Técnica alternativas de determinação "on site" de dióxido de carbono

Resumo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de técnicas alternativas, em campo, para determinação de dióxido de carbono em reservatórios para abastecimento de águas ou regularização de hidroelétricas. As técnicas concebidas têm aplicação tanto para o meio líquido quanto para o meio gasoso e baseiam-se na captação de sinais físicos, predominantemente no que diz respeito à espectroscopia. Foram analisadas possíveis aplicações em relação à produção de bolhas de gás pelo deslocamento da distribuição química do sistema carbonato, absorção molecular na faixa do visível e infravermelho próximo, transmissão de radiação na faixa do visível devido à coloração obtida com indicadores de pH, condutividade molar dos componentes presentes na amostra e um sensor comercial disponível no mercado internacional. Os testes realizados em campo sugerem melhoras de hardware para aplicação em campo nos sensores acústico, de absorção molecular e para o sensor comercial, já para os sensores colorimétricos e para o modelo condutométrico as campanhas revelaram resultados que comparados à titulação alcalimétrica não possuem diferenças estatísticas significativas, sendo que o limite máximo de detecção para os sensores colorimétricos foi de 100 mg CO2/L com um erro menor que 1% e para o modelo condutométrico foi de 250 mg CO2/L com concordância superior à 90% em relação à titulação alcalimétrica

Chaotic coyote algorithm applied to truss optimization problems

The optimization of truss structures is a complex computing problem with many local minima, while metaheuristics are naturally suited to deal with multimodal problems without the need of gradient information. The Coyote Optimization Algorithm (COA) is a population-based nature-inspired metaheuristic of the swarm intelligence field for global optimization that considers the social relations of the coyote proposed to single-objective optimization. Unlike most widespread algorithms, its population is subdivided in packs and the internal social influences are designed. The COA requires a few control hyperparameters including the number of packs, the population size, and the number maximum of generations. In this paper, a modified COA (MCOA) approach based on chaotic sequences generated by Tinkerbell map to scatter and association probabilities tuning and an adaptive procedure of updating parameters related to social condition is proposed. It is then validated by four benchmark problems of structures optimization including planar 52-bar truss, spatial 72-bar truss, 120-bar dome truss and planar 200 bar-truss with discrete design variables and focus in minimization of the structure weight under the required constraints. Simulation results collected in the mentioned problems demonstrate that the proposed MCOA presented competitive solutions when compared with other state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms in terms of results quality

Investigation of latent tuberculosis infection in patients with psoriasis who are candidate for receiving immunobiological drugs

O uso dos inibidores do fator de necrose tumoral no tratamento de pacientes com psoríase vem sendo relacionado a uma maior incidência de tuberculose, particularmente, nas suas formas extrapulmonar e disseminada. Apesar de sua indiscutível eficácia, essas drogas elevam o risco da reativação de infecção tuberculosa latente (ITBL), tornando obrigatório o diagnóstico da referida condição antes da sua administração. A investigação da infecção tuberculosa latente pelo teste cutâneo da tuberculina é falha, dada sua baixa especificidade, além de apresentar resultados duvidosos em pacientes com psoríase. Ensaios baseados na detecção da produção de interferon-gama in vitro por células monoclonais periféricas, estimuladas por antígenos específicos (Esat-6 e CFP-10), parecem oferecer maior acurácia quando comparados ao teste de Mantoux na identificação de infecção tuberculosa latente. Essa ferramenta diagnóstica tem oferecido maior especificidade, já que não apresenta correlação com medidas indiretas de exposição ao M. tuberculosis, como a vacinação por BCG, e com infecções por outras micobactériasThe use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors for the treatment of patients with psoriasis has been related to a higher incidence of tuberculosis, specially the disseminated and extrapulmonary forms. Despite their efficacy, these drugs increase the risk of reactivating latent tuberculosis infection, thus requiring diagnosis of the condition before their administration. Investigation of latent tuberculosis infection with tuberculin skin test is ineffective due to its low specificity and the dubious results that it generates in patients with psoriasis. Assays based on the detection of synthesis of gamma interferon in vitro by peripheral monoclonal cells, stimulated by specific antigens (ESAT-6 and CFP-10), seem to offer better accuracy when compared to the Mantoux test in identifying latent tuberculosis infection. This diagnosis tool has demonstrated higher specificity, since it has no correlation with indirect forms of exposure to M. tuberculosis such as BCG vaccination or with infections by other mycobacteri

Non-invasive joint decompression : an important factor in the regeneration of the bone marrow and disc recapture in temporomandibular arthropathies

This article aims to demonstrate the importance of the TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) decompression in the treatment of degenerative processes and disc displacements, reporting two clinical cases treated with orthopedic and decompressive correction of TMJ. The studies reported in this article show patients with muscle and joint pain who were evaluated pre and post-treatment through MRI (Magnetic Resonance Irradiation) to follow-up bone marrow regeneration and TMJ disc placement. Transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), measurement equipment and IO (Intraoral Orthotic) were used to evaluate and treat the patients. A critical review of literature has also been conducted to confront clinical outcomes. Marrow bone regeneration and disc placement were observed in both patients. The use of measurement equipment associated with TENS to find the correct rest position of the Jaw an the use of IO to decompress the TMJ was an effective way to promote bone marrow regeneration and disc placement, consequently improving function and quality of life

Evaluation of the plasmatic level of mepivacaine in different anatomical regions

To evaluate the serum level of the local anesthetic mepivacaine 3% without vasoconstrictor in patients who underwent procedures performed in the anterior and posterior maxilla, through a method of possible extraction to quantify it in human plasma by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This was a hybrid study consisting of 18 patients (7 females and 11 males) classified as ASA I, adults and with normal body mass index, submitted to procedures in the anterior region (group I) and posterior region of the maxilla (group II). For 40 minutes, five 6 ml blood samples were collected every 10 minutes after infiltrative injection in each region of the maxilla. Serum levels of the drug were obtained through HPLC. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the procedure. When compared to the general average of the concentrations of each group, significant values (p<0.05) with greater absorption were observed for the anterior region of the maxilla (group I). There was no significant difference when comparing blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) values. The concentrations found are safe for infiltrative anesthesia in the analyzed patients, there was a higher plasma level of the local anesthetic in the anterior region of the maxilla and there was no change in HR and BP in relation to the anesthetized area

Global Organization of Innovation and Cooperability in Brazilian Multinationals

Understanding the dissipation of innovations is necessary to develop them, as a company on its own does not have all the capabilities that it needs. On the contrary, they are increasingly spread over internal and external contexts, and are not developed in isolation. Most of the time, they depend on interactive, innovative processes in a global context. The aim of this study is to evaluate how the global organizational structure of innovation affects the dynamic capability of cooperation (cooperability) in Brazilian multinationals (BMNs). To achieve this goal, we conducted a survey of BMNs, and a final sample of 60 companies answered a structured questionnaire. We performed statistical tests such as Factor Analysis, Cronbach's Alpha, Multiple Regression and Hierarchical Cluster, and cross-analysis of quantitative results that enabled us to create a Cooperability Model, that is, a model of local, international and global development for a dynamic capability of cooperation in BMNs. The results show that technological strengths of foreign subsidiaries and the reverse transfer of their capabilities to the parent company and technology partners affect the dynamics of cooperation in BMNs (inputs and results of cooperability). Furthermore, we detected an inverse relationship between the autonomy of foreign subsidiaries and the dynamic of cooperation in BMNs

Estratégias de Sobrevivência e Avanço numa Organização do Terceiro Setor: O Papel dos Capacitadores do Conhecimento na Junior Achievement de Minas Gerais

Knowledge and innovation have always worked together. Some authors associate knowledge management (KM) as a strategic determinant factor for organization development and for the process of continuous innovation with its resulting increase in competitiveness. This article aims to investigate the contributions of the knowledge enablers for knowledge creation and the strategies of survival and advance in a third sector company, following the model of Von Krogh, Ichijo and Nonaka (2001). The descriptive case study was conducted at Junior Achievement of Minas Gerais (Jamg), whose mission is the diffusion of entrepreneurial education and it has the knowledge and innovation as its main products and also its main assets. The results showed that the analyzed knowledge enablers contribute for the creation of knowledge in Jamg, and therefore for their survival and advancing strategies. The keystone "Creating a Proper Context" reveals what appears to be the strongest point of the organization: the quality of its indoor environment, in which the employees relationships appear to be "permeated by solicitude and humanism". Some points for improvement were also identified.Conhecimento e inovação sempre caminharam juntos. Alguns autores vincularm a gestão do conhecimento (GC) como fator estratégico determinante para o desenvolvimento das organizações, para o processo de inovação contínua e o consequente aumento da competitividade. Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar as contribuições dos capacitadores do conhecimento para a criação do conhecimento e as estratégias de sobrevivência e avanço numa empresa do terceiro setor, à luz do modelo de Von Krogh, Ichijo e Nonaka (2001). O estudo de caso descritivo foi realizado na Junior Achievement de Minas Gerais (JAMG) cuja missão é a difusão da educação empreendedora e que tem no conhecimento e na inovação seus principais produtos e ativos. Os resultados mostraram que os capacitadores do conhecimento analisados contribuem para a criação do conhecimento na JAMG e para suas estratégias de sobrevivência e avanço. O capacitador "criar o contexto adequado" revela ser o ponto mais forte da organização; a qualidade do seu ambiente interno, no qual os relacionamentos dos colaboradores aparentam ser "permeados pela solicitude e pelo humanismo". Também foram identificados vários pontos de melhoria. DOI:10.5585/riae.v13i1.210

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) as persistent contaminants : origin, behavior in the environment and analytical strategies

Flame retardants are substances mixed with numerous materials to inhibit the combustion process, reducing risks and damages caused by fires. Among these substances, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been widely used for decades due to their low cost and high efficiency. However, since they are mixed and not chemically bonded to the materials, PBDEs can be released over time being transported through numerous pathways until they reach soils and aquatic systems, where they can accumulate in sediments and biota. Due to their high chemical stability, an essential feature for flame retardants, they are considered persistent contaminants. Several studies report the presence of PBDEs in atmospheric and aquatic particulate matter, sediments, soils and biological matrices such as marine animals, tissues and human fluids. In Brazil, little is known about the use and commercialization of PBDEs, as well as their levels in different environmental compartments. Thus, this review provides an overview of the origin of PBDEs in the environment as well as information inherent to the understanding of the behavior and presence of this contaminants of recent interest in different environmental compartments. Finally, the manuscript also brings state-of-the-art analytical approaches used for environmental sampling, preservation, preparation and sample analysis