Search

Meteorological stations are essential for climatology studies. However, they have a high cost of acquisition and, in some places, only one is available to cover a wide geographical area, which brings inaccuracy to the gathered data when we take into account the different regions of the city. In that regard, the main goal of this paper was the development and evaluation of a meteorological station that could provide readings of its sensors based on the Internet of Things on a web platform with free access, notifying the users of how the climate in the venue is, where the station was set up at the time of the access. The proposed solution (named IoTupã) has low cost, potential of implementation in various regions, as well as it generates and stores the data to be used in teaching and research. An evaluation was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of the measurement performed by the station. Preliminary results indicate that the built station was successful in its purpose and presents satisfactory accuracy on the calibrations performed in rural and urban areas of the city of Porto Seguro - BA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to validate depth data obtained through the key curve equation elaborated based on data from the Large Basin Hydrological Model (MGB) and Spatial Altimetry (Sentinel 3A). Using as a comparison for validation, depth data obtained through bathymetry. The values found in relation to the parameters of the key curve are coefficient A (250.074); coefficient B (1.738) and the Coefficient Z0 (13.788). The simulated flows produced consistent and applicable results for the study, thus making model calibration unnecessary. The percentage of confidence presented by the key curve was (95%). Values can be explained by section geometry. It was possible to identify the existence of uniformity in the data set, which indicates a good fit of the key curve. The difference between the data obtained by the key curve (MGB/Spatial Altimetry) and (in situ) related to the average depth was (1.17m). When compared, the values found related to the standard deviation, it was possible to identify a difference of (0.76 cm). The validation of geomorphological information related to variable depth can help create new alternatives for the hydrological monitoring of the Amazon basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the production of collagen in the heart of hypertensive rats induced by L-name. Methods: Cardiac imaging of 5 groups: NT, hypertension induced by L-name, L-name and 10 mg Larginine, L-name and 30 mg L-arginine and L-name and 100 mg L-arginine. Quantification of COL by histology with picrosirius CFC_Image v. 2.0. Calibration of the software by selecting values of hue, saturation and HSI intensity in the reference image, use of the software in the images used. Results: The images did not present statistical differences in any of the HSI sets, indicating that the calibration of the software is valid for the study. Doses greater than 30 mg of L-arginine showed a greater reduction in the collagen areas, indicating a greater protection of the cardiac structures in hypertension. Conclusion: CFC_Image v. 2.0. The accuracy demonstrated in the quantification of COL, L-arginine supplementation promoted protective effects in murine models of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bensafrim estuary, located in Southern Portugal (Algarve coast), was selected to assess the evolution of the fluvial-marine interaction along the Portuguese coast during the last 5000 years. Sedimentary sequences were collected in this estuary and radiocarbon dated, providing the necessary chronological framework to establish a reliable palaeo-environmental reconstruction. A Bayesian approach was employed in an attempt to overcome some difficulties related with the chronological data, which was performed using the OxCal calibration software, which allows the incorporation of stratigraphic information and an outlier analysis of the dataset. The analysis enabled the identification of outliers and the assessment of a reliable deposition model for the sedimentary sequence, establishing a robust chronological framework for the last 5000 years in this region of the Portuguese coast. Also, this model associated with sedimentological characterization points to the presence of high-energy events, including eventually the tsunami that followed the Lisbon earthquake of 1755. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Naproxen is a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) found in pharmaceutical forms capsules and tablets. The analysis of the effect with different kinds of excipients in magistral formulation represents an important tool to the influence on the dissolution. Purpose: to analyze the effect of different kinds and amounts of excipients on the dissolution profile of naproxen capsules. Material and Method: 4 naproxen capsule formulations in the 250 mg concentration were manipulated, with excipient variations regarding concentrations of diluents, wetting agents and disintegrants. In the dissolution test, 6 units of each formulation were evaluated in phosphate buffer pH 7.4 (900mL), paddle + sinker apparatus, 50 rpm, in 6 different collection times, with a reading of the samples obtained at 332 nm. For percentage determination of active principle released in function of time in dissolution profile test, a calibration curve with 5 different concentrations was previously constructed. According to USP (2013), the minimum dissolution rate of naproxen tablets at 45 minutes is at least 80%. Results: all formulations are within pharmacopoeial specifications, and formulation 1 presented a better dissolution profile of naproxen, besides being the formulation with the lowest preparation cost, noting the influence of the amount and type of excipient. Conclusion: The best combination of the kinds and amounts of excipients in a magistral formulation is essential to ensure the quality and efficacy of the drugs handled, especially Class II in the Biopharmaceutical Classification System. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper was to calibrate and validate the CERES-Rice model in relation to the productivity estimate for the cultivar IRGA 424 in Rio Grande do Sul, using only information found in the literature. CERES-Rice is a model that simulates the development and productivity of a cultivar. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to obtain the genetic coefficients of the cultivar through the calibration process. The genetic coefficients describe the behavior of the plant in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. The GENCALC module present in the DSSAT was used for the calibration. After the calibration process with 30% of the assembled experiments, the validation was performed in the others. The results for productivity were considered acceptable, since most of the values were below 15%, only one of the results showed an error of 16,88%. Note that the model did not consider neither phenological stages nor fertilization or water issues in the calibration and validation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this paper was to calibrate and validate the CERES-Rice model in relation to the productivity estimate for the cultivar IRGA 424 in Rio Grande do Sul, using only information found in the literature. CERES-Rice is a model that simulates the development and productivity of a cultivar. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to obtain the genetic coefficients of the cultivar through the calibration process. The genetic coefficients describe the behavior of the plant in the soil-plant-atmosphere system. The GENCALC module present in the DSSAT was used for the calibration. After the calibration process with 30% of the assembled experiments, the validation was performed in the others. The results for productivity were considered acceptable, since most of the values were below 15%, only one of the results showed an error of 16,88%. Note that the model did not consider neither phenological stages nor fertilization or water issues in the calibration and validation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this work has been done the calibration of the Simple Biosphere Model (SiB2) for the Amazon Rain Forest, using micrometeorological measurements collected in the experimental site of the National Forest of Tapajós, km 83, PA, in 2002 and 2003. Firstly was adjusted the soil respiration equation according to the nocturnal atmospheric CO2 fluxes. The parameters of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance module were calibrated optimizing the slope of the equation of Ball & Berry, maximum photosynthetic capacity (Vmax0), and optimizing the calculation of the fluxes of sensible and latent heat. In the end the total CO2 flux, or net ecosystem exchange, was compared with the observations resulting in a good performance. The new calibration showed a substantial improvement on previous calibration of SiB2 model for the Amazon Rain Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sometimes, the confidence with which a witness recalls a crime relates to the accuracy of the recall. Research suggests that this relationship is complex and may be influenced by individual differences. In this study we sought to understand the influence of self-esteem, impulsivity, and processing mode in the confidence-accuracy. In the procedure, we presented a video of a bank robbery, and then the participants answered questions about it, and assigned confidence judgments about the answers. Participants also answered and judged questions of general knowledge and answered to scales that measured the variables self-esteem (Rosemberg Self-esteem Scale), impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and processing mode (Cognitive Reflection Test). The results show that there is no influence of the selected variables in the calibration and overconfidence of the responses. Also, participants show greater underconfidence when answering to general knowledge questions when compared with eyewitness questions. The results also indicate that participants that use system 2 show greater accuracy and confidence than participants using system 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the calibration and the need for maintenance of sphygmomanometers, in order to advise about possible interferences over values found during measurements. It was carried out the calibration and external and functional analysis, of 299 sphygmomanometers from domestic use and the hospital network in the city of Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro. It was also evaluated in which extent maintenance is compensatory. It was observed that 64.4% of hospital equipment and 53.3% of the household remained uncalibrated. In addition to that, up to 54.1% of hospital equipment and 19.0% of household needed the exchange of components, such as couplings, valves, clamps and pears. However, even the most expensive maintenance procedure, in which occurred the calibration and exchange of all components, its realization is still economically compensatory in relation to the purchase of the new equipment. It was concluded that, under these conditions, devices can significantly impact the determination of blood pressure and thus, the health of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The applications of Gy's formula are appropriate for calculating variances of the fundamental sampling error (FSE) at any stage of the sampling protocol and before samples are collected as well. However, the formula can be inaccurate because general factors are used to estimate the ore characteristic. In order to allow the calculation of fundamental sampling error and the minimum representative sample masses without using Gy's factors, there are experiments to calibrate the sampling parameters, namely: the heterogeneity test (HT); the sampling tree experiment (STE) and the segregation free analysis (SFA). The present work describes the experimental procedure for the three calibration methods using bauxite and shows the correlation between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mineral processing projects, it is crucial ensure the equipment efficiency, highly influenced by the intrinsic variability of ore characteristics. To characterize the ore, laboratory and pilot tests are conducted. Pilot tests are generally expensive, so they are performed only for a few samples. Laboratory tests are cheaper, and, therefore, can be carried out using more samples for better representation of the ore reserve diversity. However, the repeatability of results in industrial scale is not defined. In an effort to verify the accordance between these tests and the industrial practices, the results of a plant operation were compared to the results of a dynamic simulation, calibrated with data from laboratory tests, for the period of one year. Initially, the plant ROM (run of mine) was tracked. Then, sample mixtures that represented its characteristics, such as content and size distribution, were obtained. The plant has screening, magnetic separation, desliming, and flotation operations and laboratory tests are available for the last three mentioned processes. Thus, the process was simulated, using the real plant downtime, and a control strategy similar to that practiced in the plant, so that it was possible to determine a theoretical output that would be obtained if laboratory testing accurately represented the operation. It was observed that there was acceptable conformity in the flotation and desliming process and little conformity in magnetic separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work it was developed a rotating bending apparatus for fatigue tests of superelastic NiTi wires, and other materials with high elasticity. It was evaluated the performance, robustness, operability, and reliability through testing of 1 mm thick stainless steel wires. This device is mounted on a steel frame and features semiautomatic rotation speed control, time and testing bath temperature for sample immersion. The equipment qualification tests were performed controlling the following parameters: deformation of the wire, power level and ambient temperature. The results indicated lower discrepancies for the following parameters evaluated: number of cycles in fatigue life, rotation speed, the bath temperature and arc angle of rupture. Besides the reliability, the robustness and operability of the equipment also meet the purpose of the research as evidenced by the small number of failures in the qualification tests and calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the National Curriculum Parameters for High School (PCN) is established from a logic in which the disciplines are integrated and coordinated in order to promote interdisciplinarity. However, there are few didactic-pedagogic activities that enable teachers in practice to reach this goal. In this paper, we propose an experimental activity to be used with High School students, addressing the concept of viscosity from an interdisciplinary perspective between the disciplines of Physics and Chemistry. For that purpose, flow times of sucrose solutions of different concentrations will be measured in a glass Ford and these data will be used to construct a calibration curve, which will be used to determine the concentration of sucrose in artificial flavor syrup of gooseberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intrinsic dissolution is a test which has been used for many years for the characterization of solid drug. This study aimed to characterize the antiretroviral drug efavirenz from the intrinsic dissolution and compared to the biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS). Initially, was prepared a calibration curve with 5 points read at wavelength of 247 nm in order to analyze the concentration of the samples. For the formation of the tablet was used 20 mg of the drug under pressure of 2 tons for 1 minute. Then, the test was carried out intrinsic dissolution in the middle sodium lauryl sulphate 0.5% at 37 ° C under agitation of 50 rpm. By analyzing the data obtained, it was observed that the calibration curve was linear with r = 0.9998. Regarding the intrinsic dissolution rate (VDI), this was equal to 0.0058 mg/ml/min corroborating the SBC is a drug of low water solubility. Thus, by having more controlled conditions the intrinsic dissolution has become evidence for the purpose of being employed in the SBC and is used for characterization of pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermocouples are temperature sensors widely used, but the reliability of the values indicated by them must be constantly checked. When the tolerable error limits are exceeded or when one wishes to increase the reliability of results, calibration should be performed. This text will address what are the main sources of errors in thermocouples and what are the ways to calibrate them. By a calibration, it was performed an improvement in LDA Arduino software, which now includes the Equation of a fitting curve in your source code, sending information to the system Lorscheiter Viewer correlated with a measuring instrument calibrated by a certified laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a research involving the development of a defibrillator and cardioversor analyzer and its metrological evaluation. The evaluation results are presented. The evaluation of measurement uncertainties was performed according to the directives of the Brazilian version of the EA-4/02 - Expressing Uncertainty in Calibration Measurements - published by INMETRO. The results conformed to the accuracy prescriptions defined in the ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American…, 1996) and ANSI/AAMI DF80 (American…, 2003) standards, presenting an expanded relative uncertainty of energy measurements of 1.0% in worst cases. An uncertainty analysis was performed for the calibration process employed in the research and the process capacity was evaluated. A maximum error of 5% or 1.0 J, whichever is greater, was determined for the energy measurements taken to calculate process capacity. The maximum error is 1/3 of the maximum error acceptable for the energy delivered by the defibrillators, i.e., it is the maximum error acceptable for a measurement device according to the ANSI/AAMI DF2 (American…, 1996) standard. The results for the capacity of the calibration procedure were shown to be appropriate for the specifications of a defibrillator and cardioversor analyzer. At worst case the capacity index Cm was 2.87, well above the threshold of 1.0, which is the minimum value needed to consider the procedure as capable of calibrating energy measurements without incurring in a large definition uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic irradiation is frequently used in physiotherapy to treat soft tissue injuries. It must be pointed however that physiotherapists have no means to know exactly the amount of energy emitted from the transducers of such equipments because of limitations in their calibration. The objective of the present study is to show one possible way to perform sensitivity calibration of ultrasonic physiotherapy transducers by a self-reciprocity method. As exemplification the method was tested in the calibration of 3 transducers for an excitation voltage varying from 3.5 to 10.5 Vpp and the results show a relative error of less than 6%. It was observed that, on their respective frequency band, one transducer was linear and two were not linear, for the same excitation voltage. This indicates that for some transducers a linear increase in excitation voltage may not correspond to a proportional increase in the ultrasonic output energy. Such information must be taken into account in the electronics project of the equipment in order to ensure that the nominal scale is a reliable indicator of the acoustic power generated. The experimental procedures were based on international standards (IEC 60866). The following step is to adapt this method to characterize ultrasound beams with exciting tensions capable to generate acoustic intensities in therapeutic levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the factorial structure of the Portuguese version of CSAI-2, using several structures suggested in previous studies, through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in two different samples (calibration and validation). The calibration sample consisted of 287 Physical Education and Sports students and the validation sample of 323 athletes of individual sports. The results of CFA according to the original structure showed some inadequacy of the model. Other structures, suggested by different authors were analysed, revealing acceptable values levels of goodness of fit indices, though still not adequate ones. The new model that we suggest, without the arousal scale, has shown adequate adjustment for the calibration sample and its capability has been validated by the second sample (X²/df= 2,645; CFI= 0,916; GFI= 0,871 e RMSEA= 0,074). The use of the new model requires further validation, however, due to the obtained good of fitness scores its use in research is suggested. The new model consists of two negatively correlated scales (negativity and self-confidence). The subsequent confirmation of its psychometric properties is recommended for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]