Identification and analysis of the critical variables in the sugar cane production process

A cana-de-açúcar é uma das culturas mais importantes economicamente no Brasil, apresentando para os próximos anos perspectiva de expansão da área cultivada. Em razão do aumento da demanda, faz-se necessária a manutenção e o incremento da produtividade no campo, otimizando, assim, os recursos já disponibilizados. O aprimoramento das operações agrícolas envolvidas na produção é uma das alternativas para o aumento da produtividade. É necessário, por questões operacionais e custos envolvidos, identificar aquelas operações de maior importância e estabelecer os padrões a serem atendidos pelas mesmas. Para tanto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar e avaliar as variáveis críticas presentes no processo de produção da cana-de-açúcar. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas etapas. A primeira constou da identificação das variáveis críticas por meio da FMEA Failure Mode and Effect Analysis - e a segunda da avaliação no campo da variável de maior criticidade, determinando a capacidade do processo por meio do índice Cpk. Dezessete variáveis foram identificadas, sendo o espaçamento irregular entre sulcos a mais crítica. Os sistemas de orientação da operação de sulcação, manual e automático, não são capazes de atender aos limites de tolerância do espaçamento entre sulcos adotados pela Usina. É necessário rever esses limites e/ou analisar alternativas para melhorar os sistemas, a fim de atender aos padrões desejados.The sugarcane is one of the most economically important crops in Brazil, presenting a perspective of cultivated areas expansion for the next years. In reason of the increasing at the demanding, there is a need of maintenance and increasing field yield, optimizing the already available resources. One of the alternatives for the yield increasing is the improvement of agricultural operations involved in the production. It is necessary, because of the operational issues and involved cost, to identify those of more importance and establish the patterns to be attend by then. This way the objective of this work was to identify and evaluate the critical variables that are present in the sugarcane production process. The work was developed in two stages. The first one consisted of the identification of the critical variables through FMEA Failure Mode and Effect Analysis. The second one was carried out in the field, in order to evaluate the most critical variable and determined the capacity of the process through the Cpk index. Seventeen variables were identified and among them the irregular spacing between furrows was considered as the most critical. The furrows systems guide, manual and automatic, are not capable of attending the tolerance limits adopted by the sugarcane mill. It is necessary to review these limits and/or analyze alternatives to improve the systems in order attend the wanted patterns

Evolutionary processes underlying latitudinal differences in reef fish biodiversity

Aim: To examine the dynamics among the processes of speciation, extinction and dispersal in marine environments using phylogenies to reveal the evolutionary mechanisms that promote latitudinal differences in biodiversity. Using phylogenetic comparative methods we assess whether tropical reef fish lineages show higher diversification rates and whether the majority of extratropical reef fish lineages have originated from tropical areas. Location: Shallow water tropical and extratropical reefs globally. Methods: Using fossil-calibrated phylogenies for four reef-associated fish families (Chaetodontidae, Labridae, Pomacentridae and Sparidae) we apply evolutionary models (GeoSSE and HiSSE) that allow the estimation of speciation, extinction and dispersal rates associated with geographical ranges and explore potential biases from unsampled characters. Results: We found that tropical lineages show higher rates of speciation and tended to have lower extinction rates. Overall, we identify higher net diversification rates for tropical lineages compared with those in extratropical regions in all four families. Rates of dispersal tended to be higher for lineages with tropical origins expanding into extratropical regions. Within the family Labridae, two tropical lineages were found to exhibit higher net diversification rates, above that expected from latitudinal differences. Main conclusions : Our results offer support for the predictions of the out of the tropics' and evolutionary speed' models of evolution, both of which highlight the marine tropics as an important evolutionary engine promoting latitudinal differences in reef fish biodiversity. Moreover, we find that two tropical labrid lineages are undergoing exceptional diversification associated with additional traits, possibly linked with the extreme sexual dichromatism observed in both clades

Micro far-infrared dielectric response of lanthanide orthotantalates for applications in microwave circuitry.

Lanthanide orthotantalates LnTaO4 (Ln ? La, Nd, Dy and Lu) were synthesized by solid-state reactions at 1300 C leading to well crystallized single-phase materials. XRD and infrared spectroscopic investigations showed that the samples exhibited three different monoclinic crystal structures depending on the lanthanide ion: P21/c (for La), I2/a (for Nd) and P2/a (for Dy and Lu). For LaTaO4, 21 polar modes could be depicted from the unpolarized infrared reflectivity spectrum, while group theory tools foreseen 33 infrared-active modes e the absent mode are likely hidden by accidental degeneracy. The smaller lanthanides (Nd, Dy and Lu) exhibited all the 15 predicted infrared-active bands, in perfect agreement with group-theory calculations, despite the mixing of polarization symmetry due to the polycrystalline nature of the samples. The intrinsic (infrared) dielectric properties were determined for all samples indicating that these orthotantalate ceramics could be candidates for microwave (MW) circuitry applications. LaTaO4 ceramics exhibited the best MWdielectric response among the investigated LnTaO4 ( 3 r ? 21.2 and estimated Qu f z 77 THz), followed by DyTaO4 ( 3 r ? 19.9 and Qu f z 75 THz), NdTaO4 ( 3 r ? 18.7 and Qu f z 55 THz), and LuTaO4 ( 3 r ? 16.2 and Qu f z 60 THz)

Impact of Side Branch Predilation on Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Complex Coronary Bifurcation Lesions

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe treatment of coronary bifurcation lesions with single stenting in the main vessel and provisional side branch stenting may be limited by the degree of anatomical/morphological complexity. Side branch predilation, a procedural step that is typically avoided, may be required to maintain side branch patency. The impact of side branch predilation on the immediate results of percutaneous coronary intervention in complex coronary bifurcation lesions was investigated.MethodsBetween May, 2008 and August, 2009, 59 patients with single coronary bifurcation lesions and significant involvement of the main and side branches were included in the study. The main exclusion criteria were the involvement of the left main coronary artery, ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (< 72 hours) and in-stent restenosis.ResultsThe mean age of patients was 61.2±11 years, 25.4% were female, and 30.1% had diabetes mellitus. Lesions were most prevalent in the left anterior descending artery/diagonal branch (86.4%). During the procedure, 8.5% (5/59) of lesions had unsuccessful side branch predilation, and four of these bifurcations were treated with two stents. In the multivariate model, side branch stenosis at baseline was the only significant predictor of unsuccessful side branch predilation (odds ratio 1.15, 95%CI: 1.01–1.30; P=0.04), and side branch stenosis > 87.6% was identified as the most accurate cut-off value to predict failure in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.ConclusionsSide branch predilation was associated with immediate side branch failure in < 10% of cases, and the only significant predictor in the multivariate model was side branch stenosis severity (> 85%) at baseline

A Rapidly Incremented Tethered-Swimming Maximal Protocol for Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Swimmers

Incremental exercise testing is the standard means of assessing cardiorespiratory capacity of endurance athletes. While the maximal rate of oxygen consumption is typically used as the criterion measurement in this regard, two metabolic breakpoints that reflect changes in the dynamics of lactate production/consumption as the work rate is increased are perhaps more relevant for endurance athletes from a functional standpoint. Exercise economy, which represents the rate of oxygen consumption relative to performance of submaximal work, is also an important parameter to measure for endurance-athlete assessment. Ramp incremental tests comprising a gradual but rapid increase in work rate until the limit of exercise tolerance is reached are useful for determining these parameters. This type of test is typically performed on a cycle ergometer or treadmill because there is a need for precision with respect to work-rate incrementation. However, athletes should be tested while performing the mode of exercise required for their sport. Consequently, swimmers are typically assessed during free-swimming incremental tests where such precision is difficult to achieve. We have recently suggested that stationary swimming against a load that is progressively increased (incremental tethered swimming) can serve as a "swim ergometer" by allowing sufficient precision to accommodate a gradual but rapid loading pattern that reveals the aforementioned metabolic breakpoints and exercise economy. However, the degree to which the peak rate of oxygen consumption achieved during such a protocol approximates the maximal rate that is measured during free swimming remains to be determined. In the present article, we explain how this rapidly incremented tethered-swimming protocol can be employed to assess the cardiorespiratory capacity of a swimmer. Specifically, we explain how assessment of a short-distance competitive swimmer using this protocol revealed that his rate of oxygen uptake was 30.3 and 34.8 mL∙min 1∙kg-1BM at his gas-exchange threshold and respiratory compensation point, respectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

High-temperature antiferroelectric and ferroelectric phase transitions in phase pure LaTaO4.

Phase-pure LaTaO4 ceramics was prepared by solid-state reaction. Dielectric spectroscopic data as well as differential scanning calorimetric experiments showed the existence of a sequence two high-temperature firstorder structural phase transitions. The first phase transition occurs above 160 ?C (on heating), from the monoclinic P21/c space group at room temperature to the polar orthorhombic Cmc21 group, exhibiting a very large thermal hysteresis probably linked to the reconstructive nature of the structural transition. The second transition occurs around 225 ?C to the orthorhombic Cmcm space group, with a small thermal hysteresis. Vibrational Raman spectroscopic analyses confirmed these two sequential phase transitions, as well as the thermal hysteresis observed for both first-order transitions in repeated heating and cooling cycles. The existence of a strong monoclinic distortion at room temperature could be related to the presence of defects (oxygen vacancies) in LaTaO4 ceramics, after sintering. Dielectric spectroscopy showed a strong influence of the electric conductivity on the dielectric response with activation energy of dc component of conductivity (0.62 eV) compatible with the presence of oxygen vacancies. Far-infrared data confirmed that the extra modes observed in the Raman spectra are forbidden bands, which were activated by defects into the structure

Metal-free synthesis of indanes by iodine(III)-mediated ring contraction of 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes

A metal-free protocol was developed to synthesize indanes by ring contraction of 1, 2-dihydronaphthalenes promoted by PhI(OH)OTs (HTIB or Koser's reagent). This oxidative rearrangement can be performed in several solvents (MeOH, CH3CN, 2 , 2, 2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), 1 , 1, 1, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), and a 1:4 mixture of TFE:CH2Cl2) under mild conditions. The ring contraction diastereoselectively gives functionalized trans-1, 3-disubstituted indanes, which are difficult to obtain in synthetic organic chemistryUm protocolo livre de metais foi desenvolvido para sintetizar indanos através da contração de anel de 1, 2-di-hidronaftalenos promovida por PhI(OH)OTs (HTIB ou reagente de Koser). Este rearranjo oxidativo pode ser realizado em diversos solventes (MeOH, CH3CN, 2 , 2, 2-trifluoroetanol (TFE), 1 , 1, 1, 3, 3, 3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), e uma mistura 1:4 de TFE:CH2Cl2) em condições brandas. A contração de anel fornece indanos trans-1, 3-dissubstituídos diastereosseletivamente, os quais são difíceis de obter em química orgânica sintéticaFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAPES

Classificação numérica da qualidade de um Latossolo Amarelo sob sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária

Ações antrópicas afetam a atmosfera da terra, despertando para uma consciência global sobre a necessidade de sistemas agrícolas sustentáveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar índices de sustentabilidade do solo para um sistema de integração lavoura-pecuária em um Latossolo Amarelo do cerrado brasileiro no Piauí, utilizando uma classificação numérica. Foram estudados três sistemas de manejo do solo: preparo convencional (PC) com disco de arado e grade pesada em cultivo de soja; plantio direto com rotação de milho soja e milheto como cobertura viva (NT + M); e dois sistemas de integração lavoura-pecuária, um com cinco meses, em pastagens e cultivo de soja (ICL + S) e outro com pastejo contínuo (ICL + P). Uma área sob mata nativa (NF) foi avaliado, como um solo sob condições naturais. Propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas foram avaliadas no 0,00-0,05 m camada. Na análise de componentes principais, os ambientes ICL + S e ICL + P foram classificados como um único grupo, e pode ser caracterizados pelas propriedades de carbono orgânico no solo, reservatórios de carbono e nitrogênio no solo, o nitrogênio da biomassa microbiana, e total de nitrogênio. A propriedade do solo que melhor caracterizou o ambiente CT foi a atividade da enzima FDA (hidrolisa acetato). As propriedades que melhor caracterizam o ambiente NF são a capacidade de troca catiônica, carbono da biomassa microbiana, microporosidade, índice de estabilidade de agregados, diâmetro médio geométrico e percentagem de agregados estáveis> 2,00 milímetros.Anthropic action is affecting the Earth's atmosphere, awakening a global awareness about the need for sustainable farming systems. The objective of this study was to determine indices of soil sustainability for an integrated crop-livestock system in a Yellow Latosol of the Brazilian Cerrado in Piauí by using a numerical rating. Three systems of soil management were studied: an area under conventional tillage (CT) with plow disk and heavy harrow and soybean cultivation; an area under no-tillage with soybean-maize rotation and millet as a cover crop (NT+M); and two areas under an Integrated Crop-Livestock System, one with five-month pasture grazing and soybean cultivation and the other with continuous pasture grazing (ICL + S and ICL + P, respectively). An area under Native Forest (NF) was evaluated as well as a soil under natural conditions. The physical, chemical, and biological properties were evaluated in the 0.00-0.05 m layer. The environments ICL + S and ICL + P were classified as a single group, and can be characterized by the properties soil organic carbon, soil carbon and nitrogen pools, microbial biomass nitrogen, and total soil N. The property that best characterizes the CT environment is enzyme activity FDA (Fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis). The properties that best characterize the NF environment are cation exchange capacity, microbial biomass carbon, microporosity, aggregate stability index, geometric mean diameter, and percentage of stable >2.00 mm aggregates.Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestale

The Vulnerability to Landslides in the Basin of the Bengalas River - Nova Friburgo - Brazil Regarding the Climate Change Projection of the Eta-HadGEM-ES RCP 4.5

O documento fi nal da Conferência Mundial para a Redução de Desastres ocorrida em Kobe - Japão, no ano de 2005, chama a atenção para a necessidade de desenvolver sistemas de indicadores de risco e vulnerabilidade a níveis nacional e subnacional como forma de permitir aos tomadores de decisão um melhor diagnóstico das situações de risco e vulnerabilidade. Áreas urbanas em sua expansão avançam para áreas geologicamente instáveis e topografi camente inclinadas, como é o caso da Bacia do Rio Bengalas, localizada no Município de Nova Friburgo, Brasil. Em janeiro de 2011, com a ocorrência de fortes chuvas na Região Serrana do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, foram registrados 183 escorregamentos de terra somente na Bacia do Rio Bengalas, causando perdas humanas, econômicas e ambientais. Sob o efeito das mudanças climáticas são esperadas mudanças na frequência e magnitude dos eventos de precipitação extrema que afetam a vulnerabilidade a desastres e podem se tornar preocupantes à condição de vida das populações que vivem principalmente em áreas de riscos a escorregamentos de terra. Neste contexto, este trabalho tem por objetivo estudar a vulnerabilidade a escorregamentos de terra da Bacia do Rio Bengalas para o período de 01/01/2016 a 30/12/2040, utilizando índices de vulnerabilidade a escorregamentos de terra que se mostraram efi cazes na prevenção, monitoramento e previsão a estes tipos de desastres. Os índices indicam apenas a ocorrência de um evento de vulnerabilidade escorregamentos na Bacia, associado com a ocorrência de um evento de alta intensidade de precipitação. Este resultado está de acordo com a diminuição das precipitações médias e extremas na região associadas com as projeções Eta-HadGEM-ES RCP 4.5 e relatadas na literatura científi ca. Palavras Chave: Desastres Naturais, Deslizamentos de Terra, Eta-HadGEM-ES RCP 4.5, Alterações Climáticas, Nova Friburgo, Vulnerabilidade