Plasma confinement in tokamaks with robust torus

We present a non-linear symplectic map that describes the alterations of the magnetic field lines inside the tokamak plasma due to the presence of a robust torus (RT) at the plasma edge. This RT prevents the magnetic field lines from reaching the tokamak wall and reduces, in its vicinity, the islands and invariant curve destruction due to resonant perturbations. The map describes the equilibrium magnetic field lines perturbed by resonances created by ergodic magnetic limiters (EMLs). We present the results obtained for twist and non-twist mappings derived for monotonic and non-monotonic plasma current density radial profiles, respectively. Our results indicate that the RT implementation would decrease the field line transport at the tokamak plasma edge. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of buried pipes using a shear wave ground surface vibration technique

A major UK initiative, entitled 'Mapping the Underworld', is seeking to address the serious social, environmental and economic consequences arising from an inability to locate the buried utility service infrastructure without resorting to extensive excavations. Mapping the Underworld aims to develop and prove the efficacy of a multi-sensor device for accurate remote buried utility service detection, location and, where possible, identification. One of the technologies to be incorporated in the device is low-frequency vibro-acoustics, and the application of this technology for detecting buried infrastructure is currently being investigated. Here, a shear wave ground vibration technique for detecting buried pipes is described. For this technique, shear waves are generated at the ground surface, and the resulting ground surface vibrations measured, using geophones, along a line traversing the anticipated run of the pipe. Measurements were made at a test site with a single pressurized polyethylene mains water pipe. Time-extended signals were employed to generate the illuminating wave. Cross-correlation functions between the measured ground velocities and a reference measurement adjacent to the excitation were then calculated and summed using a stacking method to generate a cross-sectional image of the ground. The wide cross-correlation peaks caused by high ground attenuation were partially compensated for by using a generalized cross-correlation function called the smoothed coherence transform. To mitigate the effects of other potential sources of vibration in the vicinity, the excitation signal was used as an additional reference when calculating the generalized cross-correlation functions. For two out of three tests, the pipe was detected, indicating that this technique will be a valuable addition to the Mapping the Underworld armoury.

Cellular responses in the Malpighian tubules of Scaptotrigona postica (Latreille, 1807) exposed to low doses of fipronil and boric acid

Studies of sub-lethal effects of pesticide residues on stingless bees are scarce and morphological analysis of organs would add information to toxicological analysis in order to clarify the continuous exposure of Scaptotrigona postica to insecticides. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and histochemistry of the Malpighian tubules (excretory organ) of S. postica exposed to fipronil or boric acid to detect cellular responses that indicate toxicity or adaptative mechanisms to stress induced by exposure of worker bees to low doses of these chemical compounds. Newly emerged bees were submitted to toxicological bioassays and morphological analyses by optical microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy, as well as histochemical methods, were performed to detect proteins and glycoconjugates. Additionally, immunohistochemical detection of DNA fragmentation and HSP70 (70-kDa Heat shock protein) were performed to detect cell death and stress response, respectively. Statistical analysis, for the bioassays conducted with ingestion of contaminated diet with boric acid at 0.75% (w/w) or with fipronil at 0.1μg/kg of food, showed that the survival of bees that ingested the contaminated diets were significantly different to the survival rate presented by the control group (P<0.0001). Although some characteristics indicative of initiation of cell death were observed, the cells remained metabolically active in the processes of excretion and inactivation of chemical compounds. The data from this study reinforce the importance of research on sublethal effects of low doses of pesticides on bees in an attempt to assess a possible realistic dose and evaluate the risk assessment of stingless bee S. postica foraging in the vicinity of cultivated fields and/or in green urban areas. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Aplicações de sistemas multiagentes na previsão espacial de demanda elétrica em sistemas de distribuição

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Aplicação do método de Newton desacoplado para o fluxo de carga continuado

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Revisitação de Bromeliaceae na APA Santuário ecológico da Pedra Branca Caldas, MG

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Um panorama sobre roll waves em escoamentos laminares e turbulentos com superfície livre

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise da estabilidade da região externa do sistema Plutão-Caronte após a descoberta dos novos satélites NIX e HIDRA: aplicação à sonda new horizons

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

Sobre interferência e discos de acreção em espaços curvos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação hidrogeológica para determinação da vulnerabilidade natural do aquífero freático em área selecionada na cidade de Londrina (PR)

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE

Aspectos da biologia populacional de Pimelodus maculatus (Teleostei: Siluformes), sob a influência de sitemas de piscicultura em tanques-rede

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualidade da água em nascentes com diferentes coberturas do solo e estado de conservação da vegetação no corrego Pimenta São Manuel, SP

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

Caracterização bioquímica de lipase extraída de sementes oleaginosas de Pachira aquatica

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

Avaliação do cádmio (Cd), chumbo (Pb), níquel (Ni) e zinco (Zn) em solos e plantas às margens de uma rodovia de tráfego intenso de veículos

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Aspectos relativísticos da teoria da informação quântica

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