242 research outputs found

    Benchmarking the Ising Universality Class in 3d<43 \le d < 4 dimensions

    Full text link
    The Ising critical exponents η\eta, ν\nu and ω\omega are determined up to one-per-thousand relative error in the whole range of dimensions 3d<43 \le d < 4, using numerical conformal-bootstrap techniques. A detailed comparison is made with results by the resummed epsilon-expansion in varying dimension, the analytic bootstrap, Monte Carlo and non-perturbative renormalization-group methods, finding very good overall agreement. Precise conformal field theory data of scaling dimensions and structure constants are obtained as functions of dimension, improving on earlier findings, and providing benchmarks in 3d<43 \le d < 4.Comment: 39 pages, 44 pdf figures, 6 tables. v2: further data and comments adde

    Sistema para estudos de estratégias de controle aplicadas em câmaras frias

    Get PDF
    The process of cold storage chambers contributes largely to the quality and longevity of stored products. In recent years, it has been intensified the study of control strategies in order to decrease the temperature change inside the storage chamber and to reduce the electric power consumption. This study has developed a system for data acquisition and process control, in LabVIEW language, to be applied in the cooling system of a refrigerating chamber of 30m³. The use of instrumentation and the application developed fostered the development of scientific experiments, which aimed to study the dynamic behavior of the refrigeration system, compare the performance of control strategies and the heat engine, even due to the controlled temperature, or to the electricity consumption. This system tested the strategies for on-off control, PID and fuzzy. Regarding power consumption, the fuzzy controller showed the best result, saving 10% when compared with other tested strategies.O processo de armazenamento refrigerado em câmaras contribui, em grande parte, para a qualidade e a longevidade dos produtos. Nos últimos anos, têm-se intensificado os estudos de estratégias de controle com a finalidade de diminuir a variação da temperatura dentro da câmara de armazenamento e de reduzir o consumo de energia elétrica. Neste trabalho, foi desenvolvido um sistema para aquisição de dados e controle do processo, em linguagem LabVIEW, para ser aplicado no sistema de refrigeração de uma câmara frigorífica de 30m³. A utilização da instrumentação e do aplicativo desenvolvido possibilitou a realização de experimentos científicos, com o objetivo de estudar o comportamento dinâmico do sistema de refrigeração, comparar o desempenho das estratégias de controle da máquina térmica, tanto em função da temperatura controlada, quanto ao consumo de energia elétrica. Neste sistema, foram testadas as estratégias de controle liga-desliga, PID e fuzzy. Em relação ao consumo de energia elétrica, o controlador fuzzy obteve o melhor resultado, economizando 10% em relação às outras estratégias testadas.86887

    Radioguided Parathyroidectomy with Portable Mini Gamma-Camera for the Treatment of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

    Get PDF
    Background. A proper localisation of pathological parathyroid glands is essential for a minimally invasive approach in the surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP). The recent introduction of portable mini gamma-cameras (pMGCs) enabled intraoperative scintigraphic scanning. The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy of this new method and compare it with the preoperative localisation surveys. Methods. 20 patients were studied; they were evaluated preoperatively by neck ultrasound and Tc-sestaMIBI-scintigraphy and intraoperatively with the pMGC IP Guardian 2. The results obtained from the three evaluations were compared. Results. The pMGC presented a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity of 98.89%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 98.18%, which were higher than those of preoperative ultrasound (sensitivity 55%; specificity 95%; diagnostic accuracy 87%) and scintigraphy with Tc-sestaMIBI (sensitivity 73.68%; specificity 96.05%; diagnostic accuracy 91.58%). Conclusions. The pMGC can be used effectively as an intraoperative method to find the correct location of the pathological parathyroid glands. The pMGC is more reliable than the currently used preoperative and intraoperative localisation techniques

    Fuzzy control applied to an electrical power generation system mounted on tractors for driving of agricultural implements

    Get PDF
    CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORThe demand of the agricultural sector for more operationally efficient machines and implements motivated the development of alternatives for driving of this equipment. Aiming an electrical supply to apply in agricultural implements, this study proposes a system that uses the tractor power take off to activate a synchronous generator, using a fuzzy logic controller designed to regulate the generated voltage level. Different control architectures were tested and evaluated by simulations. In the initial stage were evaluated fuzzy PI, fuzzy PD and fuzzy PID controllers of multiple inputs and single output (MISO) and the error of the generated voltage as state variable. Subsequently, it was evaluated a fuzzy PI controller of single input and multiple outputs (SIMO) with a modified rule base for the system. In the final stage, the angular drive speed was included as state variable of the controller. The behavior of each architecture was analyzed by means of performance indexes. The results show that among the tested controllers, the modified fuzzy PI SIMO presented the best performance values while maintaining the operating variables within the established limits.The demand of the agricultural sector for more operationally efficient machines and implements motivated the development of alternatives for driving of this equipment. Aiming an electrical supply to apply in agricultural implements, this study proposes a365846857CAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORsem informaçã

    Thyroid Hormone Profile in Patients Ingesting Soft Gel Capsule or Liquid Levothyroxine Formulations with Breakfast

    Get PDF
    Background. Recently, it has been shown that liquid L-T4 formulation can be ingested with breakfast. This study looked to extend these findings by investigating whether a soft gel capsule formulation of L-T4 could also be ingested at breakfast time. Methods. 60 patients (18–65 yrs), previously submitted to thyroidectomy for proven benign goitre in stable euthyroidism receiving liquid L-T4 therapy ingested with breakfast, were enrolled. TSH, fT4, and fT3 levels were assessed in all the patients who were switched from liquid L-T4 to a soft gel capsule formulation at the same dosage of L-T4. After 6 months, TSH, fT4, and fT3 levels were determined again. Results. There were no differences in TSH levels, but fT3 and fT4 levels during treatment with the soft gel capsule were significantly lower than those at enrolment with the liquid L-T4 formulation (TSH median (min–max): 1.9 (0.5–4.0) versus 2.2 (0.5–4.5) mIU/L, fT3: 2.5 (2.4–3.1) versus 2.7 (2.4–3.3) pg/mL, p<0.05, and fT4: 9.9 (8.0–13) versus 10.6 (8.6–13.8) pg/mL, p<0.0001). Conclusion. Both liquid and soft gel formulations of L-T4 can be taken with breakfast. However, liquid L-T4 would be the preferred formulation for patients in whom even small changes in fT4 and fT3 levels are to be avoided

    Probabilistic and deterministic methods for agricultural subsoiling diagnosis

    Get PDF
    This paper presents two techniques to evaluate soil mechanical resistance to penetration as an auxiliary method to help in a decision-making in subsoiling operations. The decision is based on the volume of soil mobilized as a function of the considered critical soil resistance to penetration in each case. The first method, probabilistic, uses statistical techniques to define the volume of soil to be mobilized. The other method, deterministic, determines the percentage of soil to be mobilized and its spatial distribution. Both cases plot the percentage curves of experimental data related to the soil mechanical resistance to penetration equal or larger to the established critical level and the volume of soil to be mobilized as a function of critical level. The deterministic method plots showed the spatial distribution of the data with resistance to penetration equal or large than the critical level. The comparison between mobilized soil curves as a function of critical level using both methods showed that they can be considered equivalent. The deterministic method has the advantage of showing the spatial distribution of the critical points.Este trabalho apresenta duas metodologias para avaliar os níveis de resistência mecânica à penetração e auxiliar na tomada de decisão quanto à necessidade de se proceder à operação de subsolagem. A tomada de decisão baseia-se no volume de solo a ser mobilizado em função da resistência mecânica à penetração considerada crítica para o caso. O primeiro método, denominado probabilístico, utiliza-se de técnicas estatísticas para a definição do volume de solo a ser mobilizado. O segundo método, denominado determinístico, utiliza-se do cálculo da porcentagem do volume de solo a ser mobilizado e de sua distribuição espacial. Em ambos, são construídas curvas de porcentagem de pontos experimentais com níveis de resistência mecânica à penetração igual ou superior ao nível estabelecido como crítico, curvas de volume de solo a ser mobilizado em função do nível e, finalmente, o método determinístico apresenta ainda uma distribuição espacial dos pontos com resistência à penetração igual ou superior ao nível crítico. Uma comparação entre as curvas de volume de solo a ser mobilizado em função do nível crítico, obtidas por cada um dos métodos, mostra que os métodos são equivalentes. O método determinístico tem a vantagem de mostrar a distribuição espacial dos pontos críticos.130141Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

    Evaluation of radiofrequency signals for Zigbee technology in poultry housing

    Get PDF
    This study aimed to conduct an evaluation for the implementation of Wireless Sensors Network (WSN) of tracking and control in a poultry farm. The wireless technology used was Zigbee, with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard forming the physical layer and link layer. To automate the power measurement a DELPHI language software was developed and, for the prediction of RF signals, an adjusted model of the shadowing was used. All tests were performed in a commercial broiler farm, in the city of Tuiuti in the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The results of this study indicate that Zigbee technology is appropriate, from the perspective of signal propagation, to implement WSN in poultry housing.Visou-se, neste trabalho, realizar a predição de sinais de radiofrequência para a aplicação de Rede de Sensores Sem Fio (RSSF) de monitoramento e controle em uma granja de frango de corte. A tecnologia de comunicação sem fio utilizada foi a Zigbee, com o padrão IEEE 802.15.4 compondo a camada física e de enlace. Desenvolveu-se, para automatizar a leitura de potências, um aplicativo em linguagem Delphi e, para a predição de sinais de RF (Radiofrequência), utilizou-se o modelo Shadowing adaptado. Todos os testes foram realizados em granja comercial, no Município de Tuiuti, estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram boas condições de transmissão até 131 m, indicando que a tecnologia Zigbee é adequada, segundo a perspectiva de propagação de sinais, para a implementação de RSSF em granjas de frango de corte.10210

    Tackling Inequalities in Oral Health: Bone Augmentation in Dental Surgery through the 3D Printing of Poly(ε-caprolactone) Combined with 20% Tricalcium Phosphate

    Get PDF
    Personalized medicine and overcoming healthcare inequalities have gained significant popularity in recent years. Polymers offer an ideal solution due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of customized 3D printing, and potential for wide-scale expansion. Poly- mers blended with β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) have been found to synergize with the environ- mental tissues of maxillary bones and promote osteoconductivity. However, little is known about their properties after printing and their ability to maintain their biological role; additionally, limi- tations exist in 3D printing when high TPC concentrations are added. Our study demonstrated that poly ε-caprolactone (PCL)+β-TCP 20% composite can be successfully printed and is a suitable ma- terial for commercial 3D printing. The material also demonstrated biocompatibility, supporting osteoblast adhesion and promoting cell proliferation and differentiation. The composite can also sustain ISO14937:200935 sterilization procedures, which makes it an ideal material for printing medical devices that can be used by clinicians worldwide

    BET bromodomain inhibitors PFI-1 and JQ1 are identified in an epigenetic compound screen to enhance C9ORF72 gene expression and shown to ameliorate C9ORF72-associated pathological and behavioral abnormalities in a C9ALS/FTD model

    Get PDF
    BACKGROUND: An intronic GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in the C9ORF72 gene is the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), referred to as C9ALS/FTD. No cure or effective treatment exist for C9ALS/FTD. Three major molecular mechanisms have emerged to explain C9ALS/FTD disease mechanisms: (1) C9ORF72 loss-of-function through haploinsufficiency, (2) dipeptide repeat (DPR) proteins mediated toxicity by the translation of the repeat RNAs, and more controversial, (3) RNA-mediated toxicity by bidirectional transcription of the repeats that form intranuclear RNA foci. Recent studies indicate a double-hit pathogenic mechanism in C9ALS/FTD, where reduced C9ORF72 protein levels lead to impaired clearance of toxic DPRs. Here we explored whether pharmacological compounds can revert these pathological hallmarks in vitro and cognitive impairment in a C9ALS/FTD mouse model (C9BAC). We specifically focused our study on small molecule inhibitors targeting chromatin-regulating proteins (epidrugs) with the goal of increasing C9ORF72 gene expression and reduce toxic DPRs. RESULTS: We generated luciferase reporter cell lines containing 10 (control) or \u3e /= 90 (mutant) G4C2 HRE located between exon 1a and 1b of the human C9ORF72 gene. In a screen of 14 different epidrugs targeting bromodomains, chromodomains and histone-modifying enzymes, we found that several bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) inhibitors (BETi), including PFI-1 and JQ1, increased luciferase reporter activity. Using primary cortical cultures from C9BAC mice, we further found that PFI-1 treatment increased the expression of V1-V3 transcripts of the human mutant C9ORF72 gene, reduced poly(GP)-DPR inclusions but enhanced intranuclear RNA foci. We also tested whether JQ1, an BETi previously shown to reach the mouse brain by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, can revert behavioral abnormalities in C9BAC mice. Interestingly, it was found that JQ1 administration (daily i.p. administration for 7 days) rescued hippocampal-dependent cognitive deficits in C9BAC mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings place BET bromodomain inhibitors as a potential therapy for C9ALS/FTD by ameliorating C9ORF72-associated pathological and behavioral abnormalities. Our finding that PFI-1 increases accumulation of intranuclear RNA foci is in agreement with recent data in flies suggesting that nuclear RNA foci can be neuroprotective by sequestering repeat transcripts that result in toxic DPRs
    corecore