Contribution of electrical parameters on the dynamical behaviour of a nonlinear electromagnetic damper

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

Active modal damping control of a smart truss structure using a self-organizing fuzzy controller

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

Evaluating the equilibrium association constant between artinM lectin and myeloid leukemia cells by impedimetric and piezoelectric label free approaches

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

Efeito agudo do alongamento de diferentes grupos musculares no desempenho muscular de idosas

Among the numerous possibilities of physical exercise, it has been recommended that stretching routines should be incorporated into training programs focused on the elderly population, and that these routines should be preferentially performed on the same strength or aerobic training session. However, studies have shown that muscle strength production can be acutely impaired if it is preceded by static stretching exercises (AE). Although there seems to be a relationship between the number of stretched muscles and strength response, no studies were found examining such relationship in the same study, simultaneously. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the acute effect of stretching of different muscle groups on strength performance in older women. Nineteen physically active older women participated in the study (67.8 ± 5.3 years, 68.9 ± 12.4 kg, 157.2 ± 6.4 cm)-usar ponto final em inglês e não vírgula. The participants visited the lab for six consecutive days, three of which were intended to familiarization. Over the next three days, all the participants performed the experimental conditions: control; quadriceps stretching alone and complete stretching, involving the major extensors muscle groups of knees and hips. Both the two stretching conditions were realized with three series of 30s (total volume of 90 seconds for each exercise). All experimental conditions was be performed with an interval of at least 24 hours and order of execution was be randomized. The force transducer was connected to a leg press apparatus, where the isometric force time curve and electromyographic activity of the vastus medial and vastus lateralis were recorded. Measurements were registered immediately after each experimental condition, during five seconds. Statistical analysis comprised descriptive procedures and the One way ANOVA test for repeated measures (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences between the control and the two...

Desenvolvimento de um durômetro portátil para madeiras com o uso de transdutor de deslocamento

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Obtenção e caracterização óptica e elétrica de 'La''Ta'O IND.4' e LiTaO Ind.3 puros e dopados com Eu POT.3+

Eletronicalceramics are used in many applications such as: multilayer capacitor, transducer, pyroelectric sensors and electrooptic devices. In recent years there has been a growing demand for eletronicalceramics with better performance and functionality. This demand has accelerated the development of synthesis techniques to produce powders with well-defined particle size, shape and crystallinity. The eletronicalceramics in the form of bulk are determined by their performance characteristics of the powders used and the preparation process. So, physical and chemical properties of powders, such as chemical control of stoichiometry, purity, homogeneity, particle size and shape should be observed when choosing the methods of synthesis. Among the techniques used so far, the polymeric precursor method, also known as Pechini, has been considered ideal for the preparation of nanosized powders. Thus, this research project aims to use the polymeric precursor method to prepare powders of lithium tantalate and lanthanum tantalate, with good chemical stability. In this aspect is proposed to investigate the effects of variation of the concentration of europium about the properties of tantalate because doping with Eu3 + indicates that they may occupy different sites in the crystal structure, as in the case of LiTaO3. Effects of things like occupation sites, stability of phases and formation temperature have been previously investigated by the group, which motivated the formulation of this project. Our proposal aims to introduce the Eu3 + LaTaO4 and LiTaO3 and study the structural and optical properties of the powders obtained by Pechini method, as well as correlate these studies with the electrical properties of the material, mainly the Ironelectricty Hysteresis.

Sinais digitais de um durômetro portátil para a estimativa de propriedades de madeiras para dormentes

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Energia na Agricultura) - FCA

Morphometric evaluation by ultrasonographic exam of the portal veinm vaudal vein and abdominal aorta in healthy dogs of diferent body weights

The diameters and areas of portal vein, caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta are useful measurements in dogs. These values can be easily measured by ultrasonographic exam, and variations of normality can be an important indicator of hepatic or extra-hepatic alterations. This study aimed to measure the diameter and areas of portal vein, caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta inhealthy dogs, with normal corporal score, divided in groups according to the body weight, and assess whether the data are influenced by animal weight. Thirty dogs were examined and divided into three groups (Group A: ≤ 10 kg Group B: from 10.1 to 20.0 kg; Group C: ≥ 20.1 kg). To measure thediameters and areas of portal vein, caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta, the animal was kept in left lateral decubitus position and the transducer was placed on the right lateral abdominal wall, at approximately the 10th or 11th intercostal space, in the porta hepatis region. The diameters and areas of the portal vein, caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta were significantly lower for dogs in Group A with respect to other groups and the dogs from Groups B and C had similar results with each other. The diameters and areas of the portal vein, caudal vena cava and abdominal aorta may vary with the animal size, and reference values must be specific for small, medium and large dogs. Key words: abdominal vessels; area; diameter; measurement; ultrasonographic exam

Doppervelocimetria da artéria oftálmica em gestantes pré-eclâmpticas com recém-nascidos portadores de restrição de crescimento

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Doppervelocimetria da artéria oftálmica em gestantes pré-eclâmpticas com recém-nascidos portadores de restrição de crescimento

Pós-graduação em Ginecologia, Obstetrícia e Mastologia - FMB

Presumed normal ultrasonographic findings of the testis and epididymis of Botos (Inia Geoffrensis)

Fifteen live adult male botos, or Amazon river dolphins (Inia geoffrensis), were examined using ultrasonography during the yearly capture expedition, between October and November 2005, at the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve, within the Brazilian Amazon (3 degrees S, 65 degrees W). All examinations were performed with a Sonosite 180 plus ultrasound unit in conjunction with a 2- to 5-MHz multifrequency transducer convex array 180 Plus/Elite-C60. Age and maturity estimates were determined considering the body length, weight, and external characteristics. In all examinations, the testes were discerned by the presence of a hyperechoic central line, called the mediastinum testis, a landmark for their identification during ultrasonography. No significant differences in echogenicity were detected on the ultrasonographic appearance of the testes among the studied animals. On adult male botos, apparent parenchymal nodulation of the testis was observed on scanning in most of the animals and probably constituted evidence of reproductive maturity. Using the color Doppler technique, blood flow was detected along the mediastinum testis that progressively decreased toward the periphery of this organ. Little blood flow could be identified by color Doppler. Power Doppler allowed better accuracy to identify testicular vessels, their topography, and their differentiation from adjacent structures. Ultrasonographic examination provides useful data for morphologic characterization of the boto's testes. Examination using Doppler techniques was considered a valuable tool to evidence blood flow through the testicular parenchyma.

The Regulation of Rasd1 Expression by Glucocorticoids and Prolactin Controls Peripartum Maternal Insulin Secretion

The transition from gestation to lactation is characterized by a robust adaptation of maternal pancreatic beta-cells. Consistent with the loss of beta-cell mass, glucose-induced insulin secretion is down-regulated in the islets of early lactating dams. Extensive experimental evidence has demonstrated that the surge of prolactin is responsible for the morphofunctional remodeling of the maternal endocrine pancreas during pregnancy, but the precise molecular mechanisms by which this phenotype is rapidly reversed after delivery are not completely understood. This study investigated whether glucocorticoid-regulated expression of Rasd1/Dexras, a small inhibitoryGprotein, is involved in this physiological plasticity. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that Rasd1 is localized within pancreatic beta-cells. Rasd1 expression in insulin-secreting cells was increased by dexamethasone and decreased by prolactin. In vivo data confirmed that Rasd1 expression is decreased in islets from pregnant rats and increased in islets from lactating mothers. Knockdown of Rasd1 abolished the inhibitory effects of dexamethasone on insulin secretion and the protein kinase A, protein kinase C, and ERK1/2 pathways. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b) cooperatively mediate glucocorticoid-induced Rasd1 expression in islets. Prolactin inhibited the stimulatory effect of GR/STAT5b complex on Rasd1 transcription. Overall, our data indicate that the stimulation of Rasd1 expression by glucocorticoid at the end of pregnancy reverses the increased insulin secretion that occurs during pregnancy. Prolactin negatively regulates this pathway by inhibiting GR/STAT5b transcriptional activity on the Rasd1 gene. (Endocrinology 153: 3668-3678, 2012)

Vibro-Acoustography Beam Formation with Reconfigurable Arrays

In this work, we present a numerical study of the use of reconfigurable arrays (RCA) for vibro-acoustography (VA) beam formation. A parametric study of the aperture selection, number of channels, number of elements, focal distance, and steering parameters is presented to show the feasibility and evaluate the performance of VA imaging based on RCA. The transducer aperture was based on two concentric arrays driven by two continuous-wave or toneburst signals at slightly different frequencies. The mathematical model considers a homogeneous, isotropic, inviscid medium. The point-spread function of the system is calculated based on angular spectrum methods using the Fresnel approximation for rectangular sources. Simulations considering arrays with 50 x 50 to 200 x 200 elements with number of channels varying in the range of 32 to 128 are evaluated to identify the best configuration for VA. Advantages of two-dimensional and RCA arrays and aspects related to clinical importance of the RCA implementation in VA, such as spatial resolution, image frame rate, and commercial machine implementation, are discussed. It is concluded that RCA transducers can produce spatial resolution similar to confocal transducers and steering is possible in the elevational and azimuthal planes. Optimal settings for number of elements, number of channels, maximum steering, and focal distance are suggested for VA clinical applications. Furthermore, an optimization for beam steering based on the channel assignment is proposed for balancing the contribution of the two waves in the steered focus.

Delineation of vertebral area on the coronal plane using three-dimensional ultrasonography advanced volume contrast imaging (VCI) Omni view: intrarater reliability and agreement using standard mouse, high definition mouse, and pen-tablet

Objective: To assess the fetal lumbosacral spine by three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography using volume contrast imaging (VCI) omni view method and compare reproducibility and agreement between three different measurement techniques: standard mouse, high definition mouse and pen-tablet. Methods: A comparative and prospective study with 40 pregnant women between 20 and 34+6 weeks was realized. 3D volume datasets of the fetal spine were acquired using a convex transabdominal transducer. Starting scan plane was the coronal section of fetal lumbosacral spine by VCI-C function. Omni view manual trace was selected and a parallel plane of fetal spine was drawn including interest region. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for reproducibility analysis. The relative difference between three used techniques was compared by chi-square test and Fischer test. Results: Pen-tablet showed better reliability (ICC = 0.987). In the relative proportion of differences, this was significantly higher for the pen-tablet (82.14%; p < 0.01). In paired comparison, the relative difference was significantly greater for the pen-tablet (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The pen-tablet showed to be the most reproductive and concordant method in the measurement of body vertebral area of fetal lumbosacral spine by 3D ultrasonography using the VCI.

Evaluating the performance of polypyrrole nanowires on the electrochemical sensing of ammonia in solution

This work encompasses the direct electrodeposition of polypyrrole nanowires onto Au substrates using different electrochemical techniques: normal pulse voltammetry (NPV) and constant potential method with the aim in applying these films for the first time in ammonia sensing in solution. The performance of these nanowire-based sensors are compared and evaluated in terms of: film morphology (analyzed with scanning electron microscopy); their sensitivity towards ammonia; electrochemical and contact angle measurements. For nanowires prepared by NPV, the sensitivity towards ammonia increases with increasing amount of electrodeposited polypyrrole, as expected due to the role of polypyrrole as electrochemical transducer for ammonia oxidation. On the other hand, nanowires prepared potentiostatically displayed an unexpected opposite behavior, attributed to the lower conductivity of longer polypyrrole nanowires obtained through this technique. These results evidenced that the analytical and physico-chemical features of nanostructured sensors can differ greatly from those of their conventional bulky analogous. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.