Characterisation of a new Laser Guide Star Wavefront Sensor

openAdaptive Optics (AO) is a technology that improves the resolution of large telescopes by correcting aberrations introduced by the Earth’s atmosphere, enabling them to capture sharper astronomical images. Traditional AO relies on bright natural stars close to the science target for reference, limiting its use to specific areas of the sky. To overcome this limitation, scientists introduced the concept of Laser Guide Stars (LGS), such as sodium LGS. These artificial stars are created using lasers fired from the telescope position to excite the atomic sodium atmospheric layer, creating an elongated source in the sky. This unique nature of sodium LGS presented challenges for existing wavefront sensors used in AO systems. This thesis focuses on the Ingot Wavefront Sensor (I-WFS), a novel concept initially proposed by Ragazzoni and refined by the Adaptive Optics Group at the INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova. The I-WFS is designed to address the challenges posed by Sodium LGS and other LGS. It leverages the Scheimpflug principle to sense the full 3D volume of the elongated LGS. This innovative sensor is suitable for use in large telescopes. Currently it is designed to match the specifications of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). My work has included the development of advanced algorithms for manipulating the LGS source on a screen, improving alignment procedures, and correcting systematic errors. I have also implemented a quasi closed-loop algorithm for autonomous monitoring and realignment. Ongoing research includes the development of a search algorithm and the integration of real sodium profiles using a new OLED screen. Our ultimate goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the I-WFS’s performance and its potential implementation in future Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) equipped with AO.Adaptive Optics (AO) is a technology that improves the resolution of large telescopes by correcting aberrations introduced by the Earth’s atmosphere, enabling them to capture sharper astronomical images. Traditional AO relies on bright natural stars close to the science target for reference, limiting its use to specific areas of the sky. To overcome this limitation, scientists introduced the concept of Laser Guide Stars (LGS), such as sodium LGS. These artificial stars are created using lasers fired from the telescope position to excite the atomic sodium atmospheric layer, creating an elongated source in the sky. This unique nature of sodium LGS presented challenges for existing wavefront sensors used in AO systems. This thesis focuses on the Ingot Wavefront Sensor (I-WFS), a novel concept initially proposed by Ragazzoni and refined by the Adaptive Optics Group at the INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova. The I-WFS is designed to address the challenges posed by Sodium LGS and other LGS. It leverages the Scheimpflug principle to sense the full 3D volume of the elongated LGS. This innovative sensor is suitable for use in large telescopes. Currently it is designed to match the specifications of the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT). My work has included the development of advanced algorithms for manipulating the LGS source on a screen, improving alignment procedures, and correcting systematic errors. I have also implemented a quasi closed-loop algorithm for autonomous monitoring and realignment. Ongoing research includes the development of a search algorithm and the integration of real sodium profiles using a new OLED screen. Our ultimate goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the I-WFS’s performance and its potential implementation in future Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) equipped with AO

As cesarianas em Portugal continental: fatores explicativos

Mestrado em EconomiaEste trabalho analisa a indução da procura por parte dos médicos obstetras/ ginecologistas e os fatores explicativos das cesarianas em Portugal Continental. Com base em dados do INE agregados em NUTS II, para o período de 2002 a 2010. Estimou-se um modelo Binomial Negativo para Dados em Painel. Concluímos que as mães com idade entre os 20-34 anos, as mães empregadas e desempregadas ou inativas, e o número de médicos obstetras/ ginecologistas tendem a afetar de forma positiva e significativa a taxa de cesarianas em Portugal Continental.This study examines the induction of demand by obstetricians/ gynecologists and explanatory factors for cesarean section in Portugal. Based on INE data aggregated at NUTS II, for the period 2002 to 2010. Estimated a Negative Binomial model for Panel Data. We conclude that the mothers aged 20-34 years, mothers employed and unemployed or inactive, and the number of obstetricians/ gynecologists tend to affect positively and significantly the rate of cesarean delivery in Portugal

Inability to decarboxylate lysine as a presumptive marker to identify shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains of serogroup 0111

Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilInst Adolfo Lutz Registro, Secao Bacteriol, BR-01246902 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Microbiol Imunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Biodisponibilidade do cálcio do grão de amaranto antes e após extrusão

Calcium bioavailability of raw and extruded amaranth grains was assessed in a biological assay in rats. Rats were fed for 28 days on diets in which raw or extruded amaranth was the only calcium source, compared to a control diet with calcium carbonate. Calcium and phosphorous levels were determined in the rats' serum during the experimental period and in the bones at the end of the experiment. Amaranth extrusion increased its calcium bioavailability, assessed by tibia and femur weights and calcium and phosphorous content of the bones. Apparent calcium absorption index, the force needed to break the bones and bone densitometry of both extruded and raw amaranth were the same, though different from the control group. The results show that amaranth can be a complementary source of dietary calcium the bioavailability of which is favorably modified by the extrusion process.A biodisponibilidade do cálcio de amaranto antes e após extrusão foi avaliada em ensaio biológico. Ratos, alimentados por 28 dias com dietas em que amaranto, antes ou após extrusão, era a única fonte de cálcio da dieta, foram comparados com animais em dieta controle com teor próximo de cálcio, oferecido na forma de carbonato de cálcio. Cálcio e fósforo foram determinados no soro dos animais durante o período experimental e nos ossos, ao final do experimento. A extrusão do amaranto aumentou a biodisponibilidade do seu cálcio, quando avaliado pelo conteúdo de cálcio e fósforo da tíbia e fêmur dos animais, bem como pelo peso desses ossos. O índice aparente de absorção de cálcio, força para romper os ossos e densidade óssea foram iguais antes e após a extrusão do amaranto e diferentes do grupo controle. Os resultados mostram que o amaranto pode ser uma fonte complementar de cálcio e que sua biodisponibilidade aumenta com o processo de extrusão.(CAPES) Coordenação do Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - PICDT ProgramFAPES

Determining the effects of the discharge effluent from the Karmøy aluminium smelter using an integrated biological effects approach

Prosjektleder Ailbhe MackenThe report describes a monitoring programme using field transplanted mussels to determine the potential biological effects of the effluent discharge from the Karmøy aluminium smelter operated by Hydro Aluminium in Norway. Chemical body burden (54 PAH and metal concentrations) and a suite of biological effects markers were measured in mussels positioned at known distances and at two depths from the aluminium smelters discharge for a period of 8 weeks. In addition, chemical concentrations of the sediment were also measured within the fjord to evaluate the impact of the aluminium smelter on the local marine environment. The highest PAH and metal contamination of the sediment was observed at station 4, a sheltered lagoon 1-1.5 km south of the smelter (Nordalsvågen), and also elevated at station 3, 500 m south of the smelter. PAH contamination in mussels at the closest stations to the aluminium smelter reflected the PAH profiles of the sediment concentrations at each station. This was not true for metals, which were relatively low in all mussels. The PAH concentration in mussels 2 m above the seafloor (bottom), were higher than mussels 5 m from the surface (top/surface) for three out of the four stations. Despite the accumulation of PAH in the mussels, the five biomarker responses were low and overall did not differentiate significantly between the mussel groups. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) found no clear association between the impact of PAHs and metals with the biological responses in mussels, even in mussels placed closest to the aluminium smelter.Aluminiumindustriens Miljøsekretariat (AMS)publishedVersio

Integrated biological effects assessment of the discharge water into the Sunndals fjord from an aluminium smelter

Prosjektleder: Ailbhe MackenAndre reviderte versjon av rapport 7537-2020. Første revisjon: 7543-2020.The following study describes an integrated biological effects monitoring programme using field transplanted mussels to determine the potential biological effects of the effluent discharge from Hydro’s aluminium smelter in the Sunndals fjord. Chemical body burden (PAH and metals) and a suite of biological effects markers were measured in mussels positioned at known distances (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 km) from the aluminium smelter for 6 weeks. Overall, the biological responses observed where greater in the mussels positioned closest to the smelters discharge (1 – 5 km), although the chemical concentrations in mussel tissues were low and below the expected threshold levels. The lowest chemical accumulation and biomarker responses were observed in mussels positioned 10 km from the smelter. Mussels located furthest from the smelter exhibited significant biomarker responses, probably associated with a different contaminant source. The integrated biological response index (IBR) reflected the expected level of exposure to the smelters discharge and the Principal component analysis (PCA) differentiated between the mussel groups, with the most impacted located closest to the smelters discharge. Not one chemical factor explained the biological responses in mussels, correlations were found between certain measured contaminants (i.e. PAH, Mn, Ni and Cr) and distance from the smelter, although the concentrations of these contaminants were low and unlikely to have caused the biological effects observed in the mussels (1 and 5 km).Aluminiumindustriens Miljøsekretariat (AMS)publishedVersio

Docentes do Curso de Bacharelado em Turismo da UFPEL: produção acadêmica no período de 2000 a 2013

A universidade como uma instituição voltada a formação de novas gerações, e tendo como funções básicas o ensino, pesquisa e extensão deve ser vista também como importante espaço de geração de conhecimento, e de divulgação desse conhecimento, nesta perspectiva este trabalho tem como objetivo identificar a produção científica dos docentes do curso de Bacharelado em Turismo da Universidade Federal de Pelotas - UFPel, na referida área, Para atender o objetivo proposto, foram coletados dados nos currículos Lattes dos docentes do curso, no período de 2000 a 2013/1, no que se refere a sua produção científica e o projetos de pesquisa concluídos e em andamento, no período. Constatou-se que há a necessidade de crescimento da produção científica na área e podendo-se dizer, ainda que há uma relação entre a produção científica dos docentes e sua titulação

Rondas en plural

Proyecto de viviendas sociales sobre la ronda litoral de Bon Pastor siguiendo las pautas del masterplan desarrollado por el grupo, en ellos se plantean una serie de estrategia estructurales, sociales, económicas y medioambientales con el objetivo de desarrollar proyectos sostenibles con el ambiente y con el bienestar social