Water jet based autonomous surface vehicle for coastal waters operations

This paper presents the design of low cost, small autonomous surface vehicle for missions in the coastal waters and specifically for the challenging surf zone. The main objective of the vehicle design described in this paper is to address both the capability of operation at sea in relative challenging conditions and maintain a very low set of operational requirements (ease of deployment). This vehicle provides a first step towards being able to perform general purpose missions (such as data gathering or patrolling) and to at least in a relatively short distances to be able to be used in rescue operations (with very low handling requirements) such as carrying support to humans on the water. The USV is based on a commercially available fiber glass hull, it uses a directional waterjet powered by an electrical brushless motor for propulsion, thus without any protruding propeller reducing danger in rescue operations. Its small dimensions (1.5 m length) and weight allow versatility and ease of deployment. The vehicle design is described in this paper both from a hardware and software point of view. A characterization of the vehicle in terms of energy consumption and performance is provided both from test tank and operational scenario tests. An example application in search and rescue is also presented and discussed with the integration of this vehicle in the European ICARUS (7th framework) research project addressing the development and integration of robotic tools for large scale search and rescue operations.

Microbiological quality of drinking rainwater in the inland region of Pajeú, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil

Despite all efforts to store and reduce its consumption, water is becoming less inexhaustible and its quality is falling faster. Considering that water is essential to animal life, it is necessary to adopt measures to ensure its sanitary conditions in order to be fit for consumption. The aim of this study was to analyze the microbiological quality of drinking rainwater used by rural communities of Tuparetama, a small town located in Northeast Brazil. The study covered seven rural communities, totaling 66 households. In each household two samples were collected, one from a tank and the other from a clay pot located inside the home, resulting in 132 samples (tank plus clay pot). Approximately 90% of samples were below the standard recommended by the current legislation, being considered unfit for human consumption. Part of this high microbiological contamination of drinking rainwater could be related to the lack of sanitary education and of an adequate sewerage sanitation system.

Projeto de uma ETAR para a freguesia de Canelas, Penafiel

O tratamento das águas residuais domésticas surge com o intuito de degradar os poluentes presentes, para que as águas residuais tratadas não prejudiquem o ambiente nem a saúde pública. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo a conceção e o dimensionamento de uma Estação de Tratamento de Águas Residuais (ETAR) na freguesia de Canelas com a finalidade de substituir a já existente e permitir a ampliação da área da rede de saneamento da freguesia. Foram considerados dois tipos de ETAR’s, compacta e convencional, para tratar águas residuais domésticas de aproxidamente 2000 habitantes, com um caudal médio de 400 m3/dia e um caudal de ponta de 1136,7 m3/dia. Das duas opções optou-se pela convencional uma vez que acarreta um menor investimento, no valor de 187 232 €, e se considera também mais adequada às características do efluente a tratar. O tratamento escolhido inclui inicialmente uma gradagem, com uma grade constituída por sete barras com um espaçamento de 20 mm entre elas, seguida de um tamisador rotativo com uma abertura de malha de 3 mm. Depois do tamisador, optou-se por um sistema de desarenação/desengorduramento com um volume do tanque de 3,95 m3 e um fluxo de ar de 17,9 m3/h. Na fase seguinte considerou-se um tratamento biológico por lamas ativadas em regime de arejamento prolongado num tanque de arejamento de volume igual a 245,8 m3 com um arejador submerso, seguindo-se um decantador secundário de volume 33,3 m3. Por último, escolheu-se um sistema de desinfeção por ultravioleta e, a montante do mesmo, um filtro rápido para eliminar pequenas partículas que o efluente ainda possa conter. Para a desinfeção foram consideradas duas secções com cinco módulos de duas lâmpadas cada, ou seja, vinte lâmpadas ultravioleta. Dos resíduos produzidos pelo tratamento da água residual, os gradados e as areias serão encaminhados para aterro, enquanto que as lamas serão enviadas para a ETAR das Termas de S.Vicente, para que sofram o tratamento adequado e sejam encaminhadas para o destinal final adequado (aplicação em solos agrícolas, compostagem ou em alternativa para aterro). No caso da ETAR covencional foi ainda avaliada a possível reutilização de um decantador da ETAR de Milhundos uma vez que esta se encontrava em fase de desativação. Desta avaliação, concluiu-se que não seria economicamente viável o seu reaproveitamento. Mestrado em Engenharia Química – Tecnologias de Proteção Ambiental Para além disso realizou-se também um levantamento dos principais problemas que ocorrem na maioria das ETAR’s e foram apresentadas as respetivas sugestões de resolução. A realização de um inquérito permititu concluir que os odores são o problema que mais causa incómodo à população.

Otimização do processo de injeção de ZAMAK

A indústria automóvel necessita aumentar a produtividade de forma sistemática, com vista à redução de custos e incremento da competitividade. A otimização dos produtos e processos é uma constante. O presente trabalho foi solicitado pela empresa FicoCables, do Grupo FICOSA, tendo em vista a otimização do processo de injeção de pequenas peças injetadas em ZAMAK, que constituem o bloqueio na extremidade de cada cabo metálico inserido nos automóveis para abertura da mala, portas, travão de mão, reservatório de combustível, capô, etc. A empresa possui cerca de 52 equipamentos de injeção de ZAMAK, cuja temperatura dos bicos era mantida com base numa chama de gás. Os sucessivos problemas de controlo do sistema ditaram uma mudança estratégica no aquecimento desses bicos, passando a ser usadas resistências elétricas anelares. No entanto, esta mudança veio a apresentar problemas inesperados, os quais se vieram inclusivamente a tornar em problemas de segurança, devido ao desgaste interior prematuro dos bicos, os quais apresentaram esmo problema de rotura. Paralelamente, todos os parâmetros relacionados com este processo de fabrico estavam também estudados de forma algo incipiente, pelo que se tornou necessário compreender e dissecar todas as variáveis relacionadas com o processo e implementar sistemas que impedissem o ajuste não controlado dos parâmetros por parte dos operadores. Também os moldes foram alvo de ações de melhoria, com vista a evitar problemas na zona de contacto do bico com o molde. O processo foi analisado em pormenor, permitindo um controlo muito mais apurado do mesmo. Os resultados fizeram sentir-se de forma imediata, graças ao trabalho desenvolvido neste estudo e à abertura demonstrada pela empresa para implementar todas as soluções propostas. O resultado final traduz-se num incremento significativo da segurança para os operadores, num controlo muito mais apurado de todos os parâmetros envolvidos no processo, numa maior garantia da qualidade nos produtos injetados em ZAMAK e em ganhos financeiros significativos para a empresa.

Breeding of Biomphalaria tenagophila in mass scale

An efficient method for breeding Biomphalaria tenagophila (Taim lineage/RS) was developed over a 5-year-period (2005-2010). Special facilities were provided which consisted of four cement tanks (9.4 x 0.6 x 0.22 m), with their bottom covered with a layer of sterilized red earth and calcium carbonate. Standard measures were adopted, as follows: each tank should contain an average of 3000 specimens, and would be provided with a daily ration of 35,000 mg complemented with lettuce. A green-house effect heating system was developed which constituted of movable dark canvas covers, which allowed the temperature to be controlled between 20 - 24 ºC. This system was essential, especially during the coldest months of the year. Approximately 27,000 specimens with a diameter of 12 mm or more were produced during a 14-month-period. The mortality rates of the newly-hatched and adult snails were 77% and 37%, respectively. The follow-up of the development system related to 310 specimens of B. tenagophila demonstrated that 70-day-old snails reached an average of 17.0 ± 0.9 mm diameter. The mortality rates and the development performance of B. tenagophila snails can be considered as highly satisfactory, when compared with other results in literature related to works carried out with different species of the genus Biomphalaria, under controlled laboratory conditions.

Estudo de problemas de corrosão em cabos de aço zincado

As cablagens metálicas são aplicadas abundantemente na montagem dos automóveis, para accionamento de diversos dispositivos, tais como a abertura de portas, abertura da mala ou da tampa do motor, abertura do tampão do depósito de combustível, accionamento do travão de mão, etc. Nas cablagens metálicas utilizadas na indústria automóvel é comummente utilizado arame entrançado de aço zincado, o qual foi já estudado resistir à agressividade das condições em que habitualmente trabalham. No entanto, para que esta estabilidade de funcionamento exista, torna-se necessário que a qualidade do arame entrançado seja a mais adequada. O presente trabalho surgiu da necessidade de averiguar quais as razões que estariam por detrás do aparecimento de quantidades relativamente abundantes de Óxido de Zinco (ZnO) em cablagens metálicas utilizadas na indústria automóvel, poucas semanas depois do seu fabrico. O estudo foi levado a cabo com vista a satisfazer as necessidades de investigação deste problema por parte de uma empresa de cablagens metálicas instalada no nosso país, a FicoCables, estabelecendo quais as causas-raiz deste problema, com vista a poder evitálo no futuro. O trabalho foi concluído com sucesso, tendo-se averiguado que existiam lacunas graves de limpeza do cabo entre as operações de conformação do arame e de zincagem, com deposição de elementos potenciadores do Óxido de Zinco na interface, os quais viriam a revelar-se cruciais à posteriori, para a nucleação e desenvolvimento do Óxido de Zinco na superfície do cabo.

Estações de tratamento de águas residuais: conceitos e dimensionamento

O presente relatório é o corolário do Estágio Curricular que a autora efetuou, durante o segundo semestre do ano letivo de 2014/2015 na SBS – Engenharia Civil, Hidráulica e Ambiente, Lda. Nesta empresa a autora foi integrada na equipa técnica que elaborou um Projeto de Execução para uma Estação de Tratamento de Águas Residuais que irá ser construída em Montemor-o-Novo, tendo-lhe sido atribuídas as seguintes tarefas principais: i) estudo de ferramentas de dimensionamento de ETAR; e ii) estudo dos processos de tratamento de águas residuais a instalar. O tratamento de águas residuais não é matéria que conste do atual Plano de Estudos do Mestrado em Engenharia Civil do ISEP. Este facto, associado à premente necessidade de dar resposta às expectativas da Entidade Acolhedora, obrigou a autora a um esforço de aprendizagem significativo. Nesta fase foi executada uma aprofundada pesquisa bibliográfica que permitiu à autora obter o nível de conhecimentos teóricos necessário para a plena integração na Equipa de Projeto. Já integrada na Equipa de Projeto o primeiro trabalho desenvolvido pela autora foi a análise detalhada do Caderno de Encargos e da respetiva Nota Técnica. Seguidamente a autora participou em todas as fases do Projeto tendo, por isso, colaborado na análise do Estudo Geotécnico, no dimensionamento dos órgãos da ETAR, no cálculo do perfil hidráulico, na definição de formas (plantas e cortes) dos órgãos, na elaboração da Lista de Equipamentos e do Mapa de Quantidades e, por último, na elaboração da Memória Descritiva e Justificativa do Processo de Tratamento e Equipamentos. O Caso Prático incluído no presente documento é, em larga medida, o corolário do processo de aprendizagem de que a autora beneficiou no decorrer do Estágio Curricular. Grande parte das tarefas que a autora executou ao longo da elaboração do projeto relacionaram-se com o dimensionamento dos órgãos da ETAR e com os respetivos cálculos hidráulicos. Os conhecimentos teórico-práticos desta forma adquiridos foram reunidos num conjunto de ferramentas, maioritariamente folhas de cálculo, que se verificou serem úteis nos processos de dimensionamento e de teste de soluções alternativas. É parte integrante deste relatório um capítulo no qual é feita uma detalhada apresentação dos conceitos teóricos subjacentes ao Projeto de ETAR. Este capítulo reflete o estudo que a autora teve necessidade de efetuar antes de se sentir capaz de integrar a Equipa de Projeto.

Composição bromatológica do soro de leite bovino proveniente do processo de fabricação do queijo Mozarela.

Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar a composição bromatológica do soro de leite bovino derivado da fabricação do queijo mozarela. Foram coletadas três amostras de 500 mL diretamente do tanque de uma fábrica de beneficiamento de queijo tipo mozarela na cidade de Damolândia em Goiás. Foram realizadas análises de matéria seca, umidade, matéria orgânica, cinzas e proteína bruta. O resultado para proteína bruta foi baixo, porém o tipo processamento usado na produção do queijo pode ter influenciado nesse resultado. [Chemical composition of bovine whey derived of processing of mozzarella cheese]. Abstract: The aim of experiment was to evaluate the Chemical composition of bovine whey derived of processing of mozzarella cheese. Three samples of 500 mL were collected in tank of a factory's processing of mozzarella cheese localized on Damolândia city, Goias. The analisys dry matter, moisture, organic matter, ash and crude protein were realized. Low results of crude protein was observed, however the kind of processing of cheese can influenced in this result.

Enrichment of a PHA producing microbial community in a continuous bioreactor setup

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biosynthetic polyesters, biodegradable and biocompatible making them of great interest for industrial purposes. The use of low value substrates with mixed microbial communities (MMC) is a strategy currently used to decrease the elevated PHA production costs. PHA production process requires an important step for selection and enrichment of PHA-storing microorganisms which is usually carried out in a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). The aim of this study was to optimize the PHA accumulating culture selection stage using a 2-stage Continuous Stirrer Tank Reactor (CSTR) system. The system was composed by two separate feast and famine bioreactors operated continuously, mimicking the feast and famine phases in a SBR system. Acetate was used as carbon source and biomass seed was highly enriched in Plasticicumulans acidivorans obtained from activated sludge. The system was operated under two different sets of conditions (setup 1 and 2), maintaining a system total retention time of 12 hours and an OLR of 2.25 Cmmol/L.h-1. An average PHB-content of 3.3 % wt was obtained in setup 1 and 4.8% wt in setup 2. Several other experiments were performed in order to better understand the continuous system behaviour, using biomass from the continuous system. With the fed-batch experiment a maximum of 8.1% PHB was stored and the maximum substrate uptake and specific growth rates obtained in the growth experiment (1.15 Cmol Cmol-1.h-1 and 0.53 Cmol Cmol-1.h-1) were close to the ones from continuous system (1.12 Cmol Cmol-1.h-1 and 0.59 Cmol Cmol-1.h-1). The microbial community was characterized trough microscopic visualization, Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis and Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). The last studied performed mimicked the continuous system by building up a SBR system with all the same operational conditions while adding an extra acetate dosage during the 12 h cycle, simulating the substrate passing from the feast to the famine reactors under continuous operation. It was shown that possibly the continuous system was not able to efficiently select for PHB storing organisms under the operational conditions imposed, although the selected culture was capable of consuming the substrate and grow fast. This main conclusion might have resulted from two major factors affecting the system performance: the ammonium concentration in the Feast reactor and the amount of substrate leaching from the Feast to the Famine reactor.

The influence of the area of the Serra da Mesa Hydroelectric Plant, State of Goiás, on the frequency and diversity of anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae): a study on the effect of a reservoir

INTRODUCTION: Bioecological aspects of anophelines (Diptera: Culicidae) near areas under the direct influence of the hydroelectric plant reservoir of Serra da Mesa in Goiás, Brazil, were analyzed. METHODS: Samples were collected at the surrounding dam area during the phases before and after reservoir impoundment. The influence of climatic and environmental factors on the occurrence of Anopheles darlingi, Anopheles albitarsis, Anopheles triannulatus, Anopheles oswaldoi and Anopheles evansae was assessed using Pearson's correlations with indicators for richness and diversity as well as the index of species abundance (ISA) and the standardized index of species abundance (SISA). RESULTS: The highest anopheline density occurred during the phase after filling the tank; however, no direct correlation with the climatic factors was observed during this stage. The reservoir formation determined the incidence of the anopheline species. An. darlingi was the predominant species (SISA = 1.00). CONCLUSIONS: The significant difference (p < 0.05) observed between the species incidence during the different reservoir phases demonstrates the environmental effect of the reservoir on anophelines.

Development of human central nervous system 3D in vitro models for preclinical research

Neurological disorders are a major concern in modern societies, with increasing prevalence mainly related with the higher life expectancy. Most of the current available therapeutic options can only control and ameliorate the patients’ symptoms, often be-coming refractory over time. Therapeutic breakthroughs and advances have been hampered by the lack of accurate central nervous system (CNS) models. The develop-ment of these models allows the study of the disease onset/progression mechanisms and the preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics. This has traditionally relied on genetically engineered animal models that often diverge considerably from the human phenotype (developmentally, anatomically and physiologically) and 2D in vitro cell models, which fail to recapitulate the characteristics of the target tissue (cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, cell polarity). The in vitro recapitulation of CNS phenotypic and functional features requires the implementation of advanced culture strategies that enable to mimic the in vivo struc-tural and molecular complexity. Models based on differentiation of human neural stem cells (hNSC) in 3D cultures have great potential as complementary tools in preclinical research, bridging the gap between human clinical studies and animal models. This thesis aimed at the development of novel human 3D in vitro CNS models by integrat-ing agitation-based culture systems and a wide array of characterization tools. Neural differentiation of hNSC as 3D neurospheres was explored in Chapter 2. Here, it was demonstrated that human midbrain-derived neural progenitor cells from fetal origin (hmNPC) can generate complex tissue-like structures containing functional dopaminergic neurons, as well as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Chapter 3 focused on the development of cellular characterization assays for cell aggregates based on light-sheet fluorescence imaging systems, which resulted in increased spatial resolu-tion both for fixed samples or live imaging. The applicability of the developed human 3D cell model for preclinical research was explored in Chapter 4, evaluating the poten-tial of a viral vector candidate for gene therapy. The efficacy and safety of helper-dependent CAV-2 (hd-CAV-2) for gene delivery in human neurons was evaluated, demonstrating increased neuronal tropism, efficient transgene expression and minimal toxicity. The potential of human 3D in vitro CNS models to mimic brain functions was further addressed in Chapter 5. Exploring the use of 13C-labeled substrates and Nucle-ar Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy tools, neural metabolic signatures were evaluated showing lineage-specific metabolic specialization and establishment of neu-ron-astrocytic shuttles upon differentiation. Chapter 6 focused on transferring the knowledge and strategies described in the previous chapters for the implementation of a scalable and robust process for the 3D differentiation of hNSC derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC). Here, software-controlled perfusion stirred-tank bioreactors were used as technological system to sustain cell aggregation and dif-ferentiation. The work developed in this thesis provides practical and versatile new in vitro ap-proaches to model the human brain. Furthermore, the culture strategies described herein can be further extended to other sources of neural phenotypes, including pa-tient-derived hiPSC. The combination of this 3D culture strategy with the implemented characterization methods represents a powerful complementary tool applicable in the drug discovery, toxicology and disease modeling.

Preliminary observations on the effect of sudden changes of temperature on survival of young Matrinxã (Brycon cephalus) under laboratory conditions

Matrinxã is a very promising amazonian fish for fish culture in Brazil. This study is aimed at determining the approximate tolerated temperature range in this species. Groups of ten young matrinxã specimens (15.1±0.8 cm average length and 58.3±10.3 g average weight) were subjected to 9 different temperatures for 24 hours without previous acclimation. Fish were transferred from an initial temperature of 27ºC to those ranging from 12 to 39ºC at 3ºC intervals. Both 12ºC and 39ºC temperatures were lethal for this species with 100% mortality rate. Following 2 minutes of exposure to 39ºC fish changed behavior, showing an increase in opercular movements and erratic swimming; mortality reached 100% after 18 minutes. At 12ºC, fish lost equilibrium immediately after exposure and started swimming erratically; after only 4 minutes fish became lethargic and remained immobile on the bottom of the tank. Total mortality was only evident following 24 hours. At 15ºC matrinxã lost equilibrium after 5 to 6 minutes of exposure but mortality was only 20% after 24 hours. Fish tolerated well temperatures ranging from 18 to 36ºC with 100% survival after 24 hours. This preliminary study suggests that temperatures between 18 and 36ºC are the approximate range normally tolerated by this species, although survival at other temperatures may be increased by gradually acclimating fish to the more severe increases or decreases in temperature. In addition, it indicates that matrinxã may be cultivated over a wide geographical area.

Using glass-fibre reinforced polymer composites in the production of sustainable water storage vessels

The present work focuses on the use of the life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle costing (LCC)methodologies to evaluate environmental and economic impacts of polymers and polymer composites materials and products. Initially a literature review is performed in order to assess the scope and limitations of existing LCA and LCC studies on these topics. Then, a case study, based on the production of a water storage glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) composite storage tank, is presented. The storage tank was evaluated via a LCA/LCC integrated model, a novel way of analysing the life cycle (LC) environmental and economic performances of structural products. The overarching conclusion of the review is that the environmental and economic performances of polymers composites in non-mobile applications are seldom assessed and never in a combined integrated way.

Potential implications of ketamine anesthesia on zebrafish behavior

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Psicologia

Physiological stress responses in the warm-water fish matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus ) subjected to a sudden cold shock

The present work evaluated several aspects of the generalized stress response [endocrine (cortisol), metabolic (glucose), hematologic (hematocrit and hemoglobin) and cellular (HSP70)] in the Amazonian warm-water fish matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus ) subjected to an acute cold shock. This species farming has been done in South America, and growth and feed conversion rates have been interesting. However, in subtropical areas of Brazil, where the water temperature can rapidly change, high rates of matrinxã mortality have been associated with abrupt decrease in the water temperature. Thus, we subjected matrinxã to a sudden cold shock by transferring the fish directly to tanks in which the water temperature was 10ºC below the initial conditions (cold shock from 28ºC to 18ºC). After 1h the fish were returned to the original tanks (28ºC). The handling associated with tank transfer was also imposed on control groups (not exposed to cold shock). While exposure to cold shock did not alter the measured physiological conditions within 1h, fish returned to the ambient condition (water at 28º C) significantly increased plasma cortisol and glucose levels. Exposure to cold shock and return to the warm water did not affect HSP70 levels. The increased plasma cortisol and glucose levels after returning the fish to warm water suggest that matrinxã requires cortisol and glucose for adaptation to increased temperature.