RECYCLING OF WASTEPAPER INTO FUNCTIONALIZED ELECTRONIC PAPER

One of the main objectives of this work has in view a concern of our society: Sustainability. With the degradation of the planet's well-being and environmental quality, and being an in-creasingly irreversible process in recent years, it only makes sense to focus all our attention on improving sustainability and reducing electronic waste, following the vision of UN Sustainable Goals and the European Green Deal. This work is committed to the fabrication of multi-functional electronic paper (e-paper) through recycling the waste in a low-cost method, targeted to reduce the use of critical raw materials. Furthermore, the e-paper has been designed for multi-purpose smart applications such as mech-ano-responsive energy harvesters, interactive pressure sensors, or energy storage systems. This work is based on studies previously carried out at CENIMAT and CEMOP. However, this work aims at a more ecological approach, as it uses cellulose obtained from used newspapers that would have no other destination than recycling. All recycled samples and fabricated electronic devices were investigated by using chemical, electrical, and morphological characterization techniques. The successful functionalization of recycled paper (RP) showed good performance as an e-paper. The e-paper has been designed for a mechano-responsive energy harvesting device, that gener-ates current under charge transfer mechanism at PANI-Cellulose/electrode Interface layer. The manufactured devices present satisfactory results (output voltage: 17 - 20 V, output current: 0.85 - 1.6 μA, power density: 0.16 - 0.35 Wm-2) in the production of energy through mechanical impulses, managing to light up several LEDs in series. Moreover, the E-paper has been investigated as a flexible paper-based pressure sensor. The device demonstrates excellent sensitivity, fast response, and a wide working range from 10 Pa to 10 kPa.Um dos principais objetivos deste trabalho tem em vista uma preocupação da nossa sociedade: Sustentabilidade. Com a degradação do bem-estar e qualidade ambiental do planeta, e sendo um processo cada vez mais irreversível nos últimos anos, só faz sentido concentrar toda a nossa atenção na melhoria da sustentabilidade e na redução do lixo eletrônico, seguindo a visão dos Objetivos de Sustentabilidade das Nações Unidas e do Acordo Verde Europeu. Este trabalho está comprometido com a fabricação de papel eletrónico multifuncional de baixo custo através de lixo reciclado, visado em reduzir o uso de matérias-primas em estado critico. De seguida, o papel eletrónico foi projetado em diversas aplicações de multiuso inteligente como extração de energia através de resposta mecânica, sensores de pressão interativos e siste-mas de armazenamento de energia. Este trabalho tem por base estudos anteriormente desenvol-vidos no CENIMAT e CEMOP. No entanto, este trabalho visa uma abordagem mais ecológica, pois utiliza celulose obtida de jornais usados que não teriam outro destino senão a reciclagem. Todas as amostras recicladas e papel eletrónico foram investigadas através de caracterizações químicas, elétricas e morfológicas. Ao funcionalizar o papel reciclável (RP), este demonstrou boa condutividade como papel eletrónico. O papel eletrónico foi projetado em dispositivos de extração de energia através de resposta mecânica que por sua vez, geraram corrente com um mecanismo de transferência de carga num sistema PANI-celulose/elétrodo. Os dispositivos fabricados, apresentaram resultados satisfató-rios (tensão de saída: 17-20 V, corrente de saída: 0.85 -1.6 μA, densidade de potência: 0.16-0.35 Wm-2) na produção de energia através de impulsos mecânicos, conseguindo acender vários LEDs em série. Posteriormente, o papel eletrónico foi investigado como sensor de pressão flexível. O disposi-tivo demonstrou excelente sensibilidade, resposta rápida e uma larga área de trabalho entre 10 Pa e 10 kPa

Hybrid Linux System Modeling with Mixed-Level Simulation

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Electrónica Industrial e ComputadoresWe live in a world where the need for computer-based systems with better performances is growing fast, and part of these systems are embedded systems. This kind of systems are everywhere around us, and we use them everyday even without noticing. Nevertheless, there are issues related to embedded systems in what comes to real-time requirements, because the failure of such systems can be harmful to the user or its environment. For this reason, a common technique to meet real-time requirements in difficult scenarios is accelerating software applications by using parallelization techniques and dedicated hardware components. This dissertations’ goal is to adopt a methodology of hardware-software co-design aided by co-simulation, making the design flow more efficient and reliable. An isolated validation does not guarantee integral system functionality, but the use of an integrated co-simulation environment allows detecting system problems before moving to the physical implementation. In this dissertation, an integrated co-simulation environment will be developed, using the Quick EMUlator (QEMU) as a tool for emulating embedded software platforms in a Linux-based environment. A SystemVerilog Direct Programming Interface (DPI) Library was developed in order to allow SystemVerilog simulators that support DPI to perform co-simulation with QEMU. A library for DLL blocks was also developed in order to allow PSIMR to communicate with QEMU. Together with QEMU, these libraries open up the possibility to co-simulate several parts of a system that includes power electronics and hardware acceleration together with an emulated embedded platform. In order to validate the functionality of the developed co-simulation environment, a demonstration application scenario was developed following a design flow that takes advantage of the mentioned simulation environment capabilities.Vivemos num mundo em que a procura por sistemas computer-based com desempenhos cada vez melhores domina o mercado. Estamos rodeados por este tipo de sistemas, usando-os todos os dias sem nos apercebermos disso, sendo grande parte deles sistemas embebidos. Ainda assim, existem problemas relacionados com os sistemas embebidos no que toca aos requisitos de tempo-real, porque uma falha destes sistemas pode ser perigosa para o utilizador ou o ambiente que o rodeia. Devido a isto, uma técnica comum para se conseguir cumprir os requisitos de tempo-real em aplicações críticas é a aceleração de aplicações de software, utilizando técnicas de paralelização e o uso de componentes de hardware dedicados. O objetivo desta dissertação é adotar uma metodologia de co-design de hardwaresoftware apoiada em co-simulação, tornando o design flow mais eficiente e fiável. Uma validação isolada não garante a funcionalidade do sistema completo, mas a utilização de um ambiente de co-simulação permite detetar problemas no sistema antes deste ser implementado na plataforma alvo. Nesta dissertação será desenvolvido um ambiente de co-simulação usando o QEMU como emulador para as plataformas de software "embebido" baseadas em Linux. Uma biblioteca para SystemVerilog DPI foi desenvolvida, que permite a co-simulação entre o QEMU e simuladores de Register-Transfer Level (RTL) que suportem SystemVerilog. Foi também desenvolvida uma biblioteca para os blocos Dynamic Link Library (DLL) do PSIMR , de modo a permitir a ligação ao QEMU. Em conjunto, as bibliotecas desenvolvidas permitem a co-simulação de diversas partes do sistema, nomeadamente do hardware de eletrónica de potência e dos aceleradores de hardware, juntamente com a plataforma embebida emulada no QEMU.Para validar as funcionalidades do ambiente de co-simulação desenvolvido, foi explorado um cenário de aplicação que tem por base esse mesmo ambiente

The Verification of Temporal KBS: SPARSE - A Case Study in Power Systems

In this paper we present VERITAS, a tool that focus time maintenance, that is one of the most important processes in the engineering of the time during the development of KBS. The verification and validation (V&V) process is part of a wider process denominated knowledge maintenance, in which an enterprise systematically gathers, organizes, shares, and analyzes knowledge to accomplish its goals and mission. The V&V process states if the software requirements specifications have been correctly and completely fulfilled. The methodologies proposed in software engineering have showed to be inadequate for Knowledge Based Systems (KBS) validation and verification, since KBS present some particular characteristics. VERITAS is an automatic tool developed for KBS verification which is able to detect a large number of knowledge anomalies. It addresses many relevant aspects considered in real applications, like the usage of rule triggering selection mechanisms and temporal reasoning

O papel da farmacoterapia na modificação do estado neurológico de traumatizados vértebro‐medulares

ResumoO objetivo deste trabalho foi fazer uma revisão da literatura sobre a terapia farmacológica para a modificação do estado neurológico de traumatizados vértebro‐medulares. Foi feita uma na base de dados Pubmed por artigos com os termos “spinal cord injury AND methylprednisolone/GM1/apoptosis inhibitor/calpain inhibitor/naloxone/tempol/tirilazad”, em português ou em inglês, publicados nos últimos cinco anos. Trabalhos mais antigos foram incluídos pela sua importância histórica. Os grupos farmacológicos foram divididos em função da sua capacidade para interferir nos mecanismos fisiopatológicos da lesão secundária. O uso de metilprednisolona deve ser cuidadosamente ponderado. Outros anti‐inflamatórios mostraram benefícios em humanos ou em animais. O GM1 não aparenta ter maior eficácia do que a MP, mas estudos em mais longo prazo são necessários. Muitos inibidores da apoptose têm mostrado benefício em estudos in vitro ou em animais. A naloxona não deu mostras de benefício. O tempol inibe as principais consequências da oxidação no nível da medula e outros fármacos antioxidantes aparentam ter um efeito superior ao da metilprednisolona. É urgente encontrar novos tratamentos que melhorem o estado neurológico dos traumatizados vértebro‐medulares. Os benefícios do tratamento com metilprednisolona têm sido questionados, há preocupações em relação à sua segurança. Outros fármacos têm sido estudados, podem alguns deles ser opções promissoras. Estudos adicionais são necessários para tirar conclusões sobre o benefício desses agentes na prática clínica.AbstractThe aim here was to conduct a review of the literature on pharmacological therapies for modifying the neurological status of patients with spinal cord injuries. The PubMed database was searched for articles with the terms «spinal cord injury AND methylprednisolone / GM1 / apoptosis inhibitor / calpain inhibitor / naloxone / tempol / tirilazad», in Portuguese or in English, published over the last five years. Older studies were included because of their historical importance. The pharmacological groups were divided according to their capacity to interfere with the physiopathological mechanisms of secondary injuries. Use of methylprednisolone needs to be carefully weighed up: other anti‐inflammatory agents have shown benefits in humans or in animals. GM1 does not seem to have greater efficacy than methylprednisolone, but longer‐term studies are needed. Many inhibitors of apoptosis have shown benefits in in vitro studies or in animals. Naloxone has not shown benefits. Tempol inhibits the main consequences of oxidation at the level of the spinal cord and other antioxidant drugs seem to have an effect superior to that of methylprednisolone. There is an urgent need to find new treatments that improve the neurological status of patients with spinal cord injuries. The benefits from treatment with methylprednisolone have been questioned, with concerns regarding its safety. Other drugs have been studied, and some of these may provide promising alternatives. Additional studies are needed in order to reach conclusions regarding the benefits of these agents in clinical practice

Distribution system operation supported by contextual energy resource management based on intelligent SCADA

Future distribution systems will have to deal with an intensive penetration of distributed energy resources ensuring reliable and secure operation according to the smart grid paradigm. SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) is an essential infrastructure for this evolution. This paper proposes a new conceptual design of an intelligent SCADA with a decentralized, flexible, and intelligent approach, adaptive to the context (context awareness). This SCADA model is used to support the energy resource management undertaken by a distribution network operator (DNO). Resource management considers all the involved costs, power flows, and electricity prices, allowing the use of network reconfiguration and load curtailment. Locational Marginal Prices (LMP) are evaluated and used in specific situations to apply Demand Response (DR) programs on a global or a local basis. The paper includes a case study using a 114 bus distribution network and load demand based on real data

Structure and Composition of Rhodolith Beds from the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin (NE Brazil, Southwestern Atlantic)

This study was funded by the CoordenacAo de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES-Finance Code 001) and FundacAo de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro- Jovem Cientista do Nosso Estado (FAPERJ/JCNE-Fellow to Leonardo T. Salgado).Rhodolith beds are biogenic benthic habitats mainly formed by unattached, non-geniculate coralline algae, which can be inhabited by many associated species. The Brazilian continental shelf encompasses the largest continuous rhodolith bed in the world. This study was based on samples obtained from seven sites and videos taken by a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) at four transects off the Sergipe-Alagoas Coast on the northeast Brazilian shelf. ROV operations and bottom trawl sampling revealed the occurrence of rhodolith beds between 25 and 54 m depths. At the shallower depths, fruticose (branching) rhodoliths (maërl) appear in troughs of ripples, and other non-branching rhodoliths occur associated with corals and sponge patches surrounded by bioclastic sand. Rhodoliths also occur in patches from 30 to 39 m depth; some are fused, forming larger, complex tridimensional structures. At deeper depths, from 40 to 54 m, the abundance of rhodoliths increases and occur associated with fleshy macroalgae on a smooth seafloor; some rhodoliths are fused into complex structures, locally some are fruticose (maërl), and others are partially buried by fine-grained sediment. The collected rhodoliths vary from fruticose in two sites to encrusting to lumpy, concentric and boxwork nodules in the rest; their size ranges from small (<1.5 cm) to large (~6 cm) and are mostly sub-spheroidal to spheroidal. A total of 16 red algal morpho-taxa were identified in the study sites. Two phases of growth can be distinguished in some rhodoliths by changes in color. The brownish inner cores yielded ages of 1600–1850 cal years before the present, whereas outer layers were much younger (180–50 years BP old). Growth layers appeared to have been separated by a long period of burial in the seafloor sediment. Other rhodoliths have ages of hundreds of years.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) 001Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro-Jovem Cientista do Nosso Estado (FAPERJ/JCNE

Halogenated Compounds from Marine Algae

Marine algae produce a cocktail of halogenated metabolites with potential commercial value. Structures exhibited by these compounds go from acyclic entities with a linear chain to complex polycyclic molecules. Their medical and pharmaceutical application has been investigated for a few decades, however other properties, such as antifouling, are not to be discarded. Many compounds were discovered in the last years, although the need for new drugs keeps this field open as many algal species are poorly screened. The ecological role of marine algal halogenated metabolites has somehow been overlooked. This new research field will provide valuable and novel insight into the marine ecosystem dynamics as well as a new approach to comprehending biodiversity. Furthermore, understanding interactions between halogenated compound production by algae and the environment, including anthropogenic or global climate changes, is a challenging target for the coming years. Research of halogenated metabolites has been more focused on macroalgae than on phytoplankton. However, phytoplankton could be a very promising material since it is the base of the marine food chain with quick adaptation to environmental changes, which undoubtedly has consequences on secondary metabolism. This paper reviews recent progress on this field and presents trends on the role of marine algae as producers of halogenated compounds

A probabilistic methodology for distributed generation location in isolated electrical service area

Distributed generation unlike centralized electrical generation aims to generate electrical energy on small scale as near as possible to load centers, interchanging electric power with the network. This work presents a probabilistic methodology conceived to assist the electric system planning engineers in the selection of the distributed generation location, taking into account the hourly load changes or the daily load cycle. The hourly load centers, for each of the different hourly load scenarios, are calculated deterministically. These location points, properly weighted according to their load magnitude, are used to calculate the best fit probability distribution. This distribution is used to determine the maximum likelihood perimeter of the area where each source distributed generation point should preferably be located by the planning engineers. This takes into account, for example, the availability and the cost of the land lots, which are factors of special relevance in urban areas, as well as several obstacles important for the final selection of the candidates of the distributed generation points. The proposed methodology has been applied to a real case, assuming three different bivariate probability distributions: the Gaussian distribution, a bivariate version of Freund’s exponential distribution and the Weibull probability distribution. The methodology algorithm has been programmed in MATLAB. Results are presented and discussed for the application of the methodology to a realistic case and demonstrate the ability of the proposed methodology for efficiently handling the determination of the best location of the distributed generation and their corresponding distribution networks

'Missing adenocarcinomas': are they a real problem in cervical cancer screening in Brazil?

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