Dyeing of PA6.6 fibers - Effect of solvent and temperature on thermal properties

Dyeing fibers at low temperatures has many advantages such as savings in energy and avoiding alterations to the physical properties of the fibers being dyed or other fibers also present in blends, The problem of low temperature dyeing in synthetic fibers is that it difficults the dye diffusion into the fiber. In the case of polyamide 6.6 microfibers, by using benzyl alcohol as an auxiliary dyeing, it was shown that good diffusion was obtained for the dye exhaustion with metal complex dyes at temperatures more than 30°C below the normal dyeing temperature for the dye exhaustion with metal complex dyes. Using thermal analysis methods these results were shown to be caused by the lowering of the T g of the fiber when in the presence of benzyl alcohol.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Songbirds promote connectivity between riparian galleries and adjacent habitats

Riparian galleries are among the most vulnerable habitats in the world and are well known for their importance to the most specialized riparian bird species. In this study, we analyzed songbird composition, songbird diet, trophic ecology and seed dispersal in riparian galleries and adjacent Montado matrices in southern Portugal to address the importance of birds in promoting the connectivity between riparian galleries and adjacent habitats. We used fecal samples to compare diet, and blood samples to compare nitrogen stable isotopes from birds in these two habitats. The seasonal variation in the abundance of arthropods and fruits was evaluated in both habitats and seed movement between both habitats was assessed from fruits marked with fluorescence. Abundance of food resources for birds (arthropods and fruits) declined throughout the season in a similar way for both habitats, and there were strong similarities in the diet and trophic ecology of songbirds in the riparian gallery and adjacent habitat. In both habitats, birds preyed heavily on Hymenoptera and Coleoptera but birds more abundant in the Montado fed more on Araneae and Hymenoptera. Seeds were moved significantly more frequently from the riparian gallery into the adjacent Montado than vice-versa. Our results suggest that birds from the adjacent habitat move frequently to the riparian gallery to forage and disperse seeds into the adjacent habitat as they depart. This study shows that birds play an important role in promoting connectivity between riparian galleries and adjacent habitats

Advances on the development of novel heterogeneous catalysts for transesterification of triglycerides in biodiesel

This paper describes experimental work done towards the search for more profitable and sustainable alternatives regarding biodiesel production, using heterogeneous catalysts instead of the conventional homogenous alkaline catalysts, such as NaOH, KOH or sodium methoxide, for the methanolysis reaction. This experimental work is a first stage on the development and optimization of new solid catalysts, able to produce biodiesel from vegetable oils. The heterogeneous catalytic process has many differences from the currently used in industry homogeneous process. The main advantage is that, it requires lower investment costs, since no need for separation steps of methanol/catalyst, biodiesel/catalyst and glycerine/catalyst. This work resulted in the selection of CaO and CaO modified with Li catalysts, which showed very good catalytic performances with high activity and stability. In fact FAME yields higher than 92% were observed in two consecutive reaction batches without expensive intermediate reactivation procedures. Therefore, those catalysts appear to be suitable for biodiesel production

Assessment of shear modulus by different seismic wave-based techniques

Using combined setup of bender elements and accelerometers, tests were conducted on Coimbra sand specimens in order to measure and interpret seismic wave velocities to assess initial shear modulus. For these tests both time and frequency domain analyses were performed. Resonant column tests were also performed on the same sand to validate the results obtained with the bender elements and accelerometers setup. As is well known, in the last decades the development of new laboratory techniques to assess soil stiffness through the use of seismic wave-based techniques, has received significant attention due to its simplicity and versatility of the equipment setup. One of these techniques is the bender elements test which have been one of the most widely used, although some limitations concerning its usage. In this context, the combined use of bender elements with other seismic wave-based testing techniques, such as accelerometers or the resonant column, is quite important to compare and validate the testing techniques. Given its miniature size, the installation of accelerometers on the side of the sample is considered feasible without significant disturbance on the other measuring techniques. The resonant column is a widely used and accurate testing technique due to its reliability and repeatability. Finally, the results of this combined tests allow a critical discussion on the advantages and limitations of the use of bender elements and accelerometers, in contrast with the resonant-column for the assessment of the shear modulus in sand.This work was developed with the financial support provided by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the research project WaveSoil - PTDC/ECM/122751/2010 from FCOMOP-01-0124-FEDER-020365 project

Measurement of shear modulus using bender elements and resonant-column

In recent times, new demands in geotechnical engineering, mainly in transportation geotechnics, require the use of advanced characterization techniques in order to accurately assess soil stiffness parameters. From this perspective, seismic wave-based techniques have received significant attention, since these allow performing the same basic measurement in the laboratory and field. With an enormous potential, bender elements are currently one of the most popular techniques used to measure reference soil properties in the very small strain range, namely the shear modulus. Bench and triaxial tests conducted on a wide range of geomaterials already demonstrated the applicability of this technique. However, the combined use of bender elements with other testing techniques, as the resonant column, is quite important in order to compare and validate some of the procedures used. In this context, bench bender elements tests were carried out on stiff sandy silt/silty sand specimens and the interpretation of seismic wave velocities was performed using time domain methods under a variety of excitations. Resonant column tests were also conducted on the same material to validate the obtained results with the bench bender elements setup. A critical discussion is made on the advantages and limitations of bender elements usage in contrast with the resonant-column for the assessment of the shear modulus, as well as some insights regarding damping. Additional tests were carried out in two distinct BE setups, one of which installed in the resonant column device, as well as ultrasonic measurements, with the purpose of validating the BE procedure and results interpretation. From this research, it was possible to compare and analyze the results obtained with the three different bender element setups and derive recommendations towards achieving reliable measurements.This work was developed with the financial support provided by FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) under the research project WaveSoil - PTDC/ECM/122751/2010 from FCOMOP-01-0124-FEDER-020365 project

Valorization of Oleuropein via Tunable Acid-Promoted Methanolysis

The acid-promoted methanolysis of oleuropein was studied using a variety of homogeneous and heterogeneous acid catalysts. Exclusive cleavage of the acetal bond between the glucoside and the monoterpene subunits or further hydrolysis of the hydroxytyrosol ester and subsequent intramolecular rearrangement were observed upon identification of the most efficient catalyst and experimental conditions. Furthermore, selected conditions were tested using oleuropein under continuous flow and using a crude mixture extracted from olive leaves under batch. Formation of (−)-methyl elenolate was also observed in this study, which is a reported precursor for the synthesis of the antihypertensive drug (−)-ajmalicine.Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias Aplicada

Automatic modeling of an orthotic bracing for nonoperative correction of Pectus Carinatum

Pectus Carinatum is a deformity of the chest wall, characterized by an anterior protrusion of the sternum, often corrected surgically due to cosmetic motivation. This work presents an alternative approach to the current open surgery option, proposing a novel technique based on a personalized orthosis. Two different processes for the orthosis' personalization are presented. One based on a 3D laser scan of the patient chest, followed by the reconstruction of the thoracic wall mesh using a radial basis function, and a second one, based on a computer tomography scan followed by a neighbouring cells algorithm. The axial position where the orthosis is to be located is automatically calculated using a Ray-Triangle intersection method, whose outcome is input to a pseudo Kochenek interpolating spline method to define the orthosis curvature. Results show that no significant differences exist between the patient chest physiognomy and the curvature angle and size of the orthosis, allowing a better cosmetic outcome and less initial discomfort.The authors acknowledge to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) - Portugal for the fellowships with the references: SFRH/BD/74276/2010; SFRH/BD/68270/2010; UMINHO/BI/95/2012; and, SFRH/BPD/46851/2008. This work was also supported by FCT R&D project PTDC/SAUBEB/103368/2008

Interpretação do ensaio de carga dinâmico em estacas através de análises tipo CAPWAP

O objectivo deste trabalho é o de mostrar as potencialidades do ensaio de carga dinâmico, como método alternativo ou complementar ao ensaio de carga estático. Discutem-se os problemas associados ao método de interpretação dos registos obtidos no ensaio dinâmico, com base em análises tipo CAPWAP. Apresenta-se um estudo paramétrico discutindo a influência dos diversos parâmetros do modelo, nomeadamente, da rigidez de ponta, do deslocamento elástico limite e dos factores de amortecimento lateral e de ponta. Este modelo foi implementado num programa de cálculo com base nas equações originalmente propostas por Smith (1960).The aim of this work is to show the potentialities of the dynamic load test, as an alternative or a complementary method to the static load test. The problems associated to the interpretation method based on CAPWAP analyses are discussed. A parametric study is presented, discussing the influence of several parameters of the model, namely, the base rigidity, the quake and the lateral and base soil damping constant. This model was implemented in a computer code using the original equations proposed by Smith (1960).Sociedade Portuguesa de Geotecnia, Associação Brasileira de Mecânica dos Solos e Engenharia Geotécnica, Secção Autónoma de Engenharia Civil da Universidade de Aveir

Trailing Boom on Fungicides Application on Wheat, Bean and Soybean

This study aimed to determine the influence of air-assisted and trailing boom technologies on fungicide applications to control diseases incidence and severity on wheat, bean and soybean. The experiments were conducted in three different sites in the Campos Gerais (PR) region in a completely randomized blocks design. In the wheat crop season of 2011, the treatments were: i) control (no fungicide application on the plants); fungicide spray with ii) nozzles in conventional ground boom sprayer; iii) nozzles in trailing boom; and iv) nozzles in conventional boom sprayer + trailing boom simultaneously. In the bean and soybean crop season of 2011-12, we added an extra treatment of boom with air-assisted sprayer, since the farmers had this technology available. We conclude that at the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), the diseases controlled with fungicides presented lower severity and incidence compared with the control treatment for all the crops evaluated. The fungicide spraying technology aggregated to air-assisted and trailing boom did not differ from the conventional boom sprayer for disease control and yield components of wheat, beans and soybeans