Analysis and Hardware In the Loop Testing of ADCS Algorithm for the CubeSat 3­AMADEUS

One of the main challenges with Cubesats’ ADCSs (Attitude Determination and Control Subsystems) is how heavy and power consuming the most precise systems are. This means that developing lighter, less consuming ones is of the greatest importance. 3­AMADEUS is a mission that aims to find a solution to this exact problem. Magnetic ADCS components are among the lightest, least power consuming and most reliable options in the CubeSat industry. However, due to their low precision, this kind of component can’t be used by themselves in missions that require precise attitude control. One of the ways to improve the precision of this kind of component is to use novel ADCS algorithms that maximize system performance for magnetic ADCSs. That is why 3­AMADEUS has the purpose of, not only developing, but also testing multiple of these algorithms in­flight, with hopes that one day the implementation of purely magnetic ADCSs can be generalized in nanosatellites. In order to possibilitate an analysis of what algorithms are to be implemented in the 3­AMADEUS mission, this work presents a satellite attitude model that allows for a SIL (Software In the Loop) simulation. Furthermore, a HIL (Hardware In the Loop) simulation is made, aiming at validating the usage of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) for the implementation of this kind of algorithm, since the usage of FPGAs in CubeSats has been rising significantly, and is particularly interesting in a project where reprogrammability is useful. Having that in mind, since the algorithms for this mission are still under development, a purely magnetic ADCS algorithm that has been developed in another context is then tested in a SIL environment, where its performance in terms of accuracy and stabilization, as well as its suitability for the 3­AMADEUS mission, is analyzed under different conditions. Finally, one of these tests is performed but this time in a HIL Simulation, not considering attitude determination. The results of this simulation are compared to those obtained in the SIL test, providing relevant data on the feasibility and performance of a real life ADCS algorithm implementation in an FPGA.Um dos grandes entraves dos ADCSs (Attitude Determination and Control Subsystems) de CubeSats é o elevado peso e o alto consumo dos seus componentes de maior precisão, o que significa que desenvolver opções mais leves e de menor consumo é de extrema importância. A 3­AMADEUS é uma missão que visa a encontrar uma solução para este mesmo problema. Componentes de ADCS magnéticos estão entre as opções mais leves, de menor consumo energético e mais fíaveis na indústria dos CubeSats. No entanto, devido à sua baixa precisão, estes não podem ser utilizados por si só em missões cujos requisitos de precisão de controlo de atitude sejam elevados. Uma das formas de aumentar a precisão deste tipo de componentes é o uso de novos algoritmos que maximizem o desempenho de ADCSs magnéticos, que é a razão pela qual a 3­AMADEUS tem o propósito de desenvolver e testar, em voo, vários destes algoritmos, com a esperança de que um dia a implementação de ADCSs exclusivamente magnéticos seja generalizada em CubeSats. Para que seja possível analisar quais algoritmos devem ser implementados na missão 3­AMADEUS, este trabalho apresenta um modelo de atitude de um satélite que permite uma simulação SIL (Software In the Loop). Para além disso, é também feita uma simulação HIL (Hardware In the Loop) que procura validar o uso de um FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) para a implementação deste tipo de algoritmo, já que o uso de FPGAs em CubeSats tem tido um crescimento significativo, e é particularmente interessante num projeto onde a reprogramabilidade é uma característica útil. Tendo isto em conta, como os algoritmos para esta missão ainda estão em desenvolvimento, um algoritmo puramente magnético desenvolvido noutro contexto é então testado num ambiente SIL, no qual o seu desempenho em termos de precisão e estabilização, assim como a sua viabilidade para a missão 3­AMADEUS, são analisados sob diferentes condições. Por fim, um destes testes é realizado num ambiente de simulação HIL. Os resultados desta simulação, que não têm em conta a determinação da atitude, são comparados com os obtidos no teste em ambiente SIL, fornecendo dados relevantes sobre a viabilidade e desempenho de uma implementação de um algoritmo de ADCS num FPGA na realidade

Direct antiviral therapy for treatment of hepatitis C: A real-world study from Brazil

Introduction and objectives: Direct antiviral agents (DAAs) including sofosbuvir (SOF), daclatasvir (DCV), simeprevir (SIM) and ombitasvir, paritaprevir and dasabuvir were introduced 2015 in Brazil for treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The aims of this study were to assess effectiveness and safety of HCV treatment with DAA in real-life world in a highly admixed population from Brazil. Materials and methods: All Brazilian reference centers for HCV treatment were invited to take part in a web-based registry, prospectively conducted by the Brazilian Society of Hepatology, to assess outcomes of HCV treatment in Brazil with DAAs. Data to be collected included demographics, disease severity and comorbidities, genotype (GT), viral load, DAA regimens, treatment side effects and sustained virological response (SVR). Results: 3939 patients (60% males, mean age 58 ± 10 years) throughout the country were evaluated. Most had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, GT1 and were treated with SOF/DCV or SOF/SIM. Overall SVR rates were higher than 95%. Subjects with decompensated cirrhosis, GT2 and GT3 have lower SVR rates of 85%, 90% and 91%, respectively. Cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis in GT1 and male sex and decompensated cirrhosis in GT3 were significantly associated with no SVR. Adverse events (AD) and serious AD occurred in 18% and 5% of those subjects, respectively, but less than 1% of patients required treatment discontinuation. Conclusion: SOF-based DAA regimens are effective and safe in the heterogeneous highly admixed Brazilian population and could remain an option for HCV treatment at least in low-income countries

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data