Definition of critical conditions for obtaining of a macromodel of ceramic matrix composites

The necessity for development of an approach to studying the phase composition and physico-chemical processes occurring during the firing of ceramic materials with a matrix structure based on technogenic and natural materials is substantiated. The study results on definition of critical conditions for obtaining of a ceramic matrix composites macromodel are presented

Sustained virological response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin

This study aimed to evaluate the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) and the clinical and treatment characteristics of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). A retrospective uncontrolled cohort study was conducted among patients who received treatment for CHC between 2005 and 2008 attended at the Center for the Application and Monitoring of Injectable Medications, in Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. The inclusion criteria were: patients over 18 years of age, with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C according to Brazilian guidelines, treated with PEG-IFN alfa-2a or 2b associated with RBV. A total of 188 patients were included in the study: 70% men, 59% genotype 1, 27% coinfected with HIV, 31% with cirrhosis. The SVR rate, calculated by probability theory, was determined as 26% (max=57.4% and min=12.8%) and the intention to treat was 12.8%. Associations between Sustained Virological Response (SVR) and the variables sex (p=0.017), age (p=0.003), genotype (p=0.648) and cirrhosis (p=0.275), were determined in the bivariate analysis and only sex and age were significantly associated with SVR. The SVR rate was considered low, which can be partially explained by patients' unfavorable pretreatment characteristics.O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a taxa de resposta viral sustentada (RVS) e as características clínicas e do tratamento dos pacientes portadores de hepatite C crônica. Realizou-se uma coorte retrospectiva não controlada com recorte temporal dos anos de 2005 a 2008, dos pacientes atendidos no Polo de Aplicação e Monitoramento de Medicamentos Injetáveis, em Florianópolis, SC. Os critérios de inclusão foram: pacientes maiores de 18 anos, com diagnóstico confirmado de hepatite C crônica de acordo com o protocolo brasileiro, tratados com PEG-IFN alfa-2a ou 2b associado a ribavirina. Total de 188 pacientes foi incluído no estudo, 70% homens, 59% genótipo 1, 27% co-infectados com o HIV e 31% apresentando cirrose. A taxa de RVS calculada através da teoria das probabilidades foi de 26% (max=57,4% and min=12,8%) e por intenção de tratamento de 12,8%. Verificou-se a associação da RVS com as variáveis: sexo (p=0,017), idade (p=0,003), genótipo (p=0,648) e presença de cirrose (p=0,275). Somente sexo e idade foram associados significativamente com a RVS. A taxa de RVS foi considerada baixa e, em parte, pode ser explicada pelas características desfavoráveis dos pacientes para a obtenção de RVS

The adapted Zelen was a feasible design to trial exercise in myeloma survivors

OBJECTIVE: We utilised a method rarely seen in cancer behavioural trials to explore methods of overcoming difficulties often seen in randomised controlled trials. We report our experiences of the adapted-Zelen design, so that other researchers can consider this approach for behavioural trials. STUDY DESIGN: & Setting:The adapted-Zelen design was used to explore the effects of exercise on multiple myeloma patients fatigue, quality of life and physical outcomes. All participants consented to an observational cohort study of lifestyle factors, but were unaware of subsequent randomisation to remain in cohort only group or be offered an exercise intervention requiring second consent. RESULTS: Due to lower than expected uptake rate to the exercise offered group (57%), the length of recruitment increased from 24 to 29 months to ensure power was reached. At enrolment patients were unaware of the potential increased commitment and as a result 62% of participants allocated to the intervention declined due to the extra time/travel commitment required. This emulates clinical settings and suggests improvements in intervention delivery are required. Dropout rates from the cohort only group were similar to designs that provide the control with the intervention. Our results from the main study do not suggest contamination occurred despite some anecdotal evidence. CONCLUSION: Future use of this design warrants careful consideration of the study resources and recruitment time frames required but holds potential value in reducing contamination, control group dissatisfaction and resulting drop out. Adapted-Zelen design reduces selection bias and therefore gives clinicians a better understanding of acceptability in clinical settings. Future studies should evaluate control group experiences of the design and formally record contamination throughout the study to confirm its acceptability

LEIS AMBIENTAIS E IMAGENS DE ALTA RESOLUÇÃO DO SATÉLITE QUICKBIRD APLICADAS À ANÁLISE DE UMA ÁREA DA MATA ATLÂNTICA, RS

In 1994, the Center for Research and Nature Conservation PRÓ-MATA was created to develop studies and actions for the protection and recovery of the ecosystems from a sector of Atlantic Forest in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. PRÓ-MATA was conceived in the frame of a cooperation between the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) and the University of Tübingen (Germany). This paper presents results of a research developed in the PRÓ-MATA area, using high-resolution image of QuickBird satellite and GIS techniques. The integration of GIS with Brazilian environmental rules was used to provide the basis for the inherent proposals of this study. The geographic analysis allowed the identification of permanent preservation areas, the study of neighborhood areas and those areas vulnerable to human action. The QuickBird images are ideally suited for this research. In the region under study 46,05% are permanent preservation areas, the main activities in the surrounding of the preservation area agriculture and livestock. Key words: Atlantic Forest; Environment Rules; QuickBird image, GIS.Em 1994, o Centro de Pesquisas e Conservação da Natureza PRÓ-MATA foi criado para desenvolver estudos e ações visando proteger e recuperar os ecossistemas de um setor da Mata Atlântica no Rio Grande do Sul. O Projeto foi concebido no âmbito de uma cooperação entre a Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) e a Universidade alemã de Tübingen. Este trabalho apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada no área do PRÓ-MATA, na qual foram utilizadas imagens com alta resolução do satélite QuickBird. Para realizar o estudo foi utilizada a ferramenta SIG associada às leis ambientais brasileiras. A análise geográfica consistiu no mapeamento das áreas de preservação permanente (APP), estudo do entorno e determinação das áreas com vulnerabilidade à ação antrópica. As imagens QuickBird permitiram uma análise detalhada da área estudada. Na área mapeada 46,05% são considerados APP, as principais atividades no entorno são a agricultura de subsistência e a pecuária. Palavras-chave: Mata Atlântica; Leis ambientais; QuickBird, SIG

Antenna subtraction for gluon scattering at NNLO

We use the antenna subtraction method to isolate the double real radiation infrared singularities present in gluonic scattering amplitudes at next-to-next-to-leading order. The antenna subtraction framework has been successfully applied to the calculation of NNLO corrections to the 3-jet cross section and related event shape distributions in electron-positron annihilation. Here we consider processes with two coloured particles in the initial state, and in particular two-jet production at hadron colliders such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We construct a subtraction term that describes the single and double unresolved contributions from the six-gluon tree-level process using antenna functions with initial state partons and show numerically that the subtraction term correctly approximates the matrix elements in the various single and double unresolved configurations.Comment: 71 pages, JHEP3 class; corrected typos, equivalent but more compact version of eq. (5.12), results unchange

Economical Feasibility of Strawberry Production in a Semi-Hydroponic System and Agroindustry of Jelly on a Small Property

Growing strawberries is a great alternative for family farms, it is possible to obtain a good financial return on a small property. Consumption growth Strawberry "in natura" in recent years, along with a high price increase, further assists in the marketing of the fruit. This study aimed to establish a greenhouse to grow plants behave 18,000 Camarosa, with approximate production of 200 kg of strawberries daily in peak harvest in semi-hydroponic system in a family owned, located in the municipality of Canguçu-RS. The strawberry produced should be packaged for sale "in natura" and received in the form of jelly. Strawberries are classified by their diameter (25mm and 15mm) and defects in three classes: Class A, includes all healthy and greater than 25 mm diameter strawberries; class B, includes all the healthy strawberries and with a diameter between 25 mm and 15 mm and the class C, includes all strawberries with less than 15mm diameter. The strawberries in Classes A and B will be sold as "in natura" and Class C will be used for the production of jam. To perform the economic analysis, initially used the SWOT matrix, which is a tool used to perform environmental analysis, as the basis of management and strategic planning. The financial analysis of the project was carried out through the following indications: NPV (Net Present Value), IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and payback. Through the completion of the procedures for determining the cash flow and economic indicators, it was found through studies of scenarios, keeping the price constant and equal to jam £ 5.50, the minimum price of the strawberry "in natura" is worth $ 6.83. The production of jelly is an alternative to adding value to the product and also provides more time for marketing

Generality of shear thickening in suspensions

Suspensions are of wide interest and form the basis for many smart fluids. For most suspensions, the viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate, i.e. they shear thin. Few are reported to do the opposite, i.e. shear thicken, despite the longstanding expectation that shear thickening is a generic type of suspension behavior. Here we resolve this apparent contradiction. We demonstrate that shear thickening can be masked by a yield stress and can be recovered when the yield stress is decreased below a threshold. We show the generality of this argument and quantify the threshold in rheology experiments where we control yield stresses arising from a variety of sources, such as attractions from particle surface interactions, induced dipoles from applied electric and magnetic fields, as well as confinement of hard particles at high packing fractions. These findings open up possibilities for the design of smart suspensions that combine shear thickening with electro- or magnetorheological response.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Nature Material

Fluid-membrane tethers: minimal surfaces and elastic boundary layers

Thin cylindrical tethers are common lipid bilayer membrane structures, arising in situations ranging from micromanipulation experiments on artificial vesicles to the dynamic structure of the Golgi apparatus. We study the shape and formation of a tether in terms of the classical soap-film problem, which is applied to the case of a membrane disk under tension subject to a point force. A tether forms from the elastic boundary layer near the point of application of the force, for sufficiently large displacement. Analytic results for various aspects of the membrane shape are given.Comment: 12 page