Abstract: In order to aid the design of bonded joints, a computational tool named System of Analysis for Joints (SAJ) was developed. The software can analyze single and double lap bonded joint with composite-composite or metal-composite materials as adherent parts. Thus, SAJ can calculate the stress distribution, loads and displacements. Their results were compared to finite element software (ABAQUS™) and to specific composite analysis software (ESAComp™). After that, a study about the influence of joint design parameters on the mechanical behavior of the bonded joint was carried out. In regards to parametric study, SAJ leads to some conclusions, which can be used as a guide during the product design process. Therefore, aided by the computational tool, it is possible to perform a conceptual and preliminary design of bonded joints with more accuracy and varying many parameters (materials; fiber orientation and stacking sequence of the laminate; thickness; overlap length).

Com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do bebedouro pendular (BP) e do bebedouro alternativo (BALT), e de diferentes densidades (10 e 14 aves m-2) sobre o desempenho de 240 frangos de corte de 12 a 18, 19 a 38 e de 39 a 46 dias de idade, realizou-se este experimento em condições de temperatura média de 27,6 ºC e umidade relativa de 70,4%, no qual foi utilizado um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial 2 x 2 (dois bebedouros x duas densidades), resultando em quatro tratamentos constituídos de cinco repetições de 10 aves. O BALT foi desenvolvido com base no conceito de amplo espaço de calha circular e alta profundidade de lâmina de água (5 cm) para permitir a imersão do bico e das faces da ave. Na alimentação das aves, foram utilizadas rações comerciais, cujo consumo (CR) caiu, enquanto a conversão alimentar (CA) melhorou, quando o BALT foi empregado de 12 a 18 dias. Não houve efeito do bebedouro sobre o CR, ganho de peso (GP) e CA no período total. A D14 (14 aves m-2) afetou o GP e o CR de 19 a 38 e de 39 a 46 dias e também no período total, mas a CA não foi alterada. O BALT não afeta o desempenho de frangos de corte, podendo ser usado como opção de baixo custo ao BP. A análise econômica pelo índice de rentabilidade relativa mostrou que o BALT e a D14 oferecem 1 e 5,9% de retorno a mais que o BP e a D10, (10 aves m-2) respectivamente.

The experiment was undertaken in conditions of average temperature of 27.6 ºC and relative humidity of 70.4%, with the objective to evaluate bell (BD) and alternative (ALT) water facility and stocking densities (SD) of 10 and 14 broilers m-2 (SD10 and SD14), on performance of 240 broiler chickens of 12 to 18, 19 to 38 and 39 to 46 days of age, allotted in boxes in a completely randomized design in 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (two types of drinking facility and two stocking densities), resulting in four treatments, each one with five replications of ten birds. The ALT was developed based on concept of wide and deep water level (5 cm) permitting not only the beak, but also entire face to be immersed. For the feeding of birds, commercial diets were utilized. The feed intake (FI) decreased, while the feed conversion ratio (FC) improved when the ALT was utilized from 12 to 18 days. There was no effect of drinking facility on FI, weight gain (WG) and FC in the entire period. The SD14 decreased FI and WG from 19 to 38 and from 39 to 46 days of age, and total period, but the FC was not affected. The ALT did not affect the broiler performance and may be used as an option of low cost in comparison with bell water facility. The economic analysis on income relative index basis showed that the ALT and SD14 offer 1 and 5.9% better income return than BD and SD10, respectively.

RACIONAL E OBJETIVOS: Dentre os vários métodos diagnósticos empregados na detecção da infecção por Helicobacter pylori, o diagnóstico histológico e a análise microbiológica de biopsia gástrica são consideradas as técnicas mais sensíveis. Entretanto, a sensibilidade da cultura de H. pylori pode ser reduzida pela presença de outras bactérias. Desse modo, avaliou-se a eficácia da desinfecção do endoscópio e a influência dos procedimentos endoscópicos na contaminação da cultura bacteriana. Para tal, as duas primeiras endoscopias durante 28 dias consecutivos foram estudadas. A sala de endoscopia, o fórceps e o canal do endoscópio foram analisados antes e depois do início dos procedimentos endoscópicos rotineiros. Depois da desinfecção, uma simulação de coleta de biopsia foi realizada para verificar a presença das bactérias gástricas. RESULTADOS: A desinfecção do endoscópio foi capaz de remover todos os organismos do fórceps e do canal do endoscópio. As bactérias não-H. pylori mais freqüentemente detectadas foram Streptococcus bovis, Enterobacter hormaechei e Staphylococcus aureus. Em alguns casos a sensibilidade da cultura do H. pylori foi reduzida pela presença de bactérias contaminantes. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve risco de transmissão de microorganismos quando fórceps esterilizados e desinfecção adequada foram empregadas. A presença de S. bovis e E. hormaechei parece ser comum na microflora gástrica; por outro lado, a detecção de P. aeruginosa e S. aureus indica que a manipulação de biopsias pode ser responsável pela contaminação da cultura por essas bactérias.

BACKGROUND: Among the various diagnostic methods for the detection of Helicobacter pylori infection, histological examination and microbiological processing of gastric biopsy samples are assumed to be the gold standard techniques. AIMS: Since H. pylori culture can be affected by the presence of non-H. pylori bacteria, we evaluated the efficacy of endoscope disinfection and the influence of endoscopic procedures on culture contamination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The procedures used during the first two routine endoscopies were evaluated during 28 consecutive days. Endoscopy room, forceps and endoscopic channel were analyzed before and after the beginning of normal procedures. After disinfection, a biopsy simulation was performed to verify the gastric bacteria. RESULTS: Endoscope disinfection removed all organisms from forceps and endoscopic channel with 100% efficacy. The most frequent non-H. pylori bacteria detected were Streptococcus bovis, Enterobacter hormaechei, and Staphylococcus aureus. The sensibility of the H. pylori culture was affected by the presence of non-H. pylori bacteria. CONCLUSION:The risk of transmission of microorganisms was not detectable when sterilized biopsy forceps and stringent disinfection standards were employed. Whilst S. bovis and E. hormaechei may be common in gastric microbial flora, the presence of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus indicated that the manipulation of biopsies could be responsible for culture contamination with these bacteria.

The world reserves of petroleum will finish in about 100 years. For a tropical country like Brazil, biomass will be the natural substitute for petroleum. For the best utilization of biomass, it first needs to be separated into its principal components: cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignins, vegetable and essential oils, non-structural carbohydrates, bark and foliage. All feedstocks for the chemical industry can be obtained from these biomass components, as shown in the first part of this paper. In the second part we discuss how the major products from petrochemicals can be obtained from the different biomass components. We show that Brazil can use different strategies, compared to other countries, to obtain petrochemical products, which could result in innovations. However, it is necessary that the government starts to invest immediately in order to keep the petrochemical industries competitive with foreign industries, so that they continue to be one of Brazil's major employers.