The main objective of this work is to investigate the ionic conductivity of the drugs under certain conditions and also to compare the ionic conductivities of drugs determined by single surface sensors and parallel plate sensors. The ionic conductivity of various materials at their pre-melt and melt states are studied in order to further study a recently discovered phenomenon. Polar solids like Lidocaine, Ketoconazole, Procainamide and Nifedipine were examined in this study. Experimental studies show an increase in ionic conductivity in both pre-melt (20 -30 °C below melting temperature) and melt transition regions. Results of ionic conductivity of both parallel plate and single surface sensor at different frequencies are compared. At 1000 Hz, all the samples show an increase in ionic conductivity with both parallel plate and single surface sensor, but at 0.1 Hz frequency, no increase in ionic conductivity is observed with parallel plate sensor except for Nifedipine.

The absence of long-range order in glassy chalcogenides provides the convenience of changing the elemental ratios and hence the properties over a wide range. The interesting properties exhibited by chalcogenide glasses make them suitable materials for Phase Change Memories (PCM) and other applications such as infrared optical devices, photo-receptors, sensors, waveguides, etc. One of the most remarkable properties of chalcogenides is their electrical switching behavior. Reversible (threshold type) or irreversible (memory type) switching from a high resistance OFF state to a low resistance ON state in glassy chalcogenides occurs at a critical voltage called the threshold/switching voltage (VT). Investigations on the switching behavior and its composition dependence throw light on the local structural effects of amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors and also help us in identifying suitable samples for PCM applications. Thermal analysis by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) has been extensively used in glass science, particularly for measurements of thermal parameters such as enthalpy of relaxation, specific heat change, etc., near glass transition. Quite recently, the conventional DSC has been sophisticated by employing a composite temperature profile for heating, resulting in the Temperature Modulated DSC (TMDSC) or Alternating DSC (ADSC). Measurements made using ADSC reveal thermal details with enhanced accuracy and resolution, and this has lead to a better understanding of the nature of glass transition. The thermal parameters obtained using DSC/ADSC are also vital for understanding the electrical switching behavior of glassy chalcogenides. The motivation of this thesis was twofold: The first was to develop a novel, high voltage programmable power supply for electrical switching analysis of samples exhibiting high VT, and second to investigate the thermal and electrical switching behavior of certain Se-Te based glasses with Ge and Sb additives. The thesis contains seven chapters: Chapter 1: This chapter provides an overview of amorphous semiconductors (a-SC) with an emphasis on preparation and properties of glassy chalcogenides. The various structural models and topological thresholds of a-SC are discussed with relations to the glass forming ability of materials. The electronic band models and defect states are also dealt with. The essentials of electrical switching behavior of chalcogenides are discussed suggesting the electronic nature of switching and the role of thermal properties on switching. Chapter 2: The second chapter essentially deals with theory and practice of the experimental techniques adopted in the thesis work. The details of the melt-quenching method of synthesizing glassy samples are provided. Considering the importance, the theory of thermal analysis by DSC & ADSC, are discussed in detail, highlighting the advantages of the latter method adopted in the thesis work. The instrumentation and electronics, developed and used for electrical switching analysis are also introduced at a block diagram level. Finally, the methods used for structural analysis are briefed. Chapter 3: This chapter is dedicated to the design and development details of the programmable High Voltage dc Power Supply (HVPS: 1750 V, 45 mA) undertaken in the thesis work. The guidelines used for power supply topology selection, the specifications and block diagram of the HVPS are provided in that sequence. The operation of the HVPS is discussed using the circuit diagram approach. The details of software control are also given. The performance validations of the HVPS, undertaken through voltage & current regulation tests, step & frequency response tests are discussed. Finally, the sample-test results on the electrical switching behavior of representative Al20As16Te64 and Ge25Te65Se10 samples, obtained using both the current & voltage sweep options of the HVPS developed are illustrated. Chapter 4: Results of the thermally induced transitions governed by structural changes which are driven by network connectivity in the GexSe35-xTe65 (17 ≤ x ≤ 25) glasses, as revealed by ADSC experiments, are discussed in this chapter. It is found that the GexSe35-xTe65 glasses with x ≤ 20 exhibit two crystallization exotherms (Tc1 & Tc2), whereas those with x ≥ 20.5, show a single crystallization reaction upon heating (Tc). The glass transition temperature of GexSe35-xTe65 glasses is found to show a linear, but not-steep increase, indicating a progressive and not an appreciable build-up in network connectivity with Ge addition. The exothermic reaction at Tc1 has been found to correspond to the partial crystallization of the glass into hexagonal Te and the reaction at Tc2 is associated with the additional crystallization of rhombohedral Ge-Te phase. It is also found that the first crystallization temperature Tc1 of GexSe35-xTe65 glasses of lower Ge concentrations (with x ≤ 20), increases progressively with Ge content and eventually merges with Tc2 at x = 20.5 (<r> = 2.41); this behavior has been understood on the basis of the reduction in Te-Te bonds of lower energy and an increase in Ge-Te bonds of higher energy, with increasing Ge content. Chapter 5: This chapter deals with the electrical switching studies on GexSe35-xTe65 (17 ≤ x ≤ 25) glasses, with an emphasis on the role of network connectivity/rigidity on the switching behavior. It is found that the switching voltage (VT) increases with Ge content, exhibiting a sudden jump at x=20, the Rigidity Percolation Threshold (RPT) of the system. In addition, the switching behavior changes from memory to threshold type at the RPT and the threshold switching is found to be repetitive for more than 1500 cycles. Chapter 6: In this chapter, the results of thermal analysis (by ADSC) and electrical switching investigations on SbxSe55-xTe45 (2 ≤ x ≤ 9) are discussed. It is found that the addition of trivalent Sb contributes very meagerly to network growth but directly affects the structural relaxation effects at Tg. Further, SbxSe55-xTe45 glasses exhibit memory type electrical switching, which is understood on the basis of poor thermal stability of the samples. The metallicity factor is observed to outweigh the network factor in the composition dependence of VT of SbxSe55-xTe45 glasses. Chapter 7: The chapter 7 summarizes the results obtained in the thesis work and provides the scope for future work. The references are cited in the text along with the first author’s name and year of publication, and are listed at the end of each chapter in alphabetical order.

This thesis advances the state of the art in modeling electric machines in electro-magnetic transient simulation programs, particularly in real-time digital simulators. A new tool, developed in this thesis, expands the application of real-time digital simulators to closed-loop testing of protection relays designed to protect synchronous machines during internal faults. To evaluate the inductances of synchronous machines, a winding function approach was developed in this thesis which is capable of taking into account both the actual distribution of windings and the shape of the pole-arc. Factors such as MMF drop in the iron and effects of slots are compensated by evaluating the effective permeance function of the machine using experimentally measured values of d-, q- and 0- axis inductances. In this winding function approach, the effects of magnetic saturation are also included by considering the actual distribution of magneto-motive force in each loading condition of the machine. The inductances of an experimental machine are evaluated using this approach and validated using the finite-element method and laboratory measurements. This thesis also proposes an embedded phase-domain approach for time-domain simulation of the machine model in electromagnetic transients programs. The approach significantly improves the numerical stability of the simulations. Special numerical techniques are introduced, which speed up the execution of the algorithm as needed for real-time simulation. The machine model is validated in healthy and faulted conditions using simulations and laboratory experiments. Effects of damper grid representation on simulating turn-to-turn faults are investigated. The capability of this new real-time synchronous machine model in closed-loop testing of synchronous machines ground- faults protection relays is clearly demonstrated.

This thesis advances the state of the art in modeling electric machines in electro-magnetic transient simulation programs, particularly in real-time digital simulators. A new tool, developed in this thesis, expands the application of real-time digital simulators to closed-loop testing of protection relays designed to protect synchronous machines during internal faults. To evaluate the inductances of synchronous machines, a winding function approach was developed in this thesis which is capable of taking into account both the actual distribution of windings and the shape of the pole-arc. Factors such as MMF drop in the iron and effects of slots are compensated by evaluating the effective permeance function of the machine using experimentally measured values of d-, q- and 0- axis inductances. In this winding function approach, the effects of magnetic saturation are also included by considering the actual distribution of magneto-motive force in each loading condition of the machine. The inductances of an experimental machine are evaluated using this approach and validated using the finite-element method and laboratory measurements. This thesis also proposes an embedded phase-domain approach for time-domain simulation of the machine model in electromagnetic transients programs. The approach significantly improves the numerical stability of the simulations. Special numerical techniques are introduced, which speed up the execution of the algorithm as needed for real-time simulation. The machine model is validated in healthy and faulted conditions using simulations and laboratory experiments. Effects of damper grid representation on simulating turn-to-turn faults are investigated. The capability of this new real-time synchronous machine model in closed-loop testing of synchronous machines ground- faults protection relays is clearly demonstrated.

It has been historically assumed that most of the uncertainty associated with the aerosol indirect effect on climate can be attributed to the unpredictability of updrafts. We assess the sensitivity of cloud droplet number density to realistic variations in aerosol chemical properties and to variable updraft velocities using a 1-dimensional cloud parcel model. The results suggest that aerosol chemical variability may be as important to the aerosol indirect effect as the effect of unresolved cloud dynamics, especially in polluted environments. We next used a continuous flow streamwise thermal gradient Cloud Condesnation Nuclei counter (CCNc) to study the water-uptake properties of the ambient aerosol, by exposing an aerosol sample to a controlled water vapor supersaturation and counting the resulting number of droplets. The heat transfer properties and droplet growth within the CCNc were first modeled and experimentally characterized. We describe results from the MIRAGE field campaign at a ground-based site during March, 2006. Size-resolved CCN activation spectra and hygroscopic growth factor distributions of the ambient aerosol in Mexico City were obtained, and an analytical technique was developed to quantify a probability distribution of solute volume fractions for the CCN, as well as the aerosol mixing-state. The CCN were shown to be much less CCN active than ammonium sulfate, with water uptake properties more consistent with low molecular weight organic compounds. We also describe results from the GoMACCS field study, an airborne field campaign in Houston, Texas during August-September, 2006. GoMACCS tested our ability to predict CCN for highly polluted conditions with limited chemical information. Assuming the particles were composed purely of ammonium sulfate, CCN closure was obtained with a 10% overprediction bias on average for CCN concentrations ranging from less than 100 cm-3 to over 10,000 cm-3, but with on average 50% variability. Assuming measured concentrations of organics to be internally mixed and insoluble tended to reduce the overprediction bias for less polluted conditions, but led to underprediction bias in the most polluted conditions. Comparing the two campaigns, it is clear that the chemistry of the particles plays an important role in our ability to predict CCN concentrations.

La caractérisation des composants hyperfréquences après leur fabrication, est généralement réalisée par la mesure de paramètres S à l’aide d’un analyseur vectoriel de réseau (VNA). La précision de mesure dépend étroitement de la qualité du calibrage de l’analyseur vectoriel, qui permet de corriger les erreurs inhérentes au système de mesure. Des composants particuliers, dits étalons ou standards, dont les paramètres sont complètement ou partiellement connus, sont mesurés lors de la procédure de calibrage afin de déterminer les erreurs systématiques du système. La réalisation d’un circulateur coplanaire (les trois ports sont à 120 degrés les uns des autres) travaillant autour de 40 GHz est l’un des axes de recherche du laboratoire depuis plusieurs années et la caractérisation des prototypes a toujours été un souci important. Le calibrage est réalisé avec un kit commercial, avec les pointes positionnées en face à face. La mesure des dispositifs CPW à accès orthogonaux ou obliques après un calibrage avec un ensemble de standards conventionnels (droits) peut engendrer des erreurs supplémentaires. L’objectif de notre travail est donc de concevoir un ensemble de standards à accès inclinés à 120 degrés permettant de calibrer l’analyseur vectoriel « 2-ports » en positionnant directement les pointes à 120 degrés. La méthode de calibrage TRL (THRU – REFLECT - LINE) a été choisie. Le travail à accomplir se résume comme suit : - faire une étude de simulation du nouveau kit de calibrage à concevoir ; - mettre en évidence l’effet des accès coudés sur les lignes de transmission des standards ; - proposer une méthode de calcul qui tient compte de ces effets lors de la procédure de calibrage ; - mesurer quelques échantillons réalisés afin de vérifier la validité de la procédure de calibrage proposée. Les résultats obtenus au cours de ce travail ont pu être validés expérimentalement et offrent de nouvelles perspectives pour la mesure des composants planaires à accès non conventionnels / Microwave components characterization after the fabrication steps is usually performed by measuring S parameters using a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). The measurement accuracy is highly dependent on the quality of the VNA calibration, which corrects the inherent errors in the measurement system. Specific components, called standards and whose parameters are completely or partially known, are measured during the calibration procedure to determine systematic errors of the system. Fabricating a coplanar circulator (the three ports are at 120 degrees position) functioning around 40 GHz is one of the laboratory’s research areas for several years and characterization of prototypes has always been a major concern. Usually, the calibration is made with a commercial kit ; probes are in face-to-face position. Measurements of CPW devices with orthogonal or bended accesses (120 degrees in our case) after VNA calibration with conventional (straight) set of standards may generate additional errors. The aim of our work is to design a set of standards with 120_ bended accesses allowing the calibration of the “2-ports” network analyzer. Therefore, probes are directly set at 120_ position. TRL (THRU - REFLECT -LINE) calibration procedure is chosen for the standards design. The work to be done is as follows : - to make a simulation study of the new calibration kit to design ; - to determine the bended accesses effects on the standards transmission lines ; - to propose a calculation method that takes account of these effects during the calibration procedure ; - to measure some fabricated samples to verify the validity of the proposed calibration procedure. The results of this research work have been experimentally validated and offer new perspectives for measuring planar components with unconventional accesses

Medical devices are used widely at every stage of disease diagnosis and treatment. To eradicate certain infectious diseases, the development of highly sensitive diagnostic tools and techniques is essential. The work reported in this thesis presents a novel approach, which can be used for the diagnosis of various diseases in the field of clinical cytology. The central theme of this approach was to develop a simple, holistic and completely automated system for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. This is realized through the Development of an Absorption Flow-Cytometer with Synergistic Integration of Microfluidic, Optics and simple Electronics. Quantitative diagnosis of malaria has been taken as test case for the characterization and validation of the developed technology. Malaria is a life-threatening disease widely prevalent in developing countries. Approximately half the world population undergoes a test of malaria and it kills close to half a million people every year. Early detection and treatment will reduce the number of fatalities and also decrease its transmission rate. In the recent past, several diagnostic tools have been developed to detect malaria but there are varied demands on diagnostic instruments in healthcare settings and endemic contexts. The objective of this thesis is to develop an instrument capable of identifying malaria-infected red blood cells (i-RBCs) from a given few micro-liters of whole blood. The optical absorption properties of blood cells were measured at a single-cell level to diagnose malaria. The proof-of-concept for the instrument was established in four stages, after which a prototype was also developed and validated. In the first stage, a system capable of simultaneously imaging cells and also measuring their optical absorbance properties was developed. The developed system was employed to characterize absorption properties of red blood cells (malaria-infected and healthy ones) on blood-smear. A custom-made bright-field transmission microscope in combination with a pair of laser diode and photo-detector was used to simultaneously image and measure transmittance of infected and uninfected RBCs. In the second stage, the technique was extended to enable high-throughput measurements with the use of microfluidic sample handling and synchronous data acquisition. Using this technique, the optical absorbance and morphology of infected and healthy RBCs have been characterized in statistically significant numbers. The correlation between cell morphology (from images) and single-cell optical absorbance level helped to establish the thresholds for differentiating healthy and infected cells. In the third stage, a portable prototype capable of assessing optical absorbance levels of single cells was fabricated. The developed prototype is capable of assessing cells at throughputs of about 1800 cells/ second. It was initially validated with sample suspensions containing infected and healthy RBCs obtained from malaria cultures. For the device to be usable at the field-level, it has to function in the presence of all other cellular components of whole blood. The optical absorbance of other cellular components of blood like white blood cells and platelets, were characterized. The device was finally tested with blood samples spiked with malaria-infected RBCs validating the overall proof-of-concept and the developed prototype. The deployment of such cost-effective, automated POC system would enable malaria diagnosis at remote locations and play a crucial role in the ongoing efforts to eradicate malaria. In future, the presented technology can be extended to develop POC diagnostic tool for other diseases as well. As it enables quantitative estimation of malaria, the present optical absorption flow analyzer would also find application in disease prognosis monitoring, anti-malarial drug development and other studies requiring measurements on a single-cell basis. The hyper-imaging system can be used to characterize and validate the threshold information, and can be incorporated in the prototype. Thus, it is a continuous process to characterization and implementation in the prototype. The optofluidic absorption flow analyzer will help enable affordable clinical diagnostic testing in resource limited settings. This approach will be extended to diagnose other diseases, using differences in optical absorption as criteria for differentiating healthy and infected cells.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / A aplicação de produtos fitossanitários no setor sucroenergético, até recentemente, estava focada sobretudo no controle de plantas infestantes. Com o surgimento epidêmico da ferrugem alaranjada da cana-de-açúcar, causada pelo fungo Puccinia kuehnii, as aplicações de fungicidas tornaram-se necessárias nas variedades suscetíveis. Porém, poucos estudos concernentes à tecnologia de aplicação são encontrados na literatura, especialmente em relação à aplicação aérea e aos efeitos promovidos na fisiologia das plantas. Este trabalho objetivou estudar as diferentes formas de aplicação de fungicidas na cana-de-açúcar, variedade SP81-3250, no que se refere a deposição de calda, controle da doença, produtividade e efeitos fisiológicos. Executaram-se duas aplicações de fungicidas dos grupos químicos Estrobilurinas e Triazóis nas unidades experimentais. Nas aplicações aéreas, utilizaram-se duas taxas de aplicação (30 e 40 L ha-1) e três orientações dos bicos na barra de pulverização (135º, 0º e 90º em relação à linha de voo), sendo avaliado apenas na segunda aplicação o ângulo de 90o, considerado como padrão aéreo da Usina Vale do Tijuco. Já na aplicação terrestre, utilizaram-se taxa de aplicação de 200 L ha-1 e pontas de pulverização de jato plano com indução de ar (AI11004-VS). Esse procedimento, considerado como padrão terrestre da referida Usina, foi avaliado apenas na primeira aplicação. Dividiu-se a pesquisa em duas partes. Na primeira, avaliaram-se as deposições da calda no dossel superior da cultura e as perdas para o solo, por meio da adição à calda do traçador Azul Brilhante para ser quantificado por absorbância em espectrofotometria. Além disso, conduziu-se um estudo do espectro de gotas por meio da avaliação dos impactos em papéis hidrossensíveis, quantificou-se a severidade da doença nas folhas a partir de um programa de análise de imagens digitalizadas e mensurou-se a biometria da cana-de-açúcar. Já na segunda parte da pesquisa, foram realizadas avaliações de trocas gasosas com analisador de gás IRGA e da quantidade de clorofilas a e b com um clorofilômetro. Os dados foram analisados usando o teste T de Student, para amostras independentes, a 0,05 de significância. A aplicação aérea com menor volume de calda (de 30 L ha-1) proporcionou deposição de calda fungicida e produtividade maiores que as da aplicação com 40 L ha-1. A angulação dos bicos de pulverização na barra da aeronave voltados para trás, de forma a produzir gotas maiores, não interferiu no resultado da aplicação, demonstrando ser uma alternativa viável para a redução de deriva. A aplicação aérea com gotas finas e médias proporcionou maior deposição de calda nas folhas de cana-de-açúcar e menor perda para o solo, em comparação com a aplicação terrestre com gotas extremamente grossas. A aplicação de fungicida gerou incrementos de produtividade superiores a 20 t ha-1, independentemente da forma de aplicação, podendo alcançar 40 t ha-1 com aplicações aéreas. A aplicação aérea proporcionou, em geral, melhores taxas fotossintéticas em relação à aplicação terrestre, com melhor desempenho da fotossíntese e maior concentração das clorofilas a e b no limbo foliar. Não foram detectadas diferenças nas trocas gasosas entre as aplicações aéreas nas distintas condições operacionais de taxa de aplicação e angulação do bico de pulverização na barra. / The application of phytosanitary products in the sugar and ethanol industry has usually targeted pest control. With the epidemic rise in orange rust in sugarcane, caused by fungus Puccinia kuehnii, applications of fungicides are now necessary to protect susceptible varieties. However, few studies have focused on the impacts of the application technology, especially regarding the aerial application and its effects on the plant physiology. This study investigated the different forms of application of fungicides in sugarcane variety SP81-3250 and their association with spray deposition, disease control, productivity, and plant physiology. Experimental units received two different applications of fungicides of the chemical groups strobilurin and triazole. Aerial applications were performed using two different volume rates (30 and 40 L ha-1) and spray bar nozzles in three different angles (135°, 0° and 90 ° to the flight line). The 90° angle, the aerial standard used at sugar factory Usina Vale do Tijuco, was assessed at the second application only. Ground applications were performed using rates of 200 L ha-1 and flat fan spray nozzles with air induction (AI11004-VS). This procedure, used as the ground standard in the sugar factory, was measured in the first application only. The research was divided into two parts. In the first part, spray deposition in the upper canopy and losses to soil were assessed using tracer Brilliant Blue for absorbance spectrophotometry. It addition, sugarcane biometrics was measured, droplet spectrum was analyzed through the assessment of impacts on water sensitive paper, and disease severity on leaves was quantified using a digital image analysis software program. In the second part, gas exchange was assessed using gas analyzer IRGA, and the amount of chlorophyll a and b was measured using a chlorophyll meter. Data were analyzed using Student’s t test for independent samples, with significance set at 0.05. Aerial application with lower volume rates (30 L ha-1) provided greater deposition of fungicide and greater productivity than the application with 40 L ha-1. The angle of the spray nozzles facing backwards in the plane bar, so as to produce larger droplets, did not influence the application result, and thus, proved to be a viable alternative to reduce drift. Aerial applications with fine and medium droplets provided higher spray deposition on sugarcane leaves and less loss to soil compared to ground applications with extremely coarse droplets. Fungicide application generated increases in productivity of over 20 t ha-1, regardless of application form, reaching 40 t ha-1 with aerial applications. Aerial application provided generally better photosynthetic rates compared to ground application, with better photosynthesis performance and higher concentration of chlorophyll a and b in the leaf blade compared to ground application. No differences were found in gas exchange across the air applications in different operating conditions for volume rates and angles of the spray bar nozzle. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3046844 bytes, checksum: 9fc0abd4ac9137e94ab4a27445373f2f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / In this study, a micro-flow-batch analyzer (μFBA) using an in-line cadmium reduction microcolumn for the photometric determination of nitrate and nitrite in dairy samples was developed. The method is based on the Griess-Llosvay reaction and measuring of the absorbance at 540 nm using a green LED integrated into the μFBA built in the urethane-acrylate resin. Initially, the natural nitrite ion content of natural dairy sample product is determined in the micro-mixing chamber, while the nitrate is reduced to nitrite in the micro-column coupled to the micro cadmium sponge and then determined as in the micro-chamber nitrite. content of nitrate ions was estimated from the difference between the first and second determination. The analytical curve for nitrate and nitrite was linear in the work range of 10.0 100.0 μg L 1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.992 and 0.998, respectively. The limit of detection and relative standard deviation were estimated at 0.39 μg L 1 and < 1.7 % (n = 5) for nitrite and, 0.41 μg L 1 and < 1.3 % (n = 5) for nitrate. Comparing with the reference methods, no statistically significant differences were observed when applying the paired t-test at a 95% confidence level. The accuracy was assessed through recovery test (97.7 to 102.9 %). The proposed microsystem employed in-line cadmium sponge microcolumn presented satisfactory portability, robustness, flexibility, low-cost device and reduced chemicals consumption compared to recent methods. / Neste estudo, um analisador micro-flow-batch (μFBA) utilizando uma micro-coluna redutora de cádmio em linha foi desenvolvido para a determinação fotométrica de íons nitrato e nitrito em amostras de laticínios. O método empregado baseia-se na reação de Griess-Llosvay e a medição da absorbância foi realizada a 540 nm, utilizando um LED verde integrado na micro-câmara construída em resina fotopolimerizável uretano-acrilato. Inicialmente, o teor de íons nitritos natural da amostra de lacticínio é determinado na micro-câmara de mistura, enquanto que o nitrato é reduzido a nitrito na micro-coluna de cádmio esponjoso acoplada ao microssistema e posteriormente determinado na micro-câmara como nitrito. O teor de íons nitrato foi estimado a partir da diferença entre a segunda e a primeira determinação. A curva analítica para nitrato e para nitrito foi linear na faixa de trabalho de 10,0 a 100,0 μg L-1, com um coeficiente de correlação (r2) de 0,992 e 0,998, respectivamente. O limite de detecção e o desvio padrão relativo foi calculado em 0,39 μg L-1 e <1,7% (n = 5) para o nitrito, e 0,41 μg L-1 e <1,3% (n = 5) para o nitrato. Comparando-se com os métodos de referência, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando se aplica o teste t pareado com nível de confiança de 95%. A exatidão do método foi avaliada através do teste de recuperação (97,7 a 102,9%). O microssistema proposto empregando a micro-coluna de cádmio esponjoso em linha apresentou portabilidade satisfatória, robustez, flexibilidade, aparelhagem simples e consumo reduzido de produtos químicos em relação aos métodos automáticos mais recentes.

Em Engenharia de Produção, os processos de decisão constituem um dos temas centrais e envolvem fatores de naturezas diversas, que os cercam de dificuldades. Nesses processos, não raramente, estão presentes fatores de natureza subjetiva, informações imprecisas, quando não vagas e mesmo conflitantes, que podem levar a decisões distorcidas, comprometendo a clareza e a objetividade de uma análise. Para manipular logicamente um conjunto de informações vagas, subjetivas, inconsistentes ou paracompletas, são necessárias lógicas alternativas da clássica, pois esta não pode, ao menos diretamente, ser empregada para tal fim. Assim, a lógica paraconsistente pode, em princípio, ser uma ferramenta adequada para a tarefa. No presente trabalho será apresentado um processo de auxílio às tomadas de decisão, denominado de Método de Análise pelo Baricentro (MAB), que se baseia na lógica paraconsistente anotada evidencial Et e no algoritmo para-analisador, introduzidos em (DA COSTA et al., 1999) e (DA SILVA FILHO; ABE, 2001). Esse método permite, de modo não trivial, o tratamento de informações com aquelas características e evidencia a possibilidade de aplicações da lógica Et em Administração, Marketing, Engenharia de Produção, previsão de diagnósticos, aplicações financeiras, entre outros temas. Um estudo de caso real, com resultados plenamente satisfatórios, mostra sua aplicabilidade na prática. Além disso, o MAB abre, entre outras, a perspectiva de se transformarem análises qualitativas em quantitativas. / In Production Engineering, decision making processes represent one of the most important topics and involve factors of various natures, which are, in turn, surrounded by difficulties. Quite often in these processes, there are factors of subjective nature, inaccurate data, sometimes even vague or conflicting information, which may lead to distorted decisions that eventually compromise the clarity and objectiveness of the analysis. In order to logically handle a set of vague, subjective, inconsistent or paracomplete information, logic other than classic is required, once the latter cannot, at least directly, be applied for such purpose. Hence, paraconsistent logic can, in principle, be an adequate tool for the task. In this paper, we will present an auxiliary process in decision making called Baricenter Analysis Method (BAM), which is based in Paraconsistent Annotated Evidential Logic Et and in a para-analyzer algorithm, introduced in (DA COSTA et al., 1999) and (DA SILVA FILHO; ABE, 2001). This methodology allows, in quite an unusual way, the treatment of information containing those characteristics and points out the possibility of applications of logic Et in Business Administration, Marketing, Production Engineering, anticipation of diagnosis, financial applications, among other subjects. Furthermore, BAM opens the possibility of transforming qualitative into quantitative analysis.