Abstract Due to its highest gravimetric energy density, H2 has been regarded as the preferred clean-energy carrier, with potentially environmentally-friendly production through the solar-assisted WS. Since human activities generate enormous amounts of WW, H2 production from this new resource has gained attention as an emergent technology. This paper addresses the most relevant and current aspects of H2 production from WWEL, and electricity generation from RES. In this sense, the state of art of H2 production, especially from WS, is presented here, as well as the main approaches to electricity generation from RES, with the greatest potential for viability. A new approach on this matter, which is part of the work that is being developed by the authors of this study, was also herein presented.

Abstract This work produced glass foams from soda-lime glass bottles, bentonite, and alumina by the replica method. Compositions with different contents of bentonite (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) were prepared and heat-treated at 800 °C. In the alumina-added compositions, 50 wt% of the bentonite was replaced by the alumina. The influences of the content of bentonite (binder) and alumina addition were evaluated through the physical-mechanical properties. The results showed that the alumina did not promote a significant effect on physical and mechanical properties in most glass foams; the exception was the sample with 20 wt% bentonite+alumina, which presented better physical properties (lower linear shrinkage and density and greater porosity) when compared to its equivalent sample (without alumina). Foams with 5% of bentonite or bentonite+alumina showed higher linear shrinkage indexes and high densification. Samples with 15% of bentonite or bentonite+alumina showed the best combination of properties: higher porosity (79.2% and 80.2%), water absorption (58.8% and 59.7%), lower shrinkage index (25.5% and 29.4%), and good flexural strength (0.69 and 0.45 MPa).

Abstract Materials by the modified proteic method based on calcium doped LaMnO3 and LaNiO3, with perovskite structure were prepared. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the presence of the perovskite phase in all materials, whose specific surface area values varied between 27 and 37 m2.g-1. The materials presented efficiency for the removal of Congo red dye and those with site B occupied by nickel presented better adsorptive efficiency. The incorporation of calcium on LaMnO3 or LaNiO3 materials caused an improvement in the performance of the materials for the dye removal from water. The materials maintained perovskite structure after the adsorption tests, allowing their reuse in new adsorption tests with high efficiency.

The beneficial effects of drugs that act via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on Parkinson's disease (PD) symptomatology may explain the negative correlation between cigarette smoking and risk of this neurological condition. Varenicline, an α4β2 nAChR partial agonist approved for smoking cessation treatments, could be valuable for PD treatment. Here, we investigated varenicline effects in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) PD mouse model. From postnatal day (PN) 90 to PN119, male C57BL/6 mice were exposed daily to varenicline (2 mg/kg) by gavage. After that, MPTP was injected (30 mg/kg, ip) once a day for five days. At PN125, locomotor and anxiety-like effects were assessed with the open field test. At PN126, immobile behavior was assessed with the forced swimming test. At PN127, the frontal cerebral cortex was collected to evaluate dopamine and DOPAC levels. To verify whether varenicline was protective during the MPTP insult, a separate group of MPTP animals received varenicline from PN90 to PN124. MPTP reduced cortical dopamine content and increased dopamine turnover. Those effects were not reversed by varenicline treatment. Interestingly, varenicline reversed the MPTP-induced hyperactivity in the open field. Both maintenance of varenicline treatment during MPTP exposure or its interruption before MPTP exposure elicited similar results. No alterations were observed in anxiety-like behavior or in immobility time. Altogether, these findings suggested that varenicline treatment reduced the MPTP-induced hyperactivity, but did not protect against dopaminergic damage. Based on this partial protective effect, varenicline could exert neuroprotective effects on circuits that control motor activity in PD.

Resumo No Brasil, as argilas bentoníticas não são naturalmente sódicas e é uma prática industrial a aditivação sódica, uma vez que o íon de sódio expande suas lamelas permitindo a penetração de uma maior quantidade de água. O objetivo foi analisar as influências da adição do carbonato de sódio na argila durante o processo de aditivação, do teor de umidade e do tempo de cura na troca de cátions e viscosidade de dispersões de argilas bentoníticas para fluidos de perfuração à base de água, uma vez que há escassez de estudos neste tema. Argilas bentoníticas recém descobertas do estado da Paraíba, Brasil, foram caracterizadas química, física e mineralogicamente e aditivadas com carbonato de sódio em solução aquosa (processo 1) ou na forma de pó (processo 2). Amostras com 25% a 60% de umidade (base seca) foram preparadas e submetidas a tempos de cura de 7 a 45 dias. O processo 1, como esperado, apresentou melhores resultados de troca catiônica, viscosidade e volume de filtrado. O tempo de cura ideal foi de 15 dias. Após esse período houve reversão das reações de troca de cátions.

Abstract In Brazil, bentonite clays are not naturally sodic and it is an industrial practice the sodium additivation, since sodium ion expands their lamellae allowing a larger amount of water to penetrate. The objective was to analyze the influences of the use of sodium carbonate on the clay during the additivation process, the moisture content and the cure time on cation exchange and viscosity of bentonite clay dispersions for water-based drilling fluids, since there is a shortage of studies on this subject. Newly discovered bentonite clays in Paraíba State, Brazil, were chemically, physically and mineralogically characterized and were additivated with sodium carbonate in aqueous solution (process 1) or in powder form (process 2). Samples with 25% to 60% of moisture (dry basis) were prepared and submitted to cure times of 7 to 45 days. Process 1, as expected, showed better results of cation exchange capacity, viscosity and filtrate volume. The ideal cure time was 15 days. After this period there was a reversal of the cation exchange reactions.

Robots are increasingly being used in the industry. Businesses that use robots can produce products and provide services at lower costs and with higher quality. Some industries, like automotive manufacturing, have become dependent on robots. The impact of robots on society and the greater economy is not clear. Robots threaten the jobs of low-skilled workers and even middle-skilled workers. While researchers and governments are trying to understand the impact of robots on the economy, it is commonly accepted that robots will be used more widely across all industries. With this in mind, it is useful to consider the current research in robotics at South African research institutions. This paper is such a review. It is not exhaustive, but it provides a sense of the robotics research being done in South African research institutions. It appears that research institutions do not work on common themes, yet many research groups relate their work to Industry 4.0. The review suggests that each research group is working on topics of interest to them. The implication of this is that a wide variety of robotic themes are being researched in South Africa.

Resumo Este artigo faz uma verificação de vigas de concreto armado reforçadas com fibras de aço (CARF) seguindo as recomendações do fib Model Code 2010 (MC 2010). Os modelos de cálculo são comparados com os resultados experimentais de vigas de concreto armado reforçadas com 20 kg/m3 e 60 kg/m3 de fibras de aço, submetidas a ensaios de flexão em quatro pontos. Na primeira parte é descrito o procedimento para a classificação e caracterização do material. São apresentados os resultados dos ensaios à flexão em três pontos de vigas entalhadas de concreto reforçado com fibras de acordo com as prescrições da EN 14651. Além disso, é realizada a caracterização das vigas de CRF seguindo as recomendações do MC 2010. Na segunda parte é realizada a verificação à flexão das vigas de CARF seguindo os procedimentos de cálculo recomendados pelo MC 2010. É feita uma análise seccional pelo método das lamelas para a obtenção das curvas momento-curvatura e força-deslocamento vertical. Os resultados são comparados com os valores experimentais. Além disso, é realizada uma análise estatística linear a partir da Regra da Mistura (Rule of Mixture) para verificar a variação da resistência à flexão das vigas em função da quantidade de fibras incorporadas no concreto. Os resultados demonstraram que os procedimentos de cálculo descritos no MC 2010 estão a favor da segurança. A determinação da resistência à flexão de concretos com diferentes teores de fibras pode ser obtida a partir da Regra da Mistura, que mostrou um alto grau de correlação R2 em relação aos valores experimentais.

Abstract This paper carries out a design analysis of reinforced concrete beams with steel fibers following the fib Model Code 2010 (MC 2010) procedures. The values obtained from the design calculations are compared with the experimental results of reinforced concrete beams with 20kg/m3 and 60 kg/m3 of steel fibers submitted to four-point bending tests. In the first part, the procedures for the classification and characterization of the material are explained. The experimental results of three-point bending tests performed on notched steel fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) beams following EN 14651 procedures are described. Moreover, the characterization of the FRC beams according to MC 2010, are carried out. In the second part, the flexural design of reinforced concrete beams with steel fibers, according to MC 2010, is carried out. A sectional analysis is performed in order to obtain the moment-curvature and the force-vertical displacement curves. The theoretical values are compared with the experimental results. Besides, a linear statistic analysis by means of the Rule of Mixture is carried out in order to analyze the variation of the flexural capacity of the reinforced beams with different amounts of steel fibers. The results demonstrated that the design rules described in the MC 2010 are on the safe side. The flexural resistance of concretes with different amounts of fiber incorporation can be determined by the Rule of Mixture, which has shown a high correlation factor (R2) with the experimental values.

O tratamento endovascular dos aneurismas justarenais é um desafio complexo para o cirurgião vascular. Os autores apre sentam um caso de um doente de 83 anos com um aneurisma juxtarenal de grandes dimensões tratado com uma abordagem endovascular aórtica com recurso a “chimneys” para a artéria renal esquerda e artéria mesentérica superior. Nos aneurismas juxtarenais o recurso a endopróteses fenestradas tem sido reconhecida como a opção endovascular preferível, no entanto, em casos em que o risco de rotura é considerado elevado para aguardar pela produção de um dispositivo e/ou a anatomia é desfa vorável o recurso ao tratamento endovascular com “chimneys” é uma opção viável e prontamente disponível. O caso apresen tado é um exemplo da aplicabilidade deste tratamento, com resultado positivo conforme demostrado.

Endovascular treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms is a complex challenge to the vascular surgeon. We present a case of an 83 year old man with a large juxtarenal aneurysm treated with an endovascular approach with chimneys to the left renal artery and superior mesenteric artery. enestrated aortic endovascular repair has been considered the preferred endo vascular approach in juxtarenal aneurysms, however when the risk of rupture is considered high to wait for a manufactu red device and/or when the anatomy is not suitable for a fenestrated repair, chimney endovascular repair is a viable and promptly available option. This case report is an example of the applicability of this treatment with a positive shortterm outcome as shown here.

Resumo Foi avaliado o crescimento e sobrevivência de Betta splendens, quando submetidos à dieta formulada e alimento vivo. Foram utilizadas três dietas experimentais e designadas como: dieta formulada (ração); alimento vivo (plâncton) e dieta mista (ração com plâncton). O plâncton pertence ao tanque externo de cultivo. Alta mortalidade foi observada no tratamento com alimento vivo (plâncton) e a mais alta sobrevivência na dieta formulada. No tratamento com dieta mista foram observadas as maiores taxas de crescimento específico, ganho de peso e peso final, sendo significativamente diferentes (p<0,01) dos outros tratamentos. No conteúdo do trato digestório do B. splendens nos tratamentos dieta mista e alimento vivo, as espécies de Rotifera e Bacillariophyceae foram encontradas acima de 78% do total de organismos observados. Lecane sp. foi a espécie de zooplâncton mais ingerida por B. splendens em ambos os tratamentos (dieta mista e alimento vivo) e de fitoplâncton foi Asterionella sp. (dieta mista) e Melosira sp. (alimento vivo). Os resultados do presente estudo indicaram que a dieta formulada (ração) influenciou alguns parâmetros da água, como oxigênio dissolvido, sólidos totais solúveis, sólidos totais solúveis, sólidos totais suspensos e pH, e o alimento vivo não foi suficiente para incrementar o crescimento e a sobrevivência de B. splendens. A dieta mista promoveu o maior crescimento do B. splendens possibilitando a sobrevivência de 82% e, o desenvolvimento desta espécie em condições artificiais, beneficiando o manejo do cultivo deste peixe ornamental.

Abstract The growth rate and percent survival of Betta splendens when submitted to formulated diet and live food treatments are evaluated. The three different diets were used and designated as: formulated diet (basal diet); live food diet (plankton) and mixed diet (formulated diet with plankton). The live food diet contained plankton belonging to an open pond. High mortality was reported with live food (plankton) treatment whereas higher percent survival occurred with formulated diet. Highest specific growth rate, weight gain and final weight were reported in the mixed diet treatment and were significantly different (p<0.01) from those in formulated diet and live food treatments. The gut contents of B. splendens in mixed diet and live food treatments comprised, Rotifera and Bacillariophyceae species in high percentages or rather, over 78% of total organisms. Lecane sp. was the most ingested zooplankton species by B. splendens in both treatments (mixed diet and live food), with the phytoplankton species Asterionella sp. and Melosira sp. respectively in mixed diet and in live food, respectively. Results indicated that the formulated diet influenced the water parameters dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids and pH. The live food in the open pond was not enough to improve the growth rate and percent survival of B. splendens. The growth performance of B. splendens; had the best results with mixed diet which was capable of maintaining species’s survival (82%) and development in artificial conditions, benefiting the culture management of ornamental fish.

O presente estudo investiga os fatores que influenciam a entrada de novas empresas na indústria transformadora portuguesa no período de 1996-2007. Confirma-se de uma forma global as conclusões de estudos anteriores, designadamente Fotopoulos e Spence (1998), Nystrom (2007), entre ouros. A dimensão do mercado e as condições macroeconómicas do período anterior são fatores importantes na decisão de entrada. O estudo confirma ainda uma forte relação positiva entre entradas e saídas de empresa do período anterior. Foram encontradas evidências de que as barreiras à entrada são pouco significativas. Este facto associado à elevada rotação empresarial sugere uma fraca capacidade de adaptação das empresas ao mercado, designadamente pela sua incapacidade de realizar os investimentos necessários para a sobrevivência e crescimento. Os resultados sugerem ainda uma relação não linear, na forma de "U" invertido, entre lucros da indústria e novas entradas, facto que introduz uma nova linha de investigação sobre o tema.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of new firm entry in the Portuguese manufacturing industries over the period 1996-2007. Estimation results generally confirm previous studies findings (see, e.g. Fotopoulos & Spence, 1998; Nystrom, 2007). Our findings indicate that market size and past macroeconomic conditions are important determinants of entry rates. Results also indicate a significant positive effect of past exit on actual entry. It is also found evidence of low barriers to new entry which associated with high firm turnover suggests companies’ inability to compete in the market, mainly due to difficulties in raising capital for required investments to operate efficiently. Results also reveal evidence of an inversed “U” shaped relationship between industry profit and entry. This result brings new line of investigation in the empirical literature on industry dynamics.

Actualmente, la gran mayoría de información de monitoreo en plantas industriales es transmitida a través de tecnologías alámbricas cuyo costo de instalación y mantenimiento es alto. Sin embargo, en aplicaciones outdoor tales como las utilizadas en la industria del petróleo y el gas, el uso de la red de sensores inalámbricos (WSN) ha ido creciendo debido a la movilidad, confiabilidad y bajo costo de sus nodos sensores. Esta solución reduce los riesgos de los trabajadores en las áreas peligrosas (regiones con alta probabilidad de accidentes) en la medida en que el mantenimiento de los equipos se ha optimizado. El presente artículo propone el desarrollo de EEWES - Sistema Integrado para Red de Sensores Inalámbricos con Eficiencia de Energía, que se puede aplicar en entornos industriales. El consumo de energía de los nodos sensores se reduce significativamente mediante el uso de un método que alterna períodos de apagado de su subsistema de detección y comunicaciones con los períodos de transmisión y recepción de datos, reduciendo el ciclo de trabajo mediante el mantenimiento de los parámetros deseables de calidad de servicio. Los resultados presentados en este trabajo serán confirmados experimentalmente mediante pruebas de campo.

Nowadays, the vast majority of information monitoring in industrial plants is still carried out by wired technologies, in which the installation and maintenance cost is high. However, in outdoor applications, such as those used in the oil and gas industry, the use of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) is increasing due to mobility, reliability, and low cost of the sensor nodes that make up the network. Moreover, this solution reduces the risks of workers in classified areas (regions with high probability of accidents occurrence) to the extent that the equipment maintenance is optimized. This paper proposes the development of the EEWES, an energy efficient wireless sensor network embedded system, which can be applied on industrial environments. This development approach significantly reduces the energy consumption of the sensor nodes by using a method that alternates sleep periods of the transceiver/sensor set with data transmission/reception periods, which reduces the duty cycle while keeping the desirable parameters of the service quality (QoS). The results presented in this paper will be confirmed by field tests.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de viabilidade econômico financeira para a implantação de uma central de massa, com o objetivo de preparar a argila antes do processo produtivo, utilizando-se de técnicas adequadas e apropriadas, que proporcionam economia de matéria-prima, redução do consumo de energia elétrica, redução do consumo de energia térmica, aumento da produtividade, entre outros benefícios. Foram realizadas simulações em três tipos de cenários: pessimista, mais provável e otimista. Utilizaram-se os métodos tradicionais de avaliação: VPL, TIR e Payback Descontado. Em todos os três cenários os resultados determinam que o investimento é viável.

This paper presents a study of economic and financial viability for central mass implementation, with the aim of preparing the clay before the production process, using appropriate techniques and fitting, that providing savings in raw materials, reduce the consumption electricity, reduction of thermal energy consumption, increased productivity, among other benefits. We simulated three types of scenarios: pessimistic, most likely and optimistic. We used the traditional assessment methods: NPV, IRR and Discounted Payback. In all three scenarios the results determine that the investment is viable.