Apesar da Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA) ser um dos métodos mais importantes na análise da estrutura a termo de taxa de juros, há fortes indícios de não ser adequada para estimar fatores da curva de juros quando há presença de dependência temporal e erros de medida. Para corrigir esses problemas é indicado utilizar a matriz de covariância de longo prazo, extraindo a correta estrutura de covariância presente nestes processos. Neste trabalho, mostramos que realizar a previsão fora da amostra da curva de taxa de juros com o método de Análise de Componentes Principais (PCA) utilizando como base a matriz de covarância de longo prazo (LRCM) parece ser mais acurada comparada a PCA com base na matriz de covariância amostral. / Although Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is one of the most common methods to estimate the structure of interest rate volatility, there are strong indications that it is not adequate to estimate interest rate factors when there is temporal dependence and measurement errors. To correct these problems it is necessary to use the longterm covariance matrix, to extract the correct covariance structure present in these processes. In this work, we show that performing the out-of-sample forecasting of the interest rate curve with the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) method based on the long-term covariance matrix (LRCM) seems to be more accurate compared to PCA based on sample covariance matrix.

Construímos um acelerador de elétrons de baixa energia (opera na faixa de 0,4 - 20 keV) que dispõe dos recursos necessários para ser utilizado como instrumento de pesquisa em áreas relacionadas com os isolantes. Neste trabalho, ele foi empregado para estudar a emissão secundária em polímeros ou, mais especificamente, para mostrar que um novo método de medida de emissão secundária, que designamos \"Método de Medida Dinâmica\", descrito por H. Von Seggern [IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sei. NS-32, p.1503 (1985)] não permite, ao contrário do que se esperava, obter a verdadeira curva de emissão secundária devido à influência exercida pela carga positiva acumulada sobre a emissão. Contudo, no decorrer do trabalho, mostramos que a montagem descrita por ele ainda pode ser utilizada com vantagem para: i) medir precisamente a energia do 2&#176 ponto de cruzamento e ii) para levantar a verdadeira curva de emissão se, ao invés irradiarmos o alvo continuamente, usarmos pulsos de corrente. Além disso, pudemos, analisando o modo como a carga positiva age sobre a emissão nas mais diversas situações. I) estimar a profundidade de escape máxima e média dos secundários; II) mostrar que a carga positiva líquida numa amostra carregada positivamente fica próxima da superfície e III) mostrar que em amostras carregadas negativamente as cargas positivas ficam próximas da superfície e as negativas, em maior número, no volume do material. / We have constructed an accelerator for the generation of low energy e1ectrons (in the 0.4 to 20 keV range). The accelerator is equipped with some devices especially designed for the investigation of the e1ectrical properties of electron-irradiated dielectrics. In this work we have employed it for the study of the secondary electron emission of irradiated polymers. Reference is made to a method proposed bt H. von Seggern [IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. NS-32, p.1503 (1985)] which was intended for the determination of the electron emission yield especially between the two cross-over points in a single run, here called the dynamical method. We have been able to prove that, contrary to expectation, this method does not give correct results over the entire emission curve. Rather it gives yield values which are too low by 25% in the region where the emission exhibits a maximum, due to the interaction between the electron emission process and the positive surface charge of the dielectric. However the method needs not to be dismissed entirely. As it is, it can be used advantageously for the precise determination of the energy of the second cross-over point. In addition, with the same set up, the method could be improved by replacing the continuous irradiation of the sample by a pulsed irradiation, leading to results essentially the same as those shown in the literature. Finally, analyzing the process of interaction between the positive charge of the dielectric and the mechanism of electron emission in several situations, we were able: I) to determine the maximum value and the average value of the escape depth of the emitted electrons; II) for a sample with a net positive charge, to show that the positive charge resides very near the surface of incidence; III) for a sample with a net negative charge, to show that the positive charge also resides near the surface while the (prevalent) negative charge resides in the bulk of the material

Na região de Ribeirão Preto está localizado um dos pólos produtores de cana-de-açúcar uma das principais culturas da economia brasileira, com vasta área cultivada e uso intensivo de herbicidas, dos quais é preciso destacar o diuron e a hexazinona, pois ambos possuem elevado potencial de contaminação em águas superficiais e subterrâneas. Diversas tecnologias podem ser utilizadas para remover da água esses microcontaminantes, pelo fato de, neste caso, não ser eficiente a técnica de tratamento em ciclo completo (ou convencional). Neste trabalho de pesquisa foram investigadas as combinações de preoxidação com cloro e dióxido de cloro, de adsorção em carvão ativado pulverizado e granular, associadas ao tratamento em ciclo completo. A água de estudo foi preparada em laboratório, com características similares às do rio Pardo – futuro manancial para abastecimento da cidade de Ribeirão Preto, e fortificada com diuron e hexazinona. Ensaios de bancada feitos em jarteste e filtros de laboratório permitiram concluir que a adsorção em carvão ativado (pulverizado e granular) foi eficiente na remoção dos herbicidas. Foi construída e operada uma instalação piloto com colunas de adsorção, em carvão ativado granular, cujos resultados obtidos mostraram que a difusividade intrapartícula predominante entre o carvão e os herbicidas diuron e hexazinona pode ser considerada constante, em relação ao tamanho do grão de carvão ativado. Os resultados também possibilitaram a validação do método de ensaios rápidos em coluna de carvão ativado em escala reduzida, com vista à predição do tempo de ruptura de um filtro de carvão ativado granular em escala real. Para as condições ensaiadas, a adsorção em carvão ativado granular mostrou ser 12% mais eficiente que em carvão ativado pulverizado, cujas taxas de utilização foram de 10,7 e 12,0 miligrama de carvão por litro de água tratada, respectivamente. Foram dimensionados os sistemas para utilizar carvão ativado pulverizado e granular em uma ETA de 1 m3/s e contabilizados os custos de implantação e de operação. Embora os custos de implantação do sistema de carvão ativado granular tenham resultado da ordem de 3 vezes os do pulverizado, os custos totais em valor presente seriam igualados em 5 anos, podem ser até 23% menores em 20 anos – o que mostra a viabilidade técnico-financeira desta alternativa no tratamento de águas contaminadas com herbicidas. / Sugarcane is one of the major crops of the Brazilian economy and the city of Ribeirao Preto is in one of the largest sugarcane producing regions, with a vast sugarcane plantation area and intensive use of herbicides, especially diuron and hexazinone, which have high potential to contaminate surface waters and groundwater. Several different technologies can be used to remove these micro-contaminants from water since, in this case, conventional treatment is not an efficient technique. In the present study, the combinations of pre-oxidation with chlorine and chlorine dioxide and adsorption in powdered and granular activated carbon associated with the conventional treatment were investigated. The water sample investigated in this study was prepared in a laboratory with similar characteristics to that of the Pardo river - future source of water supply for the city of Ribeirao Preto - and supplemented with diuron and hexazinone. Bench-scale experiments performed using Jartest equipment and laboratory filters showed that the adsorption in activated carbon (powdered and granular) was effective in removing the herbicides. A pilot granular activated carbon column was built and operated, and the results showed that the prevailing intraparticle diffusivity between the carbon and the herbicides diuron and hexazinone can be considered constant, do not change with particle size. The results obtained also enabled the validation of the rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) method to predict the full scale breakthrough time of a granular activated carbon filter. Under the conditions evaluated, the adsorption in granular activated carbon proved to be 12% more efficient than that in powdered activated carbon, whose carbon usage rates were 10.7 and 12.0 milligrams per liter of treated water, respectively. The systems were designed to use powdered and granular activated carbon in a 1 m3/s conventional water treatment plant, and the implementation and operation costs were calculated. Although the capital costs of the granular activated carbon system were about 3 times higher than those of the powdered activated carbon, these costs would be the same in 5 years and could even be 22% lower in 20 years, which shows the technical-financial feasibility of this alternative to the treatment of water contaminated with herbicides.

A mecânica dos solos não saturados tem se tornado um importante tema de pesquisas dedicadas a entender o comportamento dos solos não saturados e otimizar sua utilização em várias obras civis. A curva de retenção de água, definida como a relação entre a sucção e a quantidade de água presente no solo, é considerada um elemento chave na interpretação do comportamento e propriedades dos solos não saturados tais como a condutividade hidráulica e a resistência ao cisalhamento. Este trabalho apresenta a estrutura de um banco de dados projetado para armazenar informações de solos brasileiros com enfoque nas características de retenção de água. O banco de dados inclui a curva de retenção e os parâmetros de ajuste das equações de van Genuchten (1980) e Fredlund & Xing (1994), assim como informações das características dos solos como índices físicos, classificações dos solos, análises granulométricas, índices de consistência e localização e estado da amostra. Além da estimativa da função condutividade hidráulica, o banco de dados oferece duas ferramentas que permitem a pesquisa rápida ou detalhada das informações e os dados armazenados podem ser mostrados na tela ou em relatórios impressos / Unsaturated soil mechanics has become an important subject of research devoted to understand the behavior of unsaturated soils and optimize their use in several civil works. The soil-water characteristic curve, defined as the relationship between the suction and the amount of water present in the soil, is considered as the key in the interpretation of the behavior and properties of unsaturated soils, such as the hydraulic conductivity and the shear strength. This paper presents the structure of a database designed to store information of brazilian soils with focus in the characteristics of water retention. The database includes the retention curves and the parameters of adjusted van Genuchten and Fredlund & Xing equations and also information of soil characteristics such as physical indexes, soil classifications, particle-size analysis, consistency indexes and location and kind of used samples. Beyond the estimate of hydraulic conductivity, the database presents two search tools that allow for quick and detailed recovering of information and stored data can be displayed on screen or in printed reports

Introdução: A curva de aprendizado em prostatectomia radical laparoscópica (PRL) pode variar de 10 a 150 procedimentos. Nesta fase, observa-se o maior número de complicações perioperatórias e conversões, além de resultados oncológicos e funcionais precários. Neste estudo, foram comparadas duas séries iniciais de PRL, realizadas pelos acessos transperitoneal (PRLT) e extraperitoneal (PRLE). Objetivos: Comparar os resultados obtidos com a realização da PRL pelos acessos transperitoneal e extraperitoneal durante a curva de aprendizado, avaliando-se os resultados perioperatórios, oncológicos e funcionais. Pacientes e métodos: Procedeuse a uma análise comparativa retrospectiva entre os dados das primeiras 40 PRLT realizadas no Hospital Getúlio Vargas de Pernambuco (grupo 1) e os dados das primeiras 40 PRLE realizadas no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (grupo 2). Resultados: Comparando-se as variáveis trans-operatórias dos grupos 1 e 2, observamos diferenças estatísticas na preservação dos feixes vásculonervosos (77,5% vs 90%; p=0,008), tempo cirúrgico total (175,0 min vs 267,6 min;p<0,001) e da perda sanguínea estimada (177,5 ml vs 292,4 ml; p<0,001). Duas complicações (5%) foram observadas no grupo 1 (sangramento e lesão retal) e quatro (10%) ocorreram no grupo 2 (sangramento-2, lesão retal e de bexiga). Conversão para procedimento aberto foi necessária em um caso em cada grupo (2,5%). No período pósoperatório, as principais diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos 1 e 2 foram observadas nas comparações do tempo de internamento, do tempo de uso de catéter uretral, no uso de opióides, na recorrência bioquímica, na taxa de continência urinária e no tempo médio de seguimento. Nenhuma diferença estatística foi observada na incidência de complicações precoces (17,5% vs 17,5%; p= 1,000), porém três complicações maiores foram observadas no grupo 1, levando ao óbito de um paciente neste grupo. Dentre as complicações pós-operatórias tardias, observou-se uma diferença estatística quando se comparou a taxa de complicações menores entre os grupos 1 e 2 (30% vs 15%; p=0,004). Na comparação dos resultados oncológicos entre os grupos 1 e 2, observou-se diferença estatística no número total de margens cirúrgicas positivas (MCP) (10,3% vs 32,5%; p=0,016) e no estadiamento patológico (pT2: 94,8% vs 70% e pT3: 5,2% vs 30%; p=0,005). Correlacionando-se o achado de MCP e estadiamento patológico, observou-se que a maioria das MCP no grupo 1 ocorreu no estadio pT2 (75%), ao passo que 77% das MCP no grupo 2 ocorreu no estadio pT3. Conclusões: O acesso transperitoneal mostrou-se mais eficiente que o acesso extraperitoneal para a realização da prostatectomia radical laparoscópica durante a curva de aprendizado, porém enfatizando que a taxa de complicações graves foi maior quando este acesso foi utilizado. / Introduction: The learning curve in laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) can vary from 10 to 150 procedures. This procedure can be done using the transperitoneal or the extraperitoneal approach. So far, there is no consensus about the best way to perform LRP, mainly during the initial phases of the LRP programs. Objectives: To analyze and compare the perioperative, oncological and functional results obtained with both approaches while performing LRP during the learning curve. Patients and Methods: Data of the first 40 transperitoneal LRP (Group 1) performed at Getúlio Vargas Hospital of Recife were compared with the first 40 extraperitoneal LRP (Group 2) performed at Clinics Hospital of State University of São Paulo. Results: On transoperative time, statistically significant difference were observed comparing groups 1 and 2 related to the preservation of the neurovascular bundles (77,5% x 90%; p=0,008), overall surgical time (175 min x 267,6 min; p<0,001) and estimated blood loss (177,5 ml x 292,4 ml; p<0,001). Two complications (5%) were observed in group 1 (bleeding and rectal injury), whereas four (10%) were seen in group 2 (bleeding- 5%, rectal and bladder injury). Open conversion occurred in one case (2,5%) in both groups. On postoperative time, statistical difference comparing the groups 1 and 2 were seen in the in-hospital time, indwelling catheter time, narcotic use, biochemical recurrence and mean follow-up time. No statistical difference was observed related to the incidence of early complications (17,5% vs 17,5%; p= 1,000), but three major complications occurred in group 1, leading to one death in this group. On late postoperative time, a statistical difference was observed in the incidence of minor complications (30% vs 15%; p=0,004). Comparing the oncological results between groups 1 and 2, statistical difference was observed in the incidence of positive surgical margins (10,3% vs 32,5%; p=0,016) and pathological stages (pT2: 94,8% vs 70% and pT3: 5,2% vs 30%; p=0,005). The majority of positive margins in group 1 occurred in pT2 (75%), while this observation was more prevalent in pT3 (77%) in group 2. Conclusions: The transperitoneal approach was more efficient than the extraperitoneal approach for performing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy during the learning curve, but major complications were commoner when this approach was adopted.

abstract: A critical problem for airborne, ship board, and land based radars operating in maritime or littoral environments is the detection, identification and tracking of targets against backscattering caused by the roughness of the sea surface. Statistical models, such as the compound K-distribution (CKD), were shown to accurately describe two separate structures of the sea clutter intensity fluctuations. The first structure is the texture that is associated with long sea waves and exhibits long temporal decorrelation period. The second structure is the speckle that accounts for reflections from multiple scatters and exhibits a short temporal decorrelation period from pulse to pulse. Existing methods for estimating the CKD model parameters do not include the thermal noise power, which is critical for real sea clutter processing. Estimation methods that include the noise power are either computationally intensive or require very large data records. This work proposes two new approaches for accurately estimating all three CKD model parameters, including noise power. The first method integrates, in an iterative fashion, the noise power estimation, using one-dimensional nonlinear curve fitting, with the estimation of the shape and scale parameters, using closed-form solutions in terms of the CKD intensity moments. The second method is similar to the first except it replaces integer-based intensity moments with fractional moments which have been shown to achieve more accurate estimates of the shape parameter. These new methods can be implemented in real time without requiring large data records. They can also achieve accurate estimation performance as demonstrated with simulated and real sea clutter observation datasets. The work also investigates the numerically computed Cram\'er-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the variance of the shape parameter estimate using intensity observations in thermal noise with unknown power. Using the CRLB, the asymptotic estimation performance behavior of the new estimators is studied and compared to that of other estimators. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2019

Full scale lateral load testing was performed on four 12.75x0.375 pipe piles spaced at 3.9, 2.9, 2.8, and 1.7 pile diameters behind an MSE wall which was constructed for this research to determine appropriate reduction factors for lateral pile resistance based on pile spacing behind the back face of the wall. The load induced on eight soil reinforcements located at various transverse distances from the pile and at different depths was monitored to determine the relationship between lateral load on the pile and load induced in the reinforcement. Each pile was loaded towards the wall in 0.25 in. increments to a total deflection of 3.0 in. Additionally, wall panel displacement was also monitored to determine if it remained in acceptable bounds. The results of the research indicate that pile resistance tends to decrease as spacing decreases. P-multipliers for the 3.9, 2.9, 2.8, 1.7D tests were found to be 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, and 0.5, respectively using back-analysis with the computer model LPILE. However, these multipliers are higher than expected based on previous testing and research. Piles spaced further than 3.8D can be assumed to have no interaction with the wall. The resistance of piles spaced closer to the wall than 3.8D can be modeled in LPILE using a p-multiplier less than 1.0. The reinforced backfill can be modeled in LPILE using the API Sand (1982) method with a friction angle of 31º and a modulus of approximately 60 pci when a surcharge of 600 psf is applied. If no surcharge is applied, a friction angle of 39º and modulus of 260 pci is more appropriate. Maximum wall panel displacement was highest for the 2.8D test and was 0.35 in. at 3.0 in. of pile head displacement. For all the other tests, the maximum wall displacement at 3.0 in. of pile head displacement was similar and was approximately 0.15 inches. Induced load in the soil reinforcement increases with depth to the 2nd or 3rd layer of reinforcement after which it decreases. Induced load in the reinforcement increases as pile spacing decreases. Induced load in the reinforcement decreases rapidly with increased transverse distance from the pile. Induced load in the reinforcement can be estimated using a regression equation which considers the influence of pile load, pile spacing behind the wall, reinforcement depth or vertical stress, and transverse spacing of the reinforcement.

River sediment is one of the most pervasive pollutants in the world. Excess amounts of fine sediment can reduce water quality, damage stream ecosystems, and harm aquatic life. Both natural and human-caused processes can add sediment to a river, such as tectonic uplift, landslides, and timber harvesting. Therefore, it is important to understand how fine sediment enters and moves through a rive system to inform policymakers and land-managers on effective ecosystem management. In this study, we determined how the relationship between river flow and suspended sediment changed among watersheds along the North Coast of California. We found a rise in suspended sediment concentration at median flows following extreme timber harvesting. Additionally, our results indicate that river flow and suspended sediment relationships are influenced by timber harvest activity, tectonic uplift, rainfall patterns, and near-channel environments. These results support previous findings that extreme land disturbance in a watershed, be it natural or human-caused, can change river flow and suspended sediment relationships. Our results suggest that policymakers and land-managers should take into account tectonic uplift when making regulation and should prioritize protecting near-channel environments.

Eight male collegiate weightlifters (age: 21.2 ± 0.9 years; height: 177.6 ± 2.3 cm; and body mass: 85.1 ± 3.3 kg) participated in this study to compare isometric to dynamic force-time dependent variables. Subjects performed the isometric and dynamic mid-thigh clean pulls at 30–120% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (118.4 ± 5.5 kg) on a 61 X 121.9–cm AMTI forceplate. Variables such as peak force (PF) and peak rate of force development (PRFD) were calculated and were compared between isometric and dynamic conditions. The relationships between force-time dependent variables and vertical jump performances also were examined. The data indicate that the isometric PF had no significant correlations with the dynamic PF against light loads. On the one hand, there was a general trend toward stronger relationships between the isometric and dynamic PF as the external load increased for dynamic muscle actions. On the other hand, the isometric and dynamic PRFD had no significant correlations regardless of the external load used for dynamic testing. In addition, the isometric PF and dynamic PRFD were shown to be strongly correlated with vertical jump performances, whereas the isometric PRFD and dynamic PF had no significant correlations with vertical jump performances. In conclusion, it appears that the isometric and dynamic measures of force-time curve characteristics represent relatively specific qualities, especially when dynamic testing involves small external loads. Additionally, the results suggest that athletes who possess greater isometric maximum strength and dynamic explosive strength tend to be able to jump higher. Eight male collegiate weightlifters (age: 21.2 ± 0.9 years; height: 177.6 ± 2.3 cm; and body mass: 85.1 ± 3.3 kg) participated in this study to compare isometric to dynamic force-time dependent variables. Subjects performed the isometric and dynamic mid-thigh clean pulls at 30–120% of their one repetition maximum (1RM) power clean (118.4 ± 5.5 kg) on a 61 X 121.9–cm AMTI forceplate. Variables such as peak force (PF) and peak rate of force development (PRFD) were calculated and were compared between isometric and dynamic conditions. The relationships between force-time dependent variables and vertical jump performances also were examined. The data indicate that the isometric PF had no significant correlations with the dynamic PF against light loads. On the one hand, there was a general trend toward stronger relationships between the isometric and dynamic PF as the external load increased for dynamic muscle actions. On the other hand, the isometric and dynamic PRFD had no significant correlations regardless of the external load used for dynamic testing. In addition, the isometric PF and dynamic PRFD were shown to be strongly correlated with vertical jump performances, whereas the isometric PRFD and dynamic PF had no significant correlations with vertical jump performances. In conclusion, it appears that the isometric and dynamic measures of force-time curve characteristics represent relatively specific qualities, especially when dynamic testing involves small external loads. Additionally, the results suggest that athletes who possess greater isometric maximum strength and dynamic explosive strength tend to be able to jump higher.

Examining a countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time curve related to net impulse might be useful in monitoring athletes' performance. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of alternative net impulse calculation and net impulse characteristics (height, width, rate of force development, shape factor, and proportion) and validate against the traditional calculation in the CMJ. Twelve participants performed the CMJ in two sessions (48 hours apart) for test–retest reliability. Twenty participants were involved for the validity assessment. Results indicated intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) of ≥ 0.89 and coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 5.1% for all of the variables except for rate of force development (ICC = 0.78 and CV = 22.3%). The relationship between the criterion and alternative calculations was r = 1.00. While the difference between them was statistically significant (245.96 ± 63.83 vs. 247.14 ± 64.08 N s, p < 0.0001), the effect size was trivial and deemed practically minimal (d = 0.02). In conclusion, variability of rate of force development will pose a greater challenge in detecting performance changes. Also, the alternative calculation can be used practically in place of the traditional calculation to identify net impulse characteristics and monitor and study athletes' performance in greater depth.