Influence of public policies on the diffusion of wind and solar PV sources in Brazil and the possible effects of COVID-19

Renewable energy is crucial to achieving carbon neutrality and supporting sustainable development, but its success depends on effective policies. This study aims to evaluate public policies and their influences on the use and diffusion of wind and solar PV into the Brazilian electricity grid and to understand if, and how, the two renewable sources could be affected by the post-COVID-19 pandemic scenario. This work plays an important role in the decarbonization of the electricity sector, highlights the need to modernize the Brazilian industrial park, and addresses new barriers to the development of renewable sources in the country. To carry out the analysis and answer the research questions, a mixed methodological approach was adopted covering the quantitative and qualitative aspects, led by a rigorous systematic review of the literature and semi-structured interviews with Brazilian stakeholders. The results revealed that 1/4 of the policies, characterized by socio-economic drives, were responsible for the growth of the share of wind and solar PV supply in the electrical mix, contributing to the decarbonization of the Brazilian energy mix. The results also suggest that new policies will be needed to ensure a greater presence of both sources in the electricity mix. The findings of the study reveal unpublished and valuable information capable of supporting policymakers and stakeholders in the diffusion of renewable sources. Further studies are needed to highlight other aspects, such as the need to modernize the “distribution” network and storage system for renewable technologies

Desenvolvimento larval de Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax (Diptera: Simuliidae) em criadouro artificial

This study aimed to observe the influence of different concentrations of nutrients over the period of development of Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax larvae. Were collected Simulium pertinax engorged females and then subjected to oviposition under stress. The eggs were removed and transported to an artificial breeding site, in which two alimentary supplements were compared, viz. algae and yeast in different concentrations. Few variations of abiotic factors were observed during the study, and they were within the standards of the S. (C.) pertinax species. Regarding the rate of pupae formation, a higher concentration of 5 ml of algae + 10 ml of yeast was observed, with significant differences in concentrations of 10 ml of algae and 10 ml of algae and 5 ml of yeast. In tests with 5ml of algae, 10 ml of yeast, and 5 ml of yeast, the end of larval development was not obtained in all replications. The small variation of abiotic factors is consistent with results of other authors, and the values observed in this experiment can be regarded as appropriate when compared to the standards required by this species. Use of seaweed, with or without other elements, for breeding in the laboratoryhas been made by several authors, as well as use of yeast. When S. (C.) pertinax were fed only with culture of algae, larval survival was up to 43 days, and, on the other hand, when fed with yeast broth they did not reach the complete larval development.Key words: Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax, larvae development period, larval feeding.Este estudo teve por objetivo observar a influência de diferentes concentrações de nutrientes sobre o período de desenvolvimento larvário de Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax. Foram coletadas fêmeas de S. (C.) pertinax ingurgitadas e submetidas à oviposição por “stress”. Os ovos foram retirados e transportados a um criadouro artificial, no qual foram comparados dois suplementos alimentares: alga e levedura, em diferentes concentrações. Poucas variações dos fatores abióticos foram observadas durante o estudo, encontrando-se dentro dos padrões para a espécie S. (C.) pertinax. Em relação à taxa de formação de pupas, foi observada uma maior taxa na concentração de 5 ml de alga + 10 ml de levedura, com diferença significativa em relação às concentrações de 10 ml de alga + 5 ml de levedura. Nos testes com 5 ml de alga, 10 ml de levedura e 5 ml de levedura, não foi obtido o término do desenvolvimento larvário em todas as repetições. A pouca variação dos fatores abióticos é compatível com resultados de outros autores; assim, os valores observados neste experimento podem ser considerados adequados, quando comparados aos padrões exigidos por esta espécie. A utilização de alga, associada ou não a outros elementos, para criação em laboratório, tem sido feita por diversos autores, assim como a utilização de levedura. Em criação de S. (C.) pertinax alimentada com cultura exclusiva de algas, ocorreu sobrevida larvária máxima de 43 dias, e, quando alimentada com caldo de levedura, não obtivemos o desenvolvimento larvário completo.Palavras-chave: Simulium (Chirostilbia) pertinax, período larvário, alimentação larval

Antimicrobial activity and cellulose acetate membrane characterization with tangerine peel extract (Citrus reticulata) for bio packing

Biopacking material was obtained by incorporating tangerine peel extract (Citrus reticulata) in cellulose acetate (CA) film. The acetate film with tangerine extract was shown to have a homogeneous material characteristic by FTIR and DSC analysis, being reinforced in MEV and MFA, and showed absence of pores in the film with extract. These characteristics justify the reduced water absorption and release of the CA membrane extract. Low water absorption is important for the film to act as a barrier with external environment and the release of the extract was sufficient to prevent the growth of the strains investigated on the sample surface. The introduction of the extract also reduced the tensile strength and deformation of the film. This study showed the good potential of biomass for active bio packing that can gradually replace non-renewable packaging and take advantage of agricultural waste

From adaptation to complete vehicle design: a case study of product development capabilities in a carmaker in Brazil

The paper is concerned with the technological activities accomplished in multinational subsidiaries of carmakers in Brazil, particularly with their involvement in Product Development (PD) and the related acquisition of technological capabilities. It has been found that carmakers have been following different PD strategies, presenting a variation of PD capabilities that justified the definition of a specific typology according to their levels of complexity. An in-depth case study has been carried out about the Meriva project (GM Brazil), which has been one of the most complex cases of PD performed by a Brazilian automotive unit ever. Amongst its findings, there has been a change on the quality, complexity and responsibility of the activities the Brazilian engineering has carried out, qualifying some of the subsidiaries to play a major role on automotive global PD.O TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE FEVEREIRO DE 2015.36416999110

Characterization of low -molecular-mass trypsin isoinhibitors from oil-rape (Brassica napus var. oleifera) seed

A new low-molecular-mass (6767,8 Da) serine proteinase isoinhibitor has been isolated from oil-rape (brassica napus var. oleifera) seed, designated 5-oxoPro1-Gly62-RTI-III. The 5-oxoPro1-Gly62-RTI-III isoinhibitor is longer than the Asp2-Pro61-RTI-III and the Ser3-Pro61-RTI-III forms, all the other amino acid residues being identical. In RTI-III isoinhibitors, the P1-P1' reactive site bond (where residues forming the reactive site have been identified as Pn....P1 and P1'....Pn', where P1-P1' is the inhibitor scissile bond) has been identified at position Arg21-Ile22.The inhibitor disulphide bridges pattern has been determined as Cys5-Cys27, Cys18-Cys31, Cys42-Cys52 and Cys54-Cys57. The disulphide bridge arrangement observed in the RTI-III isoinhibitor in reminiscent of that found in a number of toxins (e.g. erabutoxin b). Moreover, the organization of the three disulphide bridges subset Cys5-Cys27, Cys18-Cys31, Cys42-Cys52 and Cys54-Cys57 is reminiscent of that found in epidermal growth factor domains. Preliminary 1H-NMR data indicates the presence of alfaalfaNOEs and 3JalfaNH coupling constants, typical of the beta-structure(s) These data suggest that the three-dimensional structure of the RTI-III isoinhibitors may be reminiscent of that of toxinx and epidermal growth factor domains, consisting of three-finger shaped loops extending from the crossover region. Values of the apparent association equilibrium constant for RTI-III isoinhibitors binding to bovine breta-trypsin and bovine alfa-chymotrypsin are 3.3 x 10+9 M-1 and 2.4 x 10+6 M-1, respectively, at pH 8.0 and 21.0 °C. The serine proteinase:inhibitor complex formation is a pH-dependent entropy-driven process. RTI-III isoinhibitor do not show any similarity to other serine proteinase inhibitors exept the low molecular mass white mustard trypsin isoinhibitor, isolated from Sinapis alba L. seed (MTI-2). Therefore, RTI-III and MTI-2 isoinhibitors could be members of a new class of plant serine proteinase inhibitors

Análise produtiva e econômica de suínos criados nos sistemas wean-to-finish e convencional de produção

O modelo de produção de suínos denominado Wean-to-Finish (WF) é considerado uma alternativa que busca alcançar melhor desempenho produtivo, redução de estresse aos animais e melhorias na logística. Nesse sistema, os leitões são desmamados e transferidos diretamente a um galpão WF (creche-crescimento-terminação), onde permanecem até o abate. Com o objetivo de avaliar os comportamentos produtivo e econômico de suínos alojados no sistema WF em comparação ao sistema convencional de produção (CC), foram avaliados dois grupos de suínos provenientes das mesmas unidades produtoras de leitões, nascidos e desmamados na mesma semana. Um grupo foi alojado em uma creche do sistema convencional de produção (grupo CC), e o outro em um galpão WF adaptado (grupo WF), ambos em baias coletivas. Para análise de produção, foram calculados o consumo médio diário de ração (CMDR), o ganho de peso médio diário (GPMD) e a conversão alimentar (CA). Para análise econômica, foi determinado o custo por quilograma de ganho de peso vivo. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância utilizando-se o pacote estatístico SAS, previamente testados para normalidade dos resíduos pelo teste de Shapiro-Wilk, e as médias dos grupos comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (5%). Na fase de creche, o GPMD foi de 0,468 e 0,449, e a CA de 1,48 e 1,42 para os Grupos WF e CC, respectivamente. Nas fases de crescimento e terminação, o GPMD foi de 0,924kg no grupo WF e de 0,909kg no grupo CC. A conversão alimentar foi de 2,41 para ambos os grupos, não sendo diferentes estatisticamente entre si (P>0,05) nas diferentes fases de produção nos parâmetros analisados. No aspecto econômico, o grupo WF apresentou os menores custos, com diferença de R$ 0,08 por quilograma de ganho de peso vivo em comparação ao grupo CC. Os resultados do desempenho produtivo associado ao aspecto econômico indicam que o sistema WF pode ser uma alternativa viável dentro da cadeia produtiva de suínos