Repeatability, reproducibility, and accuracy of a novel pushbroom hyperspectral system

This study analyzes the repeatability, reproducibility and accuracy of a new hyperspectral system based on a pushbroom sensor as a means of measuring spectral features and color of materials and objects. The hyperspectral system consisted of a CCD camera, a spectrograph and an objective lens. An additional linear moving system allowed the mechanical scanning of the complete scene. A uniform overhead luminaire with daylight configuration was used to irradiate the scene using d:45 geometry. We followed the guidelines of the ASTM E2214-08 Standard Practice for Specifying and Verifying the Performance of Color-Measuring Instruments that define the standards and latest multidimensional procedures. The results obtained are analyzed in-depth and compared to those recently reported by other authors for spectrophotometers and multispectral systems. It can be concluded that hyperspectral systems are reliable and can be used in the industry to perform spectral and color readings with a high spatial resolution.

Reproducibility comparison among multiangle spectrophotometers

New color-measuring instruments known as multiangle spectrophotometers have been recently created to measure and characterize the goniochromism of special-effect pigments in many materials with a particular visual appearance (metallic, interference, pearlescent, sparkle, or glitter). These devices measure the gonioapparent color from the spectral relative reflectance factor and the L*a*b* values of the sample with different illumination and observation angles. These angles usually coincide with requirements marked in American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and Deutsches Institut Für Normung standards relating to the gonioapparent color, but the results of comparisons between these instruments are still inconclusive. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to compare several multiangle spectrophotometers at a reproducibility level according to ASTM E2214-08 guidelines. In particular, we compared two X-Rite multi-gonio spectrophotometers (MA98 and MA68II), a Datacolor multi-gonio spectrophotometer (FX10), and a BYK multi-gonio spectrophotometer (BYK-mac). These instruments share only five common measurement geometries: 45° × −30° (as 15°), 45° × −20° (as 25°), 45° × 0° (as 45°), 45° × 30° (as 75°), 45° × 65° (as 110°). Specific statistical studies were used for the reproducibility comparison, including a Hotelling test and a statistical intercomparison test to determine the confidence interval of the partial color differences ΔL*, Δa*, Δb*, and the total color difference ΔE*ab. This was conducted using a database collection of 88 metallic and pearlescent samples that were measured 20 times without the replacement of all the instruments. The final findings show that in most measurement geometries, the reproducibility differences between pairs of instruments are statistically significant, although in general, there is a better reproducibility level at certain common geometries for newer instruments (MA98 and BYK-mac). This means that these differences are due to systematic or bias errors (angle tolerances for each geometry, photometric scales, white standards, etc.), but not exclusively to random errors. However, neither of the statistical tests used is valid to discriminate and quantify the detected bias errors in this comparison between instruments.

Creatividad, atención y rendimiento académico en alumnado de conservatorio profesional

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la relación entre creatividad, atención y su repercusión en los resultados académicos en las enseñanzas profesionales de música. Para ello, se ha seleccionado una muestra de 84 alumnos de entre 12 y 18 años (M = 14.79; DT = 2.29) que cursan Enseñanzas Profesionales en un Conservatorio de Música público y reglado. Se utilizaron como instrumentos de medida el Test de Inteligencia Creativa (CREA; Corbalán et al. 2003) y el Test de Atención (d2; Brickenkamp, 2004). Se hallaron correlaciones positivas y estadísticamente significativas entre (a) atención y creatividad y (b) atención y resultados académicos musicales. En cambio, se hallaron correlaciones negativas y estadísticamente significativas entre creatividad y rendimiento académico musical. Tras los resultados se pueden establecer programas preventivos o potenciadores de la creatividad y la atención, con el fin de fomentar que la totalidad del alumnado de conservatorio alcance su máximo potencial y un alto rendimiento, ya que éstos son el reflejo de un aprendizaje más eficaz.

Avaliação da qualidade de vida nas doenças endócrinas

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

Qualidade de vida dos indivíduos com patologia cardíaca : impacto de um programa de reabilitação

Introdução: A doença cardiovascular é uma das principais causas de incapacidade e diminuição da qualidade de vida. O grande investimento na atuação preventiva ou de reabilitação impõe um apelo especial à conjugação de esforços por parte de todos os interlocutores. Neste contexto, o objetivo do presente estudo centrou-se em avaliar o impacto de um Programa de Reabilitação na qualidade de vida e outros indicadores de saúde em indivíduos que possuam doença cardíaca, analisando a influência das variáveis sociodemográficas, antropométricas, clínicas, de qualidade de vida e de atividade física. Método: Recorrendo a um estudo de natureza quantitativa, do tipo prospetivo com características pré-experimentais, inquirimos 48 indivíduos portadores de patologia cardíaca, na sua maioria do género masculino (75%), com idades compreendidas entre os 26 e 87 anos (M= 57.90; Dp= 12.23), casados (81.2%), reformados (45,8%), com fatores de risco cardiovascular (87.5%), que se encontram com algum grau de limitação física para atividades quotidianas. O protocolo de pesquisa inclui, além de uma ficha sociodemográfica e clínica, instrumentos de medida aferidos e validados para a população portuguesa (Qualidade de Vida e Índice de Atividade Física), os quais foram aplicados antes e após a Fase II do Programa de Reabilitação Cardíaca, Resultados: Após implementação do Programa de Reabilitação Cardíaca, os resultados evidenciam uma melhoria estatisticamente significativa nos dados antropométricos (peso, IMC e PA), nas características analíticas (CT, LDL, TG, HDL e glicemia), nos dados hemodinâmicos (PAS, PAD, FE%), na prova de esforço (METs e %FC) e ainda na qualidade de vida (nos seus domínios emocional, físico, social e global) e no índice de atividade física (vigorosa, moderada, caminhada, METs e tempo sentado). Conclusão: A evidência dos resultados obtidos dá corpo à importância duma abordagem multidisciplinar nos programas de reabilitação cardíaca, realçando a necessidade de aumentar a taxa de referenciação para os centros existentes e a necessidade de criar novos centros, de forma a se poderem proporcionar cuidados considerados essenciais na recuperação pós-evento agudo e na prevenção da doença cardiovascular e cardíaca em geral. Palavras-Chave: Reabilitação Cardíaca; Qualidade de Vida; Fatores de Risco Cardiovascular.

Using an outflow meter to predict braking traction speed gradients as a function of surface tension. Technical report.

Mode of access: Internet.

An alpha counter for glove box operations /

"U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Contract AT(29-1)-1106."

Disclosures on a precipitation indicator, moisture detector, vacuum ball valve, film strip printer, normal incidence interferometer, color sorter, and coaxial T. /

Mode of access: Internet.

The National measurement system for length and related dimensional measurements /

Includes bibliographical references.

Organizational, direct support, and general support maintenance repair parts and special tools list (including depot maintenance repair parts and special tools) for electronic counter AN/USM-459, (NSN 6625-01-061-8928).

Includes index.

Dielectric spectroscopy of high-temperture materials

Mode of access: Internet.

La aplicación del componente pragmático funcional en un manual sueco de español publicado tras el currículo Lgy 2011

El objetivo de esta monografía es el de analizar el modo en el que un manual didáctico para la enseñanza del español en el contexto educativo sueco de bachillerato aplica y desarrolla la competencia pragmática funcional en sus propuestas didácticas. Para la realización de dicho análisis usaremos como instrumento de medida, por una parte, las actividades de simulación, escenario y role-play que propone Sánchez Sarmiento (2005), y que se dirigen a la activación de la competencia pragmática de los estudiantes de lenguas extranjeras y, por otra, los criterios de transacciones e interacciones de colaboración para el desarrollo de la competencia pragmática funcional que se recogen en el §.5 del Marco Común Europeo de Referencia para las lenguas: aprendizaje, enseñanza, evaluación (MCER, 2002). La hipótesis de la que parte este estudio postula que el manual que analizamos (Caminando 5, Natur & Kultur, 2013), a pesar de estar compuesto de propuestas didácticas en las que se presentan el componente pragmático funcional, no enuncia de forma explícita el trabajo con ella, no conduce ni a su activación ni a su desarrollo, su frecuencia de aparición en el manual es irregular, y las actividades que forman parte de sus propuestas didácticas no proponen reflexiones metapragmáticas sobre los propios contenidos pragmáticos de la lengua. La investigación que hemos desarrollado confirma que, aunque en algunas propuestas didácticas del manual  se proponen actividades que activan y desarrollan algunos de los criterios de transacción e interacción colaborativa del MCER (2002), su tratamiento resulta poco exhaustivo y su explicitación es escasa. Sin embargo, se puede constatar que el manual representa un acercamiento a los principios metodológicos de los enfoques comunicativos y que su explotación didáctica, aunque no de forma explícita, conduce, en parte, al trabajo con algunos de los criterios pragmáticos funcionales que se proponen en el MCER (2002).

Condições de Enfrentamento Psicológico de Trabalhadores Aeroportuários

Esse estudo teve por objetivos identificar sinais e sintomas de transtornos psiquiátricos e descrever tipos de enfrentamento utilizados por trabalhadores aeroportuários. Participaram desse estudo 203 trabalhadores e utilizou-se uma Escala Modo de enfrentamento problemas EMEP e uma Escala de Medida de Sinais e Sintomas psiquiátricos QMPA. Os resultados indicaram predomínio de estratégias positivas : a) focalizadas no problema (3,78) que significam que há um esforço do indivíduo no enfrentamento de situações estressantes procurando mudanças na relação entre o indivíduo e o ambiente causador de tensão; b) busca de suporte social (3,13), denotando busca de apoio instrumental, emocional ou de caráter informativo, ou seja, enquanto a maior parte da amostra apresentava estratégias mais positivas e integradoras também não apresentava sinais e sintomas psiquiátricos. Houve, portanto indicativos de que os sujeitos que compuseram essa amostra apresentaram mais respostas positivas em seus esforços cognitivos ante as situações estressantes ao mesmo tempo em que eram não suspeitos de sintomas psiquiátricos; acrescendo ao fato de que houve consonância entre os instrumentos de medida utilizados no presente estudo. Porém, uma pequena parte da amostra apresentou sinais e sintomas psiquiátricos (23,2%), bem como maior utilização de estratégias focalizadas na emoção (2,50), ou seja, estratégias de enfrentamento negativas. Embora esse fosse um número pequeno em relação à amostra total, considera-se preocupante, dado ao fato de serem trabalhadores aeroportuários e exercerem importantes funções tanto em relação ao manejo e orientação de manobras de aeronaves no solo como em relação à lida com pessoas; de modo que a associação entre sinais e sintomas com estratégias consideradas negativas implicam em transtornos que merecem acompanhamento pela equipe de saúde e de recursos humanos na empresa. É nesse sentido que aqui se sugere um trabalho de constante acompanhamento com trabalhadores em geral, a fim de verificar aqueles que necessitam de suporte psicológico e médico e aqueles que podem ser remanejados de suas funções dentro do aeroporto. O acompanhamento com instrumentais adequados, além de serem preventivos e promotores de saúde psicológica, na medida em que facilitam a detecção de sintomatologias mentais, também auxilia no planejamento de programas de saúde e, por conseguinte, como benefício no trabalho e fator preditor de saúde.(AU)

Study of management decision making by ward sisters in a hospital and the effects on decision making after the implementation of a decision support sytem

This thesis considers management decision making at the ward level in hospitals especially by ward sisters, and the effectiveness of the intervention of a decision support system. Nursing practice theories were related to organisation and management theories in order to conceptualise a decision making framework for nurse manpower planning and deployment at the ward level. Decision and systems theories were explored to understand the concepts of decision making and the realities of power in an organisation. In essence, the hypothesis was concerned with changes in patterns of decision making that could occur with the intervention of a decision support system and that the degree of change would be governed by a set of `difficulty' factors within wards in a hospital. During the course of the study, a classification of ward management decision making was created, together with the development and validation of measuring instruments to test the research hypothesis. The decision support system used was rigorously evaluated to test whether benefits did accrue from its implementation. Quantitative results from sample wards together with qualitative information collected, were used to test this hypothesis and the outcomes postulated were supported by these findings. The main conclusion from this research is that a more rational approach to management decision making is feasible, using information from a decision support system. However, wards and ward sisters that need the most assistance, where the `difficulty' factors in the organisation are highest, benefit the least from this type of system. Organisational reviews are needed on these identified wards, involving managers and doctors, to reduce the levels of un-coordinated activities and disruption.

Monitoring of down-hole parameters for early kick detection

The sudden hydrocarbon influx from the formation into the wellbore poses a serious risk to the safety of the well. This sudden influx is termed a kick, which, if not controlled, may lead to a blowout. Therefore, early detection of the kick is crucial to minimize the possibility of a blowout occurrence. There is a high probability of delay in kick detection, apart from other issues when using a kick detection system that is exclusively based on surface monitoring. Down-hole monitoring techniques have a potential to detect a kick at its early stage. Down-hole monitoring could be particularly beneficial when the influx occurs as a result of a lost circulation scenario. In a lost circulation scenario, when the down-hole pressure becomes lower than the formation pore pressure, the formation fluid may starts to enter the wellbore. The lost volume of the drilling fluid is compensated by the formation fluid flowing into the well bore, making it difficult to identify the kick based on pit (mud tank) volume observations at the surface. This experimental study investigates the occurrence of a kick based on relative changes in the mass flow rate, pressure, density, and the conductivity of the fluid in the down-hole. Moreover, the parameters that are most sensitive to formation fluid are identified and a methodology to detect a kick without false alarms is reported. Pressure transmitter, the Coriolis flow and density meter, and the conductivity sensor are employed to observe the deteriorating well conditions in the down-hole. These observations are used to assess the occurrence of a kick and associated blowout risk. Monitoring of multiple down-hole parameters has a potential to improve the accuracy of interpretation related to kick occurrence, reduces the number of false alarms, and provides a broad picture of down-hole conditions. The down-hole monitoring techniques have a potential to reduce the kick detection period. A down-hole assembly of the laboratory scale drilling rig model and kick injection setup were designed, measuring instruments were acquired, a frame was fabricated, and the experimental set-up was assembled and tested. This set-up has the necessary features to evaluate kick events while implementing down-hole monitoring techniques. Various kick events are simulated on the drilling rig model. During the first set of experiments compressed air (which represents the formation fluid) is injected with constant pressure margin. In the second set of experiments the compressed air is injected with another pressure margin. The experiments are repeated with another pump (flow) rate as well. This thesis consists of three main parts. The first part gives the general introduction, motivation, outline of the thesis, and a brief description of influx: its causes, various leading and lagging indicators, and description of the several kick detection systems that are in practice in the industry. The second part describes the design and construction of the laboratory scale down-hole assembly of the drilling rig and kick injection setup, which is used to implement the proposed methodology for early kick detection. The third part discusses the experimental work, describes the methodology for early kick detection, and presents experimental results that show how different influx events affect the mass flow rate, pressure, conductivity, and density of the fluid in the down-hole, and the discussion of the results. The last chapter contains summary of the study and future research.