Portable flow board for storage of fruits and vegetables in mini-chambers with controlled atmosphere

ABSTRACT A portable flow board system was developed in the present study with the aim to facilitate lab-scale experiments of controlled atmosphere (CA) with fruits and vegetables. This sturdy flow board combines ease fabrication, low cost and gas economy. Its functionality is provided by manifolds and gas mixers. Each gaseous component is supplied by a gas cylinder through a differential valve of adjusted pressure control, generally at 6 kPa, and forced through 13 standardized restrictors coupled to each manifold output. Controlled atmospheres are then formed with one, two or three gases in 13 gas mixers affixed to the flow board base, which are further conducted through flexible tubes to storage mini-chambers that can also be used to study metabolic consumption and production of gaseous components. The restrictors used in the flow gaseous components were manufactured from microhematocrit test-type capillary glass tubes following the hot forming method under continuous air flow. The portable flow board showed to be low cost and simple post-harvest equipment that allows preparing controlled atmospheres in open systems with stable composition and flow, in a manner similar to traditional flow boards with control of gas escape by barostats.

IDENTIFICATION OF SUITABLE AREAS FOR IRRIGATED RICE CROPPING USING MODIS IMAGES AND HAND MODEL

ABSTRACT One of the most relevant activities of Brazilian economy is agriculture. Among the main crops in Brazil, rice is one of high relevance. The state of Rio Grande do Sul, in Southern Brazil, is responsible for 68.7% of domestic production (IBGE, 2013). The goal of this study was to develop a low-cost methodology with a regional scope to identify suitable areas for irrigated rice cropping in this state, using spectro-temporal behavior of vegetation index by means of MODIS images and HAND model. The rice-cropped area of this study was the southern half of the State. Using the HAND model, flood areas were mapped to identify irrigated rice cultivation. We used multi-temporal images of vegetation index from MODIS sensor, covering the period from August 2001 to May 2012. To assess the results, we used data collected in the fields and cropped area information from IBGE. The results showed that the proposed methodology was satisfactory, with Kappa 0.92 and global accuracy of 98.18%. As result, MODIS sensor data and flood areas delineation by means of HAND model generated the estimate irrigated rice area for the area of study.

The Dark Side of International Business? Stakeholder Approach to Human Trafficking in Finnish Construction and Service Sectors

Human trafficking is not a new phenomenon. It has existed in various forms for ages around the world. Some researchers have even compared it to slavery, calling it the modern form of slavery in the 21st century. This study is particularly interested in the role of work-related human trafficking in Finnish business. In order for something to be called work-related human trafficking, the concepts of forced labour and human trafficking have to overlap. From the economic point of view, human trafficking is governed by the laws of supply and demand. In many countries the global pressure on cutting costs has created two trends: the increased supply of migrant workers and the deregulation of labour markets. These competitive pressures can have an adverse impact on the conditions of employment and, in the worst cases, can lead to forced labour and trafficking. In fact, trafficking has become one of the most profitable illicit industries worldwide, generating tremendous profits due to its low costs and huge profits. Therefore, it is important to investigate the phenomenon from the business point of view. This study is a qualitative research conducted by using theme interviews as a research approach. Altogether 13 interviews have been conducted and some secondary data has been used in order to find out what the role of human trafficking is in Finnish business. The special sectors investigated are the Finnish construction and service sectors. The theory framework used in this study follows the stakeholder approach. The relevant stakeholder groups for this study are: ‘institutions and authorities’, ‘law enforcement’, ‘management’ and ‘employees – potential victims’ of trafficking. With the help of these stakeholder groups, a holistic picture of the phenomenon is formed. It can be concluded that the role of human trafficking is complicated but it does exist in Finnish business. It appears in low-cost business sectors where the demand for cheap labour is high. Thus, often the victims are foreigners who do not know the culture or the Finnish conditions of employment. Especially smaller Finnish companies are at risk of getting involved in human trafficking or related exploitation cases since monitoring is much more scarce in these firms than in larger companies. The risk of human trafficking and exploitation is also higher at the bottom of the complicated subcontracting chains or when using foreign recruitment agencies. Thus, the study believes that active and intensive collaboration between the company’s different stakeholder groups is needed in order to prevent work-related human trafficking from flourishing in Finland.

Nova técnica de alimentação enteral em fístulas esôfago-jejunais

BACKGROUND: A new procedure for the treatment of esophageal fistula, mainly associated to the ebb esophagojejunal in patients submitted to the total gastrectomy and reconstruction with loop jejunal Rouxen-Y anastomosis is present. METHODS: The method is based in the use of "probe standard enteral prolongated with drain to laminate adapted in extremity", which results in advanced positioning inside the jejunum, making the administration of enteral nutrition possible and impeding ebb esophagojejunal. RESULTS: The authors discuss the theoretical advantages of the procedure and they suggest that the treatment of esofagic fistula with probe prolonged enteral would be suitable in the treatment of the fistula esophagojejunal by preventing the ebb esophagojejunal, which would result in smaller period of duration of the fistula esophagojejunal and it would prevent the high mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary studies demonstrated that this is a technically easy, low cost procedure through the endoscopic use. A prospective evaluation for morbility and mortality related to the method is needed.

Abordagem fisioterapêutica na dor pós-operatória: a eletroestimulação nervosa transcutânea (ENT)

This study provides an update on the use of Transcutaneous Eletric Nerve Stimulation (TENS) as a non-pharmacological resource of postoperative pain relief. National and international references regarding the use of TENS for the relief of postoperative pain had been selected, highlighting its mechanism of action, parameters of application, contraindications, side-effect and results. TENS is a non-pharmacological resource that has its mechanism of action based on the gate theory. It consists of a device that emits electric impulses in the skin through electrodes. It is a low cost technique, easily applicable, presents few collateral effects, good effectiveness related to the reduction of the painful perception, allowing early mobilization and reduced pharmacological analgesic consumption. TENS represents another option in the control of postoperative pain and should be inserted in a multiprofessional context.

An alternative experimental model for training in microsurgery

OBJECTIVE: to describe a new model of training in microsurgery with pig spleen after splenectomy performed by undergraduate students of the Discipline of Operative Technique of the UFPR Medical School. METHODS: after the completion of splenectomy we performed dissection of the vascular pedicle, distal and proximal to the ligation performed for removal of the spleen. After complete dissection of the splenic artery and vein with microscope, clamps were placed and the vessels were cut. We then made the anastomosis of the vessels with 9.0 nylon. RESULT: the microsurgical training with a well-defined routine, qualified supervision and using low cost experimental materials proved to be effective in the practice of initial microvascular surgery. CONCLUSION: the use of pig spleen, which would be discarded after splenectomy, is an excellent model for microsurgical training, since besides having the consistency and sensitivity of a real model, it saves the sacrifice of a new animal model in the initial learning phase of this technique.

Vinka-simulaattorin käyttö osana alkeislentokoulutusta

Simulaattoreita käytetään erilaisten asioiden harjoitteluun useilla aloilla, joissa varsinaisen laitteen käyttäminen on kallista tai sisältää riskitekijöitä. Simulaation hyödyntäminen harjoittelun tukena on yleistä etenkin lentokoulutuksessa. Ilmavoimissa simulaattoreita hyödynnetään koulutuksen tukena lähes jokaisen konetyypin yhteydessä. Alkeiskoulukone Vinkan simulaattorit uudistettiin vuonna 2009 vastaamaan Ilmavoimien vaatimuksia alkeislentokoulutuksen osalta. Alkeislentosimulaattorin tulee mahdollistaa laaja-alainen perussekä mittarilentämisen harjoittelu. Tämän tutkielman tavoitteena on selvittää, miten uusi simulaattori ja sen ympärille luotu lentokoulutusohjelma toimivat käytännössä. Tutkielman teoreettinen viitekehys rakentuu alkeislentokoulutuksessa käytettävän Vinkasimulaattorin ympärille. Simulaattoria tarkastellaan Ilmavoimien vaatimusten, Vinkasimulaattoria käyttävien lennonopettajien käyttäjäkokemusten sekä simulaattorikoulutusta käsittelevien teoriapohjaisten mallien valossa. Ilmavoimien vaatimukset alkeislentosimulaattorin osalta koostettiin lentokoulutusohjelmista, aiemmista tutkimuksista sekä koulutusta suunnittelevilta lennonopettajilta. Käyttäjäkokemukset kerättiin haastattelemalla neljää alkeislentokoulutuksen parissa työskentelevää lennonopettajaa. Teoriapohjaiset mallit muodostettiin simulaattorikoulutusta käsittelevistä tutkimuksista sekä kirjallisuudesta aineistopohjaisen sisällönanalyysin avulla. Tutkielma noudattaa laadullisen tutkimuksen periaatteita, koska ne soveltuvat hyvin kokonaisvaltaisen kuvan luomiseen tutkittavasta ilmiöstä. Haastattelujen perusteella lennonopettajat ovat pääsääntöisesti tyytyväisiä simulaattoriin ja sen katsotaan soveltuvan alkeislentokoulutuksen tarpeisiin. Suurimmat erot simulaattorin ja oikean koneen välille syntyvät simulaattorin avonaisesta ohjaamoratkaisusta, visuaalijärjestelmästä sekä ohjaintunnosta. Simulaattorikoulutus on suunniteltu tiiviiksi kokonaisuudeksi muun lentokoulutuksen yhteyteen ja simulaattoriharjoitukset vastaavat sisällöiltään pitkälti varsinaisia lentoja. Tutkimustulosten perusteella alkeislentokou lutuksen osana käytettävä simulaattorikoulutus vastaa sille asetettuja vaatimuksia. Simulaattori on rakenteelliselta toteutukseltaan low cost - mallin mukainen ja mahdollistaa laaja-alaisen perus- sekä mittarilentämisen harjoittelun. Simulaattorin käyttö on suunniteltu tiiviiksi osaksi alkeislentokoulutusta. Simulaattorilennot on kuvattu lentokoulutusohjelmiin tarkasti, mutta sisällön päivitystahti voisi olla nykyistä nopeampi. Simulaattorilentojen määrää voisi lisätä kuitenkaan karsimatta oikealla koneella lennettäviä lentoja. Nykyiset simulaattoreille varatut tilat soveltuvat käyttöön melko hyvin, vaikka ne ovat osoittautuneet hieman ahtaiksi. Ohjaussauvan keinotunto ei vastaa oikeaa konetta. Se soveltuu kuitenkin nykytilassaankin lentokoulutusohjelmissa kuvattujen asioiden harjoitteluun.

Device model for training of laparoscopic surgical skills

The authors present a especially constructed, lightweight, collapsible, portable and low cost model device for skills training in laparoscopic.

Exploration and Design of Power-Efficient Networked Many-Core Systems

Multiprocessing is a promising solution to meet the requirements of near future applications. To get full benefit from parallel processing, a manycore system needs efficient, on-chip communication architecture. Networkon- Chip (NoC) is a general purpose communication concept that offers highthroughput, reduced power consumption, and keeps complexity in check by a regular composition of basic building blocks. This thesis presents power efficient communication approaches for networked many-core systems. We address a range of issues being important for designing power-efficient manycore systems at two different levels: the network-level and the router-level. From the network-level point of view, exploiting state-of-the-art concepts such as Globally Asynchronous Locally Synchronous (GALS), Voltage/ Frequency Island (VFI), and 3D Networks-on-Chip approaches may be a solution to the excessive power consumption demanded by today’s and future many-core systems. To this end, a low-cost 3D NoC architecture, based on high-speed GALS-based vertical channels, is proposed to mitigate high peak temperatures, power densities, and area footprints of vertical interconnects in 3D ICs. To further exploit the beneficial feature of a negligible inter-layer distance of 3D ICs, we propose a novel hybridization scheme for inter-layer communication. In addition, an efficient adaptive routing algorithm is presented which enables congestion-aware and reliable communication for the hybridized NoC architecture. An integrated monitoring and management platform on top of this architecture is also developed in order to implement more scalable power optimization techniques. From the router-level perspective, four design styles for implementing power-efficient reconfigurable interfaces in VFI-based NoC systems are proposed. To enhance the utilization of virtual channel buffers and to manage their power consumption, a partial virtual channel sharing method for NoC routers is devised and implemented. Extensive experiments with synthetic and real benchmarks show significant power savings and mitigated hotspots with similar performance compared to latest NoC architectures. The thesis concludes that careful codesigned elements from different network levels enable considerable power savings for many-core systems.

Association between Lipid Accumulation Product and Hirsutism in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder in women between menarche and menopause. Clinical hyperandrogenism is the most important diagnostic criterion of the syndrome, which manifests as hirsutism in 70% of cases. Hirsute carriers of PCOS have high cardiovascular risk. Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is an index for the evaluation of lipid accumulation in adults and the prediction of cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between LAP and hirsutism in women with PCOS. Methods This was a cross-sectional observational study of a secondary database, which included 263 patients who had visited the Hyperandrogenism Outpatient Clinic from November 2009 to July 2014. The exclusion criteria were patients without Ferriman-Gallwey index (FGI) and/or LAP data. We used the Rotterdam criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. All patients underwent medical assessment followed by measurement and recording of anthropometric data and the laboratory tests for measurement of the following: thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, 17-α-hydroxyprogesterone (follicular phase), glycohemoglobin A1c, and basal insulin. In addition, the subjects underwent lipid profiling and oral glucose tolerance tests. Other laboratory measurements were determined according to clinical criteria. LAP and the homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR) were calculated using the data obtained. We divided patients into two groups: the PCOS group with normal LAP (< 34.5) and the PCOS group with altered LAP (> 34.5) to compare the occurrence of hirsutism. For statistical analysis, we used SPSS Statistics for Windows(r) and Microsoft Excel programs, with descriptive (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and comparative analyses (Student's t-test and Chi-square test). We considered relations significant when the p-value was≤0.05. Results LAP was high in most patients (n = 177; 67.3%) and the FGI indicated that 58.5% of the patients (n = 154) had hirsutism. The analysis by LAP quartiles showed a positive correlation (p = 0.04) among patients with a high FGI and an upper quartile LAP (> 79.5) when compared with those with LAP < 29.0 (lower quartile). Conclusion This study demonstrated an association between high LAP and hirsutism. The FGI could represent a simple and low-cost tool to infer an increased cardiovascular risk in women with PCOS.

Painesuodattimen automatisoidun kankaanvaihtolaitteen kehittäminen ja tekninen tuotteistaminen

Tässä työssä tarkastellaan CE-merkintään vaadittavia teknisen tuotteistamisen vaiheita käyttäen esimerkkinä painesuodattimen automatisoidun kankaanvaihtolaitteen suunnitteluprosessia. Työssä selvitetään, mitä vaihtoehtoja on painesuodattimen lisälaitteiden luokitteluksi, että ne saadaan tuotteistettua Euroopan talousalueella (ETA). Esimerkkinä käytettävä kankaanvaihtolaite on suunniteltu käyttäen järjestelmällisen koneensuunnittelun menetelmää. CE-merkinnän vaatima riskianalyysi on tehty laitteelle standardin SFS-EN ISO 12100:2010 mukaisesti. Tuloksena saatu laitteen prototyyppi täyttää pääosin laitteelle asetettavat vaatimukset. Kustannusarvio ylittää kuitenkin toivotun omakustannehinnan valoverhojen suhteellisen kalliin hinnan takia. Kustannusarvion mukaan prototyyppi voidaan kuitenkin valmistaa edullisesti, sillä valoverhot eivät ole pakollisia laitteen toiminnallisissa testeissä. Ennen tuotteistamista valoverhojen korvaamisen mahdollisuutta muulla turvatekniikalla on kuitenkin tutkittava. Suunnitteluvaiheen jälkeen laitteen turvallisuuden voidaan todeta olevan vähintään riittävällä tasolla. Riskianalyysi on kuitenkin päivitettävä dokumentti, ja laitteen turvallisuus täytyy varmistaa prototyyppiä testaamalla. Työn perusteella voidaan todeta, että huomioimalla laitteen mahdollisesti aiheuttamat vaaratilanteet jo tuotesuunnittelun alussa, voidaan tuotekehitysprosessia nopeuttaa. Tunnistamalla vaaratilanteet suunnittelun varhaisessa vaiheessa voidaan vähentää riskien määrää, ja siten tarvetta riskien pienentämiselle. Näin vähennetään rakenteen suunnittelun ja riskianalyysin iterointikierrosten määrää, jolloin myös tuotteistamisprosessi nopeutuu.

Tunable lumped-element bandpass filters for Cognitive Radio application

In this thesis the design of bandpass filters tunable at 400 MHz – 800 MHz was under research. Microwave filters are vital components which provide frequency selectivity in wide variety of electronic systems operating at high frequencies. Due to the occurrence of multi-frequency bands communication and diverse applications of wireless devices, requirement of tunable filters exists. The one of potential implementation of frequency-agile filters is frontends and spectrum sensors in Cognitive Radio (CR). The principle of CR is to detect and operate at a particular available spectrum without interfering with the primary user’s signals. This new method allows improving the efficiency of utilizing allocated spectrum such as TV band (400 MHz – 800 MHz). The focus of this work is development of sufficiently compact, low cost tunable filters with quite narrow bandwidth using currently available lumped-element components and PCB board technology. Filter design, different topologies and methods of tuning of bandpass filters are considered in this work. As a result, three types of topologies of bandpass filter were simulated and realised. They use digitally tunable capacitors (DTCs) for adjusting central frequency at TV "white space" spectrum. Measurements revealed that schematics presented in this work have proper output response and filters are successfully tuned by DTCs.