Resistivity (DC) method applied to aouifer protection studies

Resistivity (DC) method using vertical electrical soundings (Schlumberger array) are conducted In the vicinity of Canoas/RS, applied to environmental studies with the objective of Investigating groundwater conditions, The present paper shows a geoelectrlcal Identification of the lithology and an estimate of the relationship between the resistivity and Dar Zarrouk parameters (transverse unit resistance and longitudinal unit conductance) with the properties such as aquifer transmlssivlty and protection of ground water resources, In the saturated sediments, resistivity values defined the following sequence: clay layers (resistivity < 40 ohm-m) and sand layers (resistivity > 40 ohm-m), Two sand layers were identified; one corresponding to the unconfined aquifer and another to the confined aquifer between two clay layers, In the map of the transverse unit resistance of the unconfined aquifer, the tendencies of high values can be associated with the zones of high transmissivity; hence, these zones are suggested for the installation of monitoring wells, The map of longitudinal conductance Illustrates the Impermeability of the confining clay layer, Values of S > 1.0 siemens would indicate zones in which the confined aquifer would be protected; In comparison, values of S < 1.0 siemens would indicate zones of probable risks of contamination. © 2006 Sociedade Brasileira de Geofísica.

A preliminary investigation of pre-dispersal seed predation by Acanthoscelides schrankiae horn (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze trees

This is the first record of Acanthoscelides schrankiae Horn, feeding in seeds of Mimosa bimucronata (DC.) Kuntze. We investigated the pattern of oviposition and seed exploitation by A. schrankiae, and the distribution of mature fruits and seed predation in the inflorescences. We also compared the percentage of predated seeds, the total dry weight of fruits and non-predated seeds, the percentage of aborted seeds, and the percentage of non-emergent insects, among different quadrants of the M. bimucronata canopy. To determine the occurring species, the emergence of bruchids and parasitoids was observed in the laboratory, resulting altogether, only in individuals of A. schrankiae and Horismenus sp. (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) species, respectively. Mean number of fruits produced in the median region of inflorescence was significantly higher than in the inferior and superior regions, and the frequencies (observed and expected) of predated and non-predated seeds differed among the different regions of inflorescence. Females of A. schrankiae laid their eggs on fruits, and larvae, after emergence, perforated the exocarp to reach the seeds. Most fruits presented one to three eggs and only one bruchid larva was observed in each seed. The highest value of the rate number of eggs/fruit and the highest percentage of predated seeds were recorded in April. Dry weight of fruits (total) and seeds (non-predated), proportions of predated seeds, seed abortions, and non-emergent seed predators, were evenly distributed in the canopy.

Morfo-anatomia do eixo vegetativo aéreo de Achyrocline alata (Kunth) DC. (Asteraceae)

Achyrocline alata occurs in a dense and low vegetation in Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil and it has been studied under physical-chemical and yield aspects, being scarce anatomical data. The present work has as objective the study of the aerial vegetative axis. Stem is cylindrical and hairy, having five wings, which are arisen from their leaves. The blade shows the presence of uniseriate epidermis, which is covered by the cuticle of variable thickness; and non-glandular and glandular trichomes. The non-glandular trichomes are uniseriate and multicellular and have their apex cell in whip form, while the glandular trichomes are multicellular, uniseriate or biseriate. The mesophyll is dorsiventral with uni-stratified palisade parenchyma in most of the cases and lacunal parenchyma formed by three to four layers of irregular cells. Only one collateral vascular bundle occurs in the midvein. Stem in transversal section is covered by epidermis with trichomes similar to leaves; the cortex is constituted by a discontinuous area of angular collenchyma, which is followed by chlorophyll parenchyma. Vascular cylinder that is delimited by pericycle shows vascular bundles of collateral type. In the secondary structure, the periderm is originated from epidermal and subepidermal tissues. In vascular region, the fascicular cambium differs into secondary xylem and phloem, while interfascicular cambium produces sclerenchymatous tissue.

Nerolidol, an antiulcer constituent from the essential oil of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

In this study, the antiulcerogenic effect of essential oil from Baccharis dracunculifolia was evaluated using the model of acute gastric lesions induced by ethanol. The ulcerative lesion index (ULI) was significantly reduced by oral administration of the essential oil of B. dracunculifolia at doses of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg which reduced the lesions by 42.79, 45.70 and 61.61%, respectively. The analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oil from B. dracunculifolia by GC showed that this was composed mainly of mono- and sesquiterpenes and the majority compound was nerolidol. Therefore, antiulcerogenic activity of nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) was investigated using ethanol-, indomethacin- and stress-induced ulcer models in rat. In the stress-induced ulcer model, a significant reduction of the ULI in animals treated with nerolidol (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and cimetidine (100 mg/kg) was observed, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 41.22, 51.31, 56.57 and 53.50% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. Regarding ethanol- and indomethacin-induced ulcer models, it was observed that the treatment with nerolidol (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly reduced the ULI in comparison with the control group (p < 0.05). The dose of 50 mg/kg reduced the parameters analyzed but this was not statistically significant. In the ethanol-induced model percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.20, 52.63, 87.63 and 50.87% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 30 mg/kg of omeprazol (positive control), respectively. In indomethacin-ulcer the percentage of inhibition of ulcer was 34.69, 40.80, 51.02 and 46.93% in groups treated with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg of nerolidol and 100 mg/kg of cimetidine (positive control), respectively. The results of this study show that nerolidol displays antiulcer activity, as it significantly inhibited the formation of ulcers induced in different animal models. However, further pharmacological and toxicological investigations, to delineate the mechanism(s) of action and the toxic effects, are required to allow the use of nerolidol for the treatment of gastric ulcer. © 2007 Verlag der Zeitschrift für Naturforschung.

Branch and bound algorithm for transmission network expansion planning using DC model

This paper presents an algorithm to solve the network transmission system expansion planning problem using the DC model which is a mixed non-linear integer programming problem. The major feature of this work is the use of a Branch-and-Bound (B&B) algorithm to directly solve mixed non-linear integer problems. An efficient interior point method is used to solve the non-linear programming problem at each node of the B&B tree. Tests with several known systems are presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method. ©2007 IEEE.

A structure excited by a DC motor of limited power supply and controlled by a pendulum like device

In this paper, a mathematical model is derived via Lagrange's Equation for a shear building structure that acts as a foundation of a non-ideal direct current electric motor, controlled by a mass loose inside a circular carving. Non-ideal sources of vibrations of structures are those whose characteristics are coupled to the motion of the structure, not being a function of time only as in the ideal case. Thus, in this case, an additional equation of motion is written, related to the motor rotation, coupled to the equation describing the horizontal motion of the shear building. This kind of problem can lead to the so-called Sommerfeld effect: steady state frequencies of the motor will usually increase as more power (voltage) is given to it in a step-by-step fashion. When a resonance condition with the structure is reached, the better part of this energy is consumed to generate large amplitude vibrations of the foundation without sensible change of the motor frequency as before. If additional increase steps in voltage are made, one may reach a situation where the rotor will jump to higher rotation regimes, no steady states being stable in between. As a device of passive control of both large amplitude vibrations and the Sommerfeld effect, a scheme is proposed using a point mass free to bounce back and forth inside a circular carving in the suspended mass of the structure. Numerical simulations of the model are also presented Copyright © 2007 by ASME.

Biometria e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de diferentes matrizes de Tabebuia chrysotricha (Mart. Ex A. DC.) Stand I.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Development of a DC-DC converter for DC bus voltage control of series connected device

The purpose of this work is to study voltage control and energy balance of a split DC bus topology within a power electronics equipment connected to the AC mains, such as UPS systems, wind power generators, active filters and FACTS devices. A typical configuration in such equipment has two mains connected converters sharing a common DC bus, one series connected and the other parallel connected. The DC bus is usually composed by a battery or a capacitor bank. In the proposed topology, the DC bus is divided in two sides, interconnected with a buck-boost converter, which controls power flow and DC voltage on both sides. © 2009 IEEE.

Interactive DC-DC converters tools for instant design and education

This paper deals with the usage of interactive simulations tools to serve as an oriented design tool for the lectures and laboratory experiments in the power electronics courses. A dynamic and interactive visualization of simulations for idealized converters in steady state are provided by the proposed educational tools, allowing students to acquire qualification in non-isolated DC-DC converters, without previous circuitry knowledge, either without the usage of sophisticated simulation packages. The interaction with proposed simulation tools can be accomplished by student using direct or graphic mode. In direct mode the parameters related with the design of converter can be inserted simply editing default values presented in textboxes, while in the graphic mode students interact indirectly with design information by manipulating visual widgets. In order to corroborate the proposed interactive simulation tools, comparisons of results from buck-boost and boost converters on proposed tools and a well-known simulator package with those on experimental evaluation from laboratory classes were presented. © 2009 IEEE.

rastreamento histoquímico, fitoquímico e biológico de folhas de Plinia cauliflora (DC.) Kausel (Myrtaceae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Eugenia dysenterica DC: Actividad antioxidante, Perfil de ácidos grasos y determinación de tocoferoles

This work aimed to characterize the proximate composition, antioxidant activity and fatty acids profile and tocopherol composition of the oil from Eugenia dysenterica DC seeds. To obtain the extract, the dehydrated and triturated seeds were extracted with ethyl alcohol for 30 minutes, at a proportion of 1:3 of seeds:ethyl alcohol, under continuous agitation at room temperature. Afterwards, the mixture was filtered and the supernatant was dehydrated at 40°C in order to determine by direct weighing the dry matter yield of the extract. The cagaita seeds showed to be an important source of total carbohydrates, had relevant antioxidant activity and a high content of total phenolic compounds. In comparison to other oils and fats, cagaita seeds oil do not constitutes a good source of tocopherols.

Trolleybus power system for operation with AC or DC distribution networks

This paper presents the development and experimental analysis of a special input stage converter for a Trolleybus type vehicle allowing its operation in AC (two wires, single-phase) or DC distribution networks. The architecture of proposed input stage converter is composed by five interleaved boost rectifiers operating in discontinuous conduction mode. Furthermore, due to the power lines characteristics, the proposed input power structure can act as AC to DC or as DC to DC converter providing a proper DC output voltage range required to the DC bus. When operation is AC to DC, the converter is capable to provide high power factor with reduced harmonic distortion for the input current, complying with the restrictions imposed by IEC 61000-3-4 standard. Finally, the main experimental results are presented in order to verify the feasibility of the proposed converter, demonstrating the benefits and the possibility for AC feeding system for trolleybus type vehicle. © 2010 IEEE.

Implementation of a DC-DC converter with variable structure control of switched systems

This paper presents a control method for a class of continuous-time switched systems, using state feedback variable structure controllers. The method is applied to the control of a two-cell dc-dc buck converter and a control circuit design using the software PSpice is proposed. The design is based on Lyapunov-Metzler-SPR systems and the performance of the resulting control system is superior to that afforded by a recently-proposed alternative sliding-mode control technique. The dc-dc power converters are very used in industrial applications, for instance, in power systems of hybrid electric vehicles and aircrafts. Good results were obtained and the proposed design is also inexpensive because it uses electric components that can be easily found for the hardware implementation. Future researches on the subject include the hardware validation of the dc-dc converter controller and the robust control design of switched systems, with structural failures. © 2011 IEEE.

Design and implementation of a dc-dc converter based on variable structure control of switched systems

This paper presents a control method for a class of continuous-time switched systems, using state feedback variable structure controllers. The method is applied to the control of a non-trivial dc-dc power converter and a simple and inexpensive control circuit design, that was simulated using the software PSpice, is proposed. The design is based on Lyapunov-Metzler-SPR systems and the performance of the resulting control system is superior to that afforded by a recently proposed alternative sliding-mode control technique. © 2011 IFAC.

A comparison of performance indexes in DC-DC converters under different stabilizing state-dependent switching laws

This paper deals with the problem of establishing stabilizing state-dependent switching laws in DC-DC converters operating at continuous conduction mode (CCM) and comparing their performance indexes. Firstly, the nature of the problem is defined, that is, the study of switched affine systems, which may not share a common equilibrium point. The concept of stability is, therefore, broadened. Then, the central theorem is proposed, from which a family of switching laws can be derived, namely the minimum law and the hold state law. Some of these are proved to stabilize the basic DC-DC converters and then, their performances are compared to another law, from a previous work, by simulation, where a great reduction in overshoot is obtained. © 2011 IEEE.