Application of Continuous Wavelet Transform to the Analysis of the Modulus of the Fractional Fourier Transform Bands for Resolving Two Component Mixture

In this paper, the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) is applied to the spectral bands of two component mixture containing oxfendazole and oxyclozanide to provide the multicomponent quantitative prediction of the related substances. With this aim in mind, the modulus of FrFT spectral bands are processed by the continuous Mexican Hat family of wavelets, being denoted by MEXH-CWT-MOFrFT. Four modulus sets are obtained for the parameter a of the FrFT going from 0.6 up to 0.9 in order to compare their effects upon the spectral and quantitative resolutions. Four linear regression plots for each substance were obtained by measuring the MEXH-CWT-MOFrFT amplitudes in the application of the MEXH family to the modulus of the FrFT. This new combined powerful tool is validated by analyzing the artificial samples of the related drugs, and it is applied to the quality control of the commercial veterinary samples.

Mechanical properties of chemically modified portuguese pinewood

To turn wood into a construction material with enhanced properties, many methods of chemical modification have been developed in the last few decades. In this work, mechanical properties of pine wood were chemically modified, compared and evaluated. Maritime pine wood (Pinus pinaster) was modified with four chemical processes: 1,3-dimethylol-4,5- dihydroxyethyleneurea, N-methylol melamine formaldehyde, tetra-alkoxysilane and wax. The following mechanical properties were assessed experimentally: Modulus of elasticity measured statically, stiffness stabilization efficiency in different climates (30 and 87% of relative humidity), modulus of rupture, work maximum load, impact bending strength, compression, tensile and shear strength at indoor conditions (65% of relative humidity). In both types of active principle of modification, cell wall or lumen fill, no significant changes on the bending stiffness (modulus of elasticity) were found. In the remaining properties analysed significant changes in the modified wood-material took place compared to unmodified wood control: - Cell wall modification was the most effective method to achieve high stiffness stabilization efficiency (up to 60%) and also increased compression strength (up to 230%). However, modulus of rupture, tensile, shear and the impact bending strength were reduced by both resins, but in a varying extent, where the N-methylol melamine formaldehyde endured less reduction than 1,3-dimethylol-4,5-dihydroxyethyleneurea resin. In the latter, reduction up to 60% can take place. - In the lumen fill modification: tetra-alkoxysilane has no effect in the mechanical properties. Although, a slight increase in shear strength parallel to the grain was found. Wax specimens have shown a slight increase in bending strength, compression, tensile and shear strength as well as in the absorption energy capacity.

Maximum likelihood detection for OFDM signals with strong nonlinear distortion effects

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores

Nanostructuring silicon probes via electrodeposition: characterization of electrode coatings for acute in vivo neural recordings

Understanding how the brain works will require tools capable of measuring neuron elec-trical activity at a network scale. However, considerable progress is still necessary to reliably increase the number of neurons that are recorded and identified simultaneously with existing mi-croelectrode arrays. This project aims to evaluate how different materials can modify the effi-ciency of signal transfer from the neural tissue to the electrode. Therefore, various coating materials (gold, PEDOT, tungsten oxide and carbon nano-tubes) are characterized in terms of their underlying electrochemical processes and recording ef-ficacy. Iridium electrodes (177-706 μm2) are coated using galvanostatic deposition under different charge densities. By performing electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in phosphate buffered saline it is determined that the impedance modulus at 1 kHz depends on the coating material and decreased up to a maximum of two orders of magnitude for PEDOT (from 1 MΩ to 25 kΩ). The electrodes are furthermore characterized by cyclic voltammetry showing that charge storage capacity is im-proved by one order of magnitude reaching a maximum of 84.1 mC/cm2 for the PEDOT: gold nanoparticles composite (38 times the capacity of the pristine). Neural recording of spontaneous activity within the cortex was performed in anesthetized rodents to evaluate electrode coating performance.

Novel anisotropic magnetoelectric effect on δ-FeO(OH)/P(VDF-TrFE) multiferroic composites

The last decade has witnessed an increased research effort on multi-phase magnetoelectric (ME) composites. In this scope, this paper presents the application of novel materials for the development of anisotropic magnetoelectric (ME) sensors based on δ-FeO(OH)/P(VDF-TrFE) composites. The composite is able to precisely determine the amplitude and direction of the magnetic field. A new ME effect is reported in this study, as it emerges from the magnetic rotation of the δ-FeO(OH) nanosheets inside the piezoelectric P(VDF-TrFE) polymer matrix. δ-FeO(OH)/P(VDF-TrFE) composites with 1, 5, 10 and 20 δ-FeO(OH) filler weigh percentage in three δ-FeO(OH) alignment states (random, transversal and longitudinal) have been developed. Results shown that the modulus of the piezoelectric response (10-24 pC.N-1) is stable at least up to three months, the shape and magnetization maximum value (3 emu.g-1) is dependent on δ-FeO(OH) content and the obtained ME voltage coefficient, with a maximum of ≈0.4 mV.cm-1.Oe-1, is dependent on the incident magnetic field direction and intensity. In this way, the produced materials are suitable for innovative anisotropic sensor and actuator applications.

Production of elastic Chitosan/Chondroitin sulphate multilayer films for tissue regeneration

Membrane-like scaffolds are suitable to induce regeneration in many and different anatomic sites, such as periodontal membrane, skin, liver and cardiac tissues. In some circumstances, the films should adapt to geometrical changes of the attached tissues, such as in cardiac or blood vessel tissue engineering applications. In this context, we developed stretchable two-dimensional multilayer constructs through the assembling of two natural-based polyelectrolytes, chitosan (CHT) and chondroitin sulphate (CS), using the layer-by-layer methodology. The morphology, topography and the transparency of the films were evaluated. The in- fluence of genipin, a natural-derived cross-linker agent, was also investigated in the control of the mechanical properties of the CHT/CS films. The water uptake ability can be tailored by changing the cross-linker concentration, which influenced the young modulus and ultimate tensile strength. The maximum extension tends to decrease with the increase of genipin concentration, compromising the elastic properties of CHT/CS films: nevertheless using lower cross-linker contents, the ultimate tensile stress is similar to the films not cross-linked but exhibiting a significant higher modulus. The in vitro biological assays showed better L929 cell adhesion and proliferation when using the crosslinked membranes and confirmed the non-cytotoxicity of the CHT/CS films. The developed free-standing biomimetic multilayer could be designed to fulfill specific therapeutic requirements by tuning properties such as swelling, mechanical and biological performances.

Response of blood pressure to maximum exercise in hypertensive patients under different therapeutic programs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the behavior of blood pressure during exercise in patients with hypertension controlled by frontline antihypertension drugs. METHODS: From 979ergometric tests we retrospectively selected 49 hipertensive patients (19 males). The age was 53±12 years old and normal range rest arterial pressure (<=140/90 mmHg) all on pharmacological monotherapy. There were 12 on beta blockers; 14 on calcium antagonists, 13 on diuretics and 10 on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Abnormal exercise behhavior of blood pressure was diagnosed if anyone of the following criteria was detected: peak systolic pressure above 220 mmHg, raising of systolic pressure > or = 10 mmHg/MET; or increase of diastolic pressure greater than 15 mmHg. RESULTS: Physiologic response of arterial blood pressure occurred in 50% of patients on beta blockers, the best one (p<0.05), in 36% and 31% on calcium antagonists and on diuretics, respectively, and in 20% on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, the later the leastr one (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers were more effective than calcium antagonists, diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in controlling blood pressure during exercise, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors the least effective drugs.

Hierarchical modelling of timber reference properties using probabilistic methods: Maximum Likelihood Method, Bayesian Methods and Probability Networks

In recent decades, an increased interest has been evidenced in the research on multi-scale hierarchical modelling in the field of mechanics, and also in the field of wood products and timber engineering. One of the main motivations for hierar-chical modelling is to understand how properties, composition and structure at lower scale levels may influence and be used to predict the material properties on a macroscopic and structural engineering scale. This chapter presents the applicability of statistic and probabilistic methods, such as the Maximum Likelihood method and Bayesian methods, in the representation of timber’s mechanical properties and its inference accounting to prior information obtained in different importance scales. These methods allow to analyse distinct timber’s reference properties, such as density, bending stiffness and strength, and hierarchically consider information obtained through different non, semi or destructive tests. The basis and fundaments of the methods are described and also recommendations and limitations are discussed. The methods may be used in several contexts, however require an expert’s knowledge to assess the correct statistic fitting and define the correlation arrangement between properties.

Variabilidad paleoambiental desde el Último Máximo Glacial en la región Centro-Sur de Argentina: Paleocirculación atmosférica, variabilidad hidroclimática y dimensión humana. Palaeoenvironmental variability from the Last Glacial Maximum in the Central-Southern region of Argentina: Atmospheric Palaeocirculation, Hydroclimatic Variability and Human Dimension.

El proyecto tiene como propósito caracterizar la variabilidad de la paleocirculación atmosférica en las latitudes medias de Sudamérica, su efecto sobre la fluctuación hidroclimática regional y la vulnerabilidad humana frente a los cambios ocurridos desde el Ultimo Máximo Glacial/Holoceno. El enfoque inter y multidisciplinaro aquí planteado para analizar la varibiliad hidroclimática pasada, sus causas y consecuencias, es inédito para esta región del país. El mismo contempla: a) análisis de archivos climáticos sedimentarios con una aproximación de multi-indicadores (sedimentología, geoquímica, isótopos estables y radiogénicos, mineralogía, ostrácodos y moluscos); b) determinación de la dinámica actual y pasada del polvo atmosférico (PA) combinando mediciones in situ y en registros sedimentarios y c) análisis de restos óseos humanos y malacológicos en sitios arqueológicos.Se contempla: a) Efectuar análisis de multi-indicadores de registros climáticos naturales almacenados en sistemas lacustres de la región Pampeana (S. Ambargasta, Mar Chiquita, Pocho, Melincué, Lagunas Encadenadas del Oeste de Buenos Aires) y en secuencias loessicas para inferir la variabilidad de la circulación atmosférica desde el UMG; b) Ampliar la resolución temporal de las reconstrucciones climáticas para ventanas de tiempo seleccionadas; c) Analizar la señal geoquímica del registro sedimentario de fases climáticas contrastantes; d) Identificar la variabilidad temporal de la procedencia y de los procesos actuantes mediante análisis mineralógicos y geoquímicos; e) Analizar el ambiente actual para calibrar indicadores ambientales o proxies (isótopos, flujo de sedimentos, geoquímica, moluscos y ostrácodos) con el escenario climático contemporáneo; f) Analizar en conjunto los archivos climáticos para inferir patrones de paleocirculación atmosférica regional y g) Dilucidar estrategias adaptativas y la historia biológica de poblaciones humanas en la región central de Argentina durante fases climáticas diversas.Este proyecto aborda uno de los aspectos menos conocidos de las reconstrucciones paleoambientales, que está relacionado con rol del material eólico derivado del Hemisferio Sur y el impacto que genera sobre el ciclo regional del Carbono. A pesar que el sur de Sudamérica es una de las áreas claves para entender este aspecto, no se conoce de forma acabada la incidencia de los cambios ambientales sobre el flujo de PA o el efecto de futuros cambios climáticos y/o uso de la tierra.La actividad planteada tiene implicancias directas sobre múltiples disciplinas como las ciencias atmosféricas, geoquímica, sedimentología, paleoclimatologia y bioarqueología. Nuestros resultados permitirán mejorar el entendimiento del cambio climático regional, la dinámica del polvo y su rol como forzante del sistema climático, la variabilidad hidrológica presente y pasada y la respuesta por parte de las poblaciones humanas. Profundizar el estudio de los cambios paleoclimáticos y bioarqueológicos en la región permitirá analizar la variabilidad hidroclimática y determinar su relación con las situaciones de crisis y vulnerabilidad del pobamiento humano. Asimismo, la inferencia de cambios para períodos con mínima o sin influencia humana es una herramienta clave para mejorar el conocimiento de las fluctuaciones climáticas del área extratropical Sudamericana. Estos resultados permitirán analizar no sólo los mecanismos operados en el sistema climático pasado sino también aquellos factores que explicarían el gran cambio hidroclimático registrado desde 1970 cuyos efectos han impactado claramente sobre las actividades socio-económicos en la región central Argentina.

Sex-Specific Equations to Estimate Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Cycle Ergometry

AbstractBackground:Aerobic fitness, assessed by measuring VO2max in maximum cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) or by estimating VO2max through the use of equations in exercise testing, is a predictor of mortality. However, the error resulting from this estimate in a given individual can be high, affecting clinical decisions.Objective:To determine the error of estimate of VO2max in cycle ergometry in a population attending clinical exercise testing laboratories, and to propose sex-specific equations to minimize that error.Methods:This study assessed 1715 adults (18 to 91 years, 68% men) undertaking maximum CPX in a lower limbs cycle ergometer (LLCE) with ramp protocol. The percentage error (E%) between measured VO2max and that estimated from the modified ACSM equation (Lang et al. MSSE, 1992) was calculated. Then, estimation equations were developed: 1) for all the population tested (C-GENERAL); and 2) separately by sex (C-MEN and C-WOMEN).Results:Measured VO2max was higher in men than in WOMEN: -29.4 ± 10.5 and 24.2 ± 9.2 mL.(kg.min)-1 (p < 0.01). The equations for estimating VO2max [in mL.(kg.min)-1] were: C-GENERAL = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.483 + 7; C-MEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 10.791 + 7; and C-WOMEN = [final workload (W)/body weight (kg)] x 9.820 + 7. The E% for MEN was: -3.4 ± 13.4% (modified ACSM); 1.2 ± 13.2% (C-GENERAL); and -0.9 ± 13.4% (C-MEN) (p < 0.01). For WOMEN: -14.7 ± 17.4% (modified ACSM); -6.3 ± 16.5% (C-GENERAL); and -1.7 ± 16.2% (C-WOMEN) (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The error of estimate of VO2max by use of sex-specific equations was reduced, but not eliminated, in exercise tests on LLCE.

Produção, coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca e concentração de nutrientes em Panicum maximum Jacq., em função dos cortes aos 30, 45, 60 e 75 dias de idade

Mudas de capim colonião (Panicum maximum Jacq.) foram transplantadas para uma Terra Roxa Estruturada, serie "Luiz de Queiroz", em Piracicaba, SP, e adubadas na razão de 2,5 g de N (sulfato de amônio), 3,2 g de P2O5 (superfosfato simples) e 1,9 g de K2O (cloreto de potássio) por muda. Cortes foram efetuados aos 35, 45, 60 e 75 dias a 15 cm de altura do solo. No material coletado foram separadas hastes e folhas e determinado o peso da matéria seca, o coeficiente de digestibilidade in vitro e as concentrações de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn. O delineamento estatístico foi de blocos ao aca so, com três repetições. Concluíram os autores: 1. a relação haste/folha varia com o envelhecimento da planta. A produção de matéria seca e maior nas hastes do que nas folhas. Há uma relação linear positiva entre o aumento de peso da matéria seca e a idade da planta; 2. o coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca diminui com a idade da planta, não havendo diferenças entre haste e folha; 3. a concentração de N, P, Cu, Fe e Zn diminui com o aumento da idade da planta; 4. a idade da planta não afeta os teores mínimos exigidos pelo animal.

Níveis críticos de fósforo em Brachiaria decunbens (Stapf) Prain, Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweickerdt, Digitaria decumbens Stent, Hypharrhenia rufa (Ness) Stapf, Melinis minutiflora Pal de Beauv, Panicum maximum Jacq. e Pennisetum purpureum Schum

Plantas dos capins braquiaria brachiaria decumbens Stapf (Prain) , quicuio da Amazonia, (Brachiaria humidicola (Rendle) Schweickerdt), pangola (Digitaria decumbens Stent), jaraguá (Hyphrrhenia rufa (Ness) Stapf), gordura (Melinis minutiflora Pal de Beauv), colonião (Panicum maximum Jacq) e napier (Pennisetwn purpure um Schum) foram cultivadas em solução nutritiva completa contendo, 0,12; 0,48; 1,94; 7,75 e 31,00 mg de fósforo por litro, com o objetivo de determinar os níveis críticos internos e externos de fosforo, e avaliar a eficiência com que absorvem e utilizam o fósforo. Aos setenta e cinco dias as plantas foram coletadas, separadas em caules, folhas, bainhas e raízes. Após secagem a 80ºC, as amostras foram pesadas e analisadas para fósforo na matéria seca. Curvas representativas do peso da matéria seca e da concentração de fósforo na matéria seca em função dos níveis de fosforo da solução nutritiva foram obtidas a partir de dados calculados de equações de regressão. Verificou-se que: - As espécies diferiram quanto à necessidade externa de fósforo, sendo B. humidicola e H. rufa as menos exigentes. Seguiram-se em ordem crescente B. decumbens, M. minutiflora, P. maximum, P. purpureum e D. decumbens. - Os níveis críticos internos de fósforo variaram entre as espécies, sendo maior em D. decumbens (0,38%) que nas demais. Seguiram-se em ordem decrescente B. decumbens (0,32%), B. humidioola (0,26%), M. minutiflora (0,24%), P. maximum (o,24%) e P. purpureum (0,20%). - A eficiência de absorção e utilização, do fósforo foi maior para B. humidicola. Seguiram-se em ordem decrescente P. purpureum, P. maximum, D. decumbens , B. decumbens e M. minutiflora.

On convergence of the maximum likelihood estimator in adaptive designs

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Fakultät für Mathematik, Dissertation, 2016

Nutrição mineral do Panicum maximum cv. Makueni I: cresimento, concentração e extração dos macronutrientes

O trabalho foi conduzido em área de pasto já formado e rebaixado, situado na Fazenda Canchim (UEPAE de São Carlos -EMBRAPA), São Carlos, SP, em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, fase arenosa. Com a finalidade de avaliar o crescimento, através da produção de matéria seca, a concentração e acúmulo de macronutriena partir dos 30 dias após o rebaixamento até aos 180 dias. A área foi adubada com nitrogênio correspondendo à 250 kg de sulfato de amônio por hectare. Em intervalos de 30 dias após o rebaixamento até aos 180 dias, foram coletadas quatro metros quadrados das plantas ao acaso, sem subdividir em folhas e caules. O material seca à 80°C, e analisado para N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S. A concentração de nitrogênio é máxima aos 30 dias com 1,62% e mínima aos 120 dias com 0,72%. A concentração de fósforo é máxima aos 180 dias com 0,87% e mínima aos 60 dias com 0,003%. A concentração de potássio é linear com as idades variando de 2,8% a 0,76% aos 180 dias. A concentração de cálcio é máxima aos 90 dias com 0,53%. Não há variação na concentração de magnésio em função da idade da planta. A concentração de enxofre varia de 0,14% aos 30 dias para um mínimo aos 120 dias com 0,07%. O acúmulo de fósforo, potássio, cálcio é máximo aos 90 dias. 0 acúmulo de magnésio é máximo aos 120 dias O acúmulo de enxofre é máximo aos 60 dias. A exportação de macronutrientes contida na produção máxima de 1425 kg de matéria seca por hectare obedece á seguinte ordem: potássio-30,4; nitrogênio -13,9 kg; cálcio-7,0 kg; magnésio-6,3kg; enxofre-1,3 kg; fósforo-1,2 kg.

Nutrição mineral do Panicum maximum cv. Makueni II: concentração e extração de micronutrientes

O trabalho foi conduzido em área de pasto já formado e rebaixado, situado na Fazenda Canchim (UEPAE de São Carlos EMBRAPA), São Carlos - SP, em Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, fase arenosa. Com a finalidade de avaliar a concentração e acúmulo de micronutrientes a partir dos 30 dias após o rebaixamento até aos 180 dias. A área foi adubada com nitrogênio correspondendo à 250 kg de sulfato de amônio por hectare. Em intervalos de 30 dias após o rebaixamento até aos 180 dias, foram coletadas quatro metros quadrados das plantas ao acaso, sem sub dividir em folhas e caules O material seco à 80°C, foi analisado para Cu, Zn, B, Mn e Fe. Os autores concluíram que: . A concentração de cobre é mais elevada aos 30 dias com 7,63ppm. . A concentração de zinco é maxima aos 180 dias com 22,66 ppm e mínima aos 120 dias com 12, 42ppm . A concentração de boro e maxima aos 150 dias com 11,76 ppm e mínima aos 60 dias com 1,69 ppm. . A concentração de manganês é máxima aos 180 dias com 133,85 ppm e mínima aos 30 dias com 49,64 ppm. . A concentração de ferro é máxima aos 180 dias com 236,25 ppm e mínima aos 90 dias com 136,22ppm . O acúmulo de cobre é máximo aos 90 dias. . O acúmulo de boro de mangês é máximo aos 180 dias. . O acúmulo de zinco e ferro não diferiu nas diferentes idades. A exportação de micronutrientes contida na produção máxima de 1.425 kg de matéria seca por hectare obedece a seguinte ordem: ferro - 286 g; manganês - 157 g; zinco - 23g; boro - 13,2g e cobre 7,6 g.