Characterization of the temperature, load and damage effects using piezoelectric transducer patches based on fuzzy clustering

Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) denotes a system with the ability to detect and interpret adverse changes in a structure. One of the critical challenges for practical implementation of SHM system is the ability to detect damage under changing environmental conditions. This paper aims to characterize the temperature, load and damage effects in the sensor measurements obtained with piezoelectric transducer (PZT) patches. Data sets are collected on thin aluminum specimens under different environmental conditions and artificially induced damage states. The fuzzy clustering algorithm is used to organize the sensor measurements into a set of clusters, which can attribute the variation in sensor data due to temperature, load or any induced damage.

Versatile and easy-to-assemble measurement system for impedance-based structural health monitoring

In this paper we present a versatile and easy-to-assemble measurement system for structural health monitoring (SHM) based on the electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique. The hardware of the proposed system consists only of a common data acquisition (DAQ) device with external resistors and allows real-time data acquisition from multiple sensors. Besides the low-cost compared to conventional impedance analyzers, the hardware and the software are simple and easier to implement than other measurement systems that have been recently proposed.

Redes neurais artificiais aplicadas à manutenção baseada na condição

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Isolation and characterization of Wharton's jelly-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from bovine umbilical cord and maintained in a defined serum-free three-dimensional system

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

Development of a simplified transmission line model directly in the phase domain

A transmission line digital model is developed direct in the phase and time domains. The successive modal transformations considered in the three-phase representation are simplified and then the proposed model can be easily applied to several operation condition based only on the previous knowing of the line parameters, without a thorough theoretical knowledge of modal analysis. The proposed model is also developed based on lumped elements, providing a complete current and voltage profile at any point of the transmission system. This model makes possible the modeling of non-linear power devices and electromagnetic phenomena along the transmission line using simple electric circuit components, representing a great advantage when compared to several models based on distributed parameters and inverse transforms. In addition, an efficient integration method is proposed to solve the system of differential equations resulted from the line modeling by lumped elements, thereby making possible simulations of transient and steady state using a wide and constant integration step. © 2012 IEEE.

Concepções de surdez de adultos surdos que utilizam língua de sinais

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

Superfícies projetadas: uma simbiose dos processos criativo e executivo

This study aims to recognize the Surface Design as specialty hybrid and clarify the relationship between surface and design through projetual creative act and technical. The study shows that there projetual hybridity in the design of the Surface Design and the same occurs in two distinct stages: the creative phase , where the inherent design specialties together for their training , and executive process in which the diversity of technical information and construction procedures to assist the integration of design with other productive areas . Identify the products presented its projected surface condition , based on concepts checked the state of the art Surface Design was an action that enabled the verification of functional, aesthetic and symbolic object concepts . To evaluate this condition are presented six case studies to verify the levels of cooperation and implementation of the specialties of Design in objects that are highlighted by presenting different surfaces. Among the products are: DKR chair, bench Pai João, bench R540, Híbridos table, Facetas table and bench Xique-xique.

A New Approach for Real Time Fault Diagnosis in Induction Motors Based on Vibration Measurement

Condition monitoring is used to increase machinery availability and machinery performance, reducing consequential damage, increasing machine life, reducing spare parts inventories, and reducing breakdown maintenance. An efficient real time vibration measurement and analysis instruments is capable of providing warning and predicting faults at early stages. In this paper, a new methodology for the implementation of vibration measurement and analysis instruments in real time based on circuit architecture mapped from a MATLAB/Simulink model is presented. In this study, signal processing applications such as FIR filters and fast Fourier transform are treated as systems, which are implemented in hardware using a system generator toolbox, which translates a Simulink model in a hardware description language - HDL for FPGA implementations.

Design of a labVIEW system applied to predictive maintenance

The implementation of vibration analysis techniques based on virtual instrumentation has spread increasingly in the academic and industrial branch, since the use of any software for this type of analysis brings good results at low cost. Among the existing software for programming and creation of virtual instruments, the LabVIEW was chosen for this project. This software has good interface with the method of graphical programming. In this project, it was developed a system of rotating machine condition monitoring. This monitoring system is applied in a test stand, simulating large scale applications, such as in hydroelectric, nuclear and oil exploration companies. It was initially used a test stand, where an instrumentation for data acquisition was inserted, composed of accelerometers and inductive proximity sensors. The data collection system was structured on the basis of an NI 6008 A/D converter of National Instruments. An electronic circuit command was developed through the A/D converter for a remote firing of the test stand. The equipment monitoring is performed through the data collected from the sensors. The vibration signals collected by accelerometers are processed in the time domain and frequency. Also, proximity probes were used for the axis orbit evaluation and an inductive sensor for the rotation and trigger measurement. © (2013) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.

Effects of dentin dry/moist condition on the immediate adhesive performance of different solvent-based etch-and-rinse adhesivesystems

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to analyze and measure, under optical microscopy, the hybrid layer thickness and resin tags length, as well as the microtensile bond strength of two conventional adhesive systems when applied to dry and moist dentinal substrate. Methods: Thirty-two extracted human molars were randomly distributed into four groups according to the adhesive systems (XP Bond and Prime&Bond 2.1) and moisture condition (dry and moist). In Groups I and II, XP adhesive system was applied on dry and moist dentin, respectively; while Groups III and IV received PB adhesive system, in the same way as was done in Groups I and II, respectively. After adhesive and restorative procedures, all specimens were sectioned along their long axes; one hemi-tooth sample was subjected to the microtensile bond strength test while the other was decalcified and serially sectioned into six micron thick slices and sequentially mounted on glass slides. These sections were stained by the Brown and Brenn method for posterior analysis and measurement of the hybrid layer and resin tags under a light microscope with a micrometric ocular 40/075. Results: Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α=0.05). For the variable hybrid layer thickness, XP showed no significant differences between dry and moist dentin (5.2 μm and 5.5 μm, respectively), but for PB, hybrid layer was significantly thicker for moist (4.0 μm) than for dry dentin (3.0 μm). For the variable resin tags length XP showed 17.9 μm length for dry dentin and 20.8 μm for moist dentin; PB 11.7 μm for dry and 12.69 μm for moist dentin;there was no significant differences between them, independent of the moisture condition. For the variable microtensile bond strength, XP showed 38.0 MPa for dry dentin and 44.5 MPa for moist dentin; and PB showed 22.7 MPa for dry dentin and 20.8 MPa for dry dentin no significant difference was observed between moist and dry dentin for XP (p=0.2) and PB (p=0.7), but XP was presented significantly higher bond strength values than PB in both moisture conditions (p=0.003 for dry and p=0.002 for moist). Conclusion: The two-step butanol-based etch-and-rinse adhesive XP Bond presented a superior behavior with regard to the hybrid layer thickness, length of resin tags and bond strength to dry and moist dentin substrates when compared with two-step acetone-based adhesive system Prime&Bond2.1. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Protein Intake during Weight Loss Influences the Energy Required for Weight Loss and Maintenance in Cats

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

A survey for maintenance of virulent newcastle disease virus-free area in poultry production in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Enzymeless Hydrogen Peroxide Sensor Based on Mn-containing Conducting Metallopolymer

The [(Mn4O5)-O-IV(terpy)(4)(H2O)(2)](6+) complex, show great potential for electrode modification by electropolymerization using cyclic voltammetry. The voltammetric behavior both in and after electropolymerization process were also discussed, where the best condition of electropolymerization was observed for low scan rate and 50 potential cycles. A study in glass electrode for better characterization of polymer was also performed. Electrocatalytic process by metal centers of the conducting polymer in H2O2 presence with an increase of anodic current at 0.85 V vs. SCE can be observed. The sensor showed great response from 9.9 x 10(-5) to 6.4 x 10(-4) mol L-1 concentration range with a detection limit of 8.8 x 10(-5) mol L-1, where the electrocatalytic mechanism was based on oxidation of H2O2 to H2O with consequently reduction of Mn-IV to Mn-III. After, the Mn-III ions are oxidized electrochemically to Mn-IV ions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd .... Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Symposium Cracoviense Sp. z.o.o.

Improved Fault Location on Distribution Feeders Based on Matching During-Fault Voltage Sags

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Reproductive performance of prepubertal Bos indicus heifers after progesterone-based treatments

The objective was to evaluate the effects of exogenous progesterone (P4) on reproductive performance of prepubertal Bos indicus heifers. Prepubertal Nelore heifers (n = 589; 24.0 +/- 1.13 mo; 298.0 +/- 1.89 kg; body condition score of 3.2 +/- 0.26; mean +/- SEM) were randomly assigned to receive, between experimental Days -12 and 0: no treatments (CIDR0; n = 113); a new intravaginal insert (CIDR) containing 1.9 g of P4 (CIDR1; n = 237); or a similar insert previously used three times, with each use occurring for 9 d (CIDR4; n = 239). An additional treatment group was pubertal heifers given 12.5 mg dinoprost tromethamine im on Day 0 (PGF; n = 346), and used as controls for evaluation of conception rates. on Day 0, transrectal palpation was done for uterine score evaluation (UtS; 1-3 scale), blood samples were taken for serum P4 concentrations, and follicle diameter (FD) was measured. The breeding season started on Day 1 and consisted of AI after detection of estrus between Days I and 45, and exposure to bulls between Days 46 and 90. There were effects of treatment (P < 0.05) on serum concentrations of P4 on Day 0 (0.37 +/- 0.16, 2.31 +/- 0.11, and 1.20 +/- 0.11 ng/mL for CIDR0, CIDR1, and CIDR4, respectively; mean SEM), FD on Day 0(9.45 +/- 0.24, 9.72 +/- 0.17, and 11.42 +/- 0.16 mm), UtS on Day 0 (1.49 +/- 0.06, 1.88 +/- 0.04, and 2.24 +/- 0.04), estrus detection rates at 7 d (19.5, 42.6, and 38.3%) and 45 d (52.2, 72.1, and 75.3%) of the breeding season, and on pregnancy rates at 7 d (5.3, 14.3, and 18.4%), 45 d (27.4, 39.2, and 47.7%) and 90 d (72.6, 83.5, and 83.7%) of the breeding season. Conception rate 7 d after the start of the breeding season was greater (P < 0.05) in heifers from the CIDR4 (46.8%) and PGF (43.8%) groups than in the CIDR0 (27.3%) and CIDR1 (33.7%) groups. In conclusion, exogenous P4 hastened puberty and improved pregnancy rates at the beginning of the breeding season in prepubertal Bos indicus heifers. Furthermore, previously used CIDR inserts were better than new inserts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.