This study focuses on experimentally validating the performance of XFOIL, a sophisticated software airfoil analysis tool used for approximating lift and drag coefficients. XFOIL output data was incorporated into a theoretical model simulating a variable pitch rotor system operating in a hovering state. The output of the Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) rotor model is compared to thrust and power output performance data collected from a constructed rotor test bench and analysed in MATLAB. Using XFOIL as input, the BEMT rotor model was observed to yield good robust results when compared to experimental data, but demonstrated sensitivity to airfoil performance characteristics, laying the groundwork for future empirical validation. In comparing BEMT model performance, it was interesting to find that thrust performance remained within tolerance in contrast to an overprediction of rotor power output resulting from XFOIL drag at high blade pitch angles. Upon further interrogation by means of variable isolation, XFOIL demonstrated instability resulting from sensitivity to variability of model constraints. Modification of rotor geometry definitions or environmental constants beyond the test environment framework showed simulated systems may not necessarily behave reliably nor enhance output performance. This highlights the critical importance and utility of experimentation for understanding theoretical model behaviour or validating simulation output performance.

A trial was conducted in greenhouse to evaluate in wheat the effect of the inoculation with the rhizobacteria Sinorhizobium meliloti, Azospirillum zeae and Azospirillum canadense, and with the fungus Trichoderma harzianum. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications and five plants per treatment. A treatment fertilized with NH4NO3(150 ppm/kg of soil), an absolute control and 13 inoculated treatments, were used. The aerial dry weight, root dry weight, stem length, germination and content of leaf chlorophyll were evaluated. The separate application of Trichoderma had a positive effect on stem length (5,58 cm), but its presence in some combinations with rhizospheric bacteria was not positive and at the moment of sowing, or afterwards did not show uniform results in the variables. Nevertheless, the treatment Trichoderma + NRG34-DS2 5d stood out in the root dry weight (0,45 g/plant) and the aerial dry weight (0,58 g/plant); as well as the treatment A2-N7, in the chlorophyll content (40,35 SPADS/plant) and stem length (5,50 cm). It is concluded that the simple application of Trichoderma did not exert a positive effect on most variables, and none of the treatments positively influenced germination. It is recommended to evaluate Trichoderma + NRG34-DS2 5d and A2-N7 in field experiments.

Se realizó un experimento en invernadero para evaluar en trigo el efecto de la inoculación con las rizobacterias Sinorhizobium meliloti, Azospirillum zeae y Azospirillum canadense, y con el hongo Trichoderma harzianum. El diseño experimental fue completamente aleatorizado, con cuatro réplicas y cinco plantas por tratamiento. Se utilizó un tratamiento fertilizado con NH4NO3 (150 ppm/kg de suelo), un control absoluto y 13 tratamientos inoculados. Se evaluó el peso seco aéreo, el peso seco radical, la longitud del tallo, la germinación y el contenido de clorofila foliar. La aplicación de Trichoderma por separado tuvo un efecto positivo en la longitud del tallo (5,58 cm); pero su presencia directa en algunas combinaciones con las bacterias rizosféricas no fue positiva ni mostró resultados uniformes en las variables en el momento de la siembra, o posterior a esta. Sin embargo, se destacó el tratamiento Trichoderma + NRG34-DS2 5d en el peso seco radical (0,45 g/planta) y en el peso seco aéreo (0,58 g/planta); así como el tratamiento A2-N7, en el contenido de clorofila (40,35 spads/planta) y la longitud del tallo (5,50 cm). Se concluye que la aplicación simple de Trichoderma no ejerció un efecto positivo en la mayoría de las variables ni los tratamientos influyeron positivamente en la germinación. Se recomienda evaluar Trichoderma + NRG34-DS2 5d y A2-N7 en experimentos de campo.

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics and the clinical manifestations of the confirmed dengue cases over a ten-year period in Barbados, one of the English-speaking Caribbean countries. Methods: All the cases of confirmed dengue from 2000 to 2009 were retrospectively studied. Long-term trends in incidence rate, demographic characteristics such as age, gender and seasonal distribution; clinical manifestations, immunological characteristics, need for hospitalization and mortality were studied. Results: There were 3413 confirmed cases of dengue including 778 (22.8%) children and 2635 (77.2%) adults. The mean annual incidence rate of dengue was 1.36/1000 population. The median age of the persons with confirmed dengue was 27 years. The largest number of cases was seen in the 11 to 16-year age group. Hospitalization was required in 13.1% of dengue cases; 72.5% and 84% of all dengue were secondary infections among the children and adults, respectively. Dengue haemorrhagic fever accounted for 2.2% and 6% of all confirmed dengue among children and adults, respectively. The overall case fatality rate in this study was 0.35%. Conclusions: Dengue is a significant health problem primarily in adolescents and young adults. It is characterized by less severe cases and lower mortality rate.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Describir las características epidemiológicas y manifestaciones clínicas de los casos de dengue confirmados durante un período de diez años en Barbados, uno de los países del Caribe anglófono. Métodos: Se estudiaron retrospectivamente todos los casos de dengue confirmados desde el año 2000 al 2009. Se estudiaron las tendencias a largo plazo en la tasa de incidencia, y las características demográficas como edad, género y distribución estacional. Asimismo, se estudiaron las manifestaciones clínicas, características inmunológicas, necesidad de hospitalización y mortalidad. Resultados: Hubo 3413 casos confirmados de dengue, incluyendo 778 (22.8%) niños y 2635 (77.2%) adultos. La tasa promedio de incidencia anual del dengue fue 1.36/1000 habitantes. El promedio de edad de las personas con dengue confirmado fue 27 años. El mayor número de casos se observó en el grupo de edad de 11 a 16 años. Se requirió hospitalización fue requerido en el 13.1% de los casos de dengue. En el 72.5% y el 84% de los casos de dengue hubo infecciones secundarias entre los niños y adultos, respectivamente. La fiebre hemorrágica del dengue hemorrágico representó el 2.2% y 6% de todos los casos de dengue confirmados entre niños y adultos, respectivamente. La tasa de letalidad general en el presente estudio fue de 0.35%. Conclusiones: El dengue es un importante problema de salud principalmente en adolescentes y adultos jóvenes. Se caracteriza por casos menos graves y tasa de mortalidad más baja.

En un inventario de los Riodinidae (Lepidoptera) existentes en un pequeño fragmento de bosque cerca de Villavicencio, Colombia, 23 de las 115 especies registradas resultaron ser nuevos registros para la región. También se compila una nueva lista regional de 317 especies.

In a survey of the Riodinidae (Lepidoptera) of a small forest fragment near Villavicencio, Colombia, 23 of the 115 species recorded were found to be new records for the region. A new regional list of 317 species was also compiled.

A abordagem de espaço de estados é usada para avaliar a relação entre propriedades físicas e químicas de um solo em uma área cultivada com cana-de-açúcar. O experimento foi realizado em um Nitossolo situado em Piracicaba (SP). A cana-de-açúcar foi plantada em uma área de 0,21 ha i.e., 15 linhas com 100 m de comprimento cada, espaçadas de 1,4 m. Medidas da umidade do solo, matéria orgânica, conteúdo de argila e estabilidade de agregados foram feitas ao longo de uma transeção de 84 pontos, metro a metro. A abordagem de espaço de estados é usada para avaliar como a umidade do solo na posição i é afetada por medidas de umidade do solo, matéria orgânica, conteúdo de argila e estabilidade de agregados na posição i-1, em diferentes combinações, com o objetivo de contribuir para um melhor entendimento da relação entre estas variáveis no solo. Os resultados mostram que a umidade do solo pode ser estimada usando esta abordagem, sendo a melhor performance encontrada quando as estimativas da umidade do solo na posição i foram relacionadas com a umidade do solo, conteúdo de argila e estabilidade de agregados na posição i-1 e que as equações de espaço de estado descrevem a umidade do solo melhor do que qualquer equação de regressão múltipla equivalente.

The state-space approach is used to evaluate the relation between soil physical and chemical properties in an area cultivated with sugarcane. The experiment was carried out on a Rhodic Kandiudalf in Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Sugarcane was planted on an area of 0.21 ha i.e., in 15 rows 100 m long, spaced 1.4 m. Soil water content, soil organic matter, clay content and aggregate stability were sampled along a transect of 84 points, meter by meter. The state-space approach is used to evaluate how the soil water content is affected by itself and by soil organic matter, clay content, and aggregate stability of neighboring locations, in different combinations, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the relation among these variables in the soil. Results show that soil water contents were successfully estimated by this approach. Best performances were found when the estimate of soil water content at locations i was related to soil water content, clay content and aggregate stability at locations i-1. Results also indicate that this state-space model using all series describes the soil water content better than any equivalent multiple regression equation.

Growth and product formation by a selected variant of Aspergillus oryzae showing high alpha-amylase production was studied in continuous cultivations carried out at six different specific growth rates, using glucose as the growth-limiting nutrient. The analysis of the steady-state data revealed that the variant and wild-type strains were similar with respect to glucose uptake system and stoichiometric coefficients. However, the variant was capable of maintaining an enzyme production as high as 40 FAUgDW-1h-1 at a dilution rate of 0.2 h-1, while the wild-type strain reached a maximum specific alpha-amylase production rate of 17 FAUgDW-1h-1 at a dilution rate of 0.1 h-1. Using a morphologically structured model originally proposed for the wild-type strain, it was possible to describe enzyme production, biomass formation and glucose consumption after modification of a few parameters to adjust the model to the characteristics of the selected variant.

Redes de junções Josephson são dispositivos supercondutores com importantes aplicações tanto em tecnologia quanto em ciência básica. Neste artigo mostramos como estes dispositivos funcionam, suas propriedades magnéticas e de transporte, e como através das quais é possível estudar propriedades ainda controversas dos sistemas supercondutores granulares tais como o Efeito Meissner Paramagnético (PME), a Avalanche de Vórtices (VA) e outros efeitos relacionados com a granularidade.

Arrays of Josephson junctions are powerful superconducting devices with both technological and basic applications. In this review article, we describe how these devices work as well as their transport and magnetic properties. We also show how they can be used to explain some of the controversial properties of granular superconducting systems, like Paramagnetic Meissner Effect (PME), Vortex Avalanche (VA) and other granularity-related e ects.

Com o propósito de apresentar aos pesquisadores a implicação do objetivo de desenvolvimento de modelos e uma visão da potencialidade do uso da modelagem em agricultura, com as respectivas limitações, é sugerida uma integração dos profissionais que trabalham com modelagem com os que trabalham com agricultura. Os modelos não são simples mecanismos para arquivar e sintetizar informações, produzindo estimativas. O modelo representa a modernização da informação, do processo de mensuração e de um eficiente meio de aprender mais sobre sistemas complexos. Os modelos representam o melhor mecanismo de transformar conhecimento em informação útil e transferi-lo para terceiros. Um dos problemas que impedem um maior avanço na área de modelagem é a falta de entrosamento entre modeladores e a freqüente existência de modeladores sem uma visão global da realidade.

With the purpose of presenting to scientists the implications of the objective in model development and a basic vision of modeling, with its potential applications and limitations in agriculture, an integration of crop modeling professionals with agricultural professionals is suggested. Models mean modernization of the information, of the measurement process and of an efficient way to learn more about complex systems. They are one of the best mechanisms of transforming information in useful knowledge and of transferring this knowledge to others. One of the problems that impede a larger progress in modeling is the lack of communication between modelers and a frequent appearance of modelers without a global vision of reality.

Os primeiros modelos que contemplaram a variação espacial e temporal de sistemas radiculares foram apresentados há mais de 20 anos. A complexa arquitetura dos sistemas radiculares; a ampla faixa de variação no tamanho e no diâmetro, bem como no rápido crescimento e decomposição de raízes finas; as diferentes atividades fisiológicas das raízes de diferentes idades; os complexos processos microbiológicos que ocorrem na interface raiz-solo; as relações simbióticas na rizosfera; as variações químicas, físicas e biológicas que ocorrem no solo (local onde as raízes se desenvolvem) são os desafios da quantificação do crescimento radicular. Os modelos não são simples mecanismos para arquivar informações, produzindo estimativas. Os modelos representam o melhor mecanismo de sintetizar conhecimento sobre diferentes componentes do sistema, arquivando dados de forma sintética, e transferindo resultados de pesquisa para os usuários.

The first models of temporal variation of root systems appeared over 20 years ago. The complex architectural geometry of root systems; the wide range in size and diameter and the rapid growth and decomposition of finest roots; the different physiological activity of roots of different ages; the complex microbial processes occurring at the root-soil interface; the symbiotic relationships in the rhizosphere; the variable soil environment (physical, chemical and biological) in which roots develop are the challenges of quantifying the root growth. The models are not simple mechanisms to archive information in order to produce forecasts. Modeling represents a better way of synthesizing knowledge about different components of a system, summarizing data, and transferring research results to users.

A técnica de modelagem em agricultura pode ser útil para definir as prioridades de pesquisa, bem como para melhor entender as interações que ocorrem no sistema solo-planta-atmosfera. O modelo pode ser utilizado para estimar a importância e o efeito de certos parâmetros no intuito de definir os fatores a serem considerados. O modelador deve definir seus objetivos antes de iniciar o trabalho experimental, bem como desenvolver um modelo que atenda o objetivo proposto.

Modeling techniques applied to agriculture can be useful to define research priorities and understanding the basic interactions of the soil-plant-atmosphere system. Using a model to estimate the importance and the effect of certain parameters, a researcher can notice which factors can be most useful. The modeler should define his objectives before beginning his work and construct a model that fulfills the proposed objectives.

Foram avaliados dois métodos de escalonamento de semivariogramas, para obter uma única função de ajuste e estimar propriedades medidas, no campo, por meio da krigagem. No escalonamento, utilizaram-se, como fatores de escala, a variância das amostras e os patamares dos semivariogramas. Os desenvolvimentos teóricos mostram que os ponderadores da krigagem são independentes dos fatores de escala, os quais aparecem, simplesmente, como uma constante que multiplica os dois lados das equações de krigagem. As técnicas de escalonamento foram aplicadas a quatro conjuntos de semivariogramas, representando escalas de 30 x 30 m até 600 x 900 km. Semivariogramas experimentais de cada conjunto foram coalescidos, com sucesso, em uma curva única, usando, como fatores de escala, tanto as variâncias como os patamares dos semivariogramas. Para avaliar as técnicas de escalonamento, estimativas feitas com semivariogramas escalonados foram comparadas com as efetuadas com modelos não escalonados. Nos casos em que o escalonamento não coalesceu os semivariogramas individuais, foram encontradas diferenças da ordem de 5% entre valores estimados com krigagem sem escalonamento e com escalonamento, o que também significa que essas propriedades variam de maneira diferente no espaço. As técnicas de escalonamento propostas ajudaram a interpretação de semivariogramas, quando várias medições foram feitas para os mesmos locais. Elas também reduziram o tempo de processamento computacional para as estimativas de krigagem, porque os ponderadores da krigagem precisam ser calculados para apenas uma das variáveis. Os ponderadores foram os mesmos para todas as outras variáveis no conjunto de dados cujos semivariogramas foram escalonados.

Two methods were evaluated for scaling a set of semivariograms into a unified function for kriging estimation of field-measured properties. Scaling is performed using sample variances and sills of individual semivariograms as scale factors. Theoretical developments show that kriging weights are independent of the scaling factor which appears simply as a constant multiplying both sides of the kriging equations. The scaling techniques were applied to four sets of semivariograms representing spatial scales of 30 x 30 m to 600 x 900 km. Experimental semivariograms in each set successfully coalesced into a single curve by variances and sills of individual semivariograms. To evaluate the scaling techniques, kriged estimates derived from scaled semivariogram models were compared with those derived from unscaled models. Differences in kriged estimates of the order of 5% were found for the cases in which the scaling technique was not successful in coalescing the individual semivariograms, which also means that the spatial variability of these properties is different. The proposed scaling techniques enhance interpretation of semivariograms when a variety of measurements are made at the same location. They also reduce computational times for kriging estimations because kriging weights only need to be calculated for one variable. Weights remain unchanged for all other variables in the data set whose semivariograms are scaled.

O presente texto é o resumo das atuais atividades do programa de física do solo na Universidade da Califórnia, em Davis. As quatro áreas aqui relacionadas serão apresentadas no "Workshop on special topics about soil physics and crop modeling and simulation" na Universidade de São Paulo, em Piracicaba. O texto se restringe a urna abordagem geral de cada área, porém discussões e exemplos mais detalhados serão apresentados no Workshop.

The following treatise is a summary of some of the ongoing research activities in the soil physics program at the University of California in Davis. Each of the four listed areas win be presented at the Workshop on special topics on soil physics and crop modeling in Piracicaba at the University of Sao Paulo. We limited ourselves to a general overview of each area, but will present a more thorough discussion with examples at the Workshop.