Auditoria energética à indústria têxtil do Ave

A Indústria Têxtil do Ave S.A. (ITA) dedica-se, desde 1948, à produção de componentes têxteis para pneus em forma de fio torcido (corda) e tela. Estes componentes são quimicamente activados e impregnados em estufas, possibilitando assim a posterior adesão ao pneu. A máquina de impregnar corda Single End é composta pelos grupos de estiragem, por um recipiente contendo a solução química e por 4 estufas em série. A máquina de impregnar tela Zell é composta pelos grupos de estiragem, pelos acumuladores de saída e entrada, pelos recipientes com as soluções químicas e por um grupo de 7 estufas em série. O aquecimento das estufas é feito através da queima de gás natural. O presente trabalho teve como objectivo a realização de uma auditoria energética à ITA com um especial destaque às máquinas de impregnar corda (Single End) e tela (Zell). As correntes de entrada que contribuem para a potência térmica de impregnação são a combustão do gás natural, o ar de combustão, o ar fresco, o artigo em verde e as soluções químicas. As correntes de saída correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, ao artigo impregnado e às perdas térmicas. A auditoria à máquina Single End mostrou que a potência térmica de impregnação é de 413,1 kW. Dessa potência térmica, 77,2% correspondem à combustão do gás natural, 6,7% ao ar de combustão, 15% ao ar fresco, 0,7% às cordas em verde e 0,4% à solução química. Da potência térmica de saída, 88,4% correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, 3,2% às cordas impregnadas e 8,4% às perdas térmicas. Da auditoria à máquina Zell observou-se que a potência térmica de impregnação é de 5630,7 kW. Dessa potência, 73,3% corresponde à combustão do gás natural, 1,6% ao ar de combustão, 24,5% ao ar fresco, 0,3% à tela em verde e 0,3% às soluções químicas. Da potência térmica de saída, 65,2% correspondem aos gases de combustão e exaustão, 3,1% à tela impregnada e 31,7% às perdas térmicas. Foram sugeridas como medidas de optimização a redução dos caudais de exaustão das estufas e o aumento de temperatura do ar fresco. O aumento da temperatura do ar fresco da máquina de impregnar Single End para 50 ºC, usando ar quente dos torcedores, leva a uma poupança de 0,22 €/h, com um período de retorno do investimento de 13 anos e 4 meses enquanto o aumento para 120 ºC, usando o calor dos gases de combustão e exaustão, reduz os custos em 0,88 €/h, sendo o período de retorno para esse investimento de 2 anos e 6 meses. Na máquina de impregnar Zell, uma redução de 15% no caudal de exaustão numa das estufas leva a ganhos de 3,43 €/h. O aumento de temperatura do ar fresco para 45 ºC, usando o calor de gases de combustão e exaustão, leva a uma poupança de 9,93 €/h sendo o período de retorno para cada uma das duas sugestões de investimento de 5 meses e 9 meses.

Características e fatores associados às quedas atendidas em serviços de emergência

OBJETIVO: Analisar as características dos atendimentos decorrentes de quedas em serviços de urgência e emergência e identificar fatores associados. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 12.617 atendimentos decorrentes de quedas registrados no Sistema de Vigilância de Violências e Acidentes, coletados em 23 capitais e Distrito Federal, de setembro a novembro de 2009, por meio de uma amostra por conglomerado. Foi utilizada a técnica de análise de correspondência, por permitir a observação conjunta de um grande número de variáveis qualitativas. RESULTADOS: A maior parte das vítimas foi do sexo masculino (56,5%), faixa etária de 0 a 19 anos (45,7%) e declarados não brancos (62,2%). A maioria das quedas ocorreu na residência (54,6%) e via pública (17,4%); 14,3% foram relacionadas ao trabalho. Os tipos predominantes foram "queda no mesmo nível" (57,0%) e "queda de escada/degrau" (15,6%). A maioria das lesões foi classificada como entorse, luxação, contusão, corte e laceração (68,3%). Quedas dentre as crianças associaram-se à ocorrência na residência; com os adolescentes na escola; e jovens na prática esportiva. Quedas em adultos estiveram associadas ao local de trabalho, queda de andaimes, telhados, escada/degrau e buracos e uso de álcool. As quedas no mesmo nível resultaram em lesões de menor gravidade, em membros inferiores e superiores, e as quedas de andaime e telhado se associaram com lesões de maior gravidade e internações. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram que estratégias para a prevenção das quedas devem ser implantadas particularmente em residências, escolas e ambientes de trabalho.

In vitro assessment of three dimensional dense chitosan-based structures to be as bioabsorbable implants

Chitosan biocompatibility and biodegradability properties make this biopolymer promising for the development of advanced internal fixation devices for orthopedic applications. This work presents a detailed study on the production and characterization of three dimensional (3D) dense, non-porous, chitosan-based structures, with the ability to be processed in different shapes, and also with high strength and stiffness. Such features are crucial for the application of such 3D structures as bioabsorbable implantable devices. The influence of chitosan's molecular weight and the addition of one plasticizer (glycerol) on 3D dense chitosan-based products' biomechanical properties were explored. Several specimens were produced and in vitro studies were performed in order to assess the cytotoxicity of these specimens and their physical behavior throughout the enzymatic degradation experiments. The results point out that glycerol does not impact on cytotoxicity and has a high impact in improving mechanical properties, both elasticity and compressive strength. In addition, human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) were used as an ex-vivo model to study cell adhesion and proliferation on these structures, showing promising results with fold increase values in total cell number similar to the ones obtained in standard cell culture flasks. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

InOx thin films deposited by plasma assisted evaporation: application in light shutters

An integration of undoped InOx and commercial ITO thin films into laboratory assembled light shutter devices is made. Accordingly, undoped transparent conductive InOx thin films, about 100 nm thick, are deposited by radiofrequency plasma enhanced reactive thermal evaporation (rf-PERTE) of indium teardrops with no intentional heating of the glass substrates. The process of deposition occurs at very low deposition rates (0.1-0.3 nm/s) to establish an optimized reaction between the oxygen plasma and the metal vapor. These films show the following main characteristics: transparency of 87% (wavelength, lambda = 632.8 nm) and sheet resistance of 52 Omega/sq; while on commercial ITO films the transparency was of 92% and sheet resistance of 83 Omega/sq. The InOx thin film surface characterized by AFM shows a uniform grain texture with a root mean square surface roughness of Rq similar to 2.276 nm. In contrast, commercial ITO topography is characterized by two regions: one smoother with Rq similar to 0.973 nm and one with big grains (Rq similar to 3.617 nm). For the shutters assembled using commercial ITO, the light transmission coefficient (Tr) reaches the highest value (Tr-max) of 89% and the lowest (Tr-min) of 1.3% [13], while for the InOx shutters these values are 80.1% and 3.2%, respectively. Regarding the electric field required to achieve 90% of the maximum transmission in the ON state (E-on), the one presented by the devices assembled with commercial ITO coated glasses is 2.41 V/mu m while the one presented by the devices assembled with InOx coated glasses is smaller, 1.77 V/mu m. These results corroborate the device quality that depends on the base materials and fabrication process used. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimização das fugas pela boca durante o CPAP nasal: banda submentoniana versus máscara facial

Introdução: O CPAP nasal é o tratamento de eleição para os pacientes com Síndrome da Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono (SAOS). Com a máscara nasal podem ocorrer fugas de ar pela boca, que podem por em causa a aderência do paciente ao tratamento devido muitas vezes ao desconforto que provocam, ao aumento do trabalho respiratório e por afectarem a qualidade do sono. Objectivos: Este estudo tem como principal objectivo verificar a eficácia da banda submentoniana e da máscara facial na correcção das fugas pela boca em pacientes com SAOS. Métodos e Participantes: Uma amostra de conveniência de 15 pacientes (8 homens) com SAOS e a fazerem CPAP com máscara nasal, foi recrutada. Foram divididos em dois grupos A e B, onde no grupo A se colocou a banda submentoniana e no grupo B se alterou a interface para máscara facial. Medidas e Resultados: As variáveis avaliadas neste estudo foram as fugas, o IAH, o percentil 95 da pressão de tratamento, a Sa,O2 e os efeitos adversos das duas intervenções. O nível de fugas reduziu no grupo A de 38±11,27 para 24,55±14,30L/min (p=0,002) e no grupo B de 34,34±16,50 para 18,51±16,22L/min (p=0,008). O IAH aumentou no grupo B de 2,60±2,13 para 4,41±3,88 (p=0,016). Relativamente ao percentil 95 da pressão de tratamento aumentou nos dois grupos (Grupo A de 10,15±2,63 para 12,08±2,45cmH2O (p=0,008) e no Grupo B 10,51±1,88 para 12,64±1,29cmH2O (p=0,008)). A Sa,O2 mínima aumentou e o tempo<90% diminui no grupo A com p=0,008, p=0,031, respectivamente. Quanto ao uso auto-reportado verificaram-se poucos efeitos adversos, salientando-se apenas a facilidade de colocação da banda submentoniana, a secura da boca nos dois grupos, a pressão no queixo provocada pela banda e a dor no dorso do nariz provocada pela máscara facial. Conclusão: Ambas as estratégias provaram ser mais eficazes a reduzir a fuga que a máscara nasal. Foram bem toleradas e com poucos efeitos adversos.

Difficultés d'adaptation de questionaire sur les transmissions entre famille et écoles en contextes linguistiques et culturels différents

Les résultats des études PISA – aussi bien en ce qui concerne celle de 2000 comme celle de 2003 - n’ont guêre été satisfaisants pour de nombreux pays de l’OCDE (ce n’est pas le cas pour la Belgique!). Par exemple Portugal, s’il présente des résultats comparables à la moyenne des pays européens ou même supérieurs pour la région de Lisbonne et la vallée du Tage, présente des résultats inférieurs pour l’ensemble du territoire. La Suisse est, curieusement, un autre pays qui se situe en deçà des expectatives. Selon le rapport 2003 (Ramalho, 2004 :50), les études comparatives en littéracie (lecture) et en numéracie n’ont pas démontré de différence significative par rapport aux résultats de 2000. Nous avons pris connaissance d’une étude suisse qui avait pris pour point de départ des résultats également défavorables, pour ce pays, au même rapport PISA : cette recherche analyse l’insertion socio-économique des familles comme également l’influence des transmissions familiales sur les parcours scolaires des élèves.

Learning management systems in higher education

The use of Laptops and the Internet has produced the technological conditions for instructors and students can take advantage from the diversity of online information, communication, collaboration and sharing with others. The integration of Internet services in the teaching practices can be responsible for thematic, social and digital improvement for the agents involved. There are many benefits when we use a Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle, to support the lectures in higher education. We also will consider its implications for student support and online interaction, leading educational agents to a collaborating of different learning environments, where they can combine face-to-face instruction with computer-mediated instruction, blended-learning, and increases the possibilities for better quality and quantity of human communication in a learning background. In general components of learning management systems contain synchronous and asynchronous communication tools, management features, and assessment utilities. These assessment utilities allow lecturers to systematize basic assessment tasks. Assessments can be straightaway delivered to the student, and upon conclusion, immediately returned with grades and detailed feedback. Therefore learning management systems can also be used for assessment purposes in Higher Education.

A new horizon for online teaching and learning

The Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP), which has a solid history of online education and innovation through the use of technology, has been particularly interested and focused on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) developments. The aim of this paper is to present the whole process from initial discussions to completion of the “Mathematics Without Limits” MOOC Project that exists in IPP and also to contribute for a change in the way as teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays. In 2013, IPP developed its own platform, which gave us the opportunity to explore new educational techniques as a pedagogical resource as well as to enhance students’ motivation, through a set of interactive materials at their disposal, totally adapted to their needs. Students lack of motivation is mainly justified by their weak Math preparation, poor consolidated basis on the subject and different backgrounds of the students. To tackle this issue and based on our Math online courses teaching experience, we decided to create short duration MOOC, expecting to aid retention of students and also to reverse the path of students giving up on Math by giving them a friendly way of managing their own learning commitment. We also think that this MOOC will be a good approach to level out some math skills among freshmen.

The potential benefits of using videos in higher education

The developments of digital technology have opened new outlooks for online education which offer students the flexibility to learn at any time and any place. With all this instructional changes instructors, in all levels of the educational chain have been compelled to adapt quickly to this reality. They have a wide diversity of tools available to grab student’s attention and motivate them to embrace the knowledge in their own learning process. One of these resources is the use of videos. Through them lecturers can deliver complex information and contents to students and, if used creatively, videos can become a powerful technological tool in education. In this article we will explore some of the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of videos in the teaching and learning process at higher education levels. We will also discuss some thoughts and examples for the use of teaching materials to enhance student’s learning and try to change ideas about the potentialities and future of video’s annotation new software resources, as incoming open tools for group work involvement.

The potential benefits of using videos in higher education

The developments of digital technology have opened new outlooks for online education which offer students the flexibility to learn at any time and any place. With all this instructional changes teachers, in all levels of the educational chain have been compelled to adapt quickly to this reality. They have a wide diversity of tools available to grab student’s attention and to motivate them to embrace the knowledge in their own learning process. One of these resources is the use of videos. Through them teachers can deliver complex information and contents to students and, if used creatively, videos can become a powerful technological tool in education. In this article we will explore some of the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of videos in the teaching and learning process at higher education levels. We will also discuss some thoughts and examples for the use of teaching materials to enhance student’s learning and try to share ideas about the potentialities and future of video’s annotation new software resources, as incoming open tools for group work involvement.

A new horizon for online teaching and learning

The Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP), which has a solid history of online education and innovation through the use of technology, has been particularly interested and focused on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) developments. The aim of this paper is to present the whole process from initial discussions to completion of the “Mathematics Without Limits” MOOC Project that exists in IPP and also to contribute for a change in the way as teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays. In 2013, IPP developed its own platform, which gave us the opportunity to explore new educational techniques as a pedagogical resource as well as to enhance students’ motivation, through a set of interactive materials at their disposal, totally adapted to their needs. Students lack of motivation is mainly justified by their weak Math preparation, poor consolidated basis on the subject and different backgrounds of the students. To tackle this issue and based on our Math online courses teaching experience, we decided to create short duration MOOC, expecting to aid retention of students and also to reverse the path of students giving up on Math by giving them a friendly way of managing their own learning commitment. We also think that this MOOC will be a good approach to level out some math skills among freshmen.

A New horizon for online teaching and learning

The Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP), which has a solid history of online education and innovation through the use of technology, has been particularly interested and focused on Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) developments. The aim of this paper is to present the whole process from initial discussions to completion of the “Mathematics Without Limits” MOOC Project that exists in IPP and also to contribute for a change in the way as teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays. In 2013, IPP developed its own platform, which gave us the opportunity to explore new educational techniques as a pedagogical resource as well as to enhance students’ motivation, through a set of interactive materials at their disposal, totally adapted to their needs. Students lack of motivation is mainly justified by their weak Math preparation, poor consolidated basis on the subject and different backgrounds of the students. To tackle this issue and based on our Math online courses teaching experience, we decided to create short duration MOOC, expecting to aid retention of students and also to reverse the path of students giving up on Math by giving them a friendly way of managing their own learning commitment. We also think that this MOOC will be a good approach to level out some math skills among freshmen.

Determination du niveau d'anticorps antitetaniques en donneurs de sang au moyen du test ELISA-TÉTANOS (São Paulo, SP, Bresil)

Le test ELISA-TÉTANOS (Biosys, France) a été utilisé pour le titrage des anti-corps tétaniques (sensibilité = 0,0025 UI/ml) en sérums humains de donneurs de sang, 566 hommes et 108 femmes, âges de 18 à 58 ans, moyenne de 29 ans, provenant de São Paulo, SP, Brésil. L'OMS, acceptant seulement la séroneutralisation sur souris (NT), la méthode de référence, pour les études sur la protection contre le tétanos, préconise le titre de 0,01 UI/ml comme minimum protecteur. BOURLEAUD & HUET ont proposé la limite de 0,06 UI/ml quand s'emploie le test ELISA, en attendant à une certaine discordance inévitable entre les méthodes. Parmi les 674 sérums étudiés, 178 (26,41%) n'ont pas présenté d'anticorps (< 0,0025 UI/ml); 413 (61,28%) ont présenté des résultats égaux ou supérieurs à 0,01 UI/ml et en 232 (34,42%) les titres ont été égaux ou supérieurs à 0,06 UI/ml. Le pourcentage d'individus protégés a été inversement proportionnel à 1'âge: environ 50% dans le groupe le plus jeune (hommes de 18 à 35 ans et femmes de 18 à 23 ans) contre environ 10% dans le groupe de plus de 42 ans ont présenté des titres sûrement protecteurs (> 0,06 UI/ml).

Valor de los metodos directos e indirectos de diagnóstico en las micosis sitémicas asociadas al SIDA

Durante 5 años se estudiaron 117 pacientes con micosis sistémicas asociadas al SIDA: 74 criptococosis, 39 histoplasmosis y 4 con ambas enfermedades. Para el diagnóstico analizamos los siguientes materiales: escarificaciones de lesiones cutáneas o mucosas, aspirados de médula ósea, secreciones bronquiales, biopsias de diversos órganos, líquido cefalorraquídeo, hemocultivos y sueros para determinaciones serológicas. Fueron estudiadas en total 203 muestras de pacientes con histoplasmosis, el 46.3% de las mismas acusó la presencia de H. capsulatum. Las escarificaciones cutáneas exhibieron la mayor sensibilidad (94.7%), seguidas por las biopsias (80%) y los mielocultivos (42.1%). La demostración de anticuerpos circulantes por medio de 3 pruebas serológicas y con de 2 antígenos específicos dio resultados positivos en el 45.4% de los pacientes. Se estudiaron en total 413 especímenes de pacientes con criptococosis, la confirmación diagnóstica fue posible en el 69% de las muestras. El mayor rendimiento se obtuvo con el LCR (89.5%), le seguieron en sensibilidad los hemocultivos (61.2%), las escarificaciones cutáneas (42.9%) y los urocultivos (41.7%). La búsqueda de antígeno en los fluidos orgánicos fue positiva en casi todos los casos. La revisión que presentamos permitirá una búsqueda más racional y rápida de los métodos de diagnóstico en las micosis asociadas al SIDA.

O papel da formação comportamental na reforma da administração pública - a visão dos dirigentes

Comunicação apresentada no 3º Congresso Nacional de Administração Pública "O novo ciclio de desenvolvimento da administ~ração pública: abertura, eficiência, independência", em Lisboa, de 3 a 4 de Novembro de 2005.