Overcoming barriers to manufacturing digitalization:Policies across EU countries

The digital transformation of manufacturing activities is expected to bring large societal benefits in terms of productivity and sustainability. However, uptake of digital technologies is slower than desirable. As a result, governments are taking action to try to overcome some of the barriers to adoption. However, the mechanisms through which government may act are quite diverse. In this paper, we compare the national strategies across the 27 countries members of the European Union. We map each country's initiative to 14 barriers to the adoption of digital technologies in manufacturing observed in the literature. We observe that most institutional efforts focus on providing funding, developing new regulatory frameworks related to data privacy and security, and creating human capital. Some known barriers to adoption observed at the firm level, such as the lack of off-the-shelf solutions, or the need for retrofitting old equipment, are largely overlooked. We do not find any relationship between the number of initiatives proposed by each country, and the country's existing level of digitalization. We conclude by proposing several policy recommendations, as well as directions for future research

Identification of ancient gilding technology and Late Bronze Age metallurgy by EDXRF, Micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS and metallographic techniques

A combination of analytical techniques capable of elemental and microstructural characterisation was used for the identification of ancient gilding technology and bronze metallurgy. EDXRF, micro-EDXRF, SEM-EDS analysis and metallographic examinations were applied in the study of artefacts dating to the end of the second millennium BC from Crasto de São Romão in Central Portugal. Results report to the finding of an exceptional gilded copper nail among bronze artefacts with 9 wt.% to15 wt.% tin and minute other metallic impurities. Additionally, analysis of a crucible fragment points out for bronze production at the archaeological site. EDXRF and micro-EDXRF analysis made on the copper nail showed that it was gilded only on the front side of the head, and that the gold layer has been lost in the most exposed areas. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the gold layer has 5–8 μm in thickness and is covered with a thick corrosion layer. The gilding technique is discussed based on the gold layer composition and gold/copper substrate interface. So far, this object seems to be the first diffusion gilded artefact identified in the Portuguese territory dated to Late Bronze Age

Tipos polinicos presentes no corpo de abelhas em assentamentos agrosilvipastoris do Município de Parauapebas e Nova Ipixuna, Pará.

Organizado por Daiana Rockenbach Boardman

Curcumin-loaded polymeric and lipid nanocapsules: preparation, characterization and chemical stability evaluation

Polymeric and lipid nanocapsules suspensions of the natural compound curcumin were prepared in order to overcome limitations associated with its clinical applications, such as poor aqueous solubility and susceptibility to hydrolytic and photochemical degradation. Nanocapsule suspensions were prepared by nanoprecipitation and phase inversion methods, respectively. The curcumin formulations were investigated for physicochemical characteristics and in vitro drug release. The hydrolytic and photochemical degradation of the drug associated with the nanocarriers was also determined. For all formulations, the entrapment efficiency values were higher than 99 %. The aqueous colloidal suspensions of curcumin resulted in an increase in drug concentration by a factor of up to 46.103 times. Moreover, stability studies indicated that nanoencapsulation slows down the hydrolytic and photochemical degradations of curcumin. The strategy of nanoencapsulation into polymeric and lipid nanocapsules produced a formulation of curcumin with high drug loading and improved stability, representing a good strategy for the delivery of this drug.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Radiação Solar Total Dentro E Fora De Floresta Tropical Úmida De Terra Firme (Tucuruí, Pará)

Measurements of global solar radiation within and outside the tropical forest were made on 7th november 1986 in the area of the Tucurui, Para. The intensities of solar radiation at 3 sensors distributed randomly on the forest floor and one sensor located in an open area (standar sensor) are avaluated and intercompared. The average solar radiation which reachead the forest was 4.7% of the incident radiation over an open area. The diferences among the measurements of sensors and the etandar eeneorwae atributed to heterogeneous spatial distribution of sunlight penetration into the forest floor.Medidas de radiação solar global foram executadas dentro e fora de mata tropical úmida de terra firme durante o dia 07 de novembro de 1986, em Tucuruí, Pará. As intensidades de radiação solar incidentes em 3 sensores instalados aleatoriamente no chão da floresta e um sensor localizado em área aberta (sensor padrão) são avaliadas e intercomparadas. A radiação média que atinge o chão da floreeta foi 4.7% da radiação incidente em área aberta adjacente à floresta. As diferenças entre as medidas dos sensores da mata e o padrão pode ser atribuída à distribuição espacial heterogênea da radiação solar que alcança o chão da floresta

Curcumin-loaded polymeric and lipid nanocapsules: preparation, characterization and chemical stability evaluation

Polymeric and lipid nanocapsules suspensions of the natural compound curcumin were prepared in order to overcome limitations associated with its clinical applications, such as poor aqueous solubility and susceptibility to hydrolytic and photochemical degradation. Nanocapsule suspensions were prepared by nanoprecipitation and phase inversion methods, respectively. The curcumin formulations were investigated for physicochemical characteristics and in vitro drug release. The hydrolytic and photochemical degradation of the drug associated with the nanocarriers was also determined. For all formulations, the entrapment efficiency values were higher than 99 %. The aqueous colloidal suspensions of curcumin resulted in an increase in drug concentration by a factor of up to 46.103 times. Moreover, stability studies indicated that nanoencapsulation slows down the hydrolytic and photochemical degradations of curcumin. The strategy of nanoencapsulation into polymeric and lipid nanocapsules produced a formulation of curcumin with high drug loading and improved stability, representing a good strategy for the delivery of this drug.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Impacto ecológico em Tucuruí (PA): Climatologia

In this work, the climatic pattenn of the UHE Tucuruí - Regiοn is shown, for the period of december/1982 to december/1986. The seasonal patterns of temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity (2 m height) precipitation, intensity of solar radiation and the ratio of sunshine hours are presented. Penman-Monteith's method is used to determine the potential evapotrasnpiration if that region. As a result daily evapotranspiration avenage is higher than in the literature, because assumed the saturation of the surface for all months that antecipate the formation of the reservoir.", 'enNeste trabalho, mostra-se o comportamento climático da região da UHE de Tucuruí, durante o período de Dezembro de 1982 a Dezembro de 1986. São apresentados os padrões sazonais de temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, regime de velocidade de vento (a 2 metros), distribuição da precipitação local, fluxo de radiação solar e razão de insolação. Aplica-se a formulação de Penman-Monteith para a evapotranspiração potencial (EP) na região. Como resultados, encontra-se uma evapotranspiração média diária maior à encontrada na literatura, pois assumiu-se condições de saturação da superfície para todos meses antecedentes da formação do lago

Use of complementary medicine among patients with allergic rhinitis: an Italian nationwide survey.

Background: A growing use of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) has been found in Europe as well in Italy for chronic diseases, including the allergic rhinitis. The study aims at investigating the prevalence and the pattern of use of CAM amongst patient with allergic rhinitis. Methods: A 12-item questionnaire was developed by a panel of experts and administered to patients with moderate/severe allergic rhinitis consecutively referring during the study time-frame to seven allergy clinics placed all around Italy. The items covered several topics including reason for choosing CAM, its clinical efficacy, schedule of treatment, costs, type of therapy. Results: Overall 359 questionnaires were analysed. 20% of patients declared CAM use. A significant correlation between the use of CAM and female sex (p\u2009<\u20090.01) and with a higher level of education (p\u2009<\u20090.01) was observed. CAM users were adults (36% in the range between 20 and 40 years and 32% between 41 and 60 years). Youngsters (<\u200920 years) (7%) and elderly (>\u200960) (25%) less frequently used CAM.The most used type of CAM was homoeopathy (77% of patients). 60% of users would recommend CAM despite a poor clinical efficacy according to 67% of them. Conclusions: Although no evidence supports CAM efficacy and safety, the number of patients who relies on it is not negligible. As allergic rhinitis is not a trivial disease, the use of CAM as the only treatment for it should be discouraged at any level, but by general practitioner and specialist in particular

Mountain Quest - jogo de tabuleiro

Na sociedade contemporânea as pessoas que praticam atividades ao ar livre buscam o contato direto com a Natureza, visando distanciarem-se da vida atribulada das metrópoles e, nestas práticas podem ocorrer momentos indesejados decorrentes das condições climáticas adversas que impossibilitam o avanço da atividade. Nos momentos de ócio, de descanso noturno e de paradas programadas os aventureiros, escoteiros, campistas, turistas, excursionistas, praticantes ocasionais e montanhistas de todas as idades e gênero buscam passatempos que ajudam o passar das horas e situações capazes de criar boas oportunidades de entretenimento. Desta forma, foi desenvolvido um jogo de tabuleiro, que apresenta como principais requisitos: leveza, compacidade, praticidade, facilidade de manuseio, ludicidade, resistência à água e demais fatores ambientais, considerando os aspectos sensórios-formais, ergonômicos, técnicos, espaço arquiteturais, de sustentabilidade e mercadológico