Wetting and Reaction of Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi Solder with Cu and Ni Substrates

The wettability of newly developed Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi lead-free solder on Cu and Ni substrates was assessed through the wetting balance tests. The wettability assessment parameters such as contact angle (ϑc) and maximum wetting force (Fw) were documented for three solder bath temperatures with three commercial fluxes, namely, no-clean (NC), nonactivated (R), and water-soluble organic acid flux (WS). It was found that the lead-free Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi solder exhibited less wetting force, i.e., poorer wettability, than the conventional Sn-37Pb solder for all flux types and solder bath temperatures. The wettability of Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi lead-free solder on Cu substrate was much higher than that on Ni substrate. Nonwetting for Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi and Sn-Pb solders on Ni substrate occurred when R-type flux was used. A model was built and simulations were performed for the wetting balance test. The simulation results were found very close to the experimental results. It was also observed that larger values of immersion depth resulted in a decrease of the wetting force and corresponding meniscus height, whereas the increase in substrate perimeter enhanced the wettability. The wetting reactions between the solder and Cu/Ni substrates were also investigated, and it was found that Cu atoms diffused into the solder through the intermetallic compounds (IMCs) much faster than did the Ni atoms. Rapid formation of IMCs inhibited the wettability of Sn-2.8Ag-0.5Cu-1.0Bi solder compared to the Sn-Pb solder.

Como incluir as crianças na avaliação diária

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar

Praxisrelevante Auswirkungen des Vorschlages für eine EU-Verordnung KOM/2000/7/final, 2000/0212(COD) des europäischen Parlaments und des Rates von der Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften auf die Verkehrsplanung des öffentlichen Personennahverkehrs

Die Arbeit behandelt den Vorschlag für eine EU-Verordnung KOM/2000/7/final, 2000/0212(COD) des europäischen Parlaments und des Rates von der Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaften als Grundlage einer Marktöffnungsverordnung und welche Veränderungen sich dadurch in Deutschland einstellen werden. Ausschreibungen von Verkehrsleistungen werden zunehmen. Die Ausschreibungsarten werden sich in ländlichen Regionen von denen in Verkehrszentren unterscheiden. In der Region werden sich Bedarfslösungen stärker durchsetzen. Kürzungen von Verkehrsleistungen werden hier stärker ausfallen als in den Zentren und damit zu einem kleineren Leistungsvolumen führen. Aufgrund des geringen Leistungsumfangs gibt es weniger Interessenten. Bei Standardausschreibungen werden deshalb auch häufig die Varianten der beschränkten oder die freihändige Vergabe gewählt. Funktionale Ausschreibungen haben nur eine untergeordnete Bedeutung. In den Verkehrszentren sind die Lose größer und damit für viele Anbieter interessant. Die Verkehrszusatzleistungen sind zudem komplexer. Standardausschreibungen in öffentlicher Vergabeart werden sich hier vermutlich als Norm durchsetzen. Die VOL/A wird sicherlich ihre Bedeutung und ihren dafür notwendigen Regelungsumfang in Deutschland als deutsches oder als europäisches Recht behalten. Ob der empfehlende Charakter der DIN EN 13816 Norm „ÖPNV: Definition, Festlegung von Leistungszielen und Messung der Servicequalität“ erhalten werden kann und nicht als Steuerungselement zur Standardisierung im ÖPNV beitragen wird, ist dabei zu bezweifeln. Durch diese Wettbewerbspflicht wird der Aufgabenträger zum Besteller von Verkehrsleistungen. Damit geht die Verkehrsplanung in die Verantwortung des Aufgabenträgers über und gerät stärker in den Einflussbereich der Politik. Die strategisch abstrakte und die konkrete Verkehrsplanung wachsen für den Normfall der Standardausschreibung zusammen. Die Hoffnung auf eine bessere Netzintegration und eine Standardisierung des ÖPNV Angebots und der ÖPNV Qualität entsteht. Es entwickelt sich dadurch aber auch die Gefahr der Abhängigkeit des Nahverkehrsangebots von der derzeitigen Haushaltslage oder der Interessenlage der Politik. Kontinuität in Angebot und Qualität werden zu erklärten Planungszielen. Der Verkehrsplaner auf der Bestellerseite muss die Planung in Ausschreibungsunterlagen umsetzen. Dies erfordert erweiterte Kompetenzen in den Bereichen Betriebswirtschaft, Logistik, Jura, Informatik und Führungskompetenzen. Ausbildende Institutionen müssen darauf bereits im Vorfeld der Umsetzung reagieren. Durch die zeitliche Verzögerung der Umsetzung der Planung durch die Ausschreibungsschritte sind in der Verkehrsplanung längere Planungsvorlaufzeiten einzukalkulieren. Vorausschauender zu planen, wird dabei wichtiger. Auch eventuelle Fehler in der Planung sind nicht mehr so einfach zu korrigieren. Durch den gestiegenen Einsatz von Technologien in den Fahrzeugen besteht für den Verkehrsplaner dafür häufiger die Möglichkeit, Planungsänderungen auf ihre Wirksamkeit im Hinblick auf Attraktivität für den Fahrgast anhand von den ermittelten Fahrgastzahlen zu kontrollieren. Dasselbe gilt auch für Marketing- und Vertriebsmaßnahmen, wie für die Tarifpolitik. Die Zahlen stehen nicht nur für diese Rückkopplung zur Verfügung, sondern dienen auch als Planungsgrundlage für zukünftige Maßnahmen. Dem Planer stehen konkretere Zahlen für die Planung zur Verfügung. Ein Aspekt, der aufgrund der Sanktionsmaßnahmen bei Ausschreibungen an Bedeutung gewinnen wird, ist die Möglichkeit, Qualität von Verkehrsleistungen möglichst objektiv beurteilen zu können. Praxisrelevante Auswirkungen auf die Verkehrsplanung des öffentlichen Personennahverkehrs ergeben sich hauptsächlich durch die gestiegene Komplexität in der Planung selbst und den dadurch unverzichtbaren gewordenen Einsatz von Computerunterstützung. Die Umsetzung in Ausschreibungsunterlagen der Planung und die Kontrolle stellen neue Elemente im Aufgabenbereich des Verkehrsplaners dar und erfordern damit breiter ausgelegte Kernkompetenzen. Es werden mehr Verkehrsplaner mit breiterer Ausbildung benötigt werden. Diese Arbeit hat aufgezeigt, dass sich mit der Integration des Ausschreibungsgedankens in den Ablauf der Verkehrsplanung eine sprunghafte Entwicklung in der Planungstätigkeit ergeben wird. Aufgrund der in Zukunft steigenden Qualität und Quantität der Planungsgrundlagen und der ebenfalls gestiegenen Ansprüche an die Bewertungsparameter ergeben sich Veränderungen und neue Anforderungen auf diesem Gebiet, die in erster Linie für die Hochschulen und andere ausbildende Einrichtungen, aber auch für die Verkehrsplanung unterstützende Industrie.

Características físicas, somatotipo e desempenho de corredores de 100 e 400 metros no Rio Grande do Norte

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate physical characteristics and to examine association between somatotype and performance in collegiate runners of 100 m and 400 m. Methods: The sample, male runners (n=39) competing at the regional level in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, had height, body mass, skinfolds, limb circumference and skeletal breadths measured. Then, the somatotype was calculated by Health-Carter method. Races (100 m and 400 m) were held to assess athletic performance. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the total sample, as well as for the 100 m and 400 m groups, and established four subgroups, named quartiles. For analysis between groups of runners (100 m x 400 m) was used Student's t test for independent samples. To examine the relationship between the race times and anthropometric variables, was used the Pearson correlation test. The somatotype dispersion distance and somatotype spatial distance were calculated among subgroups. One-way analysis of variance, the Wilcoxon test followed of Tukey post test, and correlation analysis were used with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Somatotype with mesomorphy and ectomorphy dominance was exhibited by 100 m and 400 m athletes. Endomorphy was low in both groups, especially in 400m runners, who had more elongated body types than 100 m runners. When separately compared by athletic performance quartile, 100 m sprinters of better qualifications (G100-G1) had somatotype with dominant mesomorphy, whereas 400 m runners had somatotype with dominant ectomorphy. A significant correlation (r = -0.55, p=0.008) between calf circumference and 100 m race times was observed showing the importance of muscularity, whereas a significant correlation was found between height and 400 m race times (r = -0.53, p=0.02) showing the importance of linearity. Conclusion: Runners of 100 and 400 may show differences in physical characteristics, depending on the level of athletic performance. Anthropometric periodic evaluations may help in the training process of these athletes. However, more specific assessment parameters should be taken into account, because somatotype by itself has not power to predict whether an individual will succeed in racing speed

Correlação da medida seriada da circunferência da coxa com o perímetro abdominal fetal na identificação de desvios do crescimento ponderal fetal em gestações complicadas por diabete melito gestacional

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Using a causal smoothing to improve the performance of an on-line neural network glucose prediction algorithm

This work evaluates a spline-based smoothing method applied to the output of a glucose predictor. Methods:Our on-line prediction algorithm is based on a neural network model (NNM). We trained/validated the NNM with a prediction horizon of 30 minutes using 39/54 profiles of patients monitored with the Guardian® Real-Time continuous glucose monitoring system The NNM output is smoothed by fitting a causal cubic spline. The assessment parameters are the error (RMSE), mean delay (MD) and the high-frequency noise (HFCrms). The HFCrms is the root-mean-square values of the high-frequency components isolated with a zero-delay non-causal filter. HFCrms is 2.90±1.37 (mg/dl) for the original profiles.

Métodos de avaliação nutricional para a suplementação oral com zinco em crianças pré-púberes não deficientes em zinco

Background: Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cellmediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Objective: This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal nonzinc- deficient children. Design: We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n = 31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n = 31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children. Results: Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.

Métodos de avaliação nutricional para a suplementação oral com zinco em crianças pré-púberes não deficientes em zinco

Background: Zinc is an essential nutrient that is required for numerous metabolic functions, and zinc deficiency results in growth retardation, cellmediated immune dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. Objective: This study evaluated nutritional assessment methods for zinc supplementation in prepubertal nonzinc- deficient children. Design: We performed a randomised, controlled, triple-blind study. The children were divided into a control group (10% sorbitol, n = 31) and an experimental group (10 mg Zn/day, n = 31) for 3 months. Anthropometric and dietary assessments as well as bioelectrical measurements were performed in all children. Results: Our study showed (1) an increased body mass index for age and an increased phase angle in the experimental group; (2) a positive correlation between nutritional assessment parameters in both groups; (3) increased soft tissue, and mainly fat-free mass, in the body composition of the experimental group, as determined using bioelectrical impedance vector analysis; (4) increased consumption of all nutrients, including zinc, in the experimental group; and (5) an increased serum zinc concentration in both groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Given that a reference for body composition analysis does not exist for intervention studies, longitudinal studies are needed to investigate vector migration during zinc supplementation. These results reinforce the importance of employing multiple techniques to assess the nutritional status of populations.

Comparison between transperineal ultrasound and digital dectection of levator ani trauma : can we improve the odds?

Aims To investigate the predictive ability of four digital assessment parameters to detect levator ani (LA) muscle defects (avulsion injury) and compare these to transperineal tomographic ultrasound images. Methods This was an observational study imbedded in a larger quasi-experimental cohort study for women with urinary incontinence. Seventy-two women, ≥60 years who had attended or were going to attend physiotherapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, were included in the study. Inclusion criteria from the parent study were symptoms of stress, urge or both types of urinary incontinence. The predictive ability of the following digital parameters: direct palpation of a discontinuity of the LA muscle from insertion on the pubic ramus; palpation of the distance between the muscle insertion sites; palpation of LA strength; palpation of LA tone, were analyzed against findings from tomographic transperineal ultrasound images. Correlation between methods was measured using Cohen's kappa for each of the individual parameters. Results Seventeen women (24%) presented with a complete or partial avulsion of the puborectalis muscle as diagnosed with tomographic ultrasound imaging. Nine women (13%) had complete avulsions, one of which was bilateral. The predictive ability of the digital assessment parameters varied from poor (k = 0.187, 95% CI [0.02–0.36]) to moderate (k = 0.569, 95% CI [0.31–0.83]). The new parameter of ‘width between insertion sites’ performed best. Conclusions Adding the parameter of “width between insertion sites” appears to enhance our ability to detect avulsion of the levator ani (LA) muscle by digital examination however it does not distinguish between unilateral or bilateral avulsion.

Comparison between transperineal ultrasound and digital dectection of levator ani trauma : can we improve the odds?

Aims To investigate the predictive ability of four digital assessment parameters to detect levator ani (LA) muscle defects (avulsion injury) and compare these to transperineal tomographic ultrasound images. Methods This was an observational study imbedded in a larger quasi-experimental cohort study for women with urinary incontinence. Seventy-two women, ≥60 years who had attended or were going to attend physiotherapy for treatment of urinary incontinence, were included in the study. Inclusion criteria from the parent study were symptoms of stress, urge or both types of urinary incontinence. The predictive ability of the following digital parameters: direct palpation of a discontinuity of the LA muscle from insertion on the pubic ramus; palpation of the distance between the muscle insertion sites; palpation of LA strength; palpation of LA tone, were analyzed against findings from tomographic transperineal ultrasound images. Correlation between methods was measured using Cohen's kappa for each of the individual parameters. Results Seventeen women (24%) presented with a complete or partial avulsion of the puborectalis muscle as diagnosed with tomographic ultrasound imaging. Nine women (13%) had complete avulsions, one of which was bilateral. The predictive ability of the digital assessment parameters varied from poor (k = 0.187, 95% CI [0.02–0.36]) to moderate (k = 0.569, 95% CI [0.31–0.83]). The new parameter of ‘width between insertion sites’ performed best. Conclusions Adding the parameter of “width between insertion sites” appears to enhance our ability to detect avulsion of the levator ani (LA) muscle by digital examination however it does not distinguish between unilateral or bilateral avulsion.

Prevalencia y caracterización de la disfonía, en operadores de un call center en Bogotá Colombia.

Resumen Introducción: El uso de la voz profesional requiere de una técnica y medidas de conservación para no verse afectada. Un inadecuado esquema corporal en el profesional de la voz, ocasiona alteración en los parámetros respiratorios y vocales manifestándose como disfonía. Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia y caracterización de disfonía en 200 tele operadores de un call Center en Bogotá Colombia. Métodos: Estudio de corte transversal con datos secundarios provenientes de una base de datos con registros de una población de 200 tele operadores de un call center en Bogotá, Colombia, a los cuales se les aplicó evaluación de respiración y de voz durante el año 2003. La estimación de la prevalencia de la disfonía se realizó a través de la distribución de frecuencias relativas. Se realizó caracterización de la población estudiada según variables sociodemográficas, ocupacionales y parámetros respiratorios y vocales a través de métodos estadísticos según la naturaleza de estas variables. Se determinó la asociación entre factores ambientales, síntomas asociados, síntomas vocales, perfil vocal de Wilson y disfonía mediante la prueba de Chi Cuadrado de Pearson. Resultados: la prevalencia de disfonía fue del 73% (n= 146), el 34% presentó grado de disfonía moderado. Los resultados obtenidos en los parámetros de evaluación vocal se encontraron dentro del rango de normalidad, analizados en forma individual (tono, rango intensidad) y se relacionan con los resultados obtenidos con la prevalencia disfonía. El 95,5% de los tele operadores los parámetros respiratorios se encontraron alterados. Los tele operadores con disfonía en comparación a los sin disfonía tuvieron mayor frecuencia de presentación de los siguientes factores ambientales: ruido (68% vs 50,9% p=0,03) y vapores (27,2% vs 11,3% p= 0,02), síntomas corporales y de la voz respectivamente: cuello (69,4% vs 54,7% p= 0,05), dolor en la laringe (19,7% vs 7,5% p= 0,04). Conclusión: La prevalencia de disfonía encontrada en este call center fue alta Lo que requiere la implementación de medidas de prevención como tamizajes acústicos, para hacer seguimiento a las cualidades de la voz más afectadas, entrenamiento respiratorio y vocal, pausas vocales y medidas de conservación de la voz, para contribuir a que el tele operador desarrolle un mejor manejo de sus cualidades vocales acorde con su uso y disminuir la prevalencia de disfonía.

The essential parameters of a resource-based carrying capacity assessment model : an Australian case study

Carrying capacity assessments model a population’s potential self-sufficiency. A crucial first step in the development of such modelling is to examine the basic resource-based parameters defining the population’s production and consumption habits. These parameters include basic human needs such as food, water, shelter and energy together with climatic, environmental and behavioural characteristics. Each of these parameters imparts land-usage requirements in different ways and varied degrees so their incorporation into carrying capacity modelling also differs. Given that the availability and values of production parameters may differ between locations, no two carrying capacity models are likely to be exactly alike. However, the essential parameters themselves can remain consistent so one example, the Carrying Capacity Dashboard, is offered as a case study to highlight one way in which these parameters are utilised. While examples exist of findings made from carrying capacity assessment modelling, to date, guidelines for replication of such studies in other regions and scales have largely been overlooked. This paper addresses such shortcomings by describing a process for the inclusion and calibration of the most important resource-based parameters in a way that could be repeated elsewhere.

Coupling geomorphology parameters with lithology for micro-level groundwater resource assessment: a case study from semi-arid hard rock terrain in Tamil Nadu, India

The standard procedure of groundwater resource estimation in India till date is based on the specific yield parameters of each rock type (lithology) derived through pumping test analysis. Using the change in groundwater level, specific yield, and area of influence, groundwater storage change could be estimated. However, terrain conditions in the form of geomorphological variations have an important bearing on the net groundwater recharge. In this study, an attempt was made to use both lithology and geomorphology as input variables to estimate the recharge from different sources in each lithology unit influenced by the geomorphic conditions (lith-geom), season wise separately. The study provided a methodological approach for an evaluation of groundwater in a semi-arid hard rock terrain in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. While characterizing the gneissic rock, it was found that the geomorphologic variations in the gneissic rock due to weathering and deposition behaved differently with respect to aquifer recharge. The three different geomorphic units identified in gneissic rock (pediplain shallow weathered (PPS), pediplain moderate weathered (PPM), and buried pediplain moderate (BPM)) showed a significant variation in recharge conditions among themselves. It was found from the study that Peninsular gneiss gives a net recharge value of 0.13 m/year/unit area when considered as a single unit w.r.t. lithology, whereas the same area considered with lith-geom classes gives recharge values between 0.1 and 0.41 m/year presenting a different assessment. It is also found from this study that the stage of development (SOD) for each lith-geom unit in Peninsular gneiss varies from 168 to 230 %, whereas the SOD is 223 % for the lithology as a single unit.

The assessment of physico-chemical parameters of Shiroro Lake and its major tributaries

The physico-chemical parameters of the surface water of Shiroro Lake and its major tributaries at their entry point to the reservoir were assessed over a period of eighteen months. As in other African inland water bodies there were seasonal variations in the parameters measured. The hydrological regime of the lake, precipitation chemistry, bedrock chemistry and hydro-electric power generation influence and determine the inputs of dissolved organic carbon, nutrient levels and water quality of the lake. The added nutrients to the lake by means of the major tributary rivers and inundation of surrounding areas also influence the water quality of the lake. The wet season mean values for water and air temperature were significantly (P <0.05) higher than dry season mean values in all stations. However, for pH, Dissolved oxygen and Phosphate-phosphorus the dry season mean values were higher than wet season mean values