THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF ADOPTING THE SINGLE FUEL CONCEPT AT SEA IN THE BRAZILIAN NAVY

One of the Brazilian Navy’s critical challenges is monitoring and guarding its extensive Blue Amazon maritime area. Fuel management, which is highly complex and requires the expenditure of significant financial resources, is a fundamental factor for successfully fulfilling naval objectives. Currently, the Brazilian Navy uses diesel to fuel ships and aviation kerosene for aircraft. The purpose of this study is to examine the potential impacts of the Brazilian Navy adopting a single fuel concept (SFC) for its ships in the Blue Amazon protection zone. This concept means using kerosene to fuel both ships and aircraft. We used the Monte Carlo simulation methodology to model and observe the reduction in mission risk due to the SFC implementation in different scenarios. Our results demonstrate a substantial decrease in mission risk from the status quo to the SFC policy, increasing the effectiveness of Brazilian Navy patrol operations. We conclude that the employment of SFC improves the protection of the Blue Amazon’s maritime wealth.Capitao-Tenente, Brazilian NavyCapitão de Corveta, Brazilian NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Mathematical Methods applied in Image Enhancement using Matlab

In order to characterize complex engineering problems involvinging image data acquisition, different techniques in image processing can be used. One of those techniques is called the Laplacian Filter, commonly used to reduce noise and improving images. Based on that, image segmentation is a widely applied tool in engineering and it can greatly contribute in the acceleration of processes instead of adopting conventional methods, thus providing applications of such technique in the medical, spatial and other sectors linked to engineering. Therefore, this work aims to use image segmentation through differential equations (Laplacian Filter) in different images using Matlab mathematical software in order to enhance images details

Informational Time Causal Planes: A Tool for Chaotic Map Dynamic Visualization

In the present chapter, we made a detailed analysis of the different regimes of certain chaotic systems and their correspondence with the change in the normalized Shannon entropy, Statistical Complexity, and Fisher information measure. We construct a bidimensional plane composed of the selection of a pair of the informational tools mentioned above (a casual plane is defined), in which the different dynamical regimes appeared very clear and give more information of the underlying process. In such a way, a plane composed of the normalized Shannon entropy, statistical complexity, normalized Shannon entropy, and Fisher information measure can be applied to follow the changes in the behavior variations of the nonlinear systems

Integrating of the seahorse Hippocampus reidi in multi-trophic organic farms of oysters and shrimp: Effects of density and diet

The goal of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of culturing the seahorse Hippocampus reidi in an organic integrated multi-trophic aquaculture farm that produces the oyster Crassostrea brasiliana and the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects stocking density and food (natural zooplankton, Artemia nauplii, or both) for the juvenile I, which are fish from 1 to 15 days after birth. Stocking density effect was studied on growth and survival of juveniles II from 30 days to commercial size in net cages. Survival of the juvenile I was not affected by stocking densities from 2 to 5 ind L-1 and was greater than 70% in all treatments. Seahorse length, however, was inversely related to stocking density. Both treatments with wild zooplankton promoted higher seahorse survival and growth than diet composed exclusively by Artemia sp. during the first 15 days of life. Juvenile II growth decreased with stocking density from 5 to 40 ind m-3 but survival was not affected by it. The total benefit and proportion of colored animals increased significantly with stocking density. The present study confirms the technical feasibility of organic multi-trophic seahorse production in net cages. Even at the highest density tested the seahorses grew well and could generate high profits

POSTURAL EVALUATION OF MEN AGED BETWEEN 60 AND 65 YEARS OLD OF PORTO ALEGRE-RS BASED ON SHADOW MOIRÉ TECHNIQUE

This is a population-based study and it is part of the Multidimensional Study of the Elderly population of Porto Alegre-RS. The aim was to evaluate the posture of men aged between 60 and 65 years using the Shadow Moiré Technique. The variables analyzed were: the mean angular variation of posture deviations evaluated, considering the cervical-thoracic column (CTC) and thoracic-lumbar column (TLC); hyperkyphosis, misalignment of the scapulas and its correlation with lateral deviation of the column. Results showed that 44.4% of the tested population presented Very Low deviations of the CCT and 74% had Very Low and Low deviations of the TLC. The findings of this study failed to prove the correlation between the misalignment of the scapulas and column deviations. Fifty-two % presented hyperkyphosis

POSTURAL EVALUATION OF MEN AGED BETWEEN 60 AND 65 YEARS OLD OF PORTO ALEGRE-RS

This is a population-based study and it is part of the Multidimensional Study of the Elderly population of Porto Alegre-RS. The aim was to evaluate the posture of men aged between 60 and 65 years old using a postural grid, classified as a qualitative method. The volunteer’s posture was evaluated on Frontal plan (posterior view) and Sagittal plan (right view). The results demonstrated that most volunteers presented an erect head and cervical column. Fifty one percent had the right shoulder more elevated. Deviations of thoracic and lumbar columns and pelvis were not prominent in the population studied. Upper limbs were normally aligned in 26% of volunteers. Geno varus posture was present in 18,5%. The evaluation of the images obtained in the Sagittal plan indicated that 48% of the volunteers presented a lordotic-kyphotic posture

Acute exercise induce endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation via Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase in aorta of rats: Role of reactive oxygen species

AbstractBackgroundAcute exercise increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 promotes endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation and phosphorylation in endothelial cells. With this in mind, the present study was designed to evaluate ex vivo eNOS phosphorylation in rat aortas incubated with H2O2 and to test this hypothesis in vivo in the aortas of rats submitted to acute exercise.MethodsFor ex vivo studies, six groups of aortic tissue were formed: control, H2O2, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), LY294002, compound C, and LY294002 plus compound C. While incubation with H2O2 increased Akt, AMPK and eNOS phosphorylation, pre-incubation with NAC strongly reduced the phosphorylation of these enzymes. For in vivo studies, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, cont+NAC, exercise, and exer+NAC. After a 3h swimming session, animals were decapitated and aortas were excised for biochemical and immunoblotting analysis.ResultsAcute exercise increased superoxide levels and dichlorofluorescein (DCF) concentrations, and this increase was related to phosphorylation of Akt, AMPK and eNOS. On the other hand, use of NAC reduced superoxide levels and DCF concentration. Reduced superoxide levels and DCF in the exer+NAC group were associated with decreased Akt, AMPK and eNOS phosphorylation. These results appear to be connected with vascular function because VASP phosphorylation increased in acute exercise and decreased in exer+NAC.ConclusionOur results indicate that ROS induced by acute exercise play the important role of activating eNOS, a process apparently mediated by Akt and AMPK