Transmission network expansion planning with security constraints

A mathematical model and a methodology to solve the transmission network expansion planning problem with security constraints are presented. The methodology allows one to find an optimal and reliable transmission network expansion plan using a DC model to represent the electrical network. The security (n-1) criterion is used. The model presented is solved using a genetic algorithm designed to solve the reliable expansion planning in an efficient way. The results obtained for several known systems from literature show the excellent performance of the proposed methodology. A comparative analysis of the results obtained with the proposed methodology is also presented.

Absence of cross-reactivity to myeloperoxidase of anti-thyroid microsomal antibodies in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases

Background: Thyroperoxidase is the major antigen of the thyroid microsomal antibodies (TMA) detected in autoimmune thyroid diseases. Its amino acid sequence has 44% homology with myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme present in the primary granules of neutrophils and one of the major antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) antigens. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of cross-reactivity to MPO of TMA. Methods: We studied sera from 51 patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, all of them TMA-positive. The presence of ANCA was investigated by indirect immunofluorescence and by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: ANCA were positive in 3.9% of the TMA-positive sera and none of them reacted with MPO. In contrast, the ANCA-positive sera revealed antielastase activity. None of the ANCA-positive cases presented clinical signs of vasculitis. However, these 2 patients had been on prolonged treatment with propylthiouracil. Conclusions: We conclude that there is no cross-reactivity to MPO of TMA in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, possibly because of difference in the spatial configuration of the immunodominant region. The presence of ANCA in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases without evidence of vasculitis might result from propylthiouracil-induced polyclonal activation.

Fast chromatographic determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aerosol samples from sugar cane burning

Sugar cane burning in Brazil causes remarkable amounts of organic compounds to be emitted amongst which the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent serious health hazards. Therefore, 24-h aerosol samples (< 10 mum aerodynamic diameter) were collected in Araraquara city (São Paulo state) during the harvest season using a Hi-Vol sampler. PAHs were recovered using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor and analyzed by low-pressure gas chromatography-ion trap mass spectrometry (LP-GC-IT-MS). The fully automated extraction process was performed in less than 25 min with a solvent consumption of approximately 20 ml. The use of a deactivated 0.6 m x 0. 10 mm i.d. restrictor coupled to a 10 m wide-bore analytical column allowed most of the 16 PAHs in EPA's priority list to be identified and quantified in only 13 min. Concentrations of PAHs in Nraraquara aerosols ranged between 0.5 and 8.6 ng m(-3). (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of low-pressure gas chromatography-ion-trap mass spectrometry to the analysis of the essential oil of Turnera diffusa (Ward.) Urb.

Turnera diffusa Willd. var. afrodisiaca (Ward) Urb. (syn. T. aphrodisiaca) belongs to the family of Turneraceae and is an aromatic plant growing wild in the subtropical regions of America and Africa. It is widely used in the traditional medicine as e.g. anti-cough, diuretic, and aphrodisiac agent. This work presents a 3 min chromatographic analysis using low-pressure (LP) gas chromatography (GC)-ion-trap (IT) mass spectrometry (MS). The combination of a deactivated 0.6 m x 0.10 mm i.d., restrictor with a wide-bore CP-Wax 52 capillary column (10 m x 0.53 mm i.d., 1 mum) reduces the analysis time by a factor of 3-7 in comparison to the use of a conventional narrow bore column. Chromatographic conditions have been optimized to achieve the fastest separation with the highest signal/noise ratio in MS detection. These results allow fast and reliable quality control of the essential oil to be achieved. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Internal standardization in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry: Comparative use of As and Ge to minimize matrix effects on Se determination in milk

Arsenic and germanium have been evaluated as internal standards to minimize matrix effects on the direct determination of selenium in milk by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) using tubes with integrated platform, pre-treated with W together with I'd as chemical modifier. The efficiency of As and Ge as internal standards for 25 mu g L-1 Se plus 500 mu g (L)-1 As or Ge in diluted (1 + 9 v/v) milk plus 1.0% (v/v) HNO3 was evaluated by means of correlation graphs plotted from the normalized absorbance signals (n = 20) of internal standard (axis gamma) versus analyte (axis x). The equations that describe the linear regression were: A(As)= - 0.004 +/- 0.019 +/- 1.02 + 0.019 A(Se) (r=0.9967 +/- 0.005); A(Ge)= - 0.0 17 +/- 0.015 + 1.01 +/- 0.015 A(Se) (r = 0.9978 +/- 0.004). Samples and reference solutions were automatically spiked with 500 mu g L-1 Ge or As and 1.0% (v/v) HNO3 by the autosampler. For 20 mu L of aqueous standard solutions, analytical curves in the 5.00-40.0 mu g L-1 Se range were established using the ratio of Se absorbance to internal standard absorbance (A(Se)A(IS)) versus analyte concentration, and good linear correlations were obtained. The characteristic mass was 40 pg Se. Limits of detection were 0.55 and 0.40 mu g L-1 with As and Ge as the internal standard, respectively. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for a sample containing 25 mu g L-1 Se were 1.2% and 1.0% (n = 12) using As and Ge, respectively. The RSD without internal standardization was about 6%. The accuracy of the proposed method was evaluated by an addition-recovery experiment and all recovered values were in the 99-105% range with IS and in the 70-80% range without IS. Using Ge as the internal standard, results of analysis of standard reference materials were in agreement with certified values at a 95% confidence level. The selenium concentration for 10 analyzed milk samples varied from 5.0 to 20 mu g L-1. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Validated Stability-Indicating LC Method for Orbifloxacin in the Presence of Degradation Products

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

A Semi-Continuous Analyzer for the Fluorimetric Determination of Atmospheric Formaldehyde

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

ESTUDO COMPARATIVO DUPLO-CEGO DA EFICACIA E SEGURANCA DO CILAZAPRIL COMPARADAS A NIFEDIPINE 'RETARD' NO TRATAMENTO DA HIPERTENSAO ARTERIAL LEVE E MODERADA

Purpose: To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy and safety of cilazapril compared to nifedipine retard in mild to moderate hypertension. Methods: Forty randomized out-patients with mild moderate hypertension, diastolic pressure (DP) between 95 and 115 mmg/Hg, with placebo for 15 days were randomized and allocated for treatment, double-blind, once daily with cilazapril 2.5 mg (n = 20) or nifedipine retard 20 mg (20 = n) for four weeks. The non-responders (DP > 90 mmHg) had the dosage increased twice, b.i.d., while responders were maintained up to 10 weeks. Clinical visits were performed before, at baseline and every two weeks and the laboratory test was performed after placebo run-in, 4th and 10th weeks of treatment. Results: The blood pressure (BP) were similar between groups at the end of the placebo (cilazapril 151 ± 14/103 ± 5 - nifedipine 157 ± 17/108 ± 7 mmHg, p > 0.05). DP decreased already at second weeks (cilazapril 95 ± 9 - nifedipine 96 ± 11 mmHg, p < 0.05, compared to week 0) in both groups at the end of study with no differences inter groups. BP normalization was obtained in 58% of the patients with cilazapril and in 61% in the nifedipine group. Adverse biochemical effects were not observed in any group. Six (16%) patients of the cilazapril and 15 (39%) of nifedipine related collateral events, although no difference were observed between groups. Conclusion: Cilazapril 2.5 to 5 mg normalized BP in 58% of mild and moderate hypertension patients, and this efficacy was similar to sustained-release nifedipine 20 to 40 mg. Cilazapril had no adverse effects on the biochemical parameters with low incidence of collateral effects.

Pre-concentration of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II) and Ni(II) on a column packed with free carboxymethylcellulose (CMCH)

Carboxymethylcellulose packed in to a glass column was used to pre-concentrate metallic cations from aqueous solutions. The pre-concentrated metal cations are directly eluted from the column using 5.0 mL of 1.0 mol L -1 hydrochloric acid. The optimum pre-concentration conditions are given (glass column, 16 cm length, 0.80 cm i.d., stationary phase height of 12 cm, flow-rate, 1.5 mL min -1). The recuperation efficiency achieved is greater than 95%, while the enrichment factor is 10 for 50 mL of solution (0.50 mg L -1 each).

Efeitos do tratamento oral com sulfato de vanadila em ratos diabeticos jovens

This work intends to evaluate the effects of oral vanadyl treatment (VOSO 4, 1 mg/mL) in young streptozotocin-diabetic rats during 19 and 29 days. In several times of treatment the rats were monitored to determine body weight, food and water intakes, glycemia, and the urinary excretion of glucose and urea. The animals were killed in the 19(th) and 29(th) days, and the glycemia level was determined again, as well as the weight of pancreas, muscles (Soleus and Extensor digitorum longus - EDL) and adipose tissues (epididymal and retroperitoneal). The results showed that the treatment of young diabetic rats with VOSO 4 promotes the reduction of hyperglycemia (p < 0.01), food (p < 0.01) and water intakes (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.05). Neither the tissues and pancreas weights nor the urinary urea level of the treatment group varied in comparison to the control group. In conclusion, the vanadyl treatment in the studied period is able to reduce the main metabolic alterations often found in diabetes. These data are very useful and important for the future experiments to verify the effects of vanadyl sulfate on muscle protein metabolism in diabetic rats.

Innovaciones en la gestión y calidad de los revestimientos refractarios en la Compañía Sideŕurgica Nacional (Brasil)

The work describes actions carried out in colaboration among the National Steel Company - (CSN)-Brazil and the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Electrochemistry and Ceramic - LIEC of the Federal University of Sao Carlos Brazil (UFSCar-Brazil), in the area of I&D, for integral management and improvement of the quality and performance of the refractory linings in the sintering areas, blast furnace, hot air pipe lines transferency to the blast furnace, pig-iron ladles, running channels, blast furnaces hearths, torpedo car, etc., as well as, the economic impact generated by the installation of the adopted measures.

Tamoxifen down-regulates CaMKII messenger RNA levels in normal human breast tissue

Tamoxifen was proven to reduce the incidence of breast cancer by 49% in women at increased risk of the disease in the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial. In order to identify potential candidates to explain the preventive effect induced by tamoxifen on breast cancer, normal breast tissue obtained from 42 fibroadenoma patients, randomly assigned to receive placebo or tamoxifen, was analyzed by the reverse Northern blot and RT-PCR techniques. The cDNA fragments used on Northern blot membranes were generated by the Human Cancer Genome Project funded by the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil). Total RNA was obtained from normal breast tissue from patients with clinical, cytological and ultrasound diagnosis of fibroadenoma. After a 50-day treatment with tamoxifen (10 or 20 mg/day) or placebo, normal breast tissue adjacent to the tumor was collected during lumpectomy with local anesthesia. One differentially expressed gene, Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), was found to be down-regulated during TAM treatment. CaMKII is an ubiquitous serine/threonine protein kinase that has been implicated in the diverse effects of hormones utilizing Ca2+ as a second messenger as well as in c-fos activation. These results indicate that the down-regulation of CaMKII induced by TAM might represent alternative or additional mechanisms of the action of this drug on cell cycle control and response to hormones in normal human breast tissue.

Measurement of the charge ratio of atmospheric muons with the CMS detector

We present a measurement of the ratio of positive to negative muon fluxes from cosmic ray interactions in the atmosphere, using data collected by the CMS detector both at ground level and in the underground experimental cavern at the CERN LHC. Muons were detected in the momentum range from 5 GeV/. c to 1 TeV/. c. The surface flux ratio is measured to be 1.2766±0.0032(stat.)±0.0032(syst.), independent of the muon momentum, below 100 GeV/. c. This is the most precise measurement to date. At higher momenta the data are consistent with an increase of the charge ratio, in agreement with cosmic ray shower models and compatible with previous measurements by deep-underground experiments. © 2010.

Measurement of the muon stopping power in lead tungstate

A large sample of cosmic ray events collected by the CMS detector is exploited to measure the specific energy loss of muons in the lead tungstate (PbWO4) of the electromagnetic calorimeter. The measurement spans a momentum range from 5 GeV/c to 1 TeV/c. The results are consistent with the expectations over the entire range. The calorimeter energy scale, set with 120 GeV/c electrons, is validated down to the sub-GeV region using energy deposits, of order 100 MeV, associated with low-momentum muons. The muon critical energy in PbWO4 is measured to be 160+5 -68 GeV, in agreement with expectations. This is the first experimental determination of muon critical energy. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd and SISSA.