Investigation about the efficiency of the bioaugmentation technique when applied to diesel oil contaminated soils

Este trabalho investigou a eficiência da técnica do bioaumento quando aplicada a solos contaminados com óleo diesel coletados em três postos de combustíveis. Experimentos de biodegradação foram realizados em frascos de Bartha (250 mL), usados para medir a produção microbiana de CO2. A eficiência de biodegradação também foi quantificada pela concentração de hidrocarbonetos. Conjuntamente aos experimentos de biodegradação, a capacidade das culturas estudadas e dos microrganismos nativos em biodegradar óleo diesel comprado de um posto de combustíveis local, foi verificada utilizando-se a técnica baseada no indicador redox 2,6 - diclorofenol indofenol (DCPIP). Resultados obtidos com esse teste mostraram que os inóculos empregados nos experimentos de biodegradação foram capazes de biodegradar óleo diesel e os testes com os microrganismos nativos indicaram que estes solos previamente apresentavam uma microbiota adaptada para degradar hidrocarbonetos. em suma, nenhum ganho foi obtido com a adição dos microrganismos ou mesmo efeitos negativos foram observados nos experimentos de biodegradação.

C programs for solving the time-dependent Gross-Pitaevskii equation in a fully anisotropic trap

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

Patch-size and isolation effects in the Fisher-Kolmogorov equation

We examine the classical problem of the existence of a threshold size for a patch to allow for survival of a given population in the case where the patch is not completely isolated. The surrounding habitat matrix is characterized by a non-zero carrying capacity. We show that a critical patch size cannot be strictly defined in this case. We also obtain the saturation density in such a patch as a function of the size of the patch and the relative carrying capacity of the outer region. We argue that this relative carrying capacity is a measure of the isolation of the patch. Our results are then compared with conclusions drawn from observations of the population dynamics of understorey birds in fragments of the Amazonian forest and shown to qualitatively agree with them, offering an explanation for the importance of dispersal and isolation in these observations. Finally, we show that a generalized critical patch size can be introduced resorting to threshold densities for the observation of a given species.

Test post-weaning duration for performance, feed intake and feed efficiency in Nellore cattle

O objetivo neste estudo foi determinar o melhor período de avaliação para medidas de desempenho, consumo e eficiência alimentar. Durante 112 dias, 60 machos da raça Nelore, recém-desmamados, submetidos à prova de ganho de peso, foram alimentados em baias individuais para determinação do consumo alimentar e do desempenho. O peso corporal dos animais foi determinado a cada 28 dias, depois de jejum de 16 horas de líquidos e sólidos. As alterações na variância, variância relativa e correlações de Pearson e Spearman entre os dados dos períodos de avaliação reduzidos (28, 56 e 84 dias) e período total (112 dias) foram usados para determinar a melhor duração do período de avaliação. A duração do período de avaliação para ganho médio diário, consumo de matéria seca, conversão alimentar e consumo alimentar residual pode ser reduzida para 84, 28, 84 e 84 dias, respectivamente, pois tal redução não diminui significativamente a confiabilidade das avaliações em animais alimentados em baias individuais.

Designing a modified Hopfield network to solve an Economic Dispatch problem with nonlinear cost function

Economic Dispatch (ED) problems have recently been solved by artificial neural networks approaches. In most of these dispatch models, the cost function must be linear or quadratic. Therefore, functions that have several minimum points represent a problem to the simulation since these approaches have not accepted nonlinear cost function. Another drawback pointed out in the literature is that some of these neural approaches fail to converge efficiently towards feasible equilibrium points. This paper discusses the application of a modified Hopfield architecture for solving ED problems defined by nonlinear cost function. The internal parameters of the neural network adopted here are computed using the valid-subspace technique, which guarantees convergence to equilibrium points that represent a solution for the ED problem. Simulation results and a comparative analysis involving a 3-bus test system are presented to illustrate efficiency of the proposed approach.

The effects of anxiety on visual search, movement kinematics, and performance in table tennis: A test of Eysenck and Calvo's processing efficiency theory

Processing efficiency theory predicts that anxiety reduces the processing capacity of working memory and has detrimental effects on performance. When tasks place little demand on working memory, the negative effects of anxiety can be avoided by increasing effort. Although performance efficiency decreases, there is no change in performance effectiveness. When tasks impose a heavy demand on working memory, however, anxiety leads to decrements in efficiency and effectiveness. These presumptions were tested using a modified table tennis task that placed low (LWM) and high (HWM) demands on working memory. Cognitive anxiety was manipulated through a competitive ranking structure and prize money. Participants' accuracy in hitting concentric circle targets in predetermined sequences was taken as a measure of performance effectiveness, while probe reaction time (PRT), perceived mental effort (RSME), visual search data, and arm kinematics were recorded as measures of efficiency. Anxiety had a negative effect on performance effectiveness in both LWM and HWM tasks. There was an increase in frequency of gaze and in PRT and RSME values in both tasks under high vs. low anxiety conditions, implying decrements in performance efficiency. However, participants spent more time tracking the ball in the HWM task and employed a shorter tau margin when anxious. Although anxiety impaired performance effectiveness and efficiency, decrements in efficiency were more pronounced in the HWM task than in the LWM task, providing support for processing efficiency theory.

The use of the challenge test to analyse preservative efficiency in non-sterile cosmetic and health products: applications and critical points

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Experimental analysis and adherence test of the electromagnetic zero-sequence blocking model

This paper reveals new contributions to the analysis and development of mitigating harmonic distortion devices. Considering the variety of sequential distribution of harmonic current, in the use of passive filters, one can point out the electromagnetic blocking device, which have received particular attention due to its robustness and low cost of installation. In this context, aiming the evaluation of the reliability of the results obtained through mathematical modeling, experimental tests are carried out using a low-power prototype, highlighting particular aspects related to its function as a zero-sequence harmonic blocking. © 2011 IEEE.

Domain reduction using GRASP construction phase for transmission expansion planning problem

This paper proposes a new strategy to reduce the combinatorial search space of a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem. The construction phase of greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP-CP) is employed to reduce the domain of the integer variables of the transportation model of the transmission expansion planning (TM-TEP) problem. This problem is a MILP and very difficult to solve specially for large scale systems. The branch and bound (BB) algorithm is used to solve the problem in both full and the reduced search space. The proposed method might be useful to reduce the search space of those kinds of MILP problems that a fast heuristic algorithm is available for finding local optimal solutions. The obtained results using some real test systems show the efficiency of the proposed method. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.

Strategies to reduce the number of variables and the combinatorial search space of the multistage transmission expansion planning problem

This paper proposes strategies to reduce the number of variables and the combinatorial search space of the multistage transmission expansion planning problem (TEP). The concept of the binary numeral system (BNS) is used to reduce the number of binary and continuous variables related to the candidate transmission lines and network constraints that are connected with them. The construction phase of greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP-CP) and additional constraints, obtained from power flow equilibrium in an electric power system are employed for more reduction in search space. The multistage TEP problem is modeled like a mixed binary linear programming problem and solved using a commercial solver with a low computational time. The results of one test system and two real systems are presented in order to show the efficiency of the proposed solution technique. © 1969-2012 IEEE.

Chemical control of pathogens and the physiological performance of peanut seeds

The establishment of a peanut crop may be unsatisfactory due to poor seed performance in the field and among the factors attributed to this are a reduction in seed vigor during storage and the presence of pathogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of treating peanut seeds with fungicides and the effect on physiological performance and disease control during storage. In a completely random experimental design, two seed batches of the Runner IAC 886 peanut cultivar were submitted to five fungicide treatments (1 control - untreated; 2 thiram; 3 carbendazim + thiram; 4 fludioxonil + metalaxyl-m; 5 fludioxonil + mefenoxam + thiabendazole) and evaluated after zero, 30 and 60 days of storage. The seeds were stored untreated but treated before the evaluation of physiological performance from germination, vigor (first germination count and accelerated aging), field seedling emergence and seed sanitation tests. The results showed differences in batch performance potential during storage, with batch 1 being superior. The sanitation test showed that all the chemical seed treatments controlled pathogens efficiently (Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium sp.), but only thiram did not affect peanut seed performance in the laboratory evaluations.

Artificial immune networks Copt-aiNet and Opt-aiNet applied to the reconfiguration problem of radial electrical distribution systems

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Test of a microlysimeter for measurement of soil evaporation

A quantificação da evaporação do solo é requerida em estudos de balanço hídrico de culturas e em aplicações que visam a aumentar a eficiência do uso da água pelos cultivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar um modelo de microlisímetro (ML) para medir a evaporação do solo em condições irrigada e não irrigada. Os MLs foram construídos utilizando tubos de PVC rígido, medindo 100 mm de diâmetro interno, 150 mm de profundidade e 2,5 mm de espessura da parede. Quatro MLs foram assentados sobre a superfície de dois lisímetros de pesagem de alta precisão conduzidos com solo nu, previamente instalados no Iapar, em Londrina-PR. Os lisímetros tinham dimensões de 1,4 m de largura, 1,9 m de comprimento e 1,3 m de profundidade, e estavam sendo conduzidos com e sem irrigação. A evaporação medida nos MLs (E ML) foi comparada com a medida nos lisímetros (E L), durante quatro períodos do ano. As diferenças entre E ML e E L foram mínimas para condições de baixa e elevada demanda atmosférica, e também para condições de solo irrigado ou não irrigado, indicado que o modelo de ML testado neste trabalho é adequado para medir a evaporação do solo.

Responsiveness of the interrenal tissue of Jundia (Rhamdia quelen) to an in vivo ACTH test following acute exposure to sublethal concentrations of agrichemicals

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Induction of the acrosome reaction test to in vitro estimate embryo production in Nelore cattle

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