Biometric relationship analysis of the wet weight by carapace width to the swimming crab Arenaeus-cribrarius (Lamarck, 1818) (Crustacea, Brachyura, Portunidae)

The biometric relationship between the weigth and the carapace width in the swimming crab A. cribrarius was compared with the results from other portunid crabs studied previously. During November/1988 to October/1989, a total of 403 specimens (189 males and 214 females) were collected with otter-trawl nets in north coast of the São Paulo State, Brazil. The animals were measured (carapace width excluding lateral spines = LC! and weighed (wet weight = PE). The empiric points of this relation were fit according to the power function (Y = a.X(b)) for each sex, maturation phases and total of individuals. The relation PE x LC indicates that the mole's growth changes during the ontogenesys from isometric (in juvenile phase) to allometric positive (in adult phase). For the females the growth is isometric in the two phases. The weight grows in a higher proportion than the carapace width variable (allometric positive growth). The data can be grouped in a single equation (PE = 7.85.10(-5).LC(3.14)) for the convertion between the variables there was a greater similarity between the equations obtained far each sex. In spite of this, the males present the fattening grade value (''a'') slightly higher than that of the females, possibly because of the greater size reached in its devellopment. The mean weight of the males is greater than the females one (p < 0.01). In the range 80 proves 90mm the males were more abundant, probably due to the females terminal ecdysis is near this size. The females only have the mean weight greater than the males in the 60 proves 70mm range (p < 0.01) when the puberty molt occurs and they present morphological changes in their reproductive system.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis of MHD duct flow by the penalty function formulation

A numerical scheme based on the Finite Element Method (FEM) is presented to calculate the full solution of a three-dimensional steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow with moderately high Hartmann numbers and interaction parameters. An incompressible, viscous and electrically conducting liquid-metal is considered. Assuming a low magnetic Reynolds number, the solution method solves the coupled Navier-Stokes and Maxwell's equations through the use of a penalty function method. Results are presented for Hartmann numbers in the range 10(2)-10(3).

Application of compression test in analysis of mechanical and color changes in grapefruit juice powder as related to glass transition and water activity

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Rheological Analysis of Water Clay Compositions in Order to Investigate Mudflows Developing in Canals

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

Thermistor behaviour and electric conduction analysis of Ni-doped niobate ferroelectric: the role of multiple beta parameters

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Impedance spectroscopy analysis of TiO(2) thin film gas sensors obtained from water-based anatase colloids

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

Characterization of gallotannins from Astronium species by flow injection analysis-electrospray ionization-ion trap-tandem mass spectrometry and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

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

Sewage sludge coke estimation using thermal analysis

The imposition of more stringent legislation by CETESB in the State of So Paulo (Brazil) governing the disposal and utilization of sewage sludge, coupled with the growth in its generation has prompted a drive for alternative uses of sewage sludge. One option that is especially promising, due to its potential to valorize sludge, is its conversion into carbonaceous adsorbents or coke for industrial effluents treatment. Thus, a methodology is presented to estimate the coke produced from the sludge of a sewage treatment station using thermal analysis. The used sewage sludge, which comes from aerobic treatment, was collected in the wastewater treatment station of Barueri, one of the largest of the So Paulo metropolitan area. The sludge samples were collected, dried, ground, and milled until they passed an ABNT 200 sieve. The inert ambient used during its thermal treatment produces inorganic matter and coke as residual materials. Coke formation occurs in the 200-500 A degrees C range and, between 500 and 900 A degrees C, its thermal decomposition occurs. The highest formation of coke occurs at 500 A degrees C.

Short Range Order Evolution in the Preparation of SnO2 Based Materials

The evolution of Eu3+ doped SnO2 xerogels to the cassiterite structure observed during sintering was studied by means of Eu3+ spectroscopy, XRD and EXAFS at the Sn K-edge. Eu3+ ions adsorbed at the surface of colloidal particles present a broad distribution of sites, typical of oxide glasses. With sintering at 300°C, this distribution is still broadened. Crystallization is clearly observed by the three techniques with increasing sintering temperature. It is found that the addition of Eu3+ limits the crystallite growth.

Comparative structural analysis of neuromuscular junctions in mice at different ages

The authors studied the histochemical and ultrastructural modifications that occur in the neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) of fibularis longus muscles of mice with an age range of 3 to 21 months. Twenty-four male and female animals were killed at 3, 5, 14 and 21 months of age: 7 of them at 3 months, 4 of them at 5 month, 9 at 14 months and 4 at 21 months. The fibularis longus muscles were processed and their NMJ examined with the transmission electron microscope. The most relevant changes were associated with the degeneration and retraction of terminal axons, i.e., axons poor in synaptic vesicles with degenerated mitochondria, and exhibiting multivesicular bodies and vacuoles; exposed and widened junctional folds and cytoplasmic processes of Schwann cells located in the synaptic gutter. The presence of lysosomes or lipofuchsin in the juxtajunctional sarcoplasm was also noted. These observations suggest that the phenomena of retraction and budding occur in the NMJ with advancing age, with a predominance of events associated with degeneration, leading to profound changes in NMJ shape.

Joint Vibration Analysis in Patients with Articular Inflammation

The study of articular sounds using a computerized system (SonoPAK) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) of inflammatory origin revealed an increase of vibratory energy when compared to asymptomatic individuals. The following conclusions were reached: 1. The amount of vibratory energy registered in these patients ranged from 8.50 to 57.61 Hz. The major vibrations occurred in the middle of the mandibular opening cycle; 2. The mean vibratory energy measured at less than 300 Hz was between 5.70 and 48.64 Hz and at higher than 300 Hz was between 3.70 and 8.99 Hz; 3. The peak amplitude in the patients with inflammation ranged from 0.35 to 3.96 Pascal and the peak of frequency from 83.20 to 120.20 Hz.

Recognition of Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Neogene tectonic reactivation through apatite fission-track analysis in Precambrian areas of southeast Brazil: Association with the opening of the south Atlantic Ocean

Apatite fission-track analysis was used for the determination of thermal histories and ages in Precambrian areas of southeast Brazil. Together with geological and geomorphologic information, these ages enable us to quantify the thermal histories and timing of Mesozoic and Cenozoic epirogenic and tectonic processes. The collected samples are from different geomorphologic blocks: the high Mantiqueira mountain range (HMMR) with altitude above 1000 m, the low Mantiqueira mountain range (LMMR) under 1000 m, the Serra do Mar mountain range (SMMR), the Jundiá and Atlantic Plateaus, and the coastline, all of which have distinct thermal histories. During the Aptian (∼120 Ma), there was an uplift of the HMMR, coincident with opening of the south Atlantic Ocean. Its thermal history indicates heating (from ∼60 to∼80 °C) until the Paleocene, when rocks currently exposed in the LMMR reached temperatures of ∼100 °C. In this period, the Serra do Mar rift system and the Japi erosion surface were formed. The relief records the latter. During the Late Cretaceous, the SMMR was uplifted and probably linked to its origin; in the Tertiary, it experienced heating from ∼60 to ∼90 °C, then cooling that extends to the present. The SMMR, LMMR, and HMMR were reactivated mainly in the Paleocene, and the coastline during the Paleogene. These processes are reflected in the sedimentary sequences and discordances of the interior and continental margin basins. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

A method for the digital image analysis of ceramic grains based on shape factor segmentation

A very simple and robust method for ceramics grains quantitative image analysis is presented. Based on the use of optimal imaging conditions for reflective light microscopy of bulk samples, a digital image processing routine was developed for shading correction, noise suppressing and contours enhancement. Image analysis was done for grains selected according to their concavities, evaluated by perimeter ratio shape factor, to avoid consider the effects of breakouts and ghost boundaries due to ceramographic preparation limitations. As an example, the method was applied for two ceramics, to compare grain size and morphology distributions. In this case, most of artefacts introduced by ceramographic preparation could be discarded due to the use of perimeter ratio exclusion range.

In vitro propagation of Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae) as potential source for antitumoral and antioxidant quinomethide triterpenes production. A rapid quantitative method for their analysis by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

Cell culture of Maytenus ilicifolia were established in order to produce and to quantify the antitumoral and antioxidant quinonemethide triterpenes. In vitro calli were induced from leaf explants of native plants and cultured in semi-solid medium under controlled conditions of humidity, temperature and photoperiod. The quinonemethide triterpenes showed maximum accumulation in the logarithmic phase growth of the cell culture. A rapid, sensitive and reliable reverse-phase HPLC method was used for quantitative determination of the antitumoral and antioxidant quinonemethide triterpenes, 22β-hydroxymaytenin and maytenin in callus of Maytenus ilicifolia. Well resolved peaks with good detection response and linearity in the range 1.0 - 100 μg/mL were obtained. This quantitative work was performed by an external standard method.

Common architecture for discrete wavelet transform analysis and synthesis with sequential and constant processing elements

This paper adresses the problem on processing biological data such as cardiac beats, audio and ultrasonic range, calculating wavelet coefficients in real time, with processor clock running at frequency of present ASIC's and FPGA. The Paralell Filter Architecture for DWT has been improved, calculating wavelet coefficients in real time with hardware reduced to 60%. The new architecture, which also processes IDWT, is implemented with the Radix-2 or the Booth-Wallace Constant multipliers. Including series memory register banks, one integrated circuit Signal Analyzer, ultrasonic range, is presented.