Optimizing feature selection through binary charged system search

Feature selection aims to find the most important information from a given set of features. As this task can be seen as an optimization problem, the combinatorial growth of the possible solutions may be inviable for a exhaustive search. In this paper we propose a new nature-inspired feature selection technique based on the Charged System Search (CSS), which has never been applied to this context so far. The wrapper approach combines the power of exploration of CSS together with the speed of the Optimum-Path Forest classifier to find the set of features that maximizes the accuracy in a validating set. Experiments conducted in four public datasets have demonstrated the validity of the proposed approach can outperform some well-known swarm-based techniques. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.

Estudo teórico-experimental da distribuição das ações verticais entre paredes de edifício de alvenaria estrutural cerâmica em escala reduzida

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Espectrometria Raman, UV, DOS e Circular Dicroísmo de alcalóides do cigarro

Esta dissertação aborda a análise espectroscópica de algumas estruturas moleculares presentes no tabaco (Nicotiana glauca), matéria-prima do cigarro, e suas interações com a molécula de DNA. De acordo com sua importância, dentre a grande variedade presentes no cigarro, às moléculas estudadas foram as derivadas do ácido nicotínico: ácido nicotínico (niacina/vitamina B3), nicotinamida, trigonelina, nicotina, nornicotina e anabasina. As otimizações dessas estruturas foram inicialmente obtidas no software computacional Hyperchem 8.0, baseadas na teoria da mecânica molecular. Em seguida, elas foram otimizadas, utilizando-se o método de Teoria do Funcional da Densidade, na base B3LYP/ 6-311++G(d,p), simulado no software Gaussian 03. Uma vez as estruturas otimizadas, obtivemos os espectros de absorção UV, Raman, Infravermelho, Dicroísmo Circular e Densidade de Estados para caracterizar as mesmas utilizando método de Teoria do Funcional da Densidade Dependente do Tempo, também simulados no mesmo software. Ao final desse processo, foi também simulado via mecânica molecular, as interações dessas estruturas com a molécula de DNA com o intuito de verificar a potencialidade cancerígena, ou não, dessas substâncias.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de um sistema informatizado de instrução para a formação de conceitos

Ensino Programado, Máquinas de Ensinar e o Sistema Personalizado de Instrução (PSI - Personalized System of Instruction) são abordagens comportamentais para o ensino que orientaram a criação de um software instrucional (SII) para o ensino de conceitos de esquemas de reforçamento baseado em tarefas de escolha, com o qual se avaliou duas condições: escolhas entre definições e entre exemplos, com estudantes experientes e ingênuos. A estruturação das tarefas considerou os desempenhos como treino de intraverbais representativos de conceitos. Não ocorreram diferenças marcantes no desempenho entre as condições; estudantes ingênuos e não ingênuos se beneficiaram igualmente nas duas condições (conceitos e exemplos). Ocorreram indícios de transferência de aprendizagem entre a tarefa de escolha e uma tarefa classificatória complementar. A comparabilidade entre as condições complexas usadas, questões de múltipla escolha entre exemplos ou definições de conceitos deve ser abordada cautelosamente. Os erros concentrados no primeiro bloco de questões de cada conceito indicou que as relações modelo-comparação se transferiam para as questões apresentadas nos blocos seguintes. Variações paramétricas em estudos futuros, entretanto, poderão gerar mais evidências de variáveis favorecedoras da aprendizagem de conceitos em tarefas de escolha em computador.

Metodologia para aplicação de reuso e reengenharia nos softwares de aquisição e redução de dados de um túnel de vento

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Projeto de antenas multibandas integradas para terminais 4G

O presente trabalho apresenta um projeto e análise de uma antena monopolo planar multibanda operante nas frequências de 2000 MHz, 2500 MHz e 3500 MHz para aplicação em dispositivos móveis 3G e 4G. Dentre essas faixas estão contidos os espectros 3G (1895- 2165 MHz), 4G (2500-2690 MHz) e 4G (3400-3600 MHz) utilizadas pelo LTE e WIMAX 3,5. Para o desenvolvimento desse estudo foi tomado como referência uma antena dual-band de Hua- Ming Chen projetada para operar em sistemas ISM 1800 MHz, redes Wireless e Bluetooth 2400 MHz. O projeto proposto neste trabalho é uma modificação na estrutura da antena dual-band adaptada para tripla ressonância simultânea em frequências utilizadas em redes móveis 4G. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto utilizou-se para simulação o software CST® MICROWAVE STUDIO baseado no método Integração Finita no Domínio, as simulações foram feitas no domínio do tempo. Após obtenção satisfatória dos resultados simulados, um protótipo da antena foi confeccionado para medição e teste, os resultados apresentados são coerentes aos obtidos na simulação, o que valida o método proposto.

Infusão alvo-controlada com propofol e remifentanil: estudo experimental em cães

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

Previsão de Preço (LMP) por Redes GRNN

Pós-graduação em Engenharia Elétrica - FEIS

Bloqueio pericoal guiado por ultrassom: ensaio clínico randonizado

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

Ultrasound-assisted periconal ocular blockade in rabbits

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the benefit and specifically the feasibility of using ultrasound in ophthalmologic periconal block, and the occurrence of complications.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsTen healthy New Zealand White rabbits (6-8months of age), weighing 2.0-3.5kg.MethodsRabbits were anesthetized by intramuscular injection of acepromazine (1mgkg(-1)), ketamine (30mgkg(-1)) and xylazine (3mgkg(-1)). Ultrasound-assisted periconal block with lidocaine was performed on 18 eyes. Intraocular pressure was measured by applanation tonometry whereas corneal sensitivity was assessed using an esthesiometer, before and after each periconal anesthesia.ResultsIn all 18 eyes, it was possible to adequately visualize the needle shaft within the periconal space, as well as muscular cone, optic nerve and local anesthetic solution spread. Lidocaine 2% without epinephrine (0.790.19mL) was injected into the periconal space. There was no statistical difference between the intraocular pressure (meanSD) measured before (10.9 +/- 2.9mmHg) and after (11.9 +/- 3.8mmHg) the periconal anesthesia (p=0.38). The effectiveness of the ultrasound-assisted technique was shown according to the values for corneal sensitivity, assessed before and after periconal anesthesia (p<0.0001). Complications were not observed in this study.ConclusionsEye ultrasonography allowed visualization of all anatomic structures necessary to perform a periconal block, as well as the needle insertion and anesthetic spread in real time. Further studies are required to prove the real potential of ultrasound for reducing the incidence of complications associated with ophthalmic blocks, especially when anatomic disorders of the eye could potentially increase the risk.Clinical relevanceUltrasonography is a painless, noninvasive tool that may improve safety of ophthalmic regional blocks, potentially by reducing the prevalence of globe perforation or penetration of the optic nerve associated with the needle-based techniques.

New likelihoods for shape analysis

We introduce a new kind of likelihood function based on the sequence of moments of the data distribution. Both binned and unbinned data samples are discussed, and the multivariate case is also derived. Building on this approach we lay out the formalism of shape analysis for signal searches. In addition to moment-based likelihoods, standard likelihoods and approximate statistical tests are provided. Enough material is included to make the paper self-contained from the perspective of shape analysis. We argue that the moment-based likelihoods can advantageously replace unbinned standard likelihoods for the search of nonlocal signals, by avoiding the step of fitting Monte Carlo generated distributions. This benefit increases with the number of variables simultaneously analyzed. The moment-based signal search is exemplified and tested in various 1D toy models mimicking typical high-energy signal-background configurations. Moment-based techniques should be particularly appropriate for the searches for effective operators at the LHC.

Avaliação das alterações volumétricas da cavidade nasal decorrentes da expansão rápida de maxila assistida cirurgicamente

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

Genetic polymorphisms modulate the folate metabolism of Brazilian individuals with Down syndrome

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) carry three copies of the Cystathionine beta-synthase (C beta S) gene. The increase in the dosage of this gene results in an altered profile of metabolites involved in the folate pathway, including reduced homocysteine (Hcy), methionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Furthermore, previous studies in individuals with DS have shown that genetic variants in genes involved in the folate pathway influence the concentrations of this metabolism's products. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether polymorphisms in genes involved in folate metabolism affect the plasma concentrations of Hcy and methylmalonic acid (MMA) along with the concentration of serum folate in individuals with DS. Twelve genetic polymorphisms were investigated in 90 individuals with DS (median age 1.29 years, range 0.07-30.35 years; 49 male and 41 female). Genotyping for the polymorphisms was performed either by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based techniques or by direct sequencing. Plasma concentrations of Hcy and MMA were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry as previously described, and serum folate was quantified using a competitive immunoassay. Our results indicate that the MTHFR C677T, MTR A2756G, TC2 C776G and BHMT G742A polymorphisms along with MMA concentration are predictors of Hcy concentration. They also show that age and Hcy concentration are predictors of MMA concentration. These findings could help to understand how genetic variation impacts folate metabolism and what metabolic consequences these variants have in individuals with trisomy 21.

Numerical analysis of control surface effects on AUV

Computational fluid dynamics, CFD, is becoming an essential tool in the prediction of the hydrodynamic efforts and flow characteristics of underwater vehicles for manoeuvring studies. However, when applied to the manoeuvrability of autonomous underwater vehicles, AUVs, most studies have focused on the de- termination of static coefficients without considering the effects of the vehicle control surface deflection. This paper analyses the hydrodynamic efforts generated on an AUV considering the combined effects of the control surface deflection and the angle of attack using CFD software based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes formulations. The CFD simulations are also independently conducted for the AUV bare hull and control surface to better identify their individual and interference efforts and to validate the simulations by comparing the experimental results obtained in a towing tank. Several simulations of the bare hull case were conducted to select the k –ω SST turbulent model with the viscosity approach that best predicts its hydrodynamic efforts. Mesh sensitivity analyses were conducted for all simulations. For the flow around the control surfaces, the CFD results were analysed according to two different methodologies, standard and nonlinear. The nonlinear regression methodology provides better results than the standard methodology does for predicting the stall at the control surface. The flow simulations have shown that the occurrence of the control surface stall depends on a linear relationship between the angle of attack and the control surface deflection. This type of information can be used in designing the vehicle’s autopilot system.

Luminescent Systems for Genomics and Proteomics

The present PhD project was focused on the development of new tools and methods for luminescence-based techniques. In particular, the ultimate goal was to present substantial improvements to the currently available technologies for both research and diagnostic in the fields of biology, proteomics and genomics. Different aspects and problems were investigated, requiring different strategies and approaches. The whole work was thus divided into separate chapters, each based on the study of one specific aspect of luminescence: Chemiluminescence, Fluorescence and Electrochemiluminescence. CHAPTER 1, Chemiluminescence The work on luminol-enhancer solution lead to a new luminol solution formulation with 1 order of magnitude lower detection limit for HRP. This technology was patented with Cyanagen brand and is now sold worldwide for Western Blot and ELISA applications. CHAPTER 2, Fluorescescence The work on dyed-doped silica nanoparticles is marking a new milestone in the development of nanotechnologies for biological applications. While the project is still in progress, preliminary studies on model structures are leading to very promising results. The improved brightness of these nano-sized objects, their simple synthesis and handling, their low toxicity will soon turn them, we strongly believe, into a new generation of fluorescent labels for many applications. CHAPTER 3, Electrochemiluminescence The work on electrochemiluminescence produced interesting results that can potentially turn into great improvements from an analytical point of view. Ru(bpy)3 derivatives were employed both for on-chip microarray (Chapter 3.1) and for microscopic imaging applications (Chapter 3.2). The development of these new techniques is still under investigation, but the obtained results confirm the possibility to achieve the final goal. Furthermore the development of new ECL-active species (Chapter 3.3, 3.4, 3.5) and their use in these applications can significantly improve overall performances, thus helping to spread ECL as powerful analytical tool for routinary techniques. To conclude, the results obtained are of strong value to largely increase the sensitivity of luminescence techniques, thus fulfilling the expectation we had at the beginning of this research work.