Role of Sorption Isotherms in the Analysis of Coupled Heat and Mass Fluxes in Porous Media

The aim of this work is to show the importance of the sorption isotherms in the study of the heat and mass fluxes in unsaturated porous media. General forms of the heat and mass fluxes are presented in terms of experimentally accessible quantities. The role of the isotherm slope in the coupling of heat and mass fluxes and its influence on the effective permeability are shown. Separate relations for vapor and liquid fluxes through the porous medium are presented as functions of the temperature and the isotherm slopes. Nonstationary isothermal mass flux is also analyzed, a relaxation time for this process is identifled, and its relation to the isotherm slope is also discussed

Influences of cosmic radiation, artificial radioactivity and aerosol concentration upon the fair-weather atmospheric electric field in Lisbon (1955–1991)

The atmospheric electric field is influenced by cosmic radiation, radioactivity and aerosols. In this work we investigate the existence of: (i) correlations between relative anomalies of annual values of atmospheric electric field and cosmic radiation intensity, artificial radioactivity and aerosol concentration; (ii) seasonal correlations between relative anomalies of the atmospheric electric field and cosmic radiation intensity. We used data of the electric field strength recorded at the Portela meteorological station (Lisbon) in the period 1955–1991. We found statistically significant inverse correlations between atmospheric electric field and cosmic radiation in the period 1967–1991. We also found that the influence of cosmic radiation on the atmospheric electric field is strong in wintertime and very weak in summertime. The GCR–CN–CCN–Cloud Hypothesis and the wintertime reduced boundary layer convection are analyzed as possible explanations for this difference

Biofortificação de folato em alface (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Verônica) via engenharia metabólica

Monografia (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Agronomia e Medicina Veterinária, 2013.A deficiência de folato ou vitamina B9 é uma das deficiências vitamínicas mais comuns em todo o mundo, estando associada a graves problemas de saúde. Fatores como: dieta limitada, absorção deficiente e tratamentos farmacológicos interferem na biodisponibilidade de folato, principalmente entre as mulheres grávidas, nas quais a deficiência de folato pode causar desde aborto espontâneo à defeitos na formação do tubo neural (DTN) no feto. No Brasil, o folato possui um papel estabelecido na prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares, certos tipos de câncer, depressão e distúrbios neuropsiquiátricos. Neste contexto, a biofortificação de folato em alface via engenharia metabólica é uma alternativa complementar para enfrentar a deficiência de folato. A alface (Lactuca sativa L. cv. Verônica) foi escolhida para ter o seu teor de folato aumentado por ser a hortaliça folhosa de maior importância global, consumida “in natura”. Em experimentos independentes, foram manipuladas duas vias metabólicas precursoras da biossíntese de folato: (1) a via das pterinas (citoplasmática), pela superexpressão do gene que codifica para a enzima GTP ciclohidrolase I (gchI) e (2) a via do ácido p-aminobenzóico (cloroplasmática) pela superexpressão do gene que codifica para a enzima aminodeoxicorismato sintase (adcs). Ambos os transgenes AtgchI e Atadcs foram obtidos de Arabidopsis thaliana. Foram realizados 6 experimentos de transformação genética de alface mediada por Agrobacterium tumefaciens para obtenção de linhagens geneticamente modificadas (GM) expressando os cassetes T-DNA.AtgchI e T-DNA.Atadcs, ambos contendo como marcador o gene bar (codifica a enzima fosfinotricina-N-acetiltransferase - PAT). Foram confirmadas 2 linhagens GM para o transgene AtgchI e 3 linhagens GM para o transgene Atadcs após análise por PCR e constatado nas 5 linhagens GM a expressão do gene bar (PAT) por Imunocromatografia de fluxo lateral (Strip Test® GMO TraitCheck™). Essas linhagens foram autofecundadas, e as progênies (T1) apresentaram padrão mendeliano de segregação (3:1) para os transgenes e para o marcador. A quantificação de folato total nas folhas de alfaces GM (T1) mostraram aumento de 15 e 7 vezes mais folato total pela superexpressão dos transgenes AtgchI e Atadcs, respectivamente, quando comparadas à folhas de alface não transgênicas

Methodology of power analysis in Michel Foucault’s thought

This work seeks to reconstruct Michel Foucault\u27s power analysis methodology in order to understand how he overcomes the classical theories of power by proposing a way of seeing power as a relation that occurs between subjects. In order to do so, the relations between truth and power will be analyzed, as well as the methodological premises elaborated by the author in his main works on power. &nbsp

Inovação auxiliada por computador (CAI): uma análise bibliométrica de artigos publicados entre 2004 e 2013

In recent decades, innovation has come to be seen as a crucial factor for the competitiveness of organizations. From a process little orderly, innovation has come to be systematized, with the establishment of tools, methodologies and theories. A variety of computer programs have been created to support innovation, giving rise to a new category of tools, which is being called Computer Aided Innovation (CAI). This exploratory research seeks to understand more precisely the concept of CAI, as well as identify key publications, authors, institutions and regions in which it has been developed, besides seeking to identify gaps and trends of the topics covered in the area. Given the purpose of the research, it was decided to use bibliometrics, which allows obtaining the information indicated from the analysis of the main databases related to CAI. The research consists of 217 articles, published between 2004-2013. The methodological procedures to develop the research involved the following steps: a) raise the state of the art regarding the Computed Aided Innovation; b) Survey and data collection of scientific papers on CAI; c) categorization and bibliometric analysis and d) classify and analyze the topics covered. The results obtained through the bibliometric analysis revealed that there were 378 different authors, and authors have increased an average of 34.7% from 2004 to 2013. When checking the adhesion of the Lotka´s law to the field of CAI, It was observed that 72.8% of the authors had only one publication, 15% more than proposed by Lotka, than the area of CAI does not adjust to this law. The most productive authors were Runhua Tan (complete count) and Noel Leon (direct counting). The most cited author was Gaetano Cascini. The most productive country in the world is China, with 41% of publications, as well as having the largest number of researchers (42% of total) and the largest number of institutions. However, the country with the greatest relevance is France, because the French articles had 30.4% of the citations. The more productive institution is Hebei Universi ty of Technology, China, with 16% of the articles. The institution most frequently cited is INSA Strasbourg, France. By analyzing the topics covered, it was realized that the "Idea Management" category is more developed and the category "Management Patent" is the one with the least amount of work. It is considered that this research has contributed to give visibility to researchers, institutions and countries that have contributed to the development of CAI, besides recognizing the theoretical core that serves as the foundation of knowledge of the area. The theme CAI is extremely important for the improvement of the innovation process, enabling to innovate more efficiently and effectively.Nas últimas décadas, a inovação passou a ser vista como um fator crucial para a competitividade das organizações. De um processo pouco ordenado, a inovação tem passado a ser sistematizada, com o estabelecimento de ferramentas, metodologias e teorias. Uma variedade de programas computacionais têm sido criadas para apoiar a inovação, dando origem a uma nova categoria de ferramentas, que vem sendo denominada Computer Aided Innovation (CAI), ou Inovação Auxiliada por Computador. Esta pesquisa, de característica exploratória, busca compreender com maior exatidão o conceito de CAI, bem como identificar as principais publicações, autores, instituições e regiões nas quais o assunto tem sido desenvolvido, além de buscar identificar as lacunas e tendências dos temas abordados na área. Dada a finalidade da pesquisa, decidiu-se pelo uso da bibliometria e da análise de conteúdo para alcançar os objetivos estabelecidos. O universo da pesquisa constitui -se de 217 artigos, publicados no período de 2004 a 2013. Os procedimentos metodológicos para desenvolver a pesquisa envolveram os seguintes passos: a) levantar o estado da arte no que se refere a Inovação Auxiliada por Computador; b) levantar e coletar os dados dos artigos científicos em CAI; c) categorizar e fazer análise bibliométrica e d) classificar e analisar os temas abordados. Os resultados obtidos, por meio da análise bibliométrica, revelaram que houve 378 autores diferentes, e que a média de autores aumentou em 30,4% de 2004 a 2013. Ao verificar a aderência da lei de Lotka à área de CAI, observou-se que 72,8% dos autores tiveram apenas uma publicação, sendo 15% a mais do que o proposto por Lotka, ou seja, a área de CAI não se ajusta a esta lei. Os autores mais produtivos foram Runhua Tan (contagem completa) e Noel León (contagem direta). O autor mais citado foi Gaetano Cascini. O país mais produtivo do mundo é a China, com 41% das publicações, além de possuir o maior número de pesquisadores (42% do total) e o maior número de instituições. No entanto, o país com a maior relevância é a França, pois os artigos franceses tiveram 30,4% das citações. A instituição mais produtiva é Hebei University of Technology da China, com 16% dos artigos. A instituição mais citada é INSA Strasbourg, França. Ao analisar os temas abordados, percebeu-se que a categoria “Gestão de Ideias” é mais desenvolvida e a categoria “Gestão de Patentes” é a que possui a menor quantidade de trabalhos. Considera-se que esta pesquisa contribuiu para dar visibilidade aos pesquisadores, instituições e países que tem contribuído para o desenvolvimento do CAI, além de reconhecer o núcleo teórico que serve de alicerce do conhecimento da área. O tema CAI é de suma importância para a melhoria do processo de inovação, possibilitando inovar com mais eficiência e eficácia

An Analytical Framework for Miles and Snow Typology and Dynamic Capabilities

The literature on dynamic capabilities is confusing, full of overlapping definitions, and contradictions. The theoretical and practical importance of developing and applying dynamic capabilities to sustain competitive advantage in complex external environment is central in studies about strategy nowadays. In this paper, we offer a definition of dynamic capabilities under two aspects: first, it refers to the shifting character of the environment; second, it emphasizes the key role of strategic management in appropriately adapting, integrating, and re-configuring internal and external organizational skills, resources, and functional competences towards a changing environment. This paper aims to clarify the concept of dynamic capabilities, propose an analytical framework that connects this “new” concept to a well known and recognized generic strategic model (Miles and Snow, 1978) and to the concept of sustainable competitive advantage and evolutionary fit. DOI:10.5585/riae.v13i1.193

Strategic Choice and Relational Dynamic Capabilities in a Brazilian Hotel Chain

The aim of this paper was to propose integration between two concepts: strategic choice and relational dynamic capability. For this purpose, the context of hotel business sector was chosen, due to its intensity and a need for formal and informal relationships. The research was divided in two stages: a survey, with a sample of 117 hotels in the State of Paraná and a case study. According to the findings, strategic typology determines a set of choices and behaviors resulting in different relationships. The aim of this paper was to propose integration between two concepts: strategic choice and relational dynamic capability. For this purpose, the context of hotel business sector was chosen, due to its intensity and a need for formal and informal relationships. The research was divided in two stages: a survey, with a sample of 117 hotels in the State of Paraná and a case study. According to the findings, strategic typology determines a set of choices and behaviors resulting in different relationships

Supressão do Campo Eléctrico Atmosférico aquando do sismo de Sousel, M = 4.1

In recent years different phenomena associated with seismic events have been referred in the literature. These include: unusual ultra-low-frequency electromagnetic emissions; anomalies in radio transmissions; variation of the ionosphere total electron content; and anomalous levels of different geochemical elements (in particular radon) in the earthquake preparation zone. Recent works shown the possibility of enhanced air ionization, with consequent atmospheric electricity perturbations, in the preparatory stage of seismic events. They relate possible atmospheric electrical field anomalies during the earthquake preparation with surface air ionization through radon emanations. In fact, this work presents the observation of a significant suppression of the vertical component of the atmospheric electrical field that occurred in Évora (Portugal) soon before the M = 4.1 Sousel earthquake of 27 March 2010. The observation is reported, followed by the analysis and interpretation. Preliminary conclusions and plans for future works are drawn