Relationship between diffusion capacity and small airway abnormality in COPDGene.

Impaired single breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) is associated with emphysema. Small airways disease (SAD) may be a precursor lesion to emphysema, but the relationship between SAD and DLCO is undescribed. We hypothesized that in mild COPD, functional SAD (fSAD) defined by computed tomography (CT) and Parametric Response Mapping methodology would correlate with impaired DLCO. Using data from ever-smokers in the COPDGene cohort, we established that fSAD correlated significantly with lower DLCO among both non-obstructed and GOLD 1-2 subjects. The relationship between DLCO with CT-defined emphysema was present in all GOLD stages, but most prominent in severe disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00608764. Registry: COPDGene. Registered 06 February 2008, retrospectively registered

Vibração de placas flexíveis e rígidas em meios estratificados transversalmente isotrópicos

Orientador: Euclides de Mesquita NetoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia MecânicaResumo: Este trabalho apresenta novos modelos para descrever o comportamento harmônico de placas rígidas e flexíveis incrustadas em meios estratificados. Incrustações profundas das placas são representadas por interfaces bi-materiais de meios viscoelásticos transversalmente isotrópicos. Incrustações rasas são representadas por meios estratificados viscoelásticos transversalmente isotrópicos. Os modelos de meios circundantes são obtidos com base em modelos clássicos disponíveis na literatura, que estão em coordenadas cilíndricas. O método usado para obter esses modelos envolve transformadas de Hankel, com o objetivo de obter as equações de movimento em um domínio no qual elas possam ser manipuladas algebricamente. Algumas funções de interesse são expandidas em séries de Fourier, para decompor grandezas como deslocamentos, tensões e carregamentos em termos axissimétricos e antissimétricos. No modelo de placa rígida, a incrustação da placa é descrita assumindo que uma superfície circular do meio circundante é rígida. Um conjunto de equações integrais acopladas, que relaciona deslocamentos e força de superfície atuantes nesta superfície, é resolvido por meio de discretização da superfície em discos anulares concêntricos. A teoria de Kirchhoff para placas finas é usada como modelo de placa flexível. Uma tentativa de solução para o perfil de deflexão da placa é definido em termos de série de potência. Uma função envolvendo as energias de deformação da placa e do meio é definida, cuja minimização, sob as restrições impostas pelas condições de contorno da placa, resulta no perfil de deflexão da placa incrustada. Os modelos de placa rígida e flexível incrustadas são comparados com resultados da literatura para incrustações em meios isotrópicos. Novos resultados são fornecidos para os casos de incrustações rasas ou profundas em meios viscoelásticos estratificados transversalmente isotrópicos, sob a ação de forças harmônicas verticais e transversais, assim como momentos. Os resultados deste trabalho contribuem para o estudo de fundações e âncoras em solos estratificadosAbstract: This work presents new models to describe the time-harmonic behavior of rigid and flexible circular plates embedded in layered media. Deep embedments of the plates are represented by bimaterial viscoelastic transversely isotropic interfaces. Shallow embedments are represented by multilayered viscoelastic transversely isotropic media. The models of surrounding media are derived according to classical models available in the literature, which are in cylindrical coordinates. The method used to derive these models involves Hankel transforms, in order to bring the equations of motion to a domain in which they can be dealt with algebraically. A few functions of interest are expanded in Fourier series, in order to describe quantities such as displacements, stresses and loadings in terms of axisymmetric or antisymmetric components. In the model of rigid plate, the embedded plate is described by considering that a circular surface within the surrounding medium is rigid. A set of coupled integral equations, which relate the displacements and the unknown tractions across this surface, is solved by discretizing the surface into concentric annular disc elements. Kirchhoff theory of thin elastic plates is used to describe the flexible plate. A trial function to describe the deflection profile of the plate is defined in terms of a power series. An energy functional is established, which involves the strain energy of the plate and of its surrounding medium. The minimization of this functional, under the restriction that is must satisfy the boundary conditions at the plate edge, results in the deflection profile of the embedded plate. The models of embedded plates are compared with previous results from the literature for the case of different embedments in isotropic media. New research results are provided for the case of shallow and deep embedments in layered viscoelastic transversely isotropic media, under time-harmonic vertical and transverse loads and rocking moments. The results of this work contribute to the study of embedded foundations and anchors in layered soilDoutoradoMecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto MecanicoDoutor em Engenharia Mecânic

Desempenho térmico de fachadas ventiladas opacas: uma revisão sistemática

Ventilated facades have been identified as a viable solution to improve the thermal performance of buildings, thereby upgrading their energy efficiency. The literature points out a lack of studies on opaque ventilated facades among the different types of these facades. Thus, this study aims to present research on the thermal performance of opaque ventilated facades using a Systematic Literature Review (SLR), considering where the research was carried out, the method used and the main parameters that influence the thermal performance of these facades. The SLR proved efficient in outlining the desired panorama, indicating that this facade model consists of a technology only recently explored in academia with research concentrated in Europe, mainly in Spain, Italy and Portugal, highlighting the Mediterranean climate as the focus of the research. Most of the studies were conducted using computer simulations, followed by experimental methods that validated the mathematical models of the simulation programs. The SLR identified the outdoor conditions and aspects of the facade geometry that have a higher influence on the thermal performance of these facades. Considering the outdoor environment conditions, solar radiation and the year's seasons were the most discussed parameters in the literature. Considering the facade geometry, the ventilated facade openings (presence or absence of joints and grilles), the cavity height, and the outer skin material were the most studied variables.As fachadas ventiladas têm sido apontadas como uma solução viável para melhoria do desempenho térmico de edifícios, beneficiando, assim, sua eficiência energética. Dentre os diversos tipos desse sistema, a literatura aponta uma escassez de estudos acerca das fachadas ventiladas opacas. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo reunir pesquisas sobre o desempenho térmico de fachadas ventiladas opacas por meio da Revisão Sistemática da Literatura (RSL), considerando o local onde as pesquisas foram feitas, o método utilizado e os principais parâmetros que influenciam no desempenho térmico dessas fachadas. A RSL se mostrou eficiente em traçar o panorama desejado, indicando que este modelo de fachada consiste em uma tecnologia explorada apenas recentemente no meio acadêmico, com pesquisas concentradas no continente europeu, principalmente na Espanha, Itália e Portugal, evidenciando o clima mediterrâneo como foco das pesquisas. A maior parte das pesquisas foi realizada com simulações computacionais, seguidos pelos métodos experimentais, que validaram os modelos matemáticos dos programas de simulação. Com a RSL, identificaram-se as condições externas e os aspectos da geometria que mais influenciam no desempenho térmico dessas fachadas. Dentre as condições do meio externo, a radiação solar e as estações do ano foram os parâmetros mais abordados nas pesquisas. Em relação à geometria da fachada, as aberturas na fachada ventilada (presença ou ausência de juntas e grelhas), a altura da cavidade e o material que compõe a camada externa foram as variáveis mais estudadas

Seasonal Thermal Sensation Vote - An indicator for long-term energy performance of dwellings with no HVAC systems

Dwellings with no heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are commonly found in many countries. The long-term thermal performance of these buildings can be assessed based on hourly data of occupant thermal discomfort integrated over the required timespan (e.g. total degree hours of discomfort per year). This approach can be easily applied when simulation is adopted in the assessment, but field studies using this approach are rare as they would require complex, costly and long measurement/survey campaigns. This paper addresses the challenges on conducting field studies on long-term thermal performance of dwellings with no HVAC system by introducing a novel performance indicator: the Seasonal Thermal Sensation Vote (S-TSV). S-TSV adopts the standard 7-point thermal sensation scale and is based on the perceived overall thermal sensation recalled by the user of the building for specific seasons and times of day. The new performance indicator is not intended to replace existing ones, but to complement them in the understanding of the complex thermal performance processes taking place in buildings with no HVAC. S-TSV was applied in a field study targeting a small sample of dwellings in Brazil. Results demonstrate the capabilities of S-TSV to describe trends in buildings performance in this sample. S-TSV also assisted on the identification of relationships between such performance and some independent variables addressed in this field study (e.g. windows operation, footwear and income), considering a threshold of p-values <0.05 on the chi-square statistic test

The Plaka petrified forest park in western Lesvos - Greece

Στη Αέσβο εμφανίζονται μεγά)χς συγκεντρώσεις απολιθωμένων κορμών δένδρων που συγκροτούν το Απολιθωμένο Δάσος το οποίο έχει κηρυχθεί μνημείο της φύσης. Εντός της προστατευόμενης περιοχής του Γεωπάρκου Απολιθωμένου Δάσους Λέσβου, πολλές απολιθωματοφόρες θέσεις με εντυπωσιακούς απολιθωμένους κορμούς έχουν εντοπισθεί κατά μήκος της ακτής. Συστηματική έρευνα διεξάγεται στην περιοχή από το Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας Απολιθωμένου Δάσους Λέσβου και η περιοχή Πλάκα Σιγρίου αποτέλεσε μια από τις κύριες περιοχές ενδιαφέροντος προκειμένου να μελετηθούν χερσαίες και θαλάσσιες απολιθωματοφόρες θέσεις. Συστάδες ισταμένων και κατακείμενων απολιθωμένων δένδρων μελετήθηκαν σε 45 θέσεις. Το ριζικό σύστημα των δένδρων αποδεικνύει την αυτοχθονία των ευρημάτων, τα οποία ανήκουν σε γυμνόσπερμα και αγγειόσπερμα δένδρα. Οι απολιθωματοφόρες θέσεις σε συνδυασμό με τους ηφαιστειακούς, τεκτονικούς και γεωμορφολογικούς γεωτόπους και την οικολογική αξία της περιοχής συνιστούν το ιδιαίτερο γεωτουριστικό ενδιαφέρον του Πάρκου Πλάκας και το καθιστούν μια ιδανική περιοχή για περιβαλλοντική εκπαίδευση και αναψυχήOn the island of Lesvos, large accumulations of fossilised tree trunks comprise the Lesvos Petrified Forest a protected natural monument. Within the protected area of the Lesvos Petrified Forest Geopark, several fossil sites with impressive fossilized trees have been discovered along the coast. During the last few years, the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest has conducted systematic scientific research on these sites. The coastal area ofPlaka was one of the main sites of research interest in order to explore the terrestrial and marine fossil sites. Several clusters of petrified trees have been found and identified in 45 different fossil sites. Some of them were standing while others were lying. The intact root systems of the standing trees provide proof that these trees were petrified in situ. Most of the trees are angiosperms and gymnosperms. The coastal landscape and its rich ecosystem, and the fossil sites, in combination with volcanic, tectonic and geomorphological structures, are basis of the rich geotouristic potential of the new Plaka Park, which has become an area for environmental education as well as a new geotouristic attraction

Vertical Vibrations of an Elastic Foundation with Arbitrary Embedment within a Transversely Isotropic, Layered Soil

This paper introduces a numerical model to investigate the vibratory response of elastic and rigid circular plates embedded in viscoelastic, transversely isotropic, three-dimensional layered media. In the present numerical scheme, the boundary-value problem corresponding to the case of time-harmonic concentrated and distributed axisymmetric vertical ring loads within a layered half-space is formulated according to an exact stiffness method. Its solution results in the required influence functions for the modeling of the present problem. The case of an embedded flexible plate is formulated in terms of a variational method. The deflection profile of the plate is written in terms of generalized coordinates combined with a polynomial approximation. These generalized coordinates are determined by the solution of the Lagrange's equation of motion, which involves the strain and kinetic energy of the flexible plate and energy due to contact tractions, as well as the potential energy due to the applied load. A set of Lagrange multipliers is incorporated into the equation of motion so that the boundary conditions at the plate edge are satisfied. The solution of the constrained Lagrangian function results in the deflection profile of the plate. The deflection profile of the embedded plate is shown for different governing parameters such as frequency and type of excitation and layering configuration of the surrounding medium. The present numerical scheme contributes to the study of dynamic response of buried foundations and anchors in non-homogeneous soils

"Aos kinocs do sul", Dziga Viértov

O texto traduzido a seguir é uma carta escrita pelo cineasta Dziga Viértov em março de 1925, quando ele já completava quase sete anos de trabalho na “frente do cinema não atuado” da Rússia soviética

An implementation of the indirect boundary elements method based on a stationary, non-singular, viscoelastodynamic solution

Orientador: Euclides de Mesquita NetoDissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia MecanicaResumo: Estados auxiliares são soluções analíticas ou numéricas para operadores matemáticos, sujeitas às condições de contorno de um determinado problema da física matemática. Embora a solução de tais estados tenha aplicação prática limitada a problemas elementares, pode ser utilizada para resolver problemas reais de engenharia através de formulações como o Método dos Elementos de Contorno (MEC). Neste trabalho, usa-se a linguagem Fortran para implementar uma formulação indireta do MEC, utilizando um estado auxiliar viscoelastodinâmico não-singular, com o objetivo de analisar problemas de domínios limitados ou ilimitados, sujeitos a carregamentos estacionários, discretizados somente no contorno por elementos retangulares, constantes e descontínuos. Valida-se minuciosamente uma implementação para este estado auxiliar, e para isso desenvolve-se um estudo sobre quais são, como utilizar e quais as limitações das fontes de validação disponíveis para este tipo de problema. Ao fim, compara se alguns resultados obtidos com o programa em Fortran frente às respostas clássicas da bibliografia para problemas dinâmicos de barra, viga e domínios ilimitados.Abstract: Auxiliary states are numerical or analytical solutions for mathematical operators, subjected to the boundary conditions of a given problem. Although the solution of these states has its utility limited to elementary problems, it can be used to solve a more real sort of engineering problems through formulations such as the Boundary Element Method (BEM). This work describes an implementation of BEM's Indirect formulation, based on a non-singular, viscoelastodynamic auxiliary state, aiming the analysis of both limited- and unlimited-domain problems, subjected to stationary loadings. The problem is modeled by means of constant, discontinuous, rectangular boundary elements. The present implementation for the viscoelastodynamic auxiliary state is carefully validated. For this purpose, this work also describes a study on validation sources for this kind of states, including their uses and limitations. The final program, written in the Fortran programming language, is used to analyze classic elementary engineering problems, such as bars and beams, and also the case of unlimited domains.MestradoMecanica dos Sólidos e Projeto MecanicoMestre em Engenharia Mecânic

Procedimiento para análisis del desempeño termoenergético y económico de estrategias pasivas para la adaptación de un edificio en Brasil

The construction sector is responsible for high levels of energy consumption and for environmental impacts during the life cycle of a building all over the world. Therefore, sustainability has become an inherent topic in building design, in response to the stringency of natural resources and to performance. A way to design sustainable buildings is taking advantage of the available natural resources on site to reduce the needs for artificial conditioning. Requirements of performance have become more restrictive and existing buildings must conform to them. This is possible through a retrofit process which improves their performance to comply with actual requirements, besides improving the comfort of their occupants. Most of the developed procedures for retrofitting analysis take into account only energy consumption and emission of pollutants. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate a procedure to help designers and decision makers on choosing the best retrofit strategy considering energy consumption, thermal comfort and the cost-benefit of these strategies. A computational model of a building located at the State University of Campinas was developed to simulate different passive strategies and the results obtained are presented in an easy-to-use chart as part of the procedure.El sector de la construcción es responsable de altos niveles de consumo energético y de impactos ambientales durante el ciclo de vida de un edificio. La construcción sustentable se ha convertido en un tema inherente, teniendo en cuenta la poca disponibilidad de recursos naturales y a las regulaciones de desempeño. Una forma de proyectar edificios sustentables es el uso adecuado de los recursos naturales disponibles. Los requisitos de desempeño son restrictivos y los edificios existentes deben ajustarse a ellos. Esto es posible a través de un proceso de adaptación que mejora su rendimiento para cumplir con los requisitos reales, además de mejorar la comodidad de sus ocupantes. La mayoría de los procedimientos desarrollados para el análisis de adaptación tienen en cuenta únicamente el consumo de energía y la emisión de contaminantes. El objetivo de este documento es demostrar un procedimiento para ayudar en la elección de la mejor estrategia de retrofit considerando consumo de energía, comodidad térmica y costo-beneficio. Fue desarrollado un modelo computacional de un edificio ubicado en la Universidad Estatal de Campinas para simular diferentes estrategias pasivas. Los resultados obtenidos son presentados gráficamente y utilizados en el procedimiento