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A hullform was developed for a new frigate based on the parent hullform of an existing design. The new hullform is able to provide higher payload and stability performance, consequently increase its adaptability capability. Initial bare hull resistance to the new hullform concept was estimated using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). After the final fairing, a hydrodynamic campaign was defined to measure the hydrodynamic characteristics of the new concept. BAE Systems used, for the first time, numerical prediction methods to undertake a complete hydrodynamic campaign on a hullform. The campaign included Bare Hull Resistance, Propeller Nominal Wake Survey, Self- Propulsion, Appendage Alignment, Seakeeping and Manoeuvring. The current paper is focused on the Bare Hull Resistance Analysis. A validation was made against the available experimental results for the parent hullform. The validation showed a goodagreement. The validated numerical modelling was used in the new hullform evaluation. The results showed that despite the larger displacement, the new hullform hydrodynamic performance is similar to the parent hullform.

A technique based on the electrical resistance change of a network of carbon nanotubes within a polymer composite was implemented to assess damage caused by low-velocity impact in multiscale hierarchical composites. The influence of the electrode configuration in 100 mm x 100 mm x 1.7 mm plates is addressed. Three electrode configurations are evaluated, namely, a grid on the impacted surface, a grid on the opposite (non-impacted) surface, and through the thickness of the plate. Upon impact, matrix cracking, delamination, and fiber rupture cause disruption and redistribution of the electrical network of carbon nanotubes, whose electrical resistance changes can be correlated with such damage. It is found that the non-impacted surface exhibits a higher fractional change of electrical resistance and hence higher sensitivity to damage. The results obtained using the electrical technique showed a good correlation with damage detected by independent measurements by digital holographic interferometry and ultrasonic inspections.

The effect of sputtering power ($P$=60 W-180 W) on the electrochromic properties of nickel oxide films deposited on ITO-coated glass substrates by the RF magnetron sputtering technique was investigated. Crystalline structure and morphology were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The effect of sputtering power on electrochromism of the samples was evaluated with cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. We used LiClO$_4$ in propilene carbonate solution for Li insertion/extraction. The chemical composition of the samples before and after Li intercalation was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). We observed the cubic phase of NiO with sputtering power mainly affecting crystallinity and grain size. These in turn affect the electrochromic properties. Coloration efficiency reduces from 24.4 cm$^{2}$/C to (15.4, 13.7. 16.1) cm$^{2}$/C and the reversibility from 40% to 30% as sputtering power increases from 60 W to 180 W. The impedance spectra indicates that ion diffusion is larger for the film grown at 60 W and then goes down for the films deposited at higher sputtering powers. XPS analysis reveals that higher values of $P$ promote the formation of nickel hydroxides on the film surface. As consequence of changes in crystallinity and morphology, the presence of nickel hydroxides increases, showing that not only the electrochromic properties of the samples are affected by the sputtering power but also their chemical composition., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. Research article

The production of bionanocomposite films based on agar (A), melipona honey (MH), and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by solution cast method was performed. The synthesized RGO was characterized in terms of morphology, elemental composition, structure, thermal, surface area, particle size, and resistivity properties. The RGO showed a laminar structure composed of sheets with a thickness of 10 nm. The incorporation procedure of bio-nanocomposite films with A, MH, and RGO have been described. The bio-nanocomposite films fabricated showed good film-forming, a smooth surface, and suitable flexibility. The MH was revealed to have plasticizer characteristics in an agar matrix, the formulation AMH25 showed an increase of 33.6% on the elongation at break and a decrease of 22.1% in water vapor permeability. The optical, mechanical, barrier, and electrical conductive properties of the bio-nanocomposite films were characterized. The opacity, tensile strength and modulus of agar films with RGO showed an increase up to 31.8 mm-1, 80.5 MPa, and 284.8 MPa, respectively. The formulation ARGO1 and AMH25RGO2 showed good physicochemical properties, and these bio-nanocomposite films can be considered as new functional materials with promising applications in the fields of biomedicine, electronics, energy, water treatment, and food packaging.

Electrical and piezoresistive properties of hybrid nanocomposite films and tubes made of a segmented aliphatic polyurethane modified with multilayer graphene sheets (MLGSs), multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and hybrid mixtures of both, were investigated. Hybrid nanocomposites were fabricated at a total weight concentration ( Φ T ) of 5 wt.%, with relative weight concentration of MLGSs with respect to MWCNTs ( Φ R ) of 25%, 50% and 75%. The electrical conductivity of these films is dominated by the MWCNT network, observing electrical MLGS-MWCNT collaborative effects only for Φ R = 25%. Dielectric impedance spectroscopy indicates that the nanocomposites display capacitive effects at frequencies higher than tens of Hz, which is explained by interfacial polarization. The burst pressure and circumferential stiffness of internally pressurized tubes fabricated from these films is slightly higher for tubes containing only MWCNTs. The strain fields in the pressurized tubes, determined by digital image correlation, showed localized strain gradients, and the piezoresistive response of the electro-conductive tubes was nonlinear. The highest pressure sensitivity factor (4.59 kPa−1) was obtained for hybrid nanocomposite tubes with Φ R = 25%.

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) in water using a continuous filament process was used to modify E-type glass fibers (GFs) by depositing multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) onto their surface. The oxidized MWCNTs behaved as negatively charged particles and migrated toward the positive electrode, containing the GFs. This electrokinetic motion was confirmed by measuring the point of zero charge and Z-potential. The influence of the main EPD parameters on the morphology and electrical properties of the MWCNT-coated GFs is investigated. The most uniform coverage was achieved by using an electric field of 4.5 kV/m for 30 min under a warm bath temperature (~ 50 °C). Higher intensity of the electric field or longer deposition times was not beneficial for the homogeneity of the deposit. The application of these electroconductive MWCNT-modified fibers as smart materials was demonstrated by conducting relaxation-induced piezoresistive experiments in monofilament polymer composites using these MWCNT-modified fibers.

The chaining process of a system of interacting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) under an alternating current electric field is investigated at two regions of different electric field characteristics. For the region of uniform electric field (far from the electrodes), a two-dimensional multiparticle approach based on the dielectrophoretic (DEP) theory and classical mechanics is proposed to investigate the CNT rotational and translation motion. For this scenario, CNT rotation and alignment along the electric field direction occurs first, followed by the translation and chaining processes which were found to be highly dependent on the CNT-to-CNT initial configuration. On the other hand, the presence of high electric field gradients governs the CNT chaining at regions near the electrodes. DEP forces caused by such gradients were computed by finite element analysis and compared to the magnitude of the CNT-to-CNT interacting forces at zones of uniform electric fields. A critical distance of CNT-to-CNT separation was estimated, which determines if a CNT is attracted towards the electrode or if it is attracted by other CNTs away from the electrodes. Experimental evidence of CNTs dynamic motion under electric fields is presented to support the predicted trends.

The circumferential compliance and burst strength of vascular grafts are predicted through the conically modified von Mises and elasticity theories, providing an analytical closed form solution for both parameters. Besides the graft's radii, the model for circumferential compliance depends solely on the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the polymer material, and its accuracy was verified by finite element analysis and measurements. The analytical expression of the burst strength requires accurate determination of the material's tensile and compressive yield stress, which were carefully obtained by using digital image correlation measurements in uniaxial tensile and compressive tests of the constitutive material. The average measured circumferential compliance and burst strength of an 8mm graft made of a commonly used biomaterial, Tecoflex® SG-80A, are 1.05%/100mmHg-1 and 34.1psi (1763mmHg) and the proposed analytical predictions fall within the experimental scattering. Thus, it is shown that the circumferential compliance and burst strength of vascular grafts can be analytically predicted by knowing the elastic and yield material properties accurately, without needing to actually test the graft under radial pressure. This is a major advantage which can aid in the design and tailoring of vascular grafts.

The HPTN 067/Alternative Dosing to Augment Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Pill Taking (ADAPT) study evaluated daily and non-daily dosing schedules for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV. A qualitative sub-study including focus groups and in-depth interviews was conducted among men who have sex with men participating in New York City to understand their experience with PrEP and study dosing schedules. The 37 sub-study participants were 68% black, 11% white, and 8% Asian; 27% were of Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. Mean age was 34 years. Themes resulting from qualitative analysis include: PrEP is a significant advance for HIV prevention; non-daily dosing of PrEP is congruent with HIV risk; and pervasive stigma connected to HIV and risk behavior is a barrier to PrEP adherence, especially for non-daily dosing schedules. The findings underscore how PrEP intersects with other HIV prevention practices and highlight the need to understand and address multidimensional stigma related to PrEP use.

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) oxidized by an acid treatment were deposited on the surface of as-received commercial aramid fibers containing a surface coating (“sizing”), and fibers modified by either a chlorosulfonic treatment or a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. The surface of the aramid fiber activated by the chemical treatments presents increasing density of CO, COOH and OH functional groups. However, these chemical treatments reduced the tensile mechanical properties of the fibers, especially when the nitric and sulfuric acid mixture was used. Characterization of the MWCNTs deposited on the fiber surface was conducted by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These characterizations showed higher areal concentration and more homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs over the aramid fibers for as-received fibers and for those modified with chlorosulfonic acid, suggesting the existence of interaction between the oxidized MWCNTs and the fiber coating. The electrical resistance of the MWCNT-modified aramid yarns comprising ∼1000 individual fibers was in the order of MΩ/cm, which renders multifunctional properties.

Introduction: The incidence of cystic fibrosis (CF) in Portugal is estimated at 1:8000 live births, although there is a lack of accurate statistics. The average life expectancy has been steadily increasing and CF is no longer an exclusively pediatric disease. Objectives: Characterize the Portuguese adult population with the diagnosis of CF. Methods: Retrospective study based on clinical data of adult CF follow-up patients in the three specialized centers in Portugal where all of CF patients are seen, during 2012. Results: In 2012, there were 89 follow-up patients, 48 (54%) female and 15 (17%) lung transplanted. The average age was 31.3 ± 9 years. The median age at diagnosis was 13 years and 34 (38%) were diagnosed in adulthood. The most frequent mutation was F508del (54.9%). Of the 89 patients, 49 patients (56%) had pancreatic insufficiency, 7 (9%) were diabetic and 42 patients (47.7%) had a body mass index (BMI)

The design and analysis of a device to measure the burst strength (strength under a state of pure radial internal pressure) and compliance of vascular grafts and flexible pressurized tubes is presented. The device comprises three main sections, viz., a clean air-dry pressure controller, a test specimen holder, and automated software for control and data collection. Air pressure is controlled by means of a valve and a dedicated mechanism allowing reaching up to 120 psi in increments of 1 psi, and recording pressure changes with 0.04 psi resolution. The circumferential strain is determined by measuring the radial displacement of the vascular graft using an optical arrangement capable of determining a maximum radial displacement of 10 mm with 0.02 mm resolution. The instrument provides a low uncertainty in compliance (±0.32%/100 mm Hg-1) and burst strength measurements. Due to its simplicity, the device can easily be reproduced in other laboratories contributing to a dedicated instrument with high resolution at low cost. The reliability of the apparatus is further confirmed by conducting finite element analysis, elasticity solutions for pressurized cylinders, and testing of small diameter vascular grafts made of a commercial aliphatic polyurethane tested under radial internal pressure.

The aims of this study were to analyze whether age, tooth type and sex are related to radiographically visible extrusion of filling material as an unintended outcome in teeth undergoing endodontic treatment with a thermoplastic obturation technique (Calamus® or GuttaCore®) and to determine whether the presence of such overfilling is associated to postoperative pain. We selected 120 teeth with diagnoses involving vital pulp and indication for endodontic treatment. Biomechanical preparation was performed using the Protaper Next® system with X2 or X3 master apical file. Teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=60). Teeth in Group 1 were filled with the Guttacore® system and teeth in Group 2 were filled with single cone technique and Calamus® obturation system. Thermoplastic obturation techniques were found to cause overfilling in 53. 33% of the total cases (64 teeth) (56. 66% in Guttacore® group and 50% in the Calamus® group). Anterior teeth were found to be associated to presence of overfilling (p= 0. 024) (OR = 4. 35). Of the 120 teeth treated, 10 (8. 33%) presented postoperative pain and radiographically visible overfilling. The association between presence of extruded filling material and mild/moderate pain was statistically significant withp = 0. 002. To conclude, endodontic thermoplastic obturation with Guttacore® and Calamus® systems are significantly associated with the probability of filling material extrusion, and overfilling is associated to postoperative pain. Anterior teeth are 4 times more likely to be overfilled with the obturation techniques tested.Los objetivos de esta investigación fueron: Analizar si factores como la edad, el tipo de diente y el género están asociados con la extrusión de material obturador radiográficamente visible como desenlace imprevisto en dientes sometidos a tratamiento endodóntico con una técnica de obturación termoplástica (Calamus® o GuttaCore®) y determinar si la presencia de esta sobreobturación está asociada con dolor posoperatorio. Se seleccionaron 120 dientes con diagnósticos que implicaban pulpa vital y con indicación de tratamiento de endodoncia. La preparación biomecánica se llevó a cabo con el sistema ProtaperNext® con lima apical principal X2 o X3. Los dientes se dividieron aleatoriamente de la siguiente forma (n=60): El grupo 1 se obturó con el sistema Guttacore® y el grupo 2 se obturó con una técnica de obturación de cono único y el sistema de obturación Calamus®. Se observó quelas técnicas de obturación termoplástica generaron sobreobturación en 53. 33% del total (64 dientes), 56. 66% se presentaron en el grupo de obturación con Guttacore® y 50% en el grupo de la técnica con el sistema Calamus®. Se encontró que los dientes anteriores presentaron asociación con la presencia de sobreobturación (p= 0. 024) (OR=4. 35). De los 120 dientes tratados, 10 (8. 33 %) presentaron dolor posoperatorio y sobreobturación radiográficamente visible. La asociación entre la presencia de extrusión de material de obturación y dolor leve-moderado fue estadísticamente significativa con un valorp= 0. 002. Como conclusión las técnicas de obturación termoplástica en endodoncia Guttacore® y el sistema Calamus® están asociadas significativamente con la probabilidad de extrusión de material obturador y dicha sobreobturación está asociada con dolor posoperatorio, los dientes anteriores presentan 4 veces más riesgo de sobreobturación con las técnicas de obturación utilizadas.

We investigate the effect of post-deposition annealing (for temperatures from 848 K to 1273 K) on the chemical properties of crystalline Ta$_2$O$_5$ films grown on Si(100) substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. The atomic arrangement, as determined by X-ray diffraction, is predominately hexagonal ($\delta$-Ta$_2$O$_5$) for the films exposed to heat treatments at 948 K and 1048 K; orthorhombic ($\beta$-Ta$_2$O$_5$) for samples annealed at 1148 K and 1273 K; and amorphous for samples annealed at temperatures below 948 K. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for Ta $4f$ and O $1s$ core-levels were performed to evaluate the chemical properties of all films as a function of annealing temperature. Upon analysis, it is observed the Ta $4f$ spectrum characteristic of Ta in Ta$^{5+}$ and the formation of Ta-oxide phases with oxidation states Ta$^{1+}$, Ta$^{2+}$, Ta$^{3+}$, and Ta$^{4+}$. The study reveals that the increase in annealing temperature increases the percentage of the state Ta$^{5+}$ and the reduction of the others indicating that higher temperatures are more desirable to produce Ta$_2$O$_5$, however, there seems to be an optimal annealing temperature that maximizes the O\% to Ta\% ratio. We found that at 1273 K the ratio slightly reduces suggesting oxygen depletion., Comment: 7 pages, 1 table, 6 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1804.02067, arXiv:1704.05514

A amiloidose caracteriza-se pela deposição extracelular de substância amilóide em diferentes órgãos e tecidos. O atingimento pulmonar é raro e pode acontecer de forma isolada ou associado a doença sistémica. Descrevem-se dois casos clínicos. Caso 1: Mulher de 71 anos, com antecedentes de bronquiectasias e síndrome de Sjögren, que referia anorexia, emagrecimento e tosse produtiva. O estudo incluiu uma biópsia pulmonar cirúrgica que demonstrou amiloidose localizada ao aparelho respiratório. Caso 2: Homem de 83anos, ex-fumador, assintomático. Enviado por opacidade nodular em radiografia de tórax de rotina. A biópsia pulmonar transtorácica revelou um tumor amilóide do pulmão (amiloidoma). Estes casos ilustram uma doença rara que no Caso 1 está associada a bronquiectasias e síndrome de Sjögren. O diagnóstico diferencial mais importante é a patologia neoplásica, sendo o diagnóstico definitivo importante, já que a amiloidose pulmonar é geralmente benigna e indolente.

We report the determination of critical current density J c flowing in YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ superconducting thin films by two independent criteria. The estimation of J c was carried out by an inductive technique, i.e., the so-called screening technique. Both the imaginary part of the fundamental harmonic of susceptibility χ 1 " and the third harmonic of the voltage V 3 criteria were used to determine the full penetration field. Our goal is to shed light on the selection of the criterion for the determination of J c . In order to compare the inductive criteria, we investigated the homogeneity of J c via transport measurements conducted on microbridges patterned in the films. Based on the transport method, we found that, for temperatures close to critical temperature T c , both techniques yield similar results in the determination of J c . However, at temperatures relatively far from T c , the V 3 criterion showed better agreement with the transport data. Furthermore, using both criteria, we propose an alternative methodology to estimate in situ the coil factor associated with the V 3 criterion, avoiding in this way the need for implementing an additional technique.

A vibrational approach is presented to determine the elastic modulus of individual thin films deposited over a thicker substrate in multilayered systems. The approach requires measurement of the fundamental frequency of the multilayer and a laminated beam model for data reduction. A one-dimensional model based on classical laminated beam theory is introduced to provide a simple analytical approximation of the natural frequency of thin multilayered materials deposited over a significantly thicker substrate in cantilever beam configuration. The model has the advantage of providing an easy-to-use analytical expression for the natural frequency of a multilayered beam in terms of the elastic moduli of each layer, which can be inverted to calculate the elastic modulus of any individual layer if the elastic modulus of the remaining layers is known, and the natural frequency of the multilayered beam is measured. The limits of applicability of the proposed model are investigated by comparing its predictions of the fundamental frequency to those of an existent analytical model for bilayers and finite element analysis of materials comprising two and three dissimilar layers. The proposed model is applied to obtain the elastic modulus of Al and Au thin films in an Al/Au/Kapton multilayer.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis remains a common and important respiratory disease to date. It is a chronic pathology and consequently the patients usually require continuous treatment.In recent decades therapies that do not have scientific evidence of their benefits have been commonly used in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis. Cystic fibrosis has provided the experience to extrapolate therapeutic approaches to other bronchiectasis patients. Finally, in the last few years some trials have been carried out specifically in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis which aim to assess the efficacy of some of the treatments which are commonly used but sometimes without clear indication.This review will discuss the recent results from these trials, namely mucoactive, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic therapy. Several trials are ongoing and we hope they will be able to add clarification to the management of these patients. Resumo: As bronquiectasias não-fibrose quística continuam a ser uma doença respiratória comum e importante. Trata-se de uma patologia crónica e, consequentemente, os doentes geralmente precisam de um tratamento contínuo.Nas últimas décadas, tratamentos sem evidência científica dos seus benefícios foram comumente usadas nas bronquiectasias não-fibrose quística. A fibrose quística serviu de experiência para extrapolar a abordagem terapêutica para outros doentes com bronquiectasias. Finalmente, nos últimos anos, foram realizados alguns ensaios bronquiectasias não-fibrose quística que visam avaliar a eficácia de alguns dos tratamentos que são comummente usados mas por vezes sem uma clara indicação.Nesta revisão serão apresentados os resultados recentes destes ensaios, nomeadamente sobre o tratamento mucoactivo, anti-inflamatório e antibiótico. Diversos estudos estão a decorrer e esperamos que estes venham a esclarecer a abordagem mais adequada destes doentes. Keywords: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, Advances, Mucoactive, Anti-inflammatory, Antibiotic, Therapy, Palavras-chave: Bronquiectasia não-fibrose cística, Avanços, Mucoactivo, Anti-inflamatório, Antibiótico, Terapia

This work intends to introduce a new implementation framework, based on the classical holonic paradigm, for partly distributing the intelligence surrounding cyber-physical production systems in the cloud. In order to achieve this transfer, an innovative framework is proposed and the interface between local and cloud platform is extensively justified and described. A performance evaluation of this framework is achieved through its implementation on a fully automated industrial-sized assembly line equipped with 6 axis robots. The chosen performance indicator is the volume of data exchanged during production in order to validate the positioning of the interface in the framework. The results show a low volume of messages exchanged through the interface and a distribution of the volume along time making it valuable for further developments.

Resumo: O mesotelioma deciduóide é um subtipo raro de mesotelioma epitelióide, inicialmente encontrado apenas no peritoneu de mulheres jovens, sem relação com exposição a asbestos. No entanto, desde as primeiras descrições tem sido igualmente diagnosticado na pleura e no pericárdio e pode estar associado aos asbestos. De um modo geral, tem pior prognóstico quando comparado com o mesotelioma epitelióide. Há apenas 45 casos descritos na literatura até à data, 22 destes localizados na cavidade pleural. Os autores descrevem um caso de mesotelioma deciduóide pleural numa mulher de 40 anos com toracalgia pleurítica direita, sem história de exposição aos asbestos, submetida a quimioterapia seguida de ressecção cirúrgica, que veio a falecer no pós-operatório. Abstract: Deciduoid Mesothelioma is a rare variant of epithelioid mesothelioma; it was initially thought that it only occurred in the peritoneum of young women and had nothing to do with asbestos exposure. However, since these early findings it has also been observed in the pleura and the pericardium, with possible association to asbestos. In general the prognosis is poor compared to epithelioid mesothelioma. 45 cases have been reported in the literature up to now, 22 of these were located in the pleural cavity. The authors describe a case of deciduoid pleural mesothelioma in a 40-year-old-woman who presented with right pleuritic chest pain, with no history of asbestos exposure, treated with chemotherapy followed by surgery and who died postoperatively. Palavras-chave: Mesotelioma deciduóide, Pleura, Cisplatina, Pemetrexed, Keywords: Deciduoid Mesothelioma, Pleura, Cisplatin, Pemetrexed

Resumo: A esperança de vida dos doentes com fibrose quística (FQ) tem vindo a aumentar, sendo mais frequente a identificação de osteoporose. A patogénese de uma baixa densidade mineral óssea (DMO) na FQ parece ser multifactorial e o objectivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a prevalência de baixa DMO num grupo de doentes com FQ e a sua correlação com outros parâmetros avaliados.O estudo incluiu 22 doentes com FQ com idades compreendidas entre os 14 e os 45 anos (média 26,3), dois dos quais transplantados pulmonares. A DMO foi avaliada por densitometria óssea ao nível da coluna lombar e do colo do fémur. Estes dados foram correlacionados com os valores séricos de 25-hydroxivi-tamina D, o IMC e o volume expiratório máximo forçado no primeiro segundo (VEM).Os valores da DMO (Z-score e T-score) variaram entre 0,6 e -6 e entre 0,5 e -6,7, respectivamente, a nível da coluna lombar e entre 0,6 e -3,9 e 0,6 e -4,1 a nível do colo do fémur. A média das concentrações séricas de 25-(OH)D (12,57 ng/ml) encontrava-se no limite inferior da normalidade (10-60 ng/ml). Em média os doentes não apresentavam malnutrição mas os valores de IMC variam entre 15,2 e 33,7 kg/m2. Relativamente à função pulmonar, 64% dos doentes apresentavam VEM inferior a 80% e, destes, quatro tinham valores inferiores a 40%. Foi encontrada uma correlação positiva entre valores baixos de DMO e VEM, assim como entre valores de DMO e 25-OHD. Não houve correlação linear entre IMC e DMO.Rev Port Pneumol 2008; XIV (5): 625-634 Abstract: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have an increasing life span and osteoporosis has become a more recognised problem in these patients. The pathogenesis of low bone mineral density (BMD) in CF seems to be multifactorial and the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of low BMD in a group of CF outpatients and to relate the findings with the variables studied.The study included 22 patients aged between 14 and 45 years (mean age 26.3). Two of the subjects were lung transplant patients. BMD was assessed by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN). This data was correlated with serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels, BMI and the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).BMD (Z-score and T-score) ranged from 0.6 to -6 and from 0.5 to -6.7 at LS; at FN the scores ranged from 0.6 to -3.9 and from 0.6 to -4.1. The mean serum 25-OHD concentration (12,57 ng/ml) was at the low end of the normal range (10-60 ng/ml). On average patients did not present with malnutrition, however BMI ranged from 15.2 to 33.7 kg/m2. Lung function status was assessed by FEV1; 64% of patients had FEV1 below 80% and within this group four patients had a FEV1 under 40%.There was a positive correlation between low BMD and 25-OHD concentrations and also between BMD and FEV1. There was no linear correlation between BMD and BMI.Rev Port Pneumol 2008; XIV (5): 625-634 Palavras-chave: Fibrose quística, densidade mineral óssea, vitamina D, Key-words: Cystic fibrosis, bone mineral density, vitamin D

The way information is presented to the system limits the flexibility the holonic control system can achieve.Service-based process models adapt to the fractal structure of holonic architectures.Process models, based on application-specific and/or domain-specific service-ontologies, are independent of workshop knowledge.A Petri net service-oriented process model is proposed for integrated process planning and scheduling.A set of modeling rules is proposed for the automatic generation of the Petri net process model. Distributed control systems such as the holonic manufacturing systems and service-oriented architectures have demonstrated to provide higher levels of flexibility, notably in the planning and scheduling functionalities, if well exploited. In scheduling, the use of fixed process plans generated by traditional planning approaches, usually leads to unrealistic schedules due to the lack of considerations of the workshop status. IPPS approaches try to break the gap between these two functionalities in favor of providing flexible plans adapting to the shop floor's state. A key element in the creation of flexible process plans is the definition of a process model capable of representing alternatives solutions to the sequencing problem and therefore increasing the potential solution space. This paper presents a methodology to increase planning flexibility in service-oriented manufacturing systems (SOHMS). The methodology introduces a Petri net service-oriented process model (SOP model) capable of computing a product's deadlock free sequential space and adapts to the fractal character of holonic architectures. A set of modeling rules, with illustrations, is presented for the automatic generation of the Petri net, based on a set of precedence conditions. To explore the solution space represented by the SOP model a holonic interaction protocol is presented. Moreover, a set of behavioral strategies is proposed in order to cope with the effects of a possible combinatorial explosion. A study case applied workshop example is presented to illustrate the modeling process of SOP models, compute the sequential solution space and demonstrate how this notably increases the number of potentially goods feasible solutions.

Fundamento Los pacientes con patologia cronica con gran frecuencia reingresan en el hospital. Se diseno un estudio con el fin de mejorar su asistencia. Se presenta el analisis coste-beneficio para evaluar su eficiencia. Pacientes y metodos Se incluyen los enfermos atendidos por el servicio de Medicina Interna de un area hospitalaria que reingresaron tres o mas veces en un ano. Dentro de un estudio prospectivo se atendieron mediante una consulta especifica con atencion a demanda y telefonica con la posibilidad de ingreso programado. Se hace una comparacion de los costes del nuevo programa asistencial con los costes de sus asistencia habitual y se correlaciona con los resultados asistenciales. Resultados Los pacientes fueron seguidos durante 32 meses con un descenso del 45% de los ingresos, del 50% en la frecuentacion al servicio de Urgencias y de un 26% de los dias de estancia hospitalaria. El nuevo programa supone un ahorro mensual de mas de 5 millones de pesetas para esa poblacion asistida. Conclusiones El modelo asistencial propuesto disminuye las necesidades asistenciales de estos pacientes y los costes de su asistencia hospitalaria. Se muestra una alternativa eficiente.

Fundamento Los pacientes con patologia cronica con gran frecuencia reingresan en el hospital. Se diseno un estudio con el fin de mejorar su asistencia. Pacientes y metodos. Se incluyen los enfermos atendidos por el Servicio de Medicina Interna de un area hospitalaria que reingresaron tres o mas veces en un ano. Dentro de un estudio prospectivo se atendieron mediante una consulta especifica con atencion a demanda y atencion telefonica, con la posibilidad de ingreso programado. Resultados Los pacientes fueron seguidos durante 32 meses, con un descenso del 45% de los ingresos, del 50% en la frecuentacion al Servicio de Urgencias y de un 26% de los dias de estancia hospitalaria. Conclusiones El modelo asistencial propuesto disminuye las necesidades asistenciales de estos pacientes.

Background: The opioid system modulates prolactin release during late pregnancy. Its role and the participation of ovarian hormones in this modulation are explored in ether stress-induced prolactin release. Methods/Results: Estrous, 3-day and 19-day pregnant rats were used. We administered the antagonist mifepristone (Mp) and tamoxifen to evaluate progesterone and estradiol action in naloxone (NAL, opioid antagonist) or saline treated rats. Ether stress had no effect on serum prolactin levels in controls but increased prolactin release in NAL-treated rats. Prolactin response to stress in NAL-treated rats was blocked by L-DOPA administration. Mp treatment on day 18 of pregnancy increased prolactin levels after stress without alterations by NAL. Tamoxifen on days 14 and 15 of pregnancy completely blocked Mp and NAL effects on prolactin release at late pregnancy. In contrast, stress significantly increased prolactin levels in estrous rats and pretreatment with NAL prevented this. On day 3 of pregnancy, at 6.00 p.m., stress and NAL treatment inhibited prolactin levels in saline-treated rat. No effect of stress or NAL administration was detected on day 3 of pregnancy at 9.00 a.m. icv administration of specific opioids antagonist, B-Funaltrexamine but not Nor-Binaltorphimine or Naltrindole, caused a significant increase in stress-induced prolactin release. Conclusions: Opioid system suppression of prolactin stress response during late pregnancy was observed only after progesterone withdrawal, involving a different opioid mechanism from its well-established stimulatory role. This mechanism acts through a mu opioid receptor and requires estrogen participation. The opioid system and progesterone may modulate stress-induced prolactin release, probably involving a putative prolactin-releasing factor. Fil: Valdez, Susana Ruth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo; Argentina Fil: Pennacchio, Gisela Erika. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina Fil: Gamboa, Dante F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina Fil: de Di Nasso, Elina G.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina Fil: Bregonzio Diaz, Claudia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Soaje, Marta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas; Argentina