Simulation of the magnetic induction vector of a magnetic core to be used in FFC NMR relaxometry

This paper is a contribution for the assessment and comparison of magnet properties based on magnetic field characteristics particularly concerning the magnetic induction uniformity in the air gaps. For this aim, a solver was developed and implemented to determine the magnetic field of a magnetic core to be used in Fast Field Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry. The electromagnetic field computation is based on a 2D finite-element method (FEM) using both the scalar and the vector potential formulation. Results for the magnetic field lines and the magnetic induction vector in the air gap are presented. The target magnetic induction is 0.2 T, which is a typical requirement of the FFC NMR technique, which can be achieved with a magnetic core based on permanent magnets or coils. In addition, this application requires high magnetic induction uniformity. To achieve this goal, a solution including superconducting pieces is analyzed. Results are compared with a different FEM program.

Coding mode decision algorithm for binary descriptor coding

In visual sensor networks, local feature descriptors can be computed at the sensing nodes, which work collaboratively on the data obtained to make an efficient visual analysis. In fact, with a minimal amount of computational effort, the detection and extraction of local features, such as binary descriptors, can provide a reliable and compact image representation. In this paper, it is proposed to extract and code binary descriptors to meet the energy and bandwidth constraints at each sensing node. The major contribution is a binary descriptor coding technique that exploits the correlation using two different coding modes: Intra, which exploits the correlation between the elements that compose a descriptor; and Inter, which exploits the correlation between descriptors of the same image. The experimental results show bitrate savings up to 35% without any impact in the performance efficiency of the image retrieval task. © 2014 EURASIP.

ROM-less RNS-to-binary converter moduli {22N − 1, 22N + 1, 2N − 3, 2N + 3}

In this paper, a novel ROM-less RNS-to-binary converter is proposed, using a new balanced moduli set {22n-1, 22n + 1, 2n-3, 2n + 3} for n even. The proposed converter is implemented with a two stage ROM-less approach, which computes the value of X based only in arithmetic operations, without using lookup tables. Experimental results for 24 to 120 bits of Dynamic Range, show that the proposed converter structure allows a balanced system with 20% faster arithmetic channels regarding the related state of the art, while requiring similar area resources. This improvement in the channel's performance is enough to offset the higher conversion costs of the proposed converter. Furthermore, up to 20% better Power-Delay-Product efficiency metric can be achieved for the full RNS architecture using the proposed moduli set. © 2014 IEEE.

Compact SMB chromatography for binary separation

A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

Bicontinuous and mixed gels in binary mixtures of patchy colloidal particles

We investigate the thermodynamics and percolation regimes of model binary mixtures of patchy colloidal particles. The particles of each species have three sites of two types, one of which promotes bonding of particles of the same species while the other promotes bonding of different species. We find up to four percolated structures at low temperatures and densities: two gels where only one species percolates, a mixed gel where particles of both species percolate but neither species percolates separately, and a bicontinuous gel where particles of both species percolate separately forming two interconnected networks. The competition between the entropy and the energy of bonding drives the stability of the different percolating structures. Appropriate mixtures exhibit one or more connectivity transitions between the mixed and bicontinuous gels, as the temperature and/or the composition changes.

Antigen characterization of vector-borne and cultured metacyclic trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Metacyclic trypomastigotes ol the CL strain of Trypanosoma cruzi obtained from triatomid vectors and from axenic cultures were comparatively analysed as to their antigen make-up and immunogenic characteristics. They were found to be similar by the various parameters examined. Thus, sera of mice immunized with either one of the two metacyclic types precipitated a 82Kd surface protein from 131I-labeled culture metacyclics. Sera of mice protected against acute T. cruzi infection by immunization with killed culture metacyclics of a different strain (G) recognized, by immunoblotting, a 77Kd protein in both types of CL strain metacyclics. A monoclonal antibody raised against G strain metacyclics, and specific for metacyclic stages of this strain, reacted with both CL strain metacyclic types. Both metacyclic forms were similarly Iysed by various anti-T. cruzi sera, in a complement-mediated reaction.

(E)xperimental study of the porosity and microstructure of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with binary and ternary mixes of fly ash and limestone filler

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) can soon be expected to replace conventional concrete due to its many advantages. Its main characteristics in the fresh state are achieved essentially by a higher volume of mortar (more ultrafine material) and a decrease of the coarse-aggregates. The use of over-large volumes of additions such as fly ash (FA) and/or limestone filler (LF) can substantially affect the concrete's pore structure and consequently its durability. In this context, an experimental programme was conducted to evaluate the effect on the concrete's porosity and microstructure of incorporating FA and LF in binary and ternary mixes of SCC. For this, a total of 11 SIX mixes were produced; 1 with cement only (C); 3 with C + FA in 30%, 60% and 70% substitution (fad); 3 with C + LF in 30%, 60% and 70% fad; 4 with C + FA + LF in combinations of 10-20%, 20-10%, 20-40% and 40-20% f(ad), respectively. The results enabled conclusions to be established regarding the SCC's durability, based on its permeability and the microstructure of its pore structure. The properties studied are strongly affected by the type and quantity of additions. The use of ternary mixes also proves to be extremely favourable, confirming the beneficial effect of the synergy between these additions. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental study of the porosity and microstructure of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with binary and ternary mixes of fly ash and limestone filler

Abstract Self-compacting concrete (SCC) can soon be expected to replace conventional concrete due to its many advantages. Its main characteristics in the fresh state are achieved essentially by a higher volume of mortar (more ultrafine material) and a decrease of the coarse-aggregates. The use of over-large volumes of additions such as fly ash (FA) and/or limestone filler (LF) can substantially affect the concrete's pore structure and consequently its durability. In this context, an experimental programme was conducted to evaluate the effect on the concrete's porosity and microstructure of incorporating FA and LF in binary and ternary mixes of SCC. For this, a total of 11 SCC mixes were produced: 1 with cement only (C); 3 with C + FA in 30%, 60% and 70% substitution (fad); 3 with C + LF in 30%, 60% and 70% fad; 4 with C + FA + LF in combinations of 10-20%, 20-10%, 20-40% and 40-20% fad, respectively. The results enabled conclusions to be established regarding the SCC's durability, based on its permeability and the microstructure of its pore structure. The properties studied are strongly affected by the type and quantity of additions. The use of ternary mixes also proves to be extremely favourable, confirming the beneficial effect of the synergy between these additions. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Arithmetic-based binary-to-RNS converter modulo {2(n)+/- k} for jn-Bit dynamic range

In this brief, a read-only-memoryless structure for binary-to-residue number system (RNS) conversion modulo {2(n) +/- k} is proposed. This structure is based only on adders and constant multipliers. This brief is motivated by the existing {2(n) +/- k} binary-to-RNS converters, which are particular inefficient for larger values of n. The experimental results obtained for 4n and 8n bits of dynamic range suggest that the proposed conversion structures are able to significantly improve the forward conversion efficiency, with an AT metric improvement above 100%, regarding the related state of the art. Delay improvements of 2.17 times with only 5% area increase can be achieved if a proper selection of the {2(n) +/- k} moduli is performed.

Embryology of Triatoma infestans (KLUG), (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), a Chagas' disease vector

This study reports the embryogenesis of T. infestans (Hemiptera, Reduviidae). Morphological parameters of growth sequences from oviposition until hatching (12-14 d 28ºC) were established. Five periods, as percent of time of development (TD), were characterized from oviposition until hatching. The most important morphological features were: 1) formation of blastoderm within 7% of TD; 2) germ band and gastrulation within 30% of TD; 3) nerve cord, limb budding, thoracic and abdominal segmentation and formation of body cavity within 50% of TD; 4) nervous system and blastokinesis end, and development of embryonic cuticle within 65% of TD; 5) differentiation of the mouth parts, fat body, and Malphigian tubules during final stage and completion of embryo at day 12 to day 14 around hatching. These signals were chosen as appropriate morphological parameters which should enable the evaluation of embryologic modifications due to the action/s of different insecticides

Lethal effect of a bait for Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), the vector of Chagas' disease, containing hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), under laboratory conditions

The lethal effect of a bait containing an aqueous hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) suspension at the concentration of 1g/l and maintained at room temperature was studied in the laboratory over a period of 12 weeks. The suspension was placed in a latex bag hanging inside a 1000-ml beaker tightly covered with nylon netting, and left there with no changes for 85 days. Sixteen groups of R. prolixas bugs, consisting on average of 30 specimens each, were successively exposed to the bait and observed at different intervals for one week each. The mortality rate was 100% for all groups, except for the 16th, whose mortality rate was 96.7%. As the groups succeeded one another, mortality started to occur more rapidly and was more marked at the 6- and 24-h intervals. Later tests respectively started at 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. showed that diurnal and nocturnal periodicity in the offer of food had no effect on mortality. First- and 2nd- instar nymphs and adults male were more sensitive and 5th- instar nymphs were more resistant to the active principle of the bait.

Durability performance of self-compacting concrete (SCC) with binary and ternary mixes of fly ash and limestone filler

The basic objective of this work is to evaluate the durability of self-compacting concrete (SCC) produced in binary and ternary mixes using fly ash (FA) and limestone filler (LF) as partial replacement of cement. The main characteristics that set SCC apart from conventional concrete (fundamentally its fresh state behaviour) essentially depend on the greater or lesser content of various constituents, namely: greater mortar volume (more ultrafine material in the form of cement and mineral additions); proper control of the maximum size of the coarse aggregate; use of admixtures such as superplasticizers. Significant amounts of mineral additions are thus incorporated to partially replace cement, in order to improve the workability of the concrete. These mineral additions necessarily affect the concrete’s microstructure and its durability. Therefore, notwithstanding the many well-documented and acknowledged advantages of SCC, a better understanding its behaviour is still required, in particular when its composition includes significant amounts of mineral additions. An ambitious working plan was devised: first, the SCC’s microstructure was studied and characterized and afterwards the main transport and degradation mechanisms of the SCC produced were studied and characterized by means of SEM image analysis, chloride migration, electrical resistivity, and carbonation tests. It was then possible to draw conclusions about the SCC’s durability. The properties studied are strongly affected by the type and content of the additions. Also, the use of ternary mixes proved to be extremely favourable, confirming the expected beneficial effect of the synergy between LF and FA. © 2015 RILEM.

Distribucion geografica de Lutzomyia verrucarum (Townsend, 1913) (Diptera, Psychodidae, Phlebotominae), vector de la batonellosis humana en el Peru

Lutzomyia verrucarum (Townsend, 1913) (Diptera: Psychodidae), vector natural de la verruga peruana o enfermedad de Carrión es una especie propia del Perú. Su distribución geográfica esta entre los paralelos 5º y 13º25' de latitud Sur, se encuentra en los valles Occidentales e Interandinos de los Andes. La distribución altitudinal de Lu. verrucarum en los diversos valles es variable; asi: Occidentales, desde 1100 hasta 2980 msnm e Interandinos, de 1200 a 3200 msnm. En ciertas áreas verrucógenas no hay correlación entre la presencia de Lu. verrucarum y la enfermedad de Carrión lo que suguiere la existencia de vectores secundarios.

Strategic Bidding for Electricity Markets Negotiation Using Support Vector Machines

Energy systems worldwide are complex and challenging environments. Multi-agent based simulation platforms are increasing at a high rate, as they show to be a good option to study many issues related to these systems, as well as the involved players at act in this domain. In this scope the authors’ research group has developed a multi-agent system: MASCEM (Multi- Agent System for Competitive Electricity Markets), which simulates the electricity markets environment. MASCEM is integrated with ALBidS (Adaptive Learning Strategic Bidding System) that works as a decision support system for market players. The ALBidS system allows MASCEM market negotiating players to take the best possible advantages from the market context. This paper presents the application of a Support Vector Machines (SVM) based approach to provide decision support to electricity market players. This strategy is tested and validated by being included in ALBidS and then compared with the application of an Artificial Neural Network, originating promising results. The proposed approach is tested and validated using real electricity markets data from MIBEL - Iberian market operator.

Solar Intensity Forecasting using Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines

This paper presents several forecasting methodologies based on the application of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM), directed to the prediction of the solar radiance intensity. The methodologies differ from each other by using different information in the training of the methods, i.e, different environmental complementary fields such as the wind speed, temperature, and humidity. Additionally, different ways of considering the data series information have been considered. Sensitivity testing has been performed on all methodologies in order to achieve the best parameterizations for the proposed approaches. Results show that the SVM approach using the exponential Radial Basis Function (eRBF) is capable of achieving the best forecasting results, and in half execution time of the ANN based approaches.