Actively shielded multi-layer gradient coil designs with improved cooling properties

In standard cylindrical gradient coils consisting of a single layer of wires, a limiting factor in achieving very large magnetic field gradients is the rapid increase in coil resistance with efficiency. This is a particular problem in small-bore scanners, such as those used for MR microscopy. By adopting a multi-layer design in which the coil wires are allowed to spread out into multiple layers wound at increasing radii, a more favourable scaling of resistance with efficiency is achieved, thus allowing the design of more powerful gradient coils with acceptable resistance values. Previously this approach has been applied to the design of unshielded, longitudinal, and transverse gradient coils. Here, the multi-layer approach has been extended to allow the design of actively shielded multi-layer gradient coils, and also to produce coils exhibiting enhanced cooling characteristics. An iterative approach to modelling the steady-state temperature distribution within the coil has also been developed. Results indicate that a good level of screening can be achieved in multi-layer coils, that small versions of such coils can yield higher efficiencies at fixed resistance than conventional two-layer (primary and screen) coils, and that performance improves as the number of layers of increases. Simulations show that by optimising multi-layer coils for cooling it is possible to achieve significantly higher gradient strengths at a fixed maximum operating temperature. A four-layer coil of 8 mm inner diameter has been constructed and used to test the steady-state temperature model. (C) 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Protocolos assistenciais como estrat??gia de ades??o ??s melhores pr??ticas cl??nicas e otimiza????o de recursos

Este trabalho descreve a metodologia para desenvolvimento, implementa????o e avalia????o dos protocolos assistenciais no Hospital de Cl??nicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), concebida para duas fases: fase I: elabora????o dos protocolos e implementa????o em material impresso e fase II: adapta????o para sistema informatizado e concep????o de um software para acompanhamento dos protocolos assistenciais. Na avalia????o foram considerados indicadores cl??nico-assistenciais espec??ficos para cada patologia e percep????o dos m??dicos residentes desta ferramenta

Protocolos de Montreal e Kyoto: pontos em comum e diferenças fundamentais

Os Protocolos de Montreal e Kyoto, tratados internacionais de defesa do meio ambiente e da vida, controlam gases que provocam o buraco na camada de ozônio e o efeito estufa, respectivamente, resultantes de atividades industriais e uso da terra. O artigo enfatiza pontos comuns e diferenças entre eles, fornecendo atualização dos protocolos.

Multi-level governance and social cohesion in the European Union: the assessment of local agents, a study case inside Galicia

Implementing multi-level governance has been a key priority in EU cohesion policy. This study assesses the perceived achievements and shortcomings in implementing European Social Fund by analyzing the deficits and weaknesses as well as the poor participation of local agents who are in direct contact with the beneficiaries in order to design and implement this fund, which is the main financial instrument of EU social policy.

Multi-scale modeling of the mechanical behavior of polymer-based materials

Polymers have become the reference material for high reliability and performance applications. In this work, a multi-scale approach is proposed to investigate the mechanical properties of polymeric based material under strain. To achieve a better understanding of phenomena occurring at the smaller scales, a coupling of a Finite Element Method (FEM) and Molecular Dynamics (MD) modeling in an iterative procedure was employed, enabling the prediction of the macroscopic constitutive response. As the mechanical response can be related to the local microstructure, which in turn depends on the nano-scale structure, the previous described multi-scale method computes the stress-strain relationship at every analysis point of the macro-structure by detailed modeling of the underlying micro- and meso-scale deformation phenomena. The proposed multi-scale approach can enable prediction of properties at the macroscale while taking into consideration phenomena that occur at the mesoscale, thus offering an increased potential accuracy compared to traditional methods.

Coupling Mechanical and Electrical Behavior in the Multi-scale Simulation of Polymer-based CNT Nanocomposites

A numeric model has been proposed to investigate the mechanical and electrical properties of a polymeric/carbon nanotube (CNT) composite material subjected to a deformation force. The reinforcing phase affects the behavior of the polymeric matrix and depends on the nanofiber aspect ratio and preferential orientation. The simulations show that the mechanical behavior of a computer generated material (CGM) depends on fiber length and initial orientation in the polymeric matrix. It is also shown how the conductivity of the polymer/CNT composite can be calculated for each time step of applied stress, effectively providing the ability to simulate and predict strain-dependent electrical behavior of CNT nanocomposites.

Measuring fund performance using multi-factor models: evidence for the Portuguese market

This paper examines the performance of Portuguese equity funds investing in the domestic and in the European Union market, using several unconditional and conditional multi-factor models. In terms of overall performance, we find that National funds are neutral performers, while European Union funds under-perform the market significantly. These results do not seem to be a consequence of management fees. Overall, our findings are supportive of the robustness of conditional multi-factor models. In fact, Portuguese equity funds seem to be relatively more exposed to smallcaps and more value-oriented. Also, they present strong evidence of time-varying betas and, in the case of the European Union funds, of time-varying alphas too. Finally, in terms of market timing, our tests suggest that mutual fund managers in our sample do not exhibit any market timing abilities. Nevertheless, we find some evidence of timevarying conditional market timing abilities but only at the individual fund level.

O Papel do Agente de Execução na Fase da Penhora-Determinação dos Bens a Penhorar

A penhora é, no contexto actual de crise económica, uma realidade frequente, sendo o ato executivo por excelência no âmbito das execuções para o pagamento de quantia certa, que consiste na apreensão de bens, num desapossamento de bens do devedor, com vista á satisfação do credito adequando. Previamente á realização á realização deste ato processual, terão de ser determinados os bens que do mesmo serão objecto, devendo ser consideradas as limitações legais e, eventualmente, convencionais. Os poderes de indicação dos bens a penhorar sofreram alterações desde o Código de Processo Civil de 1939 ate ao actualmente em vigor, que tem a redacção do DL nº 226/2008, de 20 de novembro, tendo sido atribuído ao Agente de Execução, com a reforma de 2003, o poder de determinar os bens a penhorar.O objectivo principal desta dissertação é, precisamente determinar qual o papel do Agente de Execução na fase da penhora, em especial na determinação dos bens a penhorar, com analise de todos os aspectos relacionados, e aferir a interpretação e aplicação do regime em vigor por aqueles que lidam diariamente com os processos executivos. Para o efeito, alem da analise teórica da matéria, foi realizado um estudo empírico, mediante a aplicação e tratamento de um inquérito por questionário ministrado a todos os Agentes de Execução a exercer funções nas comarcas abrangidas pelo Conselho Regional do Norte da Câmara dos Solicitadores. Genericamente, no presente estudo, concluímos que apesar da atribuição ao Agente de Execução do poder de determinar quais os bens que ira penhorar, esse poder esta vinculado, designadamente por critérios e imperativos legais. E o Agente de Execução deve, ainda, ter em consideração a vontade manifestada pelo exequente, o que, como resulta do estudo empírico realizado, é, na pratica, frequente. Paralelamente e de forma a garantir a legalidade da penhora determinada pelo gente de Execução, ao juiz de execução é atribuída competência para controlada este seu poder.

Predicting the mechanical behavior of amorphous polymeric materials under strain through multi-scale simulation

Polymeric materials have become the reference material for high reliability and performance applications. However, their performance in service conditions is difficult to predict, due in large part to their inherent complex morphology, which leads to non-linear and anisotropic behavior, highly dependent on the thermomechanical environment under which it is processed. In this work, a multiscale approach is proposed to investigate the mechanical properties of polymeric-based material under strain. To achieve a better understanding of phenomena occurring at the smaller scales, the coupling of a finite element method (FEM) and molecular dynamics (MD) modeling, in an iterative procedure, was employed, enabling the prediction of the macroscopic constitutive response. As the mechanical response can be related to the local microstructure, which in turn depends on the nano-scale structure, this multiscale approach computes the stress-strain relationship at every analysis point of the macro-structure by detailed modeling of the underlying micro- and meso-scale deformation phenomena. The proposed multiscale approach can enable prediction of properties at the macroscale while taking into consideration phenomena that occur at the mesoscale, thus offering an increased potential accuracy compared to traditional methods.

Multi-centre validation of an automatic algorithm for fast 4D myocardial segmentation in cine CMR datasets

Quantitative analysis of cine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images for the assessment of global left ventricular morphology and function remains a routine task in clinical cardiology practice. To date, this process requires user interaction and therefore prolongs the examination (i.e. cost) and introduces observer variability. In this study, we sought to validate the feasibility, accuracy, and time efficiency of a novel framework for automatic quantification of left ventricular global function in a clinical setting.

As escolhas públicas orçamentárias federais no PPA 2008-2011: uma análise da perspectiva do modelo principal-agente

O objetivo deste estudo é analisar o comportamento assumido pelo Executivo e pelo Legislativo durante a gestão do PPA 2008-2011 da perspectiva do modelo principal-agente. Por meio da aplicação dos testes de Friedman, Kendall e Spearman e tendo como objeto empírico todos os programas constantes no PPA 2008-2011, observou-se que entre 2008 e 2011: as etapas de Elaboração e de Execução Orçamentária e Financeira da Lei Orçamentária Anual, cujo ator principal é o Poder Executivo, apresentaram concordância muito forte; enquanto a etapa de Discussão, Votação e Aprovação, cujo ator principal é o Poder Legislativo, apresentou concordância moderada. Quando se considerou a interação no mesmo ciclo entre todas as etapas, a concordância foi menor. Além disso, como resultado mais expressivo do estudo, identificou-se que a relação externa (entre governo e cidadãos) possui concordância maior que a relação interna (entre políticos e burocratas).

Doença profissional por agente biológico em dentista

É apresentado um caso de infecção luética cutânea de dedo de dentista, com a lesão primária surgindo no local onde pré-existia falta de continuidade da pele em decorrência de acidente do trabalho de pequena gravidade. É feita a descrição do estudo epidemiológico levado a efeito entre clientes do dentista, que levou à identificação do paciente infectante.