Fine root isotropy in Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Towards the prediction of root length densities from root counts on trench walls

The objectives of the study were to assess changes in fine root anisotropy and specific root lengths throughout the development of Eucalyptus grandis ( W. Hill ex Maiden) plantations and to establish a predictive model of root length density (RLD) from root intercept counts on trench walls. Fine root densities (<1 mm in diameter) were studied in 6-, 12-, 22-, 28-, 54-, 68- and 72-month-old E. grandis plantations established on deep Ferralsols in southern Brazil. Fine root intercepts were counted on 3 faces of 90-198 soil cubes (1 dm(3) in volume) in each stand and fine root lengths (L) were measured inside 576 soil cubes, sampled between the depths of 10 cm and 290 cm. The number of fine root intercepts was counted on one vertical face perpendicular to the planting row (N(t)), one vertical face parallel to the planting row (N(l)) and one horizontal face (N(h)), for each soil cube sampled. An overall isotropy of fine roots was shown by paired Student's t-tests between the numbers of fine roots intersecting each face of soil cubes at most stand ages and soil depths. Specific root lengths decreased with stand age in the upper soil layers and tended to increase in deep soil layers at the end of the rotation. A linear regression established between N(t) and L for all the soil cubes sampled accounted for 36% of the variability of L. Such a regression computed for mean Nt and L values at each sampling depth and stand age explained only 55% of the variability, as a result of large differences in the relationship between L and Nt depending on stand productivity. The equation RLD=1.89*LAI*N(t), where LAI was the stand leaf area index (m(2) m(-2)) and Nt was expressed as the number of root intercepts per cm(2), made it possible to predict accurately (R(2)=0.84) and without bias the mean RLDs (cm cm(-3)) per depth in each stand, for the whole data set of 576 soil cubes sampled between 2 years of age and the end of the rotation.

Testing gaussianity, homogeneity, and isotropy with the cosmic microwave background

We review the basic hypotheses which motivate the statistical framework used to analyze the cosmic microwave background, and how that framework can be enlarged as we relax those hypotheses. In particular, we try to separate as much as possible the questions of gaussianity, homogeneity, and isotropy from each other. We focus both on isotropic estimators of nongaussianity as well as statistically anisotropic estimators of gaussianity, giving particular emphasis on their signatures and the enhanced cosmic variances that become increasingly important as our putative Universe becomes less symmetric. After reviewing the formalism behind some simple model-independent tests, we discuss how these tests can be applied to CMBdata when searching for large-scale anomalies. Copyright © 2010 L. Raul Abramo and Thiago S. Pereira.

Estimativa da radiação global incidente em superfícies inclinadas por modelos isotrópicos e índice de claridade

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho de modelos isotrópicos de estimativa do total de radiação incidente em superfícies inclinadas e propor estimativas com base nas correlações entre os índices de claridade horizontais e inclinados, em diferentes condições de cobertura de céu, em Botucatu, SP. Foram avaliadas superfícies com inclinação de 12,85º, 22,85º e 32,85º, pelos modelos isotrópicos propostos por Liu & Jordan, Revfeim, Jimenez & Castro, Koronakis, a teoria Circunsolar, e a correlação entre os índices de claridade horizontais e inclinados, para diferentes condições de cobertura de céu. O banco de dados de radiação global utilizado corresponde ao período de 1998 a 2007, com intervalos de 4/1998 a 8/2001 para a inclinação de 22,85º, de 9/2001 a 2/2003 para 12,85º e de 1/2004 a 12/2007 para 32,85º. O desempenho dos modelos foi avaliado pelos indicadores estatísticos erro absoluto médio, raiz quadrada do quadrado médio do erro e índice d de Wilmott. Os modelos de Liu & Jordan, Koronakis e de Revfeim apresentaram os melhores desempenhos em dias nublados, em todas as inclinações. As coberturas de céu parcialmente difuso e parcialmente aberto, nos maiores ângulos de inclinação, apresentaram as maiores dispersões entre valores estimados e medidos, independentemente do modelo. As equações estatísticas apresentaram bons resultados em aplicações com agrupamentos de dados mensais.

Searching for planar signatures in WMAP

We search for planar deviations of statistical isotropy in the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data by applying a recently introduced angular-planar statistics both to full-sky and to masked temperature maps, including in our analysis the effect of the residual foreground contamination and systematics in the foreground removing process as sources of error. We confirm earlier findings that full-sky maps exhibit anomalies at the planar (l) and angular (l) scales (l; l) = (2; 5); (4; 7); and (6; 8), which seem to be due to unremoved foregrounds since this features are present in the full-sky map but not in the masked maps. on the other hand, our test detects slightly anomalous results at the scales (l; l) = (10; 8) and (2; 9) in the masked maps but not in the full-sky one, indicating that the foreground cleaning procedure (used to generate the full-sky map) could not only be creating false anomalies but also hiding existing ones. We also find a significant trace of an anomaly in the full-sky map at the scale (l; l) = (10; 5), which is still present when we consider galactic cuts of 18.3% and 28.4%. As regards the quadrupole (l = 2), we find a coherent over-modulation over the whole celestial sphere, for all full-sky and cut-sky maps. Overall, our results seem to indicate that current CMB maps derived from WMAP data do not show significant signs of anisotropies, as measured by our angular-planar estimator. However, we have detected a curious coherence of planar modulations at angular scales of the order of the galaxy's plane, which may be an indication of residual contaminations in the full-and cut-sky maps.

The Schrodinger and Pauli-Dirac Oscillators in Noncommutative Phase Space

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Angular-planar CMB power spectrum

Gaussianity and statistical isotropy of the Universe are modern cosmology's minimal set of hypotheses. In this work we introduce a new statistical test to detect observational deviations from this minimal set. By defining the temperature correlation function over the whole celestial sphere, we are able to independently quantify both angular and planar dependence (modulations) of the CMB temperature power spectrum over different slices of this sphere. Given that planar dependence leads to further modulations of the usual angular power spectrum C(l), this test can potentially reveal richer structures in the morphology of the primordial temperature field. We have also constructed an unbiased estimator for this angular-planar power spectrum which naturally generalizes the estimator for the usual C(l)'s. With the help of a chi-square analysis, we have used this estimator to search for observational deviations of statistical isotropy in WMAP's 5 year release data set (ILC5), where we found only slight anomalies on the angular scales l = 7 and l = 8. Since this angular-planar statistic is model-independent, it is ideal to employ in searches of statistical anisotropy (e.g., contaminations from the galactic plane) and to characterize non-Gaussianities.

Curves in homogeneous spaces and their contact with 1-dimensional orbits

Let alpha be a C(infinity) curve in a homogeneous space G/H. For each point x on the curve, we consider the subspace S(k)(alpha) of the Lie algebra G of G consisting of the vectors generating a one parameter subgroup whose orbit through x has contact of order k with alpha. In this paper, we give various important properties of the sequence of subspaces G superset of S(1)(alpha) superset of S(2)(alpha) superset of S(3)(alpha) superset of ... In particular, we give a stabilization property for certain well-behaved curves. We also describe its relationship to the isotropy subgroup with respect to the contact element of order k associated with alpha.

Study of stress distribution with finite element method in a root with prefabricated threaded split shaft post - Part I

A finite element analysis was carried out to study the role of prefabricated threaded split shaft post (Flexi-Post) on dentinal stress in pulpless tooth. Three dimensional plane strain model of mesio-distal section of a human maxillary central incisor without restoration was analysed with the MSC/NASTRAN (MacNeal/ Schwendler) general purpose finite analysis program was executed on a microcomputer. The model as discretized into 48.954 axisymmetric finite elements defined by 10.355 nodes. Each element was assigned unique elastic properties to represent the materials modeled. Homogeneity, isotropy and linear elasticity were assume for all material. A simulation of static load of 100N was applied to the incisal edge of the post; vertical. Maximal principal stresses and von Mises equivalent stress were calculated. Using the element analysis model employed in this study, the following can be concluded concerning threaded split shaft post (Flexi-Post): Maximum principal stresses in dentin were located at cervical place and at the post apex. The apical threads of the post not redirecting stresses away from the root.

Avaliação de interpoladores estatísticos e determinísticos na estimativa de atributos do solo em agricultura de precisão

The obtaining of the correct space distribution for attributes of the soil is relevant in the agricultural planning, in what concerns to the installation and maintenance of the cultures. The objective of that work was to compare statistical interpolation methods (ordinary krigagem) and deterministic methods (inverse square distance) in the estimate of CTC and V% in a distrophic yellow-red Latossolo. The study was accomplished in the State of Experimental Hands on of the Instituto Capixaba de Pesquisa, Assistência Técnica e Extensão Rural (INCAPER), in an irregular grading with 109 points. The data were collected in the layer of 0 - 0,20 m in the projection of the cup of the plants, in the superior part of the slope. The performance of the interpolators was obtained and compared using the criterion of the medium mistake. The observations are dependent in space until a maximum reach of 14,1 m, considering the isotropy. IDW presented larger mistake in the estimate of the data; however its difference in relation to KRIG was small for both variables.

Caracterização Tecnológica das Rochas Ornamentais do Maciço Capão Bonito, SP

The Capão Bonito Granitic Massif is situated in the south portion of the São Paulo State and represents an elongate body with general direction NE-SW, intrusive in epimetamorphic rocks of Açungui Group (Votuverava Formation), and in granitic rocks of the Três Córregos Complex. It is partially covered by sedimentary rocks of the Paraná Basin (Itararé Group). As the chief type we have red sienogranite, holo to leucocratic with biotite and rare hornblende, inequigranular with medium to coarse grains to porphiritic and isotropic to slightly cataclastic textures of marginal zones. This granite was analyzed for petrographics (composition, structure and texture), chemical composition (major elements), physical and mechanical (water absorption, resistance to abrasion, impact of hard body and efforts of compression and traction) and chemical attack aspects. The results were compared to suggested values for granitic rocks used for ornamental purposes. The whole massif shows compositional, textural, structural (related to isotropy) and chemical (major elements) characteristics very homogeneous. The varieties of sienogranite named commercially as Capão Bonito or Rubi Red Granite showed results very similar to each other, with some variations in the physical and mechanical resistance resulting of the penetrative brittle deformation of regional occurrence, evidenced by differences in the microfissural index.

Development of a low-Reynolds-number k-ω model for FENE-P fluids

A low-Reynolds-number k-ω model for Newtonian fluids has been developed to predict drag reduction of viscoelastic fluids described by the FENE-P model. The model is an extension to viscoelastic fluids of the model for Newtonian fluids developed by Bredberg et al. (Int J Heat Fluid Flow 23:731-743, 2002). The performance of the model was assessed using results from direct numerical simulations for fully developed turbulent channel flow of FENE-P fluids. It should only be used for drag reductions of up to 50 % (low and intermediate drag reductions), because of the limiting assumption of turbulence isotropy leading to an under-prediction of k, but compares favourably with results from k-ε models in the literature based on turbulence isotropy. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

DBI equations and holographic dc conductivity

We provide a simple method for writing the Dirac-Born-Infeld equations of a Dp-brane in an arbitrary static background whose metric depends only on the holographic radial coordinate z. Using this method we revisit the Karch-O'Bannon procedure to calculate the dc conductivity in the presence of constant electric and magnetic fields for backgrounds where the boundary is four- or three-dimensional and satisfies homogeneity and isotropy. We find a frame-independent expression for the dc conductivity tensor. For particular backgrounds we recover previous results on holographic metals and strange metals. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Fabricação e caracterização metalográfica e mecânica de tiras de ligas metálicas fundidas e tixolaminadas no estado semi-sólido de diferentes intervalos de solidificação

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da distribuição das tensões internas, pelo método dos elementos finitos, em uma raiz com um retentor intra-radicular pré-fabricado, rosqueado e com fenda apical

Pós-graduação em Odontologia Restauradora - ICT

The cohomological invariant E'(G,W) and some properties

Let G be a group, W a nonempty G-set and M a Z2G-module. Consider the restriction map resG W : H1(G,M) → Pi wi∈E H1(Gwi,M), [f] → (resGG wi [f])i∈I , where E = {wi, i ∈ I} is a set of orbit representatives in W and Gwi = {g ∈ G | gwi = wi} is the G-stabilizer subgroup (or isotropy subgroup) of wi, for each wi ∈ E. In this work we analyze some results presented in Andrade et al [5] about splittings and duality of groups, using the point of view of Dicks and Dunwoody [10] and the invariant E'(G,W) := 1+dimkerresG W, defined when Gwi is a subgroup of infinite index in G for all wi in E, andM = Z2 (where dim = dimZ2). We observe that the theory of splittings of groups (amalgamated free product and HNN-groups) is inserted in the combinatory theory of groups which has many applications in graph theory (see, for example, Serre [12] and Dicks and Dunwoody [10]).