From regression estimates to document tables: output formatting using -estout-

Postestimation processing and formatting of regression estimates for input into document tables are tasks that many of us have to do. However, processing results by hand can be laborious, and is vulnerable to error. There are therefore many benefits to automation of these tasks while at the same time retaining user flexibility in terms of output format. The estout package meets these needs. estout assembles a table of coefficients, "significance stars", summary statistics, standard errors, t/z statistics, p-values, confidence intervals, and other statistics calculated for up to twenty models previously fitted and stored by estimates store. It then writes the table to the Stata log and/or to a text file. The estimates are formatted optionally in several styles: html, LaTeX, or tab-delimited (for input into MS Excel or Word). There are a large number of options regarding which output is formatted and how. This talk will take users through a range of examples, from relatively basic simple applications to complex ones.

Investigaciones dendrogeomorfol��gicas aplicadas a la gesti��n de los impactos por erosi��n h��drica acelerada de suelos en las sendas del parque nacional de Monfrag��e

En muchos espacios naturales protegidos, el flujo peatonal de visitantes se concentra en determinados sectores del ��rea de uso p��blico, sobre todo en la proximidad de las principales v��as de acceso (carreteras, n��cleos de poblaci��n...) y en un reducido n��mero de sendas y caminos peatonales que comunican los elementos m��s visitados. Es el caso del camino hacia la Cola de Caballo en el parque nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido; el camino a la ermita de San Frutos en el parque natural de las Hoces del r��o Durat��n; o la senda que comunica el Salto del Gitano con el castillo y la ermita en el parque nacional de Monfrag��e, por citar algunos ejemplos. Esta concentraci��n de actividades de senderismo produce en determinados tramos de estos caminos y sendas (zonas con suelos arenosos o limosos y altas pendientes) una erosi��n h��drica acelerada por el efecto f��sico del pisoteo, compactaci��n y continua fricci��n. En ocasiones se llegan a formar regueros, peque��os barrancos y se pierden grandes cantidades de suelos f��rtiles, que adem��s fosilizan y aterran aqu��llas zonas donde va a parar la escorrent��a, produciendo importantes impactos en estos espacios singulares. Existen numerosos ejemplos de ingentes partidas econ��micas que los gestores de estos espacios protegidos tienen que destinar a la reparaci��n y recuperaci��n de estas sendas y su entorno. Para ayudar a los gestores es b��sico disponer de metodolog��as y herramientas que cuantifiquen esta erosi��n h��drica (en mm/a��o) delimitando qu�� tramos de estas sendas y caminos tienen los mayores problemas erosivos, para as�� determinar cu��les deben ser prioritarios en su correcci��n, o qu�� acciones de restricci��n de paso o determinaci��n de capacidad de acogida, son necesarias adoptar. Para esta cuantificaci��n son muy ��tiles, desde hace d��cadas, las t��cnicas dendrogeomorfol��gicas aplicadas a las ra��ces de ��rboles que han quedado expuestas a la intemperie por la erosi��n acelerada en las sendas. En este trabajo se propone una nueva metodolog��a de medici��n del suelo denudado en relaci��n con la ra��z, basado en el estudio microtopogr��fico de la superficie utilizando moldes y r��plicas de alta resoluci��n realizados en diferentes tipos de siliconas, latex y escayolas, y su posterior escaneo tridimensional. La zona piloto donde se ha ensayado esta metodolog��a son los senderos y caminos del parque nacional de Monfrag��e (C��ceres), que presentan ra��ces expuestas debido a la intensa erosi��n h��drica acelerada como consecuencia de la elevada concentraci��n de visitantes. Los estudios son financiados por el proyecto de investigaci��n IDEA-GesPPNN, del OAPN (MAGRAMA).

Sistemas radiolarios: geometr��as y arquitecturas derivadas

Uno de los temas m��s importantes dentro del debate contempor��neo, es el que se refiere a la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de la sociedad tal y como la entendemos hoy. El ser humano est�� recuperando la sensibilidad perdida que le conceb��a como una pieza m��s dentro del ciclo natural de la vida. Por fin hemos entendido que no podemos ser auto suficientes e independientes del entorno natural que nos rodea. M��s all�� del respeto y del cuidado, est�� abierta la puerta del conocimiento infinito que nos brinda la naturaleza a todos los niveles y a todas las escalas. Dentro de la disciplina arquitect��nica han existido ejemplos como Antoni Gaud�� o Frei Otto que han referenciado su obra en el mundo Natural, encontrando en ��l las estrategias y bases para el dise��o arquitect��nico. Sin embargo han sido una minor��a dentro del enorme elenco de arquitectos defensores del ��ngulo recto. En las ��ltimas d��cadas, la tendencia est�� cambiando. No nos referimos tanto a la sensibilidad creciente por conseguir una mayor eficiencia energ��tica que ha llevado a una puesta en valor de la arquitectura vern��cula, trasladando su sabidur��a a las estrategias bioclim��ticas. Nos referimos a un caso espec��fico dentro del amplio abanico de formas arquitect��nicas que han aparecido gracias a la incorporaci��n de las herramientas computacionales en el dise��o y la producci��n. Las arquitecturas que nos interesan son las que aprovechan estas t��cnicas para analizar e interpretar las estrategias complejas y altamente eficientes que encontramos en la naturaleza, y trasladarlas a la disciplina arquitect��nica. Esta tendencia que se enmarca dentro de la Biom��mesis o Biomim��tica es conocida con el nombre de Bioarquitectura. La presente tesis trata de morfolog��a y sobre todo de morfog��nesis. El t��rmino morfolog��a se refiere al estudio de una forma concreta que nos permite entender un caso espec��fico, nuestro foco de atenci��n se centra sin embargo en la morfog��nesis, es decir, en el estudio de los procesos de generaci��n de esas formas, para poder reproducir patrones y generar abanicos de casos adaptables y reconfigurables. El hecho de estudiar la forma no quiere decir que ��sta sea una tesis ���formalista��� con la connotaci��n peyorativa y gestual que se le suele atribuir a este t��rmino. La investigaci��n concibe el concepto de forma como lo hace el mundo natural: forma como s��ntesis de eficiencia. No hay ninguna forma natural gratuita, que no cumpla una funci��n determinada y que no se desarrolle con el m��nimo material y gaste la m��nima energ��a posible. Este af��n por encontrar la ���forma eficaz��� es lo que nos hace traspasar la frontera de la arquitectura formalista. El camino de investigaci��n morfol��gica se traza, como el t��tulo de la tesis indica, siguiendo el hilo conductor concreto de los radiolarios. Estos microorganismos unicelulares poseen unos esqueletos tan complejos que para poder entender su morfolog��a es necesario establecer un amplio recorrido que abarca m��s de 4.000 a��os de conocimiento humano. Desde el descubrimiento de los s��lidos plat��nicos, poliedros que configuran muchas de las formas globales de estos esqueletos; hasta la aplicaci��n de los algoritmos generativos, que permiten entender y reproducir los patrones de comportamiento que existen detr��s de los sistemas de compactaci��n y teselaci��n irregular de los esqueletos radiolarios. La tesis no pretende plantear el problema desde un punto de vista biol��gico, ni paleontol��gico, aunque inevitablemente en el primer cap��tulo se realiza un an��lisis referenciado del estado del conocimiento cient��fico actual. S�� se analizan en mayor profundidad cuestiones morfol��gicas y se tratan los diferentes posicionamientos desde los cuales estos microorganismos han servido de referencia en la disciplina arquitect��nica. Adem��s encontramos necesario analizar otros patrones naturales que comparten estrategias generativas con los esqueletos radiolarios. Como ya hemos apuntado, en el segundo cap��tulo se aborda un recorrido desde las geometr��as m��s b��sicas a las m��s complejas, que tienen relaci��n con las estrategias de generaci��n de las formas detectadas en los microorganismos. A su vez, el an��lisis de estas geometr��as se intercala con ejemplos de aplicaciones dentro de la arquitectura, el dise��o y el arte. Finalizando con un cronograma que sintetiza y relaciona las tres v��as de investigaci��n abordadas: natural, geom��trica y arquitect��nica. Tras los dos cap��tulos centrales, el cap��tulo final recapitula las estrategias analizadas y aplica el conocimiento adquirido en la tesis, mediante la realizaci��n de diferentes prototipos que abarcan desde el dibujo anal��tico tradicional, a la fabricaci��n digital y el dise��o param��trico, pasando por modelos anal��gicos de escayola, barras met��licas, resina, silicona, l��tex, etc. ABSTRACT One of the most important issues in the contemporary debate, is the one concerning the long-term sustainability of society as we understand it today. The human being is recovering the lost sensitivity that conceived us as part of the natural cycle of life. We have finally understood that we cannot be self-sufficient and independent of the natural environment which surrounds us. Beyond respect and care, we���ll find that the gateway to the infinite knowledge that nature provides us at all levels and at all scales is open. Within the architectural discipline, there have been remarkable examples such as Antoni Gaud�� or Frei Otto who have inspired their work in the natural world. Both, found in nature the strategies and basis of their architectural designs. However, they have been a minority within the huge cast of architects defenders of the right angle. In recent decades, the trend is changing. We are not referring to the growing sensitivity in trying to achieve energy efficiency that has led to an enhancement of vernacular architecture, transferring its wisdom to bioclimatic strategies. We refer to a specific case within the wide range of architectural forms that have appeared thanks to the integration of computer tools in both design and production processes. We are interested in architectures that exploit these techniques to analyse and interpret the complex and highly efficient strategies found in nature, and shift them to the discipline of architecture. This trend, which is being implemented in the framework of the Biomimicry or biomimetics, is called Bioarchitecture. This thesis deals with morphology and more specifically with morphogenesis. Morphology is the study of a concrete form that allows us to understand a specific case. However, our focus is centered in morphogenesis or, in other words, the study of the processes of generation of these forms, in order to replicate patterns and generate a range of adaptable and reconfigurable cases. The fact of studying shapes does not mean that this is a ���formalistic��� thesis with the pejorative connotation that is often attributed to this term. This study conceives the concept of shape as Nature does: as a synthesis of efficiency. There is no meaningless form in nature. Furthermore, forms and shapes in nature play a particular role and are developed with minimum energetic consumption. This quest to find the efficient shape is what makes us go beyond formalistic architecture. The road of morphological investigation is traced, as the title of the thesis suggests, following the thread of radiolaria. These single-cell microorganisms possess very complex skeletons, so to be able to understand their morphology we must establish a wide spectrum which spans throughout more than 4.000 years of human knowledge. From the discovery of the platonic solids, polyhedrons which configure a huge range of global shapes of these skeletons, through the application of generative algorithms which allow us to understand and recreate the behavioral patterns behind the systems of compression and irregular tessellation of the radiolarian skeletons. The thesis does not pretend to lay out the problem from a biological, paleontological standpoint, although inevitably the first chapter is developed through an analysis in reference to the current state of the science. A deeper analysis of morphological aspects and different positionings is taken into account where these microorganisms have served as reference in the architectonic discipline. In addition we find necessary to analyse other natural patterns which share generative strategies with radiolarian skeletons. Aforementioned, in the second chapter an itinerary of the most basic geometries to the more complex ones is addressed. These are related, in this chapter, to the generative strategies of the shapes found in microorganisms. At the same time, the analysis of these geometries is placed among examples of applications inside the fields of architecture, design and the arts. To come to an end, a time chart synthesizes and relates the three investigation paths addressed: natural, geometrical and architectonic. After the two central chapters, the final chapter summarises the strategies analysed and applies the knowledge acquired throughout the thesis. This final chapter is shaped by the realization of different prototypes which range from traditional analytical drawings, to digital fabrication and parametric design, going through plaster analogical models, metal bars, resin, silicone, latex, etc.

Phagocytosis of rod outer segments by retinal pigment epithelial cells requires ��v��5 integrin for binding but not for���internalization

Phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor rod outer segments (ROS) by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is essential for retinal function. Here, we demonstrate that this process requires ��v��5 integrin, rather than ��v��3 integrin utilized by systemic macrophages. Although adult rat RPE expressed both ��v��3 and ��v��5 integrins, only ��v��3 was expressed at birth, when the retina is immature and phagocytosis is absent. Expression of ��v��5 was first detected in RPE at PN7 and reached adult levels at PN11, just before onset of phagocytic activity. Interestingly, ��v��5 localized in vivo to the apical plasma membrane, facing the photoreceptors, and to intracellular vesicles, whereas ��v��3 was expressed basolaterally. Using quantitative fluorimaging to assess in vitro uptake of fluorescent particles by human (ARPE-19) and rat (RPE-J) cell lines, ��v��5 function-blocking antibodies were shown to reduce phagocytosis by drastically decreasing (85%) binding of ROS but not of latex beads. In agreement with a role for ��v��5 in phagocytosis, immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated codistribution of ��v��5 integrin with internalized ROS. Control experiments showed that blocking ��v��3 function with antibodies did not inhibit ROS phagocytosis and that ��v��3 did not colocalize with phagocytosed ROS. Taken together, our results indicate that the RPE requires the integrin receptor ��v��5 specifically for the binding of ROS and that phagocytosis involves internalization of a ROS-��v��5 complex. ��v��5 integrin does not participate in phagocytosis by other phagocytic cells and is the first of the RPE receptors involved in ROS phagocytosis that may be specific for this process.

The Small Mr Ras-like GTPase Rap1 and the Phospholipase C Pathway Act to Regulate Phagocytosis in Dictyostelium discoideum

The function of the small-Mr Ras-like GTPase Rap1 remains largely unknown, but this protein has been demonstrated to regulate cortical actin-based morphologic changes in Dictyostelium and the oxidative burst in mammalian neutrophils. To test whether Rap1 regulates phagocytosis, we biochemically analyzed cell lines that conditionally and modestly overexpressed wild-type [Rap1 WT(+)], constitutively active [Rap1 G12T(+)], and dominant negative [Rap1 S17N(+)] forms of D. discoideum Rap1. The rates of phagocytosis of bacteria and latex beads were significantly higher in Rap1 WT(+) and Rap1 G12T(+) cells and were reduced in Rap1 S17N(+) cells. The addition of inhibitors of protein kinase A, protein kinase G, protein tyrosine kinase, or phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase did not affect phagocytosis rates in wild-type cells. In contrast, the addition of U73122 (a phospholipase C inhibitor), calphostin C (a protein kinase C inhibitor), and BAPTA-AM (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator) reduced phagocytosis rates by 90, 50, and 65%, respectively, suggesting both arms of the phospholipase C signaling pathways played a role in this process. Other protein kinase C���specific inhibitors, such as chelerythrine and bisindolylmaleimide I, did not reduce phagocytosis rates in control cells, suggesting calphostin C was affecting phagocytosis by interfering with a protein containing a diacylglycerol-binding domain. The addition of calphostin C did not reduce phagocytosis rates in Rap1 G12T(+) cells, suggesting that the putative diacylglycerol-binding protein acted upstream in a signaling pathway with Rap1. Surprisingly, macropinocytosis was significantly reduced in Rap1 WT(+) and Rap1 G12T(+) cells compared with control cells. Together our results suggest that Rap1 and Ca2+ may act together to coordinate important early events regulating phagocytosis.

Portosystemic shunting and persistent fetal vascular structures in aryl hydrocarbon receptor-deficient mice

A physiological examination of mice harboring a null allele at the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) locus revealed that the encoded aryl hydrocarbon receptor plays a role in the resolution of fetal vascular structures during development. Although the aryl hydrocarbon receptor is more commonly studied for its role in regulating xenobiotic metabolism and dioxin toxicity, a developmental role of this protein is supported by the observation that Ah null mice display smaller livers, reduced fecundity, and decreased body weights. Upon investigating the liver phenotype, we found that the decrease in liver size is directly related to a reduction in hepatocyte size. We also found that smaller hepatocyte size is the result of massive portosystemic shunting in null animals. Colloidal carbon uptake and microsphere perfusion studies indicated that 56% of portal blood flow bypasses the liver sinusoids. Latex corrosion casts and angiography demonstrated that shunting is consistent with the existence of a patent ductus venosus in adult animals. Importantly, fetal vascular structures were also observed at other sites. Intravital microscopy demonstrated an immature sinusoidal architecture in the liver and persistent hyaloid arteries in the eyes of adult Ah null mice, whereas corrosion casting experiments described aberrations in kidney vascular patterns.

ATP-dependent Membrane Assembly of F-Actin Facilitates Membrane Fusion

We recently established an in vitro assay that monitors the fusion between latex-bead phagosomes and endocytic organelles in the presence of J774 macrophage cytosol (Jahraus et al., 1998). Here, we show that different reagents affecting the actin cytoskeleton can either inhibit or stimulate this fusion process. Because the membranes of purified phagosomes can assemble F-actin de novo from pure actin with ATP (Defacque et al., 2000a), we focused here on the ability of membranes to nucleate actin in the presence of J774 cytosolic extracts. For this, we used F-actin sedimentation, pyrene actin assays, and torsional rheometry, a biophysical approach that could provide kinetic information on actin polymerization and gel formation. We make two major conclusions. First, under our standard in vitro conditions (4 mg/ml cytosol and 1 mM ATP), the presence of membranes actively catalyzed the assembly of cytosolic F-actin, which assembled into highly viscoelastic gels. A model is discussed that links these results to how the actin may facilitate fusion. Second, cytosolic actin paradoxically polymerized more under ATP depletion than under high-ATP conditions, even in the absence of membranes; we discuss these data in the context of the well described, large increases in F-actin seen in many cells during ischemia.

The secreted Ipa complex of Shigella flexneri promotes entry into mammalian cells.

The bacterial pathogen Shigella flexneri causes bacillary dysentery in humans by invading coloncytes. Upon contact with epithelial cells, S. flexneri elicits localized plasma membrane projections sustained by long actin filaments which engulf the microorganism. The products necessary for Shigella entry include three secretory proteins: IpaB, IpaC, and IpaD. Extracellular IpaB and IpaC associate in a soluble complex, the Ipa complex. We have immunopurified this Ipa complex on latex beads and found that they were efficiently internalized into HeLa cells. Like S. flexneri entry, uptake of the beads bearing the Ipa complex was associated with membrane projections and polymerization of actin at the site of cell-bead interaction and was dependent on small Rho GTPases. These results indicate that a secreted factor can promote S. flexneri entry into epithelial cells.

Sensibiliza����o ao l��tex em pacientes com mielomeningocele na urologia do HC-FMUSP: preval��ncia e fatores associados

INTRODU����O: A alergia ao l��tex �� um importante problema de sa��de p��blica, especialmente em grupos de risco que t��m contato frequente com este potente al��rgeno. Este estudo estimou a preval��ncia e os fatores de risco para sensibiliza����o ao l��tex em pacientes com mielomeningocele (MMC) submetidos a procedimentos cir��rgicos urol��gicos no HC-FMUSP. M��TODOS: Foram selecionados pacientes com MMC submetidos a pelo menos uma cirurgia urol��gica, entre 2009 e 2014.Todos foram entrevistados e seus prontu��rios revisados. Uma amostra de sangue permitiu que a IgE espec��fica ao l��tex, a K82, e seus recombinantes fossem investigados pelo m��todo lmmunoCAP100 (kUa/L -1). A associa����o entre a exposi����o e o desfecho foi avaliada por meio de regress��o log��stica de Poisson, Quiquadrado ou o teste exato de Fischer, para vari��veis categ��ricas. O teste t de Student foi utilizado para comparar vari��veis cont��nuas (n��vel de signific��ncia de 5%). Foram calculados a raz��o de preval��ncia (RP) e o intervalo de confian��a de 95%. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados Duzentos e doze pacientes (51% do sexo masculino, 20,4 �� 6,4 anos de idade), 68 foram submetidos a pelo menos um procedimento urol��gico e 51 aceitaram participar (87,9%). Vinte e nove pacientes foram considerados n��o-sensibilizados (IgE espec��fica para o l��tex :: a 0,7 kUa/L) e 22 sensibilizados ao l��tex com IgE > 0,7 kUa/L. Quando comparados os dois grupos, o sensibilizado apresentou um n��mero de procedimentos cir��rgicos maior (11,6 �� 5,9 vs 7,2 �� 5,6) e dentre eles 48,3% apresentaram alguma alergia anterior contra 27,6% no grupo n��o sensibilizado. A sensibiliza����o ao l��tex foi independentemente associada com alergia a produtos de l��tex (p = 0,014) e com o n��mero de cirurgias anteriores (p = 0,032). A alergia ao l��tex tinha uma raz��o de preval��ncia de 2,87 (95% Cl: 1,24 a 6,65) ajustado para o n��mero de cirurgias. Para cada procedimento cir��rgico, ajustado �� alergia a produtos que cont��m l��tex, aumentou o risco para sensibiliza����o em 4% (PR = 1,04; 95% CI: 1,00-1,09). CONCLUS��ES: A hist��ria de alergia ao l��tex e o n��mero de cirurgias foram fatores de risco independentes para sensibiliza����o ao l��tex

Avalia����o de indicadores biol��gicos na valida����o de processos de esteriliza����o de isoladores por per��xido de hidrog��nio

A resist��ncia de cinco microrganismos presentes na microbiota da ��rea de produ����o est��ril (Cristaliza����o Est��ril), frente a a����o do g��s de per��xido de hidrog��nio foi determinada e o valor O obtido para cada microrganismo foi comparado ao valor D do Bacillus stearothermophilus ATCC 12980 exposto ao mesmo agente. Os microrganismos testados foram Bacillus sp, M. luteus, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus sp e Penicillium sp. Este teste tinha a finalidade de comprovar que a resist��ncia do Bacillus stearothermophilus �� maior quando da exposi����o ao per��xido de hidrog��nio se comparada a outros microrganismos presentes na ��rea produtiva. A metodologia consistiu da inocula����o de 0,01 mL da suspens��o de cada microrganismo na contagem de 102UFC/0,01 mL em cupons de a��o inoxid��vel, previamente esterilizados por calor seco e posterior exposi����o ao g��s de per��xido de hidrog��nio. O experimento demonstrou que o valor D obtido para o Bacillus stearothermophilus ��superior aos obtidos para os outros microrganismos em teste comprovando que a escolha deste microrganismo para o desafio contra o per��xido de hidrog��nio �� apropriada. Tamb��m executou-se o teste que visava garantir que o a��o inoxid��vel �� o material de suporte mais recomendado para este fim, utilizando-se suportes de diversos materiais normalmente encontrados no interior dos isoladores (PVC, a��o inoxid��vel, CKC, teflon, polipropileno, l��tex, silicone, Hypalon, vidro, nylon, saco de alum��nio) com 0,01 mL de in��culo de Bacillus stearothermophilus na contagem de 102UFC/O,01 mL, o que foi devidamente comprovado.

Avalia����o da radioatividade natural em tintas de uso comercial no Brasil

A radioatividade natural presente em solos, rochas e materiais de constru����o, devida ao 40K e ��s s��ries radioativas do 232Th e 238U �� a principal contribui����o �� exposi����o externa aos seres humanos. Neste trabalho, determinou-se as concentra����es de atividade de 226Ra (da s��rie do 238U), 232Th e 40K presentes em 50 amostras de tintas l��tex de cor branca comercializadas no Brasil, especificamente, 15 do tipo econ��mico, 15 do tipo standard, 20 do tipo premium e em uma amostra de di��xido de tit��nio. As amostras foram seladas e armazenadas por um per��odo m��nimo de 30 dias para se alcan��ar o equil��brio radioativo secular nas s��ries do 238U e do 232Th e medidas pela t��cnica anal��tica de espectrometria gama de alta resolu����o. As concentra����es de atividade foram calculadas utilizando-se as m��dias ponderadas pelas incertezas do 214Pb e 214Bi para o 226Ra e m��dias ponderadas pelas incertezas do 228Ac, 212Pb e 212Bi para o 232Th. A concentra����o de atividade do 40K foi determinada pela sua transi����o ��nica de 1460,8 keV. Fatores de autoatenua����o gama foram calculados e utilizados para corre����o da concentra����o de atividade das amostras com densidade maior que 1,0 g.cm-3. Os ��ndices radiol��gicos equivalente em r��dio (Raeq), ��ndice de concentra����o de atividade (Iγ), ��ndice de risco �� exposi����o gama interna (Hin), o ��ndice de risco �� exposi����o gama externa (Hex) e a taxa de dose (D) e dose efetiva anual (Def) foram calculados a partir das concentra����es de atividade do 226Ra, 232Th e 40K. As concentra����es de atividade de 226Ra das tintas variaram entre valores abaixo da atividade m��nima detect��vel e 38,7 Bq.kg-1, as de 232Th variaram entre valores abaixo da atividade m��nima detect��vel e 101,2 Bq.kg-1 e as de 40K variaram entre valores abaixo da atividade m��nima detect��vel e 256 Bq.kg-1. O Raeq variou entre 1,41 Bq.kg-1 e 203 Bq.kg-1, o Iγ variou entre 0,0047 e 0,720, o Hin variou entre 0,0076 e 0,653 e o Hex variou entre 0,0038 e 0,549. A taxa de dose variou de 0,170 nGy.h-1 a 21,3 nGy.h-1 e a dose efetiva anual variou entre 0,83 μSv.a-1 e 104,2 μSv.a-1. Estes resultados mostram que as concentra����es de atividades das tintas utilizadas neste estudo est��o abaixo dos limites recomendados por Hassan et al. para Raeq (370 Bq.kg-1), pela Comiss��o Europ��ia para o Iγ (limite de 2 para materiais superficiais) e pela Organiza����o para Coopera����o Econ��mica e Desenvolvimento para Hin e para Hex (ambos com limite de 1), para todas as 50 amostras estudadas, mostrando assim a seguran��a destas tintas com rela����o a prote����o radiol��gica.

Random exams using Sweave

The adaptation of the Spanish University to the European Higher Education Area (EEES in Spanish) demands the integration of new tools and skills that would make the teaching- learning process easier. This adaptation involves a change in the evaluation methods, which goes from a system where the student was evaluated with a final exam, to a new system where we include a continuous evaluation in which the final exam may represent at most 50% in the vast majority of the Universities. Devising a new and fair continuous evaluation system is not an easy task to do. That would mean a student���s��� learning process follow-up by the teachers, and as a consequence an additional workload on existing staff resources. Traditionally, the continuous evaluation is associated with the daily work of the student and a collection of the different marks partly or entirely based on the work they do during the academic year. Now, small groups of students and an attendance control are important aspects to take into account in order to get an adequate assessment of the students. However, most of the university degrees have groups with more than 70 students, and the attendance control is a complicated task to perform, mostly because it consumes significant amounts of staff time. Another problem found is that the attendance control would encourage not-interested students to be present at class, which might cause some troubles to their classmates. After a two year experience in the development of a continuous assessment in Statistics subjects in Social Science degrees, we think that individual and periodical tasks are the best way to assess results. These tasks or examinations must be done in classroom during regular lessons, so we need an efficient system to put together different and personal questions in order to prevent students from cheating. In this paper we provide an efficient and effective way to elaborate random examination papers by using Sweave, a tool that generates data, graphics and statistical calculus from the software R and shows results in PDF documents created by Latex. In this way, we will be able to design an exam template which could be compiled in order to generate as many PDF documents as it is required, and at the same time, solutions are provided to easily correct them.

Uso de Sweave para crear ex��menes aleatorios

La adaptaci��n del sistema universitario espa��ol al Espacio Europeo de Educaci��n Superior exige la inclusi��n de nuevos m��todos de evaluaci��n continua. Tradicionalmente, la evaluaci��n continua ha sido asociada con el trabajo diario del estudiante y una recopilaci��n de notas parciales que a d��a de hoy resulta complicada debido al gran tama��o de los grupos en los que se organizan las clases. Tras estos primeros a��os, creemos que la evaluaci��n mediante controles peri��dicos es la mejor manera de valorar los resultados del proceso de aprendizaje diario. Sin embargo, la realizaci��n adecuada exige el dise��o de diferentes modelos de examen. En este trabajo, proponemos un sistema eficiente para confeccionar controles ���aleatorios��� a trav��s de Sweave, un paquete asociado al software libre R que proporciona datos, gr��ficos y c��lculos estad��sticos y muestra los resultados en documentos PDF compilados en Latex. De esta forma, podremos generar tantos controles con diferentes datos como queramos siguiendo una estructura com��n, as�� como las correspondientes soluciones para poder corregirlos con facilidad.

Analysis of pollutants evolved from combustion and pyrolysis of flexible polyurethane foam in a laboratory furnace

Resumen del p��ster presentado en PIC2015 ��� the 14th International Congress on Combustion By-Products and Their Health Effects, Ume��, Sweden, 14-17 June 2015.

Tecniche GPS/INS per l'anilisi dinamica di un ciclomotore

Nel seguente elaborato si espone l���utilizzo del sistema GPS/INS per la valutazione del moto di un ciclomotore. Tale sistema �� composto da sensori GPS ( Global Navigation System ) per la misurazione della posizione, e da sensori INS ( Inertial Navigation System) per la misurazione dell���accelerazione e delle velocit�� angolari rispetto a tre assi coordinati. Chiaramente le misure di accelerazioni e di velocit�� angolari da parte dei sensori, presentano dei minimi errori, che per�� si ripercuotono sul posizionamento finale. Per limitare questo fenomeno e rendere la misura di velocit�� e posizione utilizzabile, un filtro di Kalman viene impiegato per correggere il risultato dell'integrazione usando le misurazioni del GPS. Il connubio tra il sistema INS e il sistema GPS �� molto efficacie anche quando si ha una assenza di ricezione satellitare o perdita parziale dei satelliti (cycle slip). Infine �� stato utilizzato uno smartphone sfruttando i sensori in esso presenti : accelerometri, giroscopi, GPS, per analizzare la dinamica di un ciclomotore, concentrandosi sull���assetto in particolar modo l���angolo di rollio. Tale prova �� stata affrontata non tanto per validare il sistema GPS/INS, ma per provare una soluzione comoda e di basso costo per analizzare il moto di un ciclomotore.