A system for environmental monitoring of hydroelectric reservoirs in Brazil

Environmental monitoring of aquatic systems is an important tool to support policy makers and environmental managers' decisions. Long-term, continuous collection of environmental data is fundamental to the understanding of an aquatic system. This paper aims to present the integrated system for environmental monitoring (SIMA), a long-term temporal series system with a web-based archive for limnological and meteorological data. The following environmental parameters are measured by SIMA: chlorophyll-a (µgL-1), water surface temperature (ºC), water column temperature by a thermistor string (ºC), turbidity (NTU), pH, dissolved oxygen concentration (mg L-1), electric conductivity (µS cm-1), wind speed (ms-1) and direction (º), relative humidity (%), shortwave radiation (Wm-2) and barometric pressure (hPa). The data were collected in a preprogrammed time interval (1 hour) and were transmitted by satellite in quasi-real time for any user within 2500 km of the acquisition point. So far, 11 hydroelectric reservoirs are being monitored with the SIMA buoy. Basic statistics (mean and standard deviation) and an example of the temporal series of some parameters were displayed at a database with web access. However, sensor and satellite problems occurred due to the high data acquisition frequency. Sensors problems occurred due to the environmental characteristics of each aquatic system. Water quality sensors rapidly degrade in acidic waters, rendering the collected data invalid. Data is also rendered invalid when sensors become infested with periphyton. Problems occur with the satellites' reception of system data when satellites pass over the buoy antenna. However, the data transfer at some inland locations was not completed due to the satellite constellation position. Nevertheless, the integrated system of water quality and meteorological parameters is an important tool in understanding the aquatic system dynamic. It can also be used to create hydrodynamics models of the aquatic system to allow for the study of meteorological implications to the water body.

Characterization, inclusion mode, phase-solubility and in vitro release studies of inclusion binary complexes with cyclodextrins and meglumine using sulfamerazine as model drug

In order to investigate the effect on the aqueous solubility and release rate of sulfamerazine (SMR) as model drug, inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin (beta CD), methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M beta CD) and hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta CD) and a binary system with meglumine (MEG) were developed. The formation of 1: 1 inclusion complexes of SMR with the CDs and a SMR: MEG binary system in solution and in solid state was revealed by phase solubility studies (PSS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermal analysis and X-Ray diffractometry (XRD) studies. The CDs solubilization of SMR could be improved by ionization of the drug molecule through pH adjustments. The higher apparent stability constants of SMR:CDs complexes were obtained in pH 2.00, demonstrating that CDs present more affinity for the unionized drug. The best approach for SMR solubility enhancement results from the combination of MEG and pH adjustment, with a 34-fold increment and a S-max of 54.8 mg/ml. The permeability of the drug was reduced due to the presence of beta CD, M beta CD, HP beta CD and MEG when used as solubilizers. The study then suggests interesting applications of CD or MEG complexes for modulating the release rate of SMR through semipermeable membranes.

Aspects of semilocal BPS vortex in systems with Lorentz symmetry breaking

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Transmission network expansion planning for the Colombian electrical system: Connecting the Ituango hydroelectric power plant

The hydroelectric power plant Hidroltuango represents a major expansion for the Colombian electrical system (with a total capacity of 2400 MW). This paper analyzes the possible interconnections and investments involved in connecting Hidroltuango, in order to strengthen the Colombian national transmission system. A Mixed Binary Linear Programming (MBLP) model was used to solve the Multistage Transmission Network Expansion Planning (MTEP) problem of the Colombian electrical system, taking the N-1 safety criterion into account. The N-1 safety criterion indicates that the transmission system must be expanded so that the system will continue to operate properly if an outage in a system element (within a pre-defined set of contingencies) occurs. The use of a MBLP model guaranteed the convergence with existing classical optimization methods and the optimal solution for the MTEP using commercial solvers. Multiple scenarios for generation and demand were used to consider uncertainties within these parameters. The model was implemented using the algebraic modeling language AMPL and solved using the commercial solver CPLEX. The proposed model was then applied to the Colombian electrical system using the planning horizon of 2018-2025. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-throughput sugarcane leaf analysis using a low cost closed-vessel conductively heated digestion system and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy

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

Comparação de eficiências do uso de sistemas construídos de áreas alagadas (Constructed Wetland Systems - CWS), tipos ascendente e descendente, para tratamento de efluentes

Water is an essential element for life. The use of this element, to support the community, defines it as water resource. This feature is being misused and degraded by the dumping of highly contaminated effluents. The impoverishment of its quality poses a risk to human consumption. The necessity to manage this resource, treating the wastewater properly, requires the constant improvement of treatment systems. Another need is to adjust the cost of systems to the demands of communities with less financial clout. This study aimed to adapt and understand the systems of wetlands, improving its efficiency, in an attempt to collaborate with the enrichment of this technology. The practical evidence, with lab-scale prototypes, assembled in ETE Piracicamirim with urban sewage effluent contributed to highlight the problems and operating system design. The bibliographic review showed that several studies had effectiveness for treatment. But it was evident the need for better understanding of dimensioning definitions that better attempted to the answers into the project. Moreover, standardization of system conditions for the specific wastewater treatment is an interesting field, identified, for future studies yet contribute to environmental engineering and sanitation

Atendimento à norma NBR 12.209/2011 na implantação de uma Estação de Tratamento de Esgotos no município de Guaratinguetá (SP)

The progressive growth of the population and the increase of sewage generated has demanded of society and public policies that, besides the collection network deployment is carried out the treatment and proper disposal of treated sewage in all brazilian municipalities. The aim of this study was to monitor and evaluate the work of implementation of a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in Guaratinguetá city of São Paulo state, to identify the compliance with legal requirements and the NBR 12,209/2011. The construction of this ETE met all the requirements of NBR 12209/2011 and benefited a large portion of population with the sewage treatment. Based on the results of this assessment it was concluded that the construction of a STP is relatively simple, differing only on the legal requirements related to the location, area for the construction and materials used in the work. The knowledge generated in this study will assist the public policies in the implementation of STPs in municipalities that do not yet have this basic sanitation

Desenvolvimento de um sistema de gerenciamento de energia (EMS - Energy Management System) para a rede elétrica inteligente (Smart Grid)

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Utilização de resíduos de tratamento de esgoto como suprimento hídrico e nutricional na cultura do girassol

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Irrigação e Drenagem) - FCA

Rubrivivax gelatinosus na alimentação de tilápias para incrementar a qualidade dos filés

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

Does proprioceptive system stimulation improve sit-to-walk performance in healthy young adults?

[Purpose] Sit-to-walk performance is linked to proper proprioceptive information processing. Therefore, it is believed that an increase of proprioceptive inflow (using muscle vibration) might improve sit-to-walk performance. However, before testing muscle vibration effects on a frail population, assessment of its effects on healthy young people is necessary. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of muscle vibration on sit-to-walk performance in healthy young adults. [Subjects and Methods] Fifteen young adults performed the sit-to-walk task under three conditions: without vibration, with vibration applied before movement onset, and with vibration applied during the movement. Vibration was applied bilaterally for 30 s to the tibialis anterior, rectus femoris, and upper trapezius muscles bellies. The vibration parameters were as follows: 120 Hz and 1.2 mm. Kinematics and kinetic data were assessed using a 3D motion capture system and two force plates. The coordinates of reflective markers were used to define the center-of-mass velocities and displacements. In addition, the first step spatiotemporal variables were assessed. [Results] No vibration effect was observed on any dependent variables. [Conclusion] The results show that stimulation of the proprioceptive system with local muscle vibration does not improve sit-towalk performance in healthy young adults.

Production of particleboards with bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) reinforcement

The focus of this research was to study the utilization of residues from bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) lamination in the manufacturing of panels for structural purposes. Bamboo particleboards were produced under three conditions: pure boards, reinforced with bamboo laminas, and with treated particles. Castor oil-based polyurethane was the resin binder, in view of using lower toxicity materials. The mechanical tests were performed according to Brazilian Standard (NBR) 14810-3 (2006) and European Standard (EN) 310 (2000). The results were superior to those recommended by these and other standards for internal adhesion resistance, modulus of rupture, and elasticity in static bending, as well as to the results of other studies. Starch treatment was an unnecessary stage. According to the conditions of this process, the studied panels showed a good potential for construction use. Moreover, the bamboo particleboards are an economically viable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative for the use of waste generated during the processing of Dendrocalamus giganteus bamboo species, allied with castor oil-based polyurethane resin. The reinforced particleboard and its production process are being licensed as an Innovation Patent in Brazil, (BR 1020130133919-1-2013).

Discrete-time sliding mode control for uncertain networked system subject to time delay

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ground reaction forces during level ground walking with body weight unloading

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

Characterization of grazing bifurcation in airfoils with control surface freeplay nonlinearity

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