Abstract
This paper describes a robotic system to detect and estimate the volume of sediments in underwater wall corners, in scenarios with zero visibility. All detection and positioning is based on data from a scanning sonar. The main idea is to scan the walls and the bottom of the structure to detect the corner, and then use data obtained in the direction of the corner to estimate the presence of sediment accumulation and its volume. Our approach implements an image segmentation to extract range from the surfaces of interest. The resulting data is then employed for relative localization and estimate of the sediment accumulation. The paper provides information about the methodologies developed and data from practical experiments.

Abstract
METIS, the Mid-infrared ELT Imager and Spectrograph is among the first-generation instruments for ESO’s 39m Extremely Large Telescope (ELT). It will provide diffraction-limited spectroscopy and imaging, including coronagraphic capabilities, in the thermal/mid-infrared wavelength domain (3 µm – 13.3 µm). Its Single Conjugate Adaptive Optics (SCAO) system will be used for all observing modes, with High Contrast Imaging imposing the most demanding requirements on its performance. The final design review of METIS took place in the fall of 2022; the development of the instrument, including its SCAO system, has since entered the Manufacturing, Assembly, Integration and Testing (MAIT) phase. Numerous challenging aspects of an ELT AO system are addressed in the mature designs for the SCAO control system and the SCAO hardware module: the complex interaction with the telescope entities that participate in the AO control, wavefront reconstruction with a fragmented and moving pupil, secondary control tasks to deal with differential image motion, non-common path aberrations and mis-registration. A K-band pyramid wavefront sensor and a GPU-based RTC, tailored to needs of METIS at the ELT, are core components. The implementation of the METIS SCAO system includes thorough testing at several levels before the installation at the telescope. These tests require elaborate setups to mimic the conditions at the telescope. This paper provides an overview of the design of METIS SCAO as it will be implemented, the main results of the extensive analyses performed to support the final design, and the next steps on the path towards commissioning.

Abstract
Machine learning algorithms offer the capability to analyze large volumes of real-time data, providing transport authorities with valuable insights into traffic conditions, congestion hotspots, and incident detection from diverse data sources. However, these algorithms face challenges related to data quality and reliability. We conducted a comparative analysis of machine-learning models that can be used to identify and filter transportation content from social media or other sources that can provide small and concise text. The filtrated result can then feed models and/or tools used to improve and automate traffic control, operational management, and tactical management decision-making. We consider factors such as run time, generalization capacity, and performance metrics as criteria to assess their suitability for different decision levels. The analysis is supported by a dataset consisting of Twitter content. The predictions from three groups of algorithms are evaluated: traditional machine learning algorithms (Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, and Random Forest), a fine-tuned Google BERT model, and Google BERT models without training (BERT-base and BERT-large). The tests are performed using New York, London, and Melbourne data. The findings of this research aim to assist decision-makers in making informed choices when selecting the most appropriate method to filtrate information subsequently used for models that contribute to different traffic management tasks.

Abstract
Os produtores da agricultura familiar são considerados uma classe específica no sistema social, visto que reúnem características das duas outras classes sociais, assim, ao mesmo tempo em que atuam como donos dos meios de produção também são trabalhadores. Nesse sentido o sistema de criação deve evitar erros de manejo sanitário para possibilitar uma maximização do lucro para os produtores. Dentre os erros mais comuns estão os que possibilitam as doenças parasitárias constituindo um dos principais entraves quando o manejo é inadequado. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a influência das doenças parasitárias na produção de subsistência do pequeno produtor da agricultura familiar. Foram visitadas 30 propriedades rurais escolhidas aleatoriamente na região Oeste Potiguar da zona rural do município de Mossoró, onde foi realizado um diagnóstico parasitário de endoparasitos (contagem de ovos por grama e larvas) e ectoparasitos. De acordo com o local e diagnóstico parasitários foram identificados ovos de Strongyloidea em 100% (30/30) das propriedades, Moniezia 23,3% (7/30) e oocistos de Eimeria 73,3% (22/30). As larvas identificadas por propriedade foram Haemonchus spp 90% (27/30), Trichostrongylus spp 86,6% (26/30), Oesophagostomum spp 20% (6/30) e Trichuris spp 3,3% (1/30). Quanto aos ectoparasitos foram identificados por locais de coleta em Damalinia caprae 46,6% (14/30) e Rhipicephalus microplus 10% (3/30). Concluindo que os produtores pesquisados apresentam criação de rebanhos caprinos com erros de manejo sanitário, ocasionando a presença de ecto e endoparasitos que podem influenciar nos baixos lucros associado a elevados gastos.

Abstract

Abstract
Children represent a specific group of road traffic accident (RTA) victims. Performing a personal injury assessment (PIA) on a child presents a significant challenge, especially when assessing permanent disabilities and needs. However, medico-legal recommendations for PIA in such cases are lacking. The main objective of this study was to analyse the differences between children and a young- and middle-aged adult population of RTA victims to contribute to the development of relevant guidelines. Secondary objectives were to identify and characterize specifics of children's posttraumatic damages regarding: (i) temporary and permanent outcomes; and (ii) medico-legal damage parameters in the Portuguese context. We performed a retrospective study of RTA victims by comparing two groups (n = 114 each) matched for acute injury severity (SD = 0.01): G1 (children) and G2 (young- and middle-aged adults). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios. G1 presented a greater chance of evolving without or with less severe body, functional and situational outcomes (three-dimensional assessment methodology), and with lower permanent functional disability values than G2. Our findings suggest that childhood trauma generally has a better prognosis than trauma in young- and middle-aged adults. This study generated evidence on the subject and highlighted the most significant difficulties encountered by medico-legal experts when performing PIA in children.