Experimental damage detection using system norms

Nowadays there is great interest in structural damage detection in systems using nondestructive tests. Once the failure is detected, as for instance a crack, it is possible to take providences. There are several different approaches that can be used to obtain information about the existence, location and extension of the fault in the system by non-destructive tests. Among these methodologies, one can mention different optimization techniques, as for instance classical methods, genetic algorithms, neural networks, etc. Most of these techniques, which are based on element-byelement adjustments of a finite element (FE) model, take advantage of the dynamic behavior of the model. However, in practical situations, usually, is almost impossible to obtain an accuracy model. In this paper, it is proposed an experimental technique for damage location. This technique is based on H: norm to obtain the damage location. The dynamic properties of the structure were identified using experimental data by eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA). The experimental test was carried out in a beam structure through varying the mass of an element. For the output signal was used a piezoelectric sensor. The signal of input of sine form was generated through SignalCalc® software.

Contribuiçã ao estudo de caracterizaçã de depó formados no papel

Deposits formed on the surface of. paper were analysed in order to identify the sources of the defects, as well as to solve the problems associated with performance and adjustments at the wet end of the paper forming process. Standard paper samples containing deposits were collected and analysed by comparing the microstructure and composition of the deposit with paper regions adjacent to it. Optical microscopy (OM). energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were the techniques used in this study. The results obtained from the EDX, XRD. and TG techniques allowed concluding that the calcium carbonate content in the farm of calcite is 1.6 times higher in the formed deposit them the quantity expected in the standard paper composition. The paper sample microstructure revealed by the SEM images indicates the presence of irregular spherical aggregates up to 20μm in diameter in the deposit region. containing larger amount of calcium carbonate as well as in the regions adjacent to the deposit. These spherical aggregates seem to be absorbed and integrated into the pulp fibres and present characteristics similar to those of partially cooked cationic starch. The analysed deposits are characterised by a dense and thick substance, forming a plate with highly adhesive property. This adhesive substance has a characteristic similar to glue with a large amount of organic matter due to the high weight loss shown by the TG curve. The results are consistent with the interaction ofparticles of negatively charged calcium carbonate and cationic starch, forming sterically stabilized deposits, which firmly adhere to the paper microstructure.

Virtual simulator for mobile robots navigation systems

This paper presents the virtual environment implementation for project simulation and conception of supervision and control systems for mobile robots, that are capable to operate and adapting in different environments and conditions. This virtual system has as purpose to facilitate the development of embedded architecture systems, emphasizing the implementation of tools that allow the simulation of the kinematic conditions, dynamic and control, with real time monitoring of all important system points. For this, an open control architecture is proposal, integrating the two main techniques of robotic control implementation in the hardware level: systems microprocessors and reconfigurable hardware devices. The implemented simulator system is composed of a trajectory generating module, a kinematic and dynamic simulator module and of a analysis module of results and errors. All the kinematic and dynamic results shown during the simulation can be evaluated and visualized in graphs and tables formats, in the results analysis module, allowing an improvement in the system, minimizing the errors with the necessary adjustments optimization. For controller implementation in the embedded system, it uses the rapid prototyping, that is the technology that allows, in set with the virtual simulation environment, the development of a controller project for mobile robots. The validation and tests had been accomplish with nonholonomics mobile robots models with diferencial transmission. © 2008 IEEE.

Latin America and the Caribbean in the World Economy 2010-2011: The region in the decade of the emerging economies

Incluye Bibliografía

Ajustamento de redes gps em conformidade com as exigências da lei 10.267/2001

In the Brazil, several have been the applications of GPS and with the introduction of the Law 10.267/2001 that among other dispositions, it treats of the georeferencing of the rural parcels. However, most of the commercial softwares of processing and adjustment of GPS data doesn't allow that the users may evaluate their results in a reliable way. For example, the constraints are normally used as absolute, which provides results with very optimists precisions. The adoption of additional analyses and the implementation of softwares can reduce these kinds of problems. Thus, it was developed a software for adjustment of GPS networks, aiming to assist in a reliable way the requirements of the Law 10.267/2001. In this context, in this work it is analyzed the adjustments of GPS networks, utilizing absolute and relative constraints. In the case of the last one, the adjustments were accomplished considering and not considering the correlations among the coordinate positions.

Regulation, worker protection and active labour-market policies in Latin America

Includes bibliography

Economics of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean: summary 2009

Includes bibliography

The Canadian retirement income system

Includes bibliography

A new generation of standards: implications for the Caribbean and Latin America

Incluye Bibliografía

Retos de la política fiscal en Centroamérica

Incluye Bibliografía

Promoting corporate social responsibility in small and medium enterprises in the Caribbean: survey results

Includes bibliography

Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical determinants of plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in free-living adults

The level of high-density lipoprotein is thought to be critical in inhibiting lesion formation as well as reducing the lipid load of preexisting atherosclerotic lesions. With the aim of determining the main determinants of plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c) in free-living adults, 997 individuals (52.3 10 years, 67 females) were selected for a descriptive cross-sectional study. The used data corresponded to the baseline obtained from participants clinically selected for a lifestyle modification program. Covariables of clinical, anthropometry, food intake, aerobic fitness, and plasma biochemistry were analyzed against plasma HDL-c either as continuous or categorized variables. After adjustments for age, gender, and BMI the excess of abdominal fat along with high carbohydrate-energy intake and altered plasma triglycerides were the stronger predictors of reduced plasma HDL-c. In conclusion lifestyle interventions aiming to normalize abdominal fatness and plasma triglycerides are recommended to restore normal levels of HDL-c in these free-living adults. Copyright © 2011 Erick Prado de Oliveira et al.

Educação inclusiva: Análise e intervenção em uma sala de recursos

This paper is based on the Support Paradigm, which establishes the principles to the inclusive education, which indicates educational adjustments participating in the regular school to all students. This study aimed to analyze a special classroom working arrangements and to describe an intervention implemented having a special classroom teacher as participant. Data collection comprised the following phases: (a) special classroom description; (b) analysis of the teacher's teaching plan; (c) application of survey and discussion comprising theory and practice on inclusive education; (d) curricular adaptation fulfilling. Data analysis comprised: special classroom characterization, survey analysis, comparative analysis of curricular adaptation. As results, the study shows divergences between public educational policies and school reality. The intervention provided the teacher with a reflection about her on-work performance based on new teaching procedures.

A importância das informações aferentes podais para o controle postural

Introduction. The postural control involves a complex mechanism for connecting the afferent and efferent pathways and their integration into the central nervous system (CNS). Three systems are responsible to obtain outside information: visual, vestibular and sensory. Recent studies have shown that among such systems, the CNS shows a greater predilection for sensory information to postural control. Objective. Given this, the review proposes to discuss the feet sensory information importance and its reflection in postural control mechanisms. Method. For this reason, a literature search was carried out by PubMed and Bireme libraries, and papers of the last five years were selected. Specific books were also used. Discussion. Studies were separated into topics on sensory information integration to neuro-motor answer, postural feed-forward adjustments recruitment mechanisms; neuro-muscular coordination and synergy responses and the musculoskeletal tissues role. Conclusion. Despite has been found a large number of studies, the real mechanism that the CNS uses to filter, integrate and process the sensory information and select the appropriate motor response, be it for the movement or posture for the stabilization remains obscure.

The evaluation of an instrument for pediatric oncology patient classification

The objectives of this study were to assess the interrater reproducibility of the instrument to classify pediatric patients with cancer; verify the adequacy of the patient classification instrument for pediatric patients with cancer; and make a proposal for changing the instrument, thus allowing for the necessary adjustments for pediatric oncology patients. A total of 34 pediatric inpatients of a Cancer Hospital were evaluated by the teams of physicians, nurses and nursing technicians. The Kappa coefficient was used to rate the agreement between the scores, which revealed a moderate to high value in the objective classifications, and a low value in the subjective. In conclusion, the instrument is reliable and reproducible, however, it is suggested that to classify pediatric oncology patients, some items should be complemented in order to reach an outcome that is more compatible with the reality of this specific population.