Comparison of fracture surface and plane section analysis for ceramic grain size characterisation

A method has been developed to obtain quantitative information about grain size and shape from fractured surfaces of ceramic materials. One elaborated a routine to split intergranular and transgranular grains facets of ceramic fracture surfaces by digital image processing. A commercial ceramic (ALCOA A-16, Al2O3-1.5% of CrO) was used to test the proposed method. Microstructural measurements of grain shape and size taken from fracture surfaces have been compared through descriptive statistics of distributions, with the corresponding measurements from polished and etched surfaces. The agreement between results, with the expected bias on grain size values from fractures, obtained for both types of surfaces allowed to infer that this new technique can be used to extract the relevant microstructural information from fractured surfaces, thus minimising the time consuming steps of sample preparation. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Parameterized fast decoupled power flow methods for obtaining the maximum loading point of power systems. Part I. Mathematical modeling

The conventional Newton and fast decoupled power flow (FDPF) methods have been considered inadequate to obtain the maximum loading point of power systems due to ill-conditioning problems at and near this critical point. It is well known that the PV and Q-theta decoupling assumptions of the fast decoupled power flow formulation no longer hold in the vicinity of the critical point. Moreover, the Jacobian matrix of the Newton method becomes singular at this point. However, the maximum loading point can be efficiently computed through parameterization techniques of continuation methods. In this paper it is shown that by using either theta or V as a parameter, the new fast decoupled power flow versions (XB and BX) become adequate for the computation of the maximum loading point only with a few small modifications. The possible use of reactive power injection in a selected PV bus (Q(PV)) as continuation parameter (mu) for the computation of the maximum loading point is also shown. A trivial secant predictor, the modified zero-order polynomial which uses the current solution and a fixed increment in the parameter (V, theta, or mu) as an estimate for the next solution, is used in predictor step. These new versions are compared to each other with the purpose of pointing out their features, as well as the influence of reactive power and transformer tap limits. The results obtained with the new approach for the IEEE test systems (14, 30, 57 and 118 buses) are presented and discussed in the companion paper. The results show that the characteristics of the conventional method are enhanced and the region of convergence around the singular solution is enlarged. In addition, it is shown that parameters can be switched during the tracing process in order to efficiently determine all the PV curve points with few iterations. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Allocation of protective devices in distribution circuits using nonlinear programming models and genetic algorithms

The optimized allocation of protective devices in strategic points of the circuit improves the quality of the energy supply and the system reliability index. This paper presents a nonlinear integer programming (NLIP) model with binary variables, to deal with the problem of protective device allocation in the main feeder and all branches of an overhead distribution circuit, to improve the reliability index and to provide customers with service of high quality and reliability. The constraints considered in the problem take into account technical and economical limitations, such as coordination problems of serial protective devices, available equipment, the importance of the feeder and the circuit topology. The use of genetic algorithms (GAs) is proposed to solve this problem, using a binary representation that does (1) or does not (0) show allocation of protective devices (reclosers, sectionalizers and fuses) in predefined points of the circuit. Results are presented for a real circuit (134 busses), with the possibility of protective device allocation in 29 points. Also the ability of the algorithm in finding good solutions while improving significantly the indicators of reliability is shown. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Parameterized fast decoupled power flow methods for obtaining the maximum loading point of power systems. Part II. Performance evaluation

The parameterized fast decoupled power flow (PFDPF), versions XB and BX, using either theta or V as a parameter have been proposed by the authors in Part I of this paper. The use of reactive power injection of a selected PVbus (Q(PV)) as the continuation parameter for the computation of the maximum loading point (MLP) was also investigated. In this paper, the proposed versions obtained only with small modifications of the conventional one are used for the computation of the MLP of IEEE test systems (14, 30, 57 and 118 buses). These new versions are compared to each other with the purpose of pointing out their features, as well as the influence of reactive power and transformer tap limits. The results obtained with the new approaches are presented and discussed. The results show that the characteristics of the conventional FDPF method are enhanced and the region of convergence around the singular solution is enlarged. In addition, it is shown that these versions can be switched during the tracing process in order to efficiently determine all the PV curve points with few iterations. A trivial secant predictor, the modified zero-order polynomial, which uses the current solution and a fixed increment in the parameter (V, theta, or mu) as an estimate for the next solution, is used for the predictor step. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ser-no-mundo com a criança portadora de câncer compreendendo a experiência de psicólogos nos serviços de oncologia pediátrica de Natal-RN

Cancer goes on to be a frightening disease by humanity, simetimes,it is considered as death, suffering and stigma synonym. Occurring at childhood, this meaning seems to acquire a more intense conotation, having in view of the perplexity and godliness feeling in the presence of the precocity of events, nearly always associated to the death. A psychologist co-existence with the cancer children is going acquiring, thus, a permeated sense by incognitas , fears and fantasy, which raised us the following question: how does the psychologist that answers children with cancer lives this experience? Therefore, the aim this research was to understand this co-existence experience. Our theoretical perspective comes from an existencial fenomenology and, more specifically, the Humanistic Approach and Martin Heidegger Existencial Ontology. The metodology is qualitative of phenomenological character. The access instrument to the experience was the narrative, such as purpose by Walter Benjamin. They were carried out nine semi-open interviews with psychologists who work on pediatric oncology services of Natal-RN city. Such interviews were recorded in cassette, transcripted and later, re-educated. These interviews were recorded, transcribed and later on edited with the help of the interviewee and turned into a text. The narrative comprehension was carried out on Heidegger Existencial Ontology, on dada exaustive reading and the clipping of indicative passages of experience sense of being psychologist on this area. The research suggests that the experience is oriented of clinic kowing-doing, being crossed by implications of key thematics which indicate the care as central ontologic element that orientates the way as these professionals come being in the world in association with the clientèle. Besides, the caring experience of these children acquire the sense of true living experience, since the cancer undoes the immortality illusion, launching the psychologist to his/her condition of being to the death and with that, calling him/her the authenticity. Is is only not dealt with to experience the anguish and the death imminence, but above all, re-meaning them in favour of a continual learning, of quality answering , besides other possibilities. Working with child cancer brings news perspectives and world views, making the psychologist a more human people and sensitive to the distracted needs. And we believe that, regardless of area which actuates, being psychologist is a particular way which choose to be citizen. Is is a project that will be delimited by society, history and culture and after all, by us like human being. Therefore, we understand that the results this research suggest the discussed thematic deepening on this intervention field in order to new sense possibilities can arise giving origin to other reflections about the clinical practice, the professional formation in Psychology and other possible developments

Protagonismo juvenil :um estudo da particição social dos adolescentes nos programas de saúde sexual e reprodutiva em Natal/RN

The study does a analysis about the social participation of teenagers in the healthy sexual and reproductive Programs in Natal/RN city, in the perspective of Protagonism Juvenile, that presuppose the teenager condition like main actor and subject of the right and obligations. In front of this, the aim this search is to discuss and analyse the juvenile protagonism and theirpolitic , pedagogics and soscial means, to go off on to the participation of teenagers like social subject in the healthy sexual and reproductive Programs in Natal/Rn city. The way to the teoric reflexion this study privileged the approach historic-member, being assisted by quality methodology, to making useful an interview semistructured with teenagers, families and co-ordinators of the Programs. The social participation of the teenagers, in these programs, reaffirm itself like a proposal politic-pedagogical that contribute to the development of competences of the teenagers and improvement of habilities in the treatment of the questions about heathy sexual and reprodutive,valorizing the condition of the social subjects, in the perspective of the protagonism juvenile. The relevance this study to be detached by the contribution in the building and implementation of the programs politic-pedagogical, that affirm to the teenagers the condition of the right and obligations

Integração agricultura-pecuária em plantio direto: produção de forragem e resíduo de palha após pastejo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, no sistema integração agricultura-pecuária, a possibilidade de utilizar uma cultura para pastejo cujos resíduos permitam produção de palha suficiente para a manutenção do plantio direto, bem como avaliar a produção da forrageira e do resíduo em diferentes distâncias em relação ao centro do pivô, em três épocas, e o desempenho econômico do sistema. Avaliaram-se o impacto do pastejo rotacionado de sorgo forrageiro em plantio direto, sob irrigação em um pivô central de 75 ha, sobre a produção de matéria seca do sorgo forrageiro, a quantidade de resíduos, o custo de produção e o ganho de peso animal. O ensaio foi conduzido num Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, com quatro tratamentos principais: locais de amostragem em diferentes distâncias em relação ao centro do pivô; três tratamentos secundários (ciclos de pastejos) e sete repetições (sete piquetes de 9,37 ha para pastejo, dispostos na forma de pizza). Os resultados permitiram concluir que: a produção do sorgo forrageiro foi suficiente para permitir um ganho 621 kg ha-1 de peso vivo e a quantidade de resíduos de sorgo após o pastejo foi suficiente para suprir o aporte anual de matéria seca de palha necessária para a manutenção do plantio direto; a área, após os pastejos, continuou passível de ser explorada no sistema de plantio direto, e o sistema pesquisado mostrou-se técnica e economicamente viável.

Effects of a muscarinic type-2 antagonist on cardiorespiratory function and intestinal transit in horses anesthetized with halothane and xylazine

Objective-To evaluate the cardiorespiratory and intestinal effects of the muscarinic type-2 (M-2) antagonist, methoctramine, in anesthetized horses.Animals-6 horses.Procedure-Horses were allocated to 2 treatments in a randomized complete block design. Anesthesia was maintained with halothane (1% end-tidal concentration) combined with a constant-rate infusion of xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg/h, IV) and mechanical ventilation. Hemodynamic variables were monitored after induction of anesthesia and for 120 minutes after administration of methoctramine or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment). Methoctramine was given at 10-minute intervals (10 mug/kg, IV) until heart rate (HR) increased at least 30% above baseline values or until a maximum cumulative dose of 30 mug/kg had been administered. Recovery characteristics, intestinal auscultation scores, and intestinal transit determined by use of chromium oxide were assessed during the postanesthetic period.Results-Methoctramine was given at a total cumulative dose of 30 mug/kg to 4 horses, whereas 2 horses received 10 mug/kg. Administration of methoctramine resulted in increases in HR, cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, and tissue oxygen delivery. Intestinal auscultation scores and intestinal transit time (interval to first and last detection of chromium oxide in the feces) did not differ between treatment groups.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Methoctramine improved hemodynamic function in horses anesthetized by use of halothane and xylazine without causing a clinically detectable delay in the return to normal intestinal motility during the postanesthetic period. Because of their selective positive chronotropic effects, M-2 antagonists may represent a safe alternative for treatment of horses with intraoperative bracycardia.

Effects of glycopyrrolate on cardiorespiratory function in horses anesthetized with halothane and xylazine

Objective-To evaluate cardiopulmonary effects of glycopyrrolate in horses anesthetized with halothane and xylazine.Animals-6 horses.Procedure-Horses were allocated to 2 treatment groups in a randomized complete block design. Anesthesia was maintained in mechanically ventilated horses by administration of halothane (1% end-tidal concentration) combined with a constant-rate infusion of xylazine hydrochloride (1 mg/kg/h, IV). Hemodynamic variables were monitored after induction of anesthesia and for 120 minutes after administration of glycopyrrolate or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Glycopyrrolate (2.5 mug/kg, IV) was administered at 10-minute intervals until heart rate (HR) increased at least 30% above baseline or a maximum cumulative dose of 75 mug/kg had been injected. Recovery characteristics and intestinal auscultation scores were evaluated for 24 hours after the end of anesthesia.Results-Cumulative dose of glycopyrrolate administered to 5 horses was 5 mug/kg, whereas 1 horse received 75 mug/kg. The positive chronotropic effects of glycopyrrolate were accompanied by an increase in cardiac output, arterial blood pressure, and tissue oxygen delivery. Whereas HR increased by 53% above baseline values at 20 minutes after the last glycopyrrolate injection, cardiac output and mean arterial pressure increased by 38% and 31%, respectively. Glycopyrrolate administration was associated with impaction of the large colon in I horse and low intestinal auscultation scores lasting 24 hours in 3 horses.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The positive chronotropic effects of glycopyrrolate resulted in improvement of hemodynamic function in horses anesthetized with halothane and xylazine. However, prolonged intestinal stasis and colic may limit its use during anesthesia.

A Linguagem de Especificação algébrica CASL e o Tipo de Dados Intervalos

Na computação científica é necessário que os dados sejam o mais precisos e exatos possível, porém a imprecisão dos dados de entrada desse tipo de computação pode estar associada às medidas obtidas por equipamentos que fornecem dados truncados ou arredondados, fazendo com que os cálculos com esses dados produzam resultados imprecisos. Os erros mais comuns durante a computação científica são: erros de truncamentos, que surgem em dados infinitos e que muitas vezes são truncados", ou interrompidos; erros de arredondamento que são responsáveis pela imprecisão de cálculos em seqüências finitas de operações aritméticas. Diante desse tipo de problema Moore, na década de 60, introduziu a matemática intervalar, onde foi definido um tipo de dado que permitiu trabalhar dados contínuos,possibilitando, inclusive prever o tamanho máximo do erro. A matemática intervalar é uma saída para essa questão, já que permite um controle e análise de erros de maneira automática. Porém, as propriedades algébricas dos intervalos não são as mesmas dos números reais, apesar dos números reais serem vistos como intervalos degenerados, e as propriedades algébricas dos intervalos degenerados serem exatamente as dos números reais. Partindo disso, e pensando nas técnicas de especificação algébrica, precisa-se de uma linguagem capaz de implementar uma noção auxiliar de equivalência introduzida por Santiago [6] que ``simule" as propriedades algébricas dos números reais nos intervalos. A linguagem de especificação CASL, Common Algebraic Specification Language, [1] é uma linguagem de especificação algébrica para a descrição de requisitos funcionais e projetos modulares de software, que vem sendo desenvolvida pelo CoFI, The Common Framework Initiative [2] a partir do ano de 1996. O desenvolvimento de CASL se encontra em andamento e representa um esforço conjunto de grandes expoentes da área de especificações algébricas no sentido de criar um padrão para a área. A dissertação proposta apresenta uma especificação em CASL do tipo intervalo, munido da aritmética de Moore, afim de que ele venha a estender os sistemas que manipulem dados contínuos, sendo possível não só o controle e a análise dos erros de aproximação, como também a verificação algébrica de propriedades do tipo de sistema aqui mencionado. A especificação de intervalos apresentada aqui foi feita apartir das especificações dos números racionais proposta por Mossakowaski em 2001 [3] e introduz a noção de igualdade local proposta por Santiago [6, 5, 4]

PUPSI :uma proposta de processo unificado para políticas de segurança da informação

The way to deal with information assets means nowadays the main factor not only for the success but also for keeping the companies in the global world. The number of information security incidents has grown for the last years. The establishment of information security policies that search to keep the security requirements of assets in the desired degrees is the major priority for the companies. This dissertation suggests a unified process for elaboration, maintenance and development of information security policies, the Processo Unificado para Políticas de Segurança da Informação - PUPSI. The elaboration of this proposal started with the construction of a structure of knowledge based on documents and official rules, published in the last two decades, about security policies and information security. It's a model based on the examined documents which defines the needed security policies to be established in the organization, its work flow and identifies the sequence of hierarchy among them. It's also made a model of the entities participating in the process. Being the problem treated by the model so complex, which involves all security policies that the company must have. PUPSI has an interative and developing approach. This approach was obtained from the instantiation of the RUP - Rational Unified Process model. RUP is a platform for software development object oriented, of Rational Software (IBM group). Which uses the best practice known by the market. PUPSI got from RUP a structure of process that offers functionality, diffusion capacity and comprehension, performance and agility for the process adjustment, offering yet capacity of adjustment to technological and structural charges of the market and the company

Redução da mortalidade após implementação de condutas consensuais em pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio

OBJETIVO: Comparar a mortalidade em 30 dias com a utilização de determinados grupos de medicamentos por pacientes, entre 1992-1997, quando não se dispunham de condutas consensuais para tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio, e de 2000-2002, após a padronização dessas condutas em nosso serviço. MÉTODOS: Avaliados, retrospectivamente, no 1º e 2º períodos, 172 e 143 pacientes respectivamente, admitidos com diagnóstico de infarto agudo do miocárdio: foram realizados os testes estatísticos: c² para comparar proporções, teste t de Student e o de Mann-Whitney para comparação de médias ou medianas. RESULTADOS: A análise não mostrou diferença em relação aos homens, brancos e a idade média de 61 anos, nos dois períodos. Com relação aos fatores de risco clássicos, foi observada diferença apenas na incidência de dislipidemia (17 e 29%) e, quanto à estratégia terapêutica, aumento significativo do uso de: trombolíticos (39 e 61,5%), ácido acetilsalicílico (70,9 e 96,5%), betabloqueadores (34,8 e 67,8%), inibidor da enzima conversora da angiotensina (45,9 e 74,8%), nitratos (61 e 85,3%) e a redução significativa de bloqueadores de cálcio (16,8 e 5,3%), antiarrítmicos (29,1 e 9,7%) e diuréticos (50,6 e 26,6%). O uso de inotrópicos não diferiu entre os períodos (29,6 e 32,1%). A mortalidade em 30 dias apresentou redução estatisticamente significante de 22,7 para 10,5%. CONCLUSÃO: A implementação das condutas consensuais para o tratamento do infarto agudo do miocárdio foi acompanhada por significante redução da taxa de mortalidade em 30 dias.

Food restriction induces in vivo ventricular dysfunction in spontaneously hypertensive rats without impairment of in vitro myocardial contractility

Cardiac structures, function, and myocardial contractility are affected by food restriction (FR). There are few experiments associating undernutrition with hypertension. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of FR on the cardiac response to hypertension in a genetic model of hypertension, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Five-month-old SHR were fed a control or a calorie-restricted diet for 90 days. Global left ventricle (LV) systolic function was evaluated in vivo by transthoracic echocardiogram and myocardial contractility and diastolic function were assessed in vitro in an isovolumetrically beating isolated heart (Langendorff preparation). FR reduced LV systolic function (control (mean ± SD): 58.9 ± 8.2; FR: 50.8 ± 4.8%, N = 14, P < 0.05). Myocardial contractility was preserved when assessed by the +dP/dt (control: 3493 ± 379; FR: 3555 ± 211 mmHg/s, P > 0.05), and developed pressure (in vitro) at diastolic pressure of zero (control: 152 ± 16; FR: 149 ± 15 mmHg, N = 9, P > 0.05) and 25 mmHg (control: 155 ± 9; FR: 150 ± 10 mmHg, N = 9, P > 0.05). FR also induced eccentric ventricular remodeling, and reduced myocardial elasticity (control: 10.9 ± 1.6; FR: 9.2 ± 0.9%, N = 9, P < 0.05) and LV compliance (control: 82.6 ± 16.5; FR: 68.2 ± 9.1%, N = 9, P < 0.05). We conclude that FR causes systolic ventricular dysfunction without in vitro change in myocardial contractility and diastolic dysfunction probably due to a reduction in myocardial elasticity.

Evolução morfodinâmica da região de influência estuarina do Rio Curimataú/RN, com ênfase nas alternativas do ambiente deposicional de manguezal e a integração de geodados em Sig

The estuaries are important investigation zones of the actual morphodynamic and of depositional facies of recent geological history. They are constituted in important receptor means of the coastal area sediments, where the evolutionary processes occur quickly. They are also attractive means for the development of anthropic activities, which in a disordered way interfere in the active processes in the sedimentary balance of the coastal areas. Among the human interventions, the alterations of the depositional environment of mangroves in areas of tropical estuary is deserving relevance, whose implications for the environment estuarine and the coastal adjacent, they are still far to be known. Due to the interest of the sedimentologic component in the comprehension of the processes linked to the evolution of the environments estuarine and coastal adjacent, this work, aimed at the understanding of the morphodynamic coastal phenomena that comprise the region of estuarine influence of the River Curimataú / RN. It was also evaluated in the morphodynamic context the implications due to alterations of the depositional environment of mangrove by anthropic activity. The Curimataú Estuary, located in the south portion of the oriental coast of Rio Grande do Norte, in the last decades has been objective of the overwhelming occupation of the shrimp farm in areas of mangroves, which were implanted with perspectives of development in a short to medium period. On the other hand, the estuary and its region of coastal influence lacks enough information to subsidize the planning and reorganization more effective of the surrounding activities. Thus, it was intended with this work to give a contribution target tothe maintainable use of the coastal resources of this region. A series of studies using data of orbital and acoustic remote sensing, as of sediments sampling, were executed in the gutter of the estuary. The obtained results starting from the interpretation of bathymetric maps, echo sounder graphics and of distribution of sediments made possible the location of the estuary based in morpho-sedimentar criteria. The estuarine tidal flat was dissected in environments of intertidal mangroves, supratidal mangroves and apicuns with base in the integration of data of sensor optic and of radar following by the field control. The adjacent coast that is influenced by the Curimataú estuary, was segmented according to their geomorphologic characteristics, where each segment had a point of observation of the beach morphodynamic, during the period from january/2001 to february/2002. Once every month, beaches profiles, collections of sediments in the beach zones, as measurement of hydrodynamic parameters were executed. The results of the observations of the tidal environment showed that the area of estuarine influence of the Curimataú begins to suffer negative sedimentary taxes, where in some beaches, the erosive processes are already observed. The granulometric characteristics of the beach sediments start to tend for the increase of thin sand in the erosive periods. The destruction of the depositional environments of mangroves of the Curimataú estuary, to the construction of shrimp farms, can be providing the diminution of the tidal prism of the estuary, enlarging the effects of the local increasing of the sea level, through the smaller supplying of sediments to the adjacent coast. Besides this, it was verified the possibility of the sanding of the tidal channel in the margins of the destroyed areas of mangroves, where very high taxes of sedimentation of thin materials were estimated in case of these areas were preserve

Does toxoplasmosis cause DNA damage? An evaluation in isogenic mice under normal diet or dietary restriction

Toxoplasmosis is an anthropozoonotic widespread disease, caused by the coccidian protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Since there are no data regarding the genotoxicity of the parasite in vivo, this study was designed to evaluate the genotoxic potential of the toxoplasmosis on isogenic mice with normal diet or under dietary restriction and submitted to a treatment with sulfonamide (375 mug/kg per day). DNA damage was assessed in peripheral blood, liver and brain cells using the comet assay (tail moment). The results for leucocytes showed increases in the mean tail moment in mice under dietary restriction; in infected mice under normal diet; in infected, sulfonamide-treated mice under normal diet; in infected mice under dietary restriction and in infected sulfonamide-treated mice under dietary restriction. In liver and brain cells, no statistically significant difference was observed for the tail moment. These results indicated that dietary restriction and T. gondii were able to induce DNA damage in peripheral blood cells, as detected by the comet assay. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.