Abstract Topology optimization research has focused on structures of a single domain or component. The single component configuration fails to capture the complexity of real multi-component structures. It is necessary to develop new methods and numerical strategies to solve multi-component systems. In this work, we propose a new approach considering a sequential method of topological optimization in multi-component systems. The proposed algorithm for topology optimization of multi-component systems is sequential. It optimizes the first component, the result found is included in the analysis of the optimization of the next component and thus it continues analyzing consecutively all the components until the last one. This methodology is the only one that performs sequential optimization using open-source tools. The implementation of sequential method is developed in four processes: development of the multi-component mesh, numerical structural analysis through the FEM, sensitivity analysis and a final optimization. A comparison is made with an optimization of multi-component systems in a normal way using three commonly seen examples. multicomponent multi work opensource open source tools processes mesh FEM examples

Um experimento foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento e produtividade de uvas para vinho tinto sob cobertura plástica, em sistema orgânico, em Guarapuava, região centro-sul do estado do Paraná, Brasil. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5x2 (cultivares x porta-enxertos), com cinco cultivares de vinho tinto (Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordô e Isabel Precoce) e dois porta-enxertos (Paulsen 1103e VR 043-43). As videiras enxertadas foram plantadas em setembro de 2005 e as avaliações foram conduzidas nos três primeiros ciclos produtivos (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2009/2009). Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis: estádios fenológicos, número de cachos, massa média dos cachos, produtividade, teor de sólidos solúveis totais e massa fresca do material de poda. O cultivo de videiras para vinificação em sistema orgânico sob cobertura plástica demonstrou ser viável, inibindo a incidência de doenças e reduzindo a necessidade de controle. O fator mais limitante foi o ataque de vespas e abelhas que severamente reduziram a colheita de cachos. Apesar desse problema, entre as cultivares de videira testadas, a Isabel Precoce foi a mais produtiva em todos os anos, enquanto a 'Malbec' foi também superior no primeiro ciclo. O híbrido 'VR 043-43' poderia ser um porta-enxerto adequado para a produção de uvas para vinho tinto em áreas infestadas com pérola-da-terra (Eurhizococcus brasiliensis).

A trial was carried out aiming to evaluate the development and yield of red wine grapevines under plastic cover in an organic production system in Guarapuava, the Central-Southern region of Paraná State, Brazil. The experimental design was in a randomized blocks, in a 5x2 factorial arrangement (cultivars x rootstocks), with five red wine vine cultivars (Merlot, Malbec, Carbenet Sauvignon, Ives and Early Isabella) and two rootstocks (Paulsen 1103 e VR 043-43). The grafted grapevines were planted in September of 2005 and the evaluations carried out for the three first productive cycles (2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009). The following variables were evaluated: phenological growth stages, number of clusters, average cluster weight, total yield, total soluble solids content and fresh weight of pruning material. The cultivation of wine grapevines in an organic system under plastic cover demonstrated viability, inhibiting the incidence of diseases and reducing the needs of control. The most limiting factor was the damage caused by wasps and bees that decreased cluster harvest. Despite this problem, between tested grapevine cultivars, the Early Isabella was the most productive in all years, while Malbec was also outstanding in the first cycle. VR 043-43 hybrid could be a suitable rootstock for red wine production in areas infested by 'Perola da Terra' scale insects (Eurhizococcus brasiliensis).

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a segurança e a eficácia da fragmentação percutânea do trombo (FPT) no tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) maciço em pacientes com contra-indicação à administração de trombolíticos. MÉTODOS: Entre julho de 1999 e agosto de 2005, 10 pacientes (7 homens, 3 mulheres, idade média de 57±18 anos) com TEP maciço e contra-indicação à administração de trombolíticos foram submetidos a FPT. A saturação arterial de oxigênio (Sat.O2), índice de Walsh (IW), pressão arterial pulmonar média (PAP), pressão arterial sistêmica média (PAS) e função ventricular direita (FVD) ao ecocardiograma Doppler transtorácico foram avaliados pré e pós-procedimento. Foi realizada análise estatística por meio do teste de Wilcoxon pareado, sendo p significativo quando < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Após o tratamento por FPT houve melhora da Sat. O2 [87,4±1,3% vs 92,3±3,1% (p<0,001)], do IW [6,4±1,07 vs 4,4±1,42 (p=0,003), PAP [31,8±4,6 mmHg vs 25,5±3,4 mmHg (p<0,001)] e PAS [73,9±8,7 vs 85±8,3 (p=0,001). A FVD pré-procedimento percutâneo era grave nos 10 pacientes, porém até o 10º dia após a FPT passou a ser normal ou discreta em 8 e moderada em 1. Não houve complicações técnicas ou do sítio vascular de acesso relacionadas a FPT. Houve 1 óbito hospitalar (10%). O paciente em questão foi o único em quem não se obteve sucesso com o procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: A FPT mostrou-se segura pela ausência de complicações relacionadas ao procedimento. A melhora na Sat.O2, no IW, na PAP, na PAS e na FVD em 90% dos casos, revelaram a eficácia do procedimento, sugerindo ser esse uma alternativa no tratamento do TEP maciço em pacientes com contra-indicação à trombolíticos sistêmicos.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous thrombus fragmentation (PTF) for massive pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with contraindications to the administration of thrombolytics. METHODS: Between July 1999 and August 2005, 10 patients (7 males, 3 females, age 57±18 years) with massive PE and contraindications to the administration of thrombolytics underwent PTF. A transthoracic doppler echocardiogram was used to evaluate arterial oxygen saturation (Sat O2), the Walsh index (WI), mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), mean systemic blood pressure (SBP) and right ventricular function (RVF) before and after the procedure. Statistical analysis was conducted using the paired Wilcoxon test, of which p was significant when < 0.05. RESULTS: After the PTF treatment there was an improvement in Sat. O2 [87.4 ± 1.3% vs 92.3 ± 3.1% (p < 0.001)], WI [6.4 ± 1.07 vs 4.4 ± 1.42 (p = 0.003)], PAP [31.8 ± 4.6 mmHg vs 25.5 ± 3.4 mmHg (p < 0.001)] and SBP [73.9 ± 8.7 vs 85 ± 8.3 (p = 0.001). The ten patients had severe RVF before the percutaneous treatment; however, within 10 days after PTF, 8 presented normal or discrete function and 1 presented mitigated function. There were no technical or vascular access site complications related to PTF. One patient died in the hospital (10%). The procedure was successful for the other nine patients. CONCLUSION: The lack of adverse complications related to the procedure, proves that PTF is safe. The improvement in Sat O2, WI, PAP, SBP and RVF in 90% of the cases demonstrates the efficacy of the procedure, indicating that it is an alternative treatment for massive PE in patients with contraindications for the administration of systemic thrombolytics.

The present article discusses the relation between boundary conditions and the Sommerfeld radiation condition underlying the dynamics of unbounded domains. It is shown that the classical Dirichlet, Neumann and mixed boundary conditions do not fulfill the radiation condition. In the sequence, three strategies to incorporate the radiation condition in numerical methods are outlined. The inclusion of Infinite Elements in the realm of the Finite Element Method (FEM), the Dirichlet-to-Neumann (DtN) mapping and the Boundary Element Method (BEM) are described. Examples of solved dynamic problems in unbounded domains are given for the Helmholtz and the Navier operators. The advantages and limitations of the methodologies are discussed and pertinent literature is provided.