Thermal degradation of Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites as a function of ceramic grain size and concentration

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3,([PVDF]1−x/[PZT]x) composites of volume fractions x and (0–3) type connectivity were prepared in the form of thin films. PZT powders with average grain sizes of 0.2, 0.84, and 2.35 μm in different volume fraction of PZT up to 40 % were mixed with the polymeric matrix. The influence of the inorganic particle size and its content on the thermal degradation properties of the composites was then investigated by means of thermo-gravimetric analysis. It is observed that filler size affects more than filler concentration the degradation temperature and activation energy of the polymer. In the same way and due to their larger specific area, smaller particles leave larger solid residuals after the polymer degradation. The polymer degradation mechanism is not significantly modified by the presence of the inorganic fillers. On the other hand, an inhibition effect occurs due to the presence of the fillers, affecting particularly the activation energy of the process.

Relationship of balance to function independence in stroke survivors

Cerebral vascular disease is the primary cause of permanent disability in Portugal. Impaired stability is considered an important feature after stroke as it is related with higher risk of falls and functional dependence. Physiotherapy intervention usually starts early after stroke in order to direct motor recovery and help patients to improve their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL). Purpose: to investigate the relationship of balance to functionality in acute stroke patients. Methods: 16 subjects (8 women and 8 men), mean age 63,62 ± 2,16y, with unilateral ischemic stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory, who were admitted to physiotherapy department of Fernando Fonseca Hospital in Portugal, within the first month after stroke were recruited to participate in this study. All subjects have no cognitive impairment according to Mini Mental State, no history of lower extremity orthopedic problems and no other disease that could interfere with treatments. All patients gave their inform consent to participate in this study. Subjects were assessed with the Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS).

Effects of lower limb strengthening on balance and function in persons who suffered a stroke

Introduction - Cerebrovascular diseases, and among them, cerebral vascular accidents, are one of the main causes of morbidity and disability at European Union countries. Clinical framework resulting from these diseases include important limitations in functional ability of the these patients Postural control dysfunctions are one of the most common and devastating consequences of a stroke interfering with function and autonomy and affecting different aspects of people’s life and contributing to decrease quality of life. Neurological physiotherapy plays a central role in the recovery of movement and posture, however it is necessary to study the efficacy of techniques that physiotherapists use to treat these problems. Objectives - The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a physiotherapy intervention program, based on oriented tasks and strengthening of the affected lower limb, on balance and functionality of individuals who have suffered a stroke. In addition our study aimed to investigate the effect of strength training of the affected lower limb on muscle tone.

Influence of reconstruction parameters during filtered backprojection and ordered-subset expectation maximization in the measurement of the left-ventricular volumes and function during gated SPECT

A crucial method for investigating patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) is the calculation of the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is, consequently, imperative to precisely estimate the value of LVEF--a process that can be done with myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish and compare the estimation performance of the quantitative parameters of the reconstruction methods filtered backprojection (FBP) and ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM). Methods: A beating-heart phantom with known values of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and LVEF was used. Quantitative gated SPECT/quantitative perfusion SPECT software was used to obtain these quantitative parameters in a semiautomatic mode. The Butterworth filter was used in FBP, with the cutoff frequencies between 0.2 and 0.8 cycles per pixel combined with the orders of 5, 10, 15, and 20. Sixty-three reconstructions were performed using 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 OSEM subsets, combined with several iterations: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 32, and 64. Results: With FBP, the values of end-diastolic, end-systolic, and the stroke volumes rise as the cutoff frequency increases, whereas the value of LVEF diminishes. This same pattern is verified with the OSEM reconstruction. However, with OSEM there is a more precise estimation of the quantitative parameters, especially with the combinations 2 iterations × 10 subsets and 2 iterations × 12 subsets. Conclusion: The OSEM reconstruction presents better estimations of the quantitative parameters than does FBP. This study recommends the use of 2 iterations with 10 or 12 subsets for OSEM and a cutoff frequency of 0.5 cycles per pixel with the orders 5, 10, or 15 for FBP as the best estimations for the left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction quantification in myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

Reading performance in children with visual function anomalies

Aims - To compare reading performance in children with and without visual function anomalies and identify the influence of abnormal visual function and other variables in reading ability. Methods - A cross-sectional study was carried in 110 children of school age (6-11 years) with Abnormal Visual Function (AVF) and 562 children with Normal Visual Function (NVF). An orthoptic assessment (visual acuity, ocular alignment, near point of convergence and accommodation, stereopsis and vergences) and autorefraction was carried out. Oral reading was analyzed (list of 34 words). Number of errors, accuracy (percentage of success) and reading speed (words per minute - wpm) were used as reading indicators. Sociodemographic information from parents (n=670) and teachers (n=34) was obtained. Results - Children with AVF had a higher number of errors (AVF=3.00 errors; NVF=1.00 errors; p<0.001), a lower accuracy (AVF=91.18%; NVF=97.06%; p<0.001) and reading speed (AVF=24.71 wpm; NVF=27.39 wpm; p=0.007). Reading speed in the 3rd school grade was not statistically different between the two groups (AVF=31.41 wpm; NVF=32.54 wpm; p=0.113). Children with uncorrected hyperopia (p=0.003) and astigmatism (p=0.019) had worst reading performance. Children in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grades presented a lower risk of having reading impairment when compared with the 1st grade. Conclusion - Children with AVF had reading impairment in the first school grade. It seems that reading abilities have a wide variation and this disparity lessens in older children. The slow reading characteristics of the children with AVF are similar to dyslexic children, which suggest the need for an eye evaluation before classifying the children as dyslexic.

Penalty fuzzy function for derivative-free optimization

Penalty and Barrier methods are normally used to solve Nonlinear Optimization Problems constrained problems. The problems appear in areas such as engineering and are often characterised by the fact that involved functions (objective and constraints) are non-smooth and/or their derivatives are not know. This means that optimization methods based on derivatives cannot net used. A Java based API was implemented, including only derivative-free optimizationmethods, to solve both constrained and unconstrained problems, which includes Penalty and Barriers methods. In this work a new penalty function, based on Fuzzy Logic, is presented. This function imposes a progressive penalization to solutions that violate the constraints. This means that the function imposes a low penalization when the violation of the constraints is low and a heavy penalisation when the violation is high. The value of the penalization is not known in beforehand, it is the outcome of a fuzzy inference engine. Numerical results comparing the proposed function with two of the classic penalty/barrier functions are presented. Regarding the presented results one can conclude that the prosed penalty function besides being very robust also exhibits a very good performance.

Logarithmically proportional objective function for planar surfaces recognition in 3D point cloud

3D laser scanning is becoming a standard technology to generate building models of a facility's as-is condition. Since most constructions are constructed upon planar surfaces, recognition of them paves the way for automation of generating building models. This paper introduces a new logarithmically proportional objective function that can be used in both heuristic and metaheuristic (MH) algorithms to discover planar surfaces in a point cloud without exploiting any prior knowledge about those surfaces. It can also adopt itself to the structural density of a scanned construction. In this paper, a metaheuristic method, genetic algorithm (GA), is used to test this introduced objective function on a synthetic point cloud. The results obtained show the proposed method is capable to find all plane configurations of planar surfaces (with a wide variety of sizes) in the point cloud with a minor distance to the actual configurations. © 2014 IEEE.

Describing function of two masses with backlash

This paper analyzes the dynamical properties of systems with backlash and impact phenomena based on the describing function method. It is shown that this type of nonlinearity can be analyzed in the perspective of the fractional calculus theory. The fractional dynamics is compared with that of standard models.

Defective protein folding and function in metabolic disorders: studies on the mitochondrial flavoenzyme ETF

Dissertation presented to obtain the PhD degree in Biochemistry at the Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Constructing the National Canon in Ireland and Macedonia: The Function of Folklore in the Plays The Countess Cathleen and The Land of Heart’s Desire by William Butler Yeats, and Proud Flesh and The Black Hole by Goran Stefanovski and Their Role in Strengthening National Identity

Erasmus Mundus Masters “Crossways in European Humanities” June 2011

Adaptive Penalty and Barrier function based on Fuzzy Logic

Optimization methods have been used in many areas of knowledge, such as Engineering, Statistics, Chemistry, among others, to solve optimization problems. In many cases it is not possible to use derivative methods, due to the characteristics of the problem to be solved and/or its constraints, for example if the involved functions are non-smooth and/or their derivatives are not know. To solve this type of problems a Java based API has been implemented, which includes only derivative-free optimization methods, and that can be used to solve both constrained and unconstrained problems. For solving constrained problems, the classic Penalty and Barrier functions were included in the API. In this paper a new approach to Penalty and Barrier functions, based on Fuzzy Logic, is proposed. Two penalty functions, that impose a progressive penalization to solutions that violate the constraints, are discussed. The implemented functions impose a low penalization when the violation of the constraints is low and a heavy penalty when the violation is high. Numerical results, obtained using twenty-eight test problems, comparing the proposed Fuzzy Logic based functions to six of the classic Penalty and Barrier functions are presented. Considering the achieved results, it can be concluded that the proposed penalty functions besides being very robust also have a very good performance.

Regulation and function of the cell wall polymer lipoteichoic acid in staphylococcus aureus

A thesis submitted for the Degree of Master in Medical microbiology

Cardiovascular function in elderly patients with chronic chagasic cardiopathy

The objective of this work was to verify the degree and type of heart damage of elderly chagasic patients seen at an outpatient referral center and to compare them with the changes found in young chagasic patients with a similar degree of heart damage. Elderly and young patients without advanced cardiopathy presented good functional behavior. Elderly patients with advanced cardiopathy had more ventricular premature beats (VPB) in 24 h and less functional capacity in the exercise test than young patients of the same subgroup. There was a higher occurrence of effort-induced VPB and a lower prevalence of severe forms in elderly men, suggesting that Chagas' disease may have a worse evolution in males. The association of cardiac damage characteristic of aging with the secondary damage due to Chagas' disease could explain the greater functional damage found in elderly chagasic patients. Thus, it appears that the physiopathological components of Chagas' disease do have an influence on the clinical course of cardiopathy in the elderly population.

Development of population-specific function assessment intrument in Lebanon

RESUMO: Contexto: O funcionamento tem sido reconhecido como um dos principais indicadores de resultados para avaliar se as pessoas beneficiam das intervenções destinadas a melhorar a sua saúde mental. O funcionamento refere-se à forma como um indivíduo consegue responder às suas tarefas e solicitações, dos seus familiares e da sua comunidade, de acordo com os requisitos do local e a cultura em que vive (eg, tarefa de cozinhar e limpar para as mulheres em algumas culturas ). O funcionamento é altamente dependente da cultura - por isso, tem sido recomendado o desenvolvimento de medidas de funcionamento específicas de cada cultura. Desenvolver localmente os instrumentos de medida evita problemas de adequação, associados com a adaptação de instrumentos ocidentais. Embora os instrumentos criados desta forma sejam específicos de um meio cultural, eles são simultaneamente "transculturais", no sentido em que cada um se refere às tarefas mais importantes para a população local . Esta abordagem mostrou-se útil para investigadores e agências de ajuda (eg, ONGs) que trabalham em países não-ocidentais . Este estudo descreve o trabalho da agência International Medical Corps (IMC) na criação e validação de um questionário de funcionamento específico nas dimensões cultura e gênero, no Líbano, destinado a avaliar eventuais melhorias em pessoas que receberam intervenções de para problemas de saúde mental, a nível dos cuidados primários de saúde. Método: O instrumento foi desenvolvido usando um método que é uma alternativa à abordagem existente de adaptação de instrumentos ocidentais a outras culturas e situações; esta abordagem é rápida e exequível, tendo já demonstrado ser útil no desenvolvimento de instrumentos válidos e fidedignos. Inicialmente, foi solicitado que as pessoas identificassem, de uma lista livre, as tarefas mais importantes para cuidar de si próprias, da sua família e da sua comunidade; as tarefas identificadas foram posteriormente usadas como base para um instrumento de avaliação de funcionamento culturalmente válido. A partir daqui, foram desenvolvidos questionários específicos da comunidade em questão, posteriormente testados no terreno nas vertentes da validade (de conteúdo, facial e de constructo) e da fiabilidade (teste-reste e inter-entrevistadores). Resultados. O estudo resultou na criação e validação de um questionário de funcionamento específico de cultura e gênero capaz de medir efectivamente a capacidade de execução de tarefas importantes do quotidiano,como parte da avaliação de resultados levada a cabo por profissionais da CSP previamente treinados na identificação, suporte e encaminhamento de pessoas com problemas de saúde mental no Líbano. Conclusão. Neste trabalho descreve-se o desenvolvimento de um questionário de funcionamento específico de cultura e gênero, orientado para a avaliação de resultados, num contexto mais lato de um sistema abrangente de avaliação e monitorização de um serviço comunitário. --------------ABSTRACT: Background. Functioning has been recognized as one of the most important key outcomes to assess whether people benefit from interventions aimed to improve their mental health. Functioning refers to how well na individual can complete the tasks and demands for themselves, their family, and their community which are required by them depending on the setting and the culture they live in (e.g. task of cooking and cleaning for women in some cultures). Functioning is highly dependent on culture. Therefore, it has been recommended to develop culture-specific measures of function. Developing instruments locally avoids the problems of limited local relevance and appropriateness associate with adapting western instruments. Although each instrument created in this way is culturally bound, they are “cross cultural” in the sense that each refers to the tasks most important to local people. This approach proves useful for both researchers and aid agencies working in non-western countries. This study describes International Medical Corps’ (IMC) work in Lebanon to create and validate a culture and gender specific functioning questionnaire to assess improvements in people who received treatment interventions for mental health problems at the primary health care (PHC) level. Method. The measure was developed using a method that is an alternative to the existing approach of adapting western function instruments to other cultures and situations; an approach which has been demonstrated as rapid, feasible and which can yield valid and reliable instruments. Function was assessed by first asking local people what tasks are important to care for themselves, their family and their community using free listing, then using these tasks as the basis for a culturally valid function assessment instrument. Community specific function questionnaires based on these tasks were then created, and field-tested for validity using content, face and construct validity methods, and also field tested for reliability using inter-rater and test retest reliability methods. Results. The study resulted in the creation and validation of a culture and gender specific functioning questionnaire that would effectively measure the ability to do tasks important to daily existence, as part of assessing client level outcomes where PHC providers were trained in the identification, management and referral of people with mental health problems in Lebanon. Conclusion. The paper describes a successful pilot for developing culture and gender specific functioning questionnaires that evaluate client level outcomes as part of a more comprehensive system for monitoring and evaluation of community based case management supports and services.

Trust, alliance management capability and the alliance management function: A comparative analysis of Portuguese SMEs

Strategic alliances represent a key driver for internationalization and growth, being the purpose of this work project to better understand the intertwined relationship between trust and the existence of an alliance management position. Previous research supports the positive impact of such position in stock market returns. However, little attention has been given to the impact of such position on the level of trust in the collaborative arrangement, which is deemed to be a key driver for alliance success. A qualitative comparative case-study of three Portuguese SMEs is used to draw conclusions from the literature to real life business cases and it demonstrates the positive impact of an alliance management position on trust.