Estudo da eficiência de reforços estruturais em vigas de concreto armado com o uso de chapas de aço coladas com resina epóxi: uma análise qualitativa

In civil engineering, a structure is the whole sustainment of a construction and, thus, it is important that it remains intact throughout its lifetime. An engineering construction must last for decades without losing its functionality. However its purpose may be altered and several times the original structure does not meet the new needs of use. Still, in new buildings, the functionality is altered due to possible flaws in execution and the structure, invariably does not reach the desired solicitation needs. In cases like this, the commonly adopted solutions are, basically, the demolishment followed by the reconstruction of the desired mold or the structural reinforcement. This second option, for long years, has not been put to practice due to certain factors such as the high costs for its implantation, use of inadequate reinforcement execution techniques, and the culture of people involved in the area regarding its use and, in this case, the option would always be the reconstruction. Thoughtout the years, some techniques were developed to allow the execution of structural reinforcements with low costs and in efficient ways. An interesting, fast, efficient and economical technique is the structural reinforcement through metal sheets put together with epoxy resin that can be applied in beams, slabs and pillars. In the present work the different behavior of beams reinforced with this technique. Steel is a very recommended material for these reinforcements due to its characteristics related to traction, compression and the effectiveness of the technique related to its cost. For the attachment the epoxy resin is recommended, since it allows the joining of two materials, in this case, steel and concrete. The efficiency of this union is so considerably high that it rarely produces any flaws in adherence and, normally, when it happens it is due to problems in the execution process, not in the union of materials

Chitosan-collagen scaffolds can regulate the biological activities of adipose mesenchymal stem cells for tissue engineering

Scaffolds of chitosan and collagen can offer a biological niche for the growth of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC). The objective of this work was to characterize the physico-chemical properties of the scaffolds and the ADSC, as well as their interactions to direct influences of the scaffolds on the behavior of ADSC. The methodology included an enzymatic treatment of fat obtained by liposuction by collagenase, ASDC immunophenotyping, cell growth kinetics, biocompatibility studies of the scaffolds analyzed by the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP), nitric oxide (NO) determination by the Griess-Saltzman reaction, and images of both optical and scanning electron microscopy of the matrices. The extent of the crosslinking of genipin and glutaraldehyde was evaluated by ninhydrin assays, solubility tests and degradation of the matrices. The results showed that the matrices are biocompatible, exhibit physical and chemical properties needed to house cells in vivo and are strong stimulators of signaling proteins (AP) and other molecules (NO) which are important in tissue healing. Therefore, the matrices provide a biological niche for ADSC adhesion, proliferation and cells activities.

Interdisciplinary project applied to engineering education: construction of a miniature ceramic industry

The greatest challenge of undergraduate engineering courses is to encourage creativity, cooperation with other students, teamwork, and motivation in the first years of their courses. While students have little or no contact with advanced disciplines, it is very difficult to attract their interests and encourage them to develop the skills in their undergraduate courses. This work aims to achieve these objectives through a mini-factory project involving the construction of a production line of ceramic tiles on a laboratory scale, from the ceramic processing using raw materials to the shipping of the final product. Having been given an established monthly demand for ceramic tiles, the students determined the construction requirements of the mini-factory, as they have created the layout, including the processing equipment, the dimensioning of equipment, and its operational structure. This article intends to describe the successful creation of the ceramic tile mini-factory, including the objectives, benefits, and inherent difficulties of the process and the receptivity of the exercise by the students involved.

Notes on competencies in engineering education

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Surface engineering of silica nanoparticles for oral insulin delivery: characterization and cell toxicity studies

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Homogenous demineralized dentin matrix and platelet-rich plasma for bone tissue engineering in cranioplasty of diabetic rabbits: biochemical, radiographic, and histological analysis

This study evaluated the effects of homogenous demineralized dentin matrix (HDDM) slices and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in surgical defects created in the parietal bones of alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits, treated with a guided bone regeneration technique. Biochemical, radiographic, and histological analyses were performed. Sixty adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups of 12: normoglycaemic (control, C), diabetic (D), diabetic with a PTFE membrane (DM), diabetic with a PTFE membrane and HDDM slices (DM-HDDM), and diabetic with PTFE membrane and PRP (DM-PRP). The quantity and quality of bone mass was greatest in the DM-HDDM group (respective radiographic and histological analyses: at 15 days, 71.70±16.50 and 50.80±1.52; 30 days, 62.73±16.51 and 54.20±1.23; 60 days, 63.03±11.04 and 59.91±3.32; 90 days, 103.60±24.86 and 78.99±1.34), followed by the DM-PRP group (respective radiographic and histological analyses: at 15 days 23.00±2.74 and 20.66±7.45; 30 days 31.92±6.06 and 25.31±5.59; 60 days 25.29±16.30 and 46.73±2.07; 90 days 38.10±14.04 and 53.38±9.20). PRP greatly enhanced vascularization during the bone repair process. Abnormal calcium metabolism was statistically significant in the DM-PRP group (P<0.001) for all four time intervals studied, especially when compared to the DM-HDDM group. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly higher in the DM-HDDM group (P<0.001) in comparison to the C, D, and DM-PRP groups, confirming the findings of intense osteoblastic activity and increased bone mineralization. Thus, HDDM promoted superior bone architectural microstructure in bone defects in diabetic rabbits due to its effective osteoinductive and osteoconductive activity, whereas PRP stimulated angiogenesis and red bone marrow formation.

Profile of the production engineer student at a school of engineering in Brazil: academic and professional trajectories and tendencies

The objective of this paper is to introduce a study on the academic trajectory and professional profile of production engineers who graduated in a traditional and renowned Brazilian University (School of Engineering at Bauru – FEB). The study was conducted with the first three classes of undergraduates in the production engineering program at FEB/UNESP. A 50% response rate was obtained and with the data collected it was possible to characterize the professional profile of the students and outline their academic trajectory. According to the sample, the main result is that the curricular grid is the main criterion of similarity in student education, thus, the focus on program improvements should focus on the curricular grid. Tendencies are also pointed out to guide the search for improvements in the academic trajectory of production engineering students.

Greening of the essential activities of an Engineering School: a case study in the Area/Department of Production Engineering

This article analyzes the inclusion of the issue of “environmental management” in the department of Production Engineering of the “Alfa” School of Engineering. For this, a case study was conducted at the School of "Alpha" Engineering, with a focus on the area of Production Engineering. Professors were interviewed; documents were reviewed as well as information collected from direct observations by of one of the authors of this article. It was observed that the department of Production Engineering at the Alpha School of Engineering has been developing activities covering all those aspects proposed by Jabbour [8]. "Environmental management" has been included in the curriculums of: (a) Teaching: in the creation of undergraduate courses (obligatory) and graduate Master's degree (optional), (b) Research: formalization of research groups in environmental management for the creation of master’s post graduation research, formalization of environmental management as one of the subjects that should be chosen by candidates for a Professorship in the area of production engineering; (c) Extension: Course in Environmental Management, Symposium (which in recent years has been focusing on environmental issues), creation of sustainability indicators for universities, (d) University Management: initiatives to raise awareness, distribution of reusable mugs and installation of special bins for selective collection in the Campus.

Barriers to green buildings at two Brazilian engineering schools

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)