system can be considered as having pragmatic and hedonic value.peer-reviewe

Surface reconstruction of ancient water storage systems an approach for sparse 3D sonar scans and fused stereo images

This work presents a process pipeline that addresses the problem of reconstructing surfaces of underwater structures from stereo images and sonar scans collected with a micro-ROV on the islands of Malta and Gozo. Using a limited sensor load, sonar and small GoPro Hero2 cameras, the micro-ROV is able to explore water systems and gather data. As a preprocess to the reconstruction pipeline, a 3D evidence grid is created by mosaicing horizontal and vertical sonar scans. A volumetric representation is then constructed using a level set method. Fine-scale details from the scene are captured in stereo cameras, and are transformed into point clouds and projected into the volume. A raycasting technique is used to trim the volume in accordance with the projected point clouds, thus reintroducing fine details to the rough sonar-generated model. The resulting volume is surfaced, yielding a final mesh which can be viewed and interacted with for archaeological and educational purposes. Initial results from both steps of the reconstruction pipeline are presented and discussed.peer-reviewe

Análise do desempenho do traço de concreto compactado com rolo (CCR), aplicado no sistema bus rapid transit (BRT) de Belém-PA, estudo de caso / Performance analysis of roller compressed concrete (CCR), applied in the bus rapid transit (BRT) system of Belém-PA, case study

O concreto rolado é, usualmente, aplicado em obras hidráulicas e de pavimentação, como objeto deste estudo, será analisado a aplicação do Concreto Compactado a Rolo na camada de sub-base na execução da pavimentação da faixa do BRT (Bus Rapid Transit), que será executado na Rodovia BR-316, localizada na região metropolitana de Belém, estado do Pará, estado que compõe a região norte do Brasil. Este artigo trata-se de um estudo comparativo entre a execução de dois traços executados como ensaios preliminares para a execução do projeto de pavimentação com aplicação do CCR na obra da pavimentação das vias do BRT-Belém. O primeiro traço segue as normativas nacionais, que são apresentadas na norma DNIT 056/2013, as quais regem a execução do CCR, desde sua composição e trabalhabilidade até sua aplicação; o segundo traço ensaiado foi executado seguindo as diretrizes da mesma norma, com acompanhamento da fiscalização da obra, porém,  levando-se como fator de relevância, a análise e adequação da dosagem dos agregados da mistura, que estão disponíveis em jazidas relativamente próximas ao local de aplicação do concreto. Com a obtenção dos resultados, será feita uma comparação entre eles, e assim, definir qual traço terá as características necessárias para atender às exigências da norma, e consequentemente, será definido para execução do CCR, que será aplicado nas vias de pavimentação desta obra

Annual banned-substance review: Analytical approaches in human sports drug testing.

A number of high profile revelations concerning anti-doping rule violations over the past 12 months have outlined the importance of tackling prevailing challenges and reducing the limitations of the current anti-doping system. At this time, the necessity to enhance, expand, and improve analytical test methods in response to the substances outlined in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List represents an increasingly crucial task for modern sports drug testing programs. The ability to improve analytical testing methods often relies on the expedient application of novel information regarding superior target analytes for sports drug testing assays, drug elimination profiles, and alternative sample matrices, together with recent advances in instrumental developments. This annual banned-substance review evaluates literature published between October 2017 and September 2018 offering an in-depth evaluation of developments in these arenas and their potential application to substances reported in WADA's 2018 Prohibited List

Regulation of cerebral cortical neurogenesis by the Pax6 transcription factor

Understanding brain development remains a major challenge at the heart of understanding what makes us human. The neocortex, in evolutionary terms the newest part of the cerebral cortex, is the seat of higher cognitive functions. Its normal development requires the production, positioning and appropriate interconnection of very large numbers of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Pax6 is one of a relatively small group of transcription factors that exert high-level control of cortical development, and whose mutation or deletion from developing embryos causes major brain defects and a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Pax6 is very highly conserved between primate and non-primate species, is expressed in a gradient throughout the developing cortex and is essential for normal corticogenesis. Our understanding of Pax6’s functions and the cellular processes that it regulates during mammalian cortical development has significantly advanced in the last decade, owing to the combined application of genetic and biochemical analyses. Here we review the functional importance of Pax6 in regulating cortical progenitor proliferation, neurogenesis, and formation of cortical layers and highlight important differences between rodents and primates. We also review the pathological effects of PAX6 mutations in human neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, we discuss some aspects of Pax6’s molecular actions including its own complex transcriptional regulation, the distinct molecular functions of its splice variants and some of Pax6’s known direct targets which mediate its actions during cortical development