Evaluation of temperature influence on embedded kinematic system

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Mecânica

Petrología estructural y análisis cinemático de las fajas de deformación dúctil y frágil del batolito de la Sierra Norte de Córdoba, Argentina

La Sierra Norte de Córdoba (Sierras Pampeanas de Córdoba-Santiago del Estero), está constituida por un complejo metamórfico soportado por intrusiones granitoides, denominadas en conjunto Batolito de la Sierra Norte. Este conjunto está cubierto parcialmente por sedimentos Mesozoicos y Cenozoicos. La Sierra Norte de Córdoba presenta el clásico esquema de bloques basculados limitados por fallas con rumbo NNE y un sistema subordinado transversal, expresadas por fajas de deformación donde se identifican cataclasitas y milonitas. En el interior de los bloques se reconocen también deformaciones dúctiles a modo de fajas en las que afloran extensamente rocas miloníticas. Aspectos críticos de la génesis, cinemática y significado de las fajas de deformación permanecen desconocidos. A ellas se asocian mineralizaciones de Mn, Fe y Ba y sulfuros de Cl y Mo desconociéndose a qué régimen deformacional general están ligados estos fenómenos mineralizantes. Los objetivos de este proyecto son: delimitación y análisis cinemático de las fajas de deformación dúctil y frágil, determinación de su distribución, tipos y zonación de las rocas de falla, correlación hacia las Sierras de Sumampa y Ambargasta y hacia las Sierras Chica y Grande y relación espacial que guardan las mineralizaciones con dichas fajas. La meta final es dilucidar y diferenciar los efectos que han tenido las distintas orogenias sobre este sector ubicado hoy en el antepaís andino.

Estudio cinemático del cuerpo humano mediante Kinect

La cámara Kinect está desarrollada por Prime Sense en colaboración con Microsoft para la consola XBox, ofrece imágenes de profundidad gracias a un sensor infrarrojo. Este dispositivo también incluye una cámara RGB que ofrece imágenes a color además de una serie de micrófonos colocados de tal manera que son capaces de saber de qué ángulo proviene el sonido. En un principio Kinect se creó para el ocio doméstico pero su bajo precio (en comparación con otras cámaras de iguales características) y la aceptación por parte de desarrolladores han explotado sus posibilidades. El objetivo de este proyecto es, partiendo de estos datos, la obtención de variables cinemáticas tales como posición, velocidad y aceleración de determinados puntos de control del cuerpo de un individuo como pueden ser el cabeza, cuello, hombros, codos, muñecas, caderas, rodillas y tobillos a partir de los cuales poder extraer patrones de movimiento. Para ello se necesita un middleware mediante el entorno de libre distribución (GNU) multiplataforma. Como IDE se ha utilizado Processing, un entorno open source creado para proyectos de diseño. Además se ha utilizado el contenedor SimpleOpenNI, desarrollado por estudiantes e investigadores que trabajan con Kinect. Esto ofrece la posibilidad de prescindir del SDK de Microsoft, el cual es propietario y obliga a utilizar su sistema operativo, Windows. Usando estas herramientas se consigue una solución viable para varios sistemas operativos. Se han utilizado métodos y facilidades que ofrece el lenguaje orientado a objetos Java (Proccesing hereda de este), y se ha planteado una solución basada en un modelo cliente servidor que dota de escalabilidad al proyecto. El resultado del proyecto es útil en aplicaciones para poblaciones con riesgo de exclusión (como es el espectro autista), en telediagnóstico, y en general entornos donde se necesite estudiar hábitos y comportamientos a partir del movimiento humano. Con este proyecto se busca tener una continuidad mediante otras aplicaciones que analicen los datos ofrecidos. ABSTRACT. The Kinect camera is developed by PrimeSense in collaboration with Microsoft for the xBox console provides depth images thanks to an infrared sensor. This device also includes an RGB camera that provides color images in addition to a number of microphones placed such that they are able to know what angle the sound comes. Kinect initially created for domestic leisure but its low prices (compared to other cameras with the same characteristics) and acceptance by developers have exploited its possibilities. The objective of this project is based on this data to obtain kinematic variables such as position, velocity and acceleration of certain control points of the body of an individual from which to extract movement patterns. These points can be the head, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. This requires a middleware using freely distributed environment (GNU) platform. Processing has been used as a development environment, and open source environment created for design projects. Besides the container SimpleOpenNi has been used, it developed by students and researchers working with Kinect. This offers the possibility to dispense with the Microsoft SDK which owns and agrees to use its operating system, Windows. Using these tools will get a viable solution for multiple operating systems. We used methods and facilities of the Java object-oriented language (Processing inherits from this) and has proposed a solution based on a client-server model which provides scalability to the project. The result of the project is useful in applications to populations at risk of exclusion (such as autistic spectrum), in remote diagnostic, and in general environments that need study habits and behaviors from human motion. This project aims to have continuity using other applications to analyze the data provided.

Transformación del espacio cinemático Laban para la evaluación del movimiento

Este proyecto tiene como objetivo la implementación de un sistema capaz de analizar el movimiento corporal a partir de unos puntos cinemáticos. Estos puntos cinemáticos se obtienen con un programa previo y se captan con la cámara kinect. Para ello el primer paso es realizar un estudio sobre las técnicas y conocimientos existentes relacionados con el movimiento de las personas. Se sabe que Rudolph Laban fue uno de sus mayores exponentes y gracias a sus observaciones se establece una relación entre la personalidad, el estado anímico y la forma de moverse de un individuo. Laban acuñó el término esfuerzo, que hace referencia al modo en que se administra la energía que genera el movimiento y de qué manera se modula en las secuencias, es una manera de describir la intención de las expresiones internas. El esfuerzo se divide en 4 categorías: peso, espacio, tiempo y flujo, y cada una de estas categorías tiene una polaridad denominada elemento de esfuerzo. Con estos 8 elementos de esfuerzo un movimiento queda caracterizado. Para poder cuantificar los citados elementos de esfuerzo se buscan movimientos que representen a alguno de ellos. Los movimientos se graban con la cámara kinect y se guardan sus valores en un archivo csv. Para el procesado de estos datos se establece que el sistema más adecuado es una red neuronal debido a su flexibilidad y capacidad a la hora de procesar entradas no lineales. Para la implementación de la misma se requiere un amplio estudio que incluye: topologías, funciones de activación, tipos de aprendizaje, algoritmos de entrenamiento entre otros. Se decide que la red tenga dos capas ocultas, para mejor procesado de los datos, que sea estática, siga un proceso de cálculo hacia delante (Feedforward) y el algoritmo por el que se rija su aprendizaje sea el de retropropagación (Backpropagation) En una red estática las entradas han de ser valores fijos, es decir, no pueden variar en el tiempo por lo que habrá que implementar un programa intermedio que haga una media aritmética de los valores. Una segunda prueba con la misma red trata de comprobar si sería capaz de reconocer movimientos que estuvieran caracterizados por más de un elemento de esfuerzo. Para ello se vuelven a grabar los movimientos, esta vez en parejas de dos, y el resto del proceso es igual. ABSTRACT. The aim of this project is the implementation of a system able to analyze body movement from cinematic data. This cinematic data was obtained with a previous program. The first step is carrying out a study about the techniques and knowledge existing nowadays related to people movement. It is known that Rudolf Laban was one the greatest exponents of this field and thanks to his observations a relation between personality, mood and the way the person moves was made. Laban coined the term effort, that refers to the way energy generated from a movement is managed and how it is modulated in the sequence, this is a method of describing the inner intention of the person. The effort is divided into 4 categories: weight, space, time and flow, and each of these categories have 2 polarities named elements of effort. These 8 elements typify a movement. We look for movements that are made of these elements so we can quantify them. The movements are recorded with the kinect camera and saved in a csv file. In order to process this data a neural network is chosen owe to its flexibility and capability of processing non-linear inputs. For its implementation it is required a wide study regarding: topology, activation functions, different types of learning methods and training algorithms among others. The neural network for this project will have 2 hidden layers, it will be static and follow a feedforward process ruled by backpropagation. In a static net the inputs must be fixed, this means they cannot vary in time, so we will have to implement an intermediate program to calculate the average of our data. A second test for our net will be checking its ability to recognize more than one effort element in just one movement. In order to do this all the movements are recorded again but this time in pairs, the rest of the process remains the same.

Desarrollo, implementación y análisis de un modelo cinemático local de velocidades para Costa Rica basado en la integración y homogenización de datos de estaciones GNSS continuas

El primer procesamiento estricto realizado con el software científico Bernese y contemplando las más estrictas normas de cálculo recomendadas internacionalmente, permitió obtener un campo puntual de alta exactitud, basado en la integración y estandarización de los datos de una red GPS ubicada en Costa Rica. Este procesamiento contempló un total de 119 semanas de datos diarios, es decir unos 2,3 años, desde enero del año 2009 hasta abril del año 2011, para un total de 30 estaciones GPS, de las cuales 22 están ubicadas en el territorio nacional de Costa Rica y 8 internaciones pertenecientes a la red del Sistema Geocéntrico para las Américas (SIRGAS). Las denominadas soluciones semilibres generaron, semana a semana, una red GPS con una alta exactitud interna definida por medio de los vectores entre las estaciones y las coordenadas finales de la constelación satelital. La evaluación semanal dada por la repetibilidad de las soluciones brindó en promedio errores de 1,7 mm, 1,4 mm y 5,1 mm en las componentes [n e u], confirmando una alta consistencia en estas soluciones. Aunque las soluciones semilibres poseen una alta exactitud interna, las mismas no son utilizables para fines de análisis cinemático, pues carecen de un marco de referencia. En Latinoamérica, la densificación del Marco Internacional Terrestre de Referencia (ITRF), está representado por la red de estaciones de operación continua GNSS de SIRGAS, denominada como SIRGAS-CON. Por medio de las denominadas coordenadas semanales finales de las 8 estaciones consideradas como vínculo, se refirió cada una de las 119 soluciones al marco SIRGAS. La introducción del marco de referencia SIRGAS a las soluciones semilibres produce deformaciones en estas soluciones. Las deformaciones de las soluciones semilibres son producto de las cinemática de cada una de las placas en las que se ubican las estaciones de vínculo. Luego de efectuado el amarre semanal a las coordenadas SIRGAS, se hizo una estimación de los vectores de velocidad de cada una de las estaciones, incluyendo las de amarre, cuyos valores de velocidad se conocen con una alta exactitud. Para la determinación de las velocidades de las estaciones costarricenses, se programó una rutina en ambiente MatLab, basada en una ajuste por mínimos cuadrados. Los valores obtenidos en el marco de este proyecto en comparación con los valores oficiales, brindaron diferencias promedio del orden de los 0,06 cm/a, -0,08 cm/a y -0,10 cm/a respectivamente para las coordenadas [X Y Z]. De esta manera se logró determinar las coordenadas geocéntricas [X Y Z]T y sus variaciones temporales [vX vY vZ]T para el conjunto de 22 estaciones GPS de Costa Rica, dentro del datum IGS05, época de referencia 2010,5. Aunque se logró una alta exactitud en los vectores de coordenadas geocéntricas de las 22 estaciones, para algunas de las estaciones el cálculo de las velocidades no fue representativo debido al relativo corto tiempo (menos de un año) de archivos de datos. Bajo esta premisa, se excluyeron las ocho estaciones ubicadas al sur de país. Esto implicó hacer una estimación del campo local de velocidades con solamente veinte estaciones nacionales más tres estaciones en Panamá y una en Nicaragua. El algoritmo usado fue el denominado Colocación por Mínimos Cuadrados, el cual permite la estimación o interpolación de datos a partir de datos efectivamente conocidos, el cual fue programado mediante una rutina en ambiente MatLab. El campo resultante se estimó con una resolución de 30' X 30' y es altamente constante, con una velocidad resultante promedio de 2,58 cm/a en una dirección de 40,8° en dirección noreste. Este campo fue validado con base en los datos del modelo VEMOS2009, recomendado por SIRGAS. Las diferencias de velocidad promedio para las estaciones usadas como insumo para el cálculo del campo fueron del orden los +0,63 cm/a y +0,22 cm/a para los valores de velocidad en latitud y longitud, lo que supone una buena determinación de los valores de velocidad y de la estimación de la función de covarianza empírica, necesaria para la aplicación del método de colocación. Además, la grilla usada como base para la interpolación brindó diferencias del orden de -0,62 cm/a y -0,12 cm/a para latitud y longitud. Adicionalmente los resultados de este trabajo fueron usados como insumo para hacer una aproximación en la definición del límite del llamado Bloque de Panamá dentro del territorio nacional de Costa Rica. El cálculo de las componentes del Polo de Euler por medio de una rutina programa en ambiente MatLab y aplicado a diferentes combinaciones de puntos no brindó mayores aportes a la definición física de este límite. La estrategia lo que confirmó fue simplemente la diferencia en la dirección de todos los vectores velocidad y no permitió reveló revelar con mayor detalle una ubicación de esta zona dentro del territorio nacional de Costa Rica. ABSTRACT The first strict processing performed with the Bernese scientific software and contemplating the highest standards internationally recommended calculation, yielded a precise field of high accuracy, based on the integration and standardization of data from a GPS network located in Costa Rica. This processing watched a total of 119 weeks of daily data, is about 2.3 years from January 2009 to April 2011, for a total of 30 GPS stations, of which 22 are located in the country of Costa Rica and 8 hospitalizations within the network of Geocentric System for the Americas (SIRGAS). The semi-free solutions generated, every week a GPS network with high internal accuracy defined by vectors between stations and the final coordinates of the satellite constellation. The weekly evaluation given by repeatability of the solutions provided in average errors of 1.7 mm 1.4 mm and 5.1 mm in the components [n e u], confirming a high consistency in these solutions. Although semi-free solutions have a high internal accuracy, they are not used for purposes of kinematic analysis, because they lack a reference frame. In Latin America, the densification of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF), is represented by a network of continuously operating GNSS stations SIRGAS, known as SIRGAS-CON. Through weekly final coordinates of the 8 stations considered as a link, described each of the solutions to the frame 119 SIRGAS. The introduction of the frame SIRGAS to semi-free solutions generates deformations. The deformations of the semi-free solutions are products of the kinematics of each of the plates in which link stations are located. After SIRGAS weekly link to SIRGAS frame, an estimate of the velocity vectors of each of the stations was done. The velocity vectors for each SIRGAS stations are known with high accuracy. For this calculation routine in MatLab environment, based on a least squares fit was scheduled. The values obtained compared to the official values, gave average differences of the order of 0.06 cm/yr, -0.08 cm/yr and -0.10 cm/yr respectively for the coordinates [XYZ]. Thus was possible to determine the geocentric coordinates [XYZ]T and its temporal variations [vX vY vZ]T for the set of 22 GPS stations of Costa Rica, within IGS05 datum, reference epoch 2010.5. The high accuracy vector for geocentric coordinates was obtained, however for some stations the velocity vectors was not representative because of the relatively short time (less than one year) of data files. Under this premise, the eight stations located in the south of the country were excluded. This involved an estimate of the local velocity field with only twenty national stations plus three stations in Panama and Nicaragua. The algorithm used was Least Squares Collocation, which allows the estimation and interpolation of data from known data effectively. The algorithm was programmed with MatLab. The resulting field was estimated with a resolution of 30' X 30' and is highly consistent with a resulting average speed of 2.58 cm/y in a direction of 40.8° to the northeast. This field was validated based on the model data VEMOS2009 recommended by SIRGAS. The differences in average velocity for the stations used as input for the calculation of the field were of the order of +0.63 cm/yr, +0.22 cm/yr for the velocity values in latitude and longitude, which is a good determination velocity values and estimating the empirical covariance function necessary for implementing the method of application. Furthermore, the grid used as the basis for interpolation provided differences of about -0.62 cm/yr, -0.12 cm/yr to latitude and longitude. Additionally, the results of this investigation were used as input to an approach in defining the boundary of Panama called block within the country of Costa Rica. The calculation of the components of the Euler pole through a routine program in MatLab and applied to different combinations of points gave no further contributions to the physical definition of this limit. The strategy was simply confirming the difference in the direction of all the velocity vectors and not allowed to reveal more detail revealed a location of this area within the country of Costa Rica.

Desarrollo de un sistema automático de detección de disgrafías en niños de 4 a 5 años

La escritura es una actividad psicomotora muy importante en el desarrollo infantil. Tanto es así que su correcto aprendizaje condicionará el futuro de una persona, pues estará presente en todo tipo de situaciones cotidianas. La disgrafía es el término utilizado para referirse a los problemas relacionados con la escritura, y se manifiesta cuando la escritura de un determinado sujeto es ilegible o lenta como resultado de un aprendizaje fallido de los procesos motores de la escritura. Estos problemas intentan resolverse durante el desarrollo infantil mediante diferentes pruebas que miden las capacidades visomotoras de los niños basándose en criterios de forma (número y posición correcta de trazos). Sin embargo, a lo largo de los años estos criterios han demostrado no ser totalmente precisos en la detección prematura de posibles casos de disgrafía. Por ello, en este proyecto se ha desarrollado una aplicación que ayuda a ampliar la fiabilidad de los test actuales, utilizando un criterio cinemático. Esta aplicación, desarrollada para una tableta Android, muestra al niño una serie de figuras que él debe copiar en la tableta haciendo uso de un lápiz óptico. Los trazos registrados por la aplicación son analizados para valorar aspectos como la fluidez, continuidad y regularidad, ampliando así la fiabilidad de los test actuales, lo que permite desechar falsos positivos y detectar irregularidades que antes no podían ser detectadas. La aplicación desarrollada ha sido validada con un total de ocho niños de cuatro años y siete meses de media de edad, confirmando que cumple con las expectativas planteadas. ABSTRACT. Writing is a very important psychomotor activity in child development because it will be present in all kinds of everyday situations; therefore its proper learning will determine the future of the individual. Dysgraphia is the term used to refer to the problems related to writing, and it takes place when a particular person’s writing is unreadable or slow-moving as a result of a failed learning of writing motor processes. These problems are usually detected by different tests that measure children’s visual motor abilities based on shape criteria (correct number and position of strikes). However, over the years these criteria haven’t proved to be completely accurate in the early detection of possible cases of dysgraphia. Therefore, in this project is presented an application that extends the reliability of current test, using a kinematic approach. This application, developed for an Android tablet, displays a series of figures that the child must copy to the tablet by using a stylus. Strokes recorded by the application are then analyzed to assess aspects such as fluidity, continuity and regularity, expanding the reliability of the current test, discarding false positives created by the conventional criteria and detecting irregularities that previously could not be detected. The developed application has been validated with a total of eight children about four years and seven months in average age, confirming that the application fulfills the initial expectations.

Variabilidade espacial e sazonal da concentração de elementos-traço em sedimentos do sistema estuarino de Santos-Cubatão (SP)

Multi-element analyses of sediment samples from the Santos-Cubatão Estuarine System were carried out to investigate the spatial and seasonal variability of trace-element concentrations. The study area contains a rich mangrove ecosystem that is a habitat for tens of thousands of resident and migratory birds, some of them endangered globally. Enrichments of metals in fine-grained surface sediments are, in decreasing order, Hg, Mn, La, Ca, Sr, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ba, Cu, Cr, Fe, Nb, Y, Ni and Ga, relative to pre-industrial background levels. The maximum enrichment ranged from 49 (Hg) to 3.1 (Ga). Mercury concentrations were greater in the Cubatão river than in other sites, while the other elements showed greater concentrations in the Morrão river. Concentrations of Mn were significantly greater in winter and autumn than in summer and spring. However, other elements (e.g. Cd and Pb) showed the opposite, with greater concentrations in summer and spring. This study suggests that seasonal changes in physical and chemical conditions may affect the degree of sediment enrichment and therefore make the assessment of contamination difficult. Consequently, these processes need to be considered when assessing water quality and the potential contamination of biota.

Sistema limpo em linha para extração em fase sólida de contaminantes emergentes em águas naturais

A solid-phase in-line extraction system for water samples containing low levels of emerging contaminants is described. The system was specially developed for large volume samples (up to 4 L) using commercial solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges. Four sets containing PTFE-made connectors, brass adapters and ball valves were used to fit SPE cartridges and sample bottles to a 4-port manifold attached to a 20 L carboy. A lab-made vacuum device was connected to the manifold cap. The apparatus is robust and less expensive than the typical available system. Its also provides less experimental handling, avoiding cross contamination and sample losses.

Análise do investimento em climatização para bovinos de leite em sistema de alojamento free-stall

The difficulty in adapting European dairy cows breeds in Brazil affect considerably the milk production sector. Brazilian climatic conditions are not totally favorable and the development of new tecnologies is needed for the animals express their genetic potential, as well as their best feed conversion. An economical analysis of the applied investment in the free-stall climatization equipment in dairy housing, for estimating studies related to profit, possibility of return investment as well as time for this return is necessary. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of climatization investment in the milk production process and analyze the economical aspect of this investment. There were used 470 high productive dairy cows with genetic and morphologic homogeneous characteristics, and analyzed in two similar periods. Investment calculations were done using Excell®. The results were satisfactory and the invested capital was proved to return to the producer in a short term, 57 days.

Sistema de monitoramento de perdas visíveis de cana-de-açúcar em colhedora de cana picada

In the last few years the sugar-cane mechanical harvested area has increased, especially in regions with appropriated slop. The use of this technology brings some inconveniences, such as, the increase in the percentage of extraneous matter, which causes the reduction of technological quality of the raw material, and losses in the field. Extraneous matter (trash) is composed of tops and leaves in major percentage, plus soil and roots, and eventually some metal parts. In the green cane harvest system the percentage of extraneous matter has a tendency to increase due to the great amount of vegetal matter to be processed. The increase in the blower fan speed to reduce the amount of extraneous matter can lead to an unacceptable economic level of raw material losses. The main objective of this work was, using a cane loss monitor, to evaluate and quantify the amount of visible losses of sugar cane through the primary extractor at two different fan speeds. Afterwards these losses were related to the harvester cleaning efficiency. The piezoelectric transducer shows a reasonable sensibility. The results show that the cleaning efficiency in the primary extractor (85% mean), the cane losses (between 5.68% and 2.15%) and fan speed are interrelated. The total losses and specially splinters (between 3.19% and 0.91%), showed a significant difference among the treatments.

Sistema de sincronismo entre a colhedora de cana-de-açúcar e o veículo de transbordo

One of the problems found in mechanical harvest of sugar cane is the lack of synchronism between the harvest machine and the infield wagon, causing crop losses as well as operational capacity. The objective of the present research was to design a system capable of helping to synchronize the sugar cane harvest machine with the wagon. The communication between tractor and harvest machine is wireless. Two ultrasound sensors coupled to the elevator and a microprocessor manage such information, generating a correct synchronization among the machines. The system was tested in laboratory and on field performing its function adequately, maintaining the two machines in synchronization, indicating and alerting the operators their relative positions. The developed system reduced the sugar cane lost in 60 kg ha-1 comparing to the harvest with the system turned off.

Sistema MINUS® - técnica minimamente invasiva para o tratamento das fraturas transtrocanterianas do fêmur

The MINUS system was developed as a minimally invasive procedure that uses a diaphyseal cephalic extramedullary implant for the treatment of transtrochanteral fractures of the femur in elderly patients. The implant consists of a sliding screw coupled to a plate adapted to the minimally invasive technique. The surgical access is approximately three centimeters in length located on the lateral surface of the hip, below the projection of the small trochanter. A perfectly adapted instrument was used for the procedure, which also requires the use of an image intensifier, reducing surgery time and rate of bleeding. The objective of this study is to present a new instrument and implant, developed specifically for treatment with the minimally invasive technique, reducing the length of the conventional surgical access from 10 to three centimetres. This new implant was given the commercial name of MINUS System.

Sistema Fonológico do Português: Rediscutindo o Consenso

Problems identified in the study and analysis of the phonology of Brazilian Indian languages belonging to the Macro-Jê branch such as Kaingang, Maxakali, and Mebengokre led the author to confirm the accuracy of some intuitions on the part of Piggott (1992) and Rice (1993) on dealing with relations between nasality and sonorancy (D'Angelis 1998). The applicability of the approach to the distinct processes of nasality and nasalization in Portuguese was verified with surprising results that recover some intuitions of Trubetzkoy (1939) and contribute to reconfirm the Mattoso Câmara's (1953; 1970) considerations, but at the same time go beyond them. This article presents the result of this investigation and its conclusions that suggest the validity and the necessity of reexamining even the phonemic inventory of the Portuguese language, an issue not at all questioned in the teaching of phonology, to take into account the linguistic changes in the phonological system of that language in the last fifty years.

Sistema Nacional de Educação articulado ao Plano Nacional de Educação

This text which discusses the central theme of the National Conference on Education (CONAE), held in Brasília from 28th March to 1st April 2010, deals with the concept of a National System of Education in articulation with the National Plan of Education. To that end, after pointing to the basic uses of the concept of system, it discusses the question of the National System of Education exploring the federative question in order to reveal the complete compatibility of the organization of the National System of Education with the federative regime. Thereafter, it deals with the historical meaning of the National Plan of Education demonstrating that the plan is a demand of the system, since planned action is implicit in systematized education. Thus the National Plan of Education is fulfilling those goals and objectives for which it is responsible.

Correlação radiológica e histológica de lesões mamárias não-palpáveis em pacientes submetidas a marcação pré-cirúrgica, utilizando-se o sistema BI-RADS

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the positive predictive value for BI-RADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) categories 3, 4 and 5, correlating mammographic and histological diagnosis in non-palpable breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analytical-descriptive study of 169 women submitted to stereotactic localization for surgical biopsy of non-palpable breast lesions. Mammographic and histological findings were correlated, analyzing the predictive positive value for each category. RESULTS: Forty-two (24.8%) cases were diagnosed with breast cancer - only one in category 3, 19 in category 4, and 22 in category 5. The positive predictive value for categories 3, 4A, 4B, 4C and 5 were, respectively, 3.4%, 10.3%, 11.3%, 36% and 91.7%. Microcalcifications were the most frequent finding related to malignancy, present in 61.5% of these cases. CONCLUSION: The present study has demonstrated that BI-RADS allows a safe prediction of high suspicion of malignancy in lesions category 5 and low suspicion for category 3. As regards the category 4, the positive predictive value has shown a progressive increase in subcategories A, B and C, demonstrating that this subclassification represents an invaluable contribution for a more detailed and accurate assessment of lesions suspicious for malignancy.