Representational organization of novel task sets during proactive encoding

Recent multivariate analyses of brain data have boosted our understanding of the organizational principles that shape neural coding. However, most of this progress has focused on perceptual visual regions (Connolly et al., 2012), whereas far less is known about the organization of more abstract, action-oriented representations. In this study, we focused on humans{\textquoteright} remarkable ability to turn novel instructions into actions. While previous research shows that instruction encoding is tightly linked to proactive activations in fronto-parietal brain regions, little is known about the structure that orchestrates such anticipatory representation. We collected fMRI data while participants (both males and females) followed novel complex verbal rules that varied across control-related variables (integrating within/across stimuli dimensions, response complexity, target category) and reward expectations. Using Representational Similarity Analysis (Kriegeskorte et al., 2008) we explored where in the brain these variables explained the organization of novel task encoding, and whether motivation modulated these representational spaces. Instruction representations in the lateral prefrontal cortex were structured by the three control-related variables, while intraparietal sulcus encoded response complexity and the fusiform gyrus and precuneus organized its activity according to the relevant stimulus category. Reward exerted a general effect, increasing the representational similarity among different instructions, which was robustly correlated with behavioral improvements. Overall, our results highlight the flexibility of proactive task encoding, governed by distinct representational organizations in specific brain regions. They also stress the variability of motivation-control interactions, which appear to be highly dependent on task attributes such as complexity or novelty.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTIn comparison with other primates, humans display a remarkable success in novel task contexts thanks to our ability to transform instructions into effective actions. This skill is associated with proactive task-set reconfigurations in fronto-parietal cortices. It remains yet unknown, however, how the brain encodes in anticipation the flexible, rich repertoire of novel tasks that we can achieve. Here we explored cognitive control and motivation-related variables that might orchestrate the representational space for novel instructions. Our results showed that different dimensions become relevant for task prospective encoding depending on the brain region, and that the lateral prefrontal cortex simultaneously organized task representations following different control-related variables. Motivation exerted a general modulation upon this process, diminishing rather than increasing distances among instruction representations

HEAT EXCHANGER NETWORK SYNTHESIS CONSIDERING CHANGING PHASE STREAMS

The Pinch Design Method was developed considering one-phase streams, with constant specific heats (Cp) throughout streams temperature ranges. Its first stage, the determination of utilities targets and pinch point (PP), is ruled by the number of streams, their temperatures and MCp. But, for changing phase streams, the usual description of the Cp behavior by a constant value can lead to errors in this stage and, hence, in the synthesis one. This work proposes a procedure to deal with these streams and discusses its results through an example involving multicomponent streams. First, bubble (BP) and dew (DP) points of the streams are estimated. Then, changing phase streams are split into sub-streams, using BP and DP as bounds. For each one, an effective Cp is estimated as the division of the enthalpy change by the respective temperature difference. Results obtained show significant changes on the PP, utilities targets and network proposed structure

Textile effluente treatment though oxidation via activated humidity

Diversos problemas envolvem as estações de tratamento de efluentes têxteis, principalmente o baixo nível de eficiência quanto a remoção da cor. Em função de normas mais rigorosas que estão sendo estabelecidas, as indústrias têxteis têm que encontrar métodos efetivos para a descoloração de seus efluentes. O presente trabalho investigou através de estudos em laboratório, a remoção de cor destes efluentes através da oxidação por via úmida ativada (Processo de Oxidação Avançada-AOP) utilizando como oxidante o peróxido de hidrogênio, ativado pela radiação ultravioleta. A fotodegradação foi realizada em batelada em um reator equipado com uma lâmpada de vapor de mercúrio de média pressão, de imersão. Três diferentes doses de peróxido de hidrogênio foram testadas (15, 30 e 45 mg/L) em amostras com diferentes pHs (3, 7 e 11). A degradação da cor mostrou seguir uma cinética de pseudo primeira ordem, sendo as condições mais adequadas para o pH alcalino, na presença de 45 mg/L de H2O2.Several problems are found in the textile effluent treatment stations, mainly the low level of efficiency concerning color removal. As a result of more rigorous standards that have been established the textile industries are forced to find effective methods for discoloration of their effluents. This work concerns a laboratory investigation on the removal of color from these effluents through oxidation by activated wet process, (Advanced Oxidation Process-OAP), using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, activated by ultraviolet radiation. Photo-degradation was carried out in a bark in a reactor equipped with an immersion mercury vapor lamp at medium pressure. Three different dosages of hydrogen peroxide were tested (15, 30 and 45 mg/L) using samples with different pHs (3, 7, 11). Color degradation proved to follow a kinetics of pseudo first order, being the most appropriate conditions for an alkaline pH, in the presence of 45 mg/L of H2O2

Avaliação da Conservação de Couve Minimamente Processada pela Medida do Tempo de Relaxação Transversal da RMN.

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UV/H2O2 process as post-treatmentfor removal of color and polishing end in textile wastewater

Several problems are involved the treatment plants of textile effluents, mainly the low efficiency of color removal. This paper presents an alternative of post-treatment by UV/H2O2 process, for color removal in biologically treated textile effluents. The tests were performed in a photochemical reactor and samples were taken at different times to perform analyses. Using 250 mgH2O2.L-1, 96% removal of color was verified, indicating the dyes degradation. A reduction of 84% of aromatics compounds, 90% of TSS removal, and a further reduction of the organic fraction were observed, demonstrating that the process is effective as a post-treatment of effluents from textile industries

FREE STANDING HYBRID RISER FOR 1800 M WATER DEPTH

ABSTRACT Petrobras is considering the single-line FSHR (Free Standing Hybrid Riser) design as an option for 18-in export risers in 1800 m water depth. This paper provides the background on the studies carried out to achieve confidence that the concept is feasible for such application, and explains the main features of the design that take best advantage of local practices and Petrobras capabilities. The installation studies consider a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) for deployment of the FSHR system. The analyses assess the allowable sea states for such operation. Another design driver is the fatigue damage due to VIV (Vortex Induced Vibrations), which will also be addressed in the paper. Model tests were performed in order to support the conclusions of the numerical analyses that established the operation window for the FSHR system deployment

Inibição in vitro de Colletotrichum Musae, agente da antracnose da banana, por meio de agentes vegetais, biológicos e químicos.

A antracnose ( Colletotrichum musae) destaca-se entre as doenças que afetam a banana. Com objetivo de controlar esse patógeno, avaliou--se, em ensaio in vitro, a eficiência dos extratos e óleos essenciais de: Lippia sidoides Cham., Caryophillus aromaticus L. e Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.; antagonistas, como o fungo Trichoderma sp., a levedura IA8 (UFC), e Bacillus subtilis; indutores de resistência, como o acibenzolar-S-metil, o fosfito de potássio e o ácido salicílico; e, ainda, antissépticos, como o hipoclorito de sódio (NaCLO), o dióxido de cloro e o sorbato de potássio. Os testes in vitro foram feitos em meio BDA + tetraciclina (50 µg.mL-1), nas concentrações de 5 mL, 10 mL, 15 mL, 20 mL, 25 mL e 30 mL de cada extrato; 0 µL, 25 µL, 50 µL e 100 µL de cada óleo; 0,05 g, 0,3 g e 300 µL dos indutores Bion®, ácido salicílico e fosfito de potássio, respectivamente; 0,1 g, 25 mL e 100 µL dos antissépticos sorbato de potássio, hipoclorito de sódio e dióxido de cloro, respectivamente, sendo a atividade antagônica determinada pelo método de culturas pareadas para Trichoderma sp. e pelo método do funil para a levedura IA8. A formulação com Bacillus subtilis foi testada na proporção de 100 µL/100 mL de BDA. Placas com apenas meio BDA ou o fungicida carbendazim (10 µL/100 mL) foram utilizadas como testemunhas. Os testes foram realizados à temperatura de 28°C ± 2°C e com fotoperíodo de 12h durante um período de sete dias. Em todos os casos estudados, os tratamentos foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. Em todas as concentrações testadas, os extratos e óleos essenciais de Lippia sidoides e Caryophillus aromaticus , assim como o ácido salicílico, o hipoclorito de sódio e o controle químico, foram efetivos, inibindo o patógeno. O fosfito de potássio e os antagonistas Trichoderma sp. e Bacilus subtilis também foram efetivos com reduções de 91,8%; 84,0% e 74,0%, respectivamente. Conclui-se que os extratos e óleos essenciais vegetais de Lippia sidoides e Caryophillus aromaticus , o ácido salicílico, o hipoclorito de sódio, fosfito e os antagonistas Trichoderma sp. e Bacillus subtilis poderão constituir-se em alternativa promissora ao controle do Colletotrichum musae.bitstream/item/69801/1/BPD12001.pd