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For high productivity weld fabrication, gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is typically used since it offers a combination of high deposition rate and travel speed. Recent advances in power supply technologies have increased the deposition rates in hot-wire tungsten inert gas (HW-TIG) welding, such that it is possible to achieve parameters which may be comparable to those used in GMAW for pressure vessels and some pipeline applications. However, these two processes have drastically different deposition efficiencies and heat input characteristics. The purpose of the present study is to examine GMAW and HW-TIG bead-on-plate deposits in terms of mechanical properties, deposition rate, and heat affected zone (HAZ) thermal cycles when identical travel speed and wire feed speeds are applied with a ER90S-G filler metal. The results demonstrate that HW-TIG can be applied with comparable travel and wire feed speeds to GMAW, while providing a more uniform weld bead appearance. Based on weld metal microhardness values, it is suggested the effective heat input is lower in HW-TIG compared to GMAW, since the average hardness of the weld metal is slightly higher.

This paper analyzes the performance of Adaptive Power Allocation (APA) based on (multi-level) water filling as a novel extension of a utility-based Radio Resource Allocation (RRA) framework designed for Real Time (RT) service provision in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based systems. We evaluate capacity, satisfaction and fairness improvements that originate from exploiting the high degree of flexibility of RRA in the context of OFDMA systems and particularly, concentrate on optimal power allocation combined with utility-based scheduling. Results show that Delay-based Satisfaction Maximization (DSM) presents the best performance to maximize user satisfaction in comparison with classical algorithms and conclude also that benefit of APA is marginal compared to Equal Power Allocation (EPA).

In order to expand its market share and decrease churn, cellular network operators want to achieve the maximum possible number of satisfied clients. In this paper, we propose to solve the problem of user satisfaction maximization using an utility- based dynamic resource assignment algorithm that uses a sigmoidal utility function combined with either Orthogonal Random Beamforming (ORB) or Fixed Switching Beamforming (FSB). System-level evaluations of the downlink of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) system with real-time services demonstrate that there is an optimal number of spatial beams to be used by ORB and FSB, that FSB outperforms ORB with lower complexity, and also that the proposed joint resource assignment and beamforming outperforms other classical techniques found in the literature.

Femtocell networks have gained momentum due to their important benefits, such as improved indoor coverage, higher areal spectral efficiency, enhanced signal quality, among others. Those benefits are only achievable if adequate deployment decisions and efficient resource allocation techniques are able to assure the seamless co-existence among Femtocell Access Points (FAPs) within the femtocell tier and between FAPs and macrocell users. In this work, we study the frequency planning problem on the femtocell tier deployed on a closed access mode and using a dedicated spectrum. A novel radio resource allocation technique that performs a mid/long-term requency planning for the FAPs in the femtocell tier is proposed. It is concluded in this paper that the Dynamic Frequency Planning (DFP) algorithm based on the Branch and Bound technique is able to find the optimal frequency planning according to any desired criterion and that the proposed algorithm is suitable for implementation in a distributed 4G femtocell network regarding signaling overhead and latency aspects.

Wireless mobile network optimization is a complex task that consists in achieving different design objectives such as spectral efficiency, energy efficiency, fairness, and quality of service. Radio resource allocation is responsible for managing the available resources in the radio access interface and, therefore, is an important tool for optimizing networks and achieving the designed objectives mentioned previously. However, in general all these network design objectives cannot be achieved at the same time by resource allocation strategies. In fact, different resource allocation strategies can be designed to maximize one objective in detriment of the other as well as to balance the objectives. In this chapter we deal with important trade-offs between contradicting objectives in modern wireless mobile networks: capacity versus fairness and capacity versus satisfaction. We present resource allocation strategies that can achieve static and adaptive performances when the previously mentioned trade-offs are considered. In order to design the resource allocation strategies we consider heuristics and utility-based solutions. System-level simulations show that the proposed techniques are powerful tools to the network operator, since they can decide in which trade-off point of the capacity-fairness or capacity-satisfaction planes they want to operate the system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle in the diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. METHOD: Retrospective review of 22 patients with mediastinal lesions who were submitted to percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy, oriented, but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax, between 1999 and 2002. RESULTS: Percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle provided adequate material in 18/22 cases, with a total positive sample rate of 82%. In 4/22 cases, the material was insufficient to define the diagnosis (18%). Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy established a specific histologic diagnosis in 82% of the patients: 8/22 (36%) lymphoma; 5/22 (28%) thymoma; 2/22 (11%) thymic carcinoma; 1/22 (6%) metastatic adenocarcinoma; 1/22 (6%) neuroectodermic primitive tumor; and 1/22 (6%) plasmocytoma. All the patients were submitted to a thoracic X-ray after the biopsy. No complications were found in these patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy oriented, but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax, is an easy and safe procedure which can provide a precise diagnosis in most mediastinal tumors, and can prevent the exploratory thoracic surgery in inoperable or chemotherapy-treated cases.

A 12-year-old boy currently is followed by multiple sub-specialists for problems caused by the chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) (Figure). He was born via spontaneous vaginal delivery, weighing 3033 g, to a 31-year-old G3P3 mother after a full-term pregnancy complicated only by mild polyhydramnios. Family history was non-contributory. Apgar scores were 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minutes. With the exception of a weak cry, the results of the infant’s initial examination were unremarkable, and he was moved to the well-baby nursery. Shortly thereafter, a cardiac murmur was noted, the cardiology department was consulted, and the child was transferred to a local tertiary care facility with a diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot. Stable, he was discharged home at 3 days of life. Figure Mild dysmorphic facial features of a boy aged 11 years with 22q11.2DS, including a short forehead, hooded eyelids with upslanting palpebral fissures, malar flatness, bulbous nasal tip with hypoplastic alae nasi, and protuberant ears. At 5 days of life, he had jerky movements. On presentation to the local emergency department, his total calcium level was 4.7 mg/dL, and later partial hypoparathyroidism was diagnosed. At that time, a consulting geneticist suggested the diagnosis of chromosome 22q11DS. Weeks later, the family received a telephone call confirming the diagnosis with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). No additional information about the diagnosis, prognosis, etiology, or recurrence risk was provided until the child was 5 months of age, when he underwent cardiac repair at a third hospital, where a comprehensive 22q11DS program was in operation. In the interim, the child had feeding difficulties requiring supplemental nasogastric tube feeds, nasal regurgitation, and gastroesophageal reflux, while the parents searched the internet for reliable information about their son’s diagnosis. Subsequent notable abnormalities and interventions included: recurrent otitis media with bilateral myringotomy tube placement at 6 months; angioplasty with left pulmonary artery stent placement after the identification of pulmonary artery stenosis with bilateral pleural effusions at age 6 years; chronic upper respiratory infections with significant T cell dysfunction requiring live viral vaccines to be held until age 7 years; velopharyngeal incompetence necessitating posterior pharyngeal flap surgery at 7 years; enamel hypoplasia and numerous caries resulting in 3 separate dental procedures under general cardiac anesthesia beginning at age 7 years; multiple cervical and thoracic vertebral anomalies with thoracic levoconvex scoliosis and upper lumbar dextroscoliosis requiring growing rod placement at age 11 years with subsequent rod extension at ages 11.5 and 12 years; postoperative hypocalcemia; short stature; constipation; and persistent idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Pertinent negative test results included normal renal ultrasound scanning and parental 22q11.2 deletion studies. On physical examination, the boy’s height and weight have consistently tracked just below the fifth percentile, with no evidence of growth hormone deficiency. His head circumference is within reference range at the 25th percentile. Dysmorphic features include: a low anterior hairline; hooded eyelids; malar flatness; normally formed but protuberant ears with attached lobes; a mildly deviated nose with a bulbous nasal tip and hypoplastic alae nasi; asymmetric crying facies with a thin upper lip; mild micrognathia; a sacral dimple; and soft tissue syndactyly of the second and third toes. Developmentally, the boy had mild delays in achieving motor milestones, sitting at 11 months and walking at 18 months. However, he exhibited significant delays in the emergence of language: he never babbled, spoke his first words at age 3 years, and only achieved full conversational speech at 7 years. However, he had relative strengths in receptive language and communicated appropriately by the use of sign language. Now quite conversant, he is mainstreamed in the seventh grade with resource room supports. Moreover, he is affable, but exhibits anxiety and perseverations. Lastly, despite numerous medical, academic, and social challenges, he participates in assisted athletics, is an avid wrestling fan, and enjoys travel. However, his exceptionally supportive parents, siblings, and extended family continue to worry about his long-term outcome and transition of care as he approaches adulthood. As demonstrated by this boy’s complicated course, practical multi-system guidelines are needed to assist the general practitioner and specialists in caring for patients with 22q11DS. Although still under-recognized, detection, including in the prenatal setting, is increasing. Moreover, the phenotypic spectrum is highly variable, and patients may present at any age. Thus, initial guidelines developed by an international panel of experts present the best practice recommendations currently available across the lifespan, with a major focus on the changing issues through childhood development.

The use of microorganisms with hydrocarbon degrading capability and biosurfactant producers have emerged as an alternative for sustainable treatment of environmental passives. In this study 45 bacteria were isolated from samples contaminated with petrochemical residues, from which 21 were obtained from Landfarming soil contaminated with oily sludge, 11 were obtained from petrochemical industry effluents and 13 were originated directly from oily sludge. The metabolization capability of different carbon sources, growth capacity and tolerance, biosurfactant production and enzymes detection were determined. A preliminary selection carried out through the analysis of capability for degrading hydrocarbons showed that 22% of the isolates were able to degrade all carbon sources employed. On the other hand, in 36% of the isolates, the degradation of the oily sludge started within 18–48 h. Those isolates were considered as the most efficient ones. Twenty isolates, identified based on partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, were pre-selected. These isolates showed ability for growing in a medium containing 1% of oily sludge as the sole carbon source, tolerance in a medium containing up to 30% of oily sludge, ability for biosurfactant production, and expression of enzymes involved in degradation of aliphatic and aromatic compounds. Five bacteria, identified as Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila BB5, Bacillus megaterium BB6, Bacillus cibi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus BS20 were shown to be promising for use as inoculum in bioremediation processes (bioaugmentation) of areas contaminated with petrochemical residues since they can use oily sludge as the sole carbon source and produce biosurfactants.

As sequelas das lesões traumáticas da espinal medula representam um elevado prejuízo pessoal, familiar e social. Desde 1984, foi investigado e proposto o tratamento com succinato sódico metilprednisolona em altas doses, como forma de reverter ou prevenir o agravamento dessas lesões. Apresentamos uma revisão da literatura sobre essa temática. Sabe-se que essa terapêutica tem uma elevada taxa de complicações, mas, acerca das suas vantagens e real eficácia, não existe concordância entre autores de trabalhos. Enquanto uns a defendem, outros chegam a considerar provada a sua total contraindicação nessa patologia. Já existem, em nível mundial, alguns centros que não fazem a sua administração. Em Portugal é prática generalizada a sua utilização. Não o fazer poderia mesmo ser difícil de defender em situação de litígio. Mas será que estamos mesmo a ajudar os nossos doentes? Sequelae of the traumatic injuries to the spinal cord represent a high personal, family and social damage. Since 1984, it has been investigated and considered that the treatment with sodium succinate methylprednisolone in high doses was a solution to revert or to prevent the aggravation of such injuries. We present a revision of literature on this subject. It is well established that this therapeutic has a high rate of complications, but concerning its advantages and real effectiveness, there is no agreement between paper authors. While some defend it, others state that this is a total contraindication in this pathology. There are already some medical centers worldwide that do not use it. In Portugal, the practice of its administration is generalized. Not to do it could be difficult to defend in a litigation situation. But are we really helping our patients with it? Las secuelas de las lesiones traumáticas de la médula espinal representan una gran pérdida personal, familiar y social. Desde el 1984, se investigó y se ofreció tratamiento con succinato sódico de metilprednisolona en altas dosis, como una forma de revertir o prevenir el empeoramiento de estas lesiones. Los autores presentan una revisión de la literatura sobre este tema. Se sabe que esta terapia tiene un alto índice de complicaciones. Sin embargo, sobre sus ventajas y eficacia real, no hay acuerdo entre las publicaciones. Mientras que algunas la defienden y otros llegan a tomar como prueba de su contraindicación total en esta patología.Ahora, existen en todo el mundo, algunos centros que no hacen su administración. En Portugal, se encuentra en uso generalizado. No hacerlo sería difícil de defender en situaciones de conflicto. ¿Pero, es esto una real ayuda a nuestros pacientes?

Resumo: Objetivo: Determinar a contribuição da biópsia percutânea com agulha cortante (Trucut) no diagnóstico das massas mediastínicas. Método: Revisão retrospectiva de 56 doentes com massas mediastínicas submetidos a biópsias com agulha cortante orientadas, mas não guiadas, pela tomografia computadorizada do tórax, no período de 1999 a 2008. Resultados: A biópsia percutânea com agulha cortante forneceu material adequado para o diagnóstico em 49/56 casos, com índice de positividade de 88%. Em 7/56, o material colhido foi insuficiente para definir o diagnóstico (12%). Este método foi capaz de definir o diagnóstico em 88% dos doentes: 23/56 (41%) linfomas; 12/56 (21%) timomas; 5/56 (3%) carcinomas tímicos; 3/56 (2%) carcinoma indiferenciado de pequenas células e 1/56 (0,6%) adenocarcinoma metastático, carcinoma epidermóide metastático, carcinoma neuroendócrino primitivo, plasmocitoma, teratoma, bócio. Após a biópsia, os doentes foram submetidos a radiografia do tórax. Não houve nenhum tipo de complicação nestes doentes. Conclusão: A biópsia transtorácica com agulha cortante (Trucut) orientada, mas não guiada pela tomografia computadorizada, tem alto rendimento, esclrrecendo o diagnóstico na maioria dos portadores de massas mediastínicas e pode ser útil, evitando a toracotomia exploradora, nos casos de tumores do mediastino inoperáveis ou de tratamento quimioterápico.Rev Port Pneumol 2009; XV (4): 589-595 Abstract: Aim: To determine the contribution of percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle (Trucut) in the diagnosis of mediastinal tumours. Method: Retrospective review of 56 patients with mediastinal lesions who underwent percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy, oriented but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax, 1999 â 2008. Results: Percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle provided adequate material in 49/56, with a total positive sample rate of 88%. In 7/56 (12%) cases the material was insufficient to define the diagnosis. Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy established a specific histological diagnosis in 88% of the patients: 23/56 (41%) lymphomas; 12/56 (21%) thymomas; 5/56 (3%) thymic carcinomas; 3/56 (2%) small cell carcinoma and 1/56 (0.6%) metastatic adenocarcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine primitive carcinoma, plasmocytoma, teratoma and goiter. All patients underwent thoracic X-ray after the procedure. No complications were found in these patients. Conclusion: Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy (Trucut) oriented but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax is an easy and safe procedure which can provide a precise diagnosis in the majority of mediastinal tumours and can prevent the need for exploratory thoracic surgery in cases which are medically treatable or non-resectable.Rev Port Pneumol 2009; XV (4): 589-595 Palavras-chave: Biópsia por agulha, biópsia com agulha Trucut, neoplasias do mediastino, mediastino/ /lesões, Key-words: Biopsy, needle, Trucut needle biopsy, mediastinal/lesions, mediastinal neoplasms

Aim: To determine the contribution of percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle (Trucut) in the diagnosis of mediastinal tumours. Method: Retrospective review of 56 patients with mediastinal lesions who underwent percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy, oriented but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax, 1999 â 2008. Results: Percutaneous biopsy with core cutting needle provided adequate material in 49/56, with a total positive sample rate of 88%. In 7/56 (12%) cases the material was insufficient to define the diagnosis. Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy established a specific histological diagnosis in 88% of the patients: 23/56 (41%) lymphomas; 12/56 (21%) thymomas; 5/56 (3%) thymic carcinomas; 3/56 (2%) small cell carcinoma and 1/56 (0.6%) metastatic adenocarcinoma, metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine primitive carcinoma, plasmocytoma, teratoma and goiter. All patients underwent thoracic X-ray after the procedure. No complications were found in these patients. Conclusion: Percutaneous core cutting needle biopsy (Trucut) oriented but not guided by computer assisted tomography of the thorax is an easy and safe procedure which can provide a precise diagnosis in the majority of mediastinal tumours and can prevent the need for exploratory thoracic surgery in cases which are medically treatable or non-resectable. Resumo: Objetivo: Determinar a contribuição da biópsia percutânea com agulha cortante (Trucut) no diagnóstico das massas mediastínicas. Método: Revisão retrospectiva de 56 doentes com massas mediastínicas submetidos a biópsias com agulha cortante orientadas, mas não guiadas, pela tomografia computadorizada do tórax, no período de 1999 a 2008. Resultados: A biópsia percutânea com agulha cortante forneceu material adequado para o diagnóstico em 49/56 casos, com índice de positividade de 88%. Em 7/56, o material colhido foi insuficiente para definir o diagnóstico (12%). Este método foi capaz de definir o diagnóstico em 88% dos doentes: 23/56 (41%) linfomas; 12/56 (21%) timomas; 5/56 (3%) carcinomas tímicos; 3/56 (2%) carcinoma indiferenciado de pequenas células e 1/56 (0,6%) adenocarcinoma metastático, carcinoma epidermóide metastático, carcinoma neuroendócrino primitivo, plasmocitoma, teratoma, bócio. Após a biópsia, os doen tes foram submetidos a radiografia do tórax. Não houve nenhum tipo de complicação nestes doentes. Conclusão: A biópsia transtorácica com agulha cortante (Trucut) orientada, mas não guiada pela tomografia computadorizada, tem alto rendimento, esclrrecendo o diagnóstico na maioria dos portadores de massas mediastínicas e pode ser útil, evitando a toracotomia exploradora, nos casos de tumores do mediastino inoperáveis ou de tratamento quimioterápico. Key-words: Biopsy, needle, Trucut needle biopsy, mediastinal/lesions, mediastinal neoplasms, Palavras-chave: Biópsia por agulha, biópsia com agulha Trucut, neoplasias do mediastino, mediastino/lesões

In this paper a study on different Radio Resource Management (RRM) methods employed in a multi-carrier cellular system is presented. This work focuses on the rate-adaptive resource allocation (sub-carriers and power), as well as the utilitybased packet scheduling algorithms. The objective of the paper is to study the trade-off between system spectral efficiency and fairness among the users when the considered algorithms are used.

Foi investigada a prevalência de anticorpos antileptospira em fêmeas bovinas com idade igual ou superior a 24 meses, provenientes de 178 rebanhos de 22 municípios do estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, bem como identificados fatores de risco associados à infecção. Foram analisadas 2.573 amostras de soro sangüíneo por meio do teste de soroaglutinação microscópica perante 10 sorovares de leptospira. Títulos iguais ou superiores a 100 para um ou mais sorovares foram detectados em 1.801 fêmeas (98,8%) de 161 (96,5%) rebanhos. O sorovar Hardjo (65,6%) foi apontado como o mais provável, seguido do sorovar Wolffi (12,3%). Os resultados demonstram que a leptospirose bovina se encontra presente em todos os municípios estudados, com alta prevalência, tanto em animais como em rebanhos. Os fatores de risco identificados neste estudo e associados à infecção por bactérias do gênero lepstopira foram o tipo de exploração pecuária de corte e a raça Zebu. The prevalence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies was estimated for female cattle aged 24 months or older. The sample comprised 178 herds from 22 counties in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The risk factors associated with the presence of infeccion were investigated. A total of 2,573 blood serum samples were tested against 10 leptospira serovars using the microagglutination test (MAT). Titers of 100 or higher for one or more serovars were detected in 1,801 females (98.8%) from 161 herds (96.5%). Serovar Hardjo (65.6%) was the most frequent, followed by serovar Wolffi (12.3%). These results suggest that bovine leptospirosis is widespread in all the counties under study, with a high prevalence both at the animal and the herd level. Beef farms and the Zebu breed were associated to the higher risk of herd infection by leptospiras.

Spectral efficiency, fairness and user satisfaction are crucial aspects for resource allocation in multi-user Orthog- onal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)-based cellular networks. Classical Radio Resource Allocation (RRA) strategies, such as Max-Rate (MR), Proportional Fairness (PF) and Max- Min Fairness (MMF), show different performances regarding the three aforementioned aspects. In this work, we present an adap- tive RRA framework that joins the criteria of the three classical strategies in a unified manner and can be dynamically configured according to the cellular operator's objectives. We exemplify the flexible use of this general framework by proposing two adaptive RRA algorithms that provide strict fairness among users and maximizes the users' satisfaction, respectively. Simulation results show that the two proposed algorithms can efficiently achieve their respective objectives by means of the adaptation of the general RRA framework.

By means of dynamic system level simulations, this work evaluates the performance of two proposed Load Control algorithms that are capable of guaranteeing the QoS of the VoIP service in a mixed traffic scenario in the HSDPA network. It was shown that the LC algorithms are efficient at maximizing the VoIP satisfaction, and therefore the overall system capacity, by means of a soft and controlled degradation of the QoS of the WWW service.

By means of dynamic system-level simulations, this work evaluates whether the studied Packet Scheduling (PS) algorithms are capable of guaranteeing the Quality of Service (QoS) of the Voice over IP (VoIP) on a scenario where the VoIP and web browsing services will compete for the same resources. Two sets of algorithms were considered: QoS-differentiated and non-QoS-differentiated algorithms. It can be concluded that, in general, the PS algorithms able to perform QoS differentiation presented better performance in terms of system capacity and QoS compared to those non-QoS-differentiated algorithms. Among the former category, those that take into consideration delay requirements of the VoIP service presented the best overall capacity for all traffic mixes.

This article introduces a software development framework, which amasses object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts and designed procedures, intended to systematize the implementation of link-level simulation tools. This development framework is fully implemented in C++ programming language providing modularity and reusability (improving the coding activity). This framework then constitutes remarkable tool for quickly creating link-level applications. Aiming to evaluate the applicability of this software structure, the conversational service class transmitting at 12.2 kbps and over the Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) Downlink (DL) dedicated channel (DCH) is addressed as a case-study and therefore potential benefits of utilizing such development library are identified. It is shown that the development framework provides flexibility for the software development of link-level simulators remarkably reducing the design, programming and testing stages.

By means of dynamic system-level simulations, this work evaluates whether the studied Packet Scheduling (PS) algorithms are capable of guaranteeing the quality of service (QoS) of the voice over IP (VoIP) on a scenario where the VoIP and Web browsing services will compete for the same resources and there is a maximum allowed end-to-end delay for VoIP packets. Two sets of algorithms were considered: QoS-differentiated and non-QoS-differentiated algorithms. It was verified the system capacity gains when the VoIP delay budget is increased. Regarding the PS performance, those algorithms able to perform QoS differentiation presented better performance in terms of system capacity and QoS compared to those non-QoS-differentiated algorithms. Among the former category, those that take into consideration delay requirements of the VoIP service presented the best overall capacity for all traffic mixes and delay budgets.

The growth in the number of voice over IP (VoIP) users on the Internet makes it the service with the highest interest to be provided by cellular operators. On the other hand, it demands very strict QoS control, which becomes even more complicated in wireless networks, because packets can be lost due to radio link transmission errors, as well as network congestion. Within this paradigm, scheduling strategies appear as the most suitable solution to cope with QoS guarantees under high loads, where the resources should be carefully distributed among the users in order to fulfill their QoS requirements. This work comprises the proposal and evaluation of some scheduling algorithms aiming to improve system capacity and QoS guarantees for speech users in HSDPA. The results show that the scheduling algorithms that mix fairness with channel information to get improvements of the multi-user diversity provide the best performance.

The paper specifies congestion resolution (action) and recovery (reaction) procedures within a load control (LC) functionality in the WCDMA downlink air interface. By means of dynamic system level simulations, it is verified that, in soft overload situations, it is advantageous to give lower priority to those radio links that have worse channel quality, so that the system can return to its stable state in a gradual and controlled manner.

In this contribution we evaluate the utilization of fixed thresholds for allocation and management of downlink dedicated channels (DCH) transmission power in WCDMA mixed service scenarios. We have made use of system-level dynamic simulation approach. We assess modified versions of the call admission control (CAC) and the power control (PC) algorithms. The system performance is evaluated taking into consideration the quality of service (QoS) experienced by connected users and the utilization of available power resources.

The paper proposes and evaluates an efficient power and code based admission control algorithm that is capable of fulfilling the QoS demands of the streaming users mapped on the HS-DSCH (high speed downlink shared channel). A mixed traffic scenario, where streaming users have to coexist with speech users mapped on dedicated channels (DCH) and Web browsing users mapped on HS-DSCH, is considered. By means of system level dynamic simulations, it is concluded that our proposed algorithm is able to improve the satisfaction of streaming users with minor impact on the QoS of speech and Web browsing users.

Tumor carcinóide de pele é uma ocorrência rara, é uma neoplasia maligna originária do sistema neuroendócrino e tem nas células de Merkel seu substrato anátomo-patológico. Sua localização mais frequente é a área de pele do pescoço e da cabeça e é mais comum em idosos. Este trabalho relata o caso de uma mulher de 35 anos que apresentava tumoração visível e palpável no terço superior do esterno. Dois episódios de sangramento importante e invasão óssea assinalaram a indicação de ressecção. A inclusão de espessura total da parede torácica ao nível do manúbrio requereu a substituição por prótese rígida. O diagnóstico definitivo do tipo histopatológico só se revelou após exame da peça operatória. A reconstrução do defeito utilizando placa de cimento cirúrgico e interposição de retalho miocutâneo confirma que este é um recurso útil quando o sítio de ressecção ocorre em área que interfere na dinâmica respiratória. uma situação que tipicamente requer a prótese ventilatória por mais de 6 dias. A estabilidade da parede e a viabilidade do retalho associados à recuperação das funções respiratórias permitiram a alta hospitalar aos 18 dias. Carcinoid tumor of the skin, which is a malignant neoplasm originating in the neuroendocrine system and having its pathological substrate in the Merkel cells, is a rare occurrence. It is most frequently seen on the skin around the neck and head and is more common in the elderly. This study relates the case of a 35-year-old woman presenting with a visible and palpable tumor covering the upper third of the sternum. Resection of the tumor was indicated because the patient had experienced two significant episodes of bleeding and osseous invasion had occurred. Penetration of the full thickness of the chest wall at the sternum notch necessitated the implantation of a rigid prosthesis. The definitive histopathological diagnosis was made only through postoperative analysis of the excised section. Reconstruction using a surgical cement plate and interposition of a myocutaneous flap proved its usefulness as an alternative when resection is performed in an area important to the postoperative respiratory dynamic, a situation that typically requires a ventilatory prosthesis for up to 6 days. The stability of the chest wall, together with viability of the flap and the recuperation of pulmonary function, allowed the patient to be discharged after 18 days.

The major goal of this contribution is to evaluate strategies for allocation and management of the Dedicated Traffic Channels (DCH) transmission power in a WCDMA radio access network. The power allocation and control solution is tested aiming power consumption saving while the system QoS requirements are kept in acceptable levels. We focus on multi-cellular dynamic system-level simulations of the WCDMA radio access network in the forward link for the conversational service class. From these investigations we address the feasibility of our solution.