Tecnologias para Reaproveitamento de Produtos Apreendidos pela Receita Federal

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso apresentado ao Instituto Latino-Americano de Tecnologia, Infraestrutura e Território da Universidade Federal da Integração Latino- Americana, como requisito parcial à obtenção do título de Bacharel em Engenharia Química.No Brasil, especialmente na cidade fronteiriça com Paraguai e Argentina, Foz do Iguaçu, o cigarro e bebidas alcoólicas são apreendidos pela Receita Federal de forma constante, devido ao mercado contrabandista. O descarte dos produtos contrabandeados geralmente é realizado de forma inadequada, então foram avaliadas tecnologias para o aproveitamento de bebidas e cigarros contrabandeados apreendido pela Receita Federal, aplicando na produção de álcool 70% e na síntese de carvão ativado, respectivamente. A partir da destilação das bebidas alcoólicas resultaram em 3 lotes de álcool 70º INPM, no qual foram aplicadas análises químicas e físicas que ao serem comparadas com o álcool comercial tiveram valores semelhantes, com exceção de uma amostra. Além disso, foram analisados 4 adsorventes sintetizados a partir do tabaco dos cigarros, além do tabaco in natura. Os carvões foram sintetizados a partir de ativação química (H3PO4 ou NaOH) e ativação física (1 hora em mufla a 750°C). O carvão ativado T2 (ativação química com ácido seguido de ativação térmica), obteve melhores resultados a partir das análises químicas e físicas, sendo a isoterma de Sips foi a mais adequada enquanto na cinética de adsorção de pseudo-segunda-ordem. Além disso, o carvão ativado se mostrou eficiente para a remoção da cor do efluente da destilação da bebida alcoólica contrabandeada

Novel Virtual Environment for Alternative Treatment of Children with Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a severe condition usually caused by decreased brain oxygenation during pregnancy, at birth or soon after birth. Conventional treatments for cerebral palsy are often tiresome and expensive, leading patients to quit treatment. In this paper, we describe a virtual environment for patients to engage in a playful therapeutic game for neuropsychomotor rehabilitation, based on the experience of the occupational therapy program of the Nucleus for Integrated Medical Assistance (NAMI) at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil. Integration between patient and virtual environment occurs through the hand motion sensor “Leap Motion,” plus the electroencephalographic sensor “MindWave,” responsible for measuring attention levels during task execution. To evaluate the virtual environment, eight clinical experts on cerebral palsy were subjected to a questionnaire regarding the potential of the experimental virtual environment to promote cognitive and motor rehabilitation, as well as the potential of the treatment to enhance risks and/or negatively influence the patient’s development. Based on the very positive appraisal of the experts, we propose that the experimental virtual environment is a promising alternative tool for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy.Cerebral palsy is a severe condition usually caused by decreased brain oxygenation during pregnancy, at birth or soon after birth. Conventional treatments for cerebral palsy are often tiresome and expensive, leading patients to quit treatment. In this paper, we describe a virtual environment for patients to engage in a playful therapeutic game for neuropsychomotor rehabilitation, based on the experience of the occupational therapy program of the Nucleus for Integrated Medical Assistance (NAMI) at the University of Fortaleza, Brazil. Integration between patient and virtual environment occurs through the hand motion sensor “Leap Motion,” plus the electroencephalographic sensor “MindWave,” responsible for measuring attention levels during task execution. To evaluate the virtual environment, eight clinical experts on cerebral palsy were subjected to a questionnaire regarding the potential of the experimental virtual environment to promote cognitive and motor rehabilitation, as well as the potential of the treatment to enhance risks and/or negatively influence the patient’s development. Based on the very positive appraisal of the experts, we propose that the experimental virtual environment is a promising alternative tool for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

Chest associated to motor physiotherapy improves cardiovascular variables in newborns with respiratory distress syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We aimed to evaluate the effects of chest and motor physiotherapy treatment on hemodynamic variables in preterm newborns with respiratory distress syndrome.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), temperature and oxygen saturation (SO₂%) in 44 newborns with respiratory distress syndrome. We compared all variables between before physiotherapy treatment vs. after the last physiotherapy treatment. Newborns were treated during 11 days. Variables were measured 2 minutes before and 5 minutes after each physiotherapy treatment. We applied paired Student t test to compare variables between the two periods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HR (148.5 ± 8.5 bpm vs. 137.1 ± 6.8 bpm - p < 0.001), SAP (72.3 ± 11.3 mmHg vs. 63.6 ± 6.7 mmHg - p = 0.001) and MAP (57.5 ± 12 mmHg vs. 47.7 ± 5.8 mmHg - p = 0.001) were significantly reduced after 11 days of physiotherapy treatment compared to before the first session. There were no significant changes regarding RR, temperature, DAP and SO₂%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Chest and motor physiotherapy improved cardiovascular parameters in respiratory distress syndrome newborns.</p

Neural-Based Ensembles and Unorganized Machines to Predict Streamflow Series from Hydroelectric Plants

Estimating future streamflows is a key step in producing electricity for countries with hydroelectric plants. Accurate predictions are particularly important due to environmental and economic impact they lead. In order to analyze the forecasting capability of models regarding monthly seasonal streamflow series, we realized an extensive investigation considering: six versions of unorganized machines—extreme learning machines (ELM) with and without regularization coefficient (RC), and echo state network (ESN) using the reservoirs from Jaeger’s and Ozturk et al., with and without RC. Additionally, we addressed the ELM as the combiner of a neural-based ensemble, an investigation not yet accomplished in such context. A comparative analysis was performed utilizing two linear approaches (autoregressive model (AR) and autoregressive and moving average model (ARMA)), four artificial neural networks (multilayer perceptron, radial basis function, Elman network, and Jordan network), and four ensembles. The tests were conducted at five hydroelectric plants, using horizons of 1, 3, 6, and 12 steps ahead. The results indicated that the unorganized machines and the ELM ensembles performed better than the linear models in all simulations. Moreover, the errors showed that the unorganized machines and the ELM-based ensembles reached the best general performances

Solar Irradiance Forecasting Using Dynamic Ensemble Selection

Solar irradiance forecasting has been an essential topic in renewable energy generation. Forecasting is an important task because it can improve the planning and operation of photovoltaic systems, resulting in economic advantages. Traditionally, single models are employed in this task. However, issues regarding the selection of an inappropriate model, misspecification, or the presence of random fluctuations in the solar irradiance series can result in this approach underperforming. This paper proposes a heterogeneous ensemble dynamic selection model, named HetDS, to forecast solar irradiance. For each unseen test pattern, HetDS chooses the most suitable forecasting model based on a pool of seven well-known literature methods: ARIMA, support vector regression (SVR), multilayer perceptron neural network (MLP), extreme learning machine (ELM), deep belief network (DBN), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting (GB). The experimental evaluation was performed with four data sets of hourly solar irradiance measurements in Brazil. The proposed model attained an overall accuracy that is superior to the single models in terms of five well-known error metrics

Wild dogs at stake: deforestation threatens the only Amazon endemic canid, the short-eared dog (Atelocynus microtis)

The persistent high deforestation rate and fragmentation of the Amazon forests are the main threats to their biodiversity. To anticipate and mitigate these threats, it is important to understand and predict how species respond to the rapidly changing landscape. The short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is the only Amazon-endemic canid and one of the most understudied wild dogs worldwide. We investigated short-eared dog habitat associations on two spatial scales. First, we used the largest record database ever compiled for short-eared dogs in combination with species distribution models to map species habitat suitability, estimate its distribution range and predict shifts in species distribution in response to predicted deforestation across the entire Amazon (regional scale). Second, we used systematic camera trap surveys and occupancy models to investigate how forest cover and forest fragmentation affect the space use of this species in the Southern Brazilian Amazon (local scale). Species distribution models suggested that the short-eared dog potentially occurs over an extensive and continuous area, through most of the Amazon region south of the Amazon River. However, approximately 30% of the short-eared dog's current distribution is expected to be lost or suffer sharp declines in habitat suitability by 2027 (within three generations) due to forest loss. This proportion might reach 40% of the species distribution in unprotected areas and exceed 60% in some interfluves (i.e. portions of land separated by large rivers) of the Amazon basin. Our local-scale analysis indicated that the presence of forest positively affected short-eared dog space use, while the density of forest edges had a negative effect. Beyond shedding light on the ecology of the short-eared dog and refining its distribution range, our results stress that forest loss poses a serious threat to the conservation of the species in a short time frame. Hence, we propose a re-assessment of the short-eared dog's current IUCN Red List status (Near Threatened) based on findings presented here. Our study exemplifies how data can be integrated across sources and modelling procedures to improve our knowledge of relatively understudied species

Expert Statement:Pneumothorax Associated with One-Way Valve Therapy for Emphysema: 2020 Update

For selected patients with advanced emphysema, bronchoscopic lung volume reduction with one-way valves can lead to clinically relevant improvements of airflow obstruction, hyperinflation, exercise capacity, and quality of life. The most common complication of this procedure is pneumothorax with a prevalence of up to +/- 34% of the treated patients. Patients who develop a pneumothorax also experience meaningful clinical benefits once the pneumothorax is resolved. Timely resolution of a post-valve treatment pneumothorax requires skilled and adequate pneumothorax management. This expert panel statement is an updated recommendation of the 2014 statement developed to help guide pneumothorax management after valve placement. Additionally, mechanisms for pneumothorax development, risk assessment, prevention of pneumothorax, and outcomes after pneumothorax are addressed. This recommendation is based on a combination of the current scientific literature and expert opinion, which was obtained through a modified Delphi method

GWAS in Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women, and the second cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. It is expected that more than 240,000 new cases and 40,450 deaths related to the disease will occur in 2016. It is well known that inherited genetic variants are drivers for breast cancer development. There are many mechanisms through which germline genetic variation affects prognosis, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which account for approximately 20% of the increased hereditary risks. Therefore, it is evident that the genetic pathways that underlie cancer development are complex in which networks of multiple alleles confer disease susceptibility and risks. Global analyses through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed several loci across the genome are associated with the breast cancer. This chapter compiles all breast GWAS released since 2007, year of the first article published in this area, and discuss the future directions of this field. Currently, hundreds of genetic markers are linked to breast cancer, and understanding the underlying mechanisms of these variants might lead to the discover of biomarkers and targets for therapy in patients

Seletividade de associações herbicidas pós-emergentes em variedade de soja precoce

The frequent use of associations among postemergence herbicides has raised many questions about the selectivity of these for soybean crop. The objective of this work was to evaluate the selectivity of postemergence herbicide associations, and their influence on agronomic aspects, and yield of Msoy 6101® , a soybean cultivar with early cycle. The study was conducted in Motevidiu - GO, during the 2004-2005 crop season. The experimental block design was entirely randomized in split-plot scheme with twofold checks, and four replicates. Tested treatments consisted of : flumiclorac – pentil + chlorimuron ethyl (40 + 12,5 g ha-1), lactofen + chlorimuron ethyl (96 + 12,5 g ha-1), chlorimuron ethyl + Imazethapyr (60 + 12,5 g ha-1), flumiclorac - pentil + chlorimuron ethyl + clethodim (40 + 12,5 + 60 g ha-1), and Lactofen + chlorimuron ethyl + haloxyfop methyl (96 + 12,5 + 42 g ha-1). Results showed that the mixture lactofen + chlorimuron methyl + haloxyfop methyl caused the highest levels of phytotoxicity, reducing plant height. No herbicide association reduced the number of pods per plant. However, the mixture flumiclorac-pentil + chlorimuron-ethyl + clethodin caused significant reduction on yield, and cycle of the early soybean cultivar Msoy 6101® .    A frequente utilização de associações entre herbicidas pós-emergentes tem deixado inúmeras indagações a respeito da seletividade destes para a cultura da soja. Dessa maneira, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a seletividade de misturas herbicidas em pós-emergência na cultivar de soja de ciclo precoce Msoy 6101®, levando em consideração a influência destas associações herbicidas sobre os caracteres agronômicos e produtividade desta variedade. O experimento foi realizado no município de Montividiu - GO, durante a safra 2004/2005, utilizando-se o delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, fazendo adoção de testemunhas duplas adjacentes. Os tratamentos testados foram: flumiclorac-pentil + chlorimuron-ethyl (40,0 + 12,5 g ha-1), lactofen + chlorimuron-ethyl (96,0 + 12,5 g ha-1), chlorimuron-ethyl + imazethapyr (60,0 + 12,5 g ha-1), flumiclorac-pentil + chlorimuron-ethyl + clethodim (40,0 + 12,5 + 60,0 g ha-1) e lactofen + chlorimuron-ethyl + haloxyfop-methyl (96,0 + 12,5 + 42,0 g ha-1). Os resultados obtidos permitiram constatar que a associação entre os herbicidas lactofen + chlorimuron-methyl + haloxyfop-methyl causou níveis mais elevados de fitointoxicação, havendo redução na altura das plantas. Nenhuma das associações herbicidas reduziu o número de vagens por planta. Dentre todos os tratamentos, apenas a associação dos herbicidas flumiclorac-pentil + chlorimuron-ethyl + clethodim causou redução no ciclo e na produtividade da cultivar de soja precoce Msoy 6101®