Modelo de simulaçâo para projecto e avaliaçâo de sistemas de rega localizada

O modelo iterativo AVALOC, em linguagem VISUAL BASIC 4.0, foi desenvolvido para o dimensionamento e a análise de funcionamento de sistemas de rega localizada (ou microrrega). O modelo apoia-se numa base de dados contendo informação relativa aos emissores e aos tubos disponíveis no comércio, e aos sectores de rega a que é aplicado o programa. A base de dados permite com relativa facilidade a introdução, a consulta e a correcção dos dados e, desta forma, reduzir o tempo de utilização do programa. No modo de dimensionamento em projecto, o programa permite seleccionar os emissores que melhor respondam aos objectivos do projecto, bem como escolher e dimensionar as condutas que constituem a rede de rega. Os cálculos são realizados segundo criterios de exclusão, i.e. obrigando a que sejam satisfeitos determinados critérios de desempenho fixados pelo utilizador, nomeadamente referentes à variação de carga e à uniformidade de emissão, visando assegurar que a distribuição de caudais no sector seja adequadamente uniforme. No modo de análise de desempenho, a simulação hidráulica visa calcular os parâmetros de funcionamento característicos do sistema, tais como o par carga - caudal de cada saída, o tempo de funcionamento, a percentagem de solo humedecido e indicadores de desempenho da rega, nomeadamente o coeficiente de uniformidade de Christiansen e a uniformidade de emissão. O modelo é apresentado utilizando um caso de projecto de um sector de rega em olival

Modelo de simulação para projecto e avaliação de sistemas de rega localizada

O modelo iterativo AVALOC, em linguagem VISUAL BASIC 4.0, foi desenvolvido para o dimensionamento e a análise de funcionamento de sistemas de rega localizada (ou microrrega). O modelo apoia-se numa base de dados contendo informação relativa aos emissores e aos tubos disponíveis no comércio, e aos sectores de rega a que é aplicado o programa. A base de dados permite com relativa facilidade a introdução, a consulta e a correcção dos dados e, desta forma, reduzir o tempo de utilização do programa. No modo de dimensionamento em projecto, o programa permite seleccionar os emissores que melhor respondam aos objectivos do projecto, bem como escolher e dimensionar as condutas que constituem a rede de rega. Os cálculos são realizados segundo criterios de exclusão, i.e. obrigando a que sejam satisfeitos determinados critérios de desempenho fixados pelo utilizador, nomeadamente referentes à variação de carga e à uniformidade de emissão, visando assegurar que a distribuição de caudais no sector seja adequadamente uniforme. No modo de análise de desempenho, a simulação hidráulica visa calcular os parâmetros de funcionamento característicos do sistema, tais como o par carga - caudal de cada saída, o tempo de funcionamento, a percentagem de solo humedecido e indicadores de desempenho da rega, nomeadamente o coeficiente de uniformidade de Christiansen e a uniformidade de emissão. O modelo é apresentado utilizando um caso de projecto de um sector de rega em olival

MACROSCOPIC TURBULENCE MODEL ADJUSTMENT FOR A POROUS MEDIUM MODELED AS AN INFINITE ARRAY OF TRANSVERSALLY-DISPLACED ELLIPTIC RODS

Through the volumetric averaging of the microscopic transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy, k, and its dissipation rate, , a macroscopic model was proposed for flow in porous media (Pedras and de Lemos, IJHMT 44 (6) 2001). As an outcome of the volume averaging process, additional terms appeared in the equations for k and . These terms were here adjusted assuming the porous structure to be modeled as an infinity array of transversal elliptic rods. Such an adjustment was obtained by numerically solving the microscopic flow governing equations, using a low and high Reynolds formulation, in the periodic cell composing the infinite medium. Different porosity and aspect ratios were investigated. The adjusted model was compared against others types of rods found in the literature, showing similar results

Intramolecular excimer formation and sensing behavior of new fluorimetric probes and their interactions with metal cations and barbituric acids

A new family of compounds able to promote host-guest interactions with specific molecules (e.g., cyanuric and parabanic acids) and to coordinate metal ions, namely Zn(II) and Cu(II), has been synthesized and fully characterized. The new probes derive from the attachment of two methylaminopyrene units to the carbonyl precursor 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6THH-4HF5KD3-1/1/ef66847d1e019d05e2068bef93cfbd9

Dental approach of orofacial pain in head and neck cancer patients

Orofacial pain (OFP) is an undesirable sensation frequently associated with head and neck cancer (HNC) and its treatment. OFP negatively impacts the quality of life of oncological patients. The approach to OFP diagnosis and management can differ if the patient visits a dentist or physician. The aim of this study was to present a case series of HNC with OFP managed by a dentist team and to discuss its role in the management of OFP. We recruited twenty-two adult patients with OFP and previous diagnosis of HNC referred to an academic dental clinic from 2015 to 2017. Nociceptive was more frequent than mixed and neuropathic pain, however 54,4% of the cases showed a neurological component. All types of pain were managed by dentist through removal of pain?s cause and appropriated local and systemic treatment. The intensity of pain was reduced in 86,3% of patients, and 45,4% of them reported absence of pain at the end of treatment. Dentist?s assessment plays a distinct and crucial role in the diagnosis and management of OFP in HNC patients throughout the oncological treatment

Validation of the spiritual and religious attitudes in dealing with illness (SpREUK) in Portuguese Alzheimer‘s patients

Literature shows that spirituality is a helpful resource for patients to cope with illness, having a positive impact on their quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the psychometric qualities of the Spiritual and Religious Attitudes in Dealing with Illness (SpREUK) using a sample of 128 Portuguese Alzheimer‘s patients. Results showed that the instrument kept its original factorial structure, with a good adjustment and reliability in all subscales, and associations with quality of life and mindfulness. Therefore, the Portuguese version of the SpREUK has appropriate psychometric properties and is an important resource to assess spirituality in Alzheimer’s patients

PTSD, psychological morbidity and marital dissatisfaction in colonial war veterans

Background: Forty years after Colonial War, veterans still show psychological disturbances affecting their marital and sexual satisfaction.Aims: This study analyzed the relationships between Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), number of PTSD symptoms and symptom clusters, psychological morbidity, marital dissatisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction; the variables that contributed to marital dissatisfaction and the mediator role of marital dissatisfaction and sexual dissatisfaction, in a sample of colonial War Veterans.Method: The sample included 138 Portuguese war veterans who answered Index of Marital Satisfaction; Index of Sexual Satisfaction; Beck Depression Inventory; State Trait Anxiety Inventory; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale.Results: PTSD, number of PTSD symptoms and symptom clusters were associated with psychological morbidity, marital and sexual dissatisfaction. Age, depression symptoms and sexual dissatisfaction contributed to marital dissatisfaction and the model explained 55% of the variance. Marital dissatisfaction mediated the relationship between depression symptoms and sexual dissatisfaction, as well as between number of PTSD symptoms and sexual dissatisfaction.Conclusions: Health professionals need to take into consideration the veteran's marital and sexual relationship in clinical routine consultations. As such, treating the veteran in the couple' context seems warranted.Bayer Portuguesa (B02/06

Urban agriculture as a keystone contribution towards securing sustainable and healthy development for cities in the future

esearch and practice during the last 20 years has shown that urban agriculture can contribute to minimising the effects of climate change by, at the same time, improving quality of life in urban areas. In order to do so most effectively, land use and spatial planning are crucial so as to obtain and maintain a supportive green infrastructure and to secure citizens' healthy living conditions. As people today trend more towards living in green and sustainable city centres that can offer fresh and locally produced food, cities become again places for growing food. The scope of urban agriculture thereby is to establish food production sites within the city's sphere; for example, through building-integrated agriculture including concepts such as aquaponics, indoor agriculture, vertical farming, rooftop production, edible walls, as well as through urban farms, edible landscapes, school gardens and community gardens. Embedded in changing urban food systems, the contribution of urban agriculture to creating sustainable and climate-friendly cities is pivotal as it has the capacity to integrate other resource streams such as water, waste and energy. This article describes some of the current aspects of the circular city debate where urban agriculture is pushing forward the development of material and resource cycling in cities.European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST): CA17133; EU Horizon 2020 Programmeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictive Models for the Diagnostic of Human Visceral Leishmaniasis in Brazil

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected tropical disease endemic to 65 countries, including Brazil, where the disease frequently occurs in remote locations and treatment is often performed on the basis of clinical suspicion. Predictive models based on scoring systems could be a helpful tool for the clinical management of VL. Based on clinical signs and symptoms, and five different serological tests of 213 patients with parasitologically confirmed (cases) and 119 with clinical suspicion of VL but with another confirmed etiology (non-cases), twelve prediction models using logistic regression and classification and regression trees (CART) for VL diagnosis were developed. The model composed of the clinical-laboratory variables and the rk39 rapid test showed the best performance in both logistic regression and CART (Sensitivity of 90.1% and specificity ranging from 97.2–97.4%). The scoring system is simple and based on the clinical-laboratory findings that are easily available in most clinical settings. The results suggest that those models might be useful in locations where access to available diagnostic methods is difficult, contributing to more efficient and more rational allocation of healthcare resources