There is currently a great deal of interest within the aviation community in the design of small, slow-flying but manoeuvrable uninhabited vehicles for reconnaissance, surveillance, and search and rescue operations in urban environments. Inspired by observation of birds, insects, fish and cetaceans, flapping wings are being actively studied in the hope that they may provide greater propulsive efficiencies than propellers and rotors at low Reynolds numbers for such Micro-Air Vehicles (MAVs). Researchers have posited the Strouhal number (combining flapping frequency, amplitude and forward speed) as the parameter controlling flapping wing aerodynamics in cruising flight, although there is conflicting evidence. This thesis explores the effect of flapping frequency and amplitude on forces and wake structures, as well as physical mechanisms leading to optimum propulsive efficiency. Two-dimensional rigid airfoils are considered at Reynolds number 2,000 ??? 40,000. A compressible Navier-Stokes simulation is combined with numerical and analytical potential flow techniques to isolate and evaluate the effect of viscosity, leading and trailing edge vortex separation, and wake vortex dynamics. The wake structures of a plunging airfoil are shown to be sensitive to the flapping frequency independent of the Strouhal number. For a given frequency, the wake of the airfoil exhibits ???vortex lock-in??? as the amplitude of motion is increased, in a manner analogous to an oscillating circular cylinder. This is caused by interaction between the flapping frequency and the ???bluff-body??? vortex shedding frequency apparent even for streamlined airfoils at low Reynolds number. The thrust and propulsive efficiency of a plunging airfoil are also shown to be sensitive to the flapping frequency independent of Strouhal number. This dependence is the result of vortex shedding from the leading edge, and an interaction between the flapping frequency and the time for vortex formation, separation and convection over the airfoil surface. The observed propulsive efficiency peak for a pitching and plunging airfoil is shown to be the result of leading edge vortex shedding at low flapping frequencies (low Strouhal numbers), and high power requirements at large flapping amplitudes (high Strouhal numbers). The efficiency peak is governed by flapping frequency and amplitude separately, rather than the Strouhal number directly.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T19:18:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MariaEHC_TESE.pdf: 1170432 bytes, checksum: 23f945c77b271c8ad86c1d93e1bf0f2c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Three experiments were carried out in the didactic orchard of the Departamento de Ciências Vegetais of Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), located in Mossoró-RN. The experiments aimed at assessing the interference of weeds on the soil temperature, on the growth of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), and on the efficiency as to the use of water in the referred to type of crop when submitted to weed handling strategies within the systems no-trillage and conventional planting. The trials were assembled in a split-plot scheme, distributed within the experimental design , in randomized blocks with four replications. Within the plots, two planting systems were assessed (no-trillage and conventional), and, within the subplots, three weed handling strategies soil covering with black polyethylene film, with regular weeds, and with no weeds, were assessed. Within each subplot, sensors were installed at a depth of 5 cm for the purpose of measuring the soil temperature. Data were collected every 10 minutes and stored in dataloggers. As for the first experiment, the collected data led to the determination the temperature variation throughout the day from 20 to 30 days after transplanting (DAT), the average maximum and minimum temperatures every 5 days, and the daily temperature range during the crop cycle. On the 60th and 147th days after transplanting, the density as well as the dry mass of the weeds were assessed within the treatment with no weeds. Regarding the second experiment, what was assessed was the growth of sweet pepper, submitted to weed handling strategies within no-trillage and conventional planting systems. To attain such an objective, eight assessment times were established (0, 21, 42, 63, 84, 105, 126 e 147 DAT). The assessed features were: leaf area per plant, leaf area index, dry mass of leaves, of stem, of fruits, and the total dry mass per plant, leaf area ratio as well as the rates of absolute and relative growth and of net assimilation. On the 30th and 90th DAT, the weeds density and the dry mass were assessed in the treatments with no weeds. As to the third experiment, the water consumption and the sweet pepper s productivity were assessed. Based upon the relationship between productivity and water consumption, the efficiency as with water use (kg of fruit m-³ of water) was determined. On 0, 21, 42, 63, 84 e 105 DAT, the density and dry mass of weeds were assessed in the treatments with no weeds. Irrigation was done by way of dripping water, with different water supply to each subplot in order that the soil would be maintained with at least 80% of the total available water, based upon water tension in the soil. It was found that the soil temperature was influenced by the covering types, with wider temperature ranges and maximum temperatures in the treatments with weeds and in the treatments with the soil covered by polyethylene film within the conventional planting system as compared to the no trillage direct planting with regular weeds. The no-trillage system proved to be a suitable technique for growing sweet peppers under a high temperature condition. The no-trillage system displayed higher growth rates than those displayed by the conventional planting in all weed handling strategies. The highest rates were observed in the no-trillage with weeds; besides, this type of planting reduces infestation and the weeds dry mass accumulation. Insofar as the third trial is concerned, it was found that the weeds interference increased water consumption and reduced the sweet pepper productivity within the two planting systems; however, the conventional planting displayed stronger effects. The treatment with weeds in the direct planting displayed greater fruit productivity and greater efficiency as for water use as compared to the others. It was concluded that the dead covering in the direct planting lowered the soil temperature, favored the growth and productivity of sweet pepper, reduced infestation by weeds, and increased water use efficiency / Foram conduzidos na horta didática do Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA), no município de Mossoró-RN, três experimentos com o objetivo de avaliar a interferência de plantas daninhas sobre a temperatura do solo, no crescimento e na eficiência do uso da água na cultura do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.), submetido a estratégias de manejo de plantas daninhas nos sistemas de plantio direto e convencional. Os ensaios foram montados no esquema de parcelas subdivididas, distribuídas no delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Nas parcelas foram avaliados dois sistemas de plantio (direto e convencional) e nas subparcelas, três estratégias de manejo de plantas daninhas (cobertura do solo com filme de polietileno preto, com capinas regulares e sem capinas). Em cada subparcela, foram instalados sensores, a 5 cm de profundidade, para medir a temperatura do solo. Os dados foram coletados a cada 10 minutos e armazenados em dataloggers. No primeiro experimento, a partir dos dados obtidos, determinou-se a variação da temperatura ao longo do dia, no período de 20 a 30 dias após o transplantio (DAT) e a cada 5 dias a média das temperaturas máxima e mínima e a amplitude térmica diária durante o ciclo da cultura e aos 60 e 147 dias após o transplantio foram realizadas avaliações nos tratamentos sem capinas da densidade e massa seca de plantas daninhas. No segundo experimento avaliou-se o crescimento do pimentão submetido a estratégias de manejo de plantas daninhas nos sistemas de plantio convencional e direto. Para tal foram realizadas oito épocas de avaliações (0, 21, 42, 63, 84, 105, 126 e 147 DAT). As características avaliadas foram: área foliar por planta, índice de área foliar, massa seca de folhas, caule, frutos e total por planta, razão de área foliar, as taxas de crescimento absoluto e relativo e taxa de assimilação líquida. Aos 30 e 90 DAT foram realizadas avaliações de densidade e massa seca de plantas daninhas nos tratamentos sem capinas. No terceiro experimento avaliou-se o consumo de água e a produtividade do pimentão. A partir da relação entre a produtividade e o consumo de água determinou-se, para cada tratamento, a eficiência no uso da água (kg de fruto m-³ de água) e aos 0, 21, 42, 63, 84 e 105 DAT foram realizadas avaliações de densidade e massa seca de plantas daninhas nos tratamentos sem capinas. As irrigações foram realizadas por gotejamento com fornecimento de água diferenciado para cada subparcela, de modo a manter o solo com no mínimo de 80% da água disponível total, com base na tensão de água no solo. Verificou-se que a temperatura do solo foi influenciada pelos tipos de cobertura, tendo-se constatado maiores amplitudes térmicas e temperaturas máximas nos tratamentos com capinas e coberto com filme de polietileno no sistema de plantio convencional em relação ao plantio direto com capinas regulares. O sistema de plantio direto mostrou-se como uma técnica adequada para o cultivo do pimentão sob condição de temperatura elevada. O sistema de plantio direto apresentou índices de crescimento superiores aos do plantio convencional em todas as estratégias de manejo de plantas daninhas e as maiores taxas foram verificadas no plantio direto com capinas além de reduzir a infestação e o acúmulo de massa seca de plantas daninhas. No terceiro ensaio, constatou-se que a interferência das plantas daninhas elevou o consumo de água e reduziu a produtividade do pimentão nos dois sistemas de plantio, embora com efeitos mais pronunciados no plantio convencional. O tratamento com capinas no plantio direto apresentou maior produtividade de frutos e eficiência no uso da água em relação aos demais. Concluiu-se que a cobertura morta no sistema de plantio direto diminuiu a temperatura do solo e favoreceu o crescimento e a produtividade do pimentão, reduziu a infestação de plantas daninhas e elevou a eficiência no uso da água

La consommation d'énergie des centres de données est un enjeu majeur. Leurs communications internes représentent près du quart de cette consommation. Les technologies de commutation optique ont en principe une meilleure efficacité énergétique que les solutions actuelles. Ce travail porte sur les réseaux optiques en mode paquet pour des centres de données de petite et moyenne taille. Il s'est déroulé dans le cadre du projet EPOC (Energy Proportional and Opportunistic Computing) qui s'intéresse à la réduction de la consommation d'énergie d'un centre de données alimenté partiellement par des sources renouvelables. Une hypothèse clé est l'absence d'un réseau de stockage dédié réduisant ainsi la consommation des interconnexions. Par contre, afin de pouvoir éteindre certains serveurs selon la charge de travail et l'énergie disponible, le débit doit être de l'ordre de 100 Gbit/s. Après un état de l'art des réseaux optiques pour centre de données nous choisissons une solution reposant sur une infrastructure entièrement passive et des émetteurs rapidement accordables en longueur d'onde, proposée récemment dans la littérature (POPI).Nous étudions les limitations dues aux composants (pertes d'insertion, plage d'accord et espacement des canaux). Nous proposons une extension (E-POPI) qui permet d'augmenter le nombre de serveurs connectés en utilisant plusieurs plages de longueurs d'onde. Pour les centres de données de plus grande taille nous proposons un réseau à deux étages (intra- et inter-racks) opérant respectivement dans les bandes C et L, POPI+. La connexion entre étages se fait via une passerelle transparente dans un sens et opaque dans l'autre. Différentes solutions de contrôle des deux étages sont détaillées.Un des éléments essentiels de faisabilité de ces architectures est de concilier la montée en débit avec les pertes du réseau passif d'interconnexion. Les techniques cohérentes des transmissions longue distance ne sont pas actuellement envisageables pour un centre de données. Nous avons donc étudié les formats PAM 4 et 8, par simulation avec différents débits (jusqu'à 112 Gbit/s et récepteurs (PIN, APD et SOA-PIN) et aussi, expérimentalement, à 12 et 18 Gbit/s. Nous avons développé une méthode de compensation des distorsions générées par les différents composants qui procure un compromis entre précision de correction et temps de calcul.Ces résultats nous permettent de déterminer les pertes d'insertion tolérables. Nous les combinons avec les limitations liées à la plage d'accord des émetteurs et à l'encombrement spectral des canaux occupant des fenêtres multiples de 12,5 GHz pour dimensionner les différentes architectures. Les réseaux POPI, E-POPI et POPI+ permettent respectivement la connexion de 48, 99 et 2352 entités à 112 Gbit/s. Nos évaluations tiennent compte d'une possible dispersion des caractéristiques des principaux composants. / Data-center energy consumption is nowadays a major issue. Intra-data-center networking accounts almost for a quarter of the data-center total power consumption. Optical switching technologies could provide higher power efficiency than current solutions based on electrical-packet switching. This work focuses on optical-packet-switched networks for small- and medium-size data centers. It takes part of the EPOC (Energy-Proportional and Opportunistic Computing) project, which main interest consists on reducing the overall power consumption of a data center partially powered by renewable sources. A key assumption is that our data center does not rely on a dedicated storage network, in order to reduce the consumption of those interconnections. In addition, with the aim of being able to turn off some servers according to the workload and the available energy, the bit rate must be close to 100 Gbit/s. We have chosen, after studying the state of the art of data-center interconnects, a purely passive network architecture based on fast-wavelength-tunable transmitters under the name of POPI.We study POPI's limitations due to its components (insertion loss, tuning range and channel spacing). We then propose an extension called E-POPI that allows to increase the number of connected servers by using several transmission bands. For larger data centers, we propose POPI+, a two-stage infrastructure for intra- and inter-rack communications operating in the C and L bands, respectively. The connection between both stages is done via a transparent gateway in one direction and an opaque one in the other. We discuss different control solutions for both stages.The feasibility of these architectures depends on, among other factors, dealing with bit-rate increasing and power losses of a passive interconnect. Coherent long-distance-transmission techniques are not currently suited to data centers. We therefore studied PAM 4 and 8 modulation formats with direct detection. On one hand, by simulation, with different bit rates (up to 112 Gbit/s) and receivers (PIN, APD and SOA-PIN) and, on the other hand, experimentally, at 12 and 18 Gbit/s. We have developed a method for compensating the distortions generated by the different network components. Our method takes into account a good tradeoff between correction accuracy and computation time.Simulation results allow us to determine the amount of insertion loss that may be supported. We then combine these results with the limitations of transmitters-tuning range and channel spacing using multiple of 12.5 GHz slots for dimensioning the proposed architectures. POPI, E-POPI and POPI+ interconnects allow the connection of 48, 99 and 2352 entities, respectively, at 112 Gbit/s. Our assessments take into account a potential dispersion of the characteristics of the main architecture components.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This dissertation presents information on (1) the advertisement and aggressive calls of Crossodactylus schmidti and on (2) the species diet and its relationship with prey availability. The study was conducted with populations from the Parque Estadual do Turvo, located in the northwestern region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The park has an area of 17,491.4 ha and constitutes the largest preserved remnant of Mesophytic Semideciduous Forest in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The advertisement and aggressive calls of C. schmidti were described based on vocalizations of seven individuals recorded between October 2009 and February 2010. Compared to the advertisement calls described for other species of the genus, the advertisement call of C. schmidti differs in the temporal structure by having fewer notes per call and longer intervals between notes, and in the spectral structure by having lower values of dominant frequency. The aggressive call of C. schmidti is a variation of the advertisement call, which is similar to this in the note duration and dominant frequency values, but is a longer call, having fewer notes with longer intervals between them. The advertisement and aggressive calls of C. schmidti may be emitted separately, or the aggressive call may be followed by the advertisement call. The diet of C. schmidti was evaluated from September 2009 to March 2010, based on 93 stomach contents obtained by the technique of regurgitation (n= 80) and analysis of stomach contents of collected specimens (n= 13). In this study we determined the diet niche breadth, evaluated the relationship of diet composition with prey availability in the environment, and we also looked for ontogenetic and sexual changes and composition differences in the diet. Nineteen categories of prey were consumed, and ants, beetles and flies presented the highest importance values. Despite the varied diet, the diet niche breadth was low, with few prey categories predominantly consumed. Ants, flies and spiders were consumed in similar proportion to that estimated in the environment. There was no relationship between mouth width and length and/or volume of prey consumed, but the differences in diet composition between males and females, and between adults and juveniles, were significant. Considering the varied diet, the relationship between the most important items of diet with their availability in the environment, and the narrow niche breadth found, C. schmidti seems to be an opportunistic forager with feeding habits similar to other species of the genus. The similarities in the importance of items such as ants, beetles, flies and insect larvae in diet of C. schmidti and other species of the genus suggest a strong phylogenetic influence. / A presente dissertação apresenta informações sobre (1) o canto de anúncio e o canto agressivo de Crossodactylus schmidti, e sobre (2) a dieta da espécie e sua relação com a disponibilidade de presas. O estudo foi conduzido com populações do Parque Estadual do Turvo, localizado na região noroeste do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. O parque possui uma área de 17.491,4 ha e constitui o maior remanescente preservado de Floresta Estacional Semidecídua do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os cantos de anúncio e agressivo de C. schmidti foram descritos a partir de vocalizações de sete indivíduos gravadas entre outubro de 2009 e fevereiro de 2010. Comparado aos cantos de anúncio descritos para outras espécies do gênero, o de C. schmidti difere na estrutura temporal por apresentar menor número de notas por canto e maior intervalo entre as notas, e, na estrutura espectral, difere por apresentar menores valores de frequência dominante. O canto agressivo de C. schmidti é uma variação do canto de anúncio, sendo semelhante a este na duração das notas e nos valores de freqüência dominante, mas é um canto mais longo, possuindo menor número de notas e maior intervalo entre elas. O canto de anúncio e o canto agressivo de C. schmidti podem ser emitidos isoladamente ou pode ser emitido o canto agressivo seguido do canto de anúncio. A dieta de C. schmidti foi avaliada de setembro de 2009 a março de 2010, a partir de 93 conteúdos estomacais obtidos através da técnica de regurgitação (n= 80) e da análise dos conteúdos estomacais de espécimes coletados (n= 13). Nesse trabalho, determinamos a amplitude do nicho alimentar da espécie, avaliamos a relação da dieta com a disponibilidade de presas no ambiente e testamos as diferenças ontogenéticas e sexuais na composição da dieta. Dezenove categorias de presas foram consumidas, sendo formigas, besouros e dípteros as que apresentaram os maiores valores de importância. Apesar da dieta variada, a amplitude alimentar foi baixa, com poucas categorias de presas consumidas predominantemente. Formigas, dípteros e aranhas foram consumidas em proporção semelhante à estimada no ambiente. Não houve relação entre a largura da boca e o comprimento médio e/ou volume das presas consumidas, mas as diferenças na composição da dieta entre machos e fêmeas e entre adultos e juvenis foram significativas. Considerando a dieta variada, a relação entre os itens mais importantes da dieta com sua disponibilidade e a estreita amplitude do nicho alimentar, C. schmidti parece ser um forrageador oportunista de hábito alimentar similar aos de outras espécies do gênero. As semelhanças na importância de itens como formigas, besouros, dípteros e larvas de insetos na dieta C. schmidti e na de outras espécies do gênero sugere uma forte influência filogenética.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Water is a key factor for crop yields, and causes major fluctuations in productivity, especially for maize cultivated in southern Brazil. Mulching the soil surface, temperature and soil moisture are factors closely linked and, when handled properly, can provide the increases crop yields. The soil water conservation is an important aspect for more stable and sustainable agricultural production. The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in water content and dynamics of the temperature in a soil cultivated with maize under different amounts of plant residue on the surface and water regimes. The experiment was conducted in the experimental area of Agricultural Engineering Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, in the crop year 2009/10, inside a rainfall shelter. The experimental design was completely randomized, factorial, with five replications. Factor A consisted of three quantity of plant residue on the soil surface: 0 (zero), 3 and 6 Mg ha-1 of oat (Avena strigosa Schreb). Factor B consisted of two water regimes: with and without irrigation. The volumetric water content (cm3 water cm-3 soil) of soil was determined in the layers: 0-0.1, 0.1-0.25, 0.25-0.55 and 0.55 - 0.85 m, for a set FDR (Frequency Domain Reflectometry). The soil temperature was measured by thermocouples, consisting of a copper wire and the other of constantan, which determined the soil temperature at depths of 0.03, 0.08, 0.15 and 0.30 m. The morphological characteristics of maize plants, as leaf area and cumulative length of leaves were determined with the portable leaf area LI-COR 3000C. The lowest cumulative losses of soil water in the 0-0.1 m were observed in the soil maintained with 6 Mg ha-1 crop residues on the surface, reaching 50% reduction to 100 mm of accumulated reference evapotranspiration (18 days after seeding) compared to bare soil. The use of crop residues on the soil surface did not produce significant changes fenometric in maize plants during the evaluation period. The quantities of 3 and 6 Mg ha-1 crop residues oat deposited on the surface of the soil decreased the maximum temperature and temperature range in the soil. / A água é um fator fundamental à produção das culturas, tendo papel importante nas flutuações de produtividade, principalmente para a cultura do milho no Sul do Brasil. A cobertura morta na superfície do solo, a temperatura e a umidade do solo são fatores intimamente interligados e, quando manejados adequadamente, podem propiciar incrementos à produção das culturas. A conservação da água no solo é um aspecto de relevância para uma produção agrícola mais estável e sustentável. A finalidade deste trabalho foi avaliar as variações no conteúdo de água e na dinâmica da temperatura de um solo cultivado com milho sob diferentes quantidades de resíduo vegetal na superfície e regimes hídricos. O experimento foi realizado em área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia Rural da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, no ano agrícola de 2009/10, no interior de uma cobertura móvel. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, bifatorial, com cinco repetições. O fator A foi constituído de três quantidades de resíduo vegetal sobre a superfície do solo: 0 (zero), 3 e 6 Mg ha-1 de aveia preta (Avena strigosa Schreb). O fator B foi constituído de dois regimes hídricos: irrigado e não irrigado. O conteúdo volumétrico de água (cm3 água cm-3 solo) do solo foi determinado nas camadas de: 0-0,1; 0,1-0,25; 0,25-0,55 e 0,55-0,85 m, por um conjunto FDR (Reflectometria no Domínio de Freqüência). Para avaliação da temperatura do solo, foram utilizados termopares, constituídos de um fio de cobre e de outro de constantan, os quais determinaram a temperatura do solo nas profundidades de 0,03; 0,08; 0,15 e 0,30 m. As características morfológicas das plantas de milho, como área foliar e comprimento acumulado das folhas, foram determinadas com medidor portátil de área foliar LI-COR 3000C. As menores perdas acumuladas de água do solo na camada de 0-0,1 m foram observadas no solo mantido com 6 Mg ha-1 de resíduo vegetal na superfície, chegando a 50 % de redução aos 100 mm de evapotranspiração de referência acumulada (18 dias após a semeadura) comparado ao solo descoberto. A utilização de resíduos vegetais não proporcionou alterações fenométricas significativas nas plantas de milho durante o período de avaliação. As quantidades de 3 e 6 Mg ha-1 de resíduos vegetais de aveia preta depositados sobre a superfície do solo diminuíram a temperatura máxima e a amplitude térmica no solo.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:19:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5110.pdf: 9251183 bytes, checksum: b4178b3d81d86cf5fd17ce7ecbba1aa8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-21 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The human movement record is an essential requirement for biomechanical, clinical and occupational analysis, allowing assessments of postural variation, occupational risks and improvement of preventive programs in physical therapy and rehabilitation. Electrogoniometers have been used to record wrist movements during work. However, different sizes of sensors are used, bringing difficulties to the comparison of recordings. Moreover, although of flexible electrogoniometers (EGM) are considered a reliable and accurate equipment for dynamic recordings of different joints the EGM, they are susceptible to measurement errors, known as crosstalk. There are two main types of crosstalk, crosstalk due to sensor rotation and the inherent crosstalk. Correction procedures have been proposed to correct these errors, however no study evaluating the efficiency of corrections from both procedures in subject wrist measurements was identified in the available literature. Thus, this study aims: 1) to evaluate two different sensors in order to check its performance in an anthropometric defined sample; 2) to evaluate the effects of mathematical correction procedures on: the crosstalk due to the forearm rotation, the inherent sensors crosstalk, and the combination of these two procedures. To compare the two models of sensors 13 subjects were evaluated (7 women and 6 men) who performed flexion/extension and ulnar/radial wrist movement, reaching maximum amplitude in the pronated forearm position. Two sensors measuring 65 and 110 mm of length (XM110 and XM65, respectively) and an acquisition data device (Datalog, Biometrics) were used. The sequence of movements and the sensor placement were randomized. The data were analyzed descriptively and statistically bymultivariate analysis. The intra-individual variation (root mean square RMS between trials) were calculated. The results showed there was no significant difference between the sensors for all movements. The maximum intra individual variation was 2.2°. There were significant differences between gender for wrist flexion and ulnar deviation, women have higher values than men. The maximum variability between sensors was 7.1°. Although no significant difference was identified between sensors, it was found that the sensor XM110, bigger than XM65, presented bulging during the extension. Therefore, for individuals with height up to 1.8 m, the data obtained by both sensors are comparable. In the second stage of the study we evaluate the maximum amplitude of the flexion/extension and ulnar deviation/radial wrist of 43 healthy subjects recorded by EGMs. Correction procedures were applied to the crosstalk due to the rotation of the forearm, crosstalk inherent and combining the two procedures. The results showed there was no significant difference in measurements before and after the correction procedures (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the differences between the correction procedures were below 5 ° for most cases, indicating small clinical impact on the measurements. Considering that the corrections are time consuming, require specific technical knowledge and have provided inefficient results, the correction procedures are not recommended for clinical wrist electrogoniometers recordings. Thus, improvement of equipment should be provided by the manufacturers. / O registro do movimento humano e requisito fundamental para analises biomecanicas, clinicas e ocupacionais, permitindo avaliar variacoes posturais, riscos e aprimoramento de programas preventivos e de reabilitacao em Fisioterapia. O eletrogoniometro e utilizado em contexto ocupacional para registro dos movimentos do punho. No entanto, diferentes tamanhos de sensores sao utilizados, o que pode dificultar a comparacao entre os resultados. Alem disso, apesar de o eletrogoniometro flexivel (EGM) ser considerado um equipamento confiavel e acurado, e utilizado para o registro dinamico de diferentes articulacoes, e suscetivel a erros de medida, denominados crosstalk. Existem dois tipos principais de crosstalk, o crosstalk devido a rotacao do sensor e o crosstalk inerente. Procedimentos de correcao tem sido propostos para a correcao desses erros, no entanto nenhum estudo utilizou ambos os procedimentos em medidas em movimento funcional dos movimentos do punho, visando otimizar a correcao. Diante disso, este estudo teve como objetivos: 1) avaliar dois sensores eletrogoniometricos de tamanho diferentes para verificar o desempenho de ambos em uma amostra com variaveis antropometricas (peso e altura) definidas; e 2) avaliar, comparativamente, o efeito de procedimentos de correcao para: o crosstalk entre os movimentos de flexao/extensao e desvio radial/ulnar do punho devido a rotacao do antebraco; o crosstalk inerente aos sensores, e a combinacao desses dois procedimentos de correcao em situacoes funcionais. Para a comparacao entre os dois modelos de sensores foram avaliadas 13 sujeitos (7 mulheres e 6 homens) que realizaram movimentos de flexao/extensao e desvio ulnar/radial do punho em amplitude maxima, na posicao pronada do antebraco. Foram utilizados dois sensores com 65 e 110 mm de comprimento (XM65 e XM110, respectivamente) e um dispositivo de aquisicao de dados (Datalog, Biometrics). A ordem de realizacao dos movimentos e colocacao dos sensores foram aleatorizadas. Os dados foram analisados descritivamente e estatisticamente por analise multivariada. Foi calculada a variacao entre as tentativas (variabilidade intra individual) e entre os sensores por meio do valor RMS (root mean square). Os resultados mostraram que nao houve diferenca significativa entre os sensores para todos os movimentos. A variabilidade intraindividual maxima foi de 2,2°. Houve diferenca significativa entre os generos para a flexao e o desvio ulnar, sendo as mulheres as que apresentaram valores maiores que os homens. A variabilidade maxima entre os sensores foi de 7,1°. Apesar de nao ter havido diferenca significante entre os sensores, verificou-se que o sensor XM110, por ser maior, apresentava abaulamento durante a extensao. Portanto, para individuos com altura ate 1,8 m, os dados obtidos pelos diferentes sensores sao comparaveis. Na segunda etapa do estudo foram avaliadas as amplitudes maximas dos movimentos de flexao/extensao e desvios ulnar/radial do punho de 43 individuos saudaveis registradas por meio de EGMs. Foram aplicados procedimentos de correcao para o crosstalk devido a rotacao do antebraco, crosstalk inerente, e combinando-se os dois procedimentos. Os resultados mostraram que nao houve alteracao significativa nas medidas apos a aplicacao dos procedimentos de correcao (P≤0,05). Alem disso, as diferencas entre os procedimentos de correcao foram inferiores a 5o para a maioria dos casos, indicando pouco impacto sobre as medidas. Assim, considerando o tempo de processamento, o conhecimento tecnico especifico exigido e os ineficazes resultados obtidos, desaconselha-se a aplicacao desses procedimentos na correcao de registros eletrogiometricos do punho, sugerindo a necessidade de que o aprimoramento dos equipamentos seja realizado por seus fabricantes.

The study of quadrupolar nuclei using NMR spectroscopy in the solid state significantly increased in popularity from the end of the 20th century, with the introduction of specific methods to acquire spectra free from the effects of the quadrupolar interaction, that results in broadened lineshapes that cannot be completely removed by spinning the sample at the magic angle (MAS), unlike most of the other interactions present in the solid state. The first technique which allows, without any specific hardware, the removal of this broadening has been the Multiple-Quantum MQMAS experiment. The method quickly gained a popularity within the NMR community, with numerous successful applications published. However, the multiple-quantum filtration step in this experiment relies on severely limits sensitivity, restricting application to the most sensitive nuclei. Extending the applicability of MQMAS to less receptive nuclei requires the use of signal improvement techniques. There are multiple examples of such approaches in the literature, but most of these require additional optimisation that may be time-consuming, or simply impossible, on less receptive nuclei. This work introduces a novel signal improvement technique for MQMAS, called FAM-N. Its optimisation is solely based on density matrix simulations using SIMPSON, implying no additional experimental optimisation is required, while improving the signal in MQMAS spectra by equivalent or higher amounts than other common methods. In order to prove the applicability of this method on virtually any system, FAM-N has been investigated by simulation, and tested experimentally using a number of model samples, as well as samples known to be challenging to study by NMR. This work also explores other aspects of NMR spectroscopy on quadrupolar nuclei. Adiabatic inversion of the satellite populations can be performed to improve the central transition signal in static or MAS spectra. A range of methods has been tested and compared, with particular attention given to hyperbolic secant-shaped pulses, for which its performance have been described. Finally, cross-polarisation from a spin I = 1/2 nucleus to a quadrupolar nucleus has been investigated. After reviewing the theory for the static case, simulations have been performed under MAS in order to identify the conditions for efficient magnetisation transfer, with applications in spectral editing or for the combination with MQMAS.

Objetivo: Exercícios de mobilização são aplicados em pacientes com Espondilite Anquilosante (EA) para preservar e restaurar a mobilidade axial, no entanto, não há descrição na literatura, de um programa específico de reabilitação compreendendo apenas exercícios de mobilização com e sem a associação de exercícios com resistência elástica em pacientes com EA. Assim, foram avaliados os efeitos de dois programas de exercícios quanto a mobilidade, capacidade funcional, qualidade de vida e atividade de doença em pacientes com EA. Métodos: Cinquenta e cinco pacientes com EA, sedentários, com Índice Bath de atividade de doença da Espondilite Anquilosante (BASDAI) < 4 foram incluídos no estudo. Os pacientes com EA foram alocados ao acaso em três grupos, um grupo foi prescrito exercícios de mobilização (M), um com o programa de mobilização mais exercícios de resistência elástica (M+R) e um grupo controle sem exercícios (C). As sessões de exercícios foram realizadas em grupos, duas vezes por semana, por 16 semanas, e todas as sessões foram supervisionadas. Os grupos M e M+R realizavam 30 minutos de alongamentos e exercícios de mobilidade para coluna, membros superiores e inferiores. Depois do programa de mobilização, apenas o grupo M+R realizava mais 30 minutos de exercícios com resistência elástica. A mobilidade, qualidade de vida, atividade de doença e parâmetros de atividade funcional foram avaliados no início do programa e depois de 16 semanas por um avaliador cego. Resultados: No início do estudo, a média de idade dos pacientes (DP) era 48,2 anos ( ± 11,7); tempo de doença 18,4( ± 9,9) anos; BASDAI 2,2( ± 1,2); escore global Bath de espondilite anquilosante (BAS-g) de 4,2( ± 2,3) Índice funcional Bath (BASFI) de 3,6( ± 2,4) e Índice de mobilidade Bath (BASMI) de 4,6( ± 2,1). Comparando valores iniciais e após 16 semanas o grupo M mostrou uma melhora significante no Índice BASMI e o grupo M+R apresentou uma melhora significante no BASMI e na expansibilidade torácica. BAS-g, BASDAI e BASMI foram significantemente piores no grupo C. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos M e M+R, mas foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos C e M+R nos índices BASDAI, ASDAS e BASFI a favor do grupo M+R. Conclusão: Os programas de exercícios terapêuticos foram seguros e efetivos. O programa de mobilização promoveu benefícios apenas nos parâmetros de mobilidade articular. Os pacientes que realizaram programa de exercícios com resistência elástica além de apresentarem melhora na mobilidade articular, apresentaram melhora da atividade de doença e função quando comparado aos controles no fim do tratamento / Objective: Mobility exercises are used in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients to preserve and restore axial mobility, but there are no data regarding a specific rehabilitation program that includes mobility alone and its association with elastic resistance exercises in AS patients with stable disease activity. So, we assessed the effects of two exercise programs in terms of mobility, functional capacity, quality of life and disease activity in AS patients. Methods: Fifty-five sedentary AS patients with a Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Activity Index (BASDAI) <4 were included. The AS patients were randomly assigned into three groups, to receive a mobility exercise program (M), or mobility plus elastic resistance exercise program (M+R) or no exercise (C). The exercises group sessions were conducted twice per week for 16 weeks. This supervised program comprised 30 minutes of outdoor stretching and mobility exercises for the spine and limbs (M). After the mobility program, M+R group carry out more 30 minutes of elastic resistance exercises. The mobility, disease activity and functional parameters were evaluated at baseline and after 16 weeks, with the evaluator blinded to the treatment group. Results: At study entry, the patients had a mean (SD) age of 48,2 years ( ± 11,7), disease duration of 18,4( ± 9,9) years, BASDAI 2,2( ± 1,2), Bath AS Global score (BAS-g) 4,2( ± 2,3) Bath AS functional Index (BASFI) of 3,6( ± 2,4) and Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) of 4,6( ± 2,1). Comparing the baseline to 16 weeks, group M showed a significant improvement in BASMI and M+R group showed significant improvement in BASMI and chest expansion. BAS-g, BASDAI and BASMI was significantly worst in C group. No significant differences between M+R group and M group were perceived but there were significant differences in BASDAI, ASDAS and BASFI scores between C group and M+R group in favor of M+R group. Conclusion: Therapeutic exercises programs were effective and safe. The mobility exercises program promoted benefits only in joint mobility parameters. The exercise program with elastic resistance besides those benefits for joint mobility, also improved function and disease activity comparing to controls at the end of the program

The dance is a possibility of non-verbal communication. It is supposed that, like therapy, the dance can embrace and interconnect cerebral areas which are responsible for the cognition, emotion and motor action. To investigate the effect of Dance therapy as tool for improves the quality of life, ROM and functionality of subjects with neuromotor disorders. This controlled and randomized clinical trial was composed by two groups: Dance Therapy and Kinesiotherapy. Both of them were undergone to an 1-hour treatment, twice a week, along two months. The assessment instruments used were: The questionnaire about quality of Life Short-Form 36 (Brazilian version), goniometer (to ROM), and Protocol for Evaluating Motor and Functional Performance of Durigon. The applied procedures in the groups Dance therapy and Kinesiotherapy were conducted in suitable locations for their conducts. Twenty-six subjects were proportionally allocated into two groups of study. The findings suggest impairment in quality of life in various rules in both groups when analyzed through SF-36. The worst scores of quality of life were observed for the field of physical limitation in both groups (Dance Therapy 20.76±6.76, Kinesiotherapy 37.69±8.05). Significant improvement was observed for the items functional capacity (p=0.019), general health (p=0.015), social aspects (p=0.002) and limitation for emotional aspects (p=0.039) only for the group Dance Therapy after treatment. In Group Dance Therapy the sampling variances showed significant improvements in range of motion in all joints and axes of movements (p < .05). The exception was adduction movement in the shoulder joint (p=.174 and p=.082, right and left limbs, respectively). In Group Kinesiotherapy there was significant increase in the passive range of motion in some joints of the upper (p≤.015) and some joints of the lower limbs (p≤.05). A significant enhancement was observed in all of static and dynamic functional activities (p≤.04), except to anterior (p=.083) and posterior gaits (p=.157) for the Dance Therapy group. In the Kinesiotherapy group, there was a significant improvement only for sitting (p=.016) and kneeling postures (p=.025). The Dance Therapy promoted enhancement on the quality of life, the range of motion and the static and dynamic functions in patients with brain-related neuromotor disabilities. / A dança é uma possibilidade de comunicação. Supõe-se que, como terapia, ela possa abranger e interconectar áreas cerebrais responsáveis pela cognição, emoção e ação motriz. Investigar o efeito da Dançaterapia como ferramenta para melhorar a funcionalidade, mobilidade e qualidade de vida de sujeitos com transtornos neuromotores. Este ensaio clínico, controlado e com distribuição aleatória foi composto por dois grupos: Dançaterapia e Cinesioterapia. Ambos os grupos foram tratados com duração de uma hora, duas vezes por semana, por um período de dois meses. Os instrumentos de avaliação utilizados foram: Questionário de Qualidade de Vida SF-36, goniômetro (para mobilidade articular) e avaliação funcional de Durigon. Os procedimentos aplicados nos grupos Dançaterapia e Cinesioterapia foram realizados em locais adequados para as respectivas condutas. Vinte e seis indivíduos foram proporcionalmente distribuídos nos dois grupos de pesquisa. Os resultados encontrados apontam comprometimento na qualidade de vida nos diversos domínios em ambos os grupos quando analisados através do SF-36. Os piores escores de qualidade de vida foram observados quanto ao domínio capacidade funcional em ambos os grupos (Dançaterapia: 20,76±6,76; Cinesioterapia: 37,69±8,05). Melhora estatisticamente significativa para os itens capacidade funcional (p=0,019), estado geral de saúde (p=0,015), aspectos sociais (p=0,002) e limitações por aspectos emocionais (p=0,039) apenas para o grupo Dançaterapia. No Grupo Dançaterapia, as variâncias amostrais demonstraram significativa melhora na amplitude de movimento em todas as articulações e eixos de movimento (p < 0,05). A exceção foi na articulação do ombro no movimento de adução (p=0,174 e p=0,082, membros direito e esquerdo, respectivamente). No Grupo Cinesioterapia, ocorreu acréscimo significativo da amplitude passiva de movimento em algumas articulações de membros superiores (p≤0,015) e algumas articulações de membros inferiores (p≤0,05) Os resultados encontrados apontam, no Grupo Dançaterapia, melhora significativa em todas as atividades funcionais estáticas e dinâmicas (p≤0,04), com exceção de marcha anterior (p=0,083) e posterior (p=0,157). No Grupo Cinesioterapia, houve melhora significativa para sedestação (p=0,016) e ajoelhado (p=0,025). A dança, como terapia, promoveu melhora na qualidade de vida, na mobilidade articular e na função estática e dinâmica de pacientes com transtornos neuromotores de origem cerebral.

Fundação de Apoio a Pesquisa e à Inovação Tecnológica do Estado de Sergipe - FAPITEC/SE / The objective was to analyze Global Active Stretching (GAS) practice concerning strength enhancement and injury prevention support in combat sports, it was inspected the effect of regular GAS practice on the performance of judo practioners, in physical tests and analysed the GAS effect in supporting the maintenance and restitution of normal values of upper limbs thermal asymmetry in jiu-jitsu practioners. The sample for these studies was composed by 12 judo practioners, for the period of 10 weeks and 18 jiu-jitsu practioners for the period of three consecutive days. They were separated into experimental group and control group. For judo practioners, the results show that the regular practice of GAS optimized the flexibility gain and vertical jump, with a gain of 3.00 ± (1.09) cm and 2.49 ± (0.63) cm respectively, and did not reflect on the results of the other tests. For jiu-jitsu practioners, the regular practice of GAS enhanced the healing process for the forearm area after competition, decrease in the ΔTP (°C) of 0.18°C. Therefore the regular practice of GAS increases the flexibility of back chain and the performance in vertical jump CMJ, for judo practioners, and does not interfere at the maintenance of normality of thermal , for contralateral upper limbs areas, in jiu jitsu athletes being able to restore normal values of thermal asymmetry in the forearm posterior region. / Objetivando analisar a prática do Stretching Global Ativo (SGA) para otimização da força e auxílio na prevenção de lesões em esportes de combate, verificou-se o efeito da prática regular do SGA no desempenho de judocas em uma bateria de testes físicos, assim como o efeito dessa prática no auxílio da manutenção e restituição de valores normais da assimetria térmica para membros superiores de jiujitsukas. Para compor a amostra dos estudos foram recrutados 12 judocas no período de 10 semanas e 18 jiujitsukas por três dias consecutivos, divididos em grupo experimental e grupo controle. Os resultados apontam que a prática regular do SGA potencializou o ganho de flexibilidade e impulsão vertical, com ganho de 3,00 ± 1,09 cm e 2,49 ± 0,63 respectivamente, e não foi prejudicial em outros testes para atletas de judô. Já para jiujitsukas, a prática do SGA acelerou o processo de recuperação para região do antebraço após a competição, diminuindo em 0,18°C o ΔTP (°C). Conclui-se que, a prática do SGA aumenta a flexibilidade da cadeia posterior e o desempenho no salto vertical de judocas, e não prejudica a manutenção da normalidade térmica em regiões contralaterais dos membros superiores de competidores de jiu jitsu podendo restituir valores normais de assimetria térmica na região posterior do antebraço.