Virtual reality at nuclear issues: a review study

Recently, several applications using concepts related to virtual reality has been proposed to help on solving issues of great interest in Nuclear Engineering. Among them are power plant's control rooms simulators; measurement of the estimated radiation dose in a nuclear power plant; use of game engines to create virtual environments to support evacuation planning of buildings and circulation in areas subjected to radiation; development of a man - machine interface based on speech recognition; virtual control tables for simulation of nuclear power plants; evacuation plans support; security teams training and evaluation of physical protection barriers; ergonomic evaluation of control rooms, and other ones. Many of these applications are developed at Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear (IEN), having their results published in form of articles in periodicals and conferences. This article presents a review of some of these studies showing the evolution in the use of these concepts, describing some of its results and showing prospects for future applications that can make use of virtual reality technology

Qualidade de vida em gestantes em acompanhamento pré-natal no Sistema Único de Saúde

Orientadora: Professora Drª Doroteia Aparecida HöfelmannDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Saúde Coletiva. Defesa : Curitiba, 18/08/2021Inclui referências: p. 62-71Resumo: Durante a gestação ocorrem mudanças corporais, fisiológicas, psicológicas, e sociais que podem impactar diretamente a qualidade de vida da mulher, com possíveis efeitos para o feto. O objetivo dessa dissertação foi analisar a qualidade de vida e sua associação com características demográficas, socioeconômicas, obstétricas, condições de saúde e comportamento relacionado à saúde de gestantes em acompanhamento pré-natal das Unidades Básicas de Saúde em Colombo (PR). A qualidade de vida foi investigada por meio do WHOQOL-BREF, e o nível da atividade física pelo Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). Para a avaliação dos fatores e dos domínios da atividade física associados aos domínios da qualidade vida - físico, psicológico, relações sociais e meio ambiente - foi utilizada a regressão beta inflacionada com estimativas de Odds Ratio (OR) e intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Participaram do estudo 604 gestantes. A idade média foi de 25,7 (IC95% 25,2;26,3). A maioria das gestantes (76,0%) avaliou a sua qualidade de vida como satisfatória. A atividade física global apresentou média de 17,1±10,0 METs (equivalente metabólico da tarefa). No domínio físico, os menores escores foram encontrados conforme o aumento de número de gestações (OR=0,71; IC95%0,59;0,84), evolução do trimestre gestacional (OR=0,74; IC95%0,61;0,89), referência a sintoma comum da gestação (OR=0,80; IC95%0,67;0,95), e presença de morbidade (OR=0,67; IC95%0,57;0,79). No domínio psicológico, gestantes que planejaram a gestação apresentaram maiores escores (OR=1,20; IC95%1,04;1,37), enquanto referir sintoma comum (OR=0,75; IC95%0,63;0,89) ou morbidade na gestação (OR=0,82; IC95%0,70;0,95) foram associados a piores escores. Ainda no domínio psicológico, os escores aumentaram com a escolaridade (OR=1,10; IC95%1,01;1,21), enquanto os menores escores foram identificados entre gestantes com maior paridade (OR=0,89; IC95%0,81;0,97) e com morbidade (OR=0,90; IC95%0,83;0,97). A maior renda familiar foi relacionada a melhores escores no domínio relações sociais da qualidade de vida (OR=1,22;IC95%1,03;1,45). No domínio meio ambiente apresentaram menores escores as mulheres que estavam na segunda gestação (OR=0,84; IC95%0,72;0,98), e com renda entre R$ 476-750 apresentaram maiores escores (OR=1,23; IC95%1,05;1,43). Os resultados das associações considerando domínios de atividade física como exposição principal indicaram para o domínio físico, gestantes com maior nível de prática de exercício físico apresentaram maiores escores (OR=1,03; IC95%1,00;1,07), enquanto o tempo em atividades sedentárias esteve associado a menores escores (OR= 0,97; IC95%0,95;0,99). Contudo, a associação deixou de ser significativa após o ajuste para variáveis socioeconômicas. O tempo em atividades de locomoção esteve associado a maiores escores no domínio psicológico de qualidade de vida (OR=1,05; IC95%0,99;1,11), enquanto em atividades sedentárias esteve associado negativamente (OR=0,97; IC95%0,95;0,99). Desta forma, destaca-se a multidimensionalidade de fatores associados, e da relação dos domínios da atividade física aos componentes da qualidade de vida na gestação, o que ressalta importância de ações intersetoriais, especialmente para as mulheres em situação de vulnerabilidade social para a promoção de melhoria da qualidade de vida neste período.Abstract: During pregnancy, bodily and physiological changes occur, psychological, and social that can directly impact the women's quality of life, with possible effects on the fetus. The objective of this dissertation was to analyze the quality of life and association with demographic characteristics, socioeconomic, obstetric, health conditions, healthrelated behavior of pregnant women in prenatal care at Basic Health Units in Colombo (PR). Quality of life was investigated by through the WHOQOL-BREF, and the level of physical activity by the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). For the evaluation of the factors and the associated physical activity domains to the domains of quality of life - physical health, psychological, social relationships and environment - beta regression was used inflated with Odds Ratio (OR) estimates and 95% confidence interval (95%CI). The mean age was 25,7 (95%CI 25,2;26,3). 604 pregnant women participated in the study. Most pregnant women (76,0%) evaluated their quality of life as satisfactory. Global physical activity presented an average of 17,1±10,0 METs (metabolic equivalents). In the physical health domain, the lower scores were found as the number of pregnancies increasead (OR=0,71; 95%CI 0,59;0,84), evolution of the gestational quarter (OR=0,74; 95%CI 0,61;0,89), who referend common pregnancy symptom (OR=0,80; 95%CI 0,67;0,95), and presence of morbidity (OR=0,67; 95%CI 0,57;0,79). In the domain psychological, pregnant women who planned the pregnancy presented higher scores (OR=1,20; 95%CI 1,04;1,37), while referring common symptom (OR=0,75; 95%CI 0,63;0,89) or morbidity during pregnancy (OR=0,82; 95%CI 0,70;0,95) were associated with worse scores. Still in the psychological domain, the scores increased with education (OR=1,10; 95%CI 1,01;1,21), while the lowest scores were identified among pregnant women with higher parity (OR=0,89; 95%CI 0,81;0,97) and with morbidity (OR=0,90; IC95% 0,83;0,97). The highest family income was related to better scores in the social relationships domain of quality of life (OR=1,22; 95%CI1,03;1,45). In the environment domain, the women who were in their second pregnancy (OR=0,84; 95%CI 0,72;0,98), and with income between BRL 476-750 had higher scores (OR=1,23; 95%CI 1,05;1,43). The results of associations considering domains of activity physical as the main exposure indicated for the physical health domain, pregnant women with a higher level of practice of physical exercise had higher scores (OR=1,03; 95%CI 1,00;1,07), while the time in activities sedentary was associated with lower scores (OR = 0,97; 95%CI 0,95;0,99). However, the association is no longer after adjustment for socioeconomic variables. Time spent on commuting activities was associated with greater scores in the psychological domain of quality of life (OR=1,05; 95%CI 0,99;1,11), while in sedentary activities he was negatively associated (OR=0,97; 95%CI 0,95;0,99). In this way, the multidimensionality of factors stands out associated, and the relationship of the domains of physical activity to the components of quality of life during pregnancy, which emphasizes the importance of intersectoral actions, especially for women in situations of social vulnerability to promote better quality of life in this period

Development of a mobile game based on virtual reality tools to sensitize the population about the nuclear power plant’s emergency plan

The Angra dos Reis Nuclear Power Plant’s emergency plan, it´s the bunch of instructions that every citizen must adopt in case of an emergency situation. It’s highly important, that all the people living in the power plant´s surroundings truly understand every single step of the plan, because only in this way people will know how to react in case of a necessity. To hit this goals, the Brazil`s Electronuclear, made educational booklets, in the shape of comic books, trying to guide the population about the plan. On the other hand, we have an increasingly connected world, making possible that digital games, be very well accepted by the population. So this project has as an objective, developing a digital tool, in form of a mobile game that shows in a playful and interactive way for the user, the emergency plan, complementing the educational process and social actions made by many institutions. With the information taken from the booklets, objects and buildings were modeled in Autodesk 3ds Max, allied with the Unity 3D Game Engine, to make a city, inspired in Angra do Reis (RJ). The player has to follow all the security protocols giving by the Eletronuclear according with the rules provided by the National Nuclear Energy Commission. Is expected, with this game that will be available for the Eletronuclear that more people have the chance to know and believe in the efficiency of the emergency plan already established

Veículos elétricos: história e perspectivas no Brasil

Bibliografia: p. 222-224Este artigo foi apresentado no XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Energia (novembro de 2010).Vistos por muitos como um grande avanço tecnológico, os automóveis híbridos e elétricos não são novidade no mercado. Já foram fortes concorrentes dos automóveis convencionais, mas, por razões que serão explicadas a seguir, foram preteridos e tiveram desde os anos 1930 participação marginal na história do automóvel. No entanto, desde o lançamento do Toyota Prius, em 1997, o mercado norte-americano tem assistido a um grande número de lançamentos de automóveis híbridos e, mais recentemente, de veículos puramente elétricos. Esse fato pode ser atribuído em grande parte ao incentivo do governo americano aos fabricantes e consumidores de veículos híbridos e elétricos. Este trabalho tem três objetivos: (1) discutir as razões que levaram o governo norte-americano a tomar essa atitude, apresentando a dimensão e as consequências da dependência do petróleo importado sobre a economia norte-americana; (2) analisar os principais fatos históricos que levaram à ascensão e queda dos automóveis híbridos e elétricos; e (3) discutir as implicações da introdução de carros elétricos no Brasil. Conclui-se que, além das questões ambientais e do uso mais efi ciente da energia, o governo norte-americano tem como principal fator motivador o aumento a segurança energética do país. Para o Brasil, dado o estágio de desenvolvimento de sua frota, o incentivo à utilização do carro elétrico pode trazer profundas mudanças no consumo de energia num futuro não muito distante

The nuclear energy, public opinion and the awareness of work of nuclear institutions

With Brazil facing a prospect of expanding its nuclear-energy sources and the development of new nuclear techniques there is a need for imminent integration in the nuclear industry with the tool information. In this paper we propose the creation of a program aimed at the servers of the institutions that make up the Brazilian Nuclear Sector, with a view to preparing these to become multipliers in the dissemination of activities developed by the institution so that they can, with strong arguments, defending the work of industry criticism of this form of energy. The goal is to create an important process of change of mentality and attitude among people who relate to the servers in the industry, expanding the debate on the subject, so that society, clearly and free of prejudices can understand the benefits the use of nuclear energy

Digital game for education and dissemination of nuclear energy applications

Students are immersed in a society with many possibilities of interaction, either computer or smart phones. In addition, students demand more innovation, dynamism and interactivity in classrooms. The form of education that can motivate students to engage in the learning process can get them to be interested in the lessons and not prematurely abandon schools. On the other hand, educational materials based on Virtual Reality (VR), as computer games, havebeen considered an important educational tool for making dynamic, motivating, innovative, in addition to achieving those areas where traditional methods are not reaching its goal. Motivated by the above, and given the competence developed by the Virtual Reality Laboratory of the Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear / CNEN and the collaboration of the University Center UniCarioca, was developed a digital game based on virtual reality tools for the teaching of a subject of area of science that needs to be addressed to society more contextualized way: the different applications of nuclear energy. It is expected that this digital game is an important tool for the dissemination, teaching and learning the benefits of nuclear energy

“Cais do Corpo”: o poder de imagens e vozes dissonantes na ressignificação da prostituição

Este artigo se apoia no trabalho audiovisual da artista brasileira Virgínia de Medeiros intitulado “Cais do Corpo” para abordar o tema da precarização das vidas e pensar em possibilidades de resistência a esse processo. O vídeo expõe os efeitos violentos e excludentes do processo de “revitalização” da Praça Mauá, no Rio de Janeiro, debruçando-se sobre as experiências de prostitutas que vivem e trabalham nessa região. A partir dele e de ideias trazidas por autores contemporâneos, o trabalho pretende, em primeiro lugar, desenvolver uma discussão crítica sobre a sociedade atual, especialmente a brasileira, com suas técnicas de silenciamento e de eliminação de populações consideradas não humanas. Em segundo lugar, defender que o trabalho artístico, ao apostar na potência de imagens e vozes dos próprios sujeitos subalternizados, configura-se hoje como um espaço importante para a ressignificação de identidades socialmente colocadas no lugar da abjeção e da exclusão, como a das prostitutas

Use of Virtual Reality for the development of a Nuclear Waste Repository for Training

In Brazil the highest amount of waste generated is low and medium level of radiation. Its management and final destination is important for society and the solution, proposed by the government, involves the construction of a National Repository for Radioactive Waste. Using Virtual Reality (VR), this article aims to develop an interactive virtual model of the repository to assist in the study, evaluation, training of personnel and planning of the installation to be implemented. The method was divided into four steps. The first, called "Requirements Specification and Survey", aimed at acquiring information about the terrain and future buildings of the installation in the real world. The next step, known as "Modeling the Environment" is the construction of the virtual environment itself according to the specifications of the previous method. The third, called "Functionality Implementation" consists of inserting functionalities into the system, such as performing some tasks present in the repository. Finally, the last step is the interactive virtual model of the national repository for radioactive waste, with this tool users can study, evaluate and train conditions/situations of the installation. In conclusion, the results have shown that the tool presented in this work is a possible application of the VR for dissemination and training in nuclear installations. Using this tool, users can visualize and plan strategies to be carried out in a repository, without interrupting the operation of the installation. It can be used for training and operations simulations, aiming to improve the processes without exposing the operators to the radiation

Virtual reality interactive simulator for training healthcare professionals in the use of ionising radiations

The application of ionizing radiation in medicine requires a rigorous attention to procedures in order to minimize the risks to the healthcare professional and to the patient. Risk minimization involves the training of the professional and the adequacy of the facilities. Virtual Reality (VR) is an already consolidated tool for training procedures, including those of the health sciences. In this context, an interactive VR simulator representing a radiotherapy room (bunker) for training healthcare professionals and the inspectors of such facilities was developed. This VR model allows the user to perform the normal activities on the operation and the inspection procedures of the facility. The model was based on the blueprints of a real radiotherapy clinic. The virtual model of the radiotherapy bunker, developed at the Institute of Nuclear Engineering, was presented to experts of the General Coordination of Medical and Industrial Facilities of CNEN and is in the process of receiving small modifications to the specific needs for its adequateness, as a training tool, in a training course, sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), for inspectors of radiotherapy installations. This work shows the possibility of using Virtual Reality in the development of training tools for professionals working in radioactive installations

METODOLOGIA FUZZY PARA AVALIAÇÃO DE ATIVOS INTANGÍVEIS EMPRESARIAIS

O objetivo desse artigo é apresentar uma metodologia que permita quantificar os ativos intangíveis empresariais, a fim de contribuir nas decisões sobre investimentos. Para tanto, a metodologia desenvolvida foi aplicada em grande empresa de navegação para medir seus indicadores de capital humano, estrutural e de relacionamento em sua área de tecnologia da informação. A Lógica Fuzzy foi empregada para quantificar a percepção dos grupos sobre os indicadores e reduzir as incertezas oriundas da linguagem natural. Os resultados representaram um apoio para tomadas de decisão sobre investimentos em ativos intangíveis. A aplicação periódica da metodologia permitirá avaliar os efeitos das decisões dos gestores em outros momentos, contribuindo para o planejamento e controle gerencial, e colaborando para a valorização dos ativos intangíveis da empresa. Os resultados obtidos são específicos da empresa estudada, mas validaram a aplicação e o uso da metodologia em outras empresas