Walking Quadrupedal Platform

The goal of this project was to continue developing a functioning quadrupedal platform for the WPI robotics department. The quadruped is a forty-pound robot with four independently moving legs built by a previous MQP. This project consists of testing and implementing motion control systems. The primary goal of the project was to ensure that the robot quadrupedal chassis built by a previous MQP could move stably and intelligently so that it can be useful for future projects. Three main motion gaits were studied, a crawl gait, a walking gait, and a turning gait. The project implemented stable motion for the three gaits mentioned. In addition, the team also made significant system design improvements in the structure, electrical circuit, and code

Qualidade de sementes de grão-de-bico variedade Jamu 96 nas etapas do beneficiamento

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, Curso de Agronomia, 2021.O grão-de-bico (Cicer arietinum L.), é uma das primeiras leguminosas de grão domesticadas pelo homem e atualmente a segunda leguminosa mais consumida no mundo. Espécie de alto valor nutritivo, vem se disseminando em vários continentes devido a sua rusticidade. No Brasil, o cultivo do grão-de-bico no Cerrado tem se mostrado promissor, e para extrair ao máximo o potencial produtivo, as sementes devem apresentar elevada qualidade e um conjunto de fatores deve receber atenção no processo de produção e beneficiamento. Dessa forma, esse trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do beneficiamento na qualidade física e fisiológica de sementes de grão-de-bico variedade Jamu 96. Foram coletadas amostras de sementes de grão-de-bico variedade Jamu 96, na moega e após a passagem das sementes nos equipamentos: máquinas de ventilador e peneiras, mesa densimétrica e máquina classificadora. Foi determinado o teor de água e feitas as análises: pureza física, peso de mil sementes, teste de germinação em papel, comprimento radicular e da parte aérea, teste de emergência de plântulas em areia e teste de tetrazólio. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Os dados foram submetidos a análise de variância e comparados pelo teste de Scott-Knott, a 5% de probabilidade. O beneficiamento eleva a qualidade física e fisiológica das sementes de grão-de-bico. A qualidade fisiológica do lote de sementes foi melhorada principalmente na mesa densimétrica e máquina classificadora, ao separar as sementes por peso específico e por diâmetro. Há relação direta entre o peso específico e a qualidade fisiológica das sementes. Esse modelo de beneficiamento necessita de ajustes devido à ocorrência de sementes de outras espécies na máquina classificadora. Dentro do conjunto de fatores que levam ao descarte das peneiras 6,0 e 7,0 mm, destaca-se a presença de sementes de outras culturas. As peneiras mais adequadas em função da qualidade de sementes de grão-de-bico são 8,0 e 8,5 mm.Chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L.), is one of the first grain legumes domesticated by man and currently the second most consumed legume in the world. A species of high nutritional value, it has been spreading in several continents due to its rusticity. In Brazil, the cultivation of chickpeas in the Cerrado has proved to be promising, and to extract the maximum productive potential, the seeds must have high quality and a set of factors must receive attention in the production and processing process. Thus this work aims to evaluate the effects of beneficiation on the physical and physiological quality of chickpea seeds. Samples of chickpea seeds variety Jamu 96 were collected at the hopper and after the passage of the seeds in the equipment: fan machines and sieves, densimetric table and sorting machine. Analyzes of water content, physical purity, weight of a thousand seeds, germination test on paper, root and shoot length, seedling emergency test in sand and tetrazolium test. A completely randomized design was used. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and compared using the Scott-Knott test, at 5% probability. Processing improves the physiological and physiological quality of chickpea seeds. The physiological quality of the chickpea seed lot was improved mainly in the densimetric table and grading machine, by separating the seeds by specific weight and diameter. There is a direct relationship between specific weight and physiological quality of chickpea seeds. This beneficiation model needs adjustments due to the high occurrence of seeds of other species in the classifying machine. Within the set of factors that lead to the disposal of 6.0 and 7.0 mm sieves, the presence of seeds from other cultures stands out. The most suitable sieves depending on the quality of chickpea seeds are 8.0 and 8.5 mm

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of doctors and nurses of Family Health Strategy towards the bilateral relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases, Anápolis, GO

Introduction: It has been reported that diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease present a two-way association. Accordingly, it is important to disclose this relationship, as well as to performpreventive actions for individuals with diabetes, sensitizing them to become responsible for their health and main agents in changes their habits, aiming at mitigating the damage from this interaction. The health team from primary health care is responsible for suchaction, acting on the systematization of the assistance and service organization, aiming at the integral assistance and resolution. Objective: To analyze the knowledge of doctors and nurses on the two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus and the assistance provided to the health of individuals with diabetes. Material and methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study, from January to June 2016, with a sample of 85 doctors and nurses, ofboth genders, aged between 22 and 34 years, from the family health strategy of the city of Anápolis-GO, all health units were covered in the study. Socio-demographic data and knowledge of the bilateral relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. For the data analysis, group comparison tests (Chi-square) were used. Results: 85 professionals participated in the study (response rate of 82.5%). The professionals have knowledge of the periodontal disease, but little knowledge regarding the relationship between this and the diabetes mellitus. The professional neither have the habit to check changes in the mouth, nor reffer the individuals with diabetics to the dentist. Conclusion: The data indicate deficiencies in the knowledge of the professionals on the bilateral relationship between the diseases and demonstrate the absence of important approaches for a comprehensive care to individuals with diabetes.Introduction: It has been reported that diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease present a two-way association. Accordingly, it is important to disclose this relationship, as well as to performpreventive actions for individuals with diabetes, sensitizing them to become responsible for their health and main agents in changes their habits, aiming at mitigating the damage from this interaction. The health team from primary health care is responsible for suchaction, acting on the systematization of the assistance and service organization, aiming at the integral assistance and resolution. Objective: To analyze the knowledge of doctors and nurses on the two-way relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus and the assistance provided to the health of individuals with diabetes. Material and methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study, from January to June 2016, with a sample of 85 doctors and nurses, ofboth genders, aged between 22 and 34 years, from the family health strategy of the city of Anápolis-GO, all health units were covered in the study. Socio-demographic data and knowledge of the bilateral relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. For the data analysis, group comparison tests (Chi-square) were used. Results: 85 professionals participated in the study (response rate of 82.5%). The professionals have knowledge of the periodontal disease, but little knowledge regarding the relationship between this and the diabetes mellitus. The professional neither have the habit to check changes in the mouth, nor reffer the individuals with diabetics to the dentist. Conclusion: The data indicate deficiencies in the knowledge of the professionals on the bilateral relationship between the diseases and demonstrate the absence of important approaches for a comprehensive care to individuals with diabetes

A Filmless Radiology Department in a Full Digital Regional Hospital: Quantitative Evaluation of the Increased Quality and Efficiency

Reggio Emilia hospital installed Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) as the final step towards a completely digital clinical environment completing the HIS/EMR and 1,400 web/terminals for patient information access. Financial benefits throughout the hospital were assessed upfront and measured periodically. Key indicators (radiology exam turnaround time, number of radiology procedures performed, inpatients length of stay before and after the PACS implementation, etc.) were analyzed and values were statistically tested to assess workflow and productivity improvements. The hospital went “filmless” in 28 weeks. Between the half of 2004 and the respective period in 2003, overall Radiology Department productivity increased by 12%, TAT improved by more than 60%. Timelier patient care resulted in decreased lengths of stay. Neurology alone experienced a 12% improvement in average patient stay. To quantify the impact of PACS on the average hospital stays and the expected productivity benefits to inpatient productivity were used a “high level” and a “detailed” business model. Annual financial upsides have exceeded $1.9 millions/year. A well-planned PACS deployment simplifies imaging workflow and improves patient care throughout the hospital while delivering substantial financial benefits. Staff buy-in was the key in this process and on-going training and process monitoring are a must

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands (Coleoptera)

The Bostrichidae of the Maltese Islands are reviewed. Ten species are recorded with certainty from this Archipelago, of which 6 namely, Trogoxylon impressum (Comolli, 1837), Amphicerus bimaculatus (A.G. Olivier, 1790), Heterobostrychus aequalis (Waterhouse, 1884), Sinoxylon unidentatum (Fabricius, 1801), Xyloperthella picea (A.G. Olivier, 1790) and Apate monachus Fabricius, 1775 are recorded for the first time. Two of the mentioned species (H. aequalis and S. unidentatum) are alien and recorded only on the basis of single captures and the possible establishment of these species is discussed. Earlier records of Scobicia pustulata (Fabricius, 1801) from Malta are incorrect and should be attributed to S. chevrieri (A. Villa & J.B. Villa, 1835). A zoogeographical analysis and an updated checklist of the 12 species of Bostrichidae recorded from the Maltese Islands and neighbouring Sicilian islands (Pantelleria, Linosa and Lampedusa) are also provided. Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 from Uttarakhand (northern India) was overlooked by almost all subsequent authors. Its history is summarized and the following new synonymy is established: Rhizopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792) form granulipennis Lesne in Beeson & Bhatia, 1937 = Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius, 1792), syn. n. Finally, records of Amphicerus bimaculatus from Azerbaijan, of Bostrichus capucinus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Jordan and Syria, of Scobicia chevrieri from Jordan and Italy, of Xyloperthella picea from Italy, and of Apate monachus from Corsica (France) and Italy, are also provided.peer-reviewe

Systems microscopy approaches to understand cancer cell migration and metastasis

Cell migration is essential in a number of processes, including wound healing, angiogenesis and cancer metastasis. Especially, invasion of cancer cells in the surrounding tissue is a crucial step that requires increased cell motility. Cell migration is a well-orchestrated process that involves the continuous formation and disassembly of matrix adhesions. Those structural anchor points interact with the extra-cellular matrix and also participate in adhesion-dependent signalling. Although these processes are essential for cancer metastasis, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate adhesion dynamics during tumour cell migration. In this review, we provide an overview of recent advanced imaging strategies together with quantitative image analysis that can be implemented to understand the dynamics of matrix adhesions and its molecular components in relation to tumour cell migration. This dynamic cell imaging together with multiparametric image analysis will help in understanding the molecular mechanisms that define cancer cell migration

Why Are Outcomes Different for Registry Patients Enrolled Prospectively and Retrospectively? Insights from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF).

Background: Retrospective and prospective observational studies are designed to reflect real-world evidence on clinical practice, but can yield conflicting results. The GARFIELD-AF Registry includes both methods of enrolment and allows analysis of differences in patient characteristics and outcomes that may result. Methods and Results: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and ≥1 risk factor for stroke at diagnosis of AF were recruited either retrospectively (n = 5069) or prospectively (n = 5501) from 19 countries and then followed prospectively. The retrospectively enrolled cohort comprised patients with established AF (for a least 6, and up to 24 months before enrolment), who were identified retrospectively (and baseline and partial follow-up data were collected from the emedical records) and then followed prospectively between 0-18 months (such that the total time of follow-up was 24 months; data collection Dec-2009 and Oct-2010). In the prospectively enrolled cohort, patients with newly diagnosed AF (≤6 weeks after diagnosis) were recruited between Mar-2010 and Oct-2011 and were followed for 24 months after enrolment. Differences between the cohorts were observed in clinical characteristics, including type of AF, stroke prevention strategies, and event rates. More patients in the retrospectively identified cohort received vitamin K antagonists (62.1% vs. 53.2%) and fewer received non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (1.8% vs . 4.2%). All-cause mortality rates per 100 person-years during the prospective follow-up (starting the first study visit up to 1 year) were significantly lower in the retrospective than prospectively identified cohort (3.04 [95% CI 2.51 to 3.67] vs . 4.05 [95% CI 3.53 to 4.63]; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Interpretations of data from registries that aim to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of patients with AF must take account of differences in registry design and the impact of recall bias and survivorship bias that is incurred with retrospective enrolment. Clinical Trial Registration: - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier for GARFIELD-AF (NCT01090362)