Congruences and ideals on Boolean modules: a heterogeneous point of view

Definitions for heterogeneous congruences and heterogeneous ideals on a Boolean module M are given and the respective lattices CongM and IdeM are presented. A characterization of the simple Boolean modules is achieved differing from that given by Brink in a homogeneous approach. We construct the smallest and the greatest modular congruence having the same Boolean part. The same is established for modular ideals. The notions of kernel of a modular congruence and the congruence induced by a modular ideal are introduced to describe an isomorphism between CongM and IdeM. This isomorphism leads us to conclude that the class of the Boolean module is ideal determined

Monadic dynamic algebras

The main purpose of this work is to introduce the class of the monadic dynamic algebras (dynamic algebras with one quantifier). Similarly to a theorem of Kozen we establish that every separable monadic dynamic algebra is isomorphic to a monadic (possibly non-standard) Kripke structure. We also classify the simple (monadic) dynamic algebras. Moreover, in the dynamic duality theory, we analyze the conditions under which a hemimorphism of a dynamic algebra into itself defines a quantifier. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Biofixation of CO2 emissions from natural gas combined cycle power plant

6th International Conference on Energy and Environment Research, ICEERThe growing impacts of climate change mainly due to the increasing emissions of GHG, especially carbon dioxide, has led to the development and implementation of specific strategies and policies to reduce them. Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is currently seen as a good option, as it contributes to reduce the net carbon emissions and fulfil the goals of the Paris Agreement. This work analyses the economic potential of CO2 biofixation by microalgae from the exhaust gas of a Portuguese Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) power plant. Literature and real operational data are used, collected from reports of Portuguese power generation companies. A preliminary design and economic analysis of the carbon biofixation system was done. Results show that, although requiring a very large investment, the process is economically viable. In further studies a more in depth approach and detailed project combined with a sensitivity analysis, and a comparison with the chemical based CO2 fixation will be done.This research was funded by: project IF/01093/2014/CP1249/CT0003 and research grants IF/01093/2014 and SFRH/BPD/112003/2015 funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES, Portugal, and project UID/EQU/00305/2013 – Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology – CIETI. This work was financially supported by: project UID/EQU/00511/2019 – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy – LEPABE funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC), Portugal; Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939 (Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy — LEPABE, UID/EQU/00511/2013) funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020-POCI and by national funds through FCT; Project “LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION”-NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000005, funded by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020) , under PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CONGRUENCES AND IDEALS ON BOOLEAN MODULES: A HETEROGENEOUS POINT OF VIEW

Abstract: Definitions for heterogeneous congruences and heterogeneous ideals on a Boolean module M are given and the respective lattices CongM and IdeM are presented. A characterization of the simple Boolean modules is achieved differing from that given by Brink in a homogeneous approach. We construct the smallest and the greatest modular congruence having the same Boolean part. The same is established for modular ideals. The notions of kernel of a modular congruence and the congruence induced by a modular ideal are introduced to describe an isomorphism between CongM and IdeM. This isomorphism leads us to conclude that the class of the Boolean module is ideal determined

Design and Synthesis of CNS-targeted Flavones and Analogues with Neuroprotective Potential Against H2O2- and Aβ1-42-Induced Toxicity in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

With the lack of available drugs able to prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the discovery of new neuroprotective treatments able to rescue neurons from cell injury is presently a matter of extreme importance and urgency. Here, we were inspired by the widely reported potential of natural flavonoids to build a library of novel flavones, chromen-4-ones and their C-glucosyl derivatives, and to explore their ability as neuroprotective agents with suitable pharmacokinetic profiles. All compounds were firstly evaluated in a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) to assess their effective permeability across biological membranes, namely the blood-brain barrier (BBB). With this test, we aimed not only at assessing if our candidates would be well-distributed, but also at rationalizing the influence of the sugar moiety on the physicochemical properties. To complement our analysis, logD7.4 was determined. From all screened compounds, the p-morpholinyl flavones stood out for their ability to fully rescue SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells against both H2O2- and Aβ1-42-induced cell death. Cholinesterase inhibition was also evaluated, and modest inhibitory activities were found. This work highlights the potential of C-glucosylflavones as neuroprotective agents, and presents the p-morpholinyl C-glucosylflavone 37, which did not show any cytotoxicity towards HepG2 and Caco-2 cells at 100 μM, as a new lead structure for further development against AD.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia-UID/Multi/0612/2019Unión Europea-D3i4AD), FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IAPP, GA 61234

Sustainability Evaluation of Biodiesel from Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris under Mixotrophic Conditions and Salinity Stress

This study performs a sustainability evaluation of biodiesel production from microalgae Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) cultivated in mixotrophic conditions, with and without salinity stress, in comparison to autotrophic conditions. The life cycle steps considered for the evaluation are microalgae cultivation, biomass harvesting, lipids extraction, biodiesel production, distribution and use. Three sustainability indicators (LCEE – Life Cycle Energy Efficiency, FER – Fossil Energy Ratio and GW – Global Warming) are calculated based on laboratory experiments conducted in this study and literature data to complement inventory data, thus allowing a more truthful and accurate sustainability evaluation. Results show that in the current conditions, production of biodiesel from these microalgae is not energy efficient, since LCEE and FER values are lower than one, except for C. Vulgaris at mixotrophic growth, without salinity stress. GW values are always positive, meaning that carbon captured during microalgae growth does not compensate the carbon emitted in the whole process. A comparative analysis of the various process steps is also conducted, showing that the water removal and lipids recovery are critical steps for the process sustainability. One possible solution is to explore these microalgae in a biorefinery process, where the desired product is obtained along with a host of by-products, increasing the process sustainability and competitiveness.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lipid Content and Productivity of Arthrospira platensis and Chlorella vulgaris under Mixotrophic Conditions and Salinity Stress

This study aims at evaluating the influence of mixotrophic growth and salinity stress in the lipid content and productivities of microalgae Arthrospira platensis (A. platensis) and Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris). For comparison purposes, both microalgae were also cultivated in the standard autotrophic conditions: modified Zarrouk’s medium for A. platensis and Bold’s basal medium for C. vulgaris. The mixotrophic conditions were created by adding 1.00 g/L of glucose to their standard media, and the salt stress was induced by introducing sodium chloride (NaCl) in different amounts. As expected, the biomass concentration and productivity increases under mixotrophy but decreases with salinity stress. Therefore, although the lipid content increased with the salinity stress under mixotrophy, reaching maximum values of 15.4 and 23.0 % dry weight (dwt) respectively, for A. platensis (in 0.428 M of NaCl) and C. vulgaris (in 0.0214 M of NaCl), the biomass productivity reached minimum values. Consequently, the maximum biomass and lipid productivities were obtained with an intermedium lipid content and without the salinity stress. The maximum biomass and lipid productivities are 99.7 and 9.7 mg/L/day for A. platensis and 227.2, and 37.7 mg/L/day for C. vulgaris, respectively. This study also revealed that C. vulgaris adapts faster to salinity stress, whereas A. platensis is able to tolerate higher salinity concentrations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reversible imine crosslinking in waterborne self-healing polymer coatings

Waterborne polymer coatings have the potential to address the environmental concerns associated with solvent based systems. To improve their performance without using volatile organic compounds, we propose a new approach based on reconfigurable covalent crosslinking that provides mechanical resistance and self-healing properties. The new waterborne polymer coatings are based on mixtures of aldehyde- and amine-functionalized polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) that take advantage of the reversibility of imine bonds in the presence of water. Different degrees of functional monomer incorporation (10 % to 40 %) allowed us to balance crosslinking and interdiffusion during film formation, to obtain mechanically robust and solvent resistant films. A clear structure-properties relation was assessed by following the formation of water resulting from amine-aldehyde condensation crosslinking, measured by differential scanning calorimetry. The resulting polymer coatings further show self-healing properties at room temperature, triggered with residual amounts of water and featuring high recovery rates of the mechanical properties. Our mechanically robust waterborne polymer coatings based in imine reversible crosslinking, featuring self-healing in mild conditions, offer excellent prospects for application in smart coating materials.publishe

Photophysical properties and quantum chemical studies of poly(2,7-9,9'-dihexylfluorene-dyil)

This work reports the photophysical properties (excitation and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetimes) of the poly(2,7-9,9'-dihexylfluorene-dyil) in dilute solutions of four solvents (toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform and ethyl acetate) as well as the properties in solid state. Photoluminescence showed spectra characteristic of disordered α-backbone chain conformation. Simulation of the electronic absorption spectra of oligomers containing 1 to 11 mers showed that the critical conjugation length is between 6 and 7 mers. We also estimated the theoretical dipole moments which indicated that a coil conformation is formed with 8 repeating units per turn. We also showed that some energy transfer process appears in solid state which decreases the emission lifetime. Furthermore, based on luminescent response of the systems herein studied and electroluminescent behavior reported on literature, both photo and electroluminescence emissions arise from the same emissive units.Este trabalho descreve as propriedades fotofísicas (espectros de excitação e de fluorescência, rendimento quântico e tempo de meia-vida de fluorescência) do poli(2,7-9,9'diexil-fluoreno-diil) em soluções diluídas, de quatro solventes (tolueno, tetraidrofurano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila) e no estado sólido. Os espectros de fotoluminescência são característicos da conformação desordenada da cadeia principal, denominada forma α. Espectros eletrônicos de absorção foram simulados para oligômeros de 1 a 11 meros, indicando que o comprimento crítico de conjugação está entre 6 e 7 meros. Os valores teóricos do momento de dipolo mostraram que a conformação helicoidal formada se repete a cada 8 unidades por volta. Mostra-se ainda que no estado sólido ocorrem processos de transferência de energia que levam a uma diminuição do tempo de meia-vida de fluorescência. Com base nos espectros obtidos, pode-se concluir que a fotoluminescência e a eletroluminescência descrita na literatura são provenientes das mesmas unidades emissoras.FAPESPCNPqUNICAMP - FAEPEXCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)MCT Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia - IMMP/PADC

Photophysical properties and quantum chemical studies of poly(2,7-9,9'-dihexylfluorene-dyil)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)This work reports the photophysical properties (excitation and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetimes) of the poly(2,7-9,9'-dihexylfluorene-dyil) in dilute solutions of four solvents (toluene, tetrahydrofuran, chloroform and ethyl acetate) as well as the properties in solid state. Photoluminescence showed spectra characteristic of disordered α-backbone chain conformation. Simulation of the electronic absorption spectra of oligomers containing 1 to 11 mers showed that the critical conjugation length is between 6 and 7 mers. We also estimated the theoretical dipole moments which indicated that a coil conformation is formed with 8 repeating units per turn. We also showed that some energy transfer process appears in solid state which decreases the emission lifetime. Furthermore, based on luminescent response of the systems herein studied and electroluminescent behavior reported on literature, both photo and electroluminescence emissions arise from the same emissive units.Este trabalho descreve as propriedades fotofísicas (espectros de excitação e de fluorescência, rendimento quântico e tempo de meia-vida de fluorescência) do poli(2,7-9,9'diexil-fluoreno-diil) em soluções diluídas, de quatro solventes (tolueno, tetraidrofurano, clorofórmio e acetato de etila) e no estado sólido. Os espectros de fotoluminescência são característicos da conformação desordenada da cadeia principal, denominada forma α. Espectros eletrônicos de absorção foram simulados para oligômeros de 1 a 11 meros, indicando que o comprimento crítico de conjugação está entre 6 e 7 meros. Os valores teóricos do momento de dipolo mostraram que a conformação helicoidal formada se repete a cada 8 unidades por volta. Mostra-se ainda que no estado sólido ocorrem processos de transferência de energia que levam a uma diminuição do tempo de meia-vida de fluorescência. Com base nos espectros obtidos, pode-se concluir que a fotoluminescência e a eletroluminescência descrita na literatura são provenientes das mesmas unidades emissoras.201160166Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)UNICAMP - FAEPEXCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)MCT Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia - IMMP/PADCTFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP_BrasilCAPES_BrasilMinisterio_Ciencia_Tecnologia_BrasilCNPq_BrasilUNICAMP_Brasi