A multiantenna approach to maximize wireless power transfered to implantable devices

Power delivery from an external source to implanted devices through wireless links is hindered by SAR regulations, which limit the amount of power radiated by an external source that reaches an implant. In order to increase the power delivered to the implant, we studied a solution with two transmitters and compared results with the common single transmitter link. HFSS and COMSOL have been used to show that a power increase of around 40% inside a human head model was achieved while respecting SAR limits and keeping tissue temperature under control, stabilizing at around 37.4 degrees C.- Work supported by FCT under project PTDC/EEI-TEL/5250/2014, by FEDER funds through Projeto 3599 - Promover a Producao Cientifica e Desenvolvimento Tecnologico e a Constituicao de Redes Tematicas (3599-PPCDT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sustainability in the airports ecosystem: a literature review

The global challenges of sustainability are transforming the economy of the 21st Century. Economic, social, and environmental sustainability impacts regulators and businesses, particularly in the aviation industry, and facilitates access to productive services and market linkages. Airport stakeholders are increasingly pressuring companies to consider their socioeconomic impacts and manage them sustainably and resiliently. Business is paramount to airport companies in this competitive and economically sensitive climate. Many studies have addressed the issue of airport sustainability from specific perspectives. These perspectives include economic sustainability, benefits related to economic and environmental sustainability, and the impact of operations on the airport environment. This report summarises the current state of airport environmental sustainability practices, including greenhouse gas emissions from airport pavements, energy management strategies for airport buildings and operations, water conservation, and waste management. We aim to provide a clear and integrative picture of these impacts on airport sustainability through a systematic literature review while advancing knowledge A systematic literature review was performed using the PRISMA guidelines (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. This systematic literature review sought to consolidate knowledge on the subject. In order to illustrate the link between major categories and their corresponding trends, authors used VOSviewer scientific software. The compilation of existing knowledge on the three components of sustainability likely underscores the importance of overall airport sustainability. It is suggested that further studies be conducted.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

GDNF modulates HO-1 expression in substantia nigra postnatal cell cultures

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) has been strongly highlighted because of its induction in many cell types by toxic stimuli, including oxidative stress. The intense HO-1 immunostaining in the substantia nigra of Parkinson disease (PD) patients suggests its involvement in the pathogenesis of this neurodegenerative disease. In this work we investigated HO-1 expression in rat substantia nigra postnatal cell cultures under conditions mimicking dopamine toxicity and its modulation by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a potent neuroprotective factor for dopaminergic neurons. In neuron-glia cultures, we found that H2O2, a product of dopamine metabolism, or l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA), the dopamine precursor used in the therapy of PD, induced a fast up-regulation of HO-1 mRNA and protein levels, followed by a secondary down-regulation. H2O2 and l-DOPA also increased HO-1 expression in astrocyte cultures, but with a delayed time course in H2O2-treated cultures. HO-1 expression was decreased in neuron-glia cultures under conditions under which GDNF up-regulation was observed. Because exogenously applied GDNF prevented HO-1 up-regulation in cultures treated with H2O2 or l-DOPA, and antibody neutralization of GDNF prevented the secondary HO-1 down-regulation observed in neuron-glia cultures, we propose that GDNF negatively modulates HO-1 expression induced by oxidative stress. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing the modulation of HO-1 expression by GDNF.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T38-4GY83GS-1/1/db5c1961511769a30a115fcbfcd902c

Developing "BUILDING/ FACILITY ENERGY CONSUMPTION DATA SHEET" for Political Subdivisions, Institutions of Higher Education, and State Agencies, to Satisfy Senate Bill 898 (82nd R) Reporting Requirements

As mandated by the 82nd R Legislature (2011), Senate Bill 898, Health and Safety Code, Section 388.005, beginning September 1, 2011, each political subdivision, institution of higher education or state agency shall establish a goal to reduce the electric consumption by the entity by at least 5% each state fiscal year for 10 years. Each entity annually is to report to the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), on forms provided by SECO, regarding the entity's goal, the entity's efforts to meet the goal, and progress the entity has made. An entity that does not attain the 5% goal must include in the report justification that the entity has already implemented all available cost-effective measures. SECO is to annually provide the commission and the Energy Systems Laboratory (Laboratory) with an evaluation of the effectiveness of state and political subdivision energy efficiency programs. The Laboratory is mandated to calculate, based on the evaluation and the forms submitted to the office, the amount of energy savings and estimated reduction in pollution achieved as a result of the implementation of the programs, and then provide the information to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to help with long-term forecasting and in estimating pollution reduction. During the first quarter of 2012, the Laboratory, working with SECO, devised and proposed to SECO a standardized form for use by political subdivisions, institutions of higher education and state agencies in order to satisfy the new reporting requirements set by Senate Bill 898. The form contains the minimum information needed to show an accurate estimated energy savings and estimated reduction in pollution as a result of the implementation of the programs. In July 2012, the basic form proposed by the ESL was enhanced electronically so that the form could be filled on a computer and emailed back, and the data could be pulled automatically. The form that was proposed to SECO by the ESL appears on the next page (showing default dates that could be changed by the submitter)

Extending the limits of wireless power transfer to miniaturized implantable electronic devices

Implantable electronic devices have been evolving at an astonishing pace, due to the development of fabrication techniques and consequent miniaturization, and a higher efficiency of sensors, actuators, processors and packaging. Implantable devices, with sensing, communication, actuation, and wireless power are of high demand, as they pave the way for new applications and therapies. Long-term and reliable powering of such devices has been a challenge since they were first introduced. This paper presents a review of representative state of the art implantable electronic devices, with wireless power capabilities, ranging from inductive coupling to ultrasounds. The different power transmission mechanisms are compared, to show that, without new methodologies, the power that can be safely transmitted to an implant is reaching its limit. Consequently, a new approach, capable of multiplying the available power inside a brain phantom for the same specific absorption rate (SAR) value, is proposed. In this paper, a setup was implemented to quadruple the power available in the implant, without breaking the SAR limits. A brain phantom was used for concept verification, with both simulation and measurement data.This work is supported by FCT with the reference project PTDC/EEI-TEL/5250/2014, by FEDER funds through Projecto 3599-Promover a Produção Científica e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico e a Constituição de Redes Temáticas (3599-PPCDT) and by grant SFRH/BD/116554/2016.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estrogen protection in Parkinson´s disease – a GDNF role?

Estrogen protection in Parkinson´s disease – a GDNF role

Effects of the use of active video games in balance and quality of life: systematic review

Introduction: In the past few years the interest about information and communication technologies has grown. Considering that the use of exergames is increasing, arousing the interest of the scientific community because of their innovative intervention’s strategies, it was considered important to study the effectiveness of it´s use in some aspects like balance and quality of live. Objective: To study (what is) the effectiveness of exergames intervention programs on outcomes like balance and quality of life along the life cycle. Methodology: The research was performed in the following databases: PUBMED, IEEE Xplore Database, CochraneLibrary, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Clinical Trials) and Health Technology Assessment Database (Technology Assessments)), EBSCO, PEDro, ACM the guide, Elsevier, Springer and Taylor & Francis. The selected search terms were video games, gaming, active video games, wii, Xbox, exergame, postural balance, quality of life. Different research’s equations were used with the following inclusion criteria: RCT studies in English, Spanish or Portuguese language, it couldn’t be studies accomplished before 2001 including that year. According to the criteria and the application of PEDro scale, 5 articles comprised the analyzed final sample after selection. Results: There is no consensus among the studies which were analyzed as to the true relation between balance gains and the utilization of the different exergames. However that relation has been verified in the outcome quality of life. In this second outcome it was considered the increasing on the motivation levels and interest in therapy. Those contribute to a better adhesion in the therapeutic treatment and consequently to functional gains. Conclusion: According to the reviewed studies in this systematic review, it was possible to verify that the utilization of game consoles may be recommended as an instrument to the rehabilitation of patients who have disturbance in balance and decreased levels of quality of life, since the feedback’s system promotes motor control and motor learning. This systematic review has a strong impact in Physiotherapy practice because it allows the comprehension of what studies were performed in the area so far, whereas the utilization of those instruments implies, as all the Physiotherapy interventions, better scientific evidence.N/

Transport inefficiency in branched-out mesoscopic networks: An analog of the Braess paradox

We present evidence for a counter-intuitive behavior of semiconductor mesoscopic networks that is the analog of the Braess paradox encountered in classical networks. A numerical simulation of quantum transport in a two-branch mesoscopic network reveals that adding a third branch can paradoxically induce transport inefficiency that manifests itself in a sizable conductance drop of the network. A scanning-probe experiment using a biased tip to modulate the transmission of one branch in the network reveals the occurrence of this paradox by mapping the conductance variation as a function of the tip voltage and position.Comment: 2nd version with minor stylistic corrections. To appear in Phys. Rev. Lett.: Editorially approved for publication 6 January 201

Gestão do conhecimento e competitividade na indústria aeroespacial: Um estudo de caso em Querétaro, México

This article analyzes the role of knowledge management in the competitiveness of the aerospace industry. It uses a quantitative methodology of correlational scope. A company from section 33641 of the Classification System for North America -SCIAN is being studied. A questionnaire of 24 items valued with a Likert scale (Cronbach's Alpha = .945, knowledge management = .927, and competitiveness =.915) was applied, aimed at company personnel in 3 key areas: Management, operational, and support personnel. The work studies knowledge management from Probst's theoretical proposal and competitiveness from the Competitiveness Map of the Inter-American Development Bank. The results show a moderate relationship between knowledge management processes and the company's competitiveness. Some limitations are observed due to the type of organizational structure and the high-tech processes that the company develops.Este artículo analiza el papel de la gestión del conocimiento en la competitividad de la industria aeroespacial. Utiliza una metodología cuantitativa de alcance correlacional. Se estudia una empresa del apartado 33641 del Sistema de Clasificación para América del Norte (SCIAN). Se aplicó un cuestionario de 24 ítems valorados con escala Likert (Alpha de Cronbach = .945, gestión del conocimiento = .927 y competitividad = .915) dirigido al personal de la empresa en 3 rubros clave: personal directivo, operativo y de soporte. La gestión del conocimiento se estudia desde la propuesta teórica de Probst; la competitividad, desde el Mapa de Competitividad del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo. Los resultados encontrados exhiben una relación moderada entre los procesos de gestión del conocimiento y la competitividad de la empresa. Se observan limitaciones por el tipo de estructura organizativa y los procesos de alta tecnología que desarrolla la empresa.Este artigo analisa o papel da gestão do conhecimento na competitividade da indústria aeroespacial. Utiliza uma metodologia quantitativa de abrangência correlacional. Está em estudo uma empresa da seção 33641 do Sistema de Classificação para a América do Norte -SCIAN. Aplicou-se um questionário de 24 itens valorados com uma escala de Likert (alpha de Cronbach = .945, gestão do conhecimento = .927 e competitividade = .915) dirigido a colaboradores da empresa em 3 áreas chave: pessoal de gestão, operacional e de apoio. O trabalho estuda a gestão do conhecimento a partir da proposta teórica do Probst e a competitividade a partir do Mapa de Competitividade do Banco Interamericano de Desenvolvimento. Os resultados mostram uma relação moderada entre os processos de gestão do conhecimento e a competitividade da empresa. Algumas limitações são observadas devido ao tipo de estrutura organizacional e aos processos de alta tecnologia que a empresa desenvolve

Impact of a food education session on vegetables plate waste in a portuguese School Canteen

Several authors have shown that vegetables a re the most commonly wasted component in school lunches and enhance the importance of food education on topics such as food waste and vegetable consumption. The present research evaluated the efficacy of a single session of food education on vegetables waste and consumption. The data collection was focused on primary school students from a school located in Guarda district (Portugal). A vegetable selective aggregate weighing from the lunch plate was required in two distinct phases: before and after a single 30 min nutritionist’s intervention. The variables collected were the quantities of vegetables produced, leftovers and plate waste. Through these weighings, it was possible to measure the variables: distributed vegetables, consumed vegetables, vegetables waste, leftovers index, plate waste index. The use of materials such as a scale, suitable containers, gown, disposable gloves, cap and office supplies were necessary. In total during the two phases, 870 meals were evaluated. Measures of central tendency and statistical analysis tests were used. At the end of the present research, it was possible to verify significant results in the reduction of the vegetables leftovers index and in the increase in vegetable consumption per capita, through the nutritionist’s intervention. There were significant differences in the reduction of the index of vegetable leftovers and in the increase in the consumption of vegetables per capita and no significant differences in total vegetable waste. Potential causes and strategies for future research were also discussed. This study demonstrates how a nutritionist’s intervention, in a school context, could translate into behavioral change in nutrition and sustainability terms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio