Abstract Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is one of the several important techniques currently available for companies in search of performance improvement. The step forward in RPA is its association with Artificial Intelligence for more skilled robots. This scenario is not different in Power Distribution Utilities, in which a multitude of complex processes must be executed over different data sources. Making such situation even more complex, these processes are frequently regulated and subject to audit by external bodies. However, an old question remains: what should be robotized and what should be done by humans? This paper aims at partially answering the question in the context of data analysis tasks used for making decisions in complex processes. The research development is conducted based on an Artificial Intelligence methodology incorporated into one software robot (RPA) which acquires data automatically, treats and analyzes these data, helping the human professional take decisions in the process. It is applied to a real case process that is important for validating the research. Four approaches are tested in the data analysis, but only two are really used. The robot analyzes a series of information from an energy consumption meter. The detection of possible behavior deviations in the meter data is made by comparison with its data series. The robot is capable of prioritizing the detected occurrences in the energy consumption data, indicating to the human operator the most critical situations that require attention. The association of Artificial Intelligence and RPA is viable and can really apport important benefits to the company and teams, valuing human work and bringing more efficiency to the processes.

ResumenDesde la introducción de los cultivos genéticamente modificados (GM), ha habido un crecimiento continuo en adopción de la tecnología y en la comercialización de alimentos y piensos derivados de cultivos GM alrededor del mundo. Gobiernos y organizaciones han desarrollado métodos para detectar rápidamente y con alto rendimiento los alimentos y piensos derivados de cultivos GM, y así verificar el cumplimiento de las regulaciones dirigidas a proveer información al consumidor. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de secuencias de ADN derivadas de maíz y soya GM, en una gama de piensos y alimentos, sin procesar y procesados, comercializados en Costa Rica, un mercado sin regulaciones que indiquen contenido transgénico en el etiquetado. Se empleó el método cualitativo estándar, de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en punto final, para la detección de material GM a partir las regiones comunes del promotor 35S y el terminador NOS, seguido de la detección específica de los eventos de maíz Bt11, MON810, GA21 y NK603, así como el evento de soya GTS 40-3-2, en una selección de alimentos y piensos disponibles en Costa Rica. Los resultados generales de la detección de secuencias derivadas de cultivos GM fueron: 86% para el promotor 35S, 72% para el terminador NOS y 40% para los eventos identificados. Los eventos más frecuentemente detectados fueron MON810, NK603 y Bt11. Los resultados demostraron que existen alimentos y piensos derivados de cultivos GM en el mercado local y que la significancia y viabilidad del etiquetado de los productos, para proveer información a los consumidores, debería ser abordado por las autoridades competentes. Sin embargo, todavía falta realizar estudios cuantitativos en los análisis de rutina, para detectar si el límite de material GM, establecido por la regulación sobre alimentos y piensos GM de la Unión Europea, se ha extralimitado.

AbstractSince the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops, there has been a continuous growth in adoption of the technology and in commercialization of food and feed products derived from GM crops worldwide. Governments and organizations have developed methods for rapid and high throughput screening of GM-derived foods and feeds, to verify compliance with labelling regulations aimed at providing information to consumers. The objective of this study was to determine the presence of DNA sequences, derived from GM maize and soy, in a range of unprocessed and processed foods and feeds commercialized in Costa Rica, a market without regulations to indicate transgenic content in the labelling. The standard end-point qualitative method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of GM material, the common regions of the 35S promoter and the NOS terminator, followed by the specific detection of maize Bt11, MON-04032-6 MON810, GA21, and NK603 events, as well as the soybean GTS 40-3-2 event, in a selection of foods and feeds available in Costa Rica. The overall results of the GM crops screening were: 86% for the 35S promoter, 72% for NOS terminator and 40% for identified events. The most frequently detected events were MON810, NK603 and Bt11. The results showed that GM crops-derived foods and feeds are found in the local market, and that the significance and viability of product labelling, to provide information to consumers, should be addressed by competent authorities. However, quantitative studies on the routine analyses are still needed, to detect if the threshold of GM material, set by the European Union GM food and feed regulation, has been exceeded.

A series of twelve novel 2-(pyrazol-1-yl)pyrimidine derivatives was easily obtained under ultrasonic conditions by the cyclocondensation reaction of 1-carboxamidino-pyrazoles with 4-methoxyvinyl-trifluoromethyl ketones using ethanol as an environment-friendly solvent in the presence of potassium hydroxide. Comparison of the ultrasound-promoted reaction with classical methodology shows that the former is faster and gives better yield. The products were isolated in excellent purity grades without purification by chromatography or recrystalization.

Cholera is an acute contagious intestinal disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with O1 and O139 serotypes of the bacterium Vibrio cholerae . Cholera is characterized by abundant secretory diarrhea leading to dehydration. Death occurs within hours without treatment, so early diagnosis is very important, especially at the beginning of the disease, because it is difficult to differentiate from other acute diarrheal diseases. The diagnostic golden test is the stool culture; however, it does not guarantee a rapid detection of the disease. Rapid tests have been recently developed; they are based on test strips and agglutination with latex particles, which are very effective, but difficult to acquire for their high prices. The objective of this research was to obtain a quick assay based on latex particles coupled with a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against V. cholerae O1 lipopolysaccharide obtained in Finlay Institute. Latex particles of 0.8 µm were used in a 10% suspension, and they were coupled to the mAb (0.25 mg/ml) for 2 hours at 37°C. The sensitivity, specificity and performance were evaluated in 84 stool samples from patients with presumptive diagnosis of cholera. The diagnostic test obtained showed no cross-reactivity against no-O1 strains and other enteropathogens. Latex diagnostic test showed values of sensitivity, specificity and efficacy of 97.87; 97.29 and 97.6% respectively, very similar to the commercial diagnostic test CTK-Biotech. The latex reagent obtained can be used in the rapid diagnosis of the disease.

El cólera es una enfermedad infecto-contagiosa intestinal aguda, causada por la ingestión de alimentos o agua contaminada con los serotipos O1 y O139 de la bacteria Vibrio cholerae. Se caracteriza por diarrea secretora abundante que llevan rápidamente a la deshidratación. Sin tratamiento adecuado produce la muerte en horas, por lo que el diagnostico precoz es muy importante sobre todo porque al inicio es difícil diferenciarla de otras enfermedades diarreicas agudas. La prueba diagnóstico de oro es el coprocultivo; sin embargo, no garantiza una detección rápida de la enfermedad. Recientemente se desarrollaron ensayos rápidos, se basan en tiras reactivas y aglutinación con partículas de látex, muy efectivos, pero difíciles de adquirir por sus altos precios. El objetivo de este trabajo fue obtener un diagnosticador rápido basado en partículas de látex acopladas a un anticuerpo monoclonal (AcM) contra el lipopolisacárido de V. cholerae O1, el cual se obtuvo en el Instituto Finlay. Se usaron partículas de látex de 0,8 µm en una suspensión al 10% a las que se acopló durante 2 h a 37°C el AcM a 0,25 mg/mL. Se evaluó la sensibilidad, especificidad y el desempeño en 84 muestras de heces de pacientes con diagnóstico presuntivo de cólera. El diagnosticador que se obtuvo no evidenció reactividad cruzada frente a cepas no-O1, ni contra otros enteropatógenos. El diagnosticador látex presentó valores de sensibilidad, especificidad y eficacia de 97,87; 97,29 y 97,6 % respectivamente, muy similares al diagnosticador comercial CTK-Biotech. El diagnosticador látex que se obtuvo se puede utilizar en el diagnóstico rápido de la enfermedad.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar modelos de regressão aleatória para a estimação de parâmetros genéticos da produção de leite de Guzerá, com uso dos polinômios ortogonais de Legendre. Foram utilizados 20.524 registros da produção de leite no dia do controle (PLDC) de 2.816 vacas da raça Guzerá em primeira lactação. Agrupadas em 10 classes mensais, as PLDC foram analisadas quanto aos efeitos genéticos aditivos, e aos de ambiente permanente e residual (efeitos aleatórios); enquanto efeitos de grupo de contemporâneos, covariável idade da vaca ao parto (efeito linear e quadrático) e a curva média de lactação foram analisados como efeitos fixos. Trajetórias quanto aos efeitos aditivos genéticos e de ambiente permanente foram modeladas por meio de uma função de covariância com uso do polinômio de Legendre de segunda à quinta ordem. As variâncias residuais foram consideradas em 1, 4, 6 ou 10 classes de variância. O melhor modelo teve seis classes de variância residual. As estimativas de herdabilidade para os registros de PLDC variaram de 0.19 a 0.32. O modelo de regressão aleatória que utilizou o polinômio de Legendre de segunda ordem, quanto ao efeito genético aditivo, e o polinômio de quinta ordem, quanto ao efeito de ambiente permanente, é o mais adequado para a comparação dos principais critérios utilizados. O modelo que utilizou o polinômio de Legendre de segunda ordem, quanto ao efeito genético aditivo, e o de quarta ordem, quanto ao efeito de ambiente permanente, pode ser utilizado nestas análises.

The objective of this work was to compare random regression models for the estimation of genetic parameters for Guzerat milk production, using orthogonal Legendre polynomials. Records (20,524) of test-day milk yield (TDMY) from 2,816 first-lactation Guzerat cows were used. TDMY grouped into 10-monthly classes were analyzed for additive genetic effect and for environmental and residual permanent effects (random effects), whereas the contemporary group, calving age (linear and quadratic effects) and mean lactation curve were analized as fixed effects. Trajectories for the additive genetic and permanent environmental effects were modeled by means of a covariance function employing orthogonal Legendre polynomials ranging from the second to the fifth order. Residual variances were considered in one, four, six, or ten variance classes. The best model had six residual variance classes. The heritability estimates for the TDMY records varied from 0.19 to 0.32. The random regression model that used a second-order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect, and a fifth-order polynomial for the permanent environmental effect is adequate for comparison by the main employed criteria. The model with a second-order Legendre polynomial for the additive genetic effect, and that with a fourth-order for the permanent environmental effect could also be employed in these analyses.

A brazing process based on Ni-Mo alloy was developed to join porous tungsten cathode bottom and dense molybdenum cathode body for microwave tubes manufacture. The Ni-Mo alloy was obtained by mixing and milling powders in the eutectic composition, and applied on the surface of the components. The brazing was made at 1400 °C by using induction heating in hydrogen for 5 minutes. Alumina surfaces were coated with the binder and analyzed by Energy Dispersive X-rays Fluorescence. The brazed samples were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. Stress-strain tests were performed to determine the mechanical behavior of the joining. The quality of the brazing was evaluated by assuring the presence of a "meniscus" formed by the Ni-Mo alloy on the border of the tungsten and molybdenum joint, the absence of microstructural defects in the interface between the tungsten and molybdenum alloys, and the adhesion of the brazed components.

A Região Norte do Brasil compreende uma vasta superfície com escassez de infraestrutura de transportes em geral. Nesse trabalho se desenvolve um levantamento quantitativo e qualitativo da rede aeroportuária disponível na Região Norte do Brasil avaliando os atuais gargalos e propondo ações para que a Aviação Regional possa vir desempenhar seu papel de integração das espalhadas comunidades com os centros regionais.

The North region of Brazil comprises a wide area with scarcity of transport infrastructure in general. This paper aims to show a quantitative and qualitative analysis of available airport network in the northern Brazilian region. Some current bottlenecks are identified and some actions are proposed. In this region is important that the aviation can play its role of the integration of the scattered communities with the most important regional centers.

According to the Regulation (EC) N. 141/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council, rare diseases are life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions, affecting no more than 5 in 10 000 persons in the European Community. It is estimated that between 6000 to 8000 distinct rare diseases affect up to 6% of the total EU population. Therefore, these conditions can be considered rare if taken individually but they affect a significant proportion of the European population when considered as a single group. Several initiatives have been undertaken at international, European and national level to tackle public health as well as research issues related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and surveillance of these diseases. The development of innovative and effective medical products for their diagnosis and treatment is frequently hampered by several factors, including the limited knowledge of their natural history, the difficulties in setting up clinical studies due to the limited numbers of patients affected by a specific disease, the weak interest of sponsors due to the restricted market opportunities. Therefore, incentives and other facilitations have been adopted in many parts of the world, including in the EU, in order to facilitate the development and commercialization of diagnostic tools and treatments devoted to rare diseases. This paper illustrates mainly the European initiatives and will discuss the problematic and controversial aspects surrounding orphan drugs. Finally, activities and measures adopted in Italy are presented.

Secondo il Regolamento (EC) n. 141/2000 del Consiglio e del Parlamento Europeo, la malattie rare sono condizioni che minacciano la sopravvivenza o creano disabilità croniche che colpiscono non più di 5 persone su 10 000 nella Comunità Europea. Si stima che le malattie rare siano tra le 6000 e le 8000, e colpiscano fino al 6% della popolazione dell'Unione Europea. Queste patologie, quindi, possono essere considerate rare individualmente, ma coinvolgono una porzione significativa della popolazione europea quando vengono considerate nella loro totalità. Sono state intraprese diverse iniziative a livello internazionale, europeo e nazionale per affrontare i problemi della ricerca e di sanità pubblica legati alla prevenzione, diagnosi, trattamento e vigilanza di tali patologie. Lo sviluppo di prodotti farmaceutici innovativi ed efficaci per la diagnosi ed il trattamento delle malattie rare trova spesso diversi ostacoli, quali le limitate conoscenze sulla storia naturale delle diverse patologie, le difficoltà nell'effettuare sperimentazioni cliniche a causa del limitato numero di pazienti affetti da una specifica malattia ed il limitato interesse degli sponsor per le scarse opportunità di mercato. Per questa ragione in molte parti del mondo, anche nell'UE, sono previsti incentivi ed altre facilitazioni per agevolare lo sviluppo e la commercializzazione di mezzi diagnostici e curativi per le malattie rare. Questo articolo illustra principalmente le iniziative intraprese a livello europeo ed analizza gli aspetti problematici e controversi legati ai farmaci orfani. Infine, sono illustrate le attività ed i provvedimenti adottati in Italia.

O objetivo desse trabalho é a adsorção de cianocomplexos de ouro, cobre e ferro de efluentes que são gerados no processo de beneficiamento do minério de ouro. Para a adsorção foram testadas duas alternativas: resina de troca aniônica com base fraca e o carvão ativado quimicamente modificado. A resina utilizada foi a LEWATIT MP 62 da Bayer S.A. O processo de modificação química do carvão ocorreu em duas etapas: nitração do carvão ativado comercial, seguida de redução do grupo nitro (NO2) para grupo amino (NH2). Os testes de adsorção revelaram que o carvão ativado modificado apresentou pior eficiência na recuperação de complexos de Au, em relação ao carvão ativado sem tratamento, e que ambos não adsorveram complexos de Cu e Fe. A resina foi a que apresentou melhor recuperação dos complexos de ouro (100%), cobre (99%) e ferro (100%).

Herein, the adsorption of gold, copper, and iron cyano complexes fromeffluents of t gold ore processing is presented. . For recovery, two alternatives were tested: weak-base ion - exchange resin and chemically modified activated carbon. The resin used was LEWATIT MP 62 from Bayer S.A. Chemical modification was carried out in two steps: nitration of commercial activated carbon followed by the reduction of the nitro group (NO2) to amino group (NH2). Adsorption testes revealed that activated carbon presented poorer efficiency in the recovery of Au complexes in relation to untreated activated carbon, and that they did not adsorb either Cu or Fe complexes. Resin recovered Cu (99%) and Fe(100%) and Au (100%) complexes was the best.

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (LES) é uma doença tipicamente multigênica e multifatorial, com grande complexidade clínica e fisiopatológica. As causas do LES não são totalmente conhecidas, mas sabe-se que fatores ambientais e genéticos estão envolvidos. Dentre as várias manifestações clínicas observadas em pacientes com LES, as anemias chamam a atenção principalmente quando se observa nesse estudo uma prevalência de 52,5% dos pacientes com índices hematimétricos sugestivos de anemias. Embora a anemia geralmente já seja observada em pacientes com LES, estudos sobre a prevalência de anemias hereditárias, especialmente as hemoglobinopatias na população com LES, não têm sido conduzidos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi o de avaliar a prevalência das hemoglobinopatias e talassemia em pacientes portadores de LES. Para isso, foram estudadas 80 amostras de sangue de pacientes portadores de lúpus atendidos no ambulatório do Hospital das Clínicas de Goiânia. Foram utilizados testes laboratoriais não moleculares para a detecção das hemoglobinopatias. A freqüência das alterações da hemoglobina foi de 10,0%, encontradas em oito pacientes. Dessas alterações, a mais prevalente foi a talassemia alfa, encontrada em quatro pacientes, correspondendo a uma freqüência de 5,0% da população estudada. Depois, foi o heterozigoto para a hemoglobina S, encontrada em dois pacientes, correspondendo a 2,5% da população, e também outro heterozigoto para a hemoglobina C, encontrada em um paciente, correspondendo a 1,25%, e um paciente com beta talassemia menor, correspondendo a 1,25%. Nenhum caso de homozigose foi encontrado no presente estudo. Este trabalho demonstrou que não houve diferença na prevalência dos distúrbios da hemoglobina entre a população em geral e os portadores de LES.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typically multigenic and multifatorial disease with remarkable clinical and pathogenic complexities. The causes of SLE are not totally known, but It is known that environmental and genetic factors are involved. Among various clinical manifestations observed in lupus patients, anemia calls the attention because of a prevalence of 52.5% of the patients with RBC indices suggestive of anemia identified in this study. Although anemia is usually seen in patients with SLE, studies of the prevalence of hereditary anemias, particularly hemoglobinopathies, have not been carried out in populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of hemoglobinophaties in patients with SLE. We studied 80 blood samples of patients with SLE in Hospital das Clínicas in Goiania, Brazil. The frequency of alterations of the hemoglobin was 10.0% (8 patients). Among these alterations, the most prevalent was alpha thalassemia in 4 patients (5.0% of the studied population). The heterozygosity for hemoglobin S was seen in 2 patients (2.5%), hemoglobin C in one patient (1.25%) and one patient was identified with beta thalassemia minor. No homozygous cases were found in the present study. According to this work no difference in the prevalence of hemoglobin disorders was observed between general population and patients with SLE.