Wind pumping based water supply schemes for remote villages in Sri Lanka

In the remote rural villages in Hambantota district (located in South-East of Sri Lanka) there is no easy access to potable water, and conventional community water supply schemes by pumping water from deep wells is far from the reality. Present study investigates the feasibility of community water supply schemes for sparsely distributed houses in these villages by the installation of a wind rotor coupled to a hand operated deep well pump at a favourable location in the village and storing of water in a tank at a higher elevation. Based on field measurements of wind data, power requirement for hand pump installed in a deep well, the scale model testing of two horizontal axis wind rotors and the performance of a pilot wind pump, potential for introducing wind pumping based community water supply schemes in the district is emphasized

Mechanical and microstructural properties of redispersible polymer-gypsum composites

Studies on gypsum modified by polymers have been conducted to assess the potential of improvement in the mechanical performance, water resistance and increasing the setting time, facilitating its handling. Gypsum-based compounds made with different additions of redispersible polymers were studied, such as: ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), vinyl acetate terpolymer, vinyl laurate and vinyl chloride (VA/VL/VC), and vinyl acetate and vinyl versatate (VA/VeoVA). The influence on setting time, microstructural formation and on the bending performance was assessed, as well as and compression of the hardened gypsum. The composites were prepared using a polymer concentration of 5% and 10%, and water/gypsum ratio of 0.6. The addition of the polymer decreased the structural robustness and change in the microstructure. We concluded that the reduction in the amount of water through additives may allow a more complete and robust training of gypsum crystals and compounds with better mechanical performance223COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESnão te

PACCE: Perl Algorithm to Compute Continuum and Equivalent Widths

We present Perl Algorithm to Compute continuum and Equivalent Widths (pacce). We describe the methods used in the computations and the requirements for its usage. We compare the measurements made with pacce and "manual" ones made using iraf splot task. These tests show that for SSP models the equivalent widths strengths are very similar (differences <0.2A) for both measurements. In real stellar spectra, the correlation between both values is still very good, but with differences of up to 0.5A. pacce is also able to determine mean continuum and continuum at line center values, which are helpful in stellar population studies. In addition, it is also able to compute the uncertainties in the equivalent widths using photon statistics. The code is made available for the community through the web at http://www.if.ufrgs.br/~riffel/software.html.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Astrophysics and Space Scienc

The predictive role of raw bioelectrical impedance parameters in water compartments and fluid distribution assessed by dilution techniques in athletes

The aims of this study were to analyze the usefulness of raw bioelectrical impedance (BI) parameters in assessing water compartments and fluid distribution in athletes. A total of 202 men and 71 female athletes were analyzed. Total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) were determined by dilution techniques, while intracellular water (ICW) was calculated. Fluid distribution was calculated as the ECW/ICW ratio (E:I). Phase angle (PhA), resistance (R) and reactance (Xc) were obtained through BI spectroscopy using frequency 50kHz. Fat (FM) and fat\u2010free mass (FFM) were assessed by dual\u2010energy X\u2010ray absorptiometry. After adjusting for height, FM, FFM, age and sports category we observed that: PhA predicted ICW (females: \u3b2 = 1.62, p &lt; 0.01; males: \u3b2 = 2.70, p &lt; 0.01) and E:I (males and females: \u3b2 = 120.08; p &lt; 0.01); R explained TBW (females: \u3b2 = 120.03; p &lt; 0.01; males: \u3b2 = 120.06; p &lt; 0.01) and ECW (females: \u3b2 = \u20130.02, p &lt; 0.01; males: \u3b2 = 120.03, p &lt; 0.01) and ICW (females: \u3b2 = \u20130.01, p &lt; 0.053; males: \u3b2 = \u20130.03 p &lt; 0.01); and Xc predicted ECW (females: \u3b2 = 120.06, p &lt; 0.01; males: \u3b2 = 120.12, p &lt; 0.01). A higher PhA is a good predictor of a larger ICW pool and a lower E:I, regardless of body composition, age, height, and sports category. Lower R is associated with higher water pools whereas ECW expansion is explained by lower Xc. Raw BI parameters are useful predictors of total and extracellular pools, cellular hydration and fluid distribution in athletes

Aumento da produção de etanol a partir de melaço de cana-de-açúcar pela adição de benzoato

The effect of the addition of sodium benzoate on alcoholic fermentation of molasses medium with 15% total reducing sugars was studied by using industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae M-300-A. Sodium benzoate was added at the rate of 7.5 miligram to 0,8 grams of dry yeast during 0, 2, 4 e 6 fermentative cycles. The addition of sodium benzoate resulted in an increase in ethanol production and a reduction of yeast growth and glycerol and n-propylic, isobutylic and isoamylic alcoholic contents. The inhibitor did not reduce cell viability; soon after its removal the yeast returned to grow. This fact suggests the possibility of using the benzoate in distilleries.O efeito da adição de benzoato de sódio sobre a fermentação alcoólica de meio de melaço de cana-de-açúcar com 15% de açúcares redutores totais foi estudado utilizando a levedura industrial Saccharomyces cerevisiae M-300-A. Foram adicionados 7,5 miligramas de benzoato de sódio para 0,8 gramas de levedura seca durante 0, 2, 4 e 6 ciclos fermentativos. Com a adição de benzoato ocorreu aumento na produção de etanol, redução do crescimento da levedura e dos teores de glicerol e dos álcoois n-propílico, isobutílico e isoamílico. O inibidor não provocou redução da viabilidade celular e após a retirada do inibidor a levedura voltou a apresentar crescimento. Este fato sugere a possibilidade do uso do benzoato em destilarias de álcool combustível

The role of structural evolution on the quantum conductance behavior of gold nanowires during stretching

Gold nanowires generated by mechanical stretching have been shown to adopt only three kinds of configurations where their atomic arrangements adjust such that either the [100], [111] or [110] zone axes lie parallel to the elongation direction. We have analyzed the relationship between structural rearrangements and electronic transport behavior during the elongation of Au nanowires for each of the three possibilities. We have used two independent experiments to tackle this problem, high resolution transmission high resolution electron microscopy to observe the atomic structure and a mechanically controlled break junction to measure the transport properties. We have estimated the conductance of nanowires using a theoretical method based on the extended H\"uckel theory that takes into account the atom species and their positions. Aided by these calculations, we have consistently connected both sets of experimental results and modeled the evolution process of gold nanowires whose conductance lies within the first and third conductance quanta. We have also presented evidence that carbon acts as a contaminant, lowering the conductance of one-atom-thick wires.Comment: 10 page

ÍNDICES PROLIFERATIVOS DO TUMOR VENÉREO CANINO TRANSMISSÍVEL PELAS TÉCNICAS DO CEC E KI-67 NA CITOLOGIA ASPIRATIVA COM AGULHA FINA

A citologia aspirativa com agulha fina (CAAF) foi usada como método de colheita de quinze amostras de tumor venéreo transmissível (TVT)em cães, oriundos do atendimento do Hospital Veterinário-FMVZ-UNESP de Botucatu, antes e após o início da quimioterapia. As amostras citológicas foram submetidas ao cálculo do índice mitótico e à avaliação de índices de proliferação por métodos citoquímico (concentração eletrolítica crítica CEC) e imunocitoquímico (Ki-67, clone MIB-1). Todas as técnicas mostraram-se adequadas para avaliar a taxa proliferativa em amostras citológicas. O CEC permitiu observar que a aplicação do quimioterápico levou a uma redução significativa da proliferação celular. Em vista disso, conclui-se que essa metodologia pode ser aplicada para diagnosticar e monitorar o TVT. Proliferation indexes determination by CEC and Ki-67 in fine needle aspiration cytology of transmissible venereal tumor Abstract Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was used to collect fifteen transmissible venereal tumor (TVT) samples from dogs at the Veterinary Hospital - FMVZ - UNESP Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, before and after beginning of chemotherapy. The cytological samples were submitted to determination of mitotic and proliferation indexes by means of cytochemical (critical electrolyte concentration CEC) and immunocytochemical (Ki-67, MIB-1 clone) methods. All the techniques were adequate for the evaluation of proliferation rates displayed by the cytological samples. The CEC allowed the observation that chemotherapy induces to significant reduction in cellular proliferation. Thus, was concluded that this methodology is suitable to perform TVT diagnosis and monitoration

Topological Charged Black Holes in High Dimensional Spacetimes and Their Formation from Gravitational Collapse of a Type II Fluid

Topological charged black holes coupled with a cosmological constant in $R^{2}\times X^{D-2}$ spacetimes are studied, where $X^{D-2}$ is an Einstein space of the form ${}^{(D-2)}R_{AB} = k(D-3) h_{AB}$. The global structure for the four-dimensional spacetimes with $k = 0$ is investigated systematically. The most general solutions that represent a Type $II$ fluid in such a high dimensional spacetime are found, and showed that topological charged black holes can be formed from the gravitational collapse of such a fluid. When the spacetime is (asymptotically) self-similar, the collapse always forms black holes for $k = 0, -1$, in contrast to the case $k = 1$, where it can form either balck holes or naked singularities.Comment: 14 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Novel downstream process and analytical tools developed for Influenza VLP vaccine

Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent the infection with Influenza viruses. However, their constant antigenic drift implies that current human Influenza vaccines need to be annually updated with high inherent costs. Virus-like particles (VLPs) have become widely used as vaccine candidates because of their versatility, immunogenicity, and safety profile. In this iBET project we are attempting to produce a candidate for a universal vaccine for which 35 different VLPs (mono, trivalent and pentavalent) were purified. Here we describe three recent advances on Influenza VLPs bioprocessing: two new analytical tools and the development of an integrated all filtration purification process, inserted in the “anything but chromatography” concept. The first method is a label-free tool that uses Biolayer interferometry technology applied on an Octet platform to quantify Influenza VLPs at all stages of DSP. Human and avian sialic acid receptors were used, in order to quantify hemagglutinin (HA) content in several mono- and multivalent Influenza VLP strains. The applied method was able to detect and quantify HA from crude sample up to final VLP product with high throughput, real-time results and improved detection limits, when compared to traditional approaches, crucial for in-line monitoring of DSP. Using a click-chemistry approach that involves Azidohomoalanine incorporation and functionalization, Influenza VLPs were selectively and fluorescently tagged. Taking into account that this chemical tag does not affect particle size, charge and biological activity we report here a valuable tool to online/at-line product monitoring during DSP optimization of virus related biopharmaceuticals. Moreover, using this tool coupled with FACS we were able to discriminate between VLPs and baculovirus, the major impurity of the system. The proposed all-filtration process will be described, with special focus on the clarification stage, followed by multiple ultrafiltration and diafiltration steps to achieve the needed concentration and purity specifications. Using this all-filtration platform, we are able to speed up the time process, to improve the scale-up and to reduce costs due to the removal of chromatographic steps

Gold nanowires and the effect of impurities

Metal nanowires and in particular gold nanowires have received a great deal of attention in the past few years. Experiments on gold nanowires have prompted theory and simulation to help answer questions posed by these studies. Here we present results of computer simulations for the formation, evolution and breaking of very thin Au nanowires. We also discuss the influence of contaminants, such as atoms and small molecules, and their effect on the structural and mechanical properties of these nanowires