A Recursive High Level Synthesis System

Wang,J. C.,Teruya,M. Y.,Neto,J. V. Vale,Strum,M.,Jerraya,A. A. 대한전자공학회 1997 ICVC : International Conference on VLSI and CAD Vol.5 No.1

A hierarchical high level synthesis (HHLS) system, such as AMICAL, allows the obtaining of an architecture for a circuit from its behavioral description, written as a hierarchy of procedures and function calls, proper of large circuits. When specific modules are synthesized and reused as basic hardware modules in another HLS session, the resulting architecture may be inefficient due to operations overlap among the allocated hardware modules. This paper presents the structure of a CAD system that treats this problem by generating new hardware modules through a set of transformations to be applied to existing modules in an original library. We call the procedure of generating and reusing these new modules recursive high level syntheses (RHLS) which leads to a more efficient architecture. We propose a cost function that evaluates the quality of each architecture, taking into account area and time, and we present criteria to select the most promising transformation. The methodology is applied to a motor controller example (PID), showing its feasibility.

Energy Requirements in Early Life Are Similar for Male and Female Goat Kids

Bompadre, T.F.V.,Neto, O. Boaventura,Mendonca, A.N.,Souza, S.F.,Oliveira, D.,Fernandes, M.H.M.R.,Harter, C.J.,Almeida, A.K.,Resende, K.T.,Teixeira, I.A.M.A. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.12

Little is known about the gender differences in energetic requirements of goats in early life. In this study, we determined the energy requirements for maintenance and gain in intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids using the comparative slaughter technique and provide new data on their body composition and energy efficiency. To determine the energy requirements for maintenance, we studied 21 intact males, 15 castrated males and 18 females ($5.0{\pm}0.1kg$ initial body weight (BW) and $23{\pm}5d$ of age) using a split-plot design with the following main factors: three genders (intact males, castrated males, and females) and three dry matter intake levels (ad libitum, 75% and 50% of ad libitum intake). A slaughter group included three kids, one for each nutritional plane, of each gender, and all three animals within a group were slaughtered when the ad libitum kid reached 15 kg in BW. Net energy requirements for gain were obtained for 17 intact males, eight castrated males and 15 females ($5.1{\pm}0.4kg$ BW and $23{\pm}13d$ of age). Animals were fed ad libitum and slaughtered when they reached 5, 10, and 15 kg in BW. A digestion trial was performed with nine kids of each gender to determine digestible energy, metabolizable energy and energy metabolizability of the diet. Our results show no effect of gender on the energy requirements for maintenance and gain, and overall net energy for maintenance was $205.6kJ/kg^{0.75}$ empty body weight gain (EBW) ($170.3kJ/kg^{0.75}$ BW) from 5 to 15 kg BW. Metabolizable energy for maintenance was calculated by iteration, assuming heat production equal to metabolizable energy intake at maintenance, and the result was $294.34kJ/kg^{0.75}$ EBW and $k_m$ of 0.70. As BW increased from 5 to 15 kg for all genders, the net energy required for gain increased from 9.5 to 12.0 kJ/g EBW gain (EWG), and assuming $k_g=0.47$, metabolizable energy for gain ranged from 20.2 to 25.5 kJ/g EWG. Our results indicate that it is not necessary to formulate diets with different energetic content for intact male, castrated male and female Saanen goat kids weighing from 5 to 15 kg.

Feed Restriction and Compensatory Growth in Guzerá Females

Neto, S. Gonzaga,Bezerra, L.R.,Medeiros, A.N.,Ferreira, M.A.,Filho, E.C. Pimenta,Candido, E.P.,Oliveira, R.L. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2011 Animal Bioscience Vol.24 No.6

This study examined the effect of restricting feed intake and the subsequent compensatory growth in Guzera females. Eighteen animals with an initial age of 21 months and a mean weight of 268.17 kg were placed in three groups according to the alimentary regime: feed ad libitum; feed restricted to 20% dry matter; and feed restricted to 40% dry matter. In the restricted feed phase, the dry mater intake decreased as the restriction levels increased, influencing the reduction in intake of other nutrients. In the realimentation phase, the 40% restricted feed group ingested more dry matter (% BW) and crude protein ($weight^{0.75}$) than the group fed ad libitum (p<0.001). The serum nutrient concentrations were inversely proportional (p<0.001) to the restriction level, and there was no difference (p>0.001) in the realimentation phase. In the restricted feed phase, the final live weight decreased (p<0.05) as the restriction level increased. For the daily mean weight gain in the control group, there was no difference (p>0.05) compared to the animals with 20% feed restriction, but this was higher than in the group with 40% feed restriction. In the re-alimentation phase, the group with 40% feed restriction achieved higher weight gain rates, which was different from the control and 20% restriction groups. In both phases, the animals in the group with 40% feed restriction presented better feed conversion which was different (p<0.05) from the control group. In the feed restriction phase, it was observed that the intake of N, nitrogen excreted in feces and urine, nitrogen balance and nitrogen retention decreased (p<0.05) with the restriction level. None of the variables were influenced in the re-alimentation phase. These results show that feed restriction by 40% can be adopted as a nutritional management practice.

A SIMPLIFIED MODEL FOR EVALUATING TIRE WEAR DURING CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

M. M. DA SILVA,R. H. CUNHA,A. C. NETO 한국자동차공학회 2012 International journal of automotive technology Vol.13 No.6

In the field of vehicle dynamics, commercial software can aid the designer during the conceptual and detailed design phases. Simulations using these tools can quickly provide specific design metrics, such as yaw and lateral velocity, for standard maneuvers. However, it remains challenging to correlate these metrics with empirical quantities that depend on many external parameters and design specifications. This scenario is the case with tire wear, which depends on the frictional work developed by the tire-road contact. In this study, an approach is proposed to estimate the tire-road friction during steady-state longitudinal and cornering maneuvers. Using this approach, a qualitative formula for tire wear evaluation is developed, and conceptual design analyses of cornering maneuvers are performed using simplified vehicle models. The influence of some design parameters such as cornering stiffness, the distance between the axles, and the steer angle ratio between the steering axles for vehicles with two steering axles is evaluated. The proposed methodology allows the designer to predict tire wear using simplified vehicle models during the conceptual design phase.

A Cleaner Milling Process Replacing Emulsion Coolant by Cryogenics CO2

Octavio M. Pereira Neto,Calleja‑Ochoa,I. Ayesta,A. Rodríguez,H. González‑Barrio,L. N. López de Lacalle 한국정밀공학회 2024 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.11 No.1

In manufacturing sector, looking for a balance between environmental and technical efficiency taking into account productivity is mandatory. Some sectors, such as the biomedical manufacturing sector, also needs to consider the cleanness inherent to prosthesis manufacturing processes for avoiding pathogens transfer to the human body, that is, neither chemicals, bacteria, nor uncontrolled metals can be introduced during the surgical intervention. This work here presented stems from the idea of analyzing the cleanness of cryogenic cooling to be applied to medical pieces. For this, several samples were machined using CO2 cryogenic technology and oil emulsions, respectively. In particular, a modified milling tool was used to apply not only efficiently as cutting fluid but also as cleaner fluid. Afterwards, they were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with the aim of looking for biological remains. Finally, with the aim of validating the modified tool in which CO2 is introduced axially as internal coolant, its tool life was tested in comparison with a conventional one. The results shown that the use of CO2 as internal coolant significantly improves the cleanness of current machining processes in comparison with the use of oil emulsions and the way in which is injected does not affect to machining performance.

The mouse Wnt/PCP protein Vangl2 is necessary for migration of facial branchiomotor neurons, and functions independently of Dishevelled

Glasco, D.M.,Sittaramane, V.,Bryant, W.,Fritzsch, B.,Sawant, A.,Paudyal, A.,Stewart, M.,Andre, P.,Cadete Vilhais-Neto, G.,Yang, Y.,Song, M.R.,Murdoch, J.N.,Chandrasekhar, A. Academic Press 2012 Developmental Biology Vol.369 No.2

During development, facial branchiomotor (FBM) neurons, which innervate muscles in the vertebrate head, migrate caudally and radially within the brainstem to form a motor nucleus at the pial surface. Several components of the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, including the transmembrane protein Vangl2, regulate caudal migration of FBM neurons in zebrafish, but their roles in neuronal migration in mouse have not been investigated in detail. Therefore, we analyzed FBM neuron migration in mouse looptail (Lp) mutants, in which Vangl2 is inactivated. In Vangl2<SUP>Lp/+</SUP> and Vangl2<SUP>Lp/Lp</SUP> embryos, FBM neurons failed to migrate caudally from rhombomere (r) 4 into r6. Although caudal migration was largely blocked, many FBM neurons underwent normal radial migration to the pial surface of the neural tube. In addition, hindbrain patterning and FBM progenitor specification were intact, and FBM neurons did not transfate into other non-migratory neuron types, indicating a specific effect on caudal migration. Since loss-of-function in some zebrafish Wnt/PCP genes does not affect caudal migration of FBM neurons, we tested whether this was also the case in mouse. Embryos null for Ptk7, a regulator of PCP signaling, had severe defects in caudal migration of FBM neurons. However, FBM neurons migrated normally in Dishevelled (Dvl) ½ double mutants, and in zebrafish embryos with disrupted Dvl signaling, suggesting that Dvl function is essentially dispensable for FBM neuron caudal migration. Consistent with this, loss of Dvl2 function in Vangl2<SUP>Lp/+</SUP> embryos did not exacerbate the Vangl2<SUP>Lp/+</SUP> neuronal migration phenotype. These data indicate that caudal migration of FBM neurons is regulated by multiple components of the Wnt/PCP pathway, but, importantly, may not require Dishevelled function. Interestingly, genetic-interaction experiments suggest that rostral FBM neuron migration, which is normally suppressed, depends upon Dvl function.

Preparation of MCA-SiO2 and Its Flame Retardant Effects on Glass Fiber Reinforced Polypropylene

P.N.B. Reis,A.M. Amaro,M. A. Neto,J.S. Cirne 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.1

In this work, a new synergistic charring agent of melamine cyanurate-fumed silica (MCA-SiO2) has been synthesized through the facile self-assembly process, where melamine (ME) and cyanuric acid (CA) reacted and deposited on the fumed silica in the aqueous suspension. Then GF-PP/IFR-(MCA-SiO2) composites were prepared by melting blend of GF-PP and IFR containing MCA-SiO2. The general properties of the resulting composites were characterized by Cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) etc. Results show that the addition of SiO2 could greatly reduced the heat release rate (HRR) of the GF-PP/IFR-MCA composites and improved the flame retardant properties during burning. When the content of SiO2 in MCA-SiO2 was 20 wt%, the flame retardant property of the composites reached the UL-94 V-0 rating, corresponding to a the limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 32.4 %. This enhanced flame retardant property could be attributed to the fact that the fumed silica with low thermal conductivity could prevent the heat exchange, and assist in the formation of compact and dense char during the burning.

Strong Light-Matter Interactions in Heterostructures of Atomically Thin Films

Britnell, L.,Ribeiro, R. M.,Eckmann, A.,Jalil, R.,Belle, B. D.,Mishchenko, A.,Kim, Y.-J.,Gorbachev, R. V.,Georgiou, T.,Morozov, S. V.,Grigorenko, A. N.,Geim, A. K.,Casiraghi, C.,Neto, A. H. Castro,Nov American Association for the Advancement of Scienc 2013 Science Vol.340 No.6138

<P><B>Atomic Layer Heterostructures—More Is More</B></P><P>The isolation of stable layers of various materials, only an atom or several atoms thick, has provided the opportunity to fabricate devices with novel functionality and to probe fundamental physics. <B>Britnell <I>et al.</I></B> (p. 1311, published online 2 May; see the Perspective by <B>Hamm and Hess</B>) sandwiched a single layer of the transition metal dichalcogenide WS<SUB>2</SUB> between two sheets of graphene. The photocurrent response of the heterostructure device was enhanced, compared to that of the bare layer of WS<SUB>2</SUB>. The prospect of combining single or several-atom-thick layers into heterostructures should help to develop materials with a wide range of properties.</P>

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Ulcer Activities of Carvacrol, a Monoterpene Present in the Essential Oil of Oregano

Francilene V. Silva,Adriana G. Guimara˜es,Elayne R.S. Silva,Benedito P. Sousa-Neto,Fla´via D.F. Machado,Lucindo J. Quintans-Ju´nior,Daniel D.R. Arcanjo,Francisco A. Oliveira,Rita C.M. Oliveira 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.11

This study reports a pharmacological evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of carvacrol, a phenolic monoterpene constituent of essential oils produced by oregano and other several aromatic plants and spices, in experimental models of edema induced by different phlogistic agents and gastric lesions induced by acetic acid. In models of paw edema induced by dextran or histamine, carvacrol was effective at 50 mg/kg (46% and 35%, respectively); in these models, cyproheptadine reduced edema formation (61% and 43%, respectively). In edema induced by substance P, carvacrol (100 mg/kg) and ruthenium red (3 mg/kg) also decreased the edema formation (46% and 40%, respectively). Carvacrol significantly reduced the ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate and arachidonic acid at 0.1 mg per ear (43% and 33%, respectively), similar to indomethacin at 0.5 mg per ear or 2.0 mg per ear (55% and 57%, respectively). Carvacrol (at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) showed a healing capacity on gastric lesions induced by acid acetic (60%, 91%, and 81%, respectively) after 14 days of treatment. These results suggest that carvacrol acts on different pharmacological targets, probably interfering in release and/or synthesis of inflammatory mediators, such as the prostanoids, and thus favoring the healing process for gastric ulcers.

One-Anastomosis and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Promote Similar Weight Loss, Patient Satisfaction, Quality of Life, Inflammation Grade, and Cellular Damage in the Esophagus and Gastric Pouch in a Short-term Follow-up

Rafael C. Katayama,Carlos H. Arasaki,Fernando A.M. Herbella,Ricardo A. Neto,Gaspar de Jesus Lopes Filho 대한비만학회 2021 The Korean journal of obesity Vol.30 No.4

Background: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is a simpler procedure than Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB); however, biliary reflux can occur and impair outcomes. This study aimed to compare outcomes of OAGB and RYGB. Methods: Twenty patients with morbid obesity were randomized prospectively into two groups: OAGB (n=10) or RYGB (n=10). Quality of life (36-item short-form health survey [SF-36]), satisfaction (Visick scale), and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated before and 6 months after the operation. All patients underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy with gastric and esophageal mucosal biopsies at 3 and 6 months after their operation. Results: The study found no significant difference in BMI before surgery (OAGB, 43.2 kg/m2; RYGB, 43.1 kg/m2; P=0.90) or at 6 months postoperative (OAGB, 32.1 kg/m2; RYGB, 31.8 kg/m2; P=0.91). There was no significant difference in improvement of quality of life (four SF-36 domains) or satisfaction (P=0.08) between groups at 6 months. There was no statistical difference between gastric (P=0.10) and esophageal (P=0.76) inflammation grade at three or 6 months between the two groups. Conclusion: OAGB and RYGB are equally effective in terms of weight loss, patient satisfaction, and quality of life improvement at 6 months after the procedures. Inflammation grade and cellular damage in the gastric pouch and in the esophagus were similar.