Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:36:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CrhistianeAS.pdf: 3837481 bytes, checksum: 1e934fe40afea6283d1a23747a0954ea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-09-06 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The principal zeitgeber for most of species is the light-dark photocycle (LD), though other environment factors as food availability, temperature and social cues may act. Daily adjustment of the circadian pacemaker may result from integration of environmental photic and non-photic cues with homeostatic cues. Characterization of non-photic effects on circadian timing system in diurnal mammals is scarce in relation to nocturnal, especially for ecologically significant cues. Thus, we analyzed the effect of conspecific vocalizations and darkness on circadian activity rhythm (CAR) in the diurnal primate Callithirx jacchus. With this objective 7 male adults were isolated in a room with controlled illumination, temperature (26,8 ? 0,2?C) and humidity (81,6 ? 3,6%), and partial acoustic isolation. Initially they were under LD 12:12 (~300:2 lux), and subsequently under constant illumination (~2 lux). Two pulses of conspecific vocalizations were applied in total darkness, separated by 22 days, at 7:30 h (external time) during 1 h. They induced phase delays at circadian times (CTs) 1 and 10 and predominantly phase advances at CTs 9 and 15. After that, two dark pulses were applied, separated by 14 days, during 1 h at 7:30 h (external time). These pulses induced phase delays at CTs 2, 3 and 18, predominantly phase advances at CTs 8, 10 and 19, and no change at CT 14. However, marmosets CAR showed oscillations in endogenous period and active phase duration influenced by vocalizations from animals outside the experimental room, which interfered on the phase responses to pulses. Furthermore, social masking and relative coordination with colony were observed. Therefore, phase responses obtained in this work cannot be attributed only to pulses. Afterwards, pulses of conspecific vocalizations were applied in total darkness at 19:00 h (external time), during 1 h for 5 consecutive days, and after 21 days, for 30 consecutive days, on attempt to synchronize the CAR. No animal was synchronized by these daily pulses, although oscillations in endogenous period were observed for all. This result may be due to habituation. Other possibility is the absence of social significance of the vocalizations for the animals due to random reproduction, since each vocalization has a function that could be lost by a mixture of sounds. In conclusion, conspecific vocalizations induce social masking and relative coordination in marmosets CAR, acting as weak zeitgeber / O principal zeitgeber para a maioria das esp?cies ? o ciclo claro-escuro (CE), por?m outros fatores ambientais como disponibilidade de alimento, temperatura e pistas sociais podem atuar. O ajuste di?rio do marcapasso circadiano deve resultar da integra??o de pistas ambientais, f?ticas e n?o-f?ticas, com pistas homeost?ticas. Como a caracteriza??o do efeito de est?mulos n?o-f?ticos sobre o sistema de temporiza??o circadiano em mam?feros diurnos ? escassa em rela??o aos noturnos, principalmente em rela??o a pistas com significado ecol?gico, analisamos o efeito de vocaliza??es de co-espec?ficos e do escuro sobre o ritmo circadiano de atividade motora (RCA) do primata diurno Callithrix jacchus. Com esse objetivo, foram isolados 7 machos adultos em uma sala com ilumina??o, temperatura (26,8 ? 0,2?C) e umidade (81,6 ? 3,6%) controladas e isolamento ac?stico parcial. Inicialmente os animais ficaram sob CE 12:12 (~300:2 lux) e posteriormente sob claro constante (~2 lux). Foram aplicados dois pulsos de vocaliza??es de co-espec?ficos em escuro total, com um intervalo de 22 dias, ?s 7:30 h (hor?rio local) durante 1 h. Esses pulsos desencadearam atrasos de fase nas horas circadianas (HCs) 1 e 10 e predominantemente avan?os de fase nas HCs 9 e 15. Depois foram aplicados dois pulsos de escuro, com um intervalo de 14 dias, ?s 7:30 h (hor?rio local) durante 1 h. Esses pulsos desencadearam atrasos de fase nas HCs 2, 3 e 18, predominantemente avan?os de fase nas HCs 8, 10 e 19, e nenhuma resposta na HC 14. Contudo, o RCA dos sag?is apresentou modula??es no per?odo end?geno e na dura??o da fase ativa por influ?ncia de vocaliza??es emitidas pelos animais de fora da sala, que interferiram nas respostas aos pulsos. Inclusive, foram observados mascaramento social positivo e coordena??o relativa com a col?nia. Portanto, as respostas de fase obtidas nesse trabalho n?o podem ser atribu?das apenas aos pulsos. Posteriormente foram aplicados pulsos de vocaliza??es de co-espec?ficos em escuro total ?s 19 h (hor?rio local), durante 1 h por 5 dias consecutivos, e ap?s 21 dias, por 30 dias consecutivos, para sincronizar o RCA. Nenhum animal sincronizou o RCA aos pulsos di?rios, embora tenham ocorrido modula??es no per?odo end?geno de todos. Esse resultado pode ter sido decorrente de habitua??o ao est?mulo. Outra possibilidade ? a falta de significado social para os animais devido ? reprodu??o aleat?ria das vocaliza??es, visto que cada vocaliza??o tem uma fun??o que pode ter sido perdida com a mistura dos sons. Concluindo, vocaliza??es de co-espec?ficos induzem mascaramento social e coordena??o relativa no RCA de sag?is, atuando como zeitgebers fracos

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:36:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CristianoSS.pdf: 703357 bytes, checksum: 61a9f2f7ebf9d69474aa37bec7180627 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-04-23 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico / Immediate-early genes (IEGs) expression has been widely used as a valuable tool to investigate brain areas activated by specific stimuli. Studies of natural vocalizations, specially in songbirds, have largely benefited from this tool. Here we used IEGs expression to investigate brain areas activated by the hearing of conspecific common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) vocalizations and/or utterance of antiphonal vocalizations. Nine adult male common marmosets were housed in sound-attenuating cages. Six animals were stimulated with playbacks of freely recorded natural long distance vocalizations (phee calls and twitters; 45 min. total duration). Three of them vocalized in response (O/V group) and three did not (O/n group). The control group (C) was composed by the remaining animals, which neither heard the playbacks nor spontaneously vocalized. After one hour of the stimulation onset (or no stimulation, in the case of the C group), animals were perfused with 0,9% phosphate-saline buffer and 4% paraformaldehyde. The tissue was coronally sectioned at 20 micro meter in a cryostat and submitted to immunohistochemistry for the IEGs egr-1 and c-fos. Marked immunoreactivity was observed in the auditory cortex of O/V and O/n subjects and in the anterior cingulate cortex, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex and the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex of O/V subjects. In this study, brain areas activated by vocalizations of common marmosets were investigated using IEGs expression for the first time. Our results with the egr-1 gene indicate that potential plastic phenomena occur in areas related to hearing and uttering conspecific vocalizations. / A express?o de genes imediatos tem sido largamente utilizada na investiga??o de ?reas cerebrais ativadas por est?mulos espec?ficos. Estudos de comunica??o vocal, especialmente em aves canoras, t?m se beneficiado enormemente dessa ferramente. Neste trabalho, utilizamos a express?o de genes imediatos para identificar as ?reas corticiais ativadas pela audi??o e express?o de vocaliza??es co-espec?ficas de sag?is comuns (Callithrix jacchus). Nove sag?is comuns machos adultos foram mantidos em caixas de atenua??o ac?stica. Seis animais foram expostos a playbacks de vocaliza??es co-espec?ficas naturais (phee calls e twitters; total de 45 minutos). Tr?s deles vocalizaram em resposta, compondo o grupo que "ouviu e vocalizou" (O/V), e tr?s permaneceram em sil?ncio (grupo O/n). O grupo controle (C) foi composto pelos tr?s animais restantes, que n?o foram expostos ao est?mulo e nem vocalizaram espontaneamente. Depois de uma hora do in?cio do est?mulo, (ou nenhum est?mulo, no caso do grupo C), os animais foram perfundidos com solu??o salina 0,9%, seguida de paraformalde?do 4%. Os c?rebros foram removidos e cortados coronalmente a 20 micro metros com o aux?lio de um criostato e submetidos a imunohistoqu?mica para os genes imediatos egr-1 and c-fos. Maior imunorreatividade foi observada no c?rtex auditivo prim?rio dos animais dos grupos O/V e O/n e no c?rtex cingulado anterior, c?rtex pr?-frontal dorso-medial e c?rtex pr?-frontal ventro-lateral dos animais do grupo O/V. Este trabalho foi o primeiro a utilizar a express?o de genes imediatos no estudo das ?reas corticais envolvidas na comunica??o de sag?is comuns. Nossos resultados, especialmente em rela??o ao gene egr-1, indicam que eventos potencialmente pl?sticos ocorrem nas ?reas relacionadas ? audi??o e emiss?o de vocaliza??es co-espec?ficas.Express?o de genes imediatos induzidos por vocaliza??es em sag?is-comuns (Callithrix jacchus)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:37:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 IsmeniaGM.pdf: 2244667 bytes, checksum: 360c3e129f204cfb43b0abfb91b352c0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-09-11 / Callithrix jacchus, as the other species in the family Callitrichidae, lives in social groups. The groups cam be found in different habitats, whose distinct floristic physiognomies and communities are intrinsically related to their behavioral ecology and social relations. Our objective was to describe the social relations and feeding behavior of Callithrix jacchus in the Bioma Caatinga. We observed a group at the FLONA (National Forest IBAMA), in A?u-RN, in northeastern Brazil, compose of five adults (2 females and 3 males) at the beginning of the study. The birth of five animals was registered along the study. The following behavioral categories were registered along eleven months, once a week, through instantaneous focal animal sampling: social grooming, contact, proximity, foraging, feeding, locomotion and rest. Foraging presented the highest levels comparing to other activities, and was more frequent in the dry season. Social grooming was the second more frequent activity, with higher levels in the rainy season, and between the reproductive couple. We found similar results for proximity. The most explored feeding item was the gum, specially in the rainy season. The most explored species for exudates feeding were Cirus limon (lim?o) and Pitecolobiun foliolosum (jurema branca). The comparision of fruit and insect ingestion between the seasons showed higher percentage for both in the dry season. The general activity pattern was similar to what is registeded in groups the inhabit the Atlantic Forest. These results indicate the flexibility of the species which survives and reproduces in such physically and biologically different environments / Callithrix jacchus ? um primata da fam?lia Callitrichidae que vive em grupos sociais. Pode ser encontrado em v?rios tipos de habitat, cujas fisionomias e comunidades flor?sticas distintas est?o intrinsecamente relacionadas com a ecologia comportamental e rela??es sociais. Nosso objetivo foi descrever as rela??es sociais e h?bitos alimentares do sag?i Callithrix jacchus no Bioma Caatinga. Observamos um grupo de sag?i na Floresta Nacional de A?u-IBAMA/RN, composto no in?cio do estudo por cinco animais adultos, 2 f?meas e 3 machos. Foi registrado o nascimento de 5 filhotes ao longo do estudo. A t?cnica de amostragem foi o animal focal, ao longo de 11 meses, uma vez/semana, com registro das seguintes categorias comportamentais: cata??o social, contato, proximidade, forrageio, ingest?o, locomo??o e descanso. O forrageio foi a atividade mais realizada pelos animais, sendo significativamente mais freq?ente na seca. J? a cata??o social, foi significativamente mais elevada no per?odo chuvoso, e com os maiores ?ndices entre os reprodutores. Esse mesmo padr?o foi observado com rela??o a proximidade. O alimento mais ingerido pelo grupo foi o exsudado, sendo mais expressivo no per?odo chuvoso. A esp?cie vegetal mais procurada foi o lim?o Cirus limon e a jurema branca Pitecolobium foliolosum. Quando comparada a ingest?o de frutos e insetos ao longo das esta??es, foram observados n?veis mais elevados no per?odo seco. O padr?o de atividades do grupo foi de um modo geral, semelhante ao registrado em grupos estudados em ambiente de Mata Atl?ntica, o que indica a flexibilidade da esp?cie, que sobrevive e se reproduz em ambientes t?o diferentes f?sica e biologicamente

O trabalho ressalta a importância do tema Qualidade da Energia (QE) e apresenta alguns dos diversos distúrbios responsáveis pelo seu comprometimento. Tais distúrbios, quando presentes em um dado sistema elétrico, podem causar sérios danos tanto aos equipamentos de medição e controle pertencentes ao fornecedor de energia, como também aos equipamentos mais sensíveis pertencentes aos usuários deste sistema. Os fenômenos mais freqüentes no estudo da QE foram destacados, bem como suas definições. Conhecidos estes fenômenos, implementou-se um algoritmo computacional, utilizando como ferramenta a transformada rápida de Fourier janelada (Windowed Fast Fourier Transform - WFFT) - TRFJ, para identificar e classificar estas perturbações em um dado sistema elétrico de distribuição. Para que o resultado fosse o mais próximo possível de uma situação real, utilizou-se para análise, um sistema elétrico real de distribuição da CPFL (Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz). Sobre o referido sistema elétrico foram simulados casos de afundamentos, elevações e oscilações de tensão, criando assim, um banco de dados para, posteriormente, podermos testar e validar o algoritmo computacional implementado, na identificação destes fenômenos. Este algoritmo permite variarmos tanto o tamanho da janela, quanto a freqüência amostral do sinal. Neste estudo em particular, utilizamos tamanhos de janelas de 1 ciclo e 1/2 ciclo, e freqüência amostral do sinal, de 7,68 kHz (inicialmente utilizada para obtenção do banco de dados), e 0,769 kHz, aproximadamente. Como resultados, obtivemos que o tamanho da janela de dados para esta implementação, não apresentou diferenças significativas na análise, quando comparados com os dados iniciais. Entretanto, observa-se um comportamento contrário com a variação da taxa amostral, ou seja, quanto menor a freqüência amostral empregada, maior a perda de informações importantes em relação ao sinal inicial. / The present work at lines the importance of Power Quality (PQ) and it presents some of the many disturbances related to it and its implications. Such disturbances, as presented in an electrical system, can cause serious damages in the measurements, in the control of power utility equipments, as well as in sensitive equipments. The most frequent phenomena in the study of PQ had been emphasized, as well as its definitions. Once these phenomena are known, a computational algorithm was implemented, using the Windowed Fast Fourier Transform - WFFT as a tool to identify and classify these disturbances, considering electrical distribution system. In order to have the best situation for the test, a real electrical distribution system from CPFL (Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz) utility was simulated. Some cases of voltage sag, voltage swell and oscillatory transient were simulated, creating a data base to test and validate the computational algorithm implemented. This algorithm allows changing the window length as the sample rate. For the proposed study, 1 cycle and 1/2 cycle as window length was analyzed with sample rate of 7,68 kHz (initially used for obtaining the data base), and 0,769 kHz. It was observed that the window length studied did not influence significantly the proposed analysis concerning PQ. However, concerning the sample rate, it was observed a deterioration of the analysis with the 0,769 kHz rate.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-17T14:53:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Harnoldo Castro.pdf: 2052364 bytes, checksum: 3ff44ce616ef2f1e748c29067008a2d1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-12-14 / This work investigates electromagnetic disturbances that affect the power quality of the Alcântara Launch Center (CLA), supplied by the local power distribution utility company and the self-generation of the Center, emphasizing disturbances for sensitivity of electrical ground support equipment, variations in voltage and short-term transients. From a bibliographical study, the main electromagnetic phenomen apresented are related to the power quality, showing the causes, consequences and suggestions for mitigation of these events, including the reduction of inrush current, based on standard norms related to the subject. The monitoring was performed using an accurate monitoring equipment during a two-rocket launch campaign, for a better contextualization ofvoltage variations associated to short-term transients. From the records and gathered data, critical events and power quality indices associated to the distribution utility and to the generation set were analyzed, as well as the severe disturbances characterized by CBEMA curve. The results provided subsidies to improve and reduce the effects of voltage short-term and transient events. Thus an operating procedure for special processes is proposed, which can be used both in the aerospace sector as in organizations that have their processes associated to power quality. / O presente trabalho investiga distúrbios eletromagnéticos que afetam a qualidade da energia elétrica do Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara, suprido pela companhia elétrica local e pela autogeração do próprio Centro, enfatizando os distúrbios críticos para a sensibilidade elétrica dos equipamentos de apoio em solo, as variações de tensão de curta duração e os transitórios. A partir de um estudo bibliográfico, são apresentados os principais fenômenos eletromagnéticos relacionados à qualidade da energia elétrica, mostrando as causas, consequências e sugestões para mitigar tais eventos, com destaque para a redução da corrente de energização, com base nas normas internacionais relacionadas ao tema. O monitoramento foi realizado utilizando-se um equipamento de precisão durante a campanha de lançamento de dois foguetes, para melhor contextualizar as variações de tensão de curta duração e os transitórios. A partir dos registros e dados coletados foram analisados os eventos críticos e os indicadores de tensão da distribuidora local de energia elétrica, e da autogeração de energia do Centro, bem como as graves perturbações caracterizadas com a curva CBEMA. Os resultados obtidos forneceram subsídios para reduzir os efeitos dos eventos da variação de tensão de curta duração e transitórios. Assim propõe-se um procedimento operacional para processos especiais, que poderá ser usado tanto no setor aeroespacial quanto nas organizações que tenham seus processos atrelados à qualidade da energia elétrica.

Les lignes de téléportés monocâbles (télésièges et télécabines) sont très utilisées dans le Monde entier pour transporter des personnes dans les stations de sport d'hiver et les sites touristiques. Leur potentiel de développement est très élevé, en particulier dans des contextes urbains et péri-urbains en tant que moyens de transport en commun. Avec l'augmentation des performances au cours des dernières décennies, notamment en termes de vitesse, capacité de transport et longueur de portées plus élevées, des effets dynamiques inattendus sont apparus. En particulier, des instabilités sous forme d'oscillations verticales de certaines portées, portant le nom de « pompage » dans la profession, se sont manifestées de manière imprévisible sur quelques lignes, ainsi que des balancements importants de véhicules au franchissement de certains pylônes. Les accélérations engendrées par ces deux phénomènes sont potentiellement sources d'inconfort dynamique pour les passagers. Les solutions généralement mises en œuvre pour remédier à cette problématique, basées sur l'empirisme, se sont révélées coûteuses et n'ont fourni que des corrections a posteriori. L'ambition des travaux de thèse présentés dans ce mémoire était d'apporter une dimension prédictive afin d'anticiper les risques d'instabilités dynamiques dès le stade de la conception des lignes. Pour cela, une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes à l'origine du pompage et des forts balancements était nécessaire. Une étude combinant théorie, calculs numériques et essais a été menée tant à l'échelle d'une portée que d'une ligne de téléporté monocâble complète. Le pompage serait finalement dû à une mise en résonance paramétrique de certaines portées par une excitation provenant du franchissement des pylônes par les véhicules répartis de manière équidistante sur l'ensemble de la ligne, et propagée par le câble. Les balancements importants des véhicules viendraient d'une amplification de leur mouvement pendulaire lors du franchissement de deux pylônes successifs. Les paramètres d'influence ont été identifiés et des outils de conception ont été développés pour limiter les risques d'apparition de ces phénomènes dynamiques par des critères qualitatifs. Des modèles de simulation ont également été réalisés avec pour objectif de prédire quantitativement les accélérations ressenties par les passagers et ainsi aboutir à un dimensionnement des lignes vis-à-vis de critères de confort objectifs. Une confrontation des résultats des calculs avec les données expérimentales récoltées au cours de plusieurs campagnes d'essais dynamiques a été faite. Enfin, des idées de dispositifs techniques basés sur des principes de contrôle passif, semi-actif voire actif ont été émises dans le but de réduire l'amplitude des oscillations subies par les véhicules. Les résultats de cette thèse seront exploités par l'entreprise POMA, constructeur français parmi les leaders mondiaux du transport par câble. / Monocable aerial ropeways (chairlifts and gondola lifts) are much used nowadays in the entire world to transport people in ski resorts and touristic areas. Their potential of development is very high, particularly in urban and peri-urban environments as means of public transportation. With the increase of performances during the last decades, such as higher speed, transport capacity and length of spans, unexpected dynamic effects have appeared. In particular, instabilities taking the shape of vertical oscillations on some spans, named \sag-oscillations" in the profession, have occurred unpredictably on a few lines, but also important swings of vehicles when crossing some towers. The accelerations generated by those phenomena are potential sources of dynamic discomfort to passengers. The solutions generally employed to address that issue, based on empiricism, have revealed to be costly and have only brought a posteriori corrections. The ambition of the PhD research works presented in this thesis was to bring a predictive dimension in order to anticipate the risks of dynamic instabilities from the early stage of lines design. For this matter, a better understanding of the mechanisms giving rise to the sag-oscillations and the strong swings was necessary. A study combining theory, numerical calculations and experiments has been conducted both on a span and full monocable aerial ropeway scale. The sag-oscillation instability would finally be due to a parametric resonance of some spans, induced by an excitation coming from the crossing of towers by the equally-spaced vehicles on the whole line, and propagated by the cable. The important swings of the vehicles would come from the amplification of their swaying movement when crossing two consecutive towers. The influence parameters have been identified and some design tools have been developed to limit the risks of emergence of those dynamic phenomena by qualitative criteria. Some simulation models have also been made with the aim to predict quantitatively the accelerations experienced by the passengers and then lead to the dimensioning of lines with respect to objective comfort criteria. A confrontation of the calculation results with the experimental data collected during several dynamic test campaigns was performed. Finally, some ideas of technical devices based on the principles of passive, semi-active or even active control have been expressed in order to reduce the amplitude of the oscillations undergone by the vehicles. The results of these PhD research works will be used by the company POMA, a French manufacturer among the world leaders in cable transportation.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Growndwater consist of strategic resources essential for public and private water supply. Therefore, the aquifer research by means of groundwater monitoring has been considered very important. In groundwater polluted potential enterprises, a system of monitoring is necessary, because it can not only allow contamination evidences previously, but also provide reference measures in order to portray the aquifer s hydrochemistry and hydrodynamics. The purpose of this study is to establish natural values and temporal variation frequency of groundwater physiochemical and hydrodynamic parameters in the area of a tank fuel in Santa Maria/RS, in an outcrop zone of Guarani Aquifer System (GAS). Therefore, the methodology consisted of: office studies in order to review the literature in the topic; field study, by the hydrogeological monitoring of seven observation wells, during 12 month, topographic work, precipitation measure, hydraulic conductivity assays carried out using the method of excavated piezometer and directly in the wells (infiltration); laboratory study, by analyzing the data statistically using the statistic software SPSS® 13.0 for Windows (2004), development of tridimensional frameworks of groundwater flow and specialization cartograms of physiochemical parameters by using SURFER® 8.0 program. The results showed that the concentration of the physiochemical frameworks studied had temporal alteration in relation to months and seasons, besides variations in the spatial distribution, that indicated differences in the entrance of water in the column of the well, it happened, probably, because of the influence of different layers. It was also possible to observe variations in the water level in the seven monitoring wells from the pluviometric precipitation, indicating that they are situated in an area of GAS direct recharge. Related to the direction of the local groundwater flow, the data obtained showed that in case of fuel leak the river Vacacai-Mirim, 230 m distant of the enterprise, will be affected. In conclusion, the background variation reflects the geologic diversity in the place that has Fluvial Terrace Depository, considered permeable and, the Alemoa member of Santa Maria formation that was considered impermeable. This research contributed to the physiochemical and hydrodynamic characterization in local scale of GAS offering a background, which will subsidize environment organs, supporting in a way to allow possible groundwater contamination evidences previously. / As águas subterrâneas constituem reservas estratégicas vitais para o abastecimento público e privado. Portanto, o estudo de aqüíferos por meio do monitoramento hidrogeológico, revelase de suma importância. Em empreendimentos potencialmente poluidores da água subterrânea, faz-se necessário um sistema de monitoramento, que além de um aviso precoce da contaminação, forneça valores de referência para a caracterização hidroquímica e hidrodinâmica dos aqüíferos. O objetivo dessa pesquisa é estabelecer os valores naturais e a faixa de variação temporal de parâmetros físico-químicos e hidrodinâmicos das águas subterrâneas na área de um reservatório de combustíveis no município de Santa Maria/RS, em uma zona de afloramento do Sistema Aqüífero Guarani (SAG). Para tanto, a metodologia consistiu em: estudos de escritório a fim de revisar a literatura no tema da pesquisa; trabalho de campo, mediante o monitoramento hidrogeológico de sete poços de observação no período de 12 meses, levantamento topográfico, medidas de precipitação, ensaios de condutividade hidráulica realizados com piezômetro escavado e diretamente nos poços (infiltração); estudo de laboratório, por meio da análise estatística dos dados com auxílio do software estatístico SPSS® 13.0 for Windows (2004), construção de modelos tridimensionais do fluxo subterrâneo e cartogramas de espacialização de parâmetros físico-químicos com o Programa SURFER® 8.0. Como resultado destaca-se que as concentrações dos parâmetros físico-químicos estudados sofreram flutuações temporais mensais e sazonais, além de variações nas distribuições espaciais, o que indicou diferenças de entradas de água na coluna dos poços, ocorridas possivelmente devido à alimentação desses por diferentes camadas. Evidenciou-se que ocorreram variações do nível da água nos sete poços de monitoramento a partir das precipitações pluviométricas, indicando que os mesmos estão situados em área de recarga direta do SAG. Em relação à direção do fluxo subterrâneo local, os dados obtidos revelam que em caso de vazamento de combustíveis o Rio Vacacaí-Mirim, distando 230 m do empreendimento será afetado. Conclui-se que as variações dos valores naturais (background) refletem a diversidade geológica do local, que é marcada pela presença de Depósitos de Terraços Fluviais, considerados permeáveis e, da Formação Santa Maria Membro Alemoa, que é estimada na área de estudo como impermeável. Esse estudo contribuiu para a caracterização físico-química e hidrodinâmica em escala local do SAG fornecendo valores de referência, os quais servirão de subsídios aos órgãos gestores ambientais, auxiliando no aviso precoce de possível contaminação da água subterrânea.

Wind turbine modelling using doubly-fed induction generators is a well-known subject. However, studies have tended to focus on optimising the components of the system rather than considering the interaction between the components. This research examines the interaction of the control methods for a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) in a wind turbine application integrating them with the crowbar protection control and DC-link brake control to make the best use of the converter. The controls of the rotor-side and the grid-side converters of the DFIG model are both well established and have been shown to work. Typically the crowbar protection is designed in order to protect the rotor-side converter and the power electronic components of the DFIG system from high currents occurring in the rotor due to the faults. The DC-link brake-overvoltage protection is also designed to prevent the overcharging of the DC-link capacitor placed between the rotor-side converter and the grid-side converter. In order to show that these protection schemes work and with thought can co-ordinate with each other, tests consisting of a number of balanced three-, two- and one-phase voltage sags are applied to the network voltage. The main contributions of this thesis are establishing operational tuning and design limits for the controllers and system subassemblies. This is to minimise the electrical subsystem interaction while maintaining adequate performance, and have an improved DC-link control. This work also includes a full electrical system study of the wind turbine and an essential literature review on significant references in the field of the DFIG wind turbine system modelling, control and protection. Specifically this research project makes a number of novel contributions to the literature: enhanced DC voltage control including operating point sensitivity analysis and dynamic stiffness assessment, sensitivity and robustness analyses of the power loop control and control loop segmentation by appropriately tuning the controller loops.

The master’s thesis deals with the topic new isolation lines of 110 kV. The aim is to propose new insulator hangers. The first, theoretical part focuses on the development of insulators, cutting and possibilities of application. They are the different materials that are used for the production of insulators HV, advantages and disadvantages long rod and cap and pin insulators. There are also described insulator hangers. The theoretical work is to describe thefittings for overhead transmission lines, which are, used to construct a insulator hanger. The last part of the theoretical work is intended distribution towers for overhead lines HV. The practical part deals with the design of new insulator suspensions for specific lines of 110 kV. The results are drawings newly designed hangers and a list of materials (fittings) for individual towers and the total amount of material. The practical part is calculating the differences in the conductor sag using old and new insulators hangers.

This thesis introduces issues of passenger car side-door hinges. Practical part of this thesis deals with modifying the current low-cost side-door hinge for Edscha Automotive Kamenice s.r.o. First, material was chosen to decrease weight while maintaining the required mechanical properties. Then follows the detail design of the hinge model, which was created in the software program Catia. Heat and surface treatments are described. Both treatments ensures the hinge's final features. To verify the strength of the hinge, tensile and sag test was simulated in Ansys. Subsequently, record from the consultation of the hinge's manufacturability in series and the hinge’s cutting plans are provided. At the end of the thesis, the assembling procedure is suggested. Final part of the thesis compares the developed low-cost hinge against two similar side door hinges.