A New Method for the Improvement of Data

Introduction – The use of the average analytical signal for the construction of curves by the least squares method (LSM) over the standard addition method (SAM) is widespread. It would be advantageous, however, to fi nd a way to avoid intermediary averages, which are known to be the cause of signifi cant increases in standard deviations (SD). Objective – To develop a protocol that uses all gathered data to create curves by LSM over SAM. To use Excel® for the estimation of y = mx + b and R2 rather than using LSM equations for the SD of m, x and b. Methodology – The level of lead (II) in the bark (cork) of Quercus suber Linnaeus was determined using diff erential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV). Three current samples were taken for each of the four standard additions. These signals were combined for adjustment by LSM. The results were compared with those obtained after averaging the current for each addition, and the expression of uncertainty in the measurements determined. Results – The new method shows an expanded uncertainty of ± 0.3321 μg/g (nearly 1.42%). The diff erence between the results obtained by the new and the old method is 0.01 μg/g (23.41 and 23.40 μg/g). The limit of detection changed approximately from 4.8 to 4 μg/g and the relative SD approximately from 9 to 6%. Conclusion – The absence of intermediary averages in curves improved the determination of lead (II) in cork by DPASV. Estimation of SD only with LSM equations produced results that were signifi cantly worse. The changes are large enough to transform an apparently internally non-validated procedure (repeatability for precision) into an internally validated procedure

Electroanalysis of Heavy Metals in the Cork of Quercus Suber

This will enable Pb(II) determination optimisation, regarding environmental aspects of the perpetuation of Quercus suber Montado (similar to Forest). It will also allow a more profound toxicological quality control of corks (barks). These two last referred aspects are very related ones, once accepted that the more advanced could the certification of the quality patterns of corks (barks) be, more will be the sustainability of Quercus suber ecosystem. Which we believe can be done, amongst other vectors, by studying such an important environmental issue as heavy metals. It is shown that Pb(II) quantification in the cork (bark) of Quercus suber tree (Cork Oak) is possible, using Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV). The samples digestion was made in a mixture of H2O2 and HNO3 1:8, in a closed recipient at approximately 90 ºC. The measures were made in NaCl 0.1 M, using a Hanging Mercury Drop Electrode, a Glassy-Carbon Rod Counter Electrode, and an Ag/AgCl/KCl 3M reference electrode, after a 180 s deposition step. The results have shown the determination of a coherent stripping potential of -0.405 V (SD=0.0005 V), and a fine linear adjustment after the standard addition method (R2 = 0.997). They have also revealed the interest of further studies. The need to test other electroanalysis requisites was understood, and imposed by the proof of the complex nature of the matrix

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CORK (BARK) OF QUERCUS SUBER IN THE

The recent absence of Lead element as catalyst in internal explosion motors, being an extremely important action for the stop of this environmental aggression, has no effect in the minimization of the harm this element does in the positions where its deposition now lays. The impact of the ubiquity of pollution, in this case Lead pollution, needs to have monitoring tools. The greatest of the tools one can have is the analysis of the content of a strong indicator. One that stands for a long time in one place, for which it is able to receive the marks of the analyte passage. Quercus suber (Cork Oak) tree is such a case. Having a life expectation ranging from 200 to 500 years (depending on the cork extraction intensity) and with a capability of regeneration of its cork coverture, it concentrates the amounts of Lead, with which it had contacted through its life, in successive layers, corresponding, the larger ones, to the high temperatures season, and the thinner ones to the low temperatures season. So, the analysis of the content of the element in a layer of cork with a given amount of years in the tree, will be a good estimator of how the content of Lead as evolved in the area. And a correct distribution of sampling trees will show much more about a greater area. The possibility of choosing years by choosing layers of cork, and the fact that the sampling will not harm the tree, if properly done, make this procedure a novel and powerful tool in the monitorization of the dispersion of heavy metals in areas populated by Quercus suber, as it is the case of big areas in Portugal, the great of the greatest in everything related with this tree, namely economically, and, in general, in the area of the Mediterranean basin. This paper announces how the electroanalytical determination of Pb(II) by Differential Pulse Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (DPASV), recently done in the Department of Chemistry of the University of Évora, already accepted for publication in Portugaliae Electrochimica Acta, has proven to allow a deeper insight into the previously discussed problematic

CoopDynSim : a 3D robotics simulator

This paper presents CoopDynSim, a multi-robot 3D simulator. The main motivations for the development of a new simulation software lie in the need to emulate specific, custom made sensors, combined with the desire to smoothly transfer controller code from simulation to real implementation. The latter is achieved through the use of the same middleware layer already implemented in the real platforms. The high modularity of the solution allows the user to easily add new components or design new platforms. By having independent simulation threads for each robot, distributed control algorithms can easily be tested, abetted by a socket based connection, granting the possibility for an asynchronous, over the network, controller architecture. The ability to run simulations in real or simulated time, as well as a play back option, represent valuable features of the software. The simulator has been used in several projects, with different platforms and distinct control applications, proving it as a heterogeneous and flexible solution. Furthermore, its usage as a teaching tool in a robotics’ summer school as well as in an introductory robotics class in our university, upholds its simplicity and user-friendliness.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - ref. SFRH/BD/38885/200

Competitive biosorption of ortho-cresol, phenol, chlorophenol and chromium(VI) from aqueous solution by a bacterial biofilm supported on granular activated carbon

A biofilm of Arthrobacter viscosus supported on granular activated carbon was used to remove chromium and organic compounds (chlorophenol, phenol and o-cresol) from aqueous solutions. The compounds were studied as single solutes and in different combinations between them and Cr(VI). Optimum Cr(VI) adsorption was observed at a phenol concentration of 100 mg/l and at an initial concentration of the metal of 60 mg/l. The maximum values of biosorption of organic compounds were 9.94 mg/g for phenol, 9.70 mg/g for chlorophenol and 13.99 mg/g for o-cresol. In terms of removal percentage, after 15 h of experiment, the affinity order was as follows: phenol > chlorophenol > o-cresol > chromium(VI).Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT

Multi-robot cognitive formations

In this paper, we show how a team of autonomous mobile robots, which drive in formation, can be endowed with basic cognitive capabilities. The formation control relies on the leader-follower strategy, with three main pair-wise con-figurations: column, line and oblique. Furthermore, non-linear attractor dynamics are used to generate basic robotic behaviors (i.e. follow-the-leader and avoid obstacles). The control archi-tecture of each follower integrates a representation of the leader (target) direction, which supports leader detection, selection between multiple leaders (decision) and temporary estimation of leader direction (short-term memory during occlusion and prediction). Formalized as a dynamic neural field, this additional layer is smoothly integrated with the motor movement control system. Experiments conducted in our 3D simulation software, as well as results from the implementation in middle size robotic platforms, show the ability for the team to navigate, whilst keeping formation, through unknown and unstructured environments and is robust against ambiguous and temporarily absent sensory information.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674Fundos FEDER - Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade - COMPET

Arrowhead - Eventhandler System

The following document is the final report regarding PESTI – Internship Project of the Informatics Degree in Computer Science of ISEP. The Eventhandler project is englobed in the European Project Arrowhead. This framework allows the development of collaborative applications between several devices also known as Internet of Things or IoT. Its base foundation lies on the SOA architecture and currently offers services such as: Service Discovery, Authentication, Orchestration, Authorization and others. Each of which will be described in this document. Using the Eventhandler as an Arrowhead platform, Event Producer applications are able to register any kind of event such as: a temperature provided by sensor, warnings, errors, connection failures, etc. All this information must be stored in a database, local file or the Historian service provided by the Arrowhead Framework. Event Consumers can subscribe to the Eventhandler using a filter. Therefore, being able to receive in real time incoming events or access them through the permanent storage referred above. Besides implementing the Eventhandler locally, the main objective of this project is to also integrated this system within the Arrowhead cloud.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ineficacy of portable device accutrend plus in equine internal medicine

Comparou-se nesse estudo a determinação de quatro constituintes sanguíneos (glicose, lactato, triglicérides e colesterol), entre um aparelho portátil e métodos laboratoriais convencionais. Foram analisados o sangue de 20 equinos (11 machos e 9 fêmeas), de diversas raças com idades variando entre 8 +-5 anos e peso corpóreo de 327,60 +-64,02 Kg. Após exame clínico completo de cada animal realizou-se punção da veia jugular externa para coleta de amostra sanguínea, de maneira que a mesma amostra, foi utilizada para determinação no aparelho portátil e no laboratório. Na comparação entre as metodologias, em relação a glicose, não foi notada diferença entre as médias (teste T de Student), a correlação de Pearson revelou-se fraca e não houve concordância segundo o método de Bland-Altman. Para o lactato também não se observou concordância entre os dois métodos. Quanto aos triglicérides e colesterol foi possível apenas a análise descritiva dos resultados, devido as concentrações dos padrões fisiológicos de equinos em repouso, se apresentarem inferiores ao intervalo de leitura do aparelho portátil. Este trabalho demonstrou que o uso do referido aparelho para determinação de glicose, lactato, triglícerides e colesterol não é adequado na clínica médica equina. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTFour blood components (glucose, lactate, triglycerides and cholesterol) were determined and compared using a portable device (Accutrend® Plus, ROCHE) and laboratory methods. Blood samples from 20 horses were analyzed (11 geldings and 9 mares, from various breeds with age and weight varying between 8 +- 5 years and 327,60 +-64,02 Kg, respectively. After complete clinical examination, blood was withdrawn through venipunction of the external jugular and these samples were analyzed using a portable device and compared to laboratory results. Statistical analysis were used to compare both methodologies. The results showed that glucose data were not different with a weak Pearson.s correlation and no agreement according to Bland.Altman method. The results obtained for lactate according to both methods were also not in agreement. Triglycerides and cholesterol data could not be compared due to the fact that reference values for resting horses lie below the reading range of the portable device. The present study showed that the use of Accutrend® Plus to determine glucose, lactate, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels , is not adequate in equine internal medicine