Characterization of high-current pulsed arcs ranging from 100--250 kA peak

In this paper, we present the laboratory study on three experimental setups that produce a free arc channel subjected to the transient phase of a lightning current waveform. This work extends the high-current pulsed arc characterization performed in previous studies for peak levels up to 100 kA. Eleven high-current waveforms with peak value ranging from 100--250 kA with different growth rates and action integrals are studied, allowing the comparison of different test benches. These waveforms correspond to standard lightning ones used in aircraft certification processes. Hydrodynamic properties such as arc channel evolution and shock-wave propagation are determined by high-speed video imaging and the background-oriented Schlieren method. The arc diameter reaches around 90mm at 50 $\mu$s for a current of 250 kA peak. Space- and time-resolved measurements of temperature, electron density and pressure are assessed by optical emission spectroscopy associated with the radiative transfer equation. It is solved across the arc column and takes into account the assumption of non-optically thin plasma at local thermodynamic equilibrium. For a 250 kA waveform, temperatures up to 43000K are found, with pressures in the order of 50 bar. The influence of current waveform parameters on the arc properties are analyzed and discussed

IR thermography for lightning-strike damage monitoring in composite materials

International audienceThe increasing tendency to substitute metallic parts of aircrafts by lighter composite structures comes with other issues. One of them is the resistance of composite materials to lightning strike. The present paper illustrates how the use of infrared thermography can improve the understanding of lightning-strike induced damage and assess its severity. It is based on an experimental campaign carried out in ONERA: several carbon/epoxy composite samples, with or without specific protection, were impacted by lightning arcs of various current levels. An infrared camera was used during and after those tests to monitor and analyze the resulting damage inside the samples

Health and Economic Burden of the 2017 Portuguese Extreme Wildland Fires on Children

Wildland fires release substantial amounts of hazardous contaminants, contributing to a decline in air quality and leading to serious health risks. Thus, this study aimed to understand the contributions of the 2017 extreme wildland fires in Portugal on children health, compared to 2016 (with burned area, in accordance with the average of the previous 15 years). The impact of long-term exposure to PM10 and NO2 concentrations, associated with wildland fires, on postneonatal mortality, bronchitis prevalence, and bronchitis symptoms in asthmatic children was estimated, as well as the associated costs. The excess health burden in children attributable to exposure to PM10 and NO2, was calculated based on WHO HRAPIE relative risks. Fire emissions were obtained from the Fire INventory from NCAR (FINN). The results obtained indicate that the smoke from wildfires negatively impacts children's lung function (PM10 exposure: increase of 320 and 648 cases of bronchitis in 2016 and 2017; NO2 exposure: 24 and 40 cases of bronchitis symptoms in asthmatic children in 2016 and 2017) and postneonatal mortality (PM10 exposure: 0.2 and 0.4 deaths in 2016 and 2017). Associated costs were increased in 2017 by around 1 million (sic) for all the evaluated health endpoints, compared to 2016

Health and economic impacts of ozone ship-related air pollution in Portugal

Air pollution is the leading cause of the global burden of disease from the environment, entailing substantial economic consequences. International shipping is a significant source of NOx, SO2, CO and PM, which contributes to the increase in O3 levels that can cause known negative health impacts. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the health impacts of ozone ship-related air pollution in Portugal in 2015. To determine the health-related effects of this sector, shipping emissions were obtained from an Automatic Identification System based emission inventory using the Ship Traffic Emission Assessment Model (STEAM). Their contributions to SOMO35 (sum of ozone daily 8-h maximum means over 35 ppb in the calendar year, expressed in ppb per day) levels in Portugal were modelled using the EMEP/MSC-W chemistry transport model (simulations with and without shipping emissions). Log-linear functions based on WHO-HRAPIE relative risks for each health endpoint (all-cause and respiratory mortality, and cardiovascular and respiratory hospital admissions) were used to estimate the attributable fractions. Then, the excess burden of disease was calculated by multiplying the attributable fractions with the baseline incidence of each health endpoint and the population at LAU2 level. Costs associated with the health impacts were estimated as the product of the excess burden of disease and its unit health cost value. Shipping emissions contributed to an increase of 21% in the number of deaths for all-cause mortality and respiratory diseases, as well as hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. A total external cost of around 180 (86-266) M€ a yr-1 was estimated for these health endpoints in 2015. These results show that O3-related air pollution from ships is a considerable problem affecting the Portuguese population. (c) 2019 WIT Pres

U-Pb e Sm-Nd em Ortognaisses Riacianos e Estaterianos nos Terrenos Rio Piranhas-Seridó e Jaguaribeano, Província Borborema, Brasil

The Portalegre shear zone separates the Rio Piranhas-Seridó and the Jaguaribeano geological terranes in the Northern Domain of the Borborema Province. Banded gneisses of the Caicó and the Jaguaretama Complexes represent the basements of these terranes. U-Pb analyses yielded ages of 2,193 ± 16 Ma for the Jaguaretama Complex, which is similar to those obtained for the Caicó Complex. T DM Sm-Nd ages for these basement complexes showed Neoarchean values (ca. 2.5 Ga), with εNd(t) values close to the CHUR composition. Elongated bodies were found intruding into the rocks of the Jaguaretama Complex. These foliated bodies with elongated phenocrysts are described as augen gneisses of the Serra do Deserto Suite. These gneisses yielded crystallization ages of 1,777 ± 8 Ma, confirming an extensional period during the Statherian, which is well represented in the Jaguaribeano Terrane by A-type plutonic rocks. Augen gneisses with similar textures, the so called Poço da Cruz Suite, are found intruding the Caicó Complex in the Rio Piranhas-Seridó terrane; however, the ages found throughout the domain are predominantly Rhyacian (ca. 2.2 Ga) and present calc-alkaline affinities. These findings indicate that the augen gneisses, which are widely distributed in these two terranes, have different signatures and are temporally well separated. Furthermore, in agreement with previous geophysical data suggesting a division of terranes marked by the Portalegre Shear Zone, it also demonstrates that even though the Caicó and the Jaguaretama Complexes have similar ages, similar structural evolution and metamorphism under similar pressure and temperature conditions, they exhibit marked differences in composition.A zona de cisalhamento Portalegre separa os terrenos geológicos Rio Piranhas-Seridó e Jaguaribeano do Domínio Setentrional da Província Borborema, com gnaisses bandados dos Complexos Caicó e Jaguaretama representando os respectivos embasamentos destes terrenos. Análises U-Pb forneceram idades de 2.193 ± 16 Ma para os ortognaisses do Complexo Jaguaretama, resultados muito similares às determinadas para o Complexo Caicó. Idades T DM Sm-Nd nesses Complexos forneceram valores neoarqueanos (ca. 2,5 Ga), com εNd(t) muito próximos ao CHUR. Intrudindo as rochas do Complexo Jaguaretama, destacam-se corpos alongados, foliados e com pórfiros estirados, denominados de Suíte Serra do Deserto. Estes forneceram idades de cristalização a 1.777 ± 8 Ma, ratificando um período extensional que ocorreu no Estateriano, bem representado no terreno Jaguaribeano por sequências vulcanossedimentares e plutônicas Tipo-A. Augen gnaisses com texturas similares, denominados de Suíte Poço da Cruz, são encontrados intrudindo o Complexo Caicó no terreno Rio Piranhas-Seridó, porém, as idades registradas por todo este domínio são predominantemente Riacianas (ca. 2,2 Ga) e de afinidades cálcio-alcalinas, indicando que estes augen gnaisses possuem diferentes assinaturas e estão bem separados no tempo. Além disso, além dos dados geofísicos prévios que sugerem esta divisão de Terrenos marcada pela Zona de Cisalhamento Portalegre, os Complexos Caicó e Jaguaretama exibem diferenças composicionais marcantes. Corpos de anfibolitos alongados e concordantes a subconcordantes com o bandamento do Complexo Caicó e importante contribuição sedimentar na constituição do Complexo Jaguaretama com importantes intercalações de mármores são algumas destas diferenças

FLIPIFC:: Resultados preliminares da utilização de um fliperama com questões do exame de classificação do IFC

Percebendo a utilização da tecnologia em diversos meios escolares, além de umrecurso utilizado na preparação para exames, a proposta deste projeto é apresentaro desenvolvimento de uma plataforma destinada à resolução de questões ao examede classificação do IFC. Sendo constituída por um jogo, criado para ser utilizado emuma máquina de fliperama, é composto através da resolução de questões dasedições anteriores do exame e busca avaliar o resultado da utilização destatecnologia dentro de uma escola de ensino fundamental, de forma que analise apossibilidade de dar continuidade ao projeto nos próximos anos em outra instituição

ANÁLISE DISCRIMINANTE E RATINGS: UMA APLICAÇÃO DO MODELO Z’’ SCORE DE ALTMAN ÀS EMPRESAS DO SETOR AEROVIÁRIO BRASILEIRO, DE 2005 A 2010

Com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia do modelo Z’’ score de Altman (2002), esse estudo buscou avaliar empiricamente o desempenho econômico-financeiro das empresas do segmento aeroviário brasileiro, de 2005 a 2010, utilizando aquela técnica de análise discriminante e a tabela de ratings Standard & Poor’s. Além de ratificar a eficácia do modelo Z’’ score aplicado ao setor alvo desse estudo, entre outros resultados, essa investigação identificou que as empresas TAM e Gol apresentaram os melhores desempenhos dentre as empresas daquele segmento, o que permitiu sua recuperação econômico-financeira, em relação à crise econômica de 2008, já em 2009. Também foi observado que 60% das empresas analisadas alcançaram um rating médio CCC+, o que traduz uma vulnerabilidade a riscos de inadimplência, sendo que um terço das empresas integrantes da amostra de pesquisa apresentavam ratings superiores ao CCC+ antes da crise de 2008. Além disso, essa investigação constatou que as variáveis externas relacionadas àquela crise influenciaram significativamente, de forma negativa, os resultados econômico-financeiros de todas as empresas aéreas analisadas nessa investigação, o que contraria os resultados de alguns estudos anteriores que afirmaram que a situação econômica doméstica é mais impactante na situação econômico-financeira das empresas do segmento aeroviário brasileiro

Asymmetric c-fos expression in the ventral orbital cortex is associated with impaired reversal learning in a right-sided neuropathy

BACKGROUND: Recently we showed that unilateral peripheral neuropathic lesions impacted differentially on rat's emotional/cognitive behavior depending on its left/right location; importantly, this observation recapitulates clinical reports. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region morphofunctionally affected in chronic pain conditions, is involved in the modulation of both emotion and executive function and displays functional lateralization. To test whether the PFC is involved in the lateralization bias associated with left/right pain, c-fos expression in medial and orbital areas was analyzed in rats with an unilateral spared nerve injury neuropathy installed in the left or in the right side after performing an attentional set-shifting, a strongly PFC-dependent task. RESULTS: SNI-R animals required more trials to successfully terminate the reversal steps of the attentional set-shifting task. A generalized increase of c-fos density in medial and orbital PFC (mPFC/OFC), irrespectively of the hemisphere, was observed in both SNI-L and SNI-R. However, individual laterality indexes revealed that contrary to controls and SNI-L, SNI-R animals presented a leftward shift in c-fos density in the ventral OFC (VO). None of these effects were observed in the neighboring primary motor area. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that chronic neuropathic pain is associated with a bilateral mPFC and OFC hyperactivation. We hypothesize that the impaired performance of SNI-R animals is associated with a left/right activity inversion in the VO, whose functional integrity is critical for reversal learning.This work was granted by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT) project PTDC/SAU-NEU/108557/2008 and grant SFRH/BPD/80118/2011

A ten-year retrospective study of the clinical, sociodemographic, and survival characteristics of patients with oral and pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas/ Estudo retrospectivo de dez anos das características clínicas, sociodemográficas e de sobrevida de pacientes com carcinomas epidermóides orais e faríngeos

Objective: This study evaluated the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, as well compared oral and pharyngeal lesions regarding the survival of these patients. Material and Methods: Convenience sampling was employed to select the participants, who had their medical records of the period 200-2009 investigated. Sociodemographic and clinical-pathological data were collected and correlated with site of the lesion, TMN classification, of the tumor, and survival of the patients. Fisher’s and Chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meir curve associated with the Long Rank Mantel-Cox test, and Cox’s regression for survival analysis were performed to evaluate the results. Results: Sixty-year-old illiterate females presented higher prevalence of oral cancer with a more severe lymphonodular infiltration, worse tumor staging, and chemo and radiotherapy treatment. Meanwhile, sixty-year-old illiterate males presented higher prevalence of pharyngeal cancer, lower rates of lymphonodular infiltration, and chirurgical treatment. The survival of the patients with oral cancer was correlated with the lymphonodular infiltration level, while for patients with pharyngeal cancer the survival was correlated with chirurgical treatment. Thus, head and neck cancer are still diagnosed belatedly, mainly when it affects the pharynx.Conclusion: Therefore, preventive and educative strategies, as well as amplification of access to health care should be considered targets for achieving reduction in the mortality rates of populations with oropharyngeal cancer