Software performance of the ATLAS track reconstruction for LHC run 3

Charged particle reconstruction in the presence of many simultaneous proton–proton (pp) collisions in the LHC is a challenging task for the ATLAS experiment’s reconstruction software due to the combinatorial complexity. This paper describes the major changes made to adapt the software to reconstruct high-activity collisions with an average of 50 or more simultaneous pp interactions per bunch crossing (pileup) promptly using the available computing resources. The performance of the key components of the track reconstruction chain and its dependence on pile-up are evaluated, and the improvement achieved compared to the previous software version is quantified. For events with an average of 60 pp collisions per bunch crossing, the updated track reconstruction is twice as fast as the previous version, without significant reduction in reconstruction efficiency and while reducing the rate of combinatorial fake tracks by more than a factor two

Modeling of mechanical behaviour of HSLA low carbon bainitic steel thermomechanically processed

A comparative study of the microstructure characterization and mechanical properties was done in a HSLA low carbon (0.08%) bainitic steel containing boron, developed by industry as a bainitic steel grade APIX80. The steel was submitted to two different thermomechanical processes. In the first one, controlled rolling followed by accelerated cooling was applied in laboratory mill. In the second processing, specimens of the same steel were submitted to hot torsion testing. The influence of cooling conditions like start cooling temperature, cooling rates and finish cooling temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The final microstructure obtained was a complex mixture of polygonal ferrite, perlite, bainite and martensite/retained austenite constituent. The use of multiple regression analysis allowed the establishment of quantitative relationships between the accelerated cooling variables and mechanical properties of the steel available from Vickers microhardness and tensile tests

Microstructural Evolution of Ultra Fine Grained C-Mn Steel Warm Rolling and Intercritical Annea

The attainment of finer ferrite grain structure in low carbon is object of interest because significantly higher yield strengths and lower ductile-brittle transition temperatures can be predicted at the same time with ultra-fine grain sizes. This work verified the microstructural evolution of a low carbon 0.15%C-1.39%Mn steel after an ice brine quenching from 1200 °C followed by warm rolling and intercritical annealing at 800 °C at different times. To compare the final microstructure, a first group of specimens were heated at temperatures in the range from 660 °C to 800 °C during 30 min and quenching in ice brine. After quenching from 1200 °C, a second group of specimens were laboratory warm rolled at 700 °C and annealed at 800 °C, for 1, 60, 120 and 180 min, following air cooling or quenching. The final microstructure of all specimens was analyzed by quantitative metallography using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The initial steel grain size condition was 120 µm. The specimens, after the whole processing cycle achieved a microstructure with ferrite grain size between 1 µm and 1.5 µm. The ferrite grain size values changed until 50% for samples warm rolled and heat treated between the first and last annealing time

The Pain Disability Questionnaire: A Reliability And Validity Study [the Pain Disability Questionnaire: Um Estudo De Confiabilidade E Validade]

The goal of this study was to translate and adapt The Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ) to Brazilian Portuguese, as well as to assess its psychometric properties and practicability. The following methodological steps were followed: translation, synthesis, back-translation, expert committee assessment and pre-test. The psychometric properties were assessed through the application of a questionnaire to 119 patients with chronic musculoskeletal disorders. The results indicated the reliability of the instrument, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86, and high stability in the test-retest. A moderate correlation was found between the PDQ scores and the numerical pain scale. Negative correlations were found between the Spitzer Quality of Life Index and the functional condition, psychosocial component and total PDQ score. Construct validity demonstrated significant difference in PDQ scores between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The PDQ revealed fast application and easy understanding. 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A molecular model for the synergic interaction between GABA and general anesthetics

Item does not contain fulltextWithin the context of the discussion about rational polytherapy, we determined the effects of four anaesthetics on the binding of [H-3]t-butylbicycloorthobenzoate ([H-3]TBOB) to the GABA(A) receptor complex in the presence of several concentrations of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), in order to build a molecular model that can describe and quantify the interactions between the compounds. The empirical isobole method revealed that GABA and the anaesthetics acted synergically in displacing [H-3]TBOB. This synergy could be described by a simple molecular model in which both GABA and the anaesthetics displaced [H-3]TBOB allosterically and in which GABA allosterically enhanced the binding of the anaesthetics. To get information about the interaction between GABA and anaesthetics, we used [H-3]TBOB as a tracer ligand. The model indicated that GABA enhanced the affinity of thiopental 3.0-fold, propofol 5.0-fold, the neuroactive steroids Org 20599 3.5-fold and Org 20549 13-fold. Insight into the molecular mechanism and strength of these interactions can help clinicians to choose therapeutically optimal drug and dose combinations: a step towards rational polytherapy

Utilização de ácidos orgânicos e fitase em dietas para leitões na creche Utilization of organic acids and phytase in diets for weaned piglets

Verificou-se o efeito da inclusão de um complexo de ácidos orgânicos (AO) e diferentes níveis de fitase em dietas de leitões na creche. Foram utilizados 40 leitões desmamados (7,8±0,8kg), distribuídos em delineamento de blocos inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, durante um período experimental de 28 dias. Os tratamentos foram: T1- ração basal com 500UF/kg (controle); T2- ração basal com 500UF/kg + 0,2% do complexo de AO; T3- ração basal com 450UF/kg + 0,2% do complexo de AO; T4- ração basal com 400UF/kg + 0,2% do complexo de AO; e T5- ração basal com 350UF/kg + 0,2% do complexo de AO. A adição de AO à ração que continha 500UF propiciou maior (P<0,05) ganho de peso médio diário em relação ao tratamento-controle. Com relação aos níveis de fitase em dietas que continham AO não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) no ganho de peso. Para o consumo de ração médio diário, observou-se uma regressão quadrática (P<0,05), sendo o nível de 411UF o que propiciou o menor consumo de ração. O nível de 500UF + AO resultou em maior porcentagem de fezes normais em relação ao grupo-controle durante as duas últimas semanas do período experimental. Conclui-se que há efeito positivo da adição do complexo de ácidos orgânicos quando se suplementa fitase nas dietas de leitões na fase de creche dos oito aos 20kg.<br>The effect of inclusion of organic acids complex (OAC) and different levels of phytase in piglet diets were evaluated. Forty weaned piglets (7.8±0.8kg) were allotted in a completely randomized block design with five treatments and four repetitions, during an experimental period of 28 days. The treatments were: T1-basal diet with 500 phytase unit/kg (control); T2-basal diet with 500PU/kg + 0.2% of OAC; T3-basal diet with 450PU/kg + 0.2% of OAC; T4-basal diet with 400PU/kg + 0.2% of OAC; and T5-basal diet with 350PU/kg + 0.2% complex of OA. The addition of OAC at the 500PU diet increased (P<0.05) daily average gain compared to the control treatment. Comparing the phytase levels in diets containing OAC, it was not observed difference (P>0.05) in the weight gain. For the daily average feed intake, it was observed a quadratic effect (P<0.05), and the 411PU level caused lesser feed intake. The level of 500PU + OAC resulted in higher percentage of hard feces compared to the control group during the two last weeks of the experimental period. It was concluded that the effect of the OAC resulted positive when phytase was supplemented to the diets of piglets from eight to 20kg

Alfa-amilase em frangos de corte: efeitos do balanço eletrolítico e do nível protéico da dieta Alpha-amylase in broiler chickens: effects of electrolytic balance and dietary protein level

Um experimento foi conduzido com pintos de corte macho para o estudo dos efeitos dos níveis de 20 e 23% de PB combinados com 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mEq/kg de balanço dietético eletrolítico (BDE) sobre a atividade da alfa-amilase pancreática de frangos de corte de 1 a 21 dias de idade. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado. Dietas e água foram fornecidas ad libitum. Aos 1, 7, 14 e 21 dias, três aves de cada tratamento foram sacrificadas por deslocamento cervical para remoção do pâncreas, o qual foi removido, homogeneizado, congelado em nitrogênio líquido e liofilizado. Uma alíquota de cada amostra foi solubilizada em água deionizada e centrifugada a 7500 x g por 3 minutos a 4ºC, para determinação da atividade da alfa-amilase no sobrenadante. Aves alimentadas com 20% de PB apresentaram atividades específicas (U/mg de proteína) superiores à daquelas que receberam 23%, exceto para os níveis de BDE de 100 a 200 mEq/kg, aos 14 dias. Observou-se tendência de aumento da atividade específica dos 7 aos 14 dias e redução dos 14 aos 21 dias. Para maior atividade específica de alfa-amilase, recomendam-se dietas com 20% de PB e 200 mEq/kg de BDE na fase pré-inicial e dietas com 20% de PB e 135 a 250 mEq/kg de BDE para frangos de corte dos 8 aos 21 dias de idade.<br>An experiment was conducted with male broiler chicks to study the effects of 20 and 23% of crude protein (CP) combined with 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 mEq/kg of dietary electrolytic balance (DEB) on the pancreatic alpha-amylase activity from 1 to 21 days. A completely randomized factorial design was used. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. At days 1, 7, 14 and 21, three birds from each treatment were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, pancreas were removed, homogeneized and frozen in liquid nitrogen which were then freeze-dried. An aliquot of each sample was solubilized with deionized water and centrifuged at 7500 x g for three minutes at 4ºC. Activities of the pancreatic alpha-amylase in the supernatants were determined. Chicks fed 20% of CP showed specific activities (U/mg protein) higher than those fed 23%, except for DEB levels from 100 to 200 mEq/kg at 14 days. A tendency to increase specific activity was observed from 7 to 14 days and to reduce from 14 to 21 days. The highest specific activity of pancreatic alpha-amylase was observed in diets with 20% CP and 200 mEq/kg of DEB from 1 to 7 days, diets with 20% of CP and 135 to 250 mEq/kg of DEB from 8 to 21 days of age