LIME: Towards a Metadata Module for Ontolex

The OntoLex W3C Community Group has been working for more than a year on realizing a proposal for a standard ontol-ogy lexicon model. As the core-specification of the model is almost com-plete, the group started development of additional modules for specific tasks and use cases. We think that in many usage scenarios (e.g. linguistic enrichment, lo-calization and alignment of ontologies) the discovery and exploitation of linguis-tically grounded datasets may benefit from summarizing information about their linguistic expressivity. While the VoID vocabulary covers the need for general metadata about linked datasets, this more specific information demands a dedicated extension. In this paper, we fill this gap by introducing LIME (Linguistic Metadata), a new vocabulary aiming at completing the OntoLex standard with specifications for linguistic metadata.

EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF A CAPPILARY TUBE SIMULATION MODEL WITH REFRIGERANT MIXTURES FLOW

This paper presents the experimental validation of a simulation model for refrigerant mixtures flow through capillary tubes. To perform such validation it was built an experimental apparatus using a blow-down process. It was carried out preliminary tests for characterization of experimental parameters: actual capillary tube diameters; relative roughness; and the heat losses in subcooling/quality control system. It was obtained almost 200 experimental points for R-407C (a zeotropic mixture) and R-410A (a near azeotropic mixture). Complete data set for each point consists of the measured pressure and temperature profiles, mass flow rate and mixture composition, as well as subcooling/quality control system inlet and outlet temperatures and heater electric power consumption for tests with two-phase flow capillary tube inlet conditions. Comparison of simulation and experimental data show a good agreement. Main deviations are connected with the delay of vaporization phenomenon occurrence, experimentally verified by the authors

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema presented with concomitant spontaneous pneumomediastinum: Moore meets Macklin

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema is an unusual complication mainly associated with general anesthesia. It is caused by excessive negative intrathoracic pressure following a deep inspiration against an acute airway obstruction. The resultant decreased intrathoracic pressure amplifies venous return to the right heart and increases pulmonary capillary wedge pressure that can be further amplified by massive sympathetic discharge due to hypoxia. The combination of increased venous return and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure favours the shift of fluid into the pulmonary interstitium with resultant pulmonary edema. Conversely, spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SP) results from alveolar rupture following an excessive positive intrathoracic pressure. The air leaks out of the alveoli and along the perivascular space toward the mediastinum. We experienced a case of negative pulmonary edema which presented in association with SP. Pneumomediastinum is probably caused by an excessive positive intrathoracic pressure for a subsequent expiration against a closed airway. In the present case, both complications resolved with conservative management

FEASIBILITY OF A BRAYTON CYCLE AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

The goal of this work is to develop a preliminary analysis on the feasibility of using an alternative automotive air conditioning system based on the Brayton cycle, to be assembled using a turbocompression-intercooling system configuration available in the market. The first step of the analysis was a thermodynamic study to define the system capacity and parameters for selecting the system components. The next step was to select from turbocompressor maps a suitable model for the application, and to determine pressures/temperatures throughout the system in order to evaluate intercooler capacity and select a suitable model available in the market. The impact of the turbocompression system was also analyzed in engine performance. The proposed turbocompression system requires 1,7 kW from the engine, which is very similar to a conventional air conditioning system requirement. In terms of weight, this preliminary analysis indicated that the proposed system is about 1,0 kg heavier than the conventional system. The analysis indicated that the alternative system is about 56% more expensive than the conventional one, but on the other hand presents a 24% lower maintenance cost . Considering the results of the preliminary analysis, the proposed system is technically feasible for application in automotive air conditioning, but requires a design optimization process in order to reduce its weight and initial costs, which might allow lower maintenance costs to payback the alternative system

Reinforcement of wood with natural fibers

This paper describes an experimental programme which examines the reinforcement in flexure of timber beams with composite materials based on natural fibers in the form of fabrics made from hemp, flax, basalt and bamboo fibers. The industrial use of natural fibers has been continuously increasing since 1990s due to their advantages in terms of production costs, pollution emissions and energy consumption for production and disposal. The technique allows the reinforcement of the intrados of beams, avoiding the dismantling of the overlying part of the structure with significant savings in terms of costs and work time. The test program consists of three phases incorporating 45 beams. The bending tests on the wooden elements made it possible to measure the increase in capacity and stiffness resulting from the composite reinforcement. This was applied to beams, creating different arrangements and using different quantities (number of layers). Despite the diversity of the various tests carried out, the results obtained in some cases showed significant increases in terms of load-carrying capacity and in deflection ductility

Diagnostic and prognostic role of liquid biopsy in non-small cell lung cancer: evaluation of circulating biomarkers

Lung cancer is still one of the main causes of cancer-related death, together with prostate and colorectal cancers in males and breast and colorectal cancers in females. The prognosis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is strictly dependent on feasibility of a complete surgical resection of the tumor at diagnosis. Since surgery is indicated only in early stages tumors, it is necessary to anticipate the timing of diagnosis in clinical practice. In the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway for NSCLC, sampling of neoplastic tissue is usually obtained using invasive methods that are not free from disadvantages and complications. A valid alternative to the standard biopsy is the liquid biopsy (LB), that is, the analysis of samples from peripheral blood, urine, and other biological fluids, with a simple and non-invasive collection. In particular, it is possible to detect in the blood different tumor derivatives, such as cell-free DNA (cfDNA) with its subtype circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), cell-free RNA (cfRNA), and circulating tumor cells (CTCs). Plasma-based testing seems to have several advantages over tumor tissue biopsy; firstly, it reduces medical costs, risk of complications related to invasive procedures, and turnaround times; moreover, the analysis of genes alteration, such as EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF is faster and safer with this method, compared to tissue biopsy. Despite all these advantages, the evidences in literatures indicate that assays performed on liquid biopsies have a low sensitivity, making them unsuitable for screening in lung cancer at the current state. This is caused by lack of standardization in sampling and preparation of specimen and by the low concentration of biomarkers in the bloodstream. Instead, routinely use of LB should be preferred in revaluation of patients with advanced NSCLC resistant to chemotherapy, due to onset of new mutations

Atributos agronômicos do milho sob diferentes manejos de solo e sucessões de cultura no Sudoeste Amazônico.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a produtividade e outros atributos agronômicos da cultura do milho sob sistemas de sucessão de culturas e diferentes manejos de solo na região sudoeste da Amazônia; o experimento foi instalado em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, na fazenda experimental da Universidade Federal de Rondônia - UNIR.Organizado por: Henrique Nery Cipriani; Alaerto Luiz Marcolan; Fernando Machado Pfeifer: Alexandre Martins Abdão dos Passos; Marcelo Curitiba Espíndula; Angelo Mansur Mendes

A comparative analysis of Pancoast tumour resection performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery versus standard open approaches

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present paper was to conduct a comparative analysis of outcomes after thoracoscopic resection versus standard thoracotomy approach in the treatment of Pancoast tumours. METHODS: All consecutive patients with Pancoast tumours undergoing surgical treatment from March 2000 to November 2012 were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether a thoracoscopic or standard thoracotomy approach was adopted. In addition to morbidity and mortality, (i) intensity of pain; (ii) respiratory function focusing on the postoperative value and its variation with respect to the predicted value (Delta); (iii) analgesic consumption at different times during the postoperative course; and (iiii) survival rate were recorded in both groups and the inter-group differences were statistically compared. RESULTS: Of the 45 enrolled patients, 34 (75%) were included in the final analysis (18 in the thoracoscopic group and 16 in the standard group). Eleven (25%) patients were excluded because they (i) were unfit for surgery after induction therapy (n = 4); (ii) refused the operation (n = 1) or (iii) had unexpected pleural involvement (n = 6). Compared with the standard group, in the thoracoscopic group we observed less pain (P = 0.01), better recovery of forced vital capacity (P = 0.01) and forced expiratory value in 1 s (P < 0.001), and a reduction in opioid (P = 0.01) and analgesic consumption (P = 0.02). The median survival for all patients was 15 months. Patients with N0/N1 disease had better median survival than N2 patients (47 vs 9 months; P = 0.009). One local recurrence in the standard group was observed 1 year after operation, whereas 2 local recurrences, 1 in the thoracoscopic group and another in the standard group, were registered 2 years after the operation (P = 1.0). Finally, 4 (22%) extrathoracic metastases in the thoracoscopic group and 5 (31%) in the standard group (P = 0.8) were found over the 2 years following the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: In the management of Pancoast tumours, a thoracoscopic approach is safe and may be an effective adjunct to standard surgical resection in selected cases. Such an approach enabled surgeons to explore the pleural cavity and avoid exploratory thoracotomy in cases of unexpected pleural involvement

Sistemas de manejo do solo e sucessão de culturas sobre os atributos agronômicos da cultura de soja (Glycine max) no Sudoeste Amazônico.

Nesta pesquisa buscou-se avaliar os atributos agronômicos da cultura da soja implantada sob sistemas de sucessão de culturas e diferentes manejos de solo na região sudoeste da Amazônia. O experimento foi instalado em um Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, na fazenda experimental da Universidade Federal de Rondônia - UNIR.Organizado por: Henrique Nery Cipriani; Alaerto Luiz Marcolan; Fernando Machado Pfeifer: Alexandre Martins Abdão dos Passos; Marcelo Curitiba Espíndula; Angelo Mansur Mendes

Avaliação de carbono do solo sob diferentes sistemas de preparo do solo e rotação de culturas.

A crescente preocupação da sociedade com a degradação do ambiente e a utilização racional da água e do solo, nos leva a buscar manejos adequados visando obter qualidade dos mesmos. Os estoques de carbono (C) são entendidos como básicos nas questões relativas às mudanças. Dessa forma, seu estudo representa grande importância em sistemas de manejo do solo, uma vez que influencia na dinâmica dos nutrientes e na fertilidade do solo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar os teores de carbono do solo, em função de diferentes sistemas de preparo (PRT - preparo tradicional: uma operação com grade aradora e mais duas com grade niveladora; PRA - preparo alternativo: uma operação de subsolagem e uma com grade niveladora; PDA - plantio direto com um preparo alternativo a cada quatro anos e PDC ? plantio direto contínuo), submetido a diferentes combinações de culturas implantadas (SF: soja ? feijão; MF: milho ? feijão; SM: soja ? e milho e MM: milho ? milho). O experimento foi instalado em um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO-AMARELO com parcelas medindo 4,8 X 12 m em delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições, onde as avaliações de C foram realizadas em setembro de 2010 e fevereiro de 2011, pela oxidação dos compostos orgânicos do solo, por dicromato em meio ácido, segundo metodologia descrita em Tedesco et. al (1995). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística, onde observou significância para os preparos do solo e as profundidades, onde os preparos conservacionistas ainda não se mostram superiores aos convencionais. Quanto às profundidades, teores de C foram observados com maior frequência nas camadas superficiais de 0-10 cm