Finite-difference calculation of donor energy levels in a spherical quantum dot subject to a magnetic field

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Diretrizes para o uso da gestão de design a partir de um diagnóstico setorial das microrregiões de Araçatuba e Birigui do Estado de São Paulo

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Computação gráfica: ferramenta didática de comunicação, design e produção

This paper aims to show some advantages brought by the computer graphics and inter-disciplinary communication within the academic institution UNESPBauru, using it as a teaching tool in undergraduate engineering and design. The communication in the classroom could be reconfigured through the adoption of new technologies by drawing a parallel between old and new programmatic contents, setting goals and parameters to improve communication between teacher and student, transferring and sediment of the given content and increasing production in quantity and complexity of work undertaken by students. As an example of computer graphics use, this work presents a final graduation work that was successful in the market, "Teardrop Trailer Caracol", as result of the final adoption of CAD technology as a teaching tool, design and production.

Contribuições do design gráfico para o design de superfície

Graphic Design is a profession established with advent artistic vanguards of the twentieth century. As professional activity, it works with planning and projects which involve the visual solution of communication and information problems. Then, The Surface Design is the professional practice pledged with the elaboration of projects for coatings and application in products, giving attention to the production and materials in the processes. The relation between both Design areas is connected, at first, by the two-dimensional characteristic. In Brazil, academic study about Surface Design is in evolution and some universities works with this subject. Analyzing the concepts and characteristics concerning methodologies that comprehend both Graphic Design and Surface Design becomes a current and including subject. Therefore, it is necessary the conceptual unfolding and methodological in order to establish relations and contributions involved in the field of Graphic Design and apply them in Surface Design. Thus, the present study aimed to check concepts and particular functions of Graphic Design and to establish its relations and contributions for Surface Design. The results of this study can be used as teaching support and professional practice.

Diretrizes para análise e desenvolvimento de identidade visual: contribuições para o design ergonômico

Currently, too much visual information present in all media is form vehemently, for example, in print media and interfaces used for publicity in conjunction with informational design. This visual information has great influence in the lives of human beings, since the vision of these individuals is the sense most used. Studies on visual identity have not explored this issue in a satisfactory manner, favoring thus the subject of this little development projects in the area. Note the need for analyzes to enable implementation principles of projective, making them accessible to the understanding of most individuals. This study aimed to propose an evaluation of visual identities, which were analyzed by means of visual concepts of usability, design methodologies and Gestalt. We contacted design firms specializing in visual identity projects, places where interviews were conducted to collect the marks allowed for analysis. The results point to a frequent demand the employment of visual usability principles, design methodologies and design in Gestalt visual identities.

Design de objetos de aprendizagem digital do ponto de vista da usabilidade

Technological resources and the media are contributing to socioeconomic development, including the education sector. Application of Digital Learning Objects support learning, serving as a tool for distance learning arrangements and classroom. The quality of design in instructional materials is one factor that implies the motivation of students and support their learning, within this context, the creation of educational interactive multimedia applications should excel the content and good usability, while facilitating user interaction. The aim of this paper was to establish parameters for the creation and management of Digital Learning Objects.

Caos e complexidade: design de superficie e os novos paradigmas da ciencia

The expressive possibilities within the field of surface design come up with increasingly larger with the emergence of technologies that allow the construction of forms and structures of high complexity such as three-dimensional printing. Establishing a relationship between design and complex systems, this work seeks to address the significant interrelationship of new paradigms of science, designed from concepts such as chaos, complexity and self-organization along with the cyber and parametric design, assuming thus the consequent impact of these in the creation and construction of process surfaces. Starting from the investigation of the applicability of the aforementioned conceptual bases, will be exemplified prospects of surface, produced in the first instance through computer interfaces, assigning the emergence of new creative processes and technology. Furthermore, elucidating biomimetics and its importance in the design of the design as a means of inspiration in complex systems of nature.

Design gráfico ergonômico: método para verificação de níveis de usabilidade de fontes tipográficas para texto em suportes impressos e digitais

Pós-graduação em Design - FAAC

A prática como componente curricular via Projeto Integrado de Prática Educativa (PIPE) no ensino de estatística na Universidade: implementação e implicações na Formação Inicial do Professor de Matemática

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Selection of Switching Sites in All-Optical Nework Topology Design

In this paper, we consider the problem of topology design for optical networks. We investigate the problem of selecting switching sites to minimize total cost of the optical network. The cost of an optical network can be expressed as a sum of three main factors: the site cost, the link cost, and the switch cost. To the best of our knowledge, this problem has not been studied in its general form as investigated in this paper. We present a mixed integer quadratic programming (MIQP) formulation of the problem to find the optimal value of the total network cost. We also present an efficient heuristic to approximate the solution in polynomial time. The experimental results show good performance of the heuristic. The value of the total network cost computed by the heuristic varies within 2% to 21% of its optimal value in the experiments with 10 nodes. The total network cost computed by the heuristic for 51% of the experiments with 10 node network topologies varies within 8% of its optimal value. We also discuss the insight gained from our experiments.

Automatic design of decision-tree induction algorithms tailored to flexible-receptor docking data

Background: This paper addresses the prediction of the free energy of binding of a drug candidate with enzyme InhA associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This problem is found within rational drug design, where interactions between drug candidates and target proteins are verified through molecular docking simulations. In this application, it is important not only to correctly predict the free energy of binding, but also to provide a comprehensible model that could be validated by a domain specialist. Decision-tree induction algorithms have been successfully used in drug-design related applications, specially considering that decision trees are simple to understand, interpret, and validate. There are several decision-tree induction algorithms available for general-use, but each one has a bias that makes it more suitable for a particular data distribution. In this article, we propose and investigate the automatic design of decision-tree induction algorithms tailored to particular drug-enzyme binding data sets. We investigate the performance of our new method for evaluating binding conformations of different drug candidates to InhA, and we analyze our findings with respect to decision tree accuracy, comprehensibility, and biological relevance. Results: The empirical analysis indicates that our method is capable of automatically generating decision-tree induction algorithms that significantly outperform the traditional C4.5 algorithm with respect to both accuracy and comprehensibility. In addition, we provide the biological interpretation of the rules generated by our approach, reinforcing the importance of comprehensible predictive models in this particular bioinformatics application. Conclusions: We conclude that automatically designing a decision-tree algorithm tailored to molecular docking data is a promising alternative for the prediction of the free energy from the binding of a drug candidate with a flexible-receptor.

Ear and electrode effects reduce within-group variability in middle latency response amplitude measures

Objectives: To establish normative amplitude values for relative difference measurements of the middle latency response (MLR) in normal-hearing pediatrics and to determine if these measurements provided a significant reduction of within-group variability when compared to raw, absolute amplitude measures. A relative amplitude difference is defined in the present paper as the difference in Na-Pa amplitude between two electrodes (e.g. vertical bar Na-Pa at C3 minus Na-Pa at C4 vertical bar, or electrode effects) or between two ears (e.g. vertical bar Na-Pa on left ear stimulation minus Na-Pa on right ear stimulation vertical bar, or ear effects). In contrast, an absolute amplitude is defined as a single Na-Pa measurement made at one electrode for stimulation of one ear (e.g. Na-Pa measured at C3 on left ear stimulation). Design: Cross-sectional study. Study sample: 155 pediatrics with normal peripheral and central hearing, and no history of psychological, neurological, or learning disability issues. Results: Within-group variability was significantly smaller for relative differences when compared to absolute amplitude measures. Electrode effects showed significantly less variability than ear effects. Normative values for ear and electrode effects were reported. Conclusions: Relative differences may provide better utility in the clinical diagnosis of central auditory pathology in pediatrics when compared to absolute amplitude measures because these difference measures show significantly lower variability when examined across subjects.

The effect of implant design on insertion torque and immediate micromotion

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of insertion torque on micromotion to a lateral force in three different implant designs. Material and methods: Thirty-six implants with identical thread design, but different cutting groove design were divided in three groups: (1) non-fluted (no cutting groove, solid screw-form); (2) fluted (901 cut at the apex, tap design); and (3) Blossomt (Patent pending) (non-fluted with engineered trimmed thread design). The implants were screwed into polyurethane foam blocks and the insertion torque was recorded after each turn of 901 by a digital torque gauge. Controlled lateral loads of 10N followed by increments of 5 up to 100N were sequentially applied by a digital force gauge on a titanium abutment. Statistical comparison was performed with two-way mixed model ANOVA that evaluated implant design group, linear effects of turns and displacement loads, and their interaction. Results: While insertion torque increased as a function of number of turns for each design, the slope and final values increased (Po0.001) progressively from the Blossomt to the fluted to the non-fluted design (M +/- standard deviation [SD] = 64.1 +/- 26.8, 139.4 +/- 17.2, and 205.23 +/- 24.3 Ncm, respectively). While a linear relationship between horizontal displacement and lateral force was observed for each design, the slope and maximal displacement increased (Po0.001) progressively from the Blossomt to the fluted to the non-fluted design (M +/- SD 530 +/- 57.7, 585.9 +/- 82.4, and 782.33 +/- 269.4 mm, respectively). There was negligible to moderate levels of association between insertion torque and lateral displacement in the Blossomt, fluted and non-fluted design groups, respectively. Conclusion: Insertion torque was reduced in implant macrodesigns that incorporated cutting edges, and lesser insertion torque was generally associated with decreased micromovement. However, insertion torque and micromotion were unrelated within implant designs, particularly for those designs showing the least insertion torque.

Design of laminated piezocomposite shell transducers with arbitrary fiber orientation using topology optimization approach

Sensor and actuator based on laminated piezocomposite shells have shown increasing demand in the field of smart structures. The distribution of piezoelectric material within material layers affects the performance of these structures; therefore, its amount, shape, size, placement, and polarization should be simultaneously considered in an optimization problem. In addition, previous works suggest the concept of laminated piezocomposite structure that includes fiber-reinforced composite layer can increase the performance of these piezoelectric transducers; however, the design optimization of these devices has not been fully explored yet. Thus, this work aims the development of a methodology using topology optimization techniques for static design of laminated piezocomposite shell structures by considering the optimization of piezoelectric material and polarization distributions together with the optimization of the fiber angle of the composite orthotropic layers, which is free to assume different values along the same composite layer. The finite element model is based on the laminated piezoelectric shell theory, using the degenerate three-dimensional solid approach and first-order shell theory kinematics that accounts for the transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia effects. The topology optimization formulation is implemented by combining the piezoelectric material with penalization and polarization model and the discrete material optimization, where the design variables describe the amount of piezoelectric material and polarization sign at each finite element, with the fiber angles, respectively. Three different objective functions are formulated for the design of actuators, sensors, and energy harvesters. Results of laminated piezocomposite shell transducers are presented to illustrate the method. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.