Empirical models for estimating the suspended sediment concentration in Amazonian white water rivers using Landsat 5/TM

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Drying kinetics and quality of natural coffee

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The influence of bone quality on the biomechanical behavior of full-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses

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

A Time-domain Harmonic Power-Flow Analysis in Electrical Energy Distribution Networks, Using Norton Models for Non-linear Loading

The purpose of this paper is to present the application of a three-phase harmonic propagation analysis time-domain tool, using the Norton model to approach the modeling of non-linear loads, making the harmonics currents flow more appropriate to the operation analysis and to the influence of mitigation elements analysis. This software makes it possible to obtain results closer to the real distribution network, considering voltages unbalances, currents imbalances and the application of mitigation elements for harmonic distortions. In this scenario, a real case study with network data and equipments connected to the network will be presented, as well as the modeling of non-linear loads based on real data obtained from some PCCs (Points of Common Coupling) of interests for a distribution company.

Fast determination of beef quality parameters with time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemometrics

The noteworthy of this study is to predict seven quality parameters for beef samples using time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) relaxometry data and multivariate models. Samples from 61 Bonsmara heifers were separated into five groups based on genetic (breeding composition) and feed system (grain and grass feed). Seven sample parameters were analyzed by reference methods; among them, three sensorial parameters, flavor, juiciness and tenderness and four physicochemical parameters, cooking loss, fat and moisture content and instrumental tenderness using Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF). The raw beef samples of the same animals were analyzed by TD-NMR relaxometry using Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) and Continuous Wave-Free Precession (CWFP) sequences. Regression models computed by partial least squares (PLS) chemometric technique using CPMG and CWFP data and the results of the classical analysis were constructed. The results allowed for the prediction of aforementioned seven properties. The predictive ability of the method was evaluated using the root mean square error (RMSE) for the calibration (RMSEC) and validation (RMSEP) data sets. The reference and predicted values showed no significant differences at a 95% confidence level.

A critical comparison of different approaches to sediment-quality assessments in the Santos estuarine system in Brazil

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Determination of quality parameters for mustard sauces in sealed packets using time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chemometrics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Neural models for predicting hole diameters in drilling processes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Neural models for predicting hole diameters in drilling processes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Evaluation of neural models applied to the estimation of tool wear in the grinding of advanced ceramics

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Parameterization of bio-optical models for estimating chlorophyll-a concentration in a tropical eutrophic reservoir

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Video Quality Assessments on Digital TV and Video Streaming Services Using Objective Metrics

There is a wide range of telecommunications services that transmit voice, video and data through complex transmission networks and in some cases, the service has not an acceptable quality level for the end user. In this sense the study of methods for assessing video quality and voice have a very important role. This paper presents a classification scheme, based on different criteria, of the methods and metrics that are being studied in recent years. This paper presents how the video quality is affected by degradation in the transmission channel in two kinds of services: Digital TV (ISDB-TB) due the fading in the air interface and video streaming service on an IP network due packet loss. For Digital TV tests was set up a scenario where the digital TV transmitter is connected to an RF channel emulator, where are inserted different fading models and at the end, the videos are saved in a mobile device. The tests of streaming video were performed in an isolated scenario of IP network, which are scheduled several network conditions, resulting in different qualities of video reception. The video quality assessment is performed using objective assessment methods: PSNR, SSIM and VQM. The results show how the losses in the transmission channel affects the quality of end-user experience on both services studied.

Response plateau models fitting via isotonic regression

Within the nutritional context, the supplementation of microminerals in bird food is often made in quantities exceeding those required in the attempt to ensure the proper performance of the animals. The experiments of type dosage x response are very common in the determination of levels of nutrients in optimal food balance and include the use of regression models to achieve this objective. Nevertheless, the regression analysis routine, generally, uses a priori information about a possible relationship between the response variable. The isotonic regression is a method of estimation by least squares that generates estimates which preserves data ordering. In the theory of isotonic regression this information is essential and it is expected to increase fitting efficiency. The objective of this work was to use an isotonic regression methodology, as an alternative way of analyzing data of Zn deposition in tibia of male birds of Hubbard lineage. We considered the models of plateau response of polynomial quadratic and linear exponential forms. In addition to these models, we also proposed the fitting of a logarithmic model to the data and the efficiency of the methodology was evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations, considering different scenarios for the parametric values. The isotonization of the data yielded an improvement in all the fitting quality parameters evaluated. Among the models used, the logarithmic presented estimates of the parameters more consistent with the values reported in literature.

Bayesian Analysis for Errors in Variables with Changepoint Models

Changepoint regression models have originally been developed in connection with applications in quality control, where a change from the in-control to the out-of-control state has to be detected based on the avaliable random observations. Up to now various changepoint models have been suggested for differents applications like reliability, econometrics or medicine. In many practical situations the covariate cannot be measured precisely and an alternative model are the errors in variable regression models. In this paper we study the regression model with errors in variables with changepoint from a Bayesian approach. From the simulation study we found that the proposed procedure produces estimates suitable for the changepoint and all other model parameters.

Protein quality control disruption by PKC beta II in heart failure: rescue by the selective PKC beta II inhibitor, beta IIV5-3

Myocardial remodeling and heart failure (HF) are common sequelae of many forms of cardiovascular disease and a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Accumulation of damaged cardiac proteins in heart failure has been described. However, how protein quality control (PQC) is regulated and its contribution to HF development are not known. Here, we describe a novel role for activated protein kinase C isoform beta II (PKC beta II) in disrupting PQC. We show that active PKC beta II directly phosphorylated the proteasome and inhibited proteasomal activity in vitro and in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes. Importantly, inhibition of PKC beta II, using a selective PKC beta II peptide inhibitor (beta IIV5-3), improved proteasomal activity and conferred protection in cultured neonatal cardiomyocytes. We also show that sustained inhibition of PKC beta II increased proteasomal activity, decreased accumulation of damaged and misfolded proteins and increased animal survival in two rat models of HF. Interestingly, beta IIV5-3-mediated protection was blunted by sustained proteasomal inhibition in HF. Finally, increased cardiac PKC beta II activity and accumulation of misfolded proteins associated with decreased proteasomal function were found also in remodeled and failing human hearts, indicating a potential clinical relevance of our findings. Together, our data highlights PKC beta II as a novel inhibitor of proteasomal function. PQC disruption by increased PKC beta II activity in vivo appears to contribute to the pathophysiology of heart failure, suggesting that PKC beta II inhibition may benefit patients with heart failure. (218 words)