Methodology to study the life cycle cost of floating offshore wind farms

The main objective of this paper is to determine a theoretical methodology process to study the life cycle cost of floating offshore wind farms. The principal purpose is adapting the LCC (Life-Cycle Cost Calculation) from several authors to the offshore wind energy world, providing a new method which will be called LCSFOWF. In this sense, several general steps will be defined: life cycle definition, process breakdown structure, viability study and sensitivity study. Moreover, technical and economic issues and their relations will be considered. On the other hand, six life cycle phases needed to install a floating offshore wind farm will be defined: conception and definition, design and development, manufacturing, installation, exploitation and dismantling. They will be useful to define the majority of the steps in the process. This methodology could be considered to calculate the real cost of constructing floating offshore wind farms

Glasius bio-inspired neural networks based UV-C disinfection path planning improved by preventive deadlock processing algorithm

The COVID-19 pandemic made robot manufacturers explore the idea of combining mobile robotics with UV-C light to automate the disinfection processes. But performing this process in an optimum way introduces some challenges: on the one hand, it is necessary to guarantee that all surfaces receive the radiation level to ensure the disinfection; at the same time, it is necessary to minimize the radiation dose to avoid the damage of the environment. In this work, both challenges are addressed with the design of a complete coverage path planning (CCPP) algorithm. To do it, a novel architecture that combines the glasius bio-inspired neural network (GBNN), a motion strategy, an UV-C estimator, a speed controller, and a pure pursuit controller have been designed. One of the main issues in CCPP is the deadlocks. In this application they may cause a loss of the operation, lack of regularity and high peaks in the radiation dose map, and in the worst case, they can make the robot to get stuck and not complete the disinfection process. To tackle this problem, in this work we propose a preventive deadlock processing algorithm (PDPA) and an escape route generator algorithm (ERGA). Simulation results show how the application of PDPA and the ERGA allow to complete complex maps in an efficient way where the application of GBNN is not enough. Indeed, a 58% more of covered surface is observed. Furthermore, two different motion strategies have been compared: boustrophedon and spiral motion, to check its influence on the performance of the robot navigation

Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism does not affect bone mass as determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography and quantitative bone ultrasound in Spanish women.

INTRODUCTION: The results of studies examining the influence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and levothyroxine (L-T4) replacement therapy on bone have generated considerable interest but also controversy. The present research aims to evaluate the effects of L-T4 treatment on different skeletal sites in women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 45 premenopausal (mean age: 43.62 ±6.65 years) and 180 postmenopausal (mean age: 59.51 ±7.90 years) women with SCH who were undergoing L-T4 replacement therapy for at least 6 months were compared to 58 pre- and 180 postmenopausal women with SCH (untreated) matched for age. The mean doses of L-T4 were 90.88 ±42.59 µg/day in the premenopausal women and 86.35 ±34.11 µg/day in the postmenopausal women. Bone measurements were obtained using quantitative bone ultrasound (QUS) for the phalanx, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the lumbar spine and hip, and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) for the non-dominant distal forearm. RESULTS: No differences were observed between patients and untreated controls in these bone measurements except in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine (p = 0.0214) in postmenopausal women, which was greater in treated women than in untreated controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that adequate metabolic control through replacement treatment with L-T4 in pre- and postmenopausal women does not affect bone mass

Preparation of benzolactams by Pd(II)-catalyzed carbonylation of N-unprotected arylethylamines

An unprecedented NH2-directed Pd(II)-catalytic carbonylation of quaternary aromatic α -amino esters to yield 6-membered 10 benzolactams has been developed. The reaction shows a strong bias to 6-membered lactams over 5-membered ones. The steric hindrance around the amino group seems to be pivotal for the success of the process

Flaxseed gum-biopolymers interactions driving rheological behaviour of oropharyngeal dysphagia-oriented products

Viscosity-modified diet through thickeners is used as a strategy to circumvent swallowing problems by oropharyngeal dysphagia patients. Most commercial products present xanthan and starch in their formulations, but flaxseed gum (FG) is a potential thickener for liquid food that provides additional health benefits. FG was mixed either with modified starch (MS) and/or xanthan gum (XG), varying biopolymersâ concentration according to a central composite rotational design in which rheological and colour properties in water were the evaluated responses. All formulations showed a shear time-independent and shear-thinning behaviour, mainly influenced by XG and MS concentrations. In oscillatory measurements, the formulations presented a prevailing elastic character attributed to MS and mainly to XG, which despite the lower concentration in which it was incorporated, exerted a similar influence on this rheological property. However, the increase of FG concentration was the most significant factor influencing viscosity, but also favoured an increase of both viscoelastic moduli mainly G'. Analysis of the microstructure disclosed different network structures as a result of biopolymers interactions, which was related to rheological behaviour giving insights to design new thickeners for dysphagia management. In addition, the amount of glucose released after in vitro digestion was evaluated and compared to a commercial MS-based thickener. Interestingly, the commercial formulation showed a glucose release significantly higher than the proposed FG/MS/XG-based formulations. These results open the opportunity to tailor the rheological characteristics of food systems by adding and combining natural ingredients, improving technological and nutritional properties.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) (Finance code 001); São Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP (Process numbers 2016/05448–8; 2011/51707–1; EMU 2009/54137–1; 2007/58017–5; 2006/03263–9; 2004/08517–3) and by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq - Process 307168/2016–6). Okuro and Santos thanks São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) (Grant numbers 2018/20308–3 and 2017/18109–0)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Determinação de Ácidos Graxos Livres em Óleos Vegetais por FT-NIR e Calibração Multivariada

Métodos instrumentais têm sido reportados como alternativas aos métodos convencionais comumente aplicados em análise químicas, dentre os quais a espectrometria no infravermelho próximo com transformada de Fourier (FT-NIR) tem superado a técnica convencional fornecendo procedimentos analíticos rápidos, diretos, precisos e não-invasivos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo a aplicação da espectroscopia FT-NIR acoplada à calibração multivariada na determinação do percentual de ácidos graxos livres (AGL) em óleos vegetais. O método analítico desenvolvido utilizou como matriz de calibração misturas de óleo de soja e ácido oléico em proporções de 0,3 a 38,0% (em massa) de ácido oléico. O método de mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS) com espectro derivado (1ª derivada) foi utilizado com sete fatores primários, fornecendo valores de erro médio quadrático de 0,2841 e 0,4613 para as curvas de calibração e predição respectivamente. Dentre as principais aplicações da metodologia desenvolvida está a avaliação do teor de AGL em óleos vegetais com potencialidade na produção de biodiesel

Receitas a serem seguidas? Mapeamento sobre o fenômeno “empreendedorismo de palco” em reportagens da web

Studies and research on respect for entrepreneurship have increased over time. However, the interest on this topic goes beyond the academic environment, appearing in the business media. Thus, it is possible to verify the phenomenon “entrepreneurship on stage”, which recently gained space in the business world. The general objective of this article is to map through reports released on the internet, on Brazilian websites, reports that have been addressed about this phenomenon. It is expected that when analyzing the content of these reports, it will be possible to obtain relevant data to encourage a discussion on the respect of this theme. The study presents a qualitative and exploratory approach. As a data analysis technique, use content analysis, under Bardin's precepts. The results presented are discussed according to the categories of analysis: definitions of stage entrepreneurship; fake promises; entrepreneurship as self-help; dream industry; focus on concrete tools. Thus, it was identified that the reporting approach is aimed at alerting readers about the widespread content of entrepreneurship, showing that there is a great motivational appeal, to the detriment of concepts and practices with theoretical-scientific basis. In this sense, it is clear that, through “entrepreneurship on stage”, ideas are misunderstood in terms of respect for entrepreneurship, as it presents “ready-made recipes” that show how suffering is, the desired goals that are achieved. It then presents an idea that the same configuration is suitable for all people and companies.Os estudos e pesquisas a respeito do empreendedorismo têm crescido ao longo do tempo. Contudo, o interesse sobre esse tema vai além do meio acadêmico, estendendo-se para a mídia de negócios. Assim, é possível verificar o surgimento do fenômeno “empreendedorismo de palco”, que recentemente tem ganhado espaço no mundo dos negócios. O objetivo geral do presente artigo é mapear, por meio de reportagens divulgadas na internet, em sites brasileiros, o que tem sido abordado sobre esse fenômeno. Espera-se que ao analisar o conteúdo dessas reportagens seja possível obter dados relevantes para fomentar uma discussão a respeito dessa temática. O estudo apresenta uma abordagem qualitativa e exploratória. Como técnica de análise dos dados, utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo, sob os preceitos de Bardin. Os resultados obtidos são apresentados e discutidos de acordo com as categorias de análise: definições sobre empreendedorismo de palco; falsas promessas; empreendedorismo como autoajuda; indústria do sonho; e foco voltado para ferramentas concretas. Assim, identificou-se que a abordagem das reportagens está voltada para um alerta aos leitores sobre o conteúdo difundido mediante o “empreendedorismo de palco”, mostrando que há um grande apelo motivacional, em detrimento de conceitos e práticas com embasamento teórico-científico. Nesse sentido, percebe-se que por intermédio do “empreendedorismo de palco” ideias equivocadas têm sido difundidas a respeito do empreendedorismo, pois este apresenta “receitas prontas” indicando que com o devido esforço os objetivos almejados são alcançados. Apresenta então, a ideia que uma mesma configuração serve para todas as pessoas e empresas