Lumber quality of Eucalyptus grandis as a function of diametrical position and log steaming

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

Simetria de invariância de escala discreta, log-periodicidade e singularidades em tempo finito

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Log smoldering after an Amazonian deforestation fire

The characteristics of log smoldering after an Amazonian deforestation fire are described. The experiment was carried out in 2001 at the Caiabi farm, near the city of Alta Floresta, state of Mato Grosso, Brazil, as part of a set of tests that have been performed in the same area since 1997. A 200 x 200m(2) test area was slashed in the beginning of June and burned on 20 August. The area contained 507 logs with diameter at breast height (DBH) higher than 10 cm, per hectare. In the day following the main burn 59 logs were found to remain smoldering, a number that corresponds to 2.9% of the total in the area. We chose 11 of the 59 logs to have their smoldering process monitored. Their diameter, moisture content and CHN dry biomass composition after the plot burn and before smoldering were determined. Other parameters such as temperature distribution while smoldering, porosity, density and mass volatilized during thermogravimetric test were also determined. Average smoldering speeds were in the range from 0.8 to 1.5 cm h(-1) for logs that smoldered without transition to the flaming regime. The average speed increased to 2.1 cm h(-1) for those logs that oscillated between smoldering and flaming. The speeds were lower overnight as compared to values determined during daytime for the same log. Higher log moisture contents were found to produce decreased speeds. Micro-porous biomass was not observed in the set of the 11 selected logs. Smoldering was observed to occur at substantial intensity in crossing of logs, with no longitudinal propagation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Generalized Log-Normal Model for Grouped Survival Data

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Heavy-intensity aerobic exercise affects the isokinetic torque and functional but not conventional hamstrings:quadriceps ratios

Running exercises are frequently related to muscular injuries, which may be a result of muscular imbalance. The present study aimed to verify the effects of heavy-intensity continuous running exercise on the functional and conventional hamstrings: quadriceps ratios, and also in the knee flexors and extensors EMG activity in active non-athletic individuals. Sixteen active males performed maximal isokinetic concentric and eccentric knee flexions and extensions at 60 degrees s(-1) and 180 degrees s(-1). In another session, the same procedure was conducted after a continuous running exercise at 95% onset of blood lactate accumulation. Torque and electromyographic ratios were calculated from peak torque and integrated electromyographic activity (knee flexor and extensors). Creatine kinase was measured before and 24 h after running exercise. Eccentric torque (knee flexion and extension) decreased significantly after running only at 180 degrees s(-1) (p < 0.05). No differences were found for the conventional torque ratios (p > 0.05), however, the functional torque ratios at 180 degrees s(-1) decreased significantly after running (p < 0.05). No effects on the electromyographic activity and electronnyographic ratios were found (p > 0.05). Creatine kinase increased slightly 24 h after running (p < 0.05). Heavy-intensity continuous running exercise decreased knee flexor and extensor eccentric torque, and functional torque ratios under fast velocities (180 degrees s(-1)), probably as result of peripheral fatigue. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Measurement of the ratios of the Z/gamma*+ >= n jet production cross sections to the total inclusive Z/gamma* cross section in p(p)over-bar collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

We present a study of events with Z bosons and associated jets produced at the Fermilab Tevatron collider in p p collisions at a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV The data sample consists of nearly 14000 Z/gamma* -> e(+)e(-) candidates corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.4 fb(-1) collected with the D circle divide detector. Ratios of the Z/gamma*+ >= n jet cross sections to the total inclusive Z/gamma* cross section have been measured for n = 1-4 jets, and found to be in good agreement with a next-to-leading order QCD calculation and with a tree-level QCD prediction with parton shower simulation and hadronization. Published by Elsevier B.V

Kaon and Pion Electromagnetic Form Factor Ratios in the Light-Front

We have applied the light-front formalism to calculate the electromagnetic form factors for the pion and the kaon from two models at low and high energies in order to explore the differences between such models. We have also compared the results for the ratio F(K)(Q(2))/F(pi)(Q(2)) with the experimental data, up to 10 [GeV/c](2) and we have observed that the theoretical results are in good concordance for low energies, but they are very different at higher energy scales.

Ratios of dijet production cross sections as a function of the absolute difference in rapidity between jets in proton-proton collisions at root s=7 TeV

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nitrification processes in groundwaters evidenced by modification on the U contents and U-234/U-238 activity ratios

Groundwaters from the Botucatu-Piramboia aquifer system located at the Parana sedimentary basin in Brazil and sampled at Ribeirao Preto city, São Paulo State, were chemically and isotopically analysed, with the aim of evaluating how uranium isotopes U-234 and U-238 can be utilized to monitor the progress of nitrate, the main indicator of agrichemical pollution into an aquifer. Based on the isotope dilution analysis, the U-234/U-238 activity ratio and U content data in the groundwaters were utilized to deduce their proportions in a mixture, suggesting that the water not affected significantly by nitrification still dominates the exploitation system involving the studied wells.

Preference ratios for mercury and other chemical elements in the Madeira River, Brazil

Samples of water, suspended solids, and bottom sediments from the Madeira River, Rondonia state, Brazil, were physically and chemically analyzed to investigate the actual Hg mobilization in the aquatic environment and compare it with that of other heavy metals and elements in the area. Two dimensionless Hg preference ratios were defined, expressing (1) the ratio of Hg and other elements in the liquid phase divided by the ratio of Hg and other elements in bottom sediments (P(l.phase)) and (2) the ratio of Hg and other elements in the particulate matter divided by the ratio of Hg and other elements in bottom sediments (P(s.solids)). These preference ratios are useful for comparing Hg transport in three different phases (liquid, particulate matter, and bottom sediments). They also were applicable to any analyzed elementin the area studied, because they generated an almost constant value when the maximum calculated was divided by the minimum (P(l.phase) = 2931; P(s.solids) = 84) and because of their sensitivity to the dominance of sorption processes by Fe oxides and hydroxides. Mercury could be transported preferentially to other analyzed elements in the particulate phase only if its concentration reached values at least 10(4)-fold higher than those expected or quantified in the area. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methanogenic potential and microbial community of anaerobic batch reactors at different ethylamine/sulfate ratios

Methylamine and sulfate are compounds commonly found in wastewaters. This study aimed to determine the methanogenic potential of anaerobic reactors containing these compounds and to correlate it with their microbial communities. Batch experiments were performed at different methylamine/sulfate ratios of 0.71, 1.26 and 2.18 (with respect to mass concentration). Control and experimental runs were inoculated with fragmented granular sludge. The maximum specific methane formation rates were approximately 2.3 mmol CH4 L-1 g TVS-1 day-1 for all conditions containing methylamine, regardless of sulfate addition. At the end of the experiment, total ammonium-N and methane formation were proportional to the initial concentrations of methylamine. In the presence of methylamine and sulfate, Firmicutes (46%), Deferribacteres (13%) and Proteobacteria (12%) were the predominant phyla of the Bacteria domain, while Spirochaetes (40%), Deferribacteres (17%) and Bacteroidetes (16%) predominated in the presence of methylamine only. There was no competition for methylamine between sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea.

Crescimento alométrico de osso, músculo e gordura em cortes da carcaça de cordeiros Texel segundo os métodos de alimentação e peso de abate

O experimento teve como objetivo estudar o crescimento alométrico dos diferentes tecidos do pescoço, costela, paleta e perna em relação ao peso do corte de cordeiros e cordeiras. Foram utilizados 22 machos inteiros e 23 fêmeas da raça Texel. Desses, sete foram abatidos no início do experimento e os demais, aos pesos de 25 ou 33kg. As ovelhas mais cordeiros foram distribuídos em três métodos de alimentação: M1 -Silagem de milho e concentrado, apenas aos cordeiros até o desmame, aos 60 dias; M2 - Silagem de milho e concentrado, apenas aos cordeiros até o desmame, aos 45 dias e M3 - Silagem de milho e concentrado para ovelha mais cordeiro até o desmame com 60 dias. Após o desmame, os cordeiros receberam silagem mais concentrado. Foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 3 x 2 x 2 (3 métodos, 2 sexos e 2 pesos de abate). A determinação do crescimento foi obtida através da equação log y = log.a + b log.x, utilizando-se o logaritmo do peso de osso, músculo e gordura em função do logaritmo do peso do corte. Observou-se que o osso do pescoço e da costela foram precoce (b<1) em ambos os sexos, com coeficientes de alometria variando de 0,61 a 0,79; 0,81 a 0,88. O músculo foi isométrico (b=1) no pescoço e precoce (b<1) na costela com exceção dos machos do método um e três que apresentaram crescimento isométrico (b=1). A gordura foi tardia (b>1) independente de sexo e método de alimentação com coeficientes de alometria variando de 1,78 a 2,15 (pescoço) e 1,51 a 1,65 (costela). Na paleta, o osso foi precoce em ambos os sexos, com coeficientes de alometria variando de 0,76 a 0,79 e 0,54 a 0,58 respectivamente para machos e fêmeas. O músculo apresentou crescimento isométrico (b=1), independente de sexo e peso de abate. A gordura foi tardia (b>1) independente de peso de abate e sexo, com coeficientes de alometria variando de 1,80 a 2,12. Na perna o osso apresentou crescimento precoce nas fêmeas e isométricas nos machos, com coeficientes de alometria variando de 0,57 a 0,63 e 0,78 a 0,80 respectivamente para ambos os sexos O músculo apresentou crescimento isométrico (b=1), independente de sexo e peso de abate. A gordura foi tardia (b>1) independente de peso de abate e sexo com coeficientes de alometria variando de 1,80 a 2,12.

Gradually truncated log-normal in USA publicly traded firm size distribution

We study the statistical distribution of firm size for USA and Brazilian publicly traded firms through the Zipf plot technique. Sale size is used to measure firm size. The Brazilian firm size distribution is given by a log-normal distribution without any adjustable parameter. However, we also need to consider different parameters of log-normal distribution for the largest firms in the distribution, which are mostly foreign firms. The log-normal distribution has to be gradually truncated after a certain critical value for USA firms. Therefore, the original hypothesis of proportional effect proposed by Gibrat is valid with some modification for very large firms. We also consider the possible mechanisms behind this distribution. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effect of Different Solvent Ratios (Water/Ethylene Glycol) on the Growth Process of CaMoO4 Crystals and Their Optical Properties

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