Phases of granular segregation in a binary mixture

We present results from an extensive experimental investigation into granular segregation of a shallow binary mixture in which particles are driven by frictional interactions with the surface of a vibrating horizontal tray. Three distinct phases of the mixture are established viz; binary gas (unsegregated), segregation liquid and segregation crystal. Their ranges of existence are mapped out as a function of the system's primary control parameters using a number of measures based on Voronoi tessellation. We study the associated transitions and show that segregation can be suppressed is the total filling fraction of the granular layer, $C$, is decreased below a critical value, $C_{c}$, or if the dimensionless acceleration of the driving, $\gamma$, is increased above a value $\gamma_{c}$.Comment: 12 pages, 12 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Sistema electrónico de controlo de temperatura da água para aplicações domésticas

Este artigo descreve um sistema que permite controlar a temperatura e regular o caudal das águas sanitárias num ambiente doméstico. O sistema tem como limite sete saídas independentes de caudal, substituindo as tradicionais torneiras mecânicas e manuais. A arquitectura do sistema está dividida em dois tipos de blocos: a interface com o utilizador (IU) e o bloco de controlo e regulação (CR). A IU é composta por um mostrador e por um teclado que permitem a interacção do utilizador com o sistema. O bloco de CR é constituído por um circuito electrónico que gere os módulos da IU e o sistema electromecânico. No controlo de temperatura é usado um controlador PID digital. A regulação do caudal de cada saída é efectuada de forma independente.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mapeamento da umidade relativa do ar no Estado do Ceará.

Considerando-se que a totalidade do semi-árido brasileiro situa-se no Nordeste, é esta região do país que apresenta valores mais baixos de umidade

White matter integrity as a predictor of response to treatment in first episode psychosis

The integrity of brain white matter connections is central to a patient's ability to respond to pharmacological interventions. This study tested this hypothesis using a specific measure of white matter integrity, and examining its relationship to treatment response using a prospective design in patients within their first episode of psychosis. Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired in 63 patients with first episode psychosis and 52 healthy control subjects (baseline). Response was assessed after 12 weeks and patients were classified as responders or non-responders according to treatment outcome. At this second time-point, they also underwent a second diffusion tensor imaging scan. Tract-based spatial statistics were used to assess fractional anisotropy as a marker of white matter integrity. At baseline, non-responders showed lower fractional anisotropy than both responders and healthy control subjects (P < 0.05; family-wise error-corrected), mainly in the uncinate, cingulum and corpus callosum, whereas responders were indistinguishable from healthy control subjects. After 12 weeks, there was an increase in fractional anisotropy in both responders and non-responders, positively correlated with antipsychotic exposure. This represents one of the largest, controlled investigations of white matter integrity and response to antipsychotic treatment early in psychosis. These data, together with earlier findings on cortical grey matter, suggest that grey and white matter integrity at the start of treatment is an important moderator of response to antipsychotics. These findings can inform patient stratification to anticipate care needs, and raise the possibility that antipsychotics may restore white matter integrity as part of the therapeutic response