The main goal of this study was to identify a set of factors considered relevant by basketball experts in a young player's route to high performance. The impossibility of choosing one as the most preponderant factor comes from the complex interaction between the different areas that influence the long development path of athletes to sport expertise. Our sample consisted of 14 coaches (7 of men's level and 7 of youth level), 7 players and 7 club coordinators who were asked to give their view on the subject by means of an interview. One of the main conclusions was the decisive influence of environmental factors, especially the family and coaches' influence, both as promoters of the beginning of the activity and as the maintenance in it. Psychological factors - athlete's work ethic and surpassing capacity - were also referred as having a great role on this issue. Technical, tactical and physical factors (in this order of importance) come as an asset to the young athlete. Finally, we conclude that the training process should be defying and constantly adjusted to the athlete's needs, creating stimulus that allow the young player to develop strategies to read and understand of the game, as well as decision making processes. The context where the athlete is inserted, as well as the psychological aspects and knowledge of the game must be considered the most relevant factors.

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi identificar um conjunto de fatores considerados relevantes por especialistas de basquetebol no percurso de um jovem jogador para o alto rendimento. A impossibilidade de escolher um único fator como o mais preponderante advém da complexa interação entre as diversas áreas que influenciam o caminho de desenvolvimento de longo dos atletas à experiência esportiva. A nossa amostra foi constituída por 14 treinadores (7 de nível dos homens e 7 do nível da juventude), 7 jogadores e 7 coordenadores do clube que foram convidados a dar a sua opinião sobre o tema por meio de uma entrevista. Uma das principais conclusões foi a influência decisiva de fatores ambientais, especialmente a influência da família e treinadores, ambos como promotores do início da atividade e quanto à manutenção na modalidade. Os fatores psicológicos - ética de trabalho do atleta e capacidade de superação - também foram referidos como tendo um grande papel nesta questão. Fatores técnicos, táticos e físicos (por esta ordem de importância) são considerados mais-valias para o jovem atleta. Finalmente, podemos concluir que o processo de formação deve ser desafiante e constantemente ajustado às necessidades do atleta, criando estímulos que permitam ao jovem jogador desenvolver estratégias de leitura e compreensão do jogo, bem como os processos de tomada de decisão. O contexto em que o atleta está inserido, bem como os aspetos psicológicos e conhecimento do jogo devem ser considerados os fatores mais relevantes.

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue identificar un conjunto de factores considerados relevantes por los expertos de baloncesto en la ruta de un joven jugador de alto rendimiento. La imposibilidad de elegir uno como el factor más preponderante proviene de la compleja interacción entre las diferentes áreas que influyen en el camino de desarrollo a largo de los atletas a la experiencia deportiva. Nuestra muestra fue constituida por 14 entrenadores (7 del nivel de los hombres y el 7 de categoría juvenil), 7 jugadores y 7 coordinadores del club que proporcionaran su opinión sobre el tema por medio de una entrevista. Una de las principales conclusiones fue la decisiva influencia de los factores ambientales, especialmente la influencia de la familia y entrenadores, ambos como promotores de la inicio de la actividad y como el mantenimiento en el mismo. Los factores psicológicos - ética de trabajo del atleta y la capacidad de superación - también fueron referidos como teniendo un gran papel en este tema. Los factores técnicos, tácticos y físicos (en este orden de importancia) son considerados un activo para el joven atleta. Por último, llegamos a la conclusión de que el proceso de formación debe ser constantemente desafiante y ajustarse a las necesidades del atleta, debe proporcionar la creación de estímulos que permitan al joven jugador desarrollar estrategias para leer y entender del juego, así como los procesos de toma de decisiones. El contexto en el que se inserta el atleta, así como los aspectos psicológicos y conocimiento del juego se deben considerar los factores más relevantes.

This study aimed to examine the introduction stage of basketball participants in countries that are ranked within the top 20 basketball countries by FIBA. Through the use of semi structured interviews, data was collected from 16 technical experts from 6 countries. We analysed the introductory phase determining: the age at which participants start in the programs; the different avenues or forms of entry in to the sport; the objectives defined and pursued in these stages; the structure of the competitive contests and the multi-sport involvement and specialization. The data revealed an age range of 5 to 12 years for the introduction of participants to basketball. Various settings for the introduction in the sport were found to exist. USA stands out with a maximum of 7 options. Regarding the main objectives in basketball introduction, the data revealed a balance between the three learning domains, with a slight increase of the affirmative and psychomotor over the cognitive. In terms of competition there is a common standard across countries that contests during the period of introduction are focused in enjoyment and stimulation. Several strategies are used in all countries, (e.g. reducing the size of the ball, number of players, height of the basket) are used to accommodate the game to the children abilities and to the objectives of the introductory stage. In terms of multi-sport participation and the ages at which specialization in basketball should occur, opinions are favourable to a multi-sport diversification, and the average age of specialization was 15.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a fase de introdução de participantes de basquete de países que são classificados dentro dos primeiros 20 países de basquete pela FIBA. Através do uso de entrevistas semiestruturados, os dados foram recolhidos a partir de 16 especialistas técnicos de 6 países. Analisou-se a fase introdutória determinando: a idade em que os participantes começam nos programas; os diferentes caminhos ou formas de entrada para a modalidade; os objetivos definidos e perseguidos nessa fase; a estrutura competitiva, o envolvimento multidesportivo e a especialização. Os dados revelaram uma faixa etária de 5 a 12 anos para a introdução de participantes para o basquete. Foram reveladas várias formas de introdução na modalidade. Os EUA destaca-se com um máximo de 7 opções. Em relação aos principais objetivos, os dados revelaram um equilíbrio entre os três domínios de aprendizagem, com um ligeiro aumento da afirmativa e psicomotor sobre o cognitivo. Em termos de competição há um padrão comum entre os países centrando-se os objetivos competitivos na diversão e estimulação. Várias estratégias são utilizadas em todos os países, (por exemplo, reduzindo o tamanho da bola, o número de jogadores, altura do cesto) para acomodar o jogo às capacidades crianças e aos objetivos da fase introdutória. As opiniões dos especialistas são favoráveis à participação multidesportiva e a idade em que a especialização deve ocorrer em basquetebol, foi em média de 15 anos.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo examinar la etapa de presentación de los participantes de baloncesto de los países que se clasifican dentro de los 20 países de baloncesto superior por la FIBA. Mediante el uso de entrevistas semiestructuradas, se recogieron datos de 16 expertos técnicos de 6 países. Hemos analizado la fase de introducción determinando: la edad en que los participantes comienzan en los programas; las diferentes vías o formas de entrada en el deporte; los objetivos perseguidos y definidos en estas etapas; la estructura competitiva y la participación multe-deportiva y la edad de especialización. Los datos revelaron un rango de edad de 5 a 12 años para la presentación de los participantes al baloncesto. Se comprueba la existencia de varios parámetros para la introducción en el deporte. USA se destaca con un máximo de 7 opciones. En cuanto a los principales objetivos en la introducción de baloncesto, los datos revelaron un equilibrio entre los tres dominios de aprendizaje, con un ligero aumento de la afirmativa y psicomotor sobre el desarrollo cognitivo. En cuanto a la competición, hay un estándar común en los países definiéndose el disfrute y la estimulación como los objetivos principales. Varias estrategias se utilizan en todos los países, (por ejemplo, la reducción del tamaño de la bola, número de jugadores, la altura de la canasta) se utilizan para acomodar el juego de las habilidades de los niños y para los objetivos de la etapa de introducción. En cuanto a la participación del multe-deporte y las edades en las que la especialización en el baloncesto debe ocurrir, las opiniones son favorables a una diversificación multe-deporte, y la edad media de especialización fue de 15 anos.

Abstract Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules that can spontaneously self-assemble in solution, forming structures known as micelles. Variations in temperature, pH, and electrolyte concentration imply changes in the interactions between surfactants and micelle stability conditions, including micelle size distribution and micelle shape. Here, molecular thermodynamics is used to describe and predict conditions of micelle formation in surfactant solutions by directly calculating the minimum Gibbs free energy of the system, corresponding to the most stable condition of the surfactant solution. In order to find it, the proposed methodology takes into account the micelle size distribution and two possible geometries (spherical and spherocylindrical). We propose a numerical optimization methodology where the minimum free energy can be reached faster and in a more reliable way. The proposed models predict the critical micelle concentration well when compared to experimental data, and also predict the effect of salt on micelle geometry transitions.

Abstract The Boundary Driven Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics (BD-NEMD) method is employed to evaluate Soret coefficients of binary mixtures. Using a n-decane/n-pentane mixture at 298 K, we study several parameters and conditions of the simulation procedure such as system size, time step size, frequency of perturbation, and the undesired warming up of the system during the simulation. The Soret coefficients obtained here deviated around 20% when comparing with experimental data and with simulated results from the literature. We showed that fluctuations in composition gradients and the consequent deviations of the Soret coefficient may be due to characteristic fluctuations of the composition gradient. Best results were obtained with the smallest time steps and without using a thermostat, which shows that there is room for improvement and/or development of new BD-NEMD algorithms.

ResumoEste trabalho analisou os dados obtidos a partir de ensaios a flexão em um lote de 40 corpos de provas de placas cerâmicos, preparados da mesma forma de acordo com a norma brasileira de ensaios NBR 13818:1997. Os dados de resistência à flexão obtidos nos testes, na forma de curvas tensão versus flexão, foram avaliados estatisticamente. Análises estatísticas detalhadas mostraram dois subgrupos diferentes de comportamento mecânico apresentado pelos corpos de prova cerâmicos testados. A análise fractográfica de amostras representativas destes dois grupos indicaram diferenças morfológicas relevantes nas fraturas obtidas destas amostras durante o ensaio. Essas diferenças puderam ser associadas com o comportamento mecânico apresentados pelas amostras analisadas.

AbstractThis study analyzed data obtained from bending tests of a batch of 40 samples of ceramic tiles, identically prepared in according to the Brazilian test standard NBR 13818: 1997. The Flexural or bending strength data obtained from the tests, in the form of stress vs. deflection curve, were statistically evaluated. Detailed statistical analysis showed two different subgroups of mechanical behavior exhibited by the ceramic samples tested. The fractographic analysis of representative samples from these two groups showed significant morphological differences in the fracture of these samples obtained during test. These differences could be associated with the mechanical behavior exhibited by analyzed samples.

A method for analysis of the electric potential profile in saline solutions was developed for systems with one or two infinite flat plates. A modified Poisson-Boltzmann equation, taking into account nonelectrostatic interactions between ions and surfaces, was used. To solve the stated problem in the steady-state approach the finite-difference method was used. For the formulated pseudo-transient problem, we solved the set of ordinary differential equations generated from the algebraic equations of the stationary case. A case study was also carried out in relation to temperature, solution concentration, surface charge and salt-type. The results were validated by the stationary problem solution, which had also been used to verify the ionic specificity for different salts. The pseudo-transient approach allowed a better understanding of the dynamic behavior of the ion-concentration profile and other properties due to the surface charge variation.

Abstract The Panama Canal was built about 100 years ago and a two new sets of locks are being constructed by the consortium "Grupos Unidos por el Canal" (GUPC) which is coordinated by Sacyr S.A. The old Panama Canal was built without steel reinforcement but the new one considered reinforcement as part of the antiseismic design. The Panama Canal Authority (ACP), established a lifespan of 100 years, for which it specified values from the ASTM 1202 method lower than 1000 Coulombs and the estimation of the lifespan by means of a program. The results of both Coulombs resistivity and diffusion coefficients, obtained after natural diffusion, are discussed for some of the designed mixtures. The numerical calculations of service lifespan, as obtained by LIFEPRED method, are also shown.

Resumen El Canal de Panamá fue construido hace unos 100 años y en la actualidad el consorcio “Grupo Unidos por el Canal” (GUPC), coordinado por Sacyr S.A. está construyendo dos nuevas series de esclusas. El hormigón del antiguo Canal no estaba armado pero en el actual se prevé el uso de armadura como parte del diseño antisísmico. La Autoridad del Canal de Panamá (ACP), en su Pliego de condiciones definió una vida útil de 100 años para lo que especificó valores del método ASTM 1202 de menos de 1000 culombios y el cálculo de la vida útil mediante un programa. En el presente trabajo se detallan, para algunas de las mezclas diseñadas, los resultados obtenidos tanto de culombios como de resistividad y los coeficientes de difusión que se obtuvieron mediante difusión natural. Igualmente se muestran los resultados al introducir los valores en el método numérico de cálculo de vida útil LIFEPRED.

The procedure presented by Cabral et al. (2003) was used to predict the adsorption of multicomponent mixtures of methane, ethane, propane, and n-butane adsorbed on Silicalite S-115 at 300 K. The methodology employed uses the algorithm of molecular simulation for the grand canonical ensemble as an equation of state for the adsorbed phase. The adsorbent surface is modeled as a two-dimensional lattice in which solid heterogeneity is represented by of two kinds of sites with different adsorption energies. In all cases presented, the simulations described well the adsorption characteristics of the systems.

Most of the solids used in adsorption processes are heterogeneous and most isotherm models are not derived to use information about the solid structure and energy heterogeneity. A possible alternative is to use molecular simulation techniques, which turn the thermodynamic model more microscopic. Then, starting from information on the solid structure, it is possible to develop appropriate solid models for each type of real system. Therefore, the objective of this work is to use the grand canonical Monte Carlo technique of molecular simulation for correlating pure-component data and predicting adsorption of multicomponent mixtures. To decrease the computational effort, we use a simplified solid model that is represented by a two-dimensional square lattice. The solid heterogeneity is represented by a random distribution of different kinds of sites, characterized by distinct energy levels. The methodology developed by Cabral et al. (2003a) is used here to correlate pure components and for predicting binary mixtures of ethane, ethylene, isobutane, and carbon dioxide on zeolite 13X with good results.

The aim of this work is to report the experimental data and thermodynamic modeling of phase equilibrium of binary systems containing soybean and olive oils with propane and n-butane. Phase equilibrium experiments were carried out using the static synthetic method in a high-pressure variable-volume view cell in the temperature range from 30 to 70ºC and varying the solvent overall composition from 5 to 98 wt%. Vapor-liquid, liquid-liquid and vapor-liquid-liquid phase transitions were observed at relatively low pressures. The Peng-Robinson and the SAFT equations of state without any binary interaction parameters were employed in an attempt at representing the phase behavior of the systems. Results show the satisfactory performance of SAFT-EoS in predicting qualitatively all phase transitions reported in this work.

Phase equilibrium calculations for fluids confined inside capillary tubes or porous media are formulated using the isofugacity equations. In this situation, the phase pressures are not equal and it is assumed that they are related by the Laplace equation. With this formulation, existing procedures for phase equilibrium calculations can be readily modified to include capillary effects. In this paper, we review some of the main authors who have studied the behavior of fluids inside porous media and perform bubble- and dew-point calculations for pure components and mixtures, using the Peng-Robinson equation of state to model the coexisting phases and several planar surface tension models. Comparisons with results from the literature indicate that the proposed formulation is adequate for representing phase equilibrium inside capillary tubes.

There are numerous examples of the importance of small molecule migration in polymeric materials, such as in drying polymeric packing, controlled drug delivery, formation of films, and membrane separation, etc. The Chapman-Enskog kinetic theory of hard-sphere fluids with the Weeks-Chandler-Andersen effective hard-sphere diameter (Enskog-WCA) has been the most fruitful in diffusion studies of simple fluids and mixtures. In this work, the ability of the Enskog-WCA model to describe the temperature and concentration dependence of the mutual diffusion coefficient, D, for a polystyrene-toluene system was evaluated. Using experimental diffusion data, two polymer model approaches and three mixing rules for the effective hard-sphere diameter were tested. Some procedures tested resulted in models that are capable of correlating the experimental data with the refereed system well for a solvent mass fraction greater than 0.3.

Este trabalho teve o propósito de avaliar métodos bioquímicos e sorológicos para serem aplicados na caracterização e identificação de linhagens do gênero Candida isoladas da cavidade bucal. As cepas empregadas representam cinco espécies de Candida previamente identificadas: C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei e C. tropicalis, utilizando como controle negativo Kluyveromyces marxianus. Foram empregadas as técnicas de gel de poliacrilamida (SDS-PAGE) associado à análise estatística em software, CHROMagar Candida (CA), meio cromogênico diferencial descrito para o isolamento e identificação presuntiva de leveduras de importância clínica e um ensaio de imunoabsorção ligado a enzima (ELISA), utilizando antissoro produzido contra extratos protéicos de uma linhagem-padrão de Candida e um isolado de cavidade oral de C. albicans. O método mostrou-se adequado para a identificação presuntiva de C. albicans, C. tropicalis e C. krusei, com 100% de sensibilidade e especificidade, com base na coloração e textura das colônias. O método de ELISA utilizando imunoglobulinas G purificadas apresentou alto teor de reação cruzada com as outras espécies de Candida estudadas. A análise do perfil protéico por SDS-PAGE permitiu agrupar os isolados da cavidade oral por intermédio do coeficiente "Simple Matching", S SM = 1,0. Os perfis protéicos analisados por SDS-PAGE ampliam os conhecimentos sobre as relações taxonômicas de leveduras isoladas da cavidade oral. Esta metodologia demonstra boa reprodutibilidade e origina informações úteis para aplicação clínica e estudos que envolvem a sistemática e a epidemiologia.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate biochemical and serological methods to characterize and identify Candida species from the oral cavity. The strains used were five Candida species previously identified: C. albicans, C. guilliermondii, C. parapsilosis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, and Kluyveromyces marxianus, as a negative control. The analyses were conducted through the SDS-PAGE associated with statistical analysis using software, chromogenic medium, and CHROMagar Candida (CA), as a differential medium for the isolation and presumptive identification of clinically important yeasts and an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), using antisera produced against antigens from two C. albicans strains. This method enabled the screening of the three Candida species: C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. Krusei, with 100% of specificity. The ELISA using purified immunoglobulin G showed a high level of cross-reaction against protein extracts of Candida species. The SDS-PAGE method allowed the clustering of species-specific isolates using the Simple Matching coefficient, S SM = 1.0. The protein profile analysis by SDS-PAGE increases what is known about the taxonomic relationships among oral yeasts. This methodology showed good reproducibility and allows collection of useful information for numerical analysis on information relevant to clinical application, and epidemiological and systematical studies.

In this work, the Monte Carlo method (MC) was extended to simulate the packing and segregation of particles subjected to a gravitational field and confined inside rigid walls. The method was used in systems containing spheres inside cylinders. The calculation of void fraction profiles in both the axial and radial directions was formulated, and some results are presented. In agreement with experimental data, the simulations show that the packed beds present structural ordering near the cylindrical walls up to a distance of about 4 particle diameters. The simulations also indicate that the presence of the cylindrical wall does not seem to have a strong effect on the gravitational segregation phenomenon.