Análise eletromagnética de cabos OPGW utilizando métodos numérico e analítico

Este trabalho apresenta o estudo eletromagnético de cabos OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) os quais têm dupla função: de pára-raios para linhas de transmissão de alta tensão e de canal de comunicação através de fibras ópticas embutidas na estrutura do cabo. Descargas atmosféricas ou curtos-circuitos podem comprometer a integridade do cabo, devido ao aquecimento nas regiões onde há maior concentração de corrente. Para a análise deste problema foram feitos cálculos eletromagnéticos relacionando-os aos efeitos térmicos no cabo. Nesta análise foram consideradas três diferentes geometrias: o modelo de cabo real, o modelo de cabo com camadas homogêneas e o modelo de cabo com uma camada modificada; esta modificação está relacionada à forma geométrica dos fios da armação do cabo. As ferramentas utilizadas em tal estudo foram o software comercial FEMLAB Multiphysics, baseado no método dos elementos finitos, e um método analítico desenvolvido a partir das equações de Maxwell no domínio da freqüência, que foi implementado utilizando o software MATLAB. Os principais resultados deste trabalho são gráficos de distribuição de densidade de corrente na seção reta do cabo para diferentes freqüências, estudo do efeito pelicular e do efeito de proximidade entre os condutores do cabo.

Inversão de dados de ondas de superfície Rayleigh

Neste trabalho compilamos informações sobre um grande número de medidas de velocidade de grupo para ondas Rayleigh do modo fundamental, com período até 100 segundos. Tais dados consistiram de informações retiradas da literatura geofísica e cobriram toda a Terra. Parte dos dados foi organizada em trabalhos anteriores e uma segunda parte foi apresentada aqui de forma inédita. Para a América do Sul, selecionamos os principais conjuntos de dados de tais ondas e elaboramos diversos perfis onde a distribuição de velocidade de ondas cisalhantes foi obtida a partir da inversão das curvas de dispersão de velocidade de grupo. Tais perfis serviram para termos uma ideia inicial da estrutura interna da Terra em nosso continente. Com o conjunto global de dados de velocidade de grupo foi possível obtermos os mapas de distribuição lateral de valores de velocidade para cada período referencial entre 20 e 100 segundos. Tais mapas foram produzidos da mesma forma que os mapas de velocidade de fase de ROSA (1986), onde a amostragem for para realizada para blocas medindo 10x10 graus, englobando toda a Terra, em projeção mercator. O valor de velocidade de grupo em cada bloco, para cada período, foi obtido a partir da inversão estocástica dos dados de anomalia de velocidade em relação aos modelos regionalizados de JORDAN (1981) com os valores de velocidade de grupo de ROSA et al. (1992). Os mapas de velocidade de grupo obtidos aqui foram então empregados, na América do Sul, com os valores de velocidade de fase dos mapas obtidos por ROSA (1986). Assim, foi possível determinarmos, em profundidade, os mapas de variação de velocidade de onda cisalhante e os mapas de distribuição de valores de densidade. Com isto, pudemos construir o primeiro mapa de profundidade do Moho (todo do Manto Superior) da América do Sul.

Influência de sistemas meteorológicos de grande escala sobre a distribuição de raios na Amazônia Oriental, com aplicação no setor elétrico

Foi feito um estudo da associação entre a densidade de ocorrência de raios com condições meteorológicas no leste da região Amazônica entre os anos de 2006 a 2008. A região estudada foi limitada por uma grade geográfica entre as latitudes 0º a -10º e longitudes -53º a -43º. Foram desenvolvidos métodos computacionais de processamento estatístico e geração de mapas de ocorrências de raios para diferentes intervalos de tempo. Esses métodos foram aplicados para determinar os pontos de altas ocorrências de raios ao longo de linhas de transmissão de energia elétrica, a fim de oferecer subsídios para a proteção e operação dos sistemas elétricos da região. Foram utilizados dados da rede de detecção de raios do SIPAM para redimensionar a detecção do sistema de alcance intercontinental STARNET, e subsequentemente, foram obtidos mapas de densidade de raios mais uniformes e realistas. Esses mapas foram interpretados em períodos semanais e sazonais, considerando as observações simultâneas de chuva, vento, radiação de onda longa e a presença de sistemas meteorológicos de grande escala. Zona de Convergência Intertropical e Zona de Convergência do Atlântico Sul (ZCIT, ZCAS) definidos pela convergência de ventos e anomalias negativas de Radiação de Ondas Longas ( ROL). Os resultados mostraram boa correspondência entre as áreas de convecção e a intensa ocorrência de raios. Nas regiões de mais alta atividade elétrica atmosférica, foi observada ocorrência de convergência dos ventos e anomalias negativas de ROL, para situações de presença de ZCAS e ZCIT sobre a região. A atividade de raios também coincidiu, com algumas exceções, com áreas de maior precipitação em períodos semanais. Foi observado também que, durante um trimestre seco, os segmentos de linhas de transmissão de Mojú-Tailândia e Jacundá-Marabá apresentaram maior incidência de raios. O pico da densidade de raios chegou a 18 raios/km²/trimestre em alguns locais. Durante o trimestre chuvoso, a densidade geral de raios foi 86% maior e apresentou distribuição espacial mais uniforme quando comparada com um trimestre seco. Este estudo mostrou não somente como as características meteorológicas influenciaram na distribuição e quantidade raios, mas também que a elevada atividade de descargas elétricas na região deve ser uma preocupação importante para os sistemas de distribuição de energia elétrica e outras atividades humanas na Amazônia Oriental.

Segmentation of Scanning Electron Microscopy Images From Natural Rubber Samples With Gold Nanoparticles Using Starlet Wavelets

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

Análise da viabilidade de simulações com feixes de prótons de 100, 150, 200 e 250 MeV em alvos heterogêneos

In the recent years, the use of proton beams in radiotherapy has been an outstanding progress (SMITH, 2006). Up to now, computed tomography (CT) is a prerequisite for treatment planning in this kind of therapy because it provides the electron density distribution required for calculation of dose and the interval of doses. However, the use of CT images for proton treatment planning ignores fundamental differences in physical interaction processes between photons and protons and is, therefore, potentially inaccurate (SADROZINSKI, 2004). Proton CT (pCT) can in principle directly measure the density distribution needed in a patient for the dose distribution (SCHULTE, et al, 2004). One important problem that should be solved is the implementation of image reconstruction algorithms. In this sense, it is necessary to know how the presence of materials with different density and composition interfere in the energy deposition by ionization and coulomb excitation, during its trajectory. The study was conducted in two stages, was used in both the program SRIM (The Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter) to perform simulations of the interaction of proton beams with pencil beam type. In the first step we used the energies in the range of 100-250 MeV (ZIEGLER, 1999). The targets were set to 50 mm in length for the beam of 100 MeV, due to its interaction with the target, and short-range, and 70 mm for 150, 200 and 250 MeV The target was composed of liquid water and a layer of 6 mm cortical bone (ICRP). It were made 9 simulations varying the position of the heterogeneity of 5 mm. In the second step the energy of 250 MeV was taken out from the simulations, due to its greater energy and less interaction. The targets were diminished to 50 mm thick to standardize the simulations. The layer of bone was divided into two equal parts and both were put in the ends of the target... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Vector solitons in a spin-orbit-coupled spin-2 Bose-Einstein condensate

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

Densities and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from marine waters and beach sands

Bacterial resistance is a rising problem all over the world. Many studies have showed that beach sands can contain higher concentration of microorganisms and represent a risk to public health. This paper aims to evaluate the densities and resistance to antimicrobials of Escherichia coli strains, isolated from seawater and samples. The hypothesis is that microorganisms show higher densities in contaminated beach sands and more antimicrobial resistance than the water column. Density, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria E. coli were evaluate in seawater and sands from two recreational beaches with different levels of pollution. At the beach with higher degree of pollution (Gonzaguinha), water samples presented the highest densities of E. coli; however, higher frequency of resistant strains was observe in wet sand (71.9 %). Resistance to a larger number of antimicrobial groups was observe in water (betalactamics, aminoglycosides, macrolides, rifampicins, and tetracyclines) and sand (betagalactamics and aminoglycosids). In water samples, highest frequencies of resistance were obtain against ampicilin (22.5 %), streptomycin (15.0 %), and rifampicin (15.0 %), while in sand, the highest frequencies were observe in relation to ampicilin (36.25 %) and streptomycin (23.52 %). At the less polluted beach, Ilha Porchat, highest densities of E. coli and higher frequency of resistance were obtain in wet and dry sand (53.7 and 53.8 %, respectively) compared to water (50 %). Antimicrobial resistance in strains isolated from water and sand only occurred against betalactamics (ampicilin and amoxicilin plus clavulanic acid). The frequency and variability of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials in marine recreational waters and sands were related to the degree of fecal contamination in this environment. These results show that water and sands from beaches with a high index of fecal contamination of human origin may be potential sources of contamination by pathogens and contribute to the dissemination of bacterial resistance.

Nonoriented Electrical Steels

The physical origins of the magnetic properties of nonoriented electrical steels; its relations to microstructural features like grain size, nonmetallic inclusions, dislocation density distribution, crystallographic texture, and residual stresses; and its processing by cold rolling and annealing are overviewed, using quantitative relations whenever available.

Study of cerebral gene expression densities using Voronoi analysis

As the available public cerebral gene expression image data increasingly grows, the demand for automated methods to analyze such large amount of data also increases. An important study that can be carried out on these data is related to the spatial relationship between gene expressions. Similar spatial density distribution of expression between genes may indicate they are functionally correlated, thus the identification of these similarities is useful in suggesting directions of investigation to discover gene interactions and their correlated functions. In this paper, we describe the use of a high-throughput methodology based on Voronoi diagrams to automatically analyze and search for possible local spatial density relationships between gene expression images. We tested this method using mouse brain section images from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas public database. This methodology provided measurements able to characterize the similarity of the density distribution between gene expressions and allowed the visualization of the results through networks and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). These visualizations are useful to analyze the similarity level between gene expression patterns, as well as to compare connection patterns between region networks. Some genes were found to have the same type of function and to be near each other in the PCA visualizations. These results suggest cerebral density correlations between gene expressions that could be further explored. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Probing the anomalous extinction of four young star clusters: the use of colour-excess, main-sequence fitting and fractal analysis

Aims. We studied four young star clusters to characterise their anomalous extinction or variable reddening and asses whether they could be due to contamination by either dense clouds or circumstellar effects. Methods. We evaluated the extinction law (R-V) by adopting two methods: (i) the use of theoretical expressions based on the colour-excess of stars with known spectral type; and (ii) the analysis of two-colour diagrams, where the slope of the observed colour distribution was compared to the normal distribution. An algorithm to reproduce the zero-age main-sequence (ZAMS) reddened colours was developed to derive the average visual extinction (A(V)) that provides the closest fit to the observational data. The structure of the clouds was evaluated by means of a statistical fractal analysis, designed to compare their geometric structure with the spatial distribution of the cluster members. Results. The cluster NGC 6530 is the only object of our sample affected by anomalous extinction. On average, the other clusters suffer normal extinction, but several of their members, mainly in NGC 2264, seem to have high R-V, probably because of circumstellar effects. The ZAMS fitting provides A(V) values that are in good agreement with those found in the literature. The fractal analysis shows that NGC 6530 has a centrally concentrated distribution of stars that differs from the substructures found in the density distribution of the cloud projected in the A(V) map, suggesting that the original cloud was changed by the cluster formation. However, the fractal dimension and statistical parameters of Berkeley 86, NGC 2244, and NGC 2264 indicate that there is a good cloud-cluster correlation, when compared to other works based on an artificial distribution of points.

SPATIO-TEMPORAL AND FUNCTIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE AMPHIPOD COMMUNITIES OFF SANTOS, SOUTHWESTERN ATLANTIC

The amphipod fauna was employed to investigate a bottom environmental gradient in the continental shelf adjacent to Santos Bay. The constant flow of less saline water from the estuarine complex of the Santos and Sao Vicente rivers besides the seasonal intrusion of the cold saline South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) bring a highly dynamic water regime to the area. Density, distribution, diversity and functional structure of the communities were studied on a depth gradient from 10 to 100 m on two cruises in contrasting seasons, winter 2005 and summer 2006. Twenty-one sediment samples were taken with a 0.09m(2) box corer. Temperature and salinity were measured at each station and an additional surface sediment sample was obtained with the box corer for granulometric and chemical analyses. Sixty species were collected on each survey and higher density values were found in summer. A priori one-way Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM) indicated the existence of three different groups of amphipods related to the depth gradient: the Coastal group, the Mixed Zone group and the Deep Zone group. The Coastal Zone in both cruises was inhabited by a community presenting low diversity and density, besides high dominance of the infaunal tube-dweller Ampelisca paria; the area around 30 m presented the highest values of all the ecological indicators and the species showed several life styles; the outer area, situated between 50 and 100 m depth in the SACW domain, presented a community characterized by lower diversity and high biomass and density values. A season-depth ANOSIM showed the influence of depth and season for the Coastal and Mixed Zone groups whereas no seasonal difference was obtained for the Deep Zone group. The synergistic effect of the SACW and depth in the first place, followed by physical changes in substrate, seem to be the main factors controlling the fauna's distribution. In addition, the estuarine waters from Santos Bay apparently had no effect on the establishment of the environmental gradient observed on the adjacent shelf. Diversity, distribution, functional groups and trophic conditions of superficial sediments are discussed in the light of the main oceanographic processes present on the southern Brazilian shelf.

Antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates), atypical fractures and rebound effect: new evidence of similitude

Background: Homeopathy is based on treatment by similitude ('like cures like') administering to sick individuals substances that cause similar symptoms in healthy individuals, employing the secondary and paradoxical action of the organism as therapeutic response. This vital or homeostatic reaction of the organism can be scientifically explained by the rebound effect of drugs, resulting in worsening of symptoms after suspension of treatment. Bisphosphonates (BPs) reduce 'typical' fractures in patients with osteoporosis, but recent studies report 'atypical' fractures of the femur after stopping the BPs, a rebound effect may be the causal mechanism. Method: Review of the literature concerning the relationship between atypical femoral fractures and antiresorptive drugs (bisphosphonates), identifying the pathogenesis of this adverse event. Results: Several studies have described multiple cases of 'atypical' low-impact subtrochanteric stress fractures or complete fractures of the femur. These fractures are often bilateral, preceded by pain in the affected thigh, may have a typical X-ray appearance, and may delayed healing. Rebound of osteoclastic activity after suspension of antiresorptive drugs is a plausible mechanism to explain this phenomenon. Conclusion: As for other classes of drugs, the rebound effect of antiresorptive drugs supports Hahnemann's similitude principle (primary action of the drugs followed by secondary and opposite action of the organism), and clarifies this 'unresolved' issue. Unfortunately, the rebound effect is little discussed among health professionals, depriving them of important knowledge ensure safe management of drugs. Homeopathy (2012) 101, 231-242.

The basic antioxidant structure for flavonoid derivatives

An antioxidant structure-activity study is carried out in this work with ten flavonoid compounds using quantum chemistry calculations with the functional of density theory method. According to the geometry obtained by using the B3LYP/6-31G(d) method, the HOMO, ionization potential, stabilization energies, and spin density distribution showed that the flavonol is the more antioxidant nucleus. The spin density contribution is determinant for the stability of the free radical. The number of resonance structures is related to the pi-type electron system. 3-hydroxyflavone is the basic antioxidant structure for the simplified flavonoids studied here. The electron abstraction is more favored in the molecules where ether group and 3-hydroxyl are present, nonetheless 2,3-double bond and carbonyl moiety are facultative.

Spatio-temporal and functional structure of the amphipod communities off Santos, Southwestern Atlantic

The amphipod fauna was employed to investigate a bottom environmental gradient in the continental shelf adjacent to Santos Bay. The constant flow of less saline water from the estuarine complex of the Santos and São Vicente rivers besides the seasonal intrusion of the cold saline South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) bring a highly dynamic water regime to the area. Density, distribution, diversity and functional structure of the communities were studied on a depth gradient from 10 to 100 m on two cruises in contrasting seasons, winter 2005 and summer 2006. Twenty-one sediment samples were taken with a 0.09m² box corer. Temperature and salinity were measured at each station and an additional surface sediment sample was obtained with the box corer for granulometric and chemical analyses. Sixty species were collected on each survey and higher density values were found in summer. A priori one-way Analysis of Similarities (ANOSIM) indicated the existence of three different groups of amphipods related to the depth gradient: the Coastal group, the Mixed Zone group and the Deep Zone group. The Coastal Zone in both cruises was inhabited by a community presenting low diversity and density, besides high dominance of the infaunal tube-dweller Ampelisca paria; the area around 30 m presented the highest values of all the ecological indicators and the species showed several life styles; the outer area, situated between 50 and 100 m depth in the SACW domain, presented a community characterized by lower diversity and high biomass and density values. A season-depth ANOSIM showed the influence of depth and season for the Coastal and Mixed Zone groups whereas no seasonal difference was obtained for the Deep Zone group. The synergistic effect of the SACW and depth in the first place, followed by physical changes in substrate, seem to be the main factors controlling the fauna's distribution. In addition, the estuarine waters from Santos Bay apparently had no effect on the establishment of the environmental gradient observed on the adjacent shelf. Diversity, distribution, functional groups and trophic conditions of superficial sediments are discussed in the light of the main oceanographic processes present on the southern Brazilian shelf.

Figures of equilibrium for tidally deformed non-homogeneous celestial bodies

Abstract (2,250 Maximum Characters): Several theories of tidal evolution, since the theory developed by Darwin in the XIX century, are based on the figure of equilibrium of the tidally deformed body. Frequently the adopted figure is a Jeans prolate spheroid. In some case, however, the rotation is important and Roche ellipsoids are used. The main limitations of these models are (a) they refer to homogeneous bodies; (b) the rotation axis is perpendicular to the plane of the orbit. This communication aims at presenting several results in which these hypotheses are not done. In what concerns the non-homogeneity, the presented results concerns initially bodies formed by N homogeneous layers and we study the non sphericity of each layer and relate them to the density distribution. The result is similar to the Clairaut figure of equilibrium, often used in planetary sciences, but taking into full account the tidal deformation. The case of the rotation axis non perpendicular to the orbital plane is much more complex and the study has been restricted for the moment to the case of homogeneous bodies.