On the finite element modeling of fatigue crack growth in pressurized cylindrical shells

A methodology for the computational modeling of the fatigue crack growth in pressurized shell structures, based on the finite element method and concepts of Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics, is presented. This methodology is based on that developed by Potyondy [Potyondy D, Wawrzynek PA, Ingraffea, AR. Discrete crack growth analysis methodology for through crack in pressurized fuselage structures. Int J Numer Methods Eng 1995;38:1633-1644], which consists of using four stress intensity factors, computed from the modified crack integral method, to predict the fatigue propagation life as well as the crack trajectory, which is computed as part of the numerical simulation. Some issues not presented in the study of Potyondy are investigated herein such as the influence of the crack increment size and the number of nodes per element (4 or 9 nodes) on the simulation results by means of a fatigue crack propagation simulation of a Boeing 737 airplane fuselage. The results of this simulation are compared with experimental results and those obtained by Potyondy [1]. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Method development and optimization for the determination of selenium in bean and soil samples using hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The present investigation is the first part of an initiative to prepare a regional map of the natural abundance of selenium in various areas of Brazil, based on the analysis of bean and soil samples. Continuous-flow hydride generation electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-ET AAS) with in situ trapping on an iridium-coated graphite tube has been chosen because of the high sensitivity and relative simplicity. The microwave-assisted acid digestion for bean and soil samples was tested for complete recovery of inorganic and organic selenium compounds (selenomethionine). The reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) was optimized in order to guarantee that there is no back-oxidation, which is of importance when digested samples are not analyzed immediately after the reduction step. The limits of detection and quantification of the method were 30 ng L(-1) Se and 101 ng L(-1) Se, respectively, corresponding to about 3 ng g(-1) and 10 ng g(-1), respectively, in the solid samples, considering a typical dilution factor of 100 for the digestion process. The results obtained for two certified food reference materials (CRM), soybean and rice, and for a soil and sediment CRM confirmed the validity of the investigated method. The selenium content found in a number of selected bean samples varied between 5.5 +/- 0.4 ng g(-1) and 1726 +/- 55 ng g(-1), and that in soil samples varied between 113 +/- 6.5 ng g(-1) and 1692 +/- 21 ng g(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Testicular Sertoli cell function in male systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To assess the testicular Sertoli cell function in male SLE patients. Methods. Thirty-four consecutive patients were prospectively selected to evaluate serum inhibin B. Clinical features, treatment, semen analysis, urological evaluation, testicular ultrasound, hormones and anti-sperm antibodies were determined. Results. Patients were subdivided into two groups: low serum inhibin B (Group 1, n = 8) and normal levels (Group 2, n 26). The median sperm concentration (P = 0.024), total sperm count (P = 0.023) and total motile sperm count (P = 0.025) were lower in Group 1. Inhibin B levels were positively correlated with sperm concentration (r = 0.343), total motile sperm count (r = 0.357), and negatively correlated with follicule-stimulating hormone (FSH) (r = 0.699) and luteinizing hormone (r = 0.397). The median serum inhibin B was lower in SLE patients treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) compared with those without this therapy (P = 0.031). Further evaluation of the 26 SLE patients with normal inhibin B and FSH levels revealed that medians of inhibin B/FSH ratio were lower in SLE patients with oligozoospermia compared with normozoospermia (P = 0.004). This ratio was also lower in SLE patients treated with IVCYC than those without this therapy (P = 0.04). In contrast, inhibin B serum level alone did not discriminate the later group of patients (P = 0.12). Conclusions. This is the first study to identify a high frequency of testicular Sertoli cell dysfunction in male SLE associated with semen abnormalities. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine if inhibin levels and inhibin B/FSH ratio will be an earlier and useful marker of IVCYC toxicity in these patients.

Complete Clinical Response After Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy for Distal Rectal Cancer: Characterization of Clinical and Endoscopic Findings for Standardization

BACKGROUND: Complete tumor regression may develop after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for distal rectal cancer. Studies have suggested that selected patients with complete clinical response may avoid radical surgery and close surveillance may provide good outcomes with no oncologic compromise. However, definition of complete clinical response is often imprecise and may vary between different studies. The aim of this study is to provide a clear definition for a complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy in patients with distal rectal cancer in addition to actual endoscopic videos from patients managed nonoperatively. METHODS: Patients with nonmetastatic distal rectal cancer treated by neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy, including 50.4 Gy and concomitant 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin, were assessed for tumor response at least 8 weeks after chemoradiation therapy completion. Complete and incomplete clinical responses were defined based on clinical and endoscopic findings. Patients with complete clinical response were not immediately operated on and were closely followed. Early and late endoscopic findings were recorded. RESULTS: Definition of a complete clinical response should be based on very strict clinical and endoscopic criteria. The finding of any residual superficial ulceration, irregularity, or nodule should prompt surgical attention, including transanal full-thickness excision or even a radical resection with total mesorectal excision. Standard or incisional biopsies should be avoided in this setting. Complete clinical responders should harbor no more than whitening of the mucosa, teleangiectasia with mucosal integrity to be considered for a nonoperative approach. In the presence of these findings, regularly scheduled reassessments may provide a safe alternative to these patients with early detection of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Strict definition of the clinical and endoscopic findings of patients experiencing complete clinical response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy may provide a useful tool for the understanding of outcomes of patients managed with no immediate surgery allowing standardization of classifications and comparison between the experiences of different institutions.

Body mass index and risk of head and neck cancer in a pooled analysis of case-control studies in the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) Consortium

Methods We pooled data from 17 case-control studies including 12 716 cases and the 17 438 controls. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for associations between body mass index (BMI) at different ages and HNC risk, adjusted for age, sex, centre, race, education, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption. Results Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) were elevated for people with BMI at reference (date of diagnosis for cases and date of selection for controls) < 18.5 kg/m(2) (2.13, 1.75-2.58) and reduced for BMI > 25.0-30.0 kg/m(2) (0.52, 0.44-0.60) and BMI >= 30 kg/m(2) (0.43, 0.33-0.57), compared with BMI > 18.5-25.0 kg/m(2). These associations did not differ by age, sex, tumour site or control source. Although the increased risk among people with BMI < 18.5 kg/m(2) was not modified by tobacco smoking or alcohol drinking, the inverse association for people with BMI > 25 kg/m(2) was present only in smokers and drinkers. Conclusions In our large pooled analysis, leanness was associated with increased HNC risk regardless of smoking and drinking status, although reverse causality cannot be excluded. The reduced risk among overweight or obese people may indicate body size is a modifier of the risk associated with smoking and drinking. Further clarification may be provided by analyses of prospective cohort and mechanistic studies.

Type of Alcoholic Beverage and Risk of Head and Neck Cancer-025EFA Pooled Analysis Within the INHANCE Consortium

The authors pooled data from 15 case-control studies of head and neck cancer (9,107 cases, 14,219 controls) to investigate the independent associations with consumption of beer, wine, and liquor. In particular, they calculated associations with different measures of beverage consumption separately for subjects who drank beer only (858 cases, 986 controls), for liquor-only drinkers (499 cases, 527 controls), and for wine-only drinkers (1,021 cases, 2,460 controls), with alcohol never drinkers (1,124 cases, 3,487 controls) used as a common reference group. The authors observed similar associations with ethanol-standardized consumption frequency for beer-only drinkers (odds ratios (ORs) = 1.6, 1.9, 2.2, and 5.4 for <= 5, 6-15, 16-30, and > 30 drinks per week, respectively; P(trend) < 0.0001) and liquor-only drinkers (ORs = 1.6, 1.5, 2.3, and 3.6; P < 0.0001). Among wine-only drinkers, the odds ratios for moderate levels of consumption frequency approached the null, whereas those for higher consumption levels were comparable to those of drinkers of other beverage types (ORs = 1.1, 1.2, 1.9, and 6.3; P < 0.0001). Study findings suggest that the relative risks of head and neck cancer for beer and liquor are comparable. The authors observed weaker associations with moderate wine consumption, although they cannot rule out confounding from diet and other lifestyle factors as an explanation for this finding. Given the presence of heterogeneity in study-specific results, their findings should be interpreted with caution.

Comparison of Different Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Scanning Areas for Glaucoma Diagnosis

Purpose: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), optic nerve head (ONH), and macular thickness measurements for glaucoma detection using the RTVue spectral domain optical coherence tomograph. Design: Diagnostic, case-control study. Participants: One hundred forty eyes of 106 glaucoma patients and 74 eyes of 40 healthy subjects from the Diagnostic Innovations in Glaucoma Study (DIGS). Methods: All patients underwent ocular imaging with the commercially available RTVue. Optic nerve head, RNFL thickness, and macular thickness scans were obtained during the same visit. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and sensitivities at fixed specificities (80% and 95%) were calculated for each parameter. Main Outcome Measures: Areas under the ROC curves (AUC) and sensitivities at fixed specificities of 80% and 95%. Results: The AUC for the RNFL parameter with best performance, inferior quadrant thickness, was significantly higher than that of the best-performing ONH parameter, inferior rim area (0.884 vs 0.812, respectively; P = 0.04). There was no difference between ROC curve areas of the best RNFL thickness parameters and the best inner macular thickness measurement, ganglion cell complex root mean square (ROC curve area = 0.870). Conclusions: The RTVue RNFL and inner retinal macular thickness measurements had good ability to detect eyes with glaucomatous visual field loss and performed significantly better than ONH parameters.

Portaria n?? 85, de 13 de junho de 2014: aprova o Regulamento para os cursos de especializa????o ??? p??s-gradua????o lato sensu

A portaria n?? 85, de 13 de junho de 2014 aprova o regulamento para os curso de especializa????o - p??s-gradua????o lato sensu da Escola Nacional de Administra????o P??blica (ENAP). Adicionalmente, a cada edi????o de um curso de especializa????o ?? publicada Portaria que aprova o programa do respectivo curso, bem como seu edital de sele????o.

O uso da ren??ncia fiscal na ??rea de museus

O objetivo desse artigo ?? investigar como a ren??ncia fiscal ?? utilizada na ??rea de museus. A fundamenta????o te??rica faz breve apresenta????o da literatura sobre implementa????o e descreve o uso da ren??ncia fiscal na ??rea de museus mediante an??lise de seis vari??veis: incentivos, autonomia, informa????o, apoio institucional, apoio social e etapas e tempo. A metodologia utilizada foi a an??lise documental e entrevistas. A an??lise foi feita com ajuda do programa NVIVO9. As principais conclus??es s??o que embora haja incentivos e autonomia em graus suficientes para permitir boa implementa????o via ren??ncia fiscal, h?? quest??es informacionais e referentes ??s etapas e tempo que dificultam sua implementa????o. Al??m disso, a ren??ncia fiscal ?? concentradora, desigual e apresenta baixa participa????o de empresas do setor privado. Esses problemas parecem diminuir a capacidade de a implementa????o de museus mediante o uso da ren??ncia fiscal alcan??ar os efeitos almejados.

Utilização de modelos numéricos no cálculo estrutural de barragens gravidade de betão

O principal objectivo desta dissertação é a verificação da segurança de barragens gravidade. A verificação da segurança de estruturas pode ser efectuada recorrendo a diversas metodologias quer experimentais quer numéricas. Com este trabalho, procurou-se utilizar uma metodologia, baseada em métodos numéricos, específica e já devidamente testada no dimensionamento de barragens, mas de difícil acesso à grande maioria da comunidade técnico científico (Método dos Elementos Discretos), como forma de validação de uma metodologia mais corrente e de mais fácil acesso (Método dos Elementos Finitos). Como introdução ao tema é feita uma abordagem geral às barragens, diferenciando os vários tipos existentes. São apresentados os conceitos fundamentais da mecânica dos sólidos, e o comportamento estrutural de barragens, tal como os princípios de segurança a ter em conta num projecto de barragens de betão. Com base na descrição dos modelos de controlo de segurança de barragens gravidade efectuada, foram desenvolvidos dois modelos numéricos baseados em cada uma das metodologias de análise escolhida. Os modelos foram efectuados para um perfil típico de uma barragem gravidade de betão. Os métodos numéricos são desenvolvidos nos programas de cálculo SAP2000 e no 3DEC respectivamente para o Método dos Elementos Finitos e o Método dos Elementos Discretos. É feita a análise da estrutura através das duas metodologias, com base nos resultados em termos de deslocamentos, deformadas e tensões para as acções e combinações consideradas. Em face dos resultados numéricos são retiradas as conclusões elucidativas, sobre as metodologias mais correctas que deverão ser implementadas na verificação da segurança de barragens gravidade.

Conflitos de natureza ética nos rastreios

As melhorias na saúde ao longo do tempo têm sido alcançadas mediante um vasto leque de intervenções. Algumas diretamente ligadas ao contexto dos serviços de saúde (programas de vacinação) e outras mediante melhoria das condições de vida e do ambiente. Historicamente, a melhoria substantiva de diversos indicadores de saúde deve‑se mais a medidas não médicas relacionadas com as condições de vida, saneamento básico, ambiente, qualidade do ar, condições dos locais de trabalho e de habitação do que a medidas médicas. No entanto, falar de saúde significa, na maioria das vezes, falar de medicina ou de cuidados de saúde e numa altura em que tantas pessoas não têm, ainda, acesso a cuidados de saúde para as suas manifestas necessidades, aumentam as visitas aos médicos de família para procedimentos preventivos, avaliações globais ou parciais de saúde. Os nossos serviços de saúde têm sofrido consideráveis mudanças nos últimos 30 anos e esta é uma delas. A medicina, dita preventiva, ocupa cada vez mais recursos nos Cuidados de Saúde Primários (CSP) e de uma prática dirigida a pessoas e famílias movemo‑nos progressivamente para uma medicina centrada em populações. Sendo que esta deslocação da medicina curativa para a medicina preventiva é estimulada pela política de saúde, existindo mesmo incentivos financeiros neste sentido.

Context-aware emotion-based model for group decision making

Involving groups in important management processes such as decision making has several advantages. By discussing and combining ideas, counter ideas, critical opinions, identified constraints, and alternatives, a group of individuals can test potentially better solutions, sometimes in the form of new products, services, and plans. In the past few decades, operations research, AI, and computer science have had tremendous success creating software systems that can achieve optimal solutions, even for complex problems. The only drawback is that people don’t always agree with these solutions. Sometimes this dissatisfaction is due to an incorrect parameterization of the problem. Nevertheless, the reasons people don’t like a solution might not be quantifiable, because those reasons are often based on aspects such as emotion, mood, and personality. At the same time, monolithic individual decisionsupport systems centered on optimizing solutions are being replaced by collaborative systems and group decision-support systems (GDSSs) that focus more on establishing connections between people in organizations. These systems follow a kind of social paradigm. Combining both optimization- and socialcentered approaches is a topic of current research. However, even if such a hybrid approach can be developed, it will still miss an essential point: the emotional nature of group participants in decision-making tasks. We’ve developed a context-aware emotion based model to design intelligent agents for group decision-making processes. To evaluate this model, we’ve incorporated it in an agent-based simulator called ABS4GD (Agent-Based Simulation for Group Decision), which we developed. This multiagent simulator considers emotion- and argument based factors while supporting group decision-making processes. Experiments show that agents endowed with emotional awareness achieve agreements more quickly than those without such awareness. Hence, participant agents that integrate emotional factors in their judgments can be more successful because, in exchanging arguments with other agents, they consider the emotional nature of group decision making.

Entre Duas Margens. Os Portugueses no Golfo Pérsico (1623-1653)

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em História Moderna e dos Descobrimentos

Infecção Nosocomial em Recém-Nascido de Muito Baixo Peso ao Nascer

Objectivo: A infecção nosocomial é uma complicação importante nos recém-nascidos pré-termo com muito baixo peso ao nascer (RNMBP), internados em Unidades de Cuidados Especiais (UCE). Os autores pretendem avaliar a taxa de incidência de infecção nosocomial assim como a sua associação a dispositivos invasivos em RN com peso ao nascer inferior a 1500g. Métodos: Apresenta-se um estudo retrospectivo sobre a infecção nosocomial em recém-nascidos com peso ao nascer inferior a 1500g, internados na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos e Intermédios do Serviço de Pediatria da Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, no ano de 2003. Foram incluídos todos os recém-nascidos internados em Unidade de Cuidados Especiais (UCE) até aos 28 dias de idade. Os critérios para o diagnóstico de infecção nosocomial neste estudo foram definidos pelo Programa Nacional de Controlo de Infecção. Resultados: No período do estudo estiveram internados em UCE um total de 589 recém-nascidos, dos quais 145 (25%) tinham peso ao nascer inferior a 1500g. A taxa de incidência de infecção nosocomial foi de 25,5% neste grupo de RNMBP, comparativamente a 11,3% no total da população internada no ano de 2003 nas referidas UCE. Esta taxa foi de 47% nos recém-nascidos com peso < 750g e de 41% nos de peso compreendido entre 750g e 999g. A sepsis foi a infecção encontrada em 70% dos casos. A associação da sepsis a cateter venoso central (CVC) é maior em recém-nascidos com peso ao nascer inferior a 1500g. No presente estudo obteve-se uma taxa de 10,8% em recém-nascidos com peso ≤ 1500g e de 6,2% em recém-nascidos com peso > 1500g. Não se encontraram diferenças na associação de pneumonia a tubo endotraqueal (TET), de acordo com o peso ao nascer. Conclusão: A infecção nosocomial é um problema das UCI neonatais e é tanto maior quanto maior é a prematuridade. Há necessidade de estabelecer estratégias de prevenção que visem a modificação de factores de risco, particularmente os factores extrínsecos ao recém-nascido, tais como tempo de permanência nas UCI, tempo de CVC, cuidados de assepsia nos procedimentos invasivos e manipulação do recém-nascido.

Interictal Spike EEG Source Analysis in Hypothalamic Hamartoma Epilepsy

Objective: The epilepsy associated with the hypothalamic hamartomas constitutes a syndrome with peculiar seizures, usually refractory to medical therapy, mild cognitive delay, behavioural problems and multifocal spike activity in the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG). The cortical origin of spikes has been widely assumed but not specifically demonstrated. Methods: We present results of a source analysis of interictal spikes from 4 patients (age 2–25 years) with epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma, using EEG scalp recordings (32 electrodes) and realistic boundary element models constructed from volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs). Multifocal spike activity was the most common finding, distributed mainly over the frontal and temporal lobes. A spike classification based on scalp topography was done and averaging within each class performed to improve the signal to noise ratio. Single moving dipole models were used, as well as the Rap-MUSIC algorithm. Results: All spikes with good signal to noise ratio were best explained by initial deep sources in the neighbourhood of the hamartoma, with late sources located in the cortex. Not a single patient could have his spike activity explained by a combination of cortical sources. Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrate a consistent origin of spike activity in the subcortical region in the neighbourhood of the hamartoma, with late spread to cortical areas.