Populations III.1 and III.2 gamma-ray bursts: constraints on the event rate for future radio and X-ray surveys

Aims. We calculate the theoretical event rate of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) from the collapse of massive first-generation (Population III; Pop III) stars. The Pop III GRBs could be super-energetic with the isotropic energy up to E(iso) greater than or similar to 10(55-57) erg, providing a unique probe of the high-redshift Universe. Methods. We consider both the so-called Pop III.1 stars (primordial) and Pop III.2 stars (primordial but affected by radiation from other stars). We employ a semi-analytical approach that considers inhomogeneous hydrogen reionization and chemical evolution of the intergalactic medium. Results. We show that Pop III.2 GRBs occur more than 100 times more frequently than Pop III.1 GRBs, and thus should be suitable targets for future GRB missions. Interestingly, our optimistic model predicts an event rate that is already constrained by the current radio transient searches. We expect similar to 10-10(4) radio afterglows above similar to 0.3 mJy on the sky with similar to 1 year variability and mostly without GRBs (orphans), which are detectable by ALMA, EVLA, LOFAR, and SKA, while we expect to observe maximum of N < 20 GRBs per year integrated over at z > 6 for Pop III.2 and N < 0.08 per year integrated over at z > 10 for Pop III.1 with EXIST, and N < 0.2 for Pop III.2 GRBs per year integrated over at z > 6 with Swift.

Manufacture of ceramic membranes for application in demulsification process for cross-flow microfiltration

This paper describes the manufacture of tubular ceramic membranes and the study of their performance in the demulsification of soybean oil/water emulsions. The membranes were made by iso-static pressing method and micro and macro structurally characterized by SEM, porosimetry by mercury intrusion and determination of apparent density and porosity. The microfiltration tests were realized on an experimental workbench, and fluid dynamic parameters, such as transmembrane flux and pressure were used to evaluate the process relative to the oil phase concentration (analysed by TOC measurements) in the permeate. The results showed that the membrane with pores` average diameter of 1.36 mu m achieved higher transmembrane flux than the membrane with pores` average diameter of 0.8 mu m. The volume of open pores (responsible for the permeation) was predominant in the total porosity, which was higher than 50% for all tested membranes. Concerning demulsification, the monolayer membranes were efficacious, as the rejection coefficient was higher than 99%.

Relationships between human resource dimensions and environmental management in companies: proposal of a model

This work deals with the main contributions of human resource dimensions for the environmental management in a company. While the specialized literature concerning the technical aspects of environmental management expands, there is a gap in the bibliography: integrated approaches between human resource dimensions and environmental management. An extensive bibliographical review was undertaken in order to systematize the human resource dimensions and their contributions concerning the effectiveness of the environmental management system. A model that analyses the relationships between these dimensions and the typical phases of an environmental management system is presented, within a perspective of application for academicians and managers. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Contributions of HRM throughout the stages of environmental management: methodological triangulation applied to companies in Brazil

The purpose of this research is to analyze the contribution of human resources management throughout the evolutionary stages of environmental management in Brazilian companies. A theoretical framework concerning environmental management and its evolution and the `greening` of the functional and competitive dimensions of human resource management were developed. A methodological triangulation was developed in two complimentary phases. In the first phase, data were collected from 94 Brazilian companies with ISO 14001 certification. The data collected were analyzed and processed using statistical techniques. The conclusions of the first phase supported the second phase of this empirical research. The second phase consisted of a study of multiple cases in four Brazilian companies. The results show evidence of the first known empirical study of contributions of human resource dimensions throughout the stages of environmental management in Brazilian manufacturing companies.

A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING WITH GNSS TECHNOLOGY

This paper presents a proposal for a Quality Management System for a generic GNSS Surveying Company as an alternative for management and service quality improvements. As a result of the increased demand for GNSS measurements, a large number of new or restructured companies were established to operate in that market. Considering that GNSS surveying is a new process, some changes must be performed in order to accommodate the old surveying techniques and the old fashioned management to the new reality. This requires a new management model that must be based on a well-described procedure sequence aiming at the Total Management Quality for the company. The proposed Quality Management System was based on the requirements of the Quality System ISO 9000:2000, applied to the whole company, focusing on the productive process of GNSS surveying work.

Vehicle Dynamic Safety in Measured Rough Pavement

Dynamic vehicle behavior is used to identify safe traffic speed limits. The proposed methodology is based on the vehicle vertical wheel contact force response excited by measured pavement irregularities on the frequency domain. A quarter-car model is used to identify vehicle dynamic behavior. The vertical elevation of an unpaved road surface has been measured. The roughness spectral density is quantified as ISO Level C. Calculations for the vehicle inertance function were derived by using the vertical contact force transfer function weighed by the pavement spectral density roughness function in the frequency domain. The statistical contact load variation is obtained from the vehicle inertance density function integration. The vehicle safety behavior concept is based on its handling ability properties. The ability to generate tangential forces on the wheel/road contact interface is the key to vehicle handling. This ability is related to tire/pavement contact forces. A contribution to establish a traffic safety speed limit is obtained from the likelihood of the loss of driveability. The results show that at speeds faster than 25 km/h the likelihood of tire contact loss is possible when traveling on the measured road type. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)TE.19435436.0000216. (C) 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.

A procedure to evaluate environmental rehabilitation in limestone quarries

A procedure to evaluate mine rehabilitation practices during the operational phase was developed and validated. It is based on a comparison of actually observed or documented practices with internationally recommended best practices (BP). A set of 150 BP statements was derived from international guides in order to establish the benchmark. The statements are arranged in six rehabilitation programs under three categories: (1) planning (2) operational and (3) management, corresponding to the adoption of the plan-do-check-act management systems model to mine rehabilitation. The procedure consists of (i) performing technical inspections guided by a series of field forms containing BP statements; (ii) classifying evidences in five categories; and (iii) calculating conformity indexes and levels. For testing and calibration purposes, the procedure was applied to nine limestone quarries and conformity indexes were calculated for the rehabilitation programs in each quarry. Most quarries featured poor planning practices, operational practices reached high conformity levels in 50% of the cases and management practices scored moderate conformity. Despite all quarries being ISO 14001 certified, their management systems pay low attention to issues pertaining to land rehabilitation and biodiversity. The best results were achieved by a quarry whose expansion was recently submitted to the environmental impact assessment process, suggesting that public scrutiny may play a positive role in enhancing rehabilitation practices. Conformity indexes and levels can be used to chart the evolution of rehabilitation practices at regular intervals, to establish corporate goals and for communication with stakeholders. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Corrosion resistant and adsorbent plasma polymerized thin film

Adsorbent and corrosion resistant films are useful for sensor development. Therefore, the aim of this work is the production and characterization of plasma polymerized fluorinated organic ether thin films for sensor development. The polymerized reactant was methyl nonafluoro(iso)butyl ether. Infrared Spectroscopy showed fluorinated species and eventually CO but CH(n) is a minor species. Contact angle measurements indicated that the film is hydrophobic and organophilic but oleophobic. Optical microscopy reveals not only a good adherence on metals and acrylic but also resistance for organic solvents, acid and basic aqueous solution exposure. Double layer and intermixing are possible and might lead to island formation. Quartz Crystal Microbalance showed that 2-propanol permeates the film but there is no sensitivity to n-hexane. The microreactor manufactured using a 73 cm long microchannel can retain approximately 9 X 10(-4) g/cm(2) of 2-propanol in vapor phase. Therefore, the film is a good candidate for preconcentration of volatile organic compounds even in corrosive environment. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sensory Stability of Ultra-High Temperature Milk in Polyethylene Bottle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensory stability of ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk subjected to different heat treatments and stored at room temperature in white high density polyethylene bottles (HDPE) pigmented with titanium dioxide. Two lots of 300 units each were processed, respectively, at 135 and 141 degrees C/10 s using indirect heating and subsequently aseptically filled in an ISO class 7 clean room. These experimental lots were evaluated for appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall appreciation and compared to samples of commercial UHT milk purchased from local commercial stores. The time-temperature combinations investigated did not affect either the acceptability or the shelf life of the milk. Despite the limited light barrier properties of HDPE bottles, the product contained in the package tested exhibited good stability, with a shelf life ranging from 4 to 11 wk. Within this time period, the acceptability of the experimental lots was similar to that of the commercial products. The results achieved in this study contribute to turn the low-cost UHT system investigated into a technically viable option for small-size dairy processing plants.

Effectiveness of the standard evaluation method for hydraulic nozzles employed in stored grain protection trials

In stored grains, smaller depositions and great variation with respect to theoretical insecticide doses are frequently found. The objective of this work was to study the effectiveness of the standard method (ISO 5682/1-1996) employed to evaluate hydraulic nozzles used in stored corn and wheat grain protection experiments. The transversal volumetric distribution and droplet spectrum of a model TJ-60 8002EVS nozzle were determined in order to calibrate a spraying system for an application rate of 5 L/t and to obtain theoretical concentrations of 10 and 0.5 mg/kg of fenitrothion and esfenvalerate, respectively. After treatment, the corn and wheat grains were processed and deposition was analyzed by gas chromatography. The type of grain did not have any influence on insecticide deposition and was dependent upon insecticide only. The insecticide deposits on the grains only reached 42.1 and 38.2% of the intended theoretical values for fenitrothion and esfenvalerate concentrations, respectively. These results demonstrate the ineffectiveness of the standard evaluation method for hydraulic nozzles employed in stored grain protection experiments.

Effect of free or protein-associated soy isoflavones on the antioxidant status in rats

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic ingestion of free and protein-associated soy isoflavones on the antioxidant status in male Wistar rats. Free isoflavone (iso), protein-associated soy isoflavone (iso + prot) and soy protein (prot) extracts were administered for 30 days by gavage to the rats at a dosage of 1 mg aglycone isoflavones per 200 g body weight, adjusted daily, and the prot group was given the same concentration of soy protein received by the iso + prot group. Antioxidant capacity of plasma, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in plasma, erythrocytes and tissues and gene expression levels in liver and kidney were evaluated. RESULTS: Chronic ingestion of free but not of protein-associated soy isoflavones nor of solely soy protein increased plasma antioxidant capacity and GPx activity in erythrocytes. Soy protein increased CAT activity and gene expression in liver. SOD activity in erythrocytes was increased by all treatments. CONCLUSION: The overall results confirm that dietary soy isoflavones have a positive effect on antioxidant status, enhancing antioxidant capacity of plasma and antioxidant enzymes in various tissues, but the effects are dependent on the form of administration and on a complex mechanism of antioxidant status balance on the organism. (C) 2010 Society of Chemical Industry

High prevalence, low counts and uncommon serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes in linguica, a Brazilian fresh pork sausage

Linguica is a highly popular and appreciated pork product in Brazil, frequently consumed undercooked. Aiming at collection of data for a future risk assessment, this study evaluated the prevalence and counts of Listeria monocytogenes in linguica samples collected at retail level in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. ISO methods were used for detection and enumeration of the pathogen (11290-1 and 11290-2, respectively). Isolates were submitted to Simplex-PCR for hlyA gene and those with biochemical features of L. monocytogenes and hlyA positive were serotyped using a Multiplex PCR. Ninety percent of the samples were positive for Listeria spp., and L monocytogenes was detected in 42% of the samples, with counts below 10(2) CFU/g in all samples. A prevalence of uncommon serotypes 4a and 4c was observed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

EFFECT OF CHEMICAL INTERESTERIFICATION ON PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS OF CANOLA OIL AND FULLY HYDROGENATED COTTONSEED OIL BLENDS

Blends of canola oil (CO) and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil (FHCSO), with 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% FHCSO (w/w) were interesterified under the following conditions: 0.4% sodium methoxide, 500 rpm stirring, 100C, 20 min. The original and interesterified blends were examined for triacylglycerol composition, melting point, solid fat content (SFC) and consistency. Interesterification caused considerable rearrangement of triacylglycerol species, reduction of trisaturated triacylglycerol content and increase in disaturated-monounsaturated and monosaturated-diunsaturated triacylglycerols in all blends, resulting in lowering of respective melting points. The interesterified blends showed reduced SFC at all temperatures and more linear melting profiles if compared with the original blends. Consistency, expressed as yield value, significantly decreased after the reaction. Iso-solid curves indicated eutectic interactions for the original blends, which were eliminated after randomization. The 80:20, 75:25, 70:30 and 65:35 (w/w) CO: FHCSO interesterified blends showed characteristics which are appropriate for their application as soft margarines, spreads, fat for bakery/all-purpose shortenings, and icing shortenings, respectively. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Recently, a number of studies have suggested a direct relationship between trans isomers and increased risk of vascular disease. In response, many health organizations have recommended reducing consumption of foods containing trans fatty acids. In this connection, chemical interesterification has proven the main alternative for obtaining plastic fats that have low trans isomer content or are even trans isomer free. This work proposes to evaluate the chemical interesterification of binary blends of canola oil and fully hydrogenated cottonseed oil and the specific potential application of these interesterified blends in food products.

The bimolecular sensitization of nitric oxide release from weak interacting ruthenium units

This work reports on the bimolecular sensitization of nitric oxide release from cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(iso)-NO](PF(6))(3) (1) (iso = isoquinoline and bpy = 2,2`- bipyridine) by irradiating the MLCT transition of the chloro analog cis-[Ru(bpy) 2(iso) Cl] PF6 (2). The compounds displayed peaks in the ESI-MS spectra at m/z 749.1 and m/z 578.1 ascribed, respectively, to ([1(NO(o))-2PF(6)center dot CH(3)OH](2+)) and ([2-PF(6)](+)). In the cyclic voltammograms, the nitrosyl complex presented two redox waves related to the NO ligand at 0.48 and -0.37 V (versus Ag/AgCl, NO(+/0/-1) processes), while the sensitizer showed two reversible waves at 0.79 and -1.46 V (versus Ag/AgCl, Ru(2+/3+) and bpy(0/-1), respectively). The most important feature of this system is that the nitrosyl compound does not have significant absorption in the visible region, while the sensitizer has an intense band centered at 496 nm. The irradiation of an equimolar mixture of the two compounds in an ethanol: water solution (v: v) with light of lambda > 500 nm leads to NO release, as probed by amperometric measurements. The variational method was applied, showing that the two compounds self-assembly in solution with a 1: 1 stoichiometry. Fluorescence spectra acquired at 77 K provided the E(0-0) for the system and, from the thermodynamic cycle it was estimated that the photoinduced electron transfer between the species has a Delta G value of -1.59 eV. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Kidney and cloaca function in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) at different salinities: Evidence for solute-linked water uptake

Kidney function and the role of the cloacal complex in osmoregulation was investigated in estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) exposed to three environmental salinities: hypo-, iso- and hyperosmotic to the plasma. Plasma homeostasis was maintained over the range of salinities. Antidiuresis occurred with increased salinity. Although urine from the kidneys retained an osmotic pressure between 77% and 82% of the plasma, over 93% and 98% of plasma chloride filtered at the glomeruli was reabsorbed during passage through the kidneys under hypo and hyperosmotic conditions, respectively, and only 64% in iso-osmotic water. The kidneys were the primary site of sodium reabsorption under hypo-and hyperosmotic conditions. Secondary processing of urine during storage in the cloaca varied with salinity. During post renal storage of urine, the difference in urine osmotic pressure increased from -26.1 +/- 15.5 to 35.66 +/- 9.29 mOsM with increased salinity, and potassium concentration of urine increased over 3-fold in C. porosus from freshwater. The almost complete reabsorption of both sodium and chloride under hyperosmotic conditions indicates the necessity for secretory activity by the lingual salt glands. The osmoregulatory response of the kidneys and cloacal complex to environmental salinity is both plastic and complementary. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.