Inflation and overbanking

This paper argues that monetary models can and usually present the phenomenon of over-banking; that is, the market solution of the model presents a size of the banking sector which is higher than the social optima. Applying a two sector monetary model of capital accumulation in presence of a banking sector, which supplies liquidity services, it is shown that the rise of a tax that disincentives the acquisition of the banking service presents the following impacts on welfare. If the technology is the same among the sectors, the tax increases welfare; otherwise, steady-state utility increase if the banking sector is labor-intensive compared to the real sector. Additionally, it is proved that the elevation of inflation has the following impact on the economy's equilibrium: the share on the product of the banking sector increases; the product and the stock of capital increases or reduces whether the banking sector is capital-intensive or laborintensive; and, the steady-state utility reduces. The results were derived under a quite general set up - standard hypothesis regarding concavity of preference, convexity of technology, and normality of goods - were required.

Avaliação da incorporação combinada dos resíduos de cascalho de perfuração de poço de petróleo e de polimento do porcelanato em cerâmica vermelha

Among the industries, those that produce ceramic porcelain for use in construction industry and oil, during the exploration and production period, play an important role in the production of waste. Much research has been carried out both by academia and the productive sector, sometimes reintroducing them in the same production line that generated them, sometimes in areas unrelated to their generation, as in the production of concrete and mortar for the construction, for example, but each one in an isolated way. In this research, the aim is to study the combined incorporation of the waste drill cuttings of oil well and the residue of the polishing of porcelain, generated in the final stage of finishing of this product in a clay matrix, for the production of red pottery, specifically bricks, ceramic blocks and tiles. The clay comes from the municipality of São Gonçalo, RN, the drilling waste is from the Natal basin, in Rio Grande do Norte, and the residue of the polishing proceeds from a ceramic porcelain of the State of Paraíba. For this purpose, we used a mixture of a plastic clay with a non-plastic, in a ratio of 50% each, settling formulations with the addition of these two residues in this clay matrix. In the formulations, both residues were incorporated with a minimum percentage of 2.5% and maximum of 12.5%, varying from 2.5% each, in each formulation, which the sum of the waste be no more than 15%. It should be noted that the residue of the polishing of ceramic porcelain is a IIa class (not inert). The materials were characterized by XRF, XRD, TG, DTA, laser granulometry and the plasticity index. The technological properties of water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage of burning, flexural tensile strength and bulk density were evaluated after the sintering of the pieces to 850 °C, 950 °C and 1050 °C, with a burning time of 3 hr, 3 hr and 30 minutes, and 3 hr and 50 minutes, respectively, with a heating rate of 10 °C/minute, for all formulations and landing of 30 minutes. To better understand the influence of each residue and temperature on the evaluated properties, we used the factorial planning and its surfaces of response for the interpretation of the results. It was found that the temperature has no statistical significance at a 95% of reliability level in flexural tensile strength and that it decreases the water absorption and the porosity, but increases the shrinkage and the bulk density. The results showed the feasibility of the desired incorporation, but adjusting the temperature to each product and formulation, and that the temperatures of 850 °C and 950 °C were the one that responded to the largest number of formulations

Assessment of the ergonomic design of diagnostic ultrasound transducers through wrist movements and subjective evaluation

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

Estimativa da área foliar de Ageratum conyzoides usando dimensões lineares do limbo foliar

The aim of this research was to obtain a mathematical equation to estimate the leaf area of Ageratum conyzoides based on linear measures of its leaf blade. Correlation studies were done using real leaf area (Sf), leaf length (C) and the maximum leaf width (L), in about 200 leaf blades. The evaluated statistic models were: linear Y = a + bx; simple linear Y = bx; geometric Y = ax(b); and exponential Y = ab(x). The evaluated linear, exponential and geometric models can be used in the billygoat weed leaf area estimation. In the practical sense, the simple linear regression model is suggested using the C*L multiplication product and taking the linear coefficient equal to zero, because it showed weak-alteration on sum of squares error and satisfactory residual analysis. Thus, an estimate of A conyzoides leaf area can be obtained using the equation Sf = 0.6789*(C*L), with a determination coefficient of 0.8630.

Euler e os números pentagonais

The present investigation includes a study of Leonhard Euler and the pentagonal numbers is his article Mirabilibus Proprietatibus Numerorum Pentagonalium - E524. After a brief review of the life and work of Euler, we analyze the mathematical concepts covered in that article as well as its historical context. For this purpose, we explain the concept of figurate numbers, showing its mode of generation, as well as its geometric and algebraic representations. Then, we present a brief history of the search for the Eulerian pentagonal number theorem, based on his correspondence on the subject with Daniel Bernoulli, Nikolaus Bernoulli, Christian Goldbach and Jean Le Rond d'Alembert. At first, Euler states the theorem, but admits that he doesn t know to prove it. Finally, in a letter to Goldbach in 1750, he presents a demonstration, which is published in E541, along with an alternative proof. The expansion of the concept of pentagonal number is then explained and justified by compare the geometric and algebraic representations of the new pentagonal numbers pentagonal numbers with those of traditional pentagonal numbers. Then we explain to the pentagonal number theorem, that is, the fact that the infinite product(1 x)(1 xx)(1 x3)(1 x4)(1 x5)(1 x6)(1 x7)... is equal to the infinite series 1 x1 x2+x5+x7 x12 x15+x22+x26 ..., where the exponents are given by the pentagonal numbers (expanded) and the sign is determined by whether as more or less as the exponent is pentagonal number (traditional or expanded). We also mention that Euler relates the pentagonal number theorem to other parts of mathematics, such as the concept of partitions, generating functions, the theory of infinite products and the sum of divisors. We end with an explanation of Euler s demonstration pentagonal number theorem

Effect of fermented soy product on the fecal microbiota of rats fed on a beef-based animal diet

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

Influence of belt speed, grit sizes and pressure on the sanding of Eucalyptus grandis wood

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

Comparative study of the topical effectiveness of the andiroba oil (Carapa guianensis) and DEET 50% as repellent for Aedes sp

O DEET (N, N-dietil-3-metilbenzamida) é hoje o repelente mais efetivo disponível, porém, seu uso pode apresentar importantes efeitos colaterais tópicos e sistêmicos. Alguns compostos botânicos, como a Andiroba (Carapa guianensis), têm demonstrado propriedades repelentes a um baixo custo e baixa toxicidade. Quatro voluntários hígidos submeteram seus antebraços recobertos com óleo de Andiroba a 100%, DEET 50% (controle positivo), óleo de soja refinado, óleo de Andiroba 15% e na ausência de produtos (controles negativos), diretamente a picadas de fêmeas saudáveis de Aedes sp. Foram aferidos os tempos da primeira e terceira picadas. Os resultados mostraram que a mediana da primeira picada nos antebraços sem produto foi 17.5s e a terceira picada, 40.0s. No óleo de soja, as picadas ocorreram em 60.0s e 101.5s. No óleo de Andiroba 100%, em 56.0s e 142.5s. Com Andiroba 15%, em 63.0s e 97.5s. Usando DEET 50% não houve picadas após 3600s na maioria dos experimentos (p < 0.001 Wilcoxon). O óleo de Andiroba 100% comparado ao óleo de soja, antebraço sem produto e óleo de Andiroba 15%, mostrou discreta superioridade (p < 0.001 Wilcoxon). Concluímos que o óleo puro de Andiroba apresenta efeito repelente discreto contra picada de Aedes sp., sendo significativamente inferior ao DEET 50%.

Amino acid availability and protein digestibility of several protein sources for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Apparent amino acid availability coefficients and protein digestibility of four animal products [fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM), poultry by-product and feather meal] and four plant protein-rich products [soybean meal (SBM), cottonseed meal-28, cottonseed meal-38 and corn gluten meal (CGM)] were determined for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Ingredients were incorporated to a practical reference diet at a 7 : 3 ratio (70% of reference diet and 30% of test ingredient). Chromic oxide was used as external digestibility marker. Among animal products poultry by-product meal (PBM; 89.7%) and FM (88.6%) presented the highest apparent protein digestibility (APD) while MBM (78.4%) and feather meal (78.5%) presented the lowest APD. Among plant protein-rich products CGM (91.4%) and SBM (92.4%) presented the highest APD values while cottonseed meal-28 presented the lowest APD (78.6%). Average apparent amino acid availability of feed ingredients was similar to protein digestibility with 92.3%, 89.6%, 73.4%, 80.7%, 88.9%, 84.4%, 91.2% and 79.7% values for SBM, CGM, cottonseed meal-28 and 38, FM, MBM, PBM and feather meal respectively. These results indicate that O. niloticus is able to utilize efficiently different feedstuffs.

The effects of Brazilian and Bulgarian propolis in vitro against Salmonella Typhi and their synergism with antibiotics acting on the ribosome

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi is the causative agent of typhoid fever in humans, and the use of antibiotics is essential for controlling this infection; however, the excessive use of antibiotics may select resistant strains. Propolis is a honeybee product and its antimicrobial activity has been intensively investigated. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate a possible synergism between propolis (collected in Brazil and Bulgaria) and antibiotics acting on the ribosome (chloramphenicol, tetracycline and neomycin) against Salmonella Typhi in vitro. The synergism was investigated by using 1/2 and 1/4 of the minimum inhibitory concentration for propolis and these antimicrobial agents, evaluating the number of viable cells according to the incubation time. Brazilian propolis showed a bacteriostatic action against S. Typhi, while Bulgarian propolis showed a bactericidal activity and a synergistic effect with the three antibiotics. Variations in the biological assays might be due to the differences in their chemical compositions. Based on the results, one may conclude that Bulgarian propolis showed an important antibacterial action, as well as a synergistic effect with antibiotics acting on the ribosome, which points out a possible therapeutic strategy evaluating the use of propolis preparations for the treatment of Salmonella Typhi infection.

Propolis effects on pro-inflammatory cytokine production and Toll-like receptor 2 and 4 expression in stressed mice

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

Propolis Immunomodulatory Action In Vivo on Toll-Like Receptors 2 and 4 Expression and on Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Production in Mice

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

Purification and characterization of the exopolygalacturonase produced by Aspergillus giganteus in submerged cultures

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

Duality between non-commutative Yang-Mills-Chem-Simons and non-Abelian self-dual models

By introducing an appropriate parent action and considering a perturbative approach, we establish, up to fourth order terms in the field and for the full range of the coupling constant, the equivalence between the non-commutative Yang-Mills-ChernSimons theory and the non-commutative, non-Abelian self-dual model. In doing this, we consider two different approaches by using both the Moyal star-product and the Seiberg-Witten map. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparation, characterization and spectroscopy of the europium diphenylphosphinate complex

The purpose of this work is to study the preparation and spectroscopic behavior of the europium diphenylphosphinate complex -Eu(DPP)3. Elemental and thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffractometry, and infrared spectroscopy were applied to characterize the formula of the final product and the sixfold coordination of the Eu3+ ion. Excitation and emission spectra have been recorded at liquid nitrogen and room temperatures. The 5D0→7F2 transition intensity decreases when T decreases in comparison to the 5D0→7F1 transition intensity. Molecular mechanic calculations were developed in order to obtain the spatial coordinates of the Eu3+ and ligand ions. The simple overlap model was used to calculate the total splitting of the 5D0→7F1 transition, 5D0→7F0/5D 0→7F2 ntensity ratio and the intensity parameters, Ωλ (λ=2 and 4). Good agreements between theoretical predictions and experimental results have been obtained with g=2/3 as the effective charge and α=0.8×10-24 cm3 as the isotropic polarizability of the oxygen. © 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.