An optimization strategy for customized radiotherapy head immobilization masks

Este trabalho foi financiado pelo Concurso Anual para Projetos de Investigação, Desenvolvimento, Inovação e Criação Artística (IDI&CA) 2016 do Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Código de referência IPL/2016/SoftImob_ISELAn effective head immobilization is an important requirement in radiotherapy treatment sessions, although it may also be thought in the future as a precious aid in brain medical imaging. Thus, the present work is focused on the stiffness optimization of a customized head immobilization mask, modelled upon the head reconstruction surface based on computerized tomography images. This paper proposes a strategy supported by a metaheuristic optimization technique and a metamodeling approach for the whole mask, illustrated at its most unfavorable region occurring in the gnathion region.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Strain and slackness of achilles tendon during passive joint mobilization via imaging ultrasonography

Background: In vivo study of the mechanical behavior of tendons may bring advances in evaluating the impact of intervention programs for flexibility and strength, in clinical practice and sports. Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the relative strain and slackness of achilles tendons during passive mobilization, for four ankle joint angles and two knee angles. Methods: The displacement of the muscle-tendon junction was quantified by means of ultrasound images acquired during passive ankle mobilization, with the aid of an electrogoniometer and an electromyograph to ensure the achievement of the required angles and muscle inactivity, respectively. Results: The strain values ranged from 4.28%±2.37 to -0.94%±1.58 for the fully extended knee, and from 2.38%±1.63 to -2.32%±2.16% for the flexed knee. Conclusions: The values found in this study confirm those in the literature and demonstrate how the Achilles tendon participates in length changes in the muscle-tendon unit during passive movement. These results suggest that the mechanical properties of tendinous tissues affect the relationship between the length of muscle fibers and the joint angle, even during this type of movement

Causal explanation for observed superluminal behavior of microwave propagation in free space

In this paper we present a theoretical analysis of an experiment by Mugnai and collaborators where superluminal behavior was observed in the propagation of microwaves. We suggest that what was observed can be well approximated by the motion of a superluminal X wave. Furthermore the experimental results are also explained by the so called scissor effect which occurs with the convergence of pairs of signals coming from opposite points of an annular region of the mirror and forming an interference peak on the intersection axis traveling at superluminal speed. We clarify some misunderstandings concerning this kind of electromagnetic wave propagation in vacuum.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Concentração de macronutrientes em função da idade, doses de fósforo aplicadas e partes de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

This study was conducted with the objective of determining the concentration of macronutrients in the plant as function of fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A 3³ factorial experiment with three replications was performed. The experimental area was located at Piracicaba (ESALQ), the soil belonging to the Guamium series. IAC-2, an indeterminate soybean cultivar, was used. N, P and K were applied in the rows at the levels of 0, 20 and 40 kg/ha (N), 0, 60 and 120 kg/ha (P(2)0(5)), and 0, 30 and 60 kg/ha (K(2)0), Plant samples were taken at 21-day intervals at emergence and continuing until partial fall of the leaves (105 days after emergence). The several plant parts were analysed for macronutrients (.N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S). The following conclusions were reached: during the period of greatest efficiency of the crop, the level of 40 kg/ha of nitrogen increased the nitrogen concentration in the upper leaves. The level of 120 kg/ha of P2O5 increased the concentration of phosphorus and potassium in the upper leaves. The highest concentration of calcium and magnesium were found in the lower leaves, while the highest concentrations of sulphur were found in the upper leaves, independent of the levels of N, P and K applied to the soil.O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido visando atingir o seguinte objetivo: determinação das concentrações dos macronutrientes, nas partes da planta, em função de níveis de adubação fosfatada. Para verificar os parâmetros propostos foi instalado um fatorial 3³ com três repetições em solo da serie Guamium, no município de Piracicaba, SP. Usou-se o cultivar IAC-2 de habito de crescimento indeterminado. Aplicou-se no sulco na ocasião da semeadura as seguintes quantidades de fertilizantes: 0, 20 e 40 kg de N por ha; 0, 60 e 120 kg de P2O5por ha; 0, 30 e 60 kg de K2O por ha. Foram igualmente incorporados 2,7 t de calcário dolomitico por ha. Foram colhidas amostras de plantas em intervalos de 21 dias, a partir da emergência, até a queda parcial das folhas aos 105 dias de idade. Conclusões: concentrações maiores de nitrogênio, fósforo, potássio e enxofre foram encontradas nas folhas superiores; e as maiores concentrações de cálcio e magnêsio localizaram-se nas folhas inferiores. As variações nas concentrações de fósforo e magnêsio com a idade das plantas, foram afetadas pelas doses de fósforo

Produção de matéria seca na soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) em presença de fertilizantes

This study was conducted with the objective of determining the effects of levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium applied to soil on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). A 3³ factorial experiment with three replications was performed. The experimental area was located at Piracicaba (ESALQ), the soil belonging to the Guamium series. IAC-2, an indeterminate soybean cultivar, was used. N, P and K were applied in the rows at the levels of 0, 20 and 40 kg(ha (N), 0, 60 and 120 kg/ha (P(2)0(5)), and 0, 30 and 60 kg/ha. (K(2)0). Plant samples were taken at 21 days intervals starting at emergence and continuing until partial fall of the leaves (105 days after emergence). The following conclusions were reached: N, P and K had effect on the growth the soybean plants; the plants had their highest rate of growth 61 days after emergence; the production of grains was affected only by the levels of phosphorus applied to the soilO presente trabalho foi desenvolvido visando atingir o seguinte objetivo: produção de matéria seca em presença de fertilizantes aplicados ao solo. Para verificar os parâmetros propostos, foi instalado um fatorial 3³ com três repetições em solo da série Guamium, em Piracicaba usando-se a cultivar IAC-2. Foram aplicados no sulco os seguintes níveis de NPK: 0, 20 e 40 kg de N por ha; 0, 60 e 120 kg de P(2)0(5) por ha; 0, 30 e 60 kg de K2O por ha. Foram coletadas amostras de plantas para determinação da matéria seca em intervalos de 21 dias, a partir da emergência até a queda parcial das folhas aos 105 dias de idade. O peso da matéria seca proveniente dos grãos da produção de cada unidade experimental tambem foi determinado. Conclusões: a) os tratamentos com NPK afetaram o crescimento das plantas; b) a maior velocidade do crescimento ocorreu em torno dos 61 dias de idade da planta; c) a produção de grãos foi afetada somente pelas doses de fósforo aplicados ao solo

The power of quantum systems on a line

We study the computational strength of quantum particles (each of finite dimensionality) arranged on a line. First, we prove that it is possible to perform universal adiabatic quantum computation using a one-dimensional quantum system (with 9 states per particle). This might have practical implications for experimentalists interested in constructing an adiabatic quantum computer. Building on the same construction, but with some additional technical effort and 12 states per particle, we show that the problem of approximating the ground state energy of a system composed of a line of quantum particles is QMA-complete; QMA is a quantum analogue of NP. This is in striking contrast to the fact that the analogous classical problem, namely, one-dimensional MAX-2-SAT with nearest neighbor constraints, is in P. The proof of the QMA-completeness result requires an additional idea beyond the usual techniques in the area: Not all illegal configurations can be ruled out by local checks, so instead we rule out such illegal configurations because they would, in the future, evolve into a state which can be seen locally to be illegal. Our construction implies (assuming the quantum Church-Turing thesis and that quantum computers cannot efficiently solve QMA-complete problems) that there are one-dimensional systems which take an exponential time to relax to their ground states at any temperature, making them candidates for being one-dimensional spin glasses.Comment: 21 pages. v2 has numerous corrections and clarifications, and most importantly a new author, merged from arXiv:0705.4067. v3 is the published version, with additional clarifications, publisher's version available at http://www.springerlink.co

Desenvolvimento de um coletor solar flexível e de baixo custo

CIES2020 - XVII Congresso Ibérico e XIII Congresso Ibero-americano de Energia SolarRESUMO: Esse trabalho reporta o desenvolvimento numérico de um coletor solar flexível e de baixo custo e a posterior fabricação de protótipos, em filme de poliuretano (PU). Foram projetados quatro modelos de coletores solares no software SolidWorks® e realizadas simulações no software ANSYS/FluentTM 18.2; os estudos de fabricação dos modelos foram realizados em conjunto com uma empresa de construção de insufláveis. O desempenho do sistema foi simulado para um coletor e depois para dois coletores, nas condições de inverno das cidades do Porto e de Fortaleza. O coletor forneceu água quente para uso a temperaturas próximas a 40ºC. Foi fabricado um protótipo que é flexível e de baixo custo para ser testado o seu desempenho térmico.ABSTRACT: These paper reports the development of a flexible and low-cost solar collector and posterior prototype manufacturing, in polyurethane film. Four models of solar collectors were designed in SolidWorks® software and simulated in ANSYS/FluentTM 18.2 software; the manufacturing studies of the models were carried out together an inflatable construction company. The systems were simulated for a collector and for two collectors in the winter conditions in the cities of Porto and Fortaleza. The collector provided hot water for use at approximately 40ºC. A low-cost and flexible prototype was manufactured and it´s thermal performance will be tested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determining the density of states for classical statistical models: A random walk algorithm to produce a flat histogram

We describe an efficient Monte Carlo algorithm using a random walk in energy space to obtain a very accurate estimate of the density of states for classical statistical models. The density of states is modified at each step when the energy level is visited to produce a flat histogram. By carefully controlling the modification factor, we allow the density of states to converge to the true value very quickly, even for large systems. This algorithm is especially useful for complex systems with a rough landscape since all possible energy levels are visited with the same probability. In this paper, we apply our algorithm to both 1st and 2nd order phase transitions to demonstrate its efficiency and accuracy. We obtained direct simulational estimates for the density of states for two-dimensional ten-state Potts models on lattices up to $200 \times 200$ and Ising models on lattices up to $256 \times 256$. Applying this approach to a 3D $\pm J$ spin glass model we estimate the internal energy and entropy at zero temperature; and, using a two-dimensional random walk in energy and order-parameter space, we obtain the (rough) canonical distribution and energy landscape in order-parameter space. Preliminary data suggest that the glass transition temperature is about 1.2 and that better estimates can be obtained with more extensive application of the method.Comment: 22 pages (figures included