Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

About: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria is a education organization based out in Santa Maria, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 21178 authors who have published 35632 publications receiving 371665 citations.

Parameter estimation for induction machines based on sensitivity analysis

Abstract: Induction machine parameters supplied by manufacturers are usually sufficient for short-circuit analysis only. System studies that involve transient simulation of machines require additional parameters that are not readily available, but nonetheless are essential for an accurate modeling of the machines. A mathematical method for estimating the equivalent circuit parameters of induction machines from the most readily available performance characteristics is presented. In this method, machine equations are used to estimate the parameters and sensitivity analyses are then performed with respect to the circuit parameters to match the given performance characteristics. An example is included to illustrate how well the performance of the estimated model matches that of the actual machine. The example is a three-phase, 1000 HP, 4.16 kV, 60 Hz induction motor. The example indicates that, with a restricted set of input data, it is possible to find the elements of a machine model that duplicates the given performance to a high degree of accuracy. Without sensitivity analysis, accuracies on the order of 10% are obtained, but after sensitivity analysis an accuracy of 0.1% or better can be achieved. >

Nanoencapsulation as a way to control the release and to increase the photostability of clobetasol propionate: influence of the nanostructured system.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to prepare and to evaluate the physicochemical and in vitro drug release characteristics of different nanostructured systems containing clobetasol propionate (CP): CP-loaded polymeric nanoparticles (nanocapsules and nanospheres) and CP-loaded nanoemulsion. Physicochemical characteristics of the formulations were monitored up to 9 months after preparation by means of drug content, encapsulation efficiency, mean size, polydispersity index, pH, and zeta potential. In vitro drug release studies were carried out using the dialysis bag method. Photostability of CP-loaded nanoparticles was evaluated by their exposition to UVA radiation. All formulations presented nanometric mean size (140-220 nm), polydispersity index below 0.25, neutral pH values, negative zeta potential and encapsulation efficiency close to 100%. All these parameters, except pH, remained unchangeable up to 9 months of storage at room temperature for CP-loaded nanocapsules. On the other hand, CP-loaded nanospheres and nanoemulsion showed an increase in their mean size, as well as in polydispersity index under storage (after 3 and 6 months, respectively). In vitro drug release studies showed a controlled release of CP from nanoparticles (nanocapsules > nanospheres > nanoemulsion) with a low burst release. Photostability of CP under UVA radiation was improved by its incorporation into nanoparticles (nanocapsules > nanoemulsions > nanospheres).

Insights on the Dusty Torus and Neutral Torus From Optical and X-Ray Obscuration in A Complete Volume Limited Hard X-Ray Agn Sample

Abstract: We describe a complete volume limited sample of nearby active galaxies selected by their 14?195 keV luminosity, and outline its rationale for studying the mechanisms regulating gas inflow and outflow. We also describe a complementary sample of inactive galaxies, selected to match the host galaxy properties. The active sample appears to have no bias in terms of active galactic nucleus (AGN) type, the only difference being the neutral absorbing column, which is two orders of magnitude greater for the Seyfert 2s. In the luminosity range spanned by the sample, ?43.7, the optically obscured and X-ray absorbed fractions are 50%?65%. The similarity of these fractions to more distant spectroscopic AGN samples, although over a limited luminosity range, suggests that the torus does not strongly evolve with redshift. Our sample confirms that X-ray unabsorbed Seyfert 2s are rare, comprising not more than a few percent of the Seyfert 2 population. At higher luminosities, the optically obscured fraction decreases (as expected for the increasing dust sublimation radius), but the X-ray absorbed fraction changes little. We argue that the cold X-ray absorption in these Seyfert 1s can be accounted for by neutral gas in clouds that also contribute to the broad-line region (BLR) emission, and suggest that a geometrically thick neutral gas torus co-exists with the BLR and bridges the gap to the dusty torus.