Classificação e quantificação de tecidos Biológicos para construção de fantomas pediátricos

Paediatric diagnostic radiology can be considered as a separate specialty and with distinct characteristics of the radiology applied in adult patients. This in reason of the variability in the anatomical structures size and bigger sensitivity of tissues. The literature present in its majority methodologies for segmentation and tissue classification in adult patients, and works on tissue quantification are rare. This work had for objective the development of a biological tissue classifier and quantifier algorithm, from histograms, and that converts the quantified average thickness of these tissues for its respective simulator materials. The results will be used in the optimization process of paediatrics images, in future works, since these patients are frequently over exposed to the radiation in the repeated attempts of if getting considered good quality radiographic images. The developed algorithm was capable to read and store the name of all the archives, in the operational system, to filter artifacs, to count and quantify each biological tissues from the histogram of the examination, to obtain the biological tissues average thicknesses and to convert this value into its respective simulator material. The results show that it is possible to distinguish bone, soft, fat and pulmonary tissues from histograms of tomographic examinations of thorax. The quantification of the constituent materials of anthropomorphic phantom made by the algorithm, compared with the data of literature shows that the biggest difference was of 21,6% for bone. However, the literature shows that variations of up to 30% in bone thickness do not influence of significant form in the radiographic image quality. The average thicknesses of biological tissues, quantified for paediatrics patients, show that one phantom can simulate patients with distinct DAP ranges, since variations... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Avaliação das doses de cães submetidos a exames radiográficos de pulmão

This study aims to determine surface skin doses in dogs (with suspected pulmonary metastasis) submitted to chest X-rays using the technique of thermoluminescence dosimetry. Twenty seven exams from different dogs were performed at the Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia da Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMVZ-UNESP/Botucatu). The doses were evaluated using thermoluminescent dosimeters of calcium sulphate doped with dysprosium (CaSO4:Dy) produced by the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN). The pulmonary metastasis exams are carried out in three projections, one dorsal-ventral and two lateral-lateral. During the procedures the projection thicknesses and source-skin surface distances were registered. To simulate the dog phantom the dosimeters were positioned in a cubic simulator (30x30x30 cm) of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) filled with water and irradiated according to the parameters of projections with the X-ray energies ranging from 45 to 70 kV. To estimate the surface skin dose the dose-response curves were obtained for X-ray energies of 50 and 70 kV using the diagnostic X-ray beam machine of the Instruments Calibration Laboratory of IPEN for doses of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5 and 4.0 mGy. The main difficulty of this work was the dog immobilization that is reflected in poor-quality diagnostic imaging and, consequently, demands the repetition of the exams, which contributes to the increase of the doses received by the animals being studied and the clinical staff. The doses evaluated in this type of procedure are between 0.43 and 4.22 mGy. This research has shown to be extremely important for the assessment of doses involved in veterinary diagnostic radiology procedures, and as a parameter in the individual monitoring of pet’s owners who assist the animal positioning and occupationally exposed workers of the Department of Veterinary Radiology

Desenvolvimento de um equipamento para análise de desgastes em prótese de articulação total de quadril

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEG

Biblioteca de escalonamento de tarefas em grid computacional - LIBTS

The use of computational grid simulators is particularly important for studying the algorithms of task scheduling. Through the simulators it’s possible to assess and compare the performance of different algorithms in various scenarios. Despite the simulation tools provide basic features for simulation in distributed environments, they don’t offer internal policies of task scheduling, so that the implementation of the algorithms must be realized by the user himself. Therefore, this study aims to present the library of task scheduling LIBTS (LIBrary Tasks Scheduling) which is developed and adapted to the SimGrid simulator to provide the users with a tool to analyze the algorithms of task scheduling in the computational grid.

An approach to mitigate denial of service attacks in ieee 802.11 networks

Wireless networks are widely deployed and have many uses, for example in critical embedded systems. The applications of this kind of network meets the common needs of most embedded systems and addressing the particularities of each scenario, such as limitations of computing resources and energy supply. Problems such as denial of service attacks are common place and cause great inconvenience. Thus, this study presents simulations of denial of service attacks on 802.11 wireless networks using the network simulator OMNeT++. Furthermore, we present an approach to mitigate such attack, obtaining significant results for improving wireless networks.

Controle fuzzy de um motor dc utilizando sistema de aquisição de dados e o matlab

The present work develops a fuzzy inference system to control the rotation speed of a DC motor available in Degem Kit. Therefore, it should use the fuzzy toolbox of Matlab in conjunction with the data acquisition board NI - USB - 6009, a National Instrument’s board. An introduction to fuzzy logic, the mathematical model of a DC motor and the operation of data acquisition board is presented first. Followed by the controller fuzzy model implemented using Simulink which is described in detail. Finally, the prototype is shown and the simulator results are presented

Use of virtual labs for enhance student's procedimental ability.

This article presents some results of a study investigating the use of the simulator VLAB, developed by Carnegie Mellon University, to increase the capacity of graduate students in Chemistry in the preparation of experimental procedures. The activity was conducted in two stages, first the students were asked a manuscript describing in detail the procedure and equipment used in the technique of dissolution and delivering it to the teacher. Later in the computer lab, each student performed the same procedure using the simulator. The activity has been proposed to determine if there could be accuracy gains of the description of the process when performed by the simulator. One of the main positive aspects obtained using the simulator students was the recognition of error, important in that the great majority recognized omitted or confused any process step. This reflection showed the students that in addition to testing a procedure using the simulator facilitates the organization of thought and helps arrange it logically. With the use of simulators, students are encouraged to take risks, to explore, to experience a new way, and a real lab usually offers much less room for risk, exploitation and failure.

Interactive simulations to physics teaching: a case study in brazilian high school

This paper presents the results of a study that investigated the use of simulators to improve physics teaching. The study population consisted of eight classes totaling 205 second year high school students from Brazilian public school. The research methodology adopted compares the average performance of students on tests conducted in the classroom to performance on tests conducted in the laboratory using computer simulators. The results obtained showed that students’ performance on tests improved after the use of simulators. It was found that the students had more homogeneous test results when using the simulator.

Desenvolvimento de um simulador virtual de vazamento para testar correlacionadores acústicos comerciais

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Mecânica - FEIS

Avaliação da utilização de subprodutos de Coffea arabica L. para fins cosméticos

Dentre as várias espécies de café, Coffea arabica L. destaca-se pela sua ampla importância comercial relacionada ao consumo da bebida e à produção de óleo. O grão de café possui grande quantidade de compostos fenólicos bioativos - destacando-se os com atividade antioxidante e fotoprotetora - e após a extração do óleo há sobra de grande quantidade de subprodutos, denominado torta. O objetivo desse trabalho é produzir um extrato a partir da torta de café selecionando o melhor solvente extrator, avaliando o teor de compostos fenólicos e o potencial antioxidante, para o emprego como ativo cosmético em formulações desenvolvidas, com análise in vitro para quantificação do Fator de Proteção Solar (FPS) dessas. Os extratos foram previamente produzidos por sonicação utilizando solventes de diferentes polaridades, e o extrato escolhido foi produzido em maior escala por maceração e realizado também extração exaustiva com o solvente escolhido (extrato etanólico 70%, v/v). Na determinação do teor de fenólicos totais foi utilizado o método com o reagente Folin-Ciocalteu. Foi avaliado também o rendimento (m/m) dos extratos e atividade antioxidante pelo método do radical DPPH. O extrato apresentou boa atividade antioxidante e alto teor de compostos fenólicos em comparação com outras plantas consideradas referências nessas propriedades. Para o preparo das formulações foram utilizados matérias primas aprovadas pela ANVISA, e as quantidades dos filtros solares químicos empregados para obtenção de Fator de Proteção Solar (FPS) teórico próximo de 30, utilizou-se como ferramenta o BASF - Sunscreen Simulator. As formulas desenvolvidas e preparadas foram analisadas com o equipamento Optometrics SPF 290S, capaz de fazer a determinação do FPS por análise in vitro. A preparação selecionada foi a que apresentou FPS adequado pela análise in vitro e sensorial mais leve, visto ...

Desenvolvimento de um sistema de gerenciamento de energia (EMS - Energy Management System) para a rede elétrica inteligente (Smart Grid)

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Avaliação da usabilidade de representações cartográficas em diferentes escalas para sistema de navegação e guia de rota em automóvel

Pós-graduação em Ciências Cartográficas - FCT

Caracterização radiográfica ex vivo de biomateriais utilizados para regeneração óssea em mandíbulas de porcos

Introduction: The radiographic characteristics of a biomaterial, such as its density, may influence the evaluation of the results obtained following its clinical use. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic density of biomaterials used as bone substitutes, inserted into dental sockets and bone defects in created in the jaws of pigs. The influence of a soft tissue simulator on the results was also evaluated. Material and method: Two and three-millimeter-deep bone defects were created in the pigs mandible and the right first molar extraction socket were used. Commercial samples of five biomaterials were tested: Hydroxyapatite, Lyophilized Bovine Bone, 45S5 bioglass (generic), PerioGlass and β-Tri-Calcium Phosphate, and compared to a positive (mandibular bone) and negative (empty alveolar bone defects) controls. Radiographic images were acquired with and without a 10 mm thick soft-tissue simulator. Result: The results for the extraction sockets showed no differences between the biomaterials and the negative control. For the bone defects, the depth of the defect density influenced the density, both in the negative control (p < 0.01) and biomaterials (p < 0.05) groups. The soft- tissue simulator did not alter the results. Conclusion: The type of the evaluated defect can interfere in the radiographic features presented by each biomaterial, while the simulation of soft tissues was not statistically significant.

Changes in irradiance and energy density in relation to different curing distances

The present study aimed to assess the influence of curing distance on the loss of irradiance and power density of four curing light devices. The behavior in terms of power density of four different dental curing devices was analyzed (Valo, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401) using three different distances of photopolymerization (0 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm). All devices had their power density measured using a MARC simulator. Ten measurements were made per device at each distance. The total amount of energy delivered and the required curing time to achieve 16 J/cm2 of energy was also calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s tests (p < 0.05). The curing distance significantly interfered with the loss of power density for all curing light devices, with the farthest distance generating the lowest power density and consequently the longer time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm2 (p < 0.01). Comparison of devices showed that Valo, in extra power mode, showed the best results at all distances, followed by Valo in high power mode, Valo in standard mode, Elipar 2, Radii-Cal, and Optilux-401 halogen lamp (p < 0.01). These findings indicate that all curing lights induced a significant loss of irradiance and total energy when the light was emitted farther from the probe. The Valo device in extra power mode showed the highest power density and the shortest time to achieve an energy density of 16 J/cm2 at all curing distances.

Influência do gênero na demanda visual por mapas em escalas diferentes em sistema de navegação e guia de rota

This work investigates the gender effect on visual demand of drivers for dynamic maps at different cartographic scales presented In-Vehicle Route Guidance and Navigation System (RGNS). A group of 52 subjects (26 males and 26 females) took part in an experiment performed in a low-cost driving simulator. the driver's task consisted of navigating in an unknown route using a RGNS prototype which presents maps at two different cartographic scales. This paper replicates the known phenomenon of significant relationships between gender and performance at visual-spatial tasks issue. Our results show that drivers of different genders present distinct levels of visual demand both due to the cartographic scales and maneuver complexity variation. These discussed results are based upon individual differences in terms of spatial ability and spatial anxiety.