Specialist tool for monitoring the measurement degradation process of induction active energy meters

This paper presents a methodology and a specialist tool for failure probability analysis of induction type watt-hour meters, considering the main variables related to their measurement degradation processes. The database of the metering park of a distribution company, named Elektro Electricity and Services Co., was used for determining the most relevant variables and to feed the data in the software. The modeling developed to calculate the watt-hour meters probability of failure was implemented in a tool through a user friendly platform, written in Delphi language. Among the main features of this tool are: analysis of probability of failure by risk range; geographical localization of the meters in the metering park, and automatic sampling of induction type watt-hour meters, based on a risk classification expert system, in order to obtain information to aid the management of these meters. The main goals of the specialist tool are following and managing the measurement degradation, maintenance and replacement processes for induction watt-hour meters. © 2011 IEEE.

CdMoO 4 synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and their photoluminescence and photocatality properties

In this work CdMoO 4 nanoparticles were obtained under hydrothermal conditions using microwave radiation (2.45 GHz) (MH) at 100°C for different times. These powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field-emisson gum scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. XRD pattern confirmed that the pure CdMoO 4 phases were obtained. FEG-SEM powders present large-scale and homogeneous particles with microspheres-like morphology. UV-vis results were employed to determine the optical band gap these materials. Also, it showed existence of photoluminescence (PL) emission in the green wavelength range of 540-546 nm. Photocatalytic activity of CdMoO 4 nanocrystals was examined by monitoring the degradation of rhodamine B dye.

Produção e Qualidade Física dos Frutos do Abacaxi sob Diferentes Lâminas e Frequências de Irrigação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of pineapple cultivar Smooth Cayenne as the physical production and the quality of the fruit when subjected to different frequencies of water dpeth and soil water in Triângulo Mineiro - Uberaba-MG. The experimental area soil is Oxisol, clay loam sandy and soft undulating local relief. A randomized block design in a factorial 4 x 2 with four levels of soil water depth (50%, 75%, 100% and 125%) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and two irrigation frequencies (1 day and 3 days = F1 = F2) and four replications was utilized. The crop productivity, number of seedlings, mean weight, diameter, and hardness of the fruit, plus water use efficiency were evaluated. Productivity was not significantly affected by the water depth and by the frequency of water applied; however the fruit shell resistance, the efficiency of water use, and ratoon seedlings were significantly influenced by irrigation, the water depth of 50% of the crop evapotranspiration (ETC) provided greater efficiency of water use for the production of pineapple fruit.

The effect of muscle fatigue on the last stride before stepping down a curb

The stride before landing may be important during stepping down. The aim of this study was to analyze variability of the kinematics and muscle activity in the final stride before stepping down a curb, with and without ankle and knee muscle fatigue. Ten young participants walked at self-selected speed and stepped down a height difference (10-cm) in ongoing gait. Five trials were performed before and after a muscle fatigue protocol (one day: ankle muscle fatigue, another day: knee muscle fatigue). The analysis focused on the trailing leg during the last but one and the last step on the higher level. Kinematics and muscle activity were recorded. Fatigue increased variability of foot-step horizontal distance in the last step on the higher level of the trailing limb, as well as in the first steps on the lower level for both limbs. This appeared due to an increase in the range of motion of the knee joint after both fatigue protocols. Participants additionally showed an increased ankle and hip ROM and decreased knee ROM. Our results suggest a loss of control under fatigue reflected in a higher variability of trailing and leading limb-step horizontal distances, with compensatory changes to limit fatigue effects, such as a redistribution of movement over joints. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Characterization of the variable cow's age at last calving as a measurement of longevity by using the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Cox model

In most studies on beef cattle longevity, only the cows reaching a given number of calvings by a specific age are considered in the analyses. With the aim of evaluating all cows with productive life in herds, taking into consideration the different forms of management on each farm, it was proposed to measure cow longevity from age at last calving (ALC), that is, the most recent calving registered in the files. The objective was to characterize this trait in order to study the longevity of Nellore cattle, using the Kaplan-Meier estimators and the Cox model. The covariables and class effects considered in the models were age at first calving (AFC), year and season of birth of the cow and farm. The variable studied (ALC) was classified as presenting complete information (uncensored = 1) or incomplete information (censored = 0), using the criterion of the difference between the date of each cow's last calving and the date of the latest calving at each farm. If this difference was >36 months, the cow was considered to have failed. If not, this cow was censored, thus indicating that future calving remained possible for this cow. The records of 11 791 animals from 22 farms within the Nellore Breed Genetic Improvement Program ('Nellore Brazil') were used. In the estimation process using the Kaplan-Meier model, the variable of AFC was classified into three age groups. In individual analyses, the log-rank test and the Wilcoxon test in the Kaplan-Meier model showed that all covariables and class effects had significant effects (P < 0.05) on ALC. In the analysis considering all covariables and class effects, using the Wald test in the Cox model, only the season of birth of the cow was not significant for ALC (P > 0.05). This analysis indicated that each month added to AFC diminished the risk of the cow's failure in the herd by 2%. Nonetheless, this does not imply that animals with younger AFC had less profitability. Cows with greater numbers of calvings were more precocious than those with fewer calvings. Copyright © The Animal Consortium 2012.

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 December 2012-31 January 2013

This article documents the addition of 268 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alburnoides bipunctatus, Chamaerops humilis, Chlidonias hybrida, Cyperus papyrus, Fusarium graminearum, Loxigilla barbadensis, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Odontesthes bonariensis, Pelteobagrus vachelli, Posidonia oceanica, Potamotrygon motoro, Rhamdia quelen, Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii, Sibiraea angustata, Takifugu rubripes, Tarentola mauritanica, Trimmatostroma sp. and Wallago attu. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Alburnoides fasciatus, Alburnoides kubanicus, Alburnoides maculatus, Alburnoides ohridanus, Alburnoides prespensis, Alburnoides rossicus, Alburnoides strymonicus, Alburnoides thessalicus, Alburnoides tzanevi, Carassius carassius, Fusarium asiaticum, Leucaspius delineatus, Loxigilla noctis dominica, Pelecus cultratus, Phoenix canariensis, Potamotrygon falkneri, Trachycarpus fortune and Vimba vimba. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Tonsilar metastases of melanoma in an older person

We presented a rare case of metastasis of melanoma in palatine tonsils alerting healthcare professionals to this diagnose in black oral lesions. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Geriatrics Society. All rights reserved.

Context-dependence in seed removal by lekking and non-lekking frugivorous birds in Brazilian Atlantic forest

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Caracterização do uso do solo e das áreas de preservação permanente, visando a adequação ambiental

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

O movimento em pedaços e os pedaços em movimentos: da ocupação do Pontal do Paranapanema à dissensão nos movimentos socioterritoriais camponeses

Pós-graduação em Geografia - FCT

Estimulação ovariana, recuperação e maturação de oócitos de veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira)

Pós-graduação em Medicina Veterinária - FCAV

Efeitos do corte seletivo de árvores sobre o sistema de reprodução e dispersão de pólen em uma população de Hymenaea courbaril na Amazônia brasileira

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Validação de um microarranjo para avaliação da expressão gênica diferencial no músculo esquelético de bovinos

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Influência do uso de drogas ilícitas na análise seminal e hormonal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Digestible lysine levels for laying hens and their effects on egg quality

Egg quality of semi-heavy laying hens fed on low protein diets (14.0% CP) and on different lysine levels is evaluated, while maintaining the same ratio of digestible amino acids / digestible lysine. Four hundred and twenty commercial strain Isa Brown laying hens, 28 weeks old, were divided into 42 experimental plots. A completely randomized design with six treatments and seven replicates was employed in four production cycles of 28 days each. Treatments comprised Control - 16.92% CP; 0.750% digestible lysine. Treatments 1 to 5, with CP levels 14% and digestible lysine levels 0.600, 0.675, 0.750, 0.825 and 0.900% respectively. Levels of Treatments 1 and 2 (0.546 and 0.640% digestible Met + Cys / 0.600 and 0.675% digestible lysine) provided smaller egg size. On the other hand, eggs had higher shell percentage when compared to control diet. When compared to other digestible amino acids, digestible lysine requirement may be estimated at 0.750% in a diet with 14% CP, which corresponds to the average daily intake of 876 mg dig. lysine hen-1 day-1 and 798 mg dig. Met + Cys hen-1 day-1, without jeopardizing performance and eggs' internal and external quality.