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1. Proton-air interactions at ultra-high energies in muon-depleted air showers with different depths

Author

L. Cazon, R. Conceição, M.A. Martins, and F. Riehn

Subjects
Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, Extensive air showers, High-energy hadronic interactions, Hadronic activity, Xmax and Nμ distributions, Physics, QC1-999
Abstract

The hardness of the energy spectrum of neutral pions produced in proton-air interactions at ultra-high energies, above 1018 eV, is constrained by the steepness of the shower-to-shower distribution of the number of muons in muon-depleted extensive air showers.In this work, we find that this steepness, quantified by the parameter Λμ, evolves with the depth of the shower maximum, Xmax, assuming a universal value for shallow showers and an enhanced dependence on the high-energy hadronic interaction model for deep showers. We show that Xmax probes the so-called hadronic activity of the first proton-air interaction, thus allowing direct access to the energy spectrum of neutral pions in different regions of its kinematic phase space.We verify that the unbiased measurement of Λμ is possible for realistic mass composition expectations. Finally, we infer that the statistical precision in Λμ required to distinguish between hadronic interaction models can be achieved in current extensive air shower detectors, given their resolution and exposure.

Published
2024
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2. The gamma/hadron discriminator LCm in realistic air shower array experiments

Author

R. Conceição, P. J. Costa, L. Gibilisco, M. Pimenta, and B. Tomé

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract In this article, it is shown that the $$C_k$$ C k and LCm variables, recently introduced as an effective way to discriminate gamma and proton-induced showers in large wide-field gamma-ray observatories, can be generalised to be used in arrays of different detectors and variable fill factors. In particular, the $$C_k$$ C k profile discrimination capabilities are evaluated for scintillator and water Cherenkov detector arrays.

Published
2023
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4. A first look at sea-lavenders genomics – can genome wide SNP information tip the scales of controversy in the Limonium vulgare species complex?

Author

Francisco Pina-Martins, Ana D. Caperta, Sofia I. R. Conceição, Vera L. Nunes, Isabel Marques, and Octávio S. Paulo

Subjects
Atlantic Europe, Genotyping by sequencing, Polyploidy, Western Mediterranean, Limonium vulgare, L. maritimum, Botany, QK1-989
Abstract

Abstract Background Sea-lavenders (Limonium Mill., Plumbaginaceae) are a cosmopolitan group of diploid and polyploid plants often adapted to extreme saline environments, with a mostly Tethyan distribution, occurring in the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Euro-Siberian and in the New World. The halophylic Limonium vulgare polyploid complex in particular, presents a large distribution throughout extreme salt-marsh habitats and shows little morphological but high taximetric variation, frequently blurring species delimitation. In this work we pursue three main goals: assert whether SNP data from polyploid individuals has the resolution to distinguish the seven sampled species, to better understand how genetically structured Limonium vulgare is, and attempt to identify specific molecular mechanisms for the differentiation between L. maritimum and L. vulgare. For this purpose, 95 individuals were genotyped using Genotyping by Sequencing (GBS), which were assembled as two independent datasets using ipyrad. All analyses performed downstream of assembly were fully automated. Phylogenetic inference, PCA, and admixture plots were used to infer answers to the study’s main goals. Results Close to 10,000 SNPs were obtained for each dataset. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that polyploid data can be used to infer species relationships. Population structure analyses suggest a genetically structured L. vulgare. A set of 34 SNPs were found to be fully segregated between L. vulgare and L. maritimum, two of which are potentially linked to proteins that might be involved in the speciation process. Conclusion Despite polyploid data analyses shortcomings, GBS generated SNPs have the resolution to discern all seven included species. Limonium vulgare revealed pronounced genetic structure along a geographical north-south cline. L. maritimum always appears as a distinct genetic entity. Segregated SNPs between L. vulgare and L. maritimum indicate salinity response and morphological trait control genes as potentially interesting to follow up for studying these species’ divergence process.

Published
2023
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5. The Mercedes water Cherenkov detector

Author

P. Assis, A. Bakalová, U. Barres de Almeida, P. Brogueira, R. Conceição, A. De Angelis, L. Gibilisco, B. S. González, A. Guillén, G. La Mura, L. M. D. Mendes, L. F. Mendes, M. Pimenta, R. C. Shellard, B. Tomé, and J. Vícha

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract The concept of a small, single-layer water Cherenkov detector, with three photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), placed at its bottom in a $$120^{\circ }$$ 120 ∘ star configuration (Mercedes Water Cherenkov Detector) is presented. The PMTs are placed near the lateral walls of the stations with an adjustable inclination and may be installed inside or outside the water volume. To illustrate the technical viability of this concept and obtain a first-order estimation of its cost, an engineering design was elaborated. The sensitivity of these stations to low energy Extensive Air Shower (EAS) electrons, photons and muons is discussed, both in compact and sparse array configurations. It is shown that the analysis of the intensity and time patterns of the PMT signals, using machine learning techniques, enables the tagging of muons, achieving an excellent gamma/hadron discrimination for TeV showers. This concept minimises the station production and maintenance costs, allowing for a highly flexible and fast installation. Mercedes Water Cherenkov Detectors (WCDs) are thus well-suited for use in high-altitude large gamma-ray observatories covering an extended energy range from the low energies, closing the gap between satellite and ground-based measurements, to very high energy regions, beyond the PeV scale.

Published
2022
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6. Large-scale Cosmic-ray Anisotropies with 19 yr of Data from the Pierre Auger Observatory

Author

A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. Allekotte, K. Almeida Cheminant, A. Almela, R. Aloisio, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, A. Ambrosone, J. Ammerman Yebra, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, L. Andrade Dourado, S. Andringa, L. Apollonio, C. Aramo, P. R. Araújo Ferreira, E. Arnone, J. C. Arteaga Velázquez, P. Assis, G. Avila, E. Avocone, A. Bakalova, F. Barbato, A. Bartz Mocellin, J. A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, G. Bhatta, M. Bianciotto, P. L. Biermann, V. Binet, K. Bismark, T. Bister, J. Biteau, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, J. Blümer, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, L. Bonneau Arbeletche, N. Borodai, J. Brack, P. G. Brichetto Orchera, F. L. Briechle, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, M. Büsken, A. Bwembya, K. S. Caballero-Mora, S. Cabana-Freire, L. Caccianiga, F. Campuzano, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, B. Čermáková, A. Cermenati, J. A. Chinellato, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R. W. Clay, A. C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, M. Conte, F. Convenga, D. Correia dos Santos, P. J. Costa, C. E. Covault, M. Cristinziani, C. S. Cruz Sanchez, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B. R. Dawson, R. M. de Almeida, B. de Errico, J. de Jesús, S. J. de Jong, J. R. T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, D. de Oliveira Franco, F. de Palma, V. de Souza, E. De Vito, A. Del Popolo, O. Deligny, N. Denner, L. Deval, A. di Matteo, C. Dobrigkeit, J. C. D’Olivo, L. M. Domingues Mendes, Q. Dorosti, J. C. dos Anjos, R. C. dos Anjos, J. Ebr, F. Ellwanger, M. Emam, R. Engel, I. Epicoco, M. Erdmann, A. Etchegoyen, C. Evoli, H. Falcke, G. Farrar, A. C. Fauth, T. Fehler, F. Feldbusch, A. Fernandes, B. Fick, J. M. Figueira, P. Filip, A. Filipčič, T. Fitoussi, B. Flaggs, T. Fodran, M. Freitas, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, C. Galea, B. García, C. Gaudu, P. L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, F. Gobbi, F. Gollan, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P. F. Gómez Vitale, J. P. Gongora, J. M. González, N. González, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, F. Guarino, G. P. Guedes, E. Guido, L. Gülzow, S. Hahn, P. Hamal, M. R. Hampel, P. Hansen, V. M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, C. Hojvat, J. R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, A. Insolia, P. G. Isar, P. Janecek, V. Jilek, J. Jurysek, K.-H. Kampert, B. Keilhauer, A. Khakurdikar, V. V. Kizakke Covilakam, H. O. Klages, M. Kleifges, F. Knapp, J. Köhler, F. Krieger, M. Kubatova, N. Kunka, B. L. Lago, N. Langner, M. A. Leigui de Oliveira, Y. Lema-Capeans, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, L. Lopes, J. P. Lundquist, A. Machado Payeras, D. Mandat, B. C. Manning, P. Mantsch, F. M. Mariani, A. G. Mariazzi, I. C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, S. Martinelli, O. Martínez Bravo, M. A. Martins, H.-J. Mathes, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, S. Mayotte, P. O. Mazur, G. Medina-Tanco, J. Meinert, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, C. Merx, S. Michal, M. I. Micheletti, L. Miramonti, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, L. Morejon, K. Mulrey, R. Mussa, W. M. Namasaka, S. Negi, L. Nellen, K. Nguyen, G. Nicora, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Nožka, A. Nucita, L. A. Núñez, C. Oliveira, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, S. Panja, G. Parente, T. Paulsen, J. Pawlowsky, M. Pech, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, V. Pelgrims, L. A. S. Pereira, E. E. Pereira Martins, C. Pérez Bertolli, L. Perrone, S. Petrera, C. Petrucci, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, M. Platino, B. Pont, M. Pothast, M. Pourmohammad Shahvar, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, S. Querchfeld, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, J. V. Reginatto Akim, A. Reuzki, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, V. Rizi, E. Rodriguez, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M. J. Roncoroni, S. Rossoni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A. C. Rovero, A. Saftoiu, M. Saharan, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, P. Sampathkumar, J. D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E. M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, R. Sato, C. M. Schäfer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, H. Schoorlemmer, P. Schovánek, F. G. Schröder, J. Schulte, T. Schulz, S. J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, A. Sedoski, A. Segreto, S. Sehgal, S. U. Shivashankara, G. Sigl, K. Simkova, F. Simon, R. Šmída, P. Sommers, R. Squartini, M. Stadelmaier, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, S. Strähnz, M. Straub, T. Suomijärvi, A. D. Supanitsky, Z. Svozilikova, Z. Szadkowski, F. Tairli, A. Tapia, C. Taricco, C. Timmermans, O. Tkachenko, P. Tobiska, C. J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, Z. Torrès, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, M. Tueros, M. Unger, R. Uzeiroska, L. Vaclavek, M. Vacula, J. F. Valdés Galicia, L. Valore, E. Varela, V. Vašíčková, A. Vásquez-Ramírez, D. Veberič, I. D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, C. Watanabe, A. A. Watson, A. Weindl, M. Weitz, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, B. Yue, A. Yushkov, O. Zapparrata, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, and The Pierre Auger Collaboration

Subjects
Ultra-high-energy cosmic radiation, Astrophysics, QB460-466
Abstract

Results are presented for the measurement of large-scale anisotropies in the arrival directions of ultra–high-energy cosmic rays detected at the Pierre Auger Observatory during 19 yr of operation, prior to AugerPrime, the upgrade of the observatory. The 3D dipole amplitude and direction are reconstructed above 4 EeV in four energy bins. Besides the established dipolar anisotropy in R.A. above 8 EeV, the Fourier amplitude of the 8–16 EeV energy bin is now also above the 5 σ discovery level. No time variation of the dipole moment above 8 EeV is found, setting an upper limit to the rate of change of such variations of 0.3% yr ^−1 at the 95% confidence level. Additionally, the results for the angular power spectrum are shown, demonstrating no other statistically significant multipoles. The results for the equatorial dipole component down to 0.03 EeV are presented, using for the first time a data set obtained with a trigger that has been optimized for lower energies. Finally, model predictions are discussed and compared with observations, based on two source emission scenarios obtained in the combined fit of spectrum and composition above 0.6 EeV.

Published
2024
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7. The energy spectrum of cosmic rays beyond the turn-down around $$\varvec{10^{17}}$$ 10 17 eV as measured with the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Author

P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, J. M. Albury, I. Allekotte, A. Almela, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, R. Alves Batista, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, P. R. Araújo Ferreira, J. C. Arteaga Velázquez, H. Asorey, P. Assis, G. Avila, A. M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, R. J. Barreira Luz, K. H. Becker, J. A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, P. L. Biermann, P. Billoir, V. Binet, K. Bismark, T. Bister, J. Biteau, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, L. Bonneau Arbeletche, N. Borodai, A. M. Botti, J. Brack, T. Bretz, P. G. Brichetto Orchera, F. L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, M. Büsken, K. S. Caballero-Mora, L. Caccianiga, F. Canfora, I. Caracas, J. M. Carceller, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, J. A. Chinellato, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R. W. Clay, A. C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, M. R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, F. Contreras, F. Convenga, D. Correia dos Santos, C. E. Covault, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B. R. Dawson, J. A. Day, R. M. de Almeida, J. de Jesús, S. J. de Jong, G. De Mauro, J. R. T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, D. de Oliveira Franco, F. de Palma, V. de Souza, E. De Vito, M. del Río, O. Deligny, A. Di Matteo, C. Dobrigkeit, J. C. D’Olivo, L. M. Domingues Mendes, R. C. dos Anjos, D. dos Santos, M. T. Dova, J. Ebr, R. Engel, I. Epicoco, M. Erdmann, C. O. Escobar, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, J. Farmer, G. Farrar, A. C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, F. Feldbusch, F. Fenu, B. Fick, J. M. Figueira, A. Filipčič, T. Fitoussi, T. Fodran, M. M. Freire, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, C. Galea, C. Galelli, B. García, A. L. Garcia Vegas, H. Gemmeke, F. Gesualdi, A. Gherghel-Lascu, P. L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, J. Glombitza, F. Gobbi, F. Gollan, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P. F. Gómez Vitale, J. P. Gongora, J. M. González, N. González, I. Goos, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, T. D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G. P. Guedes, E. Guido, S. Hahn, P. Hamal, M. R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, V. M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, G. C. Hill, C. Hojvat, J. R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, A. Insolia, P. G. Isar, P. Janecek, J. A. Johnsen, J. Jurysek, A. Kääpä, K. H. Kampert, N. Karastathis, B. Keilhauer, J. Kemp, A. Khakurdikar, V. V. Kizakke Covilakam, H. O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, M. Köpke, N. Kunka, B. L. Lago, R. G. Lang, N. Langner, M. A. Leigui de Oliveira, V. Lenok, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, D. Lo Presti, L. Lopes, R. López, L. Lu, Q. Luce, J. P. Lundquist, A. Machado Payeras, G. Mancarella, D. Mandat, B. C. Manning, J. Manshanden, P. Mantsch, S. Marafico, A. G. Mariazzi, I. C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, S. Martinelli, H. Martinez, O. Martínez Bravo, M. Mastrodicasa, H. J. Mathes, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, P. O. Mazur, G. Medina-Tanco, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, K.-D. Merenda, S. Michal, M. I. Micheletti, L. Miramonti, D. Mockler, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, C. Morello, M. Mostafá, A. L. Müller, M. A. Muller, K. Mulrey, R. Mussa, M. Muzio, W. M. Namasaka, A. Nasr-Esfahani, L. Nellen, M. Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Nožka, A. Nucita, L. A. Núñez, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, P. Papenbreer, G. Parente, A. Parra, J. Pawlowsky, M. Pech, F. Pedreira, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, J. Peña-Rodriguez, E. E. Pereira Martins, J. Perez Armand, C. Pérez Bertolli, M. Perlin, L. Perrone, S. Petrera, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, V. Pirronello, M. Platino, B. Pont, M. Pothast, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, A. Puyleart, S. Querchfeld, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, M. Reininghaus, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M. J. Roncoroni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A. C. Rovero, P. Ruehl, S. J. Saffi, A. Saftoiu, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, J. D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E. M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, C. Sarmiento-Cano, R. Sato, P. Savina, C. M. Schäfer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, F. Schlüter, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, P. Schovánek, F. G. Schröder, S. Schröder, J. Schulte, A. Schulz, S. J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, A. Segreto, S. Sehgal, R. C. Shellard, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, R. Šmída, P. Sommers, J. F. Soriano, J. Souchard, R. Squartini, M. Stadelmaier, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, A. Streich, M. Suárez-Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A. D. Supanitsky, Z. Szadkowski, A. Tapia, C. Taricco, C. Timmermans, O. Tkachenko, P. Tobiska, C. J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, Z. Torrès, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, C. Trimarelli, M. Tueros, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, L. Vaclavek, M. Vacula, J. F. Valdés Galicia, L. Valore, E. Varela, A. Vásquez-Ramírez, D. Veberič, C. Ventura, I. D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, H. Wahlberg, C. Watanabe, A. A. Watson, M. Weber, A. Weindl, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, M. Wirtz, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, A. Yushkov, O. Zapparrata, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, L. Zehrer, and Pierre Auger Collaboration

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract We present a measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum above 100 PeV using the part of the surface detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory that has a spacing of 750 m. An inflection of the spectrum is observed, confirming the presence of the so-called second-knee feature. The spectrum is then combined with that of the 1500 m array to produce a single measurement of the flux, linking this spectral feature with the three additional breaks at the highest energies. The combined spectrum, with an energy scale set calorimetrically via fluorescence telescopes and using a single detector type, results in the most statistically and systematically precise measurement of spectral breaks yet obtained. These measurements are critical for furthering our understanding of the highest energy cosmic rays.

Published
2021
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8. Muon identification in a compact single-layered water Cherenkov detector and gamma/hadron discrimination using machine learning techniques

Author

R. Conceição, B. S. González, A. Guillén, M. Pimenta, and B. Tomé

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract The muon tagging is an essential tool to distinguish between gamma and hadron-induced showers in wide field-of-view gamma-ray observatories. In this work, it is shown that an efficient muon tagging (and counting) can be achieved using a water Cherenkov detector with a reduced water volume and 4 PMTs, provided that the PMT signal spatial and time patterns are interpreted by an analysis based on machine learning (ML). The developed analysis has been tested for different shower and array configurations. The output of the ML analysis, the probability of having a muon in the WCD station, has been used to notably discriminate between gamma and hadron induced showers with $$S/ \sqrt{B} \sim 4$$ S / B ∼ 4 for shower with energies $$E_0 \sim 1\,$$ E 0 ∼ 1 TeV. Finally, for proton-induced showers, an estimator of the number of muons was built by means of the sum of the probabilities of having a muon in the stations. Resolutions about $$20\%$$ 20 % and a negligible bias are obtained for vertical showers with $$N_{\mu } > 10$$ N μ > 10 .

Published
2021
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9. New methods to reconstruct $$X_{\mathrm{max}}$$ X max and the energy of gamma-ray air showers with high accuracy in large wide-field observatories

Author

R. Conceição, L. Peres, M. Pimenta, and B. Tomé

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract Novel methods to reconstruct the slant depth of the maximum of the longitudinal profile ( $$X_{\mathrm{max}}$$ X max ) of high-energy showers initiated by gamma-rays as well as their energy ( $$E_0$$ E 0 ) are presented. The methods were developed for gamma rays with energies ranging from a few hundred GeV to $$\sim 10$$ ∼ 10 TeV. An estimator of $$X_{\mathrm{max}}$$ X max is obtained, event-by-event, from its correlation with the distribution of the arrival time of the particles at the ground, or the signal at the ground for lower energies. An estimator of $$E_0$$ E 0 is obtained, event-by-event, using a parametrization that has as inputs the total measured energy at the ground, the amount of energy contained in a region near to the shower core and the estimated $$X_{\mathrm{max}}$$ X max . Resolutions about $$40 \, (20)\,\mathrm{g/cm^2}$$ 40 ( 20 ) g / cm 2 and about $$30 \, (20)\%$$ 30 ( 20 ) % for, respectively, $$X_{\mathrm{max}}$$ X max and $$E_0$$ E 0 at $$1 \, (10) \ \mathrm {TeV}$$ 1 ( 10 ) TeV energies are obtained, considering vertical showers. The obtained results are auspicious and can lead to the opening of new physics avenues for large wide field-of-view gamma-ray observatories. The dependence of the resolutions with experimental conditions is discussed.

Published
2021
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10. Clostridium perfringens α and β recombinant toxoids in equine immunization

Author

Nayra F.Q.R. Freitas, José D. Barbosa, Denis Y. Otaka, Marcos Roberto A. Ferreira, Rafael R. Rodrigues, Clóvis Moreira Jr, Fabricio R. Conceição, and Felipe M. Salvarani

Subjects
Clostridium perfringens, alpha toxin, beta toxin, recombinant toxoids, equine, immunization, vaccination, myonecrosis, enterocolitis, horses, Veterinary medicine, SF600-1100
Abstract

ABSTRACT: Clostridium perfringens is considered one of the main causative agents of superacute enterocolitis, usually fatal in the equine species, due to the action of the β toxin, and is responsible for causing severe myonecrosis, by the action of the α toxin. The great importance of this agent in the equine economy is due to high mortality and lack of vaccines, which are the main form of prevention, which guarantee the immunization of this animal species. The aim of this study was to evaluate three different concentrations (100, 200 and 400μg) of C. perfringens α and β recombinant toxoids in equine immunization and to compare with a group vaccinated with a commercial toxoid. The commercial vaccine was not able to stimulate an immune response and the recombinant vaccine was able to induce satisfactory humoral immune response in vaccinated horses, proving to be an alternative prophylactic for C. perfringens infection.

Published
2020
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11. Pγhα: A new variable for γ/h discrimination in large gamma-ray ground arrays

Author

R. Conceição, B.S. González, M. Pimenta, and B. Tomé

Subjects
Gamma-ray wide-field observatories, Extensive air showers, Gamma/hadron discrimination, Physics, QC1-999
Abstract

In this letter, a new strategy to enhance the discrimination of high energy gamma rays from the huge charged cosmic rays background in large cosmic rays ground arrays is presented. This strategy is based on the introduction of a new simple variable, Pγhα, which combines the probability of tagging muons and/or very energetic particles in each single array station. The discrimination power of this new variable, particularly important for and above multi-TeV energies, is illustrated for a few specific examples in the case of a hypothetical water Cherenkov detector cosmic ray array, both in the case of low and high particle stations occupancy. The results are very encouraging and hopefully will be demonstrated in the present and future gamma-ray Observatories.

Published
2022
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12. Direct measurement of the muonic content of extensive air showers between $$\mathbf { 2\times 10^{17}}$$ 2×1017 and $$\mathbf {2\times 10^{18}}~$$ 2×1018 eV at the Pierre Auger Observatory

Author

A. Aab, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, J. M. Albury, I. Allekotte, A. Almela, J. Alvarez Castillo, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, P. R. Araújo Ferreira, H. Asorey, P. Assis, G. Avila, A. M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, R. J. Barreira Luz, K. H. Becker, J. A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, P. L. Biermann, T. Bister, J. Biteau, A. Blanco, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, L. Bonneau Arbeletche, N. Borodai, A. M. Botti, J. Brack, T. Bretz, F. L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, K. S. Caballero-Mora, L. Caccianiga, L. Calcagni, A. Cancio, F. Canfora, I. Caracas, J. M. Carceller, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, J. A. Chinellato, K. Choi, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R. W. Clay, A. C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, M. R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, F. Contreras, F. Convenga, C. E. Covault, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B. R. Dawson, J. A. Day, R. M. de Almeida, J. de Jesús, S. J. de Jong, G. De Mauro, J. R. T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, D. de Oliveira Franco, V. de Souza, J. Debatin, M. del Río, O. Deligny, N. Dhital, A. Di Matteo, M. L. Díaz Castro, C. Dobrigkeit, J. C. D’Olivo, Q. Dorosti, R. C. dos Anjos, M. T. Dova, J. Ebr, R. Engel, I. Epicoco, M. Erdmann, C. O. Escobar, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, J. Farmer, G. Farrar, A. C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, F. Feldbusch, F. Fenu, B. Fick, J. M. Figueira, A. Filipčič, M. M. Freire, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, C. Galea, C. Galelli, B. García, A. L. Garcia Vegas, H. Gemmeke, F. Gesualdi, A. Gherghel-Lascu, P. L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, M. Giller, J. Glombitza, F. Gobbi, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P. F. Gómez Vitale, J. P. Gongora, N. González, I. Goos, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, T. D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G. P. Guedes, E. Guido, S. Hahn, R. Halliday, M. R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, V. M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, G. C. Hill, C. Hojvat, J. R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, J. Hulsman, A. Insolia, P. G. Isar, J. A. Johnsen, J. Jurysek, A. Kääpä, K. H. Kampert, B. Keilhauer, J. Kemp, H. O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, M. Köpke, G. Kukec Mezek, B. L. Lago, D. LaHurd, R. G. Lang, M. A. Leigui de Oliveira, V. Lenok, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, D. Lo Presti, L. Lopes, R. López, A. López Casado, R. Lorek, Q. Luce, A. Lucero, A. Machado Payeras, M. Malacari, G. Mancarella, D. Mandat, B. C. Manning, J. Manshanden, P. Mantsch, A. G. Mariazzi, I. C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, H. Martinez, O. Martínez Bravo, M. Mastrodicasa, H. J. Mathes, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, P. O. Mazur, G. Medina-Tanco, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, K.-D. Merenda, S. Michal, M. I. Micheletti, L. Miramonti, D. Mockler, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, C. Morello, M. Mostafá, A. L. Müller, M. A. Muller, S. Müller, R. Mussa, M. Muzio, W. M. Namasaka, L. Nellen, M. Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Nožka, A Nucita, L. A. Núñez, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, M. P. Panetta, P. Papenbreer, G. Parente, A. Parra, M. Pech, F. Pedreira, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, J. Peña-Rodriguez, J. Perez Armand, M. Perlin, L. Perrone, C. Peters, S. Petrera, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, V. Pirronello, M. Platino, B. Pont, M. Pothast, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, A. Puyleart, S. Querchfeld, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, M. Reininghaus, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, P. Ristori, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M. J. Roncoroni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A. C. Rovero, P. Ruehl, S. J. Saffi, A. Saftoiu, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, J. D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E. M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, C. Sarmiento-Cano, R. Sato, P. Savina, C. Schäfer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, F. Schlüter, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, P. Schovánek, F. G. Schröder, S. Schröder, S. J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, R. C. Shellard, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, R. Šmída, P. Sommers, J. F. Soriano, J. Souchard, R. Squartini, M. Stadelmaier, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, A. Streich, M. Suárez-Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A. D. Supanitsky, J. Šupík, Z. Szadkowski, A. Taboada, O. A. Taborda, A. Tapia, C. Timmermans, P. Tobiska, C. J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, G. Torralba Elipe, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, C. Trimarelli, M. Trini, M. Tueros, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, M. Urban, L. Vaclavek, J. F. Valdés Galicia, I. Valiño, L. Valore, A. van Vliet, E. Varela, B. Vargas Cárdenas, A. Vásquez-Ramírez, D. Veberič, C. Ventura, I. D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, L. Villaseñor, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, H. Wahlberg, A. A. Watson, M. Weber, A. Weindl, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, T. Winchen, M. Wirtz, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, A. Yushkov, O. Zapparrata, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, L. Zehrer, A. Zepeda, M. Ziolkowski, F. Zuccarello, and The Pierre Auger Collaboration

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract The hybrid design of the Pierre Auger Observatory allows for the measurement of the properties of extensive air showers initiated by ultra-high energy cosmic rays with unprecedented precision. By using an array of prototype underground muon detectors, we have performed the first direct measurement, by the Auger Collaboration, of the muon content of air showers between $$2\times 10^{17}$$ 2×1017 and $$2\times 10^{18}$$ 2×1018 eV. We have studied the energy evolution of the attenuation-corrected muon density, and compared it to predictions from air shower simulations. The observed densities are found to be larger than those predicted by models. We quantify this discrepancy by combining the measurements from the muon detector with those from the Auger fluorescence detector at $$10^{{17.5}}\, {\mathrm{eV}} $$ 1017.5eV and $$10^{{18}}\, {\mathrm{eV}} $$ 1018eV . We find that, for the models to explain the data, an increase in the muon density of $$38\%$$ 38% $$\pm 4\% (12\%)$$ ±4%(12%) $$\pm {}^{21\%}_{18\%}$$ ±18%21% for EPOS-LHC, and of $$50\% (53\%)$$ 50%(53%) $$\pm 4\% (13\%)$$ ±4%(13%) $$\pm {}^{23\%}_{20\%}$$ ±20%23% for QGSJetII-04, is respectively needed.

Published
2020
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13. A Catalog of the Highest-energy Cosmic Rays Recorded during Phase I of Operation of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Author

A. Abdul Halim, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. Allekotte, P. Allison, K. Almeida Cheminant, A. Almela, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, J. Ammerman Yebra, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, P. R. Araújo Ferreira, E. Arnone, J. C. Arteaga Velázquez, H. Asorey, P. Assis, M. Ave, G. Avila, E. Avocone, A. M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, J. Beatty, J. A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, G. Bhatta, P. L. Biermann, P. Billoir, V. Binet, K. Bismark, T. Bister, J. Biteau, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, J. Blümer, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, L. Bonneau Arbeletche, N. Borodai, J. Brack, T. Bretz, P. G. Brichetto Orchera, F. L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, M. Büsken, A. Bwembya, K. S. Caballero-Mora, L. Caccianiga, I. Caracas, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, R. Cester, J. A. Chinellato, J. Chirinos, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R. W. Clay, A. C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, M. R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, F. Contreras, F. Convenga, D. Correia dos Santos, C. E. Covault, M. Cristinziani, C. S. Cruz Sanchez, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B. R. Dawson, R. M. de Almeida, J. de Jesús, S. J. de Jong, J. R. T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, D. de Oliveira Franco, F. de Palma, V. de Souza, E. De Vito, A. Del Popolo, O. Deligny, L. Deval, A. di Matteo, M. Dobre, C. Dobrigkeit, J. C. D’Olivo, L. M. Domingues Mendes, A. Dorofeev, R. C. dos Anjos, J. Ebr, M. Eman, R. Engel, I. Epicoco, M. Erdmann, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, J. Farmer, G. Farrar, A. C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, F. Feldbusch, F. Fenu, B. Fick, J. M. Figueira, A. Filipčič, T. Fitoussi, B. Flaggs, T. Fodran, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, C. Galea, C. Galelli, B. García, H. Gemmeke, F. Gesualdi, A. Gherghel-Lascu, P. L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, J. Glombitza, F. Gobbi, F. Gollan, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P. F. Gómez Vitale, J. P. Gongora, J. M. González, N. González, I. Goos, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, T. D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G. P. Guedes, E. Guido, S. Hahn, P. Hamal, M. R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, J. Harton, V. M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, C. Hojvat, J. R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, A. Insolia, P. G. Isar, P. Janecek, J. A. Johnsen, J. Jurysek, A. Kääpä, K. H. Kampert, B. Keilhauer, A. Khakurdikar, V. V. Kizakke Covilakam, H. O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, F. Knapp, J. Knapp, N. Kunka, C. Lachaud, B. L. Lago, N. Langner, M. A. Leigui de Oliveira, V. Lenok, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, D. Lo Presti, L. Lopes, R. López, L. Lu, Q. Luce, J. P. Lundquist, A. Machado Payeras, D. Mandat, B. C. Manning, J. Manshanden, P. Mantsch, S. Marafico, F. M. Mariani, A. G. Mariazzi, I. C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, S. Martinelli, O. Martínez Bravo, M. A. Martins, M. Mastrodicasa, H. J. Mathes, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, S. Mayotte, P. O. Mazur, G. Medina-Tanco, J. Meinert, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, S. Michal, M. I. Micheletti, L. Miramonti, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, L. Morejon, C. Morello, A. L. Müller, K. Mulrey, R. Mussa, M. Muzio, W. M. Namasaka, A. Nasr-Esfahani, L. Nellen, G. Nicora, M. Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, I. Norwood, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Nožka, A Nucita, L. A. Núñez, C. Oliveira, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, G. Parente, A. Parra, J. Pawlowsky, M. Pech, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, E. E. Pereira Martins, J. Perez Armand, C. Pérez Bertolli, L. Perrone, S. Petrera, C. Petrucci, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, M. Platino, B. Pont, M. Pothast, M. Pourmohammad Shavar, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, A. Puyleart, S. Querchfeld, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, M. Reininghaus, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M. J. Roncoroni, S. Rossoni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A. C. Rovero, P. Ruehl, A. Saftoiu, M. Saharan, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, J. D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E. M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, R. Sato, P. Savina, C. M. Schäfer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, F. Schlüter, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, H. Schoorlemmer, P. Schovánek, F. G. Schröder, J. Schulte, T. Schulz, S. J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, A. Segreto, S. Sehgal, S. U. Shivashankara, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, R. Smau, R. Šmída, P. Sommers, J. F. Soriano, R. Squartini, M. Stadelmaier, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, M. Straub, A. Streich, M. Suárez-Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A. D. Supanitsky, Z. Szadkowski, A. Tapia, C. Taricco, C. Timmermans, O. Tkachenko, P. Tobiska, C. J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, Z. Torrès, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, C. Trimarelli, M. Tueros, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, L. Vaclavek, M. Vacula, J. F. Valdés Galicia, L. Valore, E. Varela, A. Vásquez-Ramírez, D. Veberič, C. Ventura, I. D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, L. M. Villase nor Cendejas, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, C. Watanabe, A. A. Watson, A. Weindl, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, P. Younk, A. Yushkov, O. Zapparrata, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, and (The Pierre Auger Collaboration)

Subjects
Ultra-high-energy cosmic radiation, Cosmic ray showers, Experimental data, Catalogs, Astrophysics, QB460-466
Abstract

A catalog containing details of the highest-energy cosmic rays recorded through the detection of extensive air showers at the Pierre Auger Observatory is presented with the aim of opening the data to detailed examination. Descriptions of the 100 showers created by the highest-energy particles recorded between 2004 January 1 and 2020 December 31 are given for cosmic rays that have energies in the range 78–166 EeV. Details are also given on a further nine very energetic events that have been used in the calibration procedure adopted to determine the energy of each primary. A sky plot of the arrival directions of the most energetic particles is shown. No interpretations of the data are offered.

Published
2023
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14. Review of Bus Differential Protection Using IEC 61850

Author

Diomar A. C. Lima, Daniel P. Bernardon, Adriano P. Morais, Aécio L. Oliveira, Wagner S. Hokama, Júlia B. R. Conceição, and Ângelo F. Sartori

Subjects
differential busbar protection, process bus, IEC 61850, data desync, Technology
Abstract

The electrical power system is susceptible to several faults, which can cause the system to malfunction. Among these, the ones that occur in the busbars of substations stand out. The main bus of a substation can concentrate a large amount of power and many derivations to service electrical loads, making it an element of high importance for the reliability of the system. Although the buses have a low incidence of faults, they are considered critical elements of the electrical power system, as their operating output can cause a large number of forced outages. This situation makes the protection of this component of paramount importance. There are currently two widely used bus differential protection techniques: high-impedance and low-impedance bus differential protection. The second technique is more commonly used due to the possibility of sharing current transformers (CTs). However, the high cost and greater requirements for maintenance makes the differential protection of busbars in distribution or sub-transmission substations unfeasible. With the advent and implementation of the IEC 61850 standard, modern protection systems based on this standard offer significant advantages, such as lower expenses with installation, wiring, commissioning and maintenance; adaptable bus configuration; use of different CT ratios; considerably minimized susceptibility to CT saturation; lower risks of open secondary CT circuits and viability of implantation in distribution substations. The objective of this review is to present an overview of the works found in the literature on substation busbar differential protection, considering classical methods and those based on the IEC 61850 standard.

Published
2022
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15. Distribution of genetically characterized yeasts and its antifungals susceptibility in the hospital environment

Author

CAROLINA L. GONÇALVES, PEDRO R. DOS SANTOS, EVANDRO C. PEREIRA, CRISTINA H. DE FREITAS, MARCOS R.A. FERREIRA, FABRÍCIO R. CONCEIÇÃO, and PATRÍCIA S. NASCENTE

Subjects
Candida spp, Science
Abstract

Abstract Candida spp. is one of the main pathogens associated with nosocomial infection in Brazil and worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Candida yeasts in the ICU and their susceptibility to the antifungal agents terbinafine and fluconazole. The samples were collected by swabbing nine surfaces in the ICU of a hospital located in Pelotas, RS. These isolates were genetically characterized by sequencing the internal transcript spacer (ITS) using the primers ITS1 and ITS4. The test against antifungals was performed by Microdilution in Broth (CLSI-M27-A4). 64 yeasts identified as Candida parapsilosis (45.31%; n = 29), Meyerozyma (Pichia) guilliermondii (28.12%; n = 18), Claviceps lusitaneae (25%; n = 16) and Candida tropicalis (1, 56%; n = 1) mostly at the counter used for handling medicines and food distribution (68.75%; n = 44). Susceptibility to antifungals varied between species. These results describe potentially pathogenic Candida species as contaminants in the ICU environment. The study environment is a potential source of exogenous infection for hospitalized patients.

Published
2021
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17. A 3‐Year Sample of Almost 1,600 Elves Recorded Above South America by the Pierre Auger Cosmic‐Ray Observatory

Author

A. Aab, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I. F. M. Albuquerque, J. M. Albury, I. Allekotte, A. Almela, J. Alvarez Castillo, J. Alvarez‐Muñiz, G. A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, H. Asorey, P. Assis, G. Avila, A. M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, R. J. Barreira Luz, S. Baur, K. H. Becker, J.A. Bellido, C. Berat, M. E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, P. L. Biermann, J. Biteau, S. G. Blaess, A. Blanco, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, N. Borodai, A. M. Botti, J. Brack, T. Bretz, A. Bridgeman, F. L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, K. S. Caballero‐Mora, L. Caccianiga, L. Calcagni, A. Cancio, F. Canfora, J. M. Carceller, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, J. A. Chinellato, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R.W. Clay, A. C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, M. R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, F. Contreras, M. J. Cooper, S. Coutu, C. E. Covault, B. Daniel, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B. R. Dawson, J. A. Day, R. M. deAlmeida, S. J. deJong, G. Mauro, J. R. T. deMello Neto, I. Mitri, J. deOliveira, F. O. deOliveira Salles, V. deSouza, J. Debatin, M. delRío, O. Deligny, N. Dhital, M. L. Díaz Castro, F. Diogo, C. Dobrigkeit, J. C. D'Olivo, Q. Dorosti, R. C. dosAnjos, M. T. Dova, A. Dundovic, J. Ebr, R. Engel, M. Erdmann, C. O. Escobar, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, J. Farmer, G. Farrar, A. C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, F. Feldbusch, F. Fenu, L. P. Ferreyro, J. M. Figueira, A. Filipčič, M. M. Freire, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, B. García, H. Gemmeke, A. Gherghel‐Lascu, P. L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, M. Giller, D. Głas, J. Glombitza, F. Gobbi, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P. F. Gómez Vitale, J. P. Gongora, N. González, I. Goos, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, T. D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G. P. Guedes, E. Guido, R. Halliday, M. R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, T. A. Harrison, V. M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, P. Heimann, G. C. Hill, C. Hojvat, E. M. Holt, P. Homola, J. R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, J. Hulsman, A. Insolia, P. G. Isar, I. Jandt, J. A. Johnsen, M. Josebachuili, J. Jurysek, A. Kääpä, K. H. Kampert, B. Keilhauer, N. Kemmerich, J. Kemp, H. O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, R. Krause, D. Kuempel, G. Kukec Mezek, A. Kuotb Awad, B. L. Lago, D. LaHurd, R. G. Lang, R. Legumina, M. A. Leigui de Oliveira, V. Lenok, A. Letessier‐Selvon, I. Lhenry‐Yvon, O. C. Lippmann, D. Lo Presti, L. Lopes, R. López, A. López Casado, R. Lorek, Q. Luce, A. Lucero, M. Malacari, G. Mancarella, D. Mandat, B. C. Manning, P. Mantsch, A. G. Mariazzi, I. C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, H. Martinez, O. Martínez Bravo, M. Mastrodicasa, H. J. Mathes, S. Mathys, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, P. O. Mazur, G. Medina‐Tanco, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, K.‐D. Merenda, S. Michal, M. I. Micheletti, L. Middendorf, L. Miramonti, B. Mitrica, D. Mockler, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, C. Morello, G. Morlino, M. Mostafá, A. L. Müller, M. A. Muller, S. Müller, R. Mussa, L. Nellen, P. H. Nguyen, M. Niculescu‐Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Noža, A Nucita, L.A. Núñez, A. Olinto, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, M. P. Panetta, P. Papenbreer, G. Parente, A. Parra, M. Pech, F. Pedreira, J. Pękala, R. Pelayo, J. Peña‐Rodriguez, L. A. S. Pereira, M. Perlin, L. Perrone, C. Peters, S. Petrera, J. Phuntsok, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, V. Pirronello, M. Platino, J. Poh, B. Pont, C. Porowski, R. R. Prado, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, A. Puyleart, S. Querchfeld, S. Quinn, R. Ramos‐Pollan, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, M. Reininghaus, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, P. Ristori, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M. J. Roncoroni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A. C. Rovero, P. Ruehl, S. J. Saffi, A. Saftoiu, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, J. D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E. M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, C. Sarmiento‐Cano, R. Sato, P. Savina, M. Schauer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, F. Schlüter, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, P. Schovánek, F. G. Schröder, S. Schröder, J. Schumacher, S. J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, R. C. Shellard, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, R. Šmída, G.R. Snow, P. Sommers, J. F. Soriano, J. Souchard, R. Squartini, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, M. Stolpovskiy, A. Streich, F. Suarez, M. Suárez‐Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A.D. Supanitsky, J. Šupík, Z. Szadkowski, A. Taboada, O. A. Taborda, A. Tapia, C. Timmermans, C. J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, G. Torralba Elipe, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, M. Trini, M. Tueros, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, M. Urban, J. F. Valdés Galicia, I. Valiño, L. Valore, P. vanBodegom, A. M. van denBerg, A. vanVliet, E. Varela, B. Vargas Cárdenas, D. Veberič, C. Ventura, I. D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, L. Villaseñor, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, H. Wahlberg, A. A. Watson, M. Weber, A. Weindl, M. Wiedeński, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, T. Winchen, M. Wirtz, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, L. Yang, A. Yushkov, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, L. Zehrer, A. Zepeda, B. Zimmermann, M. Ziolkowski, Z. Zong, and F. Zuccarello

Subjects
Astronomy, QB1-991, Geology, QE1-996.5
Abstract

Abstract Elves are a class of transient luminous events, with a radial extent typically greater than 250 km, that occur in the lower ionosphere above strong electrical storms. We report the observation of 1,598 elves, from 2014 to 2016, recorded with unprecedented time resolution (100 ns) using the fluorescence detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Cosmic‐Ray Observatory. The Auger Observatory is located in the Mendoza province of Argentina with a viewing footprint for elve observations of 3·106 km 2, reaching areas above the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as the Córdoba region, which is known for severe convective thunderstorms. Primarily designed for ultrahigh energy cosmic‐ray observations, the Auger FD turns out to be very sensitive to the ultraviolet emission in elves. The detector features modified Schmidt optics with large apertures resulting in a field of view that spans the horizon, and year‐round operation on dark nights with low moonlight background, when the local weather is favorable. The measured light profiles of 18% of the elve events have more than one peak, compatible with intracloud activity. Within the 3‐year sample, 72% of the elves correlate with the far‐field radiation measurements of the World Wide Lightning Location Network. The Auger Observatory plans to continue operations until at least 2025, including elve observations and analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this observatory is the only facility on Earth that measures elves with year‐round operation and full horizon coverage.

Published
2020
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18. Nonreduction via meiotic restitution and pollen heterogeneity may explain residual male fertility in triploid marine halophyte Limonium algarvense (Plumbaginaceae)

Author

Sofia I. R. Conceição, Ana Sofia Róis, and Ana D. Caperta

Subjects
Apomixis, In vitro pollen germination, Limonium, Male sporogenesis and gametogenesis, Meiotic restitution, Polyploidy, Biology (General), QH301-705.5, Cytology, QH573-671
Abstract

The cosmopolitan halophylic genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) presents high cytogenetic interest because of the natural occurrence of diploid and polyploid variants. Natural triploids are very rare in nature but common in this genus, including the widespread triploid Limonium algarvense found in the Iberian Peninsula and in Morocco. This study describes male sporogenesis and gametogenesis, pollen formation and germination, and seed production in triploid L. algarvense and diploid Limonium ovalifolium using various cytological approaches. The diploid species presented regular meiosis. The triploid species was defective in male meiosis due to unpaired chromosomes, trivalent and tetravalent pairing, unbalanced chromosome segregation in meiosis I, and meiotic restitution in both meiosis I and II. These results may be explained by indeterminate and broad first meiotic restitution. Dyads and restitution nuclei at meiosis I were the most frequent meiotic products in the triploid species. Cytomixis was observed in both species, and callose deposition did not differ among them. In the diploid species, regular, tricolpate pollen grains, which germinated in vitro were found. Contrastingly, the triploid species produced heterogeneous pollen in morphology and size, with moderate to no viability that poorly germinated in vitro. We conclude that even if most triploids male gametes are non-functional, they seem to generate small numbers of viable gametes via nonreduction of chromosomes. Flow cytometric seed screening demonstrated that the diploid species presented a diploid progeny whereas triploids only showed triploid progenies. In the triploids low pollen fertility coupled with viable seed production may assure their persistence in natural populations.

Published
2019
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19. MARTA: a high-energy cosmic-ray detector concept for high-accuracy muon measurement

Author

P. Abreu, S. Andringa, P. Assis, A. Blanco, V. Barbosa Martins, P. Brogueira, N. Carolino, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, G. Cernicchiaro, R. Colalillo, R. Conceição, O. Cunha, R. M. de Almeida, V. de Souza, F. Diogo, C. Dobrigkeit, J. Espadanal, C. Espirito-Santo, M. Ferreira, P. Ferreira, P. Fonte, U. Giaccari, P. Gonçalves, F. Guarino, O. C. Lippmann, L. Lopes, R. Luz, D. Maurizio, F. Marujo, P. Mazur, L. Mendes, A. Pereira, Mario Pimenta, R. R. Prado, J. R̆ídký, R. Sarmento, C. Scarso, R. Shellard, J. Souza, B. Tomé, P. Trávníc̆ek, J. Vícha, H. Wolters, and E. Zas

Subjects
Astrophysics, QB460-466, Nuclear and particle physics. Atomic energy. Radioactivity, QC770-798
Abstract

Abstract A new concept for the direct measurement of muons in air showers is presented. The concept is based on resistive plate chambers (RPCs), which can directly measure muons with very good space and time resolution. The muon detector is shielded by placing it under another detector able to absorb and measure the electromagnetic component of the showers such as a water-Cherenkov detector, commonly used in air shower arrays. The combination of the two detectors in a single, compact detector unit provides a unique measurement that opens rich possibilities in the study of air showers.

Published
2018
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20. Text Mining for Building Biomedical Networks Using Cancer as a Case Study

Author

Sofia I. R. Conceição and Francisco M. Couto

Subjects
cancer, natural language processing, network biology, text mining, Microbiology, QR1-502
Abstract

In the assembly of biological networks it is important to provide reliable interactions in an effort to have the most possible accurate representation of real-life systems. Commonly, the data used to build a network comes from diverse high-throughput essays, however most of the interaction data is available through scientific literature. This has become a challenge with the notable increase in scientific literature being published, as it is hard for human curators to track all recent discoveries without using efficient tools to help them identify these interactions in an automatic way. This can be surpassed by using text mining approaches which are capable of extracting knowledge from scientific documents. One of the most important tasks in text mining for biological network building is relation extraction, which identifies relations between the entities of interest. Many interaction databases already use text mining systems, and the development of these tools will lead to more reliable networks, as well as the possibility to personalize the networks by selecting the desired relations. This review will focus on different approaches of automatic information extraction from biomedical text that can be used to enhance existing networks or create new ones, such as deep learning state-of-the-art approaches, focusing on cancer disease as a case-study.

Published
2021
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21. Measurement over 1 Year of Neutralizing Antibodies in Cattle Immunized with Trivalent Vaccines Recombinant Alpha, Beta and Epsilon of Clostridium perfringens

Author

Cleideanny C. Galvão, José D. Barbosa, Carlos M. C. Oliveira, Denis Y. Otaka, Paulo R. O. Silva, Marcos R. A. Ferreira, Clóvis Moreira Júnior, Fabricio R. Conceição, and Felipe M. Salvarani

Subjects
immunology, biotechnology, antibody curve, recombinant alpha protein, recombinant beta protein, recombinant epsilon protein, Medicine
Abstract

The alpha (CPA), beta (CPB) and epsilon (ETX) toxins of Clostridium perfringens are responsible for causing diseases that are difficult to eradicate and have lethal potential in production animals. Vaccination of herds is still the best control strategy. Recombinant clostridial vaccines have shown good success at inducing neutralizing antibody titers and appear to be a viable alternative to the conventional production of commercial clostridial toxoids. Research is still needed on the longevity of the humoral immune response induced by recombinant proteins in immunized animals, preferably in target species. The objective of this study was to measure the humoral immune response of cattle immunized with trivalent vaccines containing the recombinant proteins alpha (rCPA), beta (rCPB) and epsilon (rETX) of C. perfringens produced in Escherichia coli at three different concentrations (100, 200, and 400 µg) of each protein for 12 months. The recombinant vaccines containing 200 (RV2) and 400 µg (RV3) yielded statistically similar results at 56 days. They performed better throughout the study period because they induced higher neutralizing antibody titers and were detectable for up to 150 and 180 days, respectively. Regarding industrial-scale production, RV2 would be the most economical and viable formulation as it achieved results similar to RV3 at half the concentration of recombinant proteins in its formulation. However, none of the vaccines tested induced the production of detectable antibody titers on day 365 of the experiment, the time of revaccination typically recommended in vaccination protocols. Thus, reiterating the need for research in the field of vaccinology to achieve greater longevity of the humoral immune response against these clostridial toxins in animals, in addition to the need to discuss the vaccine schedules and protocols adopted in cattle production.

Published
2021
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22. Humoral Immune Response Evaluation in Horses Vaccinated with Recombinant Clostridium perfringens Toxoids Alpha and Beta for 12 Months

Author

Nayra F. Q. R. Freitas, Denis Y. Otaka, Cleideanny C. Galvão, Dayane M. de Almeida, Marcos R. A. Ferreira, Clóvis Moreira Júnior, Marina M. M. H. Hidalgo, Fabricio R. Conceição, and Felipe M. Salvarani

Subjects
recombinant alpha toxin, recombinant beta toxin, vaccine, myonecrosis, enterocolitis, Medicine
Abstract

In horses, Clostridium perfringens is associated with acute and fatal enterocolitis, which is caused by a beta toxin (CPB), and myonecrosis, which is caused by an alpha toxin (CPA). Although the most effective way to prevent these diseases is through vaccination, specific clostridial vaccines for horses against C. perfringens are not widely available. The aim of this study was to pioneer the immunization of horses with three different concentrations (100, 200 and 400 µg) of C. perfringens recombinant alpha (rCPA) and beta (rCPB) proteins, as well as to evaluate the humoral immune response over 360 days. Recombinant toxoids were developed and applied to 50 horses on days 0 and 30. Those vaccines attempted to stimulate the production of alpha antitoxin (anti-CPA) and beta antitoxin (anti-CPB), in addition to becoming innocuous, stable and sterile. There was a reduction in the level of neutralizing anti-CPA and anti-CPB antibodies following the 60th day; therefore, the concentrations of 200 and 400 µg capable of inducing a detectable humoral immune response were not determined until day 180. In practical terms, 200 µg is possibly the ideal concentration for use in the veterinary industry’s production of vaccines against the action of C. perfringens in equine species.

Published
2021
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23. Can avocado intake improve weight loss in adults with excess weight? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Author

Aline R. Conceição, Gabriela M. Fraiz, Daniela M.U.P. Rocha, and Josefina Bressan

Subjects
Adult, Nutrition and Dietetics, Endocrinology, Persea, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Body Weight, Weight Loss, Humans, Weight Gain, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Abstract

The effect of avocado (Persea Americana) on weight loss in people with excess body weight remains unclear. Therefore, we aimed to test our hypothesis that the intake of avocado pulp may be a good strategy for improving anthropometric parameters and, consequently, metabolic health. For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) for studies published between database inception and July 2021. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing avocado intake on anthropometric parameters (primary outcome) and metabolic parameters (secondary outcomes) were included. Evidence from RCTs were synthesized as differences between standardized mean differences (SMDs) for change in body weight and body composition, comparing the experimental avocado group with control via random-effects meta-analyses. The risk of bias followed the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer's Manual. From 781 records identified, 8 studies with 657 individuals were included. No significant changes in body weight, body mass index, percent of body fat, or visceral adipose tissue in response to intervention was seen in the avocado group compared with the control group. Also, the pooled results showed no reduction in body weight and composition (SMD = 0.09; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-0.25; P= .25; I

Published
2022

24. Multi-Messenger Physics With the Pierre Auger Observatory

Author

Karl-Heinz Kampert, Miguel Alejandro Mostafa, Enrique Zas, The Pierre Auger Collaboration, A. Aab, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, I.F.M. Albuquerque, J.M. Albury, I. Allekotte, A. Almela, J. Alvarez Castillo, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, G.A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, H. Asorey, P. Assis, G. Avila, A.M. Badescu, A. Bakalova, A. Balaceanu, F. Barbato, R.J. Barreira Luz, S. Baur, K.H. Becker, J.A. Bellido, C. Berat, M.E. Bertaina, X. Bertou, P.L. Biermann, J. Biteau, S.G. Blaess, A. Blanco, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, N. Borodai, A.M. Botti, J. Brack, T. Bretz, A. Bridgeman, F.L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, K.S. Caballero-Mora, L. Caccianiga, L. Calcagni, A. Cancio, F. Canfora, J.M. Carceller, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, F. Catalani, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, M. Cerda, J.A. Chinellato, J. Chudoba, L. Chytka, R.W. Clay, A.C. Cobos Cerutti, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, M.R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, A. Condorelli, G. Consolati, F. Contreras, F. Convenga, M.J. Cooper, S. Coutu, C.E. Covault, B. Daniel, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B.R. Dawson, J.A. Day, R.M. de Almeida, S.J. de Jong, G. De Mauro, J.R.T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, F.O. de Oliveira Salles, V. de Souza, J. Debatin, M. del Río, O. Deligny, N. Dhital, M.L. Díaz Castro, F. Diogo, C. Dobrigkeit, J.C. D'Olivo, Q. Dorosti, R.C. dos Anjos, M.T. Dova, A. Dundovic, J. Ebr, R. Engel, M. Erdmann, C.O. Escobar, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, J. Farmer, G. Farrar, A.C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, F. Feldbusch, F. Fenu, L.P. Ferreyro, J.M. Figueira, A. Filipčič, M.M. Freire, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, B. García, H. Gemmeke, A. Gherghel-Lascu, P.L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, M. Giller, D. Głas, J. Glombitza, F. Gobbi, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P.F. Gómez Vitale, J.P. Gongora, N. González, I. Goos, D. Góra, A. Gorgi, M. Gottowik, T.D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G.P. Guedes, E. Guido, R. Halliday, M.R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, T.A. Harrison, V.M. Harvey, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, P. Heimann, G.C. Hill, C. Hojvat, E.M. Holt, P. Homola, J.R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, J. Hulsman, A. Insolia, P.G. Isar, I. Jandt, J.A. Johnsen, M. Josebachuili, J. Jurysek, A. Kääpä, K.H. Kampert, B. Keilhauer, N. Kemmerich, J. Kemp, H.O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, R. Krause, D. Kuempel, G. Kukec Mezek, A. Kuotb Awad, B.L. Lago, D. LaHurd, R.G. Lang, R. Legumina, M.A. Leigui de Oliveira, V. Lenok, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, O.C. Lippmann, D. Lo Presti, L. Lopes, R. López, A. López Casado, R. Lorek, Q. Luce, A. Lucero, M. Malacari, G. Mancarella, D. Mandat, B.C. Manning, P. Mantsch, A.G. Mariazzi, I.C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, H. Martinez, O. Martínez Bravo, M. Mastrodicasa, H.J. Mathes, S. Mathys, J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, P.O. Mazur, G. Medina-Tanco, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, K.-D. Merenda, S. Michal, M.I. Micheletti, L. Middendorf, L. Miramonti, B. Mitrica, D. Mockler, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, C. Morello, G. Morlino, M. Mostafá, A.L. Müller, M.A. Muller, S. Müller, R. Mussa, L. Nellen, P.H. Nguyen, M. Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, L. Nožka, A Nucita, L.A. Núñez, F. Oikonomou, A. Olinto, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, M.P. Panetta, P. Papenbreer, G. Parente, A. Parra, M. Pech, F. Pedreira, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, J. Peña-Rodriguez, L.A.S. Pereira, M. Perlin, L. Perrone, C. Peters, S. Petrera, J. Phuntsok, T. Pierog, M. Pimenta, V. Pirronello, M. Platino, J. Poh, B. Pont, C. Porowski, R.R. Prado, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, A. Puyleart, S. Querchfeld, S. Quinn, R. Ramos-Pollan, J. Rautenberg, D. Ravignani, M. Reininghaus, J. Ridky, F. Riehn, M. Risse, P. Ristori, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M.J. Roncoroni, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A.C. Rovero, P. Ruehl, S.J. Saffi, A. Saftoiu, F. Salamida, H. Salazar, G. Salina, J.D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, E.M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, R. Sarmento, C. Sarmiento-Cano, R. Sato, P. Savina, M. Schauer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, M. Schimassek, M. Schimp, F. Schlüter, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, P. Schovánek, F.G. Schröder, S. Schröder, J. Schumacher, S.J. Sciutto, M. Scornavacche, R.C. Shellard, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, R. Šmída, G.R. Snow, P. Sommers, J.F. Soriano, J. Souchard, R. Squartini, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, P. Stassi, M. Stolpovskiy, A. Streich, F. Suarez, M. Suárez-Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A.D. Supanitsky, J. Šupík, Z. Szadkowski, A. Taboada, O.A. Taborda, A. Tapia, C. Timmermans, C.J. Todero Peixoto, B. Tomé, G. Torralba Elipe, A. Travaini, P. Travnicek, M. Trini, M. Tueros, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, M. Urban, J.F. Valdés Galicia, I. Valiño, L. Valore, P. van Bodegom, A.M. van den Berg, A. van Vliet, E. Varela, B. Vargas Cárdenas, D. Veberič, C. Ventura, I.D. Vergara Quispe, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, L. Villaseñor, J. Vink, S. Vorobiov, H. Wahlberg, A.A. Watson, M. Weber, A. Weindl, M. Wiedeński, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, T. Winchen, M. Wirtz, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, L. Yang, A. Yushkov, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, L. Zehrer, A. Zepeda, B. Zimmermann, M. Ziolkowski, Z. Zong, and F. Zuccarello

Subjects
UHECR, high energy neutrinos, high energy photons, high energy neutrons, multi-messenger astrophysics, compact binary mergers, Astronomy, QB1-991, Geophysics. Cosmic physics, QC801-809
Abstract

An overview of the multi-messenger capabilities of the Pierre Auger Observatory is presented. The techniques and performance of searching for Ultra-High Energy neutrinos, photons and neutrons are described. Some of the most relevant results are reviewed, such as stringent upper bounds that were placed to a flux of diffuse cosmogenic neutrinos and photons, bounds placed on neutrinos emitted from compact binary mergers that were detected by LIGO and Virgo during their first and second observing runs, as well as searches for high energy photons and neutrons from the Galactic center that constrain the properties of the putative Galactic PeVatron, observed by the H.E.S.S. collaboration. The observation of directional correlations between ultra-high energy cosmic rays and either high energy astrophysical neutrinos or specific source populations, weighted by their electromagnetic radiation, are also discussed. They constitute additional multi-messenger approaches aimed at identifying the sources of high energy cosmic rays.

Published
2019
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25. Ovule Transcriptome Analysis Discloses Deregulation of Genes and Pathways in Sexual and Apomictic Limonium Species (Plumbaginaceae)

Author

Ana D. Caperta, Isabel Fernandes, Sofia I. R. Conceição, Isabel Marques, Ana S. Róis, and Octávio S. Paulo

Subjects
apomixis, floral development, functional annotation, Illumina sequencing, MADS-box, male sterility, sea lavenders, sexual reproduction, transcription factors, Genetics, Genetics (clinical)
Abstract

The genus Limonium Mill. (sea lavenders) includes species with sexual and apomixis reproductive strategies, although the genes involved in these processes are unknown. To explore the mechanisms beyond these reproduction modes, transcriptome profiling of sexual, male sterile, and facultative apomictic species was carried out using ovules from different developmental stages. In total, 15,166 unigenes were found to be differentially expressed with apomictic vs. sexual reproduc- tion, of which 4275 were uniquely annotated using an Arabidopsis thaliana database, with different regulations according to each stage and/or species compared. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analy- sis indicated that genes related to tubulin, actin, the ubiquitin degradation process, reactive oxygen species scavenging, hormone signaling such as the ethylene signaling pathway and gibberellic acid- dependent signal, and transcription factors were found among differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between apomictic and sexual plants. We found that 24% of uniquely annotated DEGs were likely to be implicated in flower development, male sterility, pollen formation, pollen-stigma interactions, and pollen tube formation. The present study identifies candidate genes that are highly associated with distinct reproductive modes and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of apomixis expression in Limonium sp info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Published
2023
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26. Evaluating the Impact of Streamflow Rating Curve Precision on Firm Energy of Hydropower Plants

Author

Luiz Gustavo F. Westin, Lucas R. Conceição, Edson C. Bortoni, André Luís Marques Marcato, Celso Bandeira de Melo Ribeiro, and Leonardo de Mello Honório

Subjects
firm energy, acoustic doppler current profiler, dynamic programming, Hydraulic engineering, TC1-978, Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes, TD201-500
Abstract

In Brazil, the correct measurement of the individual firm energy of a plant is important, since it influences directly the determination of its assured energy which is used to establish contracts between power plants and distribution companies, free consumers, and traders. With increasing technological development and greater reliability in the use of automated techniques for monitoring, the use of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), has become a reality in Brazil. The ADCP has many advantages over the traditional techniques used for monitoring flows in gage stations of the national hydrometeorological network. In this context, the purpose of this work is to evaluate the impact of the streamflow rating curve measurement on the evaluation of the firm energy of a hydropower plant. A linear optimization model based on dynamic programming was used to calculate the firm energy and it was considered possible measurement errors in the plant’s inflow values and in the parameters of its polynomials that defines the upward and downward elevation. The results pointed that the two considerations had an impact on the calculated firm energy: the inflow measurements and the streamflow rating curve. Therefore, it is shown the importance of an accurate measurement of inflows for the evaluation of the plant’s firm energy.

Published
2021
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27. Reproductive Output and Insect Behavior in Hybrids and Apomicts from Limonium ovalifolium and L. binervosum Complexes (Plumbaginaceae) in an Open Cross-Pollination Experiment

Author

Sofia I. R. Conceição, Joana Fernandes, Elsa Borges da Silva, and Ana D. Caperta

Subjects
ancillary pollen and stigma polymorphisms, apomixis, flower heteromorphism, pleiocotyly, polyembryony, polyploidy, Botany, QK1-989
Abstract

Ex situ plant collections established from seeds of natural populations are key tools for understanding mating systems of intricate taxonomic complexes, as in the Limonium Mill. genus (sea lavenders, Plumbaginaceae). Plants show a polymorphic sexual system associated to flower polymorphisms such as ancillary pollen and stigma and/or heterostyly that prevents self and intramorph mating. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the significance of pollen-stigma dimorphisms and the role of flower visitors in the reproductive output of hybrids arising from sexual diploids of Limonium ovalifolium complex and apomicts tetraploids of L. binervosum complex in an open cross-pollination experiment. Results showed that, similarly to parental plants, hybrids present inflorescence types, self-incompatible flowers, and produced regular pollen grains with the typical exine patterns, with medium to high viability. By contrast, apomicts show floral polymorphisms, inflorescences, and pollen grains of maternal phenotype but with low stainability. Several insects’ species visited the inflorescences of parental plants and both hybrids and apomicts and some of these insects carried A and/or B pollen grains on their bodies, especially Clepsis coriacana (Rebel) and Tapinoma sp. Insects’ floral visits to hybrids and apomicts seem to be independent of pollen fertility and plants’ reproductive modes. Both hybrids and apomicts were able to produce fertile seeds, although the latter showed more seedlings with developmental anomalies than the first plants. The findings demonstrate that there is a weak reproductive barrier between the diploid species of L. ovalifolium complex as they can hybridize and produce fertile hybrids, provided there is pollen transport by pollinator insects. This study supports that apomixis is a strong reproductive barrier between both L. ovalifolium and L. binervosum complexes but did not allow us to exclude reproductive interferences of apomict pollen into sexuals.

Published
2021
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28. Evidence for a mixed mass composition at the ‘ankle’ in the cosmic-ray spectrum

Author

A. Aab, P. Abreu, M. Aglietta, E.J. Ahn, I. Al Samarai, I.F.M. Albuquerque, I. Allekotte, P. Allison, A. Almela, J. Alvarez Castillo, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, M. Ambrosio, G.A. Anastasi, L. Anchordoqui, B. Andrada, S. Andringa, C. Aramo, F. Arqueros, N. Arsene, H. Asorey, P. Assis, J. Aublin, G. Avila, A.M. Badescu, A. Balaceanu, C. Baus, J.J. Beatty, K.H. Becker, J.A. Bellido, C. Berat, M.E. Bertaina, P.L. Biermann, P. Billoir, J. Biteau, S.G. Blaess, A. Blanco, J. Blazek, C. Bleve, M. Boháčová, D. Boncioli, C. Bonifazi, N. Borodai, A.M. Botti, J. Brack, I. Brancus, T. Bretz, A. Bridgeman, F.L. Briechle, P. Buchholz, A. Bueno, S. Buitink, M. Buscemi, K.S. Caballero-Mora, B. Caccianiga, L. Caccianiga, A. Cancio, F. Canfora, L. Caramete, R. Caruso, A. Castellina, G. Cataldi, L. Cazon, R. Cester, A.G. Chavez, A. Chiavassa, J.A. Chinellato, J. Chudoba, R.W. Clay, R. Colalillo, A. Coleman, L. Collica, M.R. Coluccia, R. Conceição, F. Contreras, M.J. Cooper, S. Coutu, C.E. Covault, J. Cronin, R. Dallier, S. D'Amico, B. Daniel, S. Dasso, K. Daumiller, B.R. Dawson, R.M. de Almeida, S.J. de Jong, G. De Mauro, J.R.T. de Mello Neto, I. De Mitri, J. de Oliveira, V. de Souza, J. Debatin, L. del Peral, O. Deligny, C. Di Giulio, A. Di Matteo, M.L. Díaz Castro, F. Diogo, C. Dobrigkeit, J.C. D'Olivo, A. Dorofeev, R.C. dos Anjos, M.T. Dova, A. Dundovic, J. Ebr, R. Engel, M. Erdmann, M. Erfani, C.O. Escobar, J. Espadanal, A. Etchegoyen, H. Falcke, K. Fang, G. Farrar, A.C. Fauth, N. Fazzini, B. Fick, J.M. Figueira, A. Filevich, A. Filipčič, O. Fratu, M.M. Freire, T. Fujii, A. Fuster, B. García, D. Garcia-Pinto, F. Gaté, H. Gemmeke, A. Gherghel-Lascu, P.L. Ghia, U. Giaccari, M. Giammarchi, M. Giller, D. Głas, C. Glaser, H. Glass, G. Golup, M. Gómez Berisso, P.F. Gómez Vitale, N. González, B. Gookin, J. Gordon, A. Gorgi, P. Gorham, P. Gouffon, A.F. Grillo, T.D. Grubb, F. Guarino, G.P. Guedes, M.R. Hampel, P. Hansen, D. Harari, T.A. Harrison, J.L. Harton, Q. Hasankiadeh, A. Haungs, T. Hebbeker, D. Heck, P. Heimann, A.E. Herve, G.C. Hill, C. Hojvat, E. Holt, P. Homola, J.R. Hörandel, P. Horvath, M. Hrabovský, T. Huege, J. Hulsman, A. Insolia, P.G. Isar, I. Jandt, S. Jansen, J.A. Johnsen, M. Josebachuili, A. Kääpä, O. Kambeitz, K.H. Kampert, P. Kasper, I. Katkov, B. Keilhauer, E. Kemp, R.M. Kieckhafer, H.O. Klages, M. Kleifges, J. Kleinfeller, R. Krause, N. Krohm, D. Kuempel, G. Kukec Mezek, N. Kunka, A. Kuotb Awad, D. LaHurd, L. Latronico, M. Lauscher, P. Lautridou, P. Lebrun, R. Legumina, M.A. Leigui de Oliveira, A. Letessier-Selvon, I. Lhenry-Yvon, K. Link, L. Lopes, R. López, A. López Casado, Q. Luce, A. Lucero, M. Malacari, M. Mallamaci, D. Mandat, P. Mantsch, A.G. Mariazzi, I.C. Mariş, G. Marsella, D. Martello, H. Martinez, O. Martínez Bravo, J.J. Masías Meza, H.J. Mathes, S. Mathys, J. Matthews, J.A.J. Matthews, G. Matthiae, E. Mayotte, P.O. Mazur, C. Medina, G. Medina-Tanco, D. Melo, A. Menshikov, S. Messina, M.I. Micheletti, L. Middendorf, I.A. Minaya, L. Miramonti, B. Mitrica, D. Mockler, L. Molina-Bueno, S. Mollerach, F. Montanet, C. Morello, M. Mostafá, G. Müller, M.A. Muller, S. Müller, I. Naranjo, S. Navas, L. Nellen, J. Neuser, P.H. Nguyen, M. Niculescu-Oglinzanu, M. Niechciol, L. Niemietz, T. Niggemann, D. Nitz, D. Nosek, V. Novotny, H. Nožka, L.A. Núñez, L. Ochilo, F. Oikonomou, A. Olinto, D. Pakk Selmi-Dei, M. Palatka, J. Pallotta, P. Papenbreer, G. Parente, A. Parra, T. Paul, M. Pech, F. Pedreira, J. Pȩkala, R. Pelayo, J. Peña-Rodriguez, L.A.S. Pereira, L. Perrone, C. Peters, S. Petrera, J. Phuntsok, R. Piegaia, T. Pierog, P. Pieroni, M. Pimenta, V. Pirronello, M. Platino, M. Plum, C. Porowski, R.R. Prado, P. Privitera, M. Prouza, E.J. Quel, S. Querchfeld, S. Quinn, R. Ramos-Pollant, J. Rautenberg, O. Ravel, D. Ravignani, D. Reinert, B. Revenu, J. Ridky, M. Risse, P. Ristori, V. Rizi, W. Rodrigues de Carvalho, G. Rodriguez Fernandez, J. Rodriguez Rojo, M.D. Rodríguez-Frías, D. Rogozin, J. Rosado, M. Roth, E. Roulet, A.C. Rovero, S.J. Saffi, A. Saftoiu, H. Salazar, A. Saleh, F. Salesa Greus, G. Salina, J.D. Sanabria Gomez, F. Sánchez, P. Sanchez-Lucas, E.M. Santos, E. Santos, F. Sarazin, B. Sarkar, R. Sarmento, C. Sarmiento-Cano, R. Sato, C. Scarso, M. Schauer, V. Scherini, H. Schieler, D. Schmidt, O. Scholten, P. Schovánek, F.G. Schröder, A. Schulz, J. Schulz, J. Schumacher, S.J. Sciutto, A. Segreto, M. Settimo, A. Shadkam, R.C. Shellard, G. Sigl, G. Silli, O. Sima, A. Śmiałkowski, R. Šmída, G.R. Snow, P. Sommers, S. Sonntag, J. Sorokin, R. Squartini, D. Stanca, S. Stanič, J. Stasielak, F. Strafella, F. Suarez, M. Suarez Durán, T. Sudholz, T. Suomijärvi, A.D. Supanitsky, M.S. Sutherland, J. Swain, Z. Szadkowski, O.A. Taborda, A. Tapia, A. Tepe, V.M. Theodoro, C. Timmermans, C.J. Todero Peixoto, L. Tomankova, B. Tomé, A. Tonachini, G. Torralba Elipe, D. Torres Machado, M. Torri, P. Travnicek, M. Trini, R. Ulrich, M. Unger, M. Urban, A. Valbuena-Delgado, J.F. Valdés Galicia, I. Valiño, L. Valore, G. van Aar, P. van Bodegom, A.M. van den Berg, A. van Vliet, E. Varela, B. Vargas Cárdenas, G. Varner, J.R. Vázquez, R.A. Vázquez, D. Veberič, V. Verzi, J. Vicha, L. Villaseñor, S. Vorobiov, H. Wahlberg, O. Wainberg, D. Walz, A.A. Watson, M. Weber, A. Weindl, L. Wiencke, H. Wilczyński, T. Winchen, D. Wittkowski, B. Wundheiler, S. Wykes, L. Yang, D. Yelos, P. Younk, A. Yushkov, E. Zas, D. Zavrtanik, M. Zavrtanik, A. Zepeda, B. Zimmermann, M. Ziolkowski, Z. Zong, and F. Zuccarello

Subjects
Physics, QC1-999
Abstract

We report a first measurement for ultrahigh energy cosmic rays of the correlation between the depth of shower maximum and the signal in the water Cherenkov stations of air-showers registered simultaneously by the fluorescence and the surface detectors of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Such a correlation measurement is a unique feature of a hybrid air-shower observatory with sensitivity to both the electromagnetic and muonic components. It allows an accurate determination of the spread of primary masses in the cosmic-ray flux. Up till now, constraints on the spread of primary masses have been dominated by systematic uncertainties. The present correlation measurement is not affected by systematics in the measurement of the depth of shower maximum or the signal in the water Cherenkov stations. The analysis relies on general characteristics of air showers and is thus robust also with respect to uncertainties in hadronic event generators. The observed correlation in the energy range around the ‘ankle’ at lg⁡(E/eV)=18.5–19.0 differs significantly from expectations for pure primary cosmic-ray compositions. A light composition made up of proton and helium only is equally inconsistent with observations. The data are explained well by a mixed composition including nuclei with mass A>4. Scenarios such as the proton dip model, with almost pure compositions, are thus disfavored as the sole explanation of the ultrahigh-energy cosmic-ray flux at Earth. Keywords: Pierre Auger Observatory, Cosmic rays, Mass composition, Ankle

Published
2016
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30. Ultra high energy cosmic rays The intersection of the Cosmic and Energy Frontiers

Author

A. Coleman, J. Eser, E. Mayotte, F. Sarazin, F.G. Schröder, D. Soldin, T.M. Venters, R. Aloisio, J. Alvarez-Muñiz, R. Alves Batista, D. Bergman, M. Bertaina, L. Caccianiga, O. Deligny, H.P. Dembinski, P.B. Denton, A. di Matteo, N. Globus, J. Glombitza, G. Golup, A. Haungs, J.R. Hörandel, T.R. Jaffe, J.L. Kelley, J.F. Krizmanic, L. Lu, J.N. Matthews, I. Mariş, R. Mussa, F. Oikonomou, T. Pierog, E. Santos, P. Tinyakov, Y. Tsunesada, M. Unger, A. Yushkov, M.G. Albrow, L.A. Anchordoqui, K. Andeen, E. Arnone, D. Barghini, E. Bechtol, J.A. Bellido, M. Casolino, A. Castellina, L. Cazon, R. Conceição, R. Cremonini, H. Dujmovic, R. Engel, G. Farrar, F. Fenu, S. Ferrarese, T. Fujii, D. Gardiol, M. Gritsevich, P. Homola, T. Huege, K.-H. Kampert, D. Kang, E. Kido, P. Klimov, K. Kotera, B. Kozelov, A. Leszczyńska, J. Madsen, L. Marcelli, M. Marisaldi, O. Martineau-Huynh, S. Mayotte, K. Mulrey, K. Murase, M.S. Muzio, S. Ogio, A.V. Olinto, Y. Onel, T. Paul, L. Piotrowski, M. Plum, B. Pont, M. Reininghaus, B. Riedel, F. Riehn, M. Roth, T. Sako, F. Schlüter, D.H. Shoemaker, J. Sidhu, I. Sidelnik, C. Timmermans, O. Tkachenko, D. Veberic, S. Verpoest, V. Verzi, J. Vícha, D. Winn, E. Zas, and M. Zotov

Subjects
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena (astro-ph.HE), Energy Frontier, Astronomy, Particle physics, FOS: Physical sciences, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Cosmic Frontier, High Energy Physics - Experiment, High Energy Physics - Experiment (hep-ex), Astroparticle Physics, Ultra High Energy Cosmic Rays, Snowmass White Paper, Experimental High Energy Physics, High Energy Physics, Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)
Abstract

The present white paper is submitted as part of the "Snowmass" process to help inform the long-term plans of the United States Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation for high-energy physics. It summarizes the science questions driving the Ultra-High-Energy Cosmic-Ray (UHECR) community and provides recommendations on the strategy to answer them in the next two decades., Comment: Prepared as a solicited white paper for the 2021 Snowmass process. To be published in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. v2: fixed typos in author list. v3: included all community feedback received by July 1st 2022 and added the list of endorsers. v4 is the post-reviewer preprint accepted to Astroparticle Physics vol. 149

Published
2023

31. Performance Evaluation of Hydro Generating Units Through the AHP Method

Author

Patrícia de Sousa Oliveira Silva, André L. M. Marcato, Giovani Santiago Junqueira, Lucas R. Conceição, Marcos T.B. de Oliveira, Elisa Oliveira, and Fernando Luiz Cyrino Oliveira

Subjects
Corrective maintenance, Computer science, Energy Engineering and Power Technology, Analytic hierarchy process, Availability factor, Preventive maintenance, Computer Science Applications, Reliability engineering, Work (electrical), Ranking, Control and Systems Engineering, Hydroelectricity, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Hydraulic turbines
Abstract

The present work aims to obtain a ranking of hydro generating units using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, based on the maintenance indicators of the Santo Antonio Hydroelectric Plant (SAHP). The purpose of the generated classification is to provide subsidies to assist maintenance planning, determining the most critical turbines for performing preventive maintenance, in order to increase the availability of equipment, in addition to reducing the probabilities of forced shutdowns for corrective maintenance, impacting factors the plant’s availability factor. Thus, the main contribution of this work is the application of AHP to classify the SAHP generating units, using parameters and actual historical data from the plant and hydraulic turbines.

Published
2021

32. Detection of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns in shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli isolates from sheep

Author

Marcos R.A. Ferreira, Talícia dos S. Silva, Ariel E. Stella, Fabricio R. Conceição, Edésio F. dos Reis, and Cecília N. Moreira

Subjects
Escherichia coli, STEC, isolados multirresistentes, caracterização molecular, filogenético., Veterinary medicine, SF600-1100
Abstract

Abstract: In order to detect virulence factors in Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) isolates and investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile, rectal swabs were collected from healthy sheep of the races Santa Inês and Dorper. Of the 115 E. coli isolates obtained, 78.3% (90/115) were characterized as STEC, of which 52.2% (47/90) carried stx1 gene, 33.3% (30/90) stx2 and 14.5% (13/90) both genes. In search of virulence factors, 47.7% and 32.2% of the isolates carried the genes saa and cnf1. According to the analysis of the antimicrobial resistance profile, 83.3% (75/90) were resistant to at least one of the antibiotics tested. In phylogenetic classification grouped 24.4% (22/90) in group D (pathogenic), 32.2% (29/90) in group B1 (commensal) and 43.3% (39/90) in group A (commensal). The presence of several virulence factors as well as the high number of multiresistant isolates found in this study support the statement that sheep are potential carriers of pathogens threatening public health.

Published
2015
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33. Estudo do processo de descaracterização do patrimônio edificado Itabaianense como resultado da carência de Educação Patrimonial / Study of the process of decharacterization of Itabaianense built heritage as a result of the lack of Heritage Education

Author

José Paulo R. Conceição, Nycole de Araújo Régis, and Charles Andrade Pereira

Subjects
Marketing, Pharmacology, Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management, Strategy and Management, media_common.quotation_subject, Drug Discovery, Pharmaceutical Science, Built heritage, Art, Humanities, media_common
Abstract

A cidade de Itabaiana, localizada no agreste do estado da Paraiba, e berco de riqueza cultural e historica, enraizada desde os primordios da consolidacao paraibana. Tendo seu reconhecimento como vila por volta de 1804, Itabaiana foi palco de importantes marcos na historia nacional. Em meados do seculo XX, a cidade passou por um processo de modernizacao e enriquecimento com a chegada do trem a vapor e da energia eletrica, sendo esta, a primeira cidade na paraiba a recebe-la. Tais processos de sua constituicao, refletem o patrimonio arquitetonico e cultural que hoje a cidade detem. Terra natal do Mestre Sivuca, a cidade tambem e inspiracao de artistas como, Jose Lins do Rego, Jessier Quirino, entre outros, e possui rica pluralidade de estilos arquitetonicos que transpassam desde a arquitetura popular ate o estilo moderno emergente entre as decadas de 1930 e 1990. Tendo em vista a importância integrada a cidade, esta encontra-se em processo de tombamento pelo Instituto do Patrimonio Historico e Artistico do Estado da Paraiba – IPHAEP, desde 2017, quando seu centro historico foi cadastrado e iniciado o inventario das edificacoes. Enfatizando a potencialidade patrimonial da cidade, e em contrapartida a atual situacao de degradacao e modificacao que boa parte deste patrimonio sofreu, surgiu entao a intencao de se analisar o modo como essas modificacoes ocorriam, os locais, os materiais e as intencoes dos proprietarios para com essas alteracoes, visando entender os motivos das reformas e as necessidades da populacao ao executa-las. O objetivo do presente trabalho, realizado a partir da iniciativa do grupo de pesquisa LABHIS (Laboratorio de Historia da UFCG), e poder compreender o que a carencia de educacao patrimonial pode gerar nos bens, sendo estes afetados por meio de reformas indevidas executadas pelos usuarios. Para tal intencao, buscou-se mapear algumas classificacoes destas reformas nas fachadas das edificacoes, bem como os materiais utilizados nestas, na area de analise escolhida, por meio de visitas in loco, registros fotograficos, e programas computacionais. Posteriormente, os resultados serao compartilhados com os habitantes por meio de oficinas, possibilitando construir assim um dialogo com a populacao e buscar de forma coletiva, sugestoes de manuseio do patrimonio, procurando estabelecer um equilibrio entre a preservacao e as necessidades dos moradores, e promovendo assim uma educacao patrimonial participativa. Para compreender-se contextos da historia patrimonial e educacao patrimonial, tem-se o embasamento biografico de WEIMER (2012), DVORAK (1910), CHOAY (1992), entre outros teoricos patrimoniais.

Published
2021

34. Effect of l-Glutamine treatment on the expression of T and B cell surface molecules and secreted cytokines by cultured peripheral blood of healthy subjects

Author

E. G. Neves-Amorim, S. Q. Santos, M. Araújo-Pereira, Z. V. B. Santana, E. K. S. Bomfim, N. M. B. L. Chagas, R. R. Conceição, M. D. M. Freire, A. J. L. Torres, V. Fortuna, G. C. de Carvalho, J. R. Meyer, S. M. Freire, and A. N. M. Freire

Subjects
Nutrition and Dietetics, Physiology, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Biochemistry, Food Science
Published
2022

35. Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157: H7 from healthy dairy cattle in Mid-West Brazil: occurrence and molecular characterization

Author

Edismauro G. Freitas Filho, Marcos R. A. Ferreira, Jefferson F. N. Pinto, Fabrício R. Conceição, and Cecília N. Moreira

Subjects
Escherichia coli produtoras de toxina Shiga, Veterinary medicine, SF600-1100
Abstract

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 represents the major Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strain related to large outbreaks and severe diseases such as hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and the potentially lethal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The aim of this study was to report the occurrence and molecular characterization of O157:H7 isolates obtained by rectal swab from 52 healthy dairy cattle belonging to 21 farms in Mid-West of Brazil. Detection of 16SrRNA, stx1, stx2, rfbO157, fliCh7, eae, ehxA, saa, cnf1, chuA, yjaA and TSPE4.C2 genes was performed by PCR. The isolates were further characterized by serotyping. Two hundred and sixty E. coli isolates were obtained, of which 126 were characterized as STEC. Two isolates from the same cow were identified as serotype O157:H7. Both isolates presented the stx2, eae, ehxA, saa and cnf1 virulence factor genes and the chuA gene in the phylogenetic classification (virulent group D), suggesting that they were clones. The prevalence of O157:H7 was found to be 1.92% (1/52 animals), demonstrating that healthy dairy cattle from farms in the Mid-West of Brazil are an important reservoir for highly pathogenic E. coli O157:H7.

Published
2014
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36. Maintenance Schedule Optimization Applied to Large Hydroelectric Plants: Towards a Methodology Encompassing Regulatory Aspects

Author

Elisa Oliveira, Carlos Alberto Veiga de Alencar Junior, Lucas R. Conceição, Giovani Santiago Junqueira, Marcos T.B. de Oliveira, André L. M. Marcato, and Patricia de Sousa Oliveira

Subjects
Schedule, 021103 operations research, General Computer Science, Operations research, Linear programming, Computer science, 020209 energy, generators units, 0211 other engineering and technologies, General Engineering, Scheduling (production processes), hydro plants, 02 engineering and technology, Availability factor, Maintenance engineering, Work (electrical), Hydroelectricity, 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, General Materials Science, maintenance scheduling, lcsh:Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering, optimization, lcsh:TK1-9971, Generator (mathematics)
Abstract

The maintenance schedule planning of hydro plant generating units is a subject of great interest to several agents in the energy industry. A correct approach for this problem can prevent the degradation of physical assets and minimize the probability of forced shutdowns of their equipment. In addition to these factors, due particularities of the Brazilian system, the operational strategies of its agents are also affected by the maintenance schedule of the generating units. This occurs due to the Availability Factor (AFA), which is directly influenced by the hours of maintenance performed at the plant and, in case of a performance below the stipulated in the concession contracts, it can lead to financial losses or administrative sanctions applied by the regulatory agent. With this motivation in mind, the present work proposes a methodology for Generator Maintenance Scheduling (GMS) of a hydroelectric plant, developing a mathematical model to determine the ideal moment to perform maintenance, considering operational restrictions and regulatory aspects of hydroelectric plants. The optimization methodology proposed for this problem is done through mixed-integer linear programming, where the integer variables consist of the operating state and start date of maintenance of each generating unit. In the end, to validate the proposed modeling, a case study is carried out for a real large plant in the Brazilian system.

Published
2021

37. Development of an Indirect ELISA for Serological Diagnosis of Bovine herpesvirus 5.

Author

Luana A Dummer, Itauá L Araujo, Fabrício S Campos, Matheus C da Rosa, Paula F Finger, Patricia D de Oliveira, Fabricio R Conceição, Geferson Fischer, Paulo M Roehe, and Fábio P L Leite

Subjects
Medicine, Science
Abstract

Bovine herpesviruses 1 and 5 (BoHV-1 and BoHV-5) are economically important pathogens, associated with a variety of clinical syndromes, including respiratory and genital disease, reproductive failure and meningoencephalitis. The standard serological assay to diagnose BoHV-1 and BoHV-5 infections is the virus neutralization test (VNT), a time consuming procedure that requires manipulation of infectious virus. In the present study a highly sensitive and specific single dilution indirect ELISA was developed using recombinant glycoprotein D from BoHV-5 as antigen (rgD5ELISA). Bovine serum samples (n = 450) were screened by VNT against BoHV-5a and by rgD5ELISA. Compared with the VNT, the rgD5ELISA demonstrated accuracy of 99.8%, with 100% sensitivity, 96.7% specificity and coefficient of agreement between the tests of 0.954. The rgD5ELISA described here shows excellent agreement with the VNT and is shown to be a simple, convenient, specific and highly sensitive virus-free assay for detection of serum antibodies to BoHV-5.

Published
2016
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38. Detection of very-high-energy gamma-ray transients with monitoring facilities

Author

B. Tome, M. Pimenta, G. La Mura, A. De Angelis, R. Conceição, and G. Chiaro

Subjects
Physics, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Gamma ray, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Astrophysics, 01 natural sciences, Galaxy, Luminosity, Particle acceleration, Space and Planetary Science, Observatory, 0103 physical sciences, Transient (oscillation), Gamma-ray burst, Blazar, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics
Abstract

The observation of very-high-energy γ-rays (VHE γ-rays, $E \gt 100\,$ GeV) has ledto the identification of extremely energetic processes and particle-acceleration sites both within our Galaxy and beyond. It is expected that VHE facilities, such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array, will explore these sources with an unprecedented level of detail. However, the transient and unpredictable nature of many important processes means that their observation requires the development of proper monitoring strategies. In this study, we estimate the properties of VHE transients that can be effectively detected by monitoring facilities. We use data collected by the Fermi-LAT instrument during its monitoring campaign to select events that are probably associated with VHE emission. We use this sample to estimate the frequency, the luminosity and the time-scales of various transients, focusing on blazar flares and gamma-ray bursts. We discuss how the balance between the field of view, sensitivity and duty cycle of an observatory affects the likelihood of detecting transients that occur at the inferred rates, and we conclude by describing the contribution that current and near-future monitoring facilities can make to the identification and study of VHE transient emission.

Published
2020

42. Immunogenicity of a Bivalent Non-Purified Recombinant Vaccine against Botulism in Cattle

Author

Clóvis Moreira, Marcos R. A. Ferreira, Carlos E. P. da Cunha, Rafael A. Donassolo, Paula F. Finger, Gustavo M. S. G. Moreira, Denis Y. Otaka, Loise A. de Sousa, José D. Barbosa, Ângela N. Moreira, Felipe M. Salvarani, and Fabricio R. Conceição

Subjects
Clostridium botulinum, vaccine, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), cell lysate vaccine, Medicine
Abstract

Botulism is a potentially fatal intoxication caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) produced mainly by Clostridium botulinum. Vaccination against BoNT serotypes C and D is the main procedure to control cattle botulism. Current vaccines contain formaldehyde-inactivated native BoNTs, which have a time-consuming production process and pose safety risks. The development of non-toxic recombinant vaccines has helped to overcome these limitations. This study aims to evaluate the humoral immune response generated by cattle immunized with non-purified recombinant fragments of BoNTs C and D. Cattle were vaccinated in a two-dose scheme with 100, 200 and 400 µg of each antigen, with serum sampling on days 0, 56, 120, and 180 after vaccination. Animals who received either 200 or 400 μg of both antigens induced titers higher than the minimum required by the Brazilian ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply and achieved 100% (8/8) seroconversion rate. Animals vaccinated with commercial toxoid vaccine had only a 75% (6/8) seroconversion rate for both toxins. Animals that received doses containing 400 µg of recombinant protein were the only ones to maintain titers above the required level up until day 120 post-vaccination, and to achieve 100% (8/8) seroconversion for both toxins. In conclusion, 400 µg the recombinant Escherichia coli cell lysates supernatant was demonstrated to be an affordable means of producing an effective and safe botulism vaccine for cattle.

Published
2018
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43. Immunogenicity and antigenicity of the recombinant EMA-1 protein of Theileria equi expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris Imunogenicidade e antigenicidade da proteína recombinante EMA-1 de Theileria equi expressa em Pichia pastoris

Author

Leandro Q. Nizoli, Fabrício R. Conceição, Sérgio S. Silva, Luana A. Dummer, Alceu G. Santos Jr., and Fábio P. L. Leite

Subjects
Theileria equi, Pichia pastoris, EMA-1, vacina recombinante, recombinant vaccine, Animal culture, SF1-1100
Abstract

The equine piroplasmosis caused by Theileria equi is one of the most important parasitic diseases of the equine, causing damage to animal health and economic losses. In T. equi, 2 merozoite surface proteins, equi merozoite antigen EMA-1 and EMA-2, have been identified as the most immunodominant antigens. This suggests that these antigens might be used as immunobiological tools. The EMA-1 of Theileria equi was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The transformed yeast was grown at high cell density, expressing up to 389 mg.L-1 of recombinant protein. The protein was concentrated and detected in Dot blot. The recombinant product was antigenically similar to the native protein as determined using monoclonal antibodies, and polyclonal antibodies obtained from equines naturally infected with T. equi. The immunogenicity of rEMA-1 protein was demonstrated by IFAT using sera from recombinant-protein-immunized mice using aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant. All animals vaccinated with rEMA-1 developed a high specific antibody response. This results suggest that rEMA-1expressed in P. pastoris might be a strong candidate to be used as an antigen for immune diagnostics as well as a vaccine antigen.A piroplasmose equina causada por Theileria equi é uma das mais importantes doenças parasitárias de equídeos, causando danos a saúde animal e perdas econômicas. Em T. equi, 2 proteínas de superfície de merozoítos, equi merozoite antigen EMA-1 e EMA-2, têm sido identificadas como antígenos imunodominantes. Sugerindo que estes antígenos possam ser usados como produtos imunobiológicos. O gene EMA-1 de T. equi foi clonado e expressado na levedura Pichia pastoris. As leveduras transformadas foram cultivadas a altas densidades celulares expressando 389 mg.L-1 de proteína recombinante. A proteína foi concentrada e detectada em Dot blot. O produto recombinante foi antigenicamente similar à proteína nativa quando determinado usando anticorpo monoclonal e anticorpos policlonais obtidos de equinos naturalmente infectados com T. equi. A imunogenicidade da proteína rEMA-1 foi demonstrada por RIFI utilizando soro de camundongos imunizados com proteína recombinante usando hidróxido de alumínio como adjuvante. Todos os animais vacinados com rEMA-1 desenvolveram uma alta resposta específica de anticorpos. Esses resultados sugerem que rEMA-1 expressa em P. pastoris possa ser um candidato para ser usado como antígeno para diagnóstico imunológico bem como antígeno para vacinas.

Published
2009
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44. Probing Gamma-Ray Burst VHE Emission with the Southern Wide-Field-of-View Gamma-Ray Observatory

Author

Francesco Longo, B. Tome, Giovanni La Mura, Alessandro De Angelis, Mário Pimenta, Davide Miceli, Ulisses Barres de Almeida, R. Conceição, Laboratoire d'Annecy de Physique des Particules (LAPP), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry])-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), La Mura, G, de Almeida, Ub, Conceicao, R, De Angelis, A, Longo, F, Pimenta, M, Tome, B, and Miceli, D

Subjects
Astronomy, media_common.quotation_subject, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, QB1-991, Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics, instrumentation-detector, instrumentation—detectors, 01 natural sciences, Gamma rays: General, Gamma-ray bursts: General, Instrumentation-detectors, law.invention, Telescope, Observatory, law, 0103 physical sciences, 010306 general physics, 010303 astronomy & astrophysics, Cherenkov radiation, instrumentation-detectors, gamma rays: general, gamma-ray bursts: general, media_common, general [gamma-ray bursts], Gamma ray, Astrophysics::Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Cherenkov Telescope Array, Extragalactic background light, 13. Climate action, Sky, Gamma-ray burst, [PHYS.ASTR]Physics [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], general [gamma rays]
Abstract

Recent observations have confirmed that Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows produce Very High-Energy radiation (VHE, E&gt, 100GeV). This highly anticipated discovery opens new scenarios in the interpretation of GRBs and in their role as probes of Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) and Lorentz Invariance Violation (LIV). However, some fundamental questions about the actual nature of VHE emission in GRBs and its evolution during the burst are still unsolved. These questions will be difficult to address, even with future imaging Cherenkov telescopes, such as the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA). Here we investigate the prospects of gamma-ray sky monitoring with Extensive Air Showers arrays (EAS) to address these problems. We discuss the theoretical aspects connected with VHE radiation emission and the implications that its temporal evolution properties have on the interpretation of GRBs. By revisiting the high-energy properties of some Fermi-LAT detected GRBs, we estimate the typical fluxes expected in the VHE band and compare them with a range of foreseeable instrument performances, based on the Southern Wide Field-of-view Gamma-ray Observatory concept (SWGO). We focus our analysis on how different instrument capabilities affect the chances to explore the burst onset and early evolution in VHE, providing invaluable complementary information with respect to Cherenkov telescope observations. We show that under the assumption of conditions already observed in historical events, the next-generation ground monitoring detectors can actually contribute to answer several key questions.

Published
2021
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45. Genetic Profiles and Invasion Ability of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Bovine Carcasses in Southern Brazil

Author

Mariana A. Iglesias, Isabela S. Kroning, Tassiana Ramires, Carlos E.P. Cunha, Gustavo M. S.G. Moreira, Anderson C. Camargo, Marcelo MendonçA, Luís Augusto Nero, Fabricio R. ConceiçÃo, Graciela Volz Lopes, and Wladimir Padilha da Silva

Subjects
Bacterial Proteins, Food Microbiology, Animals, Humans, Cattle, Listeriosis, Genetic Profile, bacterial infections and mycoses, Microbiology, Listeria monocytogenes, Brazil, Food Science
Abstract

The goals of this study were to evaluate the persistence and the virulence potential of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from beef carcasses obtained in processing facilities in the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), invasion ability in human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT-116), internalin A (InlA) expression by Western blot, and identification of mutation points in inlA. PFGE profiles demonstrated that L. monocytogenes isolates were grouped based on their previously identified lineages and serogroups (lineage I: serogroup IIb, n = 2, and serogroup IVb, n = 5; lineage II: serogroup IIc, n = 5). Isolates with indistinguishable genetic profiles through this method were obtained from different slaughterhouses and sampling steps, with as much as a 3-year interval. Seven isolates showed high invasion ability (2.4 to 7.4%; lineage I, n = 6, and lineage II, n = 1) in HCT and expressed InlA. Five isolates showed low cell invasion ability (0.6 to 1.4%; lineage I, n = 1, and lineage II, n = 4) and did not express InlA, and two of them (lineage II, serogroup IIc) presented mutations in inlA that led to premature stop codon type 19 at position 326 (GAA → TAA). The results demonstrated that most L. monocytogenes isolates from lineage I expressed InlA and were the most invasive in HCT, indicating their high virulence potential, whereas most isolates from lineage II showed attenuated invasion because of nonexpression of InlA or the presence of premature stop codon type 19 in inlA. The obtained results demonstrated that L. monocytogenes with indistinguishable PFGE profiles can persist or be reintroduced in beef processing facilities in the studied region and that differences in their virulence potential are based on their lineages and serogroups.

Published
2021

46. Gamma/hadron discrimination at high energies through the azimuthal fluctuations of air shower particle distributions at the ground

Author

R. Conceição, L. Gibilisco, M. Pimenta, and B. Tomé

Subjects
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Abstract

Wide field-of-view gamma-ray observatories must fight the overwhelming cosmic ray background to identify very-high-energy astrophysical gamma-ray events. This work introduces a novel gamma/hadron discriminating variable, LCm, which quantifies the azimuthal non-uniformity of the particle distributions at the ground. This non-uniformity, due to the presence of hadronic sub-showers, is higher in proton-induced showers than in gamma showers. The discrimination power of this new variable is then discussed, as a function of the air shower array fill factor, in the energy range 10TeV to 1PeV, and compared to the classical gamma/hadron discriminator based on the measurement of the number of muons at the ground. The results obtained are extremely encouraging, paving the way for the use of the proposed quantity in present and future large ground-array gamma-ray observatories.

Published
2022

48. Bayesian Deep Learning for Shower Parameter Reconstruction in Water Cherenkov Detectors

Author

Ulisses Barres de Almeida, R. Conceição, Mário Pimenta, Márcio P. de Albuquerque, Clecio R. Bom, Arthur Moraes, R. C. Shellard, Luciana Olivia Dias, and B. Tome

Subjects
Physics, Shower, business.industry, Deep learning, Detector, Bayesian probability, Artificial intelligence, business, Cherenkov radiation, Remote sensing
Published
2021

49. Humoral Response of Buffaloes to a Recombinant Vaccine against Botulism Serotypes C and D

Author

Denis Y. Otaka, José D. Barbosa, Clóvis Moreira, Marcos R. A. Ferreira, Carlos E. P. Cunha, Antônio R. S. Brito, Rafael A. Donassolo, Ângela N. Moreira, Fabrício R. Conceição, and Felipe M. Salvarani

Subjects
Clostridium botulinum, botulinum neurotoxins, BoNT, antitoxins, Medicine
Abstract

Botulism is a fatal intoxication caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are mainly produced by Clostridium botulinum and characterized by flaccid paralysis. The BoNTs C and D are the main serotypes responsible for botulism in animals, including buffaloes. Botulism is one of the leading causes of death in adult ruminants in Brazil due to the high mortality rates, even though botulism in buffaloes is poorly reported and does not reflect the real economic impact of this disease in Brazilian herds. Vaccination is reported as the most important prophylactic measure for botulism control, although there are no specific vaccines commercially available for buffaloes in Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the humoral immune response of buffalo groups vaccinated with three different concentrations of recombinant proteins (100, 200, and 400 µg) against BoNTs serotypes C and D as well as to compare the groups to each other and with a group vaccinated with a bivalent commercial toxoid. The recombinant vaccine with a concentration of 400 μg of proteins induced the highest titers among the tested vaccines and was proven to be the best choice among the formulations evaluated and should be considered as a potential vaccine against botulism in buffalo.

Published
2017
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50. Evaluating the Impact of Streamflow Rating Curve Precision on Firm Energy of Hydropower Plants

Author

André L. M. Marcato, Lucas R. Conceição, Luiz Gustavo Fortes Westin, Celso Bandeira de Melo Ribeiro, Leonardo de Mello Honório, and Edson C. Bortoni

Subjects
lcsh:Hydraulic engineering, 020209 energy, Geography, Planning and Development, 0207 environmental engineering, Context (language use), 02 engineering and technology, Inflow, Rating curve, Aquatic Science, Biochemistry, lcsh:Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes, lcsh:TC1-978, Streamflow, 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering, Econometrics, Hydrometeorology, 020701 environmental engineering, Reliability (statistics), Hydropower, Water Science and Technology, dynamic programming, lcsh:TD201-500, acoustic doppler current profiler, Observational error, business.industry, firm energy, Environmental science, business
Abstract

In Brazil, the correct measurement of the individual firm energy of a plant is important, since it influences directly the determination of its assured energy which is used to establish contracts between power plants and distribution companies, free consumers, and traders. With increasing technological development and greater reliability in the use of automated techniques for monitoring, the use of the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP), has become a reality in Brazil. The ADCP has many advantages over the traditional techniques used for monitoring flows in gage stations of the national hydrometeorological network. In this context, the purpose of this work is to evaluate the impact of the streamflow rating curve measurement on the evaluation of the firm energy of a hydropower plant. A linear optimization model based on dynamic programming was used to calculate the firm energy and it was considered possible measurement errors in the plant’s inflow values and in the parameters of its polynomials that defines the upward and downward elevation. The results pointed that the two considerations had an impact on the calculated firm energy: the inflow measurements and the streamflow rating curve. Therefore, it is shown the importance of an accurate measurement of inflows for the evaluation of the plant’s firm energy.

Published
2021
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