Saving energy in the GFRP pultrusion process

This study addresses to the optimization of pultrusion manufacturing process from the energy-consumption point of view. The die heating system of external platen heaters commonly used in the pultrusion machines is one of the components that contribute the most to the high consumption of energy of pultrusion process. Hence, instead of the conventional multi-planar heaters, a new internal die heating system that leads to minor heat losses is proposed. The effect of the number and relative position of the embedded heaters along the die is also analysed towards the setting up of the optimum arrangement that minimizes both the energy rate and consumption. Simulation and optimization processes were greatly supported by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and calibrated with basis on the temperature profile computed through thermography imaging techniques. The main outputs of this study allow to conclude that the use of embedded cylindrical resistances instead of external planar heaters leads to drastic reductions of both the power consumption and the warm-up periods of the die heating system. For the analysed die tool and process, savings on energy consumption up to 60% and warm-up period stages less than an half hour were attained with the new internal heating system. The improvements achieved allow reducing the power requirements on pultrusion process, and thus minimize industrial costs and contribute to a more sustainable pultrusion manufacturing industry.

10 kVp rule - An anthropomorphic pelvis phantom imaging study using a CR system: impact on image quality and effective dose using AEC and manual mode

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the influence of tube potential (kVp) variation in relation to perceptual image quality and effective dose for pelvis using automatic exposure control (AEC) and non-AEC in a computed radiography (CR) system. Methods and Materials: To determine the effects of using AEC and non-AEC by applying the 10 kVp rule in two experiments using an anthropomorphic pelvis phantom. Images were acquired using 10 kVp increments (60-120 kVp) for both experiments. The first experiment, based on seven AEC combinations, produced 49 images. The mean mAs from each kVp increment were used as a baseline for the second experiment producing 35 images. A total of 84 images were produced and a panel of 5 experienced observers participated for the image scoring using the 2 AFC visual grading software. PCXMC software was used to estimate the effective dose. Results: A decrease in perceptual image quality as the kVp increases was observed both in non-AEC and AEC experiments, however no significant statistical differences (p> 0.05) were found. Image quality scores from all observers at 10 kVp increments for all mAs values using non-AEC mode demonstrates a better score up to 90 kVp. Effective dose results show a statistical significant decrease (p=0.000) on the 75th quartile from 0.3 mSv at 60 kVp to 0.1 mSv at 120 kVp when applying the 10 kVp rule in non-AEC mode. Conclusion: No significant reduction in perceptual image quality is observed when increasing kVp whilst a marked and significant effective dose reduction is observed.

PINPIN a-Si: H based structures for X-ray image detection using the laser scanning technique

Conventional film based X-ray imaging systems are being replaced by their digital equivalents. Different approaches are being followed by considering direct or indirect conversion, with the later technique dominating. The typical, indirect conversion, X-ray panel detector uses a phosphor for X-ray conversion coupled to a large area array of amorphous silicon based optical sensors and a couple of switching thin film transistors (TFT). The pixel information can then be readout by switching the correspondent line and column transistors, routing the signal to an external amplifier. In this work we follow an alternative approach, where the electrical switching performed by the TFT is replaced by optical scanning using a low power laser beam and a sensing/switching PINPIN structure, thus resulting in a simpler device. The optically active device is a PINPIN array, sharing both front and back electrical contacts, deposited over a glass substrate. During X-ray exposure, each sensing side photodiode collects photons generated by the scintillator screen (560 nm), charging its internal capacitance. Subsequently a laser beam (445 nm) scans the switching diodes (back side) retrieving the stored charge in a sequential way, reconstructing the image. In this paper we present recent work on the optoelectronic characterization of the PINPIN structure to be incorporated in the X-ray image sensor. The results from the optoelectronic characterization of the device and the dependence on scanning beam parameters are presented and discussed. Preliminary results of line scans are also presented. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Meta-analysis of gender and science research - Country report - Portugal

In Portugal, especially starting in the 1970s, women���s studies had implications on the emergency of the concept of gender and the feminist criticism to the prevailing models about differences between sexes. Until then, women had been absent from scientific research both as subject and as object. Feminism brought more reflexivity to the scientific thinking. After the 25th of April 1974, because of the consequent political openness, several innovating themes of research emerged, together with new concepts and fields of study. However, as far as gender and science relationship is concerned, such studies especially concentrate on higher education institutions. The feminist thinking seems to have two main objectives: to give women visibility, on the one hand, and to denunciate men���s domain in the several fields of knowledge. In 1977, the ���Feminine Commission��� is created and since then it has been publishing studies on women���s condition and contributing to the enhancement of the reflection of female condition at all levels. In the 1980s, the growing feminisation of tertiary education (both of students and academics), favoured the development of women���s studies, especially on their condition within universities with a special focus on the glass ceiling, despite the lack of statistical data by gender, thus making difficult the analysis of women integration in several sectors, namely in educational and scientific research activities. Other agglutinating themes are family, social and legal condition, work, education, and feminine intervention on political and social movements. In the 1990s, Women Studies are institutionalised in the academic context with the creation of the first Master in Women Studies in the Universidade Aberta (Open University), in Lisbon. In 1999, the first Portuguese journal of women studies is created ��� ���Faces de Eva���. Seminars, conferences, thesis, journals, and projects on women���s studies are more and more common. However, results and publications are not so divulgated as they should be, because of lack of comprehensive and coordinated databases. 2. Analysis by topics 2.1. Horizontal and vertical segregation Research questions It is one of the main areas of research in Portugal. Essentially two issues have been considered: - The analysis of vertical gender segregation in educational and professional fields, having reflexes on women professional career progression with special attention to men���s power in control positions and the glass ceiling. - The analysis of horizontal segregation, special in higher education (teaching and research) where women have less visibility than men, and the under-representation of women in technology and technological careers. Research in this area mainly focuses on description, showing the under-representation of women in certain scientific areas and senior positions. Nevertheless, the studies that analyze horizontal segregation in the field of education adopt a more analytical approach which focuses on the analysis of the mechanisms of reproduction of gender stereotypes, especially socialisation, influencing educational and career choices. 1

Henri Tintant face au probl��me "Science et Foi"

From an early age Henri Tintant was conforted with the problematic relationships between Science and Faith. After a traditional religious education, he took responsabilities within groups of teenagers and adults through scouting and the J. E. C. (an organisation of catholic students). In 1940 he was at Montpellier distributing unauthorised leaflets defending religious faith. But more significant is his intellectual contribution. He was an active and inspiring member of several workshops and in one in particumar initiated by the Catholic University of Lyon entitled : "From Naturalist to Theologians" where he would start a very fruitful and compelling intellectual collaboration with Father Gustave Martelet a jesuit theologian and a strong supporter of a permanent dialog with the scientists. Throughout the years they will gradually come to the conclusion of a necessary synergy between the scientific and the theologic approach when dealing with the mystery of religious faith . Even in the last months of his life, Henri Tintant was writing to his friendon the subject, with the same profound religious faith that brought him the serenity and the open mindness he has showed throughout his teaching and scientific career. His legacy will remain in two of his last thoughts: "Almost 50 years of scientific research have brought me a lot of pleausures and satisfactions but no answer to the essential questions. In my personal case, science and researching have not driven me away from my religious faith, on the contrary the helped me in my awareness of its utmost necessity". "Faithful to my religious belief, I am convinced that with the death, the inevitable human destiny, not everything disapears completely but another form of live, unimaginable for our limited minds, emerges, bearing in itself the perfect realization of all our hopes and desires".

A sa��de fora de portas: o projeto de literacia da informa����o da ESTeSL

Introdu����o ��� A pesquisa de informa����o realizada pelos estudantes de ensino superior em recursos eletr��nicos n��o corresponde necessariamente ao dom��nio de compet��ncias de pesquisa, an��lise, avalia����o, sele����o e bom uso da informa����o recuperada. O conceito de literacia da informa����o ganha pertin��ncia e destaque, na medida em que abarca compet��ncias que permitem reconhecer quando �� necess��ria a informa����o e de atuar de forma eficiente e efetiva na sua obten����o e utiliza����o. Objetivo ��� A meta da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Sa��de de Lisboa (ESTeSL) foi a forma����o em compet��ncias de literacia da informa����o, fora da ESTeSL, de estudantes, professores e investigadores. M��todos ��� A forma����o foi integrada em projetos nacionais e internacionais, dependendo dos p��blicos-alvo, das tem��ticas, dos conte��dos, da carga hor��ria e da solicita����o da institui����o parceira. A Funda����o Calouste Gulbenkian foi o promotor financeiro privilegiado. Resultados ��� Decorreram v��rias interven����es em territ��rio nacional e internacional. Em 2010, em Angola, no Instituto M��dio de Sa��de do Bengo, forma����o de 10 bibliotec��rios sobre a constru����o e a gest��o de uma biblioteca de sa��de e introdu����o �� literacia da informa����o (35h). Em 2014, decorrente do ERASMUS Intensive Programme, o OPTIMAX (Radiation Dose and Image Quality Optimisation in Medical Imaging) para 40 professores e estudantes de radiologia (oriundos de Portugal, Reino Unido, Noruega, Pa��ses Baixos e Su����a) sobre metodologia e pesquisa de informa����o na MEDLINE e na Web of Science e sobre o Mendeley, enquanto gestor de refer��ncias (4h). Os trabalhos finais deste curso foram publicados em formato de ebook (http://usir.salford.ac.uk/34439/1/Final%20complete%20version.pdf), cuja revis��o editorial foi da responsabilidade dos bibliotec��rios. Ao longo de 2014, na Escola Superior de Educa����o, Escola Superior de Dan��a, Instituto Polit��cnico de Set��bal e Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa e, ao longo de 2015, na Universidade Aberta, Escola Superior de Comunica����o Social, Instituto Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Letras de Lisboa e Centro de Lingu��stica da Universidade de Lisboa foram desenhados conte��dos sobre o uso do ZOTERO e do Mendeley para a gest��o de refer��ncias bibliogr��ficas e sobre uma nova forma de fazer investiga����o. Cada uma destas sess��es (2,5h) envolveu cerca de 25 estudantes finalistas, mestrandos e professores. Em 2015, em Mo��ambique, no Instituto Superior de Ci��ncias da Sa��de, decorreu a forma����o de 5 bibliotec��rios e 46 estudantes e professores (70h). Os conte��dos ministrados foram: 1) gest��o e organiza����o de uma biblioteca de sa��de (para bibliotec��rios); 2) literacia da informa����o: pesquisa de informa����o na MEDLINE, SciELO e RCAAP, gestores de refer��ncias e como evitar o pl��gio (para bibliotec��rios e estudantes finalistas de radiologia). A carga hor��ria destinada aos estudantes incluiu a tutoria das monografias de licenciatura, em colabora����o com mais duas professoras do projeto. Para 2016 est�� agendada forma����o noutras institui����es de ensino superior nacionais. Perspetiva-se, ainda, forma����o similar em Timor-Leste, cujos conte��dos, datas e carga hor��ria est��o por agendar. Conclus��es ��� Destas iniciativas beneficia a institui����o (pela visibilidade), os bibliotec��rios (pelo evidenciar de compet��ncias) e os estudantes, professores e investigadores (pelo ganho de novas compet��ncias e pela autonomia adquirida). O projeto de literacia da informa����o da ESTeSL tem contribu��do de forma efetiva para a constru����o e para a produ����o de conhecimento no meio acad��mico, nacional e internacional, sendo a biblioteca o parceiro privilegiado nesta cultura de colabora����o.

Development and Assessment of an E-Learning Course on Breast Imaging for Radiographers: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Mammography is considered the best imaging technique for breast cancer screening, and the radiographer plays an important role in its performance. Therefore, continuing education is critical to improving the performance of these professionals and thus providing better health care services. Objective: Our goal was to develop an e-learning course on breast imaging for radiographers, assessing its efficacy , effectiveness, and user satisfaction. Methods: A stratified randomized controlled trial was performed with radiographers and radiology students who already had mammography training, using pre- and post-knowledge tests, and satisfaction questionnaires. The primary outcome was the improvement in test results (percentage of correct answers), using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis. Results: A total of 54 participants were assigned to the intervention (20 students plus 34 radiographers) with 53 controls (19+34). The intervention was completed by 40 participants (11+29), with 4 (2+2) discontinued interventions, and 10 (7+3) lost to follow-up. Differences in the primary outcome were found between intervention and control: 21 versus 4 percentage points (pp), P<.001. Stratified analysis showed effect in radiographers (23 pp vs 4 pp; P=.004) but was unclear in students (18 pp vs 5 pp; P=.098). Nonetheless, differences in students��� posttest results were found (88% vs 63%; P=.003), which were absent in pretest (63% vs 63%; P=.106). The per-protocol analysis showed a higher effect (26 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001), both in students (25 pp vs 3 pp; P=.004) and radiographers (27 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001). Overall, 85% were satisfied with the course, and 88% considered it successful. Conclusions: This e-learning course is effective, especially for radiographers, which highlights the need for continuing education.

The discovery of three lost ���Salting��� carpets: science as a tool for revealing their history

Thesis presented at the Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, to obtain a Master degree in Conservation and Restoration,Specialization in Textiles

Educating for earthquake science and risk in a tectonically slowly deforming region

Over the past decade, scientists have been called to participate more actively in public education and outreach (E&O). This is particularly true in fields of significant societal impact, such as earthquake science. Local earthquake risk culture plays a role in the way that the public engages in educational efforts. In this article, we describe an adapted E&O program for earthquake science and risk. The program is tailored for a region of slow tectonic deformation, where large earthquakes are extreme events that occur with long return periods. The adapted program has two main goals: (1) to increase the awareness and preparedness of the population to earthquake and related risks (tsunami, liquefaction, fires, etc.), and (2) to increase the quality of earthquake science education, so as to attract talented students to geosciences. Our integrated program relies on activities tuned for different population groups who have different interests and abilities, namely young children, teenagers, young adults, and professionals.

A teaching-learning sequence of colour informed by history and philosophy of science

In this work, we present a teaching-learning sequence on colour intended to a pre-service elementary teacher programme informed by History and Philosophy of Science. Working in a socio-constructivist framework, we made an excursion on the history of colour. Our excursion through history of colour, as well as the reported misconception on colour helps us to inform the constructions of the teaching-learning sequence. We apply a questionnaire both before and after each of the two cycles of action-research in order to assess students��� knowledge evolution on colour and to evaluate our teaching-learning sequence. Finally, we present a discussion on the persistence of deep-rooted alternative conceptions.

A didactic sequence of elementary geometric optics Informed by history and philosophy of science

The concepts and instruments required for the teaching and learning of geometric optics are introduced in the didactic processwithout a proper didactic transposition. This claim is secured by the ample evidence of both wide- and deep-rooted alternative concepts on the topic. Didactic transposition is a theory that comes from a reflection on the teaching and learning process in mathematics but has been used in other disciplinary fields. It will be used in this work in order to clear up the main obstacles in the teachinglearning process of geometric optics. We proceed to argue that since Newton���s approach to optics, in his Book I of Opticks, is independent of the corpuscular or undulatory nature of light, it is the most suitable for a constructivist learning environment. However, Newton���s theory must be subject to a proper didactic transposition to help overcome the referred alternative concepts. Then is described our didactic transposition in order to create knowledge to be taught using a dialogical process between students��� previous knowledge, history of optics and the desired outcomes on geometrical optics in an elementary pre-service teacher training course. Finally, we use the scheme-facet structure of knowledge both to analyse and discuss our results as well as to illuminate shortcomings that must be addressed in our next stage of the inquiry.

Static laws in dynamic environments (bridging science to legislation)

Proceedings of the First International Conference on Coastal Conservation and Management in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, p. 193-200

Artificial Intelligence in geospatial analysis: applications of self-organizing maps in the context of geographic information science.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Information Systems.

Relat��rio m��dico em imagiologia: estudo de pr��ticas de cria����o e uso

Considerando como objeto de estudo o Relat��rio M��dico em imagiologia, esta investiga����o encontra-se situada entre duas ��reas do saber, a Ci��ncia de Informa����o e as Ci��ncias da Sa��de (mais designadamente no ��mbito da imagiologia). O Relat��rio M��dico em imagiologia �� um documento textual, f��sico e/ou digital, sigiloso, com car��ter legal, que compreende informa����o m��dica relativa a um (ou v��rios) exame(s) m��dico(s) de um utente e que t��m como principal objetivo fornecer dados/indicadores para o diagn��stico m��dico especializado. Com esta investiga����o, pretende-se posicionar o objeto de estudo, documentar a sua g��nese intelectual e material, refletir sobre todo o fluxo informacional do documento, revelar a import��ncia das suas fases de produ����o e de normaliza����o. Foram realizados levantamentos bibliogr��ficos e abordagens reflexivas sobre a import��ncia e produ����o do relat��rio m��dico, que depois foram cruzados com estudos de caso baseado em diferentes institui����es, onde a experi��ncia profissional do m��dico (produtor intelectual) e datil��grafo (produtor material) nos elucida sobre a tem��tica apresentada e nos permitiu entender pr��ticas e fluxos informacionais. No final do estudo analisamos o papel do datil��grafo como produtor material do relat��rio m��dico, salientando-se a sua consci��ncia ��tica e profissional e sugerindo um conjunto de boas pr��ticas no ��mbito da elabora����o e normaliza����o de relat��rios m��dicos em imagiologia.

Gallium-67 imaging in a patient with paracoccidioidomycosis: a case report

A 26 year-old female was admitted with abdominal pain, fever and weight loss. The clinical and laboratory investigations led to the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis. Gallium-67 whole body images correlated well with the clinical course of the disease and with the patient's prognosis.