SMT-Based Bounded Model Checking of Fixed-Point Digital Controllers

Digital controllers have several advantages with respect to their flexibility and design's simplicity. However, they are subject to problems that are not faced by analog controllers. In particular, these problems are related to the finite word-length implementation that might lead to overflows, limit cycles, and time constraints in fixed-point processors. This paper proposes a new method to detect design's errors in digital controllers using a state-of-the art bounded model checker based on satisfiability modulo theories. The experiments with digital controllers for a ball and beam plant demonstrate that the proposed method can be very effective in finding errors in digital controllers than other existing approaches based on traditional simulations tools

Política de serviço universal e liberalização das telecomunicações: a experiência brasileira no contexto de uma agenda de transição

The goal of this paper is to analyze the issue of Universal Service under the light of these processes of structural changes and the appraisal of the content of Universal Service itself, in particular the Brazilian experience, especially the case of São Paulo. The exam of perspectives of universalization of telecommunication services in Brazil will take into account three kind of factors: (a) the context of institutional changes recently associated to the rise of a new model of regulation and competition in the telecommunication sector; (b) characteristics of the strategy of privatization of Brazilian system, especially in what concerns the concept of universal services; (c) the socioeconomic characteristics of Brazilian society, especially in the State of São Paulo.The goal of this paper is to analyze the issue of Universal Service under the light of these processes of structural changes and the appraisal of the content of Universal Service itself, in particular the Brazilian experience, especially the case of São Paulo. The exam of perspectives of universalization of telecommunication services in Brazil will take into account three kind of factors: (a) the context of institutional changes recently associated to the rise of a new model of regulation and competition in the telecommunication sector; (b) characteristics of the strategy of privatization of Brazilian system, especially in what concerns the concept of universal services; (c) the socioeconomic characteristics of Brazilian society, especially in the State of São Paulo

Consiliência e a possibilidade do neurodireito: da desconfiança à reconciliação disciplinar

O artigo tem por objetivo revisitar a origem do afastamento disciplinar que ocorre entre as Ciências Naturais, Ciências Sociais e Humanidades. Esse afastamento levou ao atual modelo de hiperespecialização que, embora tenha impulsionado um notável avanço em cada uma das disciplinas, teve como consequência a fragmentação do próprio conhecimento e a perda da coerência entre cada uma dessas partes. Esse modelo mostra sinais de esgotamento, já que não é capaz nem enfrentar questões filosóficas fundamentais, nem tampouco de apresentar soluções satisfatórias para os grandes problemas humanos de contemporâneos. Nesse contexto, apresenta-se a Consiliência, que propõe a recuperação da coerência entre todos os ramos do conhecimento, tanto na tarefa de conhecer nossa própria humanidade, quanto na tarefa de apresentar respostas a esses grandes problemas. Como conclusão, percebeu-se que, para o Direito, esse movimento de aproximação pode ter consequências disruptivas, já que as explicações das Ciências Cognitivas para o comportamento humano podem desafiar noções fundamentais com as quais o Direito opera. Equacionar tudo isso é a tarefa que atribui-se ao Neurodireito. A originalidade do artigo reside na recuperação das origens para o afastamento disciplinar, e as razões para sua superação, sempre dentro do contexto do Direito. Essa revisão evidenciou a tarefa de tornar todo esse conhecimento coerente, ou consiliente. Dentro das Ciências Jurídicas, essa é a tarefa do Neurodireito

The impact of novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), on the electricity sector / O impacto do novo coronavírus (SARS-COV-2), no setor elétrico

The world is undergoing traumatic changes in 2020 caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2. There have been profound changes in several sectors of the economy, including the electricity sector. This article aims to present an overview of the impact of the novel corona virus on the consumption of electricity in different regions of the world. Main socioeconomic factors that caused the impact on electricity consumption are analysed. In addition to consumption, the article also discusses the change in the energy matrix of some regions to generate electricity from fossil and renewable sources. Special emphasis is given to the study of electricity consumption in Brazil

An overview on the brazilian electricity production based on biomass / Uma visão geral sobre a produção brasileira de eletricidade com base na biomassa

In Brazil, renewable sources have gradually assumed an important role in the generation of electricity. This work aims to present the main sources of biomass used for electricity production in the country such as sugarcane, black liquor, forest residue, charcoal, rice hulls, elephant grass, biogas (animal and agriculture waste) and biomass for blast furnace gas generation. Based on official data, the article presents the main biomass sources for electricity production, their power generation capability and respective geographical location along the country. Additionally, the names of main power generation plants based on biomass are listed, and their characteristics are discussed.

Emergency surgeons' perceptions and attitudes towards antibiotic prescribing and resistance: a worldwide cross-sectional survey

Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a growing public health problem worldwide, in part related to inadequate antibiotic use. A better knowledge of physicians' motivations, attitudes and practice about AMR and prescribing should enable the design and implementation of effective antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). The objective of the study was to assess attitudes and perceptions concerning AMR and use of antibiotics among surgeons who regularly perform emergency or trauma surgery

Avaliação da detecção do antígeno NS1 para diagnóstico de dengue nos Laboratórios de Saúde Pública, Estado de São Paulo, 2009

The present work evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of detection of Dengue NS1 antigen employing two NS1 assays, an immunochromatographic assay and ELISA, in the diagnostic routine of Public Health laboratories. The results obtained with NS1 assay were compared with virus isolation and, in a subpopulation of cases, they were compared with the IgM-ELISA results obtained with convalescent samples. A total of 2,321 sera samples were analyzed by one of two NS1 techniques from March to October 2009. The samples were divided into five groups: groups I, II and III included samples tested by NS1 and virus isolation, and groups IV and V included patients with a first sample tested by NS1 and a second sample tested by IgM-ELISA. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Kappa Index and Kappa Concordance were calculated. The results showed that NS1 testing in groups I, II and III had high sensitivity (98.0%, 99.5% and 99.3%), and predictive values and Kappa index between 0.9 - 1.0. Groups IV and V only had Kappa Concordance calculated, since the samples were analyzed according to the presence of NS1 antigen or IgM antibody. Concordance of 92.1% was observed when comparing the results of NS1-negative samples with IgM-ELISA. Based on the findings, it is possible to suggest that the tests for NS1 detection may be important tools for monitoring the introduction and spread of Dengue serotypes.Esse estudo avaliou a acurácia do diagnóstico por detecção do antígeno NS1 do vírus Dengue empregando-se ensaios em dois formatos, imunocromatográfico e ELISA, na rotina diagnóstica dos laboratórios de Saúde Pública. Compararam-se os resultados de NS1 com os resultados de isolamento viral e, em parte dos casos, foi feita a comparação com os resultados de IgM-ELISA, obtidos nas segundas amostras. Um total de 2.321 amostras de soros, obtidas no período de março a outubro de 2009, foram analisadas por uma das duas técnicas NS1. As amostras foram divididas em cinco grupos: I, II e III, que incluíram amostras analisadas por testes NS1 e por isolamento de vírus. Os grupos IV e V incluíram pacientes com a primeira amostra processada por NS1 e segunda por IgM-ELISA. Foram analisadas sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e negativo, concordância e índice Kappa. Os resultados mostraram que os grupos I, II e III apresentaram alta sensibilidade (98,0%, 99,5% e 99,3%), valores preditivos e índice Kappa entre 0,9 - 1,0. Nos grupos IV e V, apenas concordância foi calculada, dado que as amostras foram analisadas quanto à presença de antígeno NS1 ou de anticorpos IgM. Comparando-se os resultados negativos de NS1 com IgM-ELISA houve 92,1% de concordância. Com base nas constatações feitas, é possível sugerir que a detecção de NS1 pode ser importante ferramenta para monitorar a introdução e disseminação dos sorotipos de Dengue

Identification of earlier predictors of pregnancy complications through wearable technologies in a Brazilian multicentre cohort : Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) study protocol

Introduction Non-invasive tools capable of identifying predictors of maternal complications would be a step forward for improving maternal and perinatal health. There is an association between modification in physical activity (PA) and sleep–wake patterns and the occurrence of inflammatory, metabolic, pathological conditions related to chronic diseases. The actigraphy device is validated to estimate PA and sleep–wake patterns among pregnant women. In order to extend the window of opportunity to prevent, diagnose and treat specific maternal conditions, would it be possible to use actigraphy data to identify risk factors for the development of adverse maternal outcomes during pregnancy? Methods and analysis A cohort will be held in five centres from the Brazilian Network for Studies on Reproductive and Perinatal Health. Maternal Actigraphy Exploratory Study I (MAES-I) will enrol 400 low-risk nulliparous women who will wear the actigraphy device on their wrists day and night (24 hours/day) uninterruptedly from 19 to 21 weeks until childbirth. Changes in PA and sleep–wake patterns will be analysed throughout pregnancy, considering ranges in gestational age in women with and without maternal complications such as pre-eclampsia, preterm birth (spontaneous or provider-initiated), gestational diabetes, maternal haemorrhage during pregnancy, in addition to perinatal outcomes. The plan is to design a predictive model using actigraphy data for screening pregnant women at risk of developing specific adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes

Vírus da encefalite São Luis: primeiro isolamento de humano no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

O presente estudo relata o isolamento do vírus da encefalite São Luis (SLEV) de um caso febril humano suspeito de dengue, em São Pedro, Estado de São Paulo. MAC-ELISA realizado com soros das fases aguda e convalescente foi inconclusivo e anticorpos IgG foram detectados por inibição da hemaglutinação para flavivirus. Imunofluorescência indireta com cultura de células C6/36 inoculadas com soro da fase aguda foi positivo para flavivirus mas negativo quando testado com anticorpos monoclonais para dengue. O RNA extraído de cultura de células infectadas foi amplificado na presença de primers universais para o gênero Flavivirus, deduzidos de uma região da proteína não estrutural 5 e diretamente sequenciado. Os resultados da pesquisa no BLAST indicaram que a seqüência apresenta 93% de similaridade de nucleotídeos com a seqüência de SLEV (cepa MS1.7), confirmado por RT-PCR, realizado com primers específicos para SLEV. O fato de SLEV ter sido identificado como a causa de doença humana indica a necessidade de aprimorar a vigilância a fim de detectar precocemente esse agente no Estado de São Paulo e no Brasil. Esse caso é também um alerta para os profissionais de saúde sobre a necessidade de investigações clínicas e epidemiológicas mais completas sobre doenças febris como no caso relatado. Infecções por SLEV podem não ser reconhecidas ou confundidas com outras causadas por arbovírus como a dengue.This paper reports the isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) from a febrile human case suspected to be dengue, in São Pedro, São Paulo State. A MAC-ELISA done on the patient's acute and convalescent sera was inconclusive and hemagglutination inhibition test detected IgG antibody for flaviviruses. An indirect immunofluorescent assay done on the C6/36 cell culture inoculated with the acute serum was positive for flaviviruses but negative when tested with dengue monoclonal antibodies. RNA extracted from the infected cell culture supernatant was amplified by RT-PCR in the presence of NS5 universal flavivirus primers and directly sequenced. Results of BLAST search indicated that this sequence shares 93% nucleotide similarity with the sequence of SLEV (strain-MSI.7), confirmed by RT-PCR performed with SLEV specific primers. Since SLEV was identified as the cause of human disease, it is necessary to improve surveillance in order to achieve early detection of this agent in the state of São Paulo and in Brazil. This finding is also an alert to health professionals about the need for more complete clinical and epidemiological investigations of febrile illnesses as in the reported case. SLEV infections can be unrecognized or confused with other ones caused by an arbovirus, such as dengue

Análise Epidemiológica por Insuficiência Cardíaca no Brasil

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a syndrome characterized by reduced cardiac output and increased filling pressures. In Brazil, HF has a high rate of hospitalizations and deaths at a high cost to the public system. In this sense, knowing the clinical characteristics of this pathology is essential for a better prognosis and epidemiological control. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the profile of hospitalizations and deaths from HF in Brazil between 2015 and 2020. Methods: A descriptive study of hospitalizations and mortality from HF in the country, based on data available in the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). These variables were stratified according to sex, age, color/race, and year. Results: 1,212,249 hospitalizations were registered, with a downward trend over the years not accompanied by a reduction in public investments. Analyzing the hospitalizations, men were predominant (51.61%) and aged from 70 years old (48.61%), followed by those between 40 and 69 years old (46.10%). Furthermore, it was observed that 37.85% of the patients were white race. As for deaths, a total of 134,703 victims were registered. In terms of time, there is a constant percentage, with an average of 22,450.5 deaths/year. Mortality was more prevalent in women (50.38%) and the age group greater than or equal to 70 years (61.22%). Furthermore, as in hospitalizations, white patients are predominant (37.15%). Discussion: The profile of hospitalizations for HF showed a decreasing trend. However, the drop observed in 2020 may present confounding factors, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The epidemiological characteristics showed geographic, genetic, and health factors as determinants of these variables. Conclusion: Despite the reduction in the number of hospitalizations and maintenance of deaths between 2015 and 2020, mortality rates are still high despite technological advances, generating a high cost for public coffers.Introdução: A Insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) é uma síndrome caracterizada pela redução no débito cardíaco e/ou aumento das pressões de enchimento. No Brasil, a IC apresenta elevada taxa de internações e óbitos com alto custo ao sistema público. Nesse sentido, conhecer as características clínicas dessa patologia é fundamental para um melhor prognóstico e controle epidemiológico. Assim, este estudo objetivou analisar o perfil das hospitalizações e óbitos por IC no Brasil entre 2015 e 2020. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo das internações e da mortalidade por IC no país, com base nos dados disponíveis no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares (SIH/SUS). Essas variáveis foram estratificadas conforme sexo, idade, cor/raça e ano. Resultados: Foram registradas 1.212.249 internações, com uma tendência de decréscimo ao longo dos anos não acompanhado de redução nos investimentos públicos. Analisando as hospitalizações verificou-se predomínio nos homens (51,61%) e com idade a partir de 70 anos (48,61%), seguido daqueles entre 40 e 69 anos (46,10%). Ainda, observou-se que 37,85% dos pacientes apresentavam cor/raça branca. Quanto aos óbitos, foram registrados um total de 134.703 vítimas. De forma temporal, nota-se um percentual constante, com média de 22.450,5 óbitos/ano. A mortalidade foi mais prevalente em mulheres (50,38%) e na faixa etária maior ou igual a 70 anos (61,22%). Ademais, como nas internações observa-se predomínio em pacientes brancos (37,15%). Discussão: O perfil das hospitalizações por IC apresentaram tendência decrescente. Entretanto, a queda observada em 2020 pode apresentar fatores de confusão, devido a atual pandemia do COVID-19. As características epidemiológicas apresentaram fatores geográficos, genéticos e sanitários como determinantes dessas variáveis. Conclusão: Apesar da redução no número de internações e manutenção nos óbitos entre 2015 e 2020, os índices de mortalidade ainda são altos mesmo com os avanços tecnológicos, gerando um elevado custo para os cofres públicos. &nbsp