Local defect formation in short glass fibre reinforced polymers – micro-mechanical simulations and interrupted in-situ experiments

Discontinuous fibre reinforced polymers are widely used in various industry sectors and often replace conventional materials, due to lower production costs and their lightweight structure. For improvement of the component design, detailed knowledge of the failure mechanisms are necessary. To better understand the defect formation and thus the micro-mechanics, the strain behaviour in single fibres was analysed by micro-mechanical simulations of Representative Volume Elements (RVE). Therefore, selected fibres – similar orientated as in the real structure – were chosen for detailed analysis. Additionally, the defect formation next to selected fibres was investigated by X-ray computed tomography (CT). Furthermore, the critical fibre length was estimated based on the protruding fibre length of the fracture surface. Overall the simulation results correspond to theory. However, the detailed local inspection of the experimental volume data showed a rather strong influence of neighbouring fibres

Modelagem da intenção empreendedora como preditora da inovação frugal em estudantes universitários

This study aimed to analyze the influence of entrepreneurial intention (EI) on the frugal innovation (FI) dimensions: open innovation (OI), sustainable innovation (SI), cost innovation (CI) and product innovation (PI), in the university context under the students’ perception. The quantitative approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for a sample of 694 undergraduate students at a Brazilian university. The analyzes confirmed a positive relationship between entrepreneurial intention and open innovation (H1); entrepreneurial intention and sustainable innovation (H2); entrepreneurial intention and cost innovation (H3); entrepreneurial intention and product innovation (H4). Thus, it was found that EI-FI is useful to demonstrate the degree that the student intends to undertake in a future moment, guided by the low cost technologies (CI) process, listed in new social and institutional structures (OI), which insert quality products and services (PI), using fewer resources (SI). As limitations, it is considered the lack of behavioral studies on the intention to undertake innovations, mainly in frugal innovations. Finally, it is recommended to carry out theoretical studies that contribute to the conceptualization, terminologies and attributes of frugal innovations.Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a influência da intenção empreendedora nas dimensões de inovação frugal: inovação aberta, inovação sustentável, inovação de custos e inovação de produtos, no contexto universitário sob a percepção de alunos de graduação. Utilizou-se a abordagem quantitativa e modelagem de equações estruturais para uma amostra de 694 estudantes de graduação em uma universidade brasileira. As análises confirmaram uma relação positiva entre a intenção empreendedora e a inovação aberta (H1); intenção empreendedora e inovação sustentável (H2); intenção empreendedora e inovação em custo (H3); intenção empreendedora e inovação de produtos (H4). Assim, constatou-se que a relação intenção empreendedora com inovação frugal é útil para demonstrar o grau que o estudante tem a firme intenção de empreender em um momento futuro, direcionado pelo processo de tecnologias de baixo custo, elencadas a novas estruturas sociais e institucionais, que inserem produtos e serviços de qualidade, utilizando menos recursos. Enquanto limitações, considera-se a falta de estudos comportamentais sobre a intenção de empreender em inovações, principalmente em inovações frugais. Por fim, recomenda-se a realização de estudos teóricos que contribuam para a conceituação, terminologias e atributos de inovações frugais

Long-term prognosis, subsequent pregnancy, contraception and overall management of peripartum cardiomyopathy: practical guidance paper from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology Study Group on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy presenting with heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction towards the end of pregnancy or in the months following delivery, where no other cause for heart failure is identified. Outcome varies from full recovery to residual left ventricular systolic dysfunction and even death. Many women return to their physician to acquire information on their long‐term prognosis, to seek medical advice regarding contraception, or when planning a subsequent pregnancy. This position paper summarizes current evidence for long‐term outcome, risk stratification of further pregnancies and overall management. Based on the best available evidence, as well as the clinical experience of the European Society of Cardiology Study Group on Peripartum Cardiomyopathy members, a consensus on pre‐ and postpartum management algorithms for women undergoing a subsequent pregnancy is presented

Local defect formation in short glass fibre reinforced polymers – micro-mechanical simulations and interrupted in-situ experiments

Discontinuous fibre reinforced polymers are widely used in various industry sectors and often replace conventional materials, due to lower production costs and their lightweight structure. For improvement of the component design, detailed knowledge of the failure mechanisms are necessary. To better understand the defect formation and thus the micro-mechanics, the strain behaviour in single fibres was analysed by micro-mechanical simulations of Representative Volume Elements (RVE). Therefore, selected fibres – similar orientated as in the real structure – were chosen for detailed analysis. Additionally, the defect formation next to selected fibres was investigated by X-ray computed tomography (CT). Furthermore, the critical fibre length was estimated based on the protruding fibre length of the fracture surface. Overall the simulation results correspond to theory. However, the detailed local inspection of the experimental volume data showed a rather strong influence of neighbouring fibres

Qualidade de vida no trabalho: uma análise sobre a percepção dos colaboradores da cooperativa Camnpal

This study aimed to identify with collaborators of Camnpal Cooperative, how they evaluate their Quality of Life at Work. It is an applied research, with quantitative approach, as the objectives is exploratory, descriptive and a field research. Data collection occurred through a questionnaire with 30 questions considering the eight categories of Walton's model (1973). The results showed that employees are satisfied with the social relevance of working life, constitutionalism, growth opportunities and security. Only the use and development of skills and working conditions need improvement. Este estudo teve o objetivo de identificar junto aos colaboradores da Cooperativa Camnpal, como avaliam sua Qualidade de Vida no Trabalho. É uma pesquisa aplicada, com abordagem quantitativa, quanto aos objetivos é exploratória, descritiva e uma pesquisa de campo. A coleta de dados ocorreu através de um questionário com 30 questões tendo em vista as oito categorias do modelo de Walton (1973). Os resultados mostraram que os funcionários estão satisfeitos em relação à relevância social da vida no trabalho, constitucionalismo, oportunidades de crescimento e segurança, Somente o uso e desenvolvimento das capacidades e as condições de trabalho, necessitam de melhorias

Legal situation and current practice of waste incineration bottom ash utilisation in Europe

Almost 500 municipal solid waste incineration plants in the EU, Norway, and Switzerland generate about 17.6 Mt/a of incinerator bottom ash (IBA). IBA contains minerals and metals. Metals are mostly separated and sold to the scrap market and minerals are either disposed of in landfills or utilised in the construction sector. Since there is no uniform regulation for IBA utilisation at EU level, countries developed own rules with varying requirements for utilisation. As a result from a cooperation network between European experts an up-to-date overview of documents regulating IBA utilisation is presented. Furthermore, this work highlights the different requirements that have to be considered. Overall, 51 different parameters for the total content and 36 different parameters for the emission by leaching are defined. An analysis of the defined parameter reveals that leaching parameters are significantly more to be considered compared to total content parameters. In order to assess the leaching behaviour nine different leaching tests, including batch tests, up-flow percolation tests and one diffusion test (monolithic materials) are in place. A further discussion of leaching parameters showed that certain countries took over limit values initially defined for landfills for inert waste and adopted them for IBA utilisation. The overall utilisation rate of IBA in construction works is approximately 54 wt.%. It is revealed that the rate of utilisation does not necessarily depend on how well regulated IBA utilisation is, but rather seems to be a result of political commitment for IBA recycling and economically interesting circumstances

Increased cancer prevalence in peripartum cardiomyopathy

Objectives This study was designed to analyze the prevalence and potential genetic basis of cancer and heart failure in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). Background PPCM manifests as heart failure late in pregnancy or postpartum in women without previous heart disease. Methods Clinical history and cancer prevalence were evaluated in a cohort of 236 PPCM patients from Germany and Sweden. Exome sequencing assessed variants in 133 genes associated with cancer predisposition syndromes (CPS) and in 115 genes associated with dilated/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (DCM/HCM) in 14 PPCM patients with a history of cancer, and in 6 PPCM patients without a history of cancer. Results The prevalence of cancer was 16-fold higher (8.9%, 21 of 236 patients) in PPCM patients compared to age-matched women (German cancer registry, Robert-Koch-Institute: 0.59%; p < 0.001). Cancer before PPCM occurred in 12 of 21 patients of whom 11 obtained cardiotoxic cancer therapies. Of those, 17% fully recovered cardiac function by 7 ± 2 months of follow-up compared to 55% of PPCM patients without cancer (p = 0.015). Cancer occurred after PPCM in 10 of 21 patients; 80% had left ventricular ejection fraction of ≥50% after cancer therapy. Whole-exome sequencing in 14 PPCM patients with cancer revealed that 43% (6 of 14 patients) carried likely pathogenic (Class IV) or pathogenic (Class V) gene variants associated with DCM/HCM in CPT2, DSP, MYH7, TTN, and/or with CPS in ATM, ERCC5, NBN, RECQL4, and SLX4. All CPS variants affected DNA damage response genes. Conclusions Cardiotoxic cancer therapy before PPCM is associated with delayed full recovery. The high cancer prevalence in PPCM is linked to likely pathogenic/pathogenic gene variants associated with DCM/HCM and/or CPS/DNA damage response–related cancer risk. This may warrant genetic testing and screening for heart failure in pregnant women with a cancer history and screening for cancer in PPCM patients

SUPORTE ORGANIZACIONAL E OPORTUNIDADE DE ALCANCE DOS VALORES PESSOAIS NO TRABALHO SOB A PERSPECTIVA DE BANCÁRIOS

Este estudo tem como objetivo realizar um comparativo de gênero no que diz respeito à Percepção do Suporte Organizacional e à Oportunidade de Alcance dos Valores Pessoais no Trabalho para bancários. Trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, com uma abordagem quantitativa. Utilizou-se o protocolo de pesquisa composto pela Escala de Percepção de Suporte Organizacional (EPSO-R) de Queiroga, Brandão e Borges Andrade (2015), e pela Medida de Oportunidades no Trabalho (MOT) de Paschoal (2008). Os instrumentos foram aplicados para uma amostra de 144 trabalhadores do setor bancário. Os principais resultados encontrados apontam que o suporte organizacional dos respondentes foi mediano e adequado, enquanto que a percepção da oportunidade no trabalho dos respondentes foi de mediana para alta. Embora não houvesse diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os gêneros, os homens perceberam maior suporte organizacional em relação às mulheres na maior parte dos fatores. Observou-se que o gênero não foi uma variável comparável na relação entre a oportunidade de alcance dos valores pessoais no trabalho e a percepção de suporte organizacional, para este estudo em específico