Análise da sensibilidade do biodiesel B5 em frotas de transporte coletivo com motorização diesel

The aim of this study was investigate the consolidation of the biodiesel fuel used in (a) engines of urban and intercity bus companies, (b) a stationary engine. It was necessary to investigate and analyze, technologically, if the biodiesel fuels were presenting troubleshooting relative to wear of parts lied to fuel and to evaluate the consumption fluctuations of this fuel. The urban and intercity bus companies, localized in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, had 41 and 12 vehicles, respectively. It were analyzed datasheet of each one vehicle during three years, since 2008 until 2010 and were interviewed the management of the maintenance team of bus companies relative to aspects concerning the substitution of the diesel fuel by the B5 biodiesel. The second aim of this study was visually inspect the wear of the parts directly lied to combustion process. For this reason, it was investigated a stationary engine, manufactured by Branco BD5, 5 HP of power, fueled by (a) diesel, (b) biodiesel B5, (c) biodiesel B20 and (d) diesel or biodiesel, both contaminated by distilled water. In this engine, its power utilizing biodiesel B5 versus diesel was lower about 5.2% and, in the investigated case of B20 versus diesel, it was lower around 11.5%

Estudo dos óxidos A2B2O7 e ABO3 a base de terras raras, para aplicações térmicas e catalíticas a altas temperaturas

Rare earth elements have recently been involved in a range of advanced technologies like microelectronics, membranes for catalytic conversion and applications in gas sensors. In the family of rare earth elements like cerium can play a key role in such industrial applications. However, the high cost of these materials and the control and efficiencies associated processes required for its use in advanced technologies, are a permanent obstacle to its industrial development. In present study was proposed the creation of phases based on rare earth elements that can be used because of its thermal behavior, ionic conduction and catalytic properties. This way were studied two types of structure (ABO3 and A2B2O7), the basis of rare earths, observing their transport properties of ionic and electronic, as well as their catalytic applications in the treatment of methane. For the process of obtaining the first structure, a new synthesis method based on the use of EDTA citrate mixture was used to develop a precursor, which undergone heat treatment at 950 ° C resulted in the development of submicron phase BaCeO3 powders. The catalytic activity of perovskite begins at 450 ° C to achieve complete conversion at 675 ° C, where at this temperature, the catalytic efficiency of the phase is maximum. The evolution of conductivity with temperature for the perovskite phase revealed a series of electrical changes strongly correlated with structural transitions known in the literature. Finally, we can establish a real correlation between the high catalytic activity observed around the temperature of 650 ° C and increasing the oxygen ionic conductivity. For the second structure, showed clearly that it is possible, through chemical processes optimized to separate the rare earth elements and synthesize a pyrochlore phase TR2Ce2O7 particular formula. This "extracted phase" can be obtained directly at low cost, based on complex systems made of natural minerals and tailings, such as monazite. Moreover, this method is applied to matters of "no cost", which is the case of waste, making a preparation method of phases useful for high technology applications

Uso urbano não potável de água de lagoas do sistema de drenagem de Natal

The detention and infiltration ponds of urban drainage system has function to protect the population from undesirable effects of floods. In general these ponds are not completly used and it potential is wasted. As it are disseminated at different places at cities it can reduce costs with water transport and permit water preservation of best quality. Some it utilities includes use in green areas irrigation, industrial among than cooling towers and boiler, soil compaction, cleaning urban road, pisciculture and fire fighting system. The quality these water is influenced by anauthorized sewage in the drainage system. This study was performed in six detention and infiltration ponds at drainage system of Natal, which aim was to verify the non-portable use these ponds on urban environment. As indirect aim would to incentive the water utilization these ponds as a water source to another uses in urban environment. These ponds represents the characteristics of detention and infiltration of Natal city and consequently of Brazil. As the water quality, the ponds presents following characteristics: three has apparently good quality, other showed intermediate condition and two had water polluted. Were performed twenty sample in each ponds and the following parameters assessed: pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, electrical conductivity, coliform thermotolerant, ammonia, organic nitrogen, TKN, nitrate, total phosphorus and alkalinity, bicarbonate, chloride, total hardness, calcium and magnesium hardness, total solids, TSS, TDS, COD and SAR°. To utilization on pisciculture we recommend use in ponds which presents the best quality. Only one pond presented higher pollutants and it not being appropriated for use in cooling tower. The content of solids suspension restricted the water use in all ponds in boilers. As water use in soil compaction, cleaning urban road and fire fighting system the water from these ponds are not appropriated. However, the recommended limits from literature are to domestic sewage, due to this, the parameters are restrictive to diminish the sanitary risk that could be offered with it utilization. The infiltration velocity of water these assessed ponds restrict a moderato use, however the effects are potentiated only in soil less sandy, which not occur in Natal. It is recommend the unrestricted irrigation utilization in ponds with best quality of water, and a restricted irrigation to ponds with worst quality of water. As load of pollutants, it is recommended a complementary treatment in those ponds whit higher load to diminish sanitary risks. In only one pond was found one helminth eggs and due to the convention formula of results, it was found for all ponds less than 1 helminth/liter eggs.

Consumo máximo de oxigênio e limiar anaeróbio de jogadores de futebol: comparação entre as diferentes posições

O grau de desenvolvimento das capacidades físicas no futebol é fator determinante do nível desportivo do jogador. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar valores de limiar anaeróbio e consumo máximo de oxigênio entre jogadores profissionais de futebol de diferentes posições. Para tanto, 25 atletas (idade = 22,08 ± 8,28 anos, peso = 76,12 ± 9,8kg, altura = 179,8 ± 7,1cm e relação corporal = 12,21 ± 3,67% de gordura corporal) foram divididos em cinco grupos, como se segue: goleiros (GO), zagueiros (ZA), laterais (LA), meio-campistas (MC) e atacantes (AT). O VO2max foi determinado em esteira ergométrica através de análise direta e a velocidade de corrida correspondente ao limiar anaeróbio fixo de 4mM (V4mM), em teste de campo (2 x 1.000m a 90 e 95% da velocidade máxima para a distância) através de interpolação linear. A V4mM foi menor (p < 0,05) para o grupo GO em relação aos demais grupos. Além disso, os grupos LA e MC apresentaram valores de V4mM significantemente maiores em relação aos grupos ZA e AT. O grupo GO mostrou VO2max significantemente menor em relação a todos os outros grupos, sendo que estes últimos não apresentaram diferença entre si. Uma vez que os atletas de diferentes posições não realizavam treinamento diferenciado, os autores creditam as diferenças encontradas à especificidade da movimentação durante partidas e coletivos.

Efeito imediato e a curto prazo do cigarro sobre o transporte mucociliar nasal de fumadores

Background and objectives: The efficiency of mucociliary transport may vary in different conditions, such as in exposure to harmful particles of the cigarette smoke. The present study evaluated the acute and short term effects of smoking on nasal mucociliary clearance in current smokers by the quantification of the Saccharin Transit Time (STT), and to investigate its correlation with the history of tobacco consumption.Methods: Nineteen current smokers (11 men, 51 +/- 16 years; BMI 23 +/- 9 kg/m(2), 27 +/- 11 cigarettes per day, 44 +/- 25 pack-years), entering a smoking cessation intervention program, responded to a questionnaire concerning smoking history and were submitted to lung function assessment (spirometry) and the STT test. STT was assessed immediately after smoking and 8 hours after smoking. The STT test was also performed in nineteen matched healthy non-smokers' who served as control group.Results: When compared to STT in non-smokers' (10 +/- 4 min; mean +/- standard deviation), smokers presented similar STT immediately after smoking (11 +/- 6 min; p = 0.87) and slower SIT 8 hours after smoking (16 +/- 6 min; p = 0.005 versus non-smokers' and p = 0.003 versus immediately after smoking). STT 8 hours after smoking correlated positively with age (r = 0.59; p = 0.007), cigarettes per day (r = 0.53; p = 0.02) and pack-years index (r = 0.74; p = 0.0003).Conclusions: In smokers, although the mucociliary clearance immediately after smoking is similar to non-smokers', eight hours after smoking it is reduced, and this reduction is closely related to the smoking habits. (C) 2010 Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.

Comportamento da produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio em miocárdio de ratos submetidos a treinamento de baixa intensidade em diferentes temperaturas

INTRODUÇÃO: A prática de exercício físico proporciona aumento da produção de espécies reativas de oxigênio (ERO) resultantes do metabolismo aeróbio e, gera uma quantidade significativa de calor, em conseqüência da produção de energia, resultando em sobrecarga orgânica. A associação entre ERO e exercício, e entre exercício e variações da temperatura ambiente têm sido estudadas, contudo, há escassez de informações que considere a associação entre produção de radicais livres no miocárdio e atividade física em temperatura elevada. OBJETIVO: Comparar a produção de ERO em miocárdio de ratos submetidos ao treinamento de baixa intensidade em diferentes temperaturas. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 20 ratos Wistar, machos, jovens, peso (250 a 280g), divididos em quatro grupos: G1 (n = 5) expostos ao treinamento e calor (39º ± 1C); G2 (n = 5) expostos somente ao calor durante o mesmo período de G1, sem treinamento; G3 (n = 5) expostos ao treinamento em temperatura ambiente (22º ± 1C); G4 (n = 5) expostos à temperatura ambiente sem treinamento. O treinamento foi realizado em esteira rolante climatizada por cinco semanas, evoluindo 5 minutos a cada duas sessões finalizando em 60 minutos em baixa intensidade 8m/min. O ambiente foi controlado entre 39 ± 1ºC e 22 ± 1ºC e entre 40 e 60 % de umidade relativa. A lipoperoxidação foi avaliada por Quimiluminescência (QL). A análise dos dados foi realizada a partir do teste Two Way ANOVA para análise da QL e t de student para a Capacidade Antioxidante Total (TRAP). RESULTADOS: A análise da QL revelou uma curva de emissão de luz significantemente mais baixa para o grupo exposto ao exercício em normotermia comparado aos sedentários mantidos no calor. A análise da TRAP mostrou diminuição em todos os grupos experimentais em relação ao G4. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que houve níveis menores de produção de ERO nos grupos submetidos somente ao calor ou somente ao exercício.

Latenciação e formas avançadas de transporte de fármacos

O processo de modificação molecular denominado latenciação é revisto, apresentando formas avançadas no transporte de fármacos, utilizando macromoléculas como transportadores e sistemas de liberação sítio-específica como: CDS (Chemical Delivery System), ADEPT (Antibody-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy), GDEPT/VDEPT (Gene-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy/Vírus-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy), ODDS (Osteotropic Drug Delivery System), PDEPT (Polymer-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy), PELT (Polymer-Enzyme Liposome Therapy) e LEAPT (Lectin-Directed Enzyme-Activated Prodrug Therapy).

A influência do esqueleto açúcar-fostato no transporte da molécula de DNA

This dissertation analyses the influence of sugar-phosphate structure in the electronic transport in the double stretch DNA molecule, with the sequence of the base pairs modeled by two types of quasi-periodic sequences: Rudin-Shapiro and Fibonacci. For the sequences, the density of state was calculated and it was compared with the density of state of a piece of human DNA Ch22. After, the electronic transmittance was investigated. In both situations, the Hamiltonians are different. On the analysis of density of state, it was employed the Dyson equation. On the transmittance, the time independent Schrödinger equation was used. In both cases, the tight-binding model was applied. The density of states obtained through Rudin-Shapiro sequence reveal to be similar to the density of state for the Ch22. And for transmittance only until the fifth generation of the Fibonacci sequence was acquired. We have considered long range correlations in both transport mechanism

Mobilidade de oxigênio intersticial em cerâmicas SmBa2Cu3O7-delta

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Avaliação da fissuração por fadiga em tubos durante transporte marítimo

Tubos de aço são transportados diariamente em todo o mundo, por caminhão, trem ou navio. Conseqüentemente, danos de transporte, podem ocorrer com freqüência e regularidade. O tipo de dano particular selecionado para este estudo foi o de trinca por fadiga, o qual é considerado como um dos mais críticos. Neste trabalho foram estudados tubos de aço fabricados de acordo com os requisitos da norma API 5L [1]. Foram efetuadas caracterizações químicas, mecânicas e metalográficas de um tubo com diâmetro 609,6 mm e espessura 15,87 mm grau X-65. A simulação do transporte por navio de tubos de aço foi feita submetendo-se seções de tubo com comprimento igual a 0,1 metro, a ciclos de fadiga por meio de máquina servo-hidráulica. Foi possível concluir que em tubos soldados, a região adjacente ao cordão de solda é a mais crítica, e que quando o posicionamento do tubo na carga é efetuado de maneira que a solda fique apoiada sobre alguma superfície rígida, a ocorrência de trinca por fadiga torna-se possível principalmente se os procedimentos de manuseio, carregamento e transporte não forem executados da maneira como recomendada pelos fabricantes de tubos e pela norma API [2].

Transferência de oxigênio em reatores de leito fluidizado com circulação em tubos concêntricos em meios bifásico e trifásico com variação da relação entre diâmetros

A eficiência do reator de leito fluidizado com circulação em tubos concêntricos depende das condições hidrodinâmicas que influem na transferência de oxigênio ao biofilme. Este trabalho investigou a influência da relação entre diâmetros dos tubos e da concentração de meio suporte (areia), sobre o coeficiente global de transferência de oxigênio (K La). Os ensaios - em reatores de 2,6 m de altura, com diâmetro externo de 250 mm e internos de 100, 125, 150 e 200 mm - empregaram vazões de ar até 2.500 L.h-1 e concentrações de até 150 g.L-1 de areia. O K La aumentou ligeiramente com 30 g.L-1 e diminuiu para concentrações maiores, confirmando relatos da literatura em condições semelhantes. Um modelo para K La em meio bifásico foi ajustado para as diversas relações ensaiadas entre a área externa e a interna, postulando-se uma redução na razão entre a transferência na fase líquida e o diâmetro da bolha com o aumento da vazão de ar.

As fontes de desgaste físico e emocional e a Síndrome de Burnout no setor de transporte coletivo urbano de Natal

Recognizing the importance the workplace has on mental health of the individual, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the burnout syndrome and the sources of physical and emotional wear which permeate the work conditions of the urban public transport system of the city of Natal. Although existent in international literature, research on burnout in the professional transport category and studies directed to this category are not a tradition in Brazil. The research was carried out using 412 drivers and money-changers of two transport companies of Natal. To collect the data, two questionnaires and a semi-structured interview were used. The first instrument, developed and validated during the research, investigated the sources of wear and the second, the syndrome of burnout. As its main results, two sources of empirical wear were identified as follows: (1) the Conflict of Values and the Lack of Justice at the Workplace, (2) Union and Reward. Besides these, it was observed that there is an incidence of the syndrome of burnout among the drivers and money-changers of urban transport by bus, not only in the caring occupations studied before in Natal and Brazil and that this incidence is related to the sources of wear which permeate the work conditions of these professionals

Construção de um sistema de caracterização das propriedades de transporte de filmes finos pelo efeito Hall

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Síntese e caracterização de carreadores de oxigênio para combustão com recirculação química obtidos via reação de combustão assistida por microondas

Perovskites oxides win importance by its properties and commercials applications, they have a high thermal stability, have conductive properties, electrical, catalytic, electro catalytic, optical and magnetic, and are thermally stable. Because of these properties, are being widely studied as carriers of oxygen in the process of power generation with CO2 capture. In this work, the base carrier system La1-xMexNiO3 (Me = Ca and Sr) were synthesized by the method via the combustion reaction assisted by microwave. were synthesized from the combustion reaction method by microwave process. This method control the synthesi`s conditions to obtain materials with specific characteristics. The carriers calcined at 800 ° C/2h were analyzed by thermal analysis (TG-DTA), to verify its thermal stability, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to verify the phase formation, with subsequent refinement by the Rietveld method, to quantify the percentage of phases formed, the surface area by BET method was determined, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was obtained to evaluate the material morphology and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) was done to observe the metallic phase of the nickel. After all proposed characterization and analysis of their results can be inferred to these oxides, key features so that they can be applied as carriers for combustion reactions in chemical cycles. The final products showed perovskite-type structures K2NiF4 (main) and ABO3.

Caracterização dos eletrocatalisadores LaMnO3, LaFeO3, LaFe0,2Mn0,8O3 E La0,5Fe0,5MnO3 preparados por autocombustão assistida por microondas para cátodos de células a combustível do tipo SOFC

Materials consisting of perovskite-type oxides (ABO3) have been developed in this work for applications in fuel cell cathodes of solid oxide type (SOFC). These ceramic materials are widely studied for this type of application because they have excellent electrical properties, conductivity and electrocatalytic. The oxides LaMnO3, LaFeO3, LaFe0.2Mn0.8O3 e La0.5Fe0.5MnO3 were synthesized by the method of microwave assisted combustion and after sintering at 800°C in order to obtain the desired phases. The powders were characterized by thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and voltammetric analysis (cyclic voltammetry and polarization curves). The results obtained by XRF technique showed that the microwave synthesis method was effective in obtaining doping oxides with values near stoichiometric. In general, powders were obtained with particle size less than 0.5 &#956;m, having a porous structure and uniform particle size distribution. The particles showed spherical form, irregular and crowded of varying sizes, according to the analysis of SEM. The behavior of the oxides opposite the thermal stability was monitored by thermogravimetric curves (TG), which showed low weight loss values for all samples, especially those of manganese had its structure. By means of Xray diffraction of the samples sintered at 800°C was possible to observe the formation of powders having high levels of crystallinity. Furthermore, undesirable phases such as La2O3 and MnOx were not identified in the diffractograms. These phases block the transport of oxygen ions in the electrode/electrolyte interface, affecting the electrochemical activity of the system. The voltammetric analysis of the electrocatalysts LF-800, LM-800, LF2M8-800 e L5F5M-800 revealed that these materials are excellent electrical conductors, because it increased the passage of electrical current of the working electrode significantly. Best performance for the oxygen reduction reaction was observed with iron-rich structures, considering that the materials obtained have characteristics suitable for use in fuel cell cathodes of solid oxide type