Reflux synthesis and hydrothermal processing of ZrO2 nanopowders at low temperature

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparison of Reactive Power Support in Distribution Networks Provided by Capacitor Banks and Distributed Generators

This paper presents a comparison of reactive power support in distribution networks provided by switched Capacitor Banks (CBs) and Distributed Generators (DGs). Regarding switched CBs, a Tabu Search metaheuristic algorithm is developed to determine their optimal operation with the objective of reducing the power losses in the lines on the system, while meeting network constraints. on the other hand, the optimal operation of DGs is analyzed through an evolutionary Multi-Objective (MO) programming approach. The objectives of such approach are the minimization of power losses and operation cost of the DGs. The comparison of the reactive power support provided by switched CBs and DGs is carried out using a modified IEEE 34 bus distribution test system.

Common architecture for discrete wavelet transform analysis and synthesis with sequential and constant processing elements

This paper adresses the problem on processing biological data such as cardiac beats, audio and ultrasonic range, calculating wavelet coefficients in real time, with processor clock running at frequency of present ASIC's and FPGA. The Paralell Filter Architecture for DWT has been improved, calculating wavelet coefficients in real time with hardware reduced to 60%. The new architecture, which also processes IDWT, is implemented with the Radix-2 or the Booth-Wallace Constant multipliers. Including series memory register banks, one integrated circuit Signal Analyzer, ultrasonic range, is presented.

Architecture for peer-to-peer databases with routing queries using ant colony algorithm and semantic support

In a peer-to-peer network, the nodes interact with each other by sharing resources, services and information. Many applications have been developed using such networks, being a class of such applications are peer-to-peer databases. The peer-to-peer databases systems allow the sharing of unstructured data, being able to integrate data from several sources, without the need of large investments, because they are used existing repositories. However, the high flexibility and dynamicity of networks the network, as well as the absence of a centralized management of information, becomes complex the process of locating information among various participants in the network. In this context, this paper presents original contributions by a proposed architecture for a routing system that uses the Ant Colony algorithm to optimize the search for desired information supported by ontologies to add semantics to shared data, enabling integration among heterogeneous databases and the while seeking to reduce the message traffic on the network without causing losses in the amount of responses, confirmed by the improve of 22.5% in this amount. © 2011 IEEE.

A logical approach to the management of object identifiers in non-conventional database management systems

Non-conventional database management systems are used to achieve a better performance when dealing with complex data. One fundamental concept of these systems is object identity (OID), because each object in the database has a unique identifier that is used to access and reference it in relationships to other objects. Two approaches can be used for the implementation of OIDs: physical or logical OIDs. In order to manage complex data, was proposed the Multimedia Data Manager Kernel (NuGeM) that uses a logical technique, named Indirect Mapping. This paper proposes an improvement to the technique used by NuGeM, whose original contribution is management of OIDs with a fewer number of disc accesses and less processing, thus reducing management time from the pages and eliminating the problem with exhaustion of OIDs. Also, the technique presented here can be applied to others OODBMSs. © 2011 IEEE.

iSPD: An iconic-based modeling simulator for distributed grids

Simulation of large and complex systems, such as computing grids, is a difficult task. Current simulators, despite providing accurate results, are significantly hard to use. They usually demand a strong knowledge of programming, what is not a standard pattern in today's users of grids and high performance computing. The need for computer expertise prevents these users from simulating how the environment will respond to their applications, what may imply in large loss of efficiency, wasting precious computational resources. In this paper we introduce iSPD, iconic Simulator of Parallel and Distributed Systems, which is a simulator where grid models are produced through an iconic interface. We describe the simulator and its intermediate model languages. Results presented here provide an insight in its easy-of-use and accuracy.

Preliminary draft of the sections of the CELADE 1980-83 proposal to UNFPA on subprogramme 6: documentation and data processing (INFOPAL, DOCPAL) (for discussion only; not to be quoted)

El Sub-Programa de Documentacion en Poblacion y Procesamiento de Datos del CELADE se compone de tres elementos que corresponden a los primeros objetivos inmediatos del mismo: el Sistema de Documentacion en Poblacion para America Latina (DOCPAL), el Banco de Datos y la Unidad de Procesamiento de Informacion. El presente documento describe los objetivos, antecedentes y justificacion de cada uno de estos tres nucleos, asi como las actividades contempladas para el periodo 1980-1983 y que fundamentan el presupuesto contenido en la solicitud de fondos al UNFPA

Stress analysis in oral obturator prostheses over parallel and tilted implants: photoelastic imaging

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Longitudinal effects of physical activity on self-efficacy and cognitive processing of active and sedentary elderly women

Previous studies support that regular physical activity in aging contributes as a protective factor against cognitive decline and improves mood states. However, there is a lack of longitudinal studies in this area. Objective: To observe possible changes in cognition related with physical activity. METHODS: This study reassessed, after one-year period, 31 elderly women divided into two groups, sedentary versus active, using behavioral scales and cognitive tests. RESULTS: The active group exhibited significantly enhanced performance in general cognitive function, particularly on tasks of episodic memory and praxis, and also on the mood states scale compared to the sedentary group. The active women also reported higher self-efficacy. CONCLUSION: Long-term physical activity promoted improvement on quality of life in the elderly women.

Contextual Reading and Metalinguistic Processing in Brazilian Portuguese: A Longitudinal Study

Metalinguistic skill is the ability to reflect upon language as an object of thought. Amongst metalinguistic skills, two seem to be associated with reading and spelling: morphological awareness and phonological awareness. Phonological awareness is the ability of reflecting upon the phonemes that compose words, and morphological awareness is the ability of reflecting upon the morphemes that compose the words. The latter seems to be particularly important for reading comprehension and contextual reading, as beyond phonological information, syntactic and semantic information are required. This study is set to investigate - with a longitudinal design - the relation between those abilities and contextual reading measured by the Cloze test. The first part of the study explores the relationship between morphological awareness tasks and Cloze scores through simple correlations and, in the second part, the specificity of such relationship was inquired using multiple regressions. The results give some support to the hypothesis that morphological awareness offers an independent contribution regarding phonological awareness to contextual reading in Brazilian Portuguese.

PFGE characterisation and adhesion ability of Listeria monocytogenes isolates obtained from bovine carcasses and beef processing facilities

Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen capable of adhering to many surfaces and forming biofilms, which may explain its persistence in food processing environments. This study aimed to genetically characterise L monocytogenes isolates obtained from bovine carcasses and beef processing facilities and to evaluate their adhesion abilities. DNA from 29 L monocytogenes isolates was subjected to enzymatic restriction digestion (Ascii and Apal), and two clusters were identified for serotypes 4b and 112a, with similarities of 48% and 68%. respectively. The adhesion ability of the isolates was tested considering: inoculum concentration, culture media, carbohydrate source, NaCl concentration, incubation temperature, and pH. Each isolate was tested at 10(8) CFU mL(-1) and classified according to its adhesion ability as weak (8 isolates). moderate (17) or strong (4). The isolates showed higher adhesion capability in non-diluted culture media, media at pH 7.0, incubation at 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C, and media with NaCl at 5% and 7%. No relevant differences were observed for adhesion ability with respect to the carbohydrate source. The results indicated a wide diversity of PFGE profiles of persistent L monocytogenes isolates, without relation to their adhesion characteristics. Also, it was observed that stressing conditions did not enhance the adhesion profile of the isolates. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.