Finite element analysis of the ECT test on mode III interlaminar fracture of carbon-epoxy composite laminates

In this work a parametric study of the Edge Crack Torsion (ECT) specimen was performed in order to maximize the mode III component (GIII) of the strain energy release rate for carbon-epoxy laminates. A three-dimensional finite element analysis of the ECT test was conducted considering a [90/0/(+45/-45)2/(-45/+45)2/0/90]S lay-up. The main objective was to define an adequate geometry to obtain an almost pure mode III at crack front. The geometrical parameters studied were specimen dimensions, distance between pins and size of the initial crack. The numerical results demonstrated that the ratio between the specimen length and the initial crack length had a significant effect on the strain energy release rate distributions. In almost all of the tested configurations, a mode II component occurred near the edges but it did not interfere significantly with the dominant mode III state.FCT - POCTI/EME/45573/200

A new data reduction scheme to obtain the mode II fracture properties of Pinus Pinaster wood

In this work a numerical study of the End Notched Flexure (ENF) specimen was performed in order to obtain the mode II critical strain energy released rate (GIIc) of a Pinus pinaster wood in the RL crack propagation system. The analysis included interface finite elements and a progressive damage model based on indirect use of Fracture Mechanics. The difficulties in monitoring the crack length during an experimental ENF test and the inconvenience of performing separate tests in order to obtain the elastic properties are well known. To avoid these problems, a new data reduction scheme based on the equivalent crack concept was proposed and validated. This new data reduction scheme, the Compliance-Based Beam Method (CBBM), does not require crack measurements during ENF tests and additional tests to obtain elastic properties.FCT - POCTI/EME/45573/200

Aspectos climáticos da captação de água de chuva no Estado de Pernambuco.

Captação de água de chuva tem sido uma técnica popular em muitas partes do mundo, especialmente em regiões áridas e semi-áridas (que são aproximadamente 30% da superfície da terra). A captação de água de chuva é especialmente usada em áreas semi-áridas, onde a precipitação ocorre somente durante em alguns meses e em diferentes locais, como o semi-árido do Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil. O governo brasileiro está construindo 1 milão de cisternas para fornecer água de beber para 1 milhão de famílias do Semi-Árido brasileiro. Em Pernambuco serão construidas 22% do total de cisternas. A variabilidade da precipitação no Estado é decisiva para determinar a área de captação ideal para o abastecimento das cisternas nas diferentes regiões do estado. Esse estudo usou dados de precipitação anual para o estado de Pernambuco. Foi estimada a ocorrência de probabilidade de chuva usando a Distribuição Normal de Probabilidade dos quantis. Os resultados mostraram que em anos normais, nas áreas mais secas do estado, a precipitação média foi 400 mm. Este valor deve ser considerado para escolha do tamanho da cisterna e da área de captação para diferentes regiões de estado. A cisterna construída pelo governo tem capacidade para armazenar 16m³, para isso, é necessária uma área de captação de 60m² para garantir a eficiência e o abastecimento de água nas regiões mais secas de Pernambuco, com garantia em 80% dos anos

Topological insulator particles as optically induced oscillators: towards dynamical force measurements and optical rheology

We report the first experimental study upon the optical trapping and manipulation of topological insulator (TI) particles. By virtue of the unique TI properties, which have a conducting surface and an insulating bulk, the particles present a peculiar behaviour in the presence of a single laser beam optical tweezers: they oscillate in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the laser propagation, as a result of the competition between radiation pressure and gradient forces. In other words, TI particles behave as optically induced oscillators, allowing dynamical measurements with unprecedented simplicity and purely optical control. Actually, optical rheology of soft matter interfaces and biological membranes, as well as dynamical force measurements in macromolecules and biopolymers, may be quoted as feasible possibilities for the near future.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. Correspondence and requests for Supplementary Material should be addressed to [email protected]

Detecting hydroclimatic changes using spatio-temporal analysis in the sub-medium São Francisco-PE basin, Brazil.

The São Francisco river basin is the third largest drainage basin of Brazil and the only one entirely within its frontiers

The diseases we cause: Iatrogenic illness in a department of internal medicine

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence, main causes, and risk factors of iatrogenic disease occurring in a department of internal medicine. METHODS: Over a 1-year period, physicians systematically filled out a 2-page questionnaire for all patients admitted to the ward. A database was created and the data were statistically analyzed. Patients undergoing immunosuppressive, chemo-, or radiation therapy were excluded. Missing data were completed by reviewing the patients' charts. The patients were then divided into two groups: those with and those without iatrogenic disease. The groups were compared using several parameters including gender, age, social features, days of hospitalization, associated illness, functional status, medical impression, prognosis, associated renal or liver function impairment, drugs taken daily, and outcome. In the group with iatrogenic disease, the type, severity, and predictability were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 879 patients admitted to the ward, 445 completed questionnaires and were included in the study. A total of 102 patients (22.9%) developed 121 iatrogenic events. Forty-four patients (43.1%) were admitted for iatrogenic illness, 10 (9.8%) developed life-threatening events, and in 3 (6.8%) it was the cause of death. Fifty-eight patients (56.8%) registered 77 episodes of iatrogenic disease during their hospital stay, 20 (19.6%) developed life-threatening events, and 9 (11.7%) died, 4 (5.2%) of an iatrogenic cause (nosocomial infections). Significant differences were found in 20 out of 26 parameters studied (p<0.005 for all cases; 95% confidence interval). Eighteen percent of all iatrogenic disease was severe, 61.9% predictable, 54.5% avoidable, and 59% drug-related, 80% of which was due to side effects or adverse reactions. Infection and metabolic and electrolyte disorders were the most frequent effects. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to identify risk factors for iatrogenic events. Chronically ill elderly inpatients are the main target of iatrogenic events

Extremo máximo de precipitação no Estado da Paraíba.

A precititação máxima provável (PMP) no Estado da Paraíba usando a t[ecnica de Hersfield (1961) foi estimada utilizando dados anuais de precipitação máxima de 1 dia para o período de 33 a 75 anos, obtidos em 72 postos. Neste artigo, foram analisados os dados precipitação anual para períodos de 1 dia no Estado da Paraíba baseado em um fator de freqüência K igual 6. Baseado nos dados de precipitação obtidos nas estações, o maior valor de freqüência obtido foi 60%, com a precipitação máxima diária variando de 51 a 100 mm. A freqüência de 60% foi usada em seguida para estimar os valores de PMP para 24 horas, nos 72 postos. Usando esses valores de PMP estimados foi elaborado um mapa com a distribuição espacial da PMP de 24 horas. Foi observado que a PMP de 24 horas sobre o Estado da Paraíba variu de 177 para 443 mm. O mapa de PMP é considerado importante para determinar valores confiáveis e consistentes de PMP para o Estado da Paraíba, e pode ser usado na eleboração de projetos de estruturas hidráulicas, especialmente na construção de pequenos e grandes reservatórios de água, como barragens, represas, etc