Information Visualization to Enhance Sensitivity and Selectivity in Biosensing

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

Aspectos dinâmicos da água versus álcool e acetona por técnicas de congelamento

Water still represents, on its critical properties and phase transitions, a problem of current scientific interest, as a consequence of the countless open questions and of the inadequacy of the existent theoretical models, mainly related to the different solid and liquid phases that this substance possesses. For example, there are 13 known crystalline forms of water, and also amorphous phases. One of them, the amorphous ice of very high density (VHDA), was just recently observed. Other example is the anomalous behavior in the macroscopic density, which presents a maximum at the temperature of 277 K. In order to experimentally investigate the behavior of one of the liquid-solid phase transitions, the anomaly in its density and also the metastability, we used three different cooling techniques and, as comparison systems, we made use of the solvents: acetone and ethyl alcohol. The first studied cooling system employ a Peltier plate, a device recently developed, which makes use of small cubes made up of semiconductors to change heat among two surfaces; the second system is a commercial refrigerator, similar to the residential ones. Finally, the liquid nitrogen technique, which is used to refrigerate the samples in a container, in two ways: a very fast and other one, almost static. In those three systems, three Beckers of aluminum were used (with a volume of 80 ml, each), containing water, alcohol and acetone. They were closed and maintained at atmospheric pressure. Inside of each Becker were installed three thermocouples, disposed along the vertical axis of the Beckers, one close to the inferior surface, other to the medium level and the last one close the superior surface. A system of data acquisition was built via virtual instrumentation using as a central equipment a Data-Acquisition board. The temperature data were collected by the three thermocouples in the three Beckers, simultaneously, in function of freezing time. We will present the behavior of temperature versus freezing time for the three substances. The results show the characterization of the transitions of the liquid

g-acceleration of gravity: its measurement from the shape of water by using a computerized rotational system

This paper proposes a different experimental setup compared with the traditional ones, in order to determine the acceleration of gravity, which is carried out by using a fluid at a constant rotation. A computerized rotational system-by using a data acquisition system with specific software, a power amplifier and a rotary motion sensor-is employed in order to evaluate the angular velocity and g. An equation to determine g is inferred from fluid mechanics. For this purpose, the fluid's parabolic shape inside a cylindrical receptacle is considered using a rotational movement.

In-process grinding monitoring by acoustic emission

This work aims to investigate the efficiency of digital signal processing tools of acoustic emission signals in order to detect thermal damages in grinding process. To accomplish such a goal, an experimental work was carried out for 15 runs in a surface grinding machine operating with an aluminum oxide grinding wheel and ABNT 1045. The acoustic emission signals were acquired from a fixed sensor placed on the workpiece holder. A high sampling rate data acquisition system at 2.5 MHz was used to collect the raw acoustic emission instead of root mean square value usually employed. Many statistics have shown effective to detect burn, such as the root mean square (RMS), correlation of the AE, constant false alarm (CFAR), ratio of power (ROP) and mean-value deviance (MVD). However, the CFAR, ROP, Kurtosis and correlation of the AE have been presented more sensitive than the RMS.

Automatic detection of thermal damage in grinding process by artificial neural network

Esse trabalho tem por objetivo o desenvolvimento de um sistema inteligente para detecção da queima no processo de retificação tangencial plana através da utilização de uma rede neural perceptron multi camadas, treinada para generalizar o processo e, conseqüentemente, obter o limiar de queima. em geral, a ocorrência da queima no processo de retificação pode ser detectada pelos parâmetros DPO e FKS. Porém esses parâmetros não são eficientes nas condições de usinagem usadas nesse trabalho. Os sinais de emissão acústica e potência elétrica do motor de acionamento do rebolo são variáveis de entrada e a variável de saída é a ocorrência da queima. No trabalho experimental, foram empregados um tipo de aço (ABNT 1045 temperado) e um tipo de rebolo denominado TARGA, modelo ART 3TG80.3 NVHB.

Fault section estimation in electric power systems using an optimization immune algorithm

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

Real-time multi-sensors measurement system with temperature effects compensation for impedance-based structural health monitoring

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

A contextualização e a interdisplinaridade no ensino de Química: uma analise de livros didáticos ACIDO-BASE e das propostas pedagógicas realizadas pelos docentes diante da temática

Nowadays, chemistry contents taught in high school continue to be presented in a fragmented and decontextualized manner by the teachers and the textbooks. Even though it is known that contextualization and interdisciplinary exchange play an important role in the process of Chemistry teaching/learning. Therefore, the present study aims at enlightening the importance of these methodological foundations in the learning of chemistry. The data acquisition about the subject Contextualization and Interdisciplinary Exchange involved in Chemistry Teaching was developed through bibliographical researches on chemistry textbooks, which focused on the analysis of the topics acid and base , since it is a theme studied throughout all three years of high school. The present study also developed questionnaires which were applied to analyze to what extent chemistry teachers are working in a contextualized and interdisciplinary manner throughout the process of Chemistry teaching/learning. The results obtained in the researches show that a contextualized and interdisciplinary teaching contributes to a more meaningful acquisition of chemistry knowledge, in a dynamic and interactive way, but there are still many roadblocks towards the achievement of this kind of Chemistry teaching/learning process

Uma Análise Comparativa entre Sistemas de Combinação de Classificadores com Distribuição Vertical dos Dados

In systems that combine the outputs of classification methods (combination systems), such as ensembles and multi-agent systems, one of the main constraints is that the base components (classifiers or agents) should be diverse among themselves. In other words, there is clearly no accuracy gain in a system that is composed of a set of identical base components. One way of increasing diversity is through the use of feature selection or data distribution methods in combination systems. In this work, an investigation of the impact of using data distribution methods among the components of combination systems will be performed. In this investigation, different methods of data distribution will be used and an analysis of the combination systems, using several different configurations, will be performed. As a result of this analysis, it is aimed to detect which combination systems are more suitable to use feature distribution among the components

Sistema de aquisição de dados para estudos de transiente de pressão e detecção de vazamentos em oleodutos

In February 2011, the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) has published a new Technical Rules for Handling Land Pipeline Petroleum and Natural Gas Derivatives (RTDT). Among other things, the RTDT made compulsory the use of monitoring systems and leak detection in all onshore pipelines in the country. This document provides a study on the method for detection of transient pressure. The study was conducted on a industrial duct 16" diameter and 9.8 km long. The pipeline is fully pressurized and carries a multiphase mixture of crude oil, water and natural gas. For the study, was built an infrastructure for data acquisition and validation of detection algorithms. The system was designed with SCADA architecture. Piezoresistive sensors were installed at the ends of the duct and Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) were used for sampling, storage and processing of data. The study was based on simulations of leaks through valves and search for patterns that characterize the occurrence of such phenomena

Caracterização de processos morfodinâmicos e hidrodinâmicos do cinturão lacustre meridional da Reserva Biológica do Lago Pirituba, Amapá

The Amapá State has an important natural lake system, known as The Amapá Lakes Region . Most of these lakes are on the southern part of Amapá s coastal plain, which has 300 km of extension and it s composed by holocenic sediments deposited at the northern part of Amazon River to the Orange Cape located on the northern part of Amapá state. This region is under influence of the Amazon River discharge which is the largest liquid discharge of about 209.000 m³/s and biggest sediment budget discharged on the ocean in the order 6.108 ton per day. The climate is influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone and El Niño Southern Oscillation which act mainly under precipitation, nebulosity, local rivers and tidal hidrology. In this region lake belts are Ocidental, Oriental and Meridional Lake Belts. The last one is formed by the by the lakes Comprido de Cima, Botos, Bacia, Lodão, Ventos, Mutuco and Comprido de Baixo. These lakes are the closest to the Araguari River and are characterized by pelitic sedimentation associated with fluvial and estuarine flood plains under influence of tides. The lakes are interconnected, suffer influence of flood pulses from the Tartarugal, Tartarugalzinho and Araguari rivers and the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic know edge is poor. Volume and area reduction, natural eutrophication, anthophic influence, hidrodynamic alterations, morphological changes and are factors which can contribute to the closing of such lakes on the Meridional Lake Belt. This belt is inside the boundaries of the Biological Reserve of Piratuba Lake, created in 1980 for integral protection. Due to the fragility of the environment together with the poor knowledge of the system and with the study area relevancy it is necessary to know the hydrodynamic and geoenvironmental processes. This work aims the characterization of morphodynamic and hydrodynamic processes in order to understand the geoambiental context of the Meridional Lake Belt, from the Comprido de Baixo Lake to the dos Ventos Lake, including the Tabaco Igarape. Methodology was based on the hydrodynamic data acquisition: liquid discharge (acoustic method), tides, bathymetry and the interpretation of multitemporal remote sensing images, integrated in a Geographic Information System (GIS). By this method charts of the medium liquid discharges of Lake Mutuco and Tabacco Igarape the maximum velocity of flow were estimated in: 1.1 m/s, 1.6 m/s and 1.6 m/s (rainy season) and 0.6 m/s, 0.6 m/s and 0.7 m/s (dry period), the maximum flow in: 289 m³/s, 297 m³/s and 379 m³/s (rainy season) and 41 m³/s , 79 m³/s and 105 m³/s (dry period), respectively. From the interpretation of multitemporal satellite images, maps were developed together with the analysis of the lakes and Tobaco Igarape evolution from 1972 to 2008, and were classified according to the degree of balance in the area: stable areas, eutrophic areas, areas of gain, and eroded areas. Troughout analysis of the balance of areas, it was possible to quantify the volume of lake areas occupied by aquatic macrophytes. The study sought to understand the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic processes occurring in the region, contributing to the elucidation of the processes which cause and/or favor geoenvironmental changes in the region; all such information is fundamental to making the management of the area and further definition of parameters for environmental monitoring and contributing to the development of the management plan of the Biological Reserve of Lake Piratuba. The work activities is a part of the Project "Integration of Geological, geophysical and geochemical data to Paleogeographic rebuilding of Amazon Coast, from the Neogene to the Recent

Vulnerabilidades socioambiental na zona de proteção ambiental 9, Natal/RN

This work aims to analyze socio-environmental vulnerability in the Zone of Environmental Preservation -9, located in the northern of the city of Natal / RN. This objective was outlined when we noted a large number of households (about 2000) located in an area considered relevant in terms of environmental and social conditions, notably because of the existence of lakes, sand dunes and rivers that contribute to groundwater recharge Dunas/Barreiras Furthermore, this area is widely used for agricultural activities. The methodology used during this research is accorded to the literature review about the concept of vulnerability, consultations in public agencies for data acquisition, field research and questionnaires. Data collected from each category of vulnerability (social and environmental) were tabulated, analyzed and presented as tables, maps and texts. According to theoretical concepts and methodology of Alves (2006), Cutter (1996), Torres (2000), Acselrad (2006) e Hogan e Marandola Junior (2005; 2006; 2007), the research is structured in the preparation of an environmental diagnosis of the neighborhoods of Blue Lagoon and Pajuçara and subsequent analysis of socio-environmental vulnerability in the Zone of Environmental Preservation -9, especially Area 1, 2 and 3.There was a variation in results between the social vulnerability and environmental vulnerability categories for each area of the Zone of Environmental Preservation -9. However, the crossing between the two categories above showed that Area 3 had the highest level of environmental vulnerability, followed by Area 1. On the other hand, the Area 2 was considered of minor environmental vulnerability. In this sense, this work presents relevant subsidies to the planning of public policies, to identify and characterize the critical areas with high socio-environmental vulnerability

Comparison among three approaches for evaluation of sexual precocity in Nellore cattle

Restricted breeding seasons used in beef cattle produce censored data for reproduction traits measured in regard to these seasons. To analyze these data, adequate methods must be used. The objective of this paper was to compare three approaches aiming to evaluate sexual precocity in Nellore cattle. The final data set contained 6699 records of age at first conception (AFC14) (in days) and of heifer pregnancy (HP14) (binary) obtained from females exposed to the bulls for the first time at about 14 months of age. Records of females that did not calve in the following year after being exposed to a sire were considered censored (77.5% of total). The models used to obtain genetic parameters and expected progeny differences (EPDs) were a Weibull mixed and a censored linear model for AFC14 and threshold model for HP14. The mean heritabilities obtained were 0.76 and 0.44, respectively, for survival and censored linear models (for AFC14), and 0.58 for HP14. Ranking and Pearson correlations varied (in absolute values) from 0.54 to 0.99 (considering different percentages of sires selected), indicating moderate changes in the classification. Considering survival analysis as the best selection criterion (that would result in the best response to selection), it was observed that selection for HP14 would lead to a more significant decrease in selection response if compared with selection for AFC14 analysed by censored linear model, from which results were very similar to the survival analysis.

Validação cruzada com correção de autovalores e regressão isotônica nos modelos de efeitos principais aditivos e interação multiplicativa

This paper presents an application of AMMI models - Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction model - for a thorough study about the effect of the interaction between genotype and environment in multi-environments experiments with balanced data. Two methods of crossed validation are presented and the improvement of these methods through the correction of eigenvalues, being these rearranged by the isotonic regression. A comparative study between these methods is made, with real data. The results show that the EASTMENT & KRZANOWSKI (1982) method selects a more parsimonious model and when this method is improved with the correction of the eigenvalues, the number of components are not modified. GABRIEL (2002) method selects a huge number of terms to hold back in the model, and when this method is improved by the correction of eigenvalue, the number of terms diminishes. Therefore, the improvement of these methods through the correction of eigenvalues brings a great benefit from the practical point of view for the analyst of data proceeding from multi-ambient, since the selection of numbers of multiplicative terms represents a profit of the number of blocks (or repetitions), when the model AMMI is used, instead of the complete model.

Pulpal temperature increase with high-speed handpiece, ER : YAG laser and ultrasound tips

The aim of this study was to compare intrapulpal temperature increase produced by high-speed handpiece, Er:YAG laser and CVDentus ultrasound tips during cavity preparation. Thirty bovine mandibular incisors with an enamel/dentin thickness of 4 mm at buccal surface had their roots amputated and were allocated to the following groups (n=10): Group I- high-speed handpiece; Group II- noncontact Er:YAG laser (250 mJ/4Hz); and Group III- CVDentus ultrasouns tips. All devices were used with water cooling. Class V cavities were prepared to a depth of 3.5 mm, measured with a periodontal probe. A type T thermocouple was placed inside the pulp chamber to determine the temperature increase (degrees C), which was recorded by a data acquisition system ADS 2000 IP (Lynx Technology) linked to a notebook computer. Data were analyzed statistically by oneway ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05). The mean temperature rises were: 1.10 degrees C ( 0.56) for Group 1, 0.84 degrees C (0.55) for Group II, and 3.00 degrees C (1.34) for Group III. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between Groups I and II, but both of them differed significantly from Group III (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Er:YAG laser and high-speed handpiece for cavity preparation resulted in similar temperature increase. Although ultrasound tips generated significantly higher intrapulpal temperature increase, it remained below the critical value of 5.5 degrees C and may be considered safe for use.