Estudo comparativo sobre filtragem de sinais instrumentais usando transformadas de Fourier e Wavelet

A comparative study of the Fourier (FT) and the wavelet transforms (WT) for instrumental signal denoising is presented. The basic principles of wavelet theory are described in a succinct and simplified manner. For illustration, FT and WT are used to filter UV-VIS and plasma emission spectra using MATLAB software for computation. Results show that FT and WT filters are comparable when the signal does not display sharp peaks (UV-VIS spectra), but the WT yields a better filtering when the filling factor of the signal is small (plasma spectra), since it causes low peak distortion.

Application of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, chemical and chemometrics analyses to the characterization of agro-industrial waste

Agroindustrial waste in general presents significant levels of nutrients and organic matter and has therefore been frequently put to agricultural use. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and carbon content, as well as the qualitative characteristics through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of four samples of poultry litter and one sample of cattle manure, from the southwestern region of Paraná, Brazil. Results revealed that, in general, the poultry litter presented higher amount of nutrients and carbon than the cattle manure. The infrared spectra allowed identification of the functional groups present and the differences in degree of sample humification. The statistical treatment confirmed the quantitative and qualitative differences revealed.

The influence of light spectra, UV-A, and growth regulators on the in vitro seed germination of Senecio cineraria DC.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of light spectra, additional UV-A, and different growth regulators on the in vitro germination of Senecio cineraria DC. Seeds were surface-sterilized and inoculated in MS medium to evaluate the following light spectra: white, white plus UV-A, blue, green, red or darkness. The maximum germinability was obtained using MS0 medium under white light (30%) and MS + 0.3 mg L-1 GA3 in the absence of light (30.5%). S. cineraria seeds were indifferent to light. Blue and green lights inhibited germination. Different concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3) (0.1; 0.4; 0.6; 0.8; 1.0 and 2.0 mg L-1) and indole-3-acetic acid IAA (0.1; 0.3 and 1.0 mg L-1) were evaluated under white light and darkness. No concentration of GA3 enhanced seed germination percentage under white light. However, when the seeds were maintained in darkness, GA3 improved germination responses in all tested concentrations, except at 1.0 mg L-1. Under white light, these concentrations also increased the germination time and reduced germination rate. Germination rate, under light or darkness, was lower using IAA compared with GA3.

Utilização da análise de FOURIER no estudo de variáveis micrometeorológicas de uma floresta de transição do norte de Mato Grosso

Este trabalho foi realizado utilizando dados coletados em uma Floresta de Transição, em uma área pertencente à Fazenda Maracaí no Noroeste de Sinop, MT, com dados micrometeorológicos obtidos com o sistema de correlação de vórtices turbulentos (Eddy Covarience) instalado numa torre de 40 metros. Teve como objetivo principal estudar as potencialidades da análise de Fourier aplicada a dados de fluxo de Calor Latente (LE), Calor Sensível (H) e Temperatura (T). Para os cálculos foram feitas médias de 3 em 3 horas para cada mês, ao longo do período de 1999 a 2005, para as variáveis estudadas. Os períodos dominantes encontrados foram de 24; 12; 4 e 3,4 horas. Os dois primeiros são atribuíveis ao movimento de rotação da Terra, ou seja, à periodicidade dia/noite. Quanto aos dois períodos menores, há indícios que estão relacionados com a dinâmica de abertura dos estômatos. Assim sendo, os resultados deste trabalho indicam que os fatores que influenciam predominantemente as variáveis microclimatológicas durante o dia (freqüências entre 10-5 a 10-4 Hz) são a radiação solar e a dinâmica de abertura dos estômatos, um resultado que destaca as potencialidades da aplicação do método de Fourier no estudo da dinâmica de microclimas em ecossistemas.

SPECTRA OF MOTHERS OF PREMATURE CHILDREN ABOUT THE EDUCATIVE CIRCLE OF CULTURE

Abstract We sought to know the spectra of mothers of premature children regarding their experience with circle of culture of educational character and identifying the learning provided by the circle of culture about newborn care after hospital discharge. A descriptive study was performed in a hospital located in Fortaleza, Brazil. Three meetings of a circle of culture with 17 mothers of premature newborns were performed. The interpretation of the corpus was performed using thematic analysis. Emerged from the categories: Maternal experience in a circle of culture; Promoted social support among mothers through the circle of culture; and Learning provided by the circle of culture. It was concluded that teaching parents during the hospitalization of the child should be held in a way to involve parents in the care of the newborn, provide moments of health education, opportunities for support and dialogue between professionals and family.

Using numerical classification of profiles based on Vis-NIR spectra to distinguish soils from the Piracicaba Region, Brazil

Considering that information from soil reflectance spectra is underutilized in soil classification, this paper aimed to evaluate the relationship of soil physical, chemical properties and their spectra, to identify spectral patterns for soil classes, evaluate the use of numerical classification of profiles combined with spectral data for soil classification. We studied 20 soil profiles from the municipality of Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, which were morphologically described and classified up to the 3rd category level of the Brazilian Soil Classification System (SiBCS). Subsequently, soil samples were collected from pedogenetic horizons and subjected to soil particle size and chemical analyses. Their Vis-NIR spectra were measured, followed by principal component analysis. Pearson's linear correlation coefficients were determined among the four principal components and the following soil properties: pH, organic matter, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, CEC, base saturation, and Al saturation. We also carried out interpretation of the first three principal components and their relationships with soil classes defined by SiBCS. In addition, numerical classification of the profiles based on the OSACA algorithm was performed using spectral data as a basis. We determined the Normalized Mutual Information (NMI) and Uncertainty Coefficient (U). These coefficients represent the similarity between the numerical classification and the soil classes from SiBCS. Pearson's correlation coefficients were significant for the principal components when compared to sand, clay, Al content and soil color. Visual analysis of the principal component scores showed differences in the spectral behavior of the soil classes, mainly among Argissolos and the others soils. The NMI and U similarity coefficients showed values of 0.74 and 0.64, respectively, suggesting good similarity between the numerical and SiBCS classes. For example, numerical classification correctly distinguished Argissolos from Latossolos and Nitossolos. However, this mathematical technique was not able to distinguish Latossolos from Nitossolos Vermelho férricos, but the Cambissolos were well differentiated from other soil classes. The numerical technique proved to be effective and applicable to the soil classification process.

Characterization of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Rhizobia Species

ABSTRACT Increasing attention has been given, over the past decades, to the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) from rhizobia, due to their various biotechnological applications. Overall characterization of biopolymers involves evaluation of their chemical, physical, and biological properties; this evaluation is a key factor in understanding their behavior in different environments, which enables researchers to foresee their potential applications. Our focus was to study the EPS produced by Mesorhizobium huakuii LMG14107, M. loti LMG6125, M. plurifarium LMG11892,Rhizobium giardini bv. giardiniH152T, R. mongolense LMG19141, andSinorhizobium (= Ensifer)kostiense LMG19227 in a RDM medium with glycerol as a carbon source. These biopolymers were isolated and characterized by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies. Maximum exopolysaccharide production was 3.10, 2.72, and 2.50 g L-1for the strains LMG6125, LMG19227, and LMG19141, respectively. The purified EPS revealed prominent functional reactive groups, such as hydroxyl and carboxylic, which correspond to a typical heteropolysaccharide. The EPS are composed primarily of galactose and glucose. Minor components found were rhamnose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid. Indeed, from the results of techniques applied in this study, it can be noted that the EPS are species-specific heteropolysaccharide polymers composed of common sugars that are substituted by non-carbohydrate moieties. In addition, analysis of these results indicates that rhizobial EPS can be classified into five groups based on ester type, as determined from the 13C NMR spectra. Knowledge of the EPS composition now facilitates further investigations relating polysaccharide structure and dynamics to rheological properties.

Resistance spectra of six elite breeding lines of upland rice to Pyricularia grisea

The objective of this work was to evaluate the resistance spectra of six elite breeding lines of rice, developed for improved yield and grain quality, in inoculation tests in the greenhouse and in the field. Forty-six isolates of Pyricularia grisea collected from the cultivar Primavera, 31 from the cultivar Maravilha and 19 from six elite breeding lines, totaling 96 were utilized for inoculations. Out of 11 international and 15 Brazilian pathotypes, IC-1, IB-9, and BD-16, respectively, were identified as most frequent isolates collected from the cultivar Primavera. The isolates retrieved from Maravilha belong to four international and 11 Brazilian pathotypes, the predominant ones being IB-9 and IB-49 and BB-1 and BB-21, respectively. Lines CNAs 8711 and CNAs 8983 showed resistant reaction to all test isolates from Maravilha, while CNAs 8983 was susceptible to three isolates of Primavera pertaining to the pathotype IC-1. A majority of isolates exhibiting compatible reaction to Primavera were incompatible to Maravilha and vice-versa.Field assessment of rice blast utilizing the area under disease progress curve as a criterion for measuring disease severity showed significant differences among the six breeding lines. The isolates of P. grisea exhibiting differential reaction on breeding lines can be utilized in pyramiding resistance genes in new upland rice cultivars.

Monte Carlo derivation of filtered tungsten anode X-ray spectra for dose computation in digital mammography

Abstract Objective: Derive filtered tungsten X-ray spectra used in digital mammography systems by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Materials and Methods: Filtered spectra for rhodium filter were obtained for tube potentials between 26 and 32 kV. The half-value layer (HVL) of simulated filtered spectra were compared with those obtained experimentally with a solid state detector Unfors model 8202031-H Xi R/F & MAM Detector Platinum and 8201023-C Xi Base unit Platinum Plus w mAs in a Hologic Selenia Dimensions system using a direct radiography mode. Results: Calculated HVL values showed good agreement as compared with those obtained experimentally. The greatest relative difference between the Monte Carlo calculated HVL values and experimental HVL values was 4%. Conclusion: The results show that the filtered tungsten anode X-ray spectra and the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code can be used for mean glandular dose determination in mammography.

Estimativa por infravermelho da concentração da unidade estrutural b-O-4 em ligninas de angiospermas tropicais

Five Björkman lignins, codified as AM, LL, GG, PP and AP, were isolated from wood species of Aspidosperma macrocarpum Mart., Lophanthera lactescens Ducke, Gallesia gorazema (Vell.) Miq., Peltogyne paniculata Bth. and Aspidosperma polyneuron Muell. Arg., respectively. Analyses of the lignins were carried out by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy using an experimental technique, Diffusely Reflected Infrared Fourier Transformed (DRIFT), admitting in the original spectra a band at 1500 cm-1 as an internal reference. Application of a deconvolution technique made possible to estimate the percentage per mol of b-O-4 unit content around 65.5% to AM, 68.0% to LL, 71.0% to GG. 73.4% to PP and 75.0% to AP, toward AM

Estudo de métodos de aumento de resolução de espectros de FTIR para análise de estruturas secundárias de proteínas

The FTIR spectroscopy has been used to quantify the secondary structures of proteins, using amide I band (1600 - 1700 cm-1). The resolution enhancement methods have been used to resolve the individual components of this band that correlate to the secondary structure. In this paper we discuss the methods of derivative, Fourier deconvolution and fitting with simulated spectra. The results shows that they have serious problems and can be used only as a qualitative or semiquatitative method.

A transformada de Fourier em basic

In this paper we describe three computer programs in Basic language about the Fourier transform (FFT) which are available in the Internet site http://artemis.ffclrp.usp.br/SoftwareE.htm (in English) or http://artemis.ffclrp.usp.br/softwareP.htm (in Portuguese) since October 1998. Those are addresses to the Web Page of our Laboratory of Organic Synthesis. The programs can be downloaded and used by anyone who is interested on the subject. The texts, menus and captions in the programs are written in English.

Utilização de filtro de transformada de fourier para a minimização de ruídos em sinais analíticos

Instrumental data always present some noise. The analytical data information and instrumental noise generally has different frequencies. Thus is possible to remove the noise using a digital filter based on Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform. This procedure enhance the signal/noise ratio and consecutively increase the detection limits on instrumental analysis. The basic principle of Fourier transform filter with modifications implemented to improve its performance is presented. A numerical example, as well as a real voltammetric example are showed to demonstrate the Fourier transform filter implementation. The programs to perform the Fourier transform filter, in Matlab and Visual Basic languages, are included as appendices

Usando um website para explicar a espectrometria de ressonância ciclotrônica de íons por transformada de Fourier

This article shows the usefulness of a website to explain the concepts, operational events, vacuum system, applications and an experimental sequence of the Fourier Transform Ion Ciclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry technique (http://143.107.46.113/icr/icrj.html).

Decomposição térmica de espumas de poliuretano para fabricação de vitrocerâmica celular de Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2-Al2O3 (LZSA)

Characterization of the thermal decomposition of polyurethane (PUR) foams was performed by Fourier-transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Three main weight loss paths were observed by TGA, the residue being lower than 3 wt.% for 3 different PUR foams analyzed. FT-IR spectra indicated CO2, CO, NH3 and isocyanides as main decomposition products. PUR foams of different cell sizes were immersed in a slurry of the parent glass ceramic of composition Li2O-ZrO2-SiO2-Al 2O3 (LZSA) and submitted to heat treatment. The LZSA cellular glass ceramics obtained after sintering and crystallization resembled the original morphology of the PUR foams.