Desenvolvimento de metodologia para determinação de Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se e V em amostras de água produzida da indústria do petróleo através da técnica ICP OES utilizando digestão por micro-ondas

O descarte ou reutilização da água produzida da indústria do petróleo é difícil por causa dos impactos ambientais causados devido à presença de alta salinidade e componentes tóxicos, ou pelo risco de obstrução nas colunas de produção devido à formação de incrustações que causam redução na produção de petróleo e enormes perdas no processo de extração. Assim, o conhecimento da composição química da água produzida é muito importante. O método proposto por este trabalho visa a determinação de elementos traço (Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se e V) em amostras de água produzida de petróleo por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) utilizando a digestão ácida assistida por micro-ondas para o preparo das amostras (15 g de amostra e 2 mL de HNO3 concentrado). A curva analítica construída em HNO3 2% v v-1 foi adotada para o método após verificar que não é necessário o uso de salinidade para equiparação de matriz. Para o elemento Ni, não há necessidade do uso de padrão interno, para os elementos Co, Cr, Fe, Mn e V os melhores resultados foram obtidos usando Sc como padrão interno. Para o elemento Se é recomendado o uso de Y como padrão interno. Os limites de detecção obtidos foram Co 0,67, Cr 1,2, Fe 2,3, Mn 0,49, Ni 1,9, Se 3,7 e V 5,5 μg L-1; e os limites de quantificação foram Co 2,2, Cr 4,0, Fe 7,7, Mn 1,6, Ni 6,5, Se 12,4 e V 18,3 μg L-1. A exatidão do procedimento foi verificada através de testes de recuperação em dois níveis de concentração (40 e 80 μg L-1) e análise dos materiais certificados de referência de água estuarina SLEW-2 e de água do mar NASS-5. Bons valores de recuperação foram obtidos e não houve diferença significativa (95% de confiança) entre os resultados obtidos e os valores certificados dos materiais de referência.

Tendências temporais de mortalidade por câncer de próstata no estado do Espírito Santo

Introdução: O câncer de próstata é o segundo tipo de câncer mais incidente em homens em todas as regiões do Brasil. Aproximadamente 62% dos casos diagnosticados no mundo ocorrem em homens com 65 anos ou mais, caracterizando o único fator de risco estabelecido. Objetivos: Estudar a tendência da completude do Sistema de Informação de Mortalidade (SIM), segundo as variáveis idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil no período de 2000 a 2010, no Espírito Santo, Região Sudeste e Brasil. Analisar a tendência de mortalidade por câncer de próstata na série histórica no estado do Espírito Santo (ES), no período de 1980 a 2010. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo descritivo baseado em dados secundários de todos os óbitos por câncer de próstata obtidos do SIM e dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE) disponíveis no DATASUS departamento de informática do SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde), no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil, no período de 1980 a 2010. Considerou-se as variáveis (idade, raça/cor, escolaridade e estado civil). Analisou-se o número absoluto e calculou-se o percentual de não preenchimento das informações das declarações de óbitos (DOs), que são a base de informação do SIM, nas localidades selecionadas (ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil). Analisou-se através do Pacote Estatístico para Ciências Sociais (SPSS), versão 18.0. Realizou-se uma análise inferencial com ajustes de curvas para os percentuais de dados faltantes das variáveis demográficas disponíveis no sistema do DATASUS (estado civil, escolaridade, raça/cor). E para a análise de tendência, foi realizado o cálculo do coeficiente de mortalidade por óbitos. As equações do melhor modelo e as estatísticas de ajuste (valor de R2 e o p-valor do teste F de adequação do modelo) foram obtidas do programa SPSS, versão 18.0. Resultados: No período de 2000 a 2010 a variável raça/cor, escolaridade, mostrou-se decrescente para o Brasil. A variável estado civil destacou-se por caracterizar uma tendência crescente no ES, Região Sudeste e Brasil. No período de 1980 a 2010 observou-se 3.561 óbitos no ES. Observa-se na série história que há tendência crescente de mortalidade por câncer de próstata. Conclusão: O trabalho é de grande importância para o estudo de câncer de próstata no Brasil. Identificou-se a crescente não completude dos campos de Estado Civil, enquanto a variável raça/cor foi considerada decrescente, porém com qualidade dos dados ruim. É preciso ações para que o processo de coleta dos dados seja aprimorado pela capacitação dos registradores. Nos resultados observou-se a tendência de crescimento da mortalidade, sendo necessárias ações, estratégias e políticas governamentais voltadas para a integralidade à saúde masculina.

Nitrogen and potassium fertilization on the yield and intensity of the maize white spot

A plant's nutritional balance can influence its resistance to diseases. In order to evaluate the effect of increasing doses of N and K on the yield and severity of the mayze white spot, two experiments were installed in the field, one in the city of Ijaci, Minas Gerais, and the other in the city of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The experimental delimitation was in randomized blocks with 5 x 5 factorial analysis of variance, and four repetitions. The treatments consisted of five doses of N (20; 40; 80; 150; 190 Kg ha-1of N in the experiments 1 and 2) and five doses of K (15; 30; 60; 120; 180 Kg ha-1of K in experiment 1 and 8.75; 17.5; 35; 50; 100 Kg ha-1of K in experiment 2). The susceptible cultivar 30P70 was planted in both experiments. The plot consisted of four rows 5 meters long, with a useful area consisting of two central rows 3 meters each. Evaluations began 43 days after emergence (DAE) in the first experiment and 56 DAE in the second one. There was no significant interaction between doses of N and K and the disease progress P+. The effect was only observed for N. The K did not influence the yield and the severity of the disease in these experiments. Bigger areas below the severity progress curve of the white spot and better yield were observed with increasing doses of N. Thus, with increasing doses of N, the white spot increased and also did the yield.

Robust temporal alignment of multimodal cardiac sequences

Given the dynamic nature of cardiac function, correct temporal alignment of pre-operative models and intraoperative images is crucial for augmented reality in cardiac image-guided interventions. As such, the current study focuses on the development of an image-based strategy for temporal alignment of multimodal cardiac imaging sequences, such as cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or 3D Ultrasound (US). First, we derive a robust, modality-independent signal from the image sequences, estimated by computing the normalized crosscorrelation between each frame in the temporal sequence and the end-diastolic frame. This signal is a resembler for the left-ventricle (LV) volume curve over time, whose variation indicates di erent temporal landmarks of the cardiac cycle. We then perform the temporal alignment of these surrogate signals derived from MRI and US sequences of the same patient through Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), allowing to synchronize both sequences. The proposed framework was evaluated in 98 patients, which have undergone both 3D+t MRI and US scans. The end-systolic frame could be accurately estimated as the minimum of the image-derived surrogate signal, presenting a relative error of 1:6 1:9% and 4:0 4:2% for the MRI and US sequences, respectively, thus supporting its association with key temporal instants of the cardiac cycle. The use of DTW reduces the desynchronization of the cardiac events in MRI and US sequences, allowing to temporally align multimodal cardiac imaging sequences. Overall, a generic, fast and accurate method for temporal synchronization of MRI and US sequences of the same patient was introduced. This approach could be straightforwardly used for the correct temporal alignment of pre-operative MRI information and intra-operative US images.

A duration e um modelo alternativo: um teste empírico

Estratégias de hedge para portfólios de renda fixa são comumente baseadas na duration. Esse conceito foi desenvolvido tendo como pressuposto que alterações nas taxas de juros serão constantes para toda a estrutura a termo da yield curve, ou seja, que os deslocamentos na yield curve serão paralelos. Este artigo pretende testar esse pressuposto para o mercado futuro de DI1 da BM&F, tendo como base o ano de 1996. Além disso, o artigo compara estratégias de hedge baseadas na duration com estratégias cujo balanceamento é dado por um modelo alternativo que incorpora os efeitos de deslocamentos não-paralelos na yield curve.

Mortality problems in Brazil and in Germany: past-present-future. Learning from each other?

This article was written by a Swiss-German historical demographer after having visited different Brazilian Universities in 1984 as a guest-professor. It aims at promoting a real dialog between developed and developing countries, commencing the discussion with the question: Can we learn from each other? An affirmative answer is given, but not in the superficial manner in which the discussion partners simply want to give each other some "good advice" or in which the one declares his country's own development to be the solely valid standard. Three points are emphasized: 1. Using infant mortality in S. Paulo from 1908 to 1983 as an example, it is shown that Brazil has at its disposal excellent, highly varied research literature that is unjustifiably unknown to us (in Europe) for the most part. Brazil by no means needs our tutoring lessons as regards the causal relationships; rather, we could learn two things from Brazil about this. For one, it becomes clear that our almost exclusively medical-biological view is inappropriate for passing a judgment on the present-day problems in Brazil and that any conclusions so derived are thus only transferable to a limited extent. For another, we need to reinterpret the history of infant mortality in our own countries up to the past few decades in a much more encompassing "Brazilian" sense. 2. A fruitful dialog can only take place if both partners frankly present their problems. For this reason, the article refers with much emprasis to our present problems in dealing with death and dying - problems arising near the end of the demographic and epidemiologic transitions: the superanuation of the population, chronic-incurable illnesses as the main causes of death, the manifold dependencies of more and more elderly and really old people at the end of a long life. Brazil seems to be catching up to us in this and will be confronted with these problems sooner or later. A far-sighted discussion already at this time seems thus to be useful. 3. The article, however, does not want to conclude with the rather depressing state of affairs of problems alternatingly superseding each other. Despite the caution which definitely has a place when prognoses are being made on the basis of extrapolations from historical findings, the foreseeable development especially of the epidemiologic transition in the direction of a rectangular survival curve does nevertheless provide good reason for being rather optimistic towards the future: first in regards to the development in our own countries, but then - assuming that the present similar tendencies of development are stuck to - also in regard to Brazil.

Reversible Photorheology in Solutions of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide, Salicylic Acid, and trans-2,4,4 '-Trihydroxychalcone

We show photorheology in aqueous solutions of weakly entangled wormlike micelles prepared with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), salicylic acid (HSal), and dilute amounts of the photochromic multistate compound trans-2,4,4'-trihydroxychalcone (Ct). Different chemical species of Ct are associated with different colorations and propensities to reside within or outside CTAB micelles. A light-induced transfer between the intra- and intermicellar space is used to alter the mean length of wormlike micelles and hence the rheological properties of the fluid, studied in steady-state shear Bow and in dynamic rheological measurements. Light-induced changes of fluid rheology are reversible by a the relaxation process. at relaxation rates which depend on pH and which are consistent with photochromic reversion rates measured by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Parameterizing viscoelostic rheological states by their effective relaxation time tau(c) and corresponding response modulus G(c), we find the light and dark states of the system to fall onto a characteristic state curve defined by comparable experiments conducted without photosensitive components. These reference experiments were prepared with the same concentration of CTAB, but different concentrations of HSal or sodium salicylote (NaSal), and tested at different temperatures.

An electro-rheological study of the nematic liquid crystal 4-n-heptyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl

An experimental and theoretical study of the electro-rheological effects observed in the nematic phase of 4-n-heptyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl has been conducted. This liquid crystal appears to be a model system, in which the observed rheological behaviour can be interpreted by the Leslie-Ericksen continuum theory for low molecular weight liquid crystals. Flow curves are illustrated at different temperatures and under the influence of an external electric field ranging from 0 to 3 kV mm-1, applied perpendicular to the direction of flow. Also presented is the apparent viscosity as a function of temperature, over similar values of electric field, obtained at different shear rates. A master flow curve has been constructed for each temperature by dividing the shear rate by the square of the electric field and multiplying by the square of a reference value of electric field. In a log-log plot, two Newtonian plateaux are found to appear at low and high shear rates, connected by a shear-thinning region. We have applied the Leslie-Ericksen continuum theory, in which the director alignment angle is a function of the electric field and the flow field boundary conditions are neglected, to determine viscoelastic parameters and the dielectric anisotropy.

Durability performance of concrete made with fine recycled concrete aggregates

Fine recycled aggregates are seen as the last choice in recycling for concrete production. Many references quote their detrimental influence on the most important characteristics of concrete: compressive and tensile strength; modulus of elasticity; water absorption; shrinkage: carbonation and chloride penetration. These two last characteristics are fundamental in terms of the long-term durability of reinforced or prestressed concrete. In the experimental research carried out at IST, part of which has already been published, different concrete mixes (with increasing rates of substitution of fine natural aggregates sand - with fine recycled aggregates from crushed concrete) were prepared and tested. The results were then compared with those for a reference concrete with exactly the same composition and grading curve, but with no recycled aggregates. This paper presents the main results of this research for water absorption by immersion and capillarity, chloride penetration (by means of the chloride migration coefficient), and carbonation resistance, drawing some conclusions on the feasibility of using this type of aggregate in structural concrete, while taking into account any ensuing obvious positive environmental impact.

Mortality from asthma in the state of S. Paulo, Brazil (1970-1992)

Mortality from asthma has shown important variations over time in several countries. In Brazil, a mortality study performed in the 60s, covering the cities of S.Paulo and Ribeirão Preto, and other ten cities showed that S.Paulo presented the lowest death rate from asthma among of them all. It was decided to study the time trends of deaths from asthma and from the whole set of respiratory diseases from 1970 to 1992, in the population aged 15-34 yrs. old in the State of S.Paulo, as well as to compare them with those of other countries. Asthma mortality rates during the 23 years of observation since 1975, showed an oscillatory declining pattern with a peak of deaths in the initial years. The linearization of the curve allows the calculation of Pearson's correlation coefficient that was significantly negative, suggesting a decline in the mortality over this period, mainly in the 5-9 yrs. old and 30-34 yrs. old strata. The segmentation of data between the period of ICD-9, 1970 to 1978, and of ICD-9, 1979 and subsequent years, shows that there is stability within each period, in all age-groups, except for that of 5-9 yr. olds between 1970-1978. Comparing the rates of the population aged 15-34 yrs. old for the State of S. Paulo, Brazil, with trends observed in 14 other countries, an intermediate pattern for the first triennial period (1970-1972) as well as for the subsequent triennial periods, emerges. A prevalence study of asthma, a follow up program meant for using emergency rooms and a surveillance of deaths due to all respiratory diseases and specifically to asthma are strongly recommended.

Sensor element for a metal-insulator-semiconductor camera system (MISCam)

We discuss the operation of a new type of optical sensor (MISCam) based on a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) structure. The operation principle relies on light-induced changes of the band bending and barrier height at the interface between semiconductor and insulator. An image is obtained from the quenching of the ac signal in analogy to the principle of the laser-scanned photodiode (LSP). Lateral resolution depends on the semiconductor material chosen. We have characterised the MIS structures by C-V, I-V, and spectral response measurements testing different types of insulators like a-Si3N4, SiO2, and AlN. The presence of slow interface charges allows for image memory. Colour sensors can be realised by controlling sign and magnitude of the electric fields in the base and the interface region.

The problem of estimating the volatility of zero coupon bond interest rate

Financial literature and financial industry use often zero coupon yield curves as input for testing hypotheses, pricing assets or managing risk. They assume this provided data as accurate. We analyse implications of the methodology and of the sample selection criteria used to estimate the zero coupon bond yield term structure on the resulting volatility of spot rates with different maturities. We obtain the volatility term structure using historical volatilities and Egarch volatilities. As input for these volatilities we consider our own spot rates estimation from GovPX bond data and three popular interest rates data sets: from the Federal Reserve Board, from the US Department of the Treasury (H15), and from Bloomberg. We find strong evidence that the resulting zero coupon bond yield volatility estimates as well as the correlation coefficients among spot and forward rates depend significantly on the data set. We observe relevant differences in economic terms when volatilities are used to price derivatives.

RC-IAL cell line: sensitivity of rubella virus grow

OBJECTIVE: The rapid growth of the rubella virus in RC-IAL² with development of cytopathic effect, in response to rubella virus infection, is described. For purposes of comparison, the rubella virus RA-27/3 strain was titered simultaneously in the RC-IAL, Vero, SIRC and RK13 cell lines. METHODS: Rubella virus RA-27/3 strain are inoculated in the RC-IAL cell line (rabbit Kidney, Institute Adolfo Lutz). Plates containing 1.5x10(5) cells/ml of RC-IAL line were inoculated with 0.1ml s RA-27/3 strain virus containing 1x 10(4)TCID50/0.1ml. A 25% cytopathic effect was observed after 48 hours and 100% after 96 hours. The results obtained were compared to those observed with the SIRC, Vero and RK13 cell lines. Rubella virus was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: With the results, it was possible to conclude that the RC-IAL cell line is a very good substrate for culturing rubella virus. The cells inoculated with rubella virus were examined by phase contrast microscopy and showed the characteristic rounded, bipolar and multipolar cells. The CPE in RC-IAL was observed in the first 48 hours and the curve of the increased infectivity was practically the same as observed in other cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important since this is one the few cell lines described in the literature with a cytopathic effect. So it can be used for antigen preparation and serological testing for the diagnosis of specific rubella antibodies.

Monitorização da insuficiência cardíaca por parâmetros fisiológicos em portadores de cardioversor-desfibrilhador implantável e/ou sistema de ressincronização cardíaca: HF-PREDICT

Mestrado em Tecnologia de Diagnóstico e Intervenção Cardiovascular. Área de especialização: Intervenção Cardiovascular.

Comparação entre diferentes escores de risco de mortalidade em unidade de tratamento intensivo neonatal

OBJETIVO: Avaliar peso de nascimento e os escores como preditores de mortalidade neonatal em unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal, comparando os seus resultados. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 494 recém-nascidos admitidos em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal (UTIN) de um hospital geral de Porto Alegre, RS, logo após o nascimento, entre março de 1997 e junho de 1998. Foram avaliados o peso de nascimento e os escores considerando a variável óbito durante a internação na UTI. Os critérios de exclusão foram: alta ou óbito da UTIN com menos de 24 horas de internação, recém-nascidos cuja internação não ocorreu logo após o nascimento, protocolo de estudo incompleto e malformações congênitas incompatíveis com a vida. Para avaliação do CRIB (Clinical Risk Index for Babies) foram considerados somente os pacientes com peso de nascimento inferior a 1.500 g. Foram calculadas as curvas ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve) para SNAP (Score for Neonatal Acute), SNAP-PE (Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension), SNAP II, SNAP-PE II, CRIB e peso de nascimento. RESULTADOS: Dos 494 pacientes, 44 faleceram (8,9% de mortalidade). Dos 102 recém-nascidos com peso de até 1.500 g, 32 (31,3%) faleceram. As áreas abaixo da curva ROC variaram de 0,81 a 0,94. Todos os escores avaliados mostraram áreas abaixo da curva ROC sem diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Os escores de risco de mortalidade estudados apresentaram um melhor desempenho que o peso de nascimento, especialmente em recém-nascidos com peso de nascimento igual ou menor que 1.500 g. CONCLUSÕES: Todos os escores de mortalidade neonatal apresentaram melhor desempenho e foram superiores ao peso de nascimento como medidores de risco de óbito hospitalar para recém-nascidos internados em UTIN.