DCE: the dynamic conditional execution in a multipath control independent architecture

This thesis presents DCE, or Dynamic Conditional Execution, as an alternative to reduce the cost of mispredicted branches. The basic idea is to fetch all paths produced by a branch that obey certain restrictions regarding complexity and size. As a result, a smaller number of predictions is performed, and therefore, a lesser number of branches are mispredicted. DCE fetches through selected branches avoiding disruptions in the fetch flow when these branches are fetched. Both paths of selected branches are executed but only the correct path commits. In this thesis we propose an architecture to execute multiple paths of selected branches. Branches are selected based on the size and other conditions. Simple and complex branches can be dynamically predicated without requiring a special instruction set nor special compiler optimizations. Furthermore, a technique to reduce part of the overhead generated by the execution of multiple paths is proposed. The performance achieved reaches levels of up to 12% when comparing a Local predictor used in DCE against a Global predictor used in the reference machine. When both machines use a Local predictor, the speedup is increased by an average of 3-3.5%.

Changes in peak expiratory flow and respiratory strength during the menstrual cycle

This study evaluated the spirometry and respiratory static pressures in 17 young women, twice a week for three successive ovulatory menstrual cycles to determine if such variables changed across the menstrual, follicular, periovulatory, early-tomid luteal and late luteal phases. The factors phases of menstrual cycle and individual cycles had no significant effect on the spirometry variables except for peak expiratory flow (PEF) and respiratory static pressures. Significant weak positive correlations were found between the progesterone:estradiol ratio and PEF and between estrogen and tidal volume (r = 0.37), inspiratory time (r = 0.22), expiratory time (r = 0.19), maximal inspiratory pressure (r = 0.25) and maximal expiratory pressure (r = 0.20) and for progesterone and maximal inspiratory pressure (r = 0.32) during the early-to-mid luteal phase. Although most parameters of the spirometry results did not change during the menstrual cycle, the correlations observed between sexual hormones and respiratory control variables suggest a positive influence of sexual female hormones controlling the thoracic pump muscles in the luteal phase

Development of an active orthosis prototype for lower limbs

ARAUJO, Márcio V. ; ALSINA, Pablo J. ; MEDEIROS, Adelardo A. D. ; PEREIRA, Jonathan P.P. ; DOMINGOS, Elber C. ; ARAÚJO, Fábio M.U. ; SILVA, Jáder S. . Development of an Active Orthosis Prototype for Lower Limbs. In: INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, 20., 2009, Gramado, RS. Proceedings… Gramado, RS: [s. n.], 2009

Application of multivariable control using artificial neural networks in a debutanizer distillation column

LOPES, Jose Soares Batista et al. Application of multivariable control using artificial neural networks in a debutanizer distillation column.In: INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - COBEM, 19, 5-9 nov. 2007, Brasilia. Anais... Brasilia, 2007

Influência dos parâmetros de processo na deposição de nitreto de titânio por plasma em gaiola catódica

Titanium nitride films were grown on glass using the Cathodic Cage Plasma Deposition technique in order to verify the influence of process parameters in optical and structural properties of the films. The plasma atmosphere used was a mixture of Ar, N2 and H2, setting the Ar and N2 gas flows at 4 and 3 sccm, respectively and H2 gas flow varied from 0, 1 to 2 sccm. The deposition process was monitored by Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) to investigate the influence of the active species in plasma. It was observed that increasing the H2 gas flow into the plasma the luminescent intensities associated to the species changed. In this case, the luminescence of N2 (391,4nm) species was not proportional to the increasing of the H2 gas into the reactor. Other parameters investigated were diameter and number of holes in the cage. The analysis by Grazing Incidence X-Ray Diffraction (GIXRD) confirmed that the obtained films are composed by TiN and they may have variations in the nitrogen amount into the crystal and in the crystallite size. The optical microscopy images provided information about the homogeneity of the films. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) results revealed some microstructural characteristics and surface roughness. The thickness was measured by ellipsometry. The optical properties such as transmittance and reflectance (they were measured by spectrophotometry) are very sensitive to changes in the crystal lattice of the material, chemical composition and film thicknesses. Therefore, such properties are appropriate tools for verification of this process control. In general, films obtained at 0 sccm of H2 gas flow present a higher transmittance. It can be attributed to the smaller crystalline size due to a higher amount of nitrogen in the TiN lattice. The films obtained at 1 and 2 sccm of H2 gas flow have a golden appearance and XRD pattern showed peaks characteristics of TiN with higher intensity and smaller FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) parameter. It suggests that the hydrogen presence in the plasma makes the films more stoichiometric and becomes it more crystalline. It was observed that with higher number of holes in the lid of the cage, close to the region between the lid and the sample and the smaller diameter of the hole, the deposited film is thicker, which is justified by the most probability of plasma species reach effectively the sample and it promotes the growth of the film

Construção de um aparato experimental para monitoramento in situ da deposição de filmes finos de titânio por magnetron sputtering

The technique of surface coating using magnetron sputtering is one of the most widely used in the surface engineering, for its versatility in obtaining different films as well as in the micro / nanometric thickness control. Among the various process parameters, those related to the active species of the plasma are of the most fundamental importance in the mechanism and kinetics of deposition. In order to identify the active species of the plasma, parameters such as gas flow, pressure and density of electric power were varied during titanium coating on glass substrate. By flowing argon gas of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 sccm (cubic centimeters per minute) for each gas flow a sequential scan of the electric current of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 , 0.50 A. The maximum value of 0.50 A was chosen based both on literature data and on limitations of the equipment. The monitoring of plasma species present during the deposition was carried out in situ by the technique of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) through the spectrometer Ocean Optics USB2000 Series. For this purpose, an apparatus was developed to adapt the OES inside the plasma reactor to stay positioned closest to the target. The radiations emitted by the species were detected by an optical fiber placed behind the glass substrate and their intensities as a function of wavelength were, displayed on a monitor screen. The acquisition time for each condition of the plain parameters was related to the minima of spectral lines intensities due to the film formed on the substrate. The intensities of different emission lines of argon and titanium were then analyzed as a function of time, to determine the active species and estimate the thickness of the deposited films. After the deposition, the coated glasses thin films were characterized by optical transmittance through an infrared laser. It was found that the thickness and deposition rate determined by in situ analysis were consistent with the results obtained by laser transmittance

Renal effects and vascular reactivity induced by Tityus serrulatus venom

Tityus serrulatus, popularly known as yellow scorpion, is one of the most studied scorpion species in South America and its venom has supplied some highly active molecules. The effects of T. serrulatus venom upon the renal physiology in human showed increased renal parameters, urea and creatinine. However, in perfused rat kidney the effects were not tested until now. Isolated kidneys from Wistar rats, weighing 240-280 g, were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 6% (g weight) of previously dialysed bovine serum albumin. The effects of T. serrulatus venom were studied on the perfusion pressure (PP), renal vascular resistance (RVR), urinary flow (UF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), sodium tubular transport (%TNa+), potassium tubular transport (%TK+) and chloride tubular transport (%TCl-). Tityus serrulatus venom (TsV; 10 mu g/mL) was added to the system 30 min after the beginning of each experiment (n = 6). This 30 min period was used as an internal control. The mesenteric bed was perfused with Krebs solution kept warm at 37 T by a constant flow (4 mL/min), while the variable perfusion pressure was measured by means of a pressure transducer. The direct vascular effects of TsV (10 mu g/mL/min; n=6), infused at a constant rate (0.1 mL/min), were examined and compared to the infusion of the vehicle alone at the same rate. TsV increased PP (PP30'= 127.8 +/- 0.69 vs PP60' = 154.2 +/- 14 mmHg*, *p < 0.05) and RVR (RVR30' = 6.29 +/- 0.25 vs RVR60' = 8.03 +/- 0.82 mmHg/mL g(-1) min(-1)*, *p < 0.05), decreased GFR (GFR(30') =0.58 +/- 0.02 vs GFR(60') = 0.46 +/- 0.01 mL g(-1) min(-1)*, *p < 0.05) and UF (UF30' = 0.135 +/- 0.001 vs UF60' = 0.114 +/- 0.003 mL g(-1)min(-1)*, *p < 0.05). Tubular transport was not affected during the whole experimental period (120 min). on the other hand, the infusion of TsV (10 mu g/mL/min) increased the basal perfusion pressure of isolated arteriolar mesenteric bed (basal pressure: 74.17 +/- 3.42 vs TsV 151.8 +/- 17.82 mmHg*, *p < 0.05). TsV affects renal haemodynamics probably by a direct vasoconstrictor action leading to decreased renal flow. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Preliminary studies on the effects of d-limonene to workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa and its implications for control

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caracterização e quantificação de marcadores químicos do extrato hidroetanólico das folhas de Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess

Kalanchoe brasiliensis Cambess (Crassulaceae), commonly known as saião , coirama branca , folha grossa , is originally from Brazil and commonly found in São Paulo to Bahia, mainly in the coastal zone. Regarding of biological activities, most preclinical studies were found in the literature, mainly about the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts obtained from leaves and / or aerial parts of K. brasiliensis. As regards the chemical constitution, it has been reported mainly the presence of flavonoids in the leaves of the species, but until this moment did not knows which are the active compounds. Although it is a species widely used in traditional medicine in Brazil, there is no monograph about the quality parameters of the plant drug. In this context, this study aims to characterize and quantify the chemical markers of hydroethanolic extract (HE) from the leaves of K. brasiliensis, which can be used in quality control of plant drug and derivatives obtained from this species. The methodology was divided into two parts: i. Phytochemical study: to fractionate, isolate and characterizate of the chemical (s) marker (s) of the HE from the leaves of K. brasiliensis; ii. To Developed validate of analytical method by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)-diode array detector (DAD) to quantify the chemical (s) marker (s) of the EH. i. The EH 50% was prepared by turbo extraction method. It was then submitted to liquid-liquid partition, obtaining dichloromethane, n-butanol and ethyl acetate (AcOEt) fractions. The AcOEt fraction was selected to continue the fractionation process, because it has a chemical profile rich in flavonoids. The acOEt fraction was submitted to column chromatography using different systems for obtaining the compound Kb1. To identify this compound, it was submitted to UV analysis ii. For quantitative analysis, the EH was analyzed by HPLC, using different methods. After selecting the most appropriate method, which showed satisfactory resolution and symmetrical peaks, it was validated according to parameters in the RE 899/2003. As result, it was obtained from the AcOEt fraction the compound Kb1 (2.7 mg). Until this moment, the basic nucleus was characterized by UV analysis using shift reagents. The partial chemical structure of the compound Kb1 was identified as a flavonol, containing hydroxyls in 3 , 4 position (ring A), 5 and 7 free (ring B) and a replacement of the C3 hydroxyl by a sugar. As the analysis were performed in the HPLC coupled to a DAD, we observed that the UV spectrum of the major peaks of EH from K. brasiliensis shown similar UV spectrum. According to the literature, it has been reported the presence of patuletin glycosydes derivatives in the leaves of this species. Therefore, it is suggested that the compound Kb1 is glycosylated patuletin derivative. Probably the sugar (s) unit(s) are linked in the C3 in the C ring. . Regarding the development of HPLC analytical method, the system used consists of phase A: water: formic acid (99,7:0,3, v / v) and phase B: methanol: formic acid (99,7:0,3, v / v), elution gradient of 40% B - 58% B in 50 minutes, ccolumn (Hichrom ®) C18 (250x4, 0 mm, 5 μm), flow rate 0.8 mL / min, UV detection at 370 nm, temperature 25 ° C. In the analysis performed with the co-injection of thecompound Kb1 + HE of K. brasiliensis was observed that it is one of the major compounds with a retention time of 12.47 minutes and had a content of 15.3% in EH of leaves from K. brasiliensis. The method proved to be linear, precise, accurate and reproducible. According to these results, it was observed that compound Kb1 can be used as a chemical marker of EH from leaves of K. brasiliensis, to assist in quality control of drug plant and its derivatives

Comments on Magnetically levitated micro PM motors by two types of active magnetic bearings

This note clarifies the design of proportional derivative (PD) controllers for the magnetic levitation systems of micro PM motors proposed in the above paper. It is shown that the PD controllers cannot stabilize the described levited micro motors because it is necessary to use other values of parameters for these controllers. We present necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the controlled systems described in the paper.

Automatic dimming multi-lamp fluorescent management system with active input power factor corrector stage

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

Power flow for primary distribution networks considering uncertainty in demand and user connection

This paper presents a method for calculating the power flow in distribution networks considering uncertainties in the distribution system. Active and reactive power are used as uncertain variables and probabilistically modeled through probability distribution functions. Uncertainty about the connection of the users with the different feeders is also considered. A Monte Carlo simulation is used to generate the possible load scenarios of the users. The results of the power flow considering uncertainty are the mean values and standard deviations of the variables of interest (voltages in all nodes, active and reactive power flows, etc.), giving the user valuable information about how the network will behave under uncertainty rather than the traditional fixed values at one point in time. The method is tested using real data from a primary feeder system, and results are presented considering uncertainty in demand and also in the connection. To demonstrate the usefulness of the approach, the results are then used in a probabilistic risk analysis to identify potential problems of undervoltage in distribution systems. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Parameterization Technique for the Continuation Power Flow Developed from the Analysis of Power Flow Curves

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

NUMERICAL SIMULATION of CONVECTION-DIFFUSION PROBLEMS BY THE CONTROL-VOLUME-BASED FINITE-ELEMENT METHOD

This work presents a numerical study of the tri-dimensional convection-diffusion equation by the control-volume-based on finite-element method using quadratic hexahedral elements. Considering that the equation governing this problem in its main variable may represent several properties, including temperature, turbulent kinetic energy, viscous dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy, specific dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy, or even the concentration of a contaminant in a given medium, among others, the wide applicability of this problem is thus evidenced. Three cases of temperature distributions will be studied specifically in this work, in addition to one case of pollutant dispersion upon analysis of the concentration of a contaminant in a fixed flow point. Some comparisons will be carried out against works found in the open literature, while others will be done according to each phenomenon characteristics.

Assessment of cytokine values in serum by RT-PCR in HIV-1 infected individuals with and without highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART)

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