Effective gravitational equations for f(R) braneworld models

The viability of achieving gravitational consistent braneworld models in the framework of a f(R) theory of gravity is investigated. After a careful generalization of the usual junction conditions encompassing the embedding of the 3-brane into a f(R) bulk, we provide a prescription giving the necessary constraints in order to implement the projected second-order effective field equations on the brane. © 2013 American Physical Society.

Interval multivariate curve resolution in the dereplication of HPLC-DAD data from Jatropha gossypifolia

Introduction Jatropha gossypifolia has been used quite extensively by traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases in South America and Africa. This medicinal plant has therapeutic potential as a phytomedicine and therefore the establishment of innovative analytical methods to characterise their active components is crucial to the future development of a quality product. Objective To enhance the chromatographic resolution of HPLC-UV-diode-array detector (DAD) experiments applying chemometric tools. Methods Crude leave extracts from J. gossypifolia were analysed by HPLC-DAD. A chromatographic band deconvolution method was designed and applied using interval multivariate curve resolution by alternating least squares (MCR-ALS). Results The MCR-ALS method allowed the deconvolution from up to 117% more bands, compared with the original HPLC-DAD experiments, even in regions where the UV spectra showed high similarity. The method assisted in the dereplication of three C-glycosylflavones isomers: vitexin/isovitexin, orientin/homorientin and schaftoside/isoschaftoside. Conclusion The MCR-ALS method is shown to be a powerful tool to solve problems of chromatographic band overlapping from complex mixtures such as natural crude samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Extracts from J. gossypifolia were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and, dereplicated applying MCR-ALS. The method assisted in the detection of three C-glycosylflavones isomers: vitexin/isovitexin, orientin/homorientin and schaftoside/isoschaftoside. The application of MCR-ALS allowed solving problems of chromatographic band overlapping from complex mixtures such as natural crude samples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Conformally and gauge invariant spin-2 field equations

Using an approach based on the Casimir operators of the de Sitter group, conformally invariant equations for a fundamental spin-2 field are obtained, and their consistency is discussed. It is shown that only when the spin-2 field is interpreted as a 1-form assuming values in the Lie algebra of the translation group, rather than a symmetric second-rank tensor, the field equation is both conformally and gauge invariant. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.

Development of equations to estimate microbial contamination in ruminal incubation residues of forage produced under tropical conditions using 15N as a label1

The objective of this study was to use 15N to label microbial cells to allow development of equations for estimating the microbial contamination in ruminal in situ incubation residues of forage produced under tropical conditions. A total of 24 tropical forages were ruminal incubated in 3 steers at 3 separate times. To determine microbial contamination of the incubated residues, ruminal bacteria were labeled with 15N by continuous intraruminal infusion 60 h before the first incubation and continued until the last day of incubation. Ruminal digesta was collected for the isolation of bacteria before the first infusion of 15N on adaptation period and after the infusion of 15N on collection period. To determine the microbial contamination of CP fractions, restricted models were compared with the full model using the model identity test. A value of the corrected fraction A was estimated from the corresponding noncorrected fraction by this equation: Corrected A fraction (ACPC) = 1.99286 + 0.98256 × A fraction without correction (ACPWC). The corrected fraction B was estimated from the corresponding noncorrected fraction and from CP, NDF, neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP), and indigestible NDF (iNDF) using the equation corrected B fraction (BCPC) = -17.2181 - 0.0344 × fraction B without correction (BCPWC) + 0.65433 × CP + 1.03787 × NDF + 2.66010 × NDIP - 0.85979 × iNDF. The corrected degradation rate of B fraction (kd)was estimated using the equation corrected degradation rate of B fraction (kdCPC) = 0.04667 + 0.35139 × degradation rate of B fraction without correction (kdCPWC) + 0.0020 × CP - 0.00055839 × NDF - 0.00336 × NDIP + 0.00075089 × iNDF. This equation was obtained to estimate the contamination using CP of the feeds: %C = 79.21 × (1 - e-0.0555t) × e-0.0874CP. It was concluded that A and B fractions and kd of CP could be highly biased by microbial CP contamination, and therefore these corrected values could be obtained mathematically, replacing the use of microbial markers. The percentage of contamination and the corrected apparent degradability of CP could be obtained from values of CP and time of incubation for each feed, which could reduce cost and labor involved when using 15N. © 2013 American Society of Animal Science. All rights reserved.

A single chart with supplementary runs rules for monitoring the mean vector and the covariance matrix of multivariate processes

The MRMAX chart is a single chart based on the standardized sample means and sample ranges for monitoring the mean vector and the covariance matrix of multivariate processes. User's familiarity with the computation of these statistics is a point in favor of the MRMAX chart. As a single chart, the recently proposed MRMAX chart is very appropriate for supplementary runs rules. In this article, we compare the supplemented MRMAX chart and the synthetic MRMAX chart with the standard MRMAX chart. The supplementary and the synthetic runs rules enhance the performance of the MRMAX chart. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

On the regularity of the pressure field of relaxed solutions to Euler equations with variable density

In this paper we improve the regularity in time of the gradient of the pressure field in the solution of relaxed version of variational formulation proposed by V. I. Arnold and by Y. Brenier, for the incompressible Euler equations with variable density. We obtain that the pressure field is not only a measure, but a function in Lloc2((0,T);BVloc(D)) as an extension of the work of Ambrosio and Figalli (2008) in [1] to the variable density case. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.

Avaliação dos fatores ambientais em baias com cobertura de polietileno sobre o desempenho da rã-touro (Rana catesbeiana)

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

Evaluation via multivariate techniques of scale factor variability in the rietveld method applied to quantitative phase analysis with X ray powder diffraction

ABSTRACT: The present work uses multivariate statistical analysis as a form of establishing the main sources of error in the Quantitative Phase Analysis (QPA) using the Rietveld method. The quantitative determination of crystalline phases using x ray powder diffraction is a complex measurement process whose results are influenced by several factors. Ternary mixtures of Al2O3, MgO and NiO were prepared under controlled conditions and the diffractions were obtained using the Bragg-Brentano geometric arrangement. It was possible to establish four sources of critical variations: the experimental absorption and the scale factor of NiO, which is the phase with the greatest linear absorption coefficient of the ternary mixture; the instrumental characteristics represented by mechanical errors of the goniometer and sample displacement; the other two phases (Al2O3 and MgO); and the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the laboratory. The error sources excessively impair the QPA with the Rietveld method. Therefore it becomes necessary to control them during the measurement procedure.

Finite approximate controllability for semilinear heat equations in noncylindrical domains

Este artigo é dedicado ao estudo da controlabilidade finito-aproximada para a equação não linear de transferência de calor em domínios com fronteira móvel. A demonstração do resultado principal baseia-se no princípio de continuação única de Carolina Fabre 1996 e em argumentos de ponto fixo do tipo Leray-Schauder.

Previsão estocástica de nível fluviométrico para cidade de Marabá-PA: método de Box-Jenkins

O Município de Marabá- PA, situado na região Amazônica, sudeste do Estado do Pará, sofre anualmente com eventos de enchentes, ocasionados pelo aumento periódico do rio Tocantins e pela situação de vulnerabilidade da população que reside em áreas de risco. A defesa civil estadual e municipal anualmente planeja e prepara equipes para ações de defesa no município. Nesta fase o monitoramento e previsão de eventos de enchentes são importantes. Portanto, com o objetivo de diminuir erros nas previsões hidrológicas para o Município de Marabá, desenvolveu-se um modelo estocástico para previsão de nível do rio Tocantins, baseado na metodologia de Box e Jenkins. Utilizou os dados de níveis diários observados nas estações hidrológicas de Marabá e Carolina e Conceição do Araguaia da Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA), do período de 01/12/ 2008 a 31/03/2011. Efetuou-se o ajustamento de três modelos (M_t, N_t e Y_t), através de diferentes aplicativos estatísticos: o SAS e o Gretl, usando diferentes interpretações do comportamento das séries para gerar as equações dos modelos. A principal diferença entre os aplicativos é que no SAS usa o modelo de função de transferência na modelagem. Realizou-se uma classificação da variabilidade do nível do rio, através da técnica dos Quantis para o período de 1972 a 2011, examinando-se apenas as categorizações de níveis ACIMA e MUITO ACIMA do normal. Para análise de impactos socioeconômicos foram usados os dados das ações da Defesa Civil Estado do Pará nas cheias de 2009 e 2011. Os resultados mostraram que o número de eventos de cheias com níveis MUITO ACIMA do normal, geralmente, podem estar associados a eventos de La Niña. Outro resultado importante: os modelos gerados simularam muito bem o nível do rio para o período de sete dias (01/04/2011 a 07/04/2011). O modelo multivariado N_t (com pequenos erros) representou o comportamento da série original, subestimando os valores reais nos dias 3, 4 e 5 de abril de 2011, com erro máximo de 0,28 no dia 4. O modelo univariado (Y_t) teve bons resultados nas simulações com erros absolutos em torno de 0,12 m. O modelo com menor erro absoluto (0,08m) para o mesmo período foi o modelo M_t, desenvolvido pelo aplicativo SAS, que interpreta a série original como sendo não linear e não estacionária. A análise quantitativa dos impactos fluviométricos, ocorridos nas enchentes de 2009 e 2011 na cidade de Marabá, revelou em média que mais de 4 mil famílias sofrem com estes eventos, implicado em gastos financeiros elevados. Logo, conclui-se que os modelos de previsão de níveis são importantes ferramentas que a Defesa Civil, utiliza no planejamento e preparo de ações preventivas para o município de Marabá.

Discrimination of soybean seed lots by multivariate exploratory techniques

Physiological potential characterization of seed lots is usually performed by germination and vigor tests; however, the choice of a single test does not reflect such potential, once each test assesses seeds of differentiated mode. Multivariate techniques allow understanding structural dependence contained in each variable, as well as characterize groups of seed lots according to specific standards. The study aimed at evaluating variability among soybean seed lots and discriminate these lots by multivariate exploratory techniques as function of seed vigor. Experiment was performed with 20 soybean seed lots (10 lots cv. BRS Valiosa RR and 10 lots cv. M-SOY 7908 RR). Seed physiological potential was assessed by testing for: germination (standard, and under different water availability); vigor (accelerated aging and electrical conductivity); and field seedling emergence. Cluster analysis of seed lots, as well as Principal Component Analysis was performed using data obtained on all tests. Multivariate techniques allowed stratifying seed lots into two distinct groups. Principal Component Analysis showed that values obtained for variables: field seedling emergence, accelerated aging, and germination under different water availability were linked to BRS Valiosa RR; while to variables germination and electrical conductivity, were linked to M-SOY 7908 RR.

Multivariate approach in the selection of superior soybean progeny which carry the RR gene

Efficiency in the use of genetic variability, whether existing or created, increases when properly explored and analysed. Incorporation of biotechnology into breeding programs has been the general practice. The challenge for the researcher is the constant development of new and improved cultivars. The aim of this experiment was to select progenies with superior characteristics, whether or not carriers of the RR gene, derived from bi-parental crosses in the soybean, with the help of multivariate techniques. The experiment was carried out in a family-type experimental design, including controls, during the agricultural year 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 in Jaboticabal in the Brazilian State of São Paulo. From the F3 generation, phenotypically superior plants were selected, which were evaluated for the following traits: number of days to flowering; number of days to maturity; height of first pod insertion; plant height at maturity; lodging; agronomic value; number of branches; number of pods per plant; 100-seed weight; number of seeds per plant; grain yield per plant. Given the results, it appears possible to select superior progeny by principal component analysis. Cluster analysis using the K-means method links progeny according to the most important characteristics in each group and identifies, by the Ward method and by means of a dendrogram, the structure of similarity and divergence between selected progeny. Both methods are effective in aiding progeny selection.

Multivariate curve resolution analysis applied to time-resolved synchrotron X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy monitoring of the activation of copper alumina catalyst

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Cluster and meta-analyses of genetic parameters for feed intake traits in growing beef cattle

A data set based on 50 studies including feed intake and utilization traits was used to perform a meta-analysis to obtain pooled estimates using the variance between studies of genetic parameters for average daily gain (ADG); residual feed intake (RFI); metabolic body weight (MBW); feed conversion ratio (FCR); and daily dry matter intake (DMI) in beef cattle. The total data set included 128 heritability and 122 genetic correlation estimates published in the literature from 1961 to 2012. The meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model where the restricted maximum likelihood estimator was used to evaluate variances among clusters. Also, a meta-analysis using the method of cluster analysis was used to group the heritability estimates. Two clusters were obtained for each trait by different variables. It was observed, for all traits, that the heterogeneity of variance was significant between clusters and studies for genetic correlation estimates. The pooled estimates, adding the variance between clusters, for direct heritability estimates for ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR were 0.32 +/- 0.04, 0.39 +/- 0.03, 0.31 +/- 0.02, 0.31 +/- 0.03 and 0.26 +/- 0.03, respectively. Pooled genetic correlation estimates ranged from -0.15 to 0.67 among ADG, DMI, RFI, MBW and FCR. These pooled estimates of genetic parameters could be used to solve genetic prediction equations in populations where data is insufficient for variance component estimation. Cluster analysis is recommended as a statistical procedure to combine results from different studies to account for heterogeneity.

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography combined to multivariate data analysis for detection of disease-resistant clones of Eucalyptus

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