Solar Images Processing in Parallel Environment

This paper presents the PVA-BDA project (Processing, Visualization and Analysis in ParallelEnvironment of the BDA Data) that has been developed for processing of solar images that will be captured bythe BDA (Brazilian Decimetric Array), a radio telescope under development at the National Institute for SpaceResearch (INPE). In a joint effort between the Department of Computer Science at Federal University of SãoCarlos (DC/UFSCar), the Astrophysics Division (DAS) and Associated Laboratory for Computing and AppliedMathematics (LAC) at INPE, a high performance parallel system is being developed with capacity to supportrealistic applications, involving a reasonable amount of parallel processing, in order to carry out the processing,visualization and analysis of solar images captured by BDA, in real time. The aim is to create the conditions forstarting a study of the solar weather forecast. The forecast of solar explosions are important as they may causeserious perturbations in terrestrial communication systems. An application for 3D reconstruction of X-raytomographic images of the solar atmosphere was developed at DC/UFSCar. Due to the need for the 3Dreconstruction of solar magnetic structures, in real-time, this application was implemented to execute in a parallelmachine using DSPs

Observational study on efficacy of negative expiratory pressure test proposed as screening for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among commercial interstate bus drivers - protocol study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a respiratory disease characterized by the collapse of the extrathoracic airway and has important social implications related to accidents and cardiovascular risk. The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether the drop in expiratory flow and the volume expired in 0.2 s during the application of negative expiratory pressure (NEP) are associated with the presence and severity of OSA in a population of professional interstate bus drivers who travel medium and long distances.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>An observational, analytic study will be carried out involving adult male subjects of an interstate bus company. Those who agree to participate will undergo a detailed patient history, physical examination involving determination of blood pressure, anthropometric data, circumference measurements (hips, waist and neck), tonsils and Mallampati index. Moreover, specific questionnaires addressing sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness will be administered. Data acquisition will be completely anonymous. Following the medical examination, the participants will perform a spirometry, NEP test and standard overnight polysomnography. The NEP test is performed through the administration of negative pressure at the mouth during expiration. This is a practical test performed while awake and requires little cooperation from the subject. In the absence of expiratory flow limitation, the increase in the pressure gradient between the alveoli and open upper airway caused by NEP results in an increase in expiratory flow.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Despite the abundance of scientific evidence, OSA is still underdiagnosed in the general population. In addition, diagnostic procedures are expensive, and predictive criteria are still unsatisfactory. Because increased upper airway collapsibility is one of the main determinants of OSA, the response to the application of NEP could be a predictor of this disorder. With the enrollment of this study protocol, the expectation is to encounter predictive NEP values for different degrees of OSA in order to contribute toward an early diagnosis of this condition and reduce its impact and complications among commercial interstate bus drivers.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p><it>Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clinicos </it>(local acronym RBEC) [Internet]: Rio de Janeiro (RJ): <it>Instituto de Informaçao Cientifica e Tecnologica em Saude </it>(Brazil); 2010 - Identifier RBR-7dq5xx. Cross-sectional study on efficacy of negative expiratory pressure test proposed as screening for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome among commercial interstate bus drivers; 2011 May 31 [7 pages]. Available from <url>http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-7dq5xx/</url>.</p

Visual Environment for High Performance Real-Time 3D Reconstruction

We are carrying out a development of a whole system for processing solar images in a high performance parallel system. The main objective is to create the initial conditions for studying and forecasting the solar explosions in real time. Due to the high computational costs involved in the processing, visualization and analysis of a great amount of solar images, a high performance computer system becomes necessary to carry out the forecast of solar explosions. As a joint effort between the Department of Computer Science at Federal University of So Carlos (UFSCar), the Astrophysics Division (DAS) and Associated Laboratory for Computing and Applied Mathematics (LAC) at National Institute for Space Research -- INPE, a high performance parallel system was developed with capacity to support realistic applications, involving a reasonable amount of parallel processing. The forecast of solar explosions is important as they may cause serious perturbations in terrestrial communication systems. A significant limitation for the development of parallel real-time systems is the lack of adequate programming tools, mainly for supporting the final stages of the development life cycle. This work presents a development environment, called Visual Environment for the Development of Parallel Real-Time Programs, that supports the design and implementation of parallel real-time applications executed with the support of a parallel kernel. This paper shows how this Environment was used to carry out the 3D Reconstruction of Solar Images

The vegetative development of Sinningia leucotricha Hoehne (Moore) under different levels of shading

This work aimed at the assessment of the influence of different levels of shading in the development of (Sinningia leucotricha Hoehne (Moore). Tuberous roots of 2.3 ± 0.3 cm in diameter were used as vegetative material. The cultivation was performed in plastic vases and gross sand as substrate, and conditioned in sheltered nurseries protected by black polypropylene nets in the followings percentages: 0% (under full sunlight), 50, 60, and 70%. Sheltered nurseries with 60 or 70% of shading presented the highest vegetative development for Brazilian edelweiss. The cultivation of this species under full sunlight is not recommended.<br>A rainha-do-abismo (Sinningia leucotricha Hoehne (Moore) é uma planta nativa do Estado do Paraná, se destaca pela beleza de suas folhas de aspecto prateado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes níveis de sombreamento no desenvolvimento de plantas de rainha-do-abismo. Para o experimento foram utilizadas como material vegetativo raízes tuberosas com 2,3 ± 0,3 cm de diâmetro. O cultivo foi realizado em vasos plásticos e areia grossa como substrato, que foram acondicionados em viveiros protegidos com tela de polipropileno de coloração preta, nas seguintes porcentagens: 0% (a pleno sol) 50%, 60% e 70%. Viveiros protegidos com 60% ou 70% de sombreamento foram os que proporcionaram maior desenvolvimento vegetativo de rainha-do-abismo. O cultivo desta espécie a pleno sol não é recomendado