De'sermoni in honore della Beata Vergine, sopra l'Evangelio, exurgens Maria abijt in Montana, e sopra il Magnificat anima mea Dominum /

Mode of access: Internet.

He hoikehonua, he mea ia e hoakakai̓ i ke ano o ka honua nei : a me na mea maluna iho /

Mode of access: Internet.

Na himeni kamalii : na mea e ao ai, a e hoolea aku ai na kamalii i ke Akua.

Judd, B. Hawaiian language imprints

Mea culpa; a woman's last word,

Mode of access: Internet.

Brilliant mistake! Essays on incidents of management mistakes and mea culpa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of managerial mistakes and why (and why not) managers admit mistakes. Design/methodology/approach – This paper provides a reflective account of how students’ perceive management mistakes and deal with admitting “mea culpa” – “I am to blame”. Findings – The findings show a range of attitudes: they highlight the intermingling pressures associated with the cultural environment and mistakes; they identify media characteristics and its influences on mistakes and mea culpa; they highlight ceremonial processes and tasks that shape and influence the declaration of mea culpa; and they identify how the psychology and sociology of mistakes confronts and affects students. Taken together, the study highlights the varying degrees of wariness that is carried forward by the students from vicariously learning about management mistakes. Originality/value – This paper links up with recent discussions on retail failure and retail pedagogy. It is hoped that this paper will encourage more academics to address, and engage with, management mistakes creatively in their teaching.

CO2 absorption into aqueous amine blended solutions containing monoethanolamine (MEA), N,N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA), N,N-diethylethanolamine (DEEA) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) for post-combustion capture processes

Presently monoethanolamine (MEA) remains the industrial standard solvent for CO2 capture processes. Operating issues relating to corrosion and degradation of MEA at high temperatures and concentrations, and in the presence of oxygen, in a traditional PCC process, have introduced the requisite for higher quality and costly stainless steels in the construction of capture equipment and the use of oxygen scavengers and corrosion inhibitors. While capture processes employing MEA have improved significantly in recent times there is a continued attraction towards alternative solvents systems which offer even more improvements. This movement includes aqueous amine blends which are gaining momentum as new generation solvents for CO2 capture processes. Given the exhaustive array of amines available to date endless opportunities exist to tune and tailor a solvent to deliver specific performance and physical properties in line with a desired capture process. The current work is focussed on the rationalisation of CO2 absorption behaviour in a series of aqueous amine blends incorporating monoethanolamine, N,N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA), N,N-diethylethanolamine (DEEA) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) as solvent components. Mass transfer/kinetic measurements have been performed using a wetted wall column (WWC) contactor at 40°C for a series of blends in which the blend properties including amine concentration, blend ratio, and CO2 loadings from 0.0-0.4 (moles CO2/total moles amine) were systematically varied and assessed. Equilibrium CO2 solubility in each of the blends has been estimated using a software tool developed in Matlab for the prediction of vapour liquid equilibrium using a combination of the known chemical equilibrium reactions and constants for the individual amine components which have been combined into a blend.From the CO2 mass transfer data the largest absorption rates were observed in blends containing 3M MEA/3M Am2 while the selection of the Am2 component had only a marginal impact on mass transfer rates. Overall, CO2 mass transfer in the fastest blends containing 3M MEA/3M Am2 was found to be only slightly lower than a 5M MEA solution at similar temperatures and CO2 loadings. In terms of equilibrium behaviour a slight decrease in the absorption capacity (moles CO2/mole amine) with increasing Am2 concentration in the blends with MEA was observed while cyclic capacity followed the opposite trend. Significant increases in cyclic capacity (26-111%) were observed in all blends when compared to MEA solutions at similar temperatures and total amine concentrations. In view of the reasonable compromise between CO2 absorption rate and capacity a blend containing 3M MEA and 3M AMP as blend components would represent a reasonable alternative in replacement of 5M MEA as a standalone solvent.

Optimization of a multielectrode array (MEA)-based approach to study the impact of Aβ on the SH-SY5Y cell line

The human brain stores, integrates, and transmits information recurring to millions of neurons, interconnected by countless synapses. Though neurons communicate through chemical signaling, information is coded and conducted in the form of electrical signals. Neuroelectrophysiology focus on the study of this type of signaling. Both intra and extracellular approaches are used in research, but none holds as much potential in high-throughput screening and drug discovery, as extracellular recordings using multielectrode arrays (MEAs). MEAs measure neuronal activity, both in vitro and in vivo. Their key advantage is the capability to record electrical activity at multiple sites simultaneously. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is characterized by neurofibrillar tangles and aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, which lead to the loss of synapses and ultimately neuronal death. Currently, there is no cure and the drugs available can only delay its progression. In vitro MEA assays enable rapid screening of neuroprotective and neuroharming compounds. Therefore, MEA recordings are of great use in both AD basic and clinical research. The main aim of this thesis was to optimize the formation of SH-SY5Y neuronal networks on MEAs. These can be extremely useful for facilities that do not have access to primary neuronal cultures, but can also save resources and facilitate obtaining faster high-throughput results to those that do. Adhesion-mediating compounds proved to impact cell morphology, viability and exhibition of spontaneous electrical activity. Moreover, SH-SY5Y cells were successfully differentiated and demonstrated acute effects on neuronal function after Aβ addition. This effect on electrical signaling was dependent on Aβ oligomers concentration. The results here presented allow us to conclude that the SH-SY5Y cell line can be successfully differentiated in properly coated MEAs and be used for assessing acute Aβ effects on neuronal signaling.

Controle de temperatura em intervenção cirúrgica abdominal convencional: comparação entre os métodos de aquecimento por condução e condução associada à convecção

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Hipotermia intra-operatória é complicação frequente, favorecida por operação abdominal. A eficácia da associação dos métodos de aquecimento por condução e convecção na prevenção de hipotermia e seus efeitos no período de recuperação pós-operatória foram os objetivos deste estudo. MÉTODO: Quarenta e três pacientes de ambos os sexos de 18 a 88 anos de idade, submetidos à laparotomia xifopúbica sob anestesia geral e monitorização da temperatura esofágica, foram distribuídos de modo aleatório em dois grupos de aquecimento: COND (n = 24), com colchão de circulação de água a 37°C no dorso e COND + CONV (n = 19), com a mesma condição associada à manta de ar aquecido a 42°C sobre o tórax e membros superiores. Analisados peso, sexo, idade, duração da operação e anestesia, temperaturas na indução anestésica (Mi), horas consecutiva (M1, M2), final da operação (Mfo) e anestesia (Mfa), entrada (Me-REC) e saída (Ms-REC) da recuperação pós-anestésica (SRPA), além das incidências de tremores e queixas de frio no pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os grupos foram semelhantes em todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto nas temperaturas em M2, M3, M4, Mfo e Mfa. O grupo COND reduziu a temperatura a partir da segunda hora da indução anestésica, mas o grupo COND + CONV só na quarta hora. Em COND, observou-se hipotermia na entrada e saída da SRPA. CONCLUSÕES: Associar métodos de aquecimento retardou a instalação e diminui a intensidade da hipotermia intra-operatória, mas não reduziu a incidência das queixas de frio e tremores.

Comparison of radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa forel in two culture media

In vitro culture of the mutualistic fungus of leaf-cutting ants is troublesome due to its low growth rate, which leads to storage problems and contaminants accumulation. This paper aims at comparing the radial growth rate of the mutualistic fungus of Atta sexdens rubropilosa Forel in two different culture media (Pagnocca B and MEA LP). Although total MEA LP radial growth was greater all along the bioassay, no significant difference was detected between growth efficiencies of the two media. Previous evidences of low growth rate for this fungus were confirmed. Since these data cannot point greater efficiency of one culture medium over the other, MEA LP medium is indicated for in vitro studies with this mutualistic fungus due its simpler composition and translucent color, making the analysis easier.

A novel electrocatalyst support with proton conductive properties for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell applications

The objective of this study is to graft the Surface of carbon black, by chemically introducing polymeric chains (Nafion (R) like) with proton-conducting properties. This procedure aims for a better interaction of the proton-conducting phase with the metallic catalyst particles, as well as hinders posterior support particle agglomeration. Also loss of active surface call be prevented. The proton conduction between the active electrocatalyst site and the Nafion (R) ionomer membrane should be enhanced, thus diminishing the ohmic drop ill the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). PtRu nanoparticles were supported on different carbon materials by the impregnation method and direct reduction with ethylene glycol and characterized using amongst others FTIR, XRD and TEM. The screen printing technique was used to produce membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for single cell tests in H(2)/air(PEMFC) and methanol operation (DMFC). In the PEMFC experiments, PtRu supported on grafted carbon shows 550 mW cm(-2) gmetal(-1) power density, which represents at least 78% improvement in performance, compared to the power density of commercial PtRu/C ETEK. The DMFC results of the grafted electrocatalyst achieve around 100% improvement. The polarization Curves results clearly show that the main Cause of the observed effect is the reduction in ohmic drop, caused by the grafted polymer. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Titanium phosphate for Fuel Cell Proton Conduction Membranes

Environmental issues due to increases in emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases are driving the development of clean energy delivery technologies such as fuel cells. Low temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) use hydrogen as a fuel and their only emission is water. While significant advances have been made in recent years, a major limitation of the current technology is the cost and materials limitations of the proton conduction membrane. The proton exchange membrane performs three critical functions in the PEMFC membrane electrode assembly (MEA): (i) conduction of protons with minimal resistance from the anode (where they are generated from hydrogen) to the cathode (where they combine with oxygen and electrons, from the external circuit or load), (ii) providing electrical insulation between the anode and cathode to prevent shorting, and (iii) providing a gas impermeable barrier to prevent mixing of the fuel (hydrogen) and oxidant. The PFSA (perfluorosulphonic acid) family of membranes is currently the best developed proton conduction membrane commercially available, but these materials are limited to operation below 100oC (typically 80oC, or lower) due to the thermochemical limitations of this polymer. For both mobile and stationary applications, fuel cell companies require more durable, cost effective membrane technologies capable of delivering enhanced performance at higher temperatures (typically 120oC, or higher. This is driving research into a wide range of novel organic and inorganic materials with the potential to be good proton conductors and form coherent membranes. There are several research efforts recently reported in the literature employing inorganic nanomaterials. These include functionalised silica phosphates [1,2], fullerene [3] titania phosphates [4], zirconium pyrophosphate [5]. This work addresses the functionalisation of titania particles with phosphoric acid. Proton conductivity measurements are given together with structural properties.

THE MEDIAL AMYGDALOID NUCLEUS MODULATES CARDIOVASCULAR RESPONSES TO ACUTE RESTRAINT IN RATS

The medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA) modulates several physiological and behavioral processes and among them, the cardiovascular correlates of behavioral responses to stressful stimuli. Acute restraint evokes cardiovascular responses, which are characterized by both elevated blood pressure (BP) and intense heart rate (HR) increase. We presently report effects of MeA pharmacological manipulations on BP and HR responses evoked by acute restraint in rats. Bilateral microinjection of 100 nL of the unspecific synaptic blocker COCl(2) (1 mM) into the MeA increased HR response to acute restraint, without significant effect on the BP response. This result indicates an inhibitory influence of MeA on restraint-evoked HR changes. Injections of the non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine (3 nmol); the inhibitor of choline uptake hemicholinium (2 nmol) or the selective M(1)-receptor antagonist pirenzepine (6 nmol) caused effects that were similar to those caused by cobalt. These results suggest that local cholinergic neurotransmission and M(1)-receptors mediate the MeA inhibitory influence on restraint-related HR responses. Pretreatment with the M3 receptor antagonist 4-DAMP (4-Diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide-2 nmol) did not affect restraint-related cardiovascular responses, reinforcing the idea that M(1)-receptors mediate MeA-related inhibitory influence on restraint-evoked HR increase. (C) 2009 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cardiovascular responses to microinjection of noradrenaline into the medial amygdaloid nucleus of conscious rats result from alpha(2)-receptor activation and vasopressin release

The medial amygdaloid nucleus (MeA) is involved in the modulation of physiological and behavioral processes, as well as regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Moreover, MeA electrical stimulation evokes cardiovascular responses. Thus, as noradrenergic receptors are present in this structure, the present study tested the effects of local noradrenaline (NA) microinjection into the MeA on cardiovascular responses in conscious rats. Moreover, we describe the types of adrenoceptor involved and the peripheral mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular responses. Increasing doses of NA (3, 9, 27 or 45 nmol/100 nL) microinjected into the MeA of conscious rats caused dose-related pressor and bradycardic responses. The NA cardiovascular effects were abolished by local pretreatment of the MeA with 10 nmol/100 nL of the specific alpha(2)-receptor antagonist RX821002, but were not affected by local pretreatment with 10 nmol/100 nL of the specific alpha(1)-receptor antagonist WB4101. The magnitude of pressor response evoked by NA microinjected into the MeA was potentiated by intravenous pretreatment with the ganglion blocker pentolinium (5 mg/kg), and blocked by intravenous pretreatment with the selective V(1)-vasopressin antagonist dTyr(CH(2))(5)(Me)AVP (50 mu g/kg). In conclusion, our results show that microinjection of NA into the MeA of conscious rats activates local alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, evoking pressor and bradycardic responses, which are mediated by vasopressin release.

Projecto e simulação de uma instalação para estudo da absorção de CO2 com soluções de aminas

Este trabalho visa, como objectivo principal, contribuir para o estudo da absorção de CO2 em gases de combustão, utilizando MEA. Tem também, como objectivo secundário, o dimensionamento de uma unidade de absorção assim como uma avaliação económica do respectivo projecto. Assim, esta tese divide-se em duas partes: a primeira parte refere-se ao projecto da instalação piloto para captura de CO2 utilizando a tecnologia de absorção gasosa e de modo a ser possível a utilização de soluções de aminas. A segunda parte desta tese descreve a simulação da operação da instalação de absorção de CO2 em HYSYS, e a respectiva avaliação económica do projecto, na impossibilidade prática de realizar ensaios laboratoriais, considerando o espaço de tempo que medeia entre a especificação do equipamento a adquirir e a recepção desses mesmos equipamentos, incompatível com o tempo disponível para a realização desta tese de Mestrado. Na primeira parte do trabalho foi realizada a avaliação de uma unidade já existente no IST permitindo, dessa forma, verificar o estado da mesma assim como o material que é necessário adquirir de forma a conseguir a sua conversão numa unidade de absorção de CO2 em contínuo. Após a conclusão deste estudo, pode concluir-se que a instalação piloto terá um custo, com bases nos orçamentos, de 7.262€. Na segunda parte do projecto foi realizada uma simulação em HYSYS da operação de captura de CO2. Esta simulação tinha como principal objecto poder determinar as melhores condições operatórias a utilizar na unidade, para posterior comparação com os resultados que irão, posteriormente, ser obtidos em laboratório, ficando-se na captura de CO2 a partir dos efluentes gasosos da Central Termoeléctrica de Sines que é uma unidade do sistema gerador nacional candidata a fazer-se a captura de CO2 recorrendo a esta tecnologia. Desta forma, a simulação apresentou os seguintes resultados principais: uma percentagem de CO2 capturado de 90,61%. A unidade apresenta um custo de 82€/ton CO2 e um custo operacional de 28 M€/ano. Por fim, os resultados obtidos pelo simulador HYSYS foram comparados com outros resultados obtidos em ASPEN PLUS, tendo sido possível concluir que o HYSYS é o simulador mais fiável devido a fiabilidade do pacote de propriedades, e mais simples de trabalhar em comparação como o ASPEN PLUS, quando aplicado a esta situação. Este trabalho resultou na apresentação de uma comunicação em painel no 2º Encontro do IBB, em Braga em Outubro de 2010 e, ainda na elaboração de um artigo submetido a uma revista internacional.