Análisis de los ciclos de congelación y descongelación en la capa activa en el entorno de la BAE JCI. Periodo 2000-2011

Close to the Spanish Antarctic Station our research team drilled, at the 1999-2000 Antarctic campaign, a 2,30 m shallow borehole in quartzite bedrock. This borehole was instrumented with temperature data loggers (Tinytag model) that have allowed us to register the gradient thermal in a continuous regime evolution during the 2000-2011 period. The analysis of the temperature data allows to describe the temporal evolution of the freezing and thawing cycles in the active layer, as well as the N-Factor variability, related with the soil surface thermal behavior and its energy balance. In this work we discuss the different freezing and thawing mechanisms in monthly and annual periods. The study shows a important freezing and thawing inter annual variability,, the annual cumulative index showed values in the following intervals: freezing index (-700, -300 ºC day) and thawing index (400, 700 ºC day)

Positive epistasis drives the acquisition of multidrug resistance

The evolution of multiple antibiotic resistance is an increasing global problem. Resistance mutations are known to impair fitness, and the evolution of resistance to multiple drugs depends both on their costs individually and on how they interact--epistasis. Information on the level of epistasis between antibiotic resistance mutations is of key importance to understanding epistasis amongst deleterious alleles, a key theoretical question, and to improving public health measures. Here we show that in an antibiotic-free environment the cost of multiple resistance is smaller than expected, a signature of pervasive positive epistasis among alleles that confer resistance to antibiotics. Competition assays reveal that the cost of resistance to a given antibiotic is dependent on the presence of resistance alleles for other antibiotics. Surprisingly we find that a significant fraction of resistant mutations can be beneficial in certain resistant genetic backgrounds, that some double resistances entail no measurable cost, and that some allelic combinations are hotspots for rapid compensation. These results provide additional insight as to why multi-resistant bacteria are so prevalent and reveal an extra layer of complexity on epistatic patterns previously unrecognized, since it is hidden in genome-wide studies of genetic interactions using gene knockout

Rede de atenção aos usuários de substâncias psicoativas: mapeamento de serviços e equipes de enfermagem

O uso de substâncias psicoativas no Brasil se constitui em um problema de saúde pública e, no Espírito Santo, a política deatenção ao dependente químico vem se modificando nas últimas décadas. O estudo objetivou mapear serviços e equipes deenfermagem de todas as instituições que desenvolvem ações de caráter preventivo e/ou curativo no Espírito Santo, nos anosde janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2005. Trata-se de estudo exploratório quali-quantitativo. Partiu-se da listagem do 1ºlevantamento estadual e através da técnica da bola de neve acrescidas novas instituições. Verificou-se que 59,4%encontram-se na macrorregião centro. Os GAMs representam 61,8% da oferta de tratamento nesta região e o tratamentoambulatorial (68,5%) é superior a internação (61,8%). A droga mais prevalente é o álcool (68,4%) e a maior concentraçãode instituições com equipe de enfermagem, situa-se na macrorregião centro e 80% das instituições não-governamentais nãoapresentam enfermagem na equipe. Conclui-se que existe escassez de serviços governamentais disponíveis para atendimentodesta população, bem como déficit de recursos humanos da enfermagem, o que reflete baixa qualidade no atendimentoprestado. Portanto, é necessário a implementação de políticas para acelerar a municipalização das ações bem como fixarrecursos humanos qualificados nesta área

Advancements in Nd:YAG Solar Laser Stability Under Solar Tracking Error Conditions

Solar-pumped lasers represent a promising frontier in laser technology, offering the ability to convert incoherent solar radiation into coherent laser radiation without relying on traditional pump light sources. This dissertation explores methods and strategies to develop and adapt solar-pumped laser technology, tailoring it to meet both scientific and industrial challenges. Firstly, solar laser configurations are applied to lamp-pump lasers commonly utilized in indus- try, with the objective of boosting efficiency and brightness while addressing thermal concerns. Additionally, the investigation of alternative beam profiles, such as top hat and doughnut- shaped, showcases the potential of solar lasers in diverse applications, including material pro- cessing and biomedical imaging. Moreover, efforts to improve the stability and efficiency of solar-pumped laser systems, particularly under solar tracking error condition, are discussed. By utilizing end-side pump configurations and incorporating a solar flux homogenizer, significant advancements have been made towards achieving uniform and stable solar laser emissions. Experimental validation of these advancements at the PROMES-CNRS solar facility in Odeillo, France, demonstrates the feasibility of building stable solar laser systems with low-cost solar tracking systems. Even when the tracking system was turned off, the total output power ex- tracted from the solar-pumped laser remained stable for 1 min, representing, to the best of our knowledge, the first successful demonstration of stable multibeam solar laser operation without solar tracking.Os lasers alimentados por energia solar representam uma promissora fronteira na tec- nologia laser, oferecendo a capacidade de converter radiação solar incoerente em radiação laser coerente sem depender de fontes de bombeamento tradicionais, como lâmpadas ou dí- odos. Esta dissertação explora métodos e estratégias para desenvolver e adaptar a tecnologia de lasers solares, adaptando-a para enfrentar desafios científicos e industriais. Em primeiro lugar, as configurações de lasers solares são aplicadas aos lasers bombeados por lâmpadas comumente utilizados na indústria, com o objetivo de aumentar a eficiência e o brilho ao mesmo tempo que reduzem preocupações térmicas. Além disso, a investigação de perfis de feixe alternativos, como o perfil plano e em forma de donut, destaca o potencial dos lasers solares em diversas aplicações, incluindo processamento de materiais e imagens biomédicas. Também são discutidos os esforços para melhorar a estabilidade e a eficiência dos sistemas de laser alimentados por energia solar, particularmente em relação a erros de rastreamento solar. Ao bombear os cristais pela extremidade e incorporar homogeneizadores de fluxo solar, foram feitos avanços significativos em direção à obtenção de emissões de laser solar uniformes e estáveis. A validação experimental desses avanços na instalação solar PROMES-CNRS em Odeillo, França, demonstra a viabilidade de construir sistemas de laser solar estáveis com sis- temas de rastreamento solar de baixo custo. Mesmo quando o sistema de rastreamento foi desligado, a potência total de saída extraída do laser alimentado por energia solar permaneceu estável por 1 minuto, representando, até onde sabemos, a primeira demonstração bem-suce- dida de operação estável de laser solar multifeixe sem rastreamento solar

Stochastic modeling of the thermal and catalytic degradation of polyethylene using simultaneous DSC/TG analysis

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Química e BioquímicaIn the present work a stochastic model to be used for analyzing and predicting experimental data from simultaneous thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments on the thermal and catalytic degradation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) was developed. Unlike the deterministic models, already developed, with this one it’s possible to compute the mass and energy curves measured by simultaneous TG/DSC assays, as well as to predict the product distribution resulting from primary cracking of the polymer, without using any experimental information. For the stochastic model to predict the mass change as well as the energy involved in the whole process of HDPE pyrolysis, a reliable model for the cracking reaction and a set of vaporization laws suitable to compute the vaporization rates are needed. In order to understand the vaporization process, this was investigated separately from cracking. For that, a set of results from TG/DSC experiments using species that vaporize well before they crack was used to obtain a global correlation between the kinetic parameters for vaporization and the number of C-C bonds in the hydrocarbon chain. The best fitting curves were chosen based on the model ability to superimpose the experimental rates and produce consistent results for heavier hydrocarbons. The model correlations were implemented in the program’s code and allowed the prediction of the vaporization rates. For the determination of the global kinetic parameters of the degradation reaction to use in the stochastic model, a study on how these parameters influence the TG/DSC curves progress was performed varying those parameters in several simulations, comparing them with experimental data from thermal and catalytic (ZSM-5 zeolite) degradation of HDPE and choosing the best fitting. For additional improvements in the DSC stochastic model simulated curves, the thermodynamic parameters were also fitted. Additional molecular simulation studies based on quantum models were performed for a deeper understanding on the reaction mechanism and progress. The prediction of the products distribution was not the main object of the investigation in this work although preliminary results have been obtained which reveal some discrepancies in relation to the experimental data. Therefore, in future investigations, an improvement of this aspect is necessary to have a stochastic model which predicts the whole information needed to characterize HDPE degradation reaction

Implementation of RESTful web-services as a platform for exchanging information between grid operators

This work addresses the information exchange between System Operator for opera tional planning purposes. These System Operators are responsible for the correct func tioning of their electrical grid. With the increasing usage of renewable energy sources the coordination and information exchange between system operators must be improved. Amid the several potential areas of coordination between System Operators (TSO and DSO) the focus of this work relied on information exchange concerning the three phase Short circuit currents at the interface buses between TSO and DSO In order to make this information exchange a web-service Architecture is proposed. The web-service Architecture used was the RESTful which needs to follow the European Union’s specifications of data exchange. A structure for the type of information to be exchanged between Service Operators was developed and mapped to the Portuguese case, the information that was exchanged was the values of Scc and Icc of a given electrical grid (Short Circuit Power, Short Circuit Current) during a 24 hour period. An API (application programming interface) was developed that retrieves the information from a given grid and allows the required calculation. To test the implementation of the solution developed, a IEEE 14 based grid was de veloped using profiles of generation and loads based on real case data from REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais). To simulate a 24 hour scenario 24 different cases were developed and tested in order to get a profile of the evolution of Scc. As for the RESTful Server it was tested with the API’s output files to ensure the correct transmission of data between the API and the Server. The results obtained on both the API and the Server are positive and reflected the expected outcome. The information retrieved from the API is validated, its output is well structured and contains the necessary information for the data exchange. As for the Server, the tests made were successful in testing the performance and fidelity of the information exchange and all developed functionalities.Neste trabalho é abordado a troca de informação entre Operadores de Sistema, para alcançar um melhor planeamento operacional. A responsabilidade destes Operadores de Sistema baseia-se em zelar pelo correto funcionamento da sua rede elétrica. Com a maior produção de energia renováveis, têm de ser melhorados as vias de coordenação e a troca de informações entre os Operadores do Sistema. O foco deste trabalho foi a partilha de informações sobre correntes de curto-circuito trifásicas nos barramentos de interface entre os Operadores de Sistema (TSO e DSO). Para a troca de informação entre Operadores de sistema ser realizada foi desenvolvido um web-service. O web-service desenvolvido tem como estructura a arquitectura RESTful, tendo por base as normas definidas pela União Europeia. Para o desenvolvimento da troca de informação entre Operadores de Serviço a estrutura do conteúdo da informação foi de finida, e aplicada num caso baseado na realidade Portuguesa. O conteúdo da informação trocada é retirada dos barramentos de uma rede eléctrica, esta informação é referente a valores de corrente de curto-circuito trifásica simétrica para o horizonte temporal de 24 horas. Tendo para este efeito sido desenvolvido uma API (interface de programação de aplicativos). Os testes feitos à API usaram uma rede baseada na IEEE 14, os valores usados para os perfis de geração e de cargas foram baseados em dados de casos reais da REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais). Os cenários desenvolvidos corresponderam a discretizações de 1 hora no horizonte de 24 horas, serviu para obter um perfil de Scc em cada barramento da rede. Após a correr a API os ficheiros resultantes foram utilizados para testar a troca de informação com o servidor RESTful. Os testes realizados à API e ao servidor foram bem-sucedidos e os resultados retira dos refletem o resultado esperado. Recorreu-se à validação dos valores retirados da API recorrendo a software próprio, com isto constatou-se que a informação retirada da API está valida e passível para a troca de dados. Em relação ao Servidor, todos os testes às funcionalidade do mesmo obtiveram a resposta esperada

EDUCATION AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN THE EVOLUTION OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SOCIETY AND ITS INFLUENCE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF DISNEY PRINCESSES

This article, framed by the changes that accompany evolution in Education and Comparative Literature, aims to clarify the strong relationship between the character and posture of the Disney princesses and the role of women in the society of the corresponding era. Since the launch of the first Disney movie industry, the success of this company is notorious and deserved. These films have fascinated generations, and much of this charm owes much to illustrate the concerns and desires of the female audience. This article aims to explore and explain these factors based on the distinction of the three types of princesses: classic, rebellious and contemporary, with the aim of understanding and paying attention to the social and historical factors that motivated the construction and evolution of the Disney Princess stereotype to their posture and reflection of society, deepening the study on the origin and social status, clothing and appearance, posture and attitude and message and teachings of a princess of each type Cinderella, Mulan and Merida, respectively, always confronting the analysis with society of its time.  Article visualizations