Multi-objective evolutionary particle swarm optimization in the assessment of the impact of distributed generation

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

Determination of the photoinduced birefringence and of the refractive index by Brewster method of epoxy resin doped with CdS

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus from home-treated peritoneal dialysis patients

Staphylococcus aureus is the main agent of infections during peritoneal dialysis (PD). The presence of S. aureus in the nasal cavity has been extensively studied and suggested as a risk factor of dialysis-related infections, whereas coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) species are frequently considered part of the normal human microbiota. The aim of this study was to identify Staphylococcus in the nasal cavity, pericatheter skin and peritoneal effluent from PD patients, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial activity evolution in vitro. Thirty-two chronic PD patients were observed during 12 months and had nasal and pericatheter skin samples collected for culture. When peritonitis was detected, samples were also collected from the peritoneal effluent for culture. The activity of several antimicrobial drugs (penicillin G, oxacillin, cephalothin, ofloxacin, netilmicin and vancomycin) against different Staphylococcus species was measured by using the agar drug diffusion assay (Kirby-Bauer method). Staphylococcus was separated into S. aureus, S. epidermidis and other CNS species in order to determine the in vitro resistance level. S. epidermidis resistance to oxacillin progressively increased during the study period (p < 0.05). Resistance to ofloxacin was inexpressive, whereas resistance to netilmicin and vancomycin was not detected. of the oxacillin-resistant species (n = 74), 83% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS and 4% S. aureus (p < 0.05). Regarding multidrug resistant strains (n = 45), 82% were S. epidermidis, 13% other CNS, and 5% S. aureus (p < 0.05). This study shows the relevance of resistance to oxacillin and CNS multi-drug resistance, particularly concerning S. epidermidis, in PD patients.

Matter-wave two-dimensional solitons in crossed linear and nonlinear optical lattices

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

A combined method for evaluating radon and progeny in waters and its use at Guarani aquifer, São Paulo State, Brazil

A combined method for evaluating radon (Rn-222) and progeny (Pb-214 and Bi-214) in water was developed by using inexpensive alpha scintillation Counting and gamma ray spectrometry through NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors. A groundwater sample collected at the Pocos de Caldas alkaline massif in Brazil was submitted to the technique in order to assure its applicability by comparing the volumetric activities by different methods. Similar volumetric activity was determined for Pb-214 and Bi-214 in the sample analyzed that is compatible with the expected condition of radioactive equilibrium between these nuclides. The combined method was successfully used to analyze groundwater samples from Guarani aquifer in S (a) over tildeo Paulo State, Brazil, and the results of the measurements indicated that Pb-214 and Bi-214 provide useful information concerning the evaluation of the drinking water quality in terms of radiological aspects. This is because they are directly identified in the water samples, without the need of requiring the assumption of the establishment of the transient equilibrium condition with its parent Rn-222. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formation of TiO2 ceramic foams from the integration of the sol-gel method with surfactants assembly and emulsion

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Comparison between E-test and CLSI broth microdilution method for antifungal susceptibility testing of Candida albicans oral isolates

Trinta Candida albicans isoladas de pacientes portadores de candidose oral e 30 Candida albicans isoladas de indivíduos controle foram estudadas. Testes de susceptibilidade in vitro foram realizados com anfotericina B, fluconazol, 5-flucitosina e itraconazol pelo método do Clinical and Laboratorial Standars Institute (CLSI) e por E-test. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados e comparados. Os valores de CIM foram semelhantes para amostras isoladas de pacientes portadores de candidose oral e indivíduos controle. A concordância entre os dois métodos foi de 66,7% para a anfotericina B, 53,33% para o fluconazol, 65% para a flucitosina e 45% para o itraconazol. de acordo com estes resultados, o método do E-test poderia ser uma alternativa para a triagem de casos de rotina pela sua simplicidade. Entretanto, este método não pode ser considerado como um substituto para o método de referência do CLSI.

A square-wave voltammetric method for analysing the colour marker quinizarine in petrol and diesel fuels

This work presents an electroanalytical method based on square-wave voltammetry (SWV) for the determination of quinizarine (QNZ) in a mixture of Britton-Robinson buffer 0.08 mol L-1 with 30% of acetonitrile. The QNZ was oxidized at glassy carbon electrode in and the well-defined peak at +0.45 V vs. Ag/AgCl can be used for its determination as colour marker in fuel samples. All parameters were optimized and analytical curves can be constructed for QNZ concentrations ranging from 2.0 x 10(-6) mol L-1 to 1.4 x 10(-5) mol L-1, using f = 60 Hz and E-sw = 25 mV. The method offers a limit detection of 4.12 x 10(-7) mol L-1 and a standard deviation of 4.5% when six measurements of 1.25 x 10(-5) mol L-1 are compared. The method was successfully applied for determining QNZ in gasoline and diesel oil and the obtained results showed good agreement with those reported previously. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal and structural investigation of SnO2/Sb2O3 obtained by the polymeric precursor method

SnO2-based materials are used as sensors, catalysts and in electro-optical devices. This work aims to synthesize and characterize the SnO2/Sb2O3-based inorganic pigments, obtained by the polymeric precursor method, also known as Pechini method (based on the metallic citrate polymerization by means of ethylene glycol). The precursors were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). After characterization, the precursors were heat-treated at different temperatures and characterized by X-ray diffraction. According to the TG/DTA curves basically two-step mass loss process was observed: the first one is related to the dehydration of the system; and the second one is representative to the combustion of the organic matter. Increase of the heat treatment temperature from 500 to 600 degrees C and 700 degrees C resulted higher crystallinity of the formed product.

Indium hydroxide nanocubes and microcubes obtained by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

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

Clinical evaluation of the association of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and TMD diagnosis

Objective: To verify a potential association between the presence of noncarious cervical lesions, parafunctional habits, and temporomandibular disorder (TMD) diagnosis. Method and Materials: Sample-size calculation provided a value of 130 participants with a confidence level of 95% and an error margin of 5%. A population of 132 volunteers (30 men: mean age, 23.7 +/- 3.05 years; 102 women: mean age, 24.9 +/- 5.86 years) underwent an oral examination and was interviewed by a trained dentist. The following parameters were registered: personal details, TMD diagnosis, parafunctional habits, and noncarious cervical lesion presence. The population was then divided into a noncarious cervical lesion group and a control group and subjected to the t test, chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and Spearman correlation (alpha = .05). Results: Noncarious cervical lesions were present in 39% of the population, with the largest concentrations found in the maxillary premolars (32%). The data showed a significant association between noncarious cervical lesion presence, tooth clenching (P = .03), and nail biting (P = .02), as well as a relation with TMD diagnosis (Fonseca Index [P = .01] and Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (RDC/TMD) [P = .004] ). In the noncarious cervical lesion group, direct rank correlation was found between maxillary premolars and clenching (P = .03), mandibular canines and nail biting (P = .05), and mandibular incisors and parafunctional habits without dental contacts (P = .02). Conclusion: Parafunctional habits and TMD presence should be taken into account in the diagnosis and treatment plan of noncarious cervical lesions.

Alternative continuation method for loading margin improvement and transmission losses reduction

This paper presents an alternative methodology for loading margin improvement and total real power losses reduction by using a continuation method. In order to attain this goal, a parameterizing equation based on the total real power losses and the equations of the reactive power at the slack and generation buses are added to the conventional power flow equations. The voltages at these buses are considered as control variables and a new parameter is chosen to reduce the real power losses in the transmission lines. The results show that this procedure leads to maximum loading point increase and consequently, in static voltage stability margin improvement. Besides, this procedure also takes to a reduction in the operational costs and, simultaneously, to voltage profile improvement. Another important result of this methodology is that the resulting operating points are close to that provided by an optimal power flow program. © 2004 IEEE.

A simple spectrophotometry method for the determination of tetracycline and doxycycline in pharmaceutical formulations using chloramine-T

A simple, rapid, accurate and inexpensive spectrophotometric method for the determination of tetracycline and doxycycline has been developed. The method is based on the reaction between these drugs and chloramine-T in alkaline medium producing red color products with absorbance maximum at the λ=535 and 525 nm for the tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively. The best conditions for the reactions have been found using multivariate method. Beer's law is obeyed in a concentration ranges 1. 03 x 10 -5 to 3. 61 x 10 4mol L -1 and 1. 75 x 10 -5 to 3. 48 x 10 4mol L -1 for the tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively. The quantification limits were 5. 63 x 10 -6 mol L -1 and 7. 12 x 10 -7 mol L -1 for the tetracycline and doxycycline, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in pharmaceutical formulations and the results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained by the comparative method at the 95% confidence level.

Preparation and photoluminescence characteristics of In(OH) 3:xTb3+ obtained by Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal method

Crystalline terbium-doped indium hydroxide structures were prepared by a rapid and efficient Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal (MAH) method. Nanostructures were obtained at a low temperature. FE-SEM images confirm that these samples are composed of 3D nanostructures. XRD, optical diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence (PL) measurements were used to characterize the products. Emission spectra of terbium-doped indium hydroxide (In(OH)3:xTb 3+) samples under excitation (350.7 nm) presented broad band emission referent to the indium hydroxide matrix and 5D4 → 7F6, 5D4 → 7F 5, 5D4 → 7F4, and 5D4 → 7F3 terbium transitions at 495, 550, 590 and 627 nm, respectively. Relative intensities of the Tb 3+ emissions increased as the concentration of this ion increased from 0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 mol%, of Tb3+, but the luminescence is drastically quenched for the In(OH)3 matrix. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Zoneamento geoambiental da região compreendida pelas folhas topográficas São José dos Campos e Jacareí-SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)