Morphological routine proposal to extraction of highways in digital images of high resolution

This research proposes to apply techniques of Mathematics Morphology to extract highways in digital images of high resolution, targeting the upgrade of cartographic products. Remote Sensing data and Mathematical Morphological techniques were integrated in the process of extraction. Mathematical Morphology's objective is to improve and extract the relevant information of the visual image. In order to test the proposed approach some morphological operators related to preprocess, were applied to the original images. Routines were implemented in the MATLAB environment. Results indicated good performances by the implemented operators. The integration of the technologies aimed to implement the semiautomatic extraction of highways with the purpose to use them in processes of cartographic updating.

Estradiol-17β altera expressão proteica endometrial em fêmeas bovinas tratadas no 17 o dia do ciclo estral

In bovine females the release of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α) is induced in vivo by estradiol (E 2). It is believed that E 2 stimulates the synthesis of essential proteins for the production of PGF 2α. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of E 2 in increasing the concentration of total protein and modifying the protein composition of endometrial explants from bovine females treated with E 2 at the 17 th day of estrous cycle. Crossbred heifers were treated at 17 th day of estrous cycle intravenously with 0 mg (Control Group; n = 6) or 3 mg of E 2 (E 2 Group; n = 6) and killed two hours after. Endometrial explants were isolated, subjected to extraction of total protein, quantified and were analyzed by onedimensional electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel 10% SDS-PAGE. The concentration of total protein did not differ between groups, 6296.10 + 439.90 μg/mL for the Control Group and 8426.56 + 1156.00 μg/mL for E 2 Group (p = 0.1158). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the protein profile of endometrial explants in gels stained with Coomasie Blue. In gels stained with Silver Nitrate it was verified in E 2 Group greater relative percentage of the bands referring to the molecular weight of 75 to 76 kDa (8.40% vs. 4.89% in E 2 Group and Control respectively; p < 0.05) and 108 to 110 Kda (6.85% vs. 3.84% in E 2 Group and Control respectively, p < 0.05). It was observed in E 2 Group lower relative percentage of the band referring to the molecular weight of 90 kDa (5.78% vs. 9.83% in E 2 Group and control respectively; p < 0.05). We concluded that the E 2 does not increase the protein concentration in the endometrium, however, it modifies the proteinic composition in the endometrial explants, indicating that E 2 alters the expression of specific proteins.

Evaluation of the main MPPT techniques for photovoltaic applications

This paper presents evaluations among the most usual maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques, doing meaningful comparisons with respect to the amount of energy extracted from the photovoltaic (PV) panel [tracking factor (TF)] in relation to the available power, PV voltage ripple, dynamic response, and use of sensors. Using MatLab/Simulink and dSPACE platforms, a digitally controlled boost dc-dc converter was implemented and connected to an Agilent Solar Array E4350B simulator in order to verify the analytical procedures. The main experimental results are presented for conventional MPPT algorithms and improved MPPT algorithms named IC based on proportional-integral (PI) and perturb and observe based on PI. Moreover, the dynamic response and the TF are also evaluated using a user-friendly interface, which is capable of online program power profiles and computes the TF. Finally, a typical daily insulation is used in order to verify the experimental results for the main PV MPPT methods. © 2012 IEEE.

Estudo comparativo da composição protéica de explantes endometriais de fêmeas bovinas tratadas ou não com 17b-estradiol no 17º dia do ciclo estral

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Níveis plasmáticos de vitamina A em recém-nascidos de pré-termo de muito baixo peso e relação com a Displasia Broncopulmonar

Pós-graduação em Pediatria - FMB

Prevalence of obesity and relationship wit body mass index and symptoms of asthma in adolescents

To investigate the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and asthma symptoms in adolescents between 13 and 14 years, to estimate the prevalence of obesity in this age group. This is a crosssectional study with a quantitative approach which was rated the Body Mass Index (BMI) and applied the Questionnaire International Study of asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) phase III (asthma module) to determine the prevalence of asthma and related symptoms, as well as its severity in 85teenagers. According to the assessment of asthma in relation to BMI, it was found that there were significant findings, as well as in males and females. However, the association between BMI and asthma symptoms, there was a significant association to present as disturbed sleep and impaired speech. Conclusions: In this sample the prevalence of obesity was low, this fact may have contributed to the nonsignificant findings betweenasthma and BMI.

Surface characterization of lithium disilicate ceramic after nonthermal plasma treatment

Statement of problem. Surface transformation with nonthermal plasma may be a suitable treatment for dental ceramics, because it does not affect the physical properties of the ceramic material.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of lithium disilicate ceramic and evaluate the surface of this material after nonthermal plasma treatment.Material and methods. A total of 21 specimens of lithium disilicate (10 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick) were fabricated and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=7) according to surface treatment. The control group was not subjected to any treatment except surface polishing with abrasive paper. In the hydrofluoric acid group, the specimens were subjected to hydrofluoric acid gel before silane application. Specimens in the nonthermal plasma group were subjected to the nonthermal plasma treatment. The contact angle was measured to calculate surface energy. In addition, superficial roughness was measured and was examined with scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition was characterized with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The results were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference test (alpha=.05).Results. The water contact angle was decreased to 0 degrees after nonthermal plasma treatment. No significant difference in surface roughness was observed between the control and nonthermal plasma groups. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy images indicated higher amounts of oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) and a considerable reduction in carbon (C) in the specimens after nonthermal plasma treatment.Conclusions. Nonthermal plasma treatment can transform the characteristics of a ceramic surface without affecting its surface roughness. A reduction in C levels and an increase in 0 and Si levels were observed with the energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis, indicating that the deposition of the thin silica film was efficient.