Experimental damage detection grammian matrix

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) has diverse potential applications, and many groups work in the development of tools and techniques for monitoring structural performance. These systems use arrays of sensors and can be integrated with remote or local computers. There are several different approaches that can be used to obtain information about the existence, location and extension of faults by non destructive tests. In this paper an experimental technique is proposed for damage location based on an observability grammian matrix. The dynamic properties of the structure are identified through experimental data using the eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA). Experimental tests were carried out in a structure through varying the mass of some elements. Output signals were obtained using accelerometers.

Audouinella macrospora (Acrochaetiaceae, Rhodophyta) is the Chantransia stage of Batrachospermum (Batrachospermaceae)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Natural gum-assisted phthalocyanine immobilization in electroactive nanocomposites: Physicochemical characterization and sensing applications

Natural gums have been traditionally applied in cosmetics and the food industry, mainly as emulsification agents. Due to their biodegradability and excellent mechanical properties, new technological applications have been proposed involving their use with conventional polymers forming blends and composites. In this study, we take advantage of the polyelectrolyte character exhibited by the natural gum Chicha (Sterculia striata), extracted in the Northeastern region of Brazil, to produce electroactive nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were fabricated in the form of ultrathin films by combining a metallic phthalocyanine (nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine, NiTsPc) and the Chicha gum in a tetralayer architecture, in conjunction with conventional polyelectrolytes. The presence of the gum led to an efficient adsorption of the phthalocyanine and enhanced the electrochemical response of the films. Upon combining the electrochemical and UV-vis absorption data, energy diagrams of the Chicha/NiTsPc-based system were obtained. Furthermore, modified electrodes based on gum/phthalocyanine films were able to detect dopamine at concentrations as low as 10(-5) M.

Food web structure in a tropical stream ecosystem

This study investigated the structure and properties of a tropical stream food web in a small spatial scale, characterizing its planktonic, epiphytic and benthic compartments. The study was carried out in the Potreirinho Creek, a second-order stream located in the south-east of Brazil. Some attributes of the three subwebs and of the conglomerate food web, composed by the trophic links of the three compartments plus the fish species, were determined. Among compartments, the food webs showed considerable variation in structure. The epiphytic food web was consistently more complex than the planktonic and benthic webs. The values of number of species, number of links and maximum food chain length were significantly higher in the epiphytic compartment than in the other two. Otherwise, the connectance was significantly lower in epiphyton. The significant differences of most food web parameters were determined by the increase in the number of trophic species, represented mainly by basal and intermediate species. High species richness, detritus-based system and high degree of omnivory characterized the stream food web studied. The aquatic macrophytes probably provide a substratum more stable and structurally complex than the sediment. We suggest that the greater species richness and trophic complexity in the epiphytic subweb might be due to the higher degree of habitat complexity supported by macrophyte substrate. Despite differences observed in the structure of the three subwebs, they are highly connected by trophic interactions, mainly by fishes. The high degree of fish omnivory associated with their movements at different spatial scales suggests that these animals have a significant role in the food web dynamic of Potreirinho Creek. This interface between macrophytes and the interconnections resultant from fish foraging, diluted the compartmentalization of the Potreirinho food web.

Variable dose rate application of herbicides using optical sensors

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a variable dose rate application of herbicides using an online electronic control based system with optical sensors for weed detection in forested areas. The proposed concept was to apply a basic dose on 100% of the area (aiming to control small weeds) and to apply a complementary patch-spraying dose only on areas with higher weed infestation. For that purpose, a conventional spray boom was adjusted to apply 40% of the herbicide dose on the full area and the optical sensors were used to control the application of the complementary dose (60%) only on areas with higher infestation. The results showed that the system performed adequately. Field applications presented herbicide savings around 20 to 30%, with a similar weed control performance as compared to the full dose application on 100% of the area.

Optimized Allocation of Control and Protective Devices in Electric Distribution Systems

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of mutants of coniothyrium minitans with improved efficiency for control of sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Coniothyrium minitans (CM) is hyperparasitic to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (SS), a pathogen of many economically important crops. In this paper, we describe the isolation of improved mutants of CM, using a UV - irradiation regime, with altered chitinase production and tolerance to high concentration of iprodione, which are effective against SS. Three out of the 59 mutants obtained inhibited the mycelial growth of CM. Infectivity of sclerotia by the new mutants was assayed by the plant-tissue-based system using carrot segments. More than 80% of sclerotia were colonized by the mutants and the wild-type CM. The mutant strains retained ability to produce significant amounts of chitinase. The mutants differed from their wild-type strain in appearance, morphology and sporulation. In conclusion, the results presented here provide evidence that the new biotypes of C. minitans are effective in controlling S. sclerotiorum.

Diretrizes para implantação coletiva e semipresencial de sistemas certificáveis de gestão

This paper aims to develop guidelines for the collective and semi-presence-based implementation of (a situation in which there is no active participation of a consultant specialist in the company) certifiable management systems. These systems include ISO 9001, ISO 14001, or OHSAS 18001. This is a theoretical and conceptual study which was based on four practical experiences of the theory of collective and semi-presence-based system implementation for the development of the guidelines proposed. These guidelines are drawn up according to the following items: selection of companies; awareness, diagnosis, planning, training, implementation, verification and improvement.

Sistema microcontrolado para medição de forças na região plantar e nos membros superiores de pacientes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do óxido de cromo nas propriedades varistoras do óxido de estanho

Pós-graduação em Química - IQ

Apoio à maturidade pessoal visando a melhoria dos projetos de software

Pós-graduação em Ciência da Computação - IBILCE

Conservação de energia: uma ferramenta para analisar o aproveitamento de energia solar em instalações residenciais

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Concepção e implementação de um serviço baseado em localização na plataforma ANDROID/GOOGLE

The mobile application proposed in this undergraduate project, classified as a Location-Based Service and named Traveller, was developed to support users of mobile phones equipped with GPS in unknown locations by providing information about weather, location of users and stores in urban areas. The mobile devices whose this project is intended are those equipped with Android. The programming language Java was selected and the Eclipse development environment was used along with the toolkit for developing Android (ADT - Android Development Tools)

BtoxDB: a comprehensive database of protein structural data on toxin-antitoxin systems

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Capacidade de força dos membros superiores em competidores de montaria em touros

This study did evaluate the handgrip strength capacity of bull riding practitioners and recreational practitioners in order to obtain parameters of the muscular fitness of subjects undertaken this sports practice. Twenty right-handed subjects were grouped into bull riding athletes (10 individuals at AMT: 174.5 ± 5.2 cm of height, 78.9 ± 12 kg of body weight, 24.7 ± 6.1 years, and 13,8 ± 2.4% for body fat) and non-athletes (10 subjects n-AMR: 178.5 ± 7.3 cm of height, 81.2 ± 8.8kg of body weight, 21.7 ± 2.3 years, and 13.8 ± 1.9% of body fat). They were underwent to protocols of handgrip strength evaluation by a standard and specific dynamometry (simulating a bull riding posture) of right (DPD e DED) e left (DEP e DEE) hands. The dynamic force values from one repetition to maximum test (1RM) were either obtained in conventional load-based system for upper limbs exercises. The values were compared by the test-t for independent data, assuming ρ ≤ 0.05. The relationship between the values of strength from handgrip and dynamic exercises were drawn by Pearson correlation. The results of the AMT to DPD (43.8 ± 6.8kgf), DPE (39.4 ± 7.7kgf), DED (44.9 ± 5.6kgf), and DEE (39.8 ± 8.3kgf). For the n-AMT in DPD (47.0 ± 3.0kgf), DPE (42.2 ± 6.1kgf), DED (49.2 ± 1.5kgf), and DEE (46.2 ± 4.1kgf). Significant difference was observed between DED and DEE. The strength tests of 1RM at bench press (73.2 ± 12.0kg and 82.0 ± 12.0kg), arm-curl (45.2 ± 8.9kg and 43.8 ± 8.9kg), triceps pulley (67.0 ± 6.3kg and 72.0 ± 6.3kg), and pulley (73.5 ± 8.5kg and 73.7 ± 7.5kg) for groups n-AMT and AMT did not showed differences. Correlations were showed between all handgrip tests and elbow flexor force for AMT, and between DPD and elbow extensor, abductor, adductor and extensor of shoulder for n-AMT. influences to the performance of the force dynamometry. It could be concluded that handgrip force and dynamic strength of upper limbs did not were putative responses for bull riding practice.