Controle de posição de uma plataforma plana para captação de radiação solar

This study aims at the design, development and performance evaluation of a flat platform to capture incident solar radiation. The design and implementation of a fuzzy system for the efficient control of the solar tracking movement of the platform are also presented

Construção e análise de desempenho de um fogão solar à concentração utilizando dois focos para cozimento direto

A model of a solar oven with a reflective surface composed of two mirror segments is presented, constituting a two semi-parabolic surfaces made of fiberglass, applied on a ceramic mold, intended to be used in residential and commercial cooking. The reflective surface of the semi-parable is obtained with the use of multiple plain segments of 2 mm wide mirrors. The semi-parabolic structure has visible movements that are comparable to that of the sun. The technical details of the manufacturing and assembling processes will be presented with an analysis of the viability of thermal, economic, and materials of such prototype. This prototype has important social implications and primordial aspects, which combats the ecological damages caused by the wide-scale use of firewood during cooking. It has been demonstrated that the solar oven has the capacity to cook simultaneous two meals distinct for a family of four

Incorporação de cinzas da casca de café na produção de placas cerâmicas para revestimento

Brazil is the world s leading coffee producer. In 2008, 45.99 million of 60 kg bags of benefited coffee were produced. In the process of improvement 50% is grain and 50% is husk, thus, 1.38 million tons of coffee husk are produced annually. The husk is used as combustible in the drying and improvement ovens in the coffee farms, generating ash as residue. These ashes contain a high concentration of alkaline metals and earth metals, mainly K2O and CaO. This work studies the use of this residue in the ceramic tiles industry, as fluxing agents in substitution to the feldspar. Ten mixtures with equal ratios of clay and kaolin, proceeding from Bahia and the residue (varying from 30 to 5%) were defined and produced in uniaxial tool die of 60x20mm with approximately 5 mm of thickness and 45MPa compacting pressure. The samples were fired in four different temperatures: 1100 °C, 1150 °C, 1185 °C and 1200 °C during 60 minutes and characterized by means of X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, gravimetric thermal analysis and differential thermal analysis. The results of water absorption, apparent porosity, linear shrinkage, XRD, dilatometry, flexural strength and SEM were also analysed. The test specimen with addition of 10% of ash fired in 1200 °C resulted in 0.18% water absorption and 40.77 MPa flexural strength, being classified as porcelain stoneware tiles according to ABNT, UNI and ISO norms

Estudo do Cultivo de dois clones de Escherichia coli recombinantes (eIF, LACK) para a Expressão de Antígenos da Leishmania chagasi

With advent of the technology of the recombinant DNA, the recombinant protein expression becomes an important tool in the studies of the structure, function and identification of new proteins, mainly with therapeutical purposes. The Escherichia coli has been procarioto predominant in the studies of genetic engineering due to wealth of information regarding its metabolism. Despite the expressivo advance of the studies of molecular biology and the immunology of the infections, it does not exist, currently, no prophylactic drug capable to prevent calazar. Of this form, it exists a great necessity of specific antigen identification for the vaccine development and kits for disgnostic against the visceral Leishmaniose. In this context, this work objectified to study the recombinant antigen expression of the Leishmania chagasi during the culture of Escherichia coli in shaker. A first set of assays was carried through with the objective of if knowing the kinetic behavior of the growth of two clones recombinant proteins (eIF, LACK) in two different compositions of culture medium (2xTY, TB) supplemented by antibiotics, without IPTG addition. In the second stage of the assays, the procedure of induction for IPTG was carried through, in order to verify the influence of the composition of the ways tested in the expression them recombinant proteins. On the basis of the gotten results, can be observed that the high complexity of culture medium favored the kinetic one of growth of clones recombinant (eIF, LACK), however, to if to deal with the assays submitted to the procedure of induction for IPTG, the raised complexity of culture medium did not favor the expression of recombinant proteins. On the other hand, they had been gotten resulted positive for all clones recombinant (eIF, LACK) tested, confirmed through the eletroforético profile

Extração do óleo e caracterização dos resíduos da borra de petróleo para fins de reuso

The petroleum industry, in consequence of an intense activity of exploration and production, is responsible by great part of the generation of residues, which are considered toxic and pollutants to the environment. Among these, the oil sludge is found produced during the production, transportation and refine phases. This work had the purpose to develop a process to recovery the oil present in oil sludge, in order to use the recovered oil as fuel or return it to the refining plant. From the preliminary tests, were identified the most important independent variables, like: temperature, contact time, solvents and acid volumes. Initially, a series of parameters to characterize the oil sludge was determined to characterize its. A special extractor was projected to work with oily waste. Two experimental designs were applied: fractional factorial and Doehlert. The tests were carried out in batch process to the conditions of the experimental designs applied. The efficiency obtained in the oil extraction process was 70%, in average. Oil sludge is composed of 36,2% of oil, 16,8% of ash, 40% of water and 7% of volatile constituents. However, the statistical analysis showed that the quadratic model was not well fitted to the process with a relative low determination coefficient (60,6%). This occurred due to the complexity of the oil sludge. To obtain a model able to represent the experiments, the mathematical model was used, the so called artificial neural networks (RNA), which was generated, initially, with 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 neurons in the hidden layer, 64 experimental results and 10000 presentations (interactions). Lesser dispersions were verified between the experimental and calculated values using 4 neurons, regarding the proportion of experimental points and estimated parameters. The analysis of the average deviations of the test divided by the respective training showed up that 2150 presentations resulted in the best value parameters. For the new model, the determination coefficient was 87,5%, which is quite satisfactory for the studied system

Estudo da influência de pré-tratamentos de dois resíduos lignocelulósicos (bagaço do pedúnculo de caju e casca de coco) utilizados como substrato na indução à síntese de enzimas celulolíticas

Nowadays generation ethanol second, that t is obtained from fermentation of sugars of hydrolyses of cellulose, is gaining attention worldwide as a viable alternative to petroleum mainly for being a renewable resource. The increase of first generation ethanol production i.e. that obtained from sugar-cane molasses could lead to a reduction of lands sustainable for crops and food production. However, second generation ethanol needs technologic pathway for reduce the bottlenecks as production of enzymes to hydrolysis the cellulose to glucose i.e. the cellulases as well as the development of efficient biomass pretreatment and of low-cost. In this work Trichoderma reesei ATCC 2768 was cultivated under submerged fermentation to produce cellulases using as substrates waste of lignocellulosic material such as cashew apple bagasse as well as coconut bagasse with and without pretreatment. For pretreatment the bagasses were treated with 1 M NaOH and by explosion at high pressure. Enzyme production was carried out in shaker (temperature of 27ºC, 150 rpm and initial medium pH of 4.8). Results showed that T.reesei ATCC 2768 showed the higher cellulase production when the cashew apple bagasse was treated with 1M NaOH (2.160 UI/mL of CMCase and 0.215 UI/mL of FPase), in which the conversion of cellulose, in terms of total reducing sugars, was of 98.38%, when compared to pretreatment by explosion at high pressure (0.853 UI/mL of CMCase and 0.172 UI/mL of Fpase) showing a conversion of 47.39% of total reducing sugars. Cellulase production is lower for the medium containing coconut bagasse treated with 1M NaOH (0.480 UI/mL of CMcase and 0.073 UI/mL of FPase), giving a conversion of 49.5% in terms of total reducing sugars. Cashew apple bagasse without pretreatment showed cellulase activities lower (0.535 UI/mL of CMCase and 0,152 UI/mL of FPase) then pretreated bagasse while the coconut bagasse without pretreatment did not show any enzymatic activity. Maximum cell concentration was obtained using cashew nut bagasse as well as coconut shell bagasse treated with 1M NaOH, with 2.92 g/L and 1.97 g/L, respectively. These were higher than for the experiments in which the substrates were treated by explosion at high pressure, 1.93 g/L and 1.17 g/L. Cashew apple is a potential inducer for cellulolytic enzymes synthysis showing better results than coconut bagasse. Pretreatment improves the process for the cellulolytic enzyme production

Caracterização físico-química, reológica e sensorial de iogurte obtido pela mistura dos leites bubalino e caprino

Milk from different animals can be used for dairy production. Yoghurt is a popular fermented milk product and considered to be one of the greatest importance in terms of consumer acceptance and consumption. The present research deals with the production of strawberry set-type yoghurt by mixing goat and buffalo s milk and it has the objective of taking advantage of the intrinsic characteristics of each milk to produce a final product with desirable attributes. It was conducted by analyzing five experimental groups with different proportions of goat and buffalo s milk: C 100% goat s milk; 7C3B - 70% goat s milk and 30% buffalo s milk, 5C5B - 50% goat s milk and 50% buffalo s milk, 3C7B 30% goat s milk and 70% buffalo s milk; B - 100% buffalo s milk. Each group was evaluated for total solids content and the acidification profile was monitored every 30 minutes by pH analysis. The yoghurt samples were analyzed for physical-chemical (pH, acidity, protein, fat, total and reducing sugars, ash and total solids), rheological (syneresis and viscosity) and sensory characteristics (appearance, odor, consistency and flavour). Samples with higher percentual of bubaline milk reached Vm faster, but the time necessary for pH 4.6 (Te) were similar between groups. Statistical differences (p<0.05) were observed for fat and total solids content of yoghurt, with superior values for groups higher proportions of buffalo s milk. The parameters of behavior reached by the model of Ostwald of Waale pointed yoghurt samples as non-Newtonian and pseudoplastic fluids. Yoghurt made only with goat s milk (C) had higher values (p<0.05) for syneresis, which can be explained by its fragile coagulum. Additionally, this group also had the lowest sensory scores for the attributes consistence and taste, while bubaline yoghurt (B) obtained the best acceptance indexes for all of the appraised parameters

Avaliação de dois clones de Escherichia coli recombinante quanto ao crescimento e expressão de antígenos de Leishmania chagasi (kmp11 e P36)

Visceral leishmaniosis caused by Leishmania chagasi, also known as calazar, presented, in the period from 1990 to 2005, tax of incidence in Brazil varying between 1 and 3 cases for 100 000 inhabitants. The Northeast region that up to the year of 2000 contributed with almost 90% of the registered cases is reducing his participation in the current decade, reaching 56% in 2005. Conventional leishmaniasis treatment is costly and it shows high toxicity, demanding more research for alternative treatments, with special interest in development of vaccines and diagnosis kits which include production of recombinant antigens by host cells. Escherichia coli has been the microorganism most studied and used as a host for recombinant protein production. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the influence of induction on cellular growth and to verify the type of Leishmania chagasi antigens expression (intra or extracellular) during two recombinant E. coli clones (kmp11 and P36) cultivation in rotary incubator (shaker) using three different media (2xTY, TB, FASS+EL). For that, tests were carried out using conditions established in the literature for E. coli (37°C and 200 rpm) and media supplemented with antibiotics to guarantee that only competent cells grows. First, tests were carried out without induction in order to verify the two microorganisms kinetic behavior (growth and substrate consumption) in different media. Next, the induction was carried out through the addition of IPTG (1mM as final concentration), at the first hour of cultivation. It was observed that protein expression were intracellular for all clones and media tested, however the highest level of expression was clearly observed by the electrophoresis band density (intensity) for 2xTY medium and kmp11 protein. Although it contains the lowest substrate concentration, consequently, a reduced cellular concentration when compared to other media, it appeared that this medium and clone combination is the most indicated for recombinant protein production. Therefore, the objective of this work was achieved, since the interested proteins were produced. Consequently, this result motivates new studies for production optimization using different cultivation strategies

Análise técnica e econômica do processo de obtenção de espaguetes com adição de farinha de trigo integral e farinha de linhaça

This work studies the fabrication of spaghetti through the process at high temperatures through the use of flour added to flour and flaxseed meal, with the aim of evaluating the final product quality and estimate the cost of production. The values of moisture, ash, protein, wet gluten, gluten index, falling number and grain of flour and mixtures to test to be the possible use in mass manufacturing and technological criteria for compliance with current legislation. Spaghetti noodles type were manufactured by adding 10% and 20% flour and 10% and 20% flaxseed meal with performance of physical-chemical, sensory and rheological properties of the products. Further analysis was performed on the product acceptance and estimation of production cost in order to create subsidies to enable the introduction of products with greater acceptance and economic viability in the market by the food industry. On the rheology of the product test was cooking the pasta, specifying the volume increase, cooking time and percentage of solid waste. In the sensory evaluation was carried out the triangular test of product differentiation with 50 trained judges and acceptance testing by a hedonic scale with evaluation of the aspects color, taste, smell and texture. In defining the sensory profile of the product was performed with ADQ 9 judges recruited and trained at the factory, using unstructured scale of 9 cm, assessing the attributes of flavor of wheat, flax flavor, consistency, texture of raw pasta, raw pasta color and color of cooked pasta. The greater acceptance of product quality was good and the pasta with 20% flour, 10% followed by the full product, 10% and 20% flaxseed characterized the average quality of the criterion of loss analysis of solids, together with mass full commercial testing. In assessing the estimated cost of production, the two products more technologically feasible and acceptable (20% whole and 10% flaxseed) were evaluated in high temperature processes. With total cost of R $ 4,872.5 / 1,000 kg and R $ 5,354.9 / 1,000 kg respectively, the difference was related to the addition of lower inputs and higher added value in the market, flour and flaxseed meal. The comparative analysis of cases was confirmed the reduction in production time (10h), more uniform product to the drying process at high temperature compared to conventional

Obtenção de ferrita de cobalto através de dois métodos de síntese: método de complexação combinando EDTA/Citrato e método hidrotérmico

In this work it was synthesized and characterized the cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) by two methods: complexation combining EDTA/Citrate and hydrothermal investigating the influence of the synthesis conditions on phase formation and on the crystallite size. The powders were mainly characterized by x-ray diffraction. In specific cases, it was also used scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray fluorescence (XRF) and isotherms of adsorption and desorption of nitrogen (BET method). The study of the crystallite size was based on the interpretation of x-ray diffractograms obtained and estimated by the method of Halder-Wagner-Scherrer and Langford. An experimental design was made in order to assist in quantifying the influence of synthesis conditions on the response variables. The synthesis parameters evaluated in this study were: pH of the reaction medium (8, 9 and 10), the calcination temperature (combined complexation method EDTA/Citrate 600°C, 800°C and 1000°C), synthesis temperature (hydrothermal method 120°C, 140°C and 160°C), calcination time (combined complexation method EDTA/Citrate - 2, 4 and 6 hours) and time of synthesis (hydrothermal method 6, 15 and 24 hours). By the hydrothermal method was possible to produce mesoporous powders with high purity, with an average crystallite size up to 7 nm, with a surface area of 113.44 m²/g in the form of pellets with irregular morphology. By using the method of combined complexation EDTA/Citrate, mesoporous powders were produced with greater purity, crystallite size up to 22nm and 27.95 m²/g of surface area in the form of pellets with a regular morphology of plaques. In the experimental design was found that the hydrothermal method to all the studied parameters (pH, temperature and time) have significant effect on the crystallite size, while to the combined complexation method EDTA/Citrate, only temperature and time were significant

Identificação de áreas com precipitação pluvial homogênea no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte

O estudo da variabilidade da precipitação é importante para o planejamento das atividades econômicas, possibilitando o uso mais eficiente e racional dos recursos hídricos. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa é caracterizar o estado do Rio Grande do Norte com relação à variabilidade temporal da precipitação, agrupá-lo em regiões homogêneas e comparar diferentes técnicas de agrupamento. Para o estudo da variabilidade pluvial foram utilizados os índices: Grau de Concentração de Precipitação (PCD), que representa o grau em que a precipitação é distribuída ao longo do ano; e o Período de Concentração de Precipitação (PCP), que reflete o período no qual a precipitação está mais concentrada. Para a realização dos agrupamentos foram escolhidas as variáveis: PCD, PCP, médias da precipitações anuais e médias das precipitações mensais. Posteriormente, foi aplicada a análise de agrupamento para obter grupos com características similares. Os resultados mostraram que as precipitações são melhor distribuídas na região leste do estado, neste caso, os meses mais chuvosos são de maio a agosto. Os municípios localizados nessa área possuem dois picos de chuvas, devido à atuação de dois sistemas: Perturbações Ondulatórias dos Alísios (POA s) e Zona de Convergência Intertropical (ZCIT). Nas regiões localizadas a oeste os meses que possuem maior concentração de chuvas são março e abril, neste caso temos apenas um pico de precipitação, devido a atuação da ZCIT. A identificação de áreas homogêneas favorece o planejamento adequado de acordo com as características de cada grupo formado e o RN pode foi dividido em 4 (quatro) regiões homogêneas. As técnicas de agrupamento utilizadas apresentaram resultados semelhantes, porém, sugere-se o uso de mais de uma técnica para que se possa analisar qual delas reflete melhor a realidade local. O estudo da variabilidade de precipitação, através dos índices estudados e do agrupamento realizado, são ferramentas adequadas ao planejamento ambiental e econômico

A produção do Departamento de Imprensa e Propaganda (DIP) em acervos norte-americanos: estudo de caso

A ação do DIP tem recebido particular atenção, sobretudo quando se trata de evidenciar o caráter repressor e controlador que o órgão de fato exerceu. Menor ênfase tem sido dada a sua ação como editor e financiador de obras favoráveis ao regime: no mais das vezes, não se vai além da citação de uma lista de títulos favoráveis ao regime, que comprovam o investimento na imagem do chefe. Pesquisa realizada em dois acervos norte-americanos permitiu manipular um rol significativo de obras publicadas no período, as quais apontam para uma trama complexa entre autores, editores e gráficas. Além disso, a presença desse material no exterior indica os esforços do regime para atingir uma audiência internacional.

Atividades experimentais no ensino de biologia em escolas públicas do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil: caracterização geral e concepção de professores

Recent research has revealed that the majority of Biology teachers believe the practice of experimental activities as a didactical means would be the solution for the improvement of the Biology teaching-learning process. There are, however, studies which signal the lack of efficiency in such practice lessons as far as building scientific knowledge is concerned. It is also said that despite the enthusiasm on the teachers‟ part, such classes are rarely taught in high school. Several studies point pedagogical difficulties as well as nonexistence of a minimal infrastructure needed in laboratories as cause of low frequency in experimental activities. The poor teacher performance in terms of planning and development of classes; the large number of students per class; lack of financial stimulus for teachers are other reasons to be taken into account among others, in which can also be included difficulties of epistemological nature. That means an unfavorable eye of the teacher towards experimental activities. Our study aimed to clarify if such scenario is generalized in high schools throughout the state of Rio Grande do Norte Brazil. During our investigation a sample of twenty teaching institutions were used. They were divided in two groups: in the first group, five IFRN- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte schools. Two of those in Natal, and the other three from the country side. The second group is represented by fifteen state schools belonging to the Natal metropolitan area. The objectives of the research were to label schools concerning laboratory facilities; to identify difficulties pointed by teachers when performing experiment classes, and to become familiar with the conceptions of the teachers in regarding biology experiment classes. To perform such task, a questionnaire was used as instrument of data collecting. It contained multiple choice, essay questions and a semi-structured interview with the assistance of a voice recorder. The data analysis and the in loco observation allowed the conclusion that the federal schools do present better facilities for the practice of experimental activities when compared to state schools. Another aspect pointed is the fact that teachers of federal schools have more time available for planning the experiments; they are also better paid and are given access a career development, which leads to better salaries. All those advantages however, do not show a significantly higher frequency regarding the development of experiments when compared to state school teachers. Both teachers of federal and state schools pointed infra-structure problems such as the availability of reactants, equipments and consumption supplies as main obstacle to the practice of experiments in biology classes. Such fact leads us to conclude that maybe there are other problems not covered by the questionnaire such as poor ability to plan and execute experimental activities. As far as conceptions about experimental activities, it was verified in the majority of the interviewees a inductive-empiric point of view of science possibly inherited during their academic formation and such point of view reflected on the way they plan and execute experiments with students

A desistência de alunos na licenciatura em física no Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN): causas e sugestões para o combate

This dissertation proposes studying the issue of withdrawal undergraduate in physics at the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Norte (IFRN) and collaborate with suggestions for dealing with this problem. The first chapter begins with an overview of two significant problems in the Brazilian educational system: the high dropout rates in degrees in physics and the lack of teachers with specific training in this science. Then, we discuss the relevance of this research to the area of physics teaching, as well as justify its completion as part of a professional master's degree. After, we present a proper definition for the term withdrawal, which is based on the existing problem in the IFRN. And, in the same chapter, we explicitly the focus, the objectives and the methodological aspects of this work. The results obtained in our investigation are presented in next four chapters. In the second chapter of this dissertation, we present: a brief history of the creation of IFRN degree in physics, the functioning of this course and the foundation of classrooms 2004.2 and 2006.1. We also show a kind of map of the withdrawal of the groups investigated (the dropout rate was 84.4% in both groups) and an analysis of the relationship between the curricula of each of them and the number of dropouts. In the third chapter, we display a descriptive statistics of the students which dropout and found that the largest dropout occurred with students who are women, married, parents of one kid; workers, joined with a minimum age of 23 years and completed high school at least 6 years. Then in the fourth chapter, we reveal and discuss the students' reports on the causes of their dropout. From the data presented, we can say that the answer to the question "What was the main reason for your dropout?" Is mainly in personal injury claims: another option for upper-level course and lack of time to devote to the course. In the fifth chapter, we show the results related to teacher s opinions about the phenomenon in question. We detected three main causes for the abandonment, according to teachers: the lack of dedication, the lack of interest and lack of integration in the course. In the sixth and final chapter, we discuss the results and present our conclusion and the proposed report - the product of this dissertation, presented as Annex. This report contains mainly suggestions for curricular and institutional actions that can contribute to reducing the dropout degree in Physics in the IFRN. The main actions suggested are: implementation of the curriculum in disciplines, implementation of programs or actions to combat this poor content of basic training, implementation of specific programs or actions for the student worker, and dissemination of IFRN degree in physics in schools through seminars or workshops

Política, canção e teatro: o conto Aqueles Dois de Caio Fernando Abreu reverberando no cotidiano brasileiro

Quand on se plonge sur l‟oeuvre de Caio Fernando Abreu, on est forcement mené à faire une profonde analyse social qui résulte dans une grande bataille entre l‟amour, la société et la politique. Cette Memoire de Master, Politique, chanson et théâtre : Le conte « Ces deux-là » de Caio Fernando Abreu répercute au quotidien brésilien, montre que la plongé faite ici cherche à analyser, à partir d‟une perspective comparative, les angles observés par l‟auteur dans son oeuvre écrite pendant les années de la Dictature Militaire brésilienne, l‟influence des Beatles et du musicien/poète Caetano Veloso avec le mouvement du Tropicalismo. Dans ce travail, on observe le rôle du narrateur au sein du développement du conte comme représentation de la société irrémédiable et comme cette narrative s‟ajuste en mode théâtral. La lecture de cette memoire est basée sur l‟analyse du conte « Ces deux-là », du livre Fraises Moisies, et l‟influence de la musique Strawberry Fields Forever, des Beatles chez l‟écriture de l‟auteur, ainsi que les discussions sur les images présentent dans la narrative comme la structure essentielle pour le processus du montage du spectacle homonyme par la Cia. Luna Lunera, Minas Gerais, à partir du mécanisme de la traduction, du littéraire au scénique, appuyée sur les idées de Patrice Pavis