Time-series-based maximization of distributed wind power generation integration

Energy policies and technological progress in the development of wind turbines have made wind power the fastest growing renewable power source worldwide. The inherent variability of this resource requires special attention when analyzing the impacts of high penetration on the distribution network. A time-series steady-state analysis is proposed that assesses technical issues such as energy export, losses, and short-circuit levels. A multiobjective programming approach based on the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA) is applied in order to find configurations that maximize the integration of distributed wind power generation (DWPG) while satisfying voltage and thermal limits. The approach has been applied to a medium voltage distribution network considering hourly demand and wind profiles for part of the U.K. The Pareto optimal solutions obtained highlight the drawbacks of using a single demand and generation scenario, and indicate the importance of appropriate substation voltage settings for maximizing the connection of MPG.

Efeitos hemodinâmicos e renais da injeção de doses elevadas de clonidina no espaço peridural do cão

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Não existem estudos que relatem as repercussões renais determinadas pela injeção de doses elevadas de clonidina no espaço peridural. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os efeitos hemodinâmicos e renais determinados pela injeção de doses elevadas de clonidina no espaço peridural do cão. MÉTODO: Vinte animais anestesiados com tiopental sódico e fentanil foram distribuídos aleatoriamente e de forma duplamente encoberta em dois grupos: Grupo 1 ou placebo (n = 10), que recebeu 0,2 mL.kg-1 de solução fisiológica, e Grupo 2 ou clonidina (n = 10), que recebeu 0,2 mL.kg-1 de uma solução contendo 50 µg.mL-1 de clonidina, no espaço peridural. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros hemodinâmicos: freqüência cardíaca (FC): bat.min-1; pressão arterial média (PAM): mmHg; pressão da artéria pulmonar ocluida (PAOP): mmHg; débito cardíaco (DC): L.min-1; volume sistólico (VS): mL; também, os seguintes parâmetros da função renal foram avaliados: fluxo sangüíneo renal (FSR): mL.min-1; resistência vascular renal (RVR): mmHg.mL-1.min; volume urinário minuto (VUM): mL.min-1; depuração de creatinina (D Cr): mL.min-1; depuração de para-aminohipurato (D PAH): mL.min-1; fração de filtração (FF); depuração de sódio (D Na): mL.min-1; depuração de potássio (D K): mL.min-1; excreção fracionária de sódio (EF Na): %; excreção urinária de sódio (U NaV): µEq.min-1; excreção urinária de potássio (U K V): µEq.min-1. O experimento consistiu em três momentos de 20 minutos cada. Os dados foram coletados aos 10 minutos de cada momento e a diurese, no início e no final de cada momento. Ao término de M1, a clonidina ou a solução fisiológica foi administrada no espaço peridural. Após período de 20 minutos iniciou-se M2 e, em seguida, M3. RESULTADOS: A clonidina na dose de 10 µg.kg-1 no espaço peridural do cão promoveu alterações significativas, com diminuições da freqüência cardíaca e do débito cardíaco e aumento da relação depuração de para-aminohipurato de sódio/débito cardíaco. CONCLUSÕES: Nas condições realizadas e nas doses empregadas, pode-se concluir que a clonidina não promoveu alteração da função renal, mas diminuiu valores hemodinâmicos (freqüência e débito cardíaco).

Combination of Tevatron Searches for the Standard Model Higgs Boson in the W+W- Decay Mode

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Combined Tevatron upper limit on gg -> H -> W+W- and constraints on the Higgs boson mass in fourth-generation fermion models

We combine results from searches by the CDF and D0 collaborations for a standard model Higgs boson (H) in the process gg -> H -> W+W- in p (p) over bar collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider at root s = 1.96 TeV. With 4.8 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity analyzed at CDF and 5.4 fb(-1) at D0, the 95% confidence level upper limit on sigma(gg -> H) x B(H -> W+W-) is 1.75 pb at m(H) = 120 GeV, 0.38 pb at m(H) = 165 GeV, and 0.83 pb at m(H) = 200 GeV. Assuming the presence of a fourth sequential generation of fermions with large masses, we exclude at the 95% confidence level a standard-model-like Higgs boson with a mass between 131 and 204 GeV.

Radioactivity distribution in some Permian sediments from the Irati and Corumbatal formations of the Parana basin, southeastern Brazil

in the city of Limeira, southeastern Brazil, an important exposure of Permian sediments of the Parana basin was revealed by an open pit mine that exploits limestone for production of soil correction compounds and raw materials for the ceramic industry. The radioactivity of these sediments was investigated in some detail and the results provided a general view of the vertical distributions of uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations and of the element ratios U/K, U/Th and Th/K. In general, the concentrations of the main natural radioactive elements are low, with uranium being enriched in some limestone and shale levels. In addition the results showed that the U-238 series is in radioactive disequilibrium in many of the analyzed samples. Although the origin of the observed disequilibrium has not been investigated, the results suggest that it is due to weathering processes and water interaction with the rock matrix. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Slow-fast systems on algebraic varieties bordering piecewise-smooth dynamical systems

This article extends results contained in Buzzi et al. (2006) [4], Llibre et al. (2007, 2008) [12,13] concerning the dynamics of non-smooth systems. In those papers a piecewise C-k discontinuous vector field Z on R-n is considered when the discontinuities are concentrated on a codimension one submanifold. In this paper our aim is to study the dynamics of a discontinuous system when its discontinuity set belongs to a general class of algebraic sets. In order to do this we first consider F :U -> R a polynomial function defined on the open subset U subset of R-n. The set F-1 (0) divides U into subdomains U-1, U-2,...,U-k, with border F-1(0). These subdomains provide a Whitney stratification on U. We consider Z(i) :U-i -> R-n smooth vector fields and we get Z = (Z(1),...., Z(k)) a discontinuous vector field with discontinuities in F-1(0). Our approach combines several techniques such as epsilon-regularization process, blowing-up method and singular perturbation theory. Recall that an approximation of a discontinuous vector field Z by a one parameter family of continuous vector fields is called an epsilon-regularization of Z (see Sotomayor and Teixeira, 1996 [18]; Llibre and Teixeira, 1997 [15]). Systems as discussed in this paper turn out to be relevant for problems in control theory (Minorsky, 1969 [16]), in systems with hysteresis (Seidman, 2006 [17]) and in mechanical systems with impacts (di Bernardo et al., 2008 [5]). (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Impact strength of denture base and reline acrylic resins subjected to long-term water immersion

Water may influence the mechanical properties of the acrylic resins. Thus, the effect of water storage on the impact strength (IS) of one denture base (Lucitone 550 - L) and four reline resins (Tokuyama Rebase II - T; UfiGel Hard - U; Kooliner - K; New Truliner - NT) was evaluated. Bars of L were made (60 x 6 x 2 mm) and relined (2 mm) with T, U, K, NT and L. Intact specimens of each material (60 x 6 x 4 mm) were also fabricated for comparative purposes. Specimens were submitted to Charpy impact tests without water storage (control) and after immersion in water for 7, 90 and 180 days. Data (kJ/m 2) analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05) revealed that after 90 days, U exhibited an increase in the IS (0.93) compared to 7 days (0.58). K (1.48) and L/K (7.21) exhibited a decrease at the 7-day period (1.01 and 3.23, respectively). NT (0.60) showed an increase in the IS after 180 days (1.52), whereas L/ NT (7.70) showed a decrease (3.17). Water immersion improved the IS of U and NT, and decreased the IS of K, L/K, and L/NT. Water may affect differently the IS of acrylic resins and, consequently, the resistance to fracture of relined denture bases.

Combination of CDF and D0 measurements of the W boson helicity in top quark decays

We report the combination of recent measurements of the helicity of the W boson from top quark decay by the CDF and D0 collaborations, based on data samples corresponding to integrated luminosities of 2.7-5.4fb -1 of pp̄ collisions collected during Run II of the Fermilab Tevatron collider. Combining measurements that simultaneously determine the fractions of W bosons with longitudinal (f 0) and right-handed (f +) helicities, we find f 0=0.722±0.081[±0.062(stat)±0.052(syst)] and f +=-0.033±0.046[±0.034(stat)±0.031(syst)]. Combining measurements where one of the helicity fractions is fixed to the value expected in the standard model, we find f 0=0.682±0. 057[±0.035(stat)±0.046(syst)] for fixed f + and f +=-0.015±0.035[±0.018(stat)±0.030(syst)] for fixed f 0. The results are consistent with standard model expectations. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Combination of the top-quark mass measurements from the Tevatron collider

The top quark is the heaviest known elementary particle, with a mass about 40 times larger than the mass of its isospin partner, the bottom quark. It decays almost 100% of the time to a W boson and a bottom quark. Using top-antitop pairs at the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider, the CDF and D0 Collaborations have measured the top quark's mass in different final states for integrated luminosities of up to 5.8fb -1. This paper reports on a combination of these measurements that results in a more precise value of the mass than any individual decay channel can provide. It describes the treatment of the systematic uncertainties and their correlations. The mass value determined is 173.18±0.56(stat)±0.75(syst)GeV or 173.18±0.94GeV, which has a precision of ±0.54%, making this the most precise determination of the top-quark mass. © 2012 American Physical Society.

Efeito de tratamentos pós-polimerização sobre o peso molecular, o grau de conversão, a temperatura de transição vítrea e a liberaçãp in vitro de monômero residual, plastificante e produtos de degradação de resinas acrílicas para reembasamento imediato

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Positive Solution for a Class of Degenerate Quasilinear Elliptic Equations in R-N

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)