Análise geoestatística de casos de hanseníase no Estado de São Paulo, 1991-2002

OBJETIVO: Analisar o padrão espacial da ocorrência dos casos de hanseníase para identificar áreas com probabilidade de riscos de transmissão da doença. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico, tendo como unidade de análise os municípios do Estado de São Paulo georreferenciados em seus centróides. A fonte de dados utilizada foi o banco informatizado dos casos de hanseníase notificados do Centro de Vigilância Epidemiológica do Estado de São Paulo, no período de 1991 a 2002. Utilizou-se de técnicas de geoestatística para a detecção das áreas de probabilidade de risco para hanseníase e quantificação da dependência espacial dos casos. RESULTADOS: Detectou-se o alcance de dependência espacial de 0,55 graus de coordenadas georreferenciadas, correspondendo aproximadamente a 60 km. As principais áreas de probabilidade de risco encontradas foram as regiões nordeste, norte e noroeste do Estado. CONCLUSÕES: A verificação de áreas com probabilidades de riscos de casos de hanseníase, utilizando-se a análise da dependência espacial, pode ser ferramenta útil para avaliar a situação de saúde e planejar alocação de recursos.

Importância dos fatores não-tecnológicos na implementação do CPFR

De acordo com o Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Standards [VICS], o Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment [CPFR] se baseia na padronização, registro e sincronização de dados eletronicamente, apoiado pela gestão colaborativa existente entre as empresas (VICS, 2004). A partir desta definição, pode-se concluir que existem dois fatores preponderantes na implementação do CPFR: um essencialmente tecnológico e outro não-tecnológico. Nesse contexto, o propósito principal deste estudo é identificar na literatura os chamados fatores não tecnológicos que envolvem o CPFR e analisá-los em situações reais. A importância desses fatores é analisada, então, por meio do estudo de dois casos reais de implementação do CPFR, respectivamente, em uma grande rede de fast food e em um grande distribuidor de alimentos, que operam no Brasil. Os resultados destacam, principalmente, que a previsão da demanda realizada pela empresa coordenadora do CPFR é preponderante sobre o entendimento da demanda por todos os elos da cadeia de suprimentos, que a cultura colaborativa é considerada muito importante no relacionamento ao longo da cadeia (embora não seja determinante para a implementação dos processos) e que o monitoramento das atividades é fundamental para o alinhamento das empresas na gestão do CPFR.

LONGITUDINAL DISTRIBUTION OF MACROALGAE IN 2 TROPICAL LOTIC ECOSYSTEMS FROM SOUTHEASTERN BRAZIL

Macroalgal species richness and diversity were analysed along a longitudinal profile in small and large scales during Spring, Fall and Winter, respectively in a small stream and a mid size river in the northwest region of São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil (20 degrees 23'-20 degrees 49'S, 49 degrees 26'-51 degrees 19'W). Longitudinal variation in species richness and diversity in small scale was strongly associated with incident light. Microhabitat distribution (from data taken by quadrat technique) revealed no significant correlations. Principal coordinates analysis (PCO) indicated no consistent groupings among sampling sites in distinct seasons (Spring, Fall and Winter). Longitudinal analysis in large scale revealed different patterns in the two seasons sampled (Spring and Winter), whereas species diversity presented a consistent tl end: high upstream, low in mid reaches and higher downstream. It was associated with type of substratum in Spring, rocky substrata presenting the highest values for species richness and diversity. Weak correlations were observed in Winter. Microhabitat distribution showed significant correlations between species abundance and the following variables: positive for rocky substrata and current velocity and negative for sandyclayish substratum and macrophyte-dominated substratum. PCO delineated only one consistent grouping formed by the two headwater sites. Small scale macroalgal distribution corroborated the longitudinal pattern predicted by the River Continuum Concept, whereas the large scale approach showed a distribution more associated with substratum type than to light availability. These results showed an opposite trend in relation to the expected distributional pattern. Longitudinal distribution in macroalgal community structure has yet to be better documented, particularly for tropical streams and no generalization is possible at this stage.

Remarks on supersymmetry of quantum systems with position-dependent effective masses

We apply the supersymmetry approach to one-dimensional quantum systems with spatially dependent mass, by including their ordering ambiguities dependence. In this way we extend the results recently reported in the literature. Furthermore, we point out a connection between these systems and others with constant masses. This is done through convenient transformations in the coordinates and wave functions.

THE REDUCTIVE PERTURBATION METHOD AND THE KORTEWEG-DE VRIES HIERARCHY

By using the reductive perturbation method of Taniuti with the introduction of an infinite sequence of slow time variables tau(1), tau(3), tau(5), ..., we study the propagation of long surface-waves in a shallow inviscid fluid. The Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation appears as the lowest order amplitude equation in slow variables. In this context, we show that, if the lowest order wave amplitude zeta(0) satisfies the KdV equation in the time tau(3), it must satisfy the (2n+1)th order equation of the KdV hierarchy in the time tau(2n+1), With n = 2, 3, 4,.... AS a consequence of this fact, we show with an explicit example that the secularities of the evolution equations for the higher-order terms (zeta(1), zeta(2),...) of the amplitude can be eliminated when zeta(0) is a solitonic solution to the KdV equation. By reversing this argument, we can say that the requirement of a secular-free perturbation theory implies that the amplitude zeta(0) satisfies the (2n+1)th order equation of the KdV hierarchy in the time tau(2n+1) This essentially means that the equations of the KdV hierarchy do play a role in perturbation theory. Thereafter, by considering a solitary-wave solution, we show, again with an explicit, example that the elimination of secularities through the use of the higher order KdV hierarchy equations corresponds, in the laboratory coordinates, to a renormalization of the solitary-wave velocity. Then, we conclude that this procedure of eliminating secularities is closely related to the renormalization technique developed by Kodama and Taniuti.

Energy-transfer mechanisms and emission quantum yields in Eu3+-based siloxane-poly(oxyethylene) nanohybrids

We report the energy-transfer mechanisms and emission quantum yield measurements of sol-gel-derived Eu3+-based nanohybrids. The matrix of these materials, classified as diureasils and termed U(2000) and U(600), includes urea cross-links between a siliceous backbone and polyether-based segments of two molecular weights, 2000 and 600, respectively. These materials are full-color emitters in which the Eu3+ (5)Do --> F-7(0-4) lines merge with the broad green-blue emission of the nanoscopic matrix's backbone. The excitation spectra show the presence of a large broad band (similar to 27000-29000 cm(-1)) undoubtedly assigned to a ligand-to-metal charge-transfer state. Emission quantum yields range from 2% to 13.0% depending on the polymer molecular weight and Eu3+ concentration. Energy transfer between the hybrid hosts and the cations arises from two different and independent processes: the charge-transfer band and energy transfer from the hybrid's emitting centers. The activation of the latter mechanisms induces a decrease in the emission quantum yields (relative to undoped nanohybrids) and permits a fine-tuning of the emission chromaticity across the Comission Internacionalle d'Eclairage diagram, e.g., (x, y) color coordinates from (0.21, 0.24) to (0.39, 0.36). Moreover, that activation depends noticeably on the ion local coordination. For the diureasils with longer polymer chains, energy transfer occurs as the Eu3+ coordination involves the carbonyl-type oxygen atoms of the urea bridges, which are located near the hybrid's host emitting centers. on the contrary, in the U(600)-based diureasils, the Eu3+ ions are coordinated to the polymer chains, and therefore, the distance between the hybrid's emitting centers and the metal ions is large enough to allow efficient energy-transfer mechanisms.

Synthesis, structure and redox properties of an unexpected trinuclear copper(II) complex with aspartame: [Cu(apm)(2)Cu(mu-N,O : O '-apm)(2)(H2O)Cu(apm)(2)(H2O)]center dot 5H(2)O

Structural, magnetic and spectroscopic data of a new trinuclear copper(II) complex with the ligand aspartame (apm) are described. [Cu(apm)(2)CU(mu-N,O:O'-apm)(2)(H2O)Cu(apm)(2)(H2O)]-5H(2)O crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1 (#1) with a = 7.3300(1) angstrom, b = 15.6840(1) angstrom, c = 21.5280(1) angstrom, alpha = 93.02(1)degrees, beta = 93.21 (1)degrees, gamma = 92.66(1)degrees and Z = 1. Aspartame coordinates to Cu(II) through the carboxylate and beta-amino groups. The carboxylate groups of the two central ligands act as bidentate bridges in a syn-anti conformation while the carboxylate groups of the four peripheral ligands are monodentate in a syn conformation. The central copper ion is in a distorted square pyramidal geometry with the apical position being occupied by one oxygen atom of the water molecule. The two terminal copper(II) atoms are coordinated to the ligands in the same position but their coordination sphere differs from each other due to the fact that one copper atom has a water molecule in an apical position leading to an octahedral coordination sphere while the other copper atom is exclusively coordinated to aspartame ligands forming a distorted square pyramidal coordination sphere. Thermal analysis is consistent with the X-ray structure. EPR spectra and CV curves indicate a rupture of the trinuclear framework when this complex is dissolved in ethanol or DMF, forming a mononuclear species, with a tetragonal structure. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Concentration profiles and effective diffusion coefficients of sucrose and water in osmo-dehydrated apples

The spatial distribution of water and sugars in half-fresh apples dehydrated in sucrose solutions (30% and 50% w/w, 27 degrees C) for 2, 4 and 8 h, was determined. Each half was sliced as from the exposed surface. The density, water and sugar contents were determined for each piece. A mathematical model was fitted to the experimental data of the water and sucrose contents considering the overall flux and tissue shrinkage. A numerical method of finite differences permitted the calculation of the effective diffusion coefficients as a function of concentration, using material coordinates and integrating the two differential equations (for water and sucrose) simultaneously. The coefficients obtained were one or even two orders of magnitude lower than those for pure solutions and presented unusual concentration dependence. The behaviour of the apple tissue was also studied using light microscopy techniques to obtain images of the osmotically treated pieces (20%, 30% and 50% w/w sucrose solutions for 2, 4 and 8 h). (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Some superstring amplitude computations with the non-minimal pure spinor formalism

We use the non-minimal pure spinor formalism to compute in a super-Poincare covariant manner the four-point massless one and two-loop open superstring amplitudes, and the gauge anomaly of the six-point one-loop amplitude. All of these amplitudes are expressed as integrals of ten-dimensional superfields in a pure spinor superspace which involves five theta coordinates covariantly contracted with three pure spinors. The bosonic contribution to these amplitudes agrees with the standard results, and we demonstrate identities which show how the t(8) and epsilon(10) tensors naturally emerge from integrals over pure spinor superspace.

GENERAL POTENTIALS DESCRIBED BY SO(2,1) DYNAMIC ALGEBRA IN PARABOLIC-COORDINATE SYSTEMS

We propose general three-dimensional potentials in rotational and cylindrical parabolic coordinates which are generated by direct products of the SO(2, 1) dynamical group. Then we construct their Green functions algebraically and find their spectra. Particular cases of these potentials which appear in the literature are also briefly discussed.

Characterization and catalytic activity of 2,6-dichlorophenyl substituted iron(III) porphyrin supported on silica gel and imidazole propyl gel

In this work we have made use of the study of the interaction between Fe(TDCPP)(+) and the axial ligands OH- and imidazole in order to help characterize the heterogenized catalysts Fe(TDCPP)SG and Fe(TDCPP)IPG through UV-VIS and EPR spectroscopies and thus, better understand their different catalytic activity in the oxidation of cyclohexane by PhIO. We have found out that in Fe(TDCPP)SG (containing 1.2 X 10(-6) mol Fe(TDCPP)(+)/g of support), the FeP bis-coordinates to silica gel through Fe-O coordination and it is high-spin (FeP)-P-III species. In Fe(TDCPP)IPG 1 (containing 1.1 X 10(-6) mol Fe(TDCPP)(+) and 2.2 X 10(-4) mol imidazole/g of support), the FeP is bis-ligated to imidazole propyl gel through Fe-imidazole coordination and using NO as a paramagnetic probe, we present evidence that Fe(TDCPP)(+) is present as a mixture of low-spin (FeP)-P-III and (FeP)-P-II species. This catalyst led to a relative low yield of cyclohexanol (25%) because the bis-coordination of the (FeP)-P-III to the support partially blocks the reaction between Fe(TDCPP)(+) and PhIO, thus leading to the formation of only a small amount of the active species Fe-IV(OP+, while the (FeP)-P-II species do not react with the oxygen donor. Increasing the amount of Fe(TDCPP)(+) and decreasing the amount of imidazole in the support led to the obtention of high-spin (FeP)-P-III EPR signals in the spectra of Fe(TDCPP)IPG 5 (containing 4.4 X 10(-6) mol Fe(TDCPP)(+) and 2.2 X 10(-5) mol imidazole/g of IPG), together with low-spin (FeP)-P-III species. This latter catalyst led to better cyclohexanol yields (67%) than Fe(TDCPP)IPG 1. Fe(TDCPP)IPG 5 was further used in a study of the optimization of its catalytic activity and in recycling experiments in the optimized conditions. Recycling oxidation reactions of Fe(TDCPP)IPG 5 led to a total turnover number of 201 and total cyclohexanol yield of 201%, which could not be attained with Fe(TDCPP)Cl in homogeneous solution (turnover = 96) due to the difficulty in recovering and reusing it.

The Serido Group of NE Brazil, a late Neoproterozoic pre- to syn-collisional basin in West Gondwana: insights from SHRIMP U-Pb detrital zircon ages and Sm-Nd crustal residence (T-DM) ages

The Serido Group is a deformed and metamorphosed metasedimentary sequence that overlies early Paleoproterozoic to Archean basement of the Rio Grande do Norte domain in the Borborema Province of NE Brazil. The age of the Serido Group has been disputed over the past two decades, with preferred sedimentation ages being either Paleoproterozoic or Neoproterozoic. Most samples of the Serido Formation, the upper part of the Serido Group, have Sm-Nd T-DM ages between 1200 and 1600 Ma. Most samples of the Jucurutu Formation, the lower part of the Serido Group, have T-DM ages ranging from 1500 to 1600 Ma; some basal units have T-DM ages as old as 2600 Ma, reflecting proximal basement. Thus, based on Sm-Nd data, most, if not all, of the Serido Group was deposited after 1600 Ma and upper parts must be younger than 1200 Ma.Cathodoluminescence photos of detrital zircons show very small to no overgrowths produced during ca. 600 Ma Brasiliano deformation and metamorphism, so that SHRIMP and isotope dilution U-Pb ages must represent crystallization ages of the detrital zircons. Zircons from meta-arkose near the base of the Jucurutu Formation yield two groups of ages: ca. 2200 Ma and ca. 1800 Ma. In contrast, zircons from a metasedimentary gneiss higher in the Jucurutu Formation yield much younger ages, with clusters at ca. 1000 Ma and ca. 650 Ma. Zircons from metasedimentary and metatuffaceous units in the Serido Formation also yield ages primarily between 1000 and 650 Ma, with clusters at 950-1000, 800, 750, and 650 Ma. Thus, most, if not all, of the Serido Group must be younger than 650 Ma. Because these units were deformed and metamorphosed in the ca. 600 Ma Brasiliano fold belt during assembly of West Gondwana, deposition probably occurred ca. 610-650 Ma, soon after crystallization of the youngest population of zircons and before or during the onset of Brasiliano deformation.The Serido Group was deposited upon Paleoproterozoic basement in a basin receiving detritus from a variety of sources. The Jucurutu Formation includes some basal volcanic rocks and initially received detritus from proximal 2.2-2.0 Ga (Transamazonian) to late Paleoproterozoic (1.8-1.7 Ga) basement. Provenance for the upper Jucurutu Formation and all of the Serido Formation was dominated by more distal and younger sources ranging in age from 1000 to 650 Ma. We suggest that the Serido basin may have developed as the result of late Neoproterozoic extension of a pre-existing continental basement, with formation of small marine basins that were largely floored by cratonic basement (subjacent oceanic crust has not yet been found). Immature sediment was initially derived from surrounding land; as the basin evolved much of the detritus probably came from highlands to the south (present coordinates). Alternatively, if the Patos shear zone is a major terrane boundary, the basin may have formed as an early collisional foredeep associated with south-dipping subduction. In any case, within 30 million years the region was compressed, deformed, and metamorphosed during final assembly of West Gondwana and formation of the Brasiliano-Pan African fold belts. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Variable structure controller and observer applied to induction machine

This work will propose the control of an induction machine in field coordinates with imposed stator current based on theory of variable structure control and sliding mode. We describe the model of an induction machine in field coordinates with imposed stator current and we show the design of variable structure control and sliding mode to get a desirable dynamic performance of that plant. To estimate the inaccessible states we will use a state observer (estimator) based on field coordinates induction machine. We will present the results of simulations in any operation condition (start, speed reversal and load) and with parameters variation of the machine compared to a PI control scheme.

Electroluminescence of a device based on europium beta-diketonate with phosphine oxide complex

Rare earth (RE) ions have spectroscopic characteristics to emit light in narrow lines, which makes RE complexes with organic ligands candidates for full color OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) applications. In particular, beta-diketone rare earth (RE(3+)) complexes show high fluorescence emission efficiency due to the high absorption coefficient of the beta-diketone and energy transfer to the central ion. In this work, the fabrication and the electroluminescent properties of devices containing a double and triple-layer OLED using a new beta-diketone complex, [Eu(bmdm)(3)(tppo)(2)], as transporting and emitting layers are compared and discussed. The double and triple-layer devices based on this complex present the following configurations respectively: device 1: ITO/TPD (40 nm)/[Eu(bmdm)(3)(tppo)(2)] (40 nm)/Al (150 nm); device 2: ITO/TPD (40 nm)/[Eu(bmdm)(3) (tppo)(2)] (40 nm)/Alq(3) (20 nm)/Al (150 nm) and device 3: ITO/TPD (40 nm)/bmdm-ligand (40 nm)/Al (150 nm), were TPD is (N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-1,1-biphenil-4,4-diamine) and bmdm is butyl methoxy-dibenzoyl-methane. All the films were deposited by thermal evaporation carried out in a high vacuum system. These devices exhibit high intensity photo- (PL) and electro-luminescent (EL) emission. Electroluminescence spectra show emission from Eu(3+) ions attributed to the (5)D(0) to (7)F(J) (J = 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4) transitions with the hypersensitive (5)D(o) -> (7)F(2) transition (around 612 nm) as the most prominent one. Moreover, a transition from (5)D(1) to (7)F(1) is also observed around 538 nm. The OLED light emission was almost linear with the current density. The EL CIE chromaticity coordinates (X = 0.66 and Y = 0.33) show the dominant wavelength, lambda(d) = 609 nm, and the color gamut achieved by this device is 0.99 in the CIE color space. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The SU(2) Skyrme model and anomaly

The SU(2) Shyrme model, expanding in the collective coordinates variables, gives rise to second-class constraints. Recently this system was embedded in a more general Abelian gauge theory using the BFFT Hamiltonian method. in this work we quantize this gauge theory computing the Noether current anomaly using for this two different methods: an operatorial Dirac first class formalism and the non-local BV quantization coupled with the Fujikawa regularization procedure. (C) 2000 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.