Framework de planeamento de missões para frotas de drones interligados

The usage of aerial drones has become more popular as they also become more accessible, both in economic and usability terms. Nowadays, these vehicles can present reduced dimensions and a good cost-benefit ratio, which makes it possible for several services and applications supported by aerial drone networks to emerge. Some scenarios that benefit from the use of aerial drones are the monitoring of emergency situations and natural disasters, the patrolling of urban areas and support to police forces, and tourist applications such as the real-time video transmission of points of interest. It is common for the control of the drone to be dependent on human intervention in these situations, which requires professionals specialized in its control. However, in recent years, several solutions have emerged that enable the autonomous flight of these vehicles, minimizing manual interference. Taking into account the enormous diversity of use cases, many of the existing solutions for autonomous control focus on specific scenarios. Generic mission planning platforms also exist, but most of them only allow missions consisting of linear waypoints to be traversed. These situations translate into a mission support that is not very flexible. In this dissertation, we propose a modular infrastructure that can be used in various scenarios, enabling the autonomous control and monitoring of a fleet of aerial drones in a mission context. This platform has two main components, one integrated into the onboard computer of the vehicle, and the other one in the ground control. The former allows the communication with the flight controller so that it can collect telemetry data and send movement instructions to the drone. The latter allows to monitor this data and send the commands remotely, also enabling robust mission planning with multiple drones. A mission can be described in a script that the ground module interprets, sending the commands to the assigned vehicles. These missions can describe different paths, modifying the behaviour of the drones according to external factors, such as a sensor reading. It is also possible to define plugins to be reused in various missions, for example, by integrating an algorithm that ensures that all drones maintain connectivity. The solution was evaluated in scenarios with a single drone and with the collaboration of multiple drones. The tests were performed in a simulated environment and also in an environment with real drones. The observed behaviour is similar in both scenarios.A utilização de drones aéreos tem-se vindo a popularizar à medida que estes se tornam mais acessíveis, quer em termos económicos quer em usabilidade. Atualmente, estes veículos são capazes de apresentar dimensões reduzidas e uma boa relação de custo-benefício, o que potencia que diversos serviços e aplicações suportados por redes de drones aéreos estejam a emergir. Alguns cenários que beneficiam da utilização de drones aéreos são a monitorização de situações de emergência e catástrofes naturais, a patrulha de áreas urbanas e apoio às forças policiais e aplicações turísticas como a transmissão de vídeo em tempo real de pontos de interesse. É comum que o controlo do drone esteja dependente de intervenção humana nestas situações, o que requer profissionais especializados no seu controlo. No entanto, nos últimos anos têm surgido diversas soluções que possibilitam o vôo autónomo destes veículos, minimizando a interferência manual. Perante a enorme diversidade de casos de aplicação, muitas das soluções existentes para o controlo autónomo focam-se em cenários específicos de intervenção. Existem também plataformas de planeamento genérico de missões, mas que na sua maioria apenas permitem missões constituídas por conjuntos lineares de pontos a ser percorridos. Estas situações traduzem-se num suporte a missões que é pouco flexível. Nesta dissertação propomos uma infraestrutura modular passível de ser utilizada em cenários variados, possibilitando o controlo autónomo de uma frota de drones aéreos num contexto de missão e a sua monitorização. Esta plataforma tem dois componentes principais, um integrado no computador a bordo do veículo e o outro no controlo terrestre. O primeiro permite a comunicação com o controlador de vôo para que se possa recolher diversos dados de telemetria e enviar instruções de movimento para o drone. O segundo permite monitorizar esses dados e enviar os comandos remotamente, possibilitando também um planeamento robusto de missões com múltiplos drones. Uma missão pode ser descrita num script que o módulo terrestre interpreta, enviando os comandos para os veículos atribuídos. Estas missões podem descrever diversos caminhos, modificando o comportamento dos drones de acordo com factores externos, como a leitura de um sensor. Também é possível definir plugins para serem reutilizados em várias missões, como por exemplo, integrando um algoritmo que garante que todos os drones mantêm a conectividade. A solução foi avaliada em cenários com um único drone e com a colaboração de múltiplos drones. Os testes foram executados em ambiente simulado e também num ambiente com drones reais. O comportamento observado nas missões é semelhante em ambos os cenários.Mestrado em Engenharia de Computadores e Telemátic

ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Comunidade de prática: ambiente educativo emergente de desenvolvimento profissional docente

Challenges 2013: Aprender a qualquer hora e em qualquer lugar. pp. 1768-1772Partindo do princípio que as comunidades de prática (CoP) são um ambiente educativo emergente que potencia o desenvolvimento profissional docente, é nosso propósito apresentar a comunidade de prática criada no âmbito do projeto Tutoria Digital na Supervisão Educativa de Comunidades de Prática (TDSECP), com especial ênfase na promoção das capacidades de reflexão crítica e de problematização. No âmbito de uma supervisão educativa entre pares mediada pela tutoria digital e suportada por uma LMS, esta CoP carateriza-se como um espaço de experiência educacional que se desenvolve de forma dinâmica, interativa e flexível em função de um quadro de referência individual e de grupo. É neste contexto, e tendo em conta cinco domínios do conhecimento profissional do professor, que apresentaremos, a título de ilustração, alguns dos aspetos mais relevantes de diversas narrativas construídas até esta fase de implementação da CoP. Assuming communities of practice (CoP) as emerging educational environments that enhance teachers’ professional development, our purpose is to present the TDSECP (Digital Tutoring in Educational Supervision of Communities of Practice) with particular emphasis on promoting critical reflection and problem discussion abilities. In the scope of a peer educational supervision model intermediated by digital tutoring and supported by a LMS, the TDSECP can be characterized as an educational experience space, developing dynamically, interactively and flexibly in terms of individual and group reference frames. It is in this context that we present some of the most relevant aspects of several narratives constructed until this phase in CoP, considering five domains of teacher professional knowledge.Centro de Investigação Paula Frassinetti (CIPAF/ESEP

Juntos pela Criança - caderno de orientação pedagógica

o Projeto Othukumana | “Juntos” - Reforço das capacidades da rede diocesana católica de ensino pré-escolar, em implementação desde 2015, numa parceria entre a Diocese de Lichinga, Fundação Fé e Cooperação (FEC), Leigos para o Desenvolvimento (LD) e a Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti (ESEPF), com o apoio da Misereor, Manos Unidas, Kinder Missionswerk, Rotary Club e Listas Telefónicas de Moçambique. O projecto pretende contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade e equidade da educação pré-escolar na Província do Niassa mediante o reforço das competências pedagógicas e trabalho em rede dos agentes educativos da Educação Pré-Escolar da Diocese de Lichinga; da sustentabilidade das Escolinhas Comunitárias do Niassa (ECN) através do fortalecimento do seu modelo de gestão; e das competências e acção da Comissão Diocesana de Educação (CDE) e a sua integração na estratégia nacional para a educação pré-escolar. O caderno de orientação pedagógica Juntos pela Criança é, assim, elaborado no âmbito deste projecto, visando apoiar o desenvolvimento das competências pedagógicas de monitores e educadores da educação pré-escolar

Development, stability and in vitro permeation studies of gels containing mometasone furoate for the treatment of dermatitis of the scalp

Dermatological inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and seborrhoeic dermatitis often affect the scalp and the eyebrows. Although there are many dosage forms available, these are particularly critical anatomic regions for application of topical formulations because of the presence of hair. Lotions are therefore the recommended type of drug delivery system for these areas. The presence of hair may limit the application and thus the acceptability of the formulation and its compliance. Because of its low apparent viscosity, lotion application is unpleasant. Gels, given their consistency and adhesiveness, are a suitable alternative to lotions in this situation. The aim of this study was to formulate a stable gel containing mometasone furoate, which is an anti-inflammatory and anti-pruritic corticosteroid, in order to improve topical treatment of scalp dermatitis. In this study, pharmaceutical development, physical-chemical characterization, stability and in vitro permeation studies were performed. In terms of the pH, viscosity, assay and macroscopic and microbiological properties, the gel was stable over the period of study. The in vitro permeation studies allowed the characterization of the mometasone furoate permeation profile for the gel through different membranes. Mometasone furoate presented a slow permeation through the skin. This gel appears safe for topical application.<br>Afecções dermatológicas do tipo inflamatório como a dermatite atópica, psoríase e dermatite seborreica, afetam freqüentemente o couro cabeludo e sobrancelhas. Apesar de existirem várias formas farmacêuticas para o seu tratamento, apenas as loções são indicadas para estas zonas, mas devido à baixa viscosidade, a aplicação de loções torna-se desagradável. Os geles, pela maior consistência e capacidade de adesão, apresentam-se como alternativa nesta situação. Neste trabalho procedeu-se ao desenvolvimento galênico de um gel com furoato de mometasona, que é um potente corticóide de última geração, com um rácio melhorado de risco/benefício. Foram avaliadas as características físico-químicas, a estabilidade e foram realizados ensaios de permeação in vitro. O gel obtido apresenta características organolépticas e reológicas adequadas ao fim a que se destina tendo-se apresentado estável química, física e microbiologicamente durante o tempo do ensaio. Os estudos de permeação in vitro permitiram caracterizar a formulação através de diferentes membranas. A membrana biológica (pele) não permite uma grande permeação do fármaco o que poderá sugerir que esta formulação é segura para aplicação tópica

Determinants of HIV late presentation among men who have sex with men in Portugal (2014–2019): who’s being left behind?

IntroductionHIV late presentation (LP) remains excessive in Europe. We aimed to analyze the factors associated with late presentation in the MSM population newly diagnosed with HIV in Portugal between 2014 and 2019.MethodsWe included 391 newly HIV-1 diagnosed Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), from the BESTHOPE project, in 17 countrywide Portuguese hospitals. The data included clinical and socio-behavioral questionnaires and the viral genomic sequence obtained in the drug resistance test before starting antiretrovirals (ARVs). HIV-1 subtypes and epidemiological surveillance mutations were determined using different bioinformatics tools. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between predictor variables and late presentation (LP).ResultsThe median age was 31 years, 51% had a current income between 501–1,000 euros, 28% were migrants. 21% had never been tested for HIV before diagnosis, with 42.3% of MSM presenting LP. 60% were infected with subtype B strains. In the multivariate regression, increased age at diagnosis, higher income, lower frequency of screening, STI ever diagnosed and higher viral load were associated with LP.ConclusionOur study suggests that specific subgroups of the MSM population, such older MSM, with higher income and lower HIV testing frequency, are not being targeted by community and clinical screening services. Overall, targeted public health measures should be strengthened toward these subgroups, through strengthened primary care testing, expanded access to PrEP, information and promotion of HIV self-testing and more inclusive and accessible health services

Characterization of a large cluster of HIV-1 A1 infections detected in Portugal and connected to several Western European countries

HIV-1 subtypes associate with differences in transmission and disease progression. Thus, the existence of geographic hotspots of subtype diversity deepens the complexity of HIV-1/AIDS control. The already high subtype diversity in Portugal seems to be increasing due to infections with sub-subtype A1 virus. We performed phylogenetic analysis of 65 A1 sequences newly obtained from 14 Portuguese hospitals and 425 closely related database sequences. 80% of the A1 Portuguese isolates gathered in a main phylogenetic clade (MA1). Six transmission clusters were identified in MA1, encompassing isolates from Portugal, Spain, France, and United Kingdom. The most common transmission route identified was men who have sex with men. The origin of the MA1 was linked to Greece, with the first introduction to Portugal dating back to 1996 (95% HPD: 1993.6-1999.2). Individuals infected with MA1 virus revealed lower viral loads and higher CD4+ T-cell counts in comparison with those infected by subtype B. The expanding A1 clusters in Portugal are connected to other European countries and share a recent common ancestor with the Greek A1 outbreak. The recent expansion of this HIV-1 subtype might be related to a slower disease progression leading to a population level delay in its diagnostic.Supported by FEDER, COMPETE, and FCT by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038 and IF/00474/2014; FCT PhD scholarship PDE/BDE/113599/2015; FCT contract FCT IF/00474/2014; European Funds through grant BEST HOPE (project funded through HIVERA, grant 249697) and by FCT PTDC/DTP-EPI/7066/2014. Global Health and Tropical Medicine Center are funded through FCT (UID/Multi/04413/2013). We would like to acknowledge all the patients and health care professionals from the Portuguese hospitals that contributed in some way to this study