Verificação de pilares metálicos compostos constituídos por perfis formados a frio por meio de programa computacional

In this work, we discuss the procedures adopted for the design of built-up columns (laced and battened columns). Built-up columns are widely used in steel construction generally when the compression forces are relatively low and the column buckling lengths are large. They are commonly used in industrial buildings, for example, as posts for cladding, or as columns supporting a crane girder. Unlike columns with full section, in the case of built-up columns, it is necessary to evaluate the shear stiffness. In fact, the shear strength leads to a significant reduction of the critical load. In the context of this work, the components of the columns (chords, diagonals, posts, etc.) are formed by cold-formed members. In order to systematize and rationalize the verification of the built-up columns, this work aim to develop a computer program based on the standards NBR 14762, NBR 6355 and Eurocode 3, basically the considerations of the part EN 1993-1-1

Considerações sobre a armadura transversal de pilares de concreto armado

There are regulations that establish conditions and enable the design of armor columns. The NBR 6118 features statements relating to the transverse reinforcement as spacing, reinforcement diameters provision in structural elements and others. However, the norm in force does not provide an explicit methodology for the design of stirrups in different situations. We do not propose even a calculation model for this equipment and provides normative considerations for maximum or minimum values of spacings and armor in diameter. It is noteworthy that the classical references also do not provide a calculation routine sizing of transverse reinforcement and only makes the checks as the normative conditions for the given data. Based on this assumption and the problems that may occur in sizing error, both for spacing and for the proposal of the stirrup diameter, this study demonstrates that armor calculation method already established in the literature and then through an intuitive tool and available develops a spreadsheet based on this calculation routine. It takes as reference the one developed by Emil Moersch (1902) and the calculation model proposed by BUFFONI E SILVA (2006). Finally the paper presents a rational design of shear reinforcement and confronts these values with some numerical examples to show its truth

Purification of coagulation factor VIII using chromatographic methods. Direct chromatography of plasma in anion exchange resins

Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates are used in the treatment of patients with Hemophilia A. Human FVIII was purified directly from plasma using anion exchange chromatography followed by gel filtration. Three Q-Sepharose resins were tested, resulting in 40% recovery of FVIII activity using Q-Sepharose XL resin, about 80% using Q-Sepharose Fast Flow and 70% using the Q-Sepharose Big Beads. The vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors co-eluted with FVIII from the anion exchange columns. In the second step of purification, when Sepharose 6FF was used, 70% of FVIII activity was recovered free from vitamin K-dependent factors.

Skeletal abnormalities in humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae stranded in the Brazilian breeding ground

Skeletal tissues of 49 humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae that stranded between 2002 and 2011 along the Abrolhos Bank seashore and its adjacent waters in Brazil were studied. Twelve (24.5%) animals presented pathological changes in one or more bones. Degenerative changes and developmental malformations were most frequent (10.2% each), followed by inflammatory/infectious and traumatic lesions (8.2% each). Infectious diseases led to severe lesions of the caudal vertebrae of 2 whales. In one of these individuals, the lesions involved 6 caudal vertebrae, leading to ankylosis of 3 vertebrae. Degenerative changes were observed in the vertebral columns of 3 animals, involving the joints of 13 ribs of 1 individual, and in the humerus of 1 whale. Traumatic lesions, such as osseous callus in the ribs, were observed in 4 animals. In 1 whale, the rib showed severe osteomyelitis, possibly resulting from the infection of multiple fractures. Developmental abnormalities such as spina bifida on 3 cervical vertebrae of 1 whale, fusion of spinal processes on thoracic vertebrae of 1 individual and fusion of the first 2 ribs unilaterally or bilaterally in 4 animals were found. Chronic infectious conditions found in the axial skeleton may have restrained spinal mobility and had detrimental effects on the general health of the animals, contributing to stranding and death. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic study on skeletal lesions in stranded humpback whales.

Permian stromatolites associated with bivalve coquina beds-Angatuba, SP, Brazil (Teresina Formation, Parana Basin)

Silicified stromatolites have been described in the Permian Teresina Formation, Passa Dois Group, of the Parana Basin. These stromatolites occur as blocks in the Fazenda Monte Alegre area at the headwaters of the creek known as Corrego Catanduva in the municipality of Angatuba. These blocks originate from the Serra de Angatuba region and were recognized in a road that was cut in the midst of sandstones and siltites. The stromatolites are isolated bioherms that are domed to subspherical with a flat base in profile and a rounded to lenticular shape in plan view. The stromatolites exhibit a reddish coloration and are composed of microcrystalline quartz. Lamination is continuous, non-columnar, and anastomosed, showing parallel to divergent growth; however, divergent columns also occur, especially at the tops of the bioherms. The lamination is fine and well preserved, with alternating light and dark laminas. Microfossils of filamentous cyanobacteria are preserved and were related to the genera Microcoleus and Rivularia. Silicified bivalves occur in association with the stromatolites and are preserved in the form of coquina beds and rare isolated specimens within the bioherms. The described specimens belong to the Pinzonella illusa biozone, with representatives of the species Pinzonella illusa, Angatubia cowperesioides, and Houldausiella elongata. The formation environment of these stromatolites is associated with tidal plains of shallow, brackish, relatively calm, warm waters of good luminosity with the presence of weak currents. There was likely a low level of predation, and the environment may have been hypersaline. The coquina beds associated with the stromatolites indicate a probable proximal tempestite, i.e., they were formed near the coastline. The stromatolites were originally composed of carbonates, although these were replaced by silica during early diagenesis.

Systematic Evaluation of Extraction Methods for Multiplatform-Based Metabotyping: Application to the Fasciola hepatica Metabolome

Combining data from multiple analytical platforms is essential for comprehensive study of the molecular phenotype (metabotype) of a given biological sample. The metabolite profiles generated are intrinsically dependent on the analytical platforms, each requiring optimization of instrumental parameters, separation conditions, and sample extraction to deliver maximal biological information. An in-depth evaluation of extraction protocols for characterizing the metabolome of the hepatobiliary fluke Fasciola hepatica, using ultra performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis coupled with mass spectroscopy is presented. The spectrometric methods were characterized by performance, and metrics of merit were established, including precision, mass accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, and platform stability. Although a core group of molecules was common to all methods, each platform contributed a unique set, whereby 142 metabolites out of 14,724 features were identified. A mixture design revealed that the chloroform:methanol:water proportion of 15:59:26 was globally the best composition for metabolite extraction across UPLC-MS and CE-MS platforms accommodating different columns and ionization modes. Despite the general assumption of the necessity of platform-adapted protocols for achieving effective metabotype characterization, we show that an appropriately designed single extraction procedure is able to fit the requirements of all technologies. This may constitute a paradigm shift in developing efficient protocols for high-throughput metabolite profiling with more-general analytical applicability.

GPR applied to mapping utilities along the route of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel construction in Sao Paulo City, Brazil

The rapid industrial development and disorganized population growth in huge cities bring about various urban problems due to intense use of physical space on and below the surface. Subsurface problems in metropolitan areas are caused by subway line construction, which often follows the routes of utility networks, such as electric and telephone cables, water and gas pipes, storm sewers, etc. Usually, the main problems are related to damage or destruction of preexisting utilities, often putting human lives at risk. With the purpose of minimizing risks. GPR-profiling with 200 MHz antennae was done at two sites, both located in downtown Sao Paulo, Brazil. The objectives of this work were to map utilities or existing infrastructure in the subsurface in order to orient the construction of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel in Sao Paulo. GPR profiles can detect water pipes, utility networks in the subsurface, and concrete foundation columns or pilings in subsoil up to 2 m depth. In addition. the GPR profiles also provided details of the target shapes in the subsurface. GPR interpretations combined with lithological information from boreholes and trenches opened in the study areas were extremely important in mapping of the correct spatial distribution of buried utilities at these two sites in Sao Paulo. This information improves and updates maps of utility placement, serves as a basis for planning of the geotechnical excavation of the Line 4 (yellow) subway tunnel in Sao Paulo, helps minimize problems related to destruction of preexisting utilities in the subsoil, and avoids risk of dangerous accidents. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions using two Brazilian rocks containing zeolites

The removal of Pb2+ from aqueous solution by two Brazilian rocks that contain zeolites-amygdaloidal dacite (ZD) and sandstone (ZS)-was examined by batch experiments. ZD contains mordenite and ZS, stilbite. The effects of contact time, concentration of metal in solution and capacity of Na+ to recover the adsorbed metals were evaluated at room temperature (20A degrees C). The sorption equilibrium was reached in the 30 min of agitation time. Both materials removed 100% of Pb2+ from solutions at concentrations up to 50 mg/L, and at concentrations larger than 100 mg/L of Pb2+, the adsorption capacity of sandstone was more efficient than that of amygdaloidal dacite due to the larger quantities and the type of zeolites (stilbite) in the cement of this rock. All adsorbed Pb2+ was easily replaced by Na+ in both samples. The analysis of the adsorption models using nonlinear regression revealed that the Sips and the Freundlich isotherms provided the best fit for the ZS and ZD experimental data, respectively, indicating the heterogeneous adsorption surfaces of these zeolites.

DIFFERENTIAL INVOLVEMENT OF DORSAL RAPHE SUBNUCLEI IN THE REGULATION OF ANXIETY- AND PANIC-RELATED DEFENSIVE BEHAVIORS

A wealth of evidence indicates that the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) is not a homogenous structure, but an aggregate of distinctive populations of neurons that may differ anatomically, neurochemically and functionally. Other findings suggest that serotonergic neurons within the mid-caudal and caudal part of the DR are involved in anxiety processing while those within the lateral wings (IwDR) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vIPAG) are responsive to panic-evoking stimuli/situations. However, no study to date has directly compared the activity of 5-HT and non-5HT neurons within different subnuclei of the DR following the expression of anxiety- and panic-related defensive responses. In the present investigation, the number of doubly immunostained cells for Fos protein and tryptophan hydroxylase, a marker of serotonergic neurons, was assessed within the rat DR, median raphe nucleus (MRN) and PAG following inhibitory avoidance and escape performance in the elevated T-maze, behaviors associated with anxiety and panic, respectively. Inhibitory avoidance, but not escape, significantly increased the number of Fos-expressing serotonergic neurons within the mid-caudal part of the dorsal subnucleus, caudal and interfascicular subnuclei of the DR and in the MRN. Escape, on the other hand, caused a marked increase in the activity of non-5HT cells within the IwDR, vIPAG, dorsolateral and dorsomedial columns of the PAG. These results strongly corroborate the view that different subsets of neurons in the DR are activated by anxiety- and panic-relevant stimuli/situations, with important implications for the understanding of the pathophysiology of generalized anxiety and panic disorders. (C) 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deslocamento miscível de um efluente de indústria de explosivo em colunas de solo

Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar alguns impactos decorrentes do deslocamento miscível de efluente de nitração de uma indústria de explosivos aplicado em colunas de um Latossolo Amarelo, horizonte B (LA-B), submetido aos tratamentos: adição de carbonatos (BASE), ácidos (ACID), fosfato (FOSF), carbonatos e fosfato (BASE-FOSF) e ácidos e fosfatos (ACID-FOSF). A recuperação de nitrogênio em relação ao total aplicado varia entre 10,1 (ACID) e 65,5% (BASE). Há correlação significativa entre as curvas de transposição de N obtidas experimentalmente e as simuladas pelo aplicativo STANMOD para a maioria das colunas (p<0,001). A exceção ocorreu para ACID-FOSF (p=0,202). Não há correlação entre carga eletrostática líquida (CEL) e as variáveis de ajuste do modelo: fator de retardamento (FR), coeficiente de dispersão-difusão (D) e taxa de decaimento de primeira ordem m (µ). A adição de fosfato (FOSF) favorece a movimentação do nitrogênio, pois diminui FR (2,35±0,05) e µ (0,498±0,050 h-1) e aumenta D (41,8±5,5 cm2 h-1) em relação ao observado na coluna LA-B (2,51±0,03; 1,697±0,084 h-1e 2,8±1,3 cm2 h-1 respectivamente). A adição de carbonatos e/ou fosfatos (BASE, BASE/FOSF e FOSF) resultou nos maiores valores máximos de demanda química de oxigênio (DQOMÁX). A pequena quantidade de DNA extraída das células bacterianas nos solos sugere que, possivelmente, os processos que governam a adsorção e movimentação de N sejam de natureza não biológica ou que a elevada DQO do líquido percolado prejudica os microrganismos do solo.

Ochratoxin A in wines from 2002 to 2008 harvest marketed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in wine from 2002 to 2008 harvest, traded in Rio de Janeiro State, was evaluated by analysing 43 national and 37 imported wines from Argentina (32) and Chile (5), adding up to 80 samples in total. OTA determination was performed using immunoaffinity columns and high-performance liquid chromatography. In 80 wine samples analysed, 25 (31.3%) were positive, presenting levels greater than 0.020 ng OTA mL(-1). It was not detected in imported wines. Within national wines, 58.1% of the samples were contaminated, with levels ranging from 0.020 to 0.050 ng mL(-1). The toxin was detected in 18 (69.2%) of 26 samples analysed of red table wine. Wines from 2008 harvest presented 84.6% of samples contaminated in 13 samples analysed. Despite the levels found in this study, they are below Brazilian tolerance limits. Nevertheless, the presence of OTA as found contributes to the human exposure to this toxin.

The fetomaternal interface in the placenta of three species of armadillos (Eutheria, Xenarthra, Dasypodidae)

Background: Placental characters vary among Xenarthra, one of four supraordinal clades of Eutheria. Armadillos are known for villous, haemochorial placentas similar to humans. Only the nine-banded armadillo has been well studied so far. Methods: Placentas of three species of armadillos were investigated by means of histology, immunohistochemistry including proliferation marker, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Results: The gross anatomy differed: Euphractus sexcinctus and Chaetophractus villosus had extended, zonary placentas, whereas Chaetophractus vellerosus had a disk. All taxa had complex villous areas within the maternal blood sinuses of the endometrium. Immunohistochemistry indicated the validity of former interpretations that the endothelium of the sinuses was largely intact. Tips of the villi and the columns entering the maternal tissue possessed trophoblast cell clusters with proliferation activity. Elsewhere, the feto-maternal barrier was syncytial haemochorial with fetal vessels near the surface. Conclusions: Differences among armadillos occurred in regard to the extension of the placenta, whereas the fine structure was similar. Parallels to the human suggest that armadillos are likely to be useful animal models for human placentation.

STATISTICAL TEST FOR GENOTYPE AND ENVIRONMENT CONTRIBUTION IN THE GENOTYPES x ENVIRONMENTS INTERACTION MATRIX

The objective of the present work was to propose a method for testing the contribution of each level of the factors in a genotypes x environments (GxE) interaction using multi-environment trials analyses by means of an F test. The study evaluated a data set, with twenty genotypes and thirty-four environments, in a block design with four replications. The sum of squares within rows (genotypes) and columns (environments) of the GxE matrix was simulated, generating 10000 experiments to verify the empirical distribution. Results indicate a noncentral chi-square distribution for rows and columns of the GxE interaction matrix, which was also verified by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Q-Q plot. Application of the F test identified the genotypes and environments that contributed the most to the GxE interaction. In this way, geneticists can select good genotypes in their studies.

The relationship between gamma Cassiopeiae's X-ray emission and its circumstellar environment

gamma Cas is the prototypical classical Be star and is recently best known for its variable hard X-ray emission. To elucidate the reasons for this emission, we mounted a multiwavelength campaign in 2010 centered around four XMM-Newton observations. The observational techniques included long baseline optical interferometry (LBOI) from two instruments at CHARA, photometry carried out by an automated photometric telescope and H alpha observations. Because gamma Cas is also known to be in a binary, we measured radial velocities from the H alpha line and redetermined its period as 203.55 +/- 0.20 days and its eccentricity as near zero. The LBOI observations suggest that the star's decretion disk was axisymmetric in 2010, has an system inclination angle near 45 degrees, and a larger radius than previously reported. In addition, the Be star began an "outburst" at the beginning of our campaign, made visible by a brightening and reddening of the disk during our campaign and beyond. Our analyses of the new high resolution spectra disclosed many attributes also found from spectra obtained in 2001 (Chandra) and 2004 (XMM-Newton). As well as a dominant hot (approximate to 14 keV) thermal component, the familiar attributes included: (i) a fluorescent feature of Fe K even stronger than observed at previous times; (ii) strong lines of N VII and Ne XI lines indicative of overabundances; and (iii) a subsolar Fe abundance from K-shell lines but a solar abundance from L-shell ions. We also found that two absorption columns are required to fit the continuum. While the first one maintained its historical average of 1 x 10(21) cm(-2), the second was very large and doubled to 7.4 x 10(23) cm(-2) during our X-ray observations. Although we found no clear relation between this column density and orbital phase, it correlates well with the disk brightening and reddening both in the 2010 and earlier observations. Thus, the inference from this study is that much (perhaps all?) of the X-ray emission from this source originates behind matter ejected by gamma Cas into our line of sight.

A Validated Chromatographic Method for the Determination of Flavonoids in Copaifera langsdorffii by HPLC

Hydroethanolic extracts of C. langsdorffii leaves have therapeutic potential. This work reports a validated chromatographic method for the quantification of polar compounds in the hydroethanolic extract of C. langsdorffii leaves. A reliable HPLC method was developed using two monolithic columns linked in series (100 x 4.6 mm - C-18), with nonlinear gradient elution, and UV detection set at 257 nm. A procedure for the extraction of flavonols was also developed, which involved the use of 70% aqueous ethanol and the addition of benzophenone as the internal standard. The developed method led to a good detection response as the values for linearity were between 10.3 and 1000 mu g/mL, and those for recovery between 84.2 and 111.1%. The detection limit ranged from 0.02 to 1.70 mu g/mL and the quantitation limit from 0.07 to 5.1 mu g/mL, with a maximum RSD of 5.24%. Five compounds, rutin, quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin and kaempferol, were quantified. This method could, therefore, be used for the quality control of hydroethanolic extracts of Copaifera leaves and their cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.