Materiais de isolamento térmico de edifícios. Para além da energia operacional

The use of thermal insulation materials for the achievement of energy efficient buildings intended, in most cases, the fulfilment of the required heating and cooling needs of the operational phase. The main goal of this paper is â by using exploratory methodology, namely literature review â identify more sustainable insulating materials and, concomitantly, exposing the paradoxical effect of other insulation materials with high Global Warming Potential (GWP) highlighting the role of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Ecodesign and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) tools for the framing, comparison and selection of materials. As a main conclusion, it is noticed the lack of environmental information from the producers which, together with acquisition prices that do not internalize Life Cycle Costs (LCC), has led to the use of insulation materials with high carbon footprint and to the "isolation paradox" as well.A utilização de materiais de isolamento térmico para a obtenção de edifícios energeticamente eficientes visa, na generalidade dos casos, a satisfação das respetivas necessidades de aquecimento e arrefecimento da fase operacional. O objetivo principal deste trabalho é o de - mediante a utilização de metodologia exploratória, nomeadamente revisão bibliográfica - identificar materiais de isolamento mais sustentáveis e, concomitantemente, expor o efeito paradoxal de outros com elevado Potencial de Aquecimento Global (GWP), destacando o papel da Avaliação de Ciclo de Vida (ACV), do Ecodesign e da Declaração Ambiental de Produto (DAP) para a conceção, comparação e seleção de materiais. Como principal conclusão, salienta-se a ausência generalizada de informação ambiental por parte dos produtores o que, a par de preços de aquisição que não internalizam Custos de Ciclo de Vida (LCC), tem conduzido à utilização de materiais com elevada pegada de carbono e ao “paradoxo do isolamento”

Polariton Lasing in a Multilevel Quantum Dot Strongly Coupled To a Single Photon Mode

We present an approximate analytic expression for the photoluminescence spectral function of a model polariton system, which describes a quantum dot, with a finite number of fermionic levels, strongly interacting with the lowest photon mode of a pillar microcavity. Energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions of the electron-hole-photon system are obtained by numerically diagonalizing the Hamiltonian. Pumping and photon losses through the cavity mirrors are described with a master equation, which is solved in order to determine the stationary density matrix. The photon first-order correlation function, from which the spectral function is found, is computed with the help of the Quantum Regression Theorem. The spectral function qualitatively describes the polariton lasing regime in the model, corresponding to pumping rates two orders of magnitude lower than those needed for ordinary (photon) lasing. The second-order coherence functions for the photon and the electron-hole subsystems are computed as functions of the pumping rate.Comment: version accepted in Phys. Rev.

Young Hispanics at risk of type 2 diabetes display endothelial activation, subclinical inflammation and alterations of coagulation and fibrinolysis

Background: Hispanics have a high rate of diabetes that exposes them to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that many of the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause atherosclerotic disease may be present in young Hispanics who do not have clinical diabetes but are at increased risk of developing it. Methods: We studied 36 young Hispanic adults without diabetes (ages 18–40). Seventeen participants were at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes given by overweight and a family history of diabetes on one or both parents (at risk group). Nineteen participants with normal body-mass index and no parental history of diabetes constituted the control group. We measured and compared plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction, disturbed coagulation and fibrinolysis, subclinical inflammation and adipose tissue dysfunction in the at risk and control groups. Results: Participants at risk of diabetes were more insulin-resistant according to different indicators, and had significantly higher levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), inhibitor of plasminogen activator-1 (PAi-1), high sensitivity C-reactive protein and free fatty acids, signaling the presence of multiple proatherogenic alterations despite the absence of overt diabetes. Levels of the prothrombotic molecule PAi-1 were most elevated in participants who were not only at risk of diabetes by the study definition, but also abdominally obese. Conclusions: Young adult Hispanics at risk of type 2 diabetes but without overt disease already bear considerably high levels of markers reflecting processes that lead to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Oxygen Abundance in the Template Halo Giant HD 122563

HD 122563 is a well-known bright (V ¼ 6:2) halo giant of low metallicity ((Fe/H ��� 2:7). We have observed HD 122563 for infrared OH lines at 1.5-1.7 lm in the H band with the NIRSPEC high-resolution spectrograph at the 10 m Keck Telescope. Optical spectra were obtained with the UVES spectrograph at the 8 m VLT UT2 telescope at ESO (Paranal) and the FEROS spectrograph at ESO (La Silla). Based on the opti- cal high-resolution data, a detailed analysis has been carried out, and data on the forbidden (O i) 6300 Aline, unblended by telluric or sky lines, was obtained with the FEROS spectrograph. Signal-to-noise ratios of 200- 400 were obtained at resolutions of 37,000 in the H band and 45,000 in the optical. For the analysis we have adopted a photometric effective temperature Teff ¼ 4600 K. Two values for the gravity were adopted: a value deduced from ionization equilibrium, log g ¼ 1:1, with corresponding metallicity (Fe/H �¼� 2:8 and micro- turbulence velocity vt ¼ 2: 0k m s � 1 ; and log g ¼ 1:5, derived from the Hipparcos parallax, implying (Fe/H �¼� 2:71 and vt ¼ 2: 0k m s � 1 . The forbidden (O i) 6300 Aand the permitted O i 7771 Alines give O/Fe ratios essentially insensitive to model parameter variations, whereas the oxygen abundances from OH lines are sensitive to gravity, giving (O/Fe �¼þ 0:9 and +0.7, respectively, for log g ¼ 1:1 and 1.5. We derive the following oxygen abundances: for model 1, (O/Fe �¼þ 0:6, +1.1, and +0.9; and for model 2, (O/Fe �¼þ 0:6, +1.1, and +0.7, based on the (O i) 6300 A ˚ ,O i 7771 A ˚ , and IR OH 1.6 lm lines, respectively. The different oxygen abundance indicators give different oxygen abundances, illustrating the problem of oxy- gen abundance derivation in metal-poor giants. This is important because the age of globular clusters and the production of Li, Be, and B from spallation of C, N, and O atoms in the early Galaxy depend on the oxygen abundance adopted for the metal-poor stars. Subject headings: stars: abundances — stars: individual (HD 122563) — stars: Population II On-line material: machine-readable tabl

Extração de Dados do Twitter para aplicação na Análise de Sentimentos

This work has as objective collect data from the social network Twitter, with the idea to make a Portuguese database to be applied in Sentiment Analysis. Besides the data extracting, a classification algorithm was created based on the emoticons found. This database will be used in future Sentiment Analysis works like the application of others kinds of classification algorithms such as machine learning algorithms

Effect of protective coatings on the water absorption and mechanical properties of 3D printed PLA

This work aims to study the influence of protective coatings on the water absorption and mechanical properties of 3D printed polyꖖlactic acid (PLA) parts. The PLA parts were fabricated with different levels of the 3D printing process parameters, aiming to define samples with distinct strength and ductility/toughness characteristics. Water absorption tests following the standard ASTM D570�98 were performed on uncoated and coated PLA specimens. The effectiveness of two protective coatings based on acrylic and polyurethane varnish on reducing water absorption was evaluated. Both protective coatings have shown being effective on preventing water absorption by the PLA, with polyurethane presenting the best performance reducing water absorption by 38%. Tensile tests were carried out to determine the ultimate tensile strength, elastic modulus, yield tensile strength, fracture strain and toughness of specimens, before and after the application of protective coatings. The polyurethane protective coating also benefits the tensile properties of PLA parts, increasing the strength and ductility/toughness characteristics of specimens up to 24%

Análise de Risco: estado da arte da metodologia Hazop generalizada, aplicações e perspectivas na indústria de processos

Introduction: The Hazard and Operability Study is considered a feasible tool to assess risks, where complex technologies, require new strategies to guarantee efficiency, safety, and quality of products. Objective: To perform a Hazop publications review, to establish the state of the art, current procedures and perspectives in the pharmaceutical industry. Method: Hazop methodology and improvements to satisfy actual needs were structured. Subsequently, its application and integration with other risk tools, and experts systems, were analyzed to define the current approach and future perspectives. Results: The review allowed the understanding where models, simulations and specialized software offered adequate support to assess risk in current complex processes. In addition, an efficient definition of causes and consequences depends of expert systems, where simulations acquire experience through the creation of databases, reducing the need of specific process knowledge, which is a typical limitation of the conventional Hazop methodology. Conclusions: A review of the Hazop stateof- the-art highlighted the importance to assess risks within the process industry. However, the use of new technologies designed to meet regulatory affairs to guarantee safety and quality principles would require the ongoing improvement of the Hazop methodology, restricting the dependence of specialists, and increasing the use of expert systems.Introducción: El Estudio de Riesgos y Operabilidad se considera una herramienta factible para evaluar los riesgos, cuando las tecnologías complejas requieren nuevas estrategias para garantizar la eficiencia, la seguridad y la calidad de los productos. Objetivo: realizar una revisión de las publicaciones de Hazop, para establecer el estado del arte, los procedimientos actuales y las perspectivas en la industria farmacéutica. Método: fue estructurada la metodología Hazop y las mejoras para satisfacer las necesidades reales. Posteriormente, se analizó su aplicación e integración con otras herramientas de riesgo y sistemas de expertos para definir el enfoque actual y las perspectivas futuras. Resultados: la revisión permitió comprender dónde los modelos, las simulaciones y el software especializado ofrecían el soporte adecuado para evaluar el riesgo en los procesos complejos actuales. Además, una definición eficiente de causas y consecuencias depende de los sistemas expertos, donde las simulaciones adquieren experiencia a través de la creación de bases de datos, lo que reduce la necesidad de un conocimiento específico del proceso, que es una limitación típica de la metodología convencional Hazop. Conclusiones: una revisión del estado del arte de Hazop resaltó la importancia de evaluar los riesgos dentro de la industria de procesos. Sin embargo, el uso de nuevas tecnologías diseñadas para cumplir con los asuntos regulatorios para garantizar los principios de seguridad y calidad requeriría la mejora continua de la metodología Hazop, restringiendo la dependencia de especialistas y aumentando el uso de sistemas expertos.Título PT: Análise de Risco: estado da arte da metodologia Hazop generalizada, aplicações e perspectivas na indústria de processos Introdução: O Estudo de Perigos e Operabilidade (Hazop) é considerado uma ferramenta para avaliação de riscos, na qual tecnologias complexas exigem novas estratégias para garantir a eficiência, a segurança e a qualidade dos produtos. Objetivo: Realizar uma revisão de publicações do Hazop, para estabelecer o estado da arte, os procedimentos e as suas perspectivas na indústria farmacêutica. Método: O procedimento Hazop e suas adequações para satisfazer as necessidades atuais foram estruturados. Posteriormente, aplicações e integração com outras ferramentas de risco e sistemas expertos foram analisadas para definir a abordagem atual e perspectivas futuras. Resultados: A revisão permitiu a compreensão de que modelos, simulações e software especializado oferecem suporte para avaliar riscos em processos complexos. Adicionalmente, a correta definição de causas e consequências depende do uso de sistemas expertos, cujas simulações adquirem experiência através da criação de bancos de dados, reduzindo a necessidade de conhecimento específico do processo, que é uma limitação da metodologia Hazop convencional. Conclusões: A revisão do estado da arte do Hazop destacou a importância de avaliar riscos dentro da indústria de processos. No entanto, novas tecnologias utilizadas para atender quesitos regulatórios de segurança e qualidade precisam da melhoria contínua da metodologia Hazop, reduzindo a dependência de especialista por meio do uso de sistemas especializados

Estrategias para la prevención de la resistencia de insectos en soja Bt: manejo de plagas en el refugio

El orden Lepidoptera agrupa la mayor cantidad de especies cuyas larvas causan daños de importancia al cultivo de soja. Entre ellas, la oruga bolillera, Helicoverpa spp, y las defoliadoras Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner, Rachiplusia nu Gueneé y Chrysodeixisincludens Walker son las que este cultivo. Cabe destacar que sus daños pueden llegar a ocasionar pérdidas del rendimiento de hasta valores cercanos al 60% en caso de no ser controladas. Para el manejo de esta problemática, desde el año 2012 se dispone de la soja Bt, representada por variedades que expresan la proteína Cry1Ac,que ofrece una protección contra lepidópteros plagas del cultivo. Entre los elementos que hacen al buen manejo de esta tecnología se resalta la implementación del refugio, entendiéndose como talun área sembrada con soja no Bt, dentro del mismo lote del cultivo Bt, que actuará como fuente de individuos susceptibles de las plagas blanco de la soja Bt. De esta forma, estos individuos, al cruzarse con los eventuales adultos resistentes (homocigotas recesivos) sobrevivientes del lote Bt, permiten restablecer en la población los alelos susceptibles removidos o eliminados por la presión de selección. Los alelos susceptibles provistos por el refugio diluyen los alelos homocigotas resistentes generándose así los individuos heterocigotas susceptibles que serán controlados por el cultivo Bt. La preservación del refugio ante los daños de orugas de lepidópteros puede realizarse a través de aplicaciones de insecticidas bajo el esquema de manejo integrado de plagas, respetando los niveles de daño económico recomendados para cada caso. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar diferentes alternativas para el manejo del complejo de orugasdefoliadoras en el refugio de la soja Bt.Fil: Casmuz, Augusto Sebastián. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Fadda, Lucas A.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Vera, Martín. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Jadur, Ary. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Díaz Arnijas, Gonzalo. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Ramos, Lara M.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Tarulli, Lucas E.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Bayos, Nicolás O.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Fernández Alvarez, Carlos F.. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Murúa, María Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres" (p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Dami, Luciana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres" (p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Herrero, María Inés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino. Provincia de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial "Obispo Colombres" (p). Instituto de Tecnología Agroindustrial del Noroeste Argentino; ArgentinaFil: Daniel, Facundo. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; ArgentinaFil: Gastaminza, Gerardo Alfredo. Gobierno de Tucumán. Ministerio de Desarrollo Productivo. Estación Experimental Agroindustrial Obispo Colombres; Argentin

The role of biological agents in the microstructural and mineralogical transformations in aluminium lateritic deposit in Central Brazil.

Petrological studies using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micromorphological analyses (Optical Microscopy and SEM), were done to understand the role of biological activity in the evolution of Barro Alto bauxite. The results indicated that this influence came through structural (or microstructural) and mineralogical transformations, namely: I ? the bioturbation caused by termites and II ? themechanical degradation and geochemical transformation promoted by roots. In the bioturbation caused by termiteswere formed: I ? a intergrainmicro-aggregate structure, characterised by gibbsite crystals from isalteritic bauxite fragmentation on the bottom of the profile and II ? a granular structure characterised by a termitic microaggregates with fragments of gibbsite immersed in a kaolinite?gibbsite?goethite?boehmite micromass, formed by bioturbation of the degradation clay with nodules of gibbsite,whose origin is the geochemistry degradation of isalteritic bauxite. The processes associatedwith geochemical andmechanical degradation caused by roots were responsible for the genesis of: I?a porphyric texture with bauxite fragments surrounded by nonaggregate material and II ? fine monic structure where the gibbsite neoformation has the mould cavities left by old roots, generating riziform features

Determinação de compostos de massa molecular alta em folhas de plantas da Amazônia

The fractIons of dichloromethane extracts of leaves from andiroba (Carapa guianensis - Meliaceae), caapi (Banisteriopsis caapi - Malpighiaceae), cocoa (Theobroma cacao - Sterculiaceae), Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa - Lecytidaceae), cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum - Sterculiaceae), marupá (Simaruba amara - Simaroubaceae) and rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis - Euphorbiaceae), were analyzed by HT-HRGC and HT-HRGC-MS. Esters of homologous series of fatty acids and long chain alcohols, phytol, amyrines and tocopherols were characterized. The characterization of the compounds was based mainly in mass spectra data and in addition by usual spectrometric data (1H and 13C NMR, IR)