Introduction to the special issue “Robotica 2016”

Autonomous robotics has seen its popularity and application in distinct fields, namely in services and industry, increase significantly in the last two decades. Several areas related with robotics have been addressed by the academic community and thus journals and conferences emerged to broadly disseminate the developed knowledge. The IEEE International Conference on Autonomous Robot Systems and Competitions (ICARSC) gathers participants from academia and industry, working in the field of autonomous robot systems and related areas. It is organized since 2001 in parallel to the Portuguese Robotics Open, and aims at exploring and discussing the latest trends in research and technology in the fields of robotics and related areas. The authors of the best papers presented at ICARSC 2016 were invited to submit extended and improved versions of their manuscripts to this “Robotica 2016” special issue.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Semantics take the SOA registry to the next level: an empirical study in a telecom company

We describe an empirical study of the creation of a Semantic Service Registry in the context of the Operations Support Systems (OSS) department of a telecom company, to address an emerging problem of finding the right services to build new business processes in a pool that steadily increases. We show how to obtain an ontology for the telecom domain to annotate services and thus benefit from semantic technologies to effectively find them based on description logics inference mapping. We designed and implemented a proof of concept for providing a matching degree even when the cardinality of the service elements of the query and the cardinality of the service elements being sought differ. This is relevant for web services reusability and flexibility. Our solutions are overviewed and a set of lessons learned are discussed

Estudo de infiltração na camada de cobertura do Aterro do Morro do Céu, Niterói - RJ

A disposição dos resíduos sólidos é uma questão importante na sociedade contemporânea. A necessidade de proteção do meio ambiente bem como a evidente diminuição de áreas disponíveis para este fim, apontam para a urgência de avanços nessa área de conhecimento. Um projeto adequado de disposição de resíduos sólidos urbanos, pressupõe a construção de camadas de cobertura eficientes, que minimizem a infiltração de água para a massa de lixo e evitem a erosão do material de cobertura. O presente trabalho pretende analisar a infiltração de água pela camada de cobertura durante o intervalo de um ano no Aterro do Morro do Céu em Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Para tanto, foram retiradas amostras deformadas e indeformadas na cobertura do aterro para caracterização geotécnica, determinação da curva de retenção, realização de ensaios de permeabilidade e compactação. Os parâmetros da curva de retenção foram ajustados através do programa RETC, que juntamente com os resultados provenientes dos ensaios realizados e os dados pluviométricos, serviram como base de entrada para a utilização do programa Hydrus 1D, permitindo a avaliação da infiltração

Constraint-aware schema transformation

Ninth International Workshop on Rule-Based Programming (Rule 2008)Data schema transformations occur in the context of software evolution, refactoring, and cross-paradigm data mappings. When constraints exist on the initial schema, these need to be transformed into constraints on the target schema. Moreover, when high-level data types are refined to lower level structures, additional target schema constraints must be introduced to balance the loss of structure and preserve semantics. We introduce an algebraic approach to schema transformation that is constraint-aware in the sense that constraints are preserved from source to target schemas and that new constraints are introduced where needed. Our approach is based on refinement theory and point-free program transformation. Data refinements are modeled as rewrite rules on types that carry point-free predicates as constraints. At each rewrite step, the predicate on the reduct is computed from the predicate on the redex. An additional rewrite system on point-free functions is used to normalize the predicates that are built up along rewrite chains. We implemented our rewrite systems in a type-safe way in the functional programming language Haskell. We demonstrate their application to constraint-aware hierarchical-relational mappings.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(SFRH/BD/30215/2006

Can We Assess the Success of Surgery for Degenerative Spinal Diseases Using Patients' Recall of Their Preoperative Status?

Background: Patients' recall of their preoperative status is seldom used to assess surgical outcomes because of concerns of inaccuracy and bias. Objective: The present study aims to measure the significance of this recall bias and its repercussion on patients' recollection of their preoperative status. Methods: Patients submitted to surgery due to degenerative spine diseases during the period of one year (n=198) were included in this study. EQ-5D (including EQ VAS), COMI Neck (including Neck Pain and Shoulder/Arm Pain NRS), COMI Back (including Back Pain and Buttock/Leg Pain NRS), NDI and ODI were completed preoperatively. One year after surgery, patients were asked to complete 2 sets of the same questionnaires, one regarding their postoperative status and the other one regarding their recall of the preoperative status. Results: There was poor to moderate agreement between recalled and collected preoperative scores for all PROMs. Patients' recollection of their preoperative status was accurate for patients who underwent cervical spine surgery, but not after lumbar spine surgery. Patients satisfied with the outcome after lumbar spine surgery recalled significantly worse scores compared to the preoperatively collected. Conclusions: Using patients' recall of their preoperative status may lead to an overestimation of the surgery effectiveness, particularly for lumbar spine surgery. The self-assessed surgery effectiveness interferes with the recollection of the baseline status.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The impact of psychiatric diagnosis on treatment adherence and duration among victimized children and adolescents in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: Despite the high prevalence of substance abuse and mood disorders among victimized children and adolescents, few studies have investigated the association of these disorders with treatment adherence, represented by numbers of visits per month and treatment duration. We aimed to investigate the effects of substance abuse and mood disorders on treatment adherence and duration in a special program for victimized children in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A total of 351 participants were evaluated for psychiatric disorders and classified into one of five groups: mood disorders alone; substance abuse disorders alone; mood and substance abuse disorders; other psychiatric disorders; no psychiatric disorders. The associations between diagnostic classification and adherence to treatment and the duration of program participation were tested with logistic regression and survival analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Children with mood disorders alone had the highest rate of adherence (79.5%); those with substance abuse disorders alone had the lowest (40%); and those with both disorders had an intermediate rate of adherence (50%). Those with other psychiatric disorders and no psychiatric disorders also had high rates of adherence (75.6% and 72.9%, respectively). Living with family significantly increased adherence for children with substance abuse disorders but decreased adherence for those with no psychiatric disorders. The diagnostic correlates of duration of participation were similar to those for adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Mood and substance abuse disorders were strong predictive factors for treatment adherence and duration, albeit in opposite directions. Living with family seems to have a positive effect on treatment adherence for patients with substance abuse disorders. More effective treatment is needed for victimized substance-abusing yout

Três vidas que se desvelam no Sertão : uma análise de Fabiano, Francisca e Riobaldo com o meio no qual se inserem

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Letras, Departamento de Linguística, Línguas Clássicas e Português, 2020.Este trabalho pretende observar e analisar os personagens Fabiano, de Vidas secas, Francisca, de Dora sem véu, e Riobaldo, de Grande sertão: veredas, sob a perspectiva de como esses se relacionam com o meio no qual estão inseridos nos romances: o sertão. Os personagens, bem diversos entre si, relacionam-se de forma diferente com esse território. Por conta de diferenças na integração desses com o cenário urbano e pelas discrepâncias no nível da educação formal existentes entre Fabiano, Francisca e Riobaldo, as formas como eles leem e interpretam o mundo que os cercam também se distanciam bastante de um para o outro. Isso expande a percepção criada a respeito do sertão literário, levando em consideração a ótica dos personagens, que ganham protagonismo sobre a terra. Nesse sentido, a relação desses tipos com o sertão é o cerne desta análise, a se destacar a influência que a instrução exerce nessas relações

Lubrificação de compressores que aspiram fluido frigorigéneo a temperaturas inferiores a -30° C

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia MecânicaEste estudo tem por âmbito a lubrificação de compressores de refrigeração, alternativos e de parafuso, que utilizam o amoníaco como fluido frigorigéneo. O objectivo central é a identificação da solução mais eficaz e eficiente para este processo, nas situações em que o fluido se apresenta a temperaturas inferiores a -30°C, na aspiração dos compressores. A lubrificação visa a preservação do compressor, reduzindo o atrito e o consequente desgaste das peças móveis, e promovendo o arrefecimento e a protecção contra a corrosão. Ao lubrificante utilizado são ainda atribuídas as funções de vedação entre as secções de alta e baixa pressões e redução do ruído de funcionamento. O óleo lubrificante, ao transpor as fronteiras do compressor, pode circular no sistema em conjunto com o fluido frigorigéneo, onde produz efeitos adversos, originando perdas de carga e diminuindo a capacidade de transferência térmica dos condensadores e dos evaporadores. Para contrariar estes efeitos, é essencial garantir a separação do óleo e a sua recolha após a descarga. No entanto, actuando exactamente dessa forma, há ainda uma fracção que escapa à eficiência do órgão separador, tornando-se necessário efectuar a sua drenagem, em intervalos regulares, nos locais onde se possa depositar, tais como nos reservatórios, permutadores e eventualmente em pontos baixos da instalação. Principalmente quando são utilizados compressores de parafuso, o óleo, que é recuperado no separador, encontra-se a uma temperatura demasiado elevada para ser reintroduzido no processo, havendo ainda a necessidade de proceder ao seu arrefecimento. O correcto dimensionamento e a criteriosa selecção dos equipamentos e órgãos permitem ultrapassar parte substancial dos potenciais problemas de funcionamento. Do mesmo modo, a distribuição dos equipamentos em espaço e cota adequados conduzem a uma exploração eficiente e à operação mais simplificada e segura. Atendendo à perigosidade endógena do amoníaco e aos problemas associados ao óleo usado, devem ser seguidas as normas de segurança apropriadas, em todas as acções que impliquem o contacto com essas substâncias. Além desse aspecto, no final de vida, o óleo usado deve ser encaminhado para tratamento adequado. Por último, é essencial utilizar-se o óleo lubrificante adequado, proceder às verificações de nível e à sua reposição ou substituição, de acordo com as necessidades da instalação e com o preconizado pelo fabricante.Abstract: This study is about the lubrication of reciprocal and screw compressors, using ammonia as the refrigerant. The main goal is the identification of more effective and efficient solution to this process, in situations when the fluid has a temperature below -30 °C in the compressor suction. The lubrication is to preserve the compressor, thereby reducing friction and consequent wear of moving parts, and promoting the cooling and protection against corrosion. The lubricant used is also assigned the functions of sealing between the sections of high and low pressures and reduced operating noise. The lubricating oil, when crossing the border of the compressor can circulated in the system along with the refrigerant, which produces adverse effects. It originates cargo loss and reduces the heat transfer capacity of the condensers and evaporators. To counter these effects, it is essential to ensure the separation of the oil and its collection after discharge. However, acting exactly this way, there is still a fraction escaping the efficiency of the separator organ, it becomes necessary to make its drain at regular intervals in places where they can deposit such as in tanks, heat exchangers and possibly for points low installation. Especially, when screw compressors are used, the oil which is recovered in the separator is at a too high temperature to be reintroduced into the process, so there´s still the need for cooling. The correct design and careful selection of equipment and bodies allow to overcome a substantial part of potential malfunctions. Similarly, the equipment distribution in suitable average and space leads to an efficient exploration and to simplifid and safer operation. Owing to the ammonia’s natural risk and to the danger that is added to the oil during service, appropriate security standards should be followed in all activities involving contact with these substances. Apart from this, at the end of its life, should be submitted to an appropriate treatment. Finally, it is essential to use the suitable lubricant oil, to check the level and replace according to the manufacturer’s recommendations