An intelligent tutoring system for operators’ training in power system control centres

The activity of Control Center operators is important to guarantee the effective performance of Power Systems. Operators’ actions are crucial to deal with incidents, especially severe faults, like blackouts. In this paper we present an Intelligent Tutoring approach for training Portuguese Control Centre operators in tasks like incident analysis and diagnosis, and service restoration of Power Systems. Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS) approach is used in the training of the operators, taking into account context awareness and the unobtrusive integration in the working environment

Intelligent training in control centres based on an ambient intelligence paradigm

This article describes a new approach in the Intelligent Training of Operators in Power Systems Control Centres, considering the new reality of Renewable Sources, Distributed Generation, and Electricity Markets, under the emerging paradigms of Cyber-Physical Systems and Ambient Intelligence. We propose Intelligent Tutoring Systems as the approach to deal with the intelligent training of operators in these new circumstances

Robotic implantation of intracerebral electrodes for deep brain stimulation

This dissertation objective is to contribute for the development of a robotic system towards neurosurgery assistance in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) stereotactic procedures. Being DBS neurosurgery typically a long, physically and cognitively demanding procedure; the introduction of a robotic assistant to hold, manipulate and position instrumentation would improve the medical team working conditions and lead to better surgery outcomes. Upon understanding how could the robot be used and what robotic systems were adequate to the task, we implemented a simulation environment to emulate several industrial robot manipulators and the operating room. It was also developed each robot geometric and differential kinematic equations, and control algorithms specifically oriented for DBS neurosurgery assistance. Taking into account the operating room arrangement, the robot characteristics and task requirements, we selected the most apt industrial robotic manipulator and further elaborated on its placement and orientation to achieve utmost performance.This work has been partially financed by projects FP7 Marie Curie ITN - NETT (project no289146), FCT FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674, Pest-C/MAT-UI0013/2011 (FCT grant ref. UMINHO/BIC/8/2012) and FCT PhD grant (ref. SFRH/BD/86499/2012)

Morphogenic Responses of Two \u3cem\u3eBrachiaria\u3c/em\u3e Genotypes in Response to Clipping Frequency

Tropical grasslands represent an important resource for the Brazilian cattle industry, which is heavily dependent on grazed pastures. Total pasture area in the country totals 196 M ha (23% of the country’s land area) (FAO 2013). The genus Brachiaria represents around 85% of cultivated pastures in Brazil (Moreira et al. 2009), 40% of which are established with B. brizantha cv. Marandu (Barbosa 2006). Mulato II is a new hybrid brachiaria grass cultivar which has been developed to improve agronomic characteristics, broaden the range of adaptation, and to ensure high forage production and nutritive value. It has also been viewed as a means of reducing the dependence on the Marandu palisade grass monoculture (Argel et al. 2007). The use of new cultivars should be based on adequate understanding of physiological processes and growth potential under a range of management practices. Morphogenic characteristics allow for accessing herbage accumulation potential through the measurement of tissue synthesis and senescence in forage plants. Management practices such as defoliation frequency can modify assimilate partitioning in the forage plant, affecting morphogenic characteristics related to growth rate and forage nutritive value. The objective of this research was to describe and explain morphogenic differences between Marandu palisade grass and Mulato II brachiaria grass as affected by harvest frequency

A Timely shift from shotgun to targeted proteomics and how it can be groundbreaking for cancer research

Funding The present work was funded by FUB/UnB, CNPq, FAP-DF, CAPES, and FINEP.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Elastic liposomes containing calcium/magnesium ferrite nanoparticles coupled with gold nanorods for application in photothermal therapy

This work reports on the design, development, and characterization of novel magneto-plasmonic elastic liposomes (MPELs) of DPPC:SP80 (85:15) containing Mg0.75Ca0.25Fe2O4 nanoparticles coupled with gold nanorods, for topical application of photothermal therapy (PTT). Both magnetic and plasmonic components were characterized regarding their structural, morphological, magnetic and photothermal properties. The magnetic nanoparticles display a cubic shape and a size (major axis) of 37 ± 3 nm, while the longitudinal and transverse sizes of the nanorods are 46 ± 7 nm and 12 ± 1.6 nm, respectively. A new methodology was employed to couple the magnetic and plasmonic nanostructures, using cysteine as bridge. The potential for photothermia was evaluated for the magnetic nanoparticles, gold nanorods and the coupled magnetic/plasmonic nanoparticles, which demonstrated a maximum temperature variation of 28.9 °C, 33.6 °C and 37.2 °C, respectively, during a 30 min NIR-laser irradiation of 1 mg/mL dispersions. Using fluorescence anisotropy studies, a phase transition temperature (Tm) of 35 °C was estimated for MPELs, which ensures an enhanced fluidity crucial for effective crossing of the skin layers. The photothermal potential of this novel nanostructure corresponds to a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 616.9 W/g and a maximum temperature increase of 33.5 °C. These findings point to the development of thermoelastic nanocarriers with suitable features to act as photothermal hyperthermia agents

Efficacy and safety of flexible-dose oral sildenafil citrate (Viagra((R))) in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Brazilian and Mexican men

A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of flexible-dose sildenafil citrate (Viagra((R))) treatment (25, 50 or 100 mg) in Brazilian and Mexican men with erectile dysfunction (ED) of broad-spectrum etiology. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of responses to the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, completed at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. At end point, mean scores for all IIEF domains of sexual function (erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction and overall satisfaction) were significantly (P < 0.0001) higher in the sildenafil group (n = 109) than in the placebo group (n = 105). These findings confirm the significant increases in frequency of penetration and frequency of maintained erections reported previously. Sildenafil treatment was well tolerated. the most common adverse events were headache and flushing. in conclusion, sildenafil is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for ED of broad-spectrum etiology in Latin American men.Hosp Albert Einstein, BR-01250000 São Paulo, BrazilTorre Hosp Angeles del Pedregal, Consultorio 827, MexicoFac Ciencias Med Santa Casa, Porto Alegre, RS, BrazilHosp Clin Cuiritiba, Curitiba, Parana, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas, Fac Ciencias Med, Campinas, SP, BrazilClin Rio Claro, Rio Claro, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Rio de Janeiro, Fac Med, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilHosp Servidor Publ Estadual, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista Med, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Topcrosses in the selection of testers and inbred lines S3 for the yield and bromatological quality of silage maize.

The study aiming to evaluate the combining ability of maize partially inbred lines (S3) in crosses with testers ofnarrow genetic base aiming at the selection of the inbred lines, testers and topcross hybrids. Three simple latticetrials with 81 treatments were carried out in the 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 growing seasons. For each growingseason, trials were used to evaluate the topcross hybrids obtained in combination with the testers AG8088,DKB330 (single-cross hybrids) and 9.H33.3 (line). The hybrid AG8088 and line 9.H3.33 were the best testers forgrain yield. The line 9.H3.33 was the best tester for the traits related to yield and quality of silage maize. Theinbred lines that stood out for their combining abilities and capacity of generating great topcross hybrids with thetesters (i.e., 201-23.2, 201-59.1, 201-80.2, 201-81.5, 203-195.3, 201-100.4, 201-145.4, 201-169.3, 202-155, 202-159, 203-23, 203- 31, 203-32, 203-38, 203-75, 203-98, 203-111, 203-135, 203-139, 203-150, 203-188, 203-235,and 203-237) should be maintained in the UEM silage maize breeding program. Progenies 201-59.01, 201-100.4,203-135, 203-150, 203-235 and 203-254 were selected as tester lines of progenies derived from selfing of thetesters AG8088 and DKB330 to improve the silage maize quality. The topcross hybrids 201-95.3 x 9.H3.33, 203-71x 9.H3.33, 203-72 x 9.H3.33, 203-88 x 9.H3.33, 203-139 x 9.H3.33, and 203-150 x 9.H3.33 were selected for goodperformance for agronomic and bromatological silage maize traits. These hybrids are indicated for evaluationsin more environments, with a view to recommending commercial cultivars for grain and silage production in thefuture